Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Principles of Consolidation. The Consolidated Financial Statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 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.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents. We consider all highly liquid short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Sales of Accounts Receivable

Sales of Accounts Receivable. We have entered into several customer sponsored programs administered by unrelated financial institutions that permit us to sell certain accounts receivable at discounted rates to the financial institutions. Transactions under these agreements were accounted for as sales of accounts receivable and were removed from our Consolidated Balance Sheet at the time of the sales transactions. During fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014, we sold $521.9 million, $519.2 million and $477.9 million, respectively, pursuant to these agreements. If receivables had not been sold, $338.3 million and $335.9 million of additional receivables would have been outstanding at December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015, respectively, based on standard payment terms. Selling, general and administrative expenses include $8.9 million, $7.2 million and $6.2 million in fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014, respectively, of financing costs associated with these accounts receivable sales programs.

Inventories

Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method. Inventories include the cost of material, freight, direct labor and overhead utilized in the processing of our products. We provide reserves for discontinued and excess inventory based upon historical demand, forecasted usage, estimated customer requirements and product line updates.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment. Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated over their estimated useful lives, which range from three to thirty-nine years, using the straight-line method for financial statement reporting purposes and accelerated methods for income tax purposes. The costs of maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Renewals and betterments are capitalized. Gains and losses on disposals are included in operating results.

Estimated useful lives by major asset category are as follows:


Buildings and building improvements		10 to 39 years
Machinery, equipment and tooling		3 to 10 years
Software and computer equipment		3 to 10 years
Furniture, fixtures and leasehold improvements		3 to 15 years

Long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. The impairment review is a two-step process. First, recoverability is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows, the second step of the impairment test is performed and an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. The assets and liabilities of a disposal group classified as held for sale would be presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the balance sheet.

Goodwill

Goodwill. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment on an annual basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the goodwill may be impaired. In regards to the annual test, we have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If we determine it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. During fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, we assessed the qualitative factors which could affect the fair values of our reporting units and determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair values of each reporting unit was less than its carrying amount.

Other Assets

Other Assets. Other assets include primarily long-term core inventory, deposits, and equity method investments.

Long-term core inventory of $18.5 million and $14.6 million as of December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015, respectively, represents products used in remanufacturing processes, and consists of used cores purchased and held in our facilities, used cores that are in the process of being returned from our customers and end-users, and remanufactured cores held in finished goods inventory at our facilities. A used core is reconditioned and sold to the customer as a replacement for a unit inside a vehicle. Our products that utilize a core primarily include instrument clusters and hybrid batteries. Customers and end-users that purchase remanufactured products will generally return the used core to us, which we then use in the remanufacturing process to make another finished good. Long-term core inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined based on actual purchases of core inventory. We believe that the most appropriate classification of core inventory is a long-term asset. According to guidance provided under the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), current assets are defined as “assets or resources commonly identified as those which are reasonably expected to be realized in cash or sold or consumed during the normal operating cycle of the business.” The determination of the long-term classification is based on our view that the value of the cores is not consumed or realized in cash during our normal operating cycle.

Other Accrued Liabilities

Other Accrued Liabilities. Other accrued liabilities include primarily accrued customer rebates which we expect to settle in cash of $7.3 million and $15.0 million as of December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015, respectively. Also included are accrued commissions, accrued income taxes, insurance liabilities, product warranties, and other current liabilities. We warrant our products against certain defects in material and workmanship when used as designed on the vehicle on which it was originally installed. We offer a limited lifetime warranty on most of our products. Our warranty limits the end-user’s remedy to the repair or replacement of the part that is defective. Product warranty reserves, which were $0.5 million as of December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015, are based upon actual experience and forecasts using the best historical and current claim information available. Provisions and payments related to product warranty reserves were not material in fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015 or fiscal 2014.

Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Customer Credits

Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Customer Credits. Revenue is recognized from product sales when goods are shipped, title and risk of loss have been transferred to the customer and collection is reasonably assured. We record estimates for cash discounts, product returns, promotional rebates, core returns, and other discounts in the period of the sale (“Customer Credits”). The provision for Customer Credits is recorded as a reduction from gross sales and reserves for Customer Credits are shown as a reduction of accounts receivable. Accrued customer credits which we expect to settle in cash are classified as other accrued liabilities. Actual Customer Credits have not differed materially from estimated amounts. Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling are included in net sales. Costs associated with shipping and handling are included in cost of goods sold.

Research and Development

Research and Development. Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development costs totaling $18.9 million in fiscal 2016, $16.8 million in fiscal 2015 and $15.8 million in fiscal 2014 have been recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation. At December 31, 2016 and December 26, 2015, we had one stock-based employee compensation plan, which is described more fully in Note 10, Capital Stock. We record compensation expense for all awards granted. The value of restricted stock issued is based on the fair value of our common stock on the grant date. The fair value of stock options granted was determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation model.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes. We follow the asset and liability method of accounting for deferred income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets or liabilities at the end of each period are determined using the tax rate expected to be in effect when taxes are actually paid or recovered.

Unrecognized income tax benefits represent income tax positions taken on income tax returns that have not been recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The Company recognizes the benefit of an income tax position only if it is more likely than not (greater than 50%) that the tax position will be sustained upon tax examination, based solely on the technical merits of the tax position. Otherwise, no benefit is recognized. The tax benefits recognized are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Additionally, we accrue interest and related penalties, if applicable, on all tax exposures for which reserves have been established consistent with jurisdictional tax laws. Interest and penalties are classified as income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company does not anticipate material changes in the amount of unrecognized income tax benefits over the next year.

Concentrations of Risk

Concentrations of Risk. Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents and accounts receivable. All cash equivalents are managed within established guidelines which limit the amount which may be invested with one issuer. A significant percentage of our accounts receivable have been, and will continue to be, concentrated among a relatively small number of automotive retailers and warehouse distributors in the United States. Our five largest customers accounted for 87% of net accounts receivable as of December 31, 2016 and 79% of net accounts receivable as of December 26, 2015. We continually monitor the credit terms and credit limits to these and other customers. In fiscal 2016, approximately 77% of our products were purchased from suppliers located in a variety of foreign countries, with the largest portion coming from China.

Fair Value Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures. The carrying value of financial instruments such as cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other current assets and liabilities approximate their fair value based on the short-term nature of these instruments. We did not hold any foreign currency forward contracts at December 31, 2016 or December 26, 2015.

New and Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which 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 customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. As originally issued, the new standard would have been effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The FASB has amended the standard to be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We have completed an initial evaluation of the ASU. Based on the evaluation conducted to date, we do not expect the adoption of the new guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. However, we have not yet completed our assessment, especially as it relates to disclosure and presentation matters. As a result, we continue to evaluate the effect the ASU will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory, which changes the measurement principle for inventory from the lower of cost or market to the lower of cost and net realizable value. The amendments in this guidance do not apply to inventory that is measured using last-in,first-out (LIFO) or the retail inventory method. The amendments apply to all other inventory, which includes inventory that is measured using first-in, first-out or average cost. Within the scope of this new guidance, an entity should measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value; where, net realizable value is defined as the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The new guidance must be applied on a prospective basis. We do not believe that the new guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall, which relates to the recognition and measurement of financial assets and liabilities. The new guidance makes targeted improvements to GAAP impacting equity investments (other than those accounted for under the equity method or consolidated), financial liabilities accounted for under the fair value election, and presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments, among other changes. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption prohibited other than for certain provisions. We are evaluating the impact that the new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, which replaces existing lease guidance. The ASU is intended to provide enhanced transparency and comparability by requiring lessees to record right-of-use assets and corresponding lease liabilities on the balance sheet. The new guidance will continue to classify leases as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the statement of operations. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early application permitted. The new standard is required to be applied with a modified retrospective approach. We are evaluating the effect that the new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation – Improvement to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which amends the current guidance related to stock compensation. The updated guidance changes how companies account for certain aspects of share-based payment awards to employees, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. The update to the standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early application permitted. We are evaluating the effect that the new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which clarifies and provides guidance on eight cash flow classification issues and is intended to reduce existing diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. We are evaluating the effect that the new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which eliminates the need to perform a hypothetical purchase price allocation to measure goodwill impairment. ASU 2017-05 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. We are evaluating the effect that the new guidance will have, however, we do not believe the new guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.