SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Gibraltar Industries, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company"). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue recognition

The majority of the Company's revenue is recognized when products are shipped or service is provided, the customer takes ownership and assumes the risk of loss, collection of the corresponding receivable is probable, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, and the sales price is fixed or determinable. Sales returns, allowances, and customer incentives, including rebates, are treated as reductions to sales and are provided for based on historical experience and current estimates.

Revenues representing 25.8% and 16.7% of sales for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, was recognized under the percentage of completion accounting method as calculated by the cost-to-cost measurement method on contracts. No revenue in 2014 was recognized under the percentage of completion method. The recognition of revenue under this method is utilized by RBI Solar, Inc., Rough Brothers Manufacturing, Inc., and affiliates (collectively "RBI") which was acquired on June 9, 2015.

Revenue from contracts using the percentage of completion method of accounting is recognized as work progresses toward completion as determined by the ratio of cumulative costs incurred to date to estimated total contract costs at completion, multiplied by the total contract revenue. Changes in estimates affecting sales, costs and profits are recognized in the period in which the change becomes known using the cumulative catch-up method of accounting, resulting in the cumulative effect of changes reflected in the period. Estimates are reviewed and updated quarterly for all contracts. A significant change in an estimate on one or more contracts could have a material effect on our results of operations.

Contract costs include all direct costs related to contract performance. Selling and administrative expenses are charged to operations as incurred. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are recognized in the period in which such losses are determined. Because of inherent uncertainties in estimating costs, it is reasonably possible that changes in performance could result in revisions to cost and revenue, which are recognized in the period when the revisions are determined.

Cash and cash equivalents

All highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less are considered cash equivalents.

Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts

Accounts receivable are composed of trade and contract receivables recorded at either the invoiced amount or costs in excess of billings, are expected to be collected within one year, and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the probable amount of uncollectible accounts in the Company’s existing accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based on a number of factors, including historical experience, credit worthiness of customers, and current market and economic conditions. The Company reviews the allowance for doubtful accounts on a regular basis. Account balances are charged against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. The following table summarizes activity recorded within the allowance for doubtful accounts balances for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):



	2016			2015			2014
Beginning balance	$	4,868		$	4,280		$	4,774
Bad debt expense	2,519			1,404			1,095
Accounts written off and other adjustments	(2,115		)	(816		)	(1,589		)
Ending balance	$	5,272		$	4,868		$	4,280

Concentrations of credit risk on accounts receivable are limited to those from significant customers that are believed to be financially sound. As of December 31, 2016, the Company's most significant customer included a home improvement retailer. As of December 31, 2015, the Company's two most significant customers included a home improvement retailer and a postal authority. The home improvement retailer purchases from the Residential Products and Renewable Energy and Conservation segments. The postal authority purchased from the Residential Products segment. Accounts receivable as a percentage of consolidated accounts receivable from the home improvement retailer as of December 31, 2016 was 13.7%. Accounts receivable as a percentage of consolidated accounts receivable from the home improvement retailer and a postal authority as of December 31, 2015, were 11.8% and 5.5%, respectively.

Net sales as a percentage of consolidated net sales to the home improvement retailer were 11% , 11% and 12% for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Note 2 "Accounts Receivable" contains additional information on the Company's accounts receivable.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost, determined using the first-in, first-out method, or net realizable value. Shipping and handling costs are recognized as a component of cost of sales.

Property, plant, and equipment

Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. Interest is capitalized in connection with construction of qualified assets. Expenditures that exceed an established dollar threshold and that extend the useful lives of assets are capitalized, while repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. The estimated useful lives of land improvements, buildings, and building improvements are 15 to 40 years, while the estimated useful lives for machinery and equipment are 3 to 20 years.

The table below sets forth the amount of interest capitalized and depreciation expense recognized during the years ended December 31 (in thousands):



	2016		2015		2014
Capitalized interest	$	138	$	166	$	420
Depreciation expense	$	14,477	$	17,869	$	19,712

Acquisition related assets and liabilities

Accounting for the acquisition of a business as a purchase transaction requires an allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in the transaction at their respective estimated fair values. The most complex estimations of individual fair values are those involving long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets. The Company uses all available information to make these fair value determinations and, for major business acquisitions, engages independent valuation specialists to assist in the fair value determination of the acquired long-lived assets.

Goodwill and other intangible assets

The Company tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis at October 31, or more frequently if an event occurs, or circumstances change, that indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit could be below its carrying value. The reporting units are at the component level, or one level below the operating segment level. Goodwill is assigned to each reporting unit as of the date the reporting unit is acquired and based upon the expected synergies of the acquisition.

The Company may elect to perform a qualitative assessment that considers economic, industry and company-specific factors for some or all of our selected reporting units. If, after completing the assessment, it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company proceeds to a quantitative test. The Company may also elect to perform a quantitative test instead of a qualitative test for any or all of the Company's reporting units.

The quantitative impairment test consists of comparing the fair value of a reporting unit, determined using two valuation techniques, to its carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill is considered impaired and any loss must be measured.

The Company also tests its indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis as of October 31, 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 value. The impairment test consists of comparing the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset, determined using discounted cash flows on a relief-from-royalty basis, with its carrying amount. An impairment loss would be recognized for the carrying amount in excess of its fair value. Acquired identifiable intangible assets are recorded at cost. Identifiable intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives.

Impairment of long-lived assets

Long-lived assets, including acquired identifiable intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of those assets may not be recoverable. In specific situations, when the Company has selected individual assets to be sold or scrapped, the Company obtains market value data for those specific assets and measures and records the impairment loss based on such data. Otherwise, the Company uses undiscounted cash flows to determine whether impairment exists and measures any impairment loss by approximating fair value using acceptable valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow models and third-party appraisals. The Company recognized impairment charges related to intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. In addition, the Company recognized a number of impairment charges related to restructuring plans during the three year period ended December 31, 2016 as described in Note 15 of the consolidated financial statements.

Deferred charges

Deferred charges associated with initial costs incurred to enter into new debt arrangements are included as a component of long-term debt and are amortized as a part of interest expense over the terms of the associated debt agreements. Portions of these deferred financing charges were written off as a result of entering into amended and restated credit agreements and the redemption and reissuance of bonds as discussed in Note 8 of the consolidated financial statements.

Advertising

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, advertising costs were $5,100,000, $4,700,000 and $4,000,000, respectively.

Research and Development

The Company expenses research and development costs as incurred. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, research and development costs were $2,200,000, $866,000 and $60,000, respectively.

Foreign currency transactions and translation

The assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange in effect at the balance sheet date. Income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates prevailing during the period.

Income taxes

The provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability approach. Under this approach, deferred income taxes represent the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets when uncertainty exists regarding their realization.

Equity-based compensation

The Company measures the cost of equity-based compensation based on grant date fair value and recognizes the cost over the period in which the employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. Equity-based compensation consists of grants of stock options, deferred stock units, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and performance stock units. Equity-based compensation expense is included as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses. The Company’s equity-based compensation plans are discussed in more detail in Note 12 of the consolidated financial statements.

Derivatives and hedging

The Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivative instruments that hedge a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows related to a recognized asset or liability are designated as a cash flow hedge. Hedge accounting generally provides matching the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. Although certain of the Company's derivative financial instruments do not qualify or are not accounted for under hedge accounting, the Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges of foreign exchange risk is recorded in other comprehensive income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings and reported in revenue in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. Any ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative is recognized directly into earnings in other (income) expense. The Company's policy is to de-designate cash flow hedges at the time forecasted transactions are recognized as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and report subsequent changes in fair value through the other (income) expense line on our statement of operations where the gain or loss due to movements in currency rates on the underlying asset or liability is revalued. If it becomes probable that the originally forecasted transaction will not occur, the gain or loss related to the hedge recorded within accumulated other comprehensive income is immediately recognized into net income.

Sale-Leaseback Transactions

During the first quarter of 2015, in order to capitalize on favorable real estate market conditions, the Company entered into a transaction to sell one of its real estate properties to an independent third party for $26,373,000. The Company leased back the entire property under a five year operating lease agreement. In accordance with the U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the Company accounted for the transaction as a sale-leaseback. The net present value of the Company's future minimum lease payments of $5,765,000 were less than the gain on sale of $13,144,000. As such, the portion of the gain equal to the fair value of the future minimum lease payments was deferred and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the five year term of the lease. The gain exceeding the fair value of the minimum lease payments amounted to $7,379,000 and was recognized during the quarter ended March 31, 2015 as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses. The minimum lease payment for each of the five years is $1,378,000.

In June 2014, the Company determined that it no longer required full use of the available space on one of its real estate properties. The Company entered into a transaction to sell the property to an independent third party for $4,500,000, and lease back a portion of the building from the purchaser. The Company leased back approximately 50% of the building under a five year operating lease agreement. In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, the Company accounted for the transaction as a sale-leaseback. The net present value of the Company's future minimum lease payments of $892,000 were greater than the gain on sale of $829,000. As such, the gain was deferred and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the five year life of the lease. The minimum lease payment in the first year is $202,000 and escalates at 3% over the remaining four years.

These amounts have been included in the future minimum lease payments table in Note 18 of the consolidated financial statements.

Recent accounting pronouncements



Standard	Description	Financial Statement Effect or Other Significant Matters
ASU No. 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) And All Related ASUs	The standard requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard also requires additional disclosures about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. The provisions of the standard, as well as all subsequently issued clarifications to the standard, are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The standard can be adopted using either a full retrospective or modified retrospective approach.	The Company currently believes the most significant impact relates to the revenue recognition for custom fabricated products within the Company's Industrial and Infrastructure Products segment. Under this standard, the Company expects custom fabricated products in the Industrial and Infrastructure Products segment to recognize revenue on an over time basis, which is a change from our current revenue recognition policy of point-in-time basis. The Company expects revenue recognition related to the remaining Industrial and Infrastructure Products segment, Residential Products segment and Renewable Energy and Conservation segment to remain substantially unchanged upon adoption of this standard. The Company has identified and is in the process of implementing appropriate changes to the Company's business processes, systems and internal controls to support recognition and disclosure under this standard. The transition method to be adopted by the Company is still currently being evaluated. The Company has not yet completed the process of quantifying the effects of any changes that will result from adoption. Date of adoption: Q1 2018
ASU No. 2014-15 Presentation of Financial Statements — Going Concern	The standard requires management to evaluate whether there are conditions and events that raise substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. The provisions of the standard are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted.	The Company adopted this standard and it did not have any impact of the Company's consolidated financial statements. Date of adoption: Q4 2016
ASU No. 2015-11 Inventory (Topic 330)	The standard requires measurement of inventory as the lower of cost and net realizable value. The provisions of the standard are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted, and may be applied prospectively.	The Company adopted this standard and it did not have any impact of the Company's consolidated financial statements. Date of adoption: Q4 2016
ASU No. 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842)	The standard requires lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset on the balance sheet. The provisions of the standard are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted.	The Company is currently evaluating the requirements of this standard and has not yet determined its impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Date of adoption: Q1 2019
ASU No. 2016-09 Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting	The standard simplifies the accounting for share-based payment award transactions including: income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. The provisions of this standard are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted.	The Company has determined this standard will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Date of adoption: Q1 2017



ASU No. 2016-15 Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments	The standard provides guidance on eight specific cash flow issues to reduce diversity in reporting. The provisions of this standard are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted.	The Company is currently evaluating the requirements of this standard and has not yet determined its impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Date of adoption: Q1 2018
ASU No. 2016-16 Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory	The standard allows an entity to recognize income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The provisions of this standard are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period for which financial statements (interim or annual) have not been issued or made available for issuance.	The Company is currently evaluating the requirements of this standard and has not yet determined its impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Date of adoption: Q1 2018
ASU No. 2017-04 Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment	The standard eliminates the "Step 2" analysis to determine the amount of impairment realized when a reporting unit's carrying amount exceeds its fair value in its "Step 1" analysis of accounting for impairment of goodwill. The impairment charge would be the amount determined in "Step 1." The provisions of this standard are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for annual and interim goodwill impairment testing dates after January 1, 2017.	The Company has determined this standard will not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Date of Adoption: Q1 2017

We consider the applicability and impact of all ASUs. ASUs not listed above were assessed and determined to be either not applicable, or had or are expected to have minimal impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.