UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

☒   Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017

☐   Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission File Number:  1-14222

 

SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

240 Route 10 West

Whippany, NJ 07981

(973)  887-5300

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,

including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

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  ☒    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  ☐    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.    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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ☒    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, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

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

Indicate by check mark whether registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

The aggregate market value as of March 25, 2017 of the registrant’s Common Units held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based on the reported closing price of such units on the New York Stock Exchange on such date ($26.59 per unit), was approximately $1,623,532,000.

 

 

 

 

 

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SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

 

 

 

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DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements (“Forward-Looking Statements”) as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, relating to future business expectations and predictions and financial condition and results of operations of Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (the “Partnership”). Some of these statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “prospects,” “outlook,” “believes,” “estimates,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “anticipates,” “expects” or “plans” or the negative or other variation of these or similar words, or by discussion of trends and conditions, strategies or risks and uncertainties.  These Forward-Looking Statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed or implied in such Forward-Looking Statements (statements contained in this Annual Report identifying such risks and uncertainties are referred to as “Cautionary Statements”). The risks and uncertainties and their impact on the Partnership’s results include, but are not limited to, the following risks:

Some of these Forward-Looking Statements are discussed in more detail in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Annual Report.  Reference is also made to the risk factors discussed in Item 1A of this Annual Report. On different occasions, the Partnership or its representatives have made or may make Forward-Looking Statements in other filings with the SEC, press releases or oral statements made by or with the approval of one of the Partnership’s authorized executive officers.  Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Statements, which reflect management’s view only as of the date made.  The Partnership undertakes no obligation to update any Forward-Looking Statement or Cautionary Statement, except as required by law.  All subsequent written and oral Forward-Looking Statements attributable to the Partnership or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the Cautionary Statements in this Annual Report and in future SEC reports.  For a more complete discussion of specific factors which could cause actual results to differ from those in the Forward-Looking Statements or Cautionary Statements, see “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report.

 

 

 

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PART I

Development of Business

Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (the “Partnership”), a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership, is a nationwide marketer and distributor of a diverse array of products meeting the energy needs of our customers.  We specialize in the distribution of propane, fuel oil and refined fuels, as well as the marketing of natural gas and electricity in deregulated markets.  In support of our core marketing and distribution operations, we install and service a variety of home comfort equipment, particularly in the areas of heating and ventilation.  We believe, based on LP/Gas Magazine dated February 2017, that we are the third largest retail marketer of propane in the United States, measured by retail gallons sold in the calendar year 2016.  As of September 30, 2017, we were serving the energy needs of approximately 1.0 million residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers through 668 locations in 41 states with operations principally concentrated in the east and west coast regions of the United States, as well as portions of the midwest region of the United States and Alaska.  We sold approximately 420.8 million gallons of propane and 30.9 million gallons of fuel oil and refined fuels to retail customers during the year ended September 30, 2017. Together with our predecessor companies, we have been continuously engaged in the retail propane business since 1928.

We conduct our business principally through Suburban Propane, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, which operates our propane business and assets (the “Operating Partnership”), and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.  Our general partner, and the general partner of our Operating Partnership, is Suburban Energy Services Group LLC (the “General Partner”), a Delaware limited liability company whose sole member is the Chief Executive Officer of the Partnership.  Since October 19, 2006, the General Partner has no economic interest in either the Partnership or the Operating Partnership (which means that the General Partner is not entitled to any cash distributions of either partnership, nor to any cash payment upon the liquidation of either partnership, nor any other economic rights in either partnership) other than as a holder of 784 Common Units of the Partnership.  Additionally, under the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership (the “Partnership Agreement”) of the Partnership, there are no incentive distribution rights for the benefit of the General Partner.  The Partnership owns (directly and indirectly) all of the limited partner interests in the Operating Partnership.  The Common Units represent 100% of the limited partner interests in the Partnership.

Direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership include Suburban Heating Oil Partners, LLC, which owns and operates the assets of our fuel oil and refined fuels business; Agway Energy Services, LLC, which owns and operates the assets of our natural gas and electricity business; and Suburban Sales and Service, Inc., which conducts a portion of our service work and appliance and parts business.  Our fuel oil and refined fuels, natural gas and electricity and services businesses are structured as either limited liability companies that are treated as corporations or corporate entities (collectively referred to as “Corporate Entities”) and, as such, are subject to corporate level income tax.

Suburban Energy Finance Corp., a direct 100%-owned subsidiary of the Partnership, was formed on November 26, 2003 to serve as co-issuer, jointly and severally with the Partnership, of the Partnership’s senior notes. Suburban Energy Finance Corp. has nominal assets and conducts no business operations.

In this Annual Report, unless otherwise indicated, the terms “Partnership,” “Suburban,” “we,” “us,” and “our” are used to refer to Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including the Operating Partnership. The Partnership and the Operating Partnership commenced operations in March 1996 in connection with the Partnership’s initial public offering of Common Units.

We currently file Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K with the SEC.  You may read and receive copies of any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.  You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  Any information filed by us is also available on the SEC’s EDGAR database at www.sec.gov.

Upon written request or through an information request link from our website at www.suburbanpropane.com, we will provide, without charge, copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2017, each of the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, current reports filed or furnished on Form 8-K and all amendments to such reports as soon as is reasonably practicable after such reports are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC.  Requests should be directed to:  Suburban Propane Partners, L.P., Investor Relations, P.O. Box 206, Whippany, New Jersey 07981-0206.  The information contained on our website is not included as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

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Our Strategy

Our business strategy is to deliver increasing value to our Unitholders through initiatives, both internal and external, that are geared toward achieving sustainable profitable growth. The following are key elements of our strategy:

Internal Focus on Driving Operating Efficiencies, Right-Sizing Our Cost Structure and Enhancing Our Customer Mix.  We focus internally on improving the efficiency of our existing operations, managing our cost structure and improving our customer mix. Through investments in our technology infrastructure, we continue to seek to improve operating efficiencies and the return on assets employed.  We have developed a streamlined operating footprint and management structure to facilitate effective resource planning and decision making.  Our internal efforts are particularly focused in the areas of route optimization, forecasting customer usage, inventory control, cash management and customer tracking. We will continue to pursue operational efficiencies while staying focused on providing exceptional service to our customer base.  Our systems platform is advanced and scalable and we will seek to leverage that technology for enhanced routing, forecasting and customer relationship management.

Growing Our Customer Base by Improving Customer Retention and Acquiring New Customers.  We set clear objectives to focus our employees on seeking new customers and retaining existing customers by providing highly responsive customer service.  We believe that customer satisfaction is a critical factor in the growth and success of our operations. “Our Business is Customer Satisfaction” is one of our core operating philosophies.  We measure and reward our customer service centers based on a combination of profitability of the individual customer service center and net customer growth. We have made investments in training our people both on techniques to provide exceptional customer service to our existing customer base, as well as advanced sales training focused on growing our customer base.

Selective Acquisitions of Complementary Businesses or Assets.  Externally, we seek to extend our presence or diversify our product offerings through selective acquisitions.  Our acquisition strategy is to focus on businesses with a relatively steady cash flow that will extend our presence in strategically attractive markets, complement our existing business segments or provide an opportunity to diversify our operations.  We are very patient and deliberate in evaluating acquisition candidates.  

Selective Disposition of Non-Strategic Assets.  We continuously evaluate our existing facilities to identify opportunities to optimize our return on assets by selectively divesting operations in slower growing markets, generating proceeds that can be reinvested in markets that present greater opportunities for growth.  Our objective is to maximize the growth and profit potential of all of our assets.

Business Segments

We manage and evaluate our operations in four operating segments, three of which are reportable segments: Propane, Fuel Oil and Refined Fuels and Natural Gas and Electricity.  These business segments are described below.  See the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report for financial information about our business segments.

Propane

Propane is a by‑product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining.  It is a clean burning energy source recognized for its transportability and ease of use relative to alternative forms of stand‑alone energy sources.  Propane use falls into three broad categories:

In the residential and commercial markets, propane is used primarily for space heating, water heating, clothes drying and cooking.  Industrial customers use propane generally as a motor fuel to power over‑the‑road vehicles, forklifts and stationary engines, to fire furnaces, as a cutting gas and in other process applications.  In the agricultural market, propane is primarily used for tobacco curing, crop drying, poultry brooding and weed control.

Propane is extracted from natural gas or oil wellhead gas at processing plants or separated from crude oil during the refining process.  It is normally transported and stored in a liquid state under moderate pressure or refrigeration for ease of handling in shipping and distribution.  When the pressure is released or the temperature is increased, propane becomes a flammable gas that is colorless and odorless, although an odorant is added to allow its detection.  Propane is clean burning and, when consumed, produces only negligible amounts of pollutants.

 

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Product Distribution and Marketing

We distribute propane through a nationwide retail distribution network consisting of approximately 653 locations in 41 states as of September 30, 2017.  Our operations are principally concentrated in the east and west coast regions of the United States, as well as portions of the midwest region of the United States and Alaska.  As of September 30, 2017, we serviced approximately 895,000 propane customers.  Typically, our customer service centers are located in suburban and rural areas where natural gas is not readily available. Generally, these customer service centers consist of an office, appliance showroom, warehouse and service facilities, with one or more 18,000 to 30,000 gallon storage tanks on the premises.  Most of our residential customers receive their propane supply through an automatic delivery system.  These deliveries are scheduled through proprietary computer technology, based upon each customer’s historical consumption patterns and prevailing weather conditions.  Additionally, we offer our customers a budget payment plan whereby the customer’s estimated annual propane purchases and service contracts are paid for in a series of estimated equal monthly payments over a twelve-month period.  From our customer service centers, we also sell, install and service equipment to customers who purchase propane from us including heating and cooking appliances and, at some locations, propane fuel systems for motor vehicles.

We sell propane primarily to six customer markets: residential, commercial, industrial (including engine fuel), agricultural, other retail users and wholesale.  Approximately 90% of the propane gallons sold by us in fiscal 2017 were to retail customers: 44% to residential customers, 28% to commercial customers, 9% to industrial customers, 4% to agricultural customers and 15% to other retail users.  The balance of approximately 10% of the propane gallons sold by us in fiscal 2017 was for risk management activities and wholesale customers.  No single customer accounted for 10% or more of our propane revenues during fiscal 2017.

Retail deliveries of propane are usually made to customers by means of bobtail and rack trucks.  Propane is pumped from bobtail trucks, which have capacities typically ranging from 2,400 gallons to 3,500 gallons of propane, into a stationary storage tank on the customers’ premises.  The capacity of these storage tanks ranges from approximately 100 gallons to approximately 1,200 gallons, with a typical tank having a capacity of 300 to 400 gallons.  As is common in the propane industry, we own a significant portion of the storage tanks located on our customers’ premises.  We also deliver propane to retail customers in portable cylinders, which typically have a capacity of 5 to 35 gallons.  When these cylinders are delivered to customers, empty cylinders are refilled in place or transported for replenishment at our distribution locations.  We also deliver propane to certain other bulk end users in larger trucks known as transports, which have an average capacity of approximately 9,000 gallons.  End users receiving transport deliveries include industrial customers, large‑scale heating accounts, such as local gas utilities that use propane as a supplemental fuel to meet peak load delivery requirements, and large agricultural accounts that use propane for crop drying.

Supply

Our propane supply is purchased from approximately 40 oil companies and natural gas processors at approximately 180 supply points located in the United States and Canada.  We make purchases primarily under one-year agreements that are subject to annual renewal, and also purchase propane on the spot market.  Supply contracts generally provide for pricing in accordance with posted prices at the time of delivery or the current prices established at major storage points, and some contracts include a pricing formula that typically is based on prevailing market prices.  Some of these agreements provide maximum and minimum seasonal purchase guidelines. Propane is generally transported from refineries, pipeline terminals, storage facilities (including our storage facility in Elk Grove, California) and coastal terminals to our customer service centers by a combination of common carriers, owner‑operators and railroad tank cars.  See Item 2 of this Annual Report.

Historically, supplies of propane have been readily available from our supply sources. Although we make no assurance regarding the availability of supplies of propane in the future, we currently expect to be able to secure adequate supplies during fiscal 2018.  During fiscal 2017, Crestwood Equity Partners L.P. (“Crestwood”), Targa Liquids Marketing and Trade LLC (“Targa”), Phillips 66 Company (“Phillips”), Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (“Enterprise”) and Plains Marketing Company (“Plains”) provided approximately 19%, 14%, 11%, 11%, and 10% of our total propane purchases, respectively.  No other single supplier accounted for 10% or more of our propane purchases in fiscal 2017.  The availability of our propane supply is dependent on several factors, including the severity of winter weather, the magnitude of competing demands for available supply (e.g., crop drying and exports), the availability of transportation and storage infrastructure and the price and availability of competing fuels, such as natural gas and fuel oil.  We believe that if supplies from Crestwood, Targa, Phillips, Enterprise, or Plains were interrupted, we would be able to secure adequate propane supplies from other sources without a material disruption of our operations.  Nevertheless, the cost of acquiring and transporting such propane might be higher and, at least on a short-term basis, our margins could be affected.  Approximately 90% of our total propane purchases were from domestic suppliers in fiscal 2017.

We seek to reduce the effect of propane price volatility on our product costs and to help ensure the availability of propane during periods of short supply.  We are currently a party to forward and option contracts with various third parties to purchase and sell propane at fixed prices in the future.  These activities are monitored by our senior management through enforcement of our Hedging and Risk Management Policy.  See Items 7 and 7A of this Annual Report.

 

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We own and operate a large propane storage facility in Elk Grove, California.  We also operate smaller storage facilities in other locations and have rights to use storage facilities in additional locations. These storage facilities enable us to buy and store large quantities of propane particularly during periods of low demand, which generally occur during the summer months.  This practice helps ensure a more secure supply of propane during periods of intense demand or price instability.  As of September 30, 2017, the majority of the storage capacity at our facility in Elk Grove, California was leased to third parties.

Competition

According to the US Census Bureau’s 2015 American Community Survey, propane ranks as the fourth most important source of residential energy in the nation, with about 5% of all households using propane as their primary space heating fuel.  This level has not changed materially over the previous two decades.  As an energy source, propane competes primarily with natural gas, electricity and fuel oil, principally on the basis of price, availability and portability.

Propane is more expensive than natural gas on an equivalent British Thermal Unit (“BTU”) basis in locations serviced by natural gas, but it is an alternative or supplement to natural gas in rural and suburban areas where natural gas is unavailable or portability of product is required.  Historically, the expansion of natural gas into traditional propane markets has been inhibited by the capital costs required to expand pipeline and retail distribution systems.  Although the extension of natural gas pipelines to previously unserved geographic areas tends to displace propane distribution in those areas, we believe new opportunities for propane sales may arise as new neighborhoods are developed in geographically remote areas.  However, over the last few years, fewer new housing developments have been started in our service areas as a result of recent economic circumstances.  The increasing availability of natural gas extracted from shale deposits in the United States may accelerate the extension of natural gas pipelines in the future.

Propane has some relative advantages over other energy sources.  For example, in certain geographic areas, propane is generally less expensive to use than electricity for space heating, water heating, clothes drying and cooking.  Utilization of fuel oil is geographically limited (primarily in the northeast), and even in that region, propane and fuel oil are not significant competitors because of the cost of converting from one to the other.

In addition to competing with suppliers of other energy sources, our propane operations compete with other retail propane distributors. The retail propane industry is highly fragmented and competition generally occurs on a local basis with other large full-service multi-state propane marketers, thousands of smaller local independent marketers and farm cooperatives. Based on industry statistics contained in 2015 Sales of Natural Gas Liquids and Liquefied Refinery Gases, as published by the American Petroleum Institute in December 2016, and LP/Gas Magazine dated February 2016, the ten largest retailers, including us, account for approximately 40% of the total retail sales of propane in the United States. Each of our customer service centers operates in its own competitive environment because retail marketers tend to locate in close proximity to customers in order to lower the cost of providing service.  Our typical customer service center has an effective marketing radius of approximately 50 miles, although in certain areas the marketing radius may be extended by one or more satellite offices.  Most of our customer service centers compete with five or more marketers or distributors.

Fuel Oil and Refined Fuels

Product Distribution and Marketing

We market and distribute fuel oil, kerosene, diesel fuel and gasoline to approximately 46,000 residential and commercial customers primarily in the northeast region of the United States.  Sales of fuel oil and refined fuels for fiscal 2017 amounted to 30.9 million gallons. Approximately 68% of the fuel oil and refined fuels gallons sold by us in fiscal 2017 were to residential customers, principally for home heating, 7% were to commercial customers, and 6% to other users.  Sales of diesel and gasoline accounted for the remaining 19% of total volumes sold in this segment during fiscal 2017.  Fuel oil has a more limited use, compared to propane, and is used almost exclusively for space and water heating in residential and commercial buildings.  We sell diesel fuel and gasoline to commercial and industrial customers for use primarily to operate motor vehicles.

Approximately 44% of our fuel oil customers receive their fuel oil under an automatic delivery system.  These deliveries are scheduled through proprietary computer technology, based upon each customer’s historical consumption patterns and prevailing weather conditions.  Additionally, we offer our customers a budget payment plan whereby the customer’s estimated annual fuel oil purchases are paid for in a series of estimated equal monthly payments over a twelve-month period.  From our customer service centers, we also sell, install and service equipment to customers who purchase fuel oil from us including heating appliances.

Deliveries of fuel oil are usually made to customers by means of tankwagon trucks, which have capacities ranging from 2,500 gallons to 3,000 gallons.  Fuel oil is pumped from the tankwagon truck into a stationary storage tank that is located on the customer’s premises, which is owned by the customer.  The capacity of customer storage tanks ranges from approximately 275 gallons to approximately 1,000 gallons. No single customer accounted for 10% or more of our fuel oil revenues during fiscal 2017.

 

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Supply

We obtain fuel oil and other refined fuels in pipeline, truckload or tankwagon quantities, and have contracts with certain pipeline and terminal operators for the right to temporarily store fuel oil at 14 terminal facilities we do not own.  We have arrangements with certain suppliers of fuel oil, which provide open access to fuel oil at specific terminals throughout the northeast.  Additionally, a portion of our purchases of fuel oil are made at local wholesale terminal racks.  In most cases, the supply contracts do not establish the price of fuel oil in advance; rather, prices are typically established based upon market prices at the time of delivery plus or minus a differential for transportation and volume discounts.  We purchase fuel oil from approximately 30 suppliers at approximately 50 supply points.  While fuel oil supply is more susceptible to longer periods of supply constraint than propane, we believe that our supply arrangements will provide us with sufficient supply sources.  Although we make no assurance regarding the availability of supplies of fuel oil in the future, we currently expect to be able to secure adequate supplies during fiscal 2018.

Competition

The fuel oil industry is a mature industry with total demand expected to remain relatively flat to moderately declining. The fuel oil industry is highly fragmented, characterized by a large number of relatively small, independently owned and operated local distributors.  We compete with other fuel oil distributors offering a broad range of services and prices, from full service distributors to those that solely offer the delivery service. We have developed a wide range of sales programs and service offerings for our fuel oil customer base in an attempt to be viewed as a full service energy provider and to build customer loyalty. For instance, like most companies in the fuel oil business, we provide home heating equipment repair service to our fuel oil customers on a 24-hour a day basis.  The fuel oil business unit also competes for retail customers with suppliers of alternative energy sources, principally natural gas, propane and electricity.

Natural Gas and Electricity

We market natural gas and electricity through our 100%-owned subsidiary, Agway Energy Services, LLC (“AES”), in the deregulated markets of New York and Pennsylvania primarily to residential and small commercial customers. Historically, local utility companies provided their customers with all three aspects of electric and natural gas service:  generation, transmission and distribution.  However, under deregulation, public utility commissions in several states are licensing energy service companies, such as AES, to act as alternative suppliers of the commodity to end consumers.  In essence, we make arrangements for the supply of electricity or natural gas to specific delivery points.  The local utility companies continue to distribute electricity and natural gas on their distribution systems.  The business strategy of this segment is to expand its market share by concentrating on growth in the customer base and expansion into other deregulated markets that are considered strategic markets.  At the end of fiscal 2017, AES received the necessary licensing in order to begin marketing in Maryland.

We serve approximately 73,000 natural gas and electricity customers in New York and Pennsylvania.  During fiscal 2017, we sold approximately 2.9 million dekatherms of natural gas and 435.2 million kilowatt hours of electricity through the natural gas and electricity segment. Approximately 87% of our customers were residential households and the remainder were small commercial and industrial customers.  New accounts are obtained through numerous marketing and advertising programs, including telemarketing and direct mail initiatives.  Most local utility companies have established billing service arrangements whereby customers receive a single bill from the local utility company which includes distribution charges from the local utility company, as well as product charges for the amount of natural gas or electricity provided by AES and utilized by the customer.  We have arrangements with several local utility companies that provide billing and collection services for a fee.  Under these arrangements, we are paid by the local utility company for all or a portion of customer billings after a specified number of days following the customer billing with no further recourse to AES.

Supply of natural gas is arranged through annual supply agreements with major national wholesale suppliers.  Pricing under the annual natural gas supply contracts is based on posted market prices at the time of delivery, and some contracts include a pricing formula that typically is based on prevailing market prices.  The majority of our electricity requirements are purchased through the New York Independent System Operator (“NYISO”) under an annual supply agreement, as well as purchase arrangements through other national wholesale suppliers on the open market.  Electricity pricing under the NYISO agreement is based on local market indices at the time of delivery.  Competition is primarily with local utility companies, as well as other marketers of natural gas and electricity providing similar alternatives as AES.

All Other

We sell, install and service various types of whole-house heating products, air cleaners, humidifiers and space heaters to the customers of our propane, fuel oil, natural gas and electricity businesses.  Our supply needs are filled through supply arrangements with several large regional equipment manufacturers and distribution companies.  Competition in this business is primarily with small,

 

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local heating and ventilation providers and contractors, as well as, to a lesser extent, other regional service providers.  The focus of our ongoing service offerings are in support of the service needs of our existing customer base within our propane, refined fuels and natural gas and electricity business segments.  Additionally, we have entered into arrangements with third-party service providers to complement and, in certain instances, supplement our existing service capabilities.

Seasonality

The retail propane and fuel oil distribution businesses, as well as the natural gas marketing business, are seasonal because the primary use of these fuels is for heating residential and commercial buildings.  Historically, approximately two‑thirds of our retail propane volume is sold during the six-month peak heating season from October through March.  The fuel oil business tends to experience greater seasonality given its more limited use for space heating, and approximately three-fourths of our fuel oil volumes are sold between October and March.  Consequently, sales and operating profits are concentrated in our first and second fiscal quarters.  Cash flows from operations, therefore, are greatest during the second and third fiscal quarters when customers pay for product purchased during the winter heating season.  We expect lower operating profits and either net losses or lower net income during the period from April through September (our third and fourth fiscal quarters).

Weather conditions have a significant impact on the demand for our products, in particular propane, fuel oil and natural gas, for both heating and agricultural purposes.  Many of our customers rely on propane, fuel oil or natural gas primarily as a heating source.  Accordingly, the volume sold is directly affected by the severity of the winter weather in our service areas, which can vary substantially from year to year.  In any given area, sustained warmer than normal temperatures will tend to result in reduced propane, fuel oil and natural gas consumption, while sustained colder than normal temperatures will tend to result in greater consumption.

Trademarks and Tradenames

We utilize a variety of trademarks and tradenames owned by us, including “Suburban Propane.” We regard our trademarks, tradenames and other proprietary rights as valuable assets and believe that they have significant value in the marketing of our products and services.

Government Regulation; Environmental, Health and Safety Matters

We are subject to various federal, state and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. Generally, these laws impose limitations on the discharge of hazardous materials and pollutants and establish standards for the handling, transportation, treatment, storage and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes and can require the investigation, cleanup or monitoring of environmental contamination. We own real property at locations where such hazardous substances may be or may have been present as a result of prior activities.

We expect that we will be required to expend funds to participate in the remediation of certain sites, including sites where we have been designated as a potentially responsible party under applicable laws and at sites with aboveground and underground fuel storage tanks.  We will also incur other expenses associated with environmental compliance.  We continually monitor our operations with respect to potential environmental issues, including changes in legal requirements and remediation technologies.  As of September 30, 2017, we had accrued environmental liabilities of $0.7 million representing the total estimated future liability for remediation and monitoring of all of our properties.

Estimating the extent of our responsibility at a particular site, and the method and ultimate cost of remediation and monitoring of that site, requires making numerous assumptions.  As a result, the ultimate cost to remediate and monitor any site may differ from current estimates, and will depend, in part, on whether there is additional contamination, not currently known to us, at that site. However, we believe that our past experience provides a reasonable basis for estimating these liabilities.  As additional information becomes available, estimates are adjusted as necessary.  While we do not anticipate that any such adjustment would be material to our financial statements, the result of ongoing or future environmental studies or other factors could alter this expectation and require recording additional liabilities.  We currently cannot determine whether we will incur additional liabilities or the extent or amount of any such liabilities, or the extent to which such additional liabilities would be subject to the contractual indemnification of Inergy.

National Fire Protection Association (“NFPA”) Pamphlet Nos. 54 and 58, which establish rules and procedures governing the safe handling of propane, or comparable regulations, have been adopted, in whole, in part or with state addenda, as the industry standard for propane storage, distribution and equipment installation and operation in all of the states in which we operate.  In some states these laws are administered by state agencies, and in others they are administered on a municipal level.

NFPA Pamphlet Nos. 30, 30A, 31, 385 and 395, which establish rules and procedures governing the safe handling of distillates (fuel oil, kerosene and diesel fuel) and gasoline, or comparable regulations, have been adopted, in whole, in part or with state addenda, as the industry standard for fuel oil, kerosene, diesel fuel and gasoline storage, distribution and equipment installation and operation in all of the states in which we sell those products.  In some states these laws are administered by state agencies and in others they are administered on a municipal level.

 

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With respect to the transportation of propane, distillates and gasoline by truck, we are subject to regulations promulgated under various Federal statutes, including the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act and the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act.  These laws and regulations cover the transportation of hazardous materials and are administered, respectively, by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration of the United States Department of Transportation (“DOT”), or similar state agencies.  We conduct ongoing training programs to help ensure that our operations are in compliance with these and other applicable safety laws and regulations.  We maintain various permits that are necessary to operate our facilities, some of which may be material to our operations.  In compliance with the DOT’s pipeline safety regulations for “jurisdictional” propane systems that serve multiple customers, we provide training and written instruction for our employees, provide customers with periodic awareness notices and safety information, have established written procedures to minimize the hazards resulting from gas pipeline emergencies and keep records of inspections.  

Our operations are subject to workplace safety standards under the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (“OSHA”) and comparable state laws that regulate the protection of worker health and safety.  Compliance with these standards is monitored through required workplace injury and illness recordkeeping, and reporting.  We believe that our operations are in compliance, in all material respects, with applicable worker health and safety standards.  We are also subject to laws and regulations governing the security of hazardous materials, including propane, under the Federal Homeland Security Act of 2002, as administered by the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”).  The DHS promulgated the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (“CFATS”) regulation to identify and secure chemical facilities that present the greatest security risk using a risk-based tiering structure.  We have a number of facilities registered with the DHS.  As a result of the CFATS Act of 2014, the DHS updated the tiering methodology for chemical facilities.  In the fall of 2016, DHS required covered facilities to submit revised Top-Screens, as defined by DHS, using the enhanced risk assessment methodology.  We have submitted all requested revised Top-Screens to date. Currently, less than 3% of our facilities are designated as “tiered” facilities. We may incur additional costs for enhanced physical security measures for those facilities that become regulated as a higher risk facility under the enhanced risk assessment methodology.  We currently cannot determine the extent of additional costs, if any, that may be required as the risk tiering of our various facilities is still being evaluated.  

In December 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued an “Endangerment Finding” under the Clean Air Act, determining that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases (“GHGs”) present an endangerment to public health and the environment because emissions of such gases may be contributing to warming of the earth’s atmosphere and other climatic changes. Based on these findings, the EPA has begun adopting and implementing regulations to restrict emissions of GHGs and require reporting by certain regulated facilities on an annual basis.  The EPA’s authority to regulate GHGs has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Both Houses of the United States Congress also have considered adopting legislation to reduce emissions of GHGs.  Although Congress has not yet enacted federal climate change legislation, numerous states and municipalities have adopted laws and policies on climate change.

Because propane is considered a clean alternative fuel under the federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, we anticipate that this will provide us with a competitive advantage over other sources of energy, such as fuel oil and coal, to the extent new climate change regulations become effective. At the same time, the adoption of federal, state or local climate change legislation or regulatory programs to reduce emissions of GHGs could require us to incur increased capital and operating costs, with resulting impact on product price and demand. We cannot predict whether or in what form climate change legislation provisions and renewable energy standards may be enacted. In addition, a possible consequence of climate change is increased volatility in seasonal temperatures. It is difficult to predict how the market for our fuels would be affected by increased temperature volatility, although if there is an overall trend of warmer temperatures, it could adversely affect our business.

Future developments, such as stricter environmental, health or safety laws and regulations thereunder, could affect our operations. We do not anticipate that the cost of our compliance with environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, including CERCLA, as currently in effect and applicable to known sites will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.  To the extent we discover any environmental liabilities presently unknown to us or environmental, health or safety laws or regulations are made more stringent, however, there can be no assurance that our financial condition or results of operations will not be materially and adversely affected.

Many of the states in which we do business have passed laws prohibiting “unfair or deceptive practices” in transactions between consumers and sellers of products used for residential purposes, which give the Attorney General or other officials of that state the authority to investigate alleged violations of those laws.  From time to time, we receive inquiries or requests for additional information under these laws from the offices of Attorneys General or other government officials in connection with the sale of our products to residential customers.  Based on information to date, and because our policies and business practices are designed to comply with all applicable laws, we do not believe that the costs or liabilities associated with such inquiries or requests will result in a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations; however, there can be no assurance that our financial condition or results of operations may not be materially and adversely affected as a result of current or future government investigations or civil litigation derived therefrom.

 

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In New York, the Public Service Commission has commenced regulatory proceedings to explore how energy service companies, including AES, currently conduct their business in that state, which may result in the Commission eventually imposing limitations on the classes of customers that can be served, and the service offerings that can be offered, by those companies.  Certain rulings by the Commission in these proceedings have been challenged in court by industry associations, resulting in suspensions of some of those rulings.  At this time we are unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these regulatory proceedings, or the impact of such eventual outcome on AES’ business in New York.

Employees

As of September 30, 2017, we had 3,221 full time employees, of whom 609 were engaged in general and administrative activities (including fleet maintenance), 33 were engaged in transportation and product supply activities and 2,579 were customer service center employees, as well as 129 part time employees.  As of September 30, 2017, 73 of our employees were represented by 9 different local chapters of labor unions.  We believe that our relations with both our union and non‑union employees are satisfactory.  In addition, we hire temporary workers to meet peak seasonal demands.

 

 

Investing in our Common Units involves a high degree of risk. The most significant risks include those described below; however, additional risks that we currently do not know about may also impair our business operations. You should carefully consider the following risk factors, as well as the other information in this Annual Report. If any of the following risks actually occurs, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. In this case, the trading price of our Common Units would likely decline and you might lose part or all of the value in our Common Units.  You should carefully consider the specific risk factors set forth below as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.  Some factors in this section are Forward-Looking Statements.  See “Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” above.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

Since weather conditions may adversely affect demand for propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels and natural gas, our results of operations and financial condition are vulnerable to warm winters.

Weather conditions have a significant impact on the demand for propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels and natural gas for both heating and agricultural purposes.  Many of our customers rely on propane, fuel oil or natural gas primarily as a heating source.  The volume of propane, fuel oil and natural gas sold is at its highest during the six-month peak heating season of October through March and is directly affected by the severity of the winter. Typically, we sell approximately two-thirds of our retail propane volume and approximately three-fourths of our retail fuel oil volume during the peak heating season.

Actual weather conditions can vary substantially from year to year, significantly affecting our financial performance.  For example, average temperatures in our service territories were 15%, 17% and 2% warmer than normal for fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, respectively, as measured by the number of heating degree days reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”).  Furthermore, variations in weather in one or more regions in which we operate can significantly affect the total volume of propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels and natural gas we sell and, consequently, our results of operations.  Variations in the weather in the northeast, where we have a greater concentration of propane accounts and substantially all of our fuel oil and natural gas operations, generally have a greater impact on our operations than variations in the weather in other markets.  We can give no assurance that the weather conditions in any quarter or year will not have a material adverse effect on our operations, or that our available cash will be sufficient to pay principal and interest on our indebtedness and distributions to Unitholders.

Sudden increases in our costs to acquire and transport propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels and natural gas due to, among other things, our inability to obtain adequate supplies from our usual suppliers, or our inability to obtain adequate supplies of such products from alternative suppliers, may adversely affect our operating results.

Our profitability in the retail propane, fuel oil and refined fuels and natural gas businesses is largely dependent on the difference between our costs to acquire and transport product and retail sales price.  Propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels and natural gas are commodities, and the availability of those products, and the unit prices we need to pay to acquire and transport those products, are subject to volatile changes in response to changes in production and supply or other market conditions over which we have no control, including the severity of winter weather, the price and availability of competing alternative energy sources, competing demands for the products (including for export) and infrastructure (including highway, rail, pipeline and refinery) constraints.  Our supply of these products from our usual sources may be interrupted due to these and other reasons that are beyond our control, necessitating the transportation of product, if it is available at all, by truck, rail car or other means from other suppliers in other areas, with resulting delay in receipt and delivery to customers and increased expense.  As a result, our costs of acquiring and transporting alternative

 

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supplies of these products to our facilities might be materially higher at least on a short-term basis.  Since we may not be able to pass on to our customers immediately, or in full, all increases in our wholesale and transportation costs of propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels and natural gas, these increases could reduce our profitability.  In addition, our inability to obtain sufficient supplies of propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels and natural gas in order for us to fully meet our customer demand for these products on a timely basis could adversely affect our revenues, and consequently our profitability.

In general, product supply contracts permit suppliers to charge posted prices at the time of delivery or the current prices established at major supply points, including Mont Belvieu, Texas, and Conway, Kansas.  We engage in transactions to manage the price risk associated with certain of our product costs from time to time in an attempt to reduce cost volatility and to help ensure availability of product.  We can give no assurance that future increases in our costs to acquire and transport propane, fuel oil and natural gas will not have a material adverse effect on our profitability and cash flow, or that our available cash will be sufficient to pay principal and interest on our indebtedness and distributions to our Unitholders.

High prices for propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels and natural gas can lead to customer conservation, resulting in reduced demand for our product.

Prices for propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels and natural gas are subject to fluctuations in response to changes in wholesale prices and other market conditions beyond our control.  Therefore, our average retail sales prices can vary significantly within a heating season or from year to year as wholesale prices fluctuate with propane, fuel oil and natural gas commodity market conditions.  During periods of high propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels and natural gas product costs our selling prices generally increase.  High prices can lead to customer conservation, resulting in reduced demand for our product.

Because of the highly competitive nature of the retail propane and fuel oil businesses, we may not be able to retain existing customers or acquire new customers, which could have an adverse impact on our operating results and financial condition.

The retail propane and fuel oil industries are mature and highly competitive.  We expect overall demand for propane and fuel oil to be relatively flat to moderately declining over the next several years.  Year-to-year industry volumes of propane and fuel oil are expected to be primarily affected by weather patterns and from competition intensifying during warmer than normal winters, as well as from the impact of a sustained higher commodity price environment on customer conservation and the impact of perceived uncertainty about the economy on customer buying habits.

Propane and fuel oil compete with electricity, natural gas and other existing and future sources of energy, some of which are, or may in the future be, less costly for equivalent energy value. For example, natural gas currently is a significantly less expensive source of energy than propane and fuel oil on an equivalent BTU basis.  As a result, except for some industrial and commercial applications, propane and fuel oil are generally not economically competitive with natural gas in areas where natural gas pipelines already exist. The gradual expansion of the nation’s natural gas distribution systems has made natural gas available in many areas that previously depended upon propane or fuel oil. We expect this trend to continue, and, with the increasingly abundant supply of natural gas from domestic sources, perhaps accelerate.  Propane and fuel oil compete to a lesser extent with each other due to the cost of converting from one to the other.

In addition to competing with other sources of energy, our propane and fuel oil businesses compete with other distributors of those respective products principally on the basis of price, service and availability. Competition in the retail propane business is highly fragmented and generally occurs on a local basis with other large full-service multi-state propane marketers, thousands of smaller local independent marketers and farm cooperatives. Our fuel oil business competes with fuel oil distributors offering a broad range of services and prices, from full service distributors to those offering delivery only. In addition, our existing fuel oil customers, unlike our existing propane customers, generally own their own tanks, which can result in intensified competition for these customers.

As a result of the highly competitive nature of the retail propane and fuel oil businesses, our growth within these industries depends on our ability to acquire other retail distributors, open new customer service centers, add new customers and retain existing customers.  We can give no assurance that we will be able to acquire other retail distributors, add new customers and retain existing customers.

Energy efficiency, general economic conditions and technological advances have affected and may continue to affect demand for propane and fuel oil by our retail customers.

The national trend toward increased conservation and technological advances, including installation of improved insulation and the development of more efficient furnaces and other heating devices, has adversely affected the demand for propane and fuel oil by our retail customers which, in turn, has resulted in lower sales volumes to our customers. In addition, perceived uncertainty about the economy may lead to additional conservation by retail customers seeking to further reduce their heating costs, particularly during periods of sustained higher commodity prices. Future technological advances in heating, conservation and energy generation and continued economic weakness may adversely affect our volumes sold, which, in turn, may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

 

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Current conditions in the global capital and credit markets, and general economic pressures, may adversely affect our financial position and results of operations.

Our business and operating results are materially affected by worldwide economic conditions. Current conditions in the global capital and credit markets and general economic pressures have led to wavering consumer and business confidence and increased market volatility, which have affected business activity generally. This situation, especially when coupled with increasing energy prices, may cause our customers to experience cash flow shortages which in turn may lead to delayed or cancelled plans to purchase our products, and affect the ability of our customers to pay for our products. In addition, disruptions in the U.S. residential mortgage market (as a result of changes in tax laws or otherwise) and the rate of mortgage foreclosures may adversely affect retail customer demand for our products (in particular, products used for home heating and home comfort equipment) and our business and results of operations.

Our operating results and ability to generate sufficient cash flow to pay principal and interest on our indebtedness, and to pay distributions to Unitholders, may be affected by our ability to continue to control expenses.

The propane and fuel oil industries are mature and highly fragmented with competition from other multi-state marketers and thousands of smaller local independent marketers. Demand for propane and fuel oil is expected to be affected by many factors beyond our control, including, but not limited to, the severity of weather conditions during the peak heating season, customer conservation driven by high energy costs and other economic factors, as well as technological advances impacting energy efficiency. Accordingly, our propane and fuel oil sales volumes and related gross margins may be negatively affected by these factors beyond our control. Our operating profits and ability to generate sufficient cash flow may depend on our ability to continue to control expenses in line with sales volumes. We can give no assurance that we will be able to continue to control expenses to the extent necessary to reduce the effect on our profitability and cash flow from these factors.

The risk of terrorism, political unrest and the current hostilities in the Middle East or other energy producing regions may adversely affect the economy and the price and availability of propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels and natural gas.

Terrorist attacks, political unrest and the current hostilities in the Middle East or other energy producing regions may adversely impact the price and availability of propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels and natural gas, as well as our results of operations, our ability to raise capital and our future growth. The impact that the foregoing may have on our industry in general, and on us in particular, is not known at this time. An act of terror could result in disruptions of crude oil or natural gas supplies and markets (the sources of propane and fuel oil), and our infrastructure facilities could be direct or indirect targets. Terrorist activity may also hinder our ability to transport propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels if our means of supply transportation, such as rail or pipeline, become damaged as a result of an attack. A lower level of economic activity could result in a decline in energy consumption, which could adversely affect our revenues or restrict our future growth. Instability in the financial markets as a result of terrorism could also affect our ability to raise capital.  Terrorist activity, political unrest and hostilities in the Middle East or other energy producing regions could likely lead to increased volatility in prices for propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels and natural gas. We have opted to purchase insurance coverage for terrorist acts within our property and casualty insurance programs, but we can give no assurance that our insurance coverage will be adequate to fully compensate us for any losses to our business or property resulting from terrorist acts.

Our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected by governmental regulation and associated environmental and health and safety costs.

Our business is subject to a wide and ever increasing range of federal, state and local laws and regulations related to environmental and health and safety matters including those concerning, among other things, the investigation and remediation of contaminated soil, groundwater and other environmental media, and the transportation of hazardous materials. These requirements are complex, changing and tend to become more stringent over time. In addition, we are required to maintain various permits that are necessary to operate our facilities, some of which are material to our operations. There can be no assurance that we have been, or will be, at all times in complete compliance with all legal, regulatory and permitting requirements or that we will not incur significant costs in the future relating to such requirements. Violations could result in penalties, or the curtailment or cessation of operations.

Moreover, currently unknown environmental issues, such as the discovery of additional contamination, may result in significant additional expenditures, and potentially significant expenditures also could be required to comply with future changes to environmental laws and regulations or the interpretation or enforcement thereof. Such expenditures, if required, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

 

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We are subject to operating hazards and litigation risks that could adversely affect our operating results to the extent not covered by insurance.

Our operations are subject to all operating hazards and risks normally associated with handling, storing and delivering combustible liquids such as propane, fuel oil and other refined fuels. We have been, and are likely to continue to be, a defendant in various legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, both as a result of these operating hazards and risks and as a result of other aspects of our business. We are self-insured for general and product, workers’ compensation and automobile liabilities up to predetermined amounts above which third-party insurance applies. We cannot guarantee that our insurance will be adequate to protect us from all material expenses related to potential future claims for personal injury and property damage or that these levels of insurance will be available at economical prices, or that all legal matters that arise will be covered by our insurance programs.

If we are unable to make acquisitions on economically acceptable terms or effectively integrate such acquisitions into our operations, our financial performance may be adversely affected.

The retail propane and fuel oil industries are mature.  We expect overall demand for propane and fuel oil to be relatively flat to moderately declining over the next several years.  With respect to our retail propane business, it may be difficult for us to increase our aggregate number of retail propane customers except through acquisitions. As a result, we expect the success of our financial performance to depend, in part, upon our ability to acquire other retail propane and fuel oil distributors or other energy-related businesses and to successfully integrate them into our existing operations and to make cost saving changes. The competition for acquisitions is intense and we can make no assurance that we will be able to acquire other propane and fuel oil distributors or other energy-related businesses on economically acceptable terms or, if we do, that we can integrate the acquired operations effectively.

The adoption of climate change legislation could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the products and services we provide.

In December 2009, the EPA issued an “Endangerment Finding” under the Clean Air Act, determining that emissions of GHGs present an endangerment to public health and the environment because emissions of such gases may be contributing to warming of the earth’s atmosphere and other climatic changes. Based on these findings, the EPA has begun adopting and implementing regulations to restrict emissions of GHGs and require reporting by certain regulated facilities on an annual basis.  The EPA’s authority to regulate GHGs has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Both Houses of the United States Congress also have considered adopting legislation to reduce emissions of GHGs.  Although Congress has not yet enacted federal climate change legislation, numerous states and municipalities have adopted laws and policies on climate change.

The adoption of federal, state or local climate change legislation or regulatory programs to reduce emissions of GHGs could require us to incur increased capital and operating costs, with resulting impact on product price and demand. We cannot predict whether or in what form climate change legislation provisions and renewable energy standards may be enacted. In addition, a possible consequence of climate change is increased volatility in seasonal temperatures. It is difficult to predict how the market for our fuels would be affected by increased temperature volatility, although if there is an overall trend of warmer temperatures, it could adversely affect our business.

Our use of derivative contracts involves credit and regulatory risk and may expose us to financial loss.

From time to time, we enter into hedging transactions to reduce our business risks arising from fluctuations in commodity prices and interest rates. Hedging transactions expose us to risk of financial loss in some circumstances, including if the other party to the contract defaults on its obligations to us or if there is a change in the expected differential between the price of the underlying commodity or financial metric provided in the hedging agreement and the actual amount received.

Transactional, margin, capital, recordkeeping, reporting, clearing and other requirements imposed on parties to derivatives transactions as a result of legislation and related rulemaking may increase our operational and transactional cost of entering into and maintaining derivatives contracts and may adversely affect the number and/or creditworthiness of derivatives counterparties available to us. If we were to reduce our use of derivatives as a result of regulatory burdens or otherwise, our results of operations could become more volatile and our cash flow could be less predictable.

 

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Because we depend on particular management information systems to effectively manage all aspects of our delivery of propane, a failure in our operational systems or cyber security attacks on any of our facilities, or those of third parties, may adversely affect our financial results.

We depend on our management information systems to process orders, manage inventory and accounts receivable collections, maintain distributor and customer information, maintain cost-efficient operations and assist in delivering our products on a timely basis. In addition, our staff of management information systems professionals relies heavily on the support of several key personnel and vendors. Any disruption in the operation of those management information systems, loss of employees knowledgeable about such systems, termination of our relationship with one or more of these key vendors or failure to continue to modify such systems effectively as our business expands could negatively affect our business.

If any of our financial, operational, or other data processing systems fail or have other significant shortcomings, our financial results could be adversely affected.  Our financial results also could be adversely affected if an employee or third party causes our operational systems to fail, either as a result of inadvertent error or by deliberately tampering with or manipulating our operational systems, including through ransomware or phishing.  In addition, dependence upon automated systems may further increase the risk that operational system flaws, employee tampering or manipulation of those systems will result in losses that are difficult to detect or recoup, including damage to our reputation.  To the extent customer data is hacked or misappropriated, we could be subject to liability to affected persons.

Risks Inherent in the Ownership of Our Common Units

Cash distributions are not guaranteed and may fluctuate with our performance and other external factors.

Cash distributions on our Common Units are not guaranteed, and depend primarily on our cash flow and our cash on hand. Because they are not directly dependent on profitability, which is affected by non-cash items, our cash distributions might be made during periods when we record losses and might not be made during periods when we record profits.

The amount of cash we generate may fluctuate based on our performance and other factors, including:

Our Partnership Agreement gives our Board of Supervisors broad discretion in establishing cash reserves for, among other things, the proper conduct of our business. These cash reserves will affect the amount of cash available for distributions.

We have substantial indebtedness. Our debt agreements may limit our ability to make distributions to Unitholders, as well as our financial flexibility.

As of September 30, 2017, our long-term debt consisted of $525.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.5% senior notes due June 1, 2024, $250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.75% senior notes due March 1, 2025, $350.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.875% senior notes due March 1, 2027 and $162.6 million outstanding under our $500 million senior secured revolving credit facility. The payment of principal and interest on our debt will reduce the cash available to make distributions on our Common Units. In addition, we will not be able to make any distributions to holders of our Common Units if there is, or after giving effect to such distribution, there would be, an event of default under the indentures governing the senior notes and the senior secured revolving credit facility. The amount of distributions that we may make to holders of our Common Units is limited by the senior notes, and the amount of distributions that the Operating Partnership may make to us is limited by our revolving credit facility.

The revolving credit facility and the senior notes both contain various restrictive and affirmative covenants applicable to us, the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries, respectively, including (i) restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, and (ii) restrictions on certain liens, investments, guarantees, loans, advances, payments, mergers, consolidations, distributions, sales of assets and other transactions. The revolving credit facility contains certain financial covenants: (a) requiring our consolidated interest coverage ratio, as defined, to be not less than 2.5 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter; (b) prohibiting our total consolidated

 

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leverage ratio, as defined, from being greater than 5.95 to 1.0 for each fiscal quarter ending in June, September and December 2017, and March and June 2018, 5.75 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarter ending in September 2018, and 5.5 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarter ending in December 2018 and for each fiscal quarter thereafter; and (c) prohibiting the senior secured consolidated leverage ratio, as defined, of the Operating Partnership from being greater than 3.0 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter.  Under the indentures governing the senior notes, we are generally permitted to make cash distributions equal to available cash, as defined, as of the end of the immediately preceding quarter, if no event of default exists or would exist upon making such distributions, and our consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, as defined, is greater than 1.75 to 1. We and the Operating Partnership were in compliance with all covenants and terms of the senior notes and the revolving credit facility as of September 30, 2017.

The amount and terms of our debt may also adversely affect our ability to finance future operations and capital needs, limit our ability to pursue acquisitions and other business opportunities and make our results of operations more susceptible to adverse economic and industry conditions. In addition to our outstanding indebtedness, we may in the future require additional debt to finance acquisitions or for general business purposes; however, credit market conditions may impact our ability to access such financing.  If we are unable to access needed financing or to generate sufficient cash from operations, we may be required to abandon certain projects or curtail capital expenditures.  Additional debt, where it is available, could result in an increase in our leverage.  Our ability to make principal and interest payments depends on our future performance, which is subject to many factors, some of which are beyond our control.  As interest expense increases (whether due to an increase in interest rates and/or the size of aggregate outstanding debt), our ability to fund distributions on our Common Units may be impacted, depending on the level of revenue generation, which is not assured.

Unitholders have limited voting rights.

A Board of Supervisors governs our operations.  Unitholders have only limited voting rights on matters affecting our business, including the right to elect the members of our Board of Supervisors every three years and the right to vote on the removal of the general partner.

It may be difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would be beneficial to our Unitholders.

Some provisions of our Partnership Agreement may discourage, delay or prevent third parties from acquiring us, even if doing so would be beneficial to our Unitholders.  For example, our Partnership Agreement contains a provision, based on Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, that generally prohibits the Partnership from engaging in a business combination with a 15% or greater Unitholder for a period of three years following the date that person or entity acquired at least 15% of our outstanding Common Units, unless certain exceptions apply.  Additionally, our Partnership Agreement sets forth advance notice procedures for a Unitholder to nominate a Supervisor to stand for election, which procedures may discourage or deter a potential acquirer from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect the acquirer’s own slate of Supervisors or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Partnership.  These nomination procedures may not be revised or repealed, and inconsistent provisions may not be adopted, without the approval of the holders of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding Common Units.  These provisions may have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by our Board of Supervisors, including discouraging attempts that might result in a premium over the market price of the Common Units held by our Unitholders.

Unitholders may not have limited liability in some circumstances.

A number of states have not clearly established limitations on the liabilities of limited partners for the obligations of a limited partnership. Our Unitholders might be held liable for our obligations as if they were general partners if:

Unitholders may have liability to repay distributions.

Unitholders will not be liable for assessments in addition to their initial capital investment in the Common Units. Under specific circumstances, however, Unitholders may have to repay to us amounts wrongfully returned or distributed to them. Under Delaware law, we may not make a distribution to Unitholders if the distribution causes our liabilities to exceed the fair value of our assets. Liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interests and nonrecourse liabilities are not counted for purposes of determining whether a distribution is permitted. Delaware law provides that a limited partner who receives a distribution of this kind and knew at the time of the distribution that the distribution violated Delaware law will be liable to the limited partnership for the distribution amount for three years from the distribution date. Under Delaware law, an assignee who becomes a substituted limited partner of a

 

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limited partnership is liable for the obligations of the assignor to make contributions to the partnership. However, such an assignee is not obligated for liabilities unknown to him at the time he or she became a limited partner if the liabilities could not be determined from the partnership agreement.

If we issue additional limited partner interests or other equity securities as consideration for acquisitions or for other purposes, the relative voting strength of each Unitholder will be diminished over time due to the dilution of each Unitholder’s interests and additional taxable income may be allocated to each Unitholder.

Our Partnership Agreement generally allows us to issue additional limited partner interests and other equity securities without the approval of our Unitholders. Therefore, when we issue additional Common Units or securities ranking above or on a parity with the Common Units, each Unitholder’s proportionate partnership interest will decrease, and the amount of cash distributed on each Common Unit and the market price of Common Units could decrease. The issuance of additional Common Units will also diminish the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding Common Unit. In addition, the issuance of additional Common Units, or other equity securities, will, over time, result in the allocation of additional taxable income, representing built-in gains at the time of the new issuance, to those Unitholders that existed prior to the new issuance.

Tax Risks to Unitholders

Our tax treatment depends on our status as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) could treat us as a corporation, which would substantially reduce the cash available for distribution to Unitholders.

The anticipated after-tax economic benefit of an investment in our Common Units depends largely on our being treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If less than 90% of the gross income of a publicly traded partnership, such as Suburban Propane Partners, L.P., for any taxable year is “qualifying income” within the meaning of Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code, that partnership will be taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes for that taxable year and all subsequent years.

If we were treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then we would pay U.S. federal income tax on our income at the corporate tax rate, which is currently a maximum of 35%, and would likely pay additional state income tax at varying rates. Because a tax would be imposed upon us as a corporation, our cash available for distribution to Unitholders would be substantially reduced. Treatment of us as a corporation would result in a material reduction in the anticipated cash flow and after-tax return to Unitholders and thus would likely result in a substantial reduction in the value of our Common Units.

The tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships or an investment in our Common Units could be subject to potential legislative, judicial or administrative changes and differing interpretations thereof, possibly on a retroactive basis.

The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships, including Suburban Propane Partners, L.P., or an investment in our Common Units may be modified by legislative, judicial or administrative changes and differing interpretations thereof at any time. Any modification to the U.S. federal income tax laws or interpretations thereof may or may not be applied retroactively.  Moreover, any such modification could make it more difficult or impossible for us to meet the exception that allows publicly traded partnerships that generate qualifying income to be treated as partnerships (rather than as corporations) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, affect or cause us to change our business activities, or affect the tax consequences of an investment in our Common Units.

Congress has publicly stated that one of its top legislative priorities is significant reform of the Internal Revenue Code.   Proposed legislation has included substantial revisions to the Internal Revenue Code, such as:  (i) a special tax rate applicable for certain qualified business income derived by partnerships and other pass-through entities; (ii) immediate expensing of certain capital expenses and (iii) significant limitations on deductibility of interest.  We are unable to predict whether any form of tax reform bill will become law and, if so, what provisions may be included in a final tax reform bill, the timing of any final tax reform bill and whether any other proposals or changes to current U.S. tax laws will ultimately be enacted.   The impact of any potential tax reform on us and the value of an investment in our Common Units is uncertain.

In addition, because of widespread state budget deficits and other reasons, several states are evaluating ways to subject partnerships to entity-level taxation through the imposition of state income, franchise and other forms of taxation.

 

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If the IRS makes audit adjustments to our income tax returns for tax years beginning after 2017, it (and some states) may collect any resulting taxes (including any applicable penalties and interest) directly from the Partnership, in which case cash available to service debt or to pay distributions to our unitholders, if and when resumed, might be substantially reduced.

Pursuant to the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015, if the IRS makes audit adjustments to our income tax returns for tax years beginning after 2017, it may collect any resulting taxes (including any applicable penalties and interest) directly from us.  We will generally have the ability to shift any such tax liability to our unitholders in accordance with their interests in us during the year under audit, but there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so (and will choose to do so) under all circumstances, or that we will be able to (or choose to) effect corresponding shifts in state income or similar tax liability resulting from the IRS adjustment in states in which we do business in the year under audit or in the adjustment year.  If we make payments of taxes, penalties and interest resulting from audit adjustments, cash available to service debt or to resume payment of distributions to our unitholders could be reduced.

A successful IRS contest of the U.S. federal income tax positions we take may adversely affect the market for our Common Units, and the cost of any IRS contest will reduce our cash available for distribution to our Unitholders.

We have not requested a ruling from the IRS with respect to our treatment as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes or any other matter affecting us. The IRS may adopt positions that differ from the positions we take. It may be necessary to resort to administrative or court proceedings to sustain some or all of the positions we take. A court may not agree with the positions we take. Any contest with the IRS may materially and adversely impact the market for our Common Units and the price at which they trade. In addition, our costs of any contest with the IRS will be borne indirectly by our Unitholders because the costs will reduce our cash available for distribution.

A Unitholder’s tax liability could exceed cash distributions on its Common Units.

Because our Unitholders are treated as partners, a Unitholder is required to pay U.S. federal income taxes and state and local income taxes on its allocable share of our income, without regard to whether we make cash distributions to the Unitholder.  We cannot guarantee that a Unitholder will receive cash distributions equal to its allocable share of our taxable income or even the tax liability to it resulting from that income.

Ownership of Common Units may have adverse tax consequences for tax-exempt organizations and foreign investors.

Investment in Common Units by certain tax-exempt entities and foreign persons raises issues specific to them. For example, virtually all of our taxable income allocated to organizations exempt from U.S. federal income tax, including individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans, will be unrelated business taxable income and thus will be taxable to the Unitholder.  Distributions to foreign persons will be reduced by withholding taxes at the highest applicable effective tax rate, and foreign persons will be required to file U.S. federal income tax returns and pay tax on their share of our taxable income. Tax-exempt organizations and foreign persons should consult, and should depend on, their own tax advisors in analyzing the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign income tax and other tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership or disposition of Common Units.

The ability of a Unitholder to deduct its share of our losses may be limited.

Various limitations may apply to the ability of a Unitholder to deduct its share of our losses. For example, in the case of taxpayers subject to the passive activity loss rules (generally, individuals and closely held corporations), any losses generated by us will only be available to offset our future income and cannot be used to offset income from other activities, including other passive activities or investments. Such unused losses may be deducted when the Unitholder disposes of its entire investment in us in a fully taxable transaction with an unrelated party, such as a sale by a Unitholder of all of its Common Units in the open market. A Unitholder’s share of any net passive income may be offset by unused losses from us carried over from prior years, but not by losses from other passive activities, including losses from other publicly-traded partnerships.

The tax gain or loss on the disposition of Common Units could be different than expected.

A Unitholder who sells Common Units will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and its adjusted tax basis in the Common Units. Prior distributions in excess of cumulative net taxable income allocated to a Common Unit which decreased a Unitholder’s tax basis in that Common Unit will, in effect, become taxable income if the Common Unit is sold at a price greater than the Unitholder’s tax basis in that Common Unit, even if the price is less than the original cost of the Common Unit. A portion of the amount realized, if the amount realized exceeds the Unitholder’s adjusted basis in that Common Unit, will likely be characterized as ordinary income. Furthermore, should the IRS successfully contest some conventions used by us, a Unitholder could recognize more gain on the sale of Common Units than would be the case under those conventions, without the benefit of decreased income in prior years.  In addition, because the amount realized will include a holder’s share of our nonrecourse liabilities, if a Unitholder sells its Common Units, such Unitholder may incur a tax liability in excess of the amount of cash it receives from the sale.

 

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Reporting of partnership tax information is complicated and subject to audits.

We intend to furnish to each Unitholder, within 90 days after the close of each calendar year, specific tax information, including a Schedule K-1 that sets forth its allocable share of income, gains, losses and deductions for our preceding taxable year.  In preparing these schedules, we use various accounting and reporting conventions and adopt various depreciation and amortization methods.  We cannot guarantee that these conventions will yield a result that conforms to statutory or regulatory requirements or to administrative pronouncements of the IRS.  Further, our income tax return may be audited, which could result in an audit of a Unitholder’s income tax return and increased liabilities for taxes because of adjustments resulting from the audit.

We treat each purchaser of our Common Units as having the same tax benefits without regard to the actual Common Units purchased. The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could adversely affect the value of the Common Units.

Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of Common Units and because of other reasons, uniformity of the economic and tax characteristics of the Common Units to a purchaser of Common Units of the same class must be maintained. To maintain uniformity and for other reasons, we have adopted certain depreciation and amortization conventions that may be inconsistent with Treasury Regulations. A successful IRS challenge to those positions could adversely affect the amount of tax benefits available to a Unitholder.  It also could affect the timing of these tax benefits or the amount of gain from the sale of Common Units, and could have a negative impact on the value of our Common Units or result in audit adjustments to a Unitholder’s income tax return.

We prorate our items of income, gain, loss and deduction between transferors and transferees of our Common Units each month based upon the ownership of our Common Units on the first day of each month, instead of on the basis of the date a particular Common Unit is transferred. The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could change the allocation of items of income, gain, loss and deduction among our Unitholders.

We prorate our items of income, gain, loss and deduction between transferors and transferees of our Common Units each month based upon the ownership of our Common Units on the first day of each month, instead of on the basis of the date a particular Common Unit is transferred. Treasury Regulations provide a safe harbor pursuant to which publicly traded partnerships may use a similar monthly simplifying convention to allocate tax items among transferors and transferees of our Common Units.  However, if the IRS were to challenge our proration method, we may be required to change the allocation of items of income, gain, loss and deduction among our Unitholders.

Unitholders may have negative tax consequences if we default on our debt or sell assets.

If we default on any of our debt obligations, our lenders will have the right to sue us for non-payment. This could cause an investment loss and negative tax consequences for Unitholders through the realization of taxable income by Unitholders without a corresponding cash distribution. Likewise, if we were to dispose of assets and realize a taxable gain while there is substantial debt outstanding and proceeds of the sale were applied to the debt, Unitholders could have increased taxable income without a corresponding cash distribution.

The sale or exchange of 50% or more of our capital and profits interests during any twelve-month period will result in the termination of our partnership for federal income tax purposes.

Under current law, we will be considered to have terminated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes if there is a sale or exchange of 50% or more of the total interests in our capital and profits within a twelve-month period. Our termination would, among other things, result in the closing of our taxable year for all Unitholders and could result in a deferral of depreciation deductions allowable in computing our taxable income. In the case of a Unitholder reporting on a taxable year other than the calendar year, the closing of our taxable year may also result in more than twelve months of our taxable income or loss being includable in his taxable income for the year of termination. Our termination currently would not affect our treatment as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, but instead, after our termination we would be treated as a new partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If treated as a new partnership, we must make new tax elections and could be subject to penalties if we are unable to determine that a termination occurred.

 

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There are state, local and other tax considerations for our Unitholders.

In addition to U.S. federal income taxes, Unitholders will likely be subject to other taxes, such as state and local taxes, unincorporated business taxes and estate, inheritance or intangible taxes that are imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we do business or own property, even if the Unitholder does not reside in any of those jurisdictions. A Unitholder will likely be required to file state and local income tax returns and pay state and local income taxes in some or all of the various jurisdictions in which we do business or own property and may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. It is the responsibility of each Unitholder to file all U.S. federal, state and local income tax returns that may be required of each Unitholder.

A Unitholder whose Common Units are loaned to a “short seller” to cover a short sale of Common Units may be considered as having disposed of those Common Units.  If so, that Unitholder would no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those Common Units during the period of the loan and may recognize gain or loss from the disposition.

Because there is no tax concept of loaning a partnership interest, a Unitholder whose Common Units are loaned to a “short seller” to cover a short sale of Common Units may be considered as having disposed of the loaned Common Units.  In that case, a Unitholder may no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those Common Units during the period of the loan to the short seller and may recognize gain or loss from such disposition.  Moreover, during the period of the loan to the short seller, any of our income, gain, loss or deduction with respect to those Common Units may not be reportable by the Unitholder and any cash distribution received by the Unitholder as to those Common Units could be fully taxable as ordinary income.  Unitholders desiring to ensure their status as partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition from a loan to a short seller should consult their own tax advisors to discuss whether it is advisable to modify any applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from borrowing their Common Units.

 

 

 

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None.

As of September 30, 2017, we owned approximately 75% of our customer service center and satellite locations and leased the balance of our retail locations from third parties.  We own and operate a 22 million gallon refrigerated, aboveground propane storage facility in Elk Grove, California.  Additionally, we own our principal executive offices located in Whippany, New Jersey.

The transportation of propane requires specialized equipment.  The trucks and railroad tank cars utilized for this purpose carry specialized steel tanks that maintain the propane in a liquefied state. As of September 30, 2017, we had a fleet of 7 transport truck tractors, of which we owned 3, and 23 railroad tank cars, of which we owned none.  In addition, as of September 30, 2017 we had 1,128 bobtail and rack trucks, of which we owned 49%, 108 fuel oil tankwagons, of which we owned 71%, and 1,282 other delivery and service vehicles, of which we owned 55%.  We lease the vehicles we do not own.  As of September 30, 2017, we also owned approximately 825,000 customer propane storage tanks with typical capacities of 100 to 500 gallons, 56,000 customer propane storage tanks with typical capacities of over 500 gallons and 277,000 portable propane cylinders with typical capacities of five to ten gallons.

Litigation

Our operations are subject to operating hazards and risks normally incidental to handling, storing and delivering combustible liquids such as propane.  We have been, and will continue to be, a defendant in various legal proceedings and litigation as a result of these operating hazards and risks, and as a result of other aspects of our business.  Although any litigation is inherently uncertain, based on past experience, the information currently available to us, and the amount of our accrued insurance liabilities, we do not believe that currently pending or threatened litigation matters, or known claims or known contingent claims, will have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flow.

None.

 

 

 

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PART II

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The following table presents our selected consolidated historical financial data as derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, certain of which are included elsewhere in this Annual Report.  All amounts in the tables below, except per unit data, are in thousands.

 

 

 

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The following table sets forth our calculations of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:

 

 

 

 

 

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The following is a discussion of our financial condition and results of operations, which should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Executive Overview

The following are factors that regularly affect our operating results and financial condition.  In addition, our business is subject to the risks and uncertainties described in Item 1A of this Annual Report.

Product Costs and Supply

The level of profitability in the retail propane, fuel oil, natural gas and electricity businesses is largely dependent on the difference between retail sales price and our costs to acquire and transport products.  The unit cost of our products, particularly propane, fuel oil and natural gas, is subject to volatility as a result of supply and demand dynamics or other market conditions, including, but not limited to, economic and political factors impacting crude oil and natural gas supply or pricing.  We enter into product supply contracts that are generally one-year agreements subject to annual renewal, and also purchase product on the open market.  We attempt to reduce price risk by pricing product on a short-term basis.  Our propane supply contracts typically provide for pricing based upon index formulas using the posted prices established at major supply points such as Mont Belvieu, Texas, or Conway, Kansas (plus transportation costs) at the time of delivery.

To supplement our annual purchase requirements, we may utilize forward fixed price purchase contracts to acquire a portion of the propane that we resell to our customers, which allows us to manage our exposure to unfavorable changes in commodity prices and to assure adequate physical supply.  The percentage of contract purchases, and the amount of supply contracted for under forward contracts at fixed prices, will vary from year to year based on market conditions.

Changes in our costs to acquire and transport products can occur rapidly over a short period of time and can impact profitability.  There is no assurance that we will be able to pass on product acquisition and transportation cost increases fully or immediately, particularly when such costs increase rapidly.  Therefore, average retail sales prices can vary significantly from year to year as our costs fluctuate with the propane, fuel oil, crude oil and natural gas commodity markets and infrastructure conditions.  In addition, periods of sustained higher commodity and/or transportation prices can lead to customer conservation, resulting in reduced demand for our product.

Seasonality

The retail propane and fuel oil distribution businesses, as well as the natural gas marketing business, are seasonal because these fuels are primarily used for heating in residential and commercial buildings.  Historically, approximately two‑thirds of our retail propane volume is sold during the six-month peak heating season from October through March. The fuel oil business tends to experience greater seasonality given its more limited use for space heating and approximately three-fourths of our fuel oil volumes are sold between October and March.  Consequently, sales and operating profits are concentrated in our first and second fiscal quarters.  Cash flows from operations, therefore, are greatest during the second and third fiscal quarters when customers pay for product purchased during the winter heating season.  We expect lower operating profits and either net losses or lower net income during the period from April through September (our third and fourth fiscal quarters).  To the extent necessary, we will reserve cash from the second and third quarters for distribution to holders of our Common Units in the fourth quarter and the following fiscal year first quarter.

Weather

Weather conditions have a significant impact on the demand for our products, in particular propane, fuel oil and natural gas, for both heating and agricultural purposes.  Many of our customers rely heavily on propane, fuel oil or natural gas as a heating source.  Accordingly, the volume sold is directly affected by the severity of the winter weather in our service areas, which can vary substantially from year to year.  In any given area, sustained warmer than normal temperatures will tend to result in reduced propane, fuel oil and natural gas consumption, while sustained colder than normal temperatures will tend to result in greater consumption.

 

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Hedging and Risk Management Activities

We engage in hedging and risk management activities to reduce the effect of price volatility on our product costs and to ensure the availability of product during periods of short supply.  We enter into propane forward, options and swap agreements with third parties, and use futures and options contracts traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) to purchase and sell propane, fuel oil and crude oil at fixed prices in the future.  The majority of the futures, forward and options agreements are used to hedge price risk associated with propane and fuel oil physical inventory, as well as, in certain instances, forecasted purchases of propane or fuel oil.  In addition, we sell propane and fuel oil to customers at fixed prices, and enter into derivative instruments to hedge a portion of our exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices as a result of selling the fixed price contracts. Forward contracts are generally settled physically at the expiration of the contract whereas futures, options and swap contracts are generally settled at the expiration of the contract through a net settlement mechanism.  Although we use derivative instruments to reduce the effect of price volatility associated with priced physical inventory and forecasted transactions, we do not use derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes. Risk management activities are monitored by an internal Commodity Risk Management Committee, made up of six members of management and reporting to our Audit Committee, through enforcement of our Hedging and Risk Management Policy.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our significant accounting policies are summarized in Note 2—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements section elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Certain amounts included in or affecting our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures must be estimated, requiring management to make certain assumptions with respect to values or conditions that cannot be known with certainty at the time the financial statements are prepared.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We are also subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ from estimated results. Estimates are used when accounting for depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets, employee benefit plans, self-insurance and litigation reserves, environmental reserves, allowances for doubtful accounts, asset valuation assessments and valuation of derivative instruments.  We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Any effects on our business, financial position or results of operations resulting from revisions to these estimates are recorded in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known to us.  Management has reviewed these critical accounting estimates and related disclosures with the Audit Committee of our Board of Supervisors.  We believe that the following are our critical accounting estimates:

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts.  We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments.  We estimate our allowances for doubtful accounts using a specific reserve for known or anticipated uncollectible accounts, as well as an estimated reserve for potential future uncollectible accounts taking into consideration our historical write-offs.  If the financial condition of one or more of our customers were to deteriorate resulting in an impairment in their ability to make payments, additional allowances could be required.  As a result of our large customer base, which is comprised of approximately 1.0 million customers, no individual customer account is material.  Therefore, while some variation to actual results occurs, historically such variability has not been material.  Schedule II, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts, provides a summary of the changes in our allowances for doubtful accounts during the period.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits.  We estimate the rate of return on plan assets, the discount rate used to estimate the present value of future benefit obligations and the expected cost of future health care benefits in determining our annual pension and other postretirement benefit costs.  We use the Society of Actuaries’ mortality scale (MP-2014) and other actuarial life expectancy information when developing the annual mortality assumptions for our pension and postretirement benefit plans, which are used to measure net periodic benefit costs and the obligation under these plans.  While we believe that our assumptions are appropriate, significant differences in our actual experience or significant changes in market conditions may materially affect our pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and our future expense.  

 

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Self-Insurance Reserves.  Our accrued self-insurance reserves represent the estimated costs of known and anticipated or unasserted claims under our general and product, workers’ compensation and automobile insurance policies.  Accrued insurance provisions for unasserted claims arising from unreported incidents are based on an analysis of historical claims data.  For each unasserted claim, we record a self‑insurance provision up to the estimated amount of the probable claim utilizing actuarially determined loss development factors applied to actual claims data.  Our self-insurance provisions are susceptible to change to the extent that actual claims development differs from historical claims development.  We maintain insurance coverage wherein our net exposure for insured claims is limited to the insurance deductible, claims above which are paid by our insurance carriers.  For the portion of our estimated self-insurance liability that exceeds our deductibles, we record an asset related to the amount of the liability expected to be paid by the insurance companies.  Historically, we have not experienced significant variability in our actuarial estimates for claims incurred but not reported.  Accrued insurance provisions for reported claims are reviewed at least quarterly, and our assessment of whether a loss is probable and/or reasonably estimable is updated as necessary.  Due to the inherently uncertain nature of, in particular, product liability claims, the ultimate loss may differ materially from our estimates.  However, because of the nature of our insurance arrangements, those material variations historically have not, nor are they expected in the future to have, a material impact on our results of operations or financial position.

Loss Contingencies.  In the normal course of business, we are involved in various claims and legal proceedings.  We record a liability for such matters when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amounts can be reasonably estimated.  The liability includes probable and estimable legal costs to the point in the legal matter where we believe a conclusion to the matter will be reached.  When only a range of possible loss can be established, the most probable amount in the range is accrued.  If no amount within this range is a better estimate than any other amount within the range, the minimum amount in the range is accrued.

We contribute to multi-employer pension plans (“MEPPs”) in accordance with various collective bargaining agreements covering union employees.  As one of the many participating employers in these MEPPs, we are responsible with the other participating employers for any plan underfunding.  Due to the uncertainty regarding future factors that could impact the withdrawal liability, we are unable to determine the timing of the payment of the future withdrawal liability, or additional future withdrawal liability, if any.

Fair Values of Acquired Assets and Liabilities.  From time to time, we enter into material business combinations. In accordance with accounting guidance associated with business combinations, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their estimated fair value as of the acquisition date.  Fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based upon available information and may involve us engaging an independent third party to perform an appraisal.  Estimating fair values can be complex and subject to significant business judgment. Estimates most commonly impact property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, including goodwill.  Generally, we have, if necessary, up to one year from the acquisition date to finalize our estimates of acquisition date fair values.

Results of Operations and Financial Condition

Net income for fiscal 2017 was $38.0 million, or $0.62 per Common Unit, compared to $14.4 million, or $0.24 per Common Unit, in fiscal 2016.

Fiscal 2017 included 53 weeks of operations, compared to 52 weeks in the prior year.  Net income and EBITDA (as defined and reconciled below) for fiscal 2017 included: (i) a pension settlement charge of $6.1 million; and (ii) a loss on debt extinguishment of $1.6 million.  

Net income and EBITDA for fiscal 2016 included: (i) a $9.8 million gain from the sale of certain assets and operations in a non-strategic market of the propane segment; (ii) a $6.6 million charge related to our voluntary full withdrawal from a multi-employer pension plan covering certain employees acquired in the 2012 acquisition of the retail propane assets and operations of Inergy, L.P. (“Inergy”); (iii) a $3.0 million charge related to the settlement of a product liability matter; (iv) a pension settlement charge of $2.0 million; and (v) a loss on debt extinguishment of $0.3 million.

Excluding the effects of the foregoing items and unrealized (non-cash) mark-to-market adjustments on derivative instruments in both years, Adjusted EBITDA (as defined and reconciled below) increased $20 million, or 9.0%, to $243.0 million in fiscal 2017 from $223.0 million in the prior year.

Retail propane gallons sold in fiscal 2017 increased 6.0 million gallons, or 1.4%, to 420.8 million gallons. Sales of fuel oil and other refined fuels of 30.9 million gallons in fiscal 2017 were essentially flat year over year. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”), the winter of 2016-2017 was the second warmest on record in the contiguous United States.  Average temperatures (as measured by heating degree days) across all of our service territories for fiscal 2017 were 15% warmer than normal and 2% cooler than the prior year.  During the heating season (October through March), we experienced unseasonably warm weather throughout much of the period in nearly all of our service territories, with cooler weather arriving during brief bursts in the final three weeks of each of the first and second quarters.

 

 

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Revenues for fiscal 2017 of $1,187.9 million increased $141.8 million, or 13.6%, compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher retail selling prices associated with higher wholesale costs, combined with higher volumes sold.

Cost of products sold for fiscal 2017 of $476.7 million increased $114.7 million, or 31.7%, compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher wholesale propane costs and, to a lesser extent, higher volumes sold.  Average propane prices (basis Mont Belvieu, Texas) and fuel oil prices for fiscal 2017 were 51.8% and 20.7% higher than the prior year, respectively.  Cost of products sold for fiscal 2017 included a $6.3 million unrealized (non-cash) gain attributable to the mark-to-market adjustment for derivative instruments used in risk management activities, compared to a $1.2 million unrealized (non-cash) loss for fiscal 2016.  These unrealized gains and losses are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA for both periods in the table below.

Combined operating and general and administrative expenses of $468.0 million for fiscal 2017 were $5.9 million, or 1.2%, lower than fiscal 2016, primarily due to savings from operating efficiencies identified and the charges in the prior year discussed above.    

Depreciation and amortization expense of $127.9 million for fiscal 2017 decreased $1.7 million, or 1.3%, primarily due to the acceleration of depreciation expense recorded in the prior year for assets taken out of service. Net interest expense of $75.3 million for fiscal 2017 increased $0.2 million, or 0.2%, primarily due to incremental borrowings under our revolving credit facility during fiscal 2017, substantially offset by savings from the refinancing of certain of our senior notes completed in the second quarter of fiscal 2017.

During fiscal 2017, we succeeded in accomplishing many significant goals that will provide further support for our long-term strategic growth initiatives.  The following highlight a few key accomplishments for fiscal 2017:

On October 26, 2017, we announced that our Board of Supervisors had declared a quarterly distribution of $0.60 per Common Unit for the three months ended September 30, 2017. This quarterly distribution rate equates to an annualized rate of $2.40 per Common Unit.  The distribution was paid on November 14, 2017 to Common Unitholders of record as of November 7, 2017.  After undertaking a thorough assessment of customer demand trends and expectations under varying weather scenarios following two consecutive record warm winters, and as we prepared our business for a new fiscal year, our Board of Supervisors made the decision to reduce the distribution from the annualized rate of $3.55 per unit to $2.40 per unit. Operationally, we have continued to drive efficiencies and make improvements in our business model and, as we enter fiscal 2018, this action reflects our goal to focus on restoring our balance sheet strength to best position the business for long-term profitable growth.  The reduction in the annualized distribution will reduce our annual cash requirements, and contribute to our efforts to reduce leverage.  More importantly, it will provide enhanced financial flexibility to support our growth initiatives.

As we look ahead to fiscal 2018, our anticipated cash requirements include: (i) maintenance and growth capital expenditures of approximately $35.0 million; (ii) approximately $70.6 million of interest and income tax payments; and (iii) approximately $147.3 million of distributions to Unitholders, based on the current annualized rate of $2.40 per Common Unit.  Based on our liquidity position, which includes cash on hand, availability of funds under the Revolving Credit Facility and expected cash flow from operating activities, we expect to have sufficient funds to meet our current and future obligations.

 

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Fiscal Year 2017 Compared to Fiscal Year 2016

Revenues

 

 

Total revenues increased $141.8 million, or 13.6%, to $1,187.9 million for fiscal 2017 compared to $1,046.1 million for the prior year due to higher average selling prices associated with higher wholesale costs and higher volumes sold.  As discussed above, average temperatures (as measured in heating degree days) across all of our service territories for fiscal 2017 were 15% warmer than normal and 2% cooler than the prior year, with cooler weather arriving during brief bursts in the final three weeks of each of the first and second quarters.  In fact, the first two months of each of the first and second quarters of fiscal 2017 were reported as record warm by NOAA.

Revenues from the distribution of propane and related activities of $1,011.1 million for fiscal 2017 increased $126.9 million, or 14.4%, compared to $884.2 million for the prior year, primarily due to higher average retail selling prices associated with a rise in wholesale costs, coupled with higher retail volumes sold.  Average propane selling prices for fiscal 2017 increased 10.9% compared to the prior year, resulting in a $91.3 million increase in revenues.  Retail propane gallons sold in fiscal 2017 increased 6.0 million gallons, or 1.4%, to 420.8 million gallons, resulting in an increase in revenues of $11.9 million.  Included within the propane segment are revenues from other propane activities of $84.8 million for fiscal 2017, which increased $23.7 million compared to the prior year.

Revenues from the distribution of fuel oil and refined fuels of $78.1 million for fiscal 2017 increased $9.4 million, or 13.6%, from $68.8 million for the prior year, primarily due to increases in average selling prices associated with higher wholesale costs. Volumes sold of 30.9 million gallons were essentially flat year over year.  Average selling prices in our fuel oil and refined fuels segment increased 13.5%, resulting in a $9.4 million increase in revenues.  

Revenues in our natural gas and electricity segment increased $4.3 million, or 8.5%, to $55.1 million in fiscal 2017 compared to $50.8 million in the prior year as a result of higher average selling prices for natural gas and electricity associated with higher average wholesale costs.

Cost of Products Sold

 

 

The cost of products sold reported in the consolidated statements of operations represents the weighted average unit cost of propane, fuel oil and refined fuels, natural gas and electricity sold, including transportation costs to deliver product from our supply points to storage or to our customer service centers.  Cost of products sold also includes the cost of appliances and related parts sold or installed by our customer service centers computed on a basis that approximates the average cost of the products.  

 

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Given the retail nature of our operations, we maintain a certain level of priced physical inventory to help ensure that our field operations have adequate supply commensurate with the time of year.  Our strategy has been, and will continue to be, to keep our physical inventory priced relatively close to market for our field operations.  Consistent with past practices, we principally utilize futures and/or options contracts traded on the NYMEX to mitigate the price risk associated with our priced physical inventory.  Under this risk management strategy, realized gains or losses on futures or options contracts, which are reported in cost of products sold, will typically offset losses or gains on the physical inventory once the product is sold (which may or may not occur in the same accounting period).  We do not use futures or options contracts, or other derivative instruments, for speculative trading purposes.  Unrealized (non-cash) gains or losses from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated as cash flow hedges are recorded within cost of products sold.  Cost of products sold excludes depreciation and amortization; these amounts are reported separately within the consolidated statements of operations.

From a commodity perspective, propane inventory levels in the United States decreased during fiscal 2017 due to, among other things, a significant rise in the export of propane to international markets, which put significant upward pressure on propane prices. As of September 2017, inventory levels in the United States were approximately 25% lower than September 2016 and 9% lower than the 5-year average.  Overall, average posted propane prices (basis Mont Belvieu, Texas) and fuel oil prices were 51.8% and 20.7% higher than the prior year, respectively.  The net change in the fair value of derivative instruments during the period resulted in unrealized (non-cash) gains (losses) of $6.3 million and ($1.2) million reported in cost of products sold in fiscal 2017 and 2016, respectively, resulting in a decrease of $7.5 million in cost of products sold in fiscal 2017 compared to the prior year, $6.9 million of which was reported in the propane segment and $0.6 million was reported in the fuel oil and refined fuels segment.

Cost of products sold associated with the distribution of propane and related activities of $380.4 million for fiscal 2017 increased $105.3 million, or 38.3%, compared to the prior year, primarily due to a rise in wholesale costs coupled with higher volumes sold.  Higher average propane costs and higher propane volumes sold during fiscal 2017 resulted in an increase of $84.6 million and $3.9 million, respectively.  Cost of products sold from other propane activities increased $23.7 million.  

Cost of products sold associated with our fuel oil and refined fuels segment of $51.0 million for fiscal 2017 increased $8.1 million, or 18.9%, compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher fuel oil and refined fuels wholesale costs.  Cost of products sold from other fuel oil and refined fuels activities increased $1.9 million

Cost of products sold in our natural gas and electricity segment of $32.5 million for fiscal 2017 increased $1.8 million, or 5.9%, compared to the prior year, primarily due to higher natural gas wholesale costs.

Total cost of products sold as a percent of total revenues increased 5.5 percentage points to 40.1% in fiscal 2017 from 34.6% in the prior year, primarily due to the rise in wholesale costs outpacing the increases in average selling prices on a percentage basis.

Operating Expenses

 

 

All costs of operating our retail distribution and appliance sales and service operations are reported within operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.  These operating expenses include the compensation and benefits of field and direct operating support personnel, costs of operating and maintaining our vehicle fleet, overhead and other costs of our purchasing, training and safety departments and other direct and indirect costs of operating our customer service centers.

Operating expenses of $410.7 million for fiscal 2017 decreased $2.1 million, or 0.5%, compared to $412.8 million in the prior year.  Operating expenses for fiscal 2017 included a $6.1 million pension settlement charge.  Operating expenses for fiscal 2016 included a $6.6 million accrual for our voluntary full withdrawal from a MEPP, a charge of $3.0 million related to the settlement of a product liability matter, and a pension settlement charge of $2.0 million.  These items were excluded from our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA below.  Other factors impacting operating expenses included lower payroll and benefit-related expenses attributable to reduced headcount reflecting the actions taken during the prior fiscal year to streamline operations and continued savings from operating efficiencies identified and implemented during the current fiscal year, which was offset by higher variable compensation expense associated with higher earnings, an increase in provisions for potential uncollectible accounts as a result of the impact of higher commodity prices on accounts receivable, and higher fuel costs to operate our fleet.

 

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General and Administrative Expenses

 

 

All costs of our back office support functions, including compensation and benefits for executives and other support functions, as well as other costs and expenses to maintain finance and accounting, treasury, legal, human resources, corporate development and the information systems functions are reported within general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

General and administrative expenses of $57.3 million for fiscal 2017 decreased $3.8 million, or 6.2%, compared to $61.1 million in the prior year, primarily due to lower professional services fees and lower payroll and benefit-related expenses attributable to reduced headcount, offset to an extent by higher variable compensation expense associated with higher earnings.  

Depreciation and Amortization

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense of $127.9 million in fiscal 2017 decreased $1.7 million from $129.6 million in the prior year, primarily as a result of accelerated depreciation expense recorded in the prior year for assets taken out of service.

Interest Expense, net

 

 

Net interest expense of $75.3 million for fiscal 2017 increased $0.2 million from $75.1 million in the prior year, driven primarily by additional interest on incremental borrowings from our Revolving Credit Facility offset mostly by savings from the refinancing of the 2021 Senior Notes with the issuance of the 2027 Senior Notes in the second quarter of fiscal 2017.  See Liquidity and Capital Resources below for additional discussion.

Gain on Sale of Business

On April 22, 2016, we sold certain assets and operations in a non-strategic market of the propane segment for $26.0 million, including $5.0 million of non-compete consideration that will be received over a five-year period, resulting in a gain of $9.8 million that was recognized during the third quarter of fiscal 2016.  The corresponding net assets and results of operations were not material to our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Loss on Debt Extinguishment

On February 14, 2017, we repurchased, satisfied and discharged all of our previously outstanding 2021 Senior Notes with net proceeds from the issuance of the 2027 Senior Notes and borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, pursuant to a tender offer and redemption. In connection with this tender offer and redemption during the second quarter of fiscal 2017, we recognized a loss on the extinguishment of debt of $1.6 million, consisting of $15.1 million for the redemption premium and related fees, as well as the write-off of $2.3 million and ($15.8) million in unamortized debt origination costs and unamortized premium, respectively.

In connection with the execution of the amendment and restatement of our previous revolving credit facility during the second quarter of fiscal 2016, we recognized a non-cash charge of $0.3 million to write-off a portion of unamortized debt origination costs of the previous credit agreement.

 

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Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA

Net income for fiscal 2017 amounted to $38.0 million, or $0.62 per Common Unit, compared to $14.4 million, or $0.24 per Common Unit, in fiscal 2016. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for fiscal 2017 amounted to $241.7 million, compared to $219.7 million for fiscal 2016.

Net income and EBITDA for fiscal 2017 included: (i) a pension settlement charge of $6.1 million; and (ii) a loss on debt extinguishment of $1.6 million.  Net income and EBITDA for fiscal 2016 included: (i) a gain on sale of business of $9.8 million; (ii) a $6.6 million charge related to our voluntary full withdrawal from a MEPP; (iii) a $3.0 million charge related to the settlement of a product liability matter; (iv) a pension settlement charge of $2.0 million; and (v) a loss on debt extinguishment of $0.3 million.  Excluding the effects of these items, as well as the unrealized (non-cash) mark-to-market adjustments on derivative instruments in both years, Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $243.0 million for fiscal 2017, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $223.0 million for fiscal 2016.

EBITDA represents net income before deducting interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization.  Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA excluding the unrealized net gain or loss on mark-to-market activity for derivative instruments and other items, as applicable, as provided in the table below.  Our management uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as supplemental measures of operating performance and we are including them because we believe that they provide our investors and industry analysts with additional information to evaluate our operating results.  EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized terms under US GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or net cash provided by operating activities determined in accordance with US GAAP.  Because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as determined by us excludes some, but not all, items that affect net income, they may not be comparable to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA or similarly titled measures used by other companies.

The following table sets forth our calculations of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:

 

 

 

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Fiscal Year 2016 Compared to Fiscal Year 2015

Revenues

 

 

Total revenues decreased $370.9 million, or 26.2%, to $1,046.1 million for fiscal 2016 compared to $1,417.0 million for the prior year due to lower volumes sold driven by record warm temperatures experienced during the fiscal 2016 heating season, combined with lower average selling prices associated with lower wholesale costs.  Average temperatures (as measured in heating degree days) across all of our service territories for fiscal 2016 were 17% warmer than normal and 15% warmer than the prior year.  During the heating season (October through March), average temperatures were 18% warmer than normal and 19% warmer than the comparable prior year period.  The unseasonably warm weather was persistent as temperatures were warmer than both normal and the prior year throughout the heating season in nearly all of our service territories.  While average temperatures were considerably warmer than the prior year in nearly all service territories, California experienced cooler weather compared to the prior year (although temperatures were still 24% warmer than normal), which helped contribute to a 13% year-over-year increase in sales volumes in that market.

Revenues from the distribution of propane and related activities of $884.2 million for fiscal 2016 decreased $292.8 million, or 24.9%, compared to $1,177.0 million for the prior year, primarily due to lower retail volumes sold resulting from the impact of record warm temperatures on customer demand for heating needs, coupled with lower average retail selling prices associated with lower wholesale costs.  Retail propane gallons sold in fiscal 2016 decreased 65.6 million gallons, or 13.7%, resulting in a decrease in revenues of $150.4 million.  Average propane selling prices for fiscal 2016 decreased 13.5% compared to the prior year, resulting in a $128.1 million decrease in revenues year-over-year.  Included within the propane segment are revenues from other propane activities of $61.1 million for fiscal 2016, which decreased $14.3 million compared to the prior year.

Revenues from the distribution of fuel oil and refined fuels of $68.8 million for fiscal 2016 decreased $58.7 million, or 46.1%, from $127.5 million for the prior year, primarily due to lower volumes sold resulting from the record warm temperatures, particularly in the northeast region of the country in which the majority of our fuel oil customers reside, and lower average selling prices associated with lower wholesale costs.  Fuel oil and refined fuels gallons sold in fiscal 2016 decreased 11.0 million gallons, or 26.3%, resulting in a decrease in revenues of $33.4 million.  Average selling prices in our fuel oil and refined fuels segment decreased 26.9%, resulting in a $25.3 million decrease in revenues.  

Revenues in our natural gas and electricity segment decreased $16.1 million, or 24.1%, to $50.8 million in fiscal 2016 compared to $66.9 million in the prior year as a result of lower average selling prices for natural gas and electricity associated with lower average wholesale costs, and lower natural gas usage resulting from the warm weather.

Cost of Products Sold

 

 

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In the commodities markets, the downward trend in propane prices (basis Mont Belvieu, Texas) experienced in fiscal 2015 continued in fiscal 2016 and extended into February 2016.  Thereafter, propane prices rallied and generally traded between $0.40 and $0.50 per gallon.  Overall, average posted prices for propane and fuel oil for fiscal 2016 were 18.4% and 31.0% lower than the prior year, respectively.  The net change in the fair value of derivative instruments during the period resulted in unrealized (non-cash) (losses) gains of ($1.2) million and $1.9 million reported in cost of products sold in fiscal 2016 and 2015, respectively, resulting in an increase of $3.1 million in cost of products sold in fiscal 2016 compared to the prior year, $2.2 million of which was reported in the propane segment and $0.9 million was reported in the fuel oil and refined fuels segment.

Cost of products sold associated with the distribution of propane and related activities of $275.1 million for fiscal 2016 decreased $168.4 million, or 38.0%, compared to the prior year, primarily due to lower wholesale costs and, to a lesser extent, lower volumes sold.  Lower average propane costs and lower propane volumes sold during fiscal 2016 resulted in a decrease of $106.8 million and $59.5 million, respectively.  Cost of products sold from other propane activities decreased $4.3 million.  

Cost of products sold associated with our fuel oil and refined fuels segment of $42.9 million for fiscal 2016 decreased $49.7 million, or 53.7%, compared to the prior year.  Lower fuel oil and refined fuels wholesale costs and lower volumes sold resulted in decreases of $26.2 million and $24.4 million, respectively, in costs of products sold during fiscal 2016 compared to the prior year.

Cost of products sold in our natural gas and electricity segment of $30.7 million for fiscal 2016 decreased $11.6 million, or 27.5%, compared to the prior year, primarily due to lower natural gas and electricity wholesale costs coupled with lower usage.

Total cost of products sold as a percent of total revenues decreased 7.3 percentage points to 34.6% in fiscal 2016 from 41.9% in the prior year, primarily due to the decline in wholesale costs outpacing the decline in average selling prices.

Operating Expenses

 

 

Operating expenses of $412.8 million for fiscal 2016 decreased $31.5 million, or 7.1%, compared to $444.3 million in the prior year, primarily due to lower payroll and benefit-related expenses attributable to reduced headcount, lower variable compensation associated with lower earnings, lower vehicle expenses due to reduced vehicle count and lower fuel costs to operate our fleet; offset to an extent by an increase in insurance and product liability expenses.  Operating expenses for fiscal 2016 included a $6.6 million accrual for our voluntary full withdrawal from a MEPP, a charge of $3.0 million related to the settlement of a product liability matter, and a pension settlement charge of $2.0 million.  Operating expenses for fiscal 2015 included expenses of $9.7 million associated with the integration of the retail propane operations of Inergy, an $11.3 million charge related to our voluntary partial withdrawal from a MEPP, and a pension settlement charge of $2.0 million.  These items were excluded from our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA below.

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative expenses of $61.1 million for fiscal 2016 decreased $7.1 million, or 10.5%, compared to $68.3 million in the prior year, primarily due to lower variable compensation associated with lower earnings, partially offset by increased professional services fees for strategic initiatives.  General and administrative expenses for fiscal 2015 included $1.9 million of professional services and other expenses associated with the integration of the retail propane operations of Inergy.  This item was excluded from our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA below.

 

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Depreciation and Amortization

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense of $129.6 million in fiscal 2016 decreased $3.7 million from $133.3 million in the prior year, primarily as a result of accelerated depreciation expense recorded in the prior year for assets taken out of service from integration activities.

Interest Expense, net

 

 

Net interest expense of $75.1 million for fiscal 2016 decreased $2.5 million from $77.6 million in the prior year, primarily due to the refinancing of $250.0 million of 7.375% Senior Notes due 2020 with $250.0 million of 5.75% Senior Notes due 2025 in the second quarter of fiscal 2015, and savings from the refinancing of our revolving credit facility.  See Liquidity and Capital Resources below for additional discussion.

Gain on Sale of Business

On April 22, 2016, we sold certain assets and operations in a non-strategic market of the propane segment for $26.0 million, including $5.0 million of non-compete consideration that will be received over a five-year period, resulting in a gain of $9.8 million that was recognized during the third quarter of fiscal 2016.  The corresponding net assets and results of operations were not material to our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Loss on Debt Extinguishment

In connection with the execution of the amendment and restatement of our previous revolving credit facility during the second quarter of fiscal 2016, we recognized a non-cash charge of $0.3 million to write-off a portion of unamortized debt origination costs of the previous credit agreement.

On February 25, 2015, we repurchased and satisfied and discharged all of our previously outstanding 2020 Senior Notes with net proceeds from the issuance of the 2025 Senior Notes and cash on hand, pursuant to a tender offer and redemption.  In connection with this tender offer and redemption, during the second quarter of fiscal 2015 we recognized a loss on the extinguishment of debt of $15.1 million, consisting of $11.1 million for the redemption premium and related fees, as well as the write-off of $2.9 million and $1.1 million in unamortized debt origination costs and unamortized discount, respectively.

Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA

Net income for fiscal 2016 amounted to $14.4 million, or $0.24 per Common Unit, compared to $84.4 million, or $1.39 per Common Unit, in fiscal 2015. EBITDA for fiscal 2016 amounted to $219.7 million, compared to $296.0 million for fiscal 2015.

Net income and EBITDA for fiscal 2016 included: (i) a gain on sale of business of $9.8 million; (ii) a $6.6 million charge related to our voluntary full withdrawal from a MEPP; (iii) a $3.0 million charge related to the settlement of a product liability matter; (iv) a pension settlement charge of $2.0 million; and (v) a loss on debt extinguishment of $0.3 million.  Net income and EBITDA for fiscal 2015 included: (i) a loss on debt extinguishment of $15.1 million; (ii) $11.5 million in expenses related to the integration of the retail propane operations of Inergy; (iii) an $11.3 million charge related to our voluntary partial withdrawal from a MEPP; and (iv) a pension settlement charge of $2.0 million. Excluding the effects of these items, as well as the unrealized (non-cash) mark-to-market adjustments on derivative instruments in both years, Adjusted EBITDA amounted to $223.0 million for fiscal 2016, compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $334.0 million in fiscal 2015.

 

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The following table sets forth our calculations of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Analysis of Cash Flows

Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2017 amounted to $160.4 million, an increase of $3.3 million compared to the prior year.  The increase was primarily attributable to higher earnings (discussed above) offset to an extent by an increase in working capital stemming from the impact of higher wholesale product costs on accounts receivable and inventory in fiscal 2017.  

Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities of $23.0 million for fiscal 2017 consisted of capital expenditures of $28.2 million (including $16.9 million to support the growth of operations and $11.3 million for maintenance expenditures); partially offset by $5.2 million in net proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment.  Net cash used in investing activities of $53.9 million for fiscal 2016 consisted of $42.9 million for the acquisition of Propane USA and capital expenditures of $38.4 million (including $21.8 million to support the growth of operations and $16.6 million for maintenance expenditures); partially offset by $21.5 million in proceeds from the sale of assets and operations in a non-strategic market and $6.0 million in net proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment.  

Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities for fiscal 2017 of $171.9 million reflects the quarterly distribution to Common Unitholders at a rate of $0.8875 per Common Unit paid in respect of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and the first, second and third quarters of fiscal 2017.  In addition, cash used in financing activities included proceeds of $350.0 million from the issuance of the 2027 Senior Notes in February 2017 which were used, along with borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, to repurchase, satisfy and discharge all of the previously outstanding 2021 Senior Notes, as well as to pay tender premiums and other related fees of $14.7 million and debt issuance costs of $6.1 million, pursuant to a tender offer and redemption.  Total net borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility were $62.6 million for fiscal 2017, which were used to fund a portion of our cash needs.  During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, we paid $1.0 million for costs incurred to amend the Revolving Credit Facility.

Net cash used in financing activities for fiscal 2016 of $218.2 million reflects the quarterly distribution to Common Unitholders at a rate of $0.8875 per Common Unit paid in respect of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 and the first, second and third quarters of fiscal 2016.  Upon the execution of the amendment and restatement of our credit agreement on March 3, 2016, we rolled the $100.0 million then-outstanding under the revolving credit facility of the previous credit agreement into the revolving credit facility of the new second amended and restated credit agreement.  This resulted in the repayment of the $100.0 million then-outstanding under the revolving credit facility of the previous credit agreement with proceeds from borrowings under the revolving credit facility of the new credit agreement.  Financing activities for fiscal 2016 also reflects the payment of $2.7 million in debt origination costs associated with the refinancing of the credit agreement.

Summary of Long-Term Debt Obligations and Revolving Credit Lines

As of September 30, 2017, our long-term debt consisted of $525.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.5% senior notes due June 1, 2024, $250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.75% senior notes due March 1, 2025, $350.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.875% senior notes due March 1, 2027 and $162.6 million outstanding under our Revolving Credit Facility.  See Part IV, Note 8 of this Annual Report. 

 

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The aggregate amounts of long-term debt maturities subsequent to September 30, 2017 are as follows: fiscal 2018: $-0-; fiscal 2019: $-0-; fiscal 2020: $-0-; fiscal 2021: $162.6 million; fiscal 2022: -$0-; and thereafter: $1,125 million.

Partnership Distributions

We are required to make distributions in an amount equal to all of our Available Cash, as defined in our Third Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement, as amended (the “Partnership Agreement”), no more than 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter to holders of record on the applicable record dates.  Available Cash, as defined in the Partnership Agreement, generally means all cash on hand at the end of the respective fiscal quarter less the amount of cash reserves established by the Board of Supervisors in its reasonable discretion for future cash requirements. These reserves are retained for the proper conduct of our business, the payment of debt principal and interest and for distributions during the next four quarters.  The Board of Supervisors reviews the level of Available Cash on a quarterly basis based upon information provided by management.

 

On October 26, 2017, we announced that our Board of Supervisors had declared a quarterly distribution of $0.60 per Common Unit for the three months ended September 30, 2017. This quarterly distribution rate equates to an annualized rate of $2.40 per Common Unit.  The distribution was paid on November 14, 2017 to Common Unitholders of record as of November 7, 2017.  After undertaking a thorough assessment of customer demand trends and expectations under varying weather scenarios following two consecutive record warm winters, and as we prepared our business for a new fiscal year, our Board of Supervisors made the decision to reduce the distribution from the annualized rate of $3.55 per unit to $2.40 per unit.  This action reflects our goal to focus on restoring our balance sheet strength to best position the business for long-term profitable growth.  The reduction in the annualized distribution will reduce our annual cash requirements, and contribute to our efforts to reduce leverage. More importantly, it will provide enhanced financial flexibility to support our growth initiatives.

Pension Plan Assets and Obligations

We have a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan which was originally designed to cover all of our eligible employees who met certain requirements as to age and length of service.  Effective January 1, 1998, we amended the defined benefit pension plan to provide benefits under a cash balance formula as compared to a final average pay formula which was in effect prior to January 1, 1998. Our defined benefit pension plan was frozen to new participants effective January 1, 2000 and, in furtherance of our effort to minimize future increases in our benefit obligations, effective January 1, 2003, all future service credits were eliminated.  Therefore, eligible participants will receive interest credits only toward their ultimate defined benefit under the defined benefit pension plan.  Effective June 1, 2017, we amended the defined benefit pension plan to provide eligible terminated vested participants with a limited-time opportunity to elect immediate distribution of their benefits in the form of a single lump sum.  We made contribution payments to the defined benefit pension plan of $11.5 million and $0.7 million in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, respectively.  There were no funding requirements for the defined benefit pension plan in fiscal 2015.  As of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016 the plan’s projected benefit obligation exceeded the fair value of plan assets by $37.0 million and $49.3 million, respectively.  As a result, the net liability recognized in the consolidated financial statements for the defined benefit pension plan decreased by $12.3 million during fiscal 2017, which was primarily attributable to the aforementioned cash contributions, coupled with an increase in the discount rate used to measure the benefit obligation.  During fiscal 2018, we expect to contribute approximately $10.3 million to the defined benefit pension plan in the form of a minimum funding requirement.

Our investment policies and strategies, as set forth in the Investment Management Policy and Guidelines, are monitored by a Benefits Committee comprised of five members of management.  The Benefits Committee employs a liability driven investment strategy, which seeks to increase the correlation of the plan’s assets and liabilities to reduce the volatility of the plan’s funded status.  The execution of this strategy has resulted in an asset allocation that is largely comprised of fixed income securities.  A liability driven investment strategy is intended to reduce investment risk and, over the long-term, generate returns on plan assets that largely fund the annual interest on the accumulated benefit obligation.  For purposes of measuring the projected benefit obligation as of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, we used a discount rate of 3.500% and 3.125%, respectively, reflecting current market rates for debt obligations of a similar duration to our pension obligations.  With other assumptions held constant, an increase or decrease of 100 basis points in the discount rate would have an immaterial impact on net pension and postretirement benefit costs.

Effective June 1, 2017, we amended the defined benefit pension plan to provide eligible terminated vested participants with a limited-time opportunity to elect immediate distribution of their benefits in the form of a single lump sum.  Lump sum pension settlement payments for fiscal 2017 included $16.2 million in benefits paid to those that participated in this limited-time opportunity, which expired in August 2017.  During fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, lump sum settlement payments of $20.8 million, $5.8 million and $5.8 million, respectively, exceeded the interest and service cost components of the net periodic pension cost of $4.2 million, $5.0 million and $5.1 million, respectively.  As a result, we recorded a non-cash settlement charge of $6.1 million, $2.0 million and $2.0 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, respectively, in order to accelerate recognition of a portion of cumulative unrecognized losses.  These unrecognized losses were previously accumulated as a reduction to partners’ capital and were being amortized to expense as part of our net periodic pension cost.

 

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We also provide postretirement health care and life insurance benefits for certain retired employees.  Partnership employees hired prior to July 1993 and who retired prior to March 1998 are eligible for postretirement health care and life insurance benefits if they reached a specified retirement age while working for the Partnership. Effective March 31, 1998, we froze participation in its postretirement health care benefit plan, with no new retirees eligible to participate in the plan. All active employees who were eligible to receive health care benefits under the postretirement plan subsequent to March 1, 1998, were provided an increase to their accumulated benefits under the cash balance pension plan.  Our postretirement health care and life insurance benefit plans are unfunded.  Effective January 1, 2006, we changed its postretirement health care plan from a self-insured program to one that is fully insured under which we pay a portion of the insurance premium on behalf of the eligible participants.  

Long-Term Debt Obligations and Operating Lease Obligations

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes payments due under our known contractual obligations as of September 30, 2017:

 

 

Additionally, we have standby letters of credit in the aggregate amount of $41.4 million, in support of retention levels under our casualty insurance programs and certain lease obligations, which expire periodically through November 1, 2018.

Operating Leases

We lease certain property, plant and equipment for various periods under noncancelable operating leases, including 47% of our vehicle fleet, approximately 25% of our customer service centers and portions of our information systems equipment.  Rental expense under operating leases was $30.6 million, $29.2 million and $32.7 million for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  Future minimum rental commitments under noncancelable operating lease agreements as of September 30, 2017 are presented in the table above.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Guarantees

Certain of our operating leases, primarily those for transportation equipment with remaining lease periods scheduled to expire periodically through fiscal 2024, contain residual value guarantee provisions.  Under those provisions, we guarantee that the fair value of the equipment will equal or exceed the guaranteed amount upon completion of the lease period, or we will pay the lessor the difference between fair value and the guaranteed amount.  Although the fair value of equipment at the end of its lease term has historically exceeded the guaranteed amounts, the maximum potential amount of aggregate future payments we could be required to make under these leasing arrangements, assuming the equipment is deemed worthless at the end of the lease term, was approximately $14.7 million.  The fair value of residual value guarantees for outstanding operating leases was de minimis as of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016.

 

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Recently Issued/Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

See Part IV, Note 2 of this Annual Report.

Commodity Price Risk

We enter into product supply contracts that are generally one-year agreements subject to annual renewal, and also purchase product on the open market.  Our propane supply contracts typically provide for pricing based upon index formulas using the posted prices established at major supply points such as Mont Belvieu, Texas, or Conway, Kansas (plus transportation costs) at the time of delivery. In addition, to supplement our annual purchase requirements, we may utilize forward fixed price purchase contracts to acquire a portion of the propane that we resell to our customers, which allows us to manage our exposure to unfavorable changes in commodity prices and to ensure adequate physical supply. The percentage of contract purchases, and the amount of supply contracted for under forward contracts at fixed prices, will vary from year to year based on market conditions.  In certain instances, and when market conditions are favorable, we are able to purchase product under our supply arrangements at a discount to the market.

Product cost changes can occur rapidly over a short period of time and can impact profitability. We attempt to reduce commodity price risk by pricing product on a short-term basis. The level of priced, physical product maintained in storage facilities and at our customer service centers for immediate sale to our customers will vary depending on several factors, including, but not limited to, price, supply and demand dynamics for a given time of the year.  Typically, our on hand priced position does not exceed more than four to eight weeks of our supply needs, depending on the time of the year.  In the course of normal operations, we routinely enter into contracts such as forward priced physical contracts for the purchase or sale of propane and fuel oil that, under accounting rules for derivative instruments and hedging activities, qualify for and are designated as normal purchase or normal sale contracts. Such contracts are exempted from fair value accounting and are accounted for at the time product is purchased or sold under the related contract.

Under our hedging and risk management strategies, we enter into a combination of exchange-traded futures and options contracts and, in certain instances, over-the-counter options and swap contracts (collectively, “derivative instruments”) to manage the price risk associated with physical product and with future purchases of the commodities used in our operations, principally propane and fuel oil, as well as to help ensure the availability of product during periods of high demand.  In addition, we sell propane and fuel oil to customers at fixed prices, and enter into derivative instruments to hedge a portion of its exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices as a result of selling the fixed price contracts. We do not use derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes.  Futures and swap contracts require that we sell or acquire propane or fuel oil at a fixed price for delivery at fixed future dates.  An option contract allows, but does not require, its holder to buy or sell propane or fuel oil at a specified price during a specified time period. However, the writer of an option contract must fulfill the obligation of the option contract, should the holder choose to exercise the option.  At expiration, the contracts are settled by the delivery of the product to the respective party or are settled by the payment of a net amount equal to the difference between the then market price and the fixed contract price or option exercise price. To the extent that we utilize derivative instruments to manage exposure to commodity price risk and commodity prices move adversely in relation to the contracts, we could suffer losses on those derivative instruments when settled.  Conversely, if prices move favorably, we could realize gains. Under our hedging and risk management strategy, realized gains or losses on derivative instruments will typically offset losses or gains on the physical inventory once the product is sold to customers at market prices, or delivered to customers as it pertains to fixed price contracts.

Futures are traded with brokers of the NYMEX and require daily cash settlements in margin accounts.  Forward contracts are generally settled at the expiration of the contract term by physical delivery, and swap and options contracts are generally settled at expiration through a net settlement mechanism.  Market risks associated with our derivative instruments are monitored daily for compliance with our Hedging and Risk Management Policy which includes volume limits for open positions.  Open inventory positions are reviewed and managed daily as to exposures to changing market prices.

Credit Risk

Exchange-traded futures and options contracts are guaranteed by the NYMEX and, as a result, have minimal credit risk.  We are subject to credit risk with over-the-counter forward, swap and options contracts to the extent the counterparties do not perform.  We evaluate the financial condition of each counterparty with which we conduct business and establish credit limits to reduce exposure to the risk of non-performance by our counterparties.

Interest Rate Risk

A portion of our borrowings bear interest at prevailing interest rates based upon, at the Operating Partnership’s option, LIBOR, plus an applicable margin or the base rate, defined as the higher of the Federal Funds Rate plus ½ of 1% or the agent bank’s prime rate, or LIBOR plus 1%, plus the applicable margin.  The applicable margin is dependent on the level of our total consolidated

 

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leverage (the total ratio of debt to consolidated EBITDA).  Therefore, we are subject to interest rate risk on the variable component of the interest rate.  From time to time, we enter into interest rate swap agreements to manage a part of our variable interest rate risk.  The interest rate swaps have been designated as a cash flow hedge.  Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps are recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings.  At September 30, 2017, we were not party to any interest rate swap agreement.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

All of our derivative instruments are reported on the balance sheet at their fair values.  On the date that derivative instruments are entered into, we make a determination as to whether the derivative instrument qualifies for designation as a hedge.  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are recorded each period in current period earnings or OCI, depending on whether a derivative instrument is designated as a hedge and, if so, the type of hedge.  For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, we formally assess, both at the hedge contract’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the hedge contract is highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged items.  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are reported in OCI to the extent effective and reclassified into earnings during the same period in which the hedged item affects earnings.  The mark-to-market gains or losses on ineffective portions of cash flow hedges are immediately recognized in earnings.  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated as cash flow hedges, and that do not meet the normal purchase and normal sale exemption, are recorded in earnings as they occur.  Cash flows associated with derivative instruments are reported as operating activities within the consolidated statement of cash flows.

Sensitivity Analysis

In an effort to estimate our exposure to unfavorable market price changes in commodities related to our open positions under derivative instruments, we developed a model that incorporates the following data and assumptions:

Based on the sensitivity analysis described above, the hypothetical 10% adverse change in market prices for open derivative instruments as of September 30, 2017 indicates a decrease in potential future net gains of $2.6 million.  The above hypothetical change does not reflect the worst case scenario.  Actual results may be significantly different depending on market conditions and the composition of the open position portfolio.

 

 

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Our Consolidated Financial Statements and the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm thereon listed on the accompanying Index to Financial Statements in Part IV, Item 15 (see page F-1) and the Supplemental Financial Information listed on the accompanying Index to Financial Statement Schedule in Part IV, Item 15 (see page S-1) are included herein.

Selected Quarterly Financial Data

Due to the seasonality of the retail propane, fuel oil and other refined fuel and natural gas businesses, our first and second quarter revenues and earnings are consistently greater than third and fourth quarter results. The following presents our selected quarterly financial data for the last two fiscal years (unaudited; in thousands, except per unit amounts).

 

 

 

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None.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Partnership maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the Partnership’s filings and submissions under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Partnership’s management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Before filing this Annual Report, the Partnership completed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Partnership’s management, including the Partnership’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Partnership’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2017.  Based on this evaluation, the Partnership’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that as of September 30, 2017, such disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide the reasonable assurance level described above.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended September 30, 2017, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.  Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting is included below.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management of the Partnership is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. The Partnership's internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance as to the reliability of the Partnership's financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

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

The Partnership’s management has assessed the effectiveness of the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2017. In making this assessment, the Partnership used the criteria established by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”) in “Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013).” These criteria are in the areas of control environment, risk assessment, control activities, information and communication, and monitoring. The Partnership's assessment included documenting, evaluating and testing the design and operating effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting.

Based on the Partnership’s assessment, as described above, management has concluded that, as of September 30, 2017, the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.

Our independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, issued an attestation report dated November 22, 2017 on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, which is included herein.

None.

 

 

 

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PART III

Partnership Management

Our Partnership Agreement provides that all management powers over our business and affairs are exclusively vested in our Board of Supervisors and, subject to the direction of the Board of Supervisors, our officers.  No Unitholder has any management power over our business and affairs or actual or apparent authority to enter into contracts on behalf of or otherwise to bind us.  Under the current Partnership Agreement, members of our Board of Supervisors are elected by the Unitholders for three-year terms.  

Six of our current Supervisors, namely Messrs. Harold R. Logan Jr., Lawrence C. Caldwell, Matthew J. Chanin, Michael A. Stivala, John Hoyt Stookey and Ms. Jane Swift, were elected to their current three-year terms at the Tri-Annual Meeting of our Unitholders held on May 13, 2015. At its regular meeting on November 15, 2016, our Board of Supervisors, pursuant to authority granted to the Board under the Partnership Agreement, and acting on the recommendation of the Board’s Nominating/Governance Committee, increased the size of the Board from eight (8) Supervisors to nine (9) Supervisors, effective January 1, 2017. At the same meeting and again pursuant to authority granted to the Board under the Partnership Agreement and in accordance with the recommendation of its Nominating/Governance Committee, the Board elected Messrs. Terence J. Connors and William M. Landuyt to fill the two vacancies on the Board following the increase in size of the Board, effective January 1, 2017. Messrs. Connors and Landuyt were each elected for a term due to expire at the next Tri-Annual Meeting of our Unitholders, currently planned for May 2018.  With the death of John D. Collins in May 2017, there is currently one vacancy on the Board.

Four Supervisors, who are not officers or employees of the Partnership or its subsidiaries, currently serve on the Audit Committee with authority to review, at the request of the Board of Supervisors, specific matters as to which the Board of Supervisors believes there may be a conflict of interest, or which may be required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K adopted by the SEC, in order to determine if the resolution or course of action in respect of such conflict proposed by the Board of Supervisors is fair and reasonable to us. Under the Partnership Agreement, any matter that receives the “Special Approval” of the Audit Committee (i.e., approval by a majority of the members of the Audit Committee) is conclusively deemed to be fair and reasonable to us, is deemed approved by all of our partners and shall not constitute a breach of the Partnership Agreement or any duty stated or implied by law or equity as long as the material facts known to the party having the potential conflict of interest regarding that matter were disclosed to the Audit Committee at the time it gave Special Approval.  The Audit Committee also assists the Board of Supervisors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to (i) integrity of the Partnership’s financial statements and internal control over financial reporting; (ii) the Partnership’s compliance with applicable laws, regulations and its code of conduct; (iii) independence and qualifications of the independent registered public accounting firm; (iv) performance of the internal audit function and the independent registered public accounting firm; and (v) accounting complaints.

The Board of Supervisors has determined that all four current members of the Audit Committee, Terence J. Connors, Lawrence C. Caldwell, William M. Landuyt and Jane Swift, are independent and (with the exception of Ms. Swift) audit committee financial experts within the meaning of the NYSE corporate governance listing standards and in accordance with Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act, Item 407 of Regulation S-K and the Partnership’s criteria for Supervisor independence (as discussed in Item 13, herein) as of the date of this Annual Report.  

Mr. Logan, Chairman of the Board, presides at the regularly scheduled executive sessions of the non-management Supervisors, all of whom are independent, held as part of the regular meetings of the Board of Supervisors.  Investors and other parties interested in communicating directly with the non-management Supervisors as a group may do so by writing to the Non-Management Members of the Board of Supervisors, c/o Company Secretary, Suburban Propane Partners, L.P., P.O. Box 206, Whippany, New Jersey 07981-0206

 

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Board of Supervisors and Executive Officers of the Partnership

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the members of the Board of Supervisors and our executive officers as of November 22, 2017.  Officers are appointed by the Board of Supervisors for one‑year terms and Supervisors (other than those elected by the Board to fill vacancies) are elected by the Unitholders for three‑year terms.

 

Mr. Stivala has served as our President since April 2014 and as our Chief Executive Officer since September 2014.  Mr. Stivala has served as a Supervisor since November 2014.  From November 2009 until March 2014 he was our Chief Financial Officer, and, before that, our Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer since October 2007.  Prior to that he was our Controller and Chief Accounting Officer since May 2005 and Controller since December 2001.  Before joining the Partnership, he held several positions with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an international accounting firm, most recently as Senior Manager in the Assurance practice.

Mr. Stivala’s qualifications to sit on our Board include his sixteen years of experience in the propane industry, including as our current President and Chief Executive Officer and, before that, as our Chief Financial Officer for almost seven years, which day to day leadership roles have provided him with intimate knowledge of our operations.

Mr. Kuglin has served as our Chief Financial Officer & Chief Accounting Officer since September 2014 and was our Vice President – Finance and Chief Accounting Officer from April 2014 through September 2014.  Prior to that he served as our Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer since November 2011, our Controller and Chief Accounting Officer since November 2009 and our Controller since October 2007.  For the eight years prior to joining the Partnership he held several financial and managerial positions with Alcatel-Lucent, a global communications solutions provider.  Prior to Alcatel-Lucent, Mr. Kuglin held several positions with the international accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, most recently as Manager in the Assurance practice.  Mr. Kuglin is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Mr. Boyd has served as our Chief Operating Officer since October 2017 and before that was our Senior Vice President – Operations (September 2015 – October 2017) and our Senior Vice President – Field Operations since April 2014. Previously he was our Vice President – Field Operations (formerly Vice President – Operations) since October 2008, our Southeast and Western Area Vice President since March 2007, Managing Director – Area Operations since November 2003 and Regional Manager – Northern California since May 1997.  Mr. Boyd held various managerial positions with predecessors of the Partnership from 1986 through 1996.

Mr. Abel has served as our General Counsel and Secretary since June 2006, was additionally made a Vice President in October 2007 and a Senior Vice President in April 2014.  Prior to joining the Partnership, Mr. Abel served as senior in-house legal counsel (including as a General Counsel) for several technology companies.

Mr. Brinkworth has served as our Senior Vice President – Product Supply, Purchasing & Logistics since April 2014 and was previously our Vice President – Product Supply (formerly Vice President – Supply) since May 2005. Mr. Brinkworth joined the Partnership in April 1997 after a nine year career with Goldman Sachs and, since joining the Partnership, has served in various positions in the product supply area.

 

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Mr. Scanlon became our Senior Vice President – Information Services in April 2014, after serving as our Vice President – Information Services since November 2008.  Prior to that he served as our Assistant Vice President – Information Services since November 2007, Managing Director – Information Services from November 2002 to November 2007 and Director – Information Services from April 1997 until November 2002.  Prior to joining the Partnership, Mr. Scanlon spent several years with JP Morgan & Co., most recently as Vice President – Corporate Systems and earlier held several positions with Andersen Consulting, an international systems consulting firm, most recently as Manager.

Mr. Bloomstein joined the Partnership as its Controller in April 2014 and was promoted to Vice President and Controller in October 2017.  For the ten years prior to joining the Partnership, he held several executive financial and accounting positions with The Access Group, a network of professional services companies, and with Dow Jones & Company, Inc., a global news and financial information company.  Mr. Bloomstein started his career with the international accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, working his way to the level of Manager in the Assurance practice.  Mr. Bloomstein is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Mr. D’Ambrosio has served as our Treasurer since November 2002 and was additionally made a Vice President in October 2007.  He served as our Assistant Treasurer from October 2000 to November 2002 and as Director of Treasury Services from January 1998 to October 2000.  Mr. D’Ambrosio joined the Partnership in May 1996 after ten years in the commercial banking industry.

Mr. Onderdonk has served as our Vice President – Operational Support since November 2015 and before that was our Assistant Vice President – Financial Planning and Analysis since November 2013.  Prior to that, he served as our Managing Director, Financial Planning and Analysis from November 2010 to November 2013.  Mr. Onderdonk joined the Partnership in September 2001 after fourteen years in the consumer products industry.

Mr. Schueler has served as our Vice President – Product Supply since October 2017 and before that was our Managing Director – Product Supply since November 2013.  Mr. Schueler joined the Partnership as Director – Product Resources in July 2005 following a nine-year career at Public Service Enterprise Group and prior to that, eight years at Kraft Foods.

Ms. Zwickel has served as our Vice President – Human Resources since November 2013.  Prior to that, she was our Assistant Vice President – Human Resources since April 2011 and earlier held several roles in the Partnership’s Legal Department (including Assistant General Counsel from October 2009 to April 2011 and Counsel from October 2002 to October 2009), where she was responsible for, among other things, providing legal counsel on employment issues.  Ms. Zwickel joined the Partnership in June 1999 after eight years in the private practice of law.

Mr. Logan has served as a Supervisor since March 1996 and was elected as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors in January 2007.  Mr. Logan is a Co-Founder and, from 2006 to the present has been serving as a Director, of Basic Materials and Services LLC, an investment company that has invested in companies that provide specialized infrastructure services and materials for the pipeline construction industry and the sand/silica industry.  From 2003 to September 2006, Mr. Logan was a Director and Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors of TransMontaigne Inc., which provided logistical services (i.e. pipeline, terminaling and marketing) to producers and end-users of refined petroleum products.  From 1995 to 2002, Mr. Logan was Executive Vice President/Finance, Treasurer and a Director of TransMontaigne Inc.  From 1987 to 1995, Mr. Logan served as Senior Vice President – Finance and a Director of Associated Natural Gas Corporation, an independent gatherer and marketer of natural gas, natural gas liquids and crude oil.  Mr. Logan is also a Director of InfraREIT, Inc., Cimarex Energy Co. and Hart Energy Publishing LLP, and, through May 2017, was a Director of Graphic Packaging Holding Company.

Over the past forty years, Mr. Logan’s education, investment banking/venture capital experience and business/financial management experience have provided him with a comprehensive understanding of business and finance.  Most of Mr. Logan’s business experience has been in the energy industry, both in investment banking and as a senior financial officer and director of publicly-owned energy companies.  Mr. Logan’s expertise and experience have been relevant to his responsibilities of providing oversight and advice to the managements of public companies, and is of particular benefit in his role as our Chairman. Since 1996, Mr. Logan has been a director of ten public companies and has served on audit, compensation and governance committees.

 

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Mr. Stookey has served as a Supervisor since March 1996.  He was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors from March 1996 through January 2007.  From 1986 until September 1993, he was the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quantum Chemical Corporation, a predecessor of the Partnership.  He served as non-executive Chairman and a Director of Quantum from its acquisition by Hanson plc, a global diversified industrial conglomerate, in September 1993 until October 1995, at which time he retired.  Since then, Mr. Stookey has served as a trustee of a number of non-profit organizations, including founding and serving as non-executive Chairman of Per Scholas Inc. (a non-profit organization dedicated to training inner city individuals to become computer and software technicians), The Berkshire Choral Festival and Landmark Volunteers and also currently serves on the Board of Directors of The Clark Foundation and The Robert Sterling Clark Foundation and as a Life Trustee of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Mr. Stookey’s qualifications to sit on our Board include his extensive experience as Chief Executive Officer of four corporations (including a predecessor of the Partnership) and his many years of service as a director of publicly-owned corporations and non-profit organizations.

Ms. Swift has served as a Supervisor since April 2007.  From August 2011 through April 2017, Ms. Swift served as the CEO of Middlebury Interactive Languages, LLC, a marketer of world language products.  From 2010 through July 2011, she served as Senior Vice President – ConnectEDU Inc., a private education technology company.  In 2007, Ms. Swift founded WNP Consulting, LLC, a provider of expert advice and guidance to early stage education companies.  From 2003 to 2006 she was a General Partner at Arcadia Partners, a venture capital firm focused on the education industry. Ms. Swift is currently providing consulting services to various clients.  She has previously served on the boards of K12, Inc., Animated Speech Company, The Young Writers Project and Sally Ride Science Inc. Ms. Swift currently serves on several not-for-profit boards and advisory boards, including School of Leadership Afghanistan, Vote, Run, Lead, Ultimate Medical Academy, Teachers of Tomorrow and eDynamic Learning.  Ms. Swift is also a Trustee for Champlain College.  Prior to joining Arcadia, Ms. Swift served for fifteen years in Massachusetts state government, becoming Massachusetts’ first woman governor in 2001.

Ms. Swift’s qualifications to sit on our Board include her strong skills in public policy and government relations and her extensive knowledge of regulatory matters arising from her fifteen years in state government.

Mr. Caldwell has served as a Supervisor since November 2012. He was a Co-Founder of New Canaan Investments, Inc. (“NCI”), a private equity investment firm, where he was one of three senior officers of the firm from 1988 to 2005. NCI was an active “fix and build” investor in packaging, chemicals, and automotive components companies. Mr. Caldwell held a number of board directorships and senior management positions in these companies until he retired in 2005. The largest of these companies was Kerr Group, Inc., a plastic closure and bottle company where Mr. Caldwell served as Director for eight years and Chief Financial Officer for six years. From 1985 to 1988, Mr. Caldwell was head of acquisitions for Moore McCormack Resources, Inc., an oil and gas exploration, shipping, and construction materials company. Mr. Caldwell is currently a director of Magnuson Products, LLC, a private company which manufactures specialty engine components for automotive original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket. Mr. Caldwell also currently serves on the Board of Trustees and as Chairman of the Investment and Finance Committee of Historic Deerfield, and on the Board of Directors and as Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Leventhal Map Center; both of which non-profit institutions focus on enriching educational programs for K-12 children locally and nationwide.

Mr. Caldwell's qualifications to sit on our Board include over forty years of successful investing in and managing of a broad range of public and private businesses in a number of different industries. This experience has encompassed both turnaround situations, and the building of companies through internal growth and acquisitions.

Mr. Chanin has served as a Supervisor since November 2012. He was Senior Managing Director of Prudential Investment Management, a subsidiary of Prudential Financial, Inc., from 1996 until his retirement in January 2012, after which he continued to provide consulting services to Prudential until December 2016.  He headed Prudential’s private fixed income business, chaired an internal committee responsible for strategic investing and was a principal in Prudential Capital Partners, the firm’s mezzanine investment business.  He currently provides consulting services to two clients, and, until October 2017, served as a Director of two private companies that were in Prudential Capital Partners funds’ portfolios.

Mr. Chanin’s qualifications to sit on our Board include 35 years of investment experience with a focus on highly structured private placements in companies in a broad range of industries, with a particular focus on energy companies.  He has previously served on the audit committee of a public company board and the compensation committee for a private company board.  Mr. Chanin has earned an MBA and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

 

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Mr. Connors has served as a Supervisor since January 1, 2017.  Mr. Connors retired in September 2015 from KPMG LLP after nearly forty years in public accounting. Prior to joining KPMG in 2002 he was a partner with another large international accounting firm. During his career, he served as a senior audit and global lead partner for numerous public companies, including Fortune 500 companies. At KPMG he was a professional practice partner, SEC Reviewing Partner and was elected to serve as a member of KPMG’s board of directors (2011-2015), where he chaired the Audit, Finance & Operations Committee. Mr. Connors currently serves as a director and audit committee chairman of FS Credit Real Estate Income Trust, Inc., a commercial mortgage nontraded real estate investment trust, and of Cardone Industries, Inc., one of the largest privately-held automotive parts remanufacturers in the world. Mr. Connors also serves as a trustee of St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia and as Chairman of the Philadelphia Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors.

Mr. Connors’ qualifications to sit on our Board, and serve as Chairman of its Audit Committee, include his extensive experience as a lead audit partner for numerous public companies across a variety of industries, which enables him to provide helpful insights to the Board in connection with its oversight of financial, accounting and internal control matters.

Mr. Landuyt has served as a Supervisor since January 1, 2017.  Since 2003, Mr. Landuyt has served as a Managing Director at Charterhouse Equity Partners, LLC, a private equity firm with a focus on build-ups, management buyouts, and growth capital investments primarily in the business services and healthcare services sectors, and has served on the Boards of Directors of a number of portfolio companies of that firm.  From 1996 to 2003, Mr. Landuyt served as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Millennium Chemicals, Inc. (“Millennium”), and from 1983 to 1996 he served in several senior executive positions with Hanson Industries (“Hanson,” the US subsidiary of Hanson plc), including Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and ultimately Director, President and Chief Executive Officer.  Hanson and Millennium were both previous owners of the Partnership or its predecessor through 1996 and 1999, respectively.  He joined Hanson after spending six years as a Certified Public Accountant and auditor at Price Waterhouse & Co., where he rose to the position of Senior Manager.  Mr. Landuyt has previously served on the Boards of Directors (including their Audit and Compensation Committees) of public companies, including Bethlehem Steel Corp., MxEnergy Holdings, Inc., a leading retail marketer of natural gas and electricity contracts, and Top Image Systems, Inc. Mr. Landuyt is also the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Celtic Charms, Inc., a non-profit therapeutic horsemanship center serving people with physical and cognitive disabilities and disorders.

Mr. Landuyt’s qualifications to sit on our Board include forty years of financial and executive management experience for both public and private companies, including extensive experience with mergers and acquisitions and corporate governance.  Additionally, his specific responsibility for supervision of the Partnership’s predecessors, as well as his subsequent board-level involvement in the distribution, petrochemical and retail energy sectors through Charterhouse’s investments in those sectors, gives Mr. Landuyt extensive expertise in areas directly relevant to the business of the Partnership.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our Supervisors, executive officers and holders of ten percent or more of our Common Units to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our Common Units with the SEC.  Supervisors, executive officers and ten percent Unitholders are required to furnish the Partnership with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file.  Based on a review of these filings, we believe that all such filings were timely made during fiscal year 2017.

Codes of Ethics and of Business Conduct

We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, and a Code of Business Conduct that applies to all of our employees, officers and Supervisors.  A copy of our Code of Ethics and our Code of Business Conduct is available without charge from our website at www.suburbanpropane.com or upon written request directed to:  Suburban Propane Partners, L.P., Investor Relations, P.O. Box 206, Whippany, New Jersey 07981-0206.  Any amendments to, or waivers from, provisions of our Code of Ethics or our Code of Business Conduct that apply to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer will be posted on our website.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

We have adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines and Principles in accordance with the NYSE corporate governance listing standards in effect as of the date of this Annual Report.  In addition, we have adopted certain Corporate Governance Policies, including an Equity Holding Policy for Supervisors and Executives and an Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy.  A copy of our Corporate Governance Guidelines and Principles, as well as a copy of the Corporate Governance Policies, is available without charge from our website at www.suburbanpropane.com or upon written request directed to:  Suburban Propane Partners, L.P., Investor Relations, P.O. Box 206, Whippany, New Jersey 07981-0206.

 

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Audit Committee Charter

We have adopted a written Audit Committee Charter in accordance with the NYSE corporate governance listing standards in effect as of the date of this Annual Report.  The Audit Committee Charter is reviewed periodically to ensure that it meets all applicable legal and NYSE listing requirements.  A copy of our Audit Committee Charter is available without charge from our website at www.suburbanpropane.com or upon written request directed to:  Suburban Propane Partners, L.P., Investor Relations, P.O. Box 206, Whippany, New Jersey 07981-0206.

Compensation Committee Charter

Three Supervisors, who are not officers or employees of the Partnership or its subsidiaries, currently serve on the Compensation Committee.  The Board of Supervisors has determined that all three current members of the Compensation Committee, Matthew J. Chanin, Harold R. Logan, Jr. and John Hoyt Stookey, are independent.

We have adopted a Compensation Committee Charter in accordance with the NYSE corporate governance listing standards in effect as of the date of this Annual Report.  A copy of our Compensation Committee Charter is available without charge from our website at www.suburbanpropane.com or upon written request directed to:  Suburban Propane Partners, L.P., Investor Relations, P.O. Box 206, Whippany, New Jersey 07981-0206.

During fiscal 2017, the Compensation Committee independently retained Willis Towers Watson, a human resources consulting firm, formerly known as Towers Watson & Co., to assist the Compensation Committee in developing competitive compensation packages for the Partnership’s executive officers. See Item 11 below.

Nominating/Governance Committee Charter

The Nominating/Governance Committee participates in Board succession planning and development and identifies individuals qualified to become Board members, recommends to the Board the persons to be nominated for election as Supervisors at any Tri-Annual Meeting of the Unitholders and the persons (if any) to be elected by the Board to fill any vacancies on the Board, develops and recommends to the Board changes to the Partnership’s Corporate Governance Guidelines and Principles when appropriate, and oversees the annual evaluation of the Board.  The Committee’s current members are Harold R. Logan, Jr. (its Chairman), Lawrence C. Caldwell, Matthew J. Chanin, Terence J. Connors, William M. Landuyt, John Hoyt Stookey and Jane Swift, all of whom are independent in accordance with our Corporate Governance Guidelines and Principles and the rules of the NYSE.

We have adopted a written Nominating/Governance Committee Charter.  A copy of our Nominating/Governance Committee Charter is available without charge from our website at www.suburbanpropane.com or upon written request directed to:  Suburban Propane Partners, L.P., Investor Relations, P.O. Box 206, Whippany, New Jersey 07981-0206.

NYSE Annual CEO Certification

The NYSE requires the Chief Executive Officer of each listed company to submit a certification indicating that the company is not in violation of the Corporate Governance listing standards of the NYSE on an annual basis.  Our Chief Executive Officer submits his Annual CEO Certification to the NYSE each December.  In December 2016, our Chief Executive Officer, Michael A. Stivala, submitted his Annual CEO Certification to the NYSE without qualification.

 

 

 

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Compensation Discussion and Analysis

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) explains our executive compensation philosophy, policies and practices with respect to those executive officers of the Partnership identified below whom we collectively refer to as our “named executive officers”:

 

 

Key Topics Covered in our CD&A

The following table summarizes the main areas of focus in the CD&A:

 

Compensation Governance

Participants in the Compensation Process

Role of the Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee of our Board of Supervisors (the “Committee”) is responsible for overseeing our executive compensation program.  In accordance with its charter, available on our website at www.suburbanpropane.com, the Committee ensures that the compensation packages provided to our executive officers are designed in accordance with our compensation philosophy.  The Committee reviews and approves the compensation packages of our managing directors, assistant vice presidents, vice presidents, senior vice presidents, and our named executive officers. The Committee establishes and oversees our general compensation philosophy in consultation with our President and Chief Executive Officer.  

Among other duties, the Committee has overall responsibility for:

 

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Role of the President and Chief Executive Officer

The role of our President and Chief Executive Officer in the executive compensation process is to recommend individual pay adjustments, grants of restricted units under the Partnership’s Restricted Unit Plan and other adjustments to the compensation packages of the executive officers, other than for himself, to the Committee based on market conditions, the Partnership’s performance, and individual performance.  When recommending individual pay adjustments for the executive officers, Mr. Stivala, our President and Chief Executive Officer, presents the Committee with information comparing each executive officer’s current compensation to the mean compensation figures for comparable positions included in benchmarking data utilized by the Committee.

Role of Outside Consultants

Prior to each Committee meeting at which executive compensation packages are reviewed, members of the Committee are provided with benchmarking data from the Mercer Human Resource Consulting, Inc. (“Mercer”) database for comparison.  The Committee’s sole use of the Mercer database is to compare and contrast our executives’ current base salaries and total direct compensation to the data provided in the Mercer benchmarking database, which is derived from a proprietary database of surveys from over 3,000 organizations and approximately 1,500 positions that may or may not include similarly-sized national propane marketers.  The use of the Mercer database provides a broad base of compensation benchmarking information for companies of similar size to the Partnership.  There was no formal consultancy role played by Mercer.  Therefore, prior to the Committee’s meetings, neither the Committee members nor our President and Chief Executive Officer met with representatives from Mercer.  

In addition to using the benchmarking data from the Mercer benchmarking database, the Committee has utilized, since fiscal 2013, the services of Willis Towers Watson (“WTW”), a human resources consulting firm, formerly known as Towers Watson & Co.  In developing the fiscal 2016 compensation packages for each of our named executive officers, the Committee retained the services of WTW to benchmark the base salaries and total direct compensation of our executive officers compared to comparable positions, using market data for similarly-sized companies which was developed by WTW from multiple survey sources across several industries, inclusive of other energy companies in the United States.  In developing the fiscal 2017 compensation packages for our executive officers, the Committee did not engage the services of WTW; instead, the Committee utilized and relied upon the benchmark data provided by WTW for our fiscal 2016 executive compensation packages.  The Committee did, however, engage WTW for recommendations on the design of a new Distribution Equivalent Rights Plan, adopted at the Committee’s January 17, 2017 meeting.

Our Unitholders:  Say-on-Pay

At their 2015 Tri-Annual Meeting, our Unitholders overwhelmingly approved an advisory resolution approving executive compensation (commonly referred to as “Say-on-Pay”).  As a result, the Committee has determined that no major revisions of its executive compensation practices are required. However, the Committee periodically evaluates its compensation practices for possible improvement.  The following represents the 2015 Say-on-Pay voting results:

 

The Annual Compensation Decision Making Process

Fiscal 2017 Committee Meetings

The Committee holds three regularly-scheduled meetings during the fiscal year:  one in October or November, one in January and one in July, and may meet at other times during the year as warranted.  With the exception of approving the Distribution Equivalent Rights Plan at its January 17, 2017 meeting, the Committee finalized the fiscal year 2017 compensation packages for each of our named executive officers at its November 14, 2016 meeting.

As in past fiscal years and as referred to above, the Committee was provided with a comprehensive analysis of each senior executive’s past and current compensation - including benchmarking data for comparison - to enable it to assess and determine each executive’s compensation package for fiscal 2017.  The Committee considered a number of factors in establishing the fiscal 2017 executive compensation packages, including, but not limited to, experience, scope of responsibility and individual performance.  

 

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Prior to making its decisions regarding each named executive officer’s fiscal 2017 compensation package, the Committee reviewed the total cash compensation opportunity that was provided to each named executive officer during the previously completed fiscal year.  At that time, “total cash compensation opportunity” consisted of base salary, an annual cash bonus, and cash settled long-term incentives; and has since been updated to include payments under a Distribution Equivalent Rights Plan that began in February 2017.  The Committee then compared each named executive officer’s total cash compensation opportunity to the total mean cash compensation opportunity for the parallel position in the Mercer database.  In addition, the Committee reutilized the benchmark data provided by WTW for establishing our executives’ fiscal 2016 compensation referenced above under “Role of Outside Consultants.”  The Committee then based its final decisions on both the fiscal 2016 recommendations made by WTW and on the information contained in the Mercer benchmarking database.

Our Approach to Setting Compensation Packages

In reviewing and determining the compensation packages of our named executive officers, the Committee considers a number of factors related to each executive, including, but not limited to, years of experience in current position, scope and level of responsibility, influence over the affairs of the Partnership and individual performance.  The relative importance assigned to each of these factors by the Committee may differ from executive to executive and from year to year.  As a result, different weights may be given to different components of compensation among each of our named executive officers.

As previously stated, the Committee is provided with benchmarking data for comparison.  This benchmarking data is just one of a number of factors considered by the Committee, but is not necessarily the most persuasive factor.  The Committee compares total cash compensation opportunities, comprising base salary and annual cash bonuses, as well as total direct compensation (which includes opportunities under our Long-Term Incentive Plan, Restricted Unit Plan, and, subsequent to the Committee’s meeting of January 17, 2017, our Distribution Equivalent Rights Plan) to the total mean cash compensation opportunity and total direct compensation opportunity for the parallel position in the benchmark information reviewed.

Compensation Peer Group

The Committee bases its benchmarking on a broad base of companies of similar size to the Partnership, and does not rely solely on a peer group of other propane marketers.  The Committee takes this approach because it believes that the proximity of our headquarters to New York City and the need to realistically compete for skilled executives in an environment shared by numerous other enterprises seeking similarly skilled employees requires a broader review of the market.  Furthermore, similarly-sized propane marketers (of which there are only two) compete for executives in different economic environments. This benchmarking approach has been in place for a number of years.

The compensation packages of the named executive officers of Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. and AmeriGas Partners, L.P. were included in the benchmarking study provided by WTW for fiscal 2016 and was reviewed by the Committee as part of its decision-making process in establishing executive compensation for fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2017.  

Risk Mitigation Policies

Equity Holding Policy

Effective April 22, 2010, the Committee adopted an Equity Holding Policy, as amended on November 11, 2015, which established guidelines for the level of Partnership equity holdings that members of the Board and our executive officers are expected to maintain.  

The Partnership’s equity holding requirements for the specified positions are currently as follows:

 

As of the January 2, 2017 measurement date, all of our executive officers, including our named executive officers, as well as the members of our Board of Supervisors, were in compliance with our Equity Holding Policy.  

 

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The Equity Holding Policy can be accessed through a link on our website at www.suburbanpropane.com under the “Investors” tab.

Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy

Upon recommendation by the Committee, on April 25, 2007, the Board of Supervisors adopted an Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy that permits the Committee to seek reimbursement from certain executives of the Partnership of incentive compensation (i.e., payments made pursuant to the annual cash bonus plan and the Long-Term Incentive Plan) paid to those executives in connection with any fiscal year for which there is a significant restatement of the published financial statements of the Partnership triggered by a material accounting error, which results in less favorable results than those originally reported.  Such reimbursement can be sought from executives even if they were not personally responsible for the restatement.  In addition to the foregoing, if the Committee determines that any fraud or intentional misconduct by an executive was a contributing factor to the Partnership having to make a significant restatement, then the Committee is authorized to take appropriate action against such executive, including disciplinary action, up to, and including, termination, and requiring reimbursement of all, or any part, of the compensation paid to that executive in excess of that executive’s base salary, including cancellation of any unvested restricted units.  

The Incentive Compensation Recoupment Policy is available on our website at www.suburbanpropane.com under the “Investors” tab.

Executive Compensation Philosophy

Overview

 

Our executive compensation program is underpinned by two core objectives:

 

We accomplish these objectives by providing our executive officers with compensation packages that provide a competitive base salary combined with the opportunity to earn both short-term and long-term cash incentives based on the achievement of short-term and long-term performance objectives under a pay-for-performance compensation philosophy.  Recognizing that certain external factors, such as the severity and unpredictability of winter weather patterns, may have a significant influence on annual financial performance in any given year, the Committee evaluates additional factors in determining the amount of incentive compensation earned. The various components of compensation provided to our executive officers are specifically linked to either short-term or long-term performance measures, and encourage equity ownership in the Partnership.  Therefore, our executive compensation packages are designed to achieve our overall goal of sustainable, profitable growth by rewarding our executive officers for behaviors that facilitate our achievement of this goal.

 

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The principal components of the compensation we provide to our named executive officers are as follows:

 

We align the short-term and long-term interests of our named executive officers with the short-term and long-term interests of our Unitholders by:

 

 

 

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Pay Mix

Under our compensation structure, each named executive officer’s “total cash compensation opportunity” consists of a mix of base salary, cash bonus, cash-settled long-term incentives, and distribution equivalent rights payments.  This “mix” varies depending on his or her position.  The base salary for each executive officer is the only fixed component of compensation.  All other cash compensation, including annual cash bonuses and long-term incentive compensation, is variable in nature as it is dependent upon achievement of certain performance measures.  

In allocating among these components, in order to align the interests of our senior executive officers - the executive officers having the greatest ability to influence our performance - with the interests of our Unitholders, we consider it crucial to emphasize the performance-based elements of the total compensation opportunities that we provide to them.  Therefore, during fiscal 2017, the total cash compensation opportunity for our senior executive officers, including our named executive officers, was at least 48% performance-based under our annual cash bonus and long-term incentive plans, neither of which provide for minimum payments.

The following table summarizes each of these components as a percentage of each named executive officer’s total cash compensation opportunity for fiscal 2017:

 

 

Components of Compensation

Base Salary

Using the process explained in the section above titled “The Annual Compensation Decision Making Process,” at its November 14, 2016 meeting, the Committee increased Mr. Kuglin’s base salary to $330,000, in recognition of his performance throughout the year and to bridge a perceived shortfall between his former base salary and the benchmark salaries for similar positions. The Committee did not make any adjustments to the base salaries of our other named executive officers.

The following base salaries were in effect during fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 for our named executive officers:

 

 

At its October 24, 2017 meeting, the Committee approved the following base salaries for fiscal 2018, taking into account recommendations made by WTW at the request of the Committee:

 

The base salaries paid to our named executive officers in fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 are reported in the column titled “Salary” in the Summary Compensation Table below.

 

 

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Annual Cash Bonus Plan

The Committee uses the annual cash bonus plan (which falls within the Securities and Exchange Commission’s definition of a “Non-Equity Incentive Plan” for the purposes of the Summary Compensation Table and otherwise) to provide a cash incentive award to certain hourly and salaried  employees, including our named executive officers, for the attainment of EBITDA targets for the particular fiscal year, in accordance with the annual budget approved by our Board of Supervisors at the beginning of the fiscal year.

 

Performance Condition

The sole metric measures Actual Adjusted EBITDA relative to Budgeted EBITDA.  

 

Definitions

Actual EBITDA: represents net income before deducting interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization.

Actual Adjusted EBITDA: represents Actual EBITDA adjusted for various items; including, but not limited to, unrealized (non-cash) gains or losses on changes in the fair value of derivative instruments; gains or losses on sale of business; acquisition and integration-related costs; multi-employer pension plan withdrawal charges; pension settlement charges; and losses on debt extinguishment.  

Budgeted EBITDA: represents our target budgeted EBITDA developed using a bottom-up process factoring in reasonable growth targets from the prior year’s performance, while at the same time attempting to reach a balance between a target that is reasonably achievable, yet not assured.

 

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Based on a determination made by the Committee at its January 22, 2014 meeting, following a review of recommendations made by WTW, which had been engaged by the Committee for that purpose, our named executive officers currently have the opportunity to earn between 50% and 120% of their target cash bonuses under this plan, depending upon the relationship of our Actual Adjusted EBITDA compared to Budgeted EBITDA in accordance with the following table:

 

Fiscal 2017 Annual Cash Bonus

For fiscal 2017, our Budgeted EBITDA was $340.0 million.  Our Actual Adjusted EBITDA was such that each of our executive officers earned 0% of his or her target cash bonus.  During the previous two fiscal years, our Actual Adjusted EBITDA was such that each of our named executive officers earned 0% and 90% of their target cash bonus for fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, respectively.

 

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The fiscal 2017 target cash bonuses established for each named executive officer and the actual cash bonuses earned by each of them during fiscal 2017 are summarized as follows:

 

 

The Use of Discretion

Although our annual cash bonus plan is generally administered in accordance with pre-approved terms for a particular fiscal year, the Committee retains the right to exercise its broad discretionary powers to decrease or increase the annual cash bonus paid to a particular named executive officer, upon the recommendation of our President and Chief Executive Officer, or to the named executive officers as a group, when the Committee determines that an adjustment is warranted.  In fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, no discretionary adjustments were made to the annual cash bonuses earned by our named executive officers.  

For fiscal 2017, at its October 24, 2017 meeting, the Committee used its discretionary authority to award each of our named executives officers 30% of their target bonus, in recognition of the Partnership’s operational and financial accomplishments in fiscal 2017, despite a more challenging operating environment and weather pattern compared to fiscal 2016.  In navigating through the second consecutive record warm winter heating season, Partnership management set specific goals and took proactive actions to deliver a meaningful improvement in Actual Adjusted EBITDA and other performance metrics compared to the prior year.  Additionally, the Committee’s decision to grant a discretionary cash bonus for fiscal 2017 was for retention purposes – to avoid having two consecutive years in which bonus payments were not paid as a result of unseasonably warm weather.  The discretionary payments approved by the Committee were as follows:

 

The discretionary bonuses provided to our named executive officers for fiscal 2017 are reported in the column titled “Bonus” in the Summary Compensation table below.  The bonus payments earned by our named executive officers under the annual cash bonus program for fiscal 2015 are reported in the column titled “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” in the Summary Compensation Table below.

At this same meeting, the Committee approved the following fiscal 2018 target cash bonuses:

 

 

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As a result of the impact that the past two consecutive years of record warm winter heating seasons have had on the ability of our employees, including our named executive officers, to earn a cash incentive bonus under the existing annual cash bonus plan, the Committee engaged WTW to review and suggest possible modifications to that plan to help mitigate its predominant dependence on weather-related factors.  After reviewing several recommendations made by WTW for potential modifications to the plan at its July 2017 meeting, the Committee (at its October 24, 2017 meeting) approved two separate modifications to the plan.  First, the annual cash bonus plan will now contain two separate measurement components as follows:

Second, the Committee lowered the “entry threshold” for the performance-based component under the plan from 85% to 80% and retained the 50% payout of the performance-based component at the entry threshold. The 80% entry threshold was intended to create a more symmetrical performance zone within the plan, such that both the maximum threshold and the entry threshold will take effect at a 20% differential from the target level.  The following table reflects the approved modifications to the annual cash bonus plan:

 

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These modifications to the annual cash bonus plan are effective starting with our 2018 fiscal year.  

 

Long-Term Incentive Plan

To complement the annual cash bonus plan, which focuses on our short-term financial goals, the Long-Term Incentive Plan, which we hereafter refer to as the “LTIP,” is a phantom unit plan that is designed to motivate our executive officers to focus on our long-term financial goals.  

 

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Performance Condition

Under the LTIP, performance is assessed based on the level of our distribution coverage ratio over a three-year measurement period (“Distribution Coverage Ratio”).  This ratio will be calculated (as shown below) by dividing our Average Distributable Cash Flow generated during an outstanding award’s three-year measurement period by a Baseline Cash Flow set on the initial grant date of the award.  The Committee adopted this measure for LTIP awards because the Partnership’s ability to support future cash distributions, and to demonstrate distribution growth, is essential to successfully attracting and retaining investors, making it an important long-term performance metric.

 

Average Distributable Cash Flow  

(Average Actual Adjusted EBITDA less maintenance capital expenditures, cash interest expense and other adjustments)

 

Baseline Cash Flow

(Total # of Common Units outstanding at beginning of the three-year measurement period times the then annualized
distribution rate)

 

Definitions

Distributable Cash Flow: represents Actual Adjusted EBITDA for a particular fiscal year less maintenance capital expenditures, cash interest expense, and the provision for income taxes for the same fiscal year.

Actual Adjusted EBITDA: represents the same definition as Actual Adjusted EBITDA under the annual cash bonus plan.  

Average Distributable Cash Flow: represents average distributable cash flow for each of the three years in a particular award’s three-year measurement period, plus the product of the number of Common Units outstanding at the beginning of the three-year measurement period and the annual differences between the per Common Unit annualized distribution rate at the beginning of the three-year measurement period and the actual per Common Unit distributions paid during each of those three years.  

Baseline Cash Flow: represents the total number of Common Units outstanding at the beginning of the three-year measurement period multiplied by the then per Common Unit annualized distribution rate.

The following table summarizes the performance targets and associated level of vesting that applies to awards made under the LTIP prior to November 14, 2016 based on the achievement level of the Distribution Coverage Ratio:

 

Between entry and target performance, for every additional 0.01 increase in the Distribution Coverage Ratio, an additional 2.5% of the award is earned.  Between target and maximum performance, awards are earned according to the following schedule:

 

 

 

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At its meeting on November 14, 2016, the Committee amended the LTIP to revise the performance targets and associated level of vesting that applies to awards made under the LTIP on or after September 25, 2016.  The following table summarizes the performance targets and associated level of vesting, based on the achievement level of the Distribution Coverage Ratio:

 

 

As a result of this amendment, between entry and target performance, for every additional 0.01 increase in the Distribution Coverage Ratio, an additional 5% of the award will be earned.  Between target and maximum performance, awards will be earned according to the following schedule:

 

 

This amendment to the LTIP did not lower the minimum required Distribution Coverage Ratio for participants to earn an entry-level award.  The Committee’s decision to reduce the target-level and maximum-level award thresholds was intended to strike a better balance between an award that is reasonably achievable, yet not assured.  

Grant Process

At the beginning of each fiscal year, LTIP unit awards are granted as a Committee-approved percentage of each named executive officer’s salary.  In accordance with the terms of the LTIP, at the beginning of each three-year measurement period, the number of each named executive officer’s unvested LTIP phantom unit awards is calculated by dividing his target LTIP amount (representing 50% of that named executive officer’s target cash bonus under the annual cash bonus plan) by the average of the closing prices of our Common Units for the twenty days preceding the beginning of the three-year measurement period.  

Cash Payments

For awards granted under the LTIP, our named executive officers, as well as the other LTIP participants (all of whom are key employees), will, at the end of the three-year measurement period, receive cash payments equal to:

 

 

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The grant date values based on the target outcomes of the awards under the LTIP granted during fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 are reported in the column titled “Unit Awards” in the Summary Compensation Table below.  

Outstanding Awards under the LTIP

The following are the quantities of unvested LTIP phantom units granted to our named executive officers during fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 that will be used to calculate cash payments at the end of each award’s respective three-year measurement period (i.e., at the end of fiscal 2019 for the fiscal 2017 awards and at the end of fiscal 2018 for the fiscal 2016 awards):

 

At its meeting on October 24, 2017, the Committee granted the following quantities of unvested LTIP phantom units to our named executive officers for fiscal 2018.  These quantities will be used to calculate cash payments, if earned, at the end of this award’s three-year measurement period (i.e., at the end of fiscal 2020).

 

Vesting of the LTIP Awards

The three-year measurement period of the fiscal 2015 awards ended simultaneously with the conclusion of fiscal 2017.  The Partnership’s Distribution Coverage Ratio was below the entry threshold for the three-year measurement period.  As such, no payments were earned relative to the fiscal 2015 awards.  Similarly, given the impact of the two consecutive record warm winter heating seasons on the level of Distributable Cash Flow for fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2017, it is anticipated that, under the normative provisions of the LTIP, participants will not earn a cash payout for either of the other two outstanding award cycles (i.e., the fiscal 2016 award that will end at the conclusion of fiscal 2018 and the fiscal 2017 award that will end at the conclusion of fiscal 2019).  Accordingly, during fiscal 2017 the Committee engaged WTW to review and suggest possible modifications to the LTIP design in order to help mitigate its predominant dependence on weather-related factors.  At its meeting on July 18, 2017, the Committee reviewed a number of alternatives provided by WTW, but decided that, given the long-term nature of the LTIP, modifications to mitigate the impacts of unseasonably warm weather were not warranted since they would require introducing significant subjectivity into the LTIP design. However, in an effort to continue to incent management for the remainder of the fiscal 2017 award, the Committee decided that it would exercise its discretionary authority under the LTIP to make a retroactive adjustment to the Baseline Cash Flow calculation of the fiscal 2017 award.  Therefore, at a special telephonic meeting on September 27, 2017, the Committee approved a retroactive adjustment to the Baseline Cash Flow calculation of the fiscal 2017 award to reflect the annualized distribution rate to be approved by the Board of Supervisors at its October 2017 meeting in respect of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, as if that were the annualized distribution rate in effect since the beginning of fiscal 2017.  In addition, in light of the retroactive nature of this adjustment to the calculation, the Committee elected to cap the maximum potential amount that can be earned by the LTIP participants for the fiscal 2017 award at 120% of the target payment amounts.    

Retirement Provision

The retirement provision applies to all LTIP participants who have been employed by the Partnership for ten years and have attained age 55.  A retirement-eligible participant’s outstanding awards under the LTIP will vest as of the retirement-eligible date, but will remain subject to the same three-year measurement period for purposes of determining the eventual cash payment, if any, at the conclusion of the remaining measurement period.  Mr. Brinkworth and Mr. Abel are our only named executive officers to whom this retirement provision applied at the conclusion of fiscal 2017.  

 

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Restricted Unit Plan

At their July 22, 2009 Tri-Annual Meeting, our Unitholders approved the adoption of our 2009 Restricted Unit Plan (“RUP”) effective August 1, 2009.  Upon adoption, this plan authorized the issuance of 1,200,000 Common Units to our named executive officers, managers, other employees and to the members of our Board of Supervisors.  On May 13, 2015, following approval by our Unitholders at their 2015 Tri-Annual Meeting, we adopted an amendment to this plan which increased the number of Common Units authorized for issuance under this plan by 1,200,000 for a total of 2,400,000.  At the conclusion of fiscal 2017, there remained 855,830 restricted units available under the RUP for future awards.

When the Committee authorizes an award of restricted units, the unvested units underlying an award do not provide the grantee with voting rights and do not receive distributions or accrue rights to distributions during the vesting period.  Under the Distribution Equivalent Rights Plan (described below), which we adopted in fiscal 2017, certain grantees of restricted units, including our named executive officers, receive a cash payment equal to the distributions that would have been payable on their unvested restricted units had such unvested restricted units vested on or before the record date for such distributions.

Grant Process

All RUP awards are approved by the Committee.  Because individual circumstances differ, the Committee has not adopted a formulaic approach to making RUP awards.  Although the reasons for granting an award can vary, the general objective of granting an award to a recipient is to retain the services of the recipient over the vesting period while, at the same time, providing the type of motivation that further aligns the long-term interests of the recipient with the long-term interests of our Unitholders.  The reasons for which the Committee grants RUP awards include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

In determining the quantity of restricted units to grant to named executive officers and other key employees, the Committee considers, without limitation:

 

In addition, in establishing the level of restricted units to grant to our named executive officers, the Committee considers the existing level of outstanding unvested RUP awards held by our named executive officers.  

The Committee generally approves awards under the RUP at its first meeting each fiscal year following the availability of the financial results for the prior fiscal year; however, occasionally the Committee grants awards at other times of the year, particularly when the need arises to grant awards because of promotions and new hires.  

Upon vesting, restricted units are automatically converted into our Common Units, with full voting rights and rights to receive distributions.  

 

Vesting Schedule

RUP awards granted prior to August 6, 2013 vest as follows:  25% on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date and the remaining 50% on the fifth anniversary of the grant date.

 

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At its August 6, 2013 meeting, after its review of recommendations made by WTW, the Committee amended the RUP to revise the standard vesting schedule of awards granted thereafter to one third on each of the first three anniversaries of the award grant date.  The Committee retains the ability to deviate, at its discretion, from the normal vesting schedule with respect to particular RUP awards.  The Committee amended the plan in order to make its vesting schedule comparable to those of similar plans offered by other companies.  Unvested awards are subject to forfeiture in certain circumstances, as defined in the RUP.

 

Outstanding Awards under the RUP

At its November 14, 2016 meeting, in order to continue to further align the interests of our named executive officers with those of our Unitholders, the Committee approved a grant of restricted units to each of our named executive officers.  In determining these fiscal 2017 awards for our named executive officers, the Committee relied upon information provided by the Mercer database to conclude that these awards were necessary to remediate shortfalls perceived by the Committee in the cash compensation opportunities provided by the Partnership to these executives, as well as in recognition of their individual achievements throughout fiscal 2016.  The Committee uses RUP awards to satisfy a perceived need to balance cash compensation with equity (or non-cash) compensation, and to encourage our named executive officers, and other key employees, to have an equity stake in the Partnership, thereby further aligning the economic interests of our named executive officers with the economic interests of our Unitholders.

The following table summarizes the RUP awards granted to our named executive officers at the Committee’s November 14, 2016 meeting:

 

The aggregate grant date fair values of RUP awards made during fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, computed in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, are reported in the column titled “Unit Awards” in the Summary Compensation Table below.

 

Retirement Provision

The RUP contains a retirement provision that provides for the vesting (six months and one day after the retirement date of qualifying participants) of unvested awards held by a retiring participant who meets all three of the following conditions on his or her retirement date:

 

Mr. Brinkworth and Mr. Abel are our only named executive officers to whom this retirement provision applied at the end of fiscal 2017.  

***

At its October 24, 2017 meeting, the Committee granted the following RUP awards to our named executive officers:

 

The Committee granted these awards in order to further align the economic interests of named executive officers with the economic interests our Common Unitholders.

 

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Distribution Equivalent Rights Plan

At the beginning of fiscal 2017, the Committee engaged the services of WTW to evaluate the merits of establishing a Distribution Equivalent Rights Plan (the “DER Plan”) as a new component of executive compensation.  The data provided by WTW suggested that the proposed DER Plan would be aligned with industry norms (77% of other publicly traded partnerships and 92% of a sample of broader energy/utility companies provide such plans to their executives in one form or another).  The Committee adopted the DER Plan on January 17, 2017 because the cash compensation resulting from the DER Plan would help, in certain instances, to lessen the gap between the total compensation paid to some of our named executive officers and the benchmark compensation data.  Additionally, the Committee believes that the new DER Plan will provide our named executive officers with a reasonable balance between performance-based and non-performance based cash opportunities and will assist our named executive officers to obtain funds to settle the taxes on equity based compensation (i.e., taxes generated when restricted units vest).  Most importantly, the Committee believes that this form of compensation further aligns the interests of our named executive officers with the interests of our Unitholders because it provides an incentive for the types of behaviors that lead to distribution sustainability and growth.  

The named executive officers of the Partnership (as defined in the DER Plan) are eligible for a distribution equivalent right (“DER”) award under the DER Plan at the discretion of the Committee.  Once awarded, a DER entitles the grantee to a cash payment each time our Board of Supervisors declares a cash distribution on our Common Units, which cash payment is equal to the amount calculated by multiplying (A) the number of unvested restricted units that have been previously awarded to the grantee under any of our RUPs and which are held by the grantee on the record date of the distribution, by (B) the amount of the declared distribution per Common Unit. The form of award agreement under the DER Plan expressly provides that the Committee retains the right to cancel, in whole or in part, any DER after its award, with or without cause.  DERs also automatically terminate on the first to occur of: (a) the termination of the grantee’s employment with us or our subsidiary (except for those situations when such termination does not result in the forfeiture of the unvested restricted units then held by the grantee), (b) the vesting, termination or forfeiture of all unvested restricted units then held by the grantee, or (c) the grantee becoming employed by us or our subsidiary in a role other than as a named executive officer. Pursuant to the terms of the DER Plan, DERs, and cash payments thereunder, are considered to be “incentive compensation” for purposes of our incentive compensation recoupment policy described above.  

At its January 17, 2017 meeting, the Committee granted DERs under the DER Plan to all of our named executive officers.  The following table summarizes the DER payments made to our named executive officers during fiscal 2017:

 

The DER Plan payments made to our named executive officers during fiscal 2017 are reported in the column titled “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” in the Summary Compensation Table below.

Benefits and Perquisites

Pension Plan

We sponsor a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan that was originally designed to cover all of our eligible employees who met certain criteria relative to age and length of service.  Effective January 1, 1998, we amended the plan in order to provide for a cash balance format rather than the final average pay format that was in effect prior to January 1, 1998 (the “Cash Balance Plan”).  The cash balance format is designed to evenly spread the growth of a participant’s earned retirement benefit throughout his or her career rather than the final average pay format, under which a greater portion of a participant’s benefits were earned toward the latter stages of his or her career.  Effective January 1, 2000, we amended the Cash Balance Plan to limit participation in this plan to existing participants and no longer admit new participants to the plan.  On January 1, 2003, we amended the Cash Balance Plan to cease future service and pay-based credits on behalf of the participants and, from that point on, participants’ benefits have increased only because of interest credits. Effective June 1, 2017, we amended the Cash Balance Plan to provide eligible terminated vested participants with a limited-time opportunity, which expired in August 2017, to elect immediate distribution of their benefits in the form of a single lump sum.  Of our named executive officers, only Mr. Boyd and Mr. Brinkworth participate in the Cash Balance Plan.  

The changes in the actuarial value relative to Mr. Boyd’s and Mr. Brinkworth’s participation in the Cash Balance Plan during fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 are reported in the column titled “Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings” in the Summary Compensation Table below.

 

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Deferred Compensation

All employees, including the named executive officers, who satisfy certain service requirements, are eligible to participate in our IRC Section 401(k) Plan, which we refer to as the “401(k) Plan,” in which participants may defer a portion of their eligible cash compensation up to the limits established by law.  We offer the 401(k) Plan to attract and retain talented employees by providing them with a tax-advantaged opportunity to save for retirement.  

 

For fiscal 2017, all of our named executive officers participated in the 401(k) Plan.  The benefits provided to our named executive officers under the 401(k) Plan are provided on the same basis as to other exempt employees of the Partnership.  Amounts deferred by our named executive officers under the 401(k) Plan during fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 are included in the column titled “Salary” in the Summary Compensation Table below.

 

Prior to fiscal 2017, if certain performance criteria shown below were met, we would match our employee-participants’ contributions up to 6% of their base salary up to the maximum compensation limit of $265,000 for calendar years 2016 and 2015, at a rate determined based on the performance-based scale that follows:

 

During fiscal 2016, Actual Adjusted EBITDA (as discussed under the heading titled “Annual Cash Bonus Plan” above), when applied to the 401(k) Plan, was such that matching contributions were not earned; however, the Committee exercised its discretionary authority under the Plan to provide participants, including our named executive officers, with matching contributions equal to 25% of their calendar year 2016 contributions that did not exceed 6% of their total base pay, up to a maximum annual compensation limit of $265,000 for 2016. During fiscal 2015, Actual Adjusted EBITDA, when applied to the 401(k) Plan, was such that participants earned matching contributions equal to 25% of their calendar year 2015 contributions that did not exceed 6% of their total base pay, up to a maximum compensation limit of $265,000 for 2015.

On January 18, 2017, our Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to the 401(k) Plan, effective for fiscal year 2017 and all subsequent years, that provides a match of $0.50 for every dollar contributed up to 6% of each participant’s total base pay, up to a maximum compensation limit of $270,000 for calendar year 2017. If, however, Actual Adjusted EBITDA is 115% or more than Budgeted EBITDA, each participant will receive a match of $1 for every dollar contributed up to 6% of each participant’s total base pay, up to a maximum compensation limit of $270,000 for calendar year 2017.  The Board approved this amendment in order to make the compensation programs we offer to our employees more competitive.  For fiscal 2017, the performance conditions that provide for more than the $0.50 match were not met.

The matching contributions made on behalf of our named executive officers for fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016, and fiscal 2015 are reported in the column titled “All Other Compensation” in the Summary Compensation Table below.

Other Benefits

Each named executive officer is eligible to participate in all of our other employee benefit plans, such as the medical, dental, group life insurance and disability plans, on the same basis as other exempt employees.  These benefit plans are offered to attract and retain talented employees by providing them with competitive benefits.

There are no post-termination or other special rights provided to any named executive officer to participate in these benefit programs other than the right to participate in such plans for a fixed period of time following termination of employment, on the same basis as is provided to other exempt employees, as required by law.  

The costs of all such benefits incurred on behalf of our named executive officers in fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 are reported in the column titled “All Other Compensation” in the Summary Compensation Table below.

 

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Perquisites

Perquisites represent a minor component of our executive officers’ compensation.  Each of the named executive officers is eligible for tax preparation services, a company-provided vehicle, and an annual physical.  

The following table summarizes both the value and the utilization of these perquisites by the named executive officers in fiscal 2017.

 

Perquisite-related costs for fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 are reported in the column titled “All Other Compensation” in the Summary Compensation Table below.

Severance Benefits

We believe that, in most cases, employees should be paid reasonable severance benefits.  Therefore, it is the general policy of the Partnership to provide named executive officers who are terminated by us without cause or who choose to terminate their employment with us for good reason with a severance payment equal to, at a minimum, one year’s base salary, unless circumstances dictate otherwise.  This policy was adopted because it may be difficult for former named executive officers to find comparable employment within a short period of time.  However, depending upon individual facts and circumstances, particularly the severed employee’s tenure with us and the employee’s level, the Partnership may make exceptions to this general policy.  

Change of Control

Our executive officers and other key employees have built the Partnership into the successful enterprise that it is today; therefore, we believe that it is important to protect them in the event of a change of control.  Further, it is our belief that the interests of our Unitholders will be best served if the interests of our executive officers are aligned with them, and that providing change of control benefits should eliminate, or at least reduce, the reluctance of our executive officers to pursue potential change of control transactions that may be in the best interests of our Unitholders.  Additionally, we believe that the severance benefits provided to our executive officers and to our key employees are consistent with market practice and appropriate both because these benefits are an inducement to accepting employment and because the executive officers are subject to non-competition and non-solicitation covenants for a period following termination of employment. Therefore, our executive officers and other key employees are provided with severance protection following a change of control, which we refer to as the “Severance Protection Plan.” During fiscal 2017, our Severance Protection Plan covered all of our executive officers, including our named executive officers.

The Severance Protection Plan provides for severance payments of either 65 or 78 weeks of base salary and target cash bonuses for such officers and key employees if within one year following a change of control their employment is terminated by us or our successor or they resign for Good Reason (as defined in the Severance Protection Plan).  All of our named executive officers are eligible for 78 weeks of base salary and target bonuses. The cash components of any change of control benefits are paid in a lump sum.

In addition, upon a change of control, without regard to whether a participant’s employment is terminated, all unvested awards granted under the RUP will vest immediately and become distributable to the participants.  Also, without regard to whether a participant’s employment is terminated, all outstanding, unvested LTIP awards will vest immediately as if the three-year measurement period for each outstanding award concluded on the date the change of control occurred.  Under the provisions of the LTIP document, an amount equal to the cash value of 150% of a participant’s unvested LTIP units, plus a sum equal to 150% of a participant’s unvested LTIP units multiplied by an amount equal to the cumulative, per-Common Unit distribution from the beginning of an unvested award’s three-year measurement period through the date on which a change of control occurred, would become payable to the participants.  

 

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For purposes of these benefits, a change of control is deemed to occur, in general, if:

or

For additional information pertaining to severance payable to our named executive officers following a change of control-related termination, see the tables titled “Potential Payments Upon Termination” below.

Additional Information

Impact of Accounting and Tax Treatments of Executive Compensation

As we are a partnership and not a corporation for federal income tax purposes, we are not subject to the limitations of IRC Section 162(m) with respect to tax deductible executive compensation.  Accordingly, none of the compensation paid to our named executive officers is subject to a limitation as to tax deductibility.  However, if such tax laws related to executive compensation change in the future, the Committee will consider the implication of such changes to us.

Although it is our practice to comply with the statutory and regulatory provisions of IRC Section 409A, the Suburban Propane, L.P. Severance Protection Plan for Key Employees, which we refer to as the “Severance Protection Plan,” provides that if any payment under the Severance Protection Plan subjects a participant to the 20% additional tax under IRC Section 409A, the payment will be grossed up to permit such participant to retain a net amount on an after-tax basis equal to what he or she would have received had the additional tax not been payable.

Report of the Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management this Compensation Discussion and Analysis.  Based on its review and discussions with management, the Committee recommended to the Board of Supervisors that this Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2017.

 

The Compensation Committee:

 

Matthew J. Chanin, Chair

Harold R. Logan, Jr.

John Hoyt Stookey

 

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the compensation of each named executive officer during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Note:  Column (f) was omitted from the Summary Compensation Table because we do not grant options to our employees.

 

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Grants of Plan Based Awards Table for Fiscal 2017

The following table sets forth certain information concerning grants of awards made to each named executive officer during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Note: Columns (j) and (k) were omitted from the Grants of Plan Based Awards Table because we do not award options to our employees.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End 2017 Table

The following table sets forth certain information concerning outstanding equity awards under our RUP and LTIP unit awards under our LTIP for each named executive officer as of September 30, 2017:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Note: Columns (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f), all of which are for the reporting of option-related compensation, have been omitted from the “Outstanding Equity Awards At Fiscal Year End 2017 Table” because we do not grant options to our employees.

Equity Vested Table for Fiscal 2017

Awards under the RUP are settled in Common Units upon vesting.  Awards under the LTIP, a phantom unit plan, are settled in cash. The following two tables set forth certain information concerning the vesting of awards under our RUP and the vesting of the fiscal 2015 award under our LTIP for each named executive officer during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017:

 

 

 

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Retirement Benefits Table for Fiscal 2017

The following table sets forth certain information concerning each plan that provides for payments or other benefits at, following, or in connection with retirement for each named executive officer as of the end of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017:

 

 

 

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Potential Payments Upon Termination

The following table sets forth certain information containing potential payments to the named executive officers in accordance with the provisions of the Severance Protection Plan, the RUP and the LTIP for the circumstances listed in the table assuming a September 30, 2017 termination date.  For more information on severance and change of control payments, refer to the subheadings “Severance Benefits” and “Change of Control” above.

 

 

 

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In the event of death, the inability to continue employment because of permanent disability, or a termination without cause or a good reason resignation unconnected to a change of control event, awards will vest in accordance with the normal vesting schedule and will be subject to the same requirements as awards held by individuals still employed by us and will be subject to the same risks as awards held by all other participants.

 

Under circumstances unrelated to a change of control, if a RUP award recipient’s employment is terminated without cause or he or she resigns for good reason, any RUP awards held by such recipient will be forfeited.  Because all of Mr. Brinkworth’s and Mr. Abel’s unvested awards were subject to the retirement provisions on the last day of fiscal 2017, if Mr. Brinkworth and Mr. Abel had been terminated without cause on September 30, 2017, none of their unvested awards would have been forfeited.

 

In the event of a change of control, as defined in the RUP document, all unvested RUP awards will vest immediately on the date the change of control is consummated, regardless of the holding period and regardless of whether the recipient’s employment is terminated.  

 

 

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SUPERVISORS’ COMPENSATION

The following table sets forth the compensation of the non-employee members of the Board of Supervisors of the Partnership during fiscal 2017.

 

 

 

At its meeting on November 15, 2016, the Compensation Committee approved the following RUP awards with an effective grant date of January 1, 2017 (the date each such person commenced his service on our Board of Supervisors):

 

The aggregate grant date fair values of these RUP awards, computed in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, are reported in the column above titled “Unit Awards.”

Note: The columns for reporting option awards, non-equity incentive plan compensation, changes in pension value and non-qualified deferred compensation plan earnings and all other forms of compensation were omitted from the Supervisor’s Compensation Table because the Partnership does not provide these forms of compensation to its non-employee supervisors.

Fees and Benefit Plans for Non-Employee Supervisors

Annual Cash Retainer Fees.  As the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Mr. Logan receives an annual cash retainer of $125,000, payable in quarterly installments of $31,250 each.  Each of the other non-employee Supervisors receives an annual cash retainer of $90,000 each, payable in quarterly installments of $22,500.  As Chair of the Compensation Committee, Mr. Chanin receives an additional annual cash retainer of $10,000, payable in quarterly installments of $2,500 each.  As Chair of the Audit Committee, prior to his death Mr. Collins received, and Mr. Connors currently receives, an additional annual cash retainer of $15,000, payable in quarterly installments of $3,750 each.

Meeting Fees.  The members of our Board of Supervisors receive no additional remuneration for attendance at regularly scheduled meetings of the Board or its Committees, other than reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in connection with such attendance.

Restricted Unit Plan.  Each non-employee Supervisor participates in the RUP.  All awards vest in accordance with the provisions of the plan document (see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section titled “Restricted Unit Plan” for a description of the vesting schedule).  Upon vesting, all awards are settled by issuing Common Units.  

Additional Supervisor Compensation.  Non-employee Supervisors receive no other forms of remuneration from us.  The only perquisite provided to the members of the Board of Supervisors is the ability to purchase propane at the same discounted rate that we offer propane to our employees, the value of which was less than $10,000 in fiscal 2017 for each Supervisor.

 

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The following table sets forth certain information as of November 21, 2017 regarding the beneficial ownership of Common Units by each member of the Board of Supervisors, each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table in Item 11 of this Annual Report and all members of the Board of Supervisors and executive officers as a group.  Based upon filings under Section 13(d) or (g) under the Exchange Act, the Partnership does not know of any person or group who beneficially owns more than 5% of the outstanding Common Units.  Except as set forth in the notes to the table, each individual or entity has sole voting and investment power over the Common Units reported.

 

 

 

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Securities Authorized for Issuance Under the Restricted Unit Plan

The following table sets forth certain information, as of September 30, 2017, with respect to the Partnership’s Restricted Unit Plan, under which restricted units of the Partnership, as described in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report, are authorized for issuance.

 

 

 

 

 

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Related Person Transactions

None.  See “Partnership Management” under Item 10 above for a description of the Audit Committee’s role in reviewing, and approving or ratifying, related party transactions.

Supervisor Independence

The Corporate Governance Guidelines and Principles adopted by the Board of Supervisors provide that a Supervisor is deemed to be lacking a material relationship to the Partnership and is therefore independent of management if the following criteria are satisfied:

A copy of our Corporate Governance Guidelines is available without charge from our website at www.suburbanpropane.com or upon written request directed to: Suburban Propane Partners, L.P., Investor Relations, P.O. Box 206, Whippany, New Jersey 07981-0206.

 

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The following table sets forth the aggregate fees for services related to fiscal years 2017 and 2016 provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm.

 

 

The Audit Committee of the Board of Supervisors has adopted a formal policy concerning the approval of audit and non-audit services to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.  The policy requires that all services PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP may provide to us, including audit services and permitted audit-related and non-audit services, be pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee pre-approved all audit and non-audit services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP during fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016.

 

 

 

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PART IV

See “Index to Financial Statements” set forth on page F-1.

See “Index to Financial Statement Schedule” set forth on page S-1.

See “Index to Exhibits”.  Each management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement is identified with a “#”.

None.

 

 

 

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

The exhibits listed on this Exhibit Index are filed as part of this Annual Report.  Exhibits required to be filed by Item 601 of Regulation S-K, which are not listed below, are not applicable.

 

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Annual Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

 

 

 

 

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

 

F-1

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Supervisors and Unitholders of

Suburban Propane Partners, L.P.:

 

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, partners’ capital, and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. and its subsidiaries at September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2017 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.  Also in our opinion, the Partnership maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Partnership's management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing in Item 9A.  Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated 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 audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk.  Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

 

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

 

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

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Florham Park, New Jersey

November 22, 2017

 

 

 

F-2

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SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

F-3

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SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per unit amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

F-4

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SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

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SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

F-6

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SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PARTNERS’ CAPITAL

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

F-7

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SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(dollars in thousands, except unit and per unit amounts)

 

Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (the “Partnership”) is a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership principally engaged, through its operating partnership and subsidiaries, in the retail marketing and distribution of propane, fuel oil and refined fuels, as well as the marketing of natural gas and electricity in deregulated markets.  In addition, to complement its core marketing and distribution businesses, the Partnership services a wide variety of home comfort equipment, particularly for heating and ventilation.  The publicly traded limited partner interests in the Partnership are evidenced by common units traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“Common Units”), with 61,104,544 Common Units outstanding at September 30, 2017.  The holders of Common Units are entitled to participate in distributions and exercise the rights and privileges available to limited partners under the Third Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership (the “Partnership Agreement”), as amended.  Rights and privileges under the Partnership Agreement include, among other things, the election of all members of the Board of Supervisors and voting on the removal of the general partner.

Suburban Propane, L.P. (the “Operating Partnership”), a Delaware limited partnership, is the Partnership’s operating subsidiary formed to operate the propane business and assets.  In addition, Suburban Sales & Service, Inc. (the “Service Company”), a subsidiary of the Operating Partnership, was formed to operate the service work and appliance and parts businesses of the Partnership.  The Operating Partnership, together with its direct and indirect subsidiaries, accounts for substantially all of the Partnership’s assets, revenues and earnings.  The Partnership, the Operating Partnership and the Service Company commenced operations in March 1996 in connection with the Partnership’s initial public offering.

The general partner of both the Partnership and the Operating Partnership is Suburban Energy Services Group LLC (the “General Partner”), a Delaware limited liability company, the sole member of which is the Partnership’s Chief Executive Officer.  Other than as a holder of 784 Common Units that will remain in the General Partner, the General Partner does not have any economic interest in the Partnership or the Operating Partnership.

The Partnership’s fuel oil and refined fuels, natural gas and electricity and services businesses are structured as either limited liability companies that are treated as corporations or corporate entities (collectively referred to as the “Corporate Entities”) and, as such, are subject to corporate level U.S. income tax.

Suburban Energy Finance Corp., a direct 100%-owned subsidiary of the Partnership, was formed on November 26, 2003 to serve as co-issuer, jointly and severally with the Partnership, of the Partnership’s senior notes.

The Partnership serves approximately 1.0 million residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers through 668 locations in 41 states.  The Partnership’s operations are principally concentrated in the east and west coast regions of the United States, as well as portions of the Midwest region of the United States and Alaska.  No single customer accounted for 10% or more of the Partnership’s revenues during fiscal 2017, 2016 or 2015.

 

 

Principles of Consolidation.  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Partnership, the Operating Partnership and all of its direct and indirect subsidiaries.  All intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated.  The Partnership consolidates the results of operations, financial condition and cash flows of the Operating Partnership as a result of the Partnership’s 100% limited partner interest in the Operating Partnership.

Fiscal Period.  The Partnership uses a 52/53 week fiscal year which ends on the last Saturday in September.  The Partnership’s fiscal quarters are generally 13 weeks in duration.  When the Partnership’s fiscal year is 53 weeks long, as was the case for fiscal 2017, the corresponding fourth quarter is 14 weeks in duration.  Fiscal 2016 and 2015 included 52 weeks of operations.

Revenue Recognition.  Sales of propane, fuel oil and refined fuels are recognized at the time product is delivered to the customer.  Revenue from the sale of appliances and equipment is recognized at the time of sale or when installation is complete, as applicable.  Revenue from repairs, maintenance and other service activities is recognized upon completion of the service.  Revenue from annually billed service contracts is recognized ratably over the service period.  Revenue from the natural gas and electricity business is recognized based on customer usage as determined by meter readings for amounts delivered, some of which may be unbilled at the end of each accounting period.  Revenue from annually billed tank fees is deferred at the time of billings and recognized on a straight-line basis over one year.

 

F-8

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Fair Value Measurements.  The Partnership measures certain of its assets and liabilities at fair value, which is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants – in either the principal market or the most advantageous market.  The principal market is the market with the greatest level of activity and volume for the asset or liability.

The common framework for measuring fair value utilizes a three-level hierarchy to prioritize the inputs used in the valuation techniques to derive fair values.  The basis for fair value measurements for each level within the hierarchy is described below with Level 1 having the highest priority and Level 3 having the lowest.

Business Combinations.  The Partnership accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method and accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the acquired entities are recorded at their estimated fair values at the acquisition date.  Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets.  The primary drivers that generate goodwill are the value of synergies between the acquired entities and the Partnership, and the acquired assembled workforce, neither of which qualifies as an identifiable intangible asset.  Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their useful lives.  The results of operations of acquired businesses are included in the consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date.  The Partnership expenses all acquisition-related costs as incurred. 

Use of Estimates.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Estimates have been made by management in the areas of self-insurance and litigation reserves, pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities and costs, valuation of derivative instruments, depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets, asset impairment assessments, tax valuation allowances, allowances for doubtful accounts, and purchase price allocation for acquired businesses.  Actual results could differ from those estimates, making it reasonably possible that a material change in these estimates could occur in the near term.

Cash and Cash Equivalents.  The Partnership considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Inventories.  Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market.  Cost is determined using a weighted average method for propane, fuel oil and refined fuels and natural gas, and a standard cost basis for appliances, which approximates average cost.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Commodity Price Risk.  Given the retail nature of its operations, the Partnership maintains a certain level of priced physical inventory to help ensure its field operations have adequate supply commensurate with the time of year.  The Partnership’s strategy is to keep its physical inventory priced relatively close to market for its field operations.  The Partnership enters into a combination of exchange-traded futures and option contracts and, in certain instances, over-the-counter options and swap contracts (collectively, “derivative instruments”) to hedge price risk associated with propane and fuel oil physical inventories, as well as future purchases of propane or fuel oil used in its operations and to help ensure adequate supply during periods of high demand.  In addition, the Partnership sells propane and fuel oil to customers at fixed prices, and enters into derivative instruments to hedge a portion of its exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices as a result of selling the fixed price contracts.  Under this risk management strategy, realized gains or losses on derivative instruments will typically offset losses or gains on the physical inventory once the product is sold or delivered as it pertains to fixed price contracts.  All of the Partnership’s derivative instruments are reported on the consolidated balance sheet at their fair values.  In addition, in the course of normal operations, the Partnership routinely enters into contracts such as forward priced physical contracts for the purchase or sale of propane and fuel oil that qualify for and are designated as normal purchase or normal sale contracts.  Such contracts are exempted from the fair value accounting requirements and are accounted for at the time product is purchased or sold under the related contract.  The Partnership does not use derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes.  Market risks associated with derivative instruments are monitored daily for compliance with the Partnership’s Hedging and Risk Management Policy which includes volume limits for open positions.  Priced on-hand inventory is also reviewed and managed daily as to exposures to changing market prices.

 

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On the date that derivative instruments are entered into, other than those designated as normal purchases or normal sales, the Partnership makes a determination as to whether the derivative instrument qualifies for designation as a hedge.  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are recorded each period in current period earnings or other comprehensive income (“OCI”), depending on whether the derivative instrument is designated as a hedge and, if so, the type of hedge.  For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, the Partnership formally assesses, both at the hedge contract’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the hedge contract is highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged items.  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges are reported in OCI to the extent effective and reclassified into earnings during the same period in which the hedged item affects earnings.  The mark-to-market gains or losses on ineffective portions of cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings immediately.  Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated as cash flow hedges, and that do not meet the normal purchase and normal sale exemption, are recorded within earnings as they occur.  Cash flows associated with derivative instruments are reported as operating activities within the consolidated statement of cash flows.

Interest Rate Risk.  A portion of the Partnership’s borrowings bear interest at prevailing interest rates based upon, at the Operating Partnership’s option, LIBOR plus an applicable margin or the base rate, defined as the higher of the Federal Funds Rate plus ½ of 1% or the agent bank’s prime rate, or LIBOR plus 1%, plus the applicable margin.  The applicable margin is dependent on the level of the Partnership’s total leverage (the ratio of total debt to income before deducting interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”)).  Therefore, the Partnership is subject to interest rate risk on the variable component of the interest rate.  From time to time, the Partnership manages part of its variable interest rate risk by entering into interest rate swap agreements. The interest rate swaps have been designated as, and are accounted for as, cash flow hedges.  The fair value of the interest rate swaps are determined using an income approach, whereby future settlements under the swaps are converted into a single present value, with fair value being based on the value of current market expectations about those future amounts.  Changes in the fair value are recognized in OCI until the hedged item is recognized in earnings.  However, due to changes in the underlying interest rate environment, the corresponding value in OCI is subject to change prior to its impact on earnings.

Valuation of Derivative Instruments.  The Partnership measures the fair value of its exchange-traded options and futures contracts using quoted market prices found on the New York Mercantile Exchange (the “NYMEX”) (Level 1 inputs); the fair value of its swap contracts using quoted forward prices, and the fair value of its interest rate swaps using model-derived valuations driven by observable projected movements of the 3-month LIBOR (Level 2 inputs); and the fair value of its over-the-counter options contracts using Level 3 inputs.  The Partnership’s over-the-counter options contracts are valued based on an internal option model.  The inputs utilized in the model are based on publicly available information as well as broker quotes.  The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements of the Partnership’s over-the-counter options contracts are interest rate and market volatility.

Long-Lived Assets

Property, plant and equipment.  Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost.  Expenditures for maintenance and routine repairs are expensed as incurred while betterments are capitalized as additions to the related assets and depreciated over the asset’s remaining useful life.  The Partnership capitalizes costs incurred in the acquisition and modification of computer software used internally, including consulting fees and costs of employees dedicated solely to a specific project.  At the time assets are retired, or otherwise disposed of, the asset and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is recognized within operating expenses.  Depreciation is determined under the straight‑line method based upon the estimated useful life of the asset as follows:

 

 

The weighted average estimated useful life of the Partnership’s storage facilities and tanks and cylinders is approximately 22 years and 28 years, respectively.

The Partnership reviews the recoverability of long-lived assets when circumstances occur that indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable.  Such circumstances include a significant adverse change in the manner in which an asset is being used, current operating losses combined with a history of operating losses experienced by the asset or a current expectation that an asset will be sold or otherwise disposed of before the end of its previously estimated useful life.  Evaluation of possible impairment is based on the Partnership’s ability to recover the value of the asset from the future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset.  If the expected undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of such asset, an impairment loss is recorded as the amount by which the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its fair value.  The fair value of an asset will be measured using the best information available, including prices for similar assets or the result of using a discounted cash flow valuation technique.

 

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Goodwill.  Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired.  Goodwill is subject to an impairment review at a reporting unit level, on an annual basis as of the end of fiscal July of each year, or when an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate potential impairment.

The Partnership has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. However, if an entity concludes otherwise, then it is required to perform the first step of the two-step impairment test.

Under the two-step impairment test, the Partnership assesses the carrying value of goodwill at a reporting unit level based on an estimate of the fair value of the respective reporting unit.  Fair value of the reporting unit is estimated using discounted cash flow analyses taking into consideration estimated cash flows in a ten-year projection period and a terminal value calculation at the end of the projection period.  If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the goodwill associated with the reporting unit is not considered to be impaired.  If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount of the associated goodwill, if any, exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill.

Other Intangible Assets.  Other intangible assets consist of customer relationships, tradenames, non-compete agreements and leasehold interests.  Customer relationships and tradenames are amortized under the straight-line method over the estimated period for which the assets are expected to contribute to the future cash flows of the reporting entities to which they relate, ending periodically between fiscal years 2019 and 2025.  Non-compete agreements are amortized under the straight-line method over the periods of the related agreements.  Leasehold interests are amortized under the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the useful life of the related assets, through fiscal 2025.

Accrued Insurance.  Accrued insurance represents the estimated costs of known and anticipated or unasserted claims for self-insured liabilities related to general and product, workers’ compensation and automobile liability.  Accrued insurance provisions for unasserted claims arising from unreported incidents are based on an analysis of historical claims data.  For each claim, the Partnership records a provision up to the estimated amount of the probable claim utilizing actuarially determined loss development factors applied to actual claims data. The Partnership maintains insurance coverage such that its net exposure for insured claims is limited to the insurance deductible, claims above which are paid by the Partnership’s insurance carriers.  For the portion of the estimated liability that exceeds insurance deductibles, the Partnership records an asset related to the amount of the liability expected to be covered by insurance.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits.  The Partnership estimates the rate of return on plan assets, the discount rate used to estimate the present value of future benefit obligations and the expected cost of future health care benefits in determining its annual pension and other postretirement benefit costs.  In October 2014, the Society of Actuaries (“SOA”) issued new mortality tables (RP-2014) and a new mortality improvement scale (MP-2014).  The Partnership uses SOA and other actuarial life expectancy information when developing the annual mortality assumptions for the pension and postretirement benefit plans, which are used to measure net periodic benefit costs and the obligation under these plans.  

Customer Deposits and Advances.  The Partnership offers different payment programs to its customers including the ability to prepay for usage and to make equal monthly payments on account under a budget payment plan.  The Partnership establishes a liability within customer deposits and advances for amounts collected in advance of deliveries.

Income Taxes.  As discussed in Note 1, the Partnership structure consists of two limited partnerships, the Partnership and the Operating Partnership, and the Corporate Entities.  For federal income tax purposes, as well as for state income tax purposes in the majority of the states in which the Partnership operates, the earnings attributable to the Partnership and the Operating Partnership are included in the tax returns of the Common Unitholders.  As a result, except for certain states that impose an income tax on partnerships, no income tax expense is reflected in the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements relating to the earnings of the Partnership and the Operating Partnership.  The earnings attributable to the Corporate Entities are subject to federal and state income tax.  Net earnings for financial statement purposes may differ significantly from taxable income reportable to Common Unitholders as a result of differences between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of assets and liabilities and the taxable income allocation requirements under the Partnership Agreement.

Income taxes for the Corporate Entities are provided based on the asset and liability approach to accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of differences between the carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period when the change is enacted.  A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that the full amount will not be realized.

 

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Loss Contingencies.  In the normal course of business, the Partnership is involved in various claims and legal proceedings.  The Partnership records a liability for such matters when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amounts can be reasonably estimated.  The liability includes probable and estimable legal costs to the point in the legal matter where the Partnership believes a conclusion to the matter will be reached.  When only a range of possible loss can be established, the most probable amount in the range is accrued.  If no amount within this range is a better estimate than any other amount within the range, the minimum amount in the range is accrued.

Asset Retirement Obligations.  Asset retirement obligations apply to legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and/or the normal operation of a long-lived asset.  The Partnership has recognized asset retirement obligations for certain costs to remove and properly dispose of underground and aboveground fuel oil storage tanks and contractually mandated removal of leasehold improvements.

The Partnership records a liability at fair value for the estimated cost to settle an asset retirement obligation at the time that liability is incurred, which is generally when the asset is purchased, constructed or leased. The Partnership records the liability, which is referred to as the asset retirement obligation, when it has a legal obligation to incur costs to retire the asset and when a reasonable estimate of the fair value of the liability can be made.  If a reasonable estimate cannot be made at the time the liability is incurred, the Partnership records the liability when sufficient information is available to estimate the liability’s fair value.

Unit-Based Compensation.  The Partnership recognizes compensation cost over the respective service period for employee services received in exchange for an award of equity or equity-based compensation based on the grant date fair value of the award.  The Partnership measures liability awards under an equity-based payment arrangement based on remeasurement of the award’s fair value at the conclusion of each interim and annual reporting period until the date of settlement, taking into consideration the probability that the performance conditions will be satisfied.

Costs and Expenses.  The cost of products sold reported in the consolidated statements of operations represents the weighted average unit cost of propane, fuel oil and refined fuels, as well as the cost of natural gas and electricity sold, including transportation costs to deliver product from the Partnership’s supply points to storage or to the Partnership’s customer service centers.  Cost of products sold also includes the cost of appliances, equipment and related parts sold or installed by the Partnership’s customer service centers computed on a basis that approximates the average cost of the products.  Unrealized (non-cash) gains or losses from changes in the fair value of commodity derivative instruments that are not designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in each reporting period within cost of products sold.  Cost of products sold is reported exclusive of any depreciation and amortization as such amounts are reported separately within the consolidated statements of operations.

All other costs of operating the Partnership’s retail propane, fuel oil and refined fuels distribution and appliance sales and service operations, as well as the natural gas and electricity marketing business, are reported within operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.  These operating expenses include the compensation and benefits of field and direct operating support personnel, costs of operating and maintaining the vehicle fleet, overhead and other costs of the purchasing, training and safety departments and other direct and indirect costs of operating the Partnership’s customer service centers.

All costs of back office support functions, including compensation and benefits for executives and other support functions, as well as other costs and expenses to maintain finance and accounting, treasury, legal, human resources, corporate development and the information systems functions are reported within general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

Net Income Per Unit.  Computations of basic income per Common Unit are performed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of outstanding Common Units, and vested (and unissued) restricted units granted under the Partnership’s Restricted Unit Plan, as defined below, to retirement-eligible grantees.  Computations of diluted income per Common Unit are performed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of outstanding Common Units and unissued restricted units granted under the Restricted Unit Plan.  In computing diluted net income per Common Unit, weighted average units outstanding used to compute basic net income per Common Unit were increased by 317,632, 220,112 and 256,794 units for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, to reflect the potential dilutive effect of the unvested restricted units outstanding using the treasury stock method.

Comprehensive Income.  The Partnership reports comprehensive income (the total of net income and all other non-owner changes in partners’ capital) within the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.  Other comprehensive income includes unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges and reclassifications of realized losses on cash flow hedges into earnings, amortization of net actuarial losses and prior service credits into earnings and changes in the funded status of pension and other postretirement benefit plans, and net actuarial losses recognized in earnings associated with pension settlements.

Reclassifications.  Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with current period presentation.  See Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements, below.

 

F-12

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Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements.  In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost” (“ASU 2017-07”).  This update provides guidance on the capitalization, presentation and disclosure of net benefit costs.  ASU 2017-07 is effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be the Partnership’s first quarter of fiscal 2019 and will be applied retrospectively upon adoption.  The Partnership is currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on the Partnership’s consolidated statements of operations.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”).  This update eliminates the second of the two-step goodwill impairment test, as described above.  Instead, an entity should perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.  ASU 2017-04 is effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, which will be the Partnership’s first quarter of fiscal 2021.  Early adoption of ASU 2017-04 is permitted.  The Partnership does not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-04 will have a material impact on the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” (“ASU 2016-15”).  This update addresses eight specific cash flow issues and is intended to reduce diversity in practice on how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows.  ASU 2016-15 is effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be the Partnership’s first quarter of fiscal 2019.  Early adoption of ASU 2016-15 is permitted.  The Partnership is currently evaluating the impact that the standard will have on the Partnership’s consolidated statements of cash flows.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”). This update is intended to simplify several areas of accounting for share-based compensation arrangements, including the income tax impact, classification on the statement of cash flows and forfeitures. ASU 2016-09 is effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, which will be the Partnership’s first quarter of fiscal 2018. Early adoption of ASU 2016-09 is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2016-09 will not have a material impact on the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases” (“ASU 2016-02”). The standard amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets and making targeted changes to lessor accounting. ASU 2016-02 is effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, which will be the Partnership’s first quarter of fiscal 2020. Early adoption of ASU 2016-02 is permitted. The new leases standard requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial application, with an option to use certain transition relief. The Partnership is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2016-02 on the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”).  This update provides a principles-based approach to revenue recognition, requiring revenue recognition to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  The ASU provides a five-step model to be applied to all contracts with customers. The five steps are to identify the contract(s) with the customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and recognize revenue when each performance obligation is satisfied. On July 9, 2015, the FASB finalized a one-year deferral of the effective date of ASU 2014-09.  The revenue standard is therefore effective for the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, which will be the Partnership’s first quarter of fiscal 2019.  Early adoption as of the original effective date is permitted.  ASU 2014-09 can be applied either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or with the cumulative effect of initially applying the update recognized at the date of the initial application along with additional disclosures.  While the Partnership is still in the process of evaluating the potential impact of ASU 2014-09, it does not expect its adoption will have a material impact on the Partnership’s consolidated financial statements.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements.  During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, the Partnership adopted new accounting guidance regarding the classification of deferred debt issuance costs under ASU 2015-03 “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.” Deferred debt issuance costs associated with long-term debt are now reflected as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of such debt rather than as a deferred charge. Total deferred debt issuance costs were $19,219 and $17,391 at September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, respectively. Deferred debt issuance costs associated with line-of-credit arrangements remain classified as other assets on the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheet.  As of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, the Partnership has reflected $15,481 and $13,670 of such costs as a reduction to long-term debt on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, respectively.  Refer to Note 8, “Long-Term Borrowings” for a tabular display of long-term borrowings.

 

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On April 22, 2016, the Operating Partnership sold certain assets and operations in a non-strategic market of its propane segment for $26,000, including $5,000 representing non-compete consideration that will be received over a five-year period, resulting in a gain of $9,769 that was recognized during the third quarter of fiscal 2016.  The corresponding net assets and results of operations were not material to the Partnership’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

On December 15, 2015, the Operating Partnership acquired the assets of Propane USA Distribution, LLC (“Propane USA”), a propane marketer headquartered in Margate, Florida, and its affiliate companies, for $45,000, including $3,000 for non-compete consideration, plus working capital acquired.  As of September 24, 2016, $42,945 was paid, of which $41,250 was paid at closing, and the remainder of the purchase price will be funded in accordance with the terms of the non-compete agreements.  The acquisition of Propane USA was consummated pursuant to the Partnership’s strategic growth initiatives and was funded entirely from cash on hand.  The purchase price allocation and results of operations of Propane USA were not material to the Partnership’s consolidated financial position and statement of operations.

 

 

The Partnership makes distributions to its partners no later than 45 days after the end of each fiscal quarter in an aggregate amount equal to its Available Cash for such quarter.  Available Cash, as defined in the Partnership Agreement, generally means all cash on hand at the end of the respective fiscal quarter less the amount of cash reserves established by the Board of Supervisors in its reasonable discretion for future cash requirements.  These reserves are retained for the proper conduct of the Partnership’s business, the payment of debt principal and interest and for distributions during the next four quarters.

The following summarizes the quarterly distributions per Common Unit declared and paid in respect of each of the quarters in the three fiscal years in the period ended September 30, 2017:

 

 

 

Inventories consist of the following:

 

 

The Partnership enters into contracts for the supply of propane, fuel oil and natural gas.  Such contracts generally have a term of one year subject to annual renewal, with purchase quantities specified at the time of order and costs based on market prices at the date of delivery.

 

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Property, plant and equipment consist of the following:

 

 

Depreciation expense for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015 amounted to $71,484, $72,471 and $75,920, respectively.

 

 

The Partnership’s fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 annual goodwill impairment review resulted in no adjustments to the carrying amount of goodwill.

The carrying values of goodwill assigned to the Partnership’s operating segments are as follows:

 

 

Other intangible assets consist of the following:

 

 

Aggregate amortization expense related to other intangible assets for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $56,454, $57,145 and $57,374, respectively.  Aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years related to other intangible assets held as of September 30, 2017 is estimated as follows: 2018 - $56,094; 2019 - $55,071; 2020 - $54,086; 2021 - $44,577; and 2022 - $3,457.

 

 

For federal income tax purposes, as well as for state income tax purposes in the majority of the states in which the Partnership operates, the earnings attributable to the Partnership and the Operating Partnership are not subject to income tax at the partnership level.  With the exception of those states that impose an entity-level income tax on partnerships, the taxable income or loss attributable

 

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to the Partnership and to the Operating Partnership, which may vary substantially from the income (loss) before income taxes reported by the Partnership in the consolidated statement of operations, are includable in the federal and state income tax returns of the Common Unitholders.  The aggregate difference in the basis of the Partnership’s net assets for financial and tax reporting purposes cannot be readily determined as the Partnership does not have access to each Common Unitholder’s basis in the Partnership.

As described in Note 1 and Note 2, the earnings of the Corporate Entities are subject to corporate level federal and state income tax.  However, based upon past performance, the Corporate Entities are currently reporting an income tax provision composed primarily of minimum state income taxes.  A full valuation allowance has been provided against the deferred tax assets based upon an analysis of all available evidence, both negative and positive at the balance sheet date, which, taken as a whole, indicates that it is more likely than not that sufficient future taxable income will not be available to utilize the assets.  Management’s periodic reviews include, among other things, the nature and amount of the taxable income and expense items, the expected timing of when assets will be used or liabilities will be required to be reported and the reliability of historical profitability of businesses expected to provide future earnings.  Furthermore, management considered tax-planning strategies it could use to increase the likelihood that the deferred tax assets will be realized.

The income tax provision of all the legal entities included in the Partnership’s consolidated statement of operations, which is composed primarily of state income taxes in the few states that impose taxes on partnerships and minimum state income taxes on the Corporate Entities, consists of the following:

 

 

The provision for income taxes differs from income taxes computed at the United States federal statutory rate as a result of the following:

 

 

 

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The components of net deferred taxes and the related valuation allowance using currently enacted tax rates are as follows:

 

 

 

 

Long-term borrowings consist of the following:

 

Senior Notes

2021 Senior Notes

On August 1, 2012, the Partnership and its 100%-owned subsidiary, Suburban Energy Finance Corp., issued $503,443 in aggregate principal amount of unregistered 7.375% senior notes due August 1, 2021 (the “2021 Senior Notes”) in a private placement in conjunction with the acquisition of the retail propane assets and operations of Inergy, L.P. (“Inergy”). The 2021 Senior Notes required semi-annual interest payments in February and August.  On December 19, 2012, the Partnership completed an offer to exchange its then-outstanding unregistered 7.375% senior notes due 2021 for an equal principal amount of 7.375% senior notes due 2021 that were registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

On August 2, 2013, the Partnership repurchased, pursuant to an optional redemption, $133,400 of its 2021 Senior Notes using net proceeds from a public offering of Common Units and net proceeds from the underwriters’ exercise of their over-allotment option to purchase additional Common Units.  In addition, on August 6, 2013, the Partnership repurchased $23,863 of 2021 Senior Notes in a private transaction using cash on hand.  

 

 

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On February 14, 2017, the Partnership repurchased, satisfied and discharged all of its remaining outstanding 2021 Senior Notes with net proceeds from the issuance of the 2027 Senior Notes, as defined below, and borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, also as defined below, pursuant to a tender offer and redemption.  In connection with this tender offer and redemption, the Partnership recognized a loss on the extinguishment of debt of $1,567 consisting of $15,078 for the redemption premium and related fees, as well as the write-off of $2,272 and ($15,783) in unamortized debt origination costs and unamortized premium, respectively.

2024 Senior Notes

On May 27, 2014, the Partnership and its 100%-owned subsidiary, Suburban Energy Finance Corp., completed a public offering of $525,000 in aggregate principal amount of 5.5% senior notes due June 1, 2024 (the “2024 Senior Notes”).  The 2024 Senior Notes were issued at 100% of the principal amount and require semi-annual interest payments in June and December.  The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2024 Senior Notes, along with cash on hand, were used to repurchase, satisfy and discharge all of the Partnership’s then-outstanding 7.5% senior notes due 2018.

The 2024 Senior Notes are redeemable, at the Partnership’s option, in whole or in part, at any time on or after June 1, 2019, in each case at the redemption prices described in the table below, together with any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of the redemption.

 

2025 Senior Notes

On February 25, 2015, the Partnership and its 100%-owned subsidiary, Suburban Energy Finance Corp., completed a public offering of $250,000 in aggregate principal amount of 5.75% senior notes due March 1, 2025 (the “2025 Senior Notes”).  The 2025 Senior Notes were issued at 100% of the principal amount and require semi-annual interest payments in March and September.  The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2025 Senior Notes, along with cash on hand, were used to repurchase, satisfy and discharge all of the Partnership’s then-outstanding 7.375% senior notes due in 2020.

The 2025 Senior Notes are redeemable, at the Partnership’s option, in whole or in part, at any time on or after March 1, 2020, in each case at the redemption prices described in the table below, together with any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of the redemption.

 

2027 Senior Notes

On February 14, 2017, the Partnership and its 100%-owned subsidiary, Suburban Energy Finance Corp., completed a public offering of $350,000 in aggregate principal amount of 5.875% senior notes due March 1, 2027 (the “2027 Senior Notes”).  The 2027 Senior Notes were issued at 100% of the principal amount and require semi-annual interest payments in March and September.  The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2027 Senior Notes, along with borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, were used to repurchase, satisfy and discharge all of the 2021 Senior Notes.

The 2027 Senior Notes are redeemable, at the Partnership’s option, in whole or in part, at any time on or after March 1, 2022, in each case at the redemption prices described in the table below, together with any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of the redemption.

 

 

 

F-18

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The Partnership’s obligations under the 2024 Senior Notes, 2025 Senior Notes and 2027 Senior Notes (collectively, the “Senior Notes”) are unsecured and rank senior in right of payment to any future subordinated indebtedness and equally in right of payment with any future senior indebtedness.  The Senior Notes are structurally subordinated to, which means they rank effectively behind, any debt and other liabilities of the Operating Partnership.  The Partnership is permitted to redeem some or all of the Senior Notes at redemption prices and times as specified in the indentures governing the Senior Notes.  The Senior Notes each have a change of control provision that would require the Partnership to offer to repurchase the notes at 101% of the principal amount repurchased, if a change of control, as defined in the indenture, occurs and is followed by a rating decline (a decrease in the rating of the notes by either Moody’s Investors Service or Standard and Poor’s Rating Group by one or more gradations) within 90 days of the consummation of the change of control.

Credit Agreement

The Operating Partnership has an amended and restated credit agreement, dated March 3, 2016 (the “Amended Credit Agreement”) that provides for a five-year $500,000 revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) with a maturity date of March 3, 2021, of which $162,645 and $100,000 was outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, respectively.  Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility may be used for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures and acquisitions.  The Operating Partnership has the right to prepay any borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, in whole or in part, without penalty at any time prior to maturity.  In connection with the March 3, 2016 amendment and restatement, the Partnership recognized a non-cash charge of $292 during the second quarter of fiscal 2016 to write off a portion of unamortized debt origination costs of the previous credit agreement.  

The Amended Credit Agreement contains certain restrictive and affirmative covenants applicable to the Operating Partnership, its subsidiaries and the Partnership, as well as certain financial covenants, including (a) requiring the Partnership’s Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio, as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement, to be not less than 2.5 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter, (b) prohibiting the Total Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement, of the Partnership from being greater than 5.5 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter and (c) prohibiting the Senior Secured Consolidated Leverage Ratio, as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement, of the Operating Partnership from being greater than 3.0 to 1.0 as of the end of any fiscal quarter.  

On May 1, 2017, the Operating Partnership secured an amendment to the Amended Credit Agreement that provides for certain modifications to the terms of the Amended Credit Agreement, including the following: (i) amendment of the definition of Applicable Rate (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) to add an additional pricing level of 3.00% for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Letter of Credit Fees, 2.00% for Base Rate Loans and 0.500% for Commitment Fee, which would be applicable should the Total Consolidated Leverage Ratio exceed 5.5 to 1.0 at the end of the applicable measuring period and (ii) amendment of the maximum permitted Total Consolidated Leverage Ratio from 5.5 to 1.0 at the end of any fiscal quarter to 5.95 to 1.0 for each fiscal quarter ending in June, September and December 2017, and March and June 2018, 5.75 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarter ending in September 2018, and 5.5 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarter ending in December 2018 and for each fiscal quarter thereafter.

The Partnership and certain subsidiaries of the Operating Partnership act as guarantors with respect to the obligations of the Operating Partnership under the Amended Credit Agreement pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth therein.  The obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement are secured by liens on substantially all of the personal property of the Partnership, the Operating Partnership and their subsidiaries, as well as mortgages on certain real property.

Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at prevailing interest rates based upon, at the Operating Partnership’s option, LIBOR plus the Applicable Rate, or the base rate, defined as the higher of the Federal Funds Rate plus ½ of 1%, the administrative agent bank’s prime rate, or LIBOR plus 1%, plus in each case the Applicable Rate.  The Applicable Rate is dependent upon the Partnership’s Total Consolidated Leverage Ratio.  As of September 30, 2017, the interest rate for borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility was approximately 3.8%.  The interest rate and the Applicable Rate will be reset following the end of each calendar quarter.

In connection with the previous credit agreement, the Operating Partnership entered into an interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $100,000, an effective date of June 25, 2013 and a termination date of January 5, 2017.  Under this interest rate swap agreement, the Operating Partnership paid a fixed interest rate of 1.63% to the issuing lender on the notional principal amount outstanding, and the issuing lender paid the Operating Partnership a floating rate, namely LIBOR, on the same notional principal amount.  The interest rate swap was designated as a cash flow hedge.  The Partnership did not enter into a new interest rate swap agreement upon termination.

As of September 30, 2017, the Partnership had standby letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility of $41,413 which expire periodically through April 3, 2018.

 

F-19

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The Amended Credit Agreement and the Senior Notes both contain various restrictive and affirmative covenants applicable to the Operating Partnership, its subsidiaries and the Partnership, respectively, including (i) restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, and (ii) restrictions on certain liens, investments, guarantees, loans, advances, payments, mergers, consolidations, distributions, sales of assets and other transactions.  Under the Amended Credit Agreement and the indentures governing the Senior Notes, the Operating Partnership and the Partnership are generally permitted to make cash distributions equal to available cash, as defined, as of the end of the immediately preceding quarter, if no event of default exists or would exist upon making such distributions, and with respect to the indentures governing the Senior Notes, the Partnership’s Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as defined, is greater than 1.75 to 1.  The Partnership and the Operating Partnership were in compliance with all covenants and terms of the Senior Notes and the Amended Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2017.

Debt origination costs representing the costs incurred in connection with the placement of, and the subsequent amendment to, the Amended Credit Agreement are capitalized within other assets and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the Amended Credit Agreement. Debt origination costs associated with the Partnership’s Senior Notes are reflected as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of such debt and amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the respective Senior Notes. During fiscal 2017, the Partnership recognized charges of $1,567 to write-off unamortized debt origination costs associated with the tender offer and redemption of its 2021 Senior Notes and capitalized $6,100 in connection with the issuance of the 2027 Senior Notes.  During fiscal 2016, the Partnership recognized charges of $292 to write-off unamortized debt origination costs and capitalized $2,678 in costs incurred in connection with the amendments to the Amended Credit Agreement.  During fiscal 2015, the Partnership recognized charges of $2,855 to write-off unamortized debt origination costs associated with the tender offer and redemption of its 2020 Senior Notes.  Other assets at September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016 include debt origination costs associated with our Amended Credit Agreement with a net carrying amount of $3,738 and $3,721, respectively.

The aggregate amounts of long-term debt maturities subsequent to September 30, 2017 are as follows: fiscal 2018: $-0-; fiscal 2019: $-0-; fiscal 2020: $-0-; fiscal 2021: $162,645; fiscal 2022: $-0-; and thereafter: $1,125,000.

 

 

As described in Note 2, the Partnership recognizes compensation cost over the respective service period for employee services received in exchange for an award of equity, or equity-based compensation, based on the grant date fair value of the award.  The Partnership measures liability awards under an equity-based payment arrangement based on remeasurement of the award’s fair value at the conclusion of each interim and annual reporting period until the date of settlement, taking into consideration the probability that the performance conditions will be satisfied.

Restricted Unit Plan.  On July 22, 2009, the Partnership adopted the Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. 2009 Restricted Unit Plan, as amended (the “Restricted Unit Plan”), which authorizes the issuance of Common Units to executives, managers and other employees and members of the Board of Supervisors of the Partnership.  The total number of Common Units authorized for issuance under the Restricted Unit Plan was 2,400,000 as of September 30, 2017.  In accordance with an August 6, 2013 amendment to the Restricted Unit Plan, unless otherwise stipulated by the Compensation Committee of the Partnership’s Board of Supervisors on or before the grant date, all restricted unit awards granted after the date of the amendment will vest 33.33% on each of the first three anniversaries of the award grant date.  Prior to the August 6, 2013 amendment, unless otherwise stipulated by the Compensation Committee of the Partnership’s Board of Supervisors on or before the grant date, restricted units issued under the Restricted Unit Plan vest over time with 25% of the Common Units vesting at the end of each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date and the remaining 50% of the Common Units vesting at the end of the fifth anniversary of the grant date.  The Restricted Unit Plan participants are not eligible to receive quarterly distributions on, or vote, their respective restricted units until vested.  Restricted units cannot be sold or transferred prior to vesting. The value of the restricted unit is established by the market price of the Common Unit on the date of grant, net of estimated future distributions during the vesting period.  Restricted units are subject to forfeiture in certain circumstances as defined in the Restricted Unit Plan. Compensation expense for the unvested awards is recognized ratably over the vesting periods and is net of estimated forfeitures.

 

F-20

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The following is a summary of activity in the Restricted Unit Plan:

 

 

 

As of September 30, 2017, unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted units awarded under the Restricted Unit Plan amounted to $3,144. Compensation cost associated with the unvested awards is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.2 years.  Compensation expense for the Restricted Unit Plan for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $7,286, $8,256 and $8,611, respectively.

Distribution Equivalent Rights Plan.  On January 17, 2017, the Partnership adopted the Distribution Equivalent Rights Plan (the “DER Plan”), which gives the Compensation Committee of the Partnership’s Board of Supervisors discretion to award distribution equivalent rights (“DERs”) to executive officers of the Partnership.  Once awarded, DERs entitle the grantee to a cash payment each time the Board of Supervisors declares a cash distribution on the Partnership’s Common Units, which cash payment will be equal to an amount calculated by multiplying the number of unvested restricted units which are held by the grantee on the record date of the distribution, by the amount of the declared distribution per Common Unit.  Compensation expense recognized under the DER Plan was $778 for the year ended September 30, 2017.

Long-Term Incentive Plan.  On August 6, 2013, the Partnership adopted the 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”).  The LTIP is a non-qualified, unfunded, long-term incentive plan for officers and key employees that provides for payment, in the form of cash, of an award of equity-based compensation at the end of a three-year performance period.  The level of compensation earned under the LTIP is based on the Partnership’s average distribution coverage ratio over the three-year measurement period.  The Partnership’s average distribution coverage ratio is calculated as the Partnership’s average distributable cash flow, as defined by the LTIP, for each of the three years in the measurement period, subject to certain adjustments as set forth in the LTIP, divided by the amount of annualized cash distributions to be paid by the Partnership. Compensation expense (income), which includes adjustments to previously recognized compensation expense (income) for current period changes in the fair value of unvested awards, for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015 was ($389), ($1,362) and $1,814, respectively.  The cash payouts in fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, which related to the fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 awards, were $-0-, $1,473 and $-0-, respectively.

 

 

Defined Contribution Plan.  The Partnership has an employee Retirement Savings and Investment Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) covering most employees.  Employer matching contributions relating to the 401(k) Plan prior to the 2017 calendar year were a percentage of the participating employees’ elective contributions based on a sliding scale depending on the Partnership’s achievement of annual fiscal performance targets.  Pursuant to an amendment to the 401(k) Plan adopted as of January 1, 2017, the employer contribution will be a match of $0.50 on up to 6% of eligible compensation contributed beginning with the 2017 calendar year with the opportunity to earn an additional performance-based matching contribution if certain annual fiscal performance targets are achieved.  These contribution costs were $4,041, $1,477 and $1,844 for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

F-21

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Defined Pension and Retiree Health and Life Benefits Arrangements

Pension Benefits.  The Partnership has a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan which was originally designed to cover all eligible employees of the Partnership who met certain requirements as to age and length of service.  Effective January 1, 1998, the Partnership amended its defined benefit pension plan to provide benefits under a cash balance formula as compared to a final average pay formula which was in effect prior to January 1, 1998.  Effective January 1, 2000, participation in the defined benefit pension plan was limited to eligible existing participants on that date with no new participants eligible to participate in the plan.  On September 20, 2002, the Board of Supervisors approved an amendment to the defined benefit pension plan whereby, effective January 1, 2003, future service credits ceased and eligible employees receive interest credits only toward their ultimate retirement benefit.  

Contributions, as needed, are made to a trust maintained by the Partnership.  Contributions to the defined benefit pension plan are made by the Partnership in accordance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 minimum funding standards plus additional amounts made at the discretion of the Partnership, which may be determined from time to time.  Contributions of $11,523 and $715 were made by the Partnership in fiscal 2017 and 2016, respectively.  There were no minimum funding requirements for the defined benefit pension plan in fiscal 2015.  In fiscal 2010, the Internal Revenue Service completed its review of the Partnership’s defined benefit pension plan and issued a favorable determination letter pertaining to the cash balance formula.  However, there can be no assurances that future legislative developments will not have an adverse effect on the Partnership’s results of operations or cash flows.

Retiree Health and Life Benefits.  The Partnership provides postretirement health care and life insurance benefits for certain retired employees.  Partnership employees hired prior to July 1993 and who retired prior to March 1998 are eligible for postretirement health care benefits if they reached a specified retirement age while working for the Partnership.  Partnership employees hired prior to July 1993 and who retired prior to January 1998 are eligible for life insurance benefits if they reached a specified retirement age while working for the Partnership. Effective January 1, 2017, the Partnership terminated postretirement life insurance benefits to all retirees that retired after December 31, 1997.  Effective March 31, 1998, the Partnership froze participation in its postretirement health care benefit plan, with no new retirees eligible to participate in the plan. All active employees who were eligible to receive health care benefits under the postretirement plan subsequent to March 1, 1998, were provided an increase to their accumulated benefits under the cash balance pension plan.  The Partnership’s postretirement health care and life insurance benefit plans are unfunded.  Effective January 1, 2006, the Partnership changed its postretirement health care plan from a self-insured program to one that is fully insured under which the Partnership pays a portion of the insurance premium on behalf of the eligible participants.  

The Partnership recognizes the funded status of pension and other postretirement benefit plans as an asset or liability on the balance sheet and recognizes changes in the funded status in other comprehensive income (loss) in the year the changes occur.  The Partnership uses the date of its consolidated financial statements as the measurement date of plan assets and obligations.

 

F-22

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Projected Benefit Obligation, Fair Value of Plan Assets and Funded Status. The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the benefit obligations and the fair value of the plan assets for fiscal 2017 and 2016 and a statement of the funded status for both years.  Under the Partnership’s cash balance defined benefit pension plan, the accumulated benefit obligation and the projected benefit obligation are the same.

 

 

The amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of September 30, 2017 that are expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit costs during fiscal 2018 are expenses of $3,683 and credits of ($1,152) for pension and other postretirement benefits, respectively.

Plan Assets.  The Partnership’s investment policies and strategies, as set forth in the Investment Management Policy and Guidelines, are monitored by a Benefits Committee comprised of six members of management.  The Partnership employs a liability driven investment strategy, which seeks to increase the correlation of the plan’s assets and liabilities to reduce the volatility of the plan’s funded status. This strategy has resulted in an asset allocation that is largely comprised of investments in funds of fixed income securities.  The target asset mix is as follows: (i) fixed income securities portion of the portfolio should range between 80% and 90%; and (ii) equity securities portion of the portfolio should range between 10% and 20%.

 

F-23

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The following table presents the actual allocation of assets held in trust as of:

 

 

The Partnership’s valuations include the use of the funds’ reported net asset values for commingled fund investments.  Commingled funds are valued at the net asset value of its underlying securities.  The assets of the defined benefit pension plan have no significant concentration of risk and there are no restrictions on these investments.

The following table describes the measurement of the Partnership’s pension plan assets by asset category as of:

 

 

Projected Contributions and Benefit Payments.  The Partnership expects to contribute approximately $10,290 to the defined benefit pension plan during fiscal 2018.  Estimated future benefit payments for both pension and retiree health and life benefits are as follows:

 

 

Estimated future pension benefit payments assumes that age 65 or older active and non-active eligible participants in the pension plan that had not received a benefit payment prior to fiscal 2018 will elect to receive a benefit payment in fiscal 2018.  In addition, for all periods presented, estimated future pension benefit payments assumes that participants will elect a lump sum payment in the fiscal year that the participant becomes eligible to receive benefits.

 

F-24

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Effect on Operations. The following table provides the components of net periodic benefit costs included in operating expenses for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015:

 

 

Effective June 1, 2017, the Partnership amended the defined benefit pension plan to provide eligible terminated vested participants with a limited-time opportunity to elect immediate distribution of their benefits in the form of a single lump sum.  Lump sum pension settlement payments for fiscal 2017 included $16,237 in benefits paid to those that participated in this limited-time opportunity, which expired in August 2017.

 

During fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, lump sum pension settlement payments to either terminated or retired individuals amounted to $20,799, $5,816 and $5,777, respectively, which exceeded the settlement threshold (combined service and interest costs of net periodic pension cost) of $4,164, $5,041 and $5,128, respectively. As a result, the Partnership was required to recognize a non-cash settlement charge of $6,100, $2,000 and $2,000 during fiscal 2017, fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, respectively.  The non-cash charges were required to accelerate recognition of a portion of cumulative unamortized losses in the defined benefit pension plan.  

 

Actuarial Assumptions.  The assumptions used in the measurement of the Partnership’s benefit obligations as of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016 are shown in the following table:

 

 

The assumptions used in the measurement of net periodic pension benefit and postretirement benefit costs for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015 are shown in the following table:

 

 

The discount rate assumption takes into consideration current market expectations related to long-term interest rates and the projected duration of the Partnership’s pension obligations based on a benchmark index with similar characteristics as the expected cash flow requirements of the Partnership’s defined benefit pension plan over the long-term. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption reflects estimated future performance in the Partnership’s pension asset portfolio considering the investment mix of the pension asset portfolio and historical asset performance.  The expected return on plan assets is determined based on the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and the market-related value of plan assets.  The market-related value of pension plan assets is the fair value of the assets.  Unrecognized actuarial gains and losses in excess of 10% of the greater of the projected benefit obligation and the market-related value of plan assets are amortized over the expected average remaining service period of active employees expected to receive benefits under the plan.

The 6.57% increase in health care costs assumed at September 30, 2017 is assumed to decrease gradually to 4.50% in fiscal 2040 and to remain at that level thereafter.  An increase or decrease of the assumed health care cost trend rates by 1.0% in each year would have no material impact to the Partnership’s benefit obligation as of September 30, 2017 nor the aggregate of service and interest components of net periodic postretirement benefit expense for fiscal 2017.  The Partnership has concluded that the prescription drug benefits within the retiree medical plan do not entitle the Partnership to an available Medicare subsidy.

 

F-25

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Multi-Employer Pension Plans.  As a result of the acquisition of the retail propane assets of Inergy, the Partnership contributes to multi-employer pension plans (“MEPPs”) in accordance with various collective bargaining agreements covering union employees.  As one of the many participating employers in these MEPPs, the Partnership is responsible with the other participating employers for any plan underfunding.  During fiscal 2013, the Partnership established an accrual of $7,000 for its estimated obligation to certain MEPPs due to the Partnership’s voluntary partial withdrawal from one such MEPP and full withdrawal from four MEPPs.  During fiscal 2015, the Partnership accrued $11,300 for its further voluntary partial withdrawal, and during fiscal 2016 the Partnership accrued an additional $6,600 for its voluntary full withdrawal.  As of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, the Partnership’s estimated obligation to these MEPPs was $23,665 and $24,205, respectively.  Due to the uncertainty regarding future factors that could impact the withdrawal liability, the Partnership is unable to determine the timing of the payment of the future withdrawal liability, or additional future withdrawal liability, if any.

The Partnership’s contributions to a particular MEPP are established by the applicable collective bargaining agreements (“CBAs”); however, the required contributions may increase based on the funded status of a MEPP and legal requirements of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (the “PPA”), which requires substantially underfunded MEPPs to implement a funding improvement plan (“FIP”) or a rehabilitation plan (“RP”) to improve their funded status.  Factors that could impact funded status of a MEPP include, without limitation, investment performance, changes in the participant demographics, decline in the number of contributing employers, changes in actuarial assumptions and the utilization of extended amortization provisions.

While no multi-employer pension plan that the Partnership contributed to is individually significant to the Partnership, the table below discloses the MEPPs to which the Partnership contributes.  The financial health of a MEPP is indicated by the zone status, as defined by the PPA, which represents the funded status of the plan as certified by the plan's actuary.  Plans in the red zone are less than 65% funded, the yellow zone are between 65% and 80% funded, and green zone are at least 80% funded.  Total contributions made by the Partnership to multi-employer pension plans for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 are shown below.

 

 

 

Additionally, the Partnership contributes to certain multi-employer plans that provide health and welfare benefits and defined annuity plans.  Contributions to those plans were $1,089, $1,446 and $1,817 for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents.  The fair value of cash and cash equivalents is not materially different from their carrying amount because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.  The Partnership measures the fair value of its exchange-traded commodity-related options and futures contracts using Level 1 inputs, the fair value of its commodity-related swap contracts and interest rate swaps using Level 2 inputs and the fair value of its over-the-counter commodity-related options contracts using Level 3 inputs.  The Partnership’s over-the-counter options contracts are valued based on an internal option model.  The inputs utilized in the model are based on publicly available information, as well as broker quotes.

 

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The following summarizes the fair value of the Partnership’s derivative instruments and their location in the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, respectively:

 

 

The following summarizes the reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs:

 

 

As of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, the Partnership’s outstanding commodity-related derivatives had a weighted average maturity of approximately five and six months, respectively.

The effect of the Partnership’s derivative instruments on the consolidated statements of operations for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:

 

 

 

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The following table presents the fair value of the Partnership’s recognized derivative assets and liabilities on a gross basis and amounts offset on the consolidated balance sheets subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or similar agreements:

 

 

 

The Partnership had $-0- and $206 posted cash collateral as of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, respectively, with its brokers for outstanding commodity-related derivatives.

Concentrations.  The Partnership’s principal customers are residential and commercial end users of propane and fuel oil and refined fuels served by 668 locations in 41 states.  No single customer accounted for more than 10% of revenues during fiscal 2017, 2016 or 2015 and no concentration of receivables exists as of September 30, 2017 or September 24, 2016.

During fiscal 2017, Crestwood Equity Partners L.P., Targa Liquids Marketing and Trade LLC, Phillips 66 Company, Enterprise Products Partners L.P. and Plains Marketing Company provided approximately 19%, 14%, 11%, 11% and 10% of the Partnership’s total propane purchases, respectively.  No other single supplier accounted for more than 10% of the Partnership’s propane purchases in fiscal 2017.  The Partnership believes that, if supplies from any of these suppliers were interrupted, it would be able to secure adequate propane supplies from other sources without a material disruption of its operations.

Credit Risk.  Exchange-traded futures and options contracts are traded on and guaranteed by the NYMEX and as a result, have minimal credit risk.  Futures contracts traded with brokers of the NYMEX require daily cash settlements in margin accounts.  The Partnership is subject to credit risk with over-the-counter swaps and options contracts entered into with various third parties to the extent the counterparties do not perform.  The Partnership evaluates the financial condition of each counterparty with which it conducts business and establishes credit limits to reduce exposure to credit risk based on non-performance.  The Partnership does not require collateral to support the contracts.

 

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Bank Debt and Senior Notes.  The fair value of the Revolving Credit Facility approximates the carrying value since the interest rates are adjusted quarterly to reflect market conditions.  Based upon quoted market prices, the fair value of the Partnership’s 2024 Senior Notes, 2025 Senior Notes, and 2027 Senior Notes was, $527,888, $248,750, $349,125 respectively, as of September 30, 2017.

 

 

Commitments. The Partnership leases certain property, plant and equipment, including portions of the Partnership’s vehicle fleet, for various periods under noncancelable leases.  Rental expense under operating leases was $30,582, $29,171 and $32,737 for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Future minimum rental commitments under noncancelable operating lease agreements as of September 30, 2017 are as follows:

 

 

Contingencies

Self-Insurance. As described in Note 2, the Partnership is self-insured for general and product, workers’ compensation and automobile liabilities up to predetermined amounts above which third party insurance applies.  At September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, the Partnership had accrued liabilities of $68,581 and $59,676, respectively, representing the total estimated losses under these self-insurance programs.  For the portion of the estimated liability that exceeds insurance deductibles, the Partnership records an asset within other assets (or prepaid expenses and other current assets, as applicable) related to the amount of the liability expected to be covered by insurance which amounted to $18,626 and $15,524 as of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, respectively.

Legal Matters. The Partnership’s operations are subject to operating hazards and risks normally incidental to handling, storing and delivering combustible liquids such as propane.  The Partnership has been, and will continue to be, a defendant in various legal proceedings and litigation as a result of these operating hazards and risks, and as a result of other aspects of its business.  Although any litigation is inherently uncertain, based on past experience, the information currently available to the Partnership, and the amount of its accrued insurance liabilities, the Partnership does not believe that currently pending or threatened litigation matters, or known claims or known contingent claims, will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, financial condition or cash flow.

 

 

The Partnership has residual value guarantees associated with certain of its operating leases, related primarily to transportation equipment, with remaining lease periods scheduled to expire periodically through fiscal 2024.  Upon completion of the lease period, the Partnership guarantees that the fair value of the equipment will equal or exceed the guaranteed amount, or the Partnership will pay the lessor the difference.  Although the fair value of equipment at the end of its lease term has historically exceeded the guaranteed amounts, the maximum potential amount of aggregate future payments the Partnership could be required to make under these leasing arrangements, assuming the equipment is deemed worthless at the end of the lease term, was $14,704 as of September 30, 2017.  The fair value of residual value guarantees for outstanding operating leases was de minimis as of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016.

 

 

 

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The following table summarizes amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income for the years ended September 30, 2017, September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015:

 

 

 

 

 

F-30

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The Partnership manages and evaluates its operations in four operating segments, three of which are reportable segments: Propane, Fuel Oil and Refined Fuels and Natural Gas and Electricity.  The chief operating decision maker evaluates performance of the operating segments using a number of performance measures, including gross margins and income before interest expense and provision for income taxes (operating profit).  Costs excluded from these profit measures are captured in Corporate and include corporate overhead expenses not allocated to the operating segments.  Unallocated corporate overhead expenses include all costs of back office support functions that are reported as general and administrative expenses within the consolidated statements of operations.  In addition, certain costs associated with field operations support that are reported in operating expenses within the consolidated statements of operations, including purchasing, training and safety, are not allocated to the individual operating segments.  Thus, operating profit for each operating segment includes only the costs that are directly attributable to the operations of the individual segment. The accounting policies of the operating segments are otherwise the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 2.

The propane segment is primarily engaged in the retail distribution of propane to residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural customers and, to a lesser extent, wholesale distribution to large industrial end users.  In the residential and commercial markets, propane is used primarily for space heating, water heating, cooking and clothes drying. Industrial customers use propane generally as a motor fuel burned in internal combustion engines that power over-the-road vehicles, forklifts and stationary engines, to fire furnaces and as a cutting gas.  In the agricultural markets, propane is primarily used for tobacco curing, crop drying, poultry brooding and weed control.

The fuel oil and refined fuels segment is primarily engaged in the retail distribution of fuel oil, diesel, kerosene and gasoline to residential and commercial customers for use primarily as a source of heat in homes and buildings.

The natural gas and electricity segment is engaged in the marketing of natural gas and electricity to residential and commercial customers in the deregulated energy markets of New York and Pennsylvania.  Under this operating segment, the Partnership owns the relationship with the end consumer and has agreements with the local distribution companies to deliver the natural gas or electricity from the Partnership’s suppliers to the customer.

Activities in the “all other” category include the Partnership’s service business, which is primarily engaged in the sale, installation and servicing of a wide variety of home comfort equipment, particularly in the areas of heating and ventilation.

 

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The following table presents certain data by reportable segment and provides a reconciliation of total operating segment information to the corresponding consolidated amounts for the periods presented:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

 

S-1

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SCHEDULE II

SUBURBAN PROPANE PARTNERS, L.P. AND SUBSIDIARIES

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

S-2