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Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2019

Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]

The Company’s irrigation segment includes the manufacture and marketing of center pivot, lateral move, and hose reel irrigation systems which are used principally in the agricultural industry to increase or stabilize crop production while conserving water, energy and labor. The irrigation segment also manufactures and markets repair and replacement parts for its irrigation systems and controls. The Company continues to strengthen irrigation product offerings through innovative technology such as Global Positioning System (“GPS”) positioning and guidance, variable rate irrigation, wireless irrigation management, machine-to-machine (“M2M”) communication technology solutions and smartphone applications. The Company’s domestic irrigation manufacturing facilities are located in Lindsay, Nebraska and Olathe, Kansas. Internationally, the Company has production operations in Brazil, France, China, Turkey and South Africa as well as distribution and sales operations in the Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand. The Company also exports equipment from the U.S. to other international markets.

Infrastructure Segment

The Company’s infrastructure segment includes the manufacture and marketing of moveable barriers, specialty barriers, crash cushions and end terminals, road marking and road safety equipment, large diameter steel tubing, and railroad signals and structures. The infrastructure segment also provides outsourced manufacturing and production services. The principal infrastructure manufacturing facilities are located in Rio Vista, California; Milan, Italy; and Lindsay, Nebraska.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior financial statements to conform to the current-year presentation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

The Company adopted ASC 606 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers on September 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition approach. The core principle of ASC 606 is that revenue should be recognized in a manner that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled for exchange of those goods or services. Refer to Note 2 for additional information regarding the adoption of ASC 606 and Note 3 for additional information regarding our revenue recognition policy under ASC 606.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values on the date of grant. The Company uses the straight-line amortization method over the vesting period of the awards. The Company has historically issued shares upon exercise of stock options or vesting of restricted stock units or performance stock units.

The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations over the periods during which the employee or director is required to perform a service in exchange for the award.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”) as its valuation method for stock option awards. Under the Black-Scholes model, the fair value of stock option awards on the date of grant is estimated using an option-pricing model that is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards and actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors. Restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and performance stock units issued under the 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan will have a grant-date fair value equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date less present value of expected dividends.

Warranty Costs

The Company’s provision for product warranty reflects management’s best estimate of probable liability under its product warranties. At the time a sale is recognized, the company records the estimated future warranty costs. The Company generally determines its total future warranty liability by applying historical claims rate experience to the amount of equipment that has been sold and is still within the warranty period. In addition, the Company records provisions for known warranty claims. This provision is periodically adjusted to reflect actual experience.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Receivables and Allowances

Trade receivables are reported on the balance sheet net of any doubtful accounts. Losses are recognized when it is probable that an asset has been impaired and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. In estimating probable losses, the Company reviews specific accounts that are significant and past due, in bankruptcy or otherwise identified as at risk for potential credit loss. Collectability of these specific accounts are assessed based on facts and circumstances of that customer, and an allowance for credit losses is established based on the probability of default. In assessing the likelihood of collection of receivable, the Company considers (for example) the Company’s history of collections, the current status of discussions and repayment plans, collateral received, and other evidence and information regarding collection or default risk that is available in the market place. The allowance for credit losses attributable to the remaining accounts is established using probabilities of default and an estimate of associated losses based upon the aging of receivable balances, collection experience, economic condition and credit risk quality.

As the Company’s international business has grown, the exposure to potential losses in international markets has also increased. These exposures can be difficult to estimate, particularly in areas of political instability or with governments with which the Company has limited experience or where there is a lack of transparency as to the current credit condition of governmental units. The Company’s allowance for all doubtful accounts related to outstanding receivables decreased to $2.6 million at August 31, 2019 from $3.6 million at August 31, 2018. The Company’s evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses is based on facts and circumstances available to the Company at the date the consolidated financial statements are issued and considers any significant changes in circumstances occurring through the date that the financial statements are issued.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by the last‑in, first‑out (“LIFO”) method, the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method, or the weighted average cost method for inventory depending on the operations at each specific location. At all locations, the Company reserves for obsolete, slow moving, and excess inventory by estimating the net realizable value based on the potential future use of such inventory.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant, and Equipment

Property, plant, equipment, and capitalized assets held for lease are stated at cost. The Company capitalizes major expenditures and charges to operating expenses the cost of current maintenance and repairs. Provisions for depreciation and amortization have been computed principally on the straight-line method for property, plant, and equipment. Rates used for depreciation are based principally on the following expected lives: buildings ‑‑ 15 to 40 years; equipment ‑‑ 3 to 7 years; computer hardware and software – 3 to 5 years; leased barrier transfer machines -- 8 to 10 years; leased barriers -- 12 years; other ‑‑ 2 to 20 years and leasehold improvements – shorter of the economic life or term of the lease. The Company’s internally developed software is included in computer hardware and software. All of the Company’s long‑lived asset groups 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 cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset group, an impairment loss is recognized based upon the difference between the fair value of the asset and its carrying value. No impairments were recorded during the fiscal years ended August 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017. The cost and accumulated depreciation relating to assets retired or otherwise disposed of are eliminated from the respective accounts at the time of disposition. The resulting gain or loss is included in operating income in the consolidated statements of earnings.

Valuation of Goodwill And Identifiable Intangible Assets

Valuation of Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in a business combination. Acquired intangible assets are recognized separately from goodwill. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are tested for impairment at least annually at August 31 and whenever triggering events or changes in circumstances indicate its carrying value may not be recoverable. Assessment of the potential impairment of goodwill and identifiable intangible assets is an integral part of the Company’s normal ongoing review of operations. Testing for potential impairment of these assets is significantly dependent on numerous assumptions and reflects management’s best estimates at a particular point in time. The dynamic economic environments in which the Company’s businesses operate and key economic and business assumptions related to projected selling prices, market growth, inflation rates and operating expense ratios, can significantly affect the outcome of impairment tests. Estimates based on these assumptions may differ significantly from actual results. Changes in factors and assumptions used in assessing potential impairments can have a significant impact on the existence and magnitude of impairments, as well as the time in which such impairments are recognized.

In fiscal 2019, in conjunction with the Company’s annual review for impairment, the Company performed a qualitative analysis of goodwill for each of the Company’s reporting units, which are the same as its operating segments, and did not identify any potential impairment. Also in fiscal 2019, the Company performed a qualitative analysis of other intangible assets not subject to amortization and concluded there were no indicators of impairment.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for utilizing the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying value of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. These expected future tax consequences are measured based on currently enacted tax rates. The effect of tax rate changes on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income during the period that includes the enactment date. In assessing the ability to realize deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company’s evaluation of the adequacy of any potential allowance is based on facts and circumstances available to the Company at the date the consolidated financial statements are issued and considers any significant changes in circumstances occurring through the date that the financial statements are issued.

Net Earnings Per Share

Net Earnings per Share

Basic net earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period.

Employee stock options, non-vested shares and similar equity instruments granted by the Company are treated as potential common share equivalents outstanding in computing diluted net earnings per share. The Company’s diluted common shares outstanding reported in each period includes the dilutive effect of restricted stock units, in-the-money options, and performance stock units for which threshold performance conditions have been satisfied and is calculated based on the average share price for each fiscal period using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the amount the employee must pay for exercising stock options, and the amount of compensation cost for future service that the Company has not yet recognized, are assumed to be used to repurchase shares.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company uses certain financial derivatives to mitigate its exposure to volatility in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. All derivative instruments are recorded on the balance sheet at their respective fair values. The Company uses these derivative instruments only to hedge exposures in the ordinary course of business and does not invest in derivative instruments for speculative purposes. On the date a derivative contract is entered into, the Company may elect to designate the derivative as a fair value hedge, a cash flow hedge, or the hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation.

The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivative that is used in the hedging transaction is effective. For those instruments that are designated as a cash flow hedge and meet certain documentary and analytical requirements to qualify for hedge accounting treatment, changes in the fair value for the effective portion are reported in other comprehensive income (“OCI”), net of related income tax effects, and are reclassified to the income statement when the effects of the item being hedged are recognized in the income statement. Changes in fair value of derivative instruments that qualify as hedges of a net investment in foreign operations are recorded as a component of accumulated currency translation adjustment in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), net of related income tax effects. Changes in the fair value of undesignated hedges are recognized currently in earnings. All changes in derivative fair values due to ineffectiveness are recognized currently in income.

The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, or management determines that designation of the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate. In situations in which the Company does not elect hedge accounting or hedge accounting is discontinued and the derivative is retained, the Company carries or continues to carry the derivative at its fair value on the balance sheet and recognizes any subsequent changes in its fair value through earnings. The Company manages market and credit risks associated with its derivative instruments by establishing and monitoring limits as to the types and degree of risk that may be undertaken, and by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties. As of August 31, 2019, the Company’s derivative counterparty had investment grade credit ratings.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company’s disclosure of the fair value of assets and liabilities is based on a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. Inputs refers broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. The categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value will be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

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Level 1 – inputs to valuation techniques are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

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Level 2 – inputs to the valuation techniques are other than quoted prices but are observable for the assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly

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Level 3 – inputs to the valuation techniques are unobservable for the assets or liabilities

Treasury Stock

When the Company repurchases its outstanding stock, it records the repurchased shares at cost as a reduction to shareholders’ equity. The weighted average cost method is utilized for share re-issuances. The difference between the cost and the re-issuance price is charged or credited to a “capital in excess of stated value – treasury stock” account to the extent that there is a sufficient balance to absorb the charge. If the treasury stock is sold for an amount less than its cost and there is not a sufficient balance in the capital in excess of stated value – treasury stock account, the excess is charged to retained earnings.

Contingencies

The Company’s accounting for contingencies covers a variety of business activities including contingencies for legal exposures and environmental exposures. The Company accrues these contingencies when its assessments indicate that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and an amount can be reasonably estimated. The Company’s estimates are based on currently available facts and its estimates of the ultimate outcome or resolution. Actual results may differ from the Company’s estimates resulting in an impact, positive or negative, on earnings.

Environmental Remediation Liabilities

Environmental remediation liabilities include costs directly associated with site investigation and clean up, such as materials, external contractor costs and incremental internal costs directly related to the remedy. The Company accrues the anticipated cost of environmental remediation when the obligation is probable and can be reasonably estimated. Estimates used to record environmental remediation liabilities are based on the Company’s best estimate of probable future costs based on site-specific facts and circumstances. Estimates of the cost for the likely remedy are developed using internal resources or by third-party environmental engineers or other service providers. The Company records the undiscounted environmental remediation liabilities that represent the points in the range of estimates that are most probable or the minimum amount when no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount.

Translation of Foreign Currency

The Company’s portion of the assets and liabilities related to foreign investments are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Unrealized gains or losses are reflected within common shareholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for most leases and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. The ASU is effective for public entities in the first fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company will adopt this ASU for all annual and interim reporting periods in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. The Company elected the modified retrospective transition method which allows for the recognition of any cumulative effective adjustments to the beginning balances in the period of adoption. The Company has elected to not recast its comparative periods in transition as allowed under ASU 2018-11 and has made an accounting policy election to not record an asset and liability for leases with an expected term of 12 months or less. In addition, the Company elected practical expedients to not reassess whether existing contracts are or contain leases, the classification of any existing leases, and accounting for initial direct costs of any existing leases. Additionally, the Company elected to treat all contract components as a single lease component for all classes of underlying assets.

The Company has completed its implementation efforts, which included various procedures performed to identify the Company’s portfolio of lease agreements, implementation of a new leasing software to meet the reporting and disclosure requirements of the standard, and an evaluation of its lease related processes and internal controls. The Company will record a right of use asset and lease liability of approximately $25.6 million and $29.4 million, respectively, upon adoption of the standard on the first day of fiscal 2020. Implementation of ASC 842 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations or cash flows for its lessee transactions. The Company’s Infrastructure segment generates revenue from transactions in which it is the lessor. Adoption of the ASC 842 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations or cash flows for its lessor transactions.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The standard replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current U.S. GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses on instruments within its scope, including trade receivables. This update is intended to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses. The effective date of ASU No. 2016-13 will be the first quarter of the Company’s fiscal 2021 with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU No. 2016-13 on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, which modifies the financial reporting of hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. ASU No. 2017-12 is effective in the first quarter of the Company’s fiscal 2020 with early adoption permitted. The Company does not believe the adoption of this ASU will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Guidance Adopted

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which had been codified in ASC Topic 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The standard provides a single model for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes previous revenue recognition guidance. The guidance requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of goods or services. The guidance replaces existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP and became effective for the Company in its first quarter of fiscal 2019. Under ASC Topic 606 the timing of revenue recognition may differ from previous guidance for contracts with multiple performance obligations as revenue is recognized when control has been transferred for each performance obligation. For custom and contract manufactured products that do not have an alternate use to the Company, revenue is recognized over-time when the customer agreements contain contractual termination clauses and right to payment for work performed to date which is a change from previous guidance.

The Company adopted the new standard using the modified retrospective approach effective the first day of fiscal 2019. As a result of the adoption, the Company increased retained earnings, $0.5 million, net of tax. This change relates primarily to custom and contract manufacturing arrangements for certain of the Company’s irrigation and infrastructure equipment products at various stages of production at August 31, 2018 in addition to contracts with multiple performance obligations for which control of the relevant performance obligation had been satisfied. Results for reporting periods beginning September 1, 2018 are presented in accordance with ASC Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the previously applied revenue recognition guidance.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Presentation of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Related to Defined Benefit Plans, which amends the income statement presentation requirements for the components of net periodic benefit cost for an entity's defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans. The Company adopted ASU No. 2017-07 in first quarter of fiscal 2019, recognizing the net periodic pension cost within other (expense) income, net. The Company also reclassified net periodic pension cost of $0.4 million for the years ended August 31, 2018 and 2017 out of general and administrative expense and into other expense, net.

In December 2017, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”), Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which provides guidance on accounting for the impacts of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“U.S. Tax Reform”). SAB 118 directs companies to consider the impact of the U.S. Tax Reform as provisional when it does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete its accounting under ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes. The Company has completed its accounting for the tax effects of U.S. Tax Reform as more fully explained in Note 7 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, which provides entities with the option to eliminate the stranded tax effects associated with the change in tax rates under U.S. Tax Reform through a reclassification of the stranded tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) to retained earnings. The amount of the reclassification is calculated on the basis of the difference between the historical and newly enacted tax rates for deferred tax liabilities and assets related to items within AOCI. The Company adopted ASU No. 2018-02 in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and reclassified $0.5 million to retained earnings for the impact of stranded tax effects resulting from U.S. Tax Reform.