2.	Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation — The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our wholly-owned or controlled subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. of America (“U.S. GAAP”) 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 period. Actual results may differ materially from those estimates. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to current year presentation.

Cash — Cash consists of deposits with high credit-quality financial institutions.

Accounts Receivable — Trade accounts receivable are stated at current value less allowances, which approximates fair value. We review our receivables on an ongoing basis to ensure that they are properly valued and collectible. This is accomplished through two contra-receivable accounts — returns and allowances and allowance for doubtful accounts.

Returns and allowances are used to record estimates of returns or other allowances resulting from quality, delivery, discounts or other issues affecting the value of receivables. This account is estimated based on historical trends and current market conditions, with the offset to net sales.

The allowance for doubtful accounts is used to record the estimated risk of loss related to the customers’ inability to pay. This allowance is maintained at a level that we consider appropriate based on factors that affect collectability, such as the financial health of our customers, historical trends of charge-offs and recoveries and current economic market conditions. As we monitor our receivables, we identify customers that may have payment problems, and we adjust the allowance accordingly, with the offset to selling, general and administrative expense. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when recovery is considered remote.

Inventories — Inventories are valued at the lower of first-in, first-out cost or market. Inventory quantities on-hand are regularly reviewed, and where necessary, provisions for excess and obsolete inventory are recorded based primarily on our estimated production requirements driven by expected market volumes. Excess and obsolete provisions may vary by product depending upon future potential use of the product.

Property, Plant and Equipment — Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. For financial reporting purposes, depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:


Buildings and improvements			15 to 40 years

Machinery and equipment			3 to 20 years

Tools and dies			3 to 7 years

Computer hardware and software			3 to 5 years

Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for major betterments and renewals that extend the useful lives of property, plant and equipment are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining useful lives of the asset. When assets are retired or sold, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in the results of operations. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the improvements or the term of the lease, whichever is shorter. Accelerated depreciation methods are used for tax reporting purposes. Depreciation expense for the year ended December 31, 2012 was approximately $13.6 million.

We review long-lived assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts of an asset group may not be recoverable. Our asset groups are established by determining the lowest level of cash flows available. If the estimated undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amounts of such assets, we recognize an impairment loss in an amount necessary to write down the assets to fair value as estimated from expected future discounted cash flows. Estimating the fair value of these assets is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but that are inherently uncertain.

Goodwill — Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired. We review goodwill for impairment annually in the second fiscal quarter and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. We evaluate whether goodwill has been impaired at the reporting unit level by first determining whether the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value and, if so, by determining whether the implied fair value of goodwill within the reporting unit is less than the carrying value. Implied fair value of goodwill is determined by considering both the income and market approach. Determining the fair value of a reporting unit is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include revenue growth rates and operating margins used to calculate projected future cash flows, risk-adjusted discount rates, future economic and market conditions and determination of appropriate market comparables. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable but that are inherently uncertain.

Intangible Assets — Definite-Lived — We review definite-lived intangible assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If the estimated undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of such assets, we recognize an impairment loss in an amount necessary to write down the assets to fair value as estimated from expected future discounted cash flows. Estimating the fair value of these assets is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but that are inherently uncertain. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated life of the asset.

See Note 9 for additional information on our goodwill and intangible assets.

Revenue Recognition — We recognize revenue when 1) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, 2) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, 3) there is a fixed or determinable price, and 4) collectability is reasonably assured. Our products are generally shipped from our facilities to our customers, which is when title passes to the customer for substantially all of our revenues.

Warranty — We are subject to warranty claims for products that fail to perform as expected due to design or manufacturing deficiencies. Customers continue to require their outside suppliers to guarantee or warrant their products and bear the cost of repair or replacement of such products. Depending on the terms under which we supply products to our customers, a customer may hold us responsible for some or all of the repair or replacement costs of defective products, when the product supplied did not perform as represented. Our policy is to record provisions for estimated future customer warranty costs based on historical trends and current economic factors. These amounts, as they relate to the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 are included within accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The following presents a summary of the warranty provision for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):


	2012			2011
Balance — Beginning of the year	$	2,777		$	2,653
Additional acquisitions recorded		—			297
Additional provisions recorded		2,727			1,751
Deduction for payments made		(2,286	)		(1,929	)
Currency translation adjustment		21			5

Balance — End of year	$	3,239		$	2,777

Research and Development Costs — Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and included in selling, general and administration expenses. Research and development costs charged to expense amounted to approximately $6.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Income Taxes — We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in our financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax laws and rates. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some, or a portion, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We provide a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a portion of such deferred tax assets will not be realized. We recognize tax positions initially in the financial statements when it is more likely than not the position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. Such tax positions are initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the tax authority assuming full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts.

Comprehensive Loss — Comprehensive loss reflects the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Comprehensive loss represents net loss adjusted for foreign currency translation adjustments and minimum pension liability adjustments. We disclose comprehensive loss in the consolidated statements of stockholders’ deficit. The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss consisted of the following as of December 31 (in thousands):


	2012			2011
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$	(7,607	)	$	(9,261	)

Minimum pension liability adjustment (net of tax of $3,125 in 2012 and $2,843 in 2011)		(20,278	)		(18,557	)

	$	(27,885	)	$	(27,818	)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The fair value framework requires the categorization of assets and liabilities into three levels based upon the assumptions (inputs) used to price the assets or liabilities. Level 1 provides the most reliable measure of fair value, whereas Level 3 generally requires significant management judgment. The three levels are defined as follows:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.

Level 2 — Observable inputs other than those included in Level 1. For example, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets.

Level 3 — Significant unobservable inputs reflecting management’s own assumptions about the inputs used in pricing the asset or liability.

Concentrations of Credit Risk — Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and accounts receivable. We sell products to various companies throughout the world in the ordinary course of business. We routinely assess the financial strength of our customers and maintain allowances for anticipated losses. Customers that accounted for a significant portion of consolidated revenues for each of the three years ended December 31 were as follows:


	2012			2011			2010

PACCAR		19	%		18	%		12	%

Daimler Trucks		15			13			11

Volvo/Mack		15			14			11

Caterpillar		10			11			12

International (Navistar)		7			9			11

Deere & Co.		5			4			3

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, receivables from these customers represented approximately 58% and 66% of total receivables, respectively.

Foreign Currency Translation — Our functional currency is the local currency. Accordingly, all assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries are translated using exchange rates in effect at the end of the period and revenue and costs are translated using average exchange rates for the period. The related translation adjustments are reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity. Translation gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity involved are included in the results of operations.

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts — We use forward exchange contracts to hedge certain of the foreign currency transaction exposures. We estimate our projected revenues and purchases in certain foreign currencies or locations, and hedge a portion or all of the anticipated long or short position. The contracts typically run from one month up to eighteen months. All forward foreign exchange contracts have been marked-to-market and the fair value of contracts recorded in the consolidated balance sheets with the offsetting non-cash gain or loss recorded in our consolidated statements of income. We do not hold or issue foreign exchange options or forward contracts for trading purposes.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements — In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2012-02, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other.” The ASU gives companies the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If a company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of such an asset exceeds its carrying amount, it would not need to calculate the fair value of the asset in that year. However, if a company concludes otherwise, it must calculate the fair value of the asset, compare that value with its carrying amount and record an impairment charge, if any. This guidance will be effective beginning in fiscal 2013; however, early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of this ASU.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05.” This update defers the provisions within ASU 2011-05 requiring the presentation on the face of the financial statements of the effects of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the components of net income and other comprehensive income. The deferral will allow the FASB further time to deliberate operational concerns expressed by constituents. ASU 2011-12 was effective concurrently with the adoption of ASU 2011-05.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, “Testing Goodwill for Impairment,” which permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. The more-likely-than-not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50 percent. The provisions of this ASU were adopted in 2012. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income.” This ASU intends to enhance comparability and transparency of other comprehensive income components. The guidance provides an option to present total comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income in a single continuous statement or two separate but consecutive statements. This ASU eliminates the option to present other comprehensive income components as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The provisions of this ASU were adopted in the first fiscal quarter of 2012 and were applied retrospectively. The adoption of this ASU resulted in the presentation of a new statement, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurement.” This ASU clarifies the concepts related to highest and best use and valuation premise, blockage factors and other premiums and discounts, the fair value measurement of financial instruments held in a portfolio and of those instruments classified as a component of stockholders’ equity. The guidance includes enhanced disclosure requirements about recurring Level 3 fair value measurements, the use of nonfinancial assets, and the level in the fair value hierarchy of assets and liabilities not recorded at fair value. The provisions of this ASU were effective prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.