Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period covered by this report that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the company's Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the company's management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
The company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the company's management, including the company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the company's disclosure controls and procedures as of December 30, 2023. Based on the foregoing, the company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of this period.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the quarter ended December 30, 2023, there have been no changes in the company's internal controls over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the company's internal control over financial reporting.
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Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
(i) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets;
(ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and directors; and
(iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (COSO). Our assessment of the internal control structure excluded Flavor Burst (acquired January 24, 2023), Blue Sparq (acquired April 3, 2023), Filtration Automation (acquired June 13, 2023), Systems IV (acquired July 5, 2023) and Trade-Wind (acquired July 31, 2023).
These acquisitions constitute 0.0% and 1.5% of net and total assets, respectively, 0.3% of net sales and 0.0% of net income of the consolidated financial statements of the company as of and for the year ended December 30, 2023. These acquisitions are included in the consolidated financial statements of the company as of and for the year ended December 30, 2023. Under guidelines established by the Securities Exchange Commission, companies are allowed to exclude acquisitions from their assessment of internal control over financial reporting during the first year of an acquisition while integrating the acquired companies.
Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 30, 2023.
Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, who audited and reported on the consolidated financial statements of the company included in this report, has issued a report on the effectiveness of the company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2023.
The Middleby Corporation
February 28, 2024
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Item 9B. Other Information
None.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
None.
PART III
Pursuant to General Instruction G (3), of Form 10-K, the information called for by Part III Item 10 (Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance), Item 11 (Executive Compensation), Item 12 (Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters), Item 13 (Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence) and Item 14 (Principal Accountant Fees and Services), is incorporated herein by reference from the registrant’s definitive proxy statement filed with the Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.
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PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) 1. Financial Statements
The financial statements listed on Page 51 are filed as part of this Form 10-K.
3. Exhibits
3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of The Middleby Corporation (effective as of May 13, 2005), incorporated by reference to the company's Form 8-K, Exhibit 3.1, dated April 29, 2005, filed on May 17, 2005.
3.2 Fourth Amended and Restated Bylaws of The Middleby Corporation (effective as of February 26, 2021), filed on March 3, 2021 .
3.3 Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of The Middleby Corporation (effective as of May 3, 2007), incorporated by reference to the company’s Form 8-K, Exhibit 3.1, dated May 3, 2007, filed on May 3, 2007 .
3.4 Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of The Middleby Corporation (effective as of May 8, 2014), incorporated by reference to the company's Form 8-K, Exhibit 3.1, dated May 6, 2014, filed on May 8, 2014.
4.1 Certificate of Designations dated October 30, 1987, and specimen stock certificate relating to the company Preferred Stock, incorporated by reference from the company’s Form 10-K, Exhibit (4), for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988, filed on March 15, 1989.
4.2 Indenture (including form of Global Note) with respect to The Middleby Corporation’s 1.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025, dated as of August 21, 2020, between The Middleby Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, incorporated by reference to the company's Form 8-K Exhibit 4.1 filed on August 21, 2020.
4.3 Form of Global Note for the 1.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 incorporated by reference to the company's Form 8-K Exhibit 4.1 filed on August 21, 2020.
4.4 Description of the Company's Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, incorporated by reference to the company's Form 10-K Exhibit 4.4 for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2021, filed on March 3, 2021.
10.1 Voting and Support Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2021, by and among The Middleby Corporation and the Welbilt Significant Stockholders named therein, incorporated by reference to the company's Form 8-K Exhibit 10.1 filed on April 21, 2021.
10.2 Eighth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of October 21, 2021, among Middleby Marshall Inc., The Middleby Corporation, the Subsidiary Borrowers named therein, the lenders named therein and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent for the lenders, incorporated by reference to the company's Form 8-K Exhibit 10.1 filed on October 21, 2021 .
10.3* Amended 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, dated December 15, 2003, incorporated by reference to the company’s Form 10-K, Exhibit 10.21, for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2004, filed on April 2, 2004.
10.4* Employment Agreement by and between The Middleby Corporation and Timothy J. FitzGerald, dated March 21, 2013, incorporated by reference to the company's Form 8-K Exhibit 10.1, filed on March 25, 2013.
10.5* Form of The Middleby Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Agreement, incorporated by reference to the company's Form 8-K Exhibit 10.2, dated March 7, 2005, filed on March 8, 2005.
10.6* Amendment to The Middleby Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, effective as of January 1, 2005, incorporated by reference to the company's Form 8-K Exhibit 10.2, dated April 29, 2005, filed on May 17, 2005.
10.7* Revised Form of Restricted Stock Agreement for The Middleby Corporation 1998 Stock Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to the company’s Form 8-K, Exhibit 10.1, dated March 8, 2007, filed on March 14, 2007.
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10.8* The Middleby Corporation 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the company’s definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2011.
10.9* The Middleby Corporation Value Creation Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the company’s definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2011.
10.10* Form of Restricted Performance Stock Agreement for The Middleby Corporation 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference the company's to Form 8-K Exhibit 10.1, dated February 24, 2014, filed on March 3, 2014.
10.11* Amendment to Employment Agreement between The Middleby Corporation, Middleby Marshall Inc. and Timothy J. FitzGerald, dated February 19, 2018, incorporated by reference to the company's Form 8-K Exhibit 10.2, filed on February 22, 2018.
10.12* Employment Agreement between The Middleby Corporation, Middleby Marshall Inc. and David Brewer, dated February 19, 2018, incorporated by reference to the company's Form 8-K Exhibit 10.3, filed on February 22, 2018.
10.13* Form of Stock Award Agreement for The Middleby Corporation 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to the company's Form 8-K, Exhibit 10.1, dated April 11, 2019, filed on April 16, 2019.
10.14* Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for The Middleby Corporation 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to the company's Form 8-K, Exhibit 10.2, dated April 11, 2019, filed on April 16, 2019.
10.15* Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for The Middleby Corporation 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to the company's Form 8-K Exhibit 10.1, dated December 31, 2020, filed on January 5, 2021.
10.16* Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement for Non-Employee Directors for The Middleby Corporation 2011 Long-Term Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to the company's Form 10-Q Exhibit 10.2 filed on May 13, 2021 .
10.17* Employment Agreement, dated as of March 10, 2022, by and among The Middleby Corporation, Middleby Marshall Inc. and Timothy J. FitzGerald incorporated by reference to the company's Form 8-K Exhibit 10.1, filed on March 14, 2022.
21 List of subsidiaries.
23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended .
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act, as amended .
32.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2 Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
97* Clawback Policy
101 Financial statements on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2023, filed on February 28, 2024, formatted in Inline Extensive Business Reporting Language (XBRL); (i) consolidated balance sheets, (ii) consolidated statements of earnings, (iii) consolidated statements of cash flows, (iv) notes to the consolidated financial statements.
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in iXBRL) and contained in Exhibit 101).
* Designates management contract or compensation plan.
(c) See the financial statement schedule included under Item 8.
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Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on the 28th day of February 2024.
THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
BY: /s/ Bryan E. Mittelman
Bryan E. Mittelman
Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on February 28, 2024.
Signatures Title
PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
/s/ Timothy J. FitzGerald Chief Executive Officer and Director
Timothy J. FitzGerald
PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL AND
ACCOUNTING OFFICER
/s/ Bryan E. Mittelman Chief Financial Officer,
Bryan E. Mittelman Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer
DIRECTORS
/s/ Gordon O'Brien Chairman of the Board, Director
Gordon O'Brien
/s/ Sarah Palisi Chapin Director
Sarah Palisi Chapin
/s/ Cathy L. McCarthy Director
Cathy L. McCarthy
/s/ John R. Miller, III Director
John R. Miller, III
/s/ Robert Nerbonne Director
Robert Nerbonne
/s/ Nassem Ziyad Director
Nassem Ziyad
/s/ Stephen R. Scherger Director
Stephen R. Scherger
/s/ Tejas P. Shah Director
Tejas P. Shah
100