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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2016
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Nature of Operations Sensient Technologies Corporation, together with its subsidiaries (the “Company”), is a leading global manufacturer and marketer of colors, flavors and fragrances. The Company uses advanced technologies at facilities around the world to develop specialty food and beverage systems, cosmetic and pharmaceutical systems, specialty inks and colors, and other specialty and fine chemicals. The Company’s three reportable segments are the Flavors & Fragrances Group and the Color Group, which are managed on a product line basis, and the Asia Pacific Group, which is managed on a geographic basis. The Company’s corporate expenses and restructuring and other costs are included in the “Corporate & Other” category. Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The results of operations for one of the Company’s business units within the Color Group have been reported as a discontinued operation for all periods presented. See Note 14, Discontinued Operations, for further information regarding discontinued operations. Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires the use of management’s estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses during the reporting period and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue (net of estimated discounts, allowances and returns) when title to goods passes, the customer is obligated to pay the Company and the Company has no remaining obligations. Such recognition typically corresponds with the shipment of goods. Cost of Products Sold Cost of products sold includes materials, labor and overhead expenses incurred in the manufacture of our products. Cost of products sold also includes charges for obsolete and slow moving inventories, as well as costs for quality control, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, warehousing costs, internal transfer costs, other costs of our internal distribution network and costs incurred for shipping and handling. The Company records fees billed to customers for shipping and handling as revenue. Selling and Administrative Expenses Selling and administrative expenses primarily include the salaries and related costs for executive, finance, accounting, human resources, information technology, research and development and legal personnel as well as salaries and related costs of salespersons and commissions paid to external sales agents. Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition as cash equivalents. Accounts Receivable Receivables are recorded at their face amount, less an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on customer-specific analysis and general matters such as current assessments of past due balances and economic conditions. Specific accounts are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when it is deemed that the receivable is no longer collectible. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Market is determined on the basis of estimated realizable values. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method with the exception of certain locations of the Flavors & Fragrances Group where cost is determined using a weighted average method. Inventories include finished and in-process products totaling $273.8 million and $291.9 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and raw materials and supplies of $130.5 million and $117.3 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost reduced by accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful life of the related asset using the straight-line method for financial reporting. The estimated useful lives for buildings and leasehold improvements range from 5 to 40 years. Machinery and equipment have estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 20 years. Interest costs on significant projects constructed or developed for the Company’s own use are capitalized as part of the asset. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets The carrying value of goodwill is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently when an indicator of impairment occurs. The impairment assessment includes comparing the carrying amount of net assets, including goodwill, of each reporting unit to its respective fair value as of the date of the assessment. Fair value was estimated based upon an evaluation of the reporting unit’s estimated future discounted cash flow as well as the public trading and private transaction valuation multiples for comparable companies. The Company performed such a quantitative analysis in 2016, which indicated a substantial premium compared to the carrying value of net assets, including goodwill. In 2015, the Company completed a qualitative assessment in comparison to the quantitative assessment performed in 2014, noting no indicators of a change in fair value. The Company did not record impairment charges for any of its reporting units in 2016, 2015 or 2014. The cost of intangible assets with determinable useful lives is amortized on a straight-line basis to reflect the pattern of economic benefits consumed, ranging from 5 to 20 years. These assets include technological know-how, customer relationships, patents, trademarks and non-compete agreements, among others. Impairment of Long-lived Assets The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. The Company performs undiscounted cash flow analyses to determine if potential impairment exists. If impairment is determined to exist, any related impairment loss is calculated based on the difference between fair value and carrying value. Impairment losses were recorded as a result of the Company’s 2014 Restructuring Plan as well and the Company’s anticipated divestiture. See Note 13, Restructuring Charges, and Note 15, Divestiture, for additional information. Derivative Financial Instruments The Company selectively uses derivative financial instruments to reduce market risk associated with changes in foreign currency and interest rate exposures which exist as part of ongoing business operations. All derivative transactions are authorized and executed pursuant to the Company’s risk management policies and procedures, which strictly prohibit the use of financial instruments for speculative trading purposes. The primary objectives of the foreign exchange risk management activities are to understand and mitigate the impact of potential foreign exchange fluctuations on the Company’s financial results and its economic well-being. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated as fair value hedges, along with the gain or loss on the hedged item, are recorded in current period earnings. Generally, these risk management transactions involve the use of foreign currency derivatives to protect against exposure resulting from recorded accounts receivable and payable. The Company may utilize forward exchange contracts, generally with maturities of less than 18 months, which qualify as cash flow hedges. Generally, these foreign exchange contracts are intended to offset the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on non-functional currency denominated sales and purchases. For derivative instruments that are designated as cash flow hedges, gains and losses are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (“OCI”) until the underlying transaction is recognized in earnings. Hedge effectiveness is determined by how closely the changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument offset the changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. Hedge accounting is permitted only if the hedging relationship is expected to be highly effective at the inception of the transaction and on an ongoing basis. Any ineffective portions are recognized in earnings immediately. The Company’s existing cash flow hedges are highly effective. As a result, any current impact on earnings due to cash flow hedge ineffectiveness is immaterial. Interest Rate Hedging The Company is exposed to interest rate risk through its corporate borrowing activities. The objective of the Company’s interest rate risk management activities is to manage the levels of the Company’s fixed and floating interest rate exposure to be consistent with the Company’s preferred mix. The interest rate risk management program may include entering into interest rate swaps, which qualify as fair value hedges, when there is a desire to modify the Company’s exposure to interest rates. Gains or losses on fair value hedges are recognized in earnings, net of gains and losses on the fair value of the hedged instruments. Net Investments Hedging The Company may enter into foreign-denominated debt to be used as a non-derivative instrument to hedge the Company’s net investment in foreign subsidiaries. The change in the carrying amount of the foreign-denominated debt on the Company’s books, attributable to changes in the spot foreign exchange rate, is a hedge of the net investment in its foreign subsidiaries. Changes in the fair value of debt designated as a net investment hedge are recorded in foreign currency translation in OCI. Commodity Purchases The Company purchases certain commodities in the normal course of business that result in physical delivery of the goods and, hence, are excluded from ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. Translation of Foreign Currencies For all significant foreign operations, the functional currency is the local currency. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates. Revenue and expense accounts are translated into U.S. dollars at average exchange rates prevailing during the year. Adjustments resulting from the translation of foreign accounts into U.S. dollars are recorded in foreign currency translation in OCI. Transaction gains and losses that occur as a result of transactions denominated in non-functional currencies are included in earnings and were not significant during the three-year period ended December 31, 2016. Share-Based Compensation Share-based compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period of each award based on the fair value of the instrument at the time of grant as summarized in Note 6, Share-Based Compensation. Income Taxes The Company recognizes a current tax liability or asset for the estimated taxes payable or refundable on tax returns for the current year and a deferred tax liability or asset for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carryforwards. The measurement of current and deferred tax liabilities and assets is based on provisions of enacted tax law. Deferred tax assets are reduced, if necessary, by the amount of any tax benefits for which the utilization of the asset is not considered likely. Earnings Per Share The difference between basic and diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) is the dilutive effect of stock options and non-vested stock. Diluted EPS assumes that non-vested stock has vested and all dilutive stock options, for which the average market price exceeds the exercise price (in-the-money), are exercised. Stock options for which the exercise price exceeds the average market price (out-of-the-money) have an anti-dilutive effect on EPS, and accordingly, are excluded from the calculation. The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for the years ended December 31:
|  | Years Ended December 31, |
(in thousands except per share amounts) |  | 2016 |  |  | 2015 |  |  | 2014 |
Numerator: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net earnings from continuing operations |  | $ | 122,913 |  |  | $ | 107,247 |  |  | $ | 81,771 |
Denominator: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted average common shares |  |  | 44,523 |  |  |  | 45,910 |  |  |  | 48,525 |
Effect of dilutive securities |  |  | 320 |  |  |  | 294 |  |  |  | 294 |
Denominator for diluted earnings per share - diluted weighted average shares outstanding |  |  | 44,843 |  |  |  | 46,204 |  |  |  | 48,819 |
Earnings per common share from continuing operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic |  | $ | 2.76 |  |  | $ | 2.34 |  |  | $ | 1.69 |
Diluted |  | $ | 2.74 |  |  | $ | 2.32 |  |  | $ | 1.67 |
The Company has a share-based compensation plan under which employees may be granted share-based awards in which non-forfeitable dividends are paid on non-vested shares for certain awards. As such, these shares are considered participating securities under the two-class method of calculating EPS as described in ASC 260, Earnings per Share. The two-class method of calculating EPS did not have a material impact on the Company’s EPS calculations as of December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. In 2016, 2015 and 2014, there were no anti-dilutive stock options. All EPS amounts are presented on a diluted basis unless otherwise noted. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Accumulated OCI is composed primarily of foreign currency translation, pension liability and unrealized gains or losses on cash flow hedges. See Note 9, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, for additional information. Research and Development Research and development costs are recorded in selling and administrative expenses in the year they are incurred. Research and development costs related to continuing operations were $40.9 million, $35.1 million and $35.9 million during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Advertising Advertising costs are recorded in selling and administrative expenses as they are incurred. Advertising costs related to continuing operations were $2.3 million, $1.7 million and $1.9 million during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Environmental Liabilities The Company records liabilities related to environmental remediation obligations when estimated future expenditures are probable and reasonably estimable. Such accruals are adjusted as further information becomes available or as circumstances change. Estimated future expenditures are discounted to their present value when the timing and amount of future cash flows are fixed and readily determinable. Recoveries of remediation costs from other parties, if any, are recognized as assets when their receipt is realizable. Subsequent Events The Company performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the date these financial statements were issued. On January 6, 2017, the Company completed the sale of a facility and certain related business lines within the Flavors & Fragrance segment in Europe. See Note 15, Divestiture, for additional information regarding this subsequent event. New Pronouncements In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, which requires entities to present deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. The ASU simplifies the current guidance, which requires entities to separately present deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities as current and noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 31, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The guidance can be applied retrospectively or prospectively. The Company retrospectively applied the guidance to all prior periods. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2016. As a result, the Company reclassified $17.1 million of current deferred tax assets to Deferred Tax Asset Noncurrent as of December 31, 2015. The Company also reclassified $7.3 million of current deferred tax assets to Deferred Tax Liability Noncurrent as of December 31, 2015. In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires debt issuance costs to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the associated debt liability. Also, on August 18, 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements, to clarify that the SEC staff would not object to deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The guidance is required to be retrospectively applied to all prior periods. The Company adopted these ASUs in the first quarter of 2016. As a result, the Company reclassified $0.4 million of debt fees from Other Assets to Long Term Debt as of December 31, 2015. The Company’s debt fees associated with the Company’s revolving loan agreement remain classified in Other Assets. In July 2015, the FASB affirmed its proposed one-year deferral of the effective date for ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Under this proposal, the requirements of the new standard are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The proposal also permits entities to adopt the standard for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company has begun to review the impact of this standard on the Company’s financial statements. The Company currently recognizes revenue (net of estimated discounts, allowances and returns) when title to goods passes, the customer is obliged to pay the Company and the Company has no remaining obligations. Such recognition typically corresponds with the shipment of goods. The Company has created a project team to review this new standard in relationship to its existing contracts and other relevant documents across all of the Company’s operating segments The Company plans to incorporate this new standard using the Full Retrospective transition method. The Company will continue to evaluate the impact of this standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. Under this guidance, inventory that is accounted for using first-in, first-out or average cost method shall be measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value, as opposed to the lower of cost or market measurement under current guidance. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. This new guidance is required to be retrospectively applied to all prior periods. We are currently evaluating the expected impact of this standard. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, which requires lessees to recognize the lease assets and lease liabilities that arise from leases on the balance sheet and to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about lease transactions. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the expected impact of this standard. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, primarily the accounting for the associated income taxes. This guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this ASU in the fourth quarter of 2016 and it did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

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