APOG-2015.2.28-10K


 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
_________________________________ 
FORM 10-K
 _________________________________
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2015
¨
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: 0-6365
_________________________________ 
APOGEE ENTERPRISES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 _________________________________
Minnesota
 
41-0919654
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
4400 West 78th Street – Suite 520,
Minneapolis, MN
 
55435
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (952) 835-1874

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.33 1/3 Par Value
 
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
________________________________ 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
¨  Yes    x  No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
¨  Yes    x  No
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.    x  Yes    ¨  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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     x  Yes    ¨  No



Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
 
x
  
Accelerated filer
 
¨
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  
Smaller reporting company
 
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    ¨  Yes    x  No
As of August 30, 2014, the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, the approximate aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $1,057,000,000 (based on the closing price of $36.51 per share as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC as of that date).
As of April 24, 2015, 29,181,874 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.33 1/3 per share, were outstanding.


DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Certain information required in Part III hereof is incorporated by reference to the Proxy Statement for the registrant's 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.
 


Table of Contents

APOGEE ENTERPRISES, INC.
Annual Report on Form 10-K
For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
  
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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Table of Contents

PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS


The Company
Apogee Enterprises, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Minnesota in 1949. The Company believes it is a world leader in certain technologies involving the design and development of value-added glass solutions for enclosing commercial buildings and framing art. Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms "Company," "Apogee," "we," "us" and "our" as used herein refer to Apogee Enterprises, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

The Company is comprised of four reporting segments:
The Architectural Glass segment fabricates glass used in customized window and curtainwall systems comprising the outside skin of buildings. For fiscal 2015, our Architectural Glass segment accounted for approximately 34 percent of our net sales.
The Architectural Services segment primarily installs and renovates customized aluminum and glass window and curtainwall systems comprising the outside skin of buildings. It also designs, engineers and fabricates a majority of the metal systems it installs. For fiscal 2015, our Architectural Services segment accounted for approximately 25 percent of our net sales.
The Architectural Framing Systems segment designs, engineers and fabricates the aluminum frames used in customized aluminum and glass window, curtainwall, storefront and entrance systems comprising the outside skin and entrances of buildings. For fiscal 2015, our Architectural Framing Systems segment accounted for approximately 32 percent of our net sales.
The Large-Scale Optical Technologies segment manufactures value-added glass and acrylic products primarily for the custom picture framing market. For fiscal 2015, our Large-Scale Optical Technologies segment accounted for approximately 9 percent of our net sales.

Financial information about the Company's segments and geographic regions can be found in Item 8, Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company contained elsewhere in this report.

On November 5, 2013, the Company acquired all of the shares of Alumicor Limited (Alumicor). Alumicor's results of operations are included in our Architectural Framing Systems segment. For further information, see "Acquisition of Alumicor" below.

Products and Services
Apogee provides distinctive value-added glass solutions for enclosing commercial buildings and framing art. We operate in four segments as described in the following paragraphs.

Architectural Glass, Architectural Services and Architectural Framing Systems Segments
All of these segments participate in various phases of the value chain to design, engineer, manufacture and install customized aluminum and glass window, curtainwall, and storefront and entrance systems for commercial buildings in the non-residential and high-end multi-family construction markets. Through complex processes, we add ultra-thin coatings to uncoated architectural glass to create a variety of aesthetic characteristics and different levels of solar energy management, especially important with the industry trend of increasingly energy-efficient buildings. We also laminate layers of glass and vinyl to create glass that helps protect against hurricanes and bomb blasts. Glass can also be tempered to provide additional strength. In addition, we have the ability to design and build windows, curtainwall, storefront and entrances using our customized aluminum and glass, or glass supplied by others. We also provide finishing services for the metal and plastic components used to frame architectural glass windows and walls and other products. Our installation services allow our customers to meet the timing and cost requirements of their jobs by providing efficiently designed quality window and wall systems and effectively managing the installation of the façade on their building projects.

Our product choices allow architects to create distinctive looks for office towers, hotels, education facilities and dormitories, health care facilities, government buildings, retail centers and multi-family residential buildings, while meeting functional requirements such as energy efficiency, impact resistance or sound control.


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The following table describes the products provided by these segments.
Products
 
Product Attributes
 
Participating Segment
 
Description
High-Performance Glass

 
Custom Manufactured-to-Order
 
Architectural Glass
 
We offer a wide range of glass colors and high-performance coatings that allow us to create unique designs, achieve specific light transmission levels and provide solar control options for energy efficiency. Additional value-added processes, such as digital printing, silk-screening and heat soaking, can be incorporated into the glass. High-performance glass is typically fabricated into custom insulating units and/or laminated units to allow for installation into window, curtainwall, storefront or entrance systems.
Installation
 
New Construction and Renovation Services
 
Architectural Services
 
We install curtainwall, window, storefront and entrance systems for new commercial and institutional buildings as well as for renovation of existing buildings. By integrating technical capabilities, project management skills and field installation services, we provide design, engineering, fabrication and installation expertise for the building envelope to building owners, architects and general contractors.
Aluminum Framing
 
Standard, Custom and Engineered-to-Order
 
Architectural Framing Systems
and Architectural Services
 
Varying degrees of customization of our window, curtainwall, storefront and entrance systems are available depending on the customer's project requirements. In-house engineering capabilities allow us to meet the architect's design requirements. Our window systems can be operable or non-operable. Our curtainwall systems may be unitized (shop fabricated) or field fabricated. Depending on the requirements, we paint or anodize the aluminum components.

All of the businesses within the Architectural Glass, Architectural Services and Architectural Framing Systems segments manufacture their products to order. Products are shipped to the job site or other location where further assembly or installation may be required by the respective segment's customers.

Large-Scale Optical Technologies (LSO) Segment
The LSO segment provides coated glass and acrylic for use in custom picture framing and fine art applications. The variables in the glass and acrylic used for picture framing products are the size and coatings to give the product UV protection, anti-reflective properties and/or security features. The following table describes the products provided by the LSO segment.
Products and Services
 
Product Attributes
 
Description
Value-Added Picture Framing Glass and Acrylic
 
UV, Anti-Reflective and/ or Security Features
 
Our coatings reduce the reflectivity of picture framing glass and protect pictures and art from the sun's damaging UV rays. Anti-reflective coatings on acrylic reduce glare and static charge on the surface.

Product Demand and Distribution Channels
Architectural Glass, Architectural Services and Architectural Framing Systems Segments
Our architectural products and services are used in a subset of the construction industry that is differentiated by building type, level of customization required, customers, geographic location and project size. Published data is not readily available for the specific segments that we serve; however, we estimate demand by analyzing data for the overall U.S. and Canadian construction industry.

Building type - The construction industry is typically segmented into residential construction and non-residential construction, which includes commercial, industrial and institutional construction. Apogee is a leading supplier of architectural glass and metal framing products, as well as installation services, to the non-residential construction industry. Our products and services are primarily used in commercial buildings (office towers, hotels and retail centers) and institutional buildings (education facilities and dormitories, health care facilities and government buildings), as well as high-end multi-family buildings (a subset of residential construction).

Level of customization - Most projects have some degree of customization, as the end product or service is based on customer-specified requirements for aesthetics and performance, and designed to satisfy local building codes. All of our Architectural Glass, Architectural Services and Architectural Framing Systems businesses are involved in transforming glass, aluminum or other materials to create customized window, curtainwall, storefront and/or entrance systems that meet customer specifications. The only constant is the base materials of the products and the processes we utilize to fabricate, manufacture and/or install the products.


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Customers and distribution channels - Our customers and those that influence the projects include architects, building owners, general contractors and glazing subcontractors. Our high-performance architectural glass is marketed using a direct sales force and independent sales representatives. Our installation and renovation services are marketed by a direct sales force, primarily in the metropolitan areas we serve in the United States and also where we have the ability to work with our customers in other U.S. markets. We market our custom and standard windows, curtainwall, storefront and entrance systems using a combination of a direct sales force, independent sales representatives and distributors.

Geographic location - From our glass fabrication locations in the U.S., we primarily supply products to customers in the U.S., with some international distribution of our high-performance architectural glass. We estimate the U.S. demand for architectural glass fabrication in non-residential buildings is approximately $1.3 billion in annual sales. From our Brazilian glass fabrication facility, we primarily supply architectural glass in Brazil, where we estimate demand to be approximately $0.3 billion in annual sales. Our aluminum framing systems, including windows, curtainwall, storefront and entrances, are marketed in the U.S. and Canada, where we estimate demand is approximately $2.8 billion in annual sales.

We estimate the U.S. demand for installation services is approximately $10.5 billion in annual sales. Within the installation services industry, Apogee is one of only a few companies to have a national presence, with 11 offices and satellite offices serving multiple U.S. geographies. We estimate that we are able to service approximately 60 percent of the total installation demand from our existing locations and our ability to travel to other geographies where we do not have a local presence. Although installation of building glass in new commercial and institutional construction projects is the primary focus of our business, we also offer installation retrofits or renovations for the outside skin of older commercial and institutional buildings.

Project size - The projects on which our Architectural Glass, Architectural Services and Architectural Framing Systems segments bid and work vary in size. Our high-performance Architectural Glass fabrication products primarily serve mid-size to monumental high-profile projects. Our Architectural Services segment serves mid-size projects and the Architectural Framing Systems segment targets mid-size and small projects.

LSO Segment
The Company's Tru Vue brand is the largest domestically manufactured brand for value-added glass and acrylic for custom picture framing. Through the Company's leadership, the custom picture framing industry continues to convert from clear glass to value-added glass and acrylic. Under this brand, products are distributed primarily in North America through regional and national retail chains, as well as through local picture framing shops via an independent distribution network. The Company has also been successful in supplying products to museums and public and private galleries. We also have distribution in Europe and other international geographies through independent distributors; we view this as a focus area for future growth of this segment.

Warranties
We offer product and service warranties that we believe are competitive for the markets in which our products and services are sold. The nature and extent of these warranties depend upon the product or service, the market and, in some cases, the customer being served. Our standard warranties are generally from two to 10 years for our architectural glass, curtainwall and window system products, while we generally offer warranties of two years or less on our other products and installation services. In the event of a claim against a product for which we have received a warranty from the supplier, we pass the claim back to our supplier. Although we carry liability insurance with very high deductibles for product failures, we reserve for warranty exposures, as our insurance does not cover warranty claims. There can be no assurance that our insurance will be sufficient to cover all product failure claims in the future; that the costs of this insurance and the related deductibles will not increase materially; or that liability insurance for product failures will be available on terms acceptable to the Company in the future.

Sources and Availability of Raw Materials
Materials used within the Architectural Glass and Architectural Framing Systems segments include raw glass, aluminum billet and extrusions, vinyl, metal targets, insulated glass spacer frames, silicone, plastic extrusions, desiccant, chemicals, paints, lumber and urethane. Within the Architectural Services segment, materials used include fabricated glass, aluminum extrusions, silicone, plastic extrusions and fabricated metal panels. The LSO segment uses glass, hard-coated acrylic, acrylic substrates, metal targets, coating materials and chemicals.

Glass manufacturers have applied surcharges to the cost of glass over the past several years to help offset increases in energy and fuel costs, which we are generally able to pass on to our customers through surcharges. We have also seen recent volatility in the cost of aluminum that is used in our window, storefront, entrance and curtainwall systems. Where possible, we have passed the changes in cost of materials on to our customers in the form of pricing adjustments and/or surcharges.

