Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of John Bean Technologies Corporation (JBT, we, or the Company) and all wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany investments, accounts, and transactions have been eliminated. Use of estimates Preparation of financial statements that follow accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (U.S. GAAP) requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, which includes an estimate for excess and obsolete inventories. Inventory costs include those costs directly attributable to products, including all manufacturing overhead but excluding costs to distribute. Cost is determined on the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) basis for all domestic inventories, except certain inventories relating to construction-type contracts, which are stated at the actual production cost incurred to date, reduced by the portion of these costs identified with revenue recognized. The first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method is used to determine the cost for all other inventories. Property, plant, and equipment Property, plant, and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation for financial reporting purposes is provided principally on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets (land improvements—20 to 35 years; buildings—20 to 50 years; and machinery and equipment—3 to 20 years). Gains and losses are reflected in other income, net on the consolidated statements of income upon the sale or retirement of assets. Expenditures that extend the useful lives of property, plant, and equipment are capitalized and depreciated over the estimated new remaining life of the asset. Capitalized software costs Other assets include the capitalized cost of internal use software (including Internet web sites). The assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortization and totaled $8.1 million and $4.1 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These software costs include the amount paid for purchases of software and internal and external costs incurred during the application development stage of software projects. These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. For internal use software, the useful lives range from three to ten years. For Internet web site costs, the estimated useful lives do not exceed three years. Goodwill We test goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter and whenever events occur or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. Impairment testing is performed for each of our reporting units by first assessing qualitative factors to see if further testing of goodwill is required. If we conclude that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount based on our qualitative assessment, then a quantitative test is required. We may also choose to bypass the qualitative assessment and perform the quantitative test. In performing the quantitative test, we determine the fair value of a reporting unit using the “income approach” valuation method. We use a discounted cash flow model in which cash flows anticipated over several periods, plus a terminal value at the end of that time horizon, are discounted to their present value using an appropriate cost of capital rate. Judgment is required in developing the assumptions for the discounted cash flow model. These assumptions include revenue growth rates, profit margin percentages, discount rates, perpetuity growth rates, future capital expenditures, and working capital requirements, among others. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, we consider that goodwill is not impaired. If the carrying value exceeds estimated fair value, there is an indication of potential impairment, and we calculate an implied fair value of goodwill. The implied fair value is calculated as the difference between the fair value of the reporting unit and the fair value of the individual assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, excluding goodwill. An impairment charge is recorded for any excess of the carrying value over the implied fair value. We completed our annual goodwill impairment test as of October 31, 2015 using a quantitative assessment approach. As a result of this assessment we noted that the fair value of each reporting unit substantially exceeds its carrying value and therefore we determined that none of our goodwill was impaired. Intangible assets Our acquired intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which range from less than 1 year to 15 years. None of our acquired intangible assets have indefinite lives. Impairment of long-lived assets Our long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the long-lived asset may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If it is determined that an impairment loss has occurred, the loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. Revenue recognition We recognize product revenue when we have an agreement with the customer, the product has been delivered to the customer, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Each customer arrangement is evaluated to determine the presence of multiple deliverables. For multiple-element revenue arrangements, such as the sale of equipment with a service agreement, we allocate the contract value to the various elements based on relative selling price for each element and recognize revenue consistent with the nature of each deliverable. Our standard agreements generally do not include customer acceptance provisions. However, if there is a customer-specific acceptance provision, the associated revenue is deferred until we have satisfied the acceptance provision. Certain of our product sales are generated from construction-type contracts and revenue is recognized under the percentage of completion method. Under this method, revenue is recognized as work progresses on each contract. However, revenue recognition does not begin until a substantial portion of the labor hours are incurred to ensure that revenue is not recognized based solely upon materials procurement. Depending upon the product, we measure progress using an input method, such as costs incurred, or an output method, such as units completed or milestones achieved. Any expected losses are charged to earnings, in total, in the period the losses are identified. Progress billings generally are issued upon the completion of certain phases of the work as stipulated in the contract. Revenue in excess of progress billings on contracts amounted to $61.5 million and $57.5 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These unbilled receivables are reported in trade receivables on the consolidated balance sheets. Progress billings and cash collections in excess of revenue recognized on a contract are classified as advance and progress payments on the consolidated balance sheets. All unbilled trade payables are accrued in other current liabilities when revenue is recognized. Unbilled trade payables were $7.8 million and $3.4 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Service revenue is recognized either when performance is complete or proportionately over the period of the underlying contract, depending on the terms of the arrangement. Some of our operating lease revenue is earned from full-service leases for which we are paid annual fixed rates plus, in some cases, an additional amount based on production volumes. Revenue from production volumes is recognized when determinable and collectible. We provide an allowance for doubtful accounts on trade receivables equal to the estimated uncollectible amounts. This estimate is based on historical collection experience and a specific review of each customer’s trade receivable balance. Income taxes Income taxes are provided on income reported for financial statement purposes, adjusted for permanent differences between financial statement reporting and income tax regulations. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates, and reflect the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is established whenever management believes that it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets may not be realizable. A liability for uncertain tax positions is recorded whenever management believes it is not likely that the position will be sustained on examination based solely on its technical merits. Interest and penalties related to underpayment of income taxes are classified as income tax expense. Income taxes are not provided on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries or affiliates when it is management’s intention that such earnings will remain invested in those companies. Taxes are provided on such earnings in the year in which the decision is made to repatriate the earnings. Stock-based employee compensation We measure compensation cost on restricted stock awards based on the market price of our common stock at the grant date and the number of shares awarded. The compensation cost for each award is recognized ratably over the lesser of the stated vesting period or the period until the employee becomes retirement eligible, after taking into account estimated forfeitures. Foreign currency Financial statements of operations for which the U.S. dollar is not the functional currency are translated to the U.S. dollar prior to consolidation. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date, while income statement accounts are translated at the average exchange rate for each period. For these operations, translation gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity until the foreign entity is sold or liquidated. Derivative financial instruments Derivatives are recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value, with classification as current or non-current based upon the maturity of the derivative instrument. We do not offset fair value amounts for derivative instruments held with the same counterparty. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are recorded in current earnings or deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), depending on the type of hedging transaction and whether a derivative is designated as, and is effective as, a hedge. In the consolidated statements of income, earnings from foreign currency derivatives related to sales and remeasurement of sales-related assets, liabilities and contracts are recorded in revenue, while earnings from foreign currency derivatives related to purchases and remeasurement of purchase-related assets, liabilities and contracts are recorded in cost of sales. When hedge accounting is applied, we ensure that the derivative is highly effective at offsetting changes in anticipated cash flows of the hedged item or transaction. Changes in fair value of derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the underlying transactions are recognized in earnings. At such time, related deferred hedging gains or losses are also recorded in earnings on the same line as the hedged item. Effectiveness is assessed at the inception of the hedge and on a quarterly basis. Effectiveness of forward contract cash flow hedges is assessed solely on changes in fair value attributable to the change in the spot rate. The change in the fair value of the contract related to the change in forward rates is excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. Changes in this excluded component of the derivative instrument, along with any ineffectiveness identified, are recorded in earnings as incurred. We document our risk management strategy and method for assessing hedge effectiveness at the inception of and throughout the term of each hedge. Cash flows from derivative contracts are reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows in the same categories as the cash flows from the underlying transactions. Reclassifications In 2015, we recorded the amortization expense of intangible assets not considered contract-related in selling, general and administrative expense. We have reclassified similar costs in prior years of $4.0 million and $2.3 million in 2014 and 2013 respectively to be consistent with the current year presentation. Contract-related intangible assets (e.g., backlog) continue to be amortized into cost of sales. In addition, we have adopted ASU No. 2015-17 for the year ended December 31, 2015, which eliminates the requirement to separately identify the net current and net noncurrent deferred tax asset or liability in each jurisdiction and allocate valuation allowances. We have applied the amendment retrospectively and as a result have reclassified the following amounts out of current and into noncurrent deferred taxes in 2014: $23.2 million in deferred tax assets, and $4.1 million in deferred tax liabilities.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of John Bean Technologies Corporation (JBT, we, or the Company) and all wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany investments, accounts, and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of estimates

Preparation of financial statements that follow accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (U.S. GAAP) requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, which includes an estimate for excess and obsolete inventories. Inventory costs include those costs directly attributable to products, including all manufacturing overhead but excluding costs to distribute. Cost is determined on the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) basis for all domestic inventories, except certain inventories relating to construction-type contracts, which are stated at the actual production cost incurred to date, reduced by the portion of these costs identified with revenue recognized. The first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method is used to determine the cost for all other inventories.

Property, plant, and equipment

Property, plant, and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation for financial reporting purposes is provided principally on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets (land improvements—20 to 35 years; buildings—20 to 50 years; and machinery and equipment—3 to 20 years). Gains and losses are reflected in other income, net on the consolidated statements of income upon the sale or retirement of assets. Expenditures that extend the useful lives of property, plant, and equipment are capitalized and depreciated over the estimated new remaining life of the asset.

Capitalized software costs

Other assets include the capitalized cost of internal use software (including Internet web sites). The assets are stated at cost less accumulated amortization and totaled $8.1 million and $4.1 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These software costs include the amount paid for purchases of software and internal and external costs incurred during the application development stage of software projects. These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. For internal use software, the useful lives range from three to ten years. For Internet web site costs, the estimated useful lives do not exceed three years.

Goodwill

We test goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter and whenever events occur or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. Impairment testing is performed for each of our reporting units by first assessing qualitative factors to see if further testing of goodwill is required. If we conclude that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount based on our qualitative assessment, then a quantitative test is required. We may also choose to bypass the qualitative assessment and perform the quantitative test. In performing the quantitative test, we determine the fair value of a reporting unit using the “income approach” valuation method. We use a discounted cash flow model in which cash flows anticipated over several periods, plus a terminal value at the end of that time horizon, are discounted to their present value using an appropriate cost of capital rate. Judgment is required in developing the assumptions for the discounted cash flow model. These assumptions include revenue growth rates, profit margin percentages, discount rates, perpetuity growth rates, future capital expenditures, and working capital requirements, among others. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, we consider that goodwill is not impaired. If the carrying value exceeds estimated fair value, there is an indication of potential impairment, and we calculate an implied fair value of goodwill. The implied fair value is calculated as the difference between the fair value of the reporting unit and the fair value of the individual assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, excluding goodwill. An impairment charge is recorded for any excess of the carrying value over the implied fair value.

We completed our annual goodwill impairment test as of October 31, 2015 using a quantitative assessment approach. As a result of this assessment we noted that the fair value of each reporting unit substantially exceeds its carrying value and therefore we determined that none of our goodwill was impaired.

Intangible assets

Our acquired intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which range from less than 1 year to 15 years. None of our acquired intangible assets have indefinite lives.

Impairment of long-lived assets

Our long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the long-lived asset may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If it is determined that an impairment loss has occurred, the loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value.

Revenue recognition

We recognize product revenue when we have an agreement with the customer, the product has been delivered to the customer, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured.

Each customer arrangement is evaluated to determine the presence of multiple deliverables. For multiple-element revenue arrangements, such as the sale of equipment with a service agreement, we allocate the contract value to the various elements based on relative selling price for each element and recognize revenue consistent with the nature of each deliverable.

Our standard agreements generally do not include customer acceptance provisions. However, if there is a customer-specific acceptance provision, the associated revenue is deferred until we have satisfied the acceptance provision.

Certain of our product sales are generated from construction-type contracts and revenue is recognized under the percentage of completion method. Under this method, revenue is recognized as work progresses on each contract. However, revenue recognition does not begin until a substantial portion of the labor hours are incurred to ensure that revenue is not recognized based solely upon materials procurement. Depending upon the product, we measure progress using an input method, such as costs incurred, or an output method, such as units completed or milestones achieved. Any expected losses are charged to earnings, in total, in the period the losses are identified.

Progress billings generally are issued upon the completion of certain phases of the work as stipulated in the contract. Revenue in excess of progress billings on contracts amounted to $61.5 million and $57.5 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These unbilled receivables are reported in trade receivables on the consolidated balance sheets. Progress billings and cash collections in excess of revenue recognized on a contract are classified as advance and progress payments on the consolidated balance sheets. All unbilled trade payables are accrued in other current liabilities when revenue is recognized. Unbilled trade payables were $7.8 million and $3.4 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Service revenue is recognized either when performance is complete or proportionately over the period of the underlying contract, depending on the terms of the arrangement.

Some of our operating lease revenue is earned from full-service leases for which we are paid annual fixed rates plus, in some cases, an additional amount based on production volumes. Revenue from production volumes is recognized when determinable and collectible.

We provide an allowance for doubtful accounts on trade receivables equal to the estimated uncollectible amounts. This estimate is based on historical collection experience and a specific review of each customer’s trade receivable balance.

Income taxes

Income taxes are provided on income reported for financial statement purposes, adjusted for permanent differences between financial statement reporting and income tax regulations. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates, and reflect the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. A valuation allowance is established whenever management believes that it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets may not be realizable.

A liability for uncertain tax positions is recorded whenever management believes it is not likely that the position will be sustained on examination based solely on its technical merits. Interest and penalties related to underpayment of income taxes are classified as income tax expense.

Income taxes are not provided on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries or affiliates when it is management’s intention that such earnings will remain invested in those companies. Taxes are provided on such earnings in the year in which the decision is made to repatriate the earnings.

Stock-based employee compensation

We measure compensation cost on restricted stock awards based on the market price of our common stock at the grant date and the number of shares awarded. The compensation cost for each award is recognized ratably over the lesser of the stated vesting period or the period until the employee becomes retirement eligible, after taking into account estimated forfeitures.

Foreign currency

Financial statements of operations for which the U.S. dollar is not the functional currency are translated to the U.S. dollar prior to consolidation. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date, while income statement accounts are translated at the average exchange rate for each period. For these operations, translation gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity until the foreign entity is sold or liquidated.

Derivative financial instruments

Derivatives are recognized in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value, with classification as current or non-current based upon the maturity of the derivative instrument. We do not offset fair value amounts for derivative instruments held with the same counterparty. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are recorded in current earnings or deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), depending on the type of hedging transaction and whether a derivative is designated as, and is effective as, a hedge.

In the consolidated statements of income, earnings from foreign currency derivatives related to sales and remeasurement of sales-related assets, liabilities and contracts are recorded in revenue, while earnings from foreign currency derivatives related to purchases and remeasurement of purchase-related assets, liabilities and contracts are recorded in cost of sales.

When hedge accounting is applied, we ensure that the derivative is highly effective at offsetting changes in anticipated cash flows of the hedged item or transaction. Changes in fair value of derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the underlying transactions are recognized in earnings. At such time, related deferred hedging gains or losses are also recorded in earnings on the same line as the hedged item. Effectiveness is assessed at the inception of the hedge and on a quarterly basis. Effectiveness of forward contract cash flow hedges is assessed solely on changes in fair value attributable to the change in the spot rate. The change in the fair value of the contract related to the change in forward rates is excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. Changes in this excluded component of the derivative instrument, along with any ineffectiveness identified, are recorded in earnings as incurred. We document our risk management strategy and method for assessing hedge effectiveness at the inception of and throughout the term of each hedge.

Cash flows from derivative contracts are reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows in the same categories as the cash flows from the underlying transactions.

Reclassifications

In 2015, we recorded the amortization expense of intangible assets not considered contract-related in selling, general and administrative expense. We have reclassified similar costs in prior years of $4.0 million and $2.3 million in 2014 and 2013 respectively to be consistent with the current year presentation. Contract-related intangible assets (e.g., backlog) continue to be amortized into cost of sales. In addition, we have adopted ASU No. 2015-17 for the year ended December 31, 2015, which eliminates the requirement to separately identify the net current and net noncurrent deferred tax asset or liability in each jurisdiction and allocate valuation allowances. We have applied the amendment retrospectively and as a result have reclassified the following amounts out of current and into noncurrent deferred taxes in 2014: $23.2 million in deferred tax assets, and $4.1 million in deferred tax liabilities.