Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Basis of Presentation

v3.19.3
Basis of Presentation
12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Note 1.    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Operations: Actuant Corporation, doing business as Enerpac Tool Group (“Actuant” or the “Company”), is a global manufacturer of a broad range of industrial products and solutions, organized into three operating segments. The Industrial Tools & Services segment ("IT&S"), the Company's only reportable segment, is primarily engaged in the design, manufacture and distribution of branded hydraulic and mechanical tools and in providing services and tool rental to the industrial, maintenance, infrastructure, oil & gas, energy and other markets. 
Consolidation and Presentation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. The results of companies acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated financial statements from the effective date of acquisition or until the date of divestiture. All intercompany balances, transactions and profits have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation, as discussed in the New Accounting Pronouncements section.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company’s financial reporting segments were modified to reflect changes in our reporting structure as a result of entering into a Securities Purchase Agreement ("SPA") to sell the remaining businesses within our legacy Engineered Components & Systems segment exclusive of Cortland U.S. The Company now has three operating segments; Industrial Tools & Services ("IT&S"), Other, and Engineered Components and Systems ("EC&S"). The IT&S segment remains unchanged from our previous segment structure and represents the only reportable segment. All prior period disclosures have been adjusted to reflect the one reportable segment. The IT&S reportable segment is primarily engaged in the design, manufacture and distribution of branded hydraulic and mechanical tools as well as providing services and tool rentals to the industrial, maintenance, infrastructure, oil & gas, energy and other markets. The Other operating segment is comprised of Cortland U.S., along with the Viking business which was divested on the first day of the second quarter of fiscal 2018. These two operating segments represent continuing operations within our consolidated financial statements. The EC&S segment, after the change in reporting structure, represents the businesses currently subject to the SPA with an anticipated closure date in the fourth calendar quarter of 2019, as well as the Cortland Fibron and Precision Hayes International ("PHI") businesses which were divested in fiscal 2019. As the pending divestiture of the remaining businesses within the EC&S segment in combination with the divestiture of Cortland Fibron and PHI represent a strategic shift in our operations, the results of operations for the EC&S segment are classified in "(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations" within the Consolidated Statements of Operations for all periods presented. In addition, the Consolidated Balance Sheets have been recast such that the assets and liabilities of the EC&S segment are classified as "Assets from discontinued operations" and "Liabilities from discontinued operations", respectively, for both periods presented. Furthermore, all disclosures within these footnotes to the financial statements have also been recast to coincide with our updated segmentation.
Cash Equivalents: The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents.
Inventories: Inventories are comprised of material, direct labor and manufacturing overhead, and are stated at the lower of cost or market. Inventory cost is determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method for a portion of the U.S. owned inventory (47.9% and 40.7% of total inventories in 2019 and 2018, respectively). The first-in, first-out or average cost methods are used for all other inventories. If the LIFO method were not used, inventory balances would be higher than reported amounts in the consolidated balance sheets by $10.3 million and $5.4 million at August 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The nature of the Company’s products is such that they generally have a very short production cycle. Consequently, the amount of work-in-process at any point in time is minimal. In addition, many parts or components are ultimately either sold individually or assembled with other parts making a distinction between raw materials and finished goods impractical to determine. Certain locations maintain and manage their inventories using a job cost system where the distinction of categories of inventory by state of completion is also not available. As a result of these factors, it is neither practical nor cost effective to segregate the amounts of raw materials, work-in-process or finished goods inventories at the respective balance sheet dates, as segregation would only be possible as the result of physical inventories which are taken at dates different from the balance sheet dates.
Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Plant and equipment are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets, ranging from ten to forty years for buildings and improvements and two to fifteen years for machinery and equipment. Equipment includes assets (joint integrity tools) which are rented to customers of our IT&S segment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the related asset or the term of the lease, whichever is shorter. Depreciation expense was $11.3 million, $11.1 million and $13.8 million for the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The following is a summary of the Company's components of property, plant and equipment (in thousands):
 
 
August 31, 2019
 
August 31, 2018
Land, buildings and improvements
 
$
29,661

 
$
30,296

Machinery and equipment
 
140,083

 
131,716

Gross property, plant and equipment
 
169,744

 
162,012

Less: Accumulated depreciation
 
(113,015
)
 
(107,038
)
Property, plant and equipment, net
 
$
56,729

 
$
54,974


Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not subject to amortization, but are subject to annual impairment testing. Other intangible assets with definite lives, consisting primarily of purchased customer relationships, patents, trademarks and non-compete agreements, are amortized over periods from one to twenty-five years.
The Company’s goodwill is tested for impairment annually, during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. The Company performs impairment reviews for its reporting units using a fair value method based on management’s judgments and assumptions. In estimating the fair value, the Company utilizes a discounted cash flow model, which is dependent on a number of assumptions, most significantly forecasted revenues and operating profit margins, and the weighted average cost of capital. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit is compared to the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recorded and should not exceed the total amount of the goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. Indefinite lived intangible assets are also subject to an annual impairment test. On an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired, the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated by the Company to determine if an impairment charge is required. A considerable amount of management judgment is required in performing impairment tests, principally in determining the fair value of each reporting unit and the indefinite lived intangible assets.
Product Warranty Costs: The Company generally offers its customers an assurance warranty on products sold, although warranty periods may vary by product type and application. The reserve for future warranty claims, which is recorded within the "Other current liabilities" line on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, is based on historical claim rates and current warranty cost experience. The following is a rollforward of the changes in product warranty reserves for fiscal years 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
Beginning balance
 
$
931

 
$
1,353

Provision for warranties
 
1,326

 
962

Warranty payments and costs incurred
 
(1,077
)
 
(1,388
)
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates
 
(35
)
 
4

Ending balance
 
$
1,145

 
$
931


Revenue from Contracts with Customers: The Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation in a contract by transferring control of a distinct good or service to a customer. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and revenue is measured based on the consideration that the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for the goods or services transferred. When contracts include multiple products or services to be delivered to the customer, the consideration for each element is generally allocated on the standalone transaction prices of the separate performance obligations, using the adjusted market assessment approach.
Under normal circumstances, the Company invoices the customer once transfer of control has occurred and has a right to payment. The typical payment terms vary based on the customer and the types of goods and services in the contract. The period of time between invoicing and when payment is due is not significant, as our standard payment terms are less than one year. Amounts billed and due from customers are classified as receivables on the balance sheet.
Customer sales are recorded net of allowances for returns and discounts, which are recognized as a deduction from sales at the time of sale. The Company commits to one-time or on-going trade discounts and promotions with customers that require the Company to estimate and accrue the ultimate costs of such programs.The Company generally does not require collateral or other security for receivables and provides for an allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical experience and a review of its existing receivables. Accounts receivable are stated net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $5.1 million and $5.0 million at August 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.  
Taxes Collected: Taxes collected by the Company from a customer concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from "Net sales" within the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Shipping and Handling Costs: The Company records costs associated with shipping its products after control over a product has transferred to a customer and are accounted for as fulfillment costs. These costs are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in "Cost of products sold."
Research and Development Costs: Research and development costs consist primarily of an allocation of overall engineering and development resources and are expensed as incurred. Such costs incurred in the development of new products or significant improvements to existing products were $9.3 million, $8.7 million and $8.9 million in fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company also incurs significant costs in connection with fulfilling custom orders and developing solutions for unique customer needs which are not included in these research and development expense totals.
Other Income/Expense: Other income and expense primarily consists of net foreign currency exchange transaction losses of $0.2 million and $3.6 million in fiscal 2019 and 2017, respectively, with a gain of less than $0.1 million in fiscal 2018.
Financing Costs: Financing costs represent interest expense, financing fees and amortization of debt issuance costs, net of interest income. Interest income was $0.7 million for fiscal 2019 and $1.2 million for both fiscal 2018 and 2017.
Income Taxes: The provision for income taxes includes federal, state, local and non-U.S. taxes on income. Tax credits, primarily for non-U.S. earnings, are recognized as a reduction of the provision for income taxes in the year in which they are available for U.S. tax purposes. Deferred taxes are provided on temporary differences between assets and liabilities for financial and tax reporting purposes as measured by enacted tax rates expected to apply when temporary differences are settled or realized. Future tax benefits are recognized to the extent that realization of those benefits is considered to be more likely than not. A valuation allowance is established for deferred tax assets for which realization is not more likely than not of being realized. The Company has not provided for any residual U.S. income taxes on unremitted earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries, as such earnings are intended to be indefinitely reinvested. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.
Foreign Currency Translation: The financial statements of the Company’s foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate at each balance sheet date for assets and liabilities and an appropriate weighted average exchange rate for each applicable period within the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Translation adjustments are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity caption “Accumulated other comprehensive loss.”
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss: The following is a summary of the components included within accumulated other comprehensive loss (in thousands):
 
 
August 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Foreign currency translation adjustments
 
$
151,115

 
$
158,497

Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of tax
 
20,557

 
15,748

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
$
171,672

 
$
174,245


Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The Company regularly evaluates the estimates and assumptions related to the allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory valuation, warranty reserves, fair value of stock-based awards, goodwill, intangible and long-lived asset valuations, employee benefit plan liabilities, over time revenue recognition, income tax liabilities, deferred tax assets and related valuation allowances, uncertain tax positions, restructuring reserves, and litigation and other loss contingencies. Actual results could differ materially and adversely from those estimates and assumptions, and such results could materially affect the Company’s consolidated net income, financial position, or cash flows.
With the divestiture of the EC&S segment the Company now meets the threshold requirements of Regulation S-X 5-03(1) to breakout sales and cost of sales by various categories on the Statements of Operations. The Company manages the profitability of its product and service & rental categories on a combined basis given the complexity of the business model. This model includes providing integrated product and service solutions resulting in facilities that generate revenues from both product and service & rental categories, which also have significant indirect and facility overhead costs included in cost of sales. As such, significant judgment and estimates are required to disaggregate product and service & rental cost of sales including allocating indirect and facility overhead costs between cost of product sales and the cost of service & rental sales. Changes in these judgments and estimates could materially change the allocation of the indirect and facility overhead costs to the different sales categories and the resulting ratio of cost of sales to net sales by category. Because the sales mix heavily favors the product category, a change in the mix of cost of sales between the sales categories would have a more significant impact on the ratio of cost of sales to net sales for the service & rental category. In addition, due to the recent changes in our business model, which includes the integration of the Enerpac and Hydratight businesses within the IT&S segment, the decision to exit certain non-strategic businesses and product lines, and the restructuring actions taken by the Company, the historical ratios of cost of sales to net sales by category may not be indicative of future ratios of cost of sales to net sales by category.
Subsequent Events: Subsequent to August 31, 2019, the Company divested certain assets and liabilities of two non-core product lines for cash proceeds of $8.5 million.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Under ASU 2014-09 and subsequent updates included in ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-12, ASU 2017-13 and ASU 2017-14 (collectively referred to as Accounting Standards Codification 606 “ASC 606”), an entity will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects what it expects to receive in exchange for the goods or services. It also requires more detailed disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. This guidance was adopted by the Company on September 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method and was applied to contracts that were not completed or substantially complete as of September 1, 2018. Results for the reporting period beginning after September 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior year amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the Company’s historical accounting policy in accordance with ASC 605 Revenue Recognition. The Company reported a net increase to opening retained earnings of $0.1 million on September 1, 2018 as a result of the cumulative impact of adopting ASC 606. See Note 2, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” for further discussion of the adoption of ASC 606.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, which changes how employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement benefit plans present the net periodic benefit cost in the income statement. The new guidance requires the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost to be presented in the same income statement line items as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. Other components of the net periodic benefit cost are to be stated separately from service cost and outside of operating income. This guidance was adopted by the Company on September 1, 2018. Due to a majority of the Company's defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans being frozen and the net periodic benefit pension cost not being significant, the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statements of the Company. However, prior year amounts have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect this change in accounting principle.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016‑15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, to address how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. This update addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. This guidance was adopted on September 1, 2018. The adoption did not have an impact on the financial statements of the Company.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (and subsequently ASU 2018-01 and ASU 2019-01), to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing all lease transactions on the balance sheet as a lease liability and a right-of-use asset. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company will adopt this standard in the first quarter of fiscal year ending November 30, 2019 (fiscal 2020) using a modified retrospective approach and through implementing selected third-party lease software utilized as a central repository for all leases. We will make certain elections including the package of practical expedients allowing us to not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts contain leases, the lease classification for any expired or existing leases, and initial direct costs for any existing leases. In addition, we will elect not to recognize right of use (“ROU”) assets or lease liabilities for leases containing terms of 12 months or less, and the Company will elect to not separate lease components from non-lease components for all asset classes. As of September 1, 2019, the Company anticipates additions to the balance sheet of right-of-use assets, offset by the associated liabilities, of approximately $55 million to $65 million. We do not expect adoption to have a significant impact on our consolidated statements of operations or consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company is finalizing its accounting policies, controls, processes, and disclosures that will change as a result of adopting the new standard.
In addition, as a result of sale leaseback transactions in previous years for which gains were deferred which under the new standard would have been recognized, the Company will record an increase to retained earnings of $0.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 which represents the recognition of these previously deferred gains.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which allows companies to reclassify stranded income tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings in their consolidated financial statements. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 (fiscal 2020 for the Company), including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company will adopt the guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 which will result in an increase to retained earnings with an offsetting increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $3.5 million.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not subject to amortization, but are subject to annual impairment testing. Other intangible assets with definite lives, consisting primarily of purchased customer relationships, patents, trademarks and non-compete agreements, are amortized over periods from one to twenty-five years.
The Company’s goodwill is tested for impairment annually, during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill might be impaired. The Company performs impairment reviews for its reporting units using a fair value method based on management’s judgments and assumptions. In estimating the fair value, the Company utilizes a discounted cash flow model, which is dependent on a number of assumptions, most significantly forecasted revenues and operating profit margins, and the weighted average cost of capital. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit is compared to the carrying amount of the reporting unit, including goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recorded and should not exceed the total amount of the goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. Indefinite lived intangible assets are also subject to an annual impairment test. On an annual basis, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired, the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated by the Company to determine if an impairment charge is required. A considerable amount of management judgment is required in performing impairment tests, principally in determining the fair value of each reporting unit and the indefinite lived intangible assets.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy
New Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Under ASU 2014-09 and subsequent updates included in ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-12, ASU 2017-13 and ASU 2017-14 (collectively referred to as Accounting Standards Codification 606 “ASC 606”), an entity will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects what it expects to receive in exchange for the goods or services. It also requires more detailed disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. This guidance was adopted by the Company on September 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method and was applied to contracts that were not completed or substantially complete as of September 1, 2018. Results for the reporting period beginning after September 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior year amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the Company’s historical accounting policy in accordance with ASC 605 Revenue Recognition. The Company reported a net increase to opening retained earnings of $0.1 million on September 1, 2018 as a result of the cumulative impact of adopting ASC 606. See Note 2, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” for further discussion of the adoption of ASC 606.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, which changes how employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement benefit plans present the net periodic benefit cost in the income statement. The new guidance requires the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost to be presented in the same income statement line items as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. Other components of the net periodic benefit cost are to be stated separately from service cost and outside of operating income. This guidance was adopted by the Company on September 1, 2018. Due to a majority of the Company's defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans being frozen and the net periodic benefit pension cost not being significant, the adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statements of the Company. However, prior year amounts have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect this change in accounting principle.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016‑15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, to address how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. This update addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. This guidance was adopted on September 1, 2018. The adoption did not have an impact on the financial statements of the Company.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (and subsequently ASU 2018-01 and ASU 2019-01), to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing all lease transactions on the balance sheet as a lease liability and a right-of-use asset. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company will adopt this standard in the first quarter of fiscal year ending November 30, 2019 (fiscal 2020) using a modified retrospective approach and through implementing selected third-party lease software utilized as a central repository for all leases. We will make certain elections including the package of practical expedients allowing us to not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts contain leases, the lease classification for any expired or existing leases, and initial direct costs for any existing leases. In addition, we will elect not to recognize right of use (“ROU”) assets or lease liabilities for leases containing terms of 12 months or less, and the Company will elect to not separate lease components from non-lease components for all asset classes. As of September 1, 2019, the Company anticipates additions to the balance sheet of right-of-use assets, offset by the associated liabilities, of approximately $55 million to $65 million. We do not expect adoption to have a significant impact on our consolidated statements of operations or consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company is finalizing its accounting policies, controls, processes, and disclosures that will change as a result of adopting the new standard.
In addition, as a result of sale leaseback transactions in previous years for which gains were deferred which under the new standard would have been recognized, the Company will record an increase to retained earnings of $0.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 which represents the recognition of these previously deferred gains.
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which allows companies to reclassify stranded income tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings in their consolidated financial statements. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 (fiscal 2020 for the Company), including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company will adopt the guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 which will result in an increase to retained earnings with an offsetting increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss of $3.5 million.