A majority of our raw materials are readily available from a variety of domestic and international sources. While certain glass products may only be available at certain times of the year, all standard glass types and colors are available throughout the year

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in reasonable quantities from multiple suppliers. Although we expect glass supply to become tighter in the U.S. due to the recent economic upturn across many industries that consume glass, including automotive manufacturing, residential construction and non-residential construction, no supplier delays or shortages are anticipated.

Trademarks and Patents
The Company has several trademarks and trade names that we believe have significant value in the marketing of our products, including APOGEE®. Trademark registrations in the United States are generally for a term of 10 years, renewable every 10 years as long as the trademark is used in the regular course of trade.

Within the Architectural Glass segment, VIRACON®, VIRACON VUE-50®, DIGITALDISTINCTIONS®, ROOMSIDE®, EXTREMEDGE®, BUILDING DESIGN® and STORMGUARD® are registered trademarks. GLASS IS EVERYTHING™, VIRASPAN™, CLEAR POINT™ and CYBERSHIELD™ are unregistered trademarks. In addition, GLASSEC®, INSULATTO® and BLINDATTO® are registered trademarks in Brazil. GLASSECVIRACON is an unregistered trademark in Brazil.

Within the Architectural Services segment, HARMON®, HARMON GLASS®, HI - 7000® and INNOVATIVE FACADE SOLUTIONS® and are registered trademarks. UCW-8000™, HI-8500™, HI-9000™, SMU-6000™ and HPW-250™ are unregistered trademarks.

Within the Architectural Framing Systems segment, LINETEC®, WAUSAU WINDOW AND WALL SYSTEMS®, TUBELITE®, ADVANTAGE BY WAUSAU®, FINISHER OF CHOICE®, THERML=BLOCK®, MAXBLOCK®, DFG®, ECOLUMINUM®, ALUMINATE®, GET THE POINT!® and FORCEFRONT® are registered trademarks. CUSTOM WINDOW™, INVENT™, INVENT.PLUS™, INVENT RETRO™, INVISION™, CLEARSTORY™, EPIC™, HERITAGE™, VISULINE™, SEAL™ and SUPERWALL™ are unregistered trademarks. ALUMICOR™ and BUILDING EXCELLENCETM are unregistered trademarks in Canada.

Within the LSO segment, TRU VUE®, CONSERVATION CLEAR®, CONSERVATION MASTERPIECE ACRYLIC®, CONSERVATION REFLECTION CONTROL®, ULTRAVUE®, MUSEUM GLASS®, OPTIUM®, PREMIUM CLEAN®, REFLECTION CONTROL®, AR REFLECTION - FREE®, TRU VUE AR®, OPTIUM ACRYLIC®, OPTIUM MUSEUM ACRYLIC®, CONSERVATION MASTERPIECE® and STATICSHIELD® are registered trademarks. TRULIFE™ and VISTA AR™ are unregistered trademarks.

The Company has several patents pertaining to our glass coating methods and products, including our UV coating and etch processes for anti-reflective glass for the picture framing industry. Despite being a point of differentiation from its competitors, no single patent is considered to be material to the Company.

Seasonality
The North American businesses in our Architectural Glass, Architectural Services and Architectural Framing Systems segments experience a slight seasonal effect following the commercial construction industry. Our Brazilian Architectural Glass segment business does not have a significant seasonal trend. A bigger impact to net sales is the fact that the construction industry is highly cyclical in nature and can be influenced differently by the effects of the local economies in geographies where our products are marketed.

Within the LSO segment, picture framing glass and acrylic sales tend to increase in the September to December timeframe. However, the timing of customer promotional activities may offset some of this seasonal impact.

Working Capital Requirements
Trade accounts receivable is the largest component of working capital for the Company, including receivables relating to contractual retention amounts that can be outstanding throughout the project duration within the Architectural Services segment. Payment terms offered to our customers are similar to those offered by others in the industry. For the Architectural Glass and Architectural Framing Systems segments, inventory requirements are not significant since these businesses make-to-order rather than build-to-stock for the majority of their products. As a result, inventory levels follow customer demand for the products produced.

Since the LSO segment builds-to-stock for the majority of its products, it requires greater inventory levels to meet the demands of its customers.

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Dependence on a Single Customer
We do not have any one customer that exceeds 10 percent of the Company's consolidated net sales. However, there are important customers within each of our segments; the loss of one or more customers could have an adverse effect on the Company.

Backlog
Backlog represents the dollar amount of revenues we expect to recognize in the future from firm contracts or orders received, as well as those that are in progress. Backlog is not a term defined under generally accepted accounting principles and is not a measure of contract profitability. We include a project within our backlog at the time a signed contract or a firm purchase order is received, generally as a result of a competitive bidding process. Backlog by reporting segment at February 28, 2015, November 29, 2014 and March 1, 2014 was as follows:
(In thousands)
February 28, 2015
 
November 29, 2014
 
March 1, 2014
Architectural Glass
$
137,432

 
$
151,221

 
$
73,206

Architectural Services
287,473

 
268,696

 
187,471

Architectural Framing Systems
77,666

 
88,070

 
72,634

Large-Scale Optical
2,107

 
2,100

 
870

Intersegment eliminations
(13,886
)
 
(16,173
)
 
(4,546
)
Total Backlog
$
490,792

 
$
493,914

 
$
329,635


We expect approximately $393.4 million, or 80 percent, of our February 28, 2015 backlog to be recognized in fiscal 2016, with the balance to be recognized in fiscal 2017 and beyond. We view backlog as an important statistic in evaluating the level of sales activity and short-term sales trends in our business. However, as backlog is only one indicator, and is not an effective indicator of our ultimate profitability, we do not believe that backlog should be used as the sole indicator of future earnings of the Company.

Competitive Conditions
Architectural Glass, Architectural Services and Architectural Framing Systems segments
The markets served by the Architectural Glass, Architectural Services and Architectural Framing Systems segments are very competitive, price and lead-time sensitive, and primarily affected by changes in the North American commercial construction industry, as well as changes in general economic conditions. Additionally, due to the Architectural Glass segment's operations in Brazil, it is impacted by the commercial construction industry and general economic conditions in Brazil and the surrounding region.

Interest rates, credit availability for commercial construction projects, material costs, employment rates, office vacancy rates, building construction starts and office absorption rates are key indicators to the commercial construction market conditions. As each of these economic indicators moves favorably, our businesses typically experience sales growth, and vice-versa.

These segments primarily serve the custom portion of the commercial construction industry, which is generally highly fragmented. The primary competitive factors are price, product quality, reliable service, on-time delivery, warranty and the ability to provide technical engineering and design services. There is potential to offset some competitive pressures in the market for newly constructed buildings through increased renovation of the exteriors of commercial and institutional buildings using some of our segments' products and services due to their premium energy-efficiency properties.

We believe that our domestic competition does not provide the same level of custom coatings to the industry as our Architectural Glass segment, but regional glass fabricators can provide somewhat similar products with similar attributes. Regional glass fabricators incorporate high performance, post-temperable glass products, procured from primary glass suppliers, into their insulated glass products. The availability of these products has enabled regional glass fabricators in some cases to bid on more complex projects than in the past. Since we typically target the more complex projects, we have encountered increased competition from these regional glass fabricators. In certain regions of the U.S., we encounter competition from international competitors on complex projects.

When providing glass installation services, our Architectural Services segment largely competes against regional and local construction companies and installation contractors, and periodically against other larger national companies. The commercial window and storefront manufacturing industry is highly fragmented and our Architectural Framing Systems segment competes against several major aluminum window and storefront manufacturers. Our architectural finishing business competes against regional paint and anodizing companies.


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Our businesses in the Architectural Glass, Architectural Services and Architectural Framing Systems segments maintain significant relationships with architects, who influence the selection of products and services on a project. Additionally, throughout a construction project, the Architectural Services segment must maintain significant relationships with general contractors, who are the segment's direct customers. This is due to the high degree of dependence on general contractors and architects for project initiation and development of specifications. Additionally, the timing of a project depends on the schedule established by the general contractors and their ability to maintain this schedule. If a general contractor fails to keep a construction project on its established timeline, the timing and profitability of the project could be negatively impacted.

LSO Segment
Product attributes, pricing, quality, marketing, and marketing support are the primary competitive factors in the LSO segment. The Company's competitive strengths include our excellent relationships with customers and the performance provided by our unique value-added products. While there is significant price sensitivity in regard to sales of clear glass to picture framers, there is somewhat less price sensitivity on certain of our value-added glass products due to their unique attributes. There is competition in North America with European imports of certain valued-added products for picture framing.

Research and Development
The amount spent on research and development activities was $6.5 million, $7.8 million and $6.8 million in fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Of this amount, $2.4 million, $2.1 million and $1.6 million, respectively, was focused primarily upon design of custom window and curtainwall systems in accordance with customer specifications and is included in cost of sales in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Environment
We use hazardous materials in our manufacturing operations, and have air and water emissions that require controls. As a result, we are subject to stringent federal, state and local regulations governing the storage, use and disposal of wastes. We contract with outside vendors to collect and dispose of waste at our production facilities in compliance with applicable environmental laws. In addition, we have procedures in place that we believe enable us to properly manage the regulated materials used in our manufacturing processes and wastes created by the production processes, and we have implemented a program to monitor our compliance with environmental laws and regulations. Although we believe we are currently in material compliance with such laws and regulations, current or future laws and regulations could require us to make substantial expenditures for compliance with chemical exposure, waste treatment or disposal regulations. We spent approximately $0.2 million, $0.5 million and $0.1 million in fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, to reduce wastewater solids and hazardous air emissions at our facilities. We expect to incur costs to continue to comply with laws and regulations in the future for our ongoing manufacturing operations but do not expect these to be material to our financial statements.

As part of the acquisition of Tubelite Inc. (Tubelite) on December 21, 2007, we acquired a manufacturing facility which has historical environmental conditions. We believe that Tubelite is a “responsible party” for certain of these historical environmental conditions, and the Company is working to remediate those conditions. The Company believes the remediation activities can be conducted without significant disruption to manufacturing operations at this facility. As of February 28, 2015, the environmental reserve balance was $1.8 million.

Employees
The Company employed 4,802 and 4,266 persons on February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014, respectively. At February 28, 2015, 416 of these employees were represented by U.S. labor unions and 294 of these employees were represented by labor unions in Brazil.

Acquisition of Alumicor
On November 5, 2013, the Company acquired all of the shares of Alumicor Limited, a privately held business, for $52.9 million, including cash acquired of $1.6 million. Alumicor is a window, storefront, entrance and curtainwall company primarily serving the Canadian commercial construction market. Alumicor's results of operations are included in the Architectural Framing Systems segment. Item 8, Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements contains further information regarding this acquisition.

International Sales
Information regarding export and international sales is included in Item 8, Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Available Information
The Company maintains a website at www.apog.com. Through a link to a third-party content provider, this corporate website provides free access to the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and, if applicable, amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), as soon as reasonably practicable after electronic filing such material with, or furnishing it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. Also available on our website are various corporate governance documents, including our Code of Business Ethics and Conduct, Corporate Governance Guidelines, and charters for the Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees of the Board of Directors.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Name
 
Age
 
Positions with Apogee Enterprises and Five-Year Employment History
Joseph F. Puishys
 
56

 
Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company since August 2011. President of Honeywell's Environmental and Combustion Controls division from 2008 through 2011, President of Honeywell's Building Solutions from 2005 through 2008, and President of Honeywell Building Solutions, America from 2004 to 2005.
James S. Porter
 
54

 
Chief Financial Officer since October 2005. Vice President of Strategy and Planning from 2002 through 2005. Various management positions within the Company since 1997.
Patricia A. Beithon
 
61

 
General Counsel and Secretary since September 1999.
Gary R. Johnson
 
53

 
Vice President, Treasurer since January 2001. Various management positions within the Company since 1995.
John A. Klein
 
59

 
Senior Vice President, Operations and Supply Chain Management of the Company since April 2012. Director of Operations at Cooper Industries' Power Systems Division from 2008 through 2012, and Vice President of Operations at Rexnord Industries' Bearing Division from 2005 through 2007.

Executive officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors and serve for a one-year period. There are no family relationships between any of the executive officers or directors of the Company.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Our business faces many risks. Any of the risks discussed below, or elsewhere in the Form 10-K or our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

General global economic and business conditions could negatively affect our results.
Our Architectural Glass, Architectural Services and Architectural Framing Systems segments are dependent on global economic conditions and the cyclical nature of the North American commercial construction industry. The commercial construction industry is impacted negatively by volatility in global financial markets, including, among other things, volatility in securities prices, availability of credit, unemployment rates, consumer confidence, interest rates and commodity prices. To the extent changes in these factors negatively impact the overall commercial construction industry, our revenue and profits could be significantly reduced.

Our Architectural Glass segment's operation located in Brazil is subject to the economic, political and tax conditions prevalent in the region. The economic conditions in this region are subject to different growth expectations, market weaknesses and business practices than seen in the U.S. We cannot predict how changing economic conditions in this region will impact our financial results.

Our LSO segment depends on the strength of the retail custom picture framing industry. This industry is highly dependent on consumer confidence and the conditions of the U.S. economy. If consumer confidence declines, whether as a result of an economic slowdown, uncertainty regarding the future or other factors, our use of these strategies may not be as successful in the future, resulting in a potential decrease in net sales and operating income.

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Unfavorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates could negatively impact our results and financial position.
Our subsidiaries in Canada and Brazil report their results of operations and financial position in their relevant functional currencies, which are then translated into U.S. Dollars. This translated financial information is included in our consolidated financial statements. The strengthening of the U.S. Dollar in comparison to these functional currencies could have a negative impact on our results and financial position.

New competitors or specific actions of our existing competitors could adversely impact our industry position and future results.
All of our operating segments operate in competitive industries where the actions of our existing competitors or new competitors could result in a loss of customers or share of customers' demand. Changes in our competitors' products, prices or services could negatively impact our share of demand, net sales or margins.

Our Architectural Glass and Architectural Framing Systems segments have seen an increase in imports of competitive products from lower-cost, international suppliers that, if this were to continue, could negatively impact our net sales and margins. Our LSO segment competes with several international specialty glass manufacturers that have traditionally not penetrated the U.S. custom picture framing industry. Although these LSO competitors have not been able to meet the specification level of our products, upgrades to our competitor's products could have a negative impact on net sales or margins.

Our ability to effectively utilize our manufacturing capacity could adversely impact future results.
Near-term performance depends, to a significant degree, on our ability to increase and appropriately utilize available production capacity. The failure to successfully maintain existing capacity, invest in additional physical capacity and recruit necessary manufacturing labor could adversely affect our operating results.

Product quality issues could negatively impact demand for our products and future profitability.
We manufacture and/or install a significant portion of our products based on the specific requirements of each customer. We believe that future orders of our products or services will depend on our ability to maintain the performance, reliability and quality standards required by our customers. If our products or services have performance, reliability or quality problems, or products are installed using incompatible glazing materials or installed improperly, we may experience additional warranty and service expense; reduced or canceled orders; diminished pricing power; higher manufacturing or installation costs; or delays in the collection of accounts receivable. Additionally, performance, reliability or quality claims from our customers, with or without merit, could result in costly and time-consuming litigation that could require significant time and attention of management and involve significant monetary damages that could negatively impact our financial results.

Project management and installation issues could negatively impact future results.
The Architectural Services segment is typically awarded fixed-price contracts for installation services. Often, bids are required before all aspects of a construction project are known. An underestimate in the amount of labor required and/or cost of materials for a project; a change in the timing of the delivery of product; difficulties or errors in execution; use of incompatible glazing materials; or significant project delays, caused by us or other trades, could result in failure to achieve the expected results. Any such issues could result in losses on individual contracts that could impact our operating results.

Our future profitability and cash flow are dependent on realizing expected government incentives.
We have made commitments to expand certain manufacturing facilities and make investments in new manufacturing capabilities. Contributing to the decision to make such investments was the availability of federal, state and local incentives including tax credits, tax increment financing and grants. If the Company is not able to realize the benefits of planned incentive packages, future operating results could be negatively impacted.

A shift in consumer preferences could negatively impact the demand for our products.
Any change in customer preference, architectural trends or building codes that reduces window-to-wall ratios in non-residential construction would negatively impact net sales and operating income in our Architectural Glass, Architectural Services and Architectural Framing Systems segments. The LSO segment depends on U.S. consumers framing art and other decorative items. Any shift in customer preference away from framed art to other forms of decorative media could negatively impact future net sales and operating income in the LSO segment.

The loss of a significant customer in the LSO segment could adversely affect our results.
The LSO segment is highly dependent on a relatively small number of customers for its sales. We expect to continue deriving a significant portion of our net sales from a small number of customers. Accordingly, loss of a significant customer or a significant reduction in pricing, or a shift to a less favorable mix of value-added picture framing glass or acrylic products for one of those customers could materially reduce LSO net sales and operating results.


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Our results can be volatile and differ significantly from our expectations and the expectations of analysts.
Our net sales and operating results may differ from Company-provided guidance and the expectations of securities analysts or investors in future periods. Our annual net sales and operating results may vary depending on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, fluctuating customer demand, delay or timing of shipments, construction delays or cancellations due to lack of financing for construction projects, changes in product and project, and market acceptance of new products. Manufacturing or operational difficulties that may arise due to quality control, or unplanned operational downtime may also adversely impact our annual net sales and operating results. In addition, competition, including new entrants into our markets, the introduction of new products by competitors, adoption of competitive technologies by our customers, or competitive pressures on prices of our products and services, could adversely impact our annual net sales and operating results. Finally, our annual net sales and operating results may vary depending on raw material pricing and the potential for disruption of supply, or changes in legislation that could have an adverse impact on our labor or other costs. Our failure to meet net sales and operating result expectations would likely adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
 
We retain significant risk through self-insurance programs.
We obtain third-party insurance for potential losses from general liability, employment practices, workers' compensation and automobile liability risk. However, a high amount of risk is retained on a self-insured basis through a wholly-owned insurance subsidiary. Therefore, a material product liability event, such as a material rework event, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

Difficulties with our information technology systems and security could adversely affect our results.
We have many information technology systems that are important to the operation of our businesses. These systems are used to process, transmit, and store electronic information, and to manage or support a variety of business processes and activities. We could encounter difficulties in developing new systems and maintaining existing systems. Such difficulties could lead to significant additional expenses and/or disruption in business operations that could adversely affect our results.

Additionally, information technology security threats are increasing in frequency and sophistication. These threats pose a risk to the security of our systems and networks and the confidentiality, availability and integrity of our data. Should such an attack succeed, it could lead to the compromise of confidential information, manipulation and destruction of data, production downtimes, disruption in the availability of financial data, or misrepresentation of information via digital media. The occurrence of any of these events could adversely affect our reputation, and could result in litigation, regulatory action, potential liability, and increased costs and operational consequences of implementing further data protection matters.

We use hazardous chemicals in the production of our products and are thus subjected to changes in environmental legislation.
We use hazardous chemicals in producing our products. One of our facilities has certain historical environmental conditions that we believe require remediation. Our inability to remediate the historical environmental conditions at the facility at or below the amounts reserved, therefore, could have a material adverse impact on future financial results. Additionally, we are subject to a variety of local, state and federal governmental regulations relating to storage, discharge, handling, emission, generation and disposal of toxic or other hazardous substances used to manufacture our products, compliance with which is expensive. Our failure to comply with current or future environmental regulations could result in the imposition of substantial fines, suspension of production, alteration of our manufacturing processes or increased costs. Our financial results could also be adversely impacted by rising energy and material costs associated with environmental regulations.

A loss of key personnel could negatively impact near-term results.
Our success depends on the skills, experience and efforts of our executive management and other key personnel. If, for any reason, one or more senior executives or key personnel were not to remain active in our Company, our financial results could be adversely affected.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

The following table lists, by segment, the Company's major facilities as of February 28, 2015, the general use of the facility and whether it is owned or leased by the Company.
Facility
 
Location
 
Owned/ Leased
 
Size (sq. ft.)
 
Function
Architectural Glass Segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Viracon
 
Owatonna, MN
 
Owned
 
868,500

 
Mfg/Admin
Viracon
 
Owatonna, MN
 
Owned
 
136,050

 
Mfg/Admin
Viracon
 
Owatonna, MN
 
Leased
 
160,000

 
Warehouse
Viracon
 
Statesboro, GA
 
Owned
 
397,200

 
Mfg/Warehouse
Viracon
 
St. George, UT
 
Owned
 
236,000

 
Mfg/Warehouse
GlassecViracon
 
Nazaré Pulista, Brazil
 
Owned(1)
 
100,000

 
Mfg/Admin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Architectural Services Segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Harmon, Inc. Headquarters
 
Minneapolis, MN
 
Leased
 
12,954

 
Admin
Harmon, Inc.
 
West Chester, OH
 
Leased
 
156,000

 
Mfg
Harmon, Inc.
 
Garland, TX
 
Leased
 
114,025

 
Mfg
Harmon, Inc.
 
Glen Burnie, MD
 
Leased
 
72,377

 
Mfg
Harmon, Inc.
 
Orlando, FL
 
Leased
 
49,000

 
Mfg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Architectural Framing Systems Segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wausau Window and Wall Systems
 
Wausau, WI
 
Owned
 
370,400

 
Mfg/Admin
Wausau Window and Wall Systems
 
Stratford, WI
 
Owned
 
67,000

 
Mfg
Linetec
 
Wausau, WI
 
Owned
 
430,000

 
Mfg/Admin
Tubelite
 
Reed City, MI
 
Owned
 
245,000

 
Mfg
Tubelite
 
Walker, MI
 
Leased
 
123,125

 
Mfg/Admin
Tubelite
 
Dallas, TX
 
Leased
 
47,500

 
Mfg
Alumicor
 
Ontario, Canada
 
Leased
 
180,329

 
Mfg/Warehouse/Admin
Alumicor
 
Ontario, Canada
 
Owned
 
55,000

 
Mfg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LSO Segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tru Vue
 
McCook, IL
 
Owned
 
300,000

 
Mfg/Admin
Tru Vue
 
Faribault, MN
 
Owned
 
274,600

 
Mfg/Admin
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Apogee Headquarters
 
Minneapolis, MN
 
Leased
 
19,237

 
Admin
(1)
This is an owned facility; however, the land is leased from the city.

In addition to the locations listed above, the Architectural Services segment business operates 11 leased locations, serving multiple markets.

One of the Viracon facilities, a portion of the Wausau Window and Wall Systems facility, a portion of the Linetec facility and the Tru Vue facilities were constructed with the use of proceeds from industrial revenue bonds issued by their applicable cities. These properties are considered owned since, at the end of the bond term, title reverts to the Company.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company has been a party to various legal proceedings incidental to its normal operating activities. In particular, like others in the construction supply and services industry, the Company's construction supply and services businesses are routinely involved in various disputes and claims arising out of construction projects, sometimes involving significant monetary damages or product replacement. The Company has also been subject to litigation arising out of employment practices, workers' compensation, general liability and automobile claims. Although it is very difficult to accurately predict the outcome of such proceedings, facts currently available indicate that no such claims will result in losses that would have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, cash flows or financial condition of the Company.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable

PART II


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

Market Information
Apogee common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (Nasdaq) under the ticker symbol APOG.

As of April 8, 2015, there were approximately 1,278 shareholders of record and 7,715 shareholders for whom securities firms acted as nominees.

The following chart shows the quarterly range and year-end closing prices for one share of the Company's common stock over the past five fiscal years.
 
 
First
 
Second
 
Third
 
Fourth
 
Year-end
 
 
Low
High
 
Low
High
 
Low
High
 
Low
High
 
Close
2015
 
$
28.28

$
35.64

 
$
29.21

$
36.68

 
$
35.07

$
47.02

 
$
37.83

$
48.03

 
$
45.85

2014
 
23.06

30.26

 
22.20

29.41

 
27.25

36.09

 
30.97

37.73

 
34.23

2013
 
12.17

16.44

 
14.14

17.20

 
15.80

23.31

 
22.20

26.62

 
26.21

2012
 
12.42

14.82

 
8.21

13.45

 
7.79

11.54

 
9.42

15.05

 
12.60

2011
 
12.57

16.89

 
9.05

13.89

 
8.76

12.05

 
10.79

14.72

 
13.92


Dividends
The Board of Directors quarterly evaluates declaring dividends based on operating results, available funds and the Company's financial condition. Cash dividends have been paid each quarter since 1974. The chart below shows quarterly and annual cumulative cash dividends per share for the past five fiscal years.
 
 
First
 
Second
 
Third
 
Fourth
 
Total
2015
 
$
0.1000

 
$
0.1000

 
$
0.1000

 
$
0.1100

 
$
0.4100

2014
 
0.0900

 
0.0900

 
0.0900

 
0.1000

 
0.3700

2013
 
0.0900

 
0.0900

 
0.0900

 
0.0900

 
0.3600

2012
 
0.0815

 
0.0815

 
0.0815

 
0.0815

 
0.3260

2011
 
0.0815

 
0.0815

 
0.0815

 
0.0815

 
0.3260


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Purchases of Equity Securities by the Company
The following table provides information with respect to purchases made by the Company of its own stock during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015:
Period
Total Number of Shares Purchased (a)
 
Average Price Paid per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (b)
 
Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased under the Plans or Programs (b)
November 30, 2014 through December 27, 2014
1,680

 
$
41.58

 

 
767,368

December 28, 2014 through January 24, 2015
13,480

 
43.09

 

 
767,368

January 25, 2015 through February 28, 2015
2,614

 
45.30

 

 
767,368

   Total
17,774

 
$
43.89

 

 
767,368

(a) The shares in this column represent shares that were surrendered to us by plan participants in order to satisfy stock-for-stock option exercises or withholding tax obligations related to stock-based compensation.
(b) In April 2003, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of 1,500,000 shares of Company stock, which was announced on April 10, 2003. In January 2008, the Board of Directors increased the authorization by 750,000 shares, which was announced on January 24, 2008. In October 2008, the Board of Directors increased the authorization by 1,000,000 shares, which was announced on October 8, 2008. The Company's repurchase program does not have an expiration date.

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Comparative Stock Performance
The line graph below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock for the last five fiscal years with cumulative total return on the Standard & Poor's Small Cap 600 Growth Index and the Russell 2000 Index. This graph assumes a $100 investment in each of Apogee, the Standard & Poor's Small Cap 600 Growth Index and the Russell 2000 Index at the close of trading on February 27, 2010, and also assumes the reinvestment of all dividends.
 
Fiscal 2010
Fiscal 2011
Fiscal 2012
Fiscal 2013
Fiscal 2014
Fiscal 2015
Apogee
$
100.00

$
97.41

$
88.17

$
183.41

$
239.54

$
320.85

S&P Small Cap 600 Growth Index
100.00

133.88

140.37

160.30

210.33

225.62

Russell 2000 Index
100.00

130.77

127.66

145.53

188.21

196.22


For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2015, our primary business activities included architectural glass (approximately 34 percent of net sales), architectural services (approximately 25 percent of net sales), architectural framing systems (approximately 32 percent of net sales) and large-scale optical technologies (approximately 9 percent of net sales). We are not aware of any competitors, public or private, that are similar to us in size and scope of business activities. Most of our direct competitors are either privately owned or divisions of larger, publicly owned companies.


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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following information should be read in conjunction with Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
(In thousands, except per share data and percentages)
2015
2014(1)(2)
2013(1)
2012(1)(3)
2011(4)
2010
Results from Operations Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales
$
933,936

$
771,445

$
700,224

$
662,463

$
582,777

$
696,703

Gross profit
208,544

165,252

145,733

117,120

83,120

162,095

Operating income (loss)
63,585

40,285

27,419

3,816

(20,972
)
45,430

Net earnings (loss)
50,516

27,986

19,111

4,645

(10,332
)
31,742

Earnings (loss) per share - basic
1.76

0.98

0.68

0.17

(0.37
)
1.16

Earnings (loss) per share - diluted
1.72

0.95

0.67

0.17

(0.37
)
1.15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance Sheet Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets
$
298,975

$
247,430

$
256,479

$
234,077

$
213,923

$
246,586

Total assets
612,057

569,995

524,779

497,742

511,098

526,854

Current liabilities
149,028

136,834

122,167

105,771

113,946

128,887

Long-term debt
20,587

20,659

20,756

20,916

21,442

8,400

Shareholders' equity
382,476

356,104

336,792

324,672

327,677

343,590

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Flow Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
$
29,423

$
26,550

$
26,529

$
27,246

$
28,218

$
29,601

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
68,563

52,921

40,716

27,981

(7,985
)
97,234

Net cash used in investing activities
(24,475
)
(43,974
)
(57,132
)
(18,498
)
(14,391
)
(53,245
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(19,773
)
(17,576
)
232

(13,116
)
209

(9,832
)
Capital expenditures
27,220

41,852

34,664

9,650

9,126

9,765

Dividends(5)
12,071

10,764

10,316

9,153

9,161

9,112

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross margin - % of sales
22.3
%
21.4
%
20.8
%
17.7
 %
14.3
 %
23.3
%
Operating margin - % of sales
6.8
%
5.2
%
3.9
%
0.6
 %
(3.6
)%
6.5
%
Effective tax rate - %
22.3
%
29.6
%
29.0
%
(29.2
)%
39.3
 %
31.7
%
Non-cash working capital
$
97,479

$
81,976

$
58,791

$
49,120

$
39,426

$
15,064

Debt as a % of total capital
5.1
%
5.5
%
5.9
%
6.1
 %
6.4
 %
2.4
%
Return on:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average shareholders' equity - %
13.7
%
8.1
%
5.8
%
1.4
 %
(3.1
)%
9.6
%
Average invested capital(6)- %
8.8
%
6.0
%
4.3
%
0.6
 %
(3.4
)%
7.5
%
Dividend yield at year-end - %
0.9
%
1.1
%
1.4
%
2.6
 %
2.3
 %
2.3
%
Book value per share
13.17

12.30

11.81

11.57

11.66

12.29

Price/earnings ratio at year-end
27:1

36:1

39:1

76:1

NM

12:1

Average monthly trading volume
3,665

5,098

3,381

2,830

4,790

5,900

(1)
Includes the retrospective adjustment of Balance Sheet Data to reflect the elimination of LIFO accounting, see Item 8, Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company contained elsewhere in this report.
(2)
Includes the acquisition of Alumicor in November 2013.
(3)
Fiscal 2012 included 53 weeks, compared to 52 weeks in each of the other periods presented.
(4)
Includes the acquisition of Glassec in November 2010.
(5)
See Item 5 for fiscal year 2011-2015 dividend per share data.
(6)
[Operating income x .65]/average invested capital
NM=Not meaningful

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

Forward-Looking Statements
This discussion contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “project,” “should” and similar expressions are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forecasts and projections in this document are “forward-looking statements,” and are based on management's current expectations or beliefs of the Company's

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near-term results, based on current information available pertaining to the Company, including the risk factors noted under Item 1A in this Form 10-K. From time to time, we also may provide oral and written forward-looking statements in other materials we release to the public, such as press releases, presentations to securities analysts or investors, or other communications by the Company. Any or all of our forward-looking statements in this report and in any public statements we make could be materially different from actual results.

Accordingly, we wish to caution investors that any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company are subject to uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. These uncertainties and other risk factors include, but are not limited to, the risks and uncertainties set forth under Item 1A in this Form 10-K.

We wish to caution investors that other factors might in the future prove to be important in affecting the Company's results of operations. New factors emerge from time to time; it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or a combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Overview
We are a leader in certain technologies that provide distinctive solutions for enclosing commercial buildings and framing art. The Company's four reportable segments are: Architectural Glass, Architectural Services, Architectural Framing Systems and Large-Scale Optical (LSO).
Architectural Glass segment consists of Viracon, a fabricator of coated, high-performance architectural glass for global markets.
The Architectural Services segment consists of Harmon, one of the largest U.S. full-service building glass installation and renovation companies; it designs, engineers, fabricates and installs the walls of glass, windows and other curtainwall products making up the outside skin of commercial and institutional buildings.
The Architectural Framing Systems segment companies design, engineer, fabricate and finish the aluminum frames used in customized aluminum and glass window, curtainwall, storefront and entrance systems comprising the outside skin and entrances of commercial and institutional buildings. We have aggregated four operating segments into the Architectural Framing Systems reporting segment based upon their similar products, customers, distribution methods, production processes and economic characteristics: Wausau Window and Wall Systems, a manufacturer of standard and custom aluminum window systems and curtainwall for the North American commercial construction and historical renovation markets; Tubelite, a fabricator of aluminum storefront, entrance and curtainwall products for the U.S. commercial construction industry; Alumicor, a fabricator of aluminum storefront, entrance, curtainwall and window products for the Canadian commercial construction industry; and Linetec, a paint and anodize finisher of architectural aluminum and PVC shutters for U.S. markets.
LSO segment consists of Tru Vue, a manufacturer of value-added glass and acrylic for the custom picture framing and fine art markets.

The following highlights the results for fiscal 2015:
Consolidated revenues increased 21 percent over fiscal 2014, or 17 percent excluding the impact of Alumicor, and operating income was up 58 percent over last year. All four segments grew revenue and earnings.
EPS was $1.72, including a $0.22 per share impact of a 48C tax credit. Excluding this item, adjusted EPS was $1.50, up 58 percent over the prior year.
Architectural Glass segment revenues improved 18 percent over fiscal 2014 and operating income improved to $16.4 million, as compared to $3.9 million in the prior year.
The Architectural Services segment revenues increased 13 percent over fiscal 2014 and operating income improved by 66 percent.
The Architectural Framing Systems segment net sales improved 38 percent compared to fiscal 2014, or 24 percent organic growth when adjusting out the impact of Alumicor, and operating income was up 46 percent.
The LSO segment revenues increased by 8 percent over fiscal 2014 while operating income grew slightly over prior-year levels.
Consolidated backlog was $490.8 million at February 28, 2015, up 49 percent over the fiscal 2014 level.

Strategy

Architectural Glass, Architectural Services and Architectural Framing Systems Segments
These three segments serve the commercial construction market, which is highly cyclical. They participate in various phases of the value chain to design, engineer, manufacture and install customized aluminum and glass window, curtainwall, and storefront and entrance systems for commercial buildings - each with nationally recognized brands and leading positions in their target market segments.

