UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
                                             
FORM 10-Q
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2018
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from                    to                        
  Commission File No. 001-12907
KNOLL, INC.
A Delaware Corporation
 
I.R.S. Employer No. 13-3873847
 
1235 Water Street
East Greenville, PA 18041
Telephone Number (215) 679-7991
 
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 x   No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x   No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o
Emerging growth company o

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 is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.)
Yes o  No x
 
As of August 6, 2018, there were 49,407,684 shares (including 713,264 non-voting restricted shares) of the Registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding.
 


1



KNOLL, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR FORM 10-Q
 
Item
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


2



PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
KNOLL, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
June 30,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
ASSETS
(Unaudited)
 
 

Current assets:
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,359

 
$
2,203

Customer receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,884 and $4,039, respectively
105,628

 
86,687

Inventories
167,462

 
144,945

Prepaid expenses
26,360

 
29,272

Other current assets
15,655

 
15,163

Total current assets
316,464

 
278,270

Property, plant, and equipment, net
201,387

 
200,630

Goodwill
326,356

 
142,113

Intangible assets, net
359,502

 
238,581

Other noncurrent assets
2,846

 
1,447

Total assets
$
1,206,555

 
$
861,041

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

Current maturities of long-term debt
$
17,274

 
$
10,000

Accounts payable
116,645

 
108,922

Other current liabilities
109,643

 
104,158

Total current liabilities
243,562

 
223,080

Long-term debt
474,132

 
181,048

Deferred income taxes
84,359

 
54,671

Pension liability
12,509

 
21,671

Other noncurrent liabilities
22,931

 
21,842

Total liabilities
837,493

 
502,312

Commitments and contingent liabilities


 


Equity:
 

 
 

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 65,762,612 shares issued and 49,409,684 shares outstanding (including 715,263 non-voting restricted shares and net of 16,352,928 treasury shares) at June 30, 2018 and 65,460,014 shares issued and 49,339,552 shares outstanding (including 841,610 non-voting restricted shares and net of 16,120,462 treasury shares) at December 31, 2017
495

 
493

Additional paid-in capital
54,593

 
54,455

Retained earnings
366,699

 
347,304

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(52,983
)
 
(43,774
)
Total Knoll, Inc. stockholders’ equity
368,804

 
358,478

Noncontrolling interests
258

 
251

Total equity
369,062

 
358,729

Total liabilities and equity
$
1,206,555

 
$
861,041


See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

KNOLL, INC.  
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)

 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Sales
$
323,351

 
$
268,694

 
$
619,910

 
$
525,514

Cost of sales
204,064

 
168,736

 
392,912

 
329,882

Gross profit
119,287

 
99,958

 
226,998

 
195,632

Selling, general, and administrative expenses
93,637

 
77,976

 
178,362

 
153,014

Restructuring charges
838

 
2,150

 
1,364

 
2,150

Operating profit
24,812

 
19,832

 
47,272

 
40,468

Pension settlement charge
4,608

 

 
4,608

 

Interest expense
5,252

 
1,859

 
10,780

 
3,530

Other income, net
(2,792
)
 
(2,169
)
 
(6,794
)
 
(4,360
)
Income before income tax expense
17,744

 
20,142

 
38,678

 
41,298

Income tax expense
4,621

 
7,182

 
10,288

 
12,946

Net earnings
13,123

 
12,960

 
28,390

 
28,352

Net (loss) earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
(1
)
 
22

 
7

 
14

Net earnings attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders
$
13,124

 
$
12,938

 
$
28,383

 
$
28,338

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings per common share attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Basic
$
0.27

 
$
0.27

 
$
0.58

 
$
0.59

Diluted
$
0.27

 
$
0.26

 
$
0.58

 
$
0.57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends per share
$
0.15

 
$
0.15

 
$
0.30

 
$
0.30

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Basic
48,672,144

 
48,464,605

 
48,614,733

 
48,375,241

Diluted
49,131,106

 
49,376,506

 
49,137,528

 
49,294,525

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
$
13,123

 
$
12,960

 
$
28,390

 
$
28,352

Other comprehensive (loss) income:
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Unrealized gain on interest rate swap, net of tax
1,183

 

 
1,053

 

Pension and other post-employment liability adjustment, net of tax
7,669

 
(138
)
 
7,880

 
(275
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
(5,961
)
 
2,320

 
(6,300
)
 
2,800

Foreign currency translation adjustment on long term intercompany notes
(5,085
)
 

 
(5,592
)
 

Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax
(2,194
)
 
2,182

 
(2,959
)
 
2,525

Total comprehensive income
10,929

 
15,142

 
25,431

 
30,877

Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests
(1
)
 
22

 
7

 
14

Comprehensive income attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders
$
10,930

 
$
15,120

 
$
25,424

 
$
30,863

 
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

KNOLL, INC.  
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(dollars in thousands)


 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 

 
 

Net earnings
$
28,390

 
$
28,352

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

 
 

Depreciation
12,712

 
10,668

Amortization expense (including deferred financing fees)
4,635

 
1,977

Loss on extinguishment of debt
1,445

 

Inventory obsolescence
775

 
1,203

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
36

 
29

Unrealized foreign currency gains
(1,793
)
 
(122
)
Stock-based compensation
4,496

 
5,043

Bad debt and customer claims
673

 
(1,650
)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
 

 
 

Customer receivables
(11,504
)
 
8,420

Inventories
(13,565
)
 
(8,811
)
Prepaid and other current assets
804

 
(1,807
)
Accounts payable
7,774

 
6,015

Current and deferred income taxes
4,138

 
2,567

Other current liabilities
(4,059
)
 
(13,729
)
Other noncurrent assets and liabilities
(1,184
)
 
(5,917
)
Cash provided by operating activities
33,773

 
32,238

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 

 
 

Capital expenditures
(16,031
)
 
(20,756
)
Purchase of businesses, net of cash acquired
(304,088
)
 

Cash used in investing activities
(320,119
)
 
(20,756
)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 

 
 

Proceeds from revolving credit facility
339,000

 
214,000

Repayment of revolving credit facility
(211,000
)
 
(194,000
)
Proceeds from term loan
352,499

 

Repayment of term loan
(171,859
)
 
(5,000
)
Payment of financing fees
(4,578
)
 

Loss on debt extinguishment
(1,023
)
 

Payment of dividends
(15,426
)
 
(15,729
)
Proceeds from the issuance of common stock
39

 
551

Purchase of common stock for treasury
(4,395
)
 
(10,570
)
Contingent purchase price payment

 
(6,000
)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities
283,257

 
(16,748
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
2,245

 
1,336

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(844
)
 
(3,930
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
2,203

 
9,854

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
1,359

 
$
5,924

 
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.


5




NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Knoll, Inc. (the “Company”) have been prepared with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries and any partially owned subsidiaries that the Company has the ability to control. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Operating results for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2018 .
The condensed consolidated balance sheet of the Company, as of December 31, 2017 , has been derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.
For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 .
New Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “ Revenue from Contracts with Customers ”, which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in FASB ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry-specific guidance.
The standard provides a five step model to be applied to all contracts with customers, with an underlying principle that an entity will recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods therein. The Company adopted the standard as of January 1, 2018.
The Company has completed its assessment of the impact of the new standard and adopted the new standard for all open contracts as of January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method, and applied the guidance to report new disclosures surrounding the Company’s recognition of revenue. The adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on the financial position of the Company, the results of its operations or its cash flows as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 , and the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. There was no cumulative effect of adopting the standard at the date of initial application in retained earnings. The Company’s Revenue Recognition accounting policy has been updated for the new standard. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring goods or providing services. The amount of consideration received and revenue recognized varies with changes in returns, rebates, cash sales incentives and other allowances offered to customers based on the Company’s experience. The new standard further requires quantitative and qualitative disclosures about the Company’s contracts with customers which have been included within this Form 10-Q.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes the guidance in ASC 840, Leases.  ASC 842 will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2019, and the Company will adopt the standard using the modified retrospective approach. While the Company continues to evaluate the provisions of ASC 842 to determine its impact, the primary effect of adopting the new standard will be to record assets and obligations for current operating leases. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of the ASU on its consolidated financial statements. While the Company continues to evaluate the provisions of ASC 842 to determine its impact, the primary effect of adopting the new standard will be to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. The Company will continue to assess the impact on its accounting policies, internal control processes and related disclosures required under the new guidance.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology for measuring and recognizing credit losses with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. This amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2020. The Company does not believe there will be a material impact to the financial statements as a result of adopting this ASU.

6



In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715) . The new standard requires the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost to be presented in the same income statement line as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period and the other components of net periodic benefit cost to be presented separately from the income statement lines that include service cost and outside of any subtotal of operating income. The Company adopted the new standard for the period beginning January 1, 2018, resulting in no change in presentation of the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost, which has historically been reported in selling, general and administrative expenses along with other employee compensation costs. The retrospective adoption resulted in a change in presentation of the other components of net periodic benefit cost for the year ended December 31, 2017, and interim periods therein, by reclassifying net periodic benefit income of $2.4 million and $4.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, from Selling, general and administrative expenses to Other income, net.
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) . The new standard is intended to better align a company’s risk management strategies and financial reporting for hedging relationships. Under the new guidance, more hedging strategies will be eligible for hedge accounting and the application of hedge accounting is simplified. In addition, the new guidance amends presentation and disclosure requirements. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 with early adoption permitted, including the interim periods within those years. The Company early adopted the standard as of January 1, 2018. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220). The new standard will allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”). The amendments eliminate the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act and will improve the usefulness of information reported to financial statements users. However, because the amendment only relates to the reclassification of the income tax effects of the Tax Act, the underlying guidance that requires that the effect of a change in tax laws or rates be included in income from continuing operations is not affected. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 with early adoption permitted, including the interim periods within those years. The Company early adopted the standard effective January 1, 2018 and reclassified $6.3 million from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings related to the Company’s minimum pension liability.
In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05, Income Taxes (Topic 740) which incorporates the provisions of SAB 118 into the accounting standards codification. The Securities and Exchange Commission staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) which provides guidance regarding situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act. In accordance with the SAB 118, the Company has made a reasonable estimate of the effects on its existing deferred tax balances and the one-time transition tax. The ultimate impact of the Tax Act may differ from this estimate, possibly materially, due to changes in interpretations and assumptions, and guidance that may be issued and actions the Company may take in response to the Tax Act. The Tax Act is highly complex and the Company will continue to assess the impact that various provisions will have on the business and the consolidated financial statements.
In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-07, Compensation - Stock compensation (Topic 718) which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for nonemployee share-based payment transactions resulting from expanding the scope of Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. Some of the areas for simplification apply only to nonpublic entities. The amendments specify that Topic 718 applies to all share-based payment transactions in which a grantor acquires goods or services to be used or consumed in a grantor’s own operations by issuing share-based payment awards. The amendments also clarify that Topic 718 does not apply to share-based payments used to effectively provide (1) financing to the issuer or (2) awards granted in conjunction with selling goods or services to customers as part of a contract accounted for under Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The amendments in this Update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not plan to early adopt this ASU and the Company does not believe there will be a material impact to the financial statements as a result of adopting this ASU.

7



NOTE 2. REVENUE
Disaggregation of Revenue
The majority of the Company’s revenue presented as “Sales” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income is the result of contracts with customers for the sale of the Company’s products. All other sources of revenue are not material to the Company’s results of operations. The other sources of revenue include installation revenue and royalty revenue.
The Company’s net sales by product category were as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Office Segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Office Systems
$
104,124

 
$
94,479

 
$
207,478

 
$
194,707

Seating
33,471

 
27,193

 
63,428

 
52,855

Files and Storage
21,214

 
20,598

 
43,292

 
39,133

Ancillary
20,761

 
11,593

 
39,906

 
19,664

Other
11,177

 
8,736

 
18,261

 
14,238

Total Office Segment
$
190,747

 
$
162,599

 
$
372,365

 
$
320,597

Lifestyle Segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Studio
104,807

 
78,482

 
192,374

 
149,389

Coverings
27,797

 
27,613

 
55,171

 
55,528

Total Lifestyle Segment
$
132,604

 
$
106,095

 
$
247,545

 
$
204,917

Total Net Sales
$
323,351

 
$
268,694

 
$
619,910

 
$
525,514

Contract Balances
The Company has contract assets consisting of Customer Receivables in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets which represent the amount of consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for the goods or services rendered to its customers.
When the Company receives deposits, the recognition of revenue is deferred and results in the recognition of a contract liability (Customer deposits) presented as a component of Other Current Liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Subsequent recognition of revenue and the satisfaction of the contract liability is typically less than one year as the Company’s standard contract is less than one year with a standard payment term of 30 days. Changes in the Customer deposits balances during the six months ended June 30, 2018 are as follows:
Balance, January 1, 2018
 
$
30,484

Revenue recognized that included the contract liability balance at the beginning of the period ended June 30, 2018
 
(56,039
)
Increase due to cash received during the period ended June 30, 2018
 
64,118

Increase due to business combinations during the period ended June 30, 2018
 
1,500

Balance, June 30, 2018
 
$
40,063

Performance Obligations
The Company recognizes revenue when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with its customer are satisfied. This occurs when the control of the goods and services have been transferred to the customer. Accordingly, revenue for sale of goods is generally recognized upon shipment or delivery depending on the shipping terms of the underlying contract. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring goods or providing services.

8



Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling activities to fulfill the Company’s promise to transfer the goods are included in Sales, and costs incurred by the Company for the delivery of goods are classified as Cost of sales in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Sales tax, value added tax, and other taxes the Company collects concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue. The Company generally offers assurance-type warranties for its products. The specific terms and conditions of those warranties vary by the product. The Company estimates the costs that may be incurred under its warranties and records a liability in the amount of such costs at the time product revenue is recognized. Factors that affect the warranty liability include historical product-failure experience and estimated repair costs for identified matters. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liabilities and adjusts the amounts as necessary.
Practical Expedients Elected
Incremental Costs of Obtaining a Contract - The Company has elected the practical expedient permitted in ASC 340-40-25-4, which permits an entity to recognize incremental costs to obtain a contract as an expense when incurred if the amortization period will be less than one year.
Significant Financing Component - The Company has elected the practical expedient permitted in ASC 606-10-32-18, which allows an entity to not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if a contract has a duration of one year or less. As the Company’s contracts are typically less than one year in length, consideration will not be adjusted. The Company’s contracts include a standard payment term of 30 days, consequently there is no significant financing component within contracts.
NOTE 3. ACQUISITION
On January 25, 2018, the Company acquired one hundred percent ( 100% ) of the shares of Muuto Holding ApS and MIE4 Holding 5 ApS, which collectively hold substantially all the business operations of Muuto ApS (“Muuto”). Muuto’s affordable luxury products span commercial and residential applications, adding scale and diversity to the Company’s business. The aggregate purchase price for the acquisition was $303.7 million , net of $7.5 million of cash acquired and subject to certain customary adjustments. The Company recorded the acquisition of Muuto using the acquisition method of accounting and recognized the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of the date of acquisition. The results of operations of Muuto have been included in the Company’s Lifestyle segment beginning January 25, 2018. The Company funded the acquisition with borrowings from the Amended Credit Agreement as well as cash on hand. See Note 10 for information on the Company’s borrowings. The Company recorded acquisition costs in its Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income, within selling, general, and administrative expenses during the six months ended June 30, 2018 of $1.5 million .
The amount of sales and net loss that resulted from the acquisition and attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income during the periods ended June 30, 2018 were as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2018
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2018
Sales
 
$
21,005

 
$
36,191

Net loss attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders
 
$
(1,951
)
 
$
(2,105
)

9



The following table summarizes the preliminary fair values assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and resulting goodwill. These values are not yet finalized and are subject to change, which could be significant. The amounts recognized will be finalized as the information necessary to complete the analyses is obtained, but no later than one year from the acquisition date (“the measurement period”).
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets and liabilities as of the January 25, 2018 acquisition date (in thousands):
 
Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date
(Previously disclosed in March 31, 2018 Form 10-Q)
 
Measurement period adjustments
 
Amounts Recognized as of Acquisition Date
Cash
$
7,506

 
$

 
$
7,506

Customer receivables
8,717

 

 
8,717

Inventory
14,675

 
(3,851
)
 
10,824

Other current assets
447

 

 
447

Property, plant, and equipment, net
1,250

 

 
1,250

Intangible assets
131,300

 
25

 
131,325

Other non-current assets
292

 

 
292

Total assets acquired
$
164,187

 
$
(3,826
)
 
$
160,361

Accounts payable
3,374

 

 
3,374

Other current liabilities
12,244

 
(3,614
)
 
8,630

Deferred income taxes
29,744

 
(816
)
 
28,928

Other noncurrent liabilities
1,637

 

 
1,637

Total liabilities assumed
$
46,999

 
$
(4,430
)
 
$
42,569

Net assets acquired
$
117,188

 
$
604

 
$
117,792

 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchase price
$
311,254

 
 
 
$
311,254

Less: Fair value of acquired identifiable assets and liabilities
117,188

 

 
117,792

Goodwill
$
194,066

 

 
$
193,462

The measurement period adjustments related to the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired during the three months ended June 30, 2018 represent an inventory valuation adjustment of $3.9 million , a $3.6 million adjustment for future payments that are considered compensation for post combination service and a $0.8 million adjustment to the long-term deferred tax liability.
The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of Muuto’s identifiable intangible assets and their estimated useful lives (in thousands):
 
