Summary of Accounting and Financial Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Business Description and Basis of Presentation

Business Description and Basis of Presentation. Ryerson Holding Corporation (“Ryerson Holding”), a Delaware corporation, is the parent company of Joseph T. Ryerson & Son, Inc. (“JT Ryerson”), a Delaware corporation. Affiliates of Platinum Equity, LLC (“Platinum”) own approximately 21,037,500 shares of our common stock, which is approximately 55% of our issued and outstanding common stock. We are a leading value-added processor and distributor of industrial metals with operations in the United States through JT Ryerson, in Canada through our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary Ryerson Canada, Inc., a Canadian corporation (“Ryerson Canada”), and in Mexico through our indirect wholly-owned subsidiary Ryerson Metals de Mexico, S. de R.L. de C.V., a Mexican corporation (“Ryerson Mexico”). In addition to our North American operations, we conduct materials processing and distribution operations in China through an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Ryerson China Limited, a Chinese limited liability company (“Ryerson China”). Unless the context indicates otherwise, Ryerson Holding, JT Ryerson, Ryerson Canada, Ryerson Mexico, and Ryerson China together with their subsidiaries, are collectively referred to herein as “Ryerson,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company.”

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation. The Company consolidates entities in which it owns or controls more than 50% of the voting shares. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Business Segments

Business Segments. Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 280, “Segment Reporting” (“ASC 280”), establishes standards for reporting information on operating segments in interim and annual financial statements. Our Chief Executive Officer, together with our Board of Directors, serve as our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”). Our CODM reviews our financial information for purposes of making operational decisions and assessing financial performance. The CODM views our business globally as metals service centers. We have one operating and reportable segment, metal service centers, in accordance with the criteria set forth in ASC 280.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and related notes to the financial statements. Changes in such estimates may affect amounts reported in future periods.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition. Revenue is recognized in accordance with FASB ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASC 606”). Revenue is recognized based on the consideration expected to be received for delivery of as-is or processed metal products when, or as, the Company satisfies its contractual obligation to transfer control of a product to a customer, which we refer to as a performance obligation. See Note 17: Revenue Recognition for further details.

Provision for Allowances, Claims and Doubtful Accounts

Provision for allowances, claims, and doubtful accounts. The Company follows the guidance under ASC 326 “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses” (“ASC 326”). The Company monitors customer payments and maintains a provision for estimated credit losses based on historical experience and specific customer collection issues that the Company has identified. Estimation of such losses requires adjusting historical loss experience for current economic conditions and judgments about the probable effects of economic conditions on certain customers. See Note 18: Provision for Credit Losses for further details.

Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs

Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs. Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are classified in net sales in our Consolidated Statement of Operations. Shipping and handling costs, primarily distribution costs, are classified in warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statement of Operations. These costs totaled $125.2 million, $113.7 million, and $126.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. In accordance with ASC 606, the Company has elected to treat shipping and handling costs as an activity necessary to fulfill the performance obligation to transfer product to the customer and not as a separate performance obligation. Shipping and handling costs are estimated at quarter end in proportion to revenue recognized for transactions where actual costs are not yet known.

Benefits for Retired Employees

Benefits for Retired Employees. The Company recognizes the funded status of its defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with changes in the funded status recognized through accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), in the year in which the changes occur. Service cost is included in warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and administrative expenses and all other components of net benefit costs are recognized in other income and (expense), net, in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The estimated cost of the Company’s defined benefit pension plan and its postretirement medical benefits are determined annually or upon plan remeasurement after considering information provided by consulting actuaries. Key factors used in developing estimates of these liabilities include assumptions related to discount rates, rates of return on investments, mortality rates, future compensation costs, healthcare cost trends, benefit payment patterns, and other factors. The cost of these benefits for retirees is accrued during their term of employment. Pensions are funded primarily in accordance with the

requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) of 1974 and the Pension Protection Act of 2006. Costs for retired employee medical benefits are funded when claims are submitted. Certain employees are covered by a defined contribution plan, for which the cost is expensed in the period earned.

Cash Equivalents

Cash Equivalents. Cash equivalents reflected in the financial statements are highly liquid, short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less. Checks issued in excess of funds on deposit at the bank represent “book” overdrafts. We reclassified $77.3 million and $84.9 million to accounts payable at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Inventory Valuation

Inventory Valuation. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value. We primarily use the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method for valuing our domestic inventories. We use the moving average cost and the specific cost methods for valuing our foreign inventories.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant, and Equipment. Property, plant, and equipment, including land use rights and finance lease assets, are depreciated for financial reporting purposes using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The provision for depreciation in all periods presented is based on the following estimated useful lives of the assets:

Land improvements	20 years
Buildings	45 years
Machinery and equipment	10-15 years
Furniture and fixtures	10 years
Transportation equipment	3-6 years
Land use rights	50 years

Expenditures for normal repairs and maintenance are charged against income in the period incurred.

Leases

Leases. Leases are recognized in accordance with FASB ASC 842, “Leases” (“ASC 842”). The Company leases various assets including real estate, trucks, trailers, mobile equipment, processing equipment, and IT equipment. See Note 6: Leases, for further details.

The Company leases various assets including real estate, trucks, trailers, mobile equipment, processing equipment, and IT equipment.  The Company has noncancelable operating leases expiring at various times through 2036, and finance leases expiring at various times through 2027.

Policy Elections & Practical Expedients

The Company has made an accounting policy election not to record leases with an initial term of twelve months or less (“short term leases”) on the balance sheet as allowed within ASC 842. Short term lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company has elected to apply the practical expedient that allows for the combination of lease and non-lease components for all asset classes. In addition, the Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things, allowed the Company to carry forward the historical lease classification for leases that existed at the transition date.

Significant Judgments

Many of our real estate leases include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease term from one to 5 years or more. To determine the expected lease term, we include any noncancelable periods within the lease agreement as well as any periods covered by an option to extend the lease if we are reasonably certain to exercise the option. The equipment leases do not typically include options for renewal but do include options for purchase at the end of the lease. We determine the likelihood of exercising the option for purchase by assessing the option price versus the estimated fair value at the end of the lease term to determine if the option price is low enough that we are reasonably certain to exercise it. The depreciable life of finance lease assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain of exercise.

Lease payments include fixed payments, the exercise price of a purchase option that is reasonably certain of exercise, variable payments based on a known index, and the amount probable that the Company will owe under a residual value guarantee. Variable lease payments that are not based on a known index are not included in lease payments and are expensed as incurred.

The discount rate used to determine the amount of right of use assets, lease liabilities, and lease classification is the interest rate implicit in the lease, when known. If the rate implicit in the lease is not known, the Company will use its incremental borrowing rate defined as the interest rate swap rate that approximates the lease term plus the long-term expected spread on the $1.0 billion revolving credit facility amended as of November 5, 2020 (the “Ryerson Credit Facility”).

Goodwill

Goodwill. In accordance with FASB ASC 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other” (“ASC 350”), goodwill is reviewed at least annually for impairment or whenever indicators of potential impairment exist. We test for impairment of goodwill by assessing various qualitative factors with respect to developments in our business and the overall economy. If we determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than the carrying value based on our qualitative assessment, we will proceed to the quantitative goodwill impairment test, in which we compare the fair value of the reporting unit where the goodwill resides to its carrying value. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, not to exceed the carrying amount of the goodwill. The fair value of the reporting unit is estimated using a combination of an income approach and a market approach as this combination is deemed to be the most indicative of fair value in an orderly transaction between market participants.

Long-lived Assets and Other Intangible Assets

Long-lived Assets and Other Intangible Assets. Long-lived assets held and used by the Company are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company estimates the future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment is recognized. Any related impairment loss is calculated based upon comparison of the fair value to the carrying value of the asset. Separate intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized over their useful lives. An impaired intangible asset would be written down to fair value, using the discounted cash flow method.

Accrued Vacation Liability

Accrued Vacation Liability. In 2019, the Company changed its vacation policy such that employees earn their vacation for the current year as work is performed throughout the year and forfeit any unused vacation at the end of the year, with the exception of a partial rollover allowance subject to a cap. Under the previous policy, vacation was earned in advance of work being performed for the subsequent year. As a result of this policy change, the Company recorded a reduction of $11.0 million to accrued vacation expense, which is included within warehousing, delivery, general, and administrative expense within the Consolidated Statement of Operations in 2019.

