Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

v3.23.1
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2023
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization
Thermon Group Holdings, Inc. and its direct and indirect subsidiaries are referred to collectively as "we," "our" or the "Company" herein. We are one of the largest providers of highly engineered industrial process heating solutions for process industries. For over 65 years, we have served a diverse base of thousands of customers around the world in attractive and growing markets, including chemical and petrochemical, oil, gas, power generation, commercial, rail and transit, and other, which we refer to as our "key end markets."
Basis of Consolidation and Presentation
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its subsidiaries and entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. All intercompany balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Consolidated subsidiaries domiciled in foreign countries comprised approximately 56%, 57% and 65%, of the Company's consolidated sales for fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and 61% and 62%, of the Company's consolidated total assets at March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements present fairly our financial position at March 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of operations for the years ended March 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021.
Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy
On April 11, 2020, the Canadian government officially enacted the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (the “CEWS”) for the purposes of assisting employers in financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic and of reducing potential lay-offs of employees. The CEWS, which was made retroactive to March 15, 2020, generally provided “eligible entities” with a wage subsidy of up to 75% of “eligible remuneration” paid to an eligible employee per week, limited to a certain weekly maximum. On September 23, 2020, the Canadian government announced that the CEWS program would be extended through the summer of 2021 and announced certain modifications to the subsidy calculation. Our Canadian operations have benefited from such wage subsidies and have received distributions from the Canadian government.
During fiscal 2023, 2022, and 2021 we recorded zero, $1,449, and $4,236, respectively, to "Cost of sales" in CEWS subsidies in our consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income/(loss). Also during fiscal 2023, 2022, and 2021 we recorded zero, $504, and $2,176, respectively, to "Selling, general and administrative expenses" in CEWS subsidies in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income/(loss). As of the end of fiscal 2023, we are no longer receiving CEWS benefits.
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, including estimates regarding reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates and such differences may be material to the financial statements.
Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash in bank and money market funds. All highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash
    The Company maintains restricted cash related to certain letter of credit guarantees and performance bonds securing performance obligations. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and restricted cash included in other long-term assets reported within the consolidated balance sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statement of cash flows.
March 31,
2023
March 31,
2022
March 31,
2021
Cash and cash equivalents $ 35,635  $ 41,445  $ 40,124 
Restricted cash included in prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,859  2,486  1,962 
Restricted cash included in other long-term assets 26  —  364 
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows $ 38,520  $ 43,931  $ 42,450 
    Amounts shown in restricted cash included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other long-term assets represent those required to be set aside by a contractual agreement, which contain cash deposits pledged as collateral on performance bonds and letters of credit. Amounts shown in restricted cash in other long-term assets represent such agreements that require a commitment term longer than one year.
Accounts Receivable and Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company's receivables are recorded at cost when earned and represent claims against third parties that will be settled in cash. The carrying value of the Company's receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, represents its estimated net realizable value. If events or changes in circumstances indicate specific receivable balances may be impaired, further consideration is given to the Company's ability to collect those balances and the allowance is adjusted accordingly. The Company has established an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon an analysis of aged receivables. Past-due receivable balances are written-off when the Company's internal collection efforts have been unsuccessful in collecting the amounts due.
The Company's primary base of customers operates in the chemical and petrochemical, oil, gas, power generation, rail and transit, and other industries; we are diversifying our customer base through numerous other end markets. Although the Company has a concentration of credit risk within these industries, the Company has not experienced significant collection losses on sales to these customers. The Company's foreign receivables are not concentrated within any one geographic segment nor are they subject to any current economic conditions that would subject the Company to unusual risk. The Company does not generally require collateral or other security from customers. At March 31, 2023 and 2022, no one customer represented more than 10% of the Company's accounts receivable balance. At March 31, 2023, we added $681 to our allowance for doubtful accounts in connection with the Russia Exit. Refer to Note 14, "Restructuring and Other Charges/(Income)" for more information.
At March 31, 2023 and 2022, we had $3,399 and $5,352, respectively, of balances billed but not paid by customers under retention provisions of our contracts. Retention balances typically represent hold backs against project completion.
The Company performs credit evaluations of new customers and sometimes requires deposits, prepayments or use of trade letters of credit to mitigate our credit risk. Allowance for doubtful account balances were $2,682 and $2,177 as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Although we have fully provided for these balances, we continue to pursue collection of these receivables.
The following table summarizes the annual changes in our allowance for doubtful accounts:
Balance at March 31, 2020 $ 834 
Additions to reserve 1,466 
Write-off of uncollectible accounts (226)
Balance at March 31, 2021 2,074 
Additions to reserve 683 
Write-off of uncollectible accounts (580)
Balance at March 31, 2022 2,177 
Additions to reserve 1,377 
Write-off of uncollectible accounts (872)
Balance at March 31, 2023 $ 2,682 
Inventories
Inventories, principally raw materials and finished goods, are valued at the lower of cost (weighted average cost) or net realizable value. Our finished goods inventory consists primarily of completed electrical cable that has been manufactured for various heat tracing solutions, as well as various types of immersion, circulation and space heaters for our process heating business. Most of our manufactured product offerings are built to industry standard specifications that have general purpose applications and therefore are sold to a variety of customers in various industries. Some of our products, such as custom orders and ancillary components outsourced from third-party manufacturers, have more specific applications and therefore may be at a higher risk of inventory obsolescence. We determine the inventory valuation reserves based on recent actual usage history. In cases where we are aware of a problem in the valuation of a certain item, a specific reserve is recorded to reduce the item to its estimated net realizable using an estimation of expected sell price less any disposal costs.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost, less related accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for renewals and improvements that significantly extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs of assets are charged to operations as incurred. When assets are sold or retired, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is credited or charged to operations.
Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the following useful lives:
Years
Buildings and improvements 10 - 30
Machinery and equipment 3 - 25
Office furniture and equipment 3 - 10
Internally developed software 5 - 7
Long-Lived Assets
The Company evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparison of the carrying amounts to the future undiscounted cash flows that the assets are expected to generate. If the long-lived assets are considered impaired, the impairment to be recognized equals the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the estimated fair value and is recorded in the period the determination was made.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2023, we identified a triggering event in our EMEA reportable segment. The depressed economic conditions resulting from the Russo-Ukrainian war as well as the related sanctions were contributing factors in our decision to test our EMEA reportable segment under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, and ASC 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment. Based on the results of our quantitative goodwill impairment assessment, there was no impairment of goodwill or intangible assets. We did, however, segregate our Russian subsidiary as a new asset group for long-lived asset impairment testing purposes and determined that the assets relating to our Russian subsidiary were not recoverable under ASC 360. We recorded an impairment charge in fiscal 2023 of $865 to property, plant and equipment, net as well as operating lease right-of-use assets. Refer to Note 14, "Restructuring and Other Charges/(Income)" for more information. No other impairment was recorded during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023.
The Company determined that no impairment of long-lived assets existed in fiscal 2022 and 2021.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
We conduct a required annual review of goodwill for potential impairment in the fourth quarter, or sooner if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value. Our reporting units are our operating segments. We have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to satisfy the annual test requirement if we believe that it is more likely than not that we do not have an impairment in any one of our reporting units. We elected to test our goodwill and other intangible assets using the qualitative method in fiscal 2023, except in our EMEA reportable segment as discussed above. For a full quantitative assessment, if the carrying value of a reporting unit that includes goodwill exceeds its fair value, which is determined using both the income approach and market approach, goodwill is considered impaired. The income approach determines fair value based on discounted cash flow model derived from a reporting unit’s long-term forecasted cash flows. The market approach determines fair value based on the application of earnings multiples of comparable companies to projected earnings of the reporting unit. The amount of impairment loss is measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of a reporting unit but is limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. In performing the fair value analysis, management makes various judgments, estimates and assumptions, the most significant of which are the assumptions related to revenue growth rates and discount rates.
We believe that the estimates and assumptions used in our impairment assessment are reasonable; however, these assumptions are judgmental and variations in any assumptions could result in materially different calculations of fair value. We will continue to evaluate goodwill on an annual basis in our fourth quarter, and whenever events or changes in circumstances, such as significant adverse changes in operating results, market conditions, or changes in management’s business strategy indicate that there may be a probable indicator of impairment. It is possible that the assumptions used by management related to the evaluation may change or that actual results may vary significantly from management’s estimates. In fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company determined that no impairment of goodwill existed.
Separately, in the first quarter of fiscal 2023, we added $18,620 of goodwill as part of our recent acquisition of Powerblanket, which is discussed further in Note 2, "Acquisition." The newly acquired goodwill is allocated to our US-LAM segment. We believe the goodwill acquired in this recent acquisition represents synergies from combining operations in addition to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets. We anticipate being able to deduct this goodwill for tax purposes.
