The Gorman-Rupp Company and Subsidiaries

Annual Report on Form 10-K

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020

PART I

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, The Gorman-Rupp Company provides the following cautionary statement: This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains various forward-looking statements based on assumptions concerning The Gorman-Rupp Company’s operations, future results and prospects. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations about important economic, political, and technological factors, among others, and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause the actual results or events to differ materially from those set forth in or implied by the forward-looking statements and related assumptions.

Such factors include, but are not limited to: company specific risk factors including (1) loss of key personnel; (2) intellectual property security; (3) acquisition performance and integration; (4) impairment in the value of intangible assets, including goodwill; (5) defined benefit pension plan settlement expense; and (6) family ownership of common equity; and general risk factors including; (7) continuation of the current and projected future business environment, including the duration and scope of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of the pandemic and actions taken in response to the pandemic; (8) highly competitive markets; (9) availability and costs of raw materials; (10) cyber security threats; (11) compliance with, and costs related to, a variety of import and export laws and regulations; (12) environmental compliance costs and liabilities; (13) exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; (14) conditions in foreign countries in which The Gorman-Rupp Company conducts business; (15) changes in our tax rates and exposure to additional income tax liabilities; and (16) risks described from time to time in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except to the extent required by law, we do not undertake and specifically decline any obligation to review or update any forward-looking statements or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of such statements to reflect future events or developments or otherwise.

ITEM 1.   BUSINESS

The Gorman-Rupp Company (“Registrant”, “Gorman-Rupp”, the “Company”, “we” or “our”) was incorporated in Ohio in 1934. The Company designs, manufactures and globally sells pumps and pump systems for use in water, wastewater, construction, dewatering, industrial, petroleum, original equipment, agriculture, fire protection, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (“HVAC”), military and other liquid-handling applications.

PRODUCTS

The Company operates in one business segment, the manufacture and sale of pumps and pump systems. The following table sets forth, for the years 2018 through 2020, the total net sales, income before income taxes and year-end total assets of the Company.

The Company’s product line consists of pump models ranging in size from 1/4” to nearly 15 feet and ranging in rated capacity from less than one gallon per minute to nearly one million gallons per minute. The types of pumps which the Company produces include self-priming centrifugal, standard centrifugal, magnetic drive centrifugal, axial and mixed-flow, vertical turbine line shaft, submersible, high-pressure booster, rotary gear, diaphragm, bellows and oscillating.

The pumps have drives that range from 1/35 horsepower electric motors up to much larger electric motors or internal combustion engines capable of producing several thousand horsepower. Many of the larger units comprise encased, fully-integrated water and wastewater pumping stations. In certain cases, units are designed for the inclusion of customer-supplied drives.

The Company’s larger pumps are sold principally for use in the construction, industrial, water and wastewater handling fields; for flood control; for boosting low residential water pressure; for pumping refined petroleum products, including the ground refueling of aircraft; for fluid control in HVAC applications; and for various agricultural purposes.

The Company’s pumps are also utilized for dewatering purposes. Additionally, pumps manufactured for fire protection are used for sprinkler back-up systems, fire hydrants, stand pipes, fog systems and deluge systems at hotels, banks, factories, airports, schools, public buildings and hundreds of other types of facilities throughout the world.

Many of the Company’s smallest pumps are sold to customers for incorporation into such products as food processing, chemical processing, medical applications, waste treatment, HVAC equipment, appliances and solar heating.

MARKETING

The Company’s pumps are marketed in the United States and worldwide through a broad network of distributors, through manufacturers’ representatives (for sales to many original equipment manufacturers), through third-party distributor catalogs, direct sales, and commerce. The Company regularly seeks alliances with distributors and other partners to further enhance marketing opportunities. Export sales are made primarily through foreign distributors and representatives. The Company has long-standing relationships with many of the leading independent distributors in the markets it serves and provides specialized training programs to distributors on a regular basis with a focus on meeting the world’s water and wastewater pumping needs.

During 2020, 2019 and 2018, there were no shipments to any single customer that exceeded 10% of total net sales. Gorman-Rupp continued to actively pursue international business opportunities and, in 2020, shipped its pumps to approximately 130 countries around the world. No sales made to customers in any one foreign country amounted to more than 5% of total net sales for 2020, 2019 or 2018.

COMPETITION

The pump industry is highly fragmented and therefore Gorman-Rupp competes with a large number of businesses. Numerous pump competitors exist as subsidiaries, divisions or departments within significantly larger corporations. The Company also faces increased competition from foreign-sourced pumps in most of the Company’s domestic markets.

Most commercial and industrial pumps are specifically designed and engineered for a particular customer’s application. The Company believes that proper application, product performance, and quality of delivery and service are its principal methods of competition, and attributes its success to its continued emphasis in these areas. In the sale of products and services, the Company benefits from its large base of previously installed products, which periodically require replacement parts due to the critical application and nature of the products and the conditions under which they operate.

PURCHASING AND PRODUCTION

Substantially all of the materials, supplies, components and accessories used by the Company in the fabrication of its products, including all castings (for which most patterns are made and owned by the Company), structural steel, bar stock, motors, solenoids, engines, seals, and plastic and elastomeric components are purchased by the Company from other suppliers and manufacturers. The Company does not purchase materials under long-term contracts and is not dependent upon a single source for any materials, supplies, components or accessories which are of material importance to its business.

The Company purchases motor components for its large submersible pumps, and motors and engines for its pump systems, from a limited number of suppliers, while motors for its polypropylene bellows pumps and magnetic drive pumps are purchased from several alternative vendors. Products requiring small motors are also sourced from alternative suppliers.

The other production operations of the Company consist of the machining of castings, the cutting, shaping and welding of bar stock and structural members, the design and assembly of electrical control panels, the manufacture of some small motors and a few minor components, and the assembling, painting and testing of its products. Substantially all of the Company’s products are tested prior to shipment.

HUMAN CAPITAL

As of December 31, 2020, the Company employed approximately 1,150 persons, of whom approximately 625 were hourly employees.  The majority of the Company’s manufacturing operations take place in the United States, as evidenced by 86% of its employees being in the Company’s U.S. locations and 14% of its employees being in its international locations.

Our approach is to develop talent from within and supplement with external hires.  We invest resources to develop the talent needed to remain a leading designer and manufacturer of pumps and pump systems.  We provide our employees with training opportunities and educational benefits to assist in the expansion of their careers and skills.  This approach has resulted in a deep understanding among our employee base of our business, products, and customers.  We believe that our average tenure of 11.9 years, as of the end of 2020, reflects both the strong engagement of our employees and our positive workplace culture.  The Company has no collective bargaining agreements and has never experienced a work stoppage.

We provide competitive compensation and benefits programs to help meet the needs of our employees.  In addition to salaries, these programs (which vary by country and region) include profit sharing, a 401(k) plan, medical insurance and benefits, health savings accounts, domestic care and flexible savings accounts, paid time off, and tuition assistance, among others.  Certain domestic employees hired prior to January 1, 2008 participate in a defined benefit plan.  Employees hired after this date, in eligible locations, participate in an enhanced 401(k) plan instead of the defined benefit plan.  To create performance incentives and to encourage share ownership by our employees, we have implemented an employee stock purchase plan, which enables eligible employees worldwide to purchase the Company’s common shares at a discount through payroll contributions.

The health and safety of our workforce is fundamental to the success of our business.  We provide our employees upfront and ongoing safety training to ensure that safety policies and procedures are effectively communicated and implemented. We also provide personal protective equipment to those employees who need it to perform their job functions safely.  We have experienced personnel on-site at each of our manufacturing locations who are tasked with environmental, health and personal safety education and compliance, and in certain locations we have an on-site nurse available to our employees for medical needs.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have enabled employees to work from home where possible.  Because our business involves the manufacturing of essential products, many of our employees are unable to work from home.  In an effort to keep our employees safe and to maintain operations during the pandemic, we have implemented a number of new health-related measures, including social distancing, increased cleaning and sanitation measures, providing additional personal protective equipment, restricting visitor access to our facilities, and limiting in-person meetings and other gatherings.

We are committed to upholding fundamental human rights and believe that all human beings should be treated with dignity, fairness and respect.  We strive to promote inclusion and diversity in the workplace, engage with our communities, and encourage our suppliers to treat their employees in a manner that respects human rights.  We utilize an on-line platform to provide training to all employees worldwide in key areas such as harassment and discrimination prevention and our code of conduct.  We also internally publicize the availability of an anonymous ethics hotline through which any employee may report any ethics, safety or other employment concerns.

OTHER ASPECTS

Although the Company owns a number of patents, several of which are important to its business, the Company does not consider its business to be materially dependent upon any one or more patents. The Company’s patents, trademarks and other intellectual property are adequate for its business purposes.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

The Company maintains a website accessible through its internet address of www.gormanrupp.com. Gorman-Rupp makes available free of charge on or through www.gormanrupp.com its Annual Report to Shareholders, its annual Proxy Statement, its annual report on Form 10-K, its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and its current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports (and any amendments) are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”). However, the information contained on the Company’s website is not a part of this Form 10-K or any other report filed with or furnished to the Commission.

A paper copy of the Company’s Form 10-K is also available free of charge upon written request to the Company’s Corporate Secretary.

ITEM 1A.   RISK FACTORS

Gorman-Rupp’s business and financial performance are subject to various risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond its control. In addition to the risks discussed elsewhere in this Form 10-K, the following risks and uncertainties could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and access to capital markets. These risks could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from its historical experience and from expected results discussed in forward-looking statements made by the Company related to conditions or events that it anticipates may occur in the future.

COMPANY SPECIFIC RISK FACTORS

Loss of key personnel

The Company’s success depends to a significant extent on the continued service of its executive management team and the ability to recruit, hire and retain other key management personnel to support the Company’s growth and operational initiatives and replace executives who retire or resign. Failure to retain key management personnel and attract and retain other highly-skilled personnel could limit the Company’s global growth and ability to execute operational initiatives, or may result in inefficient and ineffective management and operations, which could harm the Company’s revenues, operations and product development efforts and could eventually result in a decrease in profitability.

Intellectual property security

The Company possesses a wide array of intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, and applications for the above, as well as other proprietary information. There is a risk that third parties would attempt to copy, in full or in part, the Company’s products, technologies or industrial designs, or to obtain unauthorized access and use of Company technological know-how or other protected intellectual property rights. Also, other companies could successfully develop technologies, products or industrial designs similar to the Company’s, and thus potentially compete with the Company. From time to time, the Company has been faced with instances where competitors have infringed or unfairly used its intellectual property or taken advantage of its design and development efforts. The ability to protect and enforce intellectual property rights varies across jurisdictions. Competitors who may attempt to copy the Company’s products, technologies or industrial designs are becoming more prevalent, particularly in Asia. If the Company is unable to adequately enforce and protect its intellectual property rights, it could adversely affect its revenues and profits and hamper its ability to grow.

Competitors and others may also challenge the validity of the Company’s intellectual property or allege that it has infringed their intellectual property, including through litigation. The Company may be required to pay substantial damages if it is determined its products infringe the intellectual property of others. The Company may also be required to develop an alternative, non-infringing product that could be costly and time-consuming, or acquire a license (if available) on terms that are not favorable to it. Regardless of whether infringement claims against the Company are successful, defending against such claims could significantly increase the Company’s costs, divert management’s time and attention away from other business matters, and otherwise adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

Acquisition performance and integration

The Company’s historical growth has depended, and its future growth is likely to continue to depend, in part on its acquisition strategy and the successful integration of acquired businesses into existing operations. The Company intends to continue to seek additional acquisition opportunities that have the potential to support and strengthen its operations. The Company cannot assure it will be able to successfully identify suitable acquisition opportunities, prevail against competing potential acquirers, negotiate appropriate acquisition terms, obtain financing that may be needed to consummate such acquisitions, complete proposed acquisitions, successfully integrate acquired businesses into existing operations or expand into new markets. In addition, the Company cannot assure that any acquisition, even if successfully integrated, will perform as planned, be accretive to earnings, or prove to be beneficial to the Company’s operations and cash flows.    

Impairment in the value of intangible assets, including goodwill

The Company’s total assets reflect goodwill from acquisitions, representing the excess cost over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired, including other indefinite-lived and finite-lived intangible assets. Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but are reviewed annually for impairment as of October 1 or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate there may be a possible permanent loss of value using either a quantitative or qualitative analysis. Finite-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recovered through future net cash flows generated by the assets. If future operating performance at one or more of the Company’s reporting units were to fall significantly below forecast levels or if market conditions for one or more of its acquired businesses were to decline, the Company could be required to incur a non-cash charge to operating income for impairment. Any impairment in the value of these assets could have an adverse non-cash impact on the Company’s reported results of operations.

Defined benefit pension plan settlement expense

The Company sponsors a defined benefit pension plan covering certain domestic employees and accrues amounts for funding of its obligations under the plan. The defined benefit pension plan allows eligible retiring employees to receive a lump-sum distribution for benefits earned in lieu of annual payments and most of the Company’s retirees historically have elected this option. Under applicable accounting rules, if the lump-sum distributions made for a plan year exceed an actuarially-determined threshold of the total of the service cost and interest cost for the plan year, the Company at such point would be required to recognize for that year’s results of operations settlement expense for the resulting unrecognized actuarial loss. The Company has been required to make such adjustments in some prior years, and, if such non-cash adjustments are necessary in future periods, they may negatively impact the Company’s operating results.

In 2020 and 2018, the Company recorded pre-tax non-cash pension settlement charges of $4.6 million and $2.9 million respectively, driven by lump-sum distributions discussed above. There was no pension settlement charge recorded in 2019. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits.

Family ownership of common equity

A substantial percentage of the Company’s common shares is held by various members of the Gorman family and their respective affiliates. Because of this concentrated ownership relative to many other publicly-traded companies, the market price of the Company’s common shares may be influenced by lower trading volume and therefore more susceptible to price fluctuations than many other companies’ shares. If any one or more of the Company’s significant shareholders were to sell all or a portion of their holdings of Company common shares at once or within short periods of time, or there was an expectation that such a sale was imminent, then the market price of the Company’s common shares could be negatively affected.

GENERAL RISK FACTORS

The COVID-19 Pandemic

Our business has been, and may continue to be, materially and adversely affected by the present coronavirus (or COVID-19) pandemic. The pandemic has disrupted our operations and may continue to affect our business, including through government imposed mandatory closures, work-from-home orders, social distancing protocols, voluntary facility closures and other government restrictions that, to the extent required, could materially adversely affect our ability to adequately staff and maintain our operations. While we have largely avoided facility closures and production disruptions thus far, we may experience temporary facility closures in response to government mandates in certain jurisdictions in which we operate or in response to positive diagnoses for COVID-19 in certain facilities for the safety of our employees.  Our supply chain has thus far remained largely intact, however, if the COVID-19 pandemic persists or worsens, it may increase disruption to our supply chain and materially adversely impact our ability to secure supplies for our facilities and production, and to provide personal protective equipment for our employees, which could materially adversely affect our operations. There may also be long-term negative economic effects on our customers in, and the economies of, affected countries. Any of the foregoing within the countries in which we or our customers and suppliers operate may severely disrupt our operations and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. In addition, future changes in the Company’s cost of capital, expected cash flows, or other factors as a result of the above may cause the Company’s goodwill to be impaired, resulting in a non-cash charge against results of operations to write down goodwill for the amount of the impairment. The negative financial impact to our future results cannot be reasonably estimated, but could be material.

Our internal controls may also be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. A large portion of our financial and accounting personnel have been required to work from home for extended periods due to the pandemic, requiring them to adapt to new or modified processes, procedures, and controls. These changes could potentially negatively impact our internal controls over financial reporting.

Continuation of current and projected future business environment

The overall pump industry is cyclical in nature, and some of its business activity is related to general business conditions in the durable goods and capital equipment markets. Demand for most of the Company’s products and services is affected by the level of new capital investment and planned maintenance expenditures by its customers. The level of such investment and expenditures by our customers depends, in turn, on factors such as general economic conditions, availability of credit, economic conditions within their respective industries and expectations of future market behavior. Volatility in prices of commodities such as oil and agricultural products can negatively affect the levels of investment and expenditures of certain customers and result in postponement of capital investment decisions or the delay or cancellation of existing orders, either of which may negatively impact the Company’s sales.

Highly competitive markets

Gorman-Rupp sells its products in highly competitive markets. Maintaining and improving the Company’s competitive position requires periodic investment in manufacturing, engineering, quality standards, marketing, customer service and support, and distribution networks. Even with such investment, the Company may not be successful in maintaining its competitive position. The Company’s competitors may develop products that are superior to its products, or may develop methods of more efficiently and effectively providing products and services, or may adapt more quickly to new technologies or evolving customer requirements. Pricing pressures may require the Company to adjust the prices of its products downward to stay competitive. The Company may not be able to compete successfully with its existing competitors or with new competitors. Failure to compete successfully could negatively impact the Company’s sales, operating margins and overall financial performance.

Availability and costs of raw materials

The Company could be adversely affected by raw material price volatility or an inability of its suppliers to meet quality and delivery requirements. We are required to maintain sufficient inventories to accommodate the needs of our customers, often with short lead times. Our business could be adversely affected if we fail to source and maintain adequate inventory levels. Raw material and energy expenses are substantial drivers of costs in the manufacture of pumps and changes in these costs are often unpredictable. While the Company manufactures certain parts and components used in its products, the Company’s business requires substantial amounts of raw materials, parts and components to be purchased from suppliers. The availability and prices of raw materials, parts and components purchased from the Company’s suppliers may be subject to curtailment or change due to, among other things, suppliers’ allocations to other purchasers, interruptions in production or deliveries by suppliers, changes in exchange rates, tariffs, changes in duty rates and changes in other trade barriers and import and export licensing requirements. The Company may not be able to pass along any increased material costs to customers for competitive or other reasons. A change in the availability of, or increases in the price for, these raw materials, parts and components could materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Cyber security threats

Increased global information technology security threats and more sophisticated and targeted computer crime pose a risk to the security of Gorman-Rupp’s systems and networks and to the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of its data. While the Company attempts to mitigate these risks by employing a number of measures, including employee training, comprehensive monitoring of its networks and systems, and the deployment of backup and protective systems, the Company’s systems, networks, proprietary information, products, solutions and services remain potentially vulnerable to advanced persistent threats. Depending on their nature and scope, such threats could potentially lead to liability for damages or the loss of confidential information including as a result of, but not limited to, the compromising of confidential information relating to customer, supplier, or employee data, improper use of the Company’s systems and networks, manipulation and destruction of data, defective products, production downtimes and operational disruptions which, in turn, could adversely affect Gorman-Rupp’s reputation, competitiveness and results of operations.

Compliance with, and costs related to, a variety of import and export laws and regulations

The Company is subject to a variety of laws and regulations regarding international operations, including regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security and various other domestic and foreign governmental agencies. Actual or alleged violations of import-export laws could result in enforcement actions and/or financial penalties. The Company cannot predict the nature, scope or effect of future regulatory requirements to which our international operations and trading practices might be subject or the manner in which existing laws or regulations might be administered or interpreted. Future legislation or regulations could limit the countries in which certain of our products may be manufactured or sold or could restrict our access to, and increase the cost of obtaining, products from foreign sources.

Environmental compliance costs and liabilities

The Company’s operations and properties are subject to numerous domestic and foreign environmental laws and regulations which can impose operating and/or financial sanctions for violations. Moreover, environmental and sustainability initiatives, practices, rules and regulations are under increasing scrutiny of both governmental and non-governmental bodies and may require changes to the Company’s operational practices, standards and expectations and, in turn, increase the Company’s compliance costs. Periodically, the Company has incurred, and it expects to continue to incur, operating and capital costs to comply with environmental requirements. The Company monitors its environmental responsibilities, together with trends in the related laws, and believes it is in substantial compliance with current regulations. If the Company is required to incur increased compliance costs or violates environmental laws or regulations, future environmental compliance expenditures or liabilities could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates

The Company is exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly with respect to the Euro, Canadian Dollar, South African Rand and British Pound. Any significant change in the value of these currencies could affect the Company’s ability to sell products competitively and control its cost structure, which could have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Conditions in foreign countries in which the Company conducts business

In 2020, 29% of the Company’s net sales were to customers outside the United States. The Company expects its international and export sales to continue to be a significant portion of its revenue and it has placed a particular emphasis on increasing its growth and presence internationally. The Company’s sales from international operations and export sales are subject, in varying degrees, to risks inherent to doing business outside the United States. These risks include, but are not limited to, the following, some of which are further addressed in our other Risk Factors:

Any of these events could have an adverse impact on the Company’s business and operations.

Changes in our tax rates and exposure to additional income tax liabilities

Gorman-Rupp is subject to income and other taxes in the United States federal jurisdiction and various local, state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company’s future effective income tax rates could be unfavorably affected by various factors, including changes in the tax rates as well as rules and regulations in relevant jurisdictions. In addition, the amount of income taxes paid is subject to ongoing audits by U.S. federal, state and local tax authorities and by non-U.S. authorities.  If these audits result in assessments different from amounts recorded, the Company’s future financial results may include unfavorable adjustments.

ITEM 1B.   UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2.   PROPERTIES

The Company’s corporate headquarters are located in Mansfield, Ohio. The production operations of the Company are conducted at several locations throughout the United States and other countries as set forth below. The Company is a lessee under a number of operating leases for certain real properties, none of which is material to its operations.

The Company’s principal production operations are:

The Company owns a facility in Dallas, Texas comprising a training center and warehouse. In addition, the Company leases a warehouse facility in Jebal Ali, Dubai.

Gorman-Rupp considers its plants, machinery and equipment to be well maintained, in good operating condition and adequate for the present uses and business requirements of the Company.

ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 

For over twenty years, numerous business entities in the pump and fluid-handling industries, as well as a multitude of companies in many other industries, have been targeted in a series of lawsuits in several jurisdictions by various individuals seeking redress to claimed injury as a result of the entities’ alleged use of asbestos in their products. Since 2001, the Company and some of its subsidiaries have been involved in this mass-scaled litigation, typically as one of many co-defendants in a particular proceeding. The allegations in the lawsuits involving the Company and/or its subsidiaries have been vague, general and speculative. Most of these lawsuits have been dismissed without advancing beyond the early stage of discovery, some as a result of nominal monetary settlements recommended for payment by the Company's insurers. The claims and related legal expenses generally have been covered by the Company's insurance, subject to applicable deductibles and limitations. Accordingly, this series of lawsuits has not, cumulatively or individually, had a material adverse impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations, liquidity or financial condition, nor is it expected to have any such impact in the future, based on the current knowledge of the Company.

In addition, the Company and/or its subsidiaries are parties in a small number of legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. Management does not currently believe that these proceedings will materially impact the Company’s consolidated results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE 

Not applicable.

INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the executive officers of the Company as of January 29, 2021: 

Mr. Gorman was elected Chairman of the Board on April 25, 2019 and has served as Chief Executive Officer since May 1, 1998. He also served as President from 1998 to 2020 after having served as Senior Vice President since 1996. Mr. Gorman also held the position of General Manager of the Gorman-Rupp Pumps USA division from 1989 through 2005. He served as Assistant General Manager from 1986 to 1988; and he held the office of Corporate Secretary from 1982 to 1990. He has served as a Director of the Company continuously since 1989.

Mr. King was elected President effective January 1, 2021 in addition to his role as Chief Operating Officer after previously serving as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since April 25, 2019. Mr. King also previously served as Vice President of Operations effective March 1, 2018 and as Vice President from April 1, 2017 to February 28, 2018. Mr. King previously held positions with the Gorman-Rupp Pumps USA division of the Company as Vice President and General Manager from January 1, 2014 until March 31, 2017, Vice President of Operations from June 1, 2010 until December 31, 2013, Director of Manufacturing from July 1, 2007 until May 31, 2010 and Manufacturing Manager from November 1, 2004 until June 30, 2007.

Mr. Kerr was elected Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective January 1, 2021 after previously serving as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since March 1, 2018. Mr. Kerr previously served as Chief Financial Officer effective January 1, 2017 and as Vice President of Finance from July 18, 2016 to December 31, 2016. Prior to 2016, Mr. Kerr served as both Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Jo-Ann Stores from 2006 to 2015 and as Vice President, Controller of Jo-Ann Stores from 1998 to 2006.

Ms. Burnell was elected Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary effective January 1, 2021 after previously serving as Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since March 1, 2018. Ms. Burnell previously served as General Counsel effective May 1, 2015 and as Corporate Secretary effective May 1, 2014. Ms. Burnell previously served as Corporate Counsel effective May 1, 2014. Ms. Burnell joined the Company as Corporate Attorney on January 2, 2014. Prior to 2014, Ms. Burnell served as Corporate Counsel of Red Capital Group from 2011 to 2013 and as an Associate at Jones Day from 2002 to 2011.

PART II

The Company’s Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “GRC”. On February 1, 2021, there were 1,546 registered holders of the Company’s common shares.

The Company currently expects to continue its exceptional history of paying regular quarterly dividends, and increased annual dividends. However, any future dividends will be reviewed individually and declared by our Board of Directors at its discretion, dependent on an assessment of the Company’s financial condition and business outlook at the applicable time.

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The following stock price performance graph and related table compares the cumulative total returns (assuming reinvestment of dividends) on $100 invested on December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2020 in the Company’s common shares, the NYSE Composite Index, the NYSE American Index and a peer group of companies in the SIC Code 3561 Index — Pumps and Pumping Equipment. The stock price performance graph and related table is not necessarily indicative of future investment performance. This graph is not deemed to be “soliciting material” or “filed” with the SEC or subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the graph shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any prior or subsequent filing by us under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Five-Year Summary of Selected Financial Data

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(1) Includes a special dividend of $52,234 or $2.00 per share.

Summary of Quarterly Results of Operations 

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in tables in thousands of dollars, except for per share data)

Executive Overview

The following discussion of Results of Operations includes certain non-GAAP financial data and measures such as adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and adjusted earnings per share amounts which exclude non-cash pension settlement charges in 2020 and 2018. Management utilizes these adjusted financial data and measures to assess comparative operations against those of prior periods without the distortion of non-comparable factors. The Gorman-Rupp Company believes that these non-GAAP financial data and measures also will be useful to investors in assessing the strength of the Company’s underlying operations from period to period. Provided below is a reconciliation of adjusted earnings per share amounts and adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.  

The Gorman-Rupp Company (“we”, “our”, “Gorman-Rupp” or the “Company”) is a leading designer, manufacturer and international marketer of pumps and pump systems for use in diverse water, wastewater, construction, dewatering, industrial, petroleum, original equipment, agriculture, fire protection, heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), military and other liquid-handling applications. The Company attributes its success to long-term product quality, applications and performance combined with timely delivery and service, and continually seeks to develop initiatives to improve performance in these key areas.

Gorman-Rupp actively pursues growth opportunities through organic growth, international business expansion and acquisitions.

We regularly invest in training for our employees, in new product development and in modern manufacturing equipment, technology and facilities all designed to increase production efficiency and capacity and drive growth by delivering innovative solutions to our customers. We believe that the diversity of our markets is a major contributor to the generally stable financial growth we have produced for more than 85 years.

The Company places a strong emphasis on cash flow generation and maintaining excellent liquidity and financial flexibility. This focus has afforded us the ability to reinvest our cash resources and preserve a strong balance sheet to position us for future acquisition and product development opportunities. The Company had no bank debt as of December 31, 2020. The $154.5 million of aggregate cash generated by operating activities over the past three years was utilized primarily to pay dividends, including a special dividend of $2.00 per share paid on December 10, 2018, and the purchase of productivity-enhancing capital equipment. The Company’s cash position increased $27.6 million during 2020 to $108.2 million at December 31, 2020.

The Company generated $48.5 million in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization during 2020. From these earnings, the Company invested $8.0 million primarily in buildings, machinery and equipment and returned $15.4 million in dividends to shareholders.

Capital expenditures for 2021 are planned to be in the range of $15-$20 million primarily for building improvements and machinery and equipment purchases, and are expected to be financed through internally-generated funds.

Net sales for 2020 were $349.0 million compared to $398.2 million for 2019, a decrease of 12.4% or $49.2 million. Domestic sales decreased 10.3% or $28.4 million while international sales decreased 17.0% or $20.8 million compared to 2019. Sales have decreased across most of our markets primarily as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with a slowdown in the oil and gas industry.

Gross profit was $89.6 million for 2020, resulting in gross margin of 25.7%, compared to gross profit of $102.7 million and gross margin of 25.8% for 2019. Gross margin decreased 10 basis points largely due to an unfavorable LIFO impact of 60 basis points compared to 2019 and decreased 120 basis points from the loss of leverage on fixed labor and overhead attributable to lower sales volume. Largely offsetting these items were lower material costs of 170 basis points compared to 2019.

SG&A expenses were $53.8 million and 15.4% of net sales for 2020 compared to $58.8 million and 14.8% of net sales for 2019. SG&A expenses decreased 8.6% or $5.0 million due to reduced payroll related and travel expenses combined with overall expense management. SG&A expenses as a percentage of sales increased 60 basis points primarily as a result of loss of leverage from lower sales volume.

Operating income was $35.8 million for 2020, resulting in an operating margin of 10.2%, compared to operating income of $43.8 million and operating margin of 11.0% for 2019. Operating margin decreased 80 basis points primarily as a result of loss of leverage from lower sales volume.

Other income (expense), net was $4.5 million of expense for 2020 compared to income of $1.3 million for the same period in 2019. The increase to expense was due primarily to non-cash pension settlement charges of $4.6 million.

Net income was $25.2 million for 2020 compared to $35.8 million in 2019, and earnings per share were $0.97 for 2020 and $1.37 for 2019. Earnings per share in 2020 included a non-cash pension settlement charge of $0.14 per share. In 2019, earnings benefited from a favorable LIFO impact of $0.04 per share.

The Company’s backlog of orders was $113.1 million at December 31, 2020 compared to $105.0 million at December 31, 2019, an increase of 7.7%. Approximately 91% of the Company’s backlog of unfilled orders is scheduled to be shipped during 2021, with the remainder principally during the first half of 2022.

Incoming orders decreased 8.7% for the full year and decreased 4.3% for the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the same periods in 2019. Incoming orders were down across most markets the Company serves driven primarily by the COVID-19 pandemic and a slowdown in the oil and gas industry. However, incoming orders for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased 16.0% compared to the third quarter of 2020.

On January 28, 2021, the Board of Directors authorized the payment of a quarterly dividend of $0.155 per share, representing the 284th consecutive quarterly dividend to be paid by the Company. During 2020, the Company again paid increased dividends and thereby attained its 48th consecutive year of increased dividends. These consecutive years of increases continue to position Gorman-Rupp in the top 50 of all U.S. public companies with respect to number of years of increased dividend payments. The regular dividend yield at December 31, 2020 was 1.9%.

The Company currently expects to continue its exceptional history of paying regular quarterly dividends and increased annual dividends. However, any future dividends will be reviewed individually and declared by our Board of Directors at its discretion, dependent on our assessment of the Company’s financial condition and business outlook at the applicable time.

Outlook

Despite the unprecedented global challenges of COVID-19, we ended 2020 in strong financial condition and well positioned for the future.  While the ongoing impact of the global pandemic on the economy remains uncertain, we are prepared for the eventual recovery. We have continued to focus on our long-term strategic initiatives across our diverse markets, built on our strong inventory position while also maintaining our highly skilled workforce.

We begin 2021 with an increase in backlog from the same time last year, however we expect sales during the first half of the year to continue to be challenging due to the worldwide pandemic. During this time we will continue to manage our SG&A expenses, while at the same time remaining focused on initiatives that will contribute to our long term growth.   Our balance sheet, cash position and ongoing positive cash flow allow us to continue to look for the right opportunities that will supplement our growth for new and existing products and markets. Our outlook for the longer term remains very positive.

Results of Operations – 2020 Compared to 2019:

Net Sales

Net sales for 2020 were $349.0 million compared to $398.2 million for 2019, a decrease of 12.4% or $49.2 million. Domestic sales decreased 10.3% or $28.4 million while international sales decreased 17.0% or $20.8 million compared to 2019. Sales have decreased across most of our markets primarily as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with a slowdown in the oil and gas industry.

Sales in our water markets decreased 9.4% or $25.9 million in 2020 compared to 2019. Sales in the agriculture market increased $1.5 million. This increase was offset by decreases in the construction market of $11.3 million driven primarily by softness in oil and gas drilling activity. Decreases in the repair market of $5.6 million, municipal market of $5.3 million, and fire protection market of $5.2 million were a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sales in our non-water markets decreased 18.9% or $23.3 million in 2020 compared to 2019 primarily as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with reduced demand from midstream and downstream oil and gas customers and softness in oil and gas drilling activity. Sales in the OEM market decreased $8.3 million, sales in the industrial market decreased $7.8 million and sales in the petroleum market decreased $7.2 million.

International sales were $102.1 million in 2020 compared to $122.9 million in 2019 and represented 29% and 31% of total sales for the Company, respectively. International sales decreased most notably in the fire protection and all non-water markets.

Cost of Products Sold and Gross Profit

Gross profit was $89.6 million for 2020, resulting in gross margin of 25.7%, compared to gross profit of $102.7 million and gross margin of 25.8% for 2019. Gross margin decreased 10 basis points largely due to an unfavorable LIFO impact of 60 basis points compared to 2019 and decreased 120 basis points from the loss of leverage on fixed labor and overhead attributable to lower sales volume. Largely offsetting these items were lower material costs of 170 basis points compared to 2019.

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses

SG&A expenses were $53.8 million and 15.4% of net sales for 2020 compared to $58.8 million and 14.8% of net sales for 2019. SG&A expenses decreased 8.6% or $5.0 million due to reduced payroll related and travel expenses combined with overall expense management. SG&A expenses as a percentage of sales increased 60 basis points primarily as a result of loss of leverage from lower sales volume.

Operating Income

Operating income was $35.8 million for 2020, resulting in an operating margin of 10.2%, compared to operating income of $43.8 million and operating margin of 11.0% for 2019. Operating margin decreased 80 basis points primarily as a result of loss of leverage from lower sales volume.

Net Income

The Company’s effective tax rate was 19.4% for 2020 compared to 20.7% for 2019. The effective tax rate for 2020 was impacted by an increased benefit from credits and permanent items over a lower pretax income as well as a favorable tax rate benefit on foreign operations. We expect our effective tax rate for 2021 to be between 21.0% and 23.0%.

The decrease of $10.6 million in net income in 2020 compared to 2019 was due primarily to lower sales volume and a non-cash pension settlement charge of $3.7 million net of income taxes. Net income in 2019 included a favorable LIFO impact of $0.9 million.

Earnings per share in 2020 included a non-cash pension settlement charge of $0.14 per share. In 2019, earnings benefited from a favorable LIFO impact of $0.04 per share.

Results of Operations – 2019 Compared to 2018:

Net Sales

Net sales for 2019 were $398.2 million compared to $414.3 million for 2018, a decrease of 3.9% or $16.1 million. Domestic sales increased 1.3% or $3.5 million while international sales decreased 13.8% or $19.6 million compared to 2018. Of the total decrease in net sales during 2019, $2.9 million was due to unfavorable currency translation.

Sales in our water markets decreased 4.1% or $11.7 million in 2019 compared to 2018. Sales in the municipal market increased $3.7 million due primarily to large volume custom pumps for flood control, and sales in the repair market increased $0.4 million. This increase was offset by decreased sales in the fire protection market of $9.6 million driven primarily by softness in international markets and decreased sales in the construction market of $4.2 million driven primarily by softness in the upstream oil and gas activity. In addition, sales in the agriculture market decreased $2.0 million.

Sales in our non-water markets decreased 3.5% or $4.4 million in 2019 compared to 2018. Sales in the petroleum market increased $1.7 million driven primarily by midstream and downstream oil and gas customers. This increase was offset by decreased sales in the industrial market and OEM market of $4.4 million and $1.7 million, respectively, due primarily to reduced capital spending related to oil and gas.

International sales were $122.9 million in 2019 compared to $142.5 million in 2018 and represented 31% and 34% of total sales for the Company, respectively. International sales decreased most notably in the fire protection, construction and municipal markets.

Cost of Products Sold and Gross Profit

Gross profit was $102.7 million for 2019, resulting in gross margin of 25.8%, compared to gross profit of $109.9 million and gross margin of 26.5% for 2018. Gross margin decreased 70 basis points largely as a result of loss of leverage on fixed labor and overhead from lower sales volume, and higher healthcare costs of 50 basis points. Partially offsetting these items was a favorable LIFO impact of 130 basis points compared to 2018 due to lower inventory levels as compared to amounts in inventory at December 31, 2018.

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) Expenses

SG&A expenses were $58.8 million and 14.8% of net sales for 2019 compared to $59.3 million and 14.3% of net sales for 2018. In 2018, a special cash bonus paid to all employees impacted SG&A expenses by $1.3 million or 30 basis points. Excluding this special cash bonus, SG&A expenses increased slightly by 1.4% or $0.8 million and increased 80 basis points as a percentage of sales primarily as a result of loss of leverage from lower sales volume.

Operating Income

Operating income was $43.8 million for 2019, resulting in an operating margin of 11.0%, compared to operating income of $50.6 million and operating margin of 12.2% for 2018. In 2018, a special cash bonus paid to all employees impacted operating margin by $1.3 million or 30 basis points. Excluding this special cash bonus, operating margin decreased 150 basis points primarily as a result of loss of leverage from lower sales volume and higher healthcare costs of 70 basis points, partially offset by a favorable LIFO impact of 130 basis points.

Net Income

The Company’s effective tax rate increased slightly to 20.7% for 2019 from 20.5% for 2018. The effective tax rate for 2019 benefitted by 100 basis points primarily from higher research and development tax credits. The effective tax rate for 2018 benefited by 120 basis points from pension plan contributions eligible for tax deduction at the 35.0% federal corporate tax rate for 2017 rather than the 21.0% rate for 2018.

The decrease in net income in 2019 compared to 2018 was due primarily to lower international sales volume and a slowdown in oil and gas related spending. Net income in 2019 included a favorable LIFO impact of $0.9 million, net of income taxes. Net income in 2018 included an unfavorable LIFO impact of $3.1 million, net of income taxes, a non-cash pension settlement charge of $2.2 million, net of income taxes, and a special cash bonus paid to all employees of $1.0 million, net of income taxes.

Earnings per share for 2019 included a favorable LIFO impact of $0.04 per share. Earnings per share for 2018 included an unfavorable LIFO impact of $0.12 per share, non-cash pension settlement charges of $0.08 per share and a special cash bonus paid to all employees with an impact of $0.04 per share.

Liquidity and Sources of Capital

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $108.2 million and there was no outstanding bank debt at December 31, 2020. In addition, at December 31, 2020, the Company had $24.5 million of borrowing capacity available in bank lines of credit after deducting $6.5 million in outstanding letters of credit primarily related to customer orders. The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants, including limits on additional borrowings and maintenance of certain operating and financial ratios, at all times in 2020 and 2019.

Capital expenditures for 2021, which are expected to consist principally of machinery and equipment purchases and building improvements, are estimated to be in the range of $15 - $20 million and are expected to be financed through internally generated funds. During 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company financed its capital improvements and working capital requirements principally through internally generated funds.

We expect to continue to generate cash in excess of our operating needs. We believe we have adequate funds on hand and sufficient borrowing capacity to execute our financial and operating strategy.

The Company expects to contribute up to $2.0 million to its defined benefit pension plan in 2021.

Free cash flow, a non-GAAP measure for reporting cash flow, is defined by the Company as adjusted earnings before interest, income taxes and depreciation and amortization, less capital expenditures and dividends. The Company believes free cash flow provides investors with an important perspective on cash available for investments, acquisitions and working capital requirements.

The following table reconciles adjusted earnings before interest, income taxes and depreciation and amortization as reconciled above to free cash flow:

Financial Cash Flow

The change in cash provided by operating activities in 2020 compared to 2019 was primarily due to lower income in 2020 compared to 2019 driven by decreased sales. Cash outflows increased due to a reduction in accounts payable primarily from reduced SG&A spend, increased inventory to prepare for customer demand, and increased pension contributions. These cash outflows were offset by cash inflows from reduced accounts receivable driven by decreased sales and a higher deferred tax provision. The change in cash provided by operating activities in 2019 compared to 2018 was primarily due to lower inventories driven by a planned inventory reduction and a decrease in accounts receivable driven by lower sales volume. In addition, prepaid income taxes decreased and the Company did not make any pension contributions in 2019. These positive effects on cash flow were offset by a decrease in commissions payable driven by lower sales volume. 

During 2020, investing activities of $7.7 million primarily consisted of $8.0 million of capital expenditures for buildings, machinery and equipment. During 2019, investing activities of $10.8 million primarily consisted of $10.9 million of capital expenditures for buildings, machinery and equipment. During 2018, investing activities of $7.5 million primarily consisted of a $3.0 million decrease in short-term investments and $10.9 million of capital expenditures for machinery and equipment offset by $0.5 million of proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment.

During 2020, financing activities of $16.1 million consisted of dividend payments of $15.4 million. During 2019, financing activities of $17.4 million consisted of dividend payments of $14.4 million and a privately-arranged market value purchase of Company shares in the amount of $2.5 million from a Rupp family estate. Net cash used for financing activities consisted of dividend payments of $65.6 million during 2018, including $52.2 million related to a special dividend.

The Company currently expects to continue its exceptional history of paying regular quarterly dividends and increased annual dividends. However, any future dividends will be reviewed individually and declared by our Board of Directors at its discretion, dependent on our assessment of the Company’s financial condition and business outlook at the applicable time.

Contractual Obligations

Capital commitments in the table below include contractual commitments to purchase machinery and equipment that have been approved by the Board of Directors. The capital commitments do not represent the entire anticipated purchases in the future, but represent only those substantive items for which the Company is contractually obligated as of December 31, 2020. Also, the Company has operating leases and two financing leases for certain offices, manufacturing facilities, land, office equipment and automobiles. Rental expenses relating to these leases were $0.9 million in 2020 and $1.0 million in both 2019 and 2018.

The following table summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations at December 31, 2020:

Critical Accounting Policies

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. When more than one accounting principle, or the method of its application, is generally accepted, management selects the principle or method that is appropriate in the Company’s specific circumstances. Application of these accounting principles requires management to make estimates about the future resolution of existing uncertainties; as a result, actual results could differ from these estimates.

In preparing these Consolidated Financial Statements, management has made its best estimates and judgments of the amounts and disclosures included in the Consolidated Financial Statements, giving due regard to materiality. The Company does not believe there is a great likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions pertaining to the accounting policies described below.

Revenue Recognition

The Company accounts for revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” under which the unit of account is a performance obligation. Substantially all of our revenue is derived from fixed-price customer contracts and the majority of our customer contracts have a single performance obligation. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to a customer. For customer contracts with multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates revenue to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price, which is generally determined based on standalone selling prices charged to customers or using expected cost plus margin.

The transaction price for a customer contract is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied. All of the Company's performance obligations, and associated revenue, are generally satisfied at a point in time, with the exception of certain highly customized pump products, which are satisfied over time as work progresses.

Accounting for long-term contracts involves the use of various techniques to estimate total contract revenue and costs. For long-term contracts, the Company estimates the profit on a contract as the difference between the total estimated revenue and expected costs to complete a contract and recognizes that profit as performance obligations are satisfied. Contract estimates are based on various assumptions to project the outcome of future events that could span longer than one year. These assumptions include labor productivity and availability, the complexity of the work to be performed, the cost and availability of materials and the performance of subcontractors as applicable.

As a significant change in one or more of these estimates could affect the profitability of our contracts, the Company reviews and updates its contract-related estimates regularly. Adjustments in estimated profit on contracts are accounted for under the cumulative catch-up method. Under this method, the impact of the adjustment on profit recorded to date on a contract is recognized in the period the adjustment is identified. Revenue and profit in future periods of contract performance are recognized using the adjusted estimate.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company evaluates the collectability of its accounts receivable based on a combination of factors including both current and historical information. In circumstances where the Company is aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations to the Company (e.g., bankruptcy filings, substantial downgrading of credit scores), the Company records a specific allowance for bad debts against amounts due to reduce the net recognized receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes will be collected. For all other customers, the Company recognizes allowances for bad debts primarily based on the length of time the receivables are past due. If circumstances change (e.g., an unexpected material adverse change in a large customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations), the Company’s estimates of the recoverability of amounts due could be reduced by a material amount. Historically, the Company’s collection history has been good.

Inventories and Related Allowance

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market value and have been reduced by an allowance for excess and obsolete inventories. The estimated allowance is based on a variety of factors, including historical inventory usage and management evaluations. Historically, the Company has not experienced substantive write-offs due to obsolescence. The Company uses the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for the majority of its inventories.

