Note 2 Significant Accounting Policies

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience, currently available information and various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Net revenue is derived primarily from the sale of products and services. The following revenue recognition policies define the manner in which the Company accounts for sales transactions.

The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of a sale arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services are rendered, the sales price or fee is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue generally is recognized net of allowances for returns and any taxes collected from customers and subsequently remitted to governmental authorities. The Company sells its products through its direct sales force and through authorized reseller partners. The Company recognizes revenue on sales to reseller partners at the time of sale, when the partner has economic substance apart from Company and the Company has completed its obligations related to the sale.

The Company enters into sales arrangements that may provide for multiple deliverables to a customer. Sales of printers may include ancillary equipment, materials, a warranty on the equipment, training and installation. The Company identifies all goods and/or services that are to be delivered separately under a sales arrangement and allocates revenue to each deliverable based on either vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”); or if VSOE is not determinable, then the Company uses best estimated selling price (“BESP”) of each deliverable. The Company established VSOE of selling price using the price charged for a deliverable when sold separately. The objective of BESP is to determine the price at which the Company would transact a sale if the deliverable was sold regularly on a stand-alone basis. The Company considers multiple factors including, but not limited to, market conditions, geographies, competitive landscapes, and entity-specific factors such as internal costs, gross margin objectives and pricing practices when estimating BESP. Consideration in a multiple element arrangement is then allocated to the elements on a relative sales value basis using either VSOE or BESP for all the elements. The Company also evaluates the impact of undelivered items on the functionality of delivered items for each sales transaction and, where appropriate, defers revenue on delivered items when that functionality has been affected. Functionality is determined to be met if the delivered products or services represent a separate earnings process.

Hardware

Under the Company’s standard terms and conditions of sale, title and risk of loss transfer to the customer at the time product is shipped to the customer and revenue is recognized accordingly, unless customer acceptance is uncertain or significant obligations remain. In instances in which significant obligations remain, the Company defers the estimated revenue associated with post-sale obligations that are not essential to the functionality of the delivered items, and recognizes revenue in the future as the conditions for revenue recognition are met.

Software

The Company also markets and sells software tools that enable our customers to capture and customize content using our printers, as well as reverse engineering and inspection software. The software does not require significant modification or customization. The Company applies the guidance in ASC 985-605, Software-Revenue Recognition in recognizing revenue when software is more than incidental to the product or service as a whole based on fair value using vendor-specific objective evidence. Revenue from perpetual software licenses is recognized either upon delivery of the product or delivery of a key code which allows the customer to access the software. In instances where software access is provided for a trial period, revenue is not recognized until the expiration of the trial period and the customer has purchased the software. The Company uses the residual method to allocate revenue to software licenses at the inception of the license term when VSOE of fair value for all undelivered elements, such as maintenance, exists and all other revenue recognition criteria have been satisfied. In instances in which customers purchase post sale support, it is considered a separate element from the software and is deferred at the time of sale and subsequently amortized in future periods.

The Company also sells equipment with embedded software to its customers. The embedded software is not sold separately, it is not a significant focus of the marketing effort and the Company does not provide post-contract customer support specific to the software or incur significant costs that are within the scope of ASC 985. Additionally, the functionality that the software provides is marketed as part of the overall product. The software embedded in the equipment is incidental to the equipment as a whole such that ASC 985 is not applicable. Sales of these products are recognized in accordance with ASC 605-25, “Multiple-Element Arrangements.”

Services

Printers and certain other products include a warranty under which the Company provides maintenance for periods up to one year. The Company also offers training, installation and non-contract maintenance services for its products. Additionally, the Company offers extended warranties and maintenance contracts customers can purchase at their option. For initial product warranties, revenue is recognized and estimated costs are accrued at the time of the sale of the product. These cost estimates are established using historical information on the nature, frequency and average cost of claims for each type of printer or other product as well as assumptions about future activity and events. Revisions to expense accruals are made as necessary based on changes in these historical and future factors. For optional warranty or maintenance contracts, revenue is deferred at the time of sale based on the relative fair value of these services and costs are expensed as incurred. Deferred revenue is recognized ratably over the term of the warranty or maintenance period on a straight-line basis. Revenue from training, installation and non-contract maintenance services is recognized at the time of performance of the service.

On demand manufacturing and healthcare service sales are included within services revenue and revenue is recognized upon shipment or delivery of the parts or performance of the service, based on the terms of the sales arrangement.

Terms of sale

Shipping and handling costs billed to customers for equipment sales and sales of materials are included in product revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Loss. Costs incurred by the Company associated with shipping and handling are included in product cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Other Comprehensive Loss.

Credit is extended, and creditworthiness is determined, based on an evaluation of each customer’s financial condition. New customers are generally required to complete a credit application and provide references and bank information to facilitate an analysis of creditworthiness. Customers with a favorable profile may receive credit terms that differ from the Company’s general credit terms. Creditworthiness is considered, among other things, in evaluating the Company’s relationship with customers with past due balances.

The Company’s terms of sale generally require payment within 30 to 60 days after shipment of a product, although the Company also recognizes that longer payment periods are customary in some countries where it transacts business. To reduce credit risk in connection with printer sales, the Company may, depending upon the circumstances, require significant deposits prior to shipment and may retain a security interest in a system sold until fully paid. In some circumstances, the Company may require payment in full for its products prior to shipment and may require international customers to furnish letters of credit. For maintenance services, the Company either bills customers on a time-and-materials basis or sells customers service agreements that are recorded as deferred revenue and provide for payment in advance on either an annual or other periodic basis.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and temporary investments with maturities of three months or less when acquired.

Investments

Investments in non-consolidated affiliates (20-50 percent owned companies and joint ventures) are accounted for using the equity method. Investments through which we are not able to exercise significant influence over the investee and which we do not have readily determinable fair values are generally accounted for under the cost method.

The Company assesses declines in the fair value of investments to determine whether such declines are other-than-temporary. Other-than-temporary impairments of investments are recorded to interest and other expense, net, in the period in which they become impaired.

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company recorded impairment charges of $1,743 and $1,210, respectively, related to certain cost-method investments. The aggregate carrying amount of all investments accounted for under the cost method totaled $8,263 and $9,116 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and is included in other assets, net, on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Accounts Receivable and Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. In evaluating the collectability of accounts receivable, the Company assesses a number of factors, including specific customers’ ability to meet their financial obligations to us, the length of time receivables are past due and historical collection experience. Based on these assessments, the Company may record a reserve for specific customers, as well as a general reserve and allowance for returns and discounts. If circumstances related to specific customers change, or economic conditions deteriorate such that the Company’s past collection experience is no longer relevant, its estimate of the recoverability of accounts receivable could be further reduced from the levels provided for in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The following presents the changes in the balance of our allowance for doubtful accounts:


Year Ended	Item	Balance at beginning of year		Additions charged to expense		Other		Balance at end of year
2017	Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	12,920	$	1,051	$	(3,713)	$	10,258
2016	Allowance for doubtful accounts		14,139		1,552		(2,771)		12,920
2015	Allowance for doubtful accounts		10,300		3,766		73		14,139

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost being determined using the first-in, first-out method.

Long-Lived Assets and Goodwill

The Company reviews long-lived assets, including intangible assets subject to amortization, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability is assessed as the carrying value of assets held for use based on a review of undiscounted projected cash flows. Impairment losses, where identified, are measured as the excess of the carrying value of the long-lived asset over its estimated fair value as determined by discounted projected cash flows. No impairment charges for intangible assets with finite lives were recorded for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $93,520 arising from the Company’s other intangible assets impairment testing.

Goodwill is the excess of cost of an acquired entity over the amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of each year, and is tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate the carrying amount may be impaired. Impairment testing for goodwill is done at a reporting unit level, with all goodwill assigned to a reporting unit.

The test for goodwill impairment is a two-step process to first identify potential goodwill impairment for each reporting unit and then, if necessary, measure the amount of the impairment loss. Our reporting units are consistent with our geographies in Note 20. We completed the required annual goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter of 2017. The first step of the goodwill impairment test compares the fair value of each of our reporting units to its carrying value. We estimate the fair value of our reporting units based primarily on the discounted projected cash flows of the underlying operations. The estimated fair value for each of our reporting units was in excess of its respective carrying values as of December 31, 2017.

For the year ended December 31, 2015, the results of the first step of annual impairment testing indicated the carrying amount of goodwill assigned to the Americas and EMEA reporting units exceeded fair value. Based on these results, management completed the second step of annual impairment testing for the Americas and EMEA reporting units. Management determined that the fair value of goodwill assigned to the Americas was zero, resulting in a non-cash, non-tax deductible impairment charge of $382,271. Management determined that the carrying amount of the goodwill assigned to EMEA exceeded fair value by approximately 29%, resulting in a non-cash, non-tax deductible goodwill impairment charge of $61,388. For a summary of our goodwill by reporting unit, see Note 7.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

The minority interest shareholders of a certain subsidiary have the right in certain circumstances to require the Company to acquire either a portion of or all of the remaining ownership interests held by them. The owners’ ability to exercise any such “put option” right is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including conditions requiring notice in advance of exercise. In addition, these rights cannot be exercised prior to a specified exercise date. The exercise of these rights at their earliest contractual date would result in obligations of the Company to fund the related amounts in 2019. See Note 21.

The Company has recorded the put option as mezzanine equity at their current estimated redemption amount. The Company accrues changes in the redemption amounts over the period from the date of issuance to the earliest redemption date of the put option. For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the balance of redeemable noncontrolling interests was $8,872. Changes in the estimated redemption amounts of the put options are adjusted at each reporting period with a corresponding adjustment to equity.

Contingencies

The Company follows the provisions of ASC 450, “Contingencies,” which requires that an estimated loss from a loss contingency be accrued by a charge to income if it is both probable that an asset has been impaired or that a liability has been incurred and that the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.

Foreign Currency Translation

Local currencies generally are considered the functional currencies outside the United States. Assets and liabilities for operations in local-currency environments are translated at month-end exchange rates of the period reported. Income and expense items are translated at average exchange rates of each applicable month. Cumulative translation adjustments are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices, which may adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition. The Company seeks to minimize these risks through regular operating and financing activities and, when the Company considers it to be appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments.

The Company does not purchase, hold or sell derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company has elected not to prepare and maintain the documentation to qualify for hedge accounting treatment under ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging,” and therefore, all gains and losses (realized or unrealized) related to derivative instruments are recognized in interest and other expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss and depending on the fair value at the end of the reporting period, derivatives are recorded either in prepaid and other current assets or in accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company and its subsidiaries conduct business in various countries using both their functional currencies and other currencies to effect cross border transactions. As a result, they are subject to the risk that fluctuations in foreign exchange rates between the dates that those transactions are entered into and their respective settlement dates will result in a foreign exchange gain or loss. When practicable, the Company endeavors to match assets and liabilities in the same currency on its U.S. balance sheet and those of its subsidiaries in order to reduce these risks. The Company, when it considers it to be appropriate, enters into foreign currency contracts to hedge the exposures arising from those transactions. See Note 10.

The Company is exposed to credit risk if the counterparties to such transactions are unable to perform their obligations. However, the Company seeks to minimize such risk by entering into transactions with counterparties that are believed to be creditworthy financial institutions.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred.

Earnings (Loss) per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share are calculated on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share include shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and stock-based awards where the conversion of such instruments would be dilutive. See Note 16.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs, including trade shows, were $13,683, $12,469 and $15,245 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Pension costs

The Company sponsors a retirement benefit for one of its non-U.S. subsidiaries in the form of a defined benefit pension plan. Accounting standards require the cost of providing this pension benefit be measured on an actuarial basis. Actuarial gains and losses resulting from both normal year-to-year changes in valuation assumptions and differences from actual experience are deferred and amortized. The application of these accounting standards requires management to make assumptions and judgements that can significantly affect these measurements. Critical assumptions made by management in performing these actuarial valuations include the selection of the discount rate to determine the present value of the pension obligations that affects the amount of pension expense recorded in any given period. Changes in the discount rate could have a material effect on the Company’s reported pension obligations and related pension expense. See Note 15.

Equity Compensation Plans

The Company recognizes compensation expense for its stock-based compensation programs, which include stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units (RSUs) and performance shares. For service-based awards, stock-based compensation is estimated at the grant date based on the fair value of the awards expected to vest and recognized as expense ratably over the requisite service period of the award. For stock options and awards with market conditions, compensation cost is determined at the individual tranche level. The Company recognizes forfeitures when they occur.

Income Taxes

The Company and the majority of its domestic subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return while it has four entities that file separate U.S. federal tax returns. The Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries file income tax returns in their respective jurisdictions. The Company provides for income taxes on those portions of its foreign subsidiaries’ accumulated earnings (deficit) that the Company believes are not reinvested permanently in their business.

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and tax benefit carryforwards. Deferred income tax liabilities and assets at the end of each period are determined using enacted tax rates.

The Company establishes a valuation allowance for those jurisdictions in which the expiration date of tax benefit carryforwards or projected taxable earnings leads the Company to conclude that it is “more likely than not” that a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The evaluation process includes the consideration of all available evidence regarding historical results and future projections including the estimated timing of reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and potential tax planning strategies. Once a valuation allowance is established, it is maintained until a change in factual circumstances gives rise to sufficient income of the appropriate character and timing that will allow a partial or full utilization of the deferred tax asset.

In accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” the impact of an uncertain tax position on the Company’s income tax returns is recognized at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be required to be recognized upon audit by the relevant taxing authority.

The Company includes interest and penalties accrued in the Consolidated Financial Statements as a component of income tax expense.

See Note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In the first quarter of 2017, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”. The following summarizes the effects of the adoption:

Forfeitures - Prior to adoption, share-based compensation expense was recognized on a straight-line basis, net of estimated forfeitures, such that expense was recognized only for share-based awards that were expected to vest. A forfeiture rate was estimated annually and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differed from initial estimates. Upon adoption, the Company no longer applies a forfeiture rate and instead accounts for forfeitures as they occur. The change was applied on a modified retrospective basis resulting in a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings of $10,206 as of January 1, 2017. Prior periods were not adjusted.

Statement of Cash Flows - The Company historically accounted for excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation on the Statement of Cash Flows as a financing activity. Upon adoption of this standard, excess tax benefits are classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity. The Company has elected to adopt this portion of the standard on a prospective basis beginning in 2017. Prior periods were not adjusted.

Income taxes - Upon adoption of this standard, all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to share-based compensation are recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. The tax effects of exercised or vested awards are treated as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur. Prior periods were not adjusted.

The impact of adoption was not material to the Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Comprehensive Loss or Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of the Company.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities” (“ASU 2017-12”), in order to create more transparency around how economic results are presented within both the financial statements and in the footnotes and to better align the results of cash flow and fair value hedge accounting with risk management activities. ASU 2017-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating when it will adopt ASU 2017-12 and its impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting” (“ASU 2017-09”), in an effort to reduce diversity and clarify what constitutes a modification, as it relates to the change in terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. According to ASU 2017-09, the Company should account for the effects of a modification unless all of the following are met: (1) the fair value of the modified award is the same as the fair value the original award immediately before the original award is modified, (2) the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified, and (3) the classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. The amendments in ASU 2017-09 are effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt ASU 2017-09 beginning January 1, 2018 and does not expect the implementation of this guidance to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, “Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost” (“ASU 2017-07”), which standardizes the presentation of net benefit cost in the income statement and on the components eligible for capitalization in assets. ASU 2017-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. The amendments in ASU 2017-07 should be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost in the income statement and prospectively, on and after the effective date, for the capitalization of the service cost component of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit in assets. The Company will adopt ASU 2017-07 in the first quarter of 2018 and does not expect the implementation of this guidance to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”), which eliminates the performance of Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. In performing its annual or interim impairment testing, an entity will instead compare the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize any impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. Additionally, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating when it will adopt ASU 2017-04 and its impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory” (“ASU 2016-16”). ASU 2016-16 permits the recognition of income tax consequences related to an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. It is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted for any interim or annual period. The Company adopted this standard for the year ended December 31, 2017 and it did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) – Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” (“ASU 2016-15”). With the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice, ASU 2016-15 addresses the manner in which certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The amendments should be applied retrospectively with earlier application permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company adopted this standard for the year ended December 31, 2017 and it did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities arising from operating leases on the balance sheet. It is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Though still evaluating the impact of ASU 2016-02, the Company expects changes to its balance sheet due to the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities related to its real estate leases, but it does not anticipate material impacts to its results of operations or liquidity.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” (“ASU 2014-09”). The ASU is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company 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 those goods or services. The standard outlines a five-step model whereby revenue is recognized as performance obligations within a contract are satisfied. The standard also requires new, expanded disclosures regarding revenue recognition. The FASB has also issued several updates to ASU that are intended to promote a more consistent interpretation and application of the principles outlined in the standard. The new standard supersedes U.S. GAAP guidance on revenue recognition and requires the use of more estimates and judgments than the present standards.

The Company will adopt the new standard effective January 1, 2018, by recognizing the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard, driven predominantly by the acceleration of timing of recognition related to certain promotional discounts, as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings with an offsetting impact within current liabilities. Based on its comprehensive assessment of the new guidance, the Company does not currently expect the adjustment to have a material impact to retained earnings nor on net income on an ongoing basis. However, actual results may differ from the current estimates. In addition, the Company expects to make certain immaterial balance sheet reclassifications to align with the presentation requirements of the new standard. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 will be presented according to ASU 2014-09 while prior period amounts will not be adjusted and will continue to be reported in accordance with the Company’s historic accounting policies. Beginning in the first quarter of 2018, the Company plans to provide expanded revenue recognition disclosures based on the new qualitative and quantitative disclosure requirements of the standard.

No other new accounting pronouncements, issued or effective during 2017, have had or are expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.