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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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:

The following tables present the impact of adoption of the new revenue recognition standard on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Balance Sheet as of and for the year ended March 31, 2019:

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.  Lessees are permitted to make an accounting policy election to not recognize an asset and liability for leases with a term of twelve months or less.  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 guidance requires application on a modified retrospective basis based on the earliest period presented in the consolidated financial statements.  In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, "Leases (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements, " which provides an additional transition method that allows entities to initially apply the guidance at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption.  In addition, the guidance provides a practical expedient that allows entities to account for lease components and associated nonlease components as a single component if specific conditions are met.  The amendments in these ASUs are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  Earlier application is permitted.

The Company will adopt these standards using the modified retrospective approach on April 1, 2019.  The Company will elect an available transition method that uses the effective date of the amended guidance as the date of initial application.  The Company has completed its review of its lease agreements and processed the data required to measure the Company’s right of use assets and lease liabilities.

The amended guidance provides for several practical expedients.  The Company will elect the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance which allows entities to carry forward historical lease classification.  The Company will elect the practical expedient that allows the combination of both lease and non-lease components as a single component and account for it as a lease for all classes of underlying assets.  The Company will make an accounting policy election to not recognize an asset and liability for leases with a term of twelve months or less.  The Company will recognize those lease payments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term.  On April 1, 2019, the Company will recognize the cumulative effect of initially applying the amended guidance which will result in the recognition of right of use assets of approximately $700, lease liabilities of approximately $750 and a decrease to the opening balance of retained earnings of approximately $80.  Other current assets and the deferred income tax liability will also be reduced by approximately $50 and $20, respectively.  Approximately $500 of right of use assets and lease liabilities are related to the business held for sale.

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 adopted the new guidance in fiscal 2019.  The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's 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 Statement of Operations 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.  The amended guidance also allows only the service cost component of net benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization.  This ASU is effective for public businesses for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company adopted the amended guidance in fiscal 2019.  The amended guidance was applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and other components of net benefit cost in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.  In addition, the amended guidance was applied prospectively for the capitalization of the service cost component of net benefit cost.  The amended guidance allows for a practical expedient that permits the use of amounts previously disclosed in the Employee Benefit Plans Note to the Consolidated Financial Statements within prior comparative periods as the estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation requirements.  The Company elected this practical expedient for the prior period presentation.  The adoption of this amended guidance resulted in the reclassification of net benefit income of $355 and $123 from compensation costs included in Cost of products sold and Selling, general and administrative expense, respectively, to Other income in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for fiscal 2018 and the reclassification of net benefit income of $4 and $6 from compensation costs included in Cost of products sold and Selling, general and administrative expense, respectively, to Other income in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for fiscal 2017.

 In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, "Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General (Subtopic 715-20)," which removes disclosures that no longer are considered cost beneficial, clarifies specific disclosure requirements and adds disclosure requirements identified as relevant for defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans.  This amendment is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020.  Early adoption is permitted. The amendment requires application on a retrospective basis to all periods presented.  The Company believes the adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

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.