Miller Herman Inc (MLHR) SEC Quarterly Report (10-Q) for Q3 2016

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

HERMAN MILLER, INC.

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, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes [ X ] No [_]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). 

Yes [ X ] No [_]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes [_] No [ X ]

Common Stock Outstanding at October 10, 2016 - 60,002,239 shares

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

(Dollars in millions)

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

(Dollars in millions)

(Unaudited)

(in millions)

1. Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Herman Miller, Inc. ("the company") in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. Management believes the disclosures made in this document are adequate with respect to interim reporting requirements.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, contain all adjustments that are of a normal recurring nature necessary to present fairly the financial position of the company as of September 3, 2016 . Operating results for the three months ended September 3, 2016 , are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending June 3, 2017 . It is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 28, 2016 .

2. Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

3. Fiscal Year

The company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to May 31. Fiscal 2017 , the year ending June 3, 2017 , and fiscal 2016 , the year ended May 28, 2016 , contain 53 and 52 weeks, respectively. The first quarter of fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 contained 14 and 13 weeks, respectively.

4. Acquisitions

Naughtone Holdings Limited

On June 3, 2016, the company acquired 50 percent of the outstanding equity of Naughtone Holdings Limited ("Naughtone"), a leader in soft seating products, stools, occasional and meeting tables. As part of this arrangement, the company acquired a noncontrolling equity interest in Naughtone Holdings Limited for  $12.4 million in consideration.

5. Inventories, net

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market and include material, labor, and overhead. The inventories at our West Michigan manufacturing operations are valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, whereas inventories of certain other subsidiaries are valued using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.

6. Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangibles

Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets consisted of the following as of September 3, 2016 and May 28, 2016 :

7. Employee Benefit Plans

8. Earnings Per Share

The company has certain share-based payment awards that meet the definition of participating securities. The company has evaluated the impact on EPS of all participating securities under the two-class method, noting the impact on EPS was immaterial.

9. Stock-Based Compensation

The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation expense and related income tax effect for the periods indicated:

Stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three month periods ended September 3, 2016 and August 29, 2015 has been reduced for estimated forfeitures, as it is based on awards ultimately expected to vest. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ. Forfeitures are estimated based on historical experience.

For the three month period ended September 3, 2016 , the company issued 191,023 shares of common stock related to the exercise of stock options, 81,095 shares of common stock related to the vesting of restricted stock units, and 113,040 shares of common stock related to the vesting of performance share units.

For the three month period ended August 29, 2015 , the company issued 17,390 shares of common stock related to the exercise of stock options, 160,319 shares of common stock related to the vesting of restricted stock units, and 55,825 shares of common stock related to the vesting of performance share units.

10. Income Taxes

The company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax benefits through income tax expense in its Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. Interest and penalties are recognized in the company's Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. Interest was $0.1 million and negligible while penalties were $0.2 million and negligible during the three month periods ended September 3, 2016 and August 29, 2015 , respectively. The company's recorded liability for potential interest and penalties related to uncertain tax benefits totaled $0.9 million and $0.7 million as of September 3, 2016 and May 28, 2016 , respectively. The company had income tax accruals associated with uncertain tax benefits totaling $3.0 million and $2.4 million as of September 3, 2016 and May 28, 2016 , respectively.

The company is subject to periodic audits by domestic and foreign tax authorities. Currently, the company is undergoing routine periodic audits in both domestic and foreign tax jurisdictions. It is reasonably possible that the amounts of unrecognized tax benefits could change in the next twelve months as a result of the audits. Tax payments related to these audits, if any, are not expected to be material to the company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

For the majority of tax jurisdictions, the company is no longer subject to state, local, or non-United States income tax examinations by tax authorities for fiscal years before 2012.

11. Fair Value Measurements

The company's financial instruments consist of cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts and notes receivable, deferred compensation plan, accounts payable, debt, redeemable noncontrolling interests and foreign currency exchange contracts. The company's financial instruments, other than long-term debt, are recorded at fair value. The carrying value and fair value of the company's long-term debt, including current maturities, is as follows for the periods indicated:

The following describes the methods the company uses to estimate the fair value of financial assets and liabilities, which have not significantly changed in the current period:

Available-for-sale securities - The company's available-for-sale marketable securities primarily include equity and fixed income mutual funds and government obligations. These investments are recorded at fair value using quoted prices for similar securities.

Deferred compensation plan - The company's deferred compensation plan primarily includes various domestic and international mutual funds that are recorded at fair value using quoted prices for similar securities.

Foreign currency exchange contracts - The company's foreign currency exchange contracts are valued using an approach based on foreign currency exchange rates obtained from active markets. The estimated fair value of forward currency exchange contracts is based on month-end spot rates as adjusted by market-based current activity. These forward contracts are not designated as hedging instruments.

The following tables set forth financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the respective pricing levels to which the fair value measurements are classified within the fair value hierarchy as of September 3, 2016 and May 28, 2016 .

The table below presents a reconciliation for liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) (in millions).

The contingent consideration liabilities represent future payment obligations that relate to business and product line acquisitions. These payments are based on the future performance of the acquired businesses. The contingent consideration liabilities are valued using estimates based on discount rates that reflect the risk involved and the projected sales and earnings of the acquired businesses. The estimates are updated and the liabilities are adjusted to fair value on a quarterly basis.

Adjustments to the fair value of available-for-sale securities are recorded as increases or decreases, net of income taxes, within accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders' equity. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method; realized gains and losses resulting from such sales are included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income within "Other, net".

The company reviews its investment portfolio for any unrealized losses that would be deemed other-than-temporary and require the recognition of an impairment loss in earnings. If the cost of an investment exceeds its fair value, the company evaluates, among other factors, general market conditions, the duration and extent to which the fair value is less than its cost, the company's intent to hold the investment, and whether it is more likely than not that the company will be required to sell the investment before recovery of the cost basis. The company also considers the type of security, related industry and sector performance, and published investment ratings. Once a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary, an impairment charge is recorded and a new cost basis in the investment is established. If conditions within individual markets, industry segments, or macro-economic environments deteriorate, the company could incur future impairments.

Maturities of debt securities included in marketable securities as of September 3, 2016 , are as follows:

The company views its available-for-sale portfolio as available for use in its current operations. Accordingly, the investments are recorded within Current Assets within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

12. Commitments and Contingencies

Product Warranties

The company provides coverage to the end-user for parts and labor on products sold under its warranty policy and for other product-related matters. The standard length of warranty is twelve years for the majority of products sold; however, this varies depending on the product classification. The company does not sell or otherwise issue warranties or warranty extensions as stand-alone products. Reserves have been established for the various costs associated with the company's warranty program and are included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets under "Accrued warranty." General warranty reserves are based on historical claims experience and other currently available information. These reserves are adjusted once an issue is identified and the actual cost of correction becomes known or can be estimated.

Guarantees

The company is periodically required to provide performance bonds to do business with certain customers. These arrangements are common and generally have terms ranging between one and three years. The bonds are required to provide assurance to customers that the products and services they have purchased will be installed and/or provided properly and without damage to their facilities. The bonds are provided by various bonding agencies; however, the company is ultimately liable for claims that may occur against them. As of September 3, 2016 , the company had a maximum financial exposure related to performance bonds totaling approximately $8.3 million . The company has no history of claims, nor is it aware of circumstances that would require it to pay, under any of these arrangements. The company also believes that the resolution of any claims that might arise in the future, either individually or in the aggregate, would not materially affect the company's financial statements. Accordingly, no liability has been recorded in respect to these bonds as of either September 3, 2016 or May 28, 2016 .

The company has entered into standby letter of credit arrangements for purposes of protecting various insurance companies and lessors against default on insurance premium and lease payments. As of September 3, 2016 , the company had a maximum financial exposure from these standby letters of credit totaling approximately $8.4 million , all of which is considered usage against the company's revolving credit facility. The company has no history of claims, nor is it aware of circumstances that would require it to perform under any of these arrangements, and believes that the resolution of any claims that might arise in the future, either individually or in the aggregate, would not materially affect the company's financial statements. Accordingly, no liability has been recorded in respect of these arrangements as of September 3, 2016 and May 28, 2016 .

Contingencies

The company is also involved in legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the outcome of such proceedings and litigation currently pending will not materially affect the company's consolidated financial statements.

13. Debt

Long-term debt as of September 3, 2016 and May 28, 2016 consisted of the following obligations:

As of September 3, 2016, the company was a party to a third amended and restated syndicated revolving line of credit, dated July 21, 2014, which provided the company with up to $250 million in revolving variable interest borrowing capacity and included an "accordion feature" allowing the company to increase, at its option and subject to the approval of the participating banks, the aggregate borrowing capacity of the facility by $125 million . The facility was to expire in July 2019 and outstanding borrowings bore interest at rates based on the prime rate, federal funds rate, LIBOR, or negotiated rates as outlined in the agreement. Interest was payable periodically throughout the period if borrowings are outstanding. As of September 3, 2016 , the total debt outstanding related to borrowings under this facility was $34.0 million . These borrowings are included within Long-term debt in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of September 3, 2016 , the total usage against the facility

was $42.4 million , of which $8.4 million related to outstanding letters of credit. As of May 28, 2016 , total usage against this facility was $30.7 million , $8.7 million of which related to outstanding letters of credit.

On September 13, 2016, the company entered into an amendment and restatement of its unsecured third amended and restated syndicated revolving line of credit, which provided the company with additional revolving borrowing capacity. Refer to footnote 17 - Subsequent Event, for further information with respect to this amendment.

14. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

15. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

Redeemable noncontrolling interests are reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in mezzanine equity in "Redeemable noncontrolling interests." The company recognizes changes to the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interests as they occur and adjusts the carrying value to equal the redemption value at the end of each reporting period. The redemption amounts have been estimated based on the fair value of the subsidiary, determined based on a weighting of the discounted cash flow and market methods. This represents a level 3 fair value measurement.

Changes in the company's Redeemable noncontrolling interests for the three months ended September 3, 2016 and August 29, 2015 are as follows:

16. Operating Segments

The company's reportable segments consist of North American Furniture Solutions, ELA ("EMEA, Latin America, and Asia Pacific") Furniture Solutions, Specialty, and Consumer. The North American Furniture Solutions reportable segment includes the operations associated with the design, manufacture, and sale of furniture products for work-related settings, including office, education, and healthcare environments, throughout the United States and Canada. ELA Furniture Solutions includes the operations associated with the design, manufacture, and sale of furniture products, primarily for work-related settings, in the EMEA, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific geographic regions. Specialty includes the operations associated with the design, manufacture, and sale of high-craft furniture products and textiles including Geiger wood products, Maharam textiles, and Herman Miller Collection products. The Consumer segment includes the operations associated with the sale of modern design furnishings and accessories to third party retail distributors, as well as direct-to-consumer sales through eCommerce and DWR studios.

The company also reports a "Corporate" category consisting primarily of unallocated corporate expenses including restructuring, impairment, acquisition-related costs, and other unallocated corporate costs.

The accounting policies of the reportable operating segments are the same as those of the company. Additionally, the company employs a methodology for allocating corporate costs and assets with the underlying objective of this methodology being to allocate corporate costs according to the relative usage of the underlying resources and to allocate corporate assets according to the relative expected benefit. The company has determined that allocation based on relative net sales is appropriate. The majority of corporate costs are allocated to the operating segments; however, certain costs generally considered the result of isolated business decisions are not subject to allocation and are evaluated separately from the rest of the regular ongoing business operations. For example, restructuring charges that are reflected in operating earnings are allocated to the "Corporate" category.

The performance of the operating segments is evaluated by the company's management using various financial measures. The following is a summary of certain key financial measures for the respective fiscal periods indicated.

17. Subsequent Event

On September 13, 2016, the company entered into an amendment and restatement of its unsecured third amended and restated syndicated revolving line of credit (the "Agreement"). The Agreement, which expires on September 13, 2021, provides the company with up to $400 million in revolving variable interest borrowing capacity. In addition, the Agreement includes an "accordion feature" allowing the company to increase, at its option and subject to the approval of the participating banks, the aggregate borrowing capacity of the facility by up to $200 million . As of September 13, 2016, the unused borrowing capacity available to the company under the Agreement totaled $360.1 million . Amounts borrowed under the Agreement are subject to variable rates of interest tied to a base rate (Prime, LIBOR or U.S. Federal Funds) plus an applicable margin depending on the form of borrowing selected by the company.

Additionally, on September 13, 2016, the company entered into an interest rate swap agreement ("Swap Transaction") to manage its exposure to fluctuations in variable interest rates. The Swap Transaction is for an aggregate notional amount of $150.0 million with a forward start date of January 3, 2018 and a termination date of January 3, 2028. As a result of the Swap Transaction, the company effectively will convert $150.0 million of its outstanding indebtedness from a LIBOR-based floating interest rate plus applicable margin to a 1.949 percent fixed interest rate plus applicable margin under the Agreement as of the forward start date.

(in millions)

The following is management's discussion and analysis of certain significant factors that affected the company's financial condition, earnings and cash flows during the periods included in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 28, 2016 . References to "Notes" are to the footnotes included in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

Discussion of Current Business Conditions

The first quarter of fiscal 2017 included 14 weeks of operations as compared to a standard 13-week period. The additional week is required periodically in order to more closely align the company's fiscal year with the calendar months. This is a factor that should be considered when comparing the company's first quarter financial results to the prior year period, which included 13 weeks of operations.

The company posted net sales of $598.6 million and orders of $595.6 million , as well as diluted earnings per share of $0.60 during the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Growth in both net sales and orders was approximately 6 percent as compared to the same period in the prior year. On an organic basis, which adjusts for dealer divestitures, changes in foreign currency translation rates and the impact of the extra week, net sales and orders grew by approximately 1.5 percent (*) and 2.5 percent , respectively.

The North American segment recorded net sales of $365.1 million and orders of $347.7 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2017. On an organic basis, the North American segment recorded net sales of $342.7 million (*) and orders of $327.1 million , which represented organic growth in sales of approximately 1.4 percent (*) and organic decline in orders of approximately 1.4 percent . During the quarter, order patterns within the North American segment demonstrated the project-based nature of the industry as order levels were low during the first two months of the quarter, but strengthened toward the end of the quarter.

The ELA segment posted growth in orders during the first quarter of fiscal 2017 in spite of the economic uncertainty stemming from the Brexit referendum, the impact of low oil prices in certain regions and general economic uncertainty throughout much of the world. During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, net sales were $97.3 million and orders were $109.8 million . Compared to the prior year, this represented a decrease in net sales of 5.1 percent and an increase in orders of 1.5 percent . Organic net sales and orders increased 0.5 percent (*) and 12.4 percent , respectively. This growth was driven mainly by increased activity within the Asia-Pacific region.

Net sales increased within the company's Specialty segment from $57.8 million in the prior year to $60.8 million in the current three month period. Operating income also increased from $4.3 million to $5.3 million in the current three month period. Organic net sales declined 0.5 percent (*) and organic orders increased by 8.2 percent as compared to the prior year. The growth in orders was driven primarily by the company's Geiger subsidiary and the Herman Miller Collection.

The Consumer segment showed positive momentum during the quarter as net sales and orders expanded by 12.5 percent and 9.7 percent , respectively. On an organic basis, net sales increased by 5.7 percent (*) and orders increased by 3.5 percent as compared to the same period in the prior year. Improved activity within the consumer wholesale, DWR and e-commerce channels all contributed to the growth in net sales and orders during the quarter. This growth was aided by investments in channel and brand initiatives, including changes in the methodology used to select prospective new customers through the Company's direct mail catalog program. The company is also continuing to expand the real estate footprint of the Consumer segment and this quarter opened 3 new DWR studios, including Manhasset, New York, Washington DC. and Austin, Texas. The addition of these studios increased the Company's total DWR studio square footage by approximately 26,000 square feet or 11% from the end of fiscal 2016.

There are areas of challenge, both in the U.S. and abroad, within the macro-economic backdrop of the business. Despite the slowdown in orders this quarter that the company believes was felt across much of the North American contract furniture industry, the company believes that certain key industry metrics, including service sector employment, non-residential construction activity and architectural billings data, continue to show a positive trend. Conversely, rising steel prices, uncertainty surrounding the upcoming presidential election and continued challenges in the energy sector remain as headwinds in the U.S. Additionally, despite the strong order growth felt within the ELA segment this quarter, the uncertain impact of Brexit, continued low oil prices and general economic uncertainty represent challenges for the business as a whole going forward.

The remaining sections within Item 2 include additional analysis of our three months ended September 3, 2016 , including discussion of significant variances compared to the prior year periods.

*Non-GAAP measurements; see accompanying reconciliations and explanations.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This report contains references to Organic net sales, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Organic net sales represents the change in Net sales, excluding the impact of dealer divestitures, currency translation effects, and the extra week in fiscal 2017. The company believes presenting Organic net sales is useful for investors as it provides financial information on a more comparative basis for the periods presented. The first quarter of fiscal 2017 included 14 weeks of operations as compared to a standard 13-week period. The additional week is required periodically in order to more closely align Herman Miller's fiscal year with the calendar months.

Organic net sales is not a measurement of our financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered an alternative to the related GAAP measurement. This non-GAAP measurement has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Our presentation of non-GAAP measures should not be construed as an indication that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or infrequent items. We compensate for these limitations by providing prominence of our GAAP results and using the non-GAAP financial measures only as a supplement.

The following table reconciles Net sales to Organic net sales for the periods indicated.

Analysis of First Quarter Results

The following table presents certain key highlights from the results of operations for the periods indicated.

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, select components of the company's Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income as a percentage of net sales.

Performance versus the Domestic Contract Furniture Industry

The Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer's Association (BIFMA) is the trade association for the North American contract furniture industry. The company monitors the trade statistics reported by BIFMA and considers them an indicator of industry-wide sales and order performance. BIFMA publishes statistical data for the contract segment and the office supply segment within the North American market. The contract segment of the industry relates primarily to products sold to large to mid-size corporations and installed via a network of dealers. The office supply segment relates primarily to products sold to smaller customers via wholesalers and retailers. The company participates, and is a leader in, the contract segment. Further, the company's diversification strategy lessens its dependence on the North American contract office furniture market.

The company analyzes BIFMA statistical information as a benchmark comparison against the performance of its contract business in North America and also to that of its competitors. The timing of large project-based business may affect comparisons to this data in any one period. Finally, BIFMA regularly provides its members with industry forecast information, which the company uses internally as one of several considerations in its short and long-range planning process.

After many years of compiling and reporting member production data for the U.S. market, BIFMA has revised its data collection process in an attempt to better reflect contract furniture production throughout North America, including products manufactured in Canada and Mexico. The BIFMA data collection process changed during the fourth quarter of the company's 2016 fiscal year. Prior to this change, products manufactured in Canada or Mexico and shipped to the U.S. were excluded from BIFMA's estimate of industry shipments and orders. The new methodology was designed to provide a better reflection of the market as a whole, especially given the rise in competition based in Canada and Mexico as well as sourcing moves by the company's existing competitors. Additionally, BIFMA revised its product definitions to better fit products specifically designed for the Healthcare and Education end markets. The overall effect of these revisions is that the estimated market size for the North American contract industry increased substantially - resulting in a re-orientation of market share estimates across each industry participant. The BIFMA statistics that are mentioned throughout this document are based on the revised method of compiling the industry data.

While the sales and order data for our North American reportable segment provide a relative comparison to BIFMA, it is not intended to be an exact comparison. The data we report to BIFMA is consistent with the BIFMA definition of office furniture "consumption." This definition differs slightly from the categorization we have presented in this report. Notwithstanding this difference, we believe our presentation provides the reader with a relevant comparison.

For the three month period ended September 3, 2016 , the company's domestic United States shipments, as defined by BIFMA, increased by 2.9 percent while the company's domestic orders increased by 1.9 percent year-over-year. BIFMA reported an estimated year-over-year increase in shipments of 1.8 percent and an increase in orders of 1.4 percent for the comparable period.

Performance versus the Consumer Furnishings Sector

We also monitor trade statistics reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, which reports monthly retail sales growth data across a number of retail categories, including Furniture and Home Furnishing Stores . This information provides a relative comparison to our Consumer segment, but is not intended to be an exact comparison. The average monthly year-over-year growth rate in sales for the Furniture and Home Furnishing Stores category for the three month period ended September 3, 2016 was approximately 3.1 percent. By comparison, net sales in our Consumer segment increased by approximately 12.5 percent for the three months ended September 3, 2016 . On an organic basis, net sales increased by 5.7 percent (*) as compared to the same period in the prior year.

* Non-GAAP measurements; see accompanying reconciliations and explanations.

Consolidated Sales

The following charts present graphically the primary drivers of the year-over-year change in net sales for the three -months ended September 3, 2016 . The amounts presented in the bar graphs are expressed in millions and have been rounded to eliminate decimals.

Consolidated net sales increased $33.2 million or 5.9 percent for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2016 . The following items led to the change:

Consolidated Gross Margin

Consolidated gross margin was 38.4 percent for the three month period ending September 3, 2016 as compared to 38.3 percent for the same period of the prior year. The following factors summarize the major drivers of the year-over-year change in gross margin percentage:

*Non-GAAP measurements; see accompanying reconciliations and explanations.

Operating Expenses and Operating Earnings

The following chart presents graphically the primary drivers of the year-over-year change in operating expenses for the three -months ended September 3, 2016 . The amounts presented in the bar graphs are expressed in millions and have been rounded to eliminate decimals.

Consolidated operating expenses increased $11.9 million or 7.4 percent in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 as compared to the same period of last fiscal year. The following factors contributed to the change:

Operating earnings for the three month period ended September 3, 2016 were $56.4 million or 9.4 percent of sales. This compares to $55.1 million or 9.7 percent of sales for the same period of the last fiscal year.

Other Income/Expense and Income Taxes

Net other expense of $3.2 million in the first three months of fiscal 2017 decreased $1.2 million compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease in net other expenses in fiscal 2017 as compared to fiscal 2016 was primarily related to an increase in foreign currency gains and an increase in market gains from the company's deferred compensation plan.

The effective tax rates for the three month periods ended September 3, 2016 and August 29, 2015 were 32.0 percent and 33.6 percent , respectively. The company's United States federal statutory rate is 35 percent. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three month period ended September 3, 2016 was a result of an increase in the mix of earnings in tax jurisdictions that have rates lower than the United States statutory rate along with the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015, which resulted in a permanent extension of the research and development credit, which had expired on December 31, 2014. The effective tax rates for the three month periods ended September 3, 2016 and August 29, 2015 were lower than the United States statutory rate due to the manufacturing deduction under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 ("AJCA") and the mix of earnings in taxing jurisdictions that have rates that are lower than the United States statutory rate.

Reportable Operating Segment Results

The business is comprised of various operating segments as defined by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. These operating segments are determined on the basis of how the company internally reports and evaluates financial information used to make operating decisions. For external reporting purposes, the company has identified the following reportable segments:

The charts below present the relative mix of net sales and operating earnings across the company's reportable segments during the three month period ended September 3, 2016 . This is followed by a discussion of the company's results, by reportable segment.

North American Furniture Solutions ("North America")

Net sales totaled $365.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , an increase of 8.0 percent from the first quarter of fiscal 2016 . Orders totaled $347.7 million an increase of 4.8 percent from the same period in the prior year. Operating earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 were $43.3 million or 11.9 percent of sales as compared to $40.8 million or 12.1 percent of sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 .

ELA Furniture Solutions ("ELA")

Net sales totaled $97.3 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , a decrease of 5.1 percent from the first quarter of fiscal 2016 . Orders totaled $109.8 million , an increase of 1.5 percent from the same period in the prior year. Operating earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 were $7.2 million or 7.4 percent of sales as compared to $6.6 million or 6.4 percent of sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 .

Specialty

Net sales totaled $60.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , an increase of 5.2 percent from the first quarter of fiscal 2016 . Orders totaled $67.0 million , an increase of 14.7 percent from the same period in the prior year. Operating earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 were $5.3 million or 8.7 percent of sales as compared to $4.3 million or 7.4 percent of sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 .

Consumer

Net sales totaled $75.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , an increase of 12.5 percent from the first quarter of fiscal 2016 . Orders of $71.1 million increased 9.7 percent from the same period in the prior year. Operating earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2017 were $0.7 million or 0.9 percent of sales as compared to $3.8 million or 5.7 percent of sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 .

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

The table below presents certain key cash flow and capital highlights for the periods indicated.

(1) Amounts shown are net of outstanding letters of credit of $8.4 million and $10.7 million as of September 3, 2016 and August 29, 2015 , respectively, which are applied against availability under the company's unsecured credit facility.

Cash Flows - Operating Activities

Three Month Period Ended September 3, 2016

Cash generated from operating activities was $30.2 million for the three month period ended September 3, 2016 , as compared to $33.3 million in the same period of the prior year. During the current three month period, changes in working capital balances drove a use of cash totaling $28.9 million . The main factors driving this use of cash were an increase in inventory of $18.0 million and a decrease in accrued compensation and benefits of $25.2 million . Inventory increased due to new product launches and inventory stocking related to upcoming sales within the Consumer segment and an increase in project activity within the ELA segment also contributed to the increase. Accrued compensation and benefits decreased due to the annual payout of accrued bonus and profit sharing. These factors more than offset drivers within working capital that increased cash, primarily a decrease in accounts and notes receivable of $27.4 million .

Three Month Period Ended August 29, 2015

Cash generated from operating activities was $33.3 million for the three month period ended August 29, 2015, as compared to $42.0 million in the same quarter of the prior year. During the current three month period, changes in working capital balances drove a use of cash totaling $17.6 million. The main factors driving this use of cash from working capital were an increase in accounts receivable of $14.6 million, an increase in inventory of $9.0 million an increase in prepaid expenses of $3.0 million, as well as a decrease in accounts payable of $12.2 million. These factors more than offset drivers within working capital that increased cash, including an increase in accrued compensation and benefits of $4.3 million, and an increase in accrued taxes of $18.4 million.

Cash Flows - Investing Activities

Investing activities in the first three months of fiscal 2017 resulted in a net cash outflow of $51.4 million as compared to a net cash outflow of $13.1 million in the same period of the prior year. The largest contributor to the change in cash used in investing activities as compared to the prior year was the repayment of loans against the cash surrender value of life insurance in the amount of $15.3 million. The cash surrender value of the company-owned life insurance policies and the loans were recorded net within "Other noncurrent assets" within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, equity investments in noncontrolled entities resulted in a cash outlay of $13.9 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2017.

The company had cash outflows for the purchase of $22.1 million of capital assets in the first three months of fiscal 2017 compared to $16.6 million during the first three months of the prior year. At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , there were outstanding commitments for capital purchases of $13.6 million compared to $10.5 million at the corresponding date in the prior year. The company expects full-year capital purchases to be between $80.0 million and $90.0 million, which will be primarily related to investments in the company's facilities and equipment. This compares to full-year capital spending of $85.1 million in fiscal 2016 .

Cash Flows - Financing Activities

Cash inflows from financing activities were $0.8 million for the first three months of fiscal 2017 compared to cash outflows of $31.1 million during the same period of the prior year. Cash inflows from net borrowings on our revolving credit facility were $12.0 million during the three -month period of fiscal 2017 . By comparison, cash outflows from net repayments were $22.0 million during the same period of fiscal 2016 . Cash outflows for dividend payments were $8.8 million and $8.4 million for the three month periods of fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 , respectively. Cash paid for the retirement of common stock was $7.2 million as compared to $2.4 million in the first three months of fiscal 2017 and 2016, respectively. Cash inflows for stock issuances related to employee benefit programs were $6.0 million and $0.9 million during the three month periods of fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 , respectively.

Some minority shareholders in a subsidiary have the right, at certain times, to require the company to acquire a portion of their ownership interest in those entities at fair value. It is possible that within the next three years the company could be required to acquire this ownership interest. The fair value of this redeemable noncontrolling interest as of September 3, 2016 was $25.7 million and is included within "Redeemable noncontrolling interests" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Sources of Liquidity

In addition to cash flows from operating activities, the company has access to liquidity through credit facilities, cash and cash equivalents, and short-term investments. These sources have been summarized below. For additional information, refer to Note 13 and Note 17 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2017 , the company had cash and cash equivalents of $65.1 million including $53.9 million of cash and cash equivalents held outside the United States. In addition, the company had marketable securities of $7.7 million held by one of its international subsidiaries. The subsidiary holding the company's marketable securities is taxed as a United States taxpayer at the company's election. Consequently, for tax purposes, all United States tax impacts for this subsidiary have been recorded. The company currently has no plans to repatriate cash from foreign subsidiaries during fiscal 2017.

The company has $10.1 million of cash held outside of the United States for which United States taxes have been recorded. The company's intent is to permanently reinvest the remainder of the cash outside of the United States. The company's plans do not indicate a need to repatriate these balances to fund United States operations.

On September 13, 2016, the Company entered into an amendment and restatement of an existing unsecured credit facility (the "Agreement"). The Agreement, which expires on September 13, 2021, provides the Company with up to $400 million in revolving variable interest borrowing capacity.

The company believes cash on hand, cash generated from operations, and borrowing capacity will provide adequate liquidity to fund near term and forseeable future business operations, capital needs, future dividends and share repurchases, subject to financing availability in the marketplace.

Contractual Obligations

Contractual obligations associated with ongoing business and financing activities will require cash payments in future periods. A table summarizing the amounts and estimated timing of these future cash payments as of May 30, 2016 was provided in the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 28, 2016 . There has been no material change in such obligations since that date.

Guarantees

The company provides certain guarantees to third parties under various arrangements in the form of product warranties, loan guarantees, standby letters of credit, lease guarantees, performance bonds and indemnification provisions. These arrangements are accounted for and disclosed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 460, Guarantees, as described in Note 12 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Variable Interest Entities

On occasion, the company provides financial support to certain independent dealers in the form of term loans, lines of credit, and/or loan guarantees that may represent variable interests in such entities. As of September 3, 2016 , the company was not considered to be the primary beneficiary of any such dealer relationships under FASB ASC Topic 810, Consolidation. Accordingly, the company is not required to consolidate the financial statements of any of these entities as of September 3, 2016 .

Contingencies

See Note 12 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Critical Accounting Policies

The company strives to report financial results clearly and understandably. The company follows accounting principles generally accepted in the United States in preparing its consolidated financial statements, which require certain estimates and judgments that affect the financial position and results of operations for the company. The company continually reviews the accounting policies and financial information disclosures. A summary of the more significant accounting policies that require the use of estimates and judgments in preparing the financial statements is provided in the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 28, 2016 . During the first three months of fiscal 2017 , there were no material changes in the accounting policies and assumptions previously disclosed.

New Accounting Standards

See Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Safe Harbor Provisions

Certain statements in this filing are not historical facts but are "forward-looking statements" as defined under Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended, that are based on management's beliefs, assumptions, current expectations, estimates, and projections about the office furniture industry, the economy, and the company itself. Words like "anticipates," "believes," "confident," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," likely," "plans," "projects," and "should," variations of such words, and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. These statements do not guarantee future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult to predict with regard to timing, extent, likelihood, and degree of occurrence. These risks include, without limitation, the success of our growth strategy, employment and general economic conditions, the pace of economic recovery in the U.S., and in our International markets, the increase in white collar employment, the willingness of customers to undertake capital expenditures, the types of products purchased by customers, competitive-pricing pressures, the availability and pricing of raw materials, our reliance on a limited number of suppliers, our ability to expand globally given the risks associated with regulatory and legal compliance challenges and accompanying currency fluctuations, the ability to increase prices to absorb the additional costs of raw materials, the financial strength of our dealers and the financial strength of our customers, our ability to locate new DWR studios, negotiate favorable lease terms for new and existing locations and the implementation of our studio portfolio transformation, our ability to attract and retain key executives and other qualified employees, our ability to continue to make product innovations, the success of newly-introduced products, our ability to serve all of our markets, possible acquisitions, divestitures or alliances, the pace and level of government procurement, the outcome of pending litigation or governmental audits or investigations, political risk in the markets we serve, and other risks identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Therefore, actual results and outcomes may materially differ from what we express or forecast. Furthermore, Herman Miller, Inc., undertakes no obligation to update, amend or clarify forward-looking statements.

The information concerning quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk contained in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended May 28, 2016 has not changed. The nature of market risks from interest rates and commodity prices has not changed materially during the first three months of fiscal 2017 .

Foreign Exchange Risk

The company manufactures its products in the United States, United Kingdom, China and India. The company also sources completed products and product components from both inside and outside the United States. The company's completed products are sold in numerous countries around the world. Sales in foreign countries as well as certain expenses related to those sales are transacted in currencies other than the company's reporting currency, the United States dollar. Accordingly, production costs and profit margins related to these sales are affected by the currency exchange relationship between the countries where the sales take place and the countries where the products are sourced or manufactured. These currency exchange relationships can also affect the company's competitive positions within these markets.

The principal foreign currencies in which the company conducts its business are the British pound sterling, European euro, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, Japanese yen, Mexican peso, Brazilian real, Indian rupee, South African rand, Hong Kong dollar and Chinese renminbi. In the normal course of business, the company enters into forward foreign currency exchange swap contracts. Changes in the fair value of such contracts are reported in earnings in the period the value of the contract changes. The net gain or loss upon settlement and the change in fair value of outstanding contracts is recorded as a component of other expense (income), net. 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, management has evaluated the effectiveness of the company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of September 3, 2016 , and the company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial officer have concluded that, as of that date, the company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the company's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) during the quarterly period ended September 3, 2016 , that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the company's internal control over financial reporting.

Item 1: Legal Proceedings

Referred to in Note 12 of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Item 1A: Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in the company's risk factors from those set forth in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 28, 2016 .

Item 2:     Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following is a summary of share repurchase activity during the quarter ended September 3, 2016 .

No repurchase plans expired or were terminated during the first quarter of fiscal 2017, nor do any plans exist under which the company does not intend to make further purchases. The Board has the authority to terminate any further repurchases.

During the period covered by this report, the company did not sell any of its equity securities that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

Item 3: Defaults upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4: Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable

Item 5: Other Information

None

Item 6: Exhibits

The following exhibits (listed by number corresponding to the Exhibit table as Item 601 in Regulation S-K) are filed with this Report: