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Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Apr. 27, 2024
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 leading global supplier of custom engineered solutions with sales, engineering and manufacturing locations in North America, Europe, Middle East and Asia. The Company designs, engineers and produces mechatronic products for Original Equipment Manufacturers (“OEMs”) utilizing its broad range of technologies for user interface, light-emitting diode (“LED”) lighting system, power distribution and sensor applications. The Company’s solutions are found in the end markets of transportation (including automotive, commercial vehicle, e-bike, aerospace, bus and rail), cloud computing infrastructure, construction equipment and consumer appliance. 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 2024 ended on April 27, 2024, fiscal 2023 ended on April 29, 2023 and fiscal 2022 ended on April 30, 2022, and each represented 52 weeks of results. Basis of presentation. The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company and its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Reclassifications. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. 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. These estimates and assumptions are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty and may change, as new events occur, and additional information is obtained. As a result, actual results may differ from previously estimated amounts, and such differences may be material to the consolidated financial statements. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected in the period they occur. Cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less. Highly liquid investments include money market funds which are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. As of April 27, 2024 and April 29, 2023, the Company had a balance of $73.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively, in money market accounts. 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 Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based on the current expected credit loss impairment model. The Company applies a historical loss rate based on historic write-offs to aging categories. The historical loss rate is adjusted for current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future losses as necessary. The Company may also record a specific reserve for individual accounts when it becomes aware of specific customer circumstances, such as in the case of a bankruptcy filing or deterioration in the customer’s operating results or financial position. The allowance for doubtful accounts balance was $1.4 million and $1.3 million as of April 27, 2024 and April 29, 2023, respectively. Concentration of credit risk. Financial assets that subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents, derivative contracts, and accounts receivable. The Company’s counterparties for cash equivalents and derivative contracts are banks and financial institutions that meet the Company’s requirement of high credit standing. However, the balances with U.S. financial institutions often exceed the amount of insurance provided on such accounts by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. For accounts receivable, the Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of nonpayment by customers. The Company generally does not require collateral, but rather performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and adjusts credit limits based upon payment history and the customers’ current credit worthiness. The following customers in the Automotive segment accounted for more than 10% of net sales:
|  | Fiscal Year Ended |
|  | April 27, 2024 |  |  | April 29, 2023 |  |  | April 30, 2022 |
Customer A |  |  | 14.6 | % |  |  | 18.7 | % |  |  | 23.3 | %
Customer B |  | * |  |  |  | 10.8 | % |  | * |
* less than 10% At April 27, 2024 and April 29, 2023, no customer accounted for greater than 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable. 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 a 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. Assets held for sale. The Company classifies long-lived assets to be sold as held for sale in the period in which all of the required criteria under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 360 “Impairment or disposal of long-lived assets” are met. The Company initially measures a long-lived asset that is classified as held for sale at the lower of its carrying value or fair value less any costs to sell. Any loss resulting from this measurement is recognized in the period in which the held-for-sale criteria are met. Conversely, gains are not recognized on the sale of a long-lived asset until the date of sale. Upon determining that a long-lived asset meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale, the Company ceases depreciation and reports long-lived assets as “Assets held for sale” on the consolidated balance sheets. Assets held for sale at April 27, 2024 are non-core assets in the Automotive and Corporate segments. 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 the consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date. See Note 3, “Acquisition and Disposition” for additional information. Goodwill. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment on at least an annual basis as of the beginning of the fourth quarter each year, or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exists. 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 may first assess qualitative factors to determine whether 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 2024. 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 of long-lived assets. The Company 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. See Note 4, “Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges” for additional information. 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 arrangements. Engineering, testing and other costs incurred in the design and development of production parts are expensed as incurred, unless the costs are reimbursable by the customer. As of April 27, 2024 and April 29, 2023, the Company had $44.1 million and $36.1 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. Costs for molds, dies and other tools used in products produced for its customers under long-term supply arrangements for which the Company has title are capitalized in property, plant and equipment and depreciated over the shorter of the life of the arrangement or over the estimated useful life of the assets. Company owned tooling was $14.0 million and $12.2 million as of April 27, 2024 and April 29, 2023, respectively. Leases. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent its obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company estimates the incremental borrowing rate to discount the lease payments based on information available at lease commencement. 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 options. The Company utilizes 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. The Company elects 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. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. See Note 16, “Leases” for additional information. Derivative financial instruments. The Company uses derivative financial instruments, including swaps and forward contracts, to manage exposures to changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates. The Company does not enter into or hold derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. See Note 8, “Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities” for additional information. Redeemable noncontrolling interest. The Company reports noncontrolling interests in the mezzanine (“temporary equity”) section, between liabilities and equity, of the consolidated balance sheets, to the extent that such noncontrolling interests have redemption features that are not solely within the control of the Company. The carrying amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interest, initially valued at fair value as part of acquisition accounting, is adjusted each reporting period to equal the greater of the (i) redemption value or (ii) carrying value of the noncontrolling interest, adjusted each reporting period for income or loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest and any distributions made to date. See Note 3, “Acquisition and Disposition” 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. Revenue is recognized in accordance with ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” Revenue is measured based on consideration specified in a contract with a customer. The Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control over a product or service to a customer. From time to time, customers may 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. See Note 2, “Revenue” for further information. 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 selling and administrative expense. Restructuring expense. Restructuring expense includes costs directly associated with exit or disposal activities. Such costs include employee severance and termination benefits, asset impairment charges, contract termination fees, and other exit or disposal costs. Employee termination benefits are accrued upon the commitment to a termination plan and when the benefit arrangement is communicated to affected employees, or when liabilities are determined to be probable and estimable. Asset impairment charges relate to the impairment of ROU lease assets and equipment. Contract termination costs are recorded when notification of termination is given to the other party. See Note 4, “Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges” for additional information. 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 recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”). Gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency, except certain long-term intercompany transactions, are included in the consolidated statements of operations in other income, net. Net foreign exchange losses were $2.2 million, $7.1 million and $1.9 million for fiscal 2024, fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, respectively. Government incentives and grants. From time to time, the Company receives government grants in the form of cash grants and other incentives in return for past or future compliance with certain conditions. The Company accounts for funds received from government grants by analogy to International Accounting Standards 20, “Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance.” Accordingly, the Company recognizes government grants in the consolidated statements of operations when there is reasonable assurance that it will comply with the conditions associated with the grant and the grants will be received. Government grants are recorded in the consolidated financial statements in accordance with their purpose as a reduction of expenses, a reduction of asset costs, or other income. Incentives related to specific operating activities are offset against the related expense in the period the expense is incurred. The Company recorded $0.5 million and $9.7 million of government grants as other income, net in fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, respectively. The Company recorded $0.3 million and $0.6 million of government grants as a reduction of cost of goods sold and selling and administrative expense in fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, respectively. Some government grants are paid over a period of years and are recorded at amortized cost on the consolidated balance sheets. As of April 27, 2024 and April 29, 2023, grant receivables outstanding were $12.3 million and $17.8 million, respectively. The short-term and long-term portion of grant receivables are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets within accounts receivable, net and other long-term assets, respectively. 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 operations. Research and development costs were $49.1 million, $35.0 million and $35.7 million for fiscal 2024, fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, 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. Related party transactions. The Company identifies related party transactions for disclosure in accordance with ASC 850, “Related Party Disclosures.” See Note 17, “Related Party Transactions” for additional information. Fair value measurement. ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” provides a framework for measuring fair 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 for similar assets or liabilities adjusted for terms specific to the asset or liability; • 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 assets and liabilities 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 October 2021, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2021-08, “Business Combinations (Topic 805) – Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers,” which requires contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination to be recognized and measured at the acquisition date in accordance with ASC 606, as if the acquirer had originated the contracts. Prior to the issuance of this ASU, contract assets and liabilities were recognized at fair value on the acquisition date. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of fiscal 2024 on a prospective basis. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements or related disclosures and is only applicable to future business acquisitions. New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures,” which requires public entities to disclose information about their reportable segments’ significant expenses on an interim and annual basis. ASU 2023-07 will become effective for the Company’s annual reports beginning in fiscal 2025, and interim period reports beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 on a retrospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this ASU will result in increased disclosures for the Company’s segments. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” ASU No. 2023-09 requires disaggregated information about a reporting entity’s effective tax rate reconciliation as well as information on income tax paid. ASU No. 2023-09 will become effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 and will be applied on a prospective basis, with a retrospective option. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the ASU on its income tax disclosures. Recent Securities and Exchange Commission Final Rules Not Yet Effective In March 2024, the SEC adopted new rules that will require registrants to disclose certain climate-related information in their annual reports and registration statements. The Company will be subject to the applicable requirements of the final rule in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 1, 2027. In April 2024, the SEC exercised its discretion to stay these rules pending the completion of judicial review of consolidated petitions challenging the validity of the rules. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of these rules in light of those legal challenges.

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