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The window, curtainwall and storefront systems manufactured by our Architectural Framing Systems segment, as well as the glass products fabricated by our Architectural Glass segment, are sold to installers who enclose commercial buildings, such as offices, hospitals, educational facilities, government facilities, high-end multi-family buildings and retail centers. We believe general contractors and architects value our ability to reliably deliver quality, customized window and curtainwall solutions. Their customers - building owners and developers - value the distinctive look, energy efficiency, and hurricane and blast protection features of our window and curtainwall systems. These attributes can contribute to higher lease rates, lower operating costs due to the energy efficiency of our value-added glass and aluminum systems, a more comfortable environment for building occupants, and protection for buildings and occupants from hurricanes and blasts.

Our Architectural Services segment fabricates and installs window and curtainwall systems on newly constructed commercial buildings, as well as providing large-scale retrofit services for the window and curtainwall systems on existing commercial buildings. We collaborate closely with our customers, the general contractors, to complete installation projects on time and on budget in order to minimize costly job-site labor overruns.

We look at several market indicators, such as office space vacancy rates, architectural billing statistics, employment and other macroeconomic indicators, to gain insight into the commercial construction market. One of our primary indicators is U.S. non-residential construction market activity as documented by Dodge Data & Analytics (Dodge) (formerly McGraw-Hill Construction), a leading independent provider of construction industry analysis, forecasts and trends. We utilize the information for the building types that we typically serve (office towers, hotels, retail centers, education facilities and dormitories, health care facilities, government buildings and high-end multi-family buildings) and adjust this information (which is based on construction starts) to align with our fiscal year and the lag that is required to account for when our products and services typically are initiated in a construction project - approximately eight months after project start. From the Dodge data, we believe that our U.S. markets had a compound annual growth rate of eight percent over our past three fiscal years, while our combined compound annual organic growth rate for our three architectural segments was 13 percent over that same period.

Our overall strategy in the Architectural Glass and Architectural Framing Systems segments is to deliver organic growth faster than our commercial construction markets. While our Architectural Services segment will continue to deliver organic growth, the strategy of this segment will be focused on project selection and improved project margins. We will grow through geographic expansion and entry into adjacent markets and product offerings, while remaining focused on distinctive solutions for enclosing commercial buildings. We draw upon our leading brands, energy-efficient products and reputation for high quality and service in pursuit of our strategies. We also aspire to lead our markets in the development of practical, energy-efficient products for new construction and renovation. We have introduced products and services designed to meet the growing demand for energy-efficient building materials. These products have included new energy-efficient glass coatings, thermally enhanced aluminum framing systems, and systems with a high percentage of recycled content.

While each of our operating segments has the ability to grow through geographic expansion and product line extension, we regularly evaluate business development opportunities in complementary markets. This strategy can take the form of acquisition or strategic alliances.

In recent years, we have increased our focus on the window and curtainwall retrofit and renovation market. We have seen increased interest from the non-residential and high-end multi-family building sectors in upgrading the façades and improving the energy efficiency of their buildings. We consider this to be a significant opportunity for Apogee in the coming years.

Additionally, we are constantly working to improve the efficiency and productivity of our manufacturing and installation operations. During fiscal 2014, we completed the initial roll-out of lean manufacturing principles to all of our operating units. In fiscal 2015, we continued to see increasing maturity of many of the lean manufacturing disciplines. We expect this initiative to continue to deliver gross margin expansion into the foreseeable future.

Lastly, we consistently evaluate capital investments to improve productivity and product development capabilities, as well as to provide appropriate manufacturing capacity to support growth.

LSO segment
Our basic strategy in this segment is to convert the custom picture framing market from clear uncoated glass and acrylic products to value-added products that protect art from UV damage while minimizing reflection from the glass, so that viewers see the art rather than the glass. We estimate that over 60 percent of the demand for U.S. custom picture framing glass has converted to value-added glass. Although we are finding it more difficult to further increase the use of value-added glass in the U.S. market, we continue to see conversion to value-added glass. We offer a variety of products with varying levels of reflection control and promote the benefits to consumers with point-of-purchase displays and other promotional materials.

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We also participate in the global fine art sector, which includes demand from museums and private art collections. This sector appreciates the conservation and anti-reflective properties of our products, primarily our acrylic products. Acrylic is a preferred material in the fine art sector because the product is light weight, which allows its use with art that is much larger and for which weight is an important consideration. We will continue to expand our presence in this sector through international expansion and product line extensions.

Additionally, this is the third fiscal year where we have been executing on our strategy of increasing custom picture framing sales in selected geographies outside the U.S. We now have distributors in over 30 countries, mainly in Europe, that are serviced from our warehouse in the Netherlands and directly from the U.S. As we leverage our products and distribution network, we will grow at a faster pace internationally than in the U.S.


Results of Operations
Net Sales
(Dollars in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2015 vs. 2014
 
2014 vs. 2013
Net sales
$
933,936

 
$
771,445

 
$
700,224

 
21.1
%
 
10.2
%

Fiscal 2015 Compared to Fiscal 2014
Sales increased to $933.9 million, up 21.1 percent over fiscal 2014 sales of $771.4 million. Organic growth was 16.9 percent, or $127.5 million, when excluding the sales generated by our Canadian storefront and entrance business, which was acquired in the third quarter of fiscal 2014. Organic growth came primarily from increased sales volume in our architectural-based segments due to increased commercial construction activity in the U.S. The Architectural Glass segment accounted for approximately 32 percent of the organic growth due to increased volumes and improved pricing. Increased volume in the U.S. window, storefront and finishing businesses in the Architectural Framing Systems segment accounted for approximately 30 percent of the growth. The remaining organic growth was attributable to volume growth in the Architectural Services business and an improved mix of value-added products in the LSO segment.

Fiscal 2014 Compared to Fiscal 2013
Sales grew 10.2 percent in fiscal 2014 to $771.4 million compared to $700.2 million in fiscal 2013. The inclusion of Alumicor sales since the date of acquisition accounted for 2 percentage points of this increase. Improved product mix and pricing in the Architectural Glass segment drove approximately 4 percentage points of the increase. Volume growth in the Architectural Services segment favorably impacted fiscal 2014 by about 2 percentage points and the remainder of the increase resulted from improved volume in our Architectural Framing segment's U.S. storefront and finishing businesses.

Performance
The relationship between various components of operations, as a percentage of net sales, is illustrated below for the past three fiscal years.
(Percentage of net sales)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Net sales
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
Cost of sales
77.7

 
78.6

 
79.2

Gross profit
22.3

 
21.4

 
20.8

Selling, general and administrative expenses
15.5

 
16.2

 
16.9

Operating income
6.8

 
5.2

 
3.9

Interest income
0.1

 
0.1

 
0.1

Interest expense
0.1

 
0.1

 
0.2

Other income (expense), net
0.2

 

 

Earnings before income taxes
7.0

 
5.2

 
3.8

Income tax expense
1.6

 
1.6

 
1.1

Net earnings
5.4
%
 
3.6
%
 
2.7
%
Effective income tax rate
22.3
%
 
29.6
%
 
29.0
%

Fiscal 2015 Compared to Fiscal 2014
Gross profit improved 0.9 percentage points to 22.3 percent of sales in fiscal 2015 from 21.4 percent in fiscal 2014. The increase in gross margins was due to the impact of operating leverage on increased volume and improved pricing in the Architectural Glass segment, as well as operating leverage on increased volume in the window business within the Architectural Framing Systems

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segment. These positive items were partially offset by manufacturing cost overruns in the Architectural Services Segment, increased aluminum costs in the U.S. and Canadian storefront and entrance businesses within the Architectural Framing Systems segment, and costs to restart the Utah facility in our Architectural Glass segment.

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) spending for fiscal 2015 increased by $20.0 million over fiscal 2014, while SG&A as a percent of sales decreased to 15.5 percent in fiscal 2015 from 16.2 percent in fiscal 2014. The addition of our Canadian storefront and entrance business acquired in the third quarter of fiscal 2014 contributed approximately 30 percent of the increase in year-on-year spend. The remaining increase was due to increased incentive compensation on improved results, increased sales commissions from higher sales volumes and write-down of certain assets acquired in our window business in fiscal 2014.

Other income was $1.4 million for fiscal 2015 compared to a small expense in the prior-year period, mainly due to the receipt of the final distribution in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 related to a European business that was discontinued over 15 years ago.

Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2015 was 22.3 percent. The effective tax rate in fiscal 2015 includes a $6.4 million tax benefit from an energy-efficient investment credit under Section 48C of the Internal Revenue Code in the second quarter of this fiscal year, upon successful start-up and commercial production of coatings on our new architectural glass coater. The tax credit was awarded in 2011 by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in cooperation with the Department of Energy as part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act to incent energy-efficiency investments throughout the United States. Excluding this credit, our effective tax rate would have been 32.2% in fiscal 2015, slightly higher than 29.6% in fiscal 2014, due to a lesser net benefit from tax reserve adjustments in the current year.

Fiscal 2014 Compared to Fiscal 2013
Gross profit improved as a percent of sales to 21.4 percent in fiscal 2014 from 20.8 percent in fiscal 2013. The improvement in gross margins was due to the margin impact of improved mix and pricing in the Architectural Glass segment, improved project margins in the Architectural Services segment and overall productivity improvements. These favorable items were partially offset by lower capacity utilization in the Architectural Framing System's window business related to an anticipated gap in the schedule for more complex projects.

Selling, general and administrative spending increased by $6.7 million in fiscal 2014 over fiscal 2013, while SG&A as a percent of sales decreased to 16.2 percent in fiscal 2014 from 16.9 percent in fiscal 2013. The increase in spending was primarily due to increased salaries and related benefits to support sales growth and geographic expansion, as well as other costs related to geographic expansion and acquisitions during fiscal 2014.

Segment Analysis
Architectural Glass
(In thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Net sales
$
346,471

 
$
293,810

 
$
266,456

Operating income (loss)
16,431

 
3,861

 
(4,391
)
Operating income (loss) as a percent of sales
4.7
%
 
1.3
%
 
(1.6
)%

Fiscal 2015 Compared to Fiscal 2014. Fiscal 2015 net sales of $346.5 million increased $52.7 million, or 17.9 percent, over fiscal 2014. The increase for the year was primarily due to increased volume and some improvement in pricing.

Operating income improved to $16.4 million in fiscal 2015, compared to $3.9 million in fiscal 2014, an improvement of $12.6 million. Operating margins improved to 4.7 percent in fiscal 2015 compared to 1.3 percent in fiscal 2014. As the commercial construction activity has increased, the Architectural Glass segment has benefited from operating leverage on volume growth and improved pricing. The segment also demonstrated positive manufacturing productivity that was partially offset by inefficiencies experienced as the business expanded its workforce to meet demand and costs incurred to restart the Utah facility.

Fiscal 2014 Compared to Fiscal 2013. Fiscal 2014 net sales increased $27.4 million to $293.8 million, or 10.3 percent over fiscal 2013. Improved mix and pricing in our U.S. and Brazilian businesses accounted for most of the increase. The remainder was due to volume growth in both our U.S. and Brazilian businesses, partially offset by a decline in our export volume.

Operating income of $3.9 million in fiscal 2014 was an $8.3 million improvement over the fiscal 2013 loss of $4.4 million. Operating margins improved to 1.3 percent in fiscal 2014 compared to negative 1.6 percent in fiscal 2013. The improvement in operating results was largely due to the impact of a better mix of higher value-added projects and improved pricing. The impact of volume growth and productivity improvements also contributed to the year-on-year increase in operating results.