Other intangible assets include indefinite lived intangible assets for which we must also perform an annual test of impairment. The Company's indefinite lived intangible assets consist primarily of trademarks. If a full quantitative assessment is warranted, the fair value of the Company's trademarks is calculated using a "relief from royalty payments" methodology. This approach involves first estimating reasonable royalty rates for each trademark then applying these royalty rates to a net sales stream and discounting the resulting cash flows to determine the fair value. The royalty rate is estimated using both a market and income approach. The market approach relies on the existence of identifiable transactions in the marketplace involving the licensing of trademarks similar to those owned by the Company. The income approach uses a projected pretax profitability rate relevant to the licensed income stream. We believe the use of multiple valuation techniques results in a more accurate indicator of the fair value of each trademark. This fair value is then compared with the carrying value of each trademark. In fiscal 2023, we performed a qualitative assessment. The results of this test during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year indicated that there was no impairment of our indefinite life intangible assets during fiscal 2023. Additionally, there was no impairment of our indefinite life intangible assets during fiscal 2022 and 2021.
Business Combinations
Accounting for business combinations requires, among other things, the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. We use qualified third-party consultants to assist management in determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The purchase price allocation process allows us to refine these estimates over a measurement period not to exceed one year to reflect new information obtained surrounding facts and circumstances existing at the acquisition date.
The fair value assigned to identifiable intangible assets acquired is determined primarily by using an income approach, which is based on assumptions and estimates made by management. Significant assumptions utilized in the income approach are the attrition rate, revenue growth rates, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, ("EBITDA") margins, royalty rates, and the discount rate. Some of these assumptions are based on company-specific information and projections, which are not observable in the market and are therefore considered Level 3 measurements. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the identified assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. Operating results of the acquired entity are reflected within the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.
Revenue Recognition
The core principle of the revenue recognition standard, ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606"), is to recognize revenue that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive for goods or services when or as the promised goods or services are transferred to customers. Management performs the following five steps when applying the revenue recognition standard: (i) identify each contract with customers, (ii) identify each performance obligation in the contracts with customers, (iii) estimate the transaction price (including any variable consideration), (iv) allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation and (v) recognize revenue as each performance obligation is satisfied.
Description of Product and Service Offerings and Revenue Recognition Policies
    We provide a (i) suite of products, including heating units, heating cables, tubing bundles, control systems including industry-leading customized software solutions, environmental heating solutions, process heating solutions, temporary heating and lighting, filtration, transportation products, heating blankets, and temporary power products, and (ii) services, including design optimization, engineering, installation and maintenance services required to deliver comprehensive solutions to complex projects. The performance obligations associated with our product sales are generally recognized at a point in time. Where products and services are provided together under a time and materials contract, the performance obligations are satisfied over time. We also provide fixed-fee turnkey solutions consisting of products and services under which the related performance obligations are satisfied over time.
    Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to receive in exchange for transferring such goods or providing such services. We account for a contract when a customer provides us with a purchase order or other contract that identifies the goods or services to be provided, the payment terms for those services, and when collectability of the consideration due is probable. Generally, our payment terms do not exceed 30 days for product sales, while terms for our fixed-price contracts can vary based on milestones or other key deliverable-based increments. Please refer to Note 5, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" for additional information.
As mentioned above, we often agree to provide products and services under fixed-price contracts, including our turnkey solutions. These contracts require management to make significant estimates around the total costs to complete the work. Furthermore, under these contracts, we are typically responsible for all cost overruns, other than the amount of any cost overruns resulting from requested changes in order specifications. Our actual costs and any gross profit realized on these fixed-price contracts could vary from the estimated costs on which these contracts were originally based. This may occur for various reasons, including changes in estimates or bidding, changes in availability and cost of labor and raw materials and unforeseen technical and logistical challenges, including with managing our geographically widespread operations and use of third party subcontractors, suppliers and manufacturers in many countries. These variations and the risks inherent in our projects may result in reduced profitability or losses. Refer to Note 5, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" for further information.
Shipping and Handling Cost
The Company includes shipping and handling as part of cost of sales and freight due from customers is recorded as a component of sales.
Stock-Based Compensation
We account for share-based payments to employees in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation ("ASC 718"), which requires that share-based payments (to the extent they are compensatory) be recognized in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income/(loss) based on their fair values.
As required by ASC 718, we recognize stock-based compensation expense for share-based payments that are expected to vest. In determining whether an award is expected to vest, we generally account for forfeitures as they occur, rather than estimate expected forfeitures.
We are also required to determine the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date. For option awards that are subject to service conditions and/or performance conditions, we estimate the fair values of employee stock options using a Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model. Some of our option grants and awards included a market condition for which we used a Monte Carlo pricing model to establish grant date fair value. These determinations require judgment, including estimating expected volatility. If actual results differ significantly from these estimates, stock-based compensation expense and our results of operations could be impacted. Refer to Note 16, "Stock-Based Compensation Expense" for more information.
Warranties
The Company offers a standard warranty on product sales. Specifically, we will repair or replace any defective product within one year from the date of purchase. Warranties on construction projects are negotiated individually, are typically one year in duration, and may include the cost of labor to repair or replace products. Factors that affect the Company's warranty liability include the amount of sales, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims, and cost per claim. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liabilities and adjusts the amounts as necessary.
Research and Development
Research and development expenditures are expensed when incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income/(loss). Research and development expenses include salaries, direct material costs incurred, plus building and other overhead expenses. The amounts expensed for fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021 were $10,568, $6,436 and $7,466, respectively.
Loss Contingencies
We accrue for probable losses from contingencies on an undiscounted basis when such costs are considered probable of being incurred and are reasonably estimable. Legal expense related to such matters are expensed as incurred. We periodically evaluate available information, both internal and external, relative to such contingencies and adjust this accrual as necessary. Disclosure of a contingency is required if there is at least a reasonable possibility that a material loss has been incurred. In determining whether a loss should be accrued, we evaluate, among other factors, the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of loss.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method that requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. Judgment is required in assessing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. Variations in the actual outcome of these future tax consequences could materially impact our financial position, results of operations or effective tax rate.
Significant judgment is required in determining our worldwide income tax provision. In the ordinary course of a global business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax outcome is uncertain. Some of these uncertainties arise as a consequence of revenue sharing and cost reimbursement arrangements among related entities, the process of identifying items of revenue and expense that qualify for preferential tax treatment, and segregation of foreign and domestic earnings and expenses to avoid double taxation. Although we believe that our estimates are reasonable, the final tax outcome of these matters could be different from that which is reflected in our historical income tax provisions and accruals. Such differences could have a material effect on our income tax provision and net income in the period in which such determination is made.
In estimating future tax consequences, all expected future events are considered other than enactments of changes in tax laws or rates. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts which are more likely than not to be realized. We consider future growth, forecasted earnings, future taxable income, the mix of earnings in the jurisdictions in which we operate, historical earnings, taxable income in prior years, if carryback is permitted under the law, and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in determining the need for a valuation allowance. In the event we were to determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets valuation allowance would be charged to earnings in the period in which we make such a determination, or goodwill would be adjusted at our final determination of the valuation allowance related to an acquisition within the measurement period. If we later determine that it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets would be realized, we would reverse the applicable portion of the previously provided valuation allowance as an adjustment to earnings at such time. The amount of income tax we pay is subject to ongoing audits by federal, state and foreign tax authorities, which often result in proposed assessments. Our estimate of the potential outcome for any uncertain tax issue is highly judgmental. We account for these uncertain tax issues pursuant to ASC 740, Income Taxes, which contains a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The first step is to determine if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. Although we believe we have adequately reserved for our uncertain tax positions, no assurance can be given with respect to the final outcome of these matters. We adjust reserves for our uncertain tax positions due to changing facts and circumstances, such as the closing of a tax audit, judicial rulings, refinement of estimates or realization of earnings or deductions that differ from our estimates. To the extent that the final outcome of these matters is different than the amounts recorded, such differences generally will impact our provision for income taxes in the period in which such a determination is made. Our provisions for income taxes include the impact of reserve provisions and changes to reserves that are considered appropriate and also include the related interest and penalties.
We expect to repatriate certain foreign earnings from jurisdictions that are subject to withholding taxes. These additional withholding taxes are being recorded as an additional deferred tax liability associated with the basis difference in such jurisdictions.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translation
Exchange rate gains and losses that result from foreign currency transactions are recognized in income as they are realized. For the Company's non-U.S. dollar functional currency subsidiaries, assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using year-end exchange rates. Income and expense items are translated at weighted average exchange rates prevailing during the year. Adjustments resulting from translation of financial statements are reflected as a separate component of shareholders' equity.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
    Reference Rate Reform - In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform ("ASC 848"). The update is intended to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens related to the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. We applied the relief from this Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") in fiscal 2023. We adopted this standard effective April 1, 2020, and such adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Business Combinations - In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 805"). This update requires an acquirer in a business combination to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities (deferred revenue) from acquired contracts using the revenue
recognition guidance in Topic 606. Under this "Topic 606 approach," the acquirer applies the revenue model as if it had originated the contracts. This is a departure from the current requirement to measure contract assets and contract liabilities at fair value. The ASU is effective for all public business entities in annual and interim periods starting after December 15, 2022 and early adoption is permitted. We intend to adopt this standard according to the mandatory adoption requirement, and do not anticipate adoption to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.