IMPAIRMENT, RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Activity described herein is classified within the “Cost of sales—impairment, restructuring and other,” “Impairment, restructuring and other” and “Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax” lines in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The following table details impairment, restructuring and other charges (recoveries) for each of the periods presented:


	Year Ended September 30,
	2021		2020		2019

Cost of sales—impairment, restructuring and other:
COVID-19 related costs	$	25.0	$	15.5	$	—
Restructuring and other charges (recoveries), net	(0.3)		(0.1)		5.1
Intangible asset and property, plant and equipment impairments	—		0.6		0.8

Operating expenses:
COVID-19 related costs	4.2		3.9		—
Restructuring and other charges (recoveries), net	0.1		(3.1)		7.4

Impairment, restructuring and other charges from continuing operations	29.0		16.8		13.3
Restructuring and other charges (recoveries), net, from discontinued operations	—		(3.1)		(35.8)
Total impairment, restructuring and other charges (recoveries)	$	29.0	$	13.7	$	(22.5)

The following table summarizes the activity related to liabilities associated with restructuring and other, excluding insurance reimbursement recoveries, for each of the periods presented:


	Year Ended September 30,
	2021		2020		2019

Amounts accrued for restructuring and other at beginning of year	$	3.9	$	11.6	$	112.2
Restructuring and other charges from continuing operations	29.0		20.0		13.4
Restructuring and other charges (recoveries) from discontinued operations	—		—		(22.4)
Payments and other	(31.0)		(27.7)		(91.6)
Amounts accrued for restructuring and other at end of year	$	1.9	$	3.9	$	11.6

Included in restructuring accruals, as of September 30, 2021, is $0.8 that is classified as long-term. Payments against the long-term accruals will be incurred as the employees covered by the restructuring plan retire or through the passage of time. The remaining amounts accrued will continue to be paid out over the course of the next twelve months.

COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and continues to have, an impact on financial markets, economic conditions, and portions of the Company’s business and industry. The Company has actively addressed the pandemic’s ongoing impact on its employees, operations, customers, consumers, and communities, by, among other things, implementing contingency plans, making operational adjustments where necessary, and providing assistance to organizations that support front-line workers. Many of the Company’s employees continue to work from home. In those instances where the Company’s employees cannot perform their work at home, the Company has implemented additional health and safety measures and social distancing protocols, consistent with government recommendations and/or requirements, to help to ensure their safety. In addition, the Company implemented an interim premium pay allowance for certain associates in its field sales force and its manufacturing or distribution centers. During fiscal 2021, the Company incurred costs of $29.2 associated with the COVID-19 pandemic primarily related to premium pay. The Company incurred costs of $21.2 in its U.S. Consumer segment, $3.2 in its Hawthorne segment and $0.6 in its Other segment in the “Cost of sales—impairment, restructuring and other” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations during fiscal 2021. The Company incurred costs of $4.0 in its U.S. Consumer segment and $0.2 in its Other segment in the “Impairment, restructuring and other” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations during fiscal 2021.

During fiscal 2020, the Company incurred costs of $19.4 associated with the COVID-19 pandemic primarily related to premium pay. The Company incurred costs of $12.4 in its U.S. Consumer segment, $2.6 in its Hawthorne segment and $0.5 in its Other segment in the “Cost of sales—impairment, restructuring and other” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations during fiscal 2020. The Company incurred costs of $3.8 in its U.S. Consumer segment and $0.1 in its Other segment in the “Impairment, restructuring and other” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations during fiscal 2020.

Project Catalyst

In connection with the acquisition of Sunlight Supply during the third quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company announced the launch of an initiative called Project Catalyst, which was a company-wide restructuring effort to reduce operating costs throughout the U.S. Consumer, Hawthorne and Other segments and drive synergies from acquisitions within the Hawthorne segment. Costs incurred during fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 related to Project Catalyst were not material. Costs incurred to date since the inception of Project Catalyst are $24.5 for the Hawthorne segment, $13.9 for the U.S. Consumer segment, $1.3 for the Other segment and $2.8 for Corporate. Additionally, during fiscal 2020, the Company received $2.6 from the final settlement of escrow funds related to a previous acquisition within the Hawthorne segment that was recognized in the “Impairment, restructuring and other” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

During fiscal 2019, the Company incurred charges of $13.7 related to Project Catalyst. The Company incurred charges of $1.1 in its U.S. Consumer segment, $4.2 in its Hawthorne segment and $0.6 in its Other Segment in the “Cost of sales—impairment, restructuring and other” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations during fiscal 2019 related to employee termination benefits, facility closure costs and impairment of property, plant and equipment. The Company incurred charges of $0.5 in its U.S. Consumer segment, $3.9 in its Hawthorne segment, $0.6 in its Other segment and $2.8 at Corporate in the “Impairment, restructuring and other” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations during fiscal 2019 related to employee termination benefits and facility closure costs.

Other

The Company recognized insurance recoveries related to the previously disclosed legal matter In re Morning Song Bird Food Litigation of $1.5 and $13.4 during fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, respectively, in the “Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In addition, during fiscal 2019, the Company recognized a favorable adjustment of $22.5 in the “Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a result of the final resolution of the previously disclosed settlement agreement related to this matter. Refer to “NOTE 20. CONTINGENCIES” for more information.