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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business
Donaldson Company, Inc. (the Company) is a global leader in technology-led filtration products and solutions. The Company’s core strengths include leading filtration technology, diverse business and a global presence. Products are manufactured and sold around the world to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), distributors, dealers and directly to end users.
Principles of Consolidation
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and all its majority-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The Company’s joint ventures are not majority-owned and are accounted for under the equity method.
Certain reclassifications to previously reported financial information on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity have been made to conform to the current period presentation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the Company’s financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States (U.S.) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amount of assets and liabilities and the disclosures regarding contingent assets and liabilities at period end and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Operating Environment
Inflation
While inflation was not significant in the fourth quarter or the twelve months of fiscal 2023, as compared to the prior year, the Company continues to experience the effects of the prior year inflation related to raw materials and other expenses, including labor and energy. These inflationary pressures have had an adverse impact on the Company’s profit margins throughout the twelve months of fiscal 2023 when compared to the prior year, however they have been generally mitigated by pricing actions primarily implemented in the prior year.
Foreign Currency Translation
For most foreign operations, local currencies are considered the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of non-U.S. dollar functional currency entities are translated to U.S. dollars at fiscal year end exchange rates and the resulting gains and losses arising from the translation of net assets located outside the U.S. are recorded as a cumulative translation adjustment, a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Elements of the Consolidated Statements of Earnings are translated at average exchange rates in effect during the fiscal year. Foreign currency transaction losses are included in other income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and were $6.4 million, $6.3 million and $2.9 million in the years ended July 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid temporary investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are carried at cost which approximates market value.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for the fulfillment of performance obligations. The transaction price of a contract could be reduced by variable consideration including volume, purchase rebates and discounts, product refunds and returns. At the time of sale to a customer, the Company records an estimate of variable consideration as a reduction from gross sales. The Company primarily relies on historical experience and anticipated future performance to estimate the variable consideration. Revenue is recognized to the extent it is probable a significant reversal of revenue will not occur when the contingency is resolved. The Company accounts for amounts billed to customers for reimbursement of shipping and handling costs by recording these amounts as revenue and accruing costs when the related revenue is recognized.
For most customer contracts, the Company recognizes revenue at a point in time when control of the goods or services is transferred to the customer. For product sales, control is typically deemed to have transferred in accordance with the shipping terms, either at the time of shipment from the plants or distribution centers or the time of delivery to the customers. Revenue is recognized for services upon completion of those services. Payment terms vary by customer and the geographic location of the customer. The Company’s contracts with customers do not include significant financing components or non-cash consideration.
The Company has some contracts with customers where the performance obligations are satisfied over time. Certain customer contracts provide the Company with an enforceable right to payment of the transaction price for performance completed to date and the Company uses either an input or an output method of production to measure the progress towards the completion of the performance obligation in these arrangements, depending on the nature of the contract. The timing of revenue recognized from these products is slightly accelerated compared to revenue recognized at the time of shipment or delivery.
The Company generally does not incur significant incremental costs related to obtaining or fulfilling a contract prior to the start of a project. The Company may incur certain fulfillment costs such as initial design or mobilization costs which are capitalized if they relate directly to the contract, if they are expected to generate resources that will be used to satisfy the Company’s performance obligation under the contract and if they are expected to be recovered through revenues generated under the contract. Such costs, which are amortized over the life of the respective project, were not material for any period presented.
The Company does not pay upfront sales commissions on contracts when the related contract period is greater than one year and thus has not capitalized any amounts as of July 31, 2023 and 2022, see Note 3.
Shipping and Handling
Shipping and handling costs on products sold of $91.2 million, $96.4 million and $79.2 million are classified as a component of operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended July 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Accounts Receivable, Net and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Accounts receivable, net are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of credit losses in its existing accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based on utilization of a combination of aging schedules with reserve rates applied to both current and aged receivables using historical write-off experience, regional economic data and evaluation of specific customer accounts for risk of loss and changes in current or projected conditions to calculate the allowances related to accounts receivable, net. The Company reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts monthly. Account balances are reviewed on a pooled basis by reporting unit and geographic region and are reserved when the Company determines it is probable the receivable will not be recovered. The Company reduces the receivable and corresponding allowance when it confirms an account is uncollectible.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. U.S. inventories are valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method while the non-U.S. inventories are valued using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Inventories valued at LIFO were approximately 29.7% and 31.6% of total inventories as of July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. For inventories valued under the LIFO method, the FIFO cost exceeded the LIFO carrying values by $56.1 million and $59.7 million as of July 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Results of operations for all periods presented were not materially affected by the liquidation of LIFO inventory.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Additions, improvements or major renewals are capitalized while expenditures that do not enhance or extend the asset’s useful life are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. Depreciation expense was $80.9 million, $85.1 million and $87.1 million in the years ended July 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment are 10 to 40 years for buildings, including building improvements and three to 10 years for machinery and equipment, see Note 5.
Internal-Use Software and Cloud Computing Arrangements
The Company capitalizes direct costs of materials and services used in the development and purchase of internal-use software. Amounts capitalized are amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of five to seven years and are reported as a component of property, plant and equipment.
