Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

TriMas Corporation ("TriMas" or the "Company"), and its consolidated subsidiaries, designs, engineers and manufactures innovative products under leading brand names for customers primarily in the consumer products, aerospace & defense, and industrial markets.

In the second quarter of 2020, the Company elected to change its method of accounting for asbestos-related defense costs from accruing for probable and reasonably estimable defense costs associated with known claims expected to settle to accrue for all future defense costs for both known and unknown claims, which the Company now believes are reasonably estimable. The Company believes this change is preferable, as asbestos-related defense costs represent expenditures related to legacy activities that do not contribute to current or future revenue generating activities, and recording an estimate of the full liability for asbestos-related costs, where estimable with reasonable precision, provides a more complete assessment of the liability associated with resolving asbestos-related claims. This accounting change has been reflected as a change in accounting estimate effected by a change in accounting principle. See Note 15, "Commitments and Contingencies," for further information on this change.

In the first quarter of 2020, TriMas began reporting its machined components operations, located in Stanton, California and Tolleson, Arizona, as part of its Aerospace segment. The operations were previously reported in the Specialty Products segment. The move of these operations into TriMas Aerospace facilitates a more rapid approach to achieving anticipated synergies from the recent RSA Engineered Products ("RSA") acquisition, allowing the Company to better leverage the machining competencies and resources across its aerospace businesses. See Note 16, "Segment Information," for further information on each of the Company's reportable segments.

In addition, on December 20, 2019, the Company completed the sale of its Lamons division (“Lamons”), a transaction entered into with an investment fund sponsored by First Reserve on November 1, 2019. Lamons was sold for approximately $135 million in cash. The financial results of Lamons were previously reported within the Company's Specialty Products segment, and are presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented in the financial statements attached hereto. See Note 3, "Discontinued Operations," for further information on the sale of Lamons and its historical financial results.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries and, in the opinion of management, contain all adjustments, including adjustments of a normal and recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and results of operations. The preparation of financial statements also requires management of the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from such estimates and assumptions due to risks and uncertainties, including uncertainty in the current economic environment due to the ongoing outbreak of a new strain of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”). While the full impact of COVID-19 is unknown and cannot be reasonably estimated at this time, the Company has made appropriate accounting estimates based on the facts and circumstances available as of the reporting date. To the extent there are differences between these estimates and actual results, the Company's consolidated financial statements may be materially affected.

Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year, and certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the Company's 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.