1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Related Data

Basis of Consolidation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Apogee Enterprises, Inc., a Minnesota corporation, and all majority-owned subsidiaries (the Company). Transactions between Apogee and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.

The Company acquired 100 percent of the stock of Glassec Vidros de Segurança Ltda. (Glassec), a privately held business, on November 19, 2010. Glassec's fiscal year ends December 31 and its results are incorporated into the consolidated financial statements on a two-month lag. There were no significant intervening events which would have materially affected our consolidated financial statements had they been recorded during the year ended March 3, 2012. Refer to Note 6 for further information regarding the acquisition of Glassec.

Fiscal Year. Apogee's fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to the last day of February. Fiscal 2012 consisted of 53 weeks while fiscal 2011 and 2010 each consisted of 52 weeks.

Financial Instruments. Unless otherwise noted, the carrying amount of the Company's financial instruments approximates fair value.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. Investments with an original maturity of three months or less are included in cash and cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value, and consist primarily of money market funds.

Investments. The Company has marketable securities consisting of high-quality municipal bonds. The securities are classified as "available for sale" and are carried at fair value based on prices from recent trades of similar securities. The Company tests for other than temporary losses on a quarterly basis and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If a decline in the fair value of a security is deemed by management to be other-than-temporary, the investment is written down to fair value, and the amount of the write-down is included in net earnings.

The Company has investments in money market funds that are considered restricted investments. The short-term restricted investments were required to be made available to cover exposures for letters of credit issued outside of the revolving credit facility and credit-card programs. The long-term restricted investments are restricted for future investment in the Company's architectural glass fabrication facility in Utah. The restricted investments are held at fair value based on quoted market prices.

The Company also has investments in mutual funds as a long-term funding source for the deferred compensation plan. The mutual fund investments are recorded at estimated fair value, based on quoted market prices, and are included in other non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheet

Inventories. Inventories, which consist primarily of purchased glass and aluminum, are valued at the lower of cost or market. Approximately 46 percent of the inventories are valued by use of the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method, which does not exceed market. If the first-in, first-out method had been used, inventories would have been $5.5 million and $6.6 million higher than reported at March 3, 2012, and February 26, 2011, respectively. During fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, inventory quantities were reduced, resulting in a liquidation of LIFO inventory quantities carried at lower costs prevailing in prior years as compared with the cost of current purchases. The effect of inventory liquidations was to increase net income by approximately $0.1 million in fiscal 2012, $0.3 million in fiscal 2011 and $1.1 million in fiscal 2010.

Property, Plant and Equipment. Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Significant improvements and renewals that extend the useful life of the asset are capitalized. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. When property is retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any related gains or losses are included in income as a reduction to or increase in selling, general and administrative expenses. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis, based on the following estimated useful lives:


	Years
Buildings and improvements		15 to 25
Machinery and equipment		3 to 15
Office equipment and furniture		3 to 10

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Goodwill represents the excess of the cost over the net tangible and identified intangible assets of acquired businesses. The Company accounts for goodwill and intangible assets in accordance with applicable accounting standards, and has determined that it does not have any intangible assets with indefinite useful lives other than goodwill. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized, but are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events warrant. Intangible assets with discrete useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives.

The Company tests goodwill of each of its reporting units for impairment annually in connection with its fourth quarter planning process or more frequently if impairment indicators exist. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company completed its annual impairment test using discounted cash flow methodologies for valuing its reporting units as no market comparables were identified. There have not been any material changes in the impairment loss assessment methodology made during the past three fiscal years. The estimates of fair value for the reporting units were found to be in excess of their carrying value, and, therefore, no impairment charge was recorded. The amount by which the estimated fair value of the reporting units exceeded their book value utilizing the discounted cash flow methodology was more than 25 percent at March 3, 2012.

In addition, the Company reassessed the useful lives of its identifiable intangible assets and determined that the remaining lives were appropriate.

Long-Lived Assets. The carrying value of long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, and intangible assets is reviewed when impairment indicators exist as required under generally accepted accounting principles. We consider many factors, including short- and long-term projections of future performance associated with these assets. If this review indicates that the long-lived assets will not be recoverable, the carrying value of such assets will be reduced to estimated fair value.

Self-Insurance. The Company obtains commercial insurance for potential losses for general liability, workers' compensation, automobile liability, employment practices, architect's and engineer's errors and omissions risk, and other miscellaneous coverages. However, a reasonable amount of risk is retained on a self-insured basis primarily through a wholly-owned insurance subsidiary, Prism Assurance, Ltd. (Prism). Reserve requirements are established based on actuarial projections of ultimate losses. Losses estimated to be paid within 12 months are classified as accrued self-insurance reserves, while losses expected to be payable in later periods are included in long-term self-insurance liabilities. Additionally, we maintain a self-insurance reserve for our health insurance programs maintained for the benefit of our eligible employees. We estimate a reserve based on historical levels of amounts incurred but not reported, which is included in accrued self-insurance reserves.

Environmental Liability. In accordance with accounting standards, we recognize environmental clean-up liabilities on an undiscounted basis when loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. The cost of the clean-up is estimated by engineering, financial and legal specialists based on current law. Such estimates are based primarily upon the estimated cost of investigation and remediation required, and the likelihood that, where applicable, other potentially responsible parties will not be able to fulfill their commitments at the sites where the Company may be jointly and severally liable. As part of the acquisition of Tubelite Inc. (Tubelite) in fiscal 2008, the Company acquired property which contains historical environmental conditions that the Company intends to remediate. At March 3, 2012, the reserve was $2.0 million. The reserve for environmental liabilities is included in other accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

Foreign Currency. For foreign operations, the functional currency is the local currency. Assets and liabilities of these operations are translated at the period-end exchange rates and income statement accounts are translated using the average exchange rates prevailing during the year. Translation adjustments are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheets.

Revenue Recognition. Generally, our sales terms are "free on board" (FOB) shipping point or FOB destination for our product-type sales, and revenue is recognized when title has transferred. Revenue excludes sales taxes as the Company considers itself a pass-through conduit for collecting and remitting sales taxes. The Company recognizes revenue from construction contracts on a percentage-of-completion basis, measured by the percentage of costs incurred to date to estimated total costs for each contract, and records that proportion of the total contract revenue in that period. Contract costs include materials, labor and other direct costs related to contract performance. Provisions are established for estimated losses, if any, on uncompleted contracts in the period in which such losses are determined. Amounts representing contract change orders, claims or other items are included in contract revenue only when they have been approved by customers. Approximately 23 percent, 26 percent and 30 percent of our consolidated net sales in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, were recorded on a percentage-of-completion basis.

Pricing and Sales Incentives. The Company records estimated reductions to revenue for customer programs and incentive offerings including pricing arrangements, promotions and other volume-based incentives at the later of the date revenue is recognized or the incentive is offered. Sales incentives given to customers are recorded as a reduction to net sales unless (1) the Company receives an identifiable benefit for goods or services in exchange for the consideration and (2) the Company can reasonably estimate the fair value of the benefit received.

Shipping and Handling. All amounts billed to a customer in a sales transaction related to shipping and handling represent revenues earned and are reported as revenues. The costs incurred by the Company for shipping and handling are reported as cost of sales.

Research and Development. Research and development expenses are charged to operations as incurred and were $7.2 million, $6.3 million and $6.8 million for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Of these amounts, $0.8 million, $1.8 million and $3.2 million, respectively, were focused primarily upon design of custom window and curtainwall systems in accordance with customer specifications and are included in cost of sales.

Advertising. Advertising expenses are charged to operations as incurred and were $1.4 million, $1.0 million and $0.9 million in fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. They are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated results of operations.

Stock-Based Compensation. The Company accounts for share-based compensation by estimating the fair value of each share-based payment award on the date of grant and, in the case of performance-based awards, updating those values throughout the year and life of the award. For these performance-based awards, the future performance of the Company is estimated as an input into the determination of expense. See Note 11 for additional information regarding share-based compensation.

Income Taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes as prescribed by applicable accounting standards, which requires use of the asset and liability method. This method recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities based upon the future tax consequences of temporary differences between financial and tax reporting. See Note 12 for additional information regarding income taxes.

Accounting Estimates. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 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 consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of net sales and expenses during the reporting period. Amounts subject to significant estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, assessment of recoverability of long-lived assets, including goodwill, insurance reserves, warranty reserves, reserves related to discontinued operations, net sales recognition for construction contracts, income tax provisions and liabilities, and the status of outstanding disputes and claims. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

New Accounting Standards. In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) amended U.S. GAAP with respect to disclosures about fair value measurements. The amendments add new requirements for disclosures about transfers into and out of Levels 1 and 2, and separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements relating to Level 3 measurements. The amendments were effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements, which are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. The adoption of the additional disclosures required for Level 3 fair value measurements in the first quarter of fiscal 2012 had no impact on the Company's fair value disclosures (see Note 5).

In June 2011, the FASB amended its guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income in financial statements to improve the comparability, consistency and transparency of financial reporting and to increase the prominence of items that are recorded in other comprehensive income. The new guidance allows an entity to present components of net income and other comprehensive income in one continuous statement, referred to as the statement of comprehensive income, or in two separate, but consecutive statements. The new guidance eliminates the current option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of changes in equity. While the new guidance changes the presentation of comprehensive income, there are no changes to the components that are recognized in net income or other comprehensive income under current accounting guidance. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2011, Apogee's fiscal year 2013. The FASB subsequently deferred the effective date of certain provisions of this standard pertaining to the reclassification of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income, pending the issuance of further guidance on that matter. The adoption of the new guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 will not have an impact on Apogee's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In September 2011, the FASB amended U.S. GAAP on testing goodwill for impairment. Under this new guidance, entities testing goodwill for impairment now have an option of performing a qualitative assessment before having to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit. If an entity determines, on the basis of qualitative factors, that the fair value of the reporting unit is more-likely-than-not less than the carrying amount, the existing quantitative impairment test is required. Otherwise, no further impairment testing is required. The amendments are effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, Apogee's fiscal year 2013, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this new standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 will not have an impact on Apogee's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

No other new accounting pronouncements issued or effective during fiscal 2012 have had or are expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

Subsequent Events. In connection with preparing the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended March 3, 2012, we have evaluated subsequent events for potential recognition and disclosure through the date of this filing. Subsequent to year-end, $10.0 million of industrial development bonds were issued and made available for future investment in the Company's storefront and entrance business in Michigan. The interest rate on the bonds resets weekly and is equal to the market rate of interest earned for similar revenue bonds or other tax-free securities. The bonds will mature in April, 2042.