10-Q 1 rog-2015930x10q.htm 10-Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_______________________________
FORM 10-Q
_______________________________

ý | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015
or

o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from _______________ to _______________
Commission file number 1-4347
_______________________________
ROGERS CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
_______________________________

Massachusetts | 06-0513860
(State or other jurisdiction of | (I. R. S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization) |
P.O. Box 188, One Technology Drive, Rogers, Connecticut | 06263-0188
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (860) 774-9605
_______________________________
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No 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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ý No 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 “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ý | Accelerated filer o |
Non-accelerated filer o | (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | 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 ý
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock as of October 20, 2015 was 17,937,502.

ROGERS CORPORATION
FORM 10-Q
September 30, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I – Financial Information
Item 1. |  | Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited): |
|  | Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations | 3
|  | Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income | 4
|  | Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position | 5
|  | Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity | 6
|  | Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | 7
|  | Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements | 8
Item 2. |  | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 31
Item 3. |  | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 44
Item 4. |  | Controls and Procedures | 44
Part II – Other Information
Item 1. |  | Legal Proceedings | 45
Item 2. |  | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | 45
Item 6. |  | Exhibits | 45
Signatures |  |  | 46
Exhibits: |  |  |
| Exhibit 23.1 | Consent of National Economic Research Associates, Inc.
| Exhibit 23.2 | Consent of Marsh U.S.A., Inc.
| Exhibit 31.1 | Certification of President and CEO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
| Exhibit 31.2 | Certification of Vice President, Finance and CFO pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
| Exhibit 32 | Certification of President and CEO and Vice President, Finance and CFO pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
| Exhibit 101.INS | XBRL Instance Document
| Exhibit 101.SCH | XBRL Schema Document
| Exhibit 101.CAL | XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
| Exhibit 101.LAB | XBRL Labels Linkbase Document
| Exhibit 101.PRE | XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
| Exhibit 101.DEF | XBRL Definition Linkbase Document

Forward Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
2

Part I – Financial Information

Item 1. | Financial Statements

ROGERS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)

| Quarter Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014
Net sales | $ | 160,366 |  |  | $ | 163,052 |  |  | $ | 488,515 |  |  | $ | 463,187 |
Cost of sales | 100,836 |  |  | 98,504 |  |  | 306,041 |  |  | 287,583 |
Gross margin | 59,530 |  |  | 64,548 |  |  | 182,474 |  |  | 175,604 |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 29,190 |  |  | 30,182 |  |  | 98,363 |  |  | 92,279 |
Research and development expenses | 7,285 |  |  | 5,977 |  |  | 20,446 |  |  | 17,259 |
Operating income | 23,055 |  |  | 28,389 |  |  | 63,665 |  |  | 66,066 |
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures | 877 |  |  | 953 |  |  | 2,187 |  |  | 2,992 |
Other income (expense), net | (756 | ) |  | (107 | ) |  | (1,404 | ) |  | (1,374 | )
Interest expense, net | (1,126 | ) |  | (698 | ) |  | (3,435 | ) |  | (2,167 | )
Income before income tax expense | 22,050 |  |  | 28,537 |  |  | 61,013 |  |  | 65,517 |
Income tax expense | 9,595 |  |  | 8,149 |  |  | 21,392 |  |  | 19,647 |
Net income | $ | 12,455 |  |  | $ | 20,388 |  |  | $ | 39,621 |  |  | $ | 45,870 |
Basic earnings per share: | $ | 0.68 |  |  | $ | 1.12 |  |  | $ | 2.14 |  |  | $ | 2.53 |
Diluted earnings per share: | $ | 0.67 |  |  | $ | 1.09 |  |  | $ | 2.10 |  |  | $ | 2.46 |
Shares used in computing: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic earnings per share | 18,430 |  |  | 18,259 |  |  | 18,511 |  |  | 18,123 |
Diluted earnings per share | 18,650 |  |  | 18,734 |  |  | 18,885 |  |  | 18,657 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

| Quarter Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014
Net income | $ | 12,455 |  |  | $ | 20,388 |  |  | $ | 39,621 |  |  | $ | 45,870 |
Foreign currency translation adjustment | (2,067 | ) |  | (23,692 | ) |  | (21,317 | ) |  | (25,421 | )
Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments held at period end, net of tax (Note 6) | (19 | ) |  | 53 |  |  | (179 | ) |  | (115 | )
Unrealized gain (loss) reclassified into earnings | (1 | ) |  | (77 | ) |  | 93 |  |  | 210 |
Pension and postretirement benefit plans reclassified into earnings, net of tax (Note 6): |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Amortization of loss | 277 |  |  | 132 |  |  | 808 |  |  | 395 |
Other comprehensive income (loss) | (1,810 | ) |  | (23,584 | ) |  | (20,595 | ) |  | (24,931 | )
Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | 10,645 |  |  | $ | (3,196 | ) |  | $ | 19,026 |  |  | $ | 20,939 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
4

ROGERS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(Unaudited)
(Dollars and shares in thousands)

| September 30, 2015 |  | December 31, 2014
Assets |  |  |
Current assets |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 192,606 |  |  | $ | 237,375 |
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $945 and $476 | 102,396 |  |  | 94,876 |
Accounts receivable from joint ventures | 3,223 |  |  | 1,760 |
Accounts receivable, other | 1,507 |  |  | 1,823 |
Taxes receivable | 1,953 |  |  | 606 |
Inventories | 85,536 |  |  | 68,628 |
Prepaid income taxes | 3,661 |  |  | 4,586 |
Deferred income taxes | 9,878 |  |  | 8,527 |
Asbestos-related insurance receivables | 6,827 |  |  | 6,827 |
Other current assets | 8,423 |  |  | 7,046 |
Assets held for sale | 8,469 |  |  | — |
Total current assets | 424,479 |  |  | 432,054 |
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $234,005 and $225,092 | 180,145 |  |  | 150,420 |
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures | 17,938 |  |  | 17,214 |
Deferred income taxes | 13,362 |  |  | 44,853 |
Pension asset | 403 |  |  | 403 |
Goodwill | 177,604 |  |  | 98,227 |
Other intangible assets | 77,577 |  |  | 38,340 |
Asbestos-related insurance receivables | 46,186 |  |  | 46,186 |
Other long-term assets | 6,275 |  |  | 7,420 |
Total assets | $ | 943,969 |  |  | $ | 835,117 |
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity |  |  |  |  |
Current liabilities |  |  |  |  |
Accounts payable | $ | 24,352 |  |  | $ | 20,020 |
Accrued employee benefits and compensation | 21,604 |  |  | 33,983 |
Accrued income taxes payable | 10,049 |  |  | 6,103 |
Current portion of lease obligation | 287 |  |  | 747 |
Current portion of long term debt | 3,094 |  |  | 35,000 |
Asbestos-related liabilities | 6,827 |  |  | 6,827 |
Other accrued liabilities | 20,370 |  |  | 17,765 |
Liabilities held for sale | 1,743 |  |  | — |
Total current liabilities | 88,326 |  |  | 120,445 |
Long term lease obligation | 5,772 |  |  | 6,042 |
Long term debt | 176,219 |  |  | 25,000 |
Pension liability | 13,150 |  |  | 17,652 |
Retiree health care and life insurance benefits | 8,768 |  |  | 8,768 |
Asbestos-related liabilities | 49,718 |  |  | 49,718 |
Non-current income tax | 12,702 |  |  | 10,544 |
Deferred income taxes | 9,889 |  |  | 14,647 |
Other long-term liabilities | 3,298 |  |  | 338 |
Shareholders’ Equity |  |  |  |  |
Capital Stock - $1 par value; 50,000 authorized shares; 17,982 and 18,404 shares outstanding | 17,982 |  |  | 18,404 |
Additional paid-in capital | 112,785 |  |  | 137,225 |
Retained earnings | 531,049 |  |  | 491,428 |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | (85,689 | ) |  | (65,094 | )
Total shareholders' equity | 576,127 |  |  | 581,963 |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 943,969 |  |  | $ | 835,117 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
5

ROGERS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)

| Capital Stock |  | Additional Paid-In Capital |  | Retained Earnings |  | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |  | Total Shareholders’ Equity
Balance at December 31, 2014 | $ | 18,404 |  |  | $ | 137,225 |  |  | $ | 491,428 |  |  | $ | (65,094 | ) |  | $ | 581,963 |
Net income | — |  |  | — |  |  | 39,621 |  |  | — |  |  | 39,621 |
Other comprehensive income (loss) | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (20,595 | ) |  | (20,595 | )
Stock options exercised | 164 |  |  | 6,375 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 6,539 |
Stock issued to directors | 15 |  |  | (15 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Shares issued for employees stock purchase plan | 14 |  |  | 713 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 727 |
Shares issued for restricted stock | 63 |  |  | (2,468 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (2,405 | )
Shares repurchased | (678 | ) |  | (36,779 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | (37,457 | )
Stock-based compensation expense | — |  |  | 7,734 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 7,734 |
Balance at September 30, 2015 | $ | 17,982 |  |  | $ | 112,785 |  |  | $ | 531,049 |  |  | $ | (85,689 | ) |  | $ | 576,127 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
6

ROGERS CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(Dollars and shares in thousands)

| Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014
Operating Activities: |  |  |
Net income | $ | 39,621 |  |  | $ | 45,870 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash from operating activities: |  |  |  |  |
Depreciation and amortization | 25,209 |  |  | 19,858 |
Stock-based compensation expense | 7,734 |  |  | 5,652 |
Deferred income taxes | 2,505 |  |  | 514 |
Equity in undistributed income of unconsolidated joint ventures | (2,187 | ) |  | (2,992 | )
Dividends received from unconsolidated joint ventures | 780 |  |  | 905 |
Pension and postretirement benefits | (858 | ) |  | (2,257 | )
Loss (gain) from the sale of property, plant and equipment | 8 |  |  | (102 | )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding effects of acquisitions: |  |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable | 3,186 |  |  | (22,775 | )
Accounts receivable, joint ventures | (1,148 | ) |  | (274 | )
Inventories | (11,755 | ) |  | (474 | )
Pension contribution | (6,500 | ) |  | (7,265 | )
Other current assets | 187 |  |  | (198 | )
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses | (12,037 | ) |  | 18,972 |
Other, net | 816 |  |  | 2,033 |
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 45,561 |  |  | 57,467 |
Investing Activities: |  |  |  |  |
Business acquisition, net of cash acquired | (158,407 | ) |  | — |
Capital expenditures | (21,574 | ) |  | (18,788 | )
Proceeds from life insurance | 2,682 |  |  | — |
Proceeds (loss) from the sale of property, plant and equipment, net | (8 | ) |  | 102 |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (177,307 | ) |  | (18,686 | )
Financing Activities: |  |  |  |  |
Proceeds from long term borrowings | 125,000 |  |  | — |
Debt issuance costs | (293 | ) |  | — |
Repayment of debt principal and long term lease obligation | (5,886 | ) |  | (12,711 | )
Repurchases of capital stock | (32,996 | ) |  | — |
Proceeds from sale of capital stock, net | 6,539 |  |  | 15,595 |
Issuance of restricted stock shares | (2,405 | ) |  | (1,427 | )
Proceeds from issuance of shares to employee stock purchase plan | 727 |  |  | 694 |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 90,686 |  |  | 2,151 |
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash | (3,709 | ) |  | (4,843 | )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (44,769 | ) |  | 36,089 |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 237,375 |  |  | 191,884 |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 192,606 |  |  | $ | 227,973 |

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.
7

ROGERS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation
As used herein, the terms “Company”, “Rogers”, “we”, “us”, “our” and similar terms mean Rogers Corporation and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information. Accordingly, these statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for complete financial statements. In our opinion, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for their fair presentation in accordance with GAAP. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. For further information regarding our accounting policies, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.
Note 2 - Fair Value Measurements
The accounting guidance for fair value measurements establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value:

• | Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

• | Level 2 – Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

• | Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

From time to time we enter into various instruments that require fair value measurement, including foreign currency option contracts, interest rate swaps and copper derivative contracts. Assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis, categorized by the level of inputs used in the valuation, include:

(Dollars in thousands) |  | Carrying amount as of September 30, 2015 |  | Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3
Foreign currency contracts |  | $ | (79 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (79 | ) |  | $ | — |
Copper derivative contracts |  | 383 |  |  | — |  |  | 383 |  |  | — |
Interest rate swap |  | (58 | ) |  | — |  |  | (58 | ) |  | — |

(Dollars in thousands) |  | Carrying amount as of December 31, 2014 |  | Level 1 |  | Level 2 |  | Level 3
Foreign currency contracts |  | $ | (18 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (18 | ) |  | $ | — |
Copper derivative contracts |  | 355 |  |  | — |  |  | 355 |  |  | — |
Interest rate swap |  | (144 | ) |  | — |  |  | (144 | ) |  | — |

8

Derivatives Contracts
We are exposed to certain risks related to our ongoing business operations. The primary risks being managed through the use of derivative instruments are foreign currency exchange rate risk, commodity pricing risk (primarily related to copper) and interest rate risk.

• | Foreign Currency - The fair value of any foreign currency option derivative is based upon valuation models applied to current market information such as strike price, spot rate, maturity date and volatility, and by reference to market values resulting from an over-the-counter market or obtaining market data for similar instruments with similar characteristics.

• | Commodity - The fair value of copper derivatives is computed using a combination of intrinsic and time value valuation models. The intrinsic valuation model reflects the difference between the strike price of the underlying copper derivative instrument and the current prevailing copper prices in an over-the-counter market at period end. The time value valuation model incorporates the constant changes in the price of the underlying copper derivative instrument, the time value of money, the underlying copper derivative instrument's strike price and the remaining time to the underlying copper derivative instrument's expiration date from the period end date. Overall, fair value is a function of five primary variables: price of the underlying instrument, time to expiration, strike price, interest rate, and volatility.

• | Interest Rates - The fair value of interest rate swap instruments is derived by comparing the present value of the interest rate forward curve against the present value of the swap rate, relative to the notional amount of the swap. The net value represents the estimated amount we would receive or pay to terminate the agreements. Settlement amounts for an "in the money" swap would be adjusted down to compensate the counterparty for cost of funds, and the adjustment is directly related to the counterparties' credit ratings.

We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
For further discussion on our derivative contracts, see Note 3 - "Hedging Transactions and Derivative Financial Instruments" below.
Note 3 – Hedging Transactions and Derivative Financial Instruments
The guidance for the accounting and disclosure of derivatives and hedging transactions requires companies to recognize all of their derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the statements of financial position. The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies for special hedge accounting treatment as defined under the applicable accounting guidance. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify for hedge accounting treatment (i.e., hedging the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that is attributable to a particular risk), the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). This gain or loss is reclassified into earnings in the same line item of the condensed consolidated statements of income associated with the forecasted transaction and in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The remaining gain or loss on the derivative instrument in excess of the cumulative change in the present value of the future cash flows of the hedged item (i.e., the ineffective portion) if any, is recognized in the statements of income during the current period. For the nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, there was no hedge ineffectiveness.
We currently have twenty-four outstanding contracts to hedge exposure related to the purchase of copper in our Power Electronics Solutions and Advanced Connectivity Solutions operations. These contracts are held with financial institutions and minimize the risk associated with a potential rise in copper prices. These contracts provide some coverage over the 2015 and 2016 monthly copper exposure and do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment; therefore, any mark-to-market adjustments required on these contracts are recorded in the other income (expense), net line item in our condensed consolidated statements of income.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, we entered into Euro, Japanese Yen, Hungarian Forint, Korean Won and Chinese Yuan currency forward contracts. We entered into these foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate certain global balance sheet exposures. Certain contracts qualify for hedge accounting treatment, while others do not. Mark-to-market adjustments are recorded in the other income (expense), net line item in our condensed consolidated statements of income for those contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. For those contracts that do qualify for hedge accounting treatment mark-to-market adjustments are recorded in other comprehensive income.
In July 2012, we entered into an interest rate swap to hedge the variable interest rate on our term loan debt. As of September 30, 2015, the remaining notional amount of the interest rate swap covers $24.4 million of our term loan debt. This transaction has been designated as a cash flow hedge and qualifies for hedge accounting treatment. At September 30, 2015, our term loan debt of $54.3 million and revolving line of credit borrowings of $125.0 million represent our total outstanding debt. At September 30, 2015, the rate charged on this debt was the 1 month London interbank offered rate ("LIBOR") at 0.2500% plus a spread of 1.500%.
9

The copper and foreign currency contracts that were outstanding as of September 30, 2015 are listed below:

Notional Value of Copper Derivatives |  | Notional Values of Foreign Currency Derivatives
October 2015 - December 2015 | 123 | metric tons per month |  | EUR/USD | € | 1,500,000 |
January 2016 - March 2016 | 150 | metric tons per month |  | JPY/USD | ¥ | 150,000,000 |
April 2016 - June 2016 | 130 | metric tons per month |  | HUF/EUR | 50,000,000 |
July 2016 - September 2016 | 115 | metric tons per month |  | JPY/EUR | ¥ | 145,000,000 |
October 2016 - December 2016 | 80 | metric tons per month |  | CNY/USD | ¥ | 92,510,000 |
|  |  | USD/KRW | $ | 5,250,000 |

(Dollars in thousands) |  |  |  | The Effect of Current Derivative Instruments on the Financial Statements for the period ended September 30, 2015
|  |  |  | Amount of gain (loss)
Foreign Exchange Contracts |  | Location of gain (loss) |  | Quarter ended |  | Nine months ended
Contracts designated as hedging instruments |  | Other comprehensive income (loss) |  | $ | 10 |  |  | $ | (87 | )
Contracts not designated as hedging instruments |  | Other income (expense), net |  | (315 | ) |  | (123 | )
Copper Derivative Instruments |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Contracts not designated as hedging instruments |  | Other income (expense), net |  | (245 | ) |  | (694 | )
Interest Rate Swap Instrument |  |  |  |  |  |
Contracts designated as hedging instruments |  | Other comprehensive income (loss) |  | 36 |  |  | 85 |

(Dollars in thousands) |  |  |  | The Effect of Current Derivative Instruments on the Financial Statements for the period ended September 30, 2014
|  |  |  | Amount of gain (loss)
Foreign Exchange Contracts |  | Location of gain (loss) |  | Quarter ended |  | Nine months ended
Contracts not designated as hedging instruments |  | Other income (expense), net |  | $ | 71 |  |  | $ | (83 | )
Copper Derivative Instruments |  |  |  |  |  |
Contracts not designated as hedging instruments |  | Other income (expense), net |  | (390 | ) |  | (1,053 | )
Interest Rate Swap Instrument |  |  |  |  |  |
Contracts designated as hedging instruments |  | Other comprehensive income (loss) |  | 82 |  |  | 121 |

Concentration of Credit Risk
By using derivative instruments, we are subject to credit and market risk. If a counterparty fails to fulfill its performance obligations under a derivative contract, our credit risk will equal the fair value of the derivative instrument. Generally, when the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, the counterparty owes the Company, thus creating a receivable risk for the Company. We minimize counterparty credit (or repayment) risk by entering into derivative transactions with major financial institutions with investment grade credit ratings.
10

Note 4 - Inventories
Inventories were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands) | September 30, 2015 |  | December 31, 2014
Raw materials | $ | 33,996 |  |  | $ | 26,787 |
Work-in-process | 21,009 |  |  | 16,564 |
Finished goods | 30,531 |  |  | 25,277 |
Total Inventories | $ | 85,536 |  |  | $ | 68,628 |

Note 5 - Acquisition
On January 22, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Arlon and its subsidiaries, other than Arlon India (Pvt) Limited (collectively, “Arlon”), pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated December 18, 2014, by and among the Company, Handy & Harman Group, Ltd. (“H&H Group”) and its subsidiary Bairnco Corporation (“Bairnco”), as amended, (the “Purchase Agreement”).
Pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreement, we acquired Arlon and assumed certain liabilities related to the acquisition for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $157 million.
We used borrowings of $125.0 million under our bank credit facility in addition to cash on hand to fund the acquisition.
Arlon manufactures high performance materials for the printed circuit board industry and silicone rubber-based materials. The acquisition of Arlon and its integration into our operating segments is expected to provide increased scale and complementary product offerings, allowing us to enhance our ability to support our customers.
11

The acquisition has been accounted for in accordance with applicable purchase accounting guidance. The following table represents the preliminary fair market values assigned to the acquired assets and liabilities in the transaction. On a preliminary basis, we recorded goodwill, primarily related to the expected synergies from combining operations and the value of the existing workforce. We also recorded intangible assets related to trademarks, technology and customer relationships. As of the filing date of this Form 10-Q, the process of valuing the net assets of the business is substantially complete. These values may be updated until certain items are settled in the final agreement.

(Dollars in thousands) |
| January 22, 2015
Assets: |
Cash | $ | 142 |
Accounts receivable | 17,301 |
Other current assets | 856 |
Inventory | 9,916 |
Deferred income tax assets, current | 1,278 |
Property, plant & equipment | 30,667 |
Intangible assets | 50,020 |
Goodwill | 86,337 |
Total assets | 196,517 |
Liabilities: |  |
Accounts payable | 4,958 |
Other current liabilities | 4,249 |
Deferred tax liability | 23,706 |
Other long-term liabilities | 5,056 |
Total liabilities | 37,969 |
Fair value of net assets acquired | $ | 158,548 |

The intangible assets consist of developed technology valued at $15.8 million, customer relationships valued at $32.7 million and trademarks valued at $1.6 million. The fair value of acquired identified intangible assets was determined by applying the income approach, using several significant unobservable inputs for projected cash flows and a discount rate. These inputs are considered Level 3 under the fair value measurements and disclosure guidance.
The weighted average amortization period for the intangible asset classes are 5.7 years for developed technology, 6.0 years for customer relationships and 3.2 years for trademarks, resulting in amortization expenses ranging from $1.6 million to $5.8 million annually. The estimated annual future amortization expense is $1.6 million for the remainder of 2015, and $5.8 million for each of the years ending 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
During the first nine months of 2015, we incurred transaction costs of $1.5 million, which were recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses on the condensed consolidated statement of income. We did not incur any transaction costs during the three months ended September 30, 2015.
The results of Arlon have been included in our consolidated financial statements only for the period subsequent to the completion of our acquisition on January 22, 2015. Arlon's revenues for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 totaled $27.8 million and $73.4 million, respectively. Arlon's net operating income for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 totaled $3.6 million and $7.7 million, respectively.
12

The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents the combined results of operations of Rogers and Arlon for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2014. The unaudited pro forma financial information is not intended to represent or be indicative of our consolidated results of operations or financial position that would have been reported had the Arlon acquisition been completed as of January 1, 2014 and should not be taken as indicative of our future consolidated results of operations or financial position.

| September 30, 2014
| Quarter ended | Nine months ended
(Dollars in thousands) |  |
Net sales | $ | 187,229 |  | $ | 540,670 |
Net income | $ | 21,022 |  | $ | 48,128 |

Note 6 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The changes of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component at September 30, 2015 were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands) | Foreign currency translation adjustments |  | Funded status of pension plans and other postretirement benefits (1) |  | Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments (2) |  | Total
Beginning Balance December 31, 2014 | $ | (14,193 | ) |  | $ | (50,808 | ) |  | $ | (93 | ) |  | $ | (65,094 | )
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | (21,317 | ) |  | — |  |  | (179 | ) |  | (21,496 | )
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | — |  |  | 808 |  |  | 93 |  |  | 901 |
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) | (21,317 | ) |  | 808 |  |  | (86 | ) |  | (20,595 | )
Ending Balance September 30, 2015 | $ | (35,510 | ) |  | $ | (50,000 | ) |  | $ | (179 | ) |  | $ | (85,689 | )

(1) Net of taxes of $11,502 and $11,952 as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
(2) Net of taxes of $21 and $50 as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
The changes of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component at September 30, 2014 were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands) | Foreign currency translation adjustments |  | Funded status of pension plans and other postretirement benefits (3) |  | Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments (4) |  | Total
Beginning Balance December 31, 2013 | $ | 22,756 |  |  | $ | (33,997 | ) |  | $ | (209 | ) |  | $ | (11,450 | )
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | (25,421 | ) |  | — |  |  | (115 | ) |  | (25,536 | )
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | — |  |  | 395 |  |  | 210 |  |  | 605 |
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) | (25,421 | ) |  | 395 |  |  | 95 |  |  | (24,931 | )
Ending Balance September 30, 2014 | $ | (2,665 | ) |  | $ | (33,602 | ) |  | $ | (114 | ) |  | $ | (36,381 | )

(3) Net of taxes of $2,688 and $2,900 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
(4) Net of taxes of $61 and $110 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
13

The reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands) | Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the period ended September 30, 2015 |  |
Details about accumulated other comprehensive income components | Quarter ended | Nine months ended |  | Affected line item in the statement where net income is presented
Unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments: |  |  |  |
| $ | (1 | ) | $ | 143 |  |  | Other income (expense), net
| — |  | (50 | ) |  | Tax benefit (expense)
| $ | (1 | ) | $ | 93 |  |  | Net of tax
Amortization of defined benefit pension and other post-retirement benefit items: |  |  |  |
Actuarial losses | $ | 428 |  | $ | 1,243 |  |  | Total before tax (5)
| (151 | ) | (435 | ) |  | Tax benefit (expense)
| $ | 277 |  | $ | 808 |  |  | Net of tax

(5) These accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 9 - "Pension Benefits and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans" for additional details.
The reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014 were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands) | Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the period ended September 30, 2014 |  |
Details about accumulated other comprehensive income components | Quarter ended | Nine months ended |  | Affected line item in the statement where net income is presented
Unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities: |  |  |  |
| $ | 1 |  | $ | 323 |  |  | Other income (expense), net
| — |  | (113 | ) |  | Tax benefit (expense)
| $ | 1 |  | $ | 210 |  |  | Net of tax
Amortization of defined benefit pension and other post-retirement benefit items: |  |  |  |
Actuarial losses | $ | 203 |  | $ | 607 |  |  | Total before tax (5)
| (71 | ) | (212 | ) |  | Tax benefit (expense)
| $ | 132 |  | $ | 395 |  |  | Net of tax

(5) These accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 9 - "Pension Benefits and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans" for additional details.
14

Note 7- Earnings Per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share, for the periods indicated:

(In thousands, except per share amounts) | Quarter Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014
Numerator: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net income | $ | 12,455 |  |  | $ | 20,388 |  |  | $ | 39,621 |  |  | $ | 45,870 |
Denominator: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Weighted-average shares outstanding - basic | 18,430 |  |  | 18,259 |  |  | 18,511 |  |  | 18,123 |
Effect of dilutive shares | 220 |  |  | 475 |  |  | 374 |  |  | 534 |
Weighted-average shares outstanding - diluted | 18,650 |  |  | 18,734 |  |  | 18,885 |  |  | 18,657 |
Basic earnings per share: | $ | 0.68 |  |  | $ | 1.12 |  |  | $ | 2.14 |  |  | $ | 2.53 |
Diluted earnings per share: | $ | 0.67 |  |  | $ | 1.09 |  |  | $ | 2.10 |  |  | $ | 2.46 |

Certain potential ordinary dilutive shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted-average shares outstanding because they would have had an anti-dilutive effect on net income per share. For the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015, 14,000 shares were excluded. For the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014, 22,350 shares were excluded.
Note 8 – Stock-Based Compensation
Equity Compensation Awards
Stock Options
Stock options have been granted under various equity compensation plans. While we may grant options to employees that become exercisable at different times or within different periods, we have generally granted options to employees that vest and become exercisable in one-third increments on the second, third and fourth anniversaries of the grant dates. The maximum contractual term for all options is normally ten years.
We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to calculate the grant-date fair value of an option. We have not granted any stock options since the first quarter of 2012.
In most cases, we recognize expense using the straight-line method for stock option grants. The amount of stock-based compensation recognized during a period is based on the value of the portion of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest. Forfeitures are required to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The term “forfeitures” is distinct from “cancellations” or “expirations” and represents only the unvested portion of the surrendered option. We currently expect, based on an analysis of our historical forfeitures, an annual forfeiture rate of approximately 3% and applied that rate to the grants issued. This assumption is reviewed periodically and the rate is adjusted as necessary based on these reviews. Ultimately, the actual expense recognized over the vesting period will only be for those options that vest.
During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 we recognized approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million of stock option compensation expense, respectively. During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014 we recognized approximately $0.1 million and $0.3 million of stock option compensation expense, respectively.
15

A summary of the activity under our stock option plans as of September 30, 2015 and changes during the quarter and nine months then ended, is presented below:

| Options Outstanding |  | Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share |  | Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life in Years |  | Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Options outstanding at June 30, 2015 | 224,238 |  |  | $ | 40.49 |  |  | 3.5 |  | $ | 5,752,806 |
Options exercised | (600 | ) |  | $ | 40.70 |  |  |  |  |  |
Options forfeited | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  |  |  |  |
Options outstanding at September 30, 2015 | 223,638 |  |  | $ | 40.48 |  |  | 3.3 |  | 2,985,568 |
Options exercisable at September 30, 2015 | 222,827 |  |  | $ | 39.98 |  |  | 3.0 |  | 3,088,366 |
Options vested or expected to vest at September 30, 2015* | 223,614 |  |  | $ | 40.47 |  |  | 3.3 |  | 2,988,652 |

* In addition to the vested options, we expect a portion of the unvested options to vest at some point in the future. Options expected to vest are calculated by applying an estimated forfeiture rate to the unvested options.

| Options Outstanding |  | Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share
Options outstanding at December 31, 2014 | 393,347 |  |  | $ | 40.72 |
Options exercised | (168,259 | ) |  | $ | 40.91 |
Options canceled | (1,450 | ) |  | $ | 39.62 |
Options outstanding at September 30, 2015 | 223,638 |  |  |  |

During the nine month period ended September 30, 2015, the total intrinsic value of options exercised (i.e., the difference between the market price at time of exercise and the price paid by the individual to exercise the options) was $6.9 million, and the total amount of cash received from the exercise of these options was $6.5 million.
Performance-Based Restricted Stock
In 2006, we began granting performance-based restricted stock awards. We currently have awards from 2013, 2014 and 2015 outstanding. These awards cliff vest at the end of the three year measurement period, except for the 2015 grants to those individuals who are retirement eligible during the grant period. These individuals may receive a pro-rata payout based on the actual retirement date if it occurs during the vesting period. Participants are eligible to be awarded shares ranging from 0% to 200% of the original award amount, based on certain defined measurement criteria. Compensation expense is recognized using the straight-line method over the vesting period.
All outstanding awards have two measurement criteria on which the final payout of each award is based - (i) the three year return on invested capital (ROIC) compared to that of a specified group of peer companies, and (ii) the three year total shareholder return (TSR) on the performance of our capital stock as compared to that of a specified group of peer companies. In accordance with the applicable accounting literature, the ROIC portion of each award is considered a performance condition. As such, the fair value of each award is determined based on the market value of the underlying stock price at the grant date with cumulative compensation expense recognized to date being increased or decreased based on changes in the forecasted pay out percentage at the end of each reporting period. The TSR portion of the award is considered a market condition. As such, the fair value of this award was determined on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model with related compensation expense fixed on the grant date and expensed on a straight-line basis over the life of the awards that ultimately vest with no changes for the final projected payout of the award.
The amount of performance-based restricted stock compensation recognized during a period is based on the value of the portion of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest. Forfeitures are required to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The term “forfeitures” is distinct from “cancellations” and represents only the unvested portion of the surrendered award. We currently expect, based on an analysis of our historical forfeitures, an annual forfeiture rate of approximately 7% and applied that rate to the grants issued. This assumption will be reviewed periodically and the rate will be adjusted as necessary based on these reviews. Ultimately, the actual expense recognized over the vesting period will only be for those awards that vest.
16

Below are the assumptions used in the Monte Carlo calculation:

| September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014
Expected volatility | 28.2% |  | 33.7%
Expected term (in years) | 3.0 |  | 3.0
Risk-free interest rate | 0.96% |  | 0.67%

Expected volatility – In determining expected volatility, we have considered a number of factors, including historical volatility.
Expected term – We use the vesting period of the award to determine the expected term assumption for the Monte Carlo simulation valuation model.
Risk-free interest rate – We use an implied "spot rate" yield on U.S. Treasury Constant Maturity rates as of the grant date for our assumption of the risk-free interest rate.
Expected dividend yield – We do not currently pay dividends on our capital stock; therefore, a dividend yield of 0% was used in the Monte Carlo simulation valuation model.
Actual performance during the relevant period for the 2012 award, which vested as of December 31, 2014, met the target performance criteria and shares were paid out at 120.0% of target during the second quarter of 2015.

| Performance-Based Restricted Stock Awards
Non-vested awards outstanding at December 31, 2014 | 92,437 |
Awards granted | 50,798 |
Stock issued | (20,910 | )
Awards forfeited | (10,690 | )
Non-vested awards outstanding at September 30, 2015 | 111,635 |

During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recognized compensation expense for performance-based restricted stock awards of approximately $1.2 million and $2.8 million, respectively. During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recognized expense for performance-based restricted stock awards of approximately $0.2 million and $1.5 million, respectively.
Time-Based Restricted Stock
In 2011, we began granting time-based restricted stock awards to certain key executives and other key members of the Company’s management team. We currently have grants from 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 outstanding. The 2012 grants cliff vest at the end of the three year vesting period. The 2013, 2014 and 2015 grants typically vest on the first, second and third anniversaries of the original grant date. We do occasionally grant awards that cliff vest after 4 years. We recognize compensation expense on all of these awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. The fair value of the award is determined based on the market value of the underlying stock price at the grant date.
The amount of time-based restricted stock compensation recognized during a period is based on the value of the portion of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest. Forfeitures are required to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The term “forfeitures” is distinct from “cancellations” and represents only the unvested portion of the surrendered award. We currently expect, based on an analysis of our historical forfeitures, an annual forfeiture rate of approximately 7% and applied that rate to the grants issued. This assumption will be reviewed periodically and the rate will be adjusted as necessary based on these reviews. Ultimately, the actual expense recognized over the vesting period will only be for those awards that vest.
17

| Time-Based Restricted Stock Awards
Non-vested awards outstanding at December 31, 2014 | 238,386 |
Awards granted | 70,060 |
Stock issued | (72,986 | )
Awards forfeited | (7,168 | )
Non-vested awards outstanding at September 30, 2015 | 228,292 |

During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015, we recognized compensation expense for time-based restricted stock awards of approximately $1.3 million and $3.8 million, respectively. During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014, we recognized compensation expense for time-based restricted stock awards of approximately $0.7 million and $2.7 million.
Deferred Stock Units
We grant deferred stock units to non-management directors. These awards are fully vested on the date of grant and the related shares are generally issued on the 13 month anniversary of the grant date unless the individual elects to defer the receipt of those shares. Each deferred stock unit results in the issuance of one share of Rogers’ stock. The grant of deferred stock units is typically done annually during the second quarter of each year. The fair value of the award is determined based on the market value of the underlying stock price at the grant date.

| Deferred Stock Units
Awards outstanding at December 31, 2014 | 30,150 |
Awards granted | 9,100 |
Stock issued | (15,400 | )
Awards outstanding at September 30, 2015 | 23,850 |

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 we recognized compensation expense for deferred stock units of $0.7 million and $0.8 million, respectively. There was no expense associated with the deferred stock units in the third quarter of 2015 or 2014.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
We have an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP) that allows eligible employees to purchase, through payroll deductions, shares of our capital stock at a discount to fair market value. The ESPP has two six month offering periods each year, the first beginning in January and ending in June and the second beginning in July and ending in December. The ESPP contains a look-back feature that allows the employee to acquire stock at a 15% discount from the underlying market price at the beginning or end of the applicable period, whichever is lower. We recognize compensation expense on this plan ratably over the offering period based on the fair value of the anticipated number of shares that will be issued at the end of each offering period. Compensation expense is adjusted at the end of each offering period for the actual number of shares issued. Fair value is determined based on two factors: (i) the 15% discount amount on the underlying stock’s market value on the first day of the applicable offering period and (ii) the fair value of the look-back feature determined by using the Black-Scholes model. We recognized approximately $0.1 million of compensation expense associated with the plan for the quarters ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, and approximately $0.3 million of compensation expense associated with the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.
18

Note 9 – Pension Benefits and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
The components of net periodic benefit cost (income) for the periods indicated were:

(Dollars in thousands) | Pension Benefits |  | Retirement Health and Life Insurance Benefits
Quarter Ended |  | Nine Months Ended |  | Quarter Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
Change in benefit obligation: | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014
Service cost | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 150 |  |  | $ | 160 |  |  | $ | 450 |  |  | $ | 479 |
Interest cost | 1,846 |  |  | 2,004 |  |  | 5,523 |  |  | 6,012 |  |  | 75 |  |  | 83 |  |  | 225 |  |  | 250 |
Expected return on plan assets | (2,772 | ) |  | (3,227 | ) |  | (8,314 | ) |  | (9,682 | ) |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Amortization of net loss | 432 |  |  | 172 |  |  | 1,258 |  |  | 515 |  |  | — |  |  | 31 |  |  | — |  |  | 92 |
Settlement charge | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 77 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | — |
Net periodic benefit cost (income) | $ | (494 | ) |  | $ | (1,051 | ) |  | $ | (1,533 | ) |  | $ | (3,078 | ) |  | $ | 225 |  |  | $ | 274 |  |  | $ | 675 |  |  | $ | 821 |

In the first quarter of 2015, as part of the acquisition of Arlon, we acquired the Hourly Employees Pension Plan of Arlon, LLC, Microwave Materials and Silicone Technologies Divisions, Bear, Delaware. This plan covers Arlon union employees and was frozen to new participants and accumulating benefits in 2006. As of the acquisition date, January 22, 2015, the funded status of the plan was a liability of approximately $2.0 million. We have recorded this as part of our long term pension liability within our condensed consolidated statements of financial position.
In the first quarter of 2014, we made a one-time cash payment to a former employee of $0.8 million in accordance with the provisions of his retirement contract related to his participation in the Company's Pension Restoration Plan. This payment resulted in a settlement charge of approximately $0.1 million, which was recognized in the first quarter of 2014.
Employer Contributions
In the second quarters of 2015 and 2014, we made voluntary contributions of $6.5 million and $6.5 million, respectively to our qualified defined benefit pension plans. These are the only amounts contributed in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014.
We did not make any contributions to our non-qualified defined benefit pension plan for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. We made $0.8 million in contributions to our non-qualified defined benefit pension plan for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. This was the only amount contributed in the first nine months of 2014.
Note 10 – Segment Information
Our reporting structure is comprised of the following operating segments: Advanced Connectivity Solutions (ACS), Elastomeric Material Solutions (EMS), Power Electronics Solutions (PES) and the Other segment. We believe this structure aligns our external reporting presentation with how we currently manage and view our business internally. In the second quarter of 2015, we concluded that we needed to update two of our operating segment names to better align the business product portfolio offerings to the market. Therefore, Advanced Connectivity Solutions replaced the name of Printed Circuit Materials, and Elastomeric Material Solutions replaced the name of High Performance Foams. There were no changes to the composition of these two operating segments.
We completed the acquisition of Arlon on January 22, 2015. As part of the integration process, Arlon operations related to circuit materials and silicones were included in our ACS and EMS segments, respectively. The Other segment includes the Arlon business that manufactures specialty polyimide, epoxy-based laminates and bonding materials.
19

As a result of the acquisition, we significantly increased our asset holdings. The following table sets forth the total assets allocated to each segment:

(Dollars in thousands) |
| September 30, 2015
Assets |
Advanced Connectivity Solutions | $ | 313,259 |
Elastomeric Material Solutions | 265,635 |
Power Electronics Solutions | 325,636 |
Other | 39,439 |
Total Assets | $ | 943,969 |

The following table sets forth the information about our segments for the periods indicated, inter-segment sales have been eliminated from the sales data:

(Dollars in thousands) | Quarter Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014
Net sales |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Advanced Connectivity Solutions | $ | 66,160 |  |  | $ | 63,353 |  |  | $ | 203,855 |  |  | $ | 183,397 |
Elastomeric Material Solutions | 46,783 |  |  | 46,709 |  |  | 138,355 |  |  | 130,709 |
Power Electronics Solutions | 36,565 |  |  | 46,468 |  |  | 113,633 |  |  | 130,185 |
Other | 10,858 |  |  | 6,522 |  |  | 32,672 |  |  | 18,896 |
Net sales | $ | 160,366 |  |  | $ | 163,052 |  |  | $ | 488,515 |  |  | $ | 463,187 |
Operating income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Advanced Connectivity Solutions | $ | 11,949 |  |  | $ | 14,095 |  |  | $ | 36,831 |  |  | $ | 36,355 |
Elastomeric Material Solutions | 8,116 |  |  | 8,442 |  |  | 16,661 |  |  | 18,752 |
Power Electronics Solutions | 1,057 |  |  | 3,683 |  |  | 4,279 |  |  | 4,515 |
Other | 1,933 |  |  | 2,169 |  |  | 5,894 |  |  | 6,444 |
Operating income | 23,055 |  |  | 28,389 |  |  | 63,665 |  |  | 66,066 |
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures | 877 |  |  | 953 |  |  | 2,187 |  |  | 2,992 |
Other income (expense), net | (756 | ) |  | (107 | ) |  | (1,404 | ) |  | (1,374 | )
Interest expense, net | (1,126 | ) |  | (698 | ) |  | (3,435 | ) |  | (2,167 | )
Income before income tax expense (benefit) | $ | 22,050 |  |  | $ | 28,537 |  |  | $ | 61,013 |  |  | $ | 65,517 |

20

Information relating to our operations by geographic area were as follows:

| Net Sales (1)
| Quarter Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands) | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014
United States | $ | 40,630 |  |  | $ | 34,714 |  |  | $ | 126,825 |  |  | $ | 98,353 |
China | 55,233 |  |  | 67,032 |  |  | 172,405 |  |  | 179,158 |
Germany | 21,942 |  |  | 23,793 |  |  | 60,361 |  |  | 72,351 |
Other | 42,561 |  |  | 37,513 |  |  | 128,924 |  |  | 113,325 |
Total | 160,366 |  |  | 163,052 |  |  | 488,515 |  |  | 463,187 |

(1) Net sales were allocated to countries based on the location of the customer.

| Long-lived Assets (2)
(Dollars in thousands) | September 30, 2015 |  |  | December 31, 2014 |
United States | $ | 222,453 |  |  | $ | 70,532 |
China | 55,027 |  |  | 49,754 |
Germany | 114,837 |  |  | 129,702 |
Other | 45,314 |  |  | 36,999 |
Total | 437,631 |  |  | 286,987 |

(2) Long-lived assets were based on the location of the asset and were comprised of goodwill and other intangibles and property, plant and equipment.
21

Note 11 – Joint Ventures
As of September 30, 2015, we had two joint ventures, each 50% owned, which were accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

Joint Venture | Location | Reportable Segment | Fiscal Year-End
Rogers INOAC Corporation (RIC) | Japan | Elastomeric Material Solutions | October 31
Rogers INOAC Suzhou Corporation (RIS) | China | Elastomeric Material Solutions | December 31

We recognized equity income related to the joint ventures of $0.9 million and $2.2 million for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. We recognized equity income related to the joint ventures of $1.0 million and $3.0 million for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. These amounts are included in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
The summarized financial information for the joint ventures for the periods indicated was as follows:

(Dollars in thousands) | Quarter Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014
Net sales | $ | 12,227 |  |  | $ | 11,992 |  |  | $ | 32,708 |  |  | $ | 35,842 |
Gross profit | $ | 3,201 |  |  | $ | 3,361 |  |  | $ | 8,087 |  |  | $ | 10,663 |
Net income | $ | 1,754 |  |  | $ | 1,905 |  |  | $ | 4,374 |  |  | $ | 5,984 |

Receivables from and payables to joint ventures arise during the normal course of business from transactions between us and the joint ventures, typically from the joint venture purchasing raw materials from us to produce end products, which are sold to third parties, or from us purchasing finished goods from our joint ventures, which are then sold to third parties.
Note 12 - Debt
On June 18, 2015, we entered into a secured five year credit agreement (the "Amended Credit Agreement"). The Amended Credit Agreement amends and restates the credit agreement signed between the Company and the same banks on July 13, 2011 and increased our borrowing capacity from $265.0 million to $350.0 million, with an additional $50.0 million expansion option.
The Amended Credit Agreement provides (1) a $55.0 million term loan; (2) up to $295.0 million of revolving loans, with sub-limits for multicurrency borrowings, letters of credit and swing-line notes; and (3) a $50.0 million expansion feature. Borrowings may be used to finance working capital needs, for letters of credit and for general corporate purposes in the ordinary course of business, including the financing of permitted acquisitions (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement).
Borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement bear interest based on one of two options. Alternate base rate loans bear interest that includes a base reference rate plus a spread of 37.5 to 75.0 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio. The base reference rate is the greater of the prime rate; federal funds effective rate plus 50 basis points; or adjusted 1-month LIBOR plus 100 basis points. Euro-currency loans bear interest based on adjusted LIBOR plus a spread of 137.5 to 175.0 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio.
In addition to interest payable on the principal amount of indebtedness outstanding from time to time under the Amended Credit Agreement, the Company is required to pay a quarterly fee of 0.20% to 0.30% (based upon our leverage ratio) of the unused amount of the lenders’ commitments under the Amended Credit Agreement.
The Amended Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants, mandatory prepayments and events of default under which the Company's payment obligations may be accelerated. The financial covenants include requirements to maintain (1) a leverage ratio of no more than 3.25 to 1.00, subject to a one-time election to increase the maximum leverage ratio to 3.50 to 1.00 for one fiscal year in connection with a permitted acquisition, and (2) an interest coverage ratio ("ICR") of no less than 3.00 to 1.00. The ICR is the ratio determined as of the end of each of its fiscal quarters ending on and after September 30, 2015, of (i) Consolidated Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) (as defined in the Amended
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Credit Agreement) minus the unfinanced portion of Consolidated Capital Expenditures to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense paid in cash, in each case for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the end of such fiscal quarter, all calculated for the Borrower and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
As of September 30, 2015, we were in compliance with all of the financial covenants in the Amended Credit Agreement, as we achieved actual ratios of approximately 1.41 to 1.00 on the leverage ratio and 26.13 to 1.00 on the ICR.
The Amended Credit Agreement requires the mandatory quarterly repayment of principal on amounts borrowed under such term loan. Payments commenced on September 30, 2015, and are scheduled to be completed on June 30, 2020. The aggregate mandatory principal payments due are as follows:

2015 |  | $1.4 | million
2016 |  | $3.4 | million
2017 |  | $4.1 | million
2018 |  | $4.8 | million
2019 |  | $5.5 | million
2020 |  | $160.8 | million

All obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement are guaranteed by each of the Corporation’s existing and future material domestic subsidiaries, as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement (the “Guarantors”). The obligations are also secured by a Second Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of June 18, 2015, entered into by the Company and the Guarantors which grants to the administrative agent, for the benefit of the lenders, a security interest, subject to certain exceptions, in substantially all of the non-real estate assets of the Company and the Guarantors.
All amounts borrowed or outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement, with the exception of amounts borrowed under the term loan which are subject to quarterly principal payments, are due and mature on June 18, 2020, unless the commitments are terminated earlier either at the request of the Company or if certain events of default occur.
In addition, as of September 30, 2015 we had a $1.4 million standby letter of credit (LOC) to guarantee Rogers workers compensation plans that were backed by the Amended Credit Agreement. No amounts were drawn on the LOC as of September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014.
The Amended Credit Agreement is secured by many of the assets of Rogers, including but not limited to, receivables, equipment, intellectual property, inventory, and stock in certain subsidiaries.
If an event of default occurs, the lenders may, among other things, terminate their commitments and declare all outstanding borrowings to be immediately due and payable together with accrued interest and fees.
Before entering into the Amended Credit Agreement, we had $0.5 million of remaining capitalized costs from the previous credit agreements. These costs will continue to be amortized over the life of the Amended Credit Agreement. In the second quarter of 2015, we capitalized an additional $1.8 million in connection with the Amended Credit Agreement. These costs will be amortized over the life of the Amended Credit Agreement, which will terminate in June 2020.
We incurred amortization expense of $0.1 million in each of the third quarters of 2015 and 2014, and amortization expense of $0.3 million and $0.4 million in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively. At September 30, 2015, we have approximately $2.2 million of credit facility costs remaining to be amortized.
We borrowed $125.0 million under the line of credit in the first quarter of 2015 to fund the acquisition of Arlon. During the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, we made principal payments of $5.7 million and $12.5 million, respectively, on the outstanding debt. The principal amount of this debt has been transferred to the new revolving credit line created in June of 2015. We are obligated to pay $3.1 million on this debt obligation in the next 12 months under the term loan.
We incurred interest expense on our outstanding debt of $0.9 million and $2.7 million for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $0.5 million and $1.4 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively.
We incurred an unused commitment fee of $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. In July 2012, we entered into an interest rate swap to hedge the variable interest rate on our term loan debt. As of September 30, 2015, the remaining notional amount of the interest rate swap covers $24.4 million of our term loan debt. At September 30, 2015, our outstanding debt balance is comprised of a term loan of $54.3 million and $125.0 million borrowed on the revolving line of credit. At September 30, 2015, the rate charged on this debt is the 1 month LIBOR at 0.2500% plus a spread of 1.500%.
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Pursuant to the Amended Credit Agreement, we cannot make a cash dividend payment if (i) a default or event of default has occurred and is continuing or will result from the cash dividend payment or (ii) if the aggregate amount of all cash dividend payments and other such restricted payments (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) that are otherwise not permitted during any fiscal year exceeds $10.0 million; provided that, if at the time of and immediately after giving effect (including on a pro forma basis) thereto, the Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) is less than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00, such dollar limitation would not apply.
Capital Lease
During the first quarter of 2011, we recorded a capital lease obligation related to the acquisition of Curamik Electronics GmbH ("Curamik") for its primary manufacturing facility in Eschenbach, Germany. Under the terms of the leasing agreement, we have an option to purchase the property upon the expiration of the lease in 2021 at a price which is the greater of (i) the then-current market value or (ii) the residual book value of the land including the buildings and installations thereon. The total obligation recorded for the lease as of September 30, 2015 is $6.1 million. Depreciation expense related to the capital lease was $0.1 million in each of the quarters ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 and $0.3 million in the nine months ending September 30, 2015 and 2014. Accumulated depreciation at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was $1.9 million and $1.6 million, respectively. These expenses are included as depreciation expense in cost of sales on our condensed consolidated statements of income.
We also incurred interest expense on the capital lease of $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $0.1 million and $0.4 million for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Interest expense related to the debt recorded on the capital lease is included in interest expense on the condensed consolidated statements of income.
We guarantee an interest rate swap related to our lease of the manufacturing facility in Eschenbach, Germany. The swap is in a liability position with the bank at September 30, 2015, and has a fair value of $0.2 million. We have concluded that default by the lessor is not probable during the term of the swap, and we have chosen not to exercise the option to buyout the lease during the leasing period; therefore, the guarantee has no value.
Note 13 – Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Intangible Assets

(Dollars in thousands) | September 30, 2015 |  | December 31, 2014
| Gross Carrying Amount (1) |  | Accumulated Amortization |  | Net Carrying Amount |  | Gross Carrying Amount (1) |  | Accumulated Amortization |  | Net Carrying Amount
Trademarks and patents | $ | 2,537 |  |  | $ | 615 |  |  | $ | 1,922 |  |  | $ | 1,046 |  |  | $ | 364 |  |  | $ | 682 |
Technology | 47,423 |  |  | 18,731 |  |  | 28,692 |  |  | 33,942 |  |  | 15,958 |  |  | 17,984 |
Covenant-not-to-compete | 935 |  |  | 891 |  |  | 44 |  |  | 1,016 |  |  | 823 |  |  | 193 |
Customer relationships | 50,282 |  |  | 7,781 |  |  | 42,501 |  |  | 19,123 |  |  | 4,406 |  |  | 14,717 |
Total definite lived intangible assets | 101,177 |  |  | 28,018 |  |  | 73,159 |  |  | 55,127 |  |  | 21,551 |  |  | 33,576 |
Indefinite lived intangible assets | 4,418 |  |  | — |  |  | 4,418 |  |  | 4,764 |  |  | — |  |  | 4,764 |
Total intangible assets | $ | 105,595 |  |  | $ | 28,018 |  |  | $ | 77,577 |  |  | $ | 59,891 |  |  | $ | 21,551 |  |  | $ | 38,340 |

(1) Gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization may differ from prior periods due to foreign exchange rate fluctuations.
On January 22, 2015, we acquired Arlon. For further detail on the goodwill and intangible assets recorded on the acquisition, see Note 5 - "Acquisition".
Amortization expense for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was approximately $2.8 million and $8.0 million, respectively. Amortization expense was $1.5 million and $4.7 million for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. The estimated annual future amortization expense is $2.8 million, $10.4 million, $10.0 million, $9.5 million and $9.0 million for the remainder of 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.
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The weighted average amortization period as of September 30, 2015, by intangible asset class, is presented in the table below:

Intangible Asset Class |  | Weighted Average Amortization Period (Years)
Trademarks and patents |  | 4.5
Technology |  | 5.0
Covenant not-to-compete |  | 1.0
Customer relationships |  | 6.3
Total definite lived intangible assets |  | 5.7

The indefinite-lived trademark intangible assets were acquired from the acquisition of Curamik. These assets are assessed for impairment annually or when changes in circumstances indicated that the carrying values may be recoverable. The definite-lived intangibles are amortized using a fair value methodology that is based on the projected economic use of the related underlying asset.
Goodwill
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the period ending September 30, 2015, by segment, were as follows:

(Dollars in thousands) | Advanced Connectivity Solutions |  | Elastomeric Material Solutions |  | Power Electronics Solutions |  | Other |  | Total
December 31, 2014 | $ | — |  |  | $ | 23,565 |  |  | $ | 72,438 |  |  | $ | 2,224 |  |  | $ | 98,227 |
Foreign currency translation adjustment | — |  |  | (1,301 | ) |  | (5,659 | ) |  | — |  |  | (6,960 | )
Arlon acquisition | 52,444 |  |  | 33,893 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 86,337 |
September 30, 2015 | $ | 52,444 |  |  | $ | 56,157 |  |  | $ | 66,779 |  |  | $ | 2,224 |  |  | $ | 177,604 |

Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies
We are currently engaged in the following environmental and legal proceedings:
Superfund Sites
We are currently involved as a potentially responsible party (PRP) in one active case involving a waste disposal site, the Chatham Superfund Site. The costs incurred since inception for this claim have been immaterial and have been primarily covered by insurance policies, for both legal and remediation costs. In this matter, we have been assessed a cost sharing percentage of approximately 2% in relation to the range for estimated total cleanup costs of $18.8 million to $29.6 million. We believe we have sufficient insurance coverage to fully cover this liability and have recorded a liability and related insurance receivable of approximately $0.4 million as of September 30, 2015, which approximates our share of the low end of the estimated range. We believe we are a de minimis participant and, as such, have been allocated an insignificant percentage of the total PRP cost sharing responsibility. Based on facts presently known to us, we believe that the potential for the final results of this case having a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows is remote. This case has been ongoing for many years and we believe that it will continue on for the indefinite future. No time frame for completion can be estimated at the present time.
PCB Contamination
We have been working with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region I, in connection with certain polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination at our facility in Woodstock, Connecticut. The issue was originally discovered in the soil at the facility in the late 1990s, and this initial issue was remediated in 2000. Further contamination was later found in the groundwater beneath the property, which was addressed with the installation of a pump and treat system in 2011. Additional PCB contamination at this facility was found in the original buildings, courtyards and surrounding areas including an on-site pond. Remediation activities of the affected building materials and courtyards were completed in 2014 at a total cost of $0.5 million. Remediation costs related to the soil contamination and the on-site pond are ongoing and expected to approximate $0.7 million. The soil contamination remediation is completed and we currently have a reserve of $0.2 million for the pond remediation recorded in our consolidated statements of financial position. We believe this reserve will be adequate to cover the remaining remediation work related to the soil and pond contamination based
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on the information known at this time. However, if additional contamination is found, the cost of the remaining remediation may increase.
Overall, we have spent approximately $2.4 million in remediation and monitoring costs related to these various PCB contamination issues. The future costs related to the maintenance of the groundwater pump and treat system now in place at the site are expected to be minimal. We believe that the remaining remediation activity will continue for several more years and no time frame for completion can be estimated at the present time.
Asbestos Litigation
A significant number of asbestos-related product liability claims have been brought against numerous United States industrial companies where the third-party plaintiffs allege personal injury from exposure to asbestos-containing products. We have been named, along with hundreds of other companies, as a defendant in some of these claims. In virtually all of these claims filed against us, the plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages, or, if an amount is specified, such amount merely represents a jurisdictional amount. However, occasionally specific damages are alleged and in such situations, plaintiffs’ lawyers often sue dozens of defendants, frequently without factual basis or support. As a result, even when a specific amount of damages is alleged, such action can be arbitrary, both as to the amount being sought and the defendant being charged with such damages.
We did not mine, mill, manufacture or market asbestos; rather we made a limited number of products which contained encapsulated asbestos. Such products were provided to industrial users. We stopped manufacturing these products in the late 1980s.

• | Claims

We have been named in asbestos litigation primarily in Illinois, Pennsylvania and Mississippi. As of September 30, 2015, there were 452 pending claims compared to 438 pending claims at December 31, 2014. The number of pending claims at a particular time can fluctuate significantly from period to period depending on how successful we have been in getting these cases dismissed or settled. Some jurisdictions prohibit specifying alleged damages in personal injury tort cases such as these, other than a minimum jurisdictional amount which may be required for such reasons as allowing the case to be litigated in a jury trial (which the plaintiffs believe will be more favorable to them than if heard only before a judge) or allowing the case to be litigated in federal court. This is in contrast to commercial litigation, in which specific alleged damage claims are often permitted. The prohibition on specifying alleged damages sometimes applies not only to the suit when filed but also during the trial – in some jurisdictions the plaintiff is not actually permitted to specify to the jury during the course of the trial the amount of alleged damages the plaintiff is claiming. Further, in those jurisdictions in which plaintiffs are permitted to claim specific alleged damages, many plaintiffs nonetheless still choose not to do so. In those cases in which plaintiffs are permitted to and choose to assert specific dollar amounts in their complaints, we believe the amounts claimed are typically not meaningful as an indicator of a company’s potential liability. This is because (1) the amounts claimed may bear no relation to the level of the plaintiff’s alleged injury and are often used as part of the plaintiff’s litigation strategy, (2) the complaints typically assert claims against numerous defendants, and often the alleged damages are not allocated against specific defendants, but rather the broad claim is made against all of the defendants as a group, making it impossible for a particular defendant to quantify the alleged damages that are being specifically claimed against it and therefore its potential liability, and (3) many cases are brought on behalf of plaintiffs who have not suffered any medical injury, and ultimately are resolved without any payment or payment of a small fraction of the damages initially claimed.
We believe the rate at which plaintiffs filed asbestos-related suits against us increased in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 because of increased activity on the part of plaintiffs to identify those companies that sold asbestos-containing products, but which did not directly mine, mill or market asbestos. A significant increase in the volume of asbestos-related bodily injury cases arose in Mississippi in 2002. This increase in the volume of claims in Mississippi was apparently due to the passage of tort reform legislation (applicable to asbestos-related injuries), which became effective on September 1, 2003 and which resulted in a higher than average number of claims being filed in Mississippi by plaintiffs seeking to ensure their claims would be governed by the law in effect prior to the passage of tort reform. The number of asbestos related suits filed against us decreased slightly in 2005 and 2006, but increased slightly in 2007, declined in 2008 and increased again in 2009 and 2010. The number of lawsuits filed against us in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and the first nine months of 2015 (annualized) was significantly higher than in 2010. These new lawsuits are reflected in the National Economic Research Associates, Inc. ("NERA") and Marsh USA, Inc. ("Marsh") reports. See "Impact on Financials Statements" section below.

• | Defenses

In many cases, plaintiffs are unable to demonstrate that they have suffered any compensable loss as a result of exposure to our asbestos-containing products. We believe that the trend will continue and that a majority of the claimants in pending cases will not be able to demonstrate exposure or loss. This belief is based in large part on the limited number of asbestos-related products manufactured and sold by us and the fact that the asbestos was encapsulated in such products. In addition, even at sites where the presence of an alleged injured party can be verified during the same period those products were used, our liability cannot be presumed because even if an individual contracted an asbestos-related disease, not everyone who was employed at a site was
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exposed to the asbestos containing products that we manufactured. Based on these and other factors, we have and will continue to vigorously defend ourselves in asbestos-related matters.

• | Dismissals and Settlements

Cases involving us typically name 50-300 defendants, although some cases have had as few as one (1) and as many as 833 defendants. We have obtained the dismissal of many of these claims. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, 148 claims were dismissed and five claims were settled. For the year ended December 31, 2014, 104 claims were dismissed and 13 were settled. The majority of costs have been paid by our insurance carriers, including the costs associated with the small number of cases that have been settled. We paid $1.6 million on settlements for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Although these figures provide some insight into our experience with asbestos litigation, no guarantee can be made as to the dismissal and settlement rates that we will experience in the future.
Settlements are made without any admission of liability. Settlement amounts may vary depending upon a number of factors, including the jurisdiction where the action was brought, the nature and extent of the disease alleged and the associated medical evidence, the age and occupation of the claimant, the existence or absence of other possible causes of the alleged illness of the alleged injured party and the availability of legal defenses, as well as whether the action is brought alone or as part of a group of claimants. To date, we have been successful in obtaining dismissals for many of the claims and have settled only a limited number. Most of the settled claims were settled for nominal amounts, and the majority of such payments have been borne by our insurance carriers. In addition, to date, we have not been required to pay any punitive damage awards.

• | Potential Liability

NERA has historically been engaged to assist us in projecting our future asbestos-related liabilities and defense costs with regard to pending claims and future claims. Projecting future asbestos costs is subject to numerous variables that are extremely difficult to predict, including the number of claims that might be received, the type and severity of the disease alleged by each claimant, the long latency period associated with asbestos exposure, dismissal rates, costs of medical treatment, the financial resources of other companies that are co-defendants in claims, uncertainties surrounding the litigation process from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and from case to case and the impact of potential changes in legislative or judicial standards, including potential tort reform. Furthermore, any predictions with respect to these variables are subject to even greater uncertainty as the projection period lengthens. In light of these inherent uncertainties, the variability of our claims history and consultations with NERA, we currently believe that ten years is the most reasonable period for recognizing a reserve for future costs, and that costs that might be incurred after that period are not reasonably estimable at this time. As a result, we also believe that our ultimate asbestos-related contingent liability (i.e., our indemnity or other claim disposition costs plus related legal fees) cannot be estimated with reasonable certainty. (See "Impact on Financials Statements" section below for further discussion.)

• | Insurance Coverage

Our applicable insurance policies generally provide coverage for asbestos liability costs, including coverage for both indemnity and defense costs. Following the initiation of asbestos litigation, an effort was made to identify all of our primary, umbrella and excess level insurance carriers that provided applicable coverage beginning in the 1950s through the mid-1980s. We located primary policies for all such years except for the early 1960s. With respect to this period, we entered into an arrangement with ACE Property & Casualty Insurance Company in 2005, pursuant to which we and they share in asbestos liabilities allocable to such period. We have located umbrella or excess layer policies for all such years except for the period from May 18, 1961 to May 18, 1964. We believe that a policy was purchased from Continental Casualty Company covering this period based upon documents we have found, but the insurer has denied coverage. This policy has not yet been triggered.
Where appropriate, carriers were put on notice of the litigation. Marsh has historically been engaged to work with us to project our insurance coverage for asbestos-related claims. Marsh’s conclusions are based primarily on a review of our coverage history, application of reasonable assumptions on the allocation of coverage consistent with certain industry practices, an assessment of the creditworthiness of the insurance carriers, analysis of applicable deductibles, retentions and policy limits, the experience of NERA and a review of NERA’s reports.

• | Cost Sharing Agreement

To date, our insurance carriers have paid for substantially all of the settlement and defense costs associated with our asbestos-related claims. The current cost sharing agreement between us and such insurance carriers is primarily designed to facilitate the ongoing administration and payment of such claims by the carriers until the applicable insurance coverage is exhausted. This agreement, which replaced an older agreement that had expired, can be terminated by election of any party thereto after January 25, 2015. Absent any such election, the agreement will continue until a party elects to terminate it. As of the report filing date for this report, the agreement has not been terminated.
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In 2014, the primary layer insurance policies providing coverage for the January 1, 1966 to January 1, 1967 period exhausted. The cost sharing agreement contemplates that any excess carrier over exhausted primary layer carriers will become a party to the cost sharing agreement, replacing the coverage provided by the exhausted primary policies if the carrier providing such excess coverage is not already a party to the cost sharing agreement. The excess carrier providing coverage for the period set forth above is currently providing applicable insurance coverage in accordance with the allocation provisions of the cost sharing agreement, but has not yet signed that agreement.

• | Impact on Financial Statements

The models developed for determining the potential exposure and related insurance coverage were developed by outside consultants deemed to be experts in their respective fields with the forecast for asbestos related liabilities generated by NERA and the related insurance receivable projections developed by Marsh. The models contain numerous assumptions that significantly impact the results generated by the models. We believe the assumptions made are reasonable at the present time, but are subject to uncertainty based on the actual future outcome of our asbestos litigation. We determined that a ten year projection period is now appropriate as we have experience in addressing asbestos related lawsuits over the last few years to use as a baseline to project the liability over ten years. However, we do not believe we have sufficient data to justify a longer projection period at this time. As of December 31, 2014, the estimated liability and estimated insurance recovery for the ten year period through 2024 was $56.5 million and $53.0 million, respectively. There were no changes to these projections during the first nine months of 2015. We review our asbestos related forecasts annually in the fourth quarter of each year unless facts and circumstances materially change during the year, at which time we would analyze these forecasts.
The amounts recorded for the asbestos-related liability and the related insurance receivables described above were based on facts known at the time and a number of assumptions. However, projecting future events, such as the number of new claims to be filed each year, the average cost of disposing of such claims, the length of time it takes to dispose of such claims, coverage issues among insurers and the continuing solvency of various insurance companies, as well as the numerous uncertainties surrounding asbestos litigation in the United States could cause the actual liability and insurance recoveries for us to be higher or lower than those projected or recorded.
There can be no assurance that our accrued asbestos liabilities will approximate our actual asbestos-related settlement and defense costs, or that our accrued insurance recoveries will be realized. We believe that it is reasonably possible that we will incur additional charges for our asbestos liabilities and defense costs in the future, which could exceed existing reserves, but such excess amount cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. We will continue to vigorously defend ourselves and believe we have substantial unutilized insurance coverage to mitigate future costs related to this matter.
Other Environmental and General Litigation

• | In the second quarter of 2010, the CT DEEP contacted us to discuss a disposal site in Killingly, Connecticut. We undertook internal due diligence work related to the site to better understand the issue and our alleged involvement. As a matter of procedure, we have submitted an insurance claim for the disposal site, but we currently do not know the nature and extent of any alleged contamination at the site, how many parties could be potentially involved in any remediation, if necessary, or the extent to which we could be deemed a potentially responsible party. CT DEEP has not made any assessment of the nature of any potential remediation work that may be done, nor have they made any indication of any potential costs associated with such remediation. Therefore, based on the facts and circumstances known to us at the present time, we are not able to reasonably estimate any potential range of exposure at this time. As such, no reserve has been established for this matter at this time. We continually monitor this situation and are in correspondence with the CT DEEP as appropriate. When and if facts and circumstances related to this matter change, we will review our position and our ability to estimate the probability of any potential loss contingencies, as well as the range of any such potential exposure.

• | The corporate headquarters of Rogers located in Rogers, Connecticut (the “Rogers Site”) has been participating in a the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Voluntary Corrective Action Program (VCAP) administered by CT DEEP since 2011. As part of this program, we have been coordinating with the CT DEEP to conduct site assessment investigations identify any contaminants that may require remediation. At the end of the third quarter of 2015, we received a preliminary site assessment report identifying various contaminants located on the Rogers Site that will require remediation actions to be performed. We are currently evaluating these preliminary results and will be working with the CT DEEP to determine the nature and extent of the activities that will need to be performed to address the contamination issues. As of September 30, 2015, we are unable to reasonably estimate the potential range of exposure associated with the remediation efforts; however, we have recorded a reserve of $0.1 million to complete the remaining effort associated with the Rogers Site assessments. We will continue to evaluate the preliminary results to determine a reasonable estimate of the expected remediation costs, which we expect may have a material impact on the company’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

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• | In 2013, we became aware of a claim made by a sales agent/distributor in Europe for alleged improper termination of our relationship. The sales agent/distributor is seeking compensation for the terminated relationship. During 2014, a mediation process was initiated and was completed in the first quarter of 2015. We reached a settlement related to this matter in the amount of $0.5 million.

In addition to the above issues, the nature and scope of our business brings us in regular contact with the general public and a variety of businesses and government agencies. Such activities inherently subject us to the possibility of litigation, including environmental and product liability matters that are defended and handled in the ordinary course of business. We have established accruals for matters for which management considers a loss to be probable and reasonably estimable. It is the opinion of management that facts known at the present time do not indicate that such litigation, after taking into account insurance coverage and the aforementioned accruals, will have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.
Note 15 – Shareholders' Equity
On August 6, 2015, we initiated a share repurchase program of up to $100.0 million of the Company's capital stock. The share repurchase program has no expiration date, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time without notice. As of September 30, 2015, $62.5 million remained of our $100.0 million share repurchase program.
We repurchased the following shares of common stock through our share repurchase program during the periods presented:

(Dollars in thousands) | Quarter Ended |  | Quarter Ended |  | Nine Months Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014
Shares of capital stock repurchased | 678,300 |  |  | — |  |  | 678,300 |  |  | — |
Value of capital stock repurchased | $ | 37,457 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 37,457 |  |  | $ | — |

All repurchases were made using cash from operations and cash on hand. Refer to Part II, Item 2 for further detail of the share repurchase program.
Note 16 – Assets Held for Sale
We are in the process of marketing for sale certain of current and long-lived assets and liabilities held by the Company. These assets were part of our acquisition of Arlon and are part of our Other segment. These assets are not consistent with our core strategic objectives. We have disclosed these assets as held for sale as of September 30, 2015 and all assets classified as held for sale are no longer depreciated. As the assets and liabilities are expected to be sold within the next twelve months, all assets and liabilities have been reported current.
Note 17 – Income Taxes
Our effective income tax rate was 43.5% and 28.6% in the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively. Our effective income tax rate was 35.1% and 30.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. In the third quarter of 2015, our income tax rate was unfavorably impacted by $1.9 million related to the finalization of 2014 income tax year returns and a change in the mix of earnings attributable to higher-taxing jurisdictions. In both the third quarter of 2015, as well as the third quarter of 2014, our income tax rate benefited from favorable tax rates on certain foreign business activity as compared to our domestic statutory tax rate of 35.0%.
We are subject to income taxes in the United States and in numerous foreign jurisdictions. No provision is made for U.S. income taxes on the undistributed earnings of substantially all of our wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries because such earnings are indefinitely reinvested in those companies. If circumstances change and it becomes apparent that some or all of the undistributed earnings of our wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries will not be indefinitely reinvested, a provision for the tax consequences, if any, will be recorded in the period in which the circumstances change.
Our accounting policy is to account for interest expense and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense. As of September 30, 2015, we have approximately $1.3 million of accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions included in the $12.7 million of unrecognized tax benefits, $12.6 million of which, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate. It is possible that up to $3.9 million of our currently unrecognized tax benefits could be recognized within 12 months as a result of projected resolutions of worldwide tax disputes or expiration of the statute of limitations.
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We are subject to taxation in the U.S. and various state and foreign jurisdictions. Our tax years from 2011 through 2014 are subject to examination by these various tax authorities. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, local and foreign examinations by tax authorities for years before 2011.
Note 18 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued a new standard to achieve a consistent application of revenue recognition within the U.S., resulting in a single revenue model to be applied by reporting companies under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Under the new model, recognition of revenue occurs when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the new standard requires that reporting companies disclose the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. On July 9, 2015, the FASB agreed to delay the effective date by one year. In accordance with the agreed upon delay, the new standard is effective for us beginning in the first quarter of 2018. Early adoption is permitted, but not before the original effective date of the standard. The new standard is required to be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying it recognized at the date of initial application. We have not yet selected a transition method nor have we determined the impact of the new standard on our consolidated condensed financial statements.
In September, 2015, the FASB issued a new standard to simplify the accounting for measurement-period adjustments. The new guidance requires that the cumulative impact of a measurement period adjustment be recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustment is identified. The new standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 31, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The new standard should be applied prospectively to measurement period adjustments that occur after the effective date. We have not elected early adoption of the standard nor have we determined the impact of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements.
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Item 2. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

As used herein, the “Company”, “Rogers”, “we”, “us”, “our” and similar terms include Rogers Corporation and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.
Our reporting structure is comprised of the following operating segments: Advanced Connectivity Solutions (ACS), Elastomeric Material Solutions (EMS), Power Electronics Solutions (PES) and the Other segment. We believe this structure aligns our external reporting presentation with how we currently manage and view our business internally. In the second quarter of 2015, the Company concluded that it needed to update two of its operating segment names to better align the business product portfolio offerings to the market. Therefore, Advanced Connectivity Solutions replaced the name of Printed Circuit Materials, and Elastomeric Material Solutions replaced the name of High Performance Foams. There were no changes to the composition of these two operating segments. The Power Electronics Solutions and Other segment names remain unchanged.
Forward Looking Statements
This information should be read in conjunction with the unaudited financial statements and related notes included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Certain statements in this Form 10-Q may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on management’s expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “believes,” “estimates,” “should,” “target,” “may,” “project,” “guidance,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results or performance to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, changing business, economic, and political conditions both in the United States and in foreign countries, particularly in light of the uncertain outlook for global economic growth in several of our key markets; increasing competition; any difficulties in integrating acquired businesses into our operations and the possibility that anticipated benefits of acquisitions or divestitures may not materialize as expected; delays or problems in completing planned operational enhancements to various facilities; our achieving less than anticipated benefits and/or incurring greater than anticipated costs relating to streamlining initiatives or that such initiatives may be delayed or not fully implemented due to operational, legal or other challenges; changes in product mix; the possibility that changes in technology or market requirements will reduce the demand for our products; the possibility of significant declines in our backlog; the possibility of breaches of our information technology infrastructure; the development and marketing of new products and manufacturing processes and the inherent risks associated with such efforts and the ability to identify and enter new markets; the outcome of current and future litigation; our ability to retain key personnel; our ability to adequately protect our proprietary rights; the possibility of adverse effects resulting from the expiration of issued patents; the possibility that we may be required to recognize impairment charges against goodwill, non-amortizable assets and other investments in the future; the possibility of increasing levels of excess and obsolete inventory; increases in our employee benefit costs could reduce our profitability; the possibility of work stoppages, union and work council campaigns, labor disputes and adverse effects related to changes in labor laws; the accuracy of our analysis of our potential asbestos-related exposure and insurance coverage; the fact that our stock price has historically been volatile and may not be indicative of future prices; changes in the availability and cost and quality of raw materials, labor, transportation and utilities; changes in environmental and other governmental regulation which could increase expenses and affect operating results; our ability to accurately predict reserve levels; our ability to obtain favorable credit terms with our customers and collect accounts receivable; our ability to service our debt; certain covenants in our debt documents could adversely restrict our financial and operating flexibility; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; and changes in tax rates and exposure which may increase our tax liabilities. Such factors also apply to our joint ventures. Information about certain factors that could cause actual results to differ from such forward-looking statements include those items described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Item 1A, Risk Factors, to the Company’s Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2014 and previously filed Form 10-Q's. Furthermore, there may be other factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the results referred to in the forward looking statements. We make no commitment to update any forward-looking statement or to disclose any facts, events, or circumstances after the date hereof that may affect the accuracy of any forward-looking statements, unless required by law.
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Executive Summary
Company Background and Strategy
We are a global enterprise that provides customers with innovative solutions and industry leading products in a variety of markets, including portable communications, communications infrastructure, consumer electronics, safety and protection, automotive, defense and clean technology. We generate revenues and cash flows through the development, manufacture, and distribution of specialty material-based products that are sold to multiple customers, primarily original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and contract manufacturers that, in turn, produce component products that are sold to end-customers for use in various applications. As such, our business is highly dependent, although indirectly, on market demand for these end-user products. Our ability to forecast future sales growth is largely dependent on management’s ability to anticipate changing market conditions and how our customers will react to these changing conditions. It is also highly limited due to the short lead times demanded by our customers and the dynamics of serving as a relatively small supplier in the overall supply chain for these end-user products. In addition, our sales represent a number of different products across a wide range of price points and distribution channels that do not always allow for meaningful quantitative analysis of changes in demand or price per unit with respect to the effect on sales and earnings.
Strategically, our current focus is on three megatrends that have fueled growth of our Company: 1) continued growth of the internet and the variety of ways in which it can be accessed, (2) expansion of safety and protection, and (3) further investment in clean technology. These trends and their related markets all require materials that perform to the highest standards, a characteristic which has been a key strength of our products over the years. We are also focused on growing our business both organically and through strategic acquisitions or technology investments that will add to or expand our product portfolio, as well as strengthen our presence in existing markets or expand into new markets. We will continue to focus on business opportunities and invest in expansion around the globe. Our vision is to be the leading innovative, growth oriented, and high technology materials solutions provider for our selected markets. To achieve this vision, we must have an organization that can cost effectively develop, produce and market products and services that provide clear advantages for our customers and markets.
2015 Third Quarter Executive Summary
In the third quarter of 2015, we recorded net sales of $160.4 million, a 1.6% decline from the third quarter of 2014 net sales of $163.1 million. The decrease in net sales was comprised of an organic sales decline of 14.1%, a negative currency impact of 4.6% mostly offset by acquisition growth of 17.1%. Including acquisition growth, net sales in Advanced Connectivity Solutions (ACS) increased 4.4% from $63.4 million in the third quarter of 2014 to $66.2 million in the third quarter of 2015 and net sales in Elastomeric Material Solutions (EMS) increased 0.2% from $46.7 million in the third quarter of 2014 to $46.8 million in the third quarter of 2015. These increases were partially offset by a decline in net sales of 21.3% at our Power Electronics Solutions (PES) operating segment from $46.5 million in the third quarter of 2014 to $36.6 million in the third quarter of 2015.
Net income decreased by 38.9% to $12.5 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $20.4 million in the third quarter of 2014. The decline in net income was primarily attributable to the organic decline in sales volume, combined with approximately $1.9 million of discrete tax items. Gross margin was 37.1% in the third quarter of 2015 compared to 39.6% in the third quarter of 2014. Organic margin performance declined due to lower organic sales, however this decline was mitigated through operational excellence initiatives across our business units. Gross margin was also effected by lower gross margin from the Arlon business.
On January 22, 2015, we acquired Arlon and its principal subsidiaries (collectively, “Arlon”). As part of the integration process, Arlon operations related to circuit materials and silicones have been included in our ACS and EMS segments, respectively. The Other segment includes the Arlon business that manufactures specialty polyimide and epoxy-based laminates and bonding materials. The legacy Arlon business produced revenues of $27.8 million in the third quarter of 2015. This acquisition continues to be a positive impact to the company and exceed our expectations. We are continuing our integration of Arlon and beginning to capitalize on opportunities to expand our market reach, broaden our portfolio and deepen customer relationships.
As of September 30, 2015, we were in the process of marketing for sale certain of our current and long-lived assets and liabilities. These assets were part of our acquisition of Arlon and are part of our Other segment. These assets are not consistent with our core strategic objectives and therefore have been disclosed as held for sale as of September 30, 2015.
We believe our revenue decline is linked to the impact of the uncertain macro-economic conditions. This situation has resulted in the delay of infrastructure spending, leading to weaker demand in certain applications across all three business segments. While we are cautious in the near-term based on current market conditions, we remain confident in the longer-term growth expectations in our key megatrend markets. We continue to expect growth in Rogers' applications for wireless telecommunications, automotive safety systems, rail traction, hybrid all-electric vehicles (EV/HEV), energy efficient motor controls, automotive electrification and safety and protective cushioning.
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We continue to pursue synergistic acquisition opportunities to leverage our global strengths and broaden the portfolio of solutions that we provide our customers. We believe that many opportunities for added growth exist, particularly as we expand our presence across new markets and regions, as well as further diversify our product portfolio in the markets we serve today.
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Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected operations data expressed as a percentage of net sales.

| Quarter Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014
Net sales | 100.0 | % |  | 100.0 | % |  | 100.0 | % |  | 100.0 | %
Gross margin | 37.1 | % |  | 39.6 | % |  | 37.4 | % |  | 37.9 | %
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 18.2 | % |  | 18.5 | % |  | 20.1 | % |  | 19.9 | %
Research and development expenses | 4.5 | % |  | 3.7 | % |  | 4.2 | % |  | 3.7 | %
Operating income | 14.4 | % |  | 17.4 | % |  | 13.0 | % |  | 14.3 | %
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures | 0.5 | % |  | 0.6 | % |  | 0.4 | % |  | 0.6 | %
Other income (expense), net | (0.5 | )% |  | (0.1 | )% |  | (0.3 | )% |  | (0.3 | )%
Interest expense, net | (0.7 | )% |  | (0.4 | )% |  | (0.7 | )% |  | (0.4 | )%
Income before income tax expense | 13.7 | % |  | 17.5 | % |  | 12.5 | % |  | 14.2 | %
Income tax expense | 6.0 | % |  | 5.0 | % |  | 4.4 | % |  | 4.2 | %
Net income | 7.8 | % |  | 12.5 | % |  | 8.1 | % |  | 10.0 | %

Net Sales

|  | Quarter Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands) |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | Percent Change |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | Percent Change
Net Sales |  | $ | 160,366 |  |  | $ | 163,052 |  |  | (1.6)% |  | $ | 488,515 |  |  | $ | 463,187 |  |  | 5.5%
Gross Margin |  | 37.1 | % |  | 39.6 | % |  |  |  | 37.4 | % |  | 37.9 | % |  |

Net sales decreased by 1.6% in the third quarter of 2015 from the third quarter of 2014. The net sales decrease was composed of organic sales decline of 14.1%, negative currency impact of 4.6%, offset by acquisition related growth of 17.1%. The ACS operating segment net sales increased 4.4%: organic sales decline of 20.3% and a negative currency impact of 1.5%, which fully offset the acquisition growth of 26.2%. The EMS operating segment net sales increased 0.2%: organic sales decline of 10.5% and a negative currency impact of 2.1%, which mostly offset the acquisition growth of 12.8%. The PES operating segment net sales declined 21.3%: organic sales decline of 9.7% combined with a negative currency impact of 11.6%.
On a year-to-date basis, net sales increased by 5.5% in the first nine months of 2015 from the first nine months of 2014. The increase in net sales was composed of an organic sales decline of 5.6%, negative currency impact of 4.8%, offset by acquisition related growth of 15.8%. The ACS operating segment net sales increased 11.2%: organic sales decline of 9.8% and negative currency impact of 1.4%, which partially offset acquisition growth of 22.3%. The EMS operating segment net sales increased 5.8%: organic sales decline of 6.1% and negative currency impact of 1.8%, which partially offset acquisition growth of 13.7%. The PES operating segment net sales declined 12.7%: organic sales growth of 0.4% offset by a negative currency impact of 13.1%.
See “Segment Sales and Operations” below for further discussion on segment performance.
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Gross Margin
Gross margin as a percentage of net sales was 37.1% in the third quarter of 2015 compared to 39.6% in the third quarter of 2014. The overall decline was due to organic gross margin which declined 180 basis points primarily due to lower organic net sales, although the effect of the lower organic net sales was partially offset by operational excellence initiatives. The decline compared to 2014 was also due to the impact of the lower gross margin contribution from the Arlon business, approximately 70 basis points.
On a year to date basis, gross margin as a percentage of net sales declined by 50 basis points to 37.4% in the first nine months of 2015 from 37.9% in the first nine months of 2014. The gross margin for the first nine months of 2015 included approximately $1.8 million of purchase accounting expenses related to the Arlon acquisition, of which, $1.6 million was the non-recurring fair value adjustment for inventory. The year over year decline was primarily the result of lower organic net sales and lower gross margin related to the Arlon business. This was partially offset by improvements in supply chain, and product quality and procurement, which favorably impacted margin performance.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

|  | Quarter Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands) |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | Percent Change |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | Percent Change
Selling, general and administrative expenses |  | $ | 29,190 |  |  | $ | 30,182 |  |  | (3.3)% |  | $ | 98,363 |  |  | $ | 92,279 |  |  | 6.6%
Percentage of sales |  | 18.2 | % |  | 18.5 | % |  |  |  | 20.1 | % |  | 19.9 | % |  |

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 3.3% in the third quarter of 2015 from the third quarter of 2014. The lower expenses are primarily attributable to $5.0 million of lower incentive and equity compensation costs compared to 2014. In addition, lower operational spending resulted in a decrease of $0.3 million as compared to the third quarter of 2014. Partially offsetting these amounts are increases in expenses due to a variety of factors, including $3.3 million of selling, general and administrative expenses related to the Arlon business (including $1.6 million of amortization associated with the acquisition), $0.5 million related to restructuring severance expense at our PES operating segment and $0.5 million of defined benefit pension plan costs.
On a year to date basis, selling, general and administrative expenses increased 6.6% in the first nine months of 2015 from the first nine months of 2014. Year to date 2015 results included approximately $4.8 million in integration expenses related to the Arlon acquisition. Additional increases in expenses were due to a variety of factors, including $10.2 million of selling, general and administrative expenses related to the Arlon business (including $4.2 million of amortization associated with the acquisition), $1.4 million of defined benefit pension plan costs and $0.5 million related to restructuring severance expense at our PES operating segment. These increases were partially offset by $7.9 million of lower incentive and equity compensation costs in 2015 and discrete items incurred in the third quarter of 2014 related to the severance and other cost increases of $1.9 million, in addition to acquisition costs of $0.7 million in 2014 that didn't repeat in 2015. In addition, lower operational spending resulted in a decrease of $0.4 million as compared to the first nine months of 2014.
Research and Development Expenses

|  | Quarter Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands) |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | Percent Change |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | Percent Change
Research and development expense |  | $ | 7,285 |  |  | $ | 5,977 |  |  | 21.9% |  | $ | 20,446 |  |  | $ | 17,259 |  |  | 18.5%
Percentage of sales |  | 4.5 | % |  | 3.7 | % |  |  |  | 4.2 | % |  | 3.7 | % |  |

Research and development (R&D) expenses increased 21.9% in the third quarter of 2015 from the third quarter of 2014. As a percentage of net sales, R&D costs increased to 4.5% of net sales in the third quarter of 2015 from 3.7% of net sales in the third quarter of 2014. Year to date, R&D expenses increased 18.5% to $20.4 million in the first nine months of 2015 from $17.3 million in the first nine months of 2014. As a percentage of net sales, R&D costs increased to 4.2% in the first nine months of 2015 from 3.7% of net sales in the first nine months of 2014. From a gross spending perspective, we are increasing investments that are
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targeted at developing new platforms and technologies focused on long term growth initiatives at our innovation centers in the U.S. and Asia.
Equity Income in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures

|  | Quarter Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands) |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | Percent Change |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | Percent Change
Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures |  | $ | 877 |  |  | $ | 953 |  |  | (8.0)% |  | $ | 2,187 |  |  | $ | 2,992 |  |  | (26.9)%

Equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures declined approximately 8.0% in the third quarter of 2015 from the third quarter of 2014. On a year to date basis, equity income in unconsolidated joint ventures declined 26.9% in the first nine months of 2015 from the first nine months of 2014. The decreases were due to lower demand, the product mix and unfavorable currency exchange rate shifts.
Other Income (Expense), Net

|  | Quarter Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands) |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | Percent Change |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | Percent Change
Other income (expense), net |  | $ | (756 | ) |  | $ | (107 | ) |  | 606.5% |  | $ | (1,404 | ) |  | $ | (1,374 | ) |  | 2.2%

Quarter over quarter, the increase in expense was primarily attributable to unfavorable foreign currency transaction costs. The change year over year of 2.2% was minimal.
Interest Income (Expense), Net

|  | Quarter Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands) |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | Percent Change |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | Percent Change
Interest expense, net |  | $ | (1,126 | ) |  | $ | (698 | ) |  | 61.3% |  | $ | (3,435 | ) |  | $ | (2,167 | ) |  | 58.5%

Interest income (expense), net, increased by 61.3% in the third quarter of 2015 from the third quarter of 2014. On a year to date basis, interest income (expense), net, increased by 58.5% in the first nine months of 2015 from the first nine months of 2014. The increase quarter over quarter and year over year was due to interest on the increased long term debt associated with the Arlon acquisition, which occurred in January of 2015.
Income Taxes
Our effective income tax rate was 43.5% and 28.6% in the third quarter of 2015 and 2014, respectively. Our effective income tax rate was 35.1% and 30.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. In the third quarter of 2015, our income tax rate was unfavorably impacted by $1.9 million related to finalization of 2014 income tax year returns and a change in the mix of earnings attributable to higher-taxing jurisdictions. In both the third quarter of 2015, as well as the third quarter of 2014, our income tax rate benefited from favorable tax rates on certain foreign business activity as compared to our statutory tax rate of 35.0%. It is possible that up to $3.9 million of our currently unrecognized tax benefits could be recognized within 12 months as a result of projected resolutions of worldwide tax disputes or expiration of the statute of limitations.
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Segment Sales and Operations
Advanced Connectivity Solutions

(Dollars in millions) | Quarter Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014
Net sales | $ | 66.2 |  |  | $ | 63.4 |  |  | $ | 203.9 |  |  | $ | 183.4 |
Depreciation and amortization | 4.0 |  |  | 2.6 |  |  | 11.3 |  |  | 7.4 |
Operating income | 11.9 |  |  | 14.1 |  |  | 36.8 |  |  | 36.4 |

The Advanced Connectivity Solutions (ACS) operating segment is comprised of high frequency circuit material products used for making circuitry that receives, processes and transmits high frequency communications signals, in a wide variety of markets and applications, including wireless communications, high reliability, and automotive, among others.
Q3 2015 versus Q3 2014
Net sales in this segment increased by 4.4% to $66.2 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $63.4 million in the third quarter of 2014. Organic sales declined 20.3%, currency fluctuations decreased net sales by 1.5% and the acquisition of Arlon added 26.2% net sales growth as compared to the same period in the prior year. The quarter over quarter increase in net sales, including the acquisition, is due primarily to automotive radar applications for Advanced Drive Assistance Systems (38.6%) and aerospace and defense applications (53.6%), partially offset by a decline in the wireless telecom market (-3.8%).
Operating income declined by 15.2% to $11.9 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $14.1 million in the third quarter of 2014. As a percentage of net sales, operating income in the third quarter of 2015 was 18.1%, a 410 basis point decline as compared to the 22.2% reported in the third quarter of 2014. Operating income declined primarily due to the lower organic net sales partially offset by the addition of the operating income from the acquisition, combined with favorable results from the continuous efforts targeted at manufacturing efficiency improvements.
YTD 2015 versus YTD 2014
Net sales in this segment increased by 11.2% to $203.9 million in the first nine months of 2015 from $183.4 million in the first nine months of 2014. Organic sales declined 9.8%, currency fluctuations decreased net sales by 1.4% and the acquisition of Arlon added 22.3% sales growth as compared to the same period in the prior year. This increase in net sales, including the acquisition, is driven primarily by automotive radar applications for Advanced Drive Assistance Systems (32.9%) and aerospace and defense applications (52.4%) and the wireless telecom market (0.9%).
Operating income improved by 1.3% to $36.8 million in the first nine months of 2015 from $36.4 million in the first nine months of 2014. As a percentage of net sales, the first nine months of 2015 operating income was 18.1%, a 170 basis point decrease as compared to the 19.8% reported in the second half of 2014. The first nine months of 2015 results included approximately $2.5 million of integration expenses related to the Arlon acquisition in addition to lower operating income from lower organic net sales. These expenses were offset by the addition of the operating income from the acquisition, combined with favorable results from the continuous efforts targeted at manufacturing efficiency improvements and favorable inventory absorption.
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Elastomeric Material Solutions

(Dollars in millions) | Quarter Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014
Net sales | $ | 46.8 |  |  | $ | 46.7 |  |  | $ | 138.4 |  |  | $ | 130.7 |
Depreciation and amortization | 2.3 |  |  | 1.5 |  |  | 6.7 |  |  | 4.8 |
Operating income | 8.1 |  |  | 8.4 |  |  | 16.7 |  |  | 18.8 |

The Elastomeric Material Solutions (EMS) operating segment is comprised of our polyurethane and silicone products, which are sold into a wide variety of markets for various applications such as general industrial, portable electronics, consumer and transportation markets for gasketing, sealing, impact protection and cushioning applications.
Q3 2015 versus Q3 2014
Net sales in this segment increased by 0.2% to $46.8 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $46.7 million in the third quarter of 2014. Organic sales declined 10.5%, currency fluctuations decreased net sales by 2.1% and the acquisition of Arlon added 12.8% sales growth as compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase in net sales, including the acquisition, was driven by a strong demand in general industrial (25.5%) and mass transit (31.8%) applications. Offsetting these increases, this operating segment experienced a decline in net sales in the portable electronics segment (mobile internet devices and feature phone applications) (-26.2%).
Operating income declined by 3.9% to $8.1 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $8.4 million in the third quarter of 2014. As a percentage of net sales, third quarter of 2015 operating income was 17.3%, a 80 basis point decline as compared to the 18.1% reported in the third quarter of 2014. Operating income declined due to the lower organic net sales partially offset by the addition of the operating income from the acquisition.
YTD 2015 versus YTD 2014
Net sales in this segment increased by 5.9% to $138.4 million in the first nine months of 2015 from $130.7 million in the first nine months of 2014. Organic sales declined 6.1%, currency fluctuations decreased net sales by 1.8% and the acquisition of Arlon added 13.7% of sales growth as compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase in net sales, including the acquisition, was driven by increased demand in mass transit (31.6%) and general industrial (27.9%) applications. Offsetting these increases, this operating segment experienced a decline in net sales into the portable electronics segment (mobile internet devices and feature phone applications) (-19.0%) and consumer applications (-15.3%).
Operating income declined by 11.2% to $16.7 million in the first nine months of 2015 from $18.8 million in the first nine months of 2014. As a percentage of net sales, the first nine months of 2015 operating income was 12.0%, a 230 basis point decline as compared to the 14.3% reported in the first nine months of 2014. The first nine months of 2015 results included approximately $1.8 million of integration expenses related to the Arlon acquisition in addition to lower operating income from lower organic sales. These declines were offset by the addition of the operating income from the acquisition.
Power Electronics Solutions

(Dollars in millions) | Quarter Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014
Net sales | $ | 36.6 |  |  | $ | 46.5 |  |  | $ | 113.6 |  |  | $ | 130.2 |
Depreciation and amortization | 2.1 |  |  | 2.4 |  |  | 6.4 |  |  | 7.4 |
Operating income | 1.1 |  |  | 3.7 |  |  | 4.3 |  |  | 4.5 |

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The Power Electronics Solutions (PES) operating segment is comprised of two product lines - curamik® direct-bonded copper (DBC) substrates that are used primarily in the design of intelligent power management devices, such as IGBT (insulated gate bipolar transistor) modules that enable a wide range of products including highly efficient industrial motor drives, wind and solar energy converters and electrical systems in automobiles, and ROLINX® busbars that are used primarily in power distribution systems products in mass transit and clean technology applications.
Q3 2015 versus Q3 2014
Net sales in this segment decreased by 21.3% to $36.6 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $46.5 million in the third quarter of 2014. Organic net sales declined 9.7% and currency fluctuations decreased net sales by 11.6%. The net sales decline was impacted by weaker demand in variable frequency motor drives (-22.4%), certain renewable energy applications (-30.9%), vehicle electrification (x-by-wire) (-2.3%) and electric vehicle applications (-0.4%). These declines were partially offset by an increase in demand in laser diode applications (18.7%).
Operating income for the quarter decreased to $1.1 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $3.7 million in the third quarter of 2014. As a percentage of net sales, third quarter of 2015 operating income was 2.9%, a 500 basis point decline as compared to the 7.9% reported in the third quarter of 2014. This decrease was primarily due to restructuring related severance costs of $0.5 million, combined with lower organic net sales partially offset by manufacturing efficiency improvements and cost control.
YTD 2015 versus YTD 2014
Net sales in this segment decreased by 12.7% to $113.6 million in the first nine months of 2015 from $130.2 million in the first nine months of 2014. Organic net sales increased 0.4% as compared to the first nine months of 2014. Net sales were unfavorably impacted by 13.1% due currency fluctuations. The net sales growth was driven by an increase in demand in electric vehicle applications (45.3%) and laser diode applications (16.3%) offset in part by weaker demand in variable frequency motor drives (-20.8%), vehicle electrification (x-by-wire) (-22.4%) and certain renewable energy applications (-30.1%).
Operating income decreased to $4.3 million in the first nine months of 2015 from $4.5 million in the first nine months of 2014. This decrease was primarily due to restructuring related severance costs of $0.5 million, offset by the impact of increased organic net sales and favorable results from the continuous efforts targeted at manufacturing efficiency improvements.
Other

(Dollars in millions) | Quarter Ended |  | Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014 |  | September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014
Net sales | $ | 10.9 |  |  | $ | 6.5 |  |  | $ | 32.7 |  |  | $ | 18.9 |
Depreciation and amortization | 0.3 |  |  | 0.1 |  |  | 0.9 |  |  | 0.3 |
Operating income | 1.9 |  |  | 2.2 |  |  | 5.9 |  |  | 6.4 |

Our Other segment consists of our elastomer rollers and floats, as well as our inverter distribution business. Additionally, the Arlon acquisition added a business to this segment that manufactures specialty polyimide and epoxy-based laminates and bonding materials.
Q3 2015 versus Q3 2014
Net sales increased by 66.5% to $10.9 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $6.5 million in the third quarter of 2014. The acquisition of Arlon added 80.3% sales growth as compared to the same period in the prior year. Net sales were unfavorably impacted by 2.5% due currency fluctuations.
Operating income declined to $1.9 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $2.2 million in the third quarter of 2014. As a percentage of net sales, third quarter of 2015 operating income was 17.8%, as compared to the 33.3% achieved in the third quarter of 2014. The decline as a percentage of sales was a result of the additional Arlon sales having lower operating margins.
YTD 2015 versus YTD 2014
Net sales increased by 72.9% to $32.7 million in the first nine months of 2015 from $18.9 million in the first nine months of 2014. The acquisition of Arlon added 77.3% sales growth as compared to the same period in the prior year. Net sales were unfavorably impacted by 2.0% due to currency fluctuations.
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Operating income decreased to $5.9 million in the first nine months of 2015 from $6.4 million in the first nine months of 2014. The decline was primarily due to $0.6 million of integration expenses related to the Arlon acquisition that are included in the first nine months of 2015 results.
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Liquidity, Capital Resources and Financial Position
We believe that our ability to generate cash from operations to reinvest in our business is one of our fundamental strengths. We believe that our existing sources of liquidity and future cash flows that are expected to be generated from our operations, together with our available credit facilities, will be sufficient to fund our operations, capital expenditures, research and development efforts, and debt service commitments, as well as our other operating and investing needs, for at least the next twelve months. We continue to have access to the remaining portion of the line of credit available under our Amended Credit Agreement (as defined in the Credit Facilities section which follows), should any issue or strategic opportunities arise. We continually review and evaluate the adequacy of our cash flows, borrowing facilities and banking relationships to ensure that we have the appropriate access to cash to fund both our near-term operating needs and our long-term strategic initiatives.

(Dollars in thousands) | September 30, 2015 |  | December 31, 2014
Key Balance Sheet Accounts: |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 192,606 |  |  | $ | 237,375 |
Accounts receivable, net | 102,396 |  |  | 94,876 |
Inventory | 85,536 |  |  | 68,628 |
Outstanding borrowing on credit facilities (short term and long term) | 179,313 |  |  | 60,000 |

| Nine Months Ended
| September 30, 2015 |  | September 30, 2014
Key Cash Flow Measures: |  |  |  |  |
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 45,561 |  |  | $ | 57,467 |
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (177,307 | ) |  | (18,686 | )
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 90,686 |  |  | 2,151 |

At the end of the third quarter of 2015, cash and cash equivalents were $192.6 million as compared to $237.4 million at the end of 2014, a decrease of $44.8 million, or 18.9%. This decrease was due primarily to $34.5 million being disbursed for the acquisition of Arlon, $33.0 million in share repurchases, $21.6 million in capital expenditures, $6.5 million in a contribution to our defined benefit plans and $5.7 million in required debt payments, partially offset by strong cash generated from operations and the receipt of $6.5 million related to stock option exercises.
The following table illustrates the location of our cash and cash equivalents by our three major geographic areas as of the periods indicated:

(Dollars in thousands) | September 30, 2015 |  | December 31, 2014
U.S. | $ | 34,128 |  |  | $ | 96,721 |
Europe | 65,831 |  |  | 71,802 |
Asia | 92,647 |  |  | 68,852 |
Total cash and cash equivalents | $ | 192,606 |  |  | $ | 237,375 |

Cash held in certain foreign locations could be subject to additional taxes if we repatriated such amounts back to the U.S. from foreign countries that have a lower tax rate than in the U.S. Our current policy is that the historical earnings and cash in these locations will be permanently reinvested in those foreign locations.
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Significant changes in our balance sheet accounts from December 31, 2014 to September 30, 2015 were as follows:

◦ | Inventory increased to $85.5 million in the first three quarters of 2015 by 24.6% from $68.6 million at December 31, 2014. This overall increase is attributable to $9.9 million of inventory held by Arlon and higher levels of inventory held by the ACS operating segment due a combination of a slowdown in wireless telecommunications demand and this operating segment optimizing inventory levels.

◦ | Property, plant and equipment, increased by 19.8% to $180.1 million from $150.4 million. The increase was primarily due to the acquisition of Arlon, which increased property, plant and equipment by $30.7 million and was slightly offset by depreciation.

◦ | Goodwill and other intangible assets increased by 80.8% and 102.3% to $177.6 million and $77.6 million from $98.2 million and $38.3 million, respectively. These increases were due to the acquisition of Arlon.

◦ | Outstanding borrowings on credit facilities (short term and long term) increased by 199% to $179.3 million from $60.0 million. The increase was due to financing of $125.0 million for the acquisition of Arlon, offset by $5.7 million in principal repayments.

Share Repurchases
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, we repurchased 678,300 shares of our capital stock for $37.5 million under a $100.0 million share repurchase program approved by our Board of Directors on August 6, 2015. The share repurchase program became effective on August 11, 2015 and has no expiration date, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time without notice. As of September 30, 2015, $62.5 million remained of our $100.0 million share repurchase program. All purchases were made using cash from operations and cash on hand.
Credit Facilities
On June 18, 2015, we entered into a secured five year credit agreement (the "Amended Credit Agreement"). The Amended Credit Agreement amends and restates the credit agreement signed between the Company and the same banks on July 13, 2011 and increased our borrowing capacity from $265.0 million to $350.0 million, with an additional $50.0 million expansion option.
The Amended Credit Agreement provides (1) a $55.0 million term loan; (2) up to $295.0 million of revolving loans, with sub-limits for multicurrency borrowings, letters of credit and swing-line notes; and (3) a $50.0 million expansion feature. Borrowings may be used to finance working capital needs, for letters of credit and for general corporate purposes in the ordinary course of business, including the financing of permitted acquisitions (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement).
Borrowings under the Amended Credit Agreement bear interest based on one of two options. Alternate base rate loans bear interest that includes a base reference rate plus a spread of 37.5 to 75.0 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio. The base reference rate is the greater of the prime rate; federal funds effective rate plus 50 basis points; or adjusted 1-month LIBOR plus 100 basis points. Euro-currency loans bear interest based on adjusted LIBOR plus a spread of 137.5 to 175.0 basis points, depending on our leverage ratio.
In addition to interest payable on the principal amount of indebtedness outstanding from time to time under the Amended Credit Agreement, the Company is required to pay a quarterly fee of 0.20% to 0.30% (based upon our leverage ratio) of the unused amount of the lenders’ commitments under the Amended Credit Agreement.
The Amended Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants, mandatory prepayments and events of default under which the Company's payment obligations may be accelerated. The financial covenants include requirements to maintain (1) a leverage ratio of no more than 3.25 to 1.00, subject to a one-time election to increase the maximum leverage ratio to 3.50 to 1.00 for one fiscal year in connection with a permitted acquisition, and (2) an interest coverage ratio ("ICR") of no less than 3.00 to 1.00. The ICR is the ratio determined as of the end of each of its fiscal quarters ending on and after September 30, 2015, of (i) Consolidated Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) minus the unfinanced portion of Consolidated Capital Expenditures to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense paid in cash, in each case for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the end of such fiscal quarter, all calculated for the Borrower and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
As of September 30, 2015, we were in compliance with all of the financial covenants in the Amended Credit Agreement, as we achieved actual ratios of approximately 1.41 to 1.00 on the leverage ratio and 26.13 to 1.00 on the ICR.
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The Amended Credit Agreement requires the mandatory quarterly repayment of principal on amounts borrowed under such term loan. Payments commenced on September 30, 2015, and are scheduled to be completed on June 30, 2020. The aggregate mandatory principal payments due under both the term loan and the revolving line of credit are as follows:

2015 |  | $1.4 | million
2016 |  | $3.4 | million
2017 |  | $4.1 | million
2018 |  | $4.8 | million
2019 |  | $5.5 | million
2020 |  | $160.8 | million

All obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement are guaranteed by each of the Corporation’s existing and future material domestic subsidiaries, as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement (the “Guarantors”). The obligations are also secured by a Second Amended and Restated Pledge and Security Agreement, dated as of June 18, 2015, entered into by the Company and the Guarantors which grants to the administrative agent, for the benefit of the lenders, a security interest, subject to certain exceptions, in substantially all of the non-real estate assets of the Company and the Guarantors.
All amounts borrowed or outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement, with the exception of amounts borrowed under the term loan which are subject to quarterly principal payments, are due and mature on June 18, 2020, unless the commitments are terminated earlier either at the request of the Company or if certain events of default occur.
In addition, as of September 30, 2015 we had a $1.4 million standby letter of credit (LOC) to guarantee Rogers workers compensation plans that were backed by the Amended Credit Agreement. No amounts were drawn on the LOC as of September 30, 2015 or December 31, 2014.
The Amended Credit Agreement is secured by many of the assets of Rogers, including but not limited to, receivables, equipment, intellectual property, inventory, and stock in certain subsidiaries.
If an event of default occurs, the lenders may, among other things, terminate their commitments and declare all outstanding borrowings to be immediately due and payable together with accrued interest and fees.
Before entering into the Amended Credit Agreement, we had $0.5 million of remaining capitalized costs from the previous credit agreements. These costs will continue to be amortized over the life of the Amended Credit Agreement. In the second quarter of 2015, we capitalized an additional $1.8 million in connection with the Amended Credit Agreement. These costs will be amortized over the life of the Amended Credit Agreement, which will terminate in June 2020.
We incurred amortization expense of $0.1 million in each of the third quarters of 2015 and 2014, and amortization expense of $0.3 million $0.4 million in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, respectively. At September 30, 2015, we have approximately $2.2 million of credit facility costs remaining to be amortized.
We borrowed $125.0 million under the line of credit in the first quarter of 2015 to fund the acquisition of Arlon. During the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, we made principal payments of $5.7 million and $12.5 million, respectively, on the outstanding debt. The principal amount of this debt has been transferred to the new revolving credit line created in June of 2015. We are obligated to pay $3.1 million on this debt obligation in the next 12 months under the term loan.
We incurred interest expense on our outstanding debt of $0.9 million and $2.7 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $0.5 million and $1.4 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively.
We incurred an unused commitment fee of $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015 and $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively. In July 2012, we entered into an interest rate swap to hedge the variable interest rate on our term loan debt. As of September 30, 2015, the remaining notional amount of the interest rate swap covers $24.4 million of our term loan debt. At September 30, 2015, our outstanding debt balance is comprised of a term loan of $54.3 million and $125.0 million borrowed on the revolving line of credit. At September 30, 2015, the rate charged on this debt is the 1 month LIBOR at 0.2500% plus a spread of 1.500%.
Pursuant to the Amended Credit Agreement, we cannot make a cash dividend payment if (i) a default or event of default has occurred and is continuing or will result from the cash dividend payment or (ii) if the aggregate amount of all cash dividend payments and other such restricted payments (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) that are otherwise not permitted during any fiscal year exceeds $10.0 million; provided that, if at the time of and immediately after giving effect (including on a pro forma basis) thereto, the Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement) is less than or equal to 2.00 to 1.00, such dollar limitation would not apply.
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Capital Lease
During the first quarter of 2011, we recorded a capital lease obligation related to the acquisition of Curamik Electronics GmbH ("Curamik") for its primary manufacturing facility in Eschenbach, Germany. Under the terms of the leasing agreement, we have an option to purchase the property upon the expiration of the lease in 2021 at a price which is the greater of (i) the then-current market value or (ii) the residual book value of the land including the buildings and installations thereon. The total obligation recorded for the lease as of September 30, 2015 is $6.1 million. Depreciation expense related to the capital lease was $0.1 million in each of the three month periods ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 and $0.3 million in the nine month periods ending September 30, 2015 and 2014. Accumulated depreciation at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was $1.9 million and $1.6 million, respectively. These expenses are included as depreciation expense in cost of sales on our condensed consolidated statements of income.
We also incurred interest expense on the capital lease of $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2015, respectively, and $0.1 million and $0.4 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2014, respectively. Interest expense related to the debt recorded on the capital lease is included in interest expense on the condensed consolidated statements of income.
We guarantee an interest rate swap related to our lease of the manufacturing facility in Eschenbach, Germany. The swap is in a liability position with the bank at September 30, 2015, and has a fair value of $0.2 million. We have concluded that default by the lessor is not probable during the term of the swap, and we have chosen not to exercise the option to buyout the lease during the leasing period; therefore, the guarantee has no value.
Contingencies
During the third quarter of 2015, we became aware of new developments related to environmental matters or other contingencies. We have not had any material recurring costs and capital expenditures related to environmental matters. Refer to Note 14 - “Commitments and Contingencies”, to the condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q, for further discussion on ongoing environmental and contingency matters.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are, in the opinion of management, likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
Critical Accounting Policies
There have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies during the third quarter of 2015.

Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no significant changes in our exposure to market risk during the third quarter of 2015. For discussion of our exposure to market risk, refer to Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, contained in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 4. | Controls and Procedures

The Company, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined under Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d- 15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), as of September 30, 2015. The Company's disclosure controls and procedures are designed to (i) ensure that information required to be disclosed by it in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2015.
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during its most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act.
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Part II - Other Information

Item 1. | Legal Proceedings

See a discussion of environmental, asbestos and other litigation matters in Note 14 - “Commitments and Contingencies”, to the condensed consolidated financial statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Items 2 (a) and (b) are not applicable
(c) Stock Repurchases

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Period |  | Total Number of Shares Purchased |  | Average Price Paid per Share |  | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs |  | Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased under the Plans or Programs
August 1, 2015 to August 31, 2015 |  | 215,544 |  |  | $ | 57.62 |  |  | 215,544 |  |  | $ | 87,600 |
September 1, 2015 to September 30, 2015 |  | 462,756 |  |  | $ | 54.10 |  |  | 462,756 |  |  | $ | 62,500 |

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, we repurchased 678,300 shares of our capital stock for $37.5 million under a $100.0 million share repurchase program approved by our Board of Directors on August 6, 2015. The share repurchase program became effective August 11, 2015, has no expiration date, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time without notice. While the program has no expiration date, we intend to complete it by December 31, 2016. As of September 30, 2015, $62.5 million remained of our $100.0 million share repurchase program. All repurchases were made using cash from operations and cash on hand. Our stock repurchases may occur from time to time through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or plans designed to comply with Rule 10b5-1 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Item 6. | Exhibits

List of Exhibits:
23.1 | Consent of National Economic Research Associates, Inc., filed herewith.
23.2 | Consent of Marsh U.S.A., Inc., filed herewith.
31.1 | Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
31.2 | Certification of Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.
32 | Certification of President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, furnished herewith.
101 | The following materials from Rogers Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2015 formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders Equity at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, (v) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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

ROGERS CORPORATION (Registrant)

/s/ David Mathieson |  | /s/ John J. Krawczynski
David Mathieson |  | John J. Krawczynski
Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer |  | Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller
Principal Financial Officer |  | Principal Accounting Officer
Dated: October 29, 2015 |  |

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