PLXS-2015.07.04-10Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 

FORM 10-Q

ý
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended July 4, 2015
or
 
¨
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Commission File Number 001-14423
 
PLEXUS CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
 
Wisconsin
 
39-1344447
(State of Incorporation)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
One Plexus Way
Neenah, Wisconsin 54957
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
Telephone Number (920) 969-6000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including Area Code) 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
ý
  
Accelerated filer
¨
Non-accelerated filer
¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  
Smaller reporting company
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  ý
As of August 5, 2015, there were 33,636,883 shares of Common Stock of the Company outstanding.



Table of Contents

PLEXUS CORP.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
July 4, 2015
 
 
 


2

Table of Contents

PART I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PLEXUS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands, except per share data)
Unaudited
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
Net sales
$
669,585

 
$
620,505

 
$
1,985,560

 
$
1,712,026

Cost of sales
610,498

 
561,912

 
1,805,282

 
1,549,096

Gross profit
59,087

 
58,593

 
180,278

 
162,930

Selling and administrative expenses
30,456

 
29,180

 
91,722

 
83,106

Restructuring and impairment charges

 
1,215

 
1,691

 
10,865

Operating income
28,631

 
28,198

 
86,865

 
68,959

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
(3,280
)
 
(3,055
)
 
(10,440
)
 
(8,952
)
Interest income
866

 
770

 
2,552

 
2,092

Miscellaneous
471

 
1,271

 
549

 
2,182

Income before income taxes
26,688

 
27,184

 
79,526

 
64,281

Income tax expense
2,894

 
2,600

 
9,059

 
3,518

Net income
$
23,794

 
$
24,584

 
$
70,467

 
$
60,763

Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.71

 
$
0.73

 
$
2.10

 
$
1.80

Diluted
$
0.69

 
$
0.71

 
$
2.05

 
$
1.75

Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
33,653

 
33,837

 
33,617

 
33,810

Diluted
34,454

 
34,670

 
34,400

 
34,686

Comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
23,794

 
$
24,584

 
$
70,467

 
$
60,763

Other comprehensive (loss) income — net of income tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative instrument fair value adjustments
941

 
1,510

 
(5,017
)
 
2,373

Foreign currency translation adjustments
(1,434
)
 
(1,276
)
 
(8,161
)
 
(1,756
)
    Other comprehensive (loss) income
(493
)
 
234

 
(13,178
)
 
617

Total comprehensive income
$
23,301

 
$
24,818

 
$
57,289

 
$
61,380

See notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Table of Contents

PLEXUS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share data)
Unaudited
 
 
July 4,
2015
 
September 27,
2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
354,830

 
$
346,591

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $894 and $1,188, respectively
349,922

 
324,072

Inventories
588,453

 
525,970

Deferred income taxes
6,399

 
6,449

Prepaid expenses and other
26,012

 
27,757

Total current assets
1,325,616

 
1,230,839

Property, plant and equipment, net
322,821

 
334,926

Deferred income taxes
3,493

 
3,675

Other
40,309

 
39,586

Total non-current assets
366,623

 
378,187

     Total assets
$
1,692,239

 
$
1,609,026

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations
$
4,281

 
$
4,368

Accounts payable
416,190

 
396,363

Customer deposits
76,049

 
56,155

Deferred income taxes
567

 
647

Accrued salaries and wages
48,681

 
52,043

Other accrued liabilities
34,556

 
37,739

Total current liabilities
580,324

 
547,315

Long-term debt, capital lease obligations and other financing, net of current portion
259,284

 
262,046

Deferred income taxes
5,189

 
5,191

Other liabilities
12,379

 
13,341

Total non-current liabilities
276,852

 
280,578

     Total liabilities
857,176

 
827,893

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 9)
 
 
 
Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding

 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 200,000 shares authorized, 50,549 and 49,962 shares issued, respectively, and 33,690 and 33,653 shares outstanding, respectively
505

 
500

Additional paid-in capital
494,790

 
475,634

Common stock held in treasury, at cost, 16,859 and 16,309 shares, respectively
(502,488
)
 
(479,968
)
Retained earnings
836,852

 
766,385

Accumulated other comprehensive income
5,404

 
18,582

Total shareholders’ equity
835,063

 
781,133

    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
1,692,239

 
$
1,609,026

See notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Table of Contents

PLEXUS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Unaudited
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
70,467

 
$
60,763

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation
36,502

 
35,407

Amortization of intangibles

 
603

Loss on sale of property, plant and equipment
33

 
168

Deferred income tax net expense (benefit)
107

 
(123
)
Stock-based compensation expense
10,590

 
9,232

Non-cash impairment

 
3,160

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
(28,444
)
 
(23,071
)
Inventories
(65,637
)
 
(112,851
)
Other current and noncurrent assets
(4,017
)
 
(3,881
)
Accounts payable
19,146

 
107,425

Customer deposits
20,216

 
(19,510
)
Other current and noncurrent liabilities
(3,393
)
 
356

Cash flows provided by operating activities
55,570

 
57,678

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Payments for property, plant and equipment
(26,898
)
 
(58,289
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
261

 
2,686

Cash flows used in investing activities
(26,637
)
 
(55,603
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Borrowings under debt agreements
344,000

 
208,000

Payments on debt and capital lease obligations
(347,856
)
 
(211,277
)
Repurchases of common stock
(22,520
)
 
(22,283
)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
11,333

 
14,121

Minimum tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock
(2,762
)
 
(1,567
)
Cash flows used in financing activities
(17,805
)
 
(13,006
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(2,889
)
 
(620
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
8,239

 
(11,551
)
Cash and cash equivalents:
 
 
 
Beginning of period
346,591

 
341,865

End of period
$
354,830

 
$
330,314

See notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Table of Contents

PLEXUS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY 4, 2015 AND JUNE 28, 2014
Unaudited
1.    Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein have been prepared by Plexus Corp. and its subsidiaries (together “Plexus” or the “Company”) without audit and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States (“U.S.”) Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments, which include normal recurring adjustments necessary for the fair statement of the consolidated financial position of the Company as of July 4, 2015 and September 27, 2014, and the results of operations for the three and nine months ended July 4, 2015 and June 28, 2014, and the cash flows for the same nine month periods.
Certain information and footnote disclosures, normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the SEC’s rules and regulations dealing with interim financial statements. However, the Company believes that the disclosures made in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. It is suggested that these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company’s reportable segments consist of the “Americas” (“AMER”), “Asia-Pacific” (“APAC”) and “Europe, Middle East and Africa” (“EMEA”). Refer to Note 10, "Reportable Segments," for further details on reportable segments.
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include short-term, highly liquid investments and are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy described below.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company holds financial instruments consisting of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, debt, derivatives, and capital lease obligations. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and capital lease obligations as reported in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements approximate fair value. Derivatives are recorded at fair value. Accounts receivable are reflected at net realizable value based on anticipated losses due to potentially uncollectible balances. Anticipated losses are based on management’s analysis of historical losses and changes in customers’ credit status. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was $250.5 million and $247.5 million as of July 4, 2015 and September 27, 2014, respectively. The carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt was $250.0 million as of both July 4, 2015 and September 27, 2014. The Company uses quoted market prices when available or discounted cash flows to calculate the fair value of its debt. If measured at fair value in the financial statements, long-term debt (including the current portion) would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy described below. Refer to Note 5, "Derivatives and Fair Value Measurements," for further details on derivatives.
Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (or exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value. The input levels are:
Level 1: Quoted (observable) market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the asset or liability.


