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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Boise Cascade and its subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the amounts of assets and liabilities reported, disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses. Such estimates include the valuation of accounts receivable, inventories, goodwill, intangible assets, and other long-lived assets; legal contingencies; guarantee obligations; indemnifications; assumptions used in retirement, medical, and workers' compensation benefits; assumptions used in the determination of right-of-use assets and related lease liabilities; stock-based compensation; fair value measurements; income taxes; and vendor and customer rebates, among others. These estimates and assumptions are based on management's best estimates and judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, which management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. We adjust such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Changes in these estimates resulting from continuing changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the consolidated financial statements in future periods.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. For additional information regarding our revenue recognition policies, see Note 3, Revenues.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of short-term investments that have a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the majority of our cash and cash equivalents were invested in money market funds that are broadly diversified and invested in high-quality, short-duration securities, including commercial paper, certificates of deposit, U.S. government agency securities, and similar instruments. We have significant amounts of cash and cash equivalents that are in excess of federally insured limits. Though we have not experienced any losses on our cash and cash equivalents to date and we do not anticipate incurring any losses, we cannot be assured that we will not experience losses on our cash and cash equivalents.

Trade Accounts Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Trade accounts receivable are stated at the amount we expect to collect. Trade accounts receivable do not bear interest. We make ongoing estimates relating to the collectibility of our accounts receivable and maintain a reserve for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to meet their financial obligations to us. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had $0.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively, recorded as allowances for doubtful accounts. In determining the amount of the reserve and in order to manage credit risk, we consider our historical level of credit losses, customer concentrations, and current economic trends and monitor the creditworthiness of significant customers based on ongoing credit evaluations. Our sales are principally to customers in the building products industry located in the U.S. and Canada. A significant portion of our sales are concentrated with a relatively small number of customers. In 2019, our top ten customers represented approximately 40% of sales, with no customer accounting for 10% or more of total sales. At December 31, 2019, receivables from two customers accounted for approximately 14% and 12% of total receivables. At December 31, 2018, receivables from these two customers accounted for approximately 13% and 11% of total receivables. No other customer accounted for 10% or more of total receivables. Adjustments to the valuation allowance are charged to income. Trade accounts receivable balances that remain outstanding after we have used reasonable collection efforts are written off through a charge to the valuation allowance and a credit to accounts receivable. Although we have not experienced material credit losses in recent years, our actual future losses from uncollectible accounts may differ materially from our current estimates. As additional information becomes known, we may change our estimates. In the event we determine that a change in the reserve is appropriate, we will record a charge to "Selling and distribution expenses" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period we make such a determination.

Fair Value

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy under GAAP gives the highest priority to quoted market prices (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). In general, and where applicable, we use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities to determine fair value (Level 1). If quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities are not available to determine fair value, we use quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities or inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2). If quoted prices for identical or similar assets are not available or are unobservable, we may use internally developed valuation models, whose inputs include bid prices, and third-party valuations utilizing underlying asset assumptions (Level 3). See Note 12, Retirement and Benefit Plans, for the fair value measurements of our defined benefit plans' assets.

Financial Instruments
 
Our financial instruments are cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, long-term debt, and interest rate swaps. Our cash is recorded at cost, which approximates fair value, and our cash equivalents are money market funds. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we held $259.5 million and $160.4 million, respectively, in money market funds that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 1 inputs. The recorded values of accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair values based on their short-term nature. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the book value of our fixed-rate debt for each period was $350.0 million, and the fair value was estimated to be $364.7 million and $328.1 million, respectively. The difference between the book value and the fair value is derived from the difference between the period-end market interest rate and the stated rate of our fixed-rate, long-term debt. We estimated the fair value of our fixed-rate debt using quoted market prices of our debt in inactive markets (Level 2 inputs). The interest rate on our term loans is based on market conditions such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or a base rate. Because the interest rate on the term loans is based on current market conditions, we believe that the estimated fair value of the outstanding balance on our term loans approximates book value.

We are exposed to financial risks such as changes in commodity prices, interest rates, and foreign currency exchange rates. We employ a variety of practices to manage these risks, including operating and financing activities and, where deemed appropriate, the use of derivative instruments. As discussed in Note 16, Financial Instrument Risk, we use interest rate swaps to mitigate our variable interest rate exposure, the fair value of which is measured based on Level 2 inputs.

Vendor Rebates and Allowances
 
We receive rebates and allowances from our vendors under a number of different programs, including vendor marketing programs. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had $9.2 million and $9.7 million, respectively, of vendor rebates and allowances recorded in "Receivables, Other" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Rebates and allowances received from our vendors are recognized as a reduction of "Materials, labor, and other operating expenses (excluding depreciation)" when the product is sold, unless the rebates and allowances are linked to a specific incremental cost to sell a vendor's product. Amounts
received from vendors that are linked to specific selling and distribution expenses are recognized as a reduction of "Selling and distribution expenses" in the period the expense is incurred.

Foreign Currency
The functional currency for our operations outside the United States is the U.S. dollar. Nonmonetary assets and liabilities and related depreciation and amortization for these foreign operations are remeasured into U.S. dollars using historical exchange rates. Monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates as of the Consolidated Balance Sheet date. Revenue and expense items are remeasured into U.S. dollars using an average exchange rate prevailing during the year.
Leases
Our lease accounting policies are described in Note 11, Leases.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards, as measured using enacted tax rates expected to be in effect in the periods where temporary differences are expected to be realized or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
We recognize deferred tax assets to the extent that we believe that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If we determine that we would be unable to realize our deferred tax assets in the future, we would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would increase the provision for income taxes.
We review and update our tax positions as necessary to add any new uncertain tax positions taken, or to remove previously identified uncertain positions that have been adequately resolved. Additionally, uncertain positions may be remeasured as warranted by changes in facts or law. Accounting for uncertain tax positions requires estimating the amount, timing and likelihood of ultimate settlement. Although we believe that these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ from these estimates.
Inventory Valuation
     Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is based on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method of inventory valuation or average cost. Wholesale distribution inventories include costs incurred in bringing inventory to its existing location. Manufactured inventories include costs for materials, labor, and factory overhead. Log inventories include costs to harvest and deliver the logs.

Inventories included the following (work in process is not material):
 
 
 
December 31,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
 
 
(thousands)
Finished goods and work in process
 
$
413,020

 
$
441,774

Logs
 
45,574

 
54,301

Other raw materials and supplies
 
39,002

 
36,974

 
 
$
497,596

 
$
533,049



Property and Equipment
 
Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Cost includes expenditures for major improvements and replacements and the amount of interest cost associated with significant capital additions. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, an insignificant amount of interest was capitalized. We expense all repair and maintenance costs as incurred. When property and equipment are retired, sold, or otherwise disposed of, the asset's carrying amount and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in income (loss). We use the straight-line method of depreciation.

Property and equipment consisted of the following asset classes with the following general range of estimated useful lives:
 
 
 
December 31,
2019
 
December 31,
2018
 
General Range of Estimated Useful Lives in Years
 
 
(thousands)
 
 
 
 
Land
 
$
39,304

 
$
38,888

 
 
 
 
Buildings (a)
 
140,008

 
164,878

 
20
-
40
Improvements
 
61,187

 
49,509

 
10
-
15
Mobile equipment, information technology, and office furniture
 
165,445

 
150,712

 
3
-
7
Machinery and equipment
 
666,467

 
629,337

 
7
-
12
Construction in progress
 
34,846

 
31,015

 
 
 
 
 
 
1,107,257

 
1,064,339

 
 
 
 
Less accumulated depreciation
 
(630,308
)
 
(577,115
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
476,949

 
$
487,224

 
 
 
 

___________________________________ 
 
(a)
As of December 31, 2018, capital lease assets were included in the "Buildings" asset class. For additional information related to leases, see Note 11, Leases.

Long-Lived Asset Impairment

We review long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable (triggering event). An impairment of long-lived assets exists when the carrying value is not recoverable through future undiscounted cash flows from operations and when the carrying value of an asset or asset group exceeds its fair value. No triggering event was identified during the year ended December 31, 2019. For a description of the impairment losses recorded during the year ended December 31, 2018, see Note 7, Sale of Manufacturing Facilities.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Impairment

We maintain two reporting units for purposes of our goodwill impairment testing, Wood Products and Building Materials Distribution, which are the same as our operating segments discussed in Note 17, Segment Information. We test goodwill in each of our reporting units and intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment annually in the fourth quarter or sooner if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may exceed fair value. We also evaluate the remaining useful lives of our finite-lived purchased intangible assets to determine whether any adjustments to the useful lives are necessary.

We completed our annual assessment of goodwill in fourth quarter 2019 using a qualitative approach. The qualitative goodwill impairment assessment requires evaluating factors, based on the weight of evidence, to determine whether a reporting unit's carrying value would more likely than not exceed its fair value. As part of our goodwill qualitative testing process for each reporting unit, we evaluate various factors that are specific to the reporting unit as well as industry and macroeconomic factors in order to determine whether it is reasonably likely to have a material impact on the fair value of our reporting units. Based on the qualitative analysis performed in 2019, we concluded that there were no changes that were reasonably likely to cause the fair value of the reporting units to be less than the reporting units' carrying value and determined that there was no
impairment of our goodwill. In the event we were to determine that a reporting unit's carrying value would more likely than not exceed its fair value, quantitative testing would be performed comparing carrying values to estimated fair values. See Note 9, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, for additional information.

Asset Retirement Obligations

We recognize our asset retirement obligations in the period in which they are incurred if sufficient information is available to reasonably estimate the fair value of the obligation. Fair value estimates are determined using Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of our asset retirement obligations are measured using expected future cash outflows discounted using the company's credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate. When we record the liability, we capitalize the cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is accreted to its settlement value, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the liability, we will recognize a gain or loss for any difference between the settlement amount and the liability recorded.

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had $2.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively, of asset retirement obligations recorded in "Other long-term liabilities" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2019, these liabilities related primarily to landfill closure costs. The liabilities are based on the best estimate of current costs and are updated periodically to reflect current technology, laws and regulations, inflation, and other economic factors. We do not have any assets legally restricted for purposes of settling asset retirement obligations.

We have additional asset retirement obligations with indeterminate settlement dates. The fair value of these asset retirement obligations cannot be estimated due to the lack of sufficient information to estimate the settlement dates of the obligations. These asset retirement obligations include, for example, (i) removal and disposal of potentially hazardous materials on equipment and/or an operating facility if the equipment and/or facility were to undergo major maintenance, renovation, or demolition; (ii) retention ponds that may be required to be drained and/or cleaned if the related operating facility is closed; and (iii) storage sites or owned facilities for which removal and/or disposal of chemicals and other related materials are required if the operating facility is closed. We will recognize a liability in the period in which sufficient information becomes available to reasonably estimate the fair value of these obligations.

Pension Benefits

Several estimates and assumptions are required to record pension costs and liabilities, including discount rates, expected return on plan assets, expected rate of compensation increases, retirement and mortality rates, expected contributions, and other factors. We review and update these assumptions annually unless a plan curtailment or other event occurs requiring that we update the estimates on an interim basis. See Note 12, Retirement and Benefit Plans, for additional information related to our pension plan. While we believe that the assumptions used to measure our pension obligations are reasonable, differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may materially affect our pension obligations and future expense.

Deferred Software Costs

We defer internal-use software costs that benefit future years. These costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the expected life of the software, typically three to five years. "Other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets includes $4.6 million of deferred software costs at each December 31, 2019 and 2018. For each of the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, we amortized $2.0 million of deferred software costs.

Labor Concentration and Unions

As of December 31, 2019, we had approximately 6,020 employees. Approximately 23% of these employees work pursuant to collective bargaining agreements. As of December 31, 2019, we had ten collective bargaining agreements. Five agreements, covering approximately 450 employees at our Elgin plywood plant, Kettle Falls plywood plant, and Woodinville BMD facility, are set to expire on May 31, 2020. Another agreement, covering approximately 35 employees at our Vancouver BMD facility, is set to expire on December 31, 2020. During the course of negotiations, if these agreements are not renewed or extended upon their termination, we could experience a material labor disruption, strike, or significantly increased labor costs at one or more of our facilities, which could prevent us from meeting customer demand or reduce our sales and profitability.

Self-Insurance

We are self-insured for certain losses related to workers' compensation and medical claims, general and auto liability, as well as property and business interruption losses. The expected ultimate costs for claims incurred are recognized as liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are estimated based principally on an analysis of historical claims data and estimates of claims incurred but not reported. Losses are accrued and charged to operations when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. We maintain third-party stop-loss insurance policies to cover these liability costs in excess of predetermined retained amounts. Costs related to the administration of the plans and related claims are expensed as incurred. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, self-insurance related liabilities of $9.9 million and $10.0 million, respectively, were classified within "Accrued liabilities," and $10.0 million and $9.5 million, respectively, were classified within "Other long-term liabilities" on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

New and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
 
In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which is intended to reduce complexity in accounting for income taxes. This ASU removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. The updated guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effects of this ASU on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. This ASU provides guidance on implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement (CCA) that is a service contract. The guidance aligns the accounting for such costs with the guidance on capitalizing costs associated with developing or obtaining internal-use software. Specifically, the ASU amends ASC 350 to include in its scope implementation costs of a CCA that is a service contract and clarifies that a customer should apply ASC 350-40 to determine which implementation costs should be capitalized in such a CCA. The updated guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. We do not expect this guidance to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Topic 715-20): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans. This ASU amends ASC 715 to remove disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, clarifies the specific requirements of disclosures, and adds disclosure requirements identified as relevant related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The ASU's changes related to disclosures are part of the FASB's disclosure framework project. The updated guidance is effective retrospectively for annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the effects of this ASU on our disclosures in the notes to our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This ASU amends ASC 820 to remove disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, clarifies the specific requirements of disclosures, and adds disclosure requirements identified as relevant related to recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. The ASU's changes related to disclosures are part of the FASB's disclosure framework project. The updated guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. We do not expect this guidance to have a material effect on our disclosures in the notes to our consolidated financial statements.
    
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326). This ASU sets forth a "current expected credit loss" (CECL) model which requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial instruments or other assets (e.g. trade receivables), held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable supportable forecasts. This replaces the existing incurred loss model and is applicable to the measurement of credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost and applies to some off-balance sheet credit exposures. ASU 2016-13 also requires enhanced disclosures to help financial statement users better understand significant estimates and
judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of an entity's portfolio. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2019, using a modified retrospective approach. The adoption of this standard in fourth quarter of 2019 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This amendment requires a lessee to recognize a right-of-use (ROU) asset and an associated lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases (whether operating or finance
leases) with a term longer than 12 months. For leases defined as finance leases under the new standard, the lessee subsequently recognizes interest expense and amortization of the ROU asset, similar to accounting for capital leases under the previous lease standard. For leases defined as operating leases under the new standard, the lessee subsequently recognizes straight-line lease expense over the life of the lease. We adopted this standard effective January 1, 2019. The new lease standard had a material impact on our consolidated balance sheets, but did not have a material impact on our consolidated statements of operations or cash flows. The most significant impact was the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities for operating leases. See Note 11, Leases, for additional information on the impact of this standard on our accounting for leases and additional required qualitative disclosures of our lease policies.

There were no other accounting standards recently issued that had or are expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and associated disclosures.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in prior year's consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform with current year's presentation, none of which were considered material.