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EX-32.2 - SECTION 906 CFO CERTIFICATION - BOISE CASCADE Cobcc12312016ex322.htm
EX-32.1 - SECTION 906 CEO CERTIFICATION - BOISE CASCADE Cobcc12312016ex321.htm
EX-31.2 - SECTION 302 CFO CERTIFICATION - BOISE CASCADE Cobcc12312016ex312.htm
EX-31.1 - SECTION 302 CEO CERTIFICATION - BOISE CASCADE Cobcc12312016ex311.htm
EX-23.1 - CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM - BOISE CASCADE Cobcc12312016ex231.htm
EX-21.1 - SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT - BOISE CASCADE Cobcc12312016ex211.htm
EX-12.1 - RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES - BOISE CASCADE Cobcc12312016ex121.htm
EX-2.5 - ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT - BOISE CASCADE Cobcc12182015uapaex25.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
 
FORM 10-K
 
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016
 
 
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
 
For the transition period from                        to                       
 
Commission File Number:  001-35805 

Boise Cascade Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
20-1496201
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
1111 West Jefferson Street
Suite 300
Boise, Idaho 83702-5389
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
 
(208) 384-6161
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
 
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
 
New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
 
Indicate by check mark if registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes x   No o
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o   No x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes x    No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes  x No o



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

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

Non-accelerated filer o  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)      Smaller reporting company o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).      Yes o     No x
 
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant on June 30, 2016, the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, based on the last reported trading price of the registrant's common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was approximately $885,390,475.

There were 38,381,558 shares of the registrant's common stock, $0.01 par value per share, outstanding on February 17, 2017.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 2017 annual meeting of stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.




Table of Contents
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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iii


Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this Form 10-K contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include information concerning our future financial performance, business strategy, plans, goals, and objectives.

Statements preceded or followed by, or that otherwise include, the words "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "project," "estimates," "plans," "forecast," "is likely to," and similar expressions or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "may," "would," "should," and "could" are generally forward-looking in nature and not historical facts. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause our actual results, performance, or achievements to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements:

The commodity nature of our products and their price movements, which are driven largely by capacity utilization rates, industry cycles that affect supply and demand, and net import and export activity;

General economic conditions, including but not limited to housing starts, repair-and-remodeling activity, light commercial construction, inventory levels of new and existing homes for sale, foreclosure rates, interest rates, unemployment rates, household formation rates, and mortgage availability and pricing, as well as other consumer financing mechanisms, that ultimately affect demand for our products;

The highly competitive nature of our industry;

Concentration of our sales among a relatively small group of customers;

Product shortages, loss of key suppliers, and our dependence on third-party suppliers and manufacturers;

Material disruptions and/or major equipment failure at our manufacturing facilities;

Labor disruptions, shortages of skilled and technical labor, or increased labor costs;

The need to successfully formulate and implement succession plans for key members of our management team;

Availability and cost of raw materials, including wood fiber and glues and resins;

Our ability to successfully and efficiently complete and integrate acquisitions;

Our indebtedness, including the possibility that we may not generate sufficient cash flows from operations or that future borrowings may not be available in amounts sufficient to fulfill our debt obligations and fund other liquidity needs;

Restrictive covenants contained in our debt agreements;

Disruptions to information systems used to process and store customer, employee, and vendor information, as well as the technology that manages our operations and other business processes;

Impairment of our long-lived assets, goodwill, and/or intangible assets;

Substantial ongoing capital investment costs, including those associated with recent acquisitions, and the difficulty in offsetting fixed costs related to those investments;

Cost of compliance with government regulations, in particular environmental regulations;

Declines in demand for our products due to competing technologies or materials, as well as changes in building code provisions;

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The cost and availability of third-party transportation services used to deliver the goods we manufacture and distribute, as well as our raw materials;

The impact of actuarial assumptions, investment return on pension assets, and regulatory activity on pension costs and pension funding requirements;

The financial condition and creditworthiness of our customers;

Exposure to product liability, product warranty, casualty, construction defect, and other claims; and

Fluctuations in the market for our equity.

Certain of these and other factors are discussed in more detail in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" of this Form 10-K. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this Form 10-K. While we believe that our forecasts and assumptions are reasonable, we caution that actual results may differ materially. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially from what we projected. Consequently, actual events and results may vary significantly from those included in or contemplated or implied by our forward-looking statements.     

PART I
 
ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

Boise Cascade is a large, vertically-integrated wood products manufacturer and building materials distributor with widespread operations throughout the United States (U.S.) and one manufacturing facility in Canada. As used in this Form 10-K, the terms "Boise Cascade," "we," and "our" refer to Boise Cascade Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. We are one of the largest producers of engineered wood products (EWP) and plywood in North America and a leading U.S. wholesale distributor of building products. Our broad line of products is used primarily in new residential construction, residential repair-and-remodeling projects, light commercial construction, and industrial applications. We have a broad base of more than 4,500 customers, which includes a diverse mix of retail lumberyards, home improvement centers, leading wholesalers, specialty distributors, and industrial converters. We believe our large, vertically-integrated operations provide us with significant advantages over less integrated competitors and position us to optimally serve our customers. Our operations began on October 29, 2004, when we acquired the forest products assets of OfficeMax. We completed an initial public offering of our common stock on February 11, 2013.

Our Industry

              The building products manufacturing and distribution industry in North America is highly competitive, with a number of producers manufacturing and selling a broad range of products. Demand for our products is principally influenced by new residential construction, residential repair-and-remodeling activity, and light commercial construction in the U.S. Drivers of new residential construction, residential repair-and-remodeling activity, and light commercial construction include new household formation, the age of the housing stock, availability of credit and other macroeconomic factors, such as GDP growth, population growth and migration, interest rates, employment, and consumer sentiment. Purchasing decisions made by the customers who buy our wood products are generally based on price, quality, availability, and particularly with respect to EWP, customer service, product support, and performance features offered.

Segments

We operate our business using three reportable segments: Wood Products, Building Materials Distribution, and Corporate and Other. We present information pertaining to our segments, including product sales, customer concentration, and the geographic areas in which we operate, in Note 14, Segment Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K.

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Wood Products

Products

We manufacture laminated veneer lumber (LVL), I-joists, and laminated beams, which are collectively referred to as EWP. LVL and laminated beams are structural products used in applications where extra strength and consistent quality are required, such as headers and beams. LVL is also used in the manufacture of I-joists, which are assembled by combining a vertical web of oriented strand board (OSB) with top and bottom LVL or solid wood flanges. I-joists, which are used primarily in residential and commercial flooring and roofing systems and other structural applications, are stronger, lighter, and straighter than conventional lumber joists. In addition, we manufacture structural, appearance, and industrial plywood panels. We also produce ponderosa pine lumber, studs, and particleboard.
The following table sets forth the annual capacity and production of our principal products for the periods indicated:
 
 
Year Ended December 31
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
(millions)
Capacity (a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LVL (cubic feet) (b)(c)
 
34.5

 
28.5

 
27.5

 
27.5

 
27.5

Plywood and Parallel Laminated Veneer (PLV) (sq. ft.) (3/8" basis) (d)
 
2,400

 
2,385

 
2,380

 
2,380

 
1,630

Lumber (board feet)
 
270

 
270

 
270

 
255

 
235

Production
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LVL (cubic feet) (b)
 
23.9

 
20.1

 
20.1

 
17.2

 
14.2

I‑joists (equivalent lineal feet) (b)
 
225

 
198

 
201

 
178

 
149

Plywood and PLV (sq. ft.) (3/8" basis) (d)
 
1,852

 
1,951

 
1,973

 
1,647

 
1,482

Lumber (board feet)
 
179

 
201

 
218

 
197

 
196

_______________________________________ 

(a)
Estimated annual capacity at the end of each year.

(b)
During each of the years presented above, approximately one-third of the LVL we produced was utilized internally to produce I-joists. Capacity is based on LVL production only.

(c)
In March 2016, we purchased two EWP facilities, one in Thorsby, Alabama, and one in Roxboro, North Carolina. Thorsby LVL capacity is estimated at 4.0 million cubic feet. Prior to our purchase, the LVL assets at Roxboro were idled. As of December 31, 2016, we have recommissioned a portion of the idled assets that have an estimated annual capacity of 2.0 million cubic feet.

(d)
In September 2013, we purchased two plywood manufacturing facilities, one in Chester, South Carolina, and one in Moncure, North Carolina. Also, approximately 21%, 18%, 19%, 17%, and 15%, respectively, of production in 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012 was for PLV panels that are utilized internally to produce LVL.
    
The following table sets forth segment sales, segment income, depreciation and amortization, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) for the periods indicated:

 
 
Year Ended December 31
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
(millions)
Segment sales (a)
 
$
1,280.4

 
$
1,282.1

 
$
1,317.0

 
$
1,134.1

 
$
943.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment income
 
$
25.9

 
$
64.2

 
$
108.4

 
$
77.7

 
$
55.8

Segment depreciation and amortization
 
57.5

 
43.3

 
41.5

 
28.7

 
24.4

Segment EBITDA (b)
 
$
83.5

 
$
107.5

 
$
149.8

 
$
106.3

 
$
80.2

_______________________________________ 

(a)
Segment sales are calculated before elimination of sales to our Building Materials Distribution segment.


3


(b)
Segment EBITDA is calculated as segment income before depreciation and amortization. See "Item 6. Selected Financial Data" of this Form 10-K for a description of our reasons for using EBITDA and for a discussion of the limitations of such a measure.

Facilities

Our Wood Products segment operates six EWP facilities. Our two most significant EWP facilities are located in Louisiana and Oregon and have a high degree of raw material and manufacturing integration with our neighboring plywood and veneer facilities. We also operate nine plywood and veneer plants, five sawmills, and one particleboard plant.

Raw Materials and Input Costs

Wood fiber. Wood fiber is the primary raw material used in our Wood Products operations, and our primary source of wood fiber is logs. For the year ended December 31, 2016, wood fiber accounted for approximately 43% of materials, labor, and other operating expenses (excluding depreciation) in our Wood Products segment. Our EWP facilities use parallel-laminated veneer panels and veneer sheets produced by our facilities, as well as lumber and OSB purchased from third parties, to manufacture LVL, I-joists, and laminated beams. Our EWP, plywood, and veneer facilities use Douglas fir, white woods, pine, and hardwood logs as raw materials. We also use ponderosa pine, spruce, and white fir logs to manufacture various grades of lumber. Our particleboard facility uses wood residuals produced by us and by third-party lumber producers. Our manufacturing facilities are located in close proximity to active wood fiber markets.
Logs comprised approximately 77% of our wood fiber costs during 2016, and we satisfy our log requirements through a combination of purchases under supply agreements, open-market purchases, and purchases pursuant to contracts awarded under public auctions.
Approximately 78% of our log supply in 2016 was supplied through purchases from private land owners or through dealers. We also bid in auctions conducted by federal, state, and local authorities for the purchase of logs, generally at fixed prices, under contracts with terms of generally one to three years.

Our log requirements and our access to supply, as well as the cost of obtaining logs, are subject to change based on, among other things, the availability of logs in each of our operating areas, our operating schedules, competition from other manufacturers, the effect of governmental laws and regulations, impacts of weather or fire on log availability, and the status of environmental appeals. For a discussion of contractual commitments relating to log supply agreements, see "Contractual Obligations" in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of this Form 10-K.
The cost of logs is correlated with prevailing product prices for building materials and manufacturers' expectations for future product prices, with the increase in product prices driving increases in log costs, particularly in the western U.S. Because logs are a commodity, prices have been historically cyclical in response to changes in domestic and foreign demand and supply. Demand for dimension lumber has a strong influence on pricing, as the dimension lumber industry is the largest consumer of logs. Generally, increases in the cost of logs lag product price increases, as improved manufacturer profitability often leads to increased demand for logs. Historically, the level of foreign demand for log exports from the western U.S. has fluctuated based on economic activity in China and other Pacific Rim countries, currency exchange rates, and the availability of log supplies from other countries such as Canada, Russia, and New Zealand. Our aggregate cost of obtaining logs is also affected by fuel costs and the distance of the log source from our facilities, as we are often required to transport the logs we purchase from the source to our facilities. Sustained periods of high log costs may impair the cost competitiveness of our manufacturing facilities.
We also purchase OSB, which is used as the vertical web to assemble I-joists, from a supplier with multiple locations throughout North America. OSB accounted for approximately 6% of the aggregate amount of materials, labor, and other operating expenses (excluding depreciation) for our Wood Products segment in 2016. OSB is a commodity, and prices have been historically volatile in response to industry capacity and operating rates, inventory levels in various distribution channels, and seasonal demand patterns. Sustained periods of high OSB costs leads to higher costs of our I-joist production.

Wood fiber also includes, to a lesser extent than OSB, lumber purchased from third parties for I-joist production at our Canadian EWP facility and for production at our laminated beam plant in Idaho. Lumber input costs are subject to the same commodity-based volatility characteristics noted above for OSB. In addition, our particleboard operation uses wood residuals from lumber operations, approximately half of which is purchased from third parties. Periods of low demand for lumber can negatively affect supply and pricing of wood residuals.


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Other raw materials and energy costs. We use a significant quantity of various resins and glues in our manufacturing processes. Resin and glue product costs are influenced by changes in the prices of raw material input costs, primarily fossil fuel products. We purchase resins and glues, other raw materials, and energy used to manufacture our products in both the open market and through supply contracts. The contracts are generally with regional suppliers who agree to supply all of our needs for a certain raw material or energy within the applicable region. These contracts have terms of various lengths and typically contain price adjustment mechanisms that take into account changes in market prices. Therefore, although our long-term contracts provide us with supplies of raw materials and energy that are more stable than open-market purchases, in many cases, they may not alleviate fluctuations in market prices.

Sales, Marketing, and Distribution

Our EWP sales force is managed centrally through a main office that oversees regional sales teams. Our sales force spends a significant amount of time working with end customers who purchase our EWP. Our sales force provides a variety of technical support services, including integrated design, engineering, product specification software, distributor inventory management software, and job-pack preparation systems. Sales management of plywood, lumber, and particleboard is also managed centrally and is organized by product line.

In 2016, EWP, plywood, and lumber accounted for 48%, 34%, and 7%, respectively, of our Wood Products sales. The majority of our wood products are sold to leading wholesalers (including our Building Materials Distribution segment), home improvement centers, retail lumberyards, and industrial converters in North America. Our Building Materials Distribution segment is our Wood Products segment's largest customer, representing approximately 47% of our Wood Products segment's overall sales in 2016. In 2016, 66%, 28%, and 7% of our Wood Products segment's EWP, plywood, and lumber sales volumes, respectively, were to our Building Materials Distribution segment.
The following table lists sales volumes for our principal wood products for the periods indicated:

 
 
Year Ended December 31
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
(millions)
Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) (cubic feet) (a)
 
16.3

 
13.1

 
12.4

 
11.1

 
9.1

I-joists (equivalent lineal feet)
 
226

 
201

 
193

 
179

 
145

Plywood (sq. ft.) (3/8" basis) (b)
 
1,507

 
1,635

 
1,651

 
1,473

 
1,356

Lumber (board feet)
 
187

 
206

 
212

 
199

 
188

_______________________________________ 

(a)    Excludes LVL produced and used as flange stock in the manufacture of I-joists.

(b)    Excludes plywood produced and used in the manufacture of LVL.

Segment Strategy

Grow Our Operations With a Focus on Expanding Our Market Position in EWP
In 2016, we expanded our market position in EWP with the acquisition of two EWP facilities in Thorsby, Alabama, and Roxboro, North Carolina. We have also expanded our market position in EWP by utilizing our large-scale manufacturing position, comprehensive customer service offering, design support capabilities, and efficient distribution network. We expect to see further increases in EWP demand as a result of the ongoing recovery in housing construction and intend to optimize our existing asset base to take advantage of these increases and continue to grow our market position in EWP. For further discussion on acquisitions, see Note 5, Acquisitions, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10‑K.

5


Continue to Improve Our Competitiveness Through Operational Excellence
We use a disciplined cost management approach to maximize our competitiveness without sacrificing our ability to react to future growth opportunities. Additionally, we have made capital investments and process improvements in certain facilities. These capital investments and process improvements have improved our veneer self-sufficiency and decreased our production costs and allowed us to produce lower-cost, higher-quality veneers. We use a data-driven process improvement program to further strengthen our manufacturing operations. Because of the gains we continue to see from this program, we believe there are opportunities to further apply this process improvement program in our manufacturing operations and apply similar techniques and methods to different functional areas to realize efficiencies in those areas.

Building Materials Distribution

Products

We sell a broad line of building materials, including OSB, plywood, and lumber (collectively commodities), general line items such as siding, composite decking, metal products, insulation, and roofing, and EWP. Except for EWP and plywood, we purchase most of these building materials from a vendor base of approximately 1,000 third-party suppliers ranging from large manufacturers, such as James Hardie Building Products, Trex Company, Huber Engineered Woods, and Louisiana-Pacific, to small regional producers. Substantially all of our EWP is sourced from our Wood Products segment. Our products are used in the construction of new residential housing, including single-family, multi-family, and manufactured homes, the repair-and-remodeling of existing housing, the construction of light industrial and commercial buildings, and other industrial applications.

The following table lists our product line sales mix for the periods indicated:

 
Year Ended December 31
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
(percentage of Building Materials Distribution sales)
Commodity
46.6
%
 
46.5
%
 
49.4
%
 
51.3
%
 
49.9
%
General line
35.4
%
 
35.9
%
 
33.6
%
 
33.0
%
 
36.3
%
Engineered wood products
18.0
%
 
17.6
%
 
17.0
%
 
15.7
%
 
13.8
%

The following table sets forth segment sales, segment income, depreciation and amortization, and EBITDA for the periods indicated:

 
 
Year Ended December 31
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
(millions)
Segment sales
 
$
3,227.2

 
$
2,891.3

 
$
2,786.7

 
$
2,599.6

 
$
2,190.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment income
 
$
84.4

 
$
60.8

 
$
56.7

 
$
39.9

 
$
24.0

Segment depreciation and amortization
 
13.8

 
11.9

 
9.8

 
9.2

 
8.8

Segment EBITDA (a)
 
$
98.1

 
$
72.7

 
$
66.5

 
$
49.2

 
$
32.9

_______________________________________ 

(a)
Segment EBITDA is calculated as segment income before depreciation and amortization. See "Item 6. Selected Financial Data" of this Form 10-K for a description of our reasons for using EBITDA and for a discussion of the limitations of such a measure.

Facilities

Our Building Materials Distribution segment operates a nationwide network of 32 building materials distribution facilities throughout the U.S. Our Building Materials Distribution segment also operates a single truss manufacturing plant. Our broad geographic presence reduces our exposure to market factors in any single region.

6


Sales, Marketing, and Distribution

We market our building materials primarily to retail lumberyards, home improvement centers, and specialty distributors that then sell the products to end customers, who are typically professional builders, independent contractors, and homeowners engaged in residential construction and repair-and-remodeling projects. We also market our products to a wide variety of industrial accounts, which use our products to assemble cabinets, doors, agricultural bins, crating, and other products used in industrial and construction applications. We believe that our national presence and long-standing relationships with many of our key suppliers allow us to obtain favorable price and term arrangements and offer excellent customer service on top brands in the building materials industry. We also believe our broad product line provides our customers with an efficient, one-stop resource for their building materials needs. We also have expertise in special-order sourcing and merchandising support, which is a key service for our home improvement center customers that choose not to stock certain items in inventory.
Each of our distribution centers implements its own distribution and logistics model using centralized information systems. We use internal and external trucking resources to deliver materials on a regularly scheduled basis. Our highly efficient logistics system allows us to deliver superior customer service and assist our customers in optimizing their working capital.
We have a large, decentralized sales force to support our suppliers and customers. Our sales force and product managers have local product knowledge and decision-making authority, which we believe enables them to optimize stocking, pricing, and product assortment decisions. Our sales force has access to centralized information technology systems, an extensive vendor base, and corporate-level working capital support, which we believe complements our localized sales model. Our sales force is compensated, in part, based on branch-level performance.
We regularly evaluate opportunities to introduce new products. Broadening our product offering helps us serve as a one-stop resource for building materials, which we believe improves our customers' purchasing and operating efficiencies. The introduction of new products is primarily driven by customer demand or product extensions originating from our vendors. We believe our long-standing customer relationships allow us to respond to customer feedback and introduce new products more rapidly. Broadening our product offering also helps us drive additional products through our distribution system, thereby increasing our scale and efficiency.
Segment Strategy

Grow Market Share

We intend to grow our Building Materials Distribution business in existing markets by adding products and services to better serve our customers. We also plan to opportunistically expand our Building Materials Distribution business by acquiring facilities, opening new locations, relocating and expanding capacity at existing facilities, and capturing local market share through our superior supply chain capabilities and customer service.

Further Differentiate Our Products and Services

We seek to continue to differentiate ourselves from our competitors by providing a broad line of high-quality products and superior customer service. Our highly efficient logistics system allows us to deliver superior customer service and assist our customers in optimizing their working capital. Our national distribution platform, coupled with the manufacturing capabilities of our Wood Products segment, differentiates us from most of our competitors and is critical to servicing retail lumberyards, home improvement centers, and industrial accounts locally, regionally, and nationally. Additionally, this system allows us to procure product more efficiently and to develop and maintain stronger relationships with our vendors. Because of these relationships and our national presence, we believe many of our vendors have offered us favorable pricing and provide us with enhanced product introductions and ongoing marketing support.

Corporate and Other

Our Corporate and Other segment includes corporate support staff services, related assets and liabilities, pension plan activity, and foreign currency exchange gains and losses. Support services include, but are not limited to, information technology, human resources, finance, accounting, and legal functions.


7


Customers

We maintain relationships with a broad customer base across multiple market segments and various end markets. For the year ended December 31, 2016, our top ten customers represented approximately 33% of our sales, with our largest customer, Home Depot, accounting for approximately 8% of our sales. At December 31, 2016, receivables from Home Depot and Builders FirstSource accounted for approximately 11% and 12%, respectively, of total receivables. Sales to Home Depot were recorded in our Building Materials Distribution and Wood Products segments and substantially all sales to Builders FirstSource were recorded in our Building Material Distribution segment. For additional information related to customers of our Wood Products and Building Materials Distribution segments, see the "Sales, Marketing, and Distribution" sections above.

Competition

The competitive environment in our industry in the U.S. continues to be challenging. Industry capacity in a number of product markets, including some of those in which we compete, exceeds the current level of demand. Our products and services compete with similar products manufactured and distributed by others. Many factors influence our competitive position in the markets in which we operate. Those factors include price, service, quality, product selection, and convenience of location.

Some of our competitors are larger than we are and have greater financial resources. These resources may afford those competitors greater purchasing power, increased financial flexibility, and more capital resources for expansion and improvement.
Wood Products. The wood products manufacturing markets in which we operate are large and highly competitive. We compete against several major North American EWP producers, such as Weyerhaeuser Company and Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, as well as several other smaller firms. Our EWP products also face competition from numerous dimension lumber producers, because EWP may be substituted by dimension lumber in many building applications. In plywood, we compete with Georgia-Pacific, the largest manufacturer in North America, other large producers such as Roseburg Forest Products, foreign imports produced principally in South America, and several smaller domestic producers. Our plywood products also face competition from OSB producers, because OSB can be substituted for plywood in many building applications. We have leading market positions in the manufacture of EWP, plywood, and ponderosa pine lumber. We hold much smaller market positions in our other manufactured products. In the wood products manufacturing markets, we compete primarily on the basis of price, quality, availability, and particularly with respect to EWP, customer service, product support, and performance features offered. Most of our competitors are located in the U.S. and Canada, although we also compete with manufacturers in other countries, particularly when the U.S. dollar and economy are stronger relative to other countries, encouraging foreign producers to sell more of their plywood and lumber products into the U.S. Our competition includes not only manufacturers and distributors of similar building products but also manufacturers and distributors of products made from alternative materials, such as steel and plastic. Some of our competitors enjoy strong reputations for product quality and customer service, and these competitors may have strong relationships with certain distributors, making it more difficult for our products to gain additional market share. Some of our competitors in this segment are also vertically integrated and/or have access to internal sources of wood fiber, which may allow them to subsidize their base manufacturing business in periods of rising fiber prices.
Building Materials Distribution. The building materials distribution markets in which we operate are highly fragmented, and we compete in each of our geographic and product markets with national, regional, and local distributors. Our national wholesale distribution competitors include BlueLinx Holdings Inc. and Weyerhaeuser Company. Regional wholesale distribution competitors include Cedar Creek, OrePac, and U.S. Lumber Group. We also compete with wholesale brokers, specialty distributors, and certain buying cooperatives. We compete on the basis of pricing and availability of product, service and delivery capabilities, ability to assist customers with problem solving, extension of credit terms, customer relationships, geographic coverage, and breadth of product offerings. We distribute products for some manufacturers that also engage in direct sales to our distribution customers. In recent years, there has been consolidation among retail lumberyards. As the customer base consolidates, this dynamic could affect our ability to maintain margins. Proximity to customers is an important factor in minimizing shipping costs and facilitating quick order turnaround and on-time delivery. We believe our ability to obtain quality materials, from both internal and external sources, the scale and efficiency of our national footprint, and our focus on customer service are our primary competitive advantages in this segment. Also, financial stability is important to suppliers and customers in choosing distributors and allows for more favorable terms on which we are able to obtain our products from our suppliers and sell our products to our customers.

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Environmental

A discussion of general and industry-specific environmental laws and regulations is presented under the caption "Environmental" in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Item 3. Legal Proceedings" of this Form 10-K.

Capital Investment

Information concerning our capital expenditures is presented in "Investment Activities" under "Liquidity and Capital Resources" in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of this Form 10-K.

Seasonal and Inflationary Influences

We are exposed to fluctuations in quarterly sales volumes and expenses due to seasonal factors. These seasonal factors are common in the building products industry. For further information, see "Seasonal and Inflationary Influences" in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of this Form 10-K.

Employees

As of February 12, 2017, we had approximately 6,190 employees. Approximately 24% of these employees work pursuant to collective bargaining agreements. As of February 12, 2017, we had nine collective bargaining agreements. For discussion of risks related to labor disruptions and increased labor costs, refer to "Item 1A. Risk Factors" of this Form 10-K.

Trademarks

We maintain many trademarks for our manufactured wood products, particularly EWP. Our key registered trademarks include BOISE CASCADE® and the TREE-IN-A-CIRCLE® logo, which are perpetual in duration as long as we continue to timely file all post registration maintenance documents related thereto. We believe these key trademarks to be of significant importance to our business.

Available Information

We are subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act) and therefore file periodic reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These reports may be obtained by visiting the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549, or by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically.

Our filings under the Exchange Act, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, Registration Statements, current reports on Form 8-K, and all amendments to these reports, are also available free of charge on the investor relations portion of our website at www.bc.com. These reports are available as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. The reference to our website address does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained on the website, and the information contained on the website is not part of this document.


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Executive Officers and Key Employees

Below is a list of names, ages, and a brief description of the business experience of our executive officers and key members of management, each as of February 17, 2017.
    
Name
Age
Position
Executive Officers:
 
 
Thomas K. Corrick
61
Chief Executive Officer
Wayne M. Rancourt
54
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer
Daniel G. Hutchinson
65
Executive Vice President, Wood Products Manufacturing
Nick Stokes
59
Executive Vice President, Building Materials Distribution
John T. Sahlberg
63
Senior Vice President, Human Resources and General Counsel
Kelly E. Hibbs
50
Vice President and Controller
Key Management:
 
 
Rich Viola
59
Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Building Materials Distribution
Mike Brown
55
Vice President of Operations, Wood Products Manufacturing
Frank Elfering
50
Vice President of Purchasing, Building Materials Distribution
Thomas Hoffmann
58
Vice President of Operations, Building Materials Distribution
Dennis R. Huston
64
Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Engineered Wood Products, Wood Products Manufacturing
Nathan Jorgensen
52
Vice President of Engineered Wood Products, Wood Products Manufacturing
Erin D. Nuxoll
57
Vice President, Human Resources
Mary Jo Nyblad
61
Vice President of Commodity Sales and Marketing, Wood Products Manufacturing

Thomas K. Corrick, Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Corrick became our chief executive officer on March 6, 2015. Prior to his election as CEO, Mr. Corrick's previous positions with the company include:

Chief Operating Officer, November 2014 - March 2015
Executive Vice President, Wood Products, June 2014 - November 2014
Sr. Vice President, Wood Products, August 2012 - June 2014
Sr. Vice President, Engineered Wood Products, February 2011 - August 2012

Mr. Corrick received his bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration from Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX.

Wayne M. Rancourt, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer

Mr. Rancourt became our executive vice president, chief financial officer, and treasurer in November 2014. His previous positions with the company include:

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer, August 2009 - November 2014
Vice President, Treasurer and Investor Relations, February 2008 - August 2009

Mr. Rancourt received a B.S. degree in accounting from Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA. He is a member of the board of directors of Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc., which is traded publicly on NASDAQ.

Daniel G. Hutchinson, Executive Vice President, Wood Products Manufacturing
 
Mr. Hutchinson became our executive vice president, Wood Products Manufacturing, in November 2014. His previous positions with the company include:

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Vice President of Operations, Wood Products Manufacturing, August 2012 - November 2014
General Manager of Operations, Engineered Wood Products, December 2008 - August 2012

Mr. Hutchinson received bachelor's degrees in accounting and finance from the University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, and an M.B.A. from Washington State University, Pullman, WA.

Nick Stokes, Executive Vice President, Building Materials Distribution

Mr. Stokes became our executive vice president, Building Materials Distribution, in March 2014. His previous positions with the company include:

Senior Vice President, Building Materials Distribution, February 2011 - March 2014
Vice President, Building Materials Distribution, October 2004 - February 2011

Mr. Stokes received a B.S. in management and a B.S. in marketing from the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.

John T. Sahlberg, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and General Counsel

Mr. Sahlberg became our senior vice president, Human Resources and General Counsel, effective August 2012. His previous positions with the company include:

Vice President, Human Resources and General Counsel, January 2011 - August 2012
Vice President, Human Resources, February 2008 - January 2011

Mr. Sahlberg received a bachelor's degree in economics from Harvard College, Cambridge, MA, and a J.D. from Georgetown University, Washington, DC. He is a member of the Idaho State Bar. He is a member of the board of directors of US Ecology, Inc., which is a publicly traded company on NASDAQ.

Kelly E. Hibbs, Vice President and Controller

Mr. Hibbs became our vice president and controller in February 2011. His previous positions with the company include:

Director of Strategic Planning and Internal Audit, February 2008 - February 2011

Mr. Hibbs received a B.A. in accounting from Boise State University, Boise, ID. He is a certified public accountant.

Rich Viola, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Building Materials Distribution

Mr. Viola became our senior vice president of sales and marketing, Building Materials Distribution, in February 2016. His previous positions with the company include:
Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Building Materials Distribution, October 2013 - February 2016
Division Sales and Marketing Manager, Building Materials Distribution, August 2013 - October 2013
National Accounts Sales Manager & East Region Sales Manager, Building Materials Distribution, September 1999 - August 2013

Mr. Viola received a B.S. in marketing from Northeastern University, Boston, MA.

Mike Brown, Vice President of Operations, Wood Products Manufacturing

Mr. Brown became our vice president of operations, Wood Products Manufacturing, in February 2016. His previous positions with the company include:

Manufacturing Operations Manager, Wood Products Manufacturing, November 2014 - February 2016
Southeast Area Manager, Wood Products Manufacturing, September 2013 - November 2014
Southern Region Manager, Wood Products Manufacturing, January 2009 - September 2013


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Mr. Brown received an M.B.A. from Cranfield University, England, and a bachelor of science degree in forestry from Australian National University in Canberra.

Frank Elfering, Vice President of Purchasing, Building Materials Distribution
             
Mr. Elfering became our vice president of purchasing, Building Materials Distribution, in October 2013. His previous positions with the company include:

Purchasing Manager, Building Materials Distribution, July 2013 - October 2013
Division Marketing Manager & West Region Sales Manager, Building Materials Distribution, 2008 - 2013

Mr. Elfering received a B.S. in marketing from Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR.

Thomas Hoffmann, Vice President of Operations, Buildings Materials Distribution

Mr. Hoffmann became our vice president of operations, Building Materials Distribution, in October 2016. His previous positions with the company include:

Division Operations Manager, Building Materials Distribution, September 2015 - October 2016
Pacific Region Manager, Building Materials Distribution, November 2006 - September 2015

Mr. Hoffmann received a B.S. in business from the University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, with an emphasis in marketing and management.

Dennis R. Huston, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Engineered Wood Products, Wood Products Manufacturing

Mr. Huston became our vice president of sales and marketing, Engineered Wood Products, in August 2012. His previous positions with the company include:

Sales Manager of Engineered Wood Products, October 2004 - August 2012

Mr. Huston received a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA.

Nathan Jorgensen, Vice President of Engineered Wood Products, Wood Products Manufacturing
Mr. Jorgensen became our vice president of engineered wood products, Wood Products Manufacturing, in February 2016. His previous positions include:

Engineered Wood Products Marketing Manager, Wood Products Manufacturing, Boise Cascade Company, June 2015 - February 2016
Prior employment with Weyerhaeuser Company as Vice President of Weyerhaeuser Distribution, February 2011 - June 2015

Mr. Jorgensen received a bachelor of science, civil and environmental engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin and also attended the Tuck School of Business Executive Education Program, Dartmouth University, Hanover, NH.

Erin D. Nuxoll, Vice President, Human Resources
Ms. Nuxoll became our vice president, human resources in August 2016. Her previous positions include:

Senior Vice President, Human Resources, J.R. Simplot Company, February 2010 - March 2016
Vice President, Human Resources, J.R. Simplot Company, March 2006 - February 2010
Vice President, Human Resources, Boise Cascade, L.L.C., November 2004 - November 2005

Ms. Nuxoll received a master of arts in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, and a bachelor of science in forest management from Washington State University, Pullman, WA.


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Mary Jo Nyblad, Vice President of Commodity Sales and Marketing, Wood Products Manufacturing

Ms. Nyblad became our vice president of commodity sales and marketing, Wood Products Manufacturing, in February 2016. Her previous positions with the company include:

Director of Commodity Sales and Marketing, Wood Products Manufacturing, November 2014 - February 2016.
General Sales Manager, Panels and Transportation, Wood Products Manufacturing, February 2005 - November 2014

Ms. Nyblad received an M.B.A. from Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA.

ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

Risks Relating to Our Business

Many of the products we manufacture or purchase and resell are commodities whose price is determined by the market's supply and demand for such products, and the markets in which we operate are cyclical and competitive.
Many of the building products we produce or distribute, including OSB, plywood, lumber, and particleboard, are commodities that are widely available from other manufacturers or distributors with prices and volumes determined frequently in an auction market based on participants' perceptions of short-term supply and demand factors. At times, the price for any one or more of the products we produce or distribute may fall below our cash production or purchase costs, requiring us to either incur short-term losses on product sales or cease production at one or more of our manufacturing facilities. Therefore, our profitability with respect to these commodity products depends, in significant part, on effective facilities maintenance programs, and on managing our cost structure, particularly raw materials and labor, which represent the largest components of our operating costs. Commodity wood product prices could be volatile in response to industry operating rates, net import and export activity, inventory levels in various distribution channels, and seasonal demand patterns. Commodity price volatility also affects our distribution business, with falling price environments generally causing reduced revenues and margins, resulting in declines in profitability.
Demand for the products we manufacture, as well as the products we purchase and distribute, is closely correlated with new residential construction in the U.S. and, to a lesser extent, residential repair-and-remodeling activity and light commercial construction. New residential construction activity has historically been volatile with demand for new residential construction influenced by seasonal weather factors, mortgage availability and rates, unemployment levels, household formation rates, domestic population growth, immigration rates, residential vacancy and foreclosure rates, demand for second homes, existing home prices, consumer confidence, and other general economic factors.
Industry supply for the products we produce and distribute is influenced primarily by price-induced changes in the operating rates of existing facilities but is also influenced over time by the introduction of new product technologies, capacity additions and closures, restart of idled capacity, and log availability. The balance of supply and demand in the U.S. is also heavily influenced by imported products, principally from Canada and South America.
In addition, we sell wood chips that are a byproduct of processing logs at our manufacturing operations, or created through the chipping of small diameter logs that we are unable to process at our manufacturing operations. Our wood chips are primarily sold to paper mills in close proximity to our operations who convert the chips into wood pulp. Periods of high output from wood based operations, closure of paper mills in the regions that we operate, or declines in demand for paper grades that utilize our chips, can negatively affect the balance of supply and demand for chips. An oversupply of chips has a negative impact on our chip price realizations and profitability.
We have very limited control of the foregoing, and as a result, our profitability and cash flow may fluctuate materially in response to changes in the supply and demand balance for our primary products.
Our industry is highly competitive. If we are unable to compete effectively, our sales, operating results, and growth strategies could be negatively affected.
The markets for the products we manufacture in our Wood Products segment are highly competitive. Our competitors range from very large, fully integrated forest and building products firms to smaller firms that may manufacture only one or a few types of products. We also compete less directly with firms that manufacture substitutes for wood building products. Certain mills operated by our competitors may be lower-cost manufacturers than the mills operated by us.

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The building products distribution industry that our Building Materials Distribution segment competes in is highly fragmented and competitive, and the barriers to entry for local competitors are relatively low. Competitive factors in our industry include pricing and availability of product, service and delivery capabilities, ability to assist customers with problem solving, extension of credit terms, customer relationships, geographic coverage, and breadth of product offerings. Also, financial stability is important to suppliers and customers in choosing distributors and allows for more favorable terms on which to obtain products from suppliers and sell products to customers. If our financial condition deteriorates in the future, our relationships with suppliers and customers may be negatively affected.
Some of the businesses with which we compete are part of larger companies and therefore have access to greater financial and other resources than we do. These resources may afford those competitors greater purchasing power, increased financial flexibility, and more capital resources for expansion and improvement, which may enable those competitors to compete more effectively than we can. In addition, certain suppliers to our distribution business also sell and distribute their products directly to our customers. Additional manufacturers of products distributed by us may elect to sell and distribute directly to our retail customers in the future or enter into exclusive supply arrangements with other distributors. Finally, we may not be able to maintain our costs at a level sufficiently low for us to compete effectively. If we are unable to compete effectively, our net sales and net income will be reduced.
A significant portion of our sales are concentrated with a small number of customers.
For the year ended December 31, 2016, our top ten customers represented approximately 33% of our sales, with one customer accounting for approximately 8% of sales. At December 31, 2016, receivables from two customers accounted for approximately 11% and 12%, respectively, of total receivables. Although we believe that our relationships with our customers are strong, the loss of one or more of these customers could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, cash flow, and liquidity.
Product shortages, loss of key suppliers, and our dependence on third-party suppliers and manufacturers could affect our financial health.
Our ability to offer a wide variety of products to our customers is dependent upon our ability to obtain adequate product supply from manufacturers and other suppliers. Generally, our products are obtainable from various sources and in sufficient quantities. However, the loss of, or a substantial decrease in the availability of, products from our suppliers or the loss of key supplier arrangements could adversely impact our financial condition, operating results, and cash flows.
Although in many instances we have agreements with our suppliers, these agreements are generally terminable by either party on limited notice. Failure by our suppliers to continue to supply us with products on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results, and cash flows.
A material disruption at one of our manufacturing facilities could prevent us from meeting customer demand, including the demand from our Building Materials Distribution business, reduce our sales, and/or negatively affect our financial results.
Any of our manufacturing facilities, or any of our machines within an otherwise operational facility, could cease operations unexpectedly due to a number of events, including but not limited to:
    equipment failure, particularly a press at one of our major EWP production facilities;
    fires, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, or other catastrophes;
    unscheduled maintenance outages;
    utility, information technology, telephonic, and transportation infrastructure disruptions;
    labor difficulties;
    other operational problems; or
    ecoterrorism or threats of ecoterrorism.
Any downtime or facility damage could prevent us from meeting customer demand for our products and/or require us to make unplanned capital expenditures. If our machines or facilities were to incur significant downtime, our ability to satisfy customer requirements would be impaired, resulting in lower sales and net income.

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Because approximately 47% of our Wood Products sales in 2016 were to our Building Materials Distribution business, a material disruption at our Wood Products facilities would also negatively affect our Building Materials Distribution business. We are therefore exposed to a larger extent to the risk of disruption to our Wood Products manufacturing facilities due to our vertical integration and the resulting impact on our Building Materials Distribution business.
In addition, a number of our suppliers are subject to the manufacturing facility disruption risks noted above. Our suppliers' inability to produce the necessary raw materials for our manufacturing processes or supply the finished goods that we distribute through our Building Materials Distribution segment may adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows, and financial position.
Labor disruptions or increased labor costs could adversely affect our business.
As of February 12, 2017, we had approximately 6,190 employees. Approximately 24% of these employees work pursuant to collective bargaining agreements. As of February 12, 2017, we had nine collective bargaining agreements. We have two agreements, covering approximately 47 employees at our Billings BMD facility and Vancouver BMD facility, that are scheduled to expire on March 31, 2017, as well as an agreement, covering approximately 705 employees at our Oakdale and Florien plywood plants, that is scheduled to expire on July 15, 2017. We also have an agreement, covering approximately 85 employees at our Canadian EWP facility that is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2017. We may not be able to renew these agreements or may renew them on terms that are less favorable to us than currently. As a result, we could experience a material labor disruption, strike, or significantly increased labor costs at one or more of our facilities, either in the course of negotiations of a labor agreement or otherwise. Either of these situations could prevent us from meeting customer demands or result in increased costs, thereby reducing our sales and profitability.
We may be unable to attract and retain key management and other key employees.
Our key managers are important to our success and may be difficult to replace because they have a significant amount of experience in wood products manufacturing and building materials distribution. While our senior management team has considerable experience, certain members of our management team are nearing or have reached retirement age. In addition, certain of our employees have assumed key roles in recent years and may not have the experience of retiring key managers. The failure to successfully formulate and implement succession plans for retiring employees, and training plans for new key managers, could result in inadequate depth of institutional knowledge or inadequate skill sets, which could adversely affect our business.
Our manufacturing operations may have difficulty obtaining wood fiber at favorable prices or at all.

Wood fiber is our principal raw material, which accounted for approximately 43% of the aggregate amount of materials, labor, and other operating expenses (excluding depreciation) for our Wood Products segment in 2016. Our primary source of wood fiber is logs. Log prices have been cyclical historically in response to changes in domestic and foreign demand and supply. In the future, we expect the level of foreign demand for log exports from the western U.S. to fluctuate based on the economic activity in China and other Pacific Rim countries, currency exchange rates, and the availability of log supplies from other countries such as Canada, Russia, and New Zealand. Sustained periods of high log costs may impair the cost competitiveness of our manufacturing facilities.
In our Pacific Northwest operations, a substantial portion of our logs are purchased from governmental authorities, including federal, state, and local governments. As a result, existing and future governmental regulation can affect our access to, and the cost of, such timber. Future domestic or foreign legislation and litigation concerning the use of timberlands, timber harvest methodologies, forest road construction and maintenance, the protection of endangered species, forest-based carbon sequestration, the promotion of forest health, and the response to and prevention of catastrophic wildfires can affect log and fiber supply from both government and private lands. Availability of harvested logs and fiber may be further limited by fire, insect infestation, disease, ice storms, windstorms, hurricanes, flooding, and other natural and man-made causes, thereby reducing supply and increasing prices. If we are unable to negotiate purchases for our log requirements in a particular region to satisfy our log needs at satisfactory prices or at all, which could include private purchases, open-market purchases, and purchases from governmental sources, it could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
We also purchase OSB, which is used as the vertical web to assemble I-joists, from a supplier with multiple locations throughout North America. OSB accounted for approximately 6% of the aggregate amount of materials, labor, and other operating expenses (excluding depreciation) for our Wood Products segment in 2016. OSB is a commodity, and prices have been historically volatile in response to industry capacity restarts and operating rates, inventory levels in various distribution channels, and seasonal demand patterns. Sustained periods of high OSB costs lead to higher costs of our I-joist production.

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Wood fiber also includes, to a lesser extent than OSB, lumber purchased from third parties for I-joist production at our Canadian EWP facility and for production at our laminated beam plant in Idaho. Lumber input costs are subject to the same commodity-based volatility characteristics noted above for OSB. In addition, our particleboard operation uses wood residuals from lumber operations, about half of which is purchased from third parties. Periods of low demand for lumber can negatively affect supply and pricing of wood residuals.
Our strategy includes pursuing acquisitions. We may be unable to efficiently integrate acquired operations or successfully complete acquisitions.

We may not be able to integrate the operations of acquired businesses in an efficient and cost-effective manner or without disruption to our existing operations or may not be able to realize expected synergies. Acquisitions involve significant risks and uncertainties, including uncertainties as to the future financial performance of the acquired business, difficulties integrating acquired personnel into our business, the potential loss of key employees, customers, or suppliers, difficulties in integrating different computer and accounting systems, exposure to unknown or unforeseen liabilities of acquired companies, and the diversion of management attention and resources from existing operations. In particular, we acquired two EWP facilities in March 2016. At the time of our purchase, a significant portion of the assets at the Roxboro facility had been idled since 2010, while other assets were operating well below normal rates of production. Although we have been able to restart a portion of the operations at Roxboro, certain operations remain idled and we continue to incur expenditures to resume these operations and improve overall operational performance. The pace and success of such activities depends, among other things, upon our ability to attract and retain a qualified workforce. There is no assurance that we will be able to resume all operations, or improve operational performance, at Roxboro, and we may not be able to realize the benefits we expected from this acquisition.

We continuously evaluate potential acquisitions and have in the past grown through acquisitions. In the future, we may be unable to successfully identify attractive potential acquisitions or effectively integrate potential acquisitions due to multiple factors, including those noted above, and potential issues related to regulatory review of the proposed transactions. We may also be required to incur additional debt in order to consummate acquisitions, which debt may be substantial and may limit our flexibility in using our cash flow from operations.

Our failure to integrate future acquired businesses effectively or to manage other consequences of our acquisitions could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results, and cash flows.

Our ability to service our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs is subject to various risks.
Our ability to make scheduled payments on our indebtedness and fund other liquidity needs depends on and is subject to our financial and operating performance, which in turn is affected by general and regional economic, financial, competitive, business, and other factors, including the availability of financing in the banking and capital markets as well as the other risks described herein. In particular, demand for our products correlates to a significant degree to the level of residential construction activity in North America, which historically has been characterized by significant cyclicality.
We cannot guarantee that our business will generate sufficient cash flows from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us at a cost or in an amount sufficient to enable us to service our debt or to fund our other liquidity needs. If we are unable to service our debt obligations or to fund our other liquidity needs, we could be forced to curtail our operations, reorganize our capital structure, or liquidate some or all of our assets.
The terms of our debt agreements restrict, and covenants contained in agreements governing indebtedness in the future may impose, significant operating and financial restrictions on our company and our subsidiaries, which may prevent us from capitalizing on business opportunities.
Our debt agreements contain, and any future indebtedness of ours may contain, a number of restrictive covenants that impose customary operating and financial restrictions on us. Our debt agreements limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries, among other things, to:
incur additional debt;
declare or pay dividends, redeem stock, or make other distributions to stockholders;
make investments;

16


create liens or use assets in security in other transactions;
merge or consolidate, or sell, transfer, lease, or dispose of substantially all of our assets;
enter into transactions with affiliates;
sell or transfer certain assets; and
in the case of our revolving credit facility, make prepayments on our senior notes and subordinated indebtedness.
In addition, our revolving credit facility provides that if an event of default occurs or excess availability under our revolving credit facility drops below a threshold amount equal to the greater of 10% of the aggregate commitments under our revolving credit facility or $37 million (and until such time as excess availability for two consecutive fiscal months exceeds that threshold amount and no event of default has occurred and is continuing), we will be required to maintain a monthly minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.0:1.0, determined on a trailing twelve-month basis.
Our failure to comply with any of these covenants could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of all of our indebtedness.
Cyber security risks related to the technology used in our operations and other business processes, as well as security breaches of company, customer, employee, and vendor information, could adversely affect our business.

We rely on various information technology systems to capture, process, store, and report data and interact with customers, vendors, and employees. Despite careful security and controls design, including independent third-party assessments, our information technology systems, and those of our third-party providers, could become subject to cyber attacks. Network, system, and data breaches could result in misappropriation of sensitive data or operational disruptions, including interruption to systems availability and denial of access to and misuse of applications required by our customers to conduct business with us. In addition, sophisticated hardware and operating system software and applications that we procure from third parties may contain defects in design or manufacture, including "bugs" and other problems that could unexpectedly interfere with the operation of the systems. Misuse of internal applications; theft of intellectual property, trade secrets, or other corporate assets; and inappropriate disclosure of confidential information could stem from such incidents. Delayed sales, slowed production, or other repercussions resulting from these disruptions could result in lost sales, business delays, and negative publicity and could have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial condition, or cash flows.
If our long-lived assets, goodwill, and/or intangible assets become impaired, we may be required to record noncash impairment charges that could have a material impact on our results of operations.
We review the carrying value of long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. We also test goodwill in each of our reporting units and intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment annually in the fourth quarter or sooner if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may exceed fair value. Should the markets for our products deteriorate or should we decide to invest capital differently than as expected, or should other cash flow assumptions change, it is possible that we will be required to record noncash impairment charges in the future with respect to the investments we have completed and expect to complete, which could have a material impact on our results of operations.
The Roxboro EWP plant that was purchased in March 2016 has produced both LVL and I-joists historically. Prior to our ownership, the LVL assets at that facility were idled by the predecessor owner in 2010. We continue to focus our efforts on the restart of LVL production at Roxboro and improving I-joist production capability as we recommission idle assets, transition to production of Boise Cascade branded products, and hire and train the necessary personnel to operate the facility. We have elected to stage the recommissioning of idle assets at Roxboro. With the recommissioning of one of two LVL presses and other downstream assets at the Roxboro facility, we restarted production of LVL in the fourth quarter of 2016. The veneer needed to restart LVL production thus far has been sourced from plywood facilities within our system that have the capability to produce veneer for either LVL or plywood production. Management believes that increased penetration with existing customers, along with ongoing growth in single-family starts, will support recommissioning activities of the second LVL press and veneer-related assets at Roxboro within the next 12 to 18 months. Factors such as lower than anticipated growth in single-family housing starts, recommissioning costs in excess of expectations, loss of key customers, or our inability to attract and retain the incremental workforce necessary to operate the assets, could result in a decision to discontinue or delay recommissioning activities, and therefore result in long-lived asset impairments at Roxboro. Such impairments could have a material adverse effect on our reported results of operations in the period in which an impairment is recognized.

17



Our operations require substantial capital, and recent significant capital investments and acquisitions have increased fixed costs, which could negatively affect our profitability.

In recent years, we have completed a number of capital investments, including the replacement or rebuild of veneer dryers and log utilization centers (or improvements to other manufacturing equipment), increasing our outdoor storage acreage, and leasing additional warehouse space. These capital investments, along with recent acquisitions, have resulted in increased fixed costs, which could negatively affect our profitability if the housing market does not continue to recover and revenues do not improve to offset our incremental fixed costs. Capital expenditures for expansion or replacement of existing facilities or equipment or to comply with future changes in environmental laws and regulations may be substantial. Although we maintain our production equipment with regular periodic and scheduled maintenance, we cannot guarantee that key pieces of equipment in our various manufacturing facilities will not need to be repaired or replaced or that we will not incur significant additional costs associated with environmental compliance. The costs of repairing or replacing such equipment and the associated downtime of the affected production line could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flow. If for any reason we are unable to provide for our operating needs, capital expenditures, and other cash requirements on economic terms, we could experience a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
We are subject to environmental regulation and environmental compliance expenditures, as well as other potential environmental liabilities.
Our businesses are subject to a wide range of general and industry-specific environmental laws and regulations, particularly with respect to air emissions, wastewater discharges, solid and hazardous waste management, and site remediation. Compliance with these laws and regulations is a significant factor in the operation of our businesses. Enactment of new environmental laws or regulations, including those aimed at addressing greenhouse gas emissions, or changes in existing laws or regulations might require us to make significant expenditures or restrict operations.
As an owner and operator of real estate, we may be liable under environmental laws for the cleanup of past and present spills and releases of hazardous or toxic substances on or from our properties and operations. We could be found liable under these laws whether or not we knew of, or were responsible for, the presence of such substances. In some cases, this liability may exceed the value of the property itself.
We may be unable to generate funds or other sources of liquidity and capital to fund unforeseen environmental liabilities or expenditures to the extent we are not indemnified by third parties. For example, in connection with prior transactions, certain third parties are generally obligated to indemnify us for hazardous substance releases and other environmental violations that occurred prior to such transactions. However, these third parties may not have sufficient funds to fully satisfy their indemnification obligations when required, and in some cases, we may not be contractually entitled to indemnification by them. For additional information on how environmental regulation and compliance affects our business, see "Environmental" in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of this Form 10-K.
Some of our products are vulnerable to declines in demand due to competing technologies or materials, as well as changes in building code provisions.
Our products may compete with alternative products in certain market segments. For example, plastic, concrete, steel, wood/plastic or composite materials may be used by builders as alternatives to the products produced by our Wood Products segment such as EWP, plywood, and lumber. Changes in prices for oil, chemicals, and wood-based fiber can change the competitive position of our products relative to available alternatives and could increase substitution of those products for our products. As the use of these alternatives grows, demand for our products may decline.
Our principal manufactured products are also subject to substitution from other wood-based products, such as EWP facing competition from numerous dimension lumber producers and other strand based EWP that we don't produce or plywood losing further market share to OSB in residential and non-residential applications.
In addition, building code provisions have been implemented in certain jurisdictions to address concerns for fire fighter safety related to the collapse of floors during residential fires. The I-joists that we manufacture are subject to this code change. As local jurisdictions adopt the new code, I-joists will be competitively disadvantaged in houses that are built with ground floors over unfinished basements and could be subject to substitution by dimension lumber or other products. If we are

18


unable to successfully develop solutions that meet the code requirements and gain acceptance in the marketplace, the demand for our I-joists could be materially affected, negatively impacting our financial condition, operating results, and cash flows.

We depend on third parties for transportation services and limited availability or increases in costs of transportation could adversely affect our business and operations.
Our business depends on the transportation of a large number of products, via railroad or truck. We rely primarily on third parties for transportation of the products we manufacture or distribute and for the delivery of our raw materials. In addition, we are subject to seasonal capacity constraints and weather related delays for both rail and truck transportation.
If any of our third-party transportation providers were to fail to deliver the goods we manufacture or distribute in a timely manner, we may be unable to sell those products at full value. Similarly, if any of these providers were to fail to deliver raw materials to us in a timely manner, we may be unable to manufacture our products in response to customer demand. In addition, if any of these third parties were to cease operations or cease doing business with us, we may be unable to replace them at reasonable cost.
Any failure of a third-party transportation provider to deliver raw materials or finished products in a timely manner could harm our reputation, negatively affect our customer relationships, and have a material adverse effect on our operating results, cash flows, and financial condition.
In addition, an increase in transportation rates or fuel surcharges could adversely affect our sales, profitability, and cash flows.
Significant changes in discount rates, actual investment return on pension assets, and other factors could affect our earnings, equity, and pension contributions in future periods.
Our earnings may be negatively affected by the amount of expense we record for our pension plans. Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) require that we calculate expense for the plans using actuarial valuations. These valuations reflect assumptions relating to financial market and other economic conditions. Changes in key economic indicators can change the assumptions. The most significant year-end assumptions used to estimate pension expense are the discount rate and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. In addition, we are required to make an annual measurement of plan assets and liabilities, which may result in a significant change to equity through a reduction or increase to "Accumulated other comprehensive loss." Our pension plan liabilities are sensitive to changes in interest rates. As interest rates decrease, the present value of our liabilities increases, potentially increasing pension expense and funding requirements. A decline in the market value of the pension assets could also increase our pension expense and funding requirements. Changes in demographics, including increased numbers of retirements or changes in life expectancy assumptions, may also increase the funding requirements of the obligations related to the pension plans. At December 31, 2016, the net underfunded status of our defined benefit pension plans was $70.8 million. If the status of our defined benefit plans continues to be underfunded, we anticipate significant future funding obligations, reducing the cash available for our business. For more discussion regarding how our financial statements can be affected by pension plan estimates, see "Pensions" included in "Critical Accounting Estimates" in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of this Form 10-K.
Adverse housing market conditions may increase the credit risk from our customers.
    
Our Building Materials Distribution and Wood Products segments extend credit to numerous customers who are generally susceptible to the same economic business risks as we are. Unfavorable housing market conditions could result in financial failures of one or more of our significant customers. Furthermore, we may not necessarily be aware of any deterioration in our customers' financial position. If our customers' financial positions become impaired, our ability to fully collect receivables from such customers could be impaired and negatively affect our operating results, cash flow, and liquidity.

The nature of our business exposes us to product liability, product warranty, casualty, manufacturing and construction defects, and other claims.
We may be involved in product liability, product warranty, casualty, manufacturing and construction defects, and other claims relating to the products we manufacture and distribute, and services we provide that could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results, and cash flows. We rely on manufacturers and other suppliers to provide us with many of the products we sell and distribute. Because we do not have direct control over the quality of such products manufactured or supplied by such third-party suppliers, we are exposed to risks relating to the quality of such products. In addition, we are exposed to potential claims arising from the conduct of our employees, and homebuilders and their subcontractors, for which we may be contractually liable. Although we currently maintain what we believe to be suitable and adequate insurance in

19


excess of our self-insured amounts, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain such insurance on acceptable terms or that such insurance will provide adequate protection against potential liabilities. Product liability, product warranty, casualty, construction defect, and other claims can be expensive to defend and can divert the attention of management and other personnel for significant periods, regardless of the ultimate outcome. Claims of this nature could also have a negative impact on customer confidence in our products and our company. We cannot assure that any current or future claims will not adversely affect our financial condition, operating results, and cash flows.

Risks Relating to Ownership of Our Common Stock

The price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.

Volatility in the market price of our common stock may prevent a stockholder from being able to sell shares at or above the price paid for them. The market price for our common stock could fluctuate significantly for various reasons, including:
our operating and financial performance and prospects;
our quarterly or annual earnings or those of other companies in our industry;
the public's reaction to our press releases, our other public announcements, and our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC);
changes in key personnel;
strategic actions by us, our customers, or our competitors, such as acquisitions or restructurings;
changes in, or failure to meet, earnings estimates or recommendations by research analysts who track our common stock or the stock of other companies in our industry;
the failure of research analysts to cover our common stock;
general economic, industry, and market conditions;
new laws or regulations or new interpretations of existing laws or regulations applicable to our business;
material litigation or government investigations;
changes in general conditions in the U.S. and global economies or financial markets, including those resulting from war, incidents of terrorism, or responses to such events;
sales of common stock by us or members of our management team;
the granting of equity or equity-based incentives;
volume of trading in our common stock (which may be impacted by future sales or repurchases of our common stock);
changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations, or principles; and
the impact of the facts described elsewhere in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" of this Form 10-K.
In addition, the stock market has regularly experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has had a significant impact on the market price of securities issued by many companies, including companies in our industry. The changes frequently appear to occur without regard to the operating performance of the affected companies. Hence, the price of our common stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with us, and these fluctuations could materially reduce our share price.


20


We do not currently intend to pay dividends on our common stock.

We historically have not paid dividends on our common stock. In the future, the declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our financial condition, earnings, contractual obligations, applicable laws, and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. In addition, our existing indebtedness restricts, and we anticipate our future indebtedness may restrict, our ability to pay dividends. Therefore, a stockholder may not receive a return on investment in our common stock via payment of dividends.

Certain provisions of our organizational documents and other contractual provisions may make it difficult for stockholders to change the composition of our board of directors and may discourage hostile takeover attempts that some of our stockholders may consider to be beneficial.

Certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws may have the effect of delaying or preventing changes in control if our board of directors in exercising its duty of care determines that such changes in control are not in the best interests of the company and our stockholders. The provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws include, among other things, the following:

a classified board of directors with three-year staggered terms;

the ability of our board of directors to issue shares of preferred stock and to determine the price and other terms, including preferences and voting rights, of those shares without stockholder approval;

stockholder action can only be taken at a special or regular meeting and not by written consent;

advance notice procedures for nominating candidates to our board of directors or presenting matters at stockholder meetings;

removal of directors only for cause;

allowing only our board of directors the ability to create additional director seats and fill vacancies on our board of directors; and

super-majority voting requirements to amend our bylaws and certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation.

We have elected in our certificate of incorporation not to be subject to Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (DGCL), an antitakeover law. However, our certificate of incorporation contains provisions that have the same effect as Section 203. These provisions prohibit a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a business combination, such as a merger, with a person or group owning 15% or more of the corporation's voting stock for a period of three years following the date the person became an interested stockholder, unless (with certain exceptions) the business combination or the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner.

While these provisions have the effect of encouraging persons seeking to acquire control of our company to negotiate with our board of directors, they could enable the board of directors to hinder or frustrate a transaction that some, or a majority, of the stockholders might believe to be in their best interests and, in that case, may prevent or discourage attempts to remove and replace incumbent directors.
    
These provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management by making it more difficult for stockholders to replace members of our board of directors, which is responsible for appointing the members of our management.

Failure to establish and maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could have a material adverse effect on our business and stock price.

We are subject to the SEC's rules implementing Section 302 and 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which require management to certify financial and other information in our quarterly and annual reports and provide an annual management report on the effectiveness of controls over financial reporting. In addition, we are required to disclose changes made in our internal controls and procedures on a quarterly basis, as well as perform an assessment of our internal control over financial

21


reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Testing and maintaining internal control could divert our management's attention from other matters that are important to the operation of our business.
    
Our independent registered public accounting firm is also required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting and may issue a report that is adverse in the event it is not satisfied with the level at which our controls are documented, designed, or operating.

If we are unable to conclude that we have effective internal control over financial reporting, our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to provide us with an unqualified report as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or we are required to restate our financial statements, we may fail to meet our public reporting obligations and investors could lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock.

ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

We have no unresolved comments from the Commission staff.

ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES

Our properties are well-maintained and are suitable for the operations for which they are used. Information concerning production capacity and the utilization of our manufacturing facilities is presented in "Item 1. Business" of this Form 10-K.

The following is a list of our facilities by segment as of February 17, 2017. We lease office space for our corporate headquarters in Boise, Idaho.