The Company capitalizes certain costs incurred during the application development stage of implementation of internal-use software in cloud computing arrangements. Amounts capitalized are amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of five to 10 years and are reported as a component of other long-term assets.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations under the purchase method of accounting. Goodwill is assessed for impairment annually or if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate the carrying amount may be impaired. The Company performed its annual impairment assessment during the third quarter of fiscal 2023. The goodwill impairment assessment is conducted at a reporting unit level, which is one level below the operating segment level and utilizes either a qualitative or quantitative assessment. The Company determined the fair value for all its reporting units was substantially in excess of their respective carrying values and there were no indicators of impairment for any of the reporting units evaluated. In addition, as a result of the organizational redesign, the Company performed a qualitative impairment assessment based on the new segments in the second quarter of fiscal 2023 and concluded there was no impairment. An impairment loss would be recognized when the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s net assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, see Note 6.
Intangible assets, comprised of customer relationships, patents, trademarks, technology and non-compete agreements, are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of less than one year to 20 years.
Business Combinations
The Company allocates the purchase price of acquired businesses to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as any contingent consideration, where applicable, as of the date of acquisition. The fair values of the long-lived assets acquired, primarily intangible assets, are determined using calculations which can be complex and require significant judgment. Estimates include many factors such as the nature of the acquired company’s business, its historical financial position and results, technology obsolescence, customer retention rates, discount rates, royalty rates and expected future performance. Independent valuation specialists are used to assist in determining certain fair value calculations.
During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Any adjustments required after the measurement period are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Recoverability of Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including identifiable intangibles, for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If impairment indicators are present and the estimated future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the assets, the carrying value is reduced to the fair market value. There were no indicators of impairment or impairment charges recorded for the years ended July 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes is computed based on the pretax income reported for financial statement purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributed to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are anticipated to reverse. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not a tax benefit will not be realized.
The Company maintains a reserve for uncertain tax benefits. Benefits of tax return positions are recognized in the financial statements when the position is more likely than not to be sustained by the taxing authorities based solely on the technical merits of the position. If the recognition threshold is met, the tax benefit is measured and recognized as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized, in the Company’s judgment, see Note 8.
Leases
The Company determines whether an arrangement that provides control over the use of an asset to the Company is a lease. The Company recognizes a lease liability and corresponding right-of-use asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets based on the present value of future lease payments and recognizes lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term (or at fair values in the case of those leases assumed in an acquisition). Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Variable lease expense is immaterial and primarily includes leases with payments indexed to inflation when the index changes after lease commencement.
The Company has elected to separate payments for lease components from non-lease components for all asset classes. Lease agreements may include extension, termination or purchase options, all of which are considered in calculating the lease liability and right-of-use asset when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise an option. The Company’s incremental borrowing rate on the commencement date is used to calculate the present value of future payments for most leases since the rate implicit in the lease is generally not readily determinable. These rates are assessed on a quarterly basis for measurement of new lease obligations, see Note 9.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expense is recognized using the fair value method for all awards, see Note 13.
Treasury Stock
Repurchased common stock is stated at cost, determined on an average cost basis and is presented as a reduction of stockholders’ equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses include scientific research costs such as salaries, facility costs, testing, technical information technology and administrative expenditures. Research and development expenses are for the application of scientific advances to the development of new and improved products and their uses. Substantially all research and development is performed in-house. Expenses are charged against earnings in the year incurred.
Foreign Currency Forward Contracts - Cash Flow Hedges and Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
The Company buys materials from foreign suppliers. Those transactions can be denominated in those suppliers’ local currency. The Company also sells to customers in foreign countries. Those transactions can be denominated in those customers’ local currency. Both of these transaction types can create volatility in the Company’s financial statements. The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts to manage those exposures and fluctuations. These contracts generally mature in 12 months or less, which is consistent with the forecasts of the related purchases and sales. Certain contracts are designated as cash flow hedges, whereas the remaining contracts, most of which are related to certain intercompany transactions which offset balance sheet exposure, are not designated as hedging instruments, see Notes 12, 15 and 16.
Net Investment Hedges
The Company uses fixed-to-fixed cross-currency swap agreements to hedge its exposure to adverse foreign currency exchange rate movements for its operations in Europe. The Company has elected the spot method for designating these contracts as net investment hedges. The maturity dates range from 2027 to 2029, see Notes 12, 15 and 16.
Interest Rate Swaps - Cash Flow Hedges
The Company uses swap agreements to hedge exposure related to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. The Company enters into interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges to hedge future fixed-rate debt issuances, which effectively fix a portion of interest payments. The Company entered into and terminated agreements within fiscal 2021, see Notes 12, 15 and 16.
Product Warranties
The Company provides for estimated warranty expense at the time of sale and accrues for specific items at the time their existence is known and the amounts are determinable. The Company estimates warranty expense on certain products at the time of sale using quantitative measures based on historical warranty claim experience and evaluation of specific customer warranty issues, see Note 18.
New Significant Accounting Standards Recently Adopted
There were no new significant accounting standards adopted in fiscal 2023 or 2022 that had a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
New Significant Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
The Company considers the applicability and impact of the FASB’s ASUs issued but not yet adopted. The Company assessed ASUs not listed above and determined they were either not applicable or were not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial reporting.
In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805), Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers. This ASU clarifies that an acquirer of a business should recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities in a business combination in accordance with ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) as if the entity had originated the contracts. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, with early application permitted. This ASU is applicable to the Company’s fiscal year beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. This guidance is applicable to all business combinations occurring after the effective date.
In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-03, which amends Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions (ASU 2022-03). This guidance clarifies guidance for fair value measurement of an equity security subject to a contractual sale restriction and establishes new disclosure requirements for such equity securities. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, with early application permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption will have on its financial statements.