Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

v3.23.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Principles of Consolidation Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates Use of Estimates - The preparation of the Company's financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, sales and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the carrying value of property, plant and equipment; intangible assets; the fair value of assets or liabilities acquired in a business combination; valuation allowances for receivables, inventories and deferred income tax assets and liabilities; environmental liabilities; liabilities for potential tax deficiencies; and, potential litigation claims and settlements. The Company bases these estimates on historical results and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable, all of which form the basis for making estimates concerning the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are readily available from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents - The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash levels in bank accounts that, at times, may exceed federally-insured limits.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts Receivable - Accounts receivable from the sale of products are recorded at net realizable value and the Company generally grants credit to customers on an unsecured basis. Substantially all of the Company's accounts receivable are due from companies located throughout the United States. The Company provides an allowance for credit losses for expected uncollectible amounts. The allowance is based upon an analysis of accounts receivable balances with similar risk characteristics on a collective basis, considering factors such as the aging of receivables balances, historical loss experience, current information, and future expectations. Each reporting period, the Company reassesses whether any accounts receivable no longer share similar risk characteristics and should instead be evaluated as part of another pool or on an individual basis. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and generally does not require collateral. Receivables are generally due within 30 to 60 days. Delinquent receivables are written off based on individual credit evaluations and specific circumstances of the customer. Activity in the allowance for credit losses were as follows:
(in thousands) 2022 2021
Balance at beginning of period $ 216  $ 496 
Current period provision for expected credit losses 1,405  (68)
Deductions from allowance (371) (330)
Acquired allowance —  118 
Balance at end of period $ 1,250  $ 216 
Inventories
Inventories - Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value ("LCNRV"). Cost is determined by either specific identification or weighted average methods.
At the end of each quarter, all facilities review recent sales reports to identify sales price trends that would indicate products or product lines that are being sold below our cost. This would indicate that an adjustment would be required. An LCNRV adjustment is recorded when the Company's inventory cost, based upon a historical price, is greater than the current selling price of that product. During the year ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, no significant LCNRV adjustments were required by our Specialty Chemicals segment.
Stainless steel, both in its raw material (coil or plate) or finished goods (pipe and tube) state is purchased/sold using a base price plus an additional surcharge which is dependent on current nickel prices. As raw materials are purchased, it is priced to the Company based upon the surcharge at that date. When the selling price of the finished pipe is set for the customer, approximately three months later, the then-current nickel surcharge is used to determine the proper selling prices. An LCNRV adjustment is recorded when the Company's inventory cost, based upon a historical nickel price, is greater than the current selling price of that product due to a reduction in the nickel surcharge. During the years ended December 31, 2022, LCNRV adjustments of $0.5 million were required by our Tubular Products segment. During the year ended December 31, 2021 no significant LCNRV adjustments were required by our Tubular Products segment.
In addition, the Company establishes inventory reserves for:
Estimated obsolete or unmarketable inventory - The Company identified inventory items with no sales activity for finished goods or no usage for raw materials for a certain period of time. For those inventory items not currently being marketed and unable to be sold, a reserve was established for 100% of the inventory cost less any estimated scrap proceeds. The Company reserved $3.5 million and $1.1 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Estimated quantity losses - The Company performs an annual physical count of inventory during the fourth quarter each year for all facilities. A reserve is established for the potential quantity losses that could occur subsequent to their physical inventory. This reserve is based upon the most recent physical inventory results.
Property, Plant and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment - Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is determined based on the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the assets. Substantially all depreciation is recorded within cost of goods sold on the consolidated statement of income. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their useful lives or the remaining non-cancellable lease term, buildings are depreciated over a range of 10 years to 40 years, and machinery, fixtures and equipment are depreciated over a range of three years to 20 years. The costs of software licenses are amortized over five years using the straight-line method. The Company continually reviews the recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets. The Company also reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. When the future undiscounted cash flows of the operation to which the assets relate do not exceed the carrying value of the asset, the assets are written down to fair value.
Business Combinations Business Combinations - Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. Under this method, the total consideration transferred to consummate the business combination is allocated to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values as of the closing date of the transaction. The acquisition method of accounting requires extensive use of estimates and judgments to allocate the consideration transferred to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired, if any, and liabilities assumed.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill - Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable assets acquired, less fair value of liabilities assumed, in a business combination. The Company reviews goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is the operating segment level or one level below the operating segment level. Goodwill is not amortized but is evaluated for impairment at least annually on October 1 or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. The evaluation begins with a qualitative assessment to determine whether a quantitative impairment test is necessary. If, after assessing qualitative factors, we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, then the quantitative goodwill impairment test is performed.
The quantitative goodwill impairment test used to identify potential impairment compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. Fair value represents the price a market participant would be willing to pay in a
potential sale of the reporting unit and is based on a combination of an income approach, based on discounted future cash flows, and a market approach, based on market multiples applied to free cash flow. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, then no goodwill impairment has occurred. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Any impairment identified is included within "goodwill impairment" in the consolidated statements of income.
A reporting unit is an operating segment or a business unit one level below that operating segment, for which discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by segment management. During 2022 and 2021, goodwill was allocated to the Specialty Chemicals reporting unit.
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
(in thousands) Specialty Chemicals
Balance December 31, 2020 $ 1,355 
Acquisitions 11,282 
Balance December 31, 2021 12,637 
PPA Revisions (1,248)
Balance December 31, 2022 $ 11,389 
During the third quarter of 2022, subsequent to the preliminary estimates of fair value of intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, management revised the initial estimate of the fair value of property, plant and equipment resulting in an increase of $1.6 million. As a result of this revision, goodwill was decreased by $1.2 million and the Company's deferred tax balances were increased $0.4 million. In addition, the change to the provisional amount resulted in an increase in depreciation expense and accumulated depreciation of $0.2 million of which $0.1 million relates to a previous reporting period.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, subsequent to the preliminary estimates of fair value of intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, management finalized the values of deferred tax balances upon completion of the DanChem pre-acquisition tax returns. As a result, within the measurement period, the Company's deferred tax balances were decreased by $40,475 and goodwill was decreased by $40,475.
We conducted our annual impairment test of the Specialty Chemicals reporting unit as of October 1, 2022. The Company performed a discounted cash flow analysis and a market multiple analysis for the Specialty Chemicals reporting unit. The discounted cash flow analysis included management assumptions for expected sales growth, capital expenditures and overall operational forecasts. the market multiple analysis included historical and projected performance, market capitalization, volatility and multiples for industry peers. As a result of the goodwill impairment evaluation, it was concluded that the estimated fair value of the Specialty Chemicals reporting unit was greater than its carrying value and, as such, no goodwill impairment was necessary.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company determined potential indicators of impairment within the Specialty Chemicals reporting unit, with an associated goodwill balance of $11.4 million, existed. Significant decreases in the Company's stock price and performance relative to forecast, collectively, indicated that the reporting unit had experienced a triggering event and the need to perform another quantitative evaluation of goodwill. As a result, the Company quantitatively evaluated the Specialty Chemicals reporting unit for impairment. As a result of the goodwill impairment evaluation, it was concluded that the estimated fair value of the Specialty Chemicals reporting unit was above its carrying value and, as such, no goodwill impairment was necessary.
Intangible Assets - Intangible assets consists of customer relationships, trademarks and trade names, and Other and represents the fair value of intellectual, non-physical assets resulting from business acquisitions and are amortized over their estimated useful lives using either an accelerated or straight-line method over a period ranging from eight to 15 years.
Amortization expense is recorded in selling, general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of income. The weighted average amortization period for the customer relationships is approximately 12 years.
The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets consist of the following:
2022 2021
(in thousands) Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Gross Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization
Definite-lived intangible assets:
Customer related $ 28,226  $ (18,437) $ 28,226  $ (14,486)
Trademarks and trade names 150  (12) 150  (2)
Other 500  (40) 500  (6)
Total definite-lived intangible assets $ 28,876  $ (18,489) $ 28,876  $ (14,494)
The Company recorded amortization expense related to intangible assets of $4.0 million and $2.8 million for 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years based on existing intangible assets is as follows:
(in thousands)
2023 $ 1,580 
2024 1,555 
2025 1,384 
2026 1,153 
2027 973 
Thereafter 3,742 
Total $ 10,387 
Deferred Charges Deferred Charges - Deferred charges represent debt issuance costs and are amortized over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method over a period of four years and is recorded in interest expense on the consolidated statements of income. On January 15, 2021, the Company and its subsidiaries entered into a new Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with BMO Harris Bank, N.A ("BMO") providing the Company with a new four-year revolving credit facility and replacing the Company's previous asset based revolving line of credit and term loan with Truist Bank ("Truist"). The Company accounted for this refinance as a debt extinguishment and, as a result, $0.2 million of unamortized debt issuance costs associated with the Company's previously existing bank debt were written off as a loss on extinguishment of debt during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Long-Lived Asset Impairment
Long-Lived Asset Impairment - The carrying amounts of long-lived assets are reviewed whenever certain events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. A potential impairment has occurred for long-lived assets held-for-use if projected future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the assets are less than the carrying amounts of the assets. An impairment loss is recorded for long-lived assets held-for-use when the carrying amount of the asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value.
Long-lived assets that are expected to be sold within the next 12 months and meet the other relevant held-for-sale criteria are classified as long-lived assets held-for-sale. An impairment loss is recorded for long-lived assets held-for-sale when the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value less cost to sell. A long-lived asset is not depreciated while its classified as held-for-sale.
For long-lived assets to be abandoned, the Company considers the asset to be disposed of when it ceases to be used. Until it ceases to be used, the Company continues to classify the asset as held-for-use and test for potential impairment accordingly. If the Company commits to a plan to abandon a long-lived asset before the end of its previously estimated useful life, its depreciable life is re-evaluated.
Earn-Out Liabilities
Earn-Out Liabilities - In connection with the 2019 American Stainless acquisition, the Company is required to make quarterly earn-out payments to American Stainless for a period of three years following closing equal to six and one-half percent (6.5%) of ASTI’s revenue over the three-year earn-out period. These quarterly earn-out payments ended in 2022.
In connection with the 2018 MUSA-Galvanized acquisition, the Company is required to make quarterly earn-out payments to MUSA for a period of four years following closing, based on actual sales levels of galvanized pipe and tube. These quarterly earn-out payments ended in 2022.
In connection with the 2017 MUSA-Stainless acquisition, the Company is required to make quarterly earn-out payments to MUSA for a period of four years following closing, based on actual sales levels of stainless steel pipe and tube (outside diameter of 10 inches or less). These quarterly earn-out payments ended in 2021.
The fair value of the earn-out liabilities are estimated by applying the probability-weighted expected return method using management's estimates of pounds to be shipped and future price per unit. Changes to the fair value of the earn-out liabilities are determined each quarter-end and charged to income or expense in the “Earn-Out Adjustments” line item in the consolidated statements of income. See Note 4 for additional information on the Company's earn-out liabilities.
Revenue Recognition Revenue Recognition - Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers upon shipment, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The Company's revenues are derived from contracts with customers where performance obligations are satisfied at a point-in-time or over-time. For certain contracts under which the Company produces product with no alternative use and for which the Company has an enforceable right to payment during the production cycle, product in which the material is customer owned or in which the customer simultaneously consumes the benefits throughout the production cycle, progress toward satisfying the performance obligation is measured using an output method of units produced. Certain customer arrangements consist of bill-and-hold characteristics under which transfer of control has been met (including the passing of title and significant risk and reward of ownership to the customers). Therefore, the customers can direct the use of the bill-and-hold inventory while we retain physical possession of the product until it is shipped to a customer at a point in time in the future.Our contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, revenue for each performance obligation is based on its standalone selling price and revenue is recognized as each performance obligation is satisfied. The Company generally determines standalone selling prices based on the prices charged to customers using the adjusted market assessment approach or expected cost plus margin. Deferred revenues are recorded when cash payments are received in advance of satisfying the performance obligation, including amounts which are refundable.
Shipping Costs Shipping Costs - Shipping costs are treated as fulfillment activities at the time control and title of the promised good and services rendered are transferred to the customer. Shipping costs of approximately $11.2 million and $9.4 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively, are recorded in cost of goods sold on the consolidated statements of income.
Share-Based Compensation Share-Based Compensation - Share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, are recognized in the consolidated statements of income as compensation expense (based on their estimated fair values at grant date) generally over the vesting period of the awards using the straight-line method. Any forfeitures of share-based awards are recorded as they occur.
Income Taxes Income Taxes - Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing accounts and their respective tax basis and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets unless it is more likely than not that such assets will be realized.Additionally, the Company maintains reserves for uncertain tax provisions, if necessary.
Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share - Earnings per share of common stock are computed based on the weighted average number of basic and diluted shares outstanding during each period.
Leases
Leases - The Company determines whether an arrangement is a lease at contract inception. For leases in which the Company is the lessee, the Company recognizes a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability on the consolidated balance sheets equal to the present value of the fixed lease payments over the lease term. Lease liabilities represent an obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease while right-of-use assets represent a right to use an underlying asset during the lease term. The Company does not separate lease and non-lease components for its underlying assets. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets.
If readily determinable, the rate implicit in the lease is used to discount lease payments to present value; however, the Company's leases generally do not provide a readily determinable implicit rate. When the implicit rate is not determinable, the Company's estimated incremental borrowing rate is utilized, determined on a fully collateralized and fully amortizing basis, to discount lease payments based on information available at lease commencement. The Company determines the appropriate incremental borrowing rate by identifying a reference rate and making adjustments that take into consideration financing options and certain lease-specific circumstances. Such adjustments include assuming the Store Capital lease would require two lenders with the secondary lender being secured on a second lien requiring mezzanine rates. Lease costs are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities are remeasured upon certain modifications to leases using the present value of the remaining lease payments and estimated incremental borrowing rate upon lease modification. The difference between the remeasured right-of-use asset and the operating lease liabilities are recognized as a gain or loss within operating expenses. The Company reviews any changes to its lease agreements for potential modifications and/or indicators of impairment of the respective right-of-use asset. Operating leases are included in ROU assets, current portion of operating lease liabilities and long-term portion of operating lease liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property, plant and equipment, current portion of finance lease liabilities and long-term portion of finance lease liabilities.
Concentrations of Credit Risk Concentrations of Credit Risk - Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash deposits and trade accounts receivable. The Company monitors the financial institutions where it invests its cash and cash equivalents as well as performs credit reviews of potential customers when extending credit to purchase and periodic reviews of existing customers to mitigate exposure and risk. The Specialty Chemicals segment has one customer that accounted for approximately 21% of the segment's revenues for 2022 and 15% of the segment's revenues for 2021.
Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted - In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU 2020-04 "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting." The ASU, and subsequent clarifications, provide practical expedients for contract modification accounting related to the transition away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and other interbank offering rates to alternative reference rates. On December 21, 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06 to defer the sunset date of Topic 848 until December 31, 2024. The Company intends to use the expedients where needed for reference rate transition. The Company continues to evaluate this standard update and does not currently expect a material impact to the Company’s financial statements or disclosures.
Fair Market Value
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. To measure fair value, we use a three-tier valuation hierarchy based upon observable and non-observable inputs:

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices that are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.

Level 2 - Significant other observable inputs available at the measurement date, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, either directly or indirectly, including:

Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets;
Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and
Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by other observable market data.

Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data and reflect the use of significant management judgment. These values are generally determined using model-based techniques, including option pricing models, discounted cash flow models, probability weighted models, and Monte Carlo simulations.
The Company's financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, notes payable, earn-out liabilities, revolving line of credit, and long-term debt.