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred Financing Costs. Deferred financing costs associated with the issuance of debt are being amortized using either the effective interest method or straight line method over the life of the debt in accordance with FASB ASC 470, “Debt” (“ASC 470”). Deferred financing costs related to a recognized debt liability are presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability.

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency. The Company translates assets and liabilities of its foreign subsidiaries, where the functional currency is the local currency, into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange on the last day of the reporting period. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average monthly exchange rates prevailing during the year.

For foreign currency transactions, the Company translates these amounts to the Company’s functional currency at the exchange rate effective on the invoice date. If the exchange rate changes between the time of purchase and the time actual payment is made, a foreign exchange transaction gain or loss results which is included in determining net income (loss) for the year. The Company recognized $0.2 million exchange loss, zero exchange gains/losses, and a $2.4 million exchange loss for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. These amounts are classified either in Other income and (expense), net or Warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and administrative expense in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.  

Income Taxes

Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets or liabilities reflect temporary differences between amounts of assets and liabilities for financial and tax reporting. Such amounts are adjusted, as appropriate, to reflect changes in enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when the temporary differences reverse. A valuation allowance is established to offset any deferred tax assets if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The determination of the amount of a valuation allowance to be provided on recorded deferred tax assets involves estimates regarding (1) the timing and amount of the reversal of taxable temporary differences, (2) expected future taxable income, (3) the impact of tax planning strategies, and (4) the ability to carry back tax losses to offset prior taxable income. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including past operating results, projections of future taxable income, and the feasibility of ongoing tax planning strategies. The projections of future taxable income include a number of estimates and assumptions regarding volume, pricing, costs, and industry cyclicality.

Significant judgment is required in determining income tax provisions and in evaluating tax positions. In the normal course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries are examined by various federal, state, and foreign tax authorities. The Company records the impact of a tax position, if that position is more likely than not to be sustained in audit, based on the technical merits of the position. The Company regularly assesses the potential outcomes of these examinations and any future examinations for the current or prior years in determining the adequacy of our provision for income taxes. The Company continually assesses the likelihood and amount of potential adjustments and adjusts the income tax provision, the current tax liability, and deferred taxes in the period in which the facts that give rise to a revision become known.

The Company recognizes the benefit of tax positions when a benefit is more likely than not (i.e., greater than 50% likely) to be sustained on its technical merits. Recognized tax benefits are measured at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained, based on cumulative probability, in final settlement of the position. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.

Earnings Per Share Data

Earnings Per Share Data. Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by giving effect to all dilutive potential common shares that were outstanding during the period, unless inclusion of the potential common shares would have an antidilutive effect. Basic earnings per share excludes the dilutive effect of common stock equivalents such as stock options and warrants, while diluted earnings per share, assuming dilution, includes such dilutive effects.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation. All of our stock-based compensation plans are classified as equity awards. The fair value of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance stock units (“PSUs”) is determined based on the fair value of our common stock on the grant date. The fair value of stock options is estimated based on a Monte Carlo simulation and considers variables such as volatility, dividend yield, risk-free rate, and the expected exercise multiple in computing the value of the options. The fair value of stock options, RSUs, and PSUs is expensed on a straight-line basis over their respective vesting periods. We have elected to recognize forfeitures as they occur. See Note 12: Stock-Based Compensation for further details.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards–Adopted

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes – Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.” The guidance removes certain exceptions for recognizing deferred taxes for equity method investments, performing intraperiod allocation, and calculating income taxes in interim periods. The ASU also adds guidance to reduce complexity in certain areas, including recognizing deferred taxes for tax goodwill and allocating taxes to members of a consolidated group, among others. We adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2021 and there was no impact to our consolidated financial statements.

