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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 01, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Operations
 
Interface is a global flooring company specializing in carbon neutral carpet tile and resilient flooring, including luxury vinyl tile (“LVT”), vinyl sheet, rigid core and nora® rubber flooring. The Company manufactures modular carpet focusing on the high quality, designer-oriented sector of the market, sources resilient flooring including LVT from third parties and focuses on the same sector of the market, and provides specialized carpet replacement, installation and maintenance services. The Company also manufactures and sells resilient rubber flooring.

The Company has determined that it has two operating and reportable segments – namely Americas (“AMS”) which includes the United States, Canada and Latin America geographic areas, and Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia (collectively “EAAA”). See Note 20 entitled “Segment Information” for additional information.

Cybersecurity Event

On November 20, 2022, we discovered a cybersecurity attack, perpetrated by unauthorized third parties, affecting our IT systems. Promptly, out of an abundance of caution, we shut down certain systems including shipping, inventory management and production systems and engaged forensic experts to evaluate the extent of the Cyber Event and its impact to our operations. We took steps to supplement existing security monitoring, including scanning and protective measures, and notified law enforcement.
Principles of Consolidation
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All of our subsidiaries are wholly-owned, and we are not a party to any joint venture, partnership or other variable interest entity that would potentially qualify for consolidation. All material intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated.

Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Examples include provisions for returns, bad debts, product claims reserves, rebates, inventory obsolescence and the length of product life cycles, accruals associated with restructuring activities, income tax exposures and valuation allowances, environmental liabilities, and the carrying value of goodwill, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment. Actual results could vary from these estimates.
 
Risks and Uncertainties

Global economic challenges, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation and supply chain disruptions could cause economic uncertainty and volatility. In connection with the Cyber Event discussed above, security breaches may expose us to fines and other liabilities to the extent sensitive data stored in our IT systems, including data related to customers, suppliers or employees, are misappropriated. Any potential fine or other liability is not probable nor estimable at this time. Accordingly, pursuant to applicable accounting standards, no accrual has been recorded for any contingent liability arising out of the 2022 Cyber Event. The Company considered these impacts and subsequent general uncertainties and volatility in the global economy on the assumptions and estimates used herein, including the goodwill and intangible asset impairments discussed in Note 12 entitled “Goodwill and Intangible Assets.” These uncertainties could result in a future material adverse effect to the Company’s financial statements if actual results differ from these estimates.
COVID-19 Impact

On March 1, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic, and the virus continues to impact areas where we operate and sell our products and services. The COVID-19 pandemic has had material adverse effects on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. The duration of the pandemic will ultimately determine the extent to which our operations are impacted.
During fiscal year 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic had less of an impact on our overall financial results as sales increased 8.1% compared to 2021. However, continuing government imposed COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions in parts of China adversely impacted sales in China by approximately 13% in 2022 compared with the prior year. Ongoing global supply chain challenges and inflationary pressures resulted in higher raw material costs, higher freight costs and shipping delays during 2022, which increased our operating costs and adversely impacted our gross profit margin.
During fiscal year 2020, in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, government grants and payroll protection programs were available globally to provide assistance to companies impacted by the pandemic. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) enacted in the United States (see Note 17 entitled “Income Taxes” for additional information) and a payroll protection program enacted in the Netherlands (the “NOW Program”) provided benefits related to payroll costs either as reimbursements, lower payroll tax rates or deferral of payroll tax payments. The NOW Program provided eligible companies with reimbursement of labor costs as an incentive to retain employees on the payroll.

During fiscal year 2020, the Company received reimbursements under the NOW Program and recognized a reduction in payroll costs of approximately $7.3 million, which were recorded as a $6.1 million reduction of selling, general and administrative expenses and a $1.2 million reduction of cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations. We applied a grant analogy method to recognize the reimbursements under the NOW Program as the Company believes it is probable that the benefits received will not be repaid.

Revenue Recognition
 
Revenue from contracts with customers is recognized to depict the transfer of 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. To achieve this core principle, the guidance provides that an entity should apply the following steps: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, the entity satisfies a performance obligation.
 
Revenue Recognized from Contracts with Customers
 
Contracts with customers typically take the form of invoices for purchase of materials from the Company. Customer payment terms vary by region and are typically less than 60 days. The performance obligation is the delivery of these materials to the customer’s control. Revenue from the sale of modular carpet, resilient flooring, rubber flooring, and related products (TacTiles installation materials, etc.) was approximately 97% of the Company’s total revenue in 2022 and approximately 98% of the Company’s total revenue in both 2021 and 2020. The revenue from sales of these products is recognized upon shipment, or in certain cases, upon delivery to the customer.  The transaction price for these sales is readily identifiable. The remaining revenue of approximately 3% for 2022 and approximately 2% for both 2021 and 2020 was generated from the installation of carpet and other flooring-related material.
 
