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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Consolidation — LSB Industries, Inc. (“LSB”) and its subsidiaries (the “Company”, “We”, “Us”, or “Our”) are consolidated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. We are involved in manufacturing and marketing operations. We are primarily engaged in the manufacture and sale of geothermal and water source heat pumps and air handling products (the “Climate Control Business”) and the manufacture and sale of chemical products (the “Chemical Business”). LSB is a holding company with no significant operations or assets other than cash, cash equivalents, and investments in its subsidiaries. Entities that are 20% to 50% owned and for which we have significant influence are accounted for on the equity method. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Use of Estimates — The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) 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 those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents — Investments, which consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, are considered cash equivalents. Restricted Cash — Restricted cash consists of cash balances that are legally restricted or designated by us for specific purposes. Short-Term Investments — Investments, which consisted of certificates of deposit with an original maturity of 13 weeks, are considered short-term investments. These investments are carried at cost which approximates fair value. All of these investments were held by financial institutions within the United States (“U.S.”) and none of these investments were in excess of the federally insured limits. Accounts Receivable - Our accounts receivable are stated at net realizable value. This value includes an appropriate allowance for estimated uncollectible accounts to reflect any loss anticipated on accounts receivable balances. Our estimate is based on historical experience and periodic assessment of outstanding accounts receivable, particularly those accounts that are past due (based upon the terms of the sale). Our periodic assessment of our accounts receivable is based on our best estimate of amounts that are not recoverable. Inventories — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis) or market (net realizable value). Finished goods and work-in-process inventories include material, labor, and manufacturing overhead costs. Additionally, we review inventories and record inventory reserves for slow-moving inventory items. Precious Metals — Precious metals are used as a catalyst in the Chemical Business manufacturing process. Precious metals are carried at cost, with cost being determined using the FIFO basis. Because some of the catalyst consumed in the production process cannot be readily recovered and the amount and timing of recoveries are not predictable, we follow the practice of expensing precious metals as they are consumed. Occasionally, during major maintenance or capital projects, we may be able to perform procedures to recover precious metals (previously expensed) which have accumulated over time within the manufacturing equipment. Recoveries of precious metals are recognized at historical FIFO costs. When we accumulate precious metals in excess of our production requirements, we may sell a portion of the excess metals. Property, Plant and Equipment — Property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”) are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Leases meeting capital lease criteria are capitalized in PP&E. Major renewals and improvements that increase the life, value, or productive capacity of assets are capitalized in PP&E while maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are expensed as incurred. In addition, maintenance, repairs and minor renewal costs relating to planned major maintenance activities (“Turnarounds”) in our Chemical Business are expensed as they are incurred. Fully depreciated assets are retained in PP&E and accumulated depreciation and amortization accounts until disposal. When PP&E are retired, sold, or otherwise disposed, the asset’s carrying amount and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in other income or expense. For financial reporting purposes, depreciation is primarily computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. No provision for depreciation is made on construction in progress or capital spare parts until such time as the relevant assets are put into service. Amortization of assets under capital leases is included in depreciation expense. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets — Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset (asset group) may not be recoverable. An impairment loss would be recognized when the carrying amount of an asset (asset group) exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset (asset group) and its eventual disposition. If assets to be held and used are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is the amount by which the carrying amounts of the assets exceed the fair values of the assets as measured by the present value of future net cash flows expected to be generated by the assets or their appraised value. In general, assets held for sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amounts of the assets or fair values less costs to sell. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, we had no long-lived assets classified as assets held for sale. Debt Issuance Costs — Debt issuance costs are amortized over the term of the associated debt instrument. In general, if debt is extinguished prior to maturity, the associated debt issuance costs, if any, are written off and included in the gain or loss on extinguishment of debt. Goodwill — Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually. An impairment loss generally would be recognized when the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s net assets exceeds the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. Reporting units are one level below the business segment level. No impairments of goodwill were incurred in 2011, 2010 or 2009. Goodwill relates to business acquisitions in prior periods in the following business segments:
|  | December 31, |
|  | 2011 |  |  | 2010 |
|  | (In Thousands) |
Climate Control |  | $ | 103 |  |  | $ | 103 |
Chemical |  |  | 1,621 |  |  |  | 1,621 |
Total goodwill |  | $ | 1,724 |  |  | $ | 1,724 |
Accrued Insurance Liabilities — We are self-insured up to certain limits for group health, workers’ compensation and general liability claims. Above these limits, we have commercial stop-loss insurance coverage for our contractual exposure on group health claims and statutory limits under workers’ compensation obligations. We also carry umbrella insurance of $100 million for most general liability and auto liability risks. We have a separate $30 million insurance policy covering pollution liability at our Chemical Business facilities. Additional pollution liability coverage for our other facilities is provided in our general liability and umbrella policies. Our accrued insurance liabilities are based on estimates of claims, which include the reported incurred claims amounts plus the reserves established by our insurance adjustors and/or estimates provided by attorneys handling the claims, if any. In addition, our accrued insurance liabilities include estimates of incurred, but not reported, claims based on historical claims experience. The determination of such claims and the appropriateness of the related liability is periodically reviewed and revised, if needed. Changes in these estimated liabilities are charged to operations. Potential legal fees and other directly related costs associated with insurance claims are not accrued but rather are expensed as incurred. Accrued insurance liabilities are included in accrued and other liabilities. It is reasonably possible that the actual development of claims could be different than our estimates. Product Warranty — Our Climate Control Business sells equipment that has an expected life, under normal circumstances and use, which extends over several years. As such, we provide warranties after equipment shipment/start up covering defects in materials and workmanship. Our accounting policy and methodology for warranty arrangements is to measure and recognize the expense and liability for such warranty obligations at the time of sale using a percentage of sales and cost per unit of equipment, based upon our historical and estimated future warranty costs. We also recognize the additional warranty expense and liability to cover atypical costs associated with a specific product, or component thereof, or project installation, when such costs are probable and reasonably estimable. It is reasonably possible that our estimated accrued warranty costs could change in the near term. Executive Benefit Agreements — We have entered into benefit agreements with certain key executives. Costs associated with these individual benefit agreements are accrued based on the estimated remaining service period when such benefits become probable they will be paid. Total costs accrued equal the present value of specified payments to be made after benefits become payable. Income Taxes — We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences attributable to tax net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards, tax credit carryforwards, and differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities. We establish valuation allowances if we believe it is more-likely-than-not that some or all of deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. In addition, we do not recognize a tax benefit unless we conclude that it is more-likely-than-not that the benefit will be sustained on audit by the taxing authority based solely on the technical merits of the associated tax position. If the recognition threshold is met, we recognize a tax benefit measured at the largest amount of the tax benefit that, in our judgment, is greater than 50% likely to be realized. We also record interest related to unrecognized tax positions in interest expense and penalties in operating other expense. We reduce income tax expense for investment tax credits in the year the credit arises and is earned. Income tax benefits associated with amounts that are deductible for income tax purposes but that do not affect earnings are credited to equity. These benefits are principally generated from exercises of non-qualified stock options. Contingencies — Certain conditions may exist which may result in a loss, but which will only be resolved when future events occur. We and our legal counsel assess such contingent liabilities, and such assessment inherently involves an exercise of judgment. If the assessment of a contingency indicates that it is probable that a loss has been incurred, we would accrue for such contingent losses when such losses can be reasonably estimated. If the assessment indicates that a potentially material loss contingency is not probable but reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, the nature of the contingent liability, together with an estimate of the range of possible loss if determinable and material, would be disclosed. Estimates of potential legal fees and other directly related costs associated with contingencies are not accrued but rather are expensed as incurred. Loss contingency liabilities are included in current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities and are based on current estimates that may be revised in the near term. In addition, we recognize contingent gains when such gains are realized or realizable and earned. Asset Retirement Obligations — We are obligated to monitor certain discharge water outlets at our Chemical Business facilities should we discontinue the operations of a facility. We are also contractually obligated through at least December 2053 to pay a portion of the operating costs of a municipally owned wastewater pipeline currently being constructed, which will serve our chemical production facility located in El Dorado, Arkansas (the “El Dorado Facility”). Additionally, we have certain facilities in our Chemical Business that contain asbestos insulation around certain piping and heated surfaces, which we plan to maintain or replace, as needed, with non-asbestos insulation through our standard repair and maintenance activities to prevent deterioration. Currently, there is insufficient information to estimate the fair value for most of our asset retirement obligations. In addition, we currently have no plans to discontinue the use of these facilities and the remaining life of the facilities is indeterminable. As a result, no asset retirement obligations have been recognized except for $75,000 to retire an injection well at our chemical production facility located in Pryor, Oklahoma (the “Pryor Facility”). However, we will continue to review these obligations and record a liability when a reasonable estimate of the fair value can be made. Stock Options — Equity award transactions with employees are measured based on the estimated fair value of the equity awards issued. For equity awards with only service conditions that have a graded vesting period, we recognize compensation cost on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award. In addition, we issue new shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options. Revenue Recognition — We recognize revenue for substantially all of our operations at the time title to the goods transfers to the buyer and there remain no significant future performance obligations by us. Revenue relating to construction contracts is recognized using the percentage-of-completion method based primarily on contract costs incurred to date compared with total estimated contract costs. Changes to total estimated contract costs or losses, if any, are recognized in the period in which they are determined. Sales of warranty contracts are recognized as revenue ratably over the life of the contract. See discussion above under “Product Warranty” for our accounting policy for recognizing warranty expense. Recognition of Insurance Recoveries — If an insurance claim relates to a recovery of our losses, we recognize the recovery when it is probable and reasonably estimable. If our insurance claim relates to a contingent gain, we recognize the recovery when it is realized or realizable and earned. Amounts recoverable from our insurance carriers, if any, are included in accounts receivable. Cost of Sales — Cost of sales includes materials, labor and overhead costs to manufacture the products sold plus inbound freight, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, internal transfer costs and warehousing costs (excluding certain handling costs directly related to loading product being shipped to customers in our Chemical Business which are included in selling, general and administrative expense). Precious metals used as a catalyst (Chemical Business) and consumed during the manufacturing process are included in cost of sales. In addition, recoveries and gains from precious metals (Chemical Business), sales of material scrap (Climate Control Business), and business interruption insurance claims are reductions to cost of sales. Also, provisions for (realization of) losses associated with inventory reserves and Turnaround costs are included in cost of sales. In addition, gains and losses (realized and unrealized) from our commodities and foreign currency futures/forward contracts are included in cost of sales. Also provision for losses, if any, on firm sales commitments are included in cost of sales. Selling, General and Administrative Expense — Selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”) includes costs associated with the sales, marketing and administrative functions. Such costs include personnel costs, including benefits, advertising costs, commission expenses, warranty costs, office and occupancy costs associated with the sales, marketing and administrative functions. SG&A also includes outbound freight in our Climate Control Business and certain handling costs directly related to product being shipped to customers in our Chemical Business. These handling costs primarily consist of personnel costs for loading product into transportation equipment, rent and maintenance costs related to the transportation equipment, and certain indirect costs. In addition, professional fees are included in SG&A. Also, while our previously idled Pryor Facility was not in production in 2010 and 2009, most of the expenses associated with this facility were included in SG&A. Shipping and Handling Costs — Shipping and handling costs included in net sales and SG&A for each business segment are as follows:
|  | 2011 |  |  | 2010 |  |  | 2009 |
|  | (In Thousands) |
Climate Control: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Shipping and handling costs — SG&A (1) |  | $ | 8,564 |  |  | $ | 7,706 |  |  | $ | 7,910 |
Chemical: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Shipping costs — Net sales (2) |  | $ | 26,179 |  |  | $ | 22,436 |  |  | $ | 15,897 |
Handling costs — SG&A (1) |  | $ | 5,024 |  |  | $ | 5,137 |  |  | $ | 5,691 |
(1) |  | See discussion above under “Selling, General and Administrative Expense.”
(2) |  | These costs relate to amounts billed to our customers.
Advertising Costs — Costs in connection with advertising and promotion of our products are expensed as incurred. These costs, primarily relating to our Climate Control Business, are as follows.
|  | 2011 |  |  | 2010 |  |  | 2009 |
|  | (In Thousands) |
Advertising costs |  | $ | 4,528 |  |  | $ | 5,149 |  |  | $ | 5,915 |
Derivatives, Hedges, Financial Instruments and Carbon Credits — Derivatives are recognized in the balance sheet and are measured at fair value. Changes in fair value of derivatives are recorded in results of operations unless the normal purchase or sale exceptions apply or hedge accounting is elected. Climate reserve tonnes (“carbon credits”) are recognized in the balance sheet and are measured at fair value. Changes in fair value of carbon credits are recorded in results of operations. Contractual obligations associated with carbon credits are recognized in the balance sheet and are measured at fair value unless we enter into a firm sales commitment to sell the associated carbon credits. When we enter into a firm sales commitment, the sales price, pursuant to the terms of the firm sales commitment, establishes the amount of the associated contractual obligation. Changes in fair value of contractual obligations associated with carbon credits are recorded in results of operations. Income per Common Share — Net income applicable to common stock is computed by adjusting net income by the amount of preferred stock dividends and dividend requirements, if applicable. Basic income per common share is based upon net income applicable to common stock and the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each year. Diluted income per share is based on net income applicable to common stock plus preferred stock dividends and dividend requirements on preferred stock assumed to be converted, if dilutive, and interest expense including amortization of debt issuance cost, net of income taxes, on convertible debt assumed to be converted, if dilutive, and the weighted-average number of common shares and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding, and the assumed conversion of dilutive convertible securities outstanding. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements — In 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standards update (“ASU”) requiring additional disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities for the purpose of improving the transparency of financial reporting. A portion of the new disclosure requirements became effective for us on January 1, 2010 and the remaining new disclosure requirements became effective for us on January 1, 2011. These disclosure requirements were applied prospectively. See Note 12 — Derivatives, Hedges, Financial Instruments and Carbon Credits. In 2011, the FASB issued an ASU clarifying how to measure and disclose fair value. The requirements under this ASU became effective for us on January 1, 2012 and are to be applied prospectively. We currently do not expect a significant impact from adopting this ASU. In 2011, the FASB issued ASUs amending current comprehensive income guidance, which eliminate the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of stockholders’ equity. Instead, we must report comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income which contains two sections, net income and other comprehensive income, or in two separate but consecutive statements. The requirements under these ASUs became effective for us on January 1, 2012 and are to be applied retrospectively. We currently expect to change the format of our presentation as the result of adopting these ASUs. In 2011, the FASB issued an ASU amending current guidance for testing goodwill for impairment. This ASU added an option to first assess qualitative factors to determine if the current two-step impairment test is required. The assessment of qualitative factors is performed to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to the determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Pursuant to the provisions of this ASU, we early adopted this ASU effective July 1, 2011, which provisions were applied prospectively. Our financial statements were not impacted from the adoption of this ASU. In 2011, the FASB issued an ASU requiring additional disclosures about an entity’s offsetting (netting) of certain assets and liabilities for the purpose of improving the transparency of financial reporting. Entities are required to disclose both gross information and net information about both instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the balance sheet and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. The new disclosure requirements become effective for us on January 1, 2013. The disclosure requirements are to be applied retrospectively.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for the general note to the financial statements for the reporting entity which may include, descriptions of the basis of presentation, business description, significant accounting policies, consolidations, reclassifications, new pronouncements not yet adopted and changes in accounting principles. + References No definition available. + Details
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