Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]

7. GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS

As a result of our annual goodwill impairment test, which was conducted as of May 31, 2011, we determined that no impairment existed given the fair value of each of our reporting units containing goodwill, Covenant and SRT, exceeded the carrying value of each reporting unit, including the $7.2 million and $4.3 million of goodwill related to Covenant and SRT, respectively. Based upon a combination of factors that occurred in the third quarter of 2011, including a significant decline in our market capitalization below our book value, a reduction in year-over-year earnings as a result of deterioration in the macro-economic environment and the market segments in which we operate, reductions in current and forecasted earnings estimates, and the need to amend our Credit Facility to remain in compliance with our financial covenants, we deemed that there had been multiple triggering events that would require an updated impairment analysis as of September 30, 2011. This updated analysis provided that the carrying value of both reporting units exceeded their fair values. As a result of the second step of the goodwill impairment analysis, which involves calculating the implied fair value of each reporting units goodwill by allocating the fair value of all of its assets and liabilities other than goodwill (including both recognized and unrecognized intangible assets), and comparing the residual amount to the carrying value of goodwill, we determined that the fair value of both reporting units exceed the carrying value. The non-cash goodwill impairment charge amounted to $11.5 million ($9.4 million, net of a $2.1 million income tax benefit) to write off the remaining goodwill associated with several acquisitions that were made prior to 2001. Following this impairment charge, no goodwill currently remains on our balance sheet.

A summary of other assets as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 is as follows:

(in thousands)	2011			2010
Covenants not to compete	$	2,690		$	2,690
Trade name		1,250			1,250
Customer relationships		3,490			3,490
Less: accumulated amortization of intangibles		(6,559	)		(6,177	)
Net intangible assets		871			1,253
Investment in TEL		2,372			-
Other long-term receivables		2,154			8,813
Deposits		1,824			2,390
Deferred loan costs, net		1,285			1,442
Other, net		615			650
	$	9,121		$	14,548

Amortization expenses of intangible assets were $0.4 million, $0.6 million, and $0.8 million for 2011, 2010, and 2009, respectively. Approximate intangible amortization expense for the next five years is as follows:

	(In thousands)
2012	$	317
2013		227
2014		91
2015		66
2016		48
Thereafter	$	122

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

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