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Note 1 - Summary of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012
Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies [Text Block] | Note 1 - Summary of Operations and Significant Accounting Policies a. Description of Business We offer products and services ranging from portable power solutions to communications and electronics systems. Through our engineering and collaborative approach to problem solving, we serve government, defense and commercial customers across the globe. We design, manufacture, install and maintain power and communications systems including: rechargeable and non-rechargeable batteries, charging systems, communications and electronics systems and accessories, and custom engineered systems. We sell our products worldwide through a variety of trade channels, including original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), industrial and defense supply distributors, and directly to U.S. and international defense departments. b. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States and include the accounts of Ultralife Corporation, our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Ultralife Batteries (UK) Ltd. (“Ultralife UK”), ABLE New Energy Co., Limited, and its wholly-owned subsidiary ABLE New Energy Co., Ltd. (“ABLE” collectively), and our majority-owned subsidiary Ultralife Batteries India Private Limited (“India JV”). Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Operations of RedBlack Communications, Inc. (“RedBlack”), our divested company, and Ultralife Energy Services Corporation (“UES”), our wholly owned subsidiary, are reported as discontinued operations. c. Management's Use of Judgment and Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at year end and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Key areas affected by estimates include: (a) reserves for deferred tax assets, excess and obsolete inventory, warranties, and bad debts; (b) profitability on development contracts; (c) various expense accruals; (d) stock-based compensation; and, (e) carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets. Our actual results could differ from these estimates. d. Reclassifications Certain items previously reported in specific financial statement captions have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. e. Cash and Cash Equivalents For purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, we consider all demand deposits with financial institutions and financial instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. For purposes of the Consolidated Balance Sheet, the carrying value approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. f. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts We extend credit to our customers in the normal course of business. We perform ongoing credit evaluations and generally do not require collateral. Trade accounts receivable are recorded at their invoiced amounts, net of allowance for doubtful accounts. We evaluate the adequacy of our allowance for doubtful accounts quarterly. Accounts outstanding longer than contractual payment terms are considered past due and are reviewed individually for collectability. We maintain reserves for potential credit losses based upon our loss history and specific receivables aging analysis. Receivable balances are written off when collection is deemed unlikely. Changes in our allowance for doubtful accounts during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:
|  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |
Balance at beginning of year |  | $ | 683 |  |  | $ | 490 |
Amounts charged (credited) to expense |  |  | 9 |  |  |  | 237 |
Amounts credited to other accounts |  |  | - |  |  |  | (2 | )
Uncollectible accounts written-off, net of recovery |  |  | (370 | ) |  |  | (42 | )
Balance at end of year |  | $ | 322 |  |  | $ | 683 |
The significant uncollectible accounts written off in the current year relate to previously recorded bad debts of our now discontinued Energy Services business. g. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost determined under the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. We record provisions for excess, obsolete or slow-moving inventory based on changes in customer demand, technology developments or other economic factors.
h. | Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Estimated useful lives are as follows:
| Buildings | 10 – 20 years
| Machinery and Equipment | 5 – 10 years
| Furniture and Fixtures | 3 – 10 years
| Computer Hardware and Software | 3 – 5 years
| Leasehold Improvements | Lesser of useful life or lease term
Depreciation and amortization are computed using the straight-line method. Betterments, renewals and extraordinary repairs that extend the life of the assets are capitalized. Other repairs and maintenance costs are expensed when incurred. When disposed, the cost and accumulated depreciation applicable to assets retired are removed from the accounts and the gain or loss on disposition is recognized in operating income (expense).
i. | Long-Lived Assets, Goodwill and Intangibles
We regularly assess all of our long-lived assets for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. For property, plant and equipment and amortizable intangible assets, this is accomplished by comparing the expected undiscounted future cash flows of the assets with the respective carrying amount as of the date of assessment. Should aggregate future cash flows be less than the carrying value, a write-down would be required, measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the asset. Fair value is estimated either through the assistance of an independent valuation or as the present value of expected discounted future cash flows. The discount rate used by us in our evaluation approximates our weighted average cost of capital. If the expected undiscounted future cash flows exceed the respective carrying amount as of the date of assessment, no impairment is recognized. We did not record any material impairments of long-lived assets in the years ended December 31, 2012 or 2011. In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) guidance for goodwill and other intangible assets, we do not amortize goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives, but instead measure these assets for impairment at least annually, or when events indicate that impairment exists. We amortize intangible assets that have definite lives so that the economic benefits of the intangible assets are being utilized over their weighted-average estimated useful life. The impairment analysis of goodwill consists first of a review of various qualitative factors of the identified reporting units to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, including goodwill. This review includes, but is not limited to, an evaluation of the macroeconomic, industry or market, and cost factors relevant to the reporting unit as well as financial performance and entity or reporting unit events that may affect the value of the reporting unit. If this review leads to the determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, further impairment testing is not required. However, if this review cannot support a conclusion that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, or at our discretion, quantitative impairment steps are performed. Similarly, the analysis for indefinite-lived intangible assets consists of review of various qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is not impaired. If a conclusion that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived asset is nor impaired cannot be supported, or at our discretion, quantitative impairment steps are performed. The quantitative impairment test for goodwill consists of a comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit with the carrying amount of the reporting unit to which it is assigned. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, a second step of the goodwill impairment test shall be performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The impairment test for intangible assets with indefinite lives consists of a comparison of the fair value of the intangible assets with their carrying amounts. If the carrying value of the intangible assets exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss shall be recognized in an amount equal to that excess. We determine the fair value of the reporting unit for goodwill impairment testing based on a discounted cash flow model. We determine the fair value of our intangibles assets with indefinite lives (trademarks) through the royalty relief income valuation approach. There were no impairments of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives in the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. Based on the final valuations for amortizable intangible assets acquired in the AMTI acquisition during 2009, and the ABLE and McDowell acquisitions during 2006, we project our amortization expense will be approximately $401, $308, $229, $167 and $122 for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2013 through 2017, respectively. j. Translation of Foreign Currency The financial statements of our foreign affiliates are translated into U.S. dollar equivalents in accordance with FASB’s guidance for foreign currency translation, with translation adjustments recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Exchange gains (losses) relate to foreign currency transactions included in net loss for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 were $(43) and $95. k. Revenue Recognition Product Sales – In general, revenues from the sale of products are recognized when products are shipped. When products are shipped with terms that require transfer of title upon delivery at a customer’s location, revenues are recognized on the date of delivery. A provision is made at the time the revenue is recognized for warranty costs expected to be incurred. Customers, including distributors, do not have a general right of return on products shipped. Technology Contracts – We recognize revenue using the proportional effort method based on the relationship of costs incurred to date to the total estimated cost to complete the contract. Elements of cost include direct material, labor and overhead. If a loss on a contract is estimated, the full amount of the loss is recognized immediately. We allocate costs to all technology contracts based upon actual costs incurred including an allocation of certain research and development costs incurred. Deferred Revenue – For each source of revenues, we defer recognition if: i) evidence of an agreement does not exist, ii) delivery or service has not occurred, iii) the selling price is not fixed or determinable, or iv) collectability is not reasonably assured. l. Warranty Reserves We estimate future costs associated with expected product failure rates, material usage and service costs in the development of our warranty obligations. Warranty reserves, included in other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities as applicable on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, are based on historical experience of warranty claims. In the event the actual results of these items differ from the estimates, an adjustment to the warranty obligation would be recorded. m. Shipping and Handling Costs Costs incurred by us related to shipping and handling are included in cost of products sold. Amounts charged to customers pertaining to these costs are reflected as revenue. n. Advertising Expenses Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Such expenses amounted to $538 and $792 for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. o. Research and Development Research and development expenditures are charged to operations as incurred. The majority of research and development expenses pertain to salaries and benefits, developmental supplies, depreciation and other contracted services. In 2011, we in entered into a collaboration agreement with The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (“NYSERDA”), to develop and demonstrate a large hybrid grid-connected energy storage system. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, NYSERDA will reimburse us for certain construction and project research and development costs. During the year ended December 31, 2012, recoveries from NYSERDA for construction costs and project research and development costs were $91 and $11, respectively. Construction costs and are reflected in the property, plant and equipment, net line on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2012 and project research and development costs are reflected in the research and development line on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2012, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2011, recoveries from NYSERDA for construction costs and project research and development costs were $254 and $56, respectively, and were reflected in the property, plant and equipment, net line on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2011 and the research and development line on our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2011, respectively. p. Environmental Costs Environmental expenditures that relate to current operations are expensed or capitalized, as appropriate, in accordance with FASB’s guidance on environmental remediation liabilities. Remediation costs that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations are accrued when it is probable that these costs will be incurred and can be reasonably estimated. q. Income Taxes The asset and liability method, prescribed by FASB’s guidance for the Accounting for Income Taxes, is used in accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is required when it is more likely than not that the recorded value of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. As of December 31, 2012, we continued to recognize a valuation allowance on our net deferred tax asset to the extent they are not able to be offset by future reversing temporary differences, based on a consistent evaluation methodology that was used for 2011. The assessment of the realizability of the U.S. NOL was based on a number of factors including, our history of net operating losses, the volatility of our earnings, our historical operating volatility, our historical inability to accurately forecast earnings for future periods and the continued uncertainty of the general business climate as of the end of 2012. We concluded that these factors represent sufficient negative evidence and have concluded that we should record a full valuation allowance under FASB‘s guidance on the accounting for income taxes. We also recorded a valuation allowance on our net deferred tax asset for the year ended December 31, 2011. A valuation allowance was required for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 related to our U.K. subsidiary due to the history of losses at that facility. A valuation allowance was not required for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 related to our ABLE subsidiary as we have determined that it is more likely than not that we will fully utilize the related NOL. We have adopted the provisions of FASB’s guidance for the Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. In 2011 and 2012, we had unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions which have been recorded as a decrease in our NOL. We have not recorded any interest or penalty in regard to any unrecognized benefit. Interest and penalties would begin to accrue in the period in which the NOL’s related to the uncertain tax positions are utilized. Our policy regarding interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters is to recognize such items as a component of income tax expense (benefit). r. Concentration Related to Customers and Suppliers During the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, we had one major customer, a large defense prime, which comprised 21% of our revenues in each year. There were no other customers that comprised greater than 10% of our total revenues during these years. We have two customers who comprised 22% and 12%, respectively, of our trade accounts receivable as of December 31, 2012. We had no customers that comprised greater than 10% of our trade accounts receivables as of December 31, 2011. Currently, we do not experience significant seasonal trends in our revenues. Since a significant portion of our revenues are based on purchases from U.S. and allied country defense departments, the timing of our sales could be impacted by delays in the government budget process and the decisions to deploy resources to support military purchases of our products. We generally do not distribute our products to a concentrated geographical area nor is there a significant concentration of credit risks arising from individuals or groups of customers engaged in similar activities, or who have similar economic characteristics. While sales to the U.S. Department of Defense have been substantial during 2012 and 2011, we do not consider this customer to be a significant credit risk. We do not normally obtain collateral on trade accounts receivable. Certain materials and components used in our products are available only from a single or a limited number of suppliers. As such, some materials and components could become in short supply resulting in limited availability and/or increased costs. Additionally, we may elect to develop relationships with a single or limited number of suppliers for materials and components that are otherwise generally available. Although we believe that alternative suppliers are available to supply materials and components that could replace materials and components currently used and that, if necessary, we would be able to redesign our products to make use of such alternatives, any interruption in the supply from any supplier that serves as a sole source could delay product shipments and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We have experienced interruptions of product deliveries by sole source suppliers in the past. s. Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures The FASB guidance for fair value measurements provides a framework for measuring fair value and requires expanded disclosures regarding fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or the exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. This accounting standard established a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available. The following summarizes the three levels of inputs required.
Level 1: | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: | Observable inputs, other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or that we corroborate with observable market data for substantially the full term of the related assets or liabilities.
Level 3: | Unobservable inputs supported by little or no market activity that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
FASB’s guidance for the disclosure regarding fair value of financial instruments requires disclosure of an estimate of the fair value of certain financial instruments. The fair value of financial instruments pursuant to FASB’s guidance for the disclosure regarding fair value of financial instruments approximated their carrying values at December 31, 2012 and 2011. The fair value of cash, trade accounts receivable, trade accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and our revolving credit facility approximates carrying value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The estimated fair value of other long-term debt and capital lease obligations approximates carrying value due to the variable nature of the interest rates or the stated interest rates approximating current interest rates that are available for debt with similar terms. t. Earnings (Loss) Per Share We have adopted the provisions of FASB’s guidance for determining whether instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are participating securities. The guidance requires that all outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (such as restricted stock awards granted by us) be considered participating securities. Because the restricted stock awards are participating securities, we are required to apply the two-class method of computing basic and diluted earnings per share (the “Two-Class Method”). Basic EPS is determined using the Two-Class Method and is computed by dividing earnings attributable to Ultralife common shareholders by the weighted-average shares outstanding during the period. The Two-Class Method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock and participating security according to dividends declared and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Diluted EPS includes the dilutive effect of securities, if any, and reflects the more dilutive EPS amount calculated using the treasury stock method or the Two-Class Method. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, both the Two-Class Method and the treasury stock method calculations for diluted EPS yielded the same result. The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share is summarized as follows:
|  | Years Ended December 31, |
|  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |
Net Income (Loss) from continuing operations attributable to Ultralife |  | $ | (1,097 | ) |  | $ | 1,607 |
Net Income (Loss) from continuing operations attributable to participating securities (unvested restricted stock awards) (-0- and 3,000 shares, respectively) |  |  | - |  |  |  | - |
Net Income (Loss) from continuing operations attributable to Ultralife common shareholders (a) |  |  | (1,097 | ) |  |  | 1,607 |
Net Income (Loss) from discontinued operations attributable to Ultralife common shareholders (c) |  | $ | (501 | ) |  | $ | (3,687 | )
Average Common Shares Outstanding – Basic (e) |  |  | 17,403 |  |  |  | 17,304 |
Effect of Dilutive Securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Stock Options / Warrants |  |  | - |  |  |  | 32 |
Average Common Shares Outstanding – Diluted (f) |  |  | 17,403 |  |  |  | 17,336 |
EPS – Basic (a/e) – continuing operations |  | $ | (0.06 | ) |  | $ | 0.09 |
EPS – Basic (c/e) – discontinued operations |  | $ | (0.03 | ) |  | $ | (0.21 | )
EPS – Diluted (b/f) – continuing operations |  | $ | (0.06 | ) |  | $ | 0.09 |
EPS – Diluted (d/f) – discontinued operations |  | $ | (0.03 | ) |  | $ | (0.21 | )
There were 2,211,488 outstanding stock options, warrants and restricted stock awards as of December 31, 2012, that were not included in EPS as the effect would have been anti-dilutive. No outstanding stock options, warrants and restricted stock awards were included in the dilution computation for the year ended December 31, 2012. There were 2,105,228 outstanding stock options, warrants and restricted stock awards as of December 31, 2011, that were not included in EPS as the effect would have been anti-dilutive. The dilutive effect of 252,218 outstanding stock options, warrants and restricted stock awards were included in the dilution computation for the year ended December 31, 2011. u. Stock-Based Compensation We have various stock-based employee compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 7. We follow the provisions of FASB’s guidance on share-based payments, which requires that compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements. The cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the employee’s requisite service period (generally the vesting period of the equity award). v. Segment Reporting We report segment information in accordance with FASB’s guidance on Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. We have two operating segments. The basis for determining our operating segments is the manner in which financial information is used by us in our operations. Management operates and organizes itself according to business units that comprise unique products and services across geographic locations. On March 8, 2011, we decided to exit our Energy Services business, which previously was a stand alone business segment. See Note 2 in these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. On February 15, 2012, we decided to divest our RedBlack Communications business, which previously was reported in the Communications Systems segment. See Note 2 in these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. w. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In July 2012, the FASB issued ASU 2012-03, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinitely-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment.” ASU No. 2012-03 permits entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinitely-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform a detailed quantitative analysis. An entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that it is more likely that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. ASU 2012-03 is effective for annual and interim indefinite-lived intangible assets for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this standard during our annual impairment review process in the fourth quarter of 2012. Adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition. In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-08, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment”. ASU No. 2011-08 permits entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. An entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. ASU No. 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for years beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. We adopted this standard during our annual impairment review process in the fourth quarter of 2011. Adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition. In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income”. ASU No. 2011-05 requires entities to present the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements of net income and other comprehensive income. ASU No. 2011-05 eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in shareholders’ equity. Further, in December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12 “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): 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.” This update defers the effective date of ASU No. 2011-05’s requirement to present on the face of the financial statements reclassification adjustments for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income in both net income and other comprehensive income so that the FASB can reconsider those requirements during calendar 2012. These standards became effective retrospectively for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. In February 2013 the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, "Reporting of Amounts Reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income." ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to cross-reference to other required disclosures that provide additional detail about amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income and to present significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by line item of net income if the amount reclassified is required to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. This standard is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. We have elected to adopt the standard effective for this reporting period. The adoption of the standards has only impacted the presentation of our consolidated financial statements and did not result in a material impact on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition. In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-29, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations - a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”)”. ASU No. 2010-29 amends accounting guidance concerning disclosure of supplemental pro forma information for business combinations. If an entity presents comparative financial statements, the entity should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination that occurred in the current year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. The accounting guidance also requires additional disclosures to describe the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments. ASU No. 2010-29 became effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2010 and applies to business combinations completed on or after that date. The adoption of this pronouncement did not have a significant impact on our financial statements. The future impact of adopting this pronouncement will depend on the future business combinations that we may pursue.

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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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