BUSINESS AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Applied”) is a leading industrial distributor serving Maintenance Repair & Operations (MRO) and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) customers in virtually every industry. In addition, Applied provides engineering, design and systems integration for industrial and fluid power applications, as well as customized mechanical, fabricated rubber and fluid power shop services. Although the Company does not generally manufacture the products it sells, it does assemble and repair certain products and systems.

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. For the year ended June 30, 2013 the financial results of the Company’s Canadian and Mexican subsidiaries were included in the consolidated financial statements for the twelve months ended May 31. During fiscal 2014, the Company eliminated the one month reporting lag for both the Canadian and Mexican subsidiaries in the first and third quarters respectively. See the "Change in Accounting Principle" section below for additional information related to the elimination of the reporting lag.

Foreign Currency

The financial statements of the Company’s Canadian, Mexican, Australian and New Zealand subsidiaries are measured using local currencies as their functional currencies. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates, while income and expenses are translated at average exchange rates. Translation gains and losses are reported in other comprehensive (loss) income in the statements of consolidated comprehensive income. Gains and losses resulting from transactions denominated in foreign currencies are included in the statements of consolidated income as a component of other expense (income), net.

Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results may differ from the estimates and assumptions used in preparing the consolidated financial statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all short-term, highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.

Marketable Securities

The primary marketable security investments of the Company include money market and mutual funds held in a rabbi trust for a non-qualified deferred compensation plan. These are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets, are classified as trading securities, and reported at fair value based on quoted market prices. Changes in the fair value of the investments during the period are recorded in other expense (income), net in the statements of consolidated income.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company has a broad customer base representing many diverse industries across North America, Australia and New Zealand. As such, the Company does not believe that a significant concentration of credit risk exists in its accounts receivable. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents consist of deposits with commercial banks and regulated non-bank subsidiaries. While Applied monitors the creditworthiness of these institutions, a crisis in the financial systems could limit access to funds and/or result in the loss of principal. The terms of these deposits and investments provide that all monies are available to the Company upon demand.

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

The Company evaluates the collectibility of trade accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. Initially, the Company estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts as a percentage of net sales based on historical bad debt experience. This initial estimate is adjusted based on recent trends of customers and industries estimated to be greater credit risks, trends within the entire customer pool, and changes in the overall aging of accounts receivable. Accounts are written off against the allowance when it becomes evident collection will not occur. While the Company has a large customer base that is geographically dispersed, a general economic downturn in any of the industry segments in which the Company operates could result in higher than expected defaults, and therefore, the need to revise estimates for bad debts.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the average cost method, using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for U.S. inventories and the average cost method for foreign inventories. The Company adopted the link chain dollar value LIFO method of accounting for U.S. inventories in fiscal 1974. At June 30, 2016, approximately 22.8% of the Company’s domestic inventory dollars relate to LIFO layers added in the 1970s. The Company maintains five LIFO pools based on the following product groupings: bearings, power transmission products, rubber products, fluid power products and other products. LIFO layers and/or liquidations are determined consistently year-to-year.

The Company evaluates the recoverability of its slow moving or obsolete inventories at least quarterly. The Company estimates the recoverable cost of such inventory by product type while considering factors such as its age, historic and current demand trends, the physical condition of the inventory, as well as assumptions regarding future demand. The Company’s ability to recover its cost for slow moving or obsolete inventory can be affected by such factors as general market conditions, future customer demand, and relationships with suppliers. Historically, the Company’s inventories have demonstrated long shelf lives, are not highly susceptible to obsolescence, and, in certain instances, can be eligible for return under supplier return programs.

Supplier Purchasing Programs

The Company enters into agreements with certain suppliers providing inventory purchase incentives. The Company’s inventory purchase incentive arrangements are unique to each supplier and are generally annual programs ending at either the Company’s fiscal year end or the supplier’s year end; however, program length and ending dates can vary. Incentives are received in the form of cash or credits against purchases upon attainment of specified purchase volumes and are received either monthly, quarterly or annually. The incentives are generally a specified percentage of the Company’s net purchases based upon achieving specific purchasing volume levels. These percentages can increase or decrease based on changes in the volume of purchases. The Company accrues for the receipt of these inventory purchase incentives based upon cumulative purchases of inventory. The percentage level utilized is based upon the estimated total volume of purchases expected during the life of the program. Supplier programs are analyzed each quarter to determine the appropriateness of the amount of purchase incentives accrued. Upon program completion, differences between estimates and actual incentives subsequently received have not been material. Benefits under these supplier purchasing programs are recognized under the Company’s LIFO inventory accounting method as a reduction of cost of sales when the inventories representing these purchases are recorded as cost of sales. Accrued incentives expected to be settled as a credit against future purchases are reported on the consolidated balance sheet as an offset to amounts due to the related supplier.

Property and Related Depreciation and Amortization

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets and is included in selling, distribution and administrative expenses in the accompanying statements of consolidated income. Buildings, building improvements and leasehold improvements are depreciated over ten to thirty years or the life of the lease if a shorter period, and equipment is depreciated over three to ten years. The Company capitalizes internal use software development costs in accordance with guidance on accounting for costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal use. Amortization of software begins when it is ready for its intended use, and is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software, generally not to exceed twelve years. Capitalized software and hardware costs are classified as property on the consolidated balance sheets. The carrying values of property and equipment are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the recorded value cannot be recovered from undiscounted future cash flows. Impairment losses, if any, would be measured based upon the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the assets.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill is recognized as the excess cost of an acquired entity over the net amount assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is not amortized. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually as of January 1 or whenever changes in conditions indicate an evaluation should be completed. These conditions could include a significant change in the business climate, legal factors, operating performance indicators, competition, or sale or disposition of a significant portion of a reporting unit. The Company utilizes discounted cash flow models and market multiples for comparable businesses to determine the fair value of reporting units. Evaluating impairment requires significant judgment by management, including estimated future operating results, estimated future cash flows, the long-term rate of growth of the business, and determination of an appropriate discount rate. While the Company uses available information to prepare the estimates and evaluations, actual results could differ significantly.

The Company recognizes acquired identifiable intangible assets such as customer relationships, trade names, vendor relationships, and non-competition agreements apart from goodwill. Customer relationship identifiable intangibles are amortized using the sum-of-the-years-digits method over estimated useful lives consistent with assumptions used in the determination of their value. Amortization of all other finite-lived identifiable intangible assets is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated period of benefit. Amortization of identifiable intangible assets is included in selling, distribution and administrative expenses in the accompanying statements of consolidated income. Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are reviewed for impairment when changes in conditions indicate carrying value may not be recoverable. Identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives are reviewed for impairment on an annual basis or whenever changes in conditions indicate an evaluation should be completed. The Company does not currently have any indefinite lived identifiable intangible assets.

Self-Insurance Liabilities

The Company maintains business insurance programs with significant self-insured retention covering workers’ compensation, business, automobile, general product liability and other claims. The Company accrues estimated losses including those incurred but not reported using actuarial calculations, models and assumptions based on historical loss experience. The Company also maintains a self-insured health benefits plan which provides medical benefits to U.S. based employees electing coverage under the plan. The Company estimates its reserve for all unpaid medical claims, including those incurred but not reported, based on historical experience, adjusted as necessary based upon management’s reasoned judgment.

Revenue Recognition

Sales are recognized when there is evidence of an arrangement, the sales price is fixed, collectibility is reasonably assured and the product’s title and risk of loss is transferred to the customer. Typically, these conditions are met when the product is shipped to the customer. The Company charges shipping and handling fees when products are shipped or delivered to a customer, and includes such amounts in net sales. The Company reports its sales net of actual sales returns and the amount of reserves established for anticipated sales returns based on historical rates. Sales tax collected from customers is excluded from net sales in the accompanying statements of consolidated income.

Shipping and Handling Costs

The Company records freight payments to third parties in cost of sales and internal delivery costs in selling, distribution and administrative expenses in the accompanying statements of consolidated income. Internal delivery costs in selling, distribution and administrative expenses were approximately $21,480, $24,430 and $16,230 for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are determined based upon income and expenses recorded for financial reporting purposes. Deferred income taxes are recorded for estimated future tax effects of differences between the bases of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and income tax purposes, giving consideration to enacted tax laws. Uncertain tax positions meeting a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are recognized in accordance with the Income Taxes topic of the ASC (Accounting Standards Codification). The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits in the provision for income taxes.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-based compensation represents the cost related to share-based awards granted to employees under the 2015 Long-Term Performance Plan, the 2011 Long-Term Performance Plan, or the 2007 Long-Term Performance Plan. The Company measures share-based compensation cost at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award and recognizes the cost over the requisite service period. Non-qualified stock appreciation rights (SARs) and stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the closing market price of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant and the fair values are determined using a Black-Scholes option pricing model, which incorporates assumptions regarding the expected volatility, the expected option life, the risk-free interest rate and the expected dividend yield. SARs and stock option awards generally vest over four years of continuous service and have ten-year contractual terms. The fair value of restricted stock awards, restricted stock units (RSUs), and performance shares are based on the closing market price of Company common stock on the grant date.

Treasury Shares

Shares of common stock repurchased by the Company are recorded at cost as treasury shares and result in a reduction of shareholders’ equity in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company uses the weighted-average cost method for determining the cost of shares reissued. The difference between the cost of the shares and the reissuance price is added to or deducted from additional paid-in capital.

Changes in Accounting Principle

Deferred Income Taxes

In November 2015, the FASB issued its final standard on the simplification of the presentation of deferred income taxes. The standard, issued as Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-17, requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as non-current in the consolidated balance sheet. This update is effective for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted ASU 2015-17 in the second quarter of fiscal 2016. The Company applied the new standard retrospectively to the prior period presented in the consolidated balance sheets; the impact of this change in accounting principle on balances previously reported as of June 30, 2015 was as follows:



	Amount as of June 30, 2015
Balance Sheet Line Item	As Previously Reported		As Revised		Change
Other current assets	$	51,111	$	37,816	$	(13,295	)
Deferred tax assets	$	97	$	10,980	$	10,883
Other liabilities	$	46,295	$	43,883	$	(2,412	)

Alignment of Canadian Subsidiary Reporting

Effective July 1, 2013, the Company aligned the consolidation of the Company’s Canadian subsidiary in the consolidated financial statements, which previously included the results on a one month reporting lag. The Company believes that this change in accounting principle is preferable as it provides contemporaneous reporting within our consolidated financial statements. In accordance with applicable accounting literature, the elimination of a one month reporting lag of a subsidiary is treated as a change in accounting principle and requires retrospective application. The Company determined that the effect of this change is not material to the financial statements for all periods presented and therefore, the Company has not presented retrospective application of this change. The net impact of the lag elimination was $1,200 of income for the month of June 2013 and has been included within other expense (income), net on the statement of consolidated income for the year ended June 30, 2014. The statement of consolidated income for the year ended June 30, 2014 reflects the same results, had the financial statements been retrospectively adjusted, with the exception of net income which would have decreased by $1,200.

Alignment of Mexican Subsidiary Reporting

Effective January 1, 2014, the Company aligned the consolidation of the Company’s Mexican subsidiary in the consolidated financial statements, which previously included the results on a one month reporting lag. The Company believes that this change in accounting principle is preferable as it provides contemporaneous reporting within our consolidated financial statements. In accordance with applicable accounting literature, the elimination of a one month reporting lag of a subsidiary is treated as a change in accounting principle and requires retrospective application. The Company determined that the effect of this change is not material to the financial statements for all periods presented and therefore, the Company has not presented retrospective application of this change. The net impact of the lag elimination was $200 of income for the month of December 2013 and has been included within other expense (income), net on the statement of consolidated income for year ended June 30, 2014. Net sales, operating income and net income for the year ended June 30, 2014 would have decreased by $1,100, $100 and $250 had the financial statements been retrospectively adjusted.

Other Recently Adopted Accounting Guidance

In June 2014, the FASB issued its final standard on accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. The standard, issued as ASU 2014-12, clarifies that a performance target that affects vesting and that can be achieved after the requisite service period, should be treated as a performance condition. The update is effective for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2014-12 in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. The adoption of this update did not have an impact on the financial statements of the Company.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued its final standard on the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers.
The standard, issued as ASU 2014-09, outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in the accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry specific guidance. The core principle of this model is that "an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services." In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 to delay the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year. In accordance with the delay, the update is effective for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, but not before financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2016. In March 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-08 and ASU 2016-10, and in May 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, which clarify the guidance in ASU 2014-09 but do not change the core principle of the revenue recognition model. The Company has not determined the collective impact of these pronouncements on its financial statements and related disclosures or the method of adoption.

In April 2015, the FASB issued its final standard on simplifying the presentation of debt issue costs. This standard, issued as ASU 2015-03, requires that all costs incurred to issue debt be presented in the balance sheet as a direct reduction from the carrying value of the debt, similar to the presentation of debt discounts. This update is effective for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The impact of the adoption of this guidance will result in the reclassification of the unamortized debt issuance costs on the consolidated balance sheets, which were $504 and $394 at June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, recorded in other current assets and other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

In July 2015, the FASB issued its final standard on simplifying the measurement of inventory. This standard, issued as ASU 2015-11, specifies that an entity should measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. The new standard does not apply to inventory that is measured using LIFO; therefore, it is not applicable to the Company's U.S. inventory values, but does apply to the Company's foreign inventories which are valued using the average cost method. The update is effective for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with earlier application permitted. The Company has not yet determined the impact of this pronouncement on its financial statements and related disclosures.

In September 2015, the FASB issued its final standard on simplifying the accounting for measurement-period adjustments for business combinations. This standard, issued as ASU 2015-16, requires that an entity that is the acquirer in a business combination that identifies adjustments to provisional amounts during the measurement period recognize those adjustments in the reporting period in which the amounts are determined. This update further requires that the acquirer record, in the same period's financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The update is effective for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and should be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date of this update, with early adoption permitted. When adjustments to provisional amounts occur in the future, the Company will make the adjustments in the appropriate period and include the required disclosures.

In January 2016, the FASB issued its final standard on financial instruments. This standard, issued as ASU 2016-01, enhances the reporting model for financial instruments to provide users of financial statements with more decision-useful information and addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The update is effective for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with earlier application permitted for only certain aspects of the standard; earlier application of the remaining aspects is not permitted. The Company has not yet determined the impact of this pronouncement on its financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued its final standard on accounting for leases. This standard, issued as ASU 2016-02, requires that an entity that is a lessee recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases and disclose key information about leasing arrangements. The core principle of this update is that a "lessee should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases." This update is effective for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with earlier application permitted. The Company has not yet determined the impact of this pronouncement on its financial statements and related disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued its final standard on simplifying the accounting for share-based payment awards. This standard, issued as ASU 2016-09, simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification on the statement of cash flows, and accounting for forfeitures. This update is effective for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company has not yet determined the impact of this pronouncement on its financial statements and related disclosures or the method of adoption.

In June 2016, the FASB issued its final standard on measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. This standard, issued as ASU 2016-13, requires that an entity measure impairment of certain financial instruments, including trade receivables, based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. This update is effective for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for financial statement periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company has not yet determined the impact of this pronouncement on its financial statements and related disclosures.