Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
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"), a Delaware corporation, was incorporated 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. On June 3, 1988, the state of incorporation was changed from South Carolina to Delaware. The Company's executive offices are located at 4510 Cox Road, Suite 201, Richmond, Virginia 23060 and 775 Spartan Boulevard, Suite 102, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29301.
The Company's business is divided into two reportable operating segments, the Metals Segment and the Specialty Chemicals Segment. The Metals Segment currently operates as three reportable units including BRISMET, Palmer and Specialty. Two other operations, Bristol Fab and Ram-Fab, were sold or closed during 2014; see Note 19. BRISMET manufactures pipe, 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 including 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 Bristol Metals, LLC, located in Bristol, Tennessee; Palmer of Texas Tanks, Inc., located in Andrews, Texas and Specialty Pipe & Tube, Inc., located in Mineral Ridge, Ohio and Houston, Texas. The Specialty Chemicals Segment consists of two subsidiaries: Manufacturers Soap and Chemical Company which owns 100 percent of Manufacturers Chemicals, LLC, located in Cleveland, Tennessee and CRI Tolling, LLC, located in Fountain Inn, South Carolina. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
Accounting Period
On December 31, 2015, the Company elected to change its fiscal year from a 52-53 week year ending the Saturday nearest to December 31 to a calendar year ending December 31 effective with fiscal year 2015. The Company made this change prospectively and did not adjust operating results for prior periods. Fiscal year 2015 ended on December 31, 2015. Fiscal year 2014 ended on January 3, 2015 having 53 weeks. Fiscal year 2013 ended on December 28, 2013 having 52 weeks.
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 balances at financial institutions with strong credit ratings.
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 collections and for disputed claims and quality issues. 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 market. Cost is determined by either specific identification or weighted average methods.
Inventory cost is adjusted when its market value is estimated to be below manufacturing cost. 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 a LCM inventory adjustment would be required. As of December 31, 2015, an LCM adjustment was required by our Metals Segment mainly due to decreases in nickel prices. Stainless steel, both in its raw material (coil or plate) or finished goods (pipe) 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 finished pipe is ultimately sold to the customer approximately five months later, the then-current nickel surcharge is used to determine the proper selling prices. An LCM adjustment is established 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. A $1,237,000 LCM adjustment was required at December 31, 2015. No adjustment was needed at January 3, 2015.
The Company establishes inventory reserves for:
Estimated obsolete or unmarketable inventory. As of December 31, 2015, 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 that are not currently being marketed and unable to be sold, a reserve was established for 100 percent of the inventory cost. At the end of the prior year, various discount factors were applied to the various levels of aged inventory to determine the obsolete inventory reserve. The Company reserved $658,000 and $681,000 at December 31, 2015 and January 3, 2015, 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, 2015 and January 3, 2015, the Company had $24,000 and $44,000, 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. Land improvements and buildings are depreciated over a range of ten years to 40 years, and machinery, fixtures and equipment are depreciated over a range of three 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 in accordance with GAAP. 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.
The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment by performing a qualitative evaluation and a two-step quantitative test, if required, which involves comparing the estimated fair value, based on a discounted cash flow model, of the associated reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. The Company performed the two-step quantitative test during the fourth quarter of 2015 and recorded an impairment charge of approximately $17,158,000. See Note 4 for further details on the Company's evaluation of of goodwill impairment.
Intangible assets represent the fair value of intellectual, non-physical assets resulting from business acquisitions. Deferred charges represent other intangible assets such as debt issuance costs. Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives using either an accelerated or straight-line method. Debt issuance costs are amortized on a weighted average basis utilizing the outstanding balance for each debt facility. Other 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 ten to 15 years. The weighted average amortization period for the customer relationships is approximately twelve years. Deferred charges and intangible assets totaled $21,001,000 and $20,961,000 at December 31, 2015 and January 3, 2015, respectively. Accumulated amortization of deferred charges and intangible assets as of December 31, 2015 and January 3, 2015 totaled $6,068,000 and $3,670,000, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years based on existing deferred charges and intangible assets is: 2016 - $2,185,000, 2017 - $2,032,000, 2018 - $1,868,000; 2019 - $1,733,000; 2020 - $1,725,000; and thereafter - $5,390,000. The Company recorded amortization expense of $2,398,000, $1,466,000 and $1,598,000 for 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue from product sales is recognized at the time ownership of goods transfers to the customer and the earnings process is complete, which is typically on the date the inventory is shipped to the customer.
