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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-K
 
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 201 5
Commission file number: 001-33841
 
VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 	
New Jersey
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	20-8579133
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)	
 
1200 Urban Center Drive, Birmingham, Alabama 35242
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
 
(205) 298-3000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)	
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 	
Title of each class
Common Stock, $1 par value
 	Name of each exchange on which registered
New York Stock Exchange
 	
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:     None	
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes ☒ No   ☐
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes ☐ No ☒
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes ☒ No   ☐
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files ) .  Yes ☒ No   ☐
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10- K.   ☐
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of " large accelerated filer, "   " accelerated filer, " and " smaller reporting company " in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):
 
                                     Large accelerated filer   ☒                                               Accelerated filer   ☐
                                         Non-accelerated file r   ☐                                   Smaller reporting company   ☐
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the A ct).    Yes ☐ No ☒  	

 	 	
Aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common sto ck held by non-affiliates
as of   June 30 , 201 5 :	$9,464,531,960 	
Number of shares of common stock, $1.00 par value, outstanding as of February 11 , 201 6 :	133,181,057 	
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE	
Portions of the registrant’s annual proxy statement for the annual meeting of its shareholders to be held on May 13 , 201 6 , are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.	

 

 

VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 201 5
CONTENTS	
 	
Part	Item	 	Page	
I	1	Business	3 	
 	1A	Risk Factors	18 	
 	1B	Unresolved Staff Comments	21 	
 	2	Properties	22 	
 	3	Legal Proceedings	25 	
 	4	Mine Safety Disclosures	25 	
II	5	Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related
   Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	26 	
 	6	Selected Financial Data	27 	
 	7	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
   and Results of Operations	28 	
 	7A	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	57 	
 	8	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	58 	
 	9	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
   Financial Disclosure	109 	
 	9A	Controls and Procedures	109 	
 	9B	Other Information	111 	
III	10	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	112 	
 	11	Executive Compensation	112 	
 	12	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
   Management and Related Stockholder Matters	112 	
 	13	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	112 	
 	14	Principal Account ing Fees and Services	112 	
IV	1 5	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules  	113 	
 	—	Signatures	114 	
 
Unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, references in this report to " Vulcan , " the " C ompany , "   " we, "   " our, " or " us " refer to Vulcan Materials Company and its consolidated subsidiar ies .

 

 	 	
 	 	
Table of Contents	i	

 
 
PART I
" SAFE HARBOR " STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES
LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
Certain of the matters and statements made herein or incorporated by reference into this report constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All such statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect our intent, belief or current expectation. Often, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words , such as "anticipate," "may," "believe," "estimate," "project," "expect," "intend" and words of similar import. In addition to the statements included in this report, we may from time to time make other oral or written forward-looking statements in other filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or in other public disclosures. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results could differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements involve certain assumptions, risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in or contemplated by the statements. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:

	§		general economic and business conditions	
	§		the timing and amount of federal, state and local funding for infrastructure	
	§		changes in our effective tax rate that can adversely impact results	
	§		the increasing reliance on information technology infrastructure for our ticketing, procurement, financial statements and other processes c ould adversely affect operations in the event that the infrastru cture does not work as intended   or experiences technical difficulties or is subjected to cyber attacks	
	§		the impact of the state of the global econom y   on our business and financial condition and access to capital markets	
	§		changes in the level of spending for private residential and private nonresidential construction	
	§		the highly competitive nature of the construction materials industry	
	§		the impact of future regulatory or legislative actions	
	§		the outcome of pending legal proceedings	
	§		pricing of our products	
	§		weather and other natural phenomena	
	§		energy costs	
	§		costs of hydrocarbon-based raw materials	
	§		healthcare costs	
	§		the amount of long-term debt and interest expense we incur	
	§		changes in interest rates	
	§		the impact o f our below investment-g rade debt rating on our cost of capital	
	§		volatility in pension plan asset values and liabilities which may require cash contributions to the pension plans	
	§		the impact of environmental cleanup costs and other liabilities relating to previously divested businesses	
	§		our ability to secure and permit aggregates reserves in strategically located areas	
	§		our ability to manage and successfully integrate acquisitions	
	§		the potential of goodwill or long-lived asset impairment	
	§		the potential impact of future legislation or regulations relating to climate change, greenhouse gas emissions or the definition of minerals	
	§		the risks set forth in Item 1A "Risk Factors," Item 3 "Legal Proceedings," Item 7 "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and Note 12 " Commitments and Contingencies" to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 "Financ ial Statements and Supplementary Data," all as set forth in this report	
	§		other assumptions, risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in our filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission	

 	 	
Part I	1	

 
 
All forward-looking statements are made as of the date of filing or publication. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investors are cautioned not to rely unduly on such forward-looking statements when evaluating the information presented in our filings, and are advised to consult any of our future disclosures in filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our press releases with regard to our business and consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

 	 	
Part I	2	

 
 
ITEM 1
BUSINESS
 
Vulcan Materials Company , a New Jersey corporation , is the nation’s largest produ cer of construction aggregates ( primarily crushed stone, san d and gravel ) and a major producer of asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete .   As of December 31, 2015, we had 344 active a ggregates facilities .
VULCAN’S VALUE PROPOSITION
We are t he largest producer of construction aggregates in the country with coast-to-coast aggregates operations. Our leading position is based upon:

	§		a favorable geographic footprint serving nearly all key growth corridors and the most rapidly growing population centers	
	§		a pure-play aggregates business with one of the largest proven and probable reserve bases in the U.S.	
	§		excellent multi-modal logistics capabilities, plus the inherent advantages of our Playa del Carmen, Mexico quarry and supporting port facilities	

These factors, together with our strong operating expertise and price discipline, allow us to deliver the highest margins per ton shipped in the industry.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

	§		Our aggregates reserves are strategically located throughout the United States i n a reas that are projected to grow faster than the national average and that require large amounts of aggregates to meet construction demand. Vulcan-served states are estimated to generate 77 % of the total growth in U.S. population and 72 % of the total growth in U.S. household formations between 2015 and 2025 .	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	          VULCAN’S TOP TEN REVENUE PRODUCING STATES IN 201 5	 	
 	1.	Texas	 	6.	Tennessee	 	
 	2.	California	 	7.	Arizona	 	
 	3.	Virginia	 	8.	Illinois	 	
 	4.	Georgia	 	9.	North Carolina	 	
 	5.	Florida	 	10.	Alabama	 	
 
Our top ten revenue producing states accounted for 83 % of our 2015 revenues while our top five accounted for 59 %.

 	 	
Part I	3	

 
 
	§		We take a disciplined approach to strengthening our footprint by increasing our presence in U.S. metropolitan areas that are expected to grow more rapidly and by divesting assets that are no longer considered part of our long-term growth strategy. In 201 5, we completed a swap of twelve ready-mixed concrete plants in California for thirteen asphalt plants primarily in Arizona. We also acquired three aggregates facilities and seven ready-mixed concrete plants in Arizona and New Mexico. These transactions , together with acquisitions completed in 2014, position us a s th e #1 aggregates supplier in the New Mexico market and a leading aggregates supplier in Arizona.	
	§		W here practical, we have operations located close to our local markets because the cost of trucking materials long distances is prohibitive.   Approximately 80 % of our total aggregates shipments are delivered exclusively from the producing location to the customer by truck, and another 16 % are delivered by truck after reaching a sales yard by rail or water .   The remaining 4 % of aggregates shipments are delivered directly to the customer by rail or water.	
COMPETITORS
We operate in an industry that generally is fragmented with a large number of small, privately-held companies. We estimate that the ten largest aggrega tes producers account ed for approximately   30 % to 35 %   of to tal U.S. aggregates production   in 201 5 . Despite being the industry leader, Vulcan’s total U.S. market share is less than   10 %.  O ther publicly traded companies among the ten largest U.S. aggregates producers include the following:

	§		Cemex S.A.B. de C.V.	
	§		CRH plc  	
	§		Heidelberg Cement AG	
	§		Lafarge Holcim	
	§		Martin Marietta Materials , Inc.	
	§		MDU Resources Group, Inc.	
	§		Summit Materials , Inc.	
Because the U.S. aggregates industry is highly fragmented, with over 5,900 companies managing   almost 11,000 operations during 201 5 , many opportunities for consolidation exist. Therefore, companies in the industry tend to grow by acquiring existing facilities to enter new markets or by extending   their existing market positions.
BUSINESS STRATEGY AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
Vulcan provides the basic materials for the infrastructure needed to maintain and expand the U.S. economy. Our strategy and competitive advantages are based on our strength in aggregates. Aggregates are used in most types of construction and in the production of asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete. Our materials are used to build the roads, tunnels, bridges, railroads and a irports that connect us, and to build the hospitals, churches, schools, shopping centers, and factories that are essential to our lives and the economy.
BUSINESS STRATEGIES
Our business strategies include: 1) aggregates focus, 2) coast-to-coast footprint, 3) profitable growth, 4) managing volume, product mix and price to grow profitability , and 5) effective land management.
1. AGGREGATES FOCUS
Aggregates are used in virtually all types of public and private constructio n a nd practically no substitutes for quality aggregates exist. Our focus on aggregates allows us to :
BUILD AND HOLD SUBSTANTIAL RESERVES :   T he location s of our reserves are critical to our long-term success b ecause of barriers to entry created in many metropolitan markets by zoning and permitting regulations and hig h c osts   associated with transporting aggregates . Our reserves are strategically located throughout the United States in high-growth areas that will require large amounts of aggregates to meet future construction demand. Aggregates operations have flexible production capabilities an d, other than energy inputs required to process the materials, require virtually no other raw materi al. O ur downstream businesses (asphalt mix and concrete ) u se Vulcan-produced aggregates almost exclusively .

 	 	
Part I	4	

 
 
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BEING THE LARGEST PRODUCER :   Each aggregates operation is unique because of its location within a local market with particular geological characteristics. Every operation, however, uses a similar group of assets to produce saleable aggregates and provide customer service. Vulcan is the largest aggregates company in the U.S., measured by shipments. Our 344 active aggregates facilities as of December 31, 2015 provide opportunities to standardize operating practices and procure equipment (fixed and mobile), parts, supplies and services in an efficient and cost-effective manner, both regionally and nationally. Additionally, we are able to share best practices across the organization and leverage our size for administrative support, customer service, accounting, procurement , technical support and engineering.
2. COAST-TO-COAST FOOTPRINT
Demand for construction aggregates correlates positively with changes in population growth, household formation and employment. We have pursued a strategy to increase our presence in U.S. metropolitan areas that are expected to grow the most rapidly. Our strategic locations serve nineteen of the top 25 highest-growth U.S. metropolitan areas and as shown below, we serve twenty states plus the District of Columbia .

 
3. PROFITABLE GROWTH
Our long-term growth is a result of strategic acquisition s a nd investments in key operations .
STRATEGIC ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS : Since becoming a public company in 1956, Vulcan has principally grown by mergers and acquisitions. For example, in 1999 we acquired CalMat Co., thereby expanding our aggregates operations into California and Arizona and making us one of the nation’s leading producers of asphalt mix. In 2007, we acquired Florida Rock Industries, Inc., the largest acquisition in our history. This acquisition   expanded our aggregates business in Florida and our aggregates and ready-mixed concrete businesses in other southeastern and m id-Atlantic states . In 2014, we completed eight transactions that expanded our aggregates busin ess in Arizona, California, New

 	 	
Part I	5	

 

Mexico, Texas, Virginia and Washington D. C., our asphalt mix business in Arizona and New Mexic o, a nd our ready-mixed concrete business in New Mexico . In January 2015, we completed an asset exchange transaction in which we exited our ready-mixed concrete business in California and added thirteen asphalt plant locations, primarily in Arizona.
Additionally, throughout our history we have completed many bolt-on acquisitions that have c ontributed significantly to our growth.   For example, in 2015 we completed strategic bolt-on acquisitions in Arizona, New Mexico and Tennessee.

	§		REINVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITH HIGH RETURNS : During the next decade ,   Moody's Analytics projects   that 77 %   of the U.S.   population growth ,   72 % of household formation and 64 % of new jobs will occur in Vulcan-served states. The close proximity of our production facilities and our aggregates reserves to this projected population growth crea te ma ny opportunities to invest capital in high-return projects — projects that will add reserves, increase production capacity and improve costs.	

    Source: Moody’s Analytics as of November 16 , 20 1 5
 
The following graphic illustrate s t he projected growth   ( 2015 – 20 25 )   by key demographics   for Vulcan-served s tates :

                    Source: Moody’s Analytics as of November 16 , 20 1 5.

 	 	
Part I	6	

 

4. MANAGING VOLUME, PRODUCT MIX AND PRICE TO GROW PROFITABILITY
We focus on three major profit drivers that must be managed in combination.

	§		Price for Service —   We seek to receive full and fair value for the quality of products and service we provide. We should be paid appropriately for helping our customers be successful.	
	§		Operating Efficiency and Leverage —   We focus on rigorous cost management throughout the economic cycle. Small savings per ton add up to significant cost reductions.	
	§		Sales and Production Mix —   We adjust production levels to meet varying market conditions. Managing inventories responsibly results in improved cost performance and an improved return on capital.	
We manage these factors locally, and align our talent and incentives accordingly. Our knowledgeable and experienced workforce and our flexible production capabilities allow us to manage operational and overhead costs aggressively. Recovery in demand serves as a tailwind for all three major profit drivers.

 
While Aggregates segment gross profit has grown at a significantly greater rate than volume over the past couple of years, we expect continuing improvement in unit profitability.

	§		On Price for Service —   Our expanding margins have just begun to benefit from the mid-to-high single digit price gains associated with cyclical recoveries.	
	§		On Operating Efficiency and Leverage —   We are operating a capital-intensive business at 55 - 60 % capacity and are extremely well positioned to further leverage fixed costs to sales as we move forward.  	
	§		On Sales and Production Mix —   As the recovery continues and as we see a larger portion of new construction activity in the end-use mix, we will sell the entire production mix much more efficiently and at fuller value.	
5. EFFECTIVE LA ND MANAGEMENT
We believe that effective land management is both a business strategy and a social responsibility that contributes to our success. Good stewardship requires the careful use of existing resources as well as long-term planning because mining, ultimately, is an interim use of the land. Therefore, we strive to achieve a balance between the value we create through our mining activities and the value we create through effective post-mining land management. We continue t o fo cus our actions on prudent decisions regarding the life cycle management of the 120,000 acres of land we currently own.

 	 	
Part I	7	

 

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES
The competitive advantages of our aggregates focused business strategy include:
COAST-TO-COAST FOOTPRINT

	§		largest aggregates company in the U.S. ( measured by shipments)	
	§		high-growth markets requiring large amounts of aggregates to meet construction demand	
	§		extensive and advantaged logistics network (as shown on map on page 9 )	
	§		diversified regional exposure	
	§		benefits of scale in operations, procurement and administrative support	
	§		complementary asphalt mix and concrete businesses in select markets	
	§		eff ective land management	
PROFITABLE GROWTH

	§		quality top-line growth that converts to higher-margin earnings and cash flow generation	
	§		tightly managed operational and overhead costs	
	§		more opportunities to manage our portfolio of locations to further enhance long-term earnings growth	
STRATEGICALLY LOCATED ASSETS

	§		our reserves are primarily located in high-growth markets that require large amounts of aggregates to mee t d emand	
	§		z oning and permitting regulations in many metropolitan markets have made it increasingly difficult to expand existing quarr ies or to develop new quarries	
	§		such regulations, while potentially curtailing expansion in certain areas, could also increase the value of our rese rves at existing locations	
PRODUCT LINES
We have four operating (and reportable) segments organized around our principal product lines:

	1.		Aggregates	
	2.		Asphalt Mix	
	3.		Concrete	
	4.		Calcium	
See Note 15 "Segment Reporting" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
1. AGGREGATES
Our construction aggregates are used in a number of ways:

	§		as a base material underneath highways, walkways, airport runways, parking lots and railroads	
	§		to aid in water filtration, purification and erosion control	
	§		as a raw material used in combination with other resources to construct many of the items we rely on to sustain our quality of life including:	
	§		houses and apartments	
	§		roads, bridges and parking lots	
	§		schools and hospitals	
	§		commercial buildings and retail space	
	§		sewer systems	
	§		airports and runways	

 	 	
Part I	8	

 
 
Factors that affect the U.S. aggregates industry and our business, include:

	§		LOCAL MARKETS: Aggregates have a high weight-to-value ratio and, in most cases, are produced near where they are used; if not, transportation can cost more than the materials, rendering them uncompetitive compared to locally produced materials. Exceptions to this typical market structure include areas along the U.S. Gulf Coast and the Eastern Seaboard where there are limited supplies of locally available high quality aggregates. We serve these markets from quarries that have access to long-haul transportation — shipping by barge and rail — and from our Playa del Carmen quarry on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula with our fleet of Panamax-class, self-unloading ships .	
We operate an extensive logistics network along the U.S. Gulf Coast and the Eastern Seaboard as shown below:

 

	§		LO CATION AND QUALITY OF RESERVES:   We currently ha ve   15.7 billion tons of permitted and proven or probable aggregates reserves. The bulk of these reserves are located in areas where we expect greater than average rates of growth in population, jobs and households, which require new infrastructure, housing, offices, schools and other developmen t. Z oning and permitting regulations in some markets have made it increasingly difficult for the aggregates industry to expand existing quarries or to develop new quarries. These restriction s c urtail expansion in certain areas, but th ey al so increase the value of our reserves at existing locations.	
	§		DEMAND CYCLES: Long-term growth in demand for aggregates is largely driven by growth in population, jobs and households. While short- and medium-term demand for aggregates fluctuates with economic cycles, declines have historically been followed by strong recoveries, with each peak establishing a new historical high.	

 	 	
Part I	9	

 

       

	§		FLEXIBLE PRODUCTION CAPABILITIES: The production of aggregates is a mechanical process in which stone is crushed and, through a series of screens, separated into various sizes depending on how it will be used. Production capacity can be flexible by adjusting operating hours to meet changing market demand.	
	§		HIGHLY FRAGMENTED INDUSTRY: The U.S. aggregates industry is composed of over 5,900 companies that manage almost 11,000 operations. This fragmented structure provides many opportunities for consolidation. Companies in the industry commonly enter new markets or expand positions in existing markets through the acquisition of existing facilities.	
	§		LIMITED PRODUCT SUBSTITUTION: There are limited substitutes for quality aggregates. Recycled concrete and asphalt have certain applications as a lower-cost alternative to virgin aggregates. However, due to technical specifications many types of construction projects cannot be served by recycled concrete, but require the use of virgin aggregates to meet specifications and performance-based criteria for durability, strength and other qualities. Moreover, the amount of recycled asphalt included in asphalt mix as a substitute for aggregates is limited due to specifications.	
	§		RAW MATERIAL INPUTS LARGELY UNDER OUR CONTROL: Unlike typical industrial manufacturing industries, the aggregates industry does not require the input of raw material beyond owned or leased aggregates reserves. Stone, sand and gravel are naturally occurring resources. However, production does require the use of explosives, hydrocarbon fuels and electric power.	
AGGREGATES MARKETS
We focus on the U.S. markets with above-average long-term expected population growth and where construction is expected to expand. Because transportation is a significant part of the delivered cost of aggregates, our facilities are typically located in the markets they serve or have access to economical transportation via rail, barge or ship to a particular end market. We serve both the public and the private sectors.
Public sector construction activity has historically been more stable and less cyclical than privatel y-f unded construction, and generally requires more aggregates per dollar of construction spending. Private sector construction (primarily residential and nonresidential buildings) typically is more affected by general economic cycles than p ublicly funded projects (particularly highways, roads and bridges ), w hich tend to receive more consistent levels of funding throughout economic cycles.

 	 	
Part I	10	

 

PUBLIC SECTOR   CONSTRUCTION
Public sector construction includes spending by federal, state, and local governments for highways, bridges , buildings and airports as well as other infrastructure construction for sewer and waste disposal systems, water supply systems, dams, reservoirs and other public construction projects. Construction for power plants and other utilities is funded from both public and private sources. In 2015 , publicly funded construction accounted for approximately 49 %   of our total aggregates shipments.

	§		PUBLIC SECTOR FUNDING: Generally, public sector construction spending is more stable than private sector construction because public sector spending is less sensitive to interest rates and has historically been supported by multi-year legislation and programs. For example, the federal surface transportation bill is a principal source of funding for public infrastructure and transportation projects. For over four decades, a portion of transportation projects ha s been funded through a series of multi-year bills. Some 35 % of transportation projects are federally-funded, with special emphasis given to the largest and most complex projects. The long-term nature of such legislation is important because it provides state departments of transportation with the ability to plan and execute long- range , com plex highway projects. Federal highway spending is governed by multi-year authorization bills and annual budget appropriations using funds largely from the Federal Highway Trust Fund. This T rust Fund receives funding from taxes on gasoline and other levies. The level of state spending on infrastructure varies across the United States and depends on individual state needs and economies. In 201 5 ,   approximately 26 %   of our aggregates sales by volume were used in highway construction projects.	
	§		FEDERAL HIGHWAY FUNDING :   On December 4, 2015, the President signed a new, long-term federal highway bill into law. The final legislation, Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Infrastructure Act (FAST Act), received strong, bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate.	
The Federal-Aid Highway Program is the largest component of the law and has provided, on average, 52% of all state capital investment in roads and bridges over the last 10 years. The FAST Act increases Federal-Aid Highway Program funding from $41 billion in the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2015 to $47 billion in FFY 2020. This spending is supported by the current user-fee revenue streams (excise taxes on gasoline and diesel fuels, taxes on heavy truck sales and use, and heavy truck tire taxes, totaling some $208 billion) and by a $70 billion transfer of general funds to the F ederal Highway Trust Fund. The funding levels and five years of stability will help to rebuild America’s aging infrastructure and protect millions of jobs.
The FAST Act also contains important policy changes. To further accelerate the project delivery process, it augments the environmental review and permitting process reforms contained in the prior law, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21 st Century Act (MAP-21). The new law also provides assistance for states making investments in major capital projects—particularly freight projects. In states where Vulcan operates, we are well-positioned to serve the large general contractors who will compete for new freight and other major capacity projects that will move forward with this FAST Act funding.
Although the Transportation Infrastructure Finance & Innovation Act (TIFIA) program was reduced to $275 million, growing to $300 million by 2020, the authorization is still in line with the previous program outlays and remains an important additional component of overall spending. The FAST Act also created a new National Surface Transportation and Innovative Finance Bureau to provide technical assistance to states seeking to pursue public-private partnerships and other financing arrangements.

	§		WATER INFRASTRUCTURE: In 2014 we, along with numerous business allies, strongly supported the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) for its importance to the U.S. economy and the pressing need to upgrade U.S. harbors, ports and inland waterway s. C ongress created a five-year pilot program to promote private-sector participation in water projects: the Water Infrastructure Financing and Innovation Act (WIFIA). Modeled after the highly popular TIFIA program in the surface transportation secto r, W IFIA allows for federal credit assistance to water resources projects in the form of low-cost loans, loan guarantees and lines of credit.	
Unlike TIFIA, WIFIA as originally crafted did not allow for federal credit assistance to projects financed, in whole or in part, by tax exempt municipal bonds. The FAST Act lifts that restriction and should make it easier for project sponsors to use the credit program and advance water projects that would otherwise go unaddressed due to the lack of resources.

 	 	
Part I	11	

 

PRIVATE SECTOR   CONSTRUCTION
The private sector   construction market s i nclude both nonresidential building construction and residential construction and are   considerably more cyclical than public construction. In 201 5 , privately-funded construction accounted for approximately 51 %   of our total aggregates shipments.

	§		NONRESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION: Private nonresidential building construction includes a wide array of projects. Such projects generally are more aggregates intensive than residential construction . Overall demand in private nonresidential construction generally is driven by job growth, vacancy rates, private infrastructure needs and demographic trends. The growth of the private workforce creates demand for offices, hotels and restaurants. Likewise, population growth generates demand for stores, shopping centers, warehouses and parking decks as well as hospitals, churches and entertainment facilities. Large industrial projects, such as a new manufacturing facility, can increase the need for other manufacturing plants to supply parts and assemblies. Construction activity in this end market is influenced by a firm's ability to finance a project and the cost of such financing.   This end market also includes capital investments in public nonresidential facilities to meet the needs of a growing population.	
Nonresidential construction is expected to continue to be a stable source of volume growth in 2016 based on the following assumptions: (1) continuing employment growth should provide support, as it has in the past, (2) current backlogs that our customers and industry groups are reporting should continue to be a source of demand in 201 6 a nd (3) growing state and local tax revenues should provide local governments with the funds to make capital investments in schools and other public nonresidential facilities to meet the needs of a growing population.

	§		RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION: The majority of residential construction is for single-family houses with the remainder consisting of multi-family construction (i.e., two family houses, apartment buildings and condominiums). Public housing comprises only a small portion of housing demand. Household formations in our m arkets continue to outpace household formations in the rest of the U nited S tates .   Construction activity in this end market is influenced by the cost and availability of mortgage financing.	
U.S. housing starts, as measured by Dodge Analytics data, peaked in early 2006 at over 2 million units annually. By the end of 2009, total housing starts had declined to less than 0.6 million units, well below prior historical lows of approximately 1 million units annually. In 2015, total annual housing starts increased to more than 1.1 million unit s. The growth in residential construction bodes well for continued recovery in our markets.
ADDITIONAL AGGREGATES PRODUCTS AND MARKETS
We sell aggregates that are used as balla st fo r construction and maintenance of railroad track s . We also sell riprap and jetty stone for erosion control along roads and waterways. In addition, stone can be used as a feedstock for cement and lime plants and for making a variety of adhesives, fillers and extenders. Coal-burning power plants use limestone in scrubbers to reduce harmful emissions. Limestone that is crushed to a fine powder can be sold as agricultural lime.
We sell a relatively small amount of construction aggregates outside of the United States, principally in the areas surrounding our large quarry on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. Nondomestic sales and long-lived assets outside the United States are reported in Note 15 " Segment Reporting "   in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

 	 	
Part I	12	

 

2 . ASPHALT MIX
We produce and sell asphalt mix in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas . This segment relies on our reserves of aggregates, functioning essentially as a customer to our aggregates operations. Aggregates are a major component in asphalt mix, comprising approximately 95% by weight of this product . We meet the aggregates requirements for our Asphalt M ix segment primarily through our Aggregates segment. These product transfers are made at local market prices for the particular grade and quality of material required.
Because asphalt mix hardens rapidly, delivery typically is within close proximity to the producing facility. The asphalt mix production process requires liquid asphalt cement , which we purchas e fr om third-party producers. We do not anticipate any significant difficulties in obtaining the raw materials necessary for this segment to operate. We serve our Asphalt M ix segment customers from our local production facilities.
3 .   CONCRETE
We produce and sell ready-mixed concrete in Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, New Mexico, Texas, Virginia, Washington D.C. and the Bahamas. In May 2015, we entered the Arizona ready-mixed concrete market through the acquisition of ready-mixed concrete operations in conjunction with the acquisition of aggregates operations in Arizona and New Mexico. In January 2015, we swapped our ready-mixed concrete operations in California for asphalt mix operations, primarily in Arizona. In March 2014, we sold our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area. For additional details see Note 19 “Acquisitions and Divestitures” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
This segment relies on our reserves of aggregates, functioning essentially as a customer to our aggregates operations. Aggregates are a major component in ready-mixed concrete, comprising approximately 80% by weight of this product . We meet the aggregates requirements of our Concrete segment primarily through our Aggregates segment. These product transfers are made at local market prices for the particular grade and quality of material required.
We serve our Concrete segment customers from our local production facilities or by truck. Because ready-mixed concrete hardens rapidly, delivery typically is within close proximity to the producing facility.
Ready- mixed concrete production also requires cement which w e purchase from third- party producers . We do not anticipate any significant difficulties in obtaining the raw materials necessary for this segment to operate.
4. CALCIUM
As previously noted, i n   March  2 014, we sold our cement and concrete businesses in th e Florida area. For additional details see Note 19  “ Acquisitions and Divestitures ” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” We retained our former Cement segment’s calcium operation in Brooksville, Florida. This facility produces calcium products for the animal feed, paint, plastics, water treatment and joint compound industries with high quality calcium carbonate material mined at the Brooksville quarry.
OTHER BUSINESS - RELATED ITEMS
SEASONALITY AND CYCLICAL NATURE OF OUR BUSINESS
Almost all of our products are produced and consumed outdoors. Seasonal changes and other weather-related conditions can affect the production and sales volumes of our products. Therefore, the financial results for any quarter do not necessarily indicate the results expected for the year. Normally, the highest sales and earnings are in the third quarter and the lowest are in the first quart er. Fu rthermore, our sales and earnings are sensitive to national, regional and local economic conditions and particularly to cyclical swings in construction spending, primarily in the private sector. The levels of construction spending are affected by a number of factors including changing interest rates and demographic and population fluctuations.

 	 	
Part I	13	

 
 
CUSTOMERS
No material part of our business depends upon any single customer whose loss would have a significant adverse effect on our business. In 201 5 , ou r f ive largest customers accounted for 7.0 % of our total revenues (excluding internal sales), and no single customer accounted for more than 2.3 %   of our total revenues. Our products typically are sold to private industry and not directly to governmental entities. Although approximately 45 % to 55 %   of our aggregates shipments have historically been used in publicly funded construction, such as highways, airports and government buildings, relatively insignificant sales are made directly to federal, state, county or municipal governments/agencies. Therefore, although reductions in state and federal funding can curtail publicly funded construction, our business is not directly subject to renegotiation of profits or termination of contracts with state or federal governments.
ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS AND GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION
Our operations are subject to numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment and worker health and saf ety;   examples include regulation of facility air emissions and water discharges, waste management, protection of wetlands, listed and threatened species, noise and dust exposure control for workers, and safety regulations under both Mine Safety and Health Administration ( MSHA ) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA). Compliance with these various regulations requires a substantial capital investment, and ongoing expenditures for the operation and maintenance of systems and implementation of programs. We estimate that capital expenditures for environmental control facilities in 201 6 and 201 7 will be approximately $ 12.5   million and $ 15.4 million, respectively . These anticipated expenditures are not expected to have a material impact on our earnings or competitive position.
Frequently, we are required by state and local regulations or contractual obligations to reclaim our former mining sites. These reclamation liabilities are recorded in our financial statements as a liability at the time the obligation arises. The fair value of such obligations is capitalized and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the owned or leased site. The liability is accreted through charges to operating expenses. To determine the fair value, we estimate the cost for a third party to perform the legally required reclamation, which is adjusted for inflation and risk and includes a reasonable profit margin. All reclamation obligations are reviewed at least annually. Reclaimed quarries often have potential for use in commercial or residential development or as reservoirs or landfills. However, no projected cash flows from these anticipated uses have been considered to offset or reduce the estimated reclamation liability.
For additional information regarding reclamation obligations (referred to in our financial statements as asset retirement obligations), see Notes 1 and 17 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
PATENTS AND TRADEMARKS
We do not own or have a license or other rights under any patents, registered trademarks or trade names that are material to any of our reporting segments.
OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING VULCAN
Vulcan is a New Jersey corporation incorporated on February 14, 2007, while its predecessor company was incorporated on September 27, 1956. Our principal sources of energy are electricity, diesel fuel, natural gas and coal. We do not anticipate any difficulty in obtaining sources of energy required for operation of any of our reporting segments in 2016.
As of January 1, 201 6 , we employed 6,799   people in the U nited S tates . Of these employees, 589 are represented by labor unions. Also, a s of that dat e, we   employ ed   387 people in Mexic o a nd 1 in the Bahamas ,   315 of whom are represented by a labor union . We do not anticipate any significant issues with any unions in 201 6 .  
We do not use a backlog of orders to evaluate and understand our business at a Company level .

 	 	
Part I	14	

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The names, positions and ages, as of   February   20 , 201 6 , of our executive officers are as follows:

__	 	 	
Name	Position	Age  	
J. Thomas Hill	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer	56 	
John R. McPherson	Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Strategy Officer	47 	
Stanley G. Bass	Chief Growth Officer	54 	
Michael R. Mills	Chief Administrative Officer	55 	
Jerry F. Perkins	General Counsel	46 	
David P. Clement	President – Central Division	55 	
William K. Duke	President – Mideast Division	60 	
David J. Grayson	President – Southeast Division	57 	
C. Brockway Lodge, Jr.	President – Western Division	43 	
Jeffery G. Lott	President – Southwest Division	57 	
David B. Pasley	President – Mountain West Division	57 	
Jason B. Teter	President – Southern and Gulf Coast Division	41 	
Ejaz A. Khan	Vice President, Controller and Chief Information Officer	58 	
 
The principal occupations of the executive officers during the past five years are set forth below:
J. Thomas Hill was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2016 . He was elected President and Chief Executive Office r   in July 2014. Prior to that he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (January 2014 – July 2014), Senior Vice President – South Region (December 2011 – December 2013) and President, Florida Rock Division (September 2010 – December 2011).
John R. McPherson was elected Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Strategy Officer in July 2014. Prior to that he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (January 2014 – July 2014), Senior Vice President – East Region (November 2012 – December 2013) and Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Development (October 2011 – November 2012). Before joining Vulcan in October 2011, Mr. McPherson was a senior partner at McKinsey & Company, a global management consulting firm, from 1995 to 2011.
Stanley G. Bass was elected Chief Growth Officer in February 2016. He served as Senior Vice President – Western and Mountain West Division s from J anuar y 2 015   to February 2016 . He served as Senior Vice President – West Region from September 2013 to December 2014. Prior to that , he served as Senior Vice President – Central and West Regions (February 2013 – September 2013), Senior Vice President – Central Region (December 2011 – February 2013) and President, Midsouth and Southwest Divisions (September 2010 – December 2011).
Michael R. Mills was elected Chief Administrative Officer in February 2016. He served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel from Novembe r 2 012 to February 2016;   and as Senior Vice President – East Region from December 2011 to October 2012. Prior to that, he was President, Southeast Division.
Jerry F. Perkins, Jr. was elected General Counsel in February 2016. He served as Assistant General Counsel since 2011.
David P. Clement was named President – Central Division effective January 1, 2015. He served as Senior Vice President – Central Region from September 2013 through December 2014. During the five years prior to such role,  h e s erved in a number of positions with Vulcan including Vice President and General Manager, Midwest Division and Vice President of Operations, Midwest Division.
William K. Duke was named President – Mideast Division effective January 1, 2015. Prior to that, he served in a number of roles over the past five years for Vulcan , including: Vice President and General Manager, Florid a (August 2012 – December 2014) and Vice President and General Manager, Aggregates – Florida Rock Division ( January 2010 – August 2012).

 	 	
Part I	15	

 
 
David J. Grayson began serving as President – Southeast Division on January 1, 2015. Before assuming that role, he served as Vice President and General Manager, Georgia for the preceding five years.
C. Brockway (Brock) Lodge, Jr. was named President – Western Division in February 2016. He served as Vice President and General Manager, Western Division from April 2015 to February 2016. Before that, he was Senior Area General Manager – Central Division (June 2013 – March 2015) and Director of Sales and Marketing – Midsouth Division (April 2010 – May 2013).
Jeffery G. Lott was named President – Southwest Division effective January 1, 2015. Prior to that , he served in a number of roles over the past five years for Vulcan , including Vice President and General Manager, Texas (July 2010 – December 2014).
David B. Pasley began serving as President – Mountain West Division in January 2015. Before that, he was Vice President and General Manager of Central and Northern California (February 2013 – December 2014); Vice President and General Manager of Arizona and Central and Northern California (February 2012 – January 2013); and Vice President and General Manager of Arizona and New Mexico (August 2010 – January 2012).
Jason P. Teter began serving as President – Southern and Gulf Coast Division on January 1, 2015. Prior to that, he served as Vice President – Business Development from October 2013 to December 2014. Before joining Vulcan , for four years he was the Vice President and General Manager, Georgia Aggrega tes for Lafarge North America.
Ejaz A. Khan was elected Vice President and Controller in February 1999. He was elected Chief Information Officer in February 2000.
SHAREHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE PRESENTATION
Below is a graph comparing the performance of our common stock, with dividends reinvested, to that of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index (S&P 500) and the Materials and Services Sector of the Wilshire 5000 Index (Wilshire 5000 M&S) from December 31, 20 10 to December 31, 201 5 . The Wilshire 5000 M&S is a market capitalization weighted sector containing public equities of firms in the Materials and Services sector, which includes our company and approximately 1,300 other companies.

 

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	2010 	 	 	2011 	 	 	2012 	 	 	2013 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2015 	 	
Comparative Total Return 1	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Vulcan Materials Company	 	 	$     100.00 	 	 	$       90.60 	 	 	$     119.95 	 	 	$     136.99 	 	 	$     152.06 	 	 	$     220.63 	 	
S&P 500	 	 	$     100.00 	 	 	$     102.11 	 	 	$     118.45 	 	 	$     156.81 	 	 	$     178.28 	 	 	$     180.78 	 	
Wilshire 5000 M&S	 	 	$     100.00 	 	 	$       96.60 	 	 	$     114.18 	 	 	$     155.51 	 	 	$     168.42 	 	 	$     176.51 	 	

1	Assumes an initial investment at December 31, 20 10 of $100 in each stock/inde x, with quarterly reinvestment of dividends.	

 	 	
Part I	16	

 

INVESTOR INFORMATION
We make available on our website, www.vulcanmaterials.com , free of charge, copies of our :  

	§		Annual Report on Form 10-K	
	§		Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q	
	§		Current Reports on Form 8-K	
We also provide amendments to those reports filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as well as all Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed with the SEC by our executive officers and directors, as soon as the filings are made publicly available by the SEC on its EDGAR database ( www.sec.gov ).
The public may read and copy materials filed with the SEC at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 1 00 F Street, NE, Washington, D. C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-732-0330. In addition to accessing copies of our reports online, you may request a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, including financial statements, by writing to Jerry F. Perkins Jr., Secretary, Vulcan Materials Company, 1200 Urban Center Drive, Birmingham, Alabama 35242.
We have a :  

	§		Business Conduct Policy applicable to all employees and directors	
	§		Code of Ethics for the CEO and Senior Financial Officers	
Copies of the Business Conduct Policy and the Code of Ethics are available on our website under the heading " Corporate Governance. " If we make any amendment to, or waiver of, any provision of the Code of Ethics, we will disclose such information on our website as well as through filings with the SEC.
Our Boar d of Directors has also adopted:

	§		Corporate Governance Guidelines	
	§		Charters for its Audit, Compens ation ,   Executive, Financ e, G overnance and Safety , Health & Environment al Affairs Committees	
These documents meet all applicable SEC and New York Stock Ex change (NYSE) regulatory requirements.
The Audit, Compensation and Governance Charters are available on our website under the heading, " Corporate Governance, " or you may request a copy of any of these documents by writing to Jerry F. Perkins Jr., Secretary, Vulcan Materials Company, 1200 Urban Center Drive, Birmingham, Alabama 35242.
Information included on our website is not incorporated into, or otherwise made a part of, this report.
C ERTIFICATIONS AND ASSERTIONS
The certifications of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer made pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are included as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Additionally, on June 2, 2015 our Chief Executive Officer submitted to the NYSE the annual written affirmation required by the rules of the NYSE certifying that he was not aware of any violations of Vulcan Materials Company of NYSE corporate governance listing standards.  

 

 	 	
Part I	17	

 
 
ITEM 1A  
RISK FACTORS
 
An investment in our common stock involves risks. You should carefully consider the following risks, together with the information included in or incorporated by reference in this report, before deciding whether an investment in our common stock is suitable for you. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, results of operations or financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. In such an event, the trading prices of our common stock could decline and you might lose all or part of your investment. The following is a list of our risk factors.
EC ONOMIC/POLITICAL RISKS
Changes in legal requirements and governmental policies concerning zoning, land use, environmental and other areas of the law may result in additional liabilities, a reduction in operating hours and additional capital expenditures  — Our operations are affected by numerous federal, state and local laws and regulations related to zoning, land use and environmental matters. Despite our compliance efforts, we have an inherent risk of liability in the operation of our business. These potential liabilities could have an adverse impact on our operations and profitability. In addition, our operations are subject to environmental, zoning and land use requirements and require numerous governmental approvals and permits, which often require us to make significant capit al an d operating expenditures to comply with the applicable requirements. Stricter laws and regulations, or more stringent interpretations of existing laws or regulations, may impose new liabilities on us, reduce operating hours, require additional investment by us in pollution control equipment, or impede our opening new or expanding existing plants or facilities.
Our business is dependent on the timing and amount of federal, state and local funding for infrastructure  —   Our products are used in a variety of public infrastructure projects that are funded and financed by federal, state and local governments.   Congress recently passed a five-year, fully funded bill to invest in roads, bridges and public transportation. The resulting certainty and the modestly increased investment are positive development s and mitigat e risk in this area. In addition, eleven Vulcan-served states successfully increased transportation funding between 2013 and the present; similar efforts are expected in at least three other states in our service area in 2016. However, given varying state and local budgetary situations and the associated pressure on infrastructure spending, we cannot be entirely assured of the existence, amount and timing of appropriations for future public infrastructure projects.  
Climate change and climate change legislation or regulations may adversely impact our business — A number of governmental bodies have introduced or are contemplating legislative and regulatory change in response to the potential impacts of climate change. Such legislation or regulation, if enacted, potentially could include provisions for a "cap and trade" system of allowances and credits or a carbon tax, among other provisions .  
Other potential impacts of climate change include physical impacts, such as disruption in production and product distribution due to impacts from major storm events, shifts in regional weather patterns and intensities, and potential impacts from sea level changes. There is also a potential for climate change legislation and regulation to adversely impact the cost of purchased energy and electricity.  
The impacts of climate change on our operations and the company overall are highly uncertain and difficult to estimate. However, climate chang e l egislation and regulation concerning greenhouse gases could have a material adverse effect on our future financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
GROWTH AND COMPETITIVE RISKS
Within our local markets, we operate in a highly competitive industry which may negatively impact prices, volumes and costs   —   The construction aggregates industry is highly fragmented with a large number of independent local producers in a number of our markets. Additionally, in most markets, we also compete against large private and public companies, some of which are significantly vertically integrate d. Therefore, there is intense competition in a number of markets in which we operate. This significant competition could lead to lower prices and lower sales volum es in some markets, negatively affecting our earnings and cash flows.
The expanded use of aggregates substitutes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations — Recycled concrete and asphalt mix are increasingly being used in a number of our markets, particularly urban markets, as a substitute for aggregates. The use of recycled concrete and asphalt mix could cause a significant reduction in the demand for aggregates .

 	 	
Part I	18	

 

Our long-term success depends upon securing and permitting aggregates reserves in strategically located areas. If we are unable to secure and permit such reserves it could negatively affect our future earnings  — Constru ct ion aggregates are bulky and heavy and, therefore, difficult to transport efficiently. Because of the nature of the products, the freight costs can quickly surpass the production costs. Therefore, except for geographic regions that do not possess commercially viable deposits of aggregates and are served by rail, barge or ship, the markets for our products tend to be localized around our quarry sites and are served by truck. New quarry si tes often take years to develop ; therefore , our strategic planning and new site development must stay ahead of actual growth. Additionally, in a number of urban and suburban areas in which we operate, it is increasingly difficult to permit new sites or expand existing sites due to community resistance. Therefore, our future success is dependent, in part, on our ability to accurately forecast future areas of high growth in order to locate optimal facility sites and on our ability to secure operating and environmental permits to operate at those sites.
Our future growth depends in part on acquiring other businesses in our industry and successfully integrating them with our existing operations. If we are unable to integrate acquisitions successfully, it could lead to higher costs and could negatively affect our earnings — The expansion of our business is dependent in part on the acquisition of existing businesses that own or control aggregates reserves. Disruptions in the availability of financing could make it more difficult to capitalize on potential acquisitions. Additionally, with regard to the acquisitions we are able to complete, our future results w ill depend i n part on our ability to successfully integrate these businesses with our existing operations.
FINANCIAL/ACCOUNTING RISKS
Our industry is capital intensive, resulting in significant fixed and semi-fixed costs. Therefore, our earnings are highly sensitive to changes in volume  — Due to the high levels of fixed capital required for extracting and producing construction aggregates, our profits and profit margins are   negatively affected by significant decreases in volume.
Significant downturn in the construction industry may result in an impairment of our goodwill   —   We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if events or circumstances change in a manner that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. While we have not   identified any events or changes in circumstances since our annual impairment test on November 1, 20 1 5 tha t indicate the fair value of any of our reporting units is below its carrying value, a significant downturn in the construction industry may have a material effect on the fair value of our reporting units. A significant decrease in the estimated fair value of one or more of our reporting units could result in the recognition of a material, noncash write-down of goodwill.
We have substantial debt and our credit ratings are non-investment grade   —   Our ability to make scheduled interest and principal payments depends on our financial performance. Financial performance is, in turn, subject to general economic and business conditions, many of which are outside of our control. Our ability to refinance maturing debt depends on our financial performance and the state of the non-investment grade debt market, which is more volatile than the investment-grade debt market .  
Our debt instruments contain customary   covenants, including: affirmative (e.g., maintain insurance), negative (e.g., to limi t our ability to incur secured debt ), informational (e.g., provide financial statements) and financial (e.g., minimum EBITDA to interest ratio) covenants. If we fail to comply with any of these covenants, the r elated debt could become due prior to its stated maturity, and our ability to obtain alternative or additional financing could be impaired.
We use estimates in accounting for a number of significant items. Changes in our estimates could adversely affect our future financial results  — As discussed more fully in "Critical Accounting Policies" under Item 7 "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," we use significant judgment in accounting for :

	§		g oodwill and goodwill impairment	
	§		impairment of long- lived assets excluding goodwill	
	§		reclamation costs	
	§		pension and other postretirement benefits	
	§		environmental compliance	
	§		claims and liti gation including self-insurance	
	§		income taxes	

 	 	
Part I	19	

 
 
We believe we have sufficient experience and reasonable procedures to enable us to make appropriate assumptions and formulate reasonable estimates; however, these assumptions and estimates could change significantly in the future and could adversely affect our financial position , results of operations, or cash flows.
PERSONNEL RISKS
Our future success greatly depends upon attracting and retaining qualified personnel, particularly in sales and operations   — A significant factor in our future profitability is our ability to attract, develop and retain qualified personnel. Our success in attracting qualified personnel, particularly in the areas of sales and operations, is affected by changing demographics of the available pool of workers with the training and skills necessary to fill the available positions, the impact on the labor supply due to general economic conditions, and our ability to offer competitive compensation and benefit packages.
We are subject to various risks arising from our international business operations and relationships, which could adversely affect our business   —   We have international operations and are subject to both the risks of conducting international business and the requirements of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (the FCPA). Failure to comply with the FCPA may result in legal claims against us. In addition, we face other risks associated with international operations and relationships, which may include restrictive trade policies, imposition of duties, taxes or government royalties impressed by foreign governments.
OTHER RISKS
We are dependent on information technology and our systems and infrastructure face certain risks, including cybersecurity risks and data leakage risks — Any significant breakdown, invasion, destruction or interruption of our systems by employees, others with authorized access to our systems or unauthorized persons could negatively impact operations. There is also a risk that we could experience a business interruption, theft of information, or reputational damage as a result of a cyber-attack, such as an infiltration of a data center, or data leakage of confidential information either internally or at our third-party providers. While we have invested in the protection of our data and informational technology to reduce these risks and periodically test the security of our information systems network, there can be no assurance that our efforts will prevent breakdowns or breaches in our systems that could adversely affect or business. Management is not aware of a cybersecurity incident that has had a material impact on our operations.
Weather can materially affect our operating results  — Almost all of our products are consumed outdoors in the public or private construction industry, and our production and distribution facilities are located outdoors. Inclement weather affects both our ability to produce and distribute our products and affects our customers’ short-term demand because their work also can be hampered by weather.
Our products are transported by truck, rail, barge or ship, often by third-party providers. Significant delays or increased costs affecting these transportation methods could materially affect our operations and earnings  — Our products are distributed either by truck to local markets or by rail, barge or oceangoing vessel to remote markets. The c osts of transporting our products could be negatively affected by factors outside of our control, including rail service interruptions or rate increases, tariffs, rising fuel costs and capacity constraints. Additionally, inclement weather, including hurricanes, tornadoes and other weather events, can negatively impact our distribution network.
We use large amounts of electricity, diesel fuel, liquid asphalt and other petroleum-based resources that are subject to potential supply constraints and significant price fluctuation, which could affect our operating results and profitability  — In our production and distribution processes, we consume significant amounts of electricity, diesel fuel, liquid asphalt and other petroleum-based resources. The availability and pricing of these resources are subject to market forces that are beyond our control. Our suppliers contract separately for the purchase of such resources and our sources of supply could be interrupted should our suppliers not be able to obtain these materials due to higher demand or other factors that interrupt their availability. Variability in the supply and prices of these resources could materially affect our operating results from period to period and rising costs could erode our profitability.

 	 	
Part I	20	

 

We are involved in a number of legal proceedings. We cannot predict the outcome of litigation and other contingencies with certainty — We are involved in several complex litigation proceedings, some arising from our previous ownership and operation of our Chemicals and Metals business es . Although we divested our Chemicals business in June 2005, we retained certain liabilities related to the business. As required by generally accepted accounting principles, we establish reserves when a loss is determined to be probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Our assessment of probability and loss estimates are based on the facts and circumstances known to us at a particular point in time. Subsequent developments in legal proceedings may affect our assessment and estimates of a loss contingency, and could result in an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. For a description of our current significant legal proceedings see Note 12 " Commitments and Contingencies "   in Item 8 " Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. "
We are involved in certain environmental matters. We cannot predict the outcome of these contingencies with certainty   —   We are involved in environmental investigations and cleanups at sites where we operate or have operated in the past or sent materials for recycling or disposal . As required by generally accepted accounting principles, we establish reserves when a loss is determined to be probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Our assessment of probability and loss estimates are based on the facts and circumstances known to us at a particular point in time. Subsequent developments related to these matters may affect our assessment and estimates of loss contingency, and could result in an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. For a description of our current significant environmental matters see Note 12 “Commitments and Contingencies" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

ITEM 1B
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
 
We have not received any written comments from the Securities and Exchange Commission staff regarding our periodic or current reports under the Exchange Act of 1934 that remain unresolved.

 	 	
Part I	21	

 
 
ITEM 2
PROPERTIES
AGGREGATES
As the largest U.S. producer of construction aggregates, we have operating facilities across the U.S. and in Mexico and the Bahamas. We principally serve mark ets in 20 sta tes, Washington D.C. and the local markets surrounding our operations in Mexico and the Bahamas. Our primary focus is serving states and metropolitan markets in the U.S. that are expected to experience the most significant growth in population, households and employment. These three demographic factors are significant drivers of demand for aggregates.

Our current estimate of 15.7   billion tons of proven and probable aggregates reserve s   reflects a   de crease of 0.1 billion tons from the prior year’s estimate .   Estimates of reserves are of recoverable stone, sand and gravel of suitable quality for economic extraction, based on drilling and studies by our geologists and engineers, recognizing reasonable economic and operating restraints as to maximum depth of overburden and stone excavation, and subject to permit or other restrictions.

 	 	
Part I	22	

 

Proven, or measured, reserves are those reserves for which the quantity is computed from dimensions revealed by drill data, together with other direct and measurable observations , such as outcrops, trenches and quarry faces. The grade and quality of those reserves are computed from the results of detailed sampling, and the sampling and measurement data are spaced so closely and the geologic character is so well defined that size, shape, depth and mineral content of reserves are well established. Probable, or indicated, reserves are those reserves for which quantity, grade and quality are computed partly from specific measurements and partly from projections based on reasonable, though not drilled, geologic evidence. The degree of assurance, although lower than that for proven reserves, is high enough to assume continuity between points of observation .
Reported proven and probable reserves include only quantities that are owned in fee or under lease, and for which all appropriate zoning and permitting have been obtained. Leases, zoning, permits, reclamation plans and other government or industry regulations often set limits on the areas, depths and lengths of time allowed for mining, stipulate setbacks and slopes that must be left in place, and designate which areas may be used for surface facilities, berms, and overburden or waste storage, among other requirements and restrictions. Our reserve estimates take into account these factors. Technical and economic factors also affect the estimates of reported reserves regardless of what might otherwise be considered proven or probable based on a geologic analysis. For example, excessive overburden or weathered rock, rock quality issues, excessive mining depths, groundwater issues, overlying wetlands, endangered species habitats, and rights of way or easements may effectively limit the quantity of reserves considered proven and probable. In addition, computations for reserves in-place are adjusted for estimates of unsaleable sizes and materials as well as pit and plant waste.
The 15.7   billion tons of estimated proven and probable aggregates reserves reported at the end of 201 5   i nclude reserves at inactive and greenfield (undeveloped) sites. The table below presents, by division , the tons of proven and probable aggregates reserves as of December 31, 201 5 and the types of facilities operated.  

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	(millions of tons)	 	Number of Aggregates Operating Facilities  1	 	
 	Aggregates Reserves	 	 	2015 	 	 	 	 	 	Sand and	 	 	 	 	
 	Proven	 	 	Probable	 	 	Total	 	 	Production	 	 	Stone	 	 	Gravel	 	 	Sales Yards	 	
Central 2	3,052.7 	 	 	958.9 	 	 	4,011.6 	 	 	36.3 	 	 	59 	 	 	5 	 	 	9 	 	
International 2	592.2 	 	 	0.0 	 	 	592.2 	 	 	14.3 	 	 	1 	 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	
Mideast 2	2,529.5 	 	 	1,144.1 	 	 	3,673.6 	 	 	32.4 	 	 	35 	 	 	7 	 	 	22 	 	
Mountain West 2	180.8 	 	 	128.5 	 	 	309.3 	 	 	5.7 	 	 	1 	 	 	13 	 	 	2 	 	
Southeast 2, 3	2,739.3 	 	 	823.5 	 	 	3,562.8 	 	 	34.8 	 	 	40 	 	 	14 	 	 	6 	 	
Southern Gulf Coast 2	1,172.2 	 	 	30.7 	 	 	1,202.9 	 	 	11.7 	 	 	22 	 	 	0 	 	 	26 	 	
Southwest 2	1,162.9 	 	 	10.0 	 	 	1,172.9 	 	 	19.5 	 	 	17 	 	 	1 	 	 	18 	 	
Western 2	675.8 	 	 	508.0 	 	 	1,183.8 	 	 	25.8 	 	 	7 	 	 	14 	 	 	1 	 	
Total	12,105.4 	 	 	3,603.7 	 	 	15,709.1 	 	 	180.5 	 	 	182 	 	 	54 	 	 	84 	 	

1	In addition to the facilities included in the table above, we operate d   24 recrushed concrete plants which are not dependent on reserves.	
2	The divisions are defined by states /countries as follows:
Central Division — Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennesse e
International Division  —   M exic o
Midea st Division  — Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington D.C .
Mountain West Division — Arizona and New Mexic o
Southeast Division — Florida (excluding panhandle), Georgia , South Carolina and the Bahama s
South ern Gulf Coast Division — Alabama, Florida panhandle ,   Louisiana and Mississippi
Southwest Division — Oklahoma and Texa s
West ern   Division — Californi a	
3	Includes a maximum of 377.2 million tons of reserves encumbered by vo lumetric production payment s as defined in Note 1 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" under the caption Deferred Revenue.	
 
Of the 15.7   billion tons of aggregates reserves at December 31, 201 5 ,   8.7 billion tons or 56 % are located on owned land and 7.0 billion tons or 44 % are located on leased land.

 	 	
Part I	23	

 
 
The following table lists our ten largest active aggregates facilities based on the total proven and probable reserves at the sites. None of our aggregates facilities, other than Playa del Carmen, contributed more than 5 % to our total revenues in 201 5 .

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(millions of tons)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Reserves at 12/31/2015	 	 	2015 	 	
Location (nearest major metropolitan area)	 	Proven	 	 	Probable	 	 	Total	 	 	Production	 	
Playa del Carmen (Cancun), Mexico	 	592.2 	 	 	0.0 	 	 	592.2 	 	 	14.3 	 	
Hanover (Harrisburg), Pennsylvania	 	273.3 	 	 	274.4 	 	 	547.7 	 	 	2.6 	 	
McCook (Chicago), Illinois	 	108.8 	 	 	271.2 	 	 	380.0 	 	 	7.1 	 	
DeKalb (Chicago), Illinois	 	161.6 	 	 	193.7 	 	 	355.3 	 	 	0.4 	 	
Corona (Los Angeles), California	 	19.5 	 	 	321.5 	 	 	341.0 	 	 	3.0 	 	
Gold Hill (Charlotte), North Carolina	 	161.3 	 	 	128.9 	 	 	290.2 	 	 	1.0 	 	
Macon, Georgia	 	124.1 	 	 	128.0 	 	 	252.1 	 	 	1.2 	 	
Rockingham (Charlotte), North Carolina	 	71.8 	 	 	174.6 	 	 	246.4 	 	 	2.5 	 	
Norcross (Atlanta), Georgia	 	195.3 	 	 	27.7 	 	 	223.0 	 	 	2.5 	 	
1604 Stone (San Antonio), Texas	 	218.7 	 	 	0.0 	 	 	218.7 	 	 	3.1 	 	
 
ASPHALT MIX, CO NC RETE AND CALCIUM
As of December 31, 201 5 , we o perate d a number of facilities producing asphalt mix, ready-mixed concrete and calcium in several of our divisions as reflected in the table below :

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Asphalt Mix	 	 	Concrete  2	 	 	Calcium 3	 	
Division 1	 	Facilities	 	 	Facilities	 	 	Facilities	 	
Mideast	 	 	0 	 	 	32 	 	 	0 	 	
Mountain West	 	19 	 	 	4 	 	 	0 	 	
Southeast	 	0 	 	 	12 	 	 	1 	 	
Southwest	 	11 	 	 	8 	 	 	0 	 	
Western	 	23 	 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	

1	International, Central and Southern Gulf Coast Divisions have no asphalt mix, concrete or calcium facilities.	
2	Comprised of ready-mixed concrete facilities.	
3	Comprised of a ground calcium plant.	
 
I n January 2015, we exchanged our California (Western Division) ready-mixed concrete operations for 13 asphalt mix pl ants, primarily in Arizona (Mountain West Division ).
The asphalt mix and concrete facilities are able to meet their needs for raw material inputs with a combination of internally sourced and purchased raw materials. Our Calcium segment operates a quarry at Brooksville, Florida which provides feedstock for the ground calcium operation .

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
(millions of tons)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Reserves at 12/31/2015	 	 	2015 	 	
Location	 	Proven	 	 	Probable	 	 	Total	 	 	Production	 	
Brooksville	 	4.8 	 	 	1.1 	 	 	5.9 	 	 	0.3 	 	
 
Our Brooksville limestone quarry is mined and processed primarily as a supplement for end-use products , such as animal feed and plastic s. H igh purity limestone is inert and relatively inexpensive compared to the other components used in these end-use produc ts. The Brooksville limestone quarry has an average calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) content of 98 %.

 	 	
Part I	24	

 
 
HEADQUARTERS
Our headquarters are located in an office complex in Birmingham, Alabama. The office space is leased through December 31, 2023, with three five-year renewal periods thereafter, and consists of approximately 184,125 square feet. The annual rental cost for the current term of the lease is $ 3. 6 million.
 
ITEM 3
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
We are subject to occasional governmental proceedings and orders pertaining to occupational safety and health or to protection of the environment, such as proceedings or orders relating to noise abatement, air emissions or water discharges. As part of our continuing program of stewardship in safety, health and environmental matters, we have been able to resolve such proceedings and to comply with such orders without any material adverse effects on our business.
We are a defendant in various lawsuits in the ordinary course of business. It is not possible to determine with precision the outcome of, or the amount of liability, if any, under these lawsuits, especially where the cases involve possible jury trials with as yet undetermined jury panels.
We were not subject to any penalties in 2015 for failure to disclose transactions identified by the Internal Revenue Service as abusive under Internal Revenue Code Section 6707A.
See Note 12 " Commitments and Contingencies " in Item 8 " Financial Statements and Supplementary Data " for a discussion of our material legal proceedings.
 
ITEM 4
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
 
The information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K is included in Exhibit 95 of this report.

 

 	 	
Part I	25	

 
 
PART II
ITEM 5
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
 
Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol VMC). As of February 11 , 201 6 , the number of shareholders of record was 3,016 . The prices in the following table represent the high and low sales prices for our common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange and the quarterly dividends declared by our Board of Directors in 201 5 and 201 4 .

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Common Stock Prices	 	 	Dividends	 	
 	High	 	 	Low	 	 	Declared	 	
2015	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
First quarter	$        86.25 	 	 	$        64.28 	 	 	$           0.10 	 	
Second quarter	$        93.07 	 	 	$        80.58 	 	 	$           0.10 	 	
Third quarter	$      102.65 	 	 	$        84.10 	 	 	$           0.10 	 	
Fourth quarter	$      106.84 	 	 	$        87.40 	 	 	$           0.10 	 	
2014	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
First quarter	$        69.50 	 	 	$        57.55 	 	 	$           0.05 	 	
Second quarter	$        68.29 	 	 	$        58.88 	 	 	$           0.05 	 	
Third quarter	$        66.55 	 	 	$        60.20 	 	 	$           0.06 	 	
Fourth quarter	$        69.10 	 	 	$        54.10 	 	 	$           0.06 	 	
 
The future payment of dividends is within the discretion of our Board of Directors and depends on our profitability, capital requirements, financial conditio n, bu siness opportunities and other factors which our Board of Directors deems relevant. We are not a party to any contracts or agreements that currently materially limit our ability to pay dividends .
On February 1 2 , 201 6 , our Board declared a dividend of twenty cent s per share for the first quarter of 201 6 . This represents a ten cent per share increase over the prior quarter.
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
P urchases of our equity securities during the quarter ended December 31, 2015 are summarized below.

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Total Number	 	 	Maximum	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	of Shares	 	 	Number of	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Purchased as	 	 	Shares that	 	
 	Total	 	 	 	 	 	Part of Publicly	 	 	May Yet Be	 	
 	Number of	 	 	Average	 	 	Announced	 	 	Purchased	 	
 	Shares	 	 	Price Paid	 	 	Plans or	 	 	Under the Plans	 	
Period	Purchased	 	 	Per Share	 	 	Programs 1	 	 	or Programs	 	
2015	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Oct 1 - Oct 31	0 	 	 	$          0.00 	 	 	0 	 	 	3,411,416 	 	
Nov 1 - Nov 30	0 	 	 	$          0.00 	 	 	0 	 	 	3,411,416 	 	
Dec 1 - Dec 31	228,000 	 	 	$        94.19 	 	 	228,000 	 	 	3,183,416 	 	
Total	228,000 	 	 	$        94.19 	 	 	228,000 	 	 	 	 	

1	On February 10, 2006, our Board of Directors authorized us to purchase up to 10,000,000 shares. As of December 31, 2015, there were 3,183,416 shares remaining under the authorization. Depending upon market, business, legal and other conditions, w e may make share purchases from time to time through open market purchases, p rivately negotiated transactions and/or plans designed to comply with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The authorization has no time limit, does not obligate us to purchase any specific number of shares, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time.	
 
We did not have any unregistered sales of equity securities during the fourth quarter of 201 5 .

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	26	

 
 
ITEM 6
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
The selected earnings data, per share data and balance sheet data for each of the five most recent years ended December 31 set forth belo w  h ave been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The following data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes to consolidated financial statements in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	 	2012 	 	 	2011 	 	
As of and for the years ended December 31	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in millions, except per share data	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total revenues	$	3,422.2 	 	$	2,994.2 	 	$	2,770.7 	 	$	2,567.3 	 	$	2,564.6 	 	
Gross profit	$	857.5 	 	$	587.6 	 	$	426.9 	 	$	334.0 	 	$	283.9 	 	
Gross profit margin	 	25.1% 	 	 	19.6% 	 	 	15.4% 	 	 	13.0% 	 	 	11.1% 	 	
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations 1	$	232.9 	 	$	207.1 	 	$	20.8 	 	$	(53.9)	 	$	(75.3)	 	
Earnings (loss) on discontinued operations,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 net of tax 2	$	(11.7)	 	$	(2.2)	 	$	3.6 	 	$	1.3 	 	$	4.5 	 	
Net earnings (loss)	$	221.2 	 	$	204.9 	 	$	24.4 	 	$	(52.6)	 	$	(70.8)	 	
Basic earnings (loss) per share	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Continuing operations	$	1.75 	 	$	1.58 	 	$	0.16 	 	$	(0.42)	 	$	(0.58)	 	
 Discontinued operations	 	(0.09)	 	 	(0.02)	 	 	0.03 	 	 	0.01 	 	 	0.03 	 	
Basic net earnings (loss) per share	$	1.66 	 	$	1.56 	 	$	0.19 	 	$	(0.41)	 	$	(0.55)	 	
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Continuing operations	$	1.72 	 	$	1.56 	 	$	0.16 	 	$	(0.42)	 	$	(0.58)	 	
 Discontinued operations	 	(0.08)	 	 	(0.02)	 	 	0.03 	 	 	0.01 	 	 	0.03 	 	
Diluted net earnings (loss) per share	$	1.64 	 	$	1.54 	 	$	0.19 	 	$	(0.41)	 	$	(0.55)	 	
Cash and cash equivalents	$	284.1 	 	$	141.3 	 	$	193.7 	 	$	275.5 	 	$	155.8 	 	
Total assets 3	$	8,301.6 	 	$	8,041.1 	 	$	8,233.1 	 	$	8,095.4 	 	$	8,193.1 	 	
Working capital	$	731.1 	 	$	468.6 	 	$	652.4 	 	$	548.6 	 	$	456.8 	 	
Current maturities and short-term debt	$	0.1 	 	$	150.1 	 	$	0.2 	 	$	150.6 	 	$	134.8 	 	
Long-term debt 3	$	1,980.3 	 	$	1,834.6 	 	$	2,496.2 	 	$	2,495.2 	 	$	2,644.5 	 	
Equity	$	4,454.2 	 	$	4,176.7 	 	$	3,938.1 	 	$	3,761.1 	 	$	3,791.6 	 	
Cash dividends declared per share	$	0.40 	 	$	0.22 	 	$	0.04 	 	$	0.04 	 	$	0.76 	 	

1	Earnings from continuing operations for 2014 include a pretax gain of $21 1 .4 million (net of $ 16 . 5 million of disposition related charges) re ferable to the sale of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area as described in Note 19 “ Acquisitions and Divestitures”  i n Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data .”	
2	Discontinued operations include the result s a ttributable to our former Chemicals business.	
3	The long-term debt balances prior to December 31, 2015 were adjusted to reflect our adoption of ASU 2015-03 and related election as described in Note 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in Item 8 “Financial St atements and Supplementary Data ” under the caption New Accounting Standards. Debt issuance costs (December 31, 2014 — $20.8 million, December 31, 2013 — $26.0 million, December 31, 2012 — $31.2 million and December 31, 2011 — $36.2 million) previously reported as other noncurrent assets were reclassified as a deduction from long-term debt.	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	27	

 
 
ITEM 7
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
FINANCIAL SUMMARY FOR 201 5 (compared to 2014)

	§		Total revenues increased $428.0 million, or 14%, to $ 3, 4 2 2 .2 million	
	§		Gross profit increased $270.0 million, or 46% , to $857.5 million	
	§		Aggregates freight-adjusted revenues increased $318.4 million, or 18%, to $2,112.5 million	
	§		Total shipments increased 10%, or 15.9 million tons to 178.3 million tons; same-store shipments increased 7%	
	§		Freight-adjusted sales price increased 7% in total and on a same-store basis	
	§		Segment gross profit increased $ 211.6 million, or 3 9 % to $ 755.7 million	
	§		Incremental gross profit as a percentage of freight-adjusted revenues was 6 6 %; on a same-store basis was 7 7 %	
	§		Asphalt Mix, Concrete and Calcium segment gross profit improved $ 58.4 million, collectively	
	§		SAG increased $14.6 million and declin ed   ( 0.7 percentage points or 70 basis points) as a percentage of total revenues	
	§		Earnings from continuing operations were $ 232.9 million, or $ 1.72 per diluted share, compared to earnings of $ 207.1 million, or $ 1.56 per diluted share, in 201 4	
	§		Discrete items in 2015 include:	
	§		a $6.5 million tax charge related to a foreign tax credit carryforward impairment	
	§		a $4.7 million tax benefit related to   a state NOL carryforwa rd	
	§		a pretax charge of $67.1 million for debt purchase costs	
	§		a pretax gain of $6.3 million on the sale of real estate and businesses	
	§		a pretax charge of $9.5 million associated with acquisitions and divestitures	
	§		a pretax charge of $5.2 million for asset impairment	
	§		a pretax charge of $ 5.0 million for restructuring	
	§		Discrete items in 2014 include:	
	§		a pretax charge of $72.9 million for debt purchase costs	
	§		a pretax gain of $238.5 million on the sale of real estate and businesses	
	§		a pretax charge of $21.1 million associated with acquisitions and divestitures	
	§		a pretax charge of $ 1.3 million for restructuring	
	§		Adjusted EBITDA was $ 836.3 million, an increase of $ 231.6 million, or 3 8 %	
KEY DRIVERS OF VALUE CREATION

   *Source: Moody's Analytics

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	28	

 

EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM AND OUR FIVE CORE DISCIPLINES
In 201 4 ,   we announced a n executive leadership team   led by Tom Hill, C hairma n   a nd Chief Executive Officer. Joining Mr. Hill o n the leadership team were John McPherson (Executive Vice President, Chief Financial and Strategy Officer), Stan Bass ( Chief Growth Officer ) and Michael Mills ( Chief Administrative Officer ).   Each member of the executive leadership team has significant senior-level general and industry specific business experience.
Under the leadership of ou r e xecutive leadership team, we have instituted the following five core disciplines that we focus on daily:

1. SALES AND MARKETING EXCELLENCE
Goal: Remain the market supplier of choice in order to increase our market share while earning full and fair value for our products and services.
Execution: We are winning more than our fair share of large project bids by leveraging our scale and extensive strong customer relationships.
2. OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Goal: Lead the markets safest and most efficient operations by successfully leveraging and driving cost efficiencies to achieve 60% flow through of incremental aggregates revenue.
Execution: We are driving our cost of revenues down by leveraging our purchasing power and multi-modal logistic s network and by better managing inventory levels. In 2015, we exceeded our long-term flow through goal of 60% by achieving 77% flow through of incremental aggregates revenue on a same-store basis.
3. S ELLING , ADMINISTRATIVE AND GENERAL (SAG) PRODUCTIVITY
Goal: Continue to leverage SAG in order to achieve 6% of revenues.
Execution: We are leveraging our recently reorganized central shared services and recently implemented common ERP platform to reduc e a dministrative expenses and enable rapid integration of acquired operations. As a result, SAG as a percentage of total revenues has decreased from 9. 1 % in 201 4 to 8.4 % in 2015.
4. CAPITAL PRODUCTIVITY
Goal: Drive improvement in capital turnover while maintaining the longer term health of our asset base.
Execution: We are improving capital turnover by maximizing the lifecycle value of land holdings and optimizing working capital and inventory levels.
5. PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
Goal: Continue to pursue attractive bolt-on acquisitions and selectively enter new markets that meet our growth profile while divesting non-core businesses.
Execution: In 2015, we completed a swap of twelve ready-mixed concrete plants in California for thirteen asphalt plants primarily in Arizona. We also acquired three aggregates facilities and seven ready-mixed concrete plants in Arizona and New Mexico. These transactions together with acquisitions completed in 2014, position us as the #1 aggregates supplier in the New Mexico market and a leading aggregates supplier in Arizona.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	29	

 

201 5   ACQUISITIONS/DIVESTITU R ES
We continually challenge ourselves as to whether we are the best owner of our individual assets and operations —   this logic supports the transaction we closed in January 2015   to exchange   our California ready-mixed concrete operations for 13 asphalt   mix plants, primarily in Arizona. We expect to earn a higher return on the exchanged assets due to our operational and strategic focus in the Arizona asphalt market. In addition , we acquired the following in 2015:

	§		three aggregates facilities and seven ready-mixed concrete operations in Arizona and New Mexico	
	§		one aggregates facility in Tennessee	
For a detailed discussion of our acquisitions and divestitures, see Note 19 “Acquisitions and Divestitures” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
MARKET DEVELOPMENTS AND OUTLOOK
We expect overall demand growth in Vulcan-served markets to be approximately 7% in 2016, driven by continued growth in both private and public construction. Private construction activity should continue to grow in both residential and nonresidential, led by double-digit growth in the residential sector . Public construction in our markets should continue to benefit from state-led highway spending in key states and record levels of state and local tax receipts. Additionally, with the passage of the new, fully funded, long-term federal highway bill in December 2015, the states now have greater funding stability and certainty to undertake much needed transportation projects. As a result, we believe that mid-single digit growth for this aggregates-intensive end - market is possible in 2016 .
At this point in the recovery, the timing and pace of shipments throughout the year can be marginally more uncertain due to weather-related challenges and the start dates and shipping pace for certain large projects. For example, El Nino-related rainfall has negatively impacted early 2016 shipment rates in our California, Arizona and New Mexico operations. These factors, coupled with public transportation agencies needing time to adjust their project procurement schedules to incorporate passage of the new federal highway bill, could result in full year aggregates shipments being weighted towards the second half of the year.
We expect full year Adjusted EBITDA of $1.0 to $1.1 billion driven by : (1) the continuing recovery in demand from the trough seen in 2012, (2) strong growth in aggregates gross profit per ton, (3) earnings improvement in our non-aggregates businesses and (4) continuing leverage of our SAG expenses.
The following assumptions, which represent the mid-point of our expectations, support our outlook for strong year-over-year growth in Adjusted EBITDA in 20 16.

	§		a ggregates shipments of approximately 191 million tons, up 7% from 2015	
	§		i ncrease in average freight-adjusted aggregates pricing of 7% , with unit margins continuing to grow faster than pricing	
	§		a ggregates gross profit growth of 25%	
	§		t otal non-aggregates gross profit improvement of 20%	
	§		SAG expenses of approximately $295 million, excluding business development-related expenses	
 
Other expectations include:

	§		c ore capital spending of approximately $275 million to support the increased level of shipments and further improve production costs and operating efficiencies	
	§		i nterest expense of approximately $140 million	
	§		d epreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization expense of approximately $285 million	
	§		e ffective tax rate of 31 %	
 
Our 2015 results and 2016 outlook are consistent with our long - range expectations. Since the beginning of this recovery in the second half of 2013, our teams’ efforts have res ulted in trailing twelve month A ggregates segment gross profit increasing nearly $400 million on a 38 million ton increase in annualized shipments. We are encouraged by the ongoing recovery in demand continuing across our markets and by the positive pricing environment. Our teams continue to convert incremental revenue into incremental gross profit at an impressive rate. Our focus will remain on continuous, compounding improvement – both operational and financial.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	30	

 
 
RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
Gross profit margin excluding freight and delivery revenues is not a Generally Accepted Accounting Principle (GAAP) measure. We present this metric as it is consistent with the basis by which we review our operating results. Likewise, we believe that this presentation is consistent with the basis by which investors analyze our operating results considering that freight and delivery services represent pass-through activities. Reconciliation of this metric to its nearest GAAP measure is presented below:
GROSS PROFIT MARGIN IN ACCORDANCE WITH GAAP

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
dollars in millions	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Gross profit	$        857.5 	 	 	$        587.6 	 	 	$        426.9 	 	
Total revenues	$     3,422.2 	 	 	$     2,994.2 	 	 	$     2,770.7 	 	
Gross profit margin	25.1% 	 	 	19.6% 	 	 	15.4% 	 	
 
GROSS PROFIT MARGIN EXCLUDING FREIGHT AND DELIVERY REVENUES

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
dollars in millions	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Gross profit	$        857.5 	 	 	$        587.6 	 	 	$        426.9 	 	
Total revenues	$     3,422.2 	 	 	$     2,994.2 	 	 	$     2,770.7 	 	
Freight and delivery revenues 1	538.1 	 	 	473.1 	 	 	386.2 	 	
Total revenues excluding freight and delivery revenues	$     2,884.1 	 	 	$     2,521.1 	 	 	$     2,384.5 	 	
Gross profit margin excluding freight and delivery revenues	29.7% 	 	 	23.3% 	 	 	17.9% 	 	

1	Includes freight to remote distribution sites.	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	31	

 

Aggregates segment gross profit margin as a percentage of freight-adjusted revenues is not a GAAP measure. We present this metric as it is consistent with the basis by which we review our operating results. We believe that this presentation is meaningful to our investors as it exclude s freight, delivery and transportation revenues ,   which are p ass-through activit ies. It also excludes immaterial other revenues related to services, such as landfill tipping fees , that are derived from our aggregates business .   Incremental gross profit as a percentage of freight-adjusted revenues represents the year-over-year change in gross profit divided by the year-over-year change in freight-adjusted revenues. Reconciliation s of th ese metric s to their nearest GAAP measure s are presented below:
AGGREGATES SEGMENT GROSS PROFIT MARGIN IN ACCORDANCE WITH GAAP

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
dollars in millions	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Aggregates segment	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gross profit	$        755.7 	 	 	$        544.1 	 	 	$        413.3 	 	
Segment sales	$     2,777.8 	 	 	$     2,346.4 	 	 	$     2,025.0 	 	
Gross profit margin	27.2% 	 	 	23.2% 	 	 	20.4% 	 	
Incremental gross profit margin	49.1% 	 	 	40.7% 	 	 	 	 	
 
AGGREGATES SEGMENT GROSS PROFIT AS A PERCENTAGE OF
FREIGHT-ADJUSTED REVENUES

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
dollars in millions	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Aggregates segment	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gross profit	$        755.7 	 	 	$        544.1 	 	 	$        413.3 	 	
Segment sales	$     2,777.8 	 	 	$     2,346.4 	 	 	$     2,025.0 	 	
Less	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Freight, delivery and transportation revenues 1	644.7 	 	 	532.2 	 	 	424.9 	 	
 Other revenues	20.6 	 	 	20.2 	 	 	24.1 	 	
Freight-adjusted revenues	$     2,112.5 	 	 	$     1,794.0 	 	 	$     1,576.0 	 	
Gross profit as a percentage of	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 freight-adjusted revenues	35.8% 	 	 	30.3% 	 	 	26.2% 	 	
Incremental gross profit as a percentage of	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 freight-adjusted revenues	66.5% 	 	 	60.0% 	 	 	 	 	

1	At the segment level, freight, delivery and transportation revenues include intersegment freight & delivery revenues, which are eliminated at the consolidated level.	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	32	

 

GAAP does not define "free cash flow , "   "cash gross profit" and "Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ” (EBITDA). Thus, free cash flow should not be considered as an alternative to net cash provided by operating activities or any other liquidity measure defined by GAAP . Likewise, cash gross profit and EBITDA should not be considered as alternatives to earnings measures defined by GAAP . We present these metrics for the convenience of investment professionals who use such metrics in their analyse s a nd for shareholders who need to understand the metrics we use to assess performanc e. T he investment community often uses these metrics as indicators of a company's ability to incur and service debt and to assess the operating performance of a company’s businesses . We use free cash flo w ,  c ash gross profit and EBITDA to assess the operating performance of our various business units and the consolidated company. Additionally, we adjust EBITDA for certain items to provide a more consistent comparison of performance from period to period. We do not use these metrics as a measure to allocate resources .   Reconciliations of these metrics to their nearest GAAP measures are presented below:
FREE CASH FLOW
Free cash flow is calculated by deduct ing purchases of property, plant & equipment from net cash provided by operating activities.

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in millions	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Net cash provided by operating activities	$        503.4 	 	 	$        260.3 	 	 	$        356.5 	 	
Purchases of property, plant & equipment	(289.3)	 	 	(224.9)	 	 	(275.4)	 	
Free cash flow	$        214.1 	 	 	$          35.4 	 	 	$          81.1 	 	
 
CASH GROSS PROFIT
C ash gross profit adds back noncash charges for depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization to gross profit. Cash gross profit per ton is computed by dividing cash gross profit by tons shipped.

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in millions, except per ton data	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Aggregates segment	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gross profit	$        755.7 	 	 	$        544.1 	 	 	$        413.3 	 	
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	228.5 	 	 	227.0 	 	 	224.8 	 	
Aggregates segment cash gross profit	$        984.2 	 	 	$        771.1 	 	 	$        638.1 	 	
Unit shipments - tons	178.3 	 	 	162.4 	 	 	145.9 	 	
Aggregates segment cash gross profit per ton	$          5.52 	 	 	$          4.75 	 	 	$          4.37 	 	
Asphalt Mix segment	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gross profit	$          78.2 	 	 	$          38.1 	 	 	$          32.7 	 	
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	16.4 	 	 	10.7 	 	 	8.7 	 	
Asphalt Mix segment cash gross profit	$          94.6 	 	 	$          48.8 	 	 	$          41.4 	 	
Concrete segment	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gross profit	$          20.2 	 	 	$            2.2 	 	 	$         (24.8)	 	
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	11.4 	 	 	19.9 	 	 	33.0 	 	
Concrete segment cash gross profit	$          31.6 	 	 	$          22.1 	 	 	$            8.2 	 	
Calcium segment	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Gross profit	$            3.5 	 	 	$            3.2 	 	 	$            5.7 	 	
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	0.7 	 	 	1.6 	 	 	18.1 	 	
Calcium segment cash gross profit	$            4.2 	 	 	$            4.8 	 	 	$          23.8 	 	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	33	

 

EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA
EBITDA is an acronym for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization and excludes discontinued operations. We adjust EBITDA for certain items to provide a more consistent comparison of performance from period to period.

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in millions	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Net earnings	$        221.2 	 	 	$        204.9 	 	 	$          24.4 	 	
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	94.9 	 	 	91.7 	 	 	(24.5)	 	
Interest expense, net of interest income	220.3 	 	 	242.4 	 	 	201.7 	 	
(Earnings) loss on discontinued operations, net of tax	11.7 	 	 	2.2 	 	 	(3.6)	 	
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	274.8 	 	 	279.5 	 	 	307.1 	 	
EBITDA	$        822.9 	 	 	$        820.7 	 	 	$        505.1 	 	
Gain on sale of real estate and businesses	$           (6.3)	 	 	$       (238.5)	 	 	$         (36.8)	 	
Charges associated with acquisitions and divestitures	9.5 	 	 	21.2 	 	 	0.5 	 	
Asset impairment	5.2 	 	 	0.0 	 	 	0.0 	 	
Restructuring charges	5.0 	 	 	1.3 	 	 	1.5 	 	
Adjusted EBITDA	$        836.3 	 	 	$        604.7 	 	 	$        470.3 	 	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	34	

 
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Total revenues include sales of product to customers, net of any discounts and taxes, and freight and delivery revenues billed to customers. Related freight and delivery costs are included in cost of revenues. This presentation is consistent with the basis on which we review our consolidated results of operations . We discuss separately our discontinued operations, which consist s of our former Chemicals business.
The following table highlights significant components of our consolidated operating results including EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA .
CONSOLIDATED OPERATING RESULT   HIGHLIGHTS

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
For the years ended December 31	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
in millions, except per share data	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total revenues	$    3,422.2 	 	 	$    2,994.2 	 	 	$    2,770.7 	 	
Cost of revenues	2,564.7 	 	 	2,406.6 	 	 	2,343.8 	 	
Gross profit	$       857.5 	 	 	$       587.6 	 	 	$       426.9 	 	
Selling, administrative and general expenses	$       286.8 	 	 	$       272.3 	 	 	$       259.4 	 	
Gain on sale of property, plant & equipment	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 and businesses	$           9.9 	 	 	$       244.2 	 	 	$         39.3 	 	
Operating earnings	$       549.8 	 	 	$       538.1 	 	 	$       190.4 	 	
Interest expense	$       220.6 	 	 	$       243.4 	 	 	$       202.6 	 	
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 before income taxes	$       327.9 	 	 	$       298.8 	 	 	$         (3.7)	 	
Earnings from continuing operations	$       232.9 	 	 	$       207.1 	 	 	$         20.8 	 	
Earnings (loss) on discontinued operations,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 net of income taxes	(11.7)	 	 	(2.2)	 	 	3.6 	 	
Net earnings	$       221.2 	 	 	$       204.9 	 	 	$         24.4 	 	
Basic earnings (loss) per share	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
  Continuing operations	$         1.75 	 	 	$         1.58 	 	 	$         0.16 	 	
  Discontinued operations	(0.09)	 	 	(0.02)	 	 	0.03 	 	
Basic net earnings per share	$         1.66 	 	 	$         1.56 	 	 	$         0.19 	 	
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
  Continuing operations	$         1.72 	 	 	$         1.56 	 	 	$         0.16 	 	
  Discontinued operations	(0.08)	 	 	(0.02)	 	 	0.03 	 	
Diluted net earnings per share	$         1.64 	 	 	$         1.54 	 	 	$         0.19 	 	
EBITDA	$       822.9 	 	 	$       820.7 	 	 	$       505.1 	 	
Adjusted EBITDA	$       836.3 	 	 	$       604.7 	 	 	$       470.3 	 	
 
Net earnings for 201 5   wer e $ 221.2 millio n ( $ 1.64 per diluted share )  c ompared to $ 204.9 millio n  ( $ 1.54 per diluted share )  i n 201 4 and $ 24.4 million, or $0. 19 per diluted share in 201 3 .   E ach year's results were impacted by discrete items as follows:

	§		Net earnings for 2015 include a pretax loss of $ 3.2   million (net of $ 9.5 million of charges associated with acquisitions and divestitures) related to the sale of real estate and businesses, a $ 5. 0 pretax charge for restructuring, a $ 5.2 million pretax asset impairment loss , a pretax loss on debt purchase of $ 67.1 million presented as a component of interest expense (see Note 6 “Debt” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data ” ) , and a $6.5 million tax charge related to a foreign tax credit carryforward impairment . These unfavorable items were partially offset by a $ 4.7 million tax benefit related to a state NOL carryforward (see Note 9 “Income Taxes” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”)	
	§		Net earnings for 2014 include a pretax gain of $ 217.4 million (net of $ 21.1 million of disposition related charges) related to the sale of real estate and businesses including our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area, a $1.3 million pretax charge for restructuring, and a pretax loss on debt purchase of $72.9 million presented as a component of interest expense (see Note 6 “Debt” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” )	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	35	

 
 
	§		Net earnings for 2013 include a pretax gain of $ 36. 3 million (net of $0.5 million of disposition related charges) related to the sale of reclaimed real estate and businesses	
Y ear-over-year changes in earnings from continuing operations before income taxes are summarized below:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in millions	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	2013	$      (3.7)	 	 	2014	$   298.8 	 	
Higher aggregates gross profit	 	130.8 	 	 	 	211.6 	 	
Higher asphalt mix gross profit	 	5.4 	 	 	 	40.1 	 	
Higher concrete gross profit	 	27.0 	 	 	 	17.9 	 	
Higher (lower) calcium gross profit	 	(2.5)	 	 	 	0.3 	 	
Higher selling, administrative and general expenses	 	(12.9)	 	 	 	(14.6)	 	
Higher (lower) gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses	 	205.0 	 	 	 	(234.3)	 	
Lower (higher) restructuring charges	 	0.2 	 	 	 	(3.7)	 	
Lower (higher) interest expense	 	(40.8)	 	 	 	22.8 	 	
All other	 	(9.7)	 	 	 	(11.0)	 	
 	2014	$   298.8 	 	 	2015	$   327.9 	 	
ADJUSTED CONCRETE AND CALCIUM SEGMENT FINANCIAL DATA
The following table compares our Concrete and Calcium segments financial data excluding both the January 2015 exchange of our California concrete businesses and the March 2014 sale of our Florida area concrete and cement businesses.