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Architectural Services
(In thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Net sales
$
230,650

 
$
203,351

 
$
186,570

Operating income (loss)
7,442

 
4,479

 
(1,008
)
Operating income (loss) as a percent of sales
3.2
%
 
2.2
%
 
(0.5
)%

Fiscal 2015 Compared to Fiscal 2014. Net sales of $230.7 million in fiscal 2015 increased $27.3 million, or 13.4 percent over fiscal 2014. The increase was due to volume from project timing and a general increase in project activity on stronger end markets. Operating income increased $3.0 million to $7.4 million compared to $4.5 million in fiscal 2014. Operating margin was 3.2 percent in fiscal 2015 compared to 2.2 percent in fiscal 2014. The improvements in operating results for the year were a result of operating leverage on the increased volume and increasing project margins due to our focus on project selection.

Fiscal 2014 Compared to Fiscal 2013. Fiscal 2014 net sales increased $16.8 million over fiscal 2013, a 9.0 percent increase. Volume growth in existing and expanded geographies was the driver of this growth. Fiscal 2014 operating income increased $5.5 million to $4.5 million compared to a loss of $1.0 million in fiscal 2013. Operating margin of 2.2 percent in fiscal 2014 was an improvement of 2.7 percentage points over fiscal 2013. The improved operating results were a result of better project margins, as we have worked through lower margin projects that were bid in the bottom of the market cycle, as well as strong execution on projects flowing through revenue.

Architectural Framing Systems
(In thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Net sales
$
298,395

 
$
216,059

 
$
191,137

Operating income
21,808

 
14,930

 
14,584

Operating income as a percent of sales
7.3
%
 
6.9
%
 
7.6
%

Fiscal 2015 Compared to Fiscal 2014. Fiscal 2015 net sales of $298.4 million increased $82.3 million, or 38.1 percent, over fiscal 2014. Organic growth, excluding our Canadian storefront and entrance business, was 23.7 percent. The organic growth in fiscal 2015 was due to double-digit volume increases at our three U.S. businesses in the segment, with the U.S. storefront and finishing businesses increasing penetration within their target sectors and geographies, the window business recovering from a prior-year gap in the schedule for complex projects, and an increase in volume due to market growth in our finishing business.

Fiscal 2015 operating income of $21.8 million was an increase of $6.9 million over the $14.9 million reported in fiscal 2014, and operating margins improved to 7.3 percent in fiscal 2015 from 6.9 percent in fiscal 2014. The increase in operating results was due to the impact of income growth in the U.S. window, finishing and storefront businesses resulting from increased volume and good execution. This improvement was slightly offset by the negative effect of higher aluminum costs in the U.S. and Canadian storefront businesses, and the impact of soft Canadian markets on the Canadian storefront business in the first half of the year.

Fiscal 2014 Compared to Fiscal 2013. Fiscal 2014 net sales increased $24.9 million, or 13.0 percent, over fiscal 2013.The addition of our Canadian storefront and entrance business accounted for approximately 8 percentage points of the increase for fiscal 2014. The remainder of the increase was due to improved volumes in the U.S. storefront and finishing businesses, partially offset by volume declines caused by an anticipated gap in the schedule for the window business.

Fiscal 2014 operating income of $14.9 million was up slightly over the $14.6 million reported in fiscal 2013, while operating margins decreased to 6.9 percent in fiscal 2014 from 7.6 percent in fiscal 2013. The favorable impact of increased volumes in the U.S. storefront and finishing businesses was partially offset by lower sales in the window business related to the anticipated gap in the schedule for more complex projects, resulting in lower capacity utilization. Additionally, the Canadian storefront business that was acquired late in fiscal 2014 delivered an operating loss due to acquisition costs.

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Large-Scale Optical Technologies (LSO)
(In thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Net sales
$
87,693

 
$
81,127

 
$
79,947

Operating income
21,954

 
21,252

 
20,993

Operating income as a percent of sales
25.0
%
 
26.2
%
 
26.3
%

Fiscal 2015 Compared to Fiscal 2014. LSO fiscal 2015 net sales of $87.7 million were up $6.6 million, or 8.1 percent, over fiscal 2014 net sales of $81.1 million. The improvement compared to fiscal 2014 was due to a positive mix of higher value-added products on relatively flat volumes. Operating income of $22.0 million was up slightly over fiscal 2014 results of $21.3 million, while operating margins dropped to 25.0 percent in fiscal 2015 compared to 26.2 percent in fiscal 2014. The impact of the strong mix of value-added products was largely offset by increased incentive compensation and investments in new product development.

Fiscal 2014 Compared to Fiscal 2013. LSO revenues in fiscal 2014 increased slightly over fiscal 2013 to $81.1 million from $79.9 million. The improvement compared to fiscal 2013 was due to a positive mix of higher value-added products. Operating income of $21.3 million was relatively flat compared to fiscal 2013 levels and operating margins were consistent. The impact of the strong mix of higher value-added products was largely offset by increased promotional activities and investments for growth in new geographies and markets.

Consolidated Backlog
Backlog represents the dollar amount of revenues we expect to recognize in the future from firm contracts or orders received, as well as those that are in progress. Backlog is not a term defined under generally accepted accounting principles and is not a measure of contract profitability. We include a project within our backlog at the time a signed contract or a firm purchase order is received, generally as a result of a competitive bidding process. Backlog by reporting segment at February 28, 2015, November 29, 2014 and March 1, 2014 was as follows:
(In thousands)
February 28, 2015
 
November 29, 2014
 
March 1, 2014
Architectural Glass
$
137,432

 
$
151,221

 
$
73,206

Architectural Services
287,473

 
268,696

 
187,471

Architectural Framing Systems
77,666

 
88,070

 
72,634

Large-Scale Optical
2,107

 
2,100

 
870

Intersegment eliminations
(13,886
)
 
(16,173
)
 
(4,546
)
Total Backlog
$
490,792

 
$
493,914

 
$
329,635


We expect approximately $393.4 million, or 80 percent, of our February 28, 2015 backlog to be recognized in fiscal 2016, with the balance to be recognized in fiscal 2017 and beyond. We view backlog as an important statistic in evaluating the level of sales activity and short-term sales trends in our business. However, as backlog is only one indicator, and is not an effective indicator of our ultimate profitability, we do not believe that backlog should be used as the sole indicator of future earnings of the Company.

Acquisitions
On November 5, 2013, the Company acquired all of the shares of Alumicor Limited, a privately held business, for $52.9 million, including cash acquired of $1.6 million. Alumicor is a window, storefront, entrance and curtainwall company primarily serving the Canadian commercial construction market. The purchase price allocation was based on the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed and included total assets of $61.8 million, including goodwill and intangibles of $34.9 million, and total liabilities of $10.5 million. In the second quarter of fiscal 2014, we also acquired certain assets and liabilities of a window fabrication business as part of our strategy to grow through new products and new geographies. Both of these acquisitions are reported within our Architectural Framing Systems segment.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources
(Cash effect, in thousands)
2015
 
2014
 
2013
Operating Activities
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
68,563

 
$
52,921

 
$
40,523

Investing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(27,220
)
 
(41,852
)
 
(34,664
)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment
273

 
806

 
1,078

Acquisition of businesses and intangibles, net of cash acquired

 
(53,301
)
 
(15
)
Change in restricted investments, net
2,532

 
23,915

 
(4,528
)
Net sales (purchases) of marketable securities
804

 
26,458

 
(17,552
)
Financing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from issuance of debt

 

 
10,000

Payments on debt
(50
)
 
(10,082
)
 
(164
)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock
(6,894
)
 

 

Dividends paid
(12,071
)
 
(10,764
)
 
(10,316
)

Operating activities. Cash provided by operating activities was $68.6 million in fiscal 2015, $52.9 million in fiscal 2014, and $40.5 million in fiscal 2013. Fiscal 2015 and 2014 operating cash flows were each positively impacted by the increased income reported for those fiscal years as compared to the respective prior-year periods.

Non-cash working capital (current assets, excluding cash and short-term available for sale securities and short-term restricted investments, less current liabilities, excluding current portion of long-term debt) was $97.5 million at February 28, 2015. This compares to $82.0 million at March 1, 2014, and $58.8 million at March 2, 2013. The increase in fiscal 2015 was due to our investment in working capital necessary to support sales growth. The change in fiscal 2014 was a result of including partial year results of Alumicor, growth in the base business and extending our geographic footprint in certain businesses.

Investing Activities. Investing activities used cash of $24.5 million in fiscal 2015, $44.0 million in fiscal 2014 and $57.1 million in fiscal 2013. The current year included capital investments of $27.2 million mainly to increase productivity, increase capacity and improve product development capabilities. Net sales of marketable securities and restricted investments generated $3.3 million of cash.

In fiscal 2014, we made capital investments of $41.9 million as we made investments for productivity and product development capabilities, including a new state-of-the-art coater in our Architectural Glass segment. We reduced our restricted investments by $23.9 million, as we released $10.0 million of cash held in escrow for the recovery zone facility bonds that was used to redeem the bonds and also released $12.0 million of cash collateral to unrestricted cash related to the letter of credit supporting these bonds. We decreased our investments in marketable securities by $26.5 million in fiscal 2014 to fund the acquisition of Alumicor.

During fiscal 2014, we completed two acquisitions as part of our strategy to grow through new products and new geographies. In the second quarter, we acquired certain assets and liabilities of a window fabrication business, which are included in the results of our window business within the Architectural Framing Systems segment. During the third quarter, we acquired the outstanding shares of Alumicor Limited; its results of operations are included within the Architectural Framing Systems segment.

In fiscal 2013, we made capital investments of $34.7 million for growth and productivity improvements, as well as equipment to support new product introductions, and maintenance capital. The net position of our investments for fiscal 2013 resulted in $17.6 million in net purchases as a result of generating excess cash through operating activities noted above. Net purchases of $4.5 million for restricted investments during fiscal 2013 were the result of $10.0 million of industrial development bonds (reflected in financing activities) that were made available for current and future investment in our storefront and entrance business in Michigan.

We expect fiscal 2016 capital expenditures to range from $45 to $50 million for investments to increase capabilities, capacity and productivity, as well as maintenance capital.


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We continue to review our portfolio of businesses and their assets in comparison to our internal strategic and performance objectives. As part of this review, we may acquire other businesses, pursue geographic expansion, take actions to manage capacity, and/or further invest in, fully divest and/or sell parts of our current businesses.

At February 28, 2015, we had one sale and leaseback agreement for equipment that provides an option to purchase the equipment at projected future fair market value upon expiration of the lease in 2021. The lease is classified as an operating lease. We had a deferred gain of $2.8 million under the sale and leaseback transaction, which is included in the balance sheet as other current and non-current liabilities. The average annual lease payment over the life of the remaining lease is $1.0 million.

