Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Principles of Consolidation
Principles of Consolidation:

The consolidated financial statements include all domestic and foreign subsidiaries in which the Company maintains an ownership interest and has operating control. Investments in certain companies over which the Company exerts significant influence, but does not control the financial and operating decisions, are accounted for as equity method investments.  Investments in certain companies over which the Company does not exert significant influence are accounted for as cost-method investments. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles 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.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications
Reclassifications:

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications are not material to the prior year presentation.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash:

The Company considers all investments purchased with a remaining maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  Restricted cash represents amounts held for specific purposes, which are not available for general business use. The carrying amount of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash approximates fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.
Trade Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Trade Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:

Trade receivables are carried at their estimated collectible amounts. Trade credit is generally extended on a short-term basis; thus trade receivables do not bear interest, although a finance charge may be applied to such receivables that are more than 30 days past due. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on an evaluation of historical collection experience, the aging of accounts receivable, and economic trends and forecasts, and also reflects adjustments for specific customer accounts for which available facts and circumstances indicate collectability may be uncertain.
Inventories
Inventories:

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value with cost generally determined under the average cost method. Inventory costs include material, labor, and applicable manufacturing overhead (including depreciation) and other direct costs. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment:

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost.  Depreciation is computed primarily on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which generally range from 10 to 45 years for buildings and 3 to 12 years for machinery and equipment.  Gains or losses from the disposition of assets are reflected in operating profit.  The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to expense as incurred.  Renewals and betterments of a nature considered to extend the useful lives of the assets are capitalized.  Property, plant and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable.  Recoverability of assets is determined by evaluating the estimated undiscounted net cash flows of the operations to which the assets relate.  An impairment loss would be recognized when the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value, which is based on a discounted cash flow analysis. No such charges were recognized during the years presented.
Leases
Leases:

A lease exists at contract inception if the contract conveys the right to control an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Control is considered to exist when the lessee has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefits from the use of an identified asset, as well as the right to direct the use of that asset. If a contract is considered to be a lease, the Company recognizes a lease liability based on the present value of the future lease payments, and a corresponding right-of-use ("ROU") asset. As a majority of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit interest rate within the lease, an incremental borrowing rate is used to determine the ROU asset and lease liability which is based on information available at the commencement date. Options to purchase, extend or terminate a lease are included in the ROU asset and lease liability when it is reasonably certain an option will be exercised. Renewal options are most prevalent in the Company’s real estate leases. In general, the Company has not included renewal options for leases in the ROU asset and lease liability because the likelihood of renewal is not considered to be reasonably certain. In addition, leases may include variable lease payments, for items such as maintenance and utilities, which are expensed as incurred as variable lease expense.

The Company applies the practical expedient to not separate lease components from non-lease components for all asset classes. In addition, the Company applies the practical expedient to utilize a portfolio approach for certain equipment asset classes, primarily information technology, as the application of the lease model to the portfolio would not differ materially from the application of the lease model to the individual leases within the portfolio.

There are two types of leases, operating leases and finance leases. Lease classification is determined at lease commencement. Leases not meeting the finance lease criteria are classified as operating leases. ROU assets and corresponding lease liabilities are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. ROU assets for operating leases are classified in other assets, and ROU assets for finance leases are classified in property, plant and equipment, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. For operating leases, short-term lease liabilities are classified in other current liabilities, and long-term lease liabilities are classified in other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. For finance leases, short-term lease liabilities are classified in long-term debt, current maturities, and long-term lease liabilities are classified in long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Leases with an initial lease term of twelve months or less have not been recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term as an operating expense, while the expense for finance leases is recognized as depreciation expense and interest expense using the interest method of recognition. On the cash flow statement, payments for operating leases are classified as operating activities. Payments for finance leases are classified as a financing activity, with the exception of the interest component of the payment which is classified as an operating activity.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:

Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 2 to 15 years, and are reviewed when appropriate for possible impairment, similar to property, plant and equipment.  Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but are tested annually for impairment, or when circumstances indicate that a possible impairment may exist.  In general, when the carrying value of these assets exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment loss must be recognized.  A significant decline in cash flows generated from these assets may result in a write-down of the carrying values of the related assets. For purposes of testing goodwill for impairment, the Company uses a combination of valuation techniques, including discounted cash flows and other market indicators. For purposes of testing indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company generally uses a relief from royalty method.
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans Pension and Other Postretirement Plans:Pension assets and liabilities are determined on an actuarial basis and are affected by the market value of plan assets, estimates of the expected return on plan assets and the discount rate used to determine the present value of benefit obligations.  Actual changes in the fair market value of plan assets and differences between the actual return on plan assets, the expected return on plan assets and changes in the selected discount rate will affect the amount of pension cost. Differences between actual and expected results or changes in the value of the obligations and plan assets are initially recognized through other comprehensive income and subsequently amortized to the Consolidated Statement of Income.
Environmental
Environmental:

Costs that mitigate or prevent future environmental issues or extend the life or improve equipment utilized in current operations are capitalized and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets.  Costs that relate to current operations or an existing condition caused by past operations are expensed.  Environmental liabilities are recorded when the Company's obligation is probable and reasonably estimable.  Accruals for losses from environmental remediation obligations do not consider the effects of inflation, and anticipated expenditures are not discounted to their present value.
Derivatives and Hedging
Derivatives and Hedging:

Derivatives are held as part of a formal documented hedging program.  All derivatives are held for purposes other than trading.  Matthews measures effectiveness by formally assessing, at least quarterly, the historical and probable future high correlation of changes in the fair value or future cash flows of the hedged item.  If the hedging relationship ceases to be highly effective or it becomes probable that an expected transaction will no longer occur, gains and losses on the derivative will be recorded in other income (deductions) at that time.

Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) ("OCI"), net of tax, and are reclassified to earnings in a manner consistent with the underlying hedged item.  The cash flows from derivative activities are recognized in the statement of cash flows in a manner consistent with the underlying hedged item.
Foreign Currency
Foreign Currency:

The functional currency of the Company's foreign subsidiaries is generally the local currency.  Balance sheet accounts for foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the consolidated balance sheet date.  Gains or losses that result from this process are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).  The revenue and expense accounts of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates that prevailed during the period. Realized gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are presented in the Statement of Income in a consistent manner with the underlying transaction based upon the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 830 "Foreign Currency Matters."
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive Income (Loss):

Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income adjusted for changes, net of any related income tax effect, in cumulative foreign currency translation, the fair value of derivatives, unrealized investment gains and losses and remeasurement of pension and other postretirement liabilities.
Treasury Stock
Treasury Stock:

Treasury stock is carried at cost.  The cost of treasury shares sold is determined under the average cost method.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition:

Revenue is recognized when control of a good or service promised in a contract (i.e., performance obligation) is transferred to a customer. Control is obtained when a customer has the ability to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from that good or service. For substantially all transactions, control passes in accordance with agreed upon delivery terms, including in certain circumstances, customer acceptance. This approach is consistent with the Company’s historical revenue recognition methodology. In limited instances revenue is recognized over time as critical milestones are met and as services are provided. Transaction price, for revenue recognition, is allocated to each performance obligation consisting of the stand alone selling price for goods and services, as well as warranties. Transaction price also reflects estimates of rebates, other sales or contract renewal incentives, cash discounts and sales returns ("Variable Consideration"). Estimates are made for Variable Consideration based on contract terms and historical experience of actual results and are applied to the performance obligations as they are satisfied. Each product or service delivered to a third-party customer is considered to satisfy a performance obligation. Performance obligations generally occur at a point in time and are satisfied when control of the goods passes to the customer. Certain revenue related to mausoleum construction and significant engineering projects, including purpose-built engineered products (primarily in support of the electric vehicle and energy storage industries), cremation and incineration projects, and marking and industrial automation projects, are recognized over time using the input method measuring progress toward completion of such projects. Amounts recognized using the over time method were approximately 10% of the Company's consolidated revenue for the year ended September 30, 2021, and less than 5% of the Company's consolidated revenue for the years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. The Company is entitled to collection of the sales price under normal credit terms in the regions in which it operates. Refer to Note 4, “Revenue Recognition,” for a further discussion.

Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs:

All fees billed to the customer for shipping and handling are classified as a component of net revenues. All costs associated with shipping and handling are classified as a component of cost of sales or selling expense.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and Development Expenses:

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and were approximately $13,206, $13,363 and $15,043 for the years ended September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Stock-Based Compensation Stock-Based Compensation:Stock-based compensation cost is measured at grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the employee requisite service period.
Income Taxes Income Taxes:Deferred tax assets and liabilities are provided for the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse.  Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized.  Deferred income taxes have not been provided on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries since they have either been previously taxed, or are exempt from tax, and such earnings are considered to be reinvested indefinitely in foreign operations.
Earnings Per Share
Earnings Per Share:

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the treasury stock method, which assumes the issuance of common stock for all dilutive securities.
Accounting Pronouncements
Adopted

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) which simplifies the accounting for income taxes. The amendments in this update remove certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. The amendments in this ASU will be applied using different approaches depending on what the specific amendment relates to and, for public entities, are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. The Company early adopted this ASU in the quarter ended March 31, 2020. The adoption of this ASU had no significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements, but modifies the methodology to assess certain tax principles in Topic 740 prospectively.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20), which modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. The adoption of this ASU in the first quarter ended December 31, 2020 had no material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements including the consideration of costs and benefits.  The adoption of this ASU in the first quarter ended December 31, 2019 had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), which provides new guidance intended to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements. The adoption of this ASU in the first quarter ended December 31, 2019 had no impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326), which provides financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each report date. Subsequently, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-11, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses and ASU No. 2020-02, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326) and Leases (Topic 842), that provide certain amendments to the new guidance. The adoption of these ASUs in the first quarter ended December 31, 2020 had no material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

The following table summarizes the activity for the accounts receivable allowance for doubtful accounts for the year ended September 30, 2021:
Accounts Receivable Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Balance at October 1, 2020 $ 9,618 
Current period expense 2,182 
Deductions (1)
(1,146)
Balance at September 30, 2021 $ 10,654 
(1) Amounts determined not to be collectible (including direct write-offs), net of recoveries.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which provides new guidance on how an entity should account for leases and recognize associated lease assets and liabilities. This ASU requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities that arise from financing and operating leases on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Subsequently, the FASB issued several ASUs that address implementation issues and correct or improve certain aspects of the new lease guidance, including ASU 2017-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), Leases (Topic 840), and Leases (Topic 842), ASU 2018-01, Leases (Topic 842) Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842, ASU 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases, ASU 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements, ASU 2018-20, Leases (Topic 842): Narrow-Scope Improvements for Lessors, and ASU 2019-01, Leases (Topic 842): Codification Improvements. These ASUs do not change the core principles in the lease guidance outlined above.
ASU No. 2018-11 provides an additional transition method to adopt ASU No. 2016-02. Under the transition method, an entity initially applies the new leases standard at the adoption date versus at the beginning of the earliest period presented and recognizes a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The Company adopted the standard using the transition method as of October 1, 2019. Under this approach, the Company recognized and recorded ROU assets and related lease liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet of approximately $80,000 with no impact to retained earnings. As part of the adoption, the Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance which includes the ability to carry forward historical lease classification.