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EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - Forterra, Inc.frtaq13312018ex321.htm
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EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - Forterra, Inc.frtaq13312018ex311.htm
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
 
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2018
 
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _________ to _________.

Commission File Number: 001-37921
 
FORTERRA, INC.
 

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
37-1830464
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

511 East John Carpenter Freeway, 6th Floor, Irving, TX 75062
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(469) 458-7973
(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 [X] 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 [X] No [ ]
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See 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 o
 
Accelerated filer
x
 
Non-accelerated filer
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 o
 
Smaller reporting company
o
 
Emerging growth company
o

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [ ] No [X]
 
There were 64,224,060 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the registrant outstanding as of May 4, 2018.
 





TABLE OF CONTENTS

  
 
Page
Part I
Financial Information
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
 
 
 
Part II
Other Information
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5.
Other Information
Item 6.
Exhibits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements
FORTERRA, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except per share data)

 
 
Three months ended
 
 
March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
(unaudited)
Net sales
 
$
289,960

 
$
338,302

Cost of goods sold
 
255,595

 
299,335

Gross profit
 
34,365

 
38,967

Selling, general & administrative expenses
 
(51,862
)
 
(65,301
)
Impairment and exit charges
 
(1,445
)
 
(435
)
Earnings from equity method investee
 
1,849

 
3,171

Other operating income, net
 
790

 
1,233

 
 
(50,668
)
 
(61,332
)
Loss from operations
 
(16,303
)
 
(22,365
)
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense)
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
 
(13,308
)
 
(13,542
)
Other income, net
 
6,016

 

Loss before income taxes
 
(23,595
)
 
(35,907
)
Income tax benefit
 
3,685

 
13,364

Net loss
 
$
(19,910
)
 
$
(22,543
)
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and Diluted loss per share:
 
 
 
 
Net loss
 
$
(0.31
)
 
$
(0.35
)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
Basic and Diluted
 
63,838

 
63,789


See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements


1



FORTERRA, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
(in thousands)

 
Three months ended
 
March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
(unaudited)
Net loss
$
(19,910
)
 
$
(22,543
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative activities, net of tax
970

 
(496
)
Reclassification due to the adoption of ASU 2018-02
(830
)
 

Foreign currency translation adjustment
(1,557
)
 
1,030

Comprehensive loss
$
(21,327
)
 
$
(22,009
)

See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements


2



FORTERRA, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except per share data)

 
March 31,
2018
 
December 31,
2017
ASSETS
(unaudited)
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
53,355

 
$
104,534

Receivables, net
196,313

 
192,654

Inventories
268,659

 
236,655

Prepaid expenses
6,583

 
5,381

Other current assets
23,083

 
27,059

Current assets held for sale

 
12,242

Total current assets
547,993

 
578,525

Non-current assets
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
414,266

 
412,572

Goodwill
505,063

 
496,141

Intangible assets, net
220,267

 
225,304

Investment in equity method investee
56,294

 
54,445

Other long-term assets
22,757

 
18,866

Non-current assets held for sale

 
25,385

Total assets
$
1,766,640

 
$
1,811,238

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
 
Trade payables
$
127,906

 
$
108,560

Accrued liabilities
39,729

 
72,782

Deferred revenue
11,240

 
9,029

Current portion of long-term debt
12,510

 
12,510

Current portion of tax receivable agreement
34,601

 
34,601

Current liabilities held for sale

 
4,615

Total current liabilities
225,986

 
242,097

Non-current liabilities
 
 
 
Senior term loan
1,179,963

 
1,181,277

Deferred tax liabilities
59,161

 
67,481

Deferred gain on sale-leaseback
74,921

 
75,743

Other long-term liabilities
30,556

 
29,187

Long-term tax receivable agreement
82,962

 
82,962

Total liabilities
1,653,549

 
1,678,747

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 14)


 


Equity
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 190,000 shares authorized; 64,227 and 64,231 shares issued and outstanding
18

 
18

Additional paid-in-capital
231,120

 
230,023

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(6,515
)
 
(5,098
)
Retained deficit
(111,532
)
 
(92,452
)
Total shareholders' equity
113,091

 
132,491

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
1,766,640

 
$
1,811,238


See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements


3



FORTERRA, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
 
 
Three months ended
 
 
March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
(unaudited)
Net loss
 
$
(19,910
)
 
$
(22,543
)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation & amortization expense
 
27,412

 
29,804

Gain on business divestiture
 
(6,016
)
 

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
 
53

 
774

Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs
 
2,017

 
1,976

Stock-based compensation expense
 
1,154

 

Earnings from equity method investee
 
(1,849
)
 
(3,171
)
Distributions from equity method investee
 

 
2,250

Unrealized gain on derivative instruments, net
 
(3,349
)
 
(2,034
)
Unrealized foreign currency gains, net
 
(187
)
 
26

Provision (recoveries) for doubtful accounts
 
(614
)
 
1,677

Deferred taxes
 
(8,644
)
 
(4,514
)
Deferred rent
 
585

 
589

Other non-cash items
 
457

 
458

Change in assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Receivables, net
 
(3
)
 
(42,066
)
Inventories
 
(30,772
)
 
(38,305
)
Related party receivables
 
140

 
(5,972
)
Other current assets
 
2,730

 
(1,354
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
(7,980
)
 
2,408

Other assets & liabilities
 
1,435

 
2,214

NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
(43,341
)
 
(77,783
)
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
 
(9,273
)
 
(17,077
)
Settlement of net investment hedges
 
(4,990
)
 

Assets and liabilities acquired, business combinations, net
 
10,055

 
(35,346
)
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
(4,208
)
 
(52,423
)
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
 
Payments on term loans
 
(3,128
)
 
(2,625
)
Proceeds from revolver
 

 
134,000

Payments on revolver
 

 
(14,000
)
Other financing activities
 
(136
)
 
(7
)
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
(3,264
)
 
117,368

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
 
(366
)
 
354

Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 
(51,179
)
 
(12,484
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
104,534

 
40,024

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
53,355

 
$
27,540

 
 
 
 
 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES:
Cash interest paid
 
$
14,096

 
$
12,738

Income taxes paid
 
899

 
925

SUPPLEMENTAL NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING DISCLOSURES:
Assets and liabilities acquired in non-cash exchange
 
18,140

 


4


FORTERRA, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements




1. Organization and description of the business

Description of the Business

Forterra, Inc. (“Forterra” or the ‘‘Company’’) is involved in the manufacturing, sale and distribution of building materials in the United States and Eastern Canada. Forterra’s primary products are concrete drainage pipe, precast concrete structures, and water transmission pipe used in drinking and wastewater systems. These products are used in the residential, infrastructure and non-residential sectors of the construction industry.
 
Organization

Forterra, a Delaware corporation, was formed on June 21, 2016 to hold the business of Forterra Building Products. The entities comprising the business of Forterra Building Products were indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of HeidelbergCement A.G. ("HC") prior to its acquisition by LSF9 Concrete Holdings Ltd. ("LSF9") on March 13, 2015, including certain businesses that were divested between March 2015 and October 2016. In October 2016, in a corporate reorganization transaction (the "Reorganization") ownership of the remaining businesses of Forterra Building Products was transferred to Forterra, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Forterra US Holdings, LLC, which is indirectly wholly-owned by an affiliate of Lone Star Fund IX (U.S.),L.P. (along with its affiliates, related parties and associated, but excluding the Company and other companies that it owns as a result of its investment activity, "Lone Star"). On October 25, 2016, Forterra sold 18,420,000 shares of common stock in its initial public offering (the “IPO”). No shares of preferred stock have been issued or were outstanding as of December 31, 2017 or March 31, 2018.
    
Recent Transactions

On July 31, 2017, the Company sold its U.S. concrete and steel pressure pipe business, which was part of the Company's Water Pipe & Products segment, to an affiliate of Thompson Pipe Group (TPG) for aggregate consideration of $23.2 million (the “U.S. Pressure Pipe Divestiture”), as well as certain assets relating to a U.S. Drainage Pipe & Products manufacturing facility. The assets acquired, recognized at fair value, include $3.8 million of working capital, $1.8 million of machinery and equipment, and a customer intangible totaling $0.8 million. The Company used the net proceeds from the transaction to partially pay down the balance outstanding on its $300.0 million asset-based revolving credit facility (the "2016 Revolver"). See Note 11, Debt and deferred financing costs, for greater detail regarding the 2016 Revolver.

On January 31, 2018, in accordance with the asset purchase agreement, the Company divested assets relating to the operation of certain pipe and precast facilities in Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia to Foley Products Company (or "Foley") in exchange for $10.1 million in cash, land in Sherman, Texas and a Drainage Pipe & Products facility located in Prentiss, Mississippi. The cash received was used for general corporate purposes. See Note 3, Business combinations, for additional details regarding the transaction.



5


FORTERRA, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



2. Summary of significant accounting policies

General

The Company's condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the accounts and results of operations of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The condensed consolidated balance sheets and the condensed consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss) and cash flows for the periods presented herein reflect all adjustments that are of a normal recurring nature and are necessary for a fair statement of the results of the periods shown. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

The results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018. Seasonal changes and other conditions can affect the sales volumes of the Company's products. The financial results for any interim period do not necessarily indicate the expected results for the year.

These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2017 as provided in Forterra, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the SEC on March 7, 2018 (the “2017 10-K”). The Company has continued to follow the accounting policies set forth in those financial statements, except as supplemented and documented below.

During the first quarter of 2017, the Company identified and corrected prior period errors related to cost accrual items which should have been recognized in 2016. A cumulative correction was recorded during the quarter ended March 31, 2017 that increased pretax loss by $4.6 million, which consisted of a $3.3 million increase to cost of goods sold and a $2.0 million increase to selling, general and administrative expenses, partially offset by a $0.7 million increase in revenues. The Company evaluated the impact of correcting these errors and concluded the errors were immaterial to the annual operating results for the year ended December 31, 2017 and the trend of earnings.

Use of estimates

The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the reporting date, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. These estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that the Company may undertake in the future. The more significant estimates made by management relate to fair value estimates for assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations; estimates for accrued liabilities for environmental cleanup, bodily injury and insurance claims; estimates for commitments and contingencies; and estimates for the realizability of deferred tax assets, the tax receivable agreement obligation, inventory reserves, allowance for doubtful accounts and impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets.

Credit Risk

At March 31, 2018, the Company had an individual customer within its Water Pipe & Products segment that accounted for more than 10% of total net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The customer represented approximately 15% of the Company's total net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2018, and amounts receivable from the customer at March 31, 2018 represented approximately 18% of the Company's total receivables, net.


6


FORTERRA, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



Recent Accounting Guidance Adopted - Revenue recognition    

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and issued subsequent amendments to the initial guidance. Topic 606 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. The new guidance outlines a single comprehensive model for accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. This guidance requires an entity to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services and also requires certain additional disclosures. The Company adopted the new standard on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method which did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ending March 31, 2018 and is not expected to have a material impact in future periods. No adjustment to retained earnings was required for the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard. Results for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, which prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the prior accounting guidance under Topic 605, Revenue Recognition.

Revenue recognition policy

The Company's revenue contracts are primarily single performance obligations for the sale of product both to trade customers and distributors. A majority of revenue recognized by the Company is recognized at the time control is transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for the products. The Company considers several indicators for the transfer of control to its customers, including the significant risks and rewards of ownership of products, the Company's right to payment and the legal title of the products. Based upon the assessment of control indicators, sales to trade customers and distributors are generally recognized when products are delivered to customers.

All variable consideration that may affect the total transaction price, including contractual discounts, rebates, returns and credits are included in net sales. Estimates for variable consideration are based on historical experience, anticipated performance and management's judgment. Generally, the Company's contracts do not contain significant financing.
    
For certain engineering and construction contracts and building contracting arrangements, the Company enters into long-term contracts with customers. Revenue is recognized as the identified performance obligations are satisfied over time using an acceptable input method to measure the progress toward completion of the performance obligation if: the customer receives the benefits as work is performed, the customer controls the asset as it is being produced, or if the product being produced for the customer has no alternative use and the Company has a contractual right to payment. The Company uses its cost incurred to date relative to total estimated costs at completion to measure progress. The Company's contract liabilities consist of billings to customers in excess of revenue recognized which the Company records as deferred revenue. Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2018, which was included in contract liabilities at the beginning of the period was not material. Contract assets include revenue recognized in excess of amounts billed and balances billed but not yet paid by customers under retainage provisions which are classified as a current asset within receivables, net on the Company's balance sheet. The Company had no material contract assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2018.
    
The Company records net sales including taxes collected on behalf of its customers. Shipping and handling costs are accounted for as contract fulfillments costs and classified as cost of goods sold. See Note 18, Segment reporting, for the Company's disaggregated revenue disclosures.

Recent Accounting Guidance Adopted - Other

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income to allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income ("OCI") to retained earnings for

7


FORTERRA, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



stranded tax effects resulting from the U.S. tax reform legislation commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted the guidance provided in the ASU during the first quarter of 2018 and reclassified $0.8 million of stranded deferred tax benefits related to its derivative instruments from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained deficit.
    
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, providing guidance on eight specific cash flow statement classification matters, including but not limited to prepayment of debt or debt extinguishment costs, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, insurance claims and policies, and distributions received from equity method investees. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05, Income Taxes - Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, which added paragraphs to the codification pursuant to the SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, which addressed the application of U.S. GAAP in situations when a company does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to finalize the calculations for the 2017 income tax effects of the TCJA. ASU 2018-05 provides entities with a one year measurement period from the December 22, 2017 enactment date, in order to complete the accounting for the effects of the TCJA. See Note 17, Income taxes, for a further discussion of the effect of the TCJA on the Company's income taxes.

Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), amending the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets and making targeted changes to lessor accounting. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted as of the standard’s issuance date. ASU 2016-02 requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial application, with an option to use certain transition relief. The Company believes the adoption of this ASU will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements as it will result in most of the Company’s leases and associated assets being presented on the balance sheet.
    

3.    Business combinations

On January 31, 2018, in accordance with the Asset Purchase Agreement, the Company divested assets relating to the operation of certain pipe and precast facilities in Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia to Foley Products Company in exchange for $10.1 million in cash, land in Sherman, Texas and a Drainage Pipe & Products facility located in Prentiss, Mississippi.

The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination as defined by FASB ASC 805, Business Combinations. In accordance with ASC 805, the purchase price is measured as the acquisition date fair value of the assets transferred by the Company to Foley in the exchange. In the exchange, the Company divested of the net working capital and certain of the real property of its pipe and precast plants in Tennessee and Alabama, as well as the net working capital of certain pipe and precast plants in Georgia. The purchase price of $36.2 million is the fair value of the divested assets which resulted in the recognition of a gain of $6.0 million, recognized in Other income, net. The purchase price is subject to customary net working capital adjustments. The Company allocated the purchase price to the individually identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair value on the date of acquisition. The excess purchase price over those fair values was recorded as goodwill.
    

8


FORTERRA, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



The determination of fair values of the divested and acquired assets and assumed liabilities requires significant judgment, including estimates impacting the determination of estimated lives of tangible and intangible assets, calculation of the fair value of property, plant and equipment, inventory, and various intangibles. The fair values of assets and liabilities were determined using level 3 inputs as defined by ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.

The preliminary respective fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction, including $10.1 million in cash, the Prentiss plant, and a parcel of land in Sherman, Texas at the acquisition date are as follows (in thousands):

 
 
Net working capital
$
10,984

Property, plant and equipment
9,221

Customer relationship intangible
2,390

Non-compete agreement intangible
5,600

Net identifiable assets acquired
28,195

Goodwill
8,005

Consideration transferred
$
36,200


    
The fair values described above are preliminary and are subject to change upon the Company's final determination of the fair value of divested and acquired assets and liabilities.    

Goodwill recognized is attributable primarily to expected operating efficiencies and expansion opportunities in the business acquired. Goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes for the Foley transaction.

Transaction costs

The Company recognized aggregate transaction costs, including legal, accounting, valuation and advisory fees, specific to acquisitions and divestitures of $0.5 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively. These costs are recorded in the condensed consolidated statements of operations within selling, general and administrative expenses.


4. Receivables, net
    
Receivables consist of the following (in thousands):

 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Trade receivables
$
190,548

 
$
190,143

Amounts billed, but not yet paid under retainage provisions
1,593

 
1,091

Other receivables
7,554

 
5,453

Total receivables
199,695

 
196,687

Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts
(3,382
)
 
(4,033
)
Receivables, net
$
196,313

 
$
192,654




9


FORTERRA, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



5. Inventories

Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Finished goods
$
176,254

 
$
156,207

Raw materials
91,987

 
79,905

Work in process
418

 
543

Total inventories
$
268,659

 
$
236,655


6. Investment in equity method investee

The Company contributed plant assets and related inventory from nine operating locations as part of the agreement to form a joint venture with Americast, Inc., Concrete Pipe & Precast LLC ("CP&P"), and in return for the contribution the Company obtained a 50% ownership stake in the joint venture through its 500 Common Unit voting shares in CP&P.  Both at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company owned 50% of CP&P's voting common stock.

The Company's investment in the joint venture was $56.3 million at March 31, 2018, which is included within the Drainage Pipe & Products segment. At March 31, 2018, the difference between the amount at which the Company's investment is carried and the amount of the Company's share of the underlying equity in net assets of CP&P was approximately $13.2 million. The basis difference is primarily attributed to the value of land and equity method goodwill associated with the investment.

Selected financial data for the investee is as follows (in thousands):

 
Three months ended
 
March 31,
 
2018
Net sales
$
30,018

Gross profit
8,448

Income from operations
3,835

Net income
$
3,776


10


FORTERRA, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



7. Property, plant and equipment, net

Property, plant and equipment, net, consist of the following (in thousands):

 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Machinery and equipment
$
353,128

 
$
343,827

Land, buildings and improvements
149,402

 
144,273

Other equipment
5,455

 
5,141

Construction-in-progress
29,894

 
30,295

Total property, plant and equipment
537,879

 
523,536

Less: accumulated depreciation
(123,613
)
 
(110,964
)
Property, plant and equipment, net
$
414,266

 
$
412,572


Depreciation expense totaled $14.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, and $15.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, which is included in cost of goods sold and selling, general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

8. Goodwill and other intangible assets, net

    The Company has goodwill which has been recorded in connection with its acquisition of businesses. The following table summarizes the changes in goodwill by operating segment for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (in thousands):
 
Drainage Pipe & Products
 
Water Pipe & Products
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2017
$
179,723

 
$
316,418

 
$
496,141

Acquisitions
8,005

 

 
8,005

Foreign currency and other adjustments
917

 

 
917

Balance at March 31, 2018
$
188,645

 
$
316,418

 
$
505,063


    
ASC 350 requires goodwill to be either qualitatively or quantitatively assessed for impairment annually (or more frequently if impairment indicators arise) for each reporting unit. The Company performs its annual impairment testing of goodwill as of October 1 of each year and in interim periods if events occur that would indicate that it is more likely than not the fair value of a reporting unit is less than carrying value. The Company first assesses qualitative factors to evaluate whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as the basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test. The Company may bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly with the quantitative analysis. The quantitative analysis compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds the fair value, impairment is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. As of March 31, 2018, no indications exist which would indicate the fair value of a reporting units is less than its carrying value.


11


FORTERRA, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



Intangible assets other than goodwill at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 included the following (in thousands):
 
Net carrying value as of March 31, 2018
 
Net carrying value as of December 31, 2017
Customer relationships
$
160,223

 
$
168,000

Trade names
28,355

 
29,632

Patents
14,623

 
15,729

Customer backlog
392

 
404

Non-compete agreements
9,668

 
4,543

In-Process R&D
6,354

 
6,354

Other
652

 
642

Total intangible assets
$
220,267

 
$
225,304

    
Amortization expense totaled $13.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, and $14.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, which is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. All of the Company's intangible assets are amortizable.

9. Fair value measurement

The Company's financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, derivative instruments, accounts payable, long-term debt, accrued liabilities, and the tax receivable agreement payable. The carrying value of the Company's cash equivalents, trade receivables, other receivables, trade payables, its 2016 Revolver and accrued liabilities approximates fair value due to their short-term maturity. The Company may adjust the carrying amount of certain non-financial assets to fair value on a non-recurring basis when they are impaired.
 
The carrying amount and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments and other assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis is as follows for the dates indicated (in thousands):

 
Fair value measurements at March 31, 2018 using
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Total Fair Value March 31, 2018
Assets:
 
 
 
 
Derivative asset

$
8,600


$
8,600

 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value measurements at December 31, 2017 using
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Total Fair Value December 31, 2017
Assets:
 
 
 
 
Derivative asset

$
5,251


$
5,251

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Derivative liability

6,286


6,286


Liabilities and assets recorded at fair value classified as level 2 are valued using observable market inputs. The fair values of derivative assets and liabilities are determined using quantitative models that utilize multiple market inputs including interest rates and exchange rates to generate continuous yield or pricing curves and volatility factors to value the position. The majority of market inputs are actively quoted and can be validated through external sources, including brokers, market transactions and third-party pricing services. The fair values of

12


FORTERRA, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



derivative assets and liabilities include adjustments for market liquidity, counter-party credit quality and other instrument-specific factors, where appropriate. In addition, the Company incorporates within its fair value measurements a valuation adjustment to reflect the credit risk associated with the net position. Positions are netted by counter-parties, and fair value for net long exposures is adjusted for counter-party credit risk while the fair value for net short exposures is adjusted for the Company’s own credit risk.

The estimated carrying amount and fair value of the Company’s financial instruments and liabilities for which fair value is only disclosed is as follows (in thousands):

 
 
Fair value measurements at March 31, 2018 using
 
 
Carrying Amount March 31, 2018
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Total Fair Value March 31, 2018
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
2016 Senior Term Loan
$1,192,473

$1,145,983

$1,145,983
Tax receivable agreement payable
117,563



77,526

77,526


 
 
Fair value measurements at December 31, 2017 using
 
 
Carrying Amount December 31, 2017
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Total Fair Value December 31, 2017
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
2016 Senior Term Loan
$1,193,787

$1,151,981

$1,151,981
Tax receivable agreement payable
117,563



75,865

75,865


The fair value of debt is the estimated amount the Company would have to pay to transfer its debt, including any premium or discount attributable to the difference between the stated interest rate and market rate of interest at the balance sheet date. Fair values are supported by observable market transactions when available. See Note 11, Debt and deferred financing costs, for a further discussion of Company debt.

The determination of the fair value of the Company's tax receivable agreement payable was determined using a discounted cash flow methodology using level 3 inputs as defined by ASC 820. The determination of fair value required significant judgment, including estimates of the timing and amounts of various tax attributes. These estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions that the Company may undertake in the future. Actual results could differ from these estimates. See Note 14, Commitments and contingencies, for a further discussion of the Company's tax receivable agreement.



13


FORTERRA, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



10.    Accrued liabilities

Accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Accrued payroll and employee benefits
$
19,535

 
$
26,597

Accrued taxes
6,316

 
10,294

Accrued rebates
4,446

 
8,428

Short-term derivative liability

 
6,286

Warranty
5,295

 
5,038

Environmental obligation
446

 
446

Other miscellaneous accrued liabilities
3,691

 
15,693

Total accrued liabilities
$
39,729

 
$
72,782



11. Debt and deferred financing costs

The Company’s debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
2016 Senior Term Loan, net of debt issuance costs and original issuance discount of $39,767 and $41,580, respectively
$
1,192,473

 
$
1,193,787

Total debt
$
1,192,473

 
$
1,193,787

  Less: current portion debt
(12,510
)
 
(12,510
)
Total long-term debt
$
1,179,963

 
$
1,181,277


Concurrent with the completion of the IPO, Forterra entered into the 2016 Revolver, a $300 million asset based revolving credit facility for working capital and general corporate purposes and a $1.05 billion senior term loan facility (“2016 Senior Term Loan”), the proceeds of which, together with a $125.0 million draw on the 2016 Revolver and $296.0 million in proceeds from the IPO, were used to repay in full and terminate the Company's then-existing asset based revolving credit facility (the “2015 Revolver”), its $1.04 billion senior term loan (the “2015 Senior Term Loan”) and its $260.0 million junior term loan (the “Junior term Loan”) (which actions are collectively referred to herein as the “Refinancing”).

The 2016 Senior Term Loan provides for a $1.05 billion senior secured term loan that was made available to a newly formed direct subsidiary of Forterra. Subject to the conditions set forth in the term loan agreement, the 2016 Senior Term Loan may be increased by (i) up to the greater of $285.0 million and 1.0x consolidated EBITDA (defined below) of Forterra and its restricted subsidiaries for the four quarters most recently ended prior to such incurrence plus (ii) the aggregate amount of any voluntary prepayments, plus (iii) an additional amount, provided certain financial tests are met.

Effective May 1, 2017 the Company amended the 2016 Senior Term Loan to increase the principal outstanding by an additional $200.0 million and to reduce the interest margins applicable to the full balance of the 2016 Senior Term Loan by 50 basis points such that applicable margin based on LIBOR was reduced from 3.50% to 3.00%. The net proceeds from the incremental term loan of $196.8 million were used to pay down a portion of the outstanding balance on the 2016 Revolver. This amendment had no effect on the Company's ability to increase the size of the 2016 Senior Term Loan under the original provisions. The 2016 Senior Term Loan matures on October 25, 2023 and is subject to quarterly amortization equal to 0.25% of the initial principal amount. Interest

14


FORTERRA, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



accrues on outstanding borrowings thereunder at a rate equal to LIBOR (with a floor of 1.0%) or an alternate base rate, in each case plus a margin of 3.00% or 2.00%, respectively.
    
Outstanding borrowings under the 2016 Senior Term Loan are guaranteed by Forterra and each of its direct and indirect material wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries except certain excluded subsidiaries (the "Guarantors"). The 2016 Senior Term Loan is secured by substantially all of the assets of Forterra, the borrower and the Guarantors; provided that the obligations under the 2016 Senior Term Loan are not secured by any liens on more than 65% of the voting stock of the Canadian subsidiaries or assets of the Canadian subsidiaries. The 2016 Senior Term Loan contains customary representations and warranties, and affirmative and negative covenants, that, among other things, restrict the ability of Forterra and its restricted subsidiaries to incur additional debt, incur or permit liens on assets, make investments and acquisitions, consolidate or merge with any other company, engage in asset sales and pay dividends and make distributions. The 2016 Senior Term Loan does not contain any financial covenants. Obligations under the 2016 Senior Term Loan may be accelerated upon certain customary events of default (subject to grace periods, as appropriate).

The 2016 Revolver provides for an aggregate principal amount of up to $300.0 million, with up to $280.0 million to be made available to the U.S. borrowers and up to $20.0 million to be made available to the Canadian borrowers (the allocation may be modified periodically at the Company's request). Subject to the conditions set forth in the revolving credit agreement related to the 2016 Revolver (the "2016 Credit Agreement"), the 2016 Revolver may be increased by up to the greater of (i) $100.0 million and (ii) such amount as would not cause the aggregate borrowing base to be exceeded by more than $50.0 million. Borrowings under the 2016 Revolver may not exceed a borrowing base equal to the sum of (i) 100% of eligible cash, (ii) 85% of eligible accounts receivable and (iii) the lesser of (a) 75% of eligible inventory and (b) 85% of the orderly liquidation value of eligible inventory, with the U.S. and Canadian borrowings being subject to separate borrowing base limitations. The advance rates for accounts receivable and inventory are subject to increase by 2.5% during certain periods.

The 2016 Revolver matures on October 25, 2021. The Revolver also provides for the issuance of letters of credit of up to an agreed sublimit. Interest accrues on outstanding borrowings at a rate equal to LIBOR or CDOR plus a margin ranging from 1.25% to 1.75% per annum, or at an alternate base rate, Canadian prime rate or Canadian base rate plus a margin ranging from 0.25% to 0.75% per annum, in each case, based upon the average excess availability under the 2016 Revolver for the most recently completed calendar quarter. The obligations of the borrowers under the 2016 Revolver are guaranteed by Forterra and its direct and indirect wholly-owned restricted subsidiaries other than certain excluded subsidiaries; provided that the obligations of the U.S. borrowers are not guaranteed by the Canadian subsidiaries. The 2016 Revolver is secured by substantially all of the assets of the borrowers; provided that the obligations of the U.S. borrowers are not secured by any liens on more than 65% of the voting stock of the Canadian subsidiaries or assets of the Canadian subsidiaries.

The 2016 Revolver contains customary representations and warranties, and affirmative and negative covenants, including representations, warranties, and covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of Forterra and its restricted subsidiaries to incur additional debt, incur or permit liens on assets, make investments and acquisitions, consolidate or merge with any other company, engage in asset sales and pay dividends and make distributions. The 2016 Credit Agreement contains a financial covenant restricting Forterra from allowing its fixed charge coverage ratio to drop below 1.00:1.00 during a compliance period, which is triggered when the availability under the 2016 Revolver falls below a threshold set forth in the 2016 Credit Agreement. Obligations under the 2016 Credit Agreement may be accelerated upon certain customary events of default (subject to grace periods, as appropriate). The fixed charge coverage ratio is the ratio of consolidated earnings before interest, depreciation, and amortization (“EBITDA’’) less cash payments for capital expenditures and income taxes to consolidated fixed charges (interest expense plus scheduled payments of principal on indebtedness).

15


FORTERRA, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



In addition, Forterra pays a facility fee of between 20.0 and 32.5 basis points per annum based upon the utilization of the total 2016 Revolver. Availability under the 2016 Revolver at March 31, 2018 based on draws, and outstanding letters of credit and allowable borrowing base was $243.0 million.

As of March 31, 2018, scheduled maturities of long-term debt were as follows:

 
2016 Senior Term Loan
2018
$
9,383

2019
12,510

2020
12,510

2021
12,510

2022
12,510

Thereafter:
1,172,817

 
$
1,232,240



Lines of Credit and Other Debt Facilities

The Company had standby letters of credit outstanding of $13.4 million as of March 31, 2018 which reduce the borrowings available under the Revolver.


12. Derivatives and hedging

The Company uses derivatives to manage selected foreign exchange and interest rate exposures. The Company does not use derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes, and cash flows from derivative instruments are included in net cash provided by (used in) financing activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

At December 31, 2017, the Company had foreign exchange forward contracts, designated as net investment hedges in accordance with ASC 815-20 Derivatives - Hedging, which allows for the effective portion of the changes in the fair value of the instruments to be captured in accumulated other comprehensive income, and the ineffective portion recorded in earnings. These instruments were assigned to Forterra by an affiliate concurrent with the Reorganization, directly prior to the Refinancing and IPO and were settled in March 2018 resulting in a cash outlay of $5.0 million. This cash outlay was recorded within the investing activities section of the consolidated statements of cash flows. The net investment hedges were intended to mitigate foreign exchange exposure related to non-U.S. dollar net investments in certain foreign subsidiaries against changes in foreign exchange rates. Cumulative changes in fair value of the designated portion of the hedging instruments were recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income, and will be reclassified into earnings upon the sale or complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity.

    On February 9, 2017, Forterra entered into interest rate swap transactions with a combined notional value of $525 million.  Under the terms of the swap transactions, Forterra agreed to pay a fixed rate of interest of 1.52% and receive floating rate interest indexed to one-month LIBOR with monthly settlement terms with the swap counterparties.  The swaps have a three-year term and expire on March 31, 2020. The interest rate swaps are not designated as cash flow hedges, therefore all changes in the fair value of these instruments are captured as a component of interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

A quantitative analysis is utilized to assess hedge effectiveness for the hedges. The Company assesses the hedge effectiveness and measures the amount of ineffectiveness for the hedge relationships based on changes in forward exchange rates. The Company elects to present all derivative assets and derivative liabilities on a net basis on its condensed consolidated balance sheets when a legally enforceable International Swaps and

16


FORTERRA, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) Master Agreement exists. An ISDA Master Agreement is an agreement between two counterparties, which may have multiple derivative transactions with each other governed by such agreement, and such ISDA Master Agreement generally provides for the net settlement of all or a specified group of these derivative transactions, through a single payment, in a single currency, in the event of a default on, or affecting any, one derivative transaction or a termination event affecting all, or a specified group of, derivative transactions. At March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company’s derivative instruments fall under an ISDA master netting agreement.

The following table presents the fair values of derivative assets and liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):

 
March 31, 2018
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
Interest rate swaps
$
525,000

 
$
8,600

 

 

Total derivatives, gross
 
 
8,600

 
 
 

Less: Legally enforceable master netting agreements
 
 

 
 
 

Total derivatives, net


 
$
8,600

 
 
 
$


 
December 31, 2017
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
Foreign exchange forward contracts
$

 
$

 
$
92,961

 
$
6,286

Interest rate swaps
525,000

 
$
5,251

 

 

Total derivatives, gross
 
 
5,251

 
 
 
6,286

Less: Legally enforceable master netting agreements
 
 

 
 
 

Total derivatives, net
 
 
$
5,251

 
 
 
$
6,286



The following table presents the effect of derivative instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of operations (in thousands):
 
Three months ended
 
March 31,
 
2018
2017
Net investment hedges
 
 
Foreign exchange forward contracts
 
 
Gain (loss) on derivatives recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive loss
$
970

$
(496
)
Derivatives not designated as hedges
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
 
Gain on derivatives not designated as hedges included in interest expense
3,349

2,034



17


FORTERRA, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



13.    Sale-Leaseback Transaction

On April 5, 2016, the Company sold properties in 47 sites throughout the U.S. and Canada to Pipe Portfolio Owner (Multi) LP (the “U.S. Buyer”) and FORT-BEN Holdings (ONQC) Ltd. (the “Canadian Buyer”) for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $204.3 million.  On April 14, 2016, the Company sold additional properties in two sites located in the U.S. to the U.S. Buyer for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $11.9 million. In connection with these transactions, the Company and U.S. Buyer and an affiliate of the Canadian Buyer entered into master land and building lease agreements under which the Company agreed to lease back each of the properties for an initial term of twenty years, followed by one optional renewal term of 9 years, 11 months. Leaseback rental will escalate annually by 2% during the initial term and based on changes in the Consumer Price Index capped at 4% during the optional renewal period. The proceeds received from the sale-leaseback transactions net of transaction costs of $6.5 million amounted to $209.7 million. A deferred gain of $81.5 million related to the sale-leaseback transaction will be amortized over the life of the master leases. As of March 31, 2018, the non-current portion of the deferred gain was $74.9 million and the current portion of the deferred gain was $2.8 million in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

14.    Commitments and contingencies

Legal matters

The Company is involved in legal proceedings and litigation in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the outcome of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity. Other than routine litigation incidental to the Company's business and those matters described below, there are no material legal proceedings to which the Company is a party or to which any of the Company’s properties are subject.

Earnout matter

The acquisition of Forterra Building Products from HC in March 2015 included an earnout contingency of up to $100.0 million if and to the extent the 2015 financial results of the businesses acquired by Lone Star in the acquisition, including the Company and HC's former building products business in the United Kingdom that were divested prior to the IPO, exceeded a specified Adjusted EBITDA target for fiscal year 2015, as calculated pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreement. If such Adjusted EBITDA calculation exceeds the specified target, LSF9, and therefore, Forterra would be required to pay HC an amount equal to a multiple of such excess Adjusted EBITDA, with any payment capped at $100.0 million. In April 2016, the Company provided an earnout statement to HC demonstrating that no payment was required. On June 13, 2016, HC provided notification that it is disputing, among other things, the Company’s calculation of Adjusted EBITDA under the purchase agreement and asserting that a payment should be made in the amount of $100.0 million. The Company does not believe HC’s position has merit and is vigorously opposing HC's assertions.

On October 5, 2016, affiliates of HC filed a lawsuit in the Delaware Court of Chancery seeking specific performance and claiming access to the Company's books, records, and personnel; seeking a declaratory judgment concerning the scope of the neutral accounting expert’s authority; and in the alternative, claiming a breach of contract and seeking the $100.0 million and other damages (the "Delaware Action"). In November 2016, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the Delaware Action, and on January 6, 2017, the plaintiffs filed a First Amended Complaint. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss the First Amended Complaint on February 22, 2017, requesting that the Court dismiss all claims in the Delaware Action. On December 8, 2017, the court granted the defendants' Motion to Dismiss the First Amended Complaint in the Delaware Action, finding that the earnout dispute should be heard before a neutral accounting arbitrator as set forth in the purchase agreement. The court further found that any claims that required to be brought as indemnification claims under the purchase agreement were time-barred by the contractual limitations period. The plaintiffs in the Delaware Action filed a Motion for Clarification and Reargument of the Court's December 8, 2017 Memorandum Opinion, which the court denied on February 7, 2018. The plaintiffs in the Delaware Action did not appeal the court's ruling.


18


FORTERRA, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



Following the resolution of the Delaware Action, the parties negotiated an engagement agreement with the neutral accountant as contemplated by the purchase agreement and that engagement was made effective April 23, 2018. The parties are currently in the process of briefing certain preliminary matters before the neutral accountant that need to be decided prior to the calculation of adjusted EBITDA under the purchase agreement. The briefing on these preliminary matters is expected to conclude during the second quarter of 2018.

As a result of the Reorganization, the defendants in the Delaware Action are no longer part of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, however the Company remains the liable party in this matter. As of March 31, 2018, no liability for this contingency has been accrued as payment of any earnout is not considered probable. However, the outcome of this matter is uncertain, and no assurance can be given to the ultimate outcome of the resulting proceedings. If the Company is unsuccessful in resolving the dispute, it could recognize a material charge to its earnings.

Securities Lawsuit

Beginning on August 14, 2017, four plaintiffs filed putative class action complaints in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York against a group of defendants that varies by complaint but includes the Company, certain members of senior management, the Board of Directors, Lone Star and certain of its affiliates, and certain banks that acted as underwriters of the IPO (collectively or in groups that vary by complaint, the “defendants”). On August 14, 2017, a putative class action complaint was filed by Charles Forrester; on August 16, 2017, a putative class action complaint was filed by Supanin Disayawathana; on August 23, 2017 a putative class action complaint was filed by Matthew Spindler; and on September 27, 2017, a putative class action complaint was filed by Nancy Maloney (the four complaints together, the "Securities Lawsuits").

The Securities Lawsuits are brought by each plaintiff individually and on behalf of all persons who purchased Company securities during an alleged class period that varies by complaint, but generally begins with the IPO in October 2016 and lasts through a range of dates from May 12, 2017 through August 14, 2017. The Securities Lawsuits generally allege that the Company's registration statement on Form S-1 filed in connection with the IPO, and in the case of certain complaints, statements made by the Company or the individual defendants at times after the IPO, contained false or misleading statements and/or omissions of material facts relating to (1) the lack of growth from organic sales versus sales from acquisitions, and the lack of organic growth related thereto, (2) increased pricing pressure on the Company's products, (3) softness in the concrete and steel pressure pipe business, (4) operational problems at plants, including problems relating to defective products, (5) unpaid invoices for products and services that resulted in understated expenses, (6) an undisclosed material weakness in internal controls related to inventory, and (7) an undisclosed material weakness in internal controls relating to bill and hold transactions.

The Securities Lawsuits generally assert claims under Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended ("Securities Act"), Section 15 of the Securities Act, Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, and they seek (1) class certification under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, (2) damages in an amount to be proven at trial, (3) prejudgment and post-judgment interest, (4) an award of reasonable costs and expense of plaintiffs, including counsel and expert fees, (5) an award of rescission or a rescissionary measure of damages, and (6) equitable or other relief as deemed appropriate by the court.

On October 13, 2017, three competing motions were filed for consolidation of the Securities Lawsuits and for appointment of an individual or group of individuals as lead plaintiff in the consolidated case under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Responses to the competing motions were filed on October 27, 2017, at which time one motion was withdrawn and on November 3, 2017, one of the moving parties, Wladislaw Maciuga, filed a Notice of Non-Opposition with the Court, noting that he was unopposed as lead plaintiff. The court has not yet made its lead plaintiff determination. On February 5, 2018, Nancy Maloney filed a Notice of Voluntary Dismissal of her case without prejudice to refiling at a later date.




19


FORTERRA, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



On March 5, 2018, the Company and several individual defendants filed a letter request with the court in one of the Securities Lawsuits, in accordance with the local rules of the court, seeking permission to file a motion to transfer the venue of the litigation from the Eastern District of New York to the Northern District of Texas based on the fact that it could have originally been brought in the Northern District of Texas and that transfer would be in the interest of justice and the convenience of the parties an witnesses. On March 12, 2018 Plaintiffs filed a letter opposing the proposed transfer of venue, but the court has not yet ruled on the matter.

The Company is defending the Securities Lawsuits vigorously. Given the stage of the proceedings, the Company cannot reasonably estimate at this time the possible loss or range of loss, if any, that may arise from the Securities Lawsuits.
 
Long-term incentive plan

Following the Acquisition, Lone Star implemented a cash-based long term incentive plan (the “LTIP”), which entitles the participants in the LTIP a potential cash payout upon a monetization event as defined by the LTIP. Potential monetization events include the sale, transfer or otherwise disposition of all or a portion of the Company or successor entities of LSF9, an initial public offering where Lone Star reduces its ownership interest in the Company or successor entities of LSF9, or through certain cash distribution as defined in the LTIP. Before the payout of any cash the LTIP requires Lone Star realize in cash the full return of their investment plus a specified internal rate of return, which is calculated by comparing the return to Lone Star over the timeline of its investment in the Company and certain successor entities of LSF9. As of March 31, 2018, no such monetization events that meet the required return for an LTIP payment have occurred, and therefore no amounts were accrued in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. While no payments have occurred thus far, payments under the LTIP could be significant depending upon future monetization events. The timing and amount of such payments are unknown and is dependent upon future monetization events and market conditions that are outside of the control of the Company or the participants of the plan. Subsequent to the IPO, Forterra became directly liable for any payment obligations triggered under the LTIP, but LSF9 or one of its affiliates will remain obligated to make payments to the Company in amounts equal to any payment obligations triggered under the LTIP as and when such payment obligations are triggered.

Tax receivable agreement

In connection with the IPO, the Company entered into a tax receivable agreement with Lone Star that provides for, among other things, the payment by the Company to Lone Star of 85% of the amount of certain covered tax benefits, which may reduce the actual liability for certain taxes that the Company might otherwise be required to pay. The tax benefits subject to the tax receivable agreement include: (i) all depreciation and amortization deductions, and any offset to taxable income and gain or increase to taxable loss, resulting from the tax basis that the Company had in its assets as of the time of the consummation of the IPO, (ii) the utilization of the Company's and its subsidiaries’ net operating losses and tax credits, if any, attributable to periods prior to the IPO, (iii) deductions in respect of payments made, funded or reimbursed by an initial party to the tax receivable agreement (other than the Company or one of its subsidiaries) or an affiliate thereof to participants under the LTIP, (iv) deductions in respect of transaction expenses attributable to the USP Acquisition and (v) certain other tax benefits attributable to payments made under the tax receivable agreement.

For purposes of the tax receivable agreement, the aggregate reduction in income tax payable by the Company will be computed by comparing the Company's actual income tax liability with its hypothetical liability had it not been able to utilize the related tax benefits. The agreement will remain in effect for the period of time in which any such related tax benefits remain. The Company accounts for potential payments under the tax receivable agreement as a contingent liability, with amounts accrued when considered probable and reasonably estimable. As of the IPO date, the Company recorded a $160.8 million liability and a reduction to additional paid-in-capital related to the tax receivable agreement for the undiscounted value of probable future payments. Net of tax effects of $18.5 million, the net reduction to additional paid-in-capital related to the initial liability for the tax receivable agreement issued was $142.3 million. The passage of the TCJA described in Note 17 significantly reduced the Company's anticipated liability under the tax receivable agreement. Net of other adjustments, the Company's tax receivable agreement liability as of March 31, 2018 is $117.6 million, of which $34.6 million is in

20


FORTERRA, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



current portion of tax receivable agreement and $83.0 million is in long-term tax receivable agreement in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The timing and amount of future tax benefits associated with the tax receivable agreement are subject to change, and additional payments may be required which could be materially different from the current accrued liability. The Company anticipates that it will have sufficient taxable income in future periods to realize the full value of the obligation recorded. Future tax receivable agreement payments related to the tax basis of assets at the time of the IPO will be recorded as a reduction to the liability and will be recorded as a financing activity in the consolidated statement of cash flows. No payments have been made as of March 31, 2018.
 

15. Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share (EPS) is calculated by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive securities include employee stock options and shares of restricted stock. Diluted EPS reflects the assumed exercise, vesting or conversion of all dilutive securities.

The calculations of the basic and diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 are presented below (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 
 
For the three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
2017
Net loss
 
$
(19,910
)
$
(22,543
)
Earnings allocated to unvested restricted stock awards
 

(64
)
Earnings allocated to common shareholders
 
$
(19,910
)
$
(22,479
)
 
 
 
 
Common stock:
 
 
 
Weighted average basic shares outstanding
 
63,838

63,789

Effect of dilutive securities
 


Weighted average diluted shares outstanding
 
63,838

63,789

 
 
 
 
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
 
 
 
Net loss
 
$
(0.31
)
$
(0.35
)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
 
 
 
Net loss
 
$
(0.31
)
$
(0.35
)

As detailed further below, potential dilutive shares of common stock were anti-dilutive as a result of the Company's net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017. As a result, basic weighted average shares were used in the calculations of basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share for those periods. 

The number of stock options that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would result in an anti-dilutive effect on per share amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017 was 131,731 and 1,306, respectively. The number of restricted shares that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would result in an anti-dilutive effect on per share amounts was 100,501 and 34,199 for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively.



21


FORTERRA, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



16. Stock-based plans

Forterra has one equity compensation plan under which it has granted stock awards, the Forterra, Inc. 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2016 Incentive Plan"). The 2016 Incentive Plan become effective October 17, 2016, upon the approval of the Company's sole equity-holder, and serves as the umbrella plan for the Company's stock-based and cash-based incentive compensation programs for its directors, officers, and other eligible employees. The aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the 2016 Incentive Plan may not exceed 5,000,000 shares. The Company's board of directors has granted employees and independent directors options to purchase shares of common stock, shares of restricted common stock, and restricted stock units. The options, restricted stock and restricted stock units awarded to employees are subject to either three-year or four-year vesting periods, and the options, restricted stock and restricted stock units awarded to independent directors are subject to to a one-year vesting period. The awards of stock options granted under the 2016 Incentive Plan have a term of ten years.     

In accordance with ASC 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, the Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense over the requisite service period for the entire award, or to the date at which retirement eligibility is achieved and subsequent service no longer required for continued vesting of the award, in an amount equal to the grant date fair value of share-based payments, which include stock options granted and restricted stock awards to employees and non-employee members of Forterra's board of directors. The Company records stock-based compensation expense in cost of goods sold and selling, general and administrative expenses. Stock-based compensation expense was approximately $1.2 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively.

17.    Income taxes

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax reform legislation commonly known as the TCJA. Effective January 2018, the TCJA, among other things, reduced the marginal U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%, limited the deductibility of interest expense, limited the deduction for net operating losses and eliminated net operating loss carrybacks, provided for immediate expensing of qualified capital expenditures placed in service after September 27, 2017 and modified or eliminated many business deductions and credits. The TCJA also includes international provisions, which generally establish a territorial-style system for taxing foreign source income of domestic multinational corporations and imposes a mandatory one-time transition tax on undistributed international earnings.

Due to the complexities involved in accounting for the enactment of TCJA, SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 provides the registrants with the measurement period up to one year following the enactment of the TCJA to account for the impact of the new U.S. corporate income tax law. During the measurement period the Company will provide provisional estimates of the impacts of the TCJA in its condensed consolidated financial statements until the accounting for the TCJA is complete.

For the year ended December 31, 2017 the Company recorded a provisional $26.9 million income tax benefit primarily related to the remeasurement of certain deferred tax assets and liabilities in connection with the TCJA. The Company considers it likely that further technical guidance will be provided regarding certain new provisions included in the TCJA, as well as clarity regarding the state income tax conformity to the current federal tax code. The Company will continue to refine the provision amounts for the impacts of the TCJA as further guidance becomes available. The Company did not record any revisions to the provisional amounts in the period ended March 31, 2018. The accounting is expected to be completed once the Company's 2017 U.S. Corporate income tax return is completed in the fourth quarter of 2018.

The Company recorded income tax benefit from continuing operations of $3.7 million and $13.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively.
 
The income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is primarily attributable to the federal and state benefit of the current period losses at the statutory rates offset with the unfavorable impact from permanent book to tax differences. The income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2017 is primarily

22


FORTERRA, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



attributable to the effect of state income taxes, valuation allowance in certain states and foreign jurisdictions, partially offset by the favorable foreign rate differentials and a favorable deduction for domestic production activities.

The Company's quarterly provision for income taxes has historically been calculated using the annual effective rate method, which applies an estimated annual effective tax rate to pre-tax income or loss. However, when the result of the expected annual effective tax rate is not deemed reliable and distorts the income tax provision for an interim period, the Company calculates the income tax provision or benefit using the actual year-to-date effective tax rate (the "discrete method"), which results in an income tax provision or benefit based solely on the year-to-date pre-tax income or loss as adjusted for permanent differences on a pro rata basis. As a result, interim income taxes were recorded using the discrete method, as allowed under ASC 740-270, Accounting for Income Taxes - Interim Reporting for the three months ended March 31, 2018.

18.    Segment reporting

Segment information is presented in accordance with ASC 280, Segment Reporting, which establishes standards for reporting information about operating segments. It also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and geographic areas. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that engage in business activities that earn revenues, incur expenses and prepare separate financial information that is evaluated regularly by the Company’s chief operating decision maker (CODM) in order to allocate resources and assess performance. The Corporate and Other segment includes expenses related to certain executive salaries, interest costs related to the Company's credit agreements, acquisition related costs, and other corporate costs that are not directly attributable to the Company's operating segments. The Company's segments follow the same accounting policies as the Company.

Net sales from the major products sold to external customers include drainage pipe and precast products and concrete and steel water transmission pipe.

The Company’s three geographic areas consist of the United States, Canada and Mexico for which it reports net sales, fixed assets and total assets. For purposes of evaluating segment profit, the CODM reviews EBITDA as a basis for making the decisions to allocate resources and assess performance.

23


FORTERRA, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



    
The following tables set forth the disaggregation of revenue earned from contracts with customers based on the Company's reportable segments as well as other financial information attributable to the Company's reportable segments for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands):

 
For the three months ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Net sales:
 
 
 
Drainage Pipe & Products
$
155,645

 
$
160,448

Water Pipe & Products
134,313

 
177,849

Corporate and Other
2

 
5

Total
$
289,960

 
$
338,302

 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization:
 
 
 
Drainage Pipe & Products
10,097

 
12,276

Water Pipe & Products
17,082

 
17,446

Corporate and Other
233

 
82

Total
$
27,412

 
$
29,804

 
 
 
 
EBITDA:
 
 
 
Drainage Pipe & Products
21,159

 
11,411

Water Pipe & Products
6,909

 
17,112

Corporate and Other
(10,943
)
 
(21,084
)
Total
$
17,125

 
$
7,439

 
 
 
 
Consolidated EBITDA
17,125

 
7,439

Interest expense
(13,308
)
 
(13,542
)
Depreciation and amortization
(27,412
)
 
(29,804
)
Loss before income taxes
$
(23,595
)
 
$
(35,907
)
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures:
 
 
 
Drainage Pipe & Products
2,867

 
6,522

Water Pipe & Products
5,243

 
4,810

Corporate and Other
78

 
848

Total
$
8,188

 
$
12,180

 
 
 
 
 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Total assets:
 
 
 
Drainage Pipe & Products
733,904

 
744,135

Water Pipe & Products
937,698

 
925,457

Corporate and Other
95,038

 
141,646

Total
$
1,766,640

 
$
1,811,238






24


FORTERRA, INC.
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements



        
The Company has an investment in an equity method investee included in the Drainage Pipe & Products segment for which earnings from equity method investee were $1.8 million and $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively, and with the following balances (in thousands):

 
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Investment in equity method investee
$
56,294

 
$
54,445



Disaggregated revenue by geographic location is provided in the tables below. The Company has operations in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The economic characteristics of the Company's customers does not significantly vary across geographic locations or product lines. The Company has both revenues and long-lived assets in each country; and those assets and revenues are recorded within geographic location as follows (in thousands):
Property, plant, and equipment, net:
March 31,
 
December 31,
 
2018
 
2017
United States
$
384,249

 
$
381,754

Canada
19,245

 
20,251

Mexico
10,772

 
10,567

 
$
414,266

 
$
412,572


Net Sales:
 
For the three months ended March 31,
 
 
2018
2017
United States
 
$
273,669

$
321,136

Canada
 
14,180

13,967

Mexico
 
2,111

3,199

 
 
$
289,960

$
338,302



19. Related party transactions

Tax receivable agreement

In connection with the IPO, the Company entered into a tax receivable agreement with Lone Star that provides for, among other things, the payment by the Company to Lone Star of 85% of the amount of certain covered tax benefits, which may reduce the actual liability for certain taxes that the Company might otherwise be required to pay. See Note 14, Commitments and contingencies, for additional information on the tax receivable agreement.

Bricks Joint Venture

In connection with the Reorganization, Forterra entered into a transition services agreement with the joint venture formed by the affiliate of Lone Star and an unaffiliated third party pursuant to which Forterra's former bricks business was contributed (the "Bricks Joint Venture"). Pursuant to the transition services agreement, Forterra continued to provide certain administrative services, including but not limited to information technology, accounting and treasury for a limited period of time following the disposition by Forterra of its former bricks business. The Company recognized a total of $0.7 million in Other operating income, net pursuant to the transition services agreement related to the Bricks Joint Venture for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Additionally, during the transition period, the Company collected cash from as well as settled invoices and payroll on behalf of its former bricks business. As a result, Forterra had a net receivable from affiliates of $4.1 million as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018.
    

25



CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements relate to matters such as our industry, business strategy, goals and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, capital expenditures, liquidity, capital resources and other financial and operating information. We have used the words “approximately,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “future,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will” and similar terms and phrases to identify forward-looking statements. All of our forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those that we are expecting, including:

the level of construction activity, particularly in the residential construction and non-residential construction markets;

government funding of infrastructure and related construction activities;

the highly competitive nature of our industry and our ability to effectively compete;

energy costs;

the availability and price of the raw materials we use in our business;

the ability to implement our growth strategy;

our dependence on key customers and the absence of long-term agreements with these customers;

the level of construction activity in Texas;

disruption at one of our manufacturing facilities or in our supply chain;

construction project delays and our inventory management;

our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions;

labor disruptions and other union activity;

a tightening of mortgage lending or mortgage financing requirements;

our current dispute with HeidelbergCement related to the payment of an earnout;

compliance with environmental laws and regulations;

impacts and uncertainties regarding the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017;

compliance with health and safety laws and regulations and other laws and regulations to which we are subject;

our dependence on key executives and key management personnel;

our ability to retain and attract additional skilled and non-skilled technical or sales personnel;

credit and non-payment risks of our customers;

warranty and related claims;




legal and regulatory claims;

the seasonality of our business and its susceptibility to severe adverse weather;

our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity and ensure adequate financing or guarantees for large projects;

delays or outages in our information technology systems and computer networks;

security breaches in our information technology systems and other cybersecurity incidents; and

additional factors discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC.
   
 
The forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are based on historical performance and management’s current plans, estimates and expectations in light of information currently available to us and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we have anticipated. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to changes in global, regional or local political, economic, business, competitive, market, regulatory and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, as well as the other factors described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our 2017 10-K filed with the SEC on March 7, 2018. Additional factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may also emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any of our assumptions prove to be incorrect, our actual results may vary in material respects from what we may have expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. We caution that you should not place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by us speaks only as of the date on which we make it. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.






Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the SEC on March 7, 2018, or the 2017 10-K.

This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. See the section entitled “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions associated with those statements.

Unless otherwise specified or where the context otherwise requires, references in this Report to “our,” “we,” “us,” “Forterra”, the “Company” and “our business” refer to Forterra, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiaries.


Overview

Our Company

We are a manufacturer of pipe and precast products in the United States and Eastern Canada for a variety of water-related infrastructure applications, including water transmission, distribution and drainage. We provide critical infrastructure components for a broad spectrum of construction projects across residential, non-residential and infrastructure markets. Our suite of products range from large diameter pipe that transports water to and from treatment centers and manages drainage along major transportation corridors, to smaller diameter pipe that delivers potable water to, and removes wastewater from, end users in residential and commercial settings.

Our Segments

Our operations are organized into the following reportable segments:

Drainage Pipe & Products - We are a producer of concrete drainage pipe and precast products.

Water Pipe & Products - We are a producer of ductile iron pipe, or DIP, and concrete pressure pipe.

Corporate and Other - Corporate, general and administrative expenses not allocated to our revenue-generating segments such as certain shared services, executive and other administrative functions.
    

Principal Factors Affecting Our Results of Operations

Our financial performance and results of operations are influenced by a variety of factors, including conditions in the residential, non-residential and infrastructure construction markets, general economic conditions, changes in cost of goods sold, and seasonality and weather conditions.

The first quarter of 2018 was impacted by cost pressures on freight, labor, and raw materials which have broadly been mitigated with the exception of scrap, where higher prices were not offset by higher selling prices. Cold weather which continued through March in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and North and record rainfall in certain markets also had an impact on our first quarter 2018 results.


28



Factors Affecting our Financial Statements

Business Combinations and Divestitures

On February 2, 2017, we completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Royal Enterprises America, Inc., a drainage pipe and products manufacturer located in Minnesota for aggregate consideration of $35.5 million. Royal manufactured concrete drainage pipe, precast concrete products, and stormwater treatment technologies and erosion control products serving the greater Minneapolis market and now operates as part of our Drainage Pipe & Products segment.

On July 31, 2017, we sold our U.S. concrete and steel pressure pipe business, which was part of our Water Pipe & Products segment, to an affiliate of Thompson Pipe Group, or TPG, for aggregate consideration of $23.2 million, as well as certain assets relating to a U.S. Drainage Pipe & Products manufacturing facility. The assets acquired, recognized at fair value, include $3.8 million of working capital, $1.8 million of machinery and equipment, and a customer intangible totaling $0.8 million. We used the net proceeds from the transaction to partially pay down the balance outstanding on its $300.0 million 2016 Revolver. See Note 11 Debt and deferred financing costs for greater detail regarding the 2016 Revolver.

On January 31, 2018, in accordance with the Asset Purchase Agreement, we divested assets relating to the operation of certain pipe and precast facilities in Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia to Foley in exchange for $10.1 million in cash, land in Sherman, Texas and a Drainage Pipe & Products facility located in Prentiss, Mississippi subject to customary net working capital adjustments, or the Foley Transaction. The cash received was used for general corporate purposes. The Prentiss facility manufactures concrete drainage pipe, precast and concrete products, and services the Mississippi and surrounding markets.

Principal Components of Results of Operations

Net Sales

Net sales consist of the consideration which we expect to be entitled to for the sale of products in the ordinary course of business and include the billable costs of delivery of our products to customers. Revenue for certain contracts related to our structural precast and products that are designed and engineered specifically for the customer is recognized over time using an acceptable input method which utilizes our cost incurred to date relative to total estimated costs at completion to measure progress. See Note 2, Summary of significant accounting policies, to the condensed consolidated financial statements, for a discussion of accounting guidance adopted regarding revenue recognition.

Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of goods sold includes raw materials (cement, aggregates, scrap, and steel) and supplies, labor (including contract labor), freight (including outbound freight for delivery of products to end users and other charges such as inbound freight), energy, depreciation and amortization, repairs and maintenance and other cost of goods sold.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses include expenses for sales, marketing, legal, accounting and finance services, human resources, customer support, treasury and other general corporate services. Selling, general and administrative expenses also include transaction costs directly related to the business combinations and other costs incurred with respect to cost savings initiatives.


29



Impairment and Exit Charges

Impairment and exit charges are significantly comprised of severance and other charges incurred to consolidate certain plants in an effort to optimize our portfolio.

Earnings from Equity Method Investee

Earnings from equity method investee represents our share of the income of CP&P, the joint venture we entered into in July 2012 with Americast, Inc. We contributed plant assets and related inventory from nine plants as part of the agreement to form CP&P in exchange for a 50% ownership interest in the joint venture. CP&P is engaged primarily in the manufacture, marketing, sale and distribution of concrete pipe and precast products in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina, with sales to contiguous states.
See Note 6, Investment in equity method investee, to the condensed consolidated financial statements, for further discussion of CP&P.

Other Operating Income

The remaining categories of operating income and expenses consist of scrap income (associated with scrap from the manufacturing process or remaining scrap after plants are closed), rental income and the gain or loss generated on the sale of assets including property, plant and equipment.

Interest Expense

Interest expense represents interest on indebtedness.

Other Expense, net

Other expense, net includes miscellaneous non-operating net income or expenses.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense consists of federal, state, provincial, local and foreign taxes based on income in the jurisdictions in which we operate.



30



Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 as Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2017

Total Company

The following table summarizes certain financial information relating to our operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017. Also included is information relating to the operating results as a percentage of net sales.
 Statements of Income Data:
For the three months ended March 31, 2018
 
% of
Net Sales
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2017
 
% of
Net Sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Net sales
$
289,960

 
100.0
 %
 
$
338,302

 
100.0
 %
 Cost of goods sold
255,595

 
88.1
 %
 
299,335

 
88.5
 %
 Gross profit
34,365

 
11.9
 %
 
38,967

 
11.5
 %
 Selling, general and administrative expenses
(51,862
)
 
17.9
 %
 
(65,301
)
 
19.3
 %
 Impairment and exit charges
(1,445
)
 
0.5
 %
 
(435
)
 
0.1
 %
 Earnings from equity method investee
1,849

 
0.6
 %
 
3,171

 
0.9
 %
 Other operating income
790

 
0.3
 %
 
1,233

 
0.4
 %
 
(50,668
)
 
17.5
 %
 
(61,332
)
 
18.1
 %
 Loss from operations
(16,303
)
 
(5.6
)%
 
(22,365
)
 
(6.6
)%
 Other income (expenses)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Interest expense
(13,308
)
 
4.6
 %
 
(13,542
)
 
4.0
 %
 Other income, net
6,016

 
2.1
 %
 

 
 %
 Loss before income taxes
(23,595
)
 
8.1
 %
 
(35,907
)
 
10.6
 %
 Income tax benefit
3,685

 
1.3
 %
 
13,364

 
4.0
 %
 Net loss
$
(19,910
)
 
6.9
 %
 
$
(22,543
)
 
6.7
 %

Net Sales

Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were $290.0 million, a decrease of $48.3 million or 14.3% from $338.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017. The decrease is due in part to the U.S. Pressure Pipe Divestiture, which contributed $27.8 million in net sales in the first quarter of 2017, and other divestitures and acquisitions. Record rainfall in North Texas and prolonged cold weather in our Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and North regions also negatively impacted net sales. Shipments in Water were lower due to downtime at the Bessemer, Alabama ductile iron pipe facility associated with a facility upgrade project.

Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of goods sold were $255.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, a decrease of $43.7 million or 14.6% from $299.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017. The decrease is due in part to the U.S. Pressure Pipe Divestiture, which contributed $32.2 million in cost of goods sold in the three months ended March 31, 2017, as well as other acquisitions and divestitures, and in part due to lower net sales in the Water segment due to facility downtime at the Bessemer, Alabama ductile iron pipe facility in connection with a facility upgrade project as well as the impact of weather.


31



Gross Profit

Gross profit decreased by $4.6 million, or 11.8%, to $34.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 from $39.0 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017. Gross profit decreased due to lower sales volumes and proportionately higher cost of goods sold including higher cost of raw materials and unabsorbed costs associated with facility downtime in the Water segment. Higher scrap costs not offset by higher selling prices negatively impacted gross profit in the three months ended March 31, 2018.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses    

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $51.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, a decrease of $13.4 million or 20.5% from $65.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017. The period-over-period decrease is partially attributable a decrease of $2.1 million of costs incurred by entities divested in the U.S. Pressure Pipe Divestiture. Selling, general and administrative expenses in our existing businesses decreased by $11.3 million primarily due to lower professional fees associated with various cost saving initiatives which were not incurred in three months ended March 31, 2018.

Impairment and Exit Charges

We recognized $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 for restructuring charges that primarily related to the consolidation of certain locations for the planned optimization of our portfolio as compared to $0.4 million in the prior year period.

Interest Expense

Interest expense decreased by $0.2 million, or 1.5%, to $13.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 from $13.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017. This decrease was primarily due to lower debt balances as we had no balances outstanding on our revolving credit agreement for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and a larger mark-to-market gain on our interest rate swap, partially offset by higher average interest rate.

Other Income, net

Other income, net was $6.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 due to the gain resulting from the Foley Transaction.

Income Tax Benefit

Income tax benefit decreased by $9.7 million to $3.7 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 from $13.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 due largely to the impact of the lower corporate tax rates enacted in December 2017. The income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is primarily attributable to the federal and state benefit of the current period losses at the statutory rates offset with the unfavorable impact from permanent book to tax differences. We estimated the income tax benefit using the discrete method for the period ending March 31, 2018, calculated based upon the actual year-to-date effective tax rate whereas the income tax benefit was calculated based upon the annual effective tax rate for the three months ending March 31, 2017. In the three months ended March 31, 2017, the income tax benefit reflected the effect of state income taxes, valuation allowance in certain states and foreign jurisdictions, partially offset by the favorable foreign rate differentials and a favorable deduction for domestic production activities.


32



Segments
 
For the three months ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
Net sales:
 
 
 
Drainage Pipe & Products
$
155,645

 
$
160,448

Water Pipe & Products
134,313

 
177,849

Corporate and Other
2

 
5

Total
$
289,960

 
$
338,302

 
 
 
 
Gross profit (loss):
 
 
 
Drainage Pipe & Products
26,416

 
17,377

Water Pipe & Products
8,083

 
22,155

Corporate and Other
(134
)
 
(565
)
Total
$
34,365

 
$
38,967

 
 
 
 
EBITDA(1):
 
 
 
Drainage Pipe & Products
21,159

 
11,411

Water Pipe & Products
6,909

 
17,112

Corporate and Other
(10,943
)
 
(21,084
)
Total
$
17,125

 
$
7,439

(1)
For purposes of evaluating segment performance, the Company's chief operating decision maker reviews earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, as a basis for making the decisions to allocate resources and assess performance. Our discussion below includes the primary drivers of EBITDA.


Drainage Pipe & Products

Net Sales
    
Net sales decreased by $4.8 million, or 3.0%, to $155.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018 from $160.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017. Excluding the impact of acquisitions and divestitures, the Company had organic growth driven by higher volumes in a number of key regions, partially offset by the impact of heavy rainfall in Texas and late season snow and cold weather in our northern region. The Drainage Pipe & Products segment also realized a higher average selling price which helped offset the decrease in volumes.

Gross Profit

Gross profit was $26.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018, an increase of $9.0 million or 51.7% from $17.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017. The increase was primarily due to a higher average selling price while cost of goods sold on a per ton basis that remained approximately flat.


Water Pipe & Products

Net Sales

For the three months ended March 31, 2018, net sales were $134.3 million, a decrease of $43.5 million or 24.5% from $177.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The decrease was due in part to a decrease in net sales of $27.8 million from the U.S. Pressure Pipe Divestiture. In addition, net sales were

33



negatively impacted by downtime at the Bessemer plant associated with a significant facility upgrade, and the impact of late season snow and cold weather in the North, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions.

Gross Profit

Gross profit was $8.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 2018, a decrease of $14.1 million or 63.5% from $22.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017. The decrease was due primarily to downtime at the Bessemer ductile iron pipe facility associated with a significant facility upgrade that resulted in reduced cost absorption and lower sales volumes and the impact of a significant increase in the cost of scrap.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash on hand, cash from operations and borrowings under our credit agreements. We believe these sources will be sufficient to fund our planned operations and capital expenditures in the next 24 months.

We are currently engaged in a dispute with HeidelbergCement regarding the earnout provision in the purchase agreement entered into in connection with the original acquisition of our business. HeidelbergCement has asserted that a payment should be made in the amount of $100.0 million. Resolution will be determined by a neutral accountant pursuant to the terms of the purchase agreement. If it is determined that we are required to make a significant payment to HeidelbergCement, we may not have sufficient cash to make such payment and may be required to incur additional indebtedness. This dispute is discussed in greater detail in Note 14, Commitments and contingencies, to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had approximately $53.4 million and $104.5 million of cash and cash equivalents, respectively, of which $14.7 million and $19.1 million, respectively, were held by foreign subsidiaries. The decline in cash balances as of March 31, 2018 reflects the higher cash demand of our seasonal business. All of the cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 were readily convertible as of such dates into currencies used in the Company’s operations, including the U.S. dollar.  As a result of the TCJA, the Company can repatriate the cumulative undistributed foreign earnings back to the U.S. when needed with minimal additional taxes other than state income and foreign withholding tax.

In connection with the IPO, we entered into a tax receivable agreement with Lone Star that provides for the payment by us to Lone Star of specified amounts in respect of any cash savings as a result of the utilization of certain tax benefits. The actual utilization of the relevant tax benefits as well as the timing of any payments under the tax receivable agreement will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the amount, character and timing of our and our subsidiaries’ taxable income in the future. However, we expect that the payments we make under the tax receivable agreement could be substantial. The tax receivable agreement also includes provisions which restrict the incurrence of debt and that require that we make an accelerated payment to Lone Star equal to the present value of all future payments due under the tax receivable agreement, in each case under certain circumstances. Because of the foregoing, our obligations under the tax receivable agreement could have a substantial negative impact on our liquidity and could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing certain mergers, asset sales, other forms of business combinations or other changes of control. See Note 14, Commitments and contingencies, to the condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the tax receivable agreement.

Total debt related to the 2016 Senior Term Loan as of March 31, 2018 was $1,232.2 million. As of March 31, 2018, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the 2016 Revolver. The 2016 Revolver had available borrowing capacity as of March 31, 2018 of $243.0 million.

The 2016 Revolver provides for an aggregate principal amount of up to $300.0 million, with up to $280.0 million to be made available to the U.S. borrowers and up to $20.0 million to be made available to the Canadian borrowers. Subject to the conditions set forth in the new revolving credit agreement, the 2016 Revolver may be increased by up to the greater of (i) $100.0 million and (ii) such amount as would not cause the aggregate

34



borrowing base to be exceeded by more than $50.0 million. Borrowings under the 2016 Revolver may not exceed a borrowing base equal to the sum of (i) 100% of eligible cash, (ii) 85% of eligible accounts receivable and (iii) the lesser of (a) 75% of eligible inventory and (b) 85% of the orderly liquidation value of eligible inventory, with the U.S. and Canadian borrowings being subject to separate borrowing base limitations. The 2016 Revolver matures on October 25, 2021.

The 2016 Senior Term Loan provides for a $1.05 billion senior secured term loan that was made available to a newly formed direct subsidiary of Forterra, Inc. Subject to the conditions set forth in the term loan agreement, the 2016 Senior Term Loan may be increased by (i) up to the greater of $285.0 million and 1.0x consolidated EBITDA of Forterra, Inc. and its restricted subsidiaries for the four quarters most recently ended prior to such incurrence plus (ii) the aggregate amount of any voluntary prepayments, plus (iii) an additional amount, provided certain financial tests are met. The 2016 Senior Term Loan matures on October 25, 2023 and is subject to quarterly amortization equal to 0.25% of the initial principal amount. On May 1, 2017, the Company amended the 2016 Senior Term Loan to increase the principal outstanding by an additional $200.0 million and to reduce the margin interest margins applicable to the full balance of the 2016 Senior Term Loan by 50 basis points such that applicable margin is based on LIBOR has been reduced from 3.50% to 3.00%. Interest accrues on outstanding borrowings under the 2016 Term Loan at a rate equal to LIBOR (with a floor of 1.0%) or an alternate base rate, in each case plus a margin of 3.00% or 2.00%, respectively.

The 2016 Revolver and the 2016 Senior Term Loan contain customary representations and warranties, and affirmative and negative covenants, that, among other things, restrict our ability to incur additional debt, incur or permit liens on assets, make investments and acquisitions, consolidate or merge with any other company, engage in asset sales and pay dividends and make distributions. The 2016 Revolver contains a financial covenant restricting Forterra from allowing its fixed charge coverage ratio to drop below 1.00:1.00 during a compliance period, which is triggered when the availability under the 2016 Revolver falls below a threshold. The fixed charge coverage ratio is the ratio of consolidated earnings before interest, depreciation, and amortization, less cash payments for capital expenditures and income taxes to consolidated fixed charges (interest expense plus scheduled payments of principal on indebtedness). The 2016 Senior Term Loan does not contain any financial covenants. Obligations under the 2016 Revolver and the 2016 Senior Term Loan may be accelerated upon certain customary events of default (subject to grace periods, as appropriate).
    
The following table sets forth a summary of the net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities for the periods presented (in thousands):

 
 
 
For the three months ended
 
March 31, 2018
 
March 31, 2017
 Statement of Cash Flows data:
 
 
 
 Net cash used in operating activities
$
(43,341
)
 
$
(77,783
)
 Net cash used in investing activities
(4,208
)
 
(52,423
)
 Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(3,264
)
 
117,368


Net Cash Used In Operating Activities

Net cash used in operating activities was $43.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to net cash used in operating activities of $77.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Changes between the periods are in part due to improved quality and management of accounts receivable, notably reducing the working capital requirements attributable to the change in receivable balances offset by an increase in accounts payable.


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Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $4.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 due to capital expenditures of $9.3 million and a settlement on derivative contracts of $5.0 million, partially offset by cash received from Foley of $10.1 million, compared to net cash used of $52.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 primarily due to the Royal acquisition totaling $35.3 million and $17.1 million for purchase of property plant and equipment.

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $3.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 due primarily to repayments of principal on the 2016 Senior Term Loan. Net cash provided by financing activities was $117.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 primarily consisting of additional borrowings net of repayments on our 2016 Revolver.

Capital Expenditures

Our capital expenditures were $9.3 million and $17.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and March 31, 2017, respectively. Capital expenditures primarily related to equipment, such as plant and mobile equipment, upgrade and expansion of existing facilities, and environmental and permit compliance projects.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

In the ordinary course of our business, we are required to provide surety bonds and standby letters of credit to secure performance commitments. As of March 31, 2018, outstanding stand-by letters of credit amounted to $13.4 million.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates  

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The accounting policies that we believe are critical to or require subjective and/or complex judgments that could potentially affect 2018 reported results are discussed in greater detail in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the 2017 10-K. There have been no significant changes to those accounting policies or our assessment of which accounting policies we would consider to be critical accounting policies apart from those identified below, which were applied to reflect the adoption of an updated accounting standard, Topic 606, in our first quarter 2018 condensed consolidated financial statements.

Revenue recognition policy

Our revenue contracts are primarily single performance obligations for the sale of product both to trade customers and distributors. A majority of revenue we recognize is recognized at the time control is transferred to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for the products. We consider several indicators for the transfer of control to our customers, including the significant risks and rewards of ownership of products, our right to payment and the legal title of the products. Based upon the assessment of control indicators, sales to trade customers and distributors are generally recognized when products are delivered to customers.

All variable consideration that may affect the total transaction price, including contractual discounts, rebates, returns and credits are included in net sales. Estimates for variable consideration are based on historical experience, anticipated performance and management's judgment. Generally, our contracts do not contain significant financing.
    

36



For certain engineering and construction contracts and building contracting arrangements, we enter into long-term contracts with customers. Revenue is recognized as the identified performance obligations are satisfied over time using an acceptable input method to measure the progress toward completion of the performance obligation if: the customer receives the benefits as work is performed, the customer controls the asset as it is being produced, or if the product being produced for the customer has no alternative use and we have a contractual right to payment. We use our cost incurred to date relative to total estimated costs at completion to measure progress. Our contract liabilities consist of billings to customers in excess of revenue recognized which the we record as deferred revenue. Contract assets includes revenue recognized in excess of amounts billed and balances billed but not yet paid by by customers under retainage provisions which are classified as a current asset within receivables, net on our balance sheet.
    
We record net sales including taxes collected on behalf of its customers. Shipping and handling costs are accounted for as contract fulfillments costs and classified as cost of goods sold.

Recent Accounting Guidance Adopted

A summary of recent accounting pronouncements and our assessment of any expected impact of these pronouncements if known is included in Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements included the 2017 10-K and Note 2, Summary of significant accounting policies, to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

In the normal course of business, we are exposed to financial risks such as changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity price risk associated with our input costs. We utilize derivative instruments to manage selected foreign exchange and interest rate exposures. See Note 12, Derivatives and hedging to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Interest Rate Risk

Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our long-term debt. The interest expense associated with our long-term debt will vary with market rates. We entered into two interest rate swap transactions with a combined notional value of $525 million to limit our exposure to interest rate increases related to a portion of our floating rate indebtedness.  Under the terms of both swap transactions, we agreed to pay a fixed rate of interest of 1.52% and receive floating rate interest indexed to one-month LIBOR with monthly settlement terms with the swap counterparties.  The swaps have a three-year term and expire on March 31, 2020. At March 31, 2018, we estimate that a 1% increase in the rates relating to the portion of our floating rate debt that is not hedged would increase annual interest requirements by approximately $7.1 million.
 
Foreign Currency Risk

Approximately 5.6% of our net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2018, were made in countries outside of the U.S. As a result, we are exposed to movements in foreign exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and other currencies. Based upon our net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2018, we estimate that a 1% change in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies would affect net sales by approximately $0.2 million. This may differ from actual results depending on the levels of net sales outside of the U.S.

Commodity Price Risk

We are subject to commodity price risks with respect to price changes mainly in the electricity and natural gas markets and other raw material costs, such as cement, aggregates, steel and clay. Price fluctuations on our key inputs have a significant effect on our financial performance. The markets for most of these commodities are cyclical and are affected by factors such as the global economic conditions, changes in or disruptions to industry production capacity, changes in inventory levels and other factors beyond our control.


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Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to a concentration of credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable. We provide our products to customers based on an evaluation of the financial condition of our customers, generally without requiring collateral. Exposure to losses on receivables is principally dependent on each customer's financial condition. We monitor the exposure for credit losses and maintain allowances for anticipated losses. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to our accounts receivable are limited due to the large number of customers comprising our customer base and their dispersion among many different geographies.

At March 31, 2018, we had an individual customer within our Water Pipe & Products segment that accounted for more than 10% of total net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The customer represented approximately 15% of our total net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2018, and amounts receivable from the customer at March 31, 2018 represented approximately 18% of our total receivables, net.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, as of March 31, 2018. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of March 31, 2018, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective due to the following material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting discussed below.

In light of these material weaknesses, we performed additional analysis and other procedures to ensure that our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q were prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These measures included, among other things, expansion of our quarter-end closing and consolidation procedures, and implementation of additional analytical review and verification procedures. As a result, we have concluded that the condensed consolidated financial statements included herein present fairly, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP.

Remediation of Material Weaknesses in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Management identified the following two material weaknesses as of December 31, 2017:

A material weakness related to the aggregation of control deficiencies over the inventory process, primarily related to the ineffective design and operating effectiveness of controls over physical inventory counts, processes to validate inputs used in the calculation of excess and obsolete inventory reserves, and control activities related to the periodic review of standard cost variances and related adjustments of inventories to actual costs.

A material weakness related to the aggregation of control deficiencies over the revenue recognition process, primarily related to the ineffective design and operating effectiveness of controls over the verification of physical shipments and internal validation of customer approvals of sales order terms prior to recognizing revenue.
 

38



We are currently working towards remediating the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and are implementing additional processes and controls designed to address the underlying causes of the material weaknesses. The following describes the continuing remediation that we are taking or have taken to address the material weaknesses described above:

Conduct additional training at the plant level on inventory receiving and delivery controls as well as physical inventory counts;

Enhance management review and monitoring of inventory costing calculations to ensure the correctness of the methodology, the integrity of the data used, as well as the mathematical accuracy of the calculation;

Implement a process of periodically reviewing inventory standard costs;

Implement plant level controls on product shipment and reconciliation to revenue recognition; and

Design and implement controls on sales order processing with special emphasis on customer acknowledgment.

During the course of implementing additional processes and controls, as well as controls operating effectiveness testing, we may identify additional control deficiencies, which could give rise to other material weaknesses, in addition to the material weaknesses described above. As we continue to evaluate and work to improve our internal control over financial reporting, we may determine to take additional measures to address material weaknesses or determine to modify certain of the remediation measures.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Except for the controls we are in the process of implementing as described above to remediate the material weaknesses described above, there were no other changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls

Our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our system of internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed or operated, can provide only reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system of internal control are met. The design of our control system reflects the fact that there are resource constraints, and that the benefits of such control system must be considered relative to their costs. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control failures 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 error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the intentional acts of individuals, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is also based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that the design of any particular control will always succeed in achieving its objective under all potential future conditions.



39



PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The information set forth in Note 14, Commitments and contingencies, to the condensed consolidated financial statements is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in the 2017 10-K.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

None.


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Item 6. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

Exhibit No.
  
Description of Exhibit
 
 
31.1
 
*
 
 
 
 
 
 
31.2
 
*
 
 
 
 
 
 
32.1
 
*^
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document.
*
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
*
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document.
*
 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document.
*
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document.
*
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document.
*
 

*
Filed herewith
^
Exhibit 32.1 shall not be deemed filed with the SEC, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing with the SEC under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language in any filings.




41



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.
 
 
 
 
FORTERRA, INC.
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Jeff Bradley
 
May 8, 2018
By:
Jeff Bradley
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Charles R. Brown, II
 
May 8, 2018
By:
Charles R. Brown, II
 
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)