Long-Term Assets

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Costs associated with the repair and maintenance of the Company’s property, plant and equipment are expensed as incurred. Costs associated with improvements which extend the life, increase the capacity or improve the efficiency or safety of the Company’s property, plant and equipment are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining useful life of the related asset. Depreciable property is depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets, using principally the straight-line method.

A summary of property, plant and equipment is shown below (in millions):



	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Land	$	119.1		$	101.7
Buildings and improvements	772.2			648.1
Machinery and equipment	2,939.2			2,459.6
Construction in progress	348.1			296.4
Total property, plant and equipment	4,178.6			3,505.8
Less – accumulated depreciation	(1,800.5		)	(1,486.5		)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$	2,378.1		$	2,019.3

Depreciation expense was $99.2 million and $83.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2017 and October 1, 2016, respectively, and $279.1 million and $241.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and October 1, 2016, respectively.

The Company monitors its long-lived assets for impairment indicators on an ongoing basis in accordance with GAAP. If impairment indicators exist, the Company performs the required impairment analysis by comparing the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the long-lived assets to the related net book values. If the net book value exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is measured and recognized. Except as discussed below, the Company does not believe that there were any indicators that would have resulted in long-lived asset impairment charges as of September 30, 2017. The Company will, however, continue to assess the impact of any significant industry events on the realization of its long-lived assets.

In the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, the Company recognized fixed asset impairment charges of $0.4 million and $3.5 million, respectively, in conjunction with its restructuring actions (Note 3, "Restructuring").

Investment in Affiliates

On September 8, 2017, the Company gained control of Shanghai Lear STEC Automotive Parts Co., Ltd. (“Lear STEC”) by amending the existing joint venture agreement to eliminate the substantive participating rights of its joint venture partner. Prior to the amendment, Lear STEC was accounted for under the equity method. The consolidation of Lear STEC was accounted for as a business combination, and accordingly, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2017. The operating results and cash flows of Lear STEC are included in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements from the date of the amended joint venture agreement and are reflected in the Company’s E-Systems segment.

A preliminary summary of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in conjunction with the consolidation is shown below (in millions):



Property, plant and equipment	$	16.2
Other assets and liabilities assumed, net	42.7
Goodwill	94.1
Intangible assets	66.0
	$	219.0

Recognized goodwill is attributable to the assembled workforce, expected synergies and other intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition.

Intangible assets consist of amounts recognized for the fair value of customer-based assets and were based on an independent appraisal. Customer-based assets include Lear STEC’s established relationships with its customers and the ability of these customers to generate future economic profits for the Company. It is currently estimated that these intangible assets have a weighted average useful life of approximately 12 years.

The fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in conjunction with the consolidation contain provisional estimates that may be revised as a result of additional information obtained regarding such assets and liabilities.

As of the date of consolidation, the fair value of the Company’s previously held equity interest in Lear STEC was $94.0 million, and the fair value of the noncontrolling interest in Lear STEC was $125.0 million. As a result of valuing the Company’s prior equity interest in Lear STEC at fair value, the Company recognized a gain of $54.2 million, which is included in other (income) expense, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.

In connection with the consolidation, the noncontrolling interest holder obtained the option, which is embedded in the noncontrolling interest, to require the Company to purchase or redeem the 45% noncontrolling interest based on a pre-determined earnings multiple formula. In accordance with GAAP, the Company records redeemable noncontrolling interests at the greater of (1) the initial carrying amount adjusted for the noncontrolling interest holder’s share of total comprehensive income or loss and dividends (“noncontrolling interest carrying value”) or (2) the redemption value as of and based on conditions existing as of the reporting date. Required redemption adjustments are recorded as an increase to redeemable noncontrolling interests, with an offsetting adjustment to retained earnings. The redeemable noncontrolling interest is classified in mezzanine equity in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2017.

Redemption value of a noncontrolling interest in excess of carrying value represents a dividend distribution that is different from dividend distributions to other common stockholders. Therefore, periodic redemption adjustments recorded in excess of carrying value are reflected as a reduction to the income available to common stockholders in the computation of earnings per share. Redeemable noncontrolling interest of $147.7 million related to Lear STEC is reflected in the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2017. This amount includes a noncontrolling interest redemption adjustment of $22.7 million, representing the difference between the redemption value and carrying value.

Lear STEC’s annual sales are approximately $280 million. Lear STEC provides wire harnesses to SAIC Motor Corporation Limited and its joint ventures with both North American and European automotive manufacturers. The pro forma effects of this consolidation would not materially impact the Company’s reported results for any period presented.

For further information related to the redemption adjustment, see Note 13, "Comprehensive Income and Equity." For further information related to acquired assets measured at fair value, see Note 16, "Financial Instruments."