Badger Meter Earnings 2018-12-31

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-K

☒        ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018                

or

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

For the transition period from              to              

Commission File No. 001-06706

BADGER METER, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

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  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).   Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10‑K or any amendment to this Form 10‑K.   Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b‑2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) 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  ☒

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity:  As of June 29, 2018, the aggregate market value of the shares of Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $1.28 billion.  For purposes of this calculation only, (i) shares of Common Stock are deemed to have a market value of $44.70 per share, the closing price of the Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on June 29, 2018, and (ii) each of the Company's executive officers and directors is deemed to be an affiliate of the Company.

As of February 11, 2019, there were 29,112,354 shares of Common Stock outstanding with a par value of $1 per share.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Regulation 14A within 120 days after the end of the registrant's fiscal year, are incorporated by reference from the definitive Proxy Statement into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as other information provided from time to time by Badger Meter, Inc. (the “Company”) or its employees, may contain forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward looking statements.  The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “think,” “should,” “could” and “objective” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements.  All such forward looking statements are based on the Company’s then current views and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties.  Some risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward looking statements include those described in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and include, among other things:

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All of these factors are beyond the Company's control to varying degrees.  Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward looking statements.  The forward looking statements made in this document are made only as of the date of this document and the Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update any such forward looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

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Badger Meter, Inc. (the “Company”) is a leading innovator, manufacturer and marketer of products incorporating flow measurement, control and communication solutions serving markets worldwide.  The Company was incorporated in 1905.

Throughout this 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K, the words “we,” “us” and “our” refer to the Company.

Available Information

The Company's internet address is http://www.badgermeter.com.  The Company makes available free of charge through its Internet website its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports, on the same day they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Company is not including the information contained on or available through its website as a part of, or incorporating such information by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Market Overview, Products, Systems and Solutions

Badger Meter is an innovator in flow measurement, control and related communication solutions, serving water utilities, municipalities, and commercial and industrial customers worldwide.  The Company’s products measure water, oil, chemicals and other fluids, and are known for accuracy, long-lasting durability and for providing valuable and timely measurement data through various methods.  The Company’s product lines fall into two categories: sales of water meters, radios and related technologies to municipal water utilities (municipal water) and sales of meters, valves and other products for industrial applications in water, wastewater, and other industries (flow instrumentation).  The Company estimates that over 85% of its products are used in water related applications.

Municipal water, the largest sales category, is comprised of either mechanical or static (ultrasonic) water meters along with the related radio and software technologies and services used by municipal water utilities as the basis for generating their water and wastewater revenues.  The largest geographic market for the Company’s municipal water products is North America, primarily the United States, because most of the Company's meters are designed and manufactured to conform to standards promulgated by the American Water Works Association.  The majority of water meters sold by the Company continue to be mechanical in nature; however, ultrasonic meters are gaining in penetration due to a variety of factors, including their ability to maintain measurement accuracy over their useful life.  Providing ultrasonic water meter technology, combined with advanced radio technology, provides the Company with the opportunity to sell into other geographical markets, for example the Middle East and Europe.  

Flow instrumentation includes meters and valves sold worldwide to measure and control fluids going through a pipe or pipeline including water, air, steam, oil, and other liquids and gases.  These products are used in a variety of industries and applications, with the Company’s primary market focus being water/wastewater; heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC); oil and gas, and chemical and petrochemical.  Flow instrumentation products are generally sold to original equipment manufacturers as the primary flow measurement device within a product or system, as well as through manufacturers’ representatives.

Municipal water meters (both residential and commercial) are generally classified as either manually read meters or remotely read meters via radio technology.  A manually read meter consists of a water meter and a register that provides a visual totalized meter reading.  Meters equipped with radio technology (endpoints) receive flow measurement data from battery-powered encoder registers attached to the water meter, which is encrypted and transmitted via radio frequency to a receiver that collects and formats the data appropriately for water utility usage and billing systems.  These remotely read systems are classified as either automatic meter reading (AMR) systems, where a vehicle equipped for meter reading purposes, including a radio receiver, computer and reading software, collects the data from utilities’ meters; or advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) systems, where data is gathered utilizing a network (either fixed or cellular) of data collectors or gateway receivers that are able to receive radio data transmission from the utilities’ meters.  AMI systems eliminate the need for utility personnel to drive through service territories to collect data from the meters.  These systems provide utilities with more frequent and diverse data from their meters at specified intervals.

The ORION® branded family of radio endpoints provides water utilities with a range of industry-leading options for meter reading.  These include ORION Migratable (ME) for AMR meter reading, ORION (SE) for traditional fixed network applications, and ORION Cellular for an infrastructure-free meter reading solution.  ORION Migratable makes the migration to fixed network easier for utilities that prefer to start with mobile reading and later adopt fixed network communications, allowing utilities to choose a solution for their current needs and be positioned for their future operational changes.  ORION Cellular eliminates the need for utility-owned fixed network infrastructure, allows for gradual or full deployment, and decreases ongoing maintenance.

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Critical to the water metering ecosystem is information and analytics.  The Company’s BEACON® Advanced Metering Analytics (AMA) software suite improves the utilities’ visibility of their water and water usage.  BEACON AMA is a secure, cloud-hosted software suite that includes a customizable dashboard, and has the ability to establish alerts for specific conditions.  It also allows for consumer engagement tools that permit end water users (such as homeowners) to view and manage their water usage activity.  Benefits to the utility include improved customer service, increased visibility through faster leak detection, the ability to promote and quantify the effects of its water conservation efforts, and easier compliance reporting.

Water meter replacement and the adoption and deployment of new technology comprise the majority of water meter product sales, including radio products.  To a much lesser extent, housing starts also contribute to the new product sales base.  Over the last decade, there has been a growing trend in the conversion from manually read water meters to meters with radio technology.  This conversion rate is accelerating, with the Company estimating that approximately 60% of water meters installed in the United States have been converted to a radio solution technology.

The Company’s net sales and corresponding net earnings depend on unit volume and product mix, with the Company generally earning higher average selling prices and margins on meters equipped with radio technology, and higher margins on ultrasonic compared to mechanical meters.  The Company’s proprietary radio products (i.e. ORION) generally result in higher margins than the remarketed, non-proprietary technology products.  The Company also sells registers and endpoints separately to customers who wish to upgrade their existing meters in the field.  

Flow instrumentation products are used in flow measurement and control applications across a broad industrial spectrum, occasionally leveraging the same technologies used in the municipal water category.  Specialized communication protocols that control the entire flow measurement process and mandatory certifications drive these markets.  The Company provides both standard and customized flow instrumentation solutions.

The industries served by the Company’s flow instrumentation products face accelerating demands to contain costs, reduce product variability, and meet ever-changing safety, regulatory and sustainability requirements.  To address these challenges, customers must reap more value from every component in their systems.  This system-wide scrutiny has heightened the focus on flow instrumentation in industrial process, manufacturing, commercial fluid, building automation and precision engineering applications where flow measurement and control are critical.

A leader in both mechanical and static (ultrasonic) flow metering technologies for industrial markets, the Company offers one of the broadest flow measurement, control and communication portfolios in the market.  This portfolio carries respected brand names including Recordall®, Hedland®, Dynasonics®, Blancett®, and Research Control®, and includes eight of the ten major flow meter technologies.  Customers rely on the Company for application-specific solutions that deliver accurate, timely and dependable flow data and control essential for product quality, cost control, safer operations, regulatory compliance and more sustainable operations.

The Company's products are sold throughout the world through employees, resellers and representatives.  Depending on the customer mix, there can be a moderate seasonal impact on sales, primarily relating to higher sales of certain municipal water products during the spring and summer months.  No single customer accounts for more than 10% of the Company's sales.

Competition

The Company faces competition for both its municipal water and flow instrumentation product lines.  The competition varies from moderate to strong depending upon the products involved and the markets served.  Major competitors for utility water meters include Xylem, Inc. (“Sensus”), Roper Technologies, Inc. (“Neptune”), Master Meter, Inc. and Mueller Water Products, Inc.  Together with Badger Meter, it is estimated that these companies sell in excess of 90% of the water meters in the North American market, which has historically been somewhat insulated from organic growth by other competitors due to the nature of the mechanical technology used and the standards promulgated by the American Water Works Association.  As static metering technology continues to gain traction, additional competitors include firms such as Kamstrup A/S, Diehl Metering GmbH and Itron, Inc., although these competitors lack brand recognition and do not have extensive water utility channel distribution, which impedes their ability to compete.  In addition, as previously noted, the technology acceptance also provides competitive opportunities for Badger Meter outside North America.

The Company's primary competitors for water utility radio products in North America are Itron, Inc., Neptune and Sensus.  While the vast majority of the Company’s radio sales are of its own proprietary radio systems (ORION and GALAXY®), it is also a reseller of Itron® products.  A number of the Company's competitors in certain markets have greater financial resources than the Company.  The Company, however, believes it currently provides the leading technologies in water meters and water-dedicated radio solutions.  As a result of significant research and development activities, the Company enjoys favorable patent positions and trade secret protections for several of its technologies, products and processes.

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There are many competitors in the flow instrumentation markets due to the various end markets and applications being served.  They include, among others, Emerson Electric Company, Krohne Messtechnik GmbH, Endress+Hauser AG, Yokogawa Electric Corporation and Cameron International.  With a broad portfolio consisting of products utilizing eight of the ten major flow meter technologies, the Company is well positioned to compete in niche, specialized applications within these markets, primarily focused on the water/wastewater, HVAC, oil & gas and chemical/petrochemical end markets.

Backlog

The Company's total backlog of unshipped orders at December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $29.9 million and $28.9 million, respectively.  The backlog is comprised of firm orders and signed contractual commitments, or portions of such commitments that call for shipment within 12 months.  Backlog can be significantly affected by the timing of orders for large projects and the amounts can vary due to the timing of work performed.

Raw Materials and Components

Raw materials used in the manufacture of the Company's products include purchased castings made of metal or alloys (such as brass, which uses copper as its main component, aluminum, stainless steel and cast iron), plastic resins, glass, microprocessors and other electronic subassemblies, and components.  There are multiple sources for these raw materials and components, but the Company relies on single suppliers for certain brass castings, resins and electronic subassemblies.  The Company believes these items would be available from other sources, but that the loss of certain suppliers would result in a higher cost of materials, delivery delays, short-term increases in inventory and higher quality control costs in the short term.  The Company carries business interruption insurance on key suppliers.  The Company's purchases of raw materials are based on production schedules, and as a result, inventory on hand is generally not exposed to price fluctuations.  World commodity markets and currency exchange rates may also affect the prices of material purchased in the future.  The Company does not hold significant amounts of precious metals.

Research and Development

Expenditures for research and development activities related to the development of new products, the improvement of existing products and manufacturing process improvements were $11.1 million in 2018 and $10.6 million in both 2017 and 2016.  Research and development activities are primarily sponsored by the Company.  The Company also engages in some joint research and development with other companies and organizations.

Intangible Assets

The Company owns or controls several trade secrets and many patents, trademarks and trade names in the United States and other countries that relate to its products and technologies.  No single patent, trademark, trade name or trade secret is material to the Company's business as a whole.

Environmental Protection

The Company is subject to contingencies related to environmental laws and regulations.  A future change in circumstances with respect to these specific matters or with respect to sites formerly or currently owned or operated by the Company, off-site disposal locations used by the Company, and property owned by third parties that is near such sites, could result in future costs to the Company and such amounts could be material.  Expenditures for compliance control provisions and regulations during 2018, 2017 and 2016 were not material.

Employees

The Company and its subsidiaries employed 1,531 persons at December 31, 2018. Approximately 110 of these employees are covered by a collective bargaining agreement with District 10 of the International Association of Machinists.  The Company is currently operating under a three-year contract with the union, which expires on October 31, 2019.  The Company believes it has good relations with the union and all of its employees.

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The following table sets forth certain information regarding the Executive Officers of the Registrant.

There are no family relationships between any of the executive officers.  Officers are elected annually at the first meeting of the Board of Directors held after each annual meeting of the shareholders.  Each officer holds office until his or her successor has been elected or until his or her death, resignation or removal.  There is no arrangement or understanding between any executive officer and any other person pursuant to which he or she was elected as an officer.

Mr. Bockhorst was elected President in April 2018 and Chief Executive Officer in January 2019 after serving as Senior Vice President - Chief Operating Officer for the Company from October 2017 to April 2018.  Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Bockhorst was Executive Vice President of the Energy segment, preceded by President of Hydratight and Global Vice President Operations of Enerpac, all within Actuant Corporation from March 2011 to October 2017.

Mr. Johnson was elected as Senior Vice President – Administration in January 2019 after serving as Senior Vice President – Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from May 2003 to December 2018.  Mr. Johnson will retire from the Company effective April 2019.

Mr. Begale has served as Vice President - Engineering for more than five years.

Mr. Bergum has served as Vice President - General Counsel and Secretary for more than five years.

Mr. Gomez was elected Vice President - Business Development and Flow Instrumentation in April 2017.  Mr. Gomez served as Vice President - Flow Instrumentation from September 2014 to April 2017, and Vice President - Business Development from December 2010 to September 2014.

Mr. Gras has served as Vice President - International Operations for more than five years.

Ms. Jashinsky was elected Vice President - Human Resources in October 2016.  Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Jashinsky was Vice President of Human Resources at Gannett Company, Inc. from February 2015 to July 2016, Senior Vice President Human Resources at Fiserv, Inc. from March 2014 to February 2015, and Vice President Global Corporate Human Resources at Johnson Controls, Inc. from May 2010 to February 2014.

Mr. Serdynski has served as Vice President - Manufacturing for more than five years.

Ms. Smiley has served as Vice President - Controller for more than five years. Ms. Smiley will retire from the Company effective March 2019.

Ms. Stoll has served as Vice President - Sales and Marketing for more than five years.

Mr. Weltzien was elected Vice President – Accounting and External Reporting in January 2019.  Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Weltzien spent eight years with Actuant Corporation, holding various corporate and business unit financial leadership roles, most recently as Senior Director of Finance for its Hydratight business unit. 

Mr. Wrocklage was elected Vice President – Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer in January 2019 after serving as Vice President - Finance for the Company from August 2018 to December 2018.  Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Wrocklage spent ten years with Actuant Corporation, holding various corporate and business unit financial leadership roles, most recently as Vice President - Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer. 

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Foreign Operations and Export Sales

The Company distributes its products through employees, resellers and representatives throughout the world.  Additionally, the Company has a sales, distribution and manufacturing facility in Neuffen, Germany; sales and customer service offices in Mexico, Singapore, China, United Arab Emirates and Slovakia; manufacturing facilities in Nogales, Mexico, Brno, Czech Republic and Bern, Switzerland; and a development facility in Luleå, Sweden.  The Company exports products from the United States that are manufactured in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Racine, Wisconsin and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Information about the Company's foreign operations and export sales is included in Note 9 “Industry Segment and Geographic Areas” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Financial Information about Industry Segments

The Company operates in one industry segment as an innovator, manufacturer and marketer of products incorporating flow measurement, control and communication solutions.  Information about the Company's sales, operating earnings and assets is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements and in Note 9 “Industry Segment and Geographic Areas” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider the significant business risks described below in addition to the other information set forth or incorporated by reference in this 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the “Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” at the front of this 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  If any of the events contemplated by the following risks actually occur, our financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.  The following list of risk factors may not be exhaustive.  We operate in a continually changing business, economic and geopolitical environment, and new risk factors may emerge from time to time.  We can neither predict these new risk factors with certainty nor assess the precise impact, if any, on our business, or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may adversely impact our results of operations.  While there is much uncertainty, we do analyze the risks we face, perform a probability assessment of their impacts and attempt to soften their potential impact when and if possible.

Competitive pressures in the marketplace could decrease our revenues and profits.

Competitive pressures in the marketplace for our products could adversely affect our competitive position, leading to a possible loss of market share or a decrease in prices, either of which could result in decreased revenues and profits.  We operate in an environment where competition varies from moderate to strong and a number of our competitors have greater financial resources.  Our competitors also include alliance partners that sell products that do or may compete with our products, particularly those that provide radio solutions (including cellular).  The principal elements of competition for our most significant product applications, residential and commercial water meters for the municipal water utility market (with various radio technology systems), are price, product technology, quality and service.  The competitive environment is also affected by the movement toward radio technologies and away from manually read meters, the demand for replacement units and, to some extent, such things as global economic conditions, the timing and size of governmental programs such as stimulus fund programs, the ability of municipal water utility customers to authorize and finance purchases of our products, our ability to obtain financing, housing starts in the United States, and overall economic activity.  For our flow instrumentation products, the competitive environment is affected by the general economic health of various industrial sectors particularly in the United States and Europe.

The inability to develop technologically advanced products could harm our future success.

We believe that our future success depends, in part, on our ability to develop technologically advanced products that meet or exceed appropriate industry standards.  Although we believe that we currently have a competitive advantage in this area, maintaining such advantage will require continued investment in research and development, sales, marketing and manufacturing capabilities.  There can be no assurance that we will have sufficient resources to make such investments or that we will be able to make the technological advances necessary to maintain such competitive advantage.  If we are unable to maintain our competitive advantage, our future financial performance may be adversely affected.  We are not currently aware of any emerging standards, technologies or new products that could render our existing products obsolete in the near term.  The water utility industry is beginning to see the adoption of static (ultrasonic) water meters.  Static water metering has lower barriers to entry that could affect the competitive landscape in North America.  We believe we have a competitive product if the adoption rate for static meters were to accelerate.

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The inability to obtain adequate supplies of raw materials and component parts at favorable prices could decrease our profit margins and negatively impact timely delivery to customers.

We are affected by the availability and prices for raw materials and component parts, including purchased castings made of metal or alloys (such as brass, which uses copper as its main component, aluminum, stainless steel and cast iron), plastic resins, glass, microprocessors and other electronic subassemblies, and components that are used in the manufacturing process.  The inability to obtain adequate supplies of raw materials and component parts for our products at favorable prices could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations by decreasing profit margins and by negatively impacting timely deliveries to customers.  In the past, we have been able to offset price increases in raw materials and component parts by increased sales prices, active materials management, product engineering programs and the diversity of materials used in the production processes.  However, we cannot be certain that we will be able to accomplish this in the future.  Since we do not control the actual production of these raw materials and component parts, there may be delays caused by an interruption in the production or transportation of these materials for reasons that are beyond our control.  World commodity markets and inflation may also affect raw material and component part prices.

Economic conditions could cause a material adverse impact on our sales and operating results.

As a supplier of products, the majority of which are to water utilities, we may be adversely affected by global economic conditions, delays in governmental programs created to stimulate the economy, and the impact of government budget cuts or partial shutdowns of governmental operations that affect our customers, including independent distributors, large city utilities, private water companies and numerous smaller municipal water utilities.  These customers may delay capital projects, including non-critical maintenance and upgrades, or may not have the ability to authorize and finance purchases during economic downturns or instability in world markets.  We also sell products for other applications to reduce our dependency on the municipal water market.  A significant downturn in this market could cause a material adverse impact on sales and operating results.  Therefore, a downturn in general economic conditions, as well as in the municipal water market, and delays in the timing or amounts of possible economic stimulus fund programs, government budget cuts or partial shutdowns of governmental operations, or the availability of funds to municipalities could result in a reduction in demand for our products and services and could harm the business.

Economic impacts due to leadership or policy changes in the countries where we do business could negatively affect our profitability.

We may be affected by adjustments to economic and trade policies, such as taxation, changes to or withdrawal from international trade agreements, or the like, when countries where we produce or sell our products change leadership or economic policies.  These types of changes, as well as any related regulatory changes, could significantly increase our costs and adversely affect our profitability and financial condition.

Global and regional economic and political conditions could adversely affect our business.

In June 2016, voters in the United Kingdom approved the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union (“Brexit”), and the British government has indicated that it intends to negotiate the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union based on the results of this vote. The Brexit vote has created significant economic uncertainty in the United Kingdom and in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, which may negatively impact our business results in those regions. In addition, the terms of Brexit, once negotiated, could potentially disrupt the markets we serve, the tax jurisdictions in which we operate, adversely change tax benefits or liabilities in these or other jurisdictions and may cause us to lose customers, suppliers and employees. In addition, Brexit could lead to legal uncertainty and potentially divergent national laws and regulations as the United Kingdom determines which European Union laws to replace or replicate. Any of these effects could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Unusual weather and other natural phenomena could adversely affect our business.

Our sales may be adversely affected by unusual weather, weather patterns or other natural phenomena that could have an impact on the timing of orders in given periods, depending on the particular mix of customers being served by us at the time.

Failure to manufacture quality products could have a material adverse effect on our business.

If we fail to maintain and enforce quality control and testing procedures, our products will not meet required performance standards.  Product quality and performance are a priority for us since our products are used in various applications where precise control of fluids is essential.  Although we believe we have a very good reputation for product quality, any future production and/or sale of substandard products would seriously harm our reputation, resulting in both a loss of current customers to competitors and damage to our ability to attract new customers.  In addition, if any of our products prove to be defective, we may be required to participate in a recall involving such products or incur warranty related expenses.  A successful claim brought against us with respect to a defective product in excess of available insurance coverage, if any, or a requirement to participate in a major product recall, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

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Litigation against us could be costly, time consuming to defend and could adversely affect our profitability.

From time to time, we are subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business.  For example, we may be subject to workers' compensation claims, employment/labor disputes, customer and supplier disputes, product liability claims, intellectual property disputes and contractual disputes related to warranties arising out of the conduct of our business.  Litigation may result in substantial costs and may divert management's attention and resources, which could adversely affect our profitability or financial condition.

If our technology products do not operate as intended, our business could be materially and adversely affected.

We sell and install software products, including some that are provided in “the cloud,” that may contain unexpected design defects or may encounter unexpected complications during installation or when used with other technologies utilized by the customer.  A failure of our technology products to operate as intended and in a seamless fashion with other products or a failure of a cloud network could materially and adversely affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Our expanded role as a prime contractor brings certain risks that could have a material adverse effect to our business.

The Company periodically assumes the role as a prime contractor for providing complete technology systems to governmental entities, which brings with it added risks, including but not limited to, our responsibility for managing subcontractor performance and the potential for expanded warranty and performance obligations.  While we have managed a limited number of these types of arrangements, it is possible to encounter a situation where we may not be able to perform up to the expectations of the governmental entity, and thus incur additional costs that could affect our profitability or harm our reputation.

Disruptions and other damages to our information technology and other networks and operations, and breaches in data security or cybersecurity attacks could have a negative financial impact and damage our reputation.

Our ability to serve customers, as well as increase revenues and control costs, depends in part on the reliability of our sophisticated technologies, system networks and cloud-based software.  We use information technology and other systems to manage our business in order to maximize our revenue, effectiveness and efficiency.  Unauthorized parties gaining access to digital systems and networks for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive financial, personal or business information, corrupting data, causing operational disruptions and other cyber-related risks could adversely impact our customer relationships, business plans and our reputation.  In some cases, we are dependent on third-party technologies and service providers for which there is no certainty of uninterrupted availability or through which hackers could gain access to sensitive and/or personal information.  These potential disruptions and cyber-attacks could negatively affect revenues, costs, customer demand, system availability and our reputation.

Further, as the Company pursues its strategy to grow through acquisitions and to pursue newer technologies that improve our operations and cost structure, the Company is also expanding and improving its information technologies, resulting in a larger technological presence and corresponding exposure to cybersecurity risk. Certain new technologies present new and significant cybersecurity safety risks that must be analyzed and addressed before implementation. If we fail to assess and identify cybersecurity risks associated with acquisitions and new initiatives, we may become increasingly vulnerable to such risks.

If we are not able to protect our proprietary rights to our software and related products, our ability to market our software products could be hindered and our results of operations, financial position and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

We rely on our agreements with customers, confidentiality agreements with employees, and our trademarks, trade secrets, copyrights and patents to protect our proprietary rights.  These legal protections and precautions may not prevent misappropriation of our proprietary information.  In addition, substantial litigation regarding intellectual property rights exists in the software industry, and software products may increasingly be subject to third-party infringement claims.  Such litigation and misappropriation of our proprietary information could hinder our ability to market and sell products and services and our results of operations, financial position and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

Changes in environmental or regulatory requirements could entail additional expenses that could decrease our profitability.

We are subject to a variety of laws in various countries and markets, such as those regulating lead or other material content in certain of our products, the handling and disposal of certain electronic materials, the use and/or licensing of radio frequencies necessary for radio products, data privacy and protection, as well as customs and trade practices.  We cannot predict the nature, scope or effect of future environmental or regulatory requirements to which our operations might be subject or the manner in which existing or future laws will be administered or interpreted.  Currently, the cost of complying with existing laws is included as part of our on-going expenses and does not have a material effect on our business or financial position, but a change in the future could adversely affect our profitability.

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Risks related to foreign markets could decrease our profitability.

Since we sell products worldwide as well as manufacture products in several countries, we are subject to risks associated with doing business internationally.  These risks include such things as changes in foreign currency exchange rates, changes in political or economic conditions of specific countries or regions, potentially negative consequences from changes in tax laws or regulatory requirements, differing labor regulations, and the difficulty of managing widespread operations.

An inability to attract and retain skilled employees could negatively impact our growth and decrease our profitability.

Our success depends on our continued ability to identify, attract, develop and retain skilled personnel throughout our organization.  Current and future compensation arrangements, including benefits, may not be sufficient to attract new employees or retain existing employees, which may hinder our growth.

Violations or alleged violations of laws that impose requirements for the conduct of our overseas operations, including the FCPA or other anti-corruption laws, trade sanctions and sanctioned parties restrictions could adversely affect our business.

In foreign countries where we operate, a risk exists that our employees, third party partners or agents could engage in business practices prohibited by applicable laws and regulations, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA).  Such anti-corruption laws generally prohibit companies from making improper payments to foreign officials, require companies to keep accurate books and records, and maintain appropriate internal controls.  Our policies mandate strict compliance with such laws and we devote resources to ensure compliance.  However, we operate in some parts of the world that have experienced governmental corruption, and, in certain circumstances, local customs and practice might not be consistent with the requirements of anti-corruption laws.  We remain subject to the risk that our employees, third party partners or agents will engage in business practices that are prohibited by our policies and violate such laws and regulations.  Violations by us or a third party acting on our behalf could result in significant internal investigation costs and legal fees, civil and criminal penalties, including prohibitions on the conduct of our business and reputational harm.

We may also be subject to legal liability and reputational damage if we violate U.S. trade sanctions administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the European Union, the United Nations and trade sanction laws, such as the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012.

Failure to successfully identify, complete and integrate acquired businesses or products could adversely affect our operations.

As part of our business strategy, we continue to evaluate and may pursue selected business or product acquisition opportunities that we believe may provide us with certain operating and financial benefits.  There can be no assurance that we will identify or complete transactions with suitable acquisition candidates in the future.  If we complete any such acquisitions, they may require integration into our existing business with respect to administrative, financial, sales, marketing, manufacturing and other functions to realize these anticipated benefits.  If we are unable to successfully integrate a business or product acquisition, we may not realize the benefits identified in our due diligence process, and our financial results may be negatively impacted.  Additionally, significant unexpected liabilities may arise during or after completion of an acquisition.

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None.

The principal facilities utilized by the Company at December 31, 2018 are listed below.  The Company owns all such facilities except as noted.  The Company believes that its facilities are generally well maintained and have sufficient capacity for its current needs.

In the normal course of business, the Company is named in legal proceedings from time to time.  There are currently no material legal proceedings pending with respect to the Company.

The Company is subject to contingencies related to environmental laws and regulations.  Information about the Company's compliance with environmental regulations is included in Part I, Item 1 of this 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K under the heading “Environmental Protection.”

Not applicable.

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The Company’s Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE Trading Symbol: BMI).  At February 13, 2019, there were approximately 897 holders of the Company’s Common Stock. Other information required by this Item is set forth in Note 2 “Common Stock” and Note 10 “Unaudited: Quarterly Results of Operations, Common Stock Price and Dividends” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The following information in Item 5 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is not deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into such a filing.

The following graph compares on a cumulative basis the yearly percentage change since January 1, 2014 in (a) the total shareholder return on the Company’s Common Stock with (b) the total return on the Russell 2000® Index, and (c) the total return of the peer group made up of 14 companies, including the Company, in similar industries and with similar market capitalization.  The Russell 2000® Index is a trademark of the Frank Russell Company, and is used herein for comparative purposes in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission regulations.

The graph assumes $100 invested on December 31, 2013.  It further assumes the reinvestment of dividends.  The returns of each component company in the peer groups have been weighted based on such company's relative market capitalization.

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The Peer Group consists of A. O. Smith Corp. (AOS), Badger Meter, Inc. (BMI), CIRCOR International, Inc. (CIR), ESCO Technologies Inc. (ESE), Franklin Electric Co, Inc. (FELE),  Gorman-Rupp Company (GRC), Itron, Inc. (ITRI), Lindsay Corporation (LNN), Perma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. (PPIH), Mueller Water Products (MWA), Northwest Pipe Company (NWPX), Rexnord Corporation (RXN), Helios Technologies (SNHY) and Watts Water Technologies, Inc. (WTS).

In February 2017, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 400,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock through February 2020.  The following table provides information about the Company's purchases during the quarter ended December 31, 2018 of equity securities that are registered by the Company pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

14

BADGER METER, INC.

Ten Year Summary of Selected Consolidated Financial Data

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Book value per share equals total shareholders' equity at year-end divided by the number of common shares outstanding.

Primary working capital equals receivables plus inventories minus payables and other current liabilities.

Primary working capital as a percent of net sales equals receivables plus inventories minus payables and other current liabilities, divided by net sales.

Debt as a percent of total debt and equity equals total debt (the sum of short-term debt, current portion of long-term debt and long-term debt) divided by the sum of total debt and total shareholders' equity at year-end.

Return on shareholders' equity equals earnings from continuing operations divided by total shareholders' equity at year-end.

Price/earnings ratio equals the year-end closing stock price for common stock divided by diluted earnings per share from continuing operations.

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BUSINESS DESCRIPTION AND OVERVIEW

Badger Meter is an innovator in flow measurement, control and related communication solutions, serving water utilities, municipalities, and commercial and industrial customers worldwide.  The Company’s products measure water, oil, chemicals and other fluids, and are known for accuracy, long-lasting durability and for providing valuable and timely measurement data through various methods.  The Company’s product lines fall into two categories: sales of water meters, radios and related technologies to municipal water utilities (municipal water) and sales of meters, valves and other products for industrial applications in water, wastewater, and other industries (flow instrumentation).  The Company estimates that over 85% of its products are used in water related applications.

Municipal water, the largest sales category, is comprised of either mechanical or static (ultrasonic) water meters along with the related radio and software technologies and services used by municipal water utilities as the basis for generating their water and wastewater revenues.  The largest geographic market for the Company’s municipal water products is North America, primarily the United States, because most of the Company's meters are designed and manufactured to conform to standards promulgated by the American Water Works Association.  The majority of water meters sold by the Company continue to be mechanical in nature; however, ultrasonic meters are gaining in penetration due to a variety of factors, including their ability to maintain near absolute measurement accuracy over their useful life.  Providing ultrasonic water meter technology, combined with advanced radio technology, provides the Company with the opportunity to sell into other geographical markets, for example the Middle East and Europe.  

Flow instrumentation includes meters and valves sold worldwide to measure and control fluids going through a pipe or pipeline including water, air, steam, oil, and other liquids and gases.  These products are used in a variety of industries and applications, with the Company’s primary market focus being water/wastewater; heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC); oil and gas, and chemical and petrochemical.  Flow instrumentation products are generally sold to original equipment manufacturers as the primary flow measurement device within a product or system, as well as through manufacturers’ representatives.

Municipal water meters (both residential and commercial) are generally classified as either manually read meters or remotely read meters via radio technology.  A manually read meter consists of a water meter and a register that provides a visual totalized meter reading.  Meters equipped with radio technology (endpoints) receive flow measurement data from battery-powered encoder registers attached to the water meter, which is encrypted and transmitted via radio frequency to a receiver that collects and formats the data appropriately for water utility usage and billing systems.  These remotely read systems are classified as either automatic meter reading (AMR) systems, where a vehicle equipped for meter reading purposes, including a radio receiver, computer and reading software, collects the data from utilities’ meters; or advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) systems, where data is gathered utilizing a network (either fixed or cellular) of data collectors or gateway receivers that are able to receive radio data transmission from the utilities’ meters.  AMI systems eliminate the need for utility personnel to drive through service territories to collect data from the meters.  These systems provide the utilities with more frequent and diverse data from their meters at specified intervals.

The ORION branded family of radio endpoints provides water utilities with a range of industry-leading options for meter reading.  These include ORION Migratable (ME) for AMR meter reading, ORION (SE) for traditional fixed network applications, and ORION Cellular for an infrastructure-free meter reading solution.  ORION Migratable makes the migration to fixed network easier for utilities that prefer to start with mobile reading and later adopt fixed network communications, allowing utilities to choose a solution for their current needs and be positioned for their future operational changes.  ORION Cellular eliminates the need for utility-owned fixed network infrastructure, allows for gradual or full deployment, and decreases ongoing maintenance.

Critical to the water metering ecosystem is information and analytics.  The Company’s BEACON Advanced Metering Analytics (AMA) software suite improves the utilities’ visibility of their water and water usage.  BEACON AMA is a secure, cloud-hosted software suite that includes a customizable dashboard, and has the ability to establish alerts for specific conditions.  It also allows for consumer engagement tools that permit end water users (such as homeowners) to view and manage their water usage activity.  Benefits to the utility include improved customer service, increased visibility through faster leak detection, the ability to promote and quantify the effects of its water conservation efforts, and easier compliance reporting.

Water meter replacement and the adoption and deployment of new technology comprise the majority of water meter product sales, including radio products.  To a much lesser extent, housing starts also contribute to the new product sales base.  Over the last decade, there has been a growing trend in the conversion from manually read water meters to meters with radio technology.  This conversion rate is accelerating, with the Company estimating that approximately 60% of water meters installed in the United States have been converted to a radio solution technology.

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The Company’s net sales and corresponding net earnings depend on unit volume and product mix, with the Company generally earning higher average selling prices and margins on meters equipped with radio technology, and higher margins on ultrasonic compared to mechanical meters.  The Company’s proprietary radio products (i.e. ORION) generally result in higher margins than the remarketed, non-proprietary technology products.  The Company also sells registers and endpoints separately to customers who wish to upgrade their existing meters in the field.  

Flow instrumentation products are used in flow measurement and control applications across a broad industrial spectrum, occasionally leveraging the same technologies used in the municipal water category.  Specialized communication protocols that control the entire flow measurement process and mandatory certifications drive these markets.  The Company provides both standard and customized flow instrumentation solutions.

The industries served by the Company’s flow instrumentation products face accelerating demands to contain costs, reduce product variability, and meet ever-changing safety, regulatory and sustainability requirements.  To address these challenges, customers must reap more value from every component in their systems.  This system-wide scrutiny has heightened the focus on flow instrumentation in industrial process, manufacturing, commercial fluid, building automation and precision engineering applications where flow measurement and control are critical.

A leader in both mechanical and static (ultrasonic) flow metering technologies for industrial markets, the Company offers one of the broadest flow measurement, control and communication portfolios in the market.  This portfolio carries respected brand names including Recordall®, Hedland®, Dynasonics®, Blancett®, and Research Control®, and includes eight of the ten major flow meter technologies.  Customers rely on the Company for application-specific solutions that deliver accurate, timely and dependable flow data and control essential for product quality, cost control, safer operations, regulatory compliance and more sustainable operations.

The Company's products are sold throughout the world through employees, resellers and representatives.  Depending on the customer mix, there can be a moderate seasonal impact on sales, primarily relating to higher sales of certain municipal water products during the spring and summer months.  No single customer accounts for more than 10% of the Company's sales.

Business Trends

Across the globe, increasing regulations and a focus on sustainability are driving companies and utilities to better manage critical resources like water, monitor their use of hazardous materials and reduce exhaust gases.  Some customers measure fluids to identify leaks and/or misappropriation for cost control or add measurement points to help automate manufacturing. Other customers employ measurement to comply with government mandates and laws.  The Company provides flow measurement technology to measure water, hydrocarbon-based fluids, chemicals, gases and steams.  This technology is critical to provide baseline usage data and to quantify reductions as customers’ attempt to reduce consumption.  For example, once water usage metrics are better understood, a strategy for water-use reduction can be developed with specific water-reduction initiatives targeted to those areas where it is most viable.  With the Company’s technology, customers have found costly leaks, pinpointed equipment in need of repair, and identified areas for process improvements.

Increasingly, customers in the water utility market are interested in more frequent and diverse data collection.  Specifically, AMI technology enables water utilities to capture readings from each meter at more frequent and variable intervals.  There are approximately 52,000 water utilities in the United States and the Company estimates that approximately 60% of them have converted to a radio solution.  The Company believes it is well positioned to meet this continuing conversion trend with its comprehensive radio and software solutions.

In addition, the water utility industry is beginning the conversion from mechanical to static (ultrasonic) meters.  Ultrasonic water metering maintains measurement accuracy over the life of the meter, reducing a utility’s non-revenue water.  The Company has nearly a decade of proven reliability in the market with its ultrasonic meters and will be launching its next generation of ultrasonic metering with its D-Flow technology in 2019, which the Company believes will increase its competitive differentiation.  While ultrasonic technology migration in North America could affect the competitive landscape, it also opens up further geographic penetration opportunities for the Company as previously described.

Finally, the concept of “Smart Cities” is beginning to take hold as one avenue to affect efficient city operations, conserve resources and improve service and delivery.  Smart water solutions (“Smart Water”) are those that provide actionable information through data analytics from an interconnected and interoperable network of sensors and devices that help people and organizations efficiently use and conserve one of the world’s most precious resources.  Badger Meter is well positioned to benefit from the advancement of Smart Water applications within the Smart Cities framework.  Cities have a keen interest in Smart Water as it provides both a revenue base and conservation outcome.  Badger Meter is one of approximately a dozen firms, and the only water metering company, that participates in the AT&T Smart City Alliance. By leveraging this alliance, the Company expects to be able to gain access and sell its broad smart water solutions to higher level decision makers within a city such as the mayor’s office.  In addition, it allows Badger Meter to keep abreast of emerging cellular technology changes which the Company believes is the premier AMI solution.

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Acquisitions

On April 2, 2018, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding stock of Innovative Metering Solutions, Inc. (“IMS”) of Odessa, Florida, which was one of the Company's distributors serving Florida.

The total purchase consideration was approximately $12.0 million, which included $7.7 million in cash, a $0.3 million working capital adjustment, a balance sheet holdback of $0.7 million and a $3.3 million settlement of pre-existing Company receivables.  The working capital adjustment was settled in the second quarter of 2018 and the balance sheet holdback is recorded in payables and other current liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet as it is anticipated to be paid in the next twelve months.  As of December 31, 2018, the Company had not completed its analysis for estimating the fair value of the assets acquired. This acquisition is further described in Note 3 “Acquisitions” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

On November 1, 2017, the Company acquired certain assets of Utility Metering Services, Inc.'s business Carolina Meter & Supply (“Carolina Meter”) of Wilmington, North Carolina, which was one of the Company's distributors serving North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

The total purchase consideration for the Carolina Meter assets was $6.3 million, which included $2.1 million in cash and settlement of $4.2 million of pre-existing Company receivables.  The Company's preliminary allocation of the purchase price included $0.6 million of receivables, $0.2 million of inventory, $3.3 million of intangibles and $2.2 million of goodwill.  As of December 31, 2018, the Company completed its analysis for estimating the fair value of the assets acquired with no additional adjustments.  This acquisition is further described in Note 3 “Acquisitions” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

On May 1, 2017, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding common stock of D-Flow Technology AB (“D-Flow”) of Luleå, Sweden.  The D-Flow acquisition facilitates the continued advancement of the existing E-Series® ultrasonic product line while also adding a technology center for the Company.

The purchase price was approximately $23.2 million in cash, plus a small working capital adjustment.  The purchase price included $2.0 million in payments that were made in 2018 and $3.0 million in payments that are anticipated to be made in 2019 which are recorded in payables and other accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2018.  As of March 31, 2018, the Company completed its analysis for estimating the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with no additional adjustments.  This acquisition is further described in Note 3 “Acquisitions” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

On October 20, 2016, the Company acquired certain assets of Precision Flow Measurement, Inc., doing business as Nice Instrumentation, of Manalapan Township, New Jersey.  The acquisition added a new technology for the measurement of steam to the Company's HVAC line of products.  The total purchase consideration for the Nice Instrumentation assets was $2.0 million.  This acquisition is further described in Note 3 “Acquisitions” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Revenue and Product Mix

As the industry continues to evolve, the Company has been at the forefront of innovation across metering, radio and software technologies in order to meet its customers’ increasing expectations for accurate and actionable data.  As technologies such as ORION Cellular and BEACON AMA managed solutions have become more readily adopted, the Company’s revenue from Software as a Service (SaaS) has increased significantly, albeit from a small base, and is margin accretive.

The Company also seeks opportunities for additional revenue enhancement.  For instance, the Company has made inroads into the Middle East market with its ultrasonic meter technology and is pursuing other geographic expansion opportunities.  It is periodically asked to oversee and perform field installation of its products for certain customers.  The Company assumes the role of general contractor and either performs the installation or hires installation subcontractors and supervises their work.    

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net Sales

Net sales in 2018 increased $31.3 million, or 8%, to $433.7 million from $402.4 million in 2017.  Sales into the municipal water market were $334.7 million, an increase of 9% over the prior year’s $306.9 million, while sales into the flow instrumentation end markets were $99.0 million, a 4% increase from 2017 sales of $95.5 million.  Municipal water sales benefitted from higher volumes in both the residential and commercial markets in the U.S. as well as further penetration into international markets, primarily in the Middle East.  Overall residential sales increased 8% while commercial sales increased 4%.  In addition to the higher volumes, the Company benefitted from favorable sales mix reflecting a higher percentage of meters with radios, ultrasonic metering technology and SaaS revenue associated with the data collection and software analytics deployed by certain water utility customers.  Sales of products into the global flow instrumentation end markets increased 4% benefitting from the overall solid global industrial landscape.  Sales were particularly strong into the water/wastewater and oil and gas markets, which have been a focus area for the Company.  This growth was partially offset by lower sales into de-emphasized end markets such as automotive.

Net sales in 2017 increased 2% to $402.4 million from $393.8 million in 2016.  Municipal water sales increased $2.4 million, or 1%, to $306.9 million in 2017 compared to $304.5 million in 2016. The increase was primarily the result of higher commercial water meter sales.  Sales of residential meters and related technologies were favorably impacted by the inclusion of sales from D-Flow and incremental sales from Carolina Meter, both of which were acquired in 2017.  Sales of other residential related products decreased slightly between years due to delays of anticipated municipal projects. Overall, residential sales were essentially flat while commercial sales increased 3%, the latter due to slightly higher unit volumes.  Flow instrumentation sales increased $6.2 million, or 7%, to $95.5 million from $89.3 million in 2016.  The increase was primarily due to a rebound in the oil and gas market as well as strengthening of industrial markets in general as the Company continued to broaden its distribution channels.

Operating Earnings

Operating earnings in 2018 were $56.9 million, or 13.1% of sales, compared to $56.6 million, or 14.1% of sales, in 2017.  Gross profit increased $6.6 million on higher sales volumes, but declined as a percent of sales from 38.7% in 2017 to 37.4% in 2018.  This was largely the result of the higher sales and improved utility sales mix, partially offset by higher commodity cost increases in the first half of the year that were not fully offset by pricing until the latter half.  Selling, engineering and administration (“SEA”) expenses increased $6.3 million year-over-year, which included the $2.6 million of executive retirement charges incurred for the vesting of certain equity and cash awards for the retiring chief executive officer, chief financial officer and chief accounting officer. The remaining increase in SEA was associated with normal inflation for employee salaries and benefits, duplicative executive expenses associated with the CEO and CFO transitions, as well as higher engineering expenses to support product innovation and development.

Operating earnings in 2017 were $56.6 million, or 14.1% of sales, compared to $52.7 million, or 13.4%, in 2016.  The increase was the result of higher sales and gross margin, offset slightly by higher SEA expenses.  Gross profit increased $5.2 million and margins improved 50 basis points year-over-year due primarily to higher sales, the benefit of distributor acquisitions and improved utility sales mix, partially offset by higher commodity cost increases.  SEA expenses increased a modest $1.3 million, or approximately 1%.  The slight increase was the net impact of costs associated with added employees from acquisitions, the related amortization of the intangibles from those transactions and normal inflationary increases, offset somewhat by lower healthcare costs.  

Other Pension and Postretirement Costs

Other pension and postretirement costs were $19.9 million in 2018 compared to $1.0 million in 2017, with the increase primarily due to the Company’s planned termination of its defined benefit pension plan. Following the pension termination charges taken in 2018, the pension termination is complete.

Other pension and postretirement costs were $1.0 million in 2017 compared to $1.9 million in 2016.  Included in 2017 expenses was a pretax charge of $0.6 million for non-cash pension settlements compared to $1.5 million in 2016.

Interest Expense, Net

Net interest expense was $1.2 million in 2018 compared to $0.8 million in 2017 and $0.9 million in 2016.  The increase from 2017 to 2018 was due to higher interest rates.  The slight decrease from 2016 to 2017 was impacted by the timing of cash flows.

Income Taxes

Income taxes as a percentage of earnings before income taxes were 22.5%, 37.0% and 35.2% for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  The decrease in 2018 was due primarily to the lower U.S. Federal tax rate, which declined from 35% in 2017 and 2016 to 21% in 2018.

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Earnings and Diluted Earnings per Share

For 2018, the increase in operating earnings and benefit of the lower effective tax rate was more than offset by the pension settlement charges resulting in net earnings of $27.8 million in 2018 compared to $34.6 million in 2017.  On a diluted basis, earnings per share were $0.95 in 2018 compared to $1.19 in 2017.

For 2017, the increase in operating earnings was offset somewhat by the higher effective tax rate resulting in net earnings of $34.6 million in 2017 compared to $32.3 million in 2016.  On a diluted basis, earnings per share were $1.19 in 2017 compared to $1.11 in 2016.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The main sources of liquidity for the Company are cash from operations and borrowing capacity.  In addition, depending on market conditions, the Company may access the capital markets to strengthen its capital position and to provide additional liquidity for general corporate purposes.  

Primary Working Capital

We use primary working capital (PWC) as a percentage of sales as a key metric for working capital efficiency. We define this metric as the sum of Receivables and Inventories less Payables and Other Current Liabilities, divided by annual net sales. The following table shows the components of our PWC (in millions):

Overall PWC increased $9.9 million due primarily to the higher sales volumes and increased mix of international sales activity.  Receivables at December 31, 2018 were $66.3 million compared to $58.2 million at the end of 2017.  The increase was due to the higher sales activity and increased days sales outstanding associated with international receivables due to their regionally higher payment terms.  The Company believes its Receivables balance is fully collectible.  Inventories at December 31, 2018 were $80.8 million, a decline from $85.2 million at December 31, 2017, primarily due to the higher sales volumes, improved inventory management and lower brass costs.  Payables and Other Current Liabilities at December 31, 2018 were $22.5 million, down from $28.6 million at the end of 2017.

Cash Provided by Operations

Cash provided by operations in 2018 was $60.4 million compared to $49.8 million in 2017.  The increase from 2017 was driven primarily by higher operating earnings (excluding the non-cash pension termination settlement charges), partially offset by higher primary working capital.  The cash flow was more than adequate to fund capital expenditures of $8.6 million along with dividends of $16.3 million and $10.0 million of acquisitions.  The remaining cash flow was used to reduce short term borrowings.

Cash provided by operations in 2017 was $49.8 million compared to $56.2 in 2016.  Higher working capital usage offset an increase in net earnings.  The cash flow was more than adequate to fund $15.1 million of capital expenditures, $14.2 million in dividends and $20.4 million in acquisitions with only a modest increase in short term borrowings.

Capital expenditures were $8.6 million, $15.1 million and $10.6 million in fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.  Capital expenditures for fiscal 2019 are expected to be in the $10-15 million range, but could vary depending on timing of R&D projects, growth opportunities and the amount of assets purchased.

Short-term debt decreased to $18.1 million at December 31, 2018 from $44.6 million at December 31, 2017 due to the strong cash flow from operations, partially offset by the payment of dividends and the 2018 acquisition of IMS.  At the end of 2018, net debt (short-term debt less cash) represented 1.6% of the Company’s total capitalization compared to 10.7% at the end of 2017. None of the debt is secured by the Company’s assets.

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The Company’s financial condition remains strong. In June 2018, the Company amended its May 2012 credit agreement with its primary lender and extended its term until September 2021. The credit agreement includes a $125.0 million line of credit that supports commercial paper (up to $70.0 million) and includes $5.0 million of a Euro line of credit.  While the facility is unsecured, there are a number of financial covenants with which the Company must comply, and the Company was in compliance as of December 31, 2018. The Company believes that its operating cash flows, available borrowing capacity, and its ability to raise capital provide adequate resources to fund ongoing operating requirements, future capital expenditures and the development of new products.  The Company continues to take advantage of its local commercial paper market and carefully monitors the current borrowing market.  The Company had $111.5 million of unused credit lines available at December 31, 2018.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements at December 31, 2018.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following table includes the Company's significant contractual obligations as of December 31, 2018.  There are no material undisclosed guarantees.

