Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

The Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements represent the consolidation of all wholly-owned companies, majority-owned companies and joint ventures where the Company has been determined to be the primary beneficiary. The Company consolidates a variable interest entity (“VIE”) if the Company determines it is the primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is the party that has both the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company also consolidates all entities that are not considered VIEs if it is determined that it has a controlling voting interest to direct the activities that most significantly impact the joint venture or entity. The Company records investments in all other affiliate companies using the equity method of accounting when it has significant influence. Other investments, including those representing an ownership of less than 20%, are recorded at cost. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period 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. The estimates made by management primarily relate to accounts and notes receivable, inventories, deferred income tax valuation allowances, goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets, and certain accrued liabilities, principally relating to reserves for volume discounts and sales incentives, warranty obligations, product liability and workers’ compensation obligations, and pensions and postretirement benefits.

Revenue Recognition

Sales of equipment and replacement parts are recorded by the Company when title and risks of ownership have been transferred to an independent dealer, distributor or other customer. In certain countries, sales of certain grain storage and protein production systems where the Company is responsible for construction or installation and may be contingent upon customer acceptance, are recorded at the completion of the project. Payment terms vary by market and product, with fixed payment schedules on all sales. The terms of sale generally require that a purchase order or order confirmation accompany all shipments. Title generally passes to the dealer or distributor upon shipment or specified delivery, and the risk of loss upon damage, theft or destruction of the equipment is the responsibility of the dealer, distributor or third-party carrier at the point of the stated shipping or delivery term. In certain foreign countries, the Company retains a form of title to goods delivered to dealers until the dealer makes payment so that the Company can recover the goods in the event of customer default on payment. This occurs as the laws of some foreign countries do not provide for a seller’s retention of a security interest in goods in the same manner as established in the United States Uniform Commercial Code. The only right the Company retains with respect to the title is that enabling recovery of the goods in the event of customer default on payment. The dealer or distributor may not return equipment or replacement parts while its contract with the Company is in force. Replacement parts may be returned only under promotional and annual return programs. Provisions for returns under these programs are made at the time of sale based on the terms of the program and historical returns experience. The Company may provide certain sales incentives to dealers and distributors. Provisions for sales incentives are made at the time of sale for existing incentive programs. These provisions are revised in the event of subsequent modification to the incentive program. See “Accounts and Notes Receivable” for further discussion.

In the United States and Canada, all equipment sales to dealers are immediately due upon a retail sale of the equipment by the dealer with the exception of sales of grain storage and protein production systems. If not previously paid by the dealer in the United States and Canada, installment payments are required generally beginning after the interest-free period with the remaining outstanding equipment balance generally due within 12 months after shipment or delivery. Interest generally is charged on the outstanding balance six to 12 months after shipment or delivery. Sales terms of some highly seasonal products provide for payment and due dates based on a specified date during the year regardless of the shipment date. Equipment sold to dealers in the United States and Canada is paid in full on average within 12 months of shipment. Sales of replacement parts generally are payable within 30 days of shipment, with terms for some larger, seasonal stock orders generally requiring payment within six months of shipment. Sales of grain storage and protein production systems generally are payable within 30 days of shipment.

In other international markets, equipment sales generally are payable in full within 30 to 180 days of shipment or delivery. Payment terms for some highly seasonal products have a specified due date during the year regardless of the shipment or delivery date. Sales of replacement parts generally are payable within 30 to 90 days of shipment, with terms for some larger, seasonal stock orders generally payable within six months of shipment.

In certain markets, particularly in North America, there is a time lag, which varies based on the timing and level of retail demand, between the date the Company records a sale and when the dealer sells the equipment to a retail customer.

Foreign Currency Transaction

Foreign Currency Translation

The financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated into United States currency in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 830, “Foreign Currency Matters.” Assets and liabilities are translated to United States dollars at period-end exchange rates. Income and expense items are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the period. Translation adjustments are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in stockholders’ equity within the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Gains and losses, which result from foreign currency transactions, are included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash at December 31, 2014 and 2013 of $215.3 million and $465.2 million, respectively, consisted primarily of cash on hand and bank deposits. The Company considers all investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents at December 31, 2014 and 2013 of $148.4 million and $582.0 million, respectively, consisted primarily of money market deposits, certificates of deposits and overnight investments.

Accounts and Notes Receivable

Accounts and notes receivable arise from the sale of equipment and replacement parts to independent dealers, distributors or other customers. Payments due under the Company’s terms of sale generally range from one to 12 months and are not contingent upon the sale of the equipment by the dealer or distributor to a retail customer. Under normal circumstances, payment terms are not extended and equipment may not be returned. In certain regions, with respect to most equipment sales, including the United States and Canada, the Company is obligated to repurchase equipment and replacement parts upon cancellation of a dealer or distributor contract. These obligations are required by national, state or provincial laws and require the Company to repurchase a dealer or distributor’s unsold inventory, including inventories for which the receivable already has been paid.

The Company offers various sales terms with respect to its products. For sales in most markets outside of the United States and Canada, the Company generally does not charge interest on outstanding receivables with its dealers and distributors. For sales to certain dealers or distributors in the United States and Canada, interest is charged at or above prime lending rates on outstanding receivable balances after interest-free periods. These interest-free periods vary by product and generally range from one to 12 months as previously discussed. Globally, in limited circumstances, we provide sales terms and, in some cases, interest free periods that are longer than 12 months for certain seasonal products such as harvesting equipment. These are typically specified programs, predominately in the United States and Canada, where interest is charged after a period of up to 23 months depending on the year of the sale and the dealer or distributor’s sales volume during the preceding year. Actual interest-free periods are shorter than described above because the equipment receivable from dealers or distributors in some countries, such as in the United States and Canada, is generally due immediately upon sale of the equipment to a retail customer. Receivables can also be paid prior to terms specified in sales agreements. Under normal circumstances, interest is not forgiven and interest-free periods are not extended.

The following summarizes by geographic region, as a percentage of our consolidated net sales, amounts with maximum interest-free periods as presented below (in millions):



Year Ended December 31, 2014	North America		South America		Europe/Africa/ Middle East		Asia/Pacific		Consolidated
0 to 6 months	$	1,856.3	$	1,663.4	$	5,097.9	$	487.6	$	9,105.2	93.6	%
7 to 12 months	510.2		—		59.2		—		569.4		5.9	%
13 to 23 months	47.7		—		1.4		—		49.1		0.5	%
	$	2,414.2	$	1,663.4	$	5,158.5	$	487.6	$	9,723.7	100	%

The Company has an agreement to permit transferring, on an ongoing basis, substantially all of its wholesale interest-bearing and non-interest bearing accounts receivable in North America to its U.S. and Canadian finance joint ventures. Upon transfer, the receivables maintain standard payment terms, including required regular principal payments on amounts outstanding, and interest charges at market rates. The Company also has accounts receivable sales agreements that permit the sale, on an ongoing basis, of a majority of its accounts receivables in Europe to its European finance joint ventures. Upon transfer, the receivables maintain standard payment terms. Qualified dealers may obtain additional financing through the Company’s U.S., Canadian and European finance joint ventures at the joint ventures’ discretion.

The Company provides various volume bonus and sales incentive programs with respect to its products. These sales incentive programs include reductions in invoice prices, reductions in retail financing rates, dealer commissions and dealer incentive allowances. In most cases, incentive programs are established and communicated to the Company’s dealers on a quarterly basis. The incentives are paid either at the time of invoice (through a reduction of invoice price), at the time of the settlement of the receivable, at the time of retail financing, at the time of warranty registration, or at a subsequent time based on dealer purchases. The incentive programs are product-line specific and generally do not vary by dealer. The cost of sales incentives associated with dealer commissions and dealer incentive allowances is estimated based upon the terms of the programs and historical experience, is based on a percentage of the sales price, and is recorded at the later of (a) the date at which the related revenue is recognized, or (b) the date at which the sales incentive is offered. The related provisions and accruals are made on a product or product-line basis and are monitored for adequacy and revised at least quarterly in the event of subsequent modifications to the programs. Volume discounts are estimated and recognized based on historical experience, and related reserves are monitored and adjusted based on actual dealer purchases and the dealer’s progress towards achieving specified cumulative target levels. The Company records the cost of interest subsidy payments, which is a reduction in the retail financing rates, at the later of (a) the date at which the related revenue is recognized, or (b) the date at which the sales incentive is offered. Estimates of these incentives are based on the terms of the programs and historical experience. All incentive programs are recorded and presented as a reduction of revenue due to the fact that the Company does not receive an identifiable benefit in exchange for the consideration provided. Reserves for incentive programs that will be paid either through the reduction of future invoices or through credit memos are recorded as “accounts receivable allowances” within the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Reserves for incentive programs that will be paid in cash, as is the case with most of the Company’s volume discount programs, as well as sales with incentives associated with accounts receivable sold to its U.S. and Canadian finance joint ventures, are recorded within “Accrued expenses” within the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Accounts and notes receivable are shown net of allowances for sales incentive discounts available to dealers and for doubtful accounts. Cash flows related to the collection of receivables are reported within “Cash flows from operating activities” within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Accounts and notes receivable allowances at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in millions):



	2014		2013
Sales incentive discounts	$	18.5	$	30.4
Doubtful accounts	32.1		34.9
	$	50.6	$	65.3

The Company transfers certain accounts receivable under its accounts receivable sales agreements with its finance joint ventures (Note 4). The Company records such transfers as sales of accounts receivable when it is considered to have surrendered control of such receivables under the provisions of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-16, “Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets.” Cash payments are made to the Company’s U.S. and Canadian finance joint ventures for sales incentive discounts provided to dealers related to outstanding accounts receivables sold. The balances of such sales discount reserves that are recorded within “Accrued expenses” as of December 31, 2014 and 2013 were approximately $236.5 million and $206.2 million, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out method. Market is current replacement cost (by purchase or by reproduction, dependent on the type of inventory). In cases where market exceeds net realizable value (i.e., estimated selling price less reasonably predictable costs of completion and disposal), inventories are stated at net realizable value. Market is not considered to be less than net realizable value reduced by an allowance for an approximately normal profit margin. At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had recorded $126.5 million and $119.9 million, respectively, as an adjustment for surplus and obsolete inventories. These adjustments are reflected within “Inventories, net” within the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Inventories, net at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in millions):



	2014		2013
Finished goods	$	616.6	$	775.7
Repair and replacement parts	536.4		550.2
Work in process	130.5		109.0
Raw materials	467.2		581.2
Inventories, net	$	1,750.7	$	2,016.1

Cash flows related to the sale of inventories are reported within “Cash flows from operating activities” within the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of ten to 40 years for buildings and improvements, three to 15 years for machinery and equipment and three to ten years for furniture and fixtures. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.

Goodwill, Intangible Assets and Long-Lived Assets

Goodwill, Other Intangible Assets and Long-Lived Assets

The Company tests goodwill for impairment, at the reporting unit level, annually and when events or circumstances indicate that fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, for example, a component. The Company combines and aggregates two or more components of an operating segment as a single reporting unit if the components have similar economic characteristics. The Company’s reportable segments are not its reporting units.

Goodwill is evaluated annually as of October 1 for impairment using a qualitative assessment or a quantitative two-step assessment. If the Company elects to perform a qualitative assessment and determines the fair value of its reporting units more likely than not exceeds their carrying value, no further evaluation is necessary. For reporting units where the Company performs a two-step quantitative assessment, the first step requires the Company to compare the fair value of each reporting unit, which is determined based on a combination of a discounted cash flow valuation approach and a market multiple valuation approach, to its respective carrying value, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the goodwill is not considered impaired. If the carrying value is higher than the fair value of the reporting unit, the second step of the quantitative process is required to measure the amount of impairment, if any. The second step of the quantitative assessment results in a calculation of the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill, which is determined as the excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the fair values assigned to its assets and liabilities. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill, the difference is recognized as an impairment loss.

The Company reviews its long-lived assets, which includes intangible assets subject to amortization, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The evaluation for recoverability is performed at a level where independent cash flows may be attributed to either an asset or asset group. If the Company determines that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group is not recoverable based on the expected undiscounted future cash flows of the asset or asset group, an impairment loss is recorded equal to the excess of the carrying amounts over the estimated fair value of the long-lived assets. Estimates of future cash flows are based on many factors, including current operating results, expected market trends and competitive influences. The Company also evaluates the amortization periods assigned to its intangible assets to determine whether events or changes in circumstances warrant revised estimates of useful lives. Assets to be disposed of by sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less estimated costs to sell.

Amortization of certain Intangible Assets

The Company amortizes certain acquired identifiable intangible assets primarily on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which range from five to 50 years.

Warranty Reserves

The Company’s agricultural equipment products are generally under warranty against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one to four years. The Company accrues for future warranty costs at the time of sale based on historical warranty experience. Approximately $38.9 million and $39.0 million of warranty reserves are included in “Other noncurrent liabilities” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Insurance Reserves

Under the Company’s insurance programs, coverage is obtained for significant liability limits as well as those risks required to be insured by law or contract. It is the policy of the Company to self-insure a portion of certain expected losses related primarily to workers’ compensation and comprehensive general, product and vehicle liability. Provisions for losses expected under these programs are recorded based on the Company’s estimates of the aggregate liabilities for the claims incurred.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses are expensed as incurred and are included in engineering expenses in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Advertising Costs

The Company expenses all advertising costs as incurred. Cooperative advertising costs normally are expensed at the time the revenue is earned. Advertising expenses for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 totaled approximately $59.8 million, $60.5 million and $60.2 million, respectively.

Shipping and Handling Expenses

All shipping and handling fees charged to customers are included as a component of net sales. Shipping and handling costs are included as a part of cost of goods sold, with the exception of certain handling costs included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the amount of $29.2 million, $29.3 million and $31.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

Net Income Per Common Share

Basic income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted income per common share assumes the exercise of outstanding stock options, stock-settled stock appreciation rights (“SSARs”), the vesting of restricted stock and performance share awards, and the appreciation of the excess conversion value of the contingently convertible senior subordinated notes using the treasury stock method when the effects of such assumptions are dilutive.

The Company’s former 1¹/4% convertible senior subordinated notes provided for the settlement upon conversion in cash up to the principal amount of the converted notes with any excess conversion value settled in shares of the Company’s common stock. Dilution of weighted shares outstanding was dependent on the Company’s stock price for the excess conversion value using the treasury stock method (Note 7).

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The Company reports comprehensive income (loss), defined as the total of net income (loss) and all other non-owner changes in equity, and the components thereof in its Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

Financial Instruments

Derivatives

The Company uses foreign currency contracts to hedge the foreign currency exposure of certain receivables and payables. The contracts are for periods consistent with the exposure being hedged and generally have maturities of one year or less. These contracts are classified as non-designated derivative instruments. The Company also enters into foreign currency contracts designated as cash flow hedges of expected sales. The Company’s foreign currency contracts mitigate risk due to exchange rate fluctuations because gains and losses on these contracts generally offset losses and gains on the exposure being hedged.

The notional amounts of the foreign currency contracts do not represent amounts exchanged by the parties and, therefore, are not a measure of the Company’s risk. The amounts exchanged are calculated on the basis of the notional amounts and other terms of the contracts. The credit and market risks under these contracts are not considered to be significant. The Company’s hedging policy prohibits it from entering into any foreign currency contracts for speculative trading purposes.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”), which supersedes existing revenue recognition guidance under current U.S. GAAP. ASU 2014-09 outlines a comprehensive, single revenue recognition model that provides a five-step analysis in determining when and how revenue is recognized. The new model will require revenue recognition to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for those goods or services. Additional disclosures also will be required to enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The standard is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company currently is evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists” (“ASU 2013-11”). ASU 2013-11 requires an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. To the extent a net operating loss carryfoward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position, or the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction does not require the entity to use, and the entity does not intend to use, the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit is presented in the financial statements as a liability and is not combined with deferred tax assets. The standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2014. The adoption of ASU 2013-11 did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial condition.