EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 48287
Filing Year: 2022
Filename: 48287_10-K_2022_0000048287-22-000071.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business
General
HNI Corporation (the ''Corporation'', ''we'', ''us'', or ''our'') is an Iowa corporation incorporated in 1944. The Corporation is a provider of workplace furnishings and residential building products. Workplace furnishings include furniture systems, seating, storage, tables, and architectural products. These products are sold primarily through a national system of independent dealers, office product distributors, eCommerce retailers, and wholesalers but also directly to end-user customers and federal, state, and local governments. Residential building products include a full array of gas, wood, electric, and pellet-fueled fireplaces, inserts, stoves, facings, and accessories. These products are sold through a national system of independent dealers and distributors, as well as Corporation-owned installing distribution and retail outlets. In fiscal 2021, the Corporation had net sales of $2.2 billion, of which $1.4 billion or 66 percent was attributable to workplace furnishing products and $0.8 billion or 34 percent was attributable to residential building products.
The Corporation is organized into a corporate headquarters and operating units with offices, manufacturing plants, distribution centers, and sales showrooms in the United States, China, India, Mexico, United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, and Singapore. See "Item 2. Properties" for additional related discussion.
The Corporation’s workplace furnishings segment includes several operating units, marketed under various brand names, that participate in the office furniture industry. These units include:
Allsteel Inc.
Design Holdings Inc.
Hickory Business Furniture LLC
HNI Hong Kong Limited (''Lamex'')
HNI Office India Limited ("HNI India")
Maxon Furniture Inc.
OFM LLC
The HON Company LLC
The Corporation’s residential building products segment includes the Hearth & Home Technologies LLC (''Hearth & Home'') operating unit. This unit, which sells hearth products within the residential building products industry, manufactures and markets products under various brand names. The retail and distribution brand for this operating unit is Fireside Hearth & Home.
For further information with respect to acquisitions, divestitures, operating segment information, and the Corporation’s operations in general, refer to "Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II of this report and the following sections in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements: "Note 1. Nature of Operations", "Note 4. Acquisitions", and "Note 16. Reportable Segment Information".
Markets
The Corporation competes in the workplace furnishings and residential building products markets principally by providing compelling value products designed to be among the best in their price range for product quality and performance, along with superior customer service and short lead-times. This is made possible, in part, by the Corporation's on-going investment in its brands, research and development efforts, efficient manufacturing operations, and extensive distribution network.
Workplace Furnishings
The North American workplace furnishings market consists of two primary channels - the contract channel and the small- and medium-sized business ("SMB") channel. The primary end-users for both channels are business customers. Again in 2021, driven by the remote and hybrid work environments caused by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a portion of the Corporation's sales were to consumers utilizing the products in work-from-home office environments. These sales were conducted through both the contract and SMB channels.
The contract channel has traditionally been characterized by sales of office furniture and services to large corporations, primarily for new office facilities, relocations, and/or office redesigns. Sales made through the contract channel are frequently customized to meet specific client and architect/designer preferences. End users generally purchase through independent office furniture dealers who prepare a custom-designed office layout emphasizing image and design. The selling process is complex, lengthy, and generally has several manufacturers competing for the same projects.
The SMB channel, in which the Corporation is a market leader, primarily represents smaller orders of office furniture that are less likely to involve an architect and/or designer. Sales in this channel are driven on the basis of price, product quality, selection, and
the speed and reliability of delivery. Independent dealers, national office product distributors, eCommerce retailers, and wholesalers are the primary distribution channels in this market.
The workplace furnishings industry is highly competitive, with a significant number of competitors offering similar products. The Corporation competes by emphasizing its ability to deliver compelling value products, solutions, and a high level of tailored customer service. The Corporation competes with large workplace furnishings manufacturers, which cover a substantial portion of the North America market share in the contract-oriented workplace furnishings market. Competitors include manufacturers such as MillerKnoll, Inc., Steelcase, Inc., Haworth, Inc., The Global Group, Kimball International, Inc., Krueger International, Inc., and Teknion Corporation, as well as global importers. The Corporation faces significant price competition from its competitors and may encounter competition from new market entrants.
Residential Building Products
The Corporation also competes in the residential building products industry, where it is the market leader in hearth products. Hearth products are typically purchased by builders during the construction of new homes and homeowners during the renovation of existing homes. Both types of purchases involve seasonality with remodel/retrofit activity being particularly concentrated in the September to December timeframe. Distribution is primarily through independent and company-owned dealers, installing distributors, and retail outlets.
The hearth products market is highly competitive, with products manufactured by a number of national and regional competitors. The Corporation competes against a broad range of manufacturers, including Travis Industries, Inc., Innovative Hearth Products, Wolf Steel Ltd. (Napoleon), and FPI Fireplace Products International Ltd. (Regency).
Strategy
The Corporation's strategy is to build on its position as a leading manufacturer of workplace furnishings and residential building products.
The foundation of the Corporation’s strategy continues to be its distinct member-owner culture, which has enabled HNI to attract, develop, retain, and motivate skilled, experienced, and efficient member-owners (i.e., employees), and which drives a unique level of commitment to the Corporation’s success. The Corporation aims to leverage this culture to enable profitable growth by focusing members’ efforts on the following three pillars:
•Customer-First Mindset (focus on the customer) - The journeys customers take buying and using workplace furnishings and residential building products continue to rapidly evolve - presenting new opportunities to better serve them. The key to capitalizing on these changes is a deep understanding of customers. To that end, the Corporation continues to broaden its involvement in and understanding of the entire customer journey, by investing in data analytics, digital assets, branding, eCommerce capabilities, and market coverage. This customer-first mindset will allow the Corporation to identify and take advantage of new and developing market dynamics.
•Effortless Winning Experiences (simplify the buying process) - Customers continue to raise their expectations and demand more effortless experiences. Buying office furniture and hearth products can be complicated and time-consuming. The Corporation's deep understanding of the customer buying journey incorporates technology and digital assets to help customers navigate the buying process more quickly and with reduced effort. The Corporation has scale, price point breadth, product depth, and resources to lead this charge.
•Own Operational Excellence (leverage lean heritage) - All HNI member-owners embrace the principles of lean manufacturing. Members utilize Rapid Continuous Improvement (RCI), which scrutinizes every facet of the business to identify areas of waste, and then refine and streamline. RCI can be seen in action throughout the Corporation's value chain from the manufacturing floor to the administrative offices to customer interactions, as members always look to find a better, more efficient, and more environmentally-friendly approach. This focus on RCI benefits stakeholders as the Corporation consistently delivers productivity and cost savings that allow it to grow earnings and invest in the future.
Management believes that the skillful execution of these strategic initiatives will support robust organic sales growth, margin expansion, improved returns, strong free cash flow, and position the Corporation for continued success.
Sales
Workplace Furnishings
The Corporation designs, manufactures, and markets a broad range of workplace furnishings. The Corporation offers a complete line of office panel system products, benching, tables, architectural products, storage, and social collaborative products in order to meet the needs of a wide spectrum of organizations. Through the broad product offering the Corporation is able to service business furniture needs in virtually any setting including private office, open plan, conference rooms, training areas, cafes, lounges, and collaborative spaces, among many others. The Corporation possesses significant expertise and vertical manufacturing capabilities allowing it the flexibility to design and manufacture new products in-house to meet changing market needs.
To meet the demands of various markets, the Corporation's products are sold primarily under the Corporation's brands:
HON®
Allsteel®
Beyond®
Gunlocke®
Maxon®
HBF®
OFM®
Respawn®
Lamex®
HNI India®
In late 2021, management approved a plan to retire the Maxon brand, effective in 2022.
The Corporation sells its products through various distribution channels. A summary of each channel is as follows:
•Independent, local office products dealers that specialize in the sale of office furniture and/or office products to business, government, education, and health care entities.
•National office product distributors that sell furniture and office supplies through a national network of dealerships and sales offices. These distributors also sell through on-line and retail office products stores.
•eCommerce focused resellers that sell a wide array of business and consumer products to commercial and non-commercial customers. Orders are fulfilled both by the Corporation and/or directly by the eCommerce reseller from inventory held in their facilities.
•Wholesalers that serve as distributors of the Corporation's products to independent dealers and national office products distributors. These wholesalers maintain inventories of standard product lines for quick delivery to customers.
•Direct sales of products to federal, state, and local government offices or in certain circumstances a lead selling relationship with an end-user.
The Corporation's workplace furnishings sales force consists of sales managers, salespersons, and independent manufacturers' representatives who collectively provide national sales coverage. Sales managers and salespersons are compensated by a combination of salary and variable performance compensation.
The Corporation also makes export sales through HNI International to independent office furniture dealers and wholesale distributors serving select foreign markets. Distributors are principally located in the Middle East, Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Through Lamex and HNI India, the Corporation manufactures and distributes office furniture directly to end-users and through independent dealers and distributors in Asia, primarily China and India.
Residential Building Products
The Corporation is North America’s largest manufacturer and marketer of prefabricated fireplaces, hearth stoves, and related products. These products are primarily for the home and are sold under the following widely recognized brands:
Heatilator®
Heat & Glo®
Majestic®
Monessen®
Quadra-Fire®
Harman®
Vermont Castings®
PelPro®
StellarTM
SimpliFire®
The Outdoor GreatRoom Company®
The Corporation’s line of hearth products includes a full array of gas, wood, electric, and pellet fueled fireplaces, inserts, stoves, facings, and accessories. Heatilator®, Heat & Glo®, Majestic®, Monessen®, and StellarTM are brand leaders in the two largest segments of the home fireplace market: gas and wood fireplaces. The Corporation is a leader in "direct vent" fireplaces, which replaces the chimney-venting system used in traditional fireplaces with a less expensive vent through the roof or an outer wall. In addition, the Corporation is a market leader in wood and pellet-burning stoves with its Quadra-Fire®, Harman®, Vermont Castings®, and PelPro® product lines, which provide home heating solutions using renewable fuels.
Hearth & Home sells its products through independent dealers, distributors, and 28 Corporation-owned installing distribution and retail outlets. The Corporation has a field sales organization of sales managers, salespersons, and independent manufacturers' representatives.
Largest Customers
In fiscal 2021, the Corporation's five largest customers represented approximately 21 percent of its consolidated net sales. No single customer accounted for 10 percent or more of the Corporation’s consolidated net sales in fiscal 2021, and management does not consider the Corporation's operations or financial performance to be dependent on any individual customer. The substantial purchasing power exercised by large customers may adversely affect the prices at which the Corporation can successfully offer its products.
Resources
Manufacturing
The Corporation manufactures workplace furnishings in Georgia, Iowa, New York, North Carolina, China, and India. During 2021, the Corporation announced plans to open a Workplace Furnishings manufacturing operation in Saltillo, Mexico. As of year-end, this facility was still in start-up with manufacturing expected to initiate in early 2022. The Corporation manufactures hearth products in Iowa, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Vermont.
The Corporation purchases raw materials, components, and finished goods from a variety of suppliers, and most items are generally available from multiple sources. Major raw materials include coil steel, aluminum, zinc, lumber, veneer, particleboard, textiles, paint, hardware, glass, plastic products, shipping cartons, foam, and fiberglass.
Since its inception, the Corporation has focused on making its manufacturing facilities and processes more flexible while reducing cost, eliminating waste, and improving product quality. The Corporation applies the principles of RCI and a lean manufacturing philosophy leveraging the creativity of its members to reduce and/or eliminate costs. The application of RCI has increased productivity by reducing set-up, processing times, square footage, inventory levels, product costs, and delivery times, while improving quality and enhancing member safety. The Corporation's RCI process involves members, customers, and suppliers. Manufacturing also plays a key role in the Corporation's concurrent research and development process in order to design new products for ease of manufacturability.
Research and Development
The Corporation's research and development efforts are primarily focused on developing relevant and differentiated end-user solutions focused on quality, aesthetics, style, sustainable design, and reduced manufacturing costs. The Corporation accomplishes this through improving existing products, extending product lines, applying ergonomic research, improving manufacturing processes, and leveraging alternative materials. The Corporation conducts its research and development efforts at both the corporate and operating unit levels. See "Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for amounts that the Corporation has invested in research and development.
Intellectual Property
As of January 1, 2022, the Corporation owned 97 United States and 140 foreign patents with expiration dates through 2042 and had applications pending for 23 United States and 12 foreign patents. In addition, the Corporation holds 175 United States and 404 foreign trademark registrations and has applications pending for 19 United States and 3 foreign trademarks. The Corporation believes neither any individual workplace furnishings patent nor the Corporation's workplace furnishings patents in the aggregate are material to the Corporation's business as a whole.
The Corporation’s patents covering its residential building products protect various technical innovations. While the acquisition of patents reflects Hearth & Home’s position in the market as an innovation leader, the Corporation believes neither any individual residential building product patent nor the Corporation’s residential building product patents in the aggregate are material to the Corporation’s business as a whole.
The Corporation applies for patent protection when it believes the expense of doing so is justified and the duration of its registered patents is adequate to protect these rights. The Corporation also pays royalties in certain instances for the use of patents on products and processes owned by others.
The Corporation applies for trademark protection for brands and products when it believes the expense of doing so is justified. The Corporation actively protects trademarks it believes have significant value. The Corporation believes neither the loss of any individual trademark nor the loss of the Corporation's trademarks in the aggregate would materially or adversely affect the Corporation's business as a whole, except for HON®, Allsteel®, Heat & Glo®, and Heatilator®.
Environmental Regulations and Sustainability
The Corporation is subject to a variety of environmental laws and regulations governing the use of materials and substances in products, the management of wastes resulting from use of certain material, the emission of pollutants from its operations, and the remediation of contamination associated with past releases of hazardous substances. Although the Corporation believes it is compliant with the various regulations applicable to its business, there can be no assurance requirements will not change in the future or the Corporation will not incur material costs to comply with such regulations. The Corporation has trained staff responsible for monitoring compliance with environmental, health, and safety requirements. The Corporation’s staff works with responsible personnel at each manufacturing facility, the Corporation’s legal counsel, and consultants on the management of environmental, health, and safety issues. The Corporation’s environmental objective is to reduce and, when practical, eliminate the human and ecosystem impacts of materials and manufacturing processes.
Compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations has not had a material effect on the capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position of the Corporation to date and is not expected to have material effect in the near future. However, there is no assurance environmental requirements or technology will not change or the Corporation will not incur material costs to comply with such regulations.
The Corporation has expanded its Corporate Social Responsibility commitment and has become a signatory to the UN Global compact, joined RE100, committed to 100 percent renewable electricity annually by 2030, and set aggressive science-based carbon emission reduction goals aligned with the 2015 Paris Agreement. To support these goals, the Corporation has established metrics to divert waste from landfill, reduce energy use, and lower greenhouse gas emissions from its operations. The Corporation also committed to reducing the impacts of its products through evaluations of design and development, suppliers, and supply chain performance. Integrating these sustainable objectives into core business systems is consistent with the Corporation’s vision, ensures its commitment to being a sustainable enterprise, and remains a priority for members. For more detailed information regarding its environmental and social goals, priorities, accomplishments, and initiatives, please refer to the Corporation's Corporate Social Responsibility report available on its website.
Human Capital
The Corporation strives to attract exceptional talent to its workforce while integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in its hiring and retention process.
An important element of the Corporation's success has been its member-owner culture, which has enabled it to attract, develop, retain, and motivate skilled, experienced, and talented members. An important part of the Corporation's member-owner culture is fostering a safe, respectful, fair, and inclusive environment that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion. For further information regarding its member-owner culture, initiatives, and goals, including in the areas of diversity, equity and inclusion, please refer to the Corporation’s Corporate Social Responsibility report available on its website. The Corporate Social Responsibility Report is not incorporated into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Additionally, each of the Corporation's eligible members has the opportunity to own stock in the Corporation through a number of stock-based plans, including a member stock purchase plan and a defined contribution retirement plan. These ownership opportunities drive a unique level of commitment to the Corporation’s success throughout the workforce. Members own approximately seven percent of the Corporation's stock through these plans.
As of January 1, 2022, the Corporation employed approximately 8,100 persons, 7,900 of whom were full-time and 200 of whom were temporary personnel.
Available Information
Information regarding the Corporation’s annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to these reports, will be made available, free of charge, on the Corporation’s website at www.hnicorp.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Corporation electronically files such reports with or furnishes them to the Securities and Exchange Commission (''SEC''). The information on the Corporation's website is not, and shall not be, deemed to be a part hereof or incorporated into this or any of the Corporation's other filings with the SEC. The Corporation’s SEC filings are also available on the SEC website at www.sec.gov.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this report to the extent they are not statements of historical or present fact, including statements as to plans, outlook, objectives, and future financial performance, are "forward-looking" statements, within the meaning of Section 21 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "confident," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "hope," "intend," "likely," "may," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "will," "would," and variations of such words and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Corporation’s actual results in the future to differ materially from expected results. The most significant factors known to the Corporation that may adversely affect the Corporation’s business, operations, industries, financial position, or future financial performance are described later in this report under the heading "Item 1A. Risk Factors." The Corporation cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement, which is based necessarily on assumptions made at the time the Corporation provides such statement, and to recognize forward-looking statements are predictions of future results, which may not occur as anticipated. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements and from historical results due to the risks and uncertainties described elsewhere in this report, including but not limited to: the duration and scope of the COVID-19 pandemic, including any emerging variants of the virus, and its effect on people and the economy; potential disruptions in the global supply chain; the effects of prolonged periods of inflation; potential labor shortages; the levels of office furniture needs and housing starts; overall demand for the Corporation's products; general economic and market conditions in the United States and internationally; industry and competitive conditions; the consolidation and concentration of the Corporation's customers; the Corporation's reliance on its network of independent dealers; changes in trade policy; changes in raw material, component, or commodity pricing; market acceptance and demand for the Corporation's new products; changing legal, regulatory, environmental, and healthcare conditions; the risks associated with international operations; the potential impact of product defects; the various restrictions on the Corporation's financing activities; an inability to protect the Corporation's intellectual property; cybersecurity threats, including those posed by potential ransomware attacks; impacts of tax legislation; force majeure events outside the Corporation’s control, including those that may result from the effects of climate change; and other risks as described under the heading "Item 1A. Risk Factors," as well as others that the Corporation may consider not material or does not anticipate at this time. The risks and uncertainties described in this report, including those under the heading "Item 1A. Risk Factors," are not exclusive and further information concerning the Corporation, including factors that potentially could have a material effect on the Corporation’s financial results or condition, may emerge from time to time.
The Corporation assumes no obligation to update, amend, or clarify forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. The Corporation advises you, however, to consult any further disclosures made on related subjects in future quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K filed with or furnished to the SEC.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The following risk factors and other information included in this report should be carefully considered. If any of the following risks occur, the Corporation's business, operating results, cash flows, or financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
INDUSTRY AND ECONOMIC RISKS
Unfavorable economic and industry factors could adversely affect the Corporation's business, operating results, or financial condition.
Workplace furnishings industry sales are impacted by a variety of macroeconomic factors including service-sector employment levels, corporate profits, small business confidence, commercial construction, and office vacancy rates. Industry factors,
including corporate restructuring, technology changes, corporate relocations, health and safety concerns, including ergonomic considerations, and the globalization of companies also influence workplace furnishings industry revenues. In addition, measures taken to limit spread of COVID-19 have resulted in a significant decrease in worker attendance at their office location, and have fueled current work-from-home and hybrid work trends. Lower office occupancy levels could have an adverse impact on the demand for workplace furnishings.
Residential building products industry sales are impacted by a variety of macroeconomic factors including housing starts, housing inventory, overall employment levels, interest rates, home affordability, consumer confidence, energy costs, disposable income, and changing demographics. Industry factors, such as technology changes, health and safety concerns, and environmental regulation, including indoor air quality standards, also influence residential building products industry revenues. Deterioration of economic conditions or a slowdown in the homebuilding industry and the hearth products market could decrease demand for residential building products and have additional adverse effects on operating results.
A deterioration of economic conditions in the Corporation's key international markets, including China and India, could have adverse effects on the Corporation's international workplace furnishings sales and operating results.
Deteriorating economic conditions could affect the Corporation's business significantly, including reduced demand for products, insolvency of independent dealers resulting in increased provisions for credit losses, insolvency of key suppliers resulting in product delays, inability of customers to obtain credit to finance purchases of products, and decreased customer demand, including order delays or cancellations. In a recessionary economy, business confidence, service-sector employment, corporate cash flows, and residential and non-residential commercial construction often decrease, which typically leads to a decrease in demand for workplace furnishings and residential building products.
The workplace furnishings and residential building products industries are highly competitive and, as a result, the Corporation may not be successful in winning new business.
Both the workplace furnishings and residential building products industries are highly competitive. Many of the Corporation's competitors in both industries offer similar products. Competitive factors include price, delivery and service, brand recognition, product design, product quality, strength of dealers and other distributors, and relationships with customers and key influencers, including architects, designers, home-builders, and facility managers. In both industries, most of the top competitors have an installed base of products that can be a source of significant future sales through repeat and expansion orders. The Corporation's main competitors manufacture products with strong acceptance in the marketplace and are capable of developing products that have a competitive advantage, which could make it difficult to win new business.
In both the workplace furnishings and residential building products industries, the Corporation faces price competition from competitors and from new market entrants who may manufacture and source products from lower cost countries. Price competition impacts the ability to implement price increases or, in some cases, even maintain prices, which could lower profit margins and adversely affect future financial performance.
Changes in industry dynamics, including demand and order patterns from customers, distribution changes, or the loss of a significant number of dealers, could adversely affect the Corporation's business, operating results, or financial condition.
Consolidation among the Corporation's customers may result in a smaller number of total customers, but an increase in large customers whose size and purchasing power give them increased leverage that may result in, among other things, decreases in average selling prices. In addition, further consolidations may lead to fluctuations in revenue, increases in costs to meet demands of large customers, and pressure to accept onerous contract terms, and the Corporation's business, financial condition, and operating results could be harmed.
The Corporation sells products through multiple distribution channels, which primarily include independent dealers, national dealers, wholesalers, and eCommerce channels. Within these distribution channels, there has been, and may continue to be, consolidation. The Corporation relies on distribution partners to provide a variety of important specification, installation, and after-market services to customers. Some distribution partners may terminate their relationship with the Corporation at any time and for any reason. Loss or termination of a significant number of reseller relationships could cause difficulties in marketing and distributing products, resulting in a decline in sales, which may adversely affect the business, operating results, or financial condition.
In addition, individual dealers may not continue to be viable and profitable and may suffer from a lack of available credit. While the Corporation is not significantly dependent on any single dealer, if dealers go out of business or are restructured, the Corporation may suffer losses as the dealers may not be able to pay the Corporation for products previously delivered to them.
The loss of a dealer relationship could negatively affect the Corporation's ability to maintain market share in the affected geographic market and to compete for and service clients in that market until a new dealer relationship is established. Establishing a viable dealer in a market can take a significant amount of time and resources. The loss or termination of a significant dealer or a substantial number of dealer relationships could cause significant difficulties in marketing and distributing the Corporation's products, resulting in a decline in sales.
Evolving trade policy between the United States and other countries may have an adverse effect on the Corporation's business and results of operations.
The Corporation has a global supply chain for products used in workplace furnishings and residential building products. Actions taken by the United States government to apply tariffs on certain products could have long-term impacts on existing supply chains. The situation could impact the competitive environment depending on the severity and duration of current and future policy changes. This may manifest in additional costs on the business, including costs with respect to products upon which the business depends. Increased costs could further lower profit margins as the Corporation may be challenged in effectively increasing the prices of its products, and its business and results of operations may be adversely affected.
Certain foreign governments have imposed tariffs on goods that their countries import from the United States. Changes in United States trade policy could result in one or more foreign governments adopting trade policies that make it more difficult or costly for the Corporation to do business in or import products from those countries.
The Corporation cannot predict the extent to which the United States or other countries will impose quotas, duties, tariffs, taxes, or other similar restrictions upon the import or export of products in the future, nor can the Corporation predict future trade policy or the terms of any renegotiated trade agreements and their impact on the business. The adoption and expansion of trade restrictions, the occurrence of a trade war, or other governmental action related to tariffs or trade agreements or policies has the potential to adversely impact demand for products, costs, customers, suppliers, and the United States economy, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on the business, operating results, and financial condition.
The Corporation's profitability may be adversely affected by increases in raw material and commodity costs as well as transportation and shipping challenges.
Fluctuations in the price and availability of commodities, raw materials, components, and finished goods could have an adverse effect on costs of sales, profitability, and ability to meet customers' demand. The Corporation sources commodities, raw materials, components, and finished goods from domestic and international suppliers for both the workplace furnishings and residential building products. From both domestic and international suppliers, the cost and availability of commodities, raw materials, components, and finished goods including steel, have been significantly affected in recent years by, among other things, changes in global supply and demand, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in laws and regulations (including tariffs and duties), changes in exchange rates and worldwide price levels, inflationary forces, natural disasters, labor disputes, terrorism, and political unrest or instability. These factors could lead to price volatility or supply interruptions in the future. Profit margins could be adversely affected if commodity, raw material, component, and finished good costs increase and the Corporation is either unable to offset such costs through strategic sourcing initiatives and continuous improvement programs or, as a result of competitive market dynamics, unable to pass along a portion of the higher costs to customers.
The Corporation relies primarily on third-party freight and transportation providers to deliver products to customers. Increasing demand for freight providers and a shortage of qualified drivers has caused delays and may cause future delays in shipments and increase the cost to ship its products, which may adversely affect profitability. The Corporation also imports and exports products and components, primarily using container ships, which load and unload through North American ports. Capacity-related and/or port-caused delays in the shipment or receipt of products and components, including labor disputes, have caused and could cause delayed receipt of products and components. While these risks are ever present, the COVID-19 pandemic has and continues to cause such delays, leading to manufacturing disruptions, increased expense from current and alternate shipping methods, and the inability to meet customer delivery expectations, which may adversely affect sales and profitability.
STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL RISKS
If customers do not perceive the Corporation's products and services to be of good value, the Corporation's brand and name recognition and reputation could suffer.
The Corporation believes that establishing and maintaining good brand and name recognition and a good reputation is critical to its business. In certain parts of the market, promotion and enhancement of the Corporation's name and brands will depend on the effectiveness of marketing and advertising efforts and on successfully providing design-driven, innovative, and high-quality products and superior services. If customers do not perceive the Corporation's products and services to be design-driven, innovative and of high quality, its reputation, brand and name recognition could suffer, which could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation's business.
The Corporation's efforts to introduce new products to meet customer and workplace demands may not be successful, which could limit sales growth or cause its sales to decline.
To meet the changing needs of customers and keep pace with market trends and evolving regulatory and industry requirements, including environmental, health, safety, and similar standards for the workplace and for product performance, the Corporation regularly introduces new workplace furnishings and residential building products. The introduction of new products requires the coordination of the design, manufacturing, and marketing of the products, which may be affected by uncontrollable factors. The design and engineering of certain new products varies but can extend beyond a year; further time may be required to achieve client acceptance. The Corporation may face difficulties if it cannot successfully align itself with independent architects, home-builders, and designers who are able to design, in a timely manner, high-quality products consistent with the Corporation's image and customers' needs. Accordingly, the launch of a product may be later or less successful than originally anticipated, limiting sales growth or causing sales to decline.
The Corporation’s financial condition and results of operation have been and are expected to continue to be adversely affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
To date, the COVID-19 pandemic and preventative measures taken to contain or mitigate the outbreak have caused, and are continuing to cause, business slowdown or shutdown in affected areas and significant economic disruption both globally and in the United States. Such economic disruption has lowered demand for workplace furnishings, and in turn create a material negative impact on the Corporation’s business, sales, financial condition, and results of operations. Other impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic may include, but are not limited to:
•labor shortages;
•adverse impacts to the Corporation's supply chain, which may increase operating costs and result in supply disruptions;
•disruptions to the Corporation’s manufacturing facilities and distribution centers, including through the effects of reductions in operating hours, and real-time changes in operating procedures, including for social distancing and quarantine protocols; and
•the inability or impairment of independent dealers, wholesalers, and office product distributors to sell the Corporation’s products.
In addition, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Corporation’s members could adversely impact the Corporation’s sales and operations. At this point, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to impact the Corporation’s results is uncertain and depends on future developments, such as the emergence of variant strains of the virus and the effectiveness of vaccines. These future developments are highly uncertain, cannot be predicted, and could be material.
Natural disasters, acts of God, force majeure events, or other catastrophic events may impact the Corporation's production capacity and, in turn, negatively impact profitability.
Natural disasters, acts of God, force majeure events, or other catastrophic events, including severe weather, military action, terrorist attacks, power interruptions, floods, and fires, could disrupt operations and likewise, the ability to produce or deliver products. Several of the Corporation's production facilities, members, and key management are located within a small geographic area in eastern Iowa located near the Mississippi River, and a natural disaster or catastrophe in the area, such as flooding or severe storms, could have a significant adverse effect on the results of operations and business conditions. Further, several of the Corporation's production facilities are single-site manufacturers of certain products, and an adverse event affecting any of those facilities could significantly delay production of certain products and adversely affect operations and business conditions. Members are an integral part of the business and events including an epidemic such as COVID-19 have reduced, and could
negatively impact, the availability of members reporting for work. In the event the Corporation experiences a temporary or permanent interruption in its ability to produce or deliver product, revenues could be reduced, and business could be materially adversely affected. In addition, any continuing disruption in the Corporation's computer system could adversely affect the ability to receive and process customers' orders, procure materials, manufacture products and ship products on a timely basis, which could adversely affect relations with customers and potentially reduce customer orders or result in the loss of customers.
The Corporation’s business and operations are subject to risks related to climate change.
The long-term effects of global climate change could present both physical risks and transition risks (such as regulatory, supply chain, or technology changes), which could be widespread and unpredictable. These changes over time could affect the availability and cost of raw materials, commodities, and energy (including utilities), which in turn may impact the Corporation’s ability to procure goods or services required for the operation of the Corporation’s business at the quantities and levels the Corporation requires. Additionally, the Corporation has facilities located in areas that may be impacted by the physical risks of climate change, including flooding, and faces the risk of losses incurred as a result of physical damage to its facilities and inventory as well business interruption caused by such events. Furthermore, periods of extended inclement weather or associated flooding may inhibit construction activity utilizing the Corporation’s products and delay shipments of products to customers. The Corporation uses natural gas, diesel fuel, gasoline and electricity in its operations, all of which could face increased regulation as a result of climate change or other environmental concerns. The increased prevalence of global climate issues may result in new regulations that negatively impact the Corporation, including regulations limiting emissions from, or restricting the use of wood, coal, natural gas, or other fuel sources in, fireplaces and heating appliances, which may impair the Corporation's ability to market and sell those products. Any such events could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s costs or results of operations.
A continued shortage of qualified labor could negatively affect the Corporation’s business and materially reduce earnings.
During 2021, the Corporation experienced shortages of qualified labor across its operations. Outside suppliers that the Corporation relies upon have also experienced shortages of qualified labor. The success of the Corporation’s operations depends on its ability, and the ability of third parties upon which the Corporation relies, to identify, recruit, develop, and retain qualified and talented individuals in order to supply and deliver the Corporation’s products. A continued shortage of qualified labor could have a negative effect on the Corporation’s business. Member recruitment, development, and retention efforts may not be successful, which could result in a continued shortage of qualified individuals in future periods. Any such shortage could decrease the Corporation’s ability to effectively produce workplace furnishings and residential building products and meet customer demand. Such a shortage would also likely lead to higher wages for employees (or higher costs to purchase the services of such third parties) and a corresponding reduction in the Corporation’s results of operations. In the current operating environment, the Corporation is experiencing a shortage of qualified labor in certain geographies, particularly with plant production workers, resulting in increased costs from certain temporary wage actions, such as hiring and referral bonus programs. A continuation of such shortages for a prolonged period of time could have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s operating results.
The Corporation's failure to retain its existing management team, maintain its engineering, finance, technical, and manufacturing process expertise, or continue to attract qualified personnel could adversely affect the Corporation's business.
The Corporation depends significantly on its executive officers and other key personnel. The Corporation's success is also dependent on keeping pace with technological advancements and adapting services to provide manufacturing capabilities that meet customers' changing needs. To do that, the Corporation must retain qualified engineering and technical personnel and successfully anticipate and respond to technological changes in a cost effective and timely manner. The Corporation focuses on continuous training, motivation, and development of its members, and it strives to attract and retain qualified personnel. Failure to retain the Corporation's executive officers and retain and attract other key personnel could adversely affect the Corporation's business.
The Corporation’s strategy is partially based on growth through acquisitions or strategic alliances. Failure to properly identify, value, and manage acquisitions or alliances may negatively affect the Corporation’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
One of the Corporation's growth strategies is to supplement its organic growth through acquisitions and strategic alliances, which may include transactions with other manufacturers of workplace furnishings and residential building products or distributors of workplace furnishings and residential building products. The Corporation may not be successful in identifying suitable acquisition or alliance opportunities, prevailing against competing potential acquirers, negotiating appropriate acquisition terms,
obtaining financing, completing proposed acquisitions or alliances, or expanding into new markets or product categories. If the Corporation fails to effectively identify, value, consummate, or manage any acquired company, it may not realize the potential growth opportunities or achieve the financial results anticipated at the time of the acquisition or alliance. An acquisition or alliance could also adversely impact the Corporation’s operating performance or cash flow due to, among other things, the issuance of acquisition-related debt, pre-acquisition assumed liabilities, undisclosed facts about the business, or acquisition expense. The Corporation's ability to grow through future acquisitions will depend, in part, on the availability of suitable acquisition candidates at an acceptable price, the ability to compete effectively for these acquisition candidates, and the availability of capital to complete the acquisitions. Any potential acquisition may not be successful and could adversely affect the business, operating results, or financial condition.
The Corporation may not be able to successfully integrate and manage acquired businesses and alliances.
One of the Corporation's growth strategies is to supplement its organic growth through acquisitions and strategic alliances. The benefits of acquisitions or alliances may take more time than expected to develop or integrate into operations. In addition, an acquisition or alliance may not perform as anticipated, be accretive to earnings, or prove to be beneficial to the Corporation’s operations and cash flow. Acquisitions and alliances involve a number of risks, including:
•diversion of management’s attention;
•difficulties in assimilating the operations and products of an acquired business or in realizing projected efficiencies, cost savings and revenue synergies;
•potential loss of key employees or customers of the acquired businesses or adverse effects on existing business relationships with suppliers and customers;
•negative impact on member morale and performance as a result of job changes and reassignments;
•reallocation of amounts of capital from other operating initiatives or an increase in leverage and debt service requirements to pay the acquisition purchase prices, which could in turn restrict the ability to access additional capital when needed or to pursue other important elements of the business strategy;
•inaccurate assessment of undisclosed, contingent, or other liabilities or problems and unanticipated costs associated with the acquisition;
•possible tax costs or inefficiencies associated with integrating the operations of a combined company; and
•incorrect estimates made in accounting for acquisitions, incurrence of non-recurring charges, and write-off of significant amounts of goodwill that could adversely affect the financial results.
Goodwill and other intangible assets represent a significant amount of the Corporation's net worth, and an impairment charge would adversely affect the Corporation's financial results.
Goodwill and other acquired intangible assets with indefinite lives are recorded at fair value at the time of acquisition and are not amortized, but reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change making it reasonably possible an impairment may exist. In evaluating the potential for impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets, the Corporation makes assumptions regarding future operating performance, business trends and market and economic performance, and the Corporation’s sales, operating margins, growth rates and discount rates. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors. If the Corporation experiences disruptions in its business, unexpected significant declines in operating results, a divestiture of a significant component of its business, declines in the market value of equity, or other factors causing the Corporation's goodwill or intangible assets to be impaired, the Corporation could be required to recognize additional non-cash impairment charges, which would adversely affect the results of operations. See "Note 6. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" for information on impairment charges recorded in 2020 and 2021.
Increasing healthcare costs could adversely affect the Corporation's business, operating results, and financial condition.
The Corporation provides healthcare benefits to the majority of its members and is self-insured. Healthcare costs have continued to rise over time, which increases the annual spending on healthcare and could adversely affect the Corporation's business, operating results, and financial condition.
The Corporation's international operations expose it to risks related to conducting business in multiple jurisdictions outside the United States.
The Corporation manufactures, markets, and sells products in international markets, including China and India.
The Corporation's international sales and operations are subject to a number of additional risks, including:
•social and political turmoil, official corruption, and civil and labor unrest;
•restrictive government actions, including the imposition of trade quotas and tariffs and restrictions on transfers of funds;
•changes in labor laws and regulations affecting the ability to hire, retain, or dismiss employees;
•the need to comply with multiple and potentially conflicting laws and regulations, including environmental and corporate laws and regulations;
•the failure of the Corporation's compliance programs and internal training to prevent violations of the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar anti-bribery laws;
•preference for locally branded products and laws and business practices favoring local competition;
•less effective protection of intellectual property and increased possibility of loss due to cyber-theft and ransomware attacks;
•unfavorable business conditions or economic instability in any country or region;
•infrastructure disruptions;
•potentially conflicting cultural and business practices;
•difficulty in obtaining distribution and support; and
•changes to border taxes or other international tax reforms.
These risks may be elevated given the current uncertainties around the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing disputes and increased tensions related to global trade, particularly involving the United States and China, and complexities with foreign regulatory environments including the decreased ability of United States regulators to exercise oversight of subsidiaries of United States companies based in certain international jurisdictions.
Additionally, the Corporation primarily sells products and reports the financial results in United States dollars; however, increased business in countries outside the United States creates exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Paying expenses in other currencies can result in a significant increase or decrease in the amount of those expenses in terms of United States dollars, which may affect profits. In the future, any foreign currency appreciation relative to the United States dollar would increase expenses that are denominated in that currency. Additionally, as the Corporation reports currency in the United States dollar, the financial position is affected by the strength of the currencies in countries where the Corporation has operations relative to the strength of the United States dollar.
Further, certain countries have complex regulatory systems that impose administrative and legal requirements, which make managing international operations more difficult, including approvals to transfer funds among certain countries. If the Corporation is unable to provide financial support to the international operations in a timely manner, business, operating results, and financial condition could be adversely affected.
The Corporation periodically reviews foreign currency exposure and evaluates whether it should enter into hedging transactions. As of the date of this report and for the period presented, the Corporation has not utilized any currency hedging instruments.
The Corporation's sales to the United States federal, state, and local governments are subject to uncertain future funding levels and federal, state, and local procurement laws and are governed by restrictive contract terms; any of these factors could limit current or future business.
The Corporation derives a portion of its revenue from sales to various United States federal, state, and local government agencies and departments. The ability to compete successfully for and retain business with the United States government, as well as with state and local governments, is highly dependent on cost-effective performance. This government business is highly sensitive to changes in procurement laws, national, international, state, and local public priorities, and budgets at all levels of government, which frequently experience downward pressure and are subject to uncertainty.
The Corporation's contracts with government entities are subject to various statutes and regulations that apply to companies doing business with the government. The United States government, as well as state and local governments, can typically terminate or modify their contracts either for their convenience or if the Corporation defaults by failing to perform under the terms of the applicable contract. A termination arising out of default could expose the Corporation to liability and impede its ability to compete in the future for contracts and orders with agencies and departments at all levels of government. Moreover, the Corporation is subject to investigation and audit for compliance with the requirements governing government contracts, including requirements related to procurement integrity, export controls, employment practices, the accuracy of records, and reporting of costs. If the Corporation were found to not be a responsible supplier or to have committed fraud or certain criminal offenses, it could be suspended or debarred from all further federal, state, or local government contracting.
The Corporation relies on information technology systems to manage numerous aspects of the business and a disruption or failure of these systems could adversely affect business, operating results, and financial condition.
The Corporation relies upon information technology networks and systems to process, transmit, and store electronic information, as well as to manage numerous aspects of the business and provide information to management. Additionally, the Corporation collects and stores sensitive data of its customers, suppliers, and members in data centers and on information technology networks. The secure operation of these information technology networks, and the processing and maintenance of this information is critical to business operations and strategy. These networks and systems, despite security and precautionary measures, are vulnerable to, among other things, damage and interruption from power loss or natural disasters, computer system and network failures, loss of telecommunications services, physical and electronic loss of data, security breaches, hackers, and employee misuse. The Corporation has, and may in the future, face unauthorized attempts by hackers seeking to harm the Corporation or, as a result of industrial espionage or ransomware, to penetrate the Corporation’s network security and gain access to its systems, steal intellectual or other proprietary data, including design, sales or personally identifiable information, introduce malicious software, or interrupt the Corporation’s internal systems, manufacturing or distribution. Though the Corporation attempts to detect and prevent these incidents, it may not be successful. In addition, the Corporation is subject to data privacy and other similar laws in various jurisdictions. If the Corporation is the target of a cybersecurity attack, computer virus, physical or electronic break-in or similar disruption resulting in unauthorized disclosure of sensitive data of customers, suppliers, and members, the Corporation may be required to undertake costly notification procedures. The Corporation may also be required to expend significant additional resources to protect against the threat of security breaches or to alleviate problems, including reputational harm and litigation, caused by any breaches. Any disruption of information technology networks or systems, or access to or disclosure of information stored in or transmitted by systems, could result in legal claims and damages and loss of intellectual property or other proprietary information.
The Corporation's results of operations and earnings may not meet guidance or expectations.
The Corporation frequently provides public guidance on the expected results of operations for future periods. This guidance comprises forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in other public filings and public statements, and is based necessarily on assumptions made at the time the Corporation provides such guidance. The guidance may not always be accurate. If, in the future, the results of operations for a particular period do not meet its guidance or the expectations of investment analysts or if the Corporation reduces its guidance for future periods, the market price of common stock could decline significantly.
LEGAL AND REGULATORY RISKS
The Corporation is subject to extensive environmental regulation and has exposure to potential environmental liabilities.
Through the past and present operation and ownership of manufacturing facilities and real property, the Corporation is subject to extensive and changing federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations, both domestic and abroad, including those relating to discharges in air, water, and land, the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous waste, and the remediation of contamination associated with releases of hazardous substances. Compliance with environmental regulations has not had a material effect on capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position to date; however, compliance with current laws or more stringent laws or regulations which may be imposed in the future, stricter interpretation of existing laws or discoveries of contamination at the Corporation's real property sites which occurred prior to ownership, or the advent of environmental regulation may require additional expenditures in the future, some of which may be material.
Costs related to product defects could adversely affect the Corporation's profitability.
The Corporation incurs various expenses related to product defects, including product warranty costs, product recall and retrofit costs, and product liability costs. These expenses relative to product sales vary and could increase. The Corporation uses chemicals and materials in products and includes components in products from external suppliers, which are believed to be safe and appropriate for their designated use; however, harmful effects may later become known, which could subject the Corporation to litigation and significant losses. The Corporation maintains reserves for product defect-related costs but there can be no certainty these reserves will be adequate to cover actual claims. Incorrect estimates or any significant increase in the rate of product defect expenses could have a material adverse effect on operations.
Iowa law and provisions in the Corporation's charter documents may have the effect of preventing or hindering a change in control and adversely affecting the market price of its common stock.
The Corporation's Articles of Incorporation give the Corporation's Board of Directors ("Board") the authority to issue up to two million shares of preferred stock and to determine the rights and preferences of the preferred stock without obtaining shareholder approval. The existence of this preferred stock could make it more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of the Corporation by means of a tender offer, merger, proxy contest, or otherwise. Furthermore, this preferred stock could be issued with other rights, including economic rights, senior to common stock, thereby having a potentially adverse effect on the market price of common stock.
The Board is divided into three classes. The Corporation's classified Board, along with other provisions of the Corporation's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and Iowa corporate law, could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire the Corporation or remove the Corporation's directors by means of a proxy contest, even if doing so would be beneficial to shareholders. Additionally, the Corporation may, in the future, adopt measures (such as a shareholder rights plan or "poison pill") that could have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing an unsolicited takeover, even if such a change in control were at a premium price or favored by a majority of unaffiliated shareholders. These measures may be adopted without any further vote or action by the shareholders.
An inability to protect the Corporation's intellectual property could have a significant impact on the business.
The Corporation attempts to protect its intellectual property rights, both in the United States and in foreign countries, through a combination of patent, trademark, copyright, and trade secret laws, as well as licensing agreements and third-party nondisclosure and assignment agreements. Because of the differences in foreign trademark, copyright, patent, and other laws concerning proprietary rights, intellectual property rights do not generally receive the same degree of protection in foreign countries as they do in the United States. In some countries, the Corporation has limited protections, if any, for its intellectual property. The degree of protection offered by the claims of the various patents, copyrights, trademarks, and service marks may not be broad enough to provide significant proprietary protection or competitive advantages to the Corporation, and patents, copyrights, trademarks, or service marks may not be issued on pending or contemplated applications. In addition, not all of the Corporation's products are covered by patents or similar intellectual property protections. It is also possible that patents, copyrights, trademarks, and service marks may be challenged, invalidated, canceled, narrowed, or circumvented.
In the past, certain products have been copied and sold by others. The Corporation tries to enforce its intellectual property rights, but has to make choices about where and how to pursue enforcement and where to seek and maintain intellectual property protection. In many cases, the cost of enforcing rights is substantial, and the Corporation may determine that the costs of enforcement outweigh the potential benefits.
If third parties claim that the Corporation infringes upon their intellectual property rights, the Corporation may incur liabilities and costs and may have to redesign or discontinue an infringing product.
The Corporation faces the risk of claims that it has infringed upon third parties’ intellectual property rights. Companies operating in the Corporation's industry routinely seek patent protection for their product designs, and many of the principal competitors have large patent portfolios. Prior to launching major new products in the key markets, the Corporation normally evaluates existing intellectual property rights. However, competitors and suppliers may have filed for patent protection, which is not, at the time of the evaluation, a matter of public knowledge. The Corporation's efforts to identify and avoid infringing upon third parties’ intellectual property rights may not always be successful. Any claims of patent or other intellectual property infringement, even those without merit, could be expensive and time consuming to defend, cause the Corporation to cease making, licensing, or using products that incorporate the challenged intellectual property, require the Corporation to redesign, re-engineer, or re-brand the products or packaging, if feasible, or require the Corporation to enter into royalty or licensing agreements in order to obtain the right to use a third party’s intellectual property.
FINANCING RISKS
Restrictions imposed by the terms of the Corporation's debt agreements limit the Corporation's operating and financial flexibility.
The Corporation's credit facility and other financing arrangements limit the ability of the Corporation to finance operations, service debt, or engage in other business activities that may be in its interests. Specifically, the debt agreements restrict its ability to incur additional indebtedness, create or incur certain liens with respect to any properties or assets, engage in lines of business substantially different than those currently conducted, sell, lease, license, or dispose of any assets, enter into certain transactions
with affiliates, make certain restricted payments or take certain restricted actions, and enter into certain sale-leaseback arrangements. The debt agreements also require the Corporation to maintain certain financial covenants.
The failure to comply with the obligations under the debt agreements may result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, may cause accelerated repayment of the indebtedness under the agreements. The Corporation cannot be certain it will have sufficient funds available to pay any accelerated repayments or will have the ability to refinance accelerated repayments on favorable terms or at all.
Phase-out of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), or the replacement of LIBOR with a different reference rate or modification of the method used to calculate LIBOR, may adversely impact interest rates affecting the Corporation.
In July 2017, the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA"), a regulatory body in the United Kingdom, announced that it will no longer require banks to submit rates for LIBOR after 2021. On December 4, 2020, the FCA announced a consultation to extend the cessation date for certain tenors of USD LIBOR to June 2023. Such extension will apply to the USD LIBOR rates currently referenced in the Corporation's respective financial agreements.
At this time the Corporation cannot predict the future impact of a departure from LIBOR as a reference rate; however, if future rates based upon the successor rate (or a new method of calculating LIBOR) are higher than LIBOR rates as currently determined, it may have a material adverse effect on the Corporation's financial condition and results of operations.
The Corporation may require additional capital in the future, which may not be available or may be available only on unfavorable terms.
The Corporation's capital requirements depend on many factors, including its need for capital improvements, tooling, research and development, and acquisitions. To the extent existing cash, available borrowings, and cash flows are insufficient to meet these requirements and cover any losses, the Corporation may need to raise additional funds through financings or curtail its growth and reduce the Corporation's assets. Future borrowings or financings may not be available under the credit facility or otherwise in an amount sufficient to enable the Corporation to pay its debt or meet its liquidity needs.
Any equity or debt financing, if available, could have unfavorable terms. In addition, financings could result in dilution to shareholders or the securities may have rights, preferences, and privileges senior to those of the Corporation's common stock. If the need for capital arises because of significant losses, the occurrence of these losses may make it more difficult to raise the necessary capital.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties
The Corporation maintains its corporate headquarters in Muscatine, Iowa, and conducts operations at locations throughout the United States, China, India, Mexico, United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, and Singapore, which house manufacturing, distribution, and retail operations and offices, totaling an aggregate of approximately 8.9 million square feet. Of this total, approximately 3.4 million square feet are leased.
Although the plants are of varying ages, the Corporation believes they are well maintained, equipped with modern and efficient machinery and tooling, in good operating condition, and suitable for the purposes for which they are being used. The Corporation has sufficient capacity to increase output at most locations by increasing the use of overtime or the number of production shifts employed.
The Corporation's principal manufacturing and distribution facilities (200,000 square feet in size or larger) are as follows:
Location Approximate Square Feet Owned or Leased Description of Use
Cedartown, Georgia 550,000 Owned Manufacturing workplace furnishings (1)
Dongguan, China 373,000 Leased Manufacturing workplace furnishings (1)
Garland, Texas 211,000 Leased Warehousing workplace furnishings
Hickory, North Carolina 206,000 Owned Manufacturing workplace furnishings (1)
Lake City, Minnesota 242,000 Owned Manufacturing residential building products
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania 252,000 Leased Warehousing workplace furnishings
Mt. Pleasant, Iowa 378,000 Owned Manufacturing residential building products (1)
Muscatine, Iowa 273,000 Owned Manufacturing workplace furnishings
Muscatine, Iowa 540,000 Owned Manufacturing workplace furnishings (1)
Muscatine, Iowa 810,000 Owned Manufacturing workplace furnishings (1)
Muscatine, Iowa 238,000 Owned Manufacturing workplace furnishings
Nagpur, India 355,000 Owned Manufacturing workplace furnishings
Wayland, New York 716,000 Owned Manufacturing workplace furnishings (1)
(1)Also includes a regional warehouse/distribution center
Other facilities total approximately 3.7 million square feet, of which approximately 2.6 million square feet are leased. Approximately 2.0 million square feet are used for the selling, manufacturing, and distribution of workplace furnishings, approximately 1.5 million square feet are used for the selling, manufacturing, and distribution of residential building products, and approximately 0.2 million square feet are used for corporate administration.
There are no major encumbrances on Corporation-owned properties. Refer to the Property, Plant, and Equipment section in "Consolidated Balance Sheets" for related cost, accumulated depreciation, and net book value data.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
The Corporation is involved in various disputes and legal proceedings that have arisen in the ordinary course of its business, including pending litigation, environmental remediation, taxes, and other claims. It is the Corporation’s opinion, after consultation with legal counsel, that liabilities, if any, resulting from these matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Corporation’s financial condition, cash flows, or on the Corporation’s quarterly or annual operating results when resolved in a future period. For more information regarding legal proceedings, see "Note 15. Guarantees, Commitments, and Contingencies" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, which information is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Table I
Information about Executive Officers
Name Age Family Relationship Position Position Held Since Other Business Experience During Past Five Years
Vincent P. Berger 49 None Executive Vice President, HNI Corporation
President, Hearth & Home Technologies 2018
Steven M. Bradford 64 None Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary 2015
Marshall H. Bridges 52 None Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 2018 Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (2017-2018);
Vice President, Finance, HNI Contract Furniture Group (2014-2017)
B. Brandon Bullock 44 None President, The HON Company 2018 Advanced Development and Innovation Leader, Whirlpool Corporation (2017-2018);
Global Platform Leader and General Manager, Microwaves, Hong Kong, Whirlpool Corporation (2016-2017)
Jason D. Hagedorn 48 None President, Allsteel, Inc. 2020 VP & GM, Product Strategy and Finance, HNI Corporation (2017-2020);
VP, Product Management & Development, Allsteel (2015-2017)
Jeffrey D. Lorenger 56 None Chairman
President and Chief Executive Officer 2020
2017 President, Office Furniture, HNI Corporation (2017-2018);
Executive Vice President, HNI Corporation (2014-2017);
President, HNI Contract Furniture Group (2014-2017)
Donna D. Meade 56 None Vice President, Member and Community Relations 2014
Kurt A. Tjaden 58 None President, HNI International
Senior Vice President, HNI Corporation 2017
2015 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (2015-2017)
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The Corporation’s common stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the trading symbol HNI. As of January 1, 2022, the Corporation had approximately 5,643 shareholders of record.
EQ Shareowner Services, St. Paul, Minnesota, serves as the Corporation’s transfer agent and registrar of its common stock. Shareholders may report a change of address or make inquiries by writing or calling: EQ Shareowner Services, P.O. Box 64874, St. Paul, MN 55164-0854, or 800-468-9716.
The Corporation expects to continue its policy of paying regular quarterly cash dividends. Dividends have been paid each quarter since the Corporation paid its first dividend in 1955. The average dividend payout percentage for the most recent three-year period has been 64 percent of prior year earnings. Future dividends are dependent on future earnings, capital requirements, and the Corporation’s financial condition, and are declared in the sole discretion of the Board.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities:
The Corporation repurchases shares under previously announced plans authorized by the Board. The Corporation's share purchase authorization from February 13, 2019, provides for repurchase of $200 million with no specific expiration date. As of January 1, 2022, $97.9 million was authorized and available for the repurchases of shares by the Corporation. The authorization does not obligate the Corporation to purchase any shares and the authorization may be terminated, increased, or decreased by the Board at any time. No repurchase plans expired or were terminated during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, and no current plans are expected to expire or terminate.
The following is a summary of share repurchase activity during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 (in thousands, except per share data):
Period Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased (1) Average Price
Paid per Share
(or Unit) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
10/03/21 - 10/30/21 350 $ 38.05 350 $ 125,197
10/31/21 - 11/27/21 298 $ 40.69 298 $ 113,091
11/28/21 - 01/01/22 367 $ 41.51 367 $ 97,852
Total 1,015 1,015
(1) No shares were purchased outside of a publicly announced plan or program.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Item 6. [Reserved]

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion of the Corporation’s historical results of operations and of its liquidity and capital resources should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Corporation and related notes. Statements that are not historical are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties. See "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and the Forward-Looking Statements section within "Item 1. Business" for further information.
Overview
The Corporation has two reportable segments: workplace furnishings and residential building products. The Corporation is a leading global designer and provider of commercial furnishings, and a leading manufacturer and marketer of hearth products. The Corporation utilizes a decentralized business model to deliver value to customers via various brands and selling models. The Corporation is focused on growing its existing businesses while seeking out and developing new opportunities for growth.
Consolidated net sales for 2021 were $2.184 billion, an increase of 11.7 percent compared to net sales of $1.955 billion in the prior year. The change was driven by a 27.3 percent increase in the residential building products segment, and 5.0 percent year-over-year sales growth in the workplace furnishings segment. The acquisitions of Design Public Group ("DPG") and multiple residential building products companies added incremental year-over-year sales of $34.9 million and $12.4 million, respectively.
Net income attributable to the Corporation in 2021 was $59.8 million compared to net income of $41.9 million in 2020. The increase was driven by lower restructuring and impairment charges, higher residential building products volume, improved net productivity, and lower core selling and administrative expenses ("SG&A"), partially offset by unfavorable price-cost, the return of costs related to temporary actions taken in 2020, and higher investment levels.
Overall, the Corporation has experienced positive order trends in both of its segments throughout much of 2021. However, ongoing pandemic-induced difficulties tied to labor availability, supply chain issues, and input cost inflation have persisted. These constraints, when combined with continued staffing shortages both internally and at the Corporation's suppliers, are limiting production capacity growth, and have negatively impacted revenue and profit levels in much of the second half of 2021. The Corporation has taken action to mitigate these constraints, including the implementation of price increases across its brands, opening of a new manufacturing facility in Mexico, increased insourcing and strengthened resourcing of critical parts, and accelerated efforts to drive productivity through process changes and automation to reduce labor requirements. The Corporation also has embarked on business simplification initiatives, including plans to exit a small workplace furnishings brand and restructure an eCommerce business in the workplace furnishing segment. Both actions are aimed at improving long-term profitability.
The Corporation also acquired two residential building products companies in the fourth quarter of 2021. The acquisition of Trinity Hearth & Home ("Trinity"), a leading installing distributor in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, builds on the Corporation's vertical integration strategy, and provides a hub for the segment to better serve its customers in the rapidly growing Southwest region. The Outdoor GreatRoom Company ("OGC"), a leading manufacturer and supplier of premium outdoor living products, primarily fire tables and fire pits, positions the Corporation to grow and develop a leading position in the fast-growing outdoor living market. See "Note 4. Acquisitions" in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Results of Operations
The following table presents certain key highlights from the results of operations (in thousands):
2021 2020 Change
Net sales $ 2,184,408 $ 1,955,363 11.7 %
Cost of sales 1,427,048 1,234,243 15.6 %
Gross profit 757,360 721,120 5.0 %
Selling and administrative expenses 665,641 620,927 7.2 %
Restructuring and impairment charges 6,299 38,818 (83.8) %
Operating income 85,420 61,375 39.2 %
Interest expense, net 7,153 6,990 2.3 %
Income before income taxes 78,267 54,385 43.9 %
Income tax expense 18,456 12,466 48.1 %
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest (3) 2 (250.0) %
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation $ 59,814 $ 41,917 42.7 %
As a Percentage of Net Sales:
Net sales 100.0 % 100.0 %
Gross profit 34.7 36.9 -220 bps
Selling and administrative expenses 30.5 31.8 -130 bps
Restructuring and impairment charges 0.3 2.0 -170 bps
Operating income 3.9 3.1 80 bps
Income tax expense 0.8 0.6 20 bps
Net income attributable to HNI Corporation 2.7 2.1 60 bps
Net Sales
Consolidated net sales for 2021 increased 11.7 percent compared to the prior year. The change was driven by a significant increase in the residential building products segment, along with a moderate increase in the workplace furnishings segment. Included in the 2021 sales results was a $34.9 million favorable impact from acquiring DPG, and a $12.4 million favorable impact from acquiring residential building products businesses.
Gross Profit
Gross profit as a percentage of net sales decreased 220 basis points in 2021 compared to 2020, primarily driven by unfavorable price-cost, partially offset by higher residential building products volume and improved net productivity. Unfavorable price-cost was attributable to inflationary pressures in labor, materials, and transportation costs partially offset by increased price realization.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales decreased 130 basis points in 2021 compared to 2020, driven by higher residential building products volume and lower core SG&A, partially offset by increased freight costs, the return of costs related to temporary actions taken in 2020, and higher investment spend. Included in current year and prior year SG&A was $1.4 million and $6.8 million, respectively, of one-time costs driven by conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Selling and administrative expenses include freight expense for shipments to customers, research and development costs, and amortization of intangible assets. Refer to "Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" and "Note 6. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the comparative expense levels for these items.
Restructuring and Impairment Charges
In 2021, the Corporation recorded $8.2 million of restructuring costs, as well as a $5.8 million goodwill impairment charge, in connection with business simplification actions taken in the workplace furnishings segment. Of these charges, $7.6 million was included in "Cost of Sales" in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Refer to "Note 6. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets" and "Note 17. Restructuring and Impairment Charges" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding restructuring and impairment charges.
In 2020, the Corporation recorded net charges of $38.8 million related to the impairment of goodwill, intangibles, and other assets in the workplace furnishings segment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic disruption.
Operating Income
For 2021, operating income increased 39.2 percent to $85.4 million compared to $61.4 million in 2020. The increase was driven by higher residential building products volume, improved net productivity, lower core SG&A, and lower restructuring and impairment charges, partially offset by unfavorable price-cost, higher investment levels, and the return of costs related to temporary actions taken in 2020.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net was $7.2 million and $7.0 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Income Taxes
The following table summarizes the Corporation's income tax provision (in thousands):
2021 2020
Income before income taxes $ 78,267 $ 54,385
Income tax expense $ 18,456 $ 12,466
Effective tax rate 23.6 % 22.9 %
The income tax provision reflects a higher rate in 2021 compared to 2020. The variance was primarily driven by higher income in the current year which diluted the rate benefit from tax credits when compared to the prior year. Additionally, the increased rate in the current year is the result of an increase in current year equity-based compensation offset by the benefit of increased foreign earnings over prior year. See "Note 8. Income Taxes" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information relating to income taxes.
Net Income Attributable to HNI Corporation
Net income attributable to the Corporation was $59.8 million or $1.36 per diluted share in 2021 compared to $41.9 million or $0.98 per diluted share in 2020.
Comparison of Fiscal Year Ended January 2, 2021 with the Fiscal Year Ended December 28, 2019
To review commentary for the consolidated and segment-level results of operations comparison of the fiscal year ended January 2, 2021 with the fiscal year ended December 28, 2019, please refer to Item 7 of the Corporation's Form 10-K filed March 2, 2021 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or follow the link below:
https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/48287/000004828721000038/hni-20210102.htm
Workplace Furnishings
The following table presents certain key highlights from the results of operations in the workplace furnishings segment (in thousands):
2021 2020 Change
Net sales $ 1,433,985 $ 1,365,711 5.0%
Operating loss $ (539) $ (4,972) 89.1%
Operating loss % (0.0) % (0.4 %) 40 bps
Net sales in 2021 for the workplace furnishings segment increased 5.0 percent compared to 2020. The results were driven by higher volumes in the small- and medium-sized business and international channels, both of which experienced a rebound in demand in 2021 relative to 2020, which was more adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Volumes were lower in 2021 in the contract and eCommerce channels. The contract market has experienced a slower recovery in demand primarily due to inconsistency in return-to-office plans throughout the country. Demand moderated in the eCommerce channel in 2021, following strong sales growth in 2020 as a result of work-from-home trends driven by the onset of the pandemic. Price realization across most channels also contributed to the segment's sales growth. Furthermore, included in the 2021 sales results was a $34.9 million favorable impact from acquiring DPG.
Operating loss as a percentage of net sales was 40 basis points more favorable in 2021 compared to 2020, driven by lower restructuring, impairment, and one-time costs and improved net productivity, partially offset by unfavorable price-cost.
In the current year, the workplace furnishings segment recorded $7.9 million of restructuring costs and a $5.8 million goodwill impairment charge in connection with business simplification actions, as well as $1.4 million of one-time costs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, the workplace furnishings segment recorded net charges of $38.8 million related to the impairment of goodwill, intangibles, and other assets, as well as $5.2 million of one-time costs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Residential Building Products
The following table presents certain key highlights from the results of operations in the residential building products segment (in thousands):
2021 2020 Change
Net sales $ 750,423 $ 589,652 27.3 %
Operating profit $ 141,871 $ 109,321 29.8 %
Operating profit % 18.9 % 18.5 % 40 bps
Net sales in 2021 for the residential building products segment increased 27.3 percent compared to 2020, driven by strong volume growth in both the new construction and existing home channels. Included in the 2021 sales results was a $12.4 million favorable impact from acquiring residential building products companies.
Operating profit as a percentage of net sales increased 40 basis points in 2021 compared to 2020. The increase was driven by SG&A leverage from higher sales volume, partially offset by unfavorable price-cost.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaled $53.7 million at the end of 2021, compared to $117.8 million at the end of 2020. These funds, coupled with cash flow from future operations, borrowing capacity under the Corporation's existing credit agreement, and the ability to access capital markets, are expected to be adequate to fund operations and satisfy cash flow needs for at least the next twelve months. Additionally, based on current earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization generation, the Corporation can access the full $450 million of borrowing capacity available under the revolving credit facility and maintain compliance with applicable covenants. As of the end of 2021, $9.2 million of cash was held overseas and considered permanently reinvested. If such amounts were repatriated, it could result in additional foreign withholding and
state tax expense to the Corporation. The Corporation does not believe treating this cash as permanently reinvested will have any impact on the ability of the Corporation to meet its obligations as they come due.
Cash Flow - Operating Activities
Operating activities were a source of $131.6 million of cash in 2021, compared to a source of $214.5 million cash in 2020. The lower cash generation compared to the prior year was primarily due to changes in working capital. Changes in working capital balances resulted in a $59.6 million use of cash in 2021 compared to a $24.2 million source of cash in the prior year. Prior year end working capital balances were lower than normal due to a significant decline in sales volume in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic disruption. As demand has rebounded in many markets in 2021, the Corporation's receivables, inventory, and accounts payable and accrued expenses have risen to more normal levels, resulting in a net use of cash.
The Corporation places special emphasis on management and control of working capital, including accounts receivable and inventory. Management believes recorded trade receivable valuation allowances at the end of 2021 are adequate to cover the risk of potential bad debts. Allowances for non-collectible trade receivables, as a percent of gross trade receivables, totaled 1.2 percent and 2.7 percent at the end of 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Corporation’s inventory turns were 8.9 and 8.2 for 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Cash Flow - Investing Activities
Capital expenditures, including capitalized software, were $66.5 million in 2021 and $41.8 million in 2020. These expenditures are primarily focused on machinery, equipment, and tooling required to support new products, continuous improvements, and cost savings initiatives in manufacturing processes. Additionally, in support of the Corporation's long-term strategy to create effortless winning experiences for customers, the Corporation continues to invest in technology and digital assets. The Corporation anticipates capital expenditures for 2022 in an estimated range of $70 million to $80 million.
Cash Flow - Financing Activities
Debt - The Corporation maintains a revolving credit facility as the primary source of committed funding from which the Corporation finances its planned capital expenditures, strategic initiatives, and seasonal working capital needs. Cash flows included in financing activities represent periodic borrowings and repayments under the revolving credit facility. See "Note 7. Debt" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Dividend - The Corporation is committed to maintaining or modestly growing the quarterly dividend. Cash dividends declared and paid per share are as follows (in dollars):
2021 2020
Common shares $ 1.235 $ 1.220
The last quarterly dividend increase was from $0.305 to $0.310 per common share effective with the June 1, 2021 dividend payment for shareholders of record at the close of business on May 21, 2021. The average dividend payout percentage for the most recent three-year period has been 64 percent of prior year earnings or 25 percent of prior year cash flow from operating activities.
Stock Repurchase - The Corporation’s capital strategy related to stock repurchase is focused on offsetting the dilutive impact of issuances for various compensation-related matters. The Corporation may elect to opportunistically purchase additional shares based on excess cash generation and/or share price considerations. The Board most recently authorized $200 million on February 13, 2019, for repurchases of the Corporation’s common stock. See "Note 10. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Shareholders' Equity" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Cash Requirements
As of January 1, 2022, the Corporation, has the following obligations and commitments to make future payments:
Purchase Obligations - The Corporation’s purchase obligations include agreements to purchase goods or services that are enforceable, legally binding, and specify all significant terms, including the quantity to be purchased, the price to be paid, and the timing of the purchase. Estimated purchase obligations total $188 million during 2022 and $85 million thereafter.
Debt - Debt principal obligations are approximately $3 million during 2022, and $175 million thereafter. Interest obligations from debt are estimated to be approximately $6 million during 2022 and $18 million thereafter. Refer to "Note 7. Debt" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Deferred Compensation - Deferred compensation obligations, which include both cash and Corporation stock, are expected to be approximately $1 million during 2022 and $9 million thereafter. Refer to “Note 11. Stock-Based Compensation” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Post-Retirement Benefit Plan - Post-retirement benefit plan payments are expected to be approximately $1 million during 2022 and $11 million in aggregate from 2023 through 2031. Refer to “Note 13. Post-Retirement Health Care" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Operating and Finance Leases - Operating and finance lease obligations are expected to be approximately $25 million during 2022 and $80 million thereafter. Refer to “Note 14. Leases" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Other Obligations - Other long-term obligations of approximately $13 million are primarily comprised of uncertain tax positions, acquisition-related holdbacks, and put option liabilities. Additionally, refer to “Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Corporation’s estimated future obligations related to product warranties and self-insured liabilities.
Litigation and Uncertainties
See "Note 15. Guarantees, Commitments, and Contingencies" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Looking Ahead
The Corporation continues to navigate near-term uncertainty driven by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and recent dynamics around labor availability, supply chain capacity, and cost inflation. However, management believes the Corporation is well positioned to grow revenues, expand margins, and generate cash flows. Strength in residential building products is expected to continue, and conditions in workplace furnishings are expected to continue to improve.
Management remains optimistic about the long-term prospects in the workplace furnishings and residential building products
markets. Management believes the Corporation continues to compete well and remains confident the investments made in the business will continue to generate strong returns for shareholders.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
General
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations is based upon the Consolidated Financial Statements, prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Senior management has discussed the development, selection, and disclosure of these estimates with the Audit Committee of the Board. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters uncertain at the time the estimate is made, and if different estimates that reasonably could have been used, or changes in the accounting estimates that are reasonably likely to occur periodically, could materially impact the financial statements. Management believes the following critical accounting policy reflects its more significant estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Self-Insurance
The Corporation is primarily self-insured or carries high deductibles for general, auto, and product liability, workers’ compensation, and certain employee health benefits. The general, auto, product, and workers’ compensation liabilities are managed via a wholly-owned insurance captive, with estimated liabilities of $26.3 million and $25.7 million as of January 1, 2022
and January 2, 2021, respectively, included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Certain risk exposures are mitigated through the use of independent third party stop loss insurance coverages.
The Corporation’s policy is to accrue amounts in accordance with the actuarial determined liabilities. The actuarial valuations are based on historical and current factors such as cost experience, claim frequency, and demographic information, along with certain assumptions about future events including legal actions, medical cost inflation, the number or severity of claims, and the magnitude and change of actual experience development. No changes were made to the methodologies utilized to estimate self-insurance reserves in 2021. While the recorded amounts are sensitive to the assumptions and factors described herein, management believes that such assumptions and actuarial methods used to determine self-insurance reserves are reasonable and provide an appropriate basis for estimating the liabilities. However, inherent uncertainty due to variability in the facts and circumstances of individual claims, as well as the length of time from incurrence of claims to final settlement, may result in the Corporation's ultimate exposure differing significantly from what is currently estimated.
As of January 1, 2022, the Corporation's self-insurance reserve was accrued within an actuarial determined range, which accounts for the subjective nature of the estimate. The span of the current range is approximately $6 million.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
None

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
During the normal course of business, the Corporation is subjected to market risk associated with interest rate movements. Interest rate risk arises from variable interest debt obligations. Interest rate swap derivative instruments are held and used by the Corporation as a tool for managing interest rate risk. They are not used for trading or speculative purposes.
As of January 1, 2022, the Corporation had $75 million of debt outstanding under the Corporation's $450 million revolving credit facility, which bore variable interest based on one month LIBOR. As of January 1, 2022, the Corporation had an interest rate swap agreement in place to fix the interest rate on $75 million of the Corporation's revolving credit facility. Under the terms of this interest rate swap, the Corporation pays a fixed rate of 1.42 percent instead of LIBOR. As of January 1, 2022, the Corporation had no borrowings on the revolving credit facility in excess of the amount covered by the interest rate swap agreement. The Corporation may utilize additional borrowings over the course of the year, which will be subject to the variable borrowings rate as defined.
The Corporation monitors market interest rate risk exposures. As the Corporation holds no borrowings subject to variable interest rate exposure as of January 1, 2022, there is not current exposure given the current borrowings outstanding. The impacts of any hypothetical changes in interest rates will be directly correlated to any necessary future borrowings above the current levels outstanding.
For information related to the Corporation’s long-term debt, refer to "Note 7. Debt" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. For information related to the Corporation's interest rate swap activity, refer to "Note 10. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and Shareholders’ Equity" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Corporation currently does not have significant foreign currency exposure.
The Corporation is exposed to risks arising from price changes and/or tariffs for certain direct materials and assembly components used in its operations. The most significant material purchases and cost for the Corporation are for steel, plastics, textiles, wood particleboard, and cartoning. The market price of plastics and textiles, in particular, are sensitive to the cost of oil and natural gas. All of these materials are impacted increasingly by global market conditions. The Corporation works to offset these increased costs through global sourcing initiatives, product re-engineering, and price increases on its products. Periodically, including in the current year, margins are negatively impacted due to the lag between cost increases and the Corporation’s ability to increase its prices. The Corporation believes future market price increases on its key direct materials and assembly components are likely. Consequently, it views the prospect of such increases as a risk to the business.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The financial statements listed under Item 15(a)(1) and (2) are filed as part of this report and are incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Corporation in the reports it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to ensure information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, the Corporation's management carried out an evaluation of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a - 15(e) and 15d - 15(e) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. As of January 1, 2022, based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded these disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Changes in Internal Controls
There have been no changes in the Corporation's internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended January 1, 2022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management’s annual report on internal control over financial reporting and the attestation report of the Corporation’s independent registered public accounting firm are included in Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules of this report under the headings "Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting" and "Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm," respectively, and management's annual report is incorporated herein by reference.
In fourth quarter 2021, the Corporation acquired Trinity and OGC (see Note 4). Due to the timing of the transactions, management has excluded both Trinity and OGC from the annual assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of January 1, 2022. On a combined basis, Trinity and OGC represent approximately 3 percent of consolidated total assets and less than 1 percent of the consolidated net sales of the Corporation as of and for the year ended January 1, 2022.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information
None.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance
The information under the caption "Corporate Governance and Board Matters" of the Corporation's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 26, 2022 (the "2022 Proxy Statement") is incorporated herein by reference. For information with respect to executive officers of the Corporation, see "Table I - Information about our Executive Officers" included in Part I of this report.
Information relating to the identification of the audit committee and audit committee financial expert of the Corporation is contained under the caption "Directors" of the 2022 Proxy Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.
Code of Ethics
The information under the caption "Code of Ethics" of the 2022 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information under the captions "Executive Compensation" and "Director Compensation" of the 2022 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters
The information under the captions "Beneficial Ownership of the Corporation's Stock" and "Equity Compensation Plan Information" of the 2022 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information under the caption "Corporate Governance and Board Matters" of the 2022 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The Corporation's independent registered public accounting firm is KPMG LLP, Chicago, IL, Auditor Firm ID: 185.
The information under the caption "Audit and Non-Audit Fees" of the 2022 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a)(1) Financial Statements
The following consolidated financial statements of the Corporation and its subsidiaries included in the Corporation's 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K are filed as a part of this Report pursuant to Item 8:
Page
Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended January 1, 2022, January 2, 2021, and December 28, 2019
Consolidated Balance Sheets - January 1, 2022 and January 2, 2021
Consolidated Statements of Equity for the Years Ended January 1, 2022, January 2, 2021, and December 28, 2019
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended January 1, 2022, January 2, 2021, and December 28, 2019
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(2) Financial Statement Schedules
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the SEC are not required under the related instructions or are inapplicable and, therefore, have been omitted.
(b)Exhibits
(3.1) Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of HNI Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2010)
(3.2) Amended and Restated By-laws of HNI Corporation, effective May 10, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 11, 2021)
(4.1) Description of Securities of HNI Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2019)
(10.1) Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated April 20, 2018, among HNI Corporation, as borrower, certain domestic subsidiaries of HNI Corporation, as guarantors, certain lenders and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 24, 2018)
(10.2) Note Purchase Agreement, dated May 31, 2018, among HNI Corporation and the purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 31, 2018)
(10.3) Guaranty Agreement, dated May 31, 2018, made by each of the guarantors named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 31, 2018)
(10.4) HNI Corporation 2007 Stock-Based Compensation Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Corporation's Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC March 23, 2015)*
(10.5) Amended form of HNI Corporation 2007 Stock-Based Compensation Plan Stock Option Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 22, 2018)*
(10.6) HNI Corporation 2017 Stock-Based Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Corporation's Form S-8 filed May 9, 2017)*
(10.7) Amended form of HNI Corporation 2017 Stock-Based Compensation Plan Stock Option Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 22, 2018)*
(10.8) Form of HNI Corporation 2017 Stock-Based Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017)*
(10.9) 2017 Equity Plan for Non-Employee Directors of HNI Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registrant’s Form S-8 filed May 9, 2017)*
(10.10) Form of 2017 Equity Plan for Non-Employee Directors of HNI Corporation Participation Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017)*
(10.11) Form of HNI Corporation Change In Control Employment Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 29, 2018)*
(10.12) Form of HNI Corporation Amended and Restated Indemnity Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 14, 2007)*
(10.13) HNI Corporation Supplemental Income Plan (f/k/a HNI Corporation ERISA Supplemental Retirement Plan), as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 22, 2010)*
(10.14) HNI Annual Incentive Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Corporation's Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC March 23, 2015)*
(10.15) HNI Corporation Long-Term Performance Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Appendix C to the Corporation’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC March 23, 2015)*
(10.16) HNI Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 4, 2015)*
(10.17) Form of HNI Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan Deferral Election Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2010)*
(10.18) HNI Corporation Directors Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 4, 2015)*
(10.19) Form of HNI Corporation Directors Deferred Compensation Plan Deferral Election Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2010)*
(10.20) Amended form of HNI Corporation 2017 Stock-Based Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2019)*
(10.21) Form of HNI Corporation 2017 Stock-Based Compensation Plan Performance Share Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2019)*
(10.22) Amended form of HNI Corporation 2017 Stock-Based Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2021*
(10.23) HNI Corporation 2021 Stock-Based Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference from Appendix A to the Corporation's Proxy Statement filed on April 12, 2021)*
(10.24) Form of HNI Corporation 2021 Stock-Based Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 3, 2021)*
(10.25) Form of HNI Corporation 2021 Stock-Based Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (CEO) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 3, 2021)*
(10.26) Form of HNI Corporation 2021 Stock-Based Compensation Performance Share Unit Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended July 3, 2021)*
(21) Subsidiaries of the Registrant+
(23.1) Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm+
(24) Powers of Attorney (included on the signatures page of this Annual Report on Form 10-K)
(31.1) Certification of CEO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002+
(31.2) Certification of CFO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002+
(32.1) Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002+
(101) The following materials from HNI Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2022 are formatted in Inline XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language) and filed electronically herewith: (i) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (ii) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (iii) Consolidated Statements of Equity; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(104) Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
* Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.
+ Filed or furnished herewith.