Note 1 - The Company and Its Accounting Policies:

Graham Corporation, and its operating subsidiaries, (together, the "Company"), is a global designer, manufacturer and supplier of vacuum and heat transfer equipment used in the chemical, petrochemical, petroleum refining, and electric power generating industries.  Energy Steel & Supply Co. ("Energy Steel"), a wholly-owned subsidiary, is a nuclear code accredited fabrication and specialty machining company which provides products to the commercial nuclear utility industry. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019, the Company established Graham India Private Limited ("GIPL") as a wholly-owned subsidiary.  GIPL, located in Ahmedabad, India, serves as a sales and market development office focusing on the refining, petrochemical and fertilizer markets.  The Company's significant accounting policies are set forth below.

The Company's fiscal years ended March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 are referred to as "fiscal 2019," "fiscal 2018" and "fiscal 2017," respectively.

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

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Energy Steel, located in Lapeer, Michigan, Graham Vacuum and Heat Transfer Technology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd., located in China, and GIPL, located in India.  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.

Translation of foreign currencies

Assets and liabilities of the Company's foreign subsidiary are translated into U.S. dollars at currency exchange rates in effect at year-end and revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates in effect for the year.  Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in results of operations. The Company's sales and purchases in foreign currencies are minimal.  Therefore, foreign currency transaction gains and losses are not significant.  Gains and losses resulting from translation of foreign subsidiary balance sheets are included in a separate component of stockholders' equity.  Translation adjustments are not adjusted for income taxes since they relate to an investment, which is permanent in nature.

Revenue recognition

The Company accounts for revenue in accordance with Accounting Standard Codification 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" ("ASC 606"), which it adopted on April 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach.  See the Accounting and report changes section below for further discussion of this adoption.  

The Company recognizes revenue on all contracts when control of the product is transferred to the customer.  Control is generally transferred when products are shipped, title is transferred, significant risks of ownership have transferred, the Company has rights to payment, and rewards of ownership pass to the customer.  Customer acceptance may also be a factor in determining whether control of the product has transferred.  Although revenue on the majority of the Company’s contracts, as measured by number of contracts, is recognized upon shipment to the customer, revenue on larger contracts, which are fewer in number but generally represent the majority of revenue, is recognized over time as these contracts meet specific criteria in ASC 606.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid, short-term investments with maturities at the time of purchase of three months or less.

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.

Investments

Investments consist of certificates of deposits with financial institutions.  All investments have original maturities of greater than three months and less than one year and are classified as held-to-maturity, as the Company believes it has the intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity.  The investments are stated at amortized cost which approximates fair value.  All investments held by the Company at March 31, 2019 are scheduled to mature on or before September 25, 2019.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, using the average cost method.  Unbilled revenue (contract assets) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets represents revenue recognized that has not been billed to customers on contracts in which revenue is recognized over time.  Upon adoption of the new revenue recognition guidance discussed in the "Accounting and report changes" section below, all progress payments exceeding unbilled revenue are presented as customer deposits (contract liabilities) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Under the previous guidance, progress payments exceeding unbilled revenue were netted against inventory to the extent the payment was less than or equal to the inventory balance relating to the applicable contract, and the excess was presented as customer deposits in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Property, plant, equipment, depreciation and amortization

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost net of accumulated depreciation and amortization.  Major additions and improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred.  Depreciation and amortization are provided based upon the estimated useful lives, or lease term if shorter, under the straight-line method.  Estimated useful lives range from approximately five to eight years for office equipment, eight to 25 years for manufacturing equipment and 40 years for buildings and improvements.  Upon sale or retirement of assets, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in the results of operations.

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.

Intangible assets

Acquired intangible assets other than goodwill consist of permits, customer relationships, and tradenames.  The Company amortizes its definite-lived intangible assets on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives.  The estimated useful life is fifteen years for customer relationships.  All other intangibles have indefinite lives and are not amortized.

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 a weighted combination of the market approach and the income approach using discounted cash flows.  Indefinite lived intangible assets are assessed for impairment by comparing the fair value of the asset to its carrying value.

Assets and liabilities held for sale

The Company classifies long-lived assets (disposal group) to be sold as held for sale in accordance with Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-08, "Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360):  Reporting Discontinued Operation And Disclosures of Disposals Of Components Of An Entity," in the period in which all of the following criteria are met:

A long-lived asset (disposal group) that is classified as held for sale is initially measured 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.  Gains are not recognized on the sale of a long-lived asset (disposal group) until the date of sale.

The fair value of a long-lived asset (disposal group) less any costs to sell is assessed at each reporting period it remains classified as held for sale and any subsequent changes are reported as an adjustment to the carrying value of the asset (disposal group), as long as the new carrying value does not exceed the carrying value of the asset at the time it was initially classified as held for sale.  Upon determining that a long-lived asset (disposal group) meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale, the Company reports the assets and liabilities of the disposal group for all periods presented in the line items "Assets held for sale" and "Liabilities held for sale," respectively, in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2019.  See Note 3.

Product warranties

The Company estimates the costs that may be incurred under its product warranties and records a liability in the amount of such costs at the time revenue is recognized.  The reserve for product warranties is based upon past claims experience and ongoing evaluations of any specific probable claims from customers.  A reconciliation of the changes in the product warranty liability is presented in Note 7.

Research and development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.  The Company incurred research and development costs of $3,538, $3,211 and $3,863 in fiscal 2019, fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, respectively.  Research and development costs are included in the line item “Cost of products sold” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Income taxes

The Company recognizes deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company's financial statements or tax returns.  Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using currently enacted tax rates.  The Company evaluates the available evidence about future taxable income and other possible sources of realization of deferred income tax assets and records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred income tax assets to an amount that represents the Company's best estimate of the amount of such deferred income tax assets that more likely than not will be realized.

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions using a "more likely than not" recognition threshold.  The evaluation of uncertain tax positions is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in tax law, the measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in tax returns, the effective resolution of matters subject to audit, new audit activity and changes in facts or circumstances related to a tax position.  These tax positions are evaluated on a quarterly basis.  It is the Company's policy to recognize any interest related to uncertain tax positions in interest expense and any penalties related to uncertain tax positions in selling, general and administrative expense.

The Company files federal and state income tax returns in several U.S. and non-U.S. domestic and foreign jurisdictions.  In most tax jurisdictions, returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities for a number of years after the returns have been filed.

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.

(Loss) income per share data

Basic (loss) income per share is computed by dividing net (loss) income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted (loss) income per share is calculated by dividing net (loss) income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and, when applicable, potential common shares outstanding during the period.  

A reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of basic and diluted (loss) income per share is presented below:

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 2019, $12 in fiscal 2018, and $10 in fiscal 2017.  In addition, income taxes (refunded) paid were $(73) in fiscal 2019, $1,916 in fiscal 2018 and $951 in fiscal 2017.

In fiscal 2019, fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, non-cash activities included pension and other postretirement benefit adjustments, net of income tax, of $348, $(1,668) and $(2,493), 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 of 2017 (the "Tax Act").  Also, in fiscal 2019, fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, non-cash activities included the issuance of treasury stock valued at $134, $130 and $241, respectively, to the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan (See Note 13).

At March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, there were $85, $0, and $4, 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 2019, fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017, capital expenditures totaling $100, $0 and $95, respectively, were financed through the issuance of capital leases.

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other comprehensive income or loss items, which are accumulated as a separate component of stockholders' equity.  For the Company, other comprehensive income or loss items include a foreign currency translation adjustment and pension and other postretirement benefit adjustments.

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.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with 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 and reported amounts of sales and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

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 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 adopted the revenue recognition standard using the modified retrospective approach on April 1, 2018.  The Company recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard to all contracts that were not completed on the date of adoption as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings.  The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standard in effect during those periods.  The most significant impact of adopting the guidance is the timing of revenue recognition. Revenue on the majority of the Company's contracts continues to be recognized upon shipment while revenue on its larger contracts is recognized over time as these contracts meet specific criteria established in the new standards.  Consistent with previous guidance, revenue recognized on contracts over time created unbilled revenue (contract assets) and reduced inventory on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.  Upon adoption of the new standard, progress payments for which the Company has received an unconditional right to payment are recognized as trade accounts receivable with a corresponding contract liability of an equal amount as customer deposits on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets since the related performance obligations have not been satisfied.  Under the previous guidance, progress payments were recognized when payment was received.  In addition, progress payments exceeding unbilled revenue were netted against inventory to the extent the payment was less than or equal to the inventory balance relating to the applicable contract and the excess was presented as customer deposits.

The following table presents the cumulative effect of the changes made to the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet as of April 1, 2018 for the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard: