BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation — The accompanying audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and all of its subsidiaries included herein have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").

The audited consolidated financial statements include the assets and liabilities used in operating the Company's business. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The results of companies acquired or disposed of are included in the audited consolidated financial statements from the effective date of acquisition or up to the date of disposal.

Fiscal Periods

Fiscal Periods — The Company has a fiscal year that ends on September 30. The Company's fiscal quarters typically end on the last Friday in December, March and June as it follows a 4-5-4 calendar.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates — The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclose contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and report the associated amounts of revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition — The Company’s revenue arrangements primarily consist of a single performance obligation to transfer promised goods which is satisfied at a point in time when title, risks and rewards of ownership, and subsequently control have transferred to the customer. This generally occurs when the product is shipped to the customer, with an immaterial amount of transactions in which control transfers upon delivery. The Company primarily offers assurance-type standard warranties that do not represent separate performance obligations.

The Company has certain arrangements that require it to estimate at the time of sale the amounts of variable consideration that should not be recorded as revenue as certain amounts are not expected to be collected from customers, as well as an estimate of the value of products to be returned. The Company principally relies on historical experience, specific

customer agreements, and anticipated future trends to estimate these amounts at the time of sale and to reduce the transaction price. These arrangements include sales discounts and allowances, volume rebates, and returned goods.

The Company has elected to utilize certain practical expedients available under GAAP. The Company records amounts billed to customers for reimbursement of shipping and handling costs within revenue. Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight after control over a product has transferred to a customer are accounted for as fulfillment costs and are included in cost of sales. Sales taxes and other usage-based taxes are excluded from revenue. The practical expedient not to disclose information about remaining performance obligations has also been elected as these obligations have an original duration of one year or less. The Company does not evaluate whether the selling price includes a financing interest component for contracts that are less than a year. The Company also expenses costs incurred to obtain a contract, primarily sales commissions, as all obligations will be settled in less than one year.

The Company typically receives payment 30 to 60 days from the point it has satisfied the related performance obligation. See Note 20, ''Segment Information'' for revenue disaggregated by geography and product categories.

Cost of Sales

Cost of Sales — The Company includes all costs directly related to the production of goods for sale in cost of sales in the statement of operations. These costs include direct material, direct labor, production related overheads, excess and obsolescence costs, lower of cost or market provisions, freight and distribution costs, and the depreciation and amortization of assets directly used in the production of goods for sale.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses — These amounts primarily include payroll-related expenses for both administrative and selling personnel, compensation expense from stock-based awards, restructuring-related charges, third-party professional services and transactional gains or losses for foreign currency transactions, excluding the foreign exchange exposure for intercompany loan transactions, which is included in Other income, net.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents — The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts — The Company carries its accounts receivable at their face amounts less an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts receivable reflects the best estimate of losses inherent in the Company's accounts receivable portfolio determined on the basis of historical experience, specific allowances for known troubled accounts and other available evidence.

Inventories

Inventories — Inventories are recorded at the lower of cost (primarily LIFO) or market value. The Company estimates losses for excess and obsolete inventory through an assessment of its net realizable value based on the aging of the inventory and an evaluation of the likelihood of recovering the inventory costs based on anticipated demand and selling price.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment — Property, plant and equipment, net, is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and repair expenditures are charged to expense when incurred. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:

Buildings	4 to 40 years
Building improvements	3 to 20 years
Machinery and equipment	1 to 20 years
Leasehold improvements	Lesser of remaining term of the lease or useful life
Software	2 to 10 years

The internal and external costs incurred to develop internal use computer software during the application development stage of the implementation, including the design of the chosen path, are capitalized. Other costs, including expenses incurred during the preliminary project stage, training expenses, data conversion costs and expenses incurred in the post implementation stage are expensed in the period incurred. Capitalized costs are amortized ratably over the useful life of the software when the software becomes operational. Upgrades and enhancements to internal use software are capitalized only if the costs result in additional functionality. The Company does not plan to sell or market our internal use computer software to third parties.

Long-Lived Asset Impairments

Long-Lived Asset and Finite - Lived Intangible Asset Impairments — The Company reviews long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and finite-lived intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be fully recoverable.

The Company groups assets at the lowest level for which cash flows are separately identified in order to measure an impairment. Recoverability of an asset or asset group is first measured by a comparison of the carrying amount to its estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group. If the carrying amount exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds the estimated fair value. If impairment is determined to exist, any related impairment loss is calculated based on the estimated fair value. Impairment losses on assets to be disposed of or held for sale, if any, are based on the estimated proceeds to be received, less costs of disposal.

The Company also considers potential impairment indicators associated with other finite-lived intangible assets, including its customer relationships, patents, and non-compete agreements. An impairment is recognized if the carrying value of an asset or asset group exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset or asset group and its eventual disposition. The Company's key customers are primarily wholesale and national distributors. The terms of these relationships are based on purchase orders and are not contractually based. Customer relationships are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives, ranging from 6 to 14 years. The Company evaluates the appropriateness of remaining useful lives based on customer attrition rates. Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-lined basis over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 1 to 20 years.

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Impairments

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Asset Impairments — The Company assesses the recoverability of goodwill and indefinite-lived trade names on an annual basis in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 350 "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other." The measurement date is the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter, or more frequently, if events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or the respective indefinite-lived trade name is less than the carrying value. The Company can elect to perform a quantitative or qualitative test of impairment.

For fiscal 2020, 2019 and 2018 Company performed a quantitative impairment assessment for goodwill. Additionally, the economic impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak were more substantial for the Company’s reporting unit related to its operations in Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), due to the cross-border transactions that occur within those operations, the cross-border interactions needed to fully realize the synergies associated with recent in-region acquisitions and the COVID-19 related closing of these borders. The Company deemed the economic related developments of the outbreak to be a triggering event for the EMEA reporting unit as of March 27, 2020 and performed an interim goodwill impairment test as of that date. The Company calculated the fair value of its six reporting units considering three valuation approaches: (a) the income approach; (b) the guideline public company method; and (c) the comparable transaction method.  The income approach calculates the fair value of the reporting unit using a discounted cash flow approach. Internally forecasted future cash flows, which the Company believes reasonably approximate market participant assumptions, are discounted using a weighted average cost of capital (Discount Rate) developed for each reporting unit. The Discount Rate is developed using market observable inputs, as well as considering whether or not there is a measure of risk related to the specific reporting unit’s forecasted performance.  The key uncertainties in these calculations are the assumptions used in determining the reporting unit’s forecasted future performance, including revenue growth and EBITDA margins, as well as the perceived risk associated with those forecasts, along with selecting representative market multiples. Fair value under the guideline public company method is determined for each reporting unit by applying market multiples for comparable public companies to the reporting unit’s financial results. Fair value under the comparable transaction method is determined based on exchange prices in actual transactions and on asking prices for controlling interests in public or private companies currently offered for sale by applying market multiples for comparable public companies to the unit’s financial results. The key uncertainties in the guideline public company method and the comparable transaction method calculations are the assumptions used in determining the reporting unit's comparable public companies, comparable transactions and the selection of the market multiples.   

The Company did not record any goodwill impairments in fiscal 2020, 2019 or 2018.

As noted above, ASC 350 also requires that the Company test the indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually. Under ASC 350, if the carrying value of the indefinite-lived asset is higher than its fair value, then the asset is deemed to be impaired and the impairment charge is estimated as the excess carrying value over the fair value. The Company calculated the fair value of its indefinite-lived intangible assets using the income approach, specifically the relief-from-royalty method. The relief-from-royalty method is used to estimate the cost savings that accrue to the owner of an intangible asset who would otherwise have to pay royalties or license fees on revenues earned through the use of the asset. Internally forecasted revenues, which the Company believes reasonably approximate market participant assumptions, are multiplied by a royalty rate to arrive at the estimated net after tax cost savings. The royalty rate used in the analysis is based on an analysis of empirical, market-derived royalty rates for guideline intangible assets. The net after tax cost savings are discounted using the Discount

Rate. The Discount Rate is developed using market observable inputs, as well as considering whether or not there is a measure of risk related to the specific indefinite lived intangible assets' forecasted performance.  The key uncertainties in these calculations are the assumptions used in determining the revenue associated with each indefinite-lived intangible asset and the royalty rate.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements — Authoritative guidance for fair value measurements establishes a three-level hierarchy that ranks the quality and reliability of information used in developing fair value estimates. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets and the lowest priority to unobservable data. In cases where two or more levels of inputs are used to determine fair value, a financial instrument's level is determined based on the lowest level input that is considered significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are summarized as follows:

Level 1-inputs are based upon quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities which are accessible as of the measurement date.

Level 2-inputs are based upon quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and model-derived valuations for the asset or liability that are derived principally from or corroborated by market data for which the primary inputs are observable, including forward interest rates, yield curves, credit risk and exchange rates.

Level 3-inputs for the valuations are unobservable and are based on management's estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The fair values are therefore determined using model-based techniques such as option pricing models and discounted cash flow models.

Income Taxes and Uncertain Tax Positions

Income Taxes and Uncertain Tax Positions — The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the consolidated financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year it is expected the differences will reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period of the enactment date.

The Company periodically assesses the realizability of the deferred tax assets. In making this determination management considers all available evidence, both positive and negative, including earnings history, expectations of future taxable income and available tax planning strategies. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the Company's deferred tax assets to the amount that is considered more likely than not to be realized. Changes in the required valuation allowance are recorded in income in the period such determination is made.

Certain tax positions may be considered uncertain requiring an assessment of whether an allowance should be recorded. Provisions for uncertain tax positions provide a recognition threshold based on an estimate of whether it is more likely than not that a position will be sustained upon examination. The Company measures its uncertain tax positions as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than a 50% likelihood of being realized upon examination. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recorded as a component of income tax expense.

Leases

Leases — For fiscal 2019 and 2018, under ASC 840, all leases that are determined not to meet any of the capital lease criteria are classified as operating leases. Operating lease payments are recognized as an expense in the statement of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

For fiscal 2020, as a result of the adoption of ASC 842, the Company recognizes if an arrangement is a lease at the inception of the contract. The Company determines which party has the right to control an asset during the contract term and recognizes a Right of Use ("ROU") asset and lease obligations based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the term of the lease. Refer to Note 2 for further discussion of the Company’s accounting policy for leases.

The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within Topic 842, which allowed us to carry forward prior conclusions about lease identification, classification and initial direct costs for leases entered into prior to adoption of Topic 842. Additionally, for leases with a term of 12 months or less, the Company elected the short-term lease exemption, which allowed us to not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities for qualifying leases existing at transition and new leases we may enter into in the future. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are classified as short-term leases and are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. The lease expense for short-term leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The Company engages in leasing transactions to meet the needs of the business. The Company leases certain manufacturing facilities, warehouses and distribution centers, office space, forklifts, vehicles and other machinery and equipment. The determination to lease, rather than purchase, an asset is primarily contingent upon capital requirements, duration of the forecasted business investment, and asset availability.

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception and all arrangements deemed to be leases are subject to an assessment to determine the classification between finance and operating leases. The Company's significant assumptions and judgments in determining whether a contract is or contains a lease include establishing whether the supplier has the ability to use other assets to fulfill its service or whether the terms of the agreement enable the Company to control the use of a dedicated property, plant and equipment asset during the contract term. In the majority of the Company's contracts where it must identify whether a lease is present, it is readily determinable that the Company controls the use of the assets and obtains substantially all of the economic benefit during the term of the contract. In those contracts where identification is not readily determinable, the Company has determined that the supplier has either the ability to use another asset to provide the service or the terms of the contract give the supplier the rights to operate the asset at its discretion during the term of the contract, in which case the arrangement would not constitute a lease.

Right-of-use assets and lease obligations are recognized based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term as of the commencement date. The Company’s lease agreements have terms that include both lease and non-lease components. Lease component fees are included in the present value of future minimum lease payments. Conversely, non-lease components are not subject to capitalization and are expensed as incurred. Per Topic 842, the contractual interest rate is used to calculate the present value of the future minimum lease payments. However, the majority of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate. Therefore, the Company's significant assumption and judgments in determining the discount rate include determining the incremental borrowing rate. The Company’s incremental borrowing rates are based on the term of the lease, the economic environment of the lease and the effect of collateralization. The valuation of the ROU asset also includes lease payments made in advance of the lease commencement date and initial direct costs incurred to secure the lease and is reduced for lease incentives. The lease terms include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise the options.

Translation of Foreign Currency

Translation of Foreign Currency — For the Company's non-U.S. subsidiaries that report in a functional currency other than United States dollars, assets and liabilities are translated into United States dollars using year-end exchange rates. Revenue and expenses are translated at the monthly average exchange rates in effect during the fiscal year. Foreign currency translation adjustments are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss within the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

A summary of recently adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU")s are as follows. Adoption dates are on the first day of the fiscal year indicated below, unless otherwise specified.

Adopted Guidance
ASU	Description of ASU	Impact to Atkore	Note	Adoption Date
2016-02 Leases (Topic 842)	The ASU requires companies to use a "right of use" lease model that assumes that each lease creates an asset (the lessee's right to use the leased asset) and a liability (the future rent payment obligations), which should be reflected on a lessee's balance sheet to fairly represent the lease transaction and the lessee's related financial obligations with terms of more than 12 months.	The Company adopted the guidance in the first quarter of 2020 using the modified retrospective method. See Note 2, "Leases" for further detail.	2	2020
2018-14 Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans	The ASU amends ASC 715 to add, remove and clarify disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans.	The Company elected to adopt the guidance early in the quarter ended September 30, 2020. There was no material impact to the consolidated financial statements as a result of the adoption of ASU 2018-14. See Note 5, "Post Retirement Benefits" for further detail.	5	2020

A summary of guidance not yet adopted are as follows:

Guidance not yet adopted
ASU	Description of ASU	Impact to Atkore	Effective Date
2016-13 Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)	The ASU adds to U.S. GAAP an impairment model (known as the current expected credit loss (CECL) model) that is based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Under the new guidance, an entity recognizes as an allowance its estimate of expected credit losses, which the FASB believes will result in more timely recognition of such losses.	The Company adopted this standard in the first quarter of 2021. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company implemented the appropriate changes to business processes and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new standard.	2021
2019-12, Simplifying the accounting for income taxes (Topics 740)	The ASU eliminates certain existing exceptions related to the general approach in ASC 740 relating to franchise taxes, reducing complexity in the interim period accounting for year to date loss limitations and changes in tax laws, and clarifying the accounting for transactions outside of business combination that result in a step up in the tax basis of goodwill.	Under evaluation. Based on procedures performed to date, the Company does not anticipate the adoption of this ASU to be material to the financial statements.	2022
2020-04, Reference rate reform Topic 848: Facilitation of the effects of reference rate reform on financial reporting	The ASU addresses constituents’ concerns about certain accounting consequences that could result from the global markets’ anticipated transition away from the use of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates.	Under evaluation.	2022