XML 23 R8.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.20.2

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
May 02, 2020
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract] |
Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Note 1. Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Methode Electronics, Inc. (the "Company" or "Methode") is a global developer of custom engineered and application specific products and solutions with manufacturing, design and testing facilities in Belgium, Canada, China, Egypt, Germany, India, Italy, Lebanon, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Company's primary manufacturing facilities are located in Dongguan and Shanghai, China; Cairo, Egypt; Mriehel, Malta; and Monterrey and Fresnillo, Mexico. The Company designs, manufactures and markets devices employing electrical, radio remote control, electronic, LED lighting, wireless and sensing technologies. Impact of COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the global economy, disrupted global supply chains, and created extreme volatility and disruptions to capital and credit markets in the global financial markets. The Company began to see the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic at the beginning of its fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 at its China manufacturing facilities, which were initially closed for a few weeks after the Chinese New Year. The Company’s manufacturing facilities in China resumed operations later in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, but at lower capacity utilization. However, the major impact to the Company’s business from the COVID-19 pandemic began in mid-March 2020, as the Company’s operations in North America and Europe were adversely impacted by many customers suspending their manufacturing operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, productions levels at the Company’s major North American and European manufacturing facilities were significantly reduced to well below capacity, thus impacting the Company’s results of operations during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. Some of our international locations received government assistance with respect to wages and other expenses. The amounts received were not material and have been reported as other income. The Company assessed certain accounting matters that require consideration of forecasted financial information, including, but not limited to, its allowance for credit losses, the carrying value of the Company's goodwill, intangible assets, and other long-lived assets, and valuation allowances in context with the information reasonably available to the Company and the unknown future impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic as of May 2, 2020 and through the date of this report. As a result of these assessments, there were no impairments or material increases in credit allowances or valuation allowances that impacted the Company's consolidated financial statements as of and for year ended May 2, 2020. However, the Company's future assessment of the magnitude and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as other factors, could result in material impacts to the consolidated financial statements in future reporting periods. Basis of Presentation. The Company's consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Financial Reporting Periods. The Company maintains its financial records on the basis of a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to April 30. Fiscal 2020 represented 53 weeks and ended on May 2, 2020. Fiscal 2019 and 2018 represented 52 weeks and ended on April 27, 2019 and April 28, 2018, respectively. The following discussions of comparative results among periods should be reviewed in that context. Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. Accounts receivable are customer obligations due under normal trade terms and are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based upon past transaction history with customers, customer payment practices and economic conditions. A change to the allowance for doubtful accounts may be required if a future event or other change in circumstances results in a change in the estimate of the ultimate collectability of a specific account balance. The Company does not require collateral for its accounts receivable. When a receivable balance is determined to be no longer collectible, it is written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable are generally due within 30 days to 45 days. Credit losses relating to all customers have not been material. Sales to General Motors Company ("GM") and Ford Motor Company ("Ford") in the Automotive segment, either directly or through their tiered suppliers, represented a significant portion of the Company's business. As of May 2, 2020 and April 27, 2019, combined accounts receivable from GM and Ford (including tiered suppliers) were approximately $32.4 million and $65.2 million, respectively. Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower-of-cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. Finished products and work-in-process inventories include direct material costs and direct and indirect manufacturing costs. The Company records reserves for inventory that may be obsolete or in excess of current and future market demand. See Note 5, “Inventory” for additional information. Property, Plant and Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation, with the exception of assets acquired through acquisitions, which are initially recorded at fair value. Equipment acquired under finance lease is recorded at the present value of the future minimum lease payments. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of 5 to 40 years for buildings and building improvements and 3 to 15 years for machinery and equipment. Costs of additions and major improvements are capitalized, whereas maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the life of the asset are charged to expense as incurred. See Note 6, “Property, Plant and Equipment” for additional information. Business Combinations. The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method. The purchase price of an acquired business is allocated to its identifiable assets and liabilities based on estimated fair values. Determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management’s judgment, the utilization of independent appraisal firms and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions with respect to the timing and amount of future cash flows, market rate assumptions, actuarial assumptions, and appropriate discount rates, among other items. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets. Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their useful lives. Acquisition-related costs are expensed in the periods in which the costs are incurred. The results of operations of acquired businesses are included in our consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date. See Note 4, “Acquisitions” for additional information. Goodwill. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment on at least an annual basis. Goodwill is evaluated at the reporting unit level by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount including goodwill. An impairment of goodwill exists if the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value. The impairment loss is the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. In performing the goodwill impairment test, the Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount, or if the Company elects not to perform a qualitative assessment of a reporting unit, the Company then compares the fair value of the reporting unit to the related net book value. See Note 7, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” for additional information regarding the Company’s goodwill impairment assessment for fiscal 2020. Amortizable Intangible Assets. Amortizable intangible assets consist primarily of fair values assigned to customer relationships and trade names. Amortization is recognized over the useful lives of the intangible assets, generally up to 20 years, using the straight-line method. See Note 7, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” for additional information. Impairment Long-Lived Assets. The Company continually evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred which indicate that the remaining estimated useful lives of its intangible assets, excluding goodwill, and other long-lived assets, may warrant revision or that the remaining balance of such assets may not be recoverable. If impairment indicators exist, the Company performs an impairment analysis by comparing the undiscounted cash flows resulting from the use of the asset group to the carrying amount. If the carrying amount exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recognized based on the excess of the asset’s carrying amount over its fair value. Pre-production Costs Related to Long-term Supply Arrangements. The Company incurs pre-production tooling costs related to products produced for its customers under long-term supply agreements. At May 2, 2020 and April 27, 2019, the Company had $37.1 million and $32.8 million, respectively, of pre-production tooling costs related to customer-owned tools for which reimbursement is contractually guaranteed by the customer or for which the customer has provided a non-cancelable right to use the tooling. Engineering, testing and other costs incurred in the design and development of production parts are expensed as incurred, unless the costs are reimbursable, as specified in a customer contract. At May 2, 2020 and April 27, 2019, the Company had $19.0 million and $15.0 million, respectively, of Company owned pre-production tooling, which is capitalized within property, plant and equipment. Derivative Financial Instruments. The Company recognizes derivative financial instruments on its consolidated balance sheet at fair value. The only derivative financial instruments used by the Company are cross-currency swaps which are treated as a net investment hedge. For net investment hedges, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivative are included in other comprehensive income or loss in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, and the cumulative effect is included in the stockholders’ equity section of the consolidated balance sheets. The cumulative changes in fair value are reclassified to the same line as the hedged item in the consolidated statements of income when the hedged item affects earnings. See Note 8, “Derivative Instruments” for additional information. Income Taxes. Income taxes are calculated using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial statement amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is primarily dependent upon the generation of future taxable income. In determining whether an uncertain tax position exists, the Company determines, based solely on its technical merits, whether the tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, and if so, a tax benefit is measured on a cumulative probability basis that is more likely than not to be realized upon the ultimate settlement. In determining the provision for income taxes for financial statement purposes, the Company makes certain estimates and judgments which affect its evaluation of the carrying value of its deferred tax assets, as well as its calculation of certain tax liabilities. See Note 11, “Income Taxes” for additional information. Revenue Recognition. The majority of the Company's revenue is recognized at a point in time. The Company has determined that the most definitive demonstration that control has transferred to a customer is physical shipment or delivery, depending on the contractual shipping terms, with the exception of consignment transactions. Consignment transactions are arrangements where the Company transfers product to a customer location but retains ownership and control of such product until it is used by the customer. Revenue for consignment arrangements is recognized upon the customer’s usage. Revenues associated with products which the Company believes have no alternative use, and where the Company has an enforceable right to payment, are recognized on an over time basis. In transition to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” the Company noted some customers ordered highly customized parts in which the Company was entitled to payment throughout the manufacturing process. In accordance with ASC 606, the Company has begun recognizing revenue over time for these customers as the performance obligation is satisfied. The Company believes the most faithful depiction of the transfer of goods to the customer is based on progress to date, which is typically smooth throughout the production process. As such, the Company recognizes revenue evenly over the production process through transfer of control to the customer. In addition, customers typically negotiate annual price downs. Management has evaluated these price downs and determined that in some instances, these price downs give rise to a material right. In instances that a material right exists, a portion of the transaction price is allocated to the material right and recognized over the life of the contract. Across all products, the amount of revenue recognized corresponds to the related purchase order and is adjusted for variable consideration (such as discounts). Sales and other taxes collected concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue. The Company’s performance obligations are typically short-term in nature. As a result, the Company has elected the practical expedient that provides an exemption from the disclosure requirements regarding information about remaining performance obligations on contracts that have original expected durations of one year or less. Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs. Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are included in net sales, and the related costs are included in cost of products sold. Foreign Currency Translation. The functional currencies of the majority of the Company's foreign subsidiaries are their local currencies. The results of operations of these foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using average monthly rates, while the assets and liabilities are translated using period-end exchange rates. The resulting translation adjustments are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss. Exchange gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the foreign subsidiary are included in the consolidated statements of income in other income, net. Government Grants. The Company recognizes grant income in other income, net in the consolidated statements of income when it is considered that there is reasonable assurance that the grant will be received and the necessary qualifying conditions, as stated in the grant agreement, are met. The international government grants are generally paid over a period of years and are recorded at amortized cost on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. As of May 2, 2020 and April 27, 2019, grant receivables outstanding (both current and long-term) were $18.7 million and $10.6 million, respectively. Additionally, as of May 2, 2020 and April 27, 2019, the Company has no deferred grant income. Research and Development Costs. Costs associated with the enhancement of existing products and the development of new products are charged to expense when incurred. Research and development expenses primarily relate to product engineering and design and development expenses and are classified as a component of cost of goods sold on the consolidated statements of income. Research and development costs were $34.9 million, $41.2 million and $37.9 million for fiscal 2020, fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, respectively. Stock-Based Compensation. The Company recognizes compensation expense for the cost of awards of equity compensation using a fair value method in accordance with ASC 718, "Stock-based Compensation." See Note 13, "Shareholders’ Equity," for additional information. Product Warranty. The Company’s warranties are standard, assurance-type warranties only. The Company does not offer any additional service or extended term warranties to its customers. As such, warranty obligations are accrued when its probable that a liability has been incurred and the related amounts are reasonably estimable. Fair Value. ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurement," provides a framework for measuring f air value, which 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 ASC 820 requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs. The Company groups assets and liabilities at fair value in three levels as follows:
| • | Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
| • | Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
| • | Level 3 - Unobservable inputs in which little or no market activity exists, requiring the Company to develop its own assumptions that market participants would use to value the asset or liability.
Assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. The Company reviews the fair value hierarchy classification on a quarterly basis. Changes to the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification of levels for certain securities within the fair value hierarchy. The carrying values of the Company's short-term financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, approximate their fair values because of the short maturity of these instruments. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-02, “Leases,” which amended authoritative guidance on leases and is codified in ASC 842. The amended guidance requires entities to record most leased assets and liabilities on the balance sheet, and also retains a dual model approach for assessing lease classification and recognizing expense. The FASB subsequently issued updates to provide clarification on specific topics, including adoption guidance, practical expedients and interim transition disclosure requirements. The Company adopted the standard on April 28, 2019, by applying the modified retrospective method without restatement of comparative periods' financial information, as permitted by the transition guidance. Accordingly, the Company has provided disclosures required by prior lease guidance for comparative periods. The adoption of this standard resulted in the recognition of right-of-use assets of $27.6 million and related lease obligations of $28.1 million as of April 28, 2019. The standard did not have a significant impact on the Company's operating results or cash flows. The Company elected certain practical expedients, including the election not to reassess its prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs, as well as the election not to separate lease and non-lease components for arrangements where the Company is a lessee. Lastly, the Company elected to recognize a right-of-use asset and related lease liability for leases with a lease term of 12 months or less for all classes of underlying assets. The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease at inception. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For purposes of calculating operating lease obligations under the standard, the Company's lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise such option. The Company's leases do not contain material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. The discount rate used to measure a lease obligation should be the rate implicit in the lease; however, the Company’s operating leases generally do not provide an implicit rate. Accordingly, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate at lease commencement to determine the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is an entity-specific rate which represents the rate of interest a lessee would pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term with similar payments. See Note 3, "Leases," for additional information. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities,” which is intended to better align risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships. The standard 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 as the hedged item. It also eases certain documentation and assessment requirements. The Company adopted ASU 2017-12 as of April 28, 2019 and the adoption had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, "Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income." The amendments in this update allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from U.S. Tax Reform’s reduction of the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate. The Company adopted ASU 2018-02 as of April 28, 2019 and the adoption had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326) - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” The new standard requires the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost. It replaces the existing incurred loss impairment model with an expected loss methodology, which will result in more timely recognition of credit losses. The standard will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. The Company does not expect that the adoption of the standard will have a material impact on the Company’s 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." The guidance in ASU 2018-15 clarifies the accounting for implementation costs in cloud computing arrangements. The standard will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. The Company does not expect that the adoption of the standard will have a material impact on the Company’s 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." The guidance in ASU 2018-13 changes disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements as part of the disclosure framework project. The disclosure framework project aims to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to the financial statements by focusing on requirements that clearly communicate the most important information to users of the financial statements. The standard will be effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. The Company does not expect that the adoption of the standard will have a material impact on the disclosures to the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, "Income Taxes - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740)," which simplifies the accounting for income taxes. The new guidance removes certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC 740, such as recognizing deferred taxes for equity investments, the incremental approach to performing intraperiod tax allocation and calculating income taxes in interim periods. The standard also simplifies accounting for income taxes under GAAP by clarifying and amending existing guidance, including the recognition of deferred taxes for goodwill, the allocation of taxes to members of a consolidated group and requiring that an entity reflect the effect of enacted changes in tax laws or rates in the annual effective tax rate computation in the interim period that includes the enactment date. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods thereafter; however, early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of standard on its consolidated financial statements. In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR or another rate that is expected to be discontinued. ASU 2020-04 will be in effect through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of standard on its consolidated financial statements.

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The entire disclosure for organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 205 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2122149 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2197479 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OrganizationConsolidationAndPresentationOfFinancialStatementsDisclosureTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration