Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Principles of Consolidation and Presentation
Principles of Consolidation and Presentation
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 four subsidiaries: Synalloy Metals, Inc. which owns 100 percent of BRISMET, located in Bristol, Tennessee and Munhall, Pennsylvania; ASTI, located in Troutman and Statesville, North Carolina; 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. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform with current year presentation.
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. 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 EquivalentsThe Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
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 projected 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.
Inventories
Inventories
Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. 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.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, adjustments of $3.8 million to inventory cost were required by our storage tank facility due to the curtailment of operations at our Palmer facility as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and lower demand for oil and gas products which caused the net realizable value to fall below inventory cost for certain tanks.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, adjustments of $0.2 million to inventory cost were required by our storage tank facility as lower demand for oil and gas products caused the net realizable value to fall below inventory cost for certain tanks.
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. A lower of cost or net realizable value ("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, 2020 and 2019, respectively, no material LCNRV adjustments were required by our Metals Segment other than those at our storage tank facility.
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 $0.2 million and $0.3 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, 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.
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. 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 CombinationsAcquisitions 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 and Intangible Assets, Long Lived Asset Impairment
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
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. During the second quarter, third quarter, and fourth quarter of 2020, the Company identified potential indicators of impairment within the Welded Pipe & Tube reporting unit included in the Metals Segment existed and performed interim goodwill impairment testing analyses. As a result of these analyses, the Company recorded a full goodwill impairment charge of $10.7 million in the third quarter of 2020 and $5.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. No goodwill impairment was identified as a result of the annual testing procedures performed for the Specialty Chemicals Segment for the year ended December 31, 2020.
No goodwill impairment was identified as a result of the testing procedures performed for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Intangible assets represent 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. The weighted average amortization period for the customer relationships is approximately 11 years.
During the second quarter of 2020, due to the continued curtailment of operations related to the COVID-19 pandemic and management's decision to pursue a sale and exit of the Palmer business, the intangible customer list related to Palmer was written down to its estimated fair market value of zero, resulting in an impairment charge of $1.3 million, which is included in "Asset impairments" on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss. Intangible assets totaled $31.7 million and $32.6 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Accumulated amortization of intangible assets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 totaled $19.8 million and $16.6 million, respectively.
Estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years based on existing intangible assets is as follows:
(in thousands)
2021 2,721 
2022 2,501 
2023 1,050 
2024 952 
2025 855 
Thereafter 3,347 
Total 11,426 
The Company recorded amortization expense of $3.0 million and $3.5 million for 2020 and 2019, respectively, which excludes amortization expense of debt issuance costs, which is reflected in the consolidated financial statements as interest expense.
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.
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.
Fair value measurements associated with long-lived asset impairments are included in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.
Earn-Out Liabilities
Earn-Out Liabilities
In connection with the 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 percent) of ASTI’s revenue over the three-year earn-out period.
In connection with the 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.
In connection with the 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).
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 operations and comprehensive loss. See Note 3 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. 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. See Note 2 - Revenue Recognition for additional information on the Company's revenue.
Shipping Costs
Shipping Costs
Shipping costs of approximately $8.0 million and $10.9 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively, are recorded in cost of goods sold on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and Development Expenses
The Company incurred research and development expense of approximately $0.5 million and $0.6 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Stock-Based Compensation Stock-Based Compensation Share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss 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 stock-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. See Note 9 for additional information on the Company's income taxes.
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock
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
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, derivative instruments, accounts payable, earn-out liabilities, revolving line of credit and equity investments.
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. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. 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's leases generally do not have an implicit rate. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of fixed lease payments based on information available at the lease commencement date. 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. See Note 11 for additional information on the Company's leases.
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.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recent accounting pronouncements
Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Adopted
On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU No. 2018-13 Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The updated guidance removes disclosure requirements pertaining to the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the policy for timing of transfers between levels, and the valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements. In addition, the amendment clarifies that the measurement uncertainty disclosure is to communicate information about uncertainty in measurement as of the reporting date. The guidance also adds disclosure requirements for changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 measurements held at the end of the reporting period as well as the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements. The adoption of this standard by the Company did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements or footnote disclosures. See Note 3 for further discussion on the Company's fair value measurements.
On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU No. 2017-04 Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The updated guidance eliminated step two of the goodwill impairment test and specifies that goodwill impairment should be measured by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. Additionally, the amount of goodwill allocated to a reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount of net assets should be disclosed. The adoption of this standard by the Company did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-13 Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The updated guidance amends the current accounting guidance and requires the measurement of all expected losses based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts rather than the incurred loss model which reflects losses that are probable. Entities are required to apply these changes through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. The Company evaluated its financial instruments and determined that its trade accounts receivable are subject to the new current expected credit loss model. Based upon the application of the new current expected credit loss model, on January 1, 2020, we recorded a cumulative effect adjustment of $0.4 million to Retained Earnings. The adoption of this standard by the Company did not have a material impact on the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive loss or cash flows.
On September 30, 2020, the Company early adopted ASU No. 2019-12 "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes." This ASU removes certain exceptions related to the approach for intra-period tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period, and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences as well as adds guidance to reduce complexity in certain areas, including recognizing deferred taxes for goodwill and allocating taxes to members of a consolidated group. The most significant impact to the Company is the removal of a limit on the tax benefit recognized on pre-tax losses in interim periods. The adoption of this standard by the Company did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements or footnote disclosures.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards - Not Yet Adopted
The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASU's. Recently issued ASU's not listed were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have no material impact on our consolidated financial statements.