Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Principles and Practices (Policies)

v3.20.4
Summary of Significant Accounting Principles and Practices (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Description of Business
Description of the Business
Astronics Corporation (“Astronics” or the “Company”) is a leading provider of advanced technologies to the global aerospace, defense and electronics industries. Our products and services include advanced, high-performance electrical power generation, distribution and motion systems, lighting and safety systems, avionics products, systems and certification, aircraft structures and automated test systems.
We have principal operations in the United States (“U.S.”), Canada, France and England, as well as engineering offices in the Ukraine and India.
Principles of Consolidation
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Acquisitions are accounted for under the acquisition method and, accordingly, the operating results for the acquired companies are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations from the respective dates of acquisition.
Cost of Products Sold, Engineering and Development and Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Cost of Products Sold, Engineering and Development and Selling, General and Administrative ExpensesCost of products sold includes the costs to manufacture products such as direct materials and labor and manufacturing overhead as well as all engineering and developmental costs. The Company is engaged in a variety of engineering and design activities as well as basic research and development activities directed to the substantial improvement or new application of the Company’s existing technologies. These costs are expensed when incurred and included in cost of products sold. Research and development, design and related engineering expenses amounted to $86.8 million in 2020, $108.9 million in 2019 and $114.3 million in 2018. SG&A expenses include costs primarily related to our sales, marketing and administrative departments.
Shipping and Handling
Shipping and handling costs are included in costs of products sold.
Equity-Based Compensation
Equity-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for its stock options following Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation (“ASC Topic 718”). This Topic requires all equity-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options and restricted stock units (“RSU's”), to be recognized in the statement of earnings based on the grant
date fair value of the award. For awards with graded vesting, the Company uses a straight-line method of attributing the value of stock-based compensation expense, subject to minimum levels of expense, based on vesting. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.
Under ASC Topic 718, stock compensation expense recognized during the period is based on the value of the portion of share-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest during the period. Equity-based compensation expense is included in SG&A expenses.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents
All highly liquid instruments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase are considered cash equivalents.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Estimated Credit Losses
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Estimated Credit Losses
Accounts receivable are composed of trade and contract receivables recorded at either the invoiced amount or costs in excess of billings, are expected to be collected within one year, and do not bear interest. The Company records a valuation allowance to account for estimated credit losses. The estimate for credit losses is based on the Company’s assessment of the collectability of customer accounts. The Company regularly reviews the allowance by considering factors such as the age of the receivable balances, historical experience, credit quality, current economic conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay. Balances are written off when determined to be uncollectible.
The Company's exposure to credit losses may increase if its customers are adversely affected by global economic recessions, disruption associated with the current COVID-19 pandemic, industry conditions, or other customer-specific factors. Although the Company has historically not experienced significant credit losses, it is possible that there could be a material adverse impact from potential adjustments of the carrying amount of trade receivables and contract assets as airlines and other aerospace company’s cash flows are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inventories
Inventories
We record our inventories at the lower of cost or net realizable value. We determine the cost basis of our inventory on a first-in, first-out or weighted average basis using a standard cost methodology that approximates actual cost. The Company records reserves to provide for excess, slow moving or obsolete inventory. In determining the appropriate reserve, the Company considers the age of inventory on hand, the overall inventory levels in relation to forecasted demands as well as reserving for specifically identified inventory that the Company believes is no longer salable or whose value has diminished.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”) is computed using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes and using accelerated methods for income tax purposes. Estimated useful lives of the assets are as follows: buildings, 25-40 years; machinery and equipment, 4-10 years. Leased buildings and associated leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the terms of the lease or the estimated useful lives of the assets, with the amortization of such assets included within depreciation expense.
The cost of properties sold or otherwise disposed of and the accumulated depreciation thereon are eliminated from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss, as well as maintenance and repair expenses, is reflected within operating income. Replacements and improvements are capitalized.
Long-Lived Assets
Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets to be held and used are initially recorded at cost. The carrying value of these assets is evaluated for recoverability whenever adverse effects or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Impairments are recognized if future undiscounted cash flows from operations are not expected to be sufficient to recover long-lived assets. The carrying amounts are then reduced to fair value, which is typically determined by using a discounted cash flow model.
In conjunction with the deteriorating economic conditions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, we recorded an impairment charge to right-of-use assets of approximately $0.7 million incurred in one reporting unit in the Aerospace segment within the Impairment Loss line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in 2020. Additionally, we recorded a long-lived asset impairment charge of approximately $9.5 million in 2019 related to one reporting unit in the Aerospace segment. The charge was comprised of PP&E, intangible assets and right-of-use assets. See Note 23 for further information regarding the
restructuring and impairment charges. No other long-lived asset impairments were warranted based on the quantitative analysis performed.
Assets Held for Sale
Assets held for sale are to be reported at lower of its carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. Judgment is required in estimating the sales price of assets held for sale and the time required to sell the assets. These estimates are based upon available market data and operating cash flows of the assets held for sale.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company had agreed to sell certain facilities within the Aerospace segment. Accordingly, the property, plant and equipment assets associated with these facilities have been classified as held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2019. These assets were sold during 2020. See Note 22 for additional information.
Goodwill
Goodwill
The Company tests goodwill at the reporting unit level on an annual basis or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.
We may elect to perform a qualitative assessment that considers economic, industry and company-specific factors for all or selected reporting units. If, after completing the assessment, it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we proceed to a quantitative test. We may also elect to perform a quantitative test instead of a qualitative test for any or all of our reporting units.
Quantitative testing requires a comparison of the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. We use the discounted cash flow method to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. The discounted cash flow method incorporates various assumptions, the most significant being projected sales growth rates, operating margins and cash flows, the terminal growth rate and the weighted average cost of capital. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the shortfall up to the carrying value of the goodwill represents the amount of goodwill impairment.
Intangible Assets
Intangible Assets
The estimated fair values of acquired intangibles are generally determined based upon future economic benefits such as earnings and cash flows. Acquired identifiable intangible assets are recorded at fair value and are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Acquired intangible assets with an indefinite life are not amortized, but are reviewed for impairment at least annually or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of those assets are below their estimated fair values.
Impairment is tested under ASC Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, as amended by Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2012-2.
Financial Instruments
Financial Instruments
The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and long-term debt. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally does not require collateral. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. Due to their short-term nature, the carrying values of cash and equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value. The carrying value of the Company’s variable rate long-term debt instruments also approximates fair value due to the variable rate feature of these instruments.
From time to time, the Company makes long-term, strategic equity investments in companies to promote business and strategic objectives. These investments as classified within Other Assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For investments requiring equity method accounting, we recognize our share of the investee’s earnings or losses within Other Expense, Net of Other
Income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Such amounts were immaterial in 2020 and 2019, and not applicable in 2018. For investments not requiring equity method accounting, if the investment has no readily determinable fair value, we have elected the practicability exception of ASU 2016-01, under which the investment is measured at cost, less impairment, plus or minus observable price changes from orderly transactions of an identical or similar investment of the same issuer.
The Company determined there were indicators of impairment over one of its investments as a result of the investee’s deteriorating operating performance and limited access to capital. There were no observable price changes for this investment during 2020. We determined that the fair value of this investment was de minimis and a full impairment charge of $3.5 million was recorded within Other Expense, Net of Other Income in the accompanying Consolidated Statement Operations for the year ended December 31, 2020. A full impairment charge of $5.0 million for an additional investment was recorded in 2019. There was no such impairment was recorded in 2018.
Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance
Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse effects on the global economy and aerospace industry that began to take shape in the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company generated a significant taxable loss for the year ended December 31, 2020, which can be carried back under the CARES Act to recover previously paid income taxes. The Company records a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets if and to the extent it is more likely than not that the Company will not recover the deferred tax assets. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, the Company weights all relevant positive and negative evidence, and considers among other factors, historical financial performance, projected future taxable income, scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, the overall business environment, and tax planning strategies. Losses in recent periods and cumulative pre-tax losses in the three-year period ending with the current year, combined with the significant uncertainty brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, is collectively considered significant negative evidence under ASC 740 when assessing whether an entity can use projected income as a basis for concluding that deferred tax assets are realizable on a more-likely-than-not basis. For purposes of assessing the recoverability of deferred tax assets, the Company determined that it could not include future projected earnings in the analysis due to recent history of losses and therefore had insufficient objective positive evidence that the Company will generate sufficient future pre-tax income to overcome the negative evidence of cumulative losses. Accordingly, during the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company determined that a portion of its deferred tax assets are not expected to be realizable in the future. As a result, the Company recorded a partial valuation allowance of approximately $23.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2020 against its U.S. federal deferred tax assets.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent liabilities and the reported amounts of sales and expenses during the reporting periods in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Foreign Currency Translation Foreign Currency TranslationThe Company accounts for its foreign currency translation in accordance with ASC Topic 830, Foreign Currency Translation.
Dividends
Dividends
The Company has not paid any cash dividends in the three-year period ended December 31, 2020.
Loss Contingencies Loss ContingenciesLoss contingencies may from time to time arise from situations such as claims and other legal actions. Loss contingencies are recorded as liabilities when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. In all other instances, legal fees are expensed as incurred. Disclosure is required when there is a reasonable possibility that the ultimate loss will exceed the recorded provision. Contingent liabilities are often resolved over long time periods. In recording liabilities for probable losses, management is required to make estimates and judgments regarding the amount or range of the probable loss. Management continually assesses the adequacy of estimated loss contingencies and, if necessary, adjusts the amounts recorded as better information becomes known.
Acquisitions AcquisitionsThe Company accounts for its acquisitions under ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations and Reorganizations (“ASC Topic 805”). ASC Topic 805 provides guidance on how the acquirer recognizes and measures the consideration transferred, identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, non-controlling interests, and goodwill acquired in a business combination. ASC Topic 805 also expands required disclosures surrounding the nature and financial effects of business combinations.
Newly Adopted and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Newly Adopted and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted
Standard Description Financial Statement Effect or Other Significant Matters
ASU No. 2016-13
Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)
The standard replaces the incurred loss model with the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model to estimate credit losses for financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. The CECL model requires a Company to estimate credit losses expected over the life of the financial assets based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The provisions of the standard are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted.
The amendment requires a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. This ASU did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Date of adoption: Q1 2020
ASU No. 2018-13
Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)
The standard removes the disclosure requirements for the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The provisions of this ASU are effective for years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted.
This ASU did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements, as it only includes changes to disclosure requirements.
Date of adoption: Q1 2020
ASU No. 2016-02
Leases (Topic 842)
The standard requires lessees to recognize most leases as assets and liabilities on the balance sheet, but record expenses on the statement of operations in a manner similar to current accounting. For lessors, the guidance modifies the classification criteria and accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases. The standard also requires additional disclosures about leasing arrangements and requires a modified retrospective transition approach for existing leases, whereby the standard will be applied to the earliest year presented. The provisions of the standard are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted.
The Company adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2019 using the cumulative-effect method. The standard requires lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset on the balance sheet for operating leases. Accounting for finance leases is substantially unchanged. Prior year financial statements were not recast under the new method. We elected the package of transition provisions available for expired or existing contracts, which allowed us to carryforward our historical assessments of (1) whether contracts are or contain leases, (2) lease classification and (3) initial direct costs. As of January 1, 2019, operating lease ROU assets of approximately $18.4 million and lease liabilities of approximately $18.5 million were recognized on our balance sheet for our leased office and manufacturing facilities and equipment leases. There was a reclassification to ROU assets of $3.5 million from net PP&E for assets under existing finance leases at the transition date and a reclassification of existing lease liabilities of $6.5 million on our balance sheet for a leased facilities and equipment. The standard did not materially impact the Company's consolidated statements of operations or retained earnings. Refer to Note 19 for additional information.

Date of adoption: Q1 2019
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
Standard Description Financial Statement Effect or Other Significant Matters
ASU No. 2018-14
Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20)
The standard includes updates to the disclosure requirements for defined benefit plans including several additions, deletions and modifications to the disclosure requirements. The provisions of this ASU are effective for years beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted.
This ASU does not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements, as it only includes changes to disclosure requirements.

Planned date of adoption: Q1 2021
ASU No. 2019-12
Income Taxes (Topic 740), Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes
The amendments in this update simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and improve consistent application by clarifying and amending existing guidance. The amendments of this standard are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for which financial statements have not been issued, with the amendments to be applied on a respective, modified retrospective or prospective basis, depending on the specific amendment.
This ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by, among other things, eliminating certain existing exceptions related to the general approach in ASC 740 relating to franchise taxes, reducing complexity in the interim-period accounting for year-to-date loss limitations and changes in tax laws, and clarifying the accounting for transactions outside of business combination that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. As we do not have material activity associated with items such as franchise taxes or the types of transactions described above, we do not expect any significant impact from relevant loss limitations and are not currently addressing enacted tax law changes for which this ASU applies, we do not expect this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.

Planned date of adoption: Q1 2021
ASU No. 2020-04
Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting
The amendments in Update 2020-04 are elective and apply to all entities that have contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued due to reference rate reform. The new guidance provides the following optional expedients: simplify accounting analyses under current U.S. GAAP for contract modifications, simplify the assessment of hedge effectiveness, allow hedging relationships affected by reference rate reform to continue and allow a one-time election to sell or transfer debt securities classified as held to maturity that reference a rate affected by reference rate reform.
The amendments are effective for all entities from the beginning of an interim period that includes the issuance date of the ASU. An entity may elect to apply the amendments prospectively through December 31, 2022. The administrator of LIBOR has announced it will consult on its intention to cease the publication of the one week and two month USD LIBOR settings immediately following the LIBOR publication on December 31, 2021, and the remaining USD LIBOR settings immediately following the LIBOR publication on June 30, 2023. Extending the publication of certain USD LIBOR tenors until June 30, 2023 would allow most legacy USD LIBOR contracts to mature before LIBOR experiences disruptions. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance.

Planned date of adoption: Before December 31, 2022
We consider the applicability and impact of all ASUs. ASUs not listed above were assessed and determined to be either not applicable, or had and are expected to have minimal impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.