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, “Business Combinations (Topic 805), Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers.” The amendments in this update clarify the accounting to address diversity in practice and require that an acquirer recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with ASC 606. The update is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022 and should be applied prospectively to business combinations occurring on or after the effective date of the amendments. Early adoption is permitted including adoption in an interim period. An entity that early adopts in an interim period should apply the amendments (1) retrospectively to all business combinations for which the acquisition date occurs on or after the beginning of the fiscal year that includes the interim period of early application and (2) prospectively to all business combinations that occur on or after the date of initial application. We adopted this guidance as of October 1, 2021 and there was no impact to our consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards–Not Yet Adopted

No accounting pronouncements have been issued that we have not yet adopted.

Revenue Accounting Policy

We are a leading value-added processor and distributor of industrial metals with operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China. We purchase large quantities of metal products from primary producers and sell these materials in smaller quantities to a wide variety of metals-consuming industries. Nearly 80% of the metals products sold are processed by us by bending, beveling, blanking, blasting, burning, cutting-to-length, drilling, embossing, flattening, forming, grinding, laser cutting, machining, notching, painting, perforating, polishing, punching, rolling, sawing, scribing, shearing, slitting, stamping, tapping, threading, welding, or other techniques to process materials to a specified thickness, length, width, shape, and surface quality pursuant to specific customer orders.  

Revenue Accounting Policy

Revenue is recognized based on the consideration expected to be received for delivery of as-is or processed metal products when, or as, the Company satisfies its contractual obligation to transfer control of a product to a customer, which we refer to as a performance obligation. Predominately all of our contracts contain a single performance obligation.  

The majority of our revenue is recognized at a point in time.  The Company has determined that the most definitive demonstration that control has transferred to a customer is physical delivery, with the exception of bill and hold and consignment transactions. The Company’s bill-and-hold transactions are arrangements where a customer requests that we bill them for a product even though we retain physical possession of the product until it is subsequently delivered to the customer. Bill and hold revenue is recorded when all of the criteria within ASC 606 are met.  Consignment transactions are arrangements where the Company transfers product to a customer location but retains ownership and control of such product until it is used by the customer. Revenue for consignment arrangements is recognized upon the customer’s usage.

Revenues associated with products which we believe have no alternative use, and where the Company has an enforceable right to payment, are recognized on an over time basis.  Products with no alternative use include products made from unique alloys, custom extrusions, non-standard gauges, items that have been processed to a custom size that cannot be cost effectively reworked to a standard size, or items processed to customer specific drawings or specifications.  Over-time revenues are recorded in proportion with the progress made toward completing the performance obligation.  

Ryerson uses both input and output methods of measuring progress towards completion based on the type and extent of processing completed.  Input methods are used for complex processing with multiple steps occurring over multiple days.  Under the input method, the measure of performance, commonly called percentage of completion, is the ratio of costs incurred to date to the total estimated costs at completion for the products.  Output methods are used for products with minimal processing where the normal pattern of production is less than one day. In these cases, the progress towards completion is measured based on the number of products on hand and ready for delivery in comparison to the total number of products in the order.

Significant judgment is required in determining which products qualify for over time revenue recognition, the methodology to be used in calculating the progress toward completion, and estimating the costs incurred to date and the total cost at completion.  

Revenue is recorded net of returns, allowances, customer discounts, and incentives.  Sales taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are accounted for on a net (excluded from revenues) basis.

Prices are generally fixed at the time of order confirmation. At each quarter end, the Company calculates an estimate of potential cash discounts and returns and allowances that could be taken by customers that are associated with outstanding accounts receivable, as well as estimates of customer rebates.  Cash discounts and returns and allowances are calculated based on historical experience.  Customer rebates are estimated based on actual sales and projections over the rebate period.  

The Company has elected to treat shipping and handling costs as an activity necessary to fulfill the performance obligation to transfer product to the customer and not as a separate performance obligation. Shipping and handling costs are estimated at quarter end in proportion to revenue recognized for transactions where actual costs are not yet known. Shipping and handling costs are included in Warehousing, delivery, selling, general, and administrative expense. The balance recognized related to accrued shipping and handling costs was a net contract liability of $0.1 at December 31, 2021 and was zero at December 31, 2020.

The Company’s performance obligations are typically short-term in nature. As a result, the Company has elected the practical expedient that provides an exemption of the disclosure requirements regarding information about remaining performance obligations on contracts that have original expected durations of one year or less.