Description of the Company and Basis of Presentation (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Acquisitions

Acquisitions

Acquisitions are recorded using the purchase method of accounting. The purchase price of acquisitions is allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair value at the acquisition date. The excess of the acquisition price over those estimated fair values is recorded as goodwill. Changes to the acquisition date preliminary fair values prior to the expiration of the measurement period, a period not to exceed 12 months from date of acquisition, are recorded as an adjustment to the associated goodwill. Contingent consideration resulting from acquisitions is recorded at its estimated fair value on the acquisition date. These obligations are revalued during each subsequent reporting period and changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration obligations can result from adjustments in the probability of achieving future development steps, sales targets and profitability and are recorded in General and administrative expenses in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations. Acquisition-related expenses and restructuring costs, if any, are recognized separately from the business combination and are expensed as incurred.

Impairment or disposal of long-lived assets

Impairment of Long‑Lived Assets

Long‑lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Recoverability of the asset or asset group is measured by comparison of its carrying amount to undiscounted future net cash flows the asset or asset group is expected to generate. If the carrying amount of an asset or asset group is not recoverable, the Company recognizes an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset or asset group over its respective fair value which is generally determined as the present value of estimated future cash flows or as the appraised value.

Fiscal year

Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal year ends on September 30.

Earnings per share

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per common share is computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share is computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock, plus the effect of diluted common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Diluted potential common shares include outstanding stock options.

Equity-based compensation

Equity‑based Compensation

The Company measures the cost of awards of equity instruments to employees based on the grant‑date fair value of the award. The grant‑date fair value of a non-qualified stock option is determined using the Black‑Scholes model. The fair value of restricted stock unit awards is determined using the closing price of our common stock on date of grant. Compensation costs resulting from equity-based payment transactions are recognized primarily within General and administrative expenses, at fair value over the requisite vesting period on a straight-line basis.

Research and development cost

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

Revenue recognition

Revenue Recognition

The Company adopted Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers on October 1, 2018, and recognizes sales of goods and services based on the five-step analysis of transactions as provided in Topic 606 which requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for such goods or services.

For sales of aftermarket parts or products with a low level of customization and engineering time, the Company recognizes revenues at the time risks and rewards of ownership pass, which is generally when products are shipped or delivered to the customer as the Company has no obligation for installation. Sales of short‑term service arrangements are recognized as the services are performed, and sales of long‑term service arrangements are typically recognized on a straight‑line basis over the life of the agreement.

For certain arrangements where there is significant customization to the product, the Company recognizes revenue either over time or at a point in time. These products include large capital water treatment projects, systems and solutions for municipal and industrial applications. The nature of the contracts is generally fixed price with milestone billings. The Company recognizes revenue over time if the product has no alternative use and the Company has an enforceable right to payment for the performance completed to date, including a normal profit margin, in the event of termination for convenience. If these two criteria are not met, revenues from these contracts will not be recognized until construction is complete. Contract revenues and cost estimates are reviewed and revised quarterly at a minimum and the cumulative effect of such adjustments are recognized in current operations. The amount of such adjustments have not been material.

Basis of presentation

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”). All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts in these notes are referred to in thousands.

The interim Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such SEC rules. We believe that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. We consistently applied the accounting policies described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, as filed with the SEC on December 11, 2018 (“2018 Annual Report”), in preparing these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, with the exception of accounting standard updates described in Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.” These Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and the notes included in our 2018 Annual Report.

Standard product warranty

Product Warranties

Accruals for estimated expenses related to warranties are made at the time products are sold and are recorded as a component of Cost of product sales in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations. The estimated warranty obligation is based on product warranty terms offered to customers, ongoing product failure rates, material usage and service delivery costs expected to be incurred in correcting a product failure, as well as specific obligations for known failures and other currently available evidence. The Company assesses the adequacy of the recorded warranty liabilities on a regular basis and adjusts amounts as necessary.

Shipping and handling cost

Shipping and Handling Cost

Shipping and handling costs are included as a component of Cost of product sales

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company’s risk-management strategy uses derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange rate risk. The Company’s objective in using interest rate derivatives is to add stability to interest expense and manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, in November 2018, the Company entered into an interest rate cap which has been designated as a cash flow hedge. The Company uses foreign currency derivative contracts in order to manage the effect of exchange fluctuations on forecasted sales and purchases that are denominated in foreign currencies. To mitigate the impact of foreign exchange rate risk, the Company entered into a series of forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges. The Company does not enter into derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. The Company accounts for derivatives and hedging activities in accordance with ASC Topic No. 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (Topic No. 815). The Company recognizes all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair values of derivatives that are not designated as hedges are recognized in earnings. If the derivative is designated and qualifies as a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are either offset against the change in the hedged assets or liabilities through earnings or recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (“AOCI”) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings.

Income taxes

Income Taxes

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that included the enactment date. Valuation allowances are provided against deferred tax assets when it is deemed more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized within a reasonable time period. We assess tax positions using a two‑step process. A tax position is recognized if it meets a more‑likely‑than‑not threshold, and is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% percent of being realized. Uncertain tax positions are reviewed each balance sheet date.

Foreign currency translations and transactions

Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions

The functional currency for the international subsidiaries is the local currency. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using current rates of exchange, with the resulting translation adjustments recorded in other comprehensive income/loss within shareholders’ equity. Revenues and expenses are translated at the weighted‑average exchange rate for the period, with the resulting translation adjustments recorded in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Retirement benefits

Retirement Benefits

The Company applies ASC Topic 715, Compensation—Retirement Benefits, which requires the recognition in pension obligations and accumulated other comprehensive income of actuarial gains or losses, prior service costs or credits and transition assets or obligations that have previously been deferred. The determination of retirement benefit pension obligations and associated costs requires the use of actuarial computations to estimate participant plan benefits to which the employees will be entitled. The significant assumptions primarily relate to discount rates, expected long‑term rates of return on plan assets, rate of future compensation increases, mortality, years of service, and other factors. The Company develops each assumption using relevant experience in conjunction with market‑related data for each individual country in which such plans exist. All actuarial assumptions are reviewed annually with third‑party consultants and adjusted as necessary. For the recognition of net periodic postretirement cost, the calculation of the expected return on plan assets is generally derived by applying the expected long‑term rate of return on the market‑related value of plan assets. The fair value of plan assets is determined based on actual market prices or estimated fair value at the measurement date.

Recent accounting pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Use of estimates

Use of Estimates

The Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in conformity with GAAP and require management to make estimates and assumptions. These assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates are revised as additional information becomes available. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents are liquid investments with an original maturity of three or fewer months when purchased.

Receivables

Accounts Receivable

Receivables are primarily comprised of uncollected amounts owed to us from transactions with customers and are presented net of allowances for doubtful accounts. Allowances are estimated based on historical write‑offs and the economic status of customers. The Company considers a receivable delinquent if it is unpaid after the term of the related invoice has expired. Write‑offs are recorded at the time all collection efforts have been exhausted.

Inventories

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, where cost is generally determined on the basis of an average or first‑in, first‑out (“FIFO”) method. Production costs comprise direct material and labor and applicable manufacturing overheads, including depreciation charges. The Company regularly reviews inventory quantities on hand and writes off excess or obsolete inventory based on estimated forecasts of product demand and production requirements. Manufacturing operations recognize cost of product sales using standard costing rates with overhead absorption which generally approximates actual cost.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, Plant, and Equipment

Property, plant, and equipment is valued at cost less accumulated depreciation. If the costs of certain components of an item of property, plant, and equipment are significant in relation to the total cost of the item, they are accounted for and depreciated separately. Depreciation expense is recognized using the straight‑line method. Useful lives are reviewed annually and, if expectations differ from previous estimates, adjusted accordingly. Estimated useful lives for major classes of depreciable assets are as follows:

Asset Class	Estimated Useful Life
Machinery and equipment	3 to 20 years
Buildings and improvements	10 to 40 years

Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their estimated useful life or the term of the lease. Costs related to maintenance and repairs that do not extend the assets’ useful life are expensed as incurred.

Goodwill and other intangible assets

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents purchase consideration paid in a business combination that exceeds the value assigned to the net assets of acquired businesses. Other intangible assets consist of customer‑related intangibles, proprietary technology, software, trademarks and other intangible assets. The Company amortizes intangible assets with definite useful lives on a straight‑line basis over their respective estimated economic lives which range from 1 to 26 years.

The Company reviews goodwill to determine potential impairment annually during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year, or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Impairment testing for goodwill is performed at a reporting unit level. Our quantitative impairment testing utilizes both a market (guideline public company) and income (discounted cash flows) method for determining fair value. In estimating the fair value of the reporting unit utilizing a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) valuation technique, we incorporate our judgment and estimates of future cash flows, future revenue and gross profit growth rates, terminal value amount, capital expenditures and applicable weighted‑average cost of capital used to discount these estimated cash flows. The estimates and projections used in the estimate of fair value are consistent with our current budget and long‑range plans, including anticipated change in market conditions, industry trend, growth rates and planned capital expenditures, among other considerations.

Debt issuance costs

Debt Issuance Costs and Debt Discounts

Debt issuance costs are capitalized and amortized over the contractual term of the underlying debt using the straight line method which approximates the effective interest method. Debt discounts and lender arrangement fees deducted from the proceeds have been included as a component of the carrying value of debt and are being amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method.