FULLER H B CO Revenue Disclosure
Note 10: Revenue
Revenue Recognition
We sell a variety of adhesives, sealants and other specialty chemical products to a diverse customer base. The vast majority of our arrangements contain a single performance obligation to transfer manufactured goods to the customer as governed by an individual purchase order.
We recognize revenue at the amount of consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for transferring the promised goods to the customer. The transaction price includes an estimation of any variable amounts of consideration to which we will be entitled. The most common forms of variable consideration within our arrangements are customer rebates, which are recorded as a reduction to revenue at the time of the initial sale using the expected value method. The expected value method is the sum of probability-weighted amounts in a range of possible consideration amounts and is based on a consideration of historical, current and forecast information. Changes in estimates are updated each reporting period. There are no material instances where variable consideration is constrained and not recorded at the initial time of sale. Product returns are recorded as a reduction to revenue based on historical experience and anticipated sales returns that occur in the normal course of business. We primarily have assurance-type warranties that do not result in separate performance obligations. We have elected to present revenue net of sales taxes and other similar taxes.
We recognize revenue when control of goods is transferred to the customer. For the vast majority of our arrangements, control transfers at a point in time either upon shipment or upon delivery of the goods to the customer. The timing of transfer of control is determined considering the timing of the transfer of legal title, physical possession, and risks and rewards of goods to the customer.
We record shipping and handling revenue in net revenues and outbound shipping and handling costs in cost of goods sold. The majority of our shipping and handling activities are performed prior to transfer of control of the goods to the customer. For those arrangements where we provide shipping and handling services after control of the goods has transferred to the customer, we have elected the practical expedient allowed under ASC 606 to account for these activities as a fulfillment cost rather than as a separate performance obligation. Election of this practical expedient resulted in an increase in the balance of retained earnings of $1,776 at the beginning of fiscal 2019. Based on an analysis of the financial statement line items affected in the application of ASU No. 2014-09 as compared with previous reporting, the Company has determined that the quantitative changes to each financial statement line item are not material. As a result, for the year ended November 30, 2019, the Company is not disclosing the quantitative amount by which each financial statement line item is affected in the current reporting by the application of this ASU as compared with the guidance that was in effect before the change.
Practical Expedients Elected
We have elected the following practical expedients allowable under ASC 606:
| - |
Election to present revenue net of sales taxes and other similar taxes |
| - |
Election to account for shipping and handling services performed after control has transferred to the customer as fulfillment activities |
Disaggregated Revenue Information
We view the following disaggregation of revenue by product type as useful to understanding the composition of revenue recognized during year ended November 30, 2019, December 1, 2018 and December 2, 2017:
| November 30, 2019 |
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| Americas |
Asia |
Construction |
Engineering |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Adhesives |
EIMEA |
Pacific |
Adhesives |
Adhesives |
Total |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Durable assembly |
$ | 277,759 | $ | 249,482 | $ | 66,366 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 593,607 | ||||||||||||
| Hygiene |
128,527 | 175,857 | 113,144 | - | - | 417,528 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Packaging |
284,100 | 125,820 | 55,941 | - | - | 465,861 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Paper and other |
332,389 | 89,754 | 36,134 | - | - | 458,277 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Construction |
- | - | - | 394,912 | - | 394,912 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Engineering |
- | - | - | - | 566,815 | 566,815 | ||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 1,022,775 | $ | 640,913 | $ | 271,585 | $ | 394,912 | $ | 566,815 | $ | 2,897,000 | |||||||||||||
| December 1, 2018 |
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| Americas |
Asia |
Construction |
Engineering |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Adhesives |
EIMEA |
Pacific |
Adhesives |
Adhesives |
Total |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Durable assembly |
$ | 287,520 | $ | 275,294 | $ | 67,083 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 629,897 | ||||||||||||
| Hygiene |
129,628 | 191,008 | 115,687 | - | - | 436,323 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Packaging |
286,979 | 133,077 | 55,232 | - | - | 475,288 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Paper and other |
347,238 | 98,069 | 40,160 | - | - | 485,467 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Construction |
- | - | - | 452,046 | - | 452,046 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Engineering |
- | - | - | - | 561,981 | 561,981 | ||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 1,051,365 | $ | 697,448 | $ | 278,162 | $ | 452,046 | $ | 561,981 | $ | 3,041,002 | |||||||||||||
| December 2, 2017 |
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| Americas |
Asia |
Construction |
Engineering |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Adhesives |
EIMEA |
Pacific |
Adhesives |
Adhesives |
Total |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Durable assembly |
$ | 250,699 | $ | 171,731 | $ | 61,253 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 483,683 | ||||||||||||
| Hygiene |
131,150 | 179,249 | 108,777 | - | - | 419,176 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Packaging |
280,775 | 120,275 | 54,408 | - | - | 455,458 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Paper and other |
240,153 | 93,184 | 40,258 | - | - | 373,595 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Construction |
- | - | - | 260,466 | - | 260,466 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Engineering |
- | - | - | - | 313,665 | 313,665 | ||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 902,777 | $ | 564,439 | $ | 264,696 | $ | 260,466 | $ | 313,665 | $ | 2,306,043 | |||||||||||||
About Revenue Disclosures
Revenue disclosures under ASC 606 explain how a company identifies performance obligations, allocates transaction prices, and determines when revenue is recognized. This section is essential for understanding whether reported revenue reflects genuine economic activity or aggressive accounting choices. Analysts examine the mix of point-in-time versus over-time recognition, which directly affects revenue timing and comparability.
Key signals: rising contract liabilities (deferred revenue) suggest strong future revenue visibility, while declining contract assets may indicate slowing project milestones. Watch for variable consideration estimates — rebates, returns, and performance bonuses that require management judgment. Significant changes in disaggregated revenue by geography or product line can reveal shifting business mix before it appears in headline numbers. Compare revenue growth against contract liability growth to assess sustainability, and scrutinize any changes in the timing of recognition that coincide with earnings pressure.