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INVENTORIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
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 $19,394,000 and $18,956,000 at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The use of the LIFO valuation method as compared to the FIFO method had a negative impact on our cost of goods sold of approximately $438,000 in 2015 and $219,000 in 2014 and a positive impact of $259,000 in 2013.  During 2015 and 2013, 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 each of the years.  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.