Shipping Costs
Shipping costs of approximately $5,155,000, $5,705,000 and $7,313,000 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, are recorded in cost of goods sold.
Research and Development Expenses
The Company incurred research and development expense of approximately $548,000, $531,000 and $558,000 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred taxes and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in fiscal years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. 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 in accordance with ASC 740. See Note 10 for more information.
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock
Earnings per share of common stock are computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period; see Note 14.
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 relate to purchase accounting adjustments which included the measurement of earn-out liabilities, estimating the fair value of the reporting units in testing goodwill for impairment, estimating the fair value of the interest rate swaps and providing disclosures of the fair values of financial instruments.
Financial instruments, such as cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and the credit facility revolver are stated at their carrying value, which is a reasonable estimate of fair value; see Note 2.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions, primarily for testing goodwill for impairment, determining proper period-end balances for certain employee benefit accruals, 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, trade accounts receivable and cash surrender value of life insurance. The cash surrender value of life insurance is the contractual amount on policies maintained with one insurance company. The Company performs a periodic evaluation of the relative credit standing of this company as it relates to the insurance industry.
Recent accounting pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)", which changes the criteria for recognizing revenue. The standard requires an entity 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 standard requires a five-step process for recognizing revenue including identifying the contract with the customer, identifying the performance obligations in the contract, determining the transaction price, allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and recognizing revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. Two transition methods are available for implementing the requirements of ASU 2014-09: retrospectively for each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initial application recognized at the date of initial application. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, "Revenue from Contract with Customers (Topic 606)," which defers the required implementation date of ASU 2014-09 for public business entities from annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and has not determined which transition method will be used.
In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, "Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis", which modifies the consolidation model for reporting organizations under both the variable interest model and the voting interest model. The ASU is generally expected to reduce the number of situations where consolidation is required; however, in certain circumstances, the ASU may result in companies consolidating entities previously unconsolidated. The ASU will require all legal entities to re-evaluate previous consolidation conclusions under the revised model and is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company did not elect to early adopt the provisions of this ASU and does not believe its implementation will have any effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, "Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs," which changes the presentation of debt issuance costs. This ASU requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. Currently, capitalized debt issuance costs are presented as an asset on the consolidated balance sheet. ASU 2015-03 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company did not elect to early adopt the provisions of this ASU and does not believe its implementation will have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, "Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory," which reduces the cost and complexity of accounting for inventory. This ASU requires an entity measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. Subsequent measurement is unchanged for inventory measured using LIFO or the retail inventory method. ASU 2015-11 is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company did not elect to early adopt the provisions of this ASU and is currently evaluating the impact that ASU 2015-11 will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Measurement-Period Adjustments," which requires an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. This ASU requires the acquirer record, in the same period's financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The amendments in this ASU also require an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. ASU 2015-16 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and the Company does not believe the implementation of this ASU will have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes," which requires entities with a classified balance sheet to present all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent. Effective December 31, 2015, the Company early adopted ASU No. 2015-17 on a prospective basis, which resulted in the reclassification of the Company’s current deferred tax of $4,255,000 as a non-current deferred tax liability on its consolidated balance sheet. No prior periods were retrospectively adjusted.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842) which require lessees to recognize for all leases (with the exception of short-term leases) a lease liability, which is a lessee's obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee's right to use, or control the use of, a specified asset for the lease term. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and the Company is currently evaluating the impact the guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events through the date of filing this Form 10-K