New Accounting Standards (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Accounting Changes and Error Corrections [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

Our consolidated financial statements were prepared in U.S. dollars and in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

Prior to the Separation, our results of operations, financial position and cash flows were derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of Dover and reflect the combined historical results of operations, financial position and cash flows of certain Dover entities conducting its upstream oil and gas energy business within Dover’s Energy segment, including an allocated portion of Dover’s corporate costs. These financial statements have been presented as if such businesses had been combined for all periods prior to the Separation. All intercompany transactions and accounts within Dover were eliminated. The assets and liabilities were reflected on a historical cost basis since all of the assets and liabilities presented were wholly owned by Dover and were transferred within the Dover consolidated group. The statements of income also include expense allocations for certain corporate functions historically performed by Dover and not allocated to its operating segments, including corporate executive management, human resources, information technology, facilities, tax, shared services, finance and legal, including the costs of salaries, benefits and other related costs. These expense allocations were based on direct usage or benefit where identifiable, with the remainder allocated on the basis of revenue, headcount or other measures. These pre-Separation combined financial statements may not include all of the actual expenses that would have been incurred had we been a stand-alone public company during the periods presented prior to the Separation and consequently may not reflect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows had we been a stand-alone public company during the periods presented prior to the Separation. Actual costs that would have been incurred if we had been a stand-alone public company would depend on a variety of factors, including organizational structure and strategic decisions made in various areas, including information technology and infrastructure.

Prior to the Separation, transactions between Apergy and Dover, with the exception of transactions discussed in Note 3—Related Party Transactions, are reflected in the combined statements of cash flows as a financing activity in “Distributions to Dover Corporation, net.” See Note 3—Related Party Transactions for additional information.

No portion of Dover’s third-party debt was historically held by an Apergy entity or was transferred to Apergy; therefore, no interest expense was presented in the combined statements of income for each of the periods presented prior to the Separation. Intercompany notes payable to Dover were presented within “Net parent investment in Apergy” in our combined balance sheet because the notes were not settled in cash. Accordingly, no interest expense related to intercompany debt was presented in the combined statements of income for each of the periods presented prior to the Separation.

All financial information presented after the Separation represents the consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows of Apergy. Accordingly, our results of operations and cash flows consist of the consolidated results of Apergy from May 9, 2018 to December 31, 2019, and the combined results of operations and cash flows for periods prior to May 9, 2018. Our balance sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, reflect the consolidated balances of Apergy. Our management believes the assumptions underlying these consolidated financial statements, including the assumptions regarding the allocation of corporate expenses from Dover for periods prior to the Separation, are reasonable.

The legal transfer of the upstream oil and gas energy businesses from Dover to Apergy occurred on May 9, 2018; however, for ease of reference, and unless otherwise stated or the context otherwise requires, all references to “Apergy Corporation,” “Apergy,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer (i) prior to the Separation, to the Apergy businesses, consisting of entities, assets and liabilities conducting the upstream oil and gas business within Dover’s Energy segment and (ii) after the Separation, to Apergy Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Use of Estimates

Use of estimates—The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Such estimates include, but are not limited to, net realizable value of inventories, allowance for doubtful accounts, pension and post-retirement plans, future cash flows associated with impairment testing of goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets and other long-lived assets, estimates related to income taxes and estimates related to contingencies.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents—Cash equivalents are highly liquid, short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less from their date of purchase.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Receivables, net of allowances—An allowance for doubtful accounts is provided on receivables equal to the estimated uncollectible amounts. This estimate is based on historical collection experience, current economic and market conditions and a review of the current status of each customer’s trade accounts receivable.

Inventories

Inventories—Inventories for the majority of our subsidiaries, including all international subsidiaries, are stated at the lower of cost, determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis, or net realizable value. Other domestic inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) basis, or market. Under the LIFO method, the cost assigned to items sold is based on the cost of the most recent items purchased. As a result, the costs of the first items purchased remain in inventory and are used to value ending inventory.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment—Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of our assets as follows: buildings and improvements 5 to 31.5 years; machinery and equipment 1 to 7 years; and software 3 to 10 years. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Gains and losses are realized upon the sale or disposition of assets and are recorded in “Other expense, net” on our consolidated statements of income. 

Property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of the long-lived asset may not be recoverable. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of 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 impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value.

Goodwill, Other Intangible Assets and Long-Lived Assets

Goodwill and other intangible assets—Goodwill is not subject to amortization but is tested for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. We have established October 1 as the date of our annual test for impairment of goodwill. A quantitative test is used to determine the existence of goodwill impairment and the amount of the impairment loss at the reporting unit level. The quantitative test compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. We use an income-based valuation method, determining the present value of estimated future cash flows, to estimate the fair value of a reporting unit. Significant assumptions used in estimating our reporting unit fair values include (i) annual revenue growth rates; (ii) operating margins; (iii) risk-adjusted discount rate; and (iv) terminal value determined using a long-term growth rate. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss will be recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.

Our finite-lived acquired intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which generally range from 5 to 15 years. Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the intangible asset may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of an intangible 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 intangible asset exceeds its fair value. We have one intangible asset with an indefinite life which is tested annually for impairment.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition—Prior to January 1, 2018, revenue was recognized when all of the following conditions were satisfied: a) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, b) price is fixed or determinable, c) collectability is reasonably assured and d) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered. Beginning in 2018, and in connection with the adoption of ASC Topic 606, revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of control of the related goods and services to the customer. The majority of our revenue is generated through the manufacture and sale of a broad range of specialized products and components, with revenue recognized upon transfer of title and risk of loss, which is generally upon shipment. We account for shipping and handling activities performed after control of a good has been transferred to the customer as a contract fulfillment cost rather than a separate performance obligation. In limited cases, revenue arrangements with customers require delivery, installation, testing, or other acceptance provisions to be satisfied before revenue is recognized. Service revenue is recognized as the services are performed. Software product revenue is recorded when the software product is shipped to the customer or over the term of the contract on a subscription based model.

Estimates are used to determine the amount of variable consideration in contracts, as well as the determination of the standalone selling price among separate performance obligations. Some contracts with customers include variable consideration primarily related to volume rebates. We estimate variable consideration at the most likely amount to determine the total consideration which we expect to be entitled. Estimated amounts are included in the transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. Our estimates of variable consideration and the determination of whether to include estimated amounts in the transaction price are largely based on an assessment of our anticipated performance and all information that is reasonably available. We exclude all taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction and collected from a customer (e.g., sales, use, value added, and some excise taxes) from the determination of the transaction price.

Lessor Accounting

Lessor accounting—Our lease arrangements generally allow customers to rent equipment on a daily basis with no stated end date. Customers may return the equipment at any point subsequent to the lease commencement date without penalty. We account for these arrangements as a daily renewal option beginning on the lease commencement date, with the lease term determined as the period in which it is reasonably certain the option will be exercised. Based on our assessment of the lease classification criteria, our lease arrangements have been classified as operating leases. Our lease arrangements generally include lease and non-lease components for which revenue is recognized based on each component’s standalone price. Lease revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease and is included in “Other revenue” in the consolidated statement of income. Non-lease revenue related to our lease arrangements is recognized in accordance with our revenue recognition accounting policy. Assets in our lease program are reported in “Property, plant, and equipment, net” on our consolidated balance sheets and are depreciated over their estimated useful lives to an estimated salvage value. Leased equipment damaged in operation is generally charged to the customer. Charges for damaged leased equipment is recorded as “Product revenue” and the remaining net book value of the leased asset is expensed as “Costs of goods and services” in the consolidated statements of income.

Lessee Accounting

Lessee accounting—Lease liabilities are measured at the lease commencement date and are based on the present value of remaining payments contractually required under the contract. Payments that are variable in nature are excluded from the measurement of our lease liabilities and are recorded as an expense as incurred. Options to renew or extend a lease are included in the measurement of our lease liabilities only when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise these rights. In estimating the

present value of our lease liabilities, payments are discounted at our incremental borrowing rate (“IBR”), which has been applied utilizing a portfolio approach. We utilized information publicly available from companies within our industry with similar credit profiles to construct a company-specific yield curve in order to estimate the rate of interest we would pay to borrow at various lease terms. At lease commencement, we recognize a lease right-of-use asset equal to our lease liability, adjusted for lease payments paid to the lessor prior to the lease commencement date, and any initial direct costs incurred. Operating lease expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For finance leases, we amortize our right-of-use assets on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the asset’s useful life or the lease term. Additionally, interest expense is recognized each period related to the accretion of our lease liabilities over their respective lease terms.

Refer to Note 2 for additional information related to practical expedients and elections made under ASC Topic 842.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation—Prior to the Separation, our employees participated in Dover’s stock-based compensation plans. Stock-based compensation was allocated to us by Dover based on the awards and terms previously granted to our employees.

The cost of stock-based awards is measured at the grant date and are based on the fair value of the award. The value of the portion of the award that is expected to ultimately vest is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis, generally over the explicit service period and is included in selling, general and administrative expense in our consolidated statements of income. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur. Expense for awards granted to retirement-eligible employees is recorded over the period from the date of grant through the date the employee first becomes eligible to retire and is no longer required to provide service.

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee benefit plans—Prior to the Separation, Apergy participated in defined benefit plans and non-qualified supplemental retirement plans sponsored by Dover that were accounted for as multi-employer plans in the consolidated financial statements.  Apergy also sponsored a defined benefit plan and non-qualified plan during the pre-Separation period. These plans were accounted for as single employer plans in the consolidated financial statements.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs—Research and development costs are expensed as incurred

Income Taxes

Income Taxes—Prior to the Separation, our operations were historically included in Dover’s consolidated federal tax return and certain combined state returns. The income tax expense in our consolidated financial statements for these pre-Separation periods was determined on a stand-alone return basis which requires the recognition of income taxes using the liability method. Under this method, we assume to have historically filed a return separate from Dover, reporting our taxable income or loss and paying applicable tax based on our separate taxable income and associated tax attributes in each tax jurisdiction. Income taxes payable prior to Separation, computed under the stand-alone return basis, were classified in “Net parent investment in Apergy” on our consolidated balance sheet since Dover is legally liable for the tax. Accordingly, changes in income taxes payable for periods prior to the Separation are presented as a component of financing activities in the statement of cash flows. The calculation of income taxes on the separate return basis requires considerable judgment and the use of both estimates and allocations. As a result, our effective tax rate and deferred tax balances will significantly differ from those in the periods prior to the Separation.

The Tax Reform Act, enacted on December 22, 2017, significantly changed U.S. tax law by, among other things, lowering corporate income tax rates, implementing a territorial tax system and imposing a repatriation tax on deemed repatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries. The Tax Reform Act reduced the U.S. corporate income tax rate from a maximum of 35% to a flat 21% rate, effective January 1, 2018. The Tax Reform Act also provided for a one-time deemed repatriation of post-1986 undistributed foreign subsidiary earnings and profits through the year ended December 31, 2017. The Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) provisions require us to include in our U.S. income tax return foreign subsidiary earnings in excess of an allowable return on the foreign subsidiary’s tangible assets. We have elected to account for GILTI tax in the period in which it is incurred.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates that are expected to apply to taxable income for the years in which those tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. We record valuation allowances related to our deferred tax assets when we determine it is more likely than not the benefits will not be realized. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recorded as a component of our provision for income taxes.

Earnings per Share (“EPS”)

Earnings per share (“EPS”)—Basic EPS is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the year. We use the treasury stock method to compute diluted EPS which gives effect to the potential dilution of earnings that could have occurred if additional shares were issued for awards granted under our incentive compensation and stock plan. The treasury stock method assumes proceeds that would be obtained upon exercise of awards granted under our incentive compensation and stock plan are used to purchase outstanding common stock at the average market price during the period.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value measurements—We record our financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the reporting date. The fair value framework requires the categorization of assets and liabilities into three levels based upon the assumptions (inputs) used to price the assets or liabilities, with the exception of certain assets and liabilities measured using the net asset value practical expedient, which are not required to be leveled. Level 1 provides the most reliable measure of fair value, whereas Level 3 generally requires significant management judgment. The three levels are defined as follows:

• Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.

• Level 2: Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1. For example, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets.

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Level 3: Unobservable inputs reflecting management’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative financial instruments—Prior to the Separation, we used derivative financial instruments to hedge our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk. For derivatives hedging the fair value of assets or liabilities, the changes in fair value of both the derivatives and the hedged items are recorded in earnings. We do not enter into derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

Foreign Currency

Foreign currency—Financial statements of operations for which the U.S. dollar is not the functional currency, and are located in non-highly inflationary countries, are translated into U.S. dollars 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 weighted-average monthly exchange rates. For these operations, translation gains and losses are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity until the foreign entity is sold or liquidated. Assets and liabilities of an entity that are denominated in currencies other than an entity’s functional currency are remeasured into the functional currency using end of period exchange rates or historical rates when applicable to certain balances. Gains and losses related to these re-measurements are recorded in our consolidated statements of income as a component of “Other expense, net”.

Reclassifications and Revisions

Reclassifications—Certain prior-year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Revisions—We revised our previously issued financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, to correct immaterial errors related to: (i) the assessing and recording of liabilities for state sales tax and associated penalties and interest, primarily resulting in an understatement of our selling, general, and administrative expense and interest expense of $3.1 million and $2.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and (ii) previously recorded amounts including, but not limited to, the write-off of inventory and leased assets, timing of revenue recognition, and revenue classification, that the Company concluded were immaterial to our previously filed consolidated financial statements.

Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Effective January 1, 2019, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” This update requires a lessee to recognize in the statement of financial position a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and a liability for future lease payments. Similar to past guidance, the update continues to differentiate between finance leases and operating leases; however, this distinction now primarily relates to differences in the manner of expense recognition over time. Additionally, lessors will be required to classify leases as sales-type, finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of income recognition. Classification for both lessees and lessors is now based on an assessment of whether a lease contract is economically similar to the purchase of a non-financial asset from the perspective of control. The update also requires quantitative and qualitative disclosures to enable users to understand the amount, timing, and judgments related to leases and the related cash flows. We applied the provisions of this ASU to our lease contracts as of January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective method of adoption. Prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reflected in accordance with our historical accounting

policies. As of January 1, 2019, we recorded operating lease right-of-use assets of $27.0 million and operating lease liabilities of $27.0 million as a result of the adoption of this guidance.

We have applied the following practical expedients and elections under the new standard:

• We elected to utilize the package of transition practical expedients, which permitted us (i) to not reassess whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain a lease, (ii) to not reassess our historical lease classifications for existing leases, and (iii) to not reassess initial direct costs for existing leases.

• For contracts in which we are a lessee, we have elected for each of our asset classes to account for each lease component and its associated non-lease components as a single lease component.

• We elected to utilize the short term lease exemption for lease contracts with a term of less than 12 months. These contracts are excluded from the measurement of our right-of-use assets and lease liabilities and are recognized in earnings on a straight-line basis over their lease term.

• We elected to utilize the practical expedient to exclude sales tax from the measurement of lease revenue.

See Note 14—Leases for additional information related to our lease accounting. See Note 22—Cash Flow Information for additional information regarding the presentation of our leases within our consolidated statements of cash flows.

Effective July 1, 2019, we adopted ASU 2018-15, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract.” The amendments in this update align the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). The accounting for the service element of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract is not affected by the amendments in this update. The amendments in this update have been applied prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The impact of adopting the new standard was not material to our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Effective December 31, 2019 we adopted ASU 2018-14, “Compensation—Retirement Benefits—Defined Benefit Plans—General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.” The amendment modifies certain disclosure requirements for defined benefit plans. Among other requirements and modifications, the amendment requires an explanation of the reasons for significant gains and losses related to changes in the benefit obligation for the period. The impact of adopting the new standard was not material to our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” The update amends the impairment model to utilize an expected loss methodology in place of the currently used incurred loss methodology, which may result in earlier recognition of losses related to financial instruments. The guidance will be effective for us on January 1, 2020. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance and are in the process of:

• collecting historical data that will be used in the calculation of expected credit losses;

• documenting relevant assumptions to calculate expected losses; and

• updating policies, procedures and internal controls.

We do not expect the adoption of this update to have a material impact on our financial statements.