Other than items included in the preceding table, as of December 31, 2018, the Company had no additional material purchase obligations other than those created in the ordinary course of business related to inventory and property, plant and equipment, which generally have terms of less than 90 days.  The Company also has long-term obligations related to its postretirement plans which are discussed in detail in Note 7 “Employee Benefit Plans” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  Postretirement medical claims are paid by the Company as they are submitted, and they are anticipated to be $0.4 million in 2019 based on actuarial estimates; however, these amounts can vary significantly from year to year because the Company is self-insured.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND USE OF ESTIMATES

The Company's accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.  As discussed in Note 1, the preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  The Company's more significant estimates relate primarily to the following judgmental reserves:  allowance for doubtful accounts, reserve for obsolete inventories, and warranty and after-sale costs reserve.  Each of these reserves is evaluated quarterly and is reviewed with the Company's internal Disclosure Committee and the Audit and Compliance Committee of the Board of Directors.  The basis for the reserve amounts is determined by analyzing the anticipated exposure for each account, and then selecting the most likely amount based upon historical experience and various other considerations that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.  These methods have been used for all years in the presented financials and have been used consistently throughout each year.  Actual results may differ from these estimates if actual experiences vary from the Company's assumptions.

The criteria used for calculating each of the reserve amounts vary by type of reserve.  For the allowance for doubtful accounts reserve, significant past due balances are individually reviewed for collectability, while the balance of accounts is reviewed in conjunction with applying historical write-off ratios.  The calculation for the obsolete and excess inventories reserve is determined by analyzing the relationship between the age and quantity of items on hand versus estimated usage to determine if excess quantities exist.  The calculation for warranty and after-sale costs reserve uses criteria that include known potential problems on past sales as well as historical claim experience and current warranty trends.  The changes in the balances of these reserves at December 31, 2018 compared to the prior year were due to normal business conditions and are not deemed to be significant.  While the Company continually tries to improve its estimates, no significant changes in the underlying processes are expected for 2019.

The Company also uses estimates in three other significant areas: (i) stock-based compensation, (ii) income taxes, and (iii) evaluating goodwill at least annually for impairment.  The actuarial valuations of benefit obligations and net periodic benefit costs rely on key assumptions including discount rates and long-term expected returns on plan assets for 2017.  

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The total cost of the Company's stock-based awards is equal to the grant date fair value per award multiplied by the number of awards granted, adjusted for forfeitures.  Forfeitures are initially estimated based on historical Company information and subsequently updated over the life of the awards to ultimately reflect actual forfeitures, which could have an impact on the amount of stock compensation cost recognized from period to period.  The grant date fair value of stock options relies on assumptions including the risk-free interest rate, dividend yield, market volatility and expected option life.

In calculating the provision for income taxes on an interim basis, the Company uses an estimate of the annual effective tax rate based upon the facts and circumstances known at each interim period.  On a quarterly basis, the actual effective tax rate is adjusted as appropriate based upon the actual results compared to those forecasted at the beginning of the fiscal year.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The reserve for uncertainty in income taxes is a matter of judgment based on an evaluation of the individual facts and circumstances of each tax position in light of all available evidence, including historic data and current trends.  A tax benefit is recognized when it is “more likely than not” to be sustained based solely on the technical merits of each tax position.  The Company evaluates and updates all of these assumptions quarterly.

Goodwill impairment, if any, is determined by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value and is reviewed at least annually.  Actual results may differ from these estimates.

OTHER MATTERS

The Company is subject to contingencies related to environmental laws and regulations.  A future change in circumstances with respect to these specific matters or with respect to sites formerly or currently owned or operated by the Company, off-site disposal locations used by the Company, and property owned by third parties that is near such sites, could result in future costs to the Company and such amounts could be material.  Expenditures for compliance with environmental control provisions and regulations during 2018, 2017 and 2016 were not material.

See the “Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements” at the front of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 for a discussion of risks and uncertainties that could impact the Company's financial performance and results of operations.

MARKET RISKS

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is exposed to various market risks.  The Company operates in an environment where competition varies from moderate to strong.  The Company believes it currently provides the leading technology in water meters and radio systems for water utilities.  A number of the Company's competitors in certain markets have greater financial resources.  Competitors also include alliance partners that sell products that do or may compete with our products, particularly those that provide radio solutions.  As the global water metering market begins to shift to adopt ultrasonic technology, the number of competitors may increase.  In addition, the market's level of acceptance of the Company's newer product offerings, including the BEACON AMA system, may have a significant effect on the Company's results of operations.  As a result of significant research and development activities, the Company enjoys favorable patent positions for several of its products.

The Company's ability to generate operating income and to increase profitability depends somewhat on the general conditions of the United States and foreign economies, including to some extent such things as the length and severity of global economic downturns; the timing and size of governmental programs such as stimulus fund programs, as well as the impact of government budget cuts or partial shutdowns of governmental operations; international or civil conflicts that affect international trade; the ability of municipal water utility customers to authorize and finance purchases of the Company's products; the Company's ability to obtain financing; housing starts in the United States; and overall industrial activity.  In addition, changes in governmental laws and regulations, particularly laws dealing with the content or handling of materials, customs or trade practices, may impact the results of operations.  These factors are largely beyond the Company's control and depend on the economic condition and regulatory environment of the geographic region of the Company's operations.

The Company relies on single suppliers for certain castings and components in several of its product lines.  Although alternate sources of supply exist for these items, the loss of certain suppliers could temporarily disrupt operations in the short term.  The Company attempts to mitigate these risks by working closely with key suppliers, purchasing minimal amounts from alternative suppliers and by purchasing business interruption insurance where appropriate.

Raw materials used in the manufacture of the Company's products include purchased castings made of metal or alloys (such as brass, which uses copper as its main component, aluminum, stainless steel and cast iron), plastic resins, glass, microprocessors and other electronic subassemblies, and components.  The Company does not hold significant amounts of precious metals.  The price and availability of raw materials is influenced by economic and industry conditions, including supply and demand factors that are difficult to anticipate and cannot be controlled by the Company.  Commodity risk is managed by keeping abreast of economic conditions and locking in purchase prices for quantities that correspond to the Company's forecasted usage.

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The Company's foreign currency risk relates to the sales of products to foreign customers and purchases of material from foreign vendors.  The Company uses lines of credit with U.S. and European banks to offset currency exposure related to European receivables and other monetary assets.  As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company's foreign currency net monetary assets were partially offset by comparable debt resulting in no material exposure to the results of operations.  The Company believes the effect of a change in foreign currency rates will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations, either from a cash flow perspective or on the financial statements as a whole.

The Company typically does not hold or issue derivative instruments and has a policy specifically prohibiting the use of such instruments for trading purposes.

The Company's short-term debt on December 31, 2018 was floating rate debt with market values approximating carrying value.  Future annual interest costs for short-term debt fluctuate based upon short-term interest rates.  For the short-term debt balance as of December 31, 2018, the effect of a 1% change in interest rates is approximately $0.2 million.

Information required by this Item is set forth in Part II, Item 7 “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the heading “Market Risks” in this 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

BADGER METER, INC.

Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

The Company's management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The Company's internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Due to its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The Company's management assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 using the criteria set forth in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework). Based on this assessment, the Company's management believes that, as of December 31, 2018, the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.

Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and, as part of its audit, has issued an attestation report, included herein, on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

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BADGER METER, INC.

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm