Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lancaster Colony Corporation and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, collectively referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” “registrant,” or the “Company.” Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. Our fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30. Unless otherwise noted, references to “year” pertain to our fiscal year; for example, 2015 refers to fiscal 2015, which is the period from July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015.

Discontinued Operations

On January 30, 2014, we sold effectively all of the net operating assets of our candle manufacturing and marketing operations. The financial results of these operations are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented herein. See further discussion and disclosure about discontinued operations in Note 3.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant estimates included in these consolidated financial statements include allowances for doubtful accounts receivable and customer deductions, net realizable value of inventories, useful lives for the calculation of depreciation and amortization, impairments of long-lived assets, distribution accruals, tax contingency reserves for uncertain tax positions, pension and postretirement assumptions and self-insurance accruals. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Cash and Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying amounts of our cash and equivalents, including money market funds and commercial paper, approximate fair value due to their short maturities and are considered level 1 investments, which have quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets. As a result of our cash management system, checks issued but not presented to the banks for payment may create negative book cash balances. When such negative balances exist, they are included in other accrued liabilities.

Receivables and Related Allowances

We evaluate the adequacy of our allowances for customer deductions considering several factors including historical experience, specific trade programs and existing customer relationships. We also provide an allowance for doubtful accounts based on the aging of accounts receivable balances, historical write-off experience and on-going reviews of our trade receivables. Measurement of potential losses requires credit review of existing customer relationships, consideration of historical loss experience, including the need to adjust for current conditions, and judgments about the probable effects of relevant observable data, including present economic conditions such as delinquency rates and the economic health of customers.

Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and equivalents and trade accounts receivable. By policy, we limit the amount of credit exposure to any one institution or issuer. Our concentration of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable is mitigated by our credit evaluation process and by having a large and diverse customer base. However, see Note 10 with respect to our accounts receivable with Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and McLane Company, Inc., a wholesale distribution subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market and are costed by various methods that approximate actual cost on a first-in, first-out basis. Due to the nature of our business, work in process inventory is not a material component of inventory. When necessary, we provide allowances to adjust the carrying value of our inventory to the lower of cost or net realizable value, including any costs to sell or dispose. The determination of whether inventory items are slow moving, obsolete or in excess of needs requires estimates about the future demand for our products. The estimates as to future demand used in the valuation of inventory are subject to the ongoing success of our products and may differ from actual due to such factors as changes in customer and consumer demand.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation, except for those acquired as part of a business combination, which are stated at fair value at the time of purchase. We use the straight-line method of computing depreciation for financial reporting purposes based on the estimated useful lives of the corresponding assets. Estimated useful lives for buildings and improvements range generally from 10 to 40 years while machinery and equipment range generally from three to 15 years. For tax purposes, we generally compute depreciation using accelerated methods.

Purchases of property, plant and equipment included in accounts payable and excluded from the property additions and the change in accounts payable in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows at June 30 were as follows:



	2015		2014		2013
Construction in progress in accounts payable	$	189	$	2,755	$	332

The following table sets forth depreciation expense in each of the years ended June 30:



	2015		2014		2013
Depreciation expense	$	18,867	$	17,419	$	16,036

Long-Lived Assets

We monitor the recoverability of the carrying value of our long-lived assets by periodically considering whether indicators of impairment are present. If such indicators are present, we determine if the assets are recoverable by comparing the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows to the assets’ carrying amounts. Our cash flows are based on historical results adjusted to reflect our best estimate of future market and operating conditions. If the carrying amounts are greater, then the assets are not recoverable. In that instance, we compare the carrying amounts to the fair value to determine the amount of the impairment to be recorded.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill is not amortized. It is evaluated annually at April 30, by applying impairment testing procedures, as appropriate. Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives to Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. We evaluate the future economic benefit of the recorded goodwill and other intangible assets when events or circumstances indicate potential recoverability concerns. Carrying amounts are adjusted appropriately when determined to have been impaired. See further discussion regarding goodwill and other intangible assets in Note 7.

Accrued Marketing and Distribution

Various marketing programs are offered to customers to reimburse them for a portion or all of their promotional activities related to our products. Additionally, we often incur various costs associated with shipping products to the customer. We provide accruals for the costs of marketing and distribution based on historical information as may be modified by estimates of actual costs incurred.

Accruals for Self-Insurance

Self-insurance accruals are made for certain claims associated with employee health care, workers’ compensation and general liability insurance. These accruals include estimates that are primarily based on historical loss development factors.

Shareholders’ Equity

We are authorized to issue 3,050,000 shares of preferred stock consisting of 750,000 shares of Class A Participating Preferred Stock with $1.00 par value, 1,150,000 shares of Class B Voting Preferred Stock without par value and 1,150,000 shares of Class C Nonvoting Preferred Stock without par value. Our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase authorization of 2,000,000 shares in November 2010. At June 30, 2015, 1,419,682 shares remained authorized for future purchase.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue upon transfer of title and risk of loss, provided that evidence of an arrangement exists, pricing is fixed or determinable, and collectability is probable. Net sales are recorded net of estimated sales discounts, returns, trade promotions and certain other sales incentives, including coupon redemptions and rebates.

Advertising Expense

We expense advertising as it is incurred. The following table summarizes advertising expense as a percentage of net sales in each of the years ended June 30:



	2015		2014		2013
Advertising expense as a percentage of net sales	2	%	2	%	2	%

Distribution Costs

Distribution fees billed to customers are included in Net Sales, while our distribution costs incurred are included in Cost of Sales.

Stock-Based Employee Compensation Plans

We account for our stock-based employee compensation plans in accordance with GAAP for stock-based compensation, which requires the measurement and recognition of the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. The cost of the employee services is recognized as compensation expense over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award, which is typically the vesting period. We intend to solicit shareholder approval for adoption of a new equity compensation plan at our November 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, as the 2005 Plan expired in May 2015. See further discussion and disclosure in Note 11.

Income Taxes

Our income tax expense, deferred tax assets and liabilities and reserves for unrecognized tax benefits reflect management’s best assessment of estimated future taxes to be paid. We are subject to income taxes in numerous domestic jurisdictions.

Our annual tax rate is determined based on our income, statutory tax rates and the permanent tax impacts of items treated differently for tax purposes than for financial reporting purposes. Tax law requires certain items be included in the tax return at different times than the items are reflected in the financial statements. Some of these differences are permanent, such as expenses that are not deductible in our tax return, and some differences are temporary, reversing over time, such as depreciation expense. These temporary differences create deferred tax assets and liabilities. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Realization of certain deferred tax assets is dependent upon generating sufficient taxable income in the appropriate jurisdiction prior to the expiration of the carryforward periods. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will be realized and thus we have not recorded any valuation allowance for the years ended June 30, 2015 or 2014.

In accordance with accounting literature related to uncertainty in income taxes, tax benefits and liabilities from uncertain tax positions that are recognized in the financial statements are measured based on the largest attribute that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

Changes in tax laws and rates could also affect recorded deferred tax assets and liabilities in the future. Management is not aware of any such changes that would have a material effect on our results of operations, cash flow or financial position. See further discussion in Note 9.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents (restricted stock and stock-settled stock appreciation rights) outstanding during each period. Unvested shares of restricted stock granted to employees are considered participating securities since employees receive nonforfeitable dividends prior to vesting and, therefore, are included in the earnings allocation in computing EPS under the two-class method. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, which includes the dilutive potential common shares associated with nonparticipating restricted stock and stock-settled stock appreciation rights.

Basic and diluted income per common share from continuing operations were calculated as follows:



	2015			2014			2013
Income from continuing operations	$	101,686		$	100,986		$	103,860
Income from continuing operations available to participating securities	(143		)	(174		)	(326		)
Income from continuing operations available to common shareholders	$	101,543		$	100,812		$	103,534

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic	27,300			27,264			27,252
Incremental share effect from:
Nonparticipating restricted stock	3			3			3
Stock-settled stock appreciation rights	24			41			30
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted	27,327			27,308			27,285

Income per common share from continuing operations - basic	$	3.72		$	3.70		$	3.80
Income per common share from continuing operations - diluted	$	3.72		$	3.69		$	3.79

Comprehensive Income and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive income includes changes in equity that result from transactions and economic events from non-owner sources. Comprehensive income is composed of two subsets – net income and other comprehensive income (loss). Included in other comprehensive income (loss) are pension and postretirement benefits adjustments.

The following table presents the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss by component:



	2015			2014
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at beginning of year	$	(8,061	)	$	(8,391	)
Defined Benefit Pension Plan Items:
Net (loss) gain arising during the period	(3,408		)	65
Amortization of unrecognized net loss ⁽¹⁾	429			460
Postretirement Benefit Plan Items:
Net (loss) gain arising during the period	(155		)	31
Amortization of unrecognized net gain ⁽¹⁾	(28		)	(27		)
Amortization of prior service asset ⁽¹⁾	(5		)	(5		)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax	(3,167		)	524
Total tax benefit (expense)	1,171			(194		)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(1,996		)	330
Accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of year	$	(10,057	)	$	(8,061	)

(1) Included in the computation of net periodic benefit income/cost. See Notes 12 and 13 for additional information.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance which requires entities to measure most inventory “at the lower of cost or net realizable value,” thereby simplifying current guidance. Under current guidance an entity must measure inventory at the lower of cost or market, where market is defined as one of three different measures, one of which is net realizable value. The guidance will be effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance.

In May 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance for the recognition of revenue under the principle: “Recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.” Following a one-year deferral of the effective date, the guidance will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017 and will require either retrospective application to each prior period presented or retrospective application with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard recognized at the date of adoption. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance.