Organization and Presentation (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company in U.S. dollars and in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, applied on a consistent basis.

Basis of Consolidation

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of GSI Group Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The accounts include a 50% owned joint venture, Excel Laser Technology Private Limited (“Excel SouthAsia JV”), since it is a variable interest entity and the Company is the primary beneficiary of the joint venture. The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company include the assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses of Excel SouthAsia JV over which the Company exercises control. The Company records noncontrolling interest in its consolidated statements of operations for the ownership interest of the minority owners of Excel SouthAsia JV. Financial information related to the joint venture is not considered material to the consolidated financial statements. The Company accounts for investments in businesses in which it owns between 20% and 50% using the equity method.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

As discussed in Note 17, the Company realigned its segment presentation during the fourth quarter of 2013 into the following three reportable segments: Laser Products, Medical Technologies, and Precision Motion. The Company’s reportable segment financial information has been reclassified in Note 7, 15 and 17 to conform to the updated reportable segment structure for all periods presented.

Use of Estimates

Use of 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, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of sales and expenses during the reporting periods. The Company evaluates its estimates based on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions that it believes are reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed on an on-going basis and the effects of revisions are reflected in the period in which they are deemed to be necessary. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

The financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries outside the United States have been translated into United States dollars. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated from foreign currencies into United States dollars at the exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet date. Sales and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate in effect for the period. Accordingly, gains and losses resulting from translating foreign currency financial statements are reported as a separate component of other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses, primarily from transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency, are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents, primarily money market accounts, are highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. These investments are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.

Long-Term Investments

Long-Term Investments

At December 31, 2012, the Company had a 25.1% equity investment in a privately held company located in the United Kingdom, Laser Quantum (“Laser Quantum”). During the second quarter of 2013, the Company’s ownership percentage increased from 25.1% to 41.2% as a result of a share buy-back program by Laser Quantum. The Company continues to use the equity method to record the results of this entity as it does not have a controlling interest in the entity. The Company recognized investment income of $1.5 million, $0.6 million and $1.2 million during 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, which is included in other income (expense) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s net investment balance was $5.7 million and $4.1 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and is included in other long-term assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The summarized financial information for Laser Quantum is as follows (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2013		2012		2011
Sales	$	16,269	$	13,039	$	18,384
Income from operations	$	4,720	$	3,592	$	3,994
Net income	$	3,745	$	2,215	$	4,684

	2013		2012
Total assets	$	20,990	$	21,596
Total liabilities	$	4,240	$	5,330

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses resulting from the inability of the Company’s customers to make required payments. The Company determines the allowance based on a variety of factors including the age of amounts outstanding relative to their contractual due date, specific customer factors, and other known risks and economic trends. Charges recorded to the allowance for doubtful accounts are reflected as selling, general and administrative expenses and are recorded in the period that the outstanding receivables are determined to be uncollectible. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when the Company believes it is probable the receivable will not be recovered.

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, the allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows (in thousands):

	2013			2012			2011
Balance at beginning of year	$	374		$	337		$	499
Provision (benefit) charged to selling, general and administrative expense		325			185			(61	)
Allowance resulting from acquisition		117			—			—
Write-offs, net of recoveries of amounts previously reserved		(187	)		(162	)		(102	)
Exchange rate changes		22			14			1
Balance at end of year	$	651		$	374		$	337

Inventories

Inventories

Inventories, which include materials and conversion costs, are stated at the lower of cost or market, using the first-in, first-out method. Market is defined as replacement cost for raw materials and net realizable value for other inventories. Demo inventory is recorded at the lower of cost or its net realizable value. The Company periodically reviews quantities of inventories on hand and compares these amounts to the expected use of each product. The Company records a charge to cost of goods sold for the amount required to reduce the carrying value of inventory to net realizable value. Costs associated with the procurement of inventories such as inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs are capitalized in inventory on the consolidated balance sheets.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost, adjusted for any impairment, less accumulated depreciation. The Company uses the straight-line method to calculate the depreciation of its fixed assets over their estimated useful lives. Estimated useful lives for buildings and improvements range from 3 to 30 years and 1 to 13 years for machinery and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of their useful lives or lease terms, including any renewal period options that are reasonably assured of being exercised. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Certain costs to develop software for internal use are capitalized when the criteria under ASC 350-40, “Internal-Use Software,” are met. Lease arrangements meeting the criteria of ASC 840-30, “Leases – Capital Leases,” are capitalized based on the present value of future lease payments and depreciated over the term of the lease.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price in a business combination over the fair value of the acquired net tangible and intangible assets. In connection with its acquisition of Excel Technologies, Inc. (“Excel”) in 2008, the Company acquired certain trade names that are classified as intangible assets with indefinite lives. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles are not amortized but are assessed for impairment at least annually to ensure their current fair values exceed their carrying values.

Other identifiable intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The Company’s most significant intangible assets are patents and customer relationships, acquired technologies, trademarks and trade names. All definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over the periods in which their economic benefits are expected to be realized. The Company reviews the useful life assumptions, including the classification of certain intangible assets as “indefinite-lived”, on a periodic basis to determine if changes in circumstances warrant revisions to them.

The Company’s product lines generally correspond with its reporting units which is the level at which the Company evaluates its goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets for impairment.

Impairment Charges

Impairment Charges

Impairment analyses of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are conducted in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other”. This guidance specifies that goodwill and other intangible assets must be periodically tested for impairment. The Company tests its goodwill balances annually as of the beginning of the second quarter or more frequently if indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that an impairment may exist. In the second quarter of 2012, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-08, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) – Testing Goodwill for Impairment” (ASU 2011-08). This guidance allows the Company to use a qualitative approach to test goodwill for impairment. In performing the impairment test, the Company continues to utilize a quantitative analysis to test goodwill for impairment. This two-step approach requires a comparison of the carrying value of each of the Company’s reporting units to the fair value of these reporting units. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company calculates the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill and compares it to the goodwill’s carrying value. If the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment charge is recorded for the difference.

During the second quarter of 2013, the Company adopted ASU 2012-02, “Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment”. Similar to goodwill impairment testing guidance under ASU 2011-08, the revised standard allows entities to use a qualitative approach to test indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment. ASU 2012-02 permits entities to perform a qualitative assessment by considering events and circumstances which would impact the fair value of the entity’s indefinite-lived intangible assets to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the entity’s indefinite-lived intangible assets are impaired. An entity would continue to calculate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset if the asset fails the qualitative assessment, while no further analysis would be required if it passes. The provisions of the new guidance were adopted and had no impact on our 2013 annual indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment test results as the Company continues to use a quantitative analysis.

The Company assesses indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis as of the beginning of the second quarter, and more frequently if indicators are present or changes in circumstances suggest that an impairment may exist. The Company will also reassess the continuing classification of these indefinite-lived intangible assets as indefinite-lived when circumstances change such that the useful life may no longer be indefinite. The fair values of the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets are determined using the relief from royalty method, based on forecasted revenues. If the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value, an impairment charge is recorded for the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the impaired asset.

The carrying amounts of definite-lived long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever changes in events or circumstances indicate that their carrying values may not be recoverable. The recoverability of carrying value is generally determined by comparison of the reporting unit’s carrying value to its future undiscounted cash flows. When this test indicates the potential for impairment, a fair value assessment is performed. Once an impairment is determined and measured, an impairment charge is recorded for the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the impaired asset.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

In 2013, the Company adopted ASU 2013-02, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Comprehensive Income”. Under ASU 2013-02, an entity is required to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by the respective line items of net income, but only if the amount reclassified is required to be reclassified in its entirety in the same reporting period. For amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures that provide additional details about those amounts. ASU 2013-02 does not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income (loss) in the financial statements. The adoption of this amendment did not have any material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, price is fixed or determinable, and collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Revenue recognition requires judgment and estimates, which may affect the amount and timing of revenue recognized in any given period.

On January 1, 2011, the Company adopted the provisions of ASU 2009-13, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) – Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements,” using the modified prospective approach. All multiple-element revenue arrangements entered into after January 1, 2011 have been accounted for under the ASU 2009-13 guidance. ASU 2009-13 addresses the accounting for multiple-element arrangements by providing two significant changes. First, this guidance removes the requirement to have objective and reliable evidence of fair value for undelivered elements in an arrangement, which generally results in more elements being treated as separate units of accounting. Specifically, this guidance amends the criteria in Subtopic 605-25, “Revenue Recognition-Multiple-Element Arrangements” (“ASC 605-25”), for separating consideration in multiple-element arrangements. This guidance establishes a selling price hierarchy for determining the “selling price” of an element, which is based on: (a) vendor-specific objective evidence; (b) third-party evidence; or (c) management’s best estimate. Management’s best estimate for the Company is based on factors such as gross margin, volume discounts, new strategic customers, geography, customer class and competitive pressures. The second change modifies the manner in which the transaction consideration is allocated across the separately identified elements. Entities are no longer able to apply the residual method of allocation. Instead, the arrangement consideration is required to be allocated at the inception of the arrangement to all elements using the relative selling price method. The relative selling price method uses the weighted average of the “selling price” and applies that to the contract value to establish the consideration for each element.

For transactions entered into prior to the adoption of ASU 2009-13, the Company followed the provisions of ASC 605-25 for all multiple-element arrangements. Under the guidance prior to ASU 2009-13, the Company assessed whether the elements specified in a multiple-element arrangement should be treated as separate units of accounting for revenue recognition purposes and whether objective and reliable evidence of fair value existed for these separate units of accounting. The Company applied the residual method when objective and reliable evidence of fair value existed for all of the undelivered elements in a multiple-element arrangement. When objective and reliable evidence of fair value did not exist for all of the undelivered elements, the Company recognized revenue under the multiple units shipped methodology, whereby revenue was recognized in each period based upon the lowest common percentage of the products shipped in the period. This approximated a proportional performance model (the “Proportional Performance Model”) of revenue recognition. This generally resulted in a partial deferral of revenue to a later reporting period. No revenue was recognized unless one or more units of each product had been delivered.

The Company’s revenue transactions are comprised of both single-element and multiple-element transactions. Multiple-element transactions may include two or more products and occasionally also contain installation, training, non-standard/extended warranties, or preventative maintenance plans. For multiple-element transactions entered into or materially modified after January 1, 2011, revenue is recognized under ASU 2009-13, generally upon shipment using the relative selling price method. For multiple-element transactions entered prior to January 1, 2011, revenue was generally recognized under the Proportional Performance Model described previously. Single-element transactions were generally recognized upon shipment.

Installation is generally a routine process that occurs within a short period of time following delivery and the Company has concluded that this obligation is inconsequential and perfunctory.

The Company generally provides warranties for its products. The standard warranty period is typically 12 to 24 months for the Laser Products and Precision Motion segments. The Medical Technologies segment contains standard warranties that range from 12 months to 60 months. The initial standard warranty for product sales is accounted for under the provisions of ASC 450, “Contingencies,” as the Company has the ability to ascertain the likelihood of the liability, and can estimate the amount of the liability. A provision for the estimated cost related to warranty is recorded to cost of goods sold at the time revenue is recognized. The Company’s estimate of costs to service the warranty obligations are based on historical experience and expectations of future conditions. To the extent the Company experiences warranty claims or costs associated with servicing those claims that differ from the original estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability are recorded at that time.

The Company also sells optional extended/non-standard warranty services and preventative maintenance contracts to customers. The Company accounts for these agreements in accordance with provisions of ASC 605-20-25-3, “Separately Priced Extended Warranty and Product Maintenance Contracts,” under which it recognizes the separately priced extended warranty and preventative maintenance fees ratably over the associated period.

The Company, at the request of its customers, may at times perform professional services for its customers, generally for the maintenance and repairs of products previously sold to those customers. These services are usually in the form of time and materials based contracts which are short in duration. Revenue for time and material services is recorded at the completion of services requested under a customer’s purchase order. At times, customers may purchase a service contract subsequent to the initial product sale whereby services, including preventative maintenance plans, are provided over a defined period, generally one year. Revenue for such service contracts are recorded ratably over the period of the contract.

The Company typically negotiates trade discounts and agreed terms in advance of order acceptance and records any such items as a reduction of revenue. The Company’s revenue recognition policy allows for revenue to be recognized under arrangements where the payment terms are 180 days or less, presuming all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. From time to time, based on the Company’s review of customer creditworthiness and other factors, the Company may provide its customers with payment terms that exceed 180 days. To the extent all other revenue recognition criteria have been met, the Company recognizes revenue for these extended payment arrangements when payment is due. The Company currently does not have payment terms with customers that exceed 180 days.

The Company had certain pre ASU 2009-13 multiple-element arrangements, delivered over multiple periods, from which the Company recognized $31.5 million in revenue for the year ended December 31, 2011 and $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012. There was no related revenue recognized during the year ended December 31, 2013. Such arrangements continued to be accounted for under the prior accounting standards until they were completed.

Research and Development and Engineering Costs

Research and Development and Engineering Costs

Research and development and engineering (“R&D”) expenses are primarily comprised of employee related expenses and cost of materials for R&D projects. These costs are expensed as incurred.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation

The Company records the expense associated with share-based compensation awards to employees and directors based on the fair value of awards as of the grant date. Such expenses are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations ratably over the vesting period of the award, net of estimated forfeitures.

Shipping & Handling Costs

Shipping & Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs are recorded in cost of goods sold.

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed to selling, general and administrative expense as incurred and were not material for 2013, 2012 and 2011.

Restructuring, Restatement Related Costs, Post-Emergence Fees and Other Charges

Restructuring, Restatement Related Costs, Post-Emergence Fees and Other Charges

In accounting for its restructuring activities, the Company follows the provisions of ASC 420, “Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations”. The Company makes assumptions related to the amounts of employee severance benefits and related costs, the time period over which facilities will remain vacant, useful lives and residual value of long-lived assets, sublease terms, sublease rates and discount rates. Estimates and assumptions are based on the best information available at the time the obligation is recognized. These estimates are reviewed and revised as facts and circumstances dictate.

The costs incurred related to third parties, including auditors, attorneys, forensic accountants and other advisors, for services performed in connection with the restatement of the Company’s previously issued financial statements as reported in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 26, 2008, including the SEC investigation and certain shareholder actions, have been included within the Company’s restructuring, restatement related costs, post-emergence fees and other charges line in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Post-emergence professional fees represent costs incurred subsequent to bankruptcy emergence for financial and legal advisors to assist with matters in finalizing the bankruptcy process. Post-emergence professional fees totaled $0.3 million during 2011, with no comparable amount during 2013 and 2012.

Accounting for Income Taxes

Accounting for Income Taxes

The asset and liability method is used to account for income taxes. Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. This method also requires the recognition of future tax benefits, such as net operating loss carryforwards, to the extent that it is more likely than not that such benefits will be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is established to reduce the deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that some or all of the related tax benefits will not be realized in the future and is assessed periodically to determine whether it is more likely than not that the tax benefits will be realized in the future and that such valuation should be released.

The majority of the Company’s business activities are conducted through its subsidiaries outside of Canada. Earnings from these subsidiaries are generally indefinitely reinvested in the local businesses. Further, local laws and regulations may also restrict certain subsidiaries from paying dividends to their parents. As such, the Company generally does not accrue income taxes for the repatriation of such earnings in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes”. To the extent that there are excess accumulated earnings that the Company intends to repatriate from any such subsidiaries, the Company recognizes deferred tax liabilities on such foreign earnings.

The Company assesses its income tax positions and records tax benefits for all years subject to examination based on the evaluation of the facts, circumstances, and information available at each reporting date. For those tax positions with a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information, the Company records a tax benefit. For those income tax positions that are not likely to be sustained, no tax benefit is recognized in the consolidated financial statements. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as part of the provision for income taxes.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment

In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-05, “Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity”. ASU 2013-05 provides clarification regarding whether ASC 810-10, “Consolidation – Overall” or ASC 830-30, “Foreign Currency Matters—Translation of Financial Statements,” applies to the release of cumulative translation adjustments into net income when a reporting entity either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that constitute a business within a foreign entity. The revised standard is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Presentation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, “Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists”. ASU 2013-11 requires, unless certain conditions exists, an unrecognized tax benefit or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, similar to a tax loss or a tax credit carryforward. ASU 2013-11 is effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of this amendment is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.