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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ý        ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2017
OR
¨        TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from              to             
Commission file number: 1-12777
AZZ Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
TEXAS
 
75-0948250
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
One Museum Place, Suite 500
3100 West 7th Street
Fort Worth, Texas
 
76107
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(817) 810-0095
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
None
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1.00 par value per share
 
New York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes                    No
¨                       ý
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.
Yes                    No
¨                       ý
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes                    No
ý                       ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes                    No
ý                       ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
x
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller Reporting 
company
o
Emerging growth 
company
¨

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes                    No
¨                       ý
As of August 31, 2016 (the last business day of its most recently completed second fiscal quarter), the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $1,704,959,032 based on the closing sale price of $66.43 per share as reported on the New York Stock Exchange. For purposes of determining the above stated amount, only the directors, executive officers and 10% or greater shareholders of the registrant have been deemed affiliates; however, this does not represent a conclusion by the registrant that any or all such persons are affiliates of the registrant.
As of April 10, 2017, there were 26,020,582 shares of the registrant’s common stock ($1.00 par value) outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Certain information contained in the definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held July 11, 2017 (Proxy Statement) - Part III


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AZZ Inc.
YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2017
INDEX TO FORM 10-K
 
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 9A.
Item 9B.
 
 
 
 
Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13.
Item 14.
 
 
 
 
Item 15.
Item 16.
 
 
 
 


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Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements herein about our expectations of future events or results constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements are based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and management’s views and assumptions regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and investors must recognize that actual results may differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. In addition, certain factors could affect the outcome of the matters described herein. This Annual Report on Form 10-K may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, changes in customer demand and response to products and services offered by AZZ, including demand by the power generation markets, electrical transmission and distribution markets, the industrial markets, and the hot dip galvanizing markets; prices and raw material cost, including zinc and natural gas which are used in the hot dip galvanizing process; changes in the political stability and economic conditions of the various markets that AZZ serves, foreign and domestic; customer requested delays of shipments; additional acquisition opportunities; currency exchange rates; adequacy of financing; availability of experienced management and employees to implement AZZ’s growth strategy; a downturn in market conditions in any industry relating to the products we inventory or sell or the services that we provide; the continuing economic volatility in the U.S. and other markets in which we operate; acts of war or terrorism inside the United States or abroad; and other changes in economic and financial conditions. You are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements herein and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. These statements are based on information as of the date hereof and AZZ assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
PART I
Item 1.    Business
AZZ Inc. (“AZZ”, the “Company”, “our” or “we”) was established in 1956 and incorporated under the laws of the State of Texas. We are a global provider of galvanizing services, welding solutions, specialty electrical equipment and highly engineered services to the power generation, transmission, distribution, refining and industrial markets. We have two distinct operating segments: the Energy Segment and Galvanizing Segment. AZZ Galvanizing is a leading provider of metal finishing solutions for corrosion protection, including hot dip galvanizing to the North American steel fabrication industry. AZZ Energy is dedicated to delivering safe and reliable transmission of power from generation sources to end customers, and automated weld overlay solutions for corrosion and erosion mitigation to critical infrastructure in the energy markets worldwide.
Energy Segment
AZZ's Energy Segment is a leading provider of specialized products and services designed to support industrial, nuclear and electrical applications. Our product offerings include custom switchgear, electrical enclosures, medium and high voltage bus ducts, explosion proof and hazardous duty lighting, nuclear safety-related equipment and tubular products. In addition to our product offerings, AZZ's Energy Segment focuses on extension of life cycle for the power generation, refining and industrial infrastructure, through automated weld overlay solutions for corrosion and erosion mitigation. The markets for our Energy Segment are highly competitive and consist of large multi-national companies, along with numerous small independent companies. Competition is based primarily on product quality, range of product line, price and service. While some of our competitors are much larger than us, our Energy Segment offers some of the most technologically advanced solutions and engineering resources developed from a legacy of proven, reliable product options, allowing AZZ Energy to be ideally positioned to meet the most challenging application-specific demands.
Copper, aluminum, steel and nickel based alloys are the primary raw materials used by this segment. We do not foresee any availability issues for these materials. We do not contractually commit to minimum volumes and increases in price for these items are normally managed through escalation clauses to the customer’s contracts, which the customers may not accept. In addition, we seek to get firm pricing contracts from our vendors on these materials at the time we receive orders from our customers in order to minimize risk.
We sell Energy Segment products through manufacturers’ representatives, distributors, agents and our internal sales force. We are not dependent on any single customer for this segment, and the loss of any single customer would not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated revenues or net income.

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On March 1, 2016, we completed an acquisition of the equity securities of Power Electronics, Inc. (“PEI”), a Millington, Maryland-based manufacturer and integrator of electrical enclosure systems. The acquisition of PEI will enhance our capacity to serve existing and new customers in a diverse set of industries along the Eastern seaboard of the United States.
For additional information regarding the Energy Segment's backlog and operating results, see Results of Operations within Item 7. For additional financial information by segment, see Note 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Galvanizing Segment
The Galvanizing Segment provides hot dip galvanizing to the steel fabrication industry through facilities located throughout the United States and Canada. Hot dip galvanizing is a metallurgical process in which molten zinc is applied to steel. The zinc alloying renders corrosion protection to fabricated steel for extended periods of up to 50 years. As of February 28, 2017, we operated forty-one galvanizing plants, which are located in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Louisiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia in the United States and Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia, Canada.
Galvanizing is a highly competitive business, and we compete with other galvanizing companies, captive galvanizing facilities operated by manufacturers, and alternate forms of corrosion protection such as material selection (stainless steel or aluminum) or barrier protections such as powder coating, paint, and weathering steel. Our galvanizing markets are generally limited to areas within relatively close proximity to our galvanizing plants due to freight cost.
Zinc, the principal raw material used in the galvanizing process, is currently readily available, but is subject to volatile pricing. We manage our exposure to commodity pricing of zinc by utilizing agreements with zinc suppliers that include fixed costs contracts to guard against escalating commodity prices. We also secure firm pricing for natural gas supplies with individual utilities when possible. We may or may not continue to use these or other strategies to manage risk in the future.
We typically serve fabricators or manufacturers that provide services to the electrical and telecommunications, bridge and highway, petrochemical and general industrial markets, and numerous original equipment manufacturers. We do not depend on any single customer for a significant amount of our sales, and the loss of any single customer would not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated revenues or net income.
On February 1, 2016, we completed the acquisition of substantially all the assets of Alpha Galvanizing Inc. (“Alpha Galvanizing”), an Atkinson, Nebraska-based business unit of Olson Industries, Inc. Alpha Galvanizing has served steel fabrication customers that manufacture electrical utility poles, agricultural machinery and industrial manufacturing components since 1996. Alpha Galvanizing was acquired to expand the footprint of AZZ Galvanizing and to support AZZ’s locations in Minnesota and Denver, Colorado, as well as serve customers in the upper Midwest region.
On June 5, 2015, we completed the acquisition of substantially all the assets of US Galvanizing, LLC, a provider of steel corrosion coating services and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Trinity Industries, Inc. (“US Galvanizing”). The acquisition of the US Galvanizing assets included six galvanizing facilities located in Hurst, Texas; Kennedale, Texas; Big Spring, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; Morgan City, Louisiana; and Kosciusko, Mississippi. Additionally, the transaction included Texas Welded Wire, a secondary business integrated within US Galvanizing's Hurst, Texas facility. US Galvanizing was acquired to expand AZZ Galvanizing’s Southern operations.
On June 30, 2014, we completed the acquisition of substantially all the assets of Zalk Steel & Supply Co. (“Zalk Steel”), a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based galvanizing company. Zalk Steel was acquired to expand AZZ Galvanizing's existing geographic footprint in the upper Midwest region of the United States.
For additional information on the Galvanizing Segment's operating results, see Results of Operations within Item 7. For additional financial information by segment, see Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.


Employees

As of February 28, 2017, the Company employed approximately 4,183 persons consisting of approximately 3,830 in the United States, approximately 204 in Canada, 135 in Europe, and 14 in other countries.






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Executive Officers of the Registrant
 
Name
Age
 
Business Experience of Executive Officers for Past Five Years
Position or Office with Registrant or Prior Employer
 
Held Since
Thomas E. Ferguson
60

 
President and Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officer, FlexSteel Pipeline Technologies, Inc.
President, Flow Solutions Group, Flowserve Corp.
President, Pump Division, Flowserve Corp.
 
2013
2013-2013
2009-2012
2003-2009
Paul W. Fehlman
53

 
Senior Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer
Vice President, Finance, Engineered Products Division, Flowserve Corp.
Vice President, Investor Relations and FP&A, Flowserve Corp.
Vice President, Treasurer, Flowserve Corp.
 
2014
2011-2013
2009-2011
2004-2009
Tim E. Pendley
55

 
Senior Vice President, Galvanizing Segment
Vice President Operations, Galvanizing Segment
 
2009
2004-2009
Robert J. Steines
54

 
Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer
Vice President, Corporate Controller, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock
Vice President, Finance, Neuromodulation Division St. Jude Medical
 
2013
2012-2013
2006-2011
Tara D. Mackey
47

 
Chief Legal Officer and Secretary
Chief Legal Counsel and Corporate Secretary, First Parts, Inc.
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Silverleaf Resorts Inc.
VP, Assistant General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, SuperMedia LLC
 
2014
2013-2014
2011-2013
2008-2011
Matt V. Emery
49

 
Vice President, Chief Information and Human Resource Officer Senior Director of Information Technologies, Hewlett-Packard
 
2013 2004-2013
Chris M. Bacius
56

 
Vice President, Corporate Development
Vice President Mergers & Acquisition, Flowserve Corporation
Vice President Business Development, Flowserve Corporation
 
2014
2012-2014
2009-2012
Each executive officer was elected by the Board of Directors to hold office until the next Annual Meeting or until their successor is elected. No executive officer has any family relationships with any other executive officer of the Company.
Available Information
AZZ files or furnishes annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other documents with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). The public may read and copy any materials that AZZ files with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Also, the SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including AZZ, that file electronically with the SEC. The public can obtain any documents that AZZ files with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov.
In addition, we make available, free of charge, on our Internet website, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file this material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. You may review these documents, under the heading “Investor Relations,” subheading “SEC Filings,” on our website at
http://www.azz.com.

Corporate Governance
Our Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), with the assistance of its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines that set forth the Board’s policies regarding corporate governance.
In connection with the Board’s responsibility to oversee our legal compliance and conduct, the Board has adopted a Code of Conduct, which applies to the Company’s officers, directors and employees.
The Board has adopted charters for each of its Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. You may review the Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Code of Conduct and our Committee charters under the Heading “Investor Relations,” subheading “Corporate Governance,” on our website at:
 http://www.azz.com
You may also obtain a copy of these documents by mailing a request to:

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AZZ Inc.
Investor Relations
One Museum Place, Suite 500
3100 West 7th Street
Fort Worth, TX 76107

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Item 1A.    Risk Factors
Our business is subject to a variety of risks, including but not limited to the risks described below, which we believe are the most significant risks and uncertainties facing our business. Additional risks and uncertainties not known to us or not described below may also impair our business operations in the future. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations and future growth could be negatively impacted.
Our business segments operate in highly competitive markets.
Many of our competitors, primarily in our Energy Segment, are significantly larger and have substantially more resources than AZZ. Competition is based on a number of factors, including price. Certain of our competitors may have lower cost structures and may, therefore, be able to provide their products and services at lower prices than we are able to provide. We cannot be certain that our competitors will not develop the expertise, experience and resources to provide services that are superior in both price and quality in the future. Similarly, we cannot be certain that we will be able to maintain or enhance our competitive position within our industries, maintain our customer base at current levels or increase our customer base.
Climate change could impact our business.
Climate changes could result in an adverse impact on AZZ's operations, particularly in hurricane prone or low lying areas near the ocean. At this time, the Company is not able to speculate as to the potential timing or impact from potential global warming and other natural disasters, however the Company believes that it currently has adequate insurance coverage and disaster recovery plans related to any potential natural disasters that might occur at any of the Company’s sites.
Changes in greenhouse gas regulations could impact our operating results.
International agreements and national or regional legislation and regulatory measures to limit greenhouse emissions are currently in various stages of discussion or implementation. These and other greenhouse gas emissions-related laws, policies and regulations may result in substantial capital, compliance, operating and maintenance costs. The level of expenditure required to comply with these laws and regulations is uncertain and is expected to vary depending on the laws enacted in each jurisdiction, our activities in the particular jurisdiction, and market conditions.
The effect of regulation on our financial performance will depend on a number of factors including, not limited to, the sectors covered, the greenhouse gas emissions reductions required by law, the extent to which we would be entitled to receive emission allowance allocations or would need to purchase compliance instruments on the open market or through auctions, the price and availability of emission allowances and credits and the impact of legislation or other regulation on our ability to recover the costs incurred through the pricing of our products and services.

Our business segments are sensitive to economic downturns.
If the general level of economic activity deteriorates from current levels, our customers may delay or cancel new projects. If there is a reduction in demand for our products or services, as a result of a downturn in the general economy, there could be a material adverse effect on price levels and the quantity of goods and services purchased, therefore adversely impacting revenues and results from operations. A number of factors, including financing conditions and potential bankruptcies in the industries we serve, could adversely affect our customers and their ability or willingness to fund capital expenditures in the future and pay for past services. Certain economic conditions may also impact the financial condition of one or more of our key suppliers, which could affect our ability to secure raw materials and components to meet our customers’ demand for our products in the future. Other various factors drive demand for our products and services, including the price of oil, economic forecasts and financial markets. Uncertainty in the global economy and financial markets could continue to impact our customers and could in turn severely impact the demand for spending projects that would result in a reduction in orders for our products and services. All of these factors combined together could materially impact our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations and potentially impact the trading price of our common stock.
International and political events may adversely affect our Energy and Galvanizing Segments.
A portion of the revenues from our Energy and Galvanizing Segments are from international markets. The occurrence of any of the risks described below could have an adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows and financial condition:
 
political and economic instability, such as is occurring in Northern Africa, Europe and the Middle East;
social unrest, acts of terrorism, force majeure, war or other armed conflict;
inflation;
currency fluctuation, devaluations and conversion restrictions;
governmental activities that limit or disrupt markets, restrict payments or limit the movement of funds; and
trade restrictions and economic embargoes by the United States or other countries.
Fluctuations in the price and supply of raw materials and natural gas for our business segments may adversely affect our operations.
We purchase a wide variety of raw materials for our Energy Segment to manufacture our products, including copper, aluminum, steel and nickel. Unanticipated increases in raw material requirements or price increases could increase production costs and adversely affect profitability. In our Galvanizing Segment, zinc and natural gas represent a large portion of our cost of sales. The prices of zinc and natural gas are subject to volatility. The following factors, which are beyond our control, affect the price of raw materials and natural gas for our business segments: supply and demand; freight costs and transportation availability; trade duties and taxes; and labor disputes. We seek to maintain operating margins by attempting to increase the price of our products and services in response to increased costs, but may not be successful in passing these price increases through to our customers.
Our volume of fixed-price contracts for our Energy Segment could adversely affect our business.
We currently generate, and expect to continue to generate, a significant portion of our revenues under fixed price contracts. We must estimate the costs of completing a particular project to bid for fixed-price contracts. The actual cost of labor and materials, however, may vary from the costs we originally estimated. Depending on the size of a particular project, variations from estimated cost could have a significant impact on our operating results for any fiscal year.
Our operations could be adversely impacted by the continuing effects from government regulations.
Various regulations have been implemented related to new safety and certification requirements applicable to oil and gas drilling and production activities. While certain new drilling plans and drilling permits have been approved, we cannot predict whether operators will be able to satisfy these requirements. Further, we cannot predict what the continuing effects of government regulations on offshore deepwater drilling projects may have on offshore oil and gas exploration and development activity, or what actions may be taken by our customers or other industry participants in response to these regulations. Changes in laws or regulations regarding offshore oil and gas exploration and development activities and decisions by customers and other industry participants could reduce demand for our services, which would have a negative impact on our operations. Similarly, we cannot accurately predict future regulations by the government in any country in which we operate and how those regulations may affect our ability to perform projects in those regions.
Federal, state and local governments have a major impact on the framework and economics of the US nuclear power industry. Changes in laws or regulations regarding the operations of current nuclear facilities could have an impact on the demand for our products and services, which would have a negative impact on our operations. These same risks are also associated with foreign nuclear power industries.
New regulations related to conflict minerals could adversely impact our business.
On August 22, 2012, the SEC adopted a rule pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act which established annual disclosure and reporting requirements for publicly-traded companies that use tin, tantalum, tungsten or gold (collectively, “conflict minerals”) mined from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries in their products. There are costs associated with complying with these disclosure requirements, including costs for due diligence to determine the source of any conflict minerals used in our products and other potential changes to products, processes, or sources of supply. Despite our due diligence efforts, we may be unable to verify the origin of all conflict minerals used in our component products. As a result, we may face reputational and other challenges with customers that require that all of the components incorporated in our products be certified as conflict-free.
Our acquisition strategy involves a number of risks.
We intend to pursue continued growth through opportunities to acquire companies or assets that will enable us to expand our product and service offerings and to increase our geographic footprint. We routinely review potential acquisitions. However, we may be unable to implement this growth strategy if we cannot reach agreement on potential strategic acquisitions on acceptable terms or for other reasons. Moreover, our acquisition strategy involves certain risks, including: 
difficulties in the post acquisition integration of operations and systems;
the termination of relationships with key personnel and customers of the acquired company;
a failure to add additional employees to manage the increased volume of business;
additional post acquisition challenges and complexities in areas such as tax planning, treasury management, financial reporting and legal compliance;
risks and liabilities from our acquisitions, some of which may not be discovered during the preacquisition due diligence process;
a disruption of our ongoing business or an inability of our ongoing business to receive sufficient management attention; and
a failure to realize the cost savings or other financial benefits we anticipated prior to acquisition.

Future acquisitions may require us to obtain additional equity or debt financing, which may not be available on current attractive market terms.
Our use of percentage-of-completion accounting in the Energy Segment could result in a reduction or elimination of previously reported profits.
As discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” and in the notes to our consolidated financial statements, a portion of our revenues is recognized on the percentage-of-completion method of accounting. The percentage-of-completion accounting practice causes us to recognize contract revenues and earnings ratably over the contract term in proportion to our incurrence of contract costs. The earnings or losses recognized on individual contracts are based on estimates of contract revenues, costs and profitability. Contract losses are recognized in full when determined, and contract profit estimates are adjusted based on ongoing reviews of contract profitability. Actual collection of contract amounts or change orders could differ from original estimated amounts and could result in a reduction or elimination of previously recognized earnings. In certain circumstances, it is possible that such adjustments could be significant.
We may not be able to fully realize the revenue value reported in our backlog for our Energy Segment.
We have a backlog of work in our Energy Segment. Orders included in our backlog are represented by customer purchase orders and contracts, which we believe to be firm. Backlog develops as a result of new business secured, which represents the revenue value of new project commitments received by us during a given period. Backlog consists of projects which have either (1) not been started or (2) are in progress and are not yet complete. In the latter case, the revenue value reported in backlog is the remaining value associated with work that has not yet been completed. From time to time, projects that were recorded as new business are cancelled. In the event of a project cancellation, we may be reimbursed for certain costs but typically have no contractual right to the total revenue reflected in our backlog. In addition to being unable to recover certain direct costs, we may also incur additional costs resulting from underutilized assets if projects are cancelled.
Our operating results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter.
Our quarterly results may be materially and adversely affected by:
 
the timing and volume of work under new agreements;
general economic conditions;
the budgetary spending patterns of customers;
variations in the margins of projects performed during any particular quarter;
losses experienced in our operations not otherwise covered by insurance;
a change in the demand or production of our products and our services caused by severe weather conditions;
a change in the mix of our customers, contracts and business;
a change in customer delivery schedule;
increases in design and manufacturing costs; and
abilities of customers to pay their invoices owed to us.
Accordingly, our operating results in any particular quarter may not be indicative of the results expected for any other quarter or for the entire year.

We may be unsuccessful at generating internal growth.
Our ability to generate internal growth will be affected by, among other factors, our ability to:
 
attract new customers, internationally and domestically;
integrate regulatory changes;
increase the number or size of projects performed for existing customers;
hire and retain employees; and
increase volume utilizing our existing facilities.
Many of the factors affecting our ability to generate internal growth may be beyond our control, and we cannot be certain that our strategies will be successful or that we will be able to generate cash flow sufficient to fund our operations and to support internal growth. If we are unsuccessful, we may not be able to achieve internal growth, expand our operations or grow our business.
The departure of key personnel could disrupt our business.
We depend on the continued efforts of our executive officers and senior management. We cannot be certain that any individual will continue in such capacity for any particular period of time. The loss of key personnel, or the inability to hire and retain qualified employees, could negatively impact our ability to manage our business.
Our business requires skilled labor, and we may be unable to attract and retain qualified employees.
Our ability to maintain our productivity and profitability could be limited by an inability to employ, train and retain skilled personnel necessary to meet our requirements. We may experience shortages of qualified personnel. We cannot be certain that we will be able to maintain an adequately skilled labor force necessary to operate efficiently and to support our growth strategy or that our labor expense will not increase as a result of shortage in the supply of skilled personnel. Labor shortages or increased labor costs could impair our ability to maintain our business or grow our revenues.
Actual and potential claims, lawsuits, and proceedings could ultimately reduce our profitability and liquidity and weaken our financial condition.
In the future, the Company could be named as a defendant in legal proceedings claiming damages from us in connection with the operation of our business. Most of the actions against us arise out of the normal course of our performing services or with respect to the equipment we manufacture. We could potentially be a plaintiff in legal proceedings against customers, in which we seek to recover payments of contractual amounts due to us, and claims for increased costs incurred by us. When appropriate, we establish provisions against certain legal exposures, and we adjust such provisions from time to time according to ongoing developments related to each exposure. If in the future our assumptions and estimates related to such exposures prove to be inadequate or incorrect, our consolidated results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be adversely affected. In addition, claims, lawsuits and proceedings may harm our reputation and possibly divert management resources away from operating our business.
Technological innovations by competitors may make existing products and production methods obsolete.
All of the products manufactured and sold by the Company depend upon the best available technology for success in the marketplace. The competitive environment is highly sensitive to technological innovation in both segments of our business. It is possible for our competitors, both foreign and domestic, to develop new products or production methods, which will make current products or methods obsolete or at least hasten their obsolescence.

Catastrophic events could disrupt our business.
The occurrence of catastrophic events ranging from natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis or hurricanes to epidemics such as health epidemics to acts of war and terrorism could disrupt or delay our ability to complete projects and could potentially expose the Company to third-party liability claims. Such events may or may not be fully covered by our various insurance policies or may be subject to deductibles. In addition, such events could impact our customers and suppliers, resulting in temporary or long-term delays and/or cancellations of orders or raw materials used in normal business operations. These situations are outside the Company’s control and could have a significant adverse impact on the results of operations.
Adoption of new or revised employment and labor laws and regulations could make it easier for our employees to obtain union representation and our business could be adversely impacted.
Other than an nominal number of employees at four of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, none of our employees are currently represented by unions. However, our U.S. based employees have the right at any time under the National Labor Relations Act to form or affiliate with a union. If some or our entire workforce were to become unionized and the terms of the collective bargaining agreement were significantly different from our current compensation arrangements, it could increase our costs and adversely impact our profitability. Any changes in regulations, the imposition of new regulations, or the enactment of new legislation could have an adverse impact on our business; to the extent it becomes easier for workers to obtain union representation.
AZZ’s flexibility to operate its business could be impacted by provisions in its debt obligations.
AZZ’s debt instruments contain covenants which restrict or prohibit certain actions (“negative covenants”), including, but not limited to, AZZ’s ability to incur debt, create or suffer to exist liens, capital spending limits, engage in certain merger, acquisition, or divestiture actions, or increase dividends beyond a specific level. AZZ’s debt instruments also contain covenants requiring AZZ to, among other things, maintain specified financial ratios (“affirmative covenants”). Failure to comply with these negative covenants and affirmative covenants could result in an event of default that, if not cured or waived, could restrict the Company’s access to liquidity and have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business or prospects. If the Company does not have enough cash to service its debt or fund other liquidity needs, AZZ may be required to take actions such as requesting a waiver from lenders, reducing or delaying capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing all or part of the existing debt, or seeking additional equity capital. AZZ cannot assure that any of these remedies can be effected on commercially reasonable terms or at all.

A failure in our operational systems or cyber security attacks on any of our facilities, or those of third parties, may
affect adversely our financial results.
 
Our business is dependent upon our operational systems to process a large amount of data and complex transactions. If any of our financial, operational, or other data processing systems fail or have other significant shortcomings, our financial results could be adversely affected. Our financial results could also be adversely affected if an employee causes our operational systems to fail, either as a result of inadvertent error or by deliberately tampering with or manipulating our operational systems. Due to increased technology advances, we have become more reliant on technology to help increase efficiency in our business. We use computer programs to help run our financial and operations sectors, and this may subject our business to increased risks. Any future cyber security attacks that affect our facilities, our customers and any financial data could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, cyber attacks on our customer and employee data may result in a financial loss, including potential fines for failure to safeguard data, and may negatively impact our reputation. Third-party systems on which we rely could also suffer operational system failure. Any of these occurrences could disrupt our business, result in potential liability or reputational damage or otherwise have an adverse effect on our financial results.

Item 1B.    Unresolved Staff Comments
None.

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Item 2.    Properties
The following table sets forth information about the Company’s principal facilities, owned or leased, on February 28, 2017:
 
Location
 
Land/Acres
 
Buildings/Sq. Footage
 
Segment/Occupant
Crowley, Texas
 
26.3

 
168,797

 
Energy Segment
Houston, Texas
 
5.4

 
61,600

 
Energy Segment
Richland, Mississippi
 
6.7

 
60,981

 
Energy Segment
Pittsburg, Kansas
 
15.3

 
87,800

 
Energy Segment
Medway, Massachusetts
 

 
(Leased) 85,000

 
Energy Segment
Fulton, Missouri
 

 
(Leased) 120,410

 
Energy Segment
Hamilton, Ontario Canada
 

 
(Leased) 78,000

 
Energy Segment
Fort Worth, Texas
 

 
(Leased) 201,000

 
Energy Segment
Norcross, Georgia
 
5.5

 
(Leased) 15,000

 
Energy Segment
Norcross, Georgia
 
11.0

 
(Leased) 161,229

 
Energy Segment
College Station, Texas
 

 
(Leased) 377

 
Energy Segment
Chanute, Kansas
 

 
(Leased) 1,000

 
Energy Segment
Spring, Texas
 

 
(Leased) 1,000

 
Energy Segment
York, Pennsylvania
 

 
(Leased) 4,855

 
Energy Segment
St. Petersburg, Florida
 
6.4

 
(Leased) 26,155

 
Energy Segment
Millington, MD
 
11.7

 
(Leased) 96,958

 
Energy Segment
Edmonton, AB Canada
 

 
(Leased) 17,680

 
Energy Segment
Hellevoetsluis, Netherlands
 
1.6

 
(Leased) 30,785

 
Energy Segment
Radom, Poland
 

 
(Leased) 56,000

 
Energy Segment
Barueri, Brazil
 
0.4

 
(Leased) 18,478

 
Energy Segment
Beaumont, Texas
 
12.9

 
33,700

 
Galvanizing Segment
Big Spring, Texas
 
15.2

 
109,000

 
Galvanizing Segment
Crowley, Texas
 
28.5

 
79,200

 
Galvanizing Segment
Houston, Texas
 
25.2

 
61,800

 
Galvanizing Segment
Houston, Texas
 
23.7

 
128,764

 
Galvanizing Segment
Hurst, Texas
 
17.5

 
145,522

 
Galvanizing Segment
Kennedale, Texas
 
6.0

 
24,390

 
Galvanizing Segment
San Antonio, Texas
 
15.0

 
17,275

 
Galvanizing Segment
Waskom, Texas
 
10.6

 
30,400

 
Galvanizing Segment
Atkinson, Nebraska
 
12.9

 
26,480

 
Galvanizing Segment
Moss Point, Mississippi
 
13.5

 
16,000

 
Galvanizing Segment
Richland, Mississippi
 
5.6

 
22,800

 
Galvanizing Segment
Citronelle, Alabama
 
10.8

 
34,000

 
Galvanizing Segment
Goodyear, Arizona
 
16.8

 
36,800

 
Galvanizing Segment
Prairie Grove, Arkansas
 
11.5

 
34,000

 
Galvanizing Segment
Belle Chasse, Louisiana
 
9.5

 
34,000

 
Galvanizing Segment
Morgan City, Louisiana
 
1.6

 
14,300

 
Galvanizing Segment
Port Allen, Louisiana
 
22.2

 
48,700

 
Galvanizing Segment
McCarran, Nevada
 
23.7

 
43,379

 
Galvanizing Segment
Cincinnati, Ohio
 
15.0

 
81,700

 
Galvanizing Segment
Canton, Ohio
 
13.6

 
60,756

 
Galvanizing Segment
Hamilton, Indiana
 
49.3

 
110,700

 
Galvanizing Segment

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Muncie, Indiana
 
6.6

 
50,200

 
Galvanizing Segment
Plymouth, Indiana
 
40.0

 
42,900

 
Galvanizing Segment
Joliet, Illinois
 
12.0

 
113,900

 
Galvanizing Segment
Dixon, Illinois
 
21.3

 
59,600

 
Galvanizing Segment
Peoria, Illinois
 
7.4

 
42,600

 
Galvanizing Segment
Peoria, Illinois
 

 
(Leased) 66,400

 
Galvanizing Segment
Winsted, Minnesota
 
10.4

 
81,200

 
Galvanizing Segment
Bristol, Virginia
 
3.6

 
38,000

 
Galvanizing Segment
Poca, West Virginia
 
22.0

 
14,300

 
Galvanizing Segment
Commerce, Colorado
 
3.9

 
31,940

 
Galvanizing Segment
Chelsea, Oklahoma
 
15.0

 
30,700

 
Galvanizing Segment
Tulsa, Oklahoma
 
29.8

 
186,726

 
Galvanizing Segment
Port of Catoosa, Oklahoma
 
4.0

 
(Leased) 42,360

 
Galvanizing Segment
Nashville, Tennessee
 
12.0

 
27,055

 
Galvanizing Segment
St. Louis, Missouri
 
5.6

 
1,800

 
Galvanizing Segment
Kansas City, Missouri
 

 
(Leased) 18,000

 
Galvanizing Segment
Minneapolis, Minnesota
 
4.3

 
67,260

 
Galvanizing Segment
Louisville, Kentucky
 
5.9

 
23,007

 
Galvanizing Segment
Montreal, QC Canada
 
4.4

 
85,000

 
Galvanizing Segment
Acton, ON Canada
 
6.3

 
32,090

 
Galvanizing Segment
Acton, ON Canada
 
4.1

 
24,180

 
Galvanizing Segment
Halifax, NS Canada
 
2.9

 
33,832

 
Galvanizing Segment
Fort Worth, Texas
 

 
(Leased) 41,000

 
Corporate Offices





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Item 3.    Legal Proceedings

The Company and its subsidiaries are named defendants in various routine lawsuits incidental to our business.  These proceedings include labor and employment claims, use of the Company’s intellectual property, worker’s compensation and various environmental  matters, all arising in the normal course of business.  Although the outcome of these lawsuits or other proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, and the amount of any potential liability that could arise with respect to such lawsuits or other matters cannot be predicted at this time, management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not expect liabilities, if any, from these claims or proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 

Item 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.

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PART II
 

Item 5.    Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Our common stock, $1.00 par value (“Common Stock”), is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AZZ”. The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices of our Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on a quarterly basis for each of the two fiscal years ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016.
 
 
 
 
 
High
 
Low
 
Dividends
Declared
 
Fiscal 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Quarter
 
 
 
$
59.52

 
$
50.89

 
$
0.15

 
Second Quarter
 
 
 
$
67.98

 
$
54.98

 
$
0.15

 
Third Quarter
 
 
 
$
67.43

 
$
51.20

 
$
0.17

 
Fourth Quarter
 
 
 
$
67.70

 
$
57.15

 
$
0.17

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fiscal 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Quarter
 
 
 
$
49.57

 
$
42.89

 
$
0.15

 
Second Quarter
 
 
 
$
54.01

 
$
45.01

 
$
0.15

 
Third Quarter
 
 
 
$
60.36

 
$
46.39

 
$
0.15

 
Fourth Quarter
 
 
 
$
60.30

 
$
47.04

 
$
0.15

 
The payment of dividends is within the discretion of our Board and is dependent on our earnings, capital requirements, operating and financial condition and other factors. AZZ has paid dividends quarterly over the last three fiscal years. Dividends paid totaled $16.6 million, $15.5 million, and $14.9 million during fiscal 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Dividend payments may be restricted to total payments of $20.0 million per fiscal year based on covenants with the Company's lenders in the event that the Company's leverage ratio (defined as net debt to EBITDA) exceeds 3.0 to 1.0. Currently there are no restrictions on dividend payments. AZZ fully expects to continue to pay dividends. However, the decision is within the discretion of our Board and we expect any future payments will be made on a quarterly basis.
In January of 2012, our Board authorized the repurchase of up to ten percent of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock. The share repurchase authorization does not have an expiration date, and the amount and prices paid for any future share purchases under the authorization will be based on market conditions and other factors at the time of the purchase. Repurchases under this share repurchase authorization would be made through open market purchases or private transactions in accordance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act. During fiscal 2017, the Company purchased 100,000 shares at an average price of $52.82 per share under the Company's share repurchase program. As of February 28, 2017, these shares were formally retired. Share repurchases may be restricted to total repurchases of $50.0 million per fiscal year based on covenants with the Company's lenders in the event that the Company's leverage ratio exceeds 3.0 to 1.0. Currently there are no restrictions on share repurchases.
The approximate number of holders of record of our Common Stock at February 28, 2017 was 899. See Item 12 of this Report for information regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans.

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STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph illustrates the five-year cumulative total return on investments in our Common Stock, the CRSP Index for NYSE Stock Market (U.S. Companies) and the CRSP Index for NYSE Stocks (SIC 5000-5099 US Companies). These indices are prepared by Zacks Investment Research, Inc. AZZ’s Common Stock is listed on The New York Stock Exchange and AZZ is engaged in two industry segments. The shareholder return shown below is not necessarily indicative of future performance. Total return, as shown, assumes $100 invested on February 28, 2012, in shares of AZZ Common Stock and each index, all with cash dividends reinvested. The calculations exclude trading commissions and taxes.
Comparison of Five Year-Cumulative Total Returns
Value of $100 Invested on February 28, 2012
For Fiscal Year Ended on the Last Day of February
chart2017a01.jpg
 Legend 
Symbol
 
CRSP Total Returns Index for:
 
2/12
 
2/13
 
2/14
 
2/15
 
2/16
 
2/17
 
 
AZZ Inc.
 
100.00

 
180.89

 
182.27

 
189.05

 
212.74

 
249.82

 
 
CRSP Index for NYSE Stock Market (US Companies)
 
100.00

 
115.37

 
141.85

 
159.21

 
143.61

 
180.86

 
 
CRSP Index for NYSE Stocks (SIC 5000-5099
 
100.00

 
112.25

 
142.27

 
148.00

 
134.49

 
170.92

 
 
US Companies) Wholesale Trade - Durable Goods
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes:
A.
The lines represent monthly index levels derived from compounded daily returns that include all dividends.
B.
The indexes are reweighted daily, using the market capitalization on the previous trading day.
C.
If the monthly interval, based on the fiscal year-end, is not a trading day, the preceding trading day is used.
D.
The index level for all series was set to $100 on 02/29/2012.
See the equity compensation plan information in Item 12, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.”

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 Item 6.        Selected Financial Data.
 
 
Fiscal Year
 
 
2017 (a)
 
2016 (b)
 
2015 (c)
 
2014 (d)
 
2013 (e)
 
 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Summary of operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales
 
$
858,930

 
$
903,192

 
$
816,687

 
$
751,723

 
$
570,594

Net income
 
60,921

 
76,790

 
64,943

 
59,597

 
60,456

Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share
 
2.35

 
2.98

 
2.53

 
2.34

 
2.39

Diluted earnings per common share
 
2.33

 
2.96

 
2.52

 
2.32

 
2.37

Total assets
 
977,839

 
982,010

 
936,914

 
953,253

 
694,205

Total debt
 
272,290

 
326,982

 
337,848

 
405,616

 
210,714

Total liabilities
 
448,200

 
500,794

 
516,862

 
577,340

 
360,271

Shareholders’ equity
 
529,639

 
481,216

 
420,052

 
375,913

 
333,934

Working capital
 
154,688

 
160,929

 
149,492

 
152,165

 
143,533

Cash provided by operating activities
 
111,176

 
143,589

 
118,157

 
107,275

 
92,738

Capital expenditures
 
41,434

 
39,861

 
29,377

 
43,472

 
24,923

Depreciation & amortization
 
50,357

 
47,417

 
46,089

 
43,305

 
29,363

Cash dividend per common share
 
0.64

 
0.60

 
0.58

 
0.56

 
0.53

Weighted average shares outstanding - basic
 
25,965

 
25,800

 
25,676

 
25,514

 
25,320

Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted
 
26,097

 
25,937

 
25,778

 
25,693

 
25,561


(a)
Includes the acquisition of Power Electronics, Inc. on March 1, 2016.
(b)
Includes the acquisitions of US Galvanizing, LLC on June 5, 2015 and Alpha Galvanizing Inc. on February 1, 2016.
(c)
Includes the acquisition of Zalk Steel & Supply Co. on June 20, 2014.
(d)
Includes the acquisition of Aquilex SRO on March 29, 2013. See Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Results of Operations - Year ended February 28, 2014.
(e)
Includes the acquisition of NLI, on June 1, 2012, the acquisition of Galvcast on October 1, 2012 and the acquisition of G3 on January 2, 2013.





Item 7.        Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.
You should read the following discussion together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This discussion contains forward-looking statements regarding our business and operations. Our actual results may differ materially from those we currently anticipate as a result of the factors we describe under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview

As mentioned in Item 1, AZZ operates two distinct business segments, the Energy Segment and the Galvanizing Segment. Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is divided by each of our segments along with corporate costs and other costs not specifically identifiable to a segment. For a reconciliation of segment operating income to pretax income, see Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. References herein to fiscal years are to the twelve-month periods that end in February of the relevant calendar year. For example, the twelve-month period ended February 28, 2017 is referred to as “fiscal 2017” or “fiscal year 2017.”

For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2017, we recorded net sales of $858.9 million compared to the prior year’s net sales of $903.2 million. Of the total net sales for fiscal 2017, approximately 56.3% of our net sales were generated from the Energy Segment and approximately 43.7% were generated from the Galvanizing Segment. Net income for fiscal 2017 was $60.9 million compared to $76.8 million for fiscal 2016. Net income as a percentage of net sales was 7.1% for fiscal 2017 as compared to 8.5%

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for fiscal 2016. Earnings per share fell by 21.3% to $2.33 per share for fiscal 2017 compared to $2.96 per share for fiscal 2016, on a diluted basis.

Results of Operations
Year ended February 28, 2017 compared with year ended February 29, 2016
Backlog
We ended fiscal 2017 with a backlog of $346.4 million, a slight increase compared to fiscal 2016. The Company's backlog as of year end pertains solely to the Energy Segment's operations. The book-to-ship ratio remained flat compared to fiscal 2016. The book-to-ship ratio was 1.00 to 1 for fiscal 2017 and 1.00 to 1 for fiscal 2016.
The following table reflects bookings and shipments for fiscal 2017 and 2016.
Backlog Table
(In thousands)
 
 
 
Period Ended  
 
 
 
Period Ended  
 
 
Backlog
 
2/29/2016
 
$
334,456

 
2/28/2015
 
$
332,595

Bookings
 
 
 
858,934

 
 
 
905,053

Acquired Backlog
 
 
 
11,903

 
 
 

Shipments
 
 
 
858,930

 
 
 
903,192

Backlog as reported
 
2/28/2017
 
$
346,363

 
2/29/2016
 
$
334,456

Book-to-Ship Ratio
 
 
 
1.00

 
 
 
1.00


Net Sales
Our total net sales for fiscal 2017 decreased by $44.3 million, or 4.9%, as compared to fiscal 2016.
The following table reflects the breakdown of revenue by segment: 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In thousands)
Net sales:
 
 
 
 
Energy
 
$
483,394

 
$
500,830

Galvanizing
 
375,536

 
402,362

Total Net Sales
 
$
858,930

 
$
903,192

Our Energy Segment recorded net sales for fiscal 2017 of $483.4 million, a decrease of 3.5% compared to fiscal 2016 net sales of $500.8 million. The decrease in net sales for fiscal 2017 was caused by several factors including reduced turnarounds in the U.S. refinery market, continued softness in the petrochemical market, and delays in the release of several large projects in the U.S. and overseas.
Our Galvanizing Segment, which consisted of forty-one hot dip galvanizing facilities as of February 28, 2017, generated net sales of $375.5 million, a 6.7% decrease from the prior year’s net sales of $402.4 million. The decline was a result of a volume decrease in steel processed caused by softness in the solar, petrochemical, and the oil and gas markets which offset higher pricing during the year.

Operating Income
Operating income for the Energy Segment decreased $6.4 million, or 11.0%, for fiscal 2017, to $52.0 million as compared to $58.5 million for fiscal 2016. Operating margins for this segment were 10.8% for fiscal 2017 as compared to 11.7% for fiscal 2016. This decrease was attributable to the reduction in refinery turnarounds described above, which typically carry a higher margin, coupled with generally lower margin projects in the balance of the segment.
Operating income for the Galvanizing Segment decreased $15.7 million, or 16.6%, for fiscal 2017 to $79.0 million as compared to $94.8 million for the prior year. Operating margins were 21.0% for fiscal 2017 as compared to 23.6% for fiscal 2016. This

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decrease is attributable to lower volumes in fiscal 2017 and the $7.3 million of realignment charge related to the shutdown of two galvanizing plants, the repurposing of a third plant, and the disposal of obsolete assets taken in the second quarter of fiscal 2017.
Corporate expenses were $32.7 million for fiscal 2017 and $30.9 million for fiscal 2016. This increase is attributable to higher spend on professional services, higher employee costs, and depreciation of corporate assets in fiscal 2017.
Interest
Interest expense for fiscal 2017 decreased 2.8% to $14.7 million as compared to $15.2 million in fiscal 2016. This decrease is the result of lower borrowings during fiscal 2017 stemming from mandatory and elective principal reductions, partially offset by higher interest rates. For additional information on outstanding debt, see Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. As of February 28, 2017, we had outstanding debt of $272.3 million compared to $327.0 million at the end of fiscal 2016. AZZ's debt to equity ratio was 0.51 to 1 at the end of fiscal 2017 compared to 0.68 to 1 at the end of fiscal 2016.
Net Gain On Sale of Property, Plant and Equipment and Insurance Proceeds
We recorded a net loss of $0.1 million from the sale of property, plant and equipment and insurance proceeds in fiscal 2017. This net loss was the result of the sale of miscellaneous equipment during the year. We recorded a net gain of $0.3 million from the sale of property, plant and equipment and insurance proceeds in fiscal 2016. The net gain is primarily related to the sale of our St. Catherines property located in Ontario, Canada.
Other (Income) Expense
For fiscal 2017, a total of $1.2 million in income was recorded to other (income) expense, net, which was primarily attributable to a reimbursement of legal fees of $0.6 million from a lawsuit in fiscal 2016 and net foreign exchange gains. For fiscal 2016, we recorded $3.1 million of expense to other (income) expense, net, which was attributable to a fourth quarter settlement of a commercial lawsuit, in addition to some currency translation losses.
Provision For Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes reflected an effective tax rate of 28.1% for fiscal 2017 and 26.4% for fiscal 2016. The Company's tax rate is affected by recurring items, such as tax rates in foreign jurisdictions and the relative amounts of income we earn in those jurisdictions. It is also affected by discrete items that may occur in any given year, but may not be consistent from year to year. The most significant impact on the difference between our statutory U.S. federal income tax rate of 35.0% and our effective tax rate is the result of certain U.S. state tax planning for the current and prior fiscal year.

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Year ended February 29, 2016 compared with year ended February 28, 2015
Backlog
We ended fiscal 2016 with a backlog of $334.5 million, an increase of 0.6% as compared to fiscal 2015. The Company's backlog as of year end pertains to the Energy Segment's operations. The book-to-ship ratio remained relatively flat compared to fiscal 2015. The book-to-ship ratio was 1.00 to 1 for fiscal 2017 and 1.01 to 1 for fiscal 2016.
The following table reflects bookings and shipments for fiscal 2016 and 2015.
Backlog Table
(In thousands)
 
 
 
Period Ended  
 
 
 
Period Ended  
 
 
Backlog
 
2/28/2015
 
$
332,595

 
2/28/2014
 
$
325,013

Bookings
 
 
 
905,053

 
 
 
824,269

Shipments
 
 
 
903,192

 
 
 
816,687

Backlog as reported
 
2/29/2016
 
$
334,456

 
2/28/2015
 
$
332,595

Book-to-Ship Ratio
 
 
 
1.00

 
 
 
1.01


Net Sales
Our total net sales for fiscal 2016 increased by $86.5 million, or 10.6%, as compared to fiscal 2015.
The following table reflects the breakdown of revenue by segment: 
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(In thousands)
Net sales:
 
 
 
 
Energy
 
$
500,830

 
$
458,339

Galvanizing
 
402,362

 
358,348

Total Net Sales
 
$
903,192

 
$
816,687

Our Energy Segment recorded net sales for fiscal 2016 of $500.8 million, an increase of 9.3% compared to fiscal 2015 net sales of $458.3 million. The increase in net sales for fiscal 2016 was attributable to greater penetration and project scope expansion in specialty welding services for petroleum refining both domestically and internationally.
Our Galvanizing Segment, which consisted of forty-three hot dip galvanizing facilities as of February 28, 2016, generated net sales of $402.4 million, a 12.3% increase from the prior year’s net sales of $358.3 million. The volume of steel processed for the fiscal year increased 15.6% while sales prices were slightly lower in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015. The acquisition of US Galvanizing, LLC and Alpha Galvanizing Inc. accounted for a significant portion of the increase in net sales and steel processed in the current year. The solar and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) markets also added to the increased sales and steel processed volumes during the year.
Operating Income
Operating income for the Energy Segment increased $19.8 million, or 51.1%, for fiscal 2016, to $58.5 million as compared to $38.7 million for fiscal 2015. Operating margins for this segment were 11.7% for fiscal 2016 as compared to 8.4% for fiscal 2015. This increase was attributable to increased net sales, improved pricing, and better execution overall. During 2015, operating income was impacted by realignment charges described in Note 6 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and certain cost overruns on projects at NLI and Aquilex SRO.
Operating income for the Galvanizing Segment increased $6.2 million, or 7.0%, for fiscal 2016 to $94.8 million as compared to $88.6 million for the prior year. Operating margins were 23.6% for fiscal 2016 as compared to 24.7% for fiscal 2015. As noted within the net sales discussion, the acquisition of US Galvanizing, LLC and Alpha Galvanizing Inc. were the primary contributors of operating income growth which was partially offset by higher zinc costs year over year.
Corporate expenses were $30.9 million for fiscal 2016 and $20.4 million for fiscal 2015. During fiscal 2016, we experienced higher legal fees associated with attorney fees related to a commercial lawsuit which settled during the fourth quarter, higher

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outside costs associated with various acquisitions and divestiture activities, and charges taken in the fourth quarter related to rectifying incorrect matching payments made to employee benefit plans of certain employees in prior years. During fiscal 2015, the Company recognized a $9.1 million gain from the reversal of the contingent liability associated with the acquisition of NLI. Based on the criteria set forth in the acquisition agreement, we no longer believe an additional payment to the previous owners is probable. Excluding the gain from the reversal of the NLI contingency, for the year, general corporate expenses would have totaled $29.5 million during fiscal 2015 and the year over year comparison would have been relatively flat.
Interest
Interest expense for fiscal 2016 decreased 8.5% to $15.2 million as compared to $16.6 million in fiscal 2015. This decrease is the result of lower borrowings during fiscal 2016 stemming from mandatory and elective principal reductions. For additional information on outstanding debt, see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. As of February 29, 2016, we had gross outstanding debt of $327.0 million compared to $337.8 million at the end of fiscal 2015. AZZ's debt to equity ratio was 0.68 to 1 at the end of fiscal 2016 compared to 0.80 to 1 at the end of fiscal 2015.
Net Gain On Sale of Property, Plant and Equipment and Insurance Proceeds
We recorded a net gain of $0.3 million from the sale of plant, property and equipment and insurance proceeds during fiscal 2016. The net gain is primarily related to the sale of our St. Catherines property located in Ontario, Canada. We recorded a net gain of $2.5 million from the sale of property, plant and equipment and insurance proceeds in fiscal 2015. The gain from the prior fiscal year is primarily attributable to the property, plant and equipment lost as a result of the fires at our Joliet, Illinois, Goodyear, Arizona and New Orleans, Louisiana galvanizing facilities, offset by insurance proceeds.
Other (Income) Expense
For fiscal 2016, a total of $3.1 million in expense was recorded to other (income) expense, net, which was primarily attributable to a fourth quarter settlement of a commercial lawsuit, in addition to some currency translation losses. For fiscal 2015, we recorded $2.7 million of expense to other (income) expense, net, which was attributable to the demolition and cleanup efforts at our New Orleans, Louisiana and Goodyear, Arizona galvanizing facilities, following fires at the two facilities.
Provision For Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes reflected an effective tax rate of 26.4% for fiscal 2016 and 27.9% for fiscal 2015. The Company's tax rate is affected by recurring items, such as tax rates in foreign jurisdictions and the relative amounts of income we earn in those jurisdictions. It is also affected by discrete items that may occur in any given year, but may not be consistent from year to year. The most significant impact on the difference between our statutory U.S. federal income tax rate of 35.0% and our effective tax rate is the result of certain U.S. state tax planning for the current and prior fiscal year.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have historically met our cash needs through a combination of cash flows from operating activities along with bank and bond market debt. Our cash requirements are generally for operating activities, cash dividend payments, capital improvements, debt repayment and acquisitions. We believe that our cash position, cash flows from operating activities and our expectation of continuing availability to draw upon our credit facilities are sufficient to meet our cash flow needs for the foreseeable future.
Net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2017 was $111.2 million compared to $143.6 million provided by operating activities for fiscal 2016. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2017 is attributable to a decrease in net income and by a less favorable impact of changes in working capital.
Net cash used in investing activities for fiscal 2017 was $63.3 million compared to net cash used in investing activities of $99.3 million for fiscal 2016. The decrease in cash used during fiscal 2017 was primarily attributable to fewer acquisitions, partially offset by increased capital expenditures.
Net cash used in financing activities for fiscal 2017 was $76.6 million compared to net cash used in financing activities of $25.3 million for fiscal 2016. The increase in cash used during fiscal 2017 was primarily attributable to increased net principal payments under our debt agreements and the purchase of 100,000 treasury shares.
We consider the undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries as of fiscal year ended February 28, 2017, to be indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly, no U.S. income taxes have been provided thereon. Should the Company decide to repatriate the foreign earnings, we would need to adjust our income tax provision in the period we determined that the earnings will no longer be indefinitely invested outside the United States. As of fiscal year ended February 28, 2017, the amount of cash associated with indefinitely reinvested foreign earnings was approximately $7.2 million. We have not, nor do we anticipate the need to repatriate

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earnings to the United States to satisfy domestic liquidity needs arising in the ordinary course of business including liquidity needs associated with our domestic debt service requirements. However, the Company may repatriate some cash to the U.S. through settlement of inter-company loans or return of capital distributions in a tax efficient manner.
During fiscal 2017, we spent $64.1 million on capital expenditures including acquisitions, net of cash. The breakdown of capital spending by segment for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015 can be found in Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
On March 27, 2013, we entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America and other lenders. The Credit Agreement provides for a $75.0 million term facility and a $225.0 million revolving credit facility that includes a $75.0 million “accordion” feature. The Credit Agreement is used to provide for working capital needs, capital improvements, dividends, future acquisitions and letter of credit needs.
Interest rates for borrowings under the Credit Agreement are based on either a Eurodollar Rate or a Base Rate plus a margin ranging from 1.0% to 2.0% depending on our Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). The Eurodollar Rate is defined as LIBOR for a term equivalent to the borrowing term (or other similar interbank rates if LIBOR is unavailable). The Base Rate is defined as the highest of the applicable Fed Funds rate plus 0.50%, the Prime rate, or the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.0% at the time of borrowing. The Credit Agreement also carries a Commitment Fee for the unfunded portion ranging from 0.20% to 0.30% per annum, depending on our Leverage Ratio.
The $75.0 million term facility under the Credit Agreement requires quarterly principal and interest payments, which commenced on June 30, 2013 and are required to be made through March 27, 2018, the maturity date.
The Credit Agreement provides various financial covenants requiring us, among other things, to a) maintain on a consolidated basis net worth equal to at least the sum of $230.0 million, plus 50.0% of future net income, b) maintain on a consolidated basis a Leverage Ratio not to exceed 3.25:1.0, c) maintain on a consolidated basis a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of at least 1.75:1.0 and d) not to make Capital Expenditures (as defined in the Credit Agreement) on a consolidated basis in an amount in excess of $60.0 million during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2014 and $50.0 million during any subsequent year.
On August 8, 2016 we executed the First Amendment to the Credit Agreement.  The changes included, among other things, amendments to covenants including removing the cap on Capital Expenditures, raising the limits on asset disposition and other secured debt, and establishing a basket for investments specifically in joint ventures.  The amendment also removed limitations on dividends and on redemption of equity interest as long as the Company’s Leverage Ratio remained below 2.75:1.0.
On March 21, 2017, we executed the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “2017 Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America and other lenders. The 2017 Credit Agreement amended the Credit Agreement entered into on March 27, 2013 by the following: (i) extending the maturity date until March 21, 2022, (ii) providing for a senior revolving credit facility in a principal amount of up to $450 million, with an additional $150 million accordion, (iii) including a $75 million sublimit for the issuance of standby and commercial letters of credit, (iv) including a $30 million sublimit for swing line loans, (v) restricting indebtedness incurred in respect of capital leases, synthetic lease obligations and purchase money obligations not to exceed $20 million, (vi) restricting investments in any foreign subsidiaries not to exceed $50 million in the aggregate, and (vii) including various financial covenants and certain restricted payments relating to dividends and share repurchases as specifically set forth in the 2017 Credit Agreement. The 2017 Credit Agreement will be used to finance working capital needs, capital improvements, dividends, future acquisitions and letter of credit needs.
On March 31, 2008, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company issued $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 6.24% unsecured Senior Notes (the “2008 Notes”) due March 31, 2018 through a private placement (the “2008 Note Offering”). Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, the Company’s payment obligations with respect to the 2008 Notes may be accelerated upon any Event of Default, as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement.
The Company entered into an additional Note Purchase Agreement on January 21, 2011 (the “2011 Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company issued $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.42% unsecured Senior Notes (the “2011 Notes”), due in January of 2021, through a private placement (the “2011 Note Offering”). Pursuant to the 2011 Agreement, the Company's payment obligations with respect to the 2011 Notes may be accelerated under certain circumstances.
The 2008 Notes and the 2011 Notes each provide for various financial covenants requiring us, among other things, to a) maintain on a consolidated basis net worth (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) equal to at least the sum of $116.9 million plus 50.0% of future net income; b) maintain a ratio of indebtedness to EBITDA (as defined in Note Purchase Agreement) not to exceed 3.25:1.00; c) maintain on a consolidated basis a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) of at

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least 2.0:1.0; d) not at any time permit the aggregate amount of all Priority Indebtedness (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) to exceed 10.0% of Consolidated Net Worth.
As of February 28, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants.
Historically, we have not experienced a significant impact on our operations from increases in general inflation other than for specific commodities. We have exposure to commodity price increases in both segments of our business, primarily copper, aluminum, steel and nickel based alloys in the Energy Segment and zinc and natural gas in the Galvanizing Segment. We attempt to minimize these increases through escalation clauses in customer contracts for copper, aluminum, steel and nickel based alloys, when market conditions allow and through fixed cost contract purchases on zinc. In addition to these measures, we attempt to recover other cost increases through improvements to our manufacturing process, supply chain management, and through increases in prices where competitively feasible.
Off Balance Sheet Transactions and Related Matters
There are no off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations) other than the contingent obligations as described in the contingent liability section, or other relationships of the Company with unconsolidated entities or other persons that have, or may have, a material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Contractual Commitments
The following summarizes the Company’s operating leases, debt and interest payments for the next five fiscal years and thereafter:
 
 
 
Operating
Leases
 

Debt
 
Interest
 
Total
 
 
(In thousands)
2018
 
$
6,627

 
$
16,629

 
$
11,573

 
$
34,829

2019
 
5,629

 
130,661

 
8,079

 
144,369

2020
 
3,347

 

 
6,775

 
10,122

2021
 
2,655

 
125,000

 
6,775

 
134,430

2022
 
2,542

 

 

 
2,542

Thereafter
 
8,042

 

 

 
8,042

Total
 
$
28,842

 
$
272,290

 
$
33,202

 
$
334,334


Commodity pricing
We have no contracted commitments for any commodities including steel, aluminum, natural gas, nickel based alloys, copper, zinc or any other commodity, except for those entered into under the normal course of business.
Other
At February 28, 2017, the Company had outstanding letters of credit in the amount of $23.1 million. These letters of credit are issued to a portion of the Company’s customers in our Energy Segment to cover any potential warranty costs, performance issues, insurance reserves and bid bonds. In addition, as of February 28, 2017, a warranty reserve in the amount of $2.1 million has been provided to offset any future warranty claims.
The Company has been named as a defendant in certain lawsuits that arose in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, after consulting with legal counsel, the potential liabilities, if any, resulting from these matters would not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flow.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates that affect the reported value of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Our estimates are based on historical experience and various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances and form the basis for our conclusions. We continually evaluate the information used to make these estimates as business and economic conditions change. Accounting policies and estimates considered most critical are allowances for doubtful accounts, accruals for contingent liabilities, revenue recognition, impairment of long-lived assets, identifiable intangible assets and goodwill, accounting for income taxes, restricted stock units, performance share units and stock

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appreciation rights. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The development and selection of the critical accounting policies and the related disclosures below have been reviewed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. More information regarding significant accounting policies can be found in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts – The carrying value of our accounts receivable is continually evaluated based on the likelihood of collection. An allowance is maintained for estimated losses resulting from our customers’ inability to make required payments. The allowance is determined by historical experience of uncollected accounts, the level of past due accounts, overall level of outstanding accounts receivable, information about specific customers with respect to their inability to make payments and future expectations of conditions that might impact the collectability of accounts receivable. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances could be required.
Accruals for Contingent Liabilities - The amounts we record for estimated claims, such as self-insurance programs, warranty, environmental and other contingent liabilities, requires us to make judgments regarding the amount of expenses that will ultimately be incurred. We use past history and experience and other specific circumstances surrounding these claims in evaluating the amount of liability that should be recorded. Actual results may be different than what we estimate. In connection with our acquisition of NLI on June 1, 2012, the Company had a contingent obligation to make an additional payment of up to $20.0 million based on the future financial performance of the NLI business. During fiscal 2015, the Company deemed this additional payment not probable or likely to occur and the accrual recorded at the end of fiscal 2014 of $9.1 million was reversed. The accrual reversal was recorded to selling, general and administrative expense. As of June 2016, the measurement period for this contingency payment has expired and no additional payment was made.
Revenue Recognition – Revenue is recognized for the Energy Segment upon transfer of title and risk to customers, or based upon the percentage of completion method of accounting for electrical products built to customer specifications and for services under long term contracts. We typically recognize revenue for the Galvanizing Segment at completion of the service unless we specifically agree with the customer to hold its material for a predetermined period of time after the completion of the galvanizing process and, in that circumstance, we invoice and recognize revenue upon shipment. Customer advanced payments presented in the balance sheets arise from advanced payments received from our customers prior to shipment of the product and are not related to revenue recognized under the percentage of completion method. The extent of progress for revenue recognized using the percentage of completion method is measured by the ratio of contract costs incurred to date to total estimated contract costs at completion. Contract costs include direct labor and material and certain indirect costs. Selling, general and administrative costs are charged to expense as incurred. Provisions for estimated losses, if any, on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are able to be determined. The assumptions made in determining the estimated cost could differ from actual performance resulting in a different outcome for profits or losses than anticipated.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, Identifiable Intangible Assets and Goodwill – We record impairment losses on long-lived assets, including identifiable intangible assets, when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired and the undiscounted projected cash flows associated with those assets are less than the carrying amounts of those assets. In those situations, impairment losses on long-lived assets are measured based on the excess of the carrying amount over the asset’s fair value, generally determined based upon discounted estimates of future cash flows. A significant change in events, circumstances or projected cash flows could result in an impairment of long-lived assets, including identifiable intangible assets. An annual impairment test of goodwill is performed in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. The test is calculated using the anticipated future cash flows after tax from our operating segments. Based on the present value of the future cash flows, we will determine whether impairment may exist. A significant change in projected cash flows or cost of capital for future years could result in an impairment of goodwill in future years. Variables impacting future cash flows include, but are not limited to, the level of customer demand for and response to products and services we offer to the power generation market, the electrical transmission and distribution markets, the general industrial market and the hot dip galvanizing market, changes in economic conditions of these various markets, raw material and natural gas costs and availability of experienced labor and management to implement our growth strategies. Our testing concluded that none of our goodwill was impaired.
Accounting for Income Taxes – Our income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits reflect management’s best assessment of estimated current and future taxes to be paid. We are subject to income taxes in both the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining the consolidated income tax expense. Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, which will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future.
In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets within the jurisdiction from which they arise, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. In projecting future taxable income, we begin with historical results adjusted for the results of discontinued operations and incorporate assumptions about the amount of future state, federal, and foreign pretax

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operating income adjusted for items that do not have tax consequences. The assumptions about future taxable income require significant judgment and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

The calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across our global operations. Generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP") states that a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, on the basis of the technical merits. We may (1) record unrecognized tax benefits as liabilities in accordance with GAAP and (2) adjust these liabilities when our judgment changes as a result of the evaluation of new information not previously available. Because of the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from our current estimate of the unrecognized tax benefit liabilities. These differences will be reflected as increases or decreases to income tax expense in the period in which new information is available.

We currently do not record unrecognized tax benefits related to U.S. federal, state or, foreign tax exposure. We continue to review our tax exposure for any significant need to record unrecognized tax benefits in the future.

We consider the earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries to be indefinitely invested outside the United States on the basis of estimates that future domestic cash generation will be sufficient to meet future domestic cash needs and our specific plans for reinvestment of those subsidiary earnings. We have not recorded a deferred tax liability related to the U.S. federal and state income taxes and foreign withholding taxes on approximately $24.8 million of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries indefinitely invested outside the United States. If we decide to repatriate the foreign earnings, we would need to adjust our income tax provision in the period we determined that the earnings will no longer be indefinitely invested outside the United States.

Restricted Stock Units, Performance Share Units and Stock Appreciation Rights – Our employees and directors are periodically granted restricted stock units, performance share units, and stock appreciation rights by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The compensation cost of all employee stock-based compensation awards is measured based on the grant-date fair value of those awards and that cost is recorded as compensation expense over the period during which the employee is required to perform service in exchange for the award (generally over the vesting period of the award).
The valuation of stock appreciation rights awards is complex in that there are a number of variables included in the calculation of the value of the award:
 
Volatility of our stock price
Expected term of the stock appreciation rights
Expected dividend yield
Risk-free interest rate over the expected term
Expected forfeitures
These variables are developed using a combination of our internal data with respect to stock price volatility and exercise behavior of award holders and information from outside sources. The development of each of these variables requires a significant amount of judgment. Changes in the values of the above variables would result in different valuations and, therefore, different amounts of compensation cost.
We have elected to use a Black-Scholes pricing model in the valuation of our stock appreciation rights. Restricted stock units and performance share units are valued at the stock price on the date of grant.

Item 7A.        Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Market risk affecting our operations results primarily from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange and commodity prices. As of February 28, 2017, we had no involvement with derivative financial instruments.
In the Energy Segment, we have exposure to commodity pricing for copper, aluminum, steel and nickel based alloys. Increases in price for these items are normally managed through escalation clauses in our customers' contracts, although during difficult market conditions customers' may resist these escalation clauses. In addition, we attempt to enter into firm pricing contracts with our vendors on material at the time we receive orders from our customers to minimize risk. As normal course of business, we manage our exposures to commodity prices, primarily zinc used in our Galvanizing Segment, by utilizing agreements with zinc suppliers that include protective caps and fixed contracts to guard against escalating commodity prices. We also secure firm pricing

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for natural gas supplies with individual utilities when possible. We believe these agreements ensure adequate supplies and partially offset exposure to commodity price escalation.

As of February 28, 2017, the Company had exposure to foreign currency exchange rates related to our operations in Canada, China, Brazil, Poland, and the Netherlands.
We do not believe that a hypothetical change of 10% of the interest rate or currency exchange rate that are currently in effect or a change of 10% of commodity prices would have a significant adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows as long as we are able to pass along the increases in commodity prices to our customers. However, there can be no assurance that either interest rates, exchange rates or commodity prices will not change in excess of the 10% hypothetical amount or that we would be able to pass along rising costs of commodity prices to our customers, and such hypothetical change could have an adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.
 

Item 8.        Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. 

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Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules
 
 
 
Page
1.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.
Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule
 
 
 
 
 


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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and Shareholders
AZZ Inc.
Fort Worth, Texas

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AZZ Inc. as of February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016 and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended February 28, 2017. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in Item 15 of this Form 10-K. We have also audited AZZ Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of February 28, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). AZZ Inc.’s management is responsible for these financial statements, financial statement schedule, maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements, financial statement schedule and to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and the schedule are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of AZZ Inc. as of February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended February 28, 2017, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, AZZ Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of February 28, 2017, based on the COSO criteria.
Also in our opinion, the financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
As indicated in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management’s assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal controls of Power Electronics, Inc. (PEI), whose acquisition was completed on March 1, 2016. PEI is included in the consolidated balance sheet of AZZ Inc. as of February 28, 2017 and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the year then ended. PEI constituted approximately 1.8% of the Company’s total assets as of February 28, 2017 and 4.0% and 8.3% of revenues and net income, respectively, for the year then ended. Management did not assess the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of PEI because of the timing of the acquisition. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting of AZZ Inc. also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of PEI.


/s/ BDO USA, LLP

Dallas, Texas
April 20, 2017

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AZZ Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
 
 
Year Ended
 
 
February 28, 2017
 
February 29, 2016
 
February 28, 2015
 
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
Net Sales
 
$
858,930

 
$
903,192

 
$
816,687

Cost of Sales
 
654,146

 
673,081

 
610,991

Gross Profit
 
204,784

 
230,111

 
205,696

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Selling, General and Administrative
 
106,424

 
107,823

 
98,871

Operating Income
 
98,360

 
122,288

 
106,825

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest Expense
 
14,732

 
15,155

 
16,561

Net (Gain) Loss On Sale of Property, Plant and Equipment, and Insurance Proceeds
 
76

 
(327
)
 
(2,525
)
Other Expense (Income) - net
 
(1,197
)
 
3,092

 
2,659

Income Before Income Taxes
 
84,749

 
104,368

 
90,130

Income Tax Expense
 
23,828

 
27,578

 
25,187

Net Income
 
$
60,921

 
$
76,790

 
$
64,943

Earnings Per Common Share
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic Earnings Per Share
 
$
2.35

 
$
2.98

 
$
2.53

Diluted Earnings Per Share
 
$
2.33

 
$
2.96

 
$
2.52

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
25,965

 
25,800

 
25,676

Diluted
 
26,097

 
25,937

 
25,778

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

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AZZ Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 
 
Year Ended
 
 
February 28, 2017
 
February 29, 2016
 
February 28, 2015
 
 
(In thousands)
Net Income
 
$
60,921

 
$
76,790

 
$
64,943

Other Comprehensive Loss:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments -
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized Translation Gains (Losses)
 
1,520

 
(7,674
)
 
(11,760
)
Interest Rate Swap, Net of Income Tax of $29, $29 and $29, respectively.
 
(54
)
 
(54
)
 
(54
)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
1,466

 
(7,728
)
 
(11,814
)
Comprehensive Income
 
$
62,387

 
$
69,062

 
$
53,129

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




26




AZZ Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
 
February 28, 2017
 
February 29, 2016
Assets
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
11,302

 
$
40,191

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $347 and $264 in 2017 and 2016, respectively
 
138,470

 
131,416

Inventories - net
 
123,208

 
102,135

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts
 
20,546

 
32,287

Deferred income tax assets
 
249

 
200

Prepaid expenses and other
 
2,762

 
3,105

Total current assets
 
296,537

 
309,334

Property, plant, and equipment, net
 
228,610

 
226,333

Goodwill
 
306,579

 
292,527

Intangibles and other assets
 
146,113

 
153,816

 
 
$
977,839

 
$
982,010

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
49,816

 
$
46,748

Income tax payable
 
778

 
2,697

Accrued salaries and wages
 
23,429

 
30,473

Other accrued liabilities
 
18,390

 
20,406

Customer advance payment
 
20,860

 
15,652

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts
 
11,948

 
9,237

Debt due within one year
 
16,629

 
23,192

Total current liabilities
 
141,850

 
148,405

Debt due after one year, net
 
254,800

 
302,429

Deferred income tax liabilities
 
51,550

 
49,960

Total liabilities
 
448,200

 
500,794

Commitments and Contingencies
 


 


Shareholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
Common Stock, $1.00 par value; 100,000 shares authorized; 25,964 shares issued and outstanding at February 28, 2017 and 25,874 at February 29, 2016
 
25,964

 
25,874

Capital in excess of par value
 
37,739

 
35,148

Retained earnings
 
495,030

 
450,754

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(29,094
)
 
(30,560
)
Total shareholders’ equity
 
529,639

 
481,216

 
 
$
977,839

 
$
982,010

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

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AZZ Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
 
 
Year Ended
 
 
February 28, 2017
 
February 29, 2016
 
February 28, 2015
 
 
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
 
$
60,921

 
$
76,790

 
$
64,943

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 

Depreciation and amortization
 
50,357

 
47,417

 
46,089

Deferred income taxes
 
1,509

 
2,707

 
15,818

Net loss on disposition of property, plant & equipment due to realignment
 
6,602

 
286

 
2,651

Net (gain) loss on sale of property, plant & equipment and insurance proceeds
 
76

 
(327
)
 
(2,525
)
Share-based compensation expense
 
5,870

 
4,538

 
4,080

Amortization of deferred debt issuance costs
 
1,262

 
1,347

 
1,431

Provision for doubtful accounts
 
48

 
(1,072
)
 
458

Effects of changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
 
(4,912
)
 
(843
)
 
(9,382
)
Inventories
 
(17,951
)
 
11,124

 
(879
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
 
(1,977
)
 
1,996

 
5,543

Net change in billings related to costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts
 
14,509

 
5,739

 
(5,635
)
Accounts payable
 
1,245

 
(2,236
)
 
11,025

Other accrued liabilities and income taxes payable
 
(6,383
)
 
(3,877
)
 
(15,460
)
Net cash provided by operating activities:
 
111,176

 
143,589

 
118,157

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from the sale or insurance settlement of property, plant, and equipment
 
769

 
1,137

 
1,330

Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash acquired
 
(22,679
)
 
(60,584
)
 
(11,518
)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
 
(41,434
)
 
(39,861
)
 
(29,377
)
Net cash used in investing activities:
 
(63,344
)
 
(99,308
)
 
(39,565
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation
 

 
1,025

 
259

Proceeds from revolving loan
 
179,500

 
181,481

 
10,977

Payments on revolving loan
 
(211,000
)
 
(170,561
)
 
(57,905
)
Payments on long-term debt
 
(23,192
)
 
(21,786
)
 
(20,848
)
Purchases of treasury shares
 
(5,282
)
 

 

Payment of dividends
 
(16,645
)
 
(15,482
)
 
(14,897
)
Net cash used in financing activities:
 
(76,619
)
 
(25,323
)
 
(82,414
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 
(102
)
 
(1,294
)
 
(1,216
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 
(28,889
)
 
17,664

 
(5,038
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
 
40,191

 
22,527

 
27,565

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
 
$
11,302

 
$
40,191

 
$
22,527

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest
 
$
13,780

 
$
14,228

 
$
15,613

Cash paid for income taxes
 
$
19,857

 
$
21,574

 
$
15,264


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

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AZZ Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Common Stock
 
Capital in
excess of par
value
 
Retained
earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Total
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
(In thousands)
Balance at February 28, 2014
 
25,577

 
$
25,577

 
$
21,954

 
$
339,400

 
$
(11,018
)
 
$
375,913

Stock compensation
 
16

 
16

 
4,064

 

 

 
4,080

Restricted Stock Units
 
21

 
21

 
(497
)
 

 

 
(476
)
Stock issued for SARs
 
40

 
40

 
(371
)
 

 

 
(331
)
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
78

 
78

 
2,297

 

 

 
2,375

Excess tax benefits from
share-based compensation
 

 

 
259

 

 

 
259

Cash dividend paid
 

 

 

 
(14,897
)
 

 
(14,897
)
Net income
 

 

 

 
64,943

 

 
64,943

Foreign currency translation
 

 

 

 

 
(11,760
)
 
(11,760
)
Interest rate swap, net of $29 of income tax
 

 

 

 

 
(54
)
 
(54
)
Balance at February 28, 2015
 
25,732

 
$
25,732

 
$
27,706

 
$
389,446

 
$
(22,832
)
 
$
420,052

Stock compensation
 
15

 
15

 
4,523

 

 

 
4,538

Restricted Stock Units
 
17

 
17

 
(390
)
 

 

 
(373
)
Stock issued for SARs
 
41

 
41

 
(132
)
 

 

 
(91
)
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
69

 
69

 
2,416

 

 

 
2,485

Excess tax benefits from
share-based compensation
 

 

 
1,025

 

 

 
1,025

Cash dividend paid
 

 

 

 
(15,482
)
 

 
(15,482
)
Net income
 

 

 

 
76,790

 

 
76,790

Foreign currency translation
 

 

 

 

 
(7,674
)
 
(7,674
)
Interest rate swap, net of $29 of income tax
 

 

 

 

 
(54
)
 
(54
)
Balance at February 29, 2016
 
25,874

 
$
25,874

 
$
35,148

 
$
450,754

 
$
(30,560
)
 
$
481,216

Stock compensation
 
13

 
13

 
5,857

 

 

 
5,870

Restricted Stock Units
 
25

 
25

 
(605
)
 

 

 
(580
)
Stock issued for SARs
 
81

 
81

 
(322
)
 

 

 
(241
)
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
71

 
71

 
2,843

 

 

 
2,914

Retirement of treasury shares
 
(100
)
 
(100
)
 
(5,182
)
 

 

 
(5,282
)
Cash dividend paid
 

 

 

 
(16,645
)
 

 
(16,645
)
Net income
 

 

 

 
60,921

 

 
60,921

Foreign currency translation
 

 

 

 

 
1,520

 
1,520

Interest rate swap, net of $29 of income tax
 

 

 

 

 
(54
)
 
(54
)
Balance at February 28, 2017
 
25,964

 
$
25,964

 
$
37,739

 
$
495,030

 
$
(29,094
)
 
$
529,639

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


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AZZ Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


 
1.    Summary of significant accounting policies
Organization-AZZ Inc. (the “Company” “AZZ” or “We”) operates primarily in the United States of America and Canada and has recently begun operating in China, Brazil, Poland and the Netherlands. Information about the Company's operations by segment is included in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements.
Basis of consolidation—The consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of estimates—The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Concentrations of credit risk—Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable.
The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with various financial institutions. These financial institutions are located throughout the United States and Canada, as well as Europe, China and Brazil. The Company's policy is designed to limit exposure to any one institution. The Company performs periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of those financial institutions that are considered in the Company's banking relationships and has not experienced any losses in such accounts. We believe we are not exposed to any significant credit risk related to cash and cash equivalents.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are limited due to the Company’s diversity by virtue of two operating segments, the number of customers, and the absence of a concentration of trade accounts receivable in a small number of customers. The Company performs continuous evaluations of the collectability of trade accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts based upon historical losses, economic conditions and customer specific events. After all collection efforts are exhausted and an account is deemed uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts. Collateral is usually not required from customers as a condition of sale.
Revenue recognition—The Company recognizes revenue for the Energy Segment upon transfer of title and risk to customer or based upon the percentage of completion method of accounting for electrical products built to customer specifications and services under long-term contracts. We typically recognize revenue for the Galvanizing Segment at completion of the service unless we specifically agree with the customer to hold its material for a predetermined period of time after the completion of the galvanizing process and, in that circumstance, we invoice and recognize revenue upon shipment. Customer advanced payments presented in the balance sheets arise from advanced payments received from our customers prior to shipment of the product and are not related to revenue recognized under the percentage of completion method. The extent of progress for revenue recognized using the percentage of completion method is measured by the ratio of contract costs incurred to date to total estimated contract costs at completion. Contract costs include direct labor and material and certain indirect costs. Selling, general and administrative costs are charged to expense as incurred.

Provisions for estimated losses, if any, on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are able to be determined. The assumptions made in determining the estimated cost could differ from actual performance resulting in a different outcome for profits or losses than anticipated.
Cash and cash equivalents—The Company considers cash and cash equivalents to include cash on hand, deposits with banks and all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less.
Inventories—Cost is determined principally using a weighted-average method for the Energy Segment and the first-in-first-out (FIFO) method for the Galvanizing Segment.
Property, plant and equipment—For financial reporting purposes, depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:
 

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AZZ Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Buildings and structures
10-25 years
Machinery and equipment
3-15 years
Furniture and fixtures
3-15 years
Automotive equipment
3 years
Computers and software
3 years
Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred; renewals and betterments that significantly extend the useful life of the asset are capitalized.
Long-lived assets, intangible assets and goodwill—Purchased intangible assets included on the balance sheets are comprised of customer lists, backlogs, engineering drawings and non-compete agreements. Such intangible assets are being amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from two to nineteen years. The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets, including identifiable intangible assets, when events and circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired and the undiscounted projected cash flows associated with those assets are less than their carrying amount. In those situations, impairment loss on a long-lived asset is measured based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over the asset’s fair value. For goodwill, the Company performs an annual impairment test on December 31st of each year or as indicators are present. The test is calculated using the anticipated future cash flows after tax from our operating segments, which includes the impact of our corporate related expenses. Based on the present value of the future cash flows, we determine whether impairment may exist. A significant change in projected cash flows or cost of capital for future years could result in an impairment of goodwill in future years. Variables impacting future cash flows include, but are not limited to, the level of customer demand for and response to products and services we offer to the power generation market, the electrical transmission and distribution markets, the general industrial market and the hot dip galvanizing market; changes in economic conditions of these various markets; raw material and natural gas costs and availability of experienced labor and management to implement our growth strategies. As of February 28, 2017, no impairment of long-lived assets, intangible assets or goodwill was determined.
Debt issuance costs—Debt issue costs related to the revolver are included in other assets and are amortized using the effective interest rate method over the term of the debt. Debt issue costs related to debt other than the revolver are netted with total debt due after on year and are amortized using the effective interest rate method over the term of the debt.
Income taxes—We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
We recognize deferred tax assets to the extent that we believe these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If we determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.
As applicable, we record uncertain tax positions in accordance with GAAP on the basis of a two-step process whereby (1) we determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. We currently do not have any unrecognized tax benefits to record related to U.S. federal, state or, foreign tax exposure. We continue to review our tax exposure for any significant need to record unrecognized tax benefits in the future.
The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. and various state, provincial and local and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, as of fiscal 2017, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal or state examinations by tax authorities for years before fiscal 2014.
Share-based compensation—The Company has granted restricted stock units awards, performance share units and stock appreciation rights for a fixed number of shares to employees and directors. A discussion of share-based compensation can be found in Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
 

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AZZ Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial instruments—Fair value is an exit price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Hierarchy Levels 1, 2, or 3 are terms for the priority of inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. Hierarchy Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Hierarchy Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included with Level 1 that are directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability. Hierarchy Level 3 inputs are inputs that are not observable in the market.

The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses and debt. Our financial instruments are presented at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets, with the exception of our outstanding Senior Notes. For fiscal 2017 and 2016 the fair value of our senior outstanding notes, as described in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, was approximately $144.4 million and $154.7 million, respectively. These fair values were determined using the discounted cash flow at the market rate as well as the applicable market interest rates classified as Level 2 inputs. During fiscal 2017 a principal payment was made in the amount of $14.3 million related to the $100.0 million unsecured Senior Notes due March 31, 2018, which accounts for a portion of the decrease in fair value for the compared periods partially offset by increased market interest rates.
Derivative financial instruments—From time to time, the Company uses derivatives to manage interest rate risk. The Company’s policy is to use derivatives for risk management purposes only, which includes maintaining the ratio between the Company’s fixed and floating rate debt obligations that management deems appropriate, and prohibits entering into such contracts for trading purposes. The Company enters into derivatives only with counterparties (primarily financial institutions) which have substantial financial wherewithal to minimize credit risk. As the result of the recent global financial crisis, a number of financial institutions have failed or required government assistance, and counterparties considered substantial may develop credit risk. The amount of gains or losses from the use of derivative financial instruments has not been and is not expected to be material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. As of February 28, 2017, the Company had no derivative financial instruments.
Warranty reserves—Within other accrued liabilities, a reserve has been established to provide for the estimated future cost of warranties on a portion of the Company’s delivered products. Management periodically reviews the reserves, and adjustments are made accordingly. A provision for warranty on products is made on the basis of the Company’s historical experience and identified warranty issues. Warranties cover such factors as non-conformance to specifications and defects in material and workmanship.
The following is a roll-forward of amounts accrued for warranties (in thousands):
 
Balance at February 28, 2014
$
1,338

Warranty costs incurred
(1,294
)
Additions charged to income
2,243

Balance at February 28, 2015
$
2,287

Warranty costs incurred
(2,570
)
Additions charged to income
3,198

Balance at February 29, 2016
$
2,915

Warranty costs incurred
(1,947
)
Additions charged to income
1,130

Balance at February 28, 2017
$
2,098

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)—Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) includes foreign currency translation adjustments from our foreign subsidiaries.
Foreign Currency Translation—The local currency is the functional currency for the Company’s foreign operations. Related assets and liabilities are translated into United States dollars at exchange rates existing at the balance sheet date, and revenues and expenses are translated at weighted-average exchange rates. The foreign currency translation adjustment is recorded as a separate component of shareholders’ equity and is included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Accruals for Contingent Liabilities— The amounts we record for estimated claims, such as self-insurance programs, warranty, environmental and other contingent liabilities, requires us to make judgments regarding the amount of expenses that will ultimately be incurred. We use past history and experience and other specific circumstances surrounding these claims in evaluating the amount of liability that should be recorded. Actual results may be different than what we estimate. In connection with our acquisition of NLI on June 1, 2012, the Company had a contingent obligation to make an additional payment of up to $20.0 million based on

32

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AZZ Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

the future financial performance of the NLI business. During fiscal 2015, the Company deemed this additional payment not probable or likely to occur and the accrual recorded at the end of fiscal 2014 of $9.1 million was reversed. The accrual reversal was recorded to selling, general and administrative expense. As of June 2016, the measurement period for this contingency payment has expired and no additional payment was made.

Accounting Standards Recently Adopted
In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-09, “Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” The amendment in this ASU affects all organizations that issue share-based payment awards to employees and is intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for these awards, including income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, classification on the statement of cash flows, and allowing an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. As permitted by ASU 2016-09, the Company elected to early adopt ASU 2016-09 in the quarter ended August 31, 2016 with an effective date of March 1, 2016. As a result of the adoption, a tax benefit of $1.3 million was recorded in the quarter ended August 31, 2016. The tax benefit was driven primarily by the exercise, during the first six months of fiscal 2017, of share-based awards issued prior to fiscal 2014. The adoption was on a prospective basis and therefore had no impact on prior years.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, "Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs." ASU 2015-03 requires that 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. Previously, debt issuance costs were recognized as deferred charges and recorded as other assets. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, "Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements." ASU 2015-15 allows an entity to defer and present debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortize the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. The guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015 with early adoption permitted and is to be implemented retrospectively.
Effective March 1, 2016, we adopted these standards which required the retroactive application and represented a change in accounting principle. The unamortized debt issuance costs of approximately $1.4 million associated with a portion of our outstanding debt, which were previously presented as a component of intangibles and other assets on the consolidated balance sheets, are reflected as a reduction to the carrying liability of our outstanding debt. Debt issuance costs associated with our revolving line of credit remain classified in intangibles and other assets and continue to be charged to interest expense over the term of the agreement. As a result of this change in accounting principal, the consolidated balance sheet as of February 29, 2016 was adjusted as follows:
 
February 29, 2016
 
Previously Reported
Effect of Adoption of Accounting Principle
As Adjusted
 
(in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
Intangibles and other assets
$
155,177

$
(1,361
)
$
153,816

Total assets
$
983,371

$
(1,361
)
$
982,010

 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
Debt due after one year
$
303,790

$
(1,361
)
$
302,429

Total liabilities
$
502,155

$
(1,361
)
$
500,794

New Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases." The standard requires a lessee to recognize a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing a right to use the underlying asset for the lease term on the balance sheet. The ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents
AZZ Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers", issued as a new Topic, Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606 ("ASU 2014-09"). The new revenue recognition standard provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The premise of the guidance is that a Company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 can be adopted by the Company either retrospectively or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. On April 1, 2015, the FASB decided to defer the effective date of the new revenue standard by one year. As a result, public entities would apply the new revenue standard to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. This standard will be effective for the Company beginning in fiscal 2019. The Company is planning on adopting this standard retrospectively. We believe this standard will impact the current accounting for contracts accounted for under the percentage of completion method of revenue recognition, however the overall impact to the prior year financial results is still under review.


2.    Inventories
Inventories (net) consisted of the following at February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016:
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In thousands)
Raw materials
 
$
80,169

 
$
66,548

Work-in-process
 
36,033

 
28,539

Finished goods
 
7,006

 
7,048

 
 
$
123,208

 
$
102,135





3.    Property, Plant, and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following at February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016:
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In thousands)
Land
 
$
22,360

 
$
21,265

Building and structures
 
139,627

 
141,370

Machinery and equipment
 
228,246

 
215,796

Furniture, fixtures, software and computers
 
25,593

 
22,237

Automotive equipment
 
2,998

 
3,206

Construction in progress
 
23,669

 
12,827

 
 
442,493

 
416,701

Less accumulated depreciation
 
(213,883
)
 
(190,368
)
Net property, plant, and equipment
 
$
228,610

 
$
226,333

Depreciation expense was $33.4 million, $31.2 million, and $28.1 million for fiscal 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.



4.    Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts
Costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts consisted of the following at February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016:

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AZZ Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In thousands)
Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts
 
$
98,123

 
$
164,809

Estimated earnings
 
53,598

 
79,171

 
 
151,721

 
243,980

Less billings to date
 
143,123

 
220,930

 
 
$
8,598

 
$
23,050

The amounts noted above are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets under the following captions:
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In thousands)
Cost and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts
 
$
20,546

 
$
32,287

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts
 
(11,948
)
 
(9,237
)
 
 
$
8,598

 
$
23,050


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5.    Other accrued liabilities
Other accrued liabilities consisted of the following at February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016:
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In thousands)
Accrued interest
 
$
2,036

 
$
2,356

Tenant improvements
 
278

 
507

Accrued warranty
 
2,098

 
2,915

Commissions
 
2,483

 
2,685

Personnel expenses
 
8,251

 
8,456

Group medical insurance
 
1,969

 
1,699

Other
 
1,275

 
1,788

 
 
$
18,390

 
$
20,406


6.
Realignment Costs
As part of AZZ's ongoing efforts to optimize cost and effectiveness, during fiscal 2017, the Company undertook a review of its operations in order to optimize financial performance of its operating assets. As a result, the Company recognized $8.0 million of realignment charges in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. A total of $6.7 million was included in Cost of Sales for the disposition and write off of certain fixed assets within the Galvanizing Segment, including the cost of closing two plants, the write off of certain assets related to the conversion of a third plant from a standard galvanizing plant to a galvanized rebar plant, and the cost of writing off certain other functionally obsolete assets across other galvanizing plants during the second quarter. We also reserved $1.3 million in Selling, General and Administrative Expense for realignment costs related to one-time employee severance associated with changes needed to improve management efficiency in the Energy and Galvanizing Segments.
During fiscal 2016, the Company reviewed its available capacity within the Energy segment and recorded additional realignment costs related to severance associated with consolidating capacity at various facilities. Additionally we reserved for the disposition and write off of certain fixed assets in connection with the capacity consolidation. The total cost related to the capacity consolidation is estimated to be $0.9 million. A total of $0.2 million of one-time severance costs and $0.2 million of costs for the disposition of certain fixed assets are included in Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. A total of $0.2 million of one-time severance costs and $0.3 million of costs for the disposition of certain fixed assets are included in Cost of Sales.
The following table shows changes in the realignment accrual for the year ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016:

 
2017
 
2016
 
(in thousands)
Realignment cost accrued
$
61

 
$
456

Additions to reserve
1,260

 
437

Realignment costs utilized
(1,014
)
 
(832
)


$
307

 
$
61



7.    Employee benefit plans
The Company has historically had a profit sharing plan and 401(k) match plan covering substantially all of its employees. Under the provisions of the plan, the Company contributes amounts as authorized by the Board of Directors. Total contributions to the profit sharing plan and the Company’s 401(k) match plan, were $4.5 million, $4.9 million, and $10.0 million for fiscal 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. As of March 1, 2015, the Company discontinued its profit sharing plan for its employees and implemented a new employee bonus program as a short-term incentive for performance. The accrual for the new employee bonus plan is presented in Accrued Salaries and Wages on the balance sheet for reporting periods subsequent to March 1, 2015.

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8.    Income taxes

 The provision for income taxes consists of:
 
 
 
2017
2016
2015
 
 
(in thousands)
Income before income taxes:
 
 
 
Domestic
$
74,424

$
95,554

$
76,434

Foreign
10,325

8,814

13,696

Income before income taxes
$
84,749

$
104,368

$
90,130

Current provision (benefit):
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
23,282

$
28,099

$
3,770

 
Foreign
2,751

2,706

3,025

 
State and Local
(696
)
(337
)
2,575

Total current provision for income taxes
$
25,337

$
30,468

$
9,370

Deferred provision (benefit):
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
(2,691
)
$
(5,813
)
$
15,455

 
Foreign
189

(123
)
(858
)
 
State and Local
993

3,046

1,220

Total deferred provision (benefit) for income taxes
$
(1,509
)
$
(2,890
)
$
15,817

Total provision for income taxes
$
23,828

$
27,578

$
25,187

A reconciliation from the federal statutory income tax rate to the effective income tax rate is as follows:
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Statutory federal income tax rate
 
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
 
35.0
 %
Permanent differences
 
0.7

 
0.4

 
0.6

State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit
 
0.4

 
(1.5
)
 
2.7

Benefit of Section 199 of the Code, manufacturing deduction
 
(2.3
)
 
(2.7
)
 
(2.4
)
Valuation allowance
 

 
(1.2
)
 
(3.4
)
Stock compensation
 
(1.8
)
 

 

Tax credits
 
(3.1
)
 
(3.2
)
 
(3.4
)
Foreign tax rate differential
 
(0.8
)
 
(0.4
)
 
(0.7
)
Other
 

 

 
(0.5
)
Effective income tax rate
 
28.1
 %
 
26.4
 %
 
27.9
 %

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AZZ Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Deferred federal and state income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial accounting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s net deferred income tax liability are as follows:

 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In thousands)
Deferred income tax assets:
 
 
 
 
Employee related items
 
$
6,839

 
$
5,652

Inventories
 
1,286

 
1,106

Accrued warranty
 
715

 
1,008

Accounts receivable
 
261

 
173

Net operating loss carry forward
 
4,011

 
2,903

 
 
13,112

 
10,842

Less: valuation allowance
 
(648
)
 
(648
)
Total deferred income tax assets
 
12,464

 
10,194

Deferred income tax liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation methods and property basis differences
 
(27,913
)
 
(31,008
)
Other assets and tax-deductible goodwill
 
(35,852
)
 
(28,946
)
Total deferred income tax liabilities
 
(63,765
)
 
(59,954
)
Net deferred income tax liabilities
 
$
(51,301
)
 
$
(49,760
)
In general, it is our practice and intention to reinvest the earnings of our non-U.S. subsidiaries in those operations. As of fiscal year end 2017, we have not made a provision for U.S. or additional foreign withholding taxes on approximately $24.8 million of the excess of the amount for financial reporting over the tax basis of investments in foreign subsidiaries that is indefinitely reinvested. Generally, such amounts become subject to U.S. taxation upon the remittance of dividends and under certain other circumstances. It is not practicable to estimate the amount of deferred tax liability related to investments in these foreign subsidiaries.
The following table summarizes the Net Operating Loss (NOL) Carryforward:
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In thousands)
Federal
 
$

 
$

State
 
$
4,011

 
$
2,903

Foreign
 
$

 
$

As of February 28, 2017, the Company had pretax state NOL carryforwards of $55.5 million which, if unused, will begin to expire in 2025.
As of fiscal year end 2017 and 2016, a portion of our deferred tax assets were the result of state NOL carryforwards. We believe that it is more likely than not that the benefit from certain state NOL carry forwards will not be realized. In recognition of this risk, we have provided a valuation allowance of $0.6 million and $0.6 million as of fiscal year end 2017 and 2016, respectively.
We will review this risk within the next fiscal year and may conclude that a significant portion of the valuation allowance will no longer be needed. The tax benefits related to any reversal of the valuation allowance will be recognized as a reduction of income tax expense.

  

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AZZ Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


9.    Goodwill and intangible assets
Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to annual impairment tests. Other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives.
 
Changes in goodwill by segment during the years ended February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016 are as follows:
 
Segment
 
March 1,
2016
 
Acquisitions
 
Foreign
Exchange
Translation
 
February 28,
2017
 
 
(In thousands)
Galvanizing
 
$
109,314

 
$

 
$
666

 
$
109,980

Energy
 
183,213

 
13,386

 

 
196,599

Total
 
$
292,527

 
$
13,386

 
$
666

 
$
306,579

 
Segment
 
March 1,
2015
 
Acquisitions
 
Foreign
Exchange
Translation
 
February 29,
2016
 
 
(In thousands)
Galvanizing
 
$
95,538

 
$
15,576

 
$
(1,800
)
 
$
109,314

Energy
 
183,536

 

 
(323
)
 
183,213

Total
 
$
279,074

 
$
15,576

 
$
(2,123
)
 
$
292,527

The Company completes its annual impairment analysis of goodwill on December 31st of each year. As a result, the Company determined that there was no impairment of goodwill.
Amortizable intangible assets consisted of the following at February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016:
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In thousands)
Amortizable intangible assets
 
 
 
 
Customer related intangibles
 
$
177,514

 
$
169,637

Non-compete agreements
 
5,651

 
5,596

Trademarks
 
4,569

 
4,569

Technology
 
7,400

 
7,400

Engineering drawings
 
24,600

 
24,600

Backlog
 
7,600

 
7,600

 
 
227,334

 
219,402

Less accumulated amortization
 
(88,314
)
 
(71,201
)
 
 
$
139,020

 
$
148,201

     
The Company recorded amortization expense of $16.9 million, $16.2 million and $18.0 million for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The following table projects the estimated amortization expense for the five succeeding fiscal years and thereafter.
 

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AZZ Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  
 
(In thousands)
2018
 
$
16,206

2019
 
15,354

2020
 
14,831

2021
 
14,665

2022
 
12,580

Thereafter
 
65,384

Total
 
$
139,020



10.    Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each year. Diluted earnings per share were similarly computed but have been adjusted for the dilutive effect of the weighted average number of restricted stock units, performance share units and stock appreciation rights outstanding.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
 
 
 
Year Ended
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income for basic and diluted earnings per common share
 
$
60,921

 
$
76,790

 
$
64,943

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator for basic earnings per common share–weighted average shares
 
25,965

 
25,800

 
25,676

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Employee and director stock awards
 
132

 
137

 
102

Denominator for diluted earnings per common share
 
26,097

 
25,937

 
25,778

Earnings per share basic and diluted:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic earnings per common share
 
$
2.35

 
$
2.98

 
$
2.53

Diluted earnings per common share
 
$
2.33

 
$
2.96

 
$
2.52

For fiscal 2017 and 2016, the Company had no stock appreciation rights that were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share. Stock appreciation rights of approximately 80,683 were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2015 as the effect would be anti-dilutive.


11.    Share-based compensation
The Company has one share-based compensation plan, the 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The purpose of the Plan is to promote the growth and prosperity of the Company by permitting the Company to grant to its employees, directors and advisors various types of restricted stock unit awards, performance share units, and stock appreciation rights to purchase common stock of the Company. The maximum number of shares that may be issued under the Plan is 1,500,000 shares. As of February 28, 2017, the Company had approximately 1,270,511 shares reserved for future issuance under the Plan.

Restricted Stock Unit Awards
Restricted stock unit awards are valued at the market price of our common stock on the grant date. Awards issued prior to fiscal 2015 generally have a three year cliff vesting schedule and awards issued subsequent to fiscal 2015 generally vest ratably over a period of three years but these awards may vest early in accordance with the Plan’s accelerated vesting provisions.

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AZZ Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The activity in our non-vested restricted stock unit awards for the year ended February 28, 2017 is as follows:
 
 
 
Restricted
Stock Units
 
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
Non-Vested Balance as of February 29, 2016
 
98,693

 
$
45.03

Granted
 
73,921

 
56.66

Vested
 
(35,330
)
 
45.82

Forfeited
 
(2,737
)
 
50.71

Non-Vested Balance as of February 28, 2017
 
134,547

 
$
51.10

The total fair value of restricted stock units vested during fiscal years 2017, 2016, and 2015 was $1.6 million, $0.9 million and $0.8 million, respectively. For fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, there were 134,547, 98,693 and 77,446, respectively, of non-vested restricted stock units outstanding with weighted average grant date fair values of $51.10, $45.03 and $41.31, respectively.
Performance Share Unit Awards
Performance share unit awards are valued at the market price of our common stock on the grant date. These awards have a three year performance cycle and will vest and become payable, if at all, on the third anniversary of the award date. The awards are subject to the Company’s degree of achievement of a target annual average adjusted return on assets during these three year periods. In addition, a multiplier may be applied to the total awards granted which is based on the Company’s total shareholder return during such three year period in comparison to a defined specific industry peer group as set forth in the plan.
The activity in our non-vested performance stock unit awards for the year ended February 28, 2017 is as follows:
 
 
Performance
Stock Units
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
Non-Vested Balance as of February 29, 2016
 
27,415

$
46.65

Granted
 
24,011

57.47

Vested
 


Forfeited
 


Non-Vested Balance as of February 28, 2017
 
51,426

$
51.70

Stock Appreciation Rights
Stock appreciation rights awards are granted with an exercise price equal to the market value of our common stock on the date of grant. These awards generally have a contractual term of 7 years and vest ratably over a period of 3 years although some may vest immediately on issuance. These awards are valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.
 
A summary of the Company’s stock appreciation rights awards activity for the years ended February 28, 2017, February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015 is as follows:
 

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AZZ Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
SAR’s
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
SAR’s
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
SAR’s
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Outstanding at beginning of year
 
312,748

 
$
34.23

 
376,982

 
$
31.27

 
396,174

 
$
26.64

Granted
 

 

 

 

 
126,532

 
43.92

Exercised
 
(141,983
)
 
24.85

 
(59,441
)
 
14.67

 
(98,942
)
 
22.79

Forfeited
 
(626
)
 
43.92

 
(4,793
)
 
44.56

 
(46,782
)
 
44.14

Outstanding at end of year
 
170,139

 
$
42.02

 
312,748

 
$
34.23

 
376,982

 
$
31.27

Exercisable at end of year
 
126,975

 
$
41.27

 
217,961

 
$
29.83

 
204,107

 
$
21.55

Weighted average fair value for the fiscal year indicated of SARs granted during such year
 
 
 
$

 
 
 
$

 
 
 
$
16.94

The average remaining contractual term for those stock appreciation rights outstanding as of February 28, 2017 was 3.52 years, with an aggregate intrinsic value of $2.8 million. The average remaining contractual terms for those stock appreciation rights that are exercisable as of February 28, 2017 was 3.38 years, with an aggregate intrinsic value of $2.2 million.
The following table summarizes additional information about stock appreciation rights outstanding at February 28, 2017.

Range of
Exercise Prices
 
Total
SAR’s
 
Average
Remaining
Life
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
SAR’s
Currently
  Exercisable  
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
$20.91
 
9,954
 
1.00
 
$
20.91

 
9,954
 
$
20.91

$25.67
 
9,538
 
2.00
 
$
25.67

 
9,538
 
$
25.67

$39.65
 
950
 
3.52
 
$
39.65

 
950
 
$
39.65

$43.92
 
89,180
 
4.01
 
$
43.92

 
56,016
 
$
43.92

$45.26
 
40,000
 
3.68
 
$
45.26

 
30,000
 
$
45.26

$45.36
 
19,758
 
3.00
 
$
45.36

 
19,758
 
$
45.36

$46.43
 
759
 
3.72
 
$
46.43

 
759
 
$
46.43

$20.91 - $46.43
 
170,139
 
3.52
 
$
42.02

 
126,975
 
$
41.27

The Company is no longer issuing SAR's as a form of share-based compensation, therefore the Black-Scholes option pricing model was not used subsequent to fiscal 2015. Assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model for fiscal year 2015 are as follows for all stock appreciation rights:
 
 
 
2015
Expected term in years
 
4.5
Expected dividend yield
 
1.20% – 1.32%
Expected price volatility
 
35.39% – 40.00%
Risk-free interest rate
 
2.32 – 2.73

Directors Grants
The Company granted each of its independent directors a total of 1,641, 1,915 and 2,000 shares of its common stock during fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These common stock grants were valued at $60.94, $52.21 and $44.90 per share for fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which was the market price of our common stock on the respective grant dates.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The Company also has an employee stock purchase plan, which allows employees of the Company to purchase common stock of the Company through accumulated payroll deductions. Offerings under this plan have a duration of 24 months (the "offering period"). On the first day of an offering period (the “enrollment date”) the participant is granted the option to purchase shares on each exercise date at the lower of 85% of the market value of a share of our common stock on the enrollment date or the exercise date. The participant’s right to purchase common stock under the plan is restricted to no more than $25,000 per calendar year and the participant may not purchase more than 5,000 shares during any offering period. Participants may terminate their interest in a given offering or a given exercise period by withdrawing all of their accumulated payroll deductions at any time prior to the end of the offering period.
Share-based compensation expense and related income tax benefits related to all the plans listed above were as follows for the fiscal years ended February 28, 2017, February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015:
 
Year ended
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
(In thousands)
Compensation expense
 
$
5,870

 
$
4,538

 
$
4,080

Income tax benefits
 
$
2,055

 
$
1,588

 
$
1,428

Unrecognized compensation cost related to all the above at February 28, 2017 totaled $6.8 million. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted period of 1.91 years.
The actual tax benefit realized for tax deductions from share-based compensation during each of these fiscal years totaled $1.5 million, $1.0 million and $0.3 million, respectively.
The Company’s policy is to issue shares required under these plans from the Company’s treasury shares or from the Company’s authorized but unissued shares. The Company has no formal or informal plan to repurchase shares on the open market to satisfy these requirements.


12.    Debt
Following is a summary of debt at February 28, 2017 and February 29, 2016:
 
Debt consisted of the following:
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
(In thousands)
Senior Notes, due in balloon payment in January 2021
 
$
125,000

 
$
125,000

Senior Notes, due in annual installments of $14,286 beginning in March 2012 through March 2018
 
28,571

 
42,857

Term Note, due in quarterly installments beginning in June 2013 through March 2018
 
49,219

 
58,125

Revolving line of credit with bank
 
69,500

 
101,000

Total debt
 
272,290

 
326,982

Unamortized debt issuance costs for Senior Notes and Term Note
 
(861
)
 
(1,361
)
Total debt, net
 
271,429

 
325,621

Less amount due within one year
 
(16,629
)
 
(23,192
)
Debt due after one year, net
 
$
254,800

 
$
302,429

On March 27, 2013, we entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America and other lenders. The Credit Agreement provided for a $75.0 million term facility and a $225.0 million revolving credit facility that included a $75.0 million “accordion” feature. The Credit Agreement is used to provide for working capital needs, capital improvements, dividends, future acquisitions and letter of credit needs.
Interest rates for borrowings under the Credit Agreement are based on either a Eurodollar Rate or a Base Rate plus a margin ranging from 1.0% to 2.0% depending on our Leverage Ratio. The Eurodollar Rate is defined as LIBOR for a term equivalent to the borrowing term (or other similar interbank rates if LIBOR is unavailable). The Base Rate is defined as the highest of the applicable

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AZZ Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Fed Funds rate plus 0.50%, the Prime rate, or the Eurodollar Rate plus 1.0% at the time of borrowing. The Credit Agreement also carries a Commitment Fee for the unfunded portion ranging from 0.20% to 0.30% per annum, depending on our Leverage Ratio.
The $75.0 million term facility under the Credit Agreement requires quarterly principal and interest payments commencing on June 30, 2013 through March 27, 2018, the maturity date.
The Credit Agreement provides various financial covenants requiring us, among other things, to a) maintain on a consolidated basis net worth equal to at least the sum of $230.0 million, plus 50.0% of future net income, b) maintain on a consolidated basis a Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) not to exceed 3.25:1.0, c) maintain on a consolidated basis a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of at least 1.75:1.0 and d) not to make Capital Expenditures (as defined in the Credit Agreement) on a consolidated basis in an amount in excess of $60.0 million during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2014 and $50.0 million during any subsequent year.
As of February 28, 2017, we had $69.5 million of outstanding debt against the revolving credit facility provided and letters of credit outstanding in the amount of $23.1 million, which left approximately $132.4 million of additional credit available under the Credit Agreement.
On March 31, 2008, the Company entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company issued $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 6.24% unsecured Senior Notes (the “2008 Notes”) due March 31, 2018 through a private placement (the “2008 Note Offering”). Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, the Company’s payment obligations with respect to the 2008 Notes may be accelerated upon any Event of Default, as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement.
The Company entered into an additional Note Purchase Agreement on January 21, 2011 (the “2011 Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company issued $125.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.42% unsecured Senior Notes (the “2011 Notes”), due in January of 2021, through a private placement (the “2011 Note Offering”). Pursuant to the 2011 Agreement, the Company's payment obligations with respect to the 2011 Notes may be accelerated under certain circumstances.
The 2008 Notes and the 2011 Notes each provide for various financial covenants requiring us, among other things, to a) maintain on a consolidated basis net worth equal to at least the sum of $116.9 million plus 50.0% of future net income; b) maintain a ratio of indebtedness to EBITDA (as defined in Note Purchase Agreement) not to exceed 3.25:1.00; c) maintain on a consolidated basis a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) of at least 2.0:1.0; d) not at any time permit the aggregate amount of all Priority Indebtedness (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement) to exceed 10.0% of Consolidated Net Worth (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement).
As of February 28, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants.
Maturities of debt are as follows:
 
Fiscal Year
 
(In thousands)
2018
 
$
16,629

2019
 
130,661

2020
 

2021
 
125,000

2022
 

Thereafter
 

Total
 
$
272,290



 

44

Table of Contents
AZZ Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

13.    Operating segments

Information regarding operations and assets by segment was as follows:
 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Net sales:
 
(In thousands)
Energy
 
$
483,394

 
$
500,830

 
$
458,339

Galvanizing
 
375,536

 
402,362

 
358,348

 
 
$
858,930

 
$
903,192

 
$
816,687

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy
 
$
52,029

 
$
58,471

 
$
38,703

Galvanizing
 
79,033

 
94,766

 
88,562

Corporate
 
(32,702
)
 
(30,949
)
 
(20,440
)
Total Operating Income
 
98,360

 
122,288

 
106,825

Interest expense
 
14,732

 
15,155

 
16,561

Net (gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment and insurance proceeds
 
76

 
(327
)
 
(2,525
)
Other (income) expense, net
 
(1,197
)
 
3,092

 
2,659

Income before income taxes
 
$
84,749

 
$
104,368

 
$
90,130

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy
 
$
19,624

 
$
19,131

 
$
20,725

Galvanizing
 
28,650

 
26,863

 
23,964

Corporate
 
2,083

 
1,423

 
1,400

 
 
$
50,357

 
$
47,417

 
$
46,089

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenditures for acquisitions, net of cash, and property, plant and equipment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy
 
$
31,474

 
$
12,863

 
$
10,647

Galvanizing
 
32,099

 
86,724

 
26,928

Corporate
 
540

 
858

 
3,320

 
 
$
64,113

 
$
100,445

 
$
40,895

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy
 
$
536,042

 
$
500,078

 
$
523,247

Galvanizing
 
428,330

 
436,471

 
378,823

Corporate
 
13,467

 
45,461

 
34,844

 
 
$
977,839

 
$
982,010

 
$
936,914

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Geographic net sales:
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
 
$
701,368

 
$
724,559

 
$
631,544

Other countries
 
157,718

 
179,832

 
189,855

Eliminations
 
(156
)
 
(1,199
)
 
(4,712
)
 
 
$
858,930

 
$
903,192

 
$
816,687

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
United States
 
$
205,079

 
$
204,587

 
$
173,712

Canada
 
18,002

 
17,868

 
20,289

Other Countries
 
5,529

 
3,878

 
2,582

 
 
$
228,610

 
$
226,333

 
$
196,583

 


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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



14.    Commitments and contingencies
Leases
The Company is obligated under various operating leases for property, plant and equipment. As February 28, 2017, future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases with initial terms in excess of one year are summarized in the below table:

Fiscal Year:
(In thousands)
2018
$
6,627

2019
5,629

2020
3,347

2021
2,655

2022
2,542

Thereafter
8,042

Total
$
28,842

Rent expense was $17.0 million, $13.9 million and $14.1 million for fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Rent expense includes various equipment rentals that do not meet the terms of a non-cancelable lease or that have initial terms of less than one year.
Commodity pricing
We have no contracted commitments for any commodities including steel, aluminum, natural gas, cooper, zinc, nickel based alloys, except for those entered into under the normal course of business.
Other
At February 28, 2017, the Company had outstanding letters of credit in the amount of $23.1 million. These letters of credit are issued for a number of reasons, but are most commonly issued in lieu of customer retention withholding payments covering warranty or performance periods. In addition, as of February 28, 2017, a warranty reserve in the amount of $2.1 million was established to offset any future warranty claims.

 

 15.    Selected quarterly financial data (Unaudited)

 
 
Quarter ended
 
 
May 31,
2016
 
August 31,
2016
 
November 30,
2016
 
February 28,
2017
 
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
Net sales
 
$
242,667

 
$
195,045

 
$
227,459

 
$
193,759

Gross profit
 
63,327

 
41,886

 
53,866

 
45,705

Net income
 
21,063

 
10,023

 
18,251

 
11,584

Basic earnings per share
 
0.81

 
0.39

 
0.70

 
0.45

Diluted earnings per share
 
0.81

 
0.38

 
0.70

 
0.44

 

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AZZ Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
 
Quarter ended
 
 
May 31,
2015
 
August 31,
2015
 
November 30,
2015
 
February 29,
2016
 
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
Net sales
 
$
228,888

 
$
214,246

 
$
242,447

 
$
217,611

Gross profit
 
59,304

 
53,505

 
62,448

 
54,854

Net income
 
19,924

 
17,243

 
23,547

 
16,076

Basic earnings per share
 
0.77

 
0.67

 
0.91

 
0.62

Diluted earnings per share
 
0.77

 
0.67

 
0.91

 
0.62



16.    Acquisitions

On March 1, 2016, we completed an acquisition of the equity securities of Power Electronics, Inc. ("PEI"), a Millington, Maryland-based manufacturer and integrator of electrical enclosure systems. The acquisition of PEI will enhance our capacity to serve existing and new customers in a diverse set of industries along the Eastern seaboard of the United States. The goodwill arising from this acquisition was allocated to the Energy Segment and is deductible for income tax purposes.
Unaudited pro forma results of operations assuming the PEI acquisition had taken place at the beginning of each period are not provided because the historical operating results of PEI were not significant and pro forma results would not be significantly different from reported results for the periods presented.
On February 1, 2016, we completed our acquisition of substantially all the assets of Alpha Galvanizing Inc., an Atkinson, Nebraska-based business unit of Olson Industries, Inc. ("Alpha Galvanizing"). Alpha Galvanizing has served steel fabrication customers that manufacture electrical utility poles, agricultural machinery and industrial manufacturing components since 1996. Alpha Galvanizing was acquired to expand the footprint of AZZ Galvanizing and to support AZZ’s locations in Minnesota and Denver, Colorado, as well as serve customers in the upper Midwest region. The goodwill arising from this acquisition was allocated to the Galvanizing Segment and is deductible for income tax purposes.
Unaudited pro forma results of operations assuming the Alpha Galvanizing Inc. acquisition had taken place at the beginning of each period are not provided because the historical operating results of Alpha Galvanizing Inc. were not significant and pro forma results would not be significantly different from reported results for the periods presented.
On June 5, 2015, we completed the acquisition of substantially all the assets of US Galvanizing, LLC, a provider of steel corrosion coating services and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Trinity Industries, Inc. The acquisition of the US Galvanizing, LLC assets includes six galvanizing facilities located in Hurst, Texas; Kennedale, Texas; Big Spring, Texas; San Antonio, Texas; Morgan City, Louisiana; and Kosciusko, Mississippi. Additionally, the transaction includes Texas Welded Wire, a secondary business integrated within US Galvanizing's Hurst, Texas facility. US Galvanizing, LLC was acquired to expand AZZ’s Southern locations. The goodwill arising from this acquisition was allocated to the Galvanizing Segment and is deductible for income tax purposes.
Unaudited pro forma results of operations assuming the US Galvanizing, LLC acquisition had taken place at the beginning of each period are not provided because the historical operating results of US Galvanizing, LLC were not significant and pro forma results would not be significantly different from reported results for the periods presented.
On June 30, 2014, we completed our acquisition of substantially all the assets of Zalk Steel & Supply Co. (“Zalk Steel”), a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based galvanizing company, for a purchase price of $10.5 million and the assumption of $0.3 million in liabilities.  The Company recorded $3.3 million of goodwill, which has been allocated to the Galvanizing Segment, and $3.4 million of intangible assets associated with this acquisition.  The intangible assets associated with the acquisition consist primarily of trade names, customer relationships and non-compete agreements.  These intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of 19 years for customer relationships, 19 years for trade names, and 5 years for non-compete agreements.  Zalk Steel was acquired to expand AZZ's existing footprint in the upper Midwest region of the United States. The goodwill arising from this acquisition was allocated to the Galvanizing Segment and is deductible for income tax purposes.

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AZZ Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Unaudited pro forma results of operations assuming the Zalk Steel acquisition had taken place at the beginning of each period are not provided because the historical operating results of Zalk Steel were not significant and pro forma results would not be significantly different from reported results for the periods presented.


17.    Subsequent Events
On March 21, 2017, we executed the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “2017 Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America and other lenders. The 2017 Credit Agreement amended the Credit Agreement entered into on March 27, 2013 by the following: (i) extending the maturity date until March 21, 2022, (ii) providing for a senior revolving credit facility in a principal amount of up to $450 million, with an additional $150 million accordion, (iii) including a $75 million sublimit for the issuance of standby and commercial letters of credit, (iv) including a $30 million sublimit for swing line loans, (v) restricting indebtedness incurred in respect of capital leases, synthetic lease obligations and purchase money obligations not to exceed $20 million, (vi) restricting investments in any foreign subsidiaries not to exceed $50 million in the aggregate, and (vii) including various financial covenants and certain restricted payments relating to dividends and share repurchases as specifically set forth in the 2017 Credit Agreement. The 2017 Credit Agreement will be used to finance working capital needs, capital improvements, dividends, future acquisitions and letter of credit needs.
Two of the Company’s indirectly held subsidiaries, The Calvert Company, Inc. and Nuclear Logistics LLC, have existing contracts with subsidiaries of Westinghouse Electric Company (“WEC”). WEC and the relevant subsidiaries filed relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code on March 29, 2017 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, jointly administered as In re Westinghouse Electric Company, et al., Case No. 17-10751 (the "Bankruptcy Case"). The Bankruptcy Court overseeing the Bankruptcy Case has approved, on an interim basis, an $800M Debtor-in-Possession Financing Facility (“DIP Financing”) to help WEC finance its business operations during the reorganization process. A final hearing on the DIP Financing is scheduled for April 26, 2017. The Company estimates it had approximately $7.2 million in pre-petition exposure with WEC to the Company’s two subsidiaries as of March 29, 2017. The Company’s subsidiaries will continue, for the time being and while it monitors and evaluates the Bankruptcy Case, to honor its executory contracts and has applied for critical vendor status with WEC. At this time, the Company cannot accurately estimate what recovery may be had on any pre-petition amounts or the potential future negative effects if the existing nuclear plant construction projects currently in backlog are cancelled. The Company expects to collect all post-petition amounts due and owing. It will likely be several months before WEC determines who to pay as its critical vendors, if anyone, or otherwise makes a determination as to which contracts to assume and which to reject as part of its reorganization process. The Company does not believe that rejection of the outstanding contracts with WEC, taken in part or combined, would have a material adverse impact on the Company’s cash flow or operations.



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Schedule II
AZZ Inc.
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves
(In thousands)
 
 
 
Year Ended,
 
 
February 28, 2017
 
February 29, 2016
 
February 28, 2015
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of year
 
$
264

 
$
1,472

 
$
1,744

Additions (reductions) charged or credited to income
 
48

 
(1,072
)
 
458

(Write offs) recoveries, net
 
20

 
(176
)
 
(700
)
Other
 
11

 
48

 

Effect of exchange rate
 
4

 
(8
)
 
(30
)
Balance at end of year
 
$
347

 
$
264

 
$
1,472


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Item 9.        Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
 
Item 9A.        Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of February 28, 2017, the Company's management, with the participation of its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, have evaluated, as required by Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("the Exchange Act"), the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, as of February 28, 2017, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and were effective to provide reasonable assurance that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended February 28, 2017, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
The Company's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Management, with the participation of its principal executive officer and principal financial officer assessed the effectiveness, as of February 28, 2017, of the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting established in "Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013)," issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on the assessment, management concluded that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of February 28, 2017. Management's assessment and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include an assessment of the internal controls of Power Electronics, Inc., whose acquisition was completed on March 1, 2016. PEI constituted approximately 1.8% of the Company’s total assets as of February 28, 2017 and 4.0% and 8.3% of revenues and net income, respectively, for the year then ended. Management did not assess the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of PEI because of the timing of the acquisition.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all misstatements or fraud. Any control system, no matter how well designed and operated, is based upon certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that its objectives will be met.
The effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of February 28, 2017, has been audited by BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their attestation report included herein.


Item 9B.        Other Information.
None.

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PART III
 

Item 10.        Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
The information required by this item with regard to executive officers is included in Part I, Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Executive Officers of the Registrant.”
Information regarding directors of AZZ required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the section entitled “Election of Directors” set forth in the Proxy Statement for our 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
The information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the section entitled “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” set forth in the Proxy Statement for our 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Information regarding our audit committee financial experts and code of ethics and business conduct required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the section entitled “Matters Relating to Corporate Governance, Board Structure, Director Compensation and Stock Ownership” set forth in the Proxy Statement for our 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
No director or nominee for director has any family relationship with any other director or nominee or with any executive officer of our company.


Item 11.        Executive Compensation.
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Executive Compensation” and the section entitled “Matters Relating to Corporate Governance, Board Structure, Director Compensation and Stock Ownership – Fees Paid to Directors” set forth in our Proxy Statement for our 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
 

Item 12.        Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
The information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Executive Compensation” and the section entitled “Matters Relating to Corporate Governance, Board Structure, Director Compensation and Stock Ownership – Security Ownership of Management” set forth in the Proxy Statement for our 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Equity Compensation Plan
The following table provides a summary of information as of February 28, 2017, relating to our equity compensation plans in which our Common Stock is authorized for issuance.
Equity Compensation Plan Information:
 
 
 
(a)
Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
 
(b)
Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
 
(c)
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation
plans (excluding shares
reflected in column (a))
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders(1)
 
                    126,975(2)  

 
$
41.27

 
1,270,511(3)

Total
 
126,975

 
$
41.27

 
1,270,511

(1)
Consists of the Amended and Restated 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan and the 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan. See Note 11, “Stock Compensation” to our “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” for further information.
(2)
The average term of outstanding stock appreciation rights is 3.51 years.
(3)
Consists of 1,270,511 shares remaining available for future issuance under the Amended and Restated 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan.



Description of Other Plans for the Grant of Equity Compensation

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Long Term Incentive Plans
The description of the 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan and 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan provided in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are incorporated by reference under this Item.
 

Item 13.        Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the sections entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” and “Director Independence” set forth in the Proxy Statement for our 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
 

Item 14.        Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Information required by this Item is incorporated by reference to the sections entitled “Other Business – Independent Auditor Fees” and “Other Business – Pre-approval of Non-audit Fees” set forth in our Proxy Statement for our 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

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PART IV
 

Item 15.        Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
 
A.     Financial Statements

1.
The financial statements filed as a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are listed in the “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” on page 27.

2.
Financial Statement Schedule
Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves filed as a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is listed in the “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” on page 53.
Schedules and compliance information other than those referred to above have been omitted since the required information is not present or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule, or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.
 
B.    Exhibits Required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K
A list of the exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K and filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is set forth in the Index to Exhibits beginning on page 60, which immediately precedes such exhibits.

Item 16.        10-K Summary

None.


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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
AZZ Inc.
 
 
(Registrant)
 
 
April 20, 2017
 
By: /s/ Thomas E. Ferguson
 
 
Thomas E. Ferguson,
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of AZZ and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
April 20, 2017
 
/s/ Kevern R. Joyce
 
 
Kevern R. Joyce
Chairman of the Board of Directors
 
 
 
April 20, 2017
 
/s/ Thomas E. Ferguson
 
 
Thomas E. Ferguson
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
April 20, 2017
 
/s/ Paul W. Fehlman
 
 
Paul W. Fehlman,
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
April 20, 2017
 
/s/ Robert J. Steines
 
 
Robert J. Steines
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
 
April 20, 2017
 
/s/ Daniel R. Feehan
 
 
Daniel R. Feehan
Director
 
 
 
April 20, 2017
 
/s/ Dr. H. Kirk Downey
 
 
Dr. H. Kirk Downey
Director
 
 
April 20, 2017
 
/s/ Daniel E. Berce
 
 
Daniel E. Berce
Director
 
 
April 20, 2017
 
/s/ Paul Eisman
 
 
Paul Eisman
Director
 
 
 
April 20, 2017
 
/s/ Venita McCellon-Allen
 
 
Venita McCellon-Allen
Director
 
 
 
April 20, 2017
 
/s/ Ed McGough
 
 
Ed McGough
Director
 
 
 
April 20, 2017
 
/s/ Steven R. Purvis
 
 
Steven R. Purvis
Director
 
 
 
April 20, 2017
 
/s/ Stephen E. Pirnat
 
 
Stephen E. Pirnat
Director

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 Index to Exhibits as Required By Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
3.1
 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Formation of AZZ Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on July 14, 2015)
3.2
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of AZZ Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on July 14, 2015)
4.1
 
Form of Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 31, 2000)
10.1
 
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated March 21, 2017 by and among AZZ Inc. as borrower, Bank of America N.A. as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and L/C Issuer, and the other Lender's party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 24, 2017)
10.2
 
Note Purchase Agreement dated March 31, 2008, by and among AZZ incorporated and the purchasers listed therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(1) to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 2, 2008)
10.3
 
Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 20, 2011, by and among AZZ incorporated and the purchasers identified therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 21, 2011)
10.4*
 
AZZ incorporated Amended and Restated 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Form DEF 14A filed June 4, 2008)
10.5*
 
Form of AZZ incorporated Fiscal Year 2005 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan for Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(53) to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 31, 2004)
10.6*
 
Form of AZZ incorporated Fiscal Year 2005 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan for Key Employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(54) to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 31, 2004)
10.7*
 
AZZ Inc. 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Form DEF 14A filed May 29, 2014)
10.8*
 
First Amendment to AZZ Inc. 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on January 21, 2016)
10.9*
 
Amended Form of Restricted Share Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on January 21, 2016)
10.10*
 
Amended Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on January 21, 2016)
10.11*
 
Amended Form of Performance Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on January 21, 2016)
10.12*
 
AZZ Inc. Senior Management Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Form DEF 14A filed May 28, 2015)
10.13*
 
First Amendment to Senior Management Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on January 21, 2016)
10.14*
 
AZZ incorporated Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement on Form DEF14A filed June 4, 2008)
10.15*
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between AZZ Inc. and Thomas Ferguson, dated September 29, 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 29, 2016)
10.16*
 
Change in Control Agreement by and between AZZ incorporated and Thomas Ferguson, dated as of November 4, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(2) to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 7, 2013)
10.17*
 
Employment Agreement by and between AZZ incorporated and Paul Fehlman, dated as of February 24, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(1) to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 27, 2014)
10.18*
 
Change in Control Agreement by and between AZZ incorporated and Paul Fehlman, dated as of February 24, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(2) to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 27, 2014)

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10.19*
 
Form of Change in Control Agreement by and between AZZ incorporated and certain officers thereof (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(18) to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2002)
10.20*
 
AZZ Inc. Compensation Recovery Policy (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Registrant on January 21, 2016)
12.1
 
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (Filed herewith)
14.1
 
Code of Conduct. AZZ Inc. Code of Conduct may be accessed via the Company’s Website at www.azz.com.
21.1
 
Subsidiaries of the Registrant (Filed herewith)
23.1
 
Consent of BDO USA, LLP (Filed herewith)
31.1
 
Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Exley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith)
31.2
 
Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Exley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith)
32.1
 
Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith)
32.2
 
Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Filed herewith)
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


*    Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement

56