Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

v3.19.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business
Synalloy Corporation (the "Company") was incorporated in Delaware in 1958 as the successor to a chemical manufacturing business founded in 1945. Its charter is perpetual. The name was changed on July 31, 1967 from Blackman Uhler Industries, Inc. The Company's executive office is located at 4510 Cox Road, Suite 201, Richmond, Virginia 23060.
The Company's business is divided into two reportable operating segments, the Metals Segment and the Specialty Chemicals Segment. As of December 31, 2018, the Metals Segment operated as three reportable units including BRISMET, Palmer, and Specialty. As of January 1, 2019, the Metals Segment also includes ASTI; see Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements. Two other operations, Bristol Fab (a division of BRISMET) and Ram-Fab, LLC, were sold or closed during 2014; see Note 19. BRISMET manufactures stainless steel and special alloy pipe and tube, Palmer manufactures liquid storage solutions and separation equipment and Specialty is a master distributor of seamless carbon pipe and tube. The Specialty Chemicals Segment operates as one reportable unit and is comprised of MC and CRI Tolling, and produces specialty chemicals.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned. The Metals Segment is comprised of three subsidiaries: Synalloy Metals, Inc. which owns 100 percent of BRISMET, located in Bristol, Tennessee and Munhall, Pennsylvania; Palmer, located in Andrews, Texas and Specialty, located in Mineral Ridge, Ohio and Houston, Texas. The Specialty Chemicals Segment consists of two subsidiaries: MS&C which owns 100 percent of MC, located in Cleveland, Tennessee and CRI Tolling, located in Fountain Inn, South Carolina. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
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. 
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 doubtful accounts for projected uncollectable amounts. The allowance is based upon a review of outstanding receivables, historical collection information and existing economic conditions. 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.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by either specific identification or weighted average methods.
Inventory cost is adjusted when its recorded cost is below net realizable value. 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 cost. This would indicate that an adjustment would be required.
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 percent of the inventory cost less any estimated scrap proceeds. The Company reserved $316,903 and $411,157 at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
Estimated quantity losses. The Company performs an annual physical count of inventory during the fourth quarter each year. For those facilities that complete their physical inventory counts before the end of December, 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. At December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had $359,505 and $285,627, respectively, reserved for physical inventory quantity losses.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the assets. 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 ten 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
Acquisitions are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. Under this method, the total consideration transferred to consummate the acquisition 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 acquisition. 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, Intangible Assets and Deferred Charges
Goodwill, arising from the excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets of businesses acquired, is not amortized but is reviewed annually, at the reporting unit level, in the fourth quarter for impairment and whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. No goodwill impairment was identified as a result of the testing procedures performed for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
Intangible assets represent the fair value of intellectual, non-physical assets resulting from business acquisitions. Deferred charges represent other intangible assets and debt issuance costs. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives using either an accelerated or straight-line method. Deferred charges are amortized over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. Deferred charges are amortized over a period ranging from three to ten years and intangible assets are amortized over a period ranging from eight to 15 years. The weighted average amortization period for the customer relationships is approximately eleven years.
Deferred charges and intangible assets totaled $23,247,498 and $21,837,351 at December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. Accumulated amortization of deferred charges and intangible assets as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 totaled $13,043,424 and $10,693,175, respectively.
Estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years based on existing intangible assets, excluding deferred charges is as follows:
2019
2,297,570

2020
2,129,528

2021
2,021,486

2022
1,790,631

2023
328,416

Thereafter
1,128,754


The Company recorded amortization expense of $2,363,277, $2,443,117 and $2,459,787 for 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, which excludes amortization expense of debt issuance costs, which is reflected in the consolidated financial statements as interest expense.
Earn-Out Liability
In connection with the MUSA-Stainless acquisition on February 28, 2017, the Company is required to make contingent earn-out payments to the prior owners based on actual sales levels of stainless steel pipe and tube (outside diameter of ten inches or less). The Company determined the fair value of the earn-out liability on the acquisition date using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Changes to the fair value of the earn-out liability are determined each quarter-end and charged to income or expense in the “Earn-Out Adjustments” line item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
In connection with the MUSA-Galvanized acquisition on July 1, 2018, the Company is required to make quarterly earn-out payments for a period of four years following closing, based on actual sales levels of galvanized pipe and tube. The fair value of the contingent consideration was 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 liability are determined each quarter-end and charged to income or expense in the “Earn-Out Adjustments” line item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
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. Substantially all of the Company's revenues are derived from contracts with customers where performance obligations are satisfied at a point-in-time. 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 of approximately $9,846,616, $7,502,945 and $4,488,041 in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, are recorded in cost of goods sold.
Research and Development Expenses
The Company incurred research and development expense of approximately $548,464, $556,181 and $603,067 in 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
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.
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock
Earnings per share of common stock are computed based on the weighted average number of basic and diluted shares outstanding during each period.
Fair Market Value
The Company makes estimates of fair value in accounting for certain transactions, in testing and measuring impairment and in providing disclosures of fair value in its consolidated financial statements. The Company determines the fair values of its financial instruments for disclosure purposes by maximizing the use of observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Fair value disclosures for assets and liabilities are grouped in three levels. The levels prioritize the inputs used to measure the fair value of the assets or liabilities. These levels are:
Level 1 - Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for assets and liabilities, either directly or indirectly. These inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are less active.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity for assets or liabilities and includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques.
Estimates of fair value using levels 2 and 3 may require judgments as to the timing and amount of cash flows, discount rates, and other factors requiring significant judgment, and the outcomes may vary widely depending on the selection of these assumptions. The Company's most significant fair value estimates as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 relate to the purchase price allocation relating to the 2017 MUSA-Stainless and 2018 MUSA-Galvanized acquisitions, earn-out liabilities, nickel forward option contracts, estimating the fair value of the reporting units in testing goodwill for impairment, estimating the fair value of the interest rate swap, and providing disclosures of the fair values of financial instruments.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions, primarily for testing goodwill for impairment, determining balances for the earn-out liabilities, estimating fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed as a result of business acquisitions and for establishing reserves on accounts receivable, inventories and environmental issues, that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
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.
Recent accounting pronouncements
Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Adopted
In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)". Topic 606 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605 “Revenue Recognition” (Topic 605), and requires entities 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 Company adopted Topic 606 as of January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method. The adoption of this Topic did not have an effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements. See Note 22 for further details.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, "Financial Instruments (Topic 825)", to address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The standard requires equity investments (except for those under the equity method of accounting) to be measured at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The amendments in the update supersede the guidance to classify equity securities with readily determinable fair values into different categories, and require equity securities to be measured at fair value with changes recognized in net income as opposed to comprehensive income. The Company adopted ASU 2016-01 effective January 1, 2018 and the effects of this standard are included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The Company applied the standard by means of a cumulative effective adjustment to the balance sheet as of January 1, 2018, which resulted in a reclassification of $10,864 from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss to Retained Earnings. The adoption of this standard also resulted in a $2,573,000 mark-to-market valuation loss on investments in equity securities recognized in net income in 2018, which would have previously been recorded to Comprehensive Income.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01 “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business.” ASU 2017-01 provides guidance to evaluate whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. If substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single asset or a group of similar assets, the assets acquired (or disposed of) are not considered a business. The Company adopted ASU 2017-01 as of January 1, 2018 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this Topic did not have an effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2018.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting," which amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements, provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting under ASC 718. The Company adopted ASU 2017-09 as of January 1, 2018 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this Topic did not have an effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2018.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Not Yet Adopted
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02  "Leases (Topic 842)", as amended, which generally requires lessees to recognize operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets on the balance sheet and to provide enhanced disclosures surrounding the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leasing arrangements. We will adopt the new standard effective January 1, 2019 on a modified retrospective basis and will not restate comparative periods. We will elect the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which allows us to carryforward our historical lease classification, our assessment on whether a contract is or contains a lease, and our initial direct costs for any leases that exist prior to adoption of the new standard. We did not elect the hindsight practical expedient to determine the reasonably certain lease term for existing leases. We also elected to combine lease and non-lease components and elected the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify. On adoption, we currently expect to recognize additional operating liabilities ranging from $32,000,000 to $36,000,000 with corresponding right-of-use assets of a materially similar amount based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments under current leasing standards for existing operating leases. The Company will also record a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity totaling approximately $6,000,000 related to the derecognition of the existing deferred gain for a sale leaseback transaction that occurred in 2016 (see note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). We do not expect the new standard to have a material impact on the consolidated statement of operations.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13 "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)". The updated guidance improves the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. The updated guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for any removed or modified disclosures. The Company is currently assessing the impact of adopting the updated provisions.