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Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Consolidation Policy

Consolidation Policy. The consolidated financial statements and accompanying data in this report include the accounts of AWI and its majority-owned subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements. 

Use Of Estimates

Use of EstimatesWe prepare our financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions.  These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses.  When preparing an estimate, management determines the amount based upon the consideration of relevant internal and external information.  Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications.  Certain amounts in the prior year’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes and schedule thereto have been recast to conform to the 2014 presentation.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition.  We recognize revenue from the sale of products when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, title and risk of loss transfers to the customers, prices are fixed and determinable, and it is reasonably assured the related accounts receivable is collectible.  Our standard sales terms are Free On Board (“FOB”) shipping point.  We have some sales terms that are FOB destination.  Our products are sold with normal and customary return provisions.  Sales discounts are deducted immediately from the sales invoice.  Provisions, which are recorded as a reduction of revenue, are made for the estimated cost of rebates, promotional programs and warranties.  We defer recognizing revenue if special sales agreements, established at the time of sale, warrant this treatment. 

 

Sales Incentives

 

Sales Incentives. Sales incentives are reflected as a reduction of net sales.

 

Shipping And Handling Cost

Shipping and Handling Costs.  Shipping and handling costs are reflected in cost of goods sold.

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs. We recognize advertising expenses as they are incurred.

Research And Development Costs

Research and Development Costs.  We recognize research and development costs as they are incurred.

Pension And Postretirement Benefits

Pension and Postretirement Benefits. We have benefit plans that provide for pension, medical and life insurance benefits to certain eligible employees when they retire from active service.  See Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosures on pension and postretirement benefits.

Taxes

Taxes.  The provision for income taxes has been determined using the asset and liability approach of accounting for income taxes to reflect the expected future tax consequences of events recognized in the financial statements.  Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized by applying enacted tax rates to temporary differences that exist as of the balance sheet date which result from differences in the timing of reported taxable income between tax and financial reporting. 

 

We reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized.  The need to establish valuation allowances for deferred tax assets is assessed quarterly. In assessing the requirement for, and amount of, a valuation allowance in accordance with the more likely than not standard, we give appropriate consideration to all positive and negative evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax assets. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency and severity of current and cumulative losses, forecasts of future profitability and foreign source income, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, and our experience with operating loss and tax credit carryforward expirations. A history of cumulative losses is a significant piece of negative evidence used in our assessment. If a history of cumulative losses is incurred for a tax jurisdiction, forecasts of future profitability are not used as positive evidence related to the realization of the deferred tax assets in the assessment.

 

We recognize the tax benefits of an uncertain tax position if those benefits are more likely than not to be sustained based on existing tax law. Additionally, we establish a reserve for tax positions that are more likely than not to be sustained based on existing tax law, but uncertain in the ultimate benefit to be sustained upon examination by the relevant taxing authorities.  Unrecognized tax benefits are subsequently recognized at the time the more likely than not recognition threshold is met, the tax matter is effectively settled or the statute of limitations for the relevant taxing authority to examine and challenge the tax position has expired, whichever is earlier.

 

Taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are reported on a net basis.

Earnings Per Common Share

Earnings per Share. Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing the earnings attributable to common shares by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution of securities that could share in the earnings.

Cash And Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and short-term investments that have maturities of three months or less when purchased.

Concentration Of Credit

Concentration of Credit. We principally sell products to customers in the building products industries in various geographic regions.  No one customer accounted for 10% or more of our total consolidated net sales in the years 2014, 2013, and 2012.  We monitor the creditworthiness of our customers and generally do not require collateral.

Receivables

Receivables. We sell the vast majority of our products to select, pre-approved customers using customary trade terms that allow for payment in the future.  Customer trade receivables, customer notes receivable and miscellaneous receivables (which include supply related rebates and other), net of allowances for doubtful accounts, customer credits and warranties are reported in accounts and notes receivable, net.  Cash flows from the collection of current receivables are classified as operating cash flows on the consolidated statements of cash flows. 

 

We establish credit-worthiness prior to extending credit.  We estimate the recoverability of receivables each period.  This estimate is based upon new information in the period, which can include the review of any available financial statements and forecasts, as well as discussions with legal counsel and the management of the debtor company.  As events occur, which impact the collectability of the receivable, all or a portion of the receivable is reserved.  Account balances are charged off against the allowance when the potential for recovery is considered remote.  We do not have any off-balance-sheet credit exposure related to our customers.    

Inventories

Inventories. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market.  Inventories also include certain samples used in ongoing sales and marketing activities.  See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on our accounting for inventories.

Property And Depreciation

Property Plant and Equipment. Property plant and equipment is recorded at cost reduced by accumulated depreciation.  Depreciation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the assets’ estimated useful lives.  Machinery and equipment includes manufacturing equipment (depreciated over 3 to 15 years), computer equipment (depreciated over 3 to 5 years) and office furniture and equipment (depreciated over 5 to 7 years).  Within manufacturing equipment, assets that are subject to quick obsolescence or wear out quickly, such as tooling and engraving equipment, are depreciated over shorter periods (3 to 7 years).  Heavy production equipment, such as conveyors and production presses, are depreciated over longer periods (10 to 15 years).  Buildings are depreciated over 15 to 30 years, depending on factors such as type of construction and use.  Computer software is depreciated over 3 to 7 years.

 

Property, plant and equipment are tested for impairment when indicators of impairment are present, such as operating losses and/or negative cash flows.  If an indication of impairment exists, we compare the carrying amount of the asset group to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the assets.  The estimate of an asset group’s fair value is based on discounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group, or based on management’s estimated exit price assuming the assets could be sold in an orderly transaction between market participants, or estimated salvage value if no sale is assumed.  If the fair value is less than the carrying value of the asset group, we record an impairment charge equal to the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the asset group.  Impairments of assets related to our manufacturing operations are recorded in cost of goods sold. 

 

When assets are disposed of or retired, their costs and related depreciation are removed from the financial statements, and any resulting gains or losses normally are reflected in cost of goods sold or selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses depending on the nature of the asset.

Asset Retirement Obligations

Asset Retirement Obligations. We recognize the fair value of obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets in the period in which they are incurred.  Upon initial recognition of a liability, the discounted cost is capitalized as part of the related long-lived asset and depreciated over the corresponding asset’s useful life.  Over time, accretion of the liability is recognized as an operating expense to reflect the change in the liability’s present value.

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets. Our definite-lived intangible assets are primarily customer relationships (amortized over 20 years) and developed technology (amortized over 15 years).  We review significant definite-lived intangible assets for impairment when indicators of impairment exist.  We review our businesses for indicators of impairment such as operating losses and/or negative cash flows.  If an indication of impairment exists, we compare the carrying amount of the asset group to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the assets.  The estimate of an asset group’s fair value is based on discounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group, or based on management’s estimated exit price assuming the assets could be sold in an orderly transaction between market participants.  If the fair value is less than the carrying value of the asset group, we record an impairment charge equal to the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the asset group. 

 

Our indefinite-lived intangibles are primarily trademarks and brand names, which are integral to our corporate identity and expected to contribute indefinitely to our cash flows.  Accordingly, they have been assigned an indefinite life.  We perform annual impairment tests during the fourth quarter on these indefinite-lived intangibles.  These assets undergo more frequent tests if an indication of possible impairment exists.

   

The principal assumption used in our impairment tests for definite-lived intangible assets is future operating profit adjusted for depreciation and amortization.  The principal assumptions used in our impairment tests for indefinite-lived intangible assets include revenue growth rate, discount rate and royalty rate.  Revenue growth rate and future operating profit assumptions are derived from those utilized in our operating plan and strategic planning processes.  The discount rate assumption is calculated based upon an estimated weighted average cost of equity which reflects the overall level of inherent risk and the rate of return a market participant would expect to achieve.  The royalty rate assumption represents the estimated contribution of the intangible asset to the overall profits of the reporting unit.  Methodologies used for valuing our intangible assets did not change from prior periods.

 

See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosure on intangible assets.

Foreign Currency Transactions

Foreign Currency Transactions.  Assets and liabilities of our subsidiaries operating outside the United States which account in a functional currency other than U.S. dollars are translated using the period end exchange rate.  Revenues and expenses are translated at exchange rates effective during each month.  Foreign currency translation gains or losses are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within shareholders' equity.  Gains or losses on foreign currency transactions are recognized through the statement of earnings.

Financial Instruments And Derivatives

Financial Instruments and Derivatives.  From time to time, we use derivatives and other financial instruments to offset the effect of currency, interest rate and commodity price variability.  See Notes 17 and 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Share-Based Employee Compensation

Share-based Employee Compensation.  For awards with only service and performance conditions that have a graded vesting schedule, we recognize compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for the entire award.  See Note 21 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on share-based employee compensation.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events.  We have evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and disclosure through the date the consolidated financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K were issued.

Recently Adopted And Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2013-04 “Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date” which is part of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 405: Liabilities.  The guidance requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements, within the scope of this ASU, as the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors.  The guidance requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation. The guidance is to be applied retrospectively and was effective for us beginning January 1, 2014.  There was no impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows as a result of the adoption of this guidance.  

 

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11 “Income Taxes - Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists” which is part of ASC 740: Income Taxes.  The guidance requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit and a net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward on a net basis as part of a deferred tax asset, unless the unrecognized tax benefit is not available to reduce the deferred tax asset component or would not be utilized for that purpose, then a liability would be recognized.  The guidance was applied prospectively and was effective for us beginning January 1, 2014.  As a result of adopting this guidance, we recorded a reduction to noncurrent income taxes payable and a corresponding increase to noncurrent deferred tax liabilities of $40.0 million.  There was no impact on results of operations or cash flows as a result of the adoption of this guidance.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08 “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity” which is part of ASC 205: Presentation of Financial Statements and ASC 360: Property, Plant and Equipment.  The amendments in this guidance change the requirements for reporting discontinued operations.  Under the new guidance a disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results.  The guidance is effective prospectively for disposals that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014.  We do not expect a material impact to our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows from the adoption of this guidance.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”.  The guidance requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to a customer.  The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective, January 1, 2017.  Early application is not permitted, but the standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method.  We have not selected a transition method and are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

 

In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-12 “Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period” which is part of ASC 718: Compensation-Stock Compensation.  The guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition and should not be reflected in the estimate of the grant-date fair value of the award.  The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015.  The guidance can be applied prospectively for all awards granted or modified after the effective date or retrospectively to all awards with performance targets outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter.  We do not expect a material impact on our financial condition, results of operation or cash flows from the adoption of this guidance.