Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation	Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Alamo Group Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Alamo Group”), all of which are wholly owned. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amount of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Judgments related to asset impairment and certain reserves are particularly subject to change. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Such estimates include, but are not limited to, allowance for doubtful accounts, reserve for sales discounts, estimated realizable value on obsolete and slow-moving inventory, warranty reserve, estimates related to pension accounting; estimates related to fair value for purposes of assessing goodwill, long-lived assets and intangible assets for impairment; estimates related to income taxes; and estimates related to contingencies.
Foreign Currency	Foreign Currency The Company translates the assets and liabilities of foreign-owned subsidiaries at rates in effect at the end of the year. Revenues and expenses are translated at average rates in effect during the reporting period. Translation adjustments are included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
Cash Equivalents	Cash EquivalentsThe Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Concentrations of Credit Risk	Concentrations of Credit Risk Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable. The credit risk is limited because of the large numbers and types of customers and their geographic dispersion.
Inventories	InventoriesInventories of U.S. operating subsidiaries are stated at the lower of cost (last-in, first-out method) (“LIFO”) or market, and the Company’s international subsidiaries’ inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) (“FIFO”) or market. Inventory costs include those costs directly attributable to products, including raw materials, labor and overhead.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant, and equipment are stated on the basis of cost. Major renewals and betterments are charged to the property accounts while replacements, maintenance and repairs, which do not improve or extend the lives of the respective assets, are expensed to the current period. Depreciation is provided at amounts calculated to amortize the cost of the assets over their estimated useful economic lives using the straight-line method.
Impairment of Long-lived assets	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, rental equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset or asset group to be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares non-discounted cash flows expected to be generated by that asset group to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable on a non-discounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary.
Goodwill	Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but is instead tested for impairment at least annually, or whenever events or circumstances change between the annual impairment tests that make it likely that an impairment may have occurred, such as a significant adverse change in the business climate or a decision to sell all or a portion of a reporting unit. The Company performs its annual test for goodwill impairment related to its reporting units on October 1 of each fiscal year. Impairment testing for goodwill is done at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (also known as a component). A component of an operating segment is a reporting unit if the component constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available, and segment management regularly reviews the operating results of that component. We perform a qualitative assessment for all of our reporting units to determine whether it is more likely than not that an impairment exists. Factors considered include macroeconomic, industry and competitive conditions, legal and regulatory environment, historical financial performance and significant changes in the reporting unit. If the qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that an impairment exists, then a quantitative assessment is performed. Alternatively, we may also bypass the qualitative assessment and go ahead and perform step 1 to determine if the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. If the fair value of the reporting unit is lower than its carrying amount, goodwill is written down for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value. However, the loss recognized cannot exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. We typically use discounted cash flow models to determine the fair value of a reporting unit. The assumptions used in these models are consistent with those we believe a hypothetical marketplace participant would use.
Intangible Assets	Intangible Assets The Company has intangible assets with both definite and indefinite useful lives. The definite-lived assets are trade names and trademarks, customer and dealer relationships, and patents and drawings that are subject to amortization with useful lives ranging from 3 years to 25 years. Impairment of definite-lived assets is discussed as part of the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets paragraph above. The indefinite-lived assets not subject to amortization consist of trade names. The Company tests its indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis at year-end, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset could be below its carrying amount. The impairment test consists of comparing the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset, determined using the relief from royalty method, with its carrying amount. An impairment loss would be recognized for the carrying amount in excess of its fair value.
