| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
| Aug. 31, 2022 |
| Principles of consolidation | Principles of consolidation - The financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries in which it has a controlling interest. All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated upon consolidation. |
| Unclassified balance sheet | Unclassified balance sheet - The balance sheets of the Company are presented in an unclassified format as a result of significant leasing activities for which the current or non-current distinction is not relevant. In addition, the activities of the Manufacturing; Maintenance Services; and Leasing & Management Services segments are so intertwined that in the opinion of management, any attempt to separate the respective balance sheet categories would not be meaningful and may lead to the development of misleading conclusions by the reader. |
| Foreign currency translation | Foreign currency translation - Certain operations outside the U.S. prepare financial statements in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. Revenues and expenses are translated at monthly average exchange rates during the year, while assets and liabilities are translated at year-end exchange rates. Translation adjustments are accumulated as a separate component of equity in other comprehensive income (loss). The net foreign currency translation adjustment balances were $ 57.4 million, $ 35.8 million and $ 39.8 million as of August 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively |
| Cash and cash equivalents | Cash and cash equivalents - Cash may temporarily be invested primarily in money market funds. All highly-liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the date of acquisition are considered cash equivalents. |
| Restricted cash | Restricted cash - Restricted cash relates to amounts held to support a target minimum rate of return on certain agreements, terms of our credit agreement, and a pass through account for activity related to management services provided for certain third party customers. |
| Accounts receivable | Accounts receivable - Accounts receivable consists of receivables from customers and receivables from related parties (see Note 16 - Related Party Transactions) and is stated net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $ 2.3 million and $ 2.4 million as of August 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
As of August 31,
(In millions) 2022 2021 2020
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Balance at beginning of period $ 2.4 $ 2.7 $ 2.2
Additions, net of reversals 0.4 0.6 1.7
Usage ( 0.3 ) ( 0.8 ) ( 1.3 )
Currency translation effect ( 0.2 ) ( 0.1 ) 0.1
Balance at end of period $ 2.3 $ 2.4 $ 2.7 |
| Inventories | Inventories - Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the first-in first-out method. Work-in-process includes material, labor and overhead. Finished goods includes completed wheels, parts and railcars in transit or not on lease. |
| Leased railcars for syndication | Leased railcars for syndication - Leased railcars for syndication consist of newly-built railcars manufactured at one of the Company’s facilities or railcars purchased from third parties, which have been placed on lease to a customer and which the Company intends to sell to an investor with the lease attached. These railcars are generally anticipated to be sold within six months of delivery of the last railcar in a group or six months from when the Company acquires the railcar from a third party and are typically not depreciated during that period as the Company does not believe any economic value of a railcar is lost in the first six months. In the event the railcars are not sold in the first six months, the railcars are either held in Leased railcars for syndication and are depreciated or are transferred to Equipment on operating leases and are depreciated. |
| Equipment on operating leases, net | Equipment on operating leases, net - Equipment on operating leases is stated net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation to estimated salvage value is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of up to forty years . Management periodically reviews useful lives and salvage value estimates based on current scrap prices and what the Company expects to receive upon disposal. |
| Investment in unconsolidated affiliates | Investment in unconsolidated affiliates - Investment in unconsolidated affiliates includes the Company’s interests in certain investees which are accounted for under the equity method of accounting as the Company has determined that the investment provides the Company with the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the investee. Significant influence is generally deemed to exist if the Company has an ownership interest in the voting stock of the investee of at least 20%. Several factors are considered in determining whether the equity method of accounting is appropriate including the relative ownership interests and governance rights of the joint venture partners. As of August 31, 2022, selected investments in unconsolidated affiliates include the Company’s 60 % interest in Greenbrier-Maxion, 29.5 % interest in Amsted-Maxion Cruzeiro (which owns 40 % of Greenbrier-Maxion), 40 % interest in Greenbrier Railcar Funding I LLC and 41.9 % interest in Axis, LLC. |
| Property, plant and equipment | Property, plant and equipment - Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over estimated useful lives which primarily are as follows:
Depreciable Life
Buildings and improvements 10 - 30 years
Machinery and equipment 3 - 20 years
Other 3 - 7 years |
| Intangible and other assets, net | Intangible and other assets, net - Intangible assets are recorded when a portion of the purchase price of an acquisition is allocated to assets such as customer contracts and relationships and trade names. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized using the straight line method over their estimated useful lives which are up to 20 years. Other assets include nonqualified savings plan investments, and revolving note fees which are capitalized and amortized as interest expense over the life of the related borrowings. |
| Impairment of long-lived assets | Impairment of long-lived assets - When changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of certain long-lived asset groups may not be recoverable, the assets are evaluated for impairment. If the forecasted undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the assets, an impairment charge to reduce the carrying value of the assets to estimated realizable value is recognized in the current period. No impairment of long-lived assets was recorded in the years ended August 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020. |
| Goodwill | Goodwill - Goodwill is recorded when the purchase price of an acquisition exceeds the fair market value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment at least annually and more frequently if indicators of impairment arise. The Company reviews goodwill for impairment annually using either a qualitative assessment or a quantitative goodwill impairment test. If the qualitative assessment is selected and the Company determines that fair value of each reporting unit more likely than not exceeds its carrying value, no further assessment is necessary. For reporting units where the Company performs the quantitative goodwill impairment test, an impairment loss is recorded to the extent that the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. An impairment loss cannot exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. See Note 7 – Goodwill for additional information. |
| Warranty accruals | Warranty accruals - Warranty costs are estimated and charged to operations to cover a defined warranty period. The estimated warranty cost is based on history of warranty claims for each particular product type. For new product types without a warranty history, preliminary estimates are based on historical information for similar product types. The warranty accruals, included in Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, are reviewed periodically and updated based on warranty trends. |
| Income taxes | Income taxes - The asset and liability method is used to account for income taxes. Deferred income taxes are provided for the temporary effects of differences between assets and liabilities recognized for financial statement and income tax reporting purposes. Valuation allowances reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that will more likely than not be realized. The Company recognizes liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on whether evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit. The Company reevaluates these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. Changes in tax law or court interpretations may result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision. |
| Deferred revenue | Deferred revenue - Cash payments received prior to meeting revenue recognition criteria are recorded in Deferred revenue. Amounts are reclassified out of Deferred revenue once the revenue recognition criteria have been met. |
| Noncontrolling interest and Contingently redeemable noncontrolling interest | Noncontrolling interest and Contingently redeemable noncontrolling interest - The Company has a joint venture with Grupo Industrial Monclova, S.A. (GIMSA) that manufactures new railroad freight cars for the North American marketplace at GIMSA’s existing manufacturing facility located in Frontera, Mexico. Each party owns a 50 % interest in the joint venture. The financial results of this operation are consolidated for financial reporting purposes as the Company maintains a controlling interest as evidenced by the right to appoint the majority of the Board of Directors, control over accounting, financing, marketing and engineering and approval and design of products. The noncontrolling interest related to the partner’s 50 % interest in the joint venture is included in Noncontrolling interest in the equity section of the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. Greenbrier-Astra Rail was formed in 2017 between the Company’s existing European operations headquartered in Swidnica, Poland and Astra Rail, based in Arad, Romania. Greenbrier-Astra Rail is controlled by the Company with an approximate 75 % interest. Astra Rail also received a put option to sell its entire noncontrolling interest to Greenbrier at an exercise price equal to the higher of fair value or a defined EBITDA multiple as measured on the exercise date. During 2022, the option was extended to be exercisable 30 business days prior to and up until June 1, 2026. The Company consolidates Greenbrier-Astra Rail for financial reporting purposes and includes the noncontrolling interest in the mezzanine section of the Consolidated Balance Sheet in Contingently redeemable noncontrolling interest. The carrying value of the noncontrolling interest cannot be less than the maximum redemption amount, which is the amount Greenbrier will settle the put option for if exercised. Adjustments to reconcile the carrying value to the maximum redemption amount are recorded to retained earnings. In August 2018, Greenbrier-Astra Rail entered into an agreement to take an approximately 68 % ownership stake in Rayvag, a railcar manufacturing company based in Adana, Turkey. Rayvag is controlled by the Company. The Company consolidates Rayvag for financial reporting purposes. The noncontrolling interest related to the partner’s interest is included in Noncontrolling interest in the equity section of the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income represents the Company’s partners’ share of results from operations. |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | Accumulated other comprehensive loss – Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax as appropriate, consisted of the following:
(In millions) Unrealized Foreign Other Accumulated
Balance, August 31, 2021 $ ( 7.4 ) $ ( 35.8 ) $ ( 0.5 ) $ ( 43.7 )
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 15.7 ( 21.6 ) ( 0.7 ) $ ( 6.6 )
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other 4.7 — — $ 4.7
Balance, August 31, 2022 $ 13.0 $ ( 57.4 ) $ ( 1.2 ) $ ( 45.6 )
The amounts reclassified out of Accumulated other comprehensive loss into the Consolidated Statements of Income, with the financial statement caption, were as follows:
Year Ended August 31,
(In millions) 2022 2021 Financial Statement Caption
(Gain) loss on derivative financial instruments:
Foreign exchange contracts $ 1.2 $ 1.4 Revenue and Cost of revenue
Interest rate swap contracts 4.9 5.3 Interest and foreign exchange
6.1 6.7 Total before tax
( 1.4 ) ( 1.7 ) Tax expense
$ 4.7 $ 5.0 Net of tax |
| Revenue recognition | Revenue recognition – The Company measures revenue at the amounts that reflect the consideration to which it expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring control of goods and services to customers. The Company recognizes revenue either at the point in time or over the period of time that performance obligations to customers are satisfied. Payment terms vary by segment and product type and are generally due within normal commercial terms. The Company’s contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations (e.g. railcars, maintenance, management services, etc.). For such arrangements, the Company allocates revenues to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. The Company has disaggregated revenue from contracts with customers into categories which describe the principal activities from which it generates revenues. Manufacturing Railcars are manufactured in accordance with contracts with customers. The Company recognizes revenue upon its customers’ acceptance of the completed railcars at a specified delivery point. From time to time, the Company enters into multi-year supply agreements. Each railcar delivery is considered a distinct performance obligation, such that the amounts that are recognized as revenue following railcar delivery are generally not subject to change. The Company typically recognizes marine vessel manufacturing revenue over time using the cost input method, based on progress toward contract completion measured by actual costs incurred to date in relation to the estimate of total expected costs. This method best depicts the Company’s performance in completing the construction of the marine vessel for the customer. When estimates of total costs to be incurred on a contract exceed total revenue, the expected loss is recorded in the period in which the loss is determined. Maintenance Services The Company operates a network of facilities in North America that provide complete wheelset reconditioning and maintenance services. Wheels revenue is recognized when wheelsets are shipped to the customer or when consumed by customers in the case of consignment arrangements. Parts revenue is recognized upon shipment of the parts to the customers. Maintenance revenue is typically recognized over time using the cost input method, based on progress toward contract completion measured by actual costs incurred to date in relation to the estimate of total expected costs. This method best depicts the Company’s performance in servicing the railcars for the customer. Maintenance services are typically completed in less than 90 days. Leasing & Management Services The Company owns a fleet of new and used railcars which are leased to third-party customers. Lease revenue is recognized over the lease-term in the period in which it is earned. Syndication transactions represent new and used railcars which have been placed on lease to a customer and which the Company sells to an investor with the lease attached. At the time of such sale, revenue and cost of revenue is allocated between the Manufacturing segment and Leasing & Management Services segment based on the relative standalone selling price of the product and services provided. Revenue and cost of revenue associated with railcars which were obtained from a third-party with the intent to resell them and subsequently sold, are recognized in the Leasing & Management Services segment. The Company enters into multi-year contracts to provide management and maintenance services to customers for which revenue is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract term as a stand-ready obligation. Costs to fulfill these contracts are recognized as incurred. |
| Interest and foreign exchange | Interest and foreign exchange - Interest and foreign exchange includes foreign exchange transaction gains and losses, amortization of debt issuance costs, and external interest expense.
Year Ended August 31,
(In millions) 2022 2021 2020
Interest and foreign exchange:
Interest and other expense $ 55.7 $ 44.7 $ 42.4
Foreign exchange (gain) loss 1.7 ( 1.4 ) 1.2
$ 57.4 $ 43.3 $ 43.6 |
| Research and development | Research and development - Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development costs incurred for new product development during the years ended August 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 were $ 5.4 million, $ 6.3 million and $ 5.8 million, respectively, included in Selling and administrative expenses. |
| Net earnings per share | Net earnings per share - Basic earnings per common share (EPS) is calculated using weighted average basic common shares outstanding, which include restricted stock grants and restricted stock units that are considered participating securities when the Company is in a net earnings position. Diluted EPS is calculated using the if-converted method, associated with shares underlying the 2024 and 2028 2.875 % Convertible notes, and the treasury stock method associated with restricted stock units that are not considered participating securities and performance based restricted stock units subject to performance criteria. |
| Stock-based compensation | Stock-based compensation – The value of stock-based compensation awards is amortized as compensation expense from the date of grant through the earlier of the vesting period or in some instances the recipient’s eligible retirement date. Stock based compensation expense consists of restricted stock units and restricted stock awards. The fair value of awards is measured using the number of shares granted multiplied by the closing share price on the grant date. Stock based compensation expense for the years ended August 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020 was $ 15.5 million, $ 14.7 million and $ 9.0 million, respectively and was recorded in Selling and administrative and Cost of revenue on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Restricted stock units and restricted stock awards are accounted for as equity based awards (see Note 14 - Equity). |
| Management estimates | Management estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires judgment on the part of management to arrive at estimates and assumptions on matters that are inherently uncertain. These estimates may affect the amount of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities within the financial statements. Estimates and assumptions are periodically evaluated and may be adjusted in future periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. |
| Reclassifications | Reclassifications - Certain immaterial reclassifications have been made to the accompanying prior year Consolidated Financial Statements to conform to the current year presentation. |
| Initial Adoption of Accounting Policies | Initial Adoption of Accounting Policies Lease accounting On September 1, 2019 , the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases and related amendments (Topic 842). Upon adoption, the Company recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment of $ 4.4 million as an increase to retained earnings. Under the short term lease recognition exemption, the Company does not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities for qualifying leases with terms of less than twelve months. The Company does not separate lease and non-lease components. The Company utilizes both Topic 842 and Accounting Standards Codification 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) when evaluating retained risk of services and other performance obligations in conjunction with selling railcars with a lease attached as part of the syndication model. Derivatives and Hedging In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities (ASU 2017-12). The Company adopted this guidance effective September 1, 2019 and it did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (ASU 2016-13). The Company adopted this guidance using a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative effect adjustment, which decreased opening retained earnings by $ 0.5 million on September 1, 2020. Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity In August 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update 2020-06, Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity (ASU 2020-06), which simplifies the accounting for certain convertible instruments, amends guidance on derivative scope exceptions for contracts in an entity’s own equity and modifies the guidance on diluted EPS calculations as a result of these changes. The Company adopted this guidance effective September 1, 2021 on a modified retrospective basis and recorded a cumulative effect adjustment to increase Retained earnings by $ 5 million. The impact of adoption also resulted in a reduction to Additional paid in capital of approximately $ 59 million related to amounts attributable to conversion options that had previously been recorded in equity and the associated derecognition of related deferred tax liabilities of $ 17 million. Additionally, the Company recorded an increase to its convertible notes balance by an aggregate amount of approximately $ 71 million as a result of derecognizing the debt discount. The adoption of this guidance also decreased the amount of non-cash interest expense to be recognized in future periods as a result of eliminating the discount associated with the equity component. The Company did not incur any impact to liquidity or cash flows. Beginning September 1, 2021, when calculating net earnings attributable to Greenbrier per share of common stock, the Company uses the if-converted method as required under ASU 2020-06 to determine the dilutive effect of its convertible notes. Simplification of Accounting for Income Taxes In December 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standard Update 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (ASU 2019-12), which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 for: recognizing deferred taxes for investments, performing intra-period allocations and calculating taxes in interim periods. The ASU also improves consistent application of GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance to reduce complexity in certain areas, including recognizing deferred taxes for tax goodwill and allocating taxes to members of a consolidated group. The Company adopted this guidance September 1, 2021 with no impact to the Company's consolidated financial statements. The ongoing application of ASU 2019-12 is not expected to materially impact the Company's consolidated financial statements. Reference Rate Reform In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting , which provides practical expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The elective amendments provide expedients to contract modification, affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The expedients and exceptions provided by this guidance apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference the London interbank offered rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued as a result of reference rate reform. This guidance is not applicable to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after December 31, 2022. The guidance can be applied immediately through December 31, 2022. During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022 , the Company adopted the optional relief guidance provided under this ASU after modifying certain debt to update the reference rate from LIBOR to SOFR. This caused a temporary mismatch in our interest rate swap and debt for a period of time. The application of this expedient preserves the presentation of the derivatives consistent with past presentation. The Company will continue to assess the impact of the guidance and may apply other elections as applicable going forward. |
| Foreign Exchange Contracts | |
| Derivatives | Forward exchange contracts - Foreign operations give rise to risks from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Forward exchange contracts with established financial institutions are used to hedge a portion of such risk. Realized and unrealized gains and losses on effective hedges are deferred in other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized in earnings concurrent with the hedged transaction or when the occurrence of the hedged transaction is no longer considered probable. Ineffectiveness is measured and any gain or loss is recognized in foreign exchange (gain) loss. Even though forward exchange contracts are entered into to mitigate the impact of currency fluctuations, certain exposure remains, which may affect operating results. In addition, there is risk for counterparty non-performance. |
| Interest rate swap contracts | |
| Derivatives | Interest rate instruments - Interest rate swap agreements are used to reduce the impact of changes in interest rates on certain debt. The net cash amounts paid or received under the agreements are recognized as an adjustment to interest expense. |
