Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business: Plexus Corp. and its subsidiaries (together “Plexus” or the “Company,”) participate in the Electronic Manufacturing Services (“EMS”) industry. Plexus provides integrated product conceptualization, design, commercialization, manufacturing, fulfillment and sustaining solutions to customers in the Networking/Communications, Healthcare/Life Sciences, Industrial/Commercial and Defense/Security/Aerospace market sectors. Plexus is headquartered in Neenah, Wisconsin and has operations in the Americas (“AMER”), Europe, Middle East, and Africa (“EMEA”) and Asia-Pacific (“APAC”) regions.

Significant Accounting Policies

Consolidation Principles and Basis of Presentation: The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and include the accounts of Plexus Corp. and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to September 30. The Company also uses a “4-4-5” weekly accounting system for the interim periods in each quarter. Each quarter, therefore, ends on a Saturday at the end of the 4-4-5 period. Periodically, an additional week must be added to the fiscal year to re-align with the Saturday closest to September 30. Fiscal 2015 included 53 weeks, and fiscal 2014 and 2013 each included 52 weeks; the first quarter of fiscal 2015 included 14 weeks and all other fiscal quarters presented included 13 weeks.

The Company’s reportable segments consist of AMER, APAC and EMEA. Refer to Note 11, "Reportable Segments, Geographic Information and Major Customers," for further details on reportable segments.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash equivalents include short-term highly liquid investments and are classified as Level 1 in the fair level hierarchy described below. As of October 3, 2015 and September 27, 2014, cash and cash equivalents were the following (in thousands):



	2015		2014
Cash	$	179,339	$	150,512
Money market funds and other	177,767		196,079
Total cash and cash equivalents	$	357,106	$	346,591

Inventories: Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. Valuing inventories at the lower of cost or market requires the use of estimates and judgment. Customers may cancel their orders, change production quantities or delay production for a number of reasons that are beyond the Company’s control. Any of these, or certain additional actions, could impact the valuation of inventory. Any actions taken by the Company’s customers that could impact the value of its inventory are considered when determining the lower of cost or market valuations.

In certain instances, in accordance with contractual terms, the Company receives customer deposits to offset obsolete and excess inventory risks.

Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation: Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Estimated useful lives for major classes of depreciable assets are as follows:



Buildings and improvements		15-50 years
Machinery and equipment		3-10 years
Computer hardware and software		3-10 years

Certain facilities and equipment held under capital leases are classified as property, plant and equipment and amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the lease and the related obligations are recorded as liabilities. Amortization of assets held under capital leases is included in depreciation expense (see Note 3, "Property, Plant and Equipment") and the financing component of the lease payments is classified as interest expense. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.

The Company capitalizes significant costs incurred in the acquisition or development of software for internal use. This includes costs of the software, consulting services and compensation costs for employees directly involved in developing internal use computer software.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets: Long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and intangible assets with finite lives are reviewed for impairment and written down to fair value when facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of long-lived assets or asset groups may not be recoverable through estimated future undiscounted cash flows. If an impairment has occurred, a write-down to estimated fair value is made and the impairment loss is recognized as a charge against current operations. The impairment analysis is based on management’s assumptions, including future revenue and cash flow projections. Circumstances that may lead to impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets with finite lives include reduced expectations for future performance or industry demand and possible further restructurings, among others.

Revenue Recognition: Net sales from manufacturing services are recognized when the product has been shipped, the risk of ownership has transferred to the customer, the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and recoverability is reasonably assured. This point depends on contractual terms and generally occurs upon shipment of the goods from Plexus. Generally, there are no formal customer acceptance requirements or further obligations related to manufacturing services; if such requirements or obligations exist, then a sale is recognized at the time when such requirements are completed and such obligations are fulfilled.

Sales are recorded net of estimated returns of manufactured products based on management’s analysis of historical returns, current economic trends and changes in customer demand. Net sales also include amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling. The corresponding shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales.

Net sales from engineering design and development services, which are generally performed under contracts with a duration of twelve months or less, are typically recognized as program costs are incurred utilizing the proportional performance model. The completed performance model is used if certain customer acceptance criteria exist. Any losses are recognized when anticipated. Net sales from engineering design and development services were less than 5.0 percent of consolidated net sales for each of fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013.

Income Taxes: The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes” ("ASC 740"). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. 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 Company does not currently provide for additional U.S. and foreign income taxes that would become payable upon the repatriation of undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries. The Company maintains valuation allowances when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. In determining whether a valuation allowance is required, the Company takes into account such factors as prior earnings history, expected future earnings, carryback and carryforward periods, and tax strategies that could potentially enhance the likelihood of the realization of a deferred tax asset.

Foreign Currency Translation: The Company translates assets and liabilities of subsidiaries operating outside of the U.S. with a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the relevant balance sheet date and net sales, expenses and cash flows at the average exchange rates during the respective periods. Adjustments resulting from translation of the financial statements are recorded as a component of “Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income.” Exchange gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity involved and remeasurement adjustments for foreign operations where the U.S. dollar is the functional currency are included in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income as a component of miscellaneous income (expense). Exchange gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions were $1.3 million, $(0.1) million, and $(1.2) million for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These amounts include the amount of gain (loss) recognized in income during each fiscal year due to non-designated forward currency exchange contracts the Company entered into during each respective year. Refer to Note 5, "Derivatives and Fair Value Measurements," for further details on derivatives.

Derivatives: All derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. The Company periodically enters into forward currency exchange contracts and interest rate swaps. On the date a derivative contract is entered into, the Company designates the derivative as a hedge of a recognized asset or liability (a “non-designated” hedge), a hedge of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (a “cash flow” hedge), or a hedge of the net investment in a foreign operation. The Company does not enter into derivatives for speculative purposes. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that qualifies as a non-designated hedge are recorded in earnings as are the gains or losses related to the hedged asset or liability. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that qualifies as a cash flow hedge are recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income” within shareholders’ equity, until earnings are affected by the variability of cash flows. Changes in the fair value of a derivative used to hedge the net investment in a foreign operation are recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income” within shareholders’ equity. The Company's interest rate swaps and certain forward currency exchange contracts are treated as cash flow hedges and, therefore, $(11.2) million, $1.6 million and $(2.7) million were recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income” for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Grants from Government Authorities: Grants from governments are recognized at their fair value where there is reasonable assurance that the grant funds will be received and the Company will comply with all attached conditions to the grant. Government grants relating to property, plant and equipment are recorded as an offset to the carrying value of the related assets at the time of capitalization. Government grants relating to other costs incurred are recognized as an offset to those related costs, for which the grants are intended to compensate for, at the time they are recognized.

Earnings Per Share: The computation of basic earnings per common share is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and net income. The computation of diluted earnings per common share reflects additional dilution from share-based awards, excluding any with an antidilutive effect.

Stock-based Compensation: The Company measures all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, at fair value and expenses them in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income over the service period (generally the vesting period) of the grant.

Comprehensive (Loss) Income: The Company follows the established standards for reporting comprehensive (loss) income, which is defined as the changes in equity of an enterprise except those resulting from shareholder transactions.

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income consists of the following as of October 3, 2015 and September 27, 2014 (in thousands):



	2015			2014
Foreign currency translation adjustments	$	2,398		$	16,228
Cumulative change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax	(8,869		)	2,354
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income	$	(6,471	)	$	18,582

Refer to Note 5, "Derivatives and Fair Value Measurements," for further explanation regarding the change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of tax adjustments, that is recorded to “Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income.”

Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments: The Company holds financial instruments consisting of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, certain deferred compensation assets held under trust arrangements, accounts payable, debt, and derivatives. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and capital lease obligations as reported in the consolidated financial statements approximate fair value. Derivatives and certain deferred compensation assets held under a trust and a rabbi trust arrangement are recorded at fair value. Accounts receivable are reflected at net realizable value based on anticipated losses due to potentially uncollectible balances. Anticipated losses are based on management’s analysis of historical losses and changes in customers’ credit status. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was $250.2 million and $247.5 million as of October 3, 2015 and September 27, 2014, respectively. The Company uses quoted market prices when available or discounted cash flows to calculate fair value. If measured at fair value in the financial statements, long-term debt (including the current portion) would be classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy described below. The fair values of the Company’s derivatives are disclosed in Note 5, "Derivatives and Fair Value Measurements." The fair values of the deferred compensation assets held under a trust and a rabbi trust arrangement are discussed in Note 9, "Benefit Plans."

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (or exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The accounting guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value. The input levels are:

Level 1: Quoted (observable) market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

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

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the asset or liability.

Business and Credit Concentrations: Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash, cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable and derivative instruments, specifically related to counterparties. In accordance with the Company’s investment policy, the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and derivative instruments were placed with recognized financial institutions. The Company’s investment policy limits the amount of credit exposure in any one issue and the maturity date of the investment securities that typically comprise investment grade short-term debt instruments. Concentrations of credit risk in accounts receivable resulting from sales to major customers are discussed in Note 11, "Reportable Segments, Geographic Information and Major Customers." The Company, at times, requires cash deposits for services performed. The Company also closely monitors extensions of credit.

New Accounting Pronouncements: In July 2015, the FASB issued amended guidance to simplify the subsequent measurement of inventory measured using first-in, first-out or average cost. The new standard replaces the current lower of cost or market test with a lower of cost and net realizable value test. Under the guidance issued, market could be replacement cost, net realizable value or net realizable value less an approximately normal profit margin. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. This guidance should be applied on a prospective basis and is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently in the process of assessing the impact the new standard may have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an amendment that requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. Under the new guidance, the recognition and measurement of debt issuance costs is not affected. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued amended guidance for revenue recognition. The standard's core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under current guidance. This may include identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation. In July 2015 the FASB approved a one-year deferral of the standard. The new standard will become effective retrospectively for the Company for the fiscal first quarter of 2019, with early adoption permitted, but not before the original effective date (fiscal first quarter of 2018). The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2014, the FASB issued final guidance that changes the criteria for a disposal to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. The revised guidance defines a discontinued operation as (1) a component of an entity or group of components that has been disposed of by sale, disposed of other than by sale or is classified as held for sale that represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results or (2) an acquired business or nonprofit activity that is classified as held for sale on the date of acquisition. The guidance does not change the presentation requirements for discontinued operations in the statement where net income is presented but does require the reclassification of assets and liabilities of a discontinued operation in the statement of financial position for all prior periods presented. The guidance is effective prospectively for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years, and for all businesses that, on acquisition, are classified as held for sale that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted, but only for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in previously issued financial statements. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.