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
For the years ended December 31	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
in millions	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Concrete Segment	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Segment sales	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   As reported	$       299.3 	 	 	$       375.8 	 	 	$       471.7 	 	
   Adjusted	$       294.1 	 	 	$       272.6 	 	 	$       244.9 	 	
Total revenues	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   As reported	$       299.3 	 	 	$       375.8 	 	 	$       471.7 	 	
   Adjusted	$       294.1 	 	 	$       272.6 	 	 	$       244.9 	 	
Gross profit	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   As reported	$         20.2 	 	 	$           2.2 	 	 	$       (24.8)	 	
   Adjusted	$         20.9 	 	 	$         12.0 	 	 	$           5.8 	 	
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   As reported	$         11.4 	 	 	$         19.9 	 	 	$         33.0 	 	
   Adjusted	$         11.3 	 	 	$         15.7 	 	 	$         15.5 	 	
Shipments - cubic yards	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   As reported	2.8 	 	 	3.7 	 	 	4.8 	 	
   Adjusted	2.8 	 	 	2.6 	 	 	2.5 	 	
Calcium Segment	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Segment sales	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   As reported	$           8.6 	 	 	$         25.0 	 	 	$         99.0 	 	
   Adjusted	$           8.6 	 	 	$           9.0 	 	 	$           9.6 	 	
Total revenues	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   As reported	$           8.6 	 	 	$         15.8 	 	 	$         51.7 	 	
   Adjusted	$           8.6 	 	 	$           9.1 	 	 	$           9.5 	 	
Gross profit	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   As reported	$           3.5 	 	 	$           3.2 	 	 	$           5.7 	 	
   Adjusted	$           3.5 	 	 	$           3.5 	 	 	$           3.0 	 	
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
   As reported	$           0.7 	 	 	$           1.6 	 	 	$         18.1 	 	
   Adjusted	$           0.7 	 	 	$           0.6 	 	 	$           0.4 	 	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	36	

 
 
OPERATING RESULTS BY SEGMENT
We present our results of operations by segment at the gross profit level. We have four operating (and report able) segments organized around our principal product lines: 1) Aggregates,  2 ) Asphalt Mi x,   3 ) Concrete and 4) Calcium . Management reviews earnings for the product line segments principally at the gross profit level.
1. AGGREGATES
Our year-over-year aggregates shipments :

	§		i ncreased 10 % in 201 5	
	§		i ncreased 11 % in 2014	
	§		increased 4 % in 2013	
At 178.3 million tons, our 2015 aggregates shipments increased 15.9 million tons. This increase is consistent with our long-range expectations. The gradual recovery in demand continues across most of our 20-state geographic footprint. With the exception of certain markets in Texas, construction activity in Vulcan-served markets remains well below long-term levels of per capita consumption. Key states such as California, Florida, and Georgia continue to enjoy solid growth rates as they gradually recover toward more normal levels of construction activity and materials consumption .   On a same-store basis, aggregates shipments increased 11.8 million tons or 7 %.
The following map reflects   the percentage improvement   (2015 versus 2014) of aggregates shipments on a same-store basis by Vulcan-served state s .

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	37	

 

Our year-over- year freight -adjusted selling price 1   for aggregates :

	§		increased 7 % in 201 5	
	§		increased 2 % in 2014	
	§		increased 3% in 2013	
 	 	
1	We routinely arrange the delivery of our aggregates to the customer. Additionally, we incur transportation costs to move aggregates from the production site to remote distribution sites. These costs are passed on to our customers in the aggregates price. We remove these pass-through freight and transportation revenues (and any other aggregates-derived revenues, such as landfill tipping fees) from the freight-adjusted selling price for aggregates. See the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures within this Item 7 for a reconciliation of freight-adjusted revenues.	
 
Our pricing environment continues to improve with the steady increase in demand. During 2015, freight-adjusted sales price increased in all Vulcan-served states. On a same-store basis, freight-adjusted sales price also increased 7%.

 
 	 	
AGGREGATES FREIGHT-ADJUSTED REVENUES	AGGREGATES GROSS PROFIT AND
CASH GROSS PROFIT	
in millions	in millions	

 	 	
AGGREGATES UNIT SHIPMENTS  	AGGREGATES SELLING PRICE AND
CASH GROSS PROFIT PER TON	
T on s, i n millions	Freight-adjusted average sales price per ton   2	
		
 	 	2	Freight-adjust ed sales price is calculated as freight-adjusted revenues divided   by aggregates unit shipments	
 
Aggregates segment gross profit increased $ 211.6 million in 2015 from the prior year and gross profit as a percentage of freight-adjusted revenues increased 5.4 percentage points (54 0 basis points). The increase in Aggregates segment gross profit resulted from higher volumes and better unit margins. Aggregates segment unit cost of sales, excluding freight and delivery, declined 1% in 2015 versus the prior year as lower diesel and energy costs offset higher fringe and overtime labor expenses and repair & maintenance costs.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	38	

 

Aggregates segment cash gross profit per ton increased 16% to $5.52 in 2015. This measure continues to improve, reflecting our effective management of the three major profit drivers (price for service; sales and production mix; operating efficiency and leverage). These efforts resulted in a record level of unit profitability that exceeds the level achieved in 2005 ($3.28 per ton – our peak year for volume) and in 20 14 ($4. 75 per ton – our previous high). This trend further highlights the earnings potential of our aggregates business as volumes recover.
This aggregates earnings potential is further reflected in the flow-through rate. S ame-store aggregates freight-adjusted revenues increased $ 27 1.9 million in 2015, while same-store gross profit for the segment increased $209.3 million, a flow-through rate of 77%. We have consistently exceeded our stated long-term goal of a 60% flow-through rate since volumes began to recover in the second half of 2013.
2 .   ASPHALT MIX
Our year-over-year asphalt mix shipments:

	§		increased 30 % in 201 5	
	§		increased 8 % in 2014	
	§		increased 3 % in 2013	
The significant increase in asphalt mix shipments was largely attributable to the swap of our concrete operations in California for asphalt mix operations, primarily in Arizona. On a same-store basis , asphalt mix shipments increased 10% and gross profit increased $30.8 million.
Unit gross profit increased 58 % in 2015, while unit cash gross profit increased 49 % to $ 9.80 per ton. This improvement resulted from the increased level of shipments, effective management of materials margins, and earnings from acquisitions completed since the first half of last year.

ASPHALT MIX SEGMENT SALES	ASPHALT MIX GROSS PROFIT AND
CASH GROSS PROFIT	
in millions	in millions	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	39	

 

3 .   CONCRETE
Our year-over-year ready-mixed concrete shipments:

	§		de creased 2 5 % in 201 5	
	§		decreased 22 % in 2014	
	§		increased 14 % in 2013	
The significant decrease in ready-mixed concrete shipments was largely attributable to the afore mentioned swap of our concrete operations in California. On a same-store basis , ready-mixed concrete shipments increased 7 % and gross profit increased $ 8.9 million.

CONCRETE SEGMENT SALES 1	CONCRETE GROSS PROFIT AND
CASH GROSS PROFIT 1	
in millions	in millions	

 	 	
1	The financial data above excludes both the California and Florida area concrete businesses exchanged/ sold in January 2015 and March 2014 , respectively . See the Adjusted Concrete and Calcium Segment Financial Data table on page 36 .	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	40	

 

4. CALCIUM
Calcium segment gross profit of $ 3. 5 million was up $0.3 million from reported prior year   gross profit of $3.2 million . Our cement business was sold in the first quarter of 2014 along with the Florida concrete assets. Adjusted for the sale of our cement business in the Florida area, Calcium segment gross profit was $3.5 mill ion in 2014.

CALCIUM   SEGMENT SALES 1	CALCIUM GROSS PROFIT AND
CASH GROSS PROFIT 1	
in millions	in millions	

 	 	
1	The financial data above excludes the cement businesses sold in March 2014. See the Adjusted Concrete and Calcium Segment Financial Data table on page   36 .	
 
In total, the 2015 gross profit contributions from our three non-aggregates (Asphalt M ix, Concrete and Calcium) segments exceeded plan due to margin improvements resulting from both core operating disciplines and strategic repositioning of our asset portfolio.
SELLING, ADMINISTRATIVE AND GENERAL EXPENSES
in millions

 
We experienced elevated SAG costs during 2015 primarily due to higher pension and other employee benefit costs, as well as continued investment in sales force effectiveness and other strategic initiatives. Other employee benefit costs, such as those associated with enhancements to the employee profit-sharing plan, also have risen. In contrast, direct SAG expenses for salaries and wages remained relatively flat with the prior year. We intend to further leverage SAG expenses to revenues as volumes recover. As a percentage of total revenues, SAG expenses declined from 9.1% in 2014 to 8.4% in 201 5.   In 2016, SAG expenses are expected to increase approximately 3% while revenues should increase double-digits.  
Our comparative total company employment levels at year end:

	§		increased 4 % in 2015	
	§		declined 3 % in 2014	
	§		increased 5% in 2013	
Severance charges included in SAG expenses were as follows:   201 5 — $ 1.4 million, 201 4 — $ 1.0 million and 201 3 — $ 1.2 million .   Severance and other related restructuring charges not included in SAG expenses were as follows: 201 5 — $ 5.0 million , 201 4 — $ 1.3 million and 201 3 — $ 1.5 million .

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	41	

 
 
GA IN ON SALE OF PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT AND BUSINESSES
in millions

 
The 2015 gain includes a $5.9 million pretax gain from the previously mentioned asset exchange (we exited the ready-mixed concrete business in California and added thirteen asphalt plant locations, primarily in Arizon a). T he 2014 gain includes a $ 227.9 million pretax gain from the sale of our cement and concrete businesses in Florida to Cementos Argos and a $6.0 million pretax gain from the sale of two reclaimed operating site s. T he 2013 gain includes a $24.0 million pretax gain from the sale of five non-strategic aggregates production facilities and a $9.0 million pretax gain from the sale of reclaimed and surplus real estate .   See Note 19 "Acquisitions and Divestitures" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."  
INTEREST EXPENSE
in millions

 
Interest expense in 2015 decreased $22.8 million from 2014 due to a lower weighted-average interest rate and a $5.8 million reduction in pretax charges for debt purchases. Interest expense in 2015 and 2014 included pretax charges for debt purchases of $ 67.1 million and $72.9 million, respectively, as described in Note 6 “Debt” in Item 8 “Financial Stat ements and Supplementary Data.”
INCOME TAXES
Our income tax provision ( benefit ) from continuing operations for the years ended December 31 is shown below:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
dollars in millions	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Earnings (loss) from continuing	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 operations before income taxes	$        327.9 	 	 	$        298.8 	 	 	$           (3.7)	 	
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	$          94.9 	 	 	$          91.7 	 	 	$         (24.5)	 	
Effective tax rate	29.0% 	 	 	30.7% 	 	 	660.5% 	 	
 
The $3.3 million increase in our 2015 provision for incomes taxes is primarily related to the year-over-year improvement in our earnings from continuing operations . The 2015 reduction in the effective tax rate is due to higher benefits from the statutory depletion deduction and the U.S. production deduction, both related to higher aggregates sales.   The $116.2 million increase in our 2014 income taxes is primarily related to the year-over-year improvement in our earnings from continuing operations.   A reconciliation of the federal statutory rate of 35% to our effective tax rates for 201 5 , 201 4 and 20 13 is presented in Note 9   “Income Taxes” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	42	

 
 
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Pretax earnings (loss) from discontinued operations were:

	§		$ ( 1 9.3 ) million loss in 201 5	
	§		$ ( 3.7 ) million loss in 2014	
	§		$ 6.0 million earnings in 2013	
The $ 1 9.3 million and $3.7 million losses from discontinued operations for 2015 and 2014, respectively, resulted primarily from general and product liability costs, including legal defense cost s a nd environmental remediation costs associated with our former Chemicals business. The 2013 pretax earnings includ e   an $11.7 million g ain relat ed to the 5CP earn-out (final payment in 2013). This gain was partially offset by general and product liability costs, including legal defense costs, and environmental remediation costs. For additional information regarding discontinued operations and the 5CP earn-out, see Note 2 "Discontinued Operations" i n Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES
Our sources of liquidity are cash provided by our operating activities and a substantial, committed bank line of credit. Additional financial resources include access to the capital markets, the sale of reclaimed and surplus real estate, and dispositions of non-strategic operating assets. We believe these liquidity and financial resources are sufficient to fund ou r b usiness requirements for 201 6 , including:

	§		cash contractual obligations	
	§		capital expenditures	
	§		debt service obligations	
	§		dividend payment s	
	§		potential share repurchases	
	§		potential future acquisitions	
Our capital deployment priorities remain unchanged from the prior year. We intend to take a balanced approach to capital deployment, one incorporating strategic reinvestment, sustained financial strength and flexibility, and the return of capital to shareholders. In 2015, we returned $53.2 million in cash to shareholders though our dividend and $21.5 million through share repurchases. We expect to increase the return of capital through dividends , share repurchases , or other mechanisms, as earnings grow.
We actively manage our capital structure and resources in order to minimize the cost of capital while properly managing financial risk. We seek to meet these objectives by adhering to the following principles:

	§		maintain substantial bank line of credit borrowing capacity	
	§		proactively manage our long-term debt maturity schedule such that repayment/refinancing risk in any single year is low	
	§		minimize financial and other covenants that limit our operating and financial flexibility	
	§		opportunistically access the capital markets when conditions and terms are favorable	
During 2015, we maintained debt of approximately $2.0 billion, eliminated nearer-term maturities, increased the weighted-average life of our debt obligations, and lowered our weighted-average interest rate by approximately 1% (100 basis points).

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	43	

 
 
CASH
Included in our December 31, 2015 cash and cash equivalents balance of $ 284.1 million is $ 58.9 million of cash held at on e of our foreign subsidiaries . A ll of this $ 58.9 million of cash relates to earning s th at are indefinitely reinvested offshore. Use of thi s c ash is currently limited to our foreign operations.
CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
in millions

Net cash provided by operating activities is derived primarily from net earnings befor e n oncash deductions for depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization.

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in millions	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Net earnings	$        221.2 	 	 	$        204.9 	 	 	$          24.4 	 	
Depreciation, depletion, accretion	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 and amortization (DDA&A)	274.8 	 	 	279.5 	 	 	307.1 	 	
Net earnings before noncash deductions for DDA&A	$        496.0 	 	 	$        484.4 	 	 	$        331.5 	 	
Net gain on sale of property, plant &	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 equipment and businesses	(9.9)	 	 	(244.2)	 	 	(51.0)	 	
Proceeds from sale of future production,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 net of transaction costs	0.0 	 	 	0.0 	 	 	153.1 	 	
Cost of debt purchase	67.1 	 	 	72.9 	 	 	0.0 	 	
Other operating cash flows, net 1	(49.8)	 	 	(52.8)	 	 	(77.1)	 	
Net cash provided by operating	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 activities	$        503.4 	 	 	$        260.3 	 	 	$        356.5 	 	

 	 	
1	Primarily reflects changes to working capital balances.	
 
201 5 VERSUS 201 4  —   Net cash provided by operating activities was $503.4 million durin g 2 015, a $243. 1 million increase compared t o 2 014. N et earnings before noncash deduction for DDA&A increased $11.6 million during 2015 to $496.0 million. Included in net earnings for 2014 is a pretax gain of $227.9 million (see Note 19 “Acquisitions and Divestitures” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”) from the March 2014 sale of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area. Cash received associated with gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses is presented as a component of investing activities. In 2015, we purchased $485.1 million principal amount of outstanding debt and incurred charges of $67.1 million. In 2014, we purchased $506.4 million principal amount of outstanding debt and incurred charges of $72.9 million (see Note 6 “Debt” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”). Cash paid for the debt purchases is presented as a component of financing activities.
201 4 VERSUS 201 3  — Net cash provided by operating activities of $260.3 million decreased $96.2 million from 2013. The decrease is attributable to a transaction in 2013 in which we sold a percentage of future production from aggregates reserves resulting in net cash proceeds of $153.1 million (see Note 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Dat a”).   Net earnings before noncash deductions for DDA&A increased $152.9 million to $484.4 million during 2014. Included in net earnings for 2014 is a pretax gain of $227.9 million (see Note 19 “Acquisitions and Divestitures” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”) from the sale of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area. Cash received associated with the sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses is presented as a component of investing activities. Additionally, we purchased $506.4 million principal amount of outstanding debt through a tender offer and incurred a charge of $72.9 million (see Note 6 “Debt” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”). Cash paid for the debt purchase is presented as a component of financing activities .

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	44	

 
 
CASH FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
in millions

201 5 VERSUS 201 4 — Net cash used for investing activities was $309.7 million during 2015, a $548. 0 million decrease compared to the $238.3 million of net cash provided durin g 2 014. This decrease is the result of lower proceeds from the sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses, less cash used in acquisitions and higher capital investments in our existing operations. During 201 4 , we sold: a previously mined and subsequently reclaimed tract of land for $10.7 million, land previously containing a sales yard for $5.8 million, and our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area for $721.4 million. We had no comparable significant sales in the current year. During 2014, we completed several acquisitions for cash consideration of $284.2 million. Conversely, acquisitions durin g 2 01 5 t otaled $27.2 million in cash consideration (see Note 19 “Acquisitions and Divestitures” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”). Furthermore, during 2015, we increased investments in our existing operations by $64.4 million as reflected in the increased purchases of property, plant & equipment.
201 4 VERSUS 201 3 — Net cash provided by investing activities increased $534.5 million during 2014. This increase resulted from a $678.2 million increase in proceeds from the sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses partially offset by a $143.8 million increase in purchases of property, plant & equipment and businesses. During 2014, we sold a previously mined and subsequently reclaimed tract of land for $10.7 million, land previously containing a sales yard for $5.8 million, and our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area for $721.4 million. In the same period, we completed several acquisitions for total consideration of $331.8 million, of which $284.2 million was paid in cash (see Note 19 “Acquisitions and Divestitures” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”).
CASH FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
in millions

201 5 VERSUS 201 4 — Net cash used for financing activities in 2015 was $50.8 million, a decrease of $500.3 million fro m 2 014. This large decrease is primarily attributable to the prior year’s $506.4 million principal amount debt purchase, which required $579.7 million of cash. The 2014 debt purchase was funded by the aforementioned sale of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area. In 2015 , we refinanced $635.1 million principal amount of debt and entered into a new $750.0 million line of credit. The total cash requirement for these actions was $702.3 million ($635.1 million principal, $59.3 million of premiums above par and transaction fees of $7.9 million). We funded the refinancing by issuing $400.0 million of new 10-year notes, borrowing $235.0 million under our new and expanded line of credit and using $67.3 million of cash. Furthermore, in 2014 we generated $30.6 million of cas h b y issuing new shares to our 401(k) plan (such issuances were discontinued in the fourth quarter of 2014). Finally, in 2015 we returned capital to our investors by repurchasing 228 .0 thousand shares of common stock for cash consideration of $21. 5 million.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	45	

 

201 4 VERSUS 201 3 — Net cash used for financing activities of $551.1 million increased $409.1 million in 2014 compared to 2013. This increase is primarily attributable to the aforementioned $506.4 million principal amount purchase that required $ 579.7 million of cash . This increase in cash used for financing activities is partially offset by a $26.8 million increase in proceeds from the issuance of common stock.  In 2014, we issued 485.3 thousand shares of common stock to the trustee of our 401(k) savings and retirement plans for cash proceeds of $30.6 million.
DEBT
Certain debt measures as of December 31 are outlined below:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
dollars in millions	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	
Debt	 	 	 	 	 	
Current maturities of long-term debt	$            0.1 	 	 	$        150.1 	 	
Short-term debt (line of credit)	0.0 	 	 	0.0 	 	
Long-term debt 1	1,980.3 	 	 	1,834.6 	 	
Total debt 2	$     1,980.4 	 	 	$     1,984.7 	 	
Capital	 	 	 	 	 	
Total debt 2	$     1,980.4 	 	 	$     1,984.7 	 	
Equity	4,454.2 	 	 	4,176.7 	 	
Total capital	$     6,434.6 	 	 	$     6,161.4 	 	
Total Debt as a Percentage of Total Capital	30.8% 	 	 	32.2% 	 	
Weighted-average Effective Interest Rates	 	 	 	 	 	
  Line of credit 3	1.75% 	 	 	1.50% 	 	
  Term debt	7.52% 	 	 	8.10% 	 	
Fixed versus Floating Interest Rate Debt	 	 	 	 	 	
  Fixed-rate debt	88.3% 	 	 	99.3% 	 	
  Floating-rate debt	11.7% 	 	 	0.7% 	 	

 	 	
1	Includes borrowing under our line of credit for which we have the intent and ability to extend re payment beyond twelve months, as follows: December 31, 2015 — $ 235.0 million and December 31, 2014 — $0.0 million.	
2	The debt balances as of December 31, 2014 have been adjusted to reflect our early adoption of ASU 2015-03 and related election as disclosed in Note 1 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” under the caption New Accounting Standards.	
3	Reflects the margin above LIBOR for LIBOR-based borrowings; we also paid upfront fees that are amortized to interest expense and pay fees for unused borrowing capacity and standby letters of credit.	
LINE OF CREDIT
In June 2015, we cancelled our secured $500.0 million line of credit and entered into an unsecured $750.0 million line of credit (incurring $2.6 million of transaction fees). The expanded borrowing capacity is part of the refinancing plans disclosed at our February 25, 2015 Investor Day (the 2015 refinancing plan s). B orrowings at December 31, 2015 are consistent with the 2015 refinancing plans and are intended to remain outstanding going forward.
The line of credit agreement expires in June 2020 and contains affirmative, negative and financial covenants customary for an unsecured facility (none of which materially impact our ability to execute our strategic, operating and financial plans). The financial covenants are: (1) a maximum ratio of debt to EBITDA   of 3.5:1 through September 2016 and 3.25:1 thereafter , and (2) a minimum ratio of EBITDA to net cash interest expense of 3.0:1. As of December 31, 2015, we were   in compliance with the line of credit covenants.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	46	

 

Borrowings and other cost ranges and details are described in Note 6   “Debt” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” As of December  3 1 , 2015, the credit margin for the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) borrowings was 1.75 %, the credit margin for base rate borrowings was 0.75% , and the commitment fee for the unused portion was 0.25 %.
A s of December 31, 2015, o ur available borrowing capacity under the line of credit was $ 476.1 million. Utilization of the borrowing capacity was as follows:

	§		$ 235.0 million was borrowed	
	§		$ 38.9 million was used to provide support for outstanding standby letters of credit	
TERM DEBT
All of our term debt is unsecured. All such debt, other than the $ 0.5 million of other notes, is governed by tw o e ssentially identica l i ndentures that contain customary investment-grade type covenants. The primary covenant in both indentures limits the amount of secured debt we may incur without ratably securing such debt.   A s of December 31 , 2015, we were in compliance with all of the term debt covenants.
In March , April and August of 2015, we completed the refinancing of $ 485.1 million principal amount of debt as described in Note 6 “Debt” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” And, in December 2015 we refinanced at maturity the $150.0 million of 10.125% notes via borrowing on our line of credit. These refinancing actions are consistent with the aforementioned 2015 refinancing plans, resulted in total debt of approximately $ 2.0 billion as of December 31, 2015 (consistent with year-end 2014) and have the following benefits, among others: (1) eliminate $621.1 million of debt maturities in 2015 – 2018   (including the $150.0 million notes refinanced as mentioned above) , (2) extend the weighted-average life of our debt portfolio, and (3) lower our weighted-average interest rate.
The 2015 refinancing actions resulted in charges totaling $67.1 million. Such charges are detailed in Note 6 “Debt” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” and are presented in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income as a component of interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2015.
In March 2014, we purchased $506.4 million principal amount of debt through a tender offer as described in Note 6 “Debt” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” This debt purchase was funded by the aforementioned sale of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area and resulted in charges totaling $72.9 million (presented in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income as a component of interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2014).
DEBT PAYMENTS AND MATURITIES
Scheduled debt payments during 2015 included $150.0 million in December to retire the 10.125% notes (which were refinanced via long-term borrowings on our line of credit). Additionally, we refinanced $485.1 million of debt as described in Note 6 “Debt” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
As of December 31, 2015, current maturities for the next four quarters and  m aturities for the next five years are due as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Current	 	 	 	Debt	 	
in millions	Maturities	 	 	in millions	Maturities	 	
First quarter 2016	$            0.0 	 	 	2016	$            0.1 	 	
Second quarter 2016	0.0 	 	 	2017	0.2 	 	
Third quarter 2016	0.0 	 	 	2018	522.5 	 	
Fourth quarter 2016	0.1 	 	 	2019	0.0 	 	
 	 	 	 	2020	0.0 	 	
We expect to retir e   current maturities using existing cash.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	47	

 

DEBT RATINGS
Our debt rating s and outlook s as of December 31, 201 5  a re as follows :

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	Rating/Outlook	 	Date	 	 	Description	 	
Senior Unsecured Line of Credit	 	 	 	 	
Moody's	Ba2/positive	 	8/12/2015	 	 	initial coverage	 	
Senior Unsecured 1	 	 	 	 	
Fitch	BB+/stable	 	5/11/2015	 	 	initial coverage	 	
Moody's	Ba2/positive	 	8/12/2015	 	 	rating changed from Ba3 to Ba2	 	
Standard & Poor's	BB+/positive	 	3/16/2015	 	 	outlook changed from stable to positive	 	

1	Not all of our long-term debt is rated.	
EQUITY
Our common stock issuances and purchases are as follows :

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Common stock shares at January 1,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 issued and outstanding	131,907 	 	 	130,200 	 	 	129,721 	 	
Common Stock Issuances	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Acquisitions	0 	 	 	715 	 	 	0 	 	
401(k) retirement plans	0 	 	 	485 	 	 	71 	 	
Share-based compensation plans	1,493 	 	 	507 	 	 	408 	 	
Common Stock Purchases	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Purchased and retired	(228)	 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	
Common stock shares at December 31,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 issued and outstanding	133,172 	 	 	131,907 	 	 	130,200 	 	
 
During 2014, we issued 715.0 thousand shares of our common stock in connection with business acquisition s a s explained in Note 19  " Acquisitions and Divestitures " in Item 8 "Financial St atements and Supplementary Data. "
Under a program that was discontinued in the fourth quarter of 2014, w e   occasionally  s old shares of our common stock to the trustee of our 401(k) retirement plan s to satisfy the plan participants' elections to invest in our common stock. Under this arrangement, the stock issuances and resulting cash proceeds for the years ended December 31 were:

	§		201 4   —   issued 485.3 thousand shares for cash proceeds of $ 30.6 million	
	§		201 3   —   issued 71.2 thousand shares for cash proceeds of $ 3.8 million	
There were no shares held in treasury as of December 31, 20 15 , 2014 and 201 3.
On February 10, 2006, our Board of Directors authorized us to purchase up to 10,000,000 shares of our common stock. As of December 31, 2015, t here were   3,183,416 shares remaining under the authorization . Depending upon market, business, legal and other conditions, we may make share purchases from time to time through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions and/or plans designed to comply with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The authorization has no time limit, does not obligate us to purchase any specific number of shares, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time.
Our common stock purchases ( all of which were open market purchases) are detailed below:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Shares Purchased	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Number	228 	 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	
Total cost	$       21,475 	 	 	$                0 	 	 	$                0 	 	
Average cost	$         94.19 	 	 	$           0.00 	 	 	$           0.00 	 	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	48	

 
 
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements, such as financing or unconsolidated variable interest entities, that either have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material eff ect on our:

	§		results of operations   and financial position	
	§		c apital expenditures	
	§		liquidity and capital resources	
STANDBY LETTERS OF CREDIT
For a discussion of our standb y letters of credit see Note 6  " Debt" in Item 8 " Financial Sta tements and Supplementary Data."
CASH   CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
We expect total capital spending of $ 400.0   million during 201 6. E xcluding f uture cash requirement s   for c apital expenditure s an d i mmaterial   or contingent contracts, our obligations to make future contractual payments as of December 31, 201 5 are summarized in the table below:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	Note	 	Payments Due by Year	
in millions	Reference	 	2016 	 	2017-2018	 	2019-2020	 	Thereafter	 	Total	 	
Cash Contractual Obligations	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Bank line of credit  1	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Principal payments	Note 6	 	$        0.0 	 	$           0.0 	 	$       235.0 	 	$           0.0 	 	$       235.0 	 	
 Interest payments and fees  2	 	 	7.4 	 	17.1 	 	13.8 	 	0.0 	 	38.3 	 	
Term debt	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Principal payments	Note 6	 	0.1 	 	522.7 	 	0.0 	 	1,246.4 	 	1,769.2 	 	
 Interest payments	Note 6	 	125.7 	 	241.9 	 	161.4 	 	396.1 	 	925.1 	 	
Operating leases	Note 7	 	30.9 	 	56.3 	 	43.0 	 	128.6 	 	258.8 	 	
Mineral royalties	Note 12	 	21.5 	 	37.7 	 	25.4 	 	132.8 	 	217.4 	 	
Unconditional purchase obligations	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Capital	Note 12	 	67.6 	 	79.2 	 	0.1 	 	0.0 	 	146.9 	 	
 Noncapital 3	Note 12	 	14.4 	 	17.6 	 	11.6 	 	5.0 	 	48.6 	 	
Benefit plans 4	Note 10	 	9.2 	 	25.6 	 	50.4 	 	145.0 	 	230.2 	 	
Total cash contractual obligations 5, 6	 	 	$    276.8 	 	$       998.1 	 	$       540.7 	 	$    2,053.9 	 	$    3,869.5 	 	

1	Bank line of credit represents borrowings under our unsecured $750.0 million line of credit that expires June 2020.	
2	Includes fees for unused borrowing capacity, and fees for standby letters of credit. The figures for all years assume that the amount of unused borrowing capacity, and the amount of standby letters of credit do not change from December 31, 2015.	
3	Noncapital unconditional purchase obligations relate primarily to transportation and electr icity contracts.	
4	Payments in "Thereafter" column for benefit plans are for the years 2021-2025.	
5	The above table excludes discounted asset retirement obligations in the amount of $ 226.6 million at December 31, 2015, the majority of which have an estimated settlement date beyond 20 20 (see Note 17 "Asset Retirement Obligations" i n Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data").	
6	The above table excludes liabilities for unrecogni zed ta x benefits in the amount of $ 8.5 million at December 31, 2015, as we cannot make a reasonably reliable estimate of the amount and period of related future payment of these uncertain tax positions (for more details, see Note 9 "Income Taxes" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data").	

 	 	
 	 	
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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
We follow certain significant accounting policies when we prepare our consolidated financial statements. A summary of these policies is included in Note 1 " Summary of Significant Accounting Policies " in Item 8 " Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. "
We prepare these financial statements to conform with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These principles require us to make estimates and judgments that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosures of contingent assets and contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements. We base our estimates on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions we believe reasonable under existing circumstances and evaluate these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis. The results of these estimates form the basis for our judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities as well as identifying and assessing the accounting treatment with respect to commitments and contingencies. Our actual results may materially differ from these estimates.
We believe the following seven critical accounting policies require the most significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:

	1.		Goodwill and goodwill impairment	
	2.		Impairment of long-lived assets excluding goodwill	
	3.		Reclamation costs	
	4.		Pension and other postretirement benefits	
	5.		Environmental compliance   costs	
	6.		Claims and litigation including self-insurance	
	7.		Inc ome taxes	
1. GOODWILL AND GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of net assets acquired in business combinations over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Goodwill impairment exists when the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The impairment evaluation is a critical accounting policy because goodwill is material to our total assets (as of December 31, 2015, goodwill represents 37 % of total assets) and the evaluation involves the use of significant estimates, assumptions and judgment.
HOW WE TEST GOODWILL FOR IMPAIRMENT
Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level, one level below our operating segments. We have identified 18 reporting units, of which 9 carry goodwill. We have the option of either assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the carrying value of our reporting units exceeds their respective fair value or proceeding directly to a two-step quantitative test. We elected to perform the quantitative impairment test for all years presented.
STEP 1
We compare the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill :

	§		if the fair value exceeds its carrying value, the goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired	
	§		if the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we go to step two to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any	
STEP 2
We compare the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by hypothetically allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to its identifiable assets and liabilities in a manner consistent with a business combination, with any excess fair valu e representing implied goodwill:

	§		if the carrying value of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess	

 	 	
 	 	
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HOW WE DETERMINE CARRYING VALUE AND FAIR VALUE
First, we determine the carrying value of each reporting unit by assigning assets and liabilities, including goodwill, to those units as of the measurement date. Then, we estimate the fair values of the reporting uni ts   using bo th an income approach ( which involves discounting estimated future cash flows ) and a market approach   ( which involves the application of revenue and EBITDA multiples of comparable companies ) .   W e consider market factors when determining the assumptions and estimates used in our valuation models . Finally, to assess the reasonableness of the reporting unit fair values, we compare the total of the reporting unit fair values to our market capitalization.
OUR FAIR VALUE ASSUMPTIONS
We base our fair value estimates on market participant assumptions we believe to be reasonable at the time, but such assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainty and actual results may differ. Changes in key assumptions or management judgment with respect to a reporting unit or its prospects may result from a change in market conditions, market trends, interest rates or other factors outside of our control, o r u nderperformance relative to historical or projecte d o perating results. These conditions could result in a significantly different estimate of the fair value of our reporting units, which could result in an impairment charge in the future.
The significant assumptions in our discounted cash flow models include our estimate of future profitability, capital requirements and the discount rate. The profitability estimates used in the models were derived from internal operating budgets and forecasts for long-term demand and pricing in our industry. Estimated capital requirements reflect replacement capital estimated on a per ton basis and acquisition capital necessary to support growth estimated in the models. The discount rate was derived using a capital asset pricing model.
RESULTS OF OUR IMPAIRMENT TESTS
The results of our annual impairment tests for:

	§		November 1, 201 5 indicated that the fair values of all reporting units with goodwill materially exceeded ( in excess of 50% )   their carrying values	
	§		November 1, 2014 indicated that the fair values of all reporting units with goodwill substantially exceeded   ( in excess of 20% ) t heir carrying values	
	§		November 1, 2013 indicated that the fair values of all reporting units with goodwill substantially exceeded ( in excess of 30% ) t heir carrying values	
For   additional information regarding goodwill, see Note 18 "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" in Item 8 "Financial Statements a nd Supplementary Data."
2. IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS EXCLUDING GOODWILL
We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets, including intangible assets subject to amortization, when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The impairment evaluation is a critical accounting policy because long-lived assets are material to our total assets (as of December 31, 201 5 ,   net p roperty, plant & equipment represents 38 % of total assets, while net other intangible assets represents 9 % of total assets) and the evaluation involves the use of significant estimates , assumptions and judgment. The carrying value of long-lived assets is considered impaired when the estimated undiscounted cash flows from such assets are less than their carrying value. In that event, we recognize a loss equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value.
Fair value is estimated primarily by using a discounted cash flow methodology that requires considerable judgment and assumptions. Our estimate of net future cash flows is based on historical experience and assumptions of future trends, which may be different from actual results. We periodically review the appropriateness of the estimated useful lives of our long-lived assets.

 	 	
 	 	
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We test long-lived assets for impairment at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets. As a result, our long-lived asset impairment test is at a significantly lower level than the level at which we test goodwill for impai rment. In markets where we do not produce downstream products (e.g. ,   a sphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete), the lowest level of largely independent identifiable cash flows is at the individual aggregates operation or a group of aggregates operations collectively serving a local market. Conversely, in vertically integrated markets, the cash flows of our downstream and upstream businesses are not largely independently identifiable as the selling price of the upstream products (aggregates) determines the profitability of the downstream business.
During 2015, we recorded a $ 5.2 million loss on impairment of long-lived assets resulting from exiting a lease .   During 201 4 , we recorded a $ 3.1 million impairment loss related primarily to assets retained in the divestiture of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area, see Note 19 "Acquisitions and Divestitures" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."   We recorded no asset impairments during 2013 .
We maintain certain long-lived assets that are not currently being utilized in our operations. These assets totaled $ 373.0   million at December 31, 201 5 , representing an approximate 1 %   de crease from December 31, 201 4 . Of the total   $ 373.0 million ,   approximately 40 %   relates to re al estate held for future development and expansion of o ur op erations. In addition , approximately   2 5 % is comprised of real estate (principally former mining sites) pending development as commercial or residential real estate, reservoirs or landfills. The remaining 3 5 % is composed of aggregates, a sphalt mix and r eady-mix ed concrete operating assets idled temporarily as a result of a decline in demand for our products. We anticipate moving   idled assets back into operation as demand recovers. We evaluate the useful lives and the recoverability of these assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable.
For additional information regarding long-lived assets and intangible assets, see Note 4 "Property, Plant & Equipment" and Note 18 "Goodwill and Intangible Assets" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. "
3. RECLAMATION COSTS
Reclamation costs resulting from normal use of long-lived assets are recognized over the period the asset is in use when there is a legal obligation to incur these costs upon retirement of the assets. Additionally, reclamation costs resulting from normal use under a mineral lease are recognized over the lease term when there is a legal obligation to incur these costs upon expiration of the lease. The obligation, which cannot be reduced by estimated offsetting cash flows, is recorded at fair value as a liability at the obligating event date and is accreted through charges to operating expenses. This fair value is also capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the underlying asset and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. If the obligation is settled for other than the carrying amount of the liability, a gain or loss is recognized on settlement.
Reclamation costs are considered a critical accounting policy because of the significant estimates, assumptions an d j udgment used to determine the fair value of the obligation and the significant carrying amount of these obligations ($ 226.6 million as of December 31, 201 5 and $ 226.6 million as of December 31, 2014 ).
HOW WE DETERMINE FAIR VALUE OF THE OBLIGATION
To determine the fair value of the obligation, we estimate the cost ( including a reasonable profit margin ) for a third party to perform the legally required reclamation task s. This cost is then increased for both future estimated inflation and an estimated market risk premium related to the estimated years to settlement. Once calculated, this cost is discounted to fair value using present value techniques with a credit-adjusted, risk-free rate commensurate with the estimated years to settlement.
W e evaluat e c urrent facts and conditions to determine the most likely settlement date. If this evaluation identifies alternative estimated settlement dates, we use a weighted-average settlement date considering the probabilities of each alternative.
We review reclamation obligations at least annually for a revision to the cost or a change in the estimated settlement date. Additionally, reclamation obligations are reviewed in the period that a triggering event occurs that would result in either a revision to the cost or a change in the estimated settlement date. Examples of events that would trigger a change in the cost include a new reclamation law or amendment of an existing mineral lease. Examples of events that would trigger a change in the estimated settlement date include the acquisition of additional reserves or the closure of a facility.
For additional information regarding reclamation obligations (referred to in our financial statements as asset retirement obligations), see Note 17 "Asset Retirement Obligations" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

 	 	
 	 	
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4. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
Accounting for pension and postretirement benefits requires that we make significant assumptions regarding the valuation of benefit obligations and the performance of plan assets. Each year we review the following primary assumption s:

	§		DISCOUNT RATE — The discount rate is used in calculating the present value of projected benefit paymen ts	
	§		EXPECTED RETURN ON PLAN ASSETS — The expected future return on plan assets reduce s the recorded net benefit costs	
	§		RATE OF COMPENSATION INCREASE — Annual pay increases after 2015 will not increase our pension plan obligations as a result of a 2013 plan amendment	
	§		RATE OF INCREASE IN THE PER CAPITA COST OF COVERED HEALTHCARE BENEFITS   —   Future i ncreases in the per capita cost will no t i ncrease ou r po stretirement medical benefits obligation as a result of a 2012 plan amendment to cap medical coverage cost at the 2015 level	
HOW WE SET OUR ASSUMPTIONS
In selecting the discount rate, we consider the yield on high-quality bonds with a duration equal to the duration of plan liabilitie s. A t December 31, 201 5 , the discount rates for our various plans ranged from 3.53 % to 4.68 % (December 31, 201 4 ranged from 3.50 % to 4. 3 0 %).
In estimating the expected return on plan assets, we consider past performance and long-term future expectations for the types of investments held by the plan as well as the expected long-term allocation of plan assets to these investments. At December 31, 201 5 , the expected return on plan assets remains at 7.50 %.
Changes to the assumptions listed above would have an impact on the projected benefit obligation s a nd the annual ne t b enefit cost. The following table reflects the favorable and unfavorable outcomes associated with a change in certain assumptions:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	(Favorable) Unfavorable	
 	0.5 Percentage Point Increase	 	0.5 Percentage Point Decrease	
 	Inc (Dec) in	 	 	Inc (Dec) in	 	 	Inc (Dec) in	 	 	Inc (Dec) in	 	
in millions	Benefit Obligation	 	 	Annual Benefit Cost	 	 	Benefit Obligation	 	 	Annual Benefit Cost	 	
Actuarial Assumptions	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Discount rate	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Pension	$               (58.9)	 	 	$                  (1.3)	 	 	$                65.4 	 	 	$                    1.3 	 	
 Other postretirement benefits	(1.3)	 	 	0.0 	 	 	1.4 	 	 	0.0 	 	
Expected return on plan assets	not applicable	 	 	(3.6)	 	 	not applicable	 	 	3.6 	 	
 
As of the December 31, 201 5 measurement date, the fair value of our pension plan assets dec reased annually from $ 817.0 million to $ 745.7   million du e t o   unfavorable investment returns and lump-sum settlement payments to a group of terminated vested participants .   No   contributions were made to the qualified pension plans in 201 5 .
During 2016, we expect to recognize net pensio n   credit  o f approximately $ (6.2) million and net postretirement credit of approximately $ (3.7) million compared to expenses of $ 15.9 million and $ 0.2 million, respectively, in 2015. The de crease s   are primarily due to a change in estimate. Beginning in 2016, we are changing the method we use to estimate the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost for our defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. Historically, we estimated the service and interest cost components using a single weighted-average discount rate derived from the yield curve used to measure the benefit obligation at the beginning of the period. Beginning in 2016, we elected to utilize a full yield curve approach to estimate the service and interest cos t ,  a pplying the specific spot rates along the yield curve to the relevant projected cash flows.

 	 	
 	 	
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We are making this change to provide a more precise measurement of service and interest costs by improving the correlation between projected benefit cash flows to the corresponding yield curve spot rates. This change will not affect the measurement of our total benefit obligations as the change in the service cost and interest cost is completely offset in the actuarial (gain) loss reported.
We are accounting for this change as a change in estimate and, accordingly, are accounting for it prospectively starting in 2016. The estimated weighted-average discount rates used to measure servic e a nd interest cos t s for 2016 are 4.89 % and 3.80 %, respectively, for our pension plans and 4.05 % and 2.81 %, respectively, for our other postretirement plans. The weighted - average discount rates that we would have used for service and interest costs under our prior estimation technique were 4.54 % for the pension plans and 3.69 % for the other postretirement plans. The reductions in benefit cost for 2016 associated with this change are estimated to be $ 7. 2 million   and $ 0.5 million   for our pension and other postretirement plans, respectively.
We do not anticipate contributions will be required to the funded pension plans during 2016 and we do not anticipate making a discretionary contribution. We currently do not anticipate that the funded status of any of our plans will fall below statutory thresholds requiring accelerated funding or constraints on benefit levels or plan administration.
For additional information regarding pension and other postretirement benefits, see Note 10 "Benefit Plans" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."
5. ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE COSTS
Our environmental compliance costs include the cost of ongoing monitoring programs, the cost of remediation efforts and other similar costs.   Our accounting policy for environmental compliance costs is a critical accounting policy because it involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions and requires considerable management judgment.
HOW WE ACCOUNT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS
To account for environmental costs , we:

	§		expense or capitalize environmental costs consistent with our capitalization policy	
	§		expense costs for an existing condition caused by past operations that do not contribute to future revenues	
	§		accrue costs for environmental assessment and remediation efforts when we determine that a liability is probable and we can reasonably estimate the cost	
At the early stages of a remediation effort, environmental remediation liabilities are not easily quantified due to the uncertainties of various factors. The range of an estimated remediation liability is defined and redefined as events in the remediation effort occur , but generally liabilities are recognized no later than completion of the remedial feasibility study . When we can estimate a range of probable loss, we accrue the most likely amount. In the event that no amount in the range of probable loss is considered most likely, the minimum loss in the range is accrued. As of December 31, 201 5 , the difference between the amount accrued and the maximum loss in the range for all sites for which a range can be reasonably estimated was $ 3.2 million.   Our environmental remediation obligations are recorded on an undiscounted basis.
Accrual amounts may be based on technical cost estimations or the professional judgment of experienced environmental managers. Our Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs Management Committee routinely reviews cost estimates and key assumptions in response to new information, such as the kinds and quantities of hazardous substances, available technologies and changes to the parties participating in the remediation efforts. H owever,   a number of factors, including adverse agency rulings an d u nanticipated conditions as remediation efforts progress, may cause actual results to differ materially from accrued costs.
For additional information regarding environmental compliance costs, see Note 8 "Accrued Environmental Remediation Costs" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data."

 	 	
 	 	
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6. CLAIMS AND LITIGATION INCLUDING SELF-INSURANCE
We are involved with claims and litigation, including items covered under our self-insurance program . We are self-insured for losses related to workers' compensation up to $ 2.0 million per occurrence and automotive and general/product liability up to $ 3.0 million per occurrence. We have excess coverage on a per occurrence basis beyond these retention levels.
Under our self-insurance program, we aggregate certain claims and litigation costs that are reasonably predictable based on our historical loss experience and accrue losses, including future legal defense costs, based on actuarial studies. Certain claims and litigation costs, due to their unique nature, are not included in our actuarial studies. For matters not included in our actuarial studies, legal defense costs are accrued when incurred.
Our accounting policy for claims and litigation including self-insurance is a critical accounting policy because it involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions and requires considerable management judgment.
HOW WE ASSESS THE PROBABILITY OF LOSS
We use both internal and outside legal counsel to assess the probability of loss, and establish an accrual when the claims and litigation represent a probable loss and the cost can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment is used in determining the timing and amount of the accruals for probable losses, and the actual liability could differ materially from the accrued amounts.
For additional information regarding claims and litigation including self-insurance, see Note 1 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" in Item 8 "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" under the caption Claims and Litigation Including Self-insurance .
7. INCOME TAXES
VALUATION OF OUR DEFERRED TAX ASSETS
We fil e f ederal, state and foreign income tax returns   and a ccount for the current and deferred tax effects of such returns using the asset and liability met hod. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities ( which reflect our best assessment of th e f uture taxes we will pay )   based on the differences between the financial statement ’s carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and the amounts used for income tax purposes . Deferred tax assets represent items to be used as a tax deduction or credit in future tax returns   while deferred tax liabilities represent items that will result in additional tax in future tax returns.
Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining our deferred tax assets and liabilities. These estimates are updated throughout the year to consider income tax return filings, our geographic mix of earnings, legislative changes and other relevant items.
Each quarter we analyze the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be realized. Realization of the deferred tax assets ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character in either the carryback or carryforward period. A valuation allowance is recorded if, based on the weight of all available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. A summary of our deferred tax assets is included in Note 9 “Income Taxes” in Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
At December 31, 2015, we have state net operating loss carryforward deferred tax assets of $ 61.7 million, against which we have a valuation allowance of $ 55.2 million. Of the deferred tax assets, $ 58.9 million relates to Alabama.
From 2008 through the second quarter of 2015, we carried a full valuation allowance against the Alabama deferred tax asset for the following reasons:

	§		due to our legal entity structure, we had no expectation of creating taxable income in Alabama	
	§		we had a substantial cumulative loss in Alabama	
During the second quarter of 2015, we restructured our legal entities. Among other benefits, we anticipated that the restructuring would generate significant taxable income in Alabama, and therefore, allow for the utilization of some or all of the Alabama deferred tax asset.
Our Alabama cumulative loss is calculated as pretax earnings from continuing operations, discontinued operations and other comprehensive income plus permanent differences over the last three years. While evaluating all available positive and

 	 	
 	 	
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negative evidence, realizing the significance of the restructuring in our Alabama income tax filing, we determined that it was appropriate to adjust our Alabama cumulative loss calculation to consider the restructuring, remove pretax earnings fr o m discontinued operations and other comprehensive income and remove any other significant nonrecurring items. We refer to this calculation as our Alabama adjusted earnings.
At the end of the second quarter, our Alabama adjusted earnings were negative. However, the Alabama adjusted earnings loss was dramatically smaller than our Alabama cumulative loss. Of the three adjustments made, the restructuring had the greatest impact. In addition, we considered all other forms of positive and negative evidence, including the four sources of taxable income. The first three sources of taxable income (carryback potential, reversing temporary differences and tax planning strategies) provided very little positive evidence. Because our Alabama adjusted earnings were a loss, we did not project future Alabama taxable income (the fourth source). As a result, during the second quarter we continued to carry a full valuation allowance against our Alabama deferred tax asset.
At the end of the third quarter, our Alabama adjusted earnings turned positive. This development provided sufficient positive evidence such that we determined it was appropriate to utilize projections of future Alabama taxable income in our assessment for the first time. However, because we had not yet returned to sustained profitability (i.e., three consecutive years of positive Alabama adjusted earnings) we used our Alabama trailing twelve months adjusted earnings as the basis for an objectively verifiable projection of future Alabama taxable income. This projection, in addition to considering all other positive and negative evidence, led us to conclude in the thir d qu art er th at it was more likely than not that $ 4.7 million of the deferred tax asset was realizable. Therefore, we recognized a deferred tax benefi t of $4.7 millio n i n the third quarter by reducing the valuation allowance . Our fourth quarter analysis further confirmed our third quarter conclusions but resulted in no further reductions of the valuation allowance .
We believe that i f, or when, we have three consecutive years of positive Alabama adjusted earnings, we will have sufficient positive evidence to conclude that we have retur ned to sustained profitability and will no longer limit our estimate of future taxable incom e t o our Alabama trailing twelve months adjusted earnings. At that time , we expect to realize a significant portion, if not all, of the Alabama deferred tax asset.   We project that the earliest this could happen would be the fourth quarter of 2016.
L IABILITY FOR UNRECOGNIZ ED TA X BENEFITS
We recognize a ta x benefit associated with a t ax position when, in our judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained based upon the technical merits of the position . For a tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold, w e m easure th e   income t ax benefit as the largest amount that we judge to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realiz ed. A liability is established for the unrecognized portion of any tax position. Ou r liability for  u nrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically due to changing circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, case law developments a nd new or emerging legislation.
The   years open   to   tax examinations vary by jurisdiction. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter, we believe our liability for unrecogniz ed ta x benefits is appropriate .
We consider a   tax position to be resolved at the earlier of the issue being “effectively settled,” settlement of an examination ,   or the expiration of the statute of limitati ons. Upon resolution of a tax position, an y   liability for u nrecognized tax benefits will be released.
Ou r liability for unrecogniz ed ta x benefits is generally presented as noncurrent. However, if we anticipate paying cash within one year to settle an uncertain tax position, the liability is presented as current. We classify interest and penalties associated with our   liability for unrecogniz ed ta x benefits as income tax expense.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
For a discussion of accounting standards recently adopte d and pending adoption and the e ffect such accounting changes will have on our results of operations, financial position or liquidity, see Note 1 " Summary of Significant Accounting Policies " in Item 8 " Financial Statements and Supplementary Data " under the caption New Accounting Standards.

 	 	
 	 	
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The foregoing discussion and analysis, as well as certain information contained elsewhere in this Annual Report, contain " forward-looking statements " within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created thereby. See the discussion in Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 in Part I, above.

ITEM 7A
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
We are exposed to certain market risks arising from transactions that are entered into in the normal course of business. In order to manage these market risks, we may utilize derivative financial instruments. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
As discussed in the Liquidity and Financial Resources section of Item 7 "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," we actively manage our capital structure and resources to balance the cost of capital and financial risk. Such activity includes balancing the cost and risk of interest expense. In addition to floating-rate borrowings under our line of credit, we at times utiliz e i nterest rate swaps to manage the mix of fixed- and floating-rate debt.
While floating-rate debt exposes us to rising interest rates, it is typically cheaper than issuing fixed-rate debt at any point in time but can become more expensive than previously issued fixed-rate debt. However, a rising interest rate environment is not necessarily harmful to our financial results. Since 2002, our EBITDA and Operating income are correlated to floating interest rates (as measured by 3-month LIBOR). As such, our business serves as a natural hedge to rising interest rates, and floating-rate debt serves as a natural hedge against weaker operating results.
At December 31, 2015, the estimated fair value of our long-term debt including current maturities was $ 2,204.9 million compared to a book value of $ 1,980.5 million. The estimated fair value was determined by averaging several asking price quotes for the publicly traded notes and assuming par value for the remainder of the debt. The fair value estimate is based on information available as of the balance sheet date. The effect of a decline in interest rates of one percentage point would increase the fair value of our debt by $ 111.4 million.
We are exposed to certain economic risks related to the costs of our pension and other postretirement benefit plans. These economic risks include changes in the discount rate for high-quality bonds and the expected return on plan assets. The impact of a change in these assumptions on our annual pension and other postretirement benefit costs is discussed in greater detail within the Critical Accounting Policies section of this Annual Report.

 

 	 	
 	 	
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ITEM 8
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Vulcan Materials Company:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Vulcan Materials Company and its subsidiary companies (the "Company") as of December 31, 201 5   and 201 4 , and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 201 5 . These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statement s b ased on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Vulcan Materials Company and its subsidiary companies as of December 31, 201 5 and 201 4 , and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 201 5 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 201 5 , based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework ( 2013 ) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 25 , 201 6   expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Birmingham, Alabama
February 25 , 201 6

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	58	

 
 
VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF   COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
For the years ended December 31	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands, except per share data	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total revenues	$      3,422,181 	 	 	$    2,994,169 	 	 	$    2,770,709 	 	
Cost of revenues	2,564,648 	 	 	2,406,587 	 	 	2,343,829 	 	
  Gross profit	857,533 	 	 	587,582 	 	 	426,880 	 	
Selling, administrative and general expenses	286,844 	 	 	272,288 	 	 	259,427 	 	
Gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses	9,927 	 	 	244,222 	 	 	39,250 	 	
Restructuring charges	(4,988)	 	 	(1,308)	 	 	(1,509)	 	
Other operating expense, net	(25,850)	 	 	(20,070)	 	 	(14,790)	 	
  Operating earnings	549,778 	 	 	538,138 	 	 	190,404 	 	
Other nonoperating income (expense), net	(1,678)	 	 	3,107 	 	 	7,538 	 	
Interest income	345 	 	 	960 	 	 	943 	 	
Interest expense	220,588 	 	 	243,367 	 	 	202,588 	 	
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	327,857 	 	 	298,838 	 	 	(3,703)	 	
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
  Current	89,340 	 	 	74,039 	 	 	9,673 	 	
  Deferred	5,603 	 	 	17,653 	 	 	(34,132)	 	
Total provision for (benefit from) income taxes	94,943 	 	 	91,692 	 	 	(24,459)	 	
Earnings from continuing operations	232,914 	 	 	207,146 	 	 	20,756 	 	
Earnings (loss) on discontinued operations, net of income taxes (Note 2)	(11,737)	 	 	(2,223)	 	 	3,626 	 	
Net earnings	$         221,177 	 	 	$       204,923 	 	 	$         24,382 	 	
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
  Reclassification adjustment for cash flow hedges	5,828 	 	 	4,856 	 	 	2,992 	 	
  Adjustment for funded status of benefit plans	23,832 	 	 	(69,051)	 	 	111,883 	 	
  Amortization of actuarial loss and prior service cost for benefit plans	11,985 	 	 	2,112 	 	 	11,011 	 	
Other comprehensive income (loss)	41,645 	 	 	(62,083)	 	 	125,886 	 	
Comprehensive income	$         262,822 	 	 	$       142,840 	 	 	$       150,268 	 	
Basic earnings (loss) per share	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
  Continuing operations	$               1.75 	 	 	$             1.58 	 	 	$             0.16 	 	
  Discontinued operations	(0.09)	 	 	(0.02)	 	 	0.03 	 	
  Net earnings	$               1.66 	 	 	$             1.56 	 	 	$             0.19 	 	
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
  Continuing operations	$               1.72 	 	 	$             1.56 	 	 	$             0.16 	 	
  Discontinued operations	(0.08)	 	 	(0.02)	 	 	0.03 	 	
  Net earnings	$               1.64 	 	 	$             1.54 	 	 	$             0.19 	 	
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
  Basic	133,210 	 	 	131,461 	 	 	130,272 	 	
  Assuming dilution	135,093 	 	 	132,991 	 	 	131,467 	 	
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	59	

 
 
V ULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	
As of December 31	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	 	 	 	 	 	
Assets	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents	$        284,060 	 	 	$       141,273 	 	
Restricted cash	1,150 	 	 	0 	 	
Accounts and notes receivable	 	 	 	 	 	
  Customers, less allowance for doubtful accounts	 	 	 	 	 	
    2015 — $5,576 ; 2014 — $5,105	397,287 	 	 	354,935 	 	
  Other	20,737 	 	 	18,907 	 	
Inventories	347,073 	 	 	321,804 	 	
Current deferred income taxes	0 	 	 	39,726 	 	
Prepaid expenses	34,284 	 	 	28,640 	 	
Assets held for sale	0 	 	 	15,184 	 	
Total current assets	1,084,591 	 	 	920,469 	 	
Investments and long-term receivables	40,558 	 	 	41,650 	 	
Property, plant & equipment, net	3,156,290 	 	 	3,071,630 	 	
Goodwill	3,094,824 	 	 	3,094,824 	 	
Other intangible assets, net	766,579 	 	 	758,243 	 	
Other noncurrent assets	158,790 	 	 	154,281 	 	
Total assets	$     8,301,632 	 	 	$    8,041,097 	 	
Liabilities	 	 	 	 	 	
Current maturities of long-term debt	130 	 	 	150,137 	 	
Trade payables and accruals	175,729 	 	 	145,148 	 	
Accrued salaries, wages and management incentives	91,440 	 	 	84,722 	 	
Accrued interest	9,752 	 	 	8,212 	 	
Other accrued liabilities	76,428 	 	 	63,139 	 	
Liabilities of assets held for sale	0 	 	 	520 	 	
Total current liabilities	353,479 	 	 	451,878 	 	
Long-term debt	1,980,334 	 	 	1,834,642 	 	
Noncurrent deferred income taxes	681,096 	 	 	691,137 	 	
Deferred management incentive and other compensation	15,980 	 	 	22,421 	 	
Pension benefits	233,661 	 	 	252,531 	 	
Other postretirement benefits	42,318 	 	 	76,372 	 	
Asset retirement obligations	226,594 	 	 	226,565 	 	
Deferred revenue	207,660 	 	 	213,968 	 	
Other noncurrent liabilities	106,322 	 	 	94,884 	 	
Total liabilities	$     3,847,444 	 	 	$    3,864,398 	 	
Other commitments and contingencies (Note 12)	 	 	 	 	 	
Equity	 	 	 	 	 	
Common stock, $1 par value — Authorized 480,000 shares,	 	 	 	 	 	
  Outstanding 133,172 and 131,907 shares, respectively	133,172 	 	 	131,907 	 	
Capital in excess of par value	2,822,578 	 	 	2,734,661 	 	
Retained earnings	1,618,507 	 	 	1,471,845 	 	
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(120,069)	 	 	(161,714)	 	
Total equity	4,454,188 	 	 	4,176,699 	 	
Total liabilities and equity	$     8,301,632 	 	 	$    8,041,097 	 	
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	60	

 
 
VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
For the years ended December 31	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Operating Activities	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net earnings	$      221,177 	 	 	$       204,923 	 	 	$         24,382 	 	
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
  Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization	274,823 	 	 	279,497 	 	 	307,108 	 	
  Net gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses	(9,927)	 	 	(244,222)	 	 	(50,978)	 	
  Proceeds from sale of future production, net of transaction costs (Note 19)	0 	 	 	0 	 	 	153,095 	 	
  Contributions to pension plans	(14,047)	 	 	(5,488)	 	 	(4,855)	 	
  Share-based compensation	18,248 	 	 	23,884 	 	 	22,093 	 	
  Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	(18,376)	 	 	(3,464)	 	 	(161)	 	
  Deferred tax provision (benefit)	3,069 	 	 	18,378 	 	 	(35,063)	 	
  Cost of debt purchase	67,075 	 	 	72,949 	 	 	0 	 	
 (Increase) decrease in assets before initial effects of business acquisitions	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
    and dispositions	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
      Accounts and notes receivable	(42,164)	 	 	(25,118)	 	 	(42,260)	 	
      Inventories	(20,925)	 	 	(5,595)	 	 	(7,700)	 	
      Prepaid expenses	(5,288)	 	 	(6,256)	 	 	(765)	 	
      Other assets	34,863 	 	 	(13,930)	 	 	12,374 	 	
  Increase (decrease) in liabilities before initial effects of business acquisitions	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
    and dispositions	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
      Accrued interest and income taxes	26,605 	 	 	(3,840)	 	 	(10,937)	 	
      Trade payables and other accruals	26,491 	 	 	4,229 	 	 	15,485 	 	
      Other noncurrent liabilities	(42,702)	 	 	(42,810)	 	 	(26,602)	 	
Other, net	(15,544)	 	 	7,199 	 	 	1,283 	 	
Net cash provided by operating activities	$      503,378 	 	 	$       260,336 	 	 	$       356,499 	 	
Investing Activities	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Purchases of property, plant & equipment	(289,262)	 	 	(224,852)	 	 	(275,380)	 	
Proceeds from sale of property, plant & equipment	8,218 	 	 	26,028 	 	 	17,576 	 	
Proceeds from sale of businesses, net of transaction costs	0 	 	 	721,359 	 	 	51,604 	 	
Payment for businesses acquired, net of acquired cash	(27,198)	 	 	(284,237)	 	 	(89,951)	 	
Increase in restricted cash	(1,150)	 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	
Other, net	(350)	 	 	33 	 	 	(39)	 	
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities	$   (309,742)	 	 	$       238,331 	 	 	$     (296,190)	 	
Financing Activities	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Proceeds from line of credit	441,000 	 	 	93,000 	 	 	156,000 	 	
Payments of line of credit	(206,000)	 	 	(93,000)	 	 	(156,000)	 	
Payments of current maturities and long-term debt	(695,060)	 	 	(579,829)	 	 	(150,602)	 	
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	400,000 	 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	
Debt and line of credit issuance costs	(7,382)	 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	
Purchases of common stock	(21,475)	 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	0 	 	 	30,620 	 	 	3,821 	 	
Dividends paid	(53,214)	 	 	(28,884)	 	 	(5,191)	 	
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	72,971 	 	 	23,502 	 	 	9,762 	 	
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	18,376 	 	 	3,464 	 	 	161 	 	
Other, net	(65)	 	 	(5)	 	 	0 	 	
Net cash used for financing activities	$     (50,849)	 	 	$     (551,132)	 	 	$     (142,049)	 	
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	142,787 	 	 	(52,465)	 	 	(81,740)	 	
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	141,273 	 	 	193,738 	 	 	275,478 	 	
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$      284,060 	 	 	$       141,273 	 	 	$       193,738 	 	
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.	

 

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	61	

 
 
VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Accumulated	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	Capital in	 	 	 	Other	 	 	 	
 	Common Stock	 	 	Excess of	 	Retained	 	Comprehensive	 	 	 	
in thousands	Shares	 	Amount	 	 	Par Value	 	Earnings	 	Income (Loss)	 	Total	 	
Balances at December 31, 2012	129,721 	 	$    129,721 	 	 	$    2,580,209 	 	$    1,276,649 	 	$     (225,517)	 	$    3,761,062 	 	
Net earnings	0 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	24,382 	 	0 	 	24,382 	 	
Common stock issued	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
  401(k) Trustee (Note 13)	71 	 	71 	 	 	3,750 	 	0 	 	0 	 	3,821 	 	
  Share-based compensation plans	408 	 	408 	 	 	5,485 	 	0 	 	0 	 	5,893 	 	
Share-based compensation expense	0 	 	0 	 	 	22,093 	 	0 	 	0 	 	22,093 	 	
Excess tax benefits from	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
share-based compensation	0 	 	0 	 	 	161 	 	0 	 	0 	 	161 	 	
Cash dividends on common stock	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 ( $0.04 per share)	0 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	(5,191)	 	0 	 	(5,191)	 	
Other comprehensive income	0 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	0 	 	125,886 	 	125,886 	 	
Other	0 	 	0 	 	 	5 	 	(6)	 	0 	 	(1)	 	
Balances at December 31, 2013	130,200 	 	$    130,200 	 	 	$    2,611,703 	 	$    1,295,834 	 	$       (99,631)	 	$    3,938,106 	 	
Net earnings	0 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	204,923 	 	0 	 	204,923 	 	
Common stock issued	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
  Acquisitions	715 	 	715 	 	 	44,470 	 	0 	 	0 	 	45,185 	 	
  401(k) Trustee (Note 13)	485 	 	485 	 	 	30,135 	 	0 	 	0 	 	30,620 	 	
  Share-based compensation plans	507 	 	507 	 	 	20,982 	 	0 	 	0 	 	21,489 	 	
Share-based compensation expense	0 	 	0 	 	 	23,884 	 	0 	 	0 	 	23,884 	 	
Excess tax benefits from	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
share-based compensation	0 	 	0 	 	 	3,464 	 	0 	 	0 	 	3,464 	 	
Cash dividends on common stock	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 ( $0.22 per share)	0 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	(28,884)	 	0 	 	(28,884)	 	
Other comprehensive loss	0 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	0 	 	(62,083)	 	(62,083)	 	
Other	0 	 	0 	 	 	23 	 	(28)	 	0 	 	(5)	 	
Balances at December 31, 2014	131,907 	 	$    131,907 	 	 	$    2,734,661 	 	$    1,471,845 	 	$     (161,714)	 	$    4,176,699 	 	
Net earnings	0 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	221,177 	 	0 	 	221,177 	 	
Common stock issued	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
  Share-based compensation plans	1,493 	 	1,493 	 	 	51,240 	 	0 	 	0 	 	52,733 	 	
Purchase and retirement of	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
common stock	(228)	 	(228)	 	 	0 	 	(21,251)	 	0 	 	(21,479)	 	
Share-based compensation expense	0 	 	0 	 	 	18,248 	 	0 	 	0 	 	18,248 	 	
Excess tax benefits from	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
share-based compensation	0 	 	0 	 	 	18,376 	 	0 	 	0 	 	18,376 	 	
Cash dividends on common stock	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 ( $0.40 per share)	0 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	(53,214)	 	0 	 	(53,214)	 	
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	0 	 	41,645 	 	41,645 	 	
Other	0 	 	0 	 	 	53 	 	(50)	 	0 	 	3 	 	
Balances at December 31, 2015	133,172 	 	$    133,172 	 	 	$    2,822,578 	 	$    1,618,507 	 	$     (120,069)	 	$    4,454,188 	 	
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.	

 

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	62	

 
 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
NATURE OF OPERATIONS
Vulcan Materials Company (the "Company," "Vulcan," "we," "our"), a New Jersey corporation, is the nation's largest producer of construction aggregates (primarily crushed stone, sand and gravel) and a major producer of asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete.
We operate primarily in the United States and our principal product — aggregates — is used in virtually all types of public and private construction projects and in the production of asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete. We serve markets in twenty states, Washington D.C., and the local markets surrounding our operations in Mexico and the Bahamas. Our primary focus is serving states in metropolitan markets in the United States that are expected to experience the most significant growth in population, households and employment. These three demographic factors are significant drivers of demand for aggregates. While aggregates is our focus and primary business, we produce and sell asphalt mix and/or ready-mixed concrete in our mid-Atlantic, Georgia, Southwestern and Western markets.
Due to the 2005 sale of our Chemicals business as described in Note 2, the operating results of the Chemicals business are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Vulcan Materials Company and all our majority or
wholly-owned subsidiary companies. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.
USE OF ESTIMATES IN THE PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The preparation of these financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted (GAAP) in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosures of contingent assets and contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements. We evaluate these estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis and base our estimates on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates form the basis for our judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities as well as identifying and assessing the accounting treatment with respect to commitments and contingencies. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates. The most significant estimates included in the preparation of these financial statements are related to goodwill and long-lived asset impairments, reclamation costs, pension and other postretirement benefits, environmental compliance, claims and litigation including self-insurance, and income taxes.
BUSINESS COMBINA TIO NS
We account for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. The total cost of acquisitions is allocated to the underlying identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values. Determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions.
RESTRU CTURING CHARGES
Costs associated with restructuring our operations include severance and related charges to eliminate a specified number of employee positions, costs to relocate employees, contract cancellation costs and charges to vacate facilities and consolidate operations. Relocation, contract cancellation costs and charges to vacate facilities are recognized in the period the liability is incurred. Severance charges for employees, who are required to render service beyond a minimum retention period, generally more than 60 days, are recognized ratably over the retention period; otherwise, the full severance charge is recognized on the date a detailed restructuring plan has been authorized by management and communicated to employees.
In 2014, we announced changes to our executive management team, and a new divisional organization structure that was effective January 1, 2015. During 2015 and 2014, we incurred $ 4,988,000   and $1,308,000 , respectively, of costs related to these initiatives. We do not expect to incur any future material charges related to these initiatives.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	63	

 

During 2013, we incurred $1,509,000 of severance costs related to the implementation of a 2012 profit enhancement plan.
CASH EQUIVALENTS
We classify as cash equivalents all highly liquid securities with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase. The carrying amount of these securities approximates fair value due to their short-term maturities.
ACCOUNTS AND NOTES RECEIVABLE
Accounts and notes receivable from customers result from our extending credit to trade customers for the purchase of our products. The terms generally provide for payment within 30 days of being invoiced. On occasion, when necessary to conform to regional industry practices, we sell product under extended payment terms, which may result in either secured or unsecured short-term notes; or, on occasion, notes with durations of less than one year are taken in settlement of existing accounts receivable. Other accounts and notes receivable result from short-term transactions (less than one year) other than the sale of our products, such as interest receivable; insurance claims; freight claims; tax refund claims; bid deposits or rents receivable. Receivables are aged and appropriate allowances for doubtful accounts and bad debt expense are recorded. Bad debt expense for the years ended December 31 was as follows: 2015 — $ 1,450,000 ,   2014 — $2,031,000   and   2013 — $602,000 . Write-offs of accounts receivables for the years ended December 31 were as follows: 2015 — $ 1,483,000 ,   2014 — $2,561,000 and 2013 — $1,946,000 .
INVENTORIES
Inventories and supplies are stated at the lower of cost or market. We use the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of valuation for most of our inventories because it results in a better matching of costs with revenues. Such costs include fuel, parts and supplies, raw materials, direct labor and production overhead. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations are based on our estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs and are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation. Substantially all operating supplies inventory is carried at average cost. For additional information regarding our inventories see Note 3.
PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT
Property, plant & equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization. The cost of properties held under capital leases, if any, is equal to the lower of the net present value of the minimum lease payments or the fair value of the leased property at the inception of the lease.
Capitalized software costs of $ 7,003,000 and $8,753,000 are reflected in net property, plant & equipment as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We capitalized software costs for the years ended December 31 as follows: 2015 — $ 1,482,000 , 2014 — $921,000 and 2013 — $1,695,000 . For additional information regarding our property, plant & equipment see Note 4.
REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE
Repair and maintenance costs generally are charged to operating expense as incurred. Renewals and betterments that add materially to the utility or useful lives of property, plant & equipment are capitalized and subsequently depreciated. Actual costs for planned major maintenance activities, related primarily to periodic overhauls on our oceangoing vessels, are capitalized and amortized to the next overhaul.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	64	

 

DEPRECIATION, DEPLETION, ACCRETION AND AMORTIZATION
Depreciation is generally computed by the straight-line method at rates based on the estimated service lives of the various classes of assets, which include machinery and equipment ( 3 to 25 years), buildings ( 7 to 20 years) and land improvements ( 8 to 20 years). Capitalized software costs are included in machinery and equipment and are depreciated on a straight-line basis beginning when the software project is substantially complete.
Cost depletion on depletable land is computed by the unit-of-production method based on estimated recoverable units.
Accretion reflects the period-to-period increase in the carrying amount of the liability for asset retirement obligations. It is computed using the same credit-adjusted, risk-free rate used to initially measure the liability at fair value.
Leaseholds are amortized over varying periods not in excess of applicable lease terms or estimated useful lives.
Amortization of intangible assets subject to amortization is computed based on the estimated life of the intangible assets.
A significant portion of our intangible assets is contractual rights in place associated with zoning, permitting and other rights to access and extract aggregates reserves. Contractual rights in place associated with aggregates reserves are amortized using the unit-of-production method based on estimated recoverable units. Other intangible assets are amortized principally by the straight-line method.
Depreciation, depletion, accretion and amortization expense for the years ended December 31 is outlined below:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Depreciation	$      228,866 	 	 	$     239,611 	 	 	$     271,180 	 	
Depletion	18,177 	 	 	16,741 	 	 	13,028 	 	
Accretion	11,474 	 	 	11,601 	 	 	10,685 	 	
Amortization of leaseholds	688 	 	 	578 	 	 	483 	 	
Amortization of intangibles	15,618 	 	 	10,966 	 	 	11,732 	 	
Total	$      274,823 	 	 	$     279,497 	 	 	$     307,108 	 	
 
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
We periodically use derivative instruments to manage our mix of fixed-rate and floating-rate debt and to manage our exposure to cu rrency exchange risk or price fluctuations on commodity energy sources consistent with our risk management policies. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. Additional disclosures regarding our derivative instruments are presented in Note 5.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	65	

 

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels as described below:
Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities
Level 2: Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data
Level 3: Inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement
Our assets at December 31 subject to fair value measurement on a recurring basis are summarized below:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	Level 1	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	
Fair Value Recurring	 	 	 	 	 	
Rabbi Trust	 	 	 	 	 	
  Mutual funds	$       11,472 	 	 	$     15,532 	 	
  Equities	8,992 	 	 	11,248 	 	
Total	$       20,464 	 	 	$     26,780 	 	

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	Level 2	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	
Fair Value Recurring	 	 	 	 	 	
Rabbi Trust	 	 	 	 	 	
  Common/collective trust funds	$        2,124 	 	 	$       1,415 	 	
Total	$        2,124 	 	 	$       1,415 	 	
 
We have established two Rabbi Trusts for the purpose of providing a level of security for the employee nonqualified retirement and deferred compensation plans and for the directors' nonqualified deferred compensation plans. The fair values of these investments are estimated using a market approach. The Level 1 investments include mutual funds and equity securities for which quoted prices in active markets are available. Level 2 investments are stated at estimated fair value based on the underlying investments in those funds (short-term, highly liquid assets in commercial paper, short-term bonds and certificates of deposit).
Net gains (losses) of the Rabbi Trust investments were $ (1,517,000) ,   $1,169,000 and $4,398,000 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The portions of the net gains (losses) related to investments still held by the Rabbi Trusts at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were $ (1,769,000) ,   $(1,049,000) and   $4,234,000 , respectively.
The carrying values of our cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts and notes receivable, short-term debt, trade payables and accruals, and all other current liabilities approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Additional disclosures for derivative instruments and interest-bearing debt are presented in Notes 5 and 6, respectively.
There were no assets or liabilities subject to fair value measurement on a nonrecurring basis in 2013. Assets that were subject to fair value measurement on a nonrecurring basis in 2015 and 2014 are summarized below:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	Year ending December 31, 2015	 	Year ending December 31, 2014	
 	 	 	 	 	 	Impairment	 	 	 	 	 	Impairment	 	
in thousands	Level 2	 	 	Charges	 	 	Level 2	 	 	Charges	 	
Fair Value Nonrecurring	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Property, plant & equipment	$              0 	 	 	$       2,176 	 	 	$       2,172 	 	 	$       3,095 	 	
Other intangible assets, net	0 	 	 	2,858 	 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	
Other assets	0 	 	 	156 	 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	
Totals	$              0 	 	 	$       5,190 	 	 	$       2,172 	 	 	$       3,095 	 	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	66	

 

We recorded $ 5,190,000   and $3,095,000 of losses on impairment of long-lived assets (reported within other operating expenses, net in our accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income) in 2015 and 2014, respectively, reducing the carrying value of these assets to their estimated fair values of $0   and $2,172,000 . Fair value was estimated using a market approach (observed transactions involving comparable assets in similar locations).
GOODWILL AND GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of net assets acquired in business combinations over the fair value of the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Goodwill impairment exists when the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. As of December 31, 2015, goodwill totaled $ 3,094,824,000 ,   the same as at December 31, 2014. Goodwill represents 37 % of total assets at December 31, 2015 compared to 38% as of December 31, 2014.
Goodwill is tested for impairment annually, as of November 1, or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level, one level below our operating segments. We have four operating segments organized around our principal product lines: Aggregates, Asphalt Mix, Concrete and Calcium. Within these four operating segments, we have identified 18 reporting units (of which 9   carry goodwill) based primarily on geographic location. We have the option of either assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the carrying value of our reporting units exceeds their respective fair value or proceeding directly to a two-step quantitative test. We elected to perform the quantitative impairment test for all years presented.
The first step of the quantitative impairment test identifies potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill of the reporting unit is not considered impaired and the second step of the impairment test is not required. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any.
The second step of the quantitative impairment test compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by hypothetically allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to its identifiable assets and liabilities in a manner consistent with a business combination, with any excess fair value representing implied goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
The results of the first step of the annual impairment tests performed as of November 1, 201 5 , 2014 and 2013 indicated that the fair values of all reporting units with goodwill substantially exceeded their carrying values. Accordingly, there were no charges for goodwill impairment in the years ended December 31, 201 5 , 2014 or 2013.
We estimate the fair values of the reporting units using both an income approach (which involves discounting estimated future cash flows) and a market approach (which involves the application of revenue and EBITDA multiples of comparable companies). Determining the fair value of our reporting units involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions and considerable management judgment. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable at the time, but such assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainty and actual results may differ. Changes in key assumptions or management judgment with respect to a reporting unit or its prospects, which may result from a change in market conditions, market trends, interest rates or other factors outside of our control, or underperformance relative to historical or projected operating results, could result in a significantly different estimate of the fair value of our reporting units, which could result in an impairment charge in the future.
For additional information regarding goodwill see Note 18.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	67	

 

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS EXCLUDING GOODWILL
We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets, including intangible assets subject to amortization, when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The carrying value of long-lived assets is considered impaired when the estimated undiscounted cash flows from such assets are less than their carrying value. In that event, we recognize a loss equal to the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value. Fair value is determined primarily by using a discounted cash flow methodology that requires considerable judgment and assumptions. Our estimate of net future cash flows is based on historical experience and assumptions of future trends, which may be different from actual results. We periodically review the appropriateness of the estimated useful lives of our long-lived assets.
We test long-lived assets for impairment at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets. As a result, our long-lived asset impairment test is at a significantly lower level than the level at which we test goodwill for impairment. In markets where we do not produce downstream products (e.g., asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete), the lowest level of largely independent identifiable cash flows is at the individual aggregates operation or a group of aggregates operations collectively serving a local market. Conversely, in vertically integrated markets, the cash flows of our downstream and upstream businesses are not largely independently identifiable as the selling price of the upstream products (aggregates) determines the profitability of the downstream business.
As of December 31, 2015, net property, plant & equipment represents 38 % of total assets, while net other intangible assets represents 9 % of total assets. During 2015, we recorded a $ 5,190,000   loss on impairment of long-lived assets related to exiting a lease   for an aggregates site . During 2014, we recorded a $3,095,000 loss on impairment of long-lived assets related primarily to assets retained in the divestiture of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area (see Note 19). We recorded no asset impairments during 2013.
For additional information regarding long-lived assets and intangible assets see Notes 4 and 18.
TOTAL REVENUES AND REVENUE RECOGNITION
Total revenues include sales of product to customers, net of any discounts and taxes, and freight and delivery revenues billed to customers. Freight and delivery generally represents pass-through transportation we incur (including our administrative costs) and pay to third-party carriers to deliver our products to customers. The cost related to freight and delivery is included in cost of revenues.
Revenue is recognized at the time the selling price is fixed, the product's title is transferred to the buyer and collectibility of the sales proceeds is reasonably assured (typically occurs when finished products are shipped to the customer).
SALES TAXES
Sales taxes collected from customers are recorded as liabilities (within other accrued liabilities) until remitted to taxing authorities and therefore, are not reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
DEFERRED REVENUE
In 2013 and 2012, we sold a percentage interest in future production structured as volumetric production payments (VPPs).
The VPPs:

	§		relate to eight quarries in Georgia and South Carolina	
	§		provide the purchaser solely with a nonoperating percentage interest in the subject quarries’ future production from aggregates reserves	
	§		are both time and volume limited	
	§		contain no minimum annual or cumulative production or sales volume, nor minimum sales price, guarantees	
Our consolidated total revenues excludes the sales of aggregates owned by the VPP purchaser.
We received net cash proceeds from the sale of the VPPs of $153,282,000 and $73,644,000 for the 2013 and 2012 transactions, respectively. These proceeds were recorded as deferred revenue on the balance sheet and are amortized to revenue on a unit-of-sales basis over the terms of the VPPs (expected to be approximately 25 years, limited by volume rather than time).

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	68	

 

Reconciliation of the deferred revenue balances (current and noncurrent) is as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Deferred Revenue	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Balance at beginning of year	$      219,968 	 	 	$     224,743 	 	 	$       73,583 	 	
 Cash received and revenue deferred	0 	 	 	187 	 	 	153,156 	 	
 Amortization of deferred revenue	(5,908)	 	 	(4,962)	 	 	(1,996)	 	
Balance at end of year	$      214,060 	 	 	$     219,968 	 	 	$     224,743 	 	
 
Based on expected s ales from the specified quarries, we expect to recognize approximately   $ 6,400,000 of deferred revenue as income i n 2 01 6 (reflected in other accrued liabilities in our 2015 Consolidated Balance Sheet).
STRIPPING COSTS
In the mining industry, the costs of removing overburden and waste materials to access mineral deposits are referred to as stripping costs.
Stripping costs incurred during the production phase are considered costs of extracted minerals under our inventory costing system, inventoried, and recognized in cost of sales in the same period as the revenue from the sale of the inventory. The production stage is deemed to begin when the activities, including removal of overburden and waste material that may contain incidental saleable material, required to access the saleable product are complete. Stripping costs considered as production costs and included in the costs of inventory produced were $ 50,409,000 in 2015, $44,896,000 in 2014 and $41,716,000 in 2013.
Conversely, stripping costs incurred during the development stage of a mine (pre-production stripping) are excluded from our inventory cost. Pre-production stripping costs are capitalized and reported within other noncurrent assets in our accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Capitalized pre-production stripping costs are expensed over the productive life of the mine using the unit-of-production method. Pre-production stripping costs included in other noncurrent assets were $ 61,369,000 as of December 31, 2015 and $44,035,000   as of December 31, 2014. This year-over-year increase resulted primarily from   the removal of overburden at a greenfield site in California.
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
We account for share-based compensation awards using fair-value-based measurement methods. These result in the recognition of compensation expense for all share-based compensation awards based on their fair value as of the grant date. Compensation cost is recognized over the requisite service period.
We receive an income tax deduction for share-based compensation equal to the excess of the market value of our common stock on the date of exercise or issuance over the exercise price. Tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized (excess tax benefits) are classified as financing cash flows. The $ 18,376,000 ,   $3,464,000 , and $161,000 in excess tax benefits classified as financing cash inflows for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows relate to the exercise of stock options and issuance of shares under long-term incentive plans.
A summary of the estimated future compensation cost (unrecognized compensation expense) as of December 31, 2015 related to share-based awards granted to employees under our long-term incentive plans is presented below:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	Unrecognized	 	 	Expected	 	
 	 	Compensation	 	 	Weighted-average	 	
dollars in thousands	Expense	 	 	Recognition (Years)	 	
Share-based Compensation	 	 	 	 	 	
SOSARs 1	$          4,882 	 	 	1.6 	 	
Performance and restricted shares	22,271 	 	 	2.5 	 	
Total/weighted-average	$        27,153 	 	 	2.3 	 	

1	Stock-Only Stock Appreciation Rights (SOSARs)	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	69	

 

Pretax compensation expense related to our employee share-based compensation awards and related income tax benefits for the years ended December 31 are summarized below:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Employee Share-based Compensation Awards	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Pretax compensation expense	$        16,362 	 	 	$       22,217 	 	 	$       20,187 	 	
Income tax benefits	6,347 	 	 	8,571 	 	 	7,833 	 	
 
For additional information regarding share-based compensation, see Note 11 under the caption Share-based Compensation Plans.
RECLAMATION COSTS
Reclamation costs resulting from normal use of long-lived assets are recognized over the period the asset is in use when there is a legal obligation to incur these costs upon retirement of the assets. Additionally, reclamation costs resulting from normal use under a mineral lease are recognized over the lease term when there is a legal obligation to incur these costs upon expiration of the lease. The obligation, which cannot be reduced by estimated offsetting cash flows, is recorded at fair value as a liability at the obligating event date and is accreted through charges to operating expenses. This fair value is also capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the underlying asset and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. If the obligation is settled for other than the carrying amount of the liability, a gain or loss is recognized on settlement.
To determine the fair value of the obligation, we estimate the cost ( including a reasonable profit margin) for a third party to perform the legally required reclamation tasks. This cost is then increased for both future estimated inflation and an estimated market risk premium related to the estimated years to settlement. Once calculated, this cost is discounted to fair value using present value techniques with a credit-adjusted, risk-free rate commensurate with the estimated years to settlement.
In estimating the settlement date, we evaluate the current facts and conditions to determine the most likely settlement date. If this evaluation identifies alternative estimated settlement dates, we use a weighted-average settlement date considering the probabilities of each alternative.
We review reclamation obligations at least annually for a revision to the cost or a change in the estimated settlement date. Additionally, reclamation obligations are reviewed in the period that a triggering event occurs that would result in either a revision to the cost or a change in the estimated settlement date. Examples of events that would trigger a change in the cost include a new reclamation law or amendment of an existing mineral lease. Examples of events that would trigger a change in the estimated settlement date include the acquisition of additional reserves or the closure of a facility.
The carrying value of these obligations was $ 226,594,000   as of December 31, 2015 and $226,565,000 as of December 31, 2014. For additional information regarding reclamation obligations (referred to in our financial statements as asset retirement obligations) see Note 17.
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
Accounting for pension and postretirement benefits requires that we make significant assumptions regarding the valuation of benefit obligations and the performance of plan assets. The primary assumptions are as follows:

	§		DISCOUNT RATE — The discount rate is used in calculating the present value of projected benefit payments	
	§		EXPECTED RETURN ON PLAN ASSETS — The expected future return on plan assets reduces the recorded net benefit costs	
	§		RATE OF COMPENSATION INCREASE — Annual pay increases after 2015 will not increase our pension plan obligations as a result of a 2013 plan amendment	
	§		RATE OF INCREASE IN THE PER CAPITA COST OF COVERED HEALTHCARE BENEFITS — Increases in the per capita cost after 2015 will not increase our postretirement medical benefits obligation as a result of a 2012 plan amendment to cap medical coverage cost at the 2015 level	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	70	

 

Accounting standards provide for the delayed recognition of differences between actual results and expected or estimated results. This delayed recognition of actual results allows for a smoothed recognition in earnings of changes in benefit obligations and asset performance. The differences between actual results and expected or estimated results are recognized in full in other comprehensive income. Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income are reclassified to earnings in a systematic manner over the average remaining service period of participants for our active plans or the average remaining lifetime of participants for our inactive plans.
For additional information regarding pension and other postretirement benefits see Note 10.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE
Our environmental compliance costs are undiscounted and include the cost of ongoing monitoring programs, the cost of remediation efforts and other similar costs. We accrue costs for environmental assessment and remediation efforts when we determine that a liability is probable and we can reasonably estimate the cost. At the early stages of a remediation effort, environmental remediation liabilities are not easily quantified due to the uncertainties of various factors. The range of an estimated remediation liability is defined and redefined as events in the remediation effort occur, but generally liabilities are recognized no later than completion of the remedial feasibility study.
When we can estimate a range of probable loss, we accrue the most likely amount. In the event that no amount in the range of probable loss is considered most likely, the minimum loss in the range is accrued. As of December 31, 2015, the spread between the amount accrued and the maximum loss in the range for all sites for which a range can be reasonably estimated was $ 3,154,000 . Accrual amounts may be based on technical cost estimations or the professional judgment of experienced environmental managers. Our Safety, Health and Environmental Affairs Management Committee routinely reviews cost estimates and key assumptions in response to new information, such as the kinds and quantities of hazardous substances, available technologies and changes to the parties participating in the remediation efforts. H owever, a number of factors, including adverse agency rulings and encountering unanticipated conditions as remediation efforts progress, may cause actual results to differ materially from accrued costs.
For additional information regarding environmental compliance costs see Note 8.
CLAIMS AND LITIGATION INCLUDING SELF-INSURANCE
We are involved with claims and litigation, including items covered under our self-insurance program. We are self-insured for losses related to workers' compensation up to $2,000,000 per occurrence and automotive and general/product liability up to $3,000,000 per occurrence. We have excess coverage on a per occurrence basis beyond these retention levels.
Under our self-insurance program, we aggregate certain claims and litigation costs that are reasonably predictable based on our historical loss experience and accrue losses, including future legal defense costs, based on actuarial studies. Certain claims and litigation costs, due to their unique nature, are not included in our actuarial studies. We use both internal and outside legal counsel to assess the probability of loss, and establish an accrual when the claims and litigation represent a probable loss and the cost can be reasonably estimated. For matters not included in our actuarial studies, legal defense costs are accrued when incurred. The following table outlines our self-insurance program at December 31:

 	 	 	 	 	 	
dollars in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	
Self-insurance Program	 	 	 	 	 	
Self-insured liabilities (undiscounted)	$        44,618 	 	 	$       43,731 	 	
Insured liabilities (undiscounted)	16,787 	 	 	17,758 	 	
Discount rate	1.44% 	 	 	1.29% 	 	
Amounts Recognized in Consolidated	 	 	 	 	 	
 Balance Sheets	 	 	 	 	 	
Investments and long-term receivables	$        15,810 	 	 	$       16,884 	 	
Other accrued liabilities	(14,198)	 	 	(13,131)	 	
Other noncurrent liabilities	(44,102)	 	 	(45,569)	 	
Net liabilities (discounted)	$       (42,490)	 	 	$     (41,816)	 	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	71	

 

Estimated payments (undiscounted) under our self-insurance program for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2015 are as follows:

 	 	 	
in thousands	 	 	
Estimated Payments under Self-insurance Program	 	 	
2016	$        19,001 	 	
2017	10,900 	 	
2018	7,743 	 	
2019	5,063 	 	
2020	3,609 	 	
 
Significant judgment is used in determining the timing and amount of the accruals for probable losses, and the actual liability could differ materially from the accrued amounts.
INCOME TAXES
We file federal, state and foreign income tax returns and account for the current and deferred tax effects of such returns using the asset and liability method. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities (which reflect our best assessment of the future taxes we will pay) based on the differences between the financial statement’s carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Deferred tax assets represent items to be used as a tax deduction or credit in future tax returns while deferred tax liabilities represent items that will result in additional tax in future tax returns.
Significant judgments and estimates are required in determining our deferred tax assets and liabilities. These estimates are updated throughout the year to consider income tax return filings, our geographic mix of earnings, legislative changes and other relevant items.
Each quarter we analyze the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be realized. Realization of the deferred tax assets ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character in either the carryback or carryforward period. A valuation allowance is recorded if, based on the weight of all available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. A summary of our deferred tax assets is included in Note 9.
U.S. income taxes are not provided on foreign earnings when such earnings are indefinitely reinvested offshore. At least annually, we evaluate our investment strategies for each foreign tax jurisdiction in which we operate to determine whether foreign earnings will be indefinitely reinvested offshore.
We recognize a tax benefit associated with a tax position when, in our judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained based upon the technical merits of the position. For a tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold, we measure the income tax benefit as the largest amount that we judge to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized. A liability is established for the unrecognized portion of any tax position. Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically due to changing circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, case law developments and new or emerging legislation.
The years open to tax examinations vary by jurisdiction. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter, we believe our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is appropriate.
We consider a tax position to be resolved at the earlier of the issue being “effectively settled,” settlement of an examination, or the expiration of the statute of limitations. Upon resolution of a tax position, any liability for unrecognized tax benefits will be released.
Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is generally presented as noncurrent. However, if we anticipate paying cash within one year to settle an uncertain tax position, the liability is presented as current. We classify interest and penalties associated with our liability for unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense.
Our largest permanent item in computing both our taxable income and effective tax rate is the deduction allowed for statutory depletion. The impact of statutory depletion on the effective tax rate is presented in Note 9. The deduction for statutory depletion does not necessarily change proportionately to changes in pretax earnings.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	72	

 

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
We report comprehensive income in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Statements of Equity. Comprehensive income comprises two subsets: net earnings and other comprehensive income (OCI). OCI includes fair value adjustments to cash flow hedges, actuarial gains or losses and prior service costs related to pension and postretirement benefit plans.
For additional information regarding comprehensive income see Note 14.
EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)
Earnings per share are computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted-average common shares outstanding (basic EPS) or weighted-average common shares outstanding assuming dilution (diluted EPS), as set forth below:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	133,210 	 	 	131,461 	 	 	130,272 	 	
Dilutive effect of	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
  Stock options/SOSARs	1,027 	 	 	656 	 	 	461 	 	
  Other stock compensation plans	856 	 	 	874 	 	 	734 	 	
Weighted-average common shares outstanding,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 assuming dilution	135,093 	 	 	132,991 	 	 	131,467 	 	
 
All dilutive common stock equivalents are reflected in our earnings per share calculations. Antidilutive common stock equivalents are not included in our earnings per share calculations.
The number of antidilutive common stock equivalents for which the exercise price exceeds the weighted-average market price for the years ended December 31 is as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Antidilutive common stock equivalents	544 	 	 	2,352 	 	 	2,895 	 	
 
RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain items previously reported in specific financial statement captions have been reclassified to conform with the 2015 presentation. During 2015, we early adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs,” resulting in adjustments to our prior financial statements as noted in the caption (Debt Issuance Costs) below.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS RECENTLY ADOPTED
DEFERRED TAXES  As o f D ecember 31, 2015, we early adopted ASU 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes” on a prospective basis (i.e., prior balance sheets were not adjusted). Under ASU 2015-17, all deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented as noncurrent in our balance sheet. Under prior guidance, deferred tax assets and liabilities were separately presented as current and noncurrent in our balance sheet.   See Note 9 for additional detail.  

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	73	

 

DEBT ISSUANCE COSTS  As of and for the interim period ended June 30, 2015, we early adopted ASU 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs.” Under ASU 2015-03, debt issuance costs related to a note are presented in the balance sheet as a deduction from the related debt liability rather than as a prepaid expense (the amortization of such costs continues to be reported as interest expense). However, this ASU did not address the balance sheet presentation of debt issuance cost s   incurred before a debt liability is recognized o r a ssociated with revolving debt arrangements, such as our line of credit. Accordingly, we elected an accounting policy to present all debt issuance costs as a deduction from the total debt liability. This ASU and related election are retrospectively applied to the beginning of the earliest period presented in the financial statements. As a result of the retrospective application of this change in accounting principle, we adjusted our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet for the prior period presented. Debt issuance costs of $20,805,000 previously reported as other noncurrent assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2014 were reclassified as a deduction from the principal amount of the total debt liability.
SHARE-BASED AWARDS  As of and for the interim period ended March 31, 2015, we adopted ASU 2014-12, “Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved After the Requisite Service Period.” This ASU clarified the proper method of accounting for share-based awards when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service perio d .  U nder ASU 2014-12, a performance target that affects vesting and could be achieved after completion of the service period should be treated as a performance condition and, as a result, should not be included in the estimation of the grant-date fair value. Rather, an entity should recognize compensation cost for the award when it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved. Historically , we accounted for share-based awards with these types of performance targets consistent with the clarification in A SU 2014-12. Our adoption of this standard had no material impact on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS REPORTING  As of and for the interim period ended March 31, 2015, we adopted ASU 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity.” This ASU changed the definition of and expanded the disclosure requirements for discontinued operations. Under the new definition, discontinued operations reporting is limited to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The expanded disclosures for discontinued operations are meant to provide users of financial statements with more information about the assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses of discontinued operations. Additionally, this ASU requires an entity to disclose the pretax profit or loss of an individually significant component of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. Our adoption of this standard had no material impact on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
ACCOUNTING STANDARDS PENDING ADOPTION
CLASSIFICATION AND MEASUREMENT OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS  In January 2016 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” which amends certain aspects of current guidance on the recognition, measurement and disclosure of financial instruments. Among other changes, this ASU requires most equity investments be measured at fair value. Additionally, the ASU eliminates the requirement to disclose the method and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value for instruments not recognized at fair value in our financial statements. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted. We will adopt this standard as of and for the interim period ending March 31, 2018. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
MEASUREMENT-PERIOD ADJUSTMENTS  In September 2015, the F ASB issued ASU 2015-16, “Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments,” which requires an acquirer to recognize measurement-period adjustments to provisional amounts in the reporting period in which the adjustments are determined. Previously, measurement-period adjustments were retrospectively applied. As an alternative to restating the prior periods for the measurement-period adjustments, the ASU requires acquirers to present separately on the face of the earnings statement, or disclose in the notes, the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustments to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. This ASU is to be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. We will adopt this standard as of and for the interim period ending March 31, 2016. While we are still evaluating the impact of ASU 2015-16, we do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	74	

 
 
INVENTORY MEASUREMENT  In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory,” which changes the measurement principle for inventory from the lower of cost or market principle to the lower of cost and net realizable value principle. The guidance applies to inventories that are measured using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost method, but does not apply to inventories that are measured by using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) or retail inventory method. We use the LIFO method for approximately 67 % of our inventory (based on the December 31, 2015 balances); therefore, this ASU will not apply to the majority of our inventory. This ASU is effective prospectively for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted. We will adopt this standard as of and for the interim period ending March 31, 2017. While we are still evaluating the impact of ASU 2015-11, we do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE INVESTMENTS  In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-07, “Disclosures for Investment in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent),” which removes the requirement to categorize investments within the fair value hierarchy when their fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. This ASU also removes the requirement to make certain disclosures for investments that are eligible to be measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient. Rather, those disclosures would be limited to investments for which the entity has elected to measure the fair value using that practical expedient. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. This ASU is to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. Early adoption is permitted. We will adopt this standard as of and for the interim period ending March 31, 2016. While we are still evaluating the impact of ASU 2015-07, it will not impact our consolidated financial statements as it only affects disclosure. Thus, it will impact the notes to our consolidated financial statements, specifically, our pension plan fair value disclosures.
CONSOLIDATION  In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, “Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis,” which amends existing consolidation guidance for reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted. We will adopt this standard as of and for the interim period ending March 31, 2016. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
GOING CONCERN  In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” which requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern (meet its obligations as they become due) within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. If conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, certain disclosures are required. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim reporting periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. We will adopt this standard as of and for the annual period ending December 31, 2016. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
REVENUE RECOGNITION  In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue From Contracts With Customers,” which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. This ASU provides a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues and expands required revenue recognition disclosures. This ASU (as later amended) is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. We are currently evaluating the impact of adoption of this ASU on our consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2: DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
In 2005, we sold substantially all the assets of our Chemicals business to Basic Chemicals, a subsidiary of Occidental Chemical Corporation. In addition to the initial cash proceeds, Basic Chemicals was required to make payments under two earn-out agreements. During 2013, we received the final payment under the 5CP earn-out of $13,031,000 . We were liable for a cash transaction bonus payable annually to certain former key Chemicals employees based on the prior year’s earn-out results. Payments for the transaction bonus were $1,303,000 in 2013.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	75	

 
 
The financial results of the Chemicals business are classified as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for all periods presented. There were no revenues from discontinued operations for the years presented. Results from discontinued operations are as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Discontinued Operations	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Pretax loss	$     (19,326)	 	 	$     (3,683)	 	 	$     (5,744)	 	
Gain on disposal, net of transaction bonus	0 	 	 	0 	 	 	11,728 	 	
Income tax (provision) benefit	7,589 	 	 	1,460 	 	 	(2,358)	 	
Earnings (loss) on discontinued operations,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 net of income taxes	$     (11,737)	 	 	$     (2,223)	 	 	$       3,626 	 	
 
The 2015, 2014 and 2013 pretax losses from discontinued operations of $ 19,326,000 ,   $3,683,000 and $5,744,000 , respectively, include charges related to general and product liability costs, including legal defense costs, and environmental remediation costs associated with our former Chemicals business. The current year’s increased loss resulted primarily from charges associated with the Lower Passaic and Texas Brine matters as further discussed in Note 12.

NOTE 3: INVENTORIES
Inventories at December 31 are as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	
Inventories	 	 	 	 	 	
Finished products  1	$      297,925 	 	 	$     275,172 	 	
Raw materials	21,765 	 	 	19,741 	 	
Products in process	1,008 	 	 	1,250 	 	
Operating supplies and other	26,375 	 	 	25,641 	 	
Total	$      347,073 	 	 	$     321,804 	 	

1	Includes inventories encumbered by the purchaser's percentage of vo lumetric production payment s (see Note 1, Deferred Revenue), as follows: December 31, 2015 — $ 4,452 thousand and December 31, 2014 — $ 4,792 thousand.	
 
In addition to the inventory balances presented above, as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we have $ 14,995,000 and $17,449,000 , respectively, of inventory classified as long-term assets (other noncurrent assets) as we do not expect to sell the inventory within one year of their respective balance sheet dates. Inventories valued under the LIFO method total $ 242,147,000 at December 31, 2015 and $232,371,000 at December 31, 2014. During 201 5 , 2014 and 2013, inventory reductions resulted in liquidations of LIFO inventory layers carried at lower costs prevailing in prior years as compared to current-year costs. The effect of the LIFO liquidation on 2015 results was to decrease cost of revenues by $ 3,284,000 and increase net earnings by $ 2,010,000 . The effect of the LIFO liquidation on 2014 results was to decrease c ost of revenues by $2,686,000 and increase net earnings by $1,650,000 . The effect of the LIFO liquidation on 2013 results was to decrease cost of revenues by $1,310,000 and increase net earnings by $802,000 .
Estimated current cost exceeded LIFO cost at December 31, 2015 and 2014 by $ 169,257,000   and $181,633,000 , respectively. We use the LIFO method of valuation for most of our inventories as it results in a better matching of costs with revenues. We provide supplemental income disclosures to facilitate comparisons with companies not on LIFO. The supplemental income calculation is derived by tax-effecting the change in the LIFO reserve for the periods presented. If all inventories valued at LIFO cost had been valued under the methods (substantially average cost) used prior to the adoption of the LIFO method, the approximate effect on net earnings would have been a de crease of $ (7,614,000) in 2015, an increase of $19,108,000   in 2014 and an i ncrease of $20,812,000 in 2013.

 

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	76	

 

NOTE 4: PROPERTY, PLANT & EQUIPMENT
Balances of major classes of assets and allowances for depreciation, depletion and amortization at December 31 are as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	
Property, Plant & Equipment	 	 	 	 	 	
Land and land improvements 1	$    2,305,801 	 	 	$  2,273,874 	 	
Buildings	124,950 	 	 	126,833 	 	
Machinery and equipment	4,124,808 	 	 	3,952,423 	 	
Leaseholds	14,143 	 	 	13,451 	 	
Deferred asset retirement costs	166,252 	 	 	163,644 	 	
Construction in progress	155,333 	 	 	78,617 	 	
Total, gross	$    6,891,287 	 	 	$  6,608,842 	 	
Less allowances for depreciation, depletion	 	 	 	 	 	
 and amortization	3,734,997 	 	 	3,537,212 	 	
Total, net	$    3,156,290 	 	 	$  3,071,630 	 	

1	Includes depletable land, as follows: December 31, 2015 — $ 1,296,211 thousand and December 31, 2014 — $1,287,225 thousand.	
 
Capitalized interest costs with respect to qualifying construction projects and total interest costs incurred before recognition of the capitalized amount for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Capitalized interest cost	$          2,930 	 	 	$        2,092 	 	 	$        1,089 	 	
Total interest cost incurred before recognition	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 of the capitalized amount	223,518 	 	 	245,459 	 	 	203,677 	 	

 
NOTE 5: DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
During the normal course of operations, we are exposed to market risks including interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. From time to time, and consistent with our risk management policies, we use derivative instruments to balance the cost and risk of such expenses. We do not utilize derivative instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.
The accounting for gains and losses that result from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments depends on whether the derivatives have been designated and qualify as hedging instruments and the type of hedging relationship. The interest rate swap agreements described below were designated as either cash flow hedges or fair value hedges. The changes in fair value of our interest rate swap cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) and are reclassified into interest expense in the same period the hedged items affect earnings. The changes in fair value of our interest rate swap fair value hedges are recorded as interest expense consistent with the change in the fair value of the hedged items attributable to the risk being hedged.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	77	

 

CASH FLOW HEDGES
During 2007, we entered into fifteen forward starting interest rate locks on $1,500,000,000   of future debt issuances in order to hedge the risk of higher interest rates. Upon the 2007 and 2008 issuances of the related fixed-rate debt, underlying interest rates were lower than the rate locks and we terminated and settled these forward starting locks for cash pay ments of $89,777,000 . This amount was booked to AOCI and is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the related debt.
This amortization was reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31 as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	Location on Statement	 	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Cash Flow Hedges	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Loss reclassified from AOCI	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 (effective portion)	Interest expense	 	$       (9,759)	 	 	$       (7,988)	 	 	$       (5,077)	 	
 
The loss reclassified from AOCI for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 includes the acceleration of a proportional amount of the deferred loss in the amount of $ 7,208,000 and $3,762,000 , respectively, referable to the debt purchases as described in Note 6.
For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2016, we estimate that $ 2,008,000 of the pretax loss in AOCI will be reclassified to earnings.
FAIR VALUE HEDGES
In June 2011, we issued $500,000,000 of 6.50% fixed-rate notes due in 2016 to refinance near term floating-rate debt. Concurrently, we entered into interest rate swap agreements in the stated amount of $500,000,000 to reestablish the pre-refinancing mix of fixed- and floating-rate debt. Under these agreements, we paid 6-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a spread of 4.05% and received a fixed interest rate of 6.50% . Additionally, in June 2011, we entered into interest rate swap agreements on our $150,000,000 of 10.125% fixed-rate notes due in 2015. Under these agreements, we paid 6-month LIBOR plus a spread of 8.03% and received a fixed interest rate of 10.125% . In August 2011, we terminated and settled these interest rate swap agreements for $25,382,000 of cash proceeds. The $23,387,000 gain component of the settlement (cash proceeds less $1,995,000 of accrued interest) was added to the carrying value of the related debt and is being amortized as a reduction to interest expense over the terms of the related debt using the effective interest method.
This deferred gain amortization was reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31 as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Deferred Gain on Settlement	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Amortized to earnings as a reduction to interest expense	$        3,036 	 	 	$      10,674 	 	 	$        4,334 	 	
 
The amortized deferred gain for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 includes the acceleration of a proportional amount of the deferred gain in the amount of $ 1,642,000   and $8,032,000 , respectively, referable to the debt purchases as described in Note 6. The deferred gain was fully amortized in December 2015, concurrent with the retirement of the 10.125% notes due 2015.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	78	

 
 
NOTE 6: DEBT
Debt at December 31 is detailed as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	Effective	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	Interest Rates	 	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	
Short-term Debt	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Bank line of credit expires 2020 1, 2, 3	n/a	 	$                  0 	 	 	$                  0 	 	 	
Total short-term debt	 	 	$                  0 	 	 	$                  0 	 	 	
Long-term Debt	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Bank line of credit expires 2020   1, 2, 3	1.75% 	 	$       235,000 	 	 	$                  0 	 	 	
10.125% notes due 2015	n/a	 	0 	 	 	150,000 	 	 	
6.50% notes due 2016	n/a	 	0 	 	 	125,001 	 	 	
6.40% notes due 2017	n/a	 	0 	 	 	218,633 	 	 	
7.00% notes due 2018	7.87% 	 	272,512 	 	 	400,000 	 	 	
10.375% notes due 2018	10.63% 	 	250,000 	 	 	250,000 	 	 	
7.50% notes due 2021	7.75% 	 	600,000 	 	 	600,000 	 	 	
8.85% notes due 2021	8.88% 	 	6,000 	 	 	6,000 	 	 	
Industrial revenue bond due 2022	n/a	 	0 	 	 	14,000 	 	 	
4.50% notes due 2025	4.65% 	 	400,000 	 	 	0 	 	 	
7.15% notes due 2037	8.05% 	 	240,188 	 	 	240,188 	 	 	
Other notes 2	6.25% 	 	498 	 	 	637 	 	 	
Unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs	n/a	 	(23,734)	 	 	(22,716)	 	 	
Unamortized deferred interest rate swap gain 4	n/a	 	0 	 	 	3,036 	 	 	
Total long-term debt including current maturities 5	 	 	$    1,980,464 	 	 	$    1,984,779 	 	 	
Less current maturities	 	 	130 	 	 	150,137 	 	 	
Total long-term debt	 	 	$    1,980,334 	 	 	$    1,834,642 	 	 	
Total debt 6	 	 	$    1,980,464 	 	 	$    1,984,779 	 	 	
Estimated fair value of long-term debt	 	 	$    2,204,816 	 	 	$    2,092,673 	 	 	

 	 	
1	Borrowings on the bank line of credit are classified as short-term debt if we intend to repay within twelve months and as long-term debt otherwise.	
2	Non-publicly traded debt.	
3	The effective interest rate is the spread over LIBOR as of the balance sheet dates.	
4	The unamortized deferred gain was realized upon the August 2011 settlement of interest rate swaps as discussed in Note 5.	
5	The debt balances as of December 31, 2014 have been adjusted to reflect our early adoption of ASU 2015-03 and related election as discussed in Note 1 under the caption New Accounting Standards.	
6	Face value of our debt is equal to total debt plus unamortized discounts and debt issuance costs, and unamortized deferred interest rate swap gain, as follows : December 31, 2015 — $2,004,198 thousand and December 31, 2014 — $2,004,459 thousand .	
 
Our total debt is presented in the table above net of unamortized discounts from par, unamortized deferred debt issuance costs and unamortized deferred interest rate swap settlement gains. Discounts, deferred debt issuance costs and deferred swap settlement gains are amortized using the effective interest method over the terms of the respective notes.
The estimated fair value of our debt presented in the table above was determined by: (1) averaging several asking price quotes for the publicly traded notes and (2) assuming par value for the remainder of the debt. The fair value estimates for the publicly traded notes were based on Level 2 information (as defined in Note 1, caption Fair Value Measurements) as of their respective balance sheet dates.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	79	

 

LINE OF CREDIT
In June 2015, we cancelled our secured $500,000,000 line of credit and entered into a n unsecured $750,000,000 line of credit (incurring $2,589,000 of transaction fees ).
Th e l ine of credit agreement expires in June 2020   and contains affirmative, negative and financial covenants customary for an unsecured facility. The primary negative covenant limits our ability to incur secured deb t. The financial covenants are: (1) a maximum ratio of debt to EBITDA of 3.5 :1 through September 2016 and 3.25 :1 thereafter ,   and (2) a minimum ratio of EBITDA to net cash interest expense of 3.0 :1. As of December 31, 2015, we were in compliance with the line of credit covenants.
Borrowings on our line of credit are classified as short-term debt if we intend to repay within twelve months and as long-term debt if we have the intent and ability to extend repayment beyond twelve months. Borrowings bear interest, at our option, at either LIBOR plus a credit margin ranging from 1.00% to 2.00% , or SunTrust Bank’s base rate (generally, its prime rate) plus a credit margin ranging from 0.00% to 1.00% . The credit margin for both LIBOR and base rate borrowings is determined by either our ratio of debt to EBITDA or our credit ratings, based on the metric that produces the lower credit margin. Standby letters of credit, which are issued under the line of credit and reduce availability, are charged a fee equal to the credit margin for LIBOR borrowings plus 0.175% . We also pay a commitment fee on the daily average unused amount of the line of credit that ranges from 0.10% to 0.35% based on either our ratio of debt to EBITDA or our credit ratings, based on the metric that produces the lower fee. As of December 31, 2015, the credit margin for LIBOR borrowings was 1.75% , the credit margin for base rate borrowings was 0.75% , and the commitment fee for the unused amount was 0.25% .
As of December 31, 2015, our available borrowing capacity was $476,136,000 . Utilization of the borrowing capacity was as follows:

	§		$235,000,000 was borrowed	
	§		$38,864,000 was used to provide support for outstanding standby letters of credit	
TERM DEBT
All of our term debt is unsecured. All such debt, other than the $498,000 of other notes, is governed by two essentially identical indentures that contain customary investment-grade type covenants. The primary covenant in both indentures limits the amount of secured debt we may incur without ratably securing such debt. As of December 31, 2015, we were in compliance with all of the term debt covenants.
In August 2015, we repaid our $14,000,000 industrial revenue bond due 2022 via borrowing on our line of credit. The repayment did not incur any prepayment penalties. Additionally, in December 2015, we repaid our $150,000,000   10.125% notes due 2015   via borrowing on our line of credit.
In March 2015, we issued $400,000,000 of 4.50% senior notes due 2025 . Proceeds (net of underwriter fees and other transaction costs) of $395,207,000 were partially used to fund the March 30, 2015 purchase, via tender offer, of $127,303,000 principal amount ( 32% ) of the 7.00% notes due 2018 . The March 2015 debt purchase cost $145,899,000 , including an $18,140,000 premium above the principal amount of the notes and transaction costs of $456,000 . The premium primarily reflects the trading price of the notes relative to par prior to the tender offer commencement. Additionally, we recognized $3,138,000 of net noncash expense associated with the acceleration of a proportional amount of unamortized discounts, deferred debt issuance costs, and deferred interest rate derivative settlement gains and losses. The combined first quarter charge of $21,734,000 is presented in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income as a component of interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2015.
The remaining net proceeds from the March 2015 debt issuance, together with cash on hand and borrowings under our line of credit, funded: (1) the April 2015 redemption of $218,633,000 principal amount ( 100% ) of the 6.40% notes due 2017 , (2) the April 2015 redemption of $125,001,000 principal amount ( 100% ) of the 6.50% notes due 2016 and (3) the April 2015 purchase, via the tender offer commenced in March 2015 of $185,000 principal amount (less than 1% ) of the 7.00% notes due 2018. The April 2015 debt purchases cost $385,024,000 , including a $41,153,000 premium above the principal amount of the notes and transaction costs of $52,000 . The premium primarily reflects the make-whole value of the 2016 notes and the 2017 notes. Additionally, we recognized $4,136,000 of net noncash expense associated with the acceleration of unamortized discounts, deferred debt issuance costs, and deferred interest rate derivative settlement gains and losses. The combined second quarter charge of $45,341,000 is presented in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income as a component of interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	80	

 

In March 2014, we purchased $506,366,000 principal amount of debt through a tender offer as follows: $374,999,000 of 6.50% notes due in 2016 and $131,367,000 of 6.40% notes due in 2017. This debt purchase was funded by the sale of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area as described in Note 19 . The March 2014 debt purchases cost $579,659,000 , including a $71,829,000 premium above the principal amount of the notes and transaction costs of $1,464,000 . The premium primarily reflects the trading price of the notes relative to par prior to the tender offer commencement. Additionally, we recognized a net noncash benefit of $344,000 associated with the acceleration of a proportional amount of unamortized discounts, deferred debt issuance costs, and deferred interest rate derivative settlement gains and losses. The combined charge of $72,949,000 is presented in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income as a component of interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2014.
DEBT PAYMENTS
As described above, during the first and second quarters of 2015, we purchased/redeemed $471,122,000 principal amount of debt using the proceeds from the March 2015 debt issuance, cash on hand and borrowings on our line of credit. Additionally in 2015, we borrowed on our line of credit during August to repay our $14,000,000 industrial revenue bond due 2022 and during December to repay our $150,000,000 10.125% notes due 2015.
There were no material scheduled debt payments during 2014. However, as described above, we purchased $506,366,000 principal amount of debt through a tender offer in the first quarter of 2014.
The total scheduled (principal and interest) debt payments, excluding draws, if any, on the line of credit, for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2015 are as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	Total	 	 	Principal	 	 	Interest	 	
Debt Payments (excluding the line of credit)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
2016	$      125,878 	 	 	$           130 	 	 	$    125,748 	 	
2017	125,878 	 	 	138 	 	 	125,740 	 	
2018	638,728 	 	 	522,534 	 	 	116,194 	 	
2019	80,740 	 	 	23 	 	 	80,717 	 	
2020	80,740 	 	 	25 	 	 	80,715 	 	
STANDBY LETTERS OF CREDIT
We provide, in the normal course of business, certain third-party beneficiaries standby letters of credit to support our obligations to pay or perform according to the requirements of an underlying agreement. Such letters of credit typically have an initial term of one year, typically renew automatically, and can only be modified or cancelled with the approval of the beneficiary. All of our standby letters of credit are issued by banks that participate in our $750,000,000 line of credit, and reduce the borrowing capacity thereunder. Our standby letters of credit as of December 31, 2015 are summarized by purpose in the table below:

 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	 	 	
Standby Letters of Credit	 	 	
Risk management insurance	$       33,111 	 	
Reclamation/restoration requirements	5,753 	 	
Total	$       38,864 	 	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	81	

 
 
NOTE 7: OPERATING LEASES
Rental expense from continuing operations under nonmineral operating leases for the years ended December 31, exclusive of rental payments made under leases of one month or less, is summarized as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Operating Leases	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Minimum rentals	$        49,461 	 	 	$       42,887 	 	 	$       40,151 	 	
Contingent rentals (based principally on usage)	60,380 	 	 	56,717 	 	 	44,111 	 	
Total	$      109,841 	 	 	$       99,604 	 	 	$       84,262 	 	
 
Future minimum operating lease payments under all leases with initial or remaining noncancelable lease terms in excess of one year, exclusive of mineral leases (see Note 12) , as of December 31, 201 5 are payable as follows:

 	 	 	
in thousands	 	 	
Future Minimum Operating Lease Payments	 	 	
2016	$        30,945 	 	
2017	29,712 	 	
2018	26,543 	 	
2019	22,455 	 	
2020	20,508 	 	
Thereafter	128,657 	 	
Total	$      258,820 	 	
 
Lease agreements frequently include renewal options and require that we pay for utilities, taxes, insurance and maintenance expense. Options to purchase are also included in some lease agreements.

NOTE 8: ACCRUED ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION COSTS
Our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31 include accrued environmental remediation costs (measured on an undiscounted basis) as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	
Accrued Environmental Remediation Costs	 	 	 	 	 	
Continuing operations	$          6,876 	 	 	$        4,919 	 	
Retained from former Chemicals business	10,988 	 	 	4,129 	 	
Total	$        17,864 	 	 	$        9,048 	 	
 
The long-term portion of the accruals noted above is included in other noncurrent liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and amounted to $12,569,000 at December 31, 2015 and $6,736,000 at December 31, 2014. The short-term portion of these accruals is included in other accrued liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The accrued environmental remediation costs in continuing operations relate primarily to the former Florida Rock, Tarmac, and CalMat facilities acquired in 2007, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The current increase primarily relates to environmental costs incurred at the Hewitt Landfill. The balances noted above for Chemicals relate to retained environmental remediation costs from the 2003 sale of the Performance Chemicals business and the 2005 sale of the Chloralkali business.   The increase in these retained liabilities primarily relates to the Lower Passaic River Superfund site. Refer to Note 12 for additional discussion of these contingent environmental matters.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	82	

 
 
NOTE 9: INCOME TAXES
The components of earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes are as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Earnings (Loss) from Continuing	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Operations before Income Taxes	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Domestic	$      293,547 	 	 	$     264,473 	 	 	$     (34,239)	 	
Foreign	34,310 	 	 	34,365 	 	 	30,536 	 	
Total	$      327,857 	 	 	$     298,838 	 	 	$        (3,703)	 	
 
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes from continuing operations consists of the following:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 from Continuing Operations	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Current	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Federal	$        67,521 	 	 	$       47,882 	 	 	$        (3,691)	 	
State and local	14,035 	 	 	18,983 	 	 	7,941 	 	
Foreign	7,784 	 	 	7,174 	 	 	5,423 	 	
Total	$        89,340 	 	 	$       74,039 	 	 	$         9,673 	 	
Deferred	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Federal	$        11,192 	 	 	$       13,556 	 	 	$     (20,581)	 	
State and local	(4,888)	 	 	4,120 	 	 	(13,542)	 	
Foreign	(701)	 	 	(23)	 	 	(9)	 	
Total	$          5,603 	 	 	$       17,653 	 	 	$     (34,132)	 	
Total provision (benefit)	$        94,943 	 	 	$       91,692 	 	 	$     (24,459)	 	
 
The provision for (benefit from) income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the federal statutory income tax rate to earnings (losses) from continuing operations before income taxes. The sources and tax effects of the differences are as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
dollars in thousands	 	2015 	 	 	 	2014 	 	 	 	2013 	 	
Income tax provision (benefit) at the	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 federal statutory tax rate of 35%	$    114,750 	35.0% 	 	 	$    104,594 	35.0% 	 	 	$      (1,296)	35.0% 	 	
Provision for (Benefit from)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Income Tax Differences	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Statutory depletion	(27,702)	-8.4%	 	 	(25,774)	-8.6%	 	 	(20,875)	563.7% 	 	
State and local income taxes, net of federal	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 income tax benefit	5,945 	1.8% 	 	 	15,017 	5.0% 	 	 	(3,641)	98.3% 	 	
U.S. production deduction	(5,099)	-1.6%	 	 	0 	0.0% 	 	 	0 	0.0% 	 	
Foreign tax credit carryforwards impairment	6,486 	2.0% 	 	 	0 	0.0% 	 	 	0 	0.0% 	 	
Permanently reinvested foreign earnings	(6,396)	-2.0%	 	 	0 	0.0% 	 	 	0 	0.0% 	 	
Other, net	6,959 	2.2% 	 	 	(2,145)	-0.7%	 	 	1,353 	-36.5%	 	
Total income tax provision (benefit)/	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Effective tax rate	$      94,943 	29.0% 	 	 	$      91,692 	30.7% 	 	 	$    (24,459)	660.5% 	 	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	83	

 

Deferr ed ta xes on the balance sheet result from temporary differences between the amount of assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting and tax purposes. The components of the net deferred income tax liability at December 31 are as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	
Deferred Tax Assets Related to	 	 	 	 	 	
Employee benefits	$        78,999 	 	 	$       97,757 	 	
Asset retirement obligations & other reserves	59,507 	 	 	53,670 	 	
Deferred compensation	117,298 	 	 	121,900 	 	
State net operating losses	61,658 	 	 	59,315 	 	
Federal credit carryforwards	34,340 	 	 	40,212 	 	
Other	48,856 	 	 	52,241 	 	
Total gross deferred tax assets	400,658 	 	 	425,095 	 	
Valuation allowance	(59,323)	 	 	(56,867)	 	
Total net deferred tax assets	$      341,335 	 	 	$     368,228 	 	
Deferred Tax Liabilities Related to	 	 	 	 	 	
Property, plant and equipment	$      665,057 	 	 	$     661,697 	 	
Goodwill/other intangible assets	324,910 	 	 	329,539 	 	
Other	32,464 	 	 	28,403 	 	
Total deferred tax liabilities	$   1,022,431 	 	 	$  1,019,639 	 	
Net deferred tax liability	$      681,096 	 	 	$     651,411 	 	
 
The above amounts are reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31 as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	
Deferred Income Taxes	 	 	 	 	 	
Current assets 1	$                0 	 	 	$     (39,726)	 	
Noncurrent liabilities	681,096 	 	 	691,137 	 	
Net deferred tax liability	$     681,096 	 	 	$     651,411 	 	

1	As discussed in Note 1, we early adopted ASU 2015-17 on a prospective basis as of December 31, 2015. Thus, all deferred income taxes as of December 31, 2015 are classified as noncurrent resulting in a $44,464 thousand decrease in current assets   with a corresponding decrease in noncurrent liabilities.	
 
As noted above, we have state net operating loss carryforward deferred tax assets of $61,658,000 of which $58,921,000 relates to Alabama. The Alabama net operating loss carryforward, if not utilized, would expire in years 2022 – 2029. Prior to 2015, this Alabama deferred tax asset carried a full valuation allowance. During 2015, we restructured our legal entities which resulted in a partial release of the valuation allowance in the amount of $4,655,000 .
Each quarter we analyze the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be realized. A valuation allowance is recorded if, based on the weight of all available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized.
As of December 31, 2015, income tax receivables of $4,138,000 are included in accounts and notes receivable in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. These receivables relate to prior year state overpayments that we have requested to be refunded. There were similar receivables of $1,040,000 as of December 31, 2014.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	84	

 

Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is discussed in our accounting policy for income taxes (see Note 1, caption Income Taxes). Changes in our liability for unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Unrecognized tax benefits as of January 1	$          7,057 	 	 	$       12,155 	 	 	$       13,550 	 	
Increases for tax positions related to	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
  Prior years	491 	 	 	229 	 	 	28 	 	
  Current year	942 	 	 	528 	 	 	845 	 	
Decreases for tax positions related to	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
  Prior years	0 	 	 	(53)	 	 	(86)	 	
Settlements with taxing authorities	0 	 	 	0 	 	 	(136)	 	
Expiration of applicable statute of limitations	(43)	 	 	(5,802)	 	 	(2,046)	 	
Unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31	$          8,447 	 	 	$         7,057 	 	 	$       12,155 	 	
 
We classify interest and penalties recognized on the liability for unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. Interest and penalties recognized as income tax expense (benefit) were $138,000 in 2015, $(1,067,000) in 2014 and $(788,000) in 2013. The balance of accrued interest and penalties included in our liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31 was $1,103,000 in 2015, $965,000 in 2014 and $2,032,000 in 2013.
Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits at December 31 in the table above include $7,614,000 in 2015, $6,282,000 in 2014 and $7,910,000 in 2013 that would affect the effective tax rate if recognized.
We are routinely examined by various taxing authorities. We anticipate no single tax position generating a significant increase or decrease in our liability for unrecognized tax benefits within 12 months of this reporting date.
We file income tax returns in U.S. federal, various state and foreign jurisdictions. Generally, we are not subject to significant changes in income taxes by any taxing jurisdiction for the years prior to 2012.
As of December 31, 2015, we have $75,938,000 of accumulated undistributed earnings from one of our foreign subsidiaries. We consider these earnings to be indefinitely reinvested and, therefore, have not recorde d i ncome taxes on these earnings. If we were to distribute these earnings in the form of dividends, the distribution would result in U.S. income taxes of $26,578,000.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	85	

 
 
NOTE 10: BENEFIT PLANS
PENSION PLANS
We sponsor three funded, noncontributory defined benefit pension plans. These plans cover substantially all employees hired prior to July 2007, other than those covered by union-administered plans. Normal retirement age is 65 , but the plans contain provisions for earlier retirement. Benefits for the Salaried Plan and the Chemicals Hourly Plan are generally based on salaries or wages and years of service; the Construction Materials Hourly Plan provides benefits equal to a flat dollar amount for each year of service. In addition to these qualified plans, we sponsor three unfunded, nonqualified pension plans. The projected benefit obligation presented in the table below includes $89,652,000 and $101,230,000 , respectively, related to these unfunded, nonqualified pension plans for 2015 and 2014.
Effective July 2007, we amended our defined benefit pension plans to no longer accept new participants. In December 2013, we amended our defined benefit pension plans so that future service accruals for salaried pension participants ceased effective December 31, 2013. This change included a special transition provision which will allow covered compensation through December 31, 2015 to be considered in the participants’ benefit calculations. The amendment resulted in a curtailment and remeasurement of the salaried and nonqualified pension plans in May 2013 that reduced our 2013 pension expense by approximately $7,600,000 (net of the one-time curtailment loss) of which $800,000 was related to discontinued operations.
The following table sets forth the combined funded status of the plans and their reconciliation with the related amounts recognized in our consolidated financial statements at December 31:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	
Change in Benefit Obligation	 	 	 	 	 	
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$    1,083,222 	 	 	$     911,700 	 	
Service cost	4,851 	 	 	4,157 	 	
Interest cost	44,065 	 	 	44,392 	 	
Actuarial (gain) loss	(63,725)	 	 	167,041 	 	
Benefits paid	(79,960)	 	 	(44,068)	 	
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	$       988,453 	 	 	$  1,083,222 	 	
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets	 	 	 	 	 	
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	$       816,972 	 	 	$     756,624 	 	
Actual return on plan assets	(5,373)	 	 	98,928 	 	
Employer contribution	14,047 	 	 	5,488 	 	
Benefits paid	(79,960)	 	 	(44,068)	 	
Fair value of assets at end of year	$       745,686 	 	 	$     816,972 	 	
Funded status	(242,767)	 	 	(266,250)	 	
Net amount recognized	$      (242,767)	 	 	$   (266,250)	 	
Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated	 	 	 	 	 	
 Balance Sheets	 	 	 	 	 	
Noncurrent assets	$                  0 	 	 	$                0 	 	
Current liabilities	(9,106)	 	 	(13,719)	 	
Noncurrent liabilities	(233,661)	 	 	(252,531)	 	
Net amount recognized	$      (242,767)	 	 	$   (266,250)	 	
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated	 	 	 	 	 	
 Other Comprehensive Income	 	 	 	 	 	
Net actuarial loss	$       222,580 	 	 	$     249,867 	 	
Prior service credit	(404)	 	 	(356)	 	
Total amount recognized	$       222,176 	 	 	$     249,511 	 	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	86	

 

The accumulated benefit obligation (ABO) and the projected benefit obligation (PBO) exceeded plan assets for all of our defined benefit plans at December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. The ABO for all of our defined benefit pension plans totaled $987,724,000 (unfunded, nonqualified plans of $89,652,000) at December 31, 2015 and $1,061,816,000 (unfunded, nonqualified plans of $95,154,000 ) at December 31, 2014.
The following table sets forth the components of net periodic benefit cost, amounts recognized in other comprehensive income and weighted-average assumptions of the plans at December 31:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
dollars in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Components of Net Periodic Pension	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Benefit Cost	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Service cost	$          4,851 	 	 	$        4,157 	 	 	$      21,904 	 	
Interest cost	44,065 	 	 	44,392 	 	 	40,995 	 	
Expected return on plan assets	(54,736)	 	 	(50,802)	 	 	(47,425)	 	
Settlement charge	2,031 	 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	
Curtailment loss	0 	 	 	0 	 	 	855 	 	
Amortization of prior service cost	48 	 	 	188 	 	 	339 	 	
Amortization of actuarial loss	21,641 	 	 	11,221 	 	 	20,429 	 	
Net periodic pension benefit cost	$        17,900 	 	 	$        9,156 	 	 	$      37,097 	 	
Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Obligations Recognized in Other	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Comprehensive Income	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net actuarial loss (gain)	$         (3,615)	 	 	$    118,915 	 	 	$  (163,205)	 	
Prior service cost (credit)	0 	 	 	0 	 	 	(583)	 	
Reclassification of actuarial loss to net	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 periodic pension benefit cost	(23,672)	 	 	(11,221)	 	 	(20,429)	 	
Reclassification of prior service cost to net	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 periodic pension benefit cost	(48)	 	 	(188)	 	 	(1,194)	 	
Amount recognized in other comprehensive	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 income	$       (27,335)	 	 	$    107,506 	 	 	$  (185,411)	 	
Amount recognized in net periodic pension	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 benefit cost and other comprehensive	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 income	$         (9,435)	 	 	$    116,662 	 	 	$  (148,314)	 	
Assumptions	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Weighted-average assumptions used to	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 determine net periodic benefit cost for	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 years ended December 31	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Discount rate	4.14% 	 	 	4.91% 	 	 	4.33% 	 	
Expected return on plan assets	7.50% 	 	 	7.50% 	 	 	7.50% 	 	
Rate of compensation increase	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 (for salary-related plans)	3.70% 	 	 	3.50% 	 	 	3.50% 	 	
Weighted-average assumptions used to	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 determine benefit obligation at	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 December 31	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Discount rate	4.54% 	 	 	4.14% 	 	 	4.91% 	 	
Rate of compensation increase	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 (for salary-related plans)	3.50% 	 	 	3.70% 	 	 	3.50% 	 	
 
The settlement charge noted above relates to a lump sum payment to a former employee from the nonqualified plan. This charge is reflected within both cost of revenues and selling, administrative and general expenses in our accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	87	

 

The estimated net actuarial loss and prior servic e credit t hat will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic pension benefit cost (credit) during 2016 are $6,067,000 and $(43,000),  r espectively.
Assumptions regarding our expected return on plan assets are based primarily on judgments made by us and the Finance Committee of our Board. These judgments take into account the expectations of our pension plan consultants and actuaries and our investment advisors. We base our expected return on long-term investment expectations. The expected return on plan assets used to determine 2015 pension benefit cost was 7.50% .
We establish our pension investment policy by evaluating asset/liability studies periodically performed by our consultants. These studies estimate trade-offs between expected returns on our investments and the variability in anticipated cash contributions to fund our pension liabilities. Our policy balances the variability in potential pension fund contributions to expected returns on our investments.
Our current strategy for implementing this policy is to invest in publicly traded equities and in publicly traded debt and private, nonliquid opportunities, such as venture capital, commodities, buyout funds and mezzanine debt. The target allocation ranges for plan assets are as follows: equity securities — 50% to 77% ; debt securities — 15% to 27% ; specialty investments — 0% to 20% ; commodities — 0% to 6%; and cash reserves — 0% to 5% . Equity securities include domestic investments and foreign equities in the Europe, Australia and Far East (EAFE) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) Emerging Market Indices. Debt securities primarily include domestic debt instruments, while specialty investments include investments in venture capital, buyout funds, mezzanine debt, private partnerships and an interest in a commodity index fund.
The fair values of our pension plan assets at December 31, 2015 and 2014 by asset category are as follows:
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2015

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	Level 1 1	 	 	Level 2 1	 	 	Level 3 1	 	 	Total	 	
Asset Category	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Debt securities	$                0 	 	 	$     154,745 	 	 	$                0 	 	 	$     154,745 	 	
Investment funds	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
  Commodity funds	0 	 	 	14,490 	 	 	0 	 	 	14,490 	 	
  Equity funds	647 	 	 	463,416 	 	 	0 	 	 	464,063 	 	
  Short-term funds	0 	 	 	9,516 	 	 	0 	 	 	9,516 	 	
Venture capital and partnerships	0 	 	 	0 	 	 	102,872 	 	 	102,872 	 	
Total pension plan assets	$            647 	 	 	$     642,167 	 	 	$     102,872 	 	 	$     745,686 	 	

1	See Note 1 under the caption Fair Value Measurements for a description of the fair value hierarchy.	
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	Level 1 1	 	 	Level 2 1	 	 	Level 3 1	 	 	Total	 	
Asset Category	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Debt securities	$                0 	 	 	$     164,695 	 	 	$                0 	 	 	$     164,695 	 	
Investment funds	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
  Commodity funds	0 	 	 	19,480 	 	 	0 	 	 	19,480 	 	
  Equity funds	457 	 	 	506,912 	 	 	0 	 	 	507,369 	 	
  Short-term funds	0 	 	 	15,495 	 	 	0 	 	 	15,495 	 	
Venture capital and partnerships	0 	 	 	0 	 	 	109,933 	 	 	109,933 	 	
Total pension plan assets	$            457 	 	 	$     706,582 	 	 	$     109,933 	 	 	$     816,972 	 	

1	See Note 1 under the caption Fair Value Measurements for a description of the fair value hierarchy.	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	88	

 

At each measurement date, we estimate the fair value of our pension assets using various valuation techniques. We utilize, to the extent available, quoted market prices in active markets or observable market inputs in estimating the fair value of our pension assets. When quoted market prices or observable market inputs are not available, we utilize valuation techniques that rely on unobservable inputs to estimate the fair value of our pension assets. The following describes the types of investments included in each asset category listed in the tables above and the valuation techniques we used to determine the fair values as of December 31, 2015 and 2014.
The debt securities category consists of bonds issued by U.S. federal, state and local governments, corporate debt securities, fixed income obligations issued by foreign governments, and asset-backed securities. The fair values of U.S. government and corporate debt securities are based on current market rates and credit spreads for debt securities with similar maturities. The fair values of debt securities issued by foreign governments are based on prices obtained from broker/dealers and international indices. The fair values of asset-backed securities are priced using prepayment speed and spread inputs that are sourced from the new issue market.
Investment funds consist of exchange traded and non-exchange traded funds. The commodity funds asset category consists of a single open-end commodity mutual fund. The equity funds asset category consists of index funds for domestic equities and an actively managed fund for international equities. The short-term funds asset category consists of a collective investment trust invested in highly liquid, short-term debt securities. For investment funds publicly traded on a national securities exchange, the fair value is based on quoted market prices. For investment funds not traded on an exchange, the total fair value of the underlying securities is used to determine the net asset value for each unit of the fund held by the pension fund. The estimated fair values of the underlying securities are generally valued based on quoted market prices. For securities without quoted market prices, other observable market inputs are utilized to determine the fair value.
The venture capital and partnerships asset category consists of various limited partnership funds, mezzanine debt funds and leveraged buyout funds. The fair value of these investments has been estimated based on methods employed by the general partners, including consideration of, among other things, reference to third-party transactions, valuations of comparable companies operating within the same or similar industry, the current economic and competitive environment, creditworthiness of the corporate issuer, as well as market prices for instruments with similar maturities, terms, conditions and quality ratings. The use of different assumptions, applying different judgment to inherently subjective matters and changes in future market conditions could result in significantly different estimates of fair value of these securities.
A reconciliation of the fair value measurements of our pension plan assets using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 is presented below:
Fair Value Measurements
Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	Venture	 	 	
 	 	 	Capital and	 	 	
in thousands	 	 	Partnerships	 	 	
Balance at December 31, 2013	 	 	$     88,482 	 	 	
Total gains (losses) for 2014 1	 	 	34,071 	 	 	
Purchases, sales and settlements, net	 	 	(12,940)	 	 	
Transfers into (out of) Level 3	 	 	320 	 	 	
Balance at December 31, 2014	 	 	$   109,933 	 	 	
Total gains (losses) for 2015 1	 	 	5,186 	 	 	
Purchases, sales and settlements, net	 	 	(12,247)	 	 	
Transfers into (out of) Level 3	 	 	0 	 	 	
Balance at December 31, 2015	 	 	$   102,872 	 	 	

 	 	
1	The total gains (losses) for 2015 and 2014 include $47 thousand and $29,329 thousand, respectively, in unrealized gains related to assets still held as of their respective year ends.	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	89	

 

Total employer contributions for the pension plans are presented below:

 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	Pension	 	
Employer Contributions	 	 	
2013	$          4,855 	 	
2014	5,488 	 	
2015	14,047 	 	
2016 (estimated)	9,107 	 	
 
During 2015, 2014 and 2013, we made no contributions to our qualified pension plans. We do not anticipate making contributions to our qualified pension plans in 2016. For our nonqualified pension plans, we made benefit payments of $14,047,000 ,   $5,488,000 and $4,855,000 during 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and expect to make payments of $9,107,000 during 2016.
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:

 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	Pension	 	
Estimated Future Benefit Payments	 	 	
2016	$        51,286 	 	
2017	52,434 	 	
2018	55,527 	 	
2019	56,835 	 	
2020	58,161 	 	
2021-2025	305,043 	 	
 
We contribute to a number of multiemployer defined benefit pension plans under the terms of collective-bargaining agreements for union-represented employees. A multiemployer plan is subject to collective bargaining for employees of two or more unrelated companies. Multiemployer plans are managed by boards of trustees on which management and labor have equal representation. However, in most cases, management is not directly represented. The risks of participating in multiemployer plans differ from single employer plans as follows:

	§		assets contributed to a multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers	
	§		if a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers	
	§		if we cease to have an obligation to contribute to one or more of the multiemployer plans to which we contribute, we may be required to pay those plans an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability	
None of the multiemployer pension plans that we participate in are individually significant. Our contributions to individual multiemployer pension funds did not exceed 5% of the fund’s total contributions in the three years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Total contributions to multiemployer pension plans were $9,800,000 in 2015, $8,503,000 in 2014 and $7,580,000 in 2013.
As of December 31, 2015, a total of 14% of our domestic hourly labor force was covered by collective-bargaining agreements. Of such employees covered by collective-bargaining agreements, 40% were covered by agreements that expire in 2016. We also employed 315 union employees in Mexico who are covered by a collective-bargaining agreement that will expire in 2016. None of our union employees in Mexico participate in multiemployer pension plans.
In addition to the pension plans noted above, we had one unfunded supplemental retirement plan as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. The accrued costs for the supplemental retirement plan were $1,384,000 at December 31, 2015 and $1,421,000 at December 31, 2014.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	90	

 

POSTRETIREMENT PLANS
In addition to pension benefits, we provide certain healthcare and life insurance benefits for some retired employees. In 2012, we amended our postretirement healthcare plan to cap our portion of the medical coverage cost at the 2015 level. Substantially all our salaried employees and, where applicable, certain of our hourly employees may become eligible for these benefits if they reach a qualifying age and meet certain service requirements. Generally, Company-provided healthcare benefits terminate when covered individuals become eligible for Medicare benefits, become eligible for other group insurance coverage or reach age 65 , whichever occurs first.
The March 2014 sale of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area (see Note 19) significantly reduced total expected future service of our postretirement plans resulting in a reduction in the projected benefit obligation of $2,639,000 and a one-time curtailment gain of $3,832,000 . This gain is reflected within gain on sale of property, plant & equipment and businesses in our accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2014.
The following table sets forth the combined funded status of the plans and their reconciliation with the related amounts recognized in our consolidated financial statements at December 31:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	
Change in Benefit Obligation	 	 	 	 	 	
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year	$        85,336 	 	 	$       92,888 	 	
Service cost	1,894 	 	 	2,146 	 	
Interest cost	2,485 	 	 	3,297 	 	
Liability reduction from curtailment	0 	 	 	(2,639)	 	
Actuarial gain	(35,195)	 	 	(2,617)	 	
Benefits paid	(5,915)	 	 	(7,739)	 	
Projected benefit obligation at end of year	$        48,605 	 	 	$       85,336 	 	
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets	 	 	 	 	 	
Fair value of assets at beginning of year	$                 0 	 	 	$                0 	 	
Actual return on plan assets	0 	 	 	0 	 	
Fair value of assets at end of year	$                 0 	 	 	$                0 	 	
Funded status	$       (48,605)	 	 	$     (85,336)	 	
Net amount recognized	$       (48,605)	 	 	$     (85,336)	 	
Amounts Recognized in the Consolidated	 	 	 	 	 	
 Balance Sheets	 	 	 	 	 	
Current liabilities	$         (6,287)	 	 	$        (8,964)	 	
Noncurrent liabilities	(42,318)	 	 	(76,372)	 	
Net amount recognized	$       (48,605)	 	 	$     (85,336)	 	
Amounts Recognized in Accumulated	 	 	 	 	 	
 Other Comprehensive Income	 	 	 	 	 	
Net actuarial (gain) loss	$       (24,325)	 	 	$       10,921 	 	
Prior service credit	(23,928)	 	 	(28,160)	 	
Total amount recognized	$       (48,253)	 	 	$     (17,239)	 	

 	 	
 	 	
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The following table sets forth the components of net periodic benefit cost, amounts recognized in other comprehensive income, weighted-average assumptions and assumed trend rates of the plans at December 31:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
dollars in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Components of Net Periodic Postretirement	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Benefit Cost	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Service cost	$          1,894 	 	 	$        2,146 	 	 	$        2,830 	 	
Interest cost	2,485 	 	 	3,297 	 	 	3,260 	 	
Curtailment gain	0 	 	 	(3,832)	 	 	0 	 	
Amortization of prior service credit	(4,232)	 	 	(4,327)	 	 	(4,863)	 	
Amortization of actuarial loss	37 	 	 	227 	 	 	1,372 	 	
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost (credit)	$             184 	 	 	$       (2,489)	 	 	$        2,599 	 	
Changes in Plan Assets and Benefit	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Obligations Recognized in Other	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Comprehensive Income	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Net actuarial (gain) loss	$       (35,209)	 	 	$       (5,256)	 	 	$    (20,444)	 	
Reclassification of actuarial loss to net	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 periodic postretirement benefit cost	(37)	 	 	(227)	 	 	(1,372)	 	
Reclassification of prior service credit to net	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 periodic postretirement benefit cost	4,232 	 	 	8,159 	 	 	4,863 	 	
Amount recognized in other comprehensive	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 income	$       (31,014)	 	 	$        2,676 	 	 	$    (16,953)	 	
Amount recognized in net periodic	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 postretirement benefit cost and other	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 comprehensive income	$       (30,830)	 	 	$           187 	 	 	$    (14,354)	 	
Assumptions	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Assumed Healthcare Cost Trend Rates	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 at December 31	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Healthcare cost trend rate assumed	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 for next year	n/a	 	 	7.50% 	 	 	7.50% 	 	
Rate to which the cost trend rate gradually	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 declines	n/a	 	 	5.00% 	 	 	5.00% 	 	
Year that the rate reaches the rate it is	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 assumed to maintain	n/a	 	 	2025 	 	 	2019 	 	
Weighted-average assumptions used to	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 determine net periodic benefit cost for	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 years ended December 31	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Discount rate	3.50% 	 	 	4.10% 	 	 	3.30% 	 	
Weighted-average assumptions used to	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 determine benefit obligation at	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 December 31	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Discount rate	3.69% 	 	 	3.50% 	 	 	4.10% 	 	
 
The estimated net actuaria l gain and prior service credit that will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic postretirement benefit cost (credit) during 2016 are $(1,828,000) and $(4,236,000) , respectively.
Total employer contributions for the postretirement plans are presented below:

 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	Postretirement	 	
Employer Contributions	 	 	
2013	$          6,258 	 	
2014	7,739 	 	
2015	5,915 	 	
2016 (estimated)	6,287 	 	

 	 	
 	 	
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The employer contributions shown above are equal to the cost of benefits during the year. The plans are not funded and are not subject to any regulatory funding requirements.
The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid:

 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	Postretirement	 	
Estimated Future Benefit Payments	 	 	
2016	$          6,287 	 	
2017	5,856 	 	
2018	5,623 	 	
2019	5,415 	 	
2020	5,152 	 	
2021–2025	19,229 	 	
 
Contributions by participants to the postretirement benefit plans for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	Postretirement	 	
Participants Contributions	 	 	
2013	$          2,022 	 	
2014	1,873 	 	
2015	2,031 	 	
 
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS ASSUMPTIONS
Each year we review our assumptions about the discount rate, the expected return on plan assets, the rate of compensation increase (for salary-related plans) and the rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered healthcare benefits.
In selecting the discount rate, we consider the yield on high-quality bonds with a duration equal to the duration of plan liabilities. At December 31, 2015, the discount rates for our various plans ranged from 3.53% to 4.68% (December 31, 2014 ranged from 3.50% to 4.30%) .   Beginning in 2016, we are changing the method we use to estimate the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost for our defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. Historically, we estimated the service and interest cost components using a single weighted-average discount rate derived from the yield curve used to measure the benefit obligation at the beginning of the period. Beginning in 2016, we elected to utilize a full yield curve approach to estimate the service and interest cost applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve to the relevant projected cash flows.
We are making this change to provide a more precise measurement of service and interest costs by improving the correlation between projected benefit cash flows to the corresponding yield curve spot rates. This change will not affect the measurement of our total benefit obligations as the change in the service cost and interest cost is completely offset in the actuarial (gain) loss reported.
We are accounting for this change as a change in estimate and, accordingly, are accounting for it prospectively starting in 2016. The estimated weighted-average discount rates to measure service cost and interest cost for 2016 are 4.89% and 3.80% , respectively, for our pension plans and 4.05% and 2.81% , respectively, for our other postretirement plans. The weighted-average discount rates that we would have used for service and interest costs under our prior estimation technique were 4.54% for the pension plans and 3.69% for the other postretirement plans. The reductions in benefit cost for 2016 associated with this change are estimated to be $7,200,000 and $530,000 for our pension and other postretirement plans, respectively.
In estimating the expected return on plan assets, we consider past performance and long-term future expectations for the types of investments held by the plan as well as the expected long-term allocation of plan assets to these investments. At December 31, 2015, the expected return on plan assets remains at 7.50%.
Annual pay increases after 2015 will not increase our pension plan obligations as a result of a 2013 plan amendment.
Future increases in the per capital cost of healthcare benefits will not increase our postretirement medical benefits obligation as a result of a 2012 plan amendment to cap medical coverage cost at the 2015 level.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	93	

 

DE FINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS
We sponsor two defined contribution plans. Substantially all salaried and nonunion hourly employees are eligible to be covered by one of these plans. Under these plans, we match employees’ eligible contributions at established rates. Expense recognized in connection with these matching obligations totaled $36,085,000 in 2015, $29,215,000 in 2014 and $21,416,000 in 2013.

NOTE 11: INCENTIVE PLANS
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
Our 2006 Omnibus Long-term Incentive Plan (Plan) authorizes the granting of stock options, Stock-Only Stock Appreciation Rights (SOSARs) and other types of share-based awards to key salaried employees and nonemployee directors. The maximum number of shares that may be issued under the Plan is 11,900,000 .
PERFORMANCE SHARES — Each performance share unit is equal to and paid in one share of our common stock, but carries no voting or dividend rights. The number of units ultimately paid for performance share awards may range from 0% to 200% of the number of units awarded on the date of grant. Payment is based upon our Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance relative to the TSR performance of the S&P 500 ® . Awards vest on December 31 of the fourth year after date of grant. Vesting is accelerated upon reaching retirement age, death, disability, or change of control, all as defined in the award agreement. Nonvested units are forfeited upon termination for any other reason. Expense provisions referable to performance share awards amounted to $13,159,000 in 2015, $16,863,000 in 2014 and $16,159,000 in 2013.
The fair value of performance shares is estimated as of the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The following table summarizes the activity for nonvested performance share units during the year ended December 31, 2015:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	Target	 	 	Weighted-average	 	
 	 	 	Number	 	 	Grant-date	 	
 	 	 	of Shares	 	 	Fair Value	 	
Performance Shares	 	 	 	 	 	
Nonvested at January 1, 2015	1,019,416 	 	 	$             53.16 	 	
Granted	231,730 	 	 	74.85 	 	
Vested	(441,483)	 	 	46.22 	 	
Canceled/forfeited	(3,324)	 	 	67.28 	 	
Nonvested at December 31, 2015	806,339 	 	 	$             63.13 	 	
 
During 2014 and 2013, the weighted-average grant-date fair value of performance shares granted was $63.42 and $53.65 , respectively.
The aggregate values for distributed performance share awards are based on the closing price of our common stock as of the distribution date. The aggregate values of distributed performance shares for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Aggregate value of distributed	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 performance shares	$       26,258 	 	 	$                0 	 	 	$         9,286 	 	
 
In addition to the performance shares granted above, we granted 14,000 restricted shares in February 2015 and 60,000 restricted shares in December 2013 to certain key executives. These shares cliff vest on the fourth anniversary of the grant date and have a grant-date fair value of $74.85 and $54.35 , respectively. Expense provisions referable to restricted share awards amounted to $982,000 in 2015, $704,000 in 2014 and $35,000 in 2013.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	94	

 

STOCK OPTIONS/SOSARS — Stock options/SOSARs granted have an exercise price equal to the market value of our underlying common stock on the date of grant . Th e options/SOSARs vest ratably over 4 years and expire 10 years subsequent to the gran t. V esting is accelerated upon reaching retirement age, death, disability, or change of control, all as defined in the award agreement. Nonvested awards are forfeited upon termination for any other reason.
The fair value of stock options/SOSARs is estimated as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Compensation cost for stock options/SOSARs is based on this grant-date fair value and is recognized for awards that ultimately vest. The following table presents the weighted-average fair value and the weighted-average assumptions used in estimating the fair value of grants during the years ended December 31:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	 	
SOSARs	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Fair value	$        25.17 	 	 	$        21.94 	 	 	$        16.96 	 	 	
Risk-free interest rate	1.85% 	 	 	2.40% 	 	 	1.40% 	 	 	
Dividend yield	1.70% 	 	 	1.64% 	 	 	1.72% 	 	 	
Volatility	33.00% 	 	 	33.00% 	 	 	33.00% 	 	 	
Expected term	8.00 years	 	 	8.00 years	 	 	8.00 years	 	 	
 
The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield at the date of grant of a U.S. Treasury security with a maturity period approximating the SOSARs expected term. The dividend yield assumption is based on our historical dividend payouts adjusted for current expectations of future payouts. The volatility assumption is based on the historical volatility and expectations about future volatility of our common stock over a period equal to the SOSARs expected term. The expected term is based on historical experience and expectations about future exercises and represents the period of time that SOSARs granted are expected to be outstanding.
A summary of our stock option/SOSAR activity as of December 31, 2015 and changes during the year are presented below:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Weighted-average	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	Remaining	 	 	Aggregate	 	
 	 	 	Number	 	 	Weighted-average	 	 	Contractual	 	 	Intrinsic Value	 	
 	 	 	of Shares	 	 	Exercise Price	 	 	Life (Years)	 	 	(in thousands)	 	
Stock Options/SOSARs	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Outstanding at January 1, 2015	4,786,305 	 	 	$             59.65 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Granted	161,310 	 	 	79.41 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Exercised	(1,890,028)	 	 	63.48 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Forfeited or expired	(4,838)	 	 	64.48 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Outstanding at December 31, 2015	3,052,749 	 	 	$             58.32 	 	 	4.36 	 	 	$         118,401 	 	
Vested and expected to vest	3,038,898 	 	 	$             58.27 	 	 	4.35 	 	 	$         118,043 	 	
Exercisable at December 31, 2015	2,602,447 	 	 	$             56.65 	 	 	3.70 	 	 	$         106,100 	 	
 
The aggregate intrinsic values in the table above represent the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between our stock price on the last trading day of 2015 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options/SOSARs) that would have been received by the option holders had all options/SOSARs been exercised on December 31, 2015. These values change based on the fair market value of our common stock. The aggregate intrinsic values of options/SOSARs exercised for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Aggregate intrinsic value of options/	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 SOSARs exercised	$       43,620 	 	 	$         7,372 	 	 	$         4,563 	 	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	95	

 

To the extent the tax deductions exceed compensation cost recorded, the tax benefit is reflected as a component of equity in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table presents cash and stock consideration received and tax benefit realized from stock option/SOSAR exercises and compensation cost recorded referable to stock options/SOSARs for the years ended December 31:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Stock Options/SOSARs	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash and stock consideration received	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 from exercises	$       72,884 	 	 	$       23,199 	 	 	$       17,156 	 	
Tax benefit from exercises	16,920 	 	 	2,844 	 	 	1,770 	 	
Compensation cost	2,221 	 	 	4,650 	 	 	3,936 	 	
CASH-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
We have incentive plans under which cash awards may be made annually to officers and key employees. Expense provisions referable to these plans amounted to $26,325,000 in 2015, $27,442,000 in 2014 and $19,540,000 in 2013.

NOTE 12: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
We have commitments in the form of unconditional purchase obligations as of December 31, 2015. These include commitments for the purchase of property, plant & equipment of $146,864,000 and commitments for noncapital purchases of $48,602,000 . These commitments are due as follows:

 	 	 	
 	Unconditional	 	
 	Purchase	 	
in thousands	Obligations	 	
Property, Plant & Equipment	 	 	
2016	$        67,560 	 	
Thereafter	79,304 	 	
Total	$      146,864 	 	
Noncapital (primarily transportation and electricity contracts)	 	 	
2016	$        14,361 	 	
2017–2018	17,564 	 	
2019–2020	11,677 	 	
Thereafter	5,000 	 	
Total	$        48,602 	 	
 
Expenditures under noncapital purchase commitments totaled $76,178,000 in 2015, $65,582,000 in 2014 and $83,699,000 in 2013.
We have commitments in the form of minimum royalties under mineral leases as of December 31, 2015 in the amount of $217,380,000 , due as follows:

 	 	 	
 	Mineral	 	
in thousands	Leases	 	
Minimum Royalties	 	 	
2016	$        21,479 	 	
2017–2018	37,710 	 	
2019–2020	25,380 	 	
Thereafter	132,811 	 	
Total	$      217,380 	 	
 
Expenditures for royalties under mineral leases totaled $58,048,000 in 2015, $49,685,000 in 2014 and $53,768,000 in 2013. Refer to Note 7 for future minimum nonmineral operating lease payments.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	96	

 
 
Certain of our aggregates reserves are burdened by volumetric production payments (nonoperating interest) as described in Note 1 under the caption Deferred Revenue. As the holder of the working interest, we have responsibility to bear the cost of mining and producing the reserves attributable to this nonoperating interest.
As summarized by purpose in Note 6, our standby letters of credit totaled $38,864,000 as of December 31, 2015.
As described in Note 9, our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is $8,447,000 as of December 31, 2015.
LITIGATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
We are subject to occasional governmental proceedings and orders pertaining to occupational safety and health or to protection of the environment, such as proceedings or orders relating to noise abatement, air emissions or water discharges. As part of our continuing program of stewardship in safety, health and environmental matters, we have been able to resolve such proceedings and to comply with such orders without any material adverse effects on our business.
We have received notices from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or similar state or local agencies that we are considered a potentially responsible party (PRP) at a limited number of sites under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA or Superfund) or similar state and local environmental laws. Generally we share the cost of remediation at these sites with other PRPs or alleged PRPs in accordance with negotiated or prescribed allocations. There is inherent uncertainty in determining the potential cost of remediating a given site and in determining any individual party's share in that cost. As a result, estimates can change substantially as additional information becomes available regarding the nature or extent of site contamination, remediation methods, other PRPs and their probable level of involvement, and actions by or against governmental agencies or private parties.
We have reviewed the nature and extent of our involvement at each Superfund site, as well as potential obligations arising under other federal, state and local environmental laws. While ultimate resolution and financial liability is uncertain at a number of the sites, in our opinion based on information currently available, the ultimate resolution of claims and assessments related to these sites will not have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows, although amounts recorded in a given period could be material to our results of operations or cash flows for that period. Amounts accrued for environmental matters are presented in Note 8.
We are a defendant in various lawsuits in the ordinary course of business. It is not possible to determine with precision the outcome, or the amount of liability, if any, under these lawsuits, especially where the cases involve possible jury trials with as yet undetermined jury panels.
In addition to these lawsuits in which we are involved in the ordinary course of business, certain other material legal proceedings are specifically described below.

	§		LOWER PASSAIC RIVER STUDY AREA (SUPERFUND SITE) — The Lower Passaic River Study Area is part of the Diamond Shamrock Superfund Site in New Jersey. Vulcan and approximately 70 other companies are parties (collectively the “Cooperating Parties Group”) to a May 2007 Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to perform a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (draft RI/FS) of the lower 17 miles of the Passaic River (River). On April 11, 2014, the EPA issued a proposed Focused Feasibility Study (FFS) that calls for a bank-to-bank dredging remedy for the lower 8 miles of the River. The EPA estimates that the cost of implementing this proposal is approximately $950 million to $1.73 billion. The period for public comment on the proposed FFS is closed and it is anticipated that the EPA will issue its final record of decision in the first half of 2016. The Cooperating Parties Group draft RI/FS estimates the preferred re \ medial action presented therein to cost in the range of approximately $475 million to $725 million (including $93 million in operations and maintenance costs for a 30 -year period).	
T he AOC does not obligate us to fund or perform the remedial action contemplated by either the draft RI/FS or the FFS. Vulcan formerly owned a chemicals operation near River Mile 0.1, which was sold in 1974. The Company has found no evidence that its former chemicals operation contributed any of the primary contaminants of concern to the River.
Neither the ultimate remedial approach, nor the parties who will participate in funding the remediation and their respective allocations, have been determined. However, we have estimated the cost to be incurred by us under the remedial approach most likely to be prescribed by the EPA in their final record of decision an d recorded an immaterial loss for this matter in 2015.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	97	

 

	§		TEXAS BRINE MATTER — During the operation of its former Chemicals Division, Vulcan was the lessee to a salt lease from 1976 – 2005 in an underground salt dome formation in Assumption Parish, Louisiana. The Texas Brine Company (Texas Brine) operated this salt mine for the account of Vulcan. Vulcan sold its Chemicals Division in 2005 and assigned the lease to the purchaser, and Vulcan has had no association with the leased premises or Texas Brine since that time. In August 2012, a sinkhole developed near the salt dome and numerous lawsuits were filed in state court in Assumption Parish, Louisiana. Other lawsuits, including class action litigation, were also filed in August 2012 in federal court in the Eastern District of Louisiana in New Orleans.	
There are numerous defendants to the litigation in state and federal court. Vulcan was first brought into the litigation as a third-party defendant in August 2013 by Texas Brine. Vulcan has since been added as a direct and third-party defendant by other parties, including a direct claim by the state of Louisiana. The damages alleged in the litigation range from individual plaintiffs’ claims for property damage, to the state of Louisiana’s claim for response costs, to claims for physical damages to oil pipelines, to business interruption claims. In addition to the plaintiffs’ claims, Vulcan has also been sued for contractual indemnity and comparative fault by both Texas Brine and Occidental Chemical Co. (Occidental). The total amount of damages claimed is in excess of $500 million. It is alleged that the sinkhole was caused, in whole or in part, by Vulcan’s negligent actions or failure to act. It is also alleged that Vulcan breached the salt lease, as well as an operating agreement and a drilling agreement with Texas Brine; and that Vulcan is strictly liable for certain property damages in its capacity as a former assignee of the salt lease; and that Vulcan violated certain covenants and conditions in the agreement under which it sold its Chemicals Division in 2005. Vulcan has made claims for contractual indemnity, comparative fault, and breach of contract against Texas Brine, as well as claims for contractual indemnity and comparative fault against Occidental. Discovery is ongoing and the first trial date in any of these cases has been set for March 2017. At this time, we cannot reasonably estimate a range of liability pertaining to this matter.

	§		HEWITT LANDFILL MATTER — On September 8, 2015, the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) issued a Cleanup and Abatement Order (CAO) directing Vulcan to assess, monitor, cleanup and abate wastes that have been discharged to soil, soil vapor, and/or groundwater at the former Hewitt Landfill in Los Angeles. The CAO follows a 2014 Investigative Order from RWQCB that sought data and a technical evaluation regarding the Hewitt Landfill, and a subsequent amendment to the Investigative Order requiring Vulcan to provide groundwater monitoring results to RWQCB and to create and implement a work plan for further investigation of the Hewitt Landfill. Vulcan is engaged in performing site investigation wor k t o develop an interim-remedial action plan due in the second quarter of 2016 as required by the CAO. At this time, we are unable to estimate the cost of the interim-remedial action plan but have fully accrued the costs of the site investigation work.	
Vulcan is also engaged in an ongoing dialogue with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, and other stakeholders regarding the potential contribution of the Hewitt Landfill to groundwater contamination in the San Fernando Valley. We are gathering and analyzing data and developing technical information to determine the extent of possible contribution by the Hewitt Landfill to the groundwater contamination in the area. This work is also intended to assist in identification of other sources of contamination. At this time, we cannot reasonably estimate a range of liability pertaining to this matter.
It is not possible to predict with certainty the ultimate outcome of these and other legal proceedings in which we are involved and a number of factors, including developments in ongoing discovery or adverse rulings, or the verdict of a particular jury, could cause actual losses to differ materially from accrued costs. No liability was recorded for claims and litigation for which a loss was determined to be only reasonably possible or for which a loss could not be reasonably estimated. Legal costs incurred in defense of lawsuits are expensed as incurred. In addition, losses on certain claims and litigation described above may be subject to limitations on a per occurrence basis by excess insurance, as described in Note 1 under the caption Claims and Litigation Including Self-insurance.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	98	

 
 
NOTE 13: EQUITY
Our capital stock consists solely of common stock, par value $1.00 per share. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share. Our Certificate of Incorporation also authorizes preferred stock, of which no shares have been issued. The terms and provisions of such shares will be determined by our Board of Directors upon any issuance of preferred shares in accordance with our Certificate of Incorporation.
In 2014, we issued 715,004   shares of common stock in connection with a business acquisition as described in Note 19.
Under a program that was discontinued in the fourth quarter of 2014, we occasionally sold shares of common stock to the trustee of our 401(k) retirement plan to satisfy the plan participants' elections to invest in our common stock. Under this arrangement, the stock issuances and resulting cash proceeds for the years ended December 31 were as follows:

	§		2014 —   issued 485,306 shares for cash proceeds of $30,620,000	
	§		2013 —   issued 71,208 shares for cash proceeds of $3,821,000	
There were no shares held in treasury as of December 31,   20 15 , 2014 and 2013. During 2015, we purchased and retired 228,000 shares for a cost   of $ 21,47 5 ,000 ;   no shares were purchased in 2014 and 2013. As of December 31, 2015, 3,183,416 shares may be repurchased under the current purchase authorization of our Board of Directors.

NOTE 14: OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Comprehensive income comprises two subsets: net earnings and other comprehensive income (OCI). The components of other comprehensive income are presented in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Statements of Equity, net of applicable taxes.
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI), net of tax, at December 31, are as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
AOCI	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash flow hedges	$       (14,494)	 	 	$     (20,322)	 	 	$     (25,178)	 	
Pension and postretirement plans	(105,575)	 	 	(141,392)	 	 	(74,453)	 	
Total	$     (120,069)	 	 	$   (161,714)	 	 	$     (99,631)	 	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	99	

 

Changes in AOCI, net of tax, for the three year s ended December 31, 2015 are as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	Pension and	 	 	 	 	
 	Cash Flow	 	 	Postretirement	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	Hedges	 	 	Benefit Plans	 	 	Total	 	
AOCI	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Balance as of December 31, 2012	$       (28,170)	 	 	$   (197,347)	 	 	$   (225,517)	 	
Other comprehensive income (loss)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 before reclassifications	0 	 	 	111,883 	 	 	111,883 	 	
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	2,992 	 	 	11,011 	 	 	14,003 	 	
Net current year OCI changes	2,992 	 	 	122,894 	 	 	125,886 	 	
Balance as of December 31, 2013	$       (25,178)	 	 	$     (74,453)	 	 	$     (99,631)	 	
Other comprehensive income (loss)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 before reclassifications	0 	 	 	(69,051)	 	 	(69,051)	 	
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	4,856 	 	 	2,112 	 	 	6,968 	 	
Net current year OCI changes	4,856 	 	 	(66,939)	 	 	(62,083)	 	
Balance as of December 31, 2014	$       (20,322)	 	 	$   (141,392)	 	 	$   (161,714)	 	
Other comprehensive income (loss)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 before reclassifications	0 	 	 	23,832 	 	 	23,832 	 	
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	5,828 	 	 	11,985 	 	 	17,813 	 	
Net current year OCI changes	5,828 	 	 	35,817 	 	 	41,645 	 	
Balance as of December 31, 2015	$       (14,494)	 	 	$   (105,575)	 	 	$   (120,069)	 	
 
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to earnings, are as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Reclassification Adjustment for Cash Flow	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Hedge Losses	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest expense	$          9,759 	 	 	$        7,988 	 	 	$        5,077 	 	
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	(3,931)	 	 	(3,132)	 	 	(2,085)	 	
Total 1	$          5,828 	 	 	$        4,856 	 	 	$        2,992 	 	
Amortization of Pension and Postretirement Plan	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Actuarial Loss and Prior Service Cost	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Cost of revenues	$        15,916 	 	 	$        2,789 	 	 	$      14,516 	 	
Selling, administrative and general expenses	3,608 	 	 	688 	 	 	3,616 	 	
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	(7,539)	 	 	(1,365)	 	 	(7,121)	 	
Total 2	$        11,985 	 	 	$        2,112 	 	 	$      11,011 	 	
Total reclassifications from AOCI to earnings	$        17,813 	 	 	$        6,968 	 	 	$      14,003 	 	

1	Totals for 2015 and 2014 include the acceleration of a proportional amount of deferred losses on interest rate derivatives (see Note 5) referable to debt purchases (see Note 6).	
2	Total for 2015 includes a one-time settlement loss resulting from a lump sum payment to a former employee (see Note 10). Total for 2014 includes a one-time curtailment gain (see Note 10) resulting from the sale of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area (see Note 19).	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	100	

 
 
NOTE 15: SEGMENT REPORTING
We have four operating (and reportable ) segments organized around our principal product lines: Aggregates, Asphalt Mix, Concrete and Calcium.
The Aggregates segment produces and sells aggregates (crushed stone, sand and gravel, sand, and other aggregates) and related products and services (transportation and other). During 2015, the Aggregates segment principally served markets in twenty states, Washington D.C. and Mexico with a full line of aggregates, and six additional states with railroad ballast. Customers use aggregates primarily in the construction and maintenance of highways, streets and other public works and in the construction of housing and commercial, industrial and other nonresidential facilities. Customers are served by truck, rail and water distribution networks from our production facilities and sales yards. Due to the high weight-to-value ratio of aggregates, markets generally are local in nature. Quarries located on waterways and rail lines allow us to serve remote markets where local aggregates reserves may not be available. We sell a relatively small amount of construction aggregates outside the United States. Nondomestic revenues were $ 11,408,000 in 2015, $14,699,000   in 2014 and $12,339,000 in 2013.
The Asphalt Mix segment produces and sells asphalt mix in four states primarily in our southwestern and western markets.
The Concrete segment produces and sells ready-mixed concrete in six states, Washington D.C. and an immaterial amount in the Bahamas. In January 2015, we swapped our ready-mixed concrete operations in California (see Note 19) for asphalt mix operations, primarily in Arizona. In March 2014, we sold our concrete business in the Florida area (see Note 19) which in addition to ready-mixed concrete, included concrete block, precast concrete, as well as building materials purchased for resale.
The Calcium segment consists of a Florida facility that mines, produces and sells calcium products. Prior to the sale of our cement business in March 2014 (see Note 19), we produced and sold Portland and masonry cement in both bulk and bags from our Florida cement plant and imported and exported cement, clinker and slag and either resold, ground, blended, bagged or reprocessed those materials from other Florida facilities.
Aggregates comprise approximately 95% of asphalt mix by weight and 80% of ready-mixed concrete by weight. Our Asphalt Mix and Concrete segments are primarily supplied with their aggregates requirements from our Aggregates segment. These intersegment sales are made at local market prices for the particular grade and quality of product utilized in the production of asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete. Customers for our Asphalt Mix and Concrete segments are generally served locally at our production facilities or by truck. Because asphalt mix and ready-mixed concrete harden rapidly, delivery is time constrained and generally confined to a radius of approximately 20 to 25 miles from the producing facility.
The vast majority of our activities are domestic. Long-lived assets outside the United States, which consist primarily of property, plant & equipment, were $ 160,125,000 in 2015, $139,427,000   in 2014 and $140,504,000 in 2013. Equity method investments of $ 22,967,000 in 2015, $22,924,000 in 2014 and $22,962,000 in 2013 are included below in the identifiable assets for the Aggregates segment.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	101	

 
 
SEGMENT FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Total Revenues	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Aggregates 1	$  2,777,758 	 	 	$  2,346,411 	 	 	$  2,025,026 	 	
Asphalt Mix 2	530,692 	 	 	445,538 	 	 	407,657 	 	
Concrete 2, 3	299,252 	 	 	375,806 	 	 	471,748 	 	
Calcium 4	8,596 	 	 	25,032 	 	 	99,004 	 	
 Segment sales	$  3,616,298 	 	 	$  3,192,787 	 	 	$  3,003,435 	 	
Aggregates intersegment sales	(194,117)	 	 	(189,393)	 	 	(185,385)	 	
Calcium intersegment sales	0 	 	 	(9,225)	 	 	(47,341)	 	
Total revenues	$  3,422,181 	 	 	$  2,994,169 	 	 	$  2,770,709 	 	
Gross Profit	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Aggregates	$     755,666 	 	 	$     544,070 	 	 	$     413,301 	 	
Asphalt Mix 2	78,225 	 	 	38,080 	 	 	32,704 	 	
Concrete 2, 3	20,152 	 	 	2,233 	 	 	(24,774)	 	
Calcium 4	3,490 	 	 	3,199 	 	 	5,649 	 	
Total	$     857,533 	 	 	$     587,582 	 	 	$     426,880 	 	
Depreciation, Depletion, Accretion and Amortization (DDA&A)	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Aggregates	$     228,466 	 	 	$     227,042 	 	 	$     224,808 	 	
Asphalt Mix 2	16,378 	 	 	10,719 	 	 	8,697 	 	
Concrete 2, 3	11,374 	 	 	19,892 	 	 	32,996 	 	
Calcium 4	679 	 	 	1,554 	 	 	18,093 	 	
Other	17,926 	 	 	20,290 	 	 	22,514 	 	
Total	$     274,823 	 	 	$     279,497 	 	 	$     307,108 	 	
Capital Expenditures 5	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Aggregates	$     269,014 	 	 	$     180,026 	 	 	$     253,000 	 	
Asphalt Mix 2	8,111 	 	 	20,796 	 	 	17,089 	 	
Concrete 2, 3	19,053 	 	 	19,542 	 	 	13,054 	 	
Calcium 4	0 	 	 	201 	 	 	198 	 	
Corporate	7,846 	 	 	2,532 	 	 	1,277 	 	
Total	$     304,024 	 	 	$     223,097 	 	 	$     284,618 	 	
Identifiable Assets 6	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Aggregates	$  7,540,273 	 	 	$  7,311,336 	 	 	$  7,006,724 	 	
Asphalt Mix 2	251,716 	 	 	264,172 	 	 	195,046 	 	
Concrete 2, 3	198,193 	 	 	227,000 	 	 	370,103 	 	
Calcium 4	5,509 	 	 	5,818 	 	 	413,296 	 	
Total identifiable assets	7,995,691 	 	 	7,808,326 	 	 	7,985,169 	 	
General corporate assets	21,881 	 	 	91,498 	 	 	54,207 	 	
Cash items	284,060 	 	 	141,273 	 	 	193,738 	 	
Total assets	$  8,301,632 	 	 	$  8,041,097 	 	 	$  8,233,114 	 	

1	Includes product sales, as well as freight, delivery and transportation revenues, and other revenues related to services.	
2	In January 2015, we exchanged our California ready-mixed concrete operations for 13 asphalt mix plants, primarily in Arizona (see Note 19). 	
3	In March 2014, we sold our concrete business in the Florida area (see Note 19).	
4	Includes cement and calcium products. In March 2014, we sold our cement business (see Note 19).	
5	Capital expenditures include capitalized replacements of and additions to property, plant & equipment, including capitalized leases, renewals and betterments. Capital expenditures exclude property, plant & equipment obtained by business acquisitions.	
6	Certain temporarily idled assets are included within a segment's Identifiable Assets but the associated DDA&A is shown within Other in the DDA&A section above as the related DDA&A is excluded from segment gross profit.	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	102	

 
 
NOTE 16: SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Supplemental information referable to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows is summarized below:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
Cash Payments	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Interest (exclusive of amount capitalized)	$      208,288 	 	 	$      241,841 	 	 	$     196,794 	 	
Income taxes	53,623 	 	 	79,862 	 	 	30,938 	 	
Noncash Investing and Financing Activities	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Accrued liabilities for purchases of property,	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 plant & equipment	$        31,883 	 	 	$        17,120 	 	 	$       18,864 	 	
Amounts referable to business acquisitions	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 Liabilities assumed	2,645 	 	 	26,622 	 	 	232 	 	
 Fair value of noncash assets and liabilities exchanged	20,000 	 	 	2,414 	 	 	0 	 	
 Fair value of equity consideration	0 	 	 	45,185 	 	 	0 	 	

 
  NOTE 17: ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
Asset retirement obligations (AROs) are legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets resulting from the acquisition, construction, development and/or normal use of the underlying assets.
Recognition of a liability for an ARO is required in the period in which it is incurred at its estimated fair value. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the underlying asset and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. The liability is accreted through charges to operating expenses. If the ARO is settled for other than the carrying amount of the liability, we recognize a gain or loss on settlement.
We record all AROs for which we have legal obligations for land reclamation at estimated fair value. Essentially all these AROs relate to our underlying land parcels, including both owned properties and mineral leases. For the years ended December 31, we recognized ARO operating costs related to accretion of the liabilities and depreciation of the assets as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	 	2013 	 	
ARO Operating Costs	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Accretion	$        11,474 	 	 	$        11,601 	 	 	$       10,685 	 	
Depreciation	6,515 	 	 	4,462 	 	 	3,527 	 	
Total	$        17,989 	 	 	$        16,063 	 	 	$       14,212 	 	
 
ARO operating costs are reported in cost of revenues. AROs are reported within other noncurrent liabilities in our accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Reconciliations of the carrying amounts of our AROs for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	
Asset Retirement Obligations	 	 	 	 	 	
Balance at beginning of year	$      226,565 	 	 	$      228,234 	 	
 Liabilities incurred	6,235 	 	 	9,130 	 	
 Liabilities settled	(18,048)	 	 	(26,547)	 	
 Accretion expense	11,474 	 	 	11,601 	 	
 Revisions, net	368 	 	 	4,147 	 	
Balance at end of year	$      226,594 	 	 	$      226,565 	 	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	103	

 

The ARO liabilities incurred during 2015 and 2014 relate primarily to acquisitions (see Note 19). ARO liabilities settled during 2015 and 2014 include $13,117,000 and $1 8,6 3 7 ,000 , respectively, of reclamation activities required under a development agreement and conditional use permit s at two adjacent aggregates sites on owned property in Southern California. Th e   reclamation required under the development agreement will result in the restoration and development of 90 acres of previously mined property suitable for commercial and retail development.

NOTE 18: GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Acquired identifiable intangible assets are classified into three categories: (1) goodwill, (2) intangible assets with finite lives subject to amortization and (3) intangible assets with indefinite lives. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized; rather, they are reviewed for impairment at least annually. For additional information regarding our policies on impairment reviews, see Note 1 under the captions Goodwill and Goodwill Impairment, and Impairment of Long-lived Assets excluding Goodwill.
GOODWILL
Goodwill is recognized when the consideration paid for a business exceeds the fair value of the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is allocated to reporting units for purposes of testing goodwill for impairment. There were no charges for goodwill impairment in the years ended December 31, 201 5 , 2014 and 2013.
We have four reportable segments organized around our principal product lines: Aggregates, Asphalt Mix, Concrete and Calcium. Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are summarized below:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	Aggregates	 	 	Asphalt Mix	 	 	Concrete	 	 	Calcium	 	 	Total	 	
Goodwill	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
Total as of December 31, 2012	$   2,995,083 	 	 	$     91,633 	 	 	$              0 	 	 	$              0 	 	 	$  3,086,716 	 	
Goodwill of divested businesses 1	(5,195)	 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	 	(5,195)	 	
Total as of December 31, 2013	$   2,989,888 	 	 	$     91,633 	 	 	$              0 	 	 	$              0 	 	 	$  3,081,521 	 	
Goodwill of acquired businesses 1	13,303 	 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	 	0 	 	 	13,303 	 	
Total as of December 31, 2014	$   3,003,191 	 	 	$     91,633 	 	 	$              0 	 	 	$              0 	 	 	$  3,094,824 	 	
Total as of December 31, 2015	$   3,003,191 	 	 	$     91,633 	 	 	$              0 	 	 	$              0 	 	 	$  3,094,824 	 	

1	Refer to Note 19 for additional details.	
 
We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if events or circumstances change in a manner that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. A decrease in the estimated fair value of one or more of our reporting units could result in the recognition of a material, noncash write-down of goodwill.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	104	

 

INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible assets acquired in business combinations are stated at their fair value determined as of the date of acquisition. Costs incurred to renew or extend the life of existing intangible assets are capitalized. These capitalized renewal/extension costs were immaterial for the years presented. Intangible assets consist of contractual rights in place (primarily permitting and zoning rights), noncompetition agreements, favorable lease agreements, customer relationships and trade names and trademarks. Intangible assets acquired individually or otherwise obtained outside a business combination consist primarily of permitting, permitting compliance and zoning rights and are stated at their historical cost less accumulated amortization.
See Note 19 for the details of the intangible assets acquired in business acquisitions during 2015, 2014 and 2013. Amortization of finite-lived intangible assets is computed based on the estimated life of the intangible assets. Contractual rights in place associated with aggregates reserves are amortized using the unit-of-production method based on estimated recoverable units. Other intangible assets are amortized principally by the straight-line method. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. As shown in Note 1 under the caption Fair Value Measurements, we incurred $ 2,8 5 8,000 of impairment charges related to intangible assets in 2015. There were no charges for impairment of intangible assets in the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.
The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization by major intangible asset class for the years ended December 31 are summarized below:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	
Gross Carrying Amount	 	 	 	 	 	
Contractual rights in place	$      735,935 	 	 	$     719,100 	 	
Noncompetition agreements	2,800 	 	 	2,550 	 	
Favorable lease agreements	16,677 	 	 	16,677 	 	
Permitting, permitting compliance and zoning rights	99,513 	 	 	93,273 	 	
Other 1	4,092 	 	 	4,067 	 	
Total gross carrying amount	$      859,017 	 	 	$     835,667 	 	
Accumulated Amortization	 	 	 	 	 	
Contractual rights in place	$       (65,641)	 	 	$     (54,019)	 	
Noncompetition agreements	(506)	 	 	(119)	 	
Favorable lease agreements	(4,002)	 	 	(3,489)	 	
Permitting, permitting compliance and zoning rights	(20,350)	 	 	(18,270)	 	
Other 1	(1,939)	 	 	(1,527)	 	
Total accumulated amortization	$       (92,438)	 	 	$     (77,424)	 	
Total Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization, net	$      766,579 	 	 	$     758,243 	 	
Intangible Assets with Indefinite Lives	0 	 	 	0 	 	
Total Intangible Assets, net	$      766,579 	 	 	$     758,243 	 	
Amortization Expense for the Year	$        15,618 	 	 	$       10,966 	 	

1	Includes customer relationships and tradenames and trademarks.	
 
Estimated amortization expense for the five years subsequent to December 31, 2015 is as follows:

 	 	 	
in thousands	 	 	
Estimated Amortization Expense for Five Subsequent Years	 	
2016	$        19,946 	 	
2017	20,797 	 	
2018	21,702 	 	
2019	19,746 	 	
2020	20,247 	 	

 

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	105	

 
 
NOTE 19: ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES
ACQUISITIONS
During 2015, the following assets were acquired for $ 47,198,000 of consideration (( $27,198,000 cash and $20,000,000 exchanges of real property and businesses  ( twelve California ready-mixed concrete operations)):

	§		one aggregates facility in Tennessee	
	§		three aggregates facilities and seven ready-mixed concrete operations in Arizona and New Mexico	
	§		thirteen asphalt mix plants, primarily in Arizona	
 
The 2015 acquisitions listed above are reported in our consolidated financial statements as of their respective acquisition dates. The amounts of total revenues and net earnings for these acquisitions (collectively) are included in our Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for year ended December 31, 2015 , as follows:

 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	
Actual Results	 	 	 	 	 	
Total revenues	 	 	 	$       67,002 	 	
Net earnings	 	 	 	1,938 	 	
 
None of the 2015 acquisitions listed above are material to our results of operations or financial position either individually or collectively. The fair value of consideration transferred for these acquisitions and the preliminary amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (based on their estimated fair values at their acquisition dates), are summarized below:

 	 	 	 	 	 	
in thousands	2015 	 	
Fair Value of Purchase Consideration	 	 	 	 	 	
Cash	 	 	 	$       27,198 	 	
Exchanges of real property and businesses	 	 	 	20,000 	 	
Total fair value of purchase consideration	 	 	 	$       47,198 	 	
Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	 	 	 	 	 	
Accounts and notes receivable, net	 	 	 	$         2,105 	 	
Inventories	 	 	 	3,559 	 	
Other current assets	 	 	 	358 	 	
Property, plant & equipment, net	 	 	 	26,087 	 	
Other intangible assets	 	 	 	 	 	
 Contractual rights in place	 	 	 	17,484 	 	
 Noncompetition agreement	 	 	 	250 	 	
Liabilities assumed	 	 	 	(2,645)	 	
Net identifiable assets acquired	 	 	 	$       47,198 	 	
Goodwill	 	 	 	$                0 	 	
 
Estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are preliminary pending appraisals of contractual rights in place and property, plant & equipment.
The contractual rights in place noted above will be amortized against earnings ( $ 7,168,000 - straight-line over 20 years and $10,317,000 - units of production over an estimated 34 years) and deductible for income tax purposes over 15 years.
During 2014, we purchased the following for total consideration of $ 331,836 ,000   ( $284,237,000 cash, $2,414,000 exchanges of real property and businesses and $45,185,000 of our common stock ( 715,004 shares)):

	§		two portable asphalt plants and an aggregates facility in southern California	
	§		five aggregates facilities and associated downstream assets in Arizona and New Mexico	
	§		two aggregates facilities in Delaware, serving northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.	
	§		four aggregates facilities in the San Francisco Bay Area	
	§		a rail-connected aggregates operation and two distribution yards that serve the greater Dallas/Fort Worth market	
	§		a permitted aggregates quarry in Alabama	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	106	

 
 
None of the 2014 acquisitions listed above were material to our results of operations or financial position either individually or collectively. As a result of these 2014 acquisitions, we recognized $128,286,000 of amortizable intangible assets (primarily contractual rights in place). The contractual rights in place will be amortized against earnings using the unit-of-production method over an estimated weighted-average period in excess of 40 years and all but $36,921,000 will be deductible for income tax purposes over 15 years. The $13,303,000 of goodwill recognized (none of which will be deductible for income tax purposes) represents the balance of deferred tax liabilities generated from carrying over the seller’s tax basis in the assets acquired.
DIVESTITURES
As noted above, in the first quarter of 2015, we exchanged twelve ready-mixed concrete operations in California (representing all of our California concrete operations) for thirteen asphalt mix plants (primarily in Arizona) resulting in a pretax gain of $5,886, 000 .
In 2014, we sold:

	§		First quarter — our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area for net pretax cash proceeds of $721,359,000 resulting in a pretax gain of $227,910,000 . We retained all of our Florida aggregates operations, our former Cement segment’s calcium operation in Brooksville, Florida and real estate associated with certain former ready-mixed concrete facilities. Under a separate supply agreement, we continue to provide aggregates to the divested concrete facilities, at market prices, for a period of 20 years. As a result of the continuing cash flows (generated via the supply agreement and the retained operation and assets), the disposition is not reported as discontinued operations	
	§		First quarter — a previously mined and subsequently reclaimed tract of land in Maryland (Aggregates segment) for net pretax cash proceeds of $10,727,000 resulting in a pretax gain of $168,000	
	§		First quarter — unimproved land in Tennessee previously containing a sales yard (Aggregates segment) for net pretax cash proceeds of $5,820,000 resulting in a pretax gain of $5,790,000	
In 2013, we sold:

	§		Third quarter — reclaimed land associated with a former site of a ready-mixed concrete facility in Virginia for net pretax cash proceeds of $11,261,000 resulting in a pretax gain of $9,027,000	
	§		Third quarter — a percentage of the future production from aggregates reserves at certain owned quarries. The sale was structured as a volumetric production payment (VPP) for which we received gross cash proceeds of $154,000,000 and incurred transaction costs of $905,000 . The net proceeds were recorded as deferred revenue and are amortized on a unit-of-sales basis to revenues over the term of the VPP . See Note 1, caption Deferred Revenue, for the key terms of the VPP	
	§		Second quarter — four aggregates production facilities in Wisconsin for net pretax cash proceeds of $34,743,000 resulting in a pretax gain of $21,183,000 . We allocated $4,521,000 of goodwill to these dispositions based on the relative fair values of the businesses disposed of and the portion of the reporting unit retained. Additionally, the dispositions of these facilities will likely result in a partial withdrawal from one of our multiemployer pension plans; therefore, we recognized a $4,000,000 liability related to this plan	
	§		First quarter — one aggregates production facility in Wisconsin and its related replacement reserve land for net pretax cash proceeds of $5,133,000 resulting in a pretax gain of $2,802,000 . We allocated $674,000 of goodwill to this disposition based on the relative fair value of the business disposed of and the portion of the reporting unit retained	
PENDING DIVESTITURES
There were no pending divestitures classified as assets held for sale as of December 31, 2015. Conversely, the twelve ready-mixed concrete operations in California (exchanged for thirteen asphalt mix plants as noted above) sold in the first quarter of 2015 are presented in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2014 as assets held

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	107	

 

for sale. The major classes of assets and liabilities of assets classified as held for sale as of December 31 are as follows:

 

in thousands	2015 	 	 	2014 	 	
Held for Sale	 	 	 	 	 	
Current assets	$              0 	 	 	$       1,773 	 	
Property, plant & equipment, net	0 	 	 	12,764 	 	
Other intangible assets, net	0 	 	 	647 	 	
Total assets held for sale	$              0 	 	 	$     15,184 	 	
Asset retirement obligations	$              0 	 	 	$          520 	 	
Total liabilities of assets held for sale	$              0 	 	 	$          520 	 	
 
Effective land management is both a business strategy and a social responsibility. We strive to achieve value through our mining activities as well as incremental value through effective post-mining land management. Our land management strategy includes routinely reclaiming and selling our previously mined land. Additionally, this strategy includes developing conservation banks by preserving land as a suitable habitat for endangered or sensitive species. These conservation banks have received approval from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to offer mitigation credits for sale to third parties who may be required to compensate for the loss of habitats of endangered or sensitive species.

NOTE 20: UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The following is a summary of selected quarterly financial information (unaudited) for each of the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	2015	 	
 	Three Months Ended	 	
in thousands, except per share data	March 31	 	June 30	 	Sept 30	 	Dec 31	 	
Total revenues	$  631,293 	 	$  895,143 	 	$ 1,038,460 	 	$   857,285 	 	
Gross profit	77,865 	 	234,449 	 	291,290 	 	253,929 	 	
Operating earnings	10,759 	 	153,776 	 	212,206 	 	173,037 	 	
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations	(36,667)	 	49,819 	 	126,202 	 	93,560 	 	
Net earnings (loss)	(39,678)	 	48,162 	 	123,805 	 	88,888 	 	
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations	$       (0.28)	 	$        0.37 	 	$          0.95 	 	$         0.70 	 	
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations	$       (0.28)	 	$        0.37 	 	$          0.93 	 	$         0.69 	 	
Basic net earnings (loss) per share	$       (0.30)	 	$        0.36 	 	$          0.93 	 	$         0.67 	 	
Diluted net earnings (loss) per share	$       (0.30)	 	$        0.36 	 	$          0.91 	 	$         0.65 	 	

 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	
 	2014	 	
 	Three Months Ended	 	
in thousands, except per share data	March 31	 	June 30	 	Sept 30	 	Dec 31	 	
Total revenues	$  574,420 	 	$  791,143 	 	$    873,579 	 	$   755,027 	 	
Gross profit	34,092 	 	174,788 	 	209,042 	 	169,660 	 	
Operating earnings 1	194,669 	 	103,246 	 	140,331 	 	99,892 	 	
Earnings from continuing operations 1	54,505 	 	46,511 	 	67,781 	 	38,349 	 	
Net earnings 1	53,995 	 	45,967 	 	66,939 	 	38,022 	 	
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations	$        0.42 	 	$        0.35 	 	$          0.51 	 	$         0.29 	 	
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations	$        0.41 	 	$        0.35 	 	$          0.51 	 	$         0.29 	 	
Basic net earnings per share	$        0.41 	 	$        0.35 	 	$          0.51 	 	$         0.29 	 	
Diluted net earnings per share	$        0.41 	 	$        0.35 	 	$          0.50 	 	$         0.28 	 	

1	Includes a $227,910 thousand pretax gain on the sale of our cement and concrete businesses in the Florida area as described in Note 19, primarily recorded in the first quarter.	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	108	

 
 
ITEM 9
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTA NTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
None.
ITEM 9A
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
We maintain a system of controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports we file with the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC's rules and forms. These disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a - 15(e) or 15d -   1 5(e)), include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, with the participation of other management officials, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 201 5 . Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
No material changes were made d uring the fourth quarter of 201 5   to our internal controls over financial reporting , nor have there been o ther factors that materially affect these controls.
MANAGEMENT 'S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal control over financial reporting as required by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). A control system can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.
Under management's supervision, an evaluation of the design and effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting was conducted based on the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework ( 2013 ) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 201 5 .
Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as auditors of our consolidated financial statements, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 201 5 . Deloitte & Touche LLP's report, which expresses an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, follows this report.

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	109	

 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM – INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
The Board of Directors and Shareholders of Vulcan Materials Company:
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Vulcan Materials Company and its subsidiary companies (the "Company") as of December 31, 201 5 based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework ( 2013 ) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel 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. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) 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 management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 201 5 based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework ( 2013 ) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements of the Company as of and for the year ended December 31, 201 5 and our report dated February 25 , 201 6 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements .

 	
	
Birmingham, Alabama	
February 25 , 201 6	

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	110	

 
 
ITEM 9 B
OTHER INFORMATION
 
None.

 

 	 	
 	 	
Part I I	111	

 
 
PART I II
ITEM 10
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
 
On or about March 25 ,   201 6 ,   we expect to file a definitive proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A (our " 201 6 Proxy Statement " ). The information under the headings " Proposal 1 - Election of Director s, "   " Co rporate Governance of our Company and Practices of our Board of Directors, " and " General Information - Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance " included in the 201 6 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. See also the information set forth above in Part I, Item I " Business " of this report.
 
ITEM 11
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
The information under the headings "Compensation Discussion and Analysis," "Director Compensation ," "E xecutive Compensation , " “Corporate Governance of our Company and Practices of our Board of Directors,” and “Compensation Committee Report” included in our 201 6 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 12
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED
STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
 
The information under the headings "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management," "Equity Compensation Plans" and " Executive Compensation — Payment s Upon Termination or Change in Control" included in our 201 6 Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 13
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information under the headings " Corporate Governance of our Company and Practices of our Board of Directors " included in our 201 6 Proxy Statement i s i ncorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 14
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNT ING FEES AND SERVICES
 
The informatio n u nder the heading entitled "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm" included in our 201 6 Proxy Statemen t  i s incorporated herein by reference .

 

 	 	
 	 	
P art I II	112	

 
 
PART I V
ITEM 15
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
(a) (1) Financial statements
The following financial statements are included herein on the pages shown below:

 	 	 	 	
 	 	Page in Report	 	
 	Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	58 	 	
 	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	59 	 	
 	Consolidated Balance Sheets	60 	 	
 	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	61 	 	
 	Consolidated Statements of Equity	62 	 	
 	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	63-108 	 	
 
(a) (2) Financial statement schedules
Financial statement schedule s are omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the required information is provided in the financial statements or notes thereto.
Financial statements (and summarized financial information) of 50% or less owned entities accounted for by the equity method have been omitted because they do not, considered individually or in the aggregate, constitute a significant subsidiary.
(a) (3) Exhibits
The exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K are either incorporated by reference herein or accompany this report. See the Index to Exhibits set forth below.

 

 	 	
 	 	
P art I V	113	

 

 
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 February 2 5 , 201 6 .

 	VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY	

J. Thomas Hill
Chairman and Chief Executive 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 and on the dates indicated.

Signature	Title	Date	

J. Thomas Hill	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
  (Principal Executive Officer)
 	 
February 25 , 201 6	

John R. McPherson	Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial and Strategy Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
 	 
February 25 , 201 6	

  _______________________ _____________ __________
Ejaz A. Khan	Vice President, Controller
and Chief Information Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)	 
February 25 , 201 6	
 	 	 	
The following directors:
 
Elaine L. Chao
Thomas A. Fanning
O . B. Grayson Hall, Jr.
C ynthia L. Hostetler
Dou glas J. McGregor
Richard T. O'Brien
James T. Prokopanko
Donald B. Rice
Lee J. Styslinger, III
Vincent J. Trosino
Kathleen Wilson-Thompson	 
 
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director
Director		

Michael R. Mills
Attorney-in-Fact	 	 
February 25 , 201 6	

 

 	 	
Signatures	114	

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

E xhibit 3(a)	Certificate of Incorporation (Restated 2007) of the Company (formerly known as Virginia Holdco, Inc.), filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on November 16, 2007   1	
Exhibit 3(b)	Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Compan y   (as amended through February 13, 2015) filed as Exhibit 3 (b) to the C ompany’s Annual Report on Form 10 -K filed on February 2 7, 2015 1	
Exhibit 4(a)	Supplemental Indenture No. 1 , dated as of November 16, 2007, among the Company, Legacy Vulcan Corp. and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on November 21, 2007   1	
Exhibit 4(b)	Senior Debt Indenture, dated as of December 11, 2007, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on December 11, 2007   1	
Exhibit 4(c)	First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 11, 2007, between Vulcan Materials Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, to that certain Senior Debt Indenture, dated as of December 11, 2007, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on December 11, 2007   1	
Exhibit 4(d)	Second Supplemental Indenture , dated June 20, 2008 between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, to that certain Senior Debt Indenture dated as of December 11, 2007, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 20, 2008   1	
Exhibit 4(e)	T hird Supplemental Indenture , dated February 3, 2009, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, to that certain Senior Debt Indenture dated as of December 11, 2007 filed as Exhibit 10(f) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 2, 2009   1	
Exhibit 4(f)	Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated June 14, 2011, between the Company and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 15, 2011 1	
Exhibit 4(g)	Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated March 30, 2015, between the Company and Regions Bank, as Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 30, 2015 1	
Exhibit 4( h )	Indenture , dated as of May 1, 1991, by and between Legacy Vulcan Corp. (formerly Vulcan Materials Company) and First Trust of New York (as successor trustee to Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York) filed as Exhibit 4 to the Form S-3 on May 2, 1991 (Registration No. 33-40284)   1	
Exhibit 4(i)	Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated as of November 16, 2007, among the Company, Legacy Vulcan Corp. and The Bank of New York, as   T rustee, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 21, 2007 1	
Exhibit 4(j)	Supplemental Indenture No. 2, dated as of June 30, 2015, between Legacy Vulcan, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, filed as Exhibit 4(a) to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 5, 2015 1	
E xhibit 10( a )	C redit Agreement   d ated as of June 19 , 201 5 among the Company and SunTrust Bank as A dministrative A gen t a n d o ther parties named therein filed as Exhibit 10.1   to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 25, 2015   1	
Ex hibit 10( b )	Unfunded Supplemental Benefit Plan for Salaried Employees, as amended, filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 17, 2008   1,2	
Exhibit 10( c )	Amendment No. 1 to the Unfunded Supplemental Benefit Plan for Salaried Employees filed as Exhibit 10 .1 to its Current Report on Form 8-K on January 7, 2014   1,2	
Exhibit 10( d )	Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors Who Are Not Employees of the Company, as amended, filed as Exhibit 10.5 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 17, 2008   1,2	

 	 	
 	 	
 	E- 1	

 

Exhibit 10( e )	The 2006 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan of the Company filed as Appendix C to Legacy Vulcan Corp.’s 2006 Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 13, 2006   1,2	
Exhibit 10( f )	Amendment to the 2006 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan of the Company filed as Appendix A to the Company's 2011 Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed March 31, 2011   1,2	
Exhibit 10( g )	Amendment to the 2006 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan of the Company dated February 9, 2012, filed as Exhibit 10(l) to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed on February 9, 2012   1,2	
Exhibit 10( h )	Deferred Stock Plan for Nonemployee Directors of the Company filed as Exhibit 10(f) to Legacy Vulcan Corp.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001 filed on March 27, 2002   1,2	
Exhibit 10( i )	Restricted Stock Plan for Nonemployee Directors of the Company, as amended, filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 17, 2008   1,2	
Exhibit 10( j )	Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 17, 2008   1,2	
Exhibit 10(k)	Independent Contractor Consulting Agreement dated March 26, 2015, between the Company and Danny R. Shepherd, filed as Exhibit 10(a) to the Company’s Q uarterly Report on Form 10- Q filed on May 6, 2015 1,2	
Exhibit 10(l)	Form of Change of Control Employment Agreement dated January 1, 2016, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 7, 2016 1,2	
Exhibit 10(m)	Vulcan Materials Company Change of Control Severance Plan for Senior Officers, effective January 1, 2016 2	
E xhibit 10( n )	Executive Incentive Plan of the Company, as amended, filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 17, 2008   1,2	
Exhibit 10( o )	Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement filed as Exhibit 10 to Legacy Vulcan Corp.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2001 filed on November 2,  
2001   1,2	
Exhibit 10( p )	Form of Stock Option Agreement filed as Exhibit 10(o) to Legacy Vulcan Corp.’s Report on Form 8-K filed on December 20, 2005   1,2	
Exhibit 10( q )	Form of Director Deferred Stock Unit Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 17, 2008   1,2	
Exhibit 10( r )	Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 11, 2010   1,2	
Exhibit 10( s )	Form of Performance Share Unit Agreement (2012) filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 14, 2012 1,2	
Exhibit 10( t )	Form of Stock - Only Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement filed as Exhibit 10(p) to Legacy Vulcan Corp.’s Report on Form 10-K filed on February 26, 2007   1,2	
Exhibit 10( u )	Stock-Only Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement between the Company and John R. McPherson dated November 9, 2011, filed as Exhibit 10(a) to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 15, 2011 1,2	
Exhibit 10( v )	Form of Employee Deferred Stock Unit Amended Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.7 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 17, 2008   1,2	
Exhibit 10( w )	201 5 Compensation Decisions filed in the Company's Current Report on Amended Form 8-K filed on February 18 , 201 6   1,2	
Exhibit 21	List of the Company's material subsidiaries as of December 31, 201 5	
Exhibit 23	Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	

 	 	
 	 	
 	E- 2	

 
 
Exhibit 24	Powers of Attorney	
Exhibit 31(a)	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	
Exhibit 31(b)	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	
Exhibit 32(a)	Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	
Exhibit 32(b)	Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002	
Exhibit 9 5	MSHA Citations and Litigation	
Exhibit 101.INS	XBRL Instance Document	
Exhibit 101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document	
Exhibit 101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document	
Exhibit 101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document	
Exhibit 101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document	
Exhibit 101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document	
1	Incorporated by reference.	
2	Management contract or compensatory plan .	
 
Our SEC file number for documents filed with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is 001-33841.

 	 	
 	 	
 	E- 3	

EXHIBIT 10 ( m )
VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY
CHANGE OF CONTROL SEVERANCE PLAN
FOR SENIOR OFFICERS   1
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2016

	SECTION 1
PURPOSE OF THE PLAN	
The Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) of Vulcan Materials Company, a New Jersey corporation (the “ Company ”) , recognizes that the possib  ility of a Change of Control (as defined in Section  2. 6 ) of the Company, and the uncertainty it creates, may result in the loss or distraction of employees of the Company to the detriment of the Company and its shareholders.
The Board considers the avoidance of such loss and distraction to be essential to protecting and enhancing the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.  The Board also believes that when a Change of Control is perceived as imminent, or is occurring, the Board should be able to receive and rely on disinterested service from employees regarding the best interests of the Company and its shareholders without concern that employees might be distracted or concerned by the personal uncertainties and risks created by the perception of an imminent or occurring Change of Control.
The Company previously entered into change in control employment agreements with certain of its executive officers.  However, because the Board desires to broaden the group of employees who will be eligible for a higher level of severance protection in connection with a change in control, the Board is adopting this Plan .     The Plan will cover any officer of the Company and its S ubsidiaries with a title of corporate , group or division vice president and above who is not otherwise a   party to an individual agreement with the Company or its Subsidiaries that provides for change in control severance benefits and any other employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries who is designated as a P articipant by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company in writing .    
Therefore, in order to fulfill the above purposes, this Plan has been developed and is hereby adopted effective as of the Effective Date (as defined in Section 2. 12 ).

	SECTION 2
DEFINITIONS	
Certain terms used herein have the definitions given to them in the first place in which they are used.  As used herein, the following words and phrases shall have the following respective meanings:

	2.1 “ Affiliated Entity ” shall mean any entity controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company.	
	2.2 “ Annual Base Salary ” shall mean 12 times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base salary that has been earned but deferred, to the Participant by the Company and the Affiliated Entities in respect of the one-year period immediately preceding the month in which the Change of Control or , if higher, the Date of Termination , occurs.	

1 Adopted by the Vulcan Materials Company Board of Directors on December 11, 2015.

	2.3 “ Benefit Continuation Period ” shall mean (a) thirty (30) months from the Date of Termination if the Participant is serving in a Board- M anaged   P osition as of immediately prior to a Change of Control or thereafter, and (b) twenty-four (24) months from the Date of Termination if the Participant is serving in a position that is not a Board- M anaged   P osition as of immediately prior to a Change of Control.	
	2.4 “Board-Managed Position” shall mean a position as an officer wit h the Company or any Subsidiary whose compensation is determin ed by the Compensation Committee of the Board .	
	2.5 “ Cause ” shall mean (a) the willful and continued failure of the Participant to perform substantially the Participant’s duties with the Company or any Affiliated Entity (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness or following the Participant’s delivery of a Notice of Termination for Good Reason), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Participant by the Board , or if the Company is not the ultimate parent corporation of the Affiliated Entities and is not publicly traded, the board of directors of the ultimate parent of the Company (the “ Applicable Board ”) , which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board believes that the Participant has not substantially performed the Participant’s duties, or (b) the willful engaging by the Participant in illegal conduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company.  For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the Participant, shall be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Participant in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the Participant’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Company.  Any act, or failure to act, based upon (i) authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Applicable Board, (ii) the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer or another executive officer of the Company or (iii) the advice of counsel for the Company , shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the Participant in good faith and in the best interests of the Company.  The cessation of employment of the Participant shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Participant a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters of the entire membership of the Applicable Board at a meeting of the Applicable Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Participant and the Participant is given an opportunity, together with counsel for the Participant , to be heard before the Applicable Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Applicable Board, the Participant is guilty of the conduct described in this definition, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.	
	2.6 “ Change of Control ” shall mean the first to occur of the following:	
	(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”)) (a “ Person ”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d ‑3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 30% or more of either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “ Outstanding Company Common Stock ”) or (ii) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “ Outstanding Company Voting Securities ”); provided ,   however , that for purposes of this subsection (a), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: 

2	

(i) any acquisition directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any   Affiliated   E ntity or (iv) any acquisition by any entity pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2. 6 ; or	
	(b) Individuals who, as of the Effective Date , constitute the Board (the “ Incumbent Board ”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided ,   however , that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual w as a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or	
	(c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or similar corporate transaction involving the Company or any of its S ubsidiaries, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of assets or stock of an other entity by the Company or any of its S ubsidiaries ( each, a “ Business Combination ”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities that were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, direct ly or indirectly, more than 5 0% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock (or, for a noncorporate entity, equivalent securities) and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (or, for a noncorporate entity, equivalent governing body) , as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, an entity that as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more S ubsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding any entity resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such entity resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 30% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock (or, for a noncorporate entity, equivalent securities) of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such entity except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation (or, for a noncorporate entity, equivalent governing body) resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or	

3

	(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.	
	2.7 “ Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.	
	2.8 “ Committee ” shall mean, subject to Section 8, the Compensation Committee of the Board, or its duly authorized designee.	
	2.9 “ Company ” shall mean Vulcan Materials Company and any successor(s) thereto or, if applicable, the ultimate parent of any such successor.	
	2.10 “ Date of Termination ” shall mean the date of receipt of a Notice of Termination from the Company or the Participant, as applicable, or any later date specified in the Notice of Termination , which date shall not be more than (a) 30 days after the date of such notice in the case of a Notice of Termination from the Company and (b) 90 days after the date of such notice in the case of a Notice of Termination from the Participant for Good Reason .  If the Participant’s employment is terminated by reason of death, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the Participant.  If the Participant’s employment is terminated by reason of Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of the Company determination as provided in Section 2. 11 below.   The Company and the Participant shall take all steps necessary (including with regard to any post-termination services by the Participant) to ensure that any termination under this Plan constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, and notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the date on which such separation from service takes place shall be the “Date of Termination.” 	
	2.11 “ Disability ” shall mean the absence of the Participant from his or her duties with the Company on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness that is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Participant or the Participant’s legal representative (the “ Disability Effective Date ”).	
	2.12 “ Effective Date ” shall mean January 1, 2016.	
	2.13 “ Good Reason ” shall mean:	
	(a) A reduction of the Participant’s Annual Base Salary;	
	(b) A material reduction in the Participant’s (i) annual bonus from the Recent Annual Bonus, (ii) target or maximum bonus opportunit y ,   (i i i) annual long-term incentive compensation (cash and equity awards) , including target or maximum incentive opportunit y , or (i v ) retirement, welfare, fringe and other benefits provided or made available to the Participant, in the case of each of clauses (i i ) through (i v ), from those in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control, or if more favorable, those provided or made available to peer executives of the Company or the Affiliated Entities at any time thereafter;	

4

	(c) A material diminution in the Participant’s authority, duties, or responsibilities from those in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control or a material diminution in the authority, duties, or responsibilities of the supervisor to whom the Participant is required to report from those in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control;	
	(d) A change in the geographic location at which the Participant must perform services of more than 35 miles from the location the Participant was required to perform services immediately prior to the Change of Control;	
	(e) A material diminution in the budget over which the Participant retains authority from that in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control; or	
	(f) Any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of an agreement with the Participant related to the terms and conditions of the Participant’s employment .	
In order to invoke a termination for Good Reason, the Participant shall provide written notice to the Company of the existence of one or more of the conditions de scribed in clauses (a) through (f) within 90 days of the initial existence of such condition or conditions, specifying in reasonable detail the conditions constituting Good Reason, and the Company shall have 30 days following receipt of such written notice (the “ Cure Period ”) during which it may remedy the condition.  In the event that the Company fails to remedy the condition constituting Good Reason during the applicable Cure Period, the Participant’s “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) must occur, if at all, within 1 8 0 days of the initial existence of the condition constituting Good Reason in order for such termination as a result of such condition to constitute a termination for Good Reason.  The Participant’s mental or physical incapacity following the occurrence of an event describe d above in clauses (a) through (f) shall not affect the Participant’s ability to terminate employment for Good Reason and the Participant’s death following delivery of a Notice of Termination for Good Reason shall not affect the Participant’s estate’s entitlement to the severance payment s and benefits provided hereunder upon a termination of employment for Good Reason. 

	2.14 “ Notice of Termination ” shall mean a written notice that (a) indicates the specific termination provision in this Plan relied upon, (b) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Participant’s employment under the provision so indicated and (c) if the Date of Termination (as defined herein) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the Date of Termination (which Date of Termination shall be not more than 30 days after th e giving of such notice ; except in the case of a termination for Good Reason, notice shall be not more than 90 days before the termination date).  Any termination by the Company for Cause or by the Participant for Good Reason shall be communicated by a   Notice of Termination to the other party hereto giv en in accordance with Section 11 .7 of this Plan.  The failure by the Participant or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance that contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Participant or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Participant or the Company, respectively, from asserting

5	

such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Participant’s or the Company’s respective rights hereunder.	
	2.15 “ Participant ” shall mean an employee of the Company who meets the eligibility requirements set forth in Section 3 hereof.	
	2.16 “ Plan ” shall mean the Vulcan Materials Company Change of Control Severance Plan for Senior Officers .	
	2.17 “ Qualified Termination ” shall mean any termination of a Participant’s employment, during the two-year period beginning on the date of a Change of Control, by the Participant for Good Reason or by the Company other than fo r Cause, death or Disability.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change of Control occurs and if the Participant’s employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Participant that such termination of employment (a) was at the request of a third party that had taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control or (b) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change of Control, then a “Qualifying Termination” shall be deemed to have occ urred on the Change of Control.	
	2.18 “ Recent Annual Bonus ” shall mean the greater of (a) the average of the Participant’s bonuses under the Company’s Management Incentive Plan, or any comparable bonus under any predecessor or successor plan (the “ Bonus Plan ”), for the last three full fiscal years prior to the Change of Control (or such shorter period of employment of the Participant) , and (b) the Participant’s annual bonus under the Bonus Plan, determined based on the target annual bonus percentage in effect with respect to the Participant immediately prior to the Change of Control for the fiscal year in whic h the Change of Control occurs or , if no such target annual bonus percentage has been established for such year, the target annual bonus percentage established for the fiscal year ending immediately prior to the Change of Control .  For purposes of any determinations hereunder, any bonus amounts shall be annualized in the event that the Participant was not employed by the Company for the whole of any such fiscal year and , to the extent relevant to such determination, shall be based on the Participant’s Annual Base Salary .	
	2.19 “ Multiple ” shall mean (a) two and one half  (2.5) if the Participant is serving in a   Board- M anaged   P osition as of immediately prior to a Change of Control or thereafter, and (b) two (2) if the Participant is serving in a position that is not a Board- M anaged   P osition as of immediately prior to a Change of Control.	
	2.20 “ Subsidiaries ” shall mean any corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated, of which (a) at least a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other equity interests, having by their terms ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or others performing similar functions with respect to such corporation or other organization is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by the Company or by any one or more of its Subsidiaries, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, or (b) with respect to a partnership, the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company is a general partner of such partnership.	

6

	SECTION 3
ELIGIBILITY	
Any employee   of the Company or its Subsidiaries who as of immediately prior   to a   Change of Control is not a party to an individual agreement with the Company or one of its Subsidiaries that provides for change in control severance benefits and has the title of corporate , group or division vice president or above (or does not have such title but has otherwise been designated by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company in writing as a Participant in this Plan) shall be a Participant in this Plan .  A Participant shall cease to be a Participant in this Plan, if (a) he or she ceases to be employed by the Company or an Affiliated Entity for any reason other than a Qualified Termination, (b) his or her designation by the Chief Executive Officer as a Participant ceases due to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company   providing such Participant with a notice that he or she is no longer a n eligible Participant   prior to the Change of Control or (c) he or she ceases to be an officer at the level of corporate group or division vice president or above for any reason other than a Qualified Termination prior to a Change of Control .  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) if a Change of Control occurs while a n employee is a n eligible Participant under this Plan, in no event will his or her status as a Participant end prior to the end of the two - year period beginning on the date on which any such Change of Control occurs (other than as a result of such Participant ceasing to be employed by the Company or an Affiliated Entity for any reason other than a Qualified Termination), and (ii) a Participant who is entitled as a result of a Qualified Termination to receive separation benefits under this Plan shall remain a Participant in this Plan until the amounts and benefits payable under this Plan have been paid or provided to the Participant in full.

	SECTION 4
Separation BENEFITS	
	4.1 Qualified Termination .  If a Participant experiences a Qualified Termination, the Company shall pay or provide to the Participant the following payments and benefits at the time or times set fo rth below, subject to Section 10 :	
	(a) a lump sum payment in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination equal to the aggregate of the following amounts:	
	(i) the sum of ( A ) the Participant’s Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination, ( B ) any annual incentive payment earned by the Participant for a prior award period, ( C ) any accrued and unused vacation pay or other paid time off, and ( D ) any business expenses incurred by the Participant that are unreimbursed as of the Date of Termination, in each case to t he extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in clauses ( A ), ( B ), ( C ) and ( D ) shall be hereinafter referred to as the “ Accrued Obligations ”) ;   provided that ,   notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of clauses (A) and (B ), if the Participant has made an irrevocable election under any deferred compensation arrangement subject to Section 409A of the Code to defer any portion of the Annual Base Salary or annual incentive payment described in clause (A) or (B) above, then for all purposes of this Section 4 (including, without limitation, Sections 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4), such deferral election, and the terms of the applicable arrangement shall apply to the same portion of the amount described in such clauses (A) or (B), and such

7	

portion shall not be considered as part of the “Accrued Obligations” but shall instead be an “Other Benefit” (as defined below) ;  	
	(ii) the product of ( A ) the higher of ( 1 ) the annual bonus under the Bonus Plan for the full fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs, determined based on actual individual and corporate performance through the Date of Termination, and ( 2 ) the Recent Annual Bonus and ( B ) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the applicable fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs   (the “ Pro Rata Bonus ”) , subject to any applicable deferral election on the same basis as set forth in the proviso to Section 4.1(a) (i) ;	
	(iii) the amount equal to the product of ( A )  the Multiple and ( B ) the sum of ( 1 ) the Participant’s Annual Base Salary and ( 2) the higher of (x ) the annual bonus under the Bonus Plan for the full fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs, determined based on actual individual and corporate performance through the Date of Termination , and (y ) the Recent Annual Bonus; and	
	(iv) an amount equal to the additional Company contributions , including matching contributions , profit sharing and   discretionary contributions , that would have been mad e on the Participant’s behalf to the Company’s 401(k) Plan or any successor plan (the “ 401(k) Plan ”) (assuming continued participation on the same basis as immediately prior to the Change of Control), plus the additional amount of any contributions the Participant would have received under the Unfunded Supplemental Benefit Plan or its successor plan or any other excess or supplemental retirement plan in which the Participant participates (together, the “ SERP ”) as a result of contribution limitations in the 401(k) Plan , if the Participant’s employment continued during the Benefit Continuation Period , assuming for this purpose that the Participant’s compensation during the Benefit Continuation Period is the Participant’s Annual Base Salary and Recent Annual Bonus and that the Company’s matching contributions are determined pursuant to the applicable provisions of the 401(k) Plan and the SERP, as in effect during the 12-month period immediately prior to the Change of Control.	
	(b) Health care Benefits .  For the Benefit Continuation Period , or such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue to provide to the Participant and/or the Participant’s eligible dependents healthcare benefits at least equal to those that would have been provided to them if the Participant’s employment had not been terminated, under and in accordance with the health care  p lans provided by the Company and the Affiliated Entities prior to the Change of Control (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, vision   plans and programs) or, if more favorable to the Participant, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and the Affiliated Entities and their eligible dependents ;   provided , however , that if the Participant becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive h ealth care   benefits under another employer-provided plan, the health care   benefits provided hereunder shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such applicable period of eligibility.  The Benefit Continuation Period shall run

8	

concurrently with the period for providing continuation coverage under the group health plans of the Company and the Affiliated Entities as described in Section 4980B of the Code.  For purposes of determining eligibility (but not the time of commencement of benefits) of the Participant for retiree benefits pursuant to such plans, practices, programs and policies, the Participant shall be considered to have remained employed during the Benefit Continuation Period and to have retired on the last day of such period.	
	(c) Automobile .  Upon the Date of Termination, the Participant shall have the right and option to purchase the automobile which the Company was providing to the Participant immediately prior to the Date of Termination in accordance with the Company’s practice for retiring employees as in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control ( provided that, to the extent such option results in a benefit that is includable in the Participant’s gross income for federal income tax purposes, such purchase must occur no later than the 15th day of the third month following the end of the Participant’s taxable year in which the Date of Termination occurs).	
	(d) Outplacement Service s .  The Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the Participant with outplacement services , the scope and provider of which shall be selected by the Participant in the Participant’s sole discretion, provided that the aggregate cost of such services shall not exceed   $50,000.	
	(e) Other Benefits .  To the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Participant any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Participant is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the Company and the Affiliated Entities, including amounts credited to the Participant’s account under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan or any successor plan (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the “ Other Benefits ”).	
	4.2 Death .  If the Participant’s employment is terminated by reason of the Participant’s death during the two-year period beginning on the date of a Change of Control, the Company shall provide the Participant’s estate or beneficiaries with the Accrued Obligations, the Pro Rata Bonus and the timely payment or delivery of the Other Benefits in accordance with the terms of the underlying plans or agreements, and shall have no other severance obligations under this Plan.  The Accrued Obligations and the Pro Rata Bonus shall be paid to the Participant’s estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination ,   subject to any applicable deferral election as contemplated by Section s   4.1(a)(i) and (ii) . With respect to the provision of the Other Benefits, the term “Other Benefits” as utilized in this Section 4.2 shall include, without limitation, and the Participant’s estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive, benefits at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided by the Company and the Affiliated Entities to the estates and beneficiaries of peer executives of the Company and the Affiliated Entities under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to death benefits, if any, as in effect with respect to other peer executives and their beneficiaries at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Change of Control or, if more favorable to the Participant’s estate and/or the Participant’s beneficiaries, as in effect on the date of the Participant’s death with respect to other peer executives of the Company and the Affiliated Entities and their beneficiaries.	

9

	4.3 Disability .  If the Participant’s employment is terminated by reason of the Participant’s Disability during the two-year period beginning on a Change of Control, the Company shall provide the Participant with the Accrued Obligations, the Pro Rata Bonus and the timely payment or delivery of the Other Benefits in accordance with the terms of the underlying plans or agreements, and shall have no other severance obligations under this Plan.  The Accrued Obligations and the Pro Rata Bonus shall be paid to the Participant in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination ,   subject to any applicable deferral election as contemplated by Section s   4.1(a)(i) and (ii) .  With respect to the provision of the Other Benefits, the term “Other Benefits” as utilized in this Section 4.3 shall include, and the Participant shall be entitled after the Disability Effective Date to receive, disability and other benefits at least equal to the most favorable of those generally provided by the Company and the Affiliated Entities to disabled executives and/or their families in accordance with such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to disability, if any, as in effect generally with respect to other peer executives and their families at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Change of Control or, if more favorable to the Participant and/or the Participant’s family, as in effect at any time thereafter generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company and the Affiliated Entities and their families.	
	4.4 Cause; Other t han for Good Reason .  If the Participant’s employment is terminated for Cause during the two-year period beginning on a   Change of Control, the Company shall provide the Participant with the Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or delivery of the Other Benefits, and shall have no other severance obligations under this Plan.  If the Participant voluntarily terminates employment during the two-year period beginning on a   Change of Control, excluding a termination for Good Reason, the Company shall provide to the Participant the Accrued Obligations, the Pro Rata Bonus and the timely payment or delivery of the Other Benefits, and shall have no other severance obligations under this Plan.  The Accrued Obligations and , if applicable, the Pro Rata Bonus shall be paid to the Participant in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of T ermination ,   subject to any applicable deferral election as contemplated by Section s   4.1(a)(i) and (ii) .	
	SECTION 5
Certain Reductions of Payments	
	5.1 Anything in this Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event the Accounting Firm (as defined below) shall determine that receipt of all Payments (as defined below) would subject the Participant to the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, the Accounting Firm shall determine whether to reduce any of the Payments paid or payable pursuant to this Plan (the “ Plan Payments ”) so that the Parachute Value (as defined below) of all Payments, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount (as defined below).  The Plan Payments shall be so reduced only if the Accounting Firm determines that the Participant would have a greater Net After-Tax Receipt (as defined below) of aggregate Payments if the Plan Payments were so reduced.  If the Accounting Firm determines that the Participant would not have a greater Net After-Tax Receipt of aggregate Payments if the Plan Payments were so reduced, the Participant shall receive all Plan Payments to which the Participant is entitled hereunder.	
	5.2 If the Accounting Firm determines that aggregate Plan Payments should be reduced so that the Parachute Value of all Payments, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor

10	

Amount, the Company shall promptly give the Participant notice to that effect and a copy of the detailed calculation thereof.  All determinations made by the Accounting Firm under this Section 5 shall be binding upon the Company and the Participant and shall be made as soon as reasonably practicable and in no event later than 15 days following the Date of Termination.  For purposes of reducing the Plan Payments so that the Parachute Value of all Payments, in the aggregate, equals the Safe Harbor Amount, only amounts payable under this Plan (and no other Payments) shall be reduced.  The reduction of the amounts payable hereunder, if applicable, shall be made by reducing the Plan Payments and benefits that have a Parachute Value as follows:   Section 4.1(d ); Section 4.1(a)(iv); and Section 4.1(a)(i i i), in each case, beginning with payments or benefits that constitute deferred compensation and reducing first those that are to be paid or provided the farthest in time, based on the Accounting Firm’s determination.  All reasonable fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company.	
	5.3 To the exten t requested by the Participant, the Company shall cooperate with the Participant in good faith in valuing, and the Accounting Firm shall take into account the value of, services provided or to be provided by the Participant (including, without limitation, the Participant’s agreeing to refrain from performing services pursuant to a covenant not to compete or similar covenant, before, on or after the date of a change in ownership or control of the Company (within the meaning of Q&A-2(b) of the final regulations under Section 280G of the Code), such that payments in respect of such services may be considered reasonable compensation within the meaning of Q&A-9 and Q&A-40 to Q&A-44 of the final regulations under Section 280G of the Code and/or exempt from the definition of the term “parachute payment” within the meaning of Q&A-2(a) of the final regulations under Section 280G of the Code in accordance with Q&A-5(a) of the final regulations under Section 280G of the Code.	
	5.4 The following terms shall have the following meanings for purposes of this Section 5:	
	(a) “ Accounting Firm ” shall mean a nationally recognized certified public accounting firm or other professional organization that is a certified public accounting firm recognized as an expert in determinations and calculations for purposes of Section 280G of the Code that is selected by the Company prior to a Change of Control for purposes of making the applicable determinations hereunder and is reasonably acceptable to the Participant, which firm shall not, without the Participant’s consent, be a firm serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control.	
	(b) “ Net After-Tax Receipt ” shall mean the present value (as determined in accordance with Sections 280G(b)(2)(A)(ii) and 280G(d)(4) of the Code) of a Payment net of all taxes imposed on the Participant with respect thereto under Sections 1 and 4999 of the Code and under applicable state and local laws, determined by applying the highest marginal rate under Section 1 of the Code and under state and local laws which applied to the Participant’s taxable income for the immediately preceding taxable year, or such other rate(s) as the Accounting Firm determines to be likely to apply to the Participant in the relevant tax year(s).	

11

	(c) “ Parachute Value ” of a Payment shall mean the present value as of the date of the change of control for purposes of Section 280G of the Code of the portion of such Payment that constitutes a “parachute payment” under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, as determined by the Accounting Firm for purposes of determining whether and to what extent the excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code will apply to such Payment.	
	(d) “ Payment ” shall mean any payment, benefit or distribution in the nature of compensation (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) to or for the benefit of the Participant, whether paid, payable or provided pursuant to this Plan or otherwise.	
	(e) “ Safe Harbor Amount ” shall mean 2.99 times the Participant’s “base amount,” within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code.	
	5.5 The provisions of this Section 5 shall survive the expiration of this Plan.	
	SECTION 6
Full Settlement; Legal Fees; Non - Exclusivity of Rights	
	6.1 No Offset or Mitigation .  The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Plan and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any setoff, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against a Participant or others.  In no event shall a Participant be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to such Participant under any of the provisions of this Plan and except as provided in Section 4.1(b) regarding health care benefits, no amounts received from other employment shall serve to mitigate the payments hereunder. 	
	6.2 Legal Fees .  The Company agrees to pay as incurred (within ten days following the Company’s receipt of an invoice from the Participant), to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses that the Participant may reasonably incur as a result of any contest by the Company, the Participant or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this Plan or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Participant about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Plan) (each, a “ Contest ”), plus, in each case, interest on any delayed payment at the applicable federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code   (“ Interest ”) based on the rate in effect for the month in which such legal fees and expenses were incurred . 	
	6.3 Non - exclusivity of Rights .  Nothing in this Plan shall prevent or limit a Participant’s continuing or future participation in any plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company or the Affiliated Entities and for which the Participant may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as a Participant may have under any other contract or agreement with the Company or any of the Affiliated Entities.  Amounts that are vested benefits or that a Participant and/or a Participant’s dependents are otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice, program, agreement or arrangement of the Company or any of the Affiliated Entities shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice, progr am, agreement or arrangement.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the

12	

Participant’s resignation under this Plan, with or without Good Reason, shall in no way affect the Participant’s ability to terminate employment by reason of the Participant’s “retirement” under, or to be eligible to receive benefits under, any compensation and benefits plans, programs or arrangements of the Company or the Affiliated Entities, including without limitation any retirement or pension plans or arrangements or substitute plans adopted by the Company, the Affiliated Entities or their respective successors, and any termination which otherwise qualifies as Good Reason shall be treated as such even if it is also a “retirement” f or purposes of any such plan.	
	SECTION 7
Amendment and Termination	
The Plan may be terminated or amended in any respect by resolution adopted by a majority of the Board or the Committee; provided that, in connection with or in anticipation of a Change of Control, this Plan may not be terminated or amended in any manner that would adversely affect the rights or potential rights of Participants; provided ,   further , t hat following a Change of Control, this Plan shall continue in full force and effect and shall not terminate, expire or be amended until after all Participants who become entitled to any payments hereunder shall have received such payments in full pursuant to Section 4.

	SECTION 8
Plan Administration	
	8.1 General .  The Committee is responsible for the general administration and management of this Plan (the “ Plan Administrator ”) and shall have all powers and duties necessary to fulfill its responsibilities, including, but not limited to, the discretion to interpret and apply the provisions of this Plan and to determine all questions relating to eligibility for benefits under this Plan, to interpret or construe ambiguous, unclear, or implied (but omitted) terms in any fashion it deems to be appropriate, and to make any findings of fact needed in the administration of this Plan.  Following a Change of Control, the validity of any such interpretation, construction, decision, or finding of fact shall be given de novo review if challenged in court, by arbitration, or in any other forum, and such de novo standard shall apply notwithstanding the grant of full discretion hereunder to the Plan Administrator or characterization of any such decision by the Plan Administrator as final or binding on any party. 	
	8.2 Independent Committee .  In the event of an impending Change of Control, the Committee may appoint a committee of not less than two person s who are independent of the third party effectuating the Change of Control , who may be existing officers or directors of the Company, to be the Plan Administrator effective upon the occurrence of the Change of Control (the “ Independent Committee ”) .  Following a Change of Control , the Independent Committee shall not be removed or modified and, if a member of the Independent Committee resigns or otherwise ceases service as a member, such terminating member shall have the right to appoint a replacement member or, in the absence of such an appointment, the remaining member(s) shall have the right to select a replacement member to the extent determined necessary .  The Company shall be obligated to pay the fees (as determined by the Company prior to the Change of Control if the Independent Committee consists of officers or directors of the Company) of the

13	

Independent Committee and, prior to the Change of Control, the Company may contribute the expected fees to the grantor trust described below .	
	8.3 Not Subject to ERISA .  This Plan does not require an ongoing administrative scheme and, therefore, is intended to be a payroll practice which is not subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ ERISA ”). However, if it is determined that this Plan is subject to ERISA, (i) it shall be considered to be an unfunded plan maintained by the Company primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees (a “ top-hat plan ”), and (ii) it shall be administered in a manner which complies with th e provisions of ERISA that are applicable to top-hat plans.	
	8.4 Indemnification .  To the extent permitted by law, the Company shall indemnify the Plan Administrator, whether the Committee or the Independent Committee, from all claims for liability, loss, or damage (including the payment of expenses in connection with defense against such claims) arising from any act or failure to act in connection with this Plan.	
	SECTION 9
Successors; Assignment	
	9.1 Successors .  The Company shall require any corporation, entity, individual or other person who is the successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) to all or substantially all the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform, by a written agreement in form and in substance satisfactory to the Company, all of the obligations of the Company under this Plan.  As used in this Plan, the term “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Plan by operation of law, written agreement or otherwise. 	
	9.2 Assignment of Rights .  It is a condition of this Plan, and all rights of each person eligible to receive benefits under this Plan shall be subject hereto, that no right or interest of any such person in this Plan shall be assignable or transferable in whole or in part, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution or other operation of law, including, but not by way of limitation, lawful execution, levy, garnishment, attachment, pledge, bankruptcy, alimony, child support or qualified domestic relations order.	
	SECTION 10
Section 409A of the Code	
	10.1 General .  The obligations under this Plan are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exemption or exclusion therefrom and shall in all respects be administered in accordance with Section 409A of the Code.  Any payments that qualify for the “short-term deferral” exception, the separation pay exception or another exception under Section 409A of the Code shall be paid under the applicable exception to the maximum extent possible .  For purposes of the limitations on nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, each payment of compensation under this Plan shall be treated as a separate payment of compensation for purposes of applying the exclusion under Section 409A of

14	

the Code for short-term deferral amounts, the separation pay exception or any other exception or exclusion under Section 409A of the Code.  All payments to be made upon a termination of employment under this Plan may only be made upon a “separation from service” under Section 409A of the Code to the extent necessary in order to avoid the imposition of penalty taxes on a Participant pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.  In no event may a Participant, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment under this Plan. 	
	10.2 Reimbursements and In-Kind Benefits .  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, all reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Plan that are subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be made in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, including without limitation , where applicable, the requirement that (i) in no event shall the Company’s obligations to make such reimbursements or to provide such in-kind benefit s apply later than the Participant ’s remaining lifetime (or if longer, through the 20th anniversary of the Effective Date ; (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year; (iii) the reimbursement of an eligible fees and expense s shall be made no later than the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the applicable fees and expense s were incurred ;   provided tha t the Participant shall have submitted an invoice for such fees and expenses at least 10 days before the end of the calendar year next following the calendar year in which such fees and expenses were incurred ; and (iv) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. 	
	10.3 Delay of Payments .  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, if a Participant is considered a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code (as determined in accordance with the methodology established by the Company as in effect on the Date of Termination), any payment or benefit that constitutes nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code that is otherwise due to such Participant under this Agreement during the six-month period immediately following such Participant’s separation from service (as determined in accordance with Section 409A of the Code) on account of such Participant’s separation from service shall be accumulated and paid to such Participant with Interest (based on the rate in effect for the month in which the Participant’s separation from service occurs) on the first business day of the seventh month following the Participant’s separation from service (the “ Delayed Payment Date ”), to the extent necessary to avoid penalty taxes or accelerated taxation pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.  If such Participant dies during the postponement period, the amounts and entitlements delayed on account of Section 409A of the Code shall be paid to the personal representative of his or her estate on the first to occur of the Delayed Payment Date or 30 calendar days after the date of such Participant’s death. 	
	SECTION 11
MISCELLANEOUS	
	11.1 Controlling Law .  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey, without reference to principles of conflict of laws.  The captions in this Plan are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect.	

15

	11.2 Grantor Trust .  The Committee may establish a trust with a bank trustee, for the purpose of paying benefits under this Plan.  If so established, the trust shall be a grantor trust subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors and may, immediately prior to a Change of Control, be funded in cash, common stock of the Company or such other assets as the Committee deems appropriate with an amount equal to 100 percent of the aggregate benefits payable under this Plan , assuming that all Participants in this Plan incurred a termination of employment entitling them to the benefits under Section 4, or such lesser amount as the Committee shall determine prior to the Change of Control; provided ,   however , that the trust shall not be funded with respect to a Participant if the funding thereof would result in taxable income to the Participant by reason of Section 409A(b) of the Code; and provided ,   further , that in no event shall any trust assets at any time be located or transferred outside of the United States, within the meaning of Section 409A(b) of the Code.  Notwithstanding the establishment of any such trust, a Participant’s rights hereunder will be solely those o f a general unsecured creditor.	
	11.3 Withholding .  The Company may withhold from any amount payable or benefit provided under this Plan such federal, state, local, foreign and other taxes as are required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.	
	11.4 Gender and Plurals .  Wherever used in this Plan document, words in the masculine gender shall include masculine or feminine gender, and, unless the context otherwise requires, words in the singular shall include the plural, and words in the plural shall include the singular.	
	11.5 Plan Controls .  In the event of any inconsistency between this Plan document and any other communication regarding this Plan, this Plan document controls.	
	11.6 Not an Employment Contract .  Neither this Plan nor any action taken with respect to it shall confer upon any person the right to continued employment with the Company. 	
	11.7 Notices . 	
	(a) Any notice required to be delivered to the Company by a Participant hereunder shall be properly delivered to the Company when personally delivered to, or actually received through the U.S. mail by:	
Vulcan Materials Company
P.O. Box 385014
Birmingham, Alabama  35238-5014
Attention:  General Counsel

	(b) Any notice required to be delivered to the Participant by the Company hereunder shall be properly delivered to the Participant when the Company delivers such notice personally or by placing said notice in the U.S. mail registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid to that person’s last known address as reflected on the books and records of the Company.	

16

	11.8 Severability .  If any provision of this Plan is held invalid or unenforceable, its invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Plan, and this Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such provision had not been included in this Plan. 	

17

EXHIBIT 21
SUBSIDIARIES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 201 5

State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization	
% Owned
Directly or
Indirectly by Vulcan	
 
CalMat Co.
Florida Rock Industries, Inc.
Harper Bro ther s , LLC
Legacy Vulcan , LLC
Arundel Co mpany, LLC
Virginia Concrete Company, LLC
V GCM, LLC
Vulcan Lands, Inc.	 	 
Delaware
Florida
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
New Jersey	 
100
100
100
100
100
100
100
100	

 	 	

 	Exhibit 21	

E XHIBIT 2 3
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
 
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement s No. 333-202769, 333-1 97519 and 333-196819 on Form S-3 and Registration Statements No. 333-1 82498 , 333-1 60302 , 333-14 8993, 333-148238, 333-147450 , and 333-147449 on Form S-8 of our reports dated February   25 , 201 6 , relating to the consolidated financial statements of Vulcan Materials Company and its subsidiary companies (the “Company”) and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Vulcan Materials Company for the year ended December 31, 201 5 .
 
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Birmingham, Alabama
February 25 , 201 6

 	 	

 	Exhibit 23	

 
EXHIBIT 24
POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned director of Vulcan Materials Company, a New Jersey corporation, hereby nominates, constitutes and appoints Michael R. Mills, Amy M. Tucker and Jerry F. Perkins Jr. and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys of the undersigned to sign the name of the undersigned as director to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 201 5 of said corporation to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and to any and all amendments to said report.
The undersigned hereby grants to said attorneys full power of substitution, resubstitution and revocation, all as fully as the undersigned could do if personally present, hereby ratifying all that said attorneys or their substitutes may lawfully do by virtue hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned director of Vulcan Materials Company has executed this Power of Attorney this 24 th day of February, 201 6 .

 	 	 	
 	/s/ Elaine L. Chao	 	
 	     Elaine L. Chao	 	
 	 	 	
 	/s/ Thomas A. Fanning	 	
 	     Thomas A. Fanning	 	
 	 	 	
 	/s/ O.B. Grayson Hall, Jr.	 	
 	     O.B. Grayson Hall, Jr.	 	
 	 	 	
 	/s/ Cynthia L. Hostetler	 	
 	     Cynthia L. Hostetler	 	
 	 	 	
 	/s/ Douglas J. McGregor	 	
 	     Douglas J. McGregor	 	
 	 	 	
 	/s/ Richard T. O'Brien	 	
 	     Richard T. O'Brien	 	
 	 	 	
 	/s/ James T. Prokopanko	 	
 	     James T. Prokopanko	 	
 	 	 	
 	/s/ Donald B. Rice	 	
 	     Donald B. Rice	 	
 	 	 	
 	/s/ Lee J. Styslinger, III	 	
 	     Lee J. Styslinger, III	 	
 	 	 	
 	/s/ Vincent J. Trosino	 	
 	     Vincent J. Trosino	 	
 	 	 	
 	/s/ Kathleen Wilson-Thompson	 	
 	     Kathleen Wilson-Thompson	 	

 	 	

 	 	

 	Exhibit 24	

 
EXHIBIT 31( a)
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	
I, J. Thomas Hill , certify that:	
1.	I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10- K of Vulcan Materials Company;	
2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;	
3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for the periods presented in this report;	
4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:	
 	a)	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision to ensure that material information relating to the registrant including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;	
 	b)	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;	
 	c)	Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and	
 	d)	Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and	
5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):	
 	a)	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and	
 	b)	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.	
Date       February   2 5 , 201 6	
 	 	 	
J. Thomas Hill
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer	

 	 	

 	 	
 	 	
 	Exhibit 31(a)	

 
 
EXHIBIT 31( b)
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 	 	 	 	

I, John R. McPherson , certify that:	
1.	I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10- K of Vulcan Materials Company;	
2.	Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;	
3.	Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for the periods presented in this report;	
4.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:	
 	a)	Designed such disclosure controls and procedures or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision to ensure that material information relating to the registrant including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;	
 	b)	Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;	
 	c)	Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and	
 	d)	Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and	
5.	The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):	
 	a)	All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and	
 	b)	Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.	
Date       February   2 5 , 201 6	

 
John R. McPherson , Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial and Strategy Officer	

b	 	

 	 	
 	 	
 	Exhibit 31(b)	

EXHIBIT 32(a)
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
OF
VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 	 	 	 	
I, J. Thomas Hill ,   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vulcan Materials Company, certify that the Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “report”) for the year ended December 31, 201 5 , filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof:	
 	(i)	fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and	 	
 	(ii)	the information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Vulcan Materials Company.	 	

J. Thomas Hill
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
February 2 5 , 201 6

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to Vulcan Materials Company and will be retained by Vulcan Materials Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.	

 	 	

 	 	
 	Exhibit 3 2 (a)	

 
 
EXHIBIT 32( b)
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
OF
VULCAN MATERIALS COMPANY
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 	 	 	 	
I, John R. McPherson , Executive Vice President and Chief Financial and Strategy Officer of Vulcan Materials Company, certify that the Annual Report on Form 10- K (the “report ”) for the year ended December 31, 201 5 , filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof:	
 	(i)	fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and	 	
 	(ii)	the information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Vulcan Materials Company.	 	

 
 
John R. McPherson , Executive Vice President
a nd   Chief Financial and Strategy Officer
February 2 5 , 201 6

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to Vulcan Materials Company and will be retained by Vulcan Materials Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.	

 

 	 	

 	 	
 	 	
 	Exhibit 32(b)	

 
EXHIBIT 95
MSHA CITATIONS AND LITI GATION
On July 21, 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Dodd-Frank Act) was enacted. Section 1503 of the Dodd-Frank Act requires companies that are “operators” (as such term is defined in the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the Mine Act)) to disclose certain mine safety information in each periodic report to the Securities and Exchange Commission. This information is related to the enforcement of the Mine Act by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA).
 
The Dodd-Frank Act and the subsequent implementing regulation issued by the SEC require disclosure of the following categories of violations, orders and citations: (1) Section 104 S&S Citations, which are citations issued for violations of mandatory health or safety standards that could significantly and substantially contribute to the cause and effect of a mine safety or health hazard; (2) Section 104(b) Orders, which are orders issued upon a follow up inspection where the inspector finds the violation previously cited has not been totally abated in the prescribed time period; (3) Section 104(d) Citations and Orders, which are issued upon violations of mandatory health or safety standards caused by an unwarrantable failure of the operator to comply with the standards; (4) Section 110(b)(2) Violations, which result from the reckless and repeated failure to eliminate a known violation; (5) Section 107(a) Orders, which are given when MSHA determines that an imminent danger exists and results in an order of immediate withdrawal from the area of the mine affected by the condition; and (6) written notices from MSHA of a pattern of violations of mandatory health or safety standards that are of such nature as could have significantly and substantially contributed to the cause and effect of mine health or safety hazards under Section 104(e). In addition, the Dodd-Frank Act requires the disclosure of the total dollar value of proposed assessments from MSHA under the Mine Act and the total number of mining related fatalities.
 
The following disclosures are made pursuant to Section 1503.
 
During the twelve mo nths ended December 31, 2015 ,   none of our operations: (i) received any orders under Section 104(b), which are issued upon a follow up inspection where the inspector finds the violation previously cited has not been totally abated in the prescribed time period; (ii) had any flagrant violations under Section 110(b)(2 ); (i ii ) received notice from MSHA of a pattern of violations of mandatory health or safety standards under Section 104(e); or ( i v) had any minin g   r elated fatalities.

 	 	

 	 	
 	 	
 	Exhibit 95 – Page 1	

 
CALENDAR YEAR 201 5
 
The table below sets forth, by mine, the total number of citations and/or orders issued by MSHA during the period covered by this report under the indicated provisions of the Mine Act, together with the total dollar value of proposed assessments, if any, from MSHA, received during the twelve months ended December 31, 201 5 . Of our 248 active MSHA-regulated facilities during the year, we received 531 federal mine safety inspections at 225 facilities during the reporting period. Of our inspected facilities, 1 6 9 did not receive any reportable citations or orders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 	 

 

 

 

 

 	 	

 

 

 

 	 

 	 

 

 

 	 

 

 

 	 	 

Name of Operation	Number of Inspections	Total Number of S&S Citations	Mine Act § 104(b)
Orders	Mine Act
§ 104(d)
Citations and Orders	Mine Act § 110(b)(2) Violations	Mine Act § 107(a)
Orders	Total Dollar Value of Proposed MSHA Assessments (dollars in thousands)	Total Number of Mining Related Fatalities	Received Written Notice under Mine Act § 104(e)
(yes/no)	
1604 STONE, TX	3 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0 	1 	0 	No	
ABILENE BLACK LEASE, TX	3 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.7 	0 	No	
ANDERSON STONE, SC	3 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	No	
BACA S&G, NM	1 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	No	
BARTLETT UG BLUFF CITY, IL	6 	10 	0 	0 	0 	0 	4.1 	0 	No	
BLAIR QUARRY, SC	3 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.7 	0 	No	
BOLINGBROOK STONE, IL	5 	17 	0 	0 	0 	0 	3.9 	0 	No	
BOONE QUARRY, NC	2 	3 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.2 	0 	No	
BROWNWOOD STONE, TX	5 	4 	0 	0 	0 	0 	2.1 	0 	No	
CALERA, AL	2 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	No	
CARROLL CANYON S&G, CA	3 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.3 	0 	No	
CENTRAL, KY	6 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.9 	0 	No	
CLEVELAND QUARRY, TN	3 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.7 	0 	No	
COOKEVILLE QUARRY, TN	2 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.5 	0 	No	
DA H LONEGA QUARRY, GA	3 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.7 	0 	No	
DAYTON, TN	3 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0 	1.2 	0 	No	
DREYFUS QUARRY, SC	4 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.8 	0 	No	
FORT KNOX, KY	4 	5 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.3 	0 	No	
FORT MYERS MINE, FL	3 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	No	
FORT PIERCE MINE, FL	2 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	No	
GRAND RIVERS QUARRY, KY	13 	5 	0 	0 	0 	0 	2.4 	0 	No	
HAVRE DE GRACE QUARRY, MD	4 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	No	
HELENA, AL	2 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.2 	0 	No	
HELOTES STONE, TX	2 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	2.5 	0 	No	
HUNTSVILLE NORT, AL	1 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.1 	0 	No	
INA S&G, AZ	1 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0 	1.3 	0 	No	
JAMES SAND & GRAVEL, DE	3 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.1 	0 	No	
LAKESHORE QUARRY, AL	2 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	No	
LEMONT, IL	5 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	1 	0 	No	
LEXINGTON STONE, CA	2 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.2 	0 	No	
LIBERTY, SC	4 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	No	
LISBON QUARRY, IL	3 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.3 	0 	No	
LOS BANOS S&G, CA	1 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.2 	0 	No	
MACON QUARRY, GA	3 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.4 	0 	No	
MARYVILLE QUARRY, TN	3 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.2 	0 	No	
MCCOOK, IL	1 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.5 	0 	No	
MECKLENBURG QUARRY, VA	3 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	No	
NORTH TROY QUARRY, OK	3 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.3 	0 	No	
NORTON QUARRY, VA	2 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	No	
NOTASULGA QUARRY, AL	2 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.3 	0 	No	
PILARCITOS QUARRY, CA	3 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.2 	0 	No	
PINEVILLE QUARRY, NC	2 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.2 	0 	No	
PLEASANTON S&G, CA	3 	4 	0 	0 	0 	0 	9.2 	0 	No	
PUDDLEDOCK, VA	2 	1 	0 	0 	0 	1 	0.3 	0 	No	
RICHMOND RD QUARRY, KY	4 	3 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.7 	0 	No	
RIVER ROCK S&G, CA	2 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.2 	0 	No	
SACRAMENTO PLANT, CA	4 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	No	
SAN EMIDIO S&G, CA	3 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.1 	0 	No	
SANTA ANA SAND & GRAVEL, NM	1 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	No	
SEARCY QUARRY, AR	2 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	No	
ST ROSE S&G, LA	2 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	No	
SUN CITY S&G, AZ	4 	3 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	No	
SUN VALLEY S&G, CA	4 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.6 	0 	No	
VAL VISTA S&G, AZ	3 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	No	
VULCAN DRILL SERVICE SG, AL	1 	1 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	No	
WEST BROADWAY S&G, AZ	3 	2 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0.5 	0 	No	
OTHER OPERATIONS - 169	362 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	0 	No	
Total	531 	115 	0 	0 	0 	1 	39.8 	0 	 	
 
The total dollar value of proposed assessments received during the twelve months ended December 31, 201 5 for all other citations, as well as proposed assessments received during the reporting period for citations previously issued, is $ 44,077 .

 	 	

 	 	
 	 	
 	Exhibit 95 – Page 2	

 

The table below sets forth, by mine, category of legal action and number of legal actions pending before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission as of December 3 1 , 201 5 .  

 

 	 

 

 

 	 

 
 	
 	Number of Legal Actions	
Name of Operation	Contest
Penalty	Contest
Citations	Complaint of
Discharge,
Discrimination	
GURLEY QUARRY, AL	1 	1 	0 	
CALERA QUARRY, AL	1 	1 	0 	
HUEBNER ROAD QUARRY, TX	1 	2 	0 	
VAL VISTA - CITRUS GROVE 150, AZ	1 	2 	0 	
 
The table below sets forth, by mine, category of legal action and number of legal actions filed before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission during the twelve months ended December 3 1 , 201 5 .

 

 	 

 

 

 	 

 
 	
 	Number of Legal Actions	
Name of Operation	Contest
Penalty	Contest
Citations	Complaint of
Discharge,
Discrimination	
TAZEWELL QUARRY, TN	1 	1 	0 	
BOLINGBROOK UNDERGROUND, IL	1 	14 	0 	
FORT PIERCE MINE, FL	1 	1 	0 	
 
The table below sets forth, by mine, category of legal action and number of legal actions resolved by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Re view Commission during the twelve months ended December  3 1 , 201 5 .

 

 	 

 

 

 	 

 
 	
 	Number of Legal Actions	
Name of Operation	Contest
Penalty	Contest
Citations	Complaint of
Discharge,
Discrimination	
GRAND RIVERS QUARRY, KY	2 	11 	0 	
RICHMOND ROAD, KY	1 	1 	0 	
PUDDLEDOCK SAND AND GRAVEL, VA	1 	2 	0 	
FRANKLIN QUARRY, TN	1 	1 	0 	
SEVIERVILLE QUARRY, TN	1 	1 	0 	
KODAK QUARRY, TN	1 	1 	0 	
LAKESIDE QUARRY, SC	1 	1 	0 	
LITHIA SPRINGS QUARRY, GA	4 	8 	0 	
MCCOOK QUARRY, IL	2 	22 	0 	
KANKAKEE QUARRY & MILL, IL	1 	1 	0 	
CHILDERSBURG QUARRY, AL	1 	1 	0 	
EAST FORSYTH, NC	1 	1 	0 	
BLACKSBURG QUARRY, SC	1 	3 	0 	
LIBERTY QUARRY, SC	1 	1 	0 	
NOTASULGA QUARRY, AL	1 	1 	0 	
BROWNWOOD QUARRY, TX	1 	1 	0 	
CENTRAL SERVICE, NC	1 	1 	0 	
MACON QUARRY, GA	1 	1 	0 	
BARTLETT UNDERGROUND QUARRY, IL	1 	5 	0 	
DALTON QUARRY, GA	1 	1 	0 	
WEIRSDALE SAND PLANT, FL	1 	1 	0 	
FORT MYERS MINE, FL	1 	2 	0 	
WEST PLANT, AZ	1 	3 	0 	

 	 	

 	 	
 	 	
 	Exhibit 95 – Page 3