Background and Basis of Presentation |
12 Months Ended |
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Mar. 31, 2020 | |
| Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| Background and Basis of Presentation | Background and Basis of Presentation Nature of Operations
James Hardie Industries plc ("JHI plc") manufactures and sells fiber cement, fiber gypsum and cement-bonded building products for interior and exterior building construction applications, primarily in the United States, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, the Philippines and Canada. On 3 April 2018, JHI plc completed the acquisition of German-based XI (DL) Holdings GmbH (n/k/a James Hardie Europe Holdings GmbH) and its subsidiaries (including, but not limited to, Fermacell GmbH (n/k/a James Hardie Europe GmbH)) (collectively, "Fermacell"). Fermacell manufactures and sells fiber gypsum and cement-bonded building products primarily in continental Europe.
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements represent the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of JHI plc and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and variable interest entity (“VIE”). Unless the context indicates otherwise, JHI plc and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries and VIE (as of the time relevant to the applicable reference) are collectively referred to as “James Hardie”, the “James Hardie Group” or the “Company”. The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
COVID-19 Impact In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) characterized the outbreak of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. In response to this declaration, governments have taken certain actions to contain the outbreak and spread of COVID-19. While our plants in Philippines, New Zealand, and Spain were required to close under mandatory government lockdowns, these closures did not materially impact our fourth quarter results. However, the COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken in response thereto are continuing to have a significant adverse effect on many sectors of the economy, including new home building and remodeling activity. Accordingly, we have currently reduced our production capacity to match supply and demand. While this reduction in production is expected to be temporary, the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the actions to contain the pandemic and treat its impacts, and the effects on our operations are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time. Therefore, while we expect the reduced production to negatively impact our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial position, the related financial impact cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.
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