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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Use Of Estimates

 

Use of Estimates

 

The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including, among others, those related to the allowance for doubtful accounts, income taxes, inventory reserves, goodwill, other intangible assets, contingencies and revenue recognition. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Net revenue is derived primarily from the sale of products and services. The following revenue recognition policies define the manner in which the Company accounts for sales transactions.

 

The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of a sale arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services are rendered, the sales price or fee is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue generally is recognized net of allowances for returns and any taxes collected from customers and subsequently remitted to governmental authorities. The Company sells its products through its direct sales force and through authorized reseller partners. The Company recognizes revenue on sales to reseller partners at the time of sale when the partner has economic substance apart from Company, and the Company has completed its obligations related to the sale.

 

The Company enters into sales arrangements that may provide for multiple deliverables to a customer. Sales of printers may include ancillary equipment, print materials, a warranty on the equipment, training and installation. The Company identifies all goods and/or services that are to be delivered separately under a sales arrangement and allocates revenue to each deliverable based on either vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) or if VSOE is not determinable then the Company uses best estimated selling price (“BESP”) of each deliverable. The Company established VSOE of selling price using the price charged for a deliverable when sold separately. The objective of BESP is to determine the price at which the Company would transact a sale if the deliverable was sold regularly on a stand-alone basis. The Company considers multiple factors including, but not limited to, market conditions, geographies, competitive landscapes, and entity-specific factors such as internal costs, gross margin objectives and pricing practices when estimating BESP. Consideration in a multiple element arrangement is then allocated to the elements on a relative sales value basis using either VSOE or BESP for all the elements. The Company also evaluates the impact of undelivered items on the functionality of delivered items for each sales transaction and, where appropriate, defers revenue on delivered items when that functionality has been affected.  Functionality is determined to be met if the delivered products or services represent a separate earnings process.

Hardware

 

In general, revenues are separated between printers and other products, print materials, training services, maintenance services and installation services. The allocated revenue for each deliverable is then recognized based on relative fair values of the components of the sale, consistent within the scope of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605 Revenue Recognition.

  

Under the Company’s standard terms and conditions of sale, title and risk of loss transfer to the customer at the time product is shipped to the customer and revenue is recognized accordingly, unless customer acceptance is uncertain or significant obligations remain. The Company defers the estimated revenue associated with post-sale obligations that are not essential to the functionality of the delivered items, and recognizes revenue in the future as the conditions for revenue recognition are met.

 

Software

 

The Company also markets and sells software tools that enable our customers to capture and customize content using our printers, as well as reverse engineering and inspection software. The software does not require significant modification or customization. The Company applies the guidance in ASC 985-605, Software-Revenue Recognition in recognizing revenue when software is more than incidental to the product or service as a whole based on fair value using vendor-specific objective evidence. Revenue from perpetual software licenses is recognized either upon delivery of the product or delivery of a key code which allows the customer to access the software. In instances where software access is provided for a trial period, revenue is not recognized until the customer has purchased the software at the expiration of the trial period. The Company uses the residual method to allocate revenue to software licenses at the inception of the license term when VSOE of fair value for all undelivered elements, such as maintenance, exists and all other revenue recognition criteria have been satisfied. In instances in which customers purchase post sale support, it is considered a separate element from the software and is deferred at the time of sale and subsequently amortized in future periods.

 

The Company also sells equipment with embedded software to its customers. The embedded software is not sold separately, it is not a significant focus of the marketing effort and the Company does not provide post-contract customer support specific to the software or incur significant costs that are within the scope of ASC 985. Additionally, the functionality that the software provides is marketed as part of the overall product. The software embedded in the equipment is incidental to the equipment as a whole such that ASC 985 is not applicable. Sales of these products are recognized in accordance with ASC 60-25, “Multiple-Element Arrangements.”

 

Services

 

Printers and certain other products include a warranty under which the Company provides maintenance for periods up to one year, as well as training, installation and non-contract maintenance services. The Company defers this portion of the revenue at the time of sale based on the relative fair value of these services. Deferred revenue is recognized ratably according to the term of the warranty. Costs associated with our obligations during the warranty period are expensed as incurred. After the initial warranty period, the Company offers these customers optional maintenance contracts. Deferred maintenance revenue is recognized ratably, on a straight-line basis, over the period of the contract, and costs associated with these contracts are recognized as incurred. Revenue from training, installation and non-contract maintenance services is recognized at the time of performance.

 

On-demand parts and healthcare service sales are included within services revenue and revenue is recognized upon shipment or delivery of the parts, based on the terms of the sales arrangement. 

 

Terms of sale

 

Shipping and handling costs billed to customers for equipment sales and sales of print materials are included in product revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). Costs incurred by the Company associated with shipping and handling are included in product cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss).

 

Credit is extended, and creditworthiness is determined, based on an evaluation of each customer’s financial condition. New customers are generally required to complete a credit application and provide references and bank information to facilitate an analysis of creditworthiness. Customers with a favorable profile may receive credit terms that differ from the Company’s general credit terms. Creditworthiness is considered, among other things, in evaluating the Company’s relationship with customers with past due balances.

The Company’s terms of sale generally require payment within 30 to 60 days after shipment of a product, although the Company also recognizes that longer payment periods are customary in some countries where it transacts business. To reduce credit risk in connection with printer sales, the Company may, depending upon the circumstances, require significant deposits prior to shipment and may retain a security interest in a system sold until fully paid. In some circumstances, the Company may require payment in full for its products prior to shipment and may require international customers to furnish letters of credit. For maintenance services, the Company either bills customers on a time-and-materials basis or sells customers service agreements that are recorded as deferred revenue and provide for payment in advance on either an annual or other periodic basis.

 

Cash And Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents. The Company’s policy is to invest cash in excess of short-term operating and debt-service requirements in such cash equivalents. These instruments are stated at cost, which approximates market value because of the short maturity of the instruments. The Company places its cash with highly creditworthy financial institutions, corporations or governments, and believes its risk of loss is limited; however, at times, account balances may exceed international and U.S. federally insured limits.

Investments

Investments

 

Investments in non-consolidated affiliates (20-50 percent owned companies and joint ventures) are accounted for using the equity method. Investments through which we are not able to exercise significant influence over the investee and which we do not have readily determinable fair values are accounted for under the cost method.

 

The Company assesses declines in the fair value of investments to determine whether such declines are other-than-temporary. This assessment is made considering all available evidence, including changes in general market conditions, specific industry and individual company data, the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and the near-term prospects of the entity issuing the security, and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment until recovery. Other-than-temporary impairments of investments are recorded to interest and other expense, net, on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period in which they become impaired.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded impairment charges of $7,432 related to certain minority investments of less than 20% ownership, for which we do not exercise significant influence. The aggregate carrying amount of all investments accounted for under the cost method totaled $10,687 and $11,973 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and is included in other assets, net, on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Allowance For Doubtful Accounts

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

In evaluating the collectability of accounts receivable, the Company assesses a number of factors, including specific customers’ ability to meet their financial obligations to us, the length of time receivables are past due and historical collection experience. Based on these assessments, the Company may record a reserve for specific customers, as well as a general reserve and allowance for returns and discounts. If circumstances related to specific customers change, or economic conditions deteriorate such that the Company’s past collection experience is no longer relevant, its estimate of the recoverability of accounts receivable could be further reduced from the levels provided for in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

The Company evaluates specific accounts for which it believes a customer may have an inability to meet their financial obligations (for example, aging over 90 days past due or bankruptcy). In these cases, the Company uses judgment, based on available facts and circumstances, and records a specific reserve for that customer to reduce the receivable to an amount the Company expects to collect. These specific reserves are re-evaluated and adjusted as additional information is received that impacts the amount reserved.

 

Further, a reserve based on historical experience is established for all customers, as well as an allowance for returns and discounts, to supplement the Company’s specific account-level assessment.

 

Inventories

Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable market value, cost being determined using the first-in, first-out method. Reserves for slow-moving and obsolete inventories are provided based on historical experience and current product demand. The Company evaluates the adequacy of these reserves quarterly.

Property And Equipment

Property and Equipment

 

Property and equipment are carried at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of (i) their estimated useful lives and (ii) the estimated or contractual lives of the leases. Realized gains and losses are recognized upon disposal or retirement of the related assets and are reflected in results of operations. Charges for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

 

In accordance with ASC 360, the Company assesses potential impairments of property and equipment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be fully recoverable. If required, an impairment loss is recognized as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the assets.

 

Goodwill

Goodwill

 

Goodwill reflects the excess of the consideration transferred plus the fair value of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date over the fair values of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but rather is tested for impairment annually, or whenever events or circumstances present an indication of impairment. Goodwill is an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. The primary items that generate goodwill include the value of the synergies between the acquired companies and the Company and the acquired assembled workforce, neither of which qualifies for recognition as an intangible asset.

 

The annual impairment testing required by ASC 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other” requires the Company to use judgment and could require the Company to write down the carrying value of its goodwill in future periods. The Company allocates goodwill to its identifiable geographic reporting units, the Americas, EMEA and APAC regions, which are tested for impairment using a two-step process. The first step requires comparing the fair value of each reporting unit with the carrying amount, including goodwill. If that fair value exceeds the carrying amount, the second step of the process is not required to be performed, and no impairment charge is required to be recorded. If that fair value does not exceed that carrying amount, the Company must perform the second step, which requires an allocation of the fair value of the reporting unit to all assets and liabilities of that unit as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a purchase business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the purchase price. The goodwill resulting from that purchase price allocation is then compared to the carrying amount with any excess recorded as an impairment charge.

 

The evaluation of goodwill impairment requires the Company to make assumptions about future cash flows of the reporting unit being evaluated that include, among others, growth in revenues, margins realized, level of operating expenses and cost of capital. These assumptions require significant judgement and actual results may differ from assumed and estimated amounts.

 

Goodwill set forth on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015 arose from acquisitions carried out from 2009 to 2015 and in years prior to December 31, 2007. Goodwill arising from acquisitions prior to 2007 was allocated to geographic reporting units based on the percentage of SLS printers then installed by geographic area. Goodwill arising from acquisitions in 2009 to 2015 was allocated to geographic reporting units based on geographic dispersion of the acquired companies’ sales or capitalization at the time of their acquisition.

 

The Company conducted its annual impairment testing in the fourth quarter of 2015. The results of the Company’s first step of annual impairment testing indicated the carrying amount of goodwill assigned to the Americas and EMEA reporting units exceeded fair value and that the carrying amount of goodwill assigned to APAC did not exceed fair value. Based on these results, management completed the second step of annual impairment testing for the Americas and EMEA reporting units. Management determined that the fair value of goodwill assigned to the Americas was zero, resulting in a non-tax deductible impairment charge of $382,271. Management determined that the carrying amount of the goodwill assigned to EMEA exceeded fair value by approximately 29%, resulting in a non-tax deductible goodwill impairment charge of $61,388. See Note 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

When evaluating the fair value of geographic reporting units, the Company uses a discounted cash flow model, which incorporates judgement and the use of estimates by management. Management bases its fair value estimates on assumptions that they believe are reasonable, but are uncertain and subject to changes in market conditions. Within these assumptions, management considered market conditions, the Company’s market capitalization over sustained periods, the evolving 3D printing industry and near-term demand outlook, changes in forecasts and timing for developing products and applications. Key assumptions used to determine the estimated fair value include: (a) expected cash flow for the ten-year period following the testing date (including market share, sales volumes and prices, costs to produce and estimated capital needs); (b) an estimated terminal value using terminal year growth rates ranging from 4.9% to 5.3%, determined based on the expected growth prospects of the reporting units; and (c) discount rates ranging from 12.75% to 13.5%, based on management’s best estimate of the after-tax weighted average cost of capital.

The Company will continue to monitor its reporting units in an effort to determine whether events and circumstances warrant further interim impairment testing. The Company could be required to write off or write down additional amounts in the future in the event of deterioration in future performance, sustained slower growth or other circumstances.

 

There was no goodwill impairment for the years ended December 31, 2014 or 2013.

Other Intangible Assets

Other Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets other than goodwill primarily represent acquired intangible assets including licenses, patent costs, acquired technology, internally developed technology, customer relationships, non-compete agreements, trade names and trademarks. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful life, which is determined by identifying the period over which most of the cash flows are expected to be generated.

 

Amortization of license and patent costs is included in cost of sales, research and development expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses, depending upon the nature and use of the technology. Amortization of trade names, customer relationships and non-compete agreements are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

Certain software development and production costs are capitalized when the related product reaches technological feasibility. No Software development costs were capitalized in 2015 or 2014 and $250 were capitalized in 2013. Capitalized software costs include internally developed software and certain costs that relate to developed software that the Company acquired through acquisition of businesses. Amortization expense related to capitalized software costs amounted to $1,439 for each year ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. Net capitalized software costs aggregated $1,811,  $3,556 and $5,234 at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

For intangibles with finite lives, the Company reviews the carrying amounts for potential impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Examples of such a change in circumstances include a significant decrease in selling price, a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which an asset is being used, or a significant adverse change in the legal or business climate. In evaluating recoverability, the Company groups assets and liabilities at the lowest level such that the identifiable cash flows relating to the group are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. The Company then compares the carrying amounts of the assets or asset groups with the related estimated undiscounted future cash flows. In the event impairment exists, an impairment charge is recorded as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds the fair value. Fair value is determined by reference to estimated selling values of assets in similar condition or by using a discounted cash flow model. In addition, the remaining amortization period for the impaired asset would be reassessed and, if necessary, revised. During the fourth quarter of 2015 the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $93,520 arising from the Company’s other intangible assets impairment testing. No impairment charges were recorded by the Company for the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013.

 

Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but rather tested for impairment annually, or whenever events or circumstances present an indication of impairment. The Company applies the FASB guidance, which permits the Company to make a qualitative assessment of whether the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, or opt to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to determine the indefinite-lived intangible asset’s fair value. If the Company determines, based on the qualitative tests, that it is not more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, no further action is required. Otherwise, the Company is required to perform the quantitative impairment test by comparing the fair value of the indefinite-life intangible asset to the indefinite-lived intangible asset carrying amount. In the event impairment exists, an impairment charge is recorded as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds the fair value. No impairment charges for intangible assets with indefinite lives were recorded by the Company for the year ended December 31, 2015, 2014 or 2013. See Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

 

The minority interest shareholders of a certain subsidiary have the right to require the Company to acquire their ownership interest under certain circumstances pursuant to a contractual arrangement and the Company has a similar call option under the same contractual terms. The amount of consideration under the put and call rights is not a fixed amount, but rather is dependent upon various valuation formulas and on future events, such as revenue and gross margin performance of the subsidiary through the date of exercise, etc. as described in Note 22 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

The Company has recorded the put option as mezzanine equity at their current estimated redemption amount. The Company accrues changes in the redemption amounts over the period from the date of issuance to the earliest redemption date of the put option. For the year ended December 31, 2015, there has been no charge to noncontrolling interests. Changes in the estimated redemption amounts of the put options are adjusted at each reporting period with a corresponding adjustment to equity.

The following table presents changes in Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

2015

 

2014

Beginning balance

$

8,872 

 

$

Changes in redemption value

 

 

 

8,550 

Currency translation adjustments

 

 

 

322 

Ending balance

$

8,872 

 

$

8,872 

 

Contingencies

Contingencies

 

The Company follows the provisions of ASC 450, “Contingencies,” which requires that an estimated loss from a loss contingency be accrued by a charge to income if it is both probable that an asset has been impaired or that a liability has been incurred and that the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The Company transacts business globally and is subject to risks associated with fluctuating foreign exchange rates. 49.0% of the Company’s consolidated revenue is derived from sales outside the U.S. This revenue is generated primarily from sales of subsidiaries operating outside the U.S. in their respective countries and surrounding geographic areas. This revenue is primarily denominated in each subsidiary’s local functional currency, although certain sales are denominated in other currencies. These subsidiaries incur most of their expenses (other than intercompany expenses) in their local functional currencies. These currencies include Australian Dollars, Brazilian Real, British Pounds, Chinese Yuan, Euros, Indian Rupee, Japanese Yen, Swiss Francs, South Korean Won and Israel Shekel.

 

The geographic areas outside the U.S. in which the Company operates are generally not considered to be highly inflationary. Nonetheless, these foreign operations are sensitive to fluctuations in currency exchange rates arising from, among other things, certain intercompany transactions that are generally denominated in U.S. dollars rather than their respective functional currencies. The Company’s operating results, assets and liabilities are subject to the effect of foreign currency translation when the operating results and the assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated from their respective functional currencies into U.S. dollars based on the translation rate in effect at the end of the related reporting period. The operating results of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars based on the average conversion rate for the related period. Gains and losses resulting from these conversions are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions (transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the Company or a subsidiary) are included in the consolidated statements of operations and other comprehensive income (loss), except for intercompany receivables and payables for which settlement is not planned or anticipated in the foreseeable future, which are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the consolidated balance sheets.

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices, which may adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition. The Company seeks to minimize these risks through regular operating and financing activities and, when the Company considers it to be appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments.

 

The Company does not purchase, hold or sell derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company has elected not to prepare and maintain the documentation to qualify for hedge accounting treatment under ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging,” and therefore, all gains and losses (realized or unrealized) related to derivative instruments are recognized in interest and other expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and depending on the fair value at the end of the reporting period, derivatives are recorded either in prepaid and other current assets or in accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

The Company and its subsidiaries conduct business in various countries using both their functional currencies and other currencies to effect cross border transactions. As a result, they are subject to the risk that fluctuations in foreign exchange rates between the dates that those transactions are entered into and their respective settlement dates will result in a foreign exchange gain or loss. When practicable, the Company endeavors to match assets and liabilities in the same currency on its U.S. balance sheet and those of its subsidiaries in order to reduce these risks. The Company, when it considers it to be appropriate, enters into foreign currency contracts to hedge the exposures arising from those transactions. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company is exposed to credit risk if the counterparties to such transactions are unable to perform their obligations. However, the Company seeks to minimize such risk by entering into transactions with counterparties that are believed to be creditworthy financial institutions.

 

Research And Development Costs

 

Research and Development Costs

 

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings per Share

 

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income, as adjusted for the assumed issuance of all dilutive shares, by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if all dilutive common shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options or conversion of convertible securities had been issued. For 2015, 2014 and 2013, common shares related to restricted stock units were excluded from the computation because their effect was anti-dilutive, that is, their inclusion would increase the Company’s net income per share or reduce its net loss per share. At December 31, 2013, the average outstanding diluted shares calculation also excluded shares that may have been issued upon conversion of the outstanding senior convertible notes because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. All senior convertible notes were converted in 2014. See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Advertising Costs

 

Advertising Costs

 

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs, including trade shows, were $15,245,  $8,799 and $6,010 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Pension Costs

Pension costs

 

The Company sponsors a retirement benefit for one of its non-U.S. subsidiaries in the form of a defined benefit pension plan.  Accounting standards require the cost of providing this pension benefit be measured on an actuarial basis. Actuarial gains and losses resulting from both normal year-to-year changes in valuation assumptions and differences from actual experience are deferred and amortized. The application of these accounting standards requires management to make assumptions and judgements that can significantly affect these measurements. Critical assumptions made by management in performing these actuarial valuations include the selection of the discount rate to determine the present value of the pension obligations that affects the amount of pension expense recorded in any given period. Changes in the discount rate could have a material effect on the Company’s reported pension obligations and related pension expense. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Equity Compensation Plans

 

Equity Compensation Plans

 

The Company maintains stock-based compensation plans that are described more fully in Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Under the fair value recognition provisions of ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation,” stock-based compensation is estimated at the grant date based on the fair value of the awards expected to vest and recognized as expense ratably over the requisite service period of the award.

Income Taxes

 

Income Taxes

 

The Company and its domestic subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. The Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries file income tax returns in their respective jurisdictions. The Company provides for income taxes on those portions of its foreign subsidiaries’ accumulated earnings (deficit) that the Company believes are not reinvested permanently in their business.

 

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred income 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 tax benefit carryforwards. Deferred income tax liabilities and assets at the end of each period are determined using enacted tax rates.

The Company establishes a valuation allowance for those jurisdictions in which the expiration date of tax benefit carryforwards or projected taxable earnings leads the Company to conclude that it is “more likely than not” that a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The evaluation process includes the consideration of all available evidence regarding historical results and future projections including the estimated timing of reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and potential tax planning strategies. Once a valuation allowance is established, it is maintained until a change in factual circumstances gives rise to sufficient income of the appropriate character and timing that will allow a partial or full utilization of the deferred tax asset.

 

Based upon the Company’s recent results of operations and its expected profitability in the future, the Company concluded that it is more likely than not that its deferred tax assets will not be realized in certain jurisdictions, including the US and certain foreign jurisdictions, and as such, the Company recorded a valuation allowance against the Company’s deferred tax assets.

 

The Company applies ASC 740 to determine the impact of an uncertain tax position on the income tax returns. In accordance with ASC 740, this impact must be recognized at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be required to be recognized upon audit by the relevant taxing authority.

 

The Company includes interest and penalties accrued in the Consolidated Financial Statements as a component of income tax expense.

 

See Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Accounting Standards Implemented in 2015

 

In November 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-17 “Income Taxes: Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes” (“ASU 2015-17”), which requires all deferred tax assets and liabilities to be classified as non-current on an entity’s balance sheet. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December, 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2015-17 may be applied either prospectively, for all deferred tax assets and liabilities, or retrospectively.  The Company has elected to early adopt ASU 2015-17, on a prospective basis, as of December 31, 2015.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet for December 31, 2015 have been classified as entirely non-current; however, the adoption is on a prospective basis and deferred tax assets and liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 have not been re-classified.

 

New Accounting Standards to be Implemented

 

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs” (“ASU 2015-03”), which changes the presentation of debt issuance costs in financial statements. ASU 2015-03 requires an entity to present such costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. It is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The new guidance will be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2015-03 on its consolidated balance sheets.

 

In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory” (“ASU 2015-11”). ASU 2015-11 requires an entity to measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. Subsequent measurement is unchanged for inventory measured using last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) or the retail inventory method. It is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The amendments should be applied prospectively with earlier application permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2015-11 on its consolidated balance sheets.

 

In August 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-14, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date” (“ASU 2015-14”), a revision to Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”, which was originally issued on May 28, 2014.  For public business entities, certain not-for-profit entities, and certain employee benefit plans, the effective date was for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. The effective date for all other entities was for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. ASU 2015-14 will defer these effective dates for all entities by one year. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2015-14 on its financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-16, “Business Combinations: Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments” (“ASU 2015-16”). ASU 2015-16 requires that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The amendments in ASU 2015-16 require that the acquirer record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. ASU 2015-16 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2015-16 on its financial statements.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities arising from operating leases on the balance sheet. It is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The amendments should be applied prospectively with earlier application permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2016-02 on its consolidated balance sheets.

 

No other new accounting pronouncements, issued or effective during 2015 or 2016, have had or are expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.