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Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies
General Information and Basis of Presentation—The consolidated financial statements of MSA Safety Incorporated ("MSA" or "the Company") are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") and require management to make certain judgments, estimates, and assumptions. These may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. They also may affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates upon subsequent resolution of identified matters.
Principles of Consolidation—The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated.
Reclassifications—Certain reclassifications of prior years' results have been made to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications relate to aligning prior year deferred tax and accrued warranty reserve with current year presentation within our disclosures.
Currency Translation—The functional currency of all significant non-U.S. operating subsidiaries is the local country currency. Assets and liabilities of these operations are translated at year-end exchange rates. Income statement accounts are translated using the average exchange rates for the reporting period. Translation adjustments for these subsidiaries are reported as a component of shareholders’ equity and are not included in net income. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in net income for the reporting period.
Cash Equivalents—Cash equivalents include temporary deposits with financial institutions and highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less.
Restricted Cash—Restricted cash, which is designated for use other than current operations, is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Restricted cash balances were $0.5 million and $2.0 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. These balances were used to support letter of credit balances.
Inventories—Inventories are stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method. It is the Company's general policy to write-down any inventory balance in excess of the last 24 months of consumption and any inventory identified as obsolete.
Property and Depreciation—Property is recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed primarily using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally as follows: buildings 20 to 40 years, and machinery and equipment 3 to 10 years. Expenditures for significant renewals and improvements are capitalized. Ordinary repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Gains or losses on property dispositions are included in other expense (income), net and the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts. Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 was $45.6 million, $41.8 million and $36.7 million, respectively. Properties, plant, and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets or asset groups may not be recoverable.
Software Development Costs—Software development costs are costs incurred to create, enhance and deploy the Company’s broad range of wireless technology and cloud-based computing safety services. Software development costs, other than software development costs qualifying for capitalization, are expensed as incurred. Costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal use that are incurred in the preliminary project and post implementation stages are expensed as incurred. Certain costs incurred during the application and development stage, which primarily include compensation and related expenses, are capitalized. Additionally, costs of upgrades and enhancements are capitalized when it is probable that the upgrades and enhancements will result in added functionality. During 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, there was $13.0 million, $12.1 million and $8.7 million of software development costs capitalized. The Company has unamortized computer software development costs of $19.9 million and $18.2 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, included in property, plant and equipment, net.
Capitalized costs are amortized through cost of products sold using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life, which is normally three years, beginning in the period in which the software is ready for its intended use or when the upgrade or enhancement is deployed. Software development amortization expense was $11.3 million, $10.4 million and $7.9 million during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Lessee ArrangementsAt the inception of our contracts, we determine if the contract is or contains a lease. A contract is or contains a lease if it conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. We have elected to not separate the lease and non-lease components within our lease contracts. Right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term at commencement. We use our incremental borrowing rate ("IBR") at the recognition date in determining the present value of future payments for leases that do not have a readily determinable implicit rate. Our IBR reflects a fully secured rate based on our credit rating, taking into consideration the repayment timing of the lease and any impacts due to the economic environment in which the lease operates.
Our lease payments are largely fixed. Variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate are included in the lease payments and are measured using the prevailing index or rate at the measurement date, with differences between the calculated lease payment and the actual lease payment being expensed in the period of the change. Other variable lease payments, including utilities, consumption and common area maintenance as well as repairs, maintenance and mileage overages on vehicles, are expensed during the period incurred. A majority of our real estate leases include options to extend the lease and options to early terminate the lease. Leases with an early termination option generally involve a termination payment. If we are reasonably certain to exercise an option to extend a lease, the extension period is included as part of the right-of-use asset and the lease liability. Some of our leases contain residual value guarantees. These are guarantees made to the lessor that the value of an underlying asset returned to the lessor at the end of a lease will be at least a specified amount. Our leases do not contain restrictions or covenants that restrict us from incurring other financial obligations. For our leases, we have elected to not apply the recognition requirements to leases of less than twelve months. These leases are expensed on a straight-line basis and are not included within the Company's operating lease asset or liability.
Lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the fixed future lease payments over the lease term. Operating leases are included in Operating lease right-of-use assets, net, Other current liabilities, and Noncurrent operating lease liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Finance leases are included in Property, plant and equipment, net, Other current liabilities, and Product liability and other noncurrent liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Lease expense for all operating leases is classified in Cost of products sold or Selling, general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. For finance leases, the amortization of the right-of-use asset is included in depreciation and amortization, and the interest is included in interest expense.
Lessor ArrangementsThe Company derives a portion of its revenue from various leasing arrangements where the Company is the lessor, primarily managed fire service contracts. Such arrangements provide for payments covering equipment provided, maintenance and interest. These arrangements meet the criteria to be accounted for as sales-type leases under ASC 842 and contain both lease and non-lease components. For a component to be separate, the customer would be able to benefit from the right of use of the component separately or with other resources readily available to the customer and the right of the use is not highly dependent or highly interrelated with the other rights to use the other underlying assets or components.
Revenue from equipment provided is considered a lease component and recognized with point in time revenue recognition upon lease commencement. Upon the recognition of such revenue, an asset is established for the investment in sales-type leases. Maintenance revenue, which is considered a non-lease component, and interest is recognized over the lease term.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets—Intangible assets with a finite useful life are amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives. Indefinite lived intangible assets are assessed for possible impairment annually on October 1st or whenever circumstances change such that the recorded value of the asset may not be recoverable. We performed a quantitative assessment of the indefinite lived trade name intangible asset as outlined in ASC 350 by comparing the estimated fair value of the trade name intangible asset to its carrying value. We estimate the fair value using the relief from royalty income approach. A number of assumptions and estimates are involved in the application of the relief from royalty model, including sales volumes and prices, royalty rates and tax rates. Forecasts are based on sales generated by the underlying trade name assets and are generally based on approved business unit operating plans for the early years and historical relationships in later years. Based on these assessments, no impairments were identified during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 or 2022.
All goodwill is assigned to and evaluated for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment. Goodwill is not amortized, but evaluated for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstance indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The Company may perform either a qualitative assessment of potential impairment or proceed directly to a quantitative assessment of potential impairment. If the Company chooses not to perform a qualitative assessment, or if it chooses to perform a qualitative assessment but is unable to qualitatively conclude that no impairment has occurred, then the Company will perform a quantitative assessment. A quantitative test for goodwill impairment is performed by determining the fair value of the related reporting units.
The Company estimates the fair value of the reporting unit with which the goodwill is associated and compares it to the carrying value. If the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an impairment charge is recognized for the excess of the reporting unit's carrying value over its fair value. In 2024, we performed a quantitative test at October 1, 2024. We estimate fair value of each reporting unit using a combination of valuation techniques, including the discounted cash flow ("DCF") method, a form of the income approach, and the guideline public company method, a form of the market approach, as we believe each are important indicators of fair value. A number of assumptions and estimates are involved in the application of the DCF model, such as discount rates, revenue growth rates, and operating margins which are affected by expectations about future market or economic conditions. Cash flow forecasts are generally based on approved reporting unit operating plans for the early years and historical relationships in later years. The market approach methodology measures value through an analysis of peer companies. The analysis entails measuring the multiples of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") at which peer companies are trading. Management performed its evaluation and determined the fair value of each reporting unit is greater than the carrying amount and, accordingly, the Company has not recorded any impairment charges related to goodwill.
There has been no impairment of our goodwill during the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 or 2022.
Revenue Recognition—We account for revenue in accordance with ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Revenue from the sale of products and solutions is recognized when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement and control passes to the customer. We establish our shipping terms according to local practice and market characteristics. We do not ship product unless we have an order or other documentation authorizing shipment to our customers. Our payment terms vary by the type and location of our customer and the products and solutions offered. The term between invoicing and when payment is due is not significant. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring goods or providing services. Amounts billed and due from our customers are classified as receivables on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We make appropriate provisions for credit losses, which have historically been insignificant in relation to our net sales. Certain contracts with customers have an element of variable consideration that is estimated when revenue is recognized under the contract to the extent that it is material to the individual contract. Rebates are based on achieving a certain level of purchases and other performance criteria that are documented in established distributor programs. These rebates are estimated based on projected sales to the customer and accrued as a reduction of net sales as they are earned by the customer. Sales, value add and other taxes collected with revenue-producing activities and remitted to governmental authorities are excluded from revenue.
Refer to Note 2—Revenue Recognition for additional disclosures on revenue recognition matters.
Product Warranties—Estimated expenses related to product warranties and additional service actions are charged to Cost of products sold in the period in which the related revenue is recognized or when significant product quality issues are identified.
Research and Development—Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.
Income Taxes—Deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between financial and tax reporting. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. If it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recognized. We record tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return when such benefits meet a more likely than not threshold. We recognize interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expenses. Deferred taxes are booked for available cash in excess of working capital for non-U.S. subsidiaries as these earnings are not considered to be permanently reinvested. The Company treats any Global Intangible Low Taxed Income as a period cost.
Stock-Based Compensation—We recognize expense for employee and non-employee director stock-based compensation based on the grant date fair value of the awards. Except for retirement-eligible participants, for whom there is no requisite service period, this expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service periods following the date of grant.
Derivative Instruments—We may use derivative instruments from time to time to minimize the effects of changes in currency exchange rates. We do not enter into derivative transactions for speculative purposes and do not hold derivative instruments for trading purposes. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges are recorded in the balance sheet as adjustments to the underlying hedged asset or liability. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as Currency exchange losses, net in the current period.
Commitments and Contingencies—For asserted claims and assessments, liabilities are recorded when a loss is deemed to be probable and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. Management assesses the probability of an unfavorable outcome with respect to asserted claims or assessments based on many factors such as the nature of the matter, available defenses and case strategy, progress of the matter, views and opinions of legal counsel and other advisors, applicability and success of appeals processes, and the outcome of similar historical matters, among others. Once an unfavorable outcome is assessed to be probable, management evaluates estimates of the potential loss, and the most reasonable loss estimate is recorded (or, if the estimate of the loss is a range, and no amount within the range is considered to be a better estimate than any other amount, the minimum amount in the range is recorded). If a material loss is deemed to be reasonably possible but not probable, the matter is disclosed and no liability is recorded.
With respect to unasserted claims or assessments, management first determines whether it is probable that a claim or assessment may be asserted and then, if so, the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome. If an unfavorable outcome is probable, management assesses whether the amount of potential loss can be reasonably estimated and, if so, accrues the most reasonable estimate of the loss (or, if the estimate of the loss is a range, and no amount within the range is considered to be a better estimate than any other amount, the minimum amount in the range is recorded). If an unfavorable outcome is reasonably possible but less than probable, or the amount of loss cannot be reasonably estimated, then the matter is disclosed and no liability is recorded. Legal matters are reviewed on a continuous basis to determine if there has been a change in management’s judgment regarding the likelihood and/or estimate of a potential loss. Refer to Note 20—Contingencies for further details on product liability related matters.
Concentration of credit and business risks—We sell to customers in a broad mix of industries and are exposed to credit risk in the event of nonpayment. Changes in these industries or other developments may significantly affect our financial performance and management's estimates. We mitigate our exposure to credit risk by performing ongoing credit evaluations and, when deemed necessary, requiring letters of credit, credit insurance, prepayments, guarantees or other collateral. No individual customer represented more than 10% of our receivables as of December 31, 2024, or 2023, or sales for any of the three years ended December 31, 2024.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards and Disclosure Rules—In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09 (“ASU 2023-09”), Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. ASU 2023-09 requires disaggregated information about a reporting entity's effective tax rate reconciliation as well as information on income taxes paid. This standard also includes certain other amendments to improve the effectiveness of income tax disclosures. ASU 2023-09 is effective for public business entities, for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. With the exception of expanding disclosures, we do not expect the adoption of ASU 2023-09 to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.
In March 2024, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") adopted the final rule under SEC Release No. 33-11275, The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors. This rule would require registrants to disclose certain climate-related information in registration statements and annual reports. In April 2024, the SEC voluntarily stayed the final rule as a result of pending legal challenges. The disclosure requirements would apply to the Company's fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, pending resolution of the stay. The Company is currently evaluating the final rule to determine its impact on the Company's disclosures.
In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03 (“ASU 2024-03”), Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses (“DISE”). ASU 2024-03 requires disaggregated disclosure of income statement expenses for public business entities. ASU 2024-03 does not change the expense captions an entity presents on the face of the income statement; rather, it requires disaggregation of certain expense captions into specified categories in disclosures within the footnotes to the financial statements. As revised by ASU No. 2025-01, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures, the provisions of ASU 2024-03 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. With the exception of expanding disclosures to include more granular income statement expense categories, we do not expect the adoption of ASU 2024-03 to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.