Description of the Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Description of the Business and Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SDI, together with its wholly and majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries, after elimination of significant intercompany accounts and transactions. Noncontrolling interests represent the noncontrolling owner’s proportionate share in the equity, income, or losses of the company’s majority-owned or controlled consolidated subsidiaries.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates.  These financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and, accordingly, include amounts that require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and in the notes thereto. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the carrying value of property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and goodwill; valuation allowances for trade receivables, inventories and deferred income tax assets; unrecognized tax benefits; potential environmental liabilities; and litigation claims and settlements. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions.

In the opinion of management, these financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the interim period results. These financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Goodwill

Goodwill.  The company’s goodwill is allocated to the following reporting units at March 31, 2014, and December 31, 2013, (in thousands):

	March 31,		December 31,
	2014		2013
OmniSource — Metals Recycling/Ferrous Resources Segment	$	556,611	$	558,247
The Techs — Steel Segment	142,783		142,783
Roanoke Bar Division — Steel Segment	29,041		29,041
New Millennium Building Systems — Fabrication Segment	1,925		1,925
	$	730,360	$	731,996

OmniSource goodwill decreased $1.6 million from December 31, 2013 to March 31, 2014, in recognition of the 2014 tax benefit related to the amortization of the component of OmniSource tax-deductible goodwill in excess of book goodwill.