| Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements | Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Basis of Presentation The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and footnotes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Significant estimates inherent in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements include receivables allowances, depreciation of rental equipment, the recoverability of long-lived assets, useful lives and impairment of long-lived tangible and intangible assets including goodwill and trade name, pension and postretirement benefits, valuation of stock-based compensation, reserves for litigation and other contingencies and accounting for income taxes. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Herc Holdings and its wholly owned subsidiaries. In the event that the Company is a primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity, the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the variable interest entity are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less. Concentration of Credit Risk The Company's cash and cash equivalents are held in checking accounts, various investment grade institutional money market accounts or bank term deposits. Deposits held at banks may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand and are maintained with financial institutions with reputable credit and therefore bear minimal credit risk. The Company seeks to mitigate such risks by spreading the risk across multiple counterparties and monitoring the risk profiles of these counterparties. In addition, the Company has credit risk from financial instruments used in hedging activities, when appropriate. The Company limits its exposure relating to financial instruments by diversifying the financial instruments among various counterparties, which consist of major financial institutions. No single customer accounted for more than 3% of the Company’s equipment rental revenue during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, no single customer accounted for more than 5% of accounts receivable. Receivables Receivables are stated net of allowances and represent credit extended to customers and manufacturers that satisfy defined credit criteria. The estimate of the allowance for doubtful accounts is based on the Company's historical experience and its judgment as to the likelihood of ultimate collection. Actual receivables are written-off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when the Company determines the balance will not be collected. Estimates for future credit memos are based on historical experience and are reflected as reductions to revenue, while the provision for bad debt for rental transactions is reflected as a component of "Selling, general and administrative expenses" in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. Rental Equipment Rental equipment is stated at cost, net of related discounts, with holding periods ranging from one year to 15 years. Generally, when rental equipment is acquired, the Company estimates the period that it will hold the asset, primarily based on historical measures of the amount of rental activity (e.g. equipment usage) and the targeted age of equipment at the time of disposal. The Company also estimates the residual value of the applicable rental equipment at the expected time of disposal. The residual value for rental equipment is affected by factors which include equipment age and amount of usage. Depreciation is recorded over the estimated holding period. Depreciation rates are reviewed on a quarterly basis based on management's ongoing assessment of present and estimated future market conditions, their effect on residual values at the time of disposal and the estimated holding periods. Market conditions for used equipment sales can also be affected by external factors such as the economy, natural disasters, fuel prices, supply of similar used equipment, the market price for similar new equipment and incentives offered by manufacturers of new equipment. These key factors are considered when estimating future residual values and assessing depreciation rates. As a result of this ongoing assessment, the Company makes periodic adjustments to depreciation rates of rental equipment in response to changed market conditions. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the related assets or leases, whichever is shorter. Useful lives are as follows: Buildings 8 to 33 years Service vehicles 3 to 13 years Machinery and equipment 1 to 15 years Computer equipment 1 to 5 years Furniture and fixtures 2 to 10 years Leasehold improvements The lesser of the asset life or expected lease term including lease extension options. The Company follows the practice of charging routine maintenance and repairs, including the cost of minor replacements, to maintenance expense. Costs of major replacements are capitalized and depreciated. Leases Leases are classified as either finance or operating at inception of the lease, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. Operating and finance leases result in the recognition of right-of-use ("ROU") assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. ROU assets represent the Company's right to use the leased asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments. The liability is calculated as the present value of the remaining minimum lease payments for existing operating leases using either the rate implicit in the lease or, if none exists, the Company's incremental borrowing rate. Operating lease cost is recorded on a straight-line basis over the remaining lease term. Finance lease cost includes amortization of the ROU assets on a straight-line basis and interest on the lease liabilities using the effective interest method. In certain instances, the Company may sell property and enter into an arrangement to lease the property back from the landlord. In these instances, the Company performs a sale-leaseback analysis to determine if the assets can be removed from the balance sheet. If certain criteria are met, the Company recognizes the transaction as a sale, removes the assets from its balance sheet and reflects the future lease payments as rent expense. If the criteria for sale is not met, such as available repurchase options or continuing involvement with the property, the Company is considered the owner for accounting purposes. In these instances, the Company is precluded from derecognizing the assets from its balance sheet and will continue to depreciate the assets over the expected lease term. In conjunction with these arrangements, the Company records a financing obligation equal to the cash proceeds or fair market value of the assets received from the landlord. Lease payments for these properties are recognized as interest expense and a reduction of the financing obligation using the effective interest method. At the end of the lease term, including exercise of any renewal options, the net remaining financing obligation over the net carrying value of the fixed asset will be recognized as a non-cash gain on sale of the property. Public Liability and Property Damage The obligation for public liability and property damage on self-insured equipment represents an estimate for both reported accident claims not yet paid, and claims incurred but not yet reported. The related liabilities are recorded on a non-discounted basis. Reserve requirements are based on actuarial evaluations of historical accident claim experience and trends, as well as future projections of ultimate losses, expenses, premiums and administrative costs. The adequacy of the liability is regularly monitored based on evolving accident claim history and insurance-related state legislation changes. If the Company's estimates change or if actual results differ from these assumptions, the amount of the recorded liability is adjusted to reflect these results. Reserves for Claims The Company is exposed to various claims relating to our business, including those for which we provide self-insurance. Claims for which we self-insure include: (i) workers compensation claims; (ii) general liability claims by third parties for injury or property damage caused by our equipment or personnel; (iii) automobile liability claims; and (iv) employee health insurance claims. These types of claims may take a substantial amount of time to resolve and, accordingly, the ultimate liability associated with a particular claim, including claims incurred but not reported as of a period-end reporting date, may not be known for an extended period of time. The Company's methodology for developing self-insurance reserves is based on management estimates and independent third party actuarial estimates. The estimation process considers, among other matters, the cost of known claims over time, cost inflation and incurred but not reported claims. These estimates may change based on, among other things, changes in the Company's claim history or receipt of additional information relevant to assessing the claims and the amount of the recorded liability is adjusted to reflect these changes. The long-term portion of our self-insurance reserves is included in "Other long-term liabilities" in the consolidated balance sheet. Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Other Employee Benefits The Company's employee pension costs and obligations are developed from actuarial valuations. Inherent in these valuations are key assumptions, including discount rates, salary growth, long-term return on plan assets, retirement rates, mortality rates and other factors. The selection of assumptions is based on historical trends and known economic and market conditions at the time of valuation, as well as independent studies of trends performed by actuaries. However, actual results may differ substantially from the estimates that were based on the assumptions. The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for all of the plans. Actual results that differ from the Company's assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect its recognized expense in such future periods. While management believes that the assumptions used are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in assumptions would affect the Company's pension costs and obligations. Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions Assets and liabilities of international subsidiaries whose functional currency is the local currency are translated at the rate of exchange in effect on the balance sheet date; income and expenses are translated at the average exchange rates throughout the year. The related translation adjustments are reflected in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” in the equity section of the Company's consolidated balance sheets. Foreign currency gains and losses resulting from transactions are included in earnings. Financial Instruments The Company is exposed to a variety of market risks, including the effects of changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. The Company manages exposure to these market risks through ongoing processes to monitor the impact of market changes and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of financial instruments. Financial instruments are viewed as risk management tools and have not been used for speculative or trading purposes. The Company accounts for all derivatives in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires that they be recorded on the balance sheet as either assets or liabilities measured at their fair value. For financial instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, the Company designates the hedging instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as either a fair value hedge or a cash flow hedge. The effective portion of changes in fair value of financial instruments designated as cash flow hedging instruments is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for cash flow hedges are reclassified into earnings in the same period that the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges is recognized currently in earnings within the same line item as the hedged item, based upon the nature of the hedged item. For financial instruments that are not part of a qualified hedging relationship, the changes in their fair value are recognized currently in earnings. Business Combinations The Company has made acquisitions and may continue to make acquisitions in the future. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded based on their respective fair values at the date of acquisition. Long-lived assets (principally rental equipment), goodwill and other intangible assets generally represent the largest components of the acquisitions. Rental equipment is valued utilizing either a cost, market or income approach, or a combination of certain of these methods, depending on the asset being valued and the availability of market or income data. The intangible assets that the Company has acquired are non-compete agreements, customer relationships and trade names and associated trademarks. The estimated fair values of these intangible assets reflect various assumptions about discount rates, revenue growth rates, operating margins, terminal values, useful lives and other prospective financial information. Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the cost of the acquired entity over the net of the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. Non-compete agreements, customer relationships and trade names and associated trademarks are valued based on an excess earnings or income approach based on projected cash flows and may be amortized over the useful life if they are determined to be finite-lived intangible assets. Determining the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired is judgmental in nature and can involve the use of significant estimates and assumptions. As part of an acquisition, the Company will also acquire other assets and assume liabilities. These other assets and liabilities typically include, but are not limited to, parts inventory, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other working capital items. Because of their short-term nature, the fair values of these other assets and liabilities generally approximate the book values on the acquired entities' balance sheets. Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets On an annual basis and at interim periods when circumstances require, the Company tests the recoverability of its goodwill. The analysis is conducted as of October 1 each year. The Company has one reporting unit and compares the carrying value of its reporting unit to its fair value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit is greater than its fair value, the Company recognizes an impairment charge for the amount equal to that excess. The Company may first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. If a quantitative impairment test is performed, the fair value of the reporting unit is estimated using a combination of an income approach on the present value of estimated future cash flows and a market approach based on published earnings multiples of comparable entities with similar operations and economic characteristics as well as acquisition multiples paid in recent transactions. The Company’s discounted cash flows are based upon reasonable and appropriate assumptions, which are weighted for their likely probability of occurrence, about the underlying business activities of the Company. Indefinite-lived intangible assets, primarily our trade name, are not amortized but are evaluated annually for impairment and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of this asset may exceed its fair value. If the carrying value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. Finite-Lived Intangible and Long-Lived Assets Intangible assets include technology, customer relationships and other intangibles. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over the estimated economic lives of the assets, which range from three Long-lived assets, or disposal groups comprising assets and liabilities, that are expected to be recovered primarily through sale rather than through continuing use are classified as assets held for sale. Upon designation as an asset held for sale, the carrying value of each long-lived asset or disposal group is recorded at the lower of its carrying value or its estimated fair value, less estimated costs to sell, and depreciation expense is no longer recorded. Revenue Recognition The Company is principally engaged in the business of renting equipment. Ancillary to the Company’s principal equipment rental business, the Company also sells used rental equipment, new equipment and parts and supplies and offers certain services to support its customers. The Company’s rental transactions are accounted for under ASC Topic 842, Leases, ("Topic 842"). Prior to the adoption of Topic 842 on January 1, 2019, the Company accounted for these transactions under ASC Topic 840, Leases , ("Topic 840"). Equipment rental revenue includes revenue generated from renting equipment to customers, including re-rent revenue, and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the length of the rental contract. Other equipment rental revenues include fees for the Company's rental protection program and environmental charges and are recognized on a straight-line basis over the length of the rental contract. The Company’s sale of rental and new equipment, parts and supplies along with certain services provided to customers are recognized under ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, ("Topic 606") which was adopted on January 1, 2018. The Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control over a product or service to a customer. The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for such products or services. See Note 3, "Revenue Recognition" for further discussion of our revenue accounting. Advertising Advertising and sales promotion costs are expensed the first time the advertising or sales promotion takes place. Advertising costs are reflected as a component of "Selling, general and administrative" expense in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 advertising costs were $2.2 million, $2.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively. Stock Based Compensation Under the Company's stock based compensation plans, certain employees and members of the Company's board of directors have received grants of restricted stock units, performance stock units and stock options for Herc Holdings common stock. The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of the award. That cost is recognized over the period during which the employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options issued at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which includes assumptions related to volatility, expected term, dividend yield and risk-free interest rate. The Company accounts for restricted stock unit and performance stock unit awards as equity classified awards. For restricted stock units, the expense is based on the grant date fair value of the stock and the number of shares that vest, recognized over the service period. For performance stock units, the expense is based on the grant date fair value of the stock, recognized over a service period depending upon the applicable performance condition. For performance stock units, the Company re-assesses the probability of achieving the applicable performance condition each reporting period and adjusts the recognition of expense accordingly. Income Taxes The Company applies the provisions of ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, ("Topic 740"), and computes the provision for income taxes on a Separate Return Basis. Under Topic 740, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates that are expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates is recognized in the statement of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company records valuation allowances to reduce its deferred tax assets by the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Subsequent changes to enacted tax rates and changes in the interpretations thereof will result in deferred taxes and changes to any related valuation allowances. Provisions are not made for income taxes on undistributed earnings of international subsidiaries that are intended to be indefinitely reinvested outside of the United States or are expected to be remitted free of taxes. Future distributions, if any, from these international subsidiaries to the United States or changes in U.S. tax rules may require a charge to reflect tax on these amounts. In accordance with Topic 740, the Company recognizes, in its consolidated financial statements, the impact of the Company's tax positions that are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. The Company will determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. In evaluating whether a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company presumes that the position will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority with full knowledge of all relevant information. Upon determination that a tax position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, it is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The Company recognizes interest and penalties for uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the "2017 Tax Act"), had a substantial impact on the income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2018. See Note 15, "Income Taxes" for further detail. Impacts of COVID-19 In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus ("COVID-19") was identified in China and has since spread globally. In March 2020, the World Health Organization characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic. Federal, state and local efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 intensified in March 2020 when most states in the United States, including Florida where the Company is headquartered, enacted shelter in place orders, declared states of emergency, took steps to restrict travel, enacted temporary closures of non-essential businesses and took other restrictive measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Company's business was deemed essential and was allowed to remain open, however, many industries in which its customers operate were required to temporarily close their facilities or delay or cancel projects and events. The Company reduced its capital spending during 2020 and, where possible, reduced operating expenses while ensuring ongoing safe and reliable operations. Additionally, as the timing and extent of the removal of these measures and the residual economic impact of the pandemic remains unclear, the Company is currently experiencing a year-over-year decrease in volume of fleet on rent and this reduction in volume is likely to have a negative impact on equipment rental revenue. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve as state and local governments are re-opening businesses in multiple phases and, in certain jurisdictions, reversing re-opening decisions. Therefore, we cannot predict the extent to which our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows will ultimately be impacted. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Adopted Fair Value Measurement In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new guidance that modifies disclosure requirements on fair value measurements, removing and modifying certain disclosures, while adding other disclosures. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted the new guidance on its effective date and it did not have a material impact on its financial statement disclosures. Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance that requires companies to present assets held at amortized cost and available for sale debt securities net of the amount expected to be collected. The guidance requires the measurement of expected credit losses to be based on relevant information from past events, including historical experiences, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect collectibility. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted. Different components of the guidance require modified retrospective or prospective adoption. This guidance does not apply to receivables arising from operating leases and, as discussed in Note 3, "Revenue Recognition," most of the Company's equipment rental revenue is accounted for as lease revenue under Topic 842. The Company adopted this guidance on its effective date and there was no material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes In December 2019, the FASB issued guidance that simplifies the accounting for income taxes. The guidance removes the following exceptions: (i) exceptions to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation when there is a loss from continuing operations and income or a gain from other items, (ii) exception to the requirement to recognize a deferred tax liability for equity method investments when a foreign subsidiary becomes an equity method investment, (iii) exception to the ability not to recognize a deferred tax liability for a foreign subsidiary when a foreign equity method investment becomes a subsidiary and (iv) exception to the general methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period when a year-to-date loss exceeds the anticipated loss for the year. Additionally, the guidance simplifies the accounting for income taxes by: (i) requiring that an entity recognize a franchise tax (or similar tax) that is partially based on income as an income-based tax and account for any incremental amount incurred as a non-income-based tax, (ii) requiring that an entity evaluate when a step up in the tax basis of goodwill should be considered part of the business combination in which the book goodwill was originally recognized and when it should be considered a separate transaction, (iii) specifying that an entity is not required to allocate the consolidated amount of current and deferred tax expense to a legal entity that is not subject to tax in its separate financial statements (although the entity may elect to do so (on an entity-by-entity basis) for a legal entity that is both not subject to tax and disregarded by the taxing authority), (iv) requiring that an entity reflect the effect of an enacted change in tax laws or rates in the annual effective tax rate computation in the interim period that includes the enactment date and (v) making minor improvements for income tax accounting related to employee stock ownership plans and investments in qualified affordable housing projects accounted for using the equity method. The Company early adopted this guidance on January 1, 2020 and there was no material impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Compensation - Retirement Benefits In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance that adds, removes, and modifies disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans in order to improve the disclosure effectiveness. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and should be applied on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. The Company early adopted this guidance on December 31, 2020 as permitted, and there was no impact the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. See Note 13, "Employee Retirement Benefits" for revised disclosures in accordance with this guidance. Not Yet Adopted Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting |
