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Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 28, 2019

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Fiscal Year

The Company has adopted a fiscal year ending on the Saturday nearest to December 31. References to 2019, 2018, and 2017 are for the fiscal years ended December 28, 2019, December 29, 2018, and December 30, 2017, respectively.

Use of Estimates and Critical Accounting Policies

se of Estimates and Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although the Company makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of its condensed consolidated financial statements or in the application of accounting policies, if business conditions were different, or if the Company were to use different estimates and assumptions, it is possible that materially different amounts could be reported in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

Critical accounting policies are defined as those that entail significant judgments and estimates, and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. The Company believes that the most critical accounting policies upon which its financial position depends, and which involve the most complex or subjective decisions or

assessments, concern revenue recognition, income taxes, the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, inventories, and pension obligations. A discussion of the application of these and other accounting policies is included in Notes 1 and 3.

Revenue Recognition

Effective at the beginning of 2018, the Company adopted Topic 606, using a modified retrospective method. Results for 2019 and 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while 2017 amounts are not adjusted and are reported in accordance with Topic 605. The impact on any financial statement line item arising from the application of Topic 606 compared to Topic 605 on the Company's results for the 2018 period was not material.

Most of the Company’s revenue is recognized at a point in time for each performance obligation under the contract when the customer obtains control of the goods or service. Most of the Company’s parts and consumables products and its capital products with minimal customization are accounted for at a point in time. The Company has made a policy election to not treat the obligation to ship as a separate performance obligation under the contract and, as a result, the associated shipping costs are reflected in cost of revenues when revenue is recognized.

The remaining portion of the Company’s revenue is recognized on an over time basis based on an input method that compares the costs incurred to date to the total expected costs required to satisfy the performance obligation. Contracts are accounted for on an over time basis when they include products which have no alternative use and an enforceable right to payment over time. Most of the contracts recognized on an over time basis are for large capital projects within the Company’s Stock-Preparation product line and Material Handling Systems segment and, to a lesser extent, its Fluid-Handling and Doctoring, Cleaning, & Filtration product lines. These projects are highly customized for the customer and, as a result, would include a significant cost to rework in the event of cancellation.

The following table presents revenue by revenue recognition method:



(In thousands)	December 28, 2019		December 29, 2018
Point in Time	$	611,528	$	577,506
Over Time	93,116		56,280
	$	704,644	$	633,786

The transaction price includes estimated variable consideration where applicable. Such variable consideration relates to certain performance guarantees and rights to return the product. The Company estimates variable consideration as the most likely amount to which it expects to be entitled based on the terms of the contracts with customers and historical experience, where relevant. For contracts with multiple performance obligations, the transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on the relative stand-alone selling price.

The Company disaggregates its revenue from contracts with customers by product line, product type and geography as this best depicts how its revenue is affected by economic factors.

The following table presents the disaggregation of revenues by product type and geography:



(In thousands)	December 28, 2019		December 29, 2018		December 30, 2017
Revenues by Product Type:
Parts and Consumables	$	440,699	$	374,433	$	316,506
Capital	263,945		259,353		198,527
	$	704,644	$	633,786	$	515,033
Revenues by Geography:
North America	$	386,952	$	305,618	$	238,483
Europe	180,888		174,681		157,994
Asia	84,705		109,688		78,443
Rest of World	52,099		43,799		40,113
	$	704,644	$	633,786	$	515,033

See Note 12, Business Segment and Geographical Information, for information on the disaggregation of revenues by segment and product line.

The following tables presents contract balances from contracts with customers:



(In thousands)	December 28, 2019		December 29, 2018
Accounts receivable	$	95,740	$	92,624
Contract assets	$	13,162	$	15,741
Contract liabilities	$	37,216	$	34,774