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2.    Inventories
Inventories as of July 4, 2015 and September 27, 2014 consisted of (in thousands): 
 
July 4,
2015
 
September 27,
2014
Raw materials
$
411,245

 
$
371,641

Work-in-process
96,269

 
76,531

Finished goods
80,939

 
77,798

Total inventories
$
588,453

 
$
525,970

Per contractual terms, customer deposits are received by the Company to offset obsolete and excess inventory risks. The total amount of customer deposits related to inventory and included within current liabilities on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 4, 2015 and September 27, 2014 was $59.9 million and $51.0 million, respectively.
3.    Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment as of July 4, 2015 and September 27, 2014 consisted of (in thousands): 
 
July 4,
2015
 
September 27,
2014
Land, buildings and improvements
$
279,148

 
$
283,569

Machinery and equipment
330,611

 
331,981

Computer hardware and software
102,593

 
95,780

Construction in progress
13,179

 
9,694

Total property, plant and equipment
725,531

 
721,024

Less: accumulated depreciation
402,710

 
386,098

Property, plant and equipment — net
$
322,821

 
$
334,926


4.    Debt, Capital Lease Obligations and Other Financing
Debt, capital lease obligations and other financing amounts outstanding at July 4, 2015 and September 27, 2014 are summarized below (in thousands):
 
 
July 4,
2015
 
September 27,
2014
5.20% Senior Notes, due June 15, 2018
 
$
175,000

 
$
175,000

Borrowings under revolving credit facility, due May 15, 2019
 
75,000

 
75,000

Capital lease obligations
 
5,455

 
8,414

Other financing obligation
 
8,110

 
8,000

Total debt, capital lease obligations, and other financing
 
263,565

 
266,414

Less current portion of debt, capital lease obligations, and other financing
 
4,281

 
4,368

Total debt, capital lease obligations, and other financing, less current portion
 
$
259,284

 
$
262,046

The Company has a $235.0 million five-year senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”), which expires on May 15, 2019. The Credit Facility may potentially be increased by $100.0 million to $335.0 million generally by mutual agreement of the Company and the lenders, subject to certain customary conditions. During the nine months ended July 4, 2015, the Company borrowed and then repaid $344.0 million of revolving borrowings under the Credit Facility. During the quarter ended July 4, 2015, the highest daily borrowing was $150.0 million and the average borrowing was $130.9 million.
Borrowings under the Credit Facility, at the Company's option, bear interest at a defined base rate or the LIBOR rate plus, in each case, an applicable margin based upon the Company's leverage ratio as defined in the Credit Agreement. Rates would increase upon negative changes in specified Company financial metrics and would decrease to no less than LIBOR plus 1.00%

7

Table of Contents

or base rate plus 0.00% upon reduction in the current total leverage ratio. As of July 4, 2015, the Company had a borrowing rate of LIBOR plus 1.13%. As of July 4, 2015, all outstanding debt under the Credit Facility is effectively at a fixed interest rate as a result of the interest rate swap contract discussed in Note 5, "Derivatives and Fair Value Measurements." The Company is required to pay a commitment fee based on the company's leverage ratio for the unused portion of the revolving credit facility. The fee is paid quarterly based on the prior quarter weighted average available revolving commitment. This rate was 0.2% as of July 4, 2015.  
The Company also has outstanding 5.20% Senior Notes, due on June 15, 2018 (the “Notes”); $175.0 million principal of the Notes was outstanding as of both July 4, 2015 and September 27, 2014.
The Notes and borrowings under the Credit Facility are carried at the principal amount outstanding.
Other financing obligations of $8.1 million and $8.0 million for the periods ended July 4, 2015 and September 27, 2014, respectively, relate to a non-cash financing transaction for the Company's facility in Guadalajara, Mexico.
5.    Derivatives and Fair Value Measurements
All derivatives are recognized in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at their estimated fair value. The Company uses derivatives to manage foreign currency exchange risk and interest rates. The Company has cash flow hedges related to variable rate debt and forecasted foreign currency obligations, in addition to fair value hedges to manage foreign currency exposures associated with certain foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities. The Company does not enter into derivatives for speculative purposes. Changes in the fair value of the derivatives that qualify as cash flow hedges are recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets until earnings are affected by the variability of the cash flows. In the next twelve months the Company estimates that $3.8 million of unrealized losses, net of tax, related to foreign exchange contracts and interest rate swaps will be reclassified from other comprehensive income into earnings. Changes in the fair value of the derivatives related to recognized foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities are recorded in "Other income (expense)" in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
The Company enters into forward currency exchange contracts on a rolling basis. The Company had cash flow hedges outstanding with a notional value of $60.0 million as of July 4, 2015 and a notional value of $64.6 million as of September 27, 2014. These forward currency contracts fix the exchange rates for the settlement of future foreign currency obligations that have yet to be realized. The total fair value of the cash flow hedges was a $3.5 million liability as of July 4, 2015 and a $0.8 million asset as of September 27, 2014.
The Company had additional forward currency exchange contracts outstanding with a notional value of $4.8 million as of July 4, 2015 and a notional value of $37.9 million as of September 27, 2014. The Company has not designated these derivative instruments as hedging instruments. The net settlement amount (fair value) related to these contracts is recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as either a current or long-term asset or liability, depending on the term, and as an element of other income (expense). The total fair value of these derivatives was less than $0.1 million asset as of July 4, 2015 and a $1.5 million asset as of September 27, 2014.
In 2013, the Company entered into a $75.0 million notional amount interest rate swap contract which expires on May 5, 2017, related to $75.0 million of borrowings outstanding under its Credit Facility. This interest rate swap pays the Company variable interest at the one month LIBOR rate, and the Company pays the counterparty a fixed interest rate. The fixed interest rate for the contract is 0.875%. Based on the terms of the interest rate swap contract and the underlying borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility, the interest rate contract was determined to be effective, and thus qualifies as a cash flow hedge. As such, any changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap are recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets until earnings are affected by the variability of cash flows. The total fair value of the interest rate swap contract was a $0.3 million liability as of July 4, 2015 and a $0.2 million asset as of September 27, 2014. The notional amount of the Company’s interest rate swap was $75.0 million as of both July 4, 2015 and September 27, 2014.

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Table of Contents

The tables below present information regarding the fair values of derivative instruments (as defined in Note 1, "Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies") and the effects of derivative instruments on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements: 
Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
In thousands of dollars
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
 
 
July 4,
2015
 
September 27,
2014
 
 
 
July 4,
2015
 
September 27,
2014
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Balance Sheet
Classification
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet
Classification
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
Interest rate swaps
Prepaid expenses and other
 
$

 
$
182

 
Current
liabilities – other
 
$
289

 
$

Forward contracts
Prepaid expenses and other
 
$

 
$
812

 
Current
liabilities – other
 
$
3,486

 
$


Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
In thousands of dollars
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
 
 
July 4,
2015
 
September 27,
2014
 
 
 
July 4,
2015
 
September 27,
2014
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Balance Sheet
Classification
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet
Classification
 
Fair Value
 
Fair Value
Forward contracts
Prepaid expenses and other
 
$
37

 
$
1,512

 
Current
liabilities – other
 
$

 
$


The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
for the Three Months Ended
In thousands of dollars
Derivatives in
Cash Flow
Hedging
Relationships
Amount of Gain
(Loss) Recognized in
Other Comprehensive
Income (“OCI”) on
Derivative
(Effective Portion)
 
Classification of Gain
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
OCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
 
Amount of Gain
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
OCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
 
Classification of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)
 
Amount of Gain
(Loss) Recognized in
Income on Derivative
(Ineffective Portion and
Amount Excluded from
Effectiveness Testing)
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
 
 
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
 
 
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
Interest rate swaps
$
(3
)
 
$
(448
)
 
Interest expense
 
$
(134
)
 
$
(138
)
 
Other income (expense)
 
$

 
$

Forward contracts
$
(866
)
 
$
1,632

 
Selling and administrative expenses
 
$
(1,753
)
 
$
(193
)
 
Other income (expense)
 
$

 
$

Treasury rate locks
$

 
$

 
Interest income
 
$
77

 
$
80

 
Other income (expense)
 
$

 
$

Income tax expense
$

 
$

 
Income tax benefit
 
$

 
$
(75
)
 
Income tax expense
 
$

 
$

 


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Table of Contents

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
for the Nine Months Ended
In thousands of dollars
Derivatives in
Cash Flow
Hedging
Relationships
Amount of Gain
(Loss) Recognized in
Other Comprehensive
Income (“OCI”) on
Derivative
(Effective Portion)
 
Classification of  Gain
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
OCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
 
Amount of Gain
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
OCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
 
Classification of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded  from Effectiveness Testing)
 
Amount of Gain
(Loss) Recognized in
Income on Derivative
(Ineffective Portion and
Amount Excluded from
Effectiveness Testing)
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
 
 
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
 
 
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
Interest rate swaps
$
(876
)
 
$
(556
)
 
Interest expense
 
$
(404
)
 
$
(403
)
 
Other income (expense)
 
$

 
$

Forward contracts
$
(7,044
)
 
$
1,532

 
Selling and administrative expenses
 
$
(2,743
)
 
$
(1,233
)
 
Other income (expense)
 
$

 
$

Treasury rate locks
$

 
$

 
Interest income
 
$
244

 
$
240

 
Other income (expense)
 
$

 
$

Income tax expense
$

 
$

 
Income tax benefit
 
$

 
$
(1
)
 
Income tax expense
 
$

 
$


The following table lists the fair values of assets (liabilities) of the Company’s derivatives as of July 4, 2015 and September 27, 2014, by input level as defined in Note 1 (in thousands):
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
July 4, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$

 
$
(289
)
 
$

 
$
(289
)
Foreign currency forward contracts
$

 
$
(3,449
)
 
$

 
$
(3,449
)
September 27, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$

 
$
182

 
$

 
$
182

Foreign currency forward contracts
$

 
$
2,324

 
$

 
$
2,324

The fair value of interest rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts is determined using a market approach that includes obtaining directly or indirectly observable values from third parties active in the relevant markets. The primary input in the fair value of the interest rate swaps is the relevant LIBOR forward curve. Inputs in the fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts include prevailing forward and spot prices for currency and interest rate forward curves.
6.    Income Taxes
Income tax expense for the three and nine months ended July 4, 2015 was $2.9 million and $9.1 million, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended July 4, 2015 were 10.8 percent and 11.4 percent, respectively, as compared to 9.6 percent and 5.5 percent for the three and nine months ended June 28, 2014, respectively.
The change in the effective tax rate for the three months ended July 4, 2015 as compared to the three months ended June 28, 2014, was primarily due to an increase in earnings in tax-paying jurisdictions and decreased earnings in jurisdictions where the Company maintains valuation allowances due to historical tax losses.
The increase in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 compared with the effective tax rate for the nine months ended June 28, 2014 was primarily the result of a net $3.8 million discrete tax benefit that occurred in the second quarter of fiscal 2014, largely related to the completion of U.S. federal and state audits. Without the discrete tax benefit, the effective tax rate for the nine months ended June 28, 2014 would have been 11.3 percent. The Company’s effective tax rate will fluctuate with the geographic distribution of its worldwide earnings.
There were no material additions to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits recorded for uncertain tax positions as of July 4, 2015 as compared to September 27, 2014. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to the remaining uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. The amount of interest and penalties recorded for both the three and nine months ended July 4, 2015 was not material.

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It is reasonably possible that a number of uncertain tax positions related to federal and state tax positions may be settled within the next 12 months. The Company is not currently under examination by taxing authorities in the U.S. or any foreign jurisdictions in which the Company has significant operations.
The Company maintains valuation allowances when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a net deferred tax asset will not be realized. During the three and nine months ended July 4, 2015, the Company continued to record a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets in certain jurisdictions within the AMER and EMEA segments, as it is more likely than not that these assets will not be fully realized based primarily on historical performance. The Company will continue to provide a valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets in each of the applicable jurisdictions going forward until the need for a valuation allowance is eliminated. The need for a valuation allowance will be eliminated when the Company determines it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized.
7.    Earnings Per Share
The following is a reconciliation of the amounts utilized in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended July 4, 2015 and June 28, 2014 (in thousands, except per share amounts):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
23,794

 
$
24,584

 
$
70,467

 
$
60,763

Basic weighted average common shares outstanding
33,653

 
33,837

 
33,617

 
33,810

Dilutive effect of share-based awards outstanding
801

 
833

 
783

 
876

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
34,454

 
34,670

 
34,400

 
34,686

Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.71

 
$
0.73

 
$
2.10

 
$
1.80

Diluted
$
0.69

 
$
0.71

 
$
2.05

 
$
1.75


For the three and nine months ended July 4, 2015, stock awards for approximately 0.3 million and 0.6 million shares, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the options' and stock-settled stock-appreciation rights' ("SARs") exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the Company's common shares and, therefore, their effect would be anti-dilutive.

For the three and nine months ended June 28, 2014, stock awards for approximately 0.5 million and 0.6 million shares, respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the options' and stock-settled SARs' exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the Company's common shares and, therefore, their effect would be anti-dilutive.
8.    Stock-Based Compensation
The Company recognized $3.5 million and $10.6 million of compensation expense associated with stock-based awards for the three and nine months ended July 4, 2015, respectively, and $3.3 million and $9.2 million for the three and nine months ended June 28, 2014, respectively
The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model to determine the fair value of stock options and stock-settled SARs. The Company uses the fair value at the date of grant to value restricted stock units ("RSUs").
The Company uses the Monte Carlo valuation model to determine the fair value of performance stock units ("PSUs") at the date of grant. The PSUs are payable in shares and vest based on the relative total shareholder return of the Company's common stock as compared to companies in the Russell 3000 Index during a three year performance period. The number of shares that may be issued pursuant to PSUs ranges from zero to 0.1 million. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense over the stock-based awards' vesting period.



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9.    Litigation
The Company is party to lawsuits in the ordinary course of business. Management does not believe that these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material positive or adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
10.    Reportable Segments
Reportable segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker, or group, in assessing performance and allocating resources. The Company uses an internal management reporting system, which provides important financial data to evaluate performance and allocate the Company’s resources on a regional basis. Net sales for segments are attributed to the region in which the product is manufactured or the service is performed. The services provided, manufacturing processes used, class of customers serviced and order fulfillment processes used are similar and generally interchangeable across the segments. A segment’s performance is evaluated based upon its operating income (loss). A segment’s operating income (loss) includes its net sales less cost of sales and selling and administrative expenses, but excludes corporate and other expenses. Corporate and other expenses primarily represent corporate selling and administrative expenses, and restructuring and impairment charges, if any. These costs are not allocated to the segments, as management excludes such costs when assessing the performance of the segments. Inter-segment transactions are generally recorded at amounts that approximate arm’s length transactions. The accounting policies for the segments are the same as for the Company taken as a whole.
Information about the Company’s three reportable segments for the three and nine months ended July 4, 2015 and June 28, 2014, respectively, follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
Net sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AMER
$
365,860

 
$
324,544

 
$
1,029,876

 
$
868,824

APAC
313,900

 
295,625

 
966,433

 
831,358

EMEA
33,885

 
27,563

 
97,737

 
86,617

         Elimination of inter-segment sales
(44,060
)
 
(27,227
)
 
(108,486
)
 
(74,773
)
 
$
669,585

 
$
620,505

 
$
1,985,560

 
$
1,712,026

Operating income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AMER
$
20,369

 
$
21,806

 
$
55,506

 
$
53,730

APAC
37,082

 
35,890

 
119,852

 
102,143

EMEA
(2,511
)
 
(3,594
)
 
(8,136
)
 
(7,506
)
         Corporate expenses and other costs
(26,309
)
 
(25,904
)
 
(80,357
)
 
(79,408
)
 
$
28,631

 
$
28,198

 
$
86,865

 
$
68,959

Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
         Interest expense
$
(3,280
)
 
$
(3,055
)
 
$
(10,440
)
 
$
(8,952
)
         Interest income
866

 
770

 
2,552

 
2,092

         Miscellaneous
471

 
1,271

 
549

 
2,182

     Income before income taxes
$
26,688

 
$
27,184

 
$
79,526

 
$
64,281

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
July 4,
2015
 
September 27,
2014
 
 
 
 
Total assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        AMER
$
561,455

 
$
521,259

 
 
 
 
        APAC
978,892

 
881,426

 
 
 
 
        EMEA
119,972

 
135,841

 
 
 
 
        Corporate and eliminations
31,920

 
70,500

 
 
 
 
 
$
1,692,239

 
$
1,609,026

 
 
 
 

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11.    Guarantees
The Company offers certain indemnifications under its customer manufacturing agreements. In the normal course of business, the Company may from time to time be obligated to indemnify its customers or its customers’ customers against damages or liabilities arising out of the Company’s negligence, misconduct, breach of contract, or infringement of third party intellectual property rights. Certain agreements have extended broader indemnification, and while most agreements have contractual limits, some do not. However, the Company generally does not provide for such indemnities and seeks indemnification from its customers for damages or liabilities arising out of the Company’s adherence to customers’ specifications or designs or use of materials furnished, or directed to be used, by its customers. The Company does not believe its obligations under such indemnities are material.
In the normal course of business, the Company also provides its customers a limited warranty covering workmanship, and in some cases materials, on products manufactured by the Company. Such warranty generally provides that products will be free from defects in the Company’s workmanship and meet mutually agreed-upon specifications for periods generally ranging from 12 months to 24 months. If a product fails to comply with the Company’s limited warranty, the Company’s obligation is generally limited to correcting, at its expense, any defect by repairing or replacing such defective product. The Company’s warranty generally excludes defects resulting from faulty customer-supplied components, design defects or damage caused by any party or cause other than the Company.
The Company provides for an estimate of costs that may be incurred under its limited warranty at the time product revenue is recognized and establishes additional reserves for specifically identified product issues. These costs primarily include labor and materials, as necessary, associated with repair or replacement and are included in the Company's accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in other current accrued liabilities. The primary factors that affect the Company’s warranty liability include the value and the number of shipped units and historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims. As these factors are impacted by actual experience and future expectations, the Company regularly assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liabilities and adjusts the amounts as necessary.
Below is a table summarizing the activity related to the Company’s limited warranty liability for fiscal 2014 and for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 (in thousands): 
 
 
Limited warranty liability, as of September 28, 2013
$
5,942

Accruals for warranties issued during the period
4,331

Settlements (in cash or in kind) during the period
(3,470
)
Limited warranty liability, as of September 27, 2014
6,803

Accruals for warranties issued during the period
1,414

Settlements (in cash or in kind) during the period
(2,468
)
Limited warranty liability, as of July 4, 2015
$
5,749

12.    Shareholders' Equity
On August 13, 2014, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $30.0 million of its common stock in fiscal 2015. During the three months ended July 4, 2015, the Company repurchased 169,774 shares for approximately $7.5 million, at an average price of $44.40 per share. During the nine months ended July 4, 2015, the Company repurchased 549,656 shares for approximately $22.5 million, at an average price of $40.97 per share. These shares were recorded as treasury stock.
On August 19, 2013, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program under which the Company was authorized to repurchase up to $30.0 million of its common stock in fiscal 2014. During the three months ended June 28, 2014, the Company repurchased 186,051 shares for approximately $7.7 million, at an average price of $41.52 per share. During the nine months ended June 28, 2014, the Company repurchased 545,052 shares for approximately $22.3 million, at an average price of $40.88 per share. These shares were recorded as treasury stock. In addition, as of June 28, 2014, the Company had a commitment of approximately $0.4 million to purchase 8,678 shares, which were purchased before June 28, 2014, but settled after the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2014.
13.    Restructuring Costs
The Company did not incur any restructuring and impairment charges for the three months ended July 4, 2015. Restructuring costs for the nine months ended July 4, 2015, related to the relocation of manufacturing operations from Juarez, Mexico to

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Guadalajara, Mexico. These charges are recorded within restructuring and impairment charges on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Restructuring liabilities are recorded within other accrued liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
For the nine months ended July 4, 2015, the Company incurred restructuring costs of $1.7 million, which consisted of the following:
$1.6 million of moving and transition costs resulting from the relocation of manufacturing operations from Juarez to Guadalajara; and
$0.1 million of employee termination and severance costs related to the Company's former workforce in Juarez.
The Company did not recognize an income tax benefit for these restructuring costs due to tax losses in the jurisdiction where the restructuring costs occurred.
The Company's restructuring accrual activity for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 is included in the table below (in thousands):
 
Employee
 
Lease
 
 
 
Termination
 
Obligations
 
 
 
and Severance
 
and Other
 
 
 
Costs
 
Exit Costs
 
Total
Accrued balance, September 27, 2014
$
142

 
$

 
$
142

  Restructuring costs
144

 
1,547

 
1,691

  Amounts utilized
(286
)
 
(1,547
)
 
(1,833
)
Accrued balance, July 4, 2015
$

 
$

 
$

14.    New Accounting Pronouncements
In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an amendment that requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. Under the new guidance, the recognition and measurement of debt issuance costs is not affected. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued amended guidance for revenue recognition. The standard's core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under current guidance. This may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. In July 2015 the FASB approved a one-year deferral of the standard. The new standard will become effective retrospectively for the Company for the fiscal first quarter of 2019, with early adoption permitted, but not before the original effective date (fiscal first quarter of 2018). The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
In April 2014, the FASB issued final guidance that changes the criteria for a disposal to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. The revised guidance defines a discontinued operation as (1) a component of an entity or group of components that has been disposed of by sale, disposed of other than by sale or is classified as held for sale that represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results or (2) an acquired business or nonprofit activity that is classified as held for sale on the date of acquisition. The guidance does not change the presentation requirements for discontinued operations in the statement where net income is presented but does require the reclassification of assets and liabilities of a discontinued operation in the statement of financial position for all prior periods presented. The guidance is effective prospectively for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years, and for all businesses that, on acquisition, are classified as held for sale that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in previously issued financial statements. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

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ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
“SAFE HARBOR” CAUTIONARY STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995:

The statements contained in this Form 10-Q that are guidance or which are not historical facts (such as statements in the future tense and statements including believe, expect, intend, plan, anticipate, goal, target and similar terms and concepts), including all discussions of periods which are not yet completed, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: the risk of customer delays, changes, cancellations or forecast inaccuracies in both ongoing and new programs; the lack of visibility of future orders, particularly in view of changing economic conditions; the economic performance of the industries, sectors and customers we serve; the effects of the volume of revenue from certain sectors or programs on our margins in particular periods; our ability to secure new customers, maintain our current customer base and deliver product on a timely basis; the particular risks relative to new or recent customers, programs or services, which risks include customer and other delays, start-up costs, potential inability to execute, the establishment of appropriate terms of agreements, and the lack of a track record of order volume and timing; the risks of concentration of work for certain customers; the effect of start-up costs of new programs and facilities, such as our new facility in Guadalajara, Mexico; possible unexpected costs and operating disruption in transitioning programs; the risk that new program wins and/or customer demand may not result in the expected revenue or profitability; the fact that customer orders may not lead to long-term relationships; the adequacy of restructuring and similar charges as compared to actual expenses; our ability to manage successfully a complex business model characterized by high customer and product mix, low volumes and demanding quality, regulatory, and other requirements; increasing regulatory and compliance requirements; the potential effects of regional results on our taxes and ability to use deferred tax assets; risks related to information technology systems and data security; the effects of shortages and delays in obtaining components as a result of economic cycles or natural disasters; the risks associated with excess and obsolete inventory, including the risk that inventory purchased on behalf of our customers may not be consumed or otherwise paid for by the customer, resulting in an inventory write-off; the weakness of areas of the global economy; the effect of changes in the pricing and margins of products; raw materials and component cost fluctuations; the potential effect of fluctuations in the value of the currencies in which we transact business; the potential effect of world or local events or other events outside our control (such as changes in energy prices, terrorism and weather events); the impact of increased competition; and other risks detailed herein, as well as those in our other Securities and Exchange Commission filings (particularly in "Risk Factors" in our fiscal 2014 Form 10-K).




*    *    *
OVERVIEW
Plexus Corp. and its subsidiaries (together “Plexus” or the “Company,”) participate in the Electronic Manufacturing Services (“EMS”) industry. Plexus delivers optimized solutions to our customers through the Company's unique Product Realization Value Stream. Our customer-focused solutions model seamlessly integrates innovative product conceptualization, design, commercialization, manufacturing, fulfillment and sustaining solutions. Plexus delivers comprehensive end-to-end solutions for customers in the Americas (“AMER”), Europe, Middle East, and Africa (“EMEA”) and Asia-Pacific (“APAC”) regions.
Plexus is the industry leader in servicing mid-to-low volume, higher complexity customer programs characterized by unique flexibility, technology, quality and regulatory requirements. Plexus provides award-winning customer service to more than 140 branded product companies in the Networking/Communications, Healthcare/Life Sciences, Industrial/Commercial and Defense/Security/Aerospace market sectors. The Company's customers have stringent quality, reliability and regulatory requirements, requiring exceptional production and supply chain agility. Their products require complex configuration management, direct order fulfillment (to end customers) and global logistics management and aftermarket services. To service the complexities that the Company's customers' products demand, Plexus utilizes its Product Realization Value Stream, addressing its customers' products from concept to end of life.
The following information should be read in conjunction with our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein, the “Risk Factors” section in Part I, Item 1A of our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2014 and our “Safe Harbor” Cautionary Statement included above.

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Consolidated Performance Summary
The following table presents selected consolidated financial data (dollars in millions, except per share data):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
Net sales
$
669.6

 
$
620.5

 
$
1,985.6

 
$
1,712.0

Gross profit
$
59.1

 
$
58.6

 
$
180.3

 
$
162.9

Gross margin
8.8
%
 
9.4
%
 
9.1
%
 
9.5
%
Operating income
$
28.6

 
$
28.2

 
$
86.9

 
$
69.0

Operating margin
4.3
%
 
4.5
%
 
4.4
%
 
4.0
%
Net income
$
23.8

 
$
24.6

 
$
70.5

 
$
60.8

Diluted earnings per share
$
0.69

 
$
0.71

 
$
2.05

 
$
1.75

Return on invested capital*
 
 
 
 
14.1
%
 
14.6
%
Economic return*
 
 
 
 
3.1
%
 
3.6
%
* Non-GAAP metric; refer to Exhibit 99.1 for reconciliation.
 
 
 
 
Net sales. For the three months ended July 4, 2015, net sales increased $49.1 million, or 7.9 percent, compared to the three months ended June 28, 2014. This increase was primarily driven by a $45.6 million increase in net sales from the networking/communications and industrial/commercial sectors, where new product ramps were $17.2 million for a networking/communications customer and a new customer in the industrial/commercial sector ramped production in the current quarter resulting in an additional $17.2 million of net sales. The remainder of the increase was primarily due to program ramps and increased end-market demand. These increases were partially offset by the loss of a customer due to the inability to reach mutually agreeable contractual terms in the industrial/commercial sector.
For the nine months ended July 4, 2015, net sales increased $273.6 million, or 16.0 percent, compared to the nine months ended June 28, 2014. This increase was largely driven by a $138.3 million increase in net sales from the networking/communications sector as a result of increased end-market demand and new program launches for three customers. Sales growth from a customer in the healthcare/life sciences sector contributed an incremental $32.6 million primarily driven by a new product offering, and a new customer in the industrial/commercial sector ramped during the fiscal third quarter of 2015, contributing $20.7 million in sales growth. The remainder of the net sales increase was driven by higher net sales across all market sectors primarily due to new program ramps and increased end-market demand. The increase was partially offset by a customer disengagement, loss of a program from a customer and the loss of a customer due to the inability to reach mutually agreeable contractual terms.
Our net sales by market sector for the indicated periods were as follows (in millions):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
Market Sector
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
Networking/Communications
$
221.8

 
$
203.1

 
$
665.7

 
$
528.4

Healthcare/Life Sciences
179.8

 
176.8

 
566.7

 
508.5

Industrial/Commercial
176.3

 
153.5

 
484.7

 
433.5

Defense/Security/Aerospace
91.7

 
87.1

 
268.5

 
241.6

Total net sales
$
669.6

 
$
620.5

 
$
1,985.6

 
$
1,712.0

Networking/Communications. Net sales for the networking/communications sector increased $18.7 million for the three months ended July 4, 2015 as compared to the three months ended June 28, 2014. The increase was primarily the result of additional sales to a customer of $17.2 million resulting from end-market acceptance of its new product, while net sales increased by $10.2 million from two customers due to end-market demand. The increase in net sales was partially offset by a $6.0 million decrease for a customer that experienced softening in its end-market.
Net sales for the networking/communications sector increased $137.3 million for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 as compared to the nine months ended June 28, 2014. The increase was primarily the result of $148.5 million of increased sales to

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four customers resulting from end-market demand. This increase was partially offset by the disengagement of one customer that occurred in fiscal third quarter of 2014, which resulted in a decrease in revenue of $10.5 million.
Healthcare/Life Sciences. Net sales for the healthcare/life sciences sector increased $3.0 million for the three months ended July 4, 2015 as compared to the three months ended June 28, 2014. The slight increase was primarily the result of a program ramp for a customer partially offset by end-market softening for several customers during the quarter.
Net sales for the healthcare/life sciences sector increased $58.2 million for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 as compared to the nine months ended June 28, 2014. The increase was primarily driven by $32.6 million from one customer’s new product ramp, coupled with increased end-market demand and new program launches for several customers. The increase was partially offset by loss of a program from a customer, which resulted in a decrease of $10.3 million, and end-market softening for several customers.
Industrial/Commercial. Net sales for the industrial/commercial sector increased $22.8 million for the three months ended July 4, 2015 as compared to the three months ended June 28, 2014. The increase resulted from increased net sales across various customers, including a $17.2 million increase due to a new customer ramp up in the current quarter. This was partially offset by a $10.5 million decrease as a result of the loss of a customer due to the inability to reach mutually agreeable contractual terms.
Net sales for the industrial/commercial sector increased $51.2 million for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 as compared to the nine months ended June 28, 2014. The increase was primarily driven by $20.7 million due to the ramp in production for a new customer, as well as a $12.3 million increase due to end of life production for a customer. The remaining increase was the net result of mixed market movement across the rest of the sector. These increases were partially offset by the loss of a customer due to the inability to reach mutually agreeable contractual terms resulting in a $16.0 million decrease.
Defense/Security/Aerospace. Net sales for the defense/security/aerospace sector increased $4.6 million for the three months ended July 4, 2015 as compared to the three months ended June 28, 2014. The increase to net sales was attributable to program ramps and increased end-market demand which has been partially offset by production process constraints in one of the defense/security/aerospace focus factories.
Net sales for the defense/security/aerospace sector increased $26.9 million for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 as compared to the nine months ended June 28, 2014. The increase was primarily driven by $18.2 million in net sales from three customers attributable to program ramps and increased end-market demand. The remainder of the increase resulted from various other customers as a result of new program ramps and increased end-market demand.
Gross profit. For the three months ended July 4, 2015, gross profit increased $0.5 million, or 0.9 percent, as compared to the three months ended June 28, 2014. The slight increase in gross profit was primarily driven by the increase in net sales, mostly offset by operational inefficiencies related to investing in our sites and production process constraints in a focus factory producing for our defense/security/aerospace sector, which caused gross margin to decrease to 8.8 percent from 9.4 percent.
For the nine months ended July 4, 2015, gross profit increased $17.4 million, or 10.7 percent, as compared to the nine months ended June 28, 2014. The increase in gross profit was primarily driven by the increase in net sales, partially offset by a decrease in gross margin to 9.1 percent from 9.5 percent, driven by operational inefficiencies related to investing in our sites and production process constraints in a facility producing for our defense/security/aerospace sector.
Operating income. For the three months ended July 4, 2015, operating income increased $0.4 million as compared to the three months ended June 28, 2014 primarily due to the slight increase in gross profit and a $1.2 million decrease in restructuring costs. These increases were partially offset by a $1.3 million increase in selling and administrative (“S&A”) expenses as compared to the prior year period, which was driven primarily by increased employee compensation expense. Operating margin decreased to 4.3 percent for the three months ended July 4, 2015 from 4.5 percent for the three months ended June 28, 2014 due to the decrease in gross margin.
For the nine months ended July 4, 2015, operating income increased $17.9 million as compared to the nine months ended June 28, 2014 primarily due to the increase in gross profit and a $9.2 million decrease in restructuring costs. This was partially offset by an $8.6 million increase in S&A expenses for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 as compared to June 28, 2014, which was driven primarily by increased variable compensation expense, stock-based compensation expense, and additional expenses to support revenue growth. As a result, operating margin increased to 4.4 percent for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 from 4.0 percent for the nine months ended June 28, 2014.

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Other income (expense). Other expense increased to $1.9 million for the three months ended July 4, 2015, as compared to $1.0 million for the three months ended June 28, 2014. The increase in other expense for the three months ended July 4, 2015 was primarily the result of a non-recurring $0.8 million favorable outcome on a land penalty in China in the fiscal third quarter of 2014.
Other expense increased to $7.3 million for the nine months ended July 4, 2015, as compared to $4.7 million for the nine months ended June 28, 2014. The increase in other expense for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 was primarily the result of a $1.5 million increase in interest expense related to our Guadalajara facility and increased borrowings coupled with a non-recurring $0.8 million favorable outcome on a land penalty in China in the fiscal third quarter of 2014.
Income taxes. Effective income tax rates for the indicated periods were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
Effective tax rate
10.8
%
 
9.6
%
 
11.4
%
 
5.5
%
Income tax expense was $2.9 million and $2.6 million for the three months ended July 4, 2015 and June 28, 2014, respectively. Income tax expense was $9.1 million and $3.5 million for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 and June 28, 2014, respectively. Income tax expense for the nine months ended June 28, 2014 was favorably impacted by $3.8 million of discrete tax items recorded during the second quarter of fiscal 2014, primarily related to the completion of U.S. federal and state audits.
The impact of discrete items on the Company's income tax expense is reflected in the following table (in millions):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
Income tax expense, as reported
$
2.9

 
$
2.6

 
$
9.1

 
$
3.5

Impact of discrete tax items

 

 

 
3.8

Income tax expense, as adjusted*
$
2.9

 
$
2.6

 
$
9.1

 
$
7.3

*The company believes that the non-GAAP presentation of income tax expense, as adjusted provides a more accurate representation and allows for a more meaningful comparison of reporting periods by eliminating discrete benefits unrelated to operations in those periods.
Income tax expense for the three and nine months ended July 4, 2015 was higher than adjusted tax expense for the three and nine months ended June 28, 2014 primarily due to increased earnings in jurisdictions where the Company pays tax.
The effective tax rate can fluctuate and vary from the U.S. statutory rate of 35.0 percent primarily from the amount and geographic distribution of earnings, as well as a tax holiday granted to a subsidiary within our APAC segment, where we derive a significant portion of our earnings.
The estimated effective income tax rate for fiscal 2015 is expected to be between 10.0 percent and 12.0 percent. 
Net income. Net income for the three months ended July 4, 2015 decreased $0.8 million, or 3.3 percent, to $23.8 million from $24.6 million for the three months ended June 28, 2014. Net income decreased during the third quarter as a result of increased S&A costs and other expense, partially offset by revenue growth during the quarter and a decrease in restructuring costs. Net income for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 increased $9.7 million, or 16.0 percent, to $70.5 million from $60.8 million for the nine months ended June 28, 2014. Net income increased for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 as a result of revenue growth and a decrease in restructuring costs. This increase was partially offset by increased S&A expense and increased other expense.

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Table of Contents

Diluted earnings per share. Diluted earnings per share, as reported and diluted earnings per share, as adjusted to exclude restructuring costs and discrete tax items, for the three and nine months ended July 4, 2015 and June 28, 2014, were as follows:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
Diluted earnings per share, as reported
$
0.69

 
$
0.71

 
$
2.05

 
$
1.75

Impact of restructuring costs

 
0.03

 
0.05

 
0.31

Impact of discrete tax items

 

 

 
(0.11
)
Diluted earnings per share, as adjusted*
$
0.69

 
$
0.74

 
$
2.10

 
$
1.95

*The Company believes that the non-GAAP presentation of diluted earnings per share excluding restructuring costs and discrete tax items provides a more meaningful comparison of reporting periods by eliminating items unrelated to operations in those periods.
The decrease in adjusted diluted earnings per share for the three months ended July 4, 2015 was primarily the result of the decrease in net income noted above.
The increase in adjusted diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 was primarily the result of the increase in net income noted above.
See Note 13, “Restructuring Costs,” and Note 6, “Income Taxes,” in Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
Return on Invested Capital (“ROIC”) and Economic Return. We use a 5-5 financial model that is aligned with our business strategy and includes a ROIC goal of 5.0 percentage points over our weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”), which we refer to as “Economic Return,” and a 5.0 percent operating margin target. Our primary focus is on our Economic Return goal of 5.0 percentage points, which is designed to create shareholder value and generate enough cash to self-fund our targeted organic revenue growth rate of 12.0 percent.
We review our internal calculation of WACC annually, and our estimated WACC is 11.0 percent for fiscal 2015. By exercising discipline to generate ROIC in excess of our WACC, our goal is to create value for our shareholders. ROIC was 14.1 percent and 14.6 percent for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 and June 28, 2014, respectively, and was calculated excluding restructuring costs of $1.7 million and $10.9 million, respectively. See the table below for our calculation of ROIC and Economic Return (dollars in millions):
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
Annualized operating income (tax effected)
$
105,088

 
$
96,853

Average invested capital
745,030

 
661,835

After-tax ROIC
14.1
%
 
14.6
%
WACC
11.0
%
 
11.0
%
Economic Return
3.1
%
 
3.6
%
We define ROIC as tax-effected operating income before restructuring costs divided by average invested capital over a rolling four-quarter period for the third quarter. Invested capital is defined as equity plus debt, less cash and cash equivalents. Other companies may not define or calculate ROIC in the same way. ROIC and other non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, measures of our financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).
Non-GAAP financial measures, including ROIC and Economic Return, are used for internal management goals and decision making because such measures provide additional insight into financial performance. In particular, we provide ROIC and Economic Return because we believe they offer insight into the metrics that are driving management decisions since we view ROIC and Economic Return as important measures in evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of our long-term capital requirements. We also use a derivative measure of ROIC as a performance criteria in determining certain elements of compensation.
For a reconciliation of ROIC and Economic Return to our financial statements that were prepared using GAAP, see exhibit 99.1 to this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.

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Table of Contents

REPORTABLE SEGMENTS
A discussion of financial performance by reportable segment is presented below (dollars in millions): 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
Net sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AMER
$
365.9

 
$
324.5

 
$
1,029.9

 
$
868.8

APAC
313.9

 
295.6

 
966.4

 
831.4

EMEA
33.9

 
27.6

 
97.7

 
86.6

Elimination of inter-segment sales
(44.0
)
 
(27.2
)
 
(108.4
)
 
(74.8
)
Total net sales
$
669.7

 
$
620.5

 
$
1,985.6

 
$
1,712.0

Operating income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AMER
$
20.4

 
$
21.8

 
$
55.5

 
$
53.7

APAC
37.1

 
35.9

 
119.9

 
102.1

EMEA
(2.5
)
 
(3.6
)
 
(8.1
)
 
(7.5
)
Corporate expenses and other costs
(26.3
)
 
(25.9
)
 
(80.4
)
 
(79.3
)
Total operating income
$
28.7

 
$
28.2

 
$
86.9

 
$
69.0

AMER. Net sales for the three months ended July 4, 2015 increased $41.4 million, or 12.8 percent, as compared to the prior year period primarily due to the addition of a new industrial/commercial customer, which resulted in a $17.2 million increase in the fiscal third quarter of 2015 and a $17.2 million increase related to networking/communications customer as a result of new product ramps. Increases from several other customers across all market sectors drove the remaining increase in net sales. Operating income for the three months ended July 4, 2015 decreased $1.4 million, or 6.4 percent, as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to increased operational inefficiencies related to investing in our sites and production process constraints in a focus factory producing for our defense/security/aerospace sector, partially offset by increased sales.
Net sales for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 increased $161.1 million, or 18.5 percent, as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to an $97.1 million increase in net sales from a customer in the networking/communications sector as a result of new product ramps and expansion of its end-market demand. Additionally, a new customer ramped during the fiscal third quarter of 2015, which contributed $20.7 million in sales growth for the nine months ended July 4, 2015. Increases from several other customers across all market sectors drove the remaining increase in net sales. Operating income for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 increased $1.8 million, or 3.4 percent, as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to increased sales, partially offset by operational inefficiencies related to investing in our sites and production process constraints in a focus factory producing for our defense/security/aerospace sector.
APAC. Net sales for the three months ended July 4, 2015 increased $18.3 million, or 6.2 percent, as compared to the prior year period. Increases from several customers in the networking/communications and healthcare/life sciences market sectors drove the increase in net sales due to increased end-market demand and new program ramps. Operating income for the three months ended July 4, 2015 increased $1.2 million, or 3.3 percent, as compared to the prior year period due primarily to increased sales.
Net sales for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 increased $135.0 million, or 16.2 percent, as compared to the prior year period. The increase in net sales was primarily driven by $33.7 million of incremental sales to one healthcare/life sciences customer resulting from new product launches, and a $23.9 million increase to another customer resulting from increased end-market demand. Increases from several other customers across all market sectors drove the remaining increase in net sales. Operating income for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 increased $17.8 million, or 17.4 percent, as compared to the prior year period due primarily to increased sales, favorable fixed cost leverage and an improvement in customer mix.
EMEA. Net sales for the three months ended July 4, 2015 increased $6.3 million, or 22.8 percent, as compared to the prior year period primarily due to new program ramps for two customers. This was partially offset by one customer disengagement. Operating loss for the three months ended July 4, 2015 of $2.5 million decreased by $1.1 million as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to increased operational efficiencies in Romania.
Net sales for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 increased $11.1 million, or 12.8 percent, as compared to the prior year period primarily due to program ramps for three customers along with a new customer in the current period. Operating loss for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 of $8.1 million increased by $0.6 million as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to increased compensation expenses in both Romania and United Kingdom, partially offset by increased operational efficiencies in Romania.

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Table of Contents

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash and cash equivalents were $354.8 million as of July 4, 2015 and $346.6 million as of September 27, 2014.
As of July 4, 2015, approximately 84.5 percent of our cash balance was held outside of the U.S. by our foreign subsidiaries. Certain foreign countries impose taxes and overall penalties on transfers of cash; however, our intent is to permanently reinvest funds held in these countries. If this cash were remitted to the U.S., additional tax obligations may reduce the amount of cash ultimately available to us in the U.S. Currently, we believe that cash held in the U.S., together with cash available under our U.S. credit facilities and cash from our foreign subsidiaries that could be remitted to the U.S. without tax consequences, will be sufficient to meet our U.S. liquidity needs for the next twelve months and for the foreseeable future.
Cash Flows. The table below shows a summary of cash flows for the periods presented (dollars in millions):
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
Cash provided by operating activities
$
55.6

 
$
57.7

Cash used in investing activities
(26.6
)
 
(55.6
)
Cash used in financing activities
(17.8
)
 
(13.0
)
Operating Activities. Cash flows provided by operating activities were $55.6 million for the nine months ended July 4, 2015, as compared to $57.7 million for the nine months ended June 28, 2014. Cash flows provided by operating activities decreased primarily due to the impact of increases in working capital, partially offset by an increase in net income.
The following table shows a summary of cash cycle days for the periods indicated (in days):
 
Three Months Ended
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
Days in accounts receivable
48

 
48

Days in inventory
88

 
84

Days in accounts payable
62

 
67

Days in cash deposits
12

 
8

Annualized cash cycle
62

 
57

We calculate days in accounts receivable as accounts receivable for the respective quarter divided by annualized sales for the respective quarter by day. We calculate days in inventory, accounts payable, and cash deposits as each balance sheet line item for the respective quarter divided by annualized cost of sales for the respective quarter by day. We calculate annualized cash cycle as the sum of days in accounts receivable and days in inventory, less days in accounts payable and days in cash deposits.
As of July 4, 2015, cash cycle days increased by 5 days compared to June 28, 2014 due to the following factors:
Days in inventory for the three months ended July 4, 2015 increased by 4 days compared to the three months ended June 28, 2014, primarily driven by a reduction in net sales compared to forecasted net sales.
Days in accounts payable for the three months ended July 4, 2015 decreased by 5 days compared to the three months ended June 28, 2014, primarily due to the timing of inventory purchases and supplier payments.
Days in cash deposits for the three months ended July 4, 2015, increased by 4 days compared to the three months ended June 28, 2014, due to increased collection of inventory-related and other cash deposits from customers.
Free Cash Flow. We define free cash flow (“FCF”), as cash flow provided by (used in) operations less payments for property, plant and equipment.
Non-GAAP financial measures, including FCF, are used for internal management goals and decision making, and because such measures provide additional insight into financial performance. In particular, we provide FCF because we believe it offers insight into the metrics that are driving management decisions. We view FCF as an important financial metric as it demonstrates our ability to generate cash and allows us to pursue opportunities that enhance shareholder value. FCF is a non-GAAP financial measure which should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, measures of our financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

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Table of Contents

For a reconciliation of FCF to our financial statements that were prepared using GAAP, see below (in millions):
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
Cash flows provided by operating activities
$
55.6

 
$
57.7

Payments for property, plant and equipment
(26.9
)
 
(58.3
)
Free cash flow
$
28.7

 
$
(0.6
)
Investing Activities. Cash flows used in investing activities totaled $26.6 million for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 as compared to cash flows used in investing activities of $55.6 million for the nine months ended June 28, 2014. Cash flows used in investing activities decreased primarily due to the completion of facility construction in Guadalajara in fiscal 2014.
We currently estimate funded capital expenditures for fiscal 2015 will be approximately $40.0 million, of which $26.9 million was funded through the third quarter of fiscal 2015. The remaining fiscal 2015 capital expenditures are anticipated to be used primarily to support new capabilities, new program ramps, and to replace or refresh older equipment. We believe our estimated capital expenditures will continue to be funded from cash flows provided by operations, and may be supplemented by short-term borrowings and available cash, if required.
Financing Activities. Cash flows used in financing activities totaled $17.8 million for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 as compared to $13.0 million for the nine months ended June 28, 2014. In the nine months ended July 4, 2015, we borrowed and then repaid $344.0 million under our revolving credit facility (described below). Cash flows used in financing activities for the nine months ended July 4, 2015 were comprised primarily of $22.5 million of purchases of common stock as part of our stock repurchase program as well as $3.9 million for payments on capital leases. Cash flows used in financing activities in the nine months ended July 4, 2015 were partially offset by $11.3 million of proceeds received from the exercise of stock options. Cash flows used in financing activities for the nine months ended June 28, 2014 were comprised primarily of purchases of common stock as part of our stock repurchase program as well as payments on debt and capital leases, partially offset by $14.1 million of proceeds received from the exercise of stock options.
On August 13, 2014, the Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $30.0 million of its common stock in fiscal 2015. The Company expects to complete this program during the remainder of fiscal 2015. During the nine months ended July 4, 2015, the Company repurchased 549,656 shares for approximately $22.5 million, at an average price of $40.97 per share. These shares were recorded as treasury stock.
The Company's Credit Facility is a $235.0 million revolving credit facility with a termination date of May 15, 2019. The Credit Facility may potentially be increased by $100.0 million to $335.0 million, generally by mutual agreement of the Company and the lenders subject to certain customary conditions. During the quarter ended July 4, 2015, the highest daily borrowing was $150.0 million and the average borrowing was $130.9 million.
The financial covenants (as defined under the related Credit Agreement) require that the Company maintain, as of each fiscal quarter end, a maximum total leverage ratio and a minimum interest coverage ratio. As of July 4, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants of the Credit Agreement.
The Note Purchase Agreement related to the $175.0 million in principal amount of the Company's 5.20% Senior Notes, due on June 15, 2018 (the "Notes"), contains certain financial covenants, which include a maximum total leverage ratio, a minimum interest coverage ratio and a minimum net worth test, all as defined in the agreements. As of July 4, 2015, we were in compliance with all such covenants relating to the Notes and the related Note Purchase Agreement.
The Credit Facility and Note Purchase Agreement allow for the future payment of cash dividends or the future repurchases of shares provided that no event of default (including any failure to comply with a financial covenant) exists at the time of, or would be caused by, the dividend payment or the share repurchases. We have not paid cash dividends in the past and do not currently anticipate paying them in the future. However, we evaluate from time to time potential uses of excess cash, which in the future may include share repurchases above those already authorized, a special dividend or recurring dividends.
Based on current expectations, we believe that our projected cash flows from operations, available cash and cash equivalents, potential borrowings under the Credit Facility, and our leasing capabilities should be sufficient to meet our working capital and fixed capital requirements for the next twelve months. If our future financing needs increase, we may need to arrange additional debt or equity financing. Accordingly, we evaluate and consider from time to time various financing alternatives to supplement our financial resources. However, we cannot be assured that we will be able to make any such arrangements on acceptable terms.

22

Table of Contents

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS, COMMITMENTS AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET OBLIGATIONS
Our disclosures regarding contractual obligations and commercial commitments are located in various parts of our regulatory filings. Information in the following table provides a summary of our contractual obligations and commercial commitments as of July 4, 2015 (dollars in millions):
 
Payments due by fiscal year
Contractual Obligations
Total
 
Remaining 2015
 
2016-2017
 
2018-2019
 
2020 and thereafter
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-Term Debt Obligations (1,2)
$
280.9

 
$
2.5

 
$
20.1

 
$
258.3

 
$

Capital Lease Obligations
5.5

 
1.1

 
4.4

 

 

Operating Lease Obligations
13.7

 
2.1

 
9.1

 
1.5

 
1.0

Purchase Obligations (3)
483.4

 
376.0

 
107.2

 
0.2

 

Other Long-Term Liabilities on the Balance Sheet (4)
9.1

 
0.4

 
1.0

 
0.3

 
7.4

Other Long-Term Liabilities not on the Balance Sheet (5)
12.4

 
3.1

 
6.6

 
0.4

 
2.3

Other financing obligations (6)
14.7

 
0.4

 
2.9

 
3.1

 
8.3

Total Contractual Cash Obligations
$
819.7

 
$
385.6

 
$
151.3

 
$
263.8

 
$
19.0

1)
Includes amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility. As of July 4, 2015, the outstanding balance was $75.0 million. The amounts listed above include estimated interest obligations; see Note 4 in Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
2)
Includes $175.0 million in principal amount of Notes. The amounts listed above include interest; see Note 4 in Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
3)
As of July 4, 2015, purchase obligations consist of commitments to purchase inventory and equipment in the ordinary course of business.
4)
As of July 4, 2015, other long-term obligations on the balance sheet included deferred compensation obligations to certain of our former and current executive officers, as well as other key employees, and asset retirement obligations. We have excluded from the above table the impact of approximately $2.4 million, as of July 4, 2015, related to unrecognized income tax benefits. The Company cannot make reliable estimates of the future cash flows by period related to this obligation.
5)
As of July 4, 2015, other long-term obligations not on the balance sheet consisted of a commitment for salary continuation and certain benefits in the event employment of one executive officer of the Company is terminated without cause, as well as $9.4 million for guarantees and hedging agreements. Excluded from the amounts disclosed are certain bonus and incentive compensation amounts, which would be paid on a prorated basis in the year of termination.
6)
Includes future minimum payments under the lease agreement for our Guadalajara, Mexico facility. Excludes $20.3 million of future minimum payments under renewal options from 2025 through 2034.
DISCLOSURE ABOUT CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Our critical accounting policies are disclosed in our 2014 annual report on Form 10-K. During the fiscal third quarter of 2015, there were no material changes to these policies.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See Note 14 in Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding new accounting pronouncements.

23

Table of Contents

ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to market risk from changes in foreign exchange and interest rates. We selectively use financial instruments to reduce such risks.
Foreign Currency Risk
We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. Our policy is to selectively hedge our foreign currency denominated transactions in a manner that partially offsets the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We typically use foreign currency contracts to hedge only those currency exposures associated with certain assets and liabilities denominated in non-functional currencies. Corresponding gains and losses on the underlying transaction generally offset the gains and losses on these foreign currency hedges. Our international operations create potential foreign exchange risk.
Our percentages of transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar for the indicated periods were as follows: 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
July 4,
2015
 
June 28,
2014
 
July 4,
2015

June 28,
2014
Net sales
7.4
%
 
6.3
%
 
7.0
%
 
7.3
%
Total costs
12.2
%
 
13.3
%
 
12.1
%
 
12.7
%
The Company has evaluated the potential foreign currency exchange rate risk on transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar for the periods presented above. Based on the Company’s overall currency exposure, as of July 4, 2015, a 10.0 percent change in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to our other transactional currencies would not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Interest Rate Risk
We have financial instruments, including cash equivalents and debt, which are sensitive to changes in interest rates. We consider the use of interest rate swaps based on existing market conditions and have entered into interest rate swaps for our revolving credit facility. For more information, refer to Note 5, "Derivatives and Fair Value Measurements," in Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. Interest rate swap agreements are subject to the further risk that the counterparties to these agreements may fail to comply with their obligations thereunder.
The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal, while maximizing yields without significantly increasing market risk. To achieve this, we maintain our portfolio of cash equivalents in a variety of highly rated securities, money market funds and certificates of deposit, and limit the amount of principal exposure to any one issuer.
As of July 4, 2015, our only material interest rate risk is associated with our Credit Facility. Through the use of an interest rate swap, as described above, we fixed the basis on which we pay interest, and the borrowings under the Note Purchase Agreement are based on a fixed interest rate, thus mitigating much of our interest rate risk.

24

Table of Contents


ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that the information the Company must disclose in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis. The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have reviewed and evaluated, with the participation of the Company’s management, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) as of the end of the period covered by this report (the “Evaluation Date”). Based on such evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that, as of the Evaluation Date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective (a) in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act, and (b) in assuring that information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the third quarter of fiscal 2015, there have been no changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls
Our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and internal controls will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple errors or mistakes. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, a control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Notwithstanding the foregoing limitations on the effectiveness of controls, we have nonetheless reached the conclusion that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting are effective at the reasonable assurance level.



25

Table of Contents

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1A.    Risk Factors
In addition to the risks and uncertainties discussed herein, particularly those discussed in the “Safe Harbor” Cautionary Statement and "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part I, Item 2, see the risk factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A of our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 2014.

ITEM 2.     Unregistered Sales Of Equity Securities and Use Of Proceeds

The following table provides the specified information about the repurchases of shares by the Company during the three months ended July 4, 2015.

Period


Total number
of shares purchased
 


Average
price paid
per share
 
Total number
of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs
 
Maximum approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
April 5, 2015 to May 2, 2015
51,421

 
$
42.86

 
51,421

 
$
12,814,155

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
May 3, 2015 to May 30, 2015
54,170

 
$
44.47

 
54,170

 
$
10,405,059

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
May 31, 2015 to July 4, 2015
64,183

 
$
45.57

 
64,183

 
$
7,480,189

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
169,774

 
$
44.40

 
169,774

 
 
* On August 13, 2014, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $30.0 million of its common stock in fiscal 2015. As of July 4, 2015, the Company had repurchased 549,656 shares for approximately $22.5 million, at an average price of $40.97 per share. These shares were recorded as treasury stock.



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Table of Contents

ITEM 6.    Exhibits
31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
 
Certification of the CEO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2
 
Certification of the CFO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
99.1
 
Reconciliation of ROIC and Economic Return to GAAP Financial Statements
101
 
The following materials from Plexus Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 4, 2015, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (ii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (iv) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document


27

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
Plexus Corp.
 
 
Registrant
 
 
 
Date: 8/7/15
 
/s/ Dean A. Foate        
 
 
Dean A. Foate
 
 
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
Date: 8/7/15
 
/s/ Patrick J. Jermain
 
 
Patrick J. Jermain
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

28