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Accounts Receivable Securitization Programs
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
Transfers And Servicing [Abstract]  
Accounts Receivable Securitization Programs

Note 8 Accounts Receivable Securitization Programs

U.S. Accounts Receivable Securitization Program

We and a group of our U.S. operating subsidiaries maintain an accounts receivable securitization program under which they sell eligible U.S. accounts receivable to an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary that was formed for the sole purpose of entering into this program. The wholly-owned subsidiary in turn may sell an undivided fractional ownership interest in these receivables with two banks and issuers of commercial paper administered by these banks. The wholly-owned subsidiary retains the receivables it purchases from the operating subsidiaries. Any transfers of fractional ownership interests of receivables under the U.S. receivables securitization program to the two banks and issuers of commercial paper administered by these banks are considered secured borrowings with pledge of collateral and will be classified as short-term borrowings on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.  The net trade receivables that served as collateral for these borrowings are reclassified from trade receivables, net to prepaid expenses and other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

As of September 30, 2015, the maximum purchase limit for receivable interests was $90 million, subject to the availability limits described below.

The amounts available from time to time under this program may be less than $90 million due to a number of factors, including but not limited to our credit ratings, trade receivable balances, the creditworthiness of our customers and our receivables collection experience. During the three months ended September 30, 2015, the level of eligible assets available under the program was lower than $90 million primarily due to certain required reserves against our receivables. As a result, the amount available to us under the program was $67 million at September 30, 2015. Although we do not believe restrictions under this program presently materially restrict our operations, if an additional event occurs that triggers one of these restrictive provisions, we could experience a further decline in the amounts available to us under the program or termination of the program.

The program expires annually and is renewable.  The expiration date of the program was extended for a one month period until September 30, 2015 and then renewed for an additional year at the end of such extension.

European Accounts Receivables Securitization Program

We and a group of our European subsidiaries maintain an accounts receivable securitization program with a special purpose vehicle, or SPV, two banks and issuers of commercial paper administered by these banks.  The European program is structured to be a securitization of certain trade receivables that are originated by certain of our European subsidiaries. We do not have an equity interest in the SPV. However, since we are considered the primary beneficiary of the SPV, it meets the criteria to be classified as a variable interest entity and is included in our condensed consolidated financial statements. Any activity between the participating subsidiaries and the SPV is eliminated in consolidation. The SPV borrows funds from the banks to fund its acquisition of the receivables and provides the banks with a first priority perfected security interest in the accounts receivable.   Loans from the banks to the SPV will be classified as short-term borrowings on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. The net trade receivables that served as collateral for these borrowings are reclassified from trade receivables, net to prepaid expenses and other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

As of September 30, 2015, the maximum purchase limit for receivable interests was €110 million, ($124 million equivalent at September 30, 2015) subject to availability limits.  The terms and provisions of this program are similar to our U.S. program discussed above. As of September 30, 2015, the amount available under this program was €107 million ($120 million equivalent as of September 30, 2015).

This program expires annually in February and is renewable.  The program was renewed in February 2015 for an additional year.

Utilization of Our Accounts Receivable Securitization Programs

As of September 30, 2015, there were borrowings of $67 million outstanding under our U.S. program and borrowings of €36 million ($40 million equivalent as of September 30, 2015) under our European program. We continue to service the trade receivables supporting the programs, and the banks are permitted to re-pledge this collateral. Total interest expense related to the use of these programs was less than $1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Under limited circumstances, the banks and the issuers of commercial paper can end purchases of receivables interests before the above expiration dates. A failure to comply with debt leverage or various other ratios related to our receivables collection experience could result in termination of the receivables programs. We were in compliance with these ratios at September 30, 2015.

As of December 31, 2014, the total amount of borrowings under our U.S. program was $36 million and there were no amounts outstanding under the European program.