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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________
Form 10-K

  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended January 3, 2021

  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File No.: 001-33994
 
        INTERFACE INC         
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Georgia   58-1451243
(State of incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1280 West Peachtree Street Atlanta Georgia 30309
(Address of principal executive offices) (zip code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:           (770) 437-6800           
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 
Title of Each Class Trading Symbol(s) Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered:
Common Stock, $0.10 Par Value Per Share TILE Nasdaq Global Select Market
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:              None             
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Date File required to be submitted 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 þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer þ  Non-accelerated filer o  Smaller reporting company   Emerging growth company  
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No þ
Aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of July 2, 2020: $438,070,155 (57,716,753 shares valued at the closing sale price of $7.59 on July 2, 2020). See Item 12.
 Number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of Common Stock, as of February 18, 2021:
Class Number of Shares
Common Stock, $0.10 par value per share 58,641,920

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.



TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
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Table of Contents
PART I


ITEM 1. BUSINESS
 
General
 
References in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to “Interface,” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” “ours” and “us” refer to Interface, Inc. and its subsidiaries or any of them, unless the context requires otherwise.
 
Interface is a global flooring company specializing in carpet tile and resilient flooring, including luxury vinyl tile (“LVT”) and rubber flooring.

We are a worldwide leader in design, production and sales of modular carpet, also known as carpet tile. As a global company with a reputation for high quality, reliability and premium positioning, we market modular carpet under the established brand names Interface® and FLOR®, and we market LVT under the brand Interface®. On August 7, 2018, the Company acquired nora Holding GmbH (“nora”), a worldwide leader in the rubber flooring category under the established nora brands norament® and noraplan®.

Market Segmentation

Our business, as well as the commercial interiors industry in general, is cyclical in nature and is impacted by economic conditions and trends that affect the markets for commercial and institutional business space. We believe the appeal and utilization of modular carpet and resilient flooring will continue to grow in corporate office and non-corporate office market segments, and we are using our considerable skills and experience with designing, producing and marketing modular products that make us a market leader in the corporate office segment to support and facilitate our penetration into more non-corporate office market segments around the world. The nora acquisition continues to advance the Company’s growth strategy to expand into new market segments, particularly in the healthcare, life sciences and education market segments.

 In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted areas where we operate and sell our products and services. Government restrictions and shutdowns around the world resulted in lower corporate reinvestment and impacted sales in the corporate office market segment. To mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on our business, we capitalized on our ongoing market diversification strategy to increase our presence and market penetration for modular carpet and resilient flooring sales in non-corporate office market segments. As a result, our sales mix of corporate office versus non-corporate office market segments in the Americas and on a company-wide basis shifted more towards non-corporate office markets compared to prior years.

Below is a summary of our sales mix between corporate office and non-corporate office market segments for the last three fiscal years:

2020 2019 2018
Corporate Office Non-Corporate Office Corporate Office Non-Corporate Office Corporate Office Non-Corporate Office
Americas 37  % 63  % 47  % 53  % 45  % 55  %
 
Company-wide 47  % 53  % 61  % 39  % 60  % 40  %

Geographic Markets

We operate and sell our modular carpet and resilient flooring products and services in three principal geographic markets, the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific, where the percentages of our total net sales were approximately 54%, 32% and 14%, respectively, for fiscal year 2020. The percentages of our total net sales for Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific in 2019 were 57%, 29% and 14%, respectively, and for 2018 those percentages were 58%, 27% and 15%, respectively.

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Products and Services

Modular Carpet

We produce carpet tiles in a wide variety of colors, patterns, textures, pile heights and densities. These varieties are designed to meet both the practical and aesthetic needs of a broad spectrum of commercial interiors — particularly offices, healthcare facilities, airports, educational and other institutions, hospitality spaces, and retail facilities — and residential interiors. Our carpet tile systems permit distinctive styling and patterning that can be used to complement interior designs, to set off areas for particular purposes, create visual cues, and to convey graphic information. While we continue to manufacture and sell a substantial portion of our carpet tile in standard styles, most of our modular carpet sales in the Americas and Asia-Pacific are made-to-order products designed to meet customer specifications.
 
Our modular carpet systems are marketed under the established brands Interface and FLOR. We manufacture carpet tiles cut in precise, dimensionally stable squares (usually 50 cm x 50 cm) or rectangles (such as planks and Skinny Planks) to produce a floorcovering that combines the appearance and texture of traditional soft floorcovering with the advantages of a modular carpet system. Our GlasBac® technology employs a fiberglass-reinforced polymeric composite backing that provides dimensional stability and reduces the need for adhesives or fasteners. We also make carpet tiles with a backing containing post-industrial and/or post-consumer recycled materials, which we market under the GlasBacRE brand. In addition, we make carpet tile with yarn containing varying degrees of post-consumer nylon, depending on the style and color.

In 2020, we introduced the next generation of our carpet tile backings called CQuest™ backings. Guided by materials science and inspired by nature’s carbon-storing abilities, we added new bio-based materials and more recycled content to our backings. The materials in the CQuest backings, when measured on a stand-alone basis, are net carbon negative — meaning that their global warming potential emissions are net negative. The new CQuest backings are:

CQuest™GB - The next evolution of our GlasBac backing. It features the same superior performance with a construction of post-consumer recycled content from carpet tiles, bio-based additives, and pre-consumer recycled materials.
CQuest™Bio - A non-vinyl bio-composite backing made with bio-based and recycled fillers.
CQuest™BioX - The same material make-up as CQuestBio with a higher concentration of carbon negative materials.

Our i2™ modular product line, which includes our popular Entropy® product features mergeable dye lots, and includes a number of carpet tile products that are designed to be installed randomly without reference to the orientation of neighboring tiles. The i2 line offers cost-efficient installation and maintenance, interactive flexibility, and recycled and recyclable materials. Our TacTiles® carpet tile installation system uses small squares of adhesive plastic film to connect intersecting carpet tiles, thus eliminating the need for traditional carpet adhesive and resulting in a reduction in installation time and material waste.

We also produce and sell a specially adapted version of our carpet tile for the healthcare facilities market. Our carpet tile possesses characteristics — such as the use of the Intersept® antimicrobial, static-controlling nylon yarns, and thermally pigmented, colorfast yarns — which make it suitable for use in these facilities in place of hard surface flooring. Moreover, we launched our FLOR line of products to specifically target modular carpet sales to the residential market segment, and in recent years FLOR products have had crossover success in commercial markets. In addition, we have created modular carpet products specifically designed for each of the education, hospitality and retail market segments.

The award-winning design firm David Oakey Designs has had a pivotal role in developing many of our innovative product designs. David Oakey Designs has developed products that are manufactured using state-of-the-art tufting technology which allows us to pinpoint tufts of different colored yarns in virtually any arrangement within a carpet tile. These unique designs are best exemplified by our Urban Retreat®, Net Effect®, Human Nature® and World Woven® collections, which are sold throughout our international operations.


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In 2020, we achieved a substantial milestone in our journey toward becoming a sustainable enterprise. Simultaneously with the launch of our new CQuest backings described above, we introduced in the Americas our first ever “cradle-to-gate” carbon negative carpet tile products in three unique styles: Shishu Stitch™, Tokyo Texture™, and Zen Stitch™. These pioneering products, which are part of our Embodied Beauty™ collection, are created with a combination of our new CQuestBioX carpet backing (featuring new bio-based materials and more recycled content), specialty yarns and tufting processes that create a carpet tile with a net negative value of “embodied carbon”. Embodied carbon is the carbon footprint (meaning the global warming potential of emissions of greenhouse gases measured in carbon dioxide equivalents) of a product from raw material creation, growth and extraction (the “cradle”) through processing until it is packaged and ready to be shipped from our factory (the “gate”), thus referred to as “cradle-to-gate” in the life cycle assessment of a product. Embodied carbon is distinct from operational carbon, which refers to the carbon footprint of everything that happens after the product leaves our factory, such as shipment, customer use, and end of life.

In addition, through our third party verified Carbon Neutral Floors™ program, all of our carpet tile, LVT and norament and noraplan rubber flooring products are made carbon neutral across their entire life cycle, including both embodied carbon and operational carbon, by our purchase and retirement of third party verified carbon offsets.

We believe our cradle-to-gate carbon negative carpet tile products and our Carbon Neutral Floors program provide us with a competitive advantage, particularly with our global account customers who are increasingly setting their own goals to reduce their carbon footprints.

Modular Resilient Flooring

In 2016, we began offering a category of products we call modular resilient flooring, and our first product introductions into this category were LVT products in the U.S. LVT shares many of the same attributes and benefits as carpet tile. In 2017, we launched our LVT products globally, beginning with the Level Set™ Collection which is available in styles with printed top layers in a variety of aesthetic looks, including natural woodgrains and stones, textured woodgrains, and patterns. These LVT products are modular and come in sizes that match certain of our modular carpet tile planks and squares. Some of them are engineered to the same or similar height as our modular carpet, which means our customers have the ability to install our LVT and modular carpet products side by side without transition strips or layering. In addition, some of our LVT products include a backing system that provides acoustic insulation without the need for additional underlayment, which can reduce the impact of sound within a space.

Rubber Flooring
 
With the acquisition of nora in 2018, we began offering rubber flooring products under the established noraplan and norament brands which enhances the Company’s fast-growing resilient flooring portfolio. Rubber flooring is ideal for applications that require hygienic, safe flooring with strong chemical resistance. Rubber flooring is extremely durable compared to other flooring alternatives.

Other Products and Services
 
We sell a proprietary antimicrobial chemical compound under the registered trademark Intersept that we incorporate in some of our modular carpet products. We also sell our TacTiles carpet tile installation system, along with a variety of traditional adhesives and products for carpet installation and maintenance that are manufactured by a third party. We also continue to provide “turnkey” project management services for a number of global accounts and other large customers through our InterfaceSERVICES™ business.  

Manufacturing and Raw Materials

We manufacture carpet tile at two locations in the United States and at facilities in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Thailand, China and Australia. We manufacture rubber flooring in Germany.


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Our raw materials are generally available from multiple sources — both regionally and globally — with the exception of synthetic fiber (nylon yarn).  For yarn, we principally rely upon two major global suppliers, but we also have significant relationships with at least two other suppliers.  Although our number of principal yarn suppliers is limited, we do have the capability to manufacture carpet using face fiber produced from two separate polymer feedstocks — nylon 6 and nylon 6,6 — which provides additional flexibility with respect to yarn supply inputs, if needed.  Our global sourcing strategy, including with respect to our principal yarn suppliers and dual polymer manufacturing capability, allows us to help guard against any potential shortages of raw materials or raw material suppliers in a specific polymer supply chain. For rubber flooring, the key polymer raw materials are available from multiple sources and we can source both synthetic and natural rubber depending on product specification and material availability.

We have a flexible-inputs carpet backing line, which we call Cool Blue™, at our modular carpet manufacturing facility in LaGrange, Georgia. This custom-designed backing line dramatically improves our ability to keep reclaimed and waste carpet in the production “technical loop,” and further permits us to explore other plastics and polymers as inputs. For example, our knowledge and experience with the Cool Blue line helped us in the development of our new CQuest backings described above. We also have technology that more cleanly separates the face fiber and backing of reclaimed and waste carpet, thus making it easier to recycle some of its components and providing a purer supply of inputs for the Cool Blue process. This technology, which is part of our ReEntry®2.0 carpet reclamation program, allows us to send some of the reclaimed face fiber back to our fiber supplier to be blended with virgin or other post-industrial materials and extruded into new fiber.
 
The environmental management systems of our floorcovering manufacturing facilities in LaGrange, Georgia, West Point, Georgia, Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, Thailand, China and Australia are certified under International Standards Organization (ISO) Standard No. 14001. Nora’s manufacturing facility, which is located in Weinheim, Germany, is ISO14001 certified as well and sells the majority of its products with the Blauer Engel label. Blauer Engel is the leading German institute that recognizes products that have environmentally friendly aspects.

Sales and Marketing

We distribute our products through two primary channels: (1) direct sales to end users; and (2) indirect sales through independent contractors, installers and distributors.  We have traditionally focused our carpet marketing strategy on major accounts, seeking to build lasting relationships with national and multinational end-users, and on architects, interior designers, engineers, contracting firms, and other specifiers who often make or significantly influence purchasing decisions. While the corporate office market segment, including new construction and renovation, is our largest, we also emphasize sales in other market segments, including retail space, government institutions, schools and educational facilities, healthcare facilities, tenant improvement space, hospitality centers, residences and home office space. Our marketing efforts are enhanced by the established and well-known brand names of our carpet products, including Interface and FLOR, as well as the strength of the nora rubber flooring brands of noraplan and norament.  
 
An important part of our marketing and sales efforts involves the preparation of custom-made samples of requested carpet designs, in conjunction with the development of innovative product designs and styles to meet the customer’s particular needs. In most cases, we can produce samples to customer specifications in less than five days, which significantly enhances our marketing and sales efforts and has increased our volume of higher margin made-to-order or custom sales. In addition, through our websites, we have made it easy to view and request samples of our products. We also use technology which allows us to provide digital, simulated samples of our products, which helps reduce raw material and energy consumption associated with our samples.
 
We primarily use our internal marketing and sales force teams to market our flooring products. In order to implement our global marketing efforts, we have product showrooms or design studios in the United States, Canada, Mexico, England, France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, India, Australia, Norway, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, China and elsewhere. We may open offices in other locations around the world as necessary to capitalize on emerging marketing opportunities.

Business Strategy and Principal Initiatives

Our business strategy is to continue to use our leading position in modular carpet, product design and global made-to-order capabilities as a platform from which to position our modular carpet, LVT products and rubber flooring products across several industry segments.


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We will seek to increase revenues and profitability by pursuing the following key initiatives:

Continue to Penetrate Non-Corporate Office Market Segments. We plan to continue our strategic focus on product design and marketing and sales efforts for non-corporate office market segments such as government, education, healthcare, hospitality, and residential living. We began this initiative as part of a market diversification strategy to reduce our exposure to the economic cyclicality of the corporate office segment, and it has become a principal strategy generally for growing our business and enhancing profitability.  

Develop a Substantial Resilient Flooring Business. Building upon the success of our products into the high growth LVT market, we plan to expand our LVT product offerings while also seeking to introduce new products in the resilient flooring category. We believe our ability to offer and sell our soft and hard surfaces in an integrated flooring design helps meet the needs of our customers by complementing and enhancing our carpet tile portfolio with true modular installation, no transition strips between surfaces, carpet tile and resilient products that are in some cases the same size and shape, and favorable acoustic properties. Our acquisition of nora, with its rubber flooring products, is also a key component of our strategy in this area.

Sustain Leadership in Product Design and Development. Our CQuest backings and our plank, Skinny Plank, and i2 products and TacTiles installation system have confirmed our position as an innovation leader in modular carpet. We will continue initiatives to sustain, augment and capitalize upon that strength to continue to increase our market share in targeted market segments. Our Climate Take Back initiative, which was advanced in 2020 with the launch of our first ever cradle-to-gate carbon negative carpet tile, and our Mission Zero initiative promote our sustainability commitment.

Seasonality
 
Historically, sales in our first quarter had typically been our lowest quarter while our fourth quarter sales had typically been our best quarter, as sales generally increased throughout the course of the fiscal year.  However, in recent years, as our sales efforts and results in the education and other non-corporate office market segments have increased, our second and third quarter sales have sometimes been the highest. In 2020, our first quarter sales were the highest quarter, as the COVID-19 pandemic escalated and more severely impacted the remainder of the year.

Competition
 
We compete, on a global basis, in the sale of our modular carpet products with other carpet manufacturers and manufacturers of vinyl and other types of floorcoverings, including broadloom carpet. Although the industry has experienced significant consolidation, a large number of manufacturers remain in the industry. We believe we are the largest manufacturer of modular carpet in the world. However, a number of domestic and foreign competitors manufacture modular carpet as one segment of their business, and some of these competitors have financial resources greater than ours. In addition, some of the competing carpet manufacturers have the ability to extrude at least some of their requirements for fiber used in carpet products, which decreases their dependence on third party suppliers of fiber.

We believe the principal competitive factors in our primary floorcovering markets are brand recognition, quality, design, service, broad product lines, product performance, marketing strategy, pricing and sustainability. In the corporate office market segment, modular carpet competes with various floorcoverings including broadloom carpet, LVT and polished concrete. We believe the quality, service, design, better and longer average product performance, flexibility (design options, selective rotation or replacement, use in combination with our resilient products), sustainability and convenience of our modular carpet are our principal competitive advantages.
 
We believe we have competitive advantages in several other areas as well. First, having both an internal design staff as well as our relationship with David Oakey Designs allows us to introduce numerous innovative and attractive carpet tile and resilient products to our customers. Additionally, we believe that our global carpet tile manufacturing capabilities are an important competitive advantage in serving the needs of multinational corporate customers. We believe that the incorporation of the Intersept antimicrobial chemical agent into the backing of some modular carpet products enhances our ability to compete successfully across all of our market segments.
 

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Our sustainability goals are a brand-enhancing, competitive strength as well as a strategic initiative. Our customers are increasingly concerned about the environmental and broader ecological implications of their operations and the products they use in them. Our leadership, knowledge and expertise in the area, especially in the “green building” movement and related environmental certification programs, resonate deeply with many of our customers and prospects around the globe. Our modular carpet products historically have had inherent installation and maintenance advantages that have translated into greater efficiency and waste reduction. We are using raw materials and production technologies, such as our Cool Blue backing line, our ReEntry 2.0 reclaimed carpet separation process, and our new CQuest™ backings, that directly reduce the adverse impact of those operations on the environment and limit our dependence on petrochemicals. 

Product Design, Research and Development
 
We maintain an active research, development and design staff of approximately 90 people and also draw on the research and development efforts of our suppliers, particularly in the areas of fibers, yarns and modular carpet backing materials. The research and development team provides us with technical support and advanced materials research and development. Innovation and increased customization in product design and styling are the principal focus of our product development efforts, and this focus has led to several design breakthroughs such as our plank and Skinny Plank products, as well as our i2 product line. Our carpet design and development team is recognized as an industry leader in carpet design and product engineering for the commercial and institutional markets.

David Oakey Designs provides carpet design and consulting services to us pursuant to a consulting agreement, and this firm augments our internal research, development and design staff. David Oakey Designs’ services under the agreement include creating commercial carpet designs for use by our modular carpet businesses throughout the world, and overseeing product development, design and coloration functions for our modular carpet business in North America. The agreement can be terminated by either party upon six months prior written notice to the other party.

In 2020, we launched our first ever cradle-to-gate carbon negative carpet tile. Our goal is to offer products with the lowest carbon footprint possible and products that go beyond neutral to help maintain a climate fit for life. Our carbon negative carpet tile features carbon negative materials in the CQuestBioX backing in combination with specialty yarns and tufting processes. We have developed innovative ways to work with recycled content and bio-based materials, which has led us to make carpet tiles that store carbon, preventing its release into the atmosphere.
 
For our nora rubber flooring products, the innovation focus is on performance and design. A recent innovation is the fast growing self-adhesive nTx solution for nora tiles and sheet goods. Recent step changes in design are noraplan Iona introducing a rubber on rubber print, noraplan valua introducing natural woodlike colors and embossing, and noraplan unita that incorporates real granite parts in a rubber floor. The combination of performance and design makes nora the recognized market leader in rubber flooring.

Environmental and Sustainability Initiatives
 
Our sustainability strategy that we refer to as Mission Zero, is aimed at reducing waste, environmental footprint and costs. With our Climate Take Back initiative we seek to lead industry in designing and making products in ways that will maintain a climate fit for life. Our Mission Zero and Climate Take Back logos appear on many of our marketing and merchandising materials distributed throughout the world. With our new CQuest™GB, CQuest™Bio and CQuest™BioX backings we are able to use more bio-based and recycled materials. As more customers in our target markets share our view that sustainability is an important factor it will become a determining factor in purchasing and design decisions.
 
A high point in our pursuit of sustainability was our creation with the Zoological Society of London of a program called Net-Works® in which we’ve worked with communities in the Philippines to collect discarded fishing nets that are damaging a large coral reef, and divert them to our yarn supplier where they are recycled into new carpet fiber. Net-Works provides a source of income for members of these communities in the Philippines, while also cleaning up the beaches and waters where they live and work. Our Net Effect Collection of carpet tile products, among others, contains yarn that is partly made from the recycled fishing nets collected through the Net-Works program. Net-Works is a big step in redesigning our supply chain from a linear take-make-waste process toward a closed loop system, and it advances our ultimate goal of becoming a restorative enterprise.


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Compliance with Government Regulations
 
We are subject to various federal, state and foreign laws and regulations that address various aspects of our business such as worker safety, privacy, trade sanctions and anticorruption. In addition, our operations are subject to laws and regulations relating to the generation, storage, handling, emission, transportation and discharge of materials into the environment. The costs of complying with these laws and regulations have not had a material adverse impact on our financial condition or results of operations in the past and are not expected to have a material adverse impact in the future. The environmental management systems of our floorcovering manufacturing facilities in LaGrange, Georgia, West Point, Georgia, Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, Thailand, China, Germany and Australia are certified under ISO Standard No. 14001.

Backlog
 
Our backlog of unshipped orders was approximately $177.7 million at February 7, 2021, compared with approximately $177.8 million at February 9, 2020. Historically, backlog is subject to significant fluctuations due to the timing of orders for individual large projects and currency fluctuations. Disruptions in supply and distribution chains, global travel restrictions and government shelter in place orders due to the impact of COVID-19 have resulted in delays of construction projects and flooring installations in many regions worldwide.
 
Patents and Trademarks
 
We own numerous patents in the United States and abroad on floorcovering products and on manufacturing processes. The duration of United States patents is between 14 and 20 years from the date of filing of a patent application or issuance of the patent; the duration of patents issued in other countries varies from country to country. We maintain an active patent and trade secret program in order to protect our proprietary technology, know-how and trade secrets. Although we consider our patents to be very valuable assets, we consider our know-how and technology even more important to our current business than patents, and, accordingly, believe that expiration of existing patents or non-issuance of patents under pending applications would not have a material adverse effect on our operations.
 
We also own many trademarks in the United States and abroad. In addition to the United States, the primary jurisdictions in which we have registered our trademarks are the European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and various countries in Central America, South America and Asia. Some of our more prominent registered trademarks include: Interface, FLOR, Intersept, GlasBac, Mission Zero, norament, noraplan, nTX solution, noraplan unita, noraplan valua and Net-Works. Trademark registrations in the United States are valid for a period of 10 years and are renewable for additional 10-year periods as long as the mark remains in actual use. The duration of trademarks registered in other jurisdictions varies.
  
Human Capital

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have implemented various measures to protect the physical health, mental health, and productivity of our workforce. These measures include, but are not limited to, daily health self-assessments prior to entering an office or manufacturing facility, enhanced cleaning and sanitizing within our facilities, and face covering requirements. In addition, we have adopted new policies and procedures for our employees and have taken steps within our workplaces to promote social distancing. Almost all of our salesforce and administrative employees globally continue to work remotely.

Interface is a purpose-driven company with a passionate team that shares a unique set of values. Our core values represent who we are, how we see the world, how we treat each other and our external customers and stakeholders, and how we approach our work every day. These core values are:

Design a better way;
Be genuine and generous;
Inspire others;
Connect the whole; and
Embrace tomorrow, today.

At January 3, 2021, we employed a total of 3,742 employees worldwide. Of such total, 1,579 were clerical, staff, sales, supervisory and management personnel and 2,163 were manufacturing personnel. We also utilized the services of 116 temporary personnel as of January 3, 2021.
 

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Some of our employees in Australia, the United Kingdom and China are represented by unions. In the Netherlands, a Works Council, the members of which are Interface employees, is required to be consulted by management with respect to certain matters relating to our operations in that country, such as a change in control of Interface Europe B.V. (our modular carpet subsidiary based in the Netherlands), and the approval of the Council is required for some of our actions, including changes in compensation scales or employee benefits. The majority of our employees in Germany are members of a Works Council as well. Our management believes that its relations with the Works Councils, the unions and all of our employees are good.

Information About Our Executive Officers 
 
Our executive officers, their ages as of January 3, 2021, and their principal positions with us are set forth below. Executive officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
 
Name Age Principal Position(s)
Daniel T. Hendrix 66 President and Chief Executive Officer
David B. Foshee 50 Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Bruce A. Hausmann 51 Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
James Poppens 56 Vice President (President - Americas)
Nigel Stansfield 53 Vice President (President - Europe, Africa, Australia, and Asia)

Mr. Hendrix joined us in 1983 after having worked previously for a national accounting firm. He was promoted to Treasurer in 1984, Chief Financial Officer in 1985, Vice President-Finance in 1986, Senior Vice President in October 1995, Executive Vice President in October 2000, and President and Chief Executive Officer in July 2001. He was elected to the Board in October 1996 and has served on the Executive Committee of the Board since July 2001. In October 2011, Mr. Hendrix was elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Mr. Hendrix retired from the positions of President and Chief Executive Officer in March 2017 (while remaining Chairman of the Board), and subsequently was re-elected as President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2020.

Mr. Foshee, who previously practiced with an Atlanta-based international law firm, joined us in October 1999 as Associate Counsel. He was promoted to Assistant Secretary in April 2002, Senior Counsel in April 2006, Assistant Vice President in April 2007, Vice President in July 2012, Associate General Counsel in May 2014, and Secretary and General Counsel in January 2017.
 
Mr. Hausmann joined us in April 2017 as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.  He came to us from the food, facilities and uniform services supplier Aramark Corporation, where he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Aramark’s Uniform business unit since 2009, and for Aramark’s Direct Store Delivery segment since 2014.  Prior to joining Aramark, he served as Vice President and Segment Controller for the Interactive Media Group of The Walt Disney Company, which he joined in 2002.  He has also previously held finance and controller positions with several software and internet companies and is a certified public accountant (inactive status) in the State of California.

Mr. Poppens joined us in 2017 to lead the restructuring of our FLOR business and most recently served as Vice President of Corporate Marketing and was responsible for the global Interface brand, digital strategy, global product commercialization planning and leading the FLOR business. He was named President for our Americas business in February 2020. Prior to joining us, Mr. Poppens held leadership roles at Newell Rubbermaid, Kellogg Company, REI, and Coca-Cola.

Mr. Stansfield was the Operations Manager for Firth Carpets (our former European broadloom operations) at the time it was acquired by us in 1997.  For two years following that acquisition, Mr. Stansfield served as Manufacturing Systems Manager, part of a global project team that designed and implemented manufacturing software systems at seven of our manufacturing plants.  In 1999, he returned to Firth Carpets as Operations Director.  In 2002, he became a member of our European research and development team focusing on our sustainability initiatives, and in 2004, he became Product and Innovations Director for all of our European Operations.  In 2010, he joined our European management team as Senior Vice President of Product, Design and Innovation, before being named Vice President and Chief Innovations Officer for the Company in March 2012.  In December 2016, he became President of our business serving Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and in January 2019 he assumed responsibility for the Asia-Pacific region as well.  
 
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Available Information
 
We make available free of charge on or through our Internet website our 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 Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. Our Internet address is http://www.interface.com. The SEC maintains a website that contains annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information that issuers (including the Company) file electronically with the SEC. The SEC’s website is http://www.sec.gov.
 
Interface, Inc. was incorporated in 1973 as a Georgia corporation.

Forward-Looking Statements
 
This report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of our management team, as well as the assumptions on which such statements are based. Any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes to future operating results over time. Important factors currently known to management that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include risks and uncertainties associated with economic conditions in the commercial interiors industry as well as the risks and uncertainties discussed below in Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”
 
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS 
 
You should carefully consider the following factors, in addition to the other information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other documents incorporated herein by reference, before deciding whether to purchase or sell our common stock. Any or all of the following risk factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
 
Risk Factors Related to COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic could have a material adverse effect on our ability to operate, our ability to keep employees safe from the pandemic, our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, capital investments, our near term and long term ability to stay in compliance with debt covenants under our Syndicated Credit Facility and Senior Notes, our ability to refinance our existing indebtedness, and our ability to obtain financing in capital markets.

The World Health Organization has declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, and the virus continues to spread in areas where we operate and sell our products and services. The COVID-19 pandemic and similar issues in the future could have a material adverse effect on: our ability to operate; our ability to keep employees safe from the pandemic; our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and capital investments; our near term and long term ability to stay in compliance with debt covenants under our Syndicated Credit Facility and Senior Notes; our ability to refinance our existing indebtedness; and our ability to gain financing in the capital markets.

Public health organizations have recommended, and many governments have implemented, measures from time to time during the pandemic to slow and limit the transmission of the virus, including certain business shutdowns and shelter in place and social distancing requirements. Such preventive measures, or others we may voluntarily put in place, may have a material adverse effect on our business for an indefinite period of time, such as: the potential shut down of certain locations; decreased employee availability; potential border closures; and disruptions to the businesses of our selling channel partners, and others.

Our suppliers and customers may also face these and other challenges, which could lead to a disruption in our supply chain, raw material inflation or the inability to get the raw materials necessary to produce our products, increased shipping and transport costs, as well as decreased construction and renovation spending and decreased demand for our products and services. These issues may also materially affect our current and future access to sources of liquidity, particularly our cash flows from operations, and access to financing from the capital markets. Although these disruptions may continue to occur, the long-term economic impact and near-term financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including but not limited to, potential near-term or long-term risk of asset impairment, restructuring, and other charges, cannot be reliably quantified or estimated at this time due to the uncertainty of future developments.

Sales of our principal products have been and may continue to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, adverse economic cycles, and effects in the new construction market and renovation market.

Sales of our principal products are related to the renovation and construction of commercial and institutional buildings. This activity is cyclical and has been affected by the strength of a country’s or region’s general economy, prevailing interest rates and other factors that lead to cost control measures, or reduction in the use of space, by businesses and other users of commercial or institutional space. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic may have cyclical and structural impacts on this activity resulting from job losses for office workers, reductions in the use of coworking spaces, and increases in the number of people working from home. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the future of the office, and what the office of the future might look like, is being highly debated by senior executives, commercial real estate firms, architects, designers and other global experts which could adversely affect the amount of money that customers spend on our products. In addition, the effects of cyclicality and other factors affecting the corporate office segment have traditionally tended to be more pronounced than the effects on other market segments. Historically, we have generated more sales in the corporate office segment than in any other segment. The effects of cyclicality and other factors on the new construction segment of the market have also tended in the past to be more pronounced than the effects on the renovation segment. These effects may recur and could be more pronounced if global economic conditions do not improve or are weakened by negative cycles or other factors, including as a result of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.


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Our earnings could be adversely affected by non-cash adjustments to goodwill, when a test of goodwill assets indicate a material impairment of those assets.

As prescribed by accounting standards governing goodwill and other intangible assets, we undertake an annual review of the goodwill asset balance reflected in our financial statements. Our review is conducted during the fourth quarter of the year, unless there has been a triggering event prescribed by applicable accounting rules that warrants an earlier interim testing for possible goodwill impairment. A future goodwill impairment test may result in a future non-cash adjustment, which could adversely affect our earnings for any such future period.

We recorded a goodwill and intangible asset impairment loss of $121.3 million in the first quarter of 2020 primarily as a result of the expected duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and its anticipated negative impact to our revenue and operating income. Future impairment charges could result if these expectations change or the COVID-19 pandemic continues for an extended period.

International Risk Factors

Our substantial international operations are subject to various political, economic and other uncertainties that could adversely affect our business results, including by restrictive taxation or other government regulation and by foreign currency fluctuations.

We have substantial international operations and intend to continue to pursue and commit resources to growth opportunities beyond the United States. Outside of the United States, we maintain manufacturing facilities in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, China, Thailand, Australia and Germany, in addition to product showrooms or design studios in Canada, Mexico, England, France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, India, Australia, Norway, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, China and elsewhere. In 2020, approximately half of our net sales and a significant portion of our production were outside the United States, primarily in Europe and Asia-Pacific.

International operations carry certain risks and associated costs, such as: the complexities and expense of administering a business abroad; complications in compliance with, and unexpected changes in, legal and regulatory restrictions or requirements; foreign laws, international import and export legislation; trading and investment policies; economic and political instability in the global markets; foreign currency fluctuations; exchange controls; increased nationalism and protectionism; tariffs and other trade barriers; difficulties in collecting accounts receivable; potential adverse tax consequences and increasing tax complexity or changes in tax law associated with operating in multiple tax jurisdictions; uncertainties of laws and enforcement relating to intellectual property and privacy rights; difficulty in managing a geographically dispersed workforce in compliance with diverse local laws and customs, including health and safety regulations and wage and hour laws; potential governmental expropriation (especially in countries with undemocratic or authoritarian ruling parties); and other factors depending upon the jurisdiction involved. There can be no assurance that we will not experience these risks in the future.

Risks include, for example, the uncertainty surrounding the implementation and effect of the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union described below, including changes to the legal and regulatory framework that apply to the United Kingdom and its relationship with the European Union.

We also make a substantial portion of our net sales in currencies other than U.S. dollars (approximately half of 2020 net sales), which subjects us to the risks inherent in currency translations. The scope and volume of our global operations make it impossible to eliminate completely all foreign currency translation risks as an influence on our financial results.


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In addition, due to our global operations, we are subject to many laws governing international relations and international operations, including laws that prohibit improper payments to government officials and commercial customers and that restrict where we can do business, what information or products we can import and export to and from certain countries and what information we can provide to a non-U.S. government. These laws include but are not limited to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), the U.K. Bribery Act 2010, the Mexican National Anticorruption System (Sistema Nacional Anticorrupción, or “SNA”), the U.S. Export Administration Act and U.S. and international economic sanctions and money laundering regulations. We have internal policies and procedures relating to compliance with such regulations; however, there is a risk that such policies and procedures will not always protect us from the improper acts of employees, agents, business partners, joint venture partners or representatives, particularly in the case of recently acquired operations that may not have significant training in applicable compliance policies and procedures. Violations of these laws, which are complex, may result in criminal penalties, sanctions and/or fines that could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and reputation. In addition, we are subject to antitrust laws in various countries throughout the world. Changes in these laws or their interpretation, administration or enforcement may occur over time. Any such changes may limit our future acquisitions, divestitures or operations.

Finally, we may not be aware of all the factors that may affect our business in foreign jurisdictions. The risks outlined above, and others specific to certain jurisdictions that we may not be aware of, could adversely and materially affect our business and results.
 
The uncertainty surrounding the implementation and effect of the U.K.’s exit from the European Union, and related negative developments in the European Union could adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.
 
In 2016, voters in the U.K. approved an exit from the European Union via a referendum (commonly referred to as “Brexit”). The U.K. ceased to be a member of the European Union on January 31, 2020. In December 2020, the U.K. and the European Union agreed on a trade and cooperation agreement, which is being applied provisionally until it is formally ratified by the European Union parliament. Because the agreement merely sets forth a framework in many respects and will require complex additional bilateral negotiations between the U.K. and the European Union as both parties continue to work on the rules for implementation, significant political and economic uncertainty remains about how the precise terms of the relationship between the parties will differ from the terms before withdrawal. The uncertainty leading up to and following Brexit has had, and the implementation of Brexit may continue to have, a negative impact on our business and demand for our products in Europe, and particularly in the U.K. Brexit could adversely affect European or worldwide political, regulatory, economic or market conditions and could contribute to instability in political institutions and regulatory agencies. Brexit could also have the effect of disrupting the free movement of goods, services, and people between the U.K., the European Union and elsewhere. In addition, Brexit has had a detrimental effect, and could have further detrimental effects, on the value of either or both of the Euro and the British pound sterling, which could negatively impact our business (principally from the translation of sales and earnings in those foreign currencies into our reporting currency of U.S. dollars). Such a development could have other unpredictable adverse effects, including a material adverse effect on demand for office space and our flooring products in the U.K. and in Europe if the U.K. exit leads to economic difficulties in Europe.

Risk Factors Related to our Indebtedness

We have a substantial amount of debt, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to meet our payment obligations under our debt.

We have a substantial amount of debt and debt service requirements. As of January 3, 2021, we had approximately $585.2 million of outstanding debt, and we had $295.4 million of undrawn borrowing capacity under our existing credit facility.

This level of debt could have significant consequences on our future operations, including:

making it more difficult for us to meet our payment and other obligations under our outstanding debt;
resulting in an event of default if we fail to comply with the financial and other restrictive covenants contained in our debt agreements, which event of default could result in all of our debt becoming immediately due and payable;
reducing the availability of our cash flows to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions or strategic investments and other general corporate purposes, and limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for these purposes;
subjecting us to the risk of increasing interest expense on variable rate indebtedness, including borrowings under our existing credit facility;
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limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, and increasing our vulnerability to, changes in our business, the industry in which we operate and the general economy;
placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt or are less leveraged;
limiting our ability to attract certain investors to purchase our common stock due to the amount of debt we have outstanding; and
limiting our ability to refinance our existing indebtedness as it matures.

In addition, borrowings under our credit facility have variable interest rates, and therefore our interest expenses will increase if the underlying market rates (upon which the variable interest rates are based) increase.

Furthermore, on July 27, 2017, the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”), which regulates the London interbank offered rate (“LIBOR”), announced that the FCA will no longer persuade or compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021. This announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR on the current basis is not guaranteed after 2021, and LIBOR may be discontinued or modified by 2021. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York began publishing the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) in April 2018 as an alternative for LIBOR. SOFR is a broad measure of the cost of borrowing cash overnight collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities. A transition away from the widespread use of LIBOR to SOFR or another benchmark rate may occur over the course of the next few years. We have exposure to LIBOR-based financial instruments, namely our existing credit facility which has variable (or floating) interest rates based on LIBOR. This facility allows for the use of an alternative benchmark rate if LIBOR is no longer available. At this time, we cannot predict the overall effect of the modification or discontinuation of LIBOR or the establishment of alternative benchmark rates.

Any of the above-listed factors could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations and our ability to meet our payment obligations under our debt.

Servicing our debt requires a significant amount of cash, and we may not have sufficient cash flow from our operations to pay our indebtedness.

Our ability to generate cash in order to make scheduled payments of the principal of, to pay interest on or to refinance our indebtedness depends on our future performance, which is subject to economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors beyond our control. In addition, our ability to borrow funds in the future to make payments on our debt will depend on the satisfaction of the covenants in our existing credit facility and our other financing agreements, including the indenture governing the Senior Notes, and other agreements we may enter into in the future. Specifically, we will need to maintain certain financial ratios under our existing credit facility. Our business may not continue to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future and future borrowings may not be available to us under our existing revolving credit facility or from other sources in an amount sufficient to service our indebtedness, including the Senior Notes, to make necessary capital expenditures or to fund our other liquidity needs. If we are unable to generate cash from our operations or through borrowings, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as selling assets, restructuring debt or obtaining additional equity capital on terms that may be onerous or highly dilutive. Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness or refinance our indebtedness will depend on the capital markets and our financial condition at such time, as well as the terms of our financing agreements, including the existing credit facility, and the indenture governing the Senior Notes. We may not be able to engage in any of these activities or engage in these activities on desirable terms, which could result in a default on our debt obligations.

We may incur substantial additional indebtedness, which could further exacerbate the risks associated with our substantial indebtedness.

Subject to the restrictions in our existing credit facility and in the indenture governing our Senior Notes, we and our subsidiaries may be able to incur additional indebtedness in the future. Although our existing credit facility and the indenture governing the Senior Notes contain restrictions on the incurrence of additional debt, these restrictions are subject to a number of significant qualifications and exceptions, including the ability, on a non-committed basis, for us to increase revolving commitments and/or term loans under our existing credit facility, and debt incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. If new debt is added to our and our subsidiaries’ existing debt levels, the related risks we now face would increase.


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Risk Factors Related to our Business and Operations

We compete with a large number of manufacturers in the highly competitive floorcovering products market, and some of these competitors have greater financial resources than we do. We may face challenges competing on price, making investments in our business, or competing on product design.
 
The floorcovering industry is highly competitive. Globally, we compete for sales of floorcovering products with other carpet manufacturers and manufacturers of other types of floorcovering. Although the industry has experienced significant consolidation, a large number of manufacturers remain in the industry. Moreover, some of our competitors are adding manufacturing capacity into the industry throughout the globe which could increase the amount of supply in the market. Increased capacity at our competitors could result in pricing pressure on our products (including products, like LVT, which may currently carry attractive margins) and less demand for our products, thus adversely affecting both revenues and profitability.
 
Some of our competitors, including a number of large diversified domestic and foreign companies who manufacture modular carpet and resilient flooring as one segment of their business, have greater financial resources than we do. Competing effectively may require us to make additional investments in our product development efforts, manufacturing facilities, distribution network and sales and marketing activities.
 
In addition, we often compete on design preferences. Our customers’ design preferences may evolve or change before we adapt quickly enough to those changes or before we recognize those changes have happened in the marketplace. If this occurs, it could negatively affect our sales as our customers choose other product offerings.
 
Our success depends significantly upon the efforts, abilities and continued service of our senior management executives, our principal design consultant and other key personnel (including sales personnel), and our loss of any of them could affect us adversely.
 
We believe that our success depends to a significant extent upon the efforts and abilities of our senior management executives. In addition, we rely significantly on the leadership that David Oakey of David Oakey Designs provides to our internal design staff. Specifically, David Oakey Designs provides product design/production engineering services to us under an exclusive consulting contract that contains non-competition covenants. Our agreement with David Oakey Designs can be terminated by either party upon six months prior written notice to the other party. Our business also depends on the recruitment and retention of other key personnel, including strong sales leaders.
 
We may lose the services of key personnel for a variety of reasons, including if our compensation programs become uncompetitive in the relevant markets for our employees and service providers, or if the Company undergoes significant disruptive change (including not only economic downturns, but potentially other changes management believes are positive in the long term). The loss of key personnel with a great deal of knowledge, training and experience in the flooring industry — particularly in the areas of sales, marketing, operations, product design and management — could have an adverse impact on our business. We may not be able to easily replace such personnel, particularly if the underlying reasons for the loss make the Company relatively unattractive as an employer.

We are implementing a multi-year transformation of our sales organization, including the implementation of standardized processes in which our sales force goes to market, interacts with customers, works with the architect and design community and, in general, operates day-to-day. We are also implementing technology tools that the sales force will be required to use as part of their day-to-day jobs, and new management positions to actively manage and coach the sales force. All of these changes are disruptive, which may create challenges for our sales force to adapt, particularly for long tenured employees, which comprise a large portion of our sales force. There are no guarantees that these efforts will increase sales or improve profitability of the business, or that they will not instead adversely disrupt the business, decrease sales, and decrease overall profitability. 

Large increases in the cost of our raw materials, shipping costs, duties or tariffs could adversely affect us if we are unable to pass these cost increases through to our customers.
 
Petroleum-based products comprise the predominant portion of the cost of raw materials that we use in manufacturing carpet. Synthetic rubber uses petroleum based products as feedstock as well. We also incur significant shipping and transport costs to move our products around the globe. While we attempt to match cost increases with corresponding price increases, continued volatility in the cost of raw materials, transportation and shipping costs could adversely affect our financial results if we are unable to pass through such cost increases to our customers.

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Unanticipated termination or interruption of any of our arrangements with our primary third party suppliers of synthetic fiber or our sole third party supplier for luxury vinyl tile (“LVT”) could have a material adverse effect on us.
 
We depend on a small number of third-party suppliers of synthetic fiber and a single supplier for our LVT products. The unanticipated termination or interruption of any of our supply arrangements with our current suppliers of synthetic fiber (nylon) or sole supplier of LVT, including failure by any third party supplier to meet our product specifications, could have a material adverse effect on us because we do not have the capability to manufacture our own fiber for use in our carpet products or our own LVT. Our suppliers may not be able to meet our demand for a variety of reasons, including our inability to forecast our future needs accurately or a shortfall in production by the supplier for reasons unrelated to us, such as work stoppages, acts of war, terrorism, pandemics, fire, earthquake, energy shortages, flooding or other natural disasters. The primary manufacturing facility of our sole supplier of LVT is located in South Korea. If any of our supply arrangements with our primary suppliers of synthetic fiber or our sole supplier of LVT is terminated or interrupted, we likely would incur increased manufacturing costs and experience delays in our manufacturing process (thus resulting in decreased sales and profitability) associated with shifting more of our synthetic fiber purchasing to another synthetic fiber supplier or developing new supply chain sources for LVT. A prolonged inability on our part to source synthetic fiber included in our products or LVT on a cost-effective basis could adversely impact our ability to deliver products on a timely basis, which could harm our sales and customer relationships.
 
If we fail to realize the expected synergies and other benefits of the nora acquisition, our results of operations and stock price may be negatively affected.
 
In 2018, we completed the acquisition of nora, a manufacturer and multinational marketer of resilient rubber floor coverings.  The success of the acquisition will depend substantially on our ability to realize the expected synergies and other benefits from combining the Company’s legacy business and nora.  Our ability to realize these anticipated benefits and cost savings is subject to various risks and uncertainties, including the risks that:
 
we may not be able to successfully combine and integrate the businesses on a timely basis, or at all;
the integration process could divert management’s attention, cause employee or customer attrition or cause other disruption;
nora may not contribute to the revenues and profitability of the combined business as much as we currently expect; and
we may not be able to manage the increased indebtedness we have incurred in connection with the acquisition.

If we are not able to successfully combine the businesses within the anticipated time frame, or at all, the expected synergies and other benefits of the transaction may not be realized fully or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected, the combined businesses may not perform as expected and the results of our operations or value of our common stock may be adversely affected.
 
It is also possible that the integration process could result in the loss of key employees or customers of the Company or nora, the disruption of the companies’ ongoing businesses or unexpected integration issues, higher than expected integration costs and an overall integration process that takes longer than originally anticipated.
 
We will be required to devote significant management attention and resources to integrating the Company’s legacy operations and nora. It is possible that the integration process could result in:
 
diversion of management’s attention;
the lack of personnel or other resources to pursue other potential business opportunities; and
the disruption of, or the loss of momentum in, each company’s ongoing businesses or inconsistencies in standards, controls, procedures and policies.
 
Any of these consequences could adversely affect each company’s ability to maintain relationships with customers, suppliers, employees and other constituencies or their ability to achieve the anticipated benefits of the transaction, or could reduce each company’s earnings or otherwise adversely affect the business and financial results of the combined company and the value of our common stock.


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The market price of our common stock has been volatile and the value of your investment may decline.
 
The market price of our common stock has been volatile in the past and may continue to be volatile going forward. Such volatility may cause precipitous drops in the price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and may cause your investment in our common stock to lose significant value. As a general matter, market price volatility has had a significant effect on the market values of securities issued by many companies for reasons unrelated to their operating performance. We thus cannot predict the market price for our common stock going forward.
 
Changes to our facilities, manufacturing processes, product construction, and product composition could disrupt our operations, increase customer complaints, increase warranty claims, negatively affect our reputation, and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

From time to time, we make improvements to our physical facilities, or move operations to new ones. Large scale changes or moves could disrupt our normal operations, leading to possible loss of productivity, which may adversely affect our results. We are also making significant investments and modifications to our manufacturing facilities, processes, product compositions, and product construction including but not limited to the production of our new CQuest™ carpet tile backings. These changes can be disruptive. There is also no guarantee that our CQuest™ backings will not fail to perform as expected and will not increase warranty claims or customer complaints. These efforts may also not yield the financial returns and improvements in the business that we hope to achieve from them. While these changes are intended to yield stronger financial results, they could potentially impact our financial results in negative ways due to project delays, business disruption as new facilities and equipment come online, increase customer complaints, or increase warranty claims; all of which could negatively affect our operations, reputation, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Our business operations could suffer significant losses from natural disasters, catastrophes, fire, pandemics or other unexpected events.
 
While we manufacture our products in several facilities and maintain insurance covering our facilities, including business interruption insurance, our manufacturing facilities could be materially damaged by natural disasters, such as floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes, or by fire or other unexpected events such as adverse weather conditions, pandemics or other public health crises (such as the COVID-19 pandemic described above), or other disruptions to our facilities, supply chain or our customers’ facilities. We could incur uninsured losses and liabilities arising from such events, including damage to our reputation, and suffer material losses in operational capacity, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Disruptions to or failures of our information technology systems could adversely affect our business.
 
We rely heavily on information technology systems—both software and computer hardware—to operate our business. We rely on these systems to, among other things:

facilitate and plan the purchase, management and distribution of, and payment for, inventory and raw materials;
control our production processes;
manage and monitor our distribution network and logistics;
receive, process and ship orders;
manage billing, collections and payables;
manage financial reporting; and
manage payroll and human resources information.

Our IT systems may be disrupted or fail for a number of reasons, including:

natural disasters, like fires;
power loss;
software “bugs”, hardware defects or human error; and
hacking, computer viruses, malware, ransomware, phishing scams, or other cyber attacks.
 
Any of these events which deny us use of vital IT systems may seriously disrupt our normal business operations. These disruptions may lead to production or shipping stoppages, which may in turn lead to material revenue loss and reputational harm. There is no guarantee that our backup systems or disaster recovery procedures will be adequate to mitigate losses due to IT system disruptions in a timely fashion, and we may incur significant expense in correcting IT system emergencies.
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To the extent our IT systems store sensitive data, including about our employees or other individuals, security breaches may expose us to other serious liabilities and reputational harm if such data is misappropriated. In addition, as cybercriminals continue to become more sophisticated, the costs to defend and insure against cyberattacks can be expected to rise.

Legal Risk Factors

We face risks associated with litigation and claims.

We have been, and may in the future become, party to lawsuits including, without limitation, actions and proceedings in the ordinary course of business, such as claims brought by our customers in connection with commercial disputes, employment claims made by our current or former employees, or claims relating to intellectual property matters. Litigation might result in substantial costs and may divert management’s attention and resources, which may adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. An unfavorable judgment against us in any legal proceeding or claim could require us to pay monetary damages. Insurance might not cover such claims, might not provide sufficient payments to cover all the costs to resolve one or more such claims, and might not continue to be available on terms acceptable to us. In addition, an unfavorable judgment in which the counterparty is awarded equitable relief, such as an injunction, could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Please refer to Item 3, “Legal Proceedings,” within this Report for additional information related to litigation and claims.
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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
 
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

We maintain our corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia in approximately 42,000 square feet of leased space. The following table lists our principal manufacturing facilities and other material physical locations (some locations are comprised of multiple buildings), all of which we own except as otherwise noted:
 
Location Floor
Space
(Sq. Ft.)
Bangkok, Thailand 275,946 
Craigavon, N. Ireland(1)
72,200 
LaGrange, Georgia 669,145 
LaGrange, Georgia(1)
517,205 
Union City, Georgia(1)
370,000 
Minto, Australia 240,000 
Scherpenzeel, the Netherlands 1,250,960 
West Point, Georgia 250,000 
Salem, New Hampshire(1)
109,129 
Weinheim, Germany(1)
831,113 
Taicang, China(1)
142,500 
(1)Leased.

We maintain sales or marketing offices in over 70 locations in more than 25 countries and a number of other distribution facilities in several countries. Most of our sales and marketing locations and many of our distribution facilities are leased.
 
We believe that our manufacturing and distribution facilities and our marketing offices are sufficient for our present operations. We will continue, however, to consider the desirability of establishing additional facilities and offices in other locations around the world as part of our business strategy to meet global market demands. Substantially all of our owned properties in the United States are subject to mortgages, which secure borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility.
 
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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, we are a party to legal proceedings, whether arising in the ordinary course of business or otherwise. The disclosure set forth in Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated by reference herein.
 
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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
 
Our Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol TILE. As of February 18, 2021, we had 631 holders of record of our Common Stock. We estimate that there are in excess of 9,000 beneficial holders of our Common Stock.
 
Future declaration and payment of dividends is at the discretion of our Board, and depends upon, among other things, our investment policy and opportunities, results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, future prospects, and other factors that may be considered relevant by our Board at the time of its determination. Such other factors include limitations contained in the agreement for our Syndicated Credit Facility and the indenture for our Senior Notes, each of which specify conditions as to when any dividend payments may be made. As such, we may discontinue our dividend payments in the future if our Board determines that a cessation of dividend payments is proper in light of the factors indicated above.

Stock Performance 
 
The following graph and table compare, for the five-year period ended January 3, 2021, the Company’s total returns to shareholders (assuming all dividends were reinvested) with that of (i) all companies listed on the Nasdaq Composite Index and (ii) our self-determined peer group, assuming an initial investment of $100 in each on January 3, 2016 (the last day of the fiscal year 2015). In determining its peer group companies, the Company considered various factors, including the potential peer’s industry, business model, size and complexity.  The Company chose a peer group that it believes provides a robust sample size with minimal revenue dispersion, with companies in similar industries or lines of business or subject to similar economic and business cycles, including companies with a significant international presence that are also focused on sustainability.

TILE-20210103_G1.JPG
 
  January 3, 2016 January 1, 2017 December 31, 2017 December 30, 2018 December 29, 2019 January 3, 2021
Interface, Inc. $100 $98 $134 $77 $91 $58
NASDAQ Composite Index $100 $109 $141 $136 $188 $271
Self-Determined Peer Group (20 Stocks) $100 $115 $117 $96 $126 $114
 
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Notes to Performance Graph
 
(1)If the annual interval, based on the fiscal year-end, is not a trading day, the preceding trading day is used.
(2)The index level was set to $100 as of January 3, 2016 (the last day of fiscal year 2015).
(3)The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Sunday nearest December 31.
(4)The following companies are included in the Self-Determined Peer Group depicted above: Acuity Brands, Inc.; Albany International Corp.; Apogee Enterprises, Inc.; Armstrong Flooring, Inc.; Armstrong World Industries, Inc.; Caesarstone Ltd.; FLIR Systems, Inc.; Gentherm Incorporated; H. B. Fuller Company; Harsco Corporation; Herman Miller, Inc.; HNI Corporation; Kimball International, Inc.; Knoll, Inc.; Masonite International Corporation; Materion Corporation; P. H. Glatfelter Company; Steelcase Inc.; Unifi, Inc.; and Welbilt, Inc.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
 
See Item 12 of Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
The following table contains information with respect to purchases made by or on behalf of the Company, or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), of our common stock during our fourth quarter ended January 3, 2021:
 
Period(1)
Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased
Average
Price
Paid
Per Share
Total Number
of Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
October 5 – November 1, 2020(2)
49  $ 6.90  —  $ — 
November 2 – December 6, 2020(2)
688  8.18  —  — 
December 7, 2020 – January 3, 2021(2)
2,024  10.50  —  — 
Total 2,761  $ 9.86  —  $ — 
 
(1)The monthly periods identified above correspond to the Company’s fiscal fourth quarter of 2020, which commenced October 5, 2020 and ended January 3, 2021.
(2)Represents shares acquired by the Company from employees to satisfy income tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of previous equity awards.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

This item is no longer required, as we have elected to early adopt the changes to Item 301 of Regulation S-K contained in SEC Release No. 33-10890.
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

On March 1, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, and the virus continues to spread in areas where we operate and sell our products and services. The COVID-19 pandemic has had material adverse effects on our business, results of operations, and financial condition, and it is anticipated that this will continue for an indefinite period of time. The duration of the pandemic will ultimately determine the extent to which our operations are impacted. We continue to monitor our operations and have implemented various programs to mitigate the effects on our business including reductions in employees, labor costs, marketing expenses, consulting expenses, travel costs, various other costs, and capital expenditures, as well as reducing the amount of the cash dividend that we pay on our common stock and suspending and reducing shifts in our production facilities, temporarily furloughing employees, and implementing other cost reduction or avoidance initiatives.

During fiscal year 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in lower revenues across all geographic regions. Our sales mix shifted towards more non-corporate office market segments as the COVID-19 pandemic reduced corporate spending impacting sales in the corporate office market. In 2020, consolidated net sales declined 17.9% compared to 2019 primarily due to COVID-19. As discussed above, the Company implemented, and continues to implement, various cost cutting initiatives to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on our operations. During 2020, the Company recorded $12.9 million of voluntary and involuntary severance costs, which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. We anticipate future annualized savings of approximately $15 million as a result of these separation initiatives.

During the first quarter of 2020, as a result of changes in macroeconomic conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we recognized a charge of $121.3 million for the impairment of goodwill and certain intangible assets. See Note 12 entitled “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” of Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report for additional information.

In response to the reduced demand and to enhance employee safety measures, we temporarily suspended production in our U.S. manufacturing facilities from March 18, 2020 to March 23, 2020, and then again from April 6, 2020 to April 13, 2020. We also substantially reduced production in our Craigavon, U.K. facility beginning on April 20, 2020 through the end of the third quarter, and our Thailand, China, and Australia plants were at times operating in reduced shifts in light of reduced demand. During the first quarter of 2020, our Asia-Pacific region was primarily impacted by COVID-19 due to government shutdowns in China and the temporary closure of our China plant in late January 2020 to February 9, 2020. In addition, almost all of our salesforce and administrative employees globally continue to work remotely in accordance with the Company’s ongoing safety measures, as well as any local government orders and “shelter in place” directives in place from time to time.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, government grants and payroll protection programs are available in various countries globally to provide assistance to companies impacted by the pandemic. The CARES Act enacted in the United States (see Note 17 entitled “Income Taxes” included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information) and a payroll protection program enacted in the Netherlands (the “NOW Program”) provide benefits related to payroll costs either as reimbursements, lower payroll tax rates or deferral of payroll tax payments. The NOW Program provides eligible companies with reimbursement of labor costs as an incentive to retain employees and continue paying them in accordance with the Company’s customary compensation practices. During fiscal year 2020, the Company qualified for benefits under several payroll protection programs and recognized a reduction in payroll costs of approximately $7.3 million, which are recorded as a $6.1 million reduction of selling, general and administrative expenses and a $1.2 million reduction of cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations, as the Company believes it is probable that the benefits received will not be repaid.

General
 
Our revenues are derived from sales of floorcovering products, primarily modular carpet, luxury vinyl tile (“LVT”) and, starting in August 2018, rubber flooring products. Our business, as well as the commercial interiors industry in general, is cyclical in nature and is impacted by economic conditions and trends that affect the markets for commercial and institutional business space. The commercial interiors industry, including the market for floorcovering products, is largely driven by reinvestment by corporations into their existing businesses in the form of new fixtures and furnishings for their workplaces. In significant part, the timing and amount of such reinvestments are impacted by the profitability of those corporations. As a result, macroeconomic factors such as employment rates, office vacancy rates, capital spending, productivity and efficiency gains that impact corporate profitability in general, also affect our business.
 

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As noted above, our sales mix of corporate office verses non-corporate office market segments has shifted towards non-corporate office markets in fiscal year 2020 primarily due to the impacts of COVID-19 on the corporate office market. We focus our marketing and sales efforts on both corporate office and non-corporate office segments, to reduce somewhat our exposure to economic cycles that affect the corporate office market segment more adversely, as well as to capture additional market share.

Our mix of modular carpet and resilient flooring sales in corporate office verses non-corporate office market segments for the last three fiscal years is summarized below:

2020 2019 2018
Corporate Office Non-Corporate Office Corporate Office Non-Corporate Office Corporate Office Non-Corporate Office
Americas 37  % 63  % 47  % 53  % 45  % 55  %
 
Company-wide 47  % 53  % 61  % 39  % 60  % 40  %

During 2020, we had net sales of $1,103.3 million, down 17.9% compared to $1,343.0 million in 2019, primarily due to the impacts of COVID-19. The operating loss for 2020 was $39.3 million compared to operating income of $130.9 million in 2019. Net loss for 2020 was $71.9 million, or $1.23 per share, compared to net income of $79.2 million, or $1.34 per share, in 2019. The 2020 period was impacted by a $121.3 million goodwill and intangible asset impairment loss recorded in the first quarter and $12.9 million of severance charges related to cost saving initiatives in response to COVID-19. These charges were partially offset by $9.3 million of lower payroll costs due to furloughs and credits from payroll protection programs.
 
During 2019, we had net sales of $1,343.0 million, up 13.9% compared to $1,179.6 million in 2018. Operating income for 2019 was $130.9 million as compared to $76.4 million in 2018. Net income for 2019 was $79.2 million, or $1.34 per share, compared with $50.3 million, or $0.84 per share, in 2018. The 2019 period included the results of the acquired nora business for the full fiscal year, $5.9 million of purchase accounting amortization in connection with the nora acquisition, and $12.9 million of restructuring and other charges. The 2018 period included the results of the nora acquisition (described below) from August 7, 2018 through the end of the 2018 fiscal year.

On August 7, 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of nora for a purchase price of €385.1 million, or $447.2 million at the exchange rate as of the transaction date, including acquired cash of €40.0 million ($46.5 million) for a net purchase price of €345.1 million ($400.7 million). Nora is an industry leader in the rubber flooring market, and the acquisition has expanded the Company’s presence within non-corporate office market segments since the acquisition date.

Restructuring Plans
 
On December 23, 2019, the Company committed to a new restructuring plan to improve efficiencies and decrease costs across its worldwide operations, and more closely align its operating structure with its business strategy. The plan involved a reduction of approximately 105 employees and early termination of two office leases. As a result of this plan, the Company recorded a pre-tax restructuring charge in the fourth quarter of 2019 of approximately $9.0 million. The charge was comprised of severance expenses ($8.8 million) and lease exit costs ($0.2 million). The restructuring charge was expected to result in future cash expenditures of approximately $9.0 million for payment of these employee severance and lease exit costs. The Company expected the plan to yield annualized savings of approximately $6.0 million. A portion of the annualized savings was realized on the income statement in fiscal year 2020, with the remaining portion of the annualized savings expected to be realized in fiscal year 2021.


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On December 29, 2018, the Company committed to a new restructuring plan in its continuing efforts to improve efficiencies and decrease costs across its worldwide operations, and more closely align its operating structure with its business strategy. The plan involved (i) a restructuring of its sales and administrative operations in the United Kingdom, (ii) a reduction of approximately 200 employees, primarily in the Europe and Asia-Pacific geographic regions, and (iii) the write-down of certain underutilized and impaired assets that included information technology assets and obsolete manufacturing equipment. As a result of this plan, the Company recorded a pre-tax restructuring and asset impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2018 of approximately $20.5 million. The charge was comprised of severance expenses (approximately $10.8 million), impairment of assets (approximately $8.6 million) and other items (approximately $1.1 million). The charge was expected to result in future cash expenditures of $12 million, primarily for severance payments (approximately $10.8 million). The restructuring plan was completed at the end of fiscal year 2020.

Goodwill, Intangible Asset and Fixed Asset Impairment
During 2020, we recognized a charge of $121.3 million for the impairment of goodwill and certain intangible assets. See Note 12 entitled “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” of Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report for additional information. During 2020, we recognized fixed asset impairment charges of $5.0 million primarily related to certain FLOR design center closures and other projects that were abandoned or indefinitely delayed. These charges are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

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Table of Contents
Analysis of Results of Operations 
 
The following discussion and analyses reflect the factors and trends discussed in the preceding sections.
 
Net sales denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar were approximately 51% in 2020, 49% in 2019, and 49% in 2018. Because we have such substantial international operations, we are impacted, from time to time, by international developments that affect foreign currency transactions. In 2020, the strengthening of the Euro, British pound sterling and Chinese Renminbi against the U.S. dollar had a positive impact on our net sales and operating income. In 2019, the weakening of the Euro, British pound sterling, Australian dollar, Canadian dollar and Chinese Renminbi against the U.S. dollar had a negative impact on our net sales and operating income. In 2018, the strengthening of the Euro and British pound sterling against the U.S. dollar had a positive impact on our net sales and operating income.

The following table presents the amounts (in U.S. dollars) by which the exchange rates for translating Euros, British pounds sterling, Australian dollars and Canadian dollars into U.S. dollars have affected our net sales and operating income during the past three years:
  2020 2019 2018
  (in millions)
Impact of changes in foreign currency on net sales $ 7.1  $ (26.2) $ 8.4 
Impact of changes in foreign currency on operating income 0.9  (3.9) 1.2 
 
The following table presents, as a percentage of net sales, certain items included in our consolidated statements of operations during the past three years:
  Fiscal Year
  2020 2019 2018
Net sales 100.0  % 100.0  % 100.0  %
Cost of sales 62.8  60.3  63.6 
Gross profit on sales 37.2  39.7  36.4 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 30.2  29.0  28.2 
Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges (0.4) 1.0  1.7 
Goodwill and intangible asset impairment charge 11.0  —  — 
Operating income (loss) (3.6) 9.7  6.5 
Interest/Other expense 3.6  2.2  1.8 
Income (loss) before income tax expense (7.2) 7.5  4.7 
Income tax expense (benefit) (0.7) 1.7  0.4 
Net income (loss) (6.5) % 5.8  % 4.3  %

Net Sales
 
Below we provide information regarding our net sales and analyze those results for each of the last three fiscal years. Fiscal year 2020 includes 53 weeks, and fiscal years 2019 and 2018 were both 52 week periods.

  Fiscal Year Percentage Change
  2020 2019 2018 2020 compared with 2019 2019 compared with 2018
  (in thousands)
Net sales
       Americas $ 593,418  $ 757,112  $ 682,261  (21.6) % 11.0  %
       Europe 351,287  393,194  319,677  (10.7) % 23.0  %
       Asia-Pacific 158,557  192,723  177,635  (17.7) % 8.5  %
Net sales $ 1,103,262  $ 1,343,029  $ 1,179,573  (17.9) % 13.9  %
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Net sales for 2020 compared with 2019
 
For fiscal year 2020, our net sales decreased $239.8 million (17.9%) compared to 2019. As discussed above, the decrease was primarily due to the impacts of COVID-19 resulting in lower sales volumes globally. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates had a positive impact on our year-over-year sales comparison of approximately $7.1 million, meaning that if currency levels had remained constant year over year our 2020 sales would have been lower by this amount. On a geographic basis, we experienced sales declines across all our regions. Sales in the Americas were down 21.6%, sales in Europe were down 10.7% as reported in U.S. dollars, and sales in our Asia-Pacific region were down 17.7%.
 
The sales decrease of 21.6% in the Americas in 2020 was due primarily to the impacts of COVID-19 and lower carpet tile sales volumes. On a market segment basis, the sales decrease in the Americas was most significant in the corporate office (down 33.8%), retail (down 34.8%), healthcare (down 15.2%) and education (down 8.3%) market segments, partially offset by increases in the residential living (up 23.8%) and public buildings (up 8.2%) market segments.
 
In Europe, net sales in the region decreased both in U.S. dollars (down 10.7%) and local currency (down 12.5%). The decrease in sales was due primarily to the impacts of COVID-19 and lower carpet tile sales volumes, partially offset by the strengthening of the Euro and British pound sterling against the U.S. dollar. On a market segment basis, the sales decrease in Europe was most significant in the corporate office (down 18.0%), hospitality (down 47.5%) and public buildings (down 14.2%) market segments, partially offset by increases in the transportation (up 40.3%), leisure (up 57.1%), healthcare (up 10.5%) and education (up 9.0%) market segments.
 
In the Asia-Pacific region, net sales decreased 17.7% primarily due to the impacts of COVID-19 and lower carpet tile sales volumes. This sales decrease was partially offset by the strengthening of the Chinese Renminbi against the U.S. dollar. On a market segment basis, the sales decrease in Asia-Pacific was most significant in the corporate office (down 21.4%), retail (down 43.2%), healthcare (down 32.6%), hospitality (down 34.3%) and public buildings (down 20.3%) market segments, partially offset by increases in the leisure (up 63.5%) and education (up 15.5%) market segments.

Net sales for 2019 compared with 2018
 
For 2019, our net sales increased $163.5 million (13.9%) compared to 2018. As discussed above, the 2019 period included revenue from the nora acquisition for the full fiscal year. The 2018 period included nora revenue only from the acquisition date on August 7, 2018 to the end of the 2018 fiscal year of $112.6 million during that stub period. The increase in net sales was primarily volume related and not materially impacted by changing prices. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates had a negative impact on our year-over-year sales comparison of approximately $26.2 million, meaning that if currency levels had remained constant year over year, our 2019 sales would have been higher by this amount. On a geographic basis, including the impact of the nora acquisition, we experienced sales growth across all of our regions. Sales in the Americas were up 11.0%, sales in Europe were up 23.0% as reported in U.S. dollars, and sales in Asia-Pacific were up 8.5%.
 
The sales increase of 11.0% in the Americas in 2019 was due primarily to the impact of the nora acquisition and growth from our LVT products. The legacy Americas carpet and LVT business grew approximately 3.6% for the year.  This increase in the legacy business was due to increased sales in the corporate office market segment (up 8.6%) as well as increases in the healthcare (up 18.2%) and education (up 7.6%) market segments.  These legacy sales increases were partially offset by a decline in the retail market segment (down 24.6%).
 
In Europe, sales in the region were up in both U.S. dollars (up 23.0%) and local currency (up 29.1%). This increase was due primarily to the impact of the nora acquisition and growth from our LVT products offset by weakening of the Euro and British pound sterling against the U.S. dollar. The legacy European carpet and LVT business declined 2.7% on a U.S. dollar basis, but grew 2.6% in local currency.  The sales growth in local currency in the legacy European business was most pronounced in the corporate office segment (up 6.9%). The decline in legacy sales on a U.S. dollars basis was primarily due to the weakening of the Euro and British pound sterling against the U.S. dollar.
 
In Asia-Pacific, sales increased 8.5% primarily due to the impact of the nora acquisition and growth in our LVT products. This sales increase was partially offset by the weakening of the Australian dollar and lower sales in Australia.  The legacy Asia-Pacific carpet and LVT business declined 3.9% on a U.S. dollar basis, but increased 0.1% in local currency.  The sales decline in the legacy Asia-Pacific business was primarily in the corporate (down 5.7%) and government (down 17.9%) market segments, partially offset by increases in the retail market segment (up 12.0%).
 


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Cost and Expenses
 
The following table presents our overall cost of sales and selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses during the past three years:
 
Fiscal Year Percentage Change
  2020 2019 2018 2020 compared
with 2019
2019 compared
with 2018
  (in thousands)
Cost of sales $ 692,688  $ 810,062  $ 749,690  (14.5) % 8.1  %
Selling, general and administrative expenses 333,229  389,117  332,975  (14.4) % 16.9  %

For 2020, our costs of sales decreased $117.4 million (14.5%) compared to 2019, primarily due to lower net sales. Currency translation had a $4.7 million (0.6%) negative impact on the year-over-year comparison. As a percentage of sales, our costs of sales increased to 62.8% in 2020 versus 60.3% in 2019, primarily due to changes in fixed cost absorption driven by lower production volumes due to the impact of COVID-19.
 
For 2019, our costs of sales increased $60.4 million (8.1%) compared with 2018. Included in 2019 are costs of sales for the acquired nora business for the full year, which includes purchase accounting amortization of $5.9 million related to acquired intangible assets. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates had a 1.8% positive impact on the year-over-year comparison. In absolute dollars, the increase in costs of sales was a result of higher sales for 2019 as compared to 2018, as well as the full year impact of the acquired nora business. As a percentage of sales, our costs of sales decreased to 60.3% in 2019 versus 63.6% in 2018. This decrease was primarily due to productivity initiatives and the nora non-recurring inventory step-up amortization which occurred in 2018, but did not recur in 2019.

For 2020, our SG&A expenses decreased $55.9 million (14.4%) versus 2019. Currency translation had a $1.5 million (0.4%) negative impact on the year-over-year comparison. SG&A expenses were lower in 2020 primarily due to (1) lower selling expenses of $54.8 million due to lower net sales, (2) $7.3 million of payroll expense credits related to COVID-19 wage support government assistance programs, and (3) $9.2 million lower performance-based compensation due to forfeitures and target performance measures not being met due to COVID-19. These reductions were partially offset by $12.9 million of severance expenses due to voluntary and involuntary separations, and a $5.0 million fine to settle the SEC matter as referenced in Item 8 Note 18 - “Commitments and Contingencies”. As a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses increased to 30.2% in 2020 versus 29.0% in 2019 primarily due to lower net sales.
                             
For 2019, our SG&A expenses increased $56.1 million (16.9%) versus 2018. Included in the 2019 period were a full year of SG&A expenses for the acquired nora business versus only a stub period of approximately five months in 2018. Fluctuations in currency rates had a 1.5% favorable impact on SG&A expenses. The increase in SG&A expenses during the year was primarily due to (1) higher selling expenses for the full year impact in 2019 of the acquired nora business, (2) higher year-over-year legal expenses of $3.5 million related to the SEC matter discussed in Note 18 – “Commitments and Contingencies”, and (3) higher selling expenses related to bringing the Company’s global sales organization together for a meeting to accelerate the nora integration, advance our selling system transformation, and engage the sales force in the Company’s sustainability mission. These increases were partially offset by lower stock compensation expense of $5.8 million compared to prior year. As a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses increased to 29.0% in 2019 versus 28.2% in 2018.
 
Interest Expense
 
For 2020, our interest expense increased $3.6 million to $29.2 million, versus $25.6 million in 2019, primarily due to (1) a $3.6 million loss on extinguishment of debt to amend the Syndicated Credit Facility and repay a portion of outstanding indebtedness thereunder, and (2) a $3.9 million reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income for deferred interest rate swap losses due to the termination of our interest rate swap contracts. These increases were partially offset by lower average interest rates on our borrowings under the Syndicated Credit Facility (our average borrowing rate for 2020 was 1.89% compared to 3.27% in 2019) and lower outstanding borrowings under the Syndicated Credit Facility compared to 2019.
 

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For 2019, our interest expense increased $10.2 million to $25.6 million, versus $15.4 million in 2018. This increase was a result of higher outstanding borrowings incurred in August 2018 to complete the nora acquisition offset slightly by lower average interest rates on our borrowings (our average borrowing rate, including the impact of interest rate swaps, for 2019 was 3.27% as compared to 3.50% for 2018). Our interest rate swaps, entered into in 2017 and 2019, had approximately $0.2 million impact on interest expense for 2019.

Tax
 
For the year ended January 3, 2021, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $7.5 million on pre-tax loss of $79.4 million resulting in an effective tax rate of 9.4%. The effective tax rate for this period was significantly impacted by a non-deductible goodwill impairment charge and recognition of income tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken in prior years on discontinued operations. Excluding the impact of the non-deductible goodwill impairment charge and recognition of income tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions on discontinued operations, the effective tax rate was 14.1% for 2020 compared to 22.2% in 2019. The decrease in the effective tax rate, excluding the goodwill impairment charge and recognition of income tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions on discontinued operations, was primarily due to the favorable impacts of amending prior year tax returns, retroactive election of the GILTI High-tax Exclusion in the 2019 tax return and reduction in non-deductible employee compensation. This decrease was partially offset by the non-deductible SEC penalty.
 
Our effective tax rate in 2019 was 22.2%, compared with an effective tax rate of 8.6% in 2018. The increase in our effective tax rate in 2019 compared to 2018 was primarily due to a nonrecurring $6.7 million tax benefit realized in 2018 related to the impacts of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted into law in 2017. In addition, there was a net increase in our effective tax rate in 2019 due to less U.S. federal and foreign tax credits which was partially offset by a reduction in non-deductible expenses, favorable change in unrecognized tax benefits and a higher portion of income earned in foreign jurisdictions not subject to U.S. state income taxes.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
General
 
In our business, we require cash and other liquid assets primarily to purchase raw materials and to pay other manufacturing costs, in addition to funding normal course SG&A expenses, anticipated capital expenditures, interest expense and potential special projects. We generate our cash and other liquidity requirements primarily from our operations and from borrowings or letters of credit under our Syndicated Credit Facility and Senior Notes discussed below. We anticipate that our liquidity is sufficient to meet our obligations for the next 12 months.
 
Historically, we use more cash in the first half of the fiscal year, as we pay insurance premiums, taxes and incentive compensation and build up inventory in preparation for the holiday/vacation season of our international operations.
 
At January 3, 2021, we had $103.1 million in cash. Approximately $1.7 million of this cash was located in the U.S., and the remaining $101.4 million was located outside of the U.S. The cash located outside of the U.S. is indefinitely reinvested in the respective jurisdictions (except as identified below). We believe that our strategic plans and business needs, particularly for working capital needs and capital expenditure requirements in Europe, Asia, and Australia, support our assertion that a portion of our cash in foreign locations will be reinvested and remittance will be postponed indefinitely. Of the $101.4 million of cash in foreign jurisdictions, approximately $13.7 million represents earnings which we have determined are not permanently reinvested, and as such we have provided for foreign withholding and U.S. state income taxes on these amounts in accordance with applicable accounting standards.
 
As of January 3, 2021, we had $285.2 million of borrowings outstanding under our Syndicated Credit Facility, of which $282.2 million were term loan borrowings and $3.0 million were revolving loan borrowings. Additionally, $1.6 million in letters of credit were outstanding under the Syndicated Credit Facility at the end of fiscal year 2020. As of January 3, 2021, we had additional borrowing capacity of $295.4 million under the Syndicated Credit Facility and $6.0 million of additional borrowing capacity under our other credit facilities in place at other non-U.S. subsidiaries.

On November 17, 2020, we issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.50% Senior Notes due 2028 (the “Senior Notes”), which are discussed further below. As of January 3, 2021, we had $300.0 million of Senior Notes outstanding.
 

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We have approximately $81.2 million in contractual cash obligations due by the end of fiscal year 2021, which includes, among other things, pension cash contributions, interest payments on our debt and lease commitments. Based on current interest rates and debt levels, we expect our aggregate interest expense for 2021 to be between $32 million and $33 million. We estimate aggregate capital expenditures in 2021 to be approximately $30 million, although we are not committed to these amounts.
 
It is important for you to consider that we have a significant amount of indebtedness. Our Syndicated Credit Facility matures in November of 2025 and the Senior Notes, as discussed below, mature in December 2028. We cannot assure you that we will be able to renegotiate or refinance any of our debt on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. If we are unable to refinance our debt or obtain new financing, we would have to consider other options, such as selling assets to meet our debt service obligations and other liquidity needs, or using cash, if available, that would have been used for other business purposes.
 
It is also important for you to consider that borrowings under our Syndicated Credit Facility comprise a substantial portion of our indebtedness, and that these borrowings are based on variable interest rates (as described below) that expose the Company to the risk that short-term interest may increase. During 2020, we entered into fixed rate Senior Notes (as described below) which reduced the amount of indebtedness subject to interest rate risk. In the fourth quarter of 2020, we terminated our interest rate swaps that were previously being used to fix a portion of our variable rate debt. For information regarding the current variable interest rates of these borrowings, the potential impact on our interest expense from hypothetical increases in short term interest rates, and the interest rate swap transaction, please see the discussion in Item 7A of this Report.
 
Syndicated Credit Facility 

On August 7, 2018, we amended and restated our Syndicated Credit Facility (the “Facility”) in connection with the nora acquisition. The purpose of the amended and restated Facility was to fund the nora purchase price and related fees and expenses of the acquisition, and to increase the credit available to us and our subsidiaries following the closing of the nora acquisition in view of the larger enterprise.
 
On December 18, 2019, the Company again amended the Facility, with certain of its wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries as co-borrowers. The primary purpose of this amendment was to allow the Company to make various intercompany transactions.

On July 15, 2020 and November 17, 2020, the Company entered into the second and third amendments, respectively, to its Facility. The primary purpose of the second amendment was to provide the Company with a less restrictive consolidated net leverage ratio covenant in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary purpose of the third amendment was to extend the maturity date of the Facility to November 2025, replace the consolidated net leverage ratio covenant with a consolidated secured net leverage ratio, and modify various interest rate provisions. See Note 9 – “Long-Term Debt” in Item 8 of this Report for additional information.

At January 3, 2021, the Facility provides the Company and certain of its subsidiaries with a multicurrency revolving loan facility up to $300 million, as well as other U.S. denominated and multicurrency term loans. 

In connection with the 2018 amendment to the Facility as discussed above, we recorded $8.8 million of debt issuance costs associated with the new term loans that are reflected as a reduction of long-term debt. In connection with the second and third amendments to the Facility as discussed above, the Company recorded debt issuance costs of $1.5 million and $0.9 million, respectively. These debt issuance costs were allocated between term and revolving loans and a portion recorded as a reduction of long-term debt ($1.1 million) for the term loans and other assets ($1.3 million) for the revolving loans, in accordance with applicable accounting standards. As of January 3, 2021, total outstanding debt issuance costs were $10.6 million.

Interest Rates and Fees
 
Under the Facility, interest on base rate loans is charged at varying rates computed by applying a margin ranging from 0.25% to 2.00%, depending on the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio (as defined in the Facility agreement) as of the most recently completed fiscal quarter. Interest on Eurocurrency-based loans and fees for letters of credit are charged at varying rates computed by applying a margin ranging from 1.25% to 3.00% over the applicable Eurocurrency rate, depending on the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio as of the most recently completed fiscal quarter.  In addition, the Company pays a commitment fee ranging from 0.20% to 0.40% per annum (depending on the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio as of the most recently completed fiscal quarter) on the unused portion of the Facility.
 


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Covenants
 
The Facility contains standard and customary covenants for agreements of this type, including various reporting, affirmative and negative covenants. Among other things, these covenants limit our ability to:

create or incur liens on assets;
make acquisitions of or investments in businesses (in excess of certain specified amounts);
engage in any material line of business substantially different from the Company’s current lines of business;
incur indebtedness or contingent obligations;
sell or dispose of assets (in excess of certain specified amounts);
pay dividends or repurchase our stock (in excess of certain specified amounts);
repay other indebtedness prior to maturity unless we meet certain conditions; and
enter into sale and leaseback transactions.


The Facility also requires us to remain in compliance with the following financial covenants as of the end of each fiscal quarter, based on our consolidated results for the year then ended:

Consolidated Secured Net Leverage Ratio: Must be no greater than 3.00:1.00.
Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio: Must be no less than 2.25:1.00.

Events of Default
 
If we breach or fail to perform any of the affirmative or negative covenants under the Facility, or if other specified events occur (such as a bankruptcy or similar event or a change of control of Interface, Inc. or certain subsidiaries, or if we breach or fail to perform any covenant or agreement contained in any instrument relating to any of our other indebtedness exceeding $20 million), after giving effect to any applicable notice and right to cure provisions, an event of default will exist. If an event of default exists and is continuing, the lenders’ Administrative Agent may, and upon the written request of a specified percentage of the lender group shall:

declare all commitments of the lenders under the facility terminated;
declare all amounts outstanding or accrued thereunder immediately due and payable; and
exercise other rights and remedies available to them under the agreement and applicable law.


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Collateral
 
Pursuant to a Second Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement, the Facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of Interface, Inc. and our domestic subsidiaries (subject to exceptions for certain immaterial subsidiaries), including all of the stock of our domestic subsidiaries and up to 65% of the stock of our first-tier material foreign subsidiaries. If an event of default occurs under the Facility, the lenders’ Administrative Agent may, upon the request of a specified percentage of lenders, exercise remedies with respect to the collateral, including, in some instances, foreclosing mortgages on real estate assets, taking possession of or selling personal property assets, collecting accounts receivables, or exercising proxies to take control of the pledged stock of domestic and first-tier material foreign subsidiaries.

 As of January 3, 2021, we had outstanding $282.2 million of term loan borrowing and $3.0 million of revolving loan borrowings under the Facility, and had $1.6 million in letters of credit outstanding under the Facility. As of January 3, 2021, the weighted average interest rate on borrowings outstanding under the Facility was 1.89%.

Under the Facility, we are required to make quarterly amortization payments of the term loan borrowings, which commenced in the fourth quarter of 2018. The amortization payments are due on the last day of the calendar quarter.
 
We are currently in compliance with all covenants under the Facility and anticipate that we will remain in compliance with the covenants for the foreseeable future.
 
In the third quarter of 2017 and first quarter of 2019, we entered into interest rate swap transactions that fixed the variable interest rate with respect to $100 million and $150 million, respectively, of the term loan borrowings then outstanding under the Syndicated Credit Facility. In the fourth quarter of 2020, we terminated both interest rate swaps and paid approximately $13 million to terminate the swap agreements. For additional information on interest rates, please see Item 7A and Note 9 entitled “Long-Term Debt” in Item 8 of this Report.

Senior Notes

On November 17, 2020, the Company issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.50% Senior Notes due 2028. The Senior Notes bear an interest rate at 5.50% per annum and mature on December 1, 2028. Interest is paid semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning on June 1, 2021. The Company used the net proceeds to repay $269.7 million of outstanding term loan borrowings and $21.0 million of outstanding revolving loan borrowings under the Facility. In connection with the issuance of the Senior Notes, the Company recorded $5.7 million of debt issuance costs. These debt issuance costs were recorded as a reduction of long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheets and will be amortized over the life of the outstanding debt.

The Senior Notes are unsecured and are guaranteed, jointly and severally, by each of the Company’s material domestic subsidiaries, all of which also guarantee the obligations of the Company under its existing Facility. The Company’s foreign subsidiaries and certain non-material domestic subsidiaries are considered non-guarantors. Net sales for the non-guarantor subsidiaries were approximately $548 million for fiscal year 2020. Total indebtedness of the non-guarantor subsidiaries was approximately $88 million as of January 3, 2021. The Senior Notes can be redeemed on or after December 1, 2023 at specified redemption prices. See Note 9 - entitled “Long-Term Debt” in Item 8 of this report for additional information.


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Analysis of Cash Flows
 
The following table presents a summary of cash flows for fiscal years 2020, 2019, and 2018:

  Fiscal Year
  2020 2019 2018
(in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in):    
Operating activities $ 119,070  $ 141,768  $ 91,767 
Investing activities (61,689) (74,222) (455,685)
Financing activities (42,715) (66,677) 361,526 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 7,086  (557) (3,656)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 21,752  312  (6,048)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 81,301  80,989  87,037 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 103,053  $ 81,301  $ 80,989 

We ended 2020 with $103.1 million in cash, an increase of $21.8 million during the year. The increase was primarily due to the following:

Cash provided by operating activities was $119.1 million for 2020, which represents a decrease of $22.7 million compared to 2019. The decrease was primarily due to lower net income due to the impacts of COVID-19, offset by working capital sources of cash, specifically a decrease in accounts receivable of $40.1 million, lower inventories of $38.7 million and lower prepaid and other expenses of $13.0 million. These sources of cash were offset by a $60.9 million use of cash in accounts payable and accrued expenses to fund normal operations.

Cash used in investing activities was $61.7 million for 2020, which represents a decrease of $12.5 million from 2019. The decrease was primarily due to lower capital expenditures compared to 2019 due to fewer project demands and lower capital investment as a result of the impacts of COVID-19.

Cash used in financing activities was $42.7 million for 2020, which represents a decrease of $24.0 million compared to 2019. Financing activities for 2020 include higher loan borrowings of $320.0 million due to the issuance of $300 million of Senior Notes, offset by (1) higher repayments of revolving and term loan borrowings as the proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Notes were used to repay $290.7 million of outstanding term and revolving loan borrowings under the Syndicated Credit Facility and (2) a decrease in dividends paid of $9.8 million.

We ended 2019 with $81.3 million in cash, an increase of $0.3 million during the year. The most significant uses of cash in 2019 were (1) repayments on our Syndicated Credit Facility of $111.7 million offset by borrowings of $90 million, (2) capital expenditures of $74.6 million, (3) $25.2 million to repurchase 1.6 million shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock, and (3) dividend payments of $15.4 million These uses were offset by cash flow from operations of $141.8 million, primarily generated from (1) net income of $79.2 million, (2) $19.4 million for increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses, and (3) $2.6 million due to a decrease in inventories. These sources of cash were reduced by working capital uses of (1) $9.7 million due to increases in prepaid expenses and (2) $0.9 million due to increases in accounts receivable.

We ended 2018 with $81.0 million in cash, a decrease of $6.0 million during the year. During 2018, we borrowed $462.8 million of new term loan debt to finance the acquisition of nora. The cash purchase price for nora, net of cash acquired, was $400.7 million. Other than the nora purchase transaction, the most significant uses of cash in 2018 were (1) repayments on our Syndicated Credit Facility of $64.5 million, (2) capital expenditures of $54.9 million, (3) dividend payments of $15.5 million and (4) $14.5 million of cash used to repurchase our common stock. These uses were offset by cash flow generated by operations of $91.8 million. Our cash flow from operations was primarily generated by net income of $50.3 million. This net income was offset by working capital uses, primarily $18.8 million for an increase in inventory and $15.5 million due to increases in prepaid and other current assets. The Company generated cash of $9.9 million for increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses. In addition to working capital generation of cash, the Company also borrowed $17 million under its Syndicated Credit Facility during 2018.

We believe that our liquidity position will provide sufficient funds to meet our current commitments and other cash requirements for the foreseeable future. 
36

Funding Obligations 
 
We have various contractual obligations that we must fund as part of our normal operations. The following table discloses aggregate information about our contractual obligations and the periods in which payments are due. The amounts and time periods are measured from January 3, 2021.

    Payments Due by Period
  Total Payments
Due
Less than
1 year
1-3 years 3-5 years More than
5 years
  (in thousands)
Long-Term Debt Obligations(1)
$ 585,215  $ 15,319  $ 30,638  $ 239,258  $ 300,000 
Operating and Finance Lease Obligations(2)
143,198  20,653  30,457  21,344  70,744 
Expected Interest Payments(3)
160,257  23,439  45,729  41,589  49,500 
Unconditional Purchase Obligations(4)
14,529  14,529  —  —  — 
Pension Cash Obligations(5)
36,923  7,262  6,315  6,624  16,722 
Total Contractual Cash Obligations(6)
$ 940,122  $ 81,202  $ 113,139  $ 308,815  $ 436,966 
  


(1)Total long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheet includes a reduction for unamortized debt issuance costs of $8.6 million which are excluded from the long-term debt obligations in the table above. The table above includes $15.3 million classified as the current portion of long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheet of January 3, 2021.

(2)Operating and finance lease obligations represent undiscounted future lease payments.

(3)Expected interest payments to be made in future periods reflect anticipated interest payments related to the $300.0 million of 5.50% Senior Notes due 2028 outstanding, $282.2 million of Term Loan borrowings outstanding and the $3.0 million of revolving loan borrowings outstanding under our Syndicated Credit Facility as of January 3, 2021. We have also assumed in the presentation above that these borrowings will remain outstanding until maturity with the exception of the required amortization payments for our term loan borrowings.

(4)Unconditional purchase obligations do not include unconditional purchase obligations that are included as liabilities in our consolidated balance sheet. Our capital expenditure commitments of approximately $9.6 million are included in the table above.

(5)We have three foreign defined benefit plans and a domestic salary continuation plan. Our domestic salary continuation plan and the nora plan are unfunded plans, and we do not currently have any commitments to make contributions to these plans. However, the table above includes the expected benefit payments for these unfunded plans which will be paid by the Company. We use insurance instruments to hedge our exposure under the salary continuation plan. Contributions to our other employee benefit plans are at our discretion. The above table does not reflect expected benefit payments for two of our funded foreign defined benefit plans of approximately $114.8 million, which will be paid by the plans over the next ten years.

(6)The above table does not reflect unrecognized tax benefits of $10.8 million, the timing of which payments are uncertain. See Note 17 entitled “Income Taxes” in Item 8 of this Report for further information.








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Forward-Looking Statement on Impact of COVID-19

While we are aggressively managing our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, its impacts on our full year fiscal 2021 results and beyond are uncertain. We believe the most significant elements of uncertainty are (1) the intensity and duration of the impact on construction, renovation, and remodeling; (2) corporate, government, and consumer spending levels and sentiment; and (3) the ability of our sales channels, supply chain, manufacturing, and distribution partners to continue operating through disruptions. Any or all of these factors could negatively impact our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, and outlook. As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect companies with global operations, we anticipate that our business and results in the first quarter of 2021 will continue to be adversely affected, and the timeline and pace of recovery is uncertain. Due to customary seasonality and the impact of COVID-19, we anticipate a sequential decrease in revenue and operating income in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021 compared with the fourth quarter of 2020.

During 2020, the Company implemented several cost reduction and avoidance initiatives to align with anticipated customer demand, including a voluntary employee separation program, temporary employee furloughs and other time-and-pay reduction programs, involuntary employee separations where necessary to streamline roles and responsibilities, and various other cost reducing initiatives. The Company also suspended merit-based salary increases, as well as its 401(k) and Non-Qualified Savings Plan (NSP) matching contributions, and benefited from lower than originally anticipated performance-based compensation and variable compensation for 2020. In addition, the Company reduced its capital spending plans.

In January 2021, the Company resumed its 401(k) and NSP matching contributions on a prospective basis, as well as customary merit-based salary increases for fiscal year 2021. The Company will also establish new performance-based compensation and variable compensation targets for fiscal year 2021. All of these items will increase costs compared to fiscal year 2020.

Cash flows from operations, cash and cash equivalents, and other sources of liquidity are expected to be available and sufficient to meet foreseeable cash requirements. However, the Company’s cash flows from operations can be affected by numerous factors including the uncertainty of COVID-19 and its impact on global operations, raw material availability and cost, demand for our products, and other factors described in “Risk Factors” included in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.




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Critical Accounting Policies
 
The policies discussed below are considered by management to be critical to an understanding of our consolidated financial statements because their application places the most significant demands on management’s judgment, with financial reporting results relying on estimations about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain. Specific risks for these critical accounting policies are described in the following paragraphs. For all of these policies, management cautions that future events may not develop as forecasted, and the best estimates routinely require adjustment.
 
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment at the asset group level whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment is indicated. A loss is then recognized for the difference, if any, between the fair value of the asset (as estimated by management using its best judgment) and the carrying value of the asset. The management estimate of fair value considers undiscounted cash flows, market conditions and trends, and other industry specific metrics. If actual market value is less favorable than that estimated by management, additional write-downs may be required.
 
Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities. The carrying values of deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflect the application of our income tax accounting policies in accordance with applicable accounting standards and are based on management’s assumptions and estimates regarding future operating results and levels of taxable income, as well as management’s judgment regarding the interpretation of the provisions of applicable accounting standards. The carrying values of liabilities for income taxes currently payable are based on management’s interpretations of applicable tax laws and incorporate management’s assumptions and judgments regarding the use of tax planning strategies in various taxing jurisdictions. The use of different estimates, assumptions and judgments in connection with accounting for income taxes may result in materially different carrying values of income tax assets and liabilities and results of operations.
 
We evaluate the recoverability of these deferred tax assets by assessing the adequacy of future expected taxable income from all sources, including reversal of taxable temporary differences, forecasted operating earnings and available tax planning strategies. These sources of income inherently rely heavily on estimates. We use our historical experience and our short and long-term business forecasts to provide insight. Further, our global business portfolio gives us the opportunity to employ various prudent and feasible tax planning strategies to facilitate the recoverability of future deductions. To the extent we do not consider it more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will be recovered, a valuation allowance is established. As of January 3, 2021, and December 29, 2019, we had state net operating loss carryforwards of $142.7 million and $87.6 million, respectively. Certain of these state net operating loss carryforwards are reserved with a valuation allowance because, based on the available evidence, we believe it is more likely than not that we would not be able to utilize those deferred tax assets in the future. The remaining year-end 2020 amounts are expected to be fully recoverable within the applicable statutory expiration periods. If the actual amounts of taxable income differ from our estimates, the amount of our valuation allowance could be materially impacted.
 
Goodwill. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2017-04 “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other”, we tested goodwill for impairment at least annually using a two-step approach. In the first step of this approach, we prepared valuations of reporting units, using both a market comparable approach and an income approach, and those valuations are compared with the respective book values of the reporting units to determine whether any goodwill impairment exists. In preparing the valuations, past, present and expected future performance is considered. If impairment was indicated in this first step of the test, a step two valuation approach was performed. The step two valuation approach compared the implied fair value of goodwill to the book value of goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill was determined by allocating the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, including both recognized and unrecognized intangible assets, in the same manner as goodwill is determined in a business combination under applicable accounting standards. After completion of this step two test, a loss was recognized for the difference, if any, between the fair value of the goodwill associated with the reporting unit and the book value of that goodwill. If the actual fair value of the goodwill was determined to be less than that estimated, an additional write-down may be required.

 On December 30, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other,” that provides for the elimination of Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under the new guidance, impairment charges are recognized to the extent the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value with certain limitations.




39

In accordance with applicable accounting standards, the Company tests goodwill for impairment annually and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. During the fourth quarters of 2020, 2019 and 2018, we performed the annual goodwill impairment test. We perform this test at the reporting unit level. For our reporting units which carried a goodwill balance as of January 3, 2021, no impairment of goodwill was indicated. As of January 3, 2021, if our estimates of the fair value of our reporting units were 10% lower, we believe no additional goodwill impairment would have existed. However, the full extent of the future impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s operations is uncertain, and a prolonged COVID-19 pandemic could result in additional impairment of goodwill.
 
Inventories. We determine the value of inventories using the lower of cost or net realizable value. We write down inventories for the difference between the carrying value of the inventories and their net realizable value. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional write-downs may be required.
 
We estimate our reserves for inventory obsolescence by continuously examining our inventories to determine if there are indicators that carrying values exceed net realizable values. Experience has shown that significant indicators that could require the need for additional inventory write-downs are the age of the inventory, the length of its product life cycles, anticipated demand for our products and current economic conditions. While we believe that adequate write-downs for inventory obsolescence have been made in the consolidated financial statements, consumer tastes and preferences will continue to change and we could experience additional inventory write-downs in the future. Our inventory reserve on January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, was $35.0 million and $28.3 million, respectively. To the extent that actual obsolescence of our inventory differs from our estimate by 10%, our 2020 net income would be higher or lower by approximately $3.2 million, on an after-tax basis.

Pension Benefits. Net pension expense recorded is based on, among other things, assumptions about the discount rate, estimated return on plan assets and salary increases. While management believes these assumptions are reasonable, changes in these and other factors and differences between actual and assumed changes in the present value of liabilities or assets of our plans above certain thresholds could cause net annual expense to increase or decrease materially from year to year. The actuarial assumptions used in our salary continuation plan and our foreign defined benefit plans reporting are reviewed periodically and compared with external benchmarks to ensure that they appropriately account for our future pension benefit obligation. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption is based on weighted average expected returns for each asset class. Expected returns reflect a combination of historical performance analysis and the forward-looking views of the financial markets, and include input from actuaries, investment service firms and investment managers. The table below represents the changes to the projected benefit obligation as a result of changes in discount rate assumptions:

Foreign Defined Benefit Plans Increase (Decrease) in
Projected Benefit Obligation
  (in millions)
1% increase in actuarial assumption for discount rate $ (55.8)
1% decrease in actuarial assumption for discount rate 72.0 
 
Domestic Salary Continuation Plan Increase (Decrease) in
Projected Benefit Obligation
  (in millions)
1% increase in actuarial assumption for discount rate $ (3.5)
1% decrease in actuarial assumption for discount rate 4.3 
 

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Allowances for Expected Credit Losses. We maintain allowances for expected credit losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. Estimating the amount of future expected losses requires us to consider historical losses from our customers, as well as current market conditions and future forecasts of our customers’ ability to make payments for goods and services. By its nature, such an estimate is highly subjective, and it is possible that the amount of accounts receivable that we are unable to collect may be different than the amount initially estimated. Our allowance for expected credit losses on January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, was $6.6 million and $3.8 million, respectively. To the extent the actual collectability of our accounts receivable differs from our estimates by 10%, our 2020 net income would be higher or lower by approximately $0.6 million, on an after-tax basis, depending on whether the actual collectability was better or worse, respectively, than the estimated allowance.
 
Product Warranties. We typically provide limited warranties with respect to certain attributes of our carpet products (for example, warranties regarding excessive surface wear, edge ravel and static electricity) for periods ranging from ten to twenty years, depending on the particular carpet product and the environment in which the product is to be installed. Similar limited warranties are provided on certain attributes of our rubber and LVT products, typically for a period of 5 to 15 years. We typically warrant that any services performed will be free from defects in workmanship for a period of one year following completion. In the event of a breach of warranty, the remedy typically is limited to repair of the problem or replacement of the affected product. We record a provision related to warranty costs based on historical experience and periodically adjust these provisions to reflect changes in actual experience. Our warranty and sales allowance reserve on January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, was $3.2 million and $3.9 million, respectively. Actual warranty expense incurred could vary significantly from amounts that we estimate. To the extent the actual warranty expense differs from our estimates by 10%, our 2020 net income would be higher or lower by approximately $0.3 million, on an after-tax basis, depending on whether the actual expense is lower or higher, respectively, than the estimated provision.
 
nora Acquisition. We are required to estimate the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations as of the acquisition date, including identified intangible assets. The amount of purchase price paid in excess of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. The fair values are estimated in accordance with accounting standards which define fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The fair values of the net assets acquired are determined primarily using Level 3 inputs (inputs that are unobservable to the marketplace participant).

The most significant of the fair value estimates is related to intangible assets not subject to amortization and intangible assets subject to amortization. We acquired $103.3 million of intangible assets in connection with the nora acquisition. This amount of intangible assets was determined based primarily on nora’s projected cash flows. The projected cash flows include various assumptions, including the timing of projects embedded in backlog, success in securing future business, profitability of the business, and the appropriate risk-adjusted discount rate used to discount the projected cash flows. At January 3, 2021 intangible assets, net of amortization and impairments, were approximately $87.7 million. The final residual value assigned to goodwill related to the nora acquisition was $201.9 million, at the acquisition date exchange rate. We completed our final valuation of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date in the second quarter of 2019. At January 3, 2021, goodwill, net of impairments, was $165.8 million.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We are not a party to any material off-balance sheet arrangements.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements 
 
Please see Note 2 entitled “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” in Item 8 of this Report for discussion of these items.
 
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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market Risk
 
As a result of the scope of our global operations, we are exposed to an element of market risk from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. Our results of operations and financial condition could be impacted by this risk. We manage our exposure to market risk through our regular operating and financial activities and, to the extent we deem appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments.
 
We employ derivative financial instruments as risk management tools and not for speculative or trading purposes. We monitor the use of derivative financial instruments through objective measurable systems, well-defined market and credit risk limits, and timely reports to senior management according to prescribed guidelines. We have established strict counter-party credit guidelines and enter into transactions only with financial institutions with a rating of investment grade or better. As a result, we consider the risk of counter-party default to be minimal.
 
Interest Rate Market Risk Exposure
 
Changes in interest rates affect the interest paid on certain of our debt. To mitigate the impact of fluctuations in interest rates, our management monitors interest rates and has developed and implemented a policy to maintain the percentage of fixed and variable rate debt within certain parameters, subject to approval by our Board of Directors. In 2017 and 2019, the Company entered into interest rate swap transactions with regard to a portion of its term loan debt. The Company’s interest rate swaps were designated and qualified as cash flow hedges of forecasted interest payments. Both of the Company’s interest rate swaps were terminated in the fourth quarter of 2020.
 
Foreign Currency Exchange Market Risk Exposure
 
A significant portion of our operations consists of manufacturing and sales activities in foreign jurisdictions. We manufacture our products in the United States, Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, China, Thailand and Australia, and sell our products in more than 100 countries. As a result, our financial results have been, and could be, significantly affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in the foreign markets in which we distribute our products. Our operating results are exposed to changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and many other currencies, including the Euro, British pound sterling, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, Thai baht and Chinese Renminbi. When the U.S. dollar strengthens against a foreign currency, the value of anticipated sales in those currencies decreases, and vice versa. Additionally, to the extent our foreign operations with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar transact business in countries other than the United States, exchange rate changes between two foreign currencies could ultimately impact us. Finally, because we report in U.S. dollars on a consolidated basis, foreign currency exchange fluctuations could have a translation impact on our financial position.

At January 3, 2021, we recognized a $52.8 million decrease in our accumulated other comprehensive loss – foreign currency translation adjustment account compared with December 29, 2019, because of the strengthening of the Euro, British pound sterling, Australian dollar, and Chinese Renminbi against the U.S. dollar in 2020.
 
Sensitivity Analysis
 
For purposes of specific risk analysis, we use sensitivity analysis to measure the impact that market risk may have on the fair values of our market-sensitive instruments.
 
To perform sensitivity analysis, we assess the risk of loss in fair values associated with the impact of hypothetical changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates on market-sensitive instruments. The market value of instruments affected by interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate risk is computed based on the present value of future cash flows as impacted by the changes in the rates attributable to the market risk being measured. The discount rates used for the present value computations were selected based on market interest and foreign currency exchange rates in effect at January 3, 2021. The values that result from these computations are then compared with the market values of the financial instruments. The differences are the hypothetical gains or losses associated with each type of risk.





42

Table of Contents
Interest Rate Risk 
 
As discussed above, our Syndicated Credit Facility is comprised of a combination of term loan and revolving loan borrowings. The following table summarizes our market risks associated with our variable rate debt obligations under the Syndicated Credit Facility as of January 3, 2021. For debt obligations, the table presents principal cash flows by year of maturity.

Rate-Sensitive Liabilities 2021 2022 2023 2024 Thereafter Total Fair Value
  (in thousands)
Long-term Debt:              
Variable Rate $ 15,319  $ 15,319  $ 15,319  $ 15,319  $ 223,939  $ 285,215  $ 285,215 
Fixed Rate $ —  $ —  $ —  $ —  $ 300,000  $ 300,000  $ 315,999 
 
Our weighted average interest rate, including the effect of any active interest rate swaps, for our outstanding borrowings under the Syndicated Credit Facility as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019 was 1.89% and 3.27%, respectively.

An increase in our effective interest rate of 1% on our variable rate debt would increase annual interest expense by approximately $2.9 million. We will continue to review our exposure to interest rate fluctuations and evaluate whether we should continue to manage such exposures through any future interest rate swap transactions. Based on a hypothetical immediate 100 basis point increase in interest rates, with all other variables held constant, the fair value of our fixed rate long-term debt would be impacted by a net decrease of $13.2 million. Conversely, a 100 basis point decrease in interest rates would result in a net increase in the fair value of our fixed rate long-term debt of $9.9 million.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
 
As of January 3, 2021, a 10% decrease or increase in the levels of foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar, with all other variables held constant, would result in a decrease in the fair value of our short-term financial instruments (primarily cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable) of $11.9 million or an increase in the fair value of our financial instruments of $14.6 million, respectively. As the impact of offsetting changes in the fair market value of our net foreign investments is not included in the sensitivity model, these results are not indicative of our actual exposure to foreign currency exchange risk.

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Table of Contents
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

INTERFACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
  FISCAL YEAR
  2020 2019 2018
Net sales $ 1,103,262  $ 1,343,029  $ 1,179,573 
Cost of sales 692,688  810,062  749,690 
Gross profit on sales 410,574  532,967  429,883 
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 333,229  389,117  332,975 
Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges (4,626) 12,947  20,529 
Goodwill and intangible asset impairment charge 121,258  —  — 
 
Operating income (loss) (39,287) 130,903  76,379 
 
Interest expense 29,244  25,656  15,436 
Other expense 10,889  3,431  5,952 
 
Income (loss) before income tax expense (79,420) 101,816  54,991 
Income tax expense (benefit) (7,491) 22,616  4,738 
 
Net income (loss) $ (71,929) $ 79,200  $ 50,253 
 
Net income (loss) per share – basic $ (1.23) $ 1.34  $ 0.84 
Net income (loss) per share – diluted $ (1.23) $ 1.34  $ 0.84 
 
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 58,547  58,943  59,544 
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 58,547  58,948  59,566 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents
INTERFACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in thousands)
 
  FISCAL YEAR
  2020 2019 2018
Net income (loss) $ (71,929) $ 79,200  $ 50,253 
Other comprehensive income (loss), after tax      
Foreign currency translation adjustment 52,808  (11,652) (22,544)
Cash flow hedge gain (loss) (2,027) (5,489) 422 
Pension liability adjustment (12,588) (13,090) 12,944 
 
Comprehensive income (loss) $ (33,736) $ 48,969  $ 41,075 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents
INTERFACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except par values)
 
  END OF FISCAL YEAR
  2020 2019
ASSETS    
Current assets    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 103,053  $ 81,301 
Accounts receivable, net 139,869  177,482 
Inventories, net 228,725  253,584 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 23,747  35,768 
Total current assets 495,394  548,135 
Property, plant and equipment, net 359,036  324,585 
Operating lease right-of-use assets 98,013  107,044 
Deferred tax asset 18,175  19,683 
Goodwill and intangibles, net 253,536  346,474 
Other assets 81,857  77,128 
 
Total assets $ 1,306,011  $ 1,423,049 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY    
Current liabilities    
Accounts payable $ 58,687  $ 75,687 
Accrued expenses 105,739  140,652 
Current portion of operating lease liabilities 13,555  15,914 
Current portion of long-term debt 15,319  31,022 
Total current liabilities 193,300  263,275 
Long-term debt 561,251  565,178 
Operating lease liabilities 86,468  91,829 
Deferred income taxes 34,307  35,550 
Other long-term liabilities 104,147  99,015 
 
Total liabilities 979,473  1,054,847 
 
Commitments and contingencies
 
Shareholders’ equity    
Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share; 5,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding at January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019
—  — 
Common stock, par value $0.10 per share; 120,000 shares authorized; 58,664 and 58,416 shares issued and outstanding at January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively
5,865  5,842 
Additional paid-in capital 247,920  250,306 
Retained earnings 208,562  286,056 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss – foreign currency translation (60,331) (113,139)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss – cash flow hedge (6,190) (4,163)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss – pension liability (69,288) (56,700)
 
Total shareholders’ equity 326,538  368,202 
 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 1,306,011  $ 1,423,049 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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Table of Contents
INTERFACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)

  FISCAL YEAR
  2020 2019 2018
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:    
Net income (loss) $ (71,929) $ 79,200  $ 50,253 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization 45,920  44,932  39,084 
Stock compensation amortization expense (benefit) (502) 8,691  14,496 
Loss on disposal of fixed assets 4,996  —  8,569 
Enactment of U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act benefit —  —  (6,739)
Bad debt expense 3,843  1,206  222 
Deferred income taxes and other (20,794) (9,497) (11,709)
Amortization of acquired intangible assets 5,457  5,903  5,387 
Amortization of acquired inventory step-up —  —  26,666 
Goodwill and intangible asset impairment 121,258  —  — 
Working capital changes:      
Accounts receivable 40,090  (930) (10,113)
Inventories 38,667  2,573  (18,784)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 12,967  (9,691) (15,501)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses (60,903) 19,381  9,936 
Cash provided by operating activities 119,070  141,768  91,767 
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:      
Capital expenditures (62,949) (74,647) (54,857)
Cash paid for business, net of cash acquired —  —  (400,697)
Other 1,260  425  (131)
Cash used in investing activities (61,689) (74,222) (455,685)
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:      
Revolving loan borrowing 110,000  90,000  17,000 
Revolving loan repayments (131,024) (87,664) (64,504)
Term loan borrowing —  —  462,847 
Term loan repayments (304,425) (24,028) (14,162)
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes due 2028 300,000  —  — 
Repurchase of common stock —  (25,154) (14,485)
Dividends paid (5,565) (15,358) (15,471)
Tax withholding payments for share-based compensation (1,511) (3,278) (1,187)
Debt issuance costs (7,896) —  (8,806)
Payments for debt extinguishment costs (660) —  — 
Proceeds from issuance of common stock 93  60  294 
Finance lease payments (1,727) (1,255) — 
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities (42,715) (66,677) 361,526 
 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities 14,666  869  (2,392)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 7,086  (557) (3,656)
 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:      
Net increase (decrease) 21,752  312  (6,048)
Balance, beginning of year 81,301  80,989  87,037 
 
Balance, end of year $ 103,053  $ 81,301  $ 80,989 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
47

Table of Contents

INTERFACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations
 
The Company is a recognized leader in the worldwide commercial interiors market, offering modular carpet, luxury vinyl tile (“LVT”) and rubber flooring products. The Company manufactures modular carpet focusing on the high quality, designer-oriented sector of the market, sources LVT from a third party and focuses on the same sector of the market, and provides specialized carpet replacement, installation and maintenance services. The Company also offers resilient rubber flooring since its acquisition of nora Holding GmbH on August 7, 2018.
 
Principles of Consolidation
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All of our subsidiaries are wholly-owned, and we are not a party to any joint venture, partnership or other variable interest entity that would potentially qualify for consolidation. All material intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated.

Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Examples include provisions for returns, bad debts, product claims reserves, rebates, inventory obsolescence and the length of product life cycles, accruals associated with restructuring activities, income tax exposures and valuation allowances, environmental liabilities, and the carrying value of goodwill and property and equipment. Actual results could vary from these estimates.
 
Risks and Uncertainties

The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, and many companies have experienced disruptions in their operations. The Company considered the impact of COVID-19 on the assumptions and estimates used and determined that, except for the goodwill and intangible asset impairment discussed in Note 12 entitled “Goodwill and Intangible Assets,” the decline in 2020 revenue, and its consequent impacts on production volume, operating income, net income, cash flows, and order rates, there were no other material adverse impacts on the Company’s results of operations and financial position at January 3, 2021. The Company’s Syndicated Credit Facility has various financial and other covenants including, but not limited to, a covenant to not exceed a maximum net debt to EBITDA ratio, as defined by the credit facility agreement. On July 15, 2020 and November 17, 2020, the Company amended its Syndicated Credit Facility; see Note 9 entitled “Long-Term Debt” for additional information. The full extent of the future impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s operations is uncertain. A prolonged COVID-19 pandemic may continue to have a material adverse impact on our operations, financial condition, and supply chains. It may negatively impact our ability to collect outstanding receivables, manage inventory, and service customers. The impact of COVID-19 could result in additional impairment losses related to goodwill, intangible assets, and property, plant and equipment.

As the virus spreads through communities, it could impact the physical health, mental health, and productivity of our workforce as many of them are required to shelter in place and work from home for prolonged periods of time, and it could also impact our ability to reach our customers and collaborate with them as they are required to shelter in place and work from home for prolonged periods of time. The COVID-19 pandemic is having broad and negative implications on the global economy, which affects the size and timing of our customers’ capital budgets, and could result in delays or terminations of new and existing renovation projects, remodeling projects, new construction projects, and other projects where our products are used.



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COVID-19 Impact

We continue to monitor our operations and have implemented various programs to mitigate the effects of COVID-19 on our business including reductions in employee headcount, labor costs, marketing expenses, consulting spend, travel costs, various other costs, and capital expenditures, as well as suspending and reducing shifts in our production facilities, temporarily furloughing employees, and implementing other cost reduction or avoidance initiatives. Government grants and payroll protection programs are available globally to provide assistance to companies impacted by the pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) enacted in the United States (see Note 17 entitled “Income Taxes” for additional information) and a payroll protection program enacted in the Netherlands (the “NOW Program”) provide benefits related to payroll costs either as reimbursements, lower payroll tax rates or deferral of payroll tax payments. The NOW Program provides eligible companies with reimbursement of labor costs as an incentive to retain employees on the payroll. During fiscal year 2020, the Company recognized benefits under several payroll protection programs as reductions to payroll costs.

Revenue Recognition
 
Revenue from contracts with customers is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve this core principle, the guidance provides that an entity should apply the following steps: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, the entity satisfies a performance obligation.
 
Revenue Recognized from Contracts with Customers
 
Contracts with customers typically take the form of invoices for purchase of materials from the Company. Customer payment terms vary by region and are typically less than 60 days. The performance obligation is the delivery of these materials to the customer’s control. During 2020, 2019 and 2018, approximately 98%, 98% and 97% of the Company’s total revenue, respectively, was produced from the sale of carpet, resilient flooring, rubber flooring, and related products (TacTiles installation materials, etc.) and the revenue from sales of these products is recognized upon shipment, or in certain cases, upon delivery to the customer.  The transaction price for these sales is readily identifiable. The remaining revenue for 2020, 2019 and 2018 of 2%, 2% and 3%, respectively, was generated from the installation of carpet and other flooring-related material.
 
The remaining revenue generated by the Company is for contracts to sell and install carpet and related products at customer locations. For projects underway, the Company recognized installation revenue over time as the customer simultaneously received and consumed the benefit of the services. The installation of the carpet and related products is a separate performance obligation from the sale of carpet. The majority of these projects are completed within 5 days of the start of installation. The transaction price for these sale and installation contracts is readily determinable between flooring material and installation services and is specifically identified in the contract with the customer.
 
The Company has utilized the portfolio approach to its contracts with customers, as its contracts with customers have similar characteristics and it is reasonable to expect that the effects from applying this approach are not materially different from applying the accounting standard to individual contracts.

The Company does not have any other significant revenue streams outside of these sales of flooring material, and the sale and installation of flooring material, as described above. 

The Company does not record taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities within revenues. The Company records such taxes collected as a liability on our consolidated balance sheets.


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Performance Obligations
 
As noted above, the Company primarily generates revenue through the sale of flooring material to end users either upon shipment or upon arrival of the product at its destination. In these instances, there typically is no other obligation to the customers other than the delivery of flooring material with the exception of warranty. The Company does offer a warranty to its customers which guarantees certain on-floor performance characteristics and warrants against manufacturing defects. The warranty is not a service warranty, and there is no ability to separate the warranty obligation from the sale of the flooring or purchase them separately. The Company’s incidence of warranty claims is extremely low, with less than 0.5% of revenue in claims on an annual basis for the last three fiscal years.  Given the nature of the warranty as well as the financial impact, the Company has determined that there is no need to identify this warranty as a separate performance obligation and the Company will continue to account for warranty on an accrual basis. 

For the Company’s installation business, the sales of carpet and other flooring materials and installation services are separate deliverables which under the revenue recognition requirements should be characterized as separate performance obligations. The nature of the installation projects is such that the vast majority – an amount in excess of 85% of these installation projects – are completed in less than 5 days. The Company’s largest installation customers are retail and corporate customers, and these are on a project-by-project basis and are short-term installations. The Company has evaluated these projects at the end of the reporting period and recorded revenue in accordance with the accounting standards for projects which were underway as of the end of 2020.  
 
Costs to Obtain Contracts
 
The Company pays sales commissions to many of its sales personnel based upon their selling activity. These are direct costs associated with obtaining the contracts and are expensed as the revenue is earned. As these commissions become payable upon shipment (or in certain cases delivery) of product, the commission is earned as the revenue is recognized. There are no other material costs the Company incurs as part of obtaining the sales contract.
 
Shipping and Handling

Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are classified in net sales in the consolidated statements of operations. Shipping and handling costs incurred are classified in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations.
 
Research and Development
 
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses and cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations. Research and development expense was $18.6 million, $17.8 million, and $16.4 million for the years 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
 
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
 
Highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk and with original maturities of three months or less are classified as cash and cash equivalents. Investments with maturities greater than three months and less than one year are classified as short-term investments. Significant concentrations of credit risk may arise from the Company’s cash maintained at various banks, as from time to time cash balances may exceed the FDIC limits. The Company did not hold any significant amounts of cash equivalents and short-term investments at January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019.
 
Cash payments for interest amounted to approximately $32.0 million, $22.7 million, and $13.8 million for the years 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. 2020 includes cash payments of $12.5 million to terminate the Company’s interest rate swap liabilities. Income tax payments amounted to approximately $19.3 million, $34.8 million and $29.5 million for the years 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. During the years 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company received income tax refunds of $7.5 million, $1.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively.
 
Allowances for Expected Credit Losses
 
The Company maintains allowances for expected credit losses for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. Estimating the amount of future expected losses requires the Company to consider historical losses from our customers, as well as current market conditions and future forecasts of our customers’ ability to make payments for goods and services. By its nature, such an estimate is highly subjective, and it is possible that the amount of accounts receivable that the Company is unable to collect may be different than the amount initially estimated.
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Inventories
 
Inventories are carried at the lower of cost (standards approximating the first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value. Costs included in inventories are based on invoiced costs and/or production costs, as applicable. Included in production costs are material, direct labor and allocated overhead. The Company writes down inventories for the difference between the carrying value of the inventories and their estimated net realizable value. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional write-downs may be required.
 
Management estimates its reserves for inventory obsolescence by continuously examining its inventories to determine if there are indicators that carrying values exceed net realizable values. Experience has shown that significant indicators that could require the need for additional inventory write-downs are the age of the inventory, the length of its product life cycles, anticipated demand for the Company’s products, and current economic conditions. While management believes that adequate write-downs for inventory obsolescence have been made in the consolidated financial statements, consumer tastes and preferences will continue to change and the Company could experience additional inventory write-downs in the future.
 
Rebates
 
The Company has agreements to receive cash consideration from certain of its vendors, including rebates and cooperative marketing reimbursements. The amounts received from its vendors are generally presumed to be a reduction of the prices the Company pays for their products and, therefore, such amounts are reflected as either a reduction of cost of sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, or, if the product inventory is still on hand at the reporting date, it is reflected as a reduction of “Inventories” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Vendor rebates are typically dependent upon reaching minimum purchase thresholds. The Company evaluates the likelihood of reaching purchase thresholds using past experience and current year forecasts. When rebates can be reasonably estimated and receipt becomes probable, the Company records a portion of the rebate as the Company makes progress towards the purchase threshold.

When the Company receives direct reimbursements for costs incurred in marketing the vendor’s product or service, the amount received is recorded as an offset to selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
 
Leases
 
The Company records a right-of-use asset and lease liability for operating and finance leases once a contract that contains a lease is executed and the Company has the right to control the use of the leased asset. The right-of-use asset is measured as the present value of the lease obligation. The discount rate used to calculate the present value of the lease liability is the Company’s incremental borrowing rate, which is based on the estimated rate for a fully collateralized borrowing that fully amortizes over a similar lease term at the commencement date and for the applicable geographical region.
The Company made an accounting policy election to exclude leases with an initial term of 12 months or less from the calculation of the right-of-use asset and lease liability recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. These leases primarily represent month-to-month operating leases for office equipment where we were reasonably certain that we would not elect an option to extend the lease. The Company also made an accounting policy election not to separate lease and non-lease components for all asset classes and will account for the lease payments as a single component.

Property and Equipment and Long-Lived Assets
 
Property and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: buildings and improvements – ten to forty years; and furniture and equipment – three to twelve years. Interest costs for the construction/development of certain long-term assets are capitalized and amortized over the related assets’ estimated useful lives. The Company capitalized net interest costs on qualifying expenditures of approximately $1.9 million, $2.1 million, and $0.7 million for the fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Depreciation expense amounted to approximately $42.4 million, $41.5 million, and $37.6 million for the years 2020, 2019, and 2018 respectively.
 
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the asset. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to operating expense as incurred.
 

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Goodwill and Intangible Assets

In accordance with applicable accounting standards, the Company tests goodwill for impairment annually and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. During the fourth quarters of 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company performed the annual goodwill impairment test. In addition, during the first quarter of 2020—primarily due to anticipated impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic—the Company determined that there were indicators of impairment, and the Company proceeded with a goodwill impairment test as of the end of the first quarter. The Company tests goodwill at the reporting unit level, which is one level below the reporting segment level. In performing the impairment testing, the Company prepared valuations of reporting units on both a market comparable methodology and an income methodology, and those valuations were compared with the respective carrying values of the reporting units to determine whether any goodwill impairment existed. In preparing the valuations, past, present and future expectations of performance were considered.

On December 30, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other,” that provides for the elimination of Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under the new guidance, impairment charges are recognized to the extent the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value with certain limitations. The Company used a consistent methodology in performing both the annual goodwill impairment tests and the goodwill impairment test as of the end of the first quarter of 2020. See Note 12 entitled “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for additional information.

Product Warranties
 
The Company typically provides limited warranties with respect to certain attributes of its carpet products (for example, warranties regarding excessive surface wear, edge ravel and static electricity) for periods ranging from ten to twenty years, depending on the particular carpet product and the environment in which it is to be installed. Similar limited warranties are provided on certain attributes of its rubber and LVT products, typically for a period of 5 to 15 years. The Company typically warrants that services performed will be free from defects in workmanship for a period of one year following completion. In the event of a breach of warranty, the remedy typically is limited to repair of the problem or replacement of the affected product.
 
The Company records a provision related to warranty costs based on historical experience and periodically adjusts these provisions to reflect changes in actual experience. Warranty and sales allowance reserves amounted to $3.2 million and $3.9 million as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively, and are included in “Accrued Expenses” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
 
Income Taxes
 
The Company accounts for income taxes under an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns. In estimating future tax consequences, the Company generally considers all expected future events other than enactments of changes in tax laws or rates. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates will be recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment date.
 
The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will expire before realization of the benefit or that future deductibility is not probable. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets depends on the ability to generate sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character in the future. This requires us to use estimates and make assumptions regarding significant future events such as the taxability of entities operating in the various taxing jurisdictions. 

For uncertain tax positions, the Company applies the provisions of relevant authoritative guidance, which requires application of a “more likely than not” threshold to the recognition and derecognition of tax positions. The Company’s ongoing assessments of the more likely than not outcomes of tax authority examinations and related tax positions require significant judgment and can increase or decrease the Company’s effective tax rate as well as impact operating results. For further information, see Note 17 entitled “Income Taxes.”
 
Fair Values of Financial Instruments
 
Fair values of cash and cash equivalents and short-term debt approximate cost due to the short period of time to maturity. Fair values of debt are based on quoted market prices or pricing models using current market rates and classified as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. See Note 5 entitled “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for further information.
 
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Translation of Foreign Currencies
 
The financial position and results of operations of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured using local currencies as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at each year-end. Income and expense items are translated at average exchange rates for the year. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded in the foreign currency translation adjustment account. In the event of a divestiture of a foreign subsidiary, the related foreign currency translation results are reversed from equity to income. Foreign exchange translation gains (losses) were $52.8 million, $(11.7) million, and $(22.5) million for the years 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Earnings per Share
 
Basic earnings per share is computed based on the average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share reflects the increase in average common shares outstanding that would result from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options, calculated using the treasury stock method. See Note 15 entitled “Earnings Per Share” for additional information.
 
Stock-Based Compensation
 
The Company has stock-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 14 entitled “Shareholders' Equity.”
 
The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. However, there were no stock options granted in 2020, 2019 or 2018.
 
The Company recognizes expense related to its restricted stock and performance share grants based on the grant date fair value of the shares awarded, as determined by its market price at date of grant.
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. For derivatives that meet the criteria as designated cash flow hedges, the changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized in other comprehensive income (or other comprehensive loss) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are recognized in earnings each period. Derivative liabilities are recorded in accrued expenses and derivative assets are recorded in other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Cash flows from all derivative instruments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are classified in the same category as the cash flows from the items being hedged.

Pension Benefits
 
Net pension expense recorded is based on, among other things, assumptions about the discount rate, estimated return on plan assets and salary increases. While the Company believes these assumptions are reasonable, changes in these and other factors and differences between actual and assumed changes in the present value of liabilities or assets of the Company’s plans above certain thresholds could cause net annual expense to increase or decrease materially from year to year. The actuarial assumptions used in the Company’s salary continuation plan and foreign defined benefit plans reporting are reviewed periodically and compared with external benchmarks to ensure that they appropriately account for our future pension benefit obligation. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption is based on weighted average expected returns for each asset class. Expected returns reflect a combination of historical performance analysis and the forward-looking views of the financial markets, and include input from actuaries, investment service firms and investment managers.

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Change in Accounting Principle

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, “Improvements to Share Based Payment Accounting,” to simplify the accounting for share based payment transactions. We previously adopted the provisions of this ASU in fiscal year 2017 and noted at that time that we would apply the policy election to estimate forfeitures of share based awards and reduce stock compensation expense based on that estimate. On December 30, 2019, the Company elected to change its forfeiture method related to share based awards and will now account for forfeitures as they occur, as allowed by ASU 2016-09. The Company believes that this change is preferable because it achieves better correlation of stock compensation expense with the requisite service period. The cumulative impact of this change did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. As a result, the cumulative effect of $1.4 million was recognized in SG&A expenses within the consolidated statement of operations in 2020. Since the impact of this change is not material, prior period amounts were not retrospectively adjusted.

Reclassifications
 
In fiscal year 2020, the Company made certain classification and presentation changes related to customer service and other costs. Previously, these costs were presented as a component of cost of sales. Beginning in fiscal year 2020, these costs are presented as a component of SG&A expense. The Company determined that this change better reflects how management views and operates the business. Reclassifications of the comparative prior year 2019 and 2018 amounts have been made to conform to the current presentation as follows:

Fiscal Year 2019
Statement of Operations Line Item As Reported Reclassification As Reclassified
(in thousands)
Cost of sales $ 817,575  $ (7,513) $ 810,062 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 381,604  7,513  389,117 
Total $ 1,199,179  $ —  $ 1,199,179 
Fiscal Year 2018
Statement of Operations Line Item As Reported Reclassification As Reclassified
(in thousands)
Cost of sales $ 755,216  $ (5,526) $ 749,690 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 327,449  5,526  332,975 
Total $ 1,082,665  $ —  $ 1,082,665 
 
Fiscal Year
 
The Company’s fiscal year is the 52 or 53 week period ending on the Sunday nearest December 31. All references herein to “2020,” “2019,” and “2018,” mean the fiscal years ended January 3, 2021, December 29, 2019, and December 30, 2018, respectively. Fiscal year 2020 includes 53 weeks, and 2019 and 2018 were each comprised of 52 weeks.
 
 
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NOTE 2 – RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

On December 30, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 326, Credit Losses. This standard requires a financial asset (including trade receivables) to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected through the use of valuation allowances for credit losses. The income statement will reflect the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets, as well as the expected increases or decreases of expected credit losses that have taken place during the period. The Company adopted the new standard using a modified retrospective approach with no cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings to recognize expected credit losses on trade accounts receivable. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

On December 30, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other,” that provides for the elimination of Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under the new guidance, impairment charges are recognized to the extent the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value with certain limitations. See Note 12 entitled “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for additional information.

On December 30, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2018-13, “Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” This standard eliminates the requirement to disclose the amount or reason for transfers between level 1 and level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and the requirement to disclose the valuation methodology for level 3 fair value measurements. The standard includes additional disclosure requirements for level 3 fair value measurements, including the requirement to disclose the changes in unrealized gains and losses in other comprehensive income during the period and permits the disclosure of other relevant quantitative information for certain unobservable inputs. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

On December 30, 2019, the Company adopted ASU 2018-15, “Internal-Use Software - Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement.” This ASU aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement service contract with the guidance to capitalize implementation costs of internal use software. The ASU also requires that the costs for implementation activities during the application development phase be capitalized in a hosting arrangement service contract, and costs during the preliminary and post implementation phase are expensed. The Company adopted this standard, which will be applied on a prospective basis, with no material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.” The amendments in this update simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC Topic 740 related to intraperiod tax allocation, the calculation of income taxes in interim periods, and the accounting for outside basis differences of foreign subsidiaries and equity method investments. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of ASC Topic 740, including franchise or similar taxes partially based on income, the accounting for a step-up in tax basis goodwill, and interim recognition of an enacted change in tax laws or rates, by clarifying and amending existing guidance. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of this standard but does not anticipate that the adoption will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” This standard addresses the risks from the discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and provides optional expedients and exceptions to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference LIBOR if certain criteria are met. This new guidance is effective and may be applied beginning March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of this standard.
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NOTE 3 – REVENUE RECOGNITION
 
Revenue from sales of carpet, modular resilient flooring, rubber flooring, and other flooring-related material was approximately 98%, 98% and 97% of total revenue for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The remaining 2%, 2% and 3% of revenue was generated from the installation of carpet and other flooring-related material in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
 
Disaggregation of Revenue
 
For fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018, revenue from the Company’s customers is broken down by geography as follows:
 
Fiscal Year
Geography 2020 2019 2018
Americas 53.8% 56.4% 57.8%
Europe 31.8% 29.3% 27.1%
Asia-Pacific 14.4% 14.3% 15.1%
 

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NOTE 4 RECEIVABLES
 
The Company has adopted credit policies and standards intended to reduce the inherent risk associated with potential increases in its concentration of credit risk due to increasing trade receivables. Management believes that credit risks are further moderated by the diversity of its end customers and geographic sales areas. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and requires collateral as deemed necessary. The Company maintains allowances for expected credit losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of its customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. As of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, the allowance for expected credit losses amounted to $6.6 million and $3.8 million, respectively, for all accounts receivable of the Company. Reserves for warranty and returns allowances amounted to $3.2 million and $3.9 million as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively.
 

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NOTE 5 FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
Accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure estimated fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under applicable accounting standards are described below:

Level 1    Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.  

Level 2    Inputs to the valuation methodology include:
quoted prices for similar assets in active markets;
quoted prices for identical or similar assets in inactive markets;
inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset; and
inputs that are derived principally or corroborated by observable data by correlation or other.

Level 3    Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

As of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, the Company had approximately $22.0 million and $23.3 million, respectively, of Company-owned life insurance, which is measured on a readily determinable cash surrender value on a recurring basis. This Company-owned life insurance is classified as a Level 2 asset within the fair value hierarchy. Due to the short maturity of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses, their carrying values approximate fair value. As of January 3, 2021, the carrying value of the Company’s borrowings under its Syndicated Credit Facility approximates fair value as the Facility bears interest rates that are similar to existing market rates. As of January 3, 2021, the estimated fair value of the Company’s 5.50% Senior Notes due 2028 (“Senior Notes”) was $316.0 million, compared with a carrying value recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets of $300.0 million, excluding unamortized debt issuance costs. The fair value of the Company’s Senior Notes is derived using quoted prices for similar instruments and is considered Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments is determined using discounted cash flow valuation models. The significant inputs used in these models are readily available in public markets, or can be derived from other observable market transactions, and therefore are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. See Note 19 entitled “Employee Benefit Plans” for additional information on defined benefit plan assets.
 
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NOTE 6 INVENTORIES
 
Inventories are summarized as follows:
 
End of Fiscal Year
  2020 2019
  (in thousands)
Finished goods $ 152,836  $ 184,336 
Work-in-process 17,109  13,152 
Raw materials 58,780  56,096 
Inventories, net $ 228,725  $ 253,584 
 
Reserves for inventory obsolescence amounted to $35.0 million and $28.3 million as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively, and have been netted against amounts presented above.

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NOTE 7 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
 
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:
 
  End of Fiscal Year
  2020 2019
  (in thousands)
Land $ 18,348  $ 17,777 
Buildings 176,702  148,833 
Equipment (1)
657,796  615,149 
 
  852,846  781,759 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization (2)
(493,810) (457,174)
 
Property, plant and equipment, net $ 359,036  $ 324,585 

(1) Includes $9.9 million and $5.9 million of leased equipment for 2020 and 2019, respectively.
(2) Includes $3.8 million and $0.9 million of accumulated amortization on leased equipment for 2020 and 2019, respectively.

As of January 3, 2021, construction-in-progress was approximately $43.0 million.


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NOTE 8 ACCRUED EXPENSES
 
Accrued expenses are summarized as follows:

  End of Fiscal Year
  2020 2019
  (in thousands)
Compensation $ 79,306  $ 86,696 
Interest 2,507  1,485 
Restructuring 1,064  11,445 
Taxes 2,073  16,809 
Accrued purchases 5,916  4,910 
Warranty and sales allowances 3,248  3,853 
Other 11,625  15,454 
Accrued Expenses $ 105,739  $ 140,652 
 
 
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NOTE 9 LONG-TERM DEBT
 
Long-term debt consisted of the following:

January 3, 2021 December 29, 2019
Outstanding Principal
Interest Rate(1)
Outstanding Principal
Interest Rate(1)
(in thousands) (in thousands)
Syndicated Credit Facility:
Revolving loan borrowings $ 3,000  4.00  % $ 20,861  3.52  %
Term loan borrowings 282,215  1.87  % 581,655  3.05  %
Total borrowings under Syndicated Credit Facility 285,215  1.89  % 602,516  3.06  %
5.50% Senior Notes due 2028 300,000  5.50  % —  —  %
 
Total debt 585,215  602,516 
Less: Unamortized debt issue costs (8,645) (6,316)
 
Total debt, net 576,570  596,200 
Less: Current portion of long-term debt (15,319) (31,022)
 
Total long-term debt, net $ 561,251  $ 565,178 

(1) Represents the stated rate of interest, without the effect of debt issuance costs or interest rate swaps.

Syndicated Credit Facility

The Company’s Syndicated Credit Facility (the “Facility”) provides to the Company U.S. denominated and multicurrency term loans and provides to the Company and certain of its subsidiaries a multicurrency revolving credit facility. On August 7, 2018, the Company amended and restated its Facility in connection with the nora acquisition. The purpose of the amended and restated Facility was to fund the nora purchase price and related fees and expenses of the acquisition, and to increase the credit available to the Company and its subsidiaries following the closing of the nora acquisition in view of the larger enterprise. In connection with the 2018 amended and restated Facility, the Company recorded $8.8 million of debt issuance costs.

On December 18, 2019, the Company amended the Facility. The purpose of this amendment was to provide for certain provisions, including but not limited to the following:

the amendment of certain covenants in the Facility to add new exceptions which allowed the Company and its subsidiaries to accomplish certain intercompany investments and other intercompany transactions desired to be made by the Company and its subsidiaries, and
amendments to add provisions relating to treatment of certain qualified financial contracts, to modify certain existing provisions dealing with the replacement of LIBOR as a benchmark interest rate with an alternative benchmark rate in the event that LIBOR in the future ceases to be available as a benchmark rate.


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On July 15, 2020, the Company entered into a second amendment to its Facility. This amendment, among other changes, provided for the following: (1) amended the consolidated net leverage ratio covenant making it less restrictive for a period of seven consecutive fiscal quarters beginning with the third quarter of fiscal year 2020 through the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 (the “Relief Period”); (2) amended the pricing grid used to determine interest rate margins on outstanding loans as well as the commitment fee on the unused portion of the Facility to include additional consolidated net leverage ratio levels with increased pricing at higher levels of leverage; (3) amended interest rate provisions to provide for an interest rate floor of either 0.00% or 0.75%, as applicable, on certain tranches of term loans outstanding; and (4) provided temporary restrictions during the Relief Period on the Company’s ability to make acquisitions, pay dividends, repurchase shares, or enter into new credit facilities without lender consent. The Company incurred approximately $1.5 million in debt issuance costs to execute this amendment. Of this amount, approximately $1.0 million of debt issuance costs associated with term loan borrowings was recorded as a reduction of long-term debt, and approximately $0.5 million of debt issuance costs associated with revolving loan borrowings was recorded in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. These costs will be amortized over the life of the outstanding debt.

On November 17, 2020, the Company entered into a third amendment to its Facility. The third amendment provided for, among other changes, the following amendments to the Facility:
the amendment of the maturity date of the Facility to November 2025;
the amendment of the 0.75% interest rate floor in respect of certain loans under the Facility with an interest rate floor of 0.00%;
amendments to the financial covenants to replace the consolidated net leverage ratio covenant with a consolidated secured net leverage ratio covenant that is not to exceed 3.00 to 1.00;
amendments to remove the Relief Period restrictions previously imposed pursuant to the second amendment; and
amendments to provide for the case where any interest rate benchmark in the future ceases to be available.

In connection with the third amendment, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $3.6 million within interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations and recorded approximately $0.9 million of debt issuance costs. Of this amount, approximately $0.1 million of debt issuance costs associated with term loan borrowings was recorded as a reduction of long-term debt, and approximately $0.8 million of debt issuance costs associated with revolving loan borrowings was recorded in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. At January 3, 2021, the amended and restated Facility provided to the Company and certain of its subsidiaries a multicurrency revolving loan facility up to $300.0 million, as well as other U.S. denominated and multicurrency term loans. At January 3, 2021, the Company had available borrowing capacity of $295.4 million under the revolving loan facility.

Interest Rates and Fees
 
Interest on base rate loans is charged at varying rates computed by applying a margin ranging from 0.25% to 2.00%, depending on the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio as of the most recently completed fiscal quarter. Interest on Eurocurrency-based loans and fees for letters of credit are charged at varying rates computed by applying a margin ranging from 1.25% to 3.00% over the applicable Eurocurrency rate, depending on the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio as of the most recently completed fiscal quarter. In addition, the Company pays a commitment fee ranging from 0.20% to 0.40% per annum (depending on the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio as of the most recently completed fiscal quarter) on the unused portion of the Facility.

Covenants
 
The Facility contains standard and customary covenants for agreements of this type, including various reporting, affirmative and negative covenants. Among other things, these covenants limit the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to:
 
create or incur liens on assets;
make acquisitions of or investments in businesses (in excess of certain specified amounts);
engage in any material line of business substantially different from the Company’s current lines of business;
incur indebtedness or contingent obligations;
sell or dispose of assets (in excess of certain specified amounts);
pay dividends or repurchase the Company’s stock (in excess of certain specified amounts);
repay other indebtedness prior to maturity unless the Company meets certain conditions; and
enter into sale and leaseback transactions.
 
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The Facility also requires the Company to remain in compliance with the following financial covenants as of the end of each fiscal quarter, based on the Company’s consolidated results for the year then ended:
 
Consolidated Secured Net Leverage Ratio: Must be no greater than 3.00:1.00.
Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio: Must be no less than 2.25:1.00.

Events of Default
 
If the Company breaches or fails to perform any of the affirmative or negative covenants under the Facility, or if other specified events occur (such as a bankruptcy or similar event or a change of control of Interface, Inc. or certain subsidiaries, or if the Company breaches or fails to perform any covenant or agreement contained in any instrument relating to any of the Company’s other indebtedness exceeding $20 million), after giving effect to any applicable notice and right to cure provisions, an event of default will exist. If an event of default exists and is continuing, the lenders’ Administrative Agent may, and upon the written request of a specified percentage of the lender group shall:
 
declare all commitments of the lenders under the facility terminated;
declare all amounts outstanding or accrued thereunder immediately due and payable; and
exercise other rights and remedies available to them under the agreement and applicable law.

Collateral
 
Pursuant to a Second Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement, the Facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and its domestic subsidiaries (subject to exceptions for certain immaterial subsidiaries), including all of the stock of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries and up to 65% of the stock of its first-tier material foreign subsidiaries. If an event of default occurs under the Facility, the lenders’ Administrative Agent may, upon the request of a specified percentage of lenders, exercise remedies with respect to the collateral, including, in some instances, foreclosing mortgages on real estate assets, taking possession of or selling personal property assets, collecting accounts receivables, or exercising proxies to take control of the pledged stock of domestic and first-tier material foreign subsidiaries.
 
As of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, the Company had $1.6 million and $2.2 million, respectively, in letters of credit outstanding under the Facility.
 
Under the amended and restated Facility, the Company is required to make quarterly amortization payments of the term loan borrowings, which commenced in the fourth quarter of 2018. The amortization payments are due on the last day of the calendar quarter.
 
The Company is currently in compliance with all covenants under the Facility and anticipates that it will remain in compliance with the covenants for the foreseeable future.
 
5.50% Senior Notes due 2028

On November 17, 2020, the Company issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.50% Senior Notes due December 2028 (the “Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes bear an interest rate at 5.50% per annum and mature on December 1, 2028. Interest is paid semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year, beginning on June 1, 2021. The Company used the net proceeds to repay approximately $269.7 million of outstanding term loan borrowings and approximately $21.0 million of outstanding revolving loan borrowings under its existing Facility. In connection with the issuance of the Senior Notes, the Company recorded approximately $5.7 million of debt issuance costs. These costs were recorded as a reduction of long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheet and will be amortized over the life of the outstanding debt.

The Senior Notes are unsecured and are guaranteed, jointly and severally, by each of the Company’s material domestic subsidiaries, all of which also guarantee the obligations of the Company under its existing Facility.


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Redemption

On or after December 1, 2023, the Company may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at any time at the redemption prices listed below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but excluding) the redemption date, if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on December 1 of the years set forth below:

Period Redemption Price
2023 102.750  %
2024 101.375  %
2025 and thereafter 100.000  %

In addition, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes before December 1, 2023 with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 105.50%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but excluding) the redemption date. The Company may also redeem all or a part of the Senior Notes before December 1, 2023 at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but excluding) the redemption date, plus a make-whole premium. If the Company experiences a change of control, the Company will be required to offer to purchase the Senior Notes at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to (but excluding) the date of repurchase.

Covenants

The indenture governing the Senior Notes contains standard and customary covenants for agreements of this type, including various reporting, affirmative and negative covenants. Among other things, these covenants limit the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to:

incur additional indebtedness;
declare or pay dividends, redeem stock or make other distributions to shareholders;
make investments;
create liens on their assets or use their assets as security in other transactions;
enter into mergers, consolidations or sales, transfers, leases or other dispositions of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets;
enter into certain transactions with affiliates; and
sell or transfer certain assets.

Events of Default

If the Company breaches or fails to perform any of the affirmative or negative covenants under the indenture governing the Senior Notes, or if other specified events occur (such as a bankruptcy or similar event), after giving effect to any applicable notice and right to cure provisions, an event of default will exist. If an event of default exists and is continuing, the terms of the indenture permit the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of outstanding Senior Notes to declare the principal, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Senior Notes to be due and payable.

Other Lines of Credit
 
Subsidiaries of the Company have an aggregate of the equivalent of $6.0 million of other lines of credit available at interest rates ranging from 3.5% to 6.0%. As of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, there were no borrowings outstanding under these lines of credit.
 
Borrowing Costs
 
Debt issuance costs associated with the Company’s Senior Notes and term loans under the Facility are reflected as a reduction of long-term debt in accordance with applicable accounting standards. These fees are amortized straight-line, which approximates the effective interest method, and over the life of the outstanding borrowing the debt balance will increase by the same amount as the fees that are amortized. As of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, the unamortized debt issuance costs recorded as a reduction of long-term debt were $8.6 million and $6.3 million, respectively. Expenses related to such costs for the years 2020, 2019, and 2018 amounted to $1.7 million, $1.8 million, and $0.7 million, respectively.
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Other deferred borrowing costs, which include underwriting, legal and other direct costs related to the issuance of revolving debt, net of accumulated amortization, were $2.0 million and $1.3 million, as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively. These amounts are included in other long term assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company amortizes these costs over the life of the related debt. Expenses related to such costs for the years 2020, 2019, and 2018 amounted to $0.4 million, $0.4 million, and $0.5 million, respectively.
 
Future Maturities
 
The aggregate maturities of borrowings for each of the five fiscal years subsequent to 2020 are as follows:
 
Fiscal Year Amount
  (in thousands)
2021 $ 15,319 
2022 15,319 
2023 15,319 
2024 15,319 
2025 223,939 
Thereafter 300,000 
Total Debt $ 585,215 
Total long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheet includes a reduction for unamortized debt issuance costs of $8.6 million which are excluded from the maturities table above.
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NOTE 10 – DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
 
Interest Rate Risk Management
 
In the third quarter of 2017 and the first quarter of 2019, the Company entered into interest rate swap transactions in notional amounts of $100 million and $150 million, respectively, to fix the variable interest rate on a portion of its term loan borrowing under the Facility in order to manage a portion of its exposure to interest rate fluctuations. The Company’s objective and strategy with respect to these interest rate swaps was to protect the Company against adverse fluctuations in interest rates by reducing its exposure to variability to cash flows relating to interest payments on a portion of its outstanding debt. The Company met its objective by hedging the risk of changes in its cash flows (interest payments) attributable to changes in LIBOR, the designated benchmark interest rate being hedged (the “hedged risk”), on an amount of the Company’s debt principal equal to the outstanding swap notional amounts.
 
Cash Flow Interest Rate Swaps
 
Both of the interest rate swaps described above were designated and qualified as cash flow hedges of forecasted interest payments. The Company reports the changes in fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments as a component of other comprehensive income (or other comprehensive loss). Both of the interest rate swaps were terminated in the fourth quarter of 2020, and hedge accounting was also discontinued. This resulted in a loss of $3.9 million recorded in interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations as it is probable that a portion of the original forecasted transactions related to the portion of the hedged debt that was repaid will not occur by the end of the originally specified time period. As of January 3, 2021, the remaining accumulated other comprehensive loss of $8.7 million associated with the interest rate swaps will be amortized to earnings over the remaining term of the interest rate swaps prior to termination.
 
Forward Contracts
 
Our nora operations, from time to time, are party to currency forward contracts designed to hedge the cash flow risk of intercompany sales from the manufacturing facility in Europe to the Americas. The Company’s objective and strategy with respect to these currency forward contracts is to protect the Company against adverse fluctuations in currency rates by reducing its exposure to variability in cash flows related to receipt of payment on intercompany sales. The Company is meeting its objective by hedging the risk of changes in its cash flows (intercompany payments for inventory) attributable to changes in the U.S. dollar/Euro exchange rate (the “hedged risk”). Changes in fair value attributable to components other than exchange rates will be excluded from the assessment of effectiveness and amortized to earnings on a straight-line basis. Changes in fair value related to the effective portion of these contracts will be reflected as a component of other comprehensive income (or other comprehensive loss). As of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, there were no active forward currency contracts.

Derivative Transactions Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

Our Asia-Pacific operations, from time to time, purchase foreign currency options to economically hedge inventory purchases denominated in foreign currencies other than their functional currency. The Company’s objective with respect to these foreign currency options is to protect the Company against adverse fluctuations in currency rates by reducing its exposure to variability in cash flows related to payment on inventory purchases. These options are classified as non-designated derivative instruments. Gains and losses on the changes in fair value of these foreign currency options are recognized in earnings each period. As of January 3, 2021, the Company had outstanding foreign currency options with an aggregate notional amount of $12.9 million.
 

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The table below sets forth the fair value of derivative instruments as of January 3, 2021:
 
Asset Derivatives as of January 3, 2021 Liability Derivatives as of January 3, 2021
Balance Sheet
Location
Fair Value Balance Sheet
Location
Fair Value
(in thousands)
Derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments:        
Interest rate swap contracts Other current assets $ —  Accrued expenses $ — 
Derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency options Other current assets 37  Accrued expenses — 
    $ 37    $ — 

The table below sets forth the fair value of derivative instruments as of December 29, 2019:
 
Asset Derivatives as of December 29, 2019 Liability Derivatives as of December 29, 2019
Balance Sheet
Location
Fair Value Balance Sheet
Location
Fair Value
(in thousands)
Derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments:        
Interest rate swap contracts Other current assets $ —  Accrued expenses $ 5,801 
Derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency options Other current assets 251  Accrued expenses — 
$ 251  $ 5,801 

We expect that approximately $4.2 million related to the terminated interest rate swaps will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss as an increase to interest expense in the next 12 months.

The following table summarizes the impact that changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges and included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness had on accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
 
  Fiscal Year
2020 2019 2018
(in thousands)
Foreign currency contracts gain (loss) $ —  $ 468  $ (468)
Interest rate swap contracts gain (loss) (2,027) (5,957) 890 
Gain (loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) $ (2,027) $ (5,489) $ 422 

Gains and losses from derivatives designated as cash flow hedges reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net income (loss) are discussed in Note 23 entitled “Items Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss.”


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The following table summarizes gains and losses on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments within the consolidated statements of operations:

Fiscal Year
Statement of Operations Location 2020 2019 2018
(in thousands)
Foreign currency options gain (loss) Other expense $ 13  $ (627) $ 992 
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NOTE 11 LEASES

General

On December 31, 2018, the Company adopted the new lease standard using the transition methodology allowed by the standard to initially apply the new lease guidance at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. We have operating and finance leases for manufacturing equipment, corporate offices, showrooms, distribution facilities, design centers, as well as computer and office equipment. Our leases have terms ranging from 1 to 20 years, some of which may include options to extend the lease term for up to 5 years, and certain leases may include an option to terminate the lease. Our lease terms may include these options to extend or terminate a lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option.

As of January 3, 2021, there were no significant leases that had not commenced as of the end of fiscal year 2020.

The table below represents a summary of the balances recorded in the consolidated balance sheets related to our leases as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019:

January 3, 2021 December 29, 2019
Balance Sheet Location Operating Leases Finance Leases Operating Leases Finance Leases
(in thousands)
Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 98,013  $ 107,044 
 
Current portion of operating lease liabilities $ 13,555  $ 15,914 
Operating lease liabilities 86,468  91,829 
Total operating lease liabilities $ 100,023  $ 107,743 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net $ 6,138  $ 5,007 
 
Accrued expenses $ 1,496  $ 1,489 
Other long-term liabilities 2,688  1,673 
Total finance lease liabilities $ 4,184  $ 3,162 

Lease Costs

Fiscal Year
2020 2019
(in thousands)
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets $ 1,251  $ 890 
Interest on lease liabilities 86  51 
Operating lease cost 25,213  24,246 
Short-term lease cost 525  2,057 
Variable lease cost 3,970  3,665 
Total lease cost $ 31,045  $ 30,909 


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Other Supplemental Information

Fiscal Year
2020 2019
(in thousands)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from finance leases $ 86  $ 51 
Operating cash flows from operating leases 22,206  22,597 
Financing cash flows from finance leases 1,727  1,255 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities 2,546  2,240 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities 2,504  12,655 

Rental expense amounted to approximately $28.5 million for fiscal year 2018.

Lease Term and Discount Rate

The table below presents the weighted average remaining lease terms and discount rates for finance and operating leases as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019:

End of Fiscal Year
  2020 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term – finance leases (in years) 3.35 2.76
Weighted-average remaining lease term – operating leases (in years) 10.61 10.60
Weighted-average discount rate – finance leases 2.64  % 2.06  %
Weighted-average discount rate – operating leases 5.98  % 5.86  %

Maturity Analysis

A maturity analysis of lease payments under non-cancellable leases is presented as follows:

Fiscal Year Operating Leases Finance Leases
(in thousands)
2021 $ 19,055  $ 1,598 
2022 15,680  1,128 
2023 12,750  899 
2024 10,715  577 
2025 9,863  189 
Thereafter 70,744  — 
Total future minimum lease payments (undiscounted) 138,807  4,391 
Less: Present value discount (38,784) (207)
Total lease liability $ 100,023  $ 4,184 

Practical Expedients and Policy Elections

The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance of the new lease standard, which, among other things, allows us to carry forward the historical lease classification and not reassess any initial direct costs for existing leases. In addition, we elected the hindsight practical expedient to determine the lease term, which allows us to use hindsight when considering the impact of options to extend or terminate a lease as well as the option to purchase the underlying asset.



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NOTE 12 – GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

In connection with the nora acquisition on August 7, 2018, the Company recognized goodwill of $201.9 million and acquired intangible assets of $103.3 million. Goodwill includes all purchase price accounting adjustments of approximately $18.6 million related to additional liabilities that existed at the acquisition date. Goodwill and intangible assets were assigned pro-rata to the Company’s three operating segments. None of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

During the first quarter of 2020, we performed a qualitative assessment of goodwill impairment indicators, considering macroeconomic conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential impact to sales and operating income. We expect that the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse impacts on the global economy, global travel restrictions, COVID-19 related government shutdowns, disruptions to our supply chain, distribution disruption, and disruption to our customers’ plans to spend capital on projects that use our products and services will result in lower revenue and operating income. As a result, we determined that there were indicators of impairment, and the Company proceeded with a quantitative assessment of goodwill for all reporting units at the end of the first quarter.

In performing the first quarter quantitative goodwill impairment testing, the Company prepared valuations of reporting units on both a market comparable methodology and an income methodology, and those valuations were compared with the respective carrying values of the reporting units to determine whether any goodwill impairment existed. Our reporting units are one level below our reporting segment level. In preparing the valuations, past, present and future expectations of performance were considered, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This methodology is consistent with the approach used to perform the annual quantitative goodwill assessment in prior years. The weighted average cost of capital used in the goodwill impairment testing ranged between 10.0% and 10.5%, which primarily fluctuated based on a country risk premium assigned to the geographical region of the reporting unit. There is inherent uncertainty associated with key assumptions used in our impairment testing including the duration of the economic downturn associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and the recovery period. As a result of the first quarter assessment, we determined that the fair value for two reporting units was less than the carrying value and recognized a goodwill impairment loss of $116.5 million in the first quarter of 2020. The expected decline in revenue due to the impact of COVID-19 contributed to the lower fair value of our Europe and Asia-Pacific reporting units. As such, the goodwill impairment loss was allocated to our Europe and Asia-Pacific reporting units in the amounts of $99.2 million and $17.3 million, respectively. We determined that the goodwill in our Americas reporting unit was not impaired as the fair value exceeded the carrying value by more than 90% at April 5, 2020.

During the fourth quarters of 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company performed the annual goodwill impairment test, consistent with the methodology discussed above. The Company performed this test at the reporting unit level, which is one level below the reporting segment level. In performing the impairment testing, the Company prepared valuations of reporting units on both a market comparable methodology and an income methodology, and those valuations were compared with the respective carrying values of the reporting units to determine whether any goodwill impairment existed. In preparing the valuations, past, present and future expectations of performance were considered, including the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Each of the Company’s reporting units maintained fair values in excess of their respective carrying values as of the measurement date, and therefore no impairment was indicated as a result of the annual impairment testing. As of January 3, 2021, if the Company’s estimates of the fair values of its reporting units which carry a goodwill balance were 10% lower, the Company still believes no goodwill impairment would have existed. However, the full extent of the future impact of COVID-19 on the Company was and remains uncertain, and a prolonged COVID-19 pandemic could result in additional impairment of goodwill.


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As of January 3, 2021, and December 29, 2019, the net carrying amount of goodwill was $165.8 million and $257.4 million, respectively. The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill for the years ended January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019 are as follows:

Goodwill
(in thousands)
Balance, at December 30, 2018 $ 245,815 
Purchase price accounting adjustments 17,181 
Foreign currency translation (5,557)
Balance, at December 29, 2019 257,439 
Impairment (116,495)
Foreign currency translation 24,833 
Balance, at January 3, 2021 $ 165,777 

Additionally, we determined that the trademarks and trade names intangible assets related to the acquired nora business were also impaired and recognized an impairment loss of $4.8 million in the first quarter of 2020. There were no indicators of additional intangible asset impairment as of the end of fiscal year 2020. The net carrying amount of indefinite-lived intangible assets was $60.4 million and $59.4 million as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively. The net carrying amount of intangible assets subject to amortization was $27.3 million and $29.7 million as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively. Amortization expense related to intangible assets during the years 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $5.5 million, $5.9 million and $5.4 million, respectively, and is recorded in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations. As of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, accumulated amortization related to intangible assets, including impacts of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, was $15.7 million and $12.9 million, respectively.

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NOTE 13 PREFERRED STOCK
 
The Company is authorized to designate and issue up to 5,000,000 shares of $1.00 par value preferred stock in one or more series and to determine the rights and preferences of each series, to the extent permitted by the Articles of Incorporation, and to fix the terms of such preferred stock without any vote or action by the shareholders. The issuance of any series of preferred stock may have an adverse effect on the rights of holders of common stock and could decrease the amount of earnings and assets available for distribution to holders of common stock. In addition, any issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company. As of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, there were no shares of preferred stock issued.
 
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NOTE 14 SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

The Company is authorized to issue 120 million shares of $0.10 par value Common Stock. The Company’s Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol TILE.
 
The Company paid cash dividends totaling $0.095 per share in 2020, $0.26 per share in 2019, and $0.26 per share in 2018, to each share of Common Stock. The future declaration and payment of dividends is at the discretion of the Company’s Board, and depends upon, among other things, the Company’s investment policy and opportunities, results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, future prospects, and other factors that may be considered relevant at the time of the Board’s determination. Such other factors include limitations contained in the agreement for its Syndicated Credit Facility and the indenture governing its 5.50% Senior Notes due 2028, which specify conditions as to when any dividend payments may be made. As such, the Company may discontinue its dividend payments in the future if its Board determines that a cessation of dividend payments is proper in light of the factors indicated above.
 
In the second quarter of 2017, the Company adopted a share repurchase program in which the Company was authorized to repurchase up to $100 million of its outstanding shares of common stock. The program had no specific expiration date. Pursuant to this program, the Company repurchased shares in the past three years as follows. During 2018, the Company repurchased and retired 615,000 shares of common stock at a weighted average purchase price of $23.54 per share. During 2019, the Company repurchased and retired a combined total of 1,556,000 shares under these plans, at an average purchase price of $16.13 per share. As of December 29, 2019, the Company had completed the authorized share repurchase program.
 
All treasury stock is accounted for using the cost method.
 
The following tables depict the activity in the accounts which make up shareholders equity for fiscal years 2020, 2019, and 2018:
 
  SHARES COMMON STOCK ADDITIONAL
PAID-IN
CAPITAL
RETAINED
EARNINGS
PENSION
LIABILITY
FOREIGN
CURRENCY
TRANSLATION
ADJUSTMENT
CASH FLOW
HEDGE
  (in thousands)
Balance, at December 29, 2019 58,416  $ 5,842  $ 250,306  $ 286,056  $ (56,700) $ (113,139) $ (4,163)
Net loss —  —  —  (71,929) —  —  — 
Issuances of stock (other than restricted stock) 239  24  195  —  —  —  — 
Restricted stock issuances 304  30  3,999  —  —  —  — 
Unamortized compensation expense related to restricted stock awards —  —  (4,030) —  —  —  — 
Cash dividends declared —  —  —  (5,565) —  —  — 
Forfeitures and compensation expense related to stock awards (295) (31) (2,550) —  —  —  — 
Pension liability adjustment —  —  —  —  (12,588) —  — 
Foreign currency translation adjustment —  —  —  —  —  52,808  — 
Cash flow hedge unrealized loss —  —  —  —  —  —  (2,027)
Balance, at January 3, 2021 58,664  $ 5,865  $ 247,920  $ 208,562  $ (69,288) $ (60,331) $ (6,190)

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  SHARES COMMON STOCK ADDITIONAL
PAID-IN
CAPITAL
RETAINED
EARNINGS
PENSION
LIABILITY
FOREIGN
CURRENCY
TRANSLATION
ADJUSTMENT
CASH FLOW
HEDGE
  (in thousands)
Balance, at December 30, 2018 59,508  $ 5,951  $ 270,269  $ 222,214  $ (43,610) $ (101,487) $ 1,326 
Net income —  —  —  79,200  —  —  — 
Issuances of stock (other than restricted stock) 511  51  636  —  —  —  — 
Restricted stock issuances 223  22  3,900  —  —  —  — 
Unamortized compensation expense related to restricted stock awards —  —  (4,139) —  —  —  — 
Cash dividends declared —  —  —  (15,358) —  —  — 
Forfeitures and compensation expense related to stock awards (270) (26) 4,638  —  —  —  — 
Share repurchases (1,556) (156) (24,998) —  —  —  — 
Pension liability adjustment —  —  —  —  (13,090) —  — 
Foreign currency translation adjustment —  —  —  —  —  (11,652) — 
Cash flow hedge unrealized loss —  —  —  —  —  —  (5,489)
Balance, at December 29, 2019 58,416  $ 5,842  $ 250,306  $ 286,056  $ (56,700) $ (113,139) $ (4,163)

  SHARES COMMON STOCK ADDITIONAL
PAID-IN
CAPITAL
RETAINED
EARNINGS
PENSION
LIABILITY
FOREIGN
CURRENCY
TRANSLATION
ADJUSTMENT
CASH FLOW HEDGE
  (in thousands)
Balance, at December 31, 2017 59,806  $ 5,981  $ 271,271  $ 187,432  $ (56,554) $ (78,943) $ 904 
Net income —  —  —  50,253  —  —  — 
Issuances of stock (other than restricted stock) 224  22  476  —  —  —  — 
Restricted stock issuances 182  18  4,809  —  —  —  — 
Unamortized compensation expense related to restricted stock awards —  —  (4,710) —  —  —  — 
Cash dividends declared —  —  —  (15,471) —  —  — 
Forfeitures and compensation expense related to stock awards (89) (9) 12,847  —  —  —  — 
Share repurchases (615) (61) (14,424) —  —  —  — 
Pension liability adjustment —  —  —  —  12,944  —  — 
Foreign currency translation adjustment —  —  —  —  —  (22,544) — 
Cash flow hedge unrealized gain —  —  —  —  —  —  422 
Balance, at December 30, 2018 59,508  $ 5,951  $ 270,269  $ 222,214  $ (43,610) $ (101,487) $ 1,326 
  
In the first quarter of 2020, the Company elected to change its method for recognizing forfeitures of share-based awards. The cumulative effect of this change was $1.4 million of additional expense recognized in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses within the consolidated statement of operations. Prior to this change, the Company estimated forfeitures and reduced stock compensation expense based on that estimate. Under the new forfeiture method, the Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur as permitted by generally accepted accounting principles.


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Stock Options
 
The Company has an Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (“Omnibus Plan”) under which a committee of independent directors is authorized to grant directors and key employees, including officers, restricted stock, incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, deferred shares, performance shares and performance units. Stock options are exercisable for shares of Common Stock at a price not less than 100% of the fair market value on the date of grant. The options become exercisable either immediately upon the grant date or ratably over a time period ranging from one to five years from the date of the grant. The Company’s options expire at the end of time periods ranging from three to ten years from the date of the grant.
 
In May 2015, the shareholders approved an amendment and restatement of the Omnibus Plan. This amendment and restatement extended the term of the Omnibus Plan and set the number of shares authorized for issuance or transfer on or after the effective date of the amendment and restatement at 5,161,020 shares, except that each share issued under the 2015 plan pursuant to an award other than a stock option reduced the number of such authorized shares by 1.33 shares.

In May 2020, the shareholders approved the adoption of the 2020 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (“2020 Omnibus Plan”). The aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be issued or transferred under the 2020 Omnibus Plan on or after the effective date of the plan is 3,700,000 (and the 1.33 multiplier discussed in the paragraph immediately above was eliminated). No award may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the effective date of the 2020 Omnibus Plan.
 
Accounting standards require that the Company measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair market value of the award. That expense will be recognized over the period that the employee is required to provide the services – the requisite service period (usually the vesting period) – in exchange for the award. The grant date fair value for options and similar instruments will be estimated using option pricing models. Under accounting standards, the Company is required to select a valuation technique or option pricing model. The Company uses the Black-Scholes model.
 
All outstanding stock options vested prior to 2015, and therefore, there was no stock option compensation expense during 2020, 2019 or 2018.

The following table summarizes stock options outstanding as of January 3, 2021, as well as activity during the previous fiscal year:
 
  Shares Weighted Average
Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 29, 2019 27,500  $ 12.43 
Granted —  — 
Exercised (7,500) 12.43 
Forfeited or canceled (20,000) 12.43 
Outstanding at January 3, 2021 —  $ — 
 
Exercisable at January 3, 2021 —  $ — 
 
Restricted Stock Awards
 
During fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company granted restricted stock awards totaling 308,100, 223,500, and 194,000 shares, respectively, of Common Stock. These awards (or a portion thereof) vest with respect to each recipient over a one to three year period from the date of grant, provided the individual remains in the employment or service of the Company as of the vesting date. Additionally, these shares (or a portion thereof) could vest earlier in the event of a change in control of the Company, or upon involuntary termination without cause.
 
Compensation expense related to awards of restricted stock was $1.3 million, $3.3 million and $4.1 million for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. These grants are made primarily to executive-level personnel at the Company and, as a result, no compensation costs have been capitalized. The Company has reduced its expense for restricted stock forfeited during the period. The expense related to awards of restricted stock is captured in SG&A expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.
 
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The following table summarizes restricted stock outstanding as of January 3, 2021, as well as activity during the previous fiscal year:
 
  Shares Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Outstanding at December 29, 2019 468,200  $ 28.63 
Granted 308,100  13.08 
Vested (176,100) 19.58 
Forfeited or canceled (163,300) 19.49 
Outstanding at January 3, 2021 436,900  $ 24.73 
 
As of January 3, 2021, the unrecognized total compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock was $3.0 million. That cost is expected to be recognized by the end of 2023.
 
Performance Share Awards
 
In each of the years 2018-2020, the Company issued awards of performance shares to certain employees. These awards vest based on the achievement of certain performance-based goals over a performance period of one to three years, subject to (among other things) the employee’s continued employment through the last date of the performance period, and will be settled in shares of our common stock or in cash at the Company’s election. The number of shares that may be issued in settlement of the performance shares to the award recipients may be greater (up to 200%) or lesser than the nominal award amount depending on actual performance achieved as compared to the performance targets set forth in the awards. The expense related to these performance shares is captured in SG&A expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.
 
The following table summarizes the performance shares outstanding as of January 3, 2021, as well as the activity during the year:
 
Shares Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
Outstanding at December 29, 2019 512,000  $ 19.71 
Granted 263,700  15.36 
Vested (164,300) 19.74 
Forfeited or canceled (206,100) 19.58 
Outstanding at January 3, 2021 405,300  $ 16.94 
 
Compensation expense (benefit) related to the performance shares for 2020, 2019, and 2018 was $(1.8) million, $5.4 million and $10.4 million, respectively. Unrecognized compensation expense related to these performance shares was approximately $6.7 million as of January 3, 2021. Depending on the performance of the Company, any compensation expense related to these outstanding performance shares will be recognized by the end of 2023.
 
The tax benefit recognized with respect to restricted stock and performance shares was $0.6 million, $1.4 million, and $2.4 million in 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
 
 
78

NOTE 15 EARNINGS PER SHARE
 
The Company calculates basic and diluted earnings per common share using the two-class method. Basic earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average common shares outstanding, including participating securities outstanding, during the period as depicted below. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution beyond shares for basic EPS that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised, converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that would have shared in the Company’s earnings. Income attributable to non-controlling interest is included in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share, where applicable.
 
The Company includes all unvested stock awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, in the number of common shares outstanding in our basic and diluted EPS calculations when the inclusion of these shares would be dilutive. Unvested share-based awards of restricted stock are paid dividends equally with all other shares of common stock. As a result, the Company includes all outstanding restricted stock awards in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS. Distributed earnings include common stock dividends and dividends earned on unvested share-based payment awards. Undistributed earnings represent earnings that were available for distribution but were not distributed. The following tables show distributed and undistributed earnings:
 
  Fiscal Year
Earnings (Loss) Per Share 2020 2019 2018
Basic earnings (loss) per share:      
Distributed earnings $ 0.10  $ 0.26  $ 0.26 
Undistributed earnings (loss) (1.33) 1.08  0.58 
 Total $ (1.23) $ 1.34  $ 0.84 
 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:      
Distributed earnings $ 0.10  $ 0.26  $ 0.26 
Undistributed earnings (loss) (1.33) 1.08  0.58 
Total $ (1.23) $ 1.34  $ 0.84 

The following table presents net income that was attributable to participating securities:

  Fiscal Year
2020 2019 2018
  (in millions)
Net income attributable to participating securities $ —  $ 0.6  $ 0.5 
 
The weighted average shares for basic and diluted EPS were as follows:
 
  Fiscal Year
2020 2019 2018
  (in thousands)
Weighted average shares outstanding 58,110  58,475  58,995 
Participating securities 437  468  549 
Shares for basic earnings per share 58,547  58,943  59,544 
Dilutive effect of stock options —  22 
Shares for diluted earnings per share 58,547  58,948  59,566 
 
For all periods presented, there were no stock options or participating securities excluded from the determination of diluted EPS.
 
79

NOTE 16 RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES
 
A summary of restructuring activities for the 2018 and 2019 restructuring plans is presented below:

Workforce Reduction Other Exit Costs
2019 Plan 2018 Plan 2019 Plan 2018 Plan Total
(in thousands)
Balance, at December 31, 2017 $ —  $ —  $ —  $ —  $ — 
Charged to expenses —  10,816  —  1,144  11,960 
Deductions —  53  —  —  53 
Balance, at December 30, 2018 —  10,763  —  1,144  11,907 
Charged to expenses 8,827  (1,743) 188  672  7,944 
Deductions 193  7,122  —  1,042  8,357 
Charged to other accounts —  —  49  —  49 
Balance, at December 29, 2019 8,634  1,898  139  774  11,445 
Charged to expenses (3,704) (223) —  (699) (4,626)
Deductions 3,866  1,675  139  75  5,755 
Balance, at January 3, 2021 $ 1,064  $ —  $ —  $ —  $ 1,064 

For fiscal year 2020, the Company recorded a reduction of $4.6 million of previously recognized restructuring charges due to changes in expected cash payments. For fiscal years 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded restructuring, asset impairment, and other charges of $12.9 million and $20.5 million, respectively, in the consolidated statements of operations. The 2019 and 2018 charges include other non-cash charges not included in the above table as further described below. As of January 3, 2021 the total restructuring reserve was $1.1 million for the 2019 restructuring plan. The 2018 restructuring plan was completed as of January 3, 2021.

Other Non-Cash Charges

On December 29, 2018, the Company recorded other non-cash charges of approximately $8.6 million as part of the 2018 restructuring plan primarily related to the write-down of certain underutilized and impaired assets that include information technology assets and obsolete manufacturing equipment. These charges are recorded in restructuring, asset impairment and other charges in the 2018 consolidated statement of operations.

On December 23, 2019, unrelated to the restructuring activity presented in the table above, the Company recorded other non-cash charges of approximately $5.0 million primarily related to adjusting the carrying value of certain insurance related assets. These charges are recorded in restructuring, asset impairment and other charges in the 2019 consolidated statement of operations.

2019 Restructuring Plan

On December 23, 2019, the Company committed to a restructuring plan that continues to focus on efforts to improve efficiencies and decrease costs across its worldwide operations, and more closely align its operating structure with its business strategy. The plan involved a reduction of approximately 105 employees and early termination of two office leases. As a result of this plan, the Company recorded a pre-tax restructuring charge in the fourth quarter of 2019 of approximately $9.0 million. The charge is comprised of severance expenses ($8.8 million) and lease exit costs ($0.2 million). The plan was expected to result in future cash expenditures of approximately $9.0 million for the payment of employee severance and lease exit costs.

In 2020, the Company recorded a reduction of $3.7 million of the previously recognized charges due to changes in expected cash payments for employee severance. The plan was substantially completed at the end of fiscal year 2020, and the Company expects the plan to yield annualized savings of approximately $6.0 million. A portion of the annualized savings was realized on the income statement in fiscal year 2020, with the remaining portion of the annualized savings expected to be realized in fiscal year 2021.



80

2018 Restructuring Plan

On December 29, 2018, the Company committed to a restructuring plan in its continuing efforts to improve efficiencies and decrease costs across its worldwide operations, and more closely align its operating structure with its business strategy. The plan involved (i) a restructuring of its sales and administrative operations in the United Kingdom, (ii) a reduction of approximately 200 employees, primarily in the Europe and Asia-Pacific geographic regions, and (iii) the write-down of certain underutilized and impaired assets that included information technology assets and obsolete manufacturing equipment.
 
As a result of this plan, the Company recorded a pre-tax restructuring and asset impairment charge in the fourth quarter of 2018 of approximately $20.5 million. The charge was comprised of severance expenses (approximately $10.8 million), impairment of assets (approximately $8.6 million) and other items (approximately $1.1 million). The charge was expected to result in future cash expenditures of $12.0 million, primarily for severance payments (approximately $10.8 million). The restructuring plan was substantially completed at the end of fiscal year 2019. 

In the third quarter of 2019, the Company recorded $0.7 million of restructuring charges related to additional lease exit costs in connection with the restructuring plan announced on December 29, 2018. In the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company adjusted its previously recorded severance expenses in connection with the 2018 restructuring plan and recognized a reduction in restructuring costs of $1.7 million in 2019. In 2020, the Company further adjusted its previously recorded severance expenses and other exit costs and recognized a reduction in restructuring costs of $0.9 million. The restructuring plan was completed as of January 3, 2021. 




 

81

NOTE 17 – INCOME TAXES
 
Income (loss) before income taxes consisted of the following:
 
  Fiscal Year
  2020 2019 2018
  (in thousands)
U.S. operations $ (7,104) $ 46,463  $ 35,728 
Foreign operations (72,316) 55,353  19,263 
Income (loss) before income taxes $ (79,420) $ 101,816  $ 54,991 

Provisions for federal, foreign and state income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations consisted of the following components:

  Fiscal Year
  2020 2019 2018
  (in thousands)
Current expense (benefit):      
Federal $ (22,976) $ 8,414  $ (3,549)
Foreign 14,822  14,513  14,548 
State 529  2,312  2,628 
Current expense (benefit) (7,625) 25,239  13,627 
 
Deferred expense (benefit):      
Federal 1,787  (625) 2,145 
Foreign (2,422) (2,198) (11,228)
State 769  200  194 
Deferred expense (benefit) 134  (2,623) (8,889)
 
Total income tax expense (benefit) $ (7,491) $ 22,616  $ 4,738 
 

82

The Company’s effective tax rate was 9.4%, 22.2% and 8.6% for fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The following summary reconciles income taxes at the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% applicable for all periods presented to the Company’s actual income tax expense:
 
  Fiscal Year
  2020 2019 2018
  (in thousands)
Income taxes at U.S. federal statutory rate $ (16,678) $ 21,381  $ 11,548 
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:      
State income taxes, net of federal tax effect (2,033) 2,321  2,228 
Non-deductible business expenses 1,792  933  1,352 
Non-deductible employee compensation (210) 1,453  2,566 
Tax effects of Company owned life insurance (898) (636) 235 
Tax effects of Tax Act:      
One-time transition tax on foreign earnings —  —  (5,000)
Remeasurement of net Deferred Tax Asset —  —  (1,739)
Tax effects of undistributed earnings from foreign subsidiaries not deemed to be indefinitely reinvested 748  (183) 61 
Foreign and U.S. tax effects attributable to foreign operations (11,991) 783  (2,226)
Valuation allowance effect 12,927  133  (79)
Research and development tax credits (780) (700) (2,863)
Goodwill impairment 24,464  —  — 
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits (14,962) (3,324) (1,010)
Other 130  455  (335)
Income tax expense (benefit) $ (7,491) $ 22,616  $ 4,738 

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed into law in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and provides certain tax relief to businesses. Tax provisions of the CARES Act include, among other things, the deferral of certain payroll taxes, relief for retaining employees, and certain income tax provisions for corporations. As of January 3, 2021, the Company deferred $4.1 million in payroll taxes under the CARES Act. In addition, the Company benefited from the relaxed 163(j) limitation and the technical correction related to depreciation of leasehold improvements, all of which did not have a material impact on the Company’s effective tax rate during the year.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) was enacted into law. In accordance with SEC Staff Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”), the Company recorded certain provisional estimates for the impact of the Tax Act as of December 31, 2017. Under the transitional provisions of SAB 118, the Company had a one-year measurement period to complete the accounting for the initial tax effects of the Tax Act. During the year ended December 30, 2018, the Company completed its accounting for the provisional estimates of the Tax Act and finalized its measurement period adjustments related to the one-time transition tax and remeasurement of its net deferred tax asset, as further discussed below.
 
Impacts of Deemed Repatriation: The Tax Act imposed a one-time transition tax on unrepatriated post-1986 accumulated earnings and profits of certain foreign subsidiaries (“E&P”). As of December 30, 2018, the Company had completed its assessment of the one-time transition tax which resulted in a $5.0 million decrease to the previously recorded provisional amount.
 
Remeasurement of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities: As of December 30, 2018, the Company had completed the accounting of remeasuring its net deferred tax asset to reflect the change in corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% which resulted in a $1.7 million decrease to the previously recorded provisional amount.
 
Deferred income taxes for the years ended January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.


83

The temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
 
  End of Fiscal Year
  2020 2019
  (in thousands)
Deferred tax assets
Lease liability $ 28,094  $ 29,782 
Net operating loss carryforwards 4,031  3,090 
Federal tax credit carryforwards 10,412  — 
Derivative instruments 2,680  1,638 
Deferred compensation 20,244  20,194 
Inventory 4,004  3,200 
Prepaids, accruals and reserves 3,659  7,935 
Pensions 11,485  9,229 
Other 50  71 
Deferred tax asset, gross 84,659  75,139 
Valuation allowance (13,919) (971)
Deferred tax asset, net $ 70,740  $ 74,168 
 
Deferred tax liabilities
Property and equipment $ 27,322  $ 23,770 
Intangible assets 30,745  33,760 
Lease asset 27,268  29,301 
Foreign currency 606  3,026 
Foreign withholding and U.S. state taxes on unremitted earnings 931  178 
Deferred tax liabilities 86,872  90,035 
 
Net deferred tax liabilities $ 16,132  $ 15,867 

Management believes, based on the Company’s history of taxable income and expectations for the future, that it is more likely than not that future taxable income will be sufficient to fully utilize the federal deferred tax assets at January 3, 2021.

Beginning in 2018, the Tax Act included two new U.S. tax base erosion provisions, the global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) provisions and the base-erosion and anti-abuse tax (“BEAT”) provisions. The Company has elected to account for tax effects of GILTI in the period when incurred, and therefore has not provided any deferred tax impacts of GILTI in its consolidated financial statements.

As of January 3, 2021, the Company, as a result of amending prior year tax returns, has approximately $10.1 million of foreign tax credit carryforwards with expiration dates through 2029. A full valuation allowance has been provided as the Company does not expect to utilize these foreign tax credits before the expiration dates. As of January 3, 2021, the Company has approximately $142.7 million in state net operating loss carryforwards relating to continuing operations with expiration dates through 2036 and has provided a valuation allowance against $74.8 million of such losses, which the Company does not expect to utilize. In addition, as of January 3, 2021, the Company has approximately $30.2 million in state net operating loss carryforwards relating to discontinued operations against which a full valuation allowance has been provided.

As of January 3, 2021, and December 29, 2019, non-current deferred tax assets were reduced by approximately $3.0 million and $2.8 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits.
 
Historically, the Company has not provided for U.S. income taxes and foreign withholding taxes on the undistributed accumulated earnings of its foreign subsidiaries, with the exception of its Canada subsidiaries and a specific portion of the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries outside of Canada, because such earnings were deemed to be permanently reinvested.

84

Although the Tax Act of 2017 created a dividends received deduction that generally eliminates additional U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from our foreign subsidiaries, the Company continues to assert that all of its undistributed earnings in its non-U.S. subsidiaries, excluding undistributed earnings for which U.S. income taxes and foreign withholding taxes have been provided, are indefinitely reinvested outside of the U.S. The Company expects that domestic cash resources will be sufficient to fund its domestic operations and cash commitments in the future. In the event the Company determines not to continue to assert that all or part of its undistributed earnings in its non-U.S. subsidiaries are permanently reinvested, an actual repatriation from its non-U.S. subsidiaries could still be subject to additional foreign withholding and U.S. state taxes, the determination of which is not practicable.

The Company’s federal income tax returns are subject to examination for the years 2017 to the present. The Company files returns in numerous state and local jurisdictions and in general it is subject to examination by the state tax authorities for the years 2015 to the present. The Company files returns in numerous foreign jurisdictions and in general it is subject to examination by the foreign tax authorities for the years 2009 to the present.

During a review of the 2015 tax return of the Company’s U.K. subsidiary, Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (“HMRC”) issued a discovery assessment for the years 2012 through 2014 related to the interest rate applied in its intra-group financing arrangement with a subsidiary in the Netherlands. HMRC extended its inquiry to tax years 2016 and 2017; although HMRC has not yet issued final assessments for tax years 2015 through 2017, the Company has received notices of amendment to the tax returns for these years. The Company is in the process of filing a request with the Competent Authority of the Netherlands to initiate a mutual agreement procedure (“MAP”) under article 25 of the bilateral tax treaty between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands related to the double taxation arising from the HMRC adjustments. Management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will obtain relief from double taxation through the MAP, and as such, does not anticipate the HMRC adjustments related to its intra-group financing arrangement with the Netherlands will result in a material change to its financial position. The Company will continue to evaluate the progress of the MAP and will recognize all related adjustments when the recognition thresholds have been met.

As of January 3, 2021, and December 29, 2019, the Company had $10.8 million and $25.5 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits. For the years ended January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, the Company recognized as income tax benefits $15.0 million and $3.3 million, respectively, of previously unrecognized tax benefits. Of the $15.0 million income tax benefits recognized for the year ended January 3, 2021, $12.7 million related to a worthless stock loss claimed on the Company’s exit of its broadloom business (discontinued operations). It is reasonably possible that approximately $2.1 million of unrecognized tax benefits may be recognized within the next 12 months due to a lapse of statute of limitations and settlements with taxing authorities.

If any of the $10.8 million of unrecognized tax benefits as of January 3, 2021 are recognized, there would be a favorable impact on the Company’s effective tax rate of approximately $10.0 million in future periods. If the unrecognized tax benefits are not favorably settled, $7.8 million of the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits would require the use of cash in future periods. The Company recognizes accrued interest and income tax penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. As of January 3, 2021, the Company had accrued interest and penalties of $1.5 million, which is included in the total unrecognized tax benefit noted above. The timing of the ultimate resolution of the Company’s tax matters and the payment and receipt of related cash is dependent on a number of factors, many of which are outside the Company’s control.
 
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of gross unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
 
  Fiscal Year
  2020 2019 2018
  (in thousands)
Balance at beginning of year $ 25,486  $ 28,143  $ 29,221 
Increases related to tax positions taken during the current year 271  318  671 
Increases related to tax positions taken during the prior years 536  1,093  180 
Decreases related to tax positions taken during the prior years (673) (2,809) — 
Decreases related to lapse of applicable statute of limitations (14,992) (1,266) (1,861)
Changes due to foreign currency translation 171  (68)
Balance at end of year $ 10,799  $ 25,486  $ 28,143 

85

NOTE 18 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
From time to time, the Company is a party to legal proceedings, whether arising in the ordinary course of business or otherwise. Some of the proceedings the Company is involved in are summarized below.

SEC Investigation

As previously reported, since November 2017 the Securities & Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) had been conducting an investigation into the Company’s historical quarterly earnings per share calculations and rounding practices during the period 2014-2017. In the third quarter of 2020, the Company successfully reached a settlement with the SEC in this matter. The Company consented to the entry of an order by the SEC which states, among other things, that the Company was negligent in making certain accounting entries in 2015 and 2016. As part of the settlement, the Company did not admit or deny any wrongdoing. The Company paid a $5.0 million fine to resolve the matter, and was ordered to cease-and-desist from violating certain federal securities laws.

Lawsuit by Former CEO in Connection with Termination

On January 19, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors voted to terminate for cause the employment of Jay D. Gould, then President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately, for violations of the Company’s working environment policies. On February 14, 2020, Mr. Gould filed a lawsuit against the Company in the United States District Court of the Northern District of Georgia, Gould v. Interface, Inc., Case No. 1:20-cv-00695.  In his lawsuit, Mr. Gould asserts several claims against the Company in connection with his termination, including that the termination was a wrongful retaliation against Mr. Gould and breached his employment contract with the Company, that public statements made by the Company in connection with his termination defamed Mr. Gould (two counts) and that the Company’s investigation into Mr. Gould’s conduct that preceded the termination was negligently performed (although the Court has since granted judgment on the pleadings in favor of the Company on Mr. Gould’s putative claim of negligent investigation). Among other unspecified relief, Mr. Gould seeks in excess of $10 million in damages for the breach of contract claim and $100 million for each of the other claims, as well as attorneys’ fees.

The Company believes the lawsuit is without merit and intends to defend vigorously against it.

Putative Class Action Lawsuit

On November 12, 2020, the Company, the Company’s current and former president and chief executive officer, and its current chief financial officer were named as defendants in a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, Swanson v. Interface, Inc. et al. (case :120-cv-05518). The lawsuit is a federal securities law class action that alleges that the defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company’s business, operational and compliance policies. The specific allegations relate to the subject matter of the concluded SEC investigation described above. The complaint does not quantify the damages sought.

The Company is evaluating the lawsuit, but believes that it is without merit and that the Company has good defenses to it. The Company intends to defend itself vigorously against the action and any other substantially similar ones that may be filed against it in the future.
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NOTE 19 EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
 
Defined Contribution and Deferred Compensation Plans
 
The Company has a 401(k) retirement investment plan (“401(k) Plan”), which is open to all eligible U.S. employees with at least six months of service. The 401(k) Plan calls for Company matching contributions on a sliding scale based on the level of the employee’s contribution. The Company may, at its discretion, make additional contributions to the 401(k) Plan based on the attainment of certain performance targets by its subsidiaries. The Company’s matching contributions are funded bi-monthly and totaled approximately $1.6 million, $3.3 million, and $3.2 million for the years 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. No discretionary contributions were made in 2020, 2019, or 2018.

Under the Company’s nonqualified savings plans (“NSPs”), the Company provides eligible employees the opportunity to enter into agreements for the deferral of a specified percentage of their compensation, as defined in the NSPs. The NSPs call for Company matching contributions on a sliding scale based on the level of the employee’s contribution. The obligations of the Company under such agreements to pay the deferred compensation in the future in accordance with the terms of the NSPs are unsecured general obligations of the Company. Participants have no right, interest or claim in the assets of the Company, except as unsecured general creditors. The Company has established a rabbi trust to hold, invest and reinvest deferrals and contributions under the NSPs. If a change in control of the Company occurs, as defined in the NSPs, the Company will contribute an amount to the rabbi trust sufficient to pay the obligation owed to each participant. Deferred compensation in connection with the NSPs totaled $33.1 million and $31.9 million at January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively. The Company invests the deferrals in insurance instruments with readily determinable cash surrender values. The value of the insurance instruments was $33.9 million and $30.1 million as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively.
 
In 2020, the Company temporarily suspended its 401(k) and NSP matching contributions described above. These employer matching contributions were resumed in 2021.

Multiemployer Plan

As discussed below, on December 31, 2019, a plan amendment was executed to eliminate future service accruals in the Dutch defined benefit plan, resulting in a curtailment of the plan. This plan remains in existence and will continue to pay vested benefits. Active participants no longer accrue benefits after December 31, 2019, and instead participate in the Industry-Wide Pension Fund (the “IWPF”) multi-employer plan beginning in fiscal year 2020. During 2020, the Company recorded multi-employer pension expense related to multi-employer contributions of $2.5 million. The Company’s contributions into the IWPF are less than 5% of total plan contributions. The IWPF is more than 95% funded at the end of 2019, which is the latest date plan information is available. The IWPF multi-employer plan is not considered to be significant based on the funded status of the plan and our contributions.

Foreign Defined Benefit Plans
 
The Company has trusteed defined benefit retirement plans which cover many of its European employees. The benefits under these defined benefit retirement plans are generally based on years of service and the employee’s average monthly compensation. In connection with the nora acquisition on August 7, 2018, the Company acquired an additional defined benefit plan, which covers certain employees in Germany (the “nora Plan”). The nora plan has no plan assets. The Company uses a year-end measurement date for the plans, which is the closest practical date to the Company’s fiscal year end.


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As described above, on December 31, 2019, a plan amendment was executed to eliminate future service accruals in the Dutch defined benefit plan. The Dutch plan will remain in existence and continue to pay vested benefits. The reduction in future benefit accruals resulted in a curtailment of the plan. Participants in the Dutch plan will no longer accrue benefits under the plan after December 31, 2019 and will participate in the IWPF beginning in fiscal year 2020. Although the Dutch plan is frozen to new participants, vested benefits prior to the curtailment will continue to be accounted for in accordance with applicable accounting standards for defined benefit plans. The Dutch plan is financed by assets held in an insurance contract. The guarantee provision included in the insurance contract, that existed to fund any shortfall between the fair value of plan investments and the benefit obligation, expired on December 31, 2019. The Company will fund the cost to guarantee vested benefits and this amount will be recorded as an obligation on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

The curtailment of the Dutch plan resulted in a decrease to the projected benefit obligation with an offsetting actuarial gain recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income of approximately $2.4 million in fiscal year 2019. The accumulated net actuarial loss for the Dutch plan, after the impact of the curtailment, was $16.7 million at December 29, 2019. This amount will be reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and increase pension expense over the life expectancy of vested participants when the actuarial loss exceeds the 10% corridor. The curtailment also resulted in a $0.5 million reclassification of prior service cost from accumulated other comprehensive income, which was recognized as a reduction of pension expense in fiscal year 2019.

As discussed above, the Company still has an obligation to pay vested benefits in the frozen Dutch plan. As of January 3, 2021, the under-funded status of the Dutch plan of $6.8 million is recorded on the consolidated balance sheet in other long-term liabilities.

Pension expense was $2.5 million, $2.3 million, and $1.7 million for the years 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Plan assets are primarily invested in insurance contracts and equity and fixed income securities. As of January 3, 2021, for the European plans, the Company had a net liability recorded of $60.9 million, an amount equal to their underfunded status, and had recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss an amount equal to $58.3 million (net of taxes of approximately $18.7 million) related to the future amounts to be recorded in net periodic benefit costs. In the next fiscal year, approximately $1.5 million will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost.
 

88

The tables presented below set forth the funded status of the Company’s significant foreign defined benefit plans and required disclosures in accordance with applicable accounting standards:
 
  Fiscal Year
  2020 2019
  (in thousands)
Change in benefit obligation:    
Benefit obligation, beginning of year $ 314,841  $ 285,508 
Service cost 1,070  1,589 
Interest cost 4,038  5,676 
Benefits and expenses paid (12,041) (13,034)
Actuarial loss (gain) 31,618  37,409 
Curtailment gain —  (2,421)
Member contributions —  221 
Currency translation adjustment 24,917  (107)
Benefit obligation, end of year $ 364,443  $ 314,841 
 
Change in plan assets:    
Plan assets, beginning of year $ 266,450  $ 249,313 
Actual return on assets 25,239  24,999 
Company contributions 4,451  3,954 
Benefits paid (12,041) (13,034)
Currency translation adjustment 19,432  1,218 
Plan assets, end of year $ 303,531  $ 266,450 
 
Reconciliation to balance sheet    
Funded status benefit asset (liability) $ (60,912) $ (48,391)
 
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income, after tax:    
Unrecognized actuarial loss $ 58,257  $ 47,561 
Unamortized prior service credits —  — 
Total amount recognized $ 58,257  $ 47,561 
 
Accumulated benefit obligation $ 364,443  $ 314,841 

The January 3, 2021 pension liability above includes current liabilities of $1.1 million and non-current liabilities of $59.8 million and $48.4 million as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively.

The above disclosure represents the aggregation of information related to the Company’s three defined benefit plans which cover many of its European employees. As of December 29, 2019, one of these plans, which primarily covers certain employees in the United Kingdom (the “UK Plan”), had assets in excess of the accumulated benefit obligation, but its assets were less than the accumulated benefit obligation as of January 3, 2021. The nora Plan is an unfunded defined benefit plan and the accumulated benefit obligation exceeded plan assets. The following table summarizes this information as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019.
 
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  End of Fiscal Year
  2020 2019
  (in thousands)
UK Plan    
Projected benefit obligation $ 198,215  $ 170,958 
Accumulated benefit obligation 198,215  170,958 
Plan assets 193,991  174,156 
 
Dutch Plan
   
Projected benefit obligation $ 116,379  $ 100,996 
Accumulated benefit obligation 116,379  100,996 
Plan assets 109,540  92,294 
 
nora Plan    
Projected benefit obligation $ 49,849  $ 42,887 
Accumulated benefit obligation 49,849  42,887 
Plan assets —  — 
 
  Fiscal Year
  2020 2019 2018
  (in thousands)
Components of net periodic benefit cost:      
Service cost $ 1,070  $ 1,589  $ 1,112 
Interest cost 4,038  5,676  5,467 
Expected return on plan assets (4,256) (5,561) (6,234)
Amortization of prior service cost 106  63  (27)
Amortization of net actuarial (gains) losses 1,549  991  1,394 
Curtailment gain —  (453) — 
Net periodic benefit cost $ 2,507  $ 2,305  $ 1,712 

In accordance with applicable accounting standards, the service cost component of net periodic benefit costs is presented within operating income in the consolidated statements of operations, while all other components of net periodic benefit costs are presented within other expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

During 2020, other comprehensive income was impacted after tax by approximately $7.4 million comprised of actuarial loss of approximately $8.6 million and amortization of $1.2 million. 
 
  Fiscal Year
  2020 2019 2018
Weighted average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost:      
Discount rate 1.0  % 1.9  % 1.9  %
Expected return on plan assets 1.2  % 2.1  % 1.8  %
Rate of compensation —  % 1.75  % 1.75  %
Weighted average assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:      
Discount rate 1.0  % 1.7  % 2.5  %
Rate of compensation —  % 1.75  % 1.75  %
 
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The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption is based on weighted average expected returns for each asset class. Expected returns reflect a combination of historical performance analysis and the forward-looking views of the financial markets, and include input from actuaries, investment service firms and investment managers.
 
The investment objectives of the foreign defined benefit plans are to maximize the return on the investments to ensure that the assets are sufficient to exceed minimum funding requirements, and to achieve a favorable return against performance expectations based on historical and projected rates of return over the short term. The goal is to optimize the long-term return on plan assets at a moderate level of risk, by balancing higher-returning assets, such as equity securities, with less volatile assets, such as fixed income securities. The assets are managed by professional investment firms and performance is evaluated periodically against specific benchmarks. The plans’ net assets did not include the Company’s own stock at January 3, 2021 or December 29, 2019.

Dutch Plan Assets and Indexation Benefit
 
As is common in Dutch pension plans, the Dutch plan includes a provision for discretionary benefit increases termed “indexation.” The indexation benefit is meant to adjust pension benefits for cost-of-living increases, similar to U.S. consumer price index-based cost-of-living adjustments for U.S. retirement plans. The indexation benefit is not guaranteed, and is only provided for and paid out if sufficient assets are available due to favorable asset returns.
 
Both the vested benefit amounts as well as amounts related to the discretionary indexation benefits under the Dutch plan are paid pursuant to an insurance contract with a private insurer (the “Contract”). The Plan itself is financed by investment assets held within the Contract. Prior to December 31, 2019, the Contract guaranteed payment of vested benefits, regardless of whether Plan assets held through the Contract were ultimately sufficient to pay vested amounts, and also provided for payment of the indexation amount on a contingent basis if the actual return on Dutch plan assets were sufficient to pay it. This type of insurance arrangement is common in The Netherlands, although not necessarily common in other jurisdictions. After the plan curtailment on December 31, 2019, as discussed above, any shortfall in plan assets to pay vested benefits will be funded by the Company. The assets under the Dutch plan, including any indexation benefit, are identified as Level 3 assets under the fair value hierarchy.
 
Under the express terms of the Contract, contract value is the greater of (i) the value of the discounted vested benefits of the Dutch plan and (ii) the fair value of the underlying investment assets held by the insurance company under the Contract. As between those two values, the former was the greater for 2020 and 2019 and this represents the plan assets as shown above for the Dutch plan. Because the Company will fund the cost to guarantee vested benefits, the Company has recorded a provision, which reduces the Dutch plan assets, that consists of the net present value of the expected future guarantee payments due to the insurance company pursuant to the Company’s guarantee.

As explained above, the Contract also will pay the indexation benefit if sufficient assets are available, which the Company believes not to be probable as of the end of 2020 based on recent returns. The indexation benefit for 2020 and 2019 is not significant.
 
The Company’s actual weighted average asset allocations for 2020 and 2019, and the targeted asset allocation for 2021, of the foreign defined benefit plans by asset category, are as follows:
 
  Fiscal Year
  2021 2020 2019
Asset Category Target Allocation Percentage of Plan Assets at Year End
Equity securities 1% 3% 3% 3%
Debt and debt securities 50% 60% 60% 61%
Short-term investments 1% 2% —% 1%
Other investments 35% 40% 37% 35%
  100% 100% 100%


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The following table sets forth by level within the fair value hierarchy the foreign defined benefit plans’ assets at fair value, as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019. The nora plan is currently unfunded. As required by accounting standards, assets are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. As noted above, the Dutch pension plan assets as represented by the insurance contract are classified as a Level 3 asset and included in the “Other” asset category.

  Pension Plan Assets by Category as of January 3, 2021
  Dutch Plan UK Plan Total
  (in thousands)
Level 1 $ —  $ 70,904  $ 70,904 
Level 2 —  95,004  95,004 
Level 3 109,540  28,083  137,623 
Total $ 109,540  $ 193,991  $ 303,531 
 
  Pension Plan Assets by Category as of December 29, 2019
  Dutch Plan UK Plan Total
  (in thousands)
Level 1 $ —  $ 64,151  $ 64,151 
Level 2 —  87,047  87,047 
Level 3 92,294  22,958  115,252 
Total $ 92,294  $ 174,156  $ 266,450 

The tables below detail the foreign defined benefit plans’ assets by asset allocation and fair value hierarchy:
 
  End of Fiscal Year 2020
Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
  (in thousands)  
Equity securities $ 9,113  $ —  $ — 
Debt and debt securities 60,699  95,004  25,927 
Short-term investments (1)
1,092  —  — 
Other investments (2)
—  —  111,696 
  $ 70,904  $ 95,004  $ 137,623 
 
  End of Fiscal Year 2019
Asset Category Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
  (in thousands)
Equity securities $ 8,143  $ —  $ — 
Debt and debt securities 54,686  87,047  19,996 
Short-term Investments (1)
1,322  —  — 
Other Investments (2)
—  —  95,256 
  $ 64,151  $ 87,047  $ 115,252 
 
(1) Short-term investments are generally invested in interest-bearing accounts.
(2) Other investments is comprised of insurance contracts.
 
Assets identified as level 2 above pertain to corporate bonds and other debt securities. The fair values of these assets are calculated based on quoted market prices for similar assets.


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With the exception of the Dutch plan assets as discussed above, the assets identified as level 3 above in 2020 and 2019 relate to insured annuities and direct lending assets held by the UK Plan. The fair value of these assets was calculated using the present value of the future cash flows due under the insurance annuities and for the direct lending assets the value is based on the asset value from the latest available valuation with adjustments for any drawdowns and distribution payments made between the valuation date and the reporting date. The range of discount rates used in the fair value calculation of level 3 assets held by the Dutch plan and the UK Plan were 0.50% to 1.30% for 2020 and 1.0% to 2.10% for 2019. The weighted average discount rates were 0.52% and 1.02% for 2020 and 2019, respectively. These amounts are weighted based on the fair value of level 3 plan assets subject to fluctuations in the discount rate. Any changes in these variables will impact the fair value of level 3 assets.

The table below indicates the change in value related to these level 3 assets during 2020 and 2019:

Fiscal Year
  2020 2019
  (in thousands)
Balance of level 3 assets, beginning of year $ 115,252  $ 109,254 
Actual return on plan assets (1)
6,767  5,463 
Purchases, sales and settlements, net 437  663 
Assets transferred into level 3 3,934  2,101 
Translation adjustment 11,233  (2,229)
Balance of level 3 assets, end of year $ 137,623  $ 115,252 

(1) Includes $10.1 million and $6.2 million for 2020 and 2019, respectively, of unrealized gains recognized during the period in other comprehensive income (loss) for assets held at year end.
 
During 2021, the Company expects to contribute $5.2 million to the plans. It is anticipated that future benefit payments for the foreign defined benefit plans will be as follows:
 
Fiscal Year Expected Payments
  (in thousands)
2021 $ 12,038 
2022 12,097 
2023 12,351 
2024 12,595 
2025 12,764 
2026-2030 66,169 

Domestic Defined Benefit Plan
 
The Company maintains a domestic non-qualified salary continuation plan (“SCP”), which is designed to induce selected officers of the Company to remain in the employ of the Company by providing them with retirement, disability and death benefits in addition to those which they may receive under the Company’s other retirement plans and benefit programs. The SCP entitles participants to: (i) retirement benefits upon normal retirement at age 65 (or early retirement as early as age 55) after completing at least 15 years of service with the Company (unless otherwise provided in the SCP), payable for the remainder of their lives (or, if elected by a participant, a reduced benefit is payable for the remainder of the participant’s life and any surviving spouse’s life) and in no event less than 10 years under the death benefit feature; (ii) disability benefits payable for the period of any total disability; and (iii) death benefits payable to the designated beneficiary of the participant for a period of up to 10 years. Benefits are determined according to one of three formulas contained in the SCP, and the SCP is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, which has full discretion in choosing participants and the benefit formula applicable to each. The Company’s obligations under the SCP are currently unfunded (although the Company uses insurance instruments to hedge its exposure thereunder). The Company is required to contribute the present value of its obligations thereunder to an irrevocable grantor trust in the event of a change in control as defined in the SCP. The Company uses a year-end measurement date for the domestic SCP.
 
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The tables presented below set forth the required disclosures in accordance with applicable accounting standards, and amounts recognized in the consolidated financial statements related to the domestic SCP. There is no service cost component of the change in benefit obligation in 2020 and 2019 as there are no longer any active participants in the plan.
 
  Fiscal Year
  2020 2019
  (in thousands)
Change in benefit obligation:    
Benefit obligation, beginning of year $ 31,740  $ 29,142 
Interest cost 938  1,154 
Benefits paid (2,030) (2,030)
Actuarial loss (gain) 3,186  3,474 
Benefit obligation, end of year $ 33,834  $ 31,740 
 
The amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:
 
End of Fiscal Year
  2020 2019
  (in thousands)
Current liabilities $ 2,030  $ 2,030 
Non-current liabilities 31,804  29,710 
Total benefit obligation $ 33,834  $ 31,740 
  
The components of the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income, after tax, are as follows:
 
Fiscal Year
  2020 2019
  (in thousands)
Unrecognized actuarial loss $ 11,031  $ 9,139 
 
The accumulated benefit obligation related to the SCP was $33.8 million and $31.7 million as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively. The SCP is currently unfunded; as such, the benefit obligations disclosed are also the benefit obligations in excess of the plan assets. The Company uses insurance instruments to help limit its exposure under the SCP.
Fiscal Year
  2020 2019 2018
  (in thousands, except for assumptions)
Assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost:      
Discount rate 3.05  % 4.10  % 3.50  %
Rate of compensation —  —  — 
 
Assumptions used to determine benefit obligations:      
Discount rate 2.15  % 3.05  % 4.10  %
Rate of compensation —  —  — 
 
Components of net periodic benefit cost:      
Service cost $ —  $ —  $ — 
Interest cost 938  1,154  1,082 
Amortizations 558  375  464 
Net periodic benefit cost $ 1,496  $ 1,529  $ 1,546 
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The changes in other comprehensive income during 2020 related to the SCP as a result of plan activity and valuation were approximately $1.9 million, after tax, primarily comprised of a net loss during the period of $2.3 million and amortization of loss of $0.4 million.
 
During 2020, the Company contributed $2.0 million in the form of direct benefit payments for its domestic SCP. It is anticipated that future benefit payments for the SCP will be as follows:
 
Fiscal Year Expected Payments
  (in thousands)
2021 $ 2,030 
2022 2,030 
2023 2,030 
2024 2,030 
2025 2,030 
2026-2030 9,447 
 

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NOTE 20 – ACQUISITION OF NORA
 
On June 14, 2018, the Company entered into a share purchase and transfer agreement to acquire the issued and outstanding shares of nora, nora’s outstanding third-party debt, and receivables related to nora’s shareholder loans. Nora is the holding company for a Germany-based manufacturer and multinational marketer of resilient floor coverings, including rubber flooring. In connection with the signing of the nora share purchase and transfer agreement, the Company entered into a derivative instrument to address the foreign currency risk associated with a portion of the nora purchase price. This option instrument did not qualify for hedge accounting, and the mark-to-market expense of $2.8 million to record the instrument at fair value at the end of the second quarter of 2018 was recorded in other expense in our consolidated statement of operations during the second quarter. The option instrument had a notional value of €315 million (or approximately $364 million as of the end of the second quarter of 2018) and an initial maturity of 120 days. Upon completion of the nora acquisition as discussed below, the option instrument was terminated and the Company recognized a loss of approximately $1.4 million upon termination, which was recorded in other expense in our consolidated statement of operations during the third quarter of 2018.

On August 7, 2018, the Company completed the acquisition of nora for a purchase price of €385.1 million, or $447.2 million at the exchange rate as of the transaction date, including acquired cash of €40.0 million ($46.5 million) for a net purchase price of €345.1 million ($400.7 million).
 
Nora is an industry leader in the rubber flooring market, and this acquisition is expected to advance the Company’s growth strategy in expanding market segments, particularly in the healthcare, life sciences and education market segments. Similar to Interface, nora operates on an international footprint and the Company expects the acquisition will also allow for geographic sales synergies as well.
 
The transaction was accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires, among other things, that assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recorded at their fair market values as of the acquisition date. The results of operations for this acquisition have been consolidated with those of the Company from the acquisition date forward.  Tangible assets and liabilities of nora were valued as of the acquisition date using a market analysis, and intangible assets were valued using a discounted cash flow analysis. During the second quarter of 2019, the Company recognized a measurement period adjustment to adjust provisional amounts initially recorded for assumed deferred tax liabilities. This measurement period adjustment resulted in an increase to assumed deferred tax liabilities of $17.2 million and a corresponding increase to goodwill. The fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are now final and include all measurement period adjustments.
 
The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. These amounts were finalized during the second quarter 2019.
 
  As of August 7, 2018
  (in thousands)
Assets acquired (excluding goodwill) $ 359,335 
Liabilities assumed (114,049)
Net assets acquired 245,286 
Purchase price 447,192 
Goodwill, excess of purchase price $ 201,906 
 
Acquired intangible assets of $103.3 million include $60.8 million of trademarks and tradenames that are not subject to amortization and will instead be subject to annual impairment testing, or more frequent testing should there be a significant change in business conditions. The remaining intangible assets include developed technology of $39.1 million that will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 7 years and backlog of $3.4 million that will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of six months. The acquired inventory includes a step-up of inventory to fair value of approximately $26.6 million which will be recognized in earnings over the expected turns of the inventory.  This step-up of inventory to fair value was fully amortized by the end of 2018.    
 
Recognized goodwill and intangible assets were assigned pro-rata to the Company’s three operating segments. None of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. See Note 12 entitled “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for additional information.
 
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The Company recognized $9.5 million of transaction costs related to the nora acquisition for 2018. Approximately $5.3 million of these expenses are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations and $4.2 million are included in other expenses related to the derivative instrument the Company used to address the foreign currency risk associated with a portion of the nora purchase price. The Company also recognized $8.8 million of debt issuance costs in connection with the amended and restated Syndicated Credit Facility, which were recorded as a reduction of long-term debt in the consolidated balance sheet at year end 2018.

The following represents the pro forma consolidated statement of operations as if nora had been included in the consolidated results of the Company as of January 1, 2018. These are estimated for pro forma purposes only and do not necessarily reflect the results had nora been included as of the beginning of 2018.
 
Fiscal Year
  2018
(in thousands)
Revenue $ 1,340,449 
Net income 96,909 
 
Pro forma net income for 2018 excludes any transaction related costs as these are non-recurring costs for the combined Company.
 
 
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NOTE 21 SEGMENT INFORMATION
 
The Company has determined that it has three operating segments – namely, the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific geographic regions. The Company has aggregated the three operating segments into one reporting segment because they have similar economic characteristics, and the operating segments are similar in all of the following areas: (a) the nature of the products and services; (b) the nature of the production processes; (c) the type or class of customer for their products and services; (d) the methods used to distribute their products or provide their services; and (e) the nature of the regulatory environment. Nora results are included in the figures since the date of acquisition, and are included in our operating segments based on the geographic split of the operations.

During 2020, the Company changed the structure of its operating segments related to nora assets to align with where the assets are physically located. Certain nora assets that were previously reported within the Europe operating segment are now reported within the Americas and Asia-Pacific operating segments based on the geographical location of the assets. Total assets in the prior period presented have been revised to reflect this change.

While the Company operates as one reporting segment for the reasons discussed, included below is selected information on our operating segments.
 
Summary information by operating segment and reconciliations to the corresponding consolidated amounts follows:

Fiscal Year
2020 2019 2018
(in thousands)
Net Sales
Americas $ 593,418  $ 757,112  $ 682,261 
Europe 351,287  393,194  319,677 
Asia-Pacific 158,557  192,723  177,635 
Total net sales $ 1,103,262  $ 1,343,029  $ 1,179,573 
 
Depreciation and Amortization
Americas $ 13,609  $ 12,917  $ 13,732 
Europe 18,678  18,452  12,862 
Asia-Pacific 7,780  8,302  8,567 
Total segment depreciation and amortization 40,067  39,671  35,161 
Corporate depreciation and amortization 5,853  5,261  3,923 
Reported depreciation and amortization $ 45,920  $ 44,932  $ 39,084 
 
End of Fiscal Year
2020 2019
(in thousands)
Assets
Americas $ 800,068  $ 769,301 
Europe 499,186  567,866 
Asia-Pacific 183,109  210,142 
Total segment assets 1,482,363  1,547,309 
Corporate assets 111,073  141,942 
Eliminations (287,425) (266,202)
Total reported assets $ 1,306,011  $ 1,423,049 


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Total assets in the table above include operating lease right-of-use assets for fiscal years 2020 and 2019. Below is a summary of the operating lease right-of-use assets by operating segment and a reconciliation to the consolidated amounts:

End of Fiscal Year
Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets 2020 2019
(in thousands)
Americas $ 11,945  $ 20,126 
Europe 65,473  66,038 
Asia-Pacific 8,792  8,259 
Total segment operating lease right-of-use assets 86,210  94,423 
 
Corporate operating lease right-of-use assets 11,803  12,621 
Total operating lease right-of-use assets $ 98,013  $ 107,044 
 
The Company has a large and diverse customer base, which includes numerous customers located in foreign countries. No single unaffiliated customer accounted for more than 10% of total sales in any year during the past three years. Sales to customers in foreign markets in 2020, 2019 and 2018 were approximately 51%, 49% and 49%, respectively, of total net sales. These sales were primarily to customers in Europe, Canada, Asia, Australia and Latin America. Other than the United States and Germany in 2020, and the United States in 2019 and 2018, no one country represented more than 10% of the Company’s net sales during the past three years. Revenue and long-lived assets related to operations in the United States and other countries are as follows:
 
  Fiscal Year
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers(1)
2020 2019 2018
  (in thousands)
United States $ 545,183  $ 681,868  $ 600,093 
Germany 115,402  117,418  75,958 
Other foreign countries 442,677  543,743  503,522 
Total net sales $ 1,103,262  $ 1,343,029  $ 1,179,573 
 
End of Fiscal Year
Long-Lived Assets(2)
2020 2019
(in thousands)
United States $ 163,983  $ 132,390 
Germany 79,294  76,448 
Netherlands 51,190  48,220 
Other foreign countries 64,569  67,527 
Total long-lived assets $ 359,036  $ 324,585 
 
(1)Revenue attributed to geographic areas is based on the location of the customer.
(2)Long-lived assets attributed to geographic areas are based on the physical location of the asset. 2020 includes $1.8 million and $4.3 million of leased equipment in the United States and foreign countries, respectively. 2019 includes $0.6 million and $4.4 million of leased equipment in the United States and foreign countries, respectively.


99

NOTE 22 – QUARTERLY DATA AND SHARE INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
 
The following tables set forth, for the fiscal periods indicated, selected consolidated financial data and information regarding the market price per share of the Company’s Common Stock. The prices represent the reported high and low sale prices during the period presented.
 
  FISCAL YEAR 2020
 
FIRST
QUARTER(1)
SECOND
QUARTER(2)
THIRD
QUARTER(3)
FOURTH
QUARTER(4)
  (in thousands, except per share data)
Net sales $ 288,169  $ 259,504  $ 278,642  $ 276,947 
Gross profit 114,311  97,294  102,162  96,807 
Net income (loss) (102,167) 4,709  5,913  19,616 
 
Basic income (loss) per share $ (1.75) $ 0.08  $ 0.10  $ 0.33 
Diluted income (loss) per share $ (1.75) $ 0.08  $ 0.10  $ 0.33 
 
Share prices        
High $ 17.57  $ 11.04  $ 8.94  $ 10.53 
Low $ 5.06  $ 6.77  $ 5.88  $ 5.92 

(1)Results for the first quarter of 2020 include purchase accounting amortization of $1.3 million, goodwill and intangible asset impairment charge of $121.3 million, impact of change in equity award forfeiture accounting of $1.4 million, and restructuring charges of $(1.1) million.
(2)Results for the second quarter of 2020 include purchase accounting amortization of $1.3 million, severance, lease exit and asset impairment charges of $8.8 million, and a warehouse fire loss of $4.2 million.
(3)Results for the third quarter of 2020 include purchase accounting amortization of $1.4 million, severance charges and restructuring adjustments of $5.8 million, and an SEC fine of $5.0 million.
(4)Results for the fourth quarter of 2020 include purchase accounting amortization of $1.4 million, severance, lease exit, restructuring adjustments and asset impairment charges of $3.2 million, loss on extinguishment of debt of $3.6 million, loss on discontinuance of interest rate swaps of $3.9 million, and recognition of income tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken in prior years of $12.7 million.


100

  FISCAL YEAR 2019
 
FIRST
QUARTER(1)
SECOND
QUARTER(2)
THIRD
QUARTER(3)
FOURTH
QUARTER(4)
  (in thousands, except per share data)
Net sales $ 297,688  $ 357,507  $ 348,352  $ 339,482 
Gross profit(5)
116,522  140,730  137,744  137,971 
Net income 7,059  29,499  26,210  16,432 
 
Basic income per share $ 0.12  $ 0.50  $ 0.45  $ 0.28 
Diluted income per share $ 0.12  $ 0.50  $ 0.45  $ 0.28 
 
Share prices        
High $ 19.40  $ 17.22  $ 15.84  $ 17.68 
Low $ 13.87  $ 14.30  $ 10.37  $ 13.32 
 
(1)Results for the first quarter of 2019 include purchase accounting amortization of $1.9 million.
(2)Results for the second quarter of 2019 include purchase accounting amortization of $1.3 million.
(3)Results for the third quarter of 2019 include purchase accounting amortization of $1.3 million and restructuring and other charges of $0.7 million.
(4)Results for the fourth quarter of 2019 include purchase accounting amortization of $1.3 million and restructuring and other charges of $12.3 million.
(5)Gross profit reflects certain classification and presentation changes related to customer service and other costs. Reclassifications of previously reported cost of sales to conform to the current presentation were $1.1 million for the first quarter, $2.1 million for the second quarter, $2.0 million for the third quarter and $2.3 million for the fourth quarter. See Note 1 entitled “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for additional information.

101

NOTE 23 – ITEMS RECLASSIFIED FROM ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
 
Amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCI”) to the consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal years 2020, 2019, and 2018, are reflected in the tables below:

Fiscal Year
Statement of Operations Location 2020 2019 2018
(in thousands)
Foreign currency contracts loss Cost of sales $ —  $ (450) $ (468)
Interest rate swap contracts gain (loss) Interest expense (7,287) 151  890 
Amortization of benefit plan prior service cost and net actuarial losses Other expense (2,213) (976) (1,831)
Total loss reclassified from AOCI $ (9,500) $ (1,275) $ (1,409)



102

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
Shareholders and Board of Directors
Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Atlanta, Georgia
 
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 3, 2021, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 3, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of January 3, 2021, 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 3, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
103

Goodwill Impairment Assessment

As described in Notes 1 and 12 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s consolidated goodwill balance was $165.8 million as of January 3, 2021. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually as of the measurement date or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the asset might be impaired. During the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company concluded that a triggering event occurred for each of its reporting units due to the deterioration in the macroeconomic conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the first quarter quantitative goodwill impairment testing, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge for the Europe and Asia-Pacific reporting units in the amounts of $99.2 million and $17.3 million, respectively. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company performed the annual impairment test for all reporting units, and no impairment was recognized as a result of the assessment. The goodwill impairment test consists of a comparison of the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value, including the goodwill allocated to the reporting units. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company will recognize an impairment loss equal to the amount of the excess, limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The Company estimates the fair value of its reporting units using a weighting of fair values derived from an income approach and a market approach.

We identified the estimate of the fair value of the Europe and Asia-Pacific reporting units during the goodwill impairment assessments as of the interim testing date of April 5, 2020, and as of the annual measurement date, as a critical audit matter. The principal considerations for our determination are: (i) these reporting units had relatively lower excess fair value over book value and, therefore, the fair value estimates were sensitive to changes in the significant assumptions such as revenue, gross margin, earnings, terminal growth rate, and the discount rate included in the income approach, (ii) the greater than usual volatility and uncertainty underlying the market data used in the market approach due to market fluctuations during the COVID-19 pandemic, and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge. These assumptions were especially challenging to test and required significant auditor judgment due to the inherent uncertainties related to the severity and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included:
Testing the design and operating effectiveness of controls related to management’s forecasting process, including controls over management’s review of the data and significant assumptions utilized to determine fair value of the Company’s reporting units, including revenue, gross margin, and earnings.
Evaluating the reasonableness of the significant assumptions used in management’s income approach analysis by comparing the forecasts of revenues, gross margins, and earnings to historical results and the Company’s projected budget, including the effect of COVID-19.
Testing the reconciliation of the estimated fair value of the Company’s reporting units to the indicated market capitalization of the Company as a whole.
Utilizing personnel with specialized knowledge and skill in valuation to assist in: (i) assessing the appropriateness and relative weighting of the income and market approaches, (ii) testing the mathematical accuracy of the Company’s calculations, (iii) evaluating the reasonableness of the discount rate and terminal growth rate used in the income approach, (iv) assessing the reasonableness of certain market data used in the market approach, and (v) evaluating the reasonableness of the market capitalization reconciliation.


We are uncertain as to the year we began serving consecutively as the auditor of the Company's financial statements; however, we are aware that we have been the Company's auditor consecutively since at least 1981.
 
/s/ BDO USA, LLP
 
Atlanta, Georgia
 
March 3, 2021

104

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
Shareholders and Board of Directors
Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Atlanta, Georgia
 
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ (the “Company’s”) internal control over financial reporting as of January 3, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “COSO criteria”). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 3, 2021, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 3, 2021, and the related notes and schedule and our report dated March 3, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Item 9A, Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. 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.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

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.

 
/s/ BDO USA, LLP
 
Atlanta, Georgia
 
March 3, 2021

105

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.
 
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, 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, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(c) under the Act. Based on that evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
  
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of January 3, 2021 based on the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013).” Based on that assessment, management concluded that, as of January 3, 2021, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.
 
Our independent auditors have issued an audit report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. This report immediately precedes Item 9 of this Report.
 
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None

PART III 
 
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information contained under the captions “Nomination and Election of Directors,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and “Meetings and Committees of the Board” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of our 2020 fiscal year, is incorporated herein by reference. Pursuant to Instruction 3 to Paragraph (b) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K, information relating to our executive officers is included in Item 1 of this Report.
 
We have adopted the “Interface Code of Business Conduct and Ethics” (the “Code”) which applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The Code may be viewed on our website at www.interface.com. Changes to the Code will be posted on our website. Any waiver of the Code for executive officers or directors may be made only by our Board of Directors and will be disclosed to the extent required by law or Nasdaq rules on our website or in a filing on Form 8-K.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information contained under the captions “Executive Compensation and Related Items,” “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Compensation Committee Report,” “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” and “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of our 2020 fiscal year, is incorporated herein by reference.
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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
 
The information contained under the captions “Principal Shareholders and Management Stock Ownership” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of our 2020 fiscal year, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
For purposes of determining the aggregate market value of our voting and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates, shares held by our directors and executive officers have been excluded. The exclusion of such shares is not intended to, and shall not, constitute a determination as to which persons or entities may be “affiliates” as that term is defined under federal securities laws.
 
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information contained under the captions “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and “Director Independence” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of our 2020 fiscal year, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information contained under the captions “Audit and Non-Audit Fees” and “Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Auditors” in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of our 2020 fiscal year, is incorporated herein by reference.
 
 
PART IV
 
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

1. Financial Statements 
 
The following consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of Interface, Inc. and subsidiaries and related Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm are contained in Item 8 of this Report:
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) — fiscal years ended January 3, 2021, December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018.
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets — January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019.
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — fiscal years ended January 3, 2021, December 29, 2019, and December 30, 2018.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
2. Financial Statement Schedule
 
The following consolidated financial statement schedule of Interface, Inc. and subsidiaries is included as part of this Report (see the pages immediately preceding the signatures in this Report).
  
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves
 
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3. Exhibits
 
The following exhibits are filed or furnished with this Report:
 
Exhibit
Number
Description of Exhibit
3.1
3.2
4.1
4.2
4.3
10.1 Salary Continuation Plan, dated May 7, 1982 (included as Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s registration statement on Form S-1, File No. 2-82188, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*
10.2
10.3
Interface, Inc. Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (as amended and restated effective February 18, 2015) (included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on May 20, 2015, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, as used for executive officers (included as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2007, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Form of Performance Share Agreement (included as Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s current report on Form 8-K filed on January 20, 2016, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, as used for executive officers (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on May 11, 2017, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Form of Performance Share Agreement for executive officers (included as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on May 11, 2017, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Form of Restricted Stock Agreement, as used for directors (included as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on May 11, 2017, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Form of 2018 Restricted Stock Agreement for executive officers (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on May 11, 2018, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); and Form of 2018 Performance Share Agreement for executive officers (included as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on May 11, 2018, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*
10.4
10.5
Interface, Inc. Nonqualified Savings Plan (as amended and restated effective January 1, 2002) (included as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2001, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); First Amendment thereto, dated as of December 20, 2002 (included as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 29, 2003, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Second Amendment thereto, dated as of December 30, 2002 (included as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 29, 2003, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Third Amendment thereto, dated as of May 8, 2003 (included as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2003 (the “2003 10-K”), previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); and Fourth Amendment thereto, dated as of December 31, 2003 (included as Exhibit 10.7 to the 2003 10-K, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*
10.6
10.7
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10.8
10.9
10.10
Interface, Inc. Nonqualified Savings Plan II, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2009 (included as Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2012 (the “2012 10-K”), previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference; First Amendment thereto, dated February 26, 2009 (included as Exhibit 10.19 to the 2012 10-K, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Second Amendment thereto, dated December 9, 2009 (included as Exhibit 10.20 to the 2012 10-K, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Third Amendment thereto, dated April 15, 2010 (included as Exhibit 10.21 to the 2012 10-K, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Fourth Amendment thereto, dated August 9, 2012 (included as Exhibit 10.22 to the 2012 10-K, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Sixth Amendment thereto, dated March 30, 2020 (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys current report on Form 8-K filed on March 31, 2020, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); Seventh Amendment thereto (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys quarterly report on Form 10-Q filed on August 11, 2020, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference); and Eighth Amendment thereto, dated November 19, 2020 (included as Exhibit 10.1 to the Companys current report on Form 8-K filed on November 24, 2020, previously filed with the Commission and incorporated herein by reference).*
10.11
10.12
10.13
10.14
10.15
10.16
10.17
10.18
10.19
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21
23
24
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
101.INS XBRL Instance Document – The Instance Document does not appear in the Interactive Data Files because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. 
101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. 
101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document.
104 The cover page from this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 3, 2021, formatted in Inline XBRL.
*Management contract or compensatory plan or agreement required to be filed pursuant to Item 15(b) of this Report.

 
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ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
 
None.


INTERFACE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES
 
  COLUMN A
BALANCE, AT
BEGINNING
OF YEAR
COLUMN B
CHARGED TO
COSTS AND
EXPENSES (A)
COLUMN C
CHARGED TO
OTHER
ACCOUNTS
COLUMN D
DEDUCTIONS
(DESCRIBE) (B)
COLUMN E
 BALANCE, AT
END OF YEAR
  (in thousands)
Allowance for Expected Credit Losses          
Year ended:          
January 3, 2021 $ 3,793  $ 3,777  $ —  $ 927  $ 6,643 
December 29, 2019 3,540  881  —  628  3,793 
December 30, 2018 3,493  1,848  —  1,801  3,540 
 
(A)Includes changes in foreign currency exchange rates as well as the addition of the nora reserves since the acquisition date.
 
(B)Write off of bad debt, and recovering of previously provided for amounts.
 
 
  COLUMN A
BALANCE, AT
BEGINNING
OF YEAR
COLUMN B
CHARGED TO
COSTS AND
EXPENSES (A)
COLUMN C
CHARGED TO
OTHER
ACCOUNTS
(B)
COLUMN D 
DEDUCTIONS
(DESCRIBE) (C)
COLUMN E 
BALANCE, AT
END OF YEAR
  (in thousands)
Restructuring Reserve          
Year ended:          
January 3, 2021 $ 11,445  $ (4,626) $ —  $ 5,755  $ 1,064 
December 29, 2019 11,907  7,944  49  8,357  11,445 
December 30, 2018 2,568  11,961  8,569  2,622  11,907 

(A)Includes changes in foreign currency exchange rates as well as the nora reserves since the acquisition date.
 
(B)Direct reduction of asset carrying value, not included in restructuring reserve.
 
(C)Cash payments.
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  COLUMN A
BALANCE, AT
BEGINNING
OF YEAR
COLUMN B
CHARGED TO
COSTS AND
EXPENSES (A)
COLUMN C
CHARGED
TO OTHER
ACCOUNTS
COLUMN D
DEDUCTIONS
(DESCRIBE) (B)
COLUMN E
BALANCE, AT
END OF YEAR
  (in thousands)
Warranty and Sales Allowances Reserves          
Year ended:          
January 3, 2021 $ 3,853  $ 1,062  $ —  $ 1,667  $ 3,248 
December 29, 2019 3,495  1,519  —  1,161  3,853 
December 30, 2018 4,111  1,074  —  1,690  3,495 
  
(A)Includes changes in foreign currency exchange rates as well as the nora reserves since the acquisition date.
 
(B)Represents credits and costs applied against reserve and adjustments to reflect actual exposure.
 
(All other Schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission are omitted because they are either not applicable or the required information is shown in the Company’s consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.)

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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.
 
Date: March 3, 2021   INTERFACE, INC.
     
  By: /s/  DANIEL T. HENDRIX                                  
    Daniel T. Hendrix
    President and Chief Executive Officer
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Daniel T. Hendrix as attorney-in-fact, with power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
113

Table of Contents
Signature   Capacity   Date
           
/s/ DANIEL T. HENDRIX     President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board and Director   March 3, 2021
Daniel T. Hendrix          
           
/s/ BRUCE A. HAUSMANN     Vice President and Chief Financial Officer   March 3, 2021
Bruce A. Hausmann     (Principal Financial Officer)    
           
/s/ ROBERT PRIDGEN Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer March 3, 2021
Robert Pridgen (Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ JOHN P. BURKE     Director   March 3, 2021
John P. Burke          
           
/s/ DWIGHT GIBSON     Director   March 3, 2021
Dwight Gibson          
/s/ CHRISTOPHER G. KENNEDY     Director   March 3, 2021
Christopher G. Kennedy          
           
/s/ JOSEPH KEOUGH     Director   March 3, 2021
Joseph Keough          
           
/s/ CATHERINE M. KILBANE     Director   March 3, 2021
Catherine M. Kilbane          
           
/s/ DAVID KOHLER     Director   March 3, 2021
K. David Kohler          
           
/s/ SHERYL D. PALMER     Director   March 3, 2021
Sheryl D. Palmer          

114

Exhibit 10.18

INTERFACE EUROPE LTD
CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT DATED 30 AUGUST 2010
This contract (together with any documents Incorporated Into it), constitutes the entire agreement between us with regard to its subject matter, and supersedes any previous agreement (whether verbal or written) made between us at any time.

Name of employer:
Interface Europe ltd (the "Company")
 
Registered address: Shelf Mills
Halifax
West Yorkshire
HX3 7PA.
 
Telephone Number: 01274 690690
 
Name of employee:
Nigel Stansfield (the "Executive")
 
Address: 26 Sutton Drive, Cullingworth, West Yorkshire, BD135BQ

    
1.EMPLOYMENT

1.1The commencement date of the Executive's employment is 1 July 2010.
1.2The date on which the Executive's period of continuous employment with the Company began Is 12 August 1985.
1.3The Executive warrants that by virtue of entering into or performing his duties under this Agreement he will not be in breach of any express or implied terms of any contract or of any other obligations binding upon him and that he will indemnify the Company and any of its Associated Companies against any costs, claims, liabilities and expenses (including legal expenses on an indemnity basis) arising out of any such breach or alleged breach by the Executive.

2.JOB TITLE AND FUNCTION

2.1The Executive's job title is Senior Vice President Product and Innovation. A non-exhaustive list of the Executive's main duties and responsibilities Is set out in Schedule 1.
2.2The Executive is required to be flexible in the duties he performs and he may be transferred either on a temporary or on a permanent basis to any job which is within his capabilities.

3.PLACE OF WORK

3.1The Executive will work at such places within Europe as are required by the Company for the proper performance of his powers and duties under this Agreement. Without prejudice to the forgoing, the Company reserves the right to require the Executive to work from a specific office of the Company or of any Group Company or of any customer or supplier on a particular day or days and the Executive shall be required to undertake such journeys within Europe as the Company shall require. Travelling and other expenses shall be reimbursed in accordance with Company policy from time to time.





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4.RENUMERATION
4.1The Executive's salary Is ninety thousand pounds (£90,000) (gross) per annum.
4.2The Executive will be paid by credit transfer into a bank or building society of his choice on the 15th of each calendar month although if this falls on a day when banking services are not available payment will be made on the last day on which banking services are available before that date. The Company may change the ate and manner of payment at its discretion but will give you notice of any such change.
4.3The Executive will be notified on a monthly basis of details of payments and deductions by a comprehensive itemised pay statement.
4.4The Salary shall be reviewed by the Company's CEO ("CEO") from time to time and the rate of the Salary may be increased by the Company with effect from that date by such amount if any as it shall think fit. For the avoidance of doubt it is agreed that the Executive shall have no contractual right to any increase in the Salary under this Clause, and there will be no review of the Salary after notice has been given in accordance with Clause 8 or if the Executive is in receipt of benefits under the Company's permanent health insurance scheme.
4.5The Executive may be eligible to participate ina bonus scheme subject to the terms of the scheme which are in force from time to time. The Executive will be advised in writing of the details of any such scheme. The Company reserves the right to amend or withdraw the terms of bonus schemes at any time. To be eligible to receive the bonus the Executive must be employed by the Company at the end of the period to which the bonus relates. This means that if the Executive's employment terminates for whatever reason, prior to the end of that period he will not be entitled to any bonus payment (whether pro rata or otherwise).
4.6For the purposes of sections 13 to 16 Employment Rights Act 1996, the Executive consents lo the deduction from his salary or bonus (or any other sum payable to you by the Company) of any sums owing by him to the Company at any time and agrees to make payment to the Company of any sums owed by him to the Company on demand at any time. For the avoidance of doubt this clause authorises the Company to make a pro rata deduction from the Executive's salary in respect of any unauthorised absence, whether such absence is for a day, part of a day or for a number of days.

5.HOURS OF WORK
5.1The Executive shall devote the whole of his working time and attention to the service of the Company except during holidays and any periods of absence due to illness or injury.
5.2As the duration of the Executive's working time is determined exclusively by the Executive the parties believe that the employment falls within Regulation 20(1) of the Working Time Regulations 1998 ("the Regulations") so that he is not affected by the limit on weekly Working Time contained in Regulation 4(1) of the Regulations ("Regulation 4(1)"). I/this is not the case, then the Executive agrees that the limit in Regulation 4(1) shall not apply to him and that his working time (Including overtime) may therefore exceed an average of 48 hours for each 7 day period in the Reference Period whenever this is necessary for the proper discharge of his duties. The Executive shall be entitled to withdraw such agreement by giving 3 mont11s' prior written notice to the Company.
5.3The Executive agrees that he will comply with all policies or requirements of the Company from time to time in force, In relation to the recording of Working Time.

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6.HOLIDAYS
6.1The Executive is entitled to 27 working days paid holiday in each holiday year. The holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December and holiday entitlement Is to be taken at such times as Is agreed by the CEO.
6.2The Executive shall not be entitled to carry forward any unused part of l1is holiday entitlement to a subsequent holiday year.
6.3If the Executive's employment terminates during a holiday year he will be entitled In that year to such proportion of his annual holiday entitlement as equals the proportion of time he is employed under this Agreement In that year, rounded to the nearest half day except that if he has accrued sufficient holiday in a particular holiday year to comply with the Working Time Regulations 1998 ("the Regulations") no holiday entitlement shall accrue during any period of garden leave taken in accordance with Clause 9.
6.4The Executive shall not be entitled to payment In lieu of any unused part of his holiday entitlement, except on termination of his employment in accordance with Clause 6.6.
6.5The Executive shall not accrue any entitlement to holiday in respect of periods of absence from work due to Injury or Illness of more than 20 consecutive days absence in any holiday year, save In relation to statutory holiday (if any) to which he Is entitled as a matter of law.
6.6On termination of the Executive's employment he shall be entitled to be paid in lieu of any outstanding holiday entitlement.
6.7For the avoidance of doubt Regulations 15(1) to 15(4) of the Regulations do not apply to the Executive's employment

7.SICKNESS ABSENCE
7.1The Executive is required to familiarise himself with the requirements outlined in the Company's Sickness Absence Policy from time to time.
7.2Absence will be regarded as authorised provided that:
(a)the Executive has in respect of such absence compiled with the requirements set out in the Company's Sickness Absence Policy and such other requirements as may be specified in any sickness absence policy issued by the Company from time to time;
(b)undergone any medical examination or tests required by the Company; and
(c)the Company is satisfied that his absence is genuinely due to illness or injury
provided that absence will not be deemed to be authorised, and the Executive will not be entitled to any Company sick pay, where the period of absence commences after the Executive has been notified that he is required to attend a disciplinary investigatory interview or a disciplinary hearing; after the Executive has been suspended pending a disciplinary investigation or whilst the Executive is otherwise subject to disciplinary proceedings, unless the Company at Its sole discretion decides otherwise.


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7.3.Subject to compliance with the Company's absence notification procedure and as herein stated, the Executive will be entitled to receive payment of full salary for authorised sickness absence, for a maximum period of 26 weeks. For each period of authorised sickness absence, entitlement to Company Sick Pay up to the maximum 26 week period is calculated by reference to the extent to which Company Sick Pay has been paid during the 12 month period immediately preceding the date on which the most recent absence commences. If the said 12 month period starts during a previous period of absence for which Company Sick Pay was paid (the "Previous Absence") then for the purposes of calculating Company Sick Pay entitlement for the most recent absence, all payments made in respect of the Previous Absence shall be taken into account.
7.4The Company has the right to refer the Executive to the Company's Occupational Health Physician should there be any question about your fitness or capability to perform your duties. The Company also has the right to discuss the results of any such assessment with the Occupational Health Physician. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Access to Medical Reports Act 1988 the Executive hereby consents to the Company obtaining any medical report relating to his physical or mental ability to perform his duties prepared by a medical practitioner who is or has been responsible for the clinical care of the Executive.
7.5If the Executive's absence from work has been caused by a third party (for example in a car accident) in respect of which he may recover damages the Executive must notify the Company Secretary as soon as possible. In this case any Company sickness benefit paid to the Executive in excess of his statutory sickness pay is paid to him as a loan (even if as an interim measure income tax has been deducted from such payments as if they were emoluments of employment). This loan is repayable when and to the extent that the Executive recovers compensation for loss of earnings from the third party through any court award or settlement.


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8.TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
8.1The Executive's employment may be terminated by either party giving notice in accordance with Clause 8.
8.2The Executive is required to give six months' written notice of termination of his employment with the Company.
8.3The Executive is entitled to receive from the Company not less than twelve months' written notice.
8.4The Company may by written notice terminate the Executive's employment summarily (without notice or payment in lieu of notice) if he:
8.4.1fails or neglects efficiently and diligently to carry out his duties to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company;
8.4.2does not comply with any lawful order or direction given to him by the Company;
8.4.3Is guilty of any material or persistent breach or non-observance of any of the provisions of this Agreement
8.4.4in the performance of his duties or otherwise commits any act of gross misconduct (a non-exhaustive list of examples of gross misconduct is set out in the Company's Disciplinary Procedure);
8.4.5adversely prejudices or by his acts or omissions (whether at or outside work) is likely in the reasonable opinion of the CEO to prejudice the interests or reputation of the Company;
8.4.6is convicted of any criminal offence (excluding an offence under road traffic Iegislation in the United Kingdom and elsewhere for which a penalty of Imprisonment cannot be imposed);

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8.4.7Is made the subject of a bankruptcy order or has a receiving order or an administration order made against him or makes any composition or arrangement with his creditors generally or otherwise take advantage of any statute from time to time in force offering relief for Insolvent debtors; or
8.4.8becomes a patient within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1983.
8.5The Company shall be entitled to deduct from any payment of salary or from reimbursement of expenses due to the Executive on the termination of employment any sums owed to the Company by him.
8.6Without prejudice to the Executive's statutory and common law rights the Company may at any time in Its absolute discretion elect to terminate the Executive's employment forthwith by paying to him in lieu of the notice period referred to at Clause 8.3, or any part thereof, an amount equivalent to the Executive's salary and benefits for such period or part period. Such a payment shall be subject to such deductions for tax and national Insurance as are required by law and to any other authorised deductions.
8.7The Company has on occasions in the past applied a variety of enhanced redundancy terms. However, the Company is not under any contractual obligation to do so. In the event of a redundancy situation arising, the Company will consider on each occasion whether enhanced terms should be offered and, if so, what those terms should be in relation to each category of employee and the conditions to which the offer of those terms should be subject. The application of enhanced terms in relation to any redundancy, and the nature of those terms, will be entirely at the company's discretion and the Company reserves the right not to apply enhanced terms on any occasion. Any enhanced terms applied will not set any precedent in relation to future redundancies.
8.8Upon termination of employment for whatever reason the Executive shall forthwith deliver to the Company or its authorised representative such of the following as are in his possession or control:
8.8.1all keys, security and computer passes, plans, statistics, documents, records, papers, magnetic disks, tapes or other software storage media including any copies thereof which belong to the Company or which relate to the business of the Company including all copies, records and memoranda (whether or not recorded in writing or on computer disk or tape) made by the Executive of any Confidential Information (as defined by Clause 15.5);
8.8.2all credit cards and charge cards provided by the Company;
8.8.3any Company car provided and all keys and documents relating to it; and
8.8.4all other property of the Company not previously referred to in this Clause.

9.GARDEN LEAVE
9.1At any time after notice of termination is given by the Executive or the Company the Company may (in relation to the notice period):
9.1.1require the Executive to return all or specified Company documentation (including copies) and property;
9.1.2require the Executive to cease performing his duties or require that he does not contact or deal with customers, suppliers or employees of the Company;

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9.1.3require that the Executive undertakes different duties within his capabilities; or
9.1.4require that the Executive does not come onto Company premises unless specifically requested or with the consent of the CEO.
9.2During the notice period the Company will continue to pay the Executive his salary and allow him to enjoy contractual benefits under this Agreement.
9.3The Executive's duties and obligations whether contractual or otherwise shall continue in full force and effect during the notice period (Insofar as they are consistent with the Executive's being on garden leave)'but the Company shall have no duty to provide him with any work.
9.4Whether or not the Company exercises Its rights under this Clause 9 the Executive may not commence any other employment during the notice period.
9.5In the event that the Company exercises its right to require the Executive not to perform any work or not contact or detail with customers or suppliers under this clause then the period spent between the Company exercising such rights and the expiry of the notice period shall be set off against and therefore reduce the restrictive periods set out in clause 16.


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10.SUSPENSION

10.1In order to investigate any complaint of misconduct against the Executive and/or during the course of any disciplinary process to which he is subject, the Company shall be entitled to suspend him on full pay and with full entitlement to all other benefits to which he is entitled under this Agreement for so long as the Company considers necessary in order to facilitate a proper investigation of the complaint. During any period of suspension the powers set out in Clause 9.1 will apply.

11.PENSION
11.1Subject to Clause 11.3 the Executive is entitled to continue his membership of the Company's group personal pension plan which commenced on 1'' April 2010 ("the DC Scheme") and to which the Company will continue to contribute on his behalf.
11.2While the Executive remains a member of the DC Scheme, the Company will be entitled to deduct contributions from his salary for payment Into the DC Scheme on his behalf in accordance with his instructions and subject to the rules of the DC Scheme in force from time to time.
11.3The Company reserves the right to replace or withdraw access to the DC Scheme subject to the requirements to provide employees with access to a stakeholder plan or any wider requirements of legislation which might come in to force in the future.
11.4A contracting out certificate is not in force in relation to the Executive's employment
11.5If the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company by reason of Compulsory Redundancy then, without prejudice to his entitlement to statutory redundancy pay, he shall be entitled to the following benefits:
11.5.1If the Executive is aged 55 or more at the date of his Compulsory Redundancy, a pension from the Interface Europe Pension Scheme (the "Final Salary Scheme") calculated as follows:

The Executive's pension calculated in accordance with Rule 4.2.1 of Part Ill of the Rules of the Final Salary Scheme and using:

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(a)His Final Pensionable Pay at the date he ceased to accrue benefits under the Final Salary Scheme (for the avoidance of doubt, that date was 31 March 201O); and
(b)His Pensionable Service up to the date he ceased to accrue benefits under the Final Salary Scheme.
The Executive's accrued pension will be revalued, as required in law; from the date he ceased to accrue benefits under the Final Salary Scheme up to the date of his Compulsory Redundancy.
11.5.2The pension benefits specified In Clause 11.5.1 above shall be calculated on the basis that the Trustees exercised their discretion under Rule 4.2.1 of Part Ill of the Rules of the Final Salary Pension Scheme to consent to an unreduced pension being taken. The pension benefits specified in Clause 11.5.1 above shall be provided by augmenting the pension the Executive is entitled to under the Rules of the Final Salary Scheme subject only to the Company consenting to a special contribution being made to the Final Salary Scheme In accordance with Rule 6.3 of Part I of the Rules of the Final Salary Scheme
11.5.3"Final Pensionable Pay" and '.'Pensionable Service" In Clause 11.5.1 above shall have the same meanings as set out In Rule 1 of the rules of the Final Salary Scheme.
11.6For the purposes of Clause 11.5 the Executive's employment will be treated as having been terminated by reason of "Compulsory Redundancy" where all of the following conditions are satisfied:
11.6.1the termination counts as a dismissal for the purposes of Part XI of the Employment Rights Act 1996;
11.6.2the dismissal was by reason of redundancy, as defined by section 139 of the Employment Rights Act 1996;
11.6.3the Executive did not volunteer to be selected for redundancy;
11.6.4the Executive did not decline an offer of alternative employment or engagement with the Company or any Associated Company; and
11.6.5the Executive does not remain in employment or engagement with the Company or any associated company in any capacity

12.PERMANENT HEALTH INSURANCE & LIFE INSURANCE
12.1At the Company's discretion, during his employment provided that the executive is a member of the DC Scheme he will be entitled to participate at the Company's expense In the Company's permanent health Insurance scheme (the "PHI Scheme") subject always to the rules of the PHI Scheme for the time being in force (details of which are available on request from the HR Department), to the approval of the relevant Insurer and to the conditions set out In Clause 12.2. The Executive will be notified separately of the level of benefits to which he will be entitled.
12.2The Executive's participation in the PHI Scheme shall be on the basis that:
12.2.1If the insurer fails or refuses to provide him with any benefit under the PHI Scheme, he will have no right of action against the Company in respect of such a failure or refusal;

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12.2.2his health is such that the Company Is able to obtain cover or to obtain cover on terms and at a premium that the Company considers reasonable; and
12.2.3the Company will neither be liable to him for any failure or refusal on the part of the scheme insurer to provide any benefits under the PHI Scheme nor be required to attempt to persuade the insurers to provide any such benefits to him (whether by means of threatening or issuing proceedings against the insurer or otherwise).
12.3The Company reserves the right at any time to terminate the Executive's participation in the PHI Scheme and/or to withdraw or amend any of the rules or benefits of the PHI Scheme (Including the level of cover).
12.4Provided that the Executive Is a member of the DC Scheme, he will be provided with life assurance through a group life assurance arrangement. The group life assurance arrangement will be held under trust to ensure the most tax efficient treatment of any benefits should he die in service. The Company reserves the right at any time to terminate the Executive's participation in the life assurance scheme and/or to withdraw or amend any of the rules or benefits of the life assurance scheme (Including the level of cover).

13.COMPANY VEHICLES
13.1The Executive Is entitled in accordance with the Company's car policy as amended from time to time to either a motor car provided by the Company or a cash for car option. In either case his choice must be authorised by the Company. If he elects to take a car provided by the Company the Company shall pay all fuel, and all repairs and other reasonable expenses in connection therewith including costs of maintenance but excluding any income tax payable by the Executive as a benefit in kind.
13.2The Executive shall:
13.2.1comply with the Company's car policy as amended from time to time, including without limitation by taking good care of the car and ensuring that it is used in accordance with the terms of the Company's insurance policy; and
13.2.2shall return the vehicle in good condition together with any keys to the Company immediately following termination of his employment hereunder or at any other time if so requested by the Company for the purposes of Inspection.

14.HEALTH AND SAFETY
14.1.The Company attaches the highest priority to health and safety of its employees. All employees have a responsibility at work to take reasonable care for the safety, health and welfare of themselves and any other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions. Breach by any employee of any rules or regulation relating to health and safety will be regarded as a serious disciplinary matter. The Executive is required to familiarise himself with the requirements outlined In the Health and Safety policy, which Is available from the Human Resources department.
15.CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
15.1The Executive shall not, during the period of his employment with the Company, introduce to any other person, firm or Company, business of any kind with which the Company is able to deal, and he shall not have any financial Interest or derive any financial or other benefit form contracts or transactions made by the Company with any third party without first disclosing such interest or benefit to the Secretary of the Company and obtaining his written approval thereto.


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15.2If during the course of his employment the Executive wishes to:
15.2.1be engaged in any other paid employment; or
15.2.2have any outside business interests
he must first seek written permission from the company secretary of the Company in accordance with the Company's Code of Business Conducts & Ethics as amended from time to time.
16.CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
16.1The Executive is aware that in the course of his employment he will have access to and be entrusted with information in respect of the business and finances of the Company and its dealings, transactions and affairs and likewise in relation to any Group Company all of which information is or may be Confidential Information. Accordingly the Executive gives the undertakings set out in this Clause 16 to the Company for itself and for the benefit of and as trustee for any Group Company.
16.2The Executive shall not during his employment or afterwards use, exploit (except for the benefit of the Company or the Group) or divulge to any third party by any means any Confidential Information except he shall be permitted to do so:-
16.2.1when necessary in the proper performance of the duties of his employment;
16.2.2with the express written consent of the board of the Company; or
16.2.3where this is required by law.
16.3The Executive shall, during his employment, use his best endeavours to prevent the unauthorised use or disclosure of any Confidential Information whether by any other officer, employee or agent of the Company or Group Company or otherwise and shall be under an obligation promptly and freely to report to the board of the Company and the CEO any such unauthorised use or disclosure which comes to his knowledge.
16.4The Executive shall not, during his employment or at any time thereafter make, except for the benefit of the Company or any Group Company, any copy, record, or memorandum (whether recorded in writing, on computer disk or tape or otherwise) of any Confidential Information and any such copy record or memorandum made by him during his employment shall be and remain the property of the Company and accordingly shall be returned by him to the Company at any time during or after the end of his employment at the request of the board of the Company.
16.5In this Agreement "Confidential Information" means:-
16.5.1all information which relates to the business, finances, transactions, affairs, products, services, processes, equipment or activities of the Company and any other Group Company which is designated by the Company or any Group Company as confidential; and
16.5.2all information relating to such matters which comes to the Executive's knowledge in the course of his employment and which, by reason of its character and/or the manner of its coming to his knowledge, is evidently confidential; and




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16.5.3all information which relates to the business, finances, transactions, affairs, products, processes, equipment or activities of actual or potential clients, customers, suppliers or other persons which has been given to the Company or any Group Company in confidence

provided that Information shall not be, or shall cease to be, Confidential Information if and to the extent that it comes to be in the public domain otherwise than as a result of the unauthorised act or default by the Executive.
16.6Nothing in this Clause 16 shall prevent the Executive from disclosing Information which he Is entitled to disclose under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 provided that the disclosure is made in the appropriate way to an appropriate person having regard to the provisions of the Act and he has first complied with the Company's procedures relating to sucl1 disclosures.
16.7This Clause Is without prejudice to the Executive's obligations under Clause 19 (data protection).
16.8For the purposes of this Agreement "Group Company" means any company which Is either a holding company of the Company; a subsidiary of the Company or the Company's holding company; or any associated company of the Company.

17.POST TERMINATION COVENANTS
17.1For the purposes of this Clause the following words and expressions shall have the following meanings:
17.1.1"Business"    the business or businesses of the Company or any other Group Company in or with which the Executive has been involved or concerned at any time during the period of 12 months prior to the Termination Date
17.1.2"directly or indirectly"    The Executive acting either alone and on his own behalf or jointly with or on behalf of any other person, firm or company, whether as principal, partner, manager, employee, contractor, director, consultant, investor or otherwise
17.1.3"Key Personnel"    any person who is at the Termination Date or was at any time during the period of 12 months prior to the Termination Date employed or engaged as a consultant in the Business in an executive or senior managerial capacity and with whom the Executive had dealings other than in a de minimis way during the course of his employment
17.1.4"Prospective Customer"    any person, firm or company which has been engaged in negotiations, with which the Executive had been personally involved, with the Company or any Group Company with a view to purchasing goods and services from the Company or any Group Company during the period of 6 months prior to the Termination Date
17.1.5"Relevant Area"    Europe
17.1.6"Relevant Customer"    any person, firm or company which at any time during the 12 months prior to the Termination Date, was a customer of the Company or any Group Company, with whom or which the Executive had dealt directly other than in a de minimis way or for whom or which he was responsible in a supervisory or managerial capacity on behalf of the Company or any Group Company at any time during the said period
17.1.7"Relevant Goods and Services"    any goods and services competitive with those supplied by the Company or any Group Company at any time during the 12 months prior to the Termination Date in the supply of which the Executive was directly involved or concerned at any time during the said period


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17.1.8"Relevant Period"    the period of employment and, for the purposes of Clause 17.2, the period of 6 months from the Termination Date and, for the purposes of Clauses 17.3 and 17.4, the period of 12 months from the Termination Date except that any period of garden leave served by the Executive pursuant to Clause 9 shall reduce the Relevant Period accordingly
17.1.9"Relevant Supplier"    any person, firm or company which at any time during the 12 months prior to the Termination Date was a supplier of goods or services (other than utilities and goods or services supplied for administrative purposes) to the Company or any Group Company and with whom or which the Executive had personal dealings during the Employment other than in a de minimis way.
17.1.10"Termination Date"    the date on which the Executive's employment shall terminate
17.2Without prejudice to Clause 15 the Executive shall not without the prior written consent of the CEO directly or indirectly at any time within the Relevant Period engage or be concerned or interested in any business within the Relevant Area which (a) competes or (b) will at any time during the Relevant Period compete with the Business.
17.3The Executive shall not, other than during his employment in the ordinary and proper course of his duties and for the benefit of the Company, without the prior written consent of the CEO directly or indirectly at any time within the Relevant Period:
17.3.1solicit the custom of; or
17.3.2facilitate the solicitation of; or
17.3.3deal with
any Relevant Customer in respect of any Relevant Goods and Services; or
17.3.4solicit the custom of; or
17.3.5facilitate the solicitation of; or
17.3.6deal with
any Prospective Customer in respect of any Relevant Goods and Services; or
17.3.7Interfere; or
17.3.8endeavour to Interfere
with the continuance of supplies to the Company and/or any other Group Company (or the terms relating to those supplies) by any Relevant Supplier.
17.4The Executive shall not without the prior written consent of the CEO directly or indirectly at any time during the Relevant Period:
17.4.1entice away from the Company or any other Group Company; or
17.4.2endeavour to entice away from the Company or any other Group Company
any Key Personnel.



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17.5The Executive acknowledges that because of the nature of his duties and the particular responsibilities arising as a result of such duties he has or will have knowledge of Confidential Information and is therefore in a position to harm the goodwill and Interests of the Company and any Group Companies ("the Interests") if he were to make use of such Confidential Information for his own purposes or the purposes of another. Accordingly, having regard to the above, the Executive acknowledges that the provisions of this Clause are fair, reasonable and necessary to protect the Interests. Whilst the provisions of this Clause 17 have been framed with a view to ensuring that the Interests are adequately protected taking account of the Group's legitimate expectations of the future development of the business, it is acknowledged by the Executive that the business may change over time and as a result it may become necessary to amend the provisions of this Clause 17 in order to ensure that the Interests remain adequately protected. The Executive, therefore, agrees that the Company shall be entitled to amend the provisions of this Clause 17 in order to protect the Interests.
17.6The Executive acknowledges that the provisions of this Clause 17 shall constitute severable undertakings given to the Company for itself and for the benefit of and as trustee for each of the other Group Companies and the said undertakings may be enforced by the Company on Its own behalf and on behalf of any of the Group Companies.
17.7Each of the obligations in this Clause 17 Is an entire separate and Independent restriction on the Executive. If any part is found to be invalid or unenforceable the remainder will remain valid and enforceable.
17.8If any of the restrictions or obligations contained in this Clause 17 Is held not to be valid on the basis that it exceeds what is reasonable for the protection of the goodwill and interests of the Company and any Group Company but would be valid if part of the wording were deleted then such restrictions or obligations shall apply with such deletions as may be necessary to make It enforceable.
17.9The Executive acknowledges and agrees that he shall be obliged to draw the provisions of this Clause 17 to the attention of any third party who may at any time before or after the termination of the Employment offer to employ or engage the Executive in any capacity and for whom or with whom the Executive Intends to work during the Relevant Period.
17.10The Executive shall, at the request and cost of the Company, enter into a direct agreement or undertaking with any other Group Company to which the Executive provides services whereby he will accept restrictions corresponding to the restrictions in this Clause (or such of them as may be appropriate in the circumstances) as the Company may require in the circumstances.
17.11The Executive agrees that if the Company transfers all or any part of Its business to a third party ("the Transferee"), the restrictions contained in this Clause 17 shall, with effect from the date that the Executive becomes an employee of the Transferee, apply to the Executive as if references to the Company include the Transferee and references to any Group Company include any Group Company of the Transferee.


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18.INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
18.1If during the course of his Employment the Executive alone or with others (including without limitation those others who are under his direction) makes, discovers, develops, or directs the discovery of any Invention he shall promptly disclose It to the Board giving full particulars of it including all necessary drawings, know how, models, specifications or other material related to the Invention, and the Executive agrees and acknowledges that:
18.1.1because of the nature of his duties and the responsibilities arising from them he has a special obligation to further the interests of the Company so that all Inventions made, discovered, developed, or directed by the Executive in the performance of his duties or as a result of any special project for the Company outside the scope of his normal duties and all rights in such Inventions shall belong to the Company and the Executive acknowledges that at the date of this Agreement he does not have any facilities for making Inventions other than those provided by the Company or any Group Company under this Agreement; and
18.1.2the provisions of this sub-clause:
(a)shall not entitle the Executive to any compensation beyond the salary to which he Is entitled under Clause 4 of this Agreement except that nothing In this Agreement excludes or restricts any rights which the Executive may have to claim additional compensation by virtue of section 40 of the Patents Act 1977, in the case of any Invention in relation to which a British patent has been granted, and in relation to which the Company has derived outstanding benefit from such Invention and/or the patent for It; and
(b)shall not restrict the Executive's rights under sections 39 to 43 of the Patents Act 1977.
18.2The Executive hereby waives all and any moral rights (as defined in Chapter IV of the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988).
18.3The Executive shall, at the cost of the Company and on demand, execute all such documents and do all such other acts as the Company shall require to enable the Company or its nominee to obtain the full benefit of any Invention (and all the rights therein) or Intellectual Property Rights In any Material to which the Company is entitled and to secure (in the case of all registered Intellectual Property Rights) such registration or similar protection in any part of the world as the Company may consider appropriate.
18.4The Executive shall, for a period not exceeding 5 years from the date of termination of this Agreement give to the Company, or any successor In title there from, such assistance as the Company may require (In Its absolute discretion) in connection with any dispute or threatened dispute directly or indirectly relating to any Invention or Intellectual Property Right In any Material or any associated right or registration or other protection in respect thereof (including but not limited to the execution of documents, the swearing of any declarations or oaths, the providing of information and the participation in any proceedings before any Court or tribunal).
18.5The Executive shall not disclose to any other Person without the consent of the Company being previously obtained (which if given may be subject to conditions) the details of any Invention or Material.


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18.6The Executive hereby irrevocably appoints the Company to be his attorney in his name and on his behalf to execute or sign all such documents and to do all such acts as may be necessary or desirable to give effect to this Clause 18.
18.7If the Executive shall during the Employment make or discover any Invention, or write, originate, produce, devise, conceive, create, develop or direct any Material (whether alone or with others (Including without limitation those others who are under his direction) and whether in the performance of his duties or as a result of any special project for the Company outside the scope of his normal duties), in which despite the previous provisions of this Clause, any Intellectual Property Rights (including any patents) belong to the Executive and not the Company then the Executive shall If so required by the Board:-    ·
18.7.1assign such rights to the Company or Its nominee; and
18.7.2until such rights shall be fully and absolutely vested in the Company shall hold the same as trustee for the Company.
18.8Decisions as to the patenting and exploitation of any Invention shall be at the sole discretion of the Company and the Company shall not be under any obligation to take any step or register any patent or other right in respect of, or to develop or exploit, any Invention or Material discovered, written, originated, produced, devised, conceived, created, developed or directed by the Executive.
18.9Nothing in this Clause shall be taken to limit or derogate from the obligations of the Executive under Clause 16 (confidential information).

19.DATA PROTECTION
19.1The Executive shall at all times during the Employment act in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 ("the 1998 Act") and any equivalent laws applicable in Europe and shall comply with any policy introduced by the Company from time to time to comply with the 1998 Act or such other laws. Breach of this undertaking will constitute a serious disciplinary offence.
19.2The Executive agrees to provide the Company In its capacity as Data Controller with all Personal Data relating to him which is necessary or reasonably required for the proper performance of this Agreement, the administration of the employment relationship (both during and after the Employment) or the conduct of the Company's business or where such provision is required by law ("the Authorised Purposes").
19.3The Executive explicitly consents to the Company or any Group Company processing his Personal Data, including his Sensitive Personal Data, where this Is necessary or reasonably required to achieve one or more of the Authorised Purposes (including without \imitation any self-certification forms or medical certificates supplied to the Company to explain the Executive's absence by reason of Illness or Injury, any records of sickness absence, any medical reports or health assessments and any Information relating to any criminal convictions or any criminal charges secured or brought against him).
19.4The Executive acknowledges that the Company may, from time to time collect or disclose his Personal Data (including his Sensitive Personal Data) from and to third parties (including without limitation the Executive's referees, any management consultants or computer maintenance companies engaged by the Company, the Company's professional advisers, other Group Companies and any potential purchasers of the business). The Executive consents to such collection and disclosure even where this Involves the transfer of such data outside the European Economic Area where this is necessary or reasonably required to achieve one or more of the Authorised Purposes or Is In the interests of the Company and/or Its shareholders.


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19.5The Company agrees to process any Personal Data made available to It by the Executive In accordance with the provisions of the 1998 Act.
19.6In this Clause "Data Controller" "Personal Data" "processing" and "Sensitive Personal Data" shall have the meaning set out in sections 1 and 2 of the 1998 Act.

20.THIRD PARTY RIGHTS
20.1The Company and the Executive agree that no term of this Agreement (including the terms of any documents incorporated either expressly or by implication into this Agreement) shall be enforceable by a Third Party In his own right by virtue of section 1(1) of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 and for the avoidance of doubt this Agreement may be rescinded or varied in whole or in part by agreement between the Company and the Executive without the consent of any such Third Party.
20.2For the purposes of this Clause a "Third Party" means any person who ls not named as a party to this Agreement.

21.PREVIOUS AGREEMENTS
21.1This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between the parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all previous agreements and undertakings (if any) relating to the employment of the Executive by the Company or any Group Company.
21.2The Executive acknowledges that he has not been induced to enter into this Agreement by any representation, warranty or undertaking not expressly Incorporated into it. The Executive agrees and acknowledges that his only rights and remedies in relation to any representation, warranty or undertaking made or given in connection with this Agreement (unless such representation, warranty or undertaking was made fraudulently) will be for breach of the terms of this Agreement, to the exclusion of all other rights and remedies (including those in tort or arising under statute).
22.NOTICES
22.1Any notice to be given under this Agreement by either party shall be in writing and if given by the Company shall be signed by a Director (other than the Executive) or some other duly authorised officer or agent of the Company and ii given by the Executive shall be signed by him.    
22.2Any notice to the Company shall ber served at the address of its registered office for the time being. A copy of any notice to the Company shall also be delivered to the General Counsel of Interface, Inc., to its registered office for the time being. Such notice and the copy may be delivered by hand or sent by first class recorded delivery post.
22.3Any notice to the Executive shall be served on him in person or at his last known private address ln the United Kingdom and may be delivered by hand to that address or sent by first class recorded delivery post.

23.LAW AND JURISDICTION
23.1This Agreement is governed by and shall be construed in accordance with English law.
23.2The parties submit to the exclusive Jurisdiction of the English courts with regard to any dispute or claim arising under this Agreement except to the extent that It Is provided elsewhere in this Agreement that such dispute or claim should be resolved by any person acting as an expert.


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24.GENERAL PROVISIONS
24.1Any amendment to this Agreement must be recorded in writing and signed by the parties to be effective.
24.2The complete or partial invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement for any purpose shall in no way affect:
24.2.1the validity or enforceability of such provisions for any other purpose;
24.2.2the remainder of such provisions; or
24.2.3the remaining provisions of this Agreement.
24.3No waiver by the Company other than one made in writing by resolution of the Board of any breach by the Executive of any provision of this Agreement and no failure, delay or forbearance by the Company in exercising any of Its rights shall be taken to be a waiver of such breach or right or shall prevent the Company from later taking any action or making any claim in respect of such breach or right.
24.4The parties agree that they have negotiated the terms of this Agreement on an equal footing and that accordingly the contra proferentem rule shall not apply to the interpretation of this Agreement.
24.5This Agreement may be executed in counterparts which together shall constitute one Agreement. Either party may enter into this Agreement by executing a counterpart and this Agreement shall not take effect until it has been executed by both parties. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page by facsimile shall take effect as delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement provided that the relevant party shall give the other the original counterpart (including such signature page) as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter.
24.6This Agreement includes the written statement of particulars of employment which the Company is required to give the Executive under section 1 of the Employment Rights Act 1996 and therefore no separate written statement will be provided. Whilst most of the particulars are set out in the body of the Agreement some are set out in Schedule 2.

EXECUTED AS A DEED by the parties on the date which first appears in this Deed.


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Schedule 1

Lead and coach the product, innovation and design teams to gain maximum commercial advantage from the product range, positioning lnterfaceFLOR as the flooring supplier of choice with Architects, Designers, Flooring Contractors and other key customer groups.
Align the portfolio, Innovation pipeline and product development with the strategic needs of the business Including the revenue growth team, product focus team, developing new, innovative and sustainable modular flooring categories.
Develop networks and relationships with both Internal and external stakeholders to identify, nurture and exploit innovative concepts for Interiors and flooring, ensuring that lnterfaceFLOR Is at the cutting edge, creating a competitive, sustainable and diverse product portfolio.
Identify and establish a range of available funding streams from government, private sector, NGO and partnerships to drive research and development for the European business.
Create partnerships and teams capable of delivering the business case for Innovation projects
Develop strategic foundation platforms to deliver the expected growth targets top- and bottom-line creating new business Ideas and take them through to commercialisation

Schedule 2

Statement of Additional Information

The following Information Is given to supplement the Information given in the body of the Agreement and to comply with the requirements of section 1 of the Employment Rights Act 1996. The information contained in this Schedule relates to matters which are not included or Incorporated within the Contract of Employment, do not form part of your terms and conditions of employment, and are set out for Information only.
1.There are no collective agreements which directly affect the terms and conditions of the employment.
2.You are not required to work outside the UK for a period in excess of one month and accordingly there are no particulars in this regard relevant to the employment.
3.The procedure for disciplining you and/or dismissing you for matters relating to performance or conduct is set out in the Company's Disciplinary Procedure from time to time in force.
4.If dissatisfied with any disciplinary decision or decision to dismiss you, you can appeal to the Human Resources Manager under the Company's Disciplinary Procedure.
5.The Company's Grievance Procedure from time to time in force specifies to whom you should apply for the redress of any grievance relating to the employment and the manner in which such application should be made.
6.There is not a contracting out certificate in force stating that the employment is contracted out employment for the purposes of Part III of the Pension Schemes Act 1993,

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SIGNED as a Deed
(but not delivered until dated) by
Nigel Stansfiled /s/ Nigel Stansfield
in the presence of:
 
 
Signature of witness: /s/ K M Hunter
 
 
Name of witness: K M Hunter
 
Address: 34 The Muirlands
Bradley
Huddersfield
 
Occupation: PA - CEO



EXECUTED as a Deed (but not delivered Director
until dated) by Interface Europe Ltd /s/ Lindsey Parnell
acting by two Directors or a Director
and the Secretary: Director/Secretary
/s/ Simon Carlton


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Exhibit 10.19

SEVERANCE PROTECTION AND CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT

THIS SEVERANCE PROTECTION AND CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the ___ day of ____, 20__ (the “Effective Date”), by and between Interface, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Georgia, U.S.A. (the “Company”), and ______, a resident of _____ (“Executive”).

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, Executive is an executive officer of the Company;

WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide Executive with certain severance benefits if the Executive’s employment is terminated involuntarily under certain circumstances;

WHEREAS, the Company recognizes that the possibility of a Change in Control (as hereinafter defined) exists and that the threat or occurrence of a Change in Control can result in significant distractions of its executive personnel because of the uncertainties inherent in such a situation; and

WHEREAS, the Company has determined that it is essential and in its best interests (and in the best interests of its shareowners) to retain the services of the Executive in the event of a threat or occurrence of a Change in Control and to ensure Executive’s continued dedication and efforts in such event without undue concern for Executive’s personal financial and employment security;

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:




1.Term
Unless earlier terminated as hereinafter provided, the duration of this Agreement (the “Term”) shall be for a rolling, two-year period commencing on the Effective Date, and shall be deemed automatically (without further action by either the Company or Executive) to extend each day for an additional day such that the remaining Term of this Agreement shall continue to be two years; provided, however, that (i) either party may, by written notice to the other, cause this Agreement to cease to extend automatically and, upon such notice, the remaining Term of this Agreement shall be two years following the date of such notice, after which period the Term of this Agreement shall expire; (ii) on Executive’s 63rd birthday, this Agreement shall cease to extend automatically and, on such date, the remaining Term of this Agreement shall be two years, after which period the Term of this Agreement shall expire; and (iii) this Agreement (and the Term thereof) shall end on the date Executive’s employment terminates; provided, to the extent applicable by their terms and under the circumstances in which Executive’s employment terminates, Sections 2(d) and 4 below shall survive the Term of this Agreement. This Agreement shall not be considered an employment agreement and in no way guarantees Executive the right to continue in the employment of the Company or its affiliates. Executive’s employment is considered employment at will, subject to Executive’s right to receive payments and benefits upon certain terminations of employment as provided in this Agreement.
2.Termination
(a)    Definitions.
In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them below.

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(i) “Cause
shall mean, for purposes of this Agreement (except with respect to a Section 409A Separation from Service following a Change in Control, which is addressed in Section 4(a)(i) hereof), the determination by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) in its sole discretion that: (A) Executive has committed or participated in fraud, dishonesty, gross negligence, or willful misconduct with respect to business affairs of the Company (including its subsidiaries and affiliated companies), (B) Executive has refused or repeatedly failed to follow the established lawful policies of the Company applicable to persons occupying the same or similar positions, (C) Executive has materially breached this Agreement, or (D) Executive has been convicted of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude. A termination of Executive for Cause based on clause (A), (B) or (C) of the preceding sentence shall take effect 30 days after Executive receives from the Company written notice of intent to terminate and the Company’s description of the alleged Cause, unless Executive shall, during such 30-day period, remedy the events or circumstances constituting Cause; provided, however, such termination shall take effect immediately upon the giving of written notice of termination for Cause under any of such clauses if the Company shall have determined in good faith that such events or circumstances are not remediable (which determination shall be stated in such notice). A termination of Executive for Cause based on clause (D) of the second preceding sentence shall take effect immediately upon receipt by Executive of written notice from the Company of such termination.
(ii) “Section 409A Separation from Service
(iii) shall mean a separation from service with the Company and affiliated entities, as defined in Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code Section 409A”) and guidance issued thereunder. As a general overview, under Code Section 409A, an employee will separate from service if the employee retires or otherwise has a termination of employment determined in accordance with the following:

(A)    Leaves of Absence
The employment relationship is treated as continuing intact while Executive is on military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence if the period of such leave does not exceed six months, or, if longer, so long as Executive retains a right to reemployment with the Company under an applicable statute or by contract. A leave of absence constitutes a bona fide leave of absence only if there is a reasonable expectation that Executive will return to perform services for the Company. If the period of leave exceeds six months and Executive does not retain a right to reemployment under an applicable statute or by contract, the employment relationship is deemed to terminate on the first day immediately following such six-month period.

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(B)     Status Change
Generally, if Executive performs services both as an employee and an independent contractor, Executive must separate from service both as an employee and as an independent contractor, pursuant to standards set forth in the applicable regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Treasury under Code Section 409A (“Treasury Regulations”), to be treated as having a separation from service. However, if Executive provides services to the Company as an employee and as a member of the Board, the services provided as a director are not taken into account in determining whether Executive has a separation from service as an employee for purposes of this Agreement.
(C)     Termination of Employment
Whether a termination of employment has occurred is determined based on whether the facts and circumstances indicate that the Company and Executive reasonably anticipate that no further services would be performed after a certain date or that the level of bona fide services Executive would perform after such date (whether as an employee or as an independent contractor) would permanently decrease to no more than 49 percent of the average level of bona fide services performed (whether as an employee or an independent contractor) over the immediately preceding 36-month period (or the full period of services to the Company if Executive has been providing services to the Company less than 36 months). Facts and circumstances to be considered in making this determination include, but are not limited to, whether Executive continues to be treated as an employee for other purposes (such as continuation of salary and participation in employee benefit programs), and whether similarly situated service providers have been treated consistently. For periods during which Executive is on a paid bona fide leave of absence and has not otherwise terminated employment as described in subsection (A) above, for purposes of this subsection (C), Executive is treated as providing bona fide services at a level equal to the level of services that Executive would have been required to perform to receive the compensation paid with respect to such leave of absence. Periods during which Executive is on an unpaid bona fide leave of absence and has not otherwise terminated employment are disregarded for purposes of this clause (C) (including for purposes of determining the applicable 36-month (or shorter) period).
(D)    Service with Affiliates
For purposes of determining whether a separation from service has occurred under the above provisions, the “Company” shall include the Company and all entities that would be treated as a single employer with the Company under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), but substituting “at least 50 percent” instead of “at least 80 percent” each place it appears in applying such rules.
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(b)    Termination by the Company After Notice of Resignation
Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment at any time, effective 90 days after delivery to the Company of Executive’s signed, written resignation. The Company may accept said resignation and, at its option, terminate Executive’s employment before the end of such 90-day period; provided, if Executive has given such 90 days’ notice, then the Company shall pay Executive, in lieu of waiting for passage of the notice period and in addition to the amounts payable to Executive pursuant to Section 3 below, an amount equal to the salary that would have been paid to Executive through the end of the notice period had his actual employment continued. Any such amount payable by the Company (in lieu of waiting for the passage of the notice period) for the period after Executive’s actual termination of employment shall be paid in a single lump-sum cash payment within 30 days after the date of Executive’s actual termination of employment.
(c)    Termination by the Company
Subject to the terms of Section 2(d) below, the Company may terminate Executive’s employment, in its sole discretion, whether with or without Cause, at any time upon written notice to Executive.
(d)     Termination Without Cause
If, prior to the end of the Term of this Agreement, the Company terminates Executive’s employment with the Company without Cause such that Executive incurs a Section 409A Separation from Service upon the date of such termination, Executive shall be entitled to receive the compensation and benefits set forth in clauses (i) through (vi) below. The time periods for which compensation and benefits will be provided with respect to clauses (i) through (v) below is referred to herein as the “Continuation Period,” which means the 12-month period following the date of Executive’s termination of employment. Executive shall have no duty to mitigate any of the damages or amounts payable hereunder. The fact that Executive is eligible for retirement, including early retirement, under any applicable retirement plans or agreements at the time of Executive’s termination shall not make Executive ineligible to receive benefits under this Section 2(d).

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(i)    Salary
Executive will continue to receive an amount equal to his current salary (the “Continued Salary Payments”) for and during the Continuation Period. For purposes hereof, Executive’s “current salary” shall be the highest rate in effect during the six-month period prior to Executive’s termination of employment. Executive will receive the Continued Salary Payments on a semi-monthly basis, payable on or about the fifteenth day and last day of each calendar month, in substantially equal installments, beginning on the earliest such payment date following the date of Executive’s termination of employment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the payment of any portion of the Continued Salary Payments that (A) is not exempt from Code Section 409A, and (B) is payable (based on the payment schedule hereinabove) before, or within the six-month period immediately following, the date of Executive’s Section 409A Separation from Service, will be delayed and will be made in a single lump-sum cash payment upon the day after the six-month anniversary of Executive’s Section 409A Separation from Service.
(ii)    Bonus

Executive also shall remain eligible to receive a prorated bonus under the regular executive bonus program (as amended, the “Executive Bonus Plan”) for the year in which Executive’s employment terminates. Such bonus shall be equal to (A) the bonus otherwise earned by and payable to Executive for the year in which Executive’s employment terminates, (B) multiplied by the number of days Executive worked in the year of Executive’s employment termination, (C) divided by 365 days (the “Prorated Bonus”). The Prorated Bonus shall be paid in cash (A) if the Company’s fiscal year in which Executive’s employment terminates ends in December of a calendar year, during the period beginning on January 1 of the next succeeding calendar year and ending on the date that is 2 ½ months after the end of such fiscal year; or (B) if the Company’s fiscal year in which Executive’s employment terminates ends in January of a calendar year, during the 2 ½-month period beginning on the first day of the next succeeding fiscal year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (x) the Prorated Bonus is not exempt from Code Section 409A, and (y) the Prorated Bonus is payable (based on the payment timing hereinabove) within the six-month period immediately following the date of Executive’s Section 409A Separation from Service, the payment of the Prorated Bonus will be delayed and will be made in a single lump-sum cash payment upon the day after the six-month anniversary of Executive’s Section 409A Separation from Service. Any bonus amounts that Executive had previously earned from the Company but which may not yet have been paid as of the date of termination shall not be affected by this provision.

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(iii)      Health Insurance Coverages
To the extent (A) Executive and his spouse and dependent children are and remain eligible for continued Company group health plan coverage under the continuation provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”) but in no event for longer than the 12-month period immediately following the date of Executive’s termination of employment, and (B) Executive elects to continue his, his spouse’s and/or his dependent children’s Company group health insurance benefit coverages under COBRA, then Executive shall pay for such continuation coverage the same amount as is charged to similarly-situated active employees of the Company. The Company shall pay on behalf of Executive the remainder of the cost of such continuation coverage and shall report such amount as taxable income on Executive’s Form W-2. Executive shall pay his portion of such cost by separate check payable to the Company each month in advance (or in such other manner, such as withholding a portion of monthly payments otherwise payable to Executive hereunder, as the Company may agree).
(iv)    Stock Awards
To the extent expressly provided in any award agreement granted to Executive under the Interface, Inc. Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (Amended and Restated effective February 18, 2015) and any similar plan(s) in effect at the time of Executive’s termination of employment (collectively, the “Stock Plans”), (A) outstanding stock options (and stock appreciation rights, if any) granted to Executive under the Stock Plans shall become vested and thus immediately exercisable, and (B) restrictions on, and vesting requirements for, shares of restricted stock (or other performance shares, performance units or deferred shares) awarded to Executive under the Stock Plans shall lapse, and such shares and awards shall become vested and immediately payable to Executive.
(v)    Employee Retirement Plans
Upon the termination of Executive’s employment, Executive shall no longer actively participate in the tax-qualified employee retirement plans maintained by the Company.
(vi)    Other Benefits
Except as expressly provided herein, all other benefits provided to Executive as an active employee of the Company (e.g., car allowance, etc.) shall cease on the date of his termination of employment, provided that any conversion or extension rights applicable to such benefits shall be made available to Executive at the date of his termination of employment or when such coverages otherwise cease. Except as expressly provided herein, for all other plans sponsored by the Company, the Executive’s employment shall be treated as terminated on the date of his termination of employment and Executive’s right to benefits shall be determined under the terms of such plans; provided, however, in no event will Executive be entitled to severance payments or benefits under any other severance plan, policy, program or agreement of the Company.
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(vii)    Cessation Upon Death
The continuation benefits payable or to be provided under clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) of this Section 2(d) shall cease in the event of Executive’s death. (The foregoing shall not operate or be construed to negate the benefits payable to Executive and Executive’s estate under the plans and policies referenced in clauses (iii), (iv) and (v) of this Section 2(d) or under any other plans and policies referenced in this Agreement. Furthermore, in the event of Executive’s death following a Change in Control, the provisions of Section 4(c)(iii) shall govern.)
(viii)    Additional Consideration
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company’s obligation to pay the amounts and provide the benefits described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) of this Section 2(d) are expressly conditioned on both (i) Executive’s compliance with the terms of the restrictive covenants set forth in Section 5, and (ii) with respect to all payments to be made 60 or more days after Executive’s date of termination of employment as described in this Section 2(d), Executive entering into, and not revoking during any time period during which revocation is permitted, a release in favor of the Company, its affiliates and other related persons, and any confidentiality agreement or other documents, in such form and terms as the Company may reasonably request. If Executive fails to enter into such a release on or before the date on which any such payment is to be made or if Executive revokes such release, Executive shall permanently forfeit his right to such payment. In addition, to be entitled to receive such compensation and benefits, Executive shall, for so long as Executive is entitled to such compensation and benefits, cooperate fully with and devote Executive’s reasonable best efforts to providing assistance requested by the Company. Such assistance shall not (A) require Executive to be active in the Company’s day-to-day activities or engage in any substantial travel, or (B) be of such a level of service to prevent Executive from incurring a Section 409A Separation from Service; and Executive shall be reimbursed for all reasonable and necessary out-of-pocket business expenses incurred in providing such assistance. Any reimbursements made pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be made as soon as practicable, but not later than 30 days after Executive submits evidence of such expenses to the Company.

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3.Effect of Other Termination Events
If Executive is terminated for Cause prior to the end of the Term of this Agreement, then Executive shall be entitled to no payment or compensation whatsoever from the Company under this Agreement, other than such salary, reimbursable expenses and other amounts as may properly be due Executive through Executive’s last day of employment. If Executive voluntarily resigns from employment (other than a Separation from Service for Good Reason, as defined in Section 4(a)(iv) below), then Executive shall be entitled to an amount equal to: (a) Executive’s salary, reimbursable expenses and other amounts as may be due Executive through the last day of Executive’s employment, and (b) the annual bonus for the fiscal year in which Executive’s employment terminates, prorated through the last day of Executive’s employment (the amount of such bonus to be determined by the Company based on the audited year-end financial results of the Company). If Executive’s employment is terminated due to Executive’s disability (as defined in the Company’s long-term disability plan or insurance policy) or death, Executive shall be entitled to the amounts described in the preceding sentence, as well as any amounts that may be due under the Company’s short and long-term disability plans or, in the case of death, the Company’s life insurance payment policy or plan in effect for executives of Executive’s level or pursuant to the terms of any separate agreement concerning life insurance; provided, Executive or Executive’s estate, as the case may be, shall not by operation of this provision forfeit any rights in which Executive is vested (or becomes vested) at the time of Executive’s disability or death (including, without limitation, the rights and benefits provided under the Stock Plans or any applicable retirement plans).

    Executive or, if appropriate, Executive’s spouse, estate or other beneficiary (as applicable) shall receive the amounts due under the first sentence of this Section 3 and clause (a) of the second sentence of this Section 3 in a single lump-sum cash payment within 30 days after the date of Executive’s termination of employment.

    Executive or, if appropriate, Executive’s spouse, estate or other beneficiary, shall receive the amounts due under clause (b) of the second sentence of this Section 3 in a single lump-sum cash payment as follows: (A) if the Company’s fiscal year in which Executive’s employment terminates ends in December of a calendar year, during the period beginning on January 1 of the next succeeding calendar year and ending on the date that is 2 ½ months after the end of such fiscal year; or (B) if the Company’s fiscal year in which Executive’s employment terminates ends in January of a calendar year, during the 2 ½-month period beginning on the first day of the next succeeding fiscal year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (x) the Prorated Bonus is payable due to a Code Section 409A Separation from Service and is not exempt from Code Section 409A, and (y) the Prorated Bonus is payable (based on the payment timing hereinabove) within the six-month period immediately following the date of Executive’s Section 409A Separation from Service, the payment of the Prorated Bonus will be delayed and will be made in a single lump-sum cash payment upon the day after the six-month anniversary of Executive’s Section 409A Separation from Service.

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4.Change in Control
(a)Definitions
In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them below.
(i) “Cause
shall mean, with respect to any Section 409A Separation from Service following a Change in Control: (A) an act that constitutes, on the part of Executive, fraud, dishonesty, gross negligence or willful misconduct and which directly results in injury to the Company, or (B) Executive’s conviction of a felony or other crime involving moral turpitude. A termination of Executive for Cause based on clause (A) of the preceding sentence shall take effect 30 days after the Company gives written notice of such termination to Executive specifying the conduct deemed to qualify as Cause, unless Executive shall, during such 30-day period, remedy the events or circumstances constituting Cause to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company. A termination for Cause based on clause (B) above shall take effect immediately upon the Company’s delivery of the termination notice.
(ii) “Change in Control
shall mean a change of ownership or effective control of the Company, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, all within the meaning of Code Section 409A and guidance issued thereunder. As a general overview, Code Section 409A defines “change in control” as any of the following:
(A)    Change in the Ownership of the Company
. A change in ownership of the Company occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires ownership of stock of the Company that, together with stock then held by such person or group, constitutes more than 50 percent of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company. However, if any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, is considered to own more than 50 percent of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company, the acquisition of additional stock by the same person or persons is not considered to cause a change in the ownership of the Company or to cause a change in the effective control of the Company. An increase in the percentage of stock owned by any one person, or persons acting as a group, as a result of a transaction in which the Company acquires its stock in exchange for property will be treated as an acquisition of stock for purposes of this clause (A). This clause (A) applies only when there is a transfer of stock of the Company (or issuance of stock of the Company) and stock in the Company remains outstanding after the transaction.

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(B)    Change in the Effective Control of the Company
A change in the effective control of the Company will occur on either of the following dates:
(1)    The date any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) ownership of stock of the Company possessing 30 percent or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; or
(2)    The date a majority of members of the Board is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Company’s Board before the date of the appointment or election.
(C)    Change in the Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Company’s Assets
A change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group, acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 40 percent of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately before such acquisition or acquisitions.
(iii) “Involuntary Separation from Service
(and “Involuntarily Separated from Service” and other similar terms) shall mean a Section 409A Separation from Service brought about as a direct result of the independent exercise of the unilateral authority of the Company to terminate Executive’s services (other than at Executive’s request) at a time when Executive is willing and able to continue services, for any reason other than for Cause.
(iv) “Separation from Service for Good Reason
(and “Separates from Service for Good Reason” and other similar terms) shall mean a Section 409A Separation from Service that is voluntary on the part of Executive and that occurs within two years after the initial existence of one or more of the following conditions that occur without Executive’s consent, to the extent that there is, or would be if not corrected, a material negative change in Executive’s employment relationship with the Company:

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(A)    A material reduction of Executive’s responsibilities, title or status resulting from a formal change in such title or status, or from the assignment to Executive of any duties inconsistent with Executive’s title, duties or responsibilities in effect within the year prior to the Change in Control (including, but not limited to, (i) a requirement that Executive report to an officer or other employee instead of reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the ultimate parent in the Company’s chain of affiliated companies, whether such reporting structure is (i) direct or (ii) indirect due to the change in ownership of the Company that results in another company owning a controlling interest in the stock of the Company such that the Company is not the ultimate parent in its chain of affiliated companies);
(B)    A material reduction in Executive’s compensation or benefits (a reduction in value of five percent or more will be deemed material, however, whether a reduction of less than five percent is or is not material will be determined at the time of such reduction based on all of the facts and circumstances at that time); or
(C)    A Company-required, material, involuntary relocation of Executive’s place of residence or a material increase in Executive’s travel requirements (such as a relocation outside of the City of Atlanta and the twelve core counties currently comprising the metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia area (Fulton, Dekalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, Clayton, Coweta, Douglas, Fayette, Paulding, Forsyth, Cherokee and Henry) will be deemed material; however, whether such a relocation within the metropolitan Atlanta area (as described above) is or is not material will be determined at the time of such relocation based on all of the facts and circumstances at that time).
In order to Separate from Service for Good Reason hereunder, Executive must provide notice to the Company of the existence of one of the above conditions within 90 days of the initial existence of the condition, and such termination for Good Reason shall not take effect unless the Company does not cure the condition within 30 days of such notice.

(b)Vesting Upon Change in Control
Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control during the Term of this Agreement, but only to the extent expressly provided in any such award agreement associated with a Stock Plan, (i) outstanding stock options (and stock appreciation rights, if any) granted to Executive under the Stock Plans shall become vested and thus immediately exercisable, and (ii) restrictions on, and vesting requirements for, shares of restricted stock (or other performance shares, performance units or deferred shares) awarded to Executive under the Stock Plans shall lapse, and such shares and awards shall become vested and immediately payable to Executive.

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(c)Certain Separations from Service within 24 Months Following a Change in Control
If a Change in Control occurs during the Term of this Agreement, and within 24 months following the date of such Change in Control Executive is Involuntarily Separated from Service or Separates from Service for Good Reason, Executive shall be entitled (subject to the release requirements of clause (viii) of Section 2(d) of this Agreement) to all of the benefits described in clauses (i) through (v) of Section 2(d) of this Agreement following Executive’s termination of employment, but subject to the modifications specified in clauses (i) through (iii) immediately below.
(i)    Salary
Instead of the periodic Continued Salary Payments described in Section 2(d)(i) of this Agreement, Executive shall receive an amount equal to (A) the amount of such Continued Salary Payments payable during each month (B) multiplied by 24, and such amount shall be paid to Executive in a lump-sum payment in cash (without discounting or any other adjustment for the time value of money) within 30 days after the date of Executive’s Section 409A Separation from Service (or such earliest date as permitted under Code Section 409A).
(ii)    Bonus
Executive also shall remain eligible to receive the Prorated Bonus. The Prorated Bonus shall be paid in cash (A) if the Company’s fiscal year in which Executive’s employment terminates ends in December of a calendar year, during the period beginning on January 1 of the next succeeding calendar year and ending on the date that is 2 ½ months after the end of such fiscal year; or (B) if the Company’s fiscal year in which Executive’s employment terminates ends in January of a calendar year, during the 2 ½-month period beginning on the first day of the next succeeding fiscal year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (x) the Prorated Bonus is not exempt from Code Section 409A, and (y) the Prorated Bonus is payable (based on the payment timing hereinabove) within the six-month period immediately following the date of Executive’s Section 409A Separation from Service, the payment of the Prorated Bonus will be delayed and will be made in a single lump-sum cash payment upon the day after the six-month anniversary of Executive’s Section 409A Separation from Service. Any bonus amounts that Executive had previously earned from the Company but which may not yet have been paid as of the date of termination shall not be affected by this provision. This Section 4(c)(ii) shall not affect any other provision of Section 2(d)(ii), including, without limitation, the terms of such provision relating to the Prorated Bonus.

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(iii)    Executive’s Death. In the event Executive shall die within 24 months following a Change in Control, all amounts and benefits which would have been payable or due to Executive if Executive had continued to live (including, in the event Executive dies after being Involuntarily Separated from Service or after having Separated from Service for Good Reason, the amounts and benefits described in Section 4 hereof) shall be paid and provided in accordance with the terms of this Agreement to the executors, administrators, heirs or personal representatives of Executive’s estate.
5.Restrictive Covenants
(a)Definitions
In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them as set forth below.
(i)    “Company
shall mean, for the purposes of, and as used in, this Section 5, Interface, Inc. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries and affiliated entities throughout the world.
(ii)    “Confidential Information
shall mean information relating to the Company’s customers, operations, finances, and business in any form that derives value from not being generally known to other persons or entities, including, but not limited to, technical or nontechnical data, formulas, patterns (including future carpet patterns), customer purchasing practices and preferences, compilations (including compilations of customer information), programs (including computer programs and models), devices (including carpet manufacturing equipment), methods (including aesthetic and functional design and manufacturing methods), techniques (including style and design technology and plans), drawings (including product or equipment drawings), processes, financial data (including sales forecasts, sales histories, business plans, budgets and other forecasts), or lists of actual or potential customers or suppliers (including identifying information about those customers or suppliers), whether or not reduced to writing. Confidential Information subject to this Agreement may include information that is not a trade secret under applicable law, but such information not constituting a trade secret shall be treated as Confidential Information under this Agreement for only a two-year period after termination of Executive’s employment.
(iii)    “Customers
shall mean customers of the Company that Executive, during the two-year period before termination of Executive’s employment, (A) solicited or serviced or (B) about whom Executive had Confidential Information. The parties acknowledge that a two-year period for defining Customers (as well as “Suppliers,” below) is reasonable based on the Company’s typical sales cycle, budgetary requirements and procurement procedures.
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(iv)    “Products
shall mean carpet tile, modular carpet (including carpet “planks”), broadloom carpet (whether 12-foot, six-foot or other competitive widths), luxury vinyl tile, and other engineered textile flooring for contract, commercial, institutional (including, but not limited to, government and education), retail, hospitality and residential markets and customers.
(v)    “Restriction Period” shall mean (i) the period during which Executive is employed by the Company, and (ii) (A) if a Change in Control occurs during the Term of this Agreement, and Executive’s employment with the Company terminates within 24 months following the date of such Change in Control, the 24-month period following the date of Executive’s termination of employment, or (B) if Executive’s employment terminates at a time other than during the period described in clause (ii) (A) above, the 12-month period following the date of Executive’s termination of employment.
(vi)    “Services
shall mean the services Executive shall provide as a Company executive, and that Executive shall be prohibited from providing (whether as an owner, partner, employee, consultant or in any other capacity) in competition with the Company, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, which are principally to manage and supervise, and to have responsibility for, the conduct of the business of designing, developing, manufacturing, purchasing for resale, marketing, selling, distributing, installing, maintaining and reclaiming Products, and more specifically include, but are not necessarily limited to (A) preparation of business plans, budgets and forecasts, (B) development of strategies for marketing and pricing of Products to customers, (C) supervision of sale of Products through existing and potentially future channels of trade, and customer service activities related thereto, (D) development of overall strategy for such business, including use/expansion of retail stores, e-commerce/web and/or catalog marketing and distribution channels, (E) design and development of Products, (F) development and maintenance of relationships with customers, interior design professionals, architects and suppliers, (G) employment and supervision of key executives, retail store management, sales, marketing and operations personnel, (H) development of plans for domestic and international expansion of such business, including expansion through market segmentation strategies, merger, acquisition, joint venture, franchise, licensing, third-party distribution and other combinations and affiliations, and (I) supervision and oversight of manufacturing operations and quality control for Products, including “mass customization” production strategy and methods for reducing waste in the production process. Executive acknowledges that he has been informed of and had an opportunity to discuss with the Company the specific activities Executive will perform as Services and Executive understands the scope of the activities constituting Services.

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(vii)    “Supplier
shall mean a supplier of the Company that Executive, during the two-year period before termination of Executive’s employment, (A) had contact with on behalf of the Company, or (B) about whom Executive had Confidential Information.
(viii)    “Territory
shall mean North America, which is the primary geographic area where Executive performs Services for the Company (though Executive’s responsibilities extend beyond North America) and in which the Company continues to conduct a significant portion of its business. Executive has been informed of and had an opportunity to discuss with the Company the specific territory in which Executive will perform Services. Executive acknowledges that the market for the Company Products is worldwide, and that the Territory is the area in which the parties agree that Executive’s provision of Services in violation of this Agreement would cause significant harm to the Company.
(b)Non-disclosure and Restricted Use
Executive shall use best efforts to protect Confidential Information. Furthermore, Executive shall not use, except in connection with work for the Company, and will not disclose during or after Executive’s employment, the Company’s Confidential Information.
(c)Return of Materials
Upon the expiration of this Agreement or termination for any reason of Executive’s employment, or at any time upon the Company’s request, Executive shall deliver promptly to the Company all materials, documents, plans, records, notes or other papers and any copies in Executive’s possession or control relating in any way to the Company’s business, which at all times shall be the property of the Company.
(d)Non-solicitation of Customers
During the Restriction Period, Executive shall not solicit Customers for the purpose of providing or selling any Products.
(e)Non-solicitation of Suppliers
During the Restriction Period, Executive shall not solicit any Supplier for the purpose of obtaining goods or services that the Company obtained from that Supplier and that are used in or relate to any Products.
(f)Non-solicitation of Company Employees
During the Restriction Period, Executive shall not solicit for employment with another person or entity, a Company employee with whom Executive had material contacts during the two-year period before termination of Executive’s employment.
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(g)Limitations on Post-Termination Competition
During the Restriction Period, Executive shall not provide any Services within the Territory to any person or entity developing, designing, manufacturing, marketing, selling, distributing or installing any Products.
(h)Disparagement
Executive shall not at any time make false or misleading statements about the Company, including its Products, management, employees, Customers and Suppliers.
(i)Future Employment Opportunities
At any time before, and for two years after, the expiration or termination for any reason of Executive’s employment, Executive shall, before accepting employment with another employer, provide such prospective employer with a copy of Section 5 of this Agreement and, upon accepting any employment with another employer, provide the Company with such employer’s name and a description of the services Executive will provide to such employer.
(j)    Survival of Provisions
Upon the expiration or termination of Executive’s employment for any reason whatsoever (whether voluntary on the part of Executive, for Cause, or other reasons), the obligations of Executive pursuant to this Section 5 shall survive and remain in effect.
(k)    Injunctive Relief
Executive acknowledges that any breach of the terms of this Section 5 would result in material damage to the Company, although it might be difficult to establish the monetary value of the damage. Executive therefore agrees that the Company, in addition to any other rights and remedies available to it, shall be entitled to obtain an immediate injunction (whether temporary or permanent) from any court of appropriate jurisdiction in the event of any such breach thereof by Executive, or threatened breach which the Company in good faith believes will or is likely to result in irreparable harm to the Company.
6.Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia and the federal laws of the United States of America, without regard to rules relating to the conflict of laws. Executive hereby consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia and the U.S. District Court in Atlanta, Georgia, and hereby waives any objection Executive might otherwise have to jurisdiction and venue in such courts in the event either court is requested to resolve a dispute between the parties.

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7.Dispute Resolution; Expenses
All claims by Executive for any unpaid compensation and benefits under this Agreement shall be directed to the Board and shall be in writing. Any denial by the Board of a claim for compensation or benefits under this Agreement shall be delivered to Executive in writing and shall set forth the specific reasons for the denial and the specific provisions of this Agreement relied upon. The Board shall afford a reasonable opportunity to Executive for a review of a decision denying a claim and shall further allow Executive to appeal to the Board a decision of the Board within 60 days after notification by the Board that Executive’s claim has been denied. In the event Executive incurs legal fees and other expenses in seeking to obtain or to enforce any rights or benefits provided by this Agreement and is successful, in whole or in part, in obtaining or enforcing any such rights or benefits through litigation, settlement, arbitration, mediation or otherwise, the Company shall pay or reimburse Executive’s reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred in enforcing this Agreement. Except to the extent provided in the preceding sentence, each party shall pay his or its own legal fees and other expenses associated with any dispute. Any of Executive’s legal fees or expenses to be paid by the Company shall be paid as soon as practicable, but not later than 30 days after Executive submits evidence of such expenses to the Company.
8.Code Section 409A
This Agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A and shall be construed accordingly. Any payments or distributions to be made to Executive under this Agreement upon a separation from service of amounts classified as “nonqualified deferred compensation” for purposes of Code Section 409A, and not exempt from Code Section 409A, shall in no event be made or commence until six months after Executive’s Section 409A Separation from Service. Any reference to a payment being exempt (or not exempt) from Code Section 409A refers to any applicable exemption available under Section 409A, including, without limitation, the short-term deferral rule and severance pay exemptions as provided in Code Section 409A and the Treasury Regulations. Each payment under this Agreement (whether of cash, property or benefits) shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Code Section 409A. Where this Agreement provides that a payment will be made upon a specified date or during a specified period, such date or period, as required by Code Section 409(A), but in no way to detract from or excuse the payment deadlines set forth in the operative provisions above in this Agreement, will be the Code Section 409A “payment date” or “payment period”, and actual payment will be made no later than the latest date permitted under Code Section 409A and the regulations thereunder (generally, by the later of the end of the calendar year in which the payment date falls, or the fifteenth day of the third calendar month after the payment date occurs). To the extent that any payments made pursuant to this Agreement are reimbursements exempt from Code Section 409A, the amount of such payments during any calendar year shall not affect the benefits provided in any other calendar year, and the right to any such payments shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit or payment. As required by Code Section 409A, but in no way to detract from or excuse the payment deadlines set forth in the operative provisions above in this Agreement, the payment date for any reimbursements shall in no event be later than the last day of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the reimbursed expense was incurred.
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9.Execution of Standard Company Agreements. Executive agrees to execute any standard Company employment and benefit-related agreements and/or acknowledgements required of all similarly situated employees, including the Company’s current (a) Agreement Regarding Confidentiality and Work Product, (b) Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and (c) Agreement Regarding Use of Electronic Systems.
10.Tax Withholding; Exempt Employment Status. Except as specifically set forth in this Agreement, all payments referenced herein are subject to reduction by applicable State and Federal withholding laws. Executive acknowledges his position with the Company is considered an exempt position for purposes of U.S. wage-hour law, and that Executive is not eligible for overtime pay for any hours actually worked in excess of 40 hours in a given workweek.
11.Notices
All notices, consents and other communications required or authorized to be given by either party to the other under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given or submitted (a) upon actual receipt if delivered in person or by facsimile transmission with receipt confirmation, (b) upon the earlier of actual receipt or the expiration of two business days after sending by express courier (such as UPS or Federal Express), and (c) upon the earlier of actual receipt or the expiration of seven days after mailing if sent by registered or certified express mail, postage prepaid, to the parties at the following addresses:
To the Company:
Interface, Inc.
1280 W. Peachtree Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Fax No.: 770-437-6822
Attn: Chairman
 
With a copy to:    
            
            
            
Interface, Inc.
12880 W. Peachtree Street
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Fax No.: 770-319-6270
Attn: General Counsel
 
To Executive:        
    
            


(or at the last address and fax number
shown on the records of the Company)

Either party may change its address (and facsimile number) for purposes of notices under this Agreement by providing notice to the other party in the manner set forth above.

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12.Failure to Enforce
The failure of either party hereto at any time, or for any period of time, to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of such provision(s) or of the right of such party thereafter to enforce each and every such provision.
13.Binding Effect; Assignment
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the Company and its successors and assigns, and Executive and his heirs and personal representatives, but, except as hereinafter provided, neither this Agreement nor any right hereunder may be assigned or transferred by either party hereto (or by any beneficiary or any other person), nor shall this Agreement or any right hereunder be subject to alienation, anticipation, sale, pledge, encumbrance, execution, levy or other legal process of any kind against Executive, Executive’s beneficiary or any other person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any person or business entity succeeding to all or substantially all of the business of the Company by stock purchase, merger, consolidation, purchase of assets, or otherwise, shall be bound by and shall adopt and assume this Agreement, and the Company shall obtain the express assumption of this Agreement by such successor and provide evidence of same to Executive.
14.Nature of Obligation
The agreement of the Company (or its successor) to make payments to Executive hereunder shall represent the unsecured obligation of the Company (and its successor), except to the extent (a) the terms of any other agreement, plan or arrangement pertaining to the parties provide for funding, or (b) the Company (or its successor), in its sole discretion, elects in whole or in part to fund the Company’s obligations under this Agreement pursuant to a trust arrangement or otherwise.
15.Entire Agreement
This Agreement supersedes all prior discussions and agreements between the parties and constitutes the sole and entire agreement between the Company and Executive with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall not be modified or amended except pursuant to a written document signed by the parties hereto, which makes specific reference to this Agreement and the fact that it is modifying or amending this Agreement.
16.Severability
If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, it is the intention of the parties that the remaining provisions shall constitute their agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof, and all such remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

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17.Counterparts
Electronic Copies. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement may be executed using facsimile or scanned signatures and such signatures shall be given the authority of original signatures for purposes of executing and enforcing the validity of this Agreement.



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed on its behalf by its duly authorized officers, and Executive has hereunder set his hand, as of the date first above written.

INTERFACE, INC.
 
By:

 
Attest:
 
EXECUTIVE:
 



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Exhibit 21

SUBSIDIARIES OF INTERFACE, INC.
Subsidiary (1)
Jurisdiction of Organization
FLOR, Inc. Georgia (USA)
Interface Americas Holdings, LLC(2)
Georgia (USA)
Interface Americas, Inc. Georgia (USA)
Interface Asia-Pacific (HK) Ltd. Hong Kong
Interface Aust. Holdings Pty Limited Australia
Interface Aust. Pty Limited Australia
Interface Eurasia Enterprises S.à r.l. (3)
Luxembourg
Interface Eurasia Holdings S.à r.l. Luxembourg
Interface Europe B.V.(4)
Netherlands
Interface Europe Holding B.V.(5)
Netherlands
Interface Europe Investment B.V. Netherlands
Interface Europe, Ltd.(6)
England and Wales
Interface Hong Kong Ltd. Hong Kong
Interface International B.V. Netherlands
Interface Leasing, Inc. Georgia (USA)
Interface Massachusetts Holdings, Inc. Delaware (USA)
Interface Modular Carpet (China) Co. Ltd. China
Interface nora GmbH Germany
Interface Overseas Holdings, Inc. Georgia (USA)
Interface Real Estate Holdings, LLC Georgia (USA)
Interface Singapore Pte. Ltd. Singapore
Interface Yarns, Inc. Georgia (USA)
InterfaceFLOR Canada, Inc. Canada
InterfaceFLOR, LLC Georgia (USA)
InterfaceFLOR (Thailand) Co., Ltd. Thailand
InterfaceSERVICES, Inc. Georgia (USA)
nora systems GmbH(7)
Germany
nora systems, Inc. Delaware (USA)

(1)The names of certain subsidiaries which, if considered in the aggregate as a single subsidiary, would not constitute a “significant subsidiary”, have been omitted. The names of consolidated wholly-owned multiple subsidiaries carrying on the same line of business have been omitted where the name of the immediate parent, the line of business, the number of omitted subsidiaries operating in the United States and the number operating in foreign countries have been given.
(2)Interface Americas Holdings, LLC is the parent of five direct subsidiaries organized and operating in the United States, of which three are in the floorcovering products/services business (FLOR, Inc., Interface Americas, Inc. and InterfaceFLOR, LLC). Interface Americas Holdings, LLC is also the parent of one direct subsidiary organized in Georgia (Interface Real Estate Holdings, LLC) and one direct subsidiary organized and operating outside of the United States in the floorcovering products/services business.
(3)Interface Eurasia Enterprises S.à r.l. is the parent of five direct subsidiaries organized and operating in the Netherlands (Interface Europe B.V. and Interface Europe Investment B.V.), Thailand (Interface Holdings Co., Ltd.), Singapore (Interface Singapore Pte. Ltd.), and Hong Kong (Interface Asia-Pacific (HK) Ltd.).
(4)Interface Europe B.V. is the parent of four direct subsidiaries organized and operating outside of the United States (including Interface Europe Holding B.V., Interface Aust. Holdings Pty Limited and Interface Hong Kong Ltd.) in the floorcovering products/services business.



(5)Interface Europe Holding B.V. is the parent of eight direct subsidiaries organized and operating in the Netherlands, and twelve direct subsidiaries organized and operating in other countries outside of the United States, in the floorcovering products/services business.
(6)Interface Europe, Ltd. is the parent of six direct subsidiaries organized and operating in England and Wales, and one direct subsidiary organized and operating in Ireland, in the floorcovering products/services business.
(7)nora systems GmbH is the parent of ten direct subsidiaries organized and operating outside of the United States in the floorcovering products/services business.

Exhibit 23
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Atlanta, Georgia

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (No. 333-10377; No. 333-38675; No. 333-38677; No. 333-93679; No. 333-66956; No. 333-120813; No. 333-135781; No. 333-168373; No. 333-205949; and No. 333-248451) of Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries of our reports dated March 3, 2021, relating to the consolidated financial statements and financial statements schedule, and the effectiveness of Interface, Inc. and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting, which appears in the Form 10-K.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
March 3, 2021




Exhibit 24
Power of Attorney
The signature page of Interface, Inc’s Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2021 includes the power of attorney given by each person whose signature appears on the Report on Form 10-K, which power of attorney constitutes and appoints Daniel T. Hendrix as attorney-in-fact, with power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to the Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with the exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission.





Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Daniel T. Hendrix, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Interface, Inc.;

2.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;

3.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;

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

(a)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;
(b)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;
(c)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
(d)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 officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)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
(b)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 3, 2021
/s/ Daniel T. Hendrix
Daniel T. Hendrix
Chief Executive Officer






Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Bruce A. Hausmann, certify that:

1.I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Interface, Inc.;

2.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;

3.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;

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

(a)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;
(b)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;
(c)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
(d)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 officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)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
(b)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 3, 2021  
  /s/ Bruce A. Hausmann
  Bruce A. Hausmann
  Chief Financial Officer






Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

I, Daniel T. Hendrix, Chief Executive Officer of Interface, Inc. (the “Company”), certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 as adopted by § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended January 3, 2021 (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 the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


Date:March 3, 2021
/s/ Daniel T. Hendrix
Daniel T. Hendrix
Chief Executive Officer




Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

I, Bruce A. Hausmann, Chief Financial Officer of Interface, Inc. (the “Company”), certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 as adopted by § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1)the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended January 3, 2021 (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 the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

   
Date:March 3, 2021  
  /s/ Bruce A. Hausmann
  Bruce A. Hausmann
  Chief Financial Officer