Accounting Principles and Practices

Advertising

Costs associated with advertising are expensed as incurred and are included in selling expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Advertising expenses were $1,748,000, $1,690,000, and $2,147,000 in fiscal 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers as cash equivalents all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less.

Concentrations of Labor

Approximately 10% of the Company’s employees are represented by three separate U.S. collective bargaining agreements which expire September 2017, April 2018, and May 2020. We plan to negotiate a new agreement for the plan that expires in September 2017.

Consolidation

These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its global subsidiaries; all significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Foreign Currency Translations

The Company translates foreign currency financial statements as described in Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 830, “Foreign Currency Matters.” Under this method, all items of income and expense are translated to U.S. dollars at average exchange rates during the year. All assets and liabilities are translated to U.S. dollars at the year-end exchange rate. Gains or losses on translations are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the shareholders’ equity section of the balance sheet. The functional currency is the foreign currency in which the foreign subsidiaries conduct their business. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are reported in foreign currency exchange loss (gain). There were net losses, including changes in the fair value of derivatives, on foreign currency transactions of approximately $1,232,000, $2,215,000, and $863,000 in fiscal 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

Goodwill

Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist, in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 350-20-35-1. Goodwill impairment is deemed to exist if the net book value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value. The fair value of a reporting unit is determined using a discounted cash flow methodology. The Company’s reporting units are determined based upon whether discrete financial information is available and reviewed regularly, whether those units constitute a business, and the extent of economic similarities and interdependencies between those reporting units for purposes of aggregation. The Company’s reporting units identified under ASC Topic 350-20-35-33 are at the component level, or one level below the reporting segment level as defined under ASC Topic 280-10-50-10 “Segment Reporting – Disclosure.” The Company’s one segment is subdivided into four reporting units.

When the Company evaluates the potential for goodwill impairment, it assesses a range of qualitative factors including, but not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry conditions, the competitive environment, changes in the market for its products and services, regulatory and political developments, entity specific factors such as strategy and changes in key personnel, and overall financial performance. If, after completing this assessment, it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value or if economic or other business factors indicate that the fair value of our reporting units may have declined since our last quantitative test, the Company proceeds to a two-step impairment test.

To perform the two-step impairment test, the Company uses the discounted cash flow method to estimate the fair value of the reporting units. The discounted cash flow method incorporates various assumptions, the most significant being projected revenue growth rates, operating profit margins and cash flows, the terminal growth rate, and the discount rate. The Company projects revenue growth rates, operating margins and cash flows based on each reporting unit’s current business, expected developments and operational strategies over a five-year period. In estimating the terminal growth rate, the Company considers its historical and projected results, as well as the economic environment in which its reporting units operate. The discount rates utilized for each reporting unit reflect the Company’s assumptions of marketplace participants’ cost of capital and risk assumptions, both specific to the reporting unit and overall in the economy.

The Company performed its qualitative assessment as of February 28, 2017 and determined that the two-step goodwill impairment test should be performed for both the Rest of Products reporting unit and the Duff-Norton reporting unit. Based on the results of step one of the two-step impairment test, the Company determined that the Rest of Products and Duff Norton reporting units' fair value was not less than its applicable carrying value. See Note 8 for further discussion of goodwill and intangible assets.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company assesses impairment of its long-lived assets in accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 360 “Property, Plant, and Equipment.” This statement requires long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and purchased intangibles subject to amortization to be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset group to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group over its remaining useful life. If the carrying amount of an asset group exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized equal to the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset group. The fair values are determined in accordance with ASC 820.

In assessing long-lived assets for an impairment loss, assets are grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. Asset grouping requires a significant amount of judgment. Accordingly, facts and circumstances will influence how asset groups are determined for impairment testing. In assessing long-lived assets for impairment, management considered the Company’s product line portfolio, customers and related commercial agreements, labor agreements and other factors in grouping assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are independent. The Company considers projected future undiscounted cash flows, trends and other factors in its assessment of whether impairment conditions exist. While the Company believes that its estimates of future cash flows are reasonable, different assumptions regarding such factors as future production volumes, customer pricing, economics, and productivity and cost initiatives, could significantly affect its estimates. In determining fair value of long-lived assets, management uses management estimates, discounted cash flow calculations, and appraisals where necessary.

Intangible Assets

At acquisition, the Company estimates and records the fair value of purchased intangible assets which primarily consist of trade names, customer relationships, and technology. The fair values are estimated based on management’s assessment as well as independent third party appraisals. Such valuations may include a discounted cash flow of anticipated revenues resulting from the acquired intangible asset.

Amortization of intangible assets with finite lives is recognized over their estimated useful lives using an amortization method that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are consumed or otherwise realized. The straight line method is used for customer relationships. As a result of the negligible attrition rate in our customer base, the difference between the straight line method and attrition method is not considered significant. The estimated useful lives for our intangible assets range from 1 to 25 years.

Similar to goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets (including trademarks on our recent acquisitions) are tested for impairment on an annual basis. The methodology used to value trademarks is the relief from royalty method. The recorded book value of these trademarks in excess of the calculated fair value is an indicator of impairment. The key estimate used in this calculation consists of an overall royalty rate applied to the sales covered by the trademark. After performing this analysis, we determined that the trademark of STB with a balance of $1,125,000 was fully impaired. Our other indefinite-lived trademarks were also tested for impairment. It was determined that the fair value of these trademarks exceeded their book values, and as such, no other impairment was recorded.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost of approximately 29% and 34% of inventories at March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, respectively, have been determined using the LIFO (last-in, first-out) method. Costs of other inventories have been determined using the FIFO (first-in, first-out) or average cost method. FIFO cost approximates replacement cost. Costs in inventory include components for direct labor and overhead costs. The decrease in the percentage of LIFO inventory is due to the acquisition of STAHL which determines the cost of its inventory using the FIFO method.

Marketable Securities

All of the Company’s marketable securities, which consist of equity and fixed income securities, have been classified as available-for-sale securities and are therefore recorded at their fair values with the unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the shareholders’ equity section of the consolidated balance sheet unless unrealized losses are deemed to be other than temporary. In such instance, the unrealized losses are reported in the consolidated statements of operations within investment income. Estimated fair value is based on published trading values at the balance sheet dates. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Interest and dividend income are included in investment income in the consolidated statements of operations.

The marketable securities are carried as long-term assets since they are held for the settlement of the Company’s general and products liability insurance claims filed through CM Insurance Company, Inc., a wholly owned captive insurance subsidiary. The marketable securities are not available for general working capital purposes.

Property, Plant, and Equipment

Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated principally using the straight-line method over their respective estimated useful lives (buildings and building equipment—15 to 40 years; machinery and equipment—3 to 18 years). When depreciable assets are retired, or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in operating results. Included within other assets is a building that is held for sale in the amount of $425,000 at March 31, 2017 and 2016. The building was closed as part of the Company's fiscal 2010 restructuring activities. During the year ended March 31, 2017 the Company did not change the assets held for sale value.

Research and Development

Research and development (R&D) costs as defined in ASC Topic 730, “Research and Development,” were $10,380,000, $7,393,000, and $5,242,000 for the years ended March 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively, and are classified as general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations. The acquisition of STAHL added $212,000 to R&D costs for the year ended March 31, 2017.

Revenue Recognition, Accounts Receivable and Concentration of Credit Risk

Sales are recorded when title passes to the customer which is generally at time of shipment to the customer. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition, but generally does not require collateral to support customer receivables. The credit risk is controlled through credit approvals, limits, and monitoring procedures. Accounts receivable are reported at net realizable value and do not accrue interest. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends, and other factors. Accounts receivable are charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts once all collection efforts have been exhausted. The Company does not routinely permit customers to return product. However, sales returns are permitted in specific situations and typically include a restocking charge or the purchase of additional product. Sales tax is excluded from revenue.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs are a component of cost of products sold.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company records stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation.” This Statement requires all equity-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the consolidated statements of operations based on the grant date fair value of the award. Stock compensation expense is included in cost of goods sold, selling, and general and administrative expense. The Company uses a straight-line method of attributing the value of stock-based compensation expense, subject to minimum levels of expense, based on vesting. See Note 14 for further discussion of stock-based compensation.

Leases

All leases are reviewed for capital or operating classification at their inception. Rent expense for leases that contain scheduled rent increases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, including any option periods included in the determination of the lease term.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Warranties

The Company offers warranties for certain products it sells. The specific terms and conditions of those warranties vary depending upon the product sold and the country in which the Company sold the product. The Company generally provides a basic limited warranty, including parts and labor for any product deemed to be defective for a period of one year and for certain products, a lifetime warranty. The Company estimates the costs that may be incurred under its basic limited warranty, based largely upon actual warranty repair costs history, and records a liability in the amount of such costs in the month that the product revenue is recognized. The resulting accrual balance is reviewed during the year. Factors that affect the Company’s warranty liability include the number of units sold, historical and anticipated rate of warranty claims, and cost per claim. Changes in the Company’s product warranty accrual are as follows:



	March 31,
	2017			2016
Balance at beginning of year	$	1,229		$	655
Accrual for warranties issued	1,988			2,618
Warranties settled	(2,084		)	(2,420		)
Warranties assumed in STAHL acquisition	2,948			—
Warranties assumed in Magnetek acquisition	—			376
Balance at end of year	$	4,081		$	1,229