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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2017
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, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical 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 13, 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 net realizable value. Net realizable value 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 $310.4 million and $273.8 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and raw materials and supplies of $153.1 million and $130.5 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, 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 2017, the Company completed a qualitative assessment in comparison to the quantitative assessment performed in 2016, noting no indicators of impairment. The Company did not record impairment charges for any of its reporting units in 2017, 2016, or 2015. 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 divestiture of a facility and certain related business lines within the Flavors & Fragrances segment in Strasbourg, France. See Note 12, Restructuring Charges, and Note 14, 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, 2017. 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 5, 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 EPS from continuing operations for the years ended December 31:
|  | Years Ended December 31, |
(in thousands except per share amounts) |  | 2017 |  |  | 2016 |  |  | 2015 |
Numerator: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Net earnings from continuing operations |  | $ | 89,600 |  |  | $ | 122,913 |  |  | $ | 107,247 |
Denominator: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Denominator for basic EPS - weighted average common shares |  |  | 43,780 |  |  |  | 44,523 |  |  |  | 45,910 |
Effect of dilutive securities |  |  | 251 |  |  |  | 320 |  |  |  | 294 |
Denominator for diluted EPS - diluted weighted average shares outstanding |  |  | 44,031 |  |  |  | 44,843 |  |  |  | 46,204 |
EPS from continuing operations |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic |  | $ | 2.05 |  |  | $ | 2.76 |  |  | $ | 2.34 |
Diluted |  | $ | 2.03 |  |  | $ | 2.74 |  |  | $ | 2.32 |
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, 2017, 2016, and 2015. In 2017, 2016, and 2015, 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 8, 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 in both years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, and $35.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2015. Advertising Advertising costs are recorded in selling and administrative expenses as they are incurred. Advertising costs related to continuing operations were $2.2 million, $2.3 million, and $1.7 million during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, 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. The Company has recently announced the acquisition of a natural food coloring business in Lima, Peru, and anticipates to complete the acqusition during the first quarter of 2018. New Pronouncements In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) affirmed its proposed one-year deferral of the effective date for Accounting Standards Update (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 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 created a project team within its Corporate Finance Department, in 2016, to review the potential impact that this ASU may have on the Company. At that time, the Company’s revenue recognition project team began gathering data, including issuing a detailed revenue recognition questionnaire designed to highlight instances of variable consideration, and reviewing existing contracts and other relevant documents across all of the Company’s segments. In the first quarter of 2017, the Company finalized a detailed project plan and distributed a second revenue recognition questionnaire designed to examine potential instances of variable consideration in greater detail. In the second and third quarters of 2017, the Company reviewed and analyzed the questionnaires and supporting documentation and completed its review and analysis during the fourth quarter. In addition, the Company has updated its current internal controls and implemented additional controls and monitoring around revenue recognition during the second and third quarters of 2017. The Company also conducted training for all financial personnel on the new standard, controls, and monitoring during the fourth quarter. The Company updated its Audit Committee throughout the year on the status of the implementation of this ASU. The Company has completed its analysis of its revenue streams and has not identified any significant changes to the timing of recognition or measurement of revenue. The Company does not anticipate that the new standard will have a material impact on the its consolidated financial statements in 2018. The Company will incorporate this new standard using the modified retrospective method. 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 previous guidance. This guidance became effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this standard in the first quarter of 2017, and it did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements. 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 created a project team within its Corporate Finance Department to review the potential impact that this ASU may have on the Company. The project team has begun gathering data and reviewing existing leases and other relevant documents across all of the Company’s segments. The Company continues to evaluate the potential impact of this standard. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payment. This ASU clarifies how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. Among these changes, is a requirement that a transferor’s receipt of a beneficial interest in securitized trade receivables be disclosed as a noncash investing transaction. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those years. The Company does not expect this standard to have a material impact on its financial statements. In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Accounting for Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Asset Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory. Under current GAAP, the tax effects of intra-entity asset transfers are deferred until the transferred asset is sold to a third party or otherwise recovered through use. The new guidance eliminates the exception for all intra-entity sales of assets other than inventory. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those years. The Company continues to evaluate the expected impact of this standard. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. This ASU requires employers to present the service cost component of the net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line item as the other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are to be presented outside of any subtotal of operating income. This ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this standard in the first quarter of 2018, and it will not have a material impact on the its consolidated financial statements. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, which expands an entity’s ability to hedge nonfinancial and financial risk components and reduce complexity in fair value hedges of interest rate risk. This guidance eliminates the requirement to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and generally requires the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument to be presented in the same income statement line item as the hedged item. This ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the expected impact of this standard.

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