UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT

TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

May 12, 2017

(Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported))

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

North Carolina

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

1-12744

56-1848578

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

2710 Wycliff Road, Raleigh, North Carolina

27607

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

(Zip Code)

(919) 781-4550

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  


 


 

Item 8.01 Other Events.

 

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (“Martin Marietta” or the “Company”) is filing this Current Report on Form 8-K to revise certain financial information and related disclosures included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2016 (the “2016 Annual Report”) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Effective January 1, 2017, the Company reorganized its operating and reportable segments to align with a structural management and related management reporting change.  The change reflects combining the Company’s Cement and Southwest Ready Mix operations in a newly created division and operating segment under new leadership.  Under the new reporting structure, the Cement and Southwest Ready Mix Division is included in the West Group reportable segment.  Pursuant to this reorganization, the Company conducts its Building Materials Business through three reportable business segments: Mid-America Group (aggregates product line); Southeast Group (aggregates product line); and West Group (aggregates, cement, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines), and in addition to the aforementioned Building Materials reportable business segments, the Company also reports the Magnesia Specialties business as a reportable segment. Prior to January 1, 2017, the Company conducted its business through five reportable segments: (i) the Cement Business, (ii) the Magnesia Specialties business, (iii) the Mid-America Group, (iv) the Southeast Group and (v) the West Group (which included the Southwest Ready Mix business), and its Aggregates business was conducted through the latter three groups.  These changes in operating and reportable segments were applied retrospectively and did not impact consolidated net sales, earnings from operations or net earnings for the prior periods.  In addition, effective January 1, 2017, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718):  Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting and early adopted ASU 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost .  The 2016 Annual Report is also revised to reflect the adoptions of ASU 2016-09 and ASU 2017-07 retrospectively for all periods.

 

This Current Report and Exhibits 99.1, 99.2, 99.3, 99.4 and 99.5 are being revised and filed solely to recast segment reporting financial information and to reflect the retrospective changes for all periods presented for the adoptions of ASU 2016-09 and ASU 2017-07.  The following items are included as exhibits to this Current Report on Form 8-K:

 

 

Part I, Item 1. Business;

 

 

Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors;

 

 

Part I, Item 2. Properties;

 

 

Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations;

 

 

Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data; and

 

 

Part IV, Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules


 


 

The disclosures filed as Exhibits 99.1, 99.2, 99.3, 99.4 and 99.5 supersede the corresponding portions of the 2016 Annual Report. No Items of the 2016 Annual Report, other than those identified above, are being revised by this filing. Information in the 2016 Annual Report is ge nerally stated as of December 31, 2016 and this Current Report does not reflect any subsequent information or events other than the changes described above. Without limitation of the foregoing, this filing does not purport to update the Management’s Discus sion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in the 2016 Annual Report for any information, uncertainties, transactions, risks, events or trends occurring, or known to management, other than the events described above. This Current Report on Form 8-K should be read in conjunction with the 2016 Annual Report, the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 and other filings made by Martin Marietta with the SEC.


 


 

Item 9.01   Financial Statements and Exhib its.

 

(d) Exhibits

 

23.1    

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

23.2

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

99.1

Revised Part I, Item 1. Business

 

99.2

Revised Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

99.3

Revised Part I, Item 2. Properties

 

99.4

Revised Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition

and Results of Operations

 

99.5

Revised Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

99.6

Part IV, Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

 

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

 

 

 


 


 

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

MARTIN MARIETTA MATERIALS, INC.

 

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: May 12, 2017

 

By:

/s/ Anne H. Lloyd

 

 

 

 

Anne H. Lloyd,

 

 

 

 

Executive Vice President and

 

 

 

 

    Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 


 


 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

 

 

23.1

 

Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

 

23.2

 

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

 

99.1

  

Revised Part I, Item 1. Business

 

 

99.2

  

Revised Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

 

99.3

  

Revised Part I, Item 2. Properties

 

 

99.4

  

Revised Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and

Results of Operations

 

 

99.5

  

Revised Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

 

99.6

  

Part IV, Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

 

101.INS

  

XBRL Instance Document

 

 

 

101.SCH

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

 

101.CAL

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

 

101.LAB

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

 

101.PRE

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

 

101.DEF

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

 

 

 

EXHIBIT 23.1

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (No. 333-115918, 333-85608, 333-83516, 333-15429, 333-211735, and 333-1972011) of Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. of our report dated February 24, 2017 except with respect to our opinion on the consolidated financial statements insofar as it relates to the effects of the segment change discussed in Note O and the recently adopted accounting principles discussed in Note A as to which the date is May 12, 2017, relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Raleigh, North Carolina 
May 12, 2017

 

EXHIBIT 23.2

 

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements:

 

 

1)

Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-115918) pertaining to the Amended and Restated Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. Common Stock Purchase Plan for Directors, Martin Marietta Materials, Inc., Performance Sharing Plan and the Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. Savings and Investment Plan for Hourly Employees,

 

2)

Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-85608) pertaining to the Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. Common Stock Purchase Plan for Directors,

 

3)

Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-83516) pertaining to the Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. Omnibus Securities Award Plan, as amended,

 

4)

Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-15429) pertaining to the Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. Common Stock Purchase Plan for Directors, Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. Performance Sharing Plan, and the Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. Savings and Investment Plan for Hourly Employees,

 

5)

Registration Statement Form S-8 No. 333-211735) pertaining to the Martin Marietta Amended and Restated Stock-Based Award Plan; and

 

6)

Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-197201) pertaining to the Texas Industries, Inc. 2004 Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan and the Texas Industries, Inc. Management Deferred Compensation Plan, as assumed by Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

 

of our report dated February 24, 2017, except for the recently adopted accounting pronouncements discussed in Note A and the effects of the segment change discussed in Note O, as to which the date is May 12, 2017, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. included in this Current Report on Form 8-K of Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

 

Raleigh, North Carolina

May 12, 2017

 

 

EXHIBIT 99.1

 

PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

 

General

 

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (the “Company”) is a leading supplier of aggregates products (crushed stone, sand, and gravel) used for the construction of infrastructure, nonresidential and residential projects.  Aggregates products are also used for railroad ballast and in agricultural, utility and environmental applications.  The Company’s Building Materials business consists primarily of mining, processing, and selling granite, limestone, sand and gravel, collectively referred to as “aggregates”.  The Building Materials business also includes cement, ready mixed concrete, asphalt products and paving construction services.  The Company is a leading supplier of cement, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving services in some regions where being able to supply a full range of products is important for customer service.  The Company’s cement product line produces Portland and specialty cements.  The Company also has a Magnesia Specialties business that manufactures and markets magnesia-based chemical products used in industrial, agricultural, and environmental applications, and dolomitic lime sold primarily to customers in the steel industry.

 

The Company was formed in 1993 as a North Carolina corporation to serve as successor to the operations of the materials group of the organization that is now Lockheed Martin Corporation.  An initial public offering of a portion of the Company’s Common Stock was completed in 1994, followed by a tax-free exchange transaction in 1996 that resulted in 100% of the Company’s Common Stock being publicly traded.

 

The Company completed over 85 smaller acquisitions from the time of its initial public offering until the present, which allowed the Company to enhance and expand its presence in the aggregates marketplace.  This included an exchange of certain assets in 2011 with Lafarge North America Inc. (“Lafarge”), pursuant to which it received aggregates quarry sites, ready mixed concrete and asphalt plants, and a paving business in and around the metropolitan Denver, Colorado, and the I-25 corridor, in exchange for which Lafarge received properties consisting of quarries, an asphalt plant and distribution yards operated by the Company along the Mississippi River (called the Company’s “River District Operations”) and a cash payment.  The Company uses its ability to distribute materials over long distances by rail and water to further expand its operations.

 

The business has developed further through the following transactions over the past five years.

 

In 2013, the Company acquired three aggregates quarries in the greater Atlanta, Georgia, area.  The transaction provided over 800 million tons of permitted aggregate reserves and enhanced the Company’s existing long-term position in this market.

 

In 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of Texas Industries, Inc. (“TXI”), further augmenting its position as a leading supplier of aggregates and heavy building materials.  TXI, as a stand-alone entity, was a leading supplier of heavy construction materials in the southwestern United States and a major supplier of natural aggregates and ready mixed concrete in Texas, northern Louisiana and, to a lesser extent, in Oklahoma and Arkansas.  TXI was the largest supplier of ready mixed concrete, concrete products and cement in Texas.  TXI enhanced the Company’s position as an aggregates-led, low-cost operator in the large and fast-growing geographies in the United States and provided high-quality assets in cement and ready mixed concrete.

 

In addition to the cement operations, the Company acquired as part of the TXI acquisition nine quarries and six aggregates distribution terminals located in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. The Company also acquired approximately

1

 


ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

 

 

120 ready mixed concrete plants, situated primarily in three areas of Texas (the Dallas/Fort Worth/Denton area of north Texas; the Austin area of central Texas; and from Beaumont to Texarkana in east Texas), in north and central Louisiana and in Southwestern Arkansas.  As part of an agreement with the United States Department of Justice’s review of the transaction, the Company divested of its North Troy Quarry in Oklahoma and two related rail distribution yards in Dallas and Frisco, Texas.

 

TXI was also a cement producer in California.  In 2015, the Company divested its California cement business acquired from TXI.  These operations were not in close proximity to other core assets of the Company and, unlike other marketplace competitors, were not vertically integrated with ready mixed concrete production.  The divestiture primarily included a cement plant, two distribution terminals, mobile equipment, intangible assets and inventory.  The Company also completed the integration of the TXI operations in 2015, and completed three smaller acquisitions, which included three aggregates operations and related assets.

 

In 2016, the Company acquired aggregates, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving operations in southern Colorado that provided more than 500 million tons of mineral reserves and expanded the Company’s presence along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, home to 80% of Colorado’s population.  The Company also acquired the remaining interest it had not previously owned in a ready mixed concrete company that serves the I-35 corridor in central Texas between Dallas and Austin, which enhanced the Company’s position and provided additional vertical integration benefits with the Company’s cement product line.

 

Between 2001 and 2016, the Company disposed of or idled a number of underperforming operations, including aggregates, ready mixed concrete, trucking, and asphalt and paving operations of its Building Materials business and the refractories business of its Magnesia Specialties business.  In some of its divestitures, the Company concurrently entered into supply agreements to provide aggregates at market rates to certain of these divested businesses. During 2015, the Company disposed of certain non-core asphalt operations in San Antonio, Texas and divested its California cement operations.  The Company will continue to evaluate opportunities to divest underperforming assets, if appropriate, during 2017 in an effort to redeploy capital for other opportunities.

 

Business Segment Information

 

The Company conducts its Building Materials business through three reportable segments: the Mid-America Group, Southeast Group and West Group.  The Company also has the Magnesia Specialties segment, which includes its magnesia-based chemicals and dolomitic lime businesses.  Information concerning the Company’s total revenues, net sales, gross profit, earnings from operations, assets employed, and certain additional information attributable to each reportable business segment for each year in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016 is included in “Note O: Business Segments” of the “Notes to Financial Statements” of the Company’s 2016 consolidated financial statements (the “2016 Financial Statements”), which are included under Item 8 of this Form 10-K, and are part of the Company’s 2016 Annual Report to Shareholders (the “2016 Annual Report”), which information is incorporated herein by reference.


 

2


ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

 

 

Building Materials Business

 

The Building Materials business mines, processes and sells granite, limestone, sand, gravel and other aggregates products, collectively referred to as “aggregates” for use in all sectors of the public infrastructure, nonresidential and residential construction industries, as well as agriculture, railroad ballast, chemical and other uses.  The Building Materials business also includes the operation of other construction materials businesses.  These businesses, located in the West Group, were acquired through continued selective vertical integration by the Company, and include cement, ready mixed concrete, and asphalt and paving operations in Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Texas and Wyoming.

 

Aggregates, Ready Mixed Concrete and Asphalt and Paving Product Lines

 

The Company is a leading supplier of aggregates for the construction industry in the United States.  In 2016, the Company’s Building Materials business shipped and delivered aggregates, cement, ready mixed concrete and asphalt products from a network of nearly 300 quarries, underground mines, two cement plants, distribution facilities, and approximately 150 ready mixed concrete plants, to customers in 29 states, Canada, and the Bahamas, and also performed paving services.  Collectively, the Building Materials business generated net sales and earnings from operations of $3.3 billion and $679.5 million, respectively.

 

The Building Materials business markets its products primarily to the construction industry, with approximately 39% of the aggregates product line shipments in 2016 made to contractors in connection with highway and other public infrastructure projects and the balance of its shipments made primarily to contractors in connection with nonresidential and residential construction projects. The Company believes public-works projects have historically accounted for approximately 50% of the total annual aggregates and cement consumption in the United States.  Therefore, these businesses benefit from public-works construction projects. The Company also believes exposure to fluctuations in nonresidential and residential, or private-sector, construction spending is lessened by the business’ mix of public sector-related shipments.  However, after uncertainty regarding the solvency of the highway bill in 2014, the Company experienced a slight retraction in aggregates product line shipments to the infrastructure end-use market.   Consistent with this trend, the infrastructure market accounted for a lower percentage of the Company’s aggregates product line shipments in 2016 and 2015 compared with the most recent five-year average of 44%.

 

As a result of dependence upon the construction industry, the profitability of aggregates and cement producers is sensitive to national, regional and local economic conditions, and particularly to cyclical swings in construction spending, which is affected by fluctuations in interest rates, demographic and population shifts, and changes in the level of infrastructure spending funded by the public sector.

 

The Company’s aggregates product line shipments have increased each of the past five years, reflecting degrees of stability and modest growth.  However, aggregates volumes are still below historically normal levels.  Prior to 2011, the economic recession resulted in United States aggregates consumption declining by almost 40% from peak volumes in 2006.  Aggregates product line shipments had also suffered as states continued to balance their construction spending with the uncertainty related to long-term federal highway funding and budget shortfalls caused by decreasing tax revenues.  However, most state budgets began to improve starting in 2013 as increased tax revenues helped states resolve or begin to resolve budget deficits.  During 2016, the Company’s aggregates product line shipments increased 1.4% compared with 2015.

 

The federal highway bill provides annual funding for public-sector highway construction projects.  After a decade of 36 short-term funding provisions since the prior federal highway bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (“MAP-21”), expired, the five-year, $305 billion highway bill, Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (the “FAST Act” or the “Act”), was signed into law in December, 2015.  The FAST Act reauthorizes federal highway and public transportation

 

3


ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

 

 

programs.  Funding for the FAST Act is primarily secured through gas tax collections and will enable states to purchase and use an estimated additional 114 million tons of aggregates over the life of the Act.  $207.4 billion of the FAST Act funding will be apportioned to the states, with a 5.1% increase over actual fiscal year 2015 apportionments in 2016 and then inflationary increases in subsequent years.  Meaningful impact from the FAST Act is expected beginning in 2017.  Although the FAST Act did not meaningfully impact 2016 highway spending, the total value of public-works spending across the United States increased, demonstrating the continued commitment of many states to address underlying demand for infrastructure investment.  During the past 24 months, many states have taken on a significantly larger role in funding infrastructure investment, including initiating special-purpose taxes and raising gas taxes.

 

The FAST Act retains the programs supported under the predecessor bill, MAP-21, but with some changes. Specifically, Transportation Infrastructure and Innovation Act (“TIFIA”), a U.S. Department of Transportation alternative funding mechanism, which under MAP-21 provided three types of federal credit assistance for nationally or regionally significant surface transportation projects, now allows more diversification of projects. TIFIA is designed to fill market gaps and leverage substantial private co-investment by providing projects with supplemental or subordinate debt that is not subject to national debt ceiling challenges or sequestration. Since inception, TIFIA has provided more than $25 billion of credit assistance to over 50 projects representing over $90 billion in infrastructure investment. Under the FAST Act, TIFIA annual funding ranges from $275 million to $300 million and no longer requires the 20% matching funds from state departments of transportation. Consequently, states can advance construction projects immediately with potentially zero upfront outlay of local state department of transportation dollars.  TIFIA requires projects to have a revenue source to pay back the credit assistance within a 30 to 40 year period.  Moreover, TIFIA funds may represent up to 49% of total eligible project costs for a TIFIA-secured loan and 33% for a TIFIA standby line of credit. Therefore, the TIFIA program has the ability to significantly leverage construction dollars. Each dollar of federal funds can provide up to $10 in TIFIA credit assistance and support up to $30 in transportation infrastructure investment.  Private investment in transportation projects funded through the TIFIA program is particularly attractive, in part due to the subordination of public investment to private. Management believes TIFIA could provide a substantial boost for state department of transportation construction programs well above what is currently budgeted. As of January 2017, TIFIA funded projects for the Company’s key states (Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Iowa and Georgia) exceeded $22 billion.

 

The federal highway bill provides spending authorizations, which represent the maximum financial obligation that will result from the immediate or future outlays of federal funds for highway and transit programs. The federal government’s surface transportation programs are financed mostly through the receipts of highway user taxes placed in the Highway Trust Fund, which is divided into the Highway Account and the Mass Transit Account.  Revenues credited to the Highway Trust Fund are primarily derived from a federal gas tax, a federal tax on certain other motor fuels and interest on the accounts’ accumulated balances.  Of the currently imposed federal gas tax of $0.184 per gallon, which has been static since 1993, $0.15 is allocated to the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund.

 

Transportation investments generally boost the national economy by enhancing mobility and access and by creating jobs, which is a priority of many of the government’s economic plans. According to the Federal Highway Administration, every $1 billion in federal highway investment creates approximately 28,000 jobs. The number of jobs created is dependent on the nature and aggregates intensity of the projects. Approximately half of the Building Materials business’ net sales to the infrastructure market come from federal funding authorizations, including matching funds from the states.  For each dollar spent on road, highway and bridge improvements, the Federal Highway Administration estimates an average benefit of $5.20 is recognized in the form of reduced vehicle maintenance costs, reduced delays, reduced fuel consumption, improved safety, reduced road and bridge maintenance costs and reduced emissions as a result of improved traffic flow.

 

The Company’s Building Materials business covers a wide geographic area.  The business’ five largest revenue-generating states (Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Iowa and Georgia) accounted for 75% of total 2016 net sales by state

 

4


ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

 

 

of destination.  The Company’s Building Materials business is accordingly affected by the economies in these regions and has been adversely affected in part by recessions and weaknesses in these economies from time to time.  Recent improvements in the national economy and in some of the states in which the Company operates have led to improvements in profitability in the Company’s Building Materials business.

 

The Company’s Building Materials business is also highly seasonal, due primarily to the effect of weather conditions on construction activity within its markets.  The operations of the Building Materials business that are concentrated in the northern and midwestern United States and Canada typically experience more severe winter weather conditions than operations in the southeastern and southwestern regions of the United States.  Excessive rainfall, flooding, or severe drought can also jeopardize shipments, production, and profitability in all of the Company’s markets. Subject to these factors, the Company’s second and third quarters are typically the strongest, with the first quarter generally reflecting the weakest results.  Results in any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the Company’s annual results.  Similarly, the operations of the Building Materials business in the coastal areas are at risk for hurricane activity, most notably in August, September and October, and have experienced weather-related losses from time to time.

 

Weather-related hindrances were exacerbated over the last two years by record precipitation in many of the Company’s key markets.  Net sales, production and cost structure were adversely affected by the significant precipitation. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”) has tracked precipitation for 122 years.  According to NOAA, 2015 represented the wettest year on record for Texas and Oklahoma, while North Carolina, South Carolina, Colorado and Iowa each experienced a top-ten precipitation year, and the nation as a whole had its third-wettest year in NOAA recorded history.  In 2016, many areas in the United States again experienced significant amounts of precipitation.  Texas experienced its 18th wettest year in the state’s recorded history per NOAA.  Further, since March 2015, Texas and surrounding regions have experienced 18 major flood events.  Additionally, in October 2016, rainfall along the eastern seaboard of the United States from Hurricane Matthew, a category-5 hurricane, approximated 13.6 trillion gallons.  Hurricane Matthew was also the first major hurricane on record to make landfall in the Bahamas, where the Company has a facility.  Accordingly, the Company’s financial results for any year, and notably 2016 and 2015, or year-to-year comparisons of reported results, may not be indicative of future operating results.

 

Natural aggregates sources can be found in relatively homogeneous deposits in certain areas of the United States.  As a general rule, truck shipments from an individual quarry are limited because the cost of transporting processed aggregates to customers is high in relation to the price of the product itself. As described below, the Company’s distribution system mainly uses trucks, but also has access to a river barge and ocean vessel network where the per-mile unit cost of transporting aggregates is much lower.  In addition, acquisitions have enabled the Company to extend its customer base through increased access to rail transportation. Proximity of quarry facilities to customers or to long-haul transportation corridors is an important factor in competition for aggregates businesses.

 

A significant percentage of the Company’s aggregates product line shipments continue to be moved by rail or water through a distribution yard network.  In 1994, 93% of the Company’s aggregates product line shipments were moved by truck, the rest by rail.  In contrast, in 2016, the originating mode of transportation for the Company’s aggregates product line shipments was 76% by truck, 20% by rail, and 4% by water.  Although the Company divested its River District Operations in 2011 as part of the asset exchange with Lafarge, the development of deep-water and rail distribution yards continues to be a key component of the Company’s strategic growth plan.  While the River District Operations were being serviced as part of the Company’s barge long-haul distribution network, those divested operations were not in high-growth states.  The majority of rail and water movements occur in the Southeast Group and the West Group, that have certain areas which generally lack a long-term indigenous supply of coarse aggregates but exhibit above-average growth characteristics driven by long-term population growth and density, employment growth and economic diversity. The Company has an extensive network of aggregates quarries and distribution centers throughout the southern United States

 

5


ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

 

 

and in the Bahamas and Canada, as well as distribution centers along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts.  In 2016, 24.8 million tons of aggregates were sold from distribution yards.

 

The Company’s Medina Rock and Rail (“Medina”) capital project, with a total cost of $160 million, was the largest capital expansion project in its history.  Located near San Antonio, Texas, Medina consists of a rail-connected limestone aggregates processing facility which shipped approximately four million tons in 2016 and has the future capability of producing in excess of 10 million tons per year.  Medina became operational in January 2016.

 

The Company also acquires contiguous property around existing quarry locations. This property can serve as buffer property or additional mineral reserve capacity, assuming the underlying geology supports economical aggregates mining. In either instance, the acquisition of additional property around an existing quarry allows the expansion of the quarry footprint and extension of quarry life. Some locations having limited reserves may be unable to expand.

 

A long-term capital focus for the Company, primarily in the midwestern United States due to the nature of its indigenous aggregates supply, is underground limestone aggregate mines. The Company operates 14 active underground mines, located in the Mid-America Group, and is the largest operator of underground limestone aggregate mines in the United States. Production costs are generally higher at underground mines than surface quarries since the depth of the aggregate deposits and the access to the reserves result in higher development, explosives and depreciation costs. However, these locations often possess transportation advantages that can lead to higher average selling prices than more distant surface quarries.

 

The Company’s acquisitions and capital projects have expanded its ability to ship material by rail, as discussed in more detail below. The Company has added additional capacity in a number of locations that can now accommodate larger unit train movements. These expansion projects have enhanced the Company’s long-haul distribution network. The Company’s process improvement efforts have also improved operational effectiveness through plant automation, mobile fleet modernization, right-sizing and other cost control improvements.  Accordingly, the Company has enhanced its reach through its ability to provide cost-effective coverage of coastal markets on the east and gulf coasts, as well as geographic areas that can be accessed economically by the Company’s expanded distribution system.  This distribution network moves aggregates materials from domestic and offshore sources, via rail and water, to markets where aggregates supply is limited.

 

As the Company continues to move more aggregates by rail and water, internal freight costs are expected to reduce gross margins (excluding freight and delivery revenues).  This typically occurs where the Company transports aggregates from a production location to a distribution location by rail or water, and the customer pays a selling price that includes a freight component.  Margins are negatively affected because the Company typically does not charge the customer a profit associated with the transportation component of the selling price of the materials.  Moreover, the Company’s expansion of its rail-based distribution network, coupled with the extensive use of rail service in the Southeast and West Groups, increases the Company’s dependence on and exposure to railroad performance, including track congestion, crew availability, and power availability, and the ability to renegotiate favorable railroad shipping contracts.  The waterborne distribution network, primarily located within the Southeast Group, also increases the Company’s exposure to certain risks, including the ability to negotiate favorable shipping contracts, demurrage costs, fuel costs, ship availability and weather disruptions.  The Company has entered into long-term agreements with shipping companies to provide ships to transport the Company’s aggregates to various coastal ports.

 

The Company’s long-term shipping contracts for shipment by water are generally take-or-pay contracts with minimum and maximum shipping requirements.  If the Company fails to ship the annual minimum tonnages under the agreement, it is still obligated to pay the shipping company the contractually-stated minimum amount for that year.  In

 

6


ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

 

 

2016, the Company incurred $1.1 million of these charges.  A similar charge is possible in 2017 if shipment volumes do not meet the contractually-stated minimums.

 

From time to time, the Company has experienced rail transportation shortages, particularly in the Southwest and Southeast.  These shortages were caused by the downsizing in personnel and equipment by certain railroads during economic downturns.  Further, in response to these issues, rail transportation providers focused on increasing the number of cars per unit train under transportation contracts and are generally requiring customers, through the freight rate structure, to accommodate larger unit train movements.  A unit train is a freight train moving large tonnages of a single bulk product between two points without intermediate yarding and switching. Certain of the Company’s sales yards have the system capabilities to meet the unit train requirements.  Over the last few years, the Company has made capital improvements to a number of its sales yards in order to better accommodate unit train unloadings.  Rail availability is seasonal and can impact aggregates product line shipments depending on competing movements.

 

From time to time, the Company has also experienced rail and trucking shortages due to competition from other products.  If there are material changes in the availability or cost of rail or trucking services, the Company may not be able to arrange alternative and timely means to ship our products at a reasonable cost, which could lead to interruptions or slowdowns in the Company’s businesses or increases in our costs.

 

The Company’s management expects the multiple transportation modes that have been developed with various rail carriers and via deep-water ships should provide the Company with the flexibility to effectively serve customers in the southeastern and southwestern regions of the United States.

 

The construction aggregates industry has been consolidating, and the Company has actively participated in the consolidation of the industry. When acquired, new locations sometimes do not satisfy the Company’s internal safety, maintenance and pit development standards, and may require additional resources before benefits of the acquisitions are fully realized.   Industry consolidation slowed several years ago as the number of suitable small to mid-sized acquisition targets in high-growth markets declined.  During that period of fewer acquisition opportunities, the Company focused on investing in internal expansion projects in high-growth markets.  The number of acquisition opportunities has increased in the last few years as the economy has begun to recover from the protracted recession.  Opportunities include public and larger private, family-owned businesses, as well as asset swaps and divestitures from companies rationalizing non-core assets and repairing financially-constrained balanced sheets.  The Company’s Board of Directors and management continue to review and monitor the Company’s strategic long-term plans, which include assessing business combinations and arrangements with other companies engaged in similar businesses, increasing the Company’s presence in its core businesses, investing in internal expansion projects in high-growth markets, and pursuing new opportunities related to the Company’s existing markets.

 

The Company became more vertically integrated through various acquisitions, including the 2014 TXI acquisition,  in the West Group, pursuant to which the Company acquired cement, ready mixed concrete, asphalt and paving operations, trucking, and other businesses, which complement the Company’s aggregates operations.  The Company reports these operations within the Building Materials business, and their results are affected by volatile factors, including fuel costs, operating efficiencies, and weather, to an even greater extent than the Company’s aggregates operations.  Liquid asphalt and cement serve as key raw materials in the production of hot mix asphalt and ready mixed concrete, respectively.  Therefore, fluctuations in prices for these raw materials directly affect the Company’s operating results.  During 2016, prices for liquid asphalt were lower than 2015.  Liquid asphalt prices may not always follow other energy products (e.g., oil or diesel fuel) because of complexities in the refining process which converts a barrel of oil into other fuels and petrochemical products.  The Company expects gross margin (excluding freight and delivery revenues) for the legacy TXI ready mixed concrete operations to continue to improve, similar to the pattern experienced with the Colorado ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving operations.

 

7


ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

 

 

 

The Company continues to review ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving operations to determine if they represent opportunities to divest underperforming assets in an effort to redeploy capital for other opportunities.  The Company also reviews other independent ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving operations to determine if they might present attractive acquisition opportunities in the best interest of the Company, either as part of their own ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving operations or operations that might be vertically integrated with other operations owned by the Company.  Based on these assessments, the Company completed the acquisitions described under “General” above, which included ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving operations in the Denver, Colorado, and San Antonio, Texas, markets.  The 2014 business combination with TXI described under “General” above further expanded the Company’s aggregates and ready mixed concrete operations.  The TXI combination also added the cement operations, which are included in the West Group reportable segment of the Company.  The 2016 transactions described under “General” above further added ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving operations along the Front Range in Colorado and ready mixed concrete operations in central Texas.

 

Environmental and zoning regulations have made it increasingly difficult for the aggregates industry to expand existing quarries and to develop new quarry operations.  Although it cannot be predicted what policies will be adopted in the future by federal, state, and local governmental bodies regarding these matters, the Company anticipates that future restrictions will likely make zoning and permitting more difficult, thereby potentially enhancing the value of the Company’s existing mineral reserves.

 

Management believes the aggregates product line’s raw materials, or aggregates reserves, are sufficient to permit production at present operational levels for the foreseeable future.  The Company does not anticipate any material difficulty in obtaining the raw materials that it uses for current production in its aggregates product line.  The Company’s aggregates reserves on the average exceed 60 years of production, based on normalized levels of production.  However, certain locations may be subject to more limited reserves and may not be able to expand.  Moreover, as noted above, environmental and zoning regulations will likely make it harder for the Company to expand its existing quarries or develop new quarry operations.  The Company generally sells its aggregates, ready mixed concrete and asphalt products upon receipt of orders or requests from customers.  Accordingly, there is no significant order backlog.  The Company generally maintains inventories of aggregates products in sufficient quantities to meet the requirements of customers.

 

Less than 1% of the revenues from the aggregates, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines are from foreign jurisdictions, principally Canada and the Bahamas, with revenues from customers in foreign countries totaling $11.8 million, $12.3 million, and $13.0 million, during 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

 

Cement Product Line

 

The cement product line produces Portland and specialty cements. Cement is the basic binding agent for concrete, a primary construction material.  The principal raw material used in the production of cement is calcium carbonate in the form of limestone. The Company owns more than 600 million tons of limestone reserves adjacent to its two cement production plants in Texas.  Similar to the aggregates, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines, cement is used in infrastructure projects, nonresidential and residential construction, and the railroad, agricultural, utility and environmental industries. Consequently, the cement industry is cyclical and dependent on the strength of the construction sector.

 

The Company has the leading cement position in Texas, with two production facilities, one located in Midlothian, Texas, south of Dallas-Fort Worth, and the other located in Hunter, Texas, north of San Antonio. These plants have a combined annual capacity of 4.5 million tons, as well as a current permit that provides an 800,000-ton-expansion

 

8


ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

 

 

opportunity at the Midlothian plant.  In addition to these production facilities, the Company also operates five cement distribution terminals in Texas.

 

From July 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015, the Company also operated a cement plant at Oro Grande, California, cement grinding and packaging facilities at the Crestmore plant near Riverside, California, and two California-based cement distribution terminals.  During 2015, the Company sold all of its California cement operations.  It retained the real estate at the Crestmore facility, which the Company expects to sell for non-cement use.  These operations were not in close proximity to other core assets of the Company and, unlike other marketplace competitors, were not vertically integrated with ready mixed concrete production.

 

Cement consumption is dependent on the time of year and prevalent weather conditions. According to the Portland Cement Association, nearly two-thirds of U.S. cement consumption occurs in the six months between May and October. The majority of all cement shipments, approximately 70 percent, are sent to ready-mix concrete operators. The rest are shipped to manufacturers of concrete related products, contractors, materials dealers, oil well/mining/drilling companies, as well as government entities.

 

Energy, including electricity and fossil fuels, accounted for approximately 22% of the cement production cost profile in 2016. Therefore, profitability of the cement product line is affected by changes in energy prices and the available supply of these products.  The Company currently has fixed-price supply contracts for coal but also consumes natural gas, alternative fuel and petroleum coke. Further, profitability of the cement product line is also subject to kiln maintenance.  This process typically requires a plant to be shut down for a period of time as repairs are made.  In 2016, the cement product line incurred ordinary kiln maintenance shutdown costs of $20.9 million.

 

The cement product line is benefitting from continued strength in the Texas markets, where current demand exceeds local supply, a trend that is expected to continue for the near future. The Company shipped a total of 3.5 million tons of cement in 2016, with 2.3 million tons shipped to external customers in five states and 1.2 million tons consumed by the Company for internal use.  A portion of the cement is used internally in the Company’s ready mixed concrete product line.  For 2016, the cement product line generated net sales and earnings from operations of $364.4 million and $99.6 million, respectively.

 

The limestone reserves used as a raw material for cement are located on property, owned by the Company, adjacent to each of the cement plants.  Management believes that its reserves of limestone are sufficient to permit production at the current operational levels for the foreseeable future.

 

Inventory for cement products is generally maintained in sufficient quantities to meet rapid delivery requirements of customers.  At December 31, 2016, the cement product line had backlog of approximately $90 million.

 

From time to time a small percentage of the Company’s cement sales are to customers located outside the United States.  The Company had no such sales in 2016 since the Company sold the California cement operations in 2015; previously such sales were less than 2% of revenues for the cement product line, coming from sales from California to customers in Mexico, with revenues from such customers totaling $0.4 million during 2015 and $3.8 million during 2014 for the period from the July 1, 2014 acquisition of TXI.

 

Magnesia Specialties Business

 

The Company manufactures and markets, through its Magnesia Specialties business, magnesia-based chemical products for industrial, agricultural and environmental applications, and dolomitic lime for use primarily in the steel industry.  These chemical products have varying uses, including flame retardants, wastewater treatment, pulp and paper

 

9


ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

 

 

production and other environmental applications.  In 2016, 69% of Magnesia Specialties’ net sales were attributable to chemical products, 30% to lime, and 1% to stone sold as construction materials.  For 2016, the Magnesia Specialties business generated record net sales and earnings from operations of $238.0 million and $79.3 million, respectively.

 

Given the high fixed costs associated with operating this business, low capacity utilization negatively affects its results of operations.  A significant portion of the costs related to the production of magnesia-based products and dolomitic lime is of a fixed or semi-fixed nature.  In addition, the production of certain magnesia chemical products and lime products requires natural gas, coal, and petroleum coke to fuel kilns.  Price fluctuations of these fuels affect the profitability of this business.  The Company has sought to mitigate certain of these fluctuations and risks by entering into fixed-price supply contracts for certain fuels, including natural gas, coal and petroleum coke.

 

In 2016, 83% of the lime produced was sold to third-party customers, while the remaining 17% was used internally as a raw material in making the business’ chemical products.  Dolomitic lime products sold to external customers are used primarily by the steel industry.  Products used in the steel industry, either directly as dolomitic lime or indirectly as a component of other industrial products, accounted for 41% of the Magnesia Specialties’ net sales in 2016, attributable primarily to the sale of dolomitic lime products. Accordingly, a portion of the revenues and profitability of the Magnesia Specialties business is affected by production and inventory trends in the steel industry.  These trends are guided by the rate of consumer consumption, the flow of offshore imports, and other economic factors. The dolomitic lime business runs most profitably at 70% or greater steel capacity utilization; domestic capacity utilization averaged 71% in 2016, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute.  Average steel production in 2016 declined 0.5% versus 2015.  Declining steel utilization and United States dollar strength could adversely affect Magnesia Specialties’ operating results.

 

Management has shifted the strategic focus of the magnesia-based business to specialty chemicals that can be produced at volume levels that support efficient operations.  Accordingly, that product line is not as dependent on the steel industry as is the dolomitic lime portion of the Magnesia Specialties business.

 

The principal raw materials used in the Magnesia Specialties business are dolomitic limestone and alkali-rich brine.  Management believes that its reserves of dolomitic limestone and brine are sufficient to permit production at the current operational levels for the foreseeable future.

 

After the brine is used in the production process, the Magnesia Specialties business must dispose of the processed brine.  In the past, the business did this by reinjecting the processed brine back into its underground brine reserve network around its facility in Manistee, Michigan.  The business has also sold a portion of this processed brine to third parties.  In 2003, Magnesia Specialties entered into a long-term processed brine supply agreement with The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) pursuant to which Dow purchases processed brine from Magnesia Specialties, at market rates, for use in Dow’s production of calcium chloride products.  Magnesia Specialties also entered into a venture with Dow to construct, own and operate a processed brine supply pipeline between the Magnesia Specialties facility in Manistee, Michigan, and Dow’s facility in Ludington, Michigan.  Construction of the pipeline was completed in 2003, and Dow began purchasing processed brine from Magnesia Specialties through the pipeline.  In 2010, Dow sold the assets of Dow’s facility in Ludington, Michigan to Occidental Chemical Corporation (“Occidental”) and assigned to Occidental its interests in the long-term processed brine supply agreement and the pipeline venture with Magnesia Specialties.

 

Magnesia Specialties generally delivers its products upon receipt of orders or requests from customers.  Accordingly, there is no significant order backlog.  Inventory for products is generally maintained in sufficient quantities to meet rapid delivery requirements of customers.  A significant portion of the 275,000 ton dolomitic lime capacity from a lime kiln completed in 2012 at Woodville, Ohio is committed under a long-term supply contract.

 

 

10


ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

 

 

The Magnesia Specialties business is highly dependent on rail transportation, particularly for movement of dolomitic lime from Woodville to Manistee and direct customer shipments of dolomitic lime and magnesia chemicals products from both Woodville and Manistee.  The segment can be affected by the specific transportation and other risks and uncertainties outlined under Item IA., Risk Factors, of this Form 10-K.

 

Approximately 18% of the revenues of the Magnesia Specialties business in 2016 were from foreign jurisdictions, principally Canada, Mexico, Europe, South America and the Pacific Rim, but no single foreign country accounted for 10% or more of the revenues of the business.  Revenues from customers in foreign countries totaled $43.0 million, $32.7 million, and $29.0 million, in 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.  As a result of these foreign market sales, the financial results of the Magnesia Specialties business could be affected by foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in the foreign markets.  To mitigate the short-term effects of currency exchange rates, the Magnesia Specialties business’ sales are predominately denominated in the United States dollar.  However, the current strength of the United States dollar in foreign markets is negatively affecting the overall price of Magnesia Specialties’ products when compared with foreign-domiciled competitors.

 

Patents and Trademarks

 

As of February 10, 2017, the Company owns, has the right to use, or has pending applications for approximately 23 patents pending or granted by the United States and various countries and approximately 104 trademarks related to business.  The Company believes that its rights under its existing patents, patent applications and trademarks are of value to its operations, but no one patent or trademark or group of patents or trademarks is material to the conduct of the Company’s business as a whole.

 

Customers

 

No material part of the business of any segment of the Company is dependent upon a single customer or upon a few customers, the loss of any one of which would have a material adverse effect on the segment.  The Company’s products are sold principally to commercial customers in private industry.  Although large amounts of construction materials are used in public works projects, relatively insignificant sales are made directly to federal, state, county, or municipal governments, or agencies thereof.

 

Competition

 

Because of the impact of transportation costs on the aggregates industry, competition in the aggregates product line tends to be limited to producers in proximity to each of the Company’s facilities.  Although all of the Company’s locations experience competition, the Company believes that it is generally a leading producer in the areas it serves.  Competition is based primarily on quarry or distribution location and price, but quality of aggregates and level of customer service are also factors.

 

There are over 5,500 companies in the United States that produce construction aggregates.  These include active crushed stone companies and active sand and gravel companies. The largest ten producers account for approximately 35% of the total market.  The Company’s ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving operations are also characterized by numerous operators.  A national trade association estimates there are about 5,500 ready mixed concrete plants in the United States owned by over 2,200 companies, with about 55,000 mixer trucks delivering ready mixed concrete.  Similarly, a national trade association estimates there are about 3,700 asphalt plants in the United States owned by over 800 companies.  The Company, in its ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving operations, competes with a number of other large and small producers.  The Company believes that its ability to transport materials by ocean vessels and rail have enhanced the Company’s ability to compete in the aggregates industry.

 

11


ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

 

 

 

The Company’s Magnesia Specialties business competes with various companies in different geographic and product areas principally on the basis of quality, price, technological advances, and technical support for its products.  The Magnesia Specialties business also competes for sales to customers located outside the United States, with revenues from foreign jurisdictions accounting for 18% of revenues for the Magnesia Specialties business in 2016, principally in Canada, Mexico, Europe, South America, and the Pacific Rim.

 

According to the Portland Cement Association, United States cement production is widely dispersed with the operation of 107 cement plants in 36 states. The top five companies collectively operate 49.6% of U.S. clinker capacity with the largest company representing 14.2% of all domestic clinker capacity. An estimated 76.7% of U.S. clinker capacity is owned by companies headquartered outside of the United States.  In reviewing these figures for cement plants, capacity is often stated in terms of “clinker” capacity.  “Clinker” is the initial product of cement production.  Cement producers mine materials such as limestone, shale, or other materials, crush and screen the materials, and place them in a cement kiln.  After being heated to extremely high temperatures, these materials form marble-sized balls or pellets called “clinker” that are then very finely ground to produce Portland cement.

 

The Company’s cement product line competes with various companies in different geographic and product areas principally on the basis of proximity, quality and price for its products, but level of customer service is also a factor.  The cement product line also competes with imported cement because of the higher value of the product and the existence of major ports in some of our markets.  Certain of the Company’s competitors in the cement product line have greater financial resources than the Company.

 

The nature of the Company’s competition varies among its product lines due to the widely differing amounts of capital necessary to build production facilities. Crushed stone production from stone quarries or mines, or sand and gravel production by dredging, is moderately capital intensive. The Company’s major competitors in the aggregates markets are typically large, vertically integrated companies, with international operations. Ready mixed concrete production requires relatively small amounts of capital to build a concrete batching plant and acquire delivery trucks.  Accordingly, economics can lead to lower barriers to entry in some markets.  As a result, depending on the local market, the Company may face competition from small producers as well as large, vertically integrated companies with facilities in many markets. Construction of cement production facilities is highly capital intensive and requires long lead times to complete engineering design, obtain regulatory permits, acquire equipment and construct a plant. Most domestic producers of cement are owned by large foreign companies operating in multiple international markets. Many of these producers maintain the capability to import cement from foreign production facilities.

 

Research and Development

 

The Company conducts research and development activities, principally for its magnesia-based chemicals business, at its plant in Manistee, Michigan.  In general, the Company’s research and development efforts are directed to applied technological development for the use of its chemicals products.  The amounts spent by the Company in each of the last two years on research and development activities were not material.

 

Environmental and Governmental Regulations

 

The Company’s operations are subject to and affected by federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to the environment, health and safety, and other regulatory matters.  Certain of the Company’s operations may from time to time involve the use of substances that are classified as toxic or hazardous substances within the meaning of these laws and regulations.  Environmental operating permits are, or may be, required for certain of the Company’s operations, and such permits are subject to modification, renewal and revocation.

 

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

 

 

 

The Company records an accrual for environmental remediation liabilities in the period in which it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amounts can be reasonably estimated.  Such accruals are adjusted as further information develops or circumstances change.  The accruals are not discounted to their present value or offset for potential insurance or other claims or potential gains from future alternative uses for a site.

 

The Company regularly monitors and reviews its operations, procedures, and policies for compliance with existing laws and regulations, changes in interpretations of existing laws and enforcement policies, new laws that are adopted, and new laws that the Company anticipates will be adopted that could affect its operations.  The Company has a full time staff of environmental engineers and managers that perform these responsibilities.  The direct costs of ongoing environmental compliance were approximately $21.5 million in 2016 and approximately $24.7 million in 2015 and are related to the Company’s environmental staff, ongoing monitoring costs for various matters (including those matters disclosed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K), and asset retirement costs.  Capitalized costs related to environmental control facilities were approximately $8.7 million in 2016 and are expected to be approximately $9.0 million in 2017 and 2018.  The Company’s capital expenditures for environmental matters were not material to its results of operations or financial condition in 2016 and 2015.  However, our expenditures for environmental matters generally have increased over time and are likely to increase in the future.  Despite our compliance efforts, risk of environmental liability is inherent in the operation of the Company’s businesses, as it is with other companies engaged in similar businesses, and there can be no assurance that environmental liabilities will not have a material adverse effect on the Company in the future.

 

Many of the requirements of the environmental laws are satisfied by procedures that the Company adopts as best business practices in the ordinary course of its operations.  For example, plant equipment that is used to crush aggregates products may, as an ordinary course of operations, have an attached water spray bar that is used to clean the stone.  The water spray bar also suffices as a dust control mechanism that complies with applicable environmental laws.  The Company does not break out the portion of the cost, depreciation, and other financial information relating to the water spray bar that is only attributable to environmental purposes, as it would be derived from an arbitrary allocation methodology.  The incremental portion of such operating costs that is attributable to environmental compliance rather than best operating practices is impractical to quantify.  Accordingly, the Company expenses costs in that category when incurred as operating expenses.

 

The environmental accruals recorded by the Company are based on internal studies of the required remediation costs and estimates of potential costs that arise from time to time under federal, state and/or local environmental protection laws.  Many of these laws and the regulations promulgated under them are complex, and are subject to challenges and new interpretations by regulators and the courts from time to time.  In addition, new laws are adopted from time to time.  It is often difficult to accurately and fully quantify the costs to comply with new rules until it is determined the type of operations to which they will apply and the manner in which they will be implemented is more accurately defined.  This process often takes years to finalize and changes significantly from the time the rules are proposed to the time they are final.  The Company typically has several appropriate alternatives available to satisfy compliance requirements, which could range from nominal costs to some alternatives that may be satisfied in conjunction with equipment replacement or expansion that also benefits operating efficiencies or capacities and carry significantly higher costs.

 

Management believes that its current accrual for environmental costs is reasonable, although those amounts may increase or decrease depending on the impact of applicable rules as they are finalized from time to time and changes in facts and circumstances.  The Company believes that any additional costs for ongoing environmental compliance would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s obligations or financial condition.

 

 

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

 

 

Future reclamation costs are estimated using statutory reclamation requirements and management’s experience and knowledge in the industry, and are discounted to their present value using a credit-adjusted, risk-free rate of interest.  The future reclamation costs are not offset by potential recoveries.  For additional information regarding compliance with legal requirements, see “Note N: Commitments and Contingencies” of the “Notes to Financial Statements” of the 2016 Financial Statements and the 2016 Annual Report.  The Company is generally required by state or local laws or pursuant to the terms of an applicable lease to reclaim quarry sites after use.  The Company performs activities on an ongoing basis that may reduce the ultimate reclamation obligation.  These activities are performed as an integral part of the normal quarrying process.  For example, the perimeter and interior walls of an open pit quarry are sloped and benched as they are developed to prevent erosion and provide stabilization.  This sloping and benching meets dual objectives -- safety regulations required by the Mine Safety and Health Administration for ongoing operations and final reclamation requirements.  Therefore, these types of activities are included in normal operating costs and are not a part of the asset retirement obligation.  Historically, the Company has not incurred substantial reclamation costs in connection with the closing of quarries.  Reclaimed quarry sites owned by the Company are available for sale, typically for commercial development or use as reservoirs.

 

The Company believes that its operations and facilities, both owned or leased, are in substantial compliance with applicable laws and regulations and that any noncompliance is not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations or financial condition.  See “Legal Proceedings” under Item 3 of this Form 10-K, “Note N: Commitments and Contingencies” of the “Notes to Financial Statements” of the 2016 Financial Statements included under Item 8 of this Form 10-K and the 2016 Annual Report, and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Environmental Regulation and Litigation” included under Item 7 of this Form 10-K and the 2016 Annual Report.  However, future events, such as changes in or modified interpretations of existing laws and regulations or enforcement policies, or further investigation or evaluation of the potential health hazards of certain products or business activities, may give rise to additional compliance and other costs that could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

 

In general, quarry, mining and production facilities for asphalt, cement and ready mixed concrete must comply with air quality, water quality, and noise regulations, zoning and special use permitting requirements, applicable mining regulations, and federal health and safety requirements.  As new quarry and mining sites and production facilities are located and acquired, the Company works closely with local authorities during the zoning and permitting processes to design new quarries, mines and production facilities in such a way as to minimize disturbances.  The Company frequently acquires large tracts of land so that quarry, mine, and production facilities can be situated substantial distances from surrounding property owners.  Also, in certain markets the Company’s ability to transport material by rail and ship allows it to locate its facilities further away from residential areas.  The Company has established policies designed to minimize disturbances to surrounding property owners from its operations.

 

As is the case with other companies in the same industry, some of the Company’s products contain varying amounts of crystalline silica, a common mineral also known as quartz.  Excessive, prolonged inhalation of very small-sized particles of crystalline silica has been associated with lung diseases, including silicosis, and several scientific organizations and some states, such as California, have reported that crystalline silica can cause lung cancer.  The Mine Safety and Health Administration and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have established occupational thresholds for crystalline silica exposure as respirable dust.  The Company monitors occupational exposures at its facilities and implements dust control procedures and/or makes available appropriate respiratory protective equipment to maintain the occupational exposures at or below the appropriate levels.  The Company, through safety information sheets and other means, also communicates what it believes to be appropriate warnings and cautions its employees and customers about the risks associated with excessive, prolonged inhalation of mineral dust in general and crystalline silica in particular.

 

 

14


ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

 

 

As is the case with other companies in the cement industry, the Company’s cement operations produce varying quantities of cement kiln dust (“CKD”).  This production by-product consists of fine-grained, solid, highly alkaline material removed from cement kiln exhaust gas by air pollution control devices.  Because much of the CKD is actually unreacted raw materials, it is generally permissible to recycle the CKD back into the production process, and large amounts often are treated in such manner.  CKD that is not returned to the production process or sold as a product itself is disposed in landfills.  CKD is currently exempted from federal hazardous waste regulations under Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

 

In 2010, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“USEPA”) included the lime industry as a national enforcement priority under the federal Clean Air Act (“CAA”).  As part of the industry wide effort, the USEPA issued Notices of Violation/Findings of Violation (“NOVs”) to the Company in 2010 and 2011 regarding the Company’s compliance with the CAA New Source Review (“NSR”) program at the Magnesia Specialties dolomitic lime manufacturing plant in Woodville, Ohio.  The Company has been providing information to the USEPA in response to these NOVs and has had several meetings with the USEPA.  The Company believes it is in substantial compliance with the NSR program.  The Company cannot at this time reasonably estimate what reasonable likely penalties or upgrades to equipment might ultimately be required.  The Company believes that any costs related to any required upgrades will be spread over time and will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations or its financial condition, but can give no assurance that the ultimate resolution of this matter will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Magnesia Specialties segment of the business.

 

In October 2014, the Company received a CAA Section 114 request for information regarding the Manistee, Michigan, operations from the USEPA, similar to the one initially received at the Woodville, Ohio, plant.  The letter seeks information regarding the Company’s compliance with the NSR program at the Magnesia Specialties manufacturing plant in Manistee, Michigan.  No notices of violation have been received by the Company relating to alleged non-compliance at the Manistee plant.  The Company believes it is in substantial compliance with the NSR program and has submitted information to the USEPA for review and is awaiting a response or additional questions.  The Company cannot at this time reasonably estimate the costs, if any, that may be incurred relating to this matter.

 

In September 2005, the USEPA designated several entities as potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”) under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), at the Ward Transformer Superfund site located in Raleigh, North Carolina. In April 2009, two PRPs filed separate actions in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina against more than 100 other entities not designated PRPs, including the Company, seeking contribution from the defendants for expenses incurred by the plaintiffs related to work performed at a portion of the site.    This group was later expanded to over 200 potential PRPs.  In 2016, a global settlement was reached for past costs and clean-up of the contamination, which the Company joined for a payment of $102,000 to the USEPA and $1.2 million to the PRPs, a group of which will be conducting the clean-up process.

 

The Company has been reviewing its operations with respect to climate change matters and its sources of greenhouse gas emissions.  In December 2009, the USEPA made an endangerment finding under the Clean Air Act that the current and projected concentrations of the six key greenhouse gases (“GHG” or “GHGs”) in the atmosphere threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations.  The six GHGs are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride. As of 2010, facilities that emitted 25,000 metric tons or more per year of GHGs are required to annually report GHG generation to comply with the USEPA’s Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule.  In May 2010, the USEPA issued a final rule (known as the Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule) that would have required the Company to incorporate best available GHG control technology in any new plant that it might propose to build and in its existing plants if it modified them in a manner that would increase GHG emissions (in the Company’s case, principally carbon dioxide emissions) by more than 75,000 tons per year. This rule was challenged in court by various public and private parties, and was upheld in part and invalidated in part by the United States Supreme

 

15


ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

 

 

Court in an opinion issued in June 2014.  The Court concluded that the USEPA may in fact require best available control technology for GHG, but only if the plant is otherwise subject to Prevention of Significant Deterioration or Title V air permitting under the USEPA’s rules.  It is not known whether the USEPA will revise its rules in response to the Court’s decision and, if so, what the impact will be on the Company’s operations. No technologies or methods of operation for reducing or capturing GHGs such as carbon dioxide have been proven successful in large scale applications other than improvements in fuel efficiency, and it is not known what the USEPA will require as best available control technology for plants or conditions it will require for operating permits in the event of modifications to plants or construction of new plants.

 

In Congress, both the House and Senate had considered climate change legislation, including the “cap-and-trade” approach.  Cap-and-trade is an environmental policy tool that delivers results with a mandatory cap on emissions while providing sources flexibility in how they comply by trading credits with other sources whose emissions are below the cap. Another approach that had been proposed was a tax on emissions.  The Company believes that climate change legislation is not a priority item in Congress in the near future and that the primary method that greenhouse gases will be regulated is through the USEPA using its rule-making authority.  It is not known whether this will be a priority of the USEPA during President Trump’s administration.  Various states where the Company has operations are also considering climate change initiatives, and the Company may be subject to state regulations in addition to any federal laws and rules that are passed.

 

The operations of the Company’s aggregates, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines are not major sources of GHG emissions.  Most of the GHG emissions from aggregates operations are tailpipe emissions from mobile sources such as heavy construction and earth-moving equipment.  The manufacturing operations of the Company’s Magnesia Specialties business in Woodville, Ohio, releases carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide during the production of lime. The Magnesia Specialties operation in Manistee, Michigan, releases carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxides in the manufacture of magnesium oxide and hydroxide products.  Both of these operations are filing annual reports of their GHG emissions in accordance with the USEPA’s Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule.

 

Cement production worldwide is estimated to comprise approximately 5% to 10% of CO 2 or GHG emissions, and the USEPA has indicated that CO 2 emitted from cement production is the second largest source of CO 2 emissions in the United States.  The Company has two cement plants.  During 2016, the Company, through its TXI subsidiary, filed annual reports of the GHG emissions relating to its two cement operations in Texas.

 

If and when Congress passes legislation on GHGs, the Woodville and Manistee operations, as well as the Company’s two cement operations, will likely be subject to the new program.  In addition, any additional regulatory restrictions on emissions of GHGs imposed by the USEPA will likely impact the Company’s Woodville, Manistee, and cement operations.  The Company anticipates that any increased operating costs or taxes relating to GHG emission limitations at the Woodville or cement operations would be passed on to customers.  The magnesium oxide products produced at the Manistee operation compete against other products that emit a lower level of GHGs in their production.  Therefore, the Manistee facility may be required to absorb additional costs due to the regulation of GHG emissions in order to remain competitive in pricing in that market.  The Company is also continuing to review the obligations of our Manistee facility’s global customer base with regards to climate change treaties and accords.  The Company at this time cannot reasonably predict what the costs of compliance will be, but does not believe it will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of the operations of either the Magnesia Specialties or Building Materials businesses.

 

In 2010, the USEPA issued rules that dramatically reduced the permitted emissions of mercury, total hydrocarbons, particulate matter and hydrochloric acid from cement plants. The compliance date for these new standards was September 2015, but the USEPA granted various extensions to verify monitoring systems are effective for mercury and hydrogen chloride emissions.  The Company has conducted tests to analyze the current level of compliance of its cement plants with the new standards.  All plants required the installation of continuous emissions monitoring (“CEMs”).  The

 

16


ITEM 1. BUSINESS (continued)

 

 

Company, through its subsidiary TXI, identified and installed new control and monitoring equipment for these purposes and believes that the cement plants meet the emission requirements in these rules. The Company does not believe that the costs relating to these controls and equipment will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or results of the operations of either the Company or the cement product line.

 

Employees

 

As of January 31, 2017, the Company has approximately 8,111 employees, of which 6,189 are hourly employees and 1,922 are salaried employees.  Included among these employees are 860 hourly employees represented by labor unions (10.6% of the Company’s employees).  Of such amount, 9.9% of the Company’s aggregates, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving operations’ hourly employees are members of a labor union, none of the Company’s cement product line’s hourly employees are represented by labor unions, and 100% of the Magnesia Specialties segment’s hourly employees are represented by labor unions. The Company’s principal union contracts for the Magnesia Specialties business cover employees at the Manistee, Michigan, magnesia-based chemicals plant and the Woodville, Ohio, lime plant. The Woodville collective bargaining agreement expires in May 2018.  The Manistee collective bargaining agreement expires in August 2019.  The Company believes it has good relations with all of its employees, including its unionized employees.  While the Company’s management does not expect significant difficulties in renewing these labor contracts, there can be no assurance that a successor agreement will be reached at any of these locations.

 

Available Information

 

The Company maintains an Internet address at www.martinmarietta.com .  The Company makes available free of charge through its Internet web site its Annual Report on Form 10‑K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10‑Q, Current Reports on Form 8‑K, and amendments to those reports, if any, filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.  These reports and any amendments are accessed via the Company’s web site through a link with the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (“EDGAR”) system maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) at www.sec.gov .  Accordingly, the Company’s referenced reports and any amendments are made available as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company electronically files such material with, or furnishes it to, the SEC, once EDGAR places such material in its database.

 

The Company has adopted a Code of Ethical Business Conduct that applies to all of its directors, officers, and employees.  The Company’s code of ethics is available on the Company’s web site at www.martinmarietta.com .  The Company intends to disclose on its Internet web site any waivers of or amendments to its code of ethics as it applies to its directors and executive officers.

 

The Company has adopted a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines to address issues of fundamental importance relating to the corporate governance of the Company, including director qualifications and responsibilities, responsibilities of key board committees, director compensation, and similar issues.  Each of the Audit Committee, the Management Development and Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company has adopted a written charter addressing various issues of importance relating to each committee, including the committee’s purposes and responsibilities, an annual performance evaluation of each committee, and similar issues.  These Corporate Governance Guidelines , and the charters of each of these committees, are available on the Company’s web site at www.martinmarietta.com .

 

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer are required to file with the SEC each quarter and each year certifications regarding the quality of the Company’s public disclosure of its financial condition.  The annual certifications are included as Exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10‑K.  The Company’s Chief Executive Officer is also required to certify to the New York Stock Exchange each year that he is not aware of any violation by the Company of the New York Stock Exchange corporate governance listing standards.

 

17

EXHIBIT 99.2

PART I

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

General Risk Factors

 

An investment in our common stock or debt securities involves risks and uncertainties.  You should consider the following factors carefully, in addition to the other information contained in this Form 10-K, before deciding to purchase or otherwise trade our securities.

 

This Form 10-K and other written reports and oral statements made from time to time by the Company contain statements which, to the extent they are not recitations of historical fact, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities law.  Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and are based on assumptions that the Company believes in good faith are reasonable, but which may be materially different from actual results.  Investors can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate only to historic or current facts.  The words “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “intend,” “outlook,” “plan,” “project,” “scheduled,” and similar expressions in connection with future events or future operating or financial performance are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Any or all of the Company’s forward-looking statements in this Form 10‑K and in other publications may turn out to be wrong.

Statements and assumptions on future revenues, income and cash flows, performance, economic trends, the outcome of litigation, regulatory compliance, and environmental remediation cost estimates are examples of forward-looking statements.  Numerous factors, including potentially the risk factors described in this section, could affect our forward-looking statements and actual performance.

Investors are also cautioned that it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors.  Consequently, the reader should not consider any such list to be a complete statement of all potential risks or uncertainties.  Other factors besides those listed may also adversely affect the Company and may be material to the Company.  The Company has listed the known material risks it considers relevant in evaluating the Company and its operations.  The forward-looking statements in this document are intended to be subject to the safe harbor protection provided by Sections 27A and 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof based on management’s current expectations, and the Company does not undertake an obligation to update such statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

For a discussion identifying some important factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, see the factors listed below, along with the discussion of “Competition” under Item 1 of this Form 10-K, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under Item 7 of this Form 10-K and the 2016 Annual Report, and “Note A:  Accounting Policies” and “Note N:  Commitments and Contingencies” of the “Notes to Financial Statements” of the 2016 Financial Statements included under Item 8 of this Form 10-K and the 2016 Annual Report.

Our business is cyclical and depends on activity within the construction industry.

Economic and political uncertainty can impede growth in the markets in which we operate.  Demand for our products, particularly in the nonresidential and residential construction markets, could fall if companies and consumers are unable to get credit for construction projects or if an economic slowdown causes delays or cancellations of capital projects.  State and federal budget issues may also hurt the funding available for infrastructure spending.  The lack of available credit may limit the ability of states to issue bonds to finance construction projects.  Several of our top sales-generating states, from time-to-time, stop or slow bidding projects in their transportation departments.

We sell most of our aggregates products, our primary business, and our cement products, to the construction industry, so our results depend on the strength of the construction industry.  Since our businesses depend on construction

1

 


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (continued)

 

 

spending, which can be cyclical, our profits are sensitive to national, regional, and local economic conditions and the intensity of the underlying spending on aggregates and cement products.  Construction spending is affected by economic conditions, changes in interest rates, demographic and population shifts, and changes in construction spending by federal, state, and local governments.  If economic conditions change, a recession in the construction industry may occur and affect the demand for our products.  The Great Recession was an example, and our business suffered.  Construction spending can also be disrupted by terrorist activity and armed conflicts.

While our business operations cover a wide geographic area, our earnings depend on the strength of the local economies in which we operate because of the high cost to transport our products relative to their price.  If economic conditions and construction spending decline significantly in one or more areas, particularly in our top five sales-generating states of our Building Materials business (based on net sales by state of destination) of Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Iowa, and Georgia, our profitability will decrease.  We experienced this situation with the Great Recession.

The Great Recession resulted in large declines in shipments of aggregate products in our industry. Recent years, however, have shown a turnaround in this trend. For the last five years, our aggregates product line shipments have increased, reflecting degrees of stability and modest growth.  However, volumes are still below historically normal levels.  Prior to 2010, use of aggregates products in the United States had declined almost 40% from the highest volume in 2006.  During 2016 our aggregates product line shipments showed 1.4% improvement compared with 2015 levels, after a 7.1% increase the prior year. This improvement was made in 2016 despite significant levels of rainfall in many of our major markets.  The improvement in 2015 reflects a full year of ownership of legacy TXI aggregates product line operations compared with six months in 2014.

While historical spending on public infrastructure projects has been comparatively more stable as governmental appropriations and expenditures are typically less interest rate-sensitive than private sector spending, we experienced a slight retraction in aggregates product line shipments to this infrastructure market after uncertainty regarding the solvency of the federal highway bill in 2014.  We were not able to get any certainty on the availability of federal infrastructure funding until late 2015, but the funding that was enacted had very little impact during 2016.  This time lag with commencement of federal infrastructure funding was accompanied by a reduction in some states’ investment in highway maintenance.

After a decade of 36 short-term funding provisions, a five-year, $305 billion highway bill, Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (the “FAST Act”), was signed into law in late 2015.  The FAST Act funding is primarily secured through gas tax collections. Market analysis projects aggregate demand to increase with the availability of federal funding, with demand peaking in 2018, and thereafter declining with anticipated higher interest and inflation rates.  While the FAST Act did not impact 2016 highway spending in a meaningful way, the overall highway spending in the United States did increase in 2016, showing the willingness of many states to address underlying demand for this type of spending.  During the past 24 months, many states have taken on a significantly larger role in funding infrastructure investment, including initiating special-purpose taxes and raising gas taxes.

Supported by state spending programs, our aggregates product line shipments to the infrastructure construction market declined 4% in 2016 compared to an increase of 5% in 2015 compared with 2014.  We believe that the demand and need for infrastructure projects will continue to support consistent growth in this market now that long-term federal funding has been resolved.  In 2016, 39% of our aggregates product line shipments were to the infrastructure construction market.

Within the construction industry, we also sell our aggregates and cement products for use in both nonresidential construction and residential construction. Nonresidential and residential construction levels generally move with economic cycles; when the economy is strong, construction levels rise, and when the economy is weak, construction levels fall.

In 2016, construction growth was driven by private-sector activity. Nonresidential and residential construction levels are interest rate-sensitive and typically move in direct correlation with economic cycles.  The Dodge Momentum Index, a

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (continued)

 

 

12-month leading indicator of construction spending for nonresidential building compiled by McGraw Hill Construction and where the year 2000 serves as an index basis of 100, remained strong and was at an eight-year high of 136.7 in December 2016, a 9% increase over prior year, signaling continued growth in nonresidential construction..  Housing starts, a key indicator for residential construction activity, continue to show year-over-year improvement.  While starts exceeded one million in 2016, they still remain below the 50-year historical annual average of 1.5 million units.  That said, the Company expects to continue to experience gains in the residential market.  Importantly, 2016 housing starts exceeded completions, a trend expected to continue in 2017.  

Our aggregates volumes to the nonresidential construction market accounted for 32% of our 2016 aggregates product line shipments and increased 3% compared with 2015.  According to the U.S. Census Bureau, spending for the private nonresidential construction market increased 8% in 2016 compared with 2015.  Historically, half of the Company’s nonresidential construction shipments have been used for office and retail projects, while the remainder has been used for heavy industrial and capacity-related projects, including energy-sector projects, namely development of shale-based natural gas fields.  However, low oil prices in the latter part of 2015 and throughout 2016 has suppressed shale exploration activity.  In 2016, the Company shipped approximately 1.5 million tons to the energy-sector compared with approximately 3.6 million tons in 2015.  

The residential construction market accounted for approximately 21% of the Company’s aggregates product line shipments in 2016.  The Company’s exposure to residential construction is typically split evenly between aggregates used in the construction of subdivisions (including roads, sidewalks, and storm and sewage drainage) and aggregates used in new home construction. Therefore, the timing of new subdivision starts, as well as new home starts, equally affects residential volumes. Private residential construction spending increased 5% in 2016 compared with 2015, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Shipments of chemical rock (comprised primarily of high-calcium carbonate material used for agricultural lime and flue gas desulfurization) and ballast product sales (collectively “ChemRock/Rail”) accounted for 8% of our aggregates product line shipments in 2016.  Ballast shipments declined in 2016 due to lower railroad activity, correlating with lower energy-related rail shipments.  Drier weather and favorable operating conditions led to increased shipments of agricultural limestone in 2016 over 2015.  Weather conditions in 2015 were abnormally wet, limiting field applications and influencing customers to defer their purchases.

Shipments of ready mixed concrete and asphalt products typically follow construction aggregates trends.

The cement product line was acquired from TXI in 2014.  Its net sales of $364.4 million for 2016 reflected the Company’s leading position in the Texas market.

Our business is dependent on funding from a combination of federal, state and local sources.

Our aggregates and cement products are used in public infrastructure projects, which include the construction, maintenance, and improvement of highways, streets, roads, bridges, schools, and similar projects.  Accordingly, our business is dependent on the level of federal, state, and local spending on these projects.  The existence of future federal infrastructure funding was resolved near the end of 2015 with the passage of the FAST Act.  While the total value of United States overall public-works spending increased in 2016, federal funding through the FAST Act did not impact highway spending in any meaningful way.  This increase in overall public works spending in 2016 demonstrates the commitment of states to address the underlying demand for infrastructure investment.  We expect to see meaningful impact from the FAST Act funding beginning in 2017, along with increased infrastructure spending at the state level.  Moreover, President Trump has proposed additional investment over the next decade to rebuild the country’s infrastructure.  Any such measures will require Congressional approval.  We cannot be assured, however, of the existence, amount, and timing of appropriations for spending on future projects.  

The federal highway bill provides annual highway funding for public-sector construction projects.  The current federal highway bill passed in late 2015, the FAST Act, after a decade of 36 short-term funding provisions, reauthorizes

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (continued)

 

 

federal highway and transportation funding programs.  The FAST Act also changes the Transportation Infrastructure and Innovation Act (“TIFIA”) funding, a federal alternative funding mechanism for transportation projects.  Under the FAST Act TIFIA funding ranges from $275 million to $300 million, and no longer requires the 20% matching funds from state departments of transportation.

Federal highway bills provide spending authorizations that represent maximum amounts.  Each year, an appropriation act is passed establishing the amount that can actually be used for particular programs.  The annual funding level is generally tied to receipts of highway user taxes placed in the Highway Trust Fund.  Once the annual appropriation is passed, funds are distributed to each state based on formulas (apportionments) or other procedures (allocations).  Apportioned and allocated funds generally must be spent on specific programs as outlined in the federal legislation.  The Highway Trust Fund has experienced shortfalls in recent years, due to high gas prices (until recently), fewer miles driven and improved automobile fuel efficiency.  These shortfalls created a significant decline in federal highway funding levels.  In response to the projected shortfalls, money has been transferred from the General Fund into the Highway Trust Fund over the past several years.  Timely Congressional action is needed to address the funding mechanism for the Highway Trust Fund.  We cannot be assured of the existence, timing or amount of federal highway funding levels in the future.  We also cannot be assured of the impact of the recent sharp reduction in gasoline prices on the levels of highway user taxes that might be collected in the future and the corresponding levels of funding to the Highway Trust Fund.

At the state level, each state funds its infrastructure spending from specially allocated amounts collected from various taxes, typically gasoline taxes and vehicle fees, along with voter-approved bond programs.  Shortages in state tax revenues can reduce the amounts spent on state infrastructure projects, even below amounts awarded under legislative bills.  Delays in state infrastructure spending can hurt our business.  Many states have experienced state-level funding pressures caused by lower tax revenues and an inability to finance approved projects.  North Carolina was among the states experiencing these pressures, and this State disproportionately affects our revenues and profits.  Most state budgets, including North Carolina, began to improve in 2014 and later years as increased tax revenues helped states resolve budget deficits.  Prior to the FAST Act, states had also taken on a larger role in funding sustained infrastructure investment.  For example, Texas voters in 2014 approved use of the State’s oil and gas production tax collections for annual disbursements to the State Highway Fund. Additionally, in November 2015, voters passed Proposition 7, a constitutional amendment that will provide for funding for non-toll roads.  Proposition 7 is estimated to provide an additional $2.0 billion of annual funding for non-toll roads beginning in fiscal 2018 and is expected to increase after 2019.  On November 8, 2016, Texas voters approved $990 million of additional statewide transportation funding, including a $720 million transportation bond in Austin. In North Carolina, voters approved all transportation referendums during the November 2016 elections, totaling $1.2 billion of additional funding.  During the past 24 months, many states have taken on a significantly larger role in funding infrastructure investment, including initiating special-purpose taxes and raising gas taxes. We anticipate further growth in state-level funding initiatives, such as bond issues, toll roads, and special purpose taxes, as states address infrastructure needs, particularly in periods of federal funding uncertainty.  Nevertheless, it is a continuing risk to our business that sufficient funding from federal, state, and local sources will not be available to address infrastructure needs.  

With most states in recovery or expansion, the sustained decline in energy costs may be the catalyst in some markets to boost construction and help our business.  But those markets that are heavily dependent on the energy sector, namely Oklahoma and West Virginia, may, with the decrease in oil production, experience recessions or continued recessions, which would adversely impact our business.

Our Building Materials business is seasonal and subject to the weather .

Since the heavy construction business is conducted outdoors, erratic weather patterns, seasonal changes and other weather-related conditions affect our business.  Adverse weather conditions, including hurricanes and tropical storms, cold weather, snow, and heavy or sustained rainfall, reduce construction activity, restrict the demand for our products, and impede our ability to efficiently transport material.  Adverse weather conditions also increase our costs and reduce

4

 


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (continued)

 

 

our production output as a result of power loss, needed plant and equipment repairs, time required to remove water from flooded operations, and similar events.  Severe drought conditions can restrict available water supplies and restrict production.  The aggregates product line production and shipment levels follow activity in the construction industry, which typically occur in the spring, summer and fall.  Because of the weather’s effect on the construction industry’s activity, the production and shipment levels for the Company’s Building Materials business vary by quarter.  The second and third quarters are generally the most profitable and the first quarter is generally the least profitable.  Weather-related hindrances were exacerbated over the last two years by record precipitation in many of our key markets.  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”) has tracked precipitation for 122 years.  According to NOAA, 2015 represented the wettest year on record for Texas and Oklahoma, while North Carolina, South Carolina, Colorado and Iowa each experienced a top-ten precipitation year.  Our nation as a whole had its third-wettest year in NOAA recorded history in 2015.  Extremely wet conditions continued in 2016 in many of our key markets, especially in Texas, with the year ranking the 18th wettest year in the state’s recorded history per NOAA.  Further, since March 2015, Texas and surrounding regions have experienced 18 major flood events.  These weather events reduced the Company’s overall profitability in 2016 and 2015, so our results for those years, or in comparison to other years, may not be indicative of our future operating results.

The Company’s operations in the southeastern and Gulf Coast regions of the United States and the Bahamas are at risk for hurricane activity, most notably in August, September and October.  In October 2016, rainfall along the eastern seaboard of the United States from Hurricane Matthew, a category-5 hurricane, approximated 13.6 trillion gallons.  Additionally, Hurricane Matthew was the first major hurricane on record to make landfall in the Bahamas, where the Company has a facility.  

Our Building Materials business depends on the availability of aggregate reserves or deposits and our ability to mine them economically.

Our challenge is to find aggregates deposits that we can mine economically, with appropriate permits, near either growing markets or long-haul transportation corridors that economically serve growing markets.  As communities have grown, they have taken up attractive quarrying locations and have imposed restrictions on mining.  We try to meet this challenge by identifying and permitting sites prior to economic expansion, buying more land around our existing quarries to increase our mineral reserves, developing underground mines, and developing a distribution network that transports aggregates products by various transportation methods, including rail and water, that allows us to transport our products longer distances than would normally be considered economical, but we can give no assurances that we will be successful.

Our business is a capital-intensive business.

The property and machinery needed to produce our products are very expensive.  Therefore, we require large amounts of cash to operate our businesses.  We believe that our cash on hand, along with our projected internal cash flows and our available financing resources, will be enough to give us the cash we need to support our anticipated operating and capital needs.  Our ability to generate sufficient cash flow depends on future performance, which will be subject to general economic conditions, industry cycles and financial, business, and other factors affecting our operations, many of which are beyond our control.  If we are unable to generate sufficient cash to operate our business, we may be required, among other things, to further reduce or delay planned capital or operating expenditures.

Our businesses face many competitors.

Our businesses have many competitors, some of whom are bigger and have more resources than we do.  Some of our competitors also operate on a worldwide basis.  Our results are affected by the number of competitors in a market, the production capacity that a particular market can accommodate, the pricing practices of other competitors, and the entry of new competitors in a market.  We also face competition for some of our products from alternative products.  For example, our Magnesia Specialties business may compete with other chemical products that could be used instead of our magnesia-based products. As other examples, our aggregates, ready mixed concrete, and asphalt and paving product lines may compete with recycled asphalt and concrete products that could be used instead of new products and our cement

5

 


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (continued)

 

 

product line may compete with international competitors who are importing product to the United States with lower production and regulatory costs.

Our businesses could be impacted by rising interest rates.

As discussed previously, our operations are highly dependent upon the interest rate-sensitive construction and steelmaking industries. Therefore, business in these industries and for us may decline if interest rates rise and costs increase.  

For example, demand in the residential construction market in which we sell our aggregate products is affected by interest rates.  The Federal Reserve has kept the federal funds rate near zero percent for a number of years.    The recent 0.25% increase in the rate in December 2016, comparable to the 0.25% increase the previous year, represented only the second increase since 2008.  However, certain Federal Reserve members have predicted they would raise interest rates three more times to at least 1.25% by the end of 2017.  The residential construction market accounted for 21% of our aggregates product line shipments in 2016.  

Aside from these inherent risks from within our operations, our earnings are also affected by changes in short-term interest rates.  However, rising interest rates are not necessarily predictive of weaker operating results.  Historically, our profitability increased during period of rising interest rates.  In essence, our underlying business generally serves as a natural hedge to rising interest rates.

Rising interest rates could also result in disruptions in the credit markets, which could affect our business, as described in greater detail under “Disruptions in the credit markets could affect our business” below.

Our future growth may depend in part on acquiring other businesses in our industry.

We expect to continue to grow, in part, by buying other businesses.  We will continue to look for strategic businesses to acquire, like our acquisition of TXI in 2014.  In the past, we have made acquisitions to strengthen our existing locations, expand our operations and enter new geographic markets.  We will continue to make selective acquisitions, joint ventures or other business arrangements we believe will help our company.  However, the continued success of our acquisition program will depend on our ability to find and buy other attractive businesses at a reasonable price and our ability to integrate acquired businesses into our existing operations.  We cannot assume there will continue to be attractive acquisition opportunities for sale at reasonable prices that we can successfully integrate into our operations.

We may decide to pay all or part of the purchase price of any future acquisition with shares of our common stock.  For example, we used our common stock in our acquisition of TXI.  We may also use our stock to make strategic investments in other companies to complement and expand our operations.  If we use our common stock in this way, the ownership interests of our shareholders will be diluted and the price of our stock could fall.  We operate our businesses with the objective of maximizing the long-term shareholder return.

Our integration of the acquisition of or business combination with other businesses may not be as successful as projected.

We have a successful history of business combinations and integration of these businesses into our heritage operations. Our largest business acquisition has been our business combination with TXI, which closed in July 2014.  In 2015 we completed the integration of TXI’s operations into our own operations, which allowed us to achieve the synergies, cost savings, and operating efficiencies we had forecasted from the TXI acquisition.  In fact we completed this integration ahead of schedule and achieved even greater synergies and cost saving than the amount we originally forecasted from the TXI acquisition.  However, in connection with the integration of any business that we may acquire, it is a risk factor that we will not be able to achieve such integration in a successful manner or on the time schedule we have projected or in a way that will achieve the level of synergies, cost savings, or operating efficiencies we have forecast from the acquisition.

6

 


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (continued)

 

 

Any other significant business acquisition or combination we might chose to do, similar to the acquisition of TXI, would require that we devote significant management attention and resources to preparing for and then integrating our business practices and operations.  We believe we would be successful in this integration process.  Nevertheless, we may fail to realize some of the anticipated benefits of any potential acquisition or other business combination that we might choose to pursue in the future, if the integration process takes longer than expected or is more costly than expected. Potential difficulties we may encounter in the integration process include:

 

 

the inability to successfully combine operations in a manner that permits us to achieve the cost savings and revenue synergies anticipated to result from the proposed acquisition or business combination, which would result in the anticipated benefits of the acquisition or business combination not being realized partly or wholly in the time frame currently anticipated or at all;

 

lost sales and customers as a result of certain customers of either the Company or former customers of the acquired or combined company deciding not to do business with the Company;

 

complexities associated with managing the combined operations;

 

integrating personnel;

 

creation of uniform standards, internal controls, procedures, policies and information systems;

 

potential unknown liabilities and unforeseen increased expenses, delays or regulatory issues associated with integrating the remaining operations; and

 

performance shortfalls at business units as a result of the diversion of management attention caused by completing the remaining integration of the operations.

Ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines have lower profit margins and can be more volatile.

Our ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines typically provide lower profit margins (excluding freight and delivery revenues) than our aggregates product line due to potentially volatile input costs, highly competitive market dynamics, and lower barriers to entry.  Therefore, as we expand these operations, our overall gross margin (excluding freight and delivery revenues) is likely to be adversely affected. We saw this impact our gross margin (excluding freight and delivery revenues) in recent years.  Our overall ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving operations’ gross margin (excluding freight and delivery revenues) was 12% for 2016 and 8% for 2015. The overall gross margin (excluding freight and delivery revenues) of our Building Materials business will continue to be reduced by the lower gross margins (excluding freight and delivery revenues) for our ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines.  

Short supplies and high costs of fuel, energy and raw materials affect our businesses.

Our businesses require a continued supply of diesel fuel, natural gas, coal, petroleum coke and other energy.  The financial results of these businesses have been affected by the short supply or high costs of these fuels and energy.  While we can contract for some fuels and sources of energy, such as fixed-price supply contracts for coal and petroleum coke, significant increases in costs or reduced availability of these items have and may in the future reduce our financial results.  Moreover, fluctuations in the supply and costs of these fuels and energy can make planning our businesses more difficult.   Because of the fluctuating trends in diesel fuel prices, we enter into fixed-price fuel agreements from time to time for a portion of our diesel fuel to reduce our diesel fuel price risk.  Our last fixed-price commitment for a portion of our diesel fuel requirements expired at the end of 2016.  

7

 


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (continued)

 

 

To illustrate how diesel fuel price fluctuations, and other energy costs, have impacted our business, consider the recent years.  In 2013 the average price we paid per gallon of diesel fuel was 4% lower than we paid in 2012, but the average cost of natural gas was 18% higher than 2012.  Similarly, in 2014 the average price we paid per gallon of diesel fuel was 8% lower compared to 2013, but the average cost of natural gas increased 24% from 2013.  Diesel fuel, which averaged $2.82 per gallon in 2014 and $2.98 per gallon in 2013, represents the single largest component of energy costs for our aggregates, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines. Diesel fuel prices declined rapidly during December 2014, ending the year at a per gallon price that was 26% below the 2014 average.  This trend continued in 2015, as the Company’s average price per gallon of diesel fuel in 2015 was $2.05 compared with $3.02 in 2014.  Natural gas costs also declined in 2015, down 28% from the 2014 average cost.  These trends continued in 2016.  Average diesel fuel prices per gallon fell to $1.96 in 2016 compared to $2.05 in 2015.  Our average diesel fuel prices for 2015 and 2016 were higher than spot market prices by $0.30 per gallon since we purchased approximately 40% of our diesel fuel under a fixed price fuel agreement, which agreement has now expired, that had locked in a higher price at an earlier time.  Natural gas costs again declined in 2016, down 25% from the 2015 average cost.  

The Company has fixed price agreements for 100% of its 2017 coal needs, approximately 25% of its 2017 natural gas needs, and 50% of its 2017 petroleum coke needs.  

Cement production requires large amounts of energy, including electricity and fossil fuels.  Energy costs represented approximately 22% of the 2016 direct production costs of our cement product line.  Therefore, the cost of energy is one of our largest expenses. Prices for energy are subject to market forces largely beyond our control and can be quite volatile. Price increases that we are unable to pass through in the form of price increases for our products, or disruption of the uninterrupted supply of fuel and electricity, could adversely affect us. Accordingly, volatility in energy costs can adversely affect the financial results of our cement product line. Profitability of the cement product line is also subject to kiln maintenance, which requires the plant to be shut down for a period of time as repairs are made.   The cement product line incurred shutdown costs of $20.9 and $26.0 million during 2016 and 2015, respectively.  

Similarly our ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving operations also require a continued supply of liquid asphalt and cement, which serve as key raw materials in the production of hot mix asphalt and ready mixed concrete, respectively.  Some of these raw materials we can produce internally but most are purchased from third parties.  These purchased raw materials are subject to potential supply constraints and significant price fluctuations, which are beyond our control. The financial results of our ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving operations have been affected by the short supply or high costs of these raw materials.  We generally see frequent volatility in the costs for these raw materials.  For 2014, we saw higher prices for these raw materials than 2013. This trend reversed in 2015, when we saw lower prices for these raw materials than 2014.  Liquid asphalt prices in 2016 were again lower than in 2015.  Liquid asphalt prices may not always follow other energy products (e.g., oil or diesel fuel) because of complexities in the refining process which converts a barrel of oil into other fuels and petrochemical products.  

Cement is a commodity sensitive to supply and price volatility.

Cement is a commodity, and competition is often based mainly on price, which is highly sensitive to changes in supply and demand.  Prices fluctuate significantly in response to relatively minor changes in supply and demand, general economic conditions and other market conditions, which we cannot control. When cement producers increase production capacity or more cement is imported into the market, an oversupply of cement in the market may occur if supply exceeds demand.  In that case cement prices generally fall.  We cannot be assured that prices for our cement products sold will not decline in the future or that such decline will not have a material adverse effect on our cement product line.

Unexpected equipment failures, catastrophic events and scheduled maintenance may lead to production curtailments or shutdowns.

Our manufacturing processes are dependent upon critical pieces of equipment, such as our kilns and finishing mills. This equipment, on occasion, may be out of service as a result of unanticipated failures or damage during accidents. In

8

 


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (continued)

 

 

addition to equipment failures, our facilities are also subject to the risk of catastrophic loss due to unanticipated events such as fires, explosions or violent weather conditions. We have one to two-week scheduled outages at least once a year to refurbish our cement and dolomitic lime production facilities. In 2016, the cement product line incurred shutdown costs of $20.9 million during the year. In 2016, the Magnesia Specialties business incurred shutdown costs of $4.5 million during the year.  Any significant interruption in production capability may require us to make significant capital expenditures to remedy problems or damage as well as cause us to lose revenue due to lost production time.

Our cement product line and Magnesia Specialties business may become capacity constrained.

If our cement product line or Magnesia Specialties business becomes capacity constrained, they may be unable to satisfy on a timely basis the demand for some of their products, and any resulting changes in customers would introduce volatility to the earnings.  We can address capacity needs by enhancing our manufacturing productivity, increasing the operational availability of equipment, reducing machinery down time and extending machinery useful life.  Future demand for our products may require us to expand further our manufacturing capacity, particularly through the purchase of additional manufacturing equipment.  However, we may not be able to increase our capacity in time to satisfy increases in demand that may occur from time to time.  Capacity constraints may prevent us from satisfying customer orders and result in a loss of sales to competitors that are not capacity constrained.  In addition, we may suffer excess capacity if we increase our capacity to meet actual or anticipated demand and that demand decreases or does not materialize. 

Our cement product line could suffer if cement imports from other countries significantly increase or are sold in the U.S. in violation of U.S. fair trade laws.

The cement industry has in the past obtained antidumping orders imposing duties on imports of cement and clinker from other countries that violated U.S. fair trade laws. Currently, an antidumping order against cement and clinker from Japan is set to expire but is under review for extension by the Federal Trade Commission. As has always been the case, cement operators with import facilities can purchase cement from other countries, such as those in Latin America and Asia, which could compete with domestic producers. In addition, if environmental regulations increase the costs of domestic producers compared to foreign producers that are not subject to similar regulations, imported cement could achieve a significant cost advantage over domestically produced cement. An influx of cement or clinker products from countries not subject to antidumping orders, or sales of imported cement or clinker in violation of U.S. fair trade laws, could adversely affect our cement product line.

Paving operations present additional risks to our business.

Our paving operations face challenges when our contracts have penalties for late completion.  In some instances, including many of our fixed price contracts, we guarantee that we will complete a project by a certain date.  If we subsequently fail to complete the project as scheduled we may be held responsible for costs resulting from the delay, generally in the form of contractually agreed-upon liquidated damages.  Under these circumstances, the total project cost could exceed our original estimate, and we could experience a loss of profit or a loss on the project. In our paving operations, we also have fixed price and fixed unit price contracts where our profits can be adversely affected by a number of factors beyond our control, which can cause our actual costs to materially exceed the costs estimated at the time of our original bid.  These same issues and risks can also impact some of our contacts in our asphalt and ready mixed concrete operations.  These risks are somewhat mitigated by the fact that a majority of our paving contracts are for short duration projects.

9

 


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (continued)

 

 

Changes in legal requirements and governmental policies concerning zoning, land use, the environment, and other areas of the law, and litigation relating to these matters, affect our businesses.  Our operations expose us to the risk of material environmental liabilities.

Many federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to zoning, land use, the environment, health, safety and other regulatory matters govern our operations.  We take great pride in our operations and try to remain in strict compliance at all times with all applicable laws and regulations.  Despite our extensive compliance efforts, risk of liabilities, particularly environmental liabilities, is inherent in the operation of our businesses, as it is with our competitors.  We cannot assume that these liabilities will not negatively affect us in the future.  

We are also subject to future events, including changes in existing laws or regulations or enforcement policies, or further investigation or evaluation of the potential health hazards of some of our products or business activities, which may result in additional compliance and other costs.  We could be forced to invest in preventive or remedial action, like pollution control facilities, which could be substantial.

Our operations are subject to manufacturing, operating, and handling risks associated with the products we produce and the products we use in our operations, including the related storage and transportation of raw materials, products, hazardous substances, and wastes.  We are exposed to hazards including storage tank leaks, explosions, discharges or releases of hazardous substances, exposure to dust, and the operation of mobile equipment and manufacturing machinery.  

These risks can subject us to potentially significant liabilities relating to personal injury or death, or property damage, and may result in civil or criminal penalties, which could hurt our productivity or profitability.  For example, from time to time we investigate and remediate environmental contamination relating to our prior or current operations, as well as operations we have acquired from others, and in some cases we have been or could be named as a defendant in litigation brought by governmental agencies or private parties.

We are involved from time to time in litigation and claims arising from our operations.  While we do not believe the outcome of pending or threatened litigation will have a material adverse effect on our operations or our financial condition, we cannot assume that an adverse outcome in a pending or future legal action would not negatively affect us.

Labor disputes could disrupt operations of our businesses.

Labor unions represent 9.9% of the hourly employees of our aggregates, ready mixed concrete, and asphalt and paving product lines, none of the hourly employees of our cement product line, and 100% of the hourly employees of our Magnesia Specialties business.  Our collective bargaining agreements for employees of our Magnesia Specialties business at the Manistee, Michigan magnesia chemicals plant and the Woodville, Ohio, lime plant expire in August 2019 and May 2018, respectively.  

Disputes with our trade unions, or the inability to renew our labor agreements, could lead to strikes or other actions that could disrupt our businesses, raise costs, and reduce revenues and earnings from the affected locations.  

Delays or interruptions in shipping products of our businesses could affect our operations.

Transportation logistics play an important role in allowing us to supply products to our customers, whether by truck, rail or ship.  We also rely heavily on third-party truck and rail transportation to ship coal, natural gas and other fuels to our plants.  Any significant delays, disruptions, or the non-availability of our transportation support system could negatively affect our operations.  Transportation operations are subject to capacity constraints, high fuel costs and various hazards, including extreme weather conditions and slowdowns due to labor strikes and other work stoppages. In Texas, we compete for third-party trucking services with operations in the oil and gas fields, which can significantly constrain the availability of those services to us. If there are material changes in the availability or cost of transportation services, we may not be able to arrange alternative and timely means to ship our products or fuels at a reasonable cost, which could lead to interruptions or slowdowns in our businesses or increases in our costs.

10

 


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (continued)

 

 

The availability of rail cars can also affect our ability to transport our products.  Rail cars can be used to transport many different types of products across all of our segments.  If owners sell or lease rail cars for use in other industries, we may not have enough rail cars to transport our products.  

We have long-term agreements with shipping companies to provide ships to transport our aggregates products from our Bahamas and Nova Scotia operations to various coastal ports.  These contracts have varying expiration dates ranging from 2017 to 2027 and generally contain renewal options.  Our inability to renew these agreements or enter into new ones with other shipping companies could affect our ability to transport our products.

When we sold our River District operations in 2011 as part of our asset exchange with Lafarge, we sold most of our barge long-haul distribution network.  As a result, we reduced our risks from distributing our products by barges, especially along the Mississippi River.  We still distribute some of our product by barge along rivers in West Virginia.  We may continue to experience, to a lesser degree, risks associated with distributing our products by barges, including significant delays, disruptions or the non-availability of our barge transportation system that could negatively affect our operations, water levels that could affect our ability to transport our products by barge, and barges that may not be available in quantities that we might need from time to time to support our operations. 

Our earnings are affected by the application of accounting standards and our critical accounting policies, which involve subjective judgments and estimates by our management.  Our estimates and assumptions could be wrong.

The accounting standards we use in preparing our financial statements are often complex and require that we make significant estimates and assumptions in interpreting and applying those standards.  We make critical estimates and assumptions involving accounting matters including our goodwill impairment testing, our expenses and cash requirements for our pension plans, our estimated income taxes, and how we account for our property, plant and equipment, and inventory.  These estimates and assumptions involve matters that are inherently uncertain and require our subjective and complex judgments.  If we used different estimates and assumptions or used different ways to determine these estimates, our financial results could differ.

While we believe our estimates and assumptions are appropriate, we could be wrong.  Accordingly, our financial results could be different, either higher or lower.  We urge you to read about our critical accounting policies in our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

The adoption of new accounting standards may affect our financial results.

The accounting standards we apply in preparing our financial statements are reviewed by regulatory bodies and are changed from time to time.  New or revised accounting standards could, either positively or negatively, affect results reported for periods after adoption of the standards as compared to the prior periods, or require retrospective application changing results reported for prior periods.  We urge you to read about our accounting policies in Note A of our 2016 Financial Statements.  

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 , and other related rules and regulations, have increased the scope, complexity, and cost of corporate governance.  Reports from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board’s (“PCAOB”) inspections of public accounting firms continue to outline findings and recommendations which could require these firms to perform additional work as part of their financial statement audits.  The Company’s costs to respond to these additional requirements may increase.  

We depend on the recruitment and retention of qualified personnel, and our failure to attract and retain such personnel could affect our business.  

Our success depends to a significant degree upon the continued services of our key personnel and executive officers.  Our prospects depend upon our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel for our operations.  Competition for

11

 


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (continued)

 

 

personnel is intense, and we may not be successful in attracting or retaining qualified personnel, which could negatively affect our business.

Disruptions in the credit markets could affect our business.  

We have considered the current economic environment and its potential impact to the Company’s business.  Demand for aggregates products, particularly in the infrastructure construction market, has already been negatively affected by federal and state budget and deficit issues and the uncertainty over future highway funding levels, until the recent enactment of a new federal highway bill.  Further, delays or cancellations to capital projects in the nonresidential and residential construction markets could occur if companies and consumers are unable to obtain financing for construction projects or if consumer confidence continues to be eroded by economic uncertainty.

A recessionary construction economy can also increase the likelihood we will not be able to collect on all of our accounts receivable with our customers.  We are protected in part, however, by payment bonds posted by many of our customers or end-users.  Nevertheless, we experienced a delay in payment from some of our customers during the construction downturn, which can negatively affect operating cash flows. Historically, our bad debt write-offs have not been significant to our operating results, and, although the amount of our bad debt write-offs has increased, we believe our allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate.

The credit environment could impact the Company’s ability to borrow money in the future.  Additional financing or refinancing might not be available and, if available, may not be at economically favorable terms.  Further, an increase in leverage could lead to deterioration in our credit ratings.  A reduction in our credit ratings, regardless of the cause, could also limit our ability to obtain additional financing and/or increase our cost of obtaining financing.  There is no guarantee we will be able to access the capital markets at financially economical interest rates, which could negatively affect our business.  

We may be required to obtain financing in order to fund certain strategic acquisitions, if they arise, or to refinance our outstanding debt. Any large strategic acquisition would require that we issue both newly issued equity and debt securities, like we did with the acquisition of TXI, in order to maintain our investment grade credit rating and could result in a ratings downgrade notwithstanding our issuance of equity securities to fund the transaction.  We are also exposed to risks from tightening credit markets, through the interest payable on our outstanding debt and the interest cost on our commercial paper program, to the extent it is available to us.  While management believes our credit ratings will remain at a composite investment-grade level, we cannot be assured these ratings will remain at those levels.  While management believes the Company will continue to have credit available to it adequate to meet its needs, there can be no assurance of that.

Our Magnesia Specialties business depends in part on the steel industry and the supply of reasonably priced fuels.

Our Magnesia Specialties business sells some of its products to companies in the steel industry.  While we have reduced this risk over the last few years, this business is still dependent, in part, on the strength of the cyclical steel industry.  The Magnesia Specialties business also requires significant amounts of natural gas, coal, and petroleum coke, and financial results are negatively affected by increases in fuel prices or shortages.

Our Magnesia Specialties business faces currency risks from its overseas operations.

Our Magnesia Specialties business sells some of its products to companies located outside the United States.  Approximately 18% of the revenues of the Magnesia Specialties business in 2016 were from foreign jurisdictions, principally Canada, Mexico, Europe, South America and the Pacific Rim, but no single foreign county accounted for 10% or more of the revenues of the business.  Therefore the operations of the Magnesia Specialties business are affected from time to time by the fluctuating values of the currency exchange rates of the countries in which it does business in relation to the value of the U.S. Dollar.  The business tries to mitigate the short-term effects of currency exchange rates by primarily denominating sales in the U.S. Dollar.  This still leaves the business subject to certain risks, depending on the strength of

12

 


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (continued)

 

 

the U.S. Dollar.  In 2016, the strength of the U.S. Dollar in foreign markets negatively affected the overall price of the products of the Magnesia Specialties business when compared to foreign-domiciled competitors.    

Our acquisitions could harm our results of operations.

In pursuing our business strategy, we conduct discussions, evaluate opportunities and enter into acquisition agreements.  Acquisitions involve significant challenges and risks, including risks that:

 

 

We may not realize a satisfactory return on the investment we make;

 

 

We may not be able to retain key personnel of the acquired business;

 

 

We may experience difficulty in integrating new employees, business systems and technology;

 

 

Our due diligence process may not identify compliance issues or other liabilities that are in existence at the time of our acquisition;

 

 

We may have difficulty entering into new geographic markets in which we are not experienced; or

 

 

We may be unable to retain the customers and partners of acquired businesses following the acquisition.

Our articles of incorporation and bylaws and North Carolina law may inhibit a change in control that you may favor.

Our restated articles of incorporation and restated bylaws and North Carolina law contain provisions that may delay, deter or inhibit a future acquisition of us not approved by our Board of Directors. This could occur even if our shareholders are offered an attractive value for their shares or if many or even a majority of our shareholders believe the takeover is in their best interest.  These provisions are intended to encourage any person interested in acquiring us to negotiate with and obtain the approval of our Board of Directors in connection with the transaction.  Provisions that could delay, deter, or inhibit a future acquisition include the following:

 

 

the ability of the Board of Directors to establish the terms of, and issue, preferred stock without shareholder approval;

 

 

the requirement that our shareholders may only remove directors for cause;

 

 

the inability of shareholders to call special meetings of shareholders; and

 

 

super majority shareholder approval requirements for business combination transactions with certain five percent shareholders.

Additionally, the occurrence of certain change of control events could result in an event of default under certain of our existing or future debt instruments.  

Changes in our effective income tax rate may harm our results of operations.

A number of factors may increase our future effective income tax rate, including:

 

 

Governmental authorities increasing taxes or eliminating deductions, particularly the depletion deduction;

 

13

 


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS (continued)

 

 

 

The jurisdictions in which earnings are taxed;

 

 

The resolution of issues arising from tax audits with various tax authorities;

 

 

Changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities;

 

 

Adjustments to estimated taxes upon finalization of various tax returns;

 

 

Changes in available tax credits;

 

 

Changes in stock-based compensation;

 

 

Other changes in tax laws, and

 

 

The interpretation of tax laws and/or administrative practices.

Any significant increase in our future effective income tax rate could reduce net earnings and free cash flow for future periods.  

Currently, the U.S. Congress is considering changes in the corporate tax code that, if enacted, could affect our net earnings.  While the current expectation is a reduction in corporate tax rates, which should favorably affect net earnings, we cannot be certain of the impact of the elimination of tax preferences, capital investment deductibility or border adjustments, among other considerations.  Based on our current assessment, a reduction in corporate tax rates to 25% (from 35%) and the elimination of all current deductions, including the statutory percentage depletion deduction, would be neutral to both net earnings and free cash flow.  However, this assessment will change depending on the ultimate nature, extent and/or timing of any tax code changes, if any.

We are dependent on information technology and our systems and infrastructure face certain risks, including cybersecurity risks and data leakage risks.

We are dependent on information technology systems and infrastructure. Any significant breakdown, invasion, destruction or interruption of these systems by employees, others with authorized access to our systems, or unauthorized persons could negatively impact operations. There is also a risk that we could experience a business interruption, theft of information or reputational damage as a result of a cyber-attack, such as an infiltration of a data center, or data leakage of confidential information either internally or at our third-party providers. While we have invested in the protection of our data and information technology to reduce these risks and routinely test the security of our information systems network, there can be no assurance that our efforts will prevent breakdowns or breaches in our systems that could adversely affect our business.

14

 

EXHIBIT 99.3

PART I

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

Building Materials Business

As of December 31, 2016, the Company processed or shipped aggregates from 276 quarries, underground mines, and distribution yards in 29 states, Canada, and the Bahamas, of which 108 are located on land owned by the Company free of major encumbrances, 58 are on land owned in part and leased in part, 103 are on leased land, and seven are on facilities neither owned nor leased, where raw materials are removed under an agreement.  The Company’s aggregates reserves, on the average, exceed 60 years based on normalized levels of production, and approximate 100 years at current production rates.  However, certain locations may be subject to more limited reserves and may not be able to expand.  In addition, as of December 31, 2016, the Company processed and shipped ready mixed concrete and/or asphalt products from 158 properties in five states, of which 127 are located on land owned by the Company free of major encumbrances, one is on land owned in part and leased in part, 29 are on leased land, and one is on a facility neither owned or leased, where product is sold under an agreement.  

The Company uses various drilling methods, depending on the type of aggregate, to estimate aggregates reserves that are economically mineable.  The extent of drilling varies and depends on whether the location is a potential new site (greensite), an existing location, or a potential acquisition.  More extensive drilling is performed for potential greensites and acquisitions, and in rare cases, the Company may rely on existing geological data or results of prior drilling by third parties.  Subsequent to drilling, selected core samples are tested for soundness, abrasion resistance, and other physical properties relevant to the aggregates industry.  If the reserves meet the Company’s standards and are economically mineable, then they are either leased or purchased.

The Company estimates proven and probable reserves based on the results of drilling.  Proven reserves are reserves of deposits designated using closely spaced drill data, and based on that data the reserves are believed to be relatively homogenous.  Proven reserves have a certainty of 85% to 90%.  Probable reserves are reserves that are inferred utilizing fewer drill holes and/or assumptions about the economically mineable reserves based on local geology or drill results from adjacent properties.  The degree of certainty for probable reserves is 70% to 75%.  In determining the amount of reserves, the Company’s policy is to not include calculations that exceed certain depths, so for deposits, such as granite, that typically continue to depths well below the ground, there may be additional deposits that are not included in the reserve calculations.  The Company also deducts reserves not available due to property boundaries, set-backs, and plant configurations, as deemed appropriate when estimating reserves.  The Company uses the same methods of analysis to evaluate and estimate the amount of its aggregates reserves used in the cement manufacturing process for its cement product line as it does for its aggregates product line. For additional information on the Company’s assessment of reserves, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Other Financial Information - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates- Property, Plant and Equipment” under Item 7 of this Form 10-K and the 2016 Annual Report for discussion of reserves evaluation by the Company.  

Set forth in the tables below are the Company’s estimates of reserves of recoverable aggregates of suitable quality for economic extraction, shown on a state-by-state basis, and the Company’s total annual production for the last three years, along with the Company’s estimate of years of production available, shown on a segment-by-segment basis.  The number of producing quarries shown on the table includes underground mines. The Company’s reserve estimates for the last two years are shown for comparison purposes on a state-by-state basis.  The changes in reserve estimates at a particular state level from year to year reflect the tonnages of reserves on locations that have been opened or closed during the year, whether by acquisition, disposition, or otherwise; production and sales in the normal course of business; additional reserve estimates or refinements of the Company’s existing reserve estimates; opening of additional reserves at existing locations; the depletion of reserves at existing locations; and other factors.  The Company evaluates its reserve estimates primarily on a Company-wide, or segment-by-segment basis, and does not believe comparisons of changes in reserve estimates on a state-by-state basis from year to year are particularly meaningful. The Company’s estimate of reserves shown in the tables below include reserves used in the Company’s cement product line and Magnesia Specialties business.

 


ITEM 2. PROPERTIES (continued)

 

* The Company calculates its aggregates reserves for purposes of this table based on land that has been zoned for quarrying and land for which the Company has determined zoning is not required.  

 

 

** The Company may own additional land adjacent or near existing quarries on which reserves may be located but does not include such reserves in these calculations if zoning is required but has not been obtained.

 

*** The Company's reserves presented in the State of Ohio include dolomitic limestone reserves used in the business of the Magnesia Specialties segment.

 

 

 

 

**** The Company's reserves presented in the State of Texas include limestone reserves used in the cement product line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2


ITEM 2. PROPERTIES (continued)

 

 

 

Total Annual Production (in tons) (add 000)

 

Number of years of production

 

 

For year ended December 31

 

available at December 31, 2016

 

 

Reportable Segment

 

2016

2015

2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-America Group

 

67,431

62,846

59,785

 

107.4

Southeast Group

 

20,468

21,148

18,932

 

161.2

West Group

 

75,421

69,223

62,579

 

74.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Aggregates Product Line

 

163,320

153,217

141,296

 

98.9

 

As of December 31, 2016, the Company, through its subsidiaries, processed or shipped cement from six properties in one state, of which four are located on land owned by the Company free of major encumbrances and two are on leased land.  The Company’s cement product line has production facilities located at two sites in Texas: Midlothian, Texas, south of Dallas/Fort Worth; Hunter, Texas, north of San Antonio. The following table summarizes certain information about the Company’s cement manufacturing facilities at December 31, 2016 :

 

Plant

 

Rated Annual

Productive Capacity-Tons of Clinker

Manufacturing Process

Service Date

 

Internally Estimated

Minimum Reserves--Years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Midlothian, TX

 

2,200,000

Dry

2001

 

  52

Hunter, TX

 

2,250,000

Dry

2013 and 1981

 

140

Total

 

4,450,000

 

 

 

 

 

Reserves identified with the facilities shown above are contained on approximately 2,844 acres of land owned by the Company.  As of December 31, 2016, the Company estimated its total proven and probable limestone reserves on such land to be approximately 697 million tons.

The Company’s cement manufacturing facilities include kilns, crushers, pre-heaters/calciners, coolers, finish mills and other equipment used to process limestone and other raw materials into cement, as well as equipment used to extract and transport the limestone from the adjacent quarries. These cement manufacturing facilities are served by rail and truck.

As of December 31, 2016, the Company, through its subsidiaries, also operated five cement distribution terminals and owned the real estate at the California cement grinding and packaging facility it sold on September 30, 2015, which it expects to sell for non-cement use.  

 

Magnesia Specialties Business

The Magnesia Specialties business currently operates major manufacturing facilities in Manistee, Michigan, and Woodville, Ohio. Both of these facilities are owned.

 

3


ITEM 2. PROPERTIES (continued)

Other Properties

The Company’s principal corporate office, which it owns, is located in Raleigh, North Carolina.  The Company owns and leases various administrative offices for its four reportable business segments.

Condition and Utilization

The Company’s principal properties, which are of varying ages and are of different construction types, are believed to be generally in good condition, are generally well maintained, and are generally suitable and adequate for the purposes for which they are used.  

During 2016, the principal properties of the aggregates product line were believed to be utilized at average productive capacities of approximately 65% and were capable of supporting a higher level of market demand. However, during the economic recession, the Company adjusted its production schedules to meet reduced demand for its products.  For example, the Company has reduced operating hours at a number of its facilities, closed some of its facilities, and temporarily idled some of its facilities.  In 2016, the Company’s aggregates product line operated at a level significantly below capacity, which restricted the Company’s ability to capitalize $71.3 million of costs that could have been inventoried under normal operating conditions.  If demand does not improve over the near term, such reductions and temporary idling could continue.  The Company expects, however, as the economy continues to recover, it will be able to resume production at its normalized levels and increase production again as demand for its products increases.

During 2016 the Texas cement plants were operating on average at 76 percent utilization.  The Company divested of the California cement plant in 2015.  The Portland Cement Association (“PCA”) forecasts a 3% increase in demand in Texas in 2017 over 2016.  The cement product line’s leadership team, in collaboration with the aggregates and ready mixed concrete teams, have developed strategic plans regarding interplant efficiencies, as well as tactical plans addressing plant utilization and efficiency.  Due to the 24/7/365 nature of cement operations, significant gains in plant utilization and efficiency are typically achieved only during plant shutdowns.  

The Company expects future organic earnings growth to result from increased pricing, rationalization of the current product portfolio and/or further cost reductions. In the current operating environment where steel utilization is at levels close to or below 70% and the strength of the United States dollar pressures product competitiveness in international markets, any unplanned change in costs or customers introduces volatility to the earnings of the Magnesia Specialties segment.

 

 

4

EXHIBIT 99.4

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

INTRODUCTORY OVERVIEW

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc., (the “Corporation” or “Martin Marietta”) is engaged principally in the building materials business, providing products used for the construction of infrastructure, nonresidential and residential building projects, including aggregates, cement (Portland and specialty cement), ready mixed concrete and asphalt.  These products as well as paving operations, are sold and shipped from a network of more than 275 aggregates quarries and yards, two cement plants, five cement distribution facilities and more than 150 ready mixed concrete and asphalt plants to customers in 29 states, Canada, the Bahamas and the Caribbean Islands. The aggregates product line includes crushed stone, sand and gravel and is also used for railroad ballast, and in agricultural, utility and environmental applications. The aggregates, cement, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines are reported collectively as the “Building Materials business”. Effective January 1, 2017, the Corporation reorganized the operations and management reporting structure of its Texas-based aggregates, ready mixed concrete and cement product lines, resulting in a change to its reportable segments.  The Corporation currently conducts its Building Materials business through three reportable business segments: Mid-America Group, Southeast Group and West Group. The Mid-America Group operates in Indiana, Iowa, northern Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, eastern Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia. The Southeast Group has operations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Nova Scotia and the Bahamas. The West Group operates in Arkansas, Colorado, southern Kansas, Louisiana, western Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. The following states accounted for 75% of the Building Materials business’ 2016 net sales: Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Iowa and Georgia.

The Magnesia Specialties segment, with production facilities in Ohio and Michigan, produces magnesia-based chemicals products used in industrial, agricultural and environmental applications, and dolomitic lime sold primarily to customers in the steel industry. The Corporation’s consolidated net sales and operating earnings are predominately derived from its Building Materials business, which mines and processes granite, limestone, sand and gravel and also includes cement, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving operations.  

The Corporation’s primary objective is to maximize long-term shareholder return by remaining disciplined in the pursuit of strategic growth and earnings objectives.  Management executes its commitment to this overarching goal through the Corporation’s core foundational pillars as follows:

 

Safety – protecting the well-being of all who come in contact with the Corporation’s business and achieving world-class safety measures

 

Ethics – conducting business in compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations and the highest ethical values

 

Sustainability – reflecting all aspects of good corporate citizenship by being responsible neighbors and supporting local communities; and protecting the Earth’s resources and minimizing the operations’ environmental impact

 

Operational Excellence – executing the Corporation’s strategic growth plan, sustaining its competitive advantages and committing to its core competencies

 

Cost Discipline – increasing earnings through portfolio optimization and capital allocation

 

Customer Satisfaction – maintaining positive customer relationships and being selected as the supplier of choice

Consolidated Strategic Objectives

The Corporation views its strategic objectives through the lens of building on the foundation of a world-class organization. Consistent with this premise, the Corporation’s Board of Directors and management continue to assess business combinations and arrangements with other companies engaged in similar or complementary businesses that increase the Corporation’s presence in its strategic businesses or provide new opportunities in markets that the Corporation views as attractive.  In the opinion of management, attractive aggregates markets exhibit population growth or population density, drivers of construction materials consumption and large-scale infrastructure networks; business and employment diversity, a driver of greater economic stability; and superior state financial position, a driver of public infrastructure growth. With further economic recovery, management anticipates the number of acquisition opportunities should increase as sellers view options for monetizing improving earnings.  

In light of these objectives, management intends to emphasize, among other things, the following strategic, financial and operational initiatives in 2017:

Strategic:

 

Pursuing aggregates-led expansion through acquisitions that complement existing operations (i.e., bolt-on acquisitions) and acquisitions that provide leadership positions in new markets or similar product lines (i.e., platform acquisitions)

 

Leveraging the Corporation’s competitive advantage from the Corporation’s long-haul distribution network

 

Optimizing the Corporation’s current asset base to continue to enhance long-term shareholder value

 

Realizing incremental value from possible divestiture of identified non-strategic or surplus assets

 

Increasing the percentage of markets where the Corporation has a leading position

Financial:

 

Maintaining the Corporation’s strong financial position while advancing strategic objectives

 

Maintaining the incremental gross margin (excluding freight and delivery revenues) of the aggregates product line at management’s targeted goal of an average of 60% over the course of recovery in the business cycle, including recovery in the southeastern U.S. markets

 

Maximizing return on invested capital consistent with the successful long-term operation of the Corporation’s business

 

Returning cash to shareholders through meaningful and sustainable dividends and share repurchases

Operational:

 

Continuing to focus on sustainability practices, including improved safety performance

 

Maintaining a focus on functional excellence leading to cost discipline and operational efficiencies

 

Investing in value-added growth initiatives and successfully integrating them with the Corporation’s heritage operations

 

Using best practices and information technology to drive improved cost performance

 

Ensuring quality products are available in high-growth markets

 

Sustaining the industry differentiating performance and operating results of the Magnesia Specialties segment

1


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

2016 Performance Highlights

Operating Results:

 

Record earnings per diluted share of $6.63

 

Record net earnings attributable to Martin Marietta of $425 million, an increase of 47%

 

Record consolidated earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization (“EBITDA”) of $971.6 million

 

Return on shareholders’ equity of 10.4%

 

Total shareholders’ return of 64%

 

Aggregates product line pricing increase of 7.3% and volume growth of 1.4%, both compared with 2015

 

Record Magnesia Specialties’ net sales of $238.0 million and earnings from operations of $79.3 million

 

Effective management of controllable production costs, as evidenced by a 330-basis-point improvement in consolidated gross margin (excluding freight and delivery revenues) over 2015

 

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses of 6.8% as a percentage of net sales

Cash Flows:

 

Operating cash flow of $689.2 million, up 18.7% over 2015

 

Return of $364.2 million of cash to shareholders through share repurchases ($259.2 million) and dividends ($105.0 million)

 

Ratio of consolidated net debt-to-consolidated EBITDA of 1.7 times for the trailing-twelve months ended December 31, 2016, calculated as prescribed in the Corporation’s bank credit agreements and was in compliance with the covenant maximum of 3.5 times

 

Property, plant and equipment additions for the year were $403.5 million; cash paid during the year for capital additions was $387.3 million ; capital plan focused on maintaining safe, environmentally-sound operations and increasing operating efficiencies along with a continuing investment in land with long-term mineral reserves to serve high-growth markets

Operations:

 

Issued the Corporation’s Sustainability Report, highlighting the Corporation’s continuing commitment to sustainability as a core business value:

 

-

Unwavering commitment to safety

 

-

Continued to support the communities where the Corporation operates

 

-

Remained committed to being responsible environmental stewards to reduce the environmental impact of the Corporation’s operations

 

-

Committed to employee well-being by providing first-class benefits, including, but not limited to, employee disaster relief assistance, education assistance and scholarships

 

Completed two strategic acquisitions:

 

Rocky Mountain Materials – expanded the Corporation’s position along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains; provided more than 500 million tons of high-quality aggregates reserves

 

Ratliff Ready Mix – buyout of remaining interest in ready mixed concrete company that serves the I-35 corridor between Dallas and Austin; enhanced market position and provided additional vertical integration benefits with existing cement operations

2


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Building Materials Busin ess

In 2016, the Building Materials business shipped 158.6 million tons of aggregates from a network of nearly 300 aggregates quarries and distribution yards in 26 states, Canada and the Bahamas. These shipments included 10.4 million tons internally consumed by the business’ other product lines.  The Corporation shipped 3.5 million tons of cement, consisting of 2.3 million tons to external customers in five states and 1.2 million tons for internal use in its ready mixed concrete product line. The Corporation also shipped 8.5 million cubic yards of ready mixed concrete from approximately 150 plants primarily located in the high-growth states of Texas and Colorado.  The asphalt operations shipped 1.0 million tons of asphalt and additionally used 2.1 million tons of asphalt in paving operations.  While the Building Materials business covers a wide geographic area, financial results depend on the strength of the local economies because of the cost of transportation relative to the price of the products. The Building Materials business’ top five sales-generating states – Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Iowa and Georgia – accounted for 75% of its 2016 net sales by state of destination, while the top ten sales-generating states accounted for 88% of its 2016 net sales. Management closely monitors economic conditions and public infrastructure spending in the market areas in the states where the Corporation’s operations are located. Further, supply and demand conditions in these states affect their respective profitability.

At December 31, 2016, the Building Materials business was organized as follows:

3


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

The construction aggregates industry is a mature, cyclical business dependent on activity within the construction marketplace. In 2016, the Corporation’s aggregates p roduct line shipments increased 1.4% compared with 2015.  The Corporation’s aggregates product line shipments have increased each of the past five years, reflecting degrees of stability and modest growth.  However, aggregates volumes are still below histor ically normal levels.  Prior to 2011, the economic recession resulted in United States aggregates consumption declining by almost 40% from peak volumes in 2006.

Aggregates Product Line

As mentioned earlier, the principal end-use markets of the aggregates industry are public infrastructure (i.e., highways; streets; roads; bridges; and schools); nonresidential construction (i.e., manufacturing and distribution facilities; industrial complexes; office buildings; large retailers and wholesalers; and malls); and residential construction (i.e., subdivision development; and single- and multi-family housing). Aggregates products are also used in the railroad, agricultural, utility and environmental industries. Ballast is an aggregates product used to stabilize railroad track beds and, increasingly, concrete rail ties are being used as a substitute for wooden ties. Agricultural lime, a high-calcium carbonate material, is used as a supplement in animal feed, a soil acidity neutralizer and agricultural growth enhancer. High-calcium limestone is used as filler in glass, plastic, paint, rubber, adhesives, grease and paper. Chemical-grade, high-calcium limestone is used as a desulfurization material in utility plants. Stone is used as a stabilizing material to control erosion caused by water runoff or at ocean beaches, inlets, rivers and streams.  The following presents the end-use distribution of aggregates product line shipments:

 

End-use markets respond to changing economic conditions in different ways.  Public infrastructure construction has historically been more stable than nonresidential and residential construction due to typically stable and predictable funding from federal, state and local governments, with approximately half from the federal government and half from state and local governments.  However, after uncertainty regarding the solvency of the Highway Bill in 2014, the Corporation experienced a slight retraction in aggregates shipments to the infrastructure end-use market. After a decade of 36 short-term funding provisions, a five-year, $305 billion highway bill, Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (“FAST Act” or “Act”), was signed into law on December 4, 2015.  Funding for the FAST Act will primarily be secured through gas tax collections and will enable states to purchase and use an estimated additional 114 million tons of aggregates over the life of the Act.  Over the past 24 months, many states have taken on a significantly larger role in funding infrastructure investment, including initiating special-purpose taxes and raising gas taxes. Overall, the infrastructure market accounted for 39% of the Corporation’s 2016 aggregates product line shipments.

4


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Nonresidential and residential construction levels are interest rate-sensitive and typically move in direct correlation with economic cycles.  The Dodge Momentum Index, a twelve-month leading indicator of construction spending for nonresidential building compiled by McGraw Hill Construction and where the year 2000 serves as an index basis of 100, rema ined strong and was at an eight-year high of 136.7 in December 2016, a 9% increase over prior year, signaling continued growth in nonresidential construction.  Housing starts, a key indicator for residential construction activity, continued to show year-ov er-year improvement.  While starts exceeded one million in 2016, they still remain below the 50-year historical annual average of 1.5 million units.  That said, the Corporation expects to continue to experience gains in the residential market.  Importantly , 2016 housing starts exceeded completions, a trend expected to continue in 2017.  

Cement Product Line

The cement product line includes a leading position in the Texas cement markets, with production facilities in Midlothian, Texas, south of Dallas-Fort Worth, and Hunter, Texas, north of San Antonio.   These plants produce Portland and specialty cements and have a combined annual capacity of 4.5 million tons, as well as a current permit that provides an 800,000-ton-expansion opportunity at the Midlothian plant.   In addition to the production facilities, the Corporation operates several cement distribution terminals.  The Corporation owns more than 600 million tons of limestone reserves adjacent to its cement production plants.  Calcium carbonate in the form of limestone is the principal raw material used in the production of cement.

Similar to the aggregates, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines; cement is used in infrastructure projects; nonresidential and residential construction; and railroad, aggregates, utility and environmental industries.  Further, cement is the basic binding agent for concrete, a primary construction material.  Consequently, the cement industry is cyclical and dependent on the strength of the construction sector.  The Portland Cement Association (“PCA”) forecasts a 3% increase in demand in Texas in 2017 over 2016.  The cement and ready mixed concrete operations’ leadership, in collaboration with the aggregates team, has developed strategic plans regarding interplant efficiencies, as well as tactical plans addressing plant utilization and efficiency.  In 2016, the cement plants operated on average at 76% utilization.  

Energy, including electricity and fossil fuels, accounts for 22% of the cement production cost profile. Therefore, profitability of the Cement business is affected by changes in energy prices and the available supply of these products.  The Corporation currently has fixed-price supply contracts for coal but also consumes natural gas, diesel and alternative fuels and petroleum coke. Further, profitability of the cement product line is also subject to kiln maintenance.  This process typically requires a plant to be shut down for a period of time as repairs are made.  In 2016, the cement product line incurred kiln maintenance costs of $20.9 million.  

Ready Mixed Concrete and Asphalt and Paving Product Lines

The ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving operations have inherently lower gross margins (excluding freight and delivery revenues) than the aggregates and cement product lines. Market dynamics for these operations include a highly competitive environment and lower barriers to entry. Liquid asphalt, or bitumen, and cement are key raw materials in the production of hot mix asphalt and ready mixed concrete, respectively. Therefore, fluctuations in prices for these raw materials directly affect the Corporation’s operating results.  Liquid asphalt prices in 2016 were lower than in 2015, but may not always follow other energy products (e.g., oil or diesel fuel) because of complexities in the refining process which converts a barrel of oil into other fuels and petrochemical products.  Shipments of ready mixed concrete and asphalt products typically follow construction aggregates trends.

Magnesia Specialties Business

The Magnesia Specialties business produces and sells dolomitic lime from its Woodville, Ohio facility and magnesia-based chemicals from its Manistee, Michigan facility.  In 2016, this business achieved record net sales, gross profit and earnings from operations of $238.0 million, $89.5 million and $79.1 million, respectively. The dolomitic lime

5


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

business, which represented 30% of Magnesia Specialties’ 2016 net sales, is dependent on the steel industry and operating results are affected by cyclical changes in that industry. The dolomitic lime business runs most profitably at 70% or greater steel capacity utilization; domestic capacity utilization average d 71% in 2016. The chemical products business focuses on higher-margin specialty chemicals that can be produced at volumes that support efficient operations.

A significant portion of costs related to the production of dolomitic lime and magnesia chemical products is of a fixed or semi-fixed nature. The production of dolomitic lime and certain magnesia chemical products also requires the use of natural gas, coal and petroleum coke. Therefore, fluctuations in their pricing directly affect operating results. The Corporation has fixed-price supply contracts for natural gas, coal and petroleum coke to help mitigate this risk. For 2016, the Corporation’s average cost per MCF (thousand cubic feet) for natural gas decreased 25% from 2015.

Liquidity and Capital Allocation

The Corporation’s cash flows are generated primarily from operations. Operating cash flows generally fund working capital needs, capital expenditures, dividends, share repurchases and smaller acquisitions.  The Corporation has capital allocation priorities in the following order:

 

Acquisitions – execution of strategic growth plan

 

Organic capital investment – above-maintenance level of capital spending expected over next five years

 

Return of cash to shareholders:

 

o

Dividends – increased quarterly cash dividend 5% to $0.42 in August 2016

 

o

Share repurchases – initial authorization of 20.0 million shares; 15.1 million shares remaining

During 2016, the Corporation generated operating cash flow of $689 million.  Significant uses of cash during the year included $387 million for capital expenditures (additions for the year were $404 million), $179 million for acquisitions, $105 million for dividends, $259 million for repurchases of the Corporation’s common stock and $45 million for pension plan contributions.

Cash and cash equivalents on hand of $50 million at December 31, 2016, along with the Corporation’s projected internal cash flows and its available financing resources, including access to debt and equity markets, as needed, is expected to continue to be sufficient to provide the capital resources necessary to support anticipated operating needs, cover debt service requirements, satisfy non-cancelable agreements, meet capital expenditures and discretionary investment needs, fund certain acquisition opportunities that may arise and allow for payment of dividends for the foreseeable future. The Corporation has a $300 million trade receivable securitization facility (the “Trade Receivable Facility”). The Corporation also has a $700 million five-year senior unsecured revolving facility (the “Revolving Facility”) with a syndicate of banks.  At December 31, 2016, the Corporation had combined unused borrowing capacity of $658 million under the Trade Receivable Facility and Revolving Facility.

6


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

Highlights of 2016 Financial Performance (all comparisons are versus 2015)

 

Record earnings per diluted share of $6.63 compared with $4.29

 

Record net earnings attributable to Martin Marietta of $425.4 million, an increase of 47%

 

Record consolidated EBITDA of $971.6 million compared with $750.7 million

 

Record consolidated net sales of $3.58 billion compared with $3.27 billion, an increase of 9.4%

 

Aggregates product line pricing increase of 7.3%; aggregates product line volume increase of 1.4%

 

Ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines combined net sales of $1.24 billion and gross profit of $152.1million

 

Cement product line net sales of $364.4 million and gross profit of $120.2 million

 

Record Magnesia Specialties net sales of $238.0 million and gross profit of $89.6 million

 

Record consolidated earnings from operations of $677.3 million compared with $494.2 million, a 37% increase

Results of Operations

The discussion and analysis that follow reflect management’s assessment of the financial condition and results of operations of the Corporation and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements. As discussed in more detail herein, the Corporation’s operating results are highly dependent upon activity within the construction marketplace, economic cycles within the public and private business sectors and seasonal and other weather-related conditions.  In 2016 and 2015, many areas in the United States experienced significant amounts of precipitation.  In fact, in 2015, Texas and Oklahoma each had its wettest year and the nation as a whole had its third wettest year in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (“NOAA”) recorded history of 122 years.  Net sales, production and cost structure were adversely affected by the significant precipitation.  In 2016, Texas experienced more heavy rainfall, with the year ranking the 18 th wettest year in the state’s recorded history per NOAA.  Further, since March 2015, Texas and surrounding regions have experienced 18 major flood events.  Accordingly, the financial results for any year, notably 2016 and 2015, or year-to-year comparisons of reported results, may not be indicative of future operating results.  

The Corporation’s Building Materials business generated the majority of consolidated net sales and consolidated operating earnings. Furthermore, management presents certain key performance indicators for the Building Materials business. The following comparative analysis and discussion should be read within these contexts. Further, sensitivity analysis and certain other data are provided to enhance the reader’s understanding of Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and are not intended to be indicative of management’s judgment of materiality.

7


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

The Corporation’s consolidated operating results and operating results as a percentage of net sales are as follows:

 

years ended December 31

(add 000, except for % of net sales)

 

2016

 

 

% of

Net Sales

 

 

2015

 

 

% of

Net Sales

 

 

2014 1

 

 

% of

Net Sales

 

Net sales

 

$

3,576,767

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

$

3,268,116

 

 

 

100.0

%

 

$

2,679,095

 

 

 

100.0

%

Freight and delivery revenues

 

 

241,982

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

271,454

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

278,856

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenues

 

 

3,818,749

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,539,570

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,957,951

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

 

 

2,665,029

 

 

 

74.5

 

 

 

2,541,196

 

 

 

77.8

 

 

 

2,159,471

 

 

 

80.6

 

Freight and delivery costs

 

 

241,982

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

271,454

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

278,856

 

 

 

 

 

Total cost of revenues

 

 

2,907,011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,812,650

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,438,327

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

 

911,738

 

 

 

25.5

 

 

 

726,920

 

 

 

22.2

 

 

 

519,624

 

 

 

19.4

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

241,606

 

 

 

6.8

 

 

 

210,754

 

 

 

6.4

 

 

 

168,102

 

 

 

6.3

 

Acquisition related expenses, net

 

 

909

 

 

 

0.0

 

 

 

6,346

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

29,239

 

 

 

1.1

 

Other operating (income) and expenses, net

 

 

(8,043

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

15,653

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

(4,649

)

 

 

(0.2

)

Earnings from operations

 

 

677,266

 

 

 

18.9

 

 

 

494,167

 

 

 

15.1

 

 

 

326,932

 

 

 

12.2

 

Interest expense

 

 

81,677

 

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

76,287

 

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

66,057

 

 

 

2.5

 

Other nonoperating (income) and expenses, net

 

 

(11,439

)

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

4,079

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

11,697

 

 

 

0.4

 

Earnings from continuing operations before

   taxes on income

 

 

607,028

 

 

 

17.0

 

 

 

413,801

 

 

 

12.7

 

 

 

249,178

 

 

 

9.3

 

Taxes on income

 

 

181,584

 

 

 

5.1

 

 

 

124,863

 

 

 

3.8

 

 

 

94,847

 

 

 

3.5

 

Earnings from continuing operations

 

 

425,444

 

 

 

11.9

 

 

 

288,938

 

 

 

8.8

 

 

 

154,331

 

 

 

5.8

 

Loss on discontinued operations, net of taxes

 

 

––

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

(37

)

 

 

––

 

Consolidated net earnings

 

 

425,444

 

 

 

11.9

 

 

 

288,938

 

 

 

8.8

 

 

 

154,294

 

 

 

5.8

 

Less:  Net earnings (loss) attributable to

   noncontrolling interests

 

 

58

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

146

 

 

 

––

 

 

 

(1,307

)

 

 

––

 

Net Earnings Attributable to Martin

   Marietta Materials, Inc.

 

$

425,386

 

 

 

11.9

%

 

$

288,792

 

 

 

8.8

%

 

$

155,601

 

 

 

5.8

%

1 2014 results reflect six months of TXI operations.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The comparative analysis in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based on net sales and cost of sales. However, gross margin as a percentage of net sales represents a non-GAAP measure. The Corporation presents this ratio based on net sales, as it is consistent with the basis by which management reviews the Corporation’s operating results. Further, management believes it is consistent with the basis by which investors analyze the Corporation’s operating results given that freight and delivery revenues and costs represent pass-throughs and have no profit mark-up. Gross margin calculated as a percentage of total revenues represents the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

EBITDA is a widely accepted financial indicator of a company’s ability to service and/or incur indebtedness.  EBITDA is not defined by GAAP and, as such, should not be construed as an alternative to net earnings or operating cash flow.  

Adjusted consolidated earnings from operations and adjusted earnings per diluted share (“Adjusted EPS”) are non-GAAP measures which exclude the impact of TXI acquisition-related expenses, net; the impact of the markup of acquired inventory to fair value; and the gain or loss on business divestitures.  The Corporation presents these measures to allow investors to analyze and forecast the Corporation’s operating results given that these costs do not reflect the ongoing cost of its operations.  These non-GAAP measures are not necessarily comparable to similarly-titled measures used by other companies.

The following tables present (i) the calculations of gross margin in accordance with GAAP and reconciliations of the ratios as percentages of total revenues to percentages of net sales; (ii) a reconciliation of net earnings attributable to Martin Marietta to consolidated EBITDA; and (iii) the reconciliations of adjusted consolidated earnings from operations and adjusted earnings per diluted share to the nearest measures in accordance with GAAP:

8


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Consolidated Gross Margin in Accordance with GAAP

years ended December 31

(add 000, except margin %)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Gross profit

 

$

911,738

 

 

$

726,920

 

 

$

519,624

 

Total revenues

 

$

3,818,749

 

 

$

3,539,570

 

 

$

2,957,951

 

Gross margin

 

 

23.9

%

 

 

20.5

%

 

 

17.6

%

 

Consolidated Gross Margin (Excluding Freight and Delivery Revenues)

years ended December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(add 000, except margin %)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Gross profit

 

$

911,738

 

 

$

726,920

 

 

$

519,624

 

Total revenues

 

$

3,818,749

 

 

$

3,539,570

 

 

$

2,957,951

 

Less:  Freight and delivery revenues

 

 

(241,982

)

 

 

(271,454

)

 

 

(278,856

)

Net sales

 

$

3,576,767

 

 

$

3,268,116

 

 

$

2,679,095

 

Gross margin (excluding freight and delivery revenues)

 

 

25.5

%

 

 

22.2

%

 

 

19.4

%

Building Materials Gross Margin in Accordance with GAAP

years ended December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(add 000, except margin %)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

 

 

2014

 

Gross profit

 

$

830,636

 

 

$

652,028

 

 

 

 

$

433,303

 

Total revenues

 

$

3,561,691

 

 

$

3,293,691

 

 

 

 

$

2,701,249

 

Gross margin

 

 

23.3

%

 

 

19.8

%

 

 

 

 

16.0

%

Building Materials Gross Margin (Excluding Freight and Delivery Revenues)

years ended December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(add 000, except margin %)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Gross profit

 

$

830,636

 

 

$

652,028

 

 

$

433,303

 

Total revenues

 

$

3,561,691

 

 

$

3,293,691

 

 

$

2,701,249

 

Less:  Freight and delivery revenues

 

 

(222,925

)

 

 

(253,083

)

 

 

(258,260

)

Net sales

 

$

3,338,766

 

 

$

3,040,608

 

 

$

2,442,989

 

Gross margin (excluding freight and delivery revenues)

 

 

24.9

%

 

 

21.4

%

 

 

17.7

%

Mid-America Group Gross Margin in Accordance with GAAP

years ended December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(add 000, except margin %)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Gross profit

 

$

306,560

 

 

$

257,002

 

 

$

215,245

 

Total revenues

 

$

1,017,098

 

 

$

926,251

 

 

$

848,855

 

Gross margin

 

 

30.1

%

 

 

27.7

%

 

 

25.4

%

9


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Mid-America Group Gross Margin (Excluding Freight and Delivery Revenues)

years ended December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(add 000, except margin %)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Gross profit

 

$

306,560

 

 

$

257,002

 

 

$

215,245

 

Total revenues

 

$

1,017,098

 

 

$

926,251

 

 

$

848,855

 

Less:  Freight and delivery revenues

 

 

(71,975

)

 

 

(74,397

)

 

 

(78,287

)

Net sales

 

$

945,123

 

 

$

851,854

 

 

$

770,568

 

Gross margin (excluding freight and delivery revenues)

 

 

32.4

%

 

 

30.2

%

 

 

27.9

%

Southeast Group Gross Margin in Accordance with GAAP

years ended December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(add 000, except margin %)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Gross profit

 

$

57,286

 

 

$

34,359

 

 

$

10,286

 

Total revenues

 

$

321,078

 

 

$

304,472

 

 

$

274,352

 

Gross margin

 

 

17.8

%

 

 

11.3

%

 

 

3.7

%

Southeast Group Gross Margin (Excluding Freight and Delivery Revenues)

years ended December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(add 000, except margin %)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Gross profit

 

$

57,286

 

 

$

34,359

 

 

$

10,286

 

Total revenues

 

$

321,078

 

 

$

304,472

 

 

$

274,352

 

Less:  Freight and delivery revenues

 

 

(16,627

)

 

 

(19,170

)

 

 

(19,366

)

Net sales

 

$

304,451

 

 

$

285,302

 

 

$

254,986

 

Gross margin (excluding freight and delivery revenues)

 

 

18.8

%

 

 

12.0

%

 

 

4.0

%

West Group Gross Margin in Accordance with GAAP

years ended December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(add 000, except margin %)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Gross profit

 

$

466,790

 

 

$

360,667

 

 

$

207,772

 

Total revenues

 

$

2,223,515

 

 

$

2,062,968

 

 

$

1,578,042

 

Gross margin

 

 

21.0

%

 

 

17.5

%

 

 

13.2

%

West Group Gross Margin (Excluding Freight and Delivery Revenues)

years ended December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(add 000, except margin %)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Gross profit

 

$

466,790

 

 

$

360,667

 

 

$

207,772

 

Total revenues

 

$

2,223,515

 

 

$

2,062,968

 

 

$

1,578,042

 

Less:  Freight and delivery revenues

 

 

(134,323

)

 

 

(159,516

)

 

 

(160,607

)

Net sales

 

$

2,089,192

 

 

$

1,903,452

 

 

$

1,417,435

 

Gross margin (excluding freight and delivery revenues)

 

 

22.3

%

 

 

18.9

%

 

 

14.7

%

10


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Magnesia Specialties Gross Margin in Accordance with GAAP

years ended December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(add 000, except margin %)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Gross profit

 

$

89,603

 

 

$

79,057

 

 

$

84,352

 

Total revenues

 

$

257,058

 

 

$

245,879

 

 

$

256,702

 

Gross margin

 

 

34.9

%

 

 

32.2

%

 

 

32.9

%

Magnesia Specialties Gross Margin (Excluding Freight and Delivery Revenues)

years ended December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(add 000, except margin %)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Gross profit

 

$

89,603

 

 

$

79,057

 

 

$

84,352

 

Total revenues

 

$

257,058

 

 

$

245,879

 

 

$

256,702

 

Less:  Freight and delivery revenues

 

 

(19,057

)

 

 

(18,371

)

 

 

(20,596

)

Net sales

 

$

238,001

 

 

$

227,508

 

 

$

236,106

 

Gross margin (excluding freight and delivery revenues)

 

 

37.6

%

 

 

34.7

%

 

 

35.7

%

Consolidated EBITDA

year ended December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Net earnings attributable to Martin Marietta

 

$

425,386

 

 

$

288,792

 

 

$

155,601

 

Add back:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Interest expense

 

 

81,677

 

 

 

76,287

 

 

 

66,057

 

     Income tax expense for controlling interests

 

 

181,524

 

 

 

124,793

 

 

 

94,730

 

     Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense

 

 

283,003

 

 

 

260,836

 

 

 

220,552

 

Consolidated EBITDA

 

$

971,590

 

 

$

750,708

 

 

$

536,940

 

Adjusted Earnings from Operations

year ended December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(add 000)

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Earnings from operations in accordance with generally accepted

   accounting principles

 

$

494,167

 

 

$

326,932

 

Add back:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Loss on the sale of California cement operations

 

 

29,063

 

 

 

 

     Impact of selling acquired inventory due to markup to fair value

 

 

 

 

 

11,124

 

     TXI acquisition-related expenses, net

 

 

 

 

 

42,689

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Gain on the sale of San Antonio asphalt operations

 

 

(13,123

)

 

 

 

Adjusted Earnings From Operations

 

$

510,107

 

 

$

380,745

 

11


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share

year ended December 31

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Earnings per diluted share in accordance with generally accepted

   accounting principles

 

$

4.29

 

 

$

2.71

 

Add back:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on sale of California cement operations

 

 

0.31

 

 

 

 

Impact of selling acquired inventory due to markup to fair value

 

 

 

 

 

0.12

 

TXI acquisition-related expenses, net

 

 

 

 

 

0.91

 

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Gain on sale of San Antonio asphalt operations

 

 

(0.10

)

 

 

 

Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share

 

$

4.50

 

 

$

3.74

 

Net Sales

Net sales by reportable segment are as follows:

 

years ended December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014 1

 

Building Materials Business:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-America Group

 

$

945,123

 

 

$

851,854

 

 

$

770,568

 

Southeast Group

 

 

304,451

 

 

 

285,302

 

 

 

254,986

 

West Group

 

 

2,089,192

 

 

 

1,903,452

 

 

 

1,417,435

 

Total Building Materials Business

 

 

3,338,766

 

 

 

3,040,608

 

 

 

2,442,989

 

Magnesia Specialties

 

 

238,001

 

 

 

227,508

 

 

 

236,106

 

Total Consolidated Net Sales

 

$

3,576,767

 

 

$

3,268,116

 

 

$

2,679,095

 

1 2014 results reflect six months of TXI operations.

Net sales by product line for the Corporation are as follows:

 

years ended December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014 1

 

Building Materials Business:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aggregates

 

$

2,060,876

 

 

$

1,896,143

 

 

$

1,644,265

 

Cement

 

 

364,445

 

 

$

455,382

 

 

$

252,911

 

Ready Mixed Concrete

 

 

902,635

 

 

 

656,531

 

 

 

430,673

 

Asphalt and Paving

 

 

341,444

 

 

 

283,628

 

 

 

294,239

 

Less: Interproduct sales 2

 

 

(330,634

)

 

 

(251,076

)

 

 

(179,099

)

Total Building Materials Business

 

 

3,338,766

 

 

 

3,040,608

 

 

 

2,442,989

 

Magnesia Specialties

 

 

238,001

 

 

 

227,508

 

 

 

236,106

 

Total Consolidated Net Sales

 

$

3,576,767

 

 

$

3,268,116

 

 

$

2,679,095

 

1 2014 results reflect six months of TXI operations.

2 Interproduct sales represents aggregates product line sales to the ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines and cement product lines sales to the ready mixed concrete product line.

12


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Aggregates Product Line.  

Aggregates product line average selling price increases are as follows:

years ended December 31

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Mid-America Group

 

 

4.3

%

 

 

4.7

%

 

 

3.8

%

Southeast Group

 

 

7.1

%

 

 

5.4

%

 

 

6.4

%

West Group

 

 

10.6

%

 

 

13.5

%

 

 

8.8

%

Aggregates Product Line

 

 

7.3

%

 

 

8.0

%

 

 

4.5

%

The average selling price per ton for the aggregates product line was $12.88, $12.00 and $11.12 for 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

In 2016 and 2015, the average selling price increase exceeded the Corporation’s 30-year compounded annual growth rate for the period ended December 31, 2016 of 3.5%.   The higher average selling price increase reflects supply and demand dynamics in the Corporation’s markets.  Average selling price increases in 2014 were in line with historical averages.  

The following presents aggregates product line shipments for each reportable segment of the Building Materials business:

 

years ended December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tons (add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Mid-America Group

 

 

73,060

 

 

 

68,611

 

 

 

64,947

 

Southeast Group

 

 

19,396

 

 

 

19,479

 

 

 

18,289

 

West Group

 

 

66,170

 

 

 

68,332

 

 

 

62,814

 

Building Materials Business

 

 

158,626

 

 

 

156,422

 

 

 

146,050

 

Aggregates product line shipments sold externally to customers and tons used in other product lines are as follows:

 

years ended December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tons (add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Tons to external customers

 

 

148,198

 

 

 

147,197

 

 

 

138,222

 

Internal tons used in other product lines

 

 

10,428

 

 

 

9,225

 

 

 

7,828

 

Total Aggregates Tons

 

 

158,626

 

 

 

156,422

 

 

 

146,050

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aggregates product line volume variance by reportable segment is as follows:

 

years ended December 31

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Mid-America Group

 

 

6.5

%

 

 

5.6

%

 

 

3.1

%

Southeast Group

 

 

(0.4

%)

 

 

6.5

%

 

 

6.0

%

West Group

 

 

(3.2

%)

 

 

8.6

%

 

 

30.3

%

Aggregates Product Line

 

 

1.4

%

 

 

7.1

%

 

 

13.7

%

 

Shipments in 2016 and 2015 were negatively affected by wet weather, notably in the southwestern United States.  Growth in 2016 was also hindered by certain infrastructure project delays, notably in Texas; a reduction in energy-sector shipments resulting from lower oil prices; and lower ballast shipments resulting from reduced activity on railroads.  Aggregates product line volume strength in the Mid-America Group in 2016, relative to the other groups, is due to

13


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

steady economic improvement, which is driving growth in office, retail, industrial and residential development in North Carolina and South Carolina.  

Shipment growth in 2015 is primarily attributable to a full year of ownership of the legacy TXI aggregates operations, partially offset by the impact of historic levels of rainfall and a reduction in energy-sector shipments, notably for shale exploration.  Shipment variances in 2015 for the Mid-America and Southeast Groups reflect the ongoing recovery in these markets, notably North Carolina, Georgia and Florida.  

As of December 31, 2016, the 30-year compounded annual growth rate for shipments was 3.8%.

Cement. The cement product line contributed $364.4 million in net sales in 2016.  Excluding $96.4 million of net sales attributable to the California cement business, divested on September 30, 2015, from the prior-year, net sales increased 1.5%.  Cement shipments in 2016 and 2015 were negatively affected by significant amounts of precipitation in Texas.  The business shipped 3.5 million and 4.6 million tons of cement in 2016 and 2015 (the California operations accounted for 1.1 million tons in 2015), respectively.  In 2016, 1.2 million tons of shipments were used internally in the Corporation’s production of ready mixed concrete products.  The Corporation expects the percentage of cement shipments used in the ready mix business to increase in 2017 based on a full year of ownership of the ready mix business acquired mid-year 2016.

Net sales for the second half of 2014 were $252.9 million, of which $68 million related to the California cement operations.

Ready Mixed Concrete and Asphalt and Paving Product Lines. The Corporation’s ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines are primarily located in the high-growth states of Texas and Colorado.  

Average selling prices for the ready mixed concrete and asphalt product lines are as follows:

 

years ended December 31

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Ready Mixed Concrete - cubic yards

 

$

104.26

 

 

$

96.28

 

 

$

88.25

 

Asphalt - tons

 

$

39.20

 

 

$

42.57

 

 

$

41.26

 

 

Unit shipments for the ready mixed concrete and asphalt product lines are as follows:

 

years ended December 31

add (000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Ready Mixed Concrete – cubic yards

 

 

8,490

 

 

 

6,707

 

 

 

4,779

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asphalt Product Line:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tons to external customers

 

 

1,023

 

 

 

1,220

 

 

 

1,508

 

Internal tons used in paving operations

 

 

2,131

 

 

 

1,697

 

 

 

1,807

 

Total asphalt tons

 

 

3,154

 

 

 

2,917

 

 

 

3,315

 

 

The fluctuations in asphalt shipments reflect the sale of the Corporation’s San Antonio asphalt operations in the fourth quarter of 2015 and the acquisition of additional asphalt and paving operations in Colorado in the first quarter of 2016.  The increase in ready mixed concrete shipments in 2016 is attributable to favorable market conditions in Texas and Colorado and acquired locations in Central Texas.  The increase in shipments in 2015 is attributable to a full year of TXI operations acquired mid-year 2014.

Magnesia Specialties. Magnesia Specialties’ 2016 record net sales of $238.0 million increased 4.6% compared with 2015, primarily attributable to the chemicals product line.  2015 net sales were negatively affected by lower domestic steel production and declined 3.6%.

14


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Freight and Delivery Revenues and Costs

Freight and delivery revenues and costs represent pass-through transportation costs incurred when the Corporation arranges for a third-party carrier to deliver aggregates products to customers (see section Transportation Exposure ). These third-party freight costs are then billed to the customer.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales increased 4.9% in 2016 and 17.67% in 2015, attributable to the increase in net sales of 9.4% and 22.0%, respectively.  Significant precipitation hindered production and negatively affected operating leverage in both 2016 and 2015.  Aggregates product line direct production cost per ton shipped for 2016 increased 3.8% compared with 2015, reflecting higher depreciation costs related to the Medina Rock and Rail capital project completed in central Texas at the end of 2015 and higher contract services for grading, drilling and short-term equipment rentals. On average, the Corporation paid $1.96 per gallon of diesel fuel in 2016 compared with $2.05 in 2015.  The 2016 and 2015 cost per gallon reflects a fixed-price commitment for approximately 40% of the Corporation’s diesel consumption that went into effect on July 1, 2015 and expired on December 31, 2016.  The fixed price was $0.30 per gallon higher than the spot rate for the majority of the contract period resulting in an additional $13.2 million in costs.  The diesel contract was not renewed for 2017.

Gross Profit

Gross profit (loss) is as follows:

years ended December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Building Materials Business:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aggregates

 

$

558,318

 

 

$

470,688

 

 

$

323,081

 

Cement

 

 

120,201

 

 

 

103,813

 

 

 

52,446

 

Ready Mixed Concrete

 

 

99,042

 

 

 

42,110

 

 

 

38,381

 

Asphalt and Paving

 

 

53,075

 

 

 

35,417

 

 

 

19,395

 

Total Building Materials Business

 

 

830,636

 

 

 

652,028

 

 

 

433,303

 

Magnesia Specialties

 

 

89,603

 

 

 

79,057

 

 

 

84,352

 

Corporate

 

 

(8,501

)

 

 

(4,165

)

 

 

1,969

 

Total Consolidated Gross Profit

 

$

911,738

 

 

$

726,920

 

 

$

519,624

 

 

The Corporation improved its consolidated gross profit $184.8 million in 2016 compared with 2015.  The increase is supported by pricing strength and disciplined cost management and reflects growth in all businesses, led by the aggregates product line.  Consolidated gross profit increased $207.3 million in 2015 compared with 2014, primarily driven by a full year of ownership of legacy TXI operations and pricing strength.  

15


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

The following presents a rollforward of the Corporation’s consolidated gross profit:

 

years ended December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Consolidated gross profit, prior year

 

$

726,920

 

 

$

519,624

 

Aggregates product line:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pricing

 

 

138,286

 

 

 

138,618

 

Volume

 

 

26,446

 

 

 

115,495

 

Production costs

 

 

(60,270

)

 

 

(82,423

)

Internal freight costs

 

 

(22,193

)

 

 

(23,364

)

Other costs, net

 

 

5,361

 

 

 

(719

)

Change in aggregates product line gross profit

 

 

87,630

 

 

 

147,607

 

Ready Mixed Concrete and Asphalt and Paving product lines

 

 

74,590

 

 

 

19,751

 

Cement product line

 

 

16,388

 

 

 

51,367

 

Magnesia Specialties

 

 

10,546

 

 

 

(5,295

)

Corporate

 

 

(4,336

)

 

 

(6,134

)

Change in consolidated gross profit

 

 

184,818

 

 

 

207,296

 

Consolidated gross profit, current year

 

$

911,738

 

 

$

726,920

 

Internal freight costs represent freight expenses to transport materials from a producing quarry to a distribution yard.  The fluctuation in these costs in 2016 reflects increased shipments by rail to distribution yards, coupled with increased costs from rail service providers. These costs in 2015 were favorably affected by lower energy prices compared with 2014.  

The improvement in the ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines’ gross profit in 2016 is due to increased demand and pricing growth.  The cement product line’s gross profit increase in 2016 is attributable to operational improvements, pricing strength and refunds and rebates from electrical providers.  The growth in the Magnesia Specialties’ gross profit from 2015 to 2016 is attributable to increased chemical sales, a decline in natural gas pricing and effective cost control.  The gross profit changes for the aggregates and the cement product lines in 2015 is due primarily to the full year of ownership of legacy TXI operations.

Corporate gross (loss) profit includes depreciation on capitalized interest and unallocated operational expenses excluded from the Corporation’s evaluation of business segment performance.  For 2016 and 2015, the amount includes the variance between the contractual rate and the spot rate for diesel fuel under the fixed-price agreement.  For 2014, the amount includes the settlement of a sales tax audit.  

Gross profit (loss) by reportable segment is as follows:

 

years ended December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Building Materials Business:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-America Group

 

$

306,560

 

 

$

257,002

 

 

$

215,245

 

Southeast Group

 

 

57,286

 

 

 

34,359

 

 

 

10,286

 

West Group

 

 

466,790

 

 

 

360,667

 

 

 

207,772

 

Total Building Materials Business

 

 

830,636

 

 

 

652,028

 

 

 

433,303

 

Magnesia Specialties

 

 

89,603

 

 

 

79,057

 

 

 

84,352

 

Corporate

 

 

(8,501

)

 

 

(4,165

)

 

 

1,969

 

Total Consolidated Gross Profit

 

$

911,738

 

 

$

726,920

 

 

$

519,624

 

16


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Gross margin (excluding freight and delivery revenues) by reportable segment is as follows:

 

years ended December 31

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Mid-America Group

 

 

32.4%

 

 

 

30.2%

 

 

 

27.9%

 

Southeast Group

 

 

18.8%

 

 

 

12.0%

 

 

 

4.0%

 

West Group

 

 

22.3%

 

 

 

18.9%

 

 

 

14.7%

 

Total Building Materials Business

 

 

24.9%

 

 

 

21.4%

 

 

 

17.7%

 

Magnesia Specialties

 

 

37.6%

 

 

 

34.7%

 

 

 

35.7%

 

Total Consolidated

 

 

25.5%

 

 

 

22.2%

 

 

 

19.4%

 

Gross margin (excluding freight and delivery revenues) improvement for the Building Materials business reflects pricing strength in the aggregates and ready mixed concrete product lines and stronger demand in the ready mixed concrete business. (See section Transportation Exposure .)

Magnesia Specialties business’ 2016 gross margin (excluding freight and delivery revenues) expansion is attributable to increased sales and effective cost management.  The 2015 gross margin (excluding freight and delivery revenues) was negatively affected by lower sales volumes which reduced operating leverage.  

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

SG&A expenses for 2016 were 6.8% of net sales, an increase of 40 basis points, and reflect higher performance-based incentive compensation costs.  In 2015, SG&A expenses increased 10 basis points over 2014.  

Acquisition-Related Expenses, Net

The Corporation incurred business development and acquisition integration costs (collectively “acquisition-related expenses, net”) as part of its strategic growth plan.  In 2015, these costs were principally TXI integration costs.  In 2014, acquisition-related expenses, net, were related to the consummation of the TXI transaction and also included a nonrecurring $42.7 million gain on a divestiture required by the Department of Justice as a result of the TXI acquisition.

Other Operating (Income) and Expenses, Net

Among other items, other operating income and expenses, net, include gains and losses on the sale of assets; gains and losses related to certain customer accounts receivable; rental, royalty and services income; accretion expense, depreciation expense; gains and losses related to asset retirement obligations; and research and development costs.  These net amounts represented income of $8.0 million in 2016, an expense of $15.7 million in 2015 and income of $4.6 million in 2014.  The net expense for 2015 reflects the net impact on the sales of the California cement operations and the San Antonio asphalt operations.

Earnings from Operations

Consolidated earnings from operations were $677.3 million, $494.2 million and $326.9 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Excluding the net impact from the sale of the California cement operations and the San Antonio asphalt operations, adjusted consolidated earnings from operations for 2015 were $510.1 million.  This is a $129.4 million improvement over adjusted consolidated earnings from operations for 2014 of $380.7 million, which excludes TXI acquisition-related expenses, net, and the impact of the one-time markup of acquired inventory.  

Interest Expense

Interest expense of $81.7 million in 2016 increased $5.4 million over 2015 due to an increase in average debt outstanding, coupled with an increase in variable interest rates in 2016 compared with 2015.  Interest expense of $76.3

17


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

million in 2015 increased $10.2 million over 2014, attributable to the assumed and refinanc ed $700 million of TXI-related debt being outstanding for a full year in 2015 versus only six months in 2014.  

Other Nonoperating (Income) and Expenses, Net

Other nonoperating income and expenses, net, are comprised generally of interest income; foreign currency transaction gains and losses; pension and postretirement benefit cost, excluding service cost; and net equity earnings from nonconsolidated investments. Consolidated other nonoperating income and expenses, net, was income of $11.4 million, expense of $4.1 million and expense of $11.7 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  The income in 2016 was due to the remeasurement of an interest held in a joint venture, gains on foreign currency transactions and increased earnings from nonconsolidated investments.  The decline in expense in 2015 over 2014 was primarily due to increased earnings from nonconsolidated investments.

Taxes on Income

Variances in the estimated effective income tax rates, when compared with the federal corporate tax rate of 35%, are due primarily to the statutory depletion deduction for mineral reserves, the effect of state income taxes, the domestic production deduction, the tax effect of nondeductibility of goodwill related to divestitures of businesses and the impact of foreign income or losses for which no tax expense or benefit is recognized.  Additionally, certain acquisition-related expenses, net, have limited deductibility for income tax purposes.

The permanent benefit associated with the statutory depletion deduction for mineral reserves is typically the significant driver of the estimated effective income tax rate. The statutory depletion deduction is calculated as a percentage of sales subject to certain limitations. Due to these limitations, changes in sales volumes and pretax earnings may not proportionately affect the statutory depletion deduction and the corresponding impact on the effective income tax rate on continuing operations. However, the impact of the depletion deduction on the estimated effective tax rate is inversely affected by increases or decreases in pretax earnings.

The Corporation’s estimated effective income tax rate for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

2016

 

 

29.9

%

2015

 

 

30.2

%

2014

 

 

38.1

%

The effective income tax rate for full-year 2014 was higher than the Corporation’s historical rate as a result of the acquisition of TXI, including the limited deductibility of certain acquisition-related expenses, net, and the nondeductibility of goodwill written off as part of the required divestiture.  These factors were partially offset by the income tax benefits resulting from the exercise of converted stock awards issued to former TXI personnel.  Excluding the TXI transaction effects, the estimated effective income tax rate would have been 30%, in line with current rates.  

Currently, the United States Congress is considering changes in the corporate tax code that, if enacted, could affect the Corporation’s net earnings. While the current expectation is a reduction in corporate tax rates, which should favorably affect net earnings, the Corporation cannot be certain of the impact of the elimination of tax preferences, capital investment deductibility or border adjustments, among other considerations.  

Net Earnings Attributable to Martin Marietta and Earnings Per Diluted Share

Net earnings attributable to Martin Marietta were $425.4 million, or a record $6.63 per diluted share, a 55% increase over 2015.  In 2015, net earnings attributable to Martin Marietta were $288.8 million, or $4.29 per diluted share.  Excluding the net impact from the sale of the California cement operations and the San Antonio asphalt operations, adjusted earnings per diluted share were $4.50.  For 2014, net earnings attributable to Martin Marietta were

18


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

$155.6 million, or $2.71 per diluted share.  Excluding the impact of acquisition-related expenses, net, and the increase in cost of sales for acquired inventory, adjusted earnings per diluted share were $3.74.  

BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

The sections on Business Environment , and the disclosures therein, provide a synopsis of the business environment trends and risks facing the Corporation. However, no single trend or risk stands alone. The relationship between trends and risks is dynamic, and the economic climate can exacerbate this relationship. This discussion should be read in this context.

Building Materials Business’ Trends

The Building Materials business typically serves customers in construction aggregates-related markets. This business is strongly affected by activity within the construction marketplace, which is cyclical in nature. Consequently, the Corporation’s profitability is sensitive to national, regional and local economic conditions and especially to cyclical swings in construction spending. The cyclical swings in construction spending are in turn affected by fluctuations in interest rates; access to capital markets; levels of public-sector infrastructure funding; and demographic, geographic and population dynamics. Per the U.S. Census Bureau, total construction spending increased 5% in 2016 compared with 2015.

The heavy construction business, including the production of aggregates and cement products, is conducted outdoors.  Therefore, erratic weather patterns, precipitation and other weather-related conditions, including snowstorms, droughts, flooding and hurricanes, can significantly affect production schedules, shipments, costs, efficiencies and profitability of the Building Materials business.  Generally, the financial results for the first and fourth quarters are significantly lower than the second and third quarters due to winter weather.

End-Use Trends

 

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, for the nine-months ended September 30, 2016, the latest available data, estimated construction aggregates consumption increased 5% and estimated cement consumption increased 3% compared with the nine-months ended September 30, 2015

 

Spending statistics, from 2015 to 2016, according to U.S. Census Bureau:

 

Total value of construction put in place increased 5%

 

Public-works construction spending decreased 1%

 

Private nonresidential construction market spending increased 8%

 

Private residential construction market spending increased 5%

The Building Materials business sells products principally to contractors in connection with highway and other public infrastructure projects as well as nonresidential and residential development. While construction spending in the public and private market sectors is affected by economic cycles, the historic level of spending on public infrastructure projects has been comparatively more stable as governmental appropriations and expenditures are typically less interest rate-sensitive than private-sector spending. Obligation of federal funds is a leading indicator of highway construction activity in the United States. Before a state or local department of transportation can solicit bids on an eligible construction project, it enters into an agreement with the Federal Highway Administration to obligate the federal government to pay its share of the project cost. Federal obligations are subject to annual funding appropriations by Congress.  Management believes public-works projects have historically accounted for approximately 50% of the total annual aggregates and cement consumption in the United States.  Additionally, management believes exposure to fluctuations in nonresidential and residential, or private-sector, construction spending is lessened by the business’ mix of public sector-related shipments.  However, due to the significant (and historically unusual) length of time without a

19


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

multi-year federal highway bill prior to the passage of the FAST Act, over the last several years private construction has bec ome a larger percentage of overall construction investment.  Consistent with this trend, the infrastructure market accounted for approximately 39% of the Corporation’s aggregates product line shipments in 2016, consistent with 2015 but lower than the most recent five-year average of 44%.

The nonresidential construction market accounted for approximately 32% of the Corporation’s aggregates product line shipments in 2016.  According to the U.S. Census Bureau, spending for the private nonresidential construction market increased in 2016 compared with 2015.  Historically, half of the Corporation’s nonresidential construction shipments have been used for office and retail projects, while the remainder has been used for heavy industrial and capacity-related projects, including energy-sector projects, namely development of shale-based natural gas fields.  However, low oil prices in the latter part of 2015 and throughout 2016 has suppressed shale exploration activity.  In 2016, the Corporation shipped approximately 1.5 million tons to the energy-sector compared with approximately 3.6 million tons in 2015 and 7.5 million tons in 2014.  

The residential construction market accounted for approximately 21% of the Corporation’s aggregates product line shipments in 2016.  The Corporation’s exposure to residential construction is typically split evenly between aggregates used in the construction of subdivisions (including roads, sidewalks, and storm and sewage drainage) and aggregates used in new home construction. Therefore, the timing of new subdivision starts, as well as new home starts, equally affects residential volumes. Private residential construction spending increased 5 % in 2016 compared with 2015, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The remaining 8% of the Corporation’s 2016 aggregates product line shipments was to the ChemRock and Rail construction market, which includes ballast and agricultural limestone.  Ballast shipments declined in 2016 due to lower railroad activity, correlating with lower energy-related rail shipments.  Drier weather and favorable operating conditions led to increased shipments of agricultural limestone in 2016 over 2015.  Weather conditions in 2015 were abnormally wet, limiting field applications and influencing deferred stockpiling.

Pricing Trends

Pricing on construction projects is generally based on terms committing to the availability of specified products at an agreed-upon price during a stated period. While residential and nonresidential construction jobs usually are completed within one year, infrastructure contracts can require several years to complete. Therefore, changes in prices

20


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

can have a lag time before taking effect while the Corporation sells aggregates products under existing price agreements. Pricing escalators includ ed in multi-year infrastructure contracts somewhat mitigate this effect. However, during periods of sharp or rapid increases in production costs, multi-year infrastructure contract pricing may provide only nominal pricing growth. The Corporation also imple ments mid-year price increases where appropriate.

In 2016, the average selling price for the aggregates product line increased 7.3%, in line with management’s expectations.  Opportunities to increase pricing will occur on a market-by-market basis.  Management believes 2017 aggregates product line pricing growth will exceed the Corporation’s 30-year compounded annual growth rate, 3.5%, and correlate, after consideration of a 6-to-12-month lag factor, with changes in demand. Pricing is determined locally and is affected by supply and demand characteristics of the local market.

Building Materials Business’ Risks

Federal and State Highway Transportation Funding

Public-sector construction projects are funded through a combination of federal, state and local sources. The federal highway bill provides annual funding for public-sector highway construction projects and includes spending authorizations, which represent the maximum financial obligation that will result from the immediate or future outlays of federal funds for highway and transit programs. The federal government’s surface transportation programs are financed mostly through the receipts of highway user taxes placed in the Highway Trust Fund, which is divided into the Highway Account and the Mass Transit Account. Revenues credited to the Highway Trust Fund are primarily derived from a federal gas tax, a federal tax on certain other motor fuels and interest on the accounts’ accumulated balances. Of the currently imposed federal gas tax of $0.184 per gallon, which has been static since 1993, $0.15 is allocated to the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund.  

Federal highway laws require Congress to annually appropriate funding levels for highways and other programs. Once the annual appropriation is passed, federal funds are distributed to each state based on formulas (apportionments) or other procedures (allocations). Apportioned and allocated funds generally must be spent on specific programs as outlined in the federal legislation. Most federal funds are available for four years. Once the federal government approves a state project, funds are committed and considered spent regardless of when the cash is actually spent by the state and reimbursed by the federal government. According to the Federal Highway Administration, funds are generally spent by the state over a period of years, with 27% in the year of funding authorization, 41% in the succeeding year, 16% in the third year and the remaining 16% in the fourth year and beyond.

Following 36 shorter-term extensions since the expiration of predecessor legislation, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21 st Century (“MAP-21”), a five-year federal highway bill, the FAST Act, was signed into law in December 2015.  The FAST Act reauthorizes federal highway and public transportation programs and stabilizes the Highway Trust Fund.  $207.4 billion of the FAST Act funding will be apportioned to the states, with a 5.1% increase over actual fiscal year 2015 apportionments in 2016 and then inflationary increases in subsequent years.  Meaningful impact from the FAST Act is expected beginning in 2017.

The FAST Act retains the programs supported under MAP-21 , but with some changes. Specifically, Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (“TIFIA”), a U.S. Department of Transportation alternative funding mechanism, which under MAP-21 provided three types of federal credit assistance for nationally or regionally significant surface transportation projects, now allows more diversification of projects. TIFIA is designed to fill market gaps and leverage substantial private co-investment by providing projects with supplemental or subordinate debt which is not subject to national debt ceiling challenges or sequestration. Since inception, TIFIA has provided more than $25 billion of credit assistance to over 50 projects representing over $90 billion in infrastructure investment. Under the FAST Act, annual TIFIA funding decreases and ranges from $275 million to $300 million, but no longer requires the 20% matching funds from state departments of transportation. Consequently, states can advance construction projects immediately with potentially no upfront outlay of state department of transportation dollars.  TIFIA requires projects to have a revenue source to pay back the credit assistance within a 30-to-40 year period.  Moreover, TIFIA funds may represent up to 49%

21


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

of total eligible project costs for a TIFIA-secured loan and 33% for a TIFIA standby line of credit. Therefore, the TIFIA program has the ability to significantly leve rage construction dollars. Each dollar of federal funds can provide up to $10 in TIFIA credit assistance and support up to $30 in transportation infrastructure investment. Private investment in transportation projects funded through TIFIA is particularly a ttractive, in part due to the subordination of public investment to private. Management believes TIFIA could provide a substantial boost for state department of transportation construction programs well above what is currently budgeted. As of January 2017, TIFIA-funded projects for the Corporation’s top five sales-generating states exceeded $22 billion.  

Excluding TIFIA-approved projects, states are required to match funds at a predetermined rate in order to receive federal funds for highways. Matching levels vary depending on the type of project. If a state is unable to match its allocated federal funds, funding is forfeited and reallocated to states providing the appropriate matching funds. Although a significant portion of state highway construction programs are financed from highway user fees, significant increases in federal infrastructure funding typically require state governments to increase highway user fees to match federal spending.  While states rarely forfeit federal highway funds, the possibility of forfeiture increases when states face declining tax revenues and struggle to balance budgets.

Given that most states are required to balance their budgets, reductions in revenues generally require a reduction in states’ expenditures. However, the impact of state revenue reductions on highway spending will vary depending on whether the spending comes from dedicated revenue sources, such as highway user fees, or whether portions are funded with general funds. Based on national averages, user taxes represent the largest component of highway revenues, averaging 39% in fiscal year 2014, the latest available statistic. The use of general funds as a percentage of each state’s highway revenues varies, with a national average of 6% in fiscal year 2014, the latest available statistic. Therefore, state budget spending cuts typically only affect a small percentage of a state’s highway spending.  

States continue to play an expanding role in infrastructure funding.  In addition to federal appropriations, each state funds its infrastructure spending from specifically allocated amounts collected from various user taxes, typically gasoline taxes and vehicle fees. Over the past 24 months, states have taken on a significantly larger role in funding infrastructure investment, including initiating special-purpose taxes and raising gas taxes . Management believes that innovative financing at the state level, such as bond issuances, toll roads and tax initiatives, will grow at a faster rate

22


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

than federal funding.  State spend ing on infrastructure generally leads to increased growth opportunities for the Corporation.  The level of state public-works spending is varied across the nation and dependent upon individual state economies.  The degree to which the Corporation could be affected by a reduction or slowdown in infrastructure spending varies by state. The state economies of the Building Materials business’ five largest sales-generating states may disproportionately affect the Corporation’s financial performance.

The need for surface transportation improvements significantly outpaces the amount of available funding. A large number of roads, highways and bridges built following the establishment of the Interstate Highway System in 1956 are now in need of major repair or reconstruction. According to The Road Information Program (“TRIP”), a national transportation research group, vehicle travel on United States highways increased 38% from 1990 to 2012, while new lane road mileage increased only 4% over the same period. TRIP also reports that 14% of the nation’s major roads are in poor condition and 25% of the nation’s bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Currently, the Federal Highway Administration estimates that $170 billion is needed in annual capital investment through 2028 to significantly improve the current conditions and performance of the nation’s highways. During fiscal 2011, the latest data available from the Office of Highway Policy Information, $93.9 billion was spent for surface transportation projects by federal, state and local governments.  President Trump has proposed additional investment over the next decade to rebuild the country’s infrastructure.  Any such measures will require Congressional approval.

Transportation investments generally boost the national economy by enhancing mobility and access and by creating jobs, which is a priority of many of the government’s economic plans. According to the Federal Highway Administration, every $1 billion in federal highway investment creates approximately 28,000 jobs. The number of jobs created is dependent on the nature and aggregates intensity of the projects. Approximately half of the Building Materials business’ net sales to the infrastructure market come from federal funding authorizations, including matching funds from the states.  For each dollar spent on road, highway and bridge improvements, the Federal Highway Administration estimates an average benefit of $5.20 is recognized in the form of reduced vehicle maintenance costs, reduced delays, reduced fuel consumption, improved safety, reduced road and bridge maintenance costs and reduced emissions as a result of improved traffic flow.

Other Public-Sector Construction Exposure

In addition to highways and bridges, transportation infrastructure includes aviation, mass transit, and ports and waterways. Public-sector construction related to transportation infrastructure can be aggregates intensive.

According to the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (“ARTBA”), airport construction spending was $13.1 billion during 2016 and is forecasted to be relatively flat in 2017.  Spending on airport terminal and related work was $8.3 billion and runway work was $4.8 billion in 2016.  

Construction spending for mass transit projects, which include subways, light rail and railroads, was $19.3 billion in 2016, according to ARTBA, and is expected to increase 5% in 2017. Railroad construction continues to benefit from economic growth, which generate needs for additional maintenance and improvements. According to ARTBA, subway and light rail work is expected to benefit slightly from the FAST Act.  

Port and waterway construction spending was $2.1 billion in 2016 and is forecasted to be flat in 2017.

Top Five Sales-Generating States

The Building Materials business’ top five sales-generating states, namely Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Iowa and Georgia, together accounted for 75% of its 2016 net sales by state of destination. The top ten sales-generating states, which also include South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana and Nebraska, together accounted for 88% of the Building Materials business’ 2016 net sales by state of destination.

23


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Texas is a vibrant market supported by employment gains and a growing population, combined with a healthy state Department of Transportation (“DOT”) program.  Notably, Texas is the third-ranked state for job growth while nationally Dallas-Fort Worth is the second-ranked metro area in the country, fundamentals that should further enhance construction investment.   Additionally, according to a Census Bureau report issued May 2016, five of the nation’s top eight cities for population growth, namely Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Fort Worth, were in Texas.  Further, Texas was home to five of the top eleven fastest-growing cities.  Overall, the population in Texas grew 10.4% from 2010 to 2016, adding 2.6 million residents.  Population growth in Texas supports aggregates consumption where an average eight to 12 tons per capita is consumed annually.  The Texas DOT continues to operate with a strong budget and let $7.5 billion of projects in fiscal 2016 and estimates letting $7.2 billion in fiscal 2017.  In fact, Texas DOT has committed to letting over $65 billion of projects over the next ten years.  Funding for highway construction comes from dedicated sources, including Proposition 1 and 7, as opposed to the use of general funds.  Proposition 7 is estimated to provide an additional $2.0 billion of annual funding for non-toll roads beginning in fiscal 2018 and is expected to increase after 2019.  On November 8, 2016, voters approved $990 million of additional statewide transportation funding, including a $720 million transportation bond in Austin.  Although lower oil prices have negatively affected aggregates shipments supporting shale exploration activity, growth in other sectors has offset the decline.  Texas ranked 6 th in single family permit growth for the trailing-twelve months ended December 2016, with Austin and Dallas ranking second and sixth, respectively, for permit growth on a metropolitan level.  Additionally, Austin and Dallas ranked fourth and sixth nationally in housing growth for 2016.  Nonresidential construction for the state declined 13% compared to 2015; however, Dallas and Austin were ranked 8 th and 17 th , respectively, nationally among metropolitan areas for nonresidential construction in 2016.

The Colorado economy has a diverse economic base and remains strong, with job growth in the top twenty nationally.  The unemployment rate has declined to 3.0% at December 31, 2016, its lowest since 2007.  In the Census Bureau’s population estimate report, Colorado has been in the top ten nationally in population growth for the past five years, boasting a 9.7% increase of residents from 2010 to 2016.  Colorado’s residential market continues to expand as developers struggle to keep pace with demand.  In fact, the state ranked in the top ten nationally for growth in residential starts.  The nonresidential market remains positive, leading Colorado to be ranked in the top ten states in the country.  The Colorado DOT budget is expected to exceed $1.4 billion in 2017, with continued support from the

24


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Responsible Acceleration of Maintenance and Partner ships , or RAMP, program through fiscal 2018.  Further, an additional $250 million of flood mitigation funds were awarded late in 2016 for reconstruction efforts from the 2013 historic flooding.  

The North Carolina economy, driven by population and job growth, looks positive for 2017.  Nationally, the state ranked 12 th in population change from 2010 to 2016, growing approximately 6%.  The United States Census Bureau projects the state’s population to increase 2 million by 2030, making it the seventh most populated state.  Increasing jobs at 2% for the trailing-twelve months ended December 2016, North Carolina will continue to see jobs added with businesses looking to expand operations in the state.  Pepsi Bottling Ventures, Lending Tree, Mountaire Farms and Lotus Bakeries are a few of the businesses that have collectively committed over $200 million of investment in operations in North Carolina.  The infrastructure market has shown solid growth in awards, driven in part by the TIFIA-backed I-77 high-occupancy toll (“HOT”) lanes project north of Charlotte.  The 26-mile expansion of I-77 is a $655 million, multi-year project expected to be complete in the latter part of 2018.  In the November 2016 elections, North Carolina voters approved all transportation referendums, totaling $1.2 billion of additional funding.

The economy of Iowa, one of the Corporation’s most stable markets over the past several years, is highly dependent on agriculture and related manufacturing industries and continues to show signs of steady expansion.  Iowa is the largest corn and pork-producing state in the nation, and the Corporation’s agricultural lime volumes are dependent on, among other things, weather, demand for agricultural commodities, including corn and soybeans, commodity prices, farm and land values as well as funding from the Agricultural Act of 2014, the five-year domestic farm bill signed into law on February 7, 2014.  Ranking sixth in the nation for lowest cost of doing business, the state is attractive for starting and expanding businesses due to enticing tax incentives offered by the state.  Coupled with that fact, the state is expected to be fossil fuel independent by 2050, making primarily wind-based energy production cost-effective, another driver of economic expansion.  With that said, the nonresidential construction market is expected to benefit as expansion continues in the state for companies like Google, Microsoft and Facebook.  Additionally, Alliant Energy Corp., Blue Bunny and MidAmerican Energy have each announced plans to expand or continue to expand facilities in Iowa.  The state’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate of 3.6% remains one of the lowest in the country.  The state DOT budget is financed with federal funds and dedicated highway-user tax revenues; no general funds are used.  State funding will benefit from a $0.10 increase in the gas tax, approved in 2015, which is expected to provide $215 million annually.  Since taking effect in March 2015, the $0.10 tax has generated $335 million through September 2016. The Iowa Transportation Commission’s Five-Year Highway Program forecasts $3.2 billion to be available for highway right-of-way and construction investments for the period 2016 through 2020.  Of this, more than $1.3 billion is targeted for modernizing Iowa’s existing highway system and enhancing highway safety.  

Georgia continues to recover from the Great Recession as evidenced by remaining in the top ten states for job growth and reporting 6% population growth from 2010 to 2016.  Job growth is likely to continue as corporations, including UPS, The Weather Company, Athenahealth and Linde Group, continue to expand in Georgia.  Mercedes-Benz USA released plans for their new $100 million headquarters in Atlanta. The project is scheduled to be built on a 12-acre tract near Sandy Springs and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2018.  The state ranks in the top five in residential construction starts, with notable strength in the Atlanta market, ranking first on a metropolitan level in the United States.  The infrastructure construction market is expanding and will significantly benefit from the passage of a gas tax increase and other funding mechanisms that will add approximately $1 billion, or essentially double, the state’s annual construction budget.  Further, Georgia voters approved five local sales tax increases to provide $4 billion for road and transit projects, spanning a five- to 40-year period.  State highway funding sources include motor fuel taxes, special fuel taxes, state bonds and state gas taxes.  Additionally, the Transportation Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax (“T-SPLOST”) program is starting to provide benefit in the southern part of Georgia.  In January 2016, Governor Nathan Deal announced a comprehensive infrastructure maintenance plan, which includes a $2.2 billion, 18-month project list, and a longer term 10-year plan, representing more than $10 billion in investment.  Some elements of the Governor’s plan include the addition of toll lanes along the I-285 loop in Atlanta, interchange upgrades for I-20 and I-285 and additional capacity of metro sections of I-75, I-85 and GA 400.  The state’s port authority received approval for a 100-acre expansion project of its auto terminal at Port Brunswick.  

25


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Weather Impacts

Erratic weather patterns, seasonal changes and other weather-related conditions can significantly affect the building materials industry. Production and shipment levels for aggregates, cement, ready mixed concrete, asphalt and paving materials correlate with general construction activity, most of which occurs in the spring, summer and fall.  Thus, production and shipment levels vary by quarter.  Operations concentrated in the northern and midwestern United States generally experience more severe winter weather conditions than operations in the Southeast and Southwest.

Excessive rainfall, and conversely excessive drought, can also jeopardize production, shipments and profitability in all markets served by the Corporation.  The last two years have brought an unprecedented amount of precipitation to Texas and other areas of the United States.  In fact, not only did 2015 set a new rainfall record for Texas, the 24-month period ending September 2016 set a new two-year record for the state, with an average annual rainfall of 75 inches.  Parts of Texas were significantly higher than average, including Dallas, which experienced approximately 100 inches of rainfall during this period.  

The Corporation’s operations in the southeastern and Gulf Coast regions of the United States and the Bahamas are at risk for hurricane activity, most notably in August, September and October.  In October 2016, rainfall along the eastern seaboard of the United States from Hurricane Matthew, a category-5 hurricane, approximated 13.6 trillion gallons.   Additionally, Hurricane Matthew was the first major hurricane on record to make landfall in the Bahamas.  

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Cost Structure

 

Top three cost categories represent 55% of the aggregates, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines’ total direct production costs

 

Top three cost categories for the cement product line represent 58% of total direct production costs

 

Health and welfare costs increased approximately 4% per year over past five years compared with national average of 6% over same period; Corporation’s costs expected to increase 4% to 5% in 2017

 

Pension expense decreased from $37.3 million in 2015 to $32.8 million in 2016; pension costs expected to approximate $37.0 million in 2017 (2016 and 2015 amounts exclude nonrecurring termination benefits related to the acquisition of TXI)

Total direct production costs for the aggregates, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines are components of cost of sales incurred at the quarries, distribution yards, and asphalt and ready mixed concrete plants. These costs exclude resale materials, freight expenses to transport materials from a producing quarry to a distribution yard and production overhead.

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Generally, the top seven categories of total direct production costs for the aggregates, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines are (1) labor and related benefits; (2) energy; (3) raw materials; (4) depreciation, depletion and amortization; (5) repairs and maintenance; (6) supplies; and (7) contract services. In 2016, these categories represented 91% of the aggregates, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines’ total direct production costs.

Fixed costs are expenses that do not vary based on production or sales volume. Management estimates that, under normal operating capacity, 40% of the aggregates, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines’ cost of sales is fixed, another 27% is semi-fixed and 33% is variable in nature. Accordingly, the Corporation’s operating leverage can be substantial. Variable costs are expenses that fluctuate with the level of production volume. Production is the key driver in determining the levels of variable costs, as it affects the number of hourly employees and related labor hours. Further, diesel, supplies, repairs and freight costs also increase in connection with higher production volumes.

Generally, when the Corporation invests capital to replace facilities and equipment, increased capacity and productivity, along with reduced repair costs, can offset increased fixed depreciation costs. However, when aggregates demand weakens, the increased productivity and related efficiencies may not be fully realized, resulting in under absorption of fixed costs. Further, the aggregates, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines continue to operate at a level significantly below capacity, thereby, restricting the Corporation’s ability to capitalize $71.3 million and $75.1 million of costs at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which could have been inventoried if operating at capacity.

28


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Diesel fuel, which averaged $1.96 per gallon in 2016 and $2.05 per gallon in 2015, represent s the single largest component of energy costs for the aggregates, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines.  Changes in energy costs also affect the prices that the Corporation pays for supplies, including explosives, conveyor belting and tires. Further, the Corporation’s contracts of affreightment for shipping aggregates on its rail and waterborne distribution network typically include provisions for escalations or reductions in the amounts paid by the Corporation if the price of fuel mov es outside a contractual range.

The cement product line is a capital-intensive operation with high fixed costs to run plants that operate all day, every day, with the exception of maintenance shut downs.  The top cost in cement manufacturing is energy, which represented 22% of total production costs in 2016 and 26% in 2015.  Depreciation and labor followed with 21% and 15%, respectively, of total production costs.

The Corporation also consumes natural gas, coal and petroleum coke in the Magnesia Specialties manufacturing processes. For 2016, the Corporation’s average cost per MCF (thousand cubic feet) for natural gas decreased 25% from 2015.  The Corporation has fixed price agreements for 100% of its 2017 coal needs, approximately 25% of its 2017 natural gas needs and 50% of its 2017 petroleum coke needs.

The Corporation’s ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines require the use of products as raw materials. Liquid asphalt and cement are key raw materials in the production of hot mix asphalt and ready mixed concrete, respectively. Fluctuations in prices for these raw materials directly affect the Corporation’s operating results.

Wage inflation and increases in labor costs may be somewhat mitigated by enhanced productivity in an expanding economy. Further, workforce reductions resulting from plant automation and mobile fleet right-sizing have helped the Corporation control rising labor costs. During economic downturns, the Corporation reviews its operations and, where practical, temporarily idles certain sites. The Corporation is able to serve these markets with other open facilities that are in close proximity. Further, in certain markets, management can create production “super crews” that work at various locations within a district. For example, within a market, a crew may work three days per week at one quarry and the other two workdays at another quarry within that market. This has allowed the Corporation to reduce headcount in periods of lower demand, as the number of full-time employees has been reduced or eliminated at locations that are not operating at full capacity.  The Corporation added 573, 37 and 2,224 employees during 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, as a result of acqusitions.  

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Rising health care costs have affected total labor costs in recent years and are expected to continue to increase. Over the past five years, national health care costs have increased 6% on average. The Corporation has experienced health care cost increases averaging approximately 4% per year over the same period, driven in large part by favorable claims experience and payroll contribution changes made to its health care plans. In 2016, the Corporation’s health and welfare costs per employee were essentially flat compared with the prior year due to adverse claims and a significant claim payment lag in 2015 that did not repeat in 2016.  For 2017, health and welfare costs are expected to increase 4% to 5% (after plan design changes effective in 2017), slightly below general marketplace trends.  While potential changes to the Affordable Care Act may affect the Corporation’s cost in the future, any impact cannot be predicted at this time.

A lower discount rate is expected to increase the Corporation’s pension expense from $32.8 million, excluding TXI-related nonrecurring benefits, in 2016 to $37.0 million in 2017 (see section Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – Pension Expense – Selection of Assumptions ).

The impact of current inflation on the Corporation’s businesses has been less significant due to moderate inflation rates. Historically, the Corporation has achieved real pricing growth in periods of inflation based on its ability to increase its selling prices in a normal economic environment.

Consolidated SG&A costs increased $30.9 million in 2016 compared with 2015. The increase reflects an increase in performance-based incentive compensation expense, which is directly tied to individual and company performance during the year. As a percentage of net sales, SG&A expenses increased 40 basis points to 6.8%.  

Shortfalls in federal, state and local revenues may result in increases in income taxes and other taxes. Federal and state governments may also increase tax rates or eliminate deductions in response to the federal deficit. The Corporation derives a significant tax benefit from the federal depletion deduction (see section Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – Estimated Effective Income Tax Rate ).

There is a risk of long-lived asset impairment at temporarily-idled locations. The timing of increased demand will determine when these locations are reopened. During the time that locations are temporarily idled, the locations’ plant

30


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

and equipment continue to be depreciated. When appropriate, mobile equipment is transferred to and used at an open location. As the Corporation conti nues to have long-term access to the supply of aggregates reserves and useful lives of equipment are extended, these locations are not considered to be impaired while temporarily idled. When temporarily-idled locations are reopened, it is not uncommon for repair costs to temporarily increase.

 

Transportation Exposure

The U.S. Department of the Interior’s geological map of the United States shows the possible sources of indigenous surface rock and illustrates its limited supply in the coastal areas of the United States from Virginia to Texas.

Local crushed stone supplies must be supplemented, or in many cases wholly supplied, from inland and offshore quarries in the coastal regions of the southeastern and southwestern United States. Further, certain interior United States markets may experience limited resources of construction material resulting from increasingly restrictive zoning and permitting laws and regulations.  The Corporation’s strategic focus includes expanding inland and offshore capacity and acquiring distribution yards and port locations to offload transported material. Accordingly, aggregates shipments are moved by rail or water through the Corporation’s long-haul distribution network. In 1994, the Corporation had seven distribution yards. At December 31, 2016, the Corporation had 71 distribution yards. The Corporation’s rail network primarily serves its Texas, Florida and Gulf Coast markets. The Corporation’s Bahamas and Nova Scotia locations transport materials via oceangoing ships. The Corporation is currently focusing a portion of its capital spending program on key distribution yards in the southeastern United States.

As the Corporation moves aggregates by rail and water, internal freight costs reduce profit margins when compared with aggregates moved by truck. Freight costs for aggregates products often equal or exceed the selling price of the underlying aggregates products. The Corporation administers freight costs principally in three ways:

Option 1:

The customer supplies transportation.

Option 2:

The Corporation directly ships aggregates products from a production location to a customer by arranging for a third-party carrier to deliver aggregates and then charging the freight costs to the customer. These freight and delivery revenues and costs are separately presented in the consolidated statements of earnings. Such revenues and costs for the aggregates product line were $192.6 million, $211.3 million and $233.4 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and account for a substantial majority of all such costs.

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Option 3:

The Corporation tra nsports aggregates, either by rail or water, from a production location to a distribution yard at which the selling price includes the associated internal freight cost. These freight costs are included in the aggregates product line’s cost of sales and wer e $231.8 million, $209.6 million and $186.2 million for 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Transportation costs from the distribution yard to the customer are accounted for as described above in options 1 or 2, as applicable.

Further, the long-haul transportation network can diversify market risk for locations that engage in long-haul transportation of their aggregates products. Many locations serve both a local market and transport products via rail and/or water to be sold in other markets. The risk of a downturn in one market may be somewhat mitigated by other markets served by the location.

In 1994, 93% of the Corporation’s aggregates product line shipments were moved by truck and the remainder by rail. In contrast, the originating mode of transportation for the Corporation’s aggregates product line shipments in 2016 was 76% by truck, 20% by rail and 4% by water.  Shipments for cement were predominantly by truck.

The Corporation’s increased dependence on rail shipments has made it more vulnerable to railroad performance issues, including track congestion, crew and power availability, the effects of adverse weather conditions and the ability to renegotiate favorable railroad shipping contracts. Further, in response to these issues, rail transportation providers have focused on increasing the number of cars per unit train under transportation contracts and are generally requiring customers, through the freight rate structure, to accommodate larger unit train movements. A unit train is a freight train moving large tonnages of a single bulk product between two points without intermediate yarding and switching.

Generally, the Corporation does not buy railcars or ships, but instead supports its long-haul distribution network with short- and long-term leases and contracts of affreightment. However, the limited availability of water and rail transportation providers, coupled with limited distribution sites, can adversely affect lease rates for such services and ultimately the freight rate.

The waterborne distribution network increases the Corporation’s exposure to certain risks, including, among other items, meeting minimum tonnage requirements of shipping contracts, demurrage costs, fuel costs, ship availability and weather disruptions. The Corporation’s waterborne transportation is predominately via oceangoing vessels. The Corporation’s average shipping distances from its Bahamas and Nova Scotia locations are 600 miles and 1,200 miles, respectively. Due to the majority of the shipments going to Florida, the weighted-average shipping distances are approximately 30% less than these averages. The Corporation has long-term agreements providing dedicated shipping capacity from its Bahamas and Nova Scotia operations to its coastal ports. These contracts of affreightment are take-or-

32


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

pay contracts with minimum and maximum shipping requirements. If the Corporation fails to ship the annual minimum tonnages under the agreement, it is still obligated to pay the shipping company the contractually-stated minimum amount for tha t year. The Corporation incurred $1.1 million of these freight costs in 2016; a charge is possible in 2017 if shipment volumes do not meet the contractually-stated minimums. The Corporation’s contracts of affreightment have varying expiration dates ranging from 2017 to 2027 and generally contain renewal options. However, there can be no assurance that such contracts can be renewed upon expiration or that terms will continue without significant increases.

Management expects the multiple transportation modes that have been developed with various rail carriers and deep-water ships will provide the Corporation with the flexibility to effectively serve customers in the Southwest and Southeast coastal markets.

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

 

Internal Expansion and Integration of Acquisitions

The Corporation’s capital expansion, acquisition and greensite programs are designed to take advantage of construction market growth through investment in both permanent and portable facilities at the Corporation’s operations. Over an economic cycle, the Corporation will typically invest, on average, organic capital at an annual level that approximates depreciation expense. At mid-cycle and through cyclical peaks, organic capital investment typically exceeds depreciation expense, as the Corporation supports current capacity needs and invests for future capacity growth.  Conversely, at a cyclical trough, the Corporation can reduce levels of capital investment.  Regardless of cycle, the Corporation sets a priority of investing capital to ensure safe, environmentally-sound and efficient operations and to provide the highest quality of customer service and establish a foundation for future growth.  

In the first quarter of 2016, the Corporation acquired the outstanding stock of Rocky Mountain Materials and Asphalt, Inc. and Rocky Mountain Premix, Inc.  The acquisition included four aggregates plants, two asphalt plants and two ready mixed concrete operations, and provides more than 500 million tons of mineral reserves and expands the Corporation’s presence along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, home to 80% of Colorado’s population.

During the third quarter 2016, the Corporation acquired the remaining interest in Ratliff Ready-Mix, L.P. (“Ratliff”), which operates ready mixed concrete plants in central Texas.  Prior to the acquisition, the Corporation owned a 40% interest in Ratliff.  The acquisition of Ratliff enhanced the vertical integration provided by the cement product line.  

The Corporation also acquires contiguous property around existing quarry locations. This property can serve as buffer property or additional mineral reserve capacity, assuming regulatory hurdles can be cleared and the underlying geology supports economical aggregates mining. In either instance, the acquisition of additional property around an existing quarry allows the expansion of the quarry footprint and extension of quarry life. Some locations having limited reserves may be unable to expand.

A long-term capital focus for the Corporation, primarily in the midwestern United States due to the nature of its indigenous aggregates supply, is underground limestone aggregates mines. The Corporation is the largest operator of underground aggregates mines in the United States and operates 14 active underground mines located in the Mid-America Group.  Production costs are generally higher at underground mines than surface quarries since the method of the aggregates recovery and access to the reserves result in higher development, explosives and depreciation costs. However, these locations often possess transportation advantages that can lead to value-added, higher average selling prices than more distant surface quarries.

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

On average, the Corporation’s aggregates reserves exceed 60 years bas ed on normalized production levels and approximate 100 years at current production rates.

 

Magnesia Specialties Business Risks

Through its Magnesia Specialties segment, the Corporation manufactures and markets magnesia-based chemicals products for industrial, agricultural and environmental applications, and dolomitic lime for use primarily in the steel industry. In 2016, 69% of Magnesia Specialties’ net sales were attributable to chemicals products, 30% were attributable to lime and 1% was attributable to stone.

In 2016, 83% of the lime produced was sold to third-party customers, while the remaining 17% was used internally as a raw material for the business’ manufacturing of chemicals products. Dolomitic lime products sold to external customers are primarily used by the steel industry, and overall, 41% of Magnesia Specialties’ 2016 net sales related to products used in the steel industry. Accordingly, a portion of the segment’s revenues and profits is affected by production and inventory trends within the steel industry. These trends are guided by the rate of consumer consumption, the flow of offshore imports and other economic factors. Average steel production in 2016 declined 0.5% versus 2015.  Declining steel utilization and United States dollar strength could adversely affect Magnesia Specialties’ operating results.  

Of Magnesia Specialties’ 2016 total revenues, 18% came from foreign jurisdictions, including Canada, Mexico, Europe, South America and the Pacific Rim. As a result of foreign market sales, financial results could be affected by foreign currency exchange rates, increasing transportation costs or weak economic conditions in the foreign markets. To mitigate the short-term effect of currency exchange rates, the United States dollar is used as the functional currency in foreign transactions.  However, the current strength of the United States dollar in foreign markets is affecting the overall price of Magnesia Specialties’ products when compared to foreign-domiciled competitors.

Given high fixed costs, low capacity utilization can negatively affect the segment’s results of operations. Further, the production of certain magnesia chemical products and lime products requires natural gas, coal and petroleum coke to fuel kilns. Price fluctuations of these fuels affect the segment’s profitability.

The Magnesia Specialties business is highly dependent on rail transportation, particularly for movement of dolomitic lime from Woodville to Manistee and direct customer shipments of dolomitic lime and magnesia chemicals products from both Woodville and Manistee.  The segment can be affected by the risks outlined in Transportation Exposure .  All of Magnesia Specialties’ hourly workforce belongs to a labor union. Union contracts cover hourly employees at the Manistee, Michigan, magnesia-based chemicals plant and the Woodville, Ohio, lime plant. The labor contract for the Woodville and Manistee locations expire in May 2018 and August 2019, respectively.

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Management expects future organic growth to result from increased pricing, rationalization of the current product portfolio and/or further cost reductions. In the current operating environment where steel utilization is at levels close to 70% and the strength of the United States dollar pressures product competitiveness in international markets, any unplanned change in costs or customers introduces volatility to the earnings of the Magnesia Spe cialties segment.

Environmental Regulation and Litigation

The expansion and growth of the aggregates industry is subject to increasing challenges from environmental and political advocates hoping to control the pace and direction of future development. Certain environmental groups have published lists of targeted municipal areas, including areas within the Corporation’s marketplace, for environmental and suburban growth control. The effect of these initiatives on the Corporation’s growth is typically localized. Further challenges are expected as the momentum of these initiatives ebb and flow across the United States. Rail and other transportation alternatives are being heralded by these special-interest groups as solutions to mitigate road traffic congestion and overcrowding.

The Corporation’s operations are subject to and affected by federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the environment, health and safety and other regulatory matters. Certain of the Corporation’s operations may occasionally use substances classified as toxic or hazardous. The Corporation regularly monitors and reviews its operations, procedures and policies for compliance with these laws and regulations. Despite these compliance efforts, risk of environmental liability is inherent in the operation of the Corporation’s businesses, as it is with other companies engaged in similar businesses.

Environmental operating permits are, or may be, required for certain of the Corporation’s operations; such permits are subject to modification, renewal and revocation. New permits are generally required for opening new sites or for expansion at existing operations and can take several years to obtain. In the area of land use, rezoning and special or conditional use permits are increasingly difficult to obtain. Once a permit is issued, the location is required to generally operate in accordance with the approved site plan.

As is the case with other companies in the cement industry, the Corporation’s cement operations produce varying quantities of cement kiln dust (“CKD”).  This production by-product consists of fine-grained, solid, highly alkaline material removed from cement kiln exhaust gas by air pollution control devices.  Because much of the CKD is actually unreacted raw materials, it is generally permissible to recycle the CKD back into the production process, and large amounts are often treated in such manner.  CKD that is not returned to the production process is disposed in landfills.  CKD is currently exempted from federal hazardous waste regulations under Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”).

The Clean Air Act, originally passed in 1963 and periodically updated by amendments, is the United States’ national air pollution control program that granted the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) authority to set limits on the level of various air pollutants. To be in compliance with National Ambient Air Quality Standards (“NAAQS”), a defined geographic area must be below established limits for six pollutants. Environmental groups have been successful in lawsuits against the federal and certain state departments of transportation, delaying highway construction in municipal areas not in compliance with the Clean Air Act. The EPA designates geographic areas as nonattainment areas when the level of air pollutants exceeds the national standard. Nonattainment areas receive deadlines to reduce air pollutants by instituting various control strategies or otherwise face fines or control by the EPA. Included as nonattainment areas are several major metropolitan areas in the Corporation’s markets, such as Houston/Brazoria/Galveston, Texas; Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Boulder, Colorado; Fort Collins/Greeley/Loveland, Colorado; Council Bluffs, Iowa; Atlanta, Georgia; and Indianapolis, Indiana.  Federal transportation funding has been directly tied to compliance with the Clean Air Act.

The EPA includes the lime industry as a national enforcement priority under the Clean Air Act. As part of the industry-wide effort, the EPA issued notices of violation/findings of violation (“NOVs”) to the Corporation in 2010 and 2011 regarding its compliance with the Clean Air Act’s New Source Review (“NSR”) program at its Magnesia Specialties dolomitic lime manufacturing plant in Woodville, Ohio. The Corporation has been providing information to the EPA in

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

response to these NOVs and has had several meetings with the EPA. The Corporation believes it is in substantial compliance with the NSR program. At this time, the Corporation cannot reasonably e stimate what likely penalties or upgrades to equipment might ultimately be required. The Corporation believes that any costs related to any required upgrades to capital equipment will be spread over time and will not have a material adverse effect on the C orporation’s results of operations or its financial condition.

Large emitters (facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more per year) of greenhouse gases (“GHG”) must report GHG generation to comply with the EPA’s Mandatory Greenhouse Gases Reporting Rule (“GHG Rule”). The Corporation files annual reports in accordance with the GHG Rule relating to operations at its Magnesia Specialties facilities in Woodville, Ohio, and Manistee, Michigan, as well as the two cement plants in Texas, each of which emit certain GHG, including carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. If Congress passes legislation on GHG, these operations will likely be subject to the new program. Under President Trump’s new administration, it is unknown whether the EPA is likely to impose additional regulatory restrictions on emissions of GHG. However, the Corporation believes that any increased operating costs or taxes related to GHG emission limitations at its Woodville or cement operations would be passed on to its customers. The Manistee facility may have to absorb extra costs due to the regulation of GHG emissions in order to maintain competitive pricing in its markets. The Corporation cannot reasonably predict how much those increased costs may be.

The Corporation is engaged in certain legal and administrative proceedings incidental to its normal business activities. In the opinion of management and counsel, based upon currently available facts, the likelihood is remote that the ultimate outcome of any litigation or other proceedings, including those pertaining to environmental matters, relating to the Corporation and its subsidiaries, will have a material adverse effect on the overall results of the Corporation’s operations, cash flows or financial position.

FULL-YEAR 2017 OUTLOOK

The Corporation is encouraged by positive trends in the markets it serves and its ability to execute its strategic business plans. Notably:  

 

For the public sector, continued growth is expected in 2017 as new monies begin to flow into the system. FAST Act projects should accelerate through the year, supported by ongoing projects funded through TIFIA. Additionally, state initiatives to finance infrastructure projects, including the state and local ballot initiatives passed over the past 24 months, are expected to grow and continue to play an expanded role in public-sector activity.

 

Nonresidential construction is expected to modestly increase in both the heavy industrial and commercial sectors.  The Dodge Momentum Index is at its highest level since 2009, signaling continued growth. Additional energy-related economic activity, including follow-on public and private construction activity, will be mixed. While $47 billion of new energy-related projects are scheduled to start in 2017 and 2018, the certainty and timing of commencement will affect nonresidential growth.

 

Residential construction is expected to continue to experience growth, driven by employment gains, historically low levels of construction activity over the previous several years, low mortgage rates, significant lot absorption and higher multi-family rental rates.  

Based on these trends and expectations, including a return to more normal weather patterns, the Corporation anticipates the following for the full year:

 

Aggregates end-use markets compared with 2016 levels are as follows:

 

o

Infrastructure market to increase mid-single digits.

 

o

Nonresidential market to increase in the low- to mid-single digits.

 

o

Residential market to increase in the mid- to high-single digits.

 

o

ChemRock/Rail market to remain stable.

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

2017 GUIDANCE

 

(dollars and tons in millions, except per ton)

Low

 

 

High

 

Consolidated Results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated net sales 1

$

3,750

 

 

$

3,950

 

Consolidated gross profit

$

1,000

 

 

$

1,100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SG&A

$

255

 

 

$

265

 

Interest expense

$

85

 

 

$

90

 

Estimated tax rate (excluding discrete events)

 

30

%

 

 

30

%

Capital Expenditures

$

400

 

 

$

500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

$

1,050

 

 

$

1,130

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aggregates Product Line

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volume (total tons) 2

 

165.0

 

 

 

167.0

 

% growth 2

 

4

%

 

 

6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average selling price per ton

$

13.50

 

 

$

13.75

 

% growth

 

5

%

 

 

7

%

 

 

Net sales

$

2,200

 

 

$

2,300

 

Gross profit

$

660

 

 

$

725

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cement Product Line

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

$

380

 

 

$

400

 

Gross profit

$

130

 

 

$

155

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ready Mixed Concrete and Asphalt and Paving Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

$

1,325

 

 

$

1,400

 

Gross profit

$

145

 

 

$

155

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Magnesia Specialties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

$

235

 

 

$

240

 

Gross profit

$

85

 

 

$

90

 

1 Consolidated net sales reflect the elimination of $390 million of interproduct sales.  

2 Represents total aggregates volumes, which includes approximately 11.6 million internal tons. Volume growth ranges are in comparison to total volumes of 158.6 million tons as reported for the full year 2016, which includes 10.4 million internal tons.

38


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Risk s To Outlook

The 2017 outlook includes management’s assessment of the likelihood of certain risks and uncertainties that will affect performance, including but not limited to: both price and volume; the United States Congress’ inability to reach agreement among themselves or with the current Administration on policy issues, including the nature, extent and/or timing of infrastructure funding, that impact the federal budget; the termination, capping and/or reduction of state gasoline tax(es) or other state revenue related to infrastructure construction; the volatility in the commencement of infrastructure projects; a reduction in defense spending, and the subsequent impact on construction activity on or near military bases; a decline in nonresidential construction; a further decline in energy-related construction activity resulting from a sustained period of low global oil prices or changes in oil production patterns in response to this decline and certain regulatory or other economic factors; a slowdown in the residential construction recovery; a reduction in economic activity in the Corporation’s Midwest states resulting from reduced funding levels provided by the Agricultural Act of 2014 and a sustained reduction in capital investment by the railroads; an increase in the cost of compliance with governmental laws, rules and regulations; construction labor shortages; and unexpected equipment failures, unscheduled maintenance, industrial accident or other prolonged and/or significant disruption to its cement and/or its Magnesia Specialties production facilities.  Cement is subject to cyclical supply and demand and price fluctuations.  The Magnesia Specialties business essentially runs at capacity; therefore any unplanned changes in costs or realignment of customers introduce volatility to the earnings of this segment.

The Corporation’s principal business serves customers in aggregates-related construction markets.  This concentration could increase the risk of potential losses on customer receivables; however, payment bonds normally posted on public projects, together with lien rights on private projects, mitigate the risk of uncollectible receivables.  The level of aggregates demand in the Corporation’s end-use markets, production levels and the management of production costs will affect the operating leverage of the Building Materials business and, therefore, profitability.  Production costs in the Building Materials business are also sensitive to energy and raw material prices, both directly and indirectly.  Diesel fuel and other consumables change production costs directly through consumption or indirectly by increased energy-related input costs, such as steel, explosives, tires and conveyor belts.  Fluctuating diesel fuel pricing also affects transportation costs, primarily through fuel surcharges in the Corporation’s long-haul distribution network.  Additionally, fluctuation in the price of coal affects costs in the cement product line.  The Magnesia Specialties business is sensitive to changes in domestic steel capacity utilization as well as the absolute price and fluctuation in the cost of natural gas.

Transportation in the Corporation’s long-haul network, particularly the supply of rail cars and locomotive power and condition of rail infrastructure to move trains, affects the Corporation’s efficient transportation of aggregates into certain markets, most notably Texas, Colorado, Florida and the Gulf Coast.  In addition, availability of rail cars and locomotives affects the Corporation’s movement of essential dolomitic lime for magnesia chemicals, to both the Corporation’s plant in Manistee, Michigan, and customers.  The availability of trucks, drivers and railcars to transport the Corporation’s product, particularly in markets experiencing high growth and increased demand, is also a risk and pressures the associated costs.  

All of the Corporation’s businesses are also subject to weather-related risks that can significantly affect production schedules and profitability.  The first and fourth quarters are most adversely affected by winter weather.  Hurricane activity in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Coast generally is most active during the third and fourth quarters. In fact, in early October 2016, Hurricane Matthew generated winds and significant amounts of rainfall disrupting operations in the Bahamas, Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.  However, after hurricane-related flood waters recede, management expects an increase in construction activity as roads, homes and businesses are repaired.

Risks to the outlook also include shipment declines resulting from economic events beyond the Corporation’s control.  In addition to the impact on nonresidential and residential construction, the Corporation is exposed to risk in its estimated outlook from interest cost related to its variable-rate debt.

The Corporation’s future performance is also exposed to risks from tax reform at the federal and state levels.

For a discussion of additional risks, see Forward-Looking Statements – Safe Harbor Provisions .

39


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Other Financial Inform ation

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Corporation’s audited consolidated financial statements include certain critical estimates regarding the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. These estimates require management’s subjective and complex judgments. Amounts reported in the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements could differ materially if management used different assumptions in making these estimates, resulting in actual results differing from those estimates. Methodologies used and assumptions selected by management in making these estimates, as well as the related disclosures, have been reviewed by and discussed with the Corporation’s Audit Committee. Management’s determination of the critical nature of accounting estimates and judgments may change from time to time depending on facts and circumstances that management cannot currently predict.

Business Combinations – Allocation of Purchase Price

The Corporation’s Board of Directors and management regularly review strategic long-term plans, including potential investments in value-added acquisitions of related or similar businesses, which would increase the Corporation’s market share and/or are related to the Corporation’s existing markets.  When an acquisition is completed, the Corporation’s consolidated statements of earnings include the operating results of the acquired business starting from the date of acquisition, which is the date control is obtained.  The purchase price is determined based on the fair value of assets and equity interests given to the seller and any future obligations to the seller as of the date of acquisition.  Additionally, conversion of the seller’s equity awards into equity awards of the Corporation can affect the purchase price.  The Corporation allocates the purchase price to the fair values of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed as valued at the date of acquisition.  Goodwill is recorded for the excess of the purchase price over the net of the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date.  The purchase price allocation is a critical accounting policy because the estimation of fair values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities is judgmental and requires various assumptions.  Further, the amounts and useful lives assigned to depreciable and amortizable assets versus amounts assigned to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, which are not amortized, can significantly affect the results of operations in the period of and for periods subsequent to a business combination.  

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction, and, therefore, represents an exit price.  A fair-value measurement assumes the highest and best use of the asset by market participants, considering the use of the asset that is physically possible, legally permissible, and financially feasible at the measurement date.  The Corporation assigns the highest level of fair value available to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the following options:

 

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities

 

Level 2 – Observable inputs, other than quoted prices, for similar assets or liabilities in active markets

 

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs are used to value the asset or liability which includes the use of valuation models

Level 1 fair values are used to value investments in publicly-traded entities and assumed obligations for publicly-traded long-term debt.

Level 2 fair values are typically used to value acquired receivables, inventories, machinery and equipment, land, buildings, deferred income tax assets and liabilities, and accruals for payables, asset retirement obligations, environmental remediation and compliance obligations, and contingencies.  Additionally, Level 2 fair values are typically used to value assumed contracts at other-than-market rates.  

Level 3 fair values are used to value acquired mineral reserves and mineral interests produced and sold as final products, and separately-identifiable intangible assets.  The fair values of mineral reserves and mineral interests are determined using an excess earnings approach, which requires management to estimate future cash flows, net of capital investments in the specific operation and contributory asset charges.  The estimate of future cash flows is based on

40


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

available historical information and future expectations and assumptions determined by management, but is inherently uncertain.  Key assumptions in estimating future cash f lows include sales price, shipment volumes, production costs and capital needs.  The present value of the projected net cash flows represents the fair value assigned to mineral reserves and mineral interests.  The discount rate is a significant assumption used in the valuation model and is based on the required rate of return that a hypothetical market participant would require if purchasing the acquired business, with an adjustment for the risk of these assets not generating the projected cash flows.

The Corporation values separately-identifiable acquired intangible assets which may include, but are not limited to, permits, customer relationships, water rights and noncompetition agreements.  The fair values of these assets are typically determined by an excess earnings method, a replacement cost method or, in the case of water rights, a market approach.  

The useful lives of amortizable intangible assets and the remaining useful lives for acquired machinery and equipment have a significant impact on earnings.  The selected lives are based on the expected periods that the assets will provide value to the Corporation subsequent to the business combination.

The Corporation may adjust the amounts recognized for a business combination during a measurement period after the acquisition date.  Any such adjustments are based on the Corporation obtaining additional information that existed at the acquisition date regarding the assets acquired or the liabilities assumed.  Measurement-period adjustments are generally recorded as increases or decreases to the goodwill recognized in the transaction.  The measurement period ends once the Corporation has obtained all necessary information that existed as of the acquisition date, but does not extend beyond one year from the date of acquisition.  Any adjustments to assets acquired or liabilities assumed beyond the measurement period are recorded through earnings.

Impairment Review of Goodwill

Goodwill is required to be tested annually for impairment.  An interim review is performed between annual tests if facts and circumstances indicate a potential impairment may exist.  The impairment review of goodwill is a critical accounting estimate because goodwill represents 30% of the Corporation’s total assets at December 31, 2016.  Further, the review requires management to apply judgment and make assumptions which may result in an impairment charge that could be material to the Corporation’s financial condition and results of operations.  The Corporation performs its impairment evaluation as of October 1, which represents the annual evaluation date.  

The Corporation’s reporting units, which represent the level at which goodwill is tested for impairment, are based on the operating segments of the Building Materials business.  There is no goodwill related to the Magnesia Specialties business.  Prior to the January 1, 2017 reorganization discussed in the Introductory Overview section, the reporting units were as follows:  

 

Mid-Atlantic Division , which includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland and Virginia;

 

Mideast Division , which includes Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia;

 

Midwest Division, which includes Iowa, northern Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, eastern Nebraska and Washington;

 

Southeast Division , which includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and offshore operations in the Bahamas and Nova Scotia;

 

Rocky Mountain Division, which includes Colorado, western Nebraska, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming;

 

Southwest Division , which includes Arkansas, southern Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas; and

 

Cement Division.

Certain of the aforementioned reporting units within the Building Materials business meet the aggregation criteria and are consolidated as reportable segments for financial reporting purposes.  

41


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Goodwill is assigned to the respective reporting unit(s) based on the location of acquisitions at the time of consummation.  Goodwill is tested for impairment by comparing the reporting unit’s fair value to its carrying value, which represents Step 1 of a two-step approach.  However, prior to Step 1, the Corporation may perform an optional qualitat ive assessment.  As part of the qualitative assessment, the Corporation considers, among other things, the following events and circumstances: macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, overall financial performance and other b usiness- or reporting unit-specific events.  If the Corporation concludes it is more-likely-than-not (i.e., a likelihood of more than 50%) that a reporting unit’s fair value is higher than its carrying value, the Corporation does not perform any further go odwill impairment testing for that reporting unit.  Otherwise, it proceeds to Step 1 of its goodwill impairment analysis.  The Corporation may bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly with the quantitative calculation in Step 1.  When the Corporation validates its conclusion by measuring fair value, it may resume performing a qualitative assessment for a reporting unit in any subsequent period. If the reporting unit’s fair value exceeds its carrying value, no further calculation is necessary.  A reporting unit with a carrying value in excess of its fair value constitutes a Step 1 failure and leads to an impairment charge.  The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) recently issued an accounting standa rds update simplifying the calculation of the impairment charge.  Step 2 of the analysis, which was used to determine the amount of impairment, was removed.  Instead, the impairment charge will be calculated as the excess of the carrying value over fair va lue.  The accounting update is effective for impairment tests performed after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted.

In 2016, the Corporation performed a Step-1 analysis for all reporting units.  The Step-1 analysis for the aggregates, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines’ reporting units was performed to update the fair values, as the Corporation had performed a qualitative assessment for the previous evaluation.  The Cement Division reporting unit was acquired in 2014, and a Step-1 analysis was performed again in 2016.  The fair values were calculated using a discounted cash flow model.  Key assumptions included management’s estimates of future profitability, capital requirements, discount rates ranging from 10.0% to 10.5% and a terminal growth rate of 2.5%.  Each of the aggregates, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines’ reporting units passed the Step-1 analysis by a significant margin.  The fair value of the Cement Division reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by 10%, or $163 million.  For sensitivity purposes, a 100-basis-point increase in the discount rate, holding all other assumptions constant, would result in the Cement Division reporting unit failing the Step-1 analysis.  The Cement Division reporting unit had $865 million of goodwill at December 31, 2016.

Price, cost and volume changes, profitability, efficiency improvements, the discount rate and the terminal growth rate are significant assumptions in performing a Step-1 analysis.  These assumptions are interdependent and have a significant impact on the results of the test.

Future profitability and capital requirements are, by their nature, estimates.  Price, cost and volume assumptions were based on current forecasts, including the use of external sources, and market conditions.  Capital requirements included maintenance-level needs, efficiency projects and known capacity-increasing initiatives.

A discount rate is calculated for each reporting unit that requires a Step-1 analysis and represents its weighted average cost of capital.  The calculation of the discount rate includes the following components, which are primarily based on published sources:  equity risk premium, historical beta, risk-free interest rate, small-stock premium, company-specific premium and borrowing rate.

The terminal growth rate was based on the projected annual increase in Gross Domestic Product.

Management believes that all assumptions used were reasonable based on historical operating results and expected future trends.  However, if future operating results are unfavorable as compared with forecasts, the results of future goodwill impairment evaluations could be negatively affected.  Further, mineral reserves, which represent underlying assets producing the reporting units’ cash flows for the aggregates product line, are depleting assets by their nature.  The potential write off of goodwill from future evaluations represents a risk to the Corporation.

42


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Pension Expense-Selection of Assumptions

The Corporation sponsors noncontributory defined benefit pension plans that cover substantially all employees and a Supplemental Excess Retirement Plan (“SERP”) for certain retirees (see Note J to the audited consolidated financial statements).  Annual pension expense (inclusive of SERP expense) consists of several components:

 

Service Cost, which represents the present value of benefits attributed to services rendered in the current year, measured by expected future salary levels.

 

Interest Cost, which represents one year’s additional interest on the outstanding liability.

 

Expected Return on Assets, which represents the expected investment return on pension fund assets.

 

Amortization of Prior Service Cost and Actuarial Gains and Losses, which represents components that are recognized over time rather than immediately.  Prior service cost represents credit given to employees for years of service prior to plan inception.  Actuarial gains and losses arise from changes in assumptions regarding future events or when actual returns on assets differ from expected returns.  At December 31, 2016, unrecognized actuarial loss and unrecognized prior service cost were $218.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively.  Pension accounting rules currently allow companies to amortize the portion of the unrecognized actuarial loss that represents more than 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or pension plan assets, using the average remaining service life for the amortization period.  Therefore, the $218.1 million unrecognized actuarial loss consists of $134.9 million currently subject to amortization in 2017 and $83.2 million not subject to amortization in 2017.  $14.1 million of amortization of the actuarial loss is estimated to be a component of 2017 annual pension expense.

These components are calculated annually to determine the pension expense reflected in the Corporation’s results of operations.  

Management believes the selection of assumptions related to the annual pension expense is a critical accounting estimate due to the high degree of volatility in the expense dependent on selected assumptions.  The key assumptions are as follows:

 

The discount rate is used to present value the pension obligation and represents the current rate at which the pension obligations could be effectively settled.  

 

The expected long-term rate of return on pension fund assets is used to estimate future asset returns and should reflect the average rate of long-term earnings on assets invested to provide for the benefits included in the projected benefit obligation.

 

The mortality table represents published statistics on the expected lives of people.

 

The rate of increase in future compensation levels is also a key assumption that projects the pay-related pension benefit formula and should estimate actual future compensation levels.

Management’s selection of the discount rate is based on an analysis that estimates the current rate of return for high-quality, fixed-income investments with maturities matching the payment of pension benefits that could be purchased to settle the obligations.  The Corporation selected a hypothetical portfolio of Moody’s Aa bonds, with maturities that mirror the benefit obligations, to determine the discount rate.  At December 31, 2016, the Corporation selected a discount rate assumption of 4.29%, a 38-basis-point decrease from the prior-year assumption.  Of the four key assumptions, the discount rate is generally the most volatile and sensitive estimate.  Accordingly, a change in this assumption has the most significant impact on the annual pension expense.  

Management’s selection of the rate of increase in future compensation levels is generally based on the Corporation’s historical salary increases, including cost of living adjustments and merit and promotion increases, giving

43


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

consideration to any known future trends.  A higher rate of increase results in higher pension expense.  The assumed long-term rate of increase of 4. 5% is consistent with the prior year’s assumption.

Management’s selection of the expected long-term rate of return on pension fund assets is based on a building-block approach, whereby the components are weighted based on the allocation of pension plan assets.  Given that these returns are long-term, there are generally not significant fluctuations in the expected rate of return from year to year.  Based on the currently projected returns on these assets and related expenses, the Corporation selected an expected return on assets of 6.75%, a 25-basis-point decrease from the prior-year rate.  The following table presents the expected return on pension assets as compared with the actual return on pension assets:

(add 000)

 

Expected Return on Pension Assets

 

Actual Return on Pension Assets

2016

 

$37,699

 

$35,432

2015

 

$36,385

 

$   (651)

2014

 

$32,661

 

$26,186

The difference between expected return on pension assets and the actual return on pension assets is not immediately recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings.  Rather, pension accounting rules require the difference to be included in actuarial gains and losses, which are amortized into annual pension expense as previously described.

The Corporation estimates the remaining lives of participants in the pension plans using the Society of Actuaries’ RP-2014 Base Mortality Table.  The no-collar table was used for salaried participants and the blue-collar table, reflecting the experience of the Corporation’s participants, was used for hourly participants.  The Corporation selected the MP-2016 scale for mortality improvement.

Assumptions are selected on December 31 to calculate the succeeding year’s expense.  For the 2016 pension expense, assumptions selected at December 31, 2015 were as follows:

Discount rate      4.67%

Rate of increase in future compensation levels 4.50%

Expected long-term rate of return on assets 7.00%

Average remaining service period for participants     10 years

Mortality Tables:

Base Table RP-2014

Mortality Improvement Scale BB-2D

Using these assumptions, 2016 pension expense was $33.7 million.  A change in the assumptions would have had the following impact on 2016 expense:

 

A change of 25 basis points in the discount rate would have changed 2016 expense by approximately $3.2 million.

 

A change of 25 basis points in the expected long-term rate of return on assets would have changed the 2016 expense by approximately $1.3 million.

For 2017 pension expense, assumptions selected at December 31, 2016 were as follows:

Discount rate      4.29%

Rate of increase in future compensation levels 4.50%

Expected long-term rate of return on assets 6.75%

44


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Average remaining service period for participants 10 years

Mortality Tables:

Base Table RP-2014

Mortality Improvement Scale MP-2016

Using these assumptions, 2017 pension expense is expected to be approximately $37.0 million based on current demographics and structure of the plans.  Changes in the underlying assumptions would have the following estimated impact on the 2017 expected expense:

 

A change of 25 basis points in the discount rate would change the 2017 expected expense by approximately $3.6 million.

 

A change of 25 basis points in the expected long-term rate of return on assets would change the 2017 expected expense by approximately $1.5 million.  

The Corporation made pension plan contributions of $44.8 million in 2016 and $186.7 million for the five-year period ended December 31, 2016.  Despite these contributions, the Corporation’s pension plans are underfunded (projected benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of plan assets) by $235.6 million at December 31, 2016.  The Corporation’s projected benefit obligation was $831.8 million at December 31, 2016, an increase of $77.3 million over the prior year, driven by the lower discount rate.  The Corporation expects to make pension plan and SERP contributions of $32.5 million in 2017.

Estimated Effective Income Tax Rate

The Corporation uses the liability method to determine its provision for income taxes.  Accordingly, the annual provision for income taxes reflects estimates of the current liability for income taxes, estimates of the tax effect of financial reporting versus tax basis differences using statutory income tax rates and management’s judgment with respect to any valuation allowances on deferred tax assets.  The result is management’s estimate of the annual effective tax rate (the “ETR”).  

Income for tax purposes is determined through the application of the rules and regulations under the United States Internal Revenue Code and the statutes of various foreign, state and local tax jurisdictions in which the Corporation conducts business.  Changes in the statutory tax rates and/or tax laws in these jurisdictions can have a material effect on the ETR.  The effect of these changes, if any, is recognized when the change is enacted.  

As prescribed by these tax regulations, as well as generally accepted accounting principles, the manner in which revenues and expenses are recognized for financial reporting and income tax purposes is not always the same.  Therefore, these differences between the Corporation’s pretax income for financial reporting purposes and the amount of taxable income for income tax purposes are treated as either temporary or permanent, depending on their nature.

Temporary differences reflect revenues or expenses that are recognized in financial reporting in one period and taxable income in a different period.  An example of a temporary difference is the use of the straight-line method of depreciation of machinery and equipment for financial reporting purposes and the use of an accelerated method for income tax purposes.  Temporary differences result from differences between the financial reporting basis and tax basis of assets or liabilities and give rise to deferred tax assets or liabilities (i.e., future tax deductions or future taxable income).  Therefore, when temporary differences occur, they are offset by a corresponding change in a deferred tax account.  As such, total income tax expense as reported in the Corporation’s consolidated statements of earnings is not changed by temporary differences.  

The Corporation has deferred tax liabilities, primarily for property, plant and equipment and goodwill.  The deferred tax liabilities attributable to property, plant and equipment relate to accelerated depreciation and depletion methods used for income tax purposes as compared with the straight-line and units of production methods used for financial reporting

45


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

purposes.  These temporary differences will reverse over the remaining useful lives of the related assets.  The deferred tax liabilities attributable to goodwill arise as a result of amortizing goodwill for income tax purposes but not for financial reporting purposes.  This temporary difference reverses when goodwill is written off for financial reporting purposes, either through divestitures or an impairment charge.  The timing of such events cannot be estimated.

The Corporation has deferred tax assets, primarily for unvested stock-based compensation awards, employee pension and postretirement benefits, valuation reserves, inventories, net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards.  The deferred tax assets attributable to unvested stock-based compensation awards relate to differences in the timing of deductibility for financial reporting purposes versus income tax purposes.  For financial reporting purposes, the fair value of the awards is deducted ratably over the requisite service period.  For income tax purposes, no deduction is allowed until the award is vested or no longer subject to substantial risk of forfeiture.  Deferred tax assets are carried on stock options that have exercise prices in excess of the closing price of the Corporation’s common stock at December 31, 2016.  If these options expire without being exercised, the deferred tax assets are written off by reducing the pool of excess tax benefits to the extent available and expensing any excess.  Beginning January 1, 2017, the Corporation will record all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as income tax expense or benefit as a discrete event in the period in which the award vests or settles, increasing volatility in the income tax rate from period to period.  The deferred tax assets attributable to employee pension and postretirement benefits relate to deductions as plans are funded for income tax purposes compared with deductions for financial reporting purposes based on accounting standards.  The reversal of these differences depends on the timing of the Corporation’s contributions to the related benefit plans as compared to the annual expense for financial reporting purposes.  The deferred tax assets attributable to valuation reserves and inventories relate to the deduction of estimated cost reserves and various period expenses for financial reporting purposes that are deductible in a later period for income tax purposes.  The reversal of these differences depends on facts and circumstances, including the timing of deduction for income tax purposes for reserves previously established and the establishment of additional reserves for financial reporting purposes.  At December 31, 2016, the Corporation had state net operating loss carryforwards of $220.5 million with varying expiration dates through 2036 and related state deferred tax assets of $10.5 million.  The Corporation recorded a valuation allowance of $8.3 million for these deferred tax assets based on the uncertainty of generating future taxable income in the respective jurisdictions during the limited period that the net operating loss carryforwards can be utilized under state statutes.  The Corporation utilized total federal net operating loss carryforwards of $33.9 million in 2016.  The Corporation had domestic state tax credit carryforwards of $1.4 million, for which a valuation allowance of $0.2 million was recorded at December 31, 2016.  Additionally, the Corporation had alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) credit carryforwards of $17.2 million.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Net property, plant and equipment represent 47% of total assets at December 31, 2016. Accordingly, accounting for these assets represents a critical accounting policy. Useful lives of the assets can vary depending on factors, including production levels, geographic location, portability and maintenance practices. Additionally, climate and inclement weather can reduce the useful life of an asset. Historically, the Corporation has not recognized significant losses on the disposal or retirement of fixed assets.

The Corporation evaluates aggregates reserves, including aggregates reserves used in the cement manufacturing process, in several ways, depending on the geology at a particular location and whether the location is a potential new site (greensite), an acquisition or an existing operation.  Greensites require an extensive drilling program before any significant investment is made in terms of time, site development or efforts to obtain appropriate zoning and permitting (see section Environmental Regulation and Litigation ).  The depth of overburden and the quality and quantity of the aggregates reserves are significant factors in determining whether to pursue opening the site.  Further, the estimated average selling price for products in a market is also a significant factor in concluding that reserves are economically mineable.  If the Corporation’s analysis based on these factors is satisfactory, the total aggregates reserves available are calculated and a determination is made whether to open the location.  Reserve evaluation at existing locations is typically performed to evaluate purchasing adjoining properties, for quality control, calculating overburden volumes and

46


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

for mine planning.  Reserve evaluation of acquisitions may require a higher degree of sampling to locate any problem areas that may exist and to verify the total reserves.  

Well-ordered subsurface sampling of the underlying deposit is basic to determining reserves at any location.  This subsurface sampling usually involves one or more types of drilling, determined by the nature of the material to be sampled and the particular objective of the sampling.  The Corporation’s objectives are to ensure that the underlying deposit meets aggregates specifications and the total reserves on site are sufficient for mining and economically recoverable.  Locations underlain with hard rock deposits, such as granite and limestone, are drilled using the diamond core method, which provides the most useful and accurate samples of the deposit.  Selected core samples are tested for soundness, abrasion resistance and other physical properties relevant to the aggregates industry and depending on its use.  The number and depth of the holes are determined by the size of the site and the complexity of the site-specific geology.  Some geological factors that may affect the number and depth of holes include faults, folds, chemical irregularities, clay pockets, thickness of formations and weathering.  A typical spacing of core holes on the area to be tested is one hole for every four acres, but wider spacing may be justified if the deposit is homogeneous.  

Despite previous drilling and sampling, once accessed, the quality of reserves within a deposit can vary.  Construction contracts, for the infrastructure market in particular, include specifications related to the aggregates material.  If a flaw in the deposit is discovered, the aggregates material may not meet the required specifications.  This can have an adverse effect on the Corporation’s ability to serve certain customers or on the Corporation’s profitability.  In addition, other issues can arise that limit the Corporation’s ability to access reserves in a particular quarry, including geological occurrences, blasting practices and zoning issues.

Locations underlain with sand and gravel are typically drilled using the auger method, whereby a 6-inch corkscrew brings up material from below the ground which is then sampled.  Deposits in these locations are typically limited in thickness, and the quality and sand-to-gravel ratio of the deposit can vary both horizontally and vertically.  Hole spacing at these locations is approximately one hole for every acre to ensure a representative sampling.

The geologist conducting the reserve evaluation makes the decision as to the number of holes and the spacing in accordance with standards and procedures established by the Corporation.  Further, the anticipated heterogeneity of the deposit, based on U.S. geological maps, also dictates the number of holes used.

The generally accepted reserve categories for the aggregates industry and the designations the Corporation uses for reserve categories are summarized as follows:

Proven Reserves – These reserves are designated using closely spaced drill data as described above and a determination by a professional geologist that the deposit is relatively homogeneous based on the drilling results and exploration data provided in U.S. geologic maps, the U.S. Department of Agriculture soil maps, aerial photographs and/or electromagnetic, seismic or other surveys conducted by independent geotechnical engineering firms.  The proven reserves that are recorded reflect reductions incurred as a result of quarrying that result from leaving ramps, safety benches, pillars (underground) and the fines (small particles) that will be generated during processing.  Proven reserves are further reduced by reserves that are under the plant and stockpile areas, as well as setbacks from neighboring property lines.  The Corporation typically assumes a loss factor of 25%.  However, the assumed loss factor at coastal operations is approximately 40% due to the nature of the material.  The assumed loss factor for underground operations is 35% primarily due to pillars.

Probable Reserves – These reserves are inferred utilizing fewer drill holes and/or assumptions about the economically recoverable reserves based on local geology or drill results from adjacent properties.

The Corporation’s proven and probable reserves reflect reasonable economic and operating constraints as to maximum depth of overburden and stone excavation, and also include reserves at the Corporation’s inactive and undeveloped sites, including some sites where permitting and zoning applications will not be filed until warranted by expected future growth.  The Corporation has historically been successful in obtaining and maintaining appropriate zoning and permitting (see section Environmental Regulation and Litigation ).

47


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Mineral reserves and mineral interests, when acquired in connection with a business combination, are valued using an excess earnings approach for the life of the proven and probable reserves.

The Corporation uses proven and probable reserves as the denominator in its units-of-production calculation to record depletion expense for its mineral reserves and mineral interests.  During 2016, depletion expense was $15.9 million.

The Corporation begins capitalizing quarry development costs at a point when reserves are determined to be proven or probable, economically mineable and when demand supports investment in the market.  Capitalization of these costs ceases when production commences.  Quarry development costs are classified as land improvements.

New mining areas may be developed at existing quarries in order to access additional reserves.  When this occurs, management reviews the facts and circumstances of each situation in making a determination as to the appropriateness of capitalizing or expensing the related pre-production development costs.  If the additional mining location operates in a separate and distinct area of a quarry, the costs are capitalized as quarry development costs and depreciated over the life of the uncovered reserves.  Further, a separate asset retirement obligation is created for additional mining areas when the liability is incurred.  Once a new mining area enters the production phase, all post-production stripping costs are expensed as incurred as periodic inventory production costs.

Inventory Standards

The Corporation values its finished goods inventories under the first-in, first-out methodology using standard costs. For quarries, standards are developed using production costs for a twelve-month period, in addition to complying with the principle of lower of cost or net realizable value, and adjusting, if necessary, for normal capacity levels and abnormal costs. In addition to production costs, standards for distribution yards include a freight component for the cost of transporting the inventory from a quarry to the distribution yard and materials handling costs. Pre-operating start-up costs are expensed as incurred and not capitalized as part of inventory costs. In periods in which production costs, in particular, energy costs, and/or production volumes have changed significantly from the prior period, the revision of standards can have a significant impact on the Corporation’s operating results (see section Cost Structure ).

Standard costs for the aggregates product lines are recalculated on a quarterly basis to match finished goods inventory values with changes in production costs and production volumes.

Liquidity and Cash Flows

Operating Activities

The Corporation’s primary source of liquidity during the past three years has been cash generated from its operating activities. Operating cash flow is substantially derived from consolidated net earnings, before deducting depreciation, depletion and amortization, and offset by working capital requirements. Cash provided by operations was $689.2 million in 2016, $580.6 million in 2015 and $385.9 million in 2014. The increases in 2016 and 2015 were primarily attributable to higher earnings before depreciation, depletion and amortization expense.  

48


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization were as follows:

 

years ended December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Depreciation

 

$

253,028

 

 

$

232,527

 

 

$

200,242

 

Depletion

 

 

15,907

 

 

 

14,347

 

 

 

11,000

 

Amortization

 

 

16,318

 

 

 

16,713

 

 

 

11,504

 

Total

 

$

285,253

 

 

$

263,587

 

 

$

222,746

 

 

The increase in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense in 2016 is primarily due to the Medina Rock and Rail capital project, which was completed at the end of 2015.  The increase in 2015 is primarily attributable to the TXI acquisition on July 1, 2014.

Investing Activities

Net cash used for investing activities was $555.3 million in 2016 and $49.3 million in 2014 and net cash provided by investing activities was $88.5 million in 2015.

Property, plant and equipment capitalized by reportable segment, excluding acquisitions, was as follows:

 

years ended December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Mid-America Group

 

$

150,490

 

 

$

73,255

 

 

$

75,253

 

Southeast Group

 

 

30,588

 

 

 

12,155

 

 

 

22,135

 

West Group

 

 

204,495

 

 

 

208,169

 

 

 

116,858

 

Total Building Materials Business

 

 

385,573

 

 

 

293,579

 

 

 

214,246

 

Magnesia Specialties

 

 

8,944

 

 

 

8,916

 

 

 

2,588

 

Corporate

 

 

9,031

 

 

 

15,737

 

 

 

15,349

 

Total

 

$

403,548

 

 

$

318,232

 

 

$

232,183

 

49


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

In 2016, the increase in capital spending in the Mid-America Group is primarily due to the purchase of land in South Carolina and mobile equipment.  Increased capital spending in 2015 and 2014 for the West Group is attributabl e to investments in the legacy TXI locations and the construction of the new Medina limestone quarry near San Antonio, the largest internal capital project in the Corporation’s history.

The Corporation paid cash of $178.8 million, $43.2 million and $0.2 million for acquisitions in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  

Proceeds from divestitures and sales of assets were $6.5 million in 2016, $448.1 million in 2015 and $122.0 million in 2014.  This pretax cash is generated from the sales of surplus land and equipment.  In 2015, the amount also reflects the divestiture of the California cement operations.  In 2014, the proceeds reflect the required sale of an aggregates quarry in Oklahoma and two rail yards in Texas as a result of an agreement between the Corporation and the U.S. Department of Justice as part of its review of the TXI business combination.

Financing Activities

The Corporation used $252.3 million, $609.4 million and $270.3 million of cash for financing activities during 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Net borrowings of long-term debt in 2016 were $110.7 million and net repayments of long-term debt were $14.7 million and $188.5 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively.  As discussed in Note G of the audited consolidated financial statements, on December 5, 2016, the Corporation entered into a credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) with a syndication of lenders, which provides a $700 million five-year senior unsecured revolving facility (the “Revolving Facility”) and expires December 5, 2021.  The Revolving Facility replaced the existing credit agreement at that time.  The Corporation paid $2.3 million of debt issuance costs related to the facility.

During 2016, the Corporation repurchased 1.6 million shares for a total cost of $259.2 million, or $163.24 per share.  3.3 million shares were repurchased during 2015 for a total cost of $520.0 million, or $158.28 per share.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Board of Directors approved total cash dividends on the Corporation’s common stock of $1.64 per share. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the approved total cash dividends was $1.60 per share for each year. Total cash dividends were $105.0 million in 2016, $107.5 million in 2015 and $91.3 million in 2014.

Cash provided by issuances of common stock, which represents the exercises of stock options, was $21.3 million, $37.1 million and $39.7 million in 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

During 2014, the Corporation acquired the remaining interests in two joint ventures in separate transactions for $19.5 million.

Capital Structure and Resources

Long-term debt, including current maturities, was $1.686 billion at the end of 2016. The Corporation’s debt was principally in the form of publicly-issued long-term notes and debentures and $340 million of borrowings under variable-rate credit facilities at December 31, 2016.

On September 28, 2016, t he Corporation, through a wholly-owned special-purpose subsidiary, amended its trade receivable securitization facility (the “Trade Receivable Facility”) to increase the borrowing capacity from $250 million to $300 million and extend the maturity to September 27, 2017.   The Trade Receivable Facility is backed by eligible trade receivables, as defined.  Borrowings are limited to the lesser of the facility limit or the borrowing base, as defined, of $333.3 million at December 31, 2016.  These receivables are originated by the Corporation and then sold or contributed to the wholly-owned special-purpose subsidiary by the Corporation.   The Corporation con tinues to be responsible for the servicing and administration of the receivables purchased by the wholly-owned special-purpose subsidiary .   The Trade Receivable Facility contains a cross-default provision to the Corporation’s other debt agreements.

50


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

The Revolving Facility requires the Corporation’s ratio of consolidated debt-to-consolidated EBITDA, as defined by the Credit Agreement, for the trailing-twelve month period (the “Ratio”) to not e xceed 3.5x as of the end of any fiscal quarter, provided that the Corporation may exclude from the Ratio debt incurred in connection with certain acquisitions during the quarter or the three preceding quarters so long as the Ratio calculated without such e xclusion does not exceed 3.75x.  Additionally, under the Credit Agreement, if there are no amounts outstanding under the Revolving Facility and Trade Receivable Facility, consolidated debt, including debt for which the Corporation is a co-borrower, will be reduced for purposes of the covenant calculation by the Corporation’s unrestricted cash and cash equivalents in excess of $50 million, such reduction not to exceed $200 million.  

At December 31, 2016, the Corporation’s ratio of consolidated net debt-to-consolidated EBITDA, as defined by the Corporation’s Credit Agreement, for the trailing-twelve month EBITDA was 1.73 times and was calculated as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

Twelve-Month Period

 

 

 

January 1, 2016 to

 

 

 

December 31, 2016

 

Net earnings from continuing operations attributable

   to Martin Marietta Materials Inc.

 

$

425,386

 

Add back:

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

81,677

 

Income tax expense

 

 

181,524

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense

 

 

282,840

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

20,481

 

Deduct:

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

 

(451

)

Nonrecurring gains, net

 

 

(5,099

)

Consolidated EBITDA, as defined by the Corporation's Credit Agreement

 

$

986,358

 

Consolidated net debt, as defined and including debt for which

   the Corporation is a co-borrower, at December 31, 2016

 

$

1,708,777

 

Consolidated net debt-to-consolidated EBITDA, as defined by

     the Corporation's Credit Agreement, at December 31, 2016 for

     trailing-twelve month EBITDA

 

1.73x

 

Total equity was $4.14 billion at December 31, 2016.  At that date, the Corporation had an accumulated other comprehensive loss of $130.7 million, resulting from unrecognized actuarial losses and prior service costs related to pension and postretirement benefits, foreign currency translation loss and the unamortized loss on terminated forward starting interest rate swap agreements.

The Corporation may repurchase shares of its common stock through open-market purchases pursuant to authority granted by its Board of Directors or through private transactions at such prices and upon such terms as the Chief Executive Officer deems appropriate. During 2015, the Board of Directors granted authority for the Corporation to repurchase an additional 15.0 million shares of common stock for a total repurchase authorization of 20.0 million shares.  Under that authorization, the Corporation, in 2016, repurchased 1.6 million shares of its common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $259.2 million.  In the near term, the Corporation expects to allocate capital for additional share repurchases based on available excess free cash flow, defined as operating cash flow less capital expenditures and dividends, subject to a leverage target of 2.0 times net debt-to-consolidated EBITDA and consideration of other capital needs.  Future repurchases are expected to be carried out through a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, block trades, accelerated share purchase transactions, or any combination of such methods.  The Corporation expects to complete the repurchase program over the next several years, though the actual timing of completion will be based on an ongoing assessment of the capital needs of the

51


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

business, the market p rice of its common stock and general market conditions.  Share repurchases will be executed based on then-current business and market factors so the actual return of capital in any single quarter may vary.  The repurchase program may be modified, suspended or discontinued by the Board of Directors at any time without prior notice.

At December 31, 2016, the Corporation had $50.0 million in cash and short-term investments that are considered cash equivalents. The Corporation manages its cash and cash equivalents to ensure short-term operating cash needs are met and excess funds are managed efficiently. The Corporation subsidizes shortages in operating cash through credit facilities. The Corporation utilizes excess cash to either pay-down credit facility borrowings or invest in money market funds, money market demand deposit accounts or Eurodollar time deposit accounts. Money market demand deposits and Eurodollar time deposit accounts are exposed to bank solvency risk. Money market demand deposit accounts are FDIC insured up to $250,000. The Corporation’s investments in bank funds generally exceed the $250,000 FDIC insurance limit. The Corporation’s cash management policy prohibits cash and cash equivalents over $100 million to be maintained at any one bank.

Cash on hand, along with the Corporation’s projected internal cash flows and availability of financing resources, including its access to debt and equity capital markets, is expected to continue to be sufficient to provide the capital resources necessary to support anticipated operating needs, cover debt service requirements including maturities in 2017 and 2018, meet capital expenditures and discretionary investment needs, fund certain acquisition opportunities that may arise and allow for payment of dividends for the foreseeable future. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are unsecured and may be used for general corporate purposes. The Corporation’s ability to borrow or issue securities is dependent upon, among other things, prevailing economic, financial and market conditions (see section Current Market Environment and Related Risks ). At December 31, 2016, the Corporation had $657.5 million of unused borrowing capacity under its Revolving Facility and Trade Receivable Facility. The Revolving Facility expires on December 5, 2021 and the Trade Receivable Facility matures on September 27, 2017.

The Corporation may be required to obtain financing in order to fund certain strategic acquisitions, if any such opportunities arise, or to refinance outstanding debt. Any strategic acquisition of size would likely require an appropriate balance of newly-issued equity with debt in order to maintain a composite investment-grade credit rating. Furthermore, the Corporation is exposed to credit markets through the interest cost related to its variable-rate debt, which includes $300 million of Notes due 2017 and borrowings under its Revolving Facility and Trade Receivable Facility. The Corporation is currently rated by three credit rating agencies; two of those agencies’ credit ratings are investment-grade level and the third agency’s credit rating is one level below investment-grade.

Contractual and Off Balance Sheet Obligations

Postretirement medical benefits will be paid from the Corporation’s assets. The obligation, if any, for retiree medical payments is subject to the terms of the plan. At December 31, 2016, the Corporation’s recorded benefit obligation related to these benefits totaled $20.6 million.

The Corporation has other retirement benefits related to pension plans. At December 31, 2016, the qualified pension plans were underfunded by $133.3 million. Inclusive of required amounts, the Corporation estimates that it will make contributions of $25.0 million to qualified pension plans in 2017. Any contributions beyond 2017 are currently undeterminable and will depend on the investment return on the related pension assets. However, management’s practice is to fund at least the normal service cost annually. At December 31, 2016, the Corporation had a total obligation of $102.3 million related to unfunded nonqualified pension plans and expects to make contributions of $7.5 million in 2017.

At December 31, 2016, the Corporation had $21.8 million accrued for uncertain tax positions, which was offset by a $14.4 million AMT credit. Such liabilities may become payable if the tax positions are not sustained upon examination by a taxing authority.  

52


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

In connection with normal, ongoing operations, the Corporation e nters into market-rate leases for property, plant and equipment and royalty commitments principally associated with leased land. Additionally, the Corporation enters into equipment rentals to meet shorter-term, nonrecurring and intermittent needs. At Decem ber 31, 2016, the Corporation had $15.6 million in capital lease obligations. Amounts due for operating leases and royalty agreements are expensed in the period incurred. Management anticipates that, in the ordinary course of business, the Corporation will enter into additional royalty agreements for land and mineral reserves during 2017.

The Corporation has purchase commitments for property, plant and equipment of $94.1 million as of December 31, 2016. The Corporation also has other purchase obligations related to energy and service contracts which totaled $106.3 million as of December 31, 2016.

The Corporation’s contractual commitments as of December 31, 2016 are as follows:

(add 000)

 

Total

 

 

< 1 Year

 

 

1 to 3 Years

 

 

3 to 5 Years

 

 

> 5 Years

 

ON BALANCE SHEET:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

$

1,686,190

 

 

$

180,036

 

 

$

299,589

 

 

$

459,158

 

 

$

747,407

 

Postretirement benefits

 

 

20,590

 

 

 

3,070

 

 

 

4,120

 

 

 

3,654

 

 

 

9,746

 

Qualified pension plan contributions 1

 

 

25,026

 

 

 

25,026

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfunded pension plan contributions

 

 

102,297

 

 

 

7,512

 

 

 

17,088

 

 

 

22,860

 

 

 

54,837

 

Uncertain tax positions

 

 

7,407

 

 

 

 

 

 

7,407

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital leases - principal portion

 

 

15,605

 

 

 

2,683

 

 

 

5,745

 

 

 

3,770

 

 

 

3,407

 

Other commitments

 

 

499

 

 

 

64

 

 

 

128

 

 

 

128

 

 

 

179

 

OFF BALANCE SHEET:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on publicly-traded long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

 

546,440

 

 

 

63,806

 

 

 

91,206

 

 

 

80,806

 

 

 

310,622

 

Operating leases 2

 

 

625,836

 

 

 

111,897

 

 

 

110,087

 

 

 

92,343

 

 

 

311,509

 

Royalty agreements 2

 

 

90,069

 

 

 

13,420

 

 

 

18,127

 

 

 

14,113

 

 

 

44,409

 

Purchase commitments - capital

 

 

94,074

 

 

 

94,029

 

 

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other commitments - energy and services

 

 

106,307

 

 

 

60,775

 

 

 

40,963

 

 

 

3,433

 

 

 

1,136

 

Total

 

$

3,320,340

 

 

$

562,318

 

 

$

594,505

 

 

$

680,265

 

 

$

1,483,252

 

1 Qualified pension plan contributions beyond 2017 are not determinable at this time

2 Represents future minimum payments

Notes A, G, I, J, L and N to the audited consolidated financial statements contain additional information regarding these commitments and should be read in conjunction with the above table.

Contingent Liabilities and Commitments

The Corporation has a $5 million short-term line of credit. No amounts were outstanding under this line of credit at December 31, 2016.

The Corporation has entered into standby letter of credit agreements relating to certain insurance claims, utilities and property improvements. At December 31, 2016, the Corporation had contingent liabilities guaranteeing its own performance under these outstanding letters of credit of $45.4 million, of which $2.5 million were issued under the Corporation’s Revolving Facility. Certain of these underlying obligations are accrued on the Corporation’s consolidated balance sheets.

In the normal course of business at December 31, 2016, the Corporation was contingently liable for $381.5 million in surety bonds underwritten by Liberty Mutual and W. R. Berkley, which guarantee its own performance and are required by certain states and municipalities and their related agencies. Certain of the bonds guaranteeing performance of obligations, including those for asset retirement requirements and insurance claims, are accrued on the Corporation’s

53


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

balance sheet. Five of these bonds are for certain construction contracts and reclamation obligations and total $85.1 million, or 22% of all outstanding su rety bonds. The Corporation has indemnified the underwriting insurance companies against any exposure under the surety bonds. In the Corporation’s past experience, no material claims have been made against these financial instruments.

The Corporation is a co-borrower with an unconsolidated affiliate for a $25.0 million revolving line of credit agreement with Branch Banking & Trust. The line of credit expires in February 2018. The affiliate has agreed to reimburse and indemnify the Corporation for any payments and expenses the Corporation may incur from this agreement. The Corporation holds a lien on the affiliate’s membership interest in a joint venture as collateral for payment under the revolving line of credit.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

As discussed earlier, the Corporation’s operations are highly dependent upon the interest rate-sensitive construction and steelmaking industries. Consequently, these marketplaces could experience lower levels of economic activity in an environment of rising interest rates or escalating costs (see section Business Environment ).  

Management has considered the current economic environment and its potential impact to the Corporation’s business.  Demand for aggregates products, particularly in the infrastructure construction market, is affected by federal and state budget and deficit issues.  Further, delays or cancellations of capital projects in the nonresidential and residential construction markets could occur if companies and consumers are unable to obtain financing for construction projects or if consumer confidence is eroded by economic uncertainty.

Demand in the residential construction market is affected by interest rates.  The Federal Reserve increased the federal funds rate 25 basis points, but the rate remained at less than one percent for the year ended December 31, 2016.  The residential construction market accounted for 21% of the Corporation’s aggregates product line shipments in 2016.  

Aside from these inherent risks from within its operations, the Corporation’s earnings are also affected by changes in short-term interest rates.  However, rising interest rates are not necessarily predictive of weaker operating results.  Historically, the Corporation’s profitability increased during periods of rising interest rates.  In essence, the Corporation’s underlying business generally serves as a natural hedge to rising interest rates.

Variable-Rate Borrowing Facilities

At December 31, 2016, the Corporation had a $700 million Credit Agreement and a $300 million Trade Receivable Facility.  The Corporation also has $300 million variable-rate senior notes. Borrowings under these facilities bear interest at a variable interest rate.  A hypothetical 100-basis-point increase in interest rates on borrowings of $640 million, which was the collective outstanding balance at December 31, 2016, would increase interest expense by $6.4 million on an annual basis.  

Pension Expense

The Corporation’s results of operations are affected by its pension expense.  Assumptions that affect pension expense include the discount rate and, for the defined benefit pension plans only, the expected long-term rate of return on assets.  Therefore, the Corporation has interest rate risk associated with these factors.  The impact of hypothetical changes in these assumptions on the Corporation’s annual pension expense is discussed in the section Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates – Pension Expense – Selection of Assumptions .

Energy Costs

Energy costs, including diesel fuel, natural gas, coal and liquid asphalt, represent significant production costs of the Corporation. The Magnesia Specialties business and cement product line each have fixed price agreements covering

54


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

100% of their 2017 coa l requirements. A hypothetical 10% change in the Corporation’s energy prices in 2017 as compared with 2016, assuming constant volumes, would change 2017 energy expense by $23.1 million.

Commodity Risk

Cement is a commodity and competition is based principally on price, which is highly sensitive to changes in supply and demand.  Prices are often subject to material changes in response to relatively minor fluctuations in supply and demand, general economic conditions and other market conditions beyond the Corporation’s control. Increases in the production capacity of industry participants or increases in cement imports tend to create an oversupply of such products leading to an imbalance between supply and demand, which can have a negative impact on product prices. There can be no assurance that prices for products sold will not decline in the future or that such declines will not have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s business, financial condition and results of operations.  A hypothetical 10% change in sales price of the Texas cement product line would impact net sales by $35.9 million.  Cement is a key raw material in the production of ready mixed concrete.  A hypothetical 10% change in cement costs in 2017 as compared with 2016, assuming constant volumes, would change ready mixed concrete cost of sales by $22.6 million.

Forward-Looking Statements – Safe Harbor Provisions

If you are interested in Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. stock, management recommends that, at a minimum, you read the Corporation’s current annual report and Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over the past year.  The Corporation’s recent proxy statement for the annual meeting of shareholders also contains important information.  These and other materials that have been filed with the SEC are accessible through the Corporation’s website at www.martinmarietta.com and are also available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov .  You may also write or call the Corporation’s Corporate Secretary, who will provide copies of such reports.

Investors are cautioned that all statements in this Annual Report that relate to the future involve risks and uncertainties, and are based on assumptions that the Corporation believes in good faith are reasonable but which may be materially different from actual results.  Forward-looking statements give the investor the Corporation’s expectations or forecasts of future events.  These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts.  They may use words such as "anticipate," "expect," "should be," "believe," “will,” and other words of similar meaning in connection with future events or future operating or financial performance.  Any or all of the Corporation’s forward-looking statements here and in other publications may turn out to be wrong.

Factors that the Corporation currently believes could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this Annual Report include the performance of the United States economy and the resolution and impact of the debt ceiling and sequestration issues; widespread decline in aggregates pricing; the history of both cement and ready mixed concrete being subject to significant changes in supply, demand and price; the termination, capping and/or reduction or suspension of the federal and/or state gasoline tax(es) or other revenue related to infrastructure construction; the level and timing of federal and state transportation funding, most particularly in Texas, North Carolina, Iowa, Colorado and Georgia; the ability of states and/or other entities to finance approved projects either with tax revenues or alternative financing structures; levels of construction spending in the markets the Corporation serves; a reduction in defense spending, and the subsequent impact on construction activity on or near military bases; a decline in the commercial component of the nonresidential construction market, notably office and retail space; a further slowdown in energy-related construction activity, particularly in Texas; a slowdown in residential construction recovery; a reduction in construction activity and related shipments due to a decline in funding under the domestic farm bill; unfavorable weather conditions, particularly Atlantic Ocean hurricane activity, the late start to spring or the early onset of winter and the impact of a drought or excessive rainfall in the markets served by the Corporation; the volatility of fuel costs, particularly diesel fuel, and the impact on the cost of other consumables, namely steel, explosives, tires and conveyor belts, and with respect to the Magnesia Specialties business, natural gas; continued increases in the cost of other repair and supply parts; unexpected equipment failures, unscheduled maintenance, industrial accident or other prolonged and/or significant disruption to cement production facilities; increasing governmental regulation, including

55


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF ANALYSIS (continued)

 

environmental laws; transportation availability, notably the availability of railcars and locomotive power to move trains to supply the Corporation’s Texas, Florida and Gulf Coast markets; increased transportation costs, including increases from highe r passed-through energy and other costs to comply with tightening regulations as well as higher volumes of rail and water shipments; availability of trucks and licensed drivers for transport of the Corporation’s materials, particularly in areas with signif icant energy-related activity, such as Texas and Colorado; availability and cost of construction equipment in the United States; weakening in the steel industry markets served by the Corporation’s dolomitic lime products; proper functioning of information technology and automated operating systems to manage or support operations; inflation and its effect on both production and interest costs; ability to successfully integrate acquisitions quickly and in a cost-effective manner and achieve anticipated profit ability to maintain compliance with the Corporation’s leverage ratio debt covenant; changes in tax laws, the interpretation of such laws and/or administrative practices that would increase the Corporation’s tax rate; violation of the Corporation’s debt cov enant if price and/or volumes return to previous levels of instability; downward pressure on the Corporation’s common stock price and its impact on goodwill impairment evaluations; reduction of the Corporation’s credit rating to non-investment grade result ing from strategic acquisitions; and other risk factors listed from time to time found in the Corporation’s filings with the SEC.  Other factors besides those listed here may also adversely affect the Corporation, and may be material to the Corporation.  T he Corporation assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements.

For a discussion identifying some important factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, see the Corporation’s SEC filings including, but not limited to, the discussion of “Competition” in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of the 2016 Annual Report and “Note A: Accounting Policies” and “Note N: Commitments and Contingencies” of the “Notes to Financial Statements” of the audited consolidated financial statements included in the 2016 Annual Report.

 

56

EXHIBIT 99.5

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

 

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 and the related consolidated roads of earnings, comprehensive earnings, total equity, and cash flows for the year then ended present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2016, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016 presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audit.  We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audit of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk.  Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.

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

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

As described in the Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management has excluded Ratliff Ready-Mix, L.P. from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016 because it was acquired by the Company in a purchase business combination during 2016.  We have also excluded Ratliff Ready-Mix, L.P. from our audit of internal control over financial reporting.  Ratliff Ready-Mix L.P.is a wholly-owned subsidiary whose total assets and net sales each represent approximately 1% of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

Raleigh, North Carolina

February 24, 2017, except with respect to our opinion on the consolidated financial statements insofar as it relates to the effects of the segment change discussed in Note O and the recently adopted accounting principles discussed in Note A, as to which the date is May 12, 2017

 

1


 

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Shareholders

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. as of December 31, 2015 and the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive earnings, total equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2015. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a)(2) for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.  These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Corporation’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

 

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

 

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

 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

 

Raleigh, North Carolina

February 24, 2017

Except for the recently adopted accounting pronouncements discussed in Note A and the effects of the segment change discussed in Note O, as to which the date is

May 12, 2017

 

 

2


 

Consolidated Statements of Earnings for years ended December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(add 000, except per share)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Net Sales

 

$

3,576,767

 

 

$

3,268,116

 

 

$

2,679,095

 

Freight and delivery revenues

 

 

241,982

 

 

 

271,454

 

 

 

278,856

 

Total revenues

 

 

3,818,749

 

 

 

3,539,570

 

 

 

2,957,951

 

Cost of sales

 

 

2,665,029

 

 

 

2,541,196

 

 

 

2,159,471

 

Freight and delivery costs

 

 

241,982

 

 

 

271,454

 

 

 

278,856

 

Total cost of revenues

 

 

2,907,011

 

 

 

2,812,650

 

 

 

2,438,327

 

Gross Profit

 

 

911,738

 

 

 

726,920

 

 

 

519,624

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

241,606

 

 

 

210,754

 

 

 

168,102

 

Acquisition-related expenses, net

 

 

909

 

 

 

6,346

 

 

 

29,239

 

Other operating (income) and expenses, net

 

 

(8,043

)

 

 

15,653

 

 

 

(4,649

)

Earnings from Operations

 

 

677,266

 

 

 

494,167

 

 

 

326,932

 

Interest expense

 

 

81,677

 

 

 

76,287

 

 

 

66,057

 

Other nonoperating (income) and expenses, net

 

 

(11,439

)

 

 

4,079

 

 

 

11,697

 

Earnings from continuing operations before taxes on income

 

 

607,028

 

 

 

413,801

 

 

 

249,178

 

Taxes on income

 

 

181,584

 

 

 

124,863

 

 

 

94,847

 

Earnings from Continuing Operations

 

 

425,444

 

 

 

288,938

 

 

 

154,331

 

Loss on discontinued operations, net of related tax benefit of $0, $0 and $40, respectively

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(37

)

Consolidated net earnings

 

 

425,444

 

 

 

288,938

 

 

 

154,294

 

Less:  Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

58

 

 

 

146

 

 

 

(1,307

)

Net Earnings Attributable to Martin Marietta

 

$

425,386

 

 

$

288,792

 

 

$

155,601

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Martin Marietta

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings from continuing operations

 

$

425,386

 

 

$

288,792

 

 

$

155,638

 

Discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(37

)

 

 

$

425,386

 

 

$

288,792

 

 

$

155,601

 

Net Earnings Attributable to Martin Marietta Per Common Share (see Note A)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

 

$

6.66

 

 

$

4.31

 

 

$

2.73

 

Discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

6.66

 

 

$

4.31

 

 

$

2.73

 

Diluted from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders

 

$

6.63

 

 

$

4.29

 

 

$

2.71

 

Discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

6.63

 

 

$

4.29

 

 

$

2.71

 

Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

63,610

 

 

 

66,770

 

 

 

56,854

 

Diluted

 

 

63,861

 

 

 

67,020

 

 

 

57,088

 

 

The notes to the financial statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

3


 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings for years ended December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Consolidated Net Earnings

 

$

425,444

 

 

$

288,938

 

 

$

154,294

 

Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Defined benefit pension and postretirement plans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss arising during period, net of tax of $(19,734), $(4,530) and $(39,752), respectively

 

 

(31,620

)

 

 

(7,101

)

 

 

(62,767

)

Amortization of prior service credit, net of tax of $(617), $(731) and $(1,108), respectively

 

 

(992

)

 

 

(1,149

)

 

 

(1,702

)

Amortization of actuarial loss, net of tax of $4,437, $6,551 and $1,490, respectively

 

 

7,138

 

 

 

10,299

 

 

 

2,289

 

Amount recognized in net periodic pension cost due to settlement, net of tax of $44

 

 

71

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount recognized in net periodic pension cost due to special plan termination benefits, net of tax of $293 and $811, respectively

 

 

471

 

 

 

1,274

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(24,932

)

 

 

3,323

 

 

 

(62,180

)

Foreign currency translation loss

 

 

(898

)

 

 

(3,542

)

 

 

(624

)

Amortization of terminated value of forward starting interest rate swap agreements into interest expense, net of tax of $541, $509 and $470, respectively

 

 

826

 

 

 

771

 

 

 

718

 

 

 

 

(25,004

)

 

 

552

 

 

 

(62,086

)

Consolidated comprehensive earnings

 

 

400,440

 

 

 

289,490

 

 

 

92,208

 

Less: Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

119

 

 

 

161

 

 

 

(1,348

)

Comprehensive Earnings Attributable to Martin Marietta

 

$

400,321

 

 

$

289,329

 

 

$

93,556

 

 

 

 

The notes to the financial statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

4


 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets   (add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

50,038

 

 

$

168,409

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

457,910

 

 

 

410,921

 

Inventories, net

 

 

521,624

 

 

 

469,141

 

Other current assets

 

 

56,813

 

 

 

33,164

 

Total Current Assets

 

 

1,086,385

 

 

 

1,081,635

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

3,423,395

 

 

 

3,156,000

 

Goodwill

 

 

2,159,337

 

 

 

2,068,235

 

Operating permits, net

 

 

442,202

 

 

 

444,725

 

Other intangibles, net

 

 

69,110

 

 

 

65,827

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

 

120,476

 

 

 

141,189

 

Total Assets

 

 

7,300,905

 

 

 

6,957,611

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Equity   (add 000, except parenthetical share data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank overdraft

 

$

 

 

$

10,235

 

Accounts payable

 

 

178,598

 

 

 

164,718

 

Accrued salaries, benefits and payroll taxes

 

 

47,428

 

 

 

30,939

 

Pension and postretirement benefits

 

 

9,293

 

 

 

8,168

 

Accrued insurance and other taxes

 

 

60,093

 

 

 

62,781

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

 

180,036

 

 

 

18,713

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

71,140

 

 

 

71,104

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

546,588

 

 

 

366,658

 

Long-term debt

 

 

1,506,153

 

 

 

1,550,061

 

Pension, postretirement and postemployment benefits

 

 

248,086

 

 

 

224,538

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

 

663,019

 

 

 

583,459

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

 

194,469

 

 

 

172,718

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

3,158,315

 

 

 

2,897,434

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock ($0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; 63,176,000 and

   64,479,000  shares outstanding at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively)

 

 

630

 

 

 

643

 

Preferred stock ($0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares outstanding)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

3,334,461

 

 

 

3,287,827

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(130,687

)

 

 

(105,622

)

Retained earnings

 

 

935,574

 

 

 

874,436

 

Total Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

4,139,978

 

 

 

4,057,284

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

2,612

 

 

 

2,893

 

Total Equity

 

 

4,142,590

 

 

 

4,060,177

 

Total Liabilities and Equity

 

$

7,300,905

 

 

$

6,957,611

 

 

 

The notes to the financial statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

5


 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for years ended December 31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated net earnings

 

$

425,444

 

 

$

288,938

 

 

$

154,294

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

285,253

 

 

 

263,587

 

 

 

222,746

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

20,481

 

 

 

13,589

 

 

 

8,993

 

Loss (gain) on divestitures and sales of assets

 

 

410

 

 

 

14,093

 

 

 

(52,297

)

Deferred income taxes

 

 

67,050

 

 

 

85,225

 

 

 

50,292

 

Other items, net

 

 

(17,730

)

 

 

(5,972

)

 

 

4,795

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of  acquisitions and divestitures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

(25,072

)

 

 

12,309

 

 

 

(16,650

)

Inventories, net

 

 

(47,381

)

 

 

(21,525

)

 

 

(12,020

)

Accounts payable

 

 

(8,116

)

 

 

(40,053

)

 

 

5,303

 

Other assets and liabilities, net

 

 

(11,106

)

 

 

(29,591

)

 

 

20,419

 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

 

 

689,233

 

 

 

580,600

 

 

 

385,875

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

 

(387,267

)

 

 

(318,232

)

 

 

(232,183

)

Acquisitions, net

 

 

(178,768

)

 

 

(43,215

)

 

 

(189

)

Cash received in acquisition

 

 

4,246

 

 

 

63

 

 

 

59,887

 

Proceeds from divestitures and sales of assets

 

 

6,476

 

 

 

448,122

 

 

 

121,985

 

Payment of railcar construction advances

 

 

(82,910

)

 

 

(25,234

)

 

 

(14,513

)

Reimbursement of railcar construction advances

 

 

82,910

 

 

 

25,234

 

 

 

14,513

 

Repayments from affiliate

 

 

 

 

 

1,808

 

 

 

1,175

 

Net Cash (Used for) Provided by Investing Activities

 

 

(555,313

)

 

 

88,546

 

 

 

(49,325

)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings of long-term debt

 

 

560,000

 

 

 

230,000

 

 

 

868,762

 

Repayments of long-term debt

 

 

(449,306

)

 

 

(244,704

)

 

 

(1,057,289

)

Debt issuance costs

 

 

(2,300

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,782

)

Change in bank overdraft

 

 

(10,235

)

 

 

10,052

 

 

 

(2,373

)

Payments on capital lease obligations

 

 

(3,364

)

 

 

(6,616

)

 

 

(3,075

)

Dividends paid

 

 

(105,036

)

 

 

(107,462

)

 

 

(91,304

)

Distributions to owners of noncontrolling interests

 

 

(400

)

 

 

(325

)

 

 

(800

)

Contributions by noncontrolling interest to joint venture

 

 

44

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repurchase of common stock

 

 

(259,228

)

 

 

(519,962

)

 

 

 

Purchase of remaining interest in existing subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(19,480

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

 

27,257

 

 

 

37,230

 

 

 

42,090

 

Shares withheld for employees' income tax obligations

 

 

(9,723

)

 

 

(7,601

)

 

 

(4,085

)

Net Cash Used for Financing Activities

 

 

(252,291

)

 

 

(609,388

)

 

 

(270,336

)

Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

 

(118,371

)

 

 

59,758

 

 

 

66,214

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of year

 

 

168,409

 

 

 

108,651

 

 

 

42,437

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of year

 

$

50,038

 

 

$

168,409

 

 

$

108,651

 

 

The notes to the financial statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

6


 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Total Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(add 000, except per share data)

 

Shares of

Common

Stock

 

 

Common

Stock

 

 

Additional

Paid-In

Capital

 

 

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive (Loss) Earnings

 

 

Retained

Earnings

 

 

Total

Shareholders'

Equity

 

 

Noncontrolling

Interests

 

 

Total Equity

 

Balance at December 31, 2013

 

 

46,261

 

 

$

461

 

 

$

432,792

 

 

$

(44,114

)

 

$

1,148,738

 

 

$

1,537,877

 

 

$

37,042

 

 

$

1,574,919

 

Consolidated net earnings (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

155,601

 

 

 

155,601

 

 

 

(1,307

)

 

 

154,294

 

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(62,045

)

 

 

 

 

 

(62,045

)

 

 

(41

)

 

 

(62,086

)

Dividends declared ($1.60 per common share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(91,304

)

 

 

(91,304

)

 

 

 

 

 

(91,304

)

Issuances of common stock, stock options and stock appreciation rights for TXI acquisition

 

 

20,309

 

 

 

203

 

 

 

2,751,670

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,751,873

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,751,873

 

Issuances of common stock for stock award plans

 

 

723

 

 

 

7

 

 

 

41,765

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

41,772

 

 

 

 

 

 

41,772

 

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,993

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,993

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,993

 

Distributions to owners of noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(800

)

 

 

(800

)

Purchase of subsidiary shares from noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,399

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,399

 

 

 

(33,312

)

 

 

(24,913

)

Balance at December 31, 2014

 

 

67,293

 

 

 

671

 

 

 

3,243,619

 

 

 

(106,159

)

 

 

1,213,035

 

 

 

4,351,166

 

 

 

1,582

 

 

 

4,352,748

 

Consolidated net earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

288,792

 

 

 

288,792

 

 

 

146

 

 

 

288,938

 

Other comprehensive earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

537

 

 

 

 

 

 

537

 

 

 

15

 

 

 

552

 

Dividends declared ($1.60 per common share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(107,462

)

 

 

(107,462

)

 

 

 

 

 

(107,462

)

Issuances of common stock for stock award plans

 

 

471

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

30,619

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30,624

 

 

 

 

 

 

30,624

 

Repurchases of common stock

 

 

(3,285

)

 

 

(33

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(519,929

)

 

 

(519,962

)

 

 

 

 

 

(519,962

)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,589

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,589

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,589

 

Noncontrolling interest acquired from business combination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,475

 

 

 

1,475

 

Distributions to owners of noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(325

)

 

 

(325

)

Balance at December 31, 2015

 

 

64,479

 

 

 

643

 

 

 

3,287,827

 

 

 

(105,622

)

 

 

874,436

 

 

 

4,057,284

 

 

 

2,893

 

 

 

4,060,177

 

Consolidated net earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

425,386

 

 

 

425,386

 

 

 

58

 

 

 

425,444

 

Other comprehensive (loss) earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(25,065

)

 

 

 

 

 

(25,065

)

 

 

61

 

 

 

(25,004

)

Dividends declared ($1.64 per common share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(105,036

)

 

 

(105,036

)

 

 

 

 

 

(105,036

)

Issuances of common stock for stock award plans

 

 

285

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

26,109

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26,112

 

 

 

 

 

 

26,112

 

Repurchases of common stock

 

 

(1,588

)

 

 

(16

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(259,212

)

 

 

(259,228

)

 

 

 

 

 

(259,228

)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,481

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,481

 

 

 

 

 

 

20,481

 

Distributions to owners of noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(400

)

 

 

(400

)

Contribution from owners of noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44

 

 

 

 

 

 

44

 

Balance at December 31, 2016

 

 

63,176

 

 

$

630

 

 

$

3,334,461

 

 

$

(130,687

)

 

$

935,574

 

 

$

4,139,978

 

 

$

2,612

 

 

$

4,142,590

 

 

 

 

 

The notes to the financial statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

7


 

 

Notes to Financial Statements

Note A: Accounting Policies

Organization. Martin Marietta Materials, Inc., (the “Corporation” or “Martin Marietta”) is engaged principally in the building materials business, providing products used for the construction of infrastructure, nonresidential and residential building projects, including aggregates, cement (Portland and specialty cement), ready mixed concrete and asphalt.  These products, are sold and shipped from a network of more than 275 aggregates quarries and yards, two cement plants, five cement distribution facilities and more than 150 ready mixed concrete and asphalt plants to customers in 29 states, Canada, the Bahamas and the Caribbean Islands. The aggregates product line includes crushed stone, sand and gravel and is also used for railroad ballast, and in agricultural, utility and environmental applications. The aggregates, cement, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines are reported collectively as the “Building Materials business”. As of December 31, 2016, the Building Materials business contains the following reportable segments: Mid-America Group, Southeast Group and West Group. The Mid-America Group operates in Indiana, Iowa, northern Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, eastern Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia. The Southeast Group has operations in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Nova Scotia and the Bahamas. The West Group operates in Arkansas, Colorado, southern Kansas, Louisiana, western Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. The following states accounted for 75% of the Building Materials business’ 2016 net sales: Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Iowa and Georgia.

The Magnesia Specialties segment, with production facilities in Ohio and Michigan, produces magnesia-based chemicals products used in industrial, agricultural and environmental applications, and dolomitic lime sold primarily to customers in the steel industry.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities and reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Such estimates include the valuation of accounts receivable, inventories, goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets and assumptions used in the calculation of taxes on income, retirement and other postemployment benefits, and the allocation of the purchase price to the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as part of business combinations.  These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s judgment. Management evaluates estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, and adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Changes in credit, equity and energy markets and changes in construction activity increase the uncertainty inherent in certain estimates and assumptions. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from estimates. Changes in estimates, including those resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment, are reflected in the consolidated financial statements for the period in which the change in estimate occurs.

Basis of Consolidation . The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Corporation and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. Partially-owned affiliates are either consolidated or accounted for at cost or as equity investments, depending on the level of ownership interest or the Corporation’s ability to exercise control over the affiliates’ operations. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Revenue Recognition . Total revenues include sales of materials and services provided to customers, net of discounts or allowances, if any, and include freight and delivery costs billed to customers. Revenues for product sales are recognized when risks associated with ownership have passed to unaffiliated customers. Typically, this occurs when finished products are shipped. Revenues derived from the paving business are recognized using the percentage-of-completion method under the revenue-cost approach. Under the revenue-cost approach, recognized contract revenue equals the total estimated contract revenue multiplied by the percentage of completion. Recognized costs equal the total

8


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

estimated contract cost multiplied by the percentage of completion. The percentage of completion is determined by costs incurred to date as a percentage of total costs estimated for the project .

Freight and Delivery Costs . Freight and delivery costs represent pass-through transportation costs incurred and paid by the Corporation to third-party carriers to deliver products to customers. These costs are then billed to the customers.

Cash and Cash Equivalents . Cash equivalents are comprised of highly-liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase. The Corporation manages its cash and cash equivalents to ensure short-term operating cash needs are met and excess funds are managed efficiently. The Corporation subsidizes shortages in operating cash through credit facilities. The Corporation utilizes excess cash to either pay down credit facility borrowings or invest in money market funds, money market demand deposit accounts or Eurodollar time deposit accounts. Money market demand deposits and Eurodollar time deposit accounts are exposed to bank solvency risk. Money market demand deposit accounts are FDIC insured up to $250,000. The Corporation’s deposits in bank funds generally exceed the $250,000 FDIC insurance limit. The Corporation’s cash management policy prohibits cash and cash equivalents over $100,000,000 to be maintained at any one bank.

Customer Receivables. Customer receivables are stated at cost. The Corporation does not typically charge interest on customer accounts receivables. The Corporation records an allowance for doubtful accounts, which includes a provision for probable losses based on historical write offs and a specific reserve for accounts greater than $50,000 deemed at risk. The Corporation writes off customer receivables as bad debt expense when it becomes apparent based upon customer facts and circumstances that such amounts will not be collected.

Inventories Valuation . Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Costs for finished products and in process inventories are determined by the first-in, first-out method. The Corporation records an allowance for finished product inventories in excess of sales for a twelve-month period, as measured by historical sales. The Corporation also establishes an allowance for expendable parts over five years old and supplies over one year old.

Post-production stripping costs, which represent costs of removing overburden and waste materials to access mineral deposits, are a component of inventory production costs and recognized in cost of sales in the same period as the revenue from the sale of the inventory.

Properties and Depreciation . Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost.

The estimated service lives for property, plant and equipment are as follows:

 

Class of Assets

 

Range of Service Lives

Buildings

 

5 to 20 years

Machinery & Equipment

 

2 to 20 years

Land Improvements

 

5 to 15 years

The Corporation begins capitalizing quarry development costs at a point when reserves are determined to be proven or probable, economically mineable and when demand supports investment in the market. Capitalization of these costs ceases when production commences. Capitalized quarry development costs are classified as land improvements.

The Corporation reviews relevant facts and circumstances to determine whether to capitalize or expense pre-production stripping costs when additional pits are developed at an existing quarry. If the additional pit operates in a separate and distinct area of the quarry, these costs are capitalized as quarry development costs and depreciated over the life of the uncovered reserves. Additionally, a separate asset retirement obligation is created for additional pits

9


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

when the liability is incurred. Once a pit enters the production phase, all post-production stripping costs are charged to inventory production costs as incurred.

Mineral reserves and mineral interests acquired in connection with a business combination are valued using an income approach over the life of the reserves.

Depreciation is computed over estimated service lives, principally by the straight-line method. Depletion of mineral reserves is calculated over proven and probable reserves by the units-of-production method on a quarry-by-quarry basis.

Property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized if expected future undiscounted cash flows over the estimated remaining service life of the related asset are less than the asset’s carrying value.

Repair and Maintenance Costs. Repair and maintenance costs that do not substantially extend the life of the Corporation’s plant and equipment are expensed as incurred.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets. Goodwill represents the excess purchase price paid for acquired businesses over the estimated fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities. Other intangibles represent amounts assigned principally to contractual agreements and are amortized ratably over periods based on related contractual terms.

The Corporation’s reporting units, which represent the level at which goodwill is tested for impairment, are based on the geographic regions of the Building Materials business.  Goodwill is allocated to each reporting unit based on the location of acquisitions and divestitures at the time of consummation.

The carrying values of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed annually, as of October 1, for impairment. An interim review is performed between annual tests if facts or circumstances indicate potential impairment. The carrying value of other amortizable intangibles is reviewed if facts and circumstances indicate potential impairment.  If a review indicates the carrying value is impaired, a charge is recorded.

Retirement Plans and Postretirement Benefits. The Corporation sponsors defined benefit retirement plans and also provides other postretirement benefits. The Corporation recognizes the funded status, defined as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation, of its pension plans and other postretirement benefits as an asset or liability on the consolidated balance sheets. Actuarial gains or losses that arise during the year are not recognized as net periodic benefit cost in the same year, but rather are recognized as a component of accumulated other comprehensive earnings or loss. Those amounts are amortized over the participants’ average remaining service period and recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost.  The amount amortized is determined using a corridor approach and represents the excess over 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or pension plan assets.

Stock-Based Compensation. The Corporation has stock-based compensation plans for employees and its Board of Directors. The Corporation recognizes all forms of stock-based payments to employees, including stock options, as compensation expense. The compensation expense is the fair value of the awards at the measurement date and is recognized over the requisite service period.

The fair value of restricted stock awards, incentive compensation awards and Board of Directors’ fees paid in the form of common stock are based on the closing price of the Corporation’s common stock on the awards’ respective grant dates.  The fair value of performance stock awards based on total shareholder return is determined by a Monte Carlo simulation methodology.

10


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

In 2016, the Corporation did not issue any stock options.  For stock options issued prior to 2016, the Corporation uses the accelerated expense recogn ition method. The accelerated recognition method requires stock options that vest ratably to be divided into tranches. The expense for each tranche is allocated to its particular vesting period.

The Corporation uses the lattice valuation model to determine the fair value of stock option awards. The lattice valuation model takes into account employees’ exercise patterns based on changes in the Corporation’s stock price and other variables. The period of time for which options are expected to be outstanding, or expected term of the option, is a derived output of the lattice valuation model. The Corporation considers the following factors when estimating the expected term of options: vesting period of the award, expected volatility of the underlying stock, employees’ ages and external data.

Key assumptions used in determining the fair value of the stock options awarded in 2015 and 2014 were:  

 

 

 

2015

 

2014

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

 

2.20%

 

 

2.50%

 

Dividend yield

 

 

1.20%

 

 

1.50%

 

Volatility factor

 

 

36.10%

 

 

35.30%

 

Expected term

 

8.5 years

 

8.5 years

 

Based on these assumptions, the weighted-average fair value of each stock option granted was $57.71 and $43.42 for 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The risk-free interest rate reflects the interest rate on zero-coupon U.S. government bonds, available at the time each option was granted, having a remaining life approximately equal to the option’s expected life. The dividend yield represents the dividend rate expected to be paid over the option’s expected life. The Corporation’s volatility factor measures the amount by which its stock price is expected to fluctuate during the expected life of the option and is based on historical stock price changes. Forfeitures are required to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Corporation estimates forfeitures and will ultimately recognize compensation cost only for those stock-based awards that vest.

For restricted stock awards and incentive stock awards granted prior to 2016, the Corporation recognizes income tax benefits resulting from the payment of dividend equivalents on unvested stock-based payments as an increase to additional paid-in capital and includes them in the pool of excess tax benefits.  For awards granted in 2016, dividend equivalents are not paid unless the award vests.

Environmental Matters. The Corporation records a liability for an asset retirement obligation at fair value in the period in which it is incurred. The asset retirement obligation is recorded at the acquisition date of a long-lived tangible asset if the fair value can be reasonably estimated. A corresponding amount is capitalized as part of the asset’s carrying amount. The fair value is affected by management’s assumptions regarding the scope of the work required, inflation rates and quarry closure dates.

Further, the Corporation records an accrual for other environmental remediation liabilities in the period in which it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the appropriate amounts can be estimated reasonably. Such accruals are adjusted as further information develops or circumstances change. These costs are not discounted to their present value or offset for potential insurance or other claims or potential gains from future alternative uses for a site.

Income Taxes . Deferred income taxes, net, on the consolidated balance sheets reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes, net of valuation allowances.

Uncertain Tax Positions. The Corporation recognizes a tax benefit when it is more-likely-than-not, based on the technical merits, that a tax position would be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority. The amount to be

11


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

recognized is measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon u ltimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The Corporation’s unrecognized tax benefits are recorded in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets or as an offset to the deferred tax asset for t ax carryforwards where available.

The Corporation records interest accrued in relation to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. Penalties, if incurred, are recorded as operating expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings.

Sales Taxes. Sales taxes collected from customers are recorded as liabilities until remitted to taxing authorities and therefore are not reflected in the consolidated statements of earnings.

Research and Development Costs. Research and development costs are charged to operations as incurred.

Start-Up Costs. Noncapital start-up costs for new facilities and products are charged to operations as incurred.

Warranties. The Corporation’s construction contracts contain warranty provisions covering defects in equipment, materials, design or workmanship that generally run from nine months to one year after project completion. Due to the nature of its projects, including contract owner inspections of the work both during construction and prior to acceptance, the Corporation has not experienced material warranty costs for these short-term warranties and therefore does not believe an accrual for these costs is necessary. Certain product lines carry longer warranty periods, for which the Corporation has accrued an estimate of warranty cost based on experience with the type of work and any known risks relative to the project. These costs were not material to the Corporation’s consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

Consolidated Comprehensive Earnings and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss . Consolidated comprehensive earnings for the Corporation consist of consolidated net earnings, adjustments for the funded status of pension and postretirement benefit plans, foreign currency translation adjustments and the amortization of the value of terminated forward starting interest rate swap agreements into interest expense, and are presented in the Corporation’s consolidated statements of comprehensive earnings.

Accumulated other comprehensive loss consists of unrealized gains and losses related to the funded status of the pension and postretirement benefit plans, foreign currency translation and the unamortized value of terminated forward starting interest rate swap agreements, and is presented on the Corporation’s consolidated balance sheets.

12


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The components of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss and related cumulative noncurrent deferred tax assets are as follows:

 

 

Pension and

Postretirement

Benefit Plans

 

 

Foreign

Currency

 

 

Unamortized

Value of

Terminated

Forward Starting

Interest Rate

Swap

 

 

Total

 

years ended December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at beginning of period

 

$

(103,380

)

 

$

(264

)

 

$

(1,978

)

 

$

(105,622

)

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of

   tax

 

 

(31,678

)

 

 

(898

)

 

 

 

 

 

(32,576

)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other

   comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

6,685

 

 

 

 

 

 

826

 

 

 

7,511

 

Other comprehensive (loss) earnings,

   net of tax

 

 

(24,993

)

 

 

(898

)

 

 

826

 

 

 

(25,065

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of period

 

$

(128,373

)

 

$

(1,162

)

 

$

(1,152

)

 

$

(130,687

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative noncurrent deferred tax assets at end of period

 

$

82,044

 

 

$

 

 

$

749

 

 

$

82,793

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) earnings at beginning of period

 

$

(106,688

)

 

$

3,278

 

 

$

(2,749

)

 

$

(106,159

)

Other comprehensive loss  before reclassifications, net of

   tax

 

 

(7,116

)

 

 

(3,542

)

 

 

 

 

 

(10,658

)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss,

   net of tax

 

 

10,424

 

 

 

 

 

 

771

 

 

 

11,195

 

Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of tax

 

 

3,308

 

 

 

(3,542

)

 

 

771

 

 

 

537

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of period

 

$

(103,380

)

 

$

(264

)

 

$

(1,978

)

 

$

(105,622

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative noncurrent deferred tax assets at end of period

 

$

66,467

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,290

 

 

$

67,757

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014

 

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) earnings at beginning of period

 

$

(44,549

)

 

$

3,902

 

 

$

(3,467

)

 

$

(44,114

)

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax

 

 

(62,726

)

 

 

(624

)

 

 

 

 

 

(63,350

)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss,

   net of tax

 

 

587

 

 

 

 

 

 

718

 

 

 

1,305

 

Other comprehensive (loss) earnings , net of tax

 

 

(62,139

)

 

 

(624

)

 

 

718

 

 

 

(62,045

)

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) earnings at end of period

 

$

(106,688

)

 

$

3,278

 

 

$

(2,749

)

 

$

(106,159

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cumulative noncurrent deferred tax assets at end of period

 

$

68,568

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,799

 

 

$

70,367

 

13


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:

 

years ended December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

Affected line items in the

consolidated statements of earnings

Pension and postretirement benefit plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special plan termination benefits

 

$

764

 

 

$

2,085

 

 

$

 

 

 

Settlement charge

 

 

115

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service credit

 

 

(1,609

)

 

 

(1,880

)

 

 

(2,810

)

 

 

Actuarial loss

 

 

11,575

 

 

 

16,850

 

 

 

3,779

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,845

 

 

 

17,055

 

 

 

969

 

 

Nonoperating expenses

Tax effect

 

 

(4,160

)

 

 

(6,631

)

 

 

(382

)

 

Taxes on income

Total

 

$

6,685

 

 

$

10,424

 

 

$

587

 

 

 

Unamortized value of terminated forward

   starting interest rate swap

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional interest expense

 

$

1,367

 

 

$

1,280

 

 

$

1,188

 

 

Interest expense

Tax effect

 

 

(541

)

 

 

(509

)

 

 

(470

)

 

Taxes on income

Total

 

$

826

 

 

$

771

 

 

$

718

 

 

 

Earnings Per Common Share . The Corporation computes earnings per share (“EPS”) pursuant to the two-class method. The two-class method determines EPS for each class of common stock and participating securities according to dividends or dividend equivalents and their respective participation rights in undistributed earnings. The Corporation pays nonforfeitable dividend equivalents during the vesting period on its restricted stock awards and incentive stock awards made prior to 2016, which results in these being considered participating securities.

The numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common share is net earnings attributable to Martin Marietta, reduced by dividends and undistributed earnings attributable to the Corporation’s unvested restricted stock awards and incentive stock awards issued prior to 2016. The denominator for basic earnings per common share is the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share are computed assuming that the weighted-average number of common shares is increased by the conversion, using the treasury stock method, of awards issued to employees and nonemployee members of the Corporation’s Board of Directors under certain stock-based compensation arrangements if the conversion is dilutive.

14


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The following table reconciles the numerator and denominator for basic and diluted earnings per common share:

 

years ended December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Net earnings from continuing operations attributable to

   Martin Marietta

 

$

425,386

 

 

$

288,792

 

 

$

155,638

 

Less:  Distributed and undistributed earnings attributable to

   unvested awards

 

 

1,775

 

 

 

1,252

 

 

 

647

 

Basic and diluted net earnings attributable to common

   shareholders from continuing operations attributable to

   Martin Marietta

 

 

423,611

 

 

 

287,540

 

 

 

154,991

 

Basic and diluted net loss attributable to common

   shareholders from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(37

)

Basic and diluted net earnings attributable to common

   shareholders attributable to Martin Marietta

 

$

423,611

 

 

$

287,540

 

 

$

154,954

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

 

63,610

 

 

 

66,770

 

 

 

56,854

 

Effect of dilutive employee and director awards

 

 

251

 

 

 

250

 

 

 

234

 

Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

 

63,861

 

 

 

67,020

 

 

 

57,088

 

New Accounting Pronouncements .   The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standard update (“ASU”), Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”), on accounting for stock compensation.  The new standard is effective January 1, 2017 and requires, prospectively, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies to be recorded as income tax benefit or expense in the income statement in the period the awards vest or are settled as a discrete item.  Additionally, adoption of this ASU will require that any excess tax benefits be reflected as an operating activity in the statement of cash flows retrospectively.  Further, any shares withheld for personal income taxes will be classified as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows and will be retrospectively applied. While the effects of this change are not material to the overall financial statements, as a result of the Corporation’s adoption of this ASU effective January 1, 2017, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, shares withheld for employees’ income tax obligations retrospectively reclassified from operating activities were $3,787,000, $7,449,000 and $1,709,000, respectively.   Additionally, the Corporation reclassified excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation of $6,792,000 and $2,508,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2014, respectively, from financing activities to operating activities.  There was no excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation for the year ended December 31, 2015.  Although the adoption of the new standard does not have a cumulative effect, it will create volatility in the Corporation’s income tax rate in periods when share-based compensation awards either vest or are exercised.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (“ASU 2017-07”) , which revises the accounting for periodic pension and postretirement expense.  ASU 2017-07 requires net periodic benefit cost, with the exception of service cost, to be presented retrospectively as nonoperating expense.  As permitted by ASU 2017-07, the Corporation used the pension and other postretirement benefit plan disclosures as a practical expedient to estimate amounts for retrospective application.  Service cost will remain a component of earnings from operations and represents the only cost of pension and postretirement expense eligible for capitalization, notably in the Corporation’s inventory standards.  The capitalization of the service cost component is to be applied prospectively, on or after the effective date.  The Corporation early adopted this standard effective January 1, 2017 and, while not material to the overall financial statement, the effects have been retrospectively applied in the accompanying consolidated statement of earnings.  For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Corporation reclassified $2,772,000, $6,399,000 and $774,000 from cost of sales; selling, general and administrative costs; and acquisition-related expenses, net, respectively, to nonoperating expense.  For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Corporation reclassified $5,153,000, $7,480,000 and $2,118,000 from cost

15


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

of sales; selling, general and administrative costs; and acquisition-related expenses, net, respectively to nonoperating expense.  For the year ended December 31, 2014, the Corporation reclassified a credit of $2,736,000 from cost of sa les to nonoperating expense and $1,143,000 and $13,652,000 from selling, general and administrative costs; and other operating income and expenses, respectively to nonoperating expense.  

The FASB issued an accounting standard update that amends the accounting guidance on revenue recognition.  The new standard intends to provide a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues, improve comparability of revenue recognition practices and improve disclosure requirements.  The new standard is effective January 1, 2018 and can be applied on a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach.  The Corporation has completed its initial assessment of the provisions of the new standard and, at this time, does not expect the impact to be material to its results of operations.

The FASB issued an accounting standard update on accounting for leases.  The new standard requires the lease rights and obligations arising from lease contracts, including existing and new arrangements, to be recognized as assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. The standard also requires additional disclosures by lessees and contains targeted changes to accounting by lessors. The new standard is effective January 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The guidance is required to be adopted at the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The Corporation is currently assessing the impact of the updated standard on the Corporation's financial statements. The Corporation believes the updated standard will have a material effect on its balance sheet but has not quantified the impact at this time.

The FASB issued an accounting standard update on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows intended to reduce diversity in practice. The guidance is effective January 1, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance is to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented but may be applied prospectively if retrospective application would be impracticable. The Corporation is currently evaluating the effect of the standard on its consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

Note B: Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The following table shows the changes in goodwill by reportable segment and in total.  The information has been reclassified to conform to the presentation of the Corporation’s current reportable segments. For further information on the reorganization, please see Note O.

 

December 31

 

Mid-

America

Group

 

 

Southeast

Group

 

 

West

Group

 

 

Total

 

(add 000)

 

2016

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

281,403

 

 

$

50,346

 

 

$

1,736,486

 

 

$

2,068,235

 

Acquisitions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

91,174

 

 

 

91,174

 

Divestitures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(72

)

 

 

(72

)

Balance at end of period

 

$

281,403

 

 

$

50,346

 

 

$

1,827,588

 

 

$

2,159,337

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

282,117

 

 

$

50,346

 

 

$

1,736,336

 

 

$

2,068,799

 

Acquisitions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,464

 

 

 

8,464

 

Adjustments to purchase price allocations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3,096

)

 

 

(3,096

)

Divestitures

 

 

(714

)

 

 

 

 

 

(5,218

)

 

 

(5,932

)

Balance at end of period

 

$

281,403

 

 

$

50,346

 

 

$

1,736,486

 

 

$

2,068,235

 

16


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Intangible assets subject to amortization consist of the following:

 

December 31

 

Gross

Amount

 

 

Accumulated

Amortization

 

 

Net

Balance

 

(add 000)

 

2016

 

Noncompetition agreements

 

$

6,274

 

 

$

(6,106

)

 

$

168

 

Customer relationships

 

 

45,755

 

 

 

(13,636

)

 

 

32,119

 

Operating permits

 

 

455,095

 

 

 

(19,493

)

 

 

435,602

 

Use rights and other

 

 

16,946

 

 

 

(9,239

)

 

 

7,707

 

Trade names

 

 

12,800

 

 

 

(5,681

)

 

 

7,119

 

Total

 

$

536,870

 

 

$

(54,155

)

 

$

482,715

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

Noncompetition agreements

 

$

6,274

 

 

$

(6,069

)

 

$

205

 

Customer relationships

 

 

35,805

 

 

 

(10,448

)

 

 

25,357

 

Operating permits

 

 

450,419

 

 

 

(12,294

)

 

 

438,125

 

Use rights and other

 

 

16,746

 

 

 

(8,030

)

 

 

8,716

 

Trade names

 

 

12,800

 

 

 

(3,408

)

 

 

9,392

 

Total

 

$

522,044

 

 

$

(40,249

)

 

$

481,795

 

Intangible assets deemed to have an indefinite life and not being amortized consist of the following:

 

December 31

 

Building Materials Business

 

 

Magnesia Specialties

 

 

Total

 

(add 000)

 

2016

 

Operating permits

 

$

6,600

 

 

$

 

 

$

6,600

 

Use rights

 

 

19,152

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,152

 

Trade names

 

 

280

 

 

 

2,565

 

 

 

2,845

 

Total

 

$

26,032

 

 

$

2,565

 

 

$

28,597

 

 

 

2015

 

Operating permits

 

$

6,600

 

 

$

 

 

$

6,600

 

Use rights

 

 

19,312

 

 

 

 

 

 

19,312

 

Trade names

 

 

280

 

 

 

2,565

 

 

 

2,845

 

Total

 

$

26,192

 

 

$

2,565

 

 

$

28,757

 

 

During 2016, the Corporation acquired $15,134,000 of intangibles, consisting of the following:

 

(add 000, except year data)

 

Amount

 

 

Weighted-average

amortization period

Subject to amortization:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer relationships

 

$

9,950

 

 

10.3 years

Operating permits

 

 

4,984

 

 

40.6 years

Other

 

 

200

 

 

1.5 years

Total

 

$

15,134

 

 

20.2 years

17


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Total amortization expense for intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $13,922,000, $13,962,000 and $9,311,000, respectively.

The estimated amortization expense for intangible assets for each of the next five years and thereafter is as follows:

 

(add 000)

 

 

 

 

2017

 

$

14,375

 

2018

 

 

13,417

 

2019

 

 

12,107

 

2020

 

 

11,727

 

2021

 

 

11,021

 

Thereafter

 

 

420,068

 

Total

 

$

482,715

 

 

 

Note C: Business Combinations

In the first quarter 2016, the Corporation acquired the outstanding stock of Rocky Mountain Materials and Asphalt, Inc. and Rocky Mountain Premix, Inc. The acquisition provides more than 500 million tons of mineral reserves and expands the Corporation’s presence along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, home to 80% of Colorado’s population. The acquired operations are reported through the West Group. The Corporation has recorded preliminary fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed; however, the transaction purchase consideration is subject to a normal post-closing working capital adjustment. Therefore, the measurement period for accounts receivable and goodwill remains open as of December 31, 2016.

During the third quarter 2016, the Corporation acquired the remaining interest in Ratliff Ready-Mix, L.P. (“Ratliff”), which operates ready mixed concrete plants in central Texas. These operations are reported in the West Group.  Prior to the acquisition, the Corporation owned a 40% interest in Ratliff which was accounted for under the equity method. The Corporation was required to remeasure the existing 40% interest in Ratliff at fair value upon closing of the transaction, resulting in a gain of $5,863,000, which is recorded in other nonoperating income, net. The Corporation recorded preliminary fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed; however, certain amounts are subject to change upon review of the seller’s final tax return. Therefore, the measurement period for deferred income tax accounts and goodwill remains open as of December 31, 2016.

The impact of these acquisitions on the operating results was not considered material; therefore, pro forma financial information is not included.

 

 

Note D: Accounts Receivable, Net

 

December 31

 

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Customer receivables

 

$

456,508

 

 

$

408,551

 

Other current receivables

 

 

7,668

 

 

 

9,310

 

 

 

 

464,176

 

 

 

417,861

 

Less allowances

 

 

(6,266

)

 

 

(6,940

)

Total

 

$

457,910

 

 

$

410,921

 

18


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Of the total accounts receivable, net, balances, $2,578,000 and $3,794,000 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, were due from unconsolidated affiliates.

 

 

Note E: Inventories, Net

 

December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Finished products

 

$

479,291

 

 

$

433,649

 

Products in process and raw materials

 

 

61,171

 

 

 

55,194

 

Supplies and expendable parts

 

 

116,024

 

 

 

110,882

 

 

 

 

656,486

 

 

 

599,725

 

Less allowances

 

 

(134,862

)

 

 

(130,584

)

Total

 

$

521,624

 

 

$

469,141

 

 

 

Note F: Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

 

December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Land and land improvements

 

$

915,158

 

 

$

865,700

 

Mineral reserves and interests

 

 

1,114,560

 

 

 

1,001,295

 

Buildings

 

 

151,115

 

 

 

144,076

 

Machinery and equipment

 

 

3,766,975

 

 

 

3,473,826

 

Construction in progress

 

 

167,722

 

 

 

128,301

 

 

 

 

6,115,530

 

 

 

5,613,198

 

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

(2,692,135

)

 

 

(2,457,198

)

Total

 

$

3,423,395

 

 

$

3,156,000

 

The gross asset value and accumulated amortization for machinery and equipment recorded under capital leases at December 31 were as follows:

 

(add 000)

 

2016

 

2015

 

Machinery and equipment under capital leases

 

$

23,117

 

$

19,379

 

Less accumulated amortization

 

 

(8,077

)

 

(5,102

)

Total

 

$

15,040

 

$

14,277

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense related to property, plant and equipment was $268,935,000, $246,874,000 and $211,242,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense includes amortization of machinery and equipment under capital leases.

Interest cost of $3,543,000, $5,832,000 and $8,033,000 was capitalized during 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

At December 31, 2016 and 2015, $58,332,000 and $58,937,000, respectively, of the Building Materials business’ net property, plant and equipment were located in foreign countries, namely the Bahamas and Canada.

 

19


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Note G: Long-Term Debt

 

December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

6.6% Senior Notes, due 2018

 

$

299,483

 

 

$

299,113

 

7% Debentures, due 2025

 

 

124,090

 

 

 

124,002

 

6.25% Senior Notes, due 2037

 

 

227,975

 

 

 

227,917

 

4.25% Senior Notes, due 2024

 

 

395,252

 

 

 

394,690

 

Floating Rate Notes, due 2017, interest rate of 2.10% and 1.71% at

     December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively

 

 

299,033

 

 

 

298,868

 

Term Loan Facility, interest rate of 1.86% at December 31, 2015

 

 

-

 

 

 

222,521

 

Revolving Facility, due 2021, interest rate of 1.86% at December 31, 2016

 

 

160,000

 

 

 

-

 

Trade Receivable Facility, interest rate of 1.34% at December 31, 2016

 

 

180,000

 

 

-

 

Other notes

 

 

356

 

 

 

1,663

 

Total

 

 

1,686,189

 

 

 

1,568,774

 

Less current maturities

 

 

(180,036

)

 

 

(18,713

)

Long-term debt

 

$

1,506,153

 

 

$

1,550,061

 

 

The Corporation’s 6.6% Senior Notes due 2018, 7% Debentures due 2025, 6.25% Senior Notes due 2037, 4.25% Senior Notes due 2024 and Floating Rate Notes due 2017 (collectively, the “Senior Notes”) are senior unsecured obligations of the Corporation, ranking equal in right of payment with the Corporation’s existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness.  Upon a change-of-control repurchase event and a resulting below-investment-grade credit rating, the Corporation would be required to make an offer to repurchase all outstanding Senior Notes, with the exception of the 7% Debentures due 2025, at a price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the purchase date.  

The Senior Notes are carried net of original issue discount, which is being amortized by the effective interest method over the life of the issue.  The Senior Notes are redeemable prior to their respective maturity dates at a make-whole redemption price. The principal amount, effective interest rate and maturity date for the Corporation’s Senior Notes are as follows:

 

 

 

Principal

Amount

(add 000)

 

 

Effective

Interest

Rate

 

 

Maturity Date

6.6% Senior Notes

 

$

300,000

 

 

 

6.81%

 

 

April 15, 2018

7% Debentures

 

$

125,000

 

 

 

7.12%

 

 

December 1, 2025

6.25% Senior Notes

 

$

230,000

 

 

 

6.45%

 

 

May 1, 2037

4.25% Senior Notes

 

$

400,000

 

 

 

4.25%

 

 

July 2, 2024

Floating Rate Notes

 

$

300,000

 

 

Three-month LIBOR+1.10%

 

 

June 30, 2017

 

In connection with the issuance of its $300,000,000 Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2017 (the “Floating Rate Notes”) and its $400,000,000 4.25% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “4.25% Senior Notes”), the Corporation entered into an indenture, between the Corporation and Regions Bank, as trustee, and a Registration Rights Agreement, among the Corporation, Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC, as representatives of the several initial purchasers named in Schedule I to the purchase agreement.  The Floating Rate Notes bear interest at a rate equal to the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 1.10% and may not be redeemed prior to maturity.  The 4.25%

20


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Senior Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part prior to their maturity at a make-whole redemption price. During the last 3 months prior to maturity, the 4.25% Senior Notes can be redeemed at par plus accrued and unpaid interest.

On December 5, 2016, the Corporation entered into a new credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Branch Banking and Trust Company (“BB&T”), Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc., SunTrust Bank, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Co-Syndication Agents, and the lenders party thereto (the “Credit Agreement”), which provides for a $700,000,000 five-year senior unsecured revolving facility (the “Revolving Facility”). Borrowings under the Revolving Facility bear interest, at the Corporation’s option, at rates based upon LIBOR or a base rate, plus, for each rate, a margin determined in accordance with a ratings-based pricing grid.  The Revolving Facility replaced the Corporation’s credit agreement dated as of November 9, 2013 with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, BB&T, Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc., SunTrust Bank, and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as Co-Syndication Agents, and the lenders party thereto (the “Former Credit Agreement”). The Former Credit Agreement had provided for a term loan and a revolving facility under which $210,937,500 and $0, respectively, were outstanding prior to entering into the Revolving Facility.  The Revolving Facility is syndicated with the following banks:  

 

Lender

(add 000)

 

Revolving Facility

Commitment

 

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

 

$

92,800

 

BB&T

 

 

92,800

 

Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch

 

 

92,800

 

SunTrust Bank

 

 

92,800

 

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

 

 

92,800

 

PNC Bank, National Association

 

 

62,000

 

Regions Bank

 

 

62,000

 

The Northern Trust Company

 

 

62,000

 

The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.

 

 

30,000

 

Comerica Bank

 

 

20,000

 

Total

 

$

700,000

 

 

The Corporation’s Credit Agreement requires the Corporation’s ratio of consolidated net debt-to-consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization (“EBITDA”), as defined, for the trailing-twelve months (the “Ratio”) to not exceed 3.50x as of the end of any fiscal quarter, provided that the Corporation may exclude from the Ratio debt incurred in connection with certain acquisitions during the quarter or three preceding quarters so long as the Ratio calculated without such exclusion does not exceed 3.75x.  Additionally, if no amounts are outstanding under both the Revolving Facility and the trade receivable securitization facility (discussed later), consolidated debt, including debt for which the Corporation is a co-borrower (see Note N), may be reduced by the Corporation’s unrestricted cash and cash equivalents in excess of $50,000,000, such reduction not to exceed $200,000,000, for purposes of the covenant calculation.  The Corporation was in compliance with this Ratio at December 31, 2016.

The Revolving Facility expires on December 5, 2021, with any outstanding principal amounts, together with interest accrued thereon, due in full on that date.   Available borrowings under the Revolving Facility are reduced by any outstanding letters of credit issued by the Corporation under the Revolving Facility.  At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Corporation had $2,507,000 of outstanding letters of credit issued under the Revolving Facility.  The Corporation paid the bank group an upfront loan commitment fee that is being amortized over the life of the Revolving Facility.  The Revolving Facility includes an annual facility fee.

The Corporation, through a wholly-owned special-purpose subsidiary, has a trade receivable securitization facility (the “Trade Receivable Facility”). On September 28, 2016, the Corporation amended the Trade Receivable Facility to increase the borrowing capacity from $250,000,000 to $300,000,000 and extend the maturity to September 27, 2017.

21


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The Trade Receivable Facility, with SunTrust Bank, Regions Bank , PNC Bank, N.A., The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch, and certain other lenders that may become a party to the facility from time to time, is backed by eligible trade receivables, as defined. Borrowings are limited to the lesser of the facility limit or the borrowing base, as defined, of $333,302,000 and $282,258,000 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These receivables are originated by the Corporation and then sold or contributed to the wholly-owned special-purpose subsidiary . The Corporation continues to be responsible for the servicing and administration of the receivables purchased by the wholly-owned special-purpose subsidiary. Borrowings under the Trade Receivable Facility bear interest at a rate equal to one-month LIBOR plus 0.725%, subject to change in the event that this rate no longer reflects the lender’s cost of lending. The Trade Receivable Facility contains a cross-default provision to the Corporation’s other debt agreements.   

The Corporation’s long-term debt maturities for the five years following December 31, 2016, and thereafter are:  

 

(add 000)

 

 

 

2017

$

180,035

 

2018

 

299,534

 

2019

 

55

 

2020

 

60

 

2021

 

459,098

 

Thereafter

 

747,407

 

Total

$

1,686,189

 

 

The Corporation’s $300,000,000 Floating Rate Notes mature June 30, 2017.  The Corporation has classified these obligations as noncurrent long-term debt on the consolidated balance sheets as it has the intent to refinance the notes on a long-term basis.  For the debt maturity schedule, the notes are included in 2021.

The Corporation has a $5,000,000 short-term line of credit.  No amounts were outstanding under this line of credit at December 31, 2016 or 2015.

Accumulated other comprehensive loss includes the unamortized value of terminated forward starting interest rate swap agreements.  For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Corporation recognized $1,367,000, $ 1,280,000 and $1,188,000, respectively, as additional interest expense.  The ongoing amortization of the terminated value of the forward starting interest rate swap agreements will increase annual interest expense by approximately $1,400,000 until the maturity of the 6.6% Senior Notes in 2018.

 

Note H: Financial Instruments

The Corporation’s financial instruments include temporary cash investments, accounts receivable, notes receivable, bank overdraft, accounts payable, publicly-registered long-term notes, debentures and other long-term debt.

Temporary cash investments are placed primarily in money market funds and money market demand deposit accounts with the following financial institutions: BB&T, Comerica Bank and Regions Bank. The Corporation’s cash equivalents have maturities of less than three months. Due to the short maturity of these investments, they are carried on the consolidated balance sheets at cost, which approximates fair value.

Accounts receivable are due from a large number of customers, primarily in the construction industry, and are dispersed across wide geographic and economic regions. However, accounts receivable are more heavily concentrated in certain states, namely Texas, Colorado, North Carolina, Iowa and Georgia. The estimated fair values of accounts receivable approximate their carrying amounts.

Notes receivable are primarily promissory notes with customers and are not publicly traded. Management estimates that the fair value of notes receivable approximates its carrying amount.

22


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The bank overdraft represents amounts to be funded to financial institutions for checks that have cl eared the bank. The estimated fair value of the bank overdraft approximates its carrying value.

Accounts payable represent amounts owed to suppliers and vendors. The estimated fair value of accounts payable approximates its carrying amount due to the short-term nature of the payables.

The carrying values and fair values of the Corporation’s long-term debt were $1,686,189,000 and $1,752,338,000, respectively, at December 31, 2016 and $1,568,774,000 and $1,625,193,000, respectively, at December 31, 2015. The estimated fair value of the Corporation’s publicly-registered long-term debt was estimated based on Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy using quoted market prices. The estimated fair values of other borrowings, which primarily represent variable-rate debt, approximate their carrying amounts as the interest rates reset periodically.

 

Note I: Income Taxes

The components of the Corporation’s tax expense (benefit) on income from continuing operations are as follows:

years ended December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Federal income taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

$

97,975

 

 

$

20,627

 

 

$

35,313

 

Deferred

 

 

68,899

 

 

 

85,295

 

 

 

46,616

 

Total federal income taxes

 

 

166,874

 

 

 

105,922

 

 

 

81,929

 

State income taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

15,189

 

 

 

18,153

 

 

 

10,307

 

Deferred

 

 

(1,149

)

 

 

930

 

 

 

3,376

 

Total state income taxes

 

 

14,040

 

 

 

19,083

 

 

 

13,683

 

Foreign income taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

 

1,064

 

 

 

99

 

 

 

1,262

 

Deferred

 

 

(394

)

 

 

(241

)

 

 

(2,027

)

Total foreign income taxes

 

 

670

 

 

 

(142

)

 

 

(765

)

Total taxes on income

 

$

181,584

 

 

$

124,863

 

 

$

94,847

 

The increase in 2016 federal current tax expense is primarily attributable to an increase in earnings; while, in comparison to 2015, the benefit from the utilization of net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards acquired in the 2014 purchase of TXI lowered current tax expense. The utilization of NOL carryforwards primarily attributed to the increase in federal deferred tax expense in 2015, although some benefits were also recognized in 2016 and 2014.  For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the benefit related to the utilization of federal NOL carryforwards, reflected in current tax expense, was $11,852,000, $156,554,000 and $16,940,000, respectively.

For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2014, excess tax benefits attributable to stock-based compensation transactions that were recorded to shareholders’ equity amounted to $6,792,000 and $2,508,000, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the realized tax benefit for stock-based compensation transactions was $871,000 less than the amounts estimated during the vesting periods, resulting in a decrease in the pool of excess tax credits.  

For the year ended December 31, 2016, foreign pretax earnings were $3,865,000. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, foreign pretax loss was $1,175,000 and $10,557,000, respectively.

23


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The Corporation’s effective income tax rate on continuing operations varied from the statutory United States income tax rate because of the following permanent tax differences:

 

years ended December 31

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Statutory tax rate

 

 

35.0

%

 

 

35.0

%

 

 

35.0

%

(Reduction) increase resulting from:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of statutory depletion

 

 

(5.4

)

 

 

(7.8

)

 

 

(9.6

)

State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

3.6

 

Domestic production deduction

 

 

(2.0

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(0.9

)

Transfer pricing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

Goodwill write off

 

 

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

3.9

 

Foreign tax rate differential

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

1.3

 

Disallowed compensation

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

3.7

 

Transaction costs

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.4

 

Other items

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

(1.1

)

Effective income tax rate

 

 

29.9

%

 

 

30.2

%

 

 

38.1

%

 

For income tax purposes, the statutory depletion deduction is calculated as a percentage of sales, subject to certain limitations. Due to these limitations, the impact of changes in the sales volumes and earnings may not proportionately affect the Corporation’s statutory depletion deduction and the corresponding impact on the effective income tax rate on continuing operations.  The growth in non-depletable income has resulted in a reduced impact on the effective income tax rate related to the statutory depletion deduction.

The state tax impact on the effective income tax rate has decreased due to changes in apportionment of taxable income to states with lower tax rates and the reduction in certain states’ statutory tax rates.

The Corporation is entitled to receive a 9% tax deduction related to income from domestic (i.e., United States) production activities. The deduction reduced income tax expense and increased consolidated net earnings by $13,583,000, or $0.21 per diluted share, in 2016; $222,000, or less than $0.01 per diluted share, in 2015;, and $3,239,000, or $0.05 per diluted share, in 2014. The impact on the 2015 and 2014 effective income tax rate was limited by the significant utilization of NOL carryforwards.

In 2015 and 2014, the Corporation wrote off goodwill not deductible for income tax purposes as part of the sale of certain operations.  In addition, the Corporation incurred certain compensation and transaction expenses, primarily in 2014 in connection with the TXI acquisition, that are not deductible for income tax purposes and therefore increased the effective income tax rate.

24


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The principal components of the Corporation’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

December 31

 

Deferred Assets (Liabilities)

 

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Deferred tax assets related to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee benefits

 

$

61,462

 

 

$

56,302

 

Inventories

 

 

71,490

 

 

 

75,907

 

Valuation and other reserves

 

 

38,206

 

 

 

42,857

 

Net operating loss carryforwards

 

 

10,507

 

 

 

11,448

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

82,793

 

 

 

67,757

 

AMT credit carryforward

 

 

2,771

 

 

 

48,197

 

Gross deferred tax assets

 

 

267,229

 

 

 

302,468

 

Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets

 

 

(8,521

)

 

 

(8,967

)

Total net deferred tax assets

 

 

258,708

 

 

 

293,501

 

Deferred tax liabilities related to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

(635,576

)

 

 

(593,767

)

Goodwill and other intangibles

 

 

(268,999

)

 

 

(266,436

)

Other items, net

 

 

(17,152

)

 

 

(16,757

)

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

 

(921,727

)

 

 

(876,960

)

Net deferred tax liability

 

$

(663,019

)

 

$

(583,459

)

 

The increase in the net deferred tax liability is primarily a result of deferred taxes recorded in conjunction with stock acquisitions and the utilization of Alternative Minimum Tax (“AMT”) credit carryforwards.

Deferred tax assets for employee benefits result from the temporary differences between the deductions for pension and postretirement obligations, incentive compensation and stock-based compensation transactions. For financial reporting purposes, such amounts are expensed based on authoritative accounting guidance. For income tax purposes, amounts related to pension and postretirement obligations and incentive compensation are deductible as funded. Amounts related to stock-based compensation transactions are deductible for income tax purposes upon vesting or exercise of the underlying award.

The Corporation had domestic federal and state NOL carryforwards of $220,532,000 (federal $0; state $220,532,000) and $273,251,000 (federal $33,863,000; state $239,388,000) at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These carryforwards have various expiration dates through 2036. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, deferred tax assets associated with these carryforwards were $10,507,000 and $11,448,000, respectively, net of unrecognized tax benefits, for which valuation allowances of $8,303,000 and $8,690,000, respectively, were recorded. The Corporation recorded a $3,714,000 valuation reserve in 2015 for certain domestic NOL carryforwards, which was driven by the sale of the California cement operations.  The Corporation also had domestic tax credit carryforwards of $1,441,000 and $3,179,000 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which expire in 2018. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, deferred tax assets associated with these carryforwards were $937,000 and $2,509,000, respectively, net of unrecognized tax benefits, for which valuation allowances of $218,000 and $277,000, respectively, were recorded. At December 31, 2016 the Corporation also had an AMT credit carryforward of $17,192,000, which does not expire. The deferred tax asset associated with this carryforward, net of unrecognized tax benefits, was $2,771,000

Deferred tax liabilities for property, plant and equipment result from accelerated depreciation methods being used for income tax purposes as compared with the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes.

Deferred tax liabilities related to goodwill and other intangibles reflect the cessation of goodwill amortization for financial reporting purposes, while amortization continues for income tax purposes.  

25


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The Corporation provides deferred taxes, as required, on the undistri buted net earnings of all non-U.S. subsidiaries for which the indefinite reversal criterion has not been met. The Corporation expects to reinvest permanently the earnings from its wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary and accordingly, has not provided deferred taxes on the subsidiary’s undistributed net earnings. The wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary’s undistributed net earnings are estimated to be $35,392,000 at December 31, 2016. The unrecognized deferred tax liability for temporary differences related to the i nvestment in the wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary is estimated to be $1,872,000 for the year ended December 31, 2016.

The following table summarizes the Corporation’s unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and correlative effects:

years ended December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year

 

$

18,727

 

 

$

21,107

 

 

$

11,826

 

Gross increases – tax positions in prior years

 

 

2,401

 

 

 

3,079

 

 

 

2,075

 

Gross decreases – tax positions in prior years

 

 

(1,924

)

 

 

(3,512

)

 

 

(203

)

Gross increases – tax positions in current year

 

 

4,650

 

 

 

4,978

 

 

 

3,369

 

Gross decreases – tax positions in current year

 

 

(2,047

)

 

 

(594

)

 

 

(51

)

Lapse of statute of limitations

 

 

 

 

 

(6,331

)

 

 

(1,872

)

Unrecognized tax benefits assumed with acquisition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,963

 

Unrecognized tax benefits at end of year

 

$

21,807

 

 

$

18,727

 

 

$

21,107

 

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the unrecognized tax benefits assumed with acquisition represented positions acquired with TXI.  

At December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, unrecognized tax benefits of $11,603,000, $7,975,000 and $9,362,000, respectively, related to interest accruals and permanent income tax differences, net of federal tax benefits, would have favorably affected the Corporation’s effective income tax rate if recognized.

Unrecognized tax benefits are reversed as a discrete event if an examination of applicable tax returns is not initiated by a federal or state tax authority within the statute of limitations or upon effective settlement with federal or state tax authorities. Management believes its accrual for unrecognized tax benefits is sufficient to cover uncertain tax positions reviewed during audits by taxing authorities. The Corporation anticipates that it is reasonably possible that its unrecognized tax benefits may decrease up to $3,935,000, excluding indirect benefits, during the twelve months ending December 31, 2017 due to the expiration of the statute of limitations for the 2012 and 2013 tax years.

For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, $2,364,000 or $0.04 per diluted share, and $687,000 or $0.01 per diluted share, respectively, were reversed into income upon the statute of limitations expiration for the 2010 and 2011 tax years.  

The Corporation’s open tax years subject to federal, state or foreign examinations are 2010 through 2016.

 

Note J: Retirement Plans, Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits

The Corporation sponsors defined benefit retirement plans that cover substantially all employees. Additionally, the Corporation provides other postretirement benefits for certain employees, including medical benefits for retirees and their spouses and retiree life insurance. The Corporation also provides certain benefits, such as disability benefits, to former or inactive employees after employment but before retirement.  

The measurement date for the Corporation’s defined benefit plans, postretirement benefit plans and postemployment benefit plans is December 31.

26


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Defined Benefit Retirement Plans. Retirement plan assets are invested in listed stocks, bonds, hedge funds, real estate and cash equivalents. Defined retirement benefits for salaried employees are based on each employee’s years of service and average compensation for a specified per iod of time before retirement. Defined retirement benefits for hourly employees are generally stated amounts for specified periods of service.

The Corporation sponsors a Supplemental Excess Retirement Plan (“SERP”) that generally provides for the payment of retirement benefits in excess of allowable Internal Revenue Code limits. The SERP generally provides for a lump-sum payment of vested benefits. When these benefit payments exceed the sum of the service and interest costs for the SERP during a year, the Corporation recognizes a pro-rata portion of the SERP’s unrecognized actuarial loss as settlement expense.  

The net periodic retirement benefit cost of defined benefit plans includes the following components:

years ended December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

22,167

 

 

$

23,001

 

 

$

17,125

 

Interest cost

 

 

35,879

 

 

 

33,151

 

 

 

28,935

 

Expected return on assets

 

 

(37,699

)

 

 

(36,385

)

 

 

(32,661

)

Amortization of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Prior service cost

 

 

350

 

 

 

422

 

 

 

445

 

  Actuarial loss

 

 

12,074

 

 

 

17,159

 

 

 

4,045

 

  Transition asset

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(1

)

 

 

(1

)

Settlement charge

 

 

124

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

Termination benefit charge

 

 

764

 

 

 

2,085

 

 

 

13,652

 

Net periodic benefit cost

 

$

33,658

 

 

$

39,432

 

 

$

31,540

 

 

The components of net periodic benefit cost other than the service cost component are included in the line item Other nonoperating (income) and expenses, net in the consolidated statements of earnings.

The expected return on assets is based on the fair value of the plan assets.  The termination benefit charge represents the increased benefits payable to former TXI executives as part of their change-in-control agreements.

The Corporation recognized the following amounts in consolidated comprehensive earnings:

  years ended December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Actuarial loss

 

$

52,028

 

 

$

9,916

 

 

$

105,546

 

Amortization of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service cost

 

 

(350

)

 

 

(422

)

 

 

(445

)

Actuarial loss

 

 

(12,074

)

 

 

(17,159

)

 

 

(4,045

)

Transition asset

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

 

 

1

 

Special plan termination benefits

 

 

(764

)

 

 

(2,085

)

 

 

 

Settlement charge

 

 

(124

)

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

Net prior service cost

 

 

 

 

 

2,338

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

38,717

 

 

$

(7,411

)

 

$

101,057

 

27


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss includes the following amounts that have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit cost:

 

December 31

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

(add 000)

 

Gross

 

 

Net of tax

 

 

Gross

 

 

Net of tax

 

Prior service cost

 

$

425

 

 

$

261

 

 

$

1,028

 

 

$

628

 

Actuarial loss

 

 

218,056

 

 

 

133,083

 

 

 

178,770

 

 

 

108,874

 

Transition asset

 

 

(7

)

 

 

(4

)

 

 

(8

)

 

 

(5

)

Total

 

$

218,474

 

 

$

133,340

 

 

$

179,790

 

 

$

109,497

 

 

The prior service cost, actuarial loss and transition asset expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost during 2017 are $311,000 (net of deferred taxes of $120,000), $14,098,000 (net of deferred taxes of $5,438,000) and $1,000, respectively. These amounts are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2016.

The defined benefit plans’ change in projected benefit obligation is as follows:

 

years ended December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Change in projected benefit obligation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net projected benefit obligation at beginning of year

 

$

754,543

 

 

$

753,975

 

Service cost

 

 

22,167

 

 

 

23,001

 

Interest cost

 

 

35,879

 

 

 

33,151

 

Actuarial loss (gain)

 

 

49,760

 

 

 

(27,119

)

Gross benefits paid

 

 

(30,500

)

 

 

(30,803

)

Nonrecurring termination benefit

 

 

-

 

 

 

2,338

 

Net projected benefit obligation at end of year

 

$

831,849

 

 

$

754,543

 

 

The Corporation’s change in plan assets, funded status and amounts recognized on the Corporation’s consolidated balance sheets are as follows:

 

years ended December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Change in plan assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

 

$

546,512

 

 

$

524,042

 

Actual return on plan assets, net

 

 

35,432

 

 

 

(651

)

Employer contributions

 

 

44,763

 

 

 

53,924

 

Gross benefits paid

 

 

(30,500

)

 

 

(30,803

)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

 

$

596,207

 

 

$

546,512

 

 

December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Funded status of the plan at end of year

 

$

(235,642

)

 

$

(208,031

)

Accrued benefit cost

 

$

(235,642

)

 

$

(208,031

)

28


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

  December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Amounts recognized on consolidated balance sheets consist of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liability

 

$

(6,223

)

 

$

(6,048

)

Noncurrent liability

 

 

(229,419

)

 

 

(201,983

)

Net amount recognized at end of year

 

$

(235,642

)

 

$

(208,031

)

 

The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $752,659,000 and $688,017,000 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets are as follows:

 

December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Projected benefit obligation

 

$

831,849

 

 

$

754,543

 

Accumulated benefit obligation

 

$

752,659

 

 

$

688,017

 

Fair value of plan assets

 

$

596,207

 

 

$

546,512

 

 

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

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Discount rate

 

 

4.29%

 

 

 

4.67%

 

Rate of increase in future compensation levels

 

 

4.50%

 

 

 

4.50%

 

 

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net periodic benefit cost for years ended December 31 are:

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Discount rate

 

 

4.67%

 

 

 

4.25%

 

 

 

5.17%

 

Rate of increase in future compensation levels

 

 

4.50%

 

 

 

4.50%

 

 

 

5.00%

 

Expected long-term rate of return on assets

 

 

7.00%

 

 

 

7.00%

 

 

 

7.00%

 

 

The expected long-term rate of return on assets is based on a building-block approach, whereby the components are weighted based on the allocation of pension plan assets.

For 2016 and 2015, the Corporation estimated the remaining lives of participants in the pension plans using the RP-2014 Base Table.  The Corporation used mortality improvement scale MP-2016 and BB-2D for the years 2016 and 2015, respectively. The change in mortality improvement scale in 2016 did not have a material impact on the projected benefit obligation. The white-collar table was used for salaried participants and the blue-collar table, reflecting the experience of the Corporation’s participants, was used for hourly participants.  

29


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The target allocation for 2016 and the actual pension plan asset allocation by asset class are as follows:

 

 

Percentage of Plan Assets

 

 

 

2016

 

 

December 31

 

Asset Class

 

Target

Allocation

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Equity securities

 

 

54%

 

 

 

57%

 

 

 

55%

 

Debt securities

 

 

30%

 

 

 

28%

 

 

 

31%

 

Hedge funds

 

 

8%

 

 

 

7%

 

 

 

7%

 

Real estate

 

 

8%

 

 

 

8%

 

 

 

7%

 

Total

 

 

100%

 

 

 

100%

 

 

 

100%

 

 

The Corporation’s investment strategy is for approximately 50% of equity securities to be invested in mid-sized to large capitalization U.S. funds with the remaining to be invested in small capitalization, emerging markets and international funds. Debt securities, or fixed income investments, are invested in funds benchmarked to the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.

30


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The fair values of pension plan assets by asset class and fair value hierarchy level are as follows:

 

December 31

 

Quoted Prices

in Active

Markets

for Identical

Assets

(Level 1)

 

 

Significant

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)

 

 

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

 

 

Total Fair

Value

 

(add 000)

 

2016

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-sized to large cap

 

$

 

 

$

169,176

 

 

$

 

 

$

169,176

 

Small cap, international and emerging growth funds

 

 

 

 

 

169,678

 

 

 

 

 

 

169,678

 

Debt securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core fixed income

 

 

 

 

 

168,282

 

 

 

 

 

 

168,282

 

Real estate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44,890

 

 

 

44,890

 

Hedge funds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44,036

 

 

 

44,036

 

Cash

 

 

145

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

145

 

Total

 

$

145

 

 

$

507,136

 

 

$

88,926

 

 

$

596,207

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-sized to large cap

 

$

 

 

$

156,008

 

 

$

 

 

$

156,008

 

Small cap, international and emerging growth funds

 

 

 

 

 

144,405

 

 

 

 

 

 

144,405

 

Debt securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Core fixed income

 

 

 

 

 

167,545

 

 

 

 

 

 

167,545

 

Real estate

 

 

15,479

 

 

 

 

 

 

23,242

 

 

 

38,721

 

Hedge funds

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

39,219

 

 

 

39,219

 

Cash

 

 

614

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

614

 

Total

 

$

16,093

 

 

$

467,958

 

 

$

62,461

 

 

$

546,512

 

 

Level 3 real estate investments are stated at estimated fair value, which is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair values of real estate investments generally do not reflect transaction costs which may be incurred upon disposition of the real estate investments and do not necessarily represent the prices at which the real estate investments would be sold or repaid, since market prices of real estate investments can only be determined by negotiation between a willing buyer and seller. An independent valuation consultant is employed to determine the fair value of the real estate investments. The value of hedge funds is based on the values of the sub-fund investments. In determining the fair value of each sub-fund’s investment, the hedge funds’ Board of Trustees uses the values provided by the sub-funds and any other considerations that may, in its judgment, increase or decrease such estimated value.

31


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The change in the fair value of pension plan assets valued using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) is as follows:

  

years ended December 31

 

Real Estate

 

 

Hedge Funds

 

(add 000)

 

2016

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

23,242

 

 

$

39,219

 

Purchases, sales, settlements, net

 

 

18,579

 

 

 

3,100

 

Actual return on plan assets held at period end

 

 

3,069

 

 

 

1,717

 

Balance at end of year

 

$

44,890

 

 

$

44,036

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

20,363

 

 

$

38,264

 

Actual return on plan assets held at period end

 

 

2,879

 

 

 

955

 

Balance at end of year

 

$

23,242

 

 

$

39,219

 

 

In 2016 and 2015, the Corporation made combined pension and SERP contributions of $44,763,000 and $53,924,000, respectively. The Corporation currently estimates that it will contribute $32,537,000 to its pension and SERP plans in 2017.

The expected benefit payments to be paid from plan assets for each of the next five years and the five-year period thereafter are as follows:

 

(add 000)

 

 

 

 

2017

 

$

36,563

 

2018

 

$

38,452

 

2019

 

$

40,792

 

2020

 

$

42,981

 

2021

 

$

44,403

 

Years 2022 - 2026

 

$

250,080

 

 

Postretirement Benefits . The net periodic postretirement benefit credit cost for postretirement plans includes the following components:

 

years ended December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Components of net periodic benefit credit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

85

 

 

$

137

 

 

$

206

 

Interest cost

 

 

863

 

 

 

928

 

 

 

1,164

 

Amortization of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Prior service credit

 

 

(1,959

)

 

 

(2,302

)

 

 

(3,255

)

     Actuarial gain

 

 

(499

)

 

 

(309

)

 

 

(266

)

Settlement credit

 

 

(9

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Total net periodic benefit credit

 

$

(1,519

)

 

$

(1,546

)

 

$

(2,151

)

The components of net periodic benefit credit other than the service cost component are included in the line item Other nonoperating (income) and expenses, net in the consolidated statements of earnings.

32


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The Corporation recognized the following amounts in consolidated comprehensive earnings:

 

years ended December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Actuarial loss (gain)

 

$

686

 

 

$

(626

)

 

$

(3,026

)

Net prior service credit

 

 

(1,326

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Settlement credit

 

 

9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Amortization of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service credit

 

 

1,959

 

 

 

2,302

 

 

 

3,255

 

Actuarial gain

 

 

499

 

 

 

309

 

 

 

266

 

Total

 

$

1,827

 

 

$

1,985

 

 

$

495

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss includes the following amounts that have not yet been recognized in net periodic benefit credit or cost:

 

December 31

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

(add 000)

 

Gross

 

 

Net of tax

 

 

Gross

 

 

Net of tax

 

Prior service credit

 

$

(4,153

)

 

$

(2,551

)

 

$

(4,786

)

 

$

(2,924

)

Actuarial gain

 

 

(3,857

)

 

 

(2,369

)

 

 

(5,050

)

 

 

(3,086

)

Total

 

$

(8,010

)

 

$

(4,920

)

 

$

(9,836

)

 

$

(6,010

)

 

The prior service credit and actuarial gain expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit cost during 2017 is $1,741,000 (net of a deferred tax liability of $672,000) and $284,000 (net of a deferred tax liability of $110,000), respectively, and are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at December 31, 2016.

The postretirement health care plans’ change in benefit obligation is as follows:

 

years ended December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Change in benefit obligation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net benefit obligation at beginning of year

 

$

23,408

 

 

$

25,086

 

Service cost

 

 

85

 

 

 

137

 

Interest cost

 

 

863

 

 

 

928

 

Participants’ contributions

 

 

2,616

 

 

 

1,777

 

Actuarial loss (gain)

 

 

688

 

 

 

(627

)

Gross benefits paid

 

 

(5,743

)

 

 

(3,893

)

Plan amendments

 

 

(1,326

)

 

 

-

 

Net benefit obligation at end of year

 

$

20,591

 

 

$

23,408

 

33


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The Corporation’s change in plan assets, funded status and amounts recognized on the Corporation’s consolidated balance sheets are as follows:

 

years ended December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Change in plan assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

 

$

 

 

$

 

Employer contributions

 

 

3,127

 

 

 

2,116

 

Participants’ contributions

 

 

2,616

 

 

 

1,777

 

Gross benefits paid

 

 

(5,743

)

 

 

(3,893

)

Fair value of plan assets at end of year

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Funded status of the plan at end of year

 

$

(20,591

)

 

$

(23,408

)

Accrued benefit cost

 

$

(20,591

)

 

$

(23,408

)

 

December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Amounts recognized on consolidated balance sheets consist of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liability

 

$

(3,070

)

 

$

(2,120

)

Noncurrent liability

 

 

(17,521

)

 

 

(21,288

)

Net amount recognized at end of year

 

$

(20,591

)

 

$

(23,408

)

 

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

 

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Discount rate

 

 

3.78

%

 

 

4.25

%

 

Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net postretirement benefit cost for the years ended December 31 are:

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Discount rate

 

 

4.25

%

 

 

3.83

%

 

 

4.42

%

 

For 2016 and 2015, the Corporation estimated the remaining lives of participants in the postretirement plan using the RP-2014 Base Table.  The Corporation used mortality improvement scale MP-2016 and BB-2D for the years 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Assumed health care cost trend rates at December 31 are:

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year

 

 

7.0%

 

 

 

7.0%

 

Rate to which the cost trend rate gradually declines

 

 

5.0%

 

 

 

5.0%

 

Year the rate reaches the ultimate rate

 

2021

 

 

2020

 

34


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:  

 

 

 

One Percentage Point

 

(add 000)

 

Increase

 

 

(Decrease)

 

Total service and interest cost components

 

$

49

 

 

$

(42

)

Postretirement benefit obligation

 

$

1,051

 

 

$

(911

)

 

The Corporation estimates that it will contribute $3,070,000 to its postretirement health care plans in 2017.

The total expected benefit payments to be paid by the Corporation, net of participant contributions, for each of the next five years and the five-year period thereafter are as follows:

 

(add 000)

 

 

 

 

2017

 

$

3,070

 

2018

 

$

2,120

 

2019

 

$

2,000

 

2020

 

$

1,873

 

2021

 

$

1,781

 

Years 2022 - 2026

 

$

6,434

 

 

Defined Contribution Plans . The Corporation maintains defined contribution plans that cover substantially all employees. These plans, qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, are retirement savings and investment plans for the Corporation’s salaried and hourly employees . Under certain provisions of these plans, the Corporation, at established rates, matches employees’ eligible contributions. The Corporation’s matching obligations were $13,235,000 in 2016, $12,444,000 in 2015 and $8,602,000 in 2014.

Postemployment Benefits. The Corporation had accrued postemployment benefits of $1,146,000 and $1,267,000 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

 

Note K: Stock-Based Compensation

The shareholders approved, on May 19, 2016, the Martin Marietta Amended and Restated Stock-Based Award Plan. The Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. Stock-Based Award Plan, as amended from time to time (along with the Amended Omnibus Securities Award Plan, originally approved in 1994, the “Plans”) is still effective for awards made prior to 2017. The Corporation has been authorized by the Board of Directors to repurchase shares of the Corporation’s common stock for issuance under the stock-based award plans (see Note M).

The Corporation grants restricted stock awards under the Plans to a group of executive officers, key personnel and nonemployee Board of Directors. The vesting of certain restricted stock awards is based on certain performance criteria over a specified period of time.  In addition, certain awards are granted to individuals to encourage retention and motivate key employees. These awards generally vest if the employee is continuously employed over a specified period of time and require no payment from the employee.  Awards granted to nonemployee Board of Directors vest immediately.

Additionally, an incentive stock plan has been adopted under the Plans whereby certain participants may elect to use up to 50% of their annual incentive compensation to acquire units representing shares of the Corporation’s common stock at a 20% discount to the market value on the date of the incentive compensation award.  Certain executive officers

35


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

are required to participate in the incentive stock plan at certain minimu m levels. Participants earn the right to receive unrestricted shares of common stock in an amount equal to their respective units generally at the end of a 34-month period of additional employment from the date of award or at retirement beginning at age 62 .  All rights of ownership of the common stock convey to the participants upon the issuance of their respective shares at the end of the ownership-vesting period, with the exception of dividend equivalents that are paid on the units during the vesting peri od.  

The following table summarizes information for restricted stock awards and incentive compensation awards as of December 31, 2016:

 

 

Restricted Stock -

Service Based

 

 

Restricted Stock -

Performance Based

 

 

Incentive

Compensation

 

 

 

Number of

Awards

 

 

Weighted-

Average

Grant-Date

Fair Value

 

 

Number of

Awards

 

 

Weighted-

Average

Grant-Date

Fair Value

 

 

Number of

Awards

 

 

Weighted-

Average

Grant-Date

Fair Value

 

January 1, 2016

 

 

288,563

 

 

$

120.92

 

 

 

36,607

 

 

$

117.76

 

 

 

37,340

 

 

$

106.45

 

Awarded

 

 

73,550

 

 

$

128.48

 

 

 

75,421

 

 

$

124.41

 

 

 

18,570

 

 

$

124.41

 

Distributed

 

 

(51,849

)

 

$

104.82

 

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

(14,665

)

 

$

107.01

 

Forfeited

 

 

(2,947

)

 

$

129.59

 

 

 

(711

)

 

$

124.41

 

 

 

(696

)

 

$

108.28

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

307,317

 

 

$

125.36

 

 

 

111,317

 

 

$

122.22

 

 

 

40,549

 

 

$

114.44

 

 

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of service-based restricted stock awards granted during 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $128.48, $154.26 and $126.88, respectively.  The weighted average grant-date fair value of performance-based restricted stock awards granted during 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $124.41, $108.53 and $129.14, respectively. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of incentive compensation awards granted during 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $124.41, $108.53 and $109.17, respectively.

The aggregate intrinsic values for restricted stock awards and incentive compensation awards at December 31, 2016 were $92,740,000 and $5,270,000, respectively, and were based on the closing price of the Corporation’s common stock at December 31, 2016, which was $221.53. The aggregate intrinsic values of restricted stock awards distributed during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $9,738,000, $11,387,000 and $3,555,000, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic values of incentive compensation awards distributed during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $1,941,000, $983,000 and $584,000, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic values for distributed awards were based on the closing prices of the Corporation’s common stock on the dates of distribution.

Under the Plans, prior to 2016, the Corporation granted options to employees to purchase its common stock at a price equal to the closing market value at the date of grant.  Options become exercisable in four annual installments beginning one year after date of grant.  Options granted starting 2013 expire ten years after the grant date while outstanding options granted prior to 2013 expire eight years after the grant date.

In connection with the TXI acquisition, the Corporation issued 821,282 Martin Marietta stock options (“Replacement Options”) to holders of outstanding TXI stock options at the acquisition date.  The Corporation issued 0.7 Replacement Options for each outstanding TXI stock option, and the Replacement Option prices reflected the exchange ratio.  The Replacement Options will expire on the original contractual dates when the TXI stock options were initially issued.  Consistent with the terms of the Corporation’s other outstanding stock options, Replacement Options expire 90 days after employment is terminated.

Prior to 2009, each nonemployee Board of Director member received 3,000 non-qualified stock options annually. These options have an exercise price equal to the market value at the date of grant, vested immediately and expire ten years from the grant date.

36


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The following table includes summary information for stock options as of December 31, 2016:

 

 

Number of

Options

 

 

Weighted-

Average

Exercise

Price

 

 

Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2016

 

 

686,012

 

 

$

95.43

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

 

(276,240

)

 

$

98.67

 

 

 

 

 

Terminated

 

 

(2,881

)

 

$

89.06

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2016

 

 

406,891

 

 

$

93.27

 

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable at December 31, 2016

 

 

324,979

 

 

$

82.63

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

The weighted-average grant-date exercise price of options granted during 2015 and 2014 was $154.58 and $121.00, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic values of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $22,571,000, $7,318,000 and $9,709,000, respectively, and were based on the closing prices of the Corporation’s common stock on the dates of exercise. The aggregate intrinsic values for options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2016 were $52,189,000 and $45,138,000, respectively, and were based on the closing price of the Corporation’s common stock at December 31, 2016, which was $221.53.

At December 31, 2016, there are approximately 941,000 awards available for grant under the Plans.  In 2016, the Corporation’s shareholders approved the registration of an additional 800,000 shares of common stock under the Plans.  As part of approving the registered shares, the Corporation agreed to not issue any additional awards under the legacy TXI plan.  The awards available for grant under the Plans at December 31, 2016 reflect no awards available under the legacy TXI plan.

In 1996, the Corporation adopted the Shareholder Value Achievement Plan to award shares of the Corporation’s common stock to key senior employees based on certain common stock performance criteria over a long-term period. Under the terms of this plan, 250,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance. Through December 31, 2016, 42,025 shares have been issued under this plan. No awards have been granted under this plan after 2000.

The Corporation adopted and the shareholders approved the Common Stock Purchase Plan for Directors in 1996, which provides nonemployee Board of Directors the election to receive all or a portion of their total fees in the form of the Corporation’s common stock. In 2016, members of the Board of Directors were not required to defer any of their fees in the form of the Corporation’s common stock.  Under the terms of this plan, 300,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance. Nonemployee Board of Directors elected to defer portions of their fees representing 3,699, 4,035 and 3,804 shares of the Corporation’s common stock under this plan during 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

37


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, unrecognized compensation cost for nonvested awards at December 31, 2016 and the weighted-average period over which unrecognized compensation cost will be recognized:

 

(add 000, except year data)

 

Stock

Options

 

 

Restricted

Stock

 

 

Incentive Compensation

 

 

Directors’ Awards

 

 

Total

 

Stock-based compensation expense recognized for years

   ended December 31:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016

 

$

1,646

 

 

$

17,747

 

 

$

442

 

 

$

646

 

 

$

20,481

 

2015

 

$

2,679

 

 

$

9,809

 

 

$

376

 

 

$

725

 

 

 

13,589

 

2014

 

$

2,020

 

 

$

6,189

 

 

$

257

 

 

$

527

 

 

 

8,993

 

Unrecognized compensation cost at December 31, 2016:

 

$

1,045

 

 

$

19,533

 

 

$

340

 

 

$

 

 

$

20,918

 

Weighted-average period over which unrecognized

   compensation cost will be recognized:

 

1.6 years

 

 

2.1 years

 

 

1.5 years

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Corporation recognized a deferred tax asset related to stock-based compensation expense of $7,901,000, $5,286,000 and $3,542,000, respectively.

The following presents expected stock-based compensation expense in future periods for outstanding awards as of December 31, 2016:

(add 000)

 

 

 

 

2017

 

$

11,492

 

2018

 

 

7,547

 

2019

 

 

1,879

 

Total

 

$

20,918

 

 

Stock-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Corporation’s consolidated statements of earnings.

 

Note L: Leases

Total lease expense for operating leases was $85,945,000, $80,417,000 and $59,590,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Corporation’s operating leases generally contain renewal and/or purchase options with varying terms. The Corporation has royalty agreements that generally require royalty payments based on tons produced or total sales dollars and also contain minimum payments. Total royalties, principally for leased properties, were $55,257,000, $53,658,000 and $50,535,000 for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Corporation also has capital lease obligations for machinery and equipment.

38


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Future minimum lease and royalty commitments for all noncancelable agreements and capital lease obliga tions as of December 31, 2016 are as follows:

(add 000)

 

Capital

Leases

 

 

Operating

Leases & Royalty Commitments

 

2017

 

$

3,416

 

 

$

125,316

 

2018

 

 

3,561

 

 

 

68,488

 

2019

 

 

3,241

 

 

 

59,727

 

2020

 

 

2,558

 

 

 

55,080

 

2021

 

 

1,768

 

 

 

51,376

 

Thereafter

 

 

5,216

 

 

 

355,918

 

Total

 

 

19,760

 

 

$

715,905

 

Less: imputed interest

 

 

(4,155

)

 

 

 

 

Present value of minimum lease payments

 

 

15,605

 

 

 

 

 

Less: current capital lease obligations

 

 

(2,683

)

 

 

 

 

Long-term capital lease obligations

 

$

12,922

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Of the total future minimum commitments, $225,900,000 relates to the Corporation’s contracts of affreightment.

 

 

Note M: Shareholders’ Equity

The authorized capital structure of the Corporation includes 100,000,000 shares of common stock, with a par value of $0.01 a share. At December 31, 2016, approximately 2,164,000 common shares were reserved for issuance under stock-based plans.

Pursuant to authority granted by its Board of Directors, the Corporation can repurchase up to 20,000,000 shares of common stock through open-market purchases. The Corporation repurchased 1,587,987 and 3,285,380 shares of common stock during 2016 and 2015, respectively, and did not repurchase any shares of common stock during 2014.  At December 31, 2016, 15,126,633 shares of common stock were remaining under the Corporation’s repurchase authorization.  

In addition to common stock, the Corporation’s capital structure includes 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.01 a share. On October 21, 2006, the Board of Directors adopted a Rights Agreement (the “Rights Agreement”) and reserved 200,000 shares of Junior Participating Class B Preferred Stock for issuance. In accordance with the Rights Agreement, the Corporation issued a dividend of one right for each share of the Corporation’s common stock outstanding as of October 21, 2006, and one right continues to attach to each share of common stock issued thereafter. The rights will become exercisable if any person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the Corporation’s common stock. Once exercisable and upon a person or group acquiring 15% or more of the Corporation’s common stock, each right (other than rights owned by such person or group) entitles its holder to purchase, for an exercise price of $315 per share, a number of shares of the Corporation’s common stock (or in certain circumstances, cash, property or other securities of the Corporation) having a market value of twice the exercise price, and under certain conditions, common stock of an acquiring company having a market value of twice the exercise price. If any person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the Corporation’s common stock, the Corporation may, at its option, exchange the outstanding rights (other than rights owned by such acquiring person or group) for shares of the Corporation’s common stock or Corporation equity securities deemed to have the same value as one share of common stock or a combination thereof, at an exchange ratio of one share of common stock per right. The Corporation’s Rights Agreement expired on October 21, 2016.

 

39


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Note N: Commitments and Contingencies

Legal and Administrative Proceedings. The Corporation is engaged in certain legal and administrative proceedings incidental to its normal business activities. In the opinion of management and counsel, based upon currently-available facts, it is remote that the ultimate outcome of any litigation and other proceedings, including those pertaining to environmental matters (see Note A), relating to the Corporation and its subsidiaries, will have a material adverse effect on the overall results of the Corporation’s operations, its cash flows or its financial position.

Asset Retirement Obligations. The Corporation incurs reclamation and teardown costs as part of its mining and production processes. Estimated future obligations are discounted to their present value and accreted to their projected future obligations via charges to operating expenses. Additionally, the fixed assets recorded concurrently with the liabilities are depreciated over the period until retirement activities are expected to occur. Total accretion and depreciation expenses for 2016, 2015 and 2014 were $8,823,000, $6,767,000 and $4,584,000, respectively, and are included in other operating income and expenses, net, in the consolidated statements of earnings.

The following shows the changes in the asset retirement obligations:

 

years ended December 31:

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

89,604

 

 

$

70,422

 

Accretion expense

 

 

4,288

 

 

 

3,336

 

Liabilities incurred and liabilities assumed in business combinations

 

 

6,700

 

 

 

14,735

 

Liabilities settled

 

 

166

 

 

 

(4,490

)

Revisions in estimated cash flows

 

 

348

 

 

 

5,601

 

Balance at end of year

 

$

101,106

 

 

$

89,604

 

 

Other Environmental Matters . The Corporation’s operations are subject to and affected by federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the environment, health and safety and other regulatory matters. Certain of the Corporation’s operations may, from time to time, involve the use of substances that are classified as toxic or hazardous within the meaning of these laws and regulations. Environmental operating permits are, or may be, required for certain of the Corporation’s operations, and such permits are subject to modification, renewal and revocation. The Corporation regularly monitors and reviews its operations, procedures and policies for compliance with these laws and regulations. Despite these compliance efforts, risk of environmental remediation liability is inherent in the operation of the Corporation’s businesses, as it is with other companies engaged in similar businesses. The Corporation has no material provisions for environmental remediation liabilities and does not believe such liabilities will have a material adverse effect on the Corporation in the future.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) includes the lime industry as a national enforcement priority under the federal Clean Air Act (“CAA”). As part of the industry-wide effort, the EPA issued Notices of Violation/Findings of Violation (“NOVs”) to the Corporation in 2010 and 2011 regarding its compliance with the CAA New Source Review (“NSR”) program at its Magnesia Specialties dolomitic lime manufacturing plant in Woodville, Ohio. The Corporation has been providing information to the EPA in response to these NOVs and has had several meetings with the EPA. The Corporation believes it is in substantial compliance with the NSR program. At this time, the Corporation cannot reasonably estimate what likely penalties or upgrades to equipment might ultimately be required. The Corporation believes any costs related to any required upgrades to capital equipment will be spread over time and will not have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s results of operations or its financial condition.

Insurance Reserves. The Corporation has insurance coverage with large deductibles for workers’ compensation, automobile liability, marine liability and general liability claims. The Corporation is also self-insured for health claims. At

40


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

December 31, 2016 and 2015, reserves of $42,184,000 and $45,911,000, respectively, were recorded for all such insurance claims. The Corporation carries various risk deductible workers’ compensation policies related to its workers’ compensation liabilities. The Corporation records the workers’ compensation reserves based on an actuarial-determined analysis. This analysis calculates development factors, which are applied to total reserves within the workers’ compensation program. While the Corporation believes the assumptions used to calculate these liabilities are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience and/or significant changes in these assumptions may materially affect workers’ compensation costs.

Letters of Credit. In the normal course of business, the Corporation provides certain third parties with standby letter of credit agreements guaranteeing its payment for certain insurance claims, utilities and property improvements. At December 31, 2016, the Corporation was contingently liable for $45,428,000 in letters of credit, of which $2,507,000 were issued under the Corporation’s Revolving Facility. Certain of these underlying obligations are accrued on the Corporation’s consolidated balance sheets.

Surety Bonds. In the normal course of business, at December 31, 2016, the Corporation was contingently liable for $381,456,000 in surety bonds required by certain states and municipalities and their related agencies. The bonds are principally for certain insurance claims, construction contracts, reclamation obligations and mining permits guaranteeing the Corporation’s own performance. Certain of these underlying obligations, including those for asset retirement requirements and insurance claims, are accrued on the Corporation’s consolidated balance sheets. Five of these bonds total $85,111,000, or 22%, of all outstanding surety bonds. The Corporation has indemnified the underwriting insurance companies, Liberty Mutual and W.R. Berkley, against any exposure under the surety bonds.  In the Corporation’s past experience, no material claims have been made against these financial instruments.

Borrowing Arrangements with Affiliate. The Corporation is a co-borrower with an unconsolidated affiliate for a $25,000,000 revolving line of credit agreement with BB&T, of which $22,600,000 was outstanding as of December 31, 2016.  The line of credit expires in February 2018. The affiliate has agreed to reimburse and indemnify the Corporation for any payments and expenses the Corporation may incur from this agreement. The Corporation holds a lien on the affiliate’s membership interest in a joint venture as collateral for payment under the revolving line of credit.

In 2014, the Corporation loaned the unconsolidated affiliate a total of $6,000,000 as an interest-only note due December 31, 2019.

Purchase Commitments. The Corporation had purchase commitments for property, plant and equipment of $94,074,000 as of December 31, 2016. The Corporation also had other purchase obligations related to energy and service contracts of $106,307,000 as of December 31, 2016. The Corporation’s contractual purchase commitments as of December 31, 2016 are as follows:

 

(add 000)

2017

 

$

154,804

 

2018

 

 

24,555

 

2019

 

 

16,453

 

2020

 

 

2,979

 

2021

 

 

454

 

Thereafter

 

 

1,136

 

Total

 

$

200,381

 

Capital expenditures in 2016, 2015 and 2014 that were purchase commitments as of the prior year end were $62,927,000, $116,681,000 and $34,135,000, respectively.

41


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Employees. Approximately 11% of the Corporation’s employees are represented by a labor union. All such employees are hourly employees. The Corporation maintains collective bargaining agreements relating to the union employees within the Building Materials business an d Magnesia Specialties segment. Of the Magnesia Specialties segment, located in Manistee, Michigan and Woodville, Ohio, 100% of its hourly employees are represented by labor unions. The Manistee collective bargaining agreement expires in August 2019. The W oodville collective bargaining agreement expires in May 2018.    

 

Note O: Business Segments

The Building Materials business is comprised of divisions which represent operating segments. Certain divisions are consolidated as reportable segments for financial reporting purposes as they meet the aggregation criteria. The Building Materials business contains three reportable segments: Mid-America Group, Southeast Group and West Group. The Magnesia Specialties business represents an individual operating and reportable segment. The accounting policies used for segment reporting are the same as those described in Note A.

The Corporation’s evaluation of performance and allocation of resources are based primarily on earnings from operations. Consolidated earnings from operations include net sales less cost of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses, acquisition-related expenses, net, other operating income and expenses, net, and exclude interest expense, other nonoperating income and expenses, net, and taxes on income. Corporate consolidated earnings from operations primarily include depreciation on capitalized interest, expenses for corporate administrative functions, acquisition-related expenses, net, and other nonrecurring and/or non-operational income and expenses excluded from the Corporation’s evaluation of business segment performance and resource allocation. All debt and related interest expense is held at Corporate.

Assets employed by segment include assets directly identified with those operations. Corporate assets consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents; property, plant and equipment for corporate operations; investments and other assets not directly identifiable with a reportable business segment.

In connection with a management change effective January 1, 2017, the cement product line is reported in the West Group.  All segment information has been reclassified to conform to the presentation of the Corporation’s current reportable segments and for the adoption of ASU 2017-07.

The following tables display selected financial data for the Corporation’s reportable business segments.

Selected Financial Data by Business Segment

years ended December 31

(add 000)

Total revenues

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Mid-America Group

 

$

1,017,098

 

 

$

926,251

 

 

$

848,855

 

Southeast Group

 

 

321,078

 

 

 

304,472

 

 

 

274,352

 

West Group

 

 

2,223,515

 

 

 

2,062,968

 

 

 

1,578,042

 

Total Building Materials Business

 

 

3,561,691

 

 

 

3,293,691

 

 

 

2,701,249

 

Magnesia Specialties

 

 

257,058

 

 

 

245,879

 

 

 

256,702

 

Total

 

$

3,818,749

 

 

$

3,539,570

 

 

$

2,957,951

 

 

42


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

years ended December 31

(add 000)

Net sales

 

 

2016

 

 

 

2015

 

 

 

2014

 

Mid-America Group

 

$

945,123

 

 

$

851,854

 

 

$

770,568

 

Southeast Group

 

 

304,451

 

 

 

285,302

 

 

 

254,986

 

West Group

 

 

2,089,192

 

 

 

1,903,452

 

 

 

1,417,435

 

Total Building Materials Business

 

 

3,338,766

 

 

 

3,040,608

 

 

 

2,442,989

 

Magnesia Specialties

 

 

238,001

 

 

 

227,508

 

 

 

236,106

 

Total

 

$

3,576,767

 

 

$

3,268,116

 

 

$

2,679,095

 

 

Gross profit (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-America Group

 

$

306,560

 

 

$

257,002

 

 

$

215,245

 

Southeast Group

 

 

57,286

 

 

 

34,359

 

 

 

10,286

 

West Group

 

 

466,790

 

 

 

360,667

 

 

 

207,772

 

Total Building Materials Business

 

 

830,636

 

 

 

652,028

 

 

 

433,303

 

Magnesia Specialties

 

 

89,603

 

 

 

79,057

 

 

 

84,352

 

Corporate

 

 

(8,501

)

 

 

(4,165

)

 

 

1,969

 

Total

 

$

911,738

 

 

$

726,920

 

 

$

519,624

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-America Group

 

$

52,712

 

 

$

52,227

 

 

$

52,274

 

Southeast Group

 

 

17,245

 

 

 

18,353

 

 

 

17,812

 

West Group

 

 

95,631

 

 

 

92,988

 

 

 

63,422

 

Total Building Materials Business

 

 

165,588

 

 

 

163,568

 

 

 

133,508

 

Magnesia Specialties

 

 

9,617

 

 

 

9,408

 

 

 

9,775

 

Corporate

 

 

66,401

 

 

 

37,778

 

 

 

24,819

 

Total

 

$

241,606

 

 

$

210,754

 

 

$

168,102

 

 

Earnings (Loss) from operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-America Group

 

$

258,422

 

 

$

207,619

 

 

$

170,513

 

Southeast Group

 

 

41,653

 

 

 

16,712

 

 

 

(5,685

)

West Group

 

 

379,417

 

 

 

256,042

 

 

 

193,024

 

Total Building Materials Business

 

 

679,492

 

 

 

480,373

 

 

 

357,852

 

Magnesia Specialties

 

 

79,306

 

 

 

69,301

 

 

 

74,564

 

Corporate

 

 

(81,532

)

 

 

(55,507

)

 

 

(105,484

)

Total

 

$

677,266

 

 

$

494,167

 

 

$

326,932

 

 

43


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

as of December 31

(add 000)

Assets employed

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Mid-America Group

 

$

1,406,526

 

 

$

1,304,574

 

 

$

1,290,833

 

Southeast Group

 

 

594,967

 

 

 

583,369

 

 

 

604,044

 

West Group

 

 

4,904,018

 

 

 

4,561,432

 

 

 

4,896,199

 

Total Building Materials Business

 

 

6,905,511

 

 

 

6,449,375

 

 

 

6,791,076

 

Magnesia Specialties

 

 

150,969

 

 

 

147,795

 

 

 

150,359

 

Corporate

 

 

244,425

 

 

 

360,441

 

 

 

273,082

 

Total

 

$

7,300,905

 

 

$

6,957,611

 

 

$

7,214,517

 

 

years ended December 31

(add 000)

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Mid-America Group

 

$

64,295

 

 

$

61,693

 

 

$

63,294

 

Southeast Group

 

 

30,590

 

 

 

31,644

 

 

 

31,955

 

West Group

 

 

164,653

 

 

 

147,619

 

 

 

104,903

 

Total Building Materials Business

 

 

259,538

 

 

 

240,956

 

 

 

200,152

 

Magnesia Specialties

 

 

12,865

 

 

 

13,769

 

 

 

10,394

 

Corporate

 

 

12,850

 

 

 

8,862

 

 

 

12,200

 

Total

 

$

285,253

 

 

$

263,587

 

 

$

222,746

 

 

Total property additions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-America Group

 

$

152,014

 

 

$

77,640

 

 

$

76,753

 

Southeast Group

 

 

30,588

 

 

 

12,155

 

 

 

23,326

 

West Group

 

 

338,795

 

 

 

244,844

 

 

 

1,728,405

 

Total Building Materials Business

 

 

521,397

 

 

 

334,639

 

 

 

1,828,484

 

Magnesia Specialties

 

 

8,944

 

 

 

8,916

 

 

 

2,588

 

Corporate

 

 

10,430

 

 

 

20,561

 

 

 

15,349

 

Total

 

$

540,771

 

 

$

364,116

 

 

$

1,846,421

 

 

Property additions through acquisitions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mid-America Group

 

$

1,524

 

 

$

4,385

 

 

$

 

Southeast Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

West Group

 

 

132,112

 

 

 

35,965

 

 

 

1,602,860

 

Total Building Materials Business

 

 

133,636

 

 

 

40,350

 

 

 

1,602,860

 

Magnesia Specialties

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

133,636

 

 

$

40,350

 

 

$

1,602,860

 

 

The Building Materials business includes the aggregates, cement, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines. All cement, ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines reside in the West Group. The following tables, which are reconciled to consolidated amounts, provide total revenues, net sales and gross profit by line of business: Building Materials (further divided by product line) and Magnesia Specialties.  For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Corporation changed the presentation of the elimination of interproduct revenues and sales. Information

44


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 have been conformed to the 2016 presentation.   Interproduct revenues and interproduct sales represent sales from the aggregates product line to the ready mixed concrete and asphalt and paving product lines and sales from the cement product line to the ready mixed concrete product line.  

 

years ended December 31

(add 000)

Total revenues

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Aggregates

 

$

2,267,574

 

 

$

2,120,245

 

 

$

1,880,074

 

Cement

 

 

375,814

 

 

 

475,725

 

 

 

265,114

 

Ready Mixed Concrete

 

 

903,803

 

 

 

657,831

 

 

 

431,383

 

Asphalt and Paving

 

 

345,134

 

 

 

290,966

 

 

 

303,777

 

Less: Interproduct revenues

 

 

(330,634

)

 

 

(251,076

)

 

 

(179,099

)

Total Building Materials Business

 

 

3,561,691

 

 

 

3,293,691

 

 

 

2,701,249

 

Magnesia Specialties

 

 

257,058

 

 

 

245,879

 

 

 

256,702

 

Total

 

$

3,818,749

 

 

$

3,539,570

 

 

$

2,957,951

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aggregates

 

$

2,060,876

 

 

$

1,896,143

 

 

$

1,644,265

 

Cement

 

 

364,445

 

 

 

455,382

 

 

 

252,911

 

Ready Mixed Concrete

 

 

902,635

 

 

 

656,531

 

 

 

430,673

 

Asphalt and Paving

 

 

341,444

 

 

 

283,628

 

 

 

294,239

 

Less: Interproduct sales

 

 

(330,634

)

 

 

(251,076

)

 

 

(179,099

)

Total Building Materials Business

 

 

3,338,766

 

 

 

3,040,608

 

 

 

2,442,989

 

Magnesia Specialties

 

 

238,001

 

 

 

227,508

 

 

 

236,106

 

Total

 

$

3,576,767

 

 

$

3,268,116

 

 

$

2,679,095

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aggregates

 

$

558,318

 

 

$

470,688

 

 

$

323,081

 

Cement

 

 

120,201

 

 

 

103,813

 

 

 

52,446

 

Ready Mixed Concrete

 

 

99,042

 

 

 

42,110

 

 

 

38,381

 

Asphalt and Paving

 

 

53,075

 

 

 

35,417

 

 

 

19,395

 

Total Building Materials Business

 

 

830,636

 

 

 

652,028

 

 

 

433,303

 

Magnesia Specialties

 

 

89,603

 

 

 

79,057

 

 

 

84,352

 

Corporate

 

 

(8,501

)

 

 

(4,165

)

 

 

1,969

 

Total

 

$

911,738

 

 

$

726,920

 

 

$

519,624

 

 

Domestic and foreign total revenues are as follows:

 

years ended December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Domestic

 

$

3,761,651

 

 

$

3,493,462

 

 

$

2,912,115

 

Foreign

 

 

57,098

 

 

 

46,108

 

 

 

45,836

 

Total

 

$

3,818,749

 

 

$

3,539,570

 

 

$

2,957,951

 

 

45


NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Note P: Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The components of the change in other assets and liabilities, net, are as follows:

 

years ended December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Other current and noncurrent assets

 

$

9,171

 

 

$

(3,631

)

 

$

8,066

 

Accrued salaries, benefits and payroll taxes

 

 

16,942

 

 

 

(4,854

)

 

 

11,845

 

Accrued insurance and other taxes

 

 

(2,688

)

 

 

4,425

 

 

 

(17,641

)

Accrued income taxes

 

 

(12,523

)

 

 

(4,364

)

 

 

27,680

 

Accrued pension, postretirement and postemployment

   benefits

 

 

(15,955

)

 

 

(18,153

)

 

 

1,150

 

Other current and noncurrent liabilities

 

 

(6,053

)

 

 

(3,014

)

 

 

(10,681

)

Change in other assets and liabilities, net

 

$

(11,106

)

 

$

(29,591

)

 

$

20,419

 

 

The changes in accrued salaries, benefits and payroll taxes reflect an increase in accrued incentive compensation in 2016, TXI-related severance payments of $9,682,000 in 2015 and TXI-related severance accrual of $11,444,000 in 2014.  The changes in accrued income taxes reflects the utilization of deferred tax assets related to the AMT credit carryforward in 2016 and NOL carryforwards in 2016 and 2015.  Additionally, in 2015, the Corporation received the federal tax refunds attributable to the settlement of the U.S. Advanced Pricing Agreement. The change in accrued pension, postretirement and postemployment benefits in 2015 was attributable to higher pension plan funding, which increased $28,270,000.  

Noncash investing and financing activities are as follows:

 

years ended December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Noncash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accrued liabilities for purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

$

38,566

 

 

$

22,285

 

 

$

31,172

 

Acquisition of assets through capital lease

 

$

1,399

 

 

$

1,445

 

 

$

7,788

 

Acquisition of assets through asset exchange

 

$

 

 

$

5,000

 

 

$

2,091

 

Seller financing of land purchase

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

1,500

 

Acquisition of TXI net assets assumed through issuances of

     common stock and options

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

2,691,986

 

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information are as follows:

 

years ended December 31

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

73,664

 

 

$

71,011

 

 

$

81,304

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

124,342

 

 

$

46,774

 

 

$

15,955

 

 

 

 

46


 

Quarterly Performance (Unaudited)

(add 000, except per share and stock prices)

 

 

Total Revenues

 

 

Net Sales

 

 

Gross Profit

 

 

Consolidated Net

Earnings

 

 

Net Earnings

Attributable to

Martin Marietta

 

Quarter

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2016 4,5

 

 

2015 2,3

 

 

2016 4,5

 

 

2015 2,3

 

First

 

$

788,734

 

 

$

691,347

 

 

$

733,960

 

 

$

631,876

 

 

$

145,250

 

 

$

74,795

 

 

$

45,055

 

 

$

6,159

 

 

$

44,994

 

 

$

6,126

 

Second

 

 

977,298

 

 

 

921,419

 

 

 

915,436

 

 

 

850,249

 

 

 

247,431

 

 

 

203,210

 

 

 

122,113

 

 

 

81,979

 

 

 

122,052

 

 

 

81,938

 

Third

 

 

1,103,901

 

 

 

1,082,249

 

 

 

1,038,344

 

 

 

1,005,218

 

 

 

293,307

 

 

 

263,229

 

 

 

159,478

 

 

 

117,578

 

 

 

159,479

 

 

 

117,544

 

Fourth

 

 

948,816

 

 

 

844,555

 

 

 

889,027

 

 

 

780,773

 

 

 

225,750

 

 

 

185,686

 

 

 

98,798

 

 

 

83,222

 

 

 

98,861

 

 

 

83,184

 

Totals

 

$

3,818,749

 

 

$

3,539,570

 

 

$

3,576,767

 

 

$

3,268,116

 

 

$

911,738

 

 

$

726,920

 

 

$

425,444

 

 

$

288,938

 

 

$

425,386

 

 

$

288,792

 

 

Per Common Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends

 

 

Stock Prices

 

 

 

Basic Earnings 1

 

 

Diluted Earnings 1

 

 

Paid

 

 

High

 

 

Low

 

 

High

 

 

Low

 

Quarter

 

2016 4,5

 

 

2015 2,3

 

 

2016 4,5

 

 

2015 2,3

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

First

 

$

0.70

 

 

$

0.07

 

 

$

0.69

 

 

$

0.07

 

 

$

0.40

 

 

$

0.40

 

 

$

160.18

 

 

$

108.31

 

 

$

146.21

 

 

$

104.15

 

Second

 

$

1.91

 

 

$

1.23

 

 

$

1.90

 

 

$

1.22

 

 

 

0.40

 

 

 

0.40

 

 

$

193.87

 

 

$

156.35

 

 

$

155.98

 

 

$

134.10

 

Third

 

$

2.50

 

 

$

1.75

 

 

$

2.49

 

 

$

1.74

 

 

 

0.42

 

 

 

0.40

 

 

$

206.36

 

 

$

172.49

 

 

$

178.67

 

 

$

141.54

 

Fourth

 

$

1.56

 

 

$

1.27

 

 

$

1.55

 

 

$

1.26

 

 

 

0.42

 

 

 

0.40

 

 

$

236.41

 

 

$

167.06

 

 

$

166.23

 

 

$

136.20

 

Full Year

 

$

6.66

 

 

$

4.31

 

 

$

6.63

 

 

$

4.29

 

 

$

1.64

 

 

$

1.60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1  

The sum of per-share earnings by quarter may not equal earnings per share for the year due to changes in average share calculations. This is in accordance with prescribed reporting requirements.

2

Consolidated net earnings, net earnings attributable to Martin Marietta, and basic and diluted earnings per common share in the third quarter of 2015 were decreased $16.9 million, or $0.30 per basic and diluted share, due to the impact from the sale of the California cement operations and related expenses, inclusive of the impact of a valuation allowance for certain net operating loss carry forwards.

3  

Consolidated net earnings, net earnings attributable to Martin Marietta, and basic and diluted earnings per common share in the fourth quarter of 2015 were increased by $6.7 million, or $0.10 per basic and diluted share, as a result of the gain on the sale of the San Antonio asphalt operations.

4  

Consolidated net earnings, net earnings attributable to Martin Marietta, and basic and diluted earnings per common share in the fourth quarter of 2016 were reduced by $7.5 million, or $0.12 per basic and diluted share, as a result of increased performance-based compensation expense.

5

Consolidated net earnings, net earnings attributable to Martin Marietta, and basic and diluted earnings per common share for the full year 2016 were reduced by $8.8 million, or $0.14 per basic and diluted share, as a result of increased performance-based compensation expense.

 

 

At February 15, 2017, there were 982 shareholders of record.  

 

 

 

47


 

Five Year Selected Financial Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(add 000, except per share)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

 

Consolidated Operating Results 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

$

3,576,767

 

 

$

3,268,116

 

 

$

2,679,095

 

 

$

1,943,218

 

 

$

1,832,957

 

Freight and delivery revenues

 

 

241,982

 

 

 

271,454

 

 

 

278,856

 

 

 

212,333

 

 

 

198,944

 

Total revenues

 

 

3,818,749

 

 

 

3,539,570

 

 

 

2,957,951

 

 

 

2,155,551

 

 

 

2,031,901

 

Cost of sales 2

 

 

2,665,029

 

 

 

2,541,196

 

 

 

2,159,471

 

 

 

1,573,196

 

 

 

1,499,921

 

Freight and delivery costs

 

 

241,982

 

 

 

271,454

 

 

 

278,856

 

 

 

212,333

 

 

 

198,944

 

Total cost of revenues 2

 

 

2,907,011

 

 

 

2,812,650

 

 

 

2,438,327

 

 

 

1,785,529

 

 

 

1,698,865

 

Gross Profit 2

 

 

911,738

 

 

 

726,920

 

 

 

519,624

 

 

 

370,022

 

 

 

333,036

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses 2

 

 

241,606

 

 

 

210,754

 

 

 

168,102

 

 

 

145,151

 

 

 

133,161

 

Acquisition-related expenses, net 2

 

 

909

 

 

 

6,346

 

 

 

29,239

 

 

 

671

 

 

 

35,140

 

Other operating (income) and expenses, net

 

 

(8,043

)

 

 

15,653

 

 

 

(4,649

)

 

 

(4,793

)

 

 

(2,574

)

Earnings from Operations 2

 

 

677,266

 

 

 

494,167

 

 

 

326,932

 

 

 

228,993

 

 

 

167,309

 

Interest expense

 

 

81,677

 

 

 

76,287

 

 

 

66,057

 

 

 

53,467

 

 

 

53,339

 

Other nonoperating (income) and expenses, net 2

 

 

(11,439

)

 

 

4,079

 

 

 

11,697

 

 

 

11,300

 

 

 

9,840

 

Earnings from continuing operations before taxes on income

 

 

607,028

 

 

 

413,801

 

 

 

249,178

 

 

 

164,226

 

 

 

104,130

 

Taxes on income

 

 

181,584

 

 

 

124,863

 

 

 

94,847

 

 

 

44,045

 

 

 

17,431

 

Earnings from Continuing Operations

 

 

425,444

 

 

 

288,938

 

 

 

154,331

 

 

 

120,181

 

 

 

86,699

 

Discontinued operations, net of taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(37

)

 

 

(749

)

 

 

(1,172

)

Consolidated net earnings

 

 

425,444

 

 

 

288,938

 

 

 

154,294

 

 

 

119,432

 

 

 

85,527

 

Less: Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

58

 

 

 

146

 

 

 

(1,307

)

 

 

(1,905

)

 

 

1,053

 

Net Earnings Attributable to Martin Marietta

 

$

425,386

 

 

$

288,792

 

 

$

155,601

 

 

$

121,337

 

 

$

84,474

 

Basic Earnings Attributable to Martin Marietta Per Common Share (see Note A):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders 1

 

$

6.66

 

 

$

4.31

 

 

$

2.73

 

 

$

2.64

 

 

$

1.86

 

Discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.02

)

 

 

(0.03

)

Basic Earnings Per Common Share

 

$

6.66

 

 

$

4.31

 

 

$

2.73

 

 

$

2.62

 

 

$

1.83

 

Diluted Earnings Attributable to Martin Marietta Per Common Share (see Note A):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders 1

 

$

6.63

 

 

$

4.29

 

 

$

2.71

 

 

$

2.63

 

 

$

1.86

 

Discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.02

)

 

 

(0.03

)

Diluted Earnings Per Common Share

 

$

6.63

 

 

$

4.29

 

 

$

2.71

 

 

$

2.61

 

 

$

1.83

 

Cash Dividends Per Common Share

 

$

1.64

 

 

$

1.60

 

 

$

1.60

 

 

$

1.60

 

 

$

1.60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Amounts for 2013 and 2012 may not equal amounts reported in the Corporation's prior years' Forms 10-K as amounts have been recast to reflect discontinued operations.

 

2 Amounts for 2012-2016 may not equal amounts reported in the Corporation's prior years' Forms 10-K as amounts have been reclassified to reflect the adoption of the Accounting Standard Update 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.

 

 

 

 

 

 

48


 

 

 

 

Five Year Selected Financial Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(add 000)

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

2012

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets 3

 

$

1,086,385

 

 

$

1,081,635

 

 

$

1,043,646

 

 

$

680,080

 

 

$

621,643

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

3,423,395

 

 

 

3,156,000

 

 

 

3,402,770

 

 

 

1,799,241

 

 

 

1,753,241

 

Goodwill

 

 

2,159,337

 

 

 

2,068,235

 

 

 

2,068,799

 

 

 

616,621

 

 

 

616,204

 

Other intangibles, net

 

 

511,312

 

 

 

510,552

 

 

 

595,205

 

 

 

48,591

 

 

 

50,433

 

Other noncurrent assets 3

 

 

120,476

 

 

 

141,189

 

 

 

104,097

 

 

 

36,738

 

 

 

37,720

 

Total Assets

 

$

7,300,905

 

 

$

6,957,611

 

 

$

7,214,517

 

 

$

3,181,271

 

 

$

3,079,241

 

Current liabilities – other

 

$

366,552

 

 

$

347,945

 

 

$

382,312

 

 

$

198,146

 

 

$

167,659

 

Current maturities of long-term debt 3

 

 

180,036

 

 

 

18,713

 

 

 

13,803

 

 

 

11,938

 

 

 

4,634

 

Long-term debt 3

 

 

1,506,153

 

 

 

1,550,061

 

 

 

1,566,355

 

 

 

1,015,249

 

 

 

1,039,256

 

Pension, postretirement and postemployment benefits, noncurrent

 

 

248,086

 

 

 

224,538

 

 

 

249,333

 

 

 

78,489

 

 

 

183,122

 

Deferred income taxes, net

 

 

663,019

 

 

 

583,459

 

 

 

489,945

 

 

 

205,178

 

 

 

147,876

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

 

194,469

 

 

 

172,718

 

 

 

160,021

 

 

 

97,352

 

 

 

86,395

 

Shareholders' equity

 

 

4,139,978

 

 

 

4,057,284

 

 

 

4,351,166

 

 

 

1,537,877

 

 

 

1,410,545

 

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

2,612

 

 

 

2,893

 

 

 

1,582

 

 

 

37,042

 

 

 

39,754

 

Total Liabilities and Equity

 

$

7,300,905

 

 

$

6,957,611

 

 

$

7,214,517

 

 

$

3,181,271

 

 

$

3,079,241

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 Balance sheets reflect the adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs .

 

 

 

 

49

EXHIBIT 99.6

 

PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

    

 

 

(a)

(2) List of financial statement schedules filed as part of this Form 10-K

 

The following financial statement schedule of Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. and consolidated subsidiaries is included in Item 15(c) of this Form 10-K.  

 

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

All other schedules have been omitted because they are not applicable, not required, or the information has been otherwise supplied in the financial statements or notes to the financial statements.

 

The report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the above-referenced financial statements is included in the 2016 Annual Report, and that report is hereby incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K.  The report on the financial statement schedule and the consent of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm are attached as Exhibit 23.1 to this Form 10-K.

 

1

 


ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES (continued)

 

SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

MARTIN MARIETTA MATERIALS, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

 

Col A

 

Col B

 

 

Col C

 

 

Col D

 

 

Col E

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

 

(1)

Charged

to costs

and

expenses

 

 

(2)

Charged

to other

accounts-

describe

 

 

Deductions-describe

 

 

Balance at end of period

 

 

 

(Amounts in Thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

6,940

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

674

 

(a)

$

6,266

 

Allowance for uncollectible notes

     receivable

 

585

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

148

 

(a)

 

437

 

Inventory valuation allowance

 

 

130,584

 

 

 

4,160

 

 

 

118

 

(b)

 

0

 

 

 

134,862

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

4,077

 

 

$

2,863

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

6,940

 

Allowance for uncollectible notes

     receivable

 

 

1,486

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

901

 

(a)

585

 

Inventory valuation allowance

 

 

119,189

 

 

 

13,365

 

 

 

1,400

 

(b)

 

3,370

 

(c)

 

130,584

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

4,081

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

4

 

(a)

$

4,077

 

Allowance for uncollectible notes

     receivable

 

809

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,103

 

(d)

 

426

 

(a)

 

1,486

 

Inventory valuation allowance

 

 

99,026

 

 

 

11,762

 

 

 

9,942

 

(d)

 

1,541

 

(c)

 

119,189

 

 

(a) Write off of uncollectible accounts and change in estimates.

(b) Application of reserve policy to acquired inventories.

(c) Divestitures.

(d) Application of reserves to acquired notes receivable.

 

2