Univar Solutions (UNVR) 10-Q 10 May 18 2018 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	UNVR
Entity Registrant Name	Univar Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1,494,319
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		141,301,164

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,158	$ 1,998.8
Cost of goods sold	1,671.4	1,559.4
Gross profit	486.6	439.4
Operating expenses:
Outbound freight and handling	79.3	71
Warehousing, selling and administrative	241	228.5
Other operating expenses, net	13.6	19.8
Depreciation	31.4	35.9
Amortization	13.4	16.7
Total operating expenses	378.7	371.9
Operating income	107.9	67.5
Other (expense) income:
Interest income	1.2	0.9
Interest expense	(36.1)	(36.7)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	(0.8)
Other income (expense), net	2.6	(6.7)
Total other expense	(32.3)	(43.3)
Income before income taxes	75.6	24.2
Income tax expense	10.2	1.6
Net income	$ 65.4	$ 22.6
Income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.46	$ 0.16
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.46	$ 0.16
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	140.9	139.4
Diluted (in shares)	142	140.8

Condensed Consolidated Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income		$ 65.4	$ 22.6
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Impact due to adoption of ASU 2017-12	[1]	0.5	0
Foreign currency translation		(7.2)	18.2
Derivative financial instruments		9.1	0
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax		2.4	18.2
Comprehensive income		$ 67.8	$ 40.8
[1]	Adjusted due to the adoption of ASU 2017-12 “Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities” on January 1, 2018. Refer to “Note 2: Significant accounting policies” for more information.

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 115.9	$ 467
Trade accounts receivable, net	1,288.5	1,062.4
Inventories	921.9	839.5
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	174.6	149.6
Total current assets	2,500.9	2,518.5
Property, plant and equipment, net	983.8	1,003
Goodwill	1,809.2	1,818.4
Intangible assets, net	279	287.7
Deferred tax assets	30.3	22.8
Other assets	91.1	82.3
Total assets	5,694.3	5,732.7
Current liabilities:
Short-term financing	8.5	13.4
Trade accounts payable	1,011.7	941.7
Current portion of long-term debt	20.5	62
Accrued compensation	74.6	100.7
Other accrued expenses	330.7	301.6
Total current liabilities	1,446	1,419.4
Long-term debt	2,683.5	2,820
Pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities	252.5	257.1
Deferred tax liabilities	45.8	35.4
Other long-term liabilities	100.8	110.7
Total liabilities	4,528.6	4,642.6
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, 200.0 million shares authorized at $0.01 par value with no shares issued or outstanding as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017	0	0
Common stock, 2.0 billion shares authorized at $0.01 par value with 141.3 million and 141.1 million shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively	1.4	1.4
Additional paid-in capital	2,308.8	2,301.3
Accumulated deficit	(868.4)	(934.1)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(276.1)	(278.5)
Total stockholders’ equity	1,165.7	1,090.1
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 5,694.3	$ 5,732.7

Condensed Consolidated Balance5

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	200,000,000	200,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, share issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	2,000,000,000	2,000,000,000
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	141,300,000	141,100,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	141,300,000	141,100,000

Condensed Consolidated Stateme6

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 65.4	$ 22.6
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	44.8	52.6
Amortization of deferred financing fees and debt discount	2	2
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0.8
Deferred income taxes	(3)	(3.3)
Stock-based compensation expense	9.4	6.4
Other	0.4	0.5
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable, net	(219.4)	(142.4)
Inventories	(80.1)	(66.4)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(14.1)	(18.9)
Trade accounts payable	67.3	79.9
Pensions and other postretirement benefit liabilities	(11.6)	(9)
Other, net	(0.1)	(1.9)
Net cash used by operating activities	(139)	(77.1)
Investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(16.2)	(20.9)
Purchases of businesses, net of cash acquired	(8.9)	(0.5)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	2.2	0
Other	0	(0.3)
Net cash used by investing activities	(22.9)	(21.7)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	141.8	2,264
Payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations	(320.1)	(2,211.5)
Short-term financing, net	(6.6)	(5.2)
Financing fees paid	0	(4.4)
Taxes paid related to net share settlements of stock-based compensation awards	(2.7)	(6)
Stock option exercises	0.8	23.8
Contingent consideration payments	0	(3.2)
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	(186.8)	57.5
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(2.4)	5.5
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(351.1)	(35.8)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	467	336.4
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	115.9	300.6
Non-cash activities:
Additions of property, plant and equipment included in trade accounts payable and other accrued expenses	7.3	6.7
Additions of property, plant and equipment under a capital lease obligation	$ 6	$ 9.8

Condensed Consolidated Stateme7

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions		Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Impact due to adoption of ASU, net of tax	[1]	$ 0.2		$ 0.7	$ (0.5)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2016		809.9	$ 1.4	2,251.8	(1,053.4)	$ (389.9)
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016			138.8
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income		22.6
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax		18.2
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2017						(371.7)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2016		809.9	$ 1.4	2,251.8	(1,053.4)	(389.9)
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016			138.8
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income		119.8			119.8
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax		107.1				107.1
Pension and other postretirement benefits adjustment, net of tax		(2.4)				(2.4)
Derivative financial instruments, net of tax		(6.7)				6.7
Restricted stock units vested		0	$ 0
Restricted stock units vested (in shares)			0.8
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of stock-based compensation awards		(8.5)		(8.5)
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of stock-based compensation awards (in shares)			(0.3)
Stock option exercises		36.5		36.5
Stock option exercises (in shares)			1.8
Employee stock purchase plan	[2]	1.1		1.1
Employee stock purchase plan (in shares)	[2]		0
Stock-based compensation		19.7		19.7
Stock-based compensation (in shares)			0
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2017		$ 1,090.1	$ 1.4	2,301.3	(934.1)	(278.5)
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017		141.1	141.1
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Impact due to adoption of ASU, net of tax	[3]	$ 0.8			0.3	0.5
Net income		65.4			65.4
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax		(7.2)				(7.2)
Derivative financial instruments, net of tax		(9.1)				(9.1)
Restricted stock units vested		0	$ 0
Restricted stock units vested (in shares)			0.2
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of stock-based compensation awards		(2.7)		(2.7)
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of stock-based compensation awards (in shares)			(0.1)
Stock option exercises		0.8		0.8
Stock option exercises (in shares)			0.1
Employee stock purchase plan		0		0
Employee stock purchase plan (in shares)			0
Stock-based compensation		9.4		9.4
Stock-based compensation (in shares)			0
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2018		$ 1,165.7	$ 1.4	$ 2,308.8	$ (868.4)	(276.1)
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2018		141.3	141.3
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Impact due to adoption of ASU, net of tax						$ 0.5
[1]	Adjusted due to the adoption of ASU 2016-09 “Improvement to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” on January 1, 2017.
[2]	During November 2016, our Board of Directors approved the Univar Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or ESPP, authorizing the issuances of up to 2.0 million shares of the Company's common stock effective January 1, 2017. The total number of shares issued under the plan for the first two offering periods from January through December 2017 was 39,418 shares.
[3]	Adjusted due to the adoption of ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” and ASU 2017-12 “Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities” on January 1, 2018. Refer to “Note 2: Significant accounting policies” for more information.

Condensed Consolidated Stateme8

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Nov. 30, 2016
Deferred tax assets	$ 30.3	$ 22.8
Impact due to adoption of ASU's	(0.3)
Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax	0	(2.1)
Pension and post-employment benefits, tax	0	0.6
Derivative financial instruments tax	$ (3.2)	(4.3)
ASU 2016-09 [Member]
Deferred tax assets		$ 0.2
Employee Stock [Member]
Number of employee stock purchase plan shares authorized (in shares)			2,000,000
Employee stock purchase plan (in shares)		39,418

Nature of operations

Nature of operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Nature of operations	1. Nature of operations Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Univar Inc. (“the Company” or “Univar”) is a leading global chemicals and ingredients distributor and provider of specialty chemicals. The Company’s operations are structured into four operating segments that represent the geographic areas under which the Company manages its business: • Univar USA (“USA”) • Univar Canada (“Canada”) • Univar Europe, the Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) • Rest of World (“Rest of World”) Rest of World includes certain developing businesses in Latin America (including Brazil and Mexico) and the Asia-Pacific region.

Significant accounting policies

Significant accounting policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant accounting policies	2. Significant accounting policies Basis of presentation The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) as applicable to interim financial reporting. Unless otherwise indicated, all financial data presented in these condensed consolidated financial statements are expressed in US dollars. These condensed consolidated financial statements, in the Company’s opinion, include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity. The results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that may be expected for the full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 . The condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries are consolidated if the Company has a controlling financial interest, which may exist based on ownership of a majority of the voting interest, or based on the Company’s determination that it is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) or if otherwise required by US GAAP. The Company did not have any material interests in VIEs during the periods presented in these condensed consolidated financial statements. All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. Recently issued and adopted accounting pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606). On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the new accounting standard Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and all the related amendments (“new revenue standard”) to all contracts using the modified retrospective method. The Company recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12 “Derivatives and Hedging“ (Topic 815) - “Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities.” The ASU better aligns hedge accounting with the Company’s risk management activities, simplifies the application of hedge accounting, and improves transparency as to the scope and results of hedging programs. The Company early adopted the new pronouncement effective January 1, 2018, as allowed, using the modified retrospective approach by recognizing the cumulative effect of initially applying the new pronouncement as an adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The cumulative effect of the changes made to our January 1, 2018 condensed consolidated balance sheet for the adoption of ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606) and ASU 2017-12 “Derivatives and Hedging” (Topic 815) - “Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities” is as follows: (in millions) Balance at December 31, 2017 Adjustments due to ASU 2014-09 Adjustments due to ASU 2017-12 Balance at January 1, 2018 Assets Trade accounts receivable, net $ 1,062.4 $ 41.3 $ — $ 1,103.7 Inventories 839.5 (2.1 ) — 837.4 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 149.6 1.8 — 151.4 Liabilities Trade accounts payable $ 941.7 $ 7.0 $ — $ 948.7 Other accrued expenses 301.6 33.2 — 334.8 Equity Accumulated deficit $ (934.1 ) $ 0.8 $ (0.5 ) $ (933.8 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (278.5 ) — 0.5 (278.0 ) The following tables summarize the impact of adopting the new revenue standard upon the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet and statement of operations as of and for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 : Three months ended March 31, 2018 (in millions) As reported Balances without adoption of ASC 606 Effect of change higher/(lower) Net sales $ 2,158.0 $ 2,151.7 $ 6.3 Cost of goods sold 1,671.4 1,665.5 5.9 Gross profit $ 486.6 $ 486.2 $ 0.4 Income tax expense $ 10.2 $ 10.1 $ 0.1 Net income 65.4 65.1 0.3 March 31, 2018 (in millions) As reported Balances without adoption of ASC 606 Effect of change higher/(lower) Assets Trade accounts receivable, net $ 1,288.5 $ 1,240.2 $ 48.3 Inventories 921.9 930.3 (8.4 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets 174.6 165.8 8.8 Liabilities Trade accounts payable $ 1,011.7 $ 997.8 $ 13.9 Other accrued expenses 330.7 297.0 33.7 Equity Accumulated deficit $ (868.4 ) $ (869.5 ) $ 1.1 In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07 “Compensation - Retirement Benefits” (Topic 715) - “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.” On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the amendments to ASC 715 that improves the presentation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs, by separating the presentation of service costs from other components of net periodic costs. The interest cost, expected return on assets, and amortization of prior service costs have been reclassified from warehousing, selling, and administrative expenses to other expense, net. The mark to market, curtailment, and settlement expenses have been reclassified from other operating expenses, net to other expense, net. The effect of the retrospective presentation change related to the net periodic cost of our defined benefit pension and other postretirement employee benefits (“OPEB”) plans on our consolidated income statement was as follows: Three months ended March 31, 2017 (in millions) As revised Previously reported Effect of change higher/(lower) Warehousing, selling and administrative $ 228.5 $ 226.1 $ 2.4 Other income (expense), net (6.7 ) (9.1 ) (2.4 ) In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15 “Statement of Cash Flows” (Topic 230) - “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” The ASU clarifies and provides specific guidance on eight cash flow classification issues that were not currently addressed by the previous guidance. The Company adopted the ASU as of January 1, 2018 and accordingly restated the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to conform with the current period presentation under this new guidance. As a result of the adoption, the Company reclassified $3.2 million of cash outflows previously reported as operating activities to financing activities within the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows related to contingent consideration payments for the three months ended March 31, 2017 . The Company also adopted the following standards during 2018, none of which had a material impact to the financial statements or financial statement disclosures: Standard Effective date 2017-09 Compensation - Stock Compensation - Scope of Modification Accounting January 1, 2018 2017-04 Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment January 1, 2018 2017-01 Business Combinations - Clarifying the Definition of a Business January 1, 2018 2016-18 Statement of Cash Flows - Restricted Cash January 1, 2018 2016-16 Income Taxes - Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory January 1, 2018 2016-01 Financial Instrument - Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities January 1, 2018 Accounting pronouncements issued and not yet adopted In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 “Leases” (Topic 842), which supersedes the lease recognition requirements in ASC Topic 840, “Leases.” The core principal of the guidance is that an entity should recognize assets and liabilities arising from a lease for both financing and operating leases, along with additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within such fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance is to be applied using a modified retrospective transition method with the option to elect a package of practical expedients. The Company has established a project team who has completed the initial scoping and has begun implementing a software solution to comply with the new standard's reporting and disclosure requirements. The Company is also in the process of identifying changes to processes and controls. Upon adoption of this standard, the Company expects the condensed consolidated balance sheet to include a right of use asset and liability related to certain operating lease arrangements. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses” (Topic 326) - “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” The ASU requires entities to use a Current Expected Credit Loss model, which is a new impairment model based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Under the model, an entity would recognize an impairment allowance equal to its current estimate of all contractual cash flows that the entity does not expect to collect from financial assets measured at amortized cost. The entity’s estimate would consider relevant information about past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts, which will result in recognition of lifetime expected credit losses upon initial recognition of the related assets. This guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within such fiscal years. The Company expects to adopt this guidance when effective, and does not expect the guidance to have a significant impact to the condensed consolidated financial statements when adopted on January 1, 2020. In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02 “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income” (Topic 220) “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” (“AOCI”), which gives entities the option to reclassify certain tax effects, that the FASB refers to as having been stranded, resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from AOCI to retained earnings. The new guidance may be applied retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is recognized, or in the period of adoption. The Company must adopt this guidance for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating early adoption of this guidance, and is currently determining the impact to the Company's reported accumulated deficit and accumulated other comprehensive loss line items within the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Revenue

Revenue	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue	3. Revenue On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the new revenue standard using the modified retrospective method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under the new revenue standard, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with historic accounting under ASC Topic 605. The Company recorded a net decrease to the opening accumulated deficit of $0.8 million as of January 1, 2018 due to the cumulative impact of adopting the new revenue standard. The Company disaggregates revenues from contracts with customers by both geographic segments and revenue contract types. Geographic reportable segmentation is pertinent to understanding Univar’s revenues, as it aligns to how the Company reviews the financial performance of its operations. Revenue contract types are differentiated by the type of good or service Univar offers customers, since the contractual terms necessary for revenue recognition are unique to each of the identified revenue contract types. The following table disaggregates external customer net sales by major stream: (in millions) USA Canada EMEA Rest of World Consolidated Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Chemical Distribution $ 1,160.8 $ 232.0 $ 538.4 $ 99.9 $ 2,031.1 Crop Sciences — 69.4 — — 69.4 Services 43.6 12.0 0.2 1.7 57.5 Total external customer net sales $ 1,204.4 $ 313.4 $ 538.6 $ 101.6 $ 2,158.0 Revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of the contract are satisfied, which generally occurs when goods or services are transferred to a customer. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring goods or providing services. Payment terms and conditions vary by regions where the Company performs business and contract types. The term between invoicing and when payment is due is generally one year or less. As of March 31, 2018 , none of the Company's contracts contained a significant financing component. Chemical Distribution The Company generates revenue when control is transferred for products provided to customers. Certain customers may receive discounts off the transaction price, primarily due to price and volume incentives, or return product for non-conformance, which are accounted for as variable consideration. The Company estimates the change in the transaction price that is expected to be provided to customers based on historical experience, which impacts revenues recognized. Crop Sciences The Company generates revenue when control is transferred for products provided to customers. The amount of consideration recorded varies due to price movements and rights granted to customers to return product. Customer payment terms often extend through a growing season, which may be up to six months . Transaction prices may move during an agricultural growing season and changes may affect the amount of consideration the Company will receive. Transaction prices are also affected by special offers or volume discounts. The Company estimates the expected changes in the transaction price based on the combination of historical experience and the impact of weather on the current agriculture season. The adjustments to the transaction price are recognized as variable consideration and impacts revenues recognized. When customers are provided rights to return eligible products, the Company estimates the expected returns based on the combination of historical experience and the impact of weather on the current agriculture season, which impacts the revenues recognized. Services The Company generates revenue from services as they are performed and economic value is transferred to customers. Univar's services provided to customers are primarily related to waste management services and warehousing services. Waste management services are primarily related to plant maintenance, environmental contracting, environmental consulting and the collection and disposal of both hazardous and non-hazardous waste products. Warehousing services is primarily inclusive of blending, warehousing, logistics and distribution services for customers. Waste management and warehousing services are recognized over time as the performance obligations are satisfied. Costs to obtain or fulfill contracts with customers Univar expenses costs to obtain contracts when the contract term and benefit period is expected to be one year or less. Contract costs where the contract term and benefit period is expected to be more than a year are capitalized and amortized over the performance obligation period. Capitalized contract costs of $0.8 million and $2.0 million are included in other current assets and other assets as of March 31, 2018 . Deferred revenue Deferred revenues are recognized as a contract liability when customers have provided Univar with consideration prior to the Company satisfying a performance obligation. The following table provides information pertaining to the deferred revenue balance and account activity: (in millions) Deferred revenue as of January 1, 2018 $ 100.9 Deferred revenue as of March 31, 2018 80.5 Revenue recognized that was included in the deferred revenue balance at the beginning of the period 49.5 The deferred revenue balances are all expected to have a duration of one year or less and are recorded within the other accrued expenses line item of the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Other operating expenses, net

Other operating expenses, net	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other operating expenses, net	4. Other operating expenses, net Other operating expenses, net consisted of the following activity: Three months ended (in millions) 2018 2017 Stock-based compensation expense $ 9.4 $ 6.4 Restructuring charges 0.5 1.7 Other employee termination costs 2.4 1.7 Business transformation costs — 9.1 Acquisition and integration related expenses 0.4 0.2 Other 0.9 0.7 Total other operating expenses, net $ 13.6 $ 19.8

Restructuring charges

Restructuring charges	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring charges	5. Restructuring charges Restructuring charges relate to the implementation of several regional strategic initiatives aimed at streamlining the Company’s cost structure and improving its operations. These actions primarily resulted in workforce reductions, lease termination costs and other facility rationalization costs. The following table presents cost information related to restructuring plans that have not been completed as of March 31, 2018 and does not contain any estimates for plans that may be developed and implemented in future periods. (in millions) USA Canada EMEA ROW Other Total Anticipated total costs Employee termination costs $ 16.5 $ 5.8 $ 22.5 $ 6.2 $ 5.8 $ 56.8 Facility exit costs 24.1 — 3.7 0.2 — 28.0 Other exit costs 1.7 — 6.7 0.1 0.8 9.3 Total $ 42.3 $ 5.8 $ 32.9 $ 6.5 $ 6.6 $ 94.1 Incurred to date costs Inception of plans through March 31, 2018 Employee termination costs $ 16.5 $ 5.8 $ 22.5 $ 6.2 $ 5.8 $ 56.8 Facility exit costs 22.4 — 3.7 0.2 — 26.3 Other exit costs 1.7 — 6.7 0.1 0.8 9.3 Total $ 40.6 $ 5.8 $ 32.9 $ 6.5 $ 6.6 $ 92.4 Inception of plans through December 31, 2017 Employee termination costs $ 16.5 $ 5.7 $ 22.5 $ 6.2 $ 5.8 $ 56.7 Facility exit costs 22.2 — 3.7 0.2 — 26.1 Other exit costs 1.7 — 6.6 — 0.8 9.1 Total $ 40.4 $ 5.7 $ 32.8 $ 6.4 $ 6.6 $ 91.9 The following table summarizes activity related to accrued liabilities associated with restructuring: (in millions) January 1, 2018 Charge to earnings Cash paid Non-cash and other March 31, 2018 Employee termination costs $ 3.0 $ 0.1 $ (0.9 ) $ 0.1 $ 2.3 Facility exit costs 10.2 0.2 (1.1 ) — 9.3 Other exit costs (0.5 ) 0.2 (0.2 ) — (0.5 ) Total $ 12.7 $ 0.5 $ (2.2 ) $ 0.1 $ 11.1 (in millions) January 1, 2017 Charge to earnings Cash paid Non-cash and other December 31, 2017 Employee termination costs $ 6.9 $ 2.9 $ (7.2 ) $ 0.4 $ 3.0 Facility exit costs 13.2 2.8 (5.5 ) (0.3 ) 10.2 Other exit costs — (0.2 ) (0.3 ) — (0.5 ) Total $ 20.1 $ 5.5 $ (13.0 ) $ 0.1 $ 12.7 Restructuring liabilities of $5.1 million and $5.8 million were classified as current in other accrued expenses in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. The long-term portion of restructuring liabilities of $6.0 million and $6.9 million were recorded in other long-term liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively, and primarily consists of facility exit costs that are expected to be paid within the next five years . While the Company believes the recorded restructuring liabilities are adequate, revisions to current estimates may be recorded in future periods based on new information as it becomes available.

Other income (expense), net

Other income (expense), net	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other income (expense), net	6. Other income (expense), net Other income (expense), net consisted of the following gains (losses): Three months ended (in millions) 2018 2017 Foreign currency transactions $ (0.1 ) $ (2.1 ) Foreign currency denominated loans revaluation 1.2 (3.0 ) Undesignated foreign currency derivative instruments (1) (1.3 ) 1.0 Debt amendment costs — (4.2 ) Non-operating retirement benefits (2) 3.5 2.4 Other (0.7 ) (0.8 ) Total other income (expense), net $ 2.6 $ (6.7 ) (1) Refer to “ Note 14: Derivatives ” for more information. (2) Refer to “ Note 7: Employee benefit plans ” for more information.

Employee benefit plans

Employee benefit plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
Employee benefit plans	7. Employee benefit plans The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations: Domestic - Defined Benefit Pension Plans Foreign - Defined Benefit Pension Plans Three months ended Three months ended (in millions) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Service cost (1) $ — $ — $ 0.7 $ 0.6 Interest cost (2) 6.8 7.7 4.0 3.9 Expected return on plan assets (2) (7.8 ) (7.7 ) (6.5 ) (6.3 ) Net periodic benefit $ (1.0 ) $ — $ (1.8 ) $ (1.8 ) (1) Service cost is included in warehouse, selling and administrative expenses. (2) These amounts are included in other income (expense), net.

Income taxes

Income taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income taxes	8. Income taxes The income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $10.2 million , resulting in an effective tax rate of 13.5% . The Company’s effective tax rate for the three month period ended March 31, 2018 was lower than the US federal statutory rate of 21.0% primarily due to discrete tax benefits of a $9.0 million release of valuation allowance on certain foreign tax attributes and a $2.7 million recognition of previously unrecognized tax benefits due to a statute of limitation expiration. Without consideration of the $12.3 million discrete benefits in the period, the Company's estimated effective annual tax rate was 29.5% , which is higher than the US federal rate of 21.0% due to state income taxes, foreign rate differential, and the overall impact of the new provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (discussed below). The income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $1.6 million , resulting in an effective tax rate of 6.6% . The Company’s effective tax rate for three months ended March 31, 2017 was lower than the US federal statutory rate of 35.0% primarily due to the mix of earnings in multiple jurisdictions, non-taxable interest income and the release of a valuation allowance on certain foreign tax attributes. Included in the $1.6 million expense for March 31, 2017 was $2.2 million benefit related to excess tax benefits from equity compensation now reported as a discrete item on the quarter due to the Company's adoption of ASU 2016-09. Impacts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1) (the “Tax Act”) was signed into law. The Tax Act contains significant changes to corporate taxation. Beginning in 2018, the global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) provisions and the base-erosion and anti-abuse tax (“BEAT”) provisions become effective. The GILTI provisions require the Company to include in its US income tax return foreign subsidiary earnings in excess of an allowable return on the foreign subsidiary’s tangible assets. The BEAT provisions in the Tax Act eliminate the deduction of certain base-erosion payments made to related foreign corporations, and impose a minimum tax if greater than regular tax. Due to the complexity of the new GILTI tax rules, the Company is continuing to evaluate the provision of the Tax Act and the application of ASC 740. Under US GAAP, the Company is allowed to make an accounting policy choice of either (1) treating taxes due on future US inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI as a current-period expense when incurred (the “period cost method”) or (2) factoring such amounts into a Company’s measurement of its deferred taxes (the “deferred method”). The Company’s selection of an accounting policy with respect to the new GILTI tax rules will depend, in part, on analyzing our global income to determine whether we expect to have future US inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI. This determination depends not only on the Company’s current structure and estimated future results of global operations but also on the Company’s intent and ability to reasonably estimate the effect of this provision of the Tax Act. As the Company is still evaluating the impact of the Tax Act, no accounting policy election has been made yet regarding which method the Company will utilize for GILTI. Based on the existing legislative guidance and interpretation, the Company has provisionally estimated the impact on the tax provision of the GILTI inclusion, offset by the related foreign tax credit, and expects that the annual effective tax rate will increase by approximately 3.8% . The Company does not expect it will be subject to BEAT in 2018. On December 22, 2017, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to address the application of US GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act. The Company has recognized the provisional tax impacts related to deemed repatriated earnings and the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and included these amounts in its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017. As a result of the Tax Act, the Company recorded provisional amounts in 2017 including a one-time repatriation tax of $76.5 million , $47.6 million of foreign tax credits, of which $34.0 million was recorded as a deferred tax asset, net of a valuation allowance. The ultimate impact may differ from these provisional amounts, possibly materially, due to, among other things, additional analysis, changes in interpretations and assumptions the Company has made, additional regulatory guidance that may be issued, and actions the Company may take as a result of the Tax Act. The accounting is expected to be complete within the measurement period of one year from December 22, 2017.

Earnings per share

Earnings per share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per share	9. Earnings per share The following table presents the basic and diluted earnings per share computations: Three months ended March 31, (in millions, except per share data) 2018 2017 Basic: Net income $ 65.4 $ 22.6 Less: earnings allocated to participating securities 0.1 — Earnings allocated to common shares outstanding $ 65.3 $ 22.6 Weighted average common shares outstanding 140.9 139.4 Basic income per common share $ 0.46 $ 0.16 Diluted: Net income $ 65.4 $ 22.6 Less: earnings allocated to participating securities — — Earnings allocated to common shares outstanding $ 65.4 $ 22.6 Weighted average common shares outstanding 140.9 139.4 Effect of dilutive securities: stock compensation plans (1) 1.1 1.4 Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted 142.0 140.8 Diluted income per common share $ 0.46 $ 0.16 (1) Stock options to purchase 0.6 million shares of common stock were outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 , but were not included in the calculation of diluted income per share as the impact of these stock options would have been anti-dilutive.

Accumulated other comprehensive

Accumulated other comprehensive loss	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	10. Accumulated other comprehensive loss The following tables present the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, net of tax: (in millions) Cash flow hedges Defined benefit pension items Currency translation items Total Balance as of December 31, 2017 $ 6.7 $ (1.2 ) $ (284.0 ) $ (278.5 ) Impact due to adoption of ASU 2017-12 (1) 0.5 — — 0.5 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 9.1 — (7.2 ) 1.9 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) $ 9.6 $ — $ (7.2 ) $ 2.4 Balance as of March 31, 2018 $ 16.3 $ (1.2 ) $ (291.2 ) $ (276.1 ) Balance as of December 31, 2016 $ — $ 1.2 $ (391.1 ) $ (389.9 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications — — 18.2 18.2 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) $ — $ — $ 18.2 $ 18.2 Balance as of March 31, 2017 $ — $ 1.2 $ (372.9 ) $ (371.7 ) (1) Adjusted due to the adoption of ASU 2017-12 “Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities” on January 1, 2018. Refer to “ Note 2: Significant accounting policies ” for more information. Foreign currency gains and losses relating to intercompany borrowings that are considered a part of the Company’s investment in a foreign subsidiary are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss. There were no foreign currency gains and losses related to such intercompany borrowings for the three month period ended March 31, 2018 . Total foreign currency gains related to such intercompany borrowings were $0.5 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2017 .

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	11. Debt Short-term financing Short-term financing consisted of the following: (in millions) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Amounts drawn under credit facilities $ 6.9 $ 9.1 Bank overdrafts 1.6 4.3 Total short-term financing $ 8.5 $ 13.4 As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , the Company had $147.2 million and $147.0 million in outstanding letters of credit and guarantees, respectively. Long-term debt Long-term debt consisted of the following: (in millions) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Senior Term Loan Facilities: Term B Loan due 2024, variable interest rate of 4.38% and 4.07% at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively $ 1,977.8 $ 2,277.8 Asset Backed Loan (ABL) Facilities: North American ABL Facility due 2020, variable interest rate of 3.38% and 5.00% at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively 296.6 155.0 North American ABL Term Loan due 2018, fully paid off at March 31, 2018 and variable interest rate of 4.44% at December 31, 2017 — 16.7 Senior Unsecured Notes: Senior Unsecured Notes due 2023, fixed interest rate of 6.75% at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 399.5 399.5 Capital lease obligations 56.8 60.9 Total long-term debt before discount $ 2,730.7 $ 2,909.9 Less: unamortized debt issuance costs and discount on debt (26.7 ) (27.9 ) Total long-term debt $ 2,704.0 $ 2,882.0 Less: current maturities (20.5 ) (62.0 ) Total long-term debt, excluding current maturities $ 2,683.5 $ 2,820.0 The weighted average interest rate on long-term debt was 4.17% and 4.50% as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. On February 12, 2018, Univar made an optional $300.0 million early repayment of principal against the $2,277.8 million balance of its Term B Loan due 2024. This early repayment used existing cash balances that were remitted to the US from non-US subsidiary earnings, subject to the newly enacted US Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Supplemental balance sheet info

Supplemental balance sheet information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Supplemental balance sheet information	12. Supplemental balance sheet information Property, plant and equipment, net (in millions) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Property, plant and equipment, at cost $ 1,923.9 $ 1,930.2 Less: accumulated depreciation (940.1 ) (927.2 ) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 983.8 $ 1,003.0 Capital lease assets, net Included within property, plant and equipment, net are assets related to capital leases where the Company is the lessee. The below table summarizes the cost and accumulated depreciation related to these assets: (in millions) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Capital lease assets, at cost $ 83.8 $ 86.0 Less: accumulated depreciation (28.9 ) (27.0 ) Capital lease assets, net $ 54.9 $ 59.0 Intangible assets, net The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of the Company’s intangible assets were as follows: March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (in millions) Gross Accumulated Amortization Net Gross Accumulated Amortization Net Intangible assets: Customer relationships $ 852.5 $ (593.0 ) $ 259.5 $ 853.5 $ (582.1 ) $ 271.4 Other 182.8 (163.3 ) 19.5 177.8 (161.5 ) 16.3 Total intangible assets $ 1,035.3 $ (756.3 ) $ 279.0 $ 1,031.3 $ (743.6 ) $ 287.7 Other intangible assets consist of intellectual property trademarks, trade names, supplier relationships, non-compete agreements and exclusive distribution rights. Other accrued expenses Other accrued expenses that were greater than five percent of total current liabilities consisted of customer prepayments and deposits, which were $91.4 million and $97.7 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively.

Fair value measurements

Fair value measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value measurements	13. Fair value measurements Items measured at fair value on a recurring basis The following table presents the Company’s gross assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis: Level 2 Level 3 (in millions) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Financial current assets: Forward currency contracts $ 0.3 $ 0.3 $ — $ — Interest rate swap contracts 10.8 1.2 — — Financial non-current assets: Interest rate swap contracts 13.2 10.6 — — Financial current liabilities: Forward currency contracts 0.3 0.4 — — Contingent consideration — — 0.3 — Financial non-current liabilities: Contingent consideration — — 0.3 0.4 The net amounts by legal entity related to forward currency contracts included in prepaid and other current assets were $0.2 million and $0.2 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. The net amounts related to foreign currency contracts included in other accrued expenses were $0.2 million and $0.3 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. The fair value of forward currency contracts is calculated by reference to current forward exchange rates for contracts with similar maturity profiles. The fair value of interest rate swaps is determined by estimating the net present value of amounts to be paid under the agreement offset by the net present value of the expected cash inflows based on market rates and associated yield curves. Based on these valuation methodologies, these derivative contracts are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the contingent consideration is based on a real options approach, which takes into account management’s best estimate of the acquired business performance, as well as achievement risk. Based on the valuation methodology, contingent consideration is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The following table is a reconciliation of the fair value measurements that use significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), which consists of contingent consideration related to prior acquisitions. (in millions) Contingent Consideration Fair value as of December 31, 2017 $ 0.4 Fair value adjustments 0.2 Fair value as of March 31, 2018 $ 0.6 The change in the fair value and payments related to the contingent consideration are recorded in the other, net line item of the operating activities within the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. Financial instruments not carried at fair value The estimated fair value of financial instruments not carried at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheets were as follows: March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (in millions) Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Financial liabilities: Long-term debt including current portion (Level 2) $ 2,704.0 $ 2,760.6 $ 2,882.0 $ 2,939.7 The fair values of the long-term debt, including the current portions, were based on current market quotes for similar borrowings and credit risk adjusted for liquidity, margins and amortization, as necessary. Fair value of other financial instruments The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, net, trade accounts payable and short-term financing included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.

Derivatives

Derivatives	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivatives	14. Derivatives Interest rate swaps The objective of the interest rate swap contracts is to offset the variability of cash flows in LIBOR indexed debt interest payments attributable to changes in the aforementioned benchmark interest rate related to the Term B Loan due 2024. At March 31, 2018 , the Company had interest rate swap contracts with a total notional amount of $2.0 billion whereby a fixed rate of interest (weighted-average of 1.70% ) is paid and a variable rate of interest (three-month LIBOR) is received as calculated on the notional amount. As of July 6, 2017, the Company designated the interest rate swaps as a cash flow hedge in an effort to reduce the mark-to-market volatility recognized within the condensed consolidated statement of operations. As of March 31, 2018 , the interest rate swaps held by the Company continue to qualify for hedge accounting. Prior to the hedge accounting designation, changes in fair value of the interest rate swap contracts were recognized directly in other income (expense), net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. Refer to “ Note 6: Other income (expense), net ” for additional information. With the adoption of ASU 2017-12, the Company recognizes the changes in fair value of the interest rate swap contracts, whether it is due to effectiveness or ineffectiveness, in other comprehensive income and subsequently is reclassified to the income statement when the hedged item impacts earnings. During the three months ended March 31, 2018 , there were no gains or losses on our interest rate swap contracts that were reclassified to interest expense in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. As of March 31, 2018 , we estimate that $10.8 million of derivative gains included in accumulated other comprehensive loss will be reclassified into the condensed consolidated statement of operations within the next 12 months. The activity related to our cash flow hedges is included in “ Note 10: Accumulated other comprehensive loss .” The fair value of interest rate swaps is recorded either in prepaids and other current assets, other assets, other accrued expenses or other long-term liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , a current asset of $10.8 million and $1.2 million was included in other current assets, respectively. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , a non-current asset of $13.2 million and $10.6 million was included in other assets, respectively. Foreign currency derivatives The Company uses forward currency contracts to hedge earnings from the effects of foreign exchange relating to certain of the Company’s monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency. These derivative instruments are not formally designated as hedges by the Company and the terms of these instruments range from one to three months. Forward currency contracts are recorded at fair value in either prepaid expenses and other current assets or other accrued expenses in the condensed consolidated balance sheet, reflecting their short-term nature. The fair value adjustments and gains and losses are included in other income (expense), net within the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Refer to “ Note 6: Other income (expense), net ” for more information. The total notional amount of undesignated forward currency contracts were $130.6 million and $134.0 million as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. Cash flows associated with derivative financial instruments are recognized in the operating section of the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

Business combinations

Business combinations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business combinations	15. Business combinations 2018 Acquisitions Acquisition of Kemetyl Industrial Chemicals On January 4, 2018, the Company completed an acquisition of 100% of the equity interest in Kemetyl Norge Industri AS (“Kemetyl”) as well as a definitive asset purchase agreement with Kemetyl Aktiebolag. Kemetyl is among the leading distributors of chemical products in the Nordic region and provides bulk and specialty chemicals, such as isopropanol, glycols, metal salts, minerals and polyacrylamides, to customers in Sweden and Norway. The addition of Kemetyl will allow Univar to expand its leading position in the pharmaceutical industry. The purchase price of these acquisitions was $8.9 million (net of cash acquired of $0.7 million ). The purchase price allocation includes goodwill of $5.3 million and intangibles of $3.7 million . The operating results subsequent to the acquisition date did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statement of the Company. The initial accounting for these acquisitions has only been preliminarily determined, and is subject to final working capital adjustments and valuations of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment. 2017 Acquisitions Acquisition of Tagma Brasil On September 21, 2017, the Company completed an acquisition of 100% of the equity interest in Tagma Brasil Ltda. (“Tagma”), a leading Brazilian provider of customized formulation and packaging services for crop protection chemicals that include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and surfactants. This acquisition expands Univar's agriculture business in one of the world's fastest-growing agricultural markets. Other acquisitions On September 29, 2017, the Company completed a definitive asset purchase agreement with PVS Minibulk, Inc. (“PVS”), a provider of Minibulk services for inorganic chemicals in California, Oregon, and Washington. This acquisition expands and strengthens Univar's MiniBulk business in the West Coast market as the Company has the opportunity to service PVS customers and integrate them into the Univar business. The purchase price of the 2017 acquisitions was $23.9 million (net of cash acquired of $0.2 million ). The purchase price allocation includes goodwill of $0.8 million and intangibles of $5.3 million . The operating results subsequent to the acquisition dates did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statement of the Company. The initial accounting for these acquisitions has only been preliminarily determined, and is subject to final settlement of the working capital and other purchase agreement adjustments. Purchase price adjustments on prior year acquisitions resulted in a decrease of $3.4 million to goodwill recorded in 2018 . The adjustments were primarily attributable to additional prepaid expenses and other current assets of $2.6 million and $1.1 million increase in the value allocated to intangible assets.

Commitments and contingencies

Commitments and contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and contingencies	16. Commitments and contingencies Litigation In the ordinary course of business the Company is subject to pending or threatened claims, lawsuits, regulatory matters and administrative proceedings from time to time. Where appropriate the Company has recorded provisions in the condensed consolidated financial statements for these matters. The liabilities for injuries to persons or property are in some instances covered by liability insurance, subject to various deductibles and self-insured retentions. The Company is not aware of any claims, lawsuits, regulatory matters or administrative proceedings, pending or threatened, that are likely to have a material effect on its overall financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, the Company cannot predict the outcome of any claims or litigation or the potential for future claims or litigation. The Company is subject to liabilities from claims alleging personal injury from exposure to asbestos. The claims result primarily from an indemnification obligation related to Univar USA Inc.’s (“Univar”) 1986 purchase of McKesson Chemical Company from McKesson Corporation (“McKesson”). Univar is also a defendant in a small number of asbestos claims. As of March 31, 2018 , there were fewer than 245 asbestos-related claims for which the Company has liability for defense and indemnity pursuant to the indemnification obligation. The volume of such cases has decreased in recent quarters. Historically, the vast majority of the claims against both McKesson and Univar have been dismissed without payment. The Company does incur costs in defending these claims. While the Company is unable to predict the outcome of these matters, it does not believe, based upon currently available facts, that the ultimate resolution of any of these matters will have a material effect on its overall financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, the Company cannot predict the outcome of any present or future claims or litigation and adverse developments could negatively impact earnings or cash flows in a particular future period. Environmental The Company is subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations that require environmental assessment or remediation efforts (collectively “environmental remediation work”) at approximately 130 locations, some that are now or were previously Company-owned/occupied and some that were never Company-owned/occupied (“non-owned sites”). The Company’s environmental remediation work at some sites is being conducted pursuant to governmental proceedings or investigations. At other sites, the Company, with appropriate state or federal agency oversight and approval, is conducting the environmental remediation work voluntarily. The Company is currently undergoing remediation efforts or is in the process of active review of the need for potential remediation efforts at approximately 107 current or formerly Company-owned/occupied sites. In addition, the Company may be liable for a share of the clean-up of approximately 23 non-owned sites. These non-owned sites are typically (a) locations of independent waste disposal or recycling operations with alleged or confirmed contaminated soil and/or groundwater to which the Company may have shipped waste products or drums for re-conditioning, or (b) contaminated non-owned sites near historical sites owned or operated by the Company or its predecessors from which contamination is alleged to have arisen. In determining the appropriate level of environmental reserves, the Company considers several factors such as information obtained from investigatory studies; changes in the scope of remediation; the interpretation, application and enforcement of laws and regulations; changes in the costs of remediation programs; the development of alternative cleanup technologies and methods; and the relative level of the Company’s involvement at various sites for which the Company is allegedly associated. The level of annual expenditures for remedial, monitoring and investigatory activities will change in the future as major components of planned remediation activities are completed and the scope, timing and costs of existing activities are changed. Project lives, and therefore cash flows, range from 1 to 30 years , depending on the specific site and type of remediation project. Although the Company believes that its reserves are adequate for environmental contingencies, it is possible due to the uncertainties noted above; that additional reserves could be required in the future that could have a material effect on the overall financial position, results of operations, or cash flows in a particular period. This additional loss or range of losses cannot be recorded at this time, as it is not reasonably estimable. Changes in total environmental liabilities are as follows: Three months ended March 31, (in millions) 2018 2017 Environmental liabilities at beginning of period $ 89.2 $ 95.8 Revised obligation estimates 2.2 3.1 Environmental payments (4.8 ) (5.3 ) Foreign exchange 0.1 0.1 Environmental liabilities at end of period $ 86.7 $ 93.7 Environmental liabilities of $28.7 million and $29.1 million were classified as current in other accrued expenses in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 , respectively. The long-term portion of environmental liabilities is recorded in other long-term liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Customs and International Trade Laws In April 2012, the US Department of Justice (“DOJ”) issued a civil investigative demand to the Company in connection with an investigation into the Company’s compliance with applicable customs and international trade laws and regulations relating to the importation of saccharin from 2002 through 2012. The Company also became aware in 2010 of an investigation being conducted by US Customs and Border Patrol (“CBP”) into the Company’s importation of saccharin. Finally, the Company learned that a civil plaintiff had sued the Company and two other defendants in a Qui Tam proceeding, such filing having been made under seal in 2012, and this plaintiff had requested that the DOJ intervene in its lawsuit. The US government, through the DOJ, declined to intervene in the Qui Tam proceeding in November 2013 and, as a result, the DOJ’s inquiry related to the Qui Tam lawsuit and its initial investigation demand are now finished. On February 26, 2014, the Qui Tam plaintiff also voluntarily dismissed its lawsuit against the Company. CBP, however, continued its investigation on the importation of saccharin by the Company’s subsidiary, Univar USA Inc. On July 21, 2014, CBP sent the Company a “Pre-Penalty Notice” indicating the imposition of a penalty against Univar USA Inc. in the amount of approximately $84.0 million . Univar USA Inc. responded to CBP that the proposed penalty was not justified. On October 1, 2014, the CBP issued a penalty notice to Univar USA Inc. for $84.0 million and has reaffirmed this penalty notice. On August 6, 2015, the DOJ filed a complaint on CBP’s behalf against Univar USA Inc. in the Court of International Trade seeking approximately $84.0 million in allegedly unpaid duties and penalties, plus interest. The Company continues to defend this matter vigorously. Discovery has largely concluded and dispositive motion is pending. Univar USA Inc. has not recorded a liability related to this investigation as the Company believes a loss is not probable. Although the Company believes its position is strong, it cannot guarantee the outcome of this or other litigation.

Segments

Segments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segments	17. Segments Management monitors the operating results of its operating segments separately for the purpose of making decisions about resource allocation and performance assessment. Management evaluates performance on the basis of Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as consolidated net income, plus the sum of: interest expense, net of interest income; income tax expense; depreciation; amortization; loss on extinguishment of debt; other operating expenses, net; and other income (expense), net. Transfer prices between operating segments are set on an arms-length basis in a similar manner to transactions with third parties. Corporate operating expenses that directly benefit segments have been allocated to the operating segments. Allocable operating expenses are identified through a review process by management. These costs are allocated to the operating segments on a basis that reasonably approximates the use of services. This is typically measured on a weighted distribution of margin, asset, headcount or time spent. Other/Eliminations represents the elimination of inter-segment transactions as well as unallocated corporate costs consisting of costs specifically related to parent company operations that do not directly benefit segments, either individually or collectively. Financial information for the Company’s segments is as follows: (in millions) USA Canada EMEA Rest of Other/ (1) Consolidated Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Net sales: External customers $ 1,204.4 $ 313.4 $ 538.6 $ 101.6 $ — $ 2,158.0 Inter-segment 35.1 2.0 1.4 0.1 (38.6 ) — Total net sales $ 1,239.5 $ 315.4 $ 540.0 $ 101.7 $ (38.6 ) $ 2,158.0 Cost of goods sold 960.6 253.0 416.0 80.4 (38.6 ) 1,671.4 Gross profit $ 278.9 $ 62.4 $ 124.0 $ 21.3 $ — $ 486.6 Outbound freight and handling 49.9 10.4 17.0 2.0 — 79.3 Warehousing, selling and administrative 137.8 22.5 62.3 11.5 6.9 241.0 Adjusted EBITDA $ 91.2 $ 29.5 $ 44.7 $ 7.8 $ (6.9 ) $ 166.3 Other operating expenses, net 13.6 Depreciation 31.4 Amortization 13.4 Interest expense, net 34.9 Other income, net (2.6 ) Income tax expense 10.2 Net income $ 65.4 Total assets $ 3,356.1 $ 1,821.5 $ 1,034.0 $ 247.4 $ (764.7 ) $ 5,694.3 (in millions) USA Canada EMEA Rest of Other/ (1) Consolidated Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Net sales: External customers $ 1,150.9 $ 307.3 $ 439.7 $ 100.9 $ — $ 1,998.8 Inter-segment 31.2 1.8 1.3 0.1 (34.4 ) — Total net sales $ 1,182.1 $ 309.1 $ 441.0 $ 101.0 $ (34.4 ) $ 1,998.8 Cost of goods sold 919.2 253.3 339.2 82.1 (34.4 ) 1,559.4 Gross profit $ 262.9 $ 55.8 $ 101.8 $ 18.9 $ — $ 439.4 Outbound freight and handling 46.8 9.2 13.4 1.6 — 71.0 Warehousing, selling and administrative 134.8 22.0 54.7 10.6 6.4 228.5 Adjusted EBITDA $ 81.3 $ 24.6 $ 33.7 $ 6.7 $ (6.4 ) $ 139.9 Other operating expenses, net 19.8 Depreciation 35.9 Amortization 16.7 Interest expense, net 35.8 Loss on extinguishment of debt 0.8 Other expense, net 6.7 Income tax expense 1.6 Net income $ 22.6 Total assets $ 3,640.2 $ 1,975.5 $ 908.2 $ 227.9 $ (1,155.8 ) $ 5,596.0 (1) Other/Eliminations represents the elimination of intersegment transactions as well as unallocated corporate costs consisting of costs specifically related to parent company operations that do not directly benefit segments, either individually or collectively.

Significant accounting polici26

Significant accounting policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of presentation	Basis of presentation The condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) as applicable to interim financial reporting. Unless otherwise indicated, all financial data presented in these condensed consolidated financial statements are expressed in US dollars. These condensed consolidated financial statements, in the Company’s opinion, include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in stockholders’ equity. The results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that may be expected for the full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 . The condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries. Subsidiaries are consolidated if the Company has a controlling financial interest, which may exist based on ownership of a majority of the voting interest, or based on the Company’s determination that it is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) or if otherwise required by US GAAP. The Company did not have any material interests in VIEs during the periods presented in these condensed consolidated financial statements. All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
Recently issued and adopted accounting pronouncements and Accounting pronouncements issued but not yet adopted	Recently issued and adopted accounting pronouncements In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606). On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the new accounting standard Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and all the related amendments (“new revenue standard”) to all contracts using the modified retrospective method. The Company recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12 “Derivatives and Hedging“ (Topic 815) - “Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities.” The ASU better aligns hedge accounting with the Company’s risk management activities, simplifies the application of hedge accounting, and improves transparency as to the scope and results of hedging programs. The Company early adopted the new pronouncement effective January 1, 2018, as allowed, using the modified retrospective approach by recognizing the cumulative effect of initially applying the new pronouncement as an adjustment to the opening balance of accumulated deficit. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The cumulative effect of the changes made to our January 1, 2018 condensed consolidated balance sheet for the adoption of ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606) and ASU 2017-12 “Derivatives and Hedging” (Topic 815) - “Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities” is as follows: (in millions) Balance at December 31, 2017 Adjustments due to ASU 2014-09 Adjustments due to ASU 2017-12 Balance at January 1, 2018 Assets Trade accounts receivable, net $ 1,062.4 $ 41.3 $ — $ 1,103.7 Inventories 839.5 (2.1 ) — 837.4 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 149.6 1.8 — 151.4 Liabilities Trade accounts payable $ 941.7 $ 7.0 $ — $ 948.7 Other accrued expenses 301.6 33.2 — 334.8 Equity Accumulated deficit $ (934.1 ) $ 0.8 $ (0.5 ) $ (933.8 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (278.5 ) — 0.5 (278.0 ) The following tables summarize the impact of adopting the new revenue standard upon the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet and statement of operations as of and for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 : Three months ended March 31, 2018 (in millions) As reported Balances without adoption of ASC 606 Effect of change higher/(lower) Net sales $ 2,158.0 $ 2,151.7 $ 6.3 Cost of goods sold 1,671.4 1,665.5 5.9 Gross profit $ 486.6 $ 486.2 $ 0.4 Income tax expense $ 10.2 $ 10.1 $ 0.1 Net income 65.4 65.1 0.3 March 31, 2018 (in millions) As reported Balances without adoption of ASC 606 Effect of change higher/(lower) Assets Trade accounts receivable, net $ 1,288.5 $ 1,240.2 $ 48.3 Inventories 921.9 930.3 (8.4 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets 174.6 165.8 8.8 Liabilities Trade accounts payable $ 1,011.7 $ 997.8 $ 13.9 Other accrued expenses 330.7 297.0 33.7 Equity Accumulated deficit $ (868.4 ) $ (869.5 ) $ 1.1 In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07 “Compensation - Retirement Benefits” (Topic 715) - “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.” On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the amendments to ASC 715 that improves the presentation of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit costs, by separating the presentation of service costs from other components of net periodic costs. The interest cost, expected return on assets, and amortization of prior service costs have been reclassified from warehousing, selling, and administrative expenses to other expense, net. The mark to market, curtailment, and settlement expenses have been reclassified from other operating expenses, net to other expense, net. The effect of the retrospective presentation change related to the net periodic cost of our defined benefit pension and other postretirement employee benefits (“OPEB”) plans on our consolidated income statement was as follows: Three months ended March 31, 2017 (in millions) As revised Previously reported Effect of change higher/(lower) Warehousing, selling and administrative $ 228.5 $ 226.1 $ 2.4 Other income (expense), net (6.7 ) (9.1 ) (2.4 ) In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15 “Statement of Cash Flows” (Topic 230) - “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” The ASU clarifies and provides specific guidance on eight cash flow classification issues that were not currently addressed by the previous guidance. The Company adopted the ASU as of January 1, 2018 and accordingly restated the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017 to conform with the current period presentation under this new guidance. As a result of the adoption, the Company reclassified $3.2 million of cash outflows previously reported as operating activities to financing activities within the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows related to contingent consideration payments for the three months ended March 31, 2017 . The Company also adopted the following standards during 2018, none of which had a material impact to the financial statements or financial statement disclosures: Standard Effective date 2017-09 Compensation - Stock Compensation - Scope of Modification Accounting January 1, 2018 2017-04 Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment January 1, 2018 2017-01 Business Combinations - Clarifying the Definition of a Business January 1, 2018 2016-18 Statement of Cash Flows - Restricted Cash January 1, 2018 2016-16 Income Taxes - Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory January 1, 2018 2016-01 Financial Instrument - Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities January 1, 2018 Accounting pronouncements issued and not yet adopted In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 “Leases” (Topic 842), which supersedes the lease recognition requirements in ASC Topic 840, “Leases.” The core principal of the guidance is that an entity should recognize assets and liabilities arising from a lease for both financing and operating leases, along with additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures. The standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within such fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The guidance is to be applied using a modified retrospective transition method with the option to elect a package of practical expedients. The Company has established a project team who has completed the initial scoping and has begun implementing a software solution to comply with the new standard's reporting and disclosure requirements. The Company is also in the process of identifying changes to processes and controls. Upon adoption of this standard, the Company expects the condensed consolidated balance sheet to include a right of use asset and liability related to certain operating lease arrangements. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses” (Topic 326) - “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” The ASU requires entities to use a Current Expected Credit Loss model, which is a new impairment model based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. Under the model, an entity would recognize an impairment allowance equal to its current estimate of all contractual cash flows that the entity does not expect to collect from financial assets measured at amortized cost. The entity’s estimate would consider relevant information about past events, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts, which will result in recognition of lifetime expected credit losses upon initial recognition of the related assets. This guidance will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within such fiscal years. The Company expects to adopt this guidance when effective, and does not expect the guidance to have a significant impact to the condensed consolidated financial statements when adopted on January 1, 2020. In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02 “Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income” (Topic 220) “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income” (“AOCI”), which gives entities the option to reclassify certain tax effects, that the FASB refers to as having been stranded, resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act from AOCI to retained earnings. The new guidance may be applied retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is recognized, or in the period of adoption. The Company must adopt this guidance for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating early adoption of this guidance, and is currently determining the impact to the Company's reported accumulated deficit and accumulated other comprehensive loss line items within the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Significant accounting polici27

Significant accounting policies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles	The effect of the retrospective presentation change related to the net periodic cost of our defined benefit pension and other postretirement employee benefits (“OPEB”) plans on our consolidated income statement was as follows: Three months ended March 31, 2017 (in millions) As revised Previously reported Effect of change higher/(lower) Warehousing, selling and administrative $ 228.5 $ 226.1 $ 2.4 Other income (expense), net (6.7 ) (9.1 ) (2.4 ) The cumulative effect of the changes made to our January 1, 2018 condensed consolidated balance sheet for the adoption of ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606) and ASU 2017-12 “Derivatives and Hedging” (Topic 815) - “Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities” is as follows: (in millions) Balance at December 31, 2017 Adjustments due to ASU 2014-09 Adjustments due to ASU 2017-12 Balance at January 1, 2018 Assets Trade accounts receivable, net $ 1,062.4 $ 41.3 $ — $ 1,103.7 Inventories 839.5 (2.1 ) — 837.4 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 149.6 1.8 — 151.4 Liabilities Trade accounts payable $ 941.7 $ 7.0 $ — $ 948.7 Other accrued expenses 301.6 33.2 — 334.8 Equity Accumulated deficit $ (934.1 ) $ 0.8 $ (0.5 ) $ (933.8 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss (278.5 ) — 0.5 (278.0 ) The following tables summarize the impact of adopting the new revenue standard upon the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet and statement of operations as of and for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 : Three months ended March 31, 2018 (in millions) As reported Balances without adoption of ASC 606 Effect of change higher/(lower) Net sales $ 2,158.0 $ 2,151.7 $ 6.3 Cost of goods sold 1,671.4 1,665.5 5.9 Gross profit $ 486.6 $ 486.2 $ 0.4 Income tax expense $ 10.2 $ 10.1 $ 0.1 Net income 65.4 65.1 0.3 March 31, 2018 (in millions) As reported Balances without adoption of ASC 606 Effect of change higher/(lower) Assets Trade accounts receivable, net $ 1,288.5 $ 1,240.2 $ 48.3 Inventories 921.9 930.3 (8.4 ) Prepaid expenses and other current assets 174.6 165.8 8.8 Liabilities Trade accounts payable $ 1,011.7 $ 997.8 $ 13.9 Other accrued expenses 330.7 297.0 33.7 Equity Accumulated deficit $ (868.4 ) $ (869.5 ) $ 1.1

Revenue (Tables)

Revenue (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue	The following table disaggregates external customer net sales by major stream: (in millions) USA Canada EMEA Rest of World Consolidated Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Chemical Distribution $ 1,160.8 $ 232.0 $ 538.4 $ 99.9 $ 2,031.1 Crop Sciences — 69.4 — — 69.4 Services 43.6 12.0 0.2 1.7 57.5 Total external customer net sales $ 1,204.4 $ 313.4 $ 538.6 $ 101.6 $ 2,158.0
Schedule of Deferred Revenue	The following table provides information pertaining to the deferred revenue balance and account activity: (in millions) Deferred revenue as of January 1, 2018 $ 100.9 Deferred revenue as of March 31, 2018 80.5 Revenue recognized that was included in the deferred revenue balance at the beginning of the period 49.5

Other operating expenses, net (

Other operating expenses, net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Operating Expenses	Other operating expenses, net consisted of the following activity: Three months ended (in millions) 2018 2017 Stock-based compensation expense $ 9.4 $ 6.4 Restructuring charges 0.5 1.7 Other employee termination costs 2.4 1.7 Business transformation costs — 9.1 Acquisition and integration related expenses 0.4 0.2 Other 0.9 0.7 Total other operating expenses, net $ 13.6 $ 19.8

Restructuring charges (Tables)

Restructuring charges (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Summary of Activity Related to Accrued Liabilities Associated with Redundancy and Restructuring	The following table presents cost information related to restructuring plans that have not been completed as of March 31, 2018 and does not contain any estimates for plans that may be developed and implemented in future periods. (in millions) USA Canada EMEA ROW Other Total Anticipated total costs Employee termination costs $ 16.5 $ 5.8 $ 22.5 $ 6.2 $ 5.8 $ 56.8 Facility exit costs 24.1 — 3.7 0.2 — 28.0 Other exit costs 1.7 — 6.7 0.1 0.8 9.3 Total $ 42.3 $ 5.8 $ 32.9 $ 6.5 $ 6.6 $ 94.1 Incurred to date costs Inception of plans through March 31, 2018 Employee termination costs $ 16.5 $ 5.8 $ 22.5 $ 6.2 $ 5.8 $ 56.8 Facility exit costs 22.4 — 3.7 0.2 — 26.3 Other exit costs 1.7 — 6.7 0.1 0.8 9.3 Total $ 40.6 $ 5.8 $ 32.9 $ 6.5 $ 6.6 $ 92.4 Inception of plans through December 31, 2017 Employee termination costs $ 16.5 $ 5.7 $ 22.5 $ 6.2 $ 5.8 $ 56.7 Facility exit costs 22.2 — 3.7 0.2 — 26.1 Other exit costs 1.7 — 6.6 — 0.8 9.1 Total $ 40.4 $ 5.7 $ 32.8 $ 6.4 $ 6.6 $ 91.9
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities	The following table summarizes activity related to accrued liabilities associated with restructuring: (in millions) January 1, 2018 Charge to earnings Cash paid Non-cash and other March 31, 2018 Employee termination costs $ 3.0 $ 0.1 $ (0.9 ) $ 0.1 $ 2.3 Facility exit costs 10.2 0.2 (1.1 ) — 9.3 Other exit costs (0.5 ) 0.2 (0.2 ) — (0.5 ) Total $ 12.7 $ 0.5 $ (2.2 ) $ 0.1 $ 11.1 (in millions) January 1, 2017 Charge to earnings Cash paid Non-cash and other December 31, 2017 Employee termination costs $ 6.9 $ 2.9 $ (7.2 ) $ 0.4 $ 3.0 Facility exit costs 13.2 2.8 (5.5 ) (0.3 ) 10.2 Other exit costs — (0.2 ) (0.3 ) — (0.5 ) Total $ 20.1 $ 5.5 $ (13.0 ) $ 0.1 $ 12.7

Other income (expense), net (Ta

Other income (expense), net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Schedule of Other income (expense), net	Other income (expense), net consisted of the following gains (losses): Three months ended (in millions) 2018 2017 Foreign currency transactions $ (0.1 ) $ (2.1 ) Foreign currency denominated loans revaluation 1.2 (3.0 ) Undesignated foreign currency derivative instruments (1) (1.3 ) 1.0 Debt amendment costs — (4.2 ) Non-operating retirement benefits (2) 3.5 2.4 Other (0.7 ) (0.8 ) Total other income (expense), net $ 2.6 $ (6.7 ) (1) Refer to “ Note 14: Derivatives ” for more information. (2) Refer to “ Note 7: Employee benefit plans ” for more information.

Employee benefit plans (Tables)

Employee benefit plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit)	The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations: Domestic - Defined Benefit Pension Plans Foreign - Defined Benefit Pension Plans Three months ended Three months ended (in millions) 2018 2017 2018 2017 Service cost (1) $ — $ — $ 0.7 $ 0.6 Interest cost (2) 6.8 7.7 4.0 3.9 Expected return on plan assets (2) (7.8 ) (7.7 ) (6.5 ) (6.3 ) Net periodic benefit $ (1.0 ) $ — $ (1.8 ) $ (1.8 ) (1) Service cost is included in warehouse, selling and administrative expenses. (2) These amounts are included in other income (expense), net.

Earnings per share (Tables)

Earnings per share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Summary of Computations of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	The following table presents the basic and diluted earnings per share computations: Three months ended March 31, (in millions, except per share data) 2018 2017 Basic: Net income $ 65.4 $ 22.6 Less: earnings allocated to participating securities 0.1 — Earnings allocated to common shares outstanding $ 65.3 $ 22.6 Weighted average common shares outstanding 140.9 139.4 Basic income per common share $ 0.46 $ 0.16 Diluted: Net income $ 65.4 $ 22.6 Less: earnings allocated to participating securities — — Earnings allocated to common shares outstanding $ 65.4 $ 22.6 Weighted average common shares outstanding 140.9 139.4 Effect of dilutive securities: stock compensation plans (1) 1.1 1.4 Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted 142.0 140.8 Diluted income per common share $ 0.46 $ 0.16 (1) Stock options to purchase 0.6 million shares of common stock were outstanding during the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 , but were not included in the calculation of diluted income per share as the impact of these stock options would have been anti-dilutive.

Accumulated other comprehensi34

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component Net of Tax	The following tables present the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, net of tax: (in millions) Cash flow hedges Defined benefit pension items Currency translation items Total Balance as of December 31, 2017 $ 6.7 $ (1.2 ) $ (284.0 ) $ (278.5 ) Impact due to adoption of ASU 2017-12 (1) 0.5 — — 0.5 Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 9.1 — (7.2 ) 1.9 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) $ 9.6 $ — $ (7.2 ) $ 2.4 Balance as of March 31, 2018 $ 16.3 $ (1.2 ) $ (291.2 ) $ (276.1 ) Balance as of December 31, 2016 $ — $ 1.2 $ (391.1 ) $ (389.9 ) Other comprehensive income before reclassifications — — 18.2 18.2 Net current period other comprehensive income (loss) $ — $ — $ 18.2 $ 18.2 Balance as of March 31, 2017 $ — $ 1.2 $ (372.9 ) $ (371.7 ) (1) Adjusted due to the adoption of ASU 2017-12 “Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities” on January 1, 2018. Refer to “ Note 2: Significant accounting policies ” for more information.

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of Short Term Financing	Short-term financing consisted of the following: (in millions) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Amounts drawn under credit facilities $ 6.9 $ 9.1 Bank overdrafts 1.6 4.3 Total short-term financing $ 8.5 $ 13.4
Schedule of Long Term Debt	Long-term debt consisted of the following: (in millions) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Senior Term Loan Facilities: Term B Loan due 2024, variable interest rate of 4.38% and 4.07% at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively $ 1,977.8 $ 2,277.8 Asset Backed Loan (ABL) Facilities: North American ABL Facility due 2020, variable interest rate of 3.38% and 5.00% at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively 296.6 155.0 North American ABL Term Loan due 2018, fully paid off at March 31, 2018 and variable interest rate of 4.44% at December 31, 2017 — 16.7 Senior Unsecured Notes: Senior Unsecured Notes due 2023, fixed interest rate of 6.75% at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 399.5 399.5 Capital lease obligations 56.8 60.9 Total long-term debt before discount $ 2,730.7 $ 2,909.9 Less: unamortized debt issuance costs and discount on debt (26.7 ) (27.9 ) Total long-term debt $ 2,704.0 $ 2,882.0 Less: current maturities (20.5 ) (62.0 ) Total long-term debt, excluding current maturities $ 2,683.5 $ 2,820.0

Supplemental balance sheet in36

Supplemental balance sheet information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	Property, plant and equipment, net (in millions) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Property, plant and equipment, at cost $ 1,923.9 $ 1,930.2 Less: accumulated depreciation (940.1 ) (927.2 ) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 983.8 $ 1,003.0
Summary of Cost and Accumulated Depreciation Related to Capital Lease Assets	The below table summarizes the cost and accumulated depreciation related to these assets: (in millions) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Capital lease assets, at cost $ 83.8 $ 86.0 Less: accumulated depreciation (28.9 ) (27.0 ) Capital lease assets, net $ 54.9 $ 59.0
Schedule of Gross Carrying Amounts and Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets	The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization of the Company’s intangible assets were as follows: March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (in millions) Gross Accumulated Amortization Net Gross Accumulated Amortization Net Intangible assets: Customer relationships $ 852.5 $ (593.0 ) $ 259.5 $ 853.5 $ (582.1 ) $ 271.4 Other 182.8 (163.3 ) 19.5 177.8 (161.5 ) 16.3 Total intangible assets $ 1,035.3 $ (756.3 ) $ 279.0 $ 1,031.3 $ (743.6 ) $ 287.7

Fair value measurements (Tables

Fair value measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	The following table presents the Company’s gross assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis: Level 2 Level 3 (in millions) March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 Financial current assets: Forward currency contracts $ 0.3 $ 0.3 $ — $ — Interest rate swap contracts 10.8 1.2 — — Financial non-current assets: Interest rate swap contracts 13.2 10.6 — — Financial current liabilities: Forward currency contracts 0.3 0.4 — — Contingent consideration — — 0.3 — Financial non-current liabilities: Contingent consideration — — 0.3 0.4
Reconciliation of Fair Value Measurements that Use Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	The following table is a reconciliation of the fair value measurements that use significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), which consists of contingent consideration related to prior acquisitions. (in millions) Contingent Consideration Fair value as of December 31, 2017 $ 0.4 Fair value adjustments 0.2 Fair value as of March 31, 2018 $ 0.6
Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value	The estimated fair value of financial instruments not carried at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheets were as follows: March 31, 2018 December 31, 2017 (in millions) Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Financial liabilities: Long-term debt including current portion (Level 2) $ 2,704.0 $ 2,760.6 $ 2,882.0 $ 2,939.7

Commitments and contingencies (

Commitments and contingencies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Changes in Total Environmental Liabilities	Changes in total environmental liabilities are as follows: Three months ended March 31, (in millions) 2018 2017 Environmental liabilities at beginning of period $ 89.2 $ 95.8 Revised obligation estimates 2.2 3.1 Environmental payments (4.8 ) (5.3 ) Foreign exchange 0.1 0.1 Environmental liabilities at end of period $ 86.7 $ 93.7

Segments (Tables)

Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Financial Information for the Company's Segments	Financial information for the Company’s segments is as follows: (in millions) USA Canada EMEA Rest of Other/ (1) Consolidated Three Months Ended March 31, 2018 Net sales: External customers $ 1,204.4 $ 313.4 $ 538.6 $ 101.6 $ — $ 2,158.0 Inter-segment 35.1 2.0 1.4 0.1 (38.6 ) — Total net sales $ 1,239.5 $ 315.4 $ 540.0 $ 101.7 $ (38.6 ) $ 2,158.0 Cost of goods sold 960.6 253.0 416.0 80.4 (38.6 ) 1,671.4 Gross profit $ 278.9 $ 62.4 $ 124.0 $ 21.3 $ — $ 486.6 Outbound freight and handling 49.9 10.4 17.0 2.0 — 79.3 Warehousing, selling and administrative 137.8 22.5 62.3 11.5 6.9 241.0 Adjusted EBITDA $ 91.2 $ 29.5 $ 44.7 $ 7.8 $ (6.9 ) $ 166.3 Other operating expenses, net 13.6 Depreciation 31.4 Amortization 13.4 Interest expense, net 34.9 Other income, net (2.6 ) Income tax expense 10.2 Net income $ 65.4 Total assets $ 3,356.1 $ 1,821.5 $ 1,034.0 $ 247.4 $ (764.7 ) $ 5,694.3 (in millions) USA Canada EMEA Rest of Other/ (1) Consolidated Three Months Ended March 31, 2017 Net sales: External customers $ 1,150.9 $ 307.3 $ 439.7 $ 100.9 $ — $ 1,998.8 Inter-segment 31.2 1.8 1.3 0.1 (34.4 ) — Total net sales $ 1,182.1 $ 309.1 $ 441.0 $ 101.0 $ (34.4 ) $ 1,998.8 Cost of goods sold 919.2 253.3 339.2 82.1 (34.4 ) 1,559.4 Gross profit $ 262.9 $ 55.8 $ 101.8 $ 18.9 $ — $ 439.4 Outbound freight and handling 46.8 9.2 13.4 1.6 — 71.0 Warehousing, selling and administrative 134.8 22.0 54.7 10.6 6.4 228.5 Adjusted EBITDA $ 81.3 $ 24.6 $ 33.7 $ 6.7 $ (6.4 ) $ 139.9 Other operating expenses, net 19.8 Depreciation 35.9 Amortization 16.7 Interest expense, net 35.8 Loss on extinguishment of debt 0.8 Other expense, net 6.7 Income tax expense 1.6 Net income $ 22.6 Total assets $ 3,640.2 $ 1,975.5 $ 908.2 $ 227.9 $ (1,155.8 ) $ 5,596.0 (1) Other/Eliminations represents the elimination of intersegment transactions as well as unallocated corporate costs consisting of costs specifically related to parent company operations that do not directly benefit segments, either individually or collectively.

Nature of Operations - Addition

Nature of Operations - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018segment
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	4

Significant accounting polici41

Significant accounting policies - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Assets
Trade accounts receivable, net	$ 1,288.5	$ 1,103.7	$ 1,062.4
Inventories	921.9	837.4	839.5
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	174.6	151.4	149.6
Liabilities
Trade accounts payable	1,011.7	948.7	941.7
Other accrued expenses	330.7	334.8	301.6
Equity
Accumulated deficit	(868.4)	(933.8)	(934.1)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(276.1)	(278)	(278.5)
Accounting Standards Update 2017-12 [Member]
Assets
Trade accounts receivable, net		0
Inventories		0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		0
Liabilities
Trade accounts payable		0
Other accrued expenses		0
Equity
Accumulated deficit		(0.5)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		0.5
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member]
Assets
Trade accounts receivable, net			1,062.4
Inventories			839.5
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			149.6
Liabilities
Trade accounts payable			941.7
Other accrued expenses			301.6
Equity
Accumulated deficit			(934.1)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss			$ (278.5)
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]
Assets
Trade accounts receivable, net	1,240.2
Inventories	930.3
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	165.8
Liabilities
Trade accounts payable	997.8
Other accrued expenses	297
Equity
Accumulated deficit	(869.5)
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]
Assets
Trade accounts receivable, net	48.3	41.3
Inventories	(8.4)	(2.1)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	8.8	1.8
Liabilities
Trade accounts payable	13.9	7
Other accrued expenses	33.7	33.2
Equity
Accumulated deficit	$ 1.1	0.8
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		$ 0

Significant accounting polici42

Significant accounting policies - Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 2,158	$ 1,998.8
Cost of goods sold	1,671.4	1,559.4
Gross profit	486.6	439.4
Income tax expense	10.2	1.6
Net income	65.4	22.6	$ 119.8
Warehousing, selling and administrative	241	228.5
Other income (expense), net	2.6	$ (6.7)
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	2,151.7
Cost of goods sold	1,665.5
Gross profit	486.2
Income tax expense	10.1
Net income	65.1
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Net sales	6.3
Cost of goods sold	5.9
Gross profit	0.4
Income tax expense	0.1
Net income	$ 0.3

Significant accounting polici43

Significant accounting policies - Effect of Presentation Change Related to Net Periodic Cost (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Warehousing, selling and administrative	$ 241	$ 228.5
Other income (expense), net	$ 2.6	(6.7)
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Warehousing, selling and administrative		226.1
Other income (expense), net		(9.1)
Restatement Adjustment [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2017-07 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Warehousing, selling and administrative		2.4
Other income (expense), net		$ (2.4)

Significant accounting polici44

Significant accounting policies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase to cash used by operating activities related to reclassification of a cash outflow for contingent consideration	$ (139)	$ (77.1)
Decrease to net cash provided by financing activities related to a reclassification of a cash outflow for contingent consideration	$ 186.8	(57.5)
Accounting Standards Update 2016-15 [Member]
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Increase to cash used by operating activities related to reclassification of a cash outflow for contingent consideration		3.2
Decrease to net cash provided by financing activities related to a reclassification of a cash outflow for contingent consideration		$ 3.2

Revenue - Schedule of External

Revenue - Schedule of External Net Sales Disaggregated by Major Stream Type (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 2,158	$ 1,998.8
USA [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	1,204.4	1,150.9
Canada [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	313.4	307.3
EMEA [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	538.6	439.7
Rest of World [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	101.6	$ 100.9
Chemical Distribution [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	2,031.1
Chemical Distribution [Member] | USA [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	1,160.8
Chemical Distribution [Member] | Canada [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	232
Chemical Distribution [Member] | EMEA [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	538.4
Chemical Distribution [Member] | Rest of World [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	99.9
Crop Sciences [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	69.4
Crop Sciences [Member] | USA [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	0
Crop Sciences [Member] | Canada [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	69.4
Crop Sciences [Member] | EMEA [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	0
Crop Sciences [Member] | Rest of World [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	0
Services [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	57.5
Services [Member] | USA [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	43.6
Services [Member] | Canada [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	12
Services [Member] | EMEA [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	0.2
Services [Member] | Rest of World [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 1.7

Revenue - Additional Informatio

Revenue - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Accumulated deficit	$ (868.4)	$ (933.8)	$ (934.1)
Other Current Assets [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Capitalized contract costs	0.8
Other Assets [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Capitalized contract costs	$ 2
Crop Sciences [Member] | Canada [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Payment terms	6 months
Maximum [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Payment terms	1 year
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Accumulated deficit	$ 1.1	$ 0.8

Revenue - Schedule of Deferred

Revenue - Schedule of Deferred Revenue (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Deferred revenue	$ 80.5	$ 100.9
Revenue recognized that was included in the deferred revenue balance at the beginning of the period	$ 49.5

Other operating expenses, net48

Other operating expenses, net (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 9.4	$ 6.4
Restructuring charges	0.5	1.7
Other employee termination costs	2.4	1.7
Business transformation costs	0	9.1
Acquisition and integration related expenses	0.4	0.2
Other	0.9	0.7
Total other operating expenses, net	$ 13.6	$ 19.8

Restructuring charges - Schedul

Restructuring charges - Schedule of Cost Information Related to Restructuring Plans That Have Not Been Completed (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	$ 94.1
Incurred to date costs	92.4	$ 91.9
Employee Termination Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	56.8
Incurred to date costs	56.8	56.7
Facility Exit Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	28
Incurred to date costs	26.3	26.1
Other Exit Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	9.3
Incurred to date costs	9.3	9.1
Operating Segments [Member] | USA [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	42.3
Incurred to date costs	40.6	40.4
Operating Segments [Member] | Canada [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	5.8
Incurred to date costs	5.8	5.7
Operating Segments [Member] | EMEA [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	32.9
Incurred to date costs	32.9	32.8
Operating Segments [Member] | ROW [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	6.5
Incurred to date costs	6.5	6.4
Operating Segments [Member] | Employee Termination Costs [Member] | USA [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	16.5
Incurred to date costs	16.5	16.5
Operating Segments [Member] | Employee Termination Costs [Member] | Canada [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	5.8
Incurred to date costs	5.8	5.7
Operating Segments [Member] | Employee Termination Costs [Member] | EMEA [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	22.5
Incurred to date costs	22.5	22.5
Operating Segments [Member] | Employee Termination Costs [Member] | ROW [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	6.2
Incurred to date costs	6.2	6.2
Operating Segments [Member] | Facility Exit Costs [Member] | USA [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	24.1
Incurred to date costs	22.4	22.2
Operating Segments [Member] | Facility Exit Costs [Member] | Canada [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	0
Incurred to date costs	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Facility Exit Costs [Member] | EMEA [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	3.7
Incurred to date costs	3.7	3.7
Operating Segments [Member] | Facility Exit Costs [Member] | ROW [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	0.2
Incurred to date costs	0.2	0.2
Operating Segments [Member] | Other Exit Costs [Member] | USA [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	1.7
Incurred to date costs	1.7	1.7
Operating Segments [Member] | Other Exit Costs [Member] | Canada [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	0
Incurred to date costs	0	0
Operating Segments [Member] | Other Exit Costs [Member] | EMEA [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	6.7
Incurred to date costs	6.7	6.6
Operating Segments [Member] | Other Exit Costs [Member] | ROW [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	0.1
Incurred to date costs	0.1	0
Other [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	6.6
Incurred to date costs	6.6	6.6
Other [Member] | Employee Termination Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	5.8
Incurred to date costs	5.8	5.8
Other [Member] | Facility Exit Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	0
Incurred to date costs	0	0
Other [Member] | Other Exit Costs [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Anticipated total costs	0.8
Incurred to date costs	$ 0.8	$ 0.8

Restructuring charges - Summary

Restructuring charges - Summary of Activity Related to Accrued Liabilities Associated with Redundancy and Restructuring (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 12.7	$ 20.1
Charge to earnings	0.5	5.5
Cash paid	(2.2)	(13)
Non-cash and other	0.1	0.1
Ending balance	11.1	12.7
Employee Termination Costs [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	3	6.9
Charge to earnings	0.1	2.9
Cash paid	(0.9)	(7.2)
Non-cash and other	0.1	0.4
Ending balance	2.3	3
Facility Exit Costs [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	10.2	13.2
Charge to earnings	0.2	2.8
Cash paid	(1.1)	(5.5)
Non-cash and other	0	(0.3)
Ending balance	9.3	10.2
Other Exit Costs [Member]
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(0.5)	0
Charge to earnings	0.2	(0.2)
Cash paid	(0.2)	(0.3)
Non-cash and other	0	0
Ending balance	$ (0.5)	$ (0.5)

Restructuring charges - Additio

Restructuring charges - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring liabilities, current	$ 5.1	$ 5.8
Restructuring liabilities, non-current	$ 6	$ 6.9
Facility exit costs payment period	5 years

Other income (expense), net (De

Other income (expense), net (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Foreign currency transactions	$ (0.1)	$ (2.1)
Foreign currency denominated loans revaluation	1.2	(3)
Undesignated foreign currency derivative instruments	(1.3)	1
Debt amendment costs	0	(4.2)
Non-operating retirement benefits	3.5	2.4
Other	(0.7)	(0.8)
Total other income (expense), net	$ 2.6	$ (6.7)

Employee benefit plans (Detail)

Employee benefit plans (Detail) - Pension Plan [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
US [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 0	$ 0
Interest cost	6.8	7.7
Expected return on plan assets	(7.8)	(7.7)
Net periodic benefit	(1)	0
Foreign Plan [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	0.7	0.6
Interest cost	4	3.9
Expected return on plan assets	(6.5)	(6.3)
Net periodic benefit	$ (1.8)	$ (1.8)

Income taxes (Detail)

Income taxes (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Taxes [Line Items]
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ 10.2	$ 1.6
Effective tax rate	13.50%	6.60%
US federal statutory rate	21.00%	35.00%
Benefit related to release of valuation allowance	$ 9
Benefit related to statue of limitation expiration	2.7
Discrete benefits in the period	$ 12.3
Benefit related to excess tax benefits from share-based compensation		$ 2.2
Tax Act - increase to annual effective tax rate	3.80%
Tax Act - one-time repatriation tax			$ 76.5
Tax Act - foreign tax credit			47.6
Tax Act - remaining foreign tax credit			$ 34
Pro Forma [Member]
Income Taxes [Line Items]
US federal statutory rate	29.50%

Earnings Per Share - Summary of

Earnings Per Share - Summary of Computations of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Basic:
Net income	$ 65.4	$ 22.6	$ 119.8
Less: earnings allocated to participating securities	0.1	0
Earnings allocated to common shares outstanding	$ 65.3	$ 22.6
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	140.9	139.4
Basic income per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.46	$ 0.16
Diluted:
Net income	$ 65.4	$ 22.6	$ 119.8
Less: earnings allocated to participating securities	0	0
Earnings allocated to common shares outstanding	$ 65.4	$ 22.6
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	140.9	139.4
Effect of dilutive securities: stock compensation plans (in shares)	1.1	1.4
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	142	140.8
Diluted income per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.46	$ 0.16

Earnings Per Share - Summary 56

Earnings Per Share - Summary of Computations of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share Footnote (Detail) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Employee Stock Option [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Share-based compensation awards purchased not included in calculation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	0.6	0.6

Accumulated other comprehensi57

Accumulated other comprehensive loss - Schedule of Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss by Component Net of Tax (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017	[1]	Dec. 31, 2016	[2]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 1,090.1	$ 809.9
Impact due to adoption of ASU 2017-12			$ 0.8		$ 0.2
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	1.9	18.2
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	2.4	18.2
Ending balance	1,165.7
Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	6.7	0
Impact due to adoption of ASU 2017-12	0.5
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	9.1	0
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	9.6	0
Ending balance	16.3	0
Defined Benefit Pension Items [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(1.2)	1.2
Impact due to adoption of ASU 2017-12	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	0	0
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Ending balance	(1.2)	1.2
Currency Translation Items [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(284)	(391.1)
Impact due to adoption of ASU 2017-12	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(7.2)	18.2
Net current period other comprehensive income (loss)	(7.2)	18.2
Ending balance	(291.2)	(372.9)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
AOCI Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(278.5)	(389.9)
Impact due to adoption of ASU 2017-12	0.5		$ 0.5
Ending balance	$ (276.1)	$ (371.7)
[1]	Adjusted due to the adoption of ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” and ASU 2017-12 “Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities” on January 1, 2018. Refer to “Note 2: Significant accounting policies” for more information.
[2]	Adjusted due to the adoption of ASU 2016-09 “Improvement to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” on January 1, 2017.

Accumulated other comprehensi58

Accumulated other comprehensive loss - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Foreign currency gains (losses) related to intercompany borrowings	$ 0	$ (0.5)

Debt - Summary of Short Term Fi

Debt - Summary of Short Term Financing (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Amounts drawn under credit facilities	$ 6.9	$ 9.1
Bank overdrafts	1.6	4.3
Total short-term financing	$ 8.5	$ 13.4

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Feb. 12, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding letters of credit and guarantee		$ 147.2	$ 147
Weighted average interest rate on long-term debt		4.17%	4.50%
Early repayment of principal	$ 300
Term B Loan Due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt		$ 1,977.8	$ 2,277.8

Debt - Schedule of Long Term De

Debt - Schedule of Long Term Debt (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capital lease obligations	$ 56.8	$ 60.9
Total long-term debt before discount	2,730.7	2,909.9
Less: unamortized debt issuance costs and discount on debt	(26.7)	(27.9)
Total long-term debt	2,704	2,882
Less: current maturities	(20.5)	(62)
Total long-term debt, excluding current maturities	2,683.5	2,820
Term B Loan Due 2024 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt excluding capital lease obligation	$ 1,977.8	$ 2,277.8
Variable interest rate	4.38%	4.07%
North American ABL Facility Due 2020 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt excluding capital lease obligation	$ 296.6	$ 155
Variable interest rate	3.38%	5.00%
North American ABL Term Loan Due 2018 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt excluding capital lease obligation	$ 0	$ 16.7
Variable interest rate	0.00%	4.44%
Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2023 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt excluding capital lease obligation	$ 399.5	$ 399.5
Fixed interest rate	6.75%	6.75%

Supplemental balance sheet in62

Supplemental balance sheet information - Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment, Net (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, at cost	$ 1,923.9	$ 1,930.2
Less: accumulated depreciation	(940.1)	(927.2)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 983.8	$ 1,003

Supplemental balance sheet in63

Supplemental balance sheet information - Summary of Cost and Accumulated Depreciation Related to Capital Lease Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Capital lease assets, at cost	$ 83.8	$ 86
Less: accumulated depreciation	(28.9)	(27)
Capital lease assets, net	$ 54.9	$ 59

Supplemental balance sheet in64

Supplemental balance sheet information - Schedule of Gross Carrying Amounts and Accumulated Amortization of Intangible Assets (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	$ 1,035.3	$ 1,031.3
Accumulated Amortization	(756.3)	(743.6)
Net	279	287.7
Customer prepayments and deposits	91.4	97.7
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	852.5	853.5
Accumulated Amortization	(593)	(582.1)
Net	259.5	271.4
Other [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross	182.8	177.8
Accumulated Amortization	(163.3)	(161.5)
Net	$ 19.5	$ 16.3

Fair value measurements - Sched

Fair value measurements - Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Detail) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Level 2 [Member] | Forward Currency Contracts [Member] | Financial current assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets	$ 0.3	$ 0.3
Level 2 [Member] | Forward Currency Contracts [Member] | Financial current liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Liabilities	0.3	0.4
Level 2 [Member] | Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member] | Financial current assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets	10.8	1.2
Level 2 [Member] | Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member] | Financial non-current assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets	13.2	10.6
Level 2 [Member] | Contingent Consideration [Member] | Financial current liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Liabilities	0	0
Level 2 [Member] | Contingent Consideration [Member] | Financial non-current liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Liabilities	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Forward Currency Contracts [Member] | Financial current assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Forward Currency Contracts [Member] | Financial current liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Liabilities	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member] | Financial current assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member] | Financial non-current assets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets	0	0
Level 3 [Member] | Contingent Consideration [Member] | Financial current liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Liabilities	0.3	0
Level 3 [Member] | Contingent Consideration [Member] | Financial non-current liabilities [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Liabilities	$ 0.3	$ 0.4

Fair value measurements - Addit

Fair value measurements - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member]
Foreign Currency Fair Value Hedge Derivative [Line Items]
Forward currency contract asset fair value	$ 0.2	$ 0.2
Other Accrued Expenses [Member]
Foreign Currency Fair Value Hedge Derivative [Line Items]
Forward currency contract liability fair value	$ 0.2	$ 0.3

Fair value measurements - Recon

Fair value measurements - Reconciliation of Fair Value Measurements that Use Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) (Detail) - Contingent Consideration [Member] $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair value beginning balance	$ 0.4
Fair value adjustments	0.2
Fair value ending balance	$ 0.6

Fair value measurements - Estim

Fair value measurements - Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt including current portion, carrying amount	$ 2,704	$ 2,882
Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt including current portion, carrying amount	2,704	2,882
Long-term debt including current portion, fair value	$ 2,760.6	$ 2,939.7

Derivatives (Detail)

Derivatives (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Financial non-current assets [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Assets	$ 13,200,000	$ 10,600,000
Undesignated Forward Currency Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional amount	$ 130,600,000	134,000,000
Undesignated Forward Currency Contracts [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative instruments term	1 month
Undesignated Forward Currency Contracts [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative instruments term	3 months
Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Net unrealized gain (loss) reclassified to earnings	$ 0
Estimated losses included in AOCI to be reclassified with the next 12 months	10,800,000
Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member] | Level 2 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Other Accrued Expenses [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Assets	10,800,000	$ 1,200,000
Interest Rate Swap Contracts [Member] | Term B Loan Due 2022 [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Notional amount	$ 2,000,000,000
Fixed interest rate (weighted average)	1.70%

Business combinations (Detail)

Business combinations (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Jan. 04, 2018	Sep. 21, 2017
Kemetyl Industrial Chemicals [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest acquired			100.00%
Preliminary purchase price	$ 8.9
Cash acquired	0.7
Purchase price allocation, goodwill	5.3
Purchase price allocation, intangibles	3.7
Tagma Brasil [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of equity interest acquired				100.00%
Tagma Brasil Ltda. and PVS Minibulk, Inc. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Preliminary purchase price		$ 23.9
Cash acquired		0.2
Purchase price allocation, goodwill		0.8
Purchase price allocation, intangibles		$ 5.3
Decrease in goodwill	3.4
Increase to prepaid expenses and other current assets	2.6
Increase to intangible assets	$ 1.1

Commitments and contingencies -

Commitments and contingencies - Additional Information (Detail) $ in Millions	Aug. 06, 2015USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2014USD ($)	Jul. 21, 2014USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018USD ($)locationclaimsite	Dec. 31, 2012defendant	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Number of locations impacted by environmental laws and regulations | location				130
Number of company owned/occupied sites requiring environmental remediation work | site				107
Number of non owned sites liable for a share of clean-up | site				23
Estimated life of project, minimum				1 year
Estimated life of project, maximum				30 years
Accrued environmental loss contingencies, current				$ 28.7		$ 29.1
Number of defendants | defendant					2
CBP [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Penalty sought		$ 84	$ 84
DOJ [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Penalty sought	$ 84
Maximum [Member]
Other Commitments [Line Items]
Number of asbestos-related claims | claim				245

Commitments and contingencies72

Commitments and contingencies - Changes in Total Environmental Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies [Roll Forward]
Environmental liabilities at beginning of period	$ 89.2	$ 95.8
Revised obligation estimates	2.2	3.1
Environmental payments	(4.8)	(5.3)
Foreign exchange	0.1	0.1
Environmental liabilities at end of period	$ 86.7	$ 93.7

Segments (Detail)

Segments (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 2,158	$ 1,998.8
Cost of goods sold	1,671.4	1,559.4
Gross profit	486.6	439.4
Outbound freight and handling	79.3	71
Warehousing, selling and administrative	241	228.5
Adjusted EBITDA	166.3	139.9
Other operating expenses, net	13.6	19.8
Depreciation	31.4	35.9
Amortization	13.4	16.7
Interest expense, net	34.9	35.8
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0.8
Other (income) expense, net	(2.6)	6.7
Income tax expense	10.2	1.6
Net income	65.4	22.6	$ 119.8
Total assets	5,694.3	5,596	$ 5,732.7
USA [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,204.4	1,150.9
Canada [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	313.4	307.3
EMEA [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	538.6	439.7
Rest of World [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	101.6	100.9
Inter-segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	(38.6)	(34.4)
Inter-segment [Member] | USA [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	35.1	31.2
Inter-segment [Member] | Canada [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2	1.8
Inter-segment [Member] | EMEA [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1.4	1.3
Inter-segment [Member] | Rest of World [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	0.1	0.1
Operating Segments [Member] | USA [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	1,239.5	1,182.1
Cost of goods sold	960.6	919.2
Gross profit	278.9	262.9
Outbound freight and handling	49.9	46.8
Warehousing, selling and administrative	137.8	134.8
Adjusted EBITDA	91.2	81.3
Total assets	3,356.1	3,640.2
Operating Segments [Member] | Canada [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	315.4	309.1
Cost of goods sold	253	253.3
Gross profit	62.4	55.8
Outbound freight and handling	10.4	9.2
Warehousing, selling and administrative	22.5	22
Adjusted EBITDA	29.5	24.6
Total assets	1,821.5	1,975.5
Operating Segments [Member] | EMEA [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	540	441
Cost of goods sold	416	339.2
Gross profit	124	101.8
Outbound freight and handling	17	13.4
Warehousing, selling and administrative	62.3	54.7
Adjusted EBITDA	44.7	33.7
Total assets	1,034	908.2
Operating Segments [Member] | Rest of World [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	101.7	101
Cost of goods sold	80.4	82.1
Gross profit	21.3	18.9
Outbound freight and handling	2	1.6
Warehousing, selling and administrative	11.5	10.6
Adjusted EBITDA	7.8	6.7
Total assets	247.4	227.9
Other/Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	(38.6)	(34.4)
Cost of goods sold	(38.6)	(34.4)
Gross profit	0	0
Outbound freight and handling	0	0
Warehousing, selling and administrative	6.9	6.4
Adjusted EBITDA	(6.9)	(6.4)
Total assets	$ (764.7)	$ (1,155.8)