Wood Products

We own all of our Wood Products manufacturing facilities. The following table summarizes our Wood Products facilities as of February 17, 2017:
Facility Type
 
Number of Facilities
 
Locations
Plywood and veneer plants
 
9
 
Louisiana (2), North Carolina, Oregon (4), South Carolina, and Washington
LVL/I-joist/laminated beam plants
 
6
 
Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oregon, Idaho, and Canada
Sawmills
 
5
 
Oregon (3) and Washington (2)
Particleboard plant
 
1
 
Oregon

Building Materials Distribution

We lease and own properties in our Building Materials Distribution business. Substantially all of our leases are noncancelable and accounted for as operating leases. These leases are not subject to early termination except for standard nonperformance clauses. The following table summarizes our 33 Building Materials Distribution facilities as of February 17, 2017:

22



Location
 
Owned
or
Leased
 
Approximate
Warehouse
Square Footage
Phoenix, Arizona
 
Owned
 
33,000

Lathrop, California
 
Leased
 
164,000

Riverside, California
 
Leased
 
162,000

Denver, Colorado
 
Owned
 
230,000

Grand Junction, Colorado
 
Owned/Leased
 
97,000

Milton, Florida
 
Leased
 
99,000

Orlando, Florida
 
Owned
 
144,000

Pompano Beach, Florida
 
Leased
 
68,000

Atlanta, Georgia
 
Leased
 
214,000

Boise, Idaho
 
Owned/Leased
 
159,000

Idaho Falls, Idaho
 
Owned/Leased
 
69,000

Chicago, Illinois
 
Leased
 
170,000

Biddeford/Saco, Maine (a)
 
Leased
 
48,000

Baltimore, Maryland
 
Leased
 
247,000

Westfield, Massachusetts
 
Leased
 
207,000

Detroit, Michigan
 
Leased
 
108,000

Minneapolis, Minnesota
 
Leased
 
144,000

Kansas City, Missouri
 
Leased
 
27,000

Billings, Montana
 
Owned
 
81,000

Greenland, New Hampshire
 
Owned/Leased
 
166,000

Delanco, New Jersey
 
Owned/Leased
 
345,000

Albuquerque, New Mexico
 
Leased
 
68,000

Greensboro, North Carolina
 
Leased
 
157,000

Marion, Ohio
 
Leased
 
95,000

Tulsa, Oklahoma
 
Owned
 
129,000

Memphis, Tennessee
 
Owned
 
78,000

Dallas, Texas
 
Owned/Leased
 
233,000

Houston, Texas
 
Leased
 
203,000

Salt Lake City, Utah
 
Leased
 
126,000

Spokane, Washington
 
Owned/Leased
 
59,000

Vancouver, Washington
 
Leased
 
86,000

Woodinville, Washington
 
Owned/Leased
 
110,000

Yakima, Washington
 
Owned/Leased
 
44,000

_______________________________________ 

(a)    Truss manufacturing plant.

ITEM 3.          LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
We are a party to routine legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business. We are not currently a party to any legal proceedings or environmental claims that we believe would, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
 
 
ITEM 4.          MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.


23



 
PART II
 
ITEM 5.         MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS, AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Price of Our Common Stock

The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of our common stock for 2016 and 2015 as reported by the NYSE:

 
High
Sale Price
 
Low
Sale Price
2016
 
 
 
Fourth Quarter
$
25.69

 
$
17.80

Third Quarter
$
29.95

 
$
21.11

Second Quarter
$
23.60

 
$
20.07

First Quarter
$
25.46

 
$
13.80

 
 
 
 
2015
 
 
 
Fourth Quarter
$
33.15

 
$
24.40

Third Quarter
$
37.97

 
$
24.92

Second Quarter
$
39.80

 
$
34.35

First Quarter
$
43.90

 
$
34.60

    
On February 17, 2017, there were 38,381,558 shares of our common stock outstanding, held by 14 stockholders of record, one of which was Cede & Co., which is the nominee of shares held through The Depository Trust Company. On February 17, 2017, the closing price of our common stock was $27.10.

Dividends

We did not declare or pay any cash dividends on our common stock during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015. We do not currently plan to pay a regular dividend on our common stock. In the future, the declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon our financial condition, earnings, contractual obligations, restrictions imposed by our revolving credit facility and the indenture governing our senior notes, or applicable laws and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. See "Debt Structure'' under "Liquidity and Capital Resources" in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of this Form 10-K for a description of the restrictions in our revolving credit facility and the indenture governing our senior notes on our ability to pay dividends.

Performance Graph

The following graph compares the return on a $100 investment in our common stock on February 6, 2013 (the day we first began trading on the NYSE as Boise Cascade Company) with a $100 investment also made on February 6, 2013, in the S&P SmallCap 600 Index and in our peer group. The companies included in our peer group are Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, BlueLinx Holdings Inc., Universal Forest Products, Inc., Builders FirstSource, Inc., and Norbord Inc. The information in the graph below and table above is not "soliciting material," is not deemed "filed" with the SEC, and is not to be incorporated by reference in any of our filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate such information by reference. The stock performance shown below is not necessarily indicative of future performance.


24


bcc1231201_chart-32814.jpg
___________________________________ 

(a)
$100 invested in stock or index on February 6, 2013, including reinvestment of dividends in additional shares of the same class of equity securities.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
We did not sell any unregistered securities from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2016.
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

On February 25, 2015, our Board of Directors authorized a common stock repurchase program (Program), which allows us to purchase up to two million shares of our common stock, on an opportunistic basis, through open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, or accelerated share repurchase transactions. As of December 31, 2016, there were 696,989 shares of common stock that may yet be purchased under the Program. During fourth quarter 2016, we repurchased 400,000 shares under the Program at a cost of approximately $7.6 million, or an average of $19.09 per share. Set forth below is information regarding the Company's share repurchases under the Program during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2016.


25


 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
The Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
October 1, 2016 - October 31, 2016

 
$

 

 
1,096,989

November 1, 2016 - November 30, 2016
400,000

 
19.09

 
400,000

 
696,989

December 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016

 

 

 
696,989

Total
400,000

 
$
19.09

 
400,000

 
696,989


ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table sets forth our selected financial data for the periods indicated and should be read in conjunction with the disclosures in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K.

 
 
Year Ended December 31
 
 
2016 (a)
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013 (b)
 
2012
 
 
(millions, except per-share data)
Consolidated statement of operations data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
 
$
3,911

 
$
3,633

 
$
3,574

 
$
3,273

 
$
2,779

Net income
 
$
38

 
$
52

 
$
80

 
$
117

 
$
41

Net income per common share – diluted
 
$
0.98

 
$
1.33

 
$
2.03

 
$
2.91

 
$
1.40

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) (c)
 
$
142

 
$
158

 
$
197

 
$
136

 
$
97

Adjusted EBITDA (c)
 
$
153

 
$
158

 
$
197

 
$
136

 
$
97

Cash dividends declared per common share
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance sheet data (at end of year)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
104

 
$
184

 
$
164

 
$
118

 
$
46

Working capital, excluding cash and cash equivalents (d)
 
$
344

 
$
342

 
$
335

 
$
312

 
$
245

Total assets (e)
 
$
1,439

 
$
1,249

 
$
1,213

 
$
1,096

 
$
820

Total long-term debt (e)
 
$
438

 
$
345

 
$
294

 
$
293

 
$
267

_______________________________________ 

(a)
The following items impacted 2016 net income:

$8.5 million of income tax benefit primarily associated with the reversal of a valuation allowance on foreign deferred tax assets. For more information, see Note 3, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K.

$14.3 million pre-tax loss on extinguishment of debt. For more information, see Note 7, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K.

$3.9 million pre-tax settlement expense associated with voluntary lump-sum payments to pension plan participants. For more information, see Note 9, Retirement and Benefit Plans, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K.

At December 31, 2016, total assets include the EWP facilities located in Thorsby, Alabama, and Roxboro, North Carolina, we acquired in March 2016, for an aggregate purchase price of $215.9 million. For more information, see Note 5, Acquisitions, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K.

(b)
In 2013, net income includes a $68.7 million income tax benefit associated with the recording of net deferred tax assets upon our conversion to a corporation.

At December 31, 2013, total assets include the facilities in Chester, South Carolina, and Moncure, North Carolina, we acquired in September 2013, for an aggregate purchase price of $103.0 million.

26


 
(c)    The following table reconciles net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated:
 
 
Year Ended December 31
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
(millions)
Net income
 
$
38

 
$
52

 
$
80

 
$
117

 
$
41

Interest expense
 
27

 
23

 
22

 
20

 
22

Income tax provision (benefit)
 
5

 
29

 
43

 
(39
)
 

Depreciation and amortization
 
73

 
56

 
51

 
38

 
33

EBITDA
 
142

 
158

 
197

 
136

 
97

Change in fair value of interest rate swaps
 
(4
)
 

 

 

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt
 
14

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
153

 
$
158

 
$
197

 
$
136

 
$
97


We define EBITDA as income before interest (interest expense and interest income), income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Additionally, we disclose Adjusted EBITDA, which further adjusts EBITDA to exclude the change in fair value of interest rate swaps and loss on extinguishment of debt.

We believe EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are meaningful measures because they present a transparent view of our recurring operating performance and allow management to readily view operating trends, perform analytical comparisons, and identify strategies to improve operating performance. We also believe EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful to investors because they provide a means to evaluate the operating performance of our segments and our Company on an ongoing basis using criteria that are used by our management and because they are frequently used by investors and other interested parties when comparing companies in our industry that have different financing and capital structures and/or tax rates. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, however, are not measures of our liquidity or financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and should not be considered as alternatives to net income, income from operations, or any other performance measure derived in accordance with GAAP or as alternatives to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of our liquidity. The use of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA instead of net income or segment income (loss) have limitations as analytical tools, including the inability to determine profitability; the exclusion of interest expense, interest income, and associated significant cash requirements; and the exclusion of depreciation and amortization, which represent unavoidable operating costs. Management compensates for these limitations by relying on our GAAP results. Our measures of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other companies due to potential inconsistencies in the methods of calculation.

(d)
As of December 31, 2015, we retrospectively adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, by reclassifying previously reported current deferred tax assets as noncurrent on the balance sheet. This reclassification resulted in a reduction of working capital, as previously reported, of $20 million and $18 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. No reclassification was required as of December 31, 2012 since we had no current deferred taxes recorded in that year due to our tax status as a limited liability company.

(e)
As of December 31, 2015, we retrospectively adopted ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, by reclassifying previously reported deferred financing costs as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. This reclassification resulted in a reduction of total assets and total long-term debt, as previously reported, of $7 million, $8 million, and $8 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.

ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

Understanding Our Financial Information
 
This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The following discussion includes statements that are forward-looking statements and are based on the beliefs of our management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, our management. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in or implied by forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly in the section entitled "Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements" and in Item 1A. "Risk Factors." References to "fiscal year" or "fiscal" refer to our fiscal year ending on December 31 in each calendar year.

27



Overview

Company Background

Boise Cascade is a large, vertically-integrated wood products manufacturer and building materials distributor with widespread operations throughout the United States (U.S.) and one manufacturing facility in Canada. We completed an initial public offering of our common stock on February 11, 2013. We have three reportable segments: (i) Wood Products, which manufactures engineered wood products (EWP), plywood, ponderosa pine lumber, studs, and particleboard; (ii) Building Materials Distribution (BMD), which is a wholesale distributor of building materials; and (iii) Corporate and Other, which includes corporate support staff services, related assets and liabilities, pension plan activity, and foreign currency exchange gains and losses. For more information, see Note 14, Segment Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" and "Item 1. Business" of this Form 10-K. Our broad line of products is used primarily in new residential construction, residential repair-and-remodeling projects, light commercial construction, and industrial applications. We have a broad base of more than 4,500 customers, which includes a diverse mix of retail lumberyards, home improvement centers, leading wholesalers, specialty distributors, and industrial converters. Our Wood Products and BMD segments are vertically-integrated from wood procurement through distribution. During 2016, approximately 47% of our Wood Products segment sales were to our BMD segment. In 2016, approximately 66%, 28%, and 7% of our Wood Product segment's EWP, plywood, and lumber sales volumes, respectively, were to our BMD segment.

Executive Summary

We recorded income from operations of $79.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $103.2 million during the same period in the prior year. In our Wood Products segment, income decreased by $38.3 million to $25.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, from $64.2 million in 2015. The decrease was due primarily to lower plywood and lumber sales prices and higher OSB costs, offset partially by improved sales volumes for EWP and lower log costs. In addition, depreciation and amortization expense increased $14.2 million due primarily to the acquisition of two EWP facilities on March 31, 2016, and other capital expenditures. In our BMD segment, income improved $23.6 million to $84.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, from $60.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, driven primarily by a higher gross margin of $50.2 million. This improvement was offset partially by increased selling and distribution expenses and general and administrative expenses of $21.9 million and $3.1 million, respectively, as well as higher depreciation and amortization of $1.8 million. These changes are discussed further in "Our Operating Results" below.
    
On March 31, 2016, we completed the purchase of two EWP facilities located in Thorsby, Alabama, and Roxboro, North Carolina (Acquisition) for an aggregate purchase price of $215.9 million, including closing date working capital of $25.9 million. We continue to integrate these facilities into our EWP system to support our customers in the eastern and southeastern U.S., including production and certification of Boise Cascade branded products and the restart of previously idled LVL production assets at the Roxboro, North Carolina facility. We intend to use veneer produced at neighboring Boise Cascade facilities as a raw material input for LVL production at Roxboro in 2017. The pace of recommissioning certain assets at the Roxboro facility that remain idled will depend upon market conditions for both EWP and plywood.
    
We ended 2016 with $104.0 million of cash and cash equivalents and $437.6 million of debt. At December 31, 2016, we had $327.2 million of unused committed bank line availability. Our cash and cash equivalents decreased by $80.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2016, as cash provided by operating activities and issuances of long-term debt were more than offset by debt payments, the Acquisition, capital spending, and common stock repurchases, as discussed further in "Liquidity and Capital Resources" below.

Factors That Affect Our Operating Results and Trends

Our results of operations and financial performance are influenced by a variety of factors, including: (i) the commodity nature of the products we manufacture and distribute; (ii) general economic and industry conditions affecting demand; and (iii) availability and cost of raw materials, including wood fiber and glues and resins. These factors have historically produced cyclicality in our results of operations, and we expect this cyclicality to continue in future periods.


28


Commodity Nature of Our Products

Many of the building products we manufacture or distribute, including oriented strand board (OSB), plywood, lumber, and particleboard, are commodities that are widely available from other manufacturers or distributors with prices and volumes determined frequently in an auction market based on buyers' and sellers' perceptions of short-term supply and demand factors. At times, the price for any one or more of the products we produce or distribute may fall below our cash production or purchase costs, requiring us to either incur short-term losses on product sales or cease production at one or more of our manufacturing facilities. As a result, our profitability with respect to these commodity products depends, in significant part, on effective facilities maintenance programs, and on managing our cost structure, particularly raw materials and labor, which represent the largest components of our operating costs. Composite structural panel and lumber prices have been historically volatile. Future commodity product prices could be volatile in response to industry operating rates, net import and export activity, inventory levels in various distribution channels, and seasonal demand patterns.

The following table provides changes in the average composite panel, including certain panel subcategories, and average composite lumber prices as reflected by Random Lengths, an industry publication, for the periods noted below:
 
Year Ended December 31
 
2016 versus 2015
 
2015 versus 2014
 
2014 versus 2013
Increase (decrease) in composite panel prices
1%
 
(5)%
 
(10)%
Increase (decrease) in Western Fir plywood prices
(6)%
 
(4)%
 
3%
Increase (decrease) in Southern Pine plywood prices
(11)%
 
(6)%
 
3%
Increase (decrease) in OSB prices
29%
 
(8)%
 
(31)%
Increase (decrease) in composite lumber prices
4%
 
(14)%
 
0%

In our Wood Products segment, we manufacture plywood, but not OSB, and therefore our reported prices may not trend with the overall composite panel price index. Our BMD segment purchases and resells a broad mix of commodity products with periods of increasing prices providing the opportunity for higher sales and increased margins, while declining price environments may result in declines in sales and profitability. For further discussion of the impact of commodity prices on historical periods, see "Our Operating Results" in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
    
In our Wood Products segment, our plan is to continue to respond to market conditions by actively managing our production facilities to balance supply with demand, which will likely result in operating some of our facilities below their capacity as we did in 2016, and could also include temporary plant curtailments in our plywood or lumber operations. In addition, we have expanded our market position in EWP in recent years and expect to see further increases in EWP demand as a result of the ongoing recovery in housing construction. We expect margins for EWP over time will be more stable than those for most wood products and are focused on leveraging our manufacturing position, comprehensive customer service offering, design support capabilities, and efficient distribution network.

General Economic and Industry Conditions Affecting Demand
             
The level of housing starts is especially important to our results of operations. As of February 2017, the Blue Chip Economic Indicators consensus forecast for 2017 single- and multi-family housing starts in the U.S. was approximately 1.26 million units, compared with actual housing starts of 1.17 million in 2016 and 1.11 million in 2015, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau. We believe continued employment growth, wage growth, prospective home buyers' access to financing, improved consumer confidence, as well as other factors, will be necessary to increase household formation rates. Improved household formation rates in turn will help stimulate new construction. New residential construction activity has historically been volatile with demand for new residential construction also influenced by several other economic conditions, including domestic population growth, immigration rates, residential vacancy and foreclosure rates, demand for second homes, and existing home prices.

Industry supply for the products we produce and distribute is influenced primarily by price-induced changes in the operating rates of existing facilities but is also influenced over time by the introduction of new product technologies, capacity additions and closures, restart of idled capacity, and log availability. The balance of supply and demand in the U.S. is also heavily influenced by imported products, principally from Canada and South America, particularly when the U.S. dollar and economy are stronger relative to other countries, encouraging foreign producers to sell more of their plywood and lumber products into the U.S.

29


              
We believe that our product line diversification provides us some protection from declines in new residential construction. Our products are used not only in new residential construction, but also in residential repair-and-remodeling projects. We believe the overall age of the U.S. housing stock, resales of existing homes, increased focus on making homes more energy efficient, rising home prices, and availability of consumer loans at low interest rates will continue to support long-term growth in repair-and-remodeling expenditures and increased demand through home improvement centers and our other customers that service professional contractors.

Availability and Cost of Raw Materials

Our principal raw material is wood fiber, which accounted for approximately 43% of the aggregate amount of materials, labor, and other operating expenses (excluding depreciation), for our Wood Products segment in 2016. Logs comprised approximately 77% of our wood fiber costs during 2016, and we satisfy our log requirements through a combination of purchases under supply agreements, open-market purchases, and purchases pursuant to contracts awarded under public auctions conducted by federal, state, and local authorities.

The following table provides changes in our average per-unit log costs for the periods noted below:
 
Year Ended December 31
 
2016 versus 2015
 
2015 versus 2014
 
2014 versus 2013
Increase (decrease) in per-unit log costs
(2)%
 
1%
 
2%

The cost of logs is correlated with prevailing product prices for building materials and manufacturers' expectations for future product prices, with an increase in product prices driving increases in log costs, particularly in the western U.S. Because logs are a commodity, prices have been historically cyclical in response to changes in domestic and foreign demand and supply. Demand for dimension lumber has a strong influence on pricing, as the dimension lumber industry is the largest consumer of logs. We anticipate that log costs will fluctuate in the future as building material product prices fluctuate. Generally, increases in the cost of logs lag product price increases, as improved manufacturer profitability often leads to increased demand for logs.
              
In the future, we expect the level of foreign demand for log exports from the western U.S. to fluctuate based on economic activity in China and other Pacific Rim countries, currency exchange rates, and the availability of log supplies from other countries such as Canada, Russia, and New Zealand. Our aggregate cost of obtaining logs is also affected by fuel costs and the distance of the log source from our facilities, as we are often required to transport the logs we purchase from the source to our facilities. Sustained periods of high log costs may impair the cost competitiveness of our manufacturing facilities. Our log requirements and our access to supply, as well as the cost of obtaining logs, are subject to change based on, among other things, the effect of governmental laws and regulations, our manufacturing operations not operating in the normal course of business, impacts of weather or fire on log availability, and the status of environmental appeals.
                        
We also purchase OSB, which is used as the vertical web to assemble I-joists, from a supplier with multiple locations throughout North America. OSB accounted for approximately 6% of the aggregate amount of materials, labor, and other operating expenses (excluding depreciation) for our Wood Products segment in 2016. OSB is a commodity, and prices have been historically volatile in response to industry capacity restarts and operating rates, inventory levels in various distribution channels, and seasonal demand patterns. Sustained periods of high OSB costs lead to significantly higher costs of our I-joist production.
              
Wood fiber also includes, to a lesser extent than OSB, lumber purchased from third parties for I-joist production at our Canadian EWP facility and for production at our laminated beam plant in Idaho. Lumber input costs are subject to the same commodity-based volatility characteristics noted above for OSB. In addition, our particleboard operation uses wood residuals from lumber operations, about half of which is purchased from third parties. Periods of low demand for lumber can negatively affect supply and pricing of wood residuals.

We also use various resins and glues in our manufacturing processes, which accounted for approximately 5% of the aggregate amount of materials, labor, and other operating expenses (excluding depreciation) for our Wood Products segment in 2016. The costs of resins and glues are influenced by changes in the prices of raw material input costs, primarily fossil fuel products. We purchase many of our raw materials through long-term contracts that contain price adjustment mechanisms that take into account changes in market prices. Therefore, although our long-term contracts provide us with supplies of raw materials and energy that are more stable than open-market purchases, in many cases, they may not alleviate fluctuations in market prices.

30



Our Operating Results
 
The following tables set forth our operating results in dollars and as a percentage of sales for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014:
 
 
Year Ended December 31
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(millions)
Sales
$
3,911.2

 
$
3,633.4

 
$
3,573.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses
 

 
 

 
 

Materials, labor, and other operating expenses (excluding depreciation)
3,398.4

 
3,153.5

 
3,065.7

Depreciation and amortization
72.8

 
55.6

 
51.4

Selling and distribution expenses
300.8

 
273.3

 
264.2

General and administrative expenses
60.6

 
49.4

 
48.5

Other (income) expense, net
(1.0
)
 
(1.6
)
 
(1.6
)
 
3,831.6

 
3,530.2

 
3,428.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations
$
79.6

 
$
103.2

 
$
145.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(percentage of sales)
Sales
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses
 
 
 
 
 
Materials, labor, and other operating expenses (excluding depreciation)
86.9
 %
 
86.8
 %
 
85.8
 %
Depreciation and amortization
1.9

 
1.5

 
1.4

Selling and distribution expenses
7.7

 
7.5

 
7.4

General and administrative expenses
1.5

 
1.4

 
1.4

Other (income) expense, net

 

 

 
98.0
 %
 
97.2
 %
 
95.9
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations
2.0
 %
 
2.8
 %
 
4.1
 %



31


Sales Volumes and Prices
 
Set forth below are historical U.S. housing starts data, segment sales volumes and average net selling prices for the principal products sold by our Wood Products segment, and sales mix and gross margin information for our Building Materials Distribution segment for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014.
 
 
Year Ended December 31
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(thousands)
U.S. Housing Starts (a)
 
 
 
 
 
Single-family
781.6

 
714.5

 
647.9

Multi-family
392.7

 
397.3

 
355.4

 
1,174.3

 
1,111.8

 
1,003.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(millions)
Segment Sales
 

 
 

 
 
Wood Products
$
1,280.4

 
$
1,282.1

 
$
1,317.0

Building Materials Distribution
3,227.2

 
2,891.3

 
2,786.7

Corporate and Other
0.4

 

 

Intersegment eliminations
(596.8
)
 
(540.0
)
 
(529.9
)
 
$
3,911.2

 
$
3,633.4

 
$
3,573.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(millions)
Wood Products
 
 
 
 
 
Sales Volumes
 
 
 
 
 
Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) (cubic feet)
16.3

 
13.1

 
12.4

I-joists (equivalent lineal feet)
226

 
201

 
193

Plywood (sq. ft.) (3/8" basis)
1,507

 
1,635

 
1,651

Lumber (board feet)
187

 
206

 
212

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(dollars per unit)
Wood Products
 
 
 
 
 
Average Net Selling Prices
 
 
 
 
 
Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) (cubic foot)
$
16.59

 
$
16.44

 
$
16.32

I-joists (1,000 equivalent lineal feet)
1,114

 
1,107

 
1,070

Plywood (1,000 sq. ft.) (3/8" basis)
272

 
291

 
314

Lumber (1,000 board feet)
472

 
482

 
558

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(percentage of Building Materials Distribution sales)
Building Materials Distribution
 
 
 
 
 
Product Line Sales
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity
46.6
%
 
46.5
%
 
49.4
%
General line
35.4
%
 
35.9
%
 
33.6
%
Engineered wood products
18.0
%
 
17.6
%
 
17.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin percentage (b)
11.9
%
 
11.6
%
 
11.4
%
 _______________________________________ 

(a)
Actual U.S. housing starts as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau.

(b)
We define gross margin as "Sales" less "Materials, labor, and other operating expenses (excluding depreciation)." Substantially all costs included in "Materials, labor, and other operating expenses (excluding depreciation)" for our Building Materials Distribution segment are for inventory purchased for resale. Gross margin percentage is gross margin as a percentage of segment sales.


32


2016 Compared With 2015
 
Sales
 
For the year ended December 31, 2016, total sales increased $277.8 million, or 8%, to $3,911.2 million from $3,633.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2015, driven by changes in sales volumes and prices, as described below. During 2016, U.S. housing starts increased 6%, with single-family starts up 9%, compared with 2015. Single-family housing starts are the primary driver of our sales and typically result in higher building product utilization per start than multi-family units. For the year ended December 31, 2016, average composite lumber and average composite panel prices were up 4% and 1%, respectively, compared with the same period in the prior year, as reflected by Random Lengths composite lumber and panel pricing. These improvements in composite commodity pricing resulted in improved results in our BMD segment as noted below, particularly due to improved pricing in OSB and dimension lumber products. However, within our Wood Products segment, we manufacture plywood, but not OSB, and therefore our reported prices trended with the declines reflected in the plywood composite indexes and not the overall composite panel index. Average composite panel prices increased during the year ended December 31, 2016, but plywood prices were negatively impacted by a strong U.S. dollar and economy relative to other countries, resulting in foreign producers, particularly from South America, selling more of their plywood products into the eastern U.S. Given weak plywood pricing and improved demand for EWP, we have also shifted more of our internally produced veneer to EWP, resulting in the decrease in plywood sales volume noted below.

Wood Products.  During the year ended December 31, 2016, sales, including sales to our BMD segment, decreased $1.7 million, to $1,280.4 million from $1,282.1 million in 2015. Plywood and lumber sales volumes decreased 8% and 9%, respectively, contributing $37.2 million and $9.1 million, respectively, to the decrease in sales. Sales price decreases of 7% and 2%, respectively, in plywood and lumber resulted in sales decreases of $29.3 million and $1.8 million, respectively. In addition, lower sales volumes of veneer and lower byproduct price realizations resulted in sales decreases of $5.4 million and $6.5 million, respectively. These decreases were offset partially by sales volume increases of 25% in laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and 13% in I-joists which resulted in sales increases of $53.3 million and $27.9 million, respectively. Increased EWP volumes were due primarily to the Acquisition and increased penetration with existing customers, as well as improved single-family housing starts. Sales prices for LVL and I-joists were relatively flat compared with the year ended December 31, 2015.

Building Materials Distribution.  During the year ended December 31, 2016, sales increased $335.9 million, or 12%, to $3,227.2 million from $2,891.3 million for the prior year. Compared with the prior year, the overall increase in sales was driven by sales volume and sales price increases of 11% and 1%, respectively. By product line, commodity sales increased 12%, or $159.7 million; general line product sales increased 10%, or $104.1 million; and sales of EWP (substantially all of which is sourced through our Wood Products segment) increased 14%, or $72.2 million.

Costs and Expenses
 
Materials, labor, and other operating expenses (excluding depreciation) increased $244.9 million, or 8%, to $3,398.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $3,153.5 million during the prior year. In our Wood Products segment, the increase in materials, labor, and other operating expenses was primarily driven by higher sales volumes of EWP, as well as higher per-unit costs of OSB of 23%, compared with the prior year, offset partially by lower per-unit log costs of 2%. In addition, Materials, labor, and other operating expenses as a percentage of sales (MLO rate) in our Wood Products segment increased by 120 basis points. The increase in the MLO rate was primarily the result of lower plywood and lumber sales prices and volumes, as well as higher OSB costs, which resulted in higher labor and wood fiber costs as a percent of sales, offset partially by lower other manufacturing costs. In our BMD segment, the increase in materials, labor, and other operating expenses was driven by higher purchased materials costs as a result of higher sales volumes, compared with the prior year. However, the BMD segment MLO rate improved 30 basis points compared with 2015 due to improved commodity product margins, as well as improved sales of general line products, which typically carry higher product margins than commodity products.

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased $17.3 million, or 31%, to $72.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $55.6 million during the prior year. The increase was due primarily to the acquisition of two EWP facilities on March 31, 2016, and other capital expenditures. As of December 31, 2016, we have approximately $45 million of idled veneer and LVL related machinery and equipment at Roxboro, North Carolina, that were purchased in the Acquisition. We expect these assets to be recommissioned in the future and depreciation will begin as they are placed in service.
    
Selling and distribution expenses increased $27.5 million, or 10%, to $300.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $273.3 million for the prior year. The increase was due to higher employee-related expenses and shipping

33


and handling costs of $16.6 million and $5.7 million, respectively, primarily as a result of increased sales volumes and improved operating results in our BMD segment.
  
General and administrative expenses increased $11.2 million, or 23%, to $60.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $49.4 million for the prior year. The increase was due primarily to increased employee-related expenses of $7.5 million and higher acquisition-related expenses of $2.0 million in our Wood Products segment.

For the year ended December 31, 2016, other (income) expense, net, was $1.0 million of income, which included a $1.5 million gain from the sale of a timber deed in our Wood Products segment. For the year ended December 31, 2015, other (income) expense, net, was $1.6 million of income, which included a $0.9 million gain from the sale of a parcel of land in our Wood Products segment.

Income (Loss) From Operations
 
Income from operations decreased $23.6 million to $79.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $103.2 million of income for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 Wood Products.  For the year ended December 31, 2016, segment income decreased $38.3 million to $25.9 million from $64.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The decrease in segment income was due primarily to lower plywood and lumber sales prices, and higher OSB costs, as well as higher acquisition-related expenses of $2.0 million. In addition, depreciation and amortization expense increased $14.2 million due primarily to the Acquisition and other capital expenditures. These decreases were offset partially by improved sales volumes of EWP and lower log costs.

Building Materials Distribution.  For the year ended December 31, 2016, segment income increased $23.6 million to $84.4 million from $60.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase in segment income was driven primarily
by a higher gross margin of $50.2 million generated from a sales increase of 12%, including an improvement in gross margin percentage of 30 basis points. This improvement was offset partially by increased selling and distribution expenses and general and administrative expenses of $21.9 million and $3.1 million, respectively, as well as higher depreciation and amortization of $1.8 million.

Corporate and Other.  Segment loss increased $8.5 million to $30.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, from $22.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase was primarily due to higher pension expense, incentive compensation costs, and professional fees. Pension expense increased $3.4 million due primarily to a $3.9 million settlement charge resulting from lump-sum benefit payments in the fourth quarter of 2016. For more information related to our pension plan, see Note 9, Retirement and Benefit Plans, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K.

Other

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $4.2 million, or 18%, to $26.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared with $22.5 million for the prior year. The increase was due primarily to interest expense related to the issuance of $350 million of 5.625% senior notes due 2024 (2024 Notes) on August 29, 2016, $125.0 million of receive-variable pay-fixed interest rate swaps, a $75 million term loan entered into on March 30, 2016, and 2016 borrowings under our credit facility, offset partially by a decrease in interest expense from the repayment of the $300.0 million of 6.375% senior notes due 2020 (2020 Notes) during 2016.

