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OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2020
OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES |
OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES | NOTE 1. OPERATIONS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES Advanced Energy provides highly-engineered, mission-critical, precision power conversion, measurement and control solutions to our global customers. We design, manufacture, sell and support precision power products that transform, refine, and modify the raw electrical power from the utility and convert it into various types of highly-controllable usable power that is predictable, repeatable, and customizable. We operate in a single segment structure for power electronics conversion products and we operate in four vertical markets or applications to enable tracking of market trends. Our power solutions enable innovation in complex semiconductor and thin film plasma processes such as dry etch, strip, chemical and physical deposition, high and low voltage applications such as process control, analytical instrumentation, medical equipment, and in temperature-critical thermal applications such as material and chemical processing. We also supply related instrumentation products for advanced temperature measurement and control, electrostatic instrumentation products for test and measurement applications, and gas sensing and monitoring solutions for several industrial markets. Our network of service support centers provides local repair and field service capability in key regions, provide upgrades and refurbishment services, and sell used equipment to businesses that use our products. In September 2019, we acquired Artesyn Embedded Technologies, Inc.’s embedded power business ("Artesyn"), which added new power products and technologies used in networking, computing, data center (including hyperscale), industrial, and medical applications. As of December 31, 2015, we discontinued our engineering, production, and sales of our inverter product line. As such, all inverter product revenues, costs, assets, and liabilities are reported in Discontinued Operations for all periods presented herein, and we currently report as a single unit. See Note 4. Disposed and Discontinued Operations for more information. Ongoing inverter repair and service operations are reported as part of our continuing operations. Principles of Consolidation — Our consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Our consolidated financial statements are stated in United States dollars and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"). Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements — The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We believe at the significant estimates, assumptions, and judgments when accounting for items and matters such as allowances for expected credit loss, excess and obsolete inventory, warranty reserves, pension obligations, right-of-use assets and related operating lease liabilities, acquisitions, asset valuations, asset life, depreciation, amortization, recoverability of assets, impairments, deferred revenue, stock option and restricted stock grants, taxes, and other provisions are reasonable, based upon information available at the time they are made. Actual results may differ from these estimates, making it possible that a change in these estimates could occur in the near term. Foreign Currency Translation — The functional currency of certain of our foreign subsidiaries is the local currency. Assets and liabilities of these foreign subsidiaries are translated to the United States dollar at prevailing exchange rates on the balance sheet date; revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates in effect for each period. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are reported as a separate component of Other Comprehensive Income. For certain other subsidiaries, the functional currency is the U.S. Dollar. Foreign currency transactions are recorded based on exchange rates at the time such transactions arise. Subsequent changes in exchange rates for foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities result in foreign currency transaction gains and losses which are reflected as unrealized (based on period end remeasurement) or realized (upon settlement of the transactions) in Other income (expense), net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Derivatives — The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage risks associated with foreign currency and interest rate fluctuations. Unless we meet specific hedge accounting criteria, changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations within Other income (expense), net. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, changes in fair value are recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are reclassified to earnings when the underlying forecasted transaction affects earnings. We reassess the probability of the underlying forecasted transactions occurring on a quarterly basis. Fair Value — We value our financial assets and liabilities using fair value measurements. U.S. GAAP for fair value establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes fair value measurements based on the types of inputs used for the various valuation techniques (market approach, income approach, and cost approach). The Company’s financial assets and liabilities are measured using inputs from the three levels of the fair value hierarchy. The three levels of the hierarchy and the related inputs are as follows:
| ● | Level 1 — Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access on the measurement date.
| ● | Level 2 — Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
| ● | Level 3 — Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
The Company categorizes fair value measurements within the fair value hierarchy based upon the lowest level of the most significant inputs used to determine fair value. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgement and may affect the valuation of the fair value of assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. The carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other current assets and liabilities approximate fair value as recorded due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The Company’s non-financial assets, which primarily consist of property and equipment, goodwill, and other intangible assets, are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis and are reported at carrying value. However, on a periodic basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be fully recoverable (and at least annually for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets), non-financial instruments are assessed for impairment and, if applicable, written down to and recorded at fair value. See Note 12. Goodwill and Note 13. Intangible Assets for further discussion and presentation of these amounts. The fair value of borrowings approximates the recorded borrowing value based upon market interest rates for similar facilities. See Note 21. Credit Facility for additional information. The fair value of contingent consideration and other acquired assets and liabilities associated with our acquisitions are based on Level 3 inputs. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities — We consider all amounts on deposit with financial institutions and highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents, and those with stated maturities of greater than three months as marketable securities. Cash and cash equivalents are highly liquid investments that consist primarily of short-term money market instruments and demand deposits with insignificant interest rate risk and original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase. Sometimes we invest excess cash in money market funds not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. We believe that the investments in money market funds are on deposit with credit-worthy financial institutions and that the funds are highly liquid. The investments in money market funds are reported at fair value, with interest income recorded in earnings and are included in "Cash and cash equivalents." Concentrations of Credit Risk — Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to credit risk, include cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and trade accounts receivable. To preserve capital and maintain liquidity, we invest with financial institutions we deem to be of high quality and sound financial condition. Our investments are in low-risk instruments and we limit our credit exposure in any one institution or type of investment instrument based upon criteria including creditworthiness. We have established a reserve for credit losses based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends, and other information. Accounts Receivable and Reserve for Credit Losses — Accounts receivable are recorded at net realizable value. We maintain a credit approval process and we make significant judgments in connection with assessing our customers’ ability to pay. Despite this assessment, from time to time, our customers are unable to meet their payment obligations. We continuously monitor our customers’ credit worthiness and use our judgment in establishing a provision for estimated credit losses based upon our historical experience and any specific customer collection issues that we have identified. While such credit losses have historically been within our expectations and the provisions established, there is no assurance that we will continue to experience the same credit loss rates that we have in the past. A significant change in the liquidity or financial position of our customers could have a material adverse impact on the collectability of accounts receivable and our future operating results. Our principal customers are original equipment manufacturers ("OEM") and end user customers, which operate globally through wholly owned subsidiaries that purchase the Company’s products under substantially the same credit terms, with similar historical credit risks. As a result, we assess credit risks as a single group. We evaluate collection risk and establish expected credit loss primarily through a combination of the following: an assessment of customer credit risk ratings utilizing third party credit risk data, analysis of historical aging and credit loss experience, and customer specific information. Inventories — Inventories include costs of materials, direct labor, manufacturing overhead, in-bound freight, and duty. Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value and are presented net of reserves for excess and obsolete inventory. We regularly review inventory quantities on hand and record a provision to write-down excess and obsolete inventory to its estimated net realizable value, if less than cost, based primarily on historical usage and our estimated forecast of product demand. Demand for our products can fluctuate significantly. A significant decrease in demand could result in an increase in the charges for excess inventory quantities on hand. In addition, our industry is subject to technological change, new product development, and product technological obsolescence that could result in an increase in the amount of obsolete inventory quantities on hand. Therefore, any significant unanticipated changes in demand or technological developments could have a significant impact on the value of our inventory and our reported operating results. Property and Equipment — Property and equipment is stated at cost or estimated fair value if acquired in a business combination. Depreciation is computed over the estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives for financial reporting purposes are as follows: buildings, 20 to 40 years; machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures and vehicles, 3 to 15 years; and computer and communication equipment, 3 years. Amortization of leasehold improvements is calculated using the straight-line method over the lease term or the estimated useful life of the assets, whichever period is shorter. Leasehold additions and improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. When depreciable assets are retired, or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any related gains or losses are included in Other income (expense), net, in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Purchase accounting — Business combinations are accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. Under the purchase method, assets and liabilities, including intangible assets, are recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date. Acquisition costs in excess of amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded as goodwill. Transaction related costs associated with business combinations are expenses as incurred. Intangible Assets, Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets — As a result of our acquisitions, we identified and recorded intangible assets and goodwill. Intangible assets are valued based on estimates of future cash flows and amortized over their estimated useful lives. Goodwill is subject to annual impairment testing, as well as testing upon the occurrence of any event that indicates a potential impairment. Intangible assets and other long-lived assets are subject to an impairment test if there is an indicator of impairment. The carrying value and ultimate realization of these assets is dependent upon our estimates of future earnings and benefits that we expect to generate from their use. If our expectations of future results and cash flows are significantly diminished, intangible assets and goodwill may be impaired and the resulting charge to operations may be material. When we determine that the carrying value of intangibles or other long-lived assets may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more indicators of impairment, we use the projected undiscounted cash flow method to determine whether an impairment exists, and then measure the impairment using discounted cash flows. The estimation of useful lives and expected cash flows requires us to make judgments regarding future periods that are subject to some factors outside of our control. Changes in these estimates can result in revisions to our carrying value of these assets and may result in material charges to our results of operations. The annual impairment test for goodwill can be performed using an assessment of qualitative factors in determining if it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired. If this assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, the next step of impairment testing compares the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value. Goodwill would be impaired if the resulting implied fair value of goodwill was less than the recorded carrying value of the goodwill. Debt Issuance Costs — The Company has incurred debt issuance costs in connections it its debt facilities. Amounts paid directly to lenders are classified as issuance costs. Commitment fees and other costs directly associated with obtaining credit facilities are deferred financing costs which are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and amortized over the term of the facility. The Company allocates deferred debt issuance costs incurred for its current credit facility between the revolver and term loan based on their relative borrowing capacity. Deferred debt issuance costs associated with the revolving credit facility are recorded within other assets and those associated with the term loan are recorded as a reduction of the carrying value of the debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. All deferred debt issuance costs are amortized using the effective interest rate method to interest expense within Other income (expense), net on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 21. Credit Facility for additional details. Revenue Recognition — We recognize revenue when we have satisfied our performance obligations which typically occurs when control of the products or services have been transferred to our customers. The transaction price is based upon the standalone selling price. In most transactions, we have no obligations to our customers after the date products are shipped, other than pursuant to warranty obligations. Revenue is recognized net of any taxes collected from customers, which are subsequently remitted to governmental authorities. Shipping and handling fees billed to customers, if any, are recognized as revenue. The related cost for shipping and handling fees is recognized in cost of sales. We expense incremental costs of obtaining contracts when the amortization period of the costs is less than one year. These costs are included in selling, general, and administrative expenses. We maintain a worldwide support organization in ten countries, including the United States, the Peoples Republic of China ("PRC"), Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Germany, Ireland, Singapore, Israel, and Great Britain. Support services include warranty and non-warranty repair services, upgrades, and refurbishments on the products we sell. Repairs that are covered under our standard warranty do not generate revenue. As part of our ongoing service business, we satisfy our service obligations under extended warranties and preventive maintenance contracts. Extended warranties had previously been offered on our discontinued inverter products. Any up-front fees received for extended warranties or maintenance plans are deferred and recognized ratably over the service periods, as defined in the agreements. Research and Development Expenses — Costs incurred to advance, test, or otherwise modify our proprietary technology or develop new technologies are considered research and development costs and are expensed when incurred. These costs are primarily comprised of costs associated with the operation of our laboratories and research facilities, including internal labor, materials, and overhead. Warranty Costs — We provide for the estimated costs to fulfill customer warranty obligations upon the recognition of the related revenue. We offer warranty coverage for a majority of our precision power products for periods typically ranging from 12 to 24 months after shipment. We warranted our inverter products for five to ten years and provided the option to purchase additional warranty coverage for up to 20 years. The warranty expense accrued related to our standard inverter product warranties is now considered part of our discontinued operations and is recorded as such on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 4. Disposed and Discontinued Operations for more information. See Note 15. Warranties for more information on our warranties from continuing operations. We estimate the anticipated costs of repairing our products under such warranties based on the historical costs of the repairs. The assumptions we use to estimate warranty accruals are reevaluated periodically, considering actual experience, and when appropriate, the accruals are adjusted. Should product failure rates differ from our estimates, actual costs could vary significantly from our expectations. Stock-Based Compensation — Accounting for stock-based compensation requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all stock-based payment awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values. We have estimated the fair value of all stock options and awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton pricing model, which is affected by our stock price, as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include our expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, actual and projected employee option exercise behaviors, risk-free interest rates and expected dividends. We also estimate forfeitures at the time of grant and revise those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from our estimates. Our expected volatility assumption is based on the historical daily closing price of our stock over a period equivalent to the expected life of the options. Income Taxes — We follow the liability method of accounting for income taxes under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences. A deferred tax asset or liability is computed for both the expected future impact of differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities and for the expected future tax benefit to be derived from tax loss and tax credit carryforwards. Tax rate changes are reflected in the period such changes are enacted. We assess the recoverability of our net deferred tax assets and the need for a valuation allowance on a quarterly basis. Our assessment includes several factors including historical results and taxable income projections for each jurisdiction. The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent on the generation of taxable income in appropriate jurisdictions during the periods in which those temporary differences are deductible. We consider the scheduled reversal of deferred income tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in determining the amount of the valuation allowance. Based on the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred income tax assets are deductible, we determine if we will realize the benefits of these deductible differences. Accounting for income taxes requires a two-step approach to recognize and measure uncertain tax positions. In general, we are subject to regular examination of our income tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining, if based on the technical merits, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon audit, including resolutions of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We regularly assess the likelihood of favorable or unfavorable outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes. This evaluation is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, effectively settled issues under audit, and new audit activity. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Act was enacted into law and the new legislation contains several key tax provisions that affected us, including a one-time mandatory transition tax on accumulated foreign earnings and a reduction of the corporate income tax rate to 21%, among others. In conjunction with the Tax Act enactment, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("SAB 118"), which allowed for the recording of provisional amounts related to the Tax Act and subsequent adjustments related to the Tax Act during an up to one-year measurement period. The Company recorded what it believed to be reasonable estimates during the SAB 118 measurement period which lasted from December 2017 to December 2018. During the quarter ended December 31, 2018, the Company finalized the accounting treatment of the income tax effects of the Tax Act. Although the SAB 118 measurement period has ended, there may be some aspects of the Tax Act that remain subject to future regulations and/or notices which may further clarify certain provisions of the Tax Act. Accordingly, the Company may need to adjust its previously recorded amounts to reflect the recognition and measurement of its tax accounting positions in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic-740, "Income Taxes" which could be material. Under U.S. GAAP, an accounting policy election can be made to either recognize deferred taxes for temporary basis differences expected to reverse as global intangible low-tax income ("GILTI") in future years, or to provide for the tax expense related to GILTI in the year the tax is incurred as a period expense only. We have elected to account for GILTI in the year the tax is incurred. Leases — We lease manufacturing and office space under non-cancelable operating leases. Our lease agreements generally contain lease and non-lease components, and we combine fixed payments for non-lease components with lease payments and account for them together as a single lease component. Certain lease agreements may contain variable payments, which are expensed as incurred and not included in the right-of-use lease assets and operating lease liabilities. Right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized at the present value of the future lease payments on the lease commencement date. The interest rate used to determine the present value of the future lease payments is our incremental borrowing rate, because the interest rate implicit in our leases is not readily determinable. Our incremental borrowing rate is estimated to approximate the interest rate on a collateralized basis with similar terms and payments. Our lease terms include periods under options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Right-of-use assets also include any prepaid lease payments and lease incentives. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Commitments and Contingencies — From time to time we are involved in disputes and legal actions arising in the normal course of our business. While we currently believe that the amount of any ultimate loss would not be material to our financial position, the outcome of these actions is inherently difficult to predict. In the event of an adverse outcome, the ultimate loss could have a material adverse effect on our financial position or reported results of operations in a particular period. An unfavorable decision, particularly in patent litigation, could require material changes in production processes and products or result in our inability to ship products or components found to have violated third-party patent rights. We accrue loss contingencies when it is probable that a loss has occurred or will occur, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Our estimates of probability of losses are subjective, involve significant judgment and uncertainties, and are based on the best information we have at any given point in time. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with our expectations could have a significant impact on our results of operations and financial condition. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS New Accounting Standards Adopted In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, "Income Taxes (Topic 740)—Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes" ("ASU 2019-12"), which is meant to simplify and reduce the cost of accounting for income taxes. The FASB has stated that ASU 2019-12 is being issued in connection with its Simplification Initiative, which is meant to reduce complexity in accounting standards by improving certain areas of generally accepted accounting principles without compromising information provided to users of financial statements. We early adopted ASU 2019-12 in the first quarter of 2020. The impact of the adoption of ASU 2019-12 was not material to our consolidated financial statements. ​ In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820)" ("ASU 2018-13"). ASU 2018-13 modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, based on the concepts in the Concepts Statement, including the consideration of costs and benefits. ASU 2018-13 was effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2019 and shall be applied to all periods presented on a retrospective basis. We adopted ASU 2018-13 in the first quarter of 2020. The impact of the adoption of ASU 2018-13 was not material to our consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments" ("ASU 2016-13"). ASU 2016-13 changes the methodology for measuring credit losses on financial instruments and the timing of when such losses are recorded. ASU 2016-13 was effective for interim and annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2019. We adopted ASU 2016-13 in the first quarter of 2020 through a cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings using the modified retrospective approach. The impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 was not material to our consolidated financial statements. New Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, "Compensation—Retirement Benefits—Defined Benefit Plans—General (Subtopic 715-20)" ("ASU 2018-14"). ASU 2018-14 eliminates requirements for certain disclosures and requires additional disclosures under defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement plans. ASU 2018-14 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 2020 and shall be applied to all periods presented on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing and do not believe ASU 2018-14 will have a significant impact on our defined benefit plan disclosure requirements. ​ In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting" ("ASU 2020-04"). ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR or another rate that is expected to be discontinued. ASU 2020-04 will be in effect through December 31, 2022. We are currently assessing the potential impact of ASU 2020-04 on our consolidated financial statements.

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