SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Consolidation

Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Miller Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. We consolidated our majority-owned and controlled Delavan joint venture, and our joint venturer’s interests in the Delavan joint venture were reported as noncontrolling interests through March 31, 2014, the deconsolidation date. Losses before income taxes that are directly attributable to the Delavan joint venture were approximately $152 (including the loss on deconsolidation of the subsidiary) for the first quarter of 2014 and $1,300 for the year ended December 31, 2013.

The consolidated financial statements include accounts of certain subsidiaries whose fiscal closing dates differ from December 31^st by 31 days (or less) to facilitate timely reporting.

Cash and Temporary Investments

Cash and Temporary Investments

Cash and temporary investments include all cash and cash equivalent investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable

Receivables consist of amounts billed and currently due from customers. The Company extends credit to customers in the normal course of business. Collections from customers are continuously monitored and an allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained based on historical experience and any specific customer collection issues.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

For assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis, a three-level hierarchy of measurements based upon observable and unobservable inputs is used to arrive at fair value. Observable inputs are developed based on market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our assumptions about valuation based on the best information available in the circumstances. Depending on the inputs, we classify each fair value measurement as follows:

Level 1—based upon quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets,

Level 2—based upon quoted prices for similar instruments, prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, or model-derived valuations, all of whose significant inputs are observable, and

Level 3—based upon one or more significant unobservable inputs

The carrying values of cash and temporary investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities are reasonable estimates of their fair values because of the short maturity of these financial instruments. The carrying values of long-term obligations are reasonable estimates of their fair values based on the rates available for obligations with similar terms and maturities.

The fair value of derivative assets and liabilities are measured assuming that the unit of account is an individual derivative transaction and that each derivative could be sold or transferred on a stand-alone basis. We classify within Level 2 our forward foreign currency exchange contracts based upon quoted prices for similar instruments that are actively traded. For more information regarding derivatives, see Note 11, Derivative Financial Instruments.

Inventories

Inventories

Inventory costs include materials, labor and factory overhead. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market (net realizable value), determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Appropriate consideration is given to obsolescence, valuation and other factors in determining net realizable value. Revisions of these estimates could result in the need for adjustments. Inventories, net of reserves, at December 31, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following:

	2015		2014
Chassis	$	8,048	$	4,700
Raw materials		28,328		24,291
Work in process		10,850		10,477
Finished goods		19,006		16,992
	$	66,232	$	56,460

Property, Plant, and Equipment

Property, Plant, and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation for financial reporting purposes is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Accelerated depreciation methods are used for income tax reporting purposes. Estimated useful lives range from 20 to 30 years for buildings and improvements and 5 to 10 years for machinery and equipment, furniture and fixtures, and software costs. Expenditures for routine maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Internal labor is used in certain capital projects.

Property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2015 and 2014 consisted of the following:

	2015			2014
Land and improvements	$	5,812		$	5,223
Buildings and improvements		42,230			34,478
Machinery and equipment		30,821			30,143
Furniture and fixtures		8,978			8,590
Software costs		10,066			8,921
		97,907			87,355
Less accumulated depreciation		(58,432	)		(55,305	)
	$	39,475		$	32,050

The Company recognized $4,317, $4,014 and $3,757 in depreciation expense in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

The Company capitalizes costs related to software development in accordance with established criteria, and amortizes those costs to expense on a straight-line basis over five years. System development costs not meeting proper criteria for capitalization are expensed as incurred.

Basic and Diluted Income Per Common Share

Basic and Diluted Income Per Common Share

Basic income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted income per common share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common and potential dilutive common shares outstanding. Diluted income per common share takes into consideration the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options resulting in approximately 36,000, 57,000, and 91,000 potential dilutive common shares in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. For 2015, 2014 and 2013, none of the outstanding stock options would have been anti-dilutive.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-Lived Assets

The Company periodically reviews the carrying amount of its long-lived assets to determine if those assets may not be recoverable based upon the future operating cash flows expected to be generated by those assets. Management believes that its long-lived assets are appropriately valued.

Goodwill

Goodwill

Goodwill consists of the excess of cost of acquired entities over the sum of the amounts assigned to identifiable assets acquired less liabilities assumed. Goodwill is not amortized. However, the Company evaluates the carrying value of goodwill for impairment at least annually or if an event or circumstance occurs that would indicate that the carrying amount had been impaired. The Company reviews goodwill for impairment utilizing a qualitative assessment or a two-step process. If the qualitative analysis of goodwill is utilized and it is determined that fair value more likely than not exceeds the carrying value, no further testing is needed. If the two-step approach is chosen, first, the carrying value of the entity is compared to the fair value. If the fair value is less, a comparison of the carrying value of goodwill to the fair value of goodwill is performed to determine if a writedown is required.

Patents, Trademarks and Other Purchased Product Rights

Patents, Trademarks and Other Purchased Product Rights

The cost of acquired patents, trademarks and other purchased product rights is capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over various periods not exceeding 20 years. Total accumulated amortization of these assets was $1,547 at December 31, 2015 and 2014. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, all intangible assets subject to amortization were fully amortized. As acquisitions and dispositions of intangible assets occur in the future, the amortization amounts may vary.

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred Financing Costs

All deferred financing costs are included in other assets and are amortized using the straight-line method over the terms of the respective obligations. Total accumulated amortization of deferred financing costs at December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $0 and $0, respectively. Amortization expense in 2015, 2014 and 2013 was $0, $2 and $6, respectively, and is included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. Deferred financing costs were fully amortized at December 31, 2015.

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consisted of the following at December 31, 2015 and 2014:

	2015		2014
Accrued wages, commissions, bonuses and benefits	$	6,482	$	5,956
Accrued products warranty		3,140		2,622
Accrued income taxes		4,747		7,416
Other		6,720		5,105
	$	21,089	$	21,099

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The Company recognizes as deferred income tax assets and liabilities the future tax consequences of the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. The Company considers the need to record a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Tax loss carryforwards, reversal of deferred tax liabilities, tax planning and estimates of future taxable income are considered in assessing the need for a valuation allowance. 

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes. ASC Topic 740 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC Topic 740 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, disclosure and transition. The evaluation of a tax position in accordance with ASC Topic 740 is a two-step process. The first step is recognition, where the Company evaluates whether an individual tax position has a likelihood of greater than 50% of being sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. For tax positions that are currently estimated to have a less than 50% likelihood of being sustained, zero tax benefit is recorded. For tax positions that have met the recognition threshold in the first step, the Company performs the second step of measuring the benefit to be recorded. The actual benefits ultimately realized may differ from the Company’s estimates. In future periods, changes in facts and circumstances and new information may require the Company to change the recognition and measurement estimates with regard to individual tax positions. Changes in recognition and measurement estimates are recorded in results of operations and financial position in the period in which such changes occur. As of December 31 2015, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits pertaining to uncertain tax positions.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock compensation expense was $0 for 2015, 2014 and 2013.

No options were granted during 2015 or 2014. The fair value of options granted in 2008 has been estimated as of the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: expected dividend yield of 0%; expected volatility of 44%; risk-free interest rate of 1.71%; and expected life of four years. Using these assumptions, the fair value of options granted in 2008 was $1,596, which was amortized as compensation expense over the vesting period.

At December 31, 2015, the Company had no unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options. The Company issued approximately 34,000 and 32,000 shares of common stock during 2015 and 2014, respectively, from the exercise of stock options.

Product Warranty

Product Warranty

The Company generally provides a one-year limited product and service warranty on certain of its products. The Company provides for the estimated cost of this warranty at the time of sale. These estimates are established using historical information about the nature, frequency, and average cost of warranty claims. Warranty expense in 2015, 2014 and 2013, was $3,076, $1,958 and $1,086, respectively.

The table below provides a summary of the warranty liability for December 31, 2015 and 2014:

	2015			2014
Accrual at beginning of the year	$	2,622		$	3,084
Provision		3,076			1,958
Settlement and Other		(2,558	)		(2,420	)
Accrual at end of year	$	3,140		$	2,622

Credit Risk

Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash investments and trade accounts receivable. The Company places its cash investments with high-quality financial institutions. In addition, the Company limits the amount of credit exposure through the use of accounts and funds backed by the U.S. Government and its agencies. Trade accounts receivable are generally diversified due to the number of entities comprising the Company’s customer base and their dispersion across many geographic regions and by frequent monitoring of the creditworthiness of the customers to whom the credit is granted in the normal course of business.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recorded by the Company when the risk of ownership for products has transferred to the independent distributors or other customers, which is generally upon shipment. From time to time, revenue is recognized under a bill and hold arrangement. Recognition of revenue on bill and hold arrangements occurs when risk of ownership has passed to the customer, a fixed written commitment has been provided by the customer, the goods are complete and ready for shipment, the goods are segregated from inventory, no performance obligation remains, and a schedule for delivery has been established.

Shipping and Handling Fees and Cost

Shipping and Handling Fees and Cost

The Company records revenues earned for shipping and handling as revenue, while the cost of shipping and handling is classified as cost of operations.

Research and Development

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and included in cost of operations and to a lesser extent in selling, general and administrative expenses. Research and development costs amounted to $1,595, $1,899 and $1,304 for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

The functional currency for the Company’s foreign operations is the applicable local currency. The translation from the applicable foreign currencies to U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, historical rates for equity and the weighted average exchange rate during the period for revenue and expense accounts. Foreign currency translation adjustments resulting from such translations are included in shareholders’ equity. Intercompany transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are remeasured into the functional currency. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in other (income) expense in our consolidated statements of income.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company periodically enters into certain forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are designed to mitigate foreign currency risk.

Prior to November 2012, the Company had not instituted a formal foreign exchange policy. Any foreign currency exchange contracts entered into did not qualify for hedge accounting. Changes in fair value of these instruments were recognized each period in other income (expense) in our consolidated statements of income.

In November 2012, the Company adopted a formal foreign exchange policy. Under this policy, at inception of each hedge relationship, the Company documents its risk management objectives, procedures and accounting treatment. For those foreign currency exchange contracts that qualify for hedge accounting treatment, changes in the fair value of such instruments are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The Company also assesses, both at inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in the hedging transaction are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items. For those foreign currency exchange contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, changes in the fair value of such instruments are recognized each period in other income (expense) in our consolidated statements of income.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Standards

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance to change the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. The core principle of the new guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to reflect the transfer of goods and services to customers in an amount equal to the consideration the entity receives or expects to receive. The guidance will be effective for the Company for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued amendments to the Inventory topic of the Accounting Standards Codification to require inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Other than the change in the subsequent measurement guidance from the lower of cost or market to the lower of cost and net realizable value for inventory, there are no other substantive changes to the guidance on measurement of inventory. The amendments will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB amended the Income Taxes topic of the Accounting Standards Codification to simplify the presentation of deferred income taxes by requiring that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. The amendments will be effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods, with early adoption permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company will apply the guidance retrospectively. The Company does not expect these amendments to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

The FASB's new leases standard Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842) was issued on February 25, 2016 and is intended to improve financial reporting about leasing transactions. The standard affects all companies and other organizations that lease assets such as real estate, airplanes, and manufacturing equipment. The standard will require organizations that lease assets referred to as “Lessees” to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases. An organization is to provide disclosures designed to enable users of financial statements to understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. These disclosures include qualitative and quantitative requirements concerning additional information about the amounts recorded in the financial statements. Under the new guidance, a lessee will be required to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. Consistent with current GAAP, the recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily will depend on its classification as a finance or operating lease. However, unlike current GAAP which requires only capital leases to be recognized on the balance sheet the new standard will require both types of leases (i.e. operating and capital) to be recognized on the balance sheet. The FASB lessee accounting model will continue to account for both types of leases. The capital lease will be accounted for in substantially the same manner as capital leases are accounted for under existing GAAP. The operating lease will be accounted for in a manner similar to operating leases under existing GAAP, except that lessees will recognize a lease liability and a lease asset for all of those leases.

The standard will be effective for financial statements issued for annual periods, and interim periods within these annual periods, beginning December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. See Note 5 for the Company’s current lease commitments. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact that this new leasing standard will have on its financial statements.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation, with no impact on previously reported shareholders’ equity or net income.