Document


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549


FORM 8-K


CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934



Date of Report: January 27, 2017


GENTEX CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Michigan
0-10235
38-2030505
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission
File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
600 North Centennial Street
Zeeland, Michigan
 

49464
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (616) 772-1800
_____________________________________________________________


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12).
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)).
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)).





Section 2.
Financial Information

Item 2.02
Results of Operations and Financial Condition

(a)
On January 27, 2017, Gentex Corporation issued a news release announcing financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2016. A copy of the news release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 8-K.

The information in this Form 8-K and the attached Exhibit shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

Section 9.    Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)    Exhibit
    
99.1 – News Release Dated January 27, 2017.







SIGNATURE


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

Date: January 27, 2017            
GENTEX CORPORATION
(Registrant)                


By    /s/ Kevin C. Nash
Kevin C. Nash
Its Vice President - Accounting and Chief Accounting Officer    
    
    



Exhibit
Exhibit 99.1

https://cdn.kscope.io/eb9e89c25aad67542d6ff388eeaa4d2a-gntxa09.jpg


GENTEX REPORTS FOURTH QUARTER AND YEAR END 2016 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Zeeland, Michigan, January 27, 2017 - Gentex Corporation (NASDAQ: GNTX), the Zeeland, Michigan-based manufacturer of automotive automatic-dimming rearview mirrors, automotive electronics, dimmable aircraft windows, and fire protection products, today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and calendar year ended December 31, 2016.

Fourth Quarter and Calendar Year 2016 Highlights

Unit shipment growth and revenue growth of 9% year over year
Gross Margin increased from 40.2% to 40.3% quarter over quarter and from 39.1% to 39.8% year over year
Net Income increased by 9% year over year
Earnings per diluted share increased by 10% year over year to $1.19 per diluted share
2.3 million shares repurchased during the quarter and 10.3 million shares repurchased during the year
$16.9 million of debt repayment for the quarter and $47.5 million for calendar year 2016

For the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company reported net sales of $419.9 million, an increase of 4% compared to net sales of $405.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2015. The increase was primarily due to a 4% increase in auto-dimming interior and exterior rearview mirror shipments on a quarter over quarter basis. During the fourth quarter of 2016, a raw material shortage of a specific commodity, which is used in the majority of the Company's interior and exterior auto-dimming mirrors, impacted the ability of the Company to meet full customer demand for the fourth quarter and resulted in a negative impact to unit shipments and revenue for the quarter. Also, during the most recently completed quarter, incremental plant shutdowns at OEM’s and inventory adjustments at certain Tier 1 customers negatively impacted quarterly unit shipments and revenue. The combined negative impact on revenue of these issues was approximately $15 million in the quarter.
For calendar year 2016, the Company’s net sales increased 9% to $1.68 billion compared to $1.54 billion for calendar year 2015, primarily as a result of a 9% increase in auto-dimming interior and exterior mirror unit shipments.



Exhibit 99.1

The gross profit margin in the fourth quarter of 2016 was 40.3% compared with a gross profit margin of 40.2% in the fourth quarter of 2015. The positive impact of strong advanced feature shipments during the quarter, as well as purchasing cost reductions, more than offset the costs and inefficiencies associated with the aforementioned raw material shortage and sales shortfall, as well as the customary impacts related to annual customer price reductions. For calendar year 2016, the gross profit margin was 39.8%, compared with a gross profit margin of 39.1% for calendar year 2015. For the full year, favorable product mix as well as purchasing cost reductions, more than offset the impact of annual customer price reductions.
Operating expenses during the fourth quarter of 2016 were $41.2 million, up 13% compared to operating expenses of $36.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2015. Operating expenses during the quarter were higher than anticipated primarily due to premium freight charges and travel costs associated with the aforementioned raw material shortages, as well as foreign office expenses which were impacted by unfavorable exchange rates. In total, these costs negatively impacted fourth quarter operating expenses by approximately $1.2 million. For calendar year 2016, operating expenses were $156.7 million, up 8% compared to $145.0 million in calendar year 2015.
Net income for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $88.8 million, compared to net income of $88.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2015. Net income in calendar year 2016 was $347.6 million, up 9% compared with net income of $318.5 million in calendar year 2015.
Earnings per diluted share in the fourth quarter of 2016 were $0.31, compared with earnings per diluted share of $0.30 in the fourth quarter of 2015. Earnings per diluted share were $1.19 for calendar year 2016, compared with $1.08 for calendar year 2015.
Auto-dimming unit shipments in the fourth quarter of 2016 increased 4% compared with the fourth quarter of 2015 and for calendar year 2016 increased 9% compared to calendar year 2015. As a result, automotive net sales in the fourth quarter of 2016 were $411.5 million, up 4% compared with $395.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, and for calendar year 2016 were $1.64 billion, up 9% compared with $1.51 billion in calendar year 2015.
Other net sales were $8.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, down 14% compared with $9.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2015, but for calendar year 2016 were up 7% to $39.2 million, when compared with $36.7 million in calendar year 2015.



Exhibit 99.1

Share Repurchases
The Company repurchased 2.3 million shares of its common stock during the fourth quarter of 2016 and for the year ended December 31, 2016, repurchased 10.3 million shares of its common stock pursuant to its previously announced share repurchase plan. As of December 31, 2016, the Company has 6.7 million shares remaining available for repurchase in the plan. The Company intends to continue to repurchase additional shares of its common stock in the future depending on macroeconomic issues, market trends and other factors that the Company deems appropriate.
Debt Repayment
During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company paid down $15 million on its revolver loan, and for calendar year 2016 paid down $40 million on the same, which was in addition to normally scheduled principal repayments of $1.9 million and $7.5 million respectively for the fourth quarter of 2016 and for calendar year 2016, on the Company's term loan. The Company may, at its discretion, pay additional principal toward its loans in the future, depending on macroeconomic trends, capital expenditure spending, cash and money market interest rates, the amount of available free cash and other factors that it deems appropriate for timing and amounts of incremental debt repayments.
Future Estimates
The Company’s forecasts for light vehicle production for calendar year 2017 and 2018 are based on the IHS Automotive mid-January 2017 forecast for light vehicle production in North America, Europe, Japan and Korea. Based on the following light vehicle production forecasts for 2017 and 2018, the Company is giving certain annual guidance for 2017 and revenue guidance for 2018:
Light Vehicle Production (per IHS Automotive Mid-January light vehicle production forecast)
(in Millions)
Region
Calendar Year 2018
Calendar Year 2017
Calendar Year 2016
2018 vs. 2017 % Change
2017 vs. 2016 % Change
North America
17.9

17.6

17.8

2
 %
(1
)%
Europe
22.1

21.8

21.5

1
 %
1
 %
Japan and Korea
12.9

13.2

12.8

(2
)%
3
 %
Total Light Vehicle Production
52.9

52.6

52.1

1
 %
1
 %



Exhibit 99.1

2017 Guidance
Revenue
$1.78 - $1.85 billion
Gross Margin
39.0% - 40.0%
Operating Expenses (E, R&D and S, G&A)
$165 - $172 million
Tax Rate
31.5% - 32.5%
Capital Expenditures
$115 - $130 million
Depreciation & Amortization
$95 - $105 million
Based on the aforementioned forecasts, the Company currently expects 2018 revenue growth of approximately 6 - 10% above the 2017 revenue estimates.

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements contained in this communication that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give the Company’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “goal”, “hope”, “may”, “plan”, “project”, “will”, and variations of such words and similar expressions. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that are often difficult to predict and beyond the Company’s control, and could cause the Company’s results to differ materially from those described. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: changes in general industry or regional market conditions; changes in consumer and customer preferences for our products; our ability to be awarded new business; continued uncertainty in pricing negotiations with customers; loss of business from increased competition; customer bankruptcies or divestiture of customer brands; fluctuation in vehicle production schedules; changes in product mix; raw material shortages; higher raw material, fuel, energy and other costs; unfavorable fluctuations in currencies or interest rates in the regions in which we operate; costs or difficulties related to the integration of any new or acquired technologies and businesses; changes in regulatory conditions; warranty and recall claims and other litigation and customer reactions thereto; possible adverse results of pending or future litigation or infringement claims; and negative impact of any governmental investigations and associated litigations including securities litigations relating to the conduct of our business. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only



Exhibit 99.1

as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law or the rules of the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Accordingly, any forward-looking statement should be read in conjunction with the additional information about risks and uncertainties identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s latest Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filed with the SEC.

Fourth Quarter Conference Call
A conference call related to this news release will be simulcast live on the Internet beginning at 9:30 a.m. ET today, January 27, 2017. The dial-in number to participate in the call is 1-844-389-8658, passcode 51106947. Participants may listen to the call via audio streaming via the link in the lower left corner of www.gentex.com or by visiting http://edge.media-server.com/m/p/3hfq6jm8. Previous conference calls hosted by the Company are available at http://ir.gentex.com/WebcastArchives.

About The Company
Founded in 1974, Gentex Corporation (The NASDAQ Global Select Market: GNTX) is a supplier of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and electronics to the automotive industry, dimmable aircraft windows for aviation markets, and fire protection products to the fire protection market. Visit the Company’s web site at www.gentex.com.



Exhibit 99.1


GENTEX CORPORATION
AUTO-DIMMING MIRROR SHIPMENTS
(Thousands)
 

Three Months Ended
December 31,
 
Twelve Months ended
December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
%
 Change
 
2016
 
2015
 
%
 Change
North American Interior Mirrors
2,233

 
2,198

 
2
%
 
9,068

 
8,649

 
5
%
North American Exterior Mirrors
916

 
872

 
5
%
 
3,631

 
3,335

 
9
%
Total North American Mirror Units
3,149

 
3,070

 
3
%
 
12,698

 
11,984

 
6
%
International Interior Mirrors
4,186

 
3,966

 
6
%
 
16,957

 
14,868

 
14
%
International Exterior Mirrors
1,560

 
1,519

 
3
%
 
6,447

 
6,133

 
5
%
Total International Mirror Units
5,746

 
5,485

 
5
%
 
23,404

 
21,002

 
11
%
Total Interior Mirrors
6,419

 
6,164

 
4
%
 
26,025

 
23,517

 
11
%
Total Exterior Mirrors
2,477

 
2,392

 
4
%
 
10,077

 
9,468

 
6
%
Total Auto-Dimming Mirror Units
8,896

 
8,555

 
4
%
 
36,102

 
32,985

 
9
%
Note: Percent change and amounts may not total due to rounding.




Exhibit 99.1

GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 

Twelve Months ended December 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Net Sales
$
419,912,916

 
$
405,592,635

 
$
1,678,924,756

 
$
1,543,617,706

Cost of Goods Sold
250,745,919

 
242,349,123

 
1,010,472,512

 
939,841,654

Gross profit
169,166,997

 
163,243,512

 
668,452,244

 
603,776,052

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Engineering, Research & Development
24,489,920

 
22,984,663

 
94,238,032

 
88,392,919

Selling, General & Administrative
16,741,134

 
13,596,366

 
62,471,277

 
56,616,694

Income from operations
127,935,943

 
126,662,483

 
511,742,935

 
458,766,439

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Income
1,118,526

 
2,013,168

 
(1,182,162
)
 
4,825,017

Income before Income Taxes
129,054,469

 
128,675,651

 
510,560,773

 
463,591,456

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Provision for Income Taxes
40,293,075

 
40,280,095

 
162,969,497

 
145,121,597

Net Income
$
88,761,394

 
$
88,395,556

 
$
347,591,276

 
$
318,469,859

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings Per Share

 

 
 
 
 
Basic
$
0.31

 
$
0.30

 
$
1.21

 
$
1.09

Diluted
$
0.31

 
$
0.30

 
$
1.19

 
$
1.08

Weighted Average Shares
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
287,104,053

 
291,456,906

 
288,433,772

 
293,096,212

Diluted
289,859,522

 
294,339,680

 
291,072,316

 
296,237,899

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Cash Dividends Declared per Share
$
0.090

 
$
0.085

 
$
0.355

 
$
0.335





Exhibit 99.1

GENTEX CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
December 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and Short Term Investments
$
723,498,272

 
$
556,104,882

Other Current Assets
431,490,757

 
427,903,910

Total Current Assets
1,154,989,029

 
984,008,792

 
 
 
 
Plant and Equipment - Net
465,822,467

 
412,720,270

 
 
 
 
Goodwill
307,365,845

 
307,365,845

Long-Term Investments
49,894,363

 
95,156,539

Intangible Assets
308,275,000

 
327,575,000

Patents and Other Assets
23,273,129

 
21,846,482

Total Other Assets
688,808,337

 
751,943,866

 
 
 
 
Total Assets
$
2,309,619,833

 
$
2,148,672,928

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
 
 
 
Current Liabilities
$
149,857,979

 
$
131,006,546

Long-Term Debt
178,125,000

 
225,625,000

Deferred Income Taxes
71,212,620

 
69,524,621

Shareholders' Investment
1,910,424,234

 
1,722,516,761

Total Liabilities & Shareholders' Investment
$
2,309,619,833

 
$
2,148,672,928