Leases	Leases We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in other non-current assets, accrued liabilities, and other long-term liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property, plant and equipment, accrued liabilities, and other long-term liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We have elected to not account for the lease and non-lease components separately for most of our asset classes with the exception of real-estate. We have also elected to exclude all lease agreements with an initial term of 12 months or less from the lease recognition requirements as allowed by ASC. Rental EquipmentThe Company enters into operating lease agreements with customers related to the rental of certain equipment. In accounting for these leases, the cost of the equipment purchased or manufactured by the Company is recorded as an asset, and is depreciated over its estimated useful life.
Pensions	Pensions The Company records annual amounts relating to its pension and post-retirement plans based on calculations that incorporate various actuarial and other assumptions, including discount rates, mortality, assumed rates of return, compensation increases, turnover rates and health care cost trend rates. The Company reviews its assumptions on an annual basis and makes modifications to the assumptions based on current rates and trends when it is appropriate to do so. The effect of modifications to those assumptions is recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and amortized to net periodic cost over future periods using the corridor method. The Company believes that the assumptions utilized in recording its obligations under its plans are reasonable based on its experience and market conditions. The net periodic costs are recognized as employees render the services necessary to earn the post-retirement benefits.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition The majority of the Company's revenue is recognized from product sales under contracts with customers. The Company presents two reportable operating segments within its financial statements: Industrial and Agricultural. Contract terms and performance obligations within each contractual agreement are generally consistent for both divisions, with small differences that do not have a significant impact on the revenue recognition considerations under Topic 606. Revenues are recognized when we satisfy our performance obligation to transfer product to our customers, which typically occurs at a point in time upon shipment or delivery of the product, and for an amount that reflects the transaction price that is allocated to the performance obligation. Our contracts with customers state the final terms of sale, including the description, quantity and price for goods sold. In the normal course of business, we generally do not accept product returns. The transaction price is the consideration that we expect to be entitled to in exchange for our products. Some of our contracts contain variable consideration in the form of sales incentives to our customers, such as discounts and rebates. For contracts that include variable consideration, we estimate the factors that determine the variable consideration in order to establish the transaction price. We have elected that any taxes collected from customers and remitted to government authorities (i.e., sales tax, use tax, etc.) are excluded from the measurement of the transaction price and therefore are excluded from net sales in the consolidated statements of operations. There are instances where we provide shipping services in relation to the goods sold to our customers. Shipping and handling costs that occur before the customer obtains control of the goods are deemed to be fulfillment activities and are included in cost of goods sold. We have elected to account for shipping and handling activities that occur after the customer has obtained control of a good as fulfillment activities (i.e., an expense) rather than as a promised service.
Rental Equipment	Leases We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in other non-current assets, accrued liabilities, and other long-term liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property, plant and equipment, accrued liabilities, and other long-term liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We have elected to not account for the lease and non-lease components separately for most of our asset classes with the exception of real-estate. We have also elected to exclude all lease agreements with an initial term of 12 months or less from the lease recognition requirements as allowed by ASC. Rental EquipmentThe Company enters into operating lease agreements with customers related to the rental of certain equipment. In accounting for these leases, the cost of the equipment purchased or manufactured by the Company is recorded as an asset, and is depreciated over its estimated useful life.
Shipping and Handling Costs	Shipping and Handling Costs The Company’s policy is to include shipping and handling costs in costs of goods sold.
Advertising	Advertising We charge advertising costs to expense as incurred. Advertising and marketing expense related to operations for fiscal years 2019, 2018, and 2017 was approximately $12,177,000, $11,773,000 and $9,566,000, respectively. Advertising and marketing expenses are included in Selling, General and Administrative expenses (“SG&A”).
Research and Development	Research and DevelopmentProduct development and engineering costs charged to SG&A
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines and penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The Company's policy is to accrue for legal costs expected to be incurred in connection with loss contingencies.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities, and are measured by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to the future years in which deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be settled or realized. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, available tax carry backs and tax planning strategies in making this assessment other than those which we have reserved. We have elected to treat the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) tax as a period expense. We previously considered substantially all of the earnings in our foreign subsidiaries to be permanently reinvested and, accordingly, recorded no deferred income taxes on such earnings. As a result of the fundamental changes to the taxation of multinational corporations as a result of TCJA, we no longer intend to permanently reinvest all of the historical undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries. We will distribute earnings from our European subsidiaries, while maintaining our permanent reinvestment for our other foreign subsidiaries. GAAP requires recognition of a deferred tax liability in the reporting period in which its intent to no longer permanently reinvest its historical undistributed foreign earnings is made. There will generally be no U.S. federal taxes imposed on such future distributions of European foreign earnings.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation The Company has granted options to purchase its common stock to certain employees and directors of the Company and its affiliates under various stock option plans at no less than the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant. These options are granted for a term not exceeding ten years and are forfeited in the event that the employee or director terminates his or her employment or relationship with the Company or one of its affiliates other than by retirement or death. These options generally vest over five years. All option plans contain anti-dilutive provisions that permit an adjustment of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock represented by each option for any change in capitalization. Excess tax benefits or awards that are recognized in equity related to stock option exercises are reflected as cash flows from financing activities in the statement of cash flows. The fair value of each stock option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation method with the following assumptions noted: 1.The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rate over the expected life of the option at the time of the grant. 2.The dividend yield is calculated as the ratio of dividends paid per share of common stock to the stock price on the date of the grant. 3.The expected volatility factors are based on the historical movement of the Company’s common stock price over the expected life of the option. 4.The expected life is the average length of time in which officers, other employees, and non-employee directors are expected to exercise their options, and which are primarily based on historical experience.
Earnings per Common Share ("EPS")	Earnings per Common Share (“EPS”) Basic EPS is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year. The treasury stock method is used to compute diluted EPS which gives effect to the potential dilution of earnings that could have occurred if additional shares were issued for awards granted under the Company’s incentive stock option plans. The treasury stock method assumes proceeds obtained upon exercise of awards granted under the incentive stock option plans are used to purchase outstanding common stock at the average market price during the period.
Accounting Pronouncements	Accounting Pronouncements Adopted on January 1, 2019 In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)". This update requires that a lessee recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. Similar to current guidance, the update continues to differentiate between finance leases and operating leases, however this distinction now primarily relates to differences in the manner of expense recognition over time and in the classification of lease payments in the statement of cash flows. The updated guidance leaves the accounting for leases by lessors largely unchanged from existing GAAP. The guidance became effective for us on January 1, 2019. As a lessee, this standard primarily impacted our accounting for long-term real estate and equipment leases, for which we recognized right-of-use assets of $7,747,000 and a corresponding lease liability of $7,868,000 on our consolidated balance sheet. We adopted these provisions on January 1, 2019 using the optional transition method that permits us to apply the new disclosure requirements in 2019 and continue to present comparative period information as required under FASB ASC Topic 840, "Leases". We did not have a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings at the date of adoption. We elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which, among other things, allowed us to not account for lease and non-lease components separately for most of our asset classes and to exclude leases with an initial term of 12 months or less from the right-of-use assets and liabilities. Adoption of the standards had no impact on results of operations or liquidity. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income", to allow reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA"). Upon adoption of the ASU, entities will be required to disclose a description of the accounting policy for releasing income tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income. The standard is required to be adopted for periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption available for any set of financial statements that have yet to be issued or made available for issuance including retrospectively for any period in which the effect of the change is the U.S. corporate income tax rate in the TCJA is recognized. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Statement Update (ASU) No. 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”, which modifies the disclosures requirements on fair value measurements. Among other things, the amendments add disclosures for changes in unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 fair value measurements and requires additional disclosures on unobservable inputs associated with Level 3 assets. The guidance will become effective for us on January 1, 2020. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Statement Update (ASU) No. 2018-14, “Compensation, Defined Benefit Plans", which modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. The update removes certain disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial and adds disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The guidance will become effective for us on January 1, 2021 with early adoption permitted for any financial statements that have not been issued. The impacts that adoption of the ASU is expected to have on our financial disclosures is being evaluated. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses,” to improve information on credit losses for financial instruments. The ASU replaces the current incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses. The ASU is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted beginning in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, “Income Taxes” to simplify the accounting for income taxes. The amendments in this Update simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. The guidance will become effective for us on January 1, 2021 with early adoption permitted for any financial statements that have not been issued. The impacts that adoption of the ASU is expected to have on our financial disclosures is being evaluated.
Inventories - Obsolete and Slow Moving	Inventories – Obsolete and Slow Moving The Company had a reserve of $8,233,000 on December 31, 2019 and $7,194,000 on December 31, 2018 to cover obsolete and slow moving inventory. The increase in the reserve was primarily attributable to the Company's Industrial Division. The obsolete and slow moving inventory reserve is calculated as follows: 1) no inventory usage over a three-year period is deemed obsolete and reserved at 100%; and 2) slow moving inventory with little usage requires a 100% reserve on items that have a quantity greater than a three-year supply. There are exceptions to the obsolete and slow moving classifications if approved by an officer of the Company, based on specific identification of an item or items that are deemed to be either included or excluded from this classification. In cases where there is no historical data, management makes a judgment based on a specific review of the inventory in question to determine what reserves, if any, are appropriate. New products or parts are generally excluded from the reserve until a three-year history has been established.
Warranty	Warranty The Company’s warranty policy is generally to provide its customers warranty for up to one year on all wholegood units and 90 days on parts, though some components can have warranty for longer terms. Warranty reserve, as a percentage of sales, is generally calculated by looking at the current twelve months’ expenses and prorating that amount based on twelve months’ sales with a 90 day to six-month lag period. The Company’s historical experience is that an end-user takes approximately 90 days to six months from the receipt of the unit to file a warranty claim. A warranty reserve is established for each different marketing group.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	U.S. GAAP requires or permits certain assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value on a recurring or non- recurring basis in our balance sheets. U.S. GAAP also requires the disclosure of the fair values of financial instruments when on option to elect fair value accounting has been provided but such election has not been made. A debt obligation is an example of such a financial instrument. Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. There is a three-tier fair value hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs used in valuation techniques. Observable inputs (highest level) reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs (lowest level) reflect internally developed market assumptions. In fair value, measurements are classified under the following hierarchy: Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs or significant value-drivers are observable in active markets. Level 3 – Model-derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value-drivers are unobservable. When measuring fair value, the Company maximizes use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs. Fair value measurements are classified to the lowest level input or value-driver that is significant to the valuation. A measurement may therefore be classified within Level 3 even though there may be significant inputs that are readily observable. The carrying values of certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses, approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these items. The carrying value of our debt approximates the fair value as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, as the floating rates on our outstanding balances approximate current market rates. This conclusion was made based on Level 2 inputs. Fair values determined by Level 2 utilize inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. Other than the investments held by the retirement benefit plans, as described in Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company does not have any other significant financial assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The Company has no recurring nor nonrecurring valuations that fall under Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Alamo Group Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Alamo Group”), all of which are wholly owned. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amount of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Judgments related to asset impairment and certain reserves are particularly subject to change. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Such estimates include, but are not limited to, allowance for doubtful accounts, reserve for sales discounts, estimated realizable value on obsolete and slow-moving inventory, warranty reserve, estimates related to pension accounting; estimates related to fair value for purposes of assessing goodwill, long-lived assets and intangible assets for impairment; estimates related to income taxes; and estimates related to contingencies.

Foreign Currency

The Company translates the assets and liabilities of foreign-owned subsidiaries at rates in effect at the end of the year. Revenues and expenses are translated at average rates in effect during the reporting period. Translation adjustments are included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Cash Equivalents

Cash EquivalentsThe Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable. The credit risk is limited because of the large numbers and types of customers and their geographic dispersion.

Inventories

InventoriesInventories of U.S. operating subsidiaries are stated at the lower of cost (last-in, first-out method) (“LIFO”) or market, and the Company’s international subsidiaries’ inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) (“FIFO”) or market. Inventory costs include those costs directly attributable to products, including raw materials, labor and overhead.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant, and equipment are stated on the basis of cost. Major renewals and betterments are charged to the property accounts while replacements, maintenance and repairs, which do not improve or extend the lives of the respective assets, are expensed to the current period. Depreciation is provided at amounts calculated to amortize the cost of the assets over their estimated useful economic lives using the straight-line method.

Impairment of Long-lived assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, rental equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset or asset group to be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares non-discounted cash flows expected to be generated by that asset group to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable on a non-discounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but is instead tested for impairment at least annually, or whenever events or circumstances change between the annual impairment tests that make it likely that an impairment may have occurred, such as a significant adverse change in the business climate or a decision to sell all or a portion of a reporting unit. The Company performs its annual test for goodwill impairment related to its reporting units on October 1 of each fiscal year. Impairment testing for goodwill is done at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (also known as a component). A component of an operating segment is a reporting unit if the component constitutes a business for which discrete financial information is available, and segment management regularly reviews the operating results of that component.

We perform a qualitative assessment for all of our reporting units to determine whether it is more likely than not that an impairment exists. Factors considered include macroeconomic, industry and competitive conditions, legal and regulatory environment, historical financial performance and significant changes in the reporting unit. If the qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that an impairment exists, then a quantitative assessment is performed. Alternatively, we may also bypass the qualitative assessment and go ahead and perform step 1 to determine if the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. If the fair value of the reporting unit is lower than its carrying amount, goodwill is written down for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value. However, the loss recognized cannot exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. We typically use discounted cash flow models to determine the fair value of a reporting unit. The assumptions used in these models are consistent with those we believe a hypothetical marketplace participant would use.

Intangible Assets

The Company has intangible assets with both definite and indefinite useful lives. The definite-lived assets are trade names and trademarks, customer and dealer relationships, and patents and drawings that are subject to amortization with useful lives ranging from 3 years to 25 years. Impairment of definite-lived assets is discussed as part of the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets paragraph above.

The indefinite-lived assets not subject to amortization consist of trade names. The Company tests its indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis at year-end, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset could be below its carrying amount. The impairment test consists of comparing the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset, determined using the relief from royalty method, with its carrying amount. An impairment loss would be recognized for the carrying amount in excess of its fair value.

Leases

We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in other non-current assets, accrued liabilities, and other long-term liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property, plant and equipment, accrued liabilities, and other long-term liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets.

ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

We have elected to not account for the lease and non-lease components separately for most of our asset classes with the exception of real-estate. We have also elected to exclude all lease agreements with an initial term of 12 months or less from the lease recognition requirements as allowed by ASC.

Rental EquipmentThe Company enters into operating lease agreements with customers related to the rental of certain equipment. In accounting for these leases, the cost of the equipment purchased or manufactured by the Company is recorded as an asset, and is depreciated over its estimated useful life.

Pensions

The Company records annual amounts relating to its pension and post-retirement plans based on calculations that incorporate various actuarial and other assumptions, including discount rates, mortality, assumed rates of return, compensation increases, turnover rates and health care cost trend rates. The Company reviews its assumptions on an annual basis and makes modifications to the assumptions based on current rates and trends when it is appropriate to do so. The effect of modifications to those assumptions is recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and amortized to net periodic cost over future periods using the corridor method. The Company believes that the assumptions utilized in recording its obligations under its plans are reasonable based on its experience and market conditions. The net periodic costs are recognized as employees render the services necessary to earn the post-retirement benefits.

Revenue Recognition

The majority of the Company's revenue is recognized from product sales under contracts with customers. The Company presents two reportable operating segments within its financial statements: Industrial and Agricultural. Contract terms and performance obligations within each contractual agreement are generally consistent for both divisions, with small differences that do not have a significant impact on the revenue recognition considerations under Topic 606. Revenues are recognized when we satisfy our performance obligation to transfer product to our customers, which typically occurs at a point in time upon shipment or delivery of the product, and for an amount that reflects the transaction price that is allocated to the performance obligation. Our contracts with customers state the

final terms of sale, including the description, quantity and price for goods sold. In the normal course of business, we generally do not accept product returns.

The transaction price is the consideration that we expect to be entitled to in exchange for our products. Some of our contracts contain variable consideration in the form of sales incentives to our customers, such as discounts and rebates. For contracts that include variable consideration, we estimate the factors that determine the variable consideration in order to establish the transaction price.

We have elected that any taxes collected from customers and remitted to government authorities (i.e., sales tax, use tax, etc.) are excluded from the measurement of the transaction price and therefore are excluded from net sales in the consolidated statements of operations.

There are instances where we provide shipping services in relation to the goods sold to our customers. Shipping and handling costs that occur before the customer obtains control of the goods are deemed to be fulfillment activities and are included in cost of goods sold. We have elected to account for shipping and handling activities that occur after the customer has obtained control of a good as fulfillment activities (i.e., an expense) rather than as a promised service.

Rental Equipment

Leases

Shipping and Handling Costs

The Company’s policy is to include shipping and handling costs in costs of goods sold.

Advertising

We charge advertising costs to expense as incurred. Advertising and marketing expense related to operations for fiscal years 2019, 2018, and 2017 was approximately $12,177,000, $11,773,000 and $9,566,000, respectively. Advertising and marketing expenses are included in Selling, General and Administrative expenses (“SG&A”).

Research and Development

Research and DevelopmentProduct development and engineering costs charged to SG&A

Commitments and Contingencies

Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation, fines and penalties and other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The Company's policy is to accrue for legal costs expected to be incurred in connection with loss contingencies.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities, and are measured by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to the future years in which deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be settled or realized. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, available tax carry backs and tax planning strategies in making this assessment other than those which we have reserved. We have elected to treat the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) tax as a period expense.

We previously considered substantially all of the earnings in our foreign subsidiaries to be permanently reinvested and, accordingly, recorded no deferred income taxes on such earnings. As a result of the fundamental changes to the taxation of multinational corporations as a result of TCJA, we no longer intend to permanently reinvest all of the historical undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries. We will distribute earnings from our European subsidiaries, while maintaining our permanent reinvestment for our other foreign subsidiaries. GAAP requires recognition of a deferred tax liability in the reporting period in which its intent to no longer permanently reinvest its historical undistributed foreign earnings is made. There will generally be no U.S. federal taxes imposed on such future distributions of European foreign earnings.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has granted options to purchase its common stock to certain employees and directors of the Company and its affiliates under various stock option plans at no less than the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant. These options are granted for a term not exceeding ten years and are forfeited in the event that the employee or director terminates his or her employment or relationship with the Company or one of its affiliates other than by retirement or death. These options generally vest over five years. All option plans contain anti-dilutive provisions that permit an adjustment of the number of shares of the Company’s common stock represented by each option for any change in capitalization. Excess tax benefits or awards that are recognized in equity related to stock option exercises are reflected as cash flows from financing activities in the statement of cash flows.

The fair value of each stock option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes valuation method with the following assumptions noted:

1.The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rate over the expected life of the option at the time of the grant.

2.The dividend yield is calculated as the ratio of dividends paid per share of common stock to the stock price on the date of the grant.

3.The expected volatility factors are based on the historical movement of the Company’s common stock price over the expected life of the option.

4.The expected life is the average length of time in which officers, other employees, and non-employee directors are expected to exercise their options, and which are primarily based on historical experience.

Earnings per Common Share ("EPS")

Earnings per Common Share (“EPS”)

Basic EPS is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year. The treasury stock method is used to compute diluted EPS which gives effect to the potential dilution of earnings that could have occurred if additional shares were issued for awards granted under the Company’s incentive stock option plans. The treasury stock method assumes proceeds obtained upon exercise of awards granted under the incentive stock option plans are used to purchase outstanding common stock at the average market price during the period.

Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted on January 1, 2019

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)". This update requires that a lessee recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. Similar to current guidance, the update continues to differentiate between finance leases and operating leases, however this distinction now primarily relates to differences in the manner of expense recognition over time and in the classification of lease payments in the statement of cash flows. The updated guidance leaves the accounting for leases by lessors largely unchanged from existing GAAP. The guidance became effective for us on January 1, 2019. As a lessee, this standard primarily impacted our accounting for long-term real estate and equipment leases, for which we recognized right-of-use assets of $7,747,000 and a corresponding lease liability of $7,868,000 on our consolidated balance sheet.

We adopted these provisions on January 1, 2019 using the optional transition method that permits us to apply the new disclosure requirements in 2019 and continue to present comparative period information as required under FASB ASC Topic 840, "Leases". We did not have a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings at the date of adoption. We elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which, among other things, allowed us to not account for lease and non-lease components separately for most of our asset classes and to exclude leases with an initial term of 12 months or less from the right-of-use assets and liabilities. Adoption of the standards had no impact on results of operations or liquidity.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income", to allow reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA"). Upon adoption of the ASU, entities will be required to disclose a description of the accounting policy for releasing income tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income. The standard is required to be adopted for periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption available for any set of financial statements that have yet to be issued or made available for issuance including retrospectively for any period in which the effect of the change is the U.S. corporate income tax rate in the TCJA is recognized. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Statement Update (ASU) No. 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”, which modifies the disclosures requirements on fair value measurements. Among other things, the amendments add disclosures for changes in unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 fair value measurements and requires additional disclosures on unobservable inputs associated with Level 3 assets. The guidance will become effective for us on January 1, 2020. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Statement Update (ASU) No. 2018-14, “Compensation, Defined Benefit Plans", which modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. The update removes certain disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial and adds disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The guidance will become effective for us on January 1, 2021 with early adoption permitted for any financial statements that have not been issued. The impacts that adoption of the ASU is expected to have on our financial disclosures is being evaluated.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses,” to improve information on credit losses for financial instruments. The ASU replaces the current incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses. The ASU is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted beginning in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, “Income Taxes” to simplify the accounting for income taxes. The amendments in this Update simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to

the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. The guidance will become effective for us on January 1, 2021 with early adoption permitted for any financial statements that have not been issued. The impacts that adoption of the ASU is expected to have on our financial disclosures is being evaluated.

Inventories - Obsolete and Slow Moving

Inventories – Obsolete and Slow Moving

The Company had a reserve of $8,233,000 on December 31, 2019 and $7,194,000 on December 31, 2018 to cover obsolete and slow moving inventory. The increase in the reserve was primarily attributable to the Company's Industrial Division. The obsolete and slow moving inventory reserve is calculated as follows: 1) no inventory usage over a three-year period is deemed obsolete and reserved at 100%; and 2) slow moving inventory with little usage requires a 100% reserve on items that have a quantity greater than a three-year supply. There are exceptions to the obsolete and slow moving classifications if approved by an officer of the Company, based on specific identification of an item or items that are deemed to be either included or excluded from this classification. In cases where there is no historical data, management makes a judgment based on a specific review of the inventory in question to determine what reserves, if any, are appropriate. New products or parts are generally excluded from the reserve until a three-year history has been established.

Warranty

The Company’s warranty policy is generally to provide its customers warranty for up to one year on all wholegood units and 90 days on parts, though some components can have warranty for longer terms.

Warranty reserve, as a percentage of sales, is generally calculated by looking at the current twelve months’ expenses and prorating that amount based on twelve months’ sales with a 90 day to six-month lag period. The Company’s historical experience is that an end-user takes approximately 90 days to six months from the receipt of the unit to file a warranty claim. A warranty reserve is established for each different marketing group.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

U.S. GAAP requires or permits certain assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value on a recurring or non- recurring basis in our balance sheets. U.S. GAAP also requires the disclosure of the fair values of financial instruments when on option to elect fair value accounting has been provided but such election has not been made. A debt obligation is an example of such a financial instrument.

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. There is a three-tier fair value hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs used in valuation techniques. Observable inputs (highest level) reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs (lowest level) reflect internally developed market assumptions. In fair value, measurements are classified under the following hierarchy:

Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs or significant value-drivers are observable in active markets.

Level 3 – Model-derived valuations in which one or more significant inputs or significant value-drivers are unobservable.

When measuring fair value, the Company maximizes use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs.

Fair value measurements are classified to the lowest level input or value-driver that is significant to the valuation. A measurement may therefore be classified within Level 3 even though there may be significant inputs that are readily observable.

The carrying values of certain financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses, approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these items. The carrying value of our debt approximates the fair value as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, as the floating rates on our outstanding balances approximate current market rates. This conclusion was made based on Level 2 inputs. Fair values determined by Level 2 utilize inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. Other than the investments held by the retirement benefit plans, as described in Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company does not have any other significant financial assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

The Company has no recurring nor nonrecurring valuations that fall under Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.