8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  January 16, 2018

CTS CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Indiana	1-4639	35-0225010
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(1.R.S. Employer Identification No)

4925 Indiana Avenue
Lisle, Illinois	60532
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (630) 577-8800

2375 Cabot Drive

Lisle, IL 60532

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneouslysatisfy the filing obligation

of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2.):

☐Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a12)

☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d 2(b) under the Exchange Act ( 17 CFR 240. l 4d2(b))

☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4( c))

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

The investor presentation included as Exhibit 99.1 to this report may be presented at meetings with investors, analysts, and others, in whole or in part and possibly with modifications, during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.

The investor presentation includes financial information not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). A reconciliation of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, as required by Regulation G, is available within Exhibit 99.1 and on our website at www.ctscorp.com. The Company believes that the non-GAAP financial measures provide investors additional ways to view our operations which we believe provide a more complete understanding of our business than could be obtained absent these disclosures. We believe the non-GAAP financial measures also provide investors a useful tool to assess shareholder value.

By filing this Current Report on Form 8-K and furnishing the information contained herein, the Company makes no admission as to the materiality of any information in this report that is required to be disclosed solely by reason of Regulation FD.

The information contained in the investor presentation is summary information that is intended to be considered in the context of the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings and other public announcements that the Company may make, by press release or otherwise, from time to time.  The Company undertakes no duty or obligation to publicly update or revise the information contained in this report, although it may do so from time to time as its management believes is warranted.  Any such updating may be made through the filing of other reports or documents with the SEC, through press releases or through other public disclosure.

The information presented in Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K and Exhibit 99.1 shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, unless the Company specifically states that the information is to be considered “filed” under the Exchange Act or specifically incorporates it by reference into a filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

ExhibitDescription                            

99.1Investor Presentation dated January 16, 2018

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: January 16, 2018	CTS CORPORATION
	By:	/s/ William Cahill
		William Cahill
		Chief Accounting Officer

EX-99.1

January 2018

Safe Harbor Statement This presentation contains statements that are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, any financial or other guidance, statements that reflect our current expectations concerning future results and events, and any other statements that are not based solely on historical fact. Forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations, certain assumptions and currently available information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof and are based on various assumptions as to future events, the occurrence of which necessarily are subject to uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are made subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those presented in the forward-looking statements. Examples of factors that may affect future operating results and financial condition include, but are not limited to: changes in the economy generally and in respect to the businesses in which CTS operates; unanticipated issues in integrating acquisitions; the results of actions to reposition our businesses; rapid technological change; general market conditions in the automotive, communications, and computer industries, as well as conditions in the industrial, defense and aerospace, and medical markets; reliance on key customers; unanticipated natural disasters or other events; the ability to protect our intellectual property; pricing pressures and demand for our products; unanticipated developments that could occur with respect to contingencies such as litigation and environmental matters as well as any product liability claims; and risks associated with our international operations, including trade and tariff barriers, exchange rates and political and geopolitical risks. Many of these, and other, risks and uncertainties are discussed in further detail in Item 1A. of CTS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to publicly update our forward- looking statements to reflect new information or events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof, including market or industry changes. 2

2016 Sales: $397 Million Sales by Market: ▪ Transportation – 65% ▪ Industrial – 16% ▪ Medical – 9% ▪ Defense / Aerospace – 5% ▪ Information Technology – 3% ▪ Communications – 2% Sales by Region: ▪ Americas – 56% ▪ Asia – 31% ▪ Europe – 13% Our Company Ticker: CTS (NYSE) Founded: 1896 Business: CTS is a leading designer and manufacturer of sensors, actuators and electronic components. Locations: 15 manufacturing locations throughout North America, Asia and Europe. Number of Employees: ~3,000 Globally Note: Sales by market and region based on trailing twelve months sales as of September 30, 2017 3

Our History - 120 Years of Innovation 4

Our Vision and Value Proposition We aim to be a leading provider of sensing and motion devices as well as connectivity components, enabling an intelligent and seamless world. 5

Product Applications in Passenger and Commercial Vehicles Engine Efficiency ▪ Accelerator Pedal Module ▪ Current Sensor ▪ Gear Position Sensor ▪ Throttle Position Sensor ▪ Turbo Actuator ▪ Turbo Position Sensor ▪ Variable Valve Lift Sensor Key Customers 6 Fuel Handling ▪ Contacting Fuel Level Card Chassis / Driveline ▪ Brake Pedal Sensor ▪ Chassis Height Sensor ▪ Transmission Speed Sensor ▪ Transmission Range Sensor ▪ Wheel Speed Sensor Occupant Safety ▪ Seat Belt Buckle Switch ▪ Seat Belt Tension Sensor ▪ Seat Track Position Sensor Exhaust Management / Aftertreatment ▪ EGR Position Sensor ▪ DPF RF SensorAutonomous Drive ▪ PLL module

Key Customers Industrial Printers, HVAC, Automation and Safety Products ▪ Piezo micro-actuators ▪ Switches ▪ Encoders ▪ Frequency Control ▪ EMI Filters ▪ Flow meter transducers ▪ Thermal solution for LED high bay lighting Product Applications in Industrial 7 Industrial Inkjet Printers Industrial HVAC

Key Customers Military Sonar and Communication Products ▪ Piezo hydrophones ▪ Piezo sonar arrays ▪ Frequency Control ▪ EMI Filters Product Applications in Defense / Aerospace 8 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) Maritime Applications

Product Applications in Medical Key Customers Ultrasound / IVUS, Infusion Pumps, CPAPs and other medical devices ▪ Single Crystal Piezo ▪ Bulk Piezo ▪ Encoders ▪ Frequency Control ▪ Piezo micro-valves ▪ Switches ▪ Joysticks 9 Infusion Pumps CPAP Machines Ultrasound Equipment Dental Equipment

Product Applications in Communications 10 Key Customers Communications Products ▪ RF Filters ▪ EMI/RFI Filters ▪ Frequency Control ▪ Timing Modules ▪ Thermal Products ▪ Multilayer Piezo Macro Cell Base Stations Small Cell Base Stations Satellite Communications Backhaul CommunicationsWireless Infrastructure Wireline Infrastructure

Positioning for Growth with Fundamental Market Trends 11 Autonomous Vehicle SMART Smart Home/ Building Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones) Improved Medical Diagnosis Fuel Efficiency/ Vehicle Electrification Miniaturization Energy Harvesting EFFICIENT Green Buildings Diagnos Remote Monitoring Industry 4.0 Internet of Things 5G & Small Cells CONNECTED Elec ifi io Communications Information Technology Transportation IndustrialMedical Defense & Aerospace Moni or 5G mall emote

CTS Addressable Markets Expected to Grow Mid-Single Digits 12 ▪ Hydrophones for sonar applications ▪ Military communication Organic Growth Drivers ▪ 100GB & 400GB Wireline Networks ▪ Small Cell Deployment ▪ Haptics for Mobile Devices ▪ 3D and textile printing ▪ New products for industrial controls ▪ LED high bay lighting ▪ Actuators for harsh environments ▪ RF Sensing for particulate filters ▪ Autonomous drive ▪ Medical 3D/4D ultrasound ▪ HMI Control for medical devices Def/Aero Communications Industrial / IT Transportation Market Medical SAM in $ Billions $2.9 $1.2 $0.9 $0.3 $1.0

Organic Growth 13 $299 $484 $560 $488 2013 2014 2015 2016 New Business Awards Organic Growth around Sense, Connect and Move 1Q Not Reported Total Booked Business Note: Total Booked Business represents open purchase orders, contractual commitments, and the total expected lifetime revenue from business awarded to CTS in multi-year platform awards. ($ Millions) Dec 2016 Sep 2017 $319 $103$1,518 $1,698 Expected to ship in 2017

Targeted Acquisitions 14 Disciplined approach to acquisitions: ▪ Returns in excess of cost of capital ▪ Accretive to earnings ▪ Maintain balance sheet strength ▪ Synergy opportunities ▪ Targeting 10% growth (both inorganic and organic) Expand Product Range Broaden Geographic Reach Enhance Technology Portfolio Strengthen Customer Relationships

The Road Ahead of Us LV I M CV C/IT AD LV/CV I C AD M IT/O LV I M CV C/IT AD 30-50% 20-30% 10-20% 10-20% 10-20% 5-15% Targeted End Markets Light Vehicles Industrial Medical Comm. / IT Commercial Vehicles Aviation/Defense EMS Divestiture Front End Refocus New Customers Regional Expansion Organic Projects M&A Legend: AD: Aviation/Defense C: Communications CV: Commercial Vehicles I: Industrial IT: Information Technology LV: Light Vehicles M: Medical O: Others Organic Growth Innovation M&A LV/CV I C AD M O 15

Noliac Acquisition Multilayer (Tape cast) ▪ Founded in 1997, facilities in Denmark and Czech Republic ▪ Designer and manufacturer of tape cast and bulk piezoelectric material as well as transducers for use in the telecommunications, industrial, medical and defense industries ▪ Acquisition rationale: ‒ Tape cast capability – Doubles available market of piezoelectric material along with Bulk piezo ‒ European presence and customer base ‒ Transducer capability and expertise – vertical integration with higher value add and ASP ‒ Backup foundry capability – European foundry supplements existing US foundry Wide range of stack and multilayer actuators 16 Bulk Hard and soft PZT materials Transducers Sensor and Transducer, design and development

$409 $404 $382 $397 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017E Sales $0.82 $0.97 $0.93 $1.08 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017E Adjusted Earnings Per Share $420 Note 1: Sales are from continuing operations. Adjusted EPS is as reported. Note 2: 2017E represents guidance provided on October 26, 2017. Annual Financial Performance Trend 17 $415 $1.18 $1.13 ($ Millions except Adjusted Earnings Per Share) Q3 YTD Actual $312 Booked Business $103 Q3 YTD Actual $0.84

Equity 81% Debt 19% $135 $157 $114 $116 $75 $91 $90 $82 2014 2015 2016 Q3 2017 Note 1: Change in Cash/Debt in 2016 due to Single Crystal Acquisition Note 2: Total available credit increased from $200M to $300M in 2Q 2016 Capital Structure Cash and Debt Net Debt $(60) $(66) Current Capital Structure DebtCash $(24) $(34) 18 ($ Millions except percentages)

Capital Structure Leverage = 1.0x - 2.5x EBITDA Operating Cash Flow Return Capital to Shareholders ~4% of Sales* 20-40% of Free Cash Flow 12-14% of Sales 60-80% of Free Cash Flow Target Capital Deployment – Disciplined Approach Growth AcquisitionsInvestment Dividends & Buybacks 19 *6-8% in 2017 and 2018

Financial Framework 20 2012 2016 Long-Term Target Range Gross Margin 30.0% 35.4% 34-37% SG&A Expense 20.7% 15.5% 13-15% R&D Expense 6.9% 6.1% 5-7% CapEx 2.6% 5.2% ~4%* Targeting 10% Annual Growth (Organic + Inorganic) *6-8% in 2017 and 2018

Appendix 21

CTS Core Values 22

Financial Summary Note 1: See Regulation G reconciliations from GAAP to Non-GAAP measures and adjustments. Note 2: All figures are from continuing operations except for Adjusted Diluted EPS (As Reported), Operating Cash Flow and Total Debt / Capitalization ($ Millions, except percentages and Adjusted Diluted EPS) Net Sales Adjusted Diluted EPS (As Reported) Operating Cash Flow Total Debt / Capitalization Depreciation and Amortization 2015 $382.3 $0.93 $39.1 24.4% $16.3 2014 $404.0 $0.97 $33.3 20.6% $17.0 2013 $409.5 $0.82 $37.6 20.2% $17.3 2012 $304.5 $0.64 $41.7 36.4% $13.5 Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA % of Sales $60.9 15.9% $66.5 16.5% $54.5 13.3% $28.6 9.4% 2016 $396.7 $1.08 $47.2 22.1% $19.0 $77.4 19.5% 23 Gross Margin Gross Margin % of Sales $127.1 33.2% $130.0 32.2% $121.4 29.6% $91.5 30.0% $140.4 35.4% Q3 2017 YTD $312.1 $0.84 $47.0 19.2% $15.1 $58.8 18.8% $107.6 34.5%

Regulation G Schedules ($ Millions, except percentages) Adjusted EBITDA 24 2017 2016 2017 2016 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 Net earnings from continuing operations 9.6$ 3.7$ 28.1$ 26.1$ 34.4$ 7.0$ 26.5$ 2.0$ 13.5$ Depreciation and amortization expense 5.4 5.1 15.1 14.0 19.0 16.3 17.0 17.3 13.5 Interest expense 0.8 0.9 2.2 2.7 3.7 2.6 2.3 3.3 2.6 Tax expense 4.3 8.0 12.0 19.8 22.9 5.3 12.8 16.1 1.0 EBITDA from continuing operations 20.1 17.7 57.4 62.6 80.0 31.2 58.6 38.6 30.5 Charges (credits) to EBITDA from continuing operations: Restructuring charges 1.4 2.0 2.9 2.2 3.0 15.2 7.9 11.8 4.5 Loss (gain) on sale-leaseback - - - 0.1 0.1 - - - (10.3) Loss (gain) on sale of facilities, net of expenses 0.7 - 0.7 (11.1) (11.1) - - - - Non-recurring environmental charge - - - - - 14.5 - - - Foreign currency (gain) loss (1.0) 0.2 (2.5) 1.7 3.8 - - - - Legal costs, transaction costs, and CEO search costs - - 0.3 0.8 0.8 - - 4.1 3.9 Lease termination charge - 0.8 - 0.8 0.8 - - - - Total adjustments to reported operating earnings from continuing operations 1.1 3.0 1.4 (5.5) (2.6) 29.7 7.9 15.9 (1.9) Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations 21.2$ 20.7$ 58.8$ 57.1$ 77.4$ 60.9$ 66.5$ 54.5$ 28.6$ Sales from continuing operations 106.2$ 99.7$ 312.1$ 295.1$ 396.7$ 382.3$ 404.0$ 409.5$ 304.5$ Adjusted EBITDA as a % of sales from continuing operations 20.0% 20.8% 18.8% 19.3% 19.5% 15.9% 16.5% 13.3% 9.4% Full YearQ3 Year-to-Date

Regulation G Schedules Adjusted Diluted EPS ($ Millions, except percentages) Total Debt to Capitalization 25 * Includes discontinued operations 2017 2016 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 Total debt (A) 82.3$ 96.0$ 90.1$ 90.7$ 75.0$ 75.0$ 153.5$ Total shareholders' equity (B) 346.6$ 306.3$ 317.9$ 281.7$ 289.8$ 296.9$ 267.8$ Total capitalization (A+B) 428.9$ 402.3$ 408.0$ 372.4$ 364.8$ 371.9$ 421.3$ Total debt to capitalization 19.2% 23.9% 22.1% 24.4% 20.6% 20.2% 36.4% As of December 31Q3 2017 2016 2017 2016 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2013 2012 Diluted earnings (loss) per share 0.29$ 0.11$ 0.84$ 0.79$ 1.03$ 0.21$ 0.78$ 0.06$ 0.39$ (0.12)$ 0.59$ Tax affected charges (credits) to reported diluted earnings per share: Restructuring charges 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.04 0.06 0.40 0.18 0.28 0.10 0.28 0.19 Increase in valuation allowance and revaluation of deferred taxes as a result of restructuring activities - 0.07 - 0.07 0.07 - 0.01 - - - - Gain on sale-leaseback - - - - - - - - (0.23) - (0.23) Loss (gain) on sale of facilities, net of expenses 0.01 - 0.01 (0.22) (0.22) - - - - - - Legal costs, transaction costs, and CEO search costs - - 0.01 0.01 0.02 - - 0.07 0.09 0.07 0.09 Lease termination charge - 0.02 - 0.02 0.02 - - - - - - EMS divestiture - - - - - - - - - 0.25 - Non-recurring environmental charge - - - - - 0.27 - - - - - Foreign currency (gain) loss (0.02) - (0.06) 0.04 0.09 - - - - - - Tax impact of cash repatriation - - - - - 0.26 - 0.31 - 0.31 - Tax impact of U.K. deferred tax asset write-off - - - - - - - 0.03 - 0.03 - Increase (decrease) in recognition of valuation allowance - 0.04 (0.01) 0.04 0.03 0.10 - - - - - Increase in reserve on uncertain tax benefits - - - - - 0.17 - - - - - Tax impact of non-recurring stock compensation charge - - - - (0.02) - - - - - - Change in treatment of certain foreign taxes - - - - - (0.48) - - - - - Adjusted diluted earnings per share 0.31$ 0.28$ 0.84$ 0.79$ 1.08$ 0.93$ 0.97$ 0.75$ 0.35$ 0.82$ 0.64$ Full Year - From Continuing Operations Full Year - As Reported *Year-to-DateQ3