DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business

Titan International, Inc. and its subsidiaries (Titan or the Company) are leading manufacturers of wheels, tires, and undercarriage systems and components for off-highway vehicles used in the agricultural, earthmoving/construction, and consumer segments. Titan manufactures both wheels and tires for the majority of these market applications, allowing the Company to provide the value-added service of delivering complete wheel and tire assemblies. The Company offers a broad range of products that are manufactured to meet the specifications of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and/or the requirements of aftermarket customers.

Principles of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all majority-owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities in which Titan is the primary beneficiary. Investments in companies in which Titan does not own a majority interest and Titan has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies are accounted for using the equity method. Investments in other companies are carried at cost. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The Company consolidates the Voltyre-Prom subsidiary for which it acts as operating partner. See Note 13 for additional information.

Cash and cash equivalents

The Company considers short-term debt securities with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The cash in the Company's U.S. banks is not fully insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company had $61.1 million and $57.8 million of cash in foreign bank accounts at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company's cash in its foreign bank accounts is not fully insured.

Certificates of deposit

The certificates of deposit financial line item includes certificates of deposit with an original maturity of more than three months but less than one year.

Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts

The Company carries its accounts receivable at their face amounts less an allowance for doubtful accounts. An allowance for uncollectible receivables is recorded based upon known bad debt risks and past loss history. Actual collection experience may differ from the current estimate of net receivables.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. The majority of the Company's inventories were valued under the first in, first out (FIFO) method or average cost method. Approximately 7% and 8% of the Company's inventories at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, were valued under the last in, first out (LIFO) method. The majority of the steel inventory in North America is accounted for under the LIFO method. Market value is estimated based on current selling prices. Estimated provisions are established for slow-moving and obsolete inventory.

Fixed assets

Property, plant, and equipment have been recorded at cost. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives of the related assets:



	Years
Building and improvements	25 - 40
Machinery and equipment	7 - 20
Tools, dies, and molds	2 - 9

Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. When property, plant, and equipment are retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are eliminated, and any gain or loss on disposition is included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Interest is capitalized on fixed asset projects which are constructed over a period of time. The amount of interest capitalized is determined by applying a weighted average interest rate to the average amount of accumulated expenditures for the asset during the period. The interest rate used is based on the rates applicable to borrowings outstanding during the period. Interest capitalized was $1.2 million, $0.8 million, and $0.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

Fair value of financial instruments

The Company records all financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, certificates of deposit, accounts receivable, notes receivable, accounts payable, other accruals, and notes payable at cost, which approximates fair value due to their short term or stated rates. Investments in marketable equity securities are recorded at fair value. The 6.875% senior secured notes due 2020 (senior secured notes) and 5.625% convertible senior subordinated notes due 2017 (convertible notes) are carried at cost of $400.0 million and $60.2 million at December 31, 2016, respectively. The fair value of the senior secured notes due 2020 at December 31, 2016, as obtained through an independent pricing source, was approximately $392.0 million.

Impairment of long-lived assets

The Company reviews long-lived assets to assess recoverability from future operations whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying values may not be recoverable. Impairment losses are recognized in operating results when expected undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset. Impairment losses are measured as the excess of the carrying value of the asset over the estimated fair value of the asset.

As a result of current operating losses combined with a history of operating losses, the Company determined that events and circumstances indicated that the carrying value of fixed assets may not be recoverable for two asset groups in the fourth quarter of 2016 and one asset group in the fourth quarter of 2015. These asset groups were reviewed for recoverability, however after the Company’s analysis no impairment was identified. As a result of the continued mining downturn combined with a history of operating losses, the Company determined in the second quarter of 2016, that the carrying value of the fixed assets at the Bryan, Ohio location may not be recoverable, however after the Company’s analysis no impairment was identified.

Investments

The Company had an equity method investment of $40.8 million in Wheels India Limited as of December 31, 2016, representing a 34.2% ownership. This equity method investment is included in other long-term assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The value of this investment based on the December 31, 2016, market price was $70.3 million. The Company assesses the carrying value of its equity method investments whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying values may not be recoverable. Investment write-downs, if necessary, are recognized in operating results when expected undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset. These write-downs, if any, are measured as the excess of the carrying value of the asset over the discounted expected future cash flows or the estimated fair value of the asset.

The Company uses the cost method to account for investments in entities that are not consolidated or accounted for under the equity method. Under the cost method, investments are reported at cost in other long-term assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair values of cost method investments are not estimated if there are no identified events or changes in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair values of the investments.

Foreign currency translation

The financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated to United States currency. Assets and liabilities are translated to United States dollars at period-end exchange rates. Income and expense items are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the period. Translation adjustments are included in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in stockholders’ equity. Gains and losses that result from foreign currency transactions are included in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Impairment of goodwill

The Company reviews goodwill to assess recoverability from future operations during the fourth quarter of each annual reporting period and whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying values may not be recoverable. In the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company recorded a non-cash charge for the impairment of goodwill of $36.6 million on both a pre-tax and after-tax basis. The charge included $11.4 million of earthmoving/construction goodwill related to the acquisition of Titan Australia; $9.6 million of agricultural goodwill related to the acquisition of the Latin America farm tire business; and $15.6 million of goodwill related to the acquisition of Voltyre-Prom. The Voltyre-Prom goodwill included $11.0 million in the agricultural segment, $2.6 million in the earthmoving/construction segment, and $2.0 million in the consumer segment. The Company had no remaining goodwill after the impairment. See Note 19 for additional information.

Revenue recognition

The Company records sales revenue when products are shipped to customers and both title and the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred. Provisions are established for sales returns and uncollectible accounts based on historical experience. Should trends change, adjustments would be necessary to the estimated provisions.

Cost of sales

Cost of sales is comprised primarily of direct materials and supplies consumed in the manufacturing of the Company’s products, as well as manufacturing labor, depreciation expense, and overhead expense necessary to acquire and convert the purchased materials and supplies into a finished product. Cost of sales also includes all purchasing, receiving, inspection, internal transfers, and related distribution costs.

Selling, general, and administrative expense

Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A) expense is comprised primarily of sales commissions, marketing expense, selling, and administrative wages, information system costs, legal fees, bank charges, professional fees, depreciation and amortization expense on non-manufacturing assets, and other administrative items.

Research and development expense

Research and development (R&D) expenses are expensed as incurred. R&D costs were $10.0 million, $11.2 million, and $14.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

Advertising

Advertising expenses are included in SG&A expense and are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs were approximately $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2016, and approximately $3.8 million and $4.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Warranty costs

The Company provides limited warranties on workmanship on its products in all market segments. The provision for estimated warranty costs is made in the period when such costs become probable and is based on past warranty experience. See Note 9 for additional information.

Income taxes

Deferred income tax provisions are determined using the liability method to recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities. This method is based upon differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the respective tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates that are expected to apply in the years the temporary differences are expected to be settled or realized. Valuation allowances are recorded where it is considered more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Tax benefits are recognized only for tax positions that are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities.

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share (EPS) is computed by dividing consolidated net earnings applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing adjusted consolidated net earnings applicable to common shareholders by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and the weighted average number of potential common shares outstanding. Potential common shares consist of outstanding options under the Company’s stock compensation plans and shares issuable upon conversion of the Company’s convertible notes.

Environmental liabilities

Environmental expenditures that relate to current operations are expensed or capitalized as appropriate. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations and that do not contribute to current or future revenue are expensed. Liabilities are recorded when environmental assessments and/or remedial efforts are probable and can be reasonably estimated.

Stock-based compensation

The Company has one stock-based compensation plan, which is described in Note 24. Compensation expense for stock-based compensation is recognized over the requisite service period at the estimated fair value of the award at the grant date. The Company granted 60,000; 60,000; and 59,000 stock options in 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. The Company granted 123,500 and 10,000 restricted stock awards in 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company did not grant any restricted stock awards in 2016.

Use of estimates

The policies utilized by the Company in the preparation of the financial statements conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and require management to make estimates, assumptions, and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, and 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. Actual amounts could differ from these estimates and assumptions.

Changes in Accounting Principle

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-03, "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs" effective for the year ended December 31, 2016. This update amended existing guidance to require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. As a result of adopting this update, $5 million of debt issuance cost was reclassified from other long-term assets to long-term debt as of December 31, 2015.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)." This update supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. The core principle of this guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance also requires disclosure about the nature, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The amendments in this update were deferred by ASU No. 2015-14, "Revenue form Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) Deferral of Effective Date," and are now effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. The Company is in the process of comparing its current revenue recognition policies to the requirements of ASU No. 2014-09. For the majority of Titan’s revenue arrangements, no significant impacts are expected as these transactions are not accounted for under industry-specific guidance that will be superseded by ASU No. 2014-09 and generally consist of a single performance obligation to transfer promised goods or services. While the Company has not identified any material differences in the amount and timing of revenue recognition related to ASU No. 2014-09, the evaluation is not complete and Titan has not concluded on the overall impacts of adopting ASU No. 2014-09. The guidance provides for adoption either retrospectively to each prior reporting period or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The Company plans to make a determination as to its method of adoption once it more fully completes its evaluation of the impacts of the standard on its revenue recognition and it is better able to evaluate the cost-benefit of each method. The Company believes it is following an appropriate timeline to allow for proper recognition, presentation, and disclosure upon adoption in the year beginning on January 1, 2018.

In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, "Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing." This ASU clarifies the following aspects of Topic 606: identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, "Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients." This ASU affects only narrow aspects of Topic 606 related to assessing the collectability criterion; presentation of sales tax; noncash consideration; and contract modifications and completed contracts at transition. The amendments in these updates affect the guidance in ASU No. 2014-09, and the effective dates are the same as those for ASU No. 2014-09.

In December 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-20, "Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers." The amendments in this update affect narrow aspects of the guidance issued in ASU No. 2014-09, and the effective dates are the same as those for ASU No. 2014-09.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, "Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory." This update provides that an entity should measure inventory within the scope of the update at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The amendments in this update are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this new accounting guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, "Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." This update addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this new accounting guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)." This update was issued to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this new accounting guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-07, "Simplifying the Transition to Equity Method of Accounting." This update eliminates the requirement to retroactively adopt the equity method of accounting when an investment qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of the increase in the level of ownership. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, including interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting." This update involves several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, "Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments." This update addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, "Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets other than Inventory." This update requires the recognition of income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this new accounting guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, "Clarifying the Definition of a Business." The amendments in this update provide a screen to determine when a set of assets and activities is not a business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. The Company is currently assessing the impact that adopting this new accounting guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Reclassification

The Company implemented new technology resources which has allowed more accurate segregation of sales and profit by segment in 2016. The segment information included in the Company's consolidated financial statements for 2015 and 2014 has been updated to be consistent. As a result of the reclassification, the 2015 segment sales for the agricultural segment decreased by $71.9 million, earthmoving/construction increased $61.1 million, and consumer increased by $10.8 million. The 2014 reclassification decreased segment sales for the agricultural segment by $92.8 million, increased earthmoving/construction by $74.1 million, and increased consumer by $18.7 million.