Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (a) Basis of Presentation Mohawk Industries, Inc. (“Mohawk” or the “Company”), a term which includes the Company and its subsidiaries, is a leading global flooring manufacturer that creates products to enhance residential and commercial spaces around the world. The Company’s vertically integrated manufacturing and distribution processes provide competitive advantages in the production of carpet, rugs, ceramic tile, laminate, wood, stone, luxury vinyl tile (“LVT”) and sheet vinyl flooring. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. (b) The COVID-19 Pandemic During 2020 and 2021, the Company experienced certain disruptions to its business and further disruptions may occur that could materially affect the Company’s ability to obtain supplies, manufacture its products or deliver inventory in a timely manner. Future disruptions may result in lost revenue, additional costs or impairments to goodwill or other assets. Although the Company believes that it can manage its exposure to these risks, there is no guarantee that it will be able to do so in the future. The Company continues to follow the recommendations of local health authorities to minimize exposure risk for its employees, suppliers, customers and other stakeholders. The Company has implemented business continuity plans during the crisis and is attempting to minimize the pandemic’s impact, but it may be unable to adequately respond to further outbreaks in particular geographies and its operations may be materially impacted. The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may impact the Company’s results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including the successful implementation of vaccination programs and the continued fiscal support currently provided by governments. Accordingly, the COVID-19 pandemic and the related global reaction could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. (c) Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $268,895 of which $200,501 was held outside the United States. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $768,625 of which $436,948 was held outside the United States. (d) Short-term Investments The Company invests in high quality credit instruments. At December 31, 2021, short-term investments consisted solely of investments in the Company’s commercial paper by its wholly-owned captive insurance company. At December 31, 2020, amounts consisted of a short-duration bond fund and managed income fund. Such investments are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The Company’s investment in the short-duration bond fund and managed income fund at December 31, 2020 was classified as an equity security, recorded at fair value based on the closing market price of the security. The Company recognized dividends, realized and unrealized gains and losses to other expense (income), net in the statement of operations. (e) Fair Value Accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. define fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The authoritative guidance discusses valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). These valuation techniques are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions. As the basis for evaluating such inputs, a three-tier value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2: Observable inputs other than quoted prices that are directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for similar or identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable. Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions. (f) Accounts Receivable and Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenues when it satisfies performance obligations as evidenced by the transfer of control of the promised goods to customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods. The nature of the promised goods are ceramic, stone, carpet, resilient (includes sheet vinyl and LVT), laminate, wood and other flooring products. Payment is typically received 90 days or less from the invoice date. The Company adjusts the amounts of revenue for expected cash discounts, sales allowances, returns, and claims, based upon historical experience. The Company adjusts accounts receivable for doubtful account allowances based upon historical bad debt, claims experience, periodic evaluation of specific customer accounts, and the aging of accounts receivable. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. The Company accounts for incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred in selling, general and administrative expenses if the amortization period is less than one year. The Company accounts for shipping and handling activities performed after control has been transferred as a fulfillment cost in cost of sales. (g) Inventories The Company accounts for all inventories on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost has been determined using the FIFO method. Costs included in inventory include raw materials, direct and indirect labor and employee benefits, depreciation, general manufacturing overhead and various other costs of manufacturing. Inventories on hand are compared against anticipated future usage, which is a function of historical usage, anticipated future selling price, expected sales below cost, excessive quantities and an evaluation for obsolescence. (h) Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, including capitalized interest. Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining useful lives, which are 15-40 years for buildings and improvements, 3-25 years for machinery and equipment, the shorter of the estimated useful life or lease term for leasehold improvements and 3-7 years for furniture and fixtures. (i) Accounting for Business Combinations The Company accounts for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting which requires it to recognize separately from goodwill the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their acquisition date fair values. While the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date as well as contingent consideration, where applicable, the estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. As a result, during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company records adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. (j) Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets In accordance with the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic (“ASC”) 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other, the Company tests goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives for impairment on an annual basis on the first day of the fourth quarter (or on an interim basis if an event occurs that might reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying value). The Company considers the relationship between its market capitalization and its book value, among other factors, when reviewing for indicators of impairment. The goodwill impairment tests are based