10-Q 1 middqforsinglesourceq12015.htm 10-Q 2015-04-04
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)

x | Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended April 4, 2015
or

o | Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Commission File No. 1-9973
THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware | 36-3352497
(State or Other Jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization) |

1400 Toastmaster Drive, Elgin, Illinois | 60120
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code)

Registrant's Telephone No., including Area Code | (847) 741-3300

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “accelerated filer, large accelerated filer and smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer x | Accelerated filer o | Non-accelerated filer o | Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
As of May 8, 2015 there were 57,327,032 shares of the registrant's common stock outstanding.

THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
QUARTER ENDED APRIL 4, 2015
INDEX

DESCRIPTION | PAGE
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION |
Item 1. | Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) |
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS APRIL 4, 2015 and JANUARY 3, 2015 | 1
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME APRIL 4, 2015 and MARCH 29, 2014 | 2
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS APRIL 4, 2015 and MARCH 29, 2014 | 3
| NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 4
Item 2. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 31
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 37
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures | 40
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION |
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | 41
Item 6. | Exhibits | 42

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands, Except Share Data)
(Unaudited)

ASSETS | Apr 4, 2015 |  |  | Jan 3, 2015 |
Current assets: |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 54,259 |  |  | $ | 43,945 |
Accounts receivable, net of reserve for doubtful accounts of $9,175 and $9,091 | 239,342 |  |  | 229,875 |
Inventories, net | 276,383 |  |  | 255,776 |
Prepaid expenses and other | 30,286 |  |  | 27,980 |
Prepaid taxes | 10,023 |  |  | 5,538 |
Current deferred taxes | 51,697 |  |  | 51,017 |
Total current assets | 661,990 |  |  | 614,131 |
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $85,836 and $82,998 | 142,080 |  |  | 129,697 |
Goodwill | 819,274 |  |  | 808,491 |
Other intangibles, net of amortization of $118,422 and $111,846 | 494,379 |  |  | 492,031 |
Long-term deferred tax assets | 3,711 |  |  | 2,925 |
Other assets | 21,402 |  |  | 18,856 |
Total assets | $ | 2,142,836 |  |  | $ | 2,066,131 |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY |  |  |  |  |
Current liabilities: |  |  |  |  |
Current maturities of long-term debt | $ | 8,926 |  |  | $ | 9,402 |
Accounts payable | 111,424 |  |  | 98,327 |
Accrued expenses | 213,387 |  |  | 220,585 |
Total current liabilities | 333,737 |  |  | 328,314 |
Long-term debt | 630,108 |  |  | 588,765 |
Long-term deferred tax liability | 92,241 |  |  | 88,800 |
Other non-current liabilities | 58,313 |  |  | 53,492 |
Stockholders' equity: |  |  |  |  |
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; nonvoting; 2,000,000 shares authorized; none issued | — |  |  | — |
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 95,000,000 shares authorized; 62,189,296 and 62,088,592 shares issued in 2015 and 2014, respectively | 144 |  |  | 144 |
Paid-in capital | 314,840 |  |  | 310,409 |
Treasury stock, at cost; 4,862,264 and 4,816,912 shares in 2015 and 2014, respectively | (200,862 | ) |  | (196,026 | )
Retained earnings | 961,895 |  |  | 923,664 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (47,580 | ) |  | (31,431 | )
Total stockholders' equity | 1,028,437 |  |  | 1,006,760 |
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 2,142,836 |  |  | $ | 2,066,131 |

See accompanying notes
1

THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)
(Unaudited)

| Three Months Ended
| Apr 4, 2015 |  |  | Mar 29, 2014 |
Net sales | $ | 406,596 |  |  | $ | 372,478 |
Cost of sales | 249,034 |  |  | 229,502 |
Gross profit | 157,562 |  |  | 142,976 |
Selling and distribution expenses | 47,109 |  |  | 46,970 |
General and administrative expenses | 43,873 |  |  | 40,073 |
Income from operations | 66,580 |  |  | 55,933 |
Interest expense and deferred financing amortization, net | 3,749 |  |  | 3,987 |
Other expense, net | 4,561 |  |  | 865 |
Earnings before income taxes | 58,270 |  |  | 51,081 |
Provision for income taxes | 20,039 |  |  | 17,636 |
Net earnings | $ | 38,231 |  |  | $ | 33,445 |
Net earnings per share: |  |  |
Basic | $ | 0.67 |  |  | $ | 0.59 |
Diluted | $ | 0.67 |  |  | $ | 0.59 |
Weighted average number of shares |  |  |
Basic | 56,917 |  |  | 56,457 |
Dilutive common stock equivalents 1 | 1 |  |  | 2 |
Diluted | 56,918 |  |  | 56,459 |
Comprehensive income | $ | 22,082 |  |  | $ | 35,226 |

1 There were no anti-dilutive equity awards excluded from common stock equivalents for any period presented.
See accompanying notes
2

THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In Thousands)
(Unaudited)

| Three Months Ended
| Apr 4, 2015 |  |  | Mar 29, 2014 |
Cash flows from operating activities-- |  |  |  |  |
Net earnings | $ | 38,231 |  |  | $ | 33,445 |
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities-- |  |  |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | 11,232 |  |  | 10,521 |
Non-cash share-based compensation | 2,029 |  |  | 1,938 |
Deferred taxes | 2,975 |  |  | 12,800 |
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions |  |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable, net | (5,209 | ) |  | (15,786 | )
Inventories, net | (15,023 | ) |  | (5,638 | )
Prepaid expenses and other assets | 2,188 |  |  | (21,873 | )
Accounts payable | 8,333 |  |  | (2,415 | )
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | (21,000 | ) |  | (26,550 | )
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 23,756 |  |  | (13,558 | )
Cash flows from investing activities-- |  |  |  |  |
Additions to property and equipment | (6,117 | ) |  | (3,231 | )
Acquisition of Viking Distributors 2014 | — |  |  | (38,485 | )
Acquisition of Market Forge | — |  |  | (7,240 | )
Acquisition of Concordia, net of cash acquired | 80 |  |  | — |
Acquisition of U-Line, net of cash acquired | 275 |  |  | — |
Acquisition of Desmon, net of cash acquired | (13,947 | ) |  | — |
Acquisition of Goldstein Eswood | (27,406 | ) |  | — |
Acquisition of Marsal | (5,500 | ) |  | — |
Net cash used in investing activities | (52,615 | ) |  | (48,956 | )
Cash flows from financing activities-- |  |  |  |  |
Net proceeds under current revolving credit facilities | 41,500 |  |  | 78,400 |
Net proceeds under foreign bank loan | 432 |  |  | 5,463 |
Net repayments under other debt arrangement | (9 | ) |  | (9 | )
Repurchase of treasury stock | (4,836 | ) |  | (44,283 | )
Excess tax benefit related to share-based compensation | 2,402 |  |  | 25,044 |
Net cash provided by financing activities | 39,489 |  |  | 64,615 |
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents | (316 | ) |  | 55 |
Changes in cash and cash equivalents-- |  |  |  |  |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 10,314 |  |  | 2,156 |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 43,945 |  |  | 36,894 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 54,259 |  |  | $ | 39,050 |

See accompanying notes
3

THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
APRIL 4, 2015
(Unaudited)

1) | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

A) | Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by The Middleby Corporation (the "company" or “Middleby”), pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The financial statements are unaudited and certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes contained in the company's 2014 Form 10-K. The company’s interim results are not necessarily indicative of future full year results for the fiscal year 2015.
In the opinion of management, the financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of the company as of April 4, 2015 and January 3, 2015, the results of operations for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014 and cash flows for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Significant estimates and assumptions are used for, but are not limited to, allowances for doubtful accounts, reserves for excess and obsolete inventories, long lived and intangible assets, warranty reserves, insurance reserves, income tax reserves and post-retirement obligations. Actual results could differ from the company's estimates.

B) | Non-Cash Share-Based Compensation

The company estimates the fair value of market-based stock awards and stock options at the time of grant and recognizes compensation cost over the vesting period of the awards and options. Non-cash share-based compensation expense was $2.0 million and $1.9 million for the first quarter periods ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively.
During the first quarter ended April 4, 2015, the company issued 100,704 restricted shares under its 2011 Stock Incentive Plan. These amounts are contingent on the attainment of certain performance objectives. The aggregate grant-date fair value of these awards was $10.9 million, based on the closing share price of the company's stock at the date of the grant.

C) | Income Taxes

As of January 3, 2015, the total amount of liability for unrecognized tax benefits related to federal, state and foreign taxes was approximately $12.5 million (of which $12.2 million would impact the effective tax rate if recognized) plus approximately $1.7 million of accrued interest and $3.0 million of penalties. The company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. As of April 4, 2015, the company recognized a tax expense of $0.7 million for unrecognized tax benefits related to current year tax exposures.
It is reasonably possible that the amounts of unrecognized tax benefits associated with state, federal and foreign tax positions may decrease over the next twelve months due to expiration of a statute or completion of an audit. The company believes that it is reasonably possible that approximately $0.5 million of its currently remaining unrecognized tax benefits may be recognized over the next twelve months as a result of lapses of statutes of limitations.
4

A summary of the tax years that remain subject to examination in the company’s major tax jurisdictions are:

United States - federal | 2012 – 2014
United States - states | 2005 – 2014
Australia | 2011 – 2014
Brazil | 2010 – 2014
Canada | 2009 – 2014
China | 2005 – 2014
Czech Republic | 2013 – 2014
Denmark | 2011 – 2014
France | 2011 – 2014
Germany | 2012 – 2014
India | 2013 – 2014
Italy | 2010 – 2014
Luxembourg | 2011 – 2014
Mexico | 2010 – 2014
Philippines | 2012 – 2014
South Korea | 2010 – 2011
Spain | 2009 – 2014
Taiwan | 2008 – 2012
United Kingdom | 2011 – 2014

5

D) | Fair Value Measures

ASC 820 "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures" defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 establishes a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value into the following levels:
Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 – Inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly.
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs based on our own assumptions.
The company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy are as follows (in thousands):

| Fair Value Level 1 |  | Fair Value Level 2 |  | Fair Value Level 3 |  | Total
As of April 4, 2015 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Financial Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans | $ | 27,940 |  |  | $ | 1,115 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 29,055 |
Financial Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate swaps | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,609 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,609 |
Contingent consideration | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 9,269 |  |  | $ | 9,269 |
As of January 3, 2015 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Financial Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Pension plans | $ | 27,647 |  |  | $ | 1,234 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 28,881 |
Financial Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate swaps | $ | — |  |  | $ | 810 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 810 |
Contingent consideration | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 14,558 |  |  | $ | 14,558 |

The contingent consideration as of April 4, 2015 relates to the earnout provisions recorded in conjunction with the acquisitions of Spooner Vicars, PES, Concordia, Desmon and Goldstein Eswood.
The contingent consideration as of January 3, 2015 relates to the earnout provisions recorded in conjunction with the acquisitions of Stewart, Nieco, Spooner Vicars, Market Forge, PES and Concordia.
The earnout provisions associated with these acquisitions are based upon performance measurements related to sales and earnings of the acquired businesses, as defined in the respective purchase agreements. On a quarterly basis the company assesses the projected results for each of the acquired businesses in comparison to the earnout targets and adjusts the liability accordingly.
E) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Cash paid for interest was $3.3 million and $3.7 million for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively. Cash payments totaling $16.1 million and $6.8 million were made for income taxes for the three months ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, respectively.
6

2) | Acquisitions and Purchase Accounting

The company operates in a highly fragmented industry and has completed numerous acquisitions over the past several years as a component of its growth strategy. The company has acquired industry leading brands and technologies to position itself as a leader in the commercial foodservice equipment, food processing equipment and residential kitchen equipment industries.
The company has accounted for all business combinations using the acquisition method to record a new cost basis for the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The difference between the purchase price and the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed has been recorded as goodwill in the financial statements. The results of operations are reflected in the consolidated financial statements of the company from the dates of acquisition.
Viking
On December 31, 2012 (subsequent to the 2012 fiscal year end), the company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of Viking Range Corporation, ("Viking"), a leading manufacturer of kitchen equipment for the residential market, for a purchase price of approximately $361.7 million, net of cash acquired. During the third quarter of 2013, the company finalized the working capital provision provided by the purchase agreement resulting in a return from the seller of $11.2 million.
The final allocation of cash paid for the Viking acquisition is summarized as follows (in thousands):

| (as initially reported) Dec 31, 2012 |  | Measurement Period Adjustments |  | (as adjusted) Dec 31, 2012
Cash | $ | 6,900 |  |  | $ | (121 | ) |  | $ | 6,779 |
Current assets | 40,794 |  |  | (2,385 | ) |  | 38,409 |
Property, plant and equipment | 76,693 |  |  | (20,446 | ) |  | 56,247 |
Goodwill | 144,833 |  |  | (32,752 | ) |  | 112,081 |
Other intangibles | 152,500 |  |  | 44,500 |  |  | 197,000 |
Other assets | 12,604 |  |  | 865 |  |  | 13,469 |
Current liabilities | (52,202 | ) |  | (886 | ) |  | (53,088 | )
Other non-current liabilities | (2,386 | ) |  | (1 | ) |  | (2,387 | )
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed | $ | 379,736 |  |  | $ | (11,226 | ) |  | $ | 368,510 |