Change in fair value of interest rate swaps. For information related to our interest rate swaps, see the discussion under "Disclosures of Financial Market Risks" and "Financial Instruments" included in this "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of this Form 10-K.

Loss on extinguishment of debt. In connection with the issuance of the $350 million 2024 Notes, we commenced a tender offer to purchase any and all of our $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2020 Notes then outstanding. On August 29, 2016, we accepted for purchase an aggregate principal amount of $184.5 million of the 2020 Notes that were tendered. On November 1, 2016, we redeemed the remaining $115.5 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2020 Notes outstanding. In connection with these transactions, we recognized a pre-tax loss on the extinguishment of debt of $14.3 million during 2016. The loss includes $11.3 million in debt extinguishment premiums and $3.0 million for the net write-off of the unamortized deferred financing costs and unamortized premium related to the 2020 Notes.


34


For more information related to our indebtedness, see Note 7, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K.

2015 Compared With 2014
 
Sales
 
For the year ended December 31, 2015, total sales increased $59.7 million, or 2%, to $3,633.4 million from $3,573.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2014, driven primarily by increases in sales volumes for many of the products we manufacture and distribute with single-family residential construction activity being the key demand driver to our sales. During 2015, U.S. housing starts increased 11%, with single-family starts up 10%, compared with 2014. For the year ended December 31, 2015, average composite lumber and average composite panel prices were down 14% and 5%, respectively, compared with the same period in the prior year, as reflected by Random Lengths composite lumber and panel pricing.

Wood Products.  During the year ended December 31, 2015, sales, including sales to our BMD segment, decreased $34.9 million, or 3%, to $1,282.1 million from $1,317.0 million in 2014. Plywood and lumber sales prices decreased 7% and 14%, respectively, contributing $37.8 million and $15.7 million, respectively, to the decrease in sales. In addition, sales volume decreases of 1% and 3%, respectively, in plywood and lumber resulted in sales decreases of $5.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively. These decreases were offset partially by sales volume increases of 6% in LVL and 4% in I-joists which resulted in sales increases of $11.6 million and $8.8 million, respectively. In addition, sales price increases of 3% in I-joists resulted in sales increases of $7.4 million. LVL sales prices were relatively flat compared with the year ended December 31, 2014.

Building Materials Distribution.  During the year ended December 31, 2015, sales increased $104.6 million, or 4%, to $2,891.3 million from $2,786.7 million for the prior year. Compared with the prior year, the overall increase in sales was driven by sales volume increases of 7%, offset partially by a decrease in sales prices of 3%. By product line, commodity sales decreased 2%, or $32.8 million; general line product sales increased 11%, or $100.5 million; and sales of EWP (substantially all of which is sourced through our Wood Products segment) increased 8%, or $36.9 million.

Costs and Expenses
 
Materials, labor, and other operating expenses (excluding depreciation) increased $87.8 million, or 3%, to $3,153.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $3,065.7 million during the prior year. In our Wood Products segment, the increase in materials, labor, and other operating expenses was primarily driven by higher sales volumes of EWP, compared with the prior year, offset partially by lower per-unit costs of OSB of 9%. However, MLO rate in our Wood Products segment increased by 310 basis points. The increase in the MLO rate was primarily the result of lower plywood and lumber sales prices which resulted in higher labor and other manufacturing costs as a percent of sales. In our BMD segment, the increase in materials, labor, and other operating expenses was driven by higher purchased materials costs as a result of higher sales volumes, compared with the prior year. However, the BMD segment MLO rate improved 20 basis points compared with 2014 as a decrease in commodity product margins was more than offset by improved sales of general line products and EWP, which typically carry higher product margins than commodity products.

Depreciation and amortization expenses increased $4.1 million, or 8%, to $55.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $51.4 million during the prior year. The increase was due primarily to purchases of property and equipment.
    
Selling and distribution expenses increased $9.1 million, or 3%, to $273.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $264.2 million for the prior year. The increase was due primarily to higher payroll and pension costs of $6.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively, as well as higher selling related expenses of $3.6 million in our BMD segment, offset partially by lower incentive compensation of $1.7 million.

General and administrative expenses increased $0.9 million, or 2%, to $49.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $48.5 million for the prior year. The increase was due primarily to higher information technology and acquisition related professional service expenses of $1.5 million, as well as increased lease costs of $0.5 million. In addition, pension and payroll costs each increased by $0.8 million, offset partially by lower incentive compensation of $2.9 million.

For each of the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, other (income) expense, net, was $1.6 million of income. The year ended December 31, 2015, included a $0.9 million gain from the sale of a parcel of land in our Wood Products segment. The year ended December 31, 2014, included a $1.6 million gain from the sale of two surplus properties in our BMD segment.

35


 
Income (Loss) From Operations
 
Income from operations decreased $42.4 million to $103.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $145.5 million of income for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 Wood Products.  For the year ended December 31, 2015, segment income decreased $44.2 million to $64.2 million from $108.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The decrease in segment income was due primarily to lower plywood and lumber sales prices, offset partially by improved operating results for EWP from higher pricing and sales volumes.

Building Materials Distribution.  For the year ended December 31, 2015, segment income increased $4.1 million to $60.8 million from $56.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase in segment income was driven primarily
by a higher gross margin of $18.4 million, including an improvement in gross margin percentage of 20 basis points. This improvement was offset partially by increased selling and distribution expenses of $9.9 million, higher depreciation and amortization of $2.1 million, and lower other income due to a $1.6 million gain from the sale of two surplus properties during the year ended December 31, 2014.

Corporate and Other.  Segment loss increased $2.1 million to $22.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, from $19.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase primarily relates to increased pension expense of $2.8 million resulting from a change in classification of pension expense between segments (see discussion in the following paragraph). In addition, information technology and lease costs each increased by $0.5 million, offset partially by lower incentive compensation of $1.9 million.

Prior to first quarter 2015, pension expense (which is primarily comprised of interest cost, expected return on plan assets, and amortization of actuarial losses) was recorded in each of our segments based on the associated individual employee roles and responsibilities. However, pension benefits are frozen for most employees and only a small number of hourly employees continue to accrue benefits. Therefore, management believes that recording pension expense in the Corporate and Other segment provides a clearer view of segment operating performance. In first quarter 2015, we made a change in our segment measurement method by recording all pension expense to the Corporate and Other segment. This change in measurement only impacts our segment disclosures, and thus it has no impact on our overall consolidated financial statements. Historical segment income (loss) has not been recast. For the year ended December 31, 2014, pension expense of $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively, was recorded in the Wood Products and BMD segments. Pension expense recorded in Corporate and Other was $2.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2015.
 
Other

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $0.5 million, or 2%, to $22.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015, compared with $22.0 million for the prior year. The increase was due primarily to interest expense on the $50 million term loan entered into on May 15, 2015. For more information related to our indebtedness, see Note 7, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K.

Income Tax Provision

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, we recorded $5.0 million, $28.5 million, and $43.3 million, respectively, of income tax expense and had an effective rate of 11.7%, 35.3%, and 35.1%, respectively. Our rate is affected by discrete items that may occur in any given year but are not consistent from year to year.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the primary reasons for the difference between the federal statutory income tax rate of 35% and the effective tax rate were the effect of the following:

A $9.9 million reduction in income tax expense, or an effect of 22.8%, resulting from the valuation allowance reversal in our Canadian tax jurisdiction.

A $2.9 million reduction in income tax expense, or an effect of 6.7%, resulting from other tax credits.

A $1.7 million increase in income tax expense, or an effect of 4.0%, resulting from unrecognized tax benefits.


36


A $1.4 million increase in income tax expense, or an effect of 3.2%, from state income taxes.

During the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the federal statutory income tax rates and the effective tax rates were each 35%, as the effect of state taxes was offset by the domestic production activities deduction and other tax credits.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
We ended 2016 with $104.0 million of cash and cash equivalents and $437.6 million of long-term debt. At December 31, 2016, we had $431.2 million of available liquidity (cash and cash equivalents and undrawn committed bank line availability). Our cash and cash equivalents decreased by $80.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2016, as cash provided by operating activities and issuances of long-term debt were more than offset by debt payments, the Acquisition, capital spending, and common stock repurchases, as further discussed below.

At December 31, 2016, our cash was invested in high-quality, short-term investments, which we record in "Cash and cash equivalents." The majority of our cash and cash equivalents is invested in money market funds that are broadly diversified and invested in high-quality, short-duration securities, including commercial paper, certificates of deposit, U.S. government agency securities, and similar instruments. We have significant amounts of cash and cash equivalents that are in excess of federally insured limits. Though we have not experienced any losses on our cash and cash equivalents to date and we do not anticipate incurring any losses, we cannot be assured that we will not experience losses on our short-term investments.
    
We believe that our cash flows from operations, combined with our current cash levels and available borrowing capacity, will be adequate to fund debt service requirements and provide cash, as required, to support our ongoing operations, capital expenditures, lease obligations, working capital, and pension contributions over the next twelve months. We expect to fund our seasonal and intra-month working capital requirements in 2017 from borrowings under our revolving credit facility and cash on hand.

In recent years, our pension benefit obligations have fluctuated significantly, primarily due to the interest rate environment in the U.S. and its impact on the discount rate assumptions used to measure the present value of our pension benefit obligations. At December 31, 2016, we used a discount rate assumption of 3.90% to measure the present value of our pension benefit obligations, which resulted in a pension benefit obligation of approximately $460.2 million. The fair value of our pension plan assets at December 31, 2016, was approximately $389.4 million, and thus we reported an underfunded status of our defined benefit pension plans of approximately $70.8 million. Given the underfunded status, we may be required to make future contributions to our qualified defined benefit pension plan depending upon actuarial assumptions, future interest rates, and pension asset investments returns. While we have no federally required contributions for 2017, we expect to make cash contributions of approximately $2 million to our pension plans. These contributions reflect benefit payments to plan participants of our nonqualified salaried pension plans and lease payments for properties we have contributed to our qualified defined benefit pension plan.

We intend to fund our future pension obligations with cash on hand, cash generated from operations, and external financing. See "Contractual Obligations" in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for an estimate of future minimum pension funding obligations. Also see "Critical Accounting Estimates" in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Note 9, Retirement and Benefit Plans, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K for a further discussion of the assumptions used to measure the present value of our pension benefit obligations.
 
Sources and Uses of Cash
 
We generate cash primarily from sales of our products, as well as short-term and long-term borrowings. Our primary uses of cash are for expenses related to the manufacture and distribution of building products, including inventory purchased for resale, wood fiber, labor, energy, and glues and resins. In addition to paying for ongoing operating costs, we use cash to invest in our business, service our debt and pension obligations, repurchase our common stock, and meet our contractual obligations and commercial commitments. Below is a discussion of our sources and uses of cash for operating activities, investing activities, and financing activities.


37


 
Year Ended December 31
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(thousands)
Net cash provided by operations
$
151,907

 
$
80,331

 
$
101,843

Net cash used for investment
(298,839
)
 
(84,392
)
 
(56,404
)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing
66,414

 
25,008

 
(139
)

Operating Activities
 
2016 Compared With 2015

In 2016, our operating activities generated $151.9 million of cash, compared with $80.3 million in 2015. The $71.6 million increase in cash provided by operations in 2016 relates primarily to the following:

A decrease in cash contributions to our pension plans of $50.4 million. During 2016, we used $3.8 million of cash to make pension contributions, compared with $54.3 million during 2015.

A $23.6 million increase in income in our Building Materials Distribution segment, offset by a $38.3 million decrease in income in our Wood Products segment. See "Operating Results" above for a discussion on our results for 2016.

A $12.2 million decrease in working capital during 2016, compared with a $2.7 million increase in working capital during 2015. Working capital is subject to cyclical operating needs, seasonal buying patterns for inventory purchased for resale and logs, the timing of the collection of receivables, and the timing of payment of payables and expenses. The decrease in working capital in 2016 was primarily attributable to higher accounts payable and accrued liabilities, offset partially by an increase in inventories. The increase in working capital in 2015 was primarily attributable to higher receivables, offset partially by an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The increase in receivables in 2015 primarily reflect increased sales of approximately 2%, comparing sales for the month of December 2015 with sales for the month of December 2014. In addition, inventories increased during 2016 compared with a decrease during 2015. Inventories increased in 2016 primarily due to an increase in finished goods inventory in our Building Materials Distribution segment. The increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in 2016 was greater than the 2015 increase, reflecting the increase in inventories as of December 31, 2016 and higher incentive compensation.

A $5.9 million increase in cash paid for income taxes. The increase in cash paid for income taxes is primarily due to lower tax benefits related to the decrease in cash contributions to our pension plans, discussed above, offset partially by a decrease in income from operations.

A $6.8 million decrease in other net long-term assets and liabilities during 2016, compared with an increase in other net long-term assets and liabilities during 2015. These changes primarily related to fluctuations in timber deposits.

2015 Compared With 2014

In 2015, our operating activities generated $80.3 million of cash, compared with $101.8 million in 2014. Compared with 2014, the $21.5 million decrease in cash provided by operations in 2015 relates primarily to the following:

A $44.2 million decrease in income in our Wood Products segment and a $4.1 million increase in income in our Building Materials Distribution segment. See "Operating Results" above for a discussion on our results for 2015.

An increase in cash contributions to our pension plans of $42.2 million. During 2015, we used $54.3 million of cash to make pension contributions, compared with $12.1 million during 2014.

A $2.7 million increase in working capital during 2015, compared with a $15.8 million increase in working capital during 2014. Working capital is subject to cyclical operating needs, seasonal buying patterns for inventory purchased for resale and logs, the timing of the collection of receivables, and the timing of payment of payables and expenses. The increases in working capital in both periods were attributable primarily to higher receivables, offset partially by an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. The increases in receivables in both periods primarily reflect increased sales of approximately 2% and 17%, comparing sales for the months of December 2015 and 2014 with sales for the months of December 2014 and 2013, respectively. In addition, inventories decreased during 2015 compared

38


with an increase during 2014. Inventories decreased in 2015 primarily due to a decrease in finished goods inventory in each of our segments. The increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in 2015 was less than the 2014 increase, reflecting the decrease in inventories as of December 31, 2015 and lower incentive compensation.

A $39.6 million decrease in cash paid for income taxes. The decrease in cash paid for income taxes is primarily due to a decrease in income from operations, as well as tax benefits related to the increase in cash contributions to our pension plans, discussed above.

Investment Activities
 
Net cash used for investing activities was $298.8 million, $84.4 million, and $56.4 million during 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

2016

During the year ended December 31, 2016, we used $215.9 million for the Acquisition. These facilities will complement our existing Wood Products business and enable us to better serve our customers in the eastern and southeastern U.S. In addition, we used approximately $83.6 million of cash for purchases of property and equipment, which included business improvement and quality/efficiency projects, replacement and expansion projects, expenditures to restart certain idled assets at our recently acquired Roxboro, North Carolina, facility, and ongoing environmental compliance. Quality and efficiency projects include quality improvements, modernization, energy, and cost-saving projects. Purchases of property and equipment included approximately $8 million for environmental compliance in 2016 and we expect to spend approximately $3 million in 2017.

Excluding potential acquisitions, we expect capital expenditures in 2017 to total approximately $75 million to $85 million. This level of capital expenditures could increase or decrease as a result of a number of factors, including our financial results, future economic conditions, and timing of equipment purchases. Our capital spending in 2017 will be for business improvement and quality/efficiency projects, replacement projects, restart of idled assets at our Roxboro, North Carolina, facility, and ongoing environmental compliance.

2015

During the year ended December 31, 2015, we used approximately $87.5 million of cash for purchases of property and equipment, which included business improvement and quality/efficiency projects and replacement and expansion projects. In 2015, purchases of property and equipment included approximately $2 million for environmental compliance. For the year ended December 31, 2015, we received asset sale proceeds of $3.1 million, primarily from the sale of a parcel of land in our Wood Products segment.

2014

During the year ended December 31, 2014, we used approximately $61.2 million of cash for purchases of property and equipment, which included business improvement and quality/efficiency projects and replacement and expansion projects. In 2014, purchases of property and equipment included approximately $6 million for environmental compliance. For the year ended December 31, 2014, we received proceeds of $4.8 million, primarily from the sale of two surplus properties in our Building Materials Distribution segment.

Financing Activities

During 2016, our financing activities generated $66.4 million of cash, primarily from borrowings of long-term debt of $837.8 million offset partially by payments of long-term debt of $754.1 million and the repurchase of common stock for $10.3 million, as further discussed below.

On August 29, 2016, we issued $350 million of 2024 Notes. With proceeds from the 2024 Notes issuance, we retired our 2020 Notes. In connection with the retirement of the 2020 Notes, we made debt extinguishment premium payments of $11.3 million.
    
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we also issued a new $75.0 million secured term loan (Term Loan) to partially fund the Acquisition. Subsequently, in December 2016, we paid down $30.0 million on our Term Loan with cash on hand, resulting in $45 million outstanding at December 31, 2016. Under our revolving credit facility, we borrowed

39


$357.8 million to fund intra-month working capital needs and $55.0 million to partially fund the Acquisition, which were subsequently repaid with cash on hand during the year ended December 31, 2016. At December 31, 2016, we had no borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we also used $6.4 million of cash for financing costs related to our debt issuances and $10.3 million for the repurchase of 580,100 shares of our common stock.

During 2015, our financing activities generated $25.0 million of cash, primarily from the borrowings under a new $50.0 million term loan (ABL Term Loan) offset partially by the repurchase of 722,911 shares of our common stock for $23.7 million. Proceeds from the ABL Term Loan were used to fund a $40.0 million discretionary pension contribution and for general corporate purposes. During the year ended December 31, 2015, we had no borrowings outstanding under our revolving credit facility.

During 2014, we borrowed $57.6 million under our revolving credit facility to fund intra-month working capital needs, which were subsequently repaid during the same period with cash on hand, and we had no borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2014.

Stock Repurchase Program

On February 25, 2015, our Board of Directors (Board) authorized a common stock repurchase program (Program) which allows us to purchase up to two million shares of our common stock, on an opportunistic basis, through open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, or accelerated share repurchase transactions. We are not obligated to purchase any shares and there is no set date that the Program will expire. The Board may increase or decrease the number of shares under the Program or terminate the Program in its discretion at any time. As of December 31, 2016, there were 696,989 shares of common stock that may yet be purchased under the Program.

Debt Structure

For information related to our debt structure, see Note 7, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K.

Contractual Obligations
 
In the table below, we set forth our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2016. Some of the amounts included in the table are based on management's estimates and assumptions about these obligations, including their duration, the possibility of renewal, anticipated actions by third parties, and other factors. Because these estimates and assumptions are necessarily subjective, our actual payments may vary from those reflected in the table. Purchase orders made in the ordinary course of business are excluded from the table below. Any amounts for which we are liable under purchase orders are reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

 
Payments Due by Period
 
2017
 
2018-2019
 
2020-2021
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
(millions)
Long-term debt (a)
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
445.0

 
$
445.0

Interest (b)
21.7

 
43.0

 
43.0

 
62.9

 
170.6

Operating leases (c)
15.1

 
28.8

 
26.7

 
67.6

 
138.2

Purchase obligations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Raw materials (d)
14.7

 
47.8

 
1.8

 
1.4

 
65.7

   Utilities (e)
12.7

 

 

 

 
12.7

   Other
2.1

 
0.5

 

 

 
2.6

Other long-term liabilities reflected on our Balance Sheet (f)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Compensation and benefits, including pension funding obligations (g)
2.8

 
5.8

 
5.6

 
70.3

 
84.5

   Other (h)(i)
3.2

 
4.1

 
2.5

 
7.4

 
17.2

 
$
72.3

 
$
130.0

 
$
79.6

 
$
654.6

 
$
936.5

_______________________________________ 


40


(a)
These borrowings are further explained in Note 7, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K. The table assumes our long-term debt is held to maturity.

(b)
Amounts represent estimated interest payments on the 2024 Notes, ABL Term Loan, and Term Loan as of December 31, 2016, assuming these instruments are held to maturity. Unused commitment fees and letter of credit fees payable under the Revolving Credit Facility are excluded from the table above. In addition, we have excluded our interest rate swaps from interest in the table above. For information regarding average pay rates and average receive rates on our interest rate swaps, see "Financial Instruments" included in this "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of this Form 10-K.

(c)
We enter into operating leases in the normal course of business. We lease a portion of our distribution centers as well as other property and equipment under operating leases. Some lease agreements provide us with the option to renew the lease or purchase the leased property. Our operating lease obligations would change if we exercised these renewal options and/or if we entered into additional operating lease agreements. For more information, see Note 8, Leases, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K.

(d)
Amounts represent contracts to purchase approximately $65 million of logs, approximately $49 million of which will be purchased pursuant to fixed-price contracts and approximately $16 million of which will be purchased pursuant to variable-price contracts. The $16 million is estimated using current quarter pricing, but the actual prices will depend on future market prices. Under certain log agreements, we have the right to cancel or reduce our commitments in the event of a mill curtailment or shutdown. Future purchase prices under most of the variable-price agreements will be set quarterly or semiannually based on regional market prices. Our log requirements and our access to supply, as well as the cost of obtaining logs, are subject to change based on, among other things, the effect of governmental laws and regulations, our manufacturing operations not operating in the normal course of business, log availability, and the status of environmental appeals. Except for deposits required pursuant to log supply contracts, these obligations are not recorded in our consolidated financial statements until contract payment terms take effect.

(e)
We enter into contracts for the purchase of electricity and natural gas. We also purchase these services under utility tariffs. These payment obligations were valued either at market prices as of December 31, 2016, or at a fixed price, in each case in accordance with the terms of the related contract or tariff. Because we consume the energy in the manufacture of our products, these obligations represent the face value of the contracts, not resale value.

(f)
Long-term deferred income tax liabilities and unrecognized tax benefits are excluded from this table, because the timing of their future cash outflows are uncertain. For more information, see Note 3, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K.

(g)
Amounts consist primarily of our pension obligation and, to a lesser extent, the current portion of employee-related compensation liabilities of $0.5 million. Actuarially determined liabilities related to pension benefits are recorded based on estimates and assumptions. Key factors used in developing estimates of these liabilities include assumptions related to discount rates, expected rate of compensation increases, retirement and mortality rates, and other factors. Changes in estimates and assumptions related to the measurement of funded status could have a material impact on the amount reported. In the table above, we allocated our pension obligations by year based on the future required minimum pension contributions, as determined by our actuaries.

(h)
Includes current portion of long-term liabilities of $3.2 million.

(i)
We have excluded $3.7 million and $0.6 million of deferred lease costs and deferred gains, respectively, from the other long-term liabilities in the above table. These amounts have been excluded because deferred lease costs relate to operating leases which are already reflected in the operating lease category above and deferred gains do not represent a contractual obligation that will be settled in cash.

Off-Balance-Sheet Arrangements
 
At December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had no material off-balance-sheet arrangements with unconsolidated entities.
    
Guarantees
 
Note 7, Debt, and Note 15, Commitments, Legal Proceedings and Contingencies, and Guarantees, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K describe the nature of our guarantees, including the approximate terms of the guarantees, how the guarantees arose, the events or circumstances that would require us to perform under the guarantees, and the maximum potential undiscounted amounts of future payments we could be required to make.
 
Seasonal and Inflationary Influences
 

41


We are exposed to fluctuations in quarterly sales volumes and expenses due to seasonal factors. These seasonal factors are common in the building products industry. Seasonal changes in levels of building activity affect our building products businesses, which are dependent on housing starts, repair-and-remodeling activities, and light commercial construction activities. We typically report lower sales in the first and fourth quarters due to the impact of poor weather on the construction market, and we generally have higher sales in the second and third quarters, reflecting an increase in construction due to more favorable weather conditions. We typically have higher working capital in the first and second quarters in preparation and response to the building season. Seasonally cold weather increases costs, especially energy consumption costs, at most of our manufacturing facilities.
 
Disclosures of Financial Market Risks

In the normal course of business, we are exposed to financial risks such as changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, and commodity prices. In 2016, 2015, and 2014, we did not use derivative instruments to manage these risks, except for interest rate swaps entered into in 2016 as discussed below.

Interest Rate Risk 

We are exposed to interest rate risk arising from fluctuations in variable-rate LIBOR on our term loans and when we have loan amounts outstanding on our Revolving Credit Facility. At December 31, 2016, we had $95.0 million of variable-rate debt outstanding. Our objective is to limit the variability of interest payments on our debt. To meet this objective, in 2016 we entered into receive-variable, pay-fixed interest rate swaps to change the variable-rate cash flow exposure to fixed-rate cash flows. In accordance with our risk management strategy, we actively monitor our interest rate exposure and consider using derivative instruments from time to time to manage the related risk.

On February 16, 2016 and March 31, 2016, we entered into interest rate swap agreements with notional principal amounts of $50.0 million and $75.0 million, respectively, to offset risks associated with the variability in cash flows relating to interest payments that are based on one-month LIBOR. We do not speculate using derivative instruments. At December 31, 2016, the notional principal amount of our interest rate swap agreements exceeded the $95.0 million of variable-rate debt outstanding after paying down $30.0 million of variable rate debt on our Term Loan in December 2016. The excess notional principal amount of our interest rate swaps over our variable-rate debt is within our management strategy as we expect to partially fund seasonal and intra-month working capital requirements in 2017 from borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility.

Under the interest rate swaps, we receive LIBOR-based variable interest rate payments and make fixed interest rate payments, thereby fixing the interest rate on our variable-rate debt. Payments on the interest rate swaps with notional principal amounts of $50.0 million and $75.0 million are due on a monthly basis at a fixed rate of 1.007% and 1.256%, respectively, and expire in February 2022 and March 2022, respectively. The interest rate swap agreements were not designated as cash flow hedges, and as a result, all changes in the fair value are recognized in "Change in fair value of interest rate swaps" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations rather than through other comprehensive income. At December 31, 2016, we recorded a long-term asset of $4.2 million in "Other assets" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, representing the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements.

Foreign Currency Risk
    
We have sales in countries outside the U.S. As a result, we are exposed to movements in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily in Canada, but we do not believe our exposure to currency fluctuations is significant.

Commodity Price Risk

Many of the products we manufacture or purchase and resell and some of our key production inputs are commodities whose price is determined by the market's supply and demand for such products. Price fluctuations in our selling prices and key costs have a significant effect on our financial performance. The markets for most of these commodities are cyclical and are primarily affected by various economic and industry factors, including the strength of the U.S. housing market, net import and export activity, changes in or disruptions to industry production capacity, changes in inventory levels, and other factors beyond our control. For further discussion of commodity price risk, refer to "Item 1A. Risk Factors" of this Form 10-K and "Factors That Affect Our Operating Results and Trends" in this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.


42


Financial Instruments

The table below provides information as of December 31, 2016, about our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. The table presents principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates by expected maturity dates. For obligations with variable interest rate sensitivity, the table sets forth payout amounts based on December 31, 2016 rates and does not attempt to project future rates. Other instruments subject to market risk, such as obligations for pension plans and other postretirement benefits, are not reflected in the table.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
There-
 after 
 
  Total  
 
Fair
  Value (b) 
 
(millions, other than percentages)
Long-term debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Fixed-rate debt payments (a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Senior Notes
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
350.0

 
$
350.0

 
$
347.4

      Average interest rates

 

 

 

 

 
5.625
%
 
5.625
%
 

   Variable-rate debt payments (a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
      Term Loans
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
95.0

 
$
95.0

 
$
95.0

      Average interest rates

 

 

 

 

 
1.8
%
 
1.8
%
 

_______________________________________ 

(a)
These obligations are further explained in Note 7, Debt, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K. The table assumes our long-term debt is held to maturity.

(b)
We estimated the fair value using quoted market prices of our debt in inactive markets.

The table below provides information as of December 31, 2016, about our interest rate swaps. For information on interest rate swaps, see Interest Rate Risk and Interest Rate Swaps of Note 13, Financial Instrument Risk, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K. The following is information about the notional amount and interest rate by contractual maturity date for our interest rate swap agreements, as well as the fair value of the asset at December 31, 2016:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
2021
 
There-
 after 
 
  Total  
 
Fair
Value 
 
(millions, other than percentages)
Interest rate swaps
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Variable to fixed notional amount
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
125.0

 
$
125.0

 
$
4.2

      Average pay rate (a)

 

 

 

 

 
1.2
%
 
1.2
%
 

      Average receive rate (b)

 

 

 

 

 
0.7
%
 
0.7
%
 

_______________________________________ 

(a)
Represents the weighted average actual fixed interest rate payable on our interest rate swaps.

(b)
Represents the weighted average variable interest rate receivable on our interest rate swaps at December 31, 2016.


