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Inventories
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Inventories [Abstract]  
INVENTORIES
3. INVENTORIES

Inventories (at LIFO value) consist of the following as of December 31 (in thousands):

 

                 
    2012     2011  

Finished goods

  $ 23,172     $ 29,980  

Raw materials

    18,068       27,134  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total FIFO inventories

    41,240       57,114  

Reserve to adjust inventories to LIFO value

    (23,719     (28,218
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total LIFO inventories

  $ 17,521     $ 28,896  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Inventory is stated at the lower of LIFO cost or net realizable value. The Company periodically reviews its inventory for slow moving or obsolete items and writes down the related products to estimated net realizable value.

During the year ended December 31, 2012, due to the liquidation of inventories, a portion of the Company’s cost of sales is based on prior year costs rather than current year costs. As a result, the Company recognized a benefit of $4.5 million in 2012. The effect of the liquidation of inventories in 2011 and 2010 on the Company’s cost of sales was immaterial.