Product Warranties

A liability is established for estimated future warranty and service claims based on historical claims experience and specific product failures.

Pension Plan and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans

The Company recognizes the obligations associated with its defined benefit pension plan and defined benefit health care plans in its Consolidated Financial Statements. The measurement of liabilities related to its pension plan and other postretirement benefit plans is based on management’s assumptions related to future events including interest rates, return on pension plan assets, rate of compensation increases and health care cost trend rates. Actual pension plan asset performance will either reduce or increase pension losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, which ultimately affects net income. The discount rates used to determine the present value of future benefits are based on estimated yields of investment grade fixed income investments.

The discount rates used to value pension plan obligations were 1.97% and 2.83% at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The discount rates used to value postretirement obligations were 2.25% and 3.08% at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The discount rates were determined by constructing a zero-coupon spot yield curve derived from a universe of high-quality bonds as of the measurement date. The expected rate of return on pension assets is designed to be a long-term assumption that will be subject to year-to-year variability. The rate for 2020 was 5.36% and 2019 was 5.37%. Actual pension plan asset performance will either reduce or increase unamortized losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, which will ultimately affect net income. The assumed rate of compensation increase was 3.50% in 2020 and 2019.

Substantially all retirees elect to take lump sum settlements of their pension plan benefits. When interest rates are low as they have been the last five years, this subjects the Company to the risk of exceeding an actuarial threshold computed on an annual basis and triggering a GAAP-required non-cash pension settlement loss, which occurred in 2020 and 2018.

The assumption used for the rate of increase in medical costs over the next five years was 5% in 2020 and unchanged in 2019.

Income Taxes

In January 2018, FASB released guidance on accounting for the global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) tax.  The guidance indicates that either accounting for deferred taxes related to GILTI tax inclusions or treating the GILTI tax as a period cost are both acceptable methods subject to an accounting policy election.  The Company has elected to account for the GILTI tax in the period in which it is incurred.

The basic principles related to accounting for income taxes are to recognize the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in an entity’s financial statements or tax returns.

Realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets is principally dependent upon the Company’s achievement of projected future taxable income, which management believes will be sufficient to fully utilize the deferred tax assets recorded, with the exception of deferred tax associated with certain state tax credits for which a valuation allowance has been recognized.

The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal and various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. Income tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for the years before 2016.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense for all periods presented. The Company accrued approximately $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the payment of interest and penalties at December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles

The Company accounts for goodwill in a purchase business combination as the excess of the cost over the fair value of net assets acquired. Business combinations can also result in other intangible assets being recognized. Amortization of intangible assets, if applicable, occurs over their estimated useful lives.

Goodwill is tested annually for impairment as of October 1, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate there may be a possible permanent loss of value in accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other.”

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level and is based on the net assets for each reporting unit, including goodwill and intangible assets. The Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing a quantitative impairment assessment is unnecessary.

In assessing the qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we identify and assess relevant drivers of fair value and events and circumstances that may impact the fair value and the carrying amount of the reporting unit. The identification of relevant events and circumstances and how these may impact a reporting unit’s fair value or carrying amount involve significant judgments and assumptions. The judgments and assumptions include the identification of macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, Company-specific events and share price trends and making the assessment on whether each relevant factor will impact the impairment test positively or negatively and the magnitude of any such impact.

When performing a quantitative assessment of goodwill impairment if necessary, or in years where we elect to do so, a discounted cash flow model is used to estimate the fair value of each reporting unit, which considers forecasted cash flows discounted at an estimated weighted-average cost of capital. The forecasted cash flows are based on the Company’s long-term operating plan and the weighted-average cost of capital is an estimate of the overall after-tax rate of return. Other valuation techniques including comparative market multiples are used when appropriate. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the future cash flows of the respective reporting units.

The Company performed a qualitative analyses as of October 1, 2020 and 2019 for all of its reporting units except for one and concluded that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting units continues to exceed the respective carrying amounts.

The Company performed a quantitative impairment analysis as of October 1, 2020 for the National Pump Company (“National”) reporting unit and concluded that National’s fair value exceeded its carrying value by approximately 31% and therefore was not impaired. A sensitivity analysis was performed for the National reporting unit, assuming a hypothetical 100 basis point decrease in the expected long-term growth rate or a hypothetical 100 basis point increase in the weighted average cost of capital, and both scenarios independently yielded an estimated fair value for the National reporting unit above carrying value. If National fails to experience growth or revises its long-term projections downward, it could be subject to impairment charges in the future. Goodwill relating to the National reporting unit is $13.6 million, 3.4% of the Company’s December 31, 2020 total assets. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

Other indefinite-lived intangible assets primarily consist of trademarks and trade names. The fair value of these assets is also tested annually for impairment as of October 1, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate there may be a possible permanent loss of value. The fair value of these assets is determined using a royalty relief methodology similar to that employed when the associated assets were acquired, but using updated estimates of future sales, cash flows and profitability. For 2020 and 2019, the fair value of all indefinite lived intangible assets exceeded the respective carrying values.

Finite-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recovered through future net cash flows generated by the assets. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to future net undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by such assets. The Company was not aware of any events or changes in circumstances that indicate the carrying value of its finite-lived assets may not be recoverable. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

Other Matters 

Certain transactions with related parties occur in the ordinary course of business and are not considered to be material to the Company’s consolidated financial position, net income or cash flows.

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, financings or other relationships with unconsolidated “special purpose entities.”

The Company is not a party to any long-term debt agreements, or any material leases or purchase obligations.

ITEM 7A.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The Company is subject to market risk associated principally with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company’s foreign currency exchange rate risk is limited primarily to the Euro, Canadian Dollar, South African Rand and British Pound. The Company manages its foreign exchange risk principally through invoicing customers in the same currency as is used in the market of the source of products. The foreign currency transaction gains (losses) for the periods ending December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $0.3 million, $0.1 million and $(0.8) million, respectively, and are reported within Other (expense) income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

ITEM 8.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of The Gorman-Rupp Company

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of The Gorman-Rupp Company (the Company) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated March 1, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the account or disclosures to which it relates.    

National Pump Company Goodwill Impairment Evaluation 

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since at least 1967, but we are unable to determine the specific year.

Cleveland, Ohio

March 1, 2021

The Gorman-Rupp Company

Consolidated Statements of Income

       See notes to consolidated financial statements. 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

       See notes to consolidated financial statements.

The Gorman-Rupp Company

Consolidated Balance Sheets

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

The Gorman-Rupp Company

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

The Gorman-Rupp Company

Consolidated Statements of Equity