Contract assets represent unbilled revenues associated with revenue recognized on contracts accounted for on an over time basis, which will be billed in future periods based on the contract terms. Contract liabilities consist of customer deposits, advanced billings, and deferred revenue. Deferred revenue is included in other current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. Contract liabilities will be recognized as revenue in future periods once the revenue recognition criteria are met. The majority of the contract liabilities relate to advance payments on contracts accounted for at a point in time. These advance payments will be recognized as revenue when the Company's performance obligations have been satisfied, which typically occurs within nine to twelve months after the product has shipped and control of the asset has transferred to the customer. The Company recognized revenue of $29,220,000 in 2019 and $36,556,000 in 2018 that was included in the contract liabilities balance at the beginning of 2019 and 2018. The majority of the Company's contracts for capital equipment have an original expected duration of one year or less. For contracts with an original expected duration of over one year, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the remaining partially unsatisfied performance obligations as of year-end 2019 was $13,176,000. The Company will recognize revenue for these performance obligations as they are satisfied, approximately 90% of which is expected to occur within the next twelve months.

Customers in China will often settle their accounts receivable with a banker's acceptance draft, in which case cash settlement will be delayed until the draft matures or is settled prior to maturity. For customers outside of China, final payment for the majority of the Company's products is received in the quarter following the product shipment. Certain of the Company's contracts include a longer period before final payment is due, which is typically within one year of final shipment or transfer of control to the customer.

The Company includes in revenue amounts invoiced for shipping and handling with the corresponding costs reflected in cost of revenues. Provisions for discounts, warranties, returns and other adjustments are provided for in the period in which the related sale was recorded. Sales taxes, value-added taxes and certain excise taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are accounted for on a net basis and therefore are excluded from revenue.

In 2017, the Company recognized revenue under ASC 605, "Revenue Recognition," (ASC 605), when the following criteria had been met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement existed, delivery had occurred or service had been rendered, the sales price was fixed or determinable, and collectability was reasonably assured. When the terms of the sale included customer acceptance provisions, and compliance with those provisions could not be demonstrated until customer acceptance, revenue was recognized upon such acceptance. Most of the Company's revenue in 2017 was recognized in accordance with these policies. However, when a sale arrangement involved multiple elements, such as equipment and installation, the Company determined whether the deliverables in the arrangement represented separate units of accounting. Revenue was allocated to each unit of accounting or element based on relative selling prices and was recognized as each element was delivered or completed. Additionally, revenues and profits on certain long-term contracts in 2017 were recognized using the percentage-of-completion method or the completed-contract method of accounting pursuant to ASC 605. Revenues recorded under the percentage-of-completion method were $27,676,000 in 2017. For long-term contracts that did not meet the criteria under ASC 605 to be accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method in 2017, the Company recognized revenue using the completed-contract method.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The Company exercises judgment in determining its allowance for doubtful accounts, which is based on its historical collection experience, current trends, credit policies, specific customer collection issues, and accounts receivable aging categories. In determining this allowance, the Company looks at historical write-offs of its receivables. The Company also looks at current trends in the credit quality of its customer base as well as changes in its credit policies. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and adjusts credit limits based upon payment history and each customer's current creditworthiness. The Company continuously monitors collections and payments from its customers. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when the Company believes it is probable the receivable will not be recovered. In some instances, the Company utilizes letters of credit to mitigate its credit exposure.

The changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows:



(In thousands)	December 28, 2019			December 29, 2018			December 30, 2017
Balance at Beginning of Year	$	2,897		$	2,879		$	2,395
Provision charged to expense	114			355			436
Accounts written off	(263		)	(165		)	(159		)
Currency translation	(50		)	(172		)	207
Balance at End of Year	$	2,698		$	2,897		$	2,879

The Company's Chinese subsidiaries may receive banker's acceptance drafts from customers as payment for their trade accounts receivable. The drafts are noninterest-bearing obligations of the issuing bank and mature within six months of the origination date. The Company's Chinese subsidiaries may sell the drafts at a discount to a third-party financial institution or transfer the drafts to vendors in settlement of current accounts payable prior to the scheduled maturity date. These drafts, which totaled $5,230,000 at year-end 2019 and $7,976,000 at year-end 2018, are included in accounts receivable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet until the subsidiary sells the drafts to a bank and receives a discounted amount, transfers the banker's acceptance drafts in settlement of current accounts payable prior to maturity, or obtains cash payment on the scheduled maturity date.

Warranty Obligations

The Company's contracts covering the sale of its products include warranty provisions that provide assurance to its customers that the products will comply with agreed-upon specifications during a defined period of time. The Company provides for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time of sale based on the historical occurrence rates and repair costs, as well as knowledge of any specific warranty problems that indicate projected warranty costs may vary from historical patterns. The Company negotiates the terms regarding warranty coverage and length of warranty depending on the products and applications. While the Company engages in extensive product quality programs and processes, the Company's warranty obligation is affected by product failure rates, repair costs, service delivery costs incurred in correcting a product failure, and supplier warranties on parts delivered to the Company. Should these factors or actual results differ from the Company's estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required.

Income Taxes

In accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, (ASC 740), the Company recognizes deferred income taxes based on the expected future tax consequences of differences between the financial statement basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities, calculated using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which these differences are expected to reverse. A tax valuation allowance is established, as needed, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. In the period in which it becomes more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized, the valuation allowance will be adjusted.

It is the Company's policy to provide for uncertain tax positions and the related interest and penalties based upon management's assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes. At December 28, 2019, the Company believes that it has appropriately accounted for any liability for unrecognized tax benefits. To the extent the Company prevails in matters for which a liability for an unrecognized tax benefit is established, the statute of

limitations expires for a tax jurisdiction year, or the Company is required to pay amounts in excess of the liability, its effective tax rate in a given financial statement period may be affected.

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share (EPS) is computed by dividing net income attributable to Kadant by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the year. Diluted EPS is computed using the treasury stock method assuming the effect of all potentially dilutive securities, including stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs) and employee stock purchase plan shares.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

At year-end 2019 and year-end 2018, the Company's cash equivalents included investments in money market funds and marketable securities, which had maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase. The carrying amounts of cash equivalents approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

Restricted Cash

The Company's restricted cash serves as collateral for bank guarantees primarily associated with providing assurance to customers that the Company will fulfill certain customer obligations entered into in the normal course of business. The majority of the bank guarantees will expire over the next twelve months.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (on a first-in, first-out; or weighted average basis) or net realizable value and include materials, labor, and manufacturing overhead. The Company regularly reviews its quantities of inventories on hand and compares these amounts to the historical and forecasted usage of and demand for each particular product or product line. The Company records a charge to cost of revenues for excess and obsolete inventory to reduce the carrying value of inventories to net realizable value.

Property, Plant, and Equipment

Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost. The costs of additions and improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. The Company provides for depreciation and amortization primarily using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the property as follows: buildings, 10 to 40 years; machinery and equipment, 2 to 10 years; and leasehold improvements, the shorter of the term of the lease or the life of the asset. For construction in progress, no provision for depreciation is made until the assets are available and ready for use.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are initially recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition. Definite-lived intangible assets are stated net of accumulated amortization and currency translation in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet. The Company amortizes definite-lived intangible assets over lives that have been determined based on the anticipated cash flow benefits of the intangible asset. Definite-lived intangible assets have a weighted average amortization period of 12 years.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the identifiable net assets of the acquired business at the date of acquisition. The Company’s acquisitions have historically been made at prices above the fair value of the acquired net assets, resulting in goodwill, due to the expectation of synergies from combining the businesses.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company assesses its long-lived assets, other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, for impairment whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be fully recoverable. To analyze recoverability, the Company projects undiscounted net future cash flows over the remaining lives of such assets or asset groups. If these projected cash flows were to be less than the carrying amounts, an impairment loss would be recognized, resulting in a write-down of the assets with a corresponding charge to earnings. The impairment loss would be measured based upon the difference between the carrying amounts of the assets and their fair values calculated using projected cash flows.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates the recoverability of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets as of the end of each fiscal year, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances, such as a significant decline in sales, earnings, or cash flows, or material adverse changes in the business climate, indicate that the carrying value of an asset might be impaired.

Goodwill

At year-end 2019, the Company performed a qualitative impairment analysis (Step 0) of its goodwill and determined that the asset was not impaired. The impairment analysis included an assessment of certain qualitative factors including, but not limited to, the results of prior fair value calculations, the movement of the Company's share price and market capitalization, the reporting unit and overall financial performance, and macroeconomic and industry conditions. The Company considered the qualitative factors and weighed the evidence obtained, and determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair value of any of the assets was less than its carrying amount. Although the Company believes the factors considered in the impairment analysis are reasonable, significant changes in any one of the assumptions used could have produced a different result.

At year-end 2018, the Company performed a quantitative goodwill impairment assessment (Step 1) for all of its reporting units, which indicated that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying value, and determined that the asset was not impaired.

Business Combinations

The Company's acquisitions have been accounted for using the purchase method of accounting under ASC 805, Business Combinations (ASC 805), and the results of the acquired businesses have been included in its consolidated financial statements from their respective dates of acquisition. The Company accounts for all transactions and events in which it obtains control over a business under ASC 805 to recognize the fair value of all assets and liabilities acquired and in establishing the acquisition date for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The Company’s acquisitions have historically been made at prices above the fair value of identifiable net assets, resulting in goodwill, due to synergies expected to be realized by combining the businesses.

While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions as part of the purchase price allocation process to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the business acquisition date, the estimates and assumptions are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the purchase price allocation period, which is generally one year from the acquisition date, the Company records adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill. For changes in the valuation of intangible assets between the preliminary and final purchase price allocation, the related amortization is adjusted in the period it occurs. Subsequent to the purchase price allocation period, any adjustment to assets acquired or liabilities assumed is included in operating results in the period in which the adjustment is determined.

Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions

All assets and liabilities of the Company's foreign subsidiaries are translated at fiscal year-end exchange rates, and revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates for each quarter in accordance with ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters. Resulting translation adjustments are reflected in the "accumulated other comprehensive items" (AOCI) component of stockholders' equity (see Note 14, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Items). Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in the accompanying consolidated statement of income and are not material in the three years presented.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes compensation expense for all stock-based awards granted to employees and directors based on the grant date estimate of fair value for those awards. The fair value of RSUs is based on the grant date price of the Company's common stock, reduced by the present value of estimated dividends foregone during the requisite service period. The fair value of stock options is based on the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. For stock options and time-based RSUs, compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for the entire award, and net of actual forfeitures recorded when they occur. For performance-based RSUs, compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for each separately-vesting portion of the award based on the grant date fair value, net of actual forfeitures recorded when they occur, and remeasured each reporting period until the total number of RSUs to be issued is known. Compensation expense related to any modified stock-based awards is based on the fair value for those awards as of the modification date with any remaining incremental compensation expense recognized ratably over the remaining requisite service period.

Derivatives

The Company uses derivative instruments primarily to reduce its exposure to changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates. When the Company enters into a derivative contract, the Company makes a determination as to whether the transaction is deemed to be a hedge for accounting purposes. If a contract is deemed a hedge, the Company formally documents the relationship between the derivative instrument and the risk being hedged. In this documentation, the Company specifically identifies the asset, liability, forecasted transaction, cash flow, or net investment that has been designated as the hedged item, and evaluates whether the derivative instrument is expected to reduce the risks associated with the hedged item. To the extent these criteria are not met, the Company does not use hedge accounting for the derivative. The change in the fair value of a derivative not deemed to be a hedge is recorded currently in earnings. The Company does not hold or engage in transactions involving derivative instruments for purposes other than risk management.

ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging, requires that all derivatives be recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the related gains or losses on these contracts are deferred as a component of AOCI. These deferred gains and losses are recognized in the statement of income in the period in which the underlying anticipated transaction occurs. For derivatives designated as fair value hedges, the unrealized gains and losses resulting from the impact of currency exchange rate movements are recognized in earnings in the period in which the exchange rates change and offset the currency gains and losses on the underlying exposures being hedged. The Company performs an evaluation of the effectiveness of the hedge both at inception and on an ongoing basis. The ineffective portion of a hedge, if any, and changes in the fair value of a derivative not deemed to be a hedge, are recorded in the accompanying consolidated statement of income.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Leases (Topic 842). In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2016-02, which requires a lessee to recognize a right-of-use (ROU) asset and a corresponding lease liability for operating leases, initially measured at the present value of the future lease payments, on its balance sheet. This ASU also requires a lessee to recognize a single lease cost, calculated so that the cost of the lease is allocated over the lease term, generally on a straight-line basis. The Company adopted this ASU as of the beginning of 2019 using the cumulative-effect adjustment method. As a result, prior period amounts were not restated and continue to be accounted for under Topic 840, Leases, which did not require the recognition of operating leases on the balance sheet and is not comparative. As permitted under ASC 842, the Company elected the package of practical expedients for expired or existing contracts, which does not require the reassessment of prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. The Company also elected practical expedients relating to its ongoing accounting, including a short-term lease recognition exemption allowing lessees not to recognize ROU assets and liabilities with terms of 12 months or less and an election not to separate lease and non-lease components for all leases except vehicle leases.

The adoption of this standard as of the beginning of 2019 resulted in increases of 2.3% to total assets and 4.8% to total liabilities and an immaterial decrease to retained earnings. In addition, the adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of income or cash flows. See Note 9, Leases, for the required lease accounting disclosures.

Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Targeted Improvements in Accounting for Hedging Activity. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, which revises hedge accounting to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities, simplifies hedge accounting guidance, and improves disclosures of hedge accounting arrangements. The

Company adopted this ASU on a prospective basis at the beginning of 2019. The adoption of this ASU did not have an impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

Compensation-Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20), Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, which removes, adds and clarifies several disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. This new guidance is effective on a retrospective basis for the Company in fiscal 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company elected to early adopt this ASU in the fourth quarter of 2019, which did not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements. See Note 3, Employee Benefit Plans, for revised disclosures.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, which changes the way entities recognize impairment of financial assets measured at amortized costs, such as accounts receivable, by requiring immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur over their remaining lives. This new guidance is effective for the Company in fiscal 2020. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Income Taxes (Topic 740), Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and by clarifying and amending existing guidance, including the recognition of franchise tax, the treatment of a step up in the tax basis of goodwill, and the timing for recognition of enacted changes in tax laws or rates in the interim period annual effective tax rate computation. This new guidance is effective for the Company in fiscal 2021, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effects that the adoption of this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefits Plans

Prior to its termination at year-end 2018, the Company sponsored a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan for eligible employees at one of its U.S. divisions and its corporate office (Retirement Plan). Funds for the Retirement Plan were contributed to a trustee to provide for current service and for any unfunded projected benefit obligation over a reasonable period. Certain of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries also sponsor defined benefit pension plans covering certain employees at those subsidiaries. One of the non-U.S. pension plans also contributes funds to a trustee. The remaining non-U.S. pension plans are unfunded as permitted under their plans and applicable laws. Benefits under the Company’s pension plans are based on years of service and employee compensation.

The Company also provides other post-retirement benefits under plans in the United States and at one of its non-U.S. subsidiaries. Prior to its termination at year-end 2018, the Company provided for a restoration plan (Restoration Plan) for certain executive officers which fully supplemented benefits lost under the Retirement Plan.

In accordance with ASC 715, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (ASC 715), the Company recognizes the funded status of its defined benefit pension and other post-retirement benefit plans as an asset or liability and changes in the funded status through AOCI, net of tax. The amounts in AOCI are recognized as net periodic pension cost pursuant to the Company's historical accounting policy for amortizing such amounts. Further, actuarial gains and losses that arise in subsequent periods and are not recognized as net periodic benefit cost will be recognized as a component of AOCI, net of tax.

The discount rates for pension and other post-retirement plans are based on market yields on high-quality corporate bonds currently available and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the benefits. For pension and post-retirement plans that have been closed to new participants thereby shortening the duration, the discount rate is determined based on discounting the projected benefit streams against the Citigroup Pension discount curve.

In developing the overall expected long-term return on plan assets assumption, a building block approach was used in which rates of return in excess of inflation were considered separately for equity securities, debt securities, and other assets. The excess returns were weighted by the representative target allocation and added along with an appropriate rate of inflation to develop the overall expected long-term return on plan assets assumption. The Company believes this determination is consistent with ASC 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits.