Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Basis of Combination:

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the combined assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses related to TimkenSteel as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 and for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions within TimkenSteel have been eliminated in the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements. All significant intercompany transactions with Timken prior to the spinoff are deemed to have been paid in the period the cost was incurred.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates:

The preparation of these Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. These estimates and assumptions are reviewed and updated regularly to reflect recent experience.

Revenue Recognition:

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition:

TimkenSteel recognizes revenue when title passes to the customer, which includes related-party sales to Timken and its subsidiaries for the periods prior to spinoff. This occurs at the shipping point except for goods sold by certain of the Company’s foreign entities and certain exported goods, where title passes when the goods reach their destination. Selling prices are fixed based on purchase orders or contractual arrangements. Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are included in net sales and the related costs are included in cost of products sold in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Cash Equivalents

Cash Equivalents:

TimkenSteel considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:

TimkenSteel maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts, which represents an estimate of losses expected from the accounts receivable portfolio, to reduce accounts receivable to their net realizable value. The allowance is based upon historical trends in collections and write-offs, management’s judgment of the probability of collecting accounts and management’s evaluation of business risk. TimkenSteel extends credit to customers satisfying pre-defined credit criteria. TimkenSteel believes it has limited concentration of credit risk due to the diversity of its customer base.

Inventories, Net

Inventories, Net:

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. The majority of TimkenSteel’s domestic inventories are valued by the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method. The remaining inventories, including manufacturing supplies inventory as well as international (outside the U.S.) inventories are valued by the first-in, first-out (FIFO), average cost or specific identification methods. Reserves are established for product inventory that is identified to be surplus and/or obsolete based on future requirements.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net:

Property, plant and equipment, net are valued at cost less accumulated depreciation. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. The provision for depreciation is computed principally by the straight-line method based upon the estimated useful lives of the assets. The useful lives are approximately 30 years for buildings and three to 20 years for machinery and equipment.

Intangible Assets, Net

Intangible Assets, Net:

Intangible assets subject to amortization are amortized on a straight-line method over their legal or estimated useful lives, with useful lives ranging from three to 15 years.

In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 350-40, “Internal-Use Software,” (ASC 350-40), TimkenSteel capitalizes certain costs incurred for computer software developed or obtained for internal use. TimkenSteel capitalizes substantially all external costs and qualifying internal costs related to the purchase and implementation of software projects used for business operations. Capitalized software costs primarily include purchased software and external consulting fees. Capitalized software projects are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the software.

Long-lived Asset Impairment

Long-lived Asset Impairment:

Long-lived assets (including tangible assets and intangible assets subject to amortization) are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances have occurred indicating that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable.

TimkenSteel tests recoverability of long-lived assets at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows that are independent from the cash flows of other assets. Assets and asset groups held and used are measured for recoverability by comparing the carrying amount of the asset or asset group to the sum of future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group.

Assumptions and estimates about future values and remaining useful lives of TimkenSteel’s long-lived assets are complex and subjective. They can be affected by a variety of factors, including external factors such as industry and economic trends and internal factors such as changes in TimkenSteel’s business strategy and internal forecasts.

If an asset or asset group is considered to be impaired, the impairment loss that would be recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. To determine fair value, TimkenSteel uses internal cash flow estimates discounted at an appropriate interest rate, third party appraisals, as appropriate, and/or market prices of similar assets, when available.

Product Warranties

Product Warranties:

TimkenSteel accrues liabilities for warranties based upon specific claim incidents in accordance with accounting rules relating to contingent liabilities. Should TimkenSteel become aware of a specific potential warranty claim for which liability is probable and reasonably estimable, a specific charge is recorded and accounted for accordingly. TimkenSteel had no significant warranty claims for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes:

For the periods ending prior to and on June 30, 2014, income taxes, as presented herein, attribute current and deferred income taxes of Timken to the TimkenSteel standalone financial statements in a manner that is systematic, rational and consistent with the asset and liability method prescribed by the FASB ASC Topic 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (ASC 740). Accordingly, the TimkenSteel income tax provision was prepared following the “separate return method.” The separate return method applies ASC 740 to the standalone financial statements of each member of the consolidated group as if the group member were a separate taxpayer and a stand-alone enterprise. As a result, actual tax transactions included in the financial statements of Timken may not be included in the Consolidated Financial Statements of TimkenSteel. Similarly, the tax treatment of certain items reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements of TimkenSteel may not be reflected in the financial statements and tax returns of Timken; therefore, such items as alternative minimum tax, net operating losses, credit carryforwards, and valuation allowances may exist in the stand-alone financial statements that may or may not exist in Timken’s financial statements.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, as well as net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. TimkenSteel recognizes valuation allowances against deferred tax assets by tax jurisdiction when it is more likely than not that such assets will not be realized. Accruals for uncertain tax positions are provided for in accordance with ASC 740. TimkenSteel recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense.

In general, the taxable income (loss) of various steel entities was included in Timken’s consolidated tax returns, where applicable, in jurisdictions around the world. As such, separate income tax returns were not prepared for any entities of TimkenSteel. Consequently, income taxes currently payable are deemed to have been remitted to Timken, in cash, in the period the liability arose and income taxes currently receivable are deemed to have been received from Timken in the period that a refund could have been recognized by TimkenSteel had TimkenSteel been a separate taxpayer. Accrued U.S. federal, state and certain foreign current income tax balances, including penalties and interest, are treated as being settled without payment as of the end of each year. Therefore, the settlement of the current income tax liability without payment is treated as a Parent contribution and is included in net transfer (to)/from Timken and affiliates in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity.

Following the spinoff on June 30, 2014, TimkenSteel accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. TimkenSteel recognizes deferred tax assets to the extent TimkenSteel believes these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, TimkenSteel considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If TimkenSteel determines that it would be able to realize deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, TimkenSteel would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes. TimkenSteel records uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740 on the basis of a two-step process whereby (1) TimkenSteel determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, TimkenSteel recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority.

TimkenSteel recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the income tax expense line in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Accrued interest and penalties are included within the related tax liability line in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation:

Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries are translated at the rate of exchange in effect on the balance sheet date; income and expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. The related translation adjustments are reflected as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Net Parent Investment

Net Parent Investment:

Prior to the spinoff, Timken’s net investment in TimkenSteel was presented as net parent investment in lieu of stockholders’ equity. The Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity included net cash transfers and other property transfers between Timken and TimkenSteel. Timken performed cash management and other treasury-related functions on a centralized basis for nearly all of its legal entities, which included TimkenSteel. The net parent investment account included assets and liabilities incurred by Timken on behalf of TimkenSteel such as accrued liabilities related to corporate allocations including administrative expenses for legal, accounting, treasury, information technology, human resources and other services. Other assets and liabilities recorded by Timken, whose related income and expense had been pushed down to TimkenSteel, were also included in net parent investment.

All intercompany transactions effected through net parent investment in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets were considered cash receipts and payments and are reflected in financing activities in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits:

TimkenSteel recognizes an overfunded status or underfunded status (e.g., the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligations) as either an asset or a liability for its defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As discussed in Note 1 - Company and Basis of Presentation, on December 31, 2016, TimkenSteel voluntarily changed its accounting principle for recognizing actuarial gains and losses and expected returns on plan assets for its defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. Prior to 2016, the Company amortized, as a component of pension and other postretirement expense, unrecognized actuarial gains and losses (included within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)) over the average remaining service period of active employees expected to receive benefits under the plan, or average remaining life expectancy of inactive participants when all or almost all of plan participants are inactive. The Company historically has calculated the market-related value of plan assets based on a 5-year market adjustment. The value was determined by adjusting the fair value of plan assets to reflect the investment gains and losses during each of the last 5 years. The difference between the expected return on assets and actual return on assets was recognized at the rate of 20% per year (e.g., recognized over five years). Under the new principle, actuarial gains and losses are immediately recognized through net periodic benefit cost in the Statement of Operations upon the annual remeasurement at December 31, or on an interim basis as triggering events warrant remeasurement. In addition, the Company changed its accounting for measuring the market-related value of plan assets from a calculated amount (based on a five-year smoothing of asset returns) to fair value. The Company believes these changes are preferable, as they result in an accelerated recognition of changes in assumptions and market return on plan assets, as compared to the minimum amortization approach and market-related value of plan assets (i.e. the delayed approach). Additionally, the Company believes the new accounting principles provide a better representation of the operating results of the Company and the impact of its benefit obligations (through the income statement) in the period when changes occur.

Prior to the spinoff, certain of TimkenSteel’s employees participated in defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans sponsored by Timken and accounted for by Timken in accordance with accounting guidance for defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. Expense allocations for these benefits were determined based on a review of personnel by business unit and based on allocations of corporate and other shared functional personnel.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation:

TimkenSteel recognizes stock-based compensation expense based on the grant date fair value of the stock-based awards over their required vesting period on a straight-line basis, whether the awards were granted with graded or cliff vesting. Stock options are issued with an exercise price equal to the opening market price of TimkenSteel common shares on the date of grant. The fair value of stock options is 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. The fair value of stock-based awards that will settle in TimkenSteel common shares, other than stock options, is based on the opening market price of TimkenSteel common shares on the grant date. The fair values of stock-based awards that will settle in cash are remeasured at each reporting period until settlement of the awards.

TimkenSteel early adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” in the fourth quarter of 2016, with the effect recorded as of January 1, 2016.

Under ASU 2016-09, TimkenSteel recognizes all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as income tax expense or benefit in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company recorded an adjustment to beginning retained earnings of $4.2 million for previously unrecognized excess tax benefits. The excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies are considered discrete items in the reporting period they occur and are not included in the estimate of an entity’s annual effective tax rate.

TimkenSteel’s prior year additional paid in capital pool will be not be affected because those excess benefits have already been recognized in the financial statements, and the recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement is prospective only in the fiscal year of adoption. As a result, there was not a reclassification between additional paid in capital and retained earnings in the fiscal years before adoption

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments:

TimkenSteel recognizes all derivatives on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Derivatives that are not designated as hedges must be adjusted to fair value through earnings. Forward contracts on various foreign currencies may be entered into in order to manage the foreign currency exchange rate risk on forecasted revenue denominated in foreign currencies. Other forward exchange contracts on various foreign currencies may be entered into in order to manage the foreign currency exchange rate risk associated with certain of TimkenSteel’s commitments denominated in foreign currencies.

Research and Development

Research and Development:

Expenditures for TimkenSteel research and development amounted to $8.0 million, $8.6 million and $8.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and were recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. These expenditures may fluctuate from year to year depending on special projects and the needs of TimkenSteel and its customers.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company adopted the following standards during 2016, none of which had a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements or the related Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.



Standard		Effective Date

2015-05	Internal-Use Software: Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement	January 1, 2016
2016-09	Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting - See Note 10	January 1, 2016
2015-03	Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs - See Note 6	March 31, 2016

Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Accounting for Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory (Topic 740). This ASU requires immediate recognition of the income tax consequences of intercompany asset transfers other than inventory. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a Consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force),” The guidance is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain items are classified in the cash flow statement. It is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those years. Early adoption is permitted, provided that all the issues addressed in the standard are adopted in the same period. Retrospective transition is required. TimkenSteel plans to adopt ASU 2016-15 effective January 1, 2017, and does not expect the adoption to have a material effect on its Statements of Cash Flows.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” This ASU changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets, including trade and other receivables. This guidance will replace the current incurred loss approach with an expected loss model. It is effective for annual periods beginning after December 31, 2019, and interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods therein. TimkenSteel is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its results of operations and financial condition.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” which requires lessees to recognize lease liabilities and right-of-use assets on the balance sheet for operating leases, and requires additional quantitative and qualitative disclosures. It is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company regularly enters into operating leases. TimkenSteel is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its results of operations and financial condition.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Inventory: Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (Topic 330),” which requires that certain inventory be measured at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The guidance applies only to inventories for which cost is determined by methods other than last-in, first-out (LIFO). The Company values certain portions of its inventory using the FIFO, average cost, or specific identification methods. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. TimkenSteel plans to adopt this standard effective January 1, 2017, and does not expected the adoption to have a material effect its results of operations and financial condition.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” which provides guidance for revenue recognition and will supersede Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry-specific guidance. Under ASU 2014-09 and the subsequently issued amendments, the core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Additional disclosures will be required about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows from contracts with customers. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods after December 15, 2017. TimkenSteel is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this ASU on its results of operations and financial condition. TimkenSteel anticipates adopting this standard using the modified retrospective approach as of January 1, 2018.