on determining the fair value of the specified reporting units based on management’s judgments and assumptions using the discounted cash flows and comparable company market valuation approaches. The Company has identified Global Ceramic, Flooring NA, and Flooring ROW as its reporting units for the purposes of allocating goodwill and intangibles as well as assessing impairments. The valuation approaches are subject to key judgments and assumptions that are sensitive to change such as judgments and assumptions about appropriate sales growth rates, operating margins, weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”), and comparable company market multiples. When developing these key judgments and assumptions, the Company considers economic, operational and market conditions that could impact the fair value of the reporting unit. However, estimates are inherently uncertain and represent only management’s reasonable expectations regarding future developments. These estimates and the judgments and assumptions upon which the estimates are based will, in all likelihood, differ in some respects from actual future results. Should a significant or prolonged deterioration in economic conditions occur, such as continued declines in spending for new construction, remodeling and replacement activities; the inability to pass increases in the costs of raw materials and fuel on to customers; or a decline in comparable company market multiples, then key judgments and assumptions could be impacted. The impairment evaluation for indefinite lived intangible assets, which for the Company are its trademarks, is conducted on the first day of the fourth quarter of each year, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that an asset might be impaired. The impairment tests for indefinite lived intangible assets may be completed through an assessment of qualitative factors to determine the existence of events or circumstances that would indicate that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of these assets is less than their carrying amounts. If the qualitative assessment indicates it is not more likely than not that the fair value of these assets is less than their carrying amounts, a quantitative impairment test is not required. If a quantitative test is necessary, the Company estimates the fair value of the intangible asset and compares it to its carrying amount. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The Company may also elect to bypass the qualitative assessment and perform a quantitative impairment test in any period. If the Company elects to perform a quantitative impairment test, it may resume the qualitative assessment in subsequent periods. The determination of fair value used in the impairment evaluation is based on discounted estimates of future sales projections attributable to ownership of the trademarks. Significant judgments inherent in this analysis include assumptions about appropriate sales growth rates, royalty rates, applicable discount rate and the amount of expected future cash flows. The judgments and assumptions used in the estimate of fair value are generally consistent with past performance and are also consistent with the projections and assumptions that are used in current operating plans. Such assumptions are subject to change as a result of changing economic and competitive conditions. The determination of fair value is highly sensitive to differences between estimated and actual cash flows and changes in the related discount rate used to evaluate the fair value of the trademarks. Estimated cash flows are sensitive to changes in the economy among other things. Intangible assets that do not have indefinite lives are amortized based on average lives, which range from 7-20 years. (k) Leases The Company measures right of use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. Minimum lease payments include the fixed lease and non-lease components of the agreement, as well as any variable rent payments that depend on an index, initially measured using the index at the lease commencement date. The ROU assets are adjusted for any initial direct costs incurred less any lease incentives received, in addition to payments made on or before the commencement date of the lease. The Company recognizes lease expense for leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. As the implicit rate is not readily determinable for most of the Company’s lease agreements, the Company uses an estimated incremental borrowing rate to determine the initial present value of lease payments. These discount rates for leases are calculated using the Company’s credit spread adjusted for current market factors and foreign currency rates. The Company also made a policy election to determine its incremental borrowing rate, at the initial application date, using the total lease term and the total minimum rental payments, as the Company believes this rate is more indicative of the implied financing cost. The Company determines if a contract is or contains a lease at inception. The Company has operating and finance leases for service centers, warehouses, showrooms, and machinery and equipment. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet and expensed as incurred. The Company enters into lease contracts ranging from 1 to 60 years with a majority of the Company’s lease terms ranging from 1 to 10 years. Some leases include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease term from 3 to 10 years or more. The exercise of these lease renewal options is at the Company’s sole discretion. An insignificant number of the Company’s leases include options to purchase the leased property. The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term. (l) Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. (m) Financial Instruments The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of short-term investments, receivables, accounts payable, accrued expenses and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate their fair value because of the short-term maturity of such instruments. The Company has a wholly-owned captive insurance company that may periodically invest in the Company’s commercial paper. These short-term commercial paper investments are classified as trading securities and carried at fair value based upon level two fair value hierarchy. The carrying amount of the Company’s floating rate debt approximates its fair value based upon level two fair value hierarchy. Interest rates that are currently available to the Company for issuance of long-term debt with similar terms and remaining maturities are used to estimate the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt. (n) Advertising Costs and Vendor Consideration Advertising and promotion expenses are charged to earnings during the period in which they are incurred. Advertising and promotion expenses included in selling, general, and administrative expenses were $139,538 in 2021, $105,974 in 2020 and $130,207 in 2019. Vendor consideration, generally cash, is classified as a reduction of net sales, unless specific criteria are met regarding goods or services that the Company may receive in return for this consideration. The Company makes various payments to customers, including rebates, slotting fees, advertising allowances, buy-downs and co-op advertising. All of these payments reduce gross sales with the exception of co-op advertising. Co-op advertising expenses, classified as a selling, general and administrative expense, were $22,092 in 2021, $16,087 in 2020 and $11,418 in 2019. (o) Product Warranties The Company warrants certain qualitative attributes of its flooring products. The Company has recorded a provision for estimated warranty and related costs, based on historical experience and periodically adjusts these provisions to reflect actual experience. (p) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company reviews its long-lived asset groups, which include intangible assets such as patents and customer relationships subject to amortization, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such asset groups may not be recoverable. Recoverability of asset groups to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of long-lived assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by these asset groups. If such asset groups are considered to be impaired, the impairment recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the fair value of the asset group. Assets held for sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less estimated costs of disposal and are no longer depreciated. (q) Foreign Currency Translation The Company’s subsidiaries that operate outside the United States generally use their local currency as the functional currency. The functional currency is translated into U.S. Dollars for balance sheet accounts using the month end rates in effect as of the balance sheet date and average exchange rate for revenue and expense accounts for each respective period. The translation adjustments are deferred as a separate component of stockholders’ equity, within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Gains or losses resulting from transactions denominated in foreign currencies are included in other income or expense, within the consolidated statements of operations. (r) Hedges of Net Investments in Non-U.S. Operations The Company has numerous investments outside the United States. The net assets of these subsidiaries are exposed to changes and volatility in currency exchange rates. The Company has in the past and might in the future use foreign currency denominated debt to hedge its non-U.S. net investments against adverse movements in exchange rates. The gains and losses on the Company’s net investments in its non-U.S. operations are economically offset by losses and gains on its foreign currency borrowings. In June 2015, the Company designated its €500,000 2.00% Senior Notes borrowing as a net investment hedge of a portion of its European operations. On October 19, 2021, the Company redeemed at par the 2.00% Senior Notes, originally due on January 14, 2022, and paid the remaining €500 million outstanding principal of the 2.00% Senior Notes, plus any unpaid interest, utilizing cash on hand. In connection with this repayment, the Company dedesignated its €500,000 2.00% Senior Notes borrowing as a net investment hedge of a portion of its European operations. For the period January 1, 2021 through October 19, 2021, the change in the U.S. dollar value of the Company’s euro denominated debt was a decrease of $35,363 ($26,928 net of taxes). For the years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the change in the U.S. dollar value of the Company’s euro denominated debt was an increase of $54,907 ($41,708 net of taxes) and a decrease of $12,049 ($9,153 net of taxes), respectively. Changes in the U.S. dollar value of the Company’s euro denominated debt are recorded in the foreign currency translation adjustment component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). (s) Earnings per Share (“EPS”) Basic net earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated using net earnings available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year. Diluted EPS is similar to basic EPS except that the weighted-average number of shares is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if the potentially dilutive common shares had been issued. Dilutive common stock options and unvested restricted shares (units) are included in the diluted EPS calculation using the treasury stock method. There were no common stock options and unvested restricted shares (units) that were excluded from the diluted EPS computation because the price was greater than the average market price of the common shares for the periods presented for 2021, 2020 and 2019. Computations of basic and diluted earnings per share are presented in the following table: 2021 2020 2019 Net earnings available to common stockholders $ 1,033,159 515,595 744,211 Weighted-average common shares outstanding-basic and diluted: Weighted-average common shares outstanding—basic 68,852 71,214 71,986 Add weighted-average dilutive potential common shares—options to purchase common shares and RSUs, net 293 187 278 Weighted-average common shares outstanding-diluted 69,145 71,401 72,264 Earnings per share attributable to Mohawk Industries, Inc. Basic $ 15.01 7.24 10.34 Diluted $ 14.94 7.22 10.30 (t) Stock-Based Compensation The Company recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payments granted based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with ASC 718-10, “ Stock Compensation ”. Compensation expense is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the awards’ estimated lives for fixed awards with ratable vesting provisions. (u) Employee Benefit Plans The Company has 401(k) retirement savings plans (the “Mohawk Plan”) open to substantially all U.S. and Puerto Rico based employees who have completed 60 days of eligible service. The Company contributes $.50 for every $1.00 of employee contributions up to a maximum of 6% of the employee’s salary based upon each individual participants election. Employee and employer contributions to the Mohawk Plan were $67,044 and $23,884 in 2021, $56,241 and $13,509 in 2020 and $57,354 and $23,008 in 2019, respectively. The Company also has various pension plans covering employees in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands (the “Non-U.S. Plans”) within the Flooring ROW Segment. Benefits under the Non-U.S. Plans depend on compensation and years of service. The Non-U.S. Plans are funded in accordance with local regulations. The Company uses December 31 as the measurement date for its Non-U.S. Plans. The Company’s projected benefit obligation and plan assets as of December 31, 2021 were $80,324 and $65,118, respectively. The Company’s projected benefit obligation and plan assets as of December 31, 2020 were $86,722 and $68,413, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, the funded status of the Non-U.S. Plans was a liability of $15,206 of which $8,866 was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, for a net liability of $6,340 recorded in other long-term liabilities within the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2020, the funded status of the Non-U.S. Plans was a liability of $18,309 of which $11,304 was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, for a net liability of $7,005 recorded in other long-term liabilities within the consolidated balance sheets. (v) Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) includes foreign currency translation of assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries, effects of exchange rate changes on intercompany balances of a long-term nature, pension and post-retirement benefit service cost. The Company does not provide income taxes on currency translation adjustments, as earnings from foreign subsidiaries are considered to be indefinitely reinvested. The Company presents currency translation adjustments on noncontrolling interests separately from currency translation adjustments on controlling interests in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within stockholders’ equity. The changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of tax, for years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 are as follows: Foreign currency translation adjustments Prior pension and post-retirement benefit service cost and actuarial gain (loss) Total Balance as of December 31, 2018 $ (782,102) (9,506) (791,608) Current period other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 28,994 (3,210) 25,784 Balance as of December 31, 2019 (753,108) (12,716) (765,824) Current period other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 72,853 (2,174) 70,679 Balance as of December 31, 2020 (680,255) (14,890) (695,145) Current period other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (278,944) 7,137 (271,807) Balance as of December 31, 2021 $ (959,199) (7,753) (966,952) (w) Self-Insurance Reserves The Company is self-insured in the U.S. for various levels of general liability, automobile liability, workers’ compensation and employee medical coverage. Insurance reserves are calculated on an undiscounted basis based on actual claim data and estimates of incurred but not reported claims developed utilizing historical claim trends. Projected settlements and incurred but not reported claims are estimated based on pending claims and historical trends and data. Though the Company does not expect them to do so, actual settlements and claims could differ materially from those estimated. Material differences in actual settlements and claims could have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. The Company has a wholly-owned captive insurance company, Mohawk Assurance Services, Inc. (“MAS”). MAS insures the retained portion of the Company’s U.S. general liability, automobile liability, workers’ compensation exposures, pandemic, terrorism and medical coverage to MAS. (x) Fiscal Year The Company ends its fiscal year on December 31. Each of the first three quarters in the fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest the calendar quarter end with a thirteen week fiscal quarter. (y) Recent Accounting Pronouncements - Recently Adopted In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes which simplified the accounting for income taxes in several areas by removing certain exceptions and by clarifying and amending existing guidance applicable to accounting for income taxes. The Company adopted the new standard on January 1, 2021. The effect of adopting the new standard was not material. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments , which was further amended by additional accounting standards updates issued by the FASB. The new standard replaced the incurred loss impairment methodology for recognizing credit losses with a new methodology that requires recognition of lifetime expected credit losses when a financial asset is originated or purchased, even if the risk of loss is remote. The new methodology (referred to as the current expected credit losses model, or "CECL") applies to most financial assets measured at amortized cost, including trade receivables, and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to estimate expected credit losses. The Company adopted the new standard on January 1, 2020 using a modified retrospective transition approach, with the cumulative impact being immaterial to the financial statements. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and other (Topic 350): Simplifying the test for goodwill impairment. The amendments remove the second step of the current goodwill impairment test. An entity will apply a one-step quantitative test and record the amount of goodwill impairment as the excess of a reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The new guidance does not amend the optional qualitative assessment of goodwill impairment. The Company adopted the new standard in the fourth quarter of 2019. The effect of adopting the new standard was not material. In February 2016, the FASB issued a new standard ASU 2016-02, Leases , and subsequently issued additional ASUs amending this ASU (collectively ASC 842, Leases ). ASC 842 was issued to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring the recognition of right of use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. Most prominent among the changes in the standard is the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases. Under the standard, disclosures are required to meet the objective of enabling users of financial statements to assess the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The Company adopted the provisions of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019 using a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption in line with the new transition method allowed under ASU 2018-11. ASC 842 provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. The Company elected the “package of practical expedients” which permits the Company not to reassess under the new standard its prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. The Company did not elect the use-of-hindsight and elected the practical expedient pertaining to land easements. The new standard also provides practical expedients for an entity’s ongoing accounting for leases. The Company elected the short-term lease exemption for all leases that qualify, meaning the Company will not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities for leases with terms shorter than twelve months. The Company also elected the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for a majority of its asset classes, including real estate and most equipment. The adoption of ASC 842 had a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets, but did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations or cashflow. The most significant impact was the recognition of ROU assets of $328,169 and lease liabilities for operating leases of |