Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Goodwill

v3.19.3
Goodwill
12 Months Ended
Sep. 28, 2019
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Goodwill Goodwill
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the fiscal years ended September 28, 2019September 29, 2018 and September 30, 2017 (in thousands):  
 
Garden Products
Segment
 
Pet Products
Segment
 
Total
Balance as of September 24, 2016





Goodwill
$
219,056


$
421,890


$
640,946

Accumulated impairment losses
(213,583
)

(195,978
)

(409,561
)
Balance as of
5,473


225,912


231,385

Additions in fiscal 2017


25,890


25,890

Write off related to sale of business


(1,000
)

(1,000
)
Balance as of September 30, 2017





Goodwill
219,056


446,780


665,836

Accumulated impairment losses
(213,583
)

(195,978
)

(409,561
)

5,473


250,802


256,275

Additions in fiscal 2018
7,415


17,487


24,902

Balance as of September 29, 2018





Goodwill
226,471


464,267


690,738

Accumulated impairment losses
(213,583
)

(195,978
)

(409,561
)

12,888


268,289


281,177

Additions in fiscal 2019
4,900




4,900

Balance as of September 28, 2019





Goodwill
231,371


464,267


695,638

Accumulated impairment losses
(213,583
)

(195,978
)

(409,561
)

$
17,788


$
268,289


$
286,077


Additions or reductions to goodwill include acquisitions, sale of businesses, purchase price adjustments and adjustments of amounts upon finalization of purchase accounting.
The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually (as of the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter), or whenever events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If it is determined that it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, it is unnecessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the two-step test is performed to identify potential goodwill impairment. Based on certain circumstances, the Company may elect to bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to performing the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test, which compares the fair value of the Company’s reporting units to their related carrying values, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company performs an additional step to determine the implied fair value of goodwill associated with that reporting unit. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by first allocating the fair value of the reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities and then computing the excess of the reporting unit’s fair value over the amounts assigned to the assets and liabilities. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, such excess represents the amount of goodwill impairment, and, accordingly, the Company recognizes such impairment. The Company’s goodwill impairment analysis also includes a comparison of the aggregate estimated fair value of its two reporting units to the Company’s total market capitalization.
Determining the fair value of a reporting unit involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. The estimate of fair value of each of the Company’s reporting units is based on the Company’s projection of revenues, gross margin, operating costs and cash flows considering historical and estimated future results, general economic and market conditions as well as the impact of planned business and operational strategies. The Company bases its fair value estimates on assumptions the Company believes to be reasonable at the time, but such assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainty. Assumptions critical to the Company’s fair value estimates were: (i) discount rates used in determining the fair value of the reporting units; (ii) estimated future cash flows; and (iii) projected revenue and operating profit growth rates used in the reporting unit models. Actual results may differ from those estimates. The valuations employ present value techniques to measure fair value and consider market factors.
In connection with the Company’s annual goodwill impairment testing performed during fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, the Company made a qualitative evaluation about the likelihood of goodwill impairment to determine whether it was necessary to calculate the fair values of its reporting units under the two-step goodwill impairment test. The Company completed its qualitative assessment of potential goodwill impairment in each fiscal year and it was determined that it was more likely than not the fair values of the Company's reporting units were greater than their carrying amounts in each fiscal year, and accordingly, no further testing of goodwill was required in fiscal 2019 and 2018.