Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 29, 2012

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Accounting, Policy

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Euramax Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, these statements include all adjustments considered necessary for the fair presentation of all interim periods reported herein. All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature unless otherwise disclosed.

Fiscal Period, Policy

Each of our interim reporting periods, ends on the Friday closest to the last day of the corresponding quarterly calendar period. The second quarter of 2012 and 2011 ended on June 29, 2012 and July 1, 2011, respectively. Beginning in 2012, our fiscal year will end on December 31 regardless of the day of the week on which December 31 falls. Our 2011 fiscal year end was December 30, 2011.

Income Tax, Policy

The income tax provision (benefit) for 2012 and 2011 are computed at the effective rate expected to be applicable in each respective full year using the statutory rates on a country by country basis, adjusted for changes in valuation allowances relating to the Company’s net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards.

Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, Pensions, Policy

The Company maintains a non-contributory defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all U.S. hourly employees (the U.S. Plan). In addition, the employees at Euramax Coated Products Limited and Ellbee Limited participate in a single employer pension plan (the UK Plan). The measurement date for the U.S. and UK plans is the last day of the fiscal year. The Company curtailed the accrual of participant benefits provided under the UK Plan effective March 31, 2009. This curtailment did not affect the timing for the payment of benefits earned under the UK Plan through the curtailment date. In January 2010, the Company's board of directors approved a motion to freeze future benefit accruals under the U.S. Pension Plan.

Fair Value Measurement, Policy

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company records assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Generally, assets are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as a result of impairment charges.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, certain assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. For our Company, the only assets and liabilities that are adjusted to fair value on a recurring basis are derivative financial instruments.