10-K 1 a201210k.htm 10-K 2012 10K


 UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
[Mark One]
ý
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012
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
01-13697 
MOHAWK INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 
Delaware
 
52-1604305
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
160 S. Industrial Blvd.,
Calhoun, Georgia
 
30701
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (706) 629-7721
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
 
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $.01 par value
 
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  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the 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  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
 
ý
 
Accelerated filer
 
¨
Non-accelerated filer
 
¨
 
Smaller reporting company
 
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  ¨    No  ý
The aggregate market value of the Common Stock of the Registrant held by non-affiliates (excludes beneficial owners of more than 10% of the Common Stock) of the Registrant (48,771,300 shares) on June 29, 2012 (the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed fiscal second quarter) was $3,405,699,879. The aggregate market value was computed by reference to the closing price of the Common Stock on such date.
Number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of February 20, 2013: 69,326,449 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value. 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders-Part III.



Table of Contents
 
 
 
Page
No.
 
 
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.



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PART I
 
Item 1.
Business
General
Mohawk Industries, Inc. (“Mohawk” or the “Company”) is a leading producer of floor covering products for residential and commercial applications in the United States ("U.S.") and residential applications in Europe. The Company is the second largest carpet and rug manufacturer and one of the largest manufacturers, marketers and distributors of ceramic tile, natural stone and hardwood flooring in the United States, as well as a leading producer of laminate flooring in the U.S. and Europe. The Company has recently expanded its international presence through investments in Australia, Brazil, China, France, Mexico and Russia. The Company had annual net sales in 2012 of $5.8 billion. Approximately 83% of this amount was generated by sales in North America and approximately 17% was generated by sales outside North America. The Company has three reporting segments: the Mohawk segment, the Dal-Tile segment and the Unilin segment. Selected financial information for the Mohawk, Dal-Tile and Unilin segments, geographic net sales and the location of long-lived assets is set forth in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements.
The Mohawk segment designs, manufactures, sources, distributes and markets its floor covering product lines, which include carpets, ceramic tile, laminate, rugs, carpet pad, hardwood and resilient, in a broad range of colors, textures and patterns for residential and commercial applications in both remodeling and new construction. The Mohawk segment markets and distributes its carpets, rugs, ceramic tile, laminate, hardwood and resilient under various brands, including the following premium brand names: Mohawk®, Aladdin®, Mohawk ColorCenters®, Mohawk Floorscapes®, Portico®, Mohawk Home®, Bigelow®, Durkan®, Horizon®, Karastan®, Lees®, Merit® and SmartStrand®. The Mohawk segment markets and distributes soft and hard surface products through over 24,000 customers, which include independent floor covering retailers, home centers, mass merchandisers, department stores, commercial dealers and commercial end users. Some products are also marketed through private labeling programs. The Mohawk segment’s soft surface operations are vertically integrated from the extrusion of resin to the manufacturing and distribution of finished carpets and rugs.
The Dal-Tile segment designs, manufactures, sources, distributes and markets a broad line of ceramic tile, porcelain tile and natural stone products used in the residential and commercial markets for both remodeling and new construction. In addition, Dal-Tile sources, markets and distributes other tile related products. Most of the Dal-Tile segment’s ceramic tile products are marketed under the Dal-Tile® and American Olean® brand names and sold through independent distributors, home center retailers, individual floor covering retailers, ceramic specialists, commercial dealers and commercial end users. The Dal-Tile segment operations are vertically integrated from the production of raw material for body and glaze preparation to the manufacturing and distribution of ceramic and porcelain tile.
The Unilin segment designs, manufactures, sources, licenses, distributes and markets laminate and hardwood flooring used primarily in the residential market for both remodeling and new construction in Europe and the U.S. Unilin is one of the leaders in laminate flooring technology, having commercialized direct pressure laminate (“DPL”), a technology used in a majority of laminates today, and has developed the patented UNICLIC® glueless installation system and a variety of other new technologies, such as beveled edges, multiple length planks and new surface and finish features from which the company generates licensing revenue. Unilin sells its flooring products under the Quick-Step®, Columbia Flooring®, Century Flooring® and Mohawk® brands through retailers, independent distributors and home centers. Unilin is one of the largest vertically-integrated laminate flooring manufacturers in the U.S. producing both laminate flooring and related high density fiberboard. In Europe, Unilin also produces roofing systems, insulation panels and other wood products. In 2012, Unilin began marketing luxury vinyl tiles in Europe. This product features UNICLIC® technology for easy installation.
Recent Developments
In January 2013, Unilin purchased Pergo, a leading manufacturer of premium laminate flooring in the U.S. and Europe. Pergo complements our specialty distribution network in the United States, leverages our geographic position in Europe, expands our geographic reach to the Nordic countries and India and enhances our patent portfolio.

On December 20, 2012, the Company entered into a definitive share purchase agreement (the “Share Purchase Agreement”) to acquire Fintiles S.p.A. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Marazzi Group”), a global producer of tile products for residential and commercial applications in Russia, the United States and Europe, pursuant to which the Company will acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Marazzi Group and retire all outstanding debt of the Marazzi Group for an estimated transaction value of approximately €1,170 million, or $1,504.4 million, subject to certain adjustments set forth in the share purchase agreement and plus transaction expenses. The Company expects to complete the transaction during the first half of 2013 pending customary governmental approvals and the satisfaction of other closing conditions.



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On January 28, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase Spano Invest NV, a Belgian panel board manufacturer, for €125 million or $168 million in cash. The Company expects to complete the transaction during the second half of 2013 pending customary governmental approvals and the satisfaction of other closing conditions.
Industry
In 2011, the primary categories of the U.S. floor covering industry, based on sales dollars, were carpet and rug (53%), resilient and rubber (14%), ceramic tile (12%), hardwood (10%), stone (6%) and laminate (5%). Each of these categories is influenced by the average selling price per square foot, the residential builder and homeowner remodeling markets, housing starts and housing resales, average house size and home ownership. In addition, the level of sales in the floor covering industry, both in the U.S. and Europe, is influenced by consumer confidence, spending for durable goods, interest rates and availability of credit, turnover in housing, the condition of the residential and commercial construction industries and the overall strength of the economy.
Domestic carpet and rug sales volume of U.S. manufacturers was approximately 1.1 billion square yards, or $9.5 billion, in 2011. The carpet and rugs category has two primary markets, residential and commercial. In 2011, the residential market made up approximately 68% of industry amounts shipped and the commercial market comprised approximately 32%. Sales of U.S. carpet and rug are distributed to the residential market for both new construction and residential replacement.
The U.S. ceramic tile industry shipped 2.1 billion square feet, or $2.2 billion, in 2011. The ceramic tile industry’s two primary markets, residential applications and commercial applications, represent 56% and 44% of the 2011 industry total, respectively. Of the total residential market, 73% of the dollar values of shipments were made in response to residential replacement demand.
In 2011, the U.S. laminate industry shipped 0.9 billion square feet, or $0.9 billion. The laminate industry’s two primary markets, residential applications and commercial applications, represent 88% and 12% of the 2011 industry total, respectively. Sales of U.S. laminate flooring are primarily distributed through the residential replacement market. In 2011, the European laminate industry produced approximately 4.9 billion square feet which accounted for approximately 14% of the European floor covering market.
In 2011, the U.S. hardwood industry shipped 0.9 billion square feet, representing a market of approximately $1.8 billion. The hardwood industry’s two primary markets, residential applications and commercial applications, represent 77% and 23% of the 2011 industry total, respectively. Sales of U.S. hardwood are primarily distributed to the residential market for both new construction and residential replacement.
In 2011, the U.S. stone flooring industry shipped 0.3 billion square feet, representing a market of approximately $1.1 billion. The stone flooring industry’s two primary markets, residential applications and commercial applications, represent 53% and 47% of the 2011 industry total, respectively. Sales of U.S. stone flooring are primarily distributed to the residential market for both new construction and residential replacement.
In 2011, the U.S. resilient and rubber industry shipped 3.2 billion square feet, representing a market of approximately $2.4 billion. The resilient and rubber industry’s two primary markets, residential applications and commercial applications, represent 43% and 57% of the 2011 industry total, respectively. Sales of U.S. resilient are distributed to the residential market for both new construction and residential replacement.
Sales and Distribution
Mohawk Segment
Through its Mohawk segment, the Company designs, manufactures, sources, distributes and markets thousands of styles of carpet and rugs in a broad range of colors, textures and patterns. In addition, the Mohawk segment markets and distributes ceramic tile, laminate, hardwood, resilient floor covering, carpet pad and flooring accessories. The Mohawk segment positions product lines in all price ranges and emphasizes quality, style, performance and service. The Mohawk segment markets and distributes its product lines to over 24,000 customers, which include independent floor covering retailers, home centers, mass merchandisers, department stores, commercial dealers and commercial end users. Some products are also marketed through private labeling programs. Sales to residential customers represent a significant portion of the total industry and the majority of the segment's carpet and rug sales.
The Company has positioned its premier residential carpet and rug brand names across all price ranges. The Mohawk, Horizon, WundaWeve®, SmartStrand and Karastan brands are positioned to sell primarily in the medium-to-high retail price channels in the residential broadloom and rug markets. These lines have substantial brand name recognition among carpet dealers and retailers, with the Karastan and Mohawk brands having among the highest consumer recognition in the industry.


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Karastan is a leader in the high-end market. The Aladdin and Mohawk Home brands compete primarily in the value retail price channel. The Portico and Properties® brand names compete primarily in the builder and multi-family markets, respectively. The Company markets its hard surface product lines, which include Mohawk Ceramic, Mohawk Hardwood, Mohawk Laminate, Mohawk LVT and Congoleum, across all price ranges.
The Company offers marketing and advertising support through residential dealer programs like Mohawk Floorscapes, Mohawk ColorCenter, and Karastan. These programs offer varying degrees of support to dealers in the form of sales and management training, in-store merchandising systems, exclusive promotions and assistance in certain administrative functions, such as consumer credit, advertising and website technology.
The Company produces and markets its commercial broadloom and modular carpet tile under the Mohawk Group which includes the following brands: Bigelow, Lees, and Karastan Contract. It markets its hospitality carpet under the Durkan brand which includes the Merit collection of hospitality carpet. The commercial customer base is divided into several channels: corporate office space, education institutions, healthcare facilities, retail space and institutional and government facilities. Different purchase decision makers and decision-making processes exist for each channel.
The Company’s sales forces are generally organized by product type and sales channels in order to best serve each type of customer. Product delivery to dealers is done predominantly on Mohawk trucks operating from strategically positioned warehouses/cross-docks that receive inbound product directly from the source of manufacture.
Dal-Tile Segment
The Dal-Tile segment designs, manufactures, sources, distributes and markets a broad line of ceramic tile, porcelain tile and natural stone products. Products are distributed through separate distribution channels consisting of independent distributors, home center retailers, individual floor covering retailers, ceramic specialists and commercial dealers and directly to commercial end users. The business is organized to address the specific customer needs of each distribution channel, and dedicated sales forces support the various channels.
The Company serves as a “one-stop” source that provides customers with one of the ceramic tile industry’s broadest product lines—a complete selection of glazed floor tile, glazed wall tile, glazed and unglazed ceramic mosaic tile, porcelain tile, quarry tile and stone products, as well as installation products. In addition to products manufactured by the Company’s ceramic tile business, the Company also sources products from other manufacturers to enhance its product offering.
The Company has two of the leading brand names in the U.S. ceramic tile industry—Dal-Tile and American Olean. The Dal-Tile and American Olean brand names date back over 50 years and are well recognized in the industry. Both of these brands are supported by a fully integrated marketing program, displays, merchandising boards, literature/catalogs and internet websites. The Company is focused on sales growth opportunities through innovative products and programs in both the residential and commercial channels.
A network of Company-owned service centers distributes primarily the Dal-Tile brand product with a fully integrated marketing program, emphasizing a focus on quality and fashion serving customers in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. The service centers provide distribution points for customer pick-up, local delivery and showrooms for product selection and design assistance. In addition, the Dal-Tile brand is distributed through independent distributors in Mexico. The American Olean brand is primarily distributed through independent distributors and Company-owned service centers that service both residential and commercial customers.
In addition to Company-owned service centers, the Company uses regional distribution centers which include the utilization of the Company’s truck fleet to help deliver high-quality customer service with shorter lead times, increased order fill rates and improved on-time deliveries to customers.
Unilin Segment
The Unilin segment designs, manufactures, licenses, distributes and markets laminate and hardwood flooring. It also designs and manufactures roofing systems, insulation panels and other wood products in Europe. Products are distributed through separate distribution channels consisting of retailers, independent distributors and home centers. Unilin U.S. operations also manufacture Mohawk branded laminate and hardwood flooring, which sells through the Mohawk channel and also directly through home centers and mass merchandisers. The majority of Unilin’s laminate sales, both in the U.S. and Europe, are for residential replacement. The business is organized to address the specific customer needs of each distribution channel.
The Unilin segment markets and sells laminate and hardwood flooring products under the Quick-Step, Columbia Flooring, Century Flooring, Mohawk and Pergo® brands. Unilin also sells private label laminate and hardwood flooring products. The Company believes Quick-Step and Pergo are leading brand names in the U.S. and European flooring industry. In


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addition, Unilin markets and sells insulation panels in Europe. The segment also licenses its UNICLIC and Pergo intellectual property to floor manufacturers throughout the world.
In the U.S., Europe and Asia, the Company uses regional distribution centers and direct shipping from manufacturing facilities to provide high-quality customer service and enhance the Company’s ability to plan and manage inventory requirements.
Advertising and Promotion
The Company promotes its brands through advertising in television, print, social and internet media, as well as cooperative advertising, point-of-sale displays, sponsorship of a European cycling team and marketing literature. The Company also continues to rely on the substantial brand name recognition of its product lines. The cost of point-of-sale displays and product samples, a significant promotional expense, is partially offset by sales of samples to customers.
Manufacturing and Operations
Mohawk Segment
The Company’s carpet and rug manufacturing operations are vertically integrated and include the extrusion of resin and post-consumer plastics into triexta fiber, polyester, nylon and polypropylene, and yarn processing, backing manufacturing, tufting, weaving, dyeing, coating and finishing. The Mohawk segment continues to invest in capital expenditures, principally in state-of-the-art equipment, to increase manufacturing efficiency, improve overall cost competitiveness and develop new capabilities.
Dal-Tile Segment
The Company’s tile manufacturing operations are vertically integrated from the production of raw material for body and glaze preparation to the manufacturing and distribution of ceramic and porcelain tile in the U.S. and Mexico. The Company believes that its manufacturing organization offers competitive advantages due to its ability to manufacture a differentiated product line consisting of one of the industry’s broadest product offerings of colors, textures and finishes and its ability to utilize the industry’s newest technology, as well as the industry’s largest offering of trim and angle pieces. In addition, Dal-Tile also imports or sources a portion of its product to supplement its product offerings. The Dal-Tile segment continues to invest in capital expenditures, principally in state-of-the-art equipment, to increase manufacturing capacity, improve efficiency and develop new capabilities. The segment is expanding its international presence through investments in China and Mexico and through the pending acquisition of the Marazzi Group in Europe and Russia.
Unilin Segment
The Company’s laminate flooring manufacturing operations are vertically integrated, both in the U.S. and in Europe, and include high-density fiberboard (“HDF”) production, paper impregnation, short-cycle pressing, cutting and milling. The European operations also include resin production. Unilin has state-of-the-art equipment that results in competitive manufacturing in terms of cost and flexibility. In addition, Unilin has significant manufacturing capability for both engineered and prefinished solid wood flooring for the U.S. and European markets. The Unilin segment continues to invest in capital expenditures, principally in new plants and state-of-the-art equipment, to increase manufacturing capacity, improve efficiency and develop new capabilities. The segment is expanding its international presence through investments in Australia, Brazil, France and Russia, and with the recent acquisition of Pergo, the Nordic countries and India. The manufacturing facilities for other activities in the Unilin business (roofing systems, insulation panels and other wood products) are all configured for cost-efficient manufacturing and production flexibility and are competitive in the European market.
Raw Materials and Suppliers
Mohawk Segment
The principal raw materials used in the production of carpet and rugs are nylon, triexta, polyester, polypropylene, synthetic backing materials, latex and various dyes and chemicals, all of which are petroleum based. Major raw materials used in the Company’s manufacturing process are available from independent sources, and the Company obtains most of its externally purchased fibers and resins principally from six major suppliers. If these suppliers were unable to satisfy the requirements, the Company believes that alternative supply arrangements would be available. Although the market for carpet raw materials is sensitive to temporary disruptions, the carpet and rug business has not experienced a significant shortage of raw materials in recent years.


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Dal-Tile Segment
The principal raw materials used in the production of ceramic tile are clay, talc, nepheline syenite and glazes. The Company has entered into a long-term supply agreement for most of its talc requirements. In addition, the Company has long-term clay mining rights in Kentucky and Mississippi that satisfy nearly all of its clay requirements for producing quarry tile. The Company purchases a number of different grades of clay for the manufacture of its non-quarry tile. The Company believes that there is an adequate supply of all grades of clay and that all are readily available from a number of independent sources. The Company has two suppliers for its nepheline syenite requirements. If these suppliers were unable to satisfy the requirements, the Company believes that alternative supply arrangements would be available. Glazes are used on a significant percentage of manufactured tiles. Glazes consist of frit (ground glass), zircon, stains and other materials, with frit being the largest ingredient. The Company manufactures approximately 75% of its frit requirements.
Unilin Segment
The principal raw materials used in producing boards, laminate and hardwood flooring are wood, paper, resins, coatings and stains. Wood supply is a very fragmented market in Europe. The Company has long-standing relationships with numerous suppliers. These suppliers provide a wide variety of wood species, varying from fresh round wood to several kinds of by-products of sawmills and used wood recycled specifically for chipboard production, giving the Company a cost-effective and secure supply of raw material. In the U.S., the Company has a long-term contract with a contiguously located lumber company that supplies most of its total needs for HDF board production. The supply of various species of hardwoods and hardwood veneers used in the production of solid wood and engineered flooring is both localized and global.
Major manufacturers supply the papers required in the laminate flooring business in both Europe and the U.S. The Company processes most of the paper impregnation internally in its laminate flooring facilities in Europe and the U.S. In Europe, the resins for paper impregnation are manufactured by the Company, which permits greater control over the laminate flooring manufacturing process, enabling the Company to produce higher-quality products. The Company buys the balance of its resin requirements from a number of companies. The Company believes there are ample sources of supply located within a reasonable distance of Unilin’s facilities.
Competition
The principal methods of competition within the floor covering industry generally are service, style, quality, price, product innovation and technology. In each of the markets, price competition and market coverage are particularly important because there is limited differentiation among competing product lines. The Company’s investments in manufacturing equipment, computer systems and distribution network, as well as the Company’s marketing strategy, contribute to its ability to compete primarily on the basis of performance, quality, style and service, rather than just price.
Mohawk Segment
The carpet and rug industry is highly competitive. Based on industry publications, the top five North American carpet and rug manufacturers (including their North American and foreign divisions) in 2011 had carpet and rug sales in excess of $7.1 billion of the over $9.9 billion market. The Company believes it is the second largest producer of carpets and rugs (in terms of sales dollars) in the world based on its 2011 net sales.
Dal-Tile Segment
The ceramic tile industry is significantly more fragmented than the carpet industry. The Company estimates that over 100 tile manufacturers, more than half of which are based outside the U.S., compete for sales of ceramic tile to customers located in the U.S. Although the U.S. ceramic tile industry is highly fragmented at both the manufacturing and distribution levels, the Company believes it is one of the largest manufacturers, distributors and marketers of ceramic tile in the world. The Company believes it is substantially larger than the next largest competitor in the United States and that it is the only significant manufacturer with its own North American distribution system.
Unilin Segment
The Company faces competition in the laminate and hardwood flooring channel from a large number of domestic and foreign manufacturers. The Company estimates that there are over 100 wood flooring manufacturers located in various countries. The Company believes it is one of the largest manufacturers, distributors and licensors of laminate flooring in the world, with a focus on high-end products. The Company believes it is one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of hardwood flooring in the U.S. In addition, the Company believes it has a competitive advantage in the laminate flooring channel as a result of Unilin’s industry leading design, patented technologies and brands, which allows the Company to


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distinguish its laminate and hardwood flooring products in the areas of finish, quality, installation and assembly and provides a source of additional revenue for the Company from licensing royalties.
Patents and Trademarks
Intellectual property is important to the Company’s business, and the Company relies on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws to protect its interests.
The Company uses several trademarks that it considers important in the marketing of its products, including Aladdin, American Olean, Bigelow, Century Flooring, Columbia Flooring, Dal-Tile, Duracolor®, didit, Durkan, Elka®, Everset fibers®, Horizon, Karastan, Lees, Merit, Mohawk, Mohawk ColorCenter, Mohawk Floorscapes, Mohawk GreenWorks®, Mohawk Home, Pergo, Portico, PureBond®, Quick-Step, SmartStrand, Ultra Performance System®, UNICLIC, UNILIN®, Utherm® and Wear-Dated®. These trademarks represent innovations that highlight competitive advantages and provide differentiation from competing brands in the market.
Unilin owns a number of important patent families in Europe and the U.S. some of which the Company licenses to manufacturers and distributors throughout the world. The most important of these patent families is the UNICLIC family, which include the snap, pretension, clearance and the beveled edge patent and are not expected to expire until 2017, protecting Unilin's interlocking laminate flooring technology. The recent acquisition of Pergo potentially enhances the intellectual property revenue stream with new “clicking” technology that could be licensed until 2021. Also, the marketability of the Company's furniture technology utilizing the “click” methodology continues to develop. The licensing and related furniture products are in the early stages of introduction into the European market. The Company believes these and other ongoing innovations will partially offset the impact of the future expiration of the UNICLIC family patents. The licensing revenue from patents included in the Unilin results was approximately €80 million in 2012. The licensing revenue from patents generated in the Unilin operations is partially offset by various expenses such as amortization, developing new technologies, filing new patents, supporting existing patents, defending patent lawsuits, collection and auditing of receivables, bad debt and other administrative activities. The Company continues to build upon these patents, trademarks and its proven innovation in pursuing growth opportunities.
Sales Terms and Major Customers
The Company’s sales terms are substantially the same as those generally available throughout the industry. The Company generally permits its customers to return products purchased from it within specified time periods from the date of sale, if the customer is not satisfied with the quality of the product.
During 2012, no single customer accounted for more than 5% of total net sales, and the top 10 customers accounted for less than 20% of the Company’s net sales. The Company believes the loss of one major customer would not have a material adverse effect on its business.
Employees
As of December 31, 2012, the Company employed approximately 25,100 persons consisting of approximately 18,200 in the U.S., approximately 3,600 in Mexico, approximately 2,200 in Europe, approximately 800 in Malaysia, approximately 200 in Canada and approximately 100 in Russia. The majority of the Company’s European and Mexican manufacturing employees are members of unions. Most of the Company’s U.S. employees are not a party to any collective bargaining agreement. Additionally, the Company has not experienced any strikes or work stoppages in recent years. The Company believes that its relations with its employees are good.
Available Information
The Company’s Internet address is http://www.mohawkind.com. The Company makes the following reports filed by it available, free of charge, on its website under the heading “Investor Information”:
annual reports on Form 10-K;
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q;
current reports on Form 8-K; and
amendments to the foregoing reports.
The foregoing reports are made available on the Company’s website as soon as practicable after they are filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).


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Item 1A.
Risk Factors
Certain Factors affecting the Company’s Performance
In addition to the other information provided in this Form 10-K, the following risk factors should be considered when evaluating an investment in shares of the Company’s Common Stock. If any of the events described in these risks were to occur, it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

The floor covering industry is sensitive to changes in general economic conditions, such as consumer confidence and income, corporate and government spending, interest rate levels, availability of credit and demand for housing. The downturn in the U.S. and global economies, along with the residential and commercial markets in such economies, negatively impacted the floor covering industry and the Company’s business. Although these difficult economic conditions have improved, there may be additional downturns that could cause the industry to deteriorate further. Further, significant or prolonged declines in such economies or in spending for replacement floor covering products or new construction activity could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

The floor covering industry in which the Company participates is highly dependent on general economic conditions, such as consumer confidence and income, corporate and government spending, interest rate levels, availability of credit and demand for housing. The Company derives a majority of its sales from the replacement segment of the market. Therefore, economic changes that result in a significant or prolonged decline in spending for remodeling and replacement activities could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.

The floor covering industry is highly dependent on construction activity, including new construction, which is cyclical in nature and recently experienced a downturn. The downturn in the U.S. and global economies, along with the residential and commercial markets in such economies, negatively impacted the floor covering industry and the Company’s business. Although the impact of a decline in new construction activity is typically accompanied by an increase in remodeling and replacement activity, these activities lagged during the downturn. Although the difficult economic conditions have improved, there may be additional downturns that could cause the industry to deteriorate in the foreseeable future. A significant or prolonged decline in residential or commercial construction activity could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.

In periods of rising costs, the Company may be unable to pass raw materials, energy and fuel-related cost increases on to its customers, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

The prices of raw materials and fuel-related costs vary significantly with market conditions. Although the Company generally attempts to pass on increases in raw material, energy and fuel-related costs to its customers, the Company’s ability to do so is dependent upon the rate and magnitude of any increase, competitive pressures and market conditions for the Company’s products. There have been in the past, and may be in the future, periods of time during which increases in these costs cannot be recovered. During such periods of time, the Company’s business may be materially adversely affected.

The Company faces intense competition in the flooring industry that could decrease demand for the Company’s products or force it to lower prices, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

The floor covering industry is highly competitive. The Company faces competition from a number of manufacturers and independent distributors. Some of the Company’s competitors are larger and have greater resources and access to capital than the Company does. Maintaining the Company’s competitive position may require substantial investments in the Company’s product development efforts, manufacturing facilities, distribution network and sales and marketing activities. Competitive pressures may also result in decreased demand for the Company’s products or force the Company to lower prices. Any of these factors or others may impact demand which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

Uncertainty in the credit market or downturns in the global economy and the Company’s business could affect the Company’s overall availability and cost of credit.

Uncertainty in the credit markets could affect the overall availability and cost of credit. Despite recent improvement in overall economic conditions, market conditions could impact the Company’s ability to obtain financing in the future, including any financing necessary to refinance existing indebtedness, and the cost and terms of it, remains uncertain. These and other economic factors could have a material adverse effect on demand for the Company’s products and on its financial condition and operating results. Further, these generally negative economic and business conditions may factor into the Company’s periodic


9


credit ratings assessment by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's"), Standard & Poor’s Financial Services, LLC ("S&P") and Fitch, Inc. A rating agency’s evaluation is based on a number of factors, which include scale and diversification, brand strength, profitability, leverage, liquidity and interest coverage. Any future downgrades in the Company’s credit ratings could increase the cost of its existing credit and could adversely affect the cost of and ability to obtain additional credit in the future. A downgrade of the Company’s credit rating by Moody's or S&P would increase interest expense on the Company’s senior unsecured $900.0 million notes by 25 basis points per downgrade. The Company can provide no assurances that downgrades will not occur.

