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EX-99.1 - EXHIBIT 99.1 - PLEXUS CORPplxs-2017x10qxq3xex991.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - PLEXUS CORPplxs-2017x10qxq3xex322.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - PLEXUS CORPplxs-2017x10qxq3xex321.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - PLEXUS CORPplxs-2017x10qxq3xex312.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - PLEXUS CORPplxs-2017x10qxq3xex311.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
FORM 10-Q
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ý
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended July 1, 2017
OR
 
¨
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Commission File Number 001-14423
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
plexuslogoa03.jpg
PLEXUS CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Wisconsin
 
39-1344447
(State of Incorporation)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
One Plexus Way
Neenah, Wisconsin 54957
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
Telephone Number (920) 969-6000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including Area Code) 

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  ý    No  ¨
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  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ý
Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨
Smaller reporting company ¨
Emerging growth company ¨
 
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  ý
As of August 1, 2017, there were 33,600,857 shares of Common Stock of the Company outstanding.




PLEXUS CORP.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
July 1, 2017
 
 
 

2


PART I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PLEXUS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)
Unaudited
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 1,
2017
 
July 2,
2016
 
July 1,
2017
 
July 2,
2016
Net sales
$
618,832

 
$
667,616

 
$
1,858,200

 
$
1,902,940

Cost of sales
557,647

 
605,118

 
1,668,859

 
1,737,111

Gross profit
61,185

 
62,498

 
189,341

 
165,829

Selling and administrative expenses
31,716

 
29,775

 
93,398

 
84,812

Restructuring and other charges

 
1,805

 

 
5,229

Operating income
29,469

 
30,918

 
95,943

 
75,788

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(3,294
)
 
(3,637
)
 
(9,830
)
 
(10,845
)
Interest income
1,299

 
1,134

 
3,555

 
3,081

Miscellaneous
(103
)
 
297

 
1,147

 
(2,451
)
Income before income taxes
27,371

 
28,712

 
90,815

 
65,573

Income tax expense
1,792

 
2,613

 
7,762

 
8,239

Net income
$
25,579

 
$
26,099

 
$
83,053

 
$
57,334

Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.76

 
$
0.78

 
$
2.47

 
$
1.72

Diluted
$
0.74

 
$
0.76

 
$
2.40

 
$
1.68

Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
33,669

 
33,402

 
33,636

 
33,379

Diluted
34,568

 
34,174

 
34,585

 
34,043

Comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
25,579

 
$
26,099

 
$
83,053

 
$
57,334

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative instrument fair value adjustments
2,991

 
(1,329
)
 
747

 
12,458

Foreign currency translation adjustments
6,367

 
(7,570
)
 
(2,379
)
 
(13,154
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
9,358

 
(8,899
)
 
(1,632
)
 
(696
)
Total comprehensive income
$
34,937

 
$
17,200

 
$
81,421

 
$
56,638



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


3


PLEXUS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share data)
Unaudited
 
 
July 1,
2017
 
October 1,
2016
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
519,172

 
$
432,964

Restricted cash
787

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $1,801 and $2,368, respectively
318,168

 
416,888

Inventories
653,101

 
564,131

Prepaid expenses and other
29,581

 
19,364

Total current assets
1,520,809

 
1,433,347

Property, plant and equipment, net
305,763

 
291,225

Deferred income taxes
4,786

 
4,834

Other
37,274

 
36,413

Total non-current assets
347,823

 
332,472

     Total assets
$
1,868,632

 
$
1,765,819

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
$
267,297

 
$
78,507

Accounts payable
394,220

 
397,200

Customer deposits
81,326

 
84,637

Accrued salaries and wages
46,844

 
41,806

Other accrued liabilities
45,449

 
48,286

Total current liabilities
835,136

 
650,436

Long-term debt, capital lease obligations and other financing, net of current portion
26,138

 
184,002

Other liabilities
16,052

 
14,584

Total non-current liabilities
42,190

 
198,586

     Total liabilities
877,326

 
849,022

Commitments and contingencies

 

Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding

 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 200,000 shares authorized, 51,856 and 51,272 shares issued, respectively, and 33,583 and 33,457 shares outstanding, respectively
519

 
513

Additional paid-in capital
547,586

 
530,647

Common stock held in treasury, at cost, 18,273 and 17,815 shares, respectively
(563,824
)
 
(539,968
)
Retained earnings
1,020,196

 
937,144

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(13,171
)
 
(11,539
)
Total shareholders’ equity
991,306

 
916,797

    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
1,868,632

 
$
1,765,819



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


4


PLEXUS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Unaudited
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 1,
2017
 
July 2,
2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
83,053

 
$
57,334

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation
33,785

 
35,789

Amortization of deferred financing fees
233

 
243

(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment
(24
)
 
267

Deferred income taxes
86

 
142

Share-based compensation expense
12,485

 
10,599

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
98,404

 
4,985

Inventories
(87,824
)
 
(11,340
)
Other current and noncurrent assets
(10,731
)
 
(476
)
Accounts payable
(6,414
)
 
18,173

Customer deposits
(3,370
)
 
7,016

Other current and noncurrent liabilities
2,240

 
(120
)
Cash flows provided by operating activities
121,923

 
122,612

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Payments for property, plant and equipment
(24,443
)
 
(23,776
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
436

 
48

Cash flows used in investing activities
(24,007
)
 
(23,728
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Borrowings under credit facility and other short-term borrowings
166,087

 
453,000

Payments on debt and capital lease obligations
(156,877
)
 
(457,088
)
Debt issuance costs

 
(70
)
Repurchases of common stock
(23,856
)
 
(22,914
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
10,601

 
11,162

Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation
(6,141
)
 
(2,582
)
Cash flows used in financing activities
(10,186
)
 
(18,492
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(735
)
 
(3,819
)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
86,995

 
76,573

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash:
 
 
 
Beginning of period
432,964

 
357,106

End of period
$
519,959

 
$
433,679



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


5


PLEXUS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY 1, 2017 AND JULY 2, 2016
Unaudited
1.    Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein have been prepared by Plexus Corp. and its subsidiaries (together “Plexus” or the “Company”) without audit and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States (“U.S.”) Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments, which include normal recurring adjustments necessary for the fair statement of the consolidated financial position of the Company as of July 1, 2017 and October 1, 2016, and the results of operations for the three and nine months ended July 1, 2017 and July 2, 2016, and the cash flows for the same nine month periods.
The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to September 30. The Company uses a “4-4-5” weekly accounting system for the interim periods in each quarter. Each quarter, therefore, ends on a Saturday at the end of the 4-4-5 period. Periodically, an additional week must be added to the fiscal year to re-align with the Saturday closest to September 30. All fiscal quarters presented herein included 13 weeks.
Certain information and footnote disclosures, normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the SEC’s rules and regulations dealing with interim financial statements. However, the Company believes that the disclosures made in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. It is suggested that these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company’s reportable segments consist of the “Americas” (“AMER”), “Asia-Pacific” (“APAC”) and “Europe, Middle East, and Africa” (“EMEA”) segments. Refer to Note 9, "Reportable Segments," for further details on reportable segments.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
Cash and cash equivalents include short-term, highly liquid investments and are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy described below. Restricted cash represents cash received from customers to settle invoices sold under master accounts receivable purchase agreements and is therefore contractually required to be set aside. The restrictions will lapse when the cash is remitted to the purchaser. This is also classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy described below.
Noncash Transactions
In March 2017, the Company changed the trustee of its supplemental executive retirement plan. The change resulted in a settlement and re-investment of $10.3 million, with no actual cash received or distributed by the Company.
During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company capitalized certain leased property, plant and equipment related to the relocation of its Neenah Design Center to a new facility located near the Company's Global Headquarters. This resulted in a non-cash transaction of approximately $15.7 million, as discussed in Note 3, "Debt, Capital Lease Obligations and Other Financing."
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company holds financial instruments consisting of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, certain deferred compensation assets held under trust arrangements, accounts payable, debt, derivatives, and capital lease obligations. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and capital lease obligations as reported in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements approximate fair value. Derivatives and certain deferred compensation assets held under trust arrangements are recorded at fair value. Accounts receivable are reflected at net realizable value based on anticipated losses due to potentially uncollectible balances. Anticipated losses are based on management’s analysis of historical losses and changes in customers’ credit status. The fair value of the Company's debt was $263.4 million and $251.4 million as of July 1, 2017 and October 1, 2016, respectively. The carrying value of the Company's debt was $263.0 million and $250.0 million as of July 1, 2017 and October 1, 2016, respectively. The Company uses quoted market prices when available or discounted cash flows to calculate the fair value of its debt. If measured at fair value in the

6


financial statements, the Company's debt would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy described below. Refer to Note 4, "Derivatives and Fair Value Measurements," for further details on derivatives.
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (or exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value. The input levels are:
Level 1: Quoted (observable) market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the asset or liability.
2.    Inventories
Inventories as of July 1, 2017 and October 1, 2016 consisted of (in thousands): 
 
July 1,
2017
 
October 1,
2016
Raw materials
$
479,634

 
$
414,303

Work-in-process
74,163

 
69,423

Finished goods
99,304

 
80,405

Total inventories
$
653,101

 
$
564,131

Customer deposits are received by the Company for various reasons, including to offset certain obsolete and excess inventory risks. The total amount of customer deposits related to inventory and included within current liabilities on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 1, 2017 and October 1, 2016 was $78.4 million and $74.6 million, respectively.
3.    Debt, Capital Lease Obligations and Other Financing
Debt, capital lease and other obligations as of July 1, 2017 and October 1, 2016, consisted of the following (in thousands):
 
July 1,
2017
 
October 1,
2016
Borrowing under the credit facility
$
88,000

 
$
75,000

5.20% senior notes, due June 15, 2018
175,000

 
175,000

Capital lease, non-cash financing of leased facility and other obligations
31,307

 
13,614

Unamortized deferred financing fees
(872
)
 
(1,105
)
Total obligations
293,435

 
262,509

Less: current portion
(267,297
)
 
(78,507
)
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations, net of current portion
$
26,138

 
$
184,002

The Company has a senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with a $300.0 million maximum commitment that expires on July 5, 2021.  The Credit Facility may be further increased to $500.0 million, generally by mutual agreement of the Company and the lenders, subject to certain customary conditions. During the nine months ended July 1, 2017, the highest daily borrowing was $142.0 million and the average daily borrowing was $99.4 million. The Company borrowed $166.0 million and repaid $153.0 million of revolving borrowings under the Credit Facility during the nine months ended July 1, 2017.
The financial covenants (as defined under the related Credit Agreement) require that the Company maintain, as of each fiscal quarter end, a maximum total leverage ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio. As of July 1, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants of the Credit Agreement. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest, at the

7


Company’s option, at a eurocurrency or base rate plus, in each case, an applicable interest rate margin based on the Company’s then-current leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). As of July 1, 2017, the weighted average interest rate under the Credit Agreement was LIBOR plus 1.125% (or 2.221%). The Company is required to pay an annual commitment fee based on the daily unused revolver credit commitment based on the Company's leverage ratio; the fee was 0.175% as of July 1, 2017.
The Company also has outstanding 5.20% senior notes, due on June 15, 2018 (the “Notes”). As of July 1, 2017 and October 1, 2016, $175.0 million of Notes was outstanding, and the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants relating to the Notes, which are generally consistent with those in the Credit Agreement discussed above. During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, the Notes were moved to the current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets since their scheduled maturity was less than 12 months from July 1, 2017.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company capitalized certain leased property, plant and equipment related to the relocation of its Neenah Design Center to a new facility located near the Company's Global Headquarters. This resulted in a non-cash transaction of approximately $15.7 million and is reflected in the current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations, as well as in long-term debt, capital lease obligations and other financing, net of current portion, on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 1, 2017.
4.    Derivatives and Fair Value Measurements
All derivatives are recognized in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at their estimated fair value. The Company uses derivatives to manage the variability of foreign currency obligations. The Company has cash flow hedges related to variable rate debt and forecasted foreign currency obligations, in addition to non-designated hedges to manage foreign currency exposures associated with certain foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities. The Company does not enter into derivatives for speculative purposes.
ASC Topic 815-10, “Derivatives and Hedging,” requires companies to recognize all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the statement of financial position. In accordance with ASC Topic 815-10, the Company designates some foreign currency exchange contracts as cash flow hedges of forecasted foreign currency expenses.
Changes in the fair value of the derivatives that qualify as cash flow hedges are recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets until earnings are affected by the variability of the cash flows. In the next 12 months, the Company estimates that $0.3 million of unrealized gains, net of tax, related to cash flow hedges will be reclassified from other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings. Changes in the fair value of the non-designated derivatives related to recognized foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities are recorded in "Miscellaneous income (expense)" in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
The Company enters into forward currency exchange contracts for its Malaysian operations on a rolling basis. The Company had cash flow hedges outstanding with a notional value of $67.0 million as of July 1, 2017 and $73.7 million as of October 1, 2016. These forward currency contracts fix the exchange rates for the settlement of future foreign currency obligations that have yet to be realized. The total fair value of the cash flow hedges was a $0.3 million asset as of July 1, 2017 and a $0.5 million liability as of October 1, 2016.

The Company had additional forward currency exchange contracts outstanding with a notional value of $124.5 million as of July 1, 2017 and $109.6 million as of October 1, 2016. The Company did not designate these derivative instruments as hedging instruments. In accordance with ASC Topic 815-10, the net settlement amount (fair value) related to these contracts is recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as either a current or long-term asset or liability, depending on the term, and as an element of "Miscellaneous income (expense)." The total fair value of these derivatives was a net $0.1 million asset as of both July 1, 2017 and October 1, 2016.
In 2013, the Company entered into a $75.0 million notional amount interest rate swap contract, which expired on May 5, 2017, related to $75.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility. The interest rate swap paid the Company variable interest at the one month LIBOR rate, and the Company paid the counterparty a fixed interest rate. The fixed interest rate for the contract was 0.875%. The interest rate swap contract qualified as a cash flow hedge and all changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap were recorded in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets until earnings were affected by the variability of cash flows. The total fair value of the interest rate swap contract as of October 1, 2016 was approximately a $0.1 million liability. The notional amount of the Company’s interest rate swap was $75.0 million as of October 1, 2016.

8


The tables below present information regarding the fair values of derivative instruments (as defined in Note 1, "Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies") and the effects of derivative instruments on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements: 
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
(in thousands of dollars)
 
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
 
 
 
July 1, 2017
 
October 1, 2016
 
 
 
July 1, 2017
 
October 1, 2016
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Balance Sheet Classification
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet Classification
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
Interest rate swaps
 
Prepaid expenses and other
 
$

 
$

 
Other accrued liabilities
 
$

 
$
132

Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Prepaid expenses and other
 
$
296

 
$

 
Other accrued liabilities
 
$

 
$
486

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
(in thousands of dollars)
 
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
 
 
 
July 1, 2017
 
October 1, 2016
 
 
 
July 1, 2017
 
October 1, 2016
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Balance Sheet Classification
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet Classification
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Prepaid expenses and other
 
$
1,732

 
$
182

 
Other accrued liabilities
 
$
1,583

 
$
130

Derivative Impact on Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
for the Three Months Ended
(in thousands of dollars)
 
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Loss (“OCL”) on Derivatives (Effective Portion)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
 
July 1, 2017
 
July 2, 2016
Interest rate swaps
 
$
(11
)
 
$
(100
)
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
$
1,921

 
$
(1,160
)
 
Derivative Impact on Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
for the Three Months Ended
(in thousands of dollars)
 
 
 
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCL into Income (Effective Portion)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
 
Classification of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCL into Income (Effective Portion)
 
July 1, 2017
 
July 2, 2016
Interest rate swaps
 
Interest expense
 
$
(7
)
 
$
(83
)
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Selling and administrative expenses
 
$
(102
)
 
$
2

Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Cost of sales
 
$
(968
)
 
$
73

Treasury rate locks
 
Interest expense
 
$
80

 
$
77

Interest rate swaps
 
Income tax expense
 
$
(84
)
 
$

 
 
 
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized on Derivatives in Income
 
July 1, 2017
 
July 2, 2016
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Miscellaneous income (expense)
 
$
(286
)
 
$
94


9


Derivative Impact on Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
for the Nine Months Ended
(in thousands of dollars)
 
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCL on Derivatives (Effective Portion)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
 
July 1, 2017
 
July 2, 2016
Interest rate swaps
 
$
(10
)
 
$
(70
)
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
$
(2,122
)
 
$
7,209

 
Derivative Impact on Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
for the Nine Months Ended
(in thousands of dollars)
 
 
 
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCL into Income (Effective Portion)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships
 
Classification of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCL into Income (Effective Portion)
 
July 1, 2017
 
July 2, 2016
Interest rate swaps
 
Interest expense
 
$
(142
)
 
$
(304
)
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Selling and administrative expenses
 
$
(274
)
 
$
(510
)
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Cost of sales
 
$
(2,630
)
 
$
(4,744
)
Treasury rate locks
 
Interest expense
 
$
251

 
$
239

Interest rate swaps
 
Income tax expense
 
$
(84
)
 
$

 
 
 
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized on Derivatives in Income
 
July 1, 2017
 
July 2, 2016
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
Miscellaneous income (expense)
 
$
1,575

 
$
(74
)
There were no gains or losses recognized in income for derivatives related to ineffective portions or amounts excluded from effectiveness testing for the three or nine months ended July 1, 2017 and July 2, 2016.
The following table lists the fair values of assets (liabilities) of the Company’s derivatives as of July 1, 2017 and October 1, 2016, by input level, as defined in Note 1, "Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies":
Fair Value Measurements Using Input Levels Liability
(in thousands of dollars)
July 1, 2017
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
$

 
$
445

 
$

 
$
445

October 1, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$

 
$
(132
)
 
$

 
$
(132
)
Foreign currency forward contracts
 
$

 
$
(434
)
 
$

 
$
(434
)
The fair value of interest rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts is determined using a market approach, which includes obtaining directly or indirectly observable values from third parties active in the relevant markets. The primary input in the fair value of the interest rate swaps is the relevant LIBOR forward curve. Inputs in the fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts include prevailing forward and spot prices for currency and interest rate forward curves.
5.    Income Taxes
Income tax expense for the three and nine months ended July 1, 2017 was $1.8 million and $7.8 million, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended July 1, 2017 were 6.5% and 8.5%, respectively, compared to the effective tax rates of 9.1% and 12.6% for the three and nine months ended July 2, 2016, respectively.
The effective tax rate for both the three and nine months ended July 1, 2017 decreased from the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended July 2, 2016, primarily due to an increase in pre-tax earnings in lower tax-rate jurisdictions and a

10


$1.5 million benefit related to incremental deductible expenses in the APAC segment. The Company’s effective tax rate will fluctuate with the geographic distribution of its worldwide earnings, changes in tax laws, disputes with taxing authorities, tax planning activities, adjustments to uncertain tax positions and changes in valuation allowances.
There were no material additions to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits recorded for uncertain tax positions as of July 1, 2017, as compared to October 1, 2016. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. The amount of interest and penalties recorded for the three and nine months ended July 1, 2017 was not material.
It is possible that one or more uncertain tax positions may be settled within the next 12 months. Settlement of these matters is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The Company is not currently under examination by taxing authorities in the U.S. or any foreign jurisdictions in which the Company operates.
The Company maintains valuation allowances when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a net deferred tax asset will not be realized. During fiscal 2017, the Company continued to record a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets in certain jurisdictions within the AMER and EMEA segments, as it was more likely than not that these assets would not be fully realized based primarily on historical performance. The Company will continue to provide a valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets in each of the applicable jurisdictions going forward until it determines it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized.
6.    Earnings Per Share
The following is a reconciliation of the amounts utilized in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended July 1, 2017 and July 2, 2016 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 1,
2017
 
July 2,
2016
 
July 1,
2017
 
July 2,
2016
Net income
$
25,579

 
$
26,099

 
$
83,053

 
$
57,334

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding
33,669

 
33,402

 
33,636

 
33,379

Dilutive effect of share-based awards outstanding
899

 
772

 
949

 
664

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
34,568

 
34,174

 
34,585

 
34,043

Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.76

 
$
0.78

 
$
2.47

 
$
1.72

Diluted
$
0.74

 
$
0.76

 
$
2.40

 
$
1.68

For the three and nine months ended July 1, 2017, share-based awards for approximately 0.1 million shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.
For the three and nine months July 2, 2016 share-based awards for approximately 0.5 million and 0.7 million shares, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.
7.    Share-Based Compensation
The Company recognized $4.5 million and $12.5 million of compensation expense associated with share-based awards for the three and nine months ended July 1, 2017, respectively, and $3.6 million and $10.6 million for the three and nine months ended July 2, 2016, respectively.
The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model to determine the fair value of stock options and stock-settled stock appreciation rights ("SARs"). The Company uses its stock price on grant date as the fair value assigned to restricted stock units ("RSUs").
Performance stock units ("PSUs") are payable in shares of the Company's common stock. Beginning for fiscal 2017 grants, PSUs vest based on the relative total shareholder return ("TSR") of the Company's common stock as compared to the companies in the Russell 3000 index, a market condition, and the Company's economic return performance during the three year performance period, a performance condition. The Company uses the Monte Carlo valuation model to determine the fair value of PSUs at the date of grant for PSUs that vest based on the relative TSR of the Company's common stock. The Company uses its stock price on grant date as the fair value assigned to PSUs that vest based on the Company's economic

11


return performance. The PSUs granted in fiscal 2016 and prior years vest based solely on the relative TSR of the Company's common stock as compared to companies in the Russell 3000 Index during a three year performance period. The number of shares that may be issued pursuant to PSUs ranges from zero to 0.4 million and is dependent upon the Company's TSR and economic return performance over the applicable performance periods.
The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense over the share-based awards' vesting period.
8.    Litigation
The Company is party to lawsuits in the ordinary course of business. Management does not believe that these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material positive or adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
9.    Reportable Segments
Reportable segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or group, in assessing performance and allocating resources. The Company uses an internal management reporting system, which provides important financial data to evaluate performance and allocate the Company’s resources on a regional basis. Net sales for segments are attributed to the region in which the product is manufactured or the service is performed. The services provided, manufacturing processes used, class of customers serviced and order fulfillment processes used are similar and generally interchangeable across the segments. A segment’s performance is evaluated based upon its operating income (loss). A segment’s operating income (loss) includes its net sales less cost of sales and selling and administrative expenses, but excludes corporate and other expenses. Corporate and other expenses primarily represent corporate selling and administrative expenses, and restructuring and other charges, if any. These costs are not allocated to the segments, as management excludes such costs when assessing the performance of the segments. Inter-segment transactions are generally recorded at amounts that approximate arm’s length transactions. The accounting policies for the segments are the same as for the Company taken as a whole.
Information about the Company’s three reportable segments for the three and nine months ended July 1, 2017 and July 2, 2016, respectively, is as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 1,
2017
 
July 2,
2016
 
July 1,
2017
 
July 2,
2016
Net sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AMER
$
265,173

 
$
359,412

 
$
851,888

 
$
994,750

APAC
325,986

 
292,644

 
945,713

 
862,535

EMEA
53,126

 
41,041

 
137,550

 
126,830

Elimination of inter-segment sales
(25,453
)
 
(25,481
)
 
(76,951
)
 
(81,175
)
 
$
618,832

 
$
667,616

 
$
1,858,200

 
$
1,902,940

Operating income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AMER
$
7,392

 
$
22,099

 
$
30,418

 
$
45,937

APAC
49,811

 
38,283

 
148,535

 
110,097

EMEA
(768
)
 
(1,572
)
 
(4,224
)
 
(2,997
)
Corporate and other costs
(26,966
)
 
(27,892
)
 
(78,786
)
 
(77,249
)
 
$
29,469

 
$
30,918

 
$
95,943

 
$
75,788

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
$
(3,294
)
 
$
(3,637
)
 
$
(9,830
)
 
$
(10,845
)
Interest income
1,299

 
1,134

 
3,555

 
3,081

Miscellaneous
(103
)
 
297

 
1,147

 
(2,451
)
Income before income taxes
$
27,371

 
$
28,712

 
$
90,815

 
$
65,573


12


 
July 1,
2017
 
October 1,
2016
Total assets:
 
 
 
AMER
$
534,870

 
$
590,850

APAC
1,116,617

 
1,009,917

EMEA
156,227

 
136,636

Corporate and eliminations
60,918

 
28,416

 
$
1,868,632

 
$
1,765,819

10.    Guarantees
The Company offers certain indemnifications under its customer manufacturing agreements. In the normal course of business, the Company may from time to time be obligated to indemnify its customers or its customers’ customers against damages or liabilities arising out of the Company’s negligence, misconduct, breach of contract, or infringement of third party intellectual property rights. Certain agreements have extended broader indemnification, and while most agreements have contractual limits, some do not. However, the Company generally does not provide for such indemnities and seeks indemnification from its customers for damages or liabilities arising out of the Company’s adherence to customers’ specifications or designs or use of materials furnished, or directed to be used, by its customers. The Company does not believe its obligations under such indemnities are material.
In the normal course of business, the Company also provides its customers a limited warranty covering workmanship, and in some cases materials, on products manufactured by the Company. Such warranty generally provides that products will be free from defects in the Company’s workmanship and meet mutually agreed-upon specifications for periods generally ranging from 12 months to 24 months. If a product fails to comply with the Company’s limited warranty, the Company’s obligation is generally limited to correcting, at its expense, any defect by repairing or replacing such defective product. The Company’s warranty generally excludes defects resulting from faulty customer-supplied components, customer design defects or damage caused by any party or cause other than the Company.
The Company provides for an estimate of costs that may be incurred under its limited warranty at the time product revenue is recognized and establishes additional reserves for specifically identified product issues. These costs primarily include labor and materials, as necessary, associated with repair or replacement and are included in the Company's accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in "Other accrued liabilities." The primary factors that affect the Company’s warranty liability include the value and the number of shipped units and historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims. As these factors are impacted by actual experience and future expectations, the Company regularly assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liabilities and adjusts the amounts as necessary.
Below is a table summarizing the activity related to the Company’s limited warranty liability for fiscal 2016 and the nine months ended July 1, 2017 (in thousands): 
Limited warranty liability, as of October 3, 2015
$
5,847

Accruals for warranties issued during the period
1,777

Settlements (in cash or in kind) during the period
(1,515
)
Limited warranty liability, as of October 1, 2016
6,109

Accruals for warranties issued during the period
890

Settlements (in cash or in kind) during the period
(2,074
)
Limited warranty liability, as of July 1, 2017
$
4,925

11.    Shareholders' Equity
On June 6, 2016, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $150.0 million of its common stock beginning in fiscal 2017.  During the three months ended July 1, 2017, the Company repurchased 189,891 shares for approximately $10.0 million, at an average price of $52.40 per share. During the nine months ended July 1, 2017, the Company repurchased 457,702 shares for approximately $23.9 million at an average price of $52.12 per share.

13


On August 20, 2015, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program under which the Company was authorized to repurchase up to $30.0 million of its common stock during fiscal 2016. During the three months ended July 2, 2016, the Company repurchased 170,355 shares for approximately $7.2 million, at an average price of $42.13 per share. During the nine months ended July 2, 2016, the Company repurchased 606,236 shares for approximately $22.9 million at an average price of $37.80 per share. The Company completed this stock repurchase program by the end of fiscal 2016.
All shares repurchased under the aforementioned programs were recorded as treasury stock.
12.    Trade Accounts Receivable Sale Programs
The Company has a Master Accounts Receivable Purchase Agreement (the “BTMU RPA”) with The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch (the “BTMU Purchaser”), which was amended on March 28, 2017, to, among other changes, increase the maximum facility amount from $100.0 million to $120.0 million. Pursuant to the BTMU RPA, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (each, a “Seller”) may sell to the BTMU Purchaser up to an aggregate of $120.0 million in accounts receivable owed to such Sellers by specified customers. In exchange, the BTMU Purchaser pays a purchase price for each purchased receivable equal to the net face value of the receivable less an agreed-upon discount. The BTMU RPA represents a non-committed facility. The BTMU Purchaser pays an agreed-upon servicing fee to each Seller with respect to each purchased receivable sold by such Seller, consistent with common market practices. The BTMU RPA contains representations, warranties, covenants, and termination events that are customary for factoring transactions of this type. The BTMU RPA is subject to expiration on October 3, 2017, but will be automatically extended each year unless any party gives no less than 10 days prior notice that the agreement should not be extended.
On March 17, 2017, the Company entered into a Master Accounts Receivable Purchase Agreement (the "HSBC RPA") with HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited, Xiamen branch (the “HSBC Purchaser”). Pursuant to the HSBC RPA, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (each, a “Seller”) may sell to the HSBC Purchaser up to an aggregate of $40.0 million (increased from $30.0 million) in accounts receivable owed to such Sellers by specified customers. The terms of the HSBC RPA are generally consistent with the terms of the BTMU RPA discussed above.
The Company sold receivables under a former trade accounts receivable sale program that expired during the first fiscal quarter of 2017.
Transfers of receivables under the programs are accounted for as sales and, accordingly, receivables sold under the programs are excluded from accounts receivable on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and are reflected as cash provided by operating activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Proceeds from the transfer reflect the face value of the receivables less a discount. The sale discount is recorded within "Miscellaneous expense" in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income in the period of the sale.
The Company sold $115.3 million and $12.7 million of trade accounts receivable under these programs during the three months ended July 1, 2017 and July 2, 2016, respectively, and in exchange, received cash proceeds of $114.6 million and $12.6 million, respectively.
The Company sold $284.6 million and $54.2 million of trade accounts receivable under these programs during the nine months ended July 1, 2017 and July 2, 2016, respectively, and in exchange, received cash proceeds of $283.1 million and $53.7 million, respectively.
13.    Restructuring and Other Charges
The Company incurred no restructuring and other charges during the three months ended July 1, 2017. For the three months ended July 2, 2016, the Company incurred restructuring and other charges of $1.8 million, which consisted of $1.6 million of employee termination and severance costs and $0.2 million of other exit costs.
The restructuring and other charges for the three months ended July 2, 2016, were incurred primarily in the AMER segment and related largely to the Company's closure of its manufacturing facility in Fremont, California as a result of the Company’s optimization of its capacity to better reflect customer demand. The Company also recorded restructuring and other charges in the EMEA segment related to the partial closure of its Livingston, Scotland facility to align with reduced end-market demand, particularly in the oil and gas industry. These charges are recorded within "Restructuring and other charges" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Restructuring liabilities are recorded within "Other accrued liabilities" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.


14


The Company incurred no restructuring and other charges during the nine months ended July 1, 2017, For the nine months ended July 2, 2016, the Company incurred restructuring costs of $5.2 million, which consisted of $4.7 million of employee termination and severance costs, primarily related to the Company's workforce in Fremont and Livingston, and $0.5 million of other exit costs.
In the three and nine months ended July 1, 2017 and July 2, 2016, the Company did not recognize an income tax benefit for these restructuring and other charges due to tax losses in the jurisdictions where the restructuring and other charges occurred.
The Company's restructuring accrual activity for fiscal 2016 and the nine months ended July 1, 2017 follows (in thousands):
 
Employee Termination and Severance Costs
 
Other Exit Costs
 
Total
Accrued balance, October 3, 2015
$

 
$

 
$

Restructuring and other charges
5,255

 
1,779

 
7,034

Amounts utilized
(4,571
)
 
(1,621
)
 
(6,192
)
Accrued balance, October 1, 2016
$
684

 
$
158

 
$
842

Restructuring and other charges

 
2

 
2

Amounts utilized
(678
)
 
(113
)
 
(791
)
Accrued balance, July 1, 2017
$
6

 
$
47

 
$
53

The restructuring accrual balance is expected to be utilized by the end of fiscal 2017.
14.    New Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued amendments to its guidance to address the classifications and presentation of changes in restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted this guidance retrospectively during the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and, as a result, the Company included restricted cash within the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; such amounts were not material. The retrospective adoption did not impact the prior period Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows since there was no restricted cash during any of the prior periods presented. Amounts included in restricted cash represent cash received from customers to settle invoices sold under the trade accounts receivable sale programs and is therefore contractually required to be set aside. The restrictions will lapse when the cash is remitted to the purchaser.
In October 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard intended to improve the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. The new standard eliminates the exception for an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory and requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences when the transfer occurs. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019 and early adoption is permitted. This guidance should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company is currently assessing the impact this new standard may have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
In August 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments, which clarifies how entities should classify certain cash receipts and cash payments on the statement of cash flows. The new standard addresses certain issues where diversity in practice was identified. It also amends existing guidance, which is principles based and often requires judgment to determine the appropriate classification of cash flows as operating, investing or financing activities and clarifies how the predominance principle should be applied when cash receipts and cash payments have aspects of more than one class of cash flows. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019, and will generally require retrospective adoption. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact this new standard may have on its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance that changes the accounting for certain aspects of share-based payments to employees. The guidance requires the recognition of the income tax effects of awards in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled, thus eliminating additional paid-in capital pools. The guidance also allows for the employer to repurchase more of an employee’s shares for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting. In addition, the guidance allows for a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur rather than on an estimated basis. The Company adopted this guidance prospectively during the first fiscal quarter of 2017. As such, beginning in the first fiscal quarter of 2017, the Company recognizes all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as income tax benefit or expense as a discrete item. An income tax benefit of approximately $4.9 million was recognized upon adoption, and for the three and nine months ended

15


July 1, 2017, benefits of $0.2 million and $2.0 million, respectively, were also recognized. Due to the Company having a valuation allowance in the jurisdictions in which the income tax benefit was recorded, the income tax benefit was directly offset by an increase to the Company's valuation allowance resulting in no financial statement impact. The adoption did not have any other material impacts and will not materially impact the Company's future financial statements as long as the Company remains in a valuation allowance in the jurisdictions in which share-based compensation awards and options vest and are exercised, respectively.
In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance that primarily requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets but record expenses on their income statements in a manner similar to current accounting. For lessors, the guidance modifies the classification criteria and the accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently in the process of assessing the impact of the adoption of the new standard on its Consolidated Financial Statements and the timing of adoption.
In May 2014, the FASB issued new guidance which requires an entity to recognize revenue relating to contracts with customers that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount reflecting the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for such goods or services. The guidance also requires disclosures enabling users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers and is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019. The Company has determined that the new standard will result in a change to the timing of revenue recognition for a significant portion of the Company's revenue stream, whereby revenue will be recognized "over time" as opposed to at a "point in time" upon physical delivery. The new standard could have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements upon initial adoption, primarily as the Company recognizes an increase in contract assets for unbilled receivables with a corresponding reduction in finished goods and work-in-process inventory. The Company has commenced implementation in accordance with the planned effective date. The new guidance allows for two transition methods in application - (i) retrospective to each prior reporting period presented, or (ii) prospective with the cumulative effect of adoption recognized on September 30, 2018, the first day of the Company's fiscal year 2019. The Company has not yet selected its transition method.

16


ITEM 2.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
“SAFE HARBOR” CAUTIONARY STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995:
The statements contained in this Form 10-Q that are guidance or which are not historical facts (such as statements in the future tense and statements including believe, expect, intend, plan, anticipate, goal, target and similar terms and concepts), including all discussions of periods which are not yet completed, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the risk of customer delays, changes, cancellations or forecast inaccuracies in both ongoing and new programs; the lack of visibility of future orders, particularly in view of changing economic conditions; the economic performance of the industries, sectors and customers we serve; the effects of the volume of revenue from certain sectors or programs on our margins in particular periods; our ability to secure new customers, maintain our current customer base and deliver product on a timely basis; the particular risks relative to new or recent customers, programs or services, which risks include customer and other delays, start-up costs, potential inability to execute, the establishment of appropriate terms of agreements, and the lack of a track record of order volume and timing; the risks of concentration of work for certain customers; the effect of start-up costs of new programs and facilities; possible unexpected costs and operating disruption in transitioning programs, including as a result of a facility closure; the risk that new program wins and/or customer demand may not result in the expected revenue or profitability; the fact that customer orders may not lead to long-term relationships; our ability to manage successfully and execute a complex business model characterized by high product mix, low volumes and demanding quality, regulatory, and other requirements; the ability to realize anticipated savings from restructuring or similar actions, as well as the adequacy of related charges as compared to actual expenses; increasing regulatory and compliance requirements; the potential effects of regional results on our taxes and ability to use deferred tax assets and net operating losses; risks related to information technology systems and data security; the effects of shortages and delays in obtaining components as a result of economic cycles or natural disasters; the risks associated with excess and obsolete inventory, including the risk that inventory purchased on behalf of our customers may not be consumed or otherwise paid for by the customer, resulting in an inventory write-off; the weakness of areas of the global economy; the effect of changes in the pricing and margins of products; raw materials and component cost fluctuations; the potential effect of fluctuations in the value of the currencies in which we transact business; the effects of changes in economic conditions, political conditions, trade protection measures, and tax matters in the United States and in the other countries in which we do business (including as a result of the United Kingdom's pending exit from the European Union); the potential effect of other world or local events or other events outside our control (such as changes in energy prices, terrorism and weather events); the impact of increased competition; changes in financial accounting standards; and other risks detailed in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings (particularly in "Risk Factors" in our fiscal 2016 Form 10-K).
*    *    *

OVERVIEW
Plexus Corp. and its subsidiaries (together “Plexus,” the “Company,” or “we”) participate in the Electronic Manufacturing Services (“EMS”) industry. We deliver optimized solutions to our customers through our unique Product Realization Value Stream. Our customer-focused solutions model seamlessly integrates innovative product conceptualization, design, commercialization, manufacturing, fulfillment and sustaining solutions. Plexus delivers comprehensive end-to-end solutions for customers in the Americas (“AMER”), Europe, Middle East, and Africa (“EMEA”) and Asia-Pacific (“APAC”) regions.
Plexus is the industry leader in servicing mid-to-low volume, higher complexity customer programs characterized by unique flexibility, technology, quality and regulatory requirements. Plexus provides award-winning customer service to more than 140 branded product companies in the Healthcare/Life Sciences, Industrial/Commercial, Communications and Defense/Security/Aerospace market sectors. The Company's customers have stringent quality, reliability and regulatory requirements, requiring exceptional production and supply chain agility. Their products require complex configuration management, direct order fulfillment (to end customers) and global logistics management and Aftermarket Services. To service the complexities that the Company's customers' products demand, Plexus utilizes its Product Realization Value Stream, addressing its customers' products from concept to end-of-life.
The following information should be read in conjunction with our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein, the “Risk Factors” section in Part I, Item 1A of our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 1, 2016, and our “Safe Harbor” Cautionary Statement included above.

17


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Consolidated Performance Summary. The following table presents selected consolidated financial data (dollars in millions, except per share data):
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
July 1,
2017
 
July 2,
2016
 
July 1,
2017
 
July 2,
2016
Net sales
 
$
618.8

 
$
667.6

 
$
1,858.2

 
$
1,902.9

Cost of sales
 
557.6

 
605.1

 
1,668.9

 
1,737.1

Gross profit
 
61.2

 
62.5

 
189.3

 
165.8

Gross margin
 
9.9
%
 
9.4
%
 
10.2
%
 
8.7
%
Operating income
 
29.5

 
30.9

 
95.9

 
75.8

Operating margin
 
4.8
%
 
4.6
%
 
5.2
%
 
4.0
%
Net income
 
25.6

 
26.1

 
83.1

 
57.3

Diluted earnings per share
 
$
0.74

 
$
0.76

 
$
2.40

 
$
1.68

Return on invested capital*
 
 
 
 
 
16.1
%
 
13.0
%
Economic return*
 
 
 
 
 
5.6
%
 
2.0
%
* Non-GAAP metric; refer to "Return on Invested Capital ("ROIC") and Economic Return" below for more information and Exhibit 99.1 for a reconciliation.
Net sales. For the three months ended July 1, 2017, net sales decreased $48.8 million, or 7.3%, as compared to the three months ended July 2, 2016. For the nine months ended July 1, 2017, net sales decreased $44.7 million, or 2.3%, as compared to the nine months ended July 2, 2016.
Net sales are analyzed by management by geographic segment, which reflects the Company's reportable segments, and by market sector. Management measures operational performance and allocates resources on a geographic segment basis. The Company’s global business development strategy is based on our targeted market sectors.
A discussion of net sales by reportable segment is presented below (in millions): 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 1,
2017
 
July 2,
2016
 
July 1,
2017
 
July 2,
2016
Net sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AMER
$
265.2

 
$
359.4

 
$
851.9

 
$
994.8

APAC
326.0

 
292.6

 
945.7

 
862.5

EMEA
53.1

 
41.0

 
137.6

 
126.8

Elimination of inter-segment sales
(25.5
)
 
(25.4
)
 
(77.0
)
 
(81.2
)
Total net sales
$
618.8

 
$
667.6

 
$
1,858.2

 
$
1,902.9

AMER. Net sales for the three months ended July 1, 2017 decreased $94.2 million, or 26.2%, as compared to the three months ended July 2, 2016. The reduction in net sales was driven by overall decreased customer end-market demand as well as decreases of $7.2 million from customer disengagements, $6.6 million due to a customer's decision to manufacture product internally, $4.7 million due to manufacturing transfers to our APAC segment and $4.4 million that resulted from end-of-life products. Partially offsetting these decreases were net sales increases of $15.4 million from the ramp of new programs for existing customers and $3.8 million from the ramp of production for new customers.
During the nine months ended July 1, 2017 net sales decreased $142.9 million, or 14.4%, as compared to the nine months ended July 2, 2016. The reduction in net sales was driven by overall decreased customer end-market demand as well as decreases of $38.4 million from customer disengagements, $21.5 million due to manufacturing transfers to our APAC and EMEA segments, $21.0 million due to a customer's decision to manufacture product internally, $9.6 million from end-of-life products and $5.8 million that resulted from a program disengagement. Partially offsetting these decreases were net sales increases of $35.9 million from the ramp of new programs for existing customers and $8.6 million from the ramp of production for new customers.
APAC. Net sales for the three months ended July 1, 2017 increased $33.4 million, or 11.4%, as compared to the three months ended July 2, 2016. The increase in net sales was primarily due to a $38.8 million increase due to the ramp of new programs

18


for existing customers, a $4.7 million increase due to manufacturing transfers from our AMER segment and net increased customer end-market demand. These increases were partially offset by decreases of $5.2 million due to the consolidation of a customer's business, $4.9 million due to a program disengagement and $4.9 million from an end-of-life product.
During the nine months ended July 1, 2017 net sales increased $83.2 million, or 9.6%, as compared to the nine months ended July 2, 2016. The increase in net sales was primarily due to a $93.5 million increase due to the ramp of new programs for existing customers, net increased customer end-market demand and $19.4 million due to manufacturing transfers from our AMER segment. These increases were partially offset by decreases of $52.3 million due to a program disengagement, $30.2 million due to the consolidation of a customer's business and $10.5 million that resulted from an end-of-life product.
EMEA. Net sales for the three months ended July 1, 2017 increased $12.1 million, or 29.5%, as compared to the three months ended July 2, 2016. The increase in net sales was primarily attributable to a $9.4 million increase due to the ramp of new programs for existing customers and overall increased customer end-market demand.
During the nine months ended July 1, 2017 net sales increased $10.8 million, or 8.5%, as compared to the nine months ended July 2, 2016. The increase in net sales was primarily attributable to a $20.5 million increase due to the ramp of new programs for existing customers and $2.1 million due to manufacturing transfers from our AMER segment. Partially offsetting the increases was net decreased customer end-market demand.
Our net sales by market sector for the indicated periods were as follows (in millions):
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
Market Sector
 
July 1,
2017
 
July 2,
2016
 
July 1,
2017
 
July 2,
2016
Healthcare/Life Sciences
 
$
209.6

 
$
206.8

 
$
625.5

 
$
588.0

Industrial/Commercial
 
201.5

 
202.1

 
599.1

 
543.7

Communications
 
98.7

 
155.6

 
338.3

 
469.0

Defense/Security/Aerospace
 
109.0

 
103.1

 
295.3

 
302.2

Total net sales
 
$
618.8

 
$
667.6

 
$
1,858.2

 
$
1,902.9

Healthcare/Life Sciences. Net sales in the Healthcare/Life Sciences sector increased $2.8 million for the three months ended July 1, 2017 as compared to the three months ended July 2, 2016. The increase was primarily driven by increases in net sales of $6.7 million due to the ramp of new programs for existing customers and net increased end-market demand. Partially offsetting the increases was a $6.6 million decrease in net sales due to a customer's decision to manufacture product internally.
During the nine months ended July 1, 2017 net sales in the Healthcare/Life Sciences sector increased $37.5 million as compared to the nine months ended July 2, 2016. The increase was primarily driven by increases in net sales of $39.2 million due to the ramp of new programs for existing customers and $2.5 million from the ramp of production for new customers, as well as net increased end-market demand. Partially offsetting the increases was a $21.6 million decrease in net sales due to a customer's decision to manufacture product internally.
Industrial/Commercial. Net sales in the Industrial/Commercial sector decreased $0.6 million for the three months ended July 1, 2017 as compared to the three months ended July 2, 2016. The decrease was primarily driven by net decreased end-market demand and decreases in net sales of $5.2 million due to the consolidation of a customer's business. Mostly offsetting the decreases were increases in net sales of $45.8 million due to the ramp of new programs for existing customers.
During the nine months ended July 1, 2017 net sales in the Industrial/Commercial sector increased $55.4 million as compared to the nine months ended July 2, 2016. The increase was primarily driven by increases in net sales of $97.4 million due to the ramp of new programs for existing customers and net increased end-market demand. Partially offsetting the increases were decreases in net sales of $30.2 million due to the consolidation of a customer's business and $16.3 million related to a customer disengagement.
Communications. Net sales in the Communications sector decreased $56.9 million for the three months ended July 1, 2017 as compared to the three months ended July 2, 2016. The reduction in net sales was primarily driven by net decreased end-market demand, a $7.1 million decrease due to a customer disengagement, a $4.9 million decrease that resulted from an end-of-life product and a $4.8 million decrease due to a program disengagement. Partially offsetting the decreases was a $6.4 million increase in net sales due to the ramp of production of new products for existing customers.
During the nine months ended July 1, 2017 net sales in the Communications sector decreased $130.7 million as compared to the nine months ended July 2, 2016. The reduction in net sales was primarily driven by a $53.2 million decrease in net sales

19


due to a program disengagement, overall net decreased end-market demand, a $24.7 million decrease due to customer disengagements and a $13.5 million decrease that resulted from end-of-life products. Partially offsetting the decreases was a $13.1 million increase in net sales due to the ramp of production of new products for existing customers.
Defense/Security/Aerospace. Net sales in the Defense/Security/Aerospace sector increased $5.9 million for the three months ended July 1, 2017 as compared to the three months ended July 2, 2016. The increase was primarily driven by increases in net sales of $7.6 million due to the ramp of new programs for existing customers and $3.7 million from the ramp of production for new customers. Partially offsetting the increases was a $4.3 million decrease in net sales that resulted from end-of-life products.
During the nine months ended July 1, 2017 net sales in the Defense/Security/Aerospace sector decreased $6.9 million as compared to the nine months ended July 2, 2016. The decrease was primarily attributable to net decreased customer end-market demand, a $6.4 million decrease from a program disengagement and a $6.1 million decrease that resulted from end-of-life products. Partially offsetting the decreases was an $8.4 million increase in net sales that resulted from the ramp of production for new customers and a $6.1 million increase due to the ramp of production of new products for existing customers.
Cost of sales. For the three months ended July 1, 2017, cost of sales decreased $47.5 million, or 7.8%, as compared to the three months ended July 2, 2016. As compared to the prior year period, the percentage decrease in cost of sales was greater than the 7.3% decrease in net sales primarily due to supply chain productivity initiatives and a positive shift in customer mix.
For the nine months ended July 1, 2017, cost of sales decreased $68.2 million, or 3.9%, as compared to the nine months ended July 2, 2016. As compared to the prior year period, the percentage decrease in cost of sales was greater than the 2.3% decrease in net sales primarily due to supply chain productivity initiatives, a positive shift in customer mix and decreased warranty and inventory obsolescence expenses, which resulted from our continued focus on quality and improved inventory management.
Cost of sales is comprised primarily of material and component costs, labor costs, and overhead. For both the three and nine months ended July 1, 2017 and July 2, 2016, approximately 89% of the total cost of sales was variable in nature and fluctuated with sales volumes. Of this amount, approximately 91% of the variable costs for both periods was related to material and component costs. As a result of using a cost-plus markup pricing arrangement with our customers, changes in costs typically result in corresponding changes in price, which generally result in an immaterial impact on gross profit.
Gross profit. For the three months ended July 1, 2017, gross profit decreased $1.3 million, or 2.1%, as compared to the three months ended July 2, 2016. Gross margin increased 50 basis points as compared to the three months ended July 2, 2016. The decrease in gross profit was due primarily to the decrease in net sales. The primary driver of the increase in gross margin was the larger percentage decrease in cost of sales as compared to the decrease in net sales, driven by the factors previously discussed, which was partially offset by the decrease in net sales.
Gross profit for the nine months ended July 1, 2017, increased $23.5 million, or 14.2%, as compared to the nine months ended July 2, 2016. Gross margin increased 150 basis points as compared to the nine months ended July 2, 2016. The primary driver of the increase in gross profit and gross margin was the larger percentage decrease in cost of sales as compared to the decrease in net sales, driven by the factors previously discussed.
Operating income. For the three months ended July 1, 2017, operating income decreased $1.4 million, or 4.5%, as compared to the three months ended July 2, 2016, primarily due to the decrease in gross profit described above and a $1.9 million increase in selling and administrative (“S&A”) expenses as compared to the prior year period, primarily driven by a $0.8 million increase in share-based compensation expense. These decreases were partially offset by a $1.8 million decrease in restructuring and other charges.
For the nine months ended July 1, 2017, operating income increased $20.1 million, or 26.6%, as compared to the nine months ended July 2, 2016, primarily due to the increase in gross profit described above and a $5.2 million decrease in restructuring and other charges. Partially offsetting the increases was an $8.6 million increase in S&A expenses as compared to the prior year, primarily driven by increases of $3.7 million in variable compensation expense and $1.6 million in share-based compensation expense.
A discussion of operating income (loss) by reportable segment is presented below (in millions): 

20


 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 1,
2017
 
July 2,
2016
 
July 1,
2017
 
July 2,
2016
Operating income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AMER
$
7.4

 
$
22.1

 
$
30.4

 
$
45.9

APAC
49.8

 
38.3

 
148.5

 
110.1

EMEA
(0.7
)
 
(1.6
)
 
(4.2
)
 
(3.0
)
Corporate expenses and other costs
(27.0
)
 
(27.9
)
 
(78.8
)
 
(77.2
)
Total operating income
$
29.5

 
$
30.9

 
$
95.9

 
$
75.8

AMER. Operating income for the three and nine months ended July 1, 2017 decreased $14.7 million and $15.5 million, respectively, as compared to the three and nine months ended July 2, 2016. The decreases in operating income were primarily due to decreased net sales and a negative shift in customer mix.
APAC. Operating income for the three and nine months ended July 1, 2017 increased by $11.5 million and $38.4 million, respectively, as compared to the three and nine months ended July 2, 2016, primarily from the increase in net sales, higher leverage of fixed costs, a net positive shift in customer mix and supply chain productivity initiatives.
EMEA. Operating loss for the three months ended July 1, 2017 improved by $0.9 million as compared to the three months ended July 2, 2016, primarily due to the increase in net sales.
Operating loss for the nine months ended July 1, 2017 increased by $1.2 million as compared to the nine months ended July 2, 2016, primarily due to a negative shift in customer mix, partially offset by the increase in net sales.
Other income (expense). Other expense decreased by $0.1 million for the three months ended July 1, 2017 as compared to the three months ended July 2, 2016.
Other expense decreased by $5.1 million for the nine months ended July 1, 2017 as compared to the nine months ended July 2, 2016. The change was primarily due to foreign exchange volatility, primarily in the APAC segment, which was a $2.5 million loss for the nine months ended July 2, 2016, and a $2.2 million gain for the nine months ended July 1, 2017.
Income taxes. Effective income tax rates for the indicated periods were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 1,
2017
 
July 2,
2016
 
July 1,
2017
 
July 2,
2016
Effective tax rate
6.5
%
 
9.1
%
 
8.5
%
 
12.6
%
Income tax expense for the three months ended July 1, 2017 and July 2, 2016 was $1.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively. Income tax expense for the nine months ended July 1, 2017 and July 2, 2016 was $7.8 million and $8.2 million, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended July 1, 2017 compared to the three and nine months ended July 2, 2016, was due in part to an increase in pretax earnings in lower tax jurisdictions and a $1.5 million benefit related to incremental deductible expenses in our APAC segment.
Our effective tax rate varies from the U.S. statutory rate of 35.0% primarily due to the geographic distribution of worldwide earnings as well as a tax holiday granted to a subsidiary within our APAC segment, where we derive a significant portion of our earnings. In addition, our effective tax rate may be impacted by changes in tax laws, disputes with taxing authorities, tax planning activities, adjustments to uncertain tax positions and changes in valuation allowances.
The estimated effective income tax rate for fiscal 2017 is expected to be between 8.0% and 9.0%.
Net income. Net income for the three months ended July 1, 2017 decreased $0.5 million as compared to the three months ended July 2, 2016, primarily due to the decrease in operating income discussed above.
Net income for the nine months ended July 1, 2017 increased $25.8 million as compared to the nine months ended July 2, 2016, primarily due to the increase in operating income and decrease in other expense discussed above.
Diluted earnings per share. Diluted earnings per share for the three months ended July 1, 2017 was $0.74, a $0.02 decrease from the three months ended July 2, 2016. The decrease in diluted earnings per share was primarily the result of the decrease in net income and an increase in the number of dilutive share-based awards outstanding.

21


Diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended July 1, 2017 was $2.40, a $0.72 increase from the nine months ended July 2, 2016. The increase in diluted earnings per share was primarily the result of the increase in net income.
Return on Invested Capital (“ROIC”) and Economic Return. We use a financial model that is aligned with our business strategy and includes a ROIC goal of 500 basis points over our weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”), which we refer to as “Economic Return,” and a 4.7% to 5.0% operating margin target. Our primary focus is on our Economic Return goal of 5.0%, which is designed to create shareholder value and generate sufficient cash to self-fund our targeted organic revenue growth rate of 12.0%. ROIC and Economic Return are non-GAAP financial measures.
Non-GAAP financial measures, including ROIC and Economic Return, are used for internal management goals and decision making because such measures provide management and investors additional insight into financial performance. In particular, we provide ROIC and Economic Return because we believe they offer insight into the metrics that are driving management decisions because we view ROIC and Economic Return as important measures in evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of our long-term capital requirements. We also use a derivative measure of ROIC as a performance criteria in determining certain elements of compensation, and certain compensation incentives are based on Economic Return.
We define ROIC as tax-effected operating income before restructuring and other charges divided by average invested capital over a rolling four-quarter period for the fiscal third quarter. Invested capital is defined as equity plus debt, less cash and cash equivalents. Other companies may not define or calculate ROIC in the same way. ROIC and other non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, measures of our financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).
We review our internal calculation of WACC annually, and our estimated WACC is 10.5% for fiscal 2017. By exercising discipline to generate ROIC in excess of our WACC, our goal is to create value for our shareholders. ROIC was 16.1% and 13.0% for the nine months ended July 1, 2017 and July 2, 2016, respectively.
For a reconciliation of ROIC, Economic Return and adjusted operating income (tax effected) to our financial statements that were prepared using GAAP, see Exhibit 99.1 to this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.
Refer to the table below, which includes the calculation of ROIC and Economic Return for the indicated periods (dollars in millions):
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 1,
2017
 
July 2,
2016
Annualized operating income (tax effected)
$
117,690

 
$
96,141

Average invested capital
730,286

 
738,397

After-tax ROIC
16.1
%
 
13.0
%
WACC
10.5
%
 
11.0
%
Economic Return
5.6
%
 
2.0
%

22


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash were $520.0 million as of July 1, 2017, and $433.0 million as of October 1, 2016.
As of July 1, 2017, approximately 98.2% of our cash balance was held outside of the U.S. by our foreign subsidiaries. While our intent is to permanently reinvest the funds held in these countries, we regularly review and evaluate that strategy, particularly as the percentage of our cash balance held outside the U.S. has increased. For example, during fiscal 2016, the Company repatriated $100.0 million of that fiscal year's foreign earnings from the APAC region to the U.S., which had no income statement impact due to U.S. net operating losses, the use of U.S. tax credits and the reversal of the related valuation allowance. The Company does not have a history of repatriating foreign earnings by way of a taxable dividend and considers the fiscal 2016 remittance to be an isolated occurrence. Without tax reform, the Company does not anticipate a similar repatriation in the foreseeable future. Currently, we believe that cash held in the U.S., together with cash available under our Credit Facility, will be sufficient to meet our U.S. liquidity needs for the next twelve months and for the foreseeable future.
Cash Flows. The table below provides a summary of cash flows for the periods presented, excluding the effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash (in millions):
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 1,
2017
 
July 2,
2016
Cash provided by operating activities
$
121.9

 
$
122.6

Cash used in investing activities
$
(24.0
)
 
$
(23.7
)
Cash used in financing activities
$
(10.2
)
 
$
(18.5
)
Operating Activities. Cash flows provided by operating activities during the nine months ended July 1, 2017 was $121.9 million, a $0.7 million decrease as compared to the nine months ended July 2, 2016. As compared to the prior year, the decrease in cash flows provided by operating activities was primarily driven by a $25.9 million unfavorable change in working capital, which was substantially offset by the increase in net income.
Working capital cash flows declined as compared to the prior year primarily due to a $76.5 million increase in cash used for inventory driven by increased inventory levels to support the ramp of new customer programs, a $24.6 million increase in cash paid for accounts payable due to the timing of payments, a $10.4 million decrease in customer deposit cash flows driven by a significant deposit received from one customer in the prior year and a $10.3 million increase in cash used for other current and noncurrent assets cash flows resulting from increases in prepaid arrangements. Partially offsetting the increased use of cash were improvements in working capital cash flows of $93.4 million from accounts receivable cash flows, which resulted primarily from increased factoring activity discussed below.
The following table shows a summary of cash cycle days for the periods indicated (in days):
 
Three Months Ended
 
July 1,
2017
 
July 2,
2016
Days in accounts receivable
47

 
51

Days in inventory
107

 
87

Days in accounts payable
(65
)
 
(62
)
Days in cash deposits
(13
)
 
(13
)
Annualized cash cycle
76

 
63

We calculate days in accounts receivable as accounts receivable at the end of the respective quarter divided by annualized sales for the respective quarter by day. We calculate days in inventory, accounts payable, and cash deposits as each balance sheet line item at the end of the respective quarter divided by annualized cost of sales for the respective quarter by day. We calculate annualized cash cycle as the sum of days in accounts receivable and days in inventory, less days in accounts payable and days in cash deposits.
As of July 1, 2017, annualized cash cycle days increased by 13 days as compared to July 2, 2016 due to the following factors:
Days in accounts receivable for the three months ended July 1, 2017 decreased 4 days as compared to the three months ended July 2, 2016, due to a $102.6 million increase in accounts receivable sold under factoring programs, partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable that resulted from a shift in customer mix and an increase in payment terms with certain customers.

23


Days in inventory for the three months ended July 1, 2017 increased by 20 days compared to the three months ended July 2, 2016, driven by the anticipated revenue growth in the fiscal fourth quarter. We are also experiencing longer lead times for certain components. In order to maintain a high level of customer service, we are procuring components earlier, which has led to the anticipated short-term increase in inventory. We anticipate a meaningful reduction in inventory in the fiscal fourth quarter and a return to more normalized inventory levels in fiscal 2018 as our supply chain solutions for these new programs mature, but we cannot provide any assurances.
Days in accounts payable for the three months ended July 1, 2017 increased by three days compared to the three months ended July 2, 2016, primarily driven by increased purchasing activity to support new program ramps.
Days in cash deposits for the three months ended July 1, 2017, remained flat compared to the three months ended July 2, 2016.
Free Cash Flow. We define free cash flow (“FCF”), a non-GAAP financial measure, as cash flows provided by operations less capital expenditures. FCF for the nine months ended July 1, 2017 was $97.5 million, a $1.3 million decrease from the $98.8 million of free cash flow for the nine months ended July 2, 2016.
Non-GAAP financial measures, including FCF, are used for internal management assessments because such measures provide additional insight to investors into ongoing financial performance. In particular, we provide FCF because we believe it offers insight into the metrics that are driving management decisions. We view FCF as an important financial metric as it demonstrates our ability to generate cash and can allow us to pursue opportunities that enhance shareholder value. FCF is a non-GAAP financial measure that should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, measures of our financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.
A reconciliation of FCF to our financial statements that were prepared using GAAP follows (in millions):
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 1,
2017
 
July 2,
2016
Cash flows provided by operating activities
$
121.9

 
$
122.6

Payments for property, plant and equipment
(24.4
)
 
(23.8
)
Free cash flow
$
97.5

 
$
98.8

Investing Activities. Cash flows used in investing activities totaled $24.0 million for the nine months ended July 1, 2017, a decrease of $0.3 million as compared to $23.7 million for the nine months ended July 2, 2016.
We estimate funded capital expenditures for fiscal 2017 to be approximately $45.0 to $50.0 million, of which $24.4 million was utilized through the first nine months of fiscal 2017. The remaining fiscal 2017 capital expenditures are anticipated to be used primarily to support new capabilities, new program ramps, and to replace or refresh older equipment. We believe our estimated capital expenditures will continue to be funded from cash flows provided by operations, and may be supplemented by short-term borrowings and available cash, if required.
Financing Activities. Cash flows used by financing activities totaled $10.2 million for the nine months ended July 1, 2017 as compared to $18.5 million for the nine months ended July 2, 2016. The $8.3 million decrease in cash flows used by financing activities for the nine months ended July 1, 2017, as compared to the nine months ended July 2, 2016, was primarily driven by a net $13.3 million increase in borrowings, which was partially offset by a $3.6 million increase in payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation.
On June 6, 2016, the Board of Directors approved a multi-year stock repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $150.0 million of its common stock, subject to market conditions and other considerations.  During the nine months ended July 1, 2017, the Company repurchased 457,702 shares for approximately $23.9 million at an average price of $52.12 per share.
On August 20, 2015, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program under which the Company was authorized to repurchase up to $30.0 million of its common stock in fiscal 2016. During the nine months ended July 2, 2016, the Company repurchased 606,236 shares for approximately $22.9 million at an average price of $37.80 per share. The Company completed this stock repurchase program by the end of fiscal 2016.
All shares repurchased under the repurchase programs were recorded as treasury stock.
The Company has a senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with a $300.0 million maximum commitment that expires on July 5, 2021.  The Credit Facility may be further increased to $500.0 million, generally by mutual agreement of the Company and the lenders, subject to certain customary conditions.

24


Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest, at the Company’s option, at a eurocurrency or base rate plus, in each case, an applicable interest rate margin based on the Company’s then-current leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). As of July 1, 2017, the weighted average interest rate under the Credit Agreement was LIBOR plus 1.125% (or 2.221%). The Company is required to pay an annual commitment fee based on the daily unused revolver credit commitment based on the Company's leverage ratio; the fee was 0.175% as of July 1, 2017. For further information regarding the Credit Facility, see Note 3, "Debt, Capital Lease Obligations and Other Financing," in Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
The financial covenants under the Credit Agreement require, among other covenants, that the Company maintain, as of each fiscal quarter end, a maximum total leverage ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio. As of July 1, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants of the Credit Agreement.
In fiscal 2011, Plexus issued $175.0 million in principal amount of 5.20% Senior Notes, due on June 15, 2018 (the "Notes"). The related Note Purchase Agreement contains certain financial covenants, which include a maximum total leverage ratio, a minimum interest coverage ratio and a minimum net worth test, all as defined in the agreement. As of July 1, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants relating to the Notes and the Note Purchase Agreement. Assuming no U.S. tax reform within the next year, our intention is to refinance the Notes with a similar long-term product, although we can provide no assurances of the availability of such financing on attractive, or any, terms. In such case the company might still be able to fulfill its financial obligation as it has access to sufficient cash and other sources of liquidity.
The Credit Agreement and the Note Purchase Agreement allow for the future payment of cash dividends or the repurchase of shares provided that no event of default (including any failure to comply with a financial covenant) exists at the time of, or would be caused by, the dividend payment or the stock repurchases. We have not paid cash dividends in the past and do not currently anticipate paying them in the future. However, we evaluate from time to time potential uses of excess cash, which in the future may include stock repurchases above those already authorized, a special dividend or recurring dividends.
The Company has a Master Accounts Receivable Purchase Agreement (the “BTMU RPA”) with The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch (the “BTMU Purchaser”), with a maximum facility amount of $120.0 million. Pursuant to the BTMU RPA, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (each, a “Seller”) may sell to the BTMU Purchaser up to an aggregate of $120.0 million in accounts receivable owed to such Sellers by specified customers. In exchange, the BTMU Purchaser pays a purchase price for each purchased receivable equal to the net face value of the receivable less an agreed-upon discount. The BTMU RPA represents a non-committed facility. The BTMU Purchaser pays an agreed-upon servicing fee to each Seller with respect to each purchased receivable sold by such Seller, consistent with common market practices. The BTMU RPA contains representations, warranties, covenants, and termination events that are customary for factoring transactions of this type. The BTMU RPA is subject to expiration on October 3, 2017, but will be automatically extended each year unless any party gives no less than 10 days prior notice that the agreement should not be extended.
The Company also has a Master Accounts Receivable Purchase Agreement (the "HSBC RPA") with HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited, Xiamen branch (the “HSBC Purchaser”). Pursuant to the HSBC RPA, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (each, a “Seller”) may sell to the HSBC Purchaser up to an aggregate of $40.0 million in accounts receivable owed to such Sellers by specified customers. The terms of the HSBC RPA are generally consistent with the terms of the BTMU RPA discussed above.
We sold $115.3 million and $284.6 million of trade accounts receivable under these programs during the respective three and nine months ended July 1, 2017, and in exchange, received cash proceeds of $114.6 million and $283.1 million, respectively.
During the respective three and nine months ended July 2, 2016, we sold $12.7 million and $54.2 million of trade accounts receivable under a prior program, and in exchange, received cash proceeds of $12.6 million and $53.7 million, respectively.
In all cases, the sale discount was recorded within "Miscellaneous expense" in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income in the period of the sale. For further information regarding the receivable sale programs, see Note 12, "Trade Accounts Receivable Sale Programs," in Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Based on current expectations, we believe that our projected cash flows provided by operations, available cash and cash equivalents, potential borrowings under the Credit Facility, and our leasing capabilities, should be sufficient to meet our working capital and fixed capital requirements for the next twelve months. See above with respect to our plans for the Notes. If our future financing needs increase, we may need to arrange additional debt or equity financing. Accordingly, we evaluate and consider from time to time various financing alternatives to supplement our financial resources. However, we cannot be assured that we will be able to make any such arrangements on acceptable terms.

25


CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS, COMMITMENTS AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET OBLIGATIONS
Our disclosures regarding contractual obligations and commercial commitments are located in various parts of our regulatory filings. Information in the following table provides a summary of our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of July 1, 2017 (dollars in millions):
 
 
Payments Due by Fiscal Year
Contractual Obligations
 
Total
 
Remaining 2017
 
2018-2019
 
2020-2021
 
2022 and thereafter
Short-Term Debt Obligations (1,2)
 
$
273.5

 
$
92.3

 
$
181.2

 
$

 
$

Capital Lease Obligations
 
17.0

 
0.9

 
6.7

 
3.6

 
5.8

Operating Lease Obligations
 
29.4

 
2.4

 
15.9

 
10.2

 
0.9

Purchase Obligations (3)
 
450.4

 
333.6

 
115.8

 
0.7

 
0.3

Other Long-Term Liabilities on the Balance Sheet (4)
 
12.9

 
0.1

 
0.4

 
0.1

 
12.3

Other Long-Term Liabilities not on the Balance Sheet (5)
 
6.3

 
0.6

 
2.0

 
0.8

 
2.9

Other Financing Obligations (6)
 
11.8

 
0.4

 
3.1

 
3.2

 
5.1

Total Contractual Cash Obligations
 
$
801.3

 
$
430.3

 
$
325.1

 
$
18.6

 
$
27.3

1)
Includes amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility. As of July 1, 2017, the outstanding balance was $88.0 million. The amounts listed above include estimated interest obligations; see Note 3, "Debt, Capital Lease Obligations and Other Financing," in Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
2)
Includes $175.0 million in principal amount of the Notes and estimated interest obligations thereon; see Note 3, "Debt, Capital Lease Obligations and Other Financing," in Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
3)
As of July 1, 2017, purchase obligations consist of commitments to purchase inventory and equipment in the ordinary course of business.
4)
As of July 1, 2017, other long-term obligations on the balance sheet included deferred compensation obligations to certain of our former and current executive officers, as well as other key employees, and asset retirement obligations. We have excluded from the above table the impact of approximately $2.8 million, as of July 1, 2017, related to unrecognized income tax benefits. The Company cannot make reliable estimates of the future cash flows by period related to this obligation.
5)
As of July 1, 2017, other long-term obligations not on the balance sheet consisted of guarantees and a commitment for salary continuation and certain benefits in the event employment of one executive officer of the Company is terminated without cause. Excluded from the amounts disclosed are certain bonus and incentive compensation amounts, which would be paid on a prorated basis in the year of termination.
6)
Includes future minimum payments under the lease agreement for our Guadalajara, Mexico facility.
DISCLOSURE ABOUT CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Our critical accounting policies are disclosed in our 2016 annual report on Form 10-K. During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, there were no material changes to these policies.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See Note 14, "New Accounting Pronouncements," in Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding new accounting pronouncements.

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ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to market risk from changes in foreign exchange and interest rates. We selectively use financial instruments to reduce such risks.
Foreign Currency Risk
We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. Our policy is to selectively hedge our foreign currency denominated transactions in a manner that partially offsets the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We typically use foreign currency contracts to hedge only those currency exposures associated with certain assets and liabilities denominated in non-functional currencies. Corresponding gains and losses on the underlying transaction generally offset the gains and losses on these foreign currency hedges. Our international operations create potential foreign exchange risk.
Our percentages of transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar for the indicated periods were as follows: 
 
Three Months Ended
 
July 1,
2017
 
July 2,
2016
Net sales
9.3
%
 
7.2
%
Total costs
15.7
%
 
12.7
%
The Company has evaluated the potential foreign currency exchange rate risk on transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar for the periods presented above. Based on the Company’s overall currency exposure, as of July 1, 2017, a 10.0% change in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to our other transactional currencies would not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. We will continue to monitor developments related to the Brexit and their potential impact on the Company.
Interest Rate Risk
We have financial instruments, including cash equivalents and debt, which are sensitive to changes in interest rates. The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal, while maximizing yields without significantly increasing market risk. To achieve this, we maintain our portfolio of cash equivalents in a variety of highly rated securities, money market funds and certificates of deposit, and limit the amount of principal exposure to any one issuer.
As of July 1, 2017, our only material interest rate risk is associated with our Credit Facility. Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest, at the Company’s option, at a eurocurrency or base rate plus, in each case, an applicable interest rate margin based on the Company’s then-current leverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). As of July 1, 2017, the interest rate under the Credit Agreement was LIBOR plus 1.125% (or 2.221%). Borrowings under the Note Purchase Agreement are based on a fixed interest rate, thus mitigating much of our interest rate risk. Based on the Company’s overall interest rate exposure, as of July 1, 2017, a 10.0% change in interest rates would not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that the information the Company must disclose in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis. The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have reviewed and evaluated, with the participation of the Company’s management, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on such evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective (a) in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act, and (b) in assuring that information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.


Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, there have been no changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls
Our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and internal controls will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain 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; over time, a control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Notwithstanding the foregoing limitations on the effectiveness of controls, we have nonetheless reached the conclusion that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting are effective at the reasonable assurance level.



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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1A.    Risk Factors
In addition to the risks and uncertainties discussed herein, particularly those discussed in the “Safe Harbor” Cautionary Statement and "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part I, Item 2, see the risk factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A of our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 1, 2016.
ITEM 2.     Unregistered Sales Of Equity Securities and Use Of Proceeds
The following table provides the specified information about the repurchases of shares by the Company during the three months ended July 1, 2017.
Period
 
Total number of shares purchased
 
Average price paid per share
 
Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs
 
Maximum approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs*
April 2, 2017 to April 29, 2017
 
32,513

 
$
56.19

 
32,513

 
$
134,266,522

April 30, 2017 to May 27, 2017
 
83,382

 
$
50.91

 
83,382

 
$
130,021,257

May 28, 2017 to July 1, 2017
 
73,996

 
$
52.40

 
73,996

 
$
126,143,504

Total
 
189,891

 
$
52.40

 
189,891

 
 
* On June 6, 2016, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $150.0 million of its common stock.
ITEM 6.    Exhibits
See Exhibit Index included as the last page of this report, which index is incorporated herein by reference.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
Plexus Corp.
 
 
Registrant
 
 
 
Date: 8/4/17
 
/s/ Todd P. Kelsey
 
 
Todd P. Kelsey
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
Date: 8/4/17
 
/s/ Patrick J. Jermain
 
 
Patrick J. Jermain
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

29


Exhibit Index
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
 
Certification of the CEO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2
 
Certification of the CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
99.1
 
Reconciliation of ROIC and Economic Return to GAAP Financial Statements
101
 
The following materials from Plexus Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 1, 2017, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (ii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (iv) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document


30