Fair Value as of January 25, 2018
 
Estimated Useful Life
(in years)
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
 
 
 
Trade name
$
65,000

 
Indefinite
Finite-lived intangible assets:
 
 
 
Wholesale customer relationships
33,000

 
15
Contract customer relationships
22,000

 
9
Copyrights & designs
10,000

 
7
Non-competition agreements
1,325

 
3
 
$
131,325

 
 

10



The preliminary purchase price of Muuto has been allocated to the Company’s tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, based on their estimated acquisition date fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the net tangible and intangible assets is recorded to goodwill. Goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. The preliminary allocation of purchase price is based upon a valuation undertaken by the Company and is subject to change during the measurement period. The initial accounting for the acquisition of Muuto is incomplete pending final valuation of the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed.
Unaudited pro forma information for the Company for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 as if the acquisition had occurred January 1, 2017 is as follows (in thousands):
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
Pro forma sales
$
624,058

 
$
557,494

Pro forma net earnings attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders
$
32,591

 
$
25,601

The unaudited pro forma financial information has been presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of results of operations that would have been achieved had the acquisition taken place on the date indicated, or the future consolidated results of operations of the Company. The pro forma financial information presented above has been derived from the historical condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company and from the historical consolidated financial statements of Muuto.
The pro forma financial information presented above include adjustments for: (1) incremental amortization expense related to fair value adjustments to identifiable intangible assets, (2) incremental interest expense for outstanding borrowings to reflect the terms of the Amended Credit Agreement, (3) nonrecurring items, (4) the tax effect of the above adjustments.
The pro forma information presented for the six months ended June 30, 2018 includes adjustments for future payments that are considered compensation for post combination service of $1.5 million , loss on debt extinguishment of $1.4 million , acquisition costs of $1.5 million , acquisition related inventory valuation of $0.9 million , incremental interest expense of $0.9 million , and incremental amortization of intangibles of $0.1 million . The income tax impact of these adjustments for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was $0.9 million . The pro forma information presented for the six months ended June 30, 2017 includes adjustments for amortization of intangibles of $3.3 million , future payments that are considered compensation for post combination service of $1.8 million , loss on debt extinguishment of $1.5 million , interest expense of $4.5 million , and acquisition related inventory valuation of $0.9 million . The income tax impact of these adjustments for the six months ended June 30, 2017 was $3.4 million . The pro forma financial information does not include adjustments for potential future cost savings.
NOTE 4. INVENTORIES
Information regarding the Company’s inventories is as follows (in thousands):
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Raw materials
$
62,531

 
$
58,725

Work-in-process
7,488

 
6,943

Finished goods
97,443

 
79,277

 
$
167,462

 
$
144,945


11



NOTE 5. PENSION AND OTHER POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
The following tables set forth the components of the net periodic benefit income for the Company’s pension and other post-employment benefit plans (in thousands):
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Interest cost
$
2,504

 
$
2,390

 
$
30

 
$
43

Expected return on plan assets
(4,606
)
 
(4,615
)
 

 

Amortization of prior service credit

 

 
(182
)
 
(371
)
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)
366

 
154

 
(18
)
 
1

Pension settlement charge (1)
4,608

 

 

 

Net periodic pension cost
$
2,872

 
$
(2,071
)
 
$
(170
)
 
$
(327
)
(1) The pension settlement charge was related to the purchase of annuities for certain pension plan retirees as well as cash payments from lump sum elections.
 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Benefits
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Interest cost
$
5,008

 
$
4,780

 
$
60

 
$
86

Expected return on plan assets
(9,212
)
 
(9,230
)
 

 

Amortization of prior service credit

 

 
(364
)
 
(742
)
Recognized actuarial loss (gain)
732

 
308

 
(36
)
 
2

Pension settlement charge (1)
4,608

 

 

 

Net periodic pension cost
$
1,136

 
$
(4,142
)
 
$
(340
)
 
$
(654
)
(1) The pension settlement charge was related to the purchase of annuities for certain pension plan retirees as well as cash payments from lump sum elections.
During the six months ended June 30, 2018, in connection with the pension settlement, the Company remeasured its pension plans and recorded a $5.8 million reduction to the pension liability. This reduction was primarily driven by a change in the weighted average discount rates used to measure the liabilities. There was no change to the weighted average expected long-term rate of return on plan assets.
NOTE 6. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Financial Instruments
The fair values of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents approximate carrying value due to their short maturities and are classified as Level 1.
The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt approximates its carrying value, as it is variable rate debt and the terms are comparable to market terms as of the balance sheet dates and are classified as Level 2.

12



Assets and Liabilities Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following table represents the assets and liabilities, measured at fair value on a recurring basis and the basis for that measurement (in thousands):
 
Fair Value as of June 30, 2018
 
Fair Value as of December 31, 2017
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap
$

 
$
1,424

 
$

 
$
1,424

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contingent purchase price payment - DatesWeiser
$

 
$

 
$
1,100

 
$
1,100

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,100

 
$
1,100

Interest Rate Swap
The Company’s interest rate swap has a maturity of five years and is with a counterparty with a credit rating of A- according to S&P and Fitch. The fair value of the interest rate swap agreement is based on observable prices as quoted for receiving the variable one month London Interbank Offered Rates or LIBOR and paying fixed interest rates and therefore were classified as Level 2.
Contingent Payment
Pursuant to the agreement governing the acquisition of DatesWeiser, the Company may be required to make annual contingent purchase price payments. The payouts are based upon DatesWeiser reaching an annual net sales target, for each year through 2020. The Company classifies this as a Level 3 measurement and is required to remeasure this liability at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair value of such contingent purchase price payments, totaling $1.1 million , was determined at the time of acquisition based upon net sales projections for DatesWeiser for 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. Excluding the initial recognition of the liability for the contingent purchase price payments and payments made to reduce the liability, any changes in the fair value will be included within selling, general and administrative expenses.
There were no additional assets and/or liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as of  June 30, 2018 or December 31, 2017 .
NOTE 7. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
The Company is exposed to interest rate risks related to its business operations. To reduce the interest rate risk the Company uses derivative instruments, including interest rate swaps contracts. The Company does not use derivatives for speculative trading purposes.
Cash flow hedge
To offset the variability of cash flows in interest payments associated with a portion of the Company’s variable rate debt, the Company entered into an interest rate swap contract in January 2018 which is designated as a cash flow hedge. The interest rate swap hedges US LIBOR based debt which effectively converts variable-rate debt to a fixed interest rate. As of June 30, 2018 , the Company’s interest rate swap agreement had a notional amount of $300.0 million that hedges certain long-term debt obligations. The contract has a rate of 2.63% .
The following table illustrates the location and fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
Derivatives
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815
 
Interest rate swap
Other assets
 
$
1,424

 
n/a
 
$

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments under ASC 815
 
 
$
1,424

 
 
 
$


13



As of June 30, 2018 , there was no hedge ineffectiveness associated with the Company’s interest rate swap and no portion of our cash flow hedge is excluded from the assessment of effectiveness. The Company will defer any effective portion of the cash flow hedge to accumulated other comprehensive income and will reclassify into earnings when the transaction occurs. The interest rate swap had no effect on the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 . The Company does not expect any material reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings over the next 12 months.
NOTE 8. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
Information regarding the Company’s other intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
Gross
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Amount
 
Gross
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Amount
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tradenames
$
287,427

 
$

 
$
287,427

 
$
225,600

 
$

 
$
225,600

Finite-lived intangible assets:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Customer relationships
74,910

 
(14,551
)
 
60,359

 
22,497

 
(11,575
)
 
10,922

Copyrights & design
9,542

 
(618
)
 
8,924

 

 

 

Various
13,378

 
(10,586
)
 
2,792

 
12,088

 
(10,029
)
 
2,059

Total
$
385,257

 
$
(25,755
)
 
$
359,502

 
$
260,185

 
$
(21,604
)
 
$
238,581

The Company’s amortization expense, which is recorded on a straight-line basis, related to finite-lived intangible assets was $2.2 million and $4.1 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and $0.8 million and $1.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. The expected amortization expense based on the finite-lived intangible assets as of June 30, 2018 are as follows (in thousands):
 
Estimated Amortization
Remainder of 2018
$
4,421

2019
8,804

2020
8,731

2021
8,206

2022
7,881

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment are as follows (in thousands):
 
Office
Segment
 
Lifestyle Segment
 
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2017
$
36,220

 
$
105,893

 
$
142,113

Foreign currency translation adjustment
(335
)
 
(9,235
)
 
(9,570
)
Goodwill acquired

 
193,813

 
193,813

Balance as of June 30, 2018
$
35,885

 
$
290,471

 
$
326,356


14



NOTE 9. OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
Information regarding the Company’s other current liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Accrued employee compensation
$
30,457

 
$
41,144

Customer deposits
40,063

 
30,484

Warranty
9,681

 
9,174

Contingent payout
1,100

 
1,100

Other
28,342

 
22,256

Other current liabilities
$
109,643

 
$
104,158

NOTE 10. INDEBTEDNESS
The Company’s long-term debt is summarized as follows (in thousands):
 
June 30, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Balance of revolving credit facility
$
155,000

 
$
27,000

Balance of term loan
340,989

 
165,000

Total long-term debt
495,989

 
192,000

Less: current maturities of long-term debt
17,274

 
10,000

Less: deferred financing fees, net
4,583

 
952

Long-term debt
$
474,132

 
$
181,048

On January 23, 2018, the Company completed an amendment to its existing credit facility, dated May 20, 2014 (the “Existing Credit Agreement”), whereby the Existing Credit Agreement was amended and restated in its entirety by the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, among the Company and certain foreign subsidiaries of the Company, as borrowers, and certain domestic and foreign subsidiaries of the Company, as guarantors, (the “Amended Credit Agreement”).
The Amended Credit Agreement provides for a $750.0 million credit facility that matures in five years, consisting of a revolving commitment in the amount of $400.0 million , which may be available in U.S. dollars, Euro, British Pound and other foreign currencies, a U.S. term loan commitment in the amount of $250.0 million and a multicurrency term loan commitment in the amount of €81.7 million . The Amended Credit Agreement also includes an option to increase the size of the revolving credit facility or incur incremental term loans by up to the greater of $250.0 million or 90% of the EBITDA of the Company and its subsidiaries for the four fiscal quarters prior to such increase or additional loan, subject to the satisfaction of certain terms and conditions. The proceeds of the credit facility were used to (1) consummate the Muuto acquisition and, (2) refinance certain indebtedness and will also be used, among other things, for general corporate and operational purposes. Borrowings under the revolving credit facility may be repaid at any time, but no later than the maturity date on January 23, 2023 . The Company retains the right to terminate or reduce the size of the revolving credit facility at any time. Borrowings under the term loan facilities amortize in equal quarterly installments equaling 5% per annum, with the remaining borrowings due on the maturity date.
Interest on the revolving credit and term loans will accrue, at the Company’s election, at (i) the Eurocurrency Rate (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement), plus additional percentage points based on the Company’s leverage ratio or (ii) the Base Rate (a rate based on the higher of (a) the prime rate announced from time-to-time by Bank of America, N.A., (b) the Federal Reserve System’s federal funds rate, plus .50% or (c) the Eurocurrency Rate, plus 1.00% ; Base Rate is defined in detail in the Amended Credit Agreement), plus additional percentage points based on the Company’s leverage ratio.
The Amended Credit Agreement requires the Company to comply with various affirmative and negative covenants, including without limitation (i) covenants to maintain a minimum specified interest coverage ratio and maximum specified net leverage ratio (or under certain circumstances, a maximum specified net secured leverage ratio), and (ii) covenants that prevent or restrict the Company’s ability to pay dividends, engage in certain mergers or acquisitions, make certain investments or loans, incur future indebtedness, engage in sale-leaseback transactions, alter its capital structure or line of business, prepay subordinated indebtedness, engage in certain transactions with affiliates and sell stock or assets.

15



Repayments under the Amended Credit Agreement can be accelerated by the lenders upon the occurrence of certain events of default, including, without limitation, a failure to pay any principal, interest or other amounts in respect of loans when due, breach by the Company (or its subsidiaries) of any of the covenants or representations contained in the Amended Credit Agreement or related loan documents, failure of the Company (or its material subsidiaries) to pay any amounts owed with respect to other significant indebtedness of the Company or such subsidiary, or a bankruptcy event with respect to the Company or any of its material subsidiaries.
The indebtedness incurred under the Amended Credit Agreement is secured by substantially all of the Company’s tangible and intangible assets, including, without limitation, the Company’s intellectual property. The Company’s direct and indirect wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries have also guaranteed the obligations of the Company and the foreign borrowers under the Amended Credit Agreement and pledged substantially all of their tangible and intangible assets as security for their obligations under such guarantee. Certain of the Company’s wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries have guaranteed the obligations of the foreign borrowers under the Amended Credit Agreement and pledged certain of their assets as security for their obligations under such guarantee.
The aggregate maturities of long-term debt are as follows:
 
 
Future minimum debt payments
2018
 
$
8,465

2019
 
17,274

2020
 
17,274

2021
 
17,274

2022
 
17,274

Thereafter
 
418,428

Total
 
$
495,989

Deferred Financing Fees
In conjunction with the issuance of the Amended Credit Agreement, the Company incurred $4.5 million in debt issuance costs, which are being deferred and amortized over the term of the Amended Credit Agreement. In conjunction with terminating the Company’s Existing Credit Agreement, $0.4 million in unamortized debt issuance costs and $1.0 million of third party fees related to debt extinguishment were written-off as a loss on extinguishment of debt during the six months ended June 30, 2018 . The loss on extinguishment of debt was recorded as interest expense, net on the accompanying statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The remaining unamortized fees are being amortized over the term of the Amended Credit Agreement.
NOTE 11. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND COMMITMENTS
Litigation
The Company is currently involved in matters of litigation, including environmental contingencies, arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company accrues for such matters when expenditures are probable and reasonably estimable. Based upon information presently known, management is of the opinion that such litigation, either individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Warranty
The Company provides for estimated product warranty expenses when related products are sold and are included within other current liabilities. Because warranty estimates are forecasts that are based on the best available information, primarily historical claims experience, future warranty claims may differ from the amounts provided.

16



Changes in the warranty reserve are as follows (in thousands):
Balance, December 31, 2017
 
$
9,174

Provision for warranty claims
 
3,813

Warranties acquired through business combinations
 
611

Warranty claims paid
 
(3,910
)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
 
(7
)
Balance, June 30, 2018
 
$
9,681

Warranty expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was $1.9 million and  $3.8 million , respectively. Warranty expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 was $1.7 million and $2.8 million , respectively.
NOTE 12. EQUITY
The following table shows the change in equity attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders and noncontrolling interests during the six months ended June 30, 2018 (in thousands):
 
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss)
 
Total
Knoll, Inc.
Stockholders' Equity
 
Noncontrolling Interests
 
Total Equity
Balance at December 31, 2017
 
$
493

 
$
54,455

 
$
347,304

 
$
(43,774
)
 
$
358,478

 
$
251

 
$
358,729

Adoption of ASU 2018-02
 

 

 
6,250

 
(6,250
)
 

 

 

Net earnings
 

 

 
28,383

 

 
28,383

 
7

 
28,390

Other comprehensive income
 

 

 

 
(2,959
)
 
(2,959
)
 

 
(2,959
)
Shares issued for consideration:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares issued under stock incentive plan
 
4

 
(2
)
 

 

 
2

 

 
2

Shares issued to Board of Directors in lieu of cash
 

 
37

 

 

 
37

 

 
37

Stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures
 

 
4,496

 

 

 
4,496

 

 
4,496

Cash dividend ($0.30 per share)
 

 

 
(15,238
)
 

 
(15,238
)
 

 
(15,238
)
Purchase of common stock
 
(2
)
 
(4,393
)
 

 

 
(4,395
)
 

 
(4,395
)
Balance at June 30, 2018
 
$
495

 
$
54,593

 
$
366,699

 
$
(52,983
)
 
$
368,804

 
$
258

 
$
369,062

The following table demonstrates the change in the number of shares of common stock outstanding during the six months ended June 30, 2018 (excludes non-voting restricted shares):
Shares outstanding as of December 31, 2017
 
48,497,942

Shares issued under stock incentive plan, net of awards surrendered to pay applicable taxes
 
194,641

Shares issued to Board of Directors in lieu of cash
 
1,838

Shares outstanding at June 30, 2018
 
48,694,421


17



NOTE 13. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) net of tax by component for the six months ended June 30, 2018 (in thousands):
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on Interest Rate Swaps
 
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustment
 
Pension and
Other Post-Employment
Liability
Adjustment
 
Total
Balance, as of December 31, 2017
$

 
$
(5,487
)
 
$
(38,287
)
 
$
(43,774
)
Adoption of ASU 2018-02

 

 
(6,250
)
 
(6,250
)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
1,053

 
(11,892
)
 
4,249

 
(6,590
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 
3,631

 
3,631

Net current-period other comprehensive income
1,053


(11,892
)
 
7,880

 
(2,959
)
Balance, as of June 30, 2018
$
1,053


$
(17,379
)
 
$
(36,657
)
 
$
(52,983
)
The following reclassifications were made from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to the condensed consolidated statements of operations and other comprehensive income (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
June 30, 2018
 
June 30, 2017
 
June 30, 2018
 
June 30, 2017
Amortization of pension and other post-employment liability adjustments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prior service credits (1)
$
(182
)
 
$
(371
)
 
$
(364
)
 
$
(742
)
Actuarial losses (1)
348

 
155

 
696

 
310

Loss recognized during settlement
4,608

 

 
4,608

 

Total before tax
4,774

 
(216
)
 
4,940

 
(432
)
Tax (benefit) expense
(1,265
)
 
78

 
(1,309
)
 
157

Net of tax
$
3,509

 
$
(138
)
 
$
3,631

 
$
(275
)
(1) These accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components are included in the computation of net periodic pension costs, and are included in Other income, net within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. See Note 5 for additional information.

18



NOTE 14. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share excludes the dilutive effect of common shares that could potentially be issued due to the exercise of stock options and vesting of unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units, and is computed by dividing net earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that would occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. At June 30, 2018 and 2017 , the Company had restricted stock and restricted stock units, which could potentially dilute basic earnings per share in the future. The following table sets forth the reconciliation from basic to dilutive average common shares (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders
$
13,124

 
$
12,938

 
$
28,383

 
$
28,338

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per share - weighted-average shares
48,672

 
48,465

 
48,615

 
48,375

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Potentially dilutive shares resulting from stock plans
459

 
912

 
523

 
920

Diluted earnings per share - weighted-average shares
49,131

 
49,377

 
49,138

 
49,295

Antidilutive equity awards not included in weighted-average common shares—diluted

 

 

 
12

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings per common share attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
$
0.27

 
$
0.27

 
$
0.58

 
$
0.59

Diluted
$
0.27

 
$
0.26

 
$
0.58

 
$
0.57

NOTE 15. INCOME TAXES
The Company’s income tax provision consists of federal, state and foreign income taxes. The tax provision for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 were based on the estimated effective tax rates applicable for the full years ending December 31, 2018 and 2017 and includes items specifically related to the interim periods. The Company’s effective tax rate was 26.6% and 31.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively. The decrease in the Company’s effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017 was due to the Tax Act legislation. The Company’s geographic mix of pretax income and the varying effective tax rates in the countries and states in which the Company operates also impacts its effective tax rate.
As of both June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $0.9 million , respectively. These unrecognized tax benefit amounts would affect the effective tax rate if recognized. As of June 30, 2018 , the Company is subject to U.S. Federal Income Tax examination for the tax years 2007 through 2017, and to non-U.S. income tax examination for the tax years 2010 through 2017. In addition, the Company is subject to state and local income tax examinations for the tax years 2007 through 2017.

19



NOTE 16. SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company manages its business through its reportable segments: Office and Lifestyle.
The Office segment includes a complete range of workplace products that address diverse workplace planning paradigms in North America and Europe. These products include: systems furniture, seating, storage, tables, desks and KnollExtra® accessories as well as the international sales of our Office products.
The Lifestyle segment includes KnollStudio®, HOLLY HUNT®, DatesWeiser, Muuto, KnollTextiles®, Spinneybeck® (including Filzfelt®), and Edelman® Leather. KnollStudio products, which are distributed in North America and Europe, include iconic seating, lounge furniture, side, cafe and dining chairs as well as conference, training and dining and occasional tables. HOLLY HUNT® is known for high quality residential furniture, lighting, rugs, textiles and leathers. In addition, HOLLY HUNT® also includes Vladimir Kagan Design Group, a renowned collection of modern luxury furnishings. DatesWeiser, known for its sophisticated meeting and conference tables and credenzas, sets a standard for design, quality and technology integration. The KnollTextiles®, Spinneybeck® (including Filzfelt®), and Edelman® Leather businesses provide a wide range of customers with high-quality fabrics, felt, leather and related architectural products. The acquisition of Muuto rounds out the Lifestyle segment with its ancillary products and affordable luxury furnishings to make the Lifestyle segment an all encompassing “resimercial”, high performance workplace, from uber-luxury living spaces to affordable luxury residential living.
In 2018, the Company revised its segment presentation by aggregating the former Studio and Coverings segments with Muuto to create the Lifestyle segment. Additionally, the Office segment now includes the office business in Europe which was historically reported in Studio. The Company believes this revised presentation better aligns the segments with how management views and operates the Company. As a result of this change in segment reporting, the Company retrospectively revised prior period results, by segment, to conform to current period presentation.
Corporate costs include unallocated costs relating to shared services and general corporate activities such as legal expenses, acquisition expenses, certain finance, human resources, administrative and executive expenses and other expenses that are not directly attributable to an operating segment. Dedicated, direct selling, general and administrative expenses, of the segments are included within segment operating profit. Management regularly reviews the costs included in the Corporate function and believes disclosing such information provides more visibility and transparency of how the chief operating decision maker reviews the results for the Company.

20



The tables below present the Company’s segment information with Corporate costs excluded from reporting segment results. Prior year amounts have been recast to conform to the current presentation (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
2018
 
2017
SALES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Office
$
190,747

 
$
162,599

 
$
372,365

 
$
320,597

Lifestyle
132,604

 
106,095

 
247,545

 
204,917

Knoll, Inc. 
$
323,351

 
$
268,694

 
$
619,910

 
$
525,514

INTERSEGMENT SALES (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Office
$
497

 
$
450

 
$
1,009

 
$
724

Lifestyle
3,050

 
2,142

 
5,404

 
5,191

Knoll, Inc. 
$
3,547

 
$
2,592

 
$
6,413

 
$
5,915

OPERATING PROFIT
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Office (2)
$
10,316

 
$
4,812

 
$
19,182

 
$
13,639

Lifestyle
20,965

 
20,584

 
41,141

 
38,996

Corporate (3)
(6,469
)
 
(5,564
)
 
(13,051
)
 
(12,167
)
Knoll, Inc. (4)
$
24,812

 
$
19,832

 
$
47,272

 
$
40,468

_______________________________________________________________________________
(1) Intersegment sales are presented on a cost-plus basis which takes into consideration the effect of transfer prices between legal entities.
(2) Knoll recorded restructuring charges of $0.8 million and $1.4 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and $2.2 million of restructuring charges for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 within the Office segment related to an organizational realignment that will result in greater operating efficiency and control in 2018 and related to headcount rationalization and modernization of equipment in the Office segment in 2017.
(3) Knoll recorded acquisition costs of $0.5 million and $1.5 million related to the acquisition of Muuto within the Corporate segment during the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 .
(4) The Company does not allocate interest expense or other income, net to the reportable segments.

21



ITEM 2.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations provides an account of our financial performance and financial condition that should be read in conjunction with the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements.
Forward-looking Statements
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements, principally in the sections entitled “Risk Factors,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.” Statements and financial discussion and analysis contained in this Form 10-Q that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These statements discuss goals, intentions and expectations as to future trends, plans, events, results of operations or financial condition, or state other information relating to us, based on our current beliefs as well as assumptions made by us and information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements generally will be accompanied by words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “may,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” or other similar words, phrases or expressions. This includes, without limitation, our statements and expectations regarding any current or future recovery in our industry and publicly announced plans for increased capital and investment spending to achieve our long-term revenue and profitability growth goals, and our expectations with respect to leverage. Although we believe these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they are based upon a number of assumptions concerning future conditions, any or all of which may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, without limitation: the risks described in Item 1A and in Item 7A on our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017; changes in the financial stability of our clients or the overall economic environment, resulting in decreased corporate spending and service sector employment; changes in relationships with clients; the mix of products sold and of clients purchasing our products; the success of new technology initiatives; changes in business strategies and decisions; competition from our competitors; our ability to recruit and retain an experienced management team; changes in raw material prices and availability; restrictions on government spending resulting in fewer sales to the U.S. government, one of our largest customers; our debt restrictions on spending; our ability to protect our patents, copyrights and trademarks; our reliance on furniture dealers to produce sales; lawsuits arising from patents, copyrights and trademark infringements; violations of environmental laws and regulations; potential labor disruptions; adequacy of our insurance policies; the availability of future capital and the cost of borrowing; the overall strength and stability of our dealers, suppliers, and customers; access to necessary capital; our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses; the success of our design and implementation of a new enterprise resource planning system; and currency rate fluctuations. The factors identified above are believed to be important factors (but not necessarily all of the important factors) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Unpredictable or unknown factors could also have material adverse effects on us. All forward-looking statements included in this Form 10-Q are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing cautionary statements. Except as required under the Federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the SEC, we undertake no obligation to update, amend, or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Overview
We design, manufacture, market and sell high-end commercial and residential furniture, accessories, textiles, fine leathers and designer felt for the workplace and residential markets, as well as modern outdoor furniture. We work with clients to create inspired modern interiors. Our design-driven businesses share a reputation for high-quality and sophistication offering a diversified product portfolio that endures throughout evolving trends and performs throughout business cycles. Our products are targeted at the middle to upper-end of the market, where we reach customers primarily through a broad network of independent dealers and distribution partners, our direct sales force, our showrooms, and our online presence.
Business Highlights
During the last decade we have diversified our sources of revenue among our varying operating segments. We continue to build Knoll with an eye toward what works for our customers and shareholders: a constellation of design-driven brands and people, working together with our clients to create inspired modern interiors combined with our disciplined approach to the management of our business has resulted in the creation of a singular entity.
Over time we believe our diversification efforts and strategy will continue to result in a more profitable and less cyclical enterprise. Knoll brands span commercial and residential applications with high design opportunities, and are heavily influenced by architect and designer specifiers. We are focused on targeting under-penetrated and emerging ancillary categories and markets as well as expanding our reach into residential and decorator channels around the world.

22



Our efforts to diversify our sources of revenue among our operating segments has not detracted from our continued focus on growing and improving the operating performance of our Office segment. We are looking beyond the traditional office product categories of systems, task seating and storage, to furniture that supports activity areas and the in-between spaces where people meet. We believe that our success in traditional office products gives us an advantage throughout the workplace. Our new Rockwell Unscripted collection encompasses every product category ranging from seating and lounge to architectural walls and storage. It addresses the needs of organizations that seek alternatives to the traditional workspace, and is substantially additive to our current product portfolio. In addition to these initiatives, we aim to increase profitability through operational improvements and investments in our physical and technological infrastructure.
We are committed to building a more efficient and responsive customer centric service culture and technology infrastructure across our organization. Our capital expenditures are reflective of this commitment as we continued to invest in the business through technology infrastructure upgrades and continued investments in our manufacturing facilities focusing on lean initiatives and showroom presence.
Results of Operations
Comparison of Consolidated Results for the Three Months Ended   June 30, 2018  and  2017
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2018 vs. 2017
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Net Sales
 
$
323,351

 
$
268,694

 
$
54,657

 
20.3
 %
Gross profit
 
119,287

 
99,958

 
19,329

 
19.3
 %
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
93,637

 
77,976

 
15,661

 
20.1
 %
Restructuring charges
 
838

 
2,150

 
(1,312
)
 
100.0
 %
Operating profit
 
24,812

 
19,832

 
4,980

 
25.1
 %
Pension settlement charge
 
4,608

 

 
4,608

 
100.0
 %
Interest expense
 
5,252

 
1,859

 
3,393

 
182.5
 %
Other income, net
 
(2,792
)
 
(2,169
)
 
(623
)
 
28.7
 %
Income tax expense
 
4,621

 
7,182

 
(2,561
)
 
(35.7
)%
Net earnings
 
13,123

 
12,960

 
163

 
1.3
 %
Net earnings attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders
 
13,124

 
12,938

 
186

 
1.4
 %
Net earnings per common share attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.27

 
$
0.27

 
$

 
 %
Diluted
 
$
0.27

 
$
0.26

 
$
0.01

 
3.8
 %
Statistical Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit %
 
36.9
%

37.2
%
 
 
 
 
Operating profit %
 
7.7
%

7.4
%

 
 
 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses %
 
29.0
%
 
29.0
%
 
 
 
 
Net Sales
Net sales for the three months ended June 30, 2018 were $323.4 million , an increase of $54.7 million , or 20.3% , from sales of $268.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 . Net sales for the Office segment were $190.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 , an increase of 17.3% , when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017 . The increase in the Office segment was a result of strong growth in commercial sales in both North America and Europe. Newer workplace platforms and complimentary products drove sales growth, while legacy system sales were consistent with the second quarter of 2017. Net sales for the Lifestyle segment were $132.6 million during the three months ended June 30, 2018 , an increase of 25.0% , from the three months ended June 30, 2017 . This increase was primarily driven by the inclusion of three months of sales from Muuto as well as increased volume in our contract markets.

23



Gross Profit
Gross profit for the three months ended June 30, 2018 was $119.3 million , an increase of $19.3 million , or 19.3% , from gross profit of $100.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 . As a percentage of sales, gross profit decreased from 37.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2017 to 36.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2018. The slight decrease in gross profit margin was driven by an acquisition related inventory adjustment of $0.9 million in the second quarter of 2018.
Operating Profit
Operating profit for the three months ended June 30, 2018 was $24.8 million , an increase of $5.0 million , or 25.1% , from operating profit of $19.8 million  for the three months ended June 30, 2017 . The increase in operating profit was driven primarily by higher sales volume and the inclusion of Muuto. Operating profit for the Office segment was $10.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 , an increase of $5.5 million, or 114.4% , from the three months ended June 30, 2017 . Operating profit for the Lifestyle segment was $21.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2018 , an increase of $0.4 million, or 1.8%, from the three months ended June 30, 2017 .
Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2018 were $94.5 million , or 29.2% of sales, an increase of $14.4 million from $80.1 million , or 29.8% of sales, for the three months ended June 30, 2017 . The increase was due primarily to incremental operating expenses related to Muuto as well as higher incentive compensation from increased sales volume and profitability. Operating expenses also included restructuring charges of $0.8 million. The restructuring charges were related to supply chain optimization expenses of $0.5 million as well as an organizational realignment within the sales and customer service functions that will result in greater operational efficiency and control of $0.3 million. Additionally, as a result of adopting ASU 2017-07 we reclassified $1.9 million and $2.4 million of net periodic benefit income from operating expense to other income on the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three months ending June 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively.
In the second quarter of 2018 we recorded acquisition expenses of $4.1 million, which was comprised of amortization of intangibles of $2.1 million, retention agreements for key employees of $1.5 million, as well as other customary acquisition related expenses of $0.5 million.
Interest Expense
Interest expense for the three months ended June 30, 2018 was $5.3 million , an increase of $3.4 million from interest expense of $1.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017 . The increase was due primarily to additional debt as a result of the Muuto acquisition and higher interest rates. During the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 , our weighted average interest rate was approximately 3.6% and 2.4%, respectively.
Other Income, net
During the three months ended June 30, 2018 , other income was  $2.8 million compared to $2.2 million for the second quarter of 2017. Other income is primarily related to foreign exchange gains and losses and net periodic benefit income from the Company's pension and other post-employment benefit plans in both 2018 and 2017. In accordance with the adoption of ASU 2017-07, which was effective for the Company on January 1, 2018, the Company reclassified the net periodic benefit income recognized on the Company's pension and other post-employment benefit plans from selling, general, and administrative expense to other income for all periods presented.
Income Tax Expense
Our effective tax rate was 26.0% for the three months ended June 30, 2018 , compared to 35.7% for the three months ended June 30, 2017 . The decrease in the tax rate is due to the passage of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as well as the mix of pretax income and the varying effective tax rates in the countries and states in which we operate.

24



Comparison of Consolidated Results for the Six Months Ended   June 30, 2018  and  2017
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018 vs. 2017
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
 
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
Net Sales
 
$
619,910

 
$
525,514

 
$
94,396

 
18.0
 %
Gross profit
 
226,998

 
195,632

 
31,366

 
16.0
 %
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
 
178,362

 
153,014

 
25,348

 
16.6
 %
Restructuring expense
 
1,364

 
2,150

 
(786
)
 
(36.6
)%
Operating profit
 
47,272

 
40,468

 
6,804

 
16.8
 %
Interest expense
 
10,780

 
3,530

 
7,250

 
205.4
 %
Other income, net
 
(6,794
)
 
(4,360
)
 
(2,434
)
 
55.8
 %
Income tax expense
 
10,288

 
12,946

 
(2,658
)
 
(20.5
)%
Net earnings
 
28,390

 
28,352

 
38

 
0.1
 %
Net earnings attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders
 
28,383

 
28,338

 
45

 
0.2
 %
Net earnings per common share attributable to Knoll, Inc. stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.58


$
0.59

 
$
(0.01
)
 
(1.7
)%
Diluted
 
$
0.58


$
0.57

 
$
0.01

 
1.8
 %
Statistical Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross profit %
 
36.6
%
 
37.2
%
 
 
 
 
Operating profit %
 
7.6
%
 
7.7
%
 
 
 
 
Selling, general, and administrative expenses %
 
28.8
%
 
29.1
%
 
 
 
 
Net Sales
Net sales for the six months ended June 30, 2018 were $619.9 , an increase of $94.4 million , or 18.0% , from sales of $525.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase in sales was driven by strong sales across both of our segments. A $51.8 million increase in our Office segment sales resulting from strong growth in commercial sales in both North America and Europe combined with newer workplace platforms and complimentary products sales growth. Our Lifestyle segment sales increased $42.6 million, or 20.8%, from the same period in the prior year. This increase was primarily driven by the inclusion of five months of sales from Muuto.
Gross Profit
Gross profit for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was $227.0 million , an increase of $31.4 million , or 16.0% , from gross profit of $195.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 . As a percentage of sales, gross profit decreased from 37.2% for the six months ended June 30, 2017 to 36.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 . This decrease was driven mainly by the Office segment, where higher volume and a favorable shift of mix towards new product platforms were offset by unfavorable commodity and transportation inflation when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017 .
Operating Profit
Operating profit for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was $47.3 million , an increase of $6.8 million , or 16.8% , from operating profit of $40.5 million  for the six months ended June 30, 2017 . The increase in operating profit was driven primarily by higher sales volume and the inclusion of Muuto. Operating profit as a percentage of sales was 7.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to 7.7% in the six months ended June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2018 .
Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2018 were $178.4 million , or 28.8% of sales, compared to $153.0 million , or 29.1% of sales, for the six months ended June 30, 2017 . The increase was due primarily to incremental operating expenses related to costs related to the rollout of the Rockwell Unscripted product line , Muuto related costs as well as higher incentive compensation from increased sales volume and profitability. Additionally, as a result of adopting ASU 2017-07 we reclassified $4.2 million and $4.8 million of net periodic benefit income from operating expense to other income on the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the six months ending June 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively.

25



Interest Expense
Interest expense for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was $10.8 million , an increase of $7.3 million from interest expense of $3.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 . The increase was due primarily to increased debt levels as a result of the Muuto acquisition and higher interest rates. During the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 , our weighted average interest rate was approximately 3.6% and 2.3%, respectively.
Other Income, net
Other income for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was  $6.8 million , an increase of $2.4 million from $4.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 . Other income for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 was primarily related to foreign exchange gains that resulted from the revaluation of intercompany balances.
Income Tax Expense
Our effective tax rate was 26.6% for the six months ended June 30, 2018 , compared to 31.3% for the six months ended June 30, 2017 . The decrease in the tax rate is due to the passage of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as well as the mix of pretax income and the varying effective tax rates in the countries and states in which we operate.
Segment Reporting
We manage our business through our reporting segments: Office and Lifestyle.
The Office segment includes a complete range of workplace products that address diverse workplace planning paradigms in North America and Europe. These products include: systems furniture, seating, storage, tables, desks and KnollExtra® accessories as well as the international sales of our Office products.
The Lifestyle segment includes KnollStudio®, HOLLY HUNT®, DatesWeiser, Muuto, KnollTextiles®, Spinneybeck® (including Filzfelt®), and Edelman® Leather. KnollStudio products, which are distributed in North America and Europe, include iconic seating, lounge furniture, side, cafe and dining chairs as well as conference, training and dining and occasional tables. HOLLY HUNT® is known for high quality residential furniture, lighting, rugs, textiles and leathers. In addition, HOLLY HUNT® also includes Vladimir Kagan Design Group, a renowned collection of modern luxury furnishings. DatesWeiser, known for its sophisticated meeting and conference tables and credenzas, sets a standard for design, quality and technology integration. The KnollTextiles®, Spinneybeck® (including Filzfelt®), and Edelman® Leather businesses provide a wide range of customers with high-quality fabrics, felt, leather and related architectural products. The acquisition of Muuto rounds out the Lifestyle segment with its ancillary products and affordable luxury furnishings to make the Lifestyle segment an all encompassing “resimercial”, high performance workplace, from uber-luxury living spaces to affordable luxury residential living.
The comparisons of segment results found below has been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the change in segment reporting discussed in Reportable Segments above.
Comparison of Segment Results for the Three Months Ended   June 30, 2018  and  2017
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
2018 vs. 2017
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
SALES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Office
 
$
190,747

 
$
162,599

 
$
28,148

 
17.3
%
Lifestyle
 
132,604

 
106,095

 
26,509

 
25.0
%
Knoll, Inc. 
 
$
323,351

 
$
268,694

 
$
54,657

 
20.3
%
OPERATING PROFIT
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Office
 
$
10,316

 
$
4,812

 
$
5,504

 
114.4
%
Lifestyle
 
20,965

 
20,584

 
381

 
1.9
%
Corporate
 
(6,469
)
 
(5,564
)
 
(905
)
 
16.3
%
Knoll, Inc. (1)
 
$
24,812

 
$
19,832

 
$
4,980

 
25.1
%
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1) We do not allocate interest expense or other expense (income), net to the reportable segments.

26



Office
Net sales for the Office segment for the three months ended June 30, 2018 were $190.7 million , an increase of $28.1 million , or 17.3% , when compared with the three months ended June 30, 2017 . The increase in the Office segment was due primarily to strong volume growth in new workplace platforms and expanded price options in ergonomic categories such as height adjustable tables and seating. Operating profit for the Office segment in the three months ended June 30, 2018 was $10.3 million , an increase of $5.5 million, or 114.4% , when compared with the three months ended June 30, 2017 .
Lifestyle
Net sales for the Lifestyle segment for the three months ended June 30, 2018 were $132.6 million , an increase of $26.5 million , or 25.0% , when compared with the three months ended June 30, 2017 . The increase was due primarily to the inclusion of Muuto as well as higher sales from DatesWeiser and KnollStudio in Europe. Operating profit for the Lifestyle segment in the three months ended June 30, 2018 was $21.0 million , an increase of $0.4 million , or 1.9% , when compared with the three months ended June 30, 2017 . The increase in operating profit was driven primarily by the acquisition of Muuto combined with increased volume.
Corporate
Corporate costs for the three months ended June 30, 2018 were $6.5 million , an increase of $0.9 million, when compared with the three months ended June 30, 2017 . The increase was driven by higher management incentive based on financial results, spending on outside services and increased stock compensation expense during the three months ended June 30, 2018 .
Comparison of Segment Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018 vs. 2017
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
$ Change
 
% Change
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
SALES
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Office
 
$
372,365

 
$
320,597

 
$
51,768

 
16.1
%
Lifestyle
 
247,545

 
204,917

 
42,628

 
20.8
%
Knoll, Inc. 
 
$
619,910

 
$
525,514

 
$
94,396

 
18.0
%
OPERATING PROFIT
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Office
 
$
19,182

 
$
13,639

 
$
5,543

 
40.6
%
Lifestyle
 
41,141

 
38,996

 
2,145

 
5.5
%
Corporate
 
(13,051
)
 
(12,167
)
 
(884
)
 
7.3
%
Knoll, Inc. (1)
 
$
47,272

 
$
40,468

 
$
6,804

 
16.8
%
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1) The Company does not allocate interest expense or other expense (income), net to the reportable segments.
Office
Net sales for the Office segment for the six months ended June 30, 2018 were $372.4 million , an increase of $51.8 million , or 16.1% , when compared with the six months ended June 30, 2017 . The increase in the Office segment was due primarily to strong volume growth in new workplace platforms and ancillary products in the commercial space in both North America and Europe. Operating profit for the Office segment in the six months ended June 30, 2018 was $19.2 million , an increase of $5.5 million , or 40.6% , when compared with the six months ended June 30, 2017 . The increase in operating profit for the Office segment was due primarily to increased sales volume as operating profit as a percentage of sales remained flat year over year.
Lifestyle
Net sales for the Lifestyle segment for the six months ended June 30, 2018 were $247.5 million , an increase of $42.6 million , or 20.8% , when compared with the six months ended June 30, 2017 . This increase was driven by the inclusion of Muuto as well as strong growth at DatesWeiser and KnollStudio in Europe. Operating profit for the Lifestyle segment in the six months ended June 30, 2018 was $41.1 million , an increase of $2.1 million , or 5.5% , when compared with the six months ended June 30, 2017 . The increase in operating profit was driven primarily by the acquisition of Muuto combined with increased volume.

27



Corporate
Corporate costs for the six months ended June 30, 2018 were $13.1 million , an increase of $0.9 million , or 7.3% , when compared with the six months ended June 30, 2017 . The increase was driven by higher management incentive costs based on financial results, spending on outside services and increased stock compensation expense.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The following table highlights certain key cash flows and capital information pertinent to the discussion that follows:
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in thousands)
Cash provided by operating activities
$
33,773

 
$
32,238

Capital expenditures, net
(16,031
)
 
(20,756
)
Purchase of business, net of cash acquired
(304,088
)
 

Purchase of common stock for treasury
(4,395
)
 
(10,570
)
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities
339,000

 
214,000

Repayment of revolving credit facilities
(211,000
)
 
(194,000
)
Proceeds of term loans
352,499

 

Repayment of term loans
(171,859
)
 
(5,000
)
Payment of dividends
(15,426
)
 
(15,729
)
Payment of financing fees
(4,578
)
 

Loss on debt extinguishment
(1,023
)
 

Contingent purchase price payment

 
(6,000
)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities
283,257

 
(16,748
)
We have historically funded our business through cash generated from operations, supplemented by debt borrowings. Available cash is primarily used for our working capital needs, ongoing operations, capital expenditures, the payment of quarterly dividends, and the repurchase of shares. Capital expenditures are related primarily to investments in assets that help to improve operating efficiency, innovation and modernization, technology infrastructure and showroom refreshes. During the six months ended June 30, 2018 , we made quarterly dividend payments of $0.15 per share, returning $14.7 million of cash to our shareholders. In addition to our quarterly dividend payments, we also paid accrued dividends on vested shares of $0.7 million.
Cash provided by operating activities was $33.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to $32.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 . For the six months ended June 30, 2018 , cash provided by operating activities consisted primarily of $51.4 million from net income and various non-cash charges, including $17.3 million of depreciation and amortization, $4.5 million of stock-based compensation and $1.8 million of unrealized foreign currency gains, partially offset by $17.6 million of unfavorable changes in assets and liabilities driven primarily by increased inventory purchases and increased accounts receivable. For the six months ended June 30, 2017 , cash provided by operating activities consisted of $45.5 million from net income and various non-cash charges, including $12.6 million of depreciation and amortization and $5.0 million of stock based compensation, partially offset by $13.3  million of unfavorable changes in assets and liabilities.
Investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2018 include the purchase of Muuto for $303.7 million, net of cash acquired, in January 2018. During the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, we used $16.0 million and $20.8 million of cash for capital expenditures, respectively. The capital expenditures are reflective of our continued commitment to enhance and modernize our sales, manufacturing and information technology infrastructure.
Cash provided by financing activities was $283.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to cash used by financing activities of $16.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. During the six months ended June 30, 2018 , we amended and extended our Existing Credit Facility. The proceeds from our term loans and revolving credit facilities under our Amended Credit Facility of $350.5 million and $282.0 million, respectively, were used to finance a portion of the Muuto acquisition, repay the outstanding balance on the term loans of our Existing Credit Facility of $165.0 million as well as to fund our working capital needs. Additionally, we paid $5.5 million of fees related to the issuance of the Amended Credit Facility, of which $4.5 million was capitalized as deferred financing fees and $1.0 million was expensed as a loss on debt extinguishment. For the  six months ended   June 30, 2017 , we used $10.6 million for share repurchases,  $15.7 million of cash to fund dividend payments to shareholders, and  $6.0 million for the HOLLY HUNT® contingent purchase price payment.

28



On January 23, 2018, we amended and extended our Existing Credit Facility, dated May 20, 2014, with a $750.0 million credit facility maturing on January 23, 2023. We use our credit facility in the ordinary course of business to fund our working capital needs and, at times, make significant borrowings and repayments under the facility depending on our cash needs and availability at such time. Borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement may be repaid at any time, but no later than January 23, 2023.
The Amended Credit Agreement requires that we comply with two financial covenants, consolidated total net leverage ratio, defined as the ratio of total indebtedness (net of unrestricted cash up to $15.0 million) to consolidated EBITDA (as defined in our credit agreement) and consolidated interest coverage ratio, defined as the ratio of our consolidated EBITDA (as defined in our credit agreement) to our consolidated interest expense. Our consolidated leverage ratio cannot exceed 4.25 to 1, an increase from our Existing Credit Facility at December 31, 2017 of 4.0 to 1, and our consolidated interest coverage ratio must be a minimum of 3.0 to 1. However, because of the financial covenant mentioned above, our capacity under our credit facility could be reduced if our trailing consolidated EBITDA (as defined by our credit agreement) declines due to deteriorating market conditions or poor performance. We are also required to comply with various other affirmative and negative covenants including, without limitation, covenants that prevent or restrict our ability to pay dividends, engage in certain mergers or acquisitions, make certain investments or loans, incur future indebtedness, engage in sale-leaseback transactions, alter our capital structure or line of business, prepay subordinated indebtedness, engage in certain transactions with affiliates and sell stock or assets.
We are currently in compliance with all of the covenants and conditions under our credit facility. We believe that existing cash balances and internally generated cash flows, together with borrowings available under our credit facility, will be sufficient to fund working capital needs, capital spending requirements, debt service requirements and dividend payments for at least the next twelve months. Future debt payments may be paid out of cash flows from operations, from future refinancing of our debt or from equity issuances. Our ability to make scheduled payments of principal, pay interest on or to refinance our indebtedness, satisfy our other debt obligations and to pay dividends to stockholders will depend upon our future operating performance, which is affected by general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, business and other factors beyond our control.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our contractual cash obligations as of June 30, 2018 (in thousands):
 
 
Payments Due by Period
 
 
Less than
1 year
 
1 to 3
years
 
3 to 5
years
 
More than
5 years
 
Total
Long-term debt (1)
 
$
26,518

 
$
67,883

 
$
502,632

 
$

 
$
597,033

_______________________________________________________________________________
(1) Contractual obligations for long-term debt and short-term borrowings include principal and interest payments. Interest payments have been computed based on an estimated variable interest rate as of June 30, 2018 . The estimated variable interest rate is based on the Company’s expected consolidated leverage ratio and the forecasted LIBOR rate for each period presented.
Environmental Matters
Our past and present business operations and the past and present ownership and operation of manufacturing plants on real property are subject to extensive and changing federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to discharges to air, water and land, the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous waste and the cleanup of properties affected by hazardous substances. As a result, we are involved from time-to-time in administrative and judicial proceedings and inquiries relating to environmental matters and could become subject to fines or penalties related thereto. We cannot predict what environmental legislation or regulations will be enacted in the future, how existing or future laws or regulations will be administered or interpreted or what environmental conditions may be found to exist. Compliance with more stringent laws or regulations, or stricter interpretation of existing laws, may require additional expenditures by us, some of which may be material. We have been identified as a potentially responsible party pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (“CERCLA”) for remediation costs associated with waste disposal sites that we previously used. The remediation costs and our allocated share at some of these CERCLA sites are unknown. We may also be subject to claims for personal injury or contribution relating to CERCLA sites. We reserve amounts for such matters when expenditures are probable and reasonably estimable.

29



Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special-purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. In addition, we do not engage in trading activities involving non-exchange-traded contracts. As a result, we are not materially exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in these relationships.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Actual results may differ from such estimates. On an ongoing basis, we review our accounting policies and procedures. A more detailed review of our critical accounting policies is contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 2017 .

30



ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We provided a discussion of our market risk in Part II, Item 7A, of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 2017 . There have been no substantive changes in our market risk described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K except for the items noted below. During the normal course of business, we are routinely subjected to market risk associated with interest rate movements and foreign currency exchange rate movements. Interest rate risk arises from our debt obligations and foreign currency exchange rate risk arises from our non-U.S. operations and purchases of inventory from foreign suppliers.
We also have risk in our exposure to certain materials and transportation costs. Steel, leather, wood products and plastics are all used in our products. For the six months ended June 30, 2018 , we estimated that materials inflation was approximately $1.6 million and transportation inflation approximately $3.0 million. During the six months ended June 30, 2017 , we estimated that materials inflation was approximately $2.2 million and transportation deflation was less than $0.1 million, respectively. We continue to work to offset price increases in raw materials and transportation through our global sourcing initiatives, cost improvements and price increases to our products.
Interest Rate Risk
We have variable rate debt obligations that are denominated in U.S. dollars. A change in interest rates will impact the interest costs incurred and cash paid on the variable rate debt. During the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 , our weighted average interest rates were approximately 3.6% and 2.3%, respectively.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We manufacture our products in the United States, Canada and Italy, and sell our products primarily in those markets as well as in other countries. Our foreign sales and certain expenses are transacted in foreign currencies. Our production costs, profit margins and competitive position are affected by the strength of the currencies in countries where we manufacture or purchase goods relative to the strength of the currencies in countries where our products are sold. Additionally, as our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar, our financial position is affected by the strength of the currencies in countries where we have operations relative to the strength of the U.S. dollar. The principal foreign currencies in which we conduct business are the Canadian dollar the Euro, and with the acquisition of Muuto, the Danish Krone. Approximately 19.0% and 13.1% of our revenues in the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, and 30.0% and 27.1% of our cost of goods sold in the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively, were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations resulted in $2.2 million of translation gains and $0.5 million of translation losses for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 , respectively.



31


ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.  We, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as of the end of the period covered by this report (June 30, 2018) (“Disclosure Controls”). Based upon the Disclosure Controls evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Disclosure Controls are effective in reaching a reasonable level of assurance that (i) information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and (ii) information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting.  Except for the Muuto acquisition, our aforementioned principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that there were no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting during our second fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Management is currently evaluating the impact of Muuto on Knoll, Inc’s internal control over financial reporting.


32



PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
For the  six months ended   June 30, 2018 , there have been no new material legal proceedings or material changes in the legal proceedings disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 .
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Except as set forth below, for the  six months ended   June 30, 2018 , there have been no material changes in the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 .
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
Our corporate documents provide, subject to certain exceptions, that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the exclusive forum for substantially all disputes between us and our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees.
Our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, any action asserting a breach of fiduciary duty, any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our Amended and Restated Bylaws, or any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. This provision may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and other employees. Alternatively, if a court were to find this provision in our Amended and Restated Bylaws to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
ITEM 2.    UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND THE USE OF PROCEEDS
Repurchases of Equity Securities
The following is a summary of share repurchase activity during the six months ended June 30, 2018 .
On August 17, 2005, our board of directors approved a stock repurchase program (the “Options Proceeds Program”), whereby they authorized us to purchase shares of our common stock in the open market using the cash proceeds received by us upon exercise of outstanding options.
On February 2, 2006, our board of directors approved an additional stock repurchase program, pursuant to which we are authorized to purchase up to $50.0 million of our common stock in the open market, through privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise. On February 4, 2008, our board of directors expanded this previously authorized $50.0 million stock repurchase program by an additional $50.0 million.

33



Period
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased
 
Average
Price Paid
Per Share
 
Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Dollar Value
of Shares that May Yet
be Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
(1)
April 1, 2018 - April 30, 2018
117,828

(2)  
$
20.75

 

 
$
32,352,413

May1, 2018 - May 31, 2018
726

(3)  
$
19.74

 

 
$
32,352,413

June 1, 2018 - June 30, 2018

 
$

 

 
$
32,352,413

Total
118,554

 
 

 

 
 

_______________________________________________________________________________
(1) There is no limit on the number or value of shares that may be purchased by us under the Options Proceeds Program. Under our $50.0 million stock repurchase program, which was expanded by an additional $50.0 million in February 2008, we are only authorized to spend an aggregate of $100.0 million on stock repurchases. Amounts in this column represent the amounts that remain available under the $100.0 million stock repurchase program as of the end of the period indicated. There is no scheduled expiration date for the Option Proceeds Program or the $100.0 million stock repurchase program, but our Board of Directors may terminate either program in the future.
(2) In April 2018, 200,000 shares of outstanding restricted stock vested. Concurrently with the vesting, 117,828 shares were forfeited by the holder of the shares to cover applicable taxes paid on the holder’s behalf by the Company.
(3) In May 2018, 1,806 shares of outstanding restricted stock vested. Concurrently with the vesting, 726 shares were forfeited by the holder of the shares to cover applicable taxes paid on the holder’s behalf by the Company.



34



ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
Amended and Restated Bylaws
On August 8, 2018, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) adopted and approved, effective immediately, the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”), to, among other things:
provide for the election of directors by a majority vote in uncontested elections;
update the advance notice provisions for director nominations and stockholder proposals;
clarify the requirements and procedures for stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders;
clarify the requirements and procedures for stockholders to act by written consent;
conform the procedures to fill director vacancies to the requirements of the Company’s certificate of incorporation;
clarify the Board of Directors’ ability to postpone or cancel a previously-scheduled meeting of stockholders;
clarify the powers of the chairman of a stockholder meeting over the conduct of such meeting;
allow for emergency meetings of the Board with less than 24 hours’ notice; and
designate the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the exclusive forum for certain actions and proceedings involving the Company.
The Board determined that the adoption of the exclusive forum bylaw is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders because, among other reasons, it will limit the ability of plaintiffs in certain cases to forum shop, which can result in a court located outside of Delaware interpreting Delaware law, and to litigate in multiple jurisdictions, which can result in conflicting decisions by different courts and significant expense to the Company.
The Amended and Restated Bylaws also include clarifications, updates and other non-substantive changes to other provisions thereof. The foregoing description of the Amended and Restated Bylaws is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amended and Restated Bylaws, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 3.2, and incorporated herein by reference.
Severance Agreements
On August 8, 2018, the Company entered into a Severance Agreement with each of Charles W. Rayfield, the Company’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Michael A. Pollner, the Company’s Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary (each, an “Executive”). The Severance Agreement provides that each Executive, subject to execution of a release agreement satisfactory the Company, would receive severance pay equal to twelve (12) months of base salary in the event of the occurrence of a “Triggering Event.” A “Triggering Event” is defined for this purpose as a termination of employment without “Cause,” which is defined in the Severance Agreement as: (i) the substantial and continued failure of the Executive to perform material duties reasonably required of the Executive for a period of not less than thirty (30) consecutive days, provided notice in writing from the Company or its Board of Directors, as applicable, is given to the Executive specifying in reasonable detail the circumstances constituting such substantial and continued failure; (ii) conduct by the Executive substantially disloyal to the Company, which conduct is identified in reasonable detail by notice in writing from the Company or the Board of Directors, as applicable, and which conduct, if susceptible of cure, is not cured by the Executive within thirty (30) days of the Executive’s receipt of such notice; (iii) any act of fraud, embezzlement or misappropriation by the Executive against the Company (or any subsidiary); (iv) any material violation of the Company’s Code of Ethics or other policies; or (v) the conviction of the Executive of a felony or plea by the Executive of guilty or “nolo contendere” to the charge of a felony. Termination of employment on account of the Executive’s death or disability shall not constitute a “Triggering Event.” The Severance Agreement also includes a non-competition covenant applying for the duration of the severance pay period following a “Triggering Event”.
The foregoing description of the terms of the Severance Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Severance Agreement, a copy of which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1, and incorporated herein by reference.

35



ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
 
Description
 
 
 
3.2
 
10.1
 
31.1
 
31.2
 
32
 
101
 
The following materials from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2018 formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, and (iv) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.*

* The Interactive Data Files on Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

36



SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
KNOLL, INC.
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
August 9, 2018
 
 
By:
/s/ Andrew B. Cogan
 
 
 
Andrew B. Cogan
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
Date:
August 9, 2018
 
 
By:
/s/ Charles W. Rayfield
 
 
 
Charles W. Rayfield
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)



37
Exhibit 3.2 KNOLL, INC. Incorporated Under the Laws of the State of Delaware AMENDED AND RESTATED BY-LAWS (effective August 8, 2018) ARTICLE I OFFICES The registered office of Knoll, Inc. (the “Corporation”) in Delaware shall be in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle. The Corporation may also have such other offices at such other places, within or without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate or the business of the Corporation may require. ARTICLE II STOCKHOLDERS Section 1. Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors and the transaction of any other business will be held in such city and state and at such date, time and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors and set forth in the notice of such meeting. At any annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, only such business shall be conducted as may properly be brought before the meeting in accordance with these Amended and Restated By-Laws (as amended from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof, these “By-Laws”). Section 2. Special Meetings. (a) Special meetings of the stockholders for any purpose may be called (1) at any time by the Board of Directors or by its Chairman, or by the Chief Executive Officer, or (2) by the Secretary at the request in writing of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote on any issue proposed to be considered at such special meeting; provided that a special meeting requested by one or more stockholders pursuant to this Section 2(a) shall be called by the Secretary only if the stockholder(s) requesting such meeting comply with this Section 2 and applicable law. Special meetings shall be held at such place or places within or without the State of Delaware as shall from time to time be designated by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of such meeting. At a special meeting no business shall be transacted and no corporate action shall be taken other than that stated in the notice of the meeting or otherwise properly brought before the special meeting.


 
(b) A stockholder or stockholders holding the requisite percentage of the voting power of all shares entitled to vote may request that the Secretary call a special meeting of the stockholders pursuant to Article II, Section 2(a)(2) by delivering a written request to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation by registered mail, return receipt requested, that the Board of Directors call such special meeting. To be in proper form, such written request shall (1) bear the signature and the date of signature by the stockholder of record submitting such request and set forth the name and address of such stockholder as they appear in the corporation’s books; (2) set forth a statement of the specific purpose or purposes of the stockholder requested special meeting and the matters proposed to be acted on at such stockholder requested special meeting, (3) include the information set forth in Article II, Section 10 of these By-laws; and (4) include an acknowledgment by each stockholder and any duly authorized agent that any disposition of shares of common stock as to which such stockholder has beneficial ownership as of the date of delivery of the written request and prior to the record date for the proposed special meeting requested by such stockholder shall constitute a revocation of such request with respect to such shares. In addition, the stockholder and any duly authorized agent shall promptly provide any other information reasonably requested by the Corporation to allow it to satisfy its obligations under applicable law. (c) Within 30 days after receipt of a valid request for a special meeting of stockholders under this Section 2, the Board of Directors shall cause a special meeting of stockholders to be called and held on notice no later than 90 days after receipt of the valid request, at the expense of the Corporation. Special meetings, including any postponements or adjournments thereof, shall be held on the date and at the time and place fixed by the Chairman of the Board or the Board of Directors. Any requesting stockholder may revoke a written request for a special meeting at any time prior to the commencement of the special meeting by written revocation delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation. If, following such revocation at any time before the commencement of the special meeting, the remaining stockholders who called the special meeting hold in the aggregate less than the percentage of shares required to demand a special meeting under this Section 2, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, may cancel the requested special meeting. (d) In connection with a special meeting called by one or more stockholders in accordance with this Section 2, the stockholder or stockholders shall further update the information previously provided to the Corporation in connection with the written demand for a special meeting, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such demand pursuant to this Section 2 shall be true and correct as of the record date for the special meeting and as of the date that is ten days prior to the special meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof, and such update shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than five business days after the record date for the meeting (in the case of the update required to be made as of the record date) and not later than seven business days prior to the date for the meeting, if practicable (or, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to any adjournment, recess or postponement thereof (in the case of the update required to be made as of ten business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment, recess or postponement thereof)). (e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation shall not be required to convene a special meeting called by one or more stockholders of the Corporation if (1) the demand for such 2


 
special meeting does not comply with this Section 2, (2) the request relates to an item of business that is not a proper subject for action by the stockholders of the Corporation under applicable law or (3) the request was made in a manner that involved a violation of Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or other applicable law. Compliance by the requesting stockholder or group with the requirements of this Section 2 and related provisions of these By-Laws shall be determined by the Board of Directors, which determination shall be conclusive and binding on the stockholder or stockholders making such demand for a special meeting. Except in accordance with this Section 2, stockholders shall not be permitted to propose business to be brought before a special meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that nothing herein shall prohibit the Corporation from submitting matters to a vote of the stockholders at a special meeting called by one or more stockholders. Section 3. Notice of Meetings. Not less than 10 days nor more than 60 days before the date of every stockholder’s meeting, the Secretary shall give to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting and each other stockholder entitled to notice of the meeting, written or printed notice stating the time and place of the meeting and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, either by mail or by presenting it to him or her personally or by leaving it at his or her residence or usual place of business. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed to be given when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the stockholder at his or her post office address as it appears on the records of the Corporation, with postage thereon prepaid. Notice of any adjourned meeting need not be given except by announcement at the meeting so adjourned, unless otherwise ordered in connection with such adjournment. Such further notice, if any, shall be given as may be required by law. Section 4. Waiver of Notice. Any stockholder may waive notice of any meeting before or after the meeting. The waiver must be in writing, signed by the stockholder and delivered to the Corporation for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records. A stockholder’s attendance, in person or by proxy, at a meeting (a) waives objection to lack of notice or defective notice of the meeting, unless the stockholder or his or her proxy at the beginning of the meeting objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting; and (b) waives objection to consideration of a particular matter at the meeting that is not within the purpose or purposes described in the meeting notice, unless the stockholder or his or her proxy objects to considering the matter before it is voted upon. Section 5. Quorum. Any number of stockholders, together holding at least a majority of the capital stock of the Corporation issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, who will be present in person or represented by proxy at any meeting duly called, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of all business, except as otherwise provided by law, by the Corporation’s Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) or by these By-Laws. Section 6. Adjournment or Postponement of Meetings. The chairman of the meeting or the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the stockholders who are present in person or by proxy, may adjourn the meeting from time to time whether or not a quorum is present. In the event that a quorum does not exist with respect to any vote to be taken by a particular class, the chairman of the meeting or the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the stockholders of such class who are present in person or by proxy may adjourn the meeting with respect to the vote(s) to be taken by such class. If a quorum is present at the meeting as originally 3


 
called, it shall also be deemed present at an adjourned or recessed session of such meeting. At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted and any corporate action may be taken which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called. The Board of Directors may, at any time prior to the holding of an annual meeting, or a special meeting not called at the request of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote, and for any reason, postpone, reschedule or cancel such previously- scheduled meeting. The meeting may be postponed or rescheduled to such time and place as specified in a notice of postponement or rescheduling of such meeting. Section 7. Voting List. The Secretary will prepare and make, at least ten days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least ten days prior to the meeting: (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (b) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a physical location, then the list shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communications, then the list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting. The stock ledger shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger, the list required by this section or the books of the Corporation, or to vote at any meeting of stockholders. Section 8. Voting. Each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting may vote either in person or by proxy, but no proxy shall be voted on or after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. Each stockholder entitled to vote will at every meeting of the stockholders be entitled to one vote for each share of stock (or such other number of votes as shall be provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, including any certificate of designation, with respect to any class or series of stock) registered in his or her name on the record of stockholders. At all meetings of stockholders, all matters, except as otherwise provided by statute and except that directors shall be elected by a plurality vote in a Contested Election, will be determined by the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the subject matter. Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written ballot. Section 9. Record Date of Stockholders. The Board of Directors is authorized to fix in advance a date not exceeding sixty days nor less than ten days preceding the date of any meeting of stockholders, or the date for the payment of any dividend, or the date for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of capital stock will go into effect, or a date in connection with obtaining the consent of stockholders for any purpose, as a record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any meeting of stockholders, and any adjournment of a meeting of stockholders, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or to any allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in respect of any change, 4


 
conversion or exchange of capital stock, or to give consent. Only the stockholders that are stockholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting of stockholders, and any adjournment of the meeting, or to receive payment of the dividend, or to receive the allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights, or to give the consent, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any stock on the books of the Corporation, after the record date fixed in accordance with this Section 9. Section 10. Notice of Stockholder Proposals. (a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders. (1) To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be (i) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (ii) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (iii) otherwise properly and timely brought before the meeting by any stockholder of the Corporation (A) who is a stockholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in Article II, Section 10 of these By-Laws, on the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting of stockholders and at the time of such annual meeting of stockholders, (B) who is entitled to vote at the annual meeting of stockholders, and (C) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this By-Law as to such nominations, including, but not limited to, the procedures regarding such notice’s timeliness and required form. (2) For business (other than nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors which shall be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in Article III, Section 3 of these By-Laws) to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to Article II, Section 10(a)(1)(iii) of these By-laws, such stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in proper written form to the Secretary of the Corporation. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the 120th calendar day, and not later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the ninetieth 90th calendar day, prior to the first anniversary of the immediately preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the annual meeting is called for a date that is more than 30 calendar days earlier or more than 60 calendar days later than such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so delivered or received not earlier than 120 days prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 90 days prior to the date of such annual meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is less than 100 calendar days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the 10th calendar day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. (3) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth in writing, 5


 
(i) as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (A) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting; (B) the text of the proposal (including the complete text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, in the event that such business includes a proposal to amend any incorporation document, including, but not limited to, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, the language of the proposed amendment); and (C) a complete and accurate description of any material interest in such business of each stockholder and any Stockholder Associated Persons (as defined below), individually or in the aggregate, including any anticipated benefit to the stockholder and any Stockholder Associated Persons therefrom, and all other information related to such proposed business that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made by the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person in connection with the solicitation of proxies or consents in support of such proposed business by such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Persons pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act; (ii) as to the stockholder giving notice and any Stockholder Associated Person (as defined below): (A) the name and record address of such stockholder and Stockholder Associated Person (including, if applicable, as they appear on the Corporation’s books and records); (B) the class and series and number of shares of each class and series of capital stock of the Corporation which are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and/or of record by such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person, and the date or dates such shares were acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition; (C) the nominee holder for, and number of, any Company Securities owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person; (D) short interest of such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person in any security of the Corporation (for purposes of these By-Laws, a person shall be deemed to have a short interest in a security if such person directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the value of the subject security); (E) a complete and accurate description of all agreements, arrangements or understandings (whether written or oral) (including any derivative or short positions, profit interests, options, warrants, convertible securities, stock appreciation or similar rights with an exercise or conversion privilege or a settlement payment or mechanism at a price related to any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation or with a value derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of capital stock of the Corporation, hedging 6


 
transactions, and borrowed or loaned shares) (a “Derivative Instrument”) that have been entered into as of the date of the stockholder’s notice or any supplement thereto by, or on behalf of, such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in underlying shares of capital stock of the Corporation; (F) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person; (G) any proportionate interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership or similar entity in which such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person (I) is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner, or (II) is the manager, managing member or directly or indirectly beneficially owns an interest in the manager or managing member of a limited liability company or similar entity; (H) any substantial interest, direct or indirect (including, without limitation, any existing or prospective commercial, business or contractual relationship with the Corporation), by security holdings or otherwise, of such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person, in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof, other than an interest arising from the ownership of Company Securities where such stockholder or Stockholder Associated Person receives no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis by all other holders of the same class or series; (I) a complete and accurate description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings, written or oral and formal or informal, (I) between or among the stockholder giving the notice and any of the Stockholder Associated Persons or (II) between or among the stockholder giving the notice or any of the Stockholder Associated Persons and any other person or entity (naming each such person or entity) in connection with or related to the foregoing or the proposal of business by a stockholder, including without limitation (x) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such proposing stockholder or Stockholder Associated Persons has the right to vote any shares of any security of the Corporation; (y) any understanding, formal or informal, written or oral, that the stockholder giving the notice or any of the Stockholder Associated Persons may have reached with any stockholder of the Corporation (including their names) with respect to how such stockholder will vote its shares in the Corporation at any meeting of the Corporation’s stockholders or take other action in support of or related to any business proposed, or other action to be taken, by the proposing stockholder or any of the Stockholder Associated Persons, and (z) any other agreements that would be required to be disclosed by the stockholder giving the notice or any Stockholder Associated Person or any other person or entity pursuant to Item 5 or Item 6 of a Schedule 13D that would be filed pursuant to the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (regardless of whether the requirement to file a Schedule 13D is applicable to the stockholder giving the notice or any Stockholder Associated Person or other person or entity); (J) a complete and accurate description of any performance- related fees (other than an asset-based fee) to which the person may be entitled as a result of any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or any Derivative Instruments; and 7


 
(K) the investment strategy or objective, if any, of such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person who is not an individual and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum or similar document, if any, provided to investors or potential investors in such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person; (iii) a summary of any material discussion regarding the business to be brought before the meeting between such stockholder and any Stockholder Associated Persons, on the one hand, and any other record or beneficial owners of the shares of common stock of the Corporation or any other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation (including their names), on the other hand, and to the extent known by the stockholder giving the notice, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the proposal of other business; (iv) complete and accurate description of any pending, or to such stockholder’s knowledge, threatened legal proceeding in which such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person is a party or participant involving the Corporation or any officer, affiliate or associate of the Corporation; (v) a representation from the stockholder as to whether the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person intends or is part of a group which intends (1) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to approve or adopt the proposal and/or (2) otherwise to solicit proxies in support of such proposal; (vi) whether and the extent to which any agreement, arrangement or understanding has been made, the effect or intent of which is to increase or decrease the voting power of such stockholder or such Stockholder Associated Person with respect to any shares of the capital stock of the Corporation, without regard to whether such transaction is required to be reported on a Schedule 13D in accordance with the Exchange Act; (vii) such other information regarding each matter of business to be proposed by such stockholder, regarding the stockholder in his or her capacity as a proponent of a stockholder proposal, or regarding any Stockholder Associated Person, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with the solicitations of proxies for such business, or is otherwise required, pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act (or pursuant to any law or statute replacing such section) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (viii) a representation that such stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting, that such stockholder intends to vote such stock at such meeting, and that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to bring such business before the meeting, and an acknowledgment that if such stockholder does not appear to present such proposal at such annual meeting, the Corporation need not present such proposal for a vote at such meeting, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. (b) General. 8


 
(1) No business (other than nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors which shall be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in Article III, Section 3 of these By-Laws) shall be conducted at the annual meeting of stockholders except business brought before the annual meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 10. Except as otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, the Chairman of the Board or other person presiding at an annual meeting shall have the power and duty (i) to determine whether any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 10, and (ii) if any proposed business was not brought in compliance with this Section 10 to declare that such proposal is defective and shall be disregarded. (2) A stockholder providing notice under this Section 10 shall update such notice, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall continue to be true and correct (i) as of the record date for the meeting and (ii) as of the date that is ten business days prior to the meeting (or any postponement, adjournment or recess thereof), and such update shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than five business days after the record date for the meeting (in the case of an update required to be made as of the record date) and not later than seven business days prior to the date for the meeting, if practicable or, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the special meeting or any adjournment, recess or postponement thereof (in the case of an update required to be made as of ten business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment, recess or postponement thereof). (3) If the information submitted pursuant to this Section 10 by any stockholder proposing business for consideration at an annual meeting shall be inaccurate in any respect, such information may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this By-Law. Any such stockholder shall notify the Corporation of any inaccuracy or change in any such information within two business days of becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change. Upon written request by the Secretary, the Board of Directors or any committee thereof, any stockholder proposing business for consideration at an annual meeting shall provide, within seven business days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (i) written verification, reasonably satisfactory to the Board of Directors, any committee thereof or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this By-Law, and (ii) a written update of any information (including, if requested by the Corporation, written confirmation by such stockholder that it continues to intend to bring such nomination or other business proposal before the meeting) submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 10 as of an earlier date. If a stockholder fails to provide such written verification within such period, the information as to which written verification was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this Section 10. (4) In addition to the provisions of this Section 10, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, with respect to the matters set forth herein, provided, however, that any references in these By-Laws to the Exchange Act or the rules promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to stockholder proposals to be considered pursuant to this Section 10. 9


 
(5) Nothing in this By-Law shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request the inclusion of proposals in the Corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. (6) As used in these By-Laws, including this Section 10 and Article III, Section 3 of these By-Laws, (i) an “affiliate” and “associate” each have the respective meanings set forth in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act; (ii) “Stockholder Associated Person” shall mean (A) any person who is a member of a “group” (as such term is used in Rule 13d‑5 of the Exchange Act) with or otherwise acting in concert with such stockholder, (B) any beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by such stockholder (other than a stockholder that is a depositary), (C) any person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such stockholder or such Stockholder Associated Person and beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, shares of stock of the Corporation, (D) any person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person and (E) any participant (as defined in paragraphs (a)(ii)-(vi) of Instruction 3 to Item 4 of Schedule 14A, or any successor instructions) with such stockholder or other Stockholder Associated Person in respect of any proposals or nominations, as applicable; and (iii) “public disclosure” shall be deemed to include a disclosure made in a press release reported by a national news service, in a document filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or in a notice pursuant to the applicable rules of an exchange on which the securities of the Corporation are listed. (7) Notwithstanding anything in these By-Laws to the contrary, except as otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, if the stockholder giving notice as provided for in this Section 10 does not appear in person or by proxy at such annual or special meeting to present the proposed business, such matter shall not be considered at the meeting. (8) Notwithstanding anything in this By-Law to the contrary, a stockholder intending to nominate one or more persons for election as a director at an annual meeting must comply with Article III, Section 3 of these By-Laws for any such nomination to be properly brought before such meeting. Section 11. Action Without Meeting. (a) Any action required or permitted to be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders may be taken without a meeting and without a vote, if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken is signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take the action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote on the action were present and voted and if the procedures in this Section 11 shall have been complied with. (b) In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date (the “Consent Record Date”), which date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which date shall not be more than ten days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the Consent Record Date is adopted by the 10


 
Board of Directors. Any stockholder seeking to have the stockholders authorize or take corporate action by written consent shall, by written notice to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation, first request the Board of Directors to fix a Consent Record Date for such purpose, which request shall be in proper form as provided in Article II, Section 11(c) of these By-laws. The Board of Directors shall promptly, but in all events within ten days after the date on which such a request is received or five days after delivery of any information requested by the Corporation to determine the validity of any such request or whether the action to which such request relates is an action that may be taken by written consent of stockholders in lieu of a meeting, determine the validity of such request and whether such request relates to an action that may be taken by written consent of the stockholders in lieu of a meeting under this Section 11(b) and applicable law. If such request is valid, the Board of Directors may adopt a resolution fixing the record date (unless a record date has previously been fixed by the Board of Directors pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 11(b)). If (x) the request required by this Section 11(b) has been determined by the Board of Directors to be valid and to relate to an action that may be effected by written consent in accordance with this Section 11(b) and applicable law or (y) no such determination shall have been made by the date required by this Section 11(b), and in either event no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to take corporate action by written consent without a meeting, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the Corporation in accordance with Article II, Section 11(d) of these By-laws. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by the Board of Directors is required by applicable law, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action without a meeting shall be at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the date on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action. (c) To be in proper form for purposes of Article I, Section 11(b) of these By-laws, a request by a stockholder for the Board of Directors to fix a record date shall set forth the action proposed to be taken by written consent of stockholders in lieu of a meeting and must contain such information and representations, to the extent applicable, required by these By-laws as though such stockholder were intending to bring business before a meeting of stockholders (including the notice and other procedures set forth in Article II, Section 10 of these By-laws). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 11(c), upon receipt of a request by a stockholder to set a record date in order to have stockholders authorize or take corporate action by written consent, the Board of Directors may require the stockholder(s) submitting such request to furnish such other information as may be requested by the Board of Directors to determine the validity of the request required by this Section 11(c) and to determine whether such request relates to an action that may be effected by written consent of stockholders in lieu of a meeting under this Section 11(c) and applicable law. (d) Every written consent pursuant to this Section 11 shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who shall sign such consent and no written consent shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within 60 days of the date of the earliest dated consent delivered to the Corporation in the manner required by this Section 11, written consents signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take action shall be delivered to the Corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, to its principal place of business or to an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of the 11


 
stockholders are recorded. Delivery of written consents under this Section 11 shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. (e) In the event of the delivery to the Corporation of a written consent or consents purporting to represent the requisite voting power to authorize or take corporate action and/or related revocations, the Secretary of the Corporation shall provide for the safekeeping of such consents and revocations and shall promptly engage nationally recognized independent inspectors of election for the purpose of promptly performing a ministerial review of the validity of the consents and revocations. No action by written consent without a meeting shall be effective until such inspectors of election have completed their review, determined that the requisite number of valid and unrevoked consents has been obtained to authorize or take the action specified in the consents and certified such determination for entry in the records of the Corporation kept for the purpose of recording the proceedings of meetings of stockholders. (f) Any stockholder seeking an action proposed to be taken by written consent shall further update the information previously provided by such stockholder to the Corporation in connection therewith, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided pursuant to this Section 11 shall be true and correct (i) as of the record date for determining the stockholders eligible to take such action and (ii) as of the date that is ten days prior to the date the consent solicitation is commenced. Such update shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time five business days after the Consent Record Date (in the case of the update required to be made as of the record date) and not later than five business days prior to the date that the consent solicitation is commenced (in the case of the update required to be made as of ten business days prior to the date the consent solicitation is commenced). Any stockholder giving a written consent, or the stockholder’s proxy holder, may revoke the consent in any manner permitted by applicable law. (g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth above, (1) none of this Section 11 shall apply to any solicitation of stockholder action by written consent in lieu of a meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors and (2) the Board of Directors shall be entitled to solicit stockholder action by written consent in accordance with applicable law. (h) Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent will be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing. Section 12. Conduct of Meetings. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, or in his or her absence any other officer or director designated by the Chairman of the Board, shall preside at all annual or special meetings of stockholders. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the presiding person will have the power to set procedural rules, including without limitation, (a) restricting admission to the time set for the commencement of the meeting; (b) limiting attendance at the meeting to stockholders of record, their duly authorized proxies and such other individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (c) limiting participation at the meeting on any matter to stockholders of record entitled to vote on such matter, their duly authorized proxies and other such individuals as the chairman of the meeting may determine; (d) limiting the time allotted to questions or comments; (e) determining when and for how long the polls should be opened and when the polls should be closed; (f) maintaining order and security at the meeting; 12


 
(g) removing any stockholder or any other individual who refuses to comply with meeting procedures, rules or guidelines as set forth by the chairman of the meeting; (h) concluding the meeting or recessing or adjourning the meeting, whether or not a quorum is present, to a later date and time and at a place announced at the meeting; (i) restricting the use of audio/video recording devices and cell phones; and (j) complying with any state and local laws and regulations concerning safety and security. The Secretary of the Corporation will act as secretary of each meeting. In the absence of the Secretary, the chairman of the meeting will appoint any person to act as secretary of the meeting. Unless otherwise determined by the Chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with the rules of parliamentary procedure. ARTICLE III DIRECTORS Section 1. Number and Qualifications. The Board of Directors will consist of such number of directors as may be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. The directors need not be stockholders. Section 2. Election, Term of Office and Qualifications. Each director of the Corporation shall hold office until his or her successor shall have been duly chosen and shall qualify or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal in the manner hereinafter provided. The Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes to be designated as Class I, Class II and Class III and shall be elected for three-year terms as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation. Except as otherwise provided by these By-Laws, each director shall be elected by the vote of the majority of the votes cast with respect to that director’s election at any meeting for the election of directors at which a quorum is present; provided that if, as of the 10th day preceding the date the Corporation first mails its notice of meeting for such meeting to the stockholders of the Corporation, the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected (a “Contested Election”), the directors shall be elected by the vote of a plurality of the votes cast. For purposes of this Section 2, a majority of votes cast shall mean that the number of votes cast “for” a director’s election exceeds the number of votes cast “against” that director’s election (with “abstentions” and “broker nonvotes” not counted as a vote cast either “for” or “against” that director’s election). Section 3. Notice of Nominations of Directors. (a) Annual Meetings of Stockholders. (1) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting of stockholders may be made (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or a committee appointed by the Board of Directors, or (ii) by any stockholder of the Corporation (A) who is a stockholder of record on the date of the giving of the notice provided for in this By- Law, on the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to vote at such annual meeting of stockholders and at the time of such annual meeting of stockholders, (B) who is entitled to vote at the annual meeting of stockholders, and (C) who complies with the notice procedures set forth in this By-Law as to such nominations, including, but not limited to, the procedures regarding such notice’s timeliness and required form. 13


 
(2) For a stockholder’s notice of nomination of persons for election to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting of stockholders to be brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to Section 3(a)(1)(ii) of this By-Law, the stockholder must have been given timely notice thereof to the Secretary. To be considered timely, a stockholder’s notice of nomination must be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the 120th calendar day, and not later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the 90th calendar day, prior to the first anniversary of the immediately preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that no annual meeting was held in the previous year or the annual meeting is called for a date that is more than 30 calendar days earlier or more than 60 calendar days later than such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so delivered or received not earlier than 120 days prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 90 days prior to the date of such annual meeting or, if the first public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is less than 100 calendar days prior to the date of such annual meeting, the 10th calendar day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting is first made by the Corporation. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of an annual meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. Notwithstanding anything in this By-Law to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors at an annual meeting of the stockholders is increased and there is no public disclosure by the Corporation, naming all of the nominees for directors or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors, at least 90 calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the immediately preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 3 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the 10th calendar day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the Corporation. (3) To be in proper written form, a stockholder’s notice of nomination to the Secretary shall set forth in writing: (i) as to each individual whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director (each, a “Proposed Nominee”), if any: (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of such Proposed Nominee; (B) the principal occupation and employment of such Proposed Nominee; (C) written questionnaire with respect to the background and qualification of such Proposed Nominee completed by the Proposed Nominee in the form required by the Corporation (which form the stockholder shall request in writing from the Secretary of the Corporation and which the Secretary shall provide to such stockholder within ten days of receiving such request); 14


 
(D) such Proposed Nominee’s executed written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee; (E) such Proposed Nominee’s written representation and agreement in the form required by the Corporation (which form the stockholder shall request in writing from the Secretary of the Corporation and which the Secretary shall provide to such stockholder within ten days of receiving such request) that: (I) such Proposed Nominee is not and will not become party to any agreement, arrangement or understanding with, and has not given any commitment or assurance to, any person or entity as to how such person, if elected as a director of the Corporation, will act or vote on any issue or question (a “Voting Commitment”) that has not been disclosed to the Corporation or any Voting Commitment that could limit or interfere with such person’s ability to comply, if elected as a director of the Corporation, with such person’s fiduciary duties under applicable law; (II) such Proposed Nominee is not and will not become a party to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding with any person or entity other than the Corporation with respect to any direct or indirect compensation, reimbursement, or indemnification in connection with service or action as a director that has not been disclosed to the Corporation; (III) such Proposed Nominee would, if elected as a director, comply with applicable law of the exchanges upon which the corporation’s shares of common stock trade, all of the Corporation’s corporate governance, ethics, conflict of interest, confidentiality and stock ownership and trading policies and guidelines applicable generally to the Corporation’s directors, and applicable fiduciary duties under state law and, if elected as a director of the Corporation, such person currently would be in compliance with any such policies and guidelines that have been publicly disclosed; (IV) such Proposed Nominee intends to serve a full three-year term if elected as a director of the Corporation; and (V) such Proposed Nominee will provide facts, statements and other information in all communications with the Corporation and its stockholders that are or will be true and correct in all material respects, and that do not and will not omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading; (F) all information relating to such person that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the election of directors in a Contested Election (as defined below), or is otherwise required, pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act (or pursuant to any law or statute replacing such section), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; (G) a description of all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings during the past three years, and any other material relationships, between or among such person being nominated, on the one hand, and the stockholder and any Stockholder Associated Person, on the other hand, including, without limitation all information that would be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404 promulgated under Regulation S-K if the stockholder making the nomination and any Stockholder Associated Person were the “registrant” for purposes of such rule and the person being nominated were a director or executive officer of such registrant; and (ii) as to the stockholder giving notice, any Proposed Nominee and any Stockholder Associated Person: 15


 
(A) the name and record address of such stockholder and Stockholder Associated Person (including, if applicable, as they appear on the Corporation’s books and records); (B) the class and series and number of shares of each class and series of capital stock of the Corporation which are, directly or indirectly, owned beneficially and/or of record by such stockholder, any Proposed Nominee or any Stockholder Associated Person, and the date or dates such shares were acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition; (C) the nominee holder for, and number of, any Company Securities owned beneficially but not of record by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person; (D) short interest of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person in any security of the Corporation (for purposes of these By-Laws, a person shall be deemed to have a short interest in a security if such person directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has the opportunity to profit or share in any profit derived from any decrease in the value of the subject security); (E) a complete and accurate description of all Derivative Instruments that have been entered into as of the date of the stockholder’s notice or any supplement thereto by, or on behalf of, such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, whether or not such instrument or right shall be subject to settlement in underlying shares of capital stock of the Corporation; (F) any rights to dividends on the shares of the Corporation owned beneficially by such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person; (G) any proportionate interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation or Derivative Instruments, held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership or similar entity in which such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person (I) is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner, or (II) is the manager, managing member or directly or indirectly beneficially owns an interest in the manager or managing member of a limited liability company or similar entity; (H) any substantial interest, direct or indirect (including, without limitation, any existing or prospective commercial, business or contractual relationship with the Corporation), by security holdings or otherwise, of such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person, in the Corporation or any affiliate thereof, other than an interest arising from the ownership of Company Securities where such stockholder, Proposed Nominee or Stockholder Associated Person receives no extra or special benefit not shared on a pro rata basis by all other holders of the same class or series; (I) a complete and accurate description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings, written or oral and formal or informal, (I) between or among the stockholder giving the notice and any of the Stockholder Associated Persons or (II) between 16


 
or among the stockholder giving the notice or any of the Stockholder Associated Persons and any other person or entity (naming each such person or entity) in connection with or related to the foregoing or any Proposed Nominee, including without limitation (x) any proxy, contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship pursuant to which such proposing stockholder or Stockholder Associated Persons has the right to vote any shares of any security of the Corporation; (y) any understanding, formal or informal, written or oral, that the stockholder giving the notice or any of the Stockholder Associated Persons may have reached with any stockholder of the Corporation (including their names) with respect to how such stockholder will vote its shares in the Corporation at any meeting of the Corporation’s stockholders or take other action in support of any Proposed Nominee, or other action to be taken, by the proposing stockholder or any of the Stockholder Associated Persons, and (z) any other agreements that would be required to be disclosed by the stockholder giving the notice or any Stockholder Associated Person or any other person or entity pursuant to Item 5 or Item 6 of a Schedule 13D that would be filed pursuant to the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (regardless of whether the requirement to file a Schedule 13D is applicable to the stockholder giving the notice or any Stockholder Associated Person or other person or entity); (J) a complete and accurate description of any performance- related fees (other than an asset-based fee) to which the person may be entitled as a result of any increase or decrease in the value of shares of the Corporation or any Derivative Instruments; and (K) the investment strategy or objective, if any, of such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person who is not an individual and a copy of the prospectus, offering memorandum or similar document, if any, provided to investors or potential investors in such stockholder and each such Stockholder Associated Person; (iii) a summary of any material discussion regarding the nominees proposed to be brought before the meeting between such stockholder and any Stockholder Associated Persons, on the one hand, and any other record or beneficial owners of the shares of common stock of the Corporation or any other class or series of capital stock of the Corporation (including their names), on the other hand, and to the extent known by the stockholder giving the notice, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the Proposed Nominee for election or reelection as a director; (iv) complete and accurate description of any pending, or to such stockholder’s knowledge, threatened legal proceeding in which such stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person is a party or participant involving the Corporation or any officer, affiliate or associate of the Corporation; (v) a representation from the stockholder as to whether the stockholder or any Stockholder Associated Person intends or is part of a group which intends (1) to deliver a proxy statement and/or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the Corporation’s outstanding capital stock required to elect the Proposed Nominee and/or (2) otherwise to solicit proxies in support of such Proposed Nominee; (vi) whether and the extent to which any agreement, arrangement or understanding has been made, the effect or intent of which is to increase or decrease the voting 17


 
power of such stockholder or such Stockholder Associated Person with respect to any shares of the capital stock of the Corporation, without regard to whether such transaction is required to be reported on a Schedule 13D in accordance with the Exchange Act; (vii) such other information regarding the stockholder in his or her capacity as a proponent of a stockholder proposal, or regarding any Stockholder Associated Person, that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filings required to be made in connection with the solicitations of proxies for such nominee, or is otherwise required, pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act (or pursuant to any law or statute replacing such section) and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder; and (viii) a representation that such stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting, that such stockholder intends to vote such stock at such meeting, and that such stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the annual meeting to nominate any Proposed Nominees, and an acknowledgment that if such stockholder does not appear to present such nominee at such annual meeting, the Corporation need not present such nominee for a vote at such meeting, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such vote may have been received by the Corporation. In addition to the information required above, the Corporation may require any Proposed Nominee to furnish such other information as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine the eligibility of such Proposed Nominee to serve as an independent director of the Corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such nominee, under the listing standards of each principal securities exchange upon which the shares of the Corporation are listed, any applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and any publicly disclosed standards used by the Board of Directors in determining and disclosing the independence of the Corporation’s directors, including those applicable to a director’s service on any of the committees of the Board of Directors. (b) Special Meetings of Stockholders. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected (1) pursuant to the Corporation’s notice of meeting, (2) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (3) provided that the Board of Directors has determined that directors shall be elected at such meeting, by any stockholder of the Corporation who (i) is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in this By-Law, (ii) is a stockholder of record on the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting, (iii) is a stockholder of record at the time of such meeting, (iv) is entitled to vote at such meeting, and (v) complies with the notice procedures set forth in this By-Law as to such nomination. In the event the Corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be) for election to such position(s) as specified in the Corporation’s notice of meeting, if the stockholder’s notice required by this Section 3 with respect to any nomination shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not earlier than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the 120th calendar day prior to the date of such special meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the later of the 90th calendar day prior to the date of such special meeting or, if the first public announcement made by the Corporation of the date of such special meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of such 18


 
special meeting, not later than the 10th calendar day following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting and of the nominees proposed by the Board of Directors to be elected at such meeting. In no event shall any adjournment or postponement of a special meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. (c) General. (1) Notwithstanding anything in these By-Laws to the contrary, no person shall be eligible for election at a meeting of stockholders as a director of the Corporation unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3. Except as otherwise required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, the Chairman of the Board or other person presiding at the meeting shall have the power and duty (i) to determine whether any nomination proposed to be brought before the meeting was properly made in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 3, and (ii) if any proposed nomination was not made in compliance with Section 3 to declare that such defective nomination is null and void and shall be disregarded. (2) A stockholder providing notice under this Section 3 shall update such notice, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice shall continue to be true and correct (i) as of the record date for the meeting and (ii) as of the date that is ten business days prior to the meeting (or any postponement, adjournment or recess thereof), and such update shall be delivered to, or mailed and received by, the Secretary of the Corporation at the principal executive office of the Corporation not later than five business days after the record date for the meeting (in the case of an update required to be made as of the record date) and not later than seven business days prior to the date for the meeting, if practicable or, if not practicable, on the first practicable date prior to the special meeting or any adjournment, recess or postponement thereof (in the case of an update required to be made as of ten business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment, recess or postponement thereof). For the avoidance of doubt, the obligation to update as set forth in this paragraph shall not limit the corporation’s rights with respect to any deficiencies in any notice provided by a shareholder, extend any applicable deadlines hereunder or enable or be deemed to permit a shareholder who has previously submitted notice hereunder to amend or update any proposal or nomination or to submit any new proposal, including by changing or adding nominees, matters, business and or resolutions proposed to be brought before a meeting of the shareholders. (3) If the information submitted pursuant to this By-Law by any stockholder proposing nominees for election at an annual or special meeting shall be inaccurate in any respect, such information shall be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this By-Law. Any such stockholder shall notify the Corporation of any inaccuracy or change in any such information within two business days of becoming aware of such inaccuracy or change. Upon written request by the Secretary, the Board of Directors or any committee thereof, any stockholder proposing nominees for election at an annual or special meeting shall provide, within five business days of delivery of such request (or such other period as may be specified in such request), (i) written verification, reasonably satisfactory to the Board of Directors, any committee thereof or any authorized officer of the Corporation, to demonstrate the accuracy of any information submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this By-Law, and (ii) a written update of any information (including, 19


 
if requested by the Corporation, written confirmation by such stockholder that it continues to intend to bring such nomination before the meeting) submitted by the stockholder pursuant to this Section 3 as of an earlier date. If a stockholder fails to provide such written verification within such period, the information as to which written verification was requested may be deemed not to have been provided in accordance with this By-Law. (4) In addition to the provisions of this By-Law, a stockholder shall also comply with all applicable requirements of state law and all applicable requirements of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, with respect to the matters set forth herein, provided, however, that any references in these By-Laws to the Exchange Act or the rules promulgated thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to nominations to be considered pursuant to this Section 3. (5) Notwithstanding anything in these By-Laws to the contrary, except as otherwise determined by the chairman of the meeting, if the stockholder giving notice as provided for in this Section 3 does not appear in person or by proxy at such annual or special meeting to present the Proposed Nominee or nominees, such nominees shall not be considered at the meeting. (6) Nothing in this By-Law shall be deemed to affect any rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, if and to the extent provided for, under law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws. Section 4. Removal and Resignation of Directors. (a) A director may be removed from office only for cause and only by vote of at least a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote in an election of directors. For purposes of this Section 4, “cause” shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Article SIXTH of the Certificate of Incorporation. (b) Any director may resign at any time. Such resignation will take effect at the time specified in the resignation, and if no time is specified, at the time of its receipt by the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer or Secretary. The acceptance of a resignation will not be necessary to make it effective, unless so specified in the resignation. Section 5. Filling of Vacancies. Any vacancy on the Board of Directors, however resulting, and any newly created directorship resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors elected by all of the stockholders having the right to vote as a single class, shall be filled only by the directors then in office, even if less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, provided, that if the directors fail to fill any vacancy, the stockholders may at any special meeting called for that purpose fill the vacancy. Any director elected to fill a vacancy shall hold office, subject to the right of removal as provided in the Certificate of Incorporation or these By- Laws, for a term that shall coincide with the term of the class to which such director shall have been elected or appointed and until his or her successor is elected and qualified. Section 6. Regular Meetings. The Board of Directors will hold a regular meeting for the purpose of organization and the transaction of any business immediately after the annual meeting of the stockholders, provided a quorum of directors is present. Other annual meetings 20


 
may be held at any time as may be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. Section 7. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board of Directors or by the Chief Executive Officer. Section 8. Notice and Place of Meetings. Meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at the principal office of the Corporation, or at any other place as is stated in the notice of such meeting. Notice of any special meeting, and except as the Board of Directors may otherwise determine by resolution, notice of any annual meeting, will be mailed to each director addressed to him or her at his or her residence or usual place of business at least two days before the day on which the meeting is to be held, or if sent to him or her by facsimile, personally, by telephone or by electronic mail at his or her electronic mail address on record with the Corporation, not later than the day before the day on which the meeting is to be held; provided, however, that if the Chairman of the Board or the Chief Executive Officer determines that it is otherwise necessary or advisable to hold the meeting sooner, the Chairman of the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer, as the case may be, may prescribe a shorter notice to be given by facsimile, personally, by telephone or by electronic mail. No notice of the annual meeting of the Board of Directors will be required if it is held immediately after the annual meeting of the stockholders and if a quorum is present. Section 9. Business Transacted at Meetings, etc. Any business may be transacted and any corporate action may be taken at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, whether the business or proposed action is stated in the notice of that meeting or not, unless special notice of such business or proposed action is required by statute. Section 10. Quorum. A majority of the Board of Directors at any time in office will constitute a quorum. At any meeting at which a quorum is present, the vote of a majority of the members present will be the act of the Board of Directors unless the act of a greater number is specifically required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws. The members of the Board of Directors will act only as the Board of Directors and the individual members of the Board of Directors will not have any powers in their individual capacities. Section 11. Compensation. The Board shall have the authority to fix the form and amount of compensation paid to directors, including fees and reimbursement of expenses paid for attendance at regular or special meetings of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof. Nothing herein contained shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity, as an officer, agent or otherwise, and receiving compensation therefor. Section 12. Action Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee of the Board of Directors, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent to the action in writing. The writing or writings evidencing such consent shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee. Section 13. Meetings Through Use of Communications Equipment. Members of the Board of Directors, or any committee of the Board of Directors, will, except as otherwise provided 21


 
by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws, have the power to participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee, by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and this participation will constitute presence in person at the meeting. Section 14. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall be chosen from among the directors. Except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, the Chairman of the Board shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Chairman shall be the medium of communication to the Board of Directors and to the standing committees of all matters presented for their consideration, and shall have such powers and perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to him by the Board of Directors. ARTICLE IV COMMITTEES Section 1. Audit Committee. The Board of Directors shall have an Audit Committee comprised of such directors as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors; provided, that the composition of the Audit Committee shall comply, to the extent required, with the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, or such other national securities exchange or stock market on which the Corporation’s securities may be listed, and federal securities and other laws, rules and regulations. The Audit Committee shall have the powers and perform the duties set forth in the audit committee charter adopted by the Board of Directors. Section 2. Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors shall have a Compensation Committee comprised of such directors as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors; provided, that the composition of the Compensation Committee shall comply, to the extent required, with the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, or such other national securities exchange or stock market on which the Corporation’s securities may be listed, and federal securities and other laws, rules and regulations. The Compensation Committee shall have the powers and perform the duties set forth in the compensation committee charter adopted by the Board of Directors. Section 3. Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The Board of Directors shall have a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee comprised of such directors as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors; provided, that the composition of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall, to the extent required, comply with the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, or such other national securities exchange or stock market on which the Corporation’s securities may be listed, and federal securities and other laws, rules and regulations. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall have the powers and perform the duties set forth in the nominating and corporate governance committee charter adopted by the Board of Directors. Section 4. Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, designate two or more of their number to constitute an Executive Committee to hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, which Committee will, during the intervals between meetings of the Board of Directors, have and exercise all of the 22


 
powers of the Board of Directors, other than such powers and duties as are granted to the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee or the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, subject only to restrictions or limitations as the Board of Directors may from time to time specify, or as limited by the DGCL, and will have power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it. Section 5. Other Committees. Other committees, whose members need not be directors, may be appointed by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, which committees shall hold office for an amount of time and have powers and perform duties as may from time to time be assigned to them by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee. Section 6. Removal. Subject to the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, or such other national securities exchange or stock market on which the Corporation’s securities may be listed, and federal securities and other laws, rules and regulations, each to the extent applicable, any member of these committees may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by the Board of Directors (or, in the case of a committee appointed by the Executive Committee, the Executive Committee), and any vacancy in a committee occurring from any cause whatsoever may be filled by the Board of Directors (or, in the case of a committee appointed by the Executive Committee, the Executive Committee). Any person ceasing to be a director shall ipsofacto cease to be a member of any committee, including the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Executive Committee. Section 7. Resignation. Any member of a committee may resign at any time. This resignation will be made in writing and will take effect at the time specified in the resignation, or, if no time is specified, at the time of its receipt by the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer or Secretary. The acceptance of a resignation will not be necessary to make it effective unless so specified in the resignation. Section 8. Quorum. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable committee charter, a majority of the members of a committee shall constitute a quorum, and the act of a majority of the members of a committee present at any meeting at which a quorum is present will be the act of the committee. The members of a committee will act only as a committee, and the individual members of the committee will not have any powers in their individual capacities. Section 9. Record of Proceedings, etc. Each committee will keep a record of its acts and proceedings, and will report the same to the Board of Directors when and as required by the Board of Directors. Section 10. Organization, Meetings, Notices, etc. A committee may hold its meetings at the principal office of the Corporation, or at any other place that a majority of the committee may at any time agree upon. Each committee may make rules as it deems expedient for the regulation and carrying on of its meetings and proceedings. Unless otherwise ordered by the Executive Committee, any notice of a meeting of a committee may be given by the Secretary of the Corporation or by the Chairman of the committee and will be sufficient if mailed to each member at his or her residence or usual place of business at least two days before the day on which the meeting is to be held, or if sent to him or her at that place by telegraph, cable or facsimile, or 23


 
by electronic mail at his or her electronic mail address on record with the Corporation or delivered personally or by telephone not later than 24 hours before the time at which the meeting is to be held. Section 11. Compensation. The members of any committee will be entitled to such compensation as may be allowed them by resolution of the Board of Directors. ARTICLE V OFFICERS Section 1. Number. The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a Treasurer, a Secretary and such other officers as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. Such other officers shall be elected or appointed in such manner, have such duties and hold their offices for such terms as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. Section 2. Removal of Officers. Any officer of the Corporation may be removed from office, with or without cause, by a vote of a majority of the Board of Directors. Section 3. Resignation. Any officer of the Corporation may resign at any time. This resignation shall be in writing and take effect at the time specified in the resignation, or if no time is specified, at the time of its receipt by the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer or Secretary. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary in order to make it effective, unless so specified in the resignation. Section 4. Filling of Vacancies. A vacancy in any office will be filled by the Board of Directors or by the authority appointing the predecessor in such office. Section 5. Compensation. The compensation of the officers will be fixed by the Compensation Committee. Section 6. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer will have the power to call special meetings of the stockholders or of the Board of Directors or of the Executive Committee at any time. The Chief Executive Officer will be the chief executive officer of the Corporation, and, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, will be responsible for the general direction of the business, affairs and property of the Corporation, and of its several officers, and will have and exercise all the powers and discharge the duties as usually pertain to the office of Chief Executive Officer. Section 7. Chief Financial Officer. Subject to the direction of the Board of Directors and the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer will have and exercise all the powers and discharge the duties as usually pertain to the office of Chief Financial Officer or that are assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. Section 8. Treasurer. The Treasurer will have custody of all the funds and securities of the Corporation which may be delivered into his possession. The Treasurer may endorse on behalf of the Corporation for collection, checks, notes and other obligations, and will deposit the 24


 
same to the credit of the Corporation in a depository or depositories of the Corporation, and may sign all receipts and vouchers for payments made to the Corporation. The Treasurer will enter or cause to be entered regularly in the books of the Corporation kept for that purpose, full and accurate accounts of all monies received and paid on account of the Corporation and whenever required by the Board of Directors will render statements of the accounts. The Treasurer will perform the duties and have all other powers that are incident to the office of Treasurer or that are assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. Section 9. Secretary. The Secretary will keep the minutes of all meetings of the stockholders and all meetings of the Board of Directors and any committee in books maintained for that purpose. The Secretary may affix the seal of the Corporation to all instruments to be executed on behalf of the Corporation under its seal. The Secretary will perform the duties and have all other powers that are incident to the office of Secretary or that are assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. Section 10. Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer. In the event of the absence or inability to serve of the Secretary, an assistant secretary shall perform all the duties of the Secretary, and in the event of the absence or inability to serve of the Treasurer, an assistant treasurer shall perform all the duties of the Treasurer. ARTICLE VI CAPITAL STOCK Section 1. Issue of Shares of Stock. The shares of capital stock of the Corporation may be certificated or uncertificated, as provided under Delaware law, and shall be entered in the books of the Corporation and registered as they are issued. Any certificates representing shares of capital stock will be in the form approved by the Board of Directors. The certificates (if any) will be numbered in the order of their issue and will be signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or one of the vice presidents, and the Secretary or an assistant secretary or the Treasurer or an assistant treasurer, and the seal of the Corporation or a facsimile of the seal will be impressed or affixed or reproduced on the certificates; provided, however, that where the certificates are signed by a transfer agent or an assistant transfer agent or by a transfer clerk acting on behalf of the Corporation and a registrar, the signature of the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, vice president, Secretary, assistant secretary, Treasurer or assistant treasurer may be a facsimile. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated stock, the Corporation shall send to the registered owner thereof a written notice that shall set forth the name of the Corporation, the name of the stockholder, the number and class (and the designation of the series, if any) of the shares represented, and any restrictions on the transfer or registration of such shares of stock. Section 2. Registration and Transfer of Shares. The name of each person owning a share of the capital stock of the Corporation will be entered on the books of the Corporation together with the number of shares held by him or her and the dates of issue. Shares of stock of the Corporation will be transferable on the books of the Corporation by the holders of the shares in person, or by their duly authorized attorneys or legal representatives, on surrender and cancellation of certificates for a like number of shares, accompanied by an assignment or power 25


 
of transfer endorsed thereon or attached thereto, duly executed, if shares are held in certificated form, or upon the receipt of transfer instructions from the owner thereof, if shares are held in uncertificated form, and in either case with such proof of the authenticity of the signature as the Corporation or its agents may reasonably require. A record will be made of each transfer. The Board of Directors may make other rules and regulations concerning the transfer and registration of shares of stock, may appoint a transfer agent or registrar or both and may require any certificates of stock issued bear the signature of either or both. Section 3. Lost, Destroyed and Mutilated Certificates. The holder of any stock certificate of the Corporation will immediately notify the Corporation of any loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of the certificate. The Corporation may issue (i) a new certificate of stock or (ii) uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate previously issued by it and alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his or her legal representatives, to give the Corporation a bond, in such sum not exceeding double the value of the stock and with such surety or sureties as they may require, to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it by reason of the issue of the new certificate and against all other liability in the premises, or may remit the owner to any remedy or remedies he or she may have under the laws of the State of Delaware. Section 4. Beneficial Owners. The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such shares on the part of any other person except as required by law. ARTICLE VII DIVIDENDS, SURPLUS, ETC. The Board of Directors will have power to fix and vary the amount to be set aside or reserved as working capital of the Corporation, or as reserves, or for other proper purposes of the Corporation, and, subject to the requirements of the Certificate of Incorporation, to determine whether any part of the surplus or net profits of the Corporation will be declared as dividends and paid to the stockholders, and to fix the date or dates for the payment of dividends. ARTICLE VIII MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation will commence on the first day of January and end on the last day of December. Section 2. Corporate Seal. The corporate seal will be in the form approved by the Board of Directors and may be altered at their pleasure. The corporate seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile of the seal to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise. Section 3. Notices. Except as otherwise expressly provided, any notice required to be given by these By-Laws will be sufficient if given by depositing the same in a post office or letter 26


 
box in a sealed postpaid wrapper addressed to the person entitled to the notice at his or her address, as the same appears upon the books of the Corporation, or by electronic mail at his or her electronic mail address on record with the Corporation or by telegraphing or cabling the same to that person at that address, or by facsimile transmission to a number designated upon the books of the Corporation, if any; and the notice will be deemed to be given at the time it is mailed, sent by electronic mail, telegraphed or cabled, or sent by facsimile. Section 4. Waiver of Notice. Any stockholder or director may at any time, by writing or by telegraph, cable or facsimile transmission, waive any notice required to be given under these By-Laws, and if any stockholder or director is present at any meeting his or her presence will constitute a waiver of notice. Section 5. Checks, Drafts, etc. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the Corporation, will be signed by an officer or officers, agent or agents of the Corporation, and in such manner, as will from time to time be designated by resolution of the Board of Directors. Section 6. Deposits. All funds of the Corporation will be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in a bank or banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board of Directors may select, and, for the purpose of the deposit, checks, drafts, warrants and other orders for the payment of money which are payable to the order of the Corporation, may be endorsed for deposit, assigned and delivered by any officer of the Corporation, or by agents of the Corporation as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may authorize for that purpose. Section 7. Voting Stock of Other Corporations. Except as otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, the Chief Executive Officer, any vice president and the Treasurer each has full power and authority on behalf of the Corporation to attend and to act and to vote at any meeting of the stockholders of any corporation of which the Corporation is a stockholder, and to execute a proxy to any other person to represent the Corporation at any meeting, and at any meeting of the stockholders of any corporation of which the Corporation is a stockholder. The Chief Executive Officer, any vice president or the Treasurer or the holder of any proxy, as the case may be, will possess and may exercise any and all rights and powers incident to ownership of the stock which the Corporation might have possessed and exercised if present. The Board of Directors or the Executive Committee may from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons. Section 8. Internal Cross-References. Except as otherwise provided, when a reference is made in these By-Laws to “this By-Law” or “this Section” such reference shall be deemed to be a reference to the entire Section of these By-Laws that contains such cross-reference and not to any particular subsection or paragraph thereof. 27


 
ARTICLE IX EXCLUSIVE FORUM To the fullest extent permitted by law, and unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought in the name or right of the corporation or on its behalf, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Corporation to the Corporation or the Corporation’s stockholders, (3) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law or any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws (as either may be amended from time to time) or as to which the General Corporation Law of Delaware confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, or (4) any action asserting a claim against the Corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the Corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine, including, without limitation, any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-laws, shall be the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, in all cases subject to the court’s having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provision of this ARTICLE IX. ARTICLE X AMENDMENTS The Board of Directors will have the power to make, rescind, alter, amend and repeal these By-Laws, provided, however, that the stockholders will have power to rescind, alter, amend or repeal any By-Laws made by the Board of Directors, and to enact By-Laws that will not be rescinded, altered, amended or repealed by the Board of Directors. Notice of the proposal to make, amend or repeal any provision of these By-Laws will be included in the notice of any meeting of the stockholders or the Board of Directors at which the action is to be considered. Dated: August 8, 2018 28


 
Exhibit 10.1 SEVERANCE AGREEMENT This SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is made as of _________, 2018, by and between KNOLL, INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and ("Executive"). WHEREAS, Executive accepted employment to serve as . WHEREAS, the Company desires to assure the Executive that he or she will be paid a severance benefit in the event the Company terminates his or her employment without Cause (as defined herein), and the parties intend this Severance Agreement to evidence the severance arrangement between the Company and Executive which shall supersede in its entirety any previous oral or written promise of severance made to the Executive. WHEREAS, the Executive has been and will be provided access to the Company’s most sensitive confidential information and important customer, supplier, and vendor relationships. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein and intending to be legally bound, the parties hereby agree as follows. 1. Employment and Termination a. At Will Employment. Executive shall be and continue as an “at will” employee of the Company. The Executive shall be entitled to receive such compensation and benefits as the Company shall determine appropriate from time to time. This Agreement is not a contract of employment and shall not be interpreted to change the Executive's status as an employee “at will” of the Company. The purpose of this Agreement is to provide for payment of severance amounts in the event the Executive's employment with the Company is terminated without Cause under the specific terms and conditions set forth herein. b. Severance. In the event of the occurrence of any Triggering Event (as hereinafter defined), and subject to Executive's execution, delivery and non- revocation of a general waiver and release of claims, in a form acceptable to the Company, within forty-five (45) days following a Triggering Event (the "Release Condition"), the Company shall provide to Executive a lump sum severance payment (the "Severance Payment") in immediately available funds in an amount equal to twelve (12) months of Executive’s base salary. The Severance Payment will be made not later than sixty (60) days following the Triggering Event, provided that the Release Condition has been satisfied. c. Accrued Payments. In addition to the Severance Payment, Executive shall be entitled to receive as soon as practicable, and in all events within 30 days following the date of the Triggering Event, payment of any accrued but unpaid


 
Exhibit 10.1 base salary and any accrued and unreimbursed business expenses in accordance with Company policy in each case accrued or incurred through the date of the Triggering Event (“Accrued Payments”). d. Triggering Event. A Triggering Event shall be deemed to occur only if the Company terminates the Executive's employment with the Company without Cause. Termination of employment on account of death or disability shall not constitute a triggering event. “Disability” means disability as defined in any employment agreement between the Executive and the Company or any Subsidiary or, in the absence of any such definition, means any physical or mental disability or infirmity that prevents the performance of the Executive’s duties with the Company or Subsidiary for a period of (i) ninety (90) consecutive days or (ii) one hundred eighty (180) non-consecutive days during any twelve (12) month period. The definition of “Disability” herein shall not modify, amend or otherwise affect the definition of “Disability” in any employment or other agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary. e. Termination by the Company for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" means: (i) the substantial and continued failure of the Executive to perform material duties reasonably required of the Executive by the Company or any Subsidiary or the Company’s Board of Directors, as applicable (it being understood that a failure to attain performance objectives shall not in and of itself be treated as a failure to perform material duties for purpose of this clause (i)) for a period of not less than thirty (30) consecutive days, provided notice in writing from the Company or its Board of Directors, as applicable, is given to the Executive specifying in reasonable detail the circumstances constituting such substantial and continued failure; (ii) conduct by the Executive substantially disloyal to the Company which conduct is identified in reasonable detail by notice in writing from the Company or the Board of Directors, as applicable, and which conduct, if susceptible of cure, is not cured by the Executive within thirty (30) days of the Executive’s receipt of such notice; (iii) any act of fraud, embezzlement or misappropriation by the Executive against the Company or any Subsidiary; (iv) any material violation of the Company’s Code of Ethics or other policies; or (v) the conviction of the Executive of a felony or plea by the Executive of guilty or “nolo contendere” to the charge of a felony.


 
Exhibit 10.1 The definition of “Cause” herein shall not modify, amend or otherwise affect the definition of “Cause” in any employment or other agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary. f. Resignation from Other Positions on Termination. Executive acknowledges and agrees that effective as of the date of the Triggering Event, Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from any and all titles, positions and appointments Executive holds in the Company, or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates, whether as an officer, director, or employee, consultant, independent contract or otherwise. Executive agrees to execute such documents as the Company in its sole discretion, shall reasonably deem necessary to effect such resignations. 2. Non-Competition a. During Executive’s employment with the Company and for a period of twelve (12) months following any Triggering Event, the Executive Shall not directly or indirectly, whether as an employee, consultant, independent contractor, partner, joint venture or otherwise, (i) engage in any business activities which are competitive with any type or kind of business activities conducted by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates during Executive’s employment (provided that Executive may own, directly or indirectly, up to 1% of the outstanding capital stock of any business having a class of capital stock which is traded on any national stock exchange, interdealer quotation system or in the over-the-counter market); (ii) solicit or induce, or in any manner attempt to solicit or induce, any person employed by, or engaged as an independent contractor of, the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates to terminate such person's employment or agency, as the case may be, with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; (iii) solicit, or attempt to sell any products similar to those offered by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates to any customer or distributor with whom the Company or its subsidiary or affiliate has done business within the previous two years; or (iv) divert, or attempt to divert, any person, concern, or entity from doing business with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates as a customer, distributor, supplier or vendor, or diminishing said business relationship. b. Executive and the Company agree that the restrictions, prohibitions and other provisions of this Section 2 are reasonable, fair, and equitable in scope, terms, and duration, are necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the Company and are a material inducement to the Company to enter into this Agreement. In the event of the breach by the Executive of the terms and conditions of this Section 2, Executive must immediately return the entire amount of the Severance Payment to the Company. In addition to this monetary remedy for any breach, the Company will be entitled to institute and prosecute proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin the Executive from continuing to breach the provisions of this Section 2. In such action, the Company will not be required to plead or prove irreparable harm or lack of an adequate remedy at law. 3. Miscellaneous


 
Exhibit 10.1 a. Severability/ Reformation. If any term or provision of this Agreement or the application hereof to any person or circumstance shall to any extent be held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement or the application of such term or provision to persons or circumstances other than those as to which it is held invalid or unenforceable shall not be affected thereby, and each term and provision of this Agreement shall, notwithstanding said invalidity, remain valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. If any of the provisions contained in Section 2 of this Agreement are for any reason determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be excessively broad as to duration, activity, or geographical area, the provision will be construed by limiting or reducing it so as to be enforceable to the extent compatible with applicable laws. b. Entire Agreement/Amendment. This Agreement represents the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, whether verbal or written, concerning severance compensation to be paid on or after the Executive's termination of employment. This Agreement may be amended only by a written agreement signed by both parties. c. Release and Waiver. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary, Executive acknowledges and agrees that any and all payments and benefits, other than the Accrued Payments, are conditioned upon and subject to the Executive's satisfaction of the Release Condition and compliance with Section 2 above. d. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The parties hereto submit to the in personam jurisdiction of the federal and state courts in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania and agree that such courts shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any disputes between them. e. Assignability. This Agreement is personal to the parties and may not be assigned by either of the parties without the prior written consent of the other party hereto. f. Section 409A. (i) For purposes of this Agreement, "Section 409A" means Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (and such other Treasury or Internal Revenue Service guidance) as in effect from time to time. The parties intend that any amounts payable hereunder that could constitute "deferred compensation" within the meaning of Section 409A will be compliant with Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall be solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may be imposed on or for the account of Executive in connection with this Agreement (including any taxes and penalties under Section 409A),


 
Exhibit 10.1 and neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates shall have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold Executive (or any beneficiary) harmless from any or all of such taxes or penalties. (ii) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in the event that Executive is deemed to be a "specified employee" within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) and Executive is not "disabled" within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(C), no payments hereunder that are "deferred compensation" subject to Section 409A shall be made to Executive prior to the date that is six (6) months after the date of Executive's "separation from service" (as defined in Section 409A) or, if earlier, Executive's date of death. Following any applicable six (6) month delay, all such delayed payments will be paid in a single lump sum on the earliest date permitted under Section 409A that is also a business day. (iii) For purposes of this Agreement, with respect to payments of any amounts that are considered to be "deferred compensation" subject to Section 409A, references to "termination of employment" (and substantially similar phrases) shall be interpreted and applied in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of Section 409A. g. Waiver of Jury Trial. EXECUTIVE AND THE COMPANY KNOWINGLY, IRREVOCABLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE ANY RIGHT EITHER PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM WHATSOEVER THAT COULD ARISE BETWEEN THEM AT ANY TIME IN THE FUTURE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY CLAIMS ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CLAIMED BREACH OF CONTRACT, ANY CLAIM ARISING UNDER ANY FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL LAW OR ORDINANCE, SUCH AS TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT, THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ACT, THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT, AND ANY OTHER CLAIMS RELEATING TO EXECUTIVE’S EMPLOYMENT. Initials: _______ h. Withholding; Taxes. The Company may deduct and withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state, local, non-U.S. or other taxes as are required or permitted to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation. i. Independent Legal Advice. Executive is aware that he or she has the right to obtain independent legal advice before signing this Agreement. Executive


 
Exhibit 10.1 acknowledges and agrees that either such advice has been obtained or that Executive does not wish to seek or obtain such independent legal advice. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, and intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement or caused this Agreement to be executed the day and date first above written. KNOLL, INC. By: ___________________________ Title: __________________________ EXECUTIVE: ___________________________ Print Name: ___________________________


 


Exhibit 31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer
 
I, Andrew B. Cogan, certify that:
 
(1)          I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2018 of Knoll, 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(s) 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 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to material affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
(5)          The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) 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:
August 9, 2018
 
 
/s/ Andrew B. Cogan
 
 
Andrew B. Cogan
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 





Exhibit 31.2
 
Certification of Principal Financial Officer
 
I, Charles W. Rayfield, certify that:
 
(1)          I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2018 of Knoll, 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(s) 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 material affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
 
(5)          The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) 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:
August 9, 2018
 
 
/s/ Charles W. Rayfield
 
 
Charles W. Rayfield
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 





Exhibit 32
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
 
In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Knoll, Inc. (the “Company”) for the period ended June 30, 2018 , as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), Andrew B. Cogan, Chief Executive Officer and Charles W. Rayfield, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), that to our knowledge:
 
a.               The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
b.               The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
 
August 9, 2018
 
/s/ Andrew B. Cogan
 
Andrew B. Cogan
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
/s/ Charles W. Rayfield
 
Charles W. Rayfield
 
Chief Financial Officer