Financing Activities. Total outstanding borrowings at February 28, 2015 were $20.6 million, compared to $20.7 million at March 1, 2014 and $30.8 million at March 2, 2013. During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, $10.0 million of recovery zone facility bonds that had previously been issued for future investment in the Company's Architectural Glass fabrication facility in Utah were redeemed at par. Our debt consists of $20.4 million of industrial revenue bonds and $0.2 million of other debt. The industrial revenue bonds mature in fiscal years 2021 through 2043 and the other debt matures in fiscal years 2016 through 2021. There were small amounts of current debt at February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014. At March 2, 2013, $10.0 million of the recovery zone facility bonds were classified as current as we repaid these bonds related to our Utah facility in early fiscal 2014. Our debt-to-total-capital ratio was 5.1 percent at February 28, 2015 and 5.5 percent at March 1, 2014.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, we entered into an amendment of our existing $100.0 million committed revolving credit facility. The amount of the facility was increased to $125.0 million; the expiration date was extended to December 2019; the letter of credit facility was reduced to $40.0 million from $50.0 million, the outstanding amounts of which decrease the available commitment; and the maximum debt-to-EBITDA ratio was increased to 3.00. No other provisions of the original agreement were materially amended by the amended credit agreement. No borrowings were outstanding under the facility as of February 28, 2015 or March 1, 2014.

The credit facility requires that we maintain a debt-to-EBITDA ratio of not more than 3.00. This ratio is computed quarterly, with EBITDA computed on a rolling four-quarter basis. The Company’s ratio was 0.22 at February 28, 2015. The credit facility also requires the Company to maintain a minimum level of net worth, as defined in the credit facility, based on certain quarterly financial calculations. The minimum required net worth computed in accordance with the credit facility at February 28, 2015 was $318.8 million, whereas the Company’s net worth as defined in the credit facility was $382.5 million. If the Company is not in compliance with either of these covenants, the lenders may terminate the commitment and/or declare any loan then outstanding to be immediately due and payable. At February 28, 2015, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants of the credit facility.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2015, we entered into a Canadian Dollar $4.0 million revolving demand facility available to our Canadian storefront and entrance business. Borrowings under the facility are made available at the sole discretion of the lender and are payable on demand. Borrowings under the facility bear interest at rates specified in the credit agreement for the facility. We classify any outstanding balances under this demand facility as long-term debt, since outstanding amounts can be refinanced through our committed revolving credit facility. No borrowings were outstanding as of February 28, 2015.

During fiscal 2004, the Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of 1,500,000 shares of common stock. The Board of Directors increased this authorization by 750,000 shares in January 2008 and by 1,000,000 in October 2008. We purchased 203,509 shares under the program during fiscal 2015, for a total cost of $6.9 million; there were no share repurchases during fiscal 2014. We have purchased a total of 2,482,632 shares, at a total cost of $36.5 million, since the inception of this program. We have remaining authority to repurchase 767,368 shares under this program, which has no expiration date.

In addition to the shares repurchased under the repurchase plan, during fiscal 2015 and 2014 we also acquired $5.2 million and $3.6 million, respectively, of Company stock from employees in order to satisfy stock-for-stock option exercises or withholding tax obligations related to stock-based compensation, pursuant to terms of Board and shareholder-approved compensation plans.

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Table of Contents


Other Financing Activities. The following summarizes our significant contractual obligations that impact our liquidity as of February 28, 2015:
 
Future Cash Payments Due by Fiscal Period
(In thousands)
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
Thereafter
 
Total
Continuing operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Industrial revenue bonds
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
20,400

 
$
20,400

Other debt obligations
44

 
44

 
44

 
44

 
44

 
11

 
231

Operating leases (undiscounted)
9,341

 
7,423

 
6,609

 
5,932

 
4,675

 
3,658

 
37,638

Purchase obligations
139,682

 
14,441

 
4,734

 

 

 

 
158,857

Total cash obligations
$
149,067

 
$
21,908

 
$
11,387

 
$
5,976

 
$
4,719

 
$
24,069

 
$
217,126


From time to time, we acquire the use of certain assets, such as warehouses, automobiles, forklifts, vehicles, office equipment, hardware, software and some manufacturing equipment through operating leases. Many of these operating leases have termination penalties. However, because the assets are used in the conduct of our business operations, it is unlikely that any significant portion of these operating leases would be terminated prior to the normal expiration of their lease terms. Therefore, we consider the risk related to termination penalties to be minimal.

We have purchase obligations for raw material commitments and capital expenditures. As of February 28, 2015, these obligations totaled $158.9 million.

We expect to make contributions of $1.0 million to our defined-benefit pension plans in fiscal 2016, which will equal or exceed our minimum funding requirements.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    
As of February 28, 2015, we had $4.5 million and $1.8 million of unrecognized tax benefits and environmental liabilities, respectively. We expect approximately $0.7 million of the unrecognized tax benefits to lapse during the next 12 months. We are unable to reasonably estimate in which future periods the remaining unrecognized tax benefits and environmental liabilities will ultimately be settled.

At February 28, 2015, we had ongoing letters of credit related to construction contracts and certain industrial revenue bonds. The Company’s $20.4 million of industrial revenue bonds are supported by $21.0 million of letters of credit that reduce availability of funds under our $125.0 million credit facility. The letters of credit by expiration period were as follows at February 28, 2015:
 
Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Fiscal Period
(In thousands)
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
Thereafter
 
Total
Standby letters of credit
$
8,653

 
$
12,329

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,500

 
$
23,482


In addition to the above standby letters of credit, which were primarily issued for our industrial revenue bonds, we are required, in the ordinary course of business, to provide surety or performance bonds that commit payments to our customers for any non-performance by us. At February 28, 2015, $76.9 million of our backlog was bonded by performance bonds with a face value of $274.0 million. Performance bonds do not have stated expiration dates, as we are released from the bonds upon completion of the contract. We have never been required to make any payments related to these performance bonds with respect to any of our current portfolio of businesses.

We believe that current cash on hand and available capacity under our committed revolving credit facility, as well as the expected cash to be generated from future operating activities, will be adequate to fund our working capital requirements, planned capital expenditures and dividend payments over the next 12 months. We have total cash and short-term available-for-sale securities of $52.5 million, and $101.5 million available under our credit facility at February 28, 2015. We believe that this will provide us with the financial strength to continue our growth strategy as our end markets continue to improve.

Off-balance sheet arrangements. With the exception of operating leases, we had no off-balance sheet financing arrangements at February 28, 2015 or March 1, 2014.

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Outlook
The following statements are based on our current expectations for fiscal 2016 results. These statements are forward-looking, and actual results may differ materially.
Revenue growth of 10 to 15 percent over fiscal 2015.
We anticipate earnings per share of $2.05 to $2.20. Gross margins are anticipated to be approximately 24 percent.
Capital expenditures are projected to be approximately $45 to $50 million.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
See New Accounting Standards set forth in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under Item 8 of this Form 10-K for information pertaining to recently adopted accounting standards or accounting standards to be adopted in the future, which is incorporated by reference herein.

Critical Accounting Policies
Management has evaluated the accounting policies and estimates used in the preparation of the accompanying financial statements and related notes, and believes those policies and estimates to be reasonable and appropriate. We believe that the most critical accounting policies and estimates applied in the presentation of our financial statements relate to accounting for future events. Future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty. Therefore, management is required to exercise judgment both in assessing the likelihood that a liability has been incurred as well as in estimating the amount of potential loss. We have identified the following accounting policies as critical to our business and in the understanding of our results of operations and financial position:

Revenue recognition - Our standard product sales terms are “free on board” (FOB) shipping point or FOB destination, and revenue is recognized when title has transferred. However, our Architectural Services segment business enters into fixed-price contracts for full-service commercial building glass installation and renovation services, which are accounted for as construction-type contracts. These contracts are typically performed over a 12- to 18-month timeframe, and we record revenue for these contracts on a percentage-of-completion basis as we are able to reasonably estimate total contract revenue and total contract costs. The contracts entered into clearly specify the enforceable rights of the parties, the consideration and the terms of settlement, and both parties can be expected to satisfy all obligations under the contract. During fiscal 2015, approximately 25 percent of our consolidated sales were recorded on a percentage-of-completion basis. Under this methodology, we compare the total costs incurred to date to the total estimated costs for the contract, and record that proportion of the total contract revenue in the period. Contract costs include materials, labor and other direct costs related to contract performance. Given our ability to make reasonable estimates of our total contract revenues and total contract costs, we believe utilizing the cost-to-cost method for revenue recognition provides the greatest degree of precision in measuring progress toward completion of the installation contracts. Provisions are established for estimated losses, if any, on uncompleted contracts in the period in which such losses are determined. Amounts representing contract change orders, claims or other items are included in contract revenue only when customers have approved them. A significant number of estimates are used in these computations.

Goodwill impairment - To determine if there has been any impairment in accordance with accounting standards, we evaluate the goodwill on our balance sheet annually or more frequently if impairment indicators exist through a two-step process. In step one, we value each of our reporting units and compare these values to the reporting units' net book value, including goodwill. If the fair value is less than the net book value, we perform step two, which determines the amount of goodwill to impair. Each of our seven business units represents a reporting unit under applicable accounting standards. We were not required to perform step two for fiscal 2015; the estimated fair value of each of the reporting units significantly exceeded their book value utilizing the discounted cash flow methodology at February 28, 2015.

Although we consider public information for transactions made on businesses similar to ours, since there were no market comparables identified, we base our determination of fair value using a discounted cash flow methodology that involves significant judgments based upon projections of future performance. In developing our discounted cash flow analysis, assumptions about future revenues and expenses, capital expenditures and changes in working capital are based on our annual operating plan and long-term business plan for each of our reporting units. These plans take into consideration numerous factors including historical experience, anticipated future economic conditions and growth expectations for the industries and end markets in which we participate. These assumptions are determined over a five-year, long-term planning period. The five-year growth rates for revenues and operating profits vary for each reporting unit being evaluated. Revenues and operating profit beyond the five-year period are projected to grow at a nominal perpetual growth rate for all reporting units. The discount rate calculations are determined by assuming a company beta, market premium risk, size premium, the cost of debt and debt-to-capital ratio of a market participant.


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A significant change in the factors noted above could cause us to reduce the estimated fair value of some or all of our reporting units and recognize a corresponding impairment of our goodwill in connection with a future goodwill impairment test. There can be no assurances that these forecasts will be attained. Adverse changes in strategy, market conditions or assumed market capitalization may result in an impairment of goodwill.

Reserves for disputes and claims regarding product liability and warranties - From time to time, we are subject to claims associated with our products and services, principally as a result of disputes with our customers involving the performance or aesthetics of our architectural products and services. The time period from when a claim is asserted to when it is resolved, either by dismissal, negotiation, settlement or litigation, can be several years. While we maintain product liability insurance, the insurance policies include significant self-retention of risk in the form of policy deductibles. In addition, certain claims could be determined to be uninsured. We reserve based on our estimates of known claims, as well as on anticipated claims for possible product warranty and rework costs based on historical product liability claims as a ratio of sales.

Self-insurance reserves - We obtain substantial amounts of commercial insurance for potential losses for general liability, workers' compensation, automobile liability, employment practices, architect's and engineer's errors and omissions risk, product re-work and other miscellaneous coverages. However, an amount of risk is retained on a self-insured basis through a wholly-owned insurance subsidiary; as a result, a material construction project rework event could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Reserve requirements are established based on actuarial projections of ultimate losses.

Income taxes - We record a tax provision for the anticipated tax consequences of the reported results of operations. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the currently enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in effect for the years in which those deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. In addition, the calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with management's expectations could have a material impact on the Company's financial condition and operating results.

As part of our ongoing financial reporting process, a collaborative effort is undertaken involving our management with responsibility for financial reporting, product and project management, quality, legal and tax, and outside advisors such as consultants, engineers, lawyers and actuaries. The results of this effort provide management with the necessary information on which to base its judgments on these future events and develop the estimates used to prepare the financial statements. We believe that the amounts recorded in the accompanying financial statements related to these events are based on the best estimates and judgments of Apogee management. However, outcomes could differ from our estimates and could materially adversely affect our future operating results, financial position and cash flows.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
    
Our investment portfolio consists of municipal bonds. At February 28, 2015, we had total investments of $11.0 million, which are considered available-for-sale securities. Although these investments are subject to the credit risk of the issuer and/or letter of credit issuer, we manage our investment portfolio to limit our exposure to any one issuer.

We do not use derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk or to speculate on future changes in interest rates. Accordingly, a rise in interest rates could negatively affect the fair value of our municipal bond portfolio. To manage our direct risk from changes in market interest rates, management actively monitors the interest-sensitive components of our balance sheet, primarily debt obligations and fixed income securities, as well as market interest rates, to minimize the impact of changes in interest rates on net earnings and cash flow.

The primary measure of interest rate risk is the simulation of net income under different interest rate environments. The approach used to quantify interest rate risk is a sensitivity analysis. This approach calculates the impact on net earnings, relative to a base case scenario, of rates increasing or decreasing gradually over the next 12 months by 200 basis points. This change in interest rates affecting our financial instruments at February 28, 2015 would result in an approximately $0.2 million impact to net earnings. The Company's investments exceeded its debt at February 28, 2015, so as interest rates increase, net earnings increase; as interest rates decrease, net earnings decrease.

In addition to the market risk related to interest rate changes, the commercial construction markets in which our businesses operate are highly affected by changes in interest rates and, therefore, significant interest rate fluctuations could materially impact our operating results.

Due to our Canadian storefront and Brazilian glass businesses, we conduct business in locations outside of the United States, and are subject to market risk due to changes in the value of foreign currencies in relation to our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar.

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We generally do not use derivative financial instruments to manage these risks. The functional currency in each of our foreign operations is the local currency in the country of domicile. We manage these operating activities at the local level and revenues, costs, assets and liabilities are generally denominated in local currencies, thereby mitigating the risk associated with changes in foreign exchange. However, our results of operations and assets and liabilities are reported in U.S. dollars, and thus will fluctuate with changes in exchange rates between Canadian dollar, Brazilian real and the U.S. dollar.

Our domestic businesses generally sell within the United States, with sales made outside of the United States generally denominated in U.S. dollars.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management of Apogee Enterprises, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company's internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The Company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the Company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

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

The Company's management assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of February 28, 2015, using criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013). The Company's management believes that, as of February 28, 2015, the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.

The Company's independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has issued a report on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of February 28, 2015. That report is set forth immediately following the report of Deloitte & Touche LLP on the consolidated financial statements included herein.

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Apogee Enterprises, Inc.
Minneapolis, MN

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Apogee Enterprises, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014, and the related consolidated results of operations, statements of comprehensive earnings, statements of cash flows, and statements of shareholders’ equity for each of the three years in the period ended February 28, 2015. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Table of Contents at Item 15. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.

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

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Apogee Enterprises, Inc. and subsidiaries at February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended February 28, 2015, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of February 28, 2015, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated April 29, 2015, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 29, 2015

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Apogee Enterprises, Inc.
Minneapolis, MN

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Apogee Enterprises, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of February 28, 2015, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of February 28, 2015, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule listed in the Table of Contents at Item 15 as of and for the year ended February 28, 2015, of the Company and our report dated April 29, 2015 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 29, 2015

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
February 28,
2015
 
March 1,
2014
Assets
 
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
52,185

 
$
28,465

Short-term available for sale securities
 
327

 
204

Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
 
171,623

 
154,914

Inventories
 
61,408

 
53,435

Refundable income taxes
 
5,115

 
973

Deferred tax assets
 
1,359

 
2,714

Other current assets
 
6,958

 
6,725

Total current assets
 
298,975

 
247,430

Property, plant and equipment, net
 
193,540

 
193,946

Available for sale securities
 
10,655

 
11,273

Restricted investments
 

 
2,540

Goodwill
 
75,857

 
78,021

Intangible assets
 
23,280

 
27,198

Other non-current assets
 
9,750

 
9,587

Total assets
 
$
612,057

 
$
569,995

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
56,516

 
$
47,241

Accrued payroll and related benefits
 
36,620

 
25,216

Accrued self-insurance reserves
 
8,058

 
6,683

Other current liabilities
 
25,557

 
35,088

Billings in excess of costs and earnings on uncompleted contracts
 
22,233

 
22,557

Current portion long-term debt
 
44

 
49

Total current liabilities
 
149,028

 
136,834

Long-term debt
 
20,587

 
20,659

Unrecognized tax benefits
 
4,477

 
5,234

Long-term self-insurance reserves
 
6,185

 
7,977

Deferred tax liabilities
 
10,652

 
8,567

Other non-current liabilities
 
38,652

 
34,620

Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 17)
 
 
 
 
Shareholders’ equity
 
 
 
 
Common stock of $0.33-1/3 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 29,049,531 and 28,958,119 respectively
 
9,683

 
9,653

Additional paid-in capital
 
138,575

 
130,570

Retained earnings
 
256,538

 
228,841

Common stock held in trust
 
(801
)
 
(791
)
Deferred compensation obligations
 
801

 
791

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(22,320
)
 
(12,960
)
Total shareholders’ equity
 
382,476

 
356,104

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
 
$
612,057

 
$
569,995


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
 
 
Year-Ended
 
 
February 28,
2015
 
March 1,
2014
 
March 2,
2013
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
(52 weeks)
 
(52 weeks)
 
(52 weeks)
Net sales
 
$
933,936

 
$
771,445

 
$
700,224

Cost of sales
 
725,392

 
606,193

 
554,491

Gross profit
 
208,544

 
165,252

 
145,733

Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
144,959

 
124,967

 
118,314

Operating income
 
63,585

 
40,285

 
27,419

Interest income
 
954

 
827

 
758

Interest expense
 
924

 
1,259

 
1,494

Other income (expense), net
 
1,384

 
(87
)
 
224

Earnings before income taxes
 
64,999

 
39,766

 
26,907

Income tax expense
 
14,483

 
11,780

 
7,796

Net earnings
 
$
50,516

 
$
27,986

 
$
19,111

Earnings per share – basic
 
$
1.76

 
$
0.98

 
$
0.68

Earnings per share – diluted
 
$
1.72

 
$
0.95

 
$
0.67

Weighted average basic shares outstanding
 
28,763

 
28,483

 
27,954

Weighted average diluted shares outstanding
 
29,374

 
29,374

 
28,641


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS
 
 
 
Year-Ended
 
 
February 28,
2015
 
March 1,
2014
 
March 2,
2013
(In thousands)
 
(52 weeks)
 
(52 weeks)
 
(52 weeks)
Net earnings
 
$
50,516

 
$
27,986

 
$
19,111

Other comprehensive earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities, net of $88, $(46) and $(15) tax expense (benefit), respectively
 
163

 
(83
)
 
(28
)
Unrealized (loss) gain on foreign currency hedge, net of $(36), $183 and $(147) tax (benefit) expense, respectively
 
(62
)
 
320

 
(258
)
Unrealized (loss) gain on pension obligation, net of $(830), $10 and $(95) tax (benefit) expense, respectively
 
(1,458
)
 
19

 
(168
)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
(8,003
)
 
(6,135
)
 
(1,867
)
Other comprehensive loss
 
(9,360
)
 
(5,879
)
 
(2,321
)
Total comprehensive earnings
 
$
41,156

 
$
22,107

 
$
16,790



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
 
Year Ended
 
 
February 28,
2015
 
March 1,
2014
 
March 2,
2013
(In thousands)
 
(52 Weeks)
 
(52 Weeks)
 
(52 Weeks)
Operating Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
 
$
50,516

 
$
27,986

 
$
19,111

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
29,423

 
26,550

 
26,529

Stock-based compensation
 
4,793

 
4,661

 
4,395

Deferred income taxes
 
4,274

 
(5,280
)
 
3,557

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
 
(3,236
)
 
(2,725
)
 
(483
)
Gain on disposal of assets
 
(933
)
 
(1,629
)
 
(1,954
)
Proceeds from new markets tax credit transaction, net of deferred costs
 

 
7,471

 

Other, net
 
229

 
51

 
1,156

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Receivables
 
(18,588
)
 
(19,229
)
 
(13,364
)
Inventories
 
(8,660
)
 
(6,130
)
 
(2,209
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
 
12,871

 
18,282

 
11,158

Billings in excess of costs and earnings on uncompleted contracts
 
(324
)
 
1,202

 
(1,195
)
Refundable and accrued income taxes
 
(1,091
)
 
3,449

 
(4,086
)
Other, net
 
(711
)
 
(1,738
)
 
(2,092
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
68,563

 
52,921

 
40,523

Investing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
 
(27,220
)
 
(41,852
)
 
(34,664
)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment
 
273

 
806

 
1,078

Acquisition of businesses and intangibles, net of cash acquired
 

 
(53,301
)
 
(15
)
Purchases of restricted investments
 

 
(36,200
)
 
(10,000
)
Sales/maturities of restricted investments
 
2,532

 
60,115

 
5,472

Purchases of marketable securities
 
(6,142
)
 
(14,562
)
 
(58,847
)
Sales/maturities of marketable securities
 
6,946

 
41,020

 
41,295

Investments in corporate-owned life insurance policies
 
(864
)
 

 
(1,451
)
Net cash used in investing activities
 
(24,475
)
 
(43,974
)
 
(57,132
)
Financing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net proceeds from revolving credit agreement
 
126

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of debt
 

 

 
10,000

Payments on debt
 
(50
)
 
(10,082
)
 
(164
)
Payments on debt issue costs
 
(215
)
 
(165
)
 
(633
)
Shares withheld for taxes, net of stock issued to employees
 
(3,905
)
 
710

 
862

Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
 
3,236

 
2,725

 
483

Repurchase and retirement of common stock
 
(6,894
)
 

 

Dividends paid
 
(12,071
)
 
(10,764
)
 
(10,316
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
(19,773
)
 
(17,576
)
 
232

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
24,315

 
(8,629
)
 
(16,377
)
Effect of exchange rates on cash
 
(595
)
 
(673
)
 
117

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
 
28,465

 
37,767

 
54,027

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
52,185

 
$
28,465

 
$
37,767

Noncash Activity
 
 
 
 
 
 
Capital expenditures in accounts payable
 
$
2,656

 
$
761

 
$
553


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
Common Shares Outstanding
 
Common Stock
 
Additional Paid-In Capital
 
Retained Earnings
 
Common Stock Held in Trust
 
Deferred Compensation Obligation
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
Balance at March 3, 2012
 
28,062

 
$
9,354

 
$
113,046

 
$
207,032

 
$
(745
)
 
$
745

 
$
(4,760
)
Net earnings
 

 

 

 
19,111

 

 

 

Unrealized loss on marketable securities, net of $15 tax benefit
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(28
)
Unrealized loss on foreign currency hedge, net of $147 tax benefit
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(258
)
Unrealized loss on pension obligation, net of $95 tax benefit
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(168
)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(1,867
)
Issuance of stock, net of cancellations
 
316

 
105

 
(59
)
 
14

 
(16
)
 
16

 

Stock-based compensation
 

 

 
4,395

 

 

 

 

Tax benefit associated with stock plans
 

 

 
388

 

 

 

 

Exercise of stock options
 
243

 
81

 
2,422

 

 

 

 

Other share retirements
 
(107
)
 
(35
)
 
(433
)
 
(1,232
)
 

 

 

Cash dividends ($0.360 per share)
 

 

 

 
(10,316
)