For installation projects underway, the Company recognized installation revenue over time based on a project cost input method as the customer simultaneously received and consumed the benefit of the services. The installation of the carpet and related products is a separate performance obligation from the sale of carpet. The majority of these projects are completed within five days of the start of installation. The transaction price for these sale and installation contracts is readily determinable between flooring material and installation services and is specifically identified in the contract with the customer.
 
The Company has utilized the portfolio approach to its contracts with customers, as its contracts with customers have similar characteristics, and it is reasonable to expect that the effects from applying this approach are not materially different from applying the accounting standard to individual contracts.

The Company does not have any other significant revenue streams outside of these sales of flooring material, and the sale and installation of flooring material, as described above. 
The Company does not record taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities within revenues. The Company records such taxes collected as a liability on our consolidated balance sheets.

Performance Obligations
 
As noted above, the Company primarily generates revenue through the sale of flooring material to end users either upon shipment or upon arrival of the product at its destination. In these instances, there typically is no other obligation to the customers other than the delivery of flooring material with the exception of warranty. The Company does offer a warranty to its customers which guarantees certain on-floor performance characteristics and warrants against manufacturing defects. The warranty is not a service warranty, and there is no ability to separate the warranty obligation from the sale of the flooring or purchase them separately. The Company’s incidence of warranty claims is extremely low, with less than 0.5% of revenue in claims on an annual basis for the last three fiscal years.  Given the nature of the warranty as well as the financial impact, the Company has determined that there is no need to identify this warranty as a separate performance obligation, and the Company accounts for warranty on an accrual basis. 

For the Company’s installation business, the sales of carpet and other flooring materials and installation services are separate deliverables which under the revenue recognition requirements should be characterized as separate performance obligations. The nature of the installation projects is such that the vast majority – an amount in excess of 85% of these installation projects – are completed in less than five days. The Company’s largest installation customers are retail, education and corporate customers, and these are on a project-by-project basis and are short-term installations. The Company has evaluated these projects at the end of each reporting period and recorded revenue in accordance with the accounting standards for projects which were underway as of the end of 2022, 2021 and 2020.  
 
Costs to Obtain Contracts
 
The Company pays sales commissions to many of its sales personnel based upon their selling activity. These are direct costs associated with obtaining the contracts and are expensed as the revenue is earned. As these commissions become payable upon shipment (or in certain cases delivery) of product, the commission is earned as the revenue is recognized. There are no other material costs the Company incurs as part of obtaining the sales contract.
 
Shipping and Handling

Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are classified in net sales in the consolidated statements of operations. Shipping and handling costs incurred are classified in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations.
 
Research and Development
 
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses and cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations. Research and development expense includes costs associated with the improvement and enhancement of existing products. Research and development expense was $19.1 million, $19.3 million, and $18.6 million for the years 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
 
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
 
Highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk and with original maturities of three months or less are classified as cash and cash equivalents. Investments with maturities greater than three months and less than one year are classified as short-term investments. Significant concentrations of credit risk may arise from the Company’s cash maintained at various banks, as from time to time cash balances may exceed the FDIC limits. The Company did not hold any significant amounts of cash equivalents and short-term investments at January 1, 2023 and January 2, 2022.
 
Cash payments for interest amounted to approximately $25.1 million, $22.9 million, and $32.0 million for the years 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Fiscal year 2020 includes cash payments of $12.5 million to terminate the Company’s interest rate swap liabilities. Income tax payments amounted to approximately $31.4 million, $23.1 million and $19.3 million for the years 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. During the years 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company received income tax refunds of $12.4 million, $5.4 million and $7.5 million, respectively.
 
Allowances for Expected Credit Losses
 
The Company maintains allowances for expected credit losses for estimated losses resulting from the inability of customers to make required payments. Estimating the amount of future expected losses requires the Company to consider historical losses from our customers, as well as current market conditions and future forecasts of our customers’ ability to make payments for goods and services. By its nature, such an estimate is highly subjective, and it is possible that the amount of accounts receivable that the Company is unable to collect may be different than the amount initially estimated.

Inventories
 
Inventories are carried at the lower of cost (standards approximating the first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value. Costs included in inventories are based on invoiced costs and/or production costs, as applicable. Included in production costs are material, direct labor and allocated overhead. The Company writes down inventories for the difference between the carrying value of the inventories and their estimated net realizable value. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional write-downs may be required.
 
Management estimates its reserves for inventory obsolescence by continuously examining its inventories to determine if there are indicators that carrying values exceed net realizable values. Experience has shown that significant indicators that could require the need for additional inventory write-downs are the age of the inventory, the length of its product life cycles, anticipated demand for the Company’s products, and current economic conditions. While management believes that adequate write-downs for inventory obsolescence have been made in the consolidated financial statements, consumer tastes and preferences may continue to change, and the Company could experience additional inventory write-downs in the future.
 
Rebates
 
The Company has agreements to receive cash consideration from certain of its vendors, including rebates and cooperative marketing reimbursements. The amounts received from its vendors are generally presumed to be a reduction of the prices the Company pays for their products and, therefore, such amounts are reflected as either a reduction of cost of sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, or, if the inventory is still on hand at the reporting date, it is reflected as a reduction of “Inventories, net” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Vendor rebates are typically dependent upon reaching minimum purchase thresholds. The Company evaluates the likelihood of reaching purchase thresholds using past experience and current year forecasts. When rebates can be reasonably estimated and receipt becomes probable, the Company records a portion of the rebate as the Company makes progress towards the purchase threshold.

When the Company receives direct reimbursements for costs incurred in marketing the vendor’s product or service, the amount received is recorded as an offset to SG&A expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
 
Leases
 
The Company records a right-of-use asset and lease liability for operating and finance leases once a contract that contains a lease is executed and the Company has the right to control the use of the leased asset. The right-of-use asset is measured as the present value of the lease obligation. The discount rate used to calculate the present value of the lease liability is the Company’s incremental borrowing rate, which is based on the estimated rate for a fully collateralized borrowing that fully amortizes over a similar lease term at the commencement date and for the applicable geographical region.
The Company made an accounting policy election to exclude leases with an initial term of 12 months or less from the calculation of the right-of-use asset and lease liability recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. These leases primarily represent month-to-month operating leases for office equipment where we were reasonably certain that we would not elect an option to extend the lease. The Company also made an accounting policy election not to separate lease and non-lease components for all asset classes and accounts for the lease payments as a single component.

Property, Plant and Equipment and Long-Lived Assets
 
Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: buildings and improvements – ten to forty years; and furniture and equipment – three to twelve years. Interest costs for the construction/development of certain long-term assets are capitalized and amortized over the related assets’ estimated useful lives. The Company capitalized net interest costs on qualifying expenditures of approximately $0.1 million, $0.5 million, and $1.9 million for the fiscal years 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Total depreciation expense amounted to approximately $36.3 million, $41.9 million, and $42.4 million for the years 2022, 2021 and 2020 respectively.
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected future undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the asset. Repair and maintenance costs are charged to operating expense as incurred.
 
Goodwill and Intangible Assets

In accordance with applicable accounting standards, the Company tests goodwill for impairment annually and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. During the fourth quarters of 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company performed the annual goodwill impairment test. In addition, during the first quarter of 2020—primarily due to anticipated impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic—the Company determined that there were indicators of impairment, and the Company proceeded with a goodwill impairment test as of the end of the first quarter. The Company tests goodwill at the reporting unit level, which is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment. In performing the impairment testing, the Company prepared valuations of reporting units on both a market comparable methodology and an income methodology, and those valuations were compared with the respective carrying values of the reporting units to determine whether any goodwill impairment existed. In preparing the valuations, past, present and future expectations of performance were considered. See Note 12 entitled “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for additional information.

Trademark and tradename intangible assets acquired in connection with the nora acquisition are not subject to amortization, but are tested for impairment annually and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the intangible asset below its carrying amount. In the fourth quarter of 2022, we determined that the trademark and trade name intangible assets were impaired. During the first quarter of 2020—primarily due to anticipated impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic—the Company determined that there were indicators of impairment, and the Company proceeded with an impairment test as of the end of the first quarter. The Company prepared valuations of the intangible assets using the present value of cash flows under the relief from royalty method, which were compared to the carrying value of intangible assets to determine whether any impairment existed. See Note 12 entitled “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” for additional information.

The Company’s other intangible assets primarily consist of developed technology that is amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of 7 years.

Product Warranties
 
The Company typically provides limited warranties with respect to certain attributes of its carpet products (for example, warranties regarding excessive surface wear, edge ravel and static electricity) for periods ranging from ten to twenty years, depending on the particular carpet product and the environment in which it is to be installed. Similar limited warranties are provided on certain attributes of its rubber and LVT products, typically for a period of 5 to 15 years. The Company typically warrants that services performed will be free from defects in workmanship for a period of one year following completion. In the event of a breach of warranty, the remedy typically is limited to repair of the problem or replacement of the affected product.
 
The Company records a provision related to warranty costs based on historical experience and future expectations and periodically adjusts these provisions to reflect changes in actual experience. Warranty and sales allowance reserves amounted to $2.1 million and $2.7 million as of January 1, 2023 and January 2, 2022, respectively, and are included in accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Income Taxes
 
The Company accounts for income taxes under an asset and liability approach that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns. In estimating future tax consequences, the Company generally considers all expected future events other than enactments of changes in tax laws or rates. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates will be recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment date.
 
The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will expire before realization of the benefit or that future deductibility is not probable. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets depends on the ability to generate sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character in the future. This requires us to use estimates and make assumptions regarding significant future events such as the taxability of entities operating in the various taxing jurisdictions. 

For uncertain tax positions, the Company applies the provisions of relevant authoritative guidance, which requires application of a “more likely than not” threshold to the recognition and derecognition of tax positions. The Company’s ongoing assessments of the more likely than not outcomes of tax authority examinations and related tax positions require significant judgment and can increase or decrease the Company’s effective tax rate as well as impact operating results. For further information, see Note 17 entitled “Income Taxes.”

Fair Values of Financial Instruments
 
Fair values of cash and cash equivalents and short-term debt approximate cost due to the short period of time to maturity. Fair values of debt are based on quoted market prices or pricing models using current market rates and classified as level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. See Note 5 entitled “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for further information.
 
Translation of Foreign Currencies
 
The financial position and results of operations of most of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured using local currencies as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at each year-end. Income and expense items are translated each month at average monthly exchange rates throughout the year. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded in the foreign currency translation adjustment account. In the event of a divestiture or liquidation of a foreign subsidiary, the related foreign currency translation results are reclassified from equity to income. Foreign exchange translation gains (losses) were $(38.3) million, $(40.1) million, and $52.8 million for the years 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Earnings per Share
 
Basic earnings per share is computed based on the average number of common shares outstanding, including participating securities. Diluted earnings per share reflects the increase in average common shares outstanding that would result from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options, calculated using the treasury stock method. See Note 15 entitled “Earnings Per Share” for additional information.
 
Stock-Based Compensation
 
The Company has stock-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 14 entitled “Shareholders' Equity.”
 
The fair value of each stock option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. However, there were no stock options granted in 2022, 2021 or 2020.
 
The Company recognizes expense related to its restricted stock and performance share grants based on the grant date fair value of the shares awarded, as determined by its market price at date of grant.
 
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
Derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. For derivatives that meet the criteria as designated cash flow hedges, the changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized in other comprehensive income (or other comprehensive loss) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are recognized in earnings each period. Derivative liabilities are recorded in accrued expenses and derivative assets are recorded in other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Cash flows from all derivative instruments, including those not designated as hedging instruments, are classified in the same category as the cash flows from the items being hedged.
Pension Benefits
 
Net pension expense recorded is based on, among other things, assumptions about the discount rate, estimated return on plan assets and salary increases. While the Company believes these assumptions are reasonable, changes in these and other factors and differences between actual and assumed changes in the present value of liabilities or assets of the Company’s plans above certain thresholds could cause net annual expense to increase or decrease materially from year to year. The actuarial assumptions used in the Company’s salary continuation plan and foreign defined benefit plans reporting are reviewed periodically and compared with external benchmarks to ensure that they appropriately account for our future pension benefit obligation. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets assumption is based on weighted average expected returns for each asset class. Expected returns reflect a combination of historical performance analysis and the forward-looking views of the financial markets, and include input from actuaries, investment service firms and investment managers.
 
Fiscal Year
 
The Company’s fiscal year is the 52 or 53 week period ending on the Sunday nearest December 31. All references herein to “2022,” “2021,” and “2020,” mean the fiscal years ended January 1, 2023, January 2, 2022, and January 3, 2021, respectively. Fiscal years 2022 and 2021 are both comprised of 52 weeks, and 2020 is comprised of 53 weeks.
Risks and Uncertainties Risks and UncertaintiesGlobal economic challenges, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, rising inflation and supply chain disruptions could cause economic uncertainty and volatility. In connection with the Cyber Event discussed above, security breaches may expose us to fines and other liabilities to the extent sensitive data stored in our IT systems, including data related to customers, suppliers or employees, are misappropriated. Any potential fine or other liability is not probable nor estimable at this time. Accordingly, pursuant to applicable accounting standards, no accrual has been recorded for any contingent liability arising out of the 2022 Cyber Event. The Company considered these impacts and subsequent general uncertainties and volatility in the global economy on the assumptions and estimates used herein, including the goodwill and intangible asset impairments discussed in Note 12 entitled “Goodwill and Intangible Assets.” These uncertainties could result in a future material adverse effect to the Company’s financial statements if actual results differ from these estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements - Not Yet Adopted

In June 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2022-03, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions.” This ASU clarifies that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered in measuring fair value. The ASU also requires certain disclosures for equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2023. Early adoption is permitted. This ASU is not expected to have a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.