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Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. and its subsidiaries. Investments in 50% or less owned entities are accounted for using either cost or the equity method. The Company consolidates all variable interest entities ("VIEs") where it is the primary beneficiary. There were no VIEs as of December 31, 2018 or 2017. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, as amended from time to time ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company's actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, cash in banks and cash equivalents, which are highly liquid investments

with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Allowance For Doubtful Accounts

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company evaluates the collectability of specific customer accounts that would be considered doubtful based on the customer’s financial condition, payment history, credit rating and other factors that the Company considers relevant, or accounts that the Company assigns for collection. The Company reserves for the portion of those outstanding balances that the Company believes it is not likely to collect based on historical collection experience. The Company also reserves 100% of the amounts that it deems uncollectable due to a customer’s deteriorating financial condition or bankruptcy. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in probable inability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash in banks, short-term investments in money market funds and trade accounts receivable. The Company maintains its cash in demand deposit and money market accounts held primarily at 17 banks.

Inventory Valuation

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost includes all costs incurred in bringing each product to its present location and condition, as follows:


•	Raw materials and purchased finished goods for resale — principally valued at cost determined on a weighted average basis; and


•	In-process products and finished goods — cost of direct materials and labor plus attributable overhead based on a normal level of activity.

The Company applies net realizable value and obsolescence to the gross value of the inventory. The Company estimates net realizable value based on estimated selling price less further costs to completion and disposal. The Company impairs slow-moving products by comparing inventories on hand to projected demand. If on-hand supply of a product exceeds projected demand or if the Company believes the product is no longer marketable, the product is considered obsolete inventory. The Company revalues obsolete inventory to its net realizable value and has consistently applied this methodology. When impairments are established, a new cost basis of the inventory is created. Unexpected change in market demand, building codes or buyer preferences could reduce the rate of inventory turnover and require the Company to recognize more obsolete inventory.

Warranties and Recalls

Warranties and recalls

The Company provides product warranties for specific product lines and records estimated recall expenses in the period in which the recall occurs, none of which has been material to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In a limited number of circumstances, the Company may also agree to indemnify customers against legal claims made against those customers by the end users of the Company’s products. Historically, payments made by the Company, if any, under such agreements have not had a material effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are measured and classified under a three-tier fair valuation hierarchy based on the observability of the inputs available in the market: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument; and Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on the Company’s assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. The fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company’s investments included in cash equivalents consisted of only money market funds, which are the Company’s primary financial instruments and carried at cost, approximating fair value, based on Level 1 inputs. The balance of the Company’s primary financial instruments as of December 31, 2018 and 2017 was $0.2 million and $5.3 million, respectively. The carrying amounts of trade accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value of the Company’s contingent consideration related to acquisitions is classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy as it is based on unobserved inputs such as management estimates and entity-specific assumptions and is evaluated on an ongoing basis.

Property, Plant and Equipment including Depreciation and Amortization

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Major renewals and betterments are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. When assets are sold or retired, their costs and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and the resulting gains or losses are reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other” topic of the FASB ASC provides guidance on capitalization of the costs incurred for computer software developed or obtained for internal use. The Company capitalizes qualified external costs and internal costs related to the purchase and implementation of software projects used for business operations and engineering design activities. Capitalized software costs primarily include purchased software, internal costs and external consulting fees. Capitalized software projects are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the software.

Depreciation and Amortization

Software, including amounts capitalized for internally developed software is amortized on a straight-line basis over an estimated useful life of three to five years. Machinery and equipment is depreciated using accelerated methods over an estimated useful life of three to ten years. Buildings and site improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which range from 15 to 45 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of

the expected life or the remaining term of the lease. Purchased intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

Common Stock and Preferred Stock

Preferred Stock

The Board has the authority to issue the authorized and unissued preferred stock in one or more series with such designations, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Board. Accordingly, the Board is empowered, without stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with dividend, redemption, liquidation, conversion, voting or other rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of the Company’s common stock.

Common Stock

Subject to the rights of holders of any preferred stock that may be issued in the future, holders of common stock are entitled to receive such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Company’s Board of Directors (the "Board") out of legally available funds, and in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, to share ratably in all assets available for distribution. The holders of common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights. Subject to the rights of any preferred stock that may be issued in the future, the holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on any matter submitted to a vote of the stockholders. A director in an uncontested election is elected if the votes cast “for” such director’s election exceed the votes cast “against” such director’s election, except that, if a stockholder properly nominates a candidate for election to the Board, the candidates with the highest number of affirmative votes (up to the number of directors to be elected) are elected. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock.

Comprehensive Income or Loss

Comprehensive income is defined as net income plus other comprehensive income or loss. Other comprehensive income or loss consists of changes in cumulative translation adjustments and changes in unamortized pension adjustments recorded directly in accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity.

Foreign Currency Translation

The local currency is the functional currency of most of the Company’s operations in Europe, Canada, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated using average exchange rates prevailing during the year. The translation adjustment resulting from this process is shown separately as a component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are included in general and administrative expenses.

Revenue Recognition

Generally, the Company's revenue contract with a customer exists when the goods are shipped, and services are rendered; and its related invoice is generated. The duration of the contract does not extend beyond the promised goods or services already transferred. The transaction price of each distinct promised product or service specified in the invoice is based on its relative stated standalone selling price. The Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control over a product to a customer at a point in time. The Company’s shipping terms provide the primary indicator of the transfer of control. The Company's general shipping terms are F.O.B. shipping point, where title and risk and rewards of ownership transfer at the point when the products leave the Company's warehouse. The Company recognizes revenue based on the consideration specified in the invoice with a customer, excluding any sales incentives, discounts, and amounts collected on behalf of third parties (i.e., governmental tax authorities). Based on historical experience with the customer, the customer's purchasing pattern and its significant experience selling products, the Company concluded that a significant reversal in the cumulative amount of revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty (if any) is resolved (that is, when the total amount of purchases is known). Refer to Note 2 for additional information.

Sales Taxes

The Company presents taxes collected and remitted to governmental authorities on a net basis in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Cost of Sales

The types of costs included in cost of sales include material, labor, factory and tooling overhead, shipping, and freight costs. Major components of these expenses are material costs, such as steel, packaging and cartons, personnel costs, and facility costs, such as rent, depreciation and utilities, related to the production and distribution of the Company’s products. Inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, warehousing costs, internal transfer costs, and other costs of the Company’s distribution network are also included in cost of sales.

Tool and Die Costs

Tool and die costs are included in product costs in the year incurred.

Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs

The Company’s general shipping terms are F.O.B. shipping point. Shipping and handling fees and costs are included in revenues and product costs, as appropriate, in the year incurred.

Product and Software Research and Development Costs

Product research and development costs, which are included in operating expenses and are charged against income as incurred, were $10.8 million, $10.6 million and $10.8 million in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The types of costs included as product research and development expenses was revised in 2017 and prior years to include all related personnel costs including salary, benefits, retirement, stock-based compensation costs, as well as computer and software costs, professional fees, supplies, tools and maintenance costs. In 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company incurred software development expenses related to its expansion into the plated truss market and some of the software development costs were capitalized. See "Note 8 — Property, Plant and Equipment." The Company amortizes acquired patents over their remaining lives and performs periodic reviews for impairment. The cost of internally developed patents is expensed as incurred.

Selling Costs, General and Administrative Costs

General and Administrative Costs

General and administrative costs include personnel, information technology related costs, facility costs such as rent, depreciation and utilities, professional services, amortization of intangibles and bad debt charges.Selling Costs

Selling costs include expenses associated with selling, merchandising and marketing the Company’s products. Major components of these expenses are personnel, sales commissions, facility costs such as rent, depreciation and utilities, professional services, information technology costs, sales promotion, advertising, literature and trade shows.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are included in selling expenses are expensed when the advertising occurs and were $7.6 million, $9.6 million and $7.1 million in 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes stock-based expense related to stock options and restricted stock awards on a straight-line basis, net of forfeitures, over the requisite service period of the awards, which is generally the vesting term of four years. Stock-based expense related to performance share grants are measured based on grant date fair value and expensed on a graded basis over the service period of the awards, which is generally a performance period of three years. The assumptions used to calculate the fair value of options or restricted stock units are evaluated and revised, as necessary, to reflect market conditions and the Company’s experience.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are calculated using an asset and liability approach. The provision for income taxes includes federal, state and foreign taxes currently payable and deferred taxes, due to temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities. In addition, future tax benefits are recognized to the extent that realization of such benefits is more likely than not.

This method gives consideration to the future tax consequences of the deferred income tax items and immediately recognizes changes in income tax laws in the year of enactment. On December 22, 2017, the President of the United States signed into law

the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Reform Act”). Further information on the tax impacts of the Tax Reform Act is included in Note 10 — Income Taxes of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Net Income per Common Share

Net Income per Share

Basic net income per common share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Potentially dilutive shares, using the treasury stock method, are included in the diluted per-share calculations for all periods when the effect of their inclusion is dilutive.

Adoption of Statements of Financial Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (later codified as ASC 606), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP. ASC 606 provides a five-step model for revenue recognition to be applied to all revenue contracts with customers. The five-step model includes: (1) determination of whether a contract, an agreement between two or more parties that creates legally enforceable rights and obligations, exists; (2) identification of the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determination of the transaction price; (4) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognition of revenue when (or as) the performance obligations are satisfied. The core principle of ASC 606 is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of goods or services equal to the amount that it expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. ASC 606 also requires additional disclosures about the nature, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments. The standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method), or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (modified retrospective method). The Company adopted the new revenue standard on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. Refer to Note 2 for additional information.

In October 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory ("ASU 2016-16"), which requires companies to account for the income tax effects of intercompany sales and transfers of assets other than inventory when the transfer occurs. Current guidance requires companies to defer the income tax effects of intercompany transfers of assets until the asset has been sold to an outside party or otherwise recognized. On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2016-16 using a modified retrospective approach. Adoption of ASU 2016-16 had no material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements and footnote disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment ("ASU 2017-04"), which eliminates the requirement to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge or Step 2 of the goodwill impairment analysis. Instead, an impairment charge will be recorded based on the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value using Step 1 of the goodwill impairment analysis. On January 1, 2018, the Company prospectively adopted ASU 2017-04. In 2018, the Company applied ASU 2017-04 to the Company's measurement of impairment for its Denmark reporting unit. Refer to Note 9 for additional information.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("ASU 2018-02"). ASU 2018-02 allows but not require a reclassification from Accumulated other Comprehensive Income to Retained Earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and for interim periods therein. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company early adopted the new accounting guidance and elected to reclass the stranded tax effects under ASU 2018-02. The election resulted in a reclass of $0.4 million to retained earnings.

All other issued and effective accounting standards during 2018 were determined to be not relevant or material to the Company.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, (Topic 842), Leases (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 core requirement is to recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases including those leases classified as operating leases. The amendments require a lessee to recognize a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term in the statement of financial position. 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 to not recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. If a lessee makes this election, it should recognize lease expense for such leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted.

Optional transition method - ASC 2018-11, Topic 842, Targeted Improvements (issued in July 2018) provide entities with an additional (and optional) transition method to adopt the new lease standard. This additional transition method allows a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption without adjusting the comparative periods presented. On January 1, 2019, the Company will adopt the new lease standard using the optional transition method.

During the fourth quarter of 2018, in preparation for the adoption of the new lease accounting standard, the Company has implemented internal controls and a new lease accounting information system to enable the preparation of financial information. The Company will elect and apply practical transition expedients of not reassessing whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases; not reassessing the lease classification for any expired or existing leases and not reassessing initial direct costs for any existing leases. The adoption of Topic 842 will result in recognition of right-of-use ("ROU") assets and lease liabilities of approximately $36.0 million to $37.0 million and approximately $35.0 million to $36.0 million, respectively on January 1, 2019, on the Company’s balance sheets. The most significant impact from recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities is related primarily to facilities and auto operating leases.