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Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Business
Pentair plc and its consolidated subsidiaries (“we,” “us,” “our,” “Pentair” or the “Company”) is a water industrial manufacturing company comprised of two reporting segments: Consumer Solutions and Industrial & Flow Technologies.
COVID-19
In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus 2019 (“COVID-19”) a global pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has had and may continue to have an unfavorable impact on certain parts of our business. The broader implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, financial condition and results of operations remain uncertain and will depend on certain developments, including the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of virus variants, the effectiveness of vaccinations, the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on our customers and suppliers and the range of governmental and community reactions to the pandemic. We may continue to experience reduced customer demand in certain parts of our business or constrained labor and/or supply that could materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and cash flows in future periods.
Basis of presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Pentair plc, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and entities for which the Company has a controlling financial interest. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Investments in companies of which we own 20% to 50% of the voting stock or have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of the investee are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and as a result, our share of the earnings or losses of such equity affiliates is included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in U.S. dollars (“USD”) and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S.”) (“U.S. GAAP”).
Fiscal year
Our fiscal year ends on December 31. We report our interim quarterly periods on a calendar quarter basis.
Use of estimates
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates include our accounting for valuation of goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets, estimated losses on accounts receivable, estimated realizable value on excess and obsolete inventory, percentage of completion revenue recognition, assets acquired and liabilities assumed in acquisitions, estimated selling proceeds from assets held for sale, contingent liabilities, income taxes and pension and other post-retirement benefits. Actual results could differ from our estimates.
Revenue recognition
Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for transferring those goods or providing services. We account for a contract when it has approval and commitment from both parties, the rights of the parties are identified, payment terms are identified, the contract has commercial substance and collectability of consideration is probable.
When determining whether the customer has obtained control of the goods or services, we consider any future performance obligations. Generally, there is no post-shipment obligation on product sold other than warranty obligations in the normal and ordinary course of business. In the event significant post-shipment obligations were to exist, revenue recognition would be deferred until Pentair has substantially accomplished what it must do to be entitled to the benefits represented by the revenue.

Performance obligations
A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer, and is the unit of account for purposes of revenue recognition. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. The majority of our contracts have a single performance obligation as the promise to transfer the individual goods or services is not separately identifiable from other promises in the contracts and, therefore, not distinct. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, standalone selling price is generally readily observable.
Our performance obligations are satisfied at a point in time or over time as work progresses. Revenue from goods and services transferred to customers at a point in time accounted for 91.7%, 91.9% and 92.2% of our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Revenue on these contracts is recognized when obligations under the terms of the contract with our customer are satisfied; generally this occurs with the transfer of control upon shipment.
Revenue from products and services transferred to customers over time accounted for 8.3%, 8.1% and 7.8% of our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. For the majority of our revenue recognized over time, we use an input measure to determine progress towards completion. Under this method, sales and gross profit are recognized as work is performed generally based on the relationship between the actual costs incurred and the total estimated costs at completion (“the cost-to-cost method”) or based on efforts for measuring progress towards completion in situations in which this approach is more representative of the progress on the contract than the cost-to-cost method. Contract costs include labor, material, overhead and, when appropriate, general and administrative expenses. Changes to the original estimates may be required during the life of the contract, and such estimates are reviewed on a regular basis. Sales and gross profit are adjusted using the cumulative catch-up method for revisions in estimated total contract costs. These reviews have not resulted in adjustments that were significant to our results of operations. For performance obligations related to long term contracts, when estimates of total costs to be incurred on a performance obligation exceed total estimates of revenue to be earned, a provision for the entire loss on the performance obligation is recognized in the period the loss is determined.
On December 31, 2022, we had $109.7 million of remaining performance obligations on contracts with an original expected duration of one year or more. We expect to recognize the majority of our remaining performance obligations on these contracts within the next 12 to 18 months.
Sales returns
The right of return may exist explicitly or implicitly with our customers. Our return policy allows for customer returns only upon our authorization. Goods returned must be products we continue to market and must be in salable condition. When the right of return exists, we adjust the transaction price for the estimated effect of returns. We estimate the expected returns based on historical sales levels, the timing and magnitude of historical sales return levels as a percent of sales, type of product, type of customer and a projection of this experience into the future.
Pricing and sales incentives
Our contracts may give customers the option to purchase additional goods or services priced at a discount. Options to acquire additional goods or services at a discount can come in many forms, such as customer programs and incentive offerings including pricing arrangements, promotions and other volume-based incentives.
We reduce the transaction price for certain customer programs and incentive offerings including pricing arrangements, promotions and other volume-based incentives that represent variable consideration. Sales incentives given to our customers are recorded using either the expected value method or most likely amount approach for estimating the amount of consideration to which Pentair shall be entitled. The expected value is the sum of probability-weighted amounts in a range of possible consideration amounts. An expected value is an appropriate estimate of the amount of variable consideration when there are a large number of contracts with similar characteristics. The most likely amount is the single most likely amount in a range of possible consideration amounts (that is, the single most likely outcome of the contract). The most likely amount is an appropriate estimate of the amount of variable consideration if the contract has limited possible outcomes (for example, an entity either achieves a performance bonus or does not).
Pricing is established at or prior to the time of sale with our customers, and we record sales at the agreed-upon net selling price. However, one of our businesses allows customers to apply for a refund of a percentage of the original purchase price if they can demonstrate sales to a qualifying end customer. We use the expected value method to estimate the anticipated refund to be paid based on historical experience and reduce sales for the probable cost of the discount. The cost of these refunds is recorded as a reduction of the transaction price.
Volume-based incentives involve rebates that are negotiated at or prior to the time of sale with the customer and are redeemable only if the customer achieves a specified cumulative level of sales or sales increase. Under these incentive programs, at the time of sale, we determine the most likely amount of the rebate to be paid based on forecasted sales levels. These forecasts are updated at least quarterly for each customer, and the transaction price is reduced for the anticipated cost of the rebate. If the forecasted sales for a customer change, the accrual for rebates is adjusted to reflect the new amount of rebates expected to be earned by the customer.
Shipping and handling costs
Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling activities after the customer obtains control are treated as a promised service performance obligation and recorded in Net sales in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Shipping and handling costs incurred by Pentair for the delivery of goods to customers are considered a cost to fulfill the contract and are included in Cost of goods sold in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
Contract assets and liabilities
Contract assets consist of unbilled amounts resulting from sales under long-term contracts when the cost-to-cost method of revenue recognition is utilized and revenue recognized exceeds the amount billed to the customer, such as when the customer retains a small portion of the contract price until completion of the contract. We typically receive interim payments on sales under long-term contracts as work progresses, although for some contracts, we may be entitled to receive an advance payment. Contract liabilities consist of advanced payments, billings in excess of costs incurred and deferred revenue.
Contract assets are recorded within Other current assets, and contract liabilities are recorded within Other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Contract assets and liabilities consisted of the following:
December 31
In millions20222021$ Change% Change
Contract assets$48.4 $48.8 $(0.4)(0.8)%
Contract liabilities58.1 39.4 18.7 47.5 %
Net contract assets (liabilities)$(9.7)$9.4 $(19.1)(203.2)%
The $19.1 million decrease in net contract assets from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2022 was primarily the result of timing of milestone payments. Approximately 90% of our contract liabilities at December 31, 2021 were recognized in revenue during the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. There were $1.1 million of impairment losses recognized on our net contract liabilities for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 as a result of our exit of business activity and sales in Russia. There were no impairment losses recognized on our net contract assets for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021.
Practical expedients and exemptions
We generally expense incremental costs of obtaining a contract when incurred because the amortization period would be less than one year. These costs primarily relate to sales commissions and are recorded in Selling, general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
We do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length of one year or less. Further, we do not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if we expect, at contract inception, that the period between when we transfer a promised good or service to a customer and when the customer pays for that good or service will be one year or less.
Revenue by category
We disaggregate our revenue from contracts with customers by segment, geographic location and vertical market, as we believe these best depict how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of our revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. Refer to Note 14 for revenue disaggregated by segment.
Geographic net sales information, based on geographic destination of the sale, was as follows:
Years ended December 31
In millions202220212020
U.S.$2,913.2 $2,571.2 $2,011.7 
Western Europe439.2 460.4 375.3 
Developing (1)
515.5 487.1 427.5 
Other Developed (2)
253.9 246.1 203.3 
Consolidated net sales (3)
$4,121.8 $3,764.8 $3,017.8 
(1) Developing includes China, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
(2) Other Developed includes Australia, Canada and Japan.
(3) Net sales in Ireland, for each of the years presented, were not material.
Vertical market net sales information was as follows:
Years ended December 31
In millions202220212020
Residential$2,613.6 $2,437.6 $1,883.4 
Commercial809.1 665.9 528.6 
Industrial699.1 661.3 605.8 
Consolidated net sales$4,121.8 $3,764.8 $3,017.8 
Research and development
We conduct research and development (“R&D”) activities primarily in our own facilities, which mostly consist of development of new products, product applications and manufacturing processes. We expense R&D costs as incurred. R&D expenditures during 2022, 2021 and 2020 were $92.2 million, $85.9 million and $75.7 million, respectively.
Cash equivalents
We consider highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition to be cash equivalents.
Trade receivables and concentration of credit risk
We record an allowance for credit losses, reducing our receivables balance to an amount we estimate is collectible from our customers. Estimates used in determining the allowance for credit losses are based on current trends, aging of accounts receivable, periodic credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition, and historical collection experience as well as reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions. We generally do not require collateral.
The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for credit losses:
Years ended December 31
In millions202220212020
Beginning balance$9.1 $8.4 $10.3 
Bad debt expense (benefit) (1)
3.6 1.1 (0.5)
Acquisitions0.3 1.0 0.1 
Write-offs, net of recoveries(1.4)(0.9)(1.6)
Other (2)
(0.8)(0.5)0.1 
Ending balance$10.8 $9.1 $8.4 
(1) The bad debt benefit for the year-ended December 31, 2020 includes the positive impact related to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13 “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses.”
(2) Other amounts are primarily the effects of changes in currency translations and the impact of allowance for credits.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value with substantially all inventories recorded using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) cost method.
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment is stated at historical cost. We compute depreciation by the straight-line method based on the following estimated useful lives:
 Years
Land improvements
5 to 20
Buildings and leasehold improvements
5 to 50
Machinery and equipment
3 to 15
Capitalized software
3 to 10
Significant improvements that add to productive capacity or extend the lives of properties are capitalized. Costs for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. When property is retired or otherwise disposed of, the recorded cost of the assets and their related accumulated depreciation are removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheets and any related gains or losses are included in income.
The following table presents geographic Property, plant and equipment, net by region as of December 31:
In millions20222021
U.S.$213.3 $198.7 
Western Europe74.4 71.5 
Developing (1)
46.8 29.5 
Other Developed (2)
10.0 10.3 
Consolidated (3)
$344.5 $310.0 
(1) Developing includes China, Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
(2) Other Developed includes Australia, Canada and Japan.
(3) Property, plant and equipment, net in Ireland, for each of the years presented, were not material.
We review the recoverability of long-lived assets to be held and used, such as property, plant and equipment, when events or changes in circumstances occur that indicate the carrying value of the asset or asset group may not be recoverable. The assessment of possible impairment is based on our ability to recover the carrying value of the asset or asset group from the expected future pre-tax cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) of the related operations. If these cash flows are less than the carrying value of such asset or asset group, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between estimated fair value and carrying value. Impairment losses on long-lived assets held for sale are determined in a similar manner, except that fair values are reduced for the cost to dispose of the assets. The measurement of impairment requires us to estimate future cash flows and the fair value of long-lived assets. We recorded $9.2 million of long-lived asset impairment charges in 2022 comprised of long-lived assets which were primarily written off as a result of restructuring actions and certain business exits announced in the fourth quarter of 2022. No material long-lived asset impairment charges were recorded in 2021 or 2020.
Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquired businesses over the net of the fair value of identifiable tangible net assets and identifiable intangible assets purchased and liabilities assumed.
We test our goodwill for impairment at least annually during the fourth quarter or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. We perform our annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of the relevant reporting unit with its carrying amount. We would recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized would not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
We have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. However, we may elect to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test even if no indications of a potential impairment exist.
As a result of the qualitative assessment performed during 2022 and 2021, it was determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values. Factors considered in the analysis included the 2020 discounted cash flow fair value assessment of the reporting units and the calculated excess fair value over carrying
amount, financial performance, forecasts and trends, market capitalization, regulatory and environmental issues, macro-economic conditions, industry and market considerations, raw material costs and management stability. We also consider the extent to which each of the adverse events and circumstances identified affect the comparison of the respective reporting unit’s fair value with its carrying amount. We place more weight on the events and circumstances that most affect the respective reporting unit’s fair value or the carrying amount of its net assets. We consider positive and mitigating events and circumstances that may affect its determination of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value exceeds the carrying amount. The non-recurring fair value measurement is a “Level 3” measurement under the fair value hierarchy described in Note 9.
Identifiable intangible assets
Our primary identifiable intangible assets include: customer relationships, trade names, proprietary technology and patents. Identifiable intangibles with finite lives are amortized and those identifiable intangibles with indefinite lives are not amortized. Identifiable intangible assets that are subject to amortization are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Identifiable intangible assets not subject to amortization are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events warrant. We complete our annual impairment test the first day of the fourth quarter each year for those identifiable assets not subject to amortization.
The impairment test for trade names consists of a comparison of the fair value of the trade name with its carrying value. Fair value is measured using the relief-from-royalty method. This method assumes the trade name has value to the extent that the owner is relieved of the obligation to pay royalties for the benefits received from them. This method requires us to estimate the future revenue for the related brands, the appropriate royalty rate and the weighted average cost of capital. The non-recurring fair value measurement is a “Level 3” measurement under the fair value hierarchy described in Note 9.
An impairment charge of $2.7 million was recorded in 2022 related to the write-off of a proprietary technology intangible asset as a result of a business exit announced in the fourth quarter of 2022. The impairment charge was recorded in Selling, general and administrative in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. No additional impairment charges were recognized for identifiable intangible assets in 2022.

No impairment charges were recorded for identifiable intangible assets in 2021 or 2020.
Income taxes
We use the asset and liability approach to account for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period when the change is enacted. We maintain valuation allowances unless it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will be realized. Changes in valuation allowances from period to period are included in our tax provision in the period of change. We recognize the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.
Pension and other post-retirement plans
We sponsor U.S. and non-U.S. defined-benefit pension and other post-retirement plans. The pension and other post-retirement benefit costs for company-sponsored benefit plans are determined from actuarial assumptions and methodologies, including discount rates and expected returns on plan assets. These assumptions are updated annually and are disclosed in Note 11.
We recognize changes in the fair value of plan assets and net actuarial gains or losses for pension and other post-retirement benefits annually in the fourth quarter each year (“mark-to-market adjustment”) and, if applicable, in any quarter in which an interim re-measurement is triggered. Net actuarial gains and losses occur when the actual experience differs from any of the various assumptions used to value our pension and other post-retirement plans or when assumptions change, as they may each year. The remaining components of pension expense, including service and interest costs and estimated return on plan assets, are recorded on a quarterly basis. The service costs are recorded within Operating income and the interest costs, expected return on plan assets and net actuarial gain/loss components of net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit costs are recorded within Other (income) expense .
Insurance subsidiary
A portion of our property and casualty insurance program is insured through our regulated wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary, Penwald Insurance Company (“Penwald”). Reserves for policy claims are established based on actuarial projections of ultimate losses. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, reserves for policy claims were $65.1 million, of which $13.0 million was included in Other current liabilities and $52.1 million was included in Other non-current liabilities, and $55.6 million, of which $13.0 million was included in Other current liabilities and $42.6 million was included in Other non-current liabilities, respectively.
Share-based compensation
We account for share-based compensation awards on a fair value basis. The estimated grant date fair value of each option award is recognized in income on an accelerated basis over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period). The estimated fair value of each option award is calculated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. From time to time, we have elected to modify the terms of the original grant. These modified grants are accounted for as a new award and measured using the fair value method, resulting in the inclusion of additional compensation expense in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
Restricted share awards and units (“RSUs”) are recorded as compensation cost over the requisite service periods based on the market value on the date of grant.
Performance share units (“PSUs”) are stock awards where the ultimate number of shares issued will be contingent on the Company’s performance against certain performance goals. The Compensation Committee has the ability to adjust performance goals or modify the manner of measuring or evaluating a performance goal using its discretion. The fair value of each PSU is based on the market value on the date of grant. We recognize expense related to the estimated vesting of our PSUs granted. The estimated vesting of the PSUs is based on the probability of achieving certain performance metrics over the specified performance period.
Earnings per ordinary share
We present two calculations of earnings per ordinary share (“EPS”). Basic EPS equals net income divided by the weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income by the sum of weighted-average number of ordinary shares outstanding plus dilutive effects of ordinary share equivalents.
Derivative financial instruments
We recognize all derivatives, including those embedded in other contracts, as either assets or liabilities at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. If the derivative is designated and is effective as a cash-flow hedge, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) as a separate component of equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income when the hedged item affects earnings. If the underlying hedged transaction ceases to exist or if the hedge becomes ineffective, all changes in fair value of the related derivatives that have not been settled are recognized in current earnings. For a derivative that is not designated as or does not qualify as a hedge, changes in fair value are reported in earnings immediately.
Gains and losses on net investment hedges are included in AOCI as a separate component of equity in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
We use derivative instruments for the purpose of hedging interest rate and currency exposures, which exist as part of ongoing business operations. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Our policy is not to enter into contracts with terms that cannot be designated as normal purchases or sales. From time to time, we may enter into short duration foreign currency contracts to hedge foreign currency risks.
Foreign currency translation
The financial statements of the Company’s non-U.S. dollar functional currency international subsidiaries are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries are translated at the rates of exchange at the balance sheet date. Income (loss) and expense items are translated at average monthly rates of exchange. The resultant translation adjustments are included in AOCI, a component of equity.