Pitney Bowes - 10-K annual report 2014

PITNEY BOWES INC.

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Forward-Looking Statements

This Annual Report on Form 10-K (Annual Report) contains statements that are forward-looking. We want to caution readers that any forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 may change based on various factors. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ materially. Words such as "estimate", "target", "project", "plan", "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend" and similar expressions may identify such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Factors which could cause future financial performance to differ materially from the expectations as expressed in any forward-looking statement made by or on our behalf include, without limitation:

General

Pitney Bowes Inc. (we, us, our, or the company), was incorporated in the state of Delaware in 1920. We are a global technology company offering innovative products and solutions that enable commerce in the areas of customer information management, location intelligence, customer engagement, shipping and mailing, and global ecommerce. More than 1.5 million clients in approximately 100 countries around the world rely on our products, solutions and services.

You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549 or request copies of these documents by writing to the Office of Public Reference. Call the SEC at (800) 732-0330 for further information on the operations of the Public Reference Room and copying charges.

Our Strategy and Business Segments

Our business is organized around three distinct sets of solutions -- Small and Medium Business (SMB) Solutions, Enterprise Business Solutions and Digital Commerce Solutions (DCS).

We are a global leader in providing a full range of mailing equipment, software, supplies and support services that enable our clients to efficiently create mail and evidence postage. We segment the SMB Solutions group between our North America operations, comprising the U.S. and Canadian businesses, and our International operations, comprising all other SMB businesses globally. We are a leading provider of postage meters and have over 900,000 meters installed in North America and over 300,000 meters installed elsewhere. This business is characterized by a high level of recurring revenue driven by rental, lease and loan arrangements, contract support services and supplies sales.

Our Enterprise Business Solutions group includes equipment and services that enable large enterprises to process inbound and outbound mail. We segment the Enterprise Business Solutions group between our Production Mail operations and Presort Services operations.

Our product and service offerings enable clients to integrate all areas of print and mail into an end-to-end production environment from message creation to dispatch while realizing cost savings on postage. The core products within this segment include high-speed, high-volume inserting equipment, customized sortation products for mail and parcels and high-speed digital color printing systems that create high-value, relevant and timely communications targeted to our clients' customers.

We are a national outsource provider of mail presort services for first-class, standard-class and flat mail in the U.S. and a workshare partner of the United States Postal Service (USPS). Our Presort Services network provides mailers with end-to-end solutions from pick up at their location to delivery into the postal system. Approximately 90 billion pieces of mail are processed annually by third-parties like us or through in-house operations. Through our network of 32 U.S. locations, and with our fully-customized proprietary technology, we process approximately 15 billion pieces of mail annually and are able to expedite mail delivery and optimize postage savings for our clients. Our client volumes represent less than 25% of all automated first-class, standard-class and flat mail.

We provide a broad range of solutions, including customer information management, location intelligence, customer engagement, shipping management and global ecommerce. These solutions are primarily delivered as traditional software licenses, enterprise platforms, software-as-a-service (SaaS) and on-demand applications. The DCS segment is dependent on a relatively small number of clients and business partners for a large portion of its revenue.

Customer information management solutions help businesses harness and deliver a deep and broad understanding of their customers and their context, such as location, relationships, propensity, sentiment and influence. The trusted data and associated insights allow our clients to deliver a personalized customer experience across multiple channels, manage risk and compliance, and improve sales, marketing and service effectiveness. We are one of the market leaders in the data quality segment. Large corporations and government agencies rely on our products in very complex, high-volume, transactional environments to support their business processes.

Location intelligence solutions enable our clients to organize and understand the complex relationships between location, geographic and other forms of data to drive business decisions and customer experiences. Our location intelligence solutions use predictive analytics, location, geographic and socio-demographic characteristics, which enable our clients to harness the power of location to better serve their customers, solve business problems, deliver location-based services and ultimately drive business growth.

Customer engagement solutions provide clients with insight and understanding into customer behavior and interactions across the entire customer lifecycle, enabling them to orchestrate impactful, relevant and timely physical and digital interactions. When coupled with our inserting, sortation and digital print products, we are able to provide clients an all-inclusive solution that enables them to create, print and distribute wide-spread targeted customer communications. Our customer engagement solutions enable our clients to create connected experiences that positively influence future consumer behavior and generate business growth.

Shipping management solutions enable clients to reduce transportation and logistics costs, select the best carrier based on need and cost, improve delivery times and track packages in real-time. We also offer scalable global logistics management systems that can be integrated into mail centers, as well as desktop and production shipping environments.

Global ecommerce solutions enable full transparency of the fully landed costs by quoting duty, taxes and shipping at checkout, compliance with all import/export complexities, restrictions, regulations and documentation requirements and provide reliable tracking information. Our global ecommerce software platform is currently utilized by over 40 direct merchants and a major online marketplace enabling millions of parcels to be shipped to over 60 countries from the U.S. and more than 15 countries from the U.K.

We also offer targeted direct and digital marketing programs to large advertisers that enable them to connect with movers. Through a contract with the USPS, we produce a "Movers' Guide" in both printed and digital format and a "Welcome Kit" in printed format with targeted advertisers' coupons for movers. We also offer digital advertising programs through MyMove.com, a move related website we own and operate.

  

Client Service

We have a client care service organization that provides telephone, online and on-site support to diagnose and repair our increasingly complex mailing equipment, production printers and sophisticated software solutions. Most of our support services are provided under annual contracts.

Sales and Marketing

We sell to a variety of business, governmental, institutional and other organizations. We have a broad base of clients and we are not dependent upon any one client or type of client for a significant part of our total revenue.

We market our products and services through a direct and inside sales force, direct mailings, outbound telemarketing, independent dealers and distributors and web channels. During 2014, we began implementing a phased roll-out of a go-to-market strategy designed to improve the sales process and reduce costs by providing our clients broader access to products and services though expanded insides sales and web channels with less reliance on a direct sales force. We are in the final stages of implementing this go-to-market strategy in our North America businesses and will implement this strategy in our International Mailing and other businesses in 2015.

 

We have made, and are continuing to make, significant investments in the rebranding of the company in order to build market awareness and client demand for our products and services. We are also making investments in marketing in support of the company’s brand and business strategy. The brand investments, including a newly launched external website (www.pb.com), are designed to enhance our operational and go-to-market changes, including how we sell to and service clients.

Competition

All of our businesses face competition from a number of companies. Our competitors range from large, multinational companies that compete against many of our businesses to smaller, more narrowly focused regional and local firms. We compete on the basis of technology and innovation; breadth of product offerings; our ability to design and tailor solutions to specific client needs; performance; client service and support; price; quality and brand.

We must continue to invest in our current technologies, products and solutions, and in the development of new technologies, products and solutions in order to maintain and improve our competitive position. We will encounter new competitors as we transition to higher value markets and offerings and enter new markets.

A summary of the competitive environment for each of our business segments is as follows:

We face competition from other mail equipment companies and companies that offer products and services as alternative means of message communications. The principal competitive factors in these markets include pricing, available financing and payment offerings, product reliability, support services, industry knowledge and expertise and attractiveness of alternative communication methods. Our competitive advantage includes our breadth of physical and web-based digital offerings, customer service and our extensive knowledge of the shipping and mailing industry.

Through our wholly owned subsidiary, The Pitney Bowes Bank (the Bank), we offer a revolving credit solution to our SMB clients in the United States that enables them to pay for the use of certain mailing equipment under rental agreements and purchase products,

supplies and services. The Bank also provides a deposit solution to those clients who prefer to prepay postage and earn interest on their deposits. Not all our competitors are able to offer these financing and payment solutions to their customers and we believe these solutions differentiate us from our competitors and are a source of competitive advantage. The Bank is chartered as an Industrial Bank under the laws of the State of Utah, and regulated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Utah Department of Financial Institutions.

We face competition from a small number of companies that offer large production printers, inserters or sorters, but only a few companies are able to offer all of these products and integrate them into an end-to-end solution. The principal competitive factors include functionality, reliability, productivity, price and support. We believe we have a competitive advantage as our equipment provides a wider range of features and functionality and greater productivity than our competitors, which drives a higher investment return for our clients.

We are a significant third-party presort service provider in the United States and the only provider with a national network. We face competition from regional and local presort providers, service bureaus that offer presort solutions as part of a larger bundle of outsourcing services and large entities that have the capability to presort their own mailings in-house. The principal competitive factors include innovative service, delivery speed, industry experience and expertise and economies of scale. Our competitive advantage includes our extensive network, size of our presort facilities and our innovative and proprietary technology that enables us to provide our clients with reliable and accurate services at maximum discounts.

The DCS segment operates in several highly competitive and rapidly evolving markets. We face competition from large global companies that offer a broad range of solutions to smaller, more narrowly-focused companies that can design very targeted solutions. In addition, major global delivery services companies are acquiring the technology to improve their global ecommerce shipping capabilities. The principal competitive factors include reliability, functionality and ease of integration and use, scalability, innovation, support services and price. We compete in this segment based on the accuracy and processing speed of our solutions, particularly those used in our location intelligence and global ecommerce solutions, the breadth and scalability of our products and solutions, our single-sourced geocoding and reverse geocoding capabilities, and our ability to identify rapidly changing customer needs and develop technologies and solutions to meet these changing needs.

Our direct marketing services products compete with multiple alternative marketing offerings for a portion of our clients' overall marketing budget by demonstrating the value of our products and services relative to these other marketing programs available to our advertising clients.

We offer a variety of finance and payment solutions to clients to finance their equipment and product purchases, rental and lease payments, postage replenishment and supplies purchases. We establish credit approval limits and procedures based on the credit quality of the client and the type of product or service provided to control risk in extending credit to clients. In addition, we utilize an automatic approval program for certain leases. This program is designed to facilitate low dollar transactions by utilizing historical payment patterns and losses realized for clients with common credit characteristics. The program defines the criteria under which we will accept a client without performing a more detailed credit investigation, such as maximum equipment cost, a client's time in business and payment experience. 

We closely monitor the portfolio by analyzing industry sectors and delinquency trends by product line, industry and client to ensure reserve levels and credit policies reflect current trends. Management continues to closely monitor credit lines and collection resources and revise credit policies as necessary to be more selective in managing the portfolio.

Our financing operations face competition, in varying degrees, from large, diversified financial institutions, including leasing companies, commercial finance companies and commercial banks, as well as small, specialized firms.

Research, Development and Intellectual Property

Material Suppliers

We depend on third-party suppliers for a variety of services, components, supplies and a large portion of our product manufacturing. In certain instances, we rely on single-sourced or limited-sourced suppliers around the world because the relationship is advantageous due to quality, price, or there are no alternative sources. We have not historically experienced shortages in services, components or products and believe that our available sources for materials, components, services and supplies are adequate.

Regulatory Matters

We are subject to the regulations of postal authorities worldwide related to product specifications and business practices involving our postage meters. We are further subject to the regulations of the State of Utah Department of Financial Institutions and the FDIC with respect to the operations of the Bank and certain company affiliates that provide services to the Bank. We are also subject to the regulations of transportation, customs and other trade authorities worldwide related to the cross-border shipment of equipment, materials and parcels. In addition, we are subject to regulations worldwide concerning data privacy and security for our businesses that use, process and store certain personal, confidential or proprietary data.

Employees and Employee Relations

Executive Officers of the Registrant

Our executive officers are as follows:

There is no family relationship among the above officers. All of the officers have served in various corporate, division or subsidiary positions with the Company for at least the past five years except as described below:

Mr. Lautenbach was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the company in December 2012. Before joining Pitney Bowes, Mr. Lautenbach held numerous positions during his career at IBM, which he joined in 1985. His leadership roles at IBM included serving as Vice President Small and Medium Business in Asia Pacific from 1998-2000, General Manager of IBM Global Small and Medium Business from 2000-2005, General Manager of IBM North America from 2005-2010, and Managing Partner, North America, for IBM Global Business Services.

Mr. Goldstein re-joined the company in October 2010 as Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Compliance Officer. From September 2008 until October 2010, Mr. Goldstein served as the Senior Vice President and General Counsel for GAF Materials Corporation, International Specialty Products, and ISP Minerals, a group of privately held, commonly owned companies in the building materials, chemicals and mining industries. Mr. Goldstein originally joined Pitney Bowes in 1999 as Associate General Counsel and was appointed Vice President, Deputy General Counsel in 2005.

Ms. Kohnstamm joined the company as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer in June 2013. Before joining Pitney Bowes, Ms. Kohnstamm served as President of Abby F. Kohnstamm & Associates, Inc., a marketing and consulting firm.

Mr. Pilc joined the company as Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer in June 2013. Before joining Pitney Bowes, Mr. Pilc served as General Manager at CA Technologies, where he was responsible for the company’s Industries, Solutions and Alliances unit.

Mr. Shearer joined the company as Executive Vice President and President, Pitney Bowes SMB Mailing Solutions in April 2013. Before joining Pitney Bowes, Mr. Shearer held numerous positions during his 30 year career at IBM, including general management, business and product strategy, and marketing. Before his retirement from IBM in 2010, he served as Vice President, Marketing and Strategy for IBM’s hardware business.

Mr. Wright joined the company as Executive Vice President and President, Pitney Bowes Software Solutions in April 2013. In February 2014, the board of directors elected him to the office of Executive Vice President and President, Pitney Bowes Digital Commerce Solutions. Before joining Pitney Bowes, Mr. Wright served as Executive Vice President, Enterprise Solutions Group, Information Global Solutions.

Our operations face certain risks that should be considered in evaluating our business. We manage and mitigate these risks on a proactive basis, including through the use of an enterprise risk management program. Nevertheless, the following risk factors, some of which may be beyond our control, could materially impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, brand and reputation, and may cause future results to be materially different than our current expectations. These risk factors are not intended to be all inclusive.

A significant portion of our revenue and profitability is directly or indirectly subject to regulation and oversight by postal authorities worldwide. We depend on a healthy postal sector in the geographic markets where we do business, which could be influenced positively or negatively by legislative or regulatory changes in those countries. Our revenue and profitability in a particular country could be affected by adverse changes in postal regulations, the business processes and practices of individual posts, the decision of a post to enter into particular markets in direct competition with us and the impact of any of these changes on postal competitors that do not use our products or services. These changes could affect product specifications, service offerings, client behavior and the overall mailing industry.

The historical decline in mail volumes has had an adverse impact on our revenues and profitability and is expected to continue to influence our revenue and profitability in the future. We have been employing strategies for stabilizing our mailing business and providing our clients broader access to products and services through online and direct sales channels. In addition, we are introducing new products and services and transitioning our current products and services to more digital offerings; however, the margins associated with these digital offerings are typically lower than our traditional mailing business. There is no guarantee that these offerings will be widely accepted in the marketplace, and they will likely face competition from existing and emerging alternative products and services.

Further, an accelerated or sudden decline in physical mail volumes could have an adverse effect on our mailing business. An accelerated or sudden decline could result from, among other things, changes in our clients' communication behavior, changes in communication technologies or legislation or regulations that mandate electronic substitution, prohibit certain types of mailings, increase the difficulty of using information or materials in the mail, or impose higher taxes or fees on mailing or postal services.

If we are not successful at meeting the continuing challenges faced in our mailing business, or if physical mail volumes were to experience an accelerated or sudden decline, our financial results could be negatively impacted.

We are executing on a strategy to grow revenue significantly in our DCS segment. The successful execution of this strategy will require us to make continued investments in research and development opportunities that offer the greatest potential for near and long-term growth. These investments include, among other things, new and enhanced offerings in our global ecommerce, location intelligence and customer engagement solutions, and the specialization of sales channels. However, the process of developing new technologies, products and solutions can be time-consuming, costly and uncertain, and there are no guarantees that we will be successful developing new technologies and solutions to meet rapidly changing customer needs. Further, even if we are successful at developing new technologies and solutions, they may not be accepted by the marketplace.

We are in the process of implementing a new ERP system that is expected to provide operating cost savings through the elimination of redundant systems and strategic efficiencies through the use of a standardized, integrated system. We have made and will continue to make significant investments and incur incremental expenses over the course of the implementation of this ERP system. We expect this implementation will begin in 2015 and occur in stages over the next few years. If the implementation of the system is not successful, or is delayed, the expected operating cost savings and strategic efficiencies may be delayed or may not be obtained or sustainable.

Further, the transition to the new ERP system will affect numerous systems necessary for the company's operation. If we fail to correctly implement one or more components of the new ERP system, we could experience significant disruption to our operations. Such disruptions could include, among other things, temporary loss of data, inability to process certain orders, failure of systems to communicate with each other and the inability to track or reconcile key data.

We rely on the continuous and uninterrupted performance of our information technology systems to support numerous business processes and activities, to support and service our clients and to support postal services. We maintain secure systems to collect revenue for certain postal services, which is critical to enable both our systems and the postal systems to run reliably. These systems are subject to adverse acts of nature, targeted or random security breaches, cyber-attacks, computer viruses, vandalism, power loss, computer or communications failures and other unexpected events. We have disaster recovery plans in place to protect our business operations in case of such events; however, there can be no guarantee that these plans will function as designed. If our information technology systems are damaged or cease to function properly, we could be prevented from fulfilling orders and servicing clients and postal services. Also, we may have to make a significant investment to repair or replace these systems, and could suffer loss of critical data and interruptions or delays in our operations.

We depend on third-party suppliers and outsource providers for a variety of services, components and supplies, including a large portion of our product manufacturing and some non-core functions and operations. In certain instances, we rely on single-sourced or limited-sourced suppliers and outsourcing vendors around the world because doing so is advantageous due to quality, price or lack of alternative sources. If production or services were interrupted and we were not able to find alternate third-party suppliers, we could experience disruptions in manufacturing and operations including product shortages, higher freight costs and re-engineering costs. If outsourcing services were interrupted, not performed, or the performance was poor, our ability to process, record and report transactions with our clients and other constituents could be impacted. Such interruptions in the provision of supplies and/or services could impact our ability to meet client demand, damage our reputation and client relationships and adversely affect our revenue and profitability.

We fund our financing activities with a combination of cash generated from operations, deposits held in the Bank and access to the U.S. capital markets to facilitate short and long-term borrowings. Our ability to access the U.S. capital markets and the cost associated with our funding activities is dependent on our credit ratings and market volatility.

A credit ratings downgrade, material capital market disruptions, significant withdrawals by depositors at the Bank, adverse changes to our industrial loan charter or a significant decline in cash flow could impact our ability to provide competitive finance offerings to our clients. In addition, if such events occurred, there can be no assurance that liquidity funding sources would be available or sufficient and that related costs would not adversely impact our ability to fund various discretionary priorities, including business investments, acquisitions and dividend payments.

The loss of any of the company’s largest clients or business partners in our DCS segment could have a material adverse effect on the segment.

The DCS segment is dependent on a relatively small number of significant clients and business partners for a large portion of its revenue. The loss of any of these larger clients or business partners, or a substantial reduction in their use of our products or services, could have a material adverse effect on the revenue and profitability of the segment. There can be no assurance that our larger clients and business partners will continue to utilize our products or services at current levels, or that we would be able to replace any of these clients or business partners with others who can generate revenue at current levels.

We have a significant number of contracts with governmental entities. Government contracts are subject to extensive and complex procurement laws and regulations, along with regular audits of contract pricing and our business practices by government agencies. If we are found to have violated some provisions of these contracts, we could be required to provide a refund, pay significant damages, or be subject to contract cancellation, civil or criminal penalties, fines or debarment from doing business with the government. Any of these events could not only affect us financially, but also adversely affect our brand and reputation.

If we are not successful at realizing the anticipated benefits of strategic acquisitions and divestitures, our financial results could be negatively impacted.

Our operations expose us to the risk of material environmental liabilities, litigation and violations.

We are subject to various federal, state, local and foreign environmental protection and health and safety laws governing, among other things:

Environmental laws are complex, change frequently and have tended to become more stringent over time. If we are found to have violated these laws, we could be fined, criminally charged or otherwise sanctioned by regulators. In addition, private parties could bring personal injury or other claims due to the presence of, or exposure to, hazardous substances. Certain environmental laws can assess liability on contaminated sites retroactively, on a joint and several basis, and without any finding of noncompliance or fault. From time to time, we may be involved in litigation over these issues. The amount and timing of costs under environmental laws are difficult to predict and there can be no assurance that these costs will not materially adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Our new brand strategy and identity are important to the next phase of our global business transformation. Our phased roll-out of the new branding is integrated into the way we sell and service clients, including sales collateral and the digital experience of getting information, service performance and transacting on our website. These factors are important to maintaining acceptance of our products and services by our existing clients and achieving increased acceptance with new clients. We expect increased spending in brand development and marketing promotion activities and if this increased spending does not result in increased revenue sufficient to offset these expenses, our profitability could be adversely affected.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

We own or lease numerous facilities worldwide, which house general offices, including our corporate headquarters located in Stamford, Connecticut, sales offices, service locations, data centers and call centers. We conduct research and development, manufacturing and assembly, product management, information technology and many other activities at our Global Technology Center located in Danbury, Connecticut. We also have research and development facilities located in Noida, India and Pune, India. Management believes that our facilities are well maintained, are in good operating condition and are suitable and adequate for our current business needs.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the ordinary course of business, we are routinely defendants in, or party to, a number of pending and threatened legal actions. These may involve litigation by or against us relating to, among other things, contractual rights under vendor, insurance or other contracts; intellectual property or patent rights; equipment, service, payment or other disputes with clients; or disputes with employees. Some of these actions may be brought as a purported class action on behalf of a purported class of employees, clients or others.

In December 2013, we received a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) from the Department of Justice (DOJ) pursuant to the False Claims Act requesting documents and information relating to compliance with certain postal regulatory requirements in our Presort Services business. We had previously provided information to the DOJ in response to letter requests and continue to provide information in response to the CID and other requests from the DOJ. Given the current stage of this inquiry, we cannot provide an estimate of any possible losses or range of loss and we cannot yet predict the ultimate outcome of this matter or its impact, if any, on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE COMPANY'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Share Repurchases

In 2014, we revised our peer group in response to our enhanced focus on software and technology. Our new peer group consists of services, industrial and technology companies with revenues of $3 to $22 billion and market capitalization of $2 to $16 billion.

Our new peer group is comprised of: Alliance Data Systems Corporation, Diebold, Incorporated, DST Systems Inc., EchoStar Corp., Fidelity National Information Services, Inc., Fiserv, Inc., Harris Corporation, Iron Mountain Inc., Lexmark International Inc., NCR Corp., Pitney Bowes Inc., R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company, Rockwell Automation Inc., Unisys Corporation, The Western Union Company and Xerox Corporation.

Our prior peer group was comprised of: Agilent Technologies Inc., Alliance Data Systems Corporation, Avery Dennison Corp., Diebold, Incorporated, DST Systems Inc., Fiserv, Inc., Harris Corporation, Iron Mountain Inc., Lexmark International Inc., NCR Corp., Pitney Bowes Inc., R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company., Rockwell Automation Inc., Unisys Corporation and Xerox Corporation.

All information is based upon data independently provided to us by Standard & Poor's Corporation and is derived from their official total return calculation. Total return for the S&P 500 Composite Index and each peer group is based on market capitalization, weighted for each year. The stock price performance is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.

The following table of selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the more detailed consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes. This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections and involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ significantly from those currently expressed in our forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those factors described under "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" contained elsewhere in this Annual Report. All table amounts are presented in thousands of dollars, unless otherwise stated.

Looking at our operating segments, DCS revenue grew 21% primarily due to increased parcel volumes using our global ecommerce solutions and higher software licensing revenue. Enterprise Business Solutions revenue declined 2% due to a 10% decline in Production Mail revenue primarily as a result of strong sales of production print equipment in 2013. This decline was partially offset by a 6% increase in Presort Services due to higher volumes of first-class mail processed and improved operational efficiencies. SMB revenue declined 4% primarily due to continued declines in mail volumes and our installed meter population.

Our growth initiatives continue to focus on leveraging our expertise in physical and digital communications, hybrid communications and the development of products, software, services and solutions that help our clients connect with customers to power commerce and grow their businesses. In 2015, we will make significant investments to begin implementing our ERP program, expand our marketing efforts to build awareness of our unique capabilities and refreshed brand identity and complete our go-to-market initiatives globally. We anticipate these incremental expenses could approximate $0.15 to $0.18 per diluted share in 2015. However, we anticipate the continued benefits from prior restructuring programs and the transition to an inside sales organization should mostly offset the incremental costs associated with the ERP implementation and expanded brand and marketing programs. We also expect the incremental expenses incurred in 2015 to provide profitability benefits in 2016 and beyond.

We expect revenue and profitability growth in our DCS segment to be driven by increasing volumes associated with our global ecommerce solutions, including a full year benefit of our U.K. outbound cross-border services, continued licensing demand for our location intelligence, customer information management and customer engagement solutions and higher revenue from marketing services and shipping solutions driven by new client acquisitions and expanded services provided to existing clients.

Within the SMB group, we expect revenue to decline, but at a moderating rate as trends in our North America mailing business continue to progress and stabilize and we see improved sales productivity from our go-to-market initiatives. In our International Mailing business, we expect revenue to be challenged due in part to the uncertain macro-economic environment in Europe, potential distractions from the roll-out of our go-to-market strategy, and as a result of our 2014 initiatives to exit certain non-core product lines in Norway and transition our business in certain European countries to a dealer network.

Within the Enterprise Business Solutions group, we expect continued revenue and profitability growth in our Presort Services segment due to client expansion, higher processed mail volumes and operational efficiencies. Within our Production Mail segment, we anticipate

that revenue growth could be challenged by the uncertain macro-economic environment in Europe, the impact on revenue from the transition of our business in certain European countries to a dealer network and declining services revenue.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Revenue by source and the related cost of revenue are shown in the following tables:

Equipment sales

Supplies

Software

Rentals

Financing

We earn finance revenue primarily on sales-type leases from equipment sales. As a result of declining equipment sales in prior periods, financing revenue has also been declining year-over-year. We allocate a portion of our total cost of borrowing to financing interest expense. In computing financing interest expense, we assume a 10:1 leverage ratio of debt to equity and apply our overall effective interest rate to the average outstanding finance receivables. Despite lower average outstanding finance receivables, financing interest expense as a percentage of financing revenue has increased in 2014 compared to 2013 and 2013 compared to 2012 due to an increase in our overall effective interest rate.

 

Support Services

Business Services

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A)

Restructuring charges and asset impairments, net

Other expense, net

Other expense, net for 2014 includes costs of $62 million incurred in connection with the early redemption of debt offset by $16 million recognized in connection with the divestiture of a partnership investment. See Liquidity and Capital Resources - Financings and Capitalization and Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

Other expense, net for 2013 includes costs associated with the early redemption of debt. See Liquidity and Capital Resources - Financings and Capitalization for further details.

Other expense, net in 2012 includes losses of $6 million on a forward rate swap agreement, $2 million on the early redemption of debt and $4 million on the sale of leveraged lease assets offset by income of $11 million from insurance proceeds received in connection with the 2011 presort facility fire.

Income taxes

See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Discontinued operations

See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Preferred stock dividends of subsidiaries attributable to noncontrolling interests

See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The principal products and services of each of our reportable segments are as follows:

Small & Medium Business Solutions:

Enterprise Business Solutions:

Digital Commerce Solutions:

Segment earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) is determined by deducting from segment revenue the related costs and expenses attributable to the segment. Segment EBIT excludes interest, taxes, general corporate expenses, restructuring charges and asset impairment charges, which are not allocated to a particular business segment. Management uses segment EBIT to measure profitability and performance at the segment level. Management believes segment EBIT provides investors with a useful measure of our operating performance and underlying trends of the businesses. Segment EBIT may not be indicative of our overall consolidated performance and therefore, should be read in conjunction with our consolidated results of operations. Refer to Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a reconciliation of segment EBIT to income from continuing operations before income taxes.

Revenue and EBIT by business segment are presented in the tables below.

North America Mailing

favorable pricing. Despite the decline in revenue, EBIT remained relatively flat due to cost savings from the transition to an inside sales organization and other ongoing productivity initiatives and cost reductions.

    

     

Financings and Capitalization

We redeemed an aggregate $500 million of the 5.75% Notes due 2017 and the 5.25% Notes due 2037 through a cash tender offer (the 2014 Tender Offer). Holders who validly tendered their notes received the principal amount, all accrued and unpaid interest and a premium payment. We incurred expenses of $62 million, consisting of the call premium, the write-off of unamortized costs and bank transaction fees.

We repurchased $50 million of our common shares during 2014.

We borrowed $230 million under term loan agreements that bear interest at the applicable London Interbank Offered Rate plus 2.25% or Prime Rate plus 1.25%, at our option. Interest is paid quarterly and the loans mature in 2015 and 2016. We also issued $110 million of 10-year notes with a coupon rate of 5.25%. Interest is paid quarterly and the notes mature in November 2022. However, we may redeem some or all of the notes at any time on or after November 2015 at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The proceeds from these issuances were for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of 2013 debt maturities.

Debt Maturities

We have $2 billion of debt maturing within the next five years, including $325 million due in 2015. While we fully expect to be able to fund these maturities with cash or by refinancing through the U.S. capital markets, these obligations could increase our vulnerability to adverse market conditions and impact our ability to refinance existing maturities.

Dividends

Contractual Obligations

The amount and period of future payments related to our income tax uncertainties cannot be reliably estimated and are not included in the above table. See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Critical Accounting Estimates

The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about certain items that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and accompanying disclosures, including the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The accounting policies below have been identified by management as those accounting policies that are most critical to our financial statements due to the estimates and assumptions required. Management believes that the estimates and assumptions used are reasonable and appropriate based on the information available at the time the financial statements were prepared; however, actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions. See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a summary of our accounting policies.

Revenue recognition - Multiple element arrangements

We derive revenue from multiple sources including sales, rentals, financing and services. Certain transactions are consummated at the same time and can therefore generate revenue from multiple sources. The most common form of these transactions involves a sale or non-cancelable lease of equipment, a meter rental and an equipment maintenance agreement. As a result, we are required to determine whether the deliverables in a multiple element arrangement should be treated as separate units of accounting for revenue recognition purposes, and if so, how the price should be allocated among the delivered elements and when to recognize revenue for each element. We recognize revenue for delivered elements only when the fair values of undelivered elements are known, customer acceptance has occurred and payment is probable.

In these multiple element arrangements, revenue is allocated to each of the elements based on relative "selling prices" and the selling price for each of the elements is determined based on vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE). We establish VSOE of selling prices for our products and services based on the prices charged for each element when sold separately in standalone transactions. The allocation of relative selling price to the various elements impacts the timing of revenue recognition, but does not change the total revenue recognized. Revenue is allocated to the meter rental and equipment maintenance agreement elements using their respective selling prices charged in standalone and renewal transactions. For a sale transaction, revenue is allocated to the equipment based on a range of selling prices in standalone transactions. For a lease transaction, revenue is allocated to the equipment based on the present value of the remaining minimum lease payments. The amount allocated to equipment is compared to the range of selling prices in standalone transactions during the period to ensure the allocated equipment amount approximates average selling prices.

We also have multiple element arrangements containing only software and software related elements. Under these arrangements, revenue is allocated based on VSOE, which is based on company specific stand-alone sales data or renewal rates. If we cannot obtain VSOE for any undelivered software element, revenue is deferred until all deliverables have been delivered or until VSOE can be determined for any remaining undelivered software elements. When the fair value of a delivered element cannot be established, but fair value evidence exists for the undelivered software elements, we use the residual method to recognize revenue. Under the residual method, the fair value of the undelivered elements is deferred and the remaining portion of the arrangement consideration is allocated to the delivered elements and recognized as revenue.

