2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.  Subsequent updates to the guidance were issued in 2016.  The core principle of the new guidance is that an entity will 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 and services. The standard provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine the amount and timing of revenue to be recognized.  Additionally, the guidance requires disaggregated disclosures related to the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized.  The guidance 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 (the cumulative catch-up transition method). The Company adopted the standard for the fiscal year beginning December 31, 2017, using the cumulative catch-up transition method. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Revenue continues to be recognized at a point in time, typically when product is shipped to customers.  

Revenue recognition is evaluated through the following five steps: 1) identification of the contracts with customers; 2) identification of the performance obligations in the contracts; 3) determination of the transaction price; 4) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and 5) recognition of revenue as or when performance obligations are satisfied.

The Company disaggregates revenue by segment as well as by geographic destination of the sale. See disaggregated revenue balances in Note 12, Segment Reporting. The Company’s contracts with customers are generally similar in nature and terms.

The Company’s contracts with its customers are for product sales under standard ship and bill arrangements. The contracts have a single distinct performance obligation for the sale of product and are short term in nature. Revenue is recognized at a point in time when control is transferred to customers, typically upon shipment to the customer, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for the goods.

Accounts receivable balances are recorded upon recognition of revenue until payment is collected from the customers. Contracts do not have significant financing components and payment terms do not exceed one year from the date of the sale. The Company does not incur significant credit losses from contracts with customers. Consideration is primarily fixed in nature with insignificant amounts recognized related to sales discounts, rebates and product returns. The Company’s estimates for sales discounts, rebates and product returns reduce revenue recognized at the time of the sale.

The Company’s warranties provide assurance that products will function as intended. Estimated costs of product warranties are recognized at the time of the sale.

Foreign Exchange Currency Contracts

The Company enters into foreign exchange currency contracts that are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes. Changes in fair value of foreign exchange currency contracts not designated as hedging instruments are reported in net income as part of foreign currency transaction loss (gain), net.

Accounts Receivable, net

Accounts receivable are stated at amounts owed by customers, net of an allowance for estimated doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined on a specific identification basis by a review of those accounts that are significantly in arrears. Account balances are charged against the allowance when it is probable the receivable will not be recovered. See the consolidated balance sheets for the allowance amounts.

The Company has a factoring agreement with a third party financial institution to sell the rights, with recourse, to accounts receivable balances due from a specific customer. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company may receive advances in amounts up to €1,000,000 based on the amounts invoiced to the customer. The Company maintains the collectability risk of all outstanding balances; therefore, customer balances are included in accounts receivable, including any allowance for risk of collectability, and amounts due to the financial institution are included in other current liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. ASU 2017-04 eliminates the second step in the goodwill impairment test, which requires an entity to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. Instead, an entity should recognize an impairment loss if the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, with the impairment loss not to exceed the amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The standard is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests conducted in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. ASU 2016-02 requires an entity to recognize both assets and liabilities arising from financing and operating leases, along with additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures. The guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effects, if any, adoption of this guidance will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Earnings Per Share

The following table represents the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (in thousands except per share data):