The goodwill and $151.0 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350 "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other." Other intangibles also includes $44.0 million allocated to customer relationships and $2.0 million allocated to backlog which are being amortized over periods of 6 years and 3 months, respectively. Goodwill and other intangibles of Viking are allocated to the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are expected to be deductible for tax purposes. Certain acquired assets included in other assets were classified as held for sale at the date of acquisition and were sold during the second quarter of 2013.
7

Viking Distributors 2013
Subsequent to the acquisition of Viking, the company, through Viking, purchased certain assets of four of Viking's former distributors ("Viking Distributors 2013"). The aggregate purchase price of these transactions as of June 29, 2013 was approximately $23.6 million. This included $8.7 million in forgiveness of liabilities owed to Viking resulting from pre-existing relationships with Viking.
The final allocation of cash paid for the Viking Distributors 2013 is summarized as follows (in thousands):

| (as initially reported) Jun 29, 2013 |  | Measurement Period Adjustments |  | (as adjusted) Jun 29, 2013
Current assets | $ | 21,390 |  |  | $ | (3,599 | ) |  | $ | 17,791 |
Property, plant and equipment | 1,318 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,318 |
Goodwill | 1,709 |  |  | 3,599 |  |  | 5,308 |
Current liabilities | (804 | ) |  | — |  |  | (804 | )
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed | $ | 23,613 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 23,613 |
Forgiveness of liabilities owed to Viking | (8,697 | ) |  | — |  |  | (8,697 | )
Consideration paid at closing | $ | 14,916 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 14,916 |

The goodwill is subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350 and is allocated to the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
8

Celfrost
On October 15, 2013, the company completed its acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Celfrost Innovations Pvt. Ltd. ("Celfrost"), a preferred commercial foodservice equipment supplier in India with a broad line of cold side products such as professional refrigerators, coldrooms, ice machines and freezers marketed under the Celfrost brand for a purchase price of approximately $11.2 million. An additional deferred payment of $0.4 million was made in the fourth quarter of 2014 as provided for in the purchase agreement. Additional deferred payments of approximately $0.7 million in aggregate are also due to the seller in equal installments on the second and third anniversary of the acquisition.
The final allocation of cash paid for the Celfrost acquisition is summarized as follows (in thousands):

| (as initially reported) Oct 15, 2013 |  | Measurement Period Adjustments |  | (as adjusted) Oct 15, 2013
Current assets | $ | 5,638 |  |  | $ | (124 | ) |  | $ | 5,514 |
Property, plant and equipment | 182 |  |  | — |  |  | 182 |
Goodwill | 5,943 |  |  | 1,718 |  |  | 7,661 |
Other intangibles | 4,333 |  |  | — |  |  | 4,333 |
Other assets | 4 |  |  | — |  |  | 4 |
Current liabilities | (3,979 | ) |  | (1,594 | ) |  | (5,573 | )
Other non-current liabilities | (875 | ) |  | — |  |  | (875 | )
Consideration paid at closing | $ | 11,246 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 11,246 |
Deferred payments | 1,067 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,067 |
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed | $ | 12,313 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 12,313 |

The goodwill and $2.3 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350. Other intangibles also includes $1.9 million allocated to customer relationships and $0.1 million allocated to backlog which are being amortized over periods of 7 years and 3 months, respectively. Goodwill and other intangibles of Celfrost are allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
9

Wunder-Bar
On December 17, 2013, the company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of Automatic Bar Controls, Inc. ("Wunder-Bar"), a leading manufacturer of beverage dispensing systems for the commercial foodservice industry, for a purchase price of approximately $74.1 million, net of cash acquired. During the third quarter of 2014, the company finalized the working capital provision provided by the purchase agreement resulting in a return from the seller of $0.1 million. In July 2014, the company purchased additional assets related to Wunder-Bar for approximately $0.8 million. An additional deferred payment of approximately $0.6 million is also payable to the seller pursuant to the purchase agreement.
The final allocation of cash paid for the Wunder-Bar acquisition is summarized as follows (in thousands):

| (as initially reported) Dec 17, 2013 |  | Measurement Period Adjustments |  | (as adjusted) Dec 17, 2013
Cash | $ | 857 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 857 |
Current deferred tax asset | 50 |  |  | 188 |  |  | 238 |
Current assets | 13,127 |  |  | 656 |  |  | 13,783 |
Property, plant and equipment | 1,735 |  |  | (312 | ) |  | 1,423 |
Goodwill | 45,056 |  |  | (3,251 | ) |  | 41,805 |
Other intangibles | 30,000 |  |  | 3,060 |  |  | 33,060 |
Other assets | — |  |  | 290 |  |  | 290 |
Current liabilities | (5,013 | ) |  | 865 |  |  | (4,148 | )
Long-term deferred tax liability | (10,811 | ) |  | (1,280 | ) |  | (12,091 | )
Other non-current liabilities | (1 | ) |  | (365 | ) |  | (366 | )
Consideration paid at closing | $ | 75,000 |  |  | $ | (149 | ) |  | $ | 74,851 |
Additional assets acquired post closing | — |  |  | 848 |  |  | 848 |
Deferred payments | — |  |  | 586 |  |  | 586 |
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed | $ | 75,000 |  |  | $ | 1,285 |  |  | $ | 76,285 |

The current deferred tax assets and long term deferred tax liabilities amounted to $0.2 million and $12.1 million, respectively. These net assets are comprised of $0.2 million of assets arising from the difference between the book and tax basis of tangible asset and liability accounts, net of $12.1 million of deferred tax liabilities related to the difference between the book and tax basis of identifiable intangible assets.
The goodwill and $12.7 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350. Other intangibles also includes $20.2 million allocated to customer relationships and $0.2 million allocated to backlog which are to be amortized over a period of 14 years and 3 months, respectively. Goodwill and other intangibles of Wunder-Bar are allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
10

Market Forge
On January 7, 2014, the company completed its acquisition of certain assets of Market Forge Industries, Inc. (“Market Forge”), a leading manufacturer of steam cooking equipment for the commercial foodservice industry, for a purchase price of approximately $7.0 million. During the first quarter of 2014, the company finalized the working capital provision provided for by the purchase agreement resulting in an additional payment to the seller of $0.2 million. Additional deferred payments of $3.0 million in aggregate were paid to the seller during the second and third quarters of 2014. An additional contingent payment of $1.5 million was made in the first quarter of 2015 upon the achievement of certain financial targets.
The final allocation of cash paid for the Market Forge acquisition is summarized as follows (in thousands):

| (as initially reported) Jan 7, 2014 |  | Measurement Period Adjustments |  | (as adjusted) Jan 7, 2014
Current assets | $ | 2,051 |  |  | $ | (100 | ) |  | $ | 1,951 |
Property, plant and equipment | 120 |  |  | — |  |  | 120 |
Goodwill | 5,252 |  |  | 654 |  |  | 5,906 |
Other intangibles | 4,191 |  |  | — |  |  | 4,191 |
Current liabilities | (4,374 | ) |  | (554 | ) |  | (4,928 | )
Consideration paid at closing | $ | 7,240 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 7,240 |
Deferred payments | 3,000 |  |  | — |  |  | 3,000 |
Contingent consideration | 1,374 |  |  | 126 |  |  | 1,500 |
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed | $ | 11,614 |  |  | $ | 126 |  |  | $ | 11,740 |

The goodwill and $2.9 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350. Other intangibles also includes $1.1 million allocated to customer relationships, $0.2 million allocated to developed technology and less than $0.1 million allocated to backlog, which are to be amortized over periods of 4 years, 5 years and 3 months, respectively. Goodwill and other intangibles of Market Forge are allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
11

Viking Distributors 2014
The company, through Viking, purchased certain assets of two of Viking's former distributors ("Viking Distributors 2014"). The aggregate purchase price of these transactions as of January 31, 2014 was approximately $44.5 million. This included $6.0 million in forgiveness of liabilities owed to Viking resulting from pre-existing relationships with Viking.
The final allocation of cash paid for the Viking Distributors 2014 acquisition is summarized as follows (in thousands):

| (as initially reported) Jan 31, 2014 |  | Measurement Period Adjustments |  | (as adjusted) Jan 31, 2014
Current assets | $ | 35,909 |  |  | $ | (8,101 | ) |  | $ | 27,808 |
Property, plant and equipment | 2,000 |  |  | (291 | ) |  | 1,709 |
Goodwill | 7,552 |  |  | 8,647 |  |  | 16,199 |
Current liabilities | (1,005 | ) |  | (255 | ) |  | (1,260 | )
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed | $ | 44,456 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 44,456 |
Forgiveness of liabilities owed to Viking | (5,971 | ) |  | — |  |  | (5,971 | )
Consideration paid at closing | $ | 38,485 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 38,485 |

The goodwill is subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350 and is allocated to the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
12

Process Equipment Solutions
On March 31, 2014, the company completed its acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Processing Equipment Solutions, Inc. ("PES"), a leading manufacturer of water jet cutting equipment for the food processing industry, for a purchase price of approximately $15.0 million. An additional payment is also due upon the achievement of certain financial targets. During the third quarter of 2014, the company finalized the working capital provision provided by the purchase agreement resulting in no adjustment to the original purchase price.
The final allocation of cash paid for the PES acquisition is summarized as follows (in thousands):

| (as initially reported) Mar 31, 2014 |  | Measurement Period Adjustments |  | (as adjusted) Mar 31, 2014
Current assets | $ | 2,211 |  |  | $ | (153 | ) |  | $ | 2,058 |
Property, plant and equipment | 3,493 |  |  | — |  |  | 3,493 |
Goodwill | 10,792 |  |  | 332 |  |  | 11,124 |
Other intangibles | 1,600 |  |  | 18 |  |  | 1,618 |
Other assets | 21 |  |  | (21 | ) |  | — |
Current liabilities | (816 | ) |  | — |  |  | (816 | )
Other non-current liabilities | (2,301 | ) |  | (176 | ) |  | (2,477 | )
Consideration paid at closing | $ | 15,000 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 15,000 |
Contingent consideration | 2,301 |  |  | 176 |  |  | 2,477 |
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed | $ | 17,301 |  |  | $ | 176 |  |  | $ | 17,477 |

The goodwill is subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350. Other intangibles includes $1.0 million allocated to customer relationships, $0.6 million allocated to developed technology and less than $0.1 million allocated to backlog, which are being amortized over periods of 5 years, 5 years and 3 months, respectively. Goodwill and other intangibles of PES are allocated to the Food Processing Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
The PES purchase agreement includes an earnout provision providing for a contingent payment due to the sellers to the extent certain financial targets are exceeded. This earnout is payable within the first quarter of 2017 if PES exceeds certain sales targets for fiscal 2014, 2015 and 2016. The contractual obligation associated with the contingent earnout provision recognized on the acquisition date is $2.5 million.
13

Concordia
On September 8, 2014, the company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of Concordia Coffee Company, Inc. ("Concordia"), a leading manufacturer of automated and self-service coffee and espresso machines for the commercial foodservice industry, for a purchase price of approximately $12.5 million, net of cash acquired. An additional payment is also due upon the achievement of certain financial targets. During the first quarter of 2015, the company finalized the working capital provision provided by the purchase agreement resulting in a refund from the seller of $0.1 million.
The following estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are provisional and are based on the information that was available as of the acquisition date to estimate the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):

| (as initially reported) Sep 8, 2014 |  | Preliminary Measurement Period Adjustments |  | (as adjusted) Sep 8, 2014
Cash | $ | 345 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 345 |
Current deferred tax asset | — |  |  | 424 |  |  | 424 |
Current assets | 3,767 |  |  | (508 | ) |  | 3,259 |
Goodwill | 11,255 |  |  | (4,604 | ) |  | 6,651 |
Other intangibles | 4,500 |  |  | — |  |  | 4,500 |
Long-term deferred tax asset | — |  |  | 1,981 |  |  | 1,981 |
Current liabilities | (2,296 | ) |  | 16 |  |  | (2,280 | )
Other non-current liabilities | (4,710 | ) |  | 2,611 |  |  | (2,099 | )
Consideration paid at closing | $ | 12,861 |  |  | $ | (80 | ) |  | $ | 12,781 |
Contingent consideration | 4,710 |  |  | (2,611 | ) |  | 2,099 |
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed | $ | 17,571 |  |  | $ | (2,691 | ) |  | $ | 14,880 |

The current and long term deferred tax assets amounted to $0.4 million and $2.0 million, respectively. These net assets are comprised of $3.5 million related to federal net operating loss carry forwards, $0.5 million of assets arising from the difference between the book and tax basis of tangible asset and liability accounts, net of $1.6 million of deferred tax liabilities related to the difference between the book and tax basis of identifiable intangible assets. Federal net operating loss carry forwards are subject to carry forward limitations for income tax purposes.
The goodwill and $3.0 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350. Other intangibles includes $0.8 million allocated to customer relationships and $0.7 million allocated to developed technology, which are each being amortized over a period of 5 years. Goodwill and other intangibles of Concordia are allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
The Concordia purchase agreement includes an earnout provision providing for a contingent payment due to the sellers to the extent certain financial targets are exceeded. This earnout is payable within the first quarter of 2017 if Concordia exceeds certain sales targets for fiscal years 2015 and 2016. The contractual obligation associated with the contingent earnout provision recognized on the acquisition date is $2.1 million.
The company believes that information gathered to date provides a reasonable basis for estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed but the company is waiting for additional information necessary to finalize those fair values. Thus, the provisional measurements of fair value set forth above are subject to change. The company expects to complete the purchase price allocation as soon as practicable but no later than one year from the acquisition date.
14

U-Line
On November 5, 2014, the company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of U-Line Corporation ("U-Line"), a leading manufacturer of premium residential built-in modular ice making, refrigeration and wine preservation products for the residential industry, for a purchase price of approximately $142.0 million, net of cash acquired. During the first quarter of 2015, the company finalized the working capital provision provided by the purchase agreement resulting in a refund from the seller of $0.3 million.
The following estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are provisional and are based on the information that was available as of the acquisition date to estimate the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):

| (as initially reported) Nov 5, 2014 |  | Preliminary Measurement Period Adjustments |  | (as adjusted) Nov 5, 2014
Cash | $ | 12,764 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 12,764 |
Current deferred tax asset | 657 |  |  | — |  |  | 657 |
Current assets | 12,237 |  |  | — |  |  | 12,237 |
Property, plant and equipment | 3,376 |  |  | — |  |  | 3,376 |
Goodwill | 89,501 |  |  | (275 | ) |  | 89,226 |
Other intangibles | 57,500 |  |  | — |  |  | 57,500 |
Current liabilities | (6,032 | ) |  | — |  |  | (6,032 | )
Long-term deferred tax liability | (13,095 | ) |  | — |  |  | (13,095 | )
Other non-current liabilities | (2,111 | ) |  | — |  |  | (2,111 | )
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed | $ | 154,797 |  |  | $ | (275 | ) |  | $ | 154,522 |

The current deferred tax assets and long term deferred tax liabilities amounted to $0.7 million and $13.1 million, respectively. These net assets are comprised of $3.8 million related to federal and state net operating loss carry forwards, $1.3 million of assets arising from the difference between the book and tax basis of tangible asset and liability accounts, net of $17.5 million of deferred tax liabilities related to the difference between the book and tax basis of identifiable intangible assets. Federal and state net operating loss carry forwards are subject to carry forward limitations for income tax purposes.
The goodwill and $40.0 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350. Other intangibles includes $17.5 million allocated to customer relationships, which is being amortized over a period of 7 years. Goodwill and other intangibles of U-Line are allocated to the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
The company believes that information gathered to date provides a reasonable basis for estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed but the company is waiting for additional information necessary to finalize those fair values. Thus, the provisional measurements of fair value set forth above are subject to change. The company expects to complete the purchase price allocation as soon as practicable but no later than one year from the acquisition date.
15

Desmon
On January 7, 2015, the company completed its acquisition of all of the capital stock of Desmon Food Service Equipment Company ("Desmon") a leading manufacturer of blast chillers and refrigeration for the commercial foodservice industry, located in Nusco, Italy, for a purchase price of approximately $14.4 million, net of cash acquired. An additional payment is also due upon the achievement of certain financial targets. The purchase price is subject to adjustment based upon a working capital provision with the purchase agreement. The company expects to finalize this in the second quarter of 2015.
The following estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are provisional and are based on the information that was available as of the acquisition date to estimate the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):

| (as initially reported) Jan 7, 2015
Cash | $ | 441 |
Current deferred tax asset | 535 |
Current assets | 8,639 |
Property, plant and equipment | 7,989 |
Goodwill | 7,175 |
Other intangibles | 3,129 |
Current liabilities | (8,668 | )
Long-term deferred tax liability | (2,389 | )
Other non-current liabilities | (2,463 | )
Consideration paid at closing | $ | 14,388 |
Contingent consideration | 2,416 |
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed | $ | 16,804 |

The current deferred tax assets and long term deferred tax liabilities amounted to $0.5 million and $2.4 million, respectively. These net liabilities are comprised of $1.0 million of deferred tax liabilities related to the difference between the book and tax basis of identifiable intangible assets, $1.1 million of liabilities arising from the difference between the book and tax basis of tangible asset and liability accounts, net of $0.2 million of assets related to foreign net operating loss carry forwards.
The goodwill and $2.2 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350. Other intangibles also includes $0.7 million allocated to customer relationships, $0.1 million allocated to developed technology and $0.1 million allocated to backlog, which are to be amortized over periods of 4 years, 5 years and 3 months, respectively. Goodwill and other intangibles of Desmon are allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are not expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
The Desmon purchase agreement includes an earnout provision providing for a contingent payment due to the sellers to the extent certain financial targets are exceeded. This earnout is payable within the second quarter following each year end if Desmon exceeds certain sales targets for fiscal 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. The contractual obligation associated with the contingent earnout provision recognized on the acquisition date is $2.4 million.
The company believes that information gathered to date provides a reasonable basis for estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed but the company is waiting for additional information necessary to finalize those fair values. Thus, the provisional measurements of fair value set forth above are subject to change. The company expects to complete the purchase price allocation as soon as practicable but no later than one year from the acquisition date.
16

Goldstein Eswood
On January 30, 2015, the company completed its acquisition of substantially all of the assets of J. Goldstein & Co. Pty. Ltd. ("Goldstein") and Eswood Australia Pty. Ltd. ("Eswood" and together with Goldstein, "Goldstein Eswood"). Goldstein is a leading manufacturer of cooking equipment including ranges, ovens, griddles, fryers and warming equipment and Eswood is a leading manufacturer of dishwashing equipment, both for the commercial foodservice industry, located in Smithfield, Australia, for a purchase price of approximately $27.4 million. An additional payment is also due upon the achievement of certain financial targets. The purchase price is subject to adjustment based upon a working capital provision with the purchase agreement. The company expects to finalize this in the second quarter of 2015.
The following estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are provisional and are based on the information that was available as of the acquisition date to estimate the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):

| (as initially reported) Jan 30, 2015
Current assets | $ | 8,036 |
Property, plant and equipment | 8,690 |
Goodwill | 8,493 |
Other intangibles | 5,648 |
Current liabilities | (1,806 | )
Other non-current liabilities | (1,655 | )
Consideration paid at closing | $ | 27,406 |
Contingent consideration | 1,655 |
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed | $ | 29,061 |

The goodwill and $4.0 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350. Other intangibles also includes $1.4 million allocated to customer relationships, $0.1 million allocated to developed technology and less than $0.1 million allocated to backlog, which are to be amortized over periods of 4 years, 5 years and 3 months, respectively. Goodwill and other intangibles of Goldstein Eswood are allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
The Goldstein Eswood purchase agreement includes an earnout provision providing for a contingent payment due to the sellers to the extent certain financial targets are exceeded. This earnout is payable within the second quarter following each year end if Goldstein Eswood exceeds certain sales targets for fiscal 2015 and 2016, respectively. The contractual obligation associated with the contingent earnout provision recognized on the acquisition date is $1.7 million.
The company believes that information gathered to date provides a reasonable basis for estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed but the company is waiting for additional information necessary to finalize those fair values. Thus, the provisional measurements of fair value set forth above are subject to change. The company expects to complete the purchase price allocation as soon as practicable but no later than one year from the acquisition date.
17

Marsal
On February 10, 2015, the company completed its acquisition of certain assets of Marsal & Sons, Inc. ("Marsal"), a leading manufacturer of deck ovens for the commercial foodservice industry, for a purchase price of approximately $5.5 million. The purchase price is subject to adjustment based upon a working capital provision with the purchase agreement. The company expects to finalize this in the second quarter of 2015.
The following estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are provisional and are based on the information that was available as of the acquisition date to estimate the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):

| (as initially reported) Feb 10, 2015
Current assets | $ | 455 |
Property, plant and equipment | 201 |
Goodwill | 3,012 |
Other intangibles | 2,027 |
Current liabilities | (195 | )
Net assets acquired and liabilities assumed | $ | 5,500 |

The goodwill and $1.3 million of other intangibles associated with the trade name are subject to the non-amortization provisions of ASC 350. Other intangibles also includes $0.5 million allocated to customer relationships, $0.1 million allocated to developed technology and less than $0.1 million allocated to backlog, which are to be amortized over periods of 4 years, 5 years and 3 months, respectively. Goodwill and other intangibles of Marsal are allocated to the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group for segment reporting purposes. These assets are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
The company believes that information gathered to date provides a reasonable basis for estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed but the company is waiting for additional information necessary to finalize those fair values. Thus, the provisional measurements of fair value set forth above are subject to change. The company expects to complete the purchase price allocation as soon as practicable but no later than one year from the acquisition date.
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Pro forma financial information
In accordance with ASC 805 “Business Combinations”, the following unaudited pro forma results of operations for the years ended April 4, 2015 and March 29, 2014, assumes the 2015 acquisitions of Desmon, Goldstein Eswood and Marsal and the 2014 acquisitions of Market Forge, PES, Concordia and U-Line were completed on December 29, 2013 (first day of fiscal year 2014). The following pro forma results include adjustments to reflect additional interest expense to fund the acquisition, amortization of intangibles associated with the acquisition, and the effects of adjustments made to the carrying value of certain assets (in thousands, except per share data):

| April 4, 2015 |  | March 29, 2014
Net sales | $ | 408,934 |  |  | $ | 405,100 |
Net earnings | 38,525 |  |  | 36,633 |
Net earnings per share: |  |  |  |  |
Basic | 0.68 |  |  | 0.65 |
Diluted | 0.68 |  |  | 0.65 |

The supplemental pro forma financial information presented above has been prepared for comparative purposes and is not necessarily indicative of either the results of operations that would have occurred had the acquisitions of these companies been effective on December 29, 2013 nor are they indicative of any future results. Also, the pro forma financial information does not reflect the costs which the company has incurred or may incur to integrate PES, Concordia, U-Line, Desmon, Goldstein Eswood and Marsal.

3) | Stock Split

In June 2014, the company’s Board of Directors approved a three-for-one split of the company’s common stock in the form of a stock dividend. The stock dividend was paid on June 27, 2014 to shareholders of record as of June 16, 2014. The company’s stock began trading on a split-adjusted basis on June 27, 2014. The stock split effectively tripled the number of shares outstanding at June 27, 2014.

4) | Litigation Matters

From time to time, the company is subject to proceedings, lawsuits and other claims related to products, suppliers, employees, customers and competitors. The company maintains insurance to partially cover product liability, workers compensation, property and casualty, and general liability matters. The company is required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters as well as potential ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of accrual required, if any, for these contingencies is made after assessment of each matter and the related insurance coverage. The required accrual may change in the future due to new developments or changes in approach such as a change in settlement strategy in dealing with these matters. The company does not believe that any pending litigation will have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

5) | Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements and Property, Plant and Equipment: Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity”. This update changes the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations and requires expanded disclosures. Under ASU No. 2014-08, a disposal of a component of an entity or group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on the entity’s operations and financial results. This update is effective for annual and corresponding interim reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
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In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. This update amends the current guidance on revenue recognition related to contracts with customers. Under ASU No. 2014-09, an entity should recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU No. 2014-09 also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. This update is effective for annual and corresponding interim reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016. This update provides for two transition methods to the new guidance: a full retrospective or a modified retrospective adoption. On April 1, 2015, the FASB proposed deferring the effective date of ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" by one year to December 15, 2017 for annual reporting periods beginning after that date and permitting early adoption of the standard but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016. The company is evaluating the transition methods and the impact the application of this ASU will have, if any, on the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, “Compensation - Stock Compensation”. This update requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant date fair value of the award. This update is effective for annual and corresponding interim reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The company is evaluating the impact the application of this ASU will have, if any, on the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, "Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items". This update eliminates the concept of extraordinary items from the current guidance. This update is effective for annual and corresponding interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted provided the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Retrospective application is encouraged for all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The company is evaluating the impact the application of this ASU will have, if any, on the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, "Interest - Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs," which requires debt issuance costs to be recorded as a direct reduction of the debt liability on the balance sheet rather than as an asset. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. The company is evaluating the impact the application of this ASU will have, if any, on the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-04, "Practical Expedient for the Measurement Date of an Employer's Defined Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets." This ASU is intended to provide a practical expedient for the measurement date of defined benefit plan assets and obligations. The practical expedient allows employers with fiscal year-end dates that do no fall on a calendar month-end (e.g., companies with a 52/53-week fiscal year) to measure pension and post-retirement benefit plan assets and obligations as of the calendar month-end date closest to the fiscal year-end. The FASB also provided a similar practical expedient for interim remeasurements for significant events. This ASU requires perspective application and is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The company is evaluating the impact the application of this ASU will have, if any, on the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
20

6) | Other Comprehensive Income

The company reports changes in equity during a period, except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, in accordance with ASC 220, "Comprehensive Income."
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income(1) were as follows (in thousands):

| Currency Translation Adjustment |  | Pension Benefit Costs |  | Unrealized Gain/(Loss) Interest Rate Swap |  | Total
Balance as of January 3, 2015 | $ | (24,655 | ) |  | $ | (6,540 | ) |  | $ | (236 | ) |  | $ | (31,431 | )
Other comprehensive income before reclassification | (15,791 | ) |  | 114 |  |  | 471 |  |  | (15,206 | )
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income | — |  |  | — |  |  | (943 | ) |  | (943 | )
Net current-period other comprehensive income | $ | (15,791 | ) |  | $ | 114 |  |  | $ | (472 | ) |  | $ | (16,149 | )
Balance as of April 4, 2015 | $ | (40,446 | ) |  | $ | (6,426 | ) |  | $ | (708 | ) |  | $ | (47,580 | )

(1) All amounts are net of tax.
Components of other comprehensive income were as follows (in thousands):

| Three Months Ended
| Apr 4, 2015 |  | Mar 29, 2014
Net earnings | $ | 38,231 |  |  | $ | 33,445 |
Currency translation adjustment | (15,791 | ) |  | 1,574 |
Pension liability adjustment, net of tax | 114 |  |  | (57 | )
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps, net of tax | (472 | ) |  | 264 |
Comprehensive income | $ | 22,082 |  |  | $ | 35,226 |

7) | Inventories

Inventories are composed of material, labor and overhead and are stated at the lower of cost or market. Costs for inventories at two of the company's manufacturing facilities have been determined using the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method. These inventories under the LIFO method amounted to $31.4 million at April 4, 2015 and $30.2 million at January 3, 2015 and represented approximately 11.4% and 11.8% of the total inventory at each respective period. The amount of LIFO reserve at April 4, 2015 and January 3, 2015 was not material. Costs for all other inventory have been determined using the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method. The company estimates reserves for inventory obsolescence and shrinkage based on its judgment of future realization. Inventories at April 4, 2015 and January 3, 2015 are as follows:

| Apr 4, 2015 |  | Jan 3, 2015
| (in thousands)
Raw materials and parts | $ | 136,199 |  |  | $ | 126,121 |
Work-in-process | 21,738 |  |  | 17,828 |
Finished goods | 118,446 |  |  | 111,827 |
| $ | 276,383 |  |  | $ | 255,776 |

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8) | Goodwill

Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended April 4, 2015 are as follows (in thousands):

| Commercial Foodservice |  | Food Processing |  | Residential Kitchen |  | Total
Balance as of January 3, 2015 | $ | 450,890 |  |  | $ | 134,512 |  |  | $ | 223,089 |  |  | $ | 808,491 |
Goodwill acquired during the year | 18,680 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 18,680 |
Measurement period adjustments to goodwill acquired in prior year | (10 | ) |  | 63 |  |  | (275 | ) |  | (222 | )
Exchange effect | (4,284 | ) |  | (3,391 | ) |  | — |  |  | (7,675 | )
Balance as of April 4, 2015 | $ | 465,276 |  |  | $ | 131,184 |  |  | $ | 222,814 |  |  | $ | 819,274 |

9) | Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consist of the following:

| Apr 4, 2015 |  | Jan 3, 2015
| (in thousands)
Accrued payroll and related expenses | $ | 49,376 |  |  | $ | 50,844 |
Advanced customer deposits | 37,273 |  |  | 20,367 |
Accrued warranty | 29,541 |  |  | 28,786 |
Accrued product liability and workers compensation | 14,149 |  |  | 14,582 |
Accrued customer rebates | 12,757 |  |  | 32,357 |
Product recall | 11,821 |  |  | 12,125 |
Accrued agent commission | 10,058 |  |  | 11,207 |
Accrued sales and other tax | 7,032 |  |  | 7,660 |
Accrued professional services | 6,999 |  |  | 7,053 |
Contingent consideration | 6,619 |  |  | 9,200 |
Other accrued expenses | 27,762 |  |  | 26,404 |
| $ | 213,387 |  |  | $ | 220,585 |

10) | Warranty Costs

In the normal course of business the company issues product warranties for specific product lines and provides for the estimated future warranty cost in the period in which the sale is recorded. The estimate of warranty cost is based on contract terms and historical warranty loss experience that is periodically adjusted for recent actual experience. Because warranty estimates are forecasts that are based on the best available information, actual claims costs may differ from amounts provided. Adjustments to initial obligations for warranties are made as changes in the obligations become reasonably estimable.
A rollforward of the warranty reserve is as follows:

| Three Months Ended
| Apr 4, 2015
| (in thousands)
Balance as of January 3, 2015 | $ | 28,786 |
Warranty reserve related to acquisitions | — |
Warranty expense | 11,068 |
Warranty claims | (10,313 | )
Balance as of April 4, 2015 | $ | 29,541 |

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11) | Financing Arrangements

| Apr 4, 2015 |  | Jan 3, 2015
| (in thousands)
Senior secured revolving credit line | $ | 629,000 |  |  | $ | 587,500 |
Foreign loans | 9,760 |  |  | 10,384 |
Other debt arrangement | 274 |  |  | 283 |
Total debt | $ | 639,034 |  |  | $ | 598,167 |
Less: Current maturities of long-term debt | 8,926 |  |  | 9,402 |
Long-term debt | $ | 630,108 |  |  | $ | 588,765 |

On August 7, 2012, the company entered into a new senior secured multi-currency credit facility. Terms of the company’s senior credit agreement provide for $1.0 billion of availability under a revolving credit line. As of April 4, 2015, the company had $629.0 million of borrowings outstanding under this facility. The company also had $9.6 million in outstanding letters of credit as of April 4, 2015, which reduces the borrowing availability under the revolving credit line. Remaining borrowing availability under this facility was $361.4 million at April 4, 2015.
At April 4, 2015, borrowings under the senior secured credit facility were assessed at an interest rate of 1.50% above LIBOR for long-term borrowings or at the higher of the Prime rate and the Federal Funds Rate. At April 4, 2015 the average interest rate on the senior debt amounted to 1.65%. The interest rates on borrowings under the senior secured credit facility may be adjusted quarterly based on the company’s indebtedness ratio on a rolling four-quarter basis. Additionally, a commitment fee based upon the indebtedness ratio is charged on the unused portion of the revolving credit line. This variable commitment fee amounted to 0.25% as of April 4, 2015.
In August 2006, the company completed its acquisition of Houno A/S in Denmark. This acquisition was funded in part with locally established debt facilities with borrowings in Danish Krone. These facilities included a revolving credit facility and term loan. At April 4, 2015, these facilities amounted to $3.5 million in U.S. dollars, including $2.5 million outstanding under a revolving credit facility and $1.0 million under a term loan. The interest rate on the revolving credit facility is assessed at 1.25% above Euro LIBOR, which amounted to 2.80% on April 4, 2015. At April 4, 2015, the interest rate assessed on the term loan was 4.55%. The term loan matures in 2022.
In April 2008, the company completed its acquisition of Giga Grandi Cucine S.r.l in Italy. This acquisition was funded in part with locally established debt facilities with borrowings denominated in Euro. At April 4, 2015, these facilities amounted to $0.9 million in U.S. dollars. The interest rate on the credit facilities is variable based on the three-month Euro LIBOR. At April 4, 2015, the average interest rate on these facilities was approximately 3.90%. The facilities are secured by outstanding accounts receivable collectible within six months.
In October 2013, the company completed its acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Celfrost Innovations Pvt. Ltd. in India. At the time of the acquisition a local credit facility, denominated in Indian Rupee, was established to fund local working capital needs. At April 4, 2015, the facility amounted to $2.1 million in U.S. dollars. At April 4, 2015, borrowings under the facility were assessed at an interest rate at 1.25% above the Reserve Bank of India's base rate for long-term borrowings. At April 4, 2015, the average interest rate on this facility was approximately 10.50%.
In March 2014, Cozzini do Brazil LTDA entered into a local credit facility, denominated in Brazilian Real, to fund local working capital needs. At April 4, 2015, the facility amounted to $3.1 million in U.S. dollars and was assessed an interest rate of 1.50% above the Brazilian central bank CDI Rate. At April 4, 2015, the interest rate assessed on this facility was 12.60%. This local credit facility matures on March 28, 2016.
In January 2015, the company completed its acquisition of Desmon Food Service Equipment Company in Italy. This acquisition was funded in part with locally established debt facilities with borrowings denominated in Euro. At April 4, 2015, these facilities amounted to $0.2 million in U.S. dollars, including $0.1 million outstanding on a local working capital loan and $0.1 million outstanding under a term loan. The interest rate on the working capital loan was 0.50% and the interest rate on the term loan was 6.92%. Both the working capital loan and the term loan mature on December 31, 2016.
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The company’s debt is reflected on the balance sheet at cost. Based on current market conditions, the company believes its interest rate margins on its existing debt are consistent with current market conditions and therefore the carrying value of debt approximates fair value. However, as the interest rate margin is based upon numerous factors, including but not limited to the credit rating of the borrower, the duration of the loan, the structure and restrictions under the debt agreement, current lending policies of the counterparty, and the company’s relationships with its lenders, there is no readily available market data to ascertain the current market rate for an equivalent debt instrument. As a result, the current interest rate margin is based upon the company’s best estimate based upon discussions with its lenders.
The company estimated the fair value of its loans by calculating the upfront cash payment a market participant would require to assume the company’s obligations. The upfront cash payment is the amount that a market participant would be able to lend at April 4, 2015 to achieve sufficient cash inflows to cover the cash outflows under the company’s senior revolving credit facility assuming the facility was outstanding in its entirety until maturity. Since the company maintains its borrowings under a revolving credit facility and there is no predetermined borrowing or repayment schedule, for purposes of this calculation the company calculated the fair value of its obligations assuming the current amount of debt at the end of the period was outstanding until the maturity of the company’s senior revolving credit facility in August 2017. Although borrowings could be materially greater or less than the current amount of borrowings outstanding at the end of the period, it is not practical to estimate the amounts that may be outstanding during future periods. The carrying value and estimated aggregate fair value, a level 2 measurement, based primarily on market prices, of debt is as follows (in thousands):

| Apr 4, 2015 |  | Jan 3, 2015
| Carrying Value |  | Fair Value |  | Carrying Value |  | Fair Value
Total debt | $ | 639,034 |  |  | $ | 639,034 |  |  | $ | 598,167 |  |  | $ | 598,167 |

The company believes that its current capital resources, including cash and cash equivalents, cash expected to be generated from operations, funds available from its current lenders and access to the credit and capital markets will be sufficient to finance its operations, debt service obligations, capital expenditures, product development and expenditures for the foreseeable future.
The company has historically entered into interest rate swap agreements to effectively fix the interest rate on a portion of its outstanding debt. The agreements swap one-month LIBOR for fixed rates. As of April 4, 2015, the company had the following interest rate swaps in effect:

|  | Fixed |  |  |  |
Notional |  | Interest |  | Effective |  | Maturity
Amount |  | Rate |  | Date |  | Date
$25,000,000 |  | 2.520% |  | 2/23/2011 |  | 2/23/2016
$15,000,000 |  | 1.185% |  | 9/12/2011 |  | 9/12/2016
$10,000,000 |  | 0.498% |  | 2/11/2013 |  | 7/11/2015
$15,000,000 |  | 0.458% |  | 2/11/2013 |  | 10/11/2015
$25,000,000 |  | 0.635% |  | 2/11/2013 |  | 8/11/2016
$25,000,000 |  | 0.789% |  | 2/11/2013 |  | 3/11/2017
$25,000,000 |  | 0.803% |  | 2/11/2013 |  | 5/11/2017
$35,000,000 |  | 0.880% |  | 2/11/2013 |  | 7/11/2017
$10,000,000 |  | 1.480% |  | 9/11/2013 |  | 7/11/2017
$15,000,000 |  | 0.920% |  | 3/11/2014 |  | 7/11/2017
$25,000,000 |  | 0.950% |  | 3/11/2014 |  | 7/11/2017

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The terms of the senior secured credit facility limit the ability of the company and its subsidiaries to, with certain exceptions: incur indebtedness; grant liens; engage in certain mergers, consolidations, acquisitions and dispositions; make restricted payments; enter into certain transactions with affiliates; and require, among other things, a maximum ratio of indebtedness to EBITDA of 3.5 and a fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the senior secured credit facility) of 1.25. The senior secured credit facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of Middleby Marshall, the company and the company's domestic subsidiaries and is unconditionally guaranteed by, subject to certain exceptions, the company and certain of the company's direct and indirect material domestic subsidiaries. The senior secured credit facility contains certain customary events of default, including, but not limited to, the failure to make required payments; bankruptcy and other insolvency events; the failure to perform certain covenants; the material breach of a representation or warranty; non-payment of certain other indebtedness; the entry of undischarged judgments against the company or any subsidiary for the payment of material uninsured amounts; the invalidity of the Company guarantee or any subsidiary guaranty; and a change of control of the company. The credit agreement also provides that if a material adverse change in the company’s business operations or conditions occurs, the lender could declare an event of default. Under terms of the agreement, a material adverse effect is defined as (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business properties, condition (financial and otherwise) or prospects of the company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the ability of the company to perform under the loan agreements and to avoid any event of default; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against the company of any loan document. A material adverse effect is determined on a subjective basis by the company's creditors. At April 4, 2015, the company was in compliance with all covenants pursuant to its borrowing agreements.

12) | Financial Instruments

ASC 815 “Derivatives and Hedging” requires an entity to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities and measure those instruments at fair value. Derivatives that do not qualify as a hedge must be adjusted to fair value in earnings. If a derivative does qualify as a hedge under ASC 815, changes in the fair value will either be offset against the change in the fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments or recognized in other accumulated comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a hedge's change in fair value will be immediately recognized in earnings.
Foreign Exchange: The company uses foreign currency forward and option contracts with terms of less than one year to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The company’s primary hedging activities are to mitigate its exposure to changes in exchange rates on intercompany and third party trade receivables and payables. The company does not currently enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. In managing its foreign currency exposures, the company identifies and aggregates naturally occurring offsetting positions and then hedges residual balance sheet exposures. The following table summarizes the forward and option contracts outstanding at April 4, 2015. The fair value of the forward and option contracts was a loss of $0.2 million at the end of the first quarter of 2015.

Sell |  | Purchase |  | Maturity
5,600,000 |  |  | British Pounds |  | 7,666,822 |  |  | Euro Dollars |  | July 3, 2015
10,000,000 |  |  | British Pounds |  | 13,723,068 |  |  | Euro Dollars |  | July 3, 2015
5,000,000 |  |  | British Pounds |  | 6,885,156 |  |  | Euro Dollars |  | July 3, 2015
5,500,000 |  |  | Euro Dollars |  | 5,924,050 |  |  | US Dollars |  | July 3, 2015
10,000,000 |  |  | Euro Dollars |  | 10,770,000 |  |  | US Dollars |  | July 3, 2015
4,700,000 |  |  | Euro Dollars |  | 5,061,900 |  |  | US Dollars |  | July 3, 2015
15,000,000 |  |  | Australian Dollars |  | 11,326,500 |  |  | US Dollars |  | July 3, 2015
10,000,000 |  |  | Australian Dollars |  | 7,551,000 |  |  | US Dollars |  | July 3, 2015
10,000,000 |  |  | Australian Dollars |  | 7,558,000 |  |  | US Dollars |  | July 3, 2015
7,500,000 |  |  | Canadian Dollars |  | 5,847,953 |  |  | US Dollars |  | July 3, 2015
10,000,000 |  |  | Brazilian Real |  | 2,748,763 |  |  | US Dollars |  | December 15, 2015

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Interest Rate: The company has entered into interest rate swaps to fix the interest rate applicable to certain of its variable-rate debt. The agreements swap one-month LIBOR for fixed rates. The company has designated these swaps as cash flow hedges and all changes in fair value of the swaps are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. As of April 4, 2015, the fair value of these instruments was a liability of $1.6 million. The change in fair value of these swap agreements in the first three months of 2015 was a loss of $0.5 million, net of taxes.
The following tables summarize the company’s fair value of interest rate swaps (in thousands):

| Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Presentation |  | Apr 4, 2015 |  |  | Jan 3, 2015 |
Fair value | Other non-current liabilities |  | $ | (1,609 | ) |  | $ | (810 | )

The impact on earnings from interest rate swaps was as follows (in thousands):

|  |  | Three Months Ended
| Presentation of Gain/(loss) |  | Apr 4, 2015 |  | Mar 29, 2014 |
Gain/(loss) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income | Other comprehensive income |  | $ | (1,297 | ) |  | $ | (103 | )
Gain/(loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (effective portion) | Interest expense |  | $ | (485 | ) |  | $ | (543 | )
Gain/(loss) recognized in income (ineffective portion) | Other expense |  | $ | 13 |  |  | $ | 31 |

Interest rate swaps are subject to default risk to the extent the counterparties are unable to satisfy their settlement obligations under the interest rate swap agreements. The company reviews the credit profile of the financial institutions and assesses its creditworthiness prior to entering into the interest rate swap agreements. The interest rate swap agreements typically contain provisions that allow the counterparty to require early settlement in the event that the company becomes insolvent or is unable to maintain compliance with its covenants under its existing debt agreements.
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13) | Segment Information

The company operates in three reportable operating segments defined by management reporting structure and operating activities.
The Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group manufactures, sells, and distributes cooking equipment for the restaurant and institutional kitchen industry. This business segment has manufacturing facilities in California, Illinois, Michigan, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Australia, China, Denmark, Italy, the Philippines and the United Kingdom. Principal product lines of this group include conveyor ovens, ranges, steamers, convection ovens, combi-ovens, broilers and steam cooking equipment, induction cooking systems, baking and proofing ovens, charbroilers, catering equipment, fryers, toasters, hot food servers, food warming equipment, griddles, coffee and beverage dispensing equipment, professional refrigerators, coldrooms, ice machines, freezers and kitchen processing and ventilation equipment. These products are sold and marketed under the brand names: Anets, Beech, Blodgett, Blodgett Combi, Blodgett Range, Bloomfield, Britannia, CTX, Carter-Hoffmann, Celfrost, Concordia, CookTek, Desmon, Doyon, Eswood, Frifri, Giga, Goldstein, Holman, Houno, IMC, Jade, Lang, Lincat, MagiKitch’n, Market Forge, Marsal, Middleby Marshall, MPC, Nieco, Nu-Vu, PerfectFry, Pitco, Southbend, Star, Toastmaster, TurboChef, Viking, Wells and Wunder-Bar.
The Food Processing Equipment Group manufactures preparation, cooking, packaging food handling and food safety equipment for the food processing industry. This business segment has manufacturing operations in Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, Australia, France and Germany. Principal product lines of this group include batch ovens, belt ovens, continuous processing ovens, frying systems, automated thermal processing systems, automated loading and unloading systems, meat presses, breading, battering, mixing, water cutting systems, forming, grinding and slicing equipment, food suspension, reduction and emulsion systems, defrosting equipment, packaging and food safety equipment. These products are sold and marketed under the brand names: Alkar, Armor Inox, Auto-Bake, Baker Thermal Solutions, Cozzini, Danfotech, Drake, Maurer-Atmos, MP Equipment, RapidPak, Spooner Vicars and Stewart Systems.
The Residential Kitchen Equipment Group manufactures, sells and distributes kitchen equipment for the residential market. This business segment has manufacturing facilities in Mississippi and Wisconsin. Principal product lines of this group are ranges, ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves, cooktops and outdoor equipment. These products are sold and marketed under the brand names of Brigade, Jade, TurboChef, U-Line and Viking.
The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The chief operating decision maker evaluates individual segment performance based on operating income. Management believes that intersegment sales are made at established arm's length transfer prices.
Net Sales Summary
(dollars in thousands)

| Three Months Ended
| Apr 4, 2015 |  | Mar 29, 2014
| Sales |  | Percent |  | Sales |  | Percent
Business Segments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commercial Foodservice | $ | 262,216 |  |  | 64.5 | % |  | $ | 234,050 |  |  | 62.8 | %
Food Processing | 69,819 |  |  | 17.2 |  |  | 75,586 |  |  | 20.3 |
Residential Kitchen | 74,561 |  |  | 18.3 |  |  | 62,842 |  |  | 16.9 |
Total | $ | 406,596 |  |  | 100.0 | % |  | $ | 372,478 |  |  | 100.0 | %

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The following table summarizes the results of operations for the company's business segments(1) (in thousands):

| Commercial Foodservice |  |  | Food Processing |  |  | Residential Kitchen |  |  | Corporate and Other(2) |  |  | Total |
Three Months Ended April 4, 2015 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales | $ | 262,216 |  |  | $ | 69,819 |  |  | $ | 74,561 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 406,596 |
Income (loss) from operations | 63,726 |  |  | 13,310 |  |  | 4,941 |  |  | (15,397 | ) |  | 66,580 |
Depreciation and amortization expense | 5,266 |  |  | 1,437 |  |  | 4,129 |  |  | 400 |  |  | 11,232 |
Net capital expenditures | 4,624 |  |  | 355 |  |  | 1,060 |  |  | 78 |  |  | 6,117 |
Total assets | $ | 1,117,585 |  |  | $ | 309,829 |  |  | $ | 635,388 |  |  | $ | 80,034 |  |  | $ | 2,142,836 |
Three Months Ended March 29, 2014 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net sales | $ | 234,050 |  |  | $ | 75,586 |  |  | $ | 62,842 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 372,478 |
Income (loss) from operations | 54,962 |  |  | 12,122 |  |  | 207 |  |  | (11,358 | ) |  | 55,933 |
Depreciation and amortization expense | 4,884 |  |  | 2,121 |  |  | 3,091 |  |  | 425 |  |  | 10,521 |
Net capital expenditures | 2,243 |  |  | 449 |  |  | 539 |  |  | — |  |  | 3,231 |
Total assets | $ | 1,020,845 |  |  | $ | 308,442 |  |  | $ | 491,465 |  |  | $ | 95,090 |  |  | $ | 1,915,842 |

(1)Non-operating expenses are not allocated to the operating segments. Non-operating expenses consist of interest expense and deferred financing amortization, foreign exchange gains and losses and other income and expense items outside of income from operations.
(2)Includes corporate and other general company assets and operations.
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Geographic Information
Long-lived assets, not including goodwill and other intangibles (in thousands):

| Apr 4, 2015 |  | Mar 29, 2014
United States and Canada | $ | 129,397 |  |  | $ | 115,537 |
Asia | 13,727 |  |  | 5,156 |
Europe and Middle East | 22,596 |  |  | 16,291 |
Latin America | 1,473 |  |  | 1,930 |
Total international | $ | 37,796 |  |  | $ | 23,377 |
| $ | 167,193 |  |  | $ | 138,914 |

Net sales (in thousands):

| Three Months Ended
| Apr 4, 2015 |  |  | Mar 29, 2014 |
United States and Canada | $ | 296,484 |  |  | $ | 259,100 |
Asia | 48,529 |  |  | 33,806 |
Europe and Middle East | 42,984 |  |  | 59,805 |
Latin America | 18,599 |  |  | 19,767 |
Total international | $ | 110,112 |  |  | $ | 113,378 |
| $ | 406,596 |  |  | $ | 372,478 |

14) | Employee Retirement Plans

(a) | Pension Plans

The company maintains a non-contributory defined benefit plan for its union employees at the Elgin, Illinois facility. Benefits are determined based upon retirement age and years of service with the company. This defined benefit plan was frozen on April 30, 2002, and no further benefits accrue to the participants beyond this date. Plan participants will receive or continue to receive payments for benefits earned on or prior to April 30, 2002 upon reaching retirement age. The employees participating in the defined benefit plan were enrolled in a newly established 401K savings plan on July 1, 2002, further described below.
The company maintains a non-contributory defined benefit plan for its employees at the Smithville, Tennessee facility, which was acquired as part of the Star acquisition. Benefits are determined based upon retirement age and years of service with the company. This defined benefit plan was frozen on April 1, 2008, and no further benefits accrue to the participants beyond this date. Plan participants will receive or continue to receive payments for benefits earned on or prior to April 1, 2008 upon reaching retirement age.
The company maintains a defined benefit plan for its employees at the Wrexham, the United Kingdom facility, which was acquired as part of the Lincat acquisition. Benefits are determined based upon retirement age and years of service with the company. This defined benefit plan was frozen on April 30, 2010 prior to Middleby’s acquisition of the company. No further benefits accrue to the participants beyond this date. Plan participants will receive or continue to receive payments for benefits earned on or prior to April 30, 2010 upon reaching retirement age.
The company also maintains a retirement benefit agreement with its Chairman. The retirement benefits are based upon a percentage of the Chairman’s final base salary.
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(b) | 401K Savings Plans

The company maintains two separate defined contribution 401K savings plans covering all employees in the United States. These two plans separately cover the union employees at the Elgin, Illinois facility and all other remaining union and non-union employees in the United States. The company makes profit sharing contributions to the various plans in accordance with the requirements of the plan. Profit sharing contributions for the Elgin Union 401K savings plans are made in accordance with the agreement.

15) | Acquisition Integration Initiatives

In conjunction with the purchase of Viking on December 31, 2012, the company has taken actions to improve the operations of Viking. In the first quarter of 2015, the company took additional actions related to the operations of the distribution operations of Viking (Viking Distributors 2013 and Viking Distributors 2014), purchased in 2013 and 2014. These combined initiatives included organizational restructuring and headcount reductions, consolidation and disposition of certain facilities and business operations and discontinuation of certain products. During the three months ended April 4, 2015, the company recorded expense in the amount of $4.6 million for these initiatives, which is reflected in the general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings for such period. The costs and corresponding reserve balances are summarized as follows (in thousands):

|  | Severance/Benefits |  | Inventory/Product |  | Facilities/Operations |  | Other |  | Total
Balance as of January 3, 2015 |  | $ | 147 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 37 |  |  | $ | 184 |
Expenses |  | 297 |  |  | — |  |  | 4,307 |  |  | (4 | ) |  | 4,600 |
Payments |  | (217 | ) |  | — |  |  | (201 | ) |  | (4 | ) |  | (422 | )
Balance as of April 4, 2015 |  | $ | 227 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 4,106 |  |  | $ | 29 |  |  | $ | 4,362 |

16) | Subsequent Event

On April 7, 2015, subsequent to the end of the first quarter, the company completed its acquisition of substantially all of the assets of the High Speed Slicing business unit of Marel, Inc. ("Thurne"). Thurne is an industry leader in high speed slicers and slicing systems for the food processing industy located in Norwich, the United Kingdom. Thurne has annual revenues of approximately $15.0 million.
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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Informational Notes
This report contains forward-looking statements subject to the safe harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The company cautions readers that these projections are based upon future results or events and are highly dependent upon a variety of important factors which could cause such results or events to differ materially from any forward-looking statements which may be deemed to have been made in this report, or which are otherwise made by or on behalf of the company. Such factors include, but are not limited to, volatility in earnings resulting from goodwill impairment losses which may occur irregularly and in varying amounts; variability in financing costs; quarterly variations in operating results; dependence on key customers; international exposure; foreign exchange and political risks affecting international sales; ability to protect trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property; changing market conditions; the impact of competitive products and pricing; the timely development and market acceptance of the company’s products; the availability and cost of raw materials; and other risks detailed herein and from time-to-time in the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) filings, including the company’s 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Net Sales Summary
(dollars in thousands)

| Three Months Ended
| Apr 4, 2015 |  | Mar 29, 2014
| Sales |  | Percent |  | Sales |  | Percent
Business Segments: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commercial Foodservice | $ | 262,216 |  |  | 64.5 | % |  | $ | 234,050 |  |  | 62.8 | %
Food Processing | 69,819 |  |  | 17.2 |  |  | 75,586 |  |  | 20.3 |
Residential Kitchen | 74,561 |  |  | 18.3 |  |  | 62,842 |  |  | 16.9 |
Total | $ | 406,596 |  |  | 100.0 | % |  | $ | 372,478 |  |  | 100.0 | %

Results of Operations
The following table sets forth certain consolidated statements of earnings items as a percentage of net sales for the periods:

| Three Months Ended
| Apr 4, 2015 |  | Mar 29, 2014
Net sales | 100.0 | % |  | 100.0 | %
Cost of sales | 61.2 |  |  | 61.6 |
Gross profit | 38.8 |  |  | 38.4 |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 22.4 |  |  | 23.4 |
Income from operations | 16.4 |  |  | 15.0 |
Interest expense and deferred financing amortization, net | 0.9 |  |  | 1.1 |
Other expense, net | 1.1 |  |  | 0.2 |
Earnings before income taxes | 14.4 |  |  | 13.7 |
Provision for income taxes | 4.9 |  |  | 4.7 |
Net earnings | 9.5 | % |  | 9.0 | %

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Three Months Ended April 4, 2015 as compared to Three Months Ended March 29, 2014
NET SALES. Net sales for the three month period ended April 4, 2015 were $406.6 million as compared to $372.5 million in the three month period ended March 29, 2014. Of the $34.1 million increase in net sales, $29.1 million, or 7.8%, was attributable to acquisition growth, resulting from the fiscal 2014 acquisitions of PES, Concordia and U-Line and the fiscal 2015 acquisitions of Desmon, Goldstein Eswood and Marsal. Excluding acquisitions, net sales increased $5.0 million, or 1.3%, from the prior year, reflecting a net sales increase of 7.9% at the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group, a net sales decrease of 13.2% at the Food Processing Equipment Group and a net sales decrease of 5.7% at the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group. The impact of foreign exchange rates on foreign sales translated into U.S. Dollars for the three month period ended April 4, 2015 reduced net sales by approximately $12.7 million or 3.4%. On a constant currency basis, organic sales growth amounted to 4.4% for the quarter, including a net sales increase of 10.0% at the Commercial Foodservice Group, a net sales decrease of 5.0% at the Food Processing Equipment Group and a net sales decrease of 4.9% at the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group.

• | Net sales of the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group increased by $28.1 million or 12.0%, to $262.2 million in the three month period ended April 4, 2015, as compared to $234.1 million in the prior year period. Net sales resulting from the acquisitions of Concordia, Desmon, Goldstein Eswood and Marsal which were acquired on September 8, 2014, January 7, 2015, January 30, 2015 and February 10, 2015, respectively, accounted for an increase of $9.5 million during the three month period ended April 4, 2015. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, net sales of the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group increased $18.6 million, or 7.9%, as compared to the prior year period. Domestically, the company realized a sales increase of $21.3 million, or 13.0%, to $185.7 million, as compared to $164.4 million in the prior year period. This includes an increase of $3.1 million from recent acquisitions. Excluding the acquisitions, the net increase of $18.2 million, or 11.1%, in domestic sales includes continued growth with customer initiatives to improve efficiencies in restaurant operations by adopting new cooking and warming technologies. International sales increased $6.8 million, or 9.8%, to $76.5 million, as compared to $69.7 million in the prior year period. This includes an increase of $6.4 million from the recent acquisitions, offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates which reduced net sales by approximately $6.0 million.

• | Net sales of the Food Processing Equipment Group decreased by $5.8 million or 7.7%, to $69.8 million in the three month period ended April 4, 2015, as compared to $75.6 million in the prior year period. Net sales from the acquisition of PES which was acquired on March 31, 2014, accounted for an increase of $4.2 million during the three month period ended April 4, 2015. Excluding the impact of this acquisition, net sales of the Food Processing Equipment Group decreased $10.0 million, or 13.2%. Domestically, the company realized a sales increase of $5.6 million, or 16.8%, to $39.0 million, as compared to $33.4 million in the prior year period. This includes an increase of $4.4 million from the recent acquisition. Excluding the acquisition, the net increase of $1.2 million, or 3.6%, in domestic sales reflects initiatives to upgrade food processing operation to more efficient and cost effective equipment. International sales decreased $11.4 million, or 27.0%, to $30.8 million, as compared to $42.2 million. The decrease in sales reflects the impact of foreign exchange rates of approximately $6.2 million and the nature and timing of large orders associated with this business, impacting the growth in comparative periods.

• | Net sales of the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group increased by $11.8 million or 18.8%, to $74.6 million in the three month period ended April 4, 2015, as compared to $62.8 million in the prior year period. Net sales from the acquisition of U-Line which was acquired on November 5, 2014, accounted for an increase of $15.4 million. Excluding the impact of this acquisition, net sales of the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group decreased $3.6 million. This decrease is primarily attributable to the impact of non-core products that were discontinued for sale in conjunction with integration activities at acquired distribution operations and production delays associated with a complete new line of built-in refrigeration at Vikings, which resulted in product shortages.

GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit increased to $157.6 million in the three month period ended April 4, 2015 from $143.0 million in the prior year period. The increase in the gross profit reflects the impact of increased sales, offset by the impact of foreign exchange rates, which reduced gross profit by $3.4 million. The gross margin rate increased from 38.4% in the three month period ended March 29, 2014 to 38.8% in the current year period. The net increase in the gross margin rate reflects the benefit of acquisition integration initiatives.
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• | Gross profit at the Commercial Foodservice Equipment Group increased by $10.5 million, or 11.1%, to $105.2 million in the three month period ended April 4, 2015, as compared to $94.7 million in the prior year period. Gross profit from the acquisitions of Concordia, Desmon, Goldstein Eswood and Marsal accounted for approximately $2.4 million of the increase in gross profit during the period. Excluding the recent acquisitions, gross profit increased by approximately $8.1 million on higher sales volumes. The impact of foreign exchange rates reduced gross profit by approximately $1.7 million. The gross margin rate declined to 40.1%, as compared to 40.5% in the prior year period, due primarily to changes in sales mix as compared to the prior year period.

• | Gross profit at the Food Processing Equipment Group decreased by $0.2 million, or 0.8%, to $26.1 million in the three month period ended April 4, 2015, as compared to $26.3 million in the prior year period. Gross profit from the acquisition of PES accounted for approximately $1.4 million of the increase in gross profit during the period. The impact of foreign exchange rates reduced gross profit by approximately $1.6 million. Gross profit margin rate increased to 37.4%, as compared to 34.8% in the prior year period. The increase in the gross margin rate reflects the favorable impact of acquisition integration initiatives.

• | Gross profit at the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group increased by $6.2 million, or 29.0%, to $27.6 million in the three month period ended April 4, 2015, as compared to $21.4 million in the prior year period. Gross profit from the acquisition of U-Line accounted for approximately $6.2 million of the increase in gross profit during the period. The gross margin rate increased to 37.0%, as compared to 34.1% in the prior year period. The gross margin rate improvement reflects the impact of acquisition integration and cost reduction initiatives completed in 2013 and 2014.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Combined selling, general and administrative expenses increased from $87.1 million in the three month period ended March 29, 2014 to $91.0 million in the three month period ended April 4, 2015. As a percentage of net sales, operating expenses were 23.4% in the three month period ended March 29, 2014, as compared to 22.3% in the three month period ended April 4, 2015. Selling expenses increased from $47.0 million in the three month period ended March 29, 2014 to $47.1 million in the three month period ended April 4, 2015. Selling expenses reflected increased costs of $4.2 million associated with the PES, Concordia, U-Line, Desmon and Goldstein Eswood acquisitions. These expenses were offset by a decrease of $1.3 million related to commissions, $0.8 million related to compensation expenses and $0.8 million related to selling promotional expenses. The impact of foreign exchange rates had a favorable impact, reducing selling expenses by approximately $1.3 million. General and administrative expenses increased from $40.1 million in the three month period ended March 29, 2014 to $43.9 million in the three month period ended April 4, 2015. General and administrative expenses reflect $3.2 million of increased costs associated with the PES, Concordia, U-Line, Desmon and Goldstein Eswood acquisitions, including $1.0 million of non-cash intangible amortization expense. The impact of foreign exchange rates had a favorable impact, reducing general and administrative expenses by approximately $0.9 million. General and administrative expenses for the quarter also included non-recurring charges of $4.6 million associated with the closure of facilities and warehouse consolidations at the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group. In the prior year period non-recurring charges of $2.6 million were incurred associated with the reorganization of the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group.
NON-OPERATING EXPENSES. Interest and deferred financing amortization costs were $3.7 million in the three month period ended April 4, 2015, as compared to $4.0 million in the prior year period. Other expense was $4.6 million in the three month period ended April 4, 2015, as compared to $0.9 million in the prior year period, and consists mainly of foreign exchange losses. The increase in foreign exchange losses during the quarter is attributable to strengthening of the U.S. Dollar in the quarter as compared to the Euro, Brazilian Real, Australian Dollar and Canadian Dollar.
INCOME TAXES. A tax provision of $20.0 million, at an effective rate of 34.4%, was recorded during the three month period ended April 4, 2015, as compared to $17.6 million at an effective rate of 34.5%, in the prior year period.
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Financial Condition and Liquidity
During the three months ended April 4, 2015, cash and cash equivalents increased by $10.4 million to $54.3 million at April 4, 2015 from $43.9 million at January 3, 2015. Net borrowings increased from $598.2 million at January 3, 2015 to $639.0 million at April 4, 2015.
OPERATING ACTIVITIES. Net cash provided by operating activities was $23.8 million for the three months ended April 4, 2015 compared to net cash used by operating activities of $13.6 million for the three months ended March 29, 2014 due primarily to increased earnings and the decreased working capital needs.
During the three months ended April 4, 2015, working capital levels changed due to decreased working capital needs. These changes in working capital levels included a $5.2 million increase in accounts receivable, due to increased sales volume. Inventory increased $15.0 million due to several factors including increased order rates, the timing of orders, investments in inventories in growing international markets, and investments in inventories at the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group in connection with the acquisition and establishment of company owned distribution operations. Prepaid expenses and other assets decreased $2.2 million primarily related to the timing of orders at the Food Processing Group. Changes in working capital also included a $21.0 million decrease in accrued expenses and other non-current liabilities primarily related to the payment of 2014 annual rebate programs and incentive obligations.
INVESTING ACTIVITIES. During the three months ended April 4, 2015, net cash used in investing activities included $46.8 million related to the acquisitions of Desmon, Goldstein Eswood and Marsal and $6.1 million of additions and upgrades of production equipment and manufacturing facilities.
FINANCING ACTIVITIES. Net cash flows provided by financing activities were $39.5 million during the three months ended April 4, 2015. The company’s borrowing activities included the $41.5 million of net proceeds under its $1.0 billion revolving credit facility, primarily to fund the acquisitions of Desmon, Goldstein Eswood and Marsal.
Financing activities also included $2.4 million of excess tax benefits associated with the vesting of restricted stock grants.
The company used $4.8 million to repurchase 45,352 shares of its common stock that were surrendered to the company by employees in lieu of cash for payment for withholding taxes related to restricted stock vestings that occurred during the three months ended April 4, 2015.
At April 4, 2015, the company was in compliance with all covenants pursuant to its borrowing agreements. The company believes that its current capital resources, including cash and cash equivalents, cash generated from operations, funds available from its revolving credit facility and access to the credit and capital markets will be sufficient to finance its operations, debt service obligations, capital expenditures, acquisitions, product development and integration expenditures for the foreseeable future.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, “Presentation of Financial Statements and Property, Plant and Equipment: Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity”. This update changes the criteria for determining which disposals can be presented as discontinued operations and requires expanded disclosures. Under ASU No. 2014-08, a disposal of a component of an entity or group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on the entity’s operations and financial results. This update is effective for annual and corresponding interim reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
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In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. This update amends the current guidance on revenue recognition related to contracts with customers. Under ASU No. 2014-09, an entity should recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU No. 2014-09 also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. This update is effective for annual and corresponding interim reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016. This update provides for two transition methods to the new guidance: a full retrospective or a modified retrospective adoption. On April 1, 2015, the FASB proposed deferring the effective date of ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" by one year to December 15, 2017 for annual reporting periods beginning after that date and permitting early adoption of the standard but not before the original effective date of December 15, 2016. The company is evaluating the transition methods and the impact the application of this ASU will have, if any, on the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-12, “Compensation - Stock Compensation”. This update requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant date fair value of the award. This update is effective for annual and corresponding interim reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The company is evaluating the impact the application of this ASU will have, if any, on the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, "Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items". This update eliminates the concept of extraordinary items from the current guidance. This update is effective for annual and corresponding interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted provided the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. Retrospective application is encouraged for all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The company is evaluating the impact the application of this ASU will have, if any, on the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, "Interest - Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs," which requires debt issuance costs to be recorded as a direct reduction of the debt liability on the balance sheet rather than as an asset. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. The company is evaluating the impact the application of this ASU will have, if any, on the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-04, "Practical Expedient for the Measurement Date of an Employer's Defined Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets." This ASU is intended to provide a practical expedient for the measurement date of defined benefit plan assets and obligations. The practical expedient allows employers with fiscal year-end dates that do no fall on a calendar month-end (e.g., companies with a 52/53-week fiscal year) to measure pension and post-retirement benefit plan assets and obligations as of the calendar month-end date closest to the fiscal year-end. The FASB also provided a similar practical expedient for interim remeasurements for significant events. This ASU requires perspective application and is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The company is evaluating the impact the application of this ASU will have, if any, on the company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon the company's consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires the company to make significant estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses as well as related disclosures. On an ongoing basis, the company evaluates its estimates and judgments based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions and any such differences could be material to our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition. At the Commercial Foodservice Group and the Residential Kitchen Equipment Group, the company recognizes revenue on the sale of its products when risk of loss has passed to the customer, which occurs at the time of shipment, and collectibility is reasonably assured. The sale prices of the products sold are fixed and determinable at the time of shipment. Sales are reported net of sales returns, sales incentives and cash discounts based on prior experience and other quantitative and qualitative factors.
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At the Food Processing Equipment Group, the company enters into long-term sales contracts for certain products that are often significant relative to the business. Revenue under these long-term sales contracts is recognized using the percentage of completion method defined within ASC 605-35 “Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts” due to the length of time to fully manufacture and assemble the equipment. The company measures revenue recognized based on the ratio of actual labor hours incurred in relation to the total estimated labor hours to be incurred related to the contract. Because estimated labor hours to complete a project are based upon forecasts using the best available information, the actual hours may differ from original estimates. The percentage of completion method of accounting for these contracts most accurately reflects the status of these uncompleted contracts in the company's financial statements and most accurately measures the matching of revenues with expenses. At the time a loss on a contract becomes known, the amount of the estimated loss is recognized in the consolidated financial statements. Revenue for sales of products and services not covered by long-term sales contracts is recognized when risk of loss has passed to the customer, which occurs at the time of shipment or when service is completed, and collectibility is reasonably assured. The sale prices of the products sold are fixed and determinable at the time of shipment. Sales are reported net of sales returns, sales incentives and cash discounts based on prior experience and other quantitative and qualitative factors.
Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out method for the majority of the company’s inventories. The company evaluates the need to record valuation adjustments for inventory on a regular basis. The company’s policy is to evaluate all inventories including raw material, work-in-process, finished goods, and spare parts. Inventory in excess of estimated usage requirements is written down to its estimated net realizable value. Inherent in the estimates of net realizable value are estimates related to our future manufacturing schedules, customer demand, possible alternative uses, and ultimate realization of potentially excess inventory.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles. The company’s business acquisitions result in the recognition of goodwill and other intangible assets, which are a significant portion of the company’s total assets. The company recognizes goodwill and other intangible assets under the guidance of ASC Topic 350-10, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other.” Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition costs over the fair value of the net tangible assets and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Identifiable intangible assets are recognized separately from goodwill and include trademarks and trade names, technology, customer relationships and other specifically identifiable assets. Trademarks and trade names are deemed to be indefinite-lived. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but are subject to impairment testing. On an annual basis, or more frequently if triggering events occur, the company compares the estimated fair value to the carrying value to determine if a potential goodwill impairment exists. If the fair value is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss, if any, is recorded for the difference between the implied fair value and the carrying value of goodwill. In estimating the fair value of specific intangible assets, management relies on a number of factors, including operating results, business plans, economic projections, anticipated future cash flows, comparable transactions and other market data. There are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and management’s judgment in applying them in the impairment tests of goodwill and other intangible assets.
Income Taxes. The company provides deferred income tax assets and liabilities based on the estimated future tax effects of differences between the financial and tax bases of assets and liabilities based on currently enacted tax laws. The company’s deferred and other tax balances are based on management’s interpretation of the tax regulations and rulings in numerous taxing jurisdictions. Income tax expense and liabilities recognized by the company also reflect its best estimates and assumptions regarding, among other things, the level of future taxable income, the effect of the Company’s various tax planning strategies and uncertain tax positions. Future tax authority rulings and changes in tax laws, changes in projected levels of taxable income and future tax planning strategies could affect the actual effective tax rate and tax balances recorded by the company. The company follows the provisions under ASC 740-10-25 that provides a recognition threshold and measurement criteria for the financial statement recognition of a tax benefit taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Tax benefits are recognized only when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the benefits will be sustained on examination. Tax benefits that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured using a probability weighting of the largest amount of tax benefit that has greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. Whether the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is met for a particular tax benefit is a matter of judgment based on the individual facts and circumstances evaluated in light of all available evidence as of the balance sheet date.
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Contractual Obligations
The company's contractual cash payment obligations as of April 4, 2015 are set forth below (in thousands):

| Amounts Due Sellers From Acquisitions |  |  | Debt |  |  | Estimated Interest on Debt |  |  | Operating Leases |  |  | Total Contractual Cash Obligations |
Less than 1 year | $ | 1,258 |  |  | $ | 8,926 |  |  | $ | 14,045 |  |  | $ | 13,331 |  |  | $ | 37,560 |
1-3 years | 8,021 |  |  | 629,441 |  |  | 16,877 |  |  | 14,625 |  |  | 668,964 |
3-5 years | 656 |  |  | 202 |  |  | 160 |  |  | 7,173 |  |  | 8,191 |
After 5 years | — |  |  | 465 |  |  | 40 |  |  | 9,055 |  |  | 9,560 |
| $ | 9,935 |  |  | $ | 639,034 |  |  | $ | 31,122 |  |  | $ | 44,184 |  |  | $ | 724,275 |

The company has obligations to make $9.9 million of purchase price payments to the sellers of Spooner Vicars, Celfrost, PES, Concordia, Desmon and Goldstein Eswood that represent deferred and contingent payments for these acquisitions.
As of April 4, 2015, the company had $629.0 million outstanding under its revolving credit line as part of its senior credit agreement. The average interest rate on this debt amounted to 1.65% at April 4, 2015. This facility matures in August of 2017. As of April 4, 2015, the company also has $9.6 million of debt outstanding under various foreign credit facilities. The estimated interest payments reflected in the table above assume that the level of debt and average interest rate on the company’s revolving credit line under its senior credit agreement does not change until the facility reaches maturity in August 2017. The estimated payments also assume that relative to the company’s foreign borrowings: all scheduled term loan payments are made; the level of borrowings does not change; and the average interest rates remain at their April 4, 2015 rates. Also reflected in the table above is $1.8 million of interest payments to be made related to the company’s interest rate swap agreements.
The company’s projected benefit obligation under its defined benefit plans exceeded the plans’ assets by $21.1 million at the end of 2014. The unfunded benefit obligations were comprised of a $1.2 million underfunding of the company's union plan, $8.6 million underfunding of the company’s Smithville plan, which was acquired as part of the Star acquisition, $0.8 million underfunding of the company’s Wrexham plan, which was acquired as part of the Lincat acquisition, and $10.5 million underfunding of the company's director plans. In 2015, the company expects to make a minimum contribution of $0.8 million to the Smithville plan, as required by ERISA. In 2015, the company expects to contribute $0.4 million to the Wrexham plan.
The company places purchase orders with its suppliers in the ordinary course of business. These purchase orders are generally to fulfill short-term manufacturing requirements of less than 90 days and most are cancelable with a restocking penalty. The company has no long-term purchase contracts or minimum purchase obligations with any supplier.
The company has no activities, obligations or exposures associated with off-balance sheet arrangements.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk
The company is exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates. The following table summarizes the maturity of the company’s debt obligations.

Twelve Month Period Ending |  | Variable Rate Debt |
April 4, 2016 |  | $ | 8,926 |
April 4, 2017 |  | 340 |
April 4, 2018 |  | 629,101 |
April 4, 2019 |  | 101 |
April 4, 2020 and thereafter |  | 566 |
|  | $ | 639,034 |

On August 7, 2012, the company entered into a new senior secured multi-currency credit facility. Terms of the company’s senior credit agreement provide for $1.0 billion of availability under a revolving credit line. As of April 4, 2015, the company had $629.0 million of borrowings outstanding under this facility. The company also has $9.6 million in outstanding letters of credit as of April 4, 2015, which reduces the borrowing availability under the revolving credit line. Remaining borrowing availability under this facility was $361.4 million at April 4, 2015.
At April 4, 2015, borrowings under the senior secured credit facility were assessed at an interest rate 1.50% above LIBOR for long-term borrowings or at the higher of the Prime rate and the Federal Funds Rate. At April 4, 2015, the average interest rate on the senior debt amounted to 1.65%. The interest rates on borrowings under the senior secured credit facility may be adjusted quarterly based on the company’s indebtedness ratio on a rolling four-quarter basis. Additionally, a commitment fee, based upon the indebtedness ratio is charged on the unused portion of the revolving credit line. This variable commitment fee amounted to 0.25% as of April 4, 2015.
In August 2006, the company completed its acquisition of Houno A/S in Denmark. This acquisition was funded in part with locally established debt facilities with borrowings in Danish Krone. These facilities included a revolving credit facility and term loan. At April 4, 2015, these facilities amounted to $3.5 million in U.S. dollars, including $2.5 million outstanding under a revolving credit facility and $1.0 million under a term loan. The interest rate on the revolving credit facility is assessed at 1.25% above Euro LIBOR, which amounted to 2.80% on April 4, 2015. At April 4, 2015, the interest rate assessed on the term loan was 4.55%. The term loan matures in 2022.
In April 2008, the company completed its acquisition of Giga Grandi Cucine S.r.l in Italy. This acquisition was funded in part with locally established debt facilities with borrowings denominated in Euro. At April 4, 2015, these facilities amounted to $0.9 million in U.S. dollars. The interest rate on the credit facilities is variable based on the three-month Euro LIBOR. At April 4, 2015, the average interest rate on these facilities was approximately 3.90%. The facilities are secured by outstanding accounts receivable collectible within six months.
In October 2013, the company completed its acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Celfrost Innovations Pvt. Ltd. in India. At the time of the acquisition a local credit facility, denominated in Indian Rupee, was established to fund local working capital needs. At April 4, 2015, the facility amounted to $2.1 million in U.S. dollars. At April 4, 2015, borrowings under the facility were assessed at an interest rate at 1.25% above the Reserve Bank of India's base rate for long-term borrowings. At April 4, 2015, the average interest rate on this facility was approximately 10.50%.
In March 2014, Cozzini do Brazil LTDA entered into a local credit facility, denominated in Brazilian Real, to fund local working capital needs. At April 4, 2015, the facility amounted to $3.1 million in U.S. dollars and was assessed an interest rate of 1.50% above the Brazilian central bank CDI Rate. At April 4, 2015, the interest rate assessed on this facility was 12.60%. This local credit facility matures on March 28, 2016.
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In January 2015, the company completed its acquisition of Desmon Food Service Equipment Company in Italy. This acquisition was funded in part with locally established debt facilities with borrowings denominated in Euro. At April 4, 2015, these facilities amounted to $0.2 million in U.S. dollars, including $0.1 million outstanding on a local working capital loan and $0.1 million outstanding under a term loan. The interest rate on the working capital loan was 0.50% and the interest rate on the term loan was 6.92%. Both the working capital loan and the term loan mature on December 31, 2016.
The company believes that its current capital resources, including cash and cash equivalents, cash expected to be generated from operations, funds available from its current lenders and access to the credit and capital markets will be sufficient to finance its operations, debt service obligations, capital expenditures, product development and expenditures for the foreseeable future.
The company has historically entered into interest rate swap agreements to effectively fix the interest rate on a portion of its outstanding debt. The agreements swap one-month LIBOR for fixed rates. As of April 4, 2015, the company had the following interest rate swaps in effect:

|  | Fixed |  |  |  |
Notional |  | Interest |  | Effective |  | Maturity
Amount |  | Rate |  | Date |  | Date
$25,000,000 |  | 2.520% |  | 2/23/2011 |  | 2/23/2016
$15,000,000 |  | 1.185% |  | 9/12/2011 |  | 9/12/2016
$10,000,000 |  | 0.498% |  | 2/11/2013 |  | 7/11/2015
$15,000,000 |  | 0.458% |  | 2/11/2013 |  | 10/11/2015
$25,000,000 |  | 0.635% |  | 2/11/2013 |  | 8/11/2016
$25,000,000 |  | 0.789% |  | 2/11/2013 |  | 3/11/2017
$25,000,000 |  | 0.803% |  | 2/11/2013 |  | 5/11/2017
$35,000,000 |  | 0.880% |  | 2/11/2013 |  | 7/11/2017
$10,000,000 |  | 1.480% |  | 9/11/2013 |  | 7/11/2017
$15,000,000 |  | 0.920% |  | 3/11/2014 |  | 7/11/2017
$25,000,000 |  | 0.950% |  | 3/11/2014 |  | 7/11/2017

The terms of the senior secured credit facility limit the ability of the company and its subsidiaries to, with certain exceptions: incur indebtedness; grant liens; engage in certain mergers, consolidations, acquisitions and dispositions; make restricted payments; enter into certain transactions with affiliates; and require, among other things, a maximum ratio of indebtedness to EBITDA of 3.5 and a fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the senior secured credit facility) of 1.25. The senior secured credit facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of Middleby Marshall, the company and the company's domestic subsidiaries and is unconditionally guaranteed by, subject to certain exceptions, the company and certain of the company's direct and indirect material domestic subsidiaries. The senior secured credit facility contains certain customary events of default, including, but not limited to, the failure to make required payments; bankruptcy and other insolvency events; the failure to perform certain covenants; the material breach of a representation or warranty; non-payment of certain other indebtedness; the entry of undischarged judgments against the company or any subsidiary for the payment of material uninsured amounts; the invalidity of the Company guarantee or any subsidiary guaranty; and a change of control of the company. The credit agreement also provides that if a material adverse change in the company’s business operations or conditions occurs, the lender could declare an event of default. Under terms of the agreement, a material adverse effect is defined as (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business properties, condition (financial and otherwise) or prospects of the company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the ability of the company to perform under the loan agreements and to avoid any event of default; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against the company of any loan document. A material adverse effect is determined on a subjective basis by the company's creditors. The potential loss on fair value for the company's debt obligations from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in quoted interest rates would not have a material impact on the company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows. At April 4, 2015, the company was in compliance with all covenants pursuant to its borrowing agreements.
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Financing Derivative Instruments
The company has entered into interest rate swaps to fix the interest rate applicable to certain of its variable-rate debt. The agreements swap one-month LIBOR for fixed rates. The company has designated these swaps as cash flow hedges and all changes in fair value of the swaps are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income. As of April 4, 2015, the fair value of these instruments was a liability of $1.6 million. The change in fair value of these swap agreements in the first three months of 2015 was a loss of $0.5 million, net of taxes. The potential net loss on fair value for such instruments from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in quoted interest rates would not have a material impact on the company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Foreign Exchange Derivative Financial Instruments
The company uses foreign currency forward and option contracts with terms of less than one year to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The company’s primary hedging activities are to mitigate its exposure to changes in exchange rates on intercompany and third party trade receivables and payables. The company does not currently enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. In managing its foreign currency exposures, the company identifies and aggregates naturally occurring offsetting positions and then hedges residual balance sheet exposures. The potential net loss on fair value for such instruments from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in quoted foreign exchange rates would not have a material impact on the company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The following table summarizes the forward and option contracts outstanding at April 4, 2015. The fair value of the forward and option contracts was a loss of $0.2 million at the end of the first quarter of 2015.

Sell |  | Purchase |  | Maturity
5,600,000 |  |  | British Pounds |  | 7,666,822 |  |  | Euro Dollars |  | July 3, 2015
10,000,000 |  |  | British Pounds |  | 13,723,068 |  |  | Euro Dollars |  | July 3, 2015
5,000,000 |  |  | British Pounds |  | 6,885,156 |  |  | Euro Dollars |  | July 3, 2015
5,500,000 |  |  | Euro Dollars |  | 5,924,050 |  |  | US Dollars |  | July 3, 2015
10,000,000 |  |  | Euro Dollars |  | 10,770,000 |  |  | US Dollars |  | July 3, 2015
4,700,000 |  |  | Euro Dollars |  | 5,061,900 |  |  | US Dollars |  | July 3, 2015
15,000,000 |  |  | Australian Dollars |  | 11,326,500 |  |  | US Dollars |  | July 3, 2015
10,000,000 |  |  | Australian Dollars |  | 7,551,000 |  |  | US Dollars |  | July 3, 2015
10,000,000 |  |  | Australian Dollars |  | 7,558,000 |  |  | US Dollars |  | July 3, 2015
7,500,000 |  |  | Canadian Dollars |  | 5,847,953 |  |  | US Dollars |  | July 3, 2015
10,000,000 |  |  | Brazilian Real |  | 2,748,763 |  |  | US Dollars |  | December 15, 2015

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures
The company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the company's Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the company's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As of April 4, 2015, the company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the company's management, including the company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the company's disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, the company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of this period.
During the quarter ended April 4, 2015, there has been no change in the company's internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the company's internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
The company was not required to report the information pursuant to Items 1 through 6 of Part II of Form 10-Q for the three months ended April 4, 2015, except as follows:
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

| Total Number of Shares Purchased |  |  | Average Price Paid per Share |  |  | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan or Program |  |  | Maximum Number of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plan or Program |
January 4 to January 31, 2015 | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2,655,399 |
February 1 to February 28, 2015 | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2,655,399 |
March 1 to April 4, 2015 | 45,352 |  |  | 106.64 |  |  | 45,352 |  |  | 2,610,047 |
Quarter ended April 4, 2015 | 45,352 |  |  | $ | 106.64 |  |  | 45,352 |  |  | 2,610,047 |

In June 2014, the company’s Board of Directors approved a three-for-one split of the company’s common stock in the form of a stock dividend. The stock dividend was paid on June 27, 2014 to shareholders of record as of June 16, 2014. The company’s stock began trading on a split-adjusted basis on June 27, 2014. The stock split effectively tripled the number of shares outstanding at June 27, 2014.
In July 1998, the company's Board of Directors adopted a stock repurchase program and subsequently authorized the purchase of common shares in open market purchases. During 2013, the company's Board of Directors authorized the purchase of additional common shares in open market purchases. As of April 4, 2015, the total number of shares authorized for repurchase under the program is 4,570,266. As of April 4, 2015, 1,960,219 shares had been purchased under the 1998 stock repurchase program.
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Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibits – The following exhibits are filed herewith:
Exhibit 31.1 – | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d -14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 31.2 – | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d -14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Exhibit 32.1 – | Certification by the Principal Executive Officer of The Middleby Corporation Pursuant to Rule 13A-14(b) under the Exchange Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(18 U.S.C. 1350).
Exhibit 32.2 – | Certification by the Principal Financial Officer of The Middleby Corporation Pursuant to Rule 13A-14(b) under the Exchange Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002(18 U.S.C. 1350).
Exhibit 101 – | Financial statements on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 4, 2015, filed on May 14, 2015, formatted in Extensive Business Reporting Language (XBRL); (i) condensed consolidated balance sheets, (ii) condensed consolidated statements of earnings, (iii) condensed statements of cash flows, (iv) notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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

|  |  | THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
|  |  | (Registrant)
Date: | May 14, 2015 |  | By: | /s/ Timothy J. FitzGerald
|  |  |  | Timothy J. FitzGerald
|  |  |  | Vice President,
|  |  |  | Chief Financial Officer

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