Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES a. Organization The AZEK Company Inc. (the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation that holds all of the limited liability company interests in The AZEK Group LLC (f/k/a CPG International LLC), the entity which directly and indirectly holds all of the equity interests in the operating subsidiaries and which changed its name from CPG International LLC to The AZEK Group LLC on August 1, 2023. The Company is an industry-leading designer and manufacturer of beautiful, low-maintenance and environmentally sustainable building products for residential, commercial and industrial markets. The Company’s products include decking, railing, trim, porch, moulding, pergolas, outdoor furniture, bathroom and locker systems, as well as extruded plastic sheet products and other non-fabricated products for special applications in industrial markets. The Company operates in various locations throughout the United States. The Company’s residential products are primarily branded under the brand names AZEK ® , TimberTech ® , VERSATEX ® , ULTRALOX ® , StruXure and INTEX ® , while the commercial products are branded under the Vycom ® brand names Celtec ® , Playboard ® , Seaboard ® , Flametec ® , Designboard ® , Corrtec, Timberline ® , and Scranton Products ® brand names including Aria Partitions ® , Eclipse Partitions ® , Hiny Hiders ® partitions, Tufftec Lockers ® and Duralife Lockers ® . Secondary Offerings On January 26, 2021, the Company completed an offering of 23,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $ 0.001 per share, including the exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase up to 3,000,000 additional shares of Class A common stock, at a public offering price of $ 40.00 per share. The shares were sold by certain of the Selling Stockholders. The Company did not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares by those Selling Stockholders. In connection with the offering, the Company incurred approximately $ 1.2 million in expenses. On June 1, 2021, the Company completed an offering of 17,250,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $ 0.001 per share, including the exercise in full by the underwriters of their option to purchase up to 2,250,000 additional shares of Class A common stock, at a public offering price of $ 43.50 per share. The shares were sold by certain of the Selling Stockholders. The Company did not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares by those Selling Stockholders. In connection with the offering, the Company incurred approximately $ 1.1 million in expenses. During the three months ended June 30, 2023, the Company completed an offering of 16,100,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $ 0.001 per share, including the exercise in full by the underwriter of its option to purchase up to 2,100,000 additional shares of Class A common stock, at a public offering price of $ 24.36 per share. The shares were sold by certain of the Selling Stockholders. The Company did not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares by those Selling Stockholders. In connection with the offering the Company incurred approximately $ 1.1 million in expenses. In connection with the offering, the Company agreed to purchase from the underwriter 1,477,832 shares of its Class A common stock being sold by the Selling Stockholders to the underwriter at a price per share equal to the price being paid by the underwriter to the Selling Stockholders, resulting in an aggregate purchase price of approximately $ 36.0 million. b. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The Company operates on a fiscal year ending September 30. The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements and notes have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Consolidated Financial Statements include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s financial condition and results of operations are affected by a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the cost to manufacture and distribute products, cost of raw materials, inflation, consumer spending and preferences, interest rates, the impact of any supply chain disruptions, economic conditions, and/or any adverse effects from global health pandemics, geopolitical conflicts and other factors beyond the Company’s control. Management cannot predict the degree to, or the period over, which the Company may be affected by such factors. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates include revenue recognition, reserves for excess inventory, inventory obsolescence, inventory valuation, product warranties, customer rebates, stock-based compensation, litigation, income taxes, contingent consideration, goodwill and intangible asset valuation and accounting for long-lived assets. Management’s estimates and assumptions are evaluated on an ongoing basis and are based on historical experience, current conditions and available information. Actual results may differ from estimated amounts. Estimates are revised as additional information becomes available. Seasonality Although the Company generally has demand for its products throughout the year, its sales have historically experienced some seasonality. The Company has typically experienced higher levels of sales of its residential products in the second fiscal quarter of the year as a result of its “early buy” sales, which encourages dealers to stock its residential products. The Company has generally experienced lower levels of sales of residential products in the first fiscal quarter due to adverse weather conditions in certain markets during the winter season. Although its products can be installed year-round, weather conditions can impact the timing of the sales of certain products. In addition, the Company has experienced higher levels of sales of its bathroom partition products and its locker products during the second half of its fiscal year, which includes the summer months when schools are typically closed and therefore are more likely to undergo remodel activities. Revenue Recognition The Company sells its products to residential and commercial markets. The Company’s Residential segment principally generates revenue from the manufacture and sale of its premium, low-maintenance composite decking, railing, trim, moulding, pergolas and cabanas and accessories. The Company’s Commercial segment generates revenue from the sale of its partition and locker systems along with plastic sheeting and other non-fabricated products for special applications in industrial markets. The Company recognizes revenues when control of the promised goods is transferred to the Company’s customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods, at a point in time, when shipping occurs. Each product the Company transfers to the customer is considered one performance obligation. The Company has elected to account for shipping and handling costs as activities to fulfill the promise to transfer the goods. As a result of this accounting policy election, the Company does not consider shipping and handling activities as promised services to its customers. Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are recorded in net sales. The Company records all shipping and handling costs as “Cost of sales”. Customer contracts are typically fixed price and short-term in nature. The transaction price is based on the product specifications and is determined at the time of order. The Company does not engage in contracts greater than one year, and therefore does not have any incremental costs capitalized as of September 30, 2023 or September 30, 2022. The Company may offer various sales incentive programs throughout the year. It estimates the amount of sales incentive to allocate to each performance obligation, or product shipped, using the most-likely-amount method of estimation, based on sales to the direct customer or sell-through customer. The estimate is updated each reporting period and any changes are allocated to the performance obligations on the same basis as at inception. Changes in estimate allocated to a previously satisfied performance obligation are recognized as part of net revenue in the period in which the change occurs under the cumulative catch-up method. In addition to sales incentive programs, the Company may offer a payment discount, if payments are received within 30 days. The Company estimates the payment discount that it believes will be taken by the customer based on prior history and using the most-likely-amount method of estimation. The Company believes the most-likely-amount method best predicts the amount of consideration to which it will be entitled. The payment discounts are also reflected as part of net revenue. The total amount of incentives were $ 132.6 million , $ 105.8 million and $ 92.5 million for the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company records deferred revenue when cash payments are received or due in advance of the Company’s performance. Earnings Per Share Basic net income per common share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Potentially dilutive shares are included in the diluted per-share calculations using the treasury stock method for the periods in fiscal year 2020 when the effect of their inclusion is dilutive. Refer to Note 15 for additional information. Advertising Costs Advertising costs primarily relate to trade publication advertisements, cooperative advertising, product brochures and samples. Such costs are expensed as incurred and are included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Total advertising expenses were approximately $ 62.2 million , $ 52.5 million and $ 37.8 million for the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021 , respectively. Research and Development Costs Research and development costs primarily relate to new product development, product claims support and manufacturing process improvements. Such costs are expensed as incurred and are included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Total research and development expenses were approximately $ 9.2 million , $ 9.5 million , and $ 7.4 million , for the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021 , respectively. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers cash and highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates or equals fair value due to their short-term nature. Concentrations and Credit Risk The Company’s financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. As of September 30, 2023, cash and cash equivalents were maintained at major financial institutions in the United States, and current deposits are in excess of insured limits. The Company believes these institutions have sufficient assets and liquidity to conduct their operations in the ordinary course of business with little or no credit risk to the Company. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. Sales to certain Residential segment distributors accounted for 10 % or more of the Company’s total net sales in 2023, 2022 and 2021 were as follows: Years Ended September 30, 2023 2022 2021 Distributor A 18.7 % 19.3 % 23.3 % At September 30, 2023 , receivables from one customer represented 17.2 % of gross trade receivables. At September 30, 2022 , two customers each represented more than 10 % of gross trade receivables: Customer A was 10.6 % and Customer B was 14.8 %. For each year ended September 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021 , approximately 17 %, 16 % and 18 %, respectively, of the Company’s materials purchases were purchased from its largest supplier. Allowance for losses The Company routinely assesses the financial strength of its customers and believes that its trade receivables credit risk exposure is limited. The allowance for losses is our estimate of credit losses associated with trade receivables balances. An estimate of expected credit losses is recognized as a valuation allowance and adjusted each reporting period. The estimate is based on the current expected credit loss model and is determined by management in the course of regularly evaluating individual customer receivables. This evaluation takes into consideration a customer’s financial condition and credit history, as well as current economic conditions. Amounts are written-off if and when they are determined to be uncollectible. Inventories Inventories (mainly petrochemical resin in raw materials and finished goods), are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value and are reduced for slow-moving and obsolete inventory. Management assesses the need for, and the amount of, obsolescence write-down based on customer demand of the item, the quantity of the item on hand and the length of time the item has been in inventory. Further, management also considers net realizable value in assessing inventory balances. Inventory costs include those costs directly attributable to products, including all manufacturing overhead but excluding costs to distribute. The inventories cost is recorded at standard cost, which approximates actual cost, on the first-in first-out basis (“FIFO”). During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022, the Company updated the process by which it estimates the value of its inventory. This included updating the assumptions that are used in determining and treating certain capitalized costs, primarily by incorporating the impacts of changes in the amount of recycled content introduced into the Company’s products since its last standard costing revaluation. Vendor Rebates Certain vendor rebates and incentives are earned by the Company only when specified levels of periodic purchases are achieved. These vendor rebates are recognized based on a systematic and rational allocation of the cash consideration offered in respect of each of the underlying transactions, provided the amounts are probable and reasonably estimable. The Company records the incentives as a reduction in the cost of inventory. The Company records such incentives during interim periods based on actual results achieved on a year-to-date basis and its expectation that purchase levels will be obtained to earn the rebate. Customer Rebates The Company offers rebates to customers based on total amounts purchased by each customer during each calendar year. The Company provides for the estimated cost of rebates at the time revenue is recognized based on rebate program rates and anticipated sales to each customer eligible for rebates and other available information. Management reviews and adjusts these estimates, if necessary, based on the differences between actual experience and historical estimates. Refer to Note 2 for additional information. Product Warranties The Company provides product assurance warranties of various lengths and terms to certain customers based on standard terms and conditions. The Company provides for the estimated cost of warranties at the time revenue is recognized based on management’s judgment, considering such factors as cost per claim, historical experience, anticipated rates of claims, and other available information. Management reviews and adjusts these estimates, if necessary, based on the differences between actual experience and historical estimates. Refer to Note 8 for additional information. Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”) is recorded at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Major additions and betterments are capitalized while repair and/or maintenance expenses are charged to operations when incurred. Construction in progress is also recorded at cost and includes capitalized interest, if material. Depreciation for financial reporting purposes is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives of the assets: Land improvements 10 years Building and improvements 7 - 40 years Manufacturing equipment 1 - 15 years Office furniture and equipment 3 - 12 years Vehicles 5 years Computer equipment 3 - 7 years Leasehold improvements are recorded at cost and depreciated over the standard life of the type of asset or the remaining life of the lease, whichever is shorter. Equipment held under capital leases is stated at the lower of the fair value of the asset or the net present value of the future minimum lease payments at the inception of the lease. For equipment held under capital leases, depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the leased assets or the related lease term and is included within depreciation expense. PP&E is evaluated for impairment at the asset group level. If a triggering event suggests that a potential impairment has occurred, recoverability of these assets is assessed by evaluating whether or not future estimated undiscounted net cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the assets. If the estimated cash flows are less than the carrying amount, the assets are written down to their fair value through an impairment loss recognized as a non-cash component of “Operating income (loss)” within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. The Company did not record an impairment charge for the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021. During the year ended September 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized losses on disposal of fixed assets in the ordinary course of business of $ 0.2 million , $ 0.5 million and $ 1.0 million , respectively, the losses related to assets in the Residential segment. These losses are classified as “Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment” in a separate caption within the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income within “Operating income”. Leases Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The discount rate used to calculate the present value represents our incremental borrowing rate and is calculated based on the treasury yield curve commensurate with the term of each lease, and a spread representative of our borrowing costs. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Leases may be classified as either operating leases or finance leases. We have made an accounting policy election to not include leases with an initial term of 12 months or less on the balance sheet. See Note 9—Leases for additional information. Goodwill The Company accounts for goodwill as the excess of the purchase price over the net amount of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination measured at fair value. The Company assigns goodwill to six reporting units based on which reporting unit is expected to benefit from the business combination as of the acquisition date. Goodwill is not subject to amortization; rather, the Company tests goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth fiscal quarter ended September 30 or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change in the interim that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the asset below the carrying amount. The impairment evaluation may begin with a qualitative assessment of the factors that could impact the significant inputs used to estimate fair value to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount or the Company may elect to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed to a quantitative assessment to determine if goodwill is impaired. In quantitative impairment tests, if the estimated fair value of a reporting unit exceeds the carrying value, the Company considers that goodwill is not impaired. If the carrying value exceeds estimated fair value, there is an impairment of goodwill and an impairment loss is recorded. The Company calculates the impairment loss by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit less the carrying amount, including goodwill. Goodwill impairment would be limited to the carrying value of the goodwill. In performing the quantitative test, the Company measures the fair value of the reporting units to which goodwill is allocated using an income-based approach, a generally accepted valuation methodology, and relevant data available through the testing date. Under the income approach, fair value is determined using a discounted cash flow method, projecting future cash flows of each reporting unit, as well as a terminal value, and discounting such cash flows at a rate of return that reflects the relative risk of the cash flows. The key assumptions and factors used in this approach include, but are not limited to, revenue growth rates and profit margins based on internal Company forecasts, discount rates, perpetuity growth rates, future capital expenditures, and working capital requirements, among others, and a review of comparable market multiples for the industry segment as well as historical operating trends for the Company. The Company completed the annual goodwill impairment tests as of August 1, 2023, 2022 and 2021 , using a quantitative assessment for all six of the reporting units, a qualitative assessment for five reporting units and a quantitative assessment for one of the reporting units, and a qualitative assessment for three reporting units and a quantitative assessment for one of the reporting units, respectively. As a result of these respective annual assessments, the Company noted that the fair value of each reporting unit was determined to be in excess of the carrying value and as such, there were no impairment charges for the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021 . Refer to Note 5 for additional information. Intangible Assets, Net Amortizable intangible assets include proprietary knowledge, trademarks, customer relationships and other intangible assets. The Company does not have any indefinite lived intangible assets other than goodwill. The intangible assets are being amortized on an accelerated basis using the sum of the years’ digits method over their estimated useful lives, which range from 3 to 20 years, reflecting the pattern in which the economic benefits are consumed or otherwise used up. The Company evaluates whether events or circumstances have occurred that warrant a revision to the remaining useful lives of intangible assets. In cases where a revision is deemed appropriate, the remaining carrying amounts of the intangible assets are amortized over the revised remaining useful lives. The Company evaluates amortizable intangible assets for potential impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be fully recoverable. If a triggering event suggests that a potential impairment has occurred, recoverability of these assets is assessed by evaluating the probability that future estimated undiscounted net cash flows will be less than the carrying amount of the long-lived assets. If the estimated cash flows are less than the carrying amount of the long-lived assets, the assets are written down to their fair value through an impairment loss recognized as a non-cash component of “Operating income (loss)”. The Company did not record an impairment charge for the years ended September 30, 2023, 2022 and 2021 . Refer to Note 5 for additional information. Deferred Financing Costs, Net The Company has recorded deferred financing costs incurred in conjunction with its debt obligations. The Company amortizes debt issuance costs over the remaining life of the related debt using the straight-line method for the Revolving Credit Facility and the effective interest method for other debt. Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization, are presented as “Other assets” (non-current) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, insofar as they relate to the Revolving Credit Facility. Deferred financing costs related to the 2022 Term Loan Agreement are recorded as a reduction of “Long-term debt – less current portion” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Refer to Note 7 for additional information. Stock-Based Compensation The Company determines the expense for all employee stock-based compensation awards by estimating their fair value and recognizing such value as an expense, on a straight-line, ratable or cliff basis, depending on the award, in the Consolidated Financial Statements over the requisite service period in which employees earn the awards. The Company estimates the fair value for service-based awards granted to employees using the Black Scholes pricing model. The fair value of performance-based awards that are expected to vest is recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. The fair value of service-based awards that are expected to vest is recognized as compensation expense on either (1) straight-line basis, (2) a ratable vesting basis or (3) a cliff vesting basis. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur. To determine the fair value of a stock-based award using Black Scholes models, the Company makes assumptions regarding the risk-free interest rate, expected future volatility, expected dividend yield and performance period. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The Company estimates the expected volatility of the share price by reviewing the estimated post-IPO volatility levels of its common stock in conjunction with the historical volatility levels of public companies that operate in similar industries or are similar in terms of stage of development or size and then projecting this information toward its future expected volatility. The Company exercises judgment in selecting these companies, as well as in evaluating the available historical and implied volatility for these companies. Dividend yield is determined based on the Company’s future plans to pay dividends. The Company calculates the performance period based on the specific market condition to be achieved and derived from estimates of future performance. The Company calculates the expected term in years for each stock option using a simplified method based on the average of each option’s vesting term and original contractual term. The simplified method is used due to the lack of sufficient historical data available to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate the expected term of each stock option. Refer to Note 13 for additional information. Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amounts for the Company’s financial instruments classified as current assets and liabilities, including cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable and accrued expenses and accounts payable, approximate fair value due to their short maturities. Fair value is estimated by applying the following hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement: Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2—Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 3—Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability . Refer to Note 10 for additional information. Derivatives The Company uses interest rate swap agreements to hedge its exposure to interest rate risk on its senior secured credit facilities. The Company designates derivatives that meet specific accounting criteria as qualifying hedges at inception. These criteria require the Company to have the expectation that the derivative will be highly effective at offsetting changes in the fair value or expected cash flows of the hedged exposure, both at inception of the hedging relationship and on an ongoing basis. The Company recognizes all derivative instruments at fair value and classifies them on the balance sheet as either Other current assets, Other assets, Accrued expenses and other liabilities or Other non-current liabilities. The interest rate swap agreements are designated as cash flow hedges. For cash flow hedges, the Company records the effective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative as part of Accumulated other comprehensive income and recognizes those changes in earnings in the period the hedged transaction affects earnings. The Company recognizes any ineffective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative immediately in earnings. See Note 10 for additional information. Income Taxes Income taxes are provided on income reported for financial statement purposes, adjusted for permanent differences between financial statement reporting and income tax regulations. A valuation allowance is established whenever management believes that it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets may not be realizable. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which the deferred tax assets or liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. The realization of the net deferred tax assets is primarily dependent on estimated future taxable income. A change in the Company’s estimate of future taxable income may require an increase or decrease in the valuation allowance. A liability for uncertain tax positions is recorded whenever management believes it is not more-likely than-not the position will be sustained on examination based solely on its technical merits. Interest and penalties related to underpayment of income taxes are classified as income tax expense. It is inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts, as the Company has to determine the probability of various possible outcomes. The Company reevaluates these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. This evaluation is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, effectively settled issues under audit, voluntary settlements and new audit activity. Such a change in recognition or measurement would result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision. Revision of Previously Filed Quarterly Reports During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023, the Company identified an error in its statement of cash flows related to classification of contingent consideration payments in connection with a recent acquisition. In the six and nine month periods ended March 31, 2023 and June 30, 2023, the Company classified such payments made more than three months from the date of the acquisition of $ 1.0 million and $ 5.8 million, respectively, within the operating activities section as opposed to within the financing activities section of the statement of cash flows. The Company evaluated the impact of the errors individually and in the aggregate on its previously issued financial statements, from both a qualitative and a quantitative perspective, and concluded that the errors were not material to any of the prior periods or to the current period financial statements. The Company determined that it will be appropriate to revise t |