Basis of Presentation (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

Novanta Inc. (“Novanta” or the “Company”) is a leading global supplier of core technology solutions that give medical and advanced industrial original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) a competitive advantage. Novanta combines deep proprietary technology expertise and competencies in precision medicine and manufacturing, medical solutions, and robotics and automation with a proven ability to solve complex technical challenges. This enables Novanta to engineer core components and sub-systems that deliver extreme precision and performance, tailored to the customers’ demanding applications.

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company in United States (“U.S.”) dollars and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the instructions to Form 10-Q and the provisions of Regulation S-X pertaining to interim financial statements. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. have been condensed or omitted. The interim consolidated financial statements and notes included in this report should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. In the opinion of management, these interim consolidated financial statements include all adjustments and accruals of a normal and recurring nature necessary to fairly state the results of the interim periods presented. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year or for any future periods.

The Company’s unaudited interim consolidated financial statements are prepared for each quarterly period ending on the Friday closest to the end of the calendar quarter, with the exception of the fourth quarter which always ends on December 31.

During the first quarter of 2023, the Company changed the names of its reportable segments from “Photonics” to “Precision Medicine and Manufacturing”, from “Vision” to “Medical Solutions”, and from “Precision Motion” to “Robotics and Automation”, respectively. The segment name changes did not result in any change to the compositions of the Company's segments and therefore did not result in any change to historical results.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the dates of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed on an on-going basis and the effects of revisions are reflected in the period in which such revisions are deemed to be necessary. The Company evaluates its estimates based on historical experience, current conditions, and various other assumptions that it believes are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ significantly from these estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

None

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when control of promised goods or services is transferred to customers. The transfer of control generally occurs upon shipment when title and risk of loss pass to the customer. The vast majority of the Company’s revenue is generated from the sale of distinct products. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for such products, which is generally at contractually stated prices. Sales taxes and value added taxes collected concurrently with revenue generating activities are excluded from revenue.

Performance Obligations

Substantially all of the Company’s revenue is recognized at a point in time, upon shipment, rather than over time.

At the request of its customers, the Company may perform professional services, generally for the maintenance and repair of products previously sold to those customers and for engineering services. Professional services for the maintenance and repair of

products are typically short in duration, mostly less than one month, and generally involve a single distinct performance obligation. The related revenue is recognized at a point in time when control transfers to the customer upon completion of professional services. The consideration expected to be received in exchange for such services is typically the contractually stated amount. Certain engineering services are longer in duration and the related revenue is recognized over time. As the Company’s right to payment from a customer is based on the value of engineering services performed, the Company recognizes revenue based on the corresponding value to the customer from the Company’s performance completed to date. Revenue from engineering services aggregated to less than 3% of the Company’s consolidated revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and April 1, 2022.

The Company occasionally sells separately priced non-standard/extended warranty services or preventative maintenance plans with the sale of products. The transfer of control over the service plans is over time. The Company recognizes the related revenue ratably over the terms of the service plans. The transaction price of a contract is allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. Standalone selling prices are generally determined based on the prices charged to customers or using the expected cost plus a margin.

Shipping & Handling Costs

The Company accounts for shipping and handling activities that occur after the transfer of control over the related goods as fulfillment activities rather than performance obligations. Shipping and handling fees charged to customers are recognized as revenue and the related costs are recorded in cost of revenue at the time of transfer of control.

Warranties

The standard warranty periods for the Company’s products are typically 12 months to 36 months. The Company recognizes estimated liabilities associated with standard warranty periods for its products in accordance with the provisions of ASC 450, “Contingencies,” as the Company has the ability to ascertain the likelihood of the liabilities and can reasonably estimate the amount of the liabilities. A provision for the estimated cost related to standard warranties is recorded as cost of revenue at the time revenue is recognized. The Company’s estimate of the costs to service the warranty obligations is based on historical experience and expectations of future conditions. To the extent that the Company’s experience in warranty claims or costs associated with servicing those claims differ from the original estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liabilities are recorded at that time, with offsetting adjustments to cost of revenue.

Practical Expedients and Exemptions

The Company expenses incremental direct costs of obtaining a contract when incurred because the expected amortization period is typically one year or less. These costs are recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of operations.

The Company does not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a financing component because the transfer of a promised good to a customer and the customer’s payment for that good are typically one year or less. The Company does not disclose the value of the remaining performance obligation for contracts with an original expected length of one year or less.

Contract Liabilities

Contract liabilities consist of deferred revenue and advance payments from customers, including amounts that are refundable. These contract liabilities are classified as either current or long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet based on the timing of when the Company expects to recognize the related revenue. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, contract liabilities were $7.2 million and $8.4 million, respectively, and are included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The decrease in the contract liability balance during the three months ended March 31, 2023 is primarily due to $4.1 million of revenue recognized during the period that was included in the contract liability balance as of December 31, 2022, partially offset by cash payments received in advance of satisfying performance obligations.

Disaggregated Revenue

See Note 15 for the Company’s disaggregation of revenue by segment, geography and end market.