Pension benefits

The valuation of our pension assets and obligations and the calculation of net periodic pension expense are dependent on assumptions and estimates relating to, among other things, the interest rate used to discount the future estimated liability (discount rate) and the expected rate of return on plan assets. These assumptions are evaluated and updated annually and are described in further detail in Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The discount rate for our largest plan, the U.S. Qualified Pension Plan (the U.S. Plan) is determined by matching the expected cash flows associated with our benefit obligations to a pool of corporate long-term, high-quality fixed income debt instruments available as of the measurement date. The discount rate for our largest foreign plan, the U.K. Qualified Pension Plan (the U.K. Plan), is determined by using a model that discounts each year's estimated benefit payments by an applicable spot rate derived from a yield curve created from a large number of high quality corporate bonds. The discount rate used in the determination of net periodic pension expense for 2014 was 4.95% for the U.S. Plan and 4.45% for the U.K. Plan. For 2015, the discount rate used in the determination of net periodic pension expense for the U.S. Plan and the U.K. Plan will be 4.15% and 3.7%, respectively. A 0.25% change in the discount rate would impact annual pension expense by less than $1 million for both the U.S. Plan and the U.K. Plan, and the projected benefit obligation of the U.S. Plan and U.K. Plan by $49 million and $23 million, respectively.

Pension assets are exposed to various risks such as interest rate, market and credit risks. We invest our pension plan assets in a variety of investment securities in accordance with our strategic asset allocation policy. The expected return on plan assets is based on historical and expected future returns for current and targeted asset allocations for each asset class in the investment portfolio, adjusted for historical and expected experience of active portfolio management results, as compared to the benchmark returns. When assessing the expected

future returns for the portfolio, management places more emphasis on the expected future returns than historical returns. The expected rate of return on plan assets used in the determination of net periodic pension expense for 2014 was 7.0% for the U.S. Plan and 7.5% for the U.K. Plan. For 2015, the expected rate of return on plan assets used in the determination of net periodic pension expense for both the U.S. Plan and the U.K. Plan will be 7.0%. A 0.25% change in the expected rate of return on plan return on assets would impact annual pension expense for the U.S. Plan by $4 million and the U.K. Plan by $1 million. See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information about the allocation of pension assets.

In October 2014, the Society of Actuaries published updated mortality tables for U.S. plans (RP-2014) and an updated improvement scale (MP-2014), which both reflect improved longevity. We have historically utilized the Society of Actuaries' published mortality data in our plan assumptions. Accordingly, we adopted RP-2014 and MP-2014 for purposes of measuring pension and other postretirement benefit obligations at year end. The change to the mortality assumption increased the year-end pension and other postretirement obligation by an aggregate $119 million.

Actual pension plan results that differ from our assumptions and estimates are accumulated and amortized over the life expectancy of inactive plan participants and affect future pension expense. Net pension expense is also based on a market-related valuation of plan assets where differences between the actual and expected return on plan assets are recognized in the calculation of the market-related value of assets over a five-year period. At December 31, 2014, plan benefits for participants in a majority of our U.S. and foreign pension plans were frozen.

Residual value of leased assets

We provide lease financing for our products primarily through sales-type leases. Equipment residual values are determined at inception of the lease using estimates of equipment fair value at the end of the lease term. Residual value estimates impact the determination of whether a lease is classified as an operating lease or a sales-type lease. Estimates of future equipment fair value are based primarily on our historical experience. We also consider forecasted supply and demand for our various products, product retirement and future product launch plans, end of lease customer behavior, regulatory changes, remanufacturing strategies, used equipment markets, if any, competition and technological changes.

We evaluate residual values on an annual basis or sooner if circumstances warrant. Declines in estimated residual values considered "other-than-temporary" are recognized immediately. Estimated increases in future residual values are not recognized until the equipment is remarketed. If the actual residual value of leased assets were 10% lower than management's current estimates, pre-tax income would be lower by $12 million.

Allowances for doubtful accounts and credit losses

We estimate our credit risk for accounts receivables and finance receivables and provide allowances for estimated losses. We believe that our credit risk is limited because of our large number of customers, small account balances for most of our customers and customer geographic and industry diversification. We continuously monitor collections and payments from our customers and evaluate the adequacy of the applicable allowance based on historical loss experience, past due status, adverse situations that may affect a customer's ability to pay and prevailing economic conditions. We make adjustments to the reserves as deemed necessary. This evaluation is inherently subjective and actual results may differ significantly from estimated reserves.

Income taxes and valuation allowance

We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Our annual tax rate is based on our income, statutory tax rates, tax reserve changes and tax planning opportunities available to us in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Significant judgment is required in determining our annual tax rate and in evaluating our tax positions.

We regularly assess the likelihood of tax adjustments in each of the tax jurisdictions in which we have operations and account for the related financial statement implications. Tax reserves have been established which we believe to be appropriate given the possibility of tax adjustments. Determining the appropriate level of tax reserves requires us to exercise judgment regarding the uncertain application

of tax laws. The amount of reserves is adjusted when information becomes available or when an event occurs indicating a change in the reserve is appropriate. Future changes in tax reserve requirements could have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

Significant judgment is also required in determining the amount of valuation allowance to be recorded against deferred tax assets. In assessing whether a valuation allowance is necessary, and the amount of such allowance, we consider all available evidence for each jurisdiction including past operating results, estimates of future taxable income and the feasibility of ongoing tax planning strategies. As new information becomes available that would alter our determination as to the amount of deferred tax assets that will ultimately be realized, we adjust the valuation allowance with a corresponding impact to income tax expense in the period in which such determination is made.

Impairment review

Long-lived and finite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable. The estimated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition is compared to the carrying amount. We derive the cash flow estimates from our future long-term business plans and historical experience. If the sum of the expected cash flows is less than the carrying amount, an impairment charge is recorded for an amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the asset. The fair value of the asset is determined using probability weighted expected discounted cash flow estimates, quoted market prices when available and appraisals, as appropriate. Changes in the estimates and assumptions incorporated in our impairment assessment could materially affect the determination of fair value and the associated impairment charge.

Goodwill is tested annually for impairment at the reporting unit level, during the fourth quarter or sooner when circumstances indicate an impairment may exist. The impairment test for goodwill is a two-step approach. In the first step, the fair value of each reporting unit is compared to the reporting unit's carrying value, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment, if any. In the second step, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit as if it had been acquired in a business combination and the purchase price was equivalent to the fair value of the reporting unit. The excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the amounts assigned to its assets and liabilities is referred to as the implied fair value of goodwill. The implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill is then compared to the actual carrying value of goodwill. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying value of goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference.

Significant estimates and assumptions are used in our goodwill impairment review and include the identification of reporting units, assigning assets and liabilities to reporting units, assigning goodwill to reporting units and determining the fair value of each reporting unit. The fair value of each reporting unit is determined based on a combination of techniques, including the present value of future cash flows, applicable multiples of competitors and multiples from sales of like businesses. The assumptions used to estimate fair value are based on projections incorporated in our current operating plans as well as other available information. Our operating plans include significant assumptions and estimates associated with sales growth, profitability and related cash flows, along with cash flows associated with taxes and capital spending. The determination of fair value also incorporates a risk-adjusted discount rate based on current interest rates and the economic conditions of the reporting unit. We consider other assumptions that market participants may use. Changes in any of these estimates or assumptions could materially affect the determination of fair value and the associated goodwill impairment charge for each reporting unit. Potential events and circumstances, such as the inability to acquire new clients, downward pressures on pricing and rising interest rates could have an adverse impact on our assumptions and result in non-cash impairment charges in future periods.

Based on the results of the annual impairment test performed during the fourth quarter of 2014, we determined that the estimated fair value of each of the reporting units exceeded their carrying value by 20% or more.

Stock-based compensation expense

We recognize compensation cost for stock-based awards based on the estimated fair value of the award, net of estimated forfeitures. Compensation costs for those shares expected to vest are recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.

The fair value of stock awards is estimated using a Black-Scholes valuation model or Monte Carlo simulation model. These models require assumptions be made regarding the expected stock price volatility, risk-free interest rate, life of the award and dividend yield. The expected stock price volatility is based on historical price changes of our stock. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. treasuries with a term equal to the expected life of the stock award. The expected life of the award and expected dividend yield are based on historical experience.

We believe that the valuation techniques and the approach utilized to develop the underlying assumptions are appropriate in estimating the fair value of our stock-based awards. If factors change and we use different assumptions, our stock-based compensation expense could be different in the future. Estimates of fair value are not intended to predict actual future events or the value ultimately realized by employees who receive equity awards, and subsequent events are not indicative of the reasonableness of the original estimates of fair value. In addition, we are required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and recognize expense only for those shares expected to vest. If our actual forfeiture rate is materially different from our estimate, stock-based compensation expense could be significantly different from what we have recorded in the current period.

Restructuring

We have undertaken restructuring actions which require management to utilize certain estimates related to the amount and timing of expenses. If the actual amounts differ from our estimates, the amount of the restructuring charges could be impacted. On a quarterly basis, we update our estimates of future remaining obligations and costs associated with all restructuring actions and compare these updated estimates to our current restructuring reserves, and make adjustments if necessary.

Loss contingencies

In the ordinary course of business, we are routinely defendants in, or party to, a number of pending and threatened legal actions. On a quarterly basis, we review the status of each significant matter and assess the potential financial exposure. If the potential loss from any claim or legal action is considered probable and can be reasonably estimated, we establish a liability for the estimated loss. The assessment of the ultimate outcome of each claim or legal action and the determination of the potential financial exposure requires significant judgment. Estimates of potential liabilities for claims or legal actions are based only on information that is available at that time. As additional information becomes available, we may revise our estimates, and these revisions could have a material impact on our results of operations and financial position.

Legal and Regulatory Matters

Foreign Currency Exchange

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to the impact of interest rate changes and foreign currency fluctuations due to our investing and funding activities and our operations denominated in different foreign currencies.

Our objective in managing exposure to foreign currency fluctuations is to reduce the volatility in earnings and cash flows associated with the effect of foreign exchange rate changes on transactions that are denominated in foreign currencies. Accordingly, we enter into various contracts, which change in value as foreign exchange rates change, to protect the value of external and intercompany transactions. The principal currencies actively hedged are the British pound and Euro.

We employ established policies and procedures governing the use of financial instruments to manage our exposure to such risks. We do not enter into foreign currency or interest rate transactions for speculative purposes. The gains and losses on these contracts offset changes in the value of the related exposures.

We utilize a "Value-at-Risk" (VaR) model to determine the potential loss in fair value from changes in market conditions. The VaR model utilizes a "variance/co-variance" approach and assumes normal market conditions, a 95% confidence level and a one-day holding period. The model includes all of our debt, interest rate derivative contracts and foreign exchange derivative contracts associated with forecasted transactions. The model excludes all anticipated transactions, firm commitments and accounts receivables and payables denominated in foreign currencies, which certain of these instruments are intended to hedge. The VaR model is a risk analysis tool and does not purport to represent actual losses in fair value that will be incurred, nor does it consider the potential effect of favorable changes in market factors.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with internal control policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Code of Ethics

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS, RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

3.    Index to Exhibits

* The Exhibits identified above with an asterisk (*) are management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.

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.

President 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.

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for discontinued operations in 2014.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) 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 its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Stamford, CT