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Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011
Significant Accounting Policies/Other Financial Statement Information [Abstract] |
Significant Accounting Policies | Note A—Significant Accounting Policies Nature of Operations Preformed Line Products Company and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is a designer and manufacturer of products and systems employed in the construction and maintenance of overhead and underground networks for the energy, telecommunication, cable operators, data communication and other similar industries. The Company’s primary products support, protect, connect, terminate and secure cables and wires. The Company also provides solar hardware systems and mounting hardware for a variety of solar power applications. The Company’s customers include public and private energy utilities and communication companies, cable operators, governmental agencies, contractors and subcontractors, distributors and value-added resellers. The Company serves its worldwide markets through strategically located domestic and international manufacturing facilities. Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries where ownership is greater than 50%. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation. Noncontrolling Interests During 2011, the Company acquired the remaining 50% of BlueSky joint venture from BlueSky Energy Pty Ltd. During 2010, the Company acquired the remaining 3.86% of Belos SA (Belos) shares, a Polish company, for a total ownership interest of 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of Belos. The Company includes Belos and the BlueSky joint venture accounts in its consolidated financial statements, and the noncontrolling interests in Belos and BlueSky, previously, are reported in the Noncontrolling interests lines of the Statements of Consolidated Income and the Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively. Investments in Foreign Joint Ventures Investments in joint ventures, where the Company owns between 20% and 50%, or where the Company does not have control but has the ability to exercise significant influence over operations or financial policies, are accounted for by the equity method. During 2009, the Company acquired a 33.3% investment in Proxisafe Ltd., located in Calgary, Alberta. The Company accounts for its joint venture interest in Proxisafe accounts using the equity method. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash equivalents are stated at fair value and consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of acquisition. Receivable Allowances The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. The allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable is based upon the number of days the accounts are past due, the current business environment, and specific information such as bankruptcy or liquidity issues of customers. The Company also maintains an allowance for sales returns related to sales recorded during the year. The estimated allowance is based on historical sales credits issued in the subsequent year related to the prior year and any significant open return good authorizations as of the balance sheet date. Inventories The Company uses the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method of determining cost for the majority of its material portion of inventories in PLP-USA. All other inventories are determined by the first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost methods. Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market. Fair Value of Financial Instruments Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 825, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, requires disclosures of the fair value of financial instruments. The carrying value of the Company’s current financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term debt, approximates its fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. At December 31, 2011, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt was estimated using discounted cash flow analysis, based on the Company’s current incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements. Based on the analysis performed, the carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt approximates fair value at December 31, 2011. Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation Property, plant, and equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation for the domestic and international operation’s assets is computed using the straight line method over the estimated useful lives. The estimated useful lives used, when purchased new, are: land improvements, ten years; buildings, forty years; building improvements, five to forty years; and machinery and equipment, three to ten years. Appropriate reductions in estimated useful lives are made for property, plant and equipment purchased in connection with an acquisition of a business or in a used condition when purchased. Long-Lived Assets The Company records impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets might be impaired and the discounted future cash flows estimated to be generated by such assets are less than the carrying value. The Company’s cash flows are based on historical results adjusted to reflect the Company’s best estimate of future market and operating conditions. The net carrying value of assets not recoverable is then reduced to fair value. The estimates of fair value represent the Company’s best estimate based on industry trends and reference to market rates and transactions. The Company did not record any impairments to long-lived assets during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. Goodwill and Other Intangibles Goodwill and other intangible assets generally result from business acquisitions. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not subject to amortization, but are subject to annual impairment testing. Intangible assets with definite lives, consisting primarily of purchased customer relationships, patents, technology, customer backlogs, trademarks and land use rights, are generally amortized over periods from less than one year to twenty years. The Company’s intangible assets with finite lives are generally amortized using a projected cash flow basis method over their useful lives unless another method was demonstrated to be more appropriate. Customer relationships and trademark intangibles acquired in 2009 are amortized using a projected cash flow basis method over the period in which the economic benefits of the intangibles are consumed. Customer relationships, technology and trademarks acquired in July 2010 are being amortized using the straight-line method over their useful lives. This method was more appropriate because it better reflected the pattern in which the economic benefits of the intangible asset are consumed or otherwise expire compared to using a projected cash flow basis method. An evaluation of the remaining useful life of intangible assets with a determinable life is performed on a periodic basis and when events and circumstances warrant an evaluation. The Company assesses intangible assets with a determinable life for impairment consistent with its policy for assessing other long-lived assets. Goodwill and other intangible assets are also reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may be impaired, or in the case of finite lived intangible assets, when the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Events or circumstances that would result in an impairment review primarily include operations reporting losses or a significant change in the use of an asset. Impairment charges are recognized pursuant to FASB ASC 350-20, Goodwill. The Company did not record any impairments for goodwill or other intangibles during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. The Company performs the annual impairment test for goodwill utilizing a discounted cash flow methodology, market comparables, and an overall market capitalization reasonableness test in computing fair value by reporting unit. We then compare the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value to assess if goodwill has been impaired. Based on the assumptions as to growth, discount rates and the weighting used for each respective valuation methodology, results of the valuations could be significantly changed. However, we believe that the methodologies and weightings used are reasonable and result in appropriate fair values of the reporting units. The Company has performed its annual impairment testing of goodwill as of January 1 since the adoption of the applicable guidance, now codified in ASC 350, “Intangibles — Goodwill and other.” During the quarter ended December 31, 2011, the Company voluntarily changed the date of its annual goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test from the first day of the first quarter (January 1) to the first day of the fourth quarter (October 1). The Company determined that this change is preferable under the circumstances as it (1) better aligns with the Company’s annual business planning and budgeting process and (2) provides the Company with additional time to prepare and complete the impairment test, including measurement of any indicated impairment, as necessary, prior to issuance of the year-end financial statements. This voluntary change in accounting principle was not made to delay, accelerate or avoid an impairment charge. This change is not applied retrospectively as it is impracticable to do so because retrospective application would require the application of significant estimates and assumptions with the use of hindsight. Accordingly, the change will be applied prospectively. The Company performed its annual impairment tests for goodwill as of January 1, 2011 and October 1, 2011, and determined that no adjustment to the carrying value was required. There were no trigger events during 2011 and as such, only the annual impairment tests were performed. Sales Recognition Sales are recognized when products are shipped, with no right of return, and the title and risk of loss has passed to unaffiliated customers or when they are delivered based on the terms of the sale, there is persuasive evidence of an agreement, the price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Revenue related to shipping and handling costs billed to customers are included in net sales and the related shipping and handling costs are included in cost of products sold. Research and Development Research and development costs for new products are expensed as incurred and totaled $2.4 million in 2011, $1.7 million in 2010 and $2.3 million in 2009. Income Taxes Income taxes are computed in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes. In the Consolidated Financial Statements, the benefits of a consolidated return have been reflected where such returns have or could be filed based on the entities and jurisdictions included in the financial statements. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been reflected on the Consolidated Financial Statements. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the differences between the book and tax bases of particular assets and liabilities and operating loss carryforwards using tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided to offset deferred tax assets if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Advertising Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and totaled $1.8 million in 2011, $1.6 million in 2010 and $1.4 million in 2009. Foreign Currency Translation Asset and liability accounts are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the date of the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The translation adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Revenues and expenses are translated at weighted average exchange rates in effect during the period. Transaction gains and losses arising from exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in income and expense as incurred. Aggregate transaction gains and losses for the periods ended December 31, 2011, 2010, and 2009 were a $1.2 million loss, $2.4 million gain and a $.6 milllion gain, respectively. Upon sale or substantially complete liquidation of an investment in a foreign entity, the cumulative translation adjustment for that entity is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Business Combinations The Company accounts for acquisitions in accordance with ASC 805, which includes provisions that were adopted effective January 1, 2009. Derivative Financial Instruments The Company does not hold derivatives for trading purposes. Reclassifications Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In October 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued accounting standards updates (ASU) No. 2009-13, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements—a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force (ASU 2009-13). ASU 2009-13 addresses the accounting for sales arrangements that include multiple products or services by revising the criteria for when deliverables may be accounted for separately rather than as a combined unit. Specifically, this guidance establishes a selling price hierarchy for determining the selling price of a deliverable, which is necessary to separately account for each product or service. This hierarchy provides more options for establishing selling price than existing guidance. ASU 2009-13 is required to be applied prospectively to new or materially modified revenue arrangements beginning on or after January 1, 2011. The adoption of ASU 2009-13 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-29, which updates the guidance in FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 805, Business Combinations. The objective of ASU 2010-29 is to address diversity in practice about the interpretation of the pro forma revenue and earnings disclosure requirements for business combinations. The amendments in ASU 2010-29 specify that if a public entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination(s) that occurred during the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. The amendments also expand the supplemental pro forma disclosures to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the reported pro forma revenue and earnings. The amendments affect any public entity as defined by FASB ASC 805 that enters into business combinations that are material on an individual or aggregate basis. The amendments in ASU 2010-29 are effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-28, which updates the guidance in FASB ASC Topic 350, Intangibles—Goodwill & Other. The amendments in ASU 2010-28 affect all entities that have recognized goodwill and have one or more reporting units whose carrying amount for purposes of performing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test is zero or negative. The amendments in ASU 2010-28 modify Step 1 so that for those reporting units, an entity is required to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test if it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. In determining whether it is more likely than not that goodwill impairment exists, an entity should consider whether there are any adverse qualitative factors indicating that impairment may exist. The qualitative factors are consistent with existing guidance, which requires that goodwill of a reporting unit be tested for impairment between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The Company adopted ASU 2010-28 effective January 1, 2011 and it had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Changes to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) are established by the FASB in the form of ASU’s to the FASB’s ASC. The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASU’s. ASU’s not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or have minimal impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations. In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08 which provides an entity the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the current two-step test for goodwill impairment. If an entity believes, as a result of its qualitative assessment, that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is required. Otherwise, no further testing is required. The revised standard is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. However, an entity can choose to early adopt even if its annual test date is before the issuance of the final standard, provided that the entity has not yet performed its 2011 annual impairment test or issued its financial statements. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) to provide a consistent definition of fair value and ensure that fair value measurements and disclosure requirements are similar between GAAP and IFRS. This guidance changes certain fair value measurement principles and enhances the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011 and are applied prospectively. Early application by public entities is not permitted. The Company does not expect adoption of ASU 2011-04 will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, cash flows or disclosures. In June 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income (ASU 2011-05). The amendments in ASU 2011-05 allow an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both instances, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. ASU 2011-05 eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The amendments in ASU 2011-05 do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. However, in December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-12, Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05 (ASU 2011-12), which deferred the guidance on whether to require entities to present reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component in both the statement where net income is presented and the statement where other comprehensive income is presented for both interim and annual financial statements. ASU 2011-12 reinstated the requirements for the presentation of reclassifications that were in place prior to the issuance of ASU 2011-05 and did not change the effective date for ASU 2011-05. For public entities, the amendments in ASU 2011-05 and ASU 2011-12 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, and should be applied retrospectively. The adoption of this guidance concerns disclosure only and will not have an impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

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