Principles of consolidation and use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Energy Steel, located in Lapeer, Michigan, and Graham Vacuum and Heat Transfer Technology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., located in China.  All intercompany balances, transactions and profits are eliminated in consolidation.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the related revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual amounts could differ from those estimated.

Revenue recognition

Percentage-of-Completion Method

The Company recognizes revenue on all contracts with a planned manufacturing process in excess of four weeks (which approximates 575 direct labor hours) using the percentage-of-completion method.  The majority of the Company's revenue is recognized under this methodology.  The Company has established the systems and procedures essential to developing the estimates required to account for contracts using the percentage-of-completion method.  The percentage-of-completion method is determined by comparing actual labor incurred to a specific date to management's estimate of the total labor to be incurred on each contract or completion of operational milestones assigned to each contract.

Contracts in progress are reviewed monthly by management, and sales and earnings are adjusted in current accounting periods based on revisions in the contract value and estimated costs at completion.  Losses on contracts are recognized immediately when evident to management.  Revenue recognized on contracts accounted for utilizing percentage-of-completion are presented in net sales in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and unbilled revenue in the Consolidated Balance Sheets to the extent that the revenue recognized exceeds the amounts billed to customers.  See "Inventories" below.

Receivables billed but not paid under retainage provisions in its customer contracts were $1,124 and $971 at March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Completed Contract Method

Revenue on contracts not accounted for using the percentage-of-completion method is recognized utilizing the completed contract method.  The majority of the Company's contracts (as opposed to revenue) have a planned manufacturing process of less than four weeks and the results reported under this method do not vary materially from the percentage-of-completion method.  The Company recognizes revenue and all related costs on these contracts upon substantial completion or shipment to the customer.  Substantial completion is consistently defined as at least 95% complete with regard to direct labor hours.  Customer acceptance is generally required throughout the construction process and the Company has no further material obligations under its contracts after the revenue is recognized.

Shipping and handling fees and costs

Shipping and handling fees billed to the customer are recorded in net sales and the related costs incurred for shipping and handling are included in cost of products sold.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, using the average cost method.  Unbilled revenue in the Consolidated Balance Sheets represents revenue recognized that has not been billed to customers on contracts accounted for on the percentage-of-completion method.  For contracts accounted for on the percentage-of-completion method, progress payments are netted against unbilled revenue to the extent the payment is less than the unbilled revenue for the applicable contract.  Progress payments exceeding unbilled revenue are netted against inventory to the extent the payment is less than or equal to the inventory balance relating to the applicable contract, and the excess is presented as customer deposits in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

A summary of costs and estimated earnings on contracts in progress at March 31, 2018 and 2017 is as follows:

The above activity is included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets under the following captions at March 31, 2018 and 2017 or Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements:

Business combinations

The Company records its business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting.  Under the acquisition method of accounting, the Company allocates the purchase price of each acquisition to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values at the date of acquisition.  The fair value of identifiable intangible assets is based upon detailed valuations that use various assumptions made by management.  Any excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired is allocated to goodwill.  Direct acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred.

Impairment of long-lived assets

The Company assesses the impairment of definite-lived long-lived assets or asset groups when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.  Factors that are considered in deciding when to perform an impairment review include: a significant decrease in the market price of the asset or asset group; a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset or asset group is being used or in its physical condition; an accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or construction; a current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset or asset group; or a current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset or asset group will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life.  The term more likely than not refers to a level of likelihood that is more than 50%.

Recoverability potential is measured by comparing the carrying amount of the asset or asset group to its related total future undiscounted cash flows.  If the carrying value is not recoverable through related cash flows, the asset or asset group is considered to be impaired.  Impairment is measured by comparing the asset or asset group's carrying amount to its fair value.  When it is determined that useful lives of assets are shorter than originally estimated, and no impairment is present, the rate of depreciation is accelerated in order to fully depreciate the assets over their new shorter useful lives.

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are tested annually for impairment as of December 31.  The Company assesses goodwill for impairment by comparing the fair value of its reporting units to their carrying amounts.  If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the implied fair value of the goodwill within the reporting unit is less than its carrying value.  Fair values for reporting units are determined based on discounted cash flows.  Indefinite lived intangible assets are assessed for impairment by comparing the fair value of the asset to its carrying value.

Research and development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.  The Company incurred research and development costs of $3,211, $3,863 and $3,746 in fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, respectively.  Research and development costs are included in the line item “Cost of products sold” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Stock-based compensation

The Company records compensation costs related to stock-based awards based on the estimated fair value of the award on the grant date.  Compensation cost is recognized in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations over the applicable vesting period.  The Company uses the Black-Scholes valuation model as the method for determining the fair value of its stock option awards.  For service and performance based restricted stock awards, the fair market value of the award is determined based upon the closing value of the Company's stock price on the grant date.  The fair market value of market-based performance restricted stock awards is determined using the Monte Carlo valuation model.  The amount of stock-based compensation expense recognized during a period is based on the portion of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest.  The Company estimates the forfeiture rate at the grant date by analyzing historical data and revises the estimates in subsequent periods if the actual forfeiture rate differs from the estimates.

Cash flow statement

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Interest paid was $12 in fiscal 2018, $10 in fiscal 2017, and $10 in fiscal 2016.  In addition, income taxes paid were $1,916 in fiscal 2018, $951 in fiscal 2017 and $5,423 in fiscal 2016.

In fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, non-cash activities included pension and other postretirement benefit adjustments, net of income tax, of $(1,668), $(2,493) and $1,470, respectively.  In fiscal 2018, non-cash activities included the reclassification of $1,828 from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”).  Also, in fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, non-cash activities included the issuance of treasury stock valued at $130, $241 and $255, respectively, to the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan (See Note 11).

At March 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, there were $0, $4, and $53, respectively, of capital purchases that were recorded in accounts payable and are not included in the caption "Purchase of property, plant and equipment" in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.  In fiscal 2018, fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016, capital expenditures totaling $0, $95 and $126, respectively, were financed through the issuance of capital leases.

Fair value measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e. the "exit price") in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  The accounting standard for fair value establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available.  Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company.  Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company's assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.  The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows:

Level 1 – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access.  Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these products does not entail a significant degree of judgment.

Level 2 – Valuations determined from quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical instruments in markets that are not active or by model-based techniques in which all significant inputs are observable in the market.

Level 3 – Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.  The degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.

The availability of observable inputs can vary and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, the type of asset/liability, whether the asset/liability is established in the marketplace, and other characteristics particular to the transaction.  To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment.  In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy.  In such cases, for disclosure purposes the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of a market participant rather than an entity-specific measure.  Therefore, even when market assumptions are not readily available, assumptions are required to reflect those that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.

Accounting and reporting changes

In the normal course of business, management evaluates all new accounting pronouncements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), the Emerging Issues Task Force, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants or any other authoritative accounting body to determine the potential impact they may have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers."  This guidance establishes principles for reporting information about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from a company’s contracts with customers.  The guidance requires companies to apply a five-step model when recognizing revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services.  The guidance also includes a comprehensive set of disclosure requirements regarding revenue recognition.  The guidance allows two methods of adoption: (1) a full retrospective approach where historical financial information is presented in accordance with the new standard and (2) a modified retrospective approach where the guidance is applied to the most current period presented in the financial statements.  In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No 2015-14 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date," which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with earlier application permitted as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016.  In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)," to clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent.  In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing," which clarifies the identifying performance obligations and licensing implementation guidance.  In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-12, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606):  Narrow Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients," which clarifies the implementation guidance related to collectability, presentation of sales tax, noncash consideration, contract modifications and completed contracts at transition.  

The Company will adopt these standards using the modified retrospective approach on April 1, 2018.  The Company developed a project plan, completed the review of its customer contracts and has evaluated the impact of the guidance on its revenue.  The Company believes that the most significant impact of adopting the guidance is the timing of revenue recognition. The Company believes that revenue on the majority of its contracts will continue to be recognized upon shipment while revenue on its larger contracts will be recognized over time as these contracts meet specific criteria established in the new standards.  The Company will utilize an input method based upon direct labor hours incurred or an output method based upon completion of operational milestones, depending upon the nature of the contract, to measure progress towards completion on contracts for which revenue is recognized over time.  On April 1, 2018 the Company will recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying the amended guidance as a decrease of approximately $1,000 to the opening balance of retained earnings, due primarily to a delay in recognizing $5,000 of net sales. The Company does not expect that the ongoing impact to net sales and net income will be material to the Consolidated Statement of Operations, however, the future impact of the amended guidance is dependent upon the mix and nature of specific customer contracts.  Under the existing guidance, progress payments exceeding unbilled revenue are netted against inventory to the extent the payment is less than or equal to the inventory balance relating to the applicable contract and the excess is presented as customer deposits, however, upon adoption of the amended guidance all progress payments exceeding unbilled revenue will be presented as customer deposits.  The Company continues to implement changes to its business processes and controls to support the recognition and disclosure requirements under the new guidance.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, "Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory," which simplifies the subsequent measurement of inventory by requiring inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and 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.  This ASU is effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company adopted the new guidance in fiscal 2018.  The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)," which requires companies to recognize all leases as assets and liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.  This ASU retains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases, and the classification criteria for distinguishing between finance leases and operating leases are substantially similar to the classification criteria for distinguishing between capital leases and operating leases in the current accounting guidance.  As a result, the effect of leases on the consolidated statement of comprehensive income and the consolidated statement of cash flows is largely unchanged from previous generally accepted accounting principles.  The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  Earlier application is permitted. The Company believes the adoption of this ASU may have a material impact on its assets and liabilities due to the addition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities to its Consolidated Balance Sheet, however, it does not expect the guidance to have a material impact on its Consolidated Statement of Operations or Cash Flows.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting."  ASU 2016-09 changes how companies account for certain aspects of share-based payment awards to employees, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows.  ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those annual periods.  The Company adopted the new guidance in fiscal 2018.  The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230)," which clarifies the presentation and classification of eight specific issues on the cash flow statement.  This ASU is effective for public businesses for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU will have a material affect on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, "Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715)," which amended its guidance related to the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost.  The amended guidance requires the service cost component be disaggregated from the other components of net benefit cost.  The service cost component of expense is required to be reported in the income statement in the same line item as other compensation costs within income from operations.  The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented separately from the service cost component outside of income from operations.  This ASU is effective for public businesses for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this ASU will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, "Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income," which allows for the reclassification of certain income tax effects related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") between accumulated other comprehensive loss and retained earnings.  The amendments eliminate the stranded tax effects that were created as a result of the reduction of the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate.  This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted.  Adoption of this ASU is to be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change in the tax laws or rates were recognized.  The Company elected to early adopt this ASU in fiscal 2018 and as a result reclassified $1,828 from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Management does not expect any other recently issued accounting pronouncements, which have not already been adopted, to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.