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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1.    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation — The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Systemax Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company" or "Systemax").  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications — Certain prior year amounts were reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

Use of Estimates In Financial Statements — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Fiscal Year — The Company's fiscal year ends at midnight on the Saturday closest to December 31. For clarity of presentation herein, all fiscal years are referred to as if they ended on December 31. The fiscal year is divided into four fiscal quarters that each end at midnight on a Saturday.  Fiscal quarters will typically include 13 weeks, but the fourth quarter will include 14 weeks in a 53 week fiscal year.  For clarity of presentation herein, all fiscal quarters are referred to as if they ended on the traditional calendar month. The full years of 2014, 2013 and 2012 included 52 weeks.

Foreign Currency Translation — The Company has operations in numerous foreign countries. The functional currency of each foreign country is the local currency.  The financial statements of the Company's foreign entities are translated into U.S. dollars, the reporting currency, using year-end exchange rates for assets and liabilities, average exchange rates for the statement of operations items and historical rates for equity accounts. Translation gains or losses are recorded as a separate component of shareholders' equity.

Cash — The Company considers amounts held in money market accounts and other short-term investments, including overnight bank deposits, with an original maturity date of three months or less to be cash. Cash overdrafts are classified in accounts payable.

Inventories — Inventories consist primarily of finished goods and are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Cost is determined by using the first-in, first-out method except in certain locations in Europe and retail locations where an average cost is used.

Assets available for sale — Assets available for sale consisted of our former PC manufacturing facility located in Fletcher, Ohio, including land and land improvements.  The cost of the land, land improvements and building has been adjusted to estimated fair market value based on quoted prices in the active market.  This asset was sold in the second quarter of 2014 for $0.9 million and the remainder of the asset, $0.2 million, was recorded in special charges in the Consolidated Statements of Operations within the Technology Products segment.
 
Property, Plant and Equipment — Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost. Furniture, fixtures and equipment, including equipment under capital leases, are depreciated using the straight-line or accelerated method over their estimated useful lives ranging from three to ten years. Buildings are depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives of 30 to 50 years.  Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful lives or the term of the respective leases.

Evaluation of Long-lived Assets — Long-lived assets are evaluated for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset may have been impaired. In evaluating an asset for recoverability, the Company estimates the future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss, equal to the excess of the carrying amount over the fair market value of the asset is recognized. As a result of negative cash flows in its Technology Products segment operations in North America in 2014,and a forecast for continued use of cash in 2015, the Company conducted an evaluation of the long-lived assets in those operations and concluded that those assets were impaired. Accordingly an impairment charge of approximately $9.5 million, pre-tax, was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Goodwill and intangible assets — Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquired assets over the fair value of assets acquired. The Company tests goodwill and identifiable intangible assets (trademarks) for impairment annually or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist. The Company assesses the carrying value of its definite-lived intangible assets if circumstances indicate that those values may not be recoverable.  As a result of negative cash flows in its operations in Technology Products segment operations in North America in 2014, the Company conducted an evaluation of the intangible assets in those operations and concluded that those assets were impaired and an impairment charge of approximately $0.5 million, pre-tax, was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014.

In December 2013, the Company sold certain CompUSA intellectual property assets and the Company discontinued using the CompUSA brand in Puerto Rico. As a result, for the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company incurred write offs of approximately $2.9 million, pre-tax, related to the intangible assets of the CompUSA brand in Puerto Rico.

Accruals — Management makes estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates are based upon various factors such as the number of units sold, historical and anticipated results and data received from third party vendors. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Our most significant estimates include those related to the costs of inventory reserves, sales returns and allowances, cooperative advertising, vendor drop shipments, and customer rebate reserves, and other vendor and employee related costs.

Income Taxes — Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities and for tax loss carry forwards. The realization of net deferred tax assets is dependent upon our ability to generate sufficient future taxable income. Where it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized, we have provided a valuation allowance. If the realization of those deferred tax assets in the future is considered more likely than not, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would increase net income in the period such determination is made.

The Company provides for uncertain tax positions and related interest and penalties based upon management's assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. To the extent the Company prevails in matters for which a liability for an unrecognized tax benefit is established or is required to pay amounts in excess of the liability, the Company's effective tax rate in a given financial statement period may be affected.

Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable — The Company recognizes sales of products, including shipping revenue, when persuasive evidence of an order arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Generally, these criteria are met at the time the product is received by the customers when title and risk of loss have transferred except in our Industrial Products segment where title and risk pass at time of shipment. Allowances for estimated subsequent customer returns, rebates and sales incentives are provided when revenues are recorded. Revenues exclude sales tax collected. The Company evaluates collectibility of accounts receivable based on numerous factors, including past transaction history with customers and their credit rating and provides a reserve for accounts that are potentially uncollectible. Trade receivables are generally written off once all collection efforts have been exhausted. Accounts receivable are shown in the consolidated balance sheets net of allowances for doubtful collections and subsequent customer returns.

Shipping and handling costs— The Company recognizes shipping and handling costs in cost of sales.

Advertising Costs — Expenditures for internet, television, local radio and newspaper advertising are expensed in the period the advertising takes place. Catalog preparation, printing and postage expenditures are amortized over the period of catalog distribution during which the benefits are expected, generally one to four months.

Net advertising expenses were $66.1 million, $60.1 million and $57.7 million during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The Company utilizes advertising programs to support vendors, including catalogs, internet and magazine advertising, and receives payments and credits from vendors, including consideration pursuant to volume incentive programs and cooperative marketing programs. The Company accounts for consideration from vendors as a reduction of cost of sales unless certain conditions are met showing that the funds are used for specific, incremental, identifiable costs, in which case the consideration is accounted for as a reduction in the related expense category, such as advertising expense. The amount of vendor consideration recorded as a reduction of selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $38.8 million, $45.9 million and $47.8 million during 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Prepaid expenses as of December 2014 and 2013 include deferred advertising costs of $0.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively which are reflected as an expense during the periods benefited, typically the subsequent fiscal quarter.

Stock based compensation — The Company recognizes the fair value of share based compensation in the consolidated statement of operations over the requisite employee service period. Stock-based compensation expense includes an estimate for forfeitures and is recognized over the expected term of the award.

Net Income Per Common Share – Net income per common share - basic was calculated based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the respective periods presented using the two class method of computing earnings per share. The two class method was used as the Company has outstanding restricted stock with rights to dividend participation for unvested shares.  Net income per common share - diluted was calculated based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and included the equivalent shares for dilutive options outstanding during the respective periods, including unvested options. The dilutive effect of outstanding options and restricted stock issued by the Company is reflected in net income per share - diluted using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, options will only have a dilutive effect when the average market price of common stock during the period exceeds the exercise price of the options. The weighted average number of stock options outstanding included in the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share was zero shares for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.  The weighted average number of restricted stock awards included in the computation of diluted (loss) per share was zero shares for the year December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.  The weighted average number of stock options outstanding excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share was 0.8 million shares, 1.2 million shares and 1.1 million shares for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, due to their antidilutive effect.  The weighted average number of restricted awards outstanding excluded from the computation of diluted (loss) per share was zero shares, 0.1 million shares and zero shares for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, due to their antidilutive effect.

Employee Benefit Plans - The Company's U.S. subsidiaries participate in a defined contribution 401(k) plan covering substantially all U.S. employees.  Employees may invest 1% or more of their eligible compensation, limited to maximum amounts as determined by the Internal Revenue Service.  The Company provides a matching contribution to the plan, determined as a percentage of the employees' contributions.  Aggregate expense to the Company for contributions to such plans was approximately $0.9 million, $0.9 million and $1.0 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Fair Value Measurements - Financial instruments consist primarily of investments in cash, trade accounts receivable, debt and accounts payable.  The Company estimates the fair value of financial instruments based on interest rates available to the Company.  At December 31, 2014 and 2013, the carrying amounts of cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable are considered to be representative of their respective fair values due to their short-term nature. The Company's debt is considered to be representative of its fair value because of its variable interest rate.

The fair value of goodwill, non-amortizing intangibles and long lived assets is measured in connection with the Company's annual impairment testing. The Company performs a qualitative assessment of goodwill and non-amortizing intangibles to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount.  If the qualitative assessment shows that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, the company is not required to complete the annual two step goodwill impairment test.  If a quantitative analysis is required to be performed for goodwill, the fair value of the reporting unit to which the goodwill has been assigned is determined using a discounted cash flow model.  A discounted cash flow model is also used to determine fair value of indefinite-lived intangibles using projected cash flows of the intangible. Unobservable inputs related to these discounted cash flow models include projected sales growth, same store sales growth, gross margin percentages, new business opportunities, working capital requirements, capital expenditures and growth in selling, general and administrative expense and are classified in accordance with ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures", within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy. Long lived assets are assets used in the Company's operations and include leasehold improvements, warehouse and retail store fixtures and similar property used to generate sales and cash flows.  Long lived assets are tested for impairment utilizing a recoverability test. The recoverability test compares the carrying value of an asset group to the undiscounted cash flows directly attributable to the asset group over the life of the primary asset.  If the undiscounted cash flows of an asset group is less than the carrying value of the asset group, the fair value of the asset group is then measured. If the fair value is also determined to be less than the carrying value of the asset group, the asset group is impaired. In 2014 the Company's evaluation of the intangible assets in its Technology Products segment in North America concluded that certain long lived assets were impaired and an impairment charge of approximately $9.5 million, pre-tax, was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Significant Concentrations - Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and accounts receivable.  The Company's excess cash balances are invested with money center banks.  Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are limited due to the large number of customers and their geographic dispersion comprising the Company's customer base.  The Company also performs on-going credit evaluations and maintains allowances for potential losses as warranted.

We purchase substantially all of our products and components directly from manufacturers and large wholesale distributors.  In 2014, two vendors accounted for 10% or more of our purchases – one vendor was 12.6%; the other vendor was 11.6%.  In 2013, one vendor accounted for 13.9% of our purchases and in 2012, no vendor accounted for 10% or more of our purchases.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Public companies in the United States are subject to the accounting and reporting requirements of various authorities, including the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") and the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). These authorities issue numerous pronouncements, most of which are not applicable to the Company's current or reasonably foreseeable operating structure. Below are the new authoritative pronouncements that management believes are relevant to Company's current operations.

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-08, "Presentation of Financial Statements and Property, Plant and Equipment: Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity".  This ASU provides new guidance related to the definition of a discontinued operation and requires new disclosures of both discontinued operations and certain other disposals that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation.  This new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and interim periods within those years. Beginning in 2015, the Company will apply this new guidance, as applicable.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers".  This ASU provides new guidance related to how an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services.  In addition, this ASU specifies new accounting for costs associated with obtaining or fulfilling contracts with customers and expands the required disclosures related to revenue and cash flows from contracts with customers.  This new guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, and can be adopted either retrospectively to each reporting period presented or as a cumulative effect adjustment as of the date of the adoption, with early application not permitted.  The Company is currently determining its implementation approach and assessing the impact, if any, on the condensed consolidated financial statements.