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INVENTORIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
INVENTORIES [Abstract]  
INVENTORIES
NOTE 3, INVENTORIES:

Inventories are measured using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of valuation because it results in a better matching of current costs and revenues. The excess of current costs over our carrying value of inventories was approximately $18,737,000 and $18,996,000 at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The use of the LIFO valuation method as compared to the FIFO method had a positive impact on our cost of goods sold of approximately $259,000 in 2013, and a negative impact of $886,000 in 2012 and $250,000 in 2011.  During 2013 and 2011, inventory quantities declined resulting in liquidations of LIFO inventory layers.  The effect of the liquidations (included in the preceding LIFO impact amounts) decreased cost of goods sold by an immaterial amount in 2013 and approximately $211,000 or $0.01 per diluted share of common stock in 2011.  We believe this information is meaningful to the users of these consolidated financial statements for analyzing the effects of price changes, for better understanding our financial position and for comparing such effects with other companies.