Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 25, 2012

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements for Fiscal 2012 include the parent company and our wholly-owned subsidiary, Winnebago of Indiana, LLC. See Note 2. All material intercompany balances and transactions with our subsidiary have been eliminated.

Fiscal Period [Policy Text Block]

Fiscal Period

We follow a 52-/53-week fiscal year, ending the last Saturday in August. The financial statements presented are all 52-week periods.

Use of Estimates [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the US requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less. The carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short maturity of the investments.

Fair Value Disclosures of Financial Instruments [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value Disclosures of Financial Instruments

All financial instruments are carried at amounts believed to approximate fair value.

Derivatives Instruments and Hedging Activities [Policy Text Block]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

All contracts that contain provisions meeting the definition of a derivative also meet the requirements of, and have been designated as, normal purchases or sales. Our policy is to not enter into contracts with terms that cannot be designated as normal purchases or sales.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Policy Text Block]

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on historical loss experience and any specific customer collection issues identified. Additional amounts are provided through charges to income as we believe necessary after evaluation of receivables and current economic conditions. Amounts which are considered to be uncollectible are written off and recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited to the allowance upon recovery.

Inventories [Policy Text Block]

Inventories

Substantially, all inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, determined on the LIFO basis. Manufacturing cost includes materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. Unallocated overhead and abnormal costs are expensed as incurred.

Property and Equipment [Policy Text Block]

Property and Equipment Depreciation of property and equipment is computed using the straight‑line method on the cost of the assets, less allowance for salvage value where appropriate, at rates based upon their estimated service lives as follows:

Asset Class	Asset Life
Buildings	10-30 years
Machinery and equipment	3-10 years
Transportation equipment	4-6 years

We review our long-lived depreciable assets for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable from future cash flows. If the carrying value of a long-lived asset is impaired, an impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. We assess the potential impairment of long-lived assets in accordance with ASC 360 Property, Plant and Equipment. We assessed the fair value of certain properties which were idled and are listed for sale (see Note 6). We also reviewed all other long-lived depreciable assets for impairment, noting no impairment.

Goodwill and Amortizable Intangible Assets [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill and Amortizable Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents costs in excess of the fair value of net tangible and identifiable net intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Amortizable intangible assets consist of dealer network, trademarks and non-compete agreements and are amortized using the straight-line method over seven to ten years. Goodwill assets are reviewed for impairment by applying a fair-value based test on an annual basis, or more frequently if circumstances indicate a potential impairment. Amortizable intangible assets are also subject to impairment test annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable from future cash flows.

Self-Insurance [Policy Text Block]

Self-Insurance

Generally, we self-insure for a portion of product liability claims and workers' compensation. Under these plans, liabilities are recognized for claims incurred, including those incurred but not reported. We determined the liability for product liability and workers' compensation claims with the assistance of a third party administrator and actuary using various state statutes and historical claims experience. We have an SIR for product liability which varies annually based on market conditions and for at least the last five fiscal years was at $2.5 million per occurrence and $6.0 million in aggregate per policy year. In the event that the annual aggregate of the SIR is exhausted by payment of claims and defense expenses, an SIR of $1.0 million, excluding defense expenses, is applicable to each claim covered under this policy. We maintain excess liability insurance with outside insurance carriers to minimize our risks related to catastrophic claims in excess of our self-insured positions for product liability and personal injury matters. Any material change in the aforementioned factors could have an adverse impact on our operating results. Our product liability and workers' compensation accrual is included within accrued self-insurance on our balance sheet.

Income Taxes [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. As part of the process of preparing our financial statements, we are required to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves estimating our current tax exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These temporary differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within our balance sheet. We then assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be realized based on future taxable income and, to the extent we believe that recovery is not likely, we establish a valuation allowance. To the extent we establish a valuation allowance or change this allowance in a period, we include an expense or a benefit within the tax provision in our Statements of Operations.

Legal [Policy Text Block]

Legal

Our accounting policy regarding litigation expense is to accrue for probable exposure including estimated defense costs if we are able to estimate the financial impact.

Revenue Recognition [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

Generally, revenues for our recreation vehicles are recorded when the following conditions are met: an order for a product has been received from a dealer, written or verbal approval for payment has been received from the dealer's floorplan financing institution, and the product is delivered to the dealer who placed the order. Most sales are financed by our dealers under floorplan financing arrangements with banks or finance companies.

Revenues of our OEM components and recreation vehicle related parts are recorded as the products are shipped from our location. The title of ownership transfers on these products as they leave our location due to the freight terms of F.O.B. - Shipper.

Concentration of Risk [Policy Text Block]

Concentration of Risk

One of our dealer organizations, FreedomRoads, LLC, accounted for 26%, 18%, and 15% of our consolidated net revenue in Fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. In Fiscal 2012 they sold our products in 62of their dealership locations across 26 US states. The loss of this dealer organization could have a significant adverse effect on our business. In addition, deterioration in the liquidity or creditworthiness of FreedomRoads, LLC could negatively impact our sales and could trigger repurchase obligations under our repurchase agreements.

Sales Promotions and Incentives [Policy Text Block]

Sales Promotions and Incentives

We accrue for sales promotions and incentive expenses, which are recognized as a reduction to revenues, at the time of sale to the dealer or when the sales incentive is offered to the dealer or retail customer. Examples of sales promotions and incentive programs include dealer and consumer rebates, volume discounts, retail financing programs and dealer sales associate incentives. Sales promotion and incentive expenses are estimated based upon then current program parameters, such as unit or retail volume and historical rates. Actual results may differ from these estimates if market conditions dictate the need to enhance or reduce sales promotion and incentive programs or if the retail customer usage rate varies from historical trends. Historically, sales promotion and incentive expenses have been within our expectations and differences have not been material.

Repurchase Commitments [Policy Text Block]

Repurchase Commitments

It is customary practice for manufacturers in the recreation vehicle industry to enter into repurchase agreements with financing institutions that provide financing to their dealers. Our repurchase agreements generally provide that, in the event of a default by a dealer in its obligation to these lenders, we will repurchase vehicles sold to the dealer that have not been resold to retail customers. The terms of these agreements, which can last up to 18 months, provide that our liability will be the lesser of remaining principal owed by the dealer or dealer invoice less periodic reductions based on the time since the date of the original invoice. Our liability cannot exceed 100% of the dealer invoice. In certain instances, we also repurchase inventory from our dealers due to state law or regulatory requirements that govern voluntary or involuntary relationship terminations.

Based on these repurchase agreements, we establish an associated loss reserve which is disclosed separately as "Accrued loss of repurchases" in the consolidated balance sheets. Repurchased sales are not recorded as a revenue transaction, but the net difference between the original repurchase price and the resale price are recorded against the loss reserve, which is a deduction from gross revenue. Our loss reserve for repurchase commitments contains uncertainties because the calculation requires management to make assumptions and apply judgment regarding a number of factors. See Note 11.

Shipping Revenues and Expenses [Policy Text Block]

Shipping Revenues and Expenses

Shipping revenues for products shipped are included within net sales, while shipping expenses are included within cost of goods sold.

Reporting Segment [Policy Text Block]

Reporting Segment

We have two operating segments, motorhomes and Towables, which aggregate into one reportable segment, the recreation vehicle market. We design, develop, manufacture and market motorized and towable recreation products along with supporting products and services. The Chief Executive Officer has been identified as the Chief Operating Decision Maker as defined by ASC No. 280, Disclosures about Segments Reporting.

Research and Development [Policy Text Block]

Research and Development

Research and development expenditures are included within cost of goods sold and are expensed as incurred. A portion of these expenditures qualify for state and federal tax benefits. Development activities generally relate to creating new products and improving or creating variations of existing products to meet new applications. During Fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, we spent approximately $3.4 million, $3.3 million and $3.2 million, respectively, on research and development activities.

Advertising [Policy Text Block]

Advertising

Advertising costs, which consist primarily of literature and trade shows, were $4.3 million, $3.4 million, and $3.3 million in Fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Advertising costs are included in selling expense and are expensed as incurred with the exception of trade shows which are expensed in the period in which the show occurs.

Earnings Per Common Share [Policy Text Block]

Earnings Per Common Share

Basic income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted income per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average common shares outstanding plus the incremental shares that would have been outstanding upon the assumed exercise of dilutive stock awards and options (see Note 16).

Reclassifications [Policy Text Block]

Reclassifications

Certain amounts reported in prior years in deferred tax assets have been reclassified to conform to the current year footnote presentation. The reclassifications had no impact on total deferred tax assets (see Note 12).

Subsequent Events [Policy Text Block]

Subsequent Events

We evaluated events occurring between the end of our most recent fiscal year and the date the financial statements were issued. There were no material subsequent events, except those described in Note 6, Note 8, and Note 14.

New Accounting Pronouncements [Policy Text Block]

New Accounting Pronouncements

On May 12, 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement, which requires measurement uncertainty disclosure in the form of a sensitivity analysis of unobservable inputs to reasonable alternative amounts for all Level 3 recurring fair value measurements. ASU 2011-04 became effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The Company adopted this guidance in the third quarter of Fiscal 2012. The adoption of this guidance required additional disclosures, but did not have any impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

On June 16, 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, Presentation of Comprehensive Income, which revised the manner in which entities present comprehensive income in their financial statements. ASU 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011 (our Fiscal 2013). We do not believe that the adoption of this will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08, Testing Goodwill for Impairment, which simplified the manner in which entities test goodwill for impairment. After assessment of certain qualitative factors, if it is determined to be more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, entities must perform a quantitative analysis of the goodwill impairment test. Otherwise, the quantitative test becomes optional. ASU 2011-08 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011 (our Fiscal 2013). We do not believe that the adoption of this will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.