Nature of Operations

Headquartered in Southfield, Michigan, the principal business of Superior Industries International, Inc. (referred to herein as the “company” or “we,” “us” and “our”) is the design and manufacture of aluminum wheels for sale to original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs"). We are one of the largest suppliers of cast aluminum wheels to the world’s leading automobile and light truck manufacturers, with manufacturing operations in the United States and Mexico. Customers in North America represent the principal market for our products. As described in Note 5 - Business Segments, the company operates as a single integrated business and, as such, has only one operating segment - automotive wheels.

Presentation of Consolidated Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The equity method of accounting is used for investments in non-controlled affiliates in which the company's ownership ranges from 20 to 50 percent, or in instances in which the company is able to exercise significant influence but not control (such as representation on the investee's Board of Directors.)

We have made a number of estimates and assumptions related to the reporting of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses to prepare these financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") as delineated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") in its Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC"). Generally, assets and liabilities that are subject to estimation and judgment include the allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory valuation, amortization of preproduction costs, impairment of and the estimated useful lives of our long-lived assets, self-insurance portions of employee benefits, workers' compensation and general liability programs, fair value of stock-based compensation, income tax liabilities and deferred income taxes. While actual results could differ, we believe such estimates to be reasonable.

Our fiscal year is the 52- or 53-week period ending generally on the last Sunday of the calendar year. The fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013 comprised the 52-week periods ended on December 27, 2015, December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, respectively. For convenience of presentation, all fiscal years are referred to as beginning as of January 1, and ending as of December 31, but actually reflect our financial position and results of operations for the periods described above.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents generally consist of cash, certificates of deposit and fixed deposits and money market funds with original maturities of three months or less. Our cash and cash equivalents are not subject to significant interest rate risk due to the short maturities of these investments. Certificates of deposit and fixed deposits whose original maturity is greater than three months and is one year or less are classified as short-term investments and certificates of deposit and fixed deposits whose maturity is greater than one year at the balance sheet date are classified as non-current assets in our consolidated balance sheets. The purchase of any certificates of deposit or fixed deposits that are classified as short-term investments or non-current assets appear in the investing section of our consolidated statements of cash flows. At times throughout the year and at year-end, cash balances held at financial institutions were in excess of federally insured limits.

Restricted Deposits

We purchase certificates of deposit that mature within twelve months and are used to secure or collateralize letters of credit securing our workers’ compensation obligations. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, certificates of deposit totaling $1.0 million and $3.8 million, respectively, were restricted in use and were classified as short-term investments on our consolidated balance sheet.

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities

In order to hedge exposure related to fluctuations in foreign currency rates and the cost of certain commodities used in the manufacture of our products, we periodically may purchase derivative financial instruments such as forward contracts, options or collars to offset or mitigate the impact of such fluctuations. Programs to hedge currency rate exposure may address ongoing transactions including, foreign-currency-denominated receivables and payables, as well as specific transactions related to purchase obligations. Programs to hedge exposure to commodity cost fluctuations would be based on underlying physical consumption of such commodity. At December 31, 2015 we held forward currency exchange contracts discussed below. At December 31, 2014 we held derivative financial instruments as well as the natural gas contracts discussed below.

We account for our derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities and carry them at fair value.

For derivative instruments that hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that are designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") in shareholders’ equity and reclassified into income in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument, if any, is recognized in current income. To receive hedge accounting treatment, cash flow hedges must be highly effective in offsetting changes to expected future cash flows on hedged transactions. For forward exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges, changes in the time value are included in the definition of hedge effectiveness. Accordingly, any gains or losses related to this component are reported as a component of AOCI in shareholders’ equity and reclassified into income in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Derivatives that do not qualify as hedges are adjusted to fair value through current income. See Note 4 - Derivative Financial Instruments for additional information pertaining to our derivative instruments.

We enter into contracts to purchase certain commodities used in the manufacture of our products, such as aluminum, natural gas, and other raw materials. Our natural gas contracts are considered to be derivative instruments under U.S. GAAP. However, upon entering into these contracts, we expect to fulfill our purchase commitments and take full delivery of the contracted quantities of natural gas during the normal course of business. Accordingly, under U.S. GAAP, these purchase contracts are not accounted for as derivatives because we qualify for the normal purchase normal sale exception under U.S. GAAP, unless there is a change in the facts or circumstances that causes management to believe that these commitments would not be used in the normal course of business. See Note 15 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities for additional information pertaining to these purchase commitments.

Non-Cash Investing Activities

As of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, $1.1 million, $6.4 million and $32.4 million, respectively, of equipment had been purchased but not yet paid for and are included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.

During 2013 the company received a grant of a parcel of land valued at $0.7 million from the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, which is included in property, plant and equipment in our 2013 consolidated balance sheet.

Accounts Receivable

We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based upon the expected collectability of all trade receivables. The allowance is reviewed continually and adjusted for amounts deemed uncollectible by management.

Inventories

Inventories, which are categorized as raw materials, work-in-process or finished goods, are stated at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out method. When necessary, management uses estimates of net realizable value to record inventory reserves for obsolete and/or slow-moving inventory. Aluminum is the primary material component in our inventories. Our aluminum requirements are supplied from two primary vendors, each accounting for more than 10 percent of our aluminum purchases during 2015 and 2014.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation. The cost of additions, improvements and interest during construction, if any, are capitalized. Our maintenance and repair costs are charged to expense when incurred. Depreciation is calculated generally on the straight-line method based on the estimated useful lives of the assets.



Classification	Expected Useful Life

Computer equipment	3 to 5 years
Production machinery and equipment	7 to 10 years
Buildings	25 years

When property, plant and equipment is replaced, retired or disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts. Property, plant and equipment no longer used in operations, which are generally insignificant in amount, are stated at the lower of cost or estimated net realizable value. Gains and losses, if any, are recorded as a component of operating income if the disposition relates to an operating asset. If a non-operating asset is disposed of, any gains and losses are recorded in other income or expense in the period of disposition or write down.

Preproduction Costs and Revenue Recognition Related to Long-Term Supply Arrangements

We incur preproduction engineering and tooling costs related to the products produced for our customers under long-term supply agreements. We expense all preproduction engineering costs for which reimbursement is not contractually guaranteed by the customer or which are in excess of the contractually guaranteed reimbursement amount. We amortize the cost of the customer-owned tooling over the expected life of the wheel program on a straight line basis. Also, we defer any reimbursements made to us by our customer and recognize the tooling reimbursement revenue over the same period in which the tooling is in use. Changes in the facts and circumstances of individual wheel programs may accelerate the amortization of both the cost of customer-owned tooling and the deferred tooling reimbursement revenues. Recognized tooling reimbursement revenues, which totaled $5.8 million, $8.2 million and $9.3 million in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, are included in net sales in the consolidated income statements. The following tables summarize the unamortized customer-owned tooling costs included in our non-current other assets, and the deferred tooling revenues included in accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities:



December 31,	2015			2014
(Dollars in Thousands)
Customer-Owned Tooling Costs
Preproduction costs	$	73,095		$	65,621
Accumulated amortization	(58,632		)	(53,408		)
Net preproduction costs	$	14,463		$	12,213

Deferred Tooling Revenue
Accrued expenses	$	2,908		$	4,833
Other non-current liabilities	1,266			2,449
Total deferred tooling revenue	$	4,174		$	7,282

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Investments

In accordance with the Property, Plant and Equipment Topic of the ASC, management evaluates the recoverability and estimated remaining lives of long-lived assets. The company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever facts and circumstances suggest that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable or the useful life has changed.

When facts and circumstances indicate that there may have been a loss in value, management will also evaluate its cost method investments to determine whether there was an other-than-temporary impairment. If a loss in the value of the investment is determined to be other than temporary, then the decline in value is recognized as a loss. See Note 9 - Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate and Note 2 - Restructuring, for discussion of investment impairment.

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translation

We have wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries with operations in Mexico whose functional currency is the peso. In addition, we have operations with U.S. dollar functional currencies with transactions denominated in pesos and other currencies. These operations had monetary assets and liabilities that were denominated in currencies that were different than their functional currency and were translated into the functional currency of the entity using the exchange rate in effect at the end of each accounting period. Any gains and losses recorded as a result of the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities into the functional currency are reflected as transaction gains and losses and included in other income (expense) in the consolidated income statements. We had foreign currency transaction losses of $1.2 million and $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, while we had a foreign currency gain of $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2013, which are included in other income (expense) in the consolidated income statements. In addition, we have a minority investment in India that has a functional currency of the Indian rupee.

When our foreign subsidiaries translate their financial statements from the functional currency to the reporting currency, the balance sheet accounts are translated using the exchange rates in effect at the end of the accounting period and retained earnings is translated using historical rates. The income statement accounts are generally translated at the weighted average of exchange rates during the period and the cumulative effect of translation is recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders' equity, as reflected in the consolidated statements of shareholders' equity. The value of the Mexican peso decreased by 17 percent in relation to the U.S. dollar in 2015.

Revenue Recognition

Sales of products and any related costs are recognized when title and risk of loss transfers to the purchaser, generally upon shipment. Tooling reimbursement revenues related to initial tooling reimbursed by our customers are deferred and recognized over the expected life of the wheel program on a straight line basis, as discussed above.

Research and Development

Research and development costs (primarily engineering and related costs) are expensed as incurred and are included in cost of sales in the consolidated income statements. Amounts expensed during each of the three years in the period ended 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $2.6 million, $4.4 million, and $4.8 million, respectively.

Value-Added Taxes

Value-added taxes that are collected from customers and remitted to taxing authorities are excluded from sales and cost of sales.

Stock-Based Compensation

We account for stock-based compensation using the fair value recognition method in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We recognize these compensation costs net of the applicable forfeiture rate and recognize the compensation costs for only those shares expected to vest on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally the vesting term of three to four years. We estimate the forfeiture rate based on our historical experience. See Note 16 - Stock-Based Compensation for additional information concerning our share-based compensation awards.

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method. The asset and liability method requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for expected future tax consequences of temporary differences that currently exist between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of our assets and liabilities. We calculate current and deferred tax provisions based on estimates and assumptions that could differ from actual results reflected on the income tax returns filed during the following years. Adjustments based on filed returns are recorded when identified in the subsequent years.

The effect on deferred taxes for a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that the tax rate change is enacted. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred income tax assets when, in our judgment, based upon currently available information and other factors, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of such deferred income tax assets will not be realized. The determination of the need for a valuation allowance is based on an on-going evaluation of current information including, among other things, historical operating results, estimates of future earnings in different taxing jurisdictions and the expected timing of the reversals of temporary differences. We believe that the determination to record a valuation allowance to reduce a deferred income tax asset is a significant accounting estimate because it is based, among other things, on an estimate of future taxable income in the United States and certain other jurisdictions, which is susceptible to change and may or may not occur, and because the impact of adjusting a valuation allowance may be material.

In determining when to release the valuation allowance established against our net deferred income tax assets, we consider all available evidence, both positive and negative. Consistent with our policy, the valuation allowance against our net deferred income tax assets will not be reversed until such time as we have generated three years of cumulative pre-tax income and have reached sustained profitability, which we define as two consecutive one year periods of pre-tax income.

We account for uncertain tax positions utilizing a two-step approach to evaluate tax positions. Step one, recognition, requires evaluation of the tax position to determine if based solely on technical merits it is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. Step two, measurement, is addressed only if a position is more likely than not to be sustained. In step two, the tax benefit is measured as the largest amount of benefit, determined on a cumulative probability basis, which is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement with tax authorities. If a position does not meet the more likely than not threshold for recognition in step one, no benefit is recorded until the first subsequent period in which the more likely than not standard is met, the issue is resolved with the taxing authority, or the statute of limitations expires. Positions previously recognized are derecognized when we subsequently determine the position no longer is more likely than not to be sustained. Evaluation of tax positions, their technical merits, and measurements using cumulative probability are highly subjective management estimates. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

Presently, we have not recorded a deferred tax liability for temporary differences related to investments in foreign subsidiaries that are essentially permanent in duration. These temporary differences may become taxable upon a repatriation of earnings from the subsidiaries or a sale or liquidation of the subsidiaries. At this time the company does not have any plans to repatriate income from its foreign subsidiaries.

Earnings Per Share

As summarized below, basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. For purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share, net income is divided by the total of the weighted average shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect of our outstanding stock options under the treasury stock method, which includes consideration of stock-based compensation required by U.S. GAAP.



Year Ended December 31,	2015		2014		2013
(Thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
Basic Earnings Per Share
Reported net income	$	23,944	$	8,803	$	22,824
Weighted average shares outstanding	26,599		26,908		27,392
Basic earnings per share	0.90		$	0.33	$	0.83

Diluted Earnings Per Share
Reported net income	$	23,944	$	8,803	$	22,824
Weighted average shares outstanding	26,599		26,908		27,392
Weighted average dilutive stock options	34		112		139
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	26,633		27,020		27,531
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.90	$	0.33	$	0.83

The following potential shares of common stock were excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculations because they would have been anti-dilutive due to their exercise prices exceeding the average market prices for the respective periods: for the year ended December 31, 2015 options to purchase 147,150 shares at prices ranging from $21.84 to $22.57; for the year ended December 31, 2014 options to purchase 985,677 shares at prices ranging from $22.57 to $43.22; and for the year ended December 31, 2013 options to purchase 1,291,427 shares at prices ranging from $19.19 to $43.22 per share. In addition, the performance shares discussed in Note 16 - Stock-Based Compensation are not included in the diluted income per share because the performance metrics had not been met as of the year ended December 31, 2015.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") entitled “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The ASU requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB approved a one-year deferral of the effective date. Under the standard it is required to be adopted by public business entities in annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. Early application is not permitted. We are evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our financial position and statement of operations.

In June 2014, the FASB issued an ASU entitled "Compensation - Stock Compensation." The ASU provides guidance on when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. The new guidance becomes effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our financial position and results of operations.

In February 2015, the FASB issued an ASU entitled “Consolidation.” The ASU includes amendments to the consolidation analysis which are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption, including adoption in interim periods, is permitted. We are evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our financial position and statement of operations.

In April 2015, the FASB issued an ASU entitled “Compensation - Retired Benefits.” The ASU provides practical expedients for the measurement date of an employer's defined benefit obligation and plan assets. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting period, and early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our financial position and statement of operations.

In July 2015, the FASB issued an ASU entitled “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory.” The ASU replaces the current lower of cost or market test with a lower of cost or net realizable value test when cost is determined on a first-in, first-out or average cost basis. The standard is effective for public entities for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein. It is to be applied prospectively and early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our financial position and statement of operations.

In September 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standards update with new guidance that eliminates the requirement in a business combination to restate prior period financial statements for measurement period adjustments. Instead, measurement period adjustments will be recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustment is identified. The standards update is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The amendments should be applied prospectively to measurement period adjustments that occur after the effective date of this update with early adoption permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. We will adopt this standards update as required and recognize any such future adjustments accordingly.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes ("ASU 2015-17"). ASU 2015-17 requires entities to present deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet instead of separating into current and noncurrent amounts. ASU 2015-17 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods, on a prospective or retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted for all companies in any interim or annual period. ASU 2015-17 was early adopted as of December 31, 2015 on a prospective basis and prior periods have not been restated. As of December 31, 2014, the company had $9.9 million of deferred tax assets which remains classified as current in the consolidated balance sheet. The adoption of ASU 2015-17 did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations, net assets, or cash flows. See Note 10 for additional information regarding deferred tax assets and liabilities.

In February of 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASU 2016-02"). ASU 2016-02 requires an entity to recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on its balance sheet and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 offers specific accounting guidance for a lessee, a lessor and sale and leaseback transactions. Lessees and lessors are required to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about leasing arrangements to enable a user of the financial statements to assess the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. For public companies, ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period, and requires a modified retrospective adoption, with early adoption permitted. We are evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our financial position and statement of operations.