If the Company were unable to meet certain covenants contained in its existing credit facilities, it may be required to repay borrowings under the credit facilities prior to their maturity and may lose access to the credit facilities for additional borrowings that may be necessary to fund its operations, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

On July 8, 2011, the Company entered into a $900.0 million five-year, senior, secured revolving credit facility (the “Senior Credit Facility”). On January 20, 2012, the Company entered into an amendment to the Senior Credit Facility that provides for an incremental term loan facility in the aggregate principal amount of $150.0 million. As of December 31, 2012, the amount utilized under the Senior Credit Facility including the term loan was $251.2 million resulting in a total of $793.1 million available under the Senior Credit Facility. The amount utilized included $153.9 million of borrowings, $46.8 million of standby letters of credit guaranteeing the Company’s industrial revenue bonds and $50.5 million of standby letters of credit related to various insurance contracts and foreign vendor commitments. In addition, on December 19, 2012, the Company entered into a three-year on-balance sheet U.S. trade accounts receivable securitization agreement (the "Securitization Facility") that allows the Company to borrow up to $300 million based on available accounts receivable and is secured by the Company's U.S. trade accounts receivable. At December 31, 2012, the amount utilized under the Securitization Facility was $280.0 million.

During the term of the credit facilities, if the Company’s cash flow is worse than expected or the U.S. trade accounts receivables are lower than expected, the Company may need to refinance all or a portion of its indebtedness through a public and/or private debt offering or a new bank facility and may not be able to do so on terms acceptable to it, or at all. If the Company is unable to access debt markets at competitive rates or in sufficient amounts due to credit rating downgrades, market volatility, market disruption, or other factors, it could materially adversely affect the Company’s ability to repay its indebtedness and otherwise have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

Additionally, the credit facilities include certain affirmative and negative covenants that impose restrictions on the Company’s financial and business operations, including limitations on liens, indebtedness, investments, fundamental changes, asset dispositions, dividends and other similar restricted payments, transactions with affiliates, payments and modifications of certain existing debt, future negative pledges, and changes in the nature of the Company’s business. Many of these limitations are subject to numerous exceptions. The Company is also required to maintain a Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio of at least 3.0 to 1.0 and a Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio of no more than 3.75 to 1.0 for the Senior Credit Facility, each as of the last day of any fiscal quarter and as defined in the Senior Credit Facility. A failure to comply with the obligations contained in our current or future credit facilities or indentures relating to our outstanding public debt could result in an event of default or an acceleration of debt under other instruments that may contain cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions. We cannot be certain that we would have, or be able to obtain, sufficient funds to make these accelerated payments.

The Company may be unable to obtain raw materials or sourced product on a timely basis, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

The principal raw materials used in the Company’s manufacturing operations include nylon, polypropylene, triexta and polyester resins and fibers, which are used primarily in the Company’s carpet and rugs business; clay, talc, nepheline syenite and glazes, including frit (ground glass), zircon and stains, which are used exclusively in the Company’s ceramic tile business; and wood, paper, and resins which are used primarily in the Company’s laminate flooring business. In addition, the Company sources finished goods as well. For certain of such raw materials and sourced products, the Company is dependent on one or a small number of suppliers. An adverse change in the Company’s relationship with such a supplier, the financial condition of such a supplier or such supplier’s ability to manufacture or deliver such raw materials or sourced products to the Company could lead to an interruption of supply or require the Company to purchase more expensive alternatives. An extended interruption in the supply of these or other raw materials or sourced products used in the Company’s business or in the supply of suitable substitute materials or products would disrupt the Company’s operations, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

Fluctuations in currency exchange rates may impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and may affect the comparability of results between the Company’s financial periods.


10



The results of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries reported in the local currency are translated into U.S. dollars for balance sheet accounts using exchange rates in effect as of the balance sheet date and for the statement of operations accounts using, principally, the Company’s average rates during the period. The exchange rates between some of these currencies and the U.S. dollar in recent years have fluctuated significantly and may continue to do so in the future. The Company may not be able to manage effectively the Company’s currency translation risks, and volatility in currency exchange rates may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and affect comparability of the Company’s results between financial periods.

The Company may experience certain risks associated with acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic investments.

The Company has typically grown its business through acquisitions. Growth through acquisitions involves risks, many of which may continue to affect the Company after the acquisition. The Company cannot give assurance that an acquired company will achieve the levels of revenue, profitability and production that the Company expects. The combination of an acquired company’s business with the Company’s existing businesses involves risks. The Company cannot be assured that reported earnings will meet expectations because of goodwill and intangible asset impairment, other asset impairments, increased interest costs and issuance of additional securities or incurrence of debt. The Company may also face challenges in consolidating functions, integrating the Company’s organizations, procedures, operations and product lines in a timely and efficient manner and retaining key personnel. These challenges may result in:

maintaining executive offices in different locations;
manufacturing and selling different types of products through different distribution channels;
conducting business from various locations;
maintaining different operating systems and software on different computer hardware; and
providing different employment and compensation arrangements for employees.

The diversion of management attention and any difficulties encountered in the transition and integration process could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s revenues, level of expenses and operating results.

Failure to successfully manage and integrate an acquisition with the Company’s existing operations could lead to the potential loss of customers of the acquired business, the potential loss of employees who may be vital to the new operations, the potential loss of business opportunities or other adverse consequences that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Even if integration occurs successfully, failure of the acquisition to achieve levels of anticipated sales growth, profitability or productivity, or otherwise perform as expected, may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

In addition, we have made certain investments, including through joint ventures, in which we have a minority equity interest and lack management and operational control. The controlling joint venture partner in a joint venture investment may have business interests, strategies or goals that are inconsistent with ours, and business decisions or other actions or omissions of the controlling joint venture partner or the joint venture company may result in harm to our reputation or adversely affect the value of our investment in the joint venture.

A failure to identify suitable acquisition candidates or partners for strategic investments and to complete acquisitions could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

As part of the Company’s business strategy, the Company intends to continue to pursue a wide array of potential strategic transactions, including acquisitions of complementary businesses, as well as strategic investments and joint ventures. Although the Company regularly evaluates such opportunities, the Company may not be able to successfully identify suitable acquisition candidates or investment opportunities, to obtain sufficient financing on acceptable terms to fund such strategic transactions, to complete acquisitions and integrate acquired businesses with the Company’s existing businesses, or to manage profitably acquired businesses or strategic investments.

The Company manufactures, sources and sells many products internationally and is exposed to risks associated with doing business globally.

The Company's international activities are significant to its manufacturing capacity, revenues and profits, and the Company is further expanding internationally. The Company increasingly sells products, operates plants and invests in companies in other


11


parts of the world. Currently, the Company has significant operations in Europe, Malaysia and Australia for its Unilin division (including Belgium, Netherlands, France, Sweden and Russia) and Mexico for its ceramic tile business, which will expand to Western Europe and Russia following the acquisition of the Marazzi Group. In addition, the Company has invested in joint ventures in Brazil and China related to laminate flooring and ceramic tile, respectively. The business, regulatory and political environments in these countries differ from those in the U.S. The Company’s international sales, operations and investments are subject to risks and uncertainties, including:

changes in foreign country regulatory requirements;
differing business practices associated with foreign operations;
various import/export restrictions and the availability of required import/export licenses;
imposition of foreign tariffs and other trade barriers;
political, legal and economic instability;
foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations;
foreign country tax rules, regulations and other requirements, such as changes in tax rates and statutory and judicial interpretations in tax laws;
inflation;
differing labor laws and changes in those laws;
work stoppages and disruptions in the shipping of imported and exported products;
government price controls;
extended payment terms and the inability to collect accounts receivable;
tax inefficiencies and currency exchange controls that may adversely impact its ability to repatriate cash from non-U.S. subsidiaries; and
compliance with laws governing international relations, including those that prohibit improper payments to government officials.

The Company cannot assure investors that it will succeed in developing and implementing policies and strategies to counter the foregoing factors effectively in each location where the Company does business and therefore that the foregoing factors will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations or upon its financial condition and results of operations.

Negative tax consequences could materially and adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.
We are subject to the tax laws of the many jurisdictions in which we operate. The tax laws are complex, and the manner in which they apply to our facts is sometimes open to interpretation. In calculating the provision for income taxes, we must make judgments about the application of these inherently complex tax laws. Our domestic and international tax liabilities are largely dependent upon the distribution of profit before tax among these many jurisdictions. However, it also includes estimates of additional tax which may be incurred for tax exposures and reflects various estimates and assumptions, including assessments of future earnings of the Company that could impact the valuation of our deferred tax assets. Our future results of operations and tax liability could be adversely affected by changes in the effective tax rate as a result of a change in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the overall profitability of the Company, changes in tax legislation and rates, changes in generally accepted accounting principles, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, changes in the amount of earnings permanently reinvested offshore, the results of audits and examinations of previously filed tax returns, and ongoing assessments of our tax exposures.

The Company has been, and in the future may be, subject to costs, liabilities and other obligations under existing or new laws and regulations, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

The Company and its customers and suppliers are subject to various federal, state and local laws, regulations and licensing requirements. The Company faces risks and uncertainties related to compliance with and enforcement of increasingly numerous and complex federal, state and local laws and regulations. In addition, new laws and regulations may be enacted in the U.S. or abroad that may require the Company to incur additional personnel-related, environmental, or other costs on an ongoing basis, such as recently enacted healthcare legislation in the United States.

Further, the Company’s operations are subject to various environmental, health and safety laws and regulations, including those governing air emissions, wastewater discharges, and the use, storage, treatment, recycling and disposal of materials and


12


finished product. The applicable requirements under these laws are subject to amendment, to the imposition of new or additional requirements and to changing interpretations of agencies or courts. The Company could incur material expenditures to comply with new or existing regulations, including fines and penalties and increased costs of its operations. For example, enactment of climate control legislation or other regulatory initiatives by the U.S. Congress or various states, or the adoption of regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency and analogous state or foreign governmental agencies that restrict emissions of greenhouse gases in areas in which the Company conducts business could have an adverse effect on its operations and demand for its products. The Company’s manufacturing processes use a significant amount of energy, especially natural gas. Increased regulation of energy use to address the possible emission of greenhouse gases and climate change could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

The nature of the Company’s business and operations, including the potential discovery of presently unknown environmental conditions, exposes it to the risk of claims under environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. The Company could incur material costs or liabilities in connection with such claims.

The Company’s business operations could suffer significant losses from natural disasters, catastrophes, fire or other unexpected events.

Many of the Company’s business activities involve substantial investments in manufacturing facilities and many products are produced at a limited number of locations. These facilities could be materially damaged by natural disasters, such as floods, tornados, hurricanes and earthquakes, or by fire or other unexpected events. The Company could incur uninsured losses and liabilities arising from such events, including damage to its reputation, and/or suffer material losses in operational capacity, which could have a material adverse impact on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Company may be exposed to litigation, claims and other legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business relating to its products, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is subject to a variety of product-related claims, lawsuits and legal proceedings, including those relating to product liability, product warranty, product recall, personal injury, and other matters that are inherently subject to many uncertainties regarding the possibility of a loss to the Company. Such matters could have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations and financial condition if the Company is unable to successfully defend against or resolve these matters or if its insurance coverage is insufficient to satisfy any judgments
against the Company or settlements relating to these matters. Although the Company has product liability insurance, the policies may not provide coverage for certain claims against the Company or may not be sufficient to cover all possible liabilities. Further, the Company may not be able to maintain insurance at commercially acceptable premium levels. Moreover, adverse publicity arising from claims made against the Company, even if the claims are not successful, could adversely affect the Company’s reputation or the reputation and sales of its products.

The Company’s inability to protect its intellectual property rights or collect license revenues, particularly with respect to the Company’s patented laminate flooring technology and its registered trademarks, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

The future success and competitive position of certain of the Company’s businesses, particularly the Company’s laminate flooring business, depend in part upon the Company’s ability to obtain, maintain and license proprietary technology used in the Company’s principal product families. The Company relies, in part, on the patent, trade secret and trademark laws of the U.S. and countries in Europe, as well as confidentiality agreements with some of the Company’s employees, to protect that technology.

The Company has obtained a number of patents relating to the Company’s products and associated methods and has filed applications for additional patents, including the UNICLIC and Pergo family of patents, which protects its interlocking laminate flooring technology. The Company cannot assure investors that any patents owned by or issued to it will provide the Company with competitive advantages, that third parties will not challenge these patents, or that the Company’s pending patent applications will be approved. In addition, patent filings by third parties, whether made before or after the date of the Company’s filings, could render the Company’s intellectual property less valuable.

Furthermore, despite the Company’s efforts, the Company may be unable to prevent competitors and/or third parties from using the Company’s technology without the Company’s authorization through license agreements, independently developing technology that is similar to that of the Company or designing around the Company’s patents. The use of the
Company’s technology or similar technology by others could reduce or eliminate any competitive advantage the Company has developed, cause the Company to lose sales or otherwise harm the Company’s business. In addition, if the Company does not


13


obtain sufficient protection for the Company’s intellectual property, the Company’s competitiveness in the markets it serves could be significantly impaired, which could have a material effect on the Company’s business.

The Company has obtained and applied for numerous U.S. and Foreign Service marks and trademark registrations and will continue to evaluate the registration of additional service marks and trademarks, as appropriate. The Company cannot guarantee that any of the Company’s pending or future applications will be approved by the applicable governmental authorities. Moreover, even if such applications are approved, third parties may seek to oppose or otherwise challenge the registrations. A failure to obtain trademark registrations in the U.S. and in other countries could limit the Company’s ability to protect the Company’s trademarks and impede the Company’s marketing efforts in those jurisdictions and could have a material effect on the Company’s business.

The Company generates license revenue from certain patents in the UNICLIC and Pergo families that are not expected to expire until 2017 and 2021, respectively. The Company continues to develop new sources of revenue to offset the expiration in its UNICLIC and Pergo family of patents. The failure to develop alternative revenues could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.

The Company generally requires third parties with access to the Company’s trade secrets to agree to keep such information confidential. While such measures are intended to protect the Company’s trade secrets, there can be no assurance that these agreements will not be breached, that the Company will have adequate remedies for any breach or that the Company’s confidential and proprietary information and technology will not be independently developed by or become otherwise known to third parties. In any of these circumstances, the Company’s competitiveness could be significantly impaired, which would limit the Company’s growth and future revenue.

Companies may claim that the Company infringed their intellectual property or proprietary rights, which could cause it to incur significant expenses or prevent it from selling the Company’s products.

In the past, companies have claimed that certain technologies incorporated in the Company’s products infringe their patent rights. There can be no assurance that the Company will not receive notices in the future from parties asserting that the Company’s products infringe, or may infringe, those parties’ intellectual property rights. The Company cannot be certain that the Company’s products do not and will not infringe issued patents or other intellectual property rights of others. Historically, patent applications in the U.S. and some foreign countries have not been publicly disclosed until the patent is issued (or, in some recent cases, until 18 months following submission), and the Company may not be aware of currently filed patent applications that relate to the Company’s products or processes. If patents are later issued on these applications, the Company may be liable for infringement.

Furthermore, the Company may initiate claims or litigation against parties for infringement of the Company’s proprietary rights or to establish the invalidity, noninfringement, or unenforceability of the proprietary rights of others. Likewise, the Company may have similar claims brought against it by competitors. Litigation, either as plaintiff or defendant, could result in significant expense to the Company and divert the efforts of the Company’s technical and management personnel from operations, whether or not such litigation is resolved in the Company’s favor. In the event of an adverse ruling in any such litigation, the Company might be required to pay substantial damages (including punitive damages and attorney’s fees), discontinue the use and sale of infringing products, expend significant resources to develop non-infringing technology or obtain licenses authorizing the use of infringing technology. There can be no assurance that licenses for disputed technology or intellectual property rights would be available on reasonable commercial terms, if at all. In the event of a successful claim against the Company along with failure to develop or license a substitute technology, the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.

The long-term performance of the Company’s business relies on its ability to attract, develop and retain talented management.

To be successful, the Company must attract, develop and retain qualified and talented personnel in management, sales, marketing, product design and innovation and operations, and as it considers entering new international markets, skilled personnel familiar with those markets. The Company competes with multinational firms for these employees and invests resources in recruiting, developing, motivating and retaining them. The failure to attract, develop, motivate and retain key employees could negatively affect the Company’s competitive position and its operating results.

The Company is subject to changing regulation of corporate governance and public disclosure that have increased both costs and the risk of noncompliance.



14


The Company’s stock is publicly traded. As a result, the Company is subject to the rules and regulations of federal and state agencies and financial market exchange entities charged with the protection of investors and the oversight of companies whose securities are publicly traded. These entities, including the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange, frequently issue new requirements and regulations. The Company’s efforts to comply with the regulations and interpretations have resulted in, and are likely to continue to result in, increased general and administrative costs and diversion of management’s time and attention from revenue generating activities to compliance activities.

Declines in the Company’s business conditions may result in an impairment of the Company’s tangible and intangible assets which could result in a material non-cash charge.

A significant or prolonged decrease in the Company’s market capitalization, including a decline in stock price, or a negative long-term performance outlook, could result in an impairment of its tangible and intangible assets which results when the carrying value of the Company’s assets exceed their fair value.

Forward-Looking Information

Certain of the statements in this Form 10-K, particularly those anticipating future performance, business prospects, growth and operating strategies, and similar matters, and those that include the words “could,” “should,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects” and “estimates” or similar expressions constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. For those statements, Mohawk claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. There can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements will be accurate because they are based on many assumptions, which involve risks and uncertainties. The following important factors could cause future results to differ: changes in economic or industry conditions; competition; inflation in raw material prices and other input costs; energy costs and supply; timing and level of capital expenditures; timing and implementation of price increases for the Company’s products; impairment charges; integration of acquisitions; international operations; introduction of new products; rationalization of operations; tax, product and other claims; litigation; and other risks identified in Mohawk’s SEC reports and public announcements.

Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2.
Properties
The Company owns a 0.1 million square foot headquarters office in Calhoun, Georgia on an eight-acre site. The Company also owns a 2.1 million square foot manufacturing facility located in Dalton, Georgia used by the Mohawk segment, a 1.7 million square foot manufacturing facility located in Monterey, Mexico and a 1.0 million square foot manufacturing facility located in Muskogee, Oklahoma used by the Dal-Tile segment, and a 1.1 million square foot manufacturing facility located in Wielsbeke, Belgium and a 0.5 million square foot manufacturing facility located in Thomasville, North Carolina used by the Unilin segment.
The following table summarizes the Company’s facilities both owned and leased for each segment in square feet (in millions):
 
Mohawk Segment
 
Dal-Tile Segment
 
Unilin Segment
Primary Purpose
Owned
 
Leased
 
Owned
 
Leased
 
Owned
 
Leased
Manufacturing
17.7

 

 
4.6

 
0.1

 
8.7

 
0.4

Selling and Distribution
3.7

 
4.8

 
0.4

 
7.4

 
0.1

 
0.3

Other
0.9

 
0.1

 
0.2

 
0.3

 
0.1

 

Total
22.3

 
4.9

 
5.2

 
7.8

 
8.9

 
0.7

The Company’s properties are in good condition and adequate for its requirements. The Company believes its principal plants are generally adequate to meet its production plans pursuant to the Company’s long-term sales goals. In the ordinary course of business, the Company monitors the condition of its facilities to ensure that they remain adequate to meet long-term sales goals and production plans.



15


Item 3.
Legal Proceedings

The Company is involved in litigation from time to time in the regular course of its business. Except as noted below, there are no material legal proceedings pending or known by the Company to be contemplated to which the Company is a party or to which any of its property is subject.

Beginning in August 2010, a series of civil lawsuits were initiated in several U.S. federal courts alleging that certain
manufacturers of polyurethane foam products and competitors of the Company’s carpet underlay division had engaged in price
fixing in violation of U.S. antitrust laws. Mohawk has been named as a defendant in a number of the individual cases (the first
filed on August 26, 2010), as well as in two consolidated amended class action complaints, the first filed on February 28, 2011,
on behalf of a class of all direct purchasers of polyurethane foam products, and the second filed on March 21, 2011, on behalf
of a class of indirect purchasers. All pending cases in which the Company has been named as a defendant have been filed in or
transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio for consolidated pre-trial proceedings under the name In
re: Polyurethane Foam Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 1:10-MDL-02196.

In these actions, the plaintiffs, on behalf of themselves and/or a class of purchasers, seek three times the amount of
unspecified damages allegedly suffered as a result of alleged overcharges in the price of polyurethane foam products from at
least 1999 to the present. Each plaintiff also seeks attorney fees, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, court costs, and
injunctive relief against future violations. In December 2011, the Company was named as a defendant in a Canadian Class action, Hi ! Neighbor Floor Covering Co. Limited v. Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company, et.al., filed in the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, Canada and Options Consommateures v. Vitafoam, Inc. et.al., filed in the Superior Court of Justice of Quebec, Montreal, Canada, both of which allege similar claims against the Company as raised in the U.S. actions and seek unspecified damages and punitive damages. The Company denies all of the allegations in these actions and will vigorously defend itself.

The Company believes that adequate provisions for resolution of all contingencies, claims and pending litigation have been made for probable losses that are reasonably estimable. These contingencies are subject to significant uncertainties and we are unable to estimate the amount or range of loss, if any, in excess of amounts accrued. The Company does not believe that the ultimate outcome of these actions will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition but could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, cash flows or liquidity in a given quarter or year.
Environmental Matters
The Company is subject to various federal, state, local and foreign environmental health and safety laws and regulations, including those governing air emissions, wastewater discharges, the use, storage, treatment, recycling and disposal of solid and hazardous materials and finished product, and the cleanup of contamination associated therewith. Because of the nature of the Company’s business, the Company has incurred, and will continue to incur, costs relating to compliance with such laws and regulations. The Company is involved in various proceedings relating to environmental matters and is currently engaged in environmental investigation, remediation and post-closure care programs at certain sites. The Company has provided accruals for such activities that it has determined to be both probable and reasonably estimable. The Company does not expect that the ultimate liability with respect to such activities will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition but could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, cash flows or liquidity in a given quarter or year.

Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

PART II

Item 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market for the Common Stock
The Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”) is quoted on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “MHK.” The table below shows the high and low sales prices per share of the Common Stock as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape, for each fiscal period indicated.  


16



 
Mohawk Common Stock
 
High    
 
Low    
2011
 
 
 
First Quarter
$
63.12

 
54.42

Second Quarter
68.86

 
57.43

Third Quarter
61.47

 
39.93

Fourth Quarter
61.30

 
40.19

2012
 
 
 
First Quarter
68.16

 
57.62

Second Quarter
75.44

 
60.21

Third Quarter
82.76

 
64.22

Fourth Quarter
93.95

 
77.67

As of February 20, 2013, there were approximately 297 holders of record of Common Stock. The Company has not paid or declared any cash dividends on shares of its Common Stock since completing its initial public offering. The Company’s policy is to retain all net earnings for the development of its business, and presently, it does not anticipate paying cash dividends on the Common Stock in the foreseeable future. The payment of future cash dividends will be at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon the Company’s profitability, financial condition, cash requirements, future prospects and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors.
The Company did not repurchase any of its common stock during the fourth quarter of 2012.


17




Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
The following table sets forth the selected financial data of the Company for the periods indicated which information is derived from the consolidated financial statements of the Company. The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the Company’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere herein.
 
 
As of or for the Years Ended December 31,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
2008
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
Statement of operations data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales (a)
$
5,787,980

 
5,642,258

 
5,319,072

 
5,344,024

 
6,826,348

Cost of sales (a)
4,297,922

 
4,225,379

 
3,916,472

 
4,111,794

 
5,088,584

Gross profit
1,490,058

 
1,416,879

 
1,402,600

 
1,232,230

 
1,737,764

Selling, general and administrative expenses
1,110,550

 
1,101,337

 
1,088,431

 
1,188,500

 
1,318,501

Impairment of goodwill and other intangibles (b)

 

 

 

 
1,543,397

Operating income (loss)
379,508

 
315,542

 
314,169

 
43,730

 
(1,124,134
)
Interest expense
74,713

 
101,617

 
133,151

 
127,031

 
127,050

Other expense (income), net (c)
303

 
14,051

 
(11,630
)
 
(5,588
)
 
21,288

Earnings (loss) before income taxes
304,492

 
199,874

 
192,648

 
(77,713
)
 
(1,272,472
)
Income tax expense (benefit) (d)
53,599

 
21,649

 
2,713

 
(76,694
)
 
180,062

Net earnings (loss)
250,893

 
178,225

 
189,935

 
(1,019
)
 
(1,452,534
)
Less: Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest
635

 
4,303

 
4,464

 
4,480

 
5,694

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.
$
250,258

 
173,922

 
185,471

 
(5,499
)
 
(1,458,228
)
Basic earnings (loss) per share
$
3.63

 
2.53

 
2.66

 
(0.08
)
 
(21.32
)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
$
3.61

 
2.52

 
2.65

 
(0.08
)
 
(21.32
)
Balance sheet data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Working capital (includes short-term debt)
$
1,721,397

 
1,296,818

 
1,199,699

 
1,474,978

 
1,369,333

Total assets (b and d)
6,303,684

 
6,206,228

 
6,098,926

 
6,391,446

 
6,446,175

Long-term debt (including current portion)
1,382,942

 
1,586,439

 
1,653,582

 
1,854,479

 
1,954,786

Total stockholders’ equity
3,719,617

 
3,415,785

 
3,271,556

 
3,200,823

 
3,153,803

(a)
During 2009, the Company recognized an increased number of warranty claims related to the performance of commercial carpet tiles that used a newer carpet backing technology. As a result, the Company recorded a $121,224 carpet sales allowance and a $12,268 inventory write-off.
(b)
In 2008, the Company recorded an impairment of goodwill and other intangibles which included $276,807 for the Mohawk segment, $531,930 for the Dal-Tile segment and $734,660 for the Unilin segment.
(c)
In 2010, the Company received $7,730 in refunds from the U.S. government in reference to settlement of customs disputes dating back to 1986.
(d)
In 2008, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of approximately $253,000 against the deferred tax asset recorded in 2007 as a result of a change in residency the Company implemented in one of its foreign subsidiaries.


18



Item 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
In 2011, the primary categories of the U.S. floor covering industry, based on sales dollars, were carpet and rug (53%), resilient and rubber (14%), ceramic tile (12%), hardwood (10%), stone (6%) and laminate (5%). Each of these categories is influenced by the average selling price per square foot, the residential builder and homeowner remodeling markets, housing starts and housing resales, average house size and home ownership. In addition, the level of sales in the floor covering industry, both in the U.S. and Europe, is influenced by consumer confidence, spending for durable goods, interest rates and availability of credit, turnover in housing, the condition of the residential and commercial construction industries and the overall strength of the economy.
The Company has three reporting segments: the Mohawk segment, the Dal-Tile segment and the Unilin segment. The Mohawk segment designs, manufactures, sources, distributes and markets its floor covering product lines, which include carpets, ceramic tile, laminate, rugs, carpet pad, hardwood and resilient, primarily in North America through its network of regional distribution centers and satellite warehouses using company-operated trucks, common carrier or rail transportation. The segment’s product lines are sold through various selling channels, which include independent floor covering retailers, home centers, mass merchandisers, department stores, commercial dealers and commercial end users. The Dal-Tile segment designs, manufactures, sources, distributes and markets a broad line of ceramic tile, porcelain tile, natural stone and other products, primarily in North America through its network of regional distribution centers and Company-operated service centers using company-operated trucks, common carriers or rail transportation. The segment’s product lines are sold through Company-owned service centers, independent distributors, home center retailers, tile and flooring retailers and contractors. The Unilin segment designs, manufactures, sources, licenses, distributes and markets laminate, hardwood flooring, roofing systems, insulation panels and other wood products, primarily in North America and Europe through various selling channels, which include retailers, independent distributors and home centers.
Net earnings attributable to the Company were $250.3 million, or diluted EPS of $3.61 for 2012 compared to net earnings attributable to the Company of $173.9 million, or diluted EPS of $2.52 for 2011. The increase in EPS was primarily attributable to the favorable net impact of price and product mix, improved manufacturing efficiencies, higher sales volume, lower interest expense and the change in the net impact of unrealized foreign exchange gains/losses, partially offset by higher input costs, increases in costs to support new product introductions and geographic expansion and higher tax expense primarily attributable to the geographic dispersion of earnings.
For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company generated $587.6 million of cash from operating activities which it partially used for capital expenditures, repayment of borrowings, the purchase of the non-controlling interest within the Dal-Tile segment and a joint venture investment. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $477.7 million, of which $42.6 million was in the United States and $435.1 million was in foreign countries.

Recent Developments

On December 20, 2012, the Company entered into a definitive share purchase agreement to acquire Fintiles S.p.A. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Marazzi Group”), for an estimated transaction value of approximately €1,170 million, or $1,504.4 million. The Company expects to complete the transaction during the first half of 2013 pending customary governmental approvals and the satisfaction of other closing conditions.
On January 10, 2013, the Company announced that it completed the acquisition of Pergo, a leading manufacturer of premium laminate flooring. The Company remitted approximately $150 million in cash for the acquisition using both European and U.S. cash available.

On January 28, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement to purchase Spano Invest NV, a Belgian panel board manufacturer, for €125 million ($168 million) in cash. This transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2013 pending customary governmental approvals and the satisfaction of other closing conditions.

The results of operations do not include the effect of the foregoing acquisitions, as the Pergo acquisition closed after December 31, 2012, and the Marazzi and Spano acquisitions remain pending.



19


Results of Operations
Following are the results of operations for the last three years:
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
(In millions)
Statement of operations data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net sales
$
5,788.0

 
100.0
%
 
5,642.3

 
100.0
%
 
5,319.1

 
100.0
 %
Cost of sales (1)
4,297.9

 
74.3
%
 
4,225.4

 
74.9
%
 
3,916.5

 
73.6
 %
Gross profit
1,490.1

 
25.7
%
 
1,416.9

 
25.1
%
 
1,402.6

 
26.4
 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses (2)
1,110.6

 
19.2
%
 
1,101.3

 
19.5
%
 
1,088.4

 
20.5
 %
Operating income
379.5

 
6.6
%
 
315.6

 
5.6
%
 
314.2

 
5.9
 %
Interest expense (3)
74.7

 
1.3
%
 
101.6

 
1.8
%
 
133.2

 
2.5
 %
Other expense (income) (4)
0.3

 
0.0
%
 
14.1

 
0.2
%
 
(11.6
)
 
(0.2
)%
Earnings before income taxes
304.5

 
5.3
%
 
199.9

 
3.5
%
 
192.6

 
3.6
 %
Income tax expense
53.6

 
0.9
%
 
21.7

 
0.4
%
 
2.7

 
0.1
 %
Net earnings
250.9

 
4.3
%
 
178.2

 
3.2
%
 
189.9

 
3.6
 %
Less: Net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest
0.6

 
0.0
%
 
4.3

 
0.1
%
 
4.4

 
0.1
 %
Net earnings attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.
$
250.3

 
4.3
%
 
173.9

 
3.1
%
 
185.5

 
3.5
 %
(1)  Cost of sales includes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restructuring charges
$
14.8

 
0.3
%
 
17.5

 
0.3
%
 
12.4

 
0.2
 %
(2)  Selling, general and administrative expenses include:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restructuring charges
3.7

 
0.1
%
 
5.7

 
0.1
%
 
0.8

 
 %
Lease charges

 
%
 
6.0

 
0.1
%
 

 
 %
(3)  Interest expense includes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt extinguishment costs

 
%
 
1.1

 
%
 
7.5

 
0.1
 %
(4)  Other expense (income) includes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized foreign currency losses

 
%
 
9.1

 
0.2
%
 

 
 %
U.S. customs refund

 
%
 

 
%
 
(7.7
)
 
(0.1
)%
Acquisitions purchase accounting

 
%
 

 
%
 
1.7

 
 %
Year Ended December 31, 2012, as Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2011

Net sales

Net sales for 2012 were $5,788.0 million, reflecting an increase of $145.7 million, or 2.6%, from the $5,642.3 million reported for 2011. The increase was primarily driven by the favorable net impact of price and product mix of approximately $146 million and higher volume of approximately $92 million, partially offset by the net impact of unfavorable foreign exchange rates of approximately $92 million.

Mohawk Segment—Net sales decreased $15.6 million, or 0.5%, to $2,912.1 million for 2012, compared to $2,927.7 million for 2011. The decrease was primarily driven by lower volume of approximately $142 million, which was partially offset by the favorable net impact of price and product mix of approximately $126 million. The volume decreases were primarily attributable to the timing of carpet product transitions in the home center channel and lower demand for rug products in the retail channel.

Dal-Tile Segment—Net sales increased $162.1 million, or 11.1%, to $1,616.4 million for 2012, compared to $1,454.3 million for 2011. The increase was primarily driven by volume increases of approximately $157 million and the favorable net


20


impact of price and product mix of approximately $11 million, partially offset by the net impact of unfavorable foreign exchange rates of approximately $6 million. The volume increases were primarily attributable to improvement in the U.S. commercial and residential channels and growth in the Mexican market.

Unilin Segment—Net sales increased $5.5 million, or 0.4%, to $1,350.3 million for 2012, compared to $1,344.8 million for 2011. The increase was primarily driven by volume increases of approximately $84 million and the favorable net impact of price and product mix of approximately $8 million, partially offset by the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange rates of approximately $86 million. The volume increases were primarily attributable to flooring products primarily in Russia, Australia and North America, as well as increases in wood panel and insulation products.
Quarterly net sales and the percentage changes in net sales by quarter for 2012 versus 2011 were as follows (dollars in millions):
 
2012
 
2011
 
Change
First quarter
$
1,409.0

 
1,343.6

 
4.9
 %
Second quarter
1,469.8

 
1,477.9

 
(0.5
)%
Third quarter
1,473.5

 
1,442.5

 
2.1
 %
Fourth quarter
1,435.7

 
1,378.3

 
4.2
 %
Total year
$
5,788.0

 
5,642.3

 
2.6
 %

Gross profit

Gross profit for 2012 was $1,490.1 million (25.7% of net sales), an increase of $73.2 million or 5.2%, compared to gross profit of $1,416.9 million (25.1% of net sales) for 2011. The increase in gross profit dollars was primarily attributable to the favorable net impact of price and product mix of approximately $62 million, operations productivity of approximately $52 million and higher sales volume of approximately $22 million, partially offset by higher input costs of approximately $42 million and the impact of unfavorable foreign exchange rates of approximately $19 million.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses for 2012 were $1,110.6 million (19.2% of net sales), compared to $1,101.3 million (19.5% of net sales) for 2011. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased as a percentage of net sales compared to the prior year primarily due to increased sales volume. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in dollars was primarily driven by increases in costs to support new product introductions and geographic expansion of approximately $31 million, partially offset by favorable foreign exchange rates of approximately $15 million and lower amortization costs of approximately $9 million.

Operating income

Operating income for 2012 was $379.5 million (6.6% of net sales) reflecting an increase of $64.0 million, or 20.3%, compared to operating income of $315.5 million (5.6% of net sales) for 2011. The increase in operating income was primarily driven by the favorable net impact of price and product mix of approximately $62 million, operations productivity of approximately $52 million and sales volume increases of approximately $22 million, partially offset by higher input costs of approximately $42 million and increases in selling costs to support new product introductions, geographic expansion and higher sales volume of approximately $31 million.

Mohawk Segment—Operating income was $158.2 million (5.4% of segment net sales) for 2012 reflecting an increase of $48.3 million compared to operating income of $109.9 million (3.8% of segment net sales) for 2011. The increase in operating income was primarily driven by the favorable net impact of price and product mix of approximately $67 million, higher operations productivity of approximately $18 million and lower restructuring costs of approximately $15 million, partially offset by lower sales volume of approximately $36 million and higher input costs of approximately $18 million.

Dal-Tile Segment—Operating income was $121.0 million (7.5% of segment net sales) for 2012 reflecting an increase of $19.7 million compared to operating income of $101.3 million (7.0% of segment net sales) for 2011. The increase in operating income was primarily driven by sales volume increases of approximately $42 million and favorable foreign exchange rates of approximately $6 million, partially offset by increases in selling costs to support new product introductions and higher sales volume of approximately $16 million, manufacturing start-up and restructuring costs of approximately $9 million and higher input costs of approximately $7 million.


21



Unilin Segment—Operating income was $126.4 million (9.4% of segment net sales) for 2012 reflecting a decrease of $0.7 million compared to operating income of $127.1 million (9.5% of segment net sales) for 2011. The decrease in operating income was primarily driven by higher input costs of approximately $18 million, increases in costs to support new product introductions and geographic expansion of approximately $11 million and unfavorable foreign exchange rates of approximately $10 million, partially offset by operations productivity of approximately $25 million and sales volume increases of approximately $15 million.

Interest expense

Interest expense was $74.7 million for 2012, reflecting a decrease of $26.9 million compared to interest expense of $101.6 million for 2011. The decrease in interest expense in 2012 was due to lower outstanding debt and lower interest rates on that outstanding debt. The lower interest rates were primarily attributable to the shift from higher interest rate senior notes to the Senior Credit Facility and the rating agency upgrades discussed in "Liquidity and Capital Resources".

Other expense

Other expense was $0.3 million for 2012, reflecting a change of $13.7 million compared to other expense of $14.1 million for 2011. The change was primarily attributable to net foreign currency losses of approximately $16 million. The unrealized foreign currency losses in the prior year were primarily a result of volatility in the Mexican Peso and Canadian Dollar that occurred late in the third quarter of 2011. Prior to the second quarter of 2012, operations carried out in Mexico used the U.S. dollar as the functional currency. Effective April 1, 2012, the Company changed the functional currency of its Mexico operations to the Mexican peso. See Note 1(l) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Income tax expense

For 2012, the Company recorded income tax expense of $53.6 million on earnings before income taxes of $304.5 million for an effective tax rate of 17.6%, as compared to an income tax expense of $21.7 million on earnings before income taxes of $199.9 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 10.8% for 2011. The difference in the effective tax rate for the comparative period is primarily due to the geographical dispersion of earnings and losses, a favorable IRS audit settlement in 2011, and the expiration of statutes of limitations for both Federal and State tax purposes.
Year Ended December 31, 2011, as Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2010
Net sales
Net sales for 2011 were $5,642.3 million, reflecting an increase of $323.2 million, or 6.1%, from the $5,319.1 million reported for 2010. The increase was primarily due to higher sales volume of approximately $143 million, favorable price and product mix of approximately $127 million and the impact of favorable foreign exchange rates of approximately $53 million.
Mohawk Segment—Net sales increased $82.8 million, or 2.9%, to $2,927.7 million in 2011, compared to $2,844.9 million in 2010. The increase was primarily driven by favorable price and product mix of approximately $64 million, and higher sales volume of approximately $19 million.
Dal-Tile Segment—Net sales increased $86.9 million, or 6.4%, to $1,454.3 million in 2011, compared to $1,367.4 million in 2010. The increase was primarily driven by higher sales volume of approximately $75 million, favorable price and product mix of approximately $9 million and the impact of favorable foreign exchange rates of approximately $3 million.
Unilin Segment—Net sales increased $156.5 million, or 13.2%, to $1,344.8 million in 2011, compared to $1,188.3 million in 2010. The increase was primarily due to favorable price and product mix of approximately $55 million, the impact of favorable foreign exchange rates of approximately $51 million and higher sales volume of approximately $51 million.


22


Quarterly net sales and the percentage changes in net sales by quarter for 2011 versus 2010 were as follows (dollars in millions):
 
2011
 
2010
 
Change
First quarter
$
1,343.6

 
1,347.2

 
(0.3
)%
Second quarter
1,477.9

 
1,400.1

 
5.6
 %
Third quarter
1,442.5

 
1,309.6

 
10.1
 %
Fourth quarter
1,378.3

 
1,262.2

 
9.2
 %
Total year
$
5,642.3

 
5,319.1

 
6.1
 %
Gross profit
Gross profit for 2011 was $1,416.9 million (25.1% of net sales) compared to gross profit of $1,402.6 million (26.4% of net sales) for 2010. Gross profit dollars were impacted by favorable price and product mix of approximately $124 million, lower manufacturing costs of approximately $69 million, higher sales volume of approximately $27 million and favorable foreign exchange rates of approximately $16 million, substantially offset by higher inflationary costs of approximately $206 million, primarily related to raw materials, and approximately $7 million of higher restructuring charges. The lower manufacturing costs are primarily a result of cost savings initiatives implemented and various restructuring activities taken by the Company, including facility consolidations, workforce reductions and productivity improvements resulting from capital investments. In addition, the gross profit for 2010 included insurance settlement proceeds of approximately $9 million related to a flood in the Company’s Mexican manufacturing facility.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses for 2011 were $1,101.3 million (19.5% of net sales) compared to $1,088.4 million (20.5% of net sales) for 2010. As a percentage of sales, selling, general and administrative expenses for 2011 decreased 1.0% compared to the prior year as a result of the Company’s ability to leverage its various cost savings initiatives. The dollar increase in selling, general and administrative expenses is primarily a result of unfavorable foreign exchange rates of approximately $9 million, a lease charge (discussed below) of approximately $6 million and higher restructuring charges of approximately $5 million, partially offset by the various cost savings initiatives implemented by the Company including facility consolidations and productivity improvements.
During the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company corrected an immaterial error in its consolidated financial statements. The error related to accounting for operating leases. The correction of $6.0 million resulted in an additional charge (“lease charge”) to selling, general and administrative expense in the Company’s 2011 consolidated statement of operations. The Company believes the correction of this error to be both quantitatively and qualitatively immaterial to its quarterly results for 2011 or to any of its previously issued consolidated financial statements. The correction had no impact on the Company’s cash flows as previously presented.
Operating income
Operating income for 2011 was $315.6 million (5.6% of net sales), reflecting a $1.4 million increase, compared to an operating income of $314.2 million (5.9% of net sales) for 2010. The increase in operating income was primarily a result of favorable price and product mix of approximately $124 million, lower manufacturing and selling, general and administrative expenses of approximately $77 million, higher sales volume of $27 million and the impact of favorable foreign exchange rates of approximately $7 million, substantially offset by higher inflationary costs of approximately $206 million, primarily related to raw materials, higher restructuring charges of approximately $11 million and a lease charge (discussed in selling, general and administrative expenses) of approximately $6 million. The lower manufacturing costs and selling, general and administrative expenses are primarily a result of cost saving initiatives implemented and various restructuring actions taken by the Company, including facility consolidations, workforce reductions and productivity improvements resulting from capital investments. In addition, the operating income for 2010 included insurance settlement proceeds of approximately $9 million related to a flood in the Company’s Mexican manufacturing facility.
Mohawk Segment—Operating income was $109.9 million (3.8% of segment net sales) for 2011, reflecting a decrease of $13.0 million, compared to operating income of $122.9 million (4.3% of segment net sales) for 2010. Operating income was negatively impacted by higher inflationary costs of approximately $138 million, primarily related to raw materials, higher restructuring charges of approximately $14 million and a lease charge (discussed in selling, general and administrative expenses) of approximately $3 million, substantially offset by lower manufacturing costs and selling, general and administrative expenses of approximately $76 million and favorable price and product mix of approximately $64 million. The


23


lower manufacturing costs and selling, general and administrative expenses were primarily a result of cost savings initiatives implemented and various restructuring actions taken by the Company, including facility consolidations, workforce reductions and productivity improvements resulting from capital investments.
Dal-Tile Segment—Operating income was $101.3 million (7.0% of segment net sales) for 2011, reflecting an increase of $4.0 million, compared to operating income of $97.3 million (7.1% of segment net sales) for 2010. Operating income was favorably impacted by higher sales volume of approximately $18 million, lower manufacturing costs and selling, general and administrative expenses of approximately $10 million and favorable price and product mix of approximately $6 million, partially offset by higher inflationary costs of approximately $18 million, primarily related to raw materials and a lease charge (discussed in selling, general and administrative expenses) of approximately $3 million. The lower manufacturing costs and selling, general and administrative expenses are primarily a result of cost savings initiatives implemented and various restructuring actions taken by the Company, including workforce reductions and productivity improvements resulting from capital investments. In addition, the operating income for 2010 included insurance settlement proceeds of approximately $9 million related to a flood in the Company’s Mexican manufacturing facility.
Unilin Segment—Operating income was $127.1 million (9.5% of segment net sales) for 2011 reflecting an increase of $12.8 million compared to operating income of $114.3 million (9.6% of segment net sales) for 2010. The increase was primarily driven by favorable price and product mix of approximately $54 million, lower manufacturing costs of approximately $10 million, favorable foreign exchange rates of approximately $7 million, higher sales volume of approximately $7 million and lower restructuring costs of approximately $2 million, substantially offset by higher inflationary costs of approximately $50 million, primarily related to raw materials, and higher selling, general and administrative costs of approximately $17 million. The lower manufacturing costs are primarily a result of cost savings initiatives implemented and various restructuring actions taken by the Company, including facility consolidations and productivity improvements resulting from capital investments.
Interest expense
Interest expense was $101.6 million for 2011, reflecting a decrease of $31.5 million compared to interest expense of $133.2 million for 2010. The decrease in interest expense resulted from lower interest costs on the Company’s outstanding debt and lower debt levels. In addition, the 2010 interest expense includes a $7.5 million premium paid to extinguish approximately $200 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes.
Other expense (income)
Other expense for 2011 was $14.1 million as compared to other income in the prior year of $11.6 million. The unfavorable impact of $25.7 million was primarily a result of unfavorable changes in net foreign currency gains/losses of approximately $13 million, and losses associated with the minority interest of approximately $5 million. In addition, other income for 2010 included an approximately $8 million benefit from customs refunds partially offset by acquisitions purchase accounting adjustments of $1.7 million. The unrealized foreign currency losses are attributable to certain of the Company’s consolidated foreign subsidiaries that measure financial conditions and results using the U.S. dollar rather than the local currency. The unrealized foreign currency losses were primarily a result of volatility in the Mexican Peso and the Canadian Dollar that occurred late in the third quarter of 2011. The customs refunds from the U.S. government resulted from settling customs disputes dating back to 1986. The Company is pursuing additional recoveries for years subsequent to 1986 but there can be no assurances such recoveries will occur. Additional future recoveries, if any, will be recorded as realized.
Income tax expense
For 2011, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $21.6 million on earnings before income taxes of $199.9 million for an effective tax rate of 10.8%, as compared to an income tax expense of $2.7 million on earnings before income taxes of $192.6 million for an effective tax rate of 1.4% for 2010. The difference in the effective tax rate for the comparative period is primarily due to the benefit from the settlement of certain tax contingencies of $7.2 million and $30.0 million, respectively, in 2011 and 2010. In addition, both years were effected by the geographical dispersion of earnings and losses for the current period.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company’s primary capital requirements are for working capital, capital expenditures and acquisitions. The Company’s capital needs are met primarily through a combination of internally generated funds, bank credit lines and credit terms from suppliers.


24


Cash flows provided by operating activities for 2012 were $587.6 million compared to $301.0 million provided by operating activities for 2011. The increase in cash provided by operating activities for 2012 as compared to 2011 is primarily attributable to higher earnings, and improvements in working capital. As discussed in note 13 to the consolidated financial statements, on December 28, 2012, the Company received the refund of the deposit related to the tax assessment by the Belgium taxing authority of €23.8 million. On January 30, 2013, the Company received a refund of the interest deposit of €2.9 million and interest income of €1.6 million earned on the deposit.
Net cash used in investing activities for 2012 was $215.3 million compared to $299.7 million for 2011. The decrease in investing activities primarily relates to lower capital expenditures and lower acquisition expenditures in 2012. Capital spending during 2013, excluding pending acquisition expenditures, is expected to range from approximately $275 million to $295 million and is intended to be used primarily to purchase equipment, add geographic capacity and to streamline manufacturing capabilities.
Net cash used in financing activities for 2012 was $216.8 million compared to $33.1 million for 2011. The change in cash used in financing activities as compared to 2011 is primarily attributable to the purchase of the non-controlling interest within the Dal-Tile segment for approximately $35.0 million, repayment of borrowings and funding of working capital.

On July 8, 2011, the Company entered into a five-year, senior, secured revolving credit facility (the “Senior Credit Facility”). The Senior Credit Facility provides for a maximum of $900.0 million of revolving credit, including limited amounts of credit in the form of letters of credit and swingline loans. The Company paid financing costs of $8.3 million in connection with its Senior Credit Facility. These costs were deferred and, along with unamortized costs of $12.3 million related to the Company’s prior senior, secured revolving credit facility, are being amortized over the term of the Senior Credit Facility.
On January 20, 2012, the Company entered into an amendment to the Senior Credit Facility that provides for an incremental term loan facility in the aggregate principal amount of $150.0 million. The Company paid financing costs of $1.0 million in connection with the amendment to its Senior Credit Facility. These costs were deferred and are being amortized over the remaining term of the Senior Credit Facility. The incremental term loan facility provides for eight scheduled quarterly principal payments of $1.875 million, with the first such payment due on June 30, 2012, followed by four scheduled quarterly principal payments of $3.750 million, with remaining quarterly principal payments of $5.625 million prior to maturity.

The Senior Credit Facility is scheduled to mature on July 8, 2016. The Company can terminate and prepay the Senior Credit Facility at any time without payment of any termination or prepayment penalty (other than customary breakage costs in respect of loans bearing interest at a rate based on LIBOR).

At the Company’s election, revolving loans under the Senior Credit Facility bear interest at annual rates equal to either (a) LIBOR for 1-, 2-, 3- or 6- month periods, as selected by the Company, plus an applicable margin ranging between 1.25% and 2.0%, or (b) the higher of the Bank of America, N.A. prime rate, the Federal Funds rate plus 0.5%, and a monthly LIBOR rate plus 1.0%, plus an applicable margin ranging between 0.25% and 1.0%. The Company also pays a commitment fee to the lenders under the Senior Credit Facility on the average amount by which the aggregate commitments of the lenders’ exceed utilization of the Senior Credit Facility ranging from 0.25% to 0.4% per annum. The applicable margin and the commitment fee are determined based on the Company’s Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio (with applicable margins and the commitment fee increasing as the ratio increases).

All obligations of the Company and the other borrowers under the Senior Credit Facility are required to be guaranteed by all of the Company’s material domestic subsidiaries and all obligations of borrowers that are foreign subsidiaries are guaranteed by those foreign subsidiaries of the Company which the Company designates as guarantors.

Due to the rating agency upgrade announced on March 14, 2012 by Standard & Poor’s Financial Services, LLC (“S&P”), the security interests in domestic accounts receivable and inventories, certain shares of capital stock (or equivalent ownership interests) of the domestic borrowers’ and domestic guarantors’ subsidiaries, and proceeds of any of the foregoing securing obligations under the Senior Credit Facility were released. The Company will be required to reinstate such security interests if there is a ratings downgrade such that: (a) both (i) the Moody’s Investor’s Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) rating is Ba2 and (ii) the S&P rating is BB, (b) (i) the Moody’s rating is Ba3 or lower and (ii) the S&P rating is below BBB- (with a stable outlook or better) or (c) (i) the Moody’s rating is below Baa3 (with a stable outlook or better) and (ii) the S&P rating is BB- or lower.
The Senior Credit Facility includes certain affirmative and negative covenants that impose restrictions on the Company’s financial and business operations, including limitations on liens, indebtedness, investments, fundamental changes, asset dispositions, dividends and other similar restricted payments, transactions with affiliates, payments and modifications of certain existing debt, future negative pledges, and changes in the nature of the Company’s business. Many of these limitations are subject to numerous exceptions. The Company is also required to maintain a Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio of at least


25


3.00 to 1.0 and a Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio of no more than 3.75 to 1.0, each as of the last day of any fiscal quarter, as defined in the Senior Credit Facility. The Senior Credit Facility also contains customary representations and warranties and events of default, subject to customary grace periods.

As of December 31, 2012, the amount utilized under the Senior Credit Facility including the term loan was $251.2 million, resulting in a total of $793.1 million available under the Senior Credit Facility. The amount utilized included $153.9 million of borrowings, $46.8 million of standby letters of credit guaranteeing the Company’s industrial revenue bonds and $50.5 million of standby letters of credit related to various insurance contracts and foreign vendor commitments.

On December 19, 2012, the Company entered into a three-year on-balance sheet trade accounts receivable securitization agreement (the "Securitization Facility"). The Securitization Facility allows the Company to borrow up to $300 million based on available accounts receivable and is secured by the Company's U.S. trade accounts receivable. Borrowings under the Securitization Facility bear interest at commercial paper interest rates, in the case of lenders that are commercial paper conduits, or LIBOR, in the case of lenders that are not commercial paper conduits, in each case, plus an applicable margin of 0.75% per annum. The Company also pays a commitment fee at a per annum rate of 0.30% on the unused amount of each lender's commitment. At December 31, 2012, the amount utilized under the Securitization Facility was $280.0 million.

On January 31, 2013, the Company issued $600 million aggregate principal amount of 3.850% Senior Notes due 2023. In the event that the Company does not complete its acquisition of the Marazzi Group on or prior to January 25, 2014 or if, prior to that date, the Share Purchase Agreement with respect to the acquisition is terminated, the Company will be required to redeem all of the notes on the special mandatory redemption date at a redemption price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but not including, the special mandatory redemption date.

On January 17, 2006, the Company issued $900.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125% notes due January 15, 2016. Interest payable on these notes is subject to adjustment if either Moody’s or S&P, or both, upgrades or downgrades the rating assigned to the notes. Each rating agency downgrade results in a 0.25% increase in the interest rate, subject to a maximum increase of 1% per rating agency. If later the rating of these notes improves, then the interest rates would be reduced accordingly. Each 0.25% increase in the interest rate of these notes would increase the Company’s interest expense by approximately $0.1 million per quarter per $100.0 million of outstanding notes. In 2009, interest rates increased by an aggregate amount of 75 basis points as a result of downgrades by Moody’s and S&P. In the first quarter of 2012, interest rates decreased by 50 basis points as a result of the upgrades from S&P and Moody’s. Any future downgrades in the Company’s credit ratings could increase the cost of its existing credit and adversely affect the cost of and ability to obtain additional credit in the future.

In 2002, the Company issued $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of its senior 7.20% notes due April 15, 2012. During 2011, the Company repurchased $63.7 million of its senior 7.20% notes, at an average price equal to 102.72% of the principal amount. On April 16, 2012, the Company repaid the $336.3 million principal amount of outstanding senior 7.20% notes, together with accrued interest of $12.1 million, at maturity using available borrowings under its Senior Credit Facility.
As of December 31, 2012, the Company had invested cash of $417.5 million, of which $415.9 million was invested in A-1/P-1 rated money market cash investments in Europe. While the Company’s plans are to permanently reinvest the cash held in Europe, the estimated cost of repatriation for the cash invested in Europe would be approximately $145.6 million. The Company believes that its cash and cash equivalents on hand, cash generated from operations and availability under its credit facilities will be sufficient to meet its capital expenditure, working capital and debt servicing requirements over the next twelve months.
The Company may continue, from time to time, to retire its outstanding debt through cash purchases in the open market, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, the Company’s liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amount involved may be material.
The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to 15 million shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock. Since the inception of the program in 1999, a total of approximately 11.5 million shares have been repurchased at an aggregate cost of approximately $335.1 million. All of these repurchases have been financed through the Company’s operations and banking arrangements. No shares were repurchased during 2012 or 2011.




26




Contractual obligations
The following is a summary of the Company’s future minimum payments under contractual obligations as of December 31, 2012 (in millions):
 
 
Total
 
2013
 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
Thereafter
Recorded Contractual Obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt, including current maturities and capital leases
$
1,382.9

 
55.2

 
13.7

 
300.9

 
1,012.9

 
0.2

 

Unrecorded Contractual Obligations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest payments on long-term debt and capital leases (1)
234.5

 
67.1

 
66.9

 
66.6

 
33.8

 
0.1

 

Operating leases
304.5

 
87.7

 
75.5

 
59.3

 
33.7

 
21.2

 
27.1

Purchase commitments (2)
145.4

 
80.3

 
37.9

 
26.0

 
1.2

 

 

Expected pension contributions (3)
1.9

 
1.9

 

 

 

 

 

Uncertain tax positions (4)
1.2

 
1.2

 

 

 

 

 

Guarantees
11.9

 
8.6

 
3.3

 

 

 

 

 
699.4

 
246.8

 
183.6

 
151.9

 
68.7

 
21.3

 
27.1

Total
$
2,082.3

 
302.0

 
197.3

 
452.8

 
1,081.6

 
21.5

 
27.1

 
(1)
For fixed rate debt, the Company calculated interest based on the applicable rates and payment dates. For variable rate debt, the Company estimated average outstanding balances for the respective periods and applied interest rates in effect as of December 31, 2012 to these balances.
(2)
Includes commitments for natural gas, electricity and raw material purchases.
(3)
Includes the estimated pension contributions for 2013 only, as the Company is unable to estimate the pension contributions beyond 2013. The Company’s projected benefit obligation and plan assets as of December 31, 2012 were $37.6 million and $32.6 million, respectively. The projected benefit obligation liability has not been presented in the table above due to uncertainty as to amounts and timing regarding future payments.
(4)
Excludes $33.7 million of non-current accrued income tax liabilities and related interest and penalties for uncertain tax positions. These liabilities have not been presented in the table above due to uncertainty as to amounts and timing regarding future payments.

Critical Accounting Policies
In preparing the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the Company must make decisions which impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures. Such decisions include the selection of appropriate accounting principles to be applied and the assumptions on which to base accounting estimates. In reaching such decisions, the Company applies judgment based on its understanding and analysis of the relevant circumstances and historical experience. Actual amounts could differ from those estimated at the time the consolidated financial statements are prepared.
The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report. Some of those significant accounting policies require the Company to make subjective or complex judgments or estimates. Critical accounting policies are defined as those that are both most important to the portrayal of a company’s financial condition and results and require management’s most difficult, subjective, or complex judgment, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods.
The Company believes the following accounting policies require it to use judgments and estimates in preparing its consolidated financial statements and represent critical accounting policies.


27


Accounts receivable and revenue recognition. Revenues are recognized when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, delivery has occurred, the price has been fixed or is determinable, and collectability can be reasonably assured. The Company provides allowances for expected cash discounts, sales allowances, returns, claims and doubtful accounts based upon historical bad debt and claims experience and periodic evaluation of specific customer accounts and the aging of accounts receivable. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. A 10% change in the Company’s allowance for discounts, returns, claims and doubtful accounts would have affected net earnings by approximately $2 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market (net realizable value). Cost has been determined using the first-in first-out method (“FIFO”). Costs included in inventory include raw materials, direct and indirect labor and employee benefits, depreciation, general manufacturing overhead and various other costs of manufacturing. Market, with respect to all inventories, is replacement cost or net realizable value. Inventories on hand are compared against anticipated future usage, which is a function of historical usage, anticipated future selling price, expected sales below cost, excessive quantities and an evaluation for obsolescence. Actual results could differ from assumptions used to value obsolete inventory, excessive inventory or inventory expected to be sold below cost and additional reserves may be required. A 10% change in the Company’s reserve for excess or obsolete inventory would have affected net earnings by approximately $4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.
Goodwill and other intangibles. Goodwill is tested annually for impairment during the fourth quarter or earlier upon the occurrence of certain events or substantive changes in circumstances. The Company considers the relationship between its market capitalization and its book value, among other factors, when reviewing for indicators of impairment. The goodwill impairment tests are based on determining the fair value of the specified reporting units based on management judgments and assumptions using the discounted cash flows and comparable company market valuation approaches. The Company has identified Mohawk, Dal-Tile, Unilin Flooring, Unilin Chipboard and Melamine, and Unilin Roofing as its reporting units for the purposes of allocating goodwill and intangibles as well as assessing impairments. The valuation approaches are subject to key judgments and assumptions that are sensitive to change such as judgments and assumptions about appropriate sales growth rates, operating margins, weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”), and comparable company market multiples. When developing these key judgments and assumptions, the Company considers economic, operational and market conditions that could impact the fair value of the reporting unit. However, estimates are inherently uncertain and represent only management’s reasonable expectations regarding future developments. These estimates and the judgments and assumptions upon which the estimates are based will, in all likelihood, differ in some respects from actual future results. Should a significant or prolonged deterioration in economic conditions occur, such as declines in spending for new construction, remodeling and replacement activities; the inability to pass increases in the costs of raw materials and fuel on to customers; or a decline in comparable company market multiples, then key judgments and assumptions could be impacted. Generally, a decline in estimated after tax cash flows of more than 25% or a more than 15% increase in WACC or a significant or prolonged decline in market capitalization could result in an additional indication of impairment.
The impairment test for intangible assets not subject to amortization involves a comparison of the estimated fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. Significant judgments inherent in this analysis include assumptions about appropriate sales growth rates, royalty rates, WACC and the amount of expected future cash flows. These judgments and assumptions are subject to the variability discussed above.
The impairment evaluation for indefinite lived intangible assets, which for the Company are its trademarks, is conducted during the fourth quarter of each year, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset might be impaired. The determination of fair value used in the impairment evaluation is based on discounted estimates of future sales projections attributable to ownership of the trademarks. Significant judgments inherent in this analysis include assumptions about appropriate sales growth rates, royalty rates, WACC and the amount of expected future cash flows. The judgments and assumptions used in the estimate of fair value are generally consistent with past performance and are also consistent with the projections and assumptions that are used in operating plans. Such assumptions are subject to change as a result of changing economic and competitive conditions. The determination of fair value is highly sensitive to differences between estimated and actual cash flows and changes in the related discount rate used to evaluate the fair value of the trademarks. Estimated cash flows are sensitive to changes in the economy among other things.
The Company reviews its long-lived asset groups, which include intangible assets subject to amortization, which for the Company are its patents and customer relationships, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such asset groups may not be recoverable. Recoverability of asset groups to be


28


held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of long-lived assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by these asset groups. If such asset groups are considered to be impaired, the impairment recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset group. Assets held for sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less estimated costs of disposal and are no longer depreciated.
The Company conducted its annual assessment of goodwill and indefinite lived intangibles in the fourth quarter and no impairment was indicated for 2012.
Income taxes. The Company’s effective tax rate is based on its income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available in the jurisdictions in which it operates. Tax laws are complex and subject to different interpretations by the taxpayer and respective governmental taxing authorities. Significant judgment is required in determining the Company’s tax expense and in evaluating the Company’s tax positions. Deferred tax assets represent amounts available to reduce income taxes payable on taxable income in a future period. The Company evaluates the recoverability of these future tax benefits by assessing the adequacy of future expected taxable income from all sources, including reversal of taxable temporary differences, forecasted operating earnings and available tax planning strategies. These sources of income inherently rely on estimates, including business forecasts and other projections of financial results over an extended period of time. In the event that the Company is not able to realize all or a portion of its deferred tax assets in the future, a valuation allowance is provided. The Company would recognize such amounts through a charge to income in the period in which that determination is made or when tax law changes are enacted. The Company had valuation allowances of $321.6 million in 2012, $334.2 million in 2011 and $325.1 million in 2010. For further information regarding the Company’s valuation allowances, see Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements.
In the ordinary course of business there is inherent uncertainty in quantifying the Company’s income tax positions. The Company assesses its income tax positions and records tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon the Company’s evaluation of the facts, circumstances and information available as of the reporting date. For those tax positions where it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, the Company has recorded the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information, as required by the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic ("ASC") 740-10. For those income tax positions where it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the consolidated financial statements. As of December 31, 2012, the Company has $53.8 million accrued for uncertain tax positions. For further information regarding the Company’s uncertain tax positions, see Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements.
Environmental and legal accruals. Environmental and legal accruals are estimates based on judgments made by the Company relating to ongoing environmental and legal proceedings, as disclosed in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In determining whether a liability is probable and reasonably estimable, the Company consults with its internal experts. The Company believes that the amounts recorded in the accompanying financial statements are based on the best estimates and judgments available to it.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220)-Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2011-05”) requires comprehensive income to be presented as a single continuous financial statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. The option of presenting other comprehensive income in the statement of stockholders' equity was eliminated. The Company adopted ASU 2011-05 in the first quarter of 2012 and chose to present comprehensive income as two separate but consecutive statements.

Impact of Inflation

Inflation affects the Company’s manufacturing costs, distribution costs and operating expenses. The Company expects raw material prices, many of which are petroleum based, to fluctuate based upon worldwide supply and demand of commodities utilized in the Company’s production processes. Although the Company attempts to pass on increases in raw material, energy and fuel-related costs to its customers, the Company’s ability to do so is dependent upon the rate and magnitude of any increase, competitive pressures and market conditions for the Company’s products. There have been in the past, and may be in the future, periods of time during which increases in these costs cannot be fully recovered. In the past, the Company has often been able to enhance productivity and develop new product innovations to help offset increases in costs resulting from inflation in its operations.


29


Seasonality

The Company is a calendar year-end company. With respect to its Mohawk and Dal-Tile segments, its results of operations for the first quarter tend to be the weakest. The second, third and fourth quarters typically produce higher net sales and operating income in these segments. These results are primarily due to consumer residential spending patterns for floor covering, which historically have decreased during the first two months of each year following the holiday season. The Unilin segment’s second and fourth quarters typically produce higher net sales and earnings followed by a moderate first quarter and a weaker third quarter. The third quarter is traditionally the weakest due to the European holiday in late summer.

Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The Company’s market risk is impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and certain commodity prices. Financial exposures to these risks are monitored as an integral part of the Company’s risk management program, which seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effect that the volatility of these markets may have on its operating results. From time to time, the Company enters into derivative contracts to manage these risks. The Company does not regularly engage in speculative transactions, nor does it regularly hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. The Company did not have any derivative contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and 2011. As of December 31, 2012, approximately 65% of the Company’s debt portfolio was comprised of fixed-rate debt and 35% was floating-rate debt. A 1.0 percentage point change in the interest rate of the floating-rate debt would not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations.



30



Item 8.
Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 



31



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Mohawk Industries, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Mohawk Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Mohawk Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), Mohawk Industries, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO), and our report dated February 27, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
/s/ KPMG LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
February 27, 2013



32


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Mohawk Industries, Inc.:
We have audited Mohawk Industries, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Mohawk Industries, Inc.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, as set forth in Item 9A. of Mohawk Industries, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of 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, Mohawk Industries, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Mohawk Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2012, and our report dated February 27, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
 
/s/ KPMG LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
February 27, 2013


33


MOHAWK INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2012 and 2011
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
477,672

 
311,945

Receivables, net
679,473

 
686,165

Inventories
1,133,736

 
1,113,630

Prepaid expenses
138,117

 
112,779

Deferred income taxes
111,585

 
150,910

Other current assets
9,463

 
22,735

Total current assets
2,550,046

 
2,398,164

Property, plant and equipment, net
1,692,852

 
1,712,154

Goodwill
1,385,771

 
1,375,175

Tradenames
455,503

 
450,432

Other intangible assets, net
98,296

 
154,668

Deferred income taxes and other non-current assets
121,216

 
115,635

 
$
6,303,684

 
6,206,228

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt
$
55,213

 
386,255

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
773,436

 
715,091

Total current liabilities
828,649

 
1,101,346

Deferred income taxes
329,810

 
355,653

Long-term debt, less current portion
1,327,729

 
1,200,184

Other long-term liabilities
97,879

 
99,537

Total liabilities
2,584,067

 
2,756,720

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 7 and 14)

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

 
33,723

Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 60 shares authorized; no shares issued

 

Common stock, $.01 par value; 150,000 shares authorized; 80,185 and 79,815 shares issued in 2012 and 2011, respectively
802

 
798

Additional paid-in capital
1,277,521

 
1,248,131

Retained earnings
2,605,023

 
2,354,765

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net
159,733

 
135,639

 
4,043,079

 
3,739,333

Less treasury stock at cost; 11,032 and 11,034 shares in 2012 and 2011, respectively
323,462

 
323,548

Total stockholders’ equity
3,719,617

 
3,415,785

 
$
6,303,684

 
6,206,228

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


34


MOHAWK INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
Net sales
$
5,787,980

 
5,642,258

 
5,319,072

Cost of sales
4,297,922

 
4,225,379

 
3,916,472

Gross profit
1,490,058

 
1,416,879

 
1,402,600

Selling, general and administrative expenses
1,110,550

 
1,101,337

 
1,088,431

Operating income
379,508

 
315,542

 
314,169

Interest expense
74,713

 
101,617

 
133,151

Other expense (income)
303

 
14,051

 
(11,630
)
Earnings before income taxes
304,492

 
199,874

 
192,648

Income tax expense
53,599

 
21,649

 
2,713

Net earnings
250,893

 
178,225

 
189,935

Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest
635

 
4,303

 
4,464

Net earnings attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.
$
250,258

 
173,922

 
185,471

Basic earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.
$
3.63

 
2.53

 
2.66

Diluted earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.
$
3.61

 
2.52

 
2.65


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


35


MOHAWK INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
(in thousands)
Net earnings
 
$
250,893

 
178,225

 
189,935

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 

 

 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
25,685

 
(42,006
)
 
(119,200
)
Pension prior service cost and actuarial (loss) gain
 
(1,591
)
 
(452
)
 
380

Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
24,094

 
(42,458
)
 
(118,820
)
Comprehensive income
 
274,987

 
135,767

 
71,115

Less: comprehensive income attributable to the non-controlling interest
 
635

 
4,303

 
4,464

Comprehensive income attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc.
 
$
274,352

 
131,464

 
66,651

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



36


MOHAWK INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
 
 
 
Total Stockholders’ Equity
 
Redeemable
Noncontrolling
Interest
 
Common Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
 
Treasury Stock
 
Total
Stockholders’
Equity
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
(In thousands)
Balances at December 31, 2009
$
33,459

 
79,518

 
$
795

 
$
1,227,856

 
$
1,998,616

 
$
296,917

 
(11,034
)
 
$
(323,361
)
 
$
3,200,823

Shares issued under employee and director stock plans

 
148

 
2

 
1,685

 

 

 
(3
)
 
(265
)
 
1,422

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

 
6,888

 

 

 

 

 
6,888

Tax deficit from stock-based compensation

 

 

 
(984
)
 

 

 

 

 
(984
)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest, net of adjustments
(5,726
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncontrolling earnings
4,464

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interest
3,244

 

 

 

 
(3,244
)
 

 

 

 
(3,244
)
 Currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 
(119,200
)
 

 

 
(119,200
)
 Pension prior service cost and actuarial gain or loss

 

 

 

 

 
380

 

 

 
380

 Net income

 

 

 

 
185,471

 

 

 

 
185,471

Balances at December 31, 2010
35,441

 
79,666

 
797

 
1,235,445

 
2,180,843

 
178,097

 
(11,037
)
 
(323,626
)
 
3,271,556

Shares issued under employee and director stock plans

 
149

 
1

 
2,543

 

 

 
3

 
78

 
2,622

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

 
10,159

 

 

 

 

 
10,159

Tax deficit from stock-based compensation

 

 

 
(16
)
 

 

 

 

 
(16
)
Distribution to noncontrolling interest, net of adjustments
(4,764
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained distribution noncontrolling interest
(1,257
)
 

 

 

 
 
 

 

 

 

Noncontrolling earnings
4,303

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 
(42,006
)
 

 

 
(42,006
)
 Pension prior service cost and actuarial gain or loss

 

 

 

 

 
(452
)
 

 

 
(452
)
 Net income

 

 

 

 
173,922

 

 

 

 
173,922

Balances at December 31, 2011
33,723

 
79,815

 
798

 
1,248,131

 
2,354,765

 
135,639

 
(11,034
)
 
(323,548
)
 
3,415,785

Shares issued under employee and director stock plans


 
370

 
4

 
13,467

 


 


 
2

 
86

 
13,557

Stock-based compensation expense


 


 


 
14,082

 


 


 


 


 
14,082

Tax benefit from stock-based compensation


 


 


 
1,133

 


 


 


 


 
1,133

Distribution to noncontrolling interest, net of adjustments
(423
)
 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Noncontrolling earnings
635

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Purchase of noncontrolling interest
(35,000
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Tax effect of purchase of noncontrolling interest
1,065

 
 
 
 
 
708

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
708

 Currency translation adjustment


 


 


 


 


 
25,685

 


 


 
25,685

 Pension prior service cost and actuarial gain or loss


 


 


 


 


 
(1,591
)
 


 


 
(1,591
)
 Net income


 


 


 


 
250,258

 


 


 


 
250,258

Balances at December 31, 2012
$

 
80,185

 
$
802

 
$
1,277,521

 
$
2,605,023

 
$
159,733

 
(11,032
)
 
$
(323,462
)
 
$
3,719,617

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


37


MOHAWK INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Net earnings
$
250,893

 
178,225

 
189,935

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Restructuring
18,564

 
23,209

 
12,341

Depreciation and amortization
280,293

 
297,734

 
296,773

Deferred income taxes
9,037

 
(4,616
)
 
(21,279
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
1,116

 
7,514

Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment
4,782

 
(1,273
)
 
(4,975
)
Stock-based compensation expense
14,082

 
10,159

 
6,888

Other

 
(1,257
)
 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
 
 
 
 
 
Receivables, net
10,888

 
(85,391
)
 
(12,273
)
Income tax receivable

 
1,631

 
68,740

Inventories
(17,079
)
 
(100,205
)
 
(118,903
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
39,181

 
(11,124
)
 
(86,947
)
Other assets and prepaid expenses
(9,864
)
 
(12,434
)
 
(11,791
)
Other liabilities
(13,187
)
 
5,219

 
(6,311
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
587,590

 
300,993

 
319,712

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Additions to property, plant and equipment
(208,294
)
 
(275,573
)
 
(156,180
)
Proceeds from insurance claim

 

 
4,615

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired

 
(24,097
)
 

Investment in joint venture
(7,007
)
 

 
(79,917
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(215,301
)
 
(299,670
)
 
(231,482
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
Payments on revolving line of credit
(1,711,425
)
 
(1,431,349
)
 

Proceeds from revolving line of credit
1,567,300

 
1,729,349

 

Repayment of senior notes
(336,270
)
 
(368,478
)
 
(199,992
)
Proceeds from asset securitization borrowings
280,000

 

 

Borrowings (payments) on term loan and other debt
(3,259
)
 
2,806

 
(812
)
Debt issuance costs
(1,797
)
 
(8,285
)
 

Debt extinguishment costs

 
(1,734
)
 
(7,514
)
Purchase of non-controlling interest
(35,000
)
 

 

Distribution to non-controlling interest
(423
)
 
(4,764
)
 
(3,472
)
Change in restricted cash

 
27,954

 
(27,954
)
Change in outstanding checks in excess of cash
7,890

 
17,590

 
(17,900
)
Proceeds from stock transactions
16,153

 
3,787

 
2,445

Net cash used in financing activities
(216,831
)
 
(33,124
)
 
(255,199
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
10,269

 
(10,471
)
 
(10,272
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
165,727

 
(42,272
)
 
(177,241
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
311,945

 
354,217

 
531,458

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
$
477,672

 
311,945

 
354,217


See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


38


MOHAWK INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years Ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010
(In thousands, except per share data)

(1) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Basis of Presentation
Mohawk Industries, Inc. (“Mohawk” or the “Company”), a term which includes the Company and its subsidiaries, is a leading producer of floor covering products for residential and commercial applications in the United States (“U.S.”) and residential applications in Europe. The Company is the second largest carpet and rug manufacturer and one of the largest manufacturers, marketers and distributors of ceramic tile, natural stone and hardwood flooring in the U.S., as well as a leading producer of laminate flooring in the U.S. and Europe.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of 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.
(b) Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had invested cash of $417,541 of which $415,877 was invested in A-1/P-1 rated money market cash investments in Europe and $1,664 was in North America and Mexico. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had invested cash of $266,488 of which $259,991 was invested in A-1/P-1 rated money market cash investments in Europe and $6,497 was in North America and Mexico.
(c) Accounts Receivable and Revenue Recognition
The Company is principally a carpet, rugs, ceramic tile, laminate and hardwood flooring manufacturer and sells carpet, rugs, ceramic tile, natural stone, hardwood, resilient and laminate flooring products in the U.S. principally for residential and commercial use. In addition, the Company manufactures laminate and sells carpet, rugs, hardwood and laminate flooring products in Europe principally for residential and commercial use. The Company grants credit to customers, most of whom are retail-flooring dealers, home centers and commercial end users, under credit terms that the Company believes are customary in the industry.
Revenues, which are recorded net of taxes collected from customers, are recognized when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, delivery has occurred, the price has been fixed or is determinable, and collectability can be reasonably assured. The Company provides allowances for expected cash discounts, returns, claims, sales allowances and doubtful accounts based upon historical bad debt and claims experience and periodic evaluations of specific customer accounts and the aging of accounts receivable. Licensing revenues received from third parties for patents are recognized based on contractual agreements. 
(d) Inventories
The Company accounts for all inventories on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market (net realizable value). Cost has been determined using the FIFO method. Costs included in inventory include raw materials, direct and indirect labor and employee benefits, depreciation, general manufacturing overhead and various other costs of manufacturing. Market, with respect to all inventories, is replacement cost or net realizable value. Inventories on hand are compared against anticipated future usage, which is a function of historical usage, anticipated future selling price, expected sales below cost, excessive quantities and an evaluation for obsolescence. Actual results could differ from assumptions used to value obsolete inventory, excessive inventory or inventory expected to be sold below cost and additional reserves may be required.
(e) Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, including capitalized interest. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining useful lives, which are 25-35 years for buildings and improvements, 5-15 years for


39

MOHAWK INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)


machinery and equipment, the shorter of the estimated useful life or lease term for leasehold improvements and 3-7 years for furniture and fixtures.
(f) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
In accordance with the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification Topic ("ASC") 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other,” the Company tests goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment on an annual basis in the fourth quarter (or on an interim basis if an event occurs that might reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying value). The Company considers the relationship between its market capitalization and its book value, among other factors, when reviewing for indicators of impairment. The goodwill impairment tests are based on determining the fair value of the specified reporting units based on management’s judgments and assumptions using the discounted cash flows and comparable company market valuation approaches. The Company has identified Mohawk, Dal-Tile, Unilin Flooring, Unilin Chipboard and Melamine, and Unilin Roofing as its reporting units for the purposes of allocating goodwill and intangibles as well as assessing impairments. The valuation approaches are subject to key judgments and assumptions that are sensitive to change such as judgments and assumptions about appropriate sales growth rates, operating margins, weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”), and comparable company market multiples.
When developing these key judgments and assumptions, the Company considers economic, operational and market conditions that could impact the fair value of the reporting unit. However, estimates are inherently uncertain and represent only management’s reasonable expectations regarding future developments. These estimates and the judgments and assumptions upon which the estimates are based will, in all likelihood, differ in some respects from actual future results. Should a significant or prolonged deterioration in economic conditions occur, such as continued declines in spending for new construction, remodeling and replacement activities; the inability to pass increases in the costs of raw materials and fuel on to customers; or a decline in comparable company market multiples, then key judgments and assumptions could be impacted.
The impairment evaluation for indefinite lived intangible assets, which for the Company are its trademarks, is conducted during the fourth quarter of each year, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset might be impaired. During 2012, the Company adopted Accounting Standard Update No. 2011-08, "Testing Goodwill for Impairment," and early adopted Accounting Standard Update No. 2012-02, "Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment." As a result, beginning in 2012, the first step of the impairment tests for our indefinite lived intangible assets is a thorough assessment of qualitative factors to determine the existence of events or circumstances that would indicate that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of these assets is less than their carrying amounts. If the qualitative test indicates it is not more likely than not that the fair value of these assets is less than their carrying amounts, a quantitative assessment is not required. If a quantitative test is necessary, the second step of our impairment test involves comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount. The determination of fair value used in the impairment evaluation is based on discounted estimates of future sales projections attributable to ownership of the trademarks. Significant judgments inherent in this analysis include assumptions about appropriate sales growth rates, royalty rates, WACC and the amount of expected future cash flows. The judgments and assumptions used in the estimate of fair value are generally consistent with past performance and are also consistent with the projections and assumptions that are used in current operating plans. Such assumptions are subject to change as a result of changing economic and competitive conditions. The determination of fair value is highly sensitive to differences between estimated and actual cash flows and changes in the related discount rate used to evaluate the fair value of the trademarks. Estimated cash flows are sensitive to changes in the economy among other things. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
Intangible assets that do not have indefinite lives are amortized based on average lives, which range from 7-16 years.
(g) Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.
(h) Financial Instruments


40

MOHAWK INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)


The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of receivables, accounts payable, accrued expenses and long-term debt. The carrying amount of receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates their fair value because of the short-term maturity of such instruments. The carrying amount of the Company’s floating rate debt approximates its fair value based upon level two fair value hierarchy. Interest rates that are currently available to the Company for issuance of long-term debt with similar terms and remaining maturities are used to estimate the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt.
(i) Advertising Costs and Vendor Consideration
Advertising and promotion expenses are charged to earnings during the period in which they are incurred. Advertising and promotion expenses included in selling, general, and administrative expenses were $29,175 in 2012, $35,847 in 2011 and $38,553 in 2010.
Vendor consideration, generally cash, is classified as a reduction of net sales, unless specific criteria are met regarding goods or services that the vendor may receive in return for this consideration. The Company makes various payments to customers, including slotting fees, advertising allowances, buy-downs and co-op advertising. All of these payments reduce gross sales with the exception of co-op advertising. Co-op advertising is classified as a selling, general and administrative expense in accordance with ASC 605-50. Co-op advertising expenses, a component of advertising and promotion expenses, were $6,424 in 2012, $3,520 in 2011 and $4,660 in 2010. 
(j) Product Warranties
The Company warrants certain qualitative attributes of its flooring products. The Company has recorded a provision for estimated warranty and related costs, based on historical experience and periodically adjusts these provisions to reflect actual experience.
(k) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews its long-lived asset groups, which include intangible assets subject to amortization, which for the Company are its patents and customer relationships, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such asset groups may not be recoverable. Recoverability of asset groups to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of long-lived assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by these asset groups. If such asset groups are considered to be impaired, the impairment recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset group. Assets held for sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less estimated costs of disposal and are no longer depreciated.
(l) Foreign Currency Translation
Prior to the second quarter of 2012, operations carried out in Mexico used the U.S. dollar as the functional currency. Effective April 1, 2012, the Company changed the functional currency of its Mexico operations to the Mexican peso. The Company believes that the completion of a second plant in Mexico and growth in sales to the local Mexican market indicated a significant change in the economic facts and circumstances that justified the change in the functional currency. The effects of the change in functional currency were not significant to the Company's consolidated financial statements.
The Company’s subsidiaries that operate outside the United States use their local currency as the functional currency, with the exception of operations carried out in Canada in which case the functional currency is the U.S. dollar. Other than Canada, the functional currency is translated into U.S. dollars for balance sheet accounts using the month end rates in effect as of the balance sheet date and average exchange rate for revenue and expense accounts for each respective period. The translation adjustments are deferred as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, within accumulated other comprehensive income. Gains or losses resulting from transactions denominated in for