43


Environmental
 
We are subject to a wide range of general and industry-specific environmental laws and regulations. In particular, we are affected by laws and regulations covering air emissions, wastewater discharges, solid and hazardous waste management, and site remediation. Compliance with these laws and regulations is a significant factor in the operation of our businesses. We believe that we have created a corporate culture of strong compliance by taking a conservative approach to environmental issues in order to assure that we are operating well within the bounds of regulatory requirements. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be in compliance with environmental requirements at all times, and we cannot guarantee that we will not incur fines and penalties in the future. In 2016, we paid an insignificant amount in environmental fines and penalties across our segments.
We incur capital and operating expenditures to comply with federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations could result in civil or criminal fines or penalties or in enforcement actions. Our failure to comply could also result in governmental or judicial orders that stop or interrupt our operations or require us to take corrective measures, install additional pollution control equipment, or take other remedial actions. During 2016, we spent approximately $8 million on capital expenditures to comply with environmental requirements. We expect to spend approximately $3 million in 2017 for this purpose.
As an owner and operator of real estate, we may be liable under environmental laws for the cleanup of past and present spills and releases of hazardous or toxic substances on or from our properties and operations. We can be found liable under these laws whether or not we knew of, or were responsible for, the presence of such substances. In some cases, this liability may exceed the value of the property itself.
In connection with prior transactions, certain third parties are generally obligated to indemnify us for hazardous substance releases and other environmental violations that occurred prior to such transactions. However, these third parties may not have sufficient funds to fully satisfy their indemnification obligations when required, and in some cases, we may not be contractually entitled to indemnification by them.
Climate Change
Various legislative and regulatory proposals to restrict emissions of greenhouse gasses (GHG), such as CO2, are under consideration in state legislative bodies and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In particular, in 2015, the EPA finalized regulations to reduce GHG emissions from new and existing electric utilities. The regulations for the existing electric utilities, commonly referred to as the Clean Power Plan, require states to develop strategies to reduce GHG emissions within the states that may include reductions at other sources in addition to the electric utilities. In February 2016, the Supreme Court stayed the rule regulating existing sources until legal challenges can be heard and resolved. As this regulation is subject to legal challenges, we believe it is premature to evaluate the impact of this regulation on our business. If the final rules are enacted, we believe this regulation may result in increased electricity and natural gas prices as electric utilities convert from coal to natural gas. However, we expect these changes and price increases to occur gradually over many years. The key states in which our facilities are located have reacted differently to the stay. We understand Louisiana and Washington are continuing to work on their implementation plans. Oregon and Alabama have slowed their implementation plans, but have not ceased working on their plans. South Carolina is still assessing their implementation plan options, and North Carolina has ceased working on its implementation plan entirely.
Most of our manufacturing facilities operate boilers or other process equipment that emit GHG. Various regulatory initiatives may require us to modify operating procedures or production levels, incur capital expenditures, change fuel sources, or take other actions that may adversely affect our financial results. However, given the high degree of uncertainty about the ultimate parameters of any such regulatory initiative, it is premature to make any prediction concerning such impacts.
A significant portion of our GHG emissions are from biomass-fired boilers. Biogenic CO2 is generally considered carbon neutral. In November 2014, the EPA released its Draft Framework for Assessing Biogenic CO2 Emissions From Stationary Sources along with an accompanying memo that generally supported carbon neutrality for biomass combustion, but left open the possibility that it may not always be carbon neutral. This action leaves considerable uncertainty as to the future regulatory treatment of biogenic CO2 and the treatment of such GHG in the states in which we operate. The proposed Clean Power Plan also allows states to determine how biogenic CO2 will be characterized, so we could see state-to-state differences.
In addition, various government entities have adopted or are considering energy sourcing regulations which subsidize, or mandate consumption of specified percentages of, electrical power generated from nontraditional generating sources,

44


including biomass fuels. These programs may increase our purchased electrical energy costs, create significant new competition for our fiber sources, and provide opportunities for alternative uses of our residual fiber, such as sawdust, chips, and shavings.
Other Regulatory Initiatives
From time to time, legislative bodies and environmental regulatory agencies may promulgate new regulatory programs imposing significant incremental operating costs or capital costs on us. In December 2012, the EPA finalized a revised series of four regulations commonly referred to collectively as Boiler MACT, which are intended to regulate the emission of hazardous air pollutants from industrial boilers. Facilities in our Wood Products segment are subject to one or more of these regulations. These facilities have installed the required controls and are in compliance. Even with the revised rules finalized, considerable uncertainty still exists, as there are legal challenges to the final rules from industry and environmental organizations that could cause us to incur additional expenses beyond those already anticipated.
In 2015, the EPA revised the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone from 75 parts per million (ppm) to 70 ppm. This will increase the total number of U.S. counties violating the standard, though we do not believe the counties in which we operate will violate the standard. However, it may make it more difficult to expand some facilities and increase certain emissions in the future.
Critical Accounting Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America requires management to make 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. Actual results could differ from these estimates. We believe that the accounting estimates discussed below represent the accounting estimates requiring the exercise of judgment where a different set of judgments could result in the greatest changes to reported results. We reviewed the development, selection, and disclosure of our critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our board of directors. Our current critical accounting estimates are as follows:

Pensions

We calculate pension expense and liabilities based on existing retirement plan provisions currently in effect using actuarial assumptions, including discount rates, expected return on plan assets, expected rate of compensation increases, retirement and mortality rates, expected contributions, and other factors. We based the assumptions used to calculate pension expense on the following factors:

Discount Rate Assumption. The discount rate reflects the current rate at which the pension obligations could be settled based on the measurement dates of the plans — December 31. In all years presented, the discount rates were determined by matching the expected plan benefit payments against a spot rate yield curve constructed to replicate the yields of Aa-rated corporate bonds.

Asset Return Assumption. We base our expected long-term rate of return on plan assets on a weighted average of our expected returns for the major asset classes (equities, fixed-income securities, a hedge fund, and real estate) in which we invest. The weights we assign each asset class are based on our investment strategy. Expected returns for the asset classes are based on long-term historical returns, inflation expectations, forecasted gross domestic product, earnings growth, and other economic factors. We developed our return assumption based on a review of the fund manager's estimates of future market expectations by broad asset class, and expected long-term rates of return from external investment managers. In 2016, the investment return on our pension asset portfolio was approximately 7.50%, driven primarily by the relative strength of the U.S. economy and low double-digit returns across the plan's U.S. equity investments. The investment returns were above our weighted average expected return on plan assets of 5.10% for 2016. For further explanation of our 2016 expected return on plan assets, see the table below. In 2015, the investment return on our pension asset portfolio was flat, as various factors negatively impacted returns across multiple asset classes in which we were invested. Those negative factors included a further and unexpected decline in commodity prices, continued strength in the U.S. dollar, soft economic growth and currency devaluation in China, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and an uncertainty on the extent and timing of interest rate increases in the U.S. The investment returns were below our weighted average expected return on plan assets of 6.15% and 5.85% for 2015. The weighted average expected return on plan assets we will use in our calculation of 2017 net periodic benefit cost is 5.00%.


45


Rate of Compensation Increases. Pension benefits for all salaried employees are frozen, resulting in an assumption for the rate of compensation increase of zero. In addition to the salaried benefits being frozen, there are currently no scheduled increases in pension benefit rates applicable to past service covering hourly employees who continue to accrue benefits.

Retirement and Mortality Rates. These rates are developed to reflect actual and projected plan experience. In 2016, we used the RP-2014 mortality tables adjusted to reflect the new two-dimensional mortality improvement scale MP-2016. In 2015, we used the RP-2014 mortality tables along with the two-dimensional mortality improvement scale MP-2015.

Expected Contributions. In 2016, we made $3.8 million in cash contributions to our pension plans. We expect to contribute approximately $2 million to our pension plans in 2017. The 2017 contributions reflect benefit payments to plan participants of our nonqualified salaried pension plans and lease payments for properties we have contributed to our qualified defined benefit pension plan. For information related to pension contributions, see "Cash Flows" in Note 9, Retirement and Benefit Plans, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" in this Form 10-K.

We recognize the funded status of our pension plans on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and recognize the actuarial and experience gains and losses, net of tax, in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Actual results that differ from assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect recognized expense in future periods. While we believe that the assumptions used to measure our pension obligations are reasonable, differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may materially affect our pension obligations and future expense.

We believe that the accounting estimate related to pensions is a critical accounting estimate because it is highly susceptible to change from period to period. The future effects of pension plans on our financial position and results of operations will depend on economic conditions, employee demographics, mortality rates, retirement rates, investment performance, the pension regulatory environment, benefit plan design, and funding decisions, among other factors. The following table presents selected assumptions used and expected to be used in the measurement of pension expense in the following periods:
 
Year Ending December 31,
 
Year Ended December 31
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
(millions, except for percentages)
Pension expense
$
1.3

 
$
6.2
 
 
$
2.8
 
Discount rate (a)(b)
3.90
%
 
4.05
%
/
3.45
%
 
3.75
%
/
3.90
%
Expected rate of return on plan assets (a)(b)
5.00
%
 
5.10
%
/
5.10
%
 
6.15
%
/
5.85
%
Rate of compensation increases (c)

 
 
 
 
_______________________________________ 

(a)
Prior to the remeasurement of our qualified defined benefit pension plan on November 1, 2016, the discount rate and expected rate of return on plan assets were 4.05% and 5.10%, respectively. The discount rate and expected rate of return on plan assets after the November 1, 2016 remeasurement were 3.45% and 5.10%, respectively. For information related to the remeasurement, see "Defined Benefit Plans" in Note 9, Retirement and Benefit Plans, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" in this Form 10-K.

(b)
Prior to the remeasurement of our qualified defined benefit pension plan on May 15, 2015, the discount rate and expected rate of return on plan assets were 3.75% and 6.15%, respectively. The discount rate and expected rate of return on plan assets after the May 15, 2015 remeasurement were 3.90% and 5.85%, respectively. For information related to the remeasurement, see "Defined Benefit Plans" in Note 9, Retirement and Benefit Plans, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" in this Form 10-K.

(c)
The compensation increase is zero due to the fact that pension benefits for salaried employees are frozen. In addition to the salaried benefits being frozen, there are currently no scheduled increases in pension benefit rates applicable to past service covering hourly employees who continue to accrue benefits.

A change of 0.25% in either direction to the discount rate or the expected rate of return on plan assets would result in the following effect on 2017 and 2016 pension expense. These sensitivities are specific to 2017 and 2016. The sensitivities may not be additive, so the impact of changing multiple factors simultaneously cannot be calculated by combining the individual sensitivities shown.

46


 
 
 
Increase (Decrease)
in Pension Expense
 
Base
 Expense 
 
 0.25 %
 Increase 
 
 0.25%
 Decrease 
 
(millions)
2017 Expense
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
$
1.3

 
$
(1.0
)
 
$
1.0

Expected rate of return on plan assets
1.3

 
(0.9
)
 
0.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
2016 Expense
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate
$
6.2

 
$
(1.1
)
 
$
1.1

Expected rate of return on plan assets
6.2

 
(1.0
)
 
1.0


Income Taxes

Our income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities and liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits reflect management’s best estimate of current and future taxes to be paid. We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgments and estimates are required in the determination of the consolidated income tax expense.

Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reporting amounts in the financial statements, which will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future. In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets in the jurisdiction from which they arise, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. The assumptions about future taxable income require the use of significant judgment and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying business. In evaluating the objective evidence that historical results provide, we consider three years of cumulative operating income (loss).

In the event that we determine that a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded against the deferred tax asset with a corresponding charge to tax expense in the period we make such determination. Based upon our projections, we believe it is more likely than not that we will realize the benefits of substantially all of these deductible differences.
 
As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the deferred tax assets in our foreign subsidiaries were primarily the result of net operating losses. During fourth quarter 2016, because we achieved three years of cumulative pretax income in the Canadian tax jurisdiction and due to the implementation of a tax-planning strategy, management determined that there is sufficient positive evidence to conclude that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets are realizable and therefore released the valuation allowance in the amount of $9.9 million. As of December 31, 2016, we have foreign income tax net operating loss carryforwards of $24.0 million, which will expire beginning in 2026 through 2036 if not used.

The calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across our operations. Accounting Standards Codification 740, Income Taxes, (ASC 740) states that a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, on the basis of the technical merits.

We record unrecognized tax benefits as liabilities in accordance with ASC 740 and adjust these liabilities when our judgment changes as a result of the evaluation of new information not previously available. Because of the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from our current estimate of the unrecognized tax liabilities. These differences will be reflected as increases or decreases to income tax expense in the period in which new information is available.

Business Combinations
From time to time, we may enter into material business combinations. We allocate the total purchase price of a business combination to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date, with the excess purchase price recorded as goodwill. The acquisition method of accounting requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions regarding the fair values of the elements of a business combination as of the date of acquisition, including the fair values (fair value is determined using the income approach, cost approach and/or market

47


approach) of inventory, property, plant, and equipment, and identifiable intangible assets, among others. This method also requires us to refine these estimates over a measurement period not to exceed one year to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized as of that date. If we are required to retroactively adjust provisional amounts that we have recorded for the fair values of assets and liabilities in connection with acquisitions, these adjustments could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Additionally, we expense any acquisition-related costs as incurred in connection with each business combination.
Significant estimates and assumptions in estimating the fair value of customer relationships and other identifiable intangible assets include future cash flows that we expect to generate from the acquired assets. If the subsequent actual results and updated projections of the underlying business activity change compared with the assumptions and projections used to develop these values, we could record impairment charges. In addition, we have estimated the economic lives of certain acquired assets and these lives are used to calculate depreciation and amortization expense. If our estimates of the economic lives change, depreciation or amortization expenses could be increased or decreased.

Long-Lived Asset Impairment

We review long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. An impairment of a long-lived asset exists when the carrying value is not recoverable through future undiscounted cash flows from operations and when the carrying value of an asset or asset group exceeds its fair value.

Long-lived asset impairment is a critical accounting estimate, as it is susceptible to change from period to period. We estimate the fair value of an asset or asset group based on quoted market prices for similar assets (the amount for which the asset(s) could be bought or sold in a current transaction with a third party) when available (Level 2 measurement). When quoted market prices are not available, we use a discounted cash flow model to estimate fair value (Level 3 measurement). To measure future cash flows, we are required to make assumptions about future production volumes, future product pricing, and future expenses to be incurred. Estimates of future cash flows may change based on overall economic conditions, the availability of wood fiber, environmental requirements, capital spending, and other strategic management decisions.
    
Should the markets for our products deteriorate or should we decide to invest capital differently or should other cash flow assumptions change, it is possible that we will be required to record noncash impairment charges in the future that could have a material impact on our results of operations. Due to the numerous variables associated with our judgments and assumptions relating to the valuation of assets and the effects of changes on these valuations, both the precision and reliability of our estimates are subject to uncertainty. As additional information becomes known, we may change our estimates.

Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment
    
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquired business over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. At December 31, 2016, we had $55.4 million of goodwill recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheet, of which $5.6 million was recorded in our Building Materials Distribution segment and $49.8 million was recorded in our Wood Products segment. At December 31, 2016, the net carrying amount of intangible assets with indefinite lives, which represent our trade names and trademarks, was $8.9 million.

We maintain two reporting units for purposes of our goodwill impairment testing, Building Materials Distribution and Wood Products, which are the same as our operating segments discussed in Note 14, Segment Information, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K. We test goodwill in each of our reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually in the fourth quarter or sooner if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may exceed fair value. We completed our annual assessment of goodwill in fourth quarter 2016 using a qualitative approach. The qualitative goodwill impairment assessment requires evaluating factors, based on the weight of evidence, to determine whether a reporting unit’s carrying value would more likely than not exceed its fair value. As part of our goodwill qualitative testing process for each reporting unit, we evaluate various factors that are specific to the reporting unit as well as industry and macroeconomic factors in order to determine whether it is reasonably likely to have a material impact on the fair value of our reporting units. Examples of the factors that were considered include the results of the most recent quantitative impairment tests, current and long-term forecasted financial results, changes in the discount rate between current and prior years, and operating strategy for each reporting unit. See below for further discussion of our forecasts and discount rates. Based on the qualitative analysis performed in 2016, we concluded that there were no changes that were reasonably likely to cause the fair value of the reporting units to be less than the reporting units' carrying value and determined that there was no impairment of our goodwill. Although we believe the qualitative factors considered in the impairment analysis are reasonable, significant changes in any one of our assumptions

48


could produce a significantly different result and result in impairment charges that could be material to our consolidated financial statements.

In the event we were to determine that a reporting unit's carrying value would more likely than not exceed its fair value, quantitative testing would be performed comparing carrying values to estimated fair values. Quantitative testing involves a two-step process. The first step, used to identify potential impairment, is a comparison of each reporting unit's estimated fair value to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not considered impaired. If the carrying value exceeds fair value, we perform a second step to compare the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill to its book value. The implied fair value of the goodwill is determined based on the estimated fair value of the reporting unit less the fair value of the reporting unit's identifiable assets and liabilities. If the goodwill assigned to a reporting unit exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment charge is recorded for the excess. In conducting a quantitative goodwill impairment analysis, we utilize the discounted cash flow approach that estimates the projected future cash flows to be generated by our reporting units, discounted to present value using a discount rate reflecting weighted average cost of capital for a potential market participant (Level 3 measurement).

For our intangible asset impairment testing, we use a discounted cash flow approach, based on a relief from royalty method (Level 3 measurement). This method assumes that through ownership of trademarks and trade names, we avoid royalty expense associated with licensing, resulting in cost savings. An estimated royalty rate, determined as a percentage of net sales, is used to estimate the value of the intangible assets. Based on the impairment tests of our intangible assets with indefinite lives, we determined that the fair value of our intangible assets exceeds their carrying value. Differences in assumptions used in projecting future cash flows and cost of funds could have a significant impact on the determination of fair value.

The following assumptions are key to our estimates of fair value:

Business projections. Projections are based on five-year forecasts that are developed internally by management for use in managing the business and reviewed by the board of directors. These projections include significant assumptions such as estimates of future revenues, profits, working capital requirements, operating plans, and capital expenditures. Our forecasts are driven by consensus estimates of key economic indicators that affect our operating results, most notably new residential and light commercial construction and repair-and-remodeling activity. These economic indicators are then used to estimate future production volumes, selling prices, and key input costs for our manufactured products. Our forecasts also take into consideration recent sales data for existing products, planned timing of capital projects, and anticipated conversion and distribution expenses. Our pricing assumptions are estimated based upon an assessment of industry supply and demand dynamics for our major products.

Growth rates. A growth rate is used to calculate the terminal value in the discounted cash flow model. The growth rate is the expected rate at which earnings or revenue is projected to grow beyond the five-year forecast period.

Discount rates. Future cash flows are discounted at a rate that is consistent with a weighted average cost of capital for a potential market participant. The weighted average cost of capital is an estimate of the overall after-tax rate of return required by equity and debt holders of a business enterprise. The discount rates selected are based on existing conditions within our industry and reflect adjustments for potential risk premiums in those markets as well as weighting of the market cost of equity versus debt.
 
New and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
 
For information related to new and recently adopted accounting standards, see "New and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards" in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" in this Form 10-K.
 
ITEM 7A.          QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Information concerning quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk is included under the captions "Disclosures of Financial Market Risks" and "Financial Instruments" in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of this Form 10-K.
 


49


ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Boise Cascade Company
Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(thousands, except per-share data)
Sales
 
$
3,911,215

 
$
3,633,415

 
$
3,573,732

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses
 
 

 
 

 
 

Materials, labor, and other operating expenses (excluding depreciation)
 
3,398,433

 
3,153,520

 
3,065,671

Depreciation and amortization
 
72,847

 
55,578

 
51,439

Selling and distribution expenses
 
300,797

 
273,308

 
264,173

General and administrative expenses
 
60,585

 
49,425

 
48,489

Other (income) expense, net
 
(1,025
)
 
(1,605
)
 
(1,589
)
 
 
3,831,637

 
3,530,226

 
3,428,183

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from operations
 
79,578

 
103,189

 
145,549

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss)
 
119

 
(298
)
 
(432
)
Interest expense
 
(26,692
)
 
(22,532
)
 
(22,049
)
Interest income
 
390

 
323

 
237

Change in fair value of interest rate swaps
 
4,210

 

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt
 
(14,304
)
 

 

 
 
(36,277
)
 
(22,507
)
 
(22,244
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income before income taxes
 
43,301

 
80,682

 
123,305

Income tax provision
 
(5,047
)
 
(28,500
)
 
(43,296
)
Net income
 
$
38,254

 
$
52,182

 
$
80,009

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Basic
 
38,761

 
39,239

 
39,412

  Diluted
 
38,925

 
39,355

 
39,492

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Basic
 
$
0.99

 
$
1.33

 
$
2.03

  Diluted
 
$
0.98

 
$
1.33

 
$
2.03


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

50


Boise Cascade Company
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(thousands)
Net income
$
38,254

 
$
52,182

 
$
80,009

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
 
 
 
 
  Defined benefit pension plans
 
 
 
 
 
Actuarial gain (loss), net of tax of $3,703, $3,235, and ($28,782), respectively
5,919

 
5,171

 
(46,234
)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss, net of tax of $957, $1,880, and ($8), respectively
1,527

 
3,004

 
(15
)
Effects of settlements, net of tax of $1,598, $193, and $0, respectively
2,557

 
308

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
10,003

 
8,483

 
(46,249
)
Comprehensive income
$
48,257

 
$
60,665

 
$
33,760


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

51



Boise Cascade Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
December 31
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(thousands)
ASSETS
 
 

 
 

Current
 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
103,978

 
$
184,496

Receivables
 
 
 
 

Trade, less allowances of $1,459 and $1,734
 
199,191

 
187,138

Related parties
 
506

 
1,065

Other
 
10,952

 
10,861

Inventories
 
433,451

 
384,857

Prepaid expenses and other
 
12,381

 
17,153

Total current assets
 
760,459

 
785,570

 
 
 
 
 
Property and equipment, net
 
568,702

 
402,666

Timber deposits
 
14,901

 
15,848

Goodwill
 
55,433

 
21,823

Intangible assets, net
 
15,547

 
10,090

Deferred income taxes
 
8,840

 
908

Other assets
 
15,315

 
11,701

Total assets
 
$
1,439,197

 
$
1,248,606

 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


52


Boise Cascade Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets (continued)
 
 
December 31
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(thousands, except per-share data)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Current
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
 
 
 
Trade
 
$
194,010

 
$
159,029

Related parties
 
1,903

 
1,442

Accrued liabilities
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
 
67,752

 
54,712

Interest payable
 
6,860

 
3,389

Other
 
42,339

 
40,078

Total current liabilities
 
312,864

 
258,650

 
 
 
 
 
Debt
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
 
437,629

 
344,589

 
 
 
 
 
Other
 
 
 
 
Compensation and benefits
 
83,164

 
93,355

Deferred income taxes
 
6,339

 

Other long-term liabilities
 
19,197

 
17,342

 
 
108,700

 
110,697

 
 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingent liabilities
 


 


 
 
 
 
 
Stockholders' equity
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share; 50,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding
 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value per share; 300,000 shares authorized, 43,520 and 43,413 shares issued, respectively
 
435

 
434

Treasury stock, 5,167 and 4,587 shares at cost, respectively
 
(133,979
)
 
(123,711
)
Additional paid-in capital
 
515,410

 
508,066

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(83,012
)
 
(93,015
)
Retained earnings
 
281,150

 
242,896

Total stockholders' equity
 
580,004

 
534,670

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
1,439,197

 
$
1,248,606


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


53


Boise Cascade Company
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(thousands)
Cash provided by (used for) operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
38,254

 
$
52,182

 
$
80,009

Items in net income not using (providing) cash
 
 
 
 

 
 
Depreciation and amortization, including deferred financing costs and other
 
74,927

 
57,197

 
53,052

Stock-based compensation
 
8,177

 
5,825

 
5,916

Pension expense
 
6,240

 
2,825

 
838

Deferred income taxes
 
(7,823
)
 
30,883

 
10,705

Change in fair value of interest rate swaps
 
(4,210
)
 

 

Other
 
491

 
(1,837
)
 
(1,589
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt
 
14,304

 

 

Decrease (increase) in working capital, net of acquisitions
 
 
 
 

 
 
Receivables
 
(1,118
)
 
(18,182
)
 
(20,277
)
Inventories
 
(30,757
)
 
9,604

 
(11,102
)
Prepaid expenses and other
 
(1,614
)
 
(985
)
 
143

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
45,651

 
6,822

 
15,418

Pension contributions
 
(3,844
)
 
(54,257
)
 
(12,071
)
Income taxes payable
 
6,385

 
(2,589
)
 
(7,766
)
Other
 
6,844

 
(7,157
)
 
(11,433
)
Net cash provided by operations
 
151,907

 
80,331

 
101,843

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash provided by (used for) investment
 
 

 
 

 
 
Expenditures for property and equipment
 
(83,583
)
 
(87,526
)
 
(61,217
)
Acquisitions of businesses and facilities
 
(215,900
)
 

 

Proceeds from sales of assets and other
 
644

 
3,134

 
4,813

Net cash used for investment
 
(298,839
)
 
(84,392
)
 
(56,404
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash provided by (used for) financing
 
 
 
 
 
 
Borrowings of long-term debt, including revolving credit facility
 
837,800

 
50,000

 
57,600

Payments of long-term debt, including revolving credit facility
 
(754,071
)
 

 
(57,600
)
Treasury stock purchased
 
(10,268
)
 
(23,711
)
 

Financing costs
 
(6,422
)
 
(702
)
 
(11
)
Tax withholding payments on stock-based awards
 
(383
)
 
(1,160
)
 
(392
)
Other
 
(242
)
 
581

 
264

Net cash provided by (used for) financing
 
66,414

 
25,008

 
(139
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
(80,518
)
 
20,947

 
45,300

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of the period
 
184,496

 
163,549

 
118,249

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at end of the period
 
$
103,978

 
$
184,496

 
$
163,549

 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

54


Boise Cascade Company
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
Treasury Stock
 
Additional Paid-In Capital
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
Retained Earnings
 
Total
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
 
(thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2013
43,229

 
$
432

 
3,864

 
$
(100,000
)
 
$
496,593

 
$
(55,249
)
 
$
110,705

 
$
452,481

Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
80,009

 
80,009

Other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(46,249
)
 
 
 
(46,249
)
Common stock issued
53

 
1

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
1

Stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5,916

 
 
 
 
 
5,916

Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
230

 
 
 
 
 
230

Balance at December 31, 2014
43,282

 
$
433

 
3,864

 
$
(100,000
)
 
$
502,739

 
$
(101,498
)
 
$
190,714

 
$
492,388

Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
52,182

 
52,182

Other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8,483

 
 
 
8,483

Common stock issued
131

 
1

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
1

Treasury stock purchased
 
 
 
 
723

 
(23,711
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(23,711
)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5,825

 
 
 
 
 
5,825

Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(498
)
 
 
 
 
 
(498
)
Balance at December 31, 2015
43,413

 
$
434

 
4,587

 
$
(123,711
)
 
$
508,066

 
$
(93,015
)
 
$
242,896

 
$
534,670

Net income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
38,254

 
38,254

Other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10,003

 
 
 
10,003

Common stock issued
107

 
1

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
1

Treasury stock purchased
 
 
 
 
580

 
(10,268
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(10,268
)
Stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8,177

 
 
 
 
 
8,177

Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(833
)
 
 
 
 
 
(833
)
Balance at December 31, 2016
43,520

 
$
435

 
5,167

 
$
(133,979
)
 
$
515,410

 
$
(83,012
)
 
$
281,150

 
$
580,004


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

55



Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

1.                                      Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation
 
Boise Cascade Company is a building products company headquartered in Boise, Idaho. Our operations began on October 29, 2004 (inception), when we acquired the forest products assets of OfficeMax. As used in these consolidated financial statements, the terms "Boise Cascade," "we," and "our" refer to Boise Cascade Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. We are one of the largest producers of engineered wood products (EWP) and plywood in North America and a leading United States (U.S.) wholesale distributor of building products.

We operate our business using three reportable segments: (1) Wood Products, which manufactures EWP, plywood, ponderosa pine lumber, studs, and particleboard, (2) Building Materials Distribution, which is a wholesale distributor of building materials, and (3) Corporate and Other, which includes corporate support staff services, related assets and liabilities, pension plan activity, and foreign currency exchange gains and losses. For more information, see Note 14, Segment Information.

2.                                      Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Boise Cascade and its subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make 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; legal contingencies; guarantee obligations; indemnifications; assumptions used in retirement, medical, and workers' compensation benefits; stock-based compensation; fair value measurements; income taxes; and vendor and customer rebates, among others. These estimates and assumptions are based on management's best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. We adjust such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in these estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the consolidated financial statements in future periods.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, our price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. Delivery is not considered to have occurred until the customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership. The timing of revenue recognition is dependent on shipping terms. Revenue is recorded at the time of shipment for terms designated free on board (fob) shipping point. For sales transactions designated fob destination, revenue is recorded when the product is delivered to the customer's delivery site.
    
Fees for shipping and handling charged to customers for sales transactions are included in "Sales." For our Wood Products segment, costs related to shipping and handling are included in "Materials, labor, and other operating expenses (excluding depreciation)." In our Wood Products segment, we view our shipping and handling costs as a cost of the manufacturing process and the movement of product to our end customers. For our Building Materials Distribution segment, costs related to shipping and handling of $121.6 million, $109.2 million, and $104.8 million are included in "Selling and distribution expenses" for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. In our Building Materials Distribution segment, our activities relate to the purchase and resale of finished product, and excluding shipping and handling costs from “Materials, labor, and other operating expenses (excluding depreciation)” provides us a clearer view of our operating performance and the effectiveness of our sales and purchasing functions.

56



Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of short-term investments that have a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the majority of our cash and cash equivalents were invested in money market funds that are broadly diversified and invested in high-quality, short-duration securities, including commercial paper, certificates of deposit, U.S. government agency securities, and similar instruments. We have significant amounts of cash and cash equivalents that are in excess of federally insured limits. Though we have not experienced any losses on our cash and cash equivalents to date and we do not anticipate incurring any losses, we cannot be assured that we will not experience losses on our cash and cash equivalents.

Trade Accounts Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Trade accounts receivable are stated at the amount we expect to collect. Trade accounts receivable do not bear interest. We make ongoing estimates relating to the collectibility of our accounts receivable and maintain a reserve for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to meet their financial obligations to us. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had $1.5 million and $1.7 million, respectively, recorded as allowances for doubtful accounts. In determining the amount of the reserve and in order to manage credit risk, we consider our historical level of credit losses, customer concentrations, and current economic trends and monitor the creditworthiness of significant customers based on ongoing credit evaluations. Our sales are principally to customers in the building products industry located in the U.S. and Canada. A significant portion of our sales are concentrated with a relatively small number of customers. In 2016, our top ten customers represented approximately 33% of sales. At December 31, 2016, receivables from two customers accounted for approximately 11% and 12%, respectively, of total receivables. At December 31, 2015, receivables from two customers each accounted for approximately 10% of total receivables. No other customer accounted for 10% or more of total receivables. Adjustments to the valuation allowance are charged to income. Trade accounts receivable balances that remain outstanding after we have used reasonable collection efforts are written off through a charge to the valuation allowance and a credit to accounts receivable. Although we have not experienced material credit losses in recent years, our actual future losses from uncollectible accounts may differ materially from our current estimates. As additional information becomes known, we may change our estimates. In the event we determine that a change in the reserve is appropriate, we will record a charge to "Selling and distribution expenses" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period we make such a determination.

Fair Value

Fair value is defined as 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 value hierarchy under GAAP gives the highest priority to quoted market prices (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). In general, and where applicable, we use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities to determine fair value (Level 1). If quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities are not available to determine fair value, we use quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2). If quoted prices for identical or similar assets are not available or are unobservable, we may use internally developed valuation models, whose inputs include bid prices, and third-party valuations utilizing underlying asset assumptions (Level 3). See Note 9, Retirement and Benefit Plans, for the fair value measurements of our defined benefit plans' assets.

Financial Instruments
 
Our financial instruments are cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, long-term debt, and interest rate swaps. Our cash is recorded at cost, which approximates fair value, and our cash equivalents are money market funds measured at fair value. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we held $78.1 million and $170.2 million, respectively, in money market funds that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 1 inputs. The recorded values of accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair values based on their short-term nature. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the book value of our fixed-rate debt was $350.0 million and $300.0 million, respectively, and the fair value was estimated to be $347.4 million and $309.0 million, respectively. The difference between the book value and the fair value is derived from the difference between the period-end market interest rate and the stated rate of our fixed-rate, long-term debt. We estimated the fair value of our fixed-rate debt using quoted market prices of our debt in inactive markets (Level 2 inputs). The interest rate on our term loans is based on market conditions such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or a base rate. Because the interest rate on the term loans is based on current market conditions, we believe that the estimated fair value of the outstanding balance on our term loans approximates book value.


57


We are exposed to financial risks such as changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, and commodity price risk. We employ a variety of practices to manage these risks, including operating and financing activities and, where deemed appropriate, the use of derivative instruments. As discussed in Note 13, Financial Instrument Risk, we use interest rate swaps to mitigate our variable interest rate exposure, the fair value of which is measured based on Level 2 inputs.

Vendor and Customer Rebates and Allowances
 
We receive rebates and allowances from our vendors under a number of different programs, including vendor marketing programs. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had $7.0 million and $7.7 million, respectively, of vendor rebates and allowances recorded in "Receivables, Other" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Rebates and allowances received from our vendors are recognized as a reduction of "Materials, labor, and other operating expenses (excluding depreciation)" when the product is sold, unless the rebates and allowances are linked to a specific incremental cost to sell a vendor's product. Amounts received from vendors that are linked to specific selling and distribution expenses are recognized as a reduction of "Selling and distribution expenses" in the period the expense is incurred.

We also provide rebates to our customers and our customers' customers based on the volume of their purchases. We provide the rebates to increase the sell-through of our products. The rebates are recorded as a decrease in "Sales." At December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had $31.6 million and $27.7 million, respectively, of rebates payable to our customers recorded in "Accrued liabilities, Other" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Foreign Currency
The functional currency for our operations outside the United States is the U.S. dollar. Nonmonetary assets and liabilities and related depreciation and amortization for these foreign operations are remeasured into U.S. dollars using historical exchange rates. Monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates as of the Consolidated Balance Sheet date. Revenue and expense items are remeasured into U.S. dollars using an average exchange rate prevailing during the year.
Leases
We assess lease classification as either capital or operating at lease inception or upon modification. We lease a portion of our distribution centers as well as other property and equipment under operating leases. Substantially all lease agreements have fixed payment terms based on the passage of time. Some lease agreements provide us with the option to purchase the leased property. Additionally, some agreements contain renewal options generally ranging from one to ten years, with fixed payment terms similar to those in the original lease agreements. For purposes of determining straight-line rent expense, the lease term is calculated from the date we first take possession of the facility, including any periods of free rent and any renewal option periods we are reasonably assured of exercising.
Inventory Valuation
 
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is based on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method of inventory valuation or average cost. Wholesale distribution inventories include costs incurred in bringing inventory to its existing location. Manufactured inventories include costs for materials, labor, and factory overhead. Log inventories include costs to harvest and deliver the logs.

Inventories included the following (work in process is not material):
 
 
 
December 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
 
 
(thousands)
Finished goods and work in process
 
$
330,026

 
$
292,826

Logs
 
63,208

 
58,299

Other raw materials and supplies
 
40,217

 
33,732

 
 
$
433,451

 
$
384,857



58


Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Cost includes expenditures for major improvements and replacements and the amount of interest cost associated with significant capital additions. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, we did not capitalize any interest. We expense all repair and maintenance costs as incurred. When property and equipment are retired, sold, or otherwise disposed of, the asset's carrying amount and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in income (loss). We use the straight-line method of depreciation.

Property and equipment consisted of the following asset classes with the following general range of estimated useful lives:
 
 
 
December 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
 
General Range of Estimated Useful Lives in Years
 
 
(thousands)
 
 
 
 
Land
 
$
38,700

 
$
36,876

 
 
 
 
Buildings
 
136,087

 
106,269

 
20

-
40
Improvements
 
50,655

 
46,205

 
10

-
15
Mobile equipment, information technology, and office furniture
 
125,486

 
109,702

 
3

-
7
Machinery and equipment
 
613,060

 
437,433

 
7

-
12
Construction in progress
 
34,877

 
34,661

 
 
 
 
 
 
998,865

 
771,146

 
 
 
 
Less accumulated depreciation
 
(430,163
)
 
(368,480
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
568,702

 
$
402,666

 
 
 
 

As of December 31, 2016, property and equipment includes two EWP facilities acquired by us on March 31, 2016. For more information, see Note 5, Acquisitions.

Long-Lived Asset Impairment

We review long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable. An impairment of long-lived assets exists when the carrying value is not recoverable through future undiscounted cash flows from operations and when the carrying value of an asset or asset group exceeds its fair value.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

We maintain two reporting units for purposes of our goodwill impairment testing, Wood Products and Building Materials Distribution, which are the same as our operating segments discussed in Note 14, Segment Information. We test goodwill in each of our reporting units and intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment annually in the fourth quarter or sooner if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may exceed fair value. We also evaluate the remaining useful lives of our finite-lived purchased intangible assets to determine whether any adjustments to the useful lives are necessary.

We completed our annual assessment of goodwill in fourth quarter 2016 using a qualitative approach. The qualitative goodwill impairment assessment requires evaluating factors, based on the weight of evidence, to determine whether a reporting unit's carrying value would more likely than not exceed its fair value. As part of our goodwill qualitative testing process for each reporting unit, we evaluate various factors that are specific to the reporting unit as well as industry and macroeconomic factors in order to determine whether it is reasonably likely to have a material impact on the fair value of our reporting units. Examples of the factors that were considered include the results of the most recent quantitative impairment test, current and long-term forecasted financial results, changes in the discount rate between current and prior years, and operating strategy for each reporting unit. Based on the qualitative analysis performed in 2016, we concluded that there were no changes that were reasonably likely to cause the fair value of the reporting units to be less than the reporting units' carrying value and determined that there was no impairment of our goodwill. In the event we were to determine that a reporting unit's carrying value would

59


more likely than not exceed its fair value, quantitative testing would be performed comparing carrying values to estimated fair values.

For our intangible asset impairment testing, we use a discounted cash flow approach, based on a relief from royalty method (Level 3 measurement). This method assumes that, through ownership of trademarks and trade names, we avoid royalty expenses associated with licensing, resulting in cost savings. An estimated royalty rate, determined as a percentage of the related net sales, is used to estimate the value of the intangible assets. Based on the impairment tests of our intangible assets with indefinite lives performed in fourth quarter 2016, we determined that the fair value of our intangible assets exceeds their carrying value.

See Note 6, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, for additional information.

Asset Retirement Obligations

We recognize our asset retirement obligations in the period in which they are incurred if sufficient information is available to reasonably estimate the fair value of the obligation. Fair value estimates are determined using Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of our asset retirement obligations are measured using expected future cash outflows discounted using the company's credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate. When we record the liability, we capitalize the cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is accreted to its settlement value, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the liability, we will recognize a gain or loss for any difference between the settlement amount and the liability recorded.

At December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had $1.0 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of asset retirement obligations recorded in "Other long-term liabilities" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2016, these liabilities related primarily to a waste treatment pond and landfill closure costs. The liabilities are based on the best estimate of current costs and are updated periodically to reflect current technology, laws and regulations, inflation, and other economic factors. We do not have any assets legally restricted for purposes of settling asset retirement obligations.

We have additional asset retirement obligations with indeterminate settlement dates. The fair value of these asset retirement obligations cannot be estimated due to the lack of sufficient information to estimate the settlement dates of the obligations. These asset retirement obligations include, for example, (i) removal and disposal of potentially hazardous materials on equipment and/or an operating facility if the equipment and/or facility were to undergo major maintenance, renovation, or demolition; (ii) retention ponds that may be required to be drained and/or cleaned if the related operating facility is closed; and (iii) storage sites or owned facilities for which removal and/or disposal of chemicals and other related materials are required if the operating facility is closed. We will recognize a liability in the period in which sufficient information becomes available to reasonably estimate the fair value of these obligations.

Pension Benefits

Several estimates and assumptions are required to record pension costs and liabilities, including discount rates, expected return on plan assets, expected rate of compensation increases, retirement and mortality rates, expected contributions, and other factors. We review and update these assumptions annually unless a plan curtailment or other event occurs requiring that we update the estimates on an interim basis. See Note 9, Retirement and Benefit Plans, for additional information related to our pension plan. While we believe that the assumptions used to measure our pension obligations are reasonable, differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may materially affect our pension obligations and future expense.

Deferred Software Costs

We defer internal-use software costs that benefit future years. These costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the expected life of the software, typically three to five years. "Other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets includes $6.5 million of deferred software costs at both December 31, 2016 and 2015. We amortized $2.1 million, $1.6 million, and $1.3 million of deferred software costs for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

Labor Concentration and Unions

As of December 31, 2016, we had approximately 6,210 employees. Approximately 24% of these employees work pursuant to collective bargaining agreements. As of December 31, 2016, we had nine collective bargaining agreements. Four agreements, covering approximately 658 employees at our Elgin plywood plant and sawmill, La Grande particleboard plant, Kettle Falls plywood plant, and Woodinville BMD facility, originally expired on May 31, 2016, but were subsequently renewed

60


in January 2017. In addition, we have two agreements, covering approximately 47 employees at our Billings BMD facility and Vancouver BMD facility, that are scheduled to expire on March 31, 2017, as well as an agreement, covering approximately 712 employees at our Oakdale and Florien plywood plants, that is scheduled to expire on July 15, 2017. We also have an agreement, covering approximately 87 employees at our Canadian EWP facility that is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2017. If these agreements are not renewed or extended upon their termination, we could experience a material labor disruption or significantly increased labor costs, which could prevent us from meeting customer demand or reduce our sales and profitability.

Self-Insurance

We are self-insured for certain losses related to workers' compensation and medical claims as well as general and auto liability. The expected ultimate costs for claims incurred are recognized as liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are estimated based principally on an analysis of historical claims data and estimates of claims incurred but not reported. Losses are accrued and charged to operations when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. We maintain third-party stop-loss insurance policies to cover these liability costs in excess of predetermined retained amounts. Costs related to the administration of the plans and related claims are expensed as incurred. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, self-insurance related liabilities of $8.4 million and $9.7 million, respectively, were classified within "Accrued liabilities," and $10.0 million and $9.8 million, respectively, were classified within "Other long-term liabilities" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

New and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
 
In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This ASU is intended to simplify the accounting for goodwill impairment by removing the requirement to perform a hypothetical purchase price allocation. A goodwill impairment will now be the amount by which the reporting unit's carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. All other goodwill impairment guidance will remain largely unchanged. This new standard will be applied prospectively and is effective for annual or interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted after January 1, 2017. We do not expect this guidance to have a material effect on our financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force). This ASU is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. This new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted, provided that all of the amendments are adopted in the same period. The guidance requires application using a retrospective transition method. We are evaluating the effect that this guidance will have on our consolidated statements of cash flows.    

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. This ASU simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. This new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within that reporting period. We will adopt this standard in the first quarter of 2017, under the modified retrospective method, with the cumulative effect of adoption recorded as an adjustment to 2017 beginning retained earnings. The new standard will result in excess tax benefits and deficiencies on share-based transactions being recorded as income tax expense or benefit rather than in additional-paid-in-capital. We will also classify excess tax benefits on share-based payments in the operating section of our consolidated statement of cash flows. Furthermore, we expect to record an adjustment to beginning retained earnings of approximately $0.2 million as we have made an election to account for share-based award forfeitures as they occur, rather than making estimates of future forfeitures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This amendment requires a lessee to recognize substantially all leases (whether operating or finance leases) on the balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and an associated lease liability. Short-term leases of 12 months or less are excluded from this amendment. For leases defined as finance leases under the new standard, the lessee subsequently recognizes interest expense and amortization of the right-of-use asset, similar to accounting for capital leases under current GAAP. For leases defined as operating leases under the new standard, the lessee subsequently recognizes straight-line lease expense over the life of the lease. This new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance is to be applied using a modified retrospective transition method with the option to elect a package of practical expedients. The adoption of this ASU will result in a significant increase to our balance sheet for lease liabilities and

61


right-of-use assets, which has not yet been quantified. We are currently evaluating this and the other effects of this ASU on our financial statements.
    
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. This ASU requires entities to measure most inventory "at the lower of cost or net realizable value," thereby simplifying the current guidance under which an entity must measure inventory at the lower of cost or market. The new standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We will adopt this standard in first quarter of 2017 and do not expect this guidance to have a material effect on our financial statements.
    
In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosures of Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent). This ASU removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. This ASU also removes the requirement to make certain disclosures for all investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient. We adopted the new standard on January 1, 2016 although there was no effect on our interim reporting periods. The adoption of this standard had no impact on our financial statements except for certain pension asset disclosures in "Fair Value Measurements of Plan Assets" of Note 9, Retirement and Benefit Plans.
    
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective and requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The guidance also requires additional disclosure to help users of financial statements better understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. Furthermore, numerous updates were issued in 2016 that provide clarification on a number of specific issues. The new standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and we currently anticipate adopting it effective January 1, 2018. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are still evaluating the transition method we will elect upon implementation. As a result of our preliminary assessment, we do not anticipate a material impact on the revenue recognition practices of our Building Materials Distribution segment. We have not yet completed our preliminary assessment of the revenue recognition practices of our Wood Products segment. We continue to evaluate the standard as well as additional changes, modifications or interpretations which may impact our current conclusions.

There were no other accounting standards recently issued that had or are expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and associated disclosures.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in prior years' consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with current year's presentation, none of which were considered material.

3.    Income Taxes

Income Tax Provision

Income before income taxes includes the following components:

 
 
Year Ended December 31
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(thousands)
Domestic
 
$
41,703

 
$
79,414

 
$
122,727

Foreign
 
1,598

 
1,268

 
578

Income before income taxes
 
$
43,301

 
$
80,682

 
$
123,305

    

62


The income tax provision shown in the Consolidated Statements of Operations includes the following:

 
 
Year Ended December 31
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(thousands)
Current income tax provision (benefit)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
10,664

 
$
(2,938
)
 
$
27,568

State
 
2,201

 
555

 
5,023

Foreign
 
5

 

 

Total current
 
12,870

 
(2,383
)
 
32,591

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
2,549

 
27,011

 
9,740

State
 
(1,536
)
 
3,872

 
965

Foreign
 
(8,836
)
 

 

Total deferred
 
(7,823
)
 
30,883

 
10,705

Income tax provision
 
$
5,047

 
$
28,500

 
$
43,296


The effective tax rate varies from the U.S. Federal statutory income tax rate principally due to the following:

 
 
Year Ended December 31
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(thousands, except percentages)
Income before income taxes
 
$
43,301

 
$
80,682

 
$
123,305

Statutory U.S. income tax rate
 
35.0
%
 
35.0
%
 
35.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statutory tax provision
 
$
15,155

 
$
28,239

 
$
43,157

State taxes
 
1,370

 
3,006

 
4,097

Domestic production activities deduction
 
(165
)
 
(299
)
 
(2,031
)
Unrecognized tax benefits
 
1,717

 
433

 
313

Change in valuation allowance
 
(9,884
)
 

 

Tax credits
 
(2,904
)
 
(2,043
)
 
(2,581
)
Other
 
(242
)
 
(836
)
 
341

Total
 
$
5,047

 
$
28,500

 
$
43,296

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effective income tax rate
 
11.7
%
 
35.3
%
 
35.1
%

During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, cash paid for taxes, net of refunds received, was $6.7 million, $0.7 million, and $40.3 million, respectively.
    
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts for income tax purposes. The components of our net deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2016 and 2015, are summarized as follows:


63


 
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
(thousands)
Deferred tax assets
 
 
 
 
Employee benefits
 
$
54,895

 
$
52,840

Inventories
 
5,237

 
6,618

Foreign net operating loss carryforward
 
5,383

 
5,440

Other
 
7,628

 
8,070

Gross deferred tax assets
 
73,143

 
72,968

Valuation allowance (a)
 

 
(9,884
)
Net deferred tax assets
 
$
73,143

 
$
63,084

 
 
 
 
 
Deferred tax liabilities
 
 
 
 
Property and equipment
 
$
62,948

 
$
56,061

Intangible assets and other
 
5,039

 
5,264

Other
 
2,655

 
851

Deferred tax liabilities
 
$
70,642

 
$
62,176

 
 
 
 
 
Total deferred tax assets, net
 
$
2,501

 
$
908

______________________________________ 

(a)
As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the deferred tax assets in our foreign subsidiaries were primarily the result of net operating losses. As of each reporting date, management considers new evidence, both positive and negative, that could affect its view of the future realization of deferred tax assets. During fourth quarter 2016, because we achieved three years of cumulative pretax income in the Canadian tax jurisdiction and due to the implementation of a tax-planning strategy, management determined that there is sufficient positive evidence to conclude that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets are realizable and therefore released the valuation allowance in the amount of $9.9 million.

As of December 31, 2016, we have foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $24.0 million, which if unused, will expire in years 2026 through 2036. The foreign net operating loss carryforwards in the income tax returns filed included unrecognized tax benefits.  The deferred tax assets recognized for those net operating losses are presented net of these unrecognized tax benefits. We have state income tax credits totaling $1.4 million as of December 31, 2016, which if unused will expire in years 2020-2026.

Income Tax Uncertainties

The following table summarizes the changes related to our gross unrecognized tax benefits excluding interest and penalties:

 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(thousands)
Balance as of January 1
 
$
878

 
$
309

 
$

Increases related to prior years' tax positions
 
1,657

 
431

 
172

Increases related to current year tax positions
 
104

 
145

 
137

Decreases related to prior years' tax positions
 

 
(7
)
 

Settlements
 
(415
)
 

 

Balance as of December 31
 
$
2,224

 
$
878

 
$
309


As of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, we had $2.2 million, $0.9 million, and $0.3 million respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, excluding interest and penalties. Of the total unrecognized tax benefits recorded, $2.1 million, $0.7 million, and $0.3 million (net of the federal benefit for state taxes), respectively, would impact the effective tax rate if recognized.

64



We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, we recognized an insignificant amount of interest and penalties related to taxes. We recognize tax liabilities and adjust these liabilities when our judgment changes as a result of the evaluation of new information not previously available or as new uncertainties occur. We do not expect the unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly over the next twelve months.

We file federal income tax returns in the U.S. and various state and foreign jurisdictions. Tax years 2013 to present remain open to examination in the U.S. and tax years 2012 to present remain open to examination in Canada and various states. We recorded net operating losses in Canada beginning in 2006 that are subject to examinations and adjustments up to four years following the year in which they are utilized.

4.
Net Income Per Common Share
 
Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Weighted average common shares outstanding for the basic net income per common share calculation includes certain vested restricted stock units (RSUs) as there are no conditions under which those shares will not be issued. For more information about common share activity during the period, see Note 11, Stockholders' Equity. Diluted net income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the combination of other potentially dilutive weighted average common shares and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Other potentially dilutive weighted average common shares include the dilutive effect of stock options, RSUs, and performance stock units (PSUs) for each period using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the exercise price of a share, the amount of compensation expense, if any, for future service that has not yet been recognized, and the amount of tax benefits that would be recorded in additional paid-in-capital, if any, when the share is exercised are assumed to be used to repurchase shares in the current period.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share:

 
Year Ended December 31
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(thousands, except per-share data)
Net income
$
38,254

 
$
52,182

 
$
80,009

Weighted average common shares outstanding during the period (for basic calculation)
38,761

 
39,239

 
39,412

Dilutive effect of other potential common shares
164

 
116

 
80

Weighted average common shares and potential common shares (for diluted calculation)
38,925

 
39,355

 
39,492

 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per common share - Basic
$
0.99

 
$
1.33

 
$
2.03

Net income per common share - Diluted
$
0.98

 
$
1.33

 
$
2.03


The computation of the dilutive effect of other potential common shares excludes stock awards representing 0.2 million, 0.1 million, and 0.2 million shares of common stock in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. Under the treasury stock method, the inclusion of these stock awards would have been antidilutive.

5.    Acquisitions

On March 31, 2016, our wholly owned subsidiary, Boise Cascade Wood Products, L.L.C., completed the acquisition of Georgia-Pacific LLC's and certain of its affiliates' (collectively, GP) EWP facilities located in Thorsby, Alabama, and Roxboro, North Carolina, for an aggregate purchase price of $215.9 million, including a post-closing adjustment of $0.3 million based upon a working capital target (the Acquisition). We funded the Acquisition and related costs with cash on hand, a new $75.0 million term loan, and a $55.0 million draw under our revolving credit facility. For additional information on the new term loan and draw under our revolving credit facility, see Note 7, Debt. Acquisition-related costs of $3.6 million are recorded in "General and administrative expenses" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2016.

65



These facilities complement our existing EWP business and position us to support customers as the U.S. housing recovery continues in the years ahead. The additional EWP capacity will also help us cost effectively deliver products to our customers in the eastern and southeastern U.S. Sales, including sales to our Building Materials Distribution segment, and net operating loss (excluding sales and marketing costs) from these facilities of $68.3 million and $2.4 million, respectively, were reported as part of the Wood Products segment for the period from April 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016.

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price and related costs over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets of businesses acquired. The primary qualitative factor that contributed to the recognition of goodwill relates to additional capacity and an assembled workforce in key product lines to serve future and existing customers. The facilities are geographically located in a high growth housing area that allows us to optimize our mill system and realize freight and other cost synergies. All of the goodwill was assigned to the Wood Products segment and is deductible for U.S. income tax purposes.

The following table summarizes the final allocations of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, based on our estimates of the fair value at the date of the Acquisition:
 
 
Acquisition Date Fair Value
 
 
(thousands)
Accounts receivable
 
$
10,467

Inventories
 
17,837

Property and equipment
 
149,135

Other assets
 
619

Intangible assets:
 
 
Customer relationships
 
6,000

Goodwill
 
33,610

Assets acquired
 
217,668

 
 
 
Accrued liabilities
 
1,768

Liabilities assumed
 
1,768

 
 
 
Net assets acquired
 
$
215,900


Pro Forma Financial Information

The following pro forma financial information gives effect to the Acquisition as if it had occurred on January 1, 2015. The pro forma financial information also gives effect to the issuance of a $75.0 million term loan due March 30, 2026 and a $55.0 million draw under our revolving credit facility incurred to partially finance the Acquisition, as if such transactions had occurred on January 1, 2015. The pro forma results are intended for informational purposes only and do not purport to represent what our results of operations would actually have been had the Acquisition and related financing transactions occurred on January 1, 2015. They also do not reflect any revenue enhancements or cost savings, operating synergies, customer attrition, or incremental depreciation upon the restart of laminated veneer lumber assets at Roxboro.

 
 
Pro Forma
 
 
Year Ended December 31
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(unaudited, thousands, except per-share data)
Sales
 
$
3,938,409

 
$
3,726,477

Net income (a)
 
$
41,400

 
$
54,425

Net income per common share - Basic
 
$
1.07

 
$
1.39

Net income per common share - Diluted
 
$
1.06

 
$
1.38

______________________________________ 


66


(a)
The pro forma financial information for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, was adjusted to exclude $3.6 million and $1.6 million, respectively, of pre-tax acquisition-related costs for legal, accounting, and other advisory-related services.

6.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price and related costs over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets of businesses acquired.

The carrying amount of our goodwill by segment is as follows:

 
 
Building
Materials
Distribution
 

Wood
Products
 
Corporate
and
Other
 
Total
 
 
(thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2015
 
$
5,593

 
$
16,230

 
$

 
$
21,823

Additions
 

 
33,610

(a)

 
33,610

Balance at December 31, 2016
 
$
5,593

 
$
49,840

 
$

 
$
55,433

______________________________________ 

(a)
Represents the acquisition of GP's two EWP facilities. For additional information, see Note 5, Acquisitions.

At December 31, 2016 and 2015, intangible assets represent the values assigned to trade names and trademarks and customer relationships. The trade names and trademarks have indefinite lives and are not amortized. The weighted-average useful life for customer relationships from the date of purchase is approximately 11 years. Amortization expense is expected to be approximately $0.7 million per year for the next five years.

Intangible assets consisted of the following:
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Gross Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net Carrying
Amount
 
 
(thousands)
Trade names and trademarks
 
$
8,900

 
$

 
$
8,900

Customer relationships
 
7,400

 
(753
)
 
6,647

 
 
$
16,300

 
$
(753
)
 
$
15,547


 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
Gross Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net Carrying
Amount
 
 
(thousands)
Trade names and trademarks
 
$
8,900

 
$

 
$
8,900

Customer relationships
 
1,400

 
(210
)
 
1,190

 
 
$
10,300

 
$
(210
)
 
$
10,090

 

67


7.
Debt
 
Long-term debt consisted of the following:
 
 
 
December 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
 
 
(thousands)
Asset-based revolving credit facility
 
$

 
$

Asset-based credit facility term loan
 
50,000

 
50,000

Term loan
 
45,000

 

6.375% senior notes
 

 
299,990

Unamortized premium on 6.375% senior notes
 

 
1,215

5.625% senior notes due 2024
 
350,000

 

Deferred financing costs
 
(7,371
)
 
(6,616
)
Long-term debt
 
$
437,629

 
$
344,589

 
At December 31, 2016, the maturities for the aggregate amount of long-term debt outstanding were as follows (in thousands):

2017
 
$

2018
 

2019
 

2020
 

2021
 

Thereafter
 
445,000


Asset-Based Credit Facility
     
On May 15, 2015, Boise Cascade and its principal operating subsidiaries, Boise Cascade Wood Products, L.L.C., and Boise Cascade Building Materials Distribution, L.L.C., as borrowers, and Boise Cascade Wood Products Holdings Corp., Chester Wood Products LLC, and Moncure Plywood LLC, as guarantors, entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (Amended Agreement) with Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as administrative agent, and the banks named therein as lenders. The Amended Agreement includes a $350 million senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility (Revolving Credit Facility) maturing on April 30, 2020 and a $50.0 million term loan (ABL Term Loan) maturing on May 1, 2022. Interest on borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility and ABL Term Loan are payable monthly. Borrowings under the Amended Agreement are constrained by a borrowing base formula dependent upon levels of eligible receivables and inventory reduced by outstanding borrowings and letters of credit (Availability). On February 11, 2016, we entered into the second amendment to the Amended Agreement so that the LIBOR rate for the ABL Term Loan is determined and adjusted on a monthly basis rather than a daily basis. On June 30, 2016, we entered into a joinder and revolver increase agreement that increased the aggregate revolving commitments from $350 million to $370 million. Also on June 30, 2016, we entered into the third amendment to the Amended Agreement to make certain modifications to the definition of eligible accounts in the Amended Agreement to increase the concentration limit related to certain accounts owed to the borrowers for purposes of determining borrowing base. Furthermore, on December 8, 2016, we entered into the fourth amendment to the Amended Agreement to increase our ability to issue other unsecured indebtedness to $100 million from $25 million provided that we are in compliance with certain financial covenants after giving effect to the debt incurrence on a pro forma basis.

The Amended Agreement is secured by a first-priority security interest in substantially all of our assets, except for property and equipment. The proceeds of borrowings under the agreement are available for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

The Amended Agreement contains customary nonfinancial covenants, including a negative pledge covenant and restrictions on new indebtedness, investments, distributions to equity holders, asset sales, and affiliate transactions, the scope of which are dependent on the Availability existing from time to time. The Amended Agreement also contains a requirement that

68


we meet a 1:1 fixed-charge coverage ratio (FCCR), applicable only if Availability falls below 10% of the aggregate revolving lending commitments (or $37 million). Availability exceeded the minimum threshold amounts required for testing of the FCCR at all times since entering into the Amended Agreement, and Availability at December 31, 2016, was $297.2 million.

The Amended Agreement generally permits dividends only if certain conditions are met, including complying with either (i) pro forma Excess Availability (as defined in the Amended Agreement) equal to or exceeding 25% of the aggregate Revolver Commitments (as defined in the Amended Agreement) or (ii) (x) pro forma Excess Availability equal to or exceeding 15% of the aggregate Revolver Commitment and (y) a fixed-charge coverage ratio of 1:1 on a pro forma basis.

Revolving Credit Facility

Interest rates under the Revolving Credit Facility are based, at our election, on either LIBOR or a base rate, as defined in the Amended Agreement, plus a spread over the index elected that ranges from 1.25% to 1.75% for loans based on LIBOR and from 0.25% to 0.75% for loans based on the base rate. The spread is determined on the basis of a pricing grid that results in a higher spread as average quarterly Availability declines. Letters of credit are subject to a fronting fee payable to the issuing bank and a fee payable to the lenders equal to the LIBOR margin rate. In addition, we are required to pay an unused commitment fee at a rate ranging from 0.25% to 0.375% per annum (based on facility utilization) of the average unused portion of the lending commitments.

At both December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility and $5.9 million and $5.6 million, respectively, of letters of credit outstanding. These letters of credit and borrowings, if any, reduce Availability under the Revolving Credit Facility by an equivalent amount. During the year ended December 31, 2016, the minimum and maximum borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility were zero and $101.5 million, respectively, and the average interest rate on borrowings was approximately 1.72%.

ABL Term Loan

The ABL Term Loan was provided by institutions within the Farm Credit system. Borrowings under the ABL Term Loan may be repaid from time to time at the discretion of the borrowers without premium or penalty. However, any principal amount of ABL Term Loan repaid, may not be subsequently re-borrowed.

Interest rates under the ABL Term Loan are based, at our election, on either LIBOR or a base rate, as defined in the Amended Agreement, plus a spread over the index elected that ranges from 1.75% to 2.25% for LIBOR rate loans and from 0.75% to 1.25% for base rate loans, both dependent on the amount of Average Excess Availability (as defined in the Amended Agreement). During the year ended December 31, 2016, the average interest rate on the ABL Term Loan was approximately 2.23%.

We have received and expect to continue receiving patronage credits under the ABL Term Loan. Patronage credits are distributions of profits from banks in the Farm Credit system, which are cooperatives that are required to distribute profits to their members. Patronage distributions, which are generally made in cash, are received in the year after they are earned. Patronage credits are recorded as a reduction to interest expense in the year earned. After giving effect to expected patronage distributions, the effective net interest rate on the ABL Term Loan was approximately 1.5%.

Term Loan

On March 30, 2016 (Closing Date), Boise Cascade and its principal operating subsidiaries, Boise Cascade Wood Products, L.L.C., and Boise Cascade Building Materials Distribution, L.L.C., as borrowers, and the guarantors party thereto, entered into a term loan agreement (Term Loan Agreement) with American AgCredit, PCA, as administrative agent and sole lead arranger, and other banks in the Farm Credit system named therein as lenders. The Term Loan Agreement was for a $75.0 million secured term loan (Term Loan). The outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan amortizes and is payable in equal installments of $10 million per year on each of the sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth anniversaries of the Closing Date. The remaining principal balance is due and payable on March 30, 2026. The Term Loan may be repaid from time to time at the discretion of the borrowers without premium or penalty. However, any principal amount of the Term Loan repaid may not be subsequently re-borrowed, except as discussed below. Interest on our Term Loan is payable monthly.

On December 8, 2016, we entered into the first amendment to the Term Loan Agreement which allows us to prepay the Term Loan and subsequently reborrow amounts prepaid on or before December 31, 2018. The option to reborrow applicable prepaid principal amounts expires on December 31, 2019. Reborrowings may be made in up to three instances in minimum amounts of $10 million each. In addition, amounts prepaid and eligible for reborrowing are subject to an unused line

69


fee of 0.325% per annum times the average daily amount of the unused commitments. Subsequent to our entry into the first amendment, we prepaid $30 million of the Term Loan, which became available to reborrow pursuant to the first amendment. This prepayment satisfied our principal obligations due on the sixth, seventh, and eighth anniversaries of the Closing Date.

Pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement, the borrowers are required to maintain, as of the end of any fiscal quarter, a Capitalization Ratio lower than 60%, a Consolidated Net Worth greater than $350 million, and Available Liquidity greater than $100 million (each as defined in the Term Loan Agreement). In addition, under the Term Loan Agreement, and subject to certain exceptions, the borrowers may not, among other things, (i) incur indebtedness, (ii) incur liens, (iii) make junior payments, (iv) make certain investments, and (v) under certain circumstances, make capital expenditures in excess of $50 million during four consecutive quarters. The Term Loan Agreement also includes customary representations of the borrowers and provides for certain events of default customary for similar facilities.

Interest rates under the Term Loan Agreement are based, at our election, on either the LIBOR or a base rate, as defined in the Term Loan Agreement, plus a spread over the index. The applicable spread for the Term Loan ranges from 1.875% to 2.125% for LIBOR rate loans, and 0.875% to 1.125% for base rate loans, both dependent on our Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement). The Term Loan was issued by three institutions within the Farm Credit system and will be eligible for patronage credits. During the period for which the Term Loan was outstanding, the average interest rate on the Term Loan was approximately 2.37%. We expect to receive patronage credits under the Term Loan. After giving effect to expected patronage distributions, the effective average net interest rate on the Term Loan was approximately 1.6%.

Proceeds from the Term Loan were used to partially finance the Acquisition. The Term Loan is secured by a first priority mortgage on the Acquired Facilities and a first priority security interest on the equipment and certain tangible personal property located therein. For additional information on the Acquired Facilities, see Note 5, Acquisitions.

2020 Notes

On October 22, 2012, Boise Cascade and its wholly owned subsidiary, Boise Cascade Finance Corporation (Boise Finance and together with Boise Cascade, the Co-issuers), issued $250 million of 6.375% senior notes due November 1, 2020 (2020 Notes) through a private placement that was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act). Interest on our 2020 Notes was payable semiannually in arrears on May 1 and November 1. On March 28, 2013, Boise Finance was merged with and into Boise Cascade, with Boise Cascade as the surviving entity and sole issuer of the 2020 Notes.

On August 15, 2013, we issued an additional $50 million in aggregate principal amount of 2020 Notes in a private offering that was exempt from registration under the Securities Act. The additional $50 million of 2020 Notes were priced at 103.5% of their principal amount plus accrued interest from May 1, 2013, and were issued as additional 2020 Notes under the related indenture dated as of October 22, 2012.

On May 8, 2013 and November 26, 2013, we completed an offer to exchange any and all of our $250 million and $50 million, respectively, outstanding 2020 Notes for a like principal amount of new 6.375% Senior Notes due 2020 having substantially identical terms to those of the 2020 Notes. $250 million and $49,990,000 in aggregate principal amount (or 100% and 99.98%, respectively) of the outstanding 2020 Notes were tendered and accepted for exchange upon closing of the related exchange offers and were registered under the Securities Act.

In connection with the issuance of the $350 million of 5.625% senior notes due September 1, 2024 (2024 Notes) described below, we commenced a tender offer to purchase any and all of our $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2020 Notes then outstanding. On August 29, 2016, we accepted for purchase an aggregate principal amount of $184.5 million of the 2020 Notes that were tendered. On November 1, 2016, we redeemed the remaining $115.5 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2020 Notes outstanding and our obligations under the indenture, pursuant to which the 2020 Notes were issued, were satisfied and discharged. In connection with these transactions, we recognized a pre-tax loss on the extinguishment of debt of $14.3 million during 2016. The loss includes $11.3 million of debt extinguishment premium payments and $3.0 million for the net write-off of a portion of the unamortized deferred financing costs and unamortized premium related to the 2020 Notes.

2024 Notes

On August 29, 2016, Boise Cascade issued the 2024 Notes through a private placement that was exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The 2024 Notes mature on September 1, 2024 with interest payable semiannually in arrears on March 1 and September 1, commencing on March 1, 2017. The 2024 Notes are guaranteed by each of our existing and future direct or indirect domestic subsidiaries that is a guarantor under our Amended Agreement.

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Following the sale of our 2024 Notes, as noted above, we used the net proceeds of the sale to repurchase or redeem any and all of the 2020 Notes, to pay fees and expenses related to the offering of the 2024 Notes and incurred in connection with the repurchase or redemption of the 2020 Notes, and for general corporate purposes.

The 2024 Notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank equally with all of the existing and future senior indebtedness of Boise Cascade Company and of the guarantors, senior to all of their existing and future subordinated indebtedness, effectively subordinated to all of their present and future senior secured indebtedness (including all borrowings with respect to our Amended Agreement to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness), and structurally subordinated to the indebtedness of any subsidiaries that do not guarantee the 2024 Notes.

The terms of the indenture governing the 2024 Notes, among other things, limit the ability of Boise Cascade and our restricted subsidiaries to: incur additional debt; declare or pay dividends; redeem stock or make other distributions to stockholders; make investments; create liens on assets; consolidate, merge or transfer substantially all of their assets; enter into transactions with affiliates; and sell or transfer certain assets.

The indenture governing the 2024 Notes provides for customary events of default and remedies.

Interest Rate Swaps

For information on interest rate swaps, see Interest Rate Risk and Interest Rate Swaps of Note 13, Financial Instrument Risk.

Cash Paid for Interest
 
For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, cash payments for interest were $21.0 million, $20.6 million, and $20.2 million, respectively.

8.    Leases

Rental expense for operating leases was $18.2 million, $18.1 million, and $17.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. Sublease rental income was not material in any of the periods presented.

As of December 31, 2016, our minimum lease payment requirements for noncancelable operating leases with remaining terms of more than one year are as follows (in thousands):

2017
 
$
15,132

2018
 
14,697

2019
 
14,078

2020
 
13,850

2021
 
12,881

Thereafter
 
67,602

Total
 
$
138,240


These future minimum lease payment requirements have not been reduced by sublease income due in the future under noncancelable subleases. Minimum sublease income expected to be received in the future is not material.


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9.                               Retirement and Benefit Plans
 
Our retirement plans consist of noncontributory defined benefit pension plans, contributory defined contribution savings plans, a deferred compensation plan, and a multiemployer health and welfare plan.
    
Defined Benefit Plans

Some of our employees are covered by noncontributory defined benefit pension plans. We have one qualified defined benefit pension plan, which includes the merging of a salaried plan and two plans for hourly employees to simplify administration of the plans. The following summarizes recent activity of each individual plan:

Benefits for salaried employees were frozen so that no future benefits have accrued since December 31, 2009.

From 2011 through 2015, plan amendments affected certain union and non-union hourly employees by closing participation and freezing future benefits. The benefit for hourly employees is generally based on a fixed amount per year of service (years of service determined as of the freeze dates). As a result, only certain hourly employees continue to accrue benefits after the effective dates of these amendments.

On March 9, 2015 and May 15, 2015, we made discretionary contributions to our qualified defined benefit pension plan (Pension Plan) of $10.0 million and $40.0 million, respectively. Due to the significant voluntary contributions made (not anticipated in our year end measurement), we elected to remeasure our Pension Plan on May 15, 2015. See "Assumptions" below for the impact on our discount rate and expected return on plan asset assumptions.

During the third quarter 2016, we offered a program whereby certain terminated vested participants and active employees of the Boise Cascade Company Pension Plan could elect to take a one-time voluntary lump-sum payment equal to the present value of future benefits. Active employees were required to retire on or before November 1, 2016 to receive their lump-sum benefits. This program closed on September 30, 2016 with participants electing lump-sum payments totaling approximately $21 million. Plan participants who elected to participate in the program received their lump-sum benefits on November 1, 2016. We remeasured the Pension Plan on November 1, 2016 and recorded settlement expense of $3.9 million in fourth quarter 2016. See "Assumptions" below for the impact on our discount rate and expected return on plan asset assumptions.

We also have nonqualified salaried pension plans, which were frozen so that no future benefits have accrued since December 31, 2009.

Defined Contribution Plans

We sponsor contributory defined contribution savings plans for most of our salaried and hourly employees, and we generally provide company contributions to the savings plans. Since March 1, 2010, we have contributed 4% of each salaried participant's eligible compensation to the plan as a nondiscretionary company contribution. In addition, beginning in 2012, for the years that a performance target is met, we contribute an additional amount of the employee's eligible compensation, depending on company performance and the employee's years of service. During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, company performance resulted in no additional contributions. During the year ended December 31, 2014, company performance resulted in additional contributions in the range of 1% to 2% of eligible compensation. The company contributions for union and nonunion hourly employees vary by location. Company contributions paid, or to be paid, to our defined contribution savings plans for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, were $11.4 million, $10.1 million, and $13.6 million, respectively.


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Defined Contributory Trust

We have participated in a multiemployer defined contributory trust plan for certain union hourly employees since 2013. As of December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 approximately 1,369, 1,431 and 1,378, respectively, of our employees participated in this plan. For certain of these employees, per the terms of the representative collective bargaining agreements, we were required to contribute $0.80, $0.75 and $0.50, respectively, per hour per active employee during 2016, 2015, and 2014. For certain other of these employees, we were required to contribute approximately 4% of the employee's earnings during 2016, 2015, and 2014. Company contributions to the multiemployer defined contributory trust plan for each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were $2.8 million. During the year ended December 31, 2014, company contributions to the multiemployer defined contributory trust plan were $2.1 million. After required contributions, we have no further obligation to the plan. The plan and its assets are managed by a joint board of trustees.

Deferred Compensation Plan

We sponsor a deferred compensation plan. Under the plan, participating employees irrevocably elect each year to defer receipt of a portion of their base salary and incentive compensation. A participant's account is credited with imputed interest at a rate equal to 130% of Moody's Composite Average of Yields on Corporate Bonds. Participants may receive payment of their deferred compensation plan balance in a lump sum or in monthly installments over a specified period of years following the termination of their employment with the company. The deferred compensation plan is unfunded; therefore, benefits are paid from our general assets.

We recognized $0.7 million of interest expense related to the plan for the year ended December 31, 2016. During each of the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, we recognized $0.6 million of interest expense related to the plan. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had $13.7 million and $11.7 million, respectively, of liabilities related to the plan. At both December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had $0.5 million recorded in "Accrued liabilities, Compensation and benefits" and $13.2 million and $11.2 million, respectively, were recorded at December 31, 2016 and 2015, in "Other, Compensation and benefits" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Multiemployer Health and Welfare Plan

We participate in a multiemployer health and welfare plan that covers medical, dental, and life insurance benefits for certain active employees as well as benefits for retired employees. As of December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, approximately 658, 651, and 652, respectively, of our employees participated in this plan. Per the terms of the representative collective bargaining agreements, we were required to contribute $5.00 per hour per active employee in 2013 and through May 31, 2014. From June 1, 2014 to May 31, 2015, we were required to contribute $5.25 per hour per active employee. Since June 1, 2015, we are required to contribute $5.50 per hour per active employee. Company contributions to the multiemployer health and welfare plan for both of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, were $7.6 million. During December 31, 2014, company contributions to the multiemployer health and welfare plan were $7.3 million. After required contributions, we have no further obligation to the plan. The trustees of the plan determine the allocation of benefits between active and retired employees.


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Defined Benefit Obligations and Funded Status

The following table, which includes only company-sponsored defined benefit plans, reconciles the beginning and ending balances of our projected benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets. We recognize the underfunded status of our defined benefit pension plans on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We recognize changes in funded status in the year changes occur through other comprehensive income (loss).

 
 
December 31
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(thousands)
Change in benefit obligation
 
 
 
 
   Benefit obligation at beginning of year
 
$
484,079

 
$
513,798

   Service cost
 
1,127

 
739

   Interest cost
 
18,798

 
19,067

   Actuarial (gain) loss
 
154

 
(27,817
)
   Benefits paid (a)
 
(43,966
)
 
(21,708
)
Benefit obligation at end of year
 
460,192

 
484,079

 
 
 
 
 
Change in plan assets
 
 
 
 
   Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
 
399,462

 
363,959

   Actual return on plan assets
 
30,100

 
2,954

   Employer contributions
 
3,844

 
54,257

   Benefits paid (a)
 
(43,966
)
 
(21,708
)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
 
389,440

 
399,462

 
 
 
 
 
Underfunded status
 
$
(70,752
)
 
$
(84,617
)
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts recognized on our Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
 
 
 
   Current liabilities
 
$
(804
)
 
$
(2,510
)
   Noncurrent liabilities
 
(69,948
)
 
(82,107
)
Net liability
 
$
(70,752
)
 
$
(84,617
)
 
 
 
 
 
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss   
 
 
 
 
   Net actuarial loss
 
$
59,540

 
$
75,801

   Prior service cost
 

 

Net loss recognized
 
$
59,540

 
$
75,801

______________________________________ 

(a)
Benefits paid during the year ended December 31, 2016 include approximately $21 million of lump-sum cash payments to certain terminated vested participants in settlement of pension obligations.

The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit pension plans was $460.2 million and $484.1 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. All of our defined benefit pension plans have accumulated benefit obligations that exceed the fair value of plan assets.


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Net Periodic Benefit Cost and Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss

The components of net periodic benefit cost and other amounts recognized in other comprehensive (income) loss are as follows:

 
Year Ended December 31
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(thousands)
Net periodic benefit cost
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
1,127

 
$
739

 
$
1,682

Interest cost
18,798

 
19,067

 
20,179

Expected return on plan assets
(20,324
)
 
(22,366
)
 
(21,000
)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss
2,484

 
4,884

 
(23
)
Plan settlement expense (a)
4,155

 
501

 

Net periodic benefit cost
6,240

 
2,825

 
838

 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive (income) loss
 
 
 
 
 
Net actuarial (gain) loss
(9,622
)
 
(8,406
)
 
75,016

Amortization of actuarial gain (loss)
(2,484
)
 
(4,884
)
 
23

Effect of settlements
(4,155
)
 
(501
)
 

Total recognized in other comprehensive (income) loss
(16,261
)
 
(13,791
)
 
75,039

Total recognized in net periodic cost and other comprehensive (income) loss
$
(10,021
)
 
$
(10,966
)
 
$
75,877

______________________________________ 

(a)
Plan settlement expense during the year ended December 31, 2016 includes a $3.9 million settlement charge related to lump-sum cash payments to certain terminated vested participants in settlement of pension obligations.

In 2017, we estimate net periodic pension expense will be approximately $1.3 million, including $1.6 million of net actuarial loss that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss.

Assumptions

The assumptions used in accounting for our plans are estimates of factors that will determine, among other things, the amount and timing of future contributions. The following table presents the assumptions used in the measurement of our benefit obligations:

 
December 31
 
2016
 
2015
Weighted average assumptions            
 
 
 
Discount rate
3.90
%
 
4.05
%
Rate of compensation increases (c)
%
 
%

The following table presents the assumptions used in the measurement of net periodic benefit cost:
 
 
December 31
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Weighted average assumptions      
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Discount rate (a)(b)
 
4.05
%
/
3.45
%
 
3.75
%
/
3.90
%
 
4.65
%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets (a)(b)
 
5.10
%
/
5.10
%
 
6.15
%
/
5.85
%
 
6.50
%
Rate of compensation increases (c)   
 
%
 
%
 
%

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_______________________________________ 

(a)
Prior to the remeasurement of our qualified defined benefit pension plan on November 1, 2016, the discount rate and expected rate of return on plan assets were 4.05% and 5.10%. The discount rate and expected rate of return on plan assets after the November 1, 2016 remeasurement were 3.45% and 5.10%, respectively.

(b)
Prior to the remeasurement of our qualified defined benefit pension plan on May 15, 2015, the discount rate and expected rate of return on plan assets were 3.75% and 6.15%. The discount rate and expected rate of return on plan assets after the May 15, 2015 remeasurement were 3.90% and 5.85%, respectively.

(c)
Pension benefits for all salaried employees are frozen, resulting in an assumption for the rate of compensation increase of zero. In addition to the salaried benefits being frozen, there are currently no scheduled increases in pension benefit rates applicable to past service covering hourly employees who continue to accrue benefits.

Discount Rate Assumption. The discount rate reflects the current rate at which the pension obligations could be settled based on the measurement date of the plans — December 31. In all years presented, the discount rates were determined by matching the expected plan benefit payments against a spot rate yield curve constructed to replicate the yields of Aa-graded corporate bonds.

Asset Return Assumption. We base our expected long-term rate of return on plan assets on a weighted average of our expected returns for the major asset classes (equities, fixed-income securities, a hedge fund, and real estate) in which we invest. The weights we assign each asset class are based on our investment strategy. Expected returns for the asset classes are based on long-term historical returns, inflation expectations, forecasted gross domestic product, earnings growth, and other economic factors. We developed our return assumption based on a review of the fund manager's estimates of future market expectations by broad asset class, actuarial projections, and expected long-term rates of return from external investment managers. The weighted average expected return on plan assets we will use in our calculation of 2017 net periodic benefit cost is 5.00%.

Retirement and Mortality Rates. These rates are developed to reflect actual and projected plan experience. In 2016, we used the RP-2014 mortality tables adjusted to reflect the new two-dimensional mortality improvement scale MP-2016. In 2015, we used the RP-2014 mortality tables along with the two-dimensional mortality improvement scale MP-2015.

Investment Policies and Strategies

At December 31, 2016, 42% of our pension plan assets were invested in equity securities, 45% in fixed-income securities, 7% in a hedge fund, and 6% in real estate. The general investment objective for all of our plan assets is to optimize growth of the pension plan trust assets, while minimizing the risk of significant losses in order to enable the plans to satisfy their benefit payment obligations over time. The objectives take into account the long-term nature of the benefit obligations, the liquidity needs of the plans, and the expected risk/return trade-offs of the asset classes in which the plans may choose to invest. As our funded status improves, we may rebalance our plan assets to decrease our proportion of equity securities and increase our fixed-income securities consistent with a de-risking glide path established by our Retirement Funds Investment Committee (RFIC). The RFIC is responsible for establishing and overseeing the implementation of our investment policy. Russell Investments (Russell) oversees the active management of our pension investments through its manager of managers program in order to achieve broad diversification in a cost-effective manner. At December 31, 2016, our investment policy governing our relationship with Russell allocated 23% to large-capitalization U.S. equity securities, 4% to small- and mid-capitalization U.S. equity securities, 16% to international equity securities, 46% to fixed-income securities, 6% to a hedge fund, and 5% to real estate. Our arrangement with Russell allows monthly rebalancing to the policy targets noted above.

Investment securities, in general, are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, credit, and overall market volatility risk, all of which are subject to change. In addition, our overall investment strategy and related allocations between equity and fixed-income securities may change from time to time based on market conditions, external economic factors, and the funded status of our plans. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term, and such changes could materially affect the reported amounts.


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Fair Value Measurements of Plan Assets

The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the pension plan assets, by major asset category, at fair value at December 31, 2016 and 2015:

 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2) (a)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
 
(thousands)
Equity securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Large-cap U.S. equity securities (b)
 
$

 
$
88,686

 
$

 
$
88,686

   Small- and mid-cap U.S. equity securities (c)
 

 
16,021

 

 
16,021

   International equity securities (d)
 

 
59,675

 

 
59,675

Fixed-income securities (e)
 

 
173,679

 

 
173,679

Total investments at fair value
 
$

 
$
338,061

 
$

 
338,061

Hedge fund measured at NAV (f)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
25,823

Real estate fund measured at NAV (g)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
24,263

Receivables and accrued expenses, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,293

Fair value of plan assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
389,440


 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2) (a)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
 
(thousands)
Equity securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Large-cap U.S. equity securities (b)
 
$

 
$
91,622

 
$

 
$
91,622

   Small- and mid-cap U.S. equity securities (c)
 

 
16,338

 

 
16,338

   International equity securities (d)
 

 
61,414

 

 
61,414

Fixed-income securities (e)
 

 
178,019

 

 
178,019

Total investments at fair value
 
$

 
$
347,393

 
$

 
347,393

Hedge fund measured at NAV (f)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
25,566

Real estate fund measured at NAV (g)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
24,906

Receivables and accrued expenses, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1,597

Fair value of plan assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
399,462

_______________________________________ 

(a)
Equity and fixed-income securities represent common collective trusts managed and valued by Russell Trust Company, the administrator of the funds. While the underlying assets are actively traded on an exchange, the funds are not. The investments in equity and fixed-income securities are considered to have a readily determinable fair value because the fair value per share (unit) is determined and published and is the basis for current transactions. We have the ability to redeem these equity and fixed-income securities with a one-day notice.

(b)
Invested in the Russell Large Cap U.S. Equity Fund at December 31, 2016 and 2015. The fund seeks returns that exceed the Russell 1000 Index by investing in large-capitalization stocks of the U.S. stock market. In addition, at December 31, 2016 and 2015, our investments in this category included the Russell 1000 Index Fund, which seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of large- and mid-capitalization stocks of the U.S. stock market.


77


(c)
Invested in the Russell Equity II Fund. The fund seeks returns that exceed the Russell 2500 Index by investing in the small- and mid-capitalization stocks of the U.S. stock market.

(d)
Invested in the Russell International Fund with Active Currency at December 31, 2016 and 2015, which benchmarks against the Russell Developed ex-U.S. Large Cap Index Net and seeks favorable total returns and additional diversification through investment in non-U.S. equity securities and active currency management. The fund participates primarily in the stock markets of Europe and the Pacific Rim and seeks to opportunistically add value through active investment in foreign currencies. In addition, at December 31, 2016 and 2015, our investments in this category included the Russell Emerging Market Fund, which benchmarks against the Russell Emerging Markets Index and is designed to maintain a broadly diversified exposure to emerging market countries.

(e)
Invested in the Russell Multi-Manager Bond Fund at December 31, 2016 and 2015. The fund seeks to outperform the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index over a full market cycle. The fund is designed to provide current income and, as a secondary objective, capital appreciation through a variety of diversified strategies, including sector rotation, modest interest rate timing, security selection, and tactical use of high-yield and emerging market bonds. In addition, at December 31, 2016 and 2015, our investments in this category included the Russell Long Duration Fixed Income Fund, which is designed to provide maximum total return through diversified strategies including sector rotation, modest interest rate timing, security selection, and tactical use of high-yield, emerging market bonds and other non-index securities.

(f)
Invested in the AQR Delta Offshore Fund. The fund seeks to produce high risk-adjusted returns while targeting a low long-term average correlation to traditional markets. The fund invests internationally in a broad range of instruments, including, but not limited to, equities, currencies, convertible securities, futures, forwards, options, swaps, and other derivative products. The fair value of the hedge fund is estimated using the net asset value (NAV) of the investment as a practical expedient for fair value. We have the ability to redeem these investments at NAV within the near term. During 2016, we adopted ASU 2015-07, which removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the NAV per share practical expedient. As such, the AQR Delta Offshore Fund has not been classified within the fair value hierarchy tables as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.

(g)
Invested in the Russell Real Estate Equity Fund. The fund seeks to obtain favorable total return through income and growth, and to outperform the NCREIF Open-End Diversified Core Equity Fund Index - Equal Weight. Real estate investments include those in limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and real estate investment trusts consisting of private real estate investments including office, apartment, retail, industrial, and other commercial properties. The fair value of the real estate fund is estimated using NAV of the investment as a practical expedient for fair value. Amounts realized on the sale of these investments may differ from the calculated values. We have the ability to redeem the real estate investments with a 110-calendar-day written notice prior to a quarterly trade date. During 2016, we adopted ASU 2015-07, which removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the NAV per share practical expedient. As such, the Russell Real Estate Equity Fund has not been classified within the fair value hierarchy tables as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.
Cash Flows
As of December 31, 2016, we have contributed a total of four company-owned real property locations from our Building Materials Distribution segment to our qualified defined benefit pension plan. These contributions constitute related party transactions. We are leasing back the contributed properties for initial terms of ten years ending between 2022 and 2025 with two five-year extension options and continue to use the properties in our distribution operations. Rent payments are made quarterly and include 2% annual escalation rates. Each lease provides us a right of first refusal on any subsequent sale by the pension plan, as well as repurchase options at the end of the initial term and extension periods. The plan engaged an independent fiduciary who negotiated the lease terms and also manages the properties on behalf of the plan.

We determined that the contribution of the properties does not meet the accounting definition of a plan asset within the scope of Accounting Standards Codification 715, Compensation — Retirement Benefits. Accordingly, the contributed properties are not considered a contribution for accounting purposes and, as a result, are not included in plan assets and have no impact on the net pension liability recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We continue to depreciate the carrying value of the properties in our financial statements, and no gain or loss was recognized at the contribution date for accounting purposes. Lease payments are recorded as pension contributions.

Our practice is to fund the pension plans in amounts sufficient to meet the minimum requirements of U.S. federal laws and regulations. Additional discretionary funding may be provided as deemed appropriate. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, we made cash contributions to our pension plans totaling $3.8 million, $54.3 million, and $12.1 million, respectively. Cash contributions in 2016, 2015, and 2014 include $1.4 million, $1.3 million, and $1.1 million, respectively, of lease payments. While we have no federally required contributions for 2017, we expect to make cash contributions of approximately $2 million to our pension plans. These contributions reflect benefit payments to plan participants of our

78


nonqualified salaried pension plans and lease payments for properties we have contributed to our qualified defined benefit pension plan.

Qualified pension benefit payments are paid from plan assets, while nonqualified pension benefit payments are paid by the company. The following benefit payments are expected to be paid to plan participants (in thousands):

2017
 
$
21,710

2018
 
22,820

2019
 
23,643

2020
 
24,544

2021
 
25,296

Years 2022-2026
 
133,317


10.    Stock-Based Compensation

In February 2013, we adopted the 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan (2013 Incentive Plan), which was superseded by the 2016 Boise Cascade Omnibus Incentive Plan (2016 Incentive Plan), which was approved by our stockholders and became effective in April 2016. The 2016 Incentive Plan provides for grants of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, other stock-based awards, other cash-based compensation, and performance awards. Directors, officers, and other employees, as well as others performing consulting or advisory services for us, are eligible for grants under the 2016 Incentive Plan. These awards are at the discretion of the Compensation Committee of our board of directors, and they vest and expire in accordance with terms established at the time of grant. All awards under the 2016 Incentive Plan, other than stock options or stock appreciation rights, are eligible to participate in dividend or dividend equivalent payments, if any, which we would accrue to be paid when the awards vest. We issue new shares of common stock upon exercise of stock options and vesting of other stock-based awards. Shares issued pursuant to awards under the 2016 Incentive Plan are from our authorized but unissued shares. The maximum number of shares approved for grant under the 2016 Incentive Plan is 3.7 million shares.

In February 2016, 2015, and 2014, we granted two types of stock-based awards under the 2013 Incentive Plan: performance stock units (PSUs) and restricted stock units (RSUs). After the effective date of the 2016 Incentive Plan in April 2016, no awards may be granted under the 2013 Incentive Plan. Pursuant to the terms of the 2016 Incentive Plan approved by our stockholders, all stock-based awards granted in 2016 under the 2013 Incentive Plan reduced the amount of shares available for issuance under the 2016 Incentive Plan. Therefore, as of December 31, 2016, 3.0 million shares remained available for future issuance under the 2016 Incentive Plan.
PSU and RSU Awards
    
In 2016, we granted 418,344 PSUs to our officers and other employees, subject to performance and service conditions, at a weighted average grant date fair market value of $16.56. For the officers, the number of shares actually awarded will range from 0% and 200% of the target amount, depending upon Boise Cascade's 2016 return on invested capital (ROIC), determined in accordance with the related grant agreement. For the other employees, the number of shares actually awarded will range from 0% to 200% of the target amount, depending upon Boise Cascade's 2016 EBITDA, defined as income before interest (interest expense and interest income), income taxes, and depreciation and amortization, determined in accordance with the related grant agreement. Because the ROIC and EBITDA components contain a performance condition, we record compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, over the requisite service period based on the most probable number of shares expected to vest.
    
In 2015 and 2014, we granted 116,636 and 100,692 PSUs, at a weighted average grant date fair market value of $36.17 and $30.32, respectively, to our officers and other employees, subject to performance and service conditions. During the 2015 and 2014 performance period, participants earned 63% and 129%, respectively, of the target based on Boise Cascade’s 2015 and 2014 EBITDA, determined by our Compensation Committee in accordance with the related grant agreements.

In 2016, 2015, and 2014, we granted an aggregate of 335,820, 140,167, and 128,497 RSUs, at a weighted average grant date fair market value of $16.73, $36.16, and $30.41, respectively, to our officers, other employees, and nonemployee directors with only service conditions.


79


The PSUs granted to officers, if earned, generally vest over one to three year periods from the date of grant, while the PSUs granted to other employees vest in three equal tranches each year after the grant date. All PSU grants are subject to final determination of meeting the performance condition by the Compensation Committee of our board of directors. The RSUs granted to officers and other employees vest in three equal tranches each year after the grant date. The RSUs granted to nonemployee directors vest over a one-year period, provided that such vested shares will not be delivered to the directors until six months following termination from the board of directors.

We based the fair value of PSU and RSU awards on the closing market price of our common stock on the grant date, and we record compensation expense over the awards' vesting period. Any shares not vested are forfeited. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, the total fair value of PSUs and RSUs vested was $2.8 million, $4.9 million, $4.6 million, respectively.

The following summarizes the activity of our PSUs and RSUs awarded under our incentive plans for the year ended December 31, 2016:
 
 
PSUs
 
RSUs
 
 
Number of shares
 
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
 
Number of shares
 
Weighted Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding, December 31, 2015
 
134,786

 
$
35.09

 
153,343

 
$
35.41

Granted
 
418,344

 
16.56

 
335,820

 
16.73

Vested
 
(56,609
)
 
33.65

 
(93,383
)
 
34.71

Forfeited (a)
 
(48,021
)
 
33.50

 
(8,493
)
 
19.35

Outstanding, December 31, 2016
 
448,500

 
$
18.16

 
$
387,287

 
$
19.73

__________________ 

(a)
Total PSUs forfeited during the year ended December 31, 2016 includes 40,726 shares related to the performance condition adjustment, as participants earned 63% of the target based on Boise Cascade’s 2015 EBITDA.

Stock Options

In February 2013, we granted 161,257 nonqualified stock options to our officers and other employees. Our stock options have a contractual term of ten years, meaning the option must be exercised by the holder before the tenth anniversary of the grant date, subject to earlier expiration for vested options not exercised following termination of employment. The following is a summary of our stock option activity:
 
 
Number of Options
 
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Option
 
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
 
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
(years)
 
(thousands)
Outstanding, December 31, 2015
 
117,282

 
$
27.19

 
 
 
 
Forfeited
 
(2,359
)
 
27.19

 
 
 
 
Outstanding, December 31, 2016
 
114,923

 
$
27.19

 
5.3
 
$

Vested and expected to vest, December 31, 2016
 
114,923

 
$
27.19

 
5.3
 
$

Exercisable, December 31, 2016
 
114,923

 
$
27.19

 
5.3
 
$


There were no stock options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2016. During both the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $0.1 million. Cash received from stock options exercised was $0.2 million for both the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, with an immaterial amount of actual tax benefit realized from stock options exercised.


80


Compensation Expense

Stock-based compensation expense is recognized only for those awards that are expected to vest, with forfeitures estimated at the date of grant based on our historical experience and future expectations. We recognize the effect of adjusting the estimated forfeiture rates in the period in which we change such estimated rates. We recognize stock awards with only service conditions on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Most of our share-based compensation expense was recorded in "General and administrative expenses" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Total stock-based compensation recognized from PSUs, RSUs, and stock options net of estimated forfeitures, was as follows:
 
Year Ended December 31
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
(thousands)
PSUs
$
4,114

 
$
2,295

 
$
3,169

RSUs
3,982

 
2,995

 
2,018

Stock options
81

 
535

 
729

Total
$
8,177

 
$
5,825

 
$
5,916


The related tax benefit was $3.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, and $2.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. As of December 31, 2016, total unrecognized compensation expense related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements was $8.5 million, net of estimated forfeitures. This expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.

11.    Stockholders' Equity

Our certificate of incorporation has authorized 300,000,000 shares of common stock and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock. No preferred stock was issued or outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. We had 43,519,647 and 43,412,660 shares of common stock issued and 38,352,574 and 38,825,687 shares of common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Each share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote on matters to be voted on by the stockholders of Boise Cascade.
    
Stock Repurchase

On February 25, 2015, our Board of Directors (Board) authorized a two million share repurchase program (Program) pursuant to which we may, from time to time, purchase shares of our common stock through various means including, without limitation, open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, or accelerated share repurchase transactions. We are not obligated to purchase any shares and there is no set date that the Program will expire. The Board may increase or decrease the number of shares under the Program or terminate the Program in its discretion at any time. During 2016, we repurchased 580,100 shares under the Program at a cost of $10.3 million, or an average of $17.70 per share. During 2015, we repurchased 722,911 shares under the Program at a cost of $23.7 million, or $32.80 per share. The shares were purchased with cash on hand and are recorded as "Treasury stock" on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of December 31, 2016, there were 696,989 shares of common stock that may yet be purchased under the Program.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:


81


 
 
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
 
 
Year Ended December 31
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(thousands)
Beginning Balance, net of taxes
 
$
(93,015
)
 
$
(101,498
)
 
$
(55,249
)
Net actuarial gain (loss), current-period changes, before taxes
 
9,622

 
8,406

 
(75,016
)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss, amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, before taxes (a)
 
2,484

 
4,884

 
(23
)
Effect of settlements, amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss, before taxes (a)
 
4,155

 
501

 

Income taxes
 
(6,258
)
 
(5,308
)
 
28,790

Ending Balance, net of taxes
 
$
(83,012
)
 
$
(93,015
)
 
$
(101,498
)
___________________________________ 
 
(a)
Represents amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss. These amounts are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. For additional information, see Note 9, Retirement and Benefit Plans.

12.                                      Transactions With Related Parties
 
Louisiana Timber Procurement Company, L.L.C. (LTP) is an unconsolidated variable-interest entity that is 50% owned by us and 50% owned by Packaging Corporation of America (PCA). LTP procures sawtimber, pulpwood, residual chips, and other residual wood fiber to meet the log and fiber requirements of us and PCA in Louisiana. We are not the primary beneficiary of LTP, as we do not have power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the economic performance of LTP. Accordingly, we do not consolidate LTP's results in our financial statements.
 
Sales
 
Related-party sales to LTP from our Wood Products segment in our Consolidated Statements of Operations were $17.4 million, $20.7 million, and $28.7 million, respectively, during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014. These sales are recorded in "Sales" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
Costs and Expenses
 
Related-party wood fiber purchases from LTP were $87.2 million, $88.8 million, and $75.8 million, respectively, during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014. These costs are recorded in "Materials, labor, and other operating expenses (excluding depreciation)" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

13.    Financial Instrument Risk

In the normal course of business, we are exposed to financial risks such as changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, and commodity prices. In 2016, 2015, and 2014, we did not use derivative instruments to manage these risks, except for interest rate swaps entered into in 2016 as discussed below.

Interest Rate Risk and Interest Rate Swaps

We are exposed to interest rate risk arising from fluctuations in variable-rate LIBOR on our term loans and when we have loan amounts outstanding on our Revolving Credit Facility. Our objective is to limit the variability of interest payments on our debt. To meet this objective, in 2016 we entered into receive-variable, pay-fixed interest rate swaps to change the variable-rate cash flow exposure to fixed-rate cash flows. In accordance with our risk management strategy, we actively monitor our interest rate exposure and consider using derivative instruments from time to time to manage the related risk.

On February 16, 2016, and March 31, 2016, we entered into interest rate swap agreements with notional principal amounts of $50.0 million and $75.0 million, respectively, to offset risks associated with the variability in cash flows relating to interest payments that are based on one-month LIBOR. We do not speculate using derivative instruments. At December 31, 2016, the notional principal amount of our interest rate swap agreements exceeded the $95.0 million of variable-rate debt outstanding after paying down $30.0 million of variable rate debt on our Term Loan in December 2016. The excess notional

82


principal amount of our interest rate swaps over our variable-rate debt is within our management strategy as we expect to partially fund seasonal and intra-month working capital requirements in 2017 from borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility.

Under the interest rate swaps, we receive LIBOR-based variable interest rate payments and make fixed interest rate payments, thereby fixing the interest rate on $125.0 million of debt. Payments on the interest rate swaps with notional principal amounts of $50.0 million and $75.0 million are due on a monthly basis at a fixed rate of 1.007% and 1.256%, respectively, and expire in February 2022 and March 2022, respectively. The interest rate swap agreements were not designated as cash flow hedges, and as a result, all changes in the fair value are recognized in "Change in fair value of interest rate swaps" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations rather than through other comprehensive income. At December 31, 2016, we recorded a long-term asset of $4.2 million in "Other assets" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, representing the fair value of the interest rate swap agreements. The swaps were valued based on observable inputs for similar assets and liabilities and other observable inputs for interest rates and yield curves (Level 2 inputs).

Foreign Currency Risk
    
We have sales in countries outside the U.S. As a result, we are exposed to movements in foreign currency exchange rates, primarily in Canada, but we do not believe our exposure to currency fluctuations is significant.

Commodity Price Risk

Many of the products we manufacture or purchase and resell and some of our key production inputs are commodities whose price is determined by the market's supply and demand for such products. Price fluctuations in our selling prices and key costs have a significant effect on our financial performance. The markets for most of these commodities are cyclical and are primarily affected by various economic and industry factors, including the strength of the U.S. housing market, net import and export activity, changes in or disruptions to industry production capacity, changes in inventory levels, and other factors beyond our control.

14.                               Segment Information
 
We operate our business using three reportable segments: Wood Products, Building Materials Distribution, and Corporate and Other. These segments represent distinct businesses that are managed separately because of differing products and services. Each of these businesses requires distinct operating and marketing strategies. Management reviews the performance of the company based on these segments.

Our Wood Products segment manufactures EWP, consisting of laminated veneer lumber (LVL), I-joists, and laminated beams, which are structural products used in applications where extra strength and consistent quality are required, such as headers and beams. LVL is also used in the manufacture of I-joists, which are assembled by combining a vertical web of oriented strand board (OSB) with top and bottom LVL or solid wood flanges. In addition, we manufacture structural, appearance, and industrial plywood panels. We also produce ponderosa pine lumber, studs, and particleboard. Our wood products are used primarily in new residential construction, residential repair-and-remodeling markets, and light commercial construction. The majority of our wood products are sold to leading wholesalers (including our Building Materials Distribution segment), home improvement centers, retail lumberyards, and industrial converters. During 2016, approximately 47% of Wood Products' overall sales were to our Building Materials Distribution segment.

Our Building Materials Distribution segment is a leading national stocking wholesale distributor of building materials. We distribute a broad line of building materials, including EWP, OSB, plywood, lumber, and general line items such as siding, metal products, insulation, roofing, and composite decking. Except for EWP, we purchase most of these building materials from third-party suppliers and market them primarily to retail lumberyards, home improvement centers, and specialty distributors that then sell the products to the final end customers, who are typically professional builders, independent contractors, and homeowners engaged in residential construction projects.

Our Corporate and Other segment includes corporate support staff services, related assets and liabilities, pension plan activity, and foreign currency exchange gains and losses. Support services include, but are not limited to, information technology, human resources, finance, accounting, and legal functions.

The segments' profits and losses are measured on operating profits and losses before interest expense and interest income. Specified expenses are allocated to the segments. For many of these allocated expenses, the related assets and liabilities remain in the Corporate and Other segment.

83



The segments follow the accounting principles described in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, no customers accounted for 10% or more of total sales. Sales to foreign unaffiliated customers were approximately $71 million, $85 million, and $76 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014.

At December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, and for the years then ended, long-lived assets located in foreign countries and net sales originating in foreign countries were not material.
    
Wood Products and Building Materials Distribution segment sales to external customers, including related parties, by product line are as follows:

 
 
Year Ended December 31
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(millions)
Wood Products
 
 
 
 
 
 
Engineered wood products
 
$
154.4

 
$
127.2

 
$
125.9

Plywood and veneer
 
316.8

 
385.5

 
413.6

Lumber
 
87.2

 
96.5

 
113.7

Byproducts
 
56.0

 
62.0

 
56.1

Particleboard
 
49.3

 
51.6

 
52.3

Other
 
19.9

 
19.5

 
25.7

 
 
683.6

 
742.3

 
787.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Building Materials Distribution  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity
 
1,503.0

 
1,343.4

 
1,376.1

General line
 
1,141.9

 
1,037.8

 
937.3

Engineered wood products
 
582.3

 
509.9

 
473.1

 
 
3,227.2

 
2,891.1

 
2,786.5

 
 
$
3,910.8

 
$
3,633.4

 
$
3,573.7

 

84


An analysis of our operations by segment is as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
 
Before
 
Depreciation
 
Capital
 
 
 
 
 
 
Inter-
 
 
 
Income
 
and
 
Expenditures
 
 
 
 
Trade
 
segment
 
Total
 
Taxes
 
Amortization
 
(a)
 
Assets
 
 
(millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2016
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Wood Products
 
$
683.6

 
$
596.8

 
$
1,280.4

 
$
25.9

 
$
57.5

 
$
282.4

 
$
781.7

Building Materials Distribution
 
3,227.2

 

 
3,227.2

 
84.4

 
13.8

 
15.8

 
548.1

Corporate and Other
 
0.4

 

 
0.4

 
(30.6
)
 
1.6

 
1.2

 
109.4

Intersegment eliminations
 

 
(596.8
)
 
(596.8
)
 

 

 

 

 
 
$
3,911.2

 
$

 
$
3,911.2

 
79.7

 
$
72.8

 
$
299.5

 
$
1,439.2

Interest expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(26.7
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
Loss on extinguishment of debt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(14.3
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 


 


 
$
43.3

 


 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
 
Before
 
Depreciation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Inter-
 
 
 
Income
 
and
 
Capital
 
 
 
 
Trade
 
segment
 
Total
 
Taxes
 
Amortization
 
Expenditures
 
Assets
 
 
(millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2015
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Wood Products
 
$
742.3

 
$
539.8

 
$
1,282.1

 
$
64.2

 
$
43.3

 
$
68.8

 
$
556.0

Building Materials Distribution
 
2,891.1

 
0.2

 
2,891.3

 
60.8

 
11.9

 
14.5

 
506.3

Corporate and Other
 

 

 

 
(22.1
)
 
0.4

 
4.3

 
186.3

Intersegment eliminations
 

 
(540.0
)
 
(540.0
)
 

 

 

 

 
 
$
3,633.4

 
$

 
$
3,633.4

 
102.9

 
$
55.6

 
$
87.5

 
$
1,248.6

Interest expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(22.5
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
80.7

 


 
 
 
 



85


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales
 
Before
 
Depreciation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Inter-
 
 
 
Income
 
and
 
Capital
 
 
 
 
Trade
 
segment
 
Total
 
Taxes
 
Amortization
 
Expenditures
 
Assets
 
 
(millions)
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Wood Products
 
$
787.2

 
$
529.8

 
$
1,317.0

 
$
108.4

 
$
41.5

 
$
40.3

 
$
533.1

Building Materials Distribution
 
2,786.5

 
0.1

 
2,786.7

 
56.7

 
9.8

 
20.3

 
483.6

Corporate and Other
 

 

 

 
(19.9
)
 
0.2

 
0.6

 
196.7

Intersegment eliminations
 

 
(529.9
)
 
(529.9
)
 

 

 

 

 
 
$
3,573.7

 
$

 
$
3,573.7

 
145.1

 
$
51.4

 
$
61.2

 
$
1,213.3

Interest expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(22.0
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
0.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 


 


 
$
123.3

 


 
 
 
 
___________________________________ 

(a)
Capital spending in 2016 for Wood Products includes $215.9 million for the acquisition of two EWP facilities.

15.                               Commitments, Legal Proceedings and Contingencies, and Guarantees
 
Commitments
 
We have commitments for leases and long-term debt that are discussed further in Note 7, Debt, and Note 8, Leases. In addition, we have purchase obligations for goods and services, capital expenditures, and raw materials entered into in the normal course of business.
 
We are a party to a number of long-term log supply agreements. At December 31, 2016, our total obligation for log purchases under contracts with third parties was approximately $65 million based on fixed contract pricing or first quarter 2017 pricing for variable contracts. Under certain log supply agreements, we have the right to cancel or reduce our commitments in the event of a mill curtailment or shutdown. Future purchase prices under most of the variable-price agreements will be set quarterly or semiannually based on regional market prices. Our log obligations are subject to change based on, among other things, the effect of governmental laws and regulations, our manufacturing operations not operating in the normal course of business, log availability, and the status of environmental appeals. Except for deposits required pursuant to log supply contracts, these obligations are not recorded in our consolidated financial statements until the contract payment terms take effect.

We enter into contracts for the purchase of electricity and natural gas. We also purchase these services under utility tariffs. At December 31, 2016, we had approximately $12.7 million of energy purchase commitments. These payment obligations were valued either at market prices as of December 31, 2016, or at a fixed price, in each case in accordance with the terms of the related contract or tariff. Because we consume the energy in the manufacture of our products, these obligations represent the face value of the contracts, not resale value.

Legal Proceedings and Contingencies
 
We are a party to routine legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business, including commercial liability claims, premises claims, environmental claims, and employment-related claims, among others. As of the date of this filing, we believe it is not reasonably possible that any of the legal actions against us will, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Guarantees
 
We provide guarantees, indemnifications, and assurances to others.


86


Boise Cascade Company and its subsidiaries (Boise Cascade Building Materials Distribution, L.L.C., and Boise Cascade Wood Products, L.L.C.) act as co-borrowers under our Revolving Credit Facility, ABL Term Loan, and Term Loan, described in Note 7, Debt. Their obligations are guaranteed by each of our remaining domestic subsidiaries.

Boise Cascade has issued $350.0 million of 5.625% senior notes due in 2024. At December 31, 2016, $350.0 million of the 2024 Notes were outstanding. The 2024 Notes are guaranteed by each of Boise Cascade Company's existing and future direct or indirect domestic subsidiaries that is a guarantor or co-borrower under our Revolving Credit Facility. See Note 7, Debt, for more information.

Boise Cascade issued guarantees to a limited number of trade creditors of one or more of its principal operating subsidiaries, Boise Cascade Building Materials Distribution, L.L.C., and Boise Cascade Wood Products, L.L.C., for trade credit obligations arising in the ordinary course of the business of such operating subsidiaries. These included guarantees of the obligations of Boise Cascade Wood Products, L.L.C., with respect to present and future log sale agreements and several facility and rolling stock leases entered into by such subsidiaries and by Boise Cascade Building Materials Distribution, L.L.C. Boise Cascade's exposure under these agreements is limited to future log purchases and the minimum lease payment requirements under the agreements. Boise Cascade also enters into guarantees of various raw material or energy supply agreements arising in the ordinary course of business.

All surety bonds and most letters of credit supporting obligations of subsidiaries sold or liabilities assumed by Boise Inc., which became a wholly-owned subsidiary of PCA, in connection with the sale of our Paper and Packaging & Newsprint assets in 2008 have been replaced by new surety bonds or letters of credit issued without our credit support. The principal exception is letters of credit supporting workers' compensation obligations assumed by Boise Inc., which as a matter of state law must remain in our name even though the underlying liabilities and exposures have been assumed by Boise Inc. We are entitled to an indemnification from the purchaser for liabilities with respect to such letters of credit arising from workers' compensation claims assumed by Boise Inc. and for our costs of maintaining Boise Inc.'s share of any such letter of credit.

We enter into a wide range of indemnification arrangements in the ordinary course of business. These include tort indemnifications, tax indemnifications, financing transactions, indemnifications against third-party claims arising out of arrangements to provide services to us, and indemnifications in merger and acquisition agreements. At December 31, 2016, we are unable to estimate the maximum potential liability under these indemnifications, and we are not aware of any material liabilities arising from these indemnifications.

16.    Quarterly Results of Operations (unaudited)
 
 
2016
 
 
First Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
Third Quarter
 
Fourth Quarter
 
 
(millions, except per-share amounts)
Net sales
 
$
880.7

 
$
1,043.8

 
$
1,067.2

 
$
919.5

Income (loss) from operations
 
$
13.4

 
$
37.9

 
$
31.3

 
$
(3.0
)
Net income
 
$
5.0

 
$
19.2

 
$
10.0

 
$
4.1

Net income per common share – Basic
 
$
0.13

 
$
0.50

 
$
0.26

 
$
0.11

Net income per common share – Diluted
 
$
0.13

 
$
0.49

 
$
0.26

 
$
0.11


 
 
2015
 
 
First Quarter
 
Second Quarter
 
Third Quarter
 
Fourth Quarter
 
 
(millions, except per-share amounts)
Net sales
 
$
809.9

 
$
955.4

 
$
991.6

 
$
876.5

Income from operations
 
$
17.7

 
$
37.4

 
$
40.4

 
$
7.7

Net income
 
$
7.6

 
$
20.2

 
$
22.0

 
$
2.3

Net income per common share – Basic and Diluted
 
$
0.19

 
$
0.51

 
$
0.56

 
$
0.06



87



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Boise Cascade Company:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Boise Cascade Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2016. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Boise Cascade Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three‑year period ended December 31, 2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Boise Cascade Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 23, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


/s/ KPMG LLP


Boise, Idaho
February 23, 2017

88




Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm


The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Boise Cascade Company:

We have audited Boise Cascade Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Boise Cascade Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying management’s report on internal control over financial reporting in Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, Boise Cascade 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).
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Boise Cascade Company and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2016, and our report dated February 23, 2017 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.


/s/ KPMG LLP


Boise, Idaho
February 23, 2017

89




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

None.

ITEM 9A.          CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
We maintain "disclosure controls and procedures," as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act. We have designed these controls and procedures to reasonably assure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. We have also designed our disclosure controls to provide reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to our senior management, including our chief executive officer (CEO) and our chief financial officer (CFO), as appropriate, to allow them to make timely decisions regarding our required disclosures. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that as of December 31, 2016, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in meeting the objectives for which they were designed and were operating at a reasonable assurance level.
 
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures
 
In designing and evaluating our disclosure and/or internal controls and procedures, we recognized that no matter how well conceived and well operated, a control system can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of its inherent limitations, a control system, no matter how well designed, may not prevent or detect misstatements due to error or fraud. Additionally, in designing a control system, our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. We have also designed our disclosure and internal controls and procedures based in part upon assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.

Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The management of Boise Cascade Company (Boise Cascade) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our 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 accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and dispositions of assets;

provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

provide reasonable assurance that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and

provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Internal control over financial reporting includes the controls themselves, monitoring and internal auditing practices, and actions taken to correct deficiencies as identified. As of December 31, 2016, management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of Boise Cascade's internal control over financial reporting based on criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in "Internal Control—Integrated Framework" (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management has concluded as of December 31, 2016, our internal control over financial reporting was effective.


90


The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, has been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report, which is included herein.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our latest fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B.    OTHER INFORMATION

None.

91




PART III

ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

For information with respect to the executive officers of the Registrant, see "Executive Officers of the Registrant" in "Item 1. Business" of this Form 10-K.
We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all of our employees, including our chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and principal accounting officer. Our Code of Ethics is available on our website at www.bc.com by clicking on About Boise Cascade and then Code of Ethics. Our website is not part of, and is not incorporated by reference to, this Form 10-K. If we amend or grant a waiver of one or more of the provisions of our Code of Ethics, we intend to satisfy the requirements under Item 5.05 of Item 8-K regarding the disclosure of amendments to or waivers from provisions of our Code of Ethics that apply to our principal executive officer and financial and accounting officers by posting the required information on our website at the above address.
The other information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to our Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 4, 2017, to be filed with the Commission no later than 120 days after December 31, 2016, in accordance with General Instruction G(3) to the Form 10-K.
    
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to our Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 4, 2017, to be filed with the Commission no later than 120 days after December 31, 2016, in accordance with General Instruction G(3) to the Form 10-K.

ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to our Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 4, 2017, to be filed with the Commission no later than 120 days after December 31, 2016, in accordance with General Instruction G(3) to the Form 10-K.

ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to our Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 4, 2017, to be filed with the Commission no later than 120 days after December 31, 2016, in accordance with General Instruction G(3) to the Form 10-K.

ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to our Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 4, 2017, to be filed with the Commission no later than 120 days after December 31, 2016, in accordance with General Instruction G(3) to the Form 10-K.

92



PART IV

ITEM 15.          EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
(a)    The following documents are filed as a part of this Form 10-K:

(1)    Consolidated Financial Statements

The Consolidated Financial Statements, the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, and the Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Boise Cascade Company are presented in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K.

-    Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014.

-
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014.

-     Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.

-    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014.

-
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014.

-    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

-    Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

(2)    Financial Statement Schedules

All financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are inapplicable, not required, or shown in the consolidated financial statements and notes in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Form 10-K.

(3)    Exhibits

A list of the exhibits required to be filed as part of this report is set forth in the Index to Exhibits and is incorporated by reference.

(b)    See Index to Exhibits

93



SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
BOISE CASCADE COMPANY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Thomas K. Corrick
 
 
Thomas K. Corrick
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
Date:  February 23, 2017

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below on February 23, 2017, by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated.

 
Signature
 
Capacity
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal Executive Officer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Thomas K. Corrick
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
Thomas K. Corrick
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal Financial Officer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Wayne M. Rancourt
 
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer
 
Wayne M. Rancourt
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal Accounting Officer:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Kelly E. Hibbs
 
Vice President and Controller
 
Kelly E. Hibbs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directors:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Thomas E. Carlile
 
/s/ Mack L. Hogans
 
Thomas E. Carlile, Chairman
 
Mack L. Hogans
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Steven C. Cooper
 
/s/ Kristopher J. Matula
 
Steven C. Cooper
 
Kristopher J. Matula
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Richard H. Fleming
 
/s/ Duane C. McDougall
 
Richard H. Fleming
 
Duane C. McDougall
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Karen E. Gowland
 
/s/ Christopher J. McGowan
 
Karen E. Gowland
 
Christopher J. McGowan
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ David H. Hannah
 
 
 
David H. Hannah
 
 


94


BOISE CASCADE COMPANY
 
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
Exhibit Number
Exhibit Description
Incorporated by Reference
Filed or Furnished Herewith
Form
File Number
Exhibit Number
Filing
Date
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.1**
Purchase and Sale Agreement dated September 7, 2007, between Boise Cascade, L.L.C., Boise Paper Holdings, L.L.C., Boise White Paper, L.L.C., Boise Packaging & Newsprint, L.L.C., Boise Cascade Transportation Holdings Corp., Aldabra 2 Acquisition Corp., and Aldabra Sub LLC
8-K*
333-122770*
2.1*
9/13/2007*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.2
Amendment No. 1 (dated October 18, 2007) to Purchase and Sale Agreement dated September 7, 2007, between Boise Cascade, L.L.C., Boise Paper Holdings, L.L.C., Boise White Paper, L.L.C., Boise Packaging & Newsprint, L.L.C., Boise Cascade Transportation Holdings Corp., Aldabra 2 Acquisition Corp., and Aldabra Sub LLC
8-K*
333-122770*
2.1*
10/24/2007*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.3
Amendment No. 2 to Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated February 22, 2008, by and among Boise Cascade, L.L.C., Boise Paper Holdings, L.L.C., Boise Packaging & Newsprint, L.L.C., Boise White Paper, L.L.C., Boise Cascade Transportation Holdings Corp., Aldabra 2 Acquisition Corp., and Aldabra Sub LLC
8-K*
333-122770*
10.5*
2/28/2008*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.4**
Limited Liability Company Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 19, 2013, by and among Chester Wood Products LLC, Moncure Plywood LLC, WR Operating LLC, Boise Cascade Wood Products, L.L.C., Wood Resources LLC, and Boise Cascade Company
8-K/A
001-35805
2.1
7/22/2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.5†**
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 18, 2015, by and among Georgia-Pacific Wood Products LLC, Georgia-Pacific Wood Products South LLC, Georgia-Pacific LLC, Boise Cascade Wood Products, L.L.C., and Boise Cascade Company
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.6**
First Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2016, by and among Georgia-Pacific Wood Products LLC, Georgia-Pacific Wood Products South LLC, Georgia-Pacific LLC, Boise Cascade Wood Products, L.L.C., and Boise Cascade Company.
8-K
001-35805
2.2
4/1/2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.1
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Boise Cascade Company effective June 13, 2016
10-Q
001-35805
3.1
7/28/2016
 

95


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Boise Cascade Company effective July 27, 2016
10-Q
001-35805
3.2
7/28/2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.3
Form of stock certificate of Boise Cascade Company
S-1 Amend. No. 3
333-184964
4.3
1/23/2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.1
Indenture dated October 22, 2012, by and among Boise Cascade, L.L.C., Boise Cascade Finance Corporation, Boise Cascade Holdings, L.L.C., as Guarantor, the other Guarantors named therein, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee
8-K*
333-122770*
4.1*
10/23/2012*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.2
Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 1, 2013, by and among Boise Cascade Company, the existing guarantors party thereto, Chester Wood Products LLC, Moncure Plywood LLC, and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, to Indenture, dated as of October 22, 2012, by and among Boise Cascade Company, the guarantors party thereto, and U.S. Bank National Association
8-K
001-35805
4.1
10/2/2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.3
Second Supplemental Indenture dated August 29, 2016, by and among Boise Cascade Company, the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee
8-K
001-35805
4.4
8/29/2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.4
Indenture dated August 29, 2016, by and among Boise Cascade Company, the guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, governing the 5.625% Senior Notes due 2024
8-K
001-35805
4.1
8/29/2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.5
Form of 5.625% Senior Note due 2024 (included as Exhibit 1 to Appendix to Exhibit 4.4)
8-K
001-35805
4.2
8/29/2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.6
Form of 5.625% Senior Note Guarantee (included as Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.4)
8-K
001-35805
4.3
8/29/2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.1
Credit Agreement, dated as of July 13, 2011, by and among Boise Cascade, L.L.C., Boise Cascade Building Materials Distribution, L.L.C., and Boise Cascade Wood Products, L.L.C., as borrowers, and Boise Cascade Wood Products Holdings Corp., as guarantor, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, L.L.C., as Agent
10-Q*
333-122770*
10.1*
11/3/2011*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

96


10.2
First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of September 7, 2012, by and among Boise Cascade, L.L.C., Boise Cascade Building Materials Distribution, L.L.C., and Boise Cascade Wood Products, L.L.C., as borrowers, Boise Cascade Wood Products Holdings Corp., as guarantors, the Lenders identified therein, and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as Agent
8-K*
333-122770*
10.1*
9/12/2012*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.3
Limited Consent and Amendment to Loan Documents, dated as of December 20, 2012, by and among Boise Cascade, L.L.C., Boise Cascade Building Materials Distribution, L.L.C., and Boise Cascade Wood Products, L.L.C., as borrowers, Boise Cascade Holdings, L.L.C., and Boise Cascade Wood Products Holdings Corp., as guarantors, the Lenders identified therein, and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as Agent
8-K*
333-122770*
10.1*
12/21/2012*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.4
Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of May 15, 2013, by and among the Lenders identified on the signature pages thereof, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as administrative agent, Boise Cascade Company, and the other Borrowers identified on the signature pages thereof
8-K
001-35805
10.1
5/21/2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.5
Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of July 19, 2013, by and among Boise Cascade Company and the subsidiaries identified therein, as borrowers, the Lenders identified therein, and Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as Agent
8-K
001-35805
10.1
7/22/2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.6
Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of August 15, 2013, by and among the lenders party thereto, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as administrative agent, Boise Cascade Company, and the other borrowers and guarantors party thereto
8-K
001-35805
10.1
8/16/2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.7
Sixth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of February 6, 2014, by and among the Lenders identified on the signature pages thereof, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as administrative agent, Boise Cascade Company, and the other Borrowers identified on the signatures pages thereof
10-Q
001-35805
10.1
5/8/2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.8
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated May 15, 2015, by and among the Lenders identified on the signature pages thereof, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as the administrative agent, Boise Cascade Company, and the other Borrowers identified on the signature pages thereof
10-Q
001-35805
10.1
7/29/2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

97


10.9
First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated August 7, 2015, by and among the Lenders identified on the signature pages thereof, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as the administrative agent, Boise Cascade Company, and the other Borrowers identified on the signature pages thereof
8-K
001-35805
10.1
8/12/2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.10
Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated February 11, 2016, by and among the Lenders identified on the signature pages thereof, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as the administrative agent, Boise Cascade Company, and the other Borrowers identified on the signature pages thereof
10-Q
001-35805
10.1
5/3/2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.11
Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated June 30, 2016, by and among the Lenders identified on the signature pages thereof, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as the administrative agent, Boise Cascade Company, and the other Borrowers identified on the signature pages thereof
10-Q
001-35805
10.2
7/28/2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.12
Joinder and Revolver Increase Agreement Regarding Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated June 30, 2016, and is between ZB, N.A. DBA Zions First National Bank, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as administrative agent for the Lenders, Boise Cascade Company, and the other Borrowers identified on the signature pages thereof
10-Q
001-35805
10.3
7/28/2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.13
Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated December 8, 2016, by and among the Lenders identified on the signature pages thereof, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as the administrative agent, Boise Cascade Company, and the other Borrowers identified on the signature pages thereof
8-K
001-35805
10.2
12/8/2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.14
Notes Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 16, 2016, by and among Boise Cascade Company, the guarantors party thereto, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as representative of the several Initial Purchasers relating to the offer and sale of the 5.625% Senior Notes due 2024
10-Q
001-35805
10.1
10/26/2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

98


10.15
Term Loan Agreement, dated March 30, 2016, by and among Boise Cascade Company, Boise Cascade Building Materials Distribution, L.L.C., and Boise Cascade Wood Products, L.L.C., as borrowers, the lenders that are signatories hereto as the lenders, American AgCredit, PCA, as the Administrative Agent and sole lead arranger
10-Q
001-35805
10.2
5/3/2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.16
First Amendment to Term Loan Agreement, dated December 8, 2016, by and among Boise Cascade Company, the subsidiary borrowers party thereto, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, American AgCredit, PCA, as the administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto
8-K
001-35805
10.1
12/8/2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.17+
Executive Officer Severance Pay Policy, as amended through November 1, 2007  
8-K*
333-122770*
99.1*
11/2/2007*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.18+
Boise Cascade Company Supplemental Pension Plan, as amended through July 31, 2013
S-4
333-191191
10.17
9/16/2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.19+
Boise Cascade Company Supplemental Early Retirement Plan for Executive Officers, as amended through July 31, 2013
S-4
333-191191
10.18
9/16/2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.20+
Boise Cascade Company Supplemental Life Plan, as amended through July 31, 2013
S-4
333-191191
10.19
9/16/2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.21+
Boise Cascade Company Financial Counseling Program, as amended through December 12, 2007
8-K*
333-122770*
99.4*
12/18/2007*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.22+
Boise Cascade Company Incentive and Performance Plan, as amended through July 31, 2013
S-4
333-191191
10.21
9/16/2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.23+
Boise Cascade Company 2004 Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended through October 30, 2013
10-Q
001-35805
10.2
11/14/2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.24+
Boise Cascade Company Directors Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended through October 30, 2013
10-Q
001-35805
10.1
11/14/2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.25+
Form of Indemnification Agreement
8-K
001-35805
10.4
2/13/2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.26+
Boise Cascade Company 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan
8-K
001-35805
10.5
2/13/2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.27+
Form of 2016 Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Boise Cascade Company 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan
10-Q
001-35805
10.3
5/3/2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

99


10.28+
Form of 2016 Performance Stock Unit Agreement under the Boise Cascade Company 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan
10-Q
001-35805
10.4
5/3/2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.29+
Form of 2016 Performance Stock Unit Transition Agreement under the Boise Cascade Company 2013 Incentive Compensation Plan
10-Q
001-35805
10.5
5/3/2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.30+
2016 Boise Cascade Omnibus Incentive Plan
10-Q
001-35805
10.1
7/28/2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.31+
Form of Severance Agreement between Boise Cascade Company and executive officers
8-K
001-35805
10.1
8/30/2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12.1
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
21.1
List of Subsidiaries of Boise Cascade Company
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
23.1
Consent of KPMG LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31.1
CEO Certification pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31.2
CFO Certification pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32.1
CEO Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32.2
CFO Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

*
Refers to filings of Boise Cascade Holdings, L.L.C.

100



**
Exhibits and schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K and will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

Refiled to include portions that were previously omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment request filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that has expired.

+
Indicates exhibits that constitute management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.


101