BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

CLARCOR Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “CLARCOR”) is a global provider of filtration products, filtration systems and services, and consumer and industrial packaging products. As discussed further in Note Q, the Company has three reportable segments: Engine/Mobile Filtration, Industrial/Environmental Filtration and, formerly, Packaging. On June 27, 2015, the Company completed the disposition of J.L. Clark, Inc., which was the sole operating company within the Company's Packaging segment. The Consolidated Financial Statements include all domestic and foreign subsidiaries that were more than 50% owned and controlled as of each respective reporting period presented. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Pending Acquisition by Parker-Hannifin Corporation

On December 1, 2016, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Parker-Hannifin merger agreement”) with Parker-Hannifin Corporation (“Parker-Hannifin”) and Parker Eagle Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Parker-Hannifin (“Merger Sub”), pursuant to which, upon the closing of the merger, Merger Sub will cease to exist, and the Company will survive as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parker-Hannifin (the “pending Parker-Hannifin transaction”). Upon the closing of this merger, each share of the Company’s common stock, par value $1.00 per share (other than treasury stock and any shares of the Company’s common stock owned by the Company, Parker-Hannifin, Merger Sub, any of their wholly owned subsidiaries, or any person who properly demands statutory appraisal of their shares) will be converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $83.00 without interest. Upon completion of the Merger, the Company's common stock will no longer be publicly traded and will be delisted from the New York Stock Exchange.

The pending Parker-Hannifin transaction is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of calendar year 2017, and is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval of the merger by the Company’s stockholders and receipt of applicable foreign regulatory approvals.

Accounting Period

The Company's fiscal year-end is the Saturday closest to November 30, typically resulting in a fifty-two week year, but occasionally giving rise to an additional week, resulting in a fifty-three week year. The fiscal year ended December 3, 2016 was comprised of fifty-three weeks while the fiscal years ended November 28, 2015 and November 29, 2014 were both comprised of fifty-two weeks. For clarity of presentation in the Consolidated Financial Statements, all fiscal years are shown to begin as of December 1 and end as of November 30.

Use of Management's Estimates

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 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 liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results will differ from those estimates.

Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions

Financial statements of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. Dollars at current rates, except that revenues, costs, expenses and cash flows are translated at average rates during each reporting period and equity accounts are translated at historical rates. Net exchange gains or losses resulting from the translation of foreign financial statements are presented in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings. Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in the results of operations as incurred. Other, net, included in Other income (expense), included net foreign currency transaction gains (losses) of $672, $(215), and $1,251 in fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased and that are readily saleable are considered to be cash and cash equivalents. Restricted cash represents funds held in escrow and cash balances held by banks as collateral for certain guarantees of overseas subsidiaries. Restricted cash classified as current corresponds to funds held in escrow that will be used within one year or guarantees that expire within one year. The Company had $143 of current restricted cash recorded in prepaid expenses and other current assets as of November 30, 2016. The Company had no current restricted cash as of November 30, 2015. The Company had $1,294 of noncurrent restricted cash recorded in Other noncurrent assets as of November 30, 2016 and 2015, corresponding to guarantees and escrow agreements that expire longer than one year from the dates of the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash represent financial instruments with potential credit risk. The Company mitigates the risk by investing the assets with institutions it believes to be financially sound.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company is exposed to various market risks that arise from transactions entered into in the normal course of business, including market risks associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates and changes in interest rates. The Company may make use of derivative instruments to manage certain such risks, including derivatives designated as accounting hedges and / or those utilized as economic hedges which are not designated as accounting hedges. The Company does not hold or issue derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.

All derivatives are recorded at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Each derivative is designated as either a fair value hedge, cash flow hedge or remains undesignated. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and effective as fair value hedges are recognized currently in net income. These changes are offset in net income to the extent the hedge was effective by fair value changes related to the risk being hedged on the hedged item. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings. Changes in fair value of undesignated hedges are recognized currently in net income. All ineffective changes in derivative fair values are recognized currently in net income.

The Company formally documents all relationships between designated hedging instruments and hedged items as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking hedge transactions. Both at inception and on an ongoing basis the hedging instrument is assessed as to its effectiveness. If and when a derivative is determined not to be highly effective as a hedge, or the underlying hedge transaction is no longer likely to occur, the hedge designation is removed, or the derivative is terminated, the hedge accounting discussed above is discontinued. Further information related to derivatives and hedging activities is included in Note G of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Losses

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. Trade accounts receivable represent financial instruments with potential credit risk. The allowance for losses is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in its existing accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based on economic conditions in the industries to which the Company sells and on historical experience by evaluating specific customer accounts for risk of loss, fluctuations in amounts owed and current payment trends. The allowances provided are estimates that may be impacted by economic and market conditions which could have an effect on future allowance requirements and results of operations. The Company reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts monthly. Past due balances over ninety days and over a specified amount are reviewed individually for collectability. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when it is probable the receivable will not be recovered.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market primarily determined on the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method of inventory costing, which approximates current cost. The Company periodically assesses its inventories for potential excess, slow movement and obsolescence and adjusts inventory values accordingly. Inventories are summarized as follows:



	2016		2015
Raw materials	$	90,606	$	99,129
Work in process	30,872		43,907
Finished products	116,149		131,789
	$	237,627	$	274,825

Property, Plant and Equipment

Depreciation is determined by the straight-line method for financial statement purposes and by the accelerated method for tax purposes. The provision for depreciation is based on the estimated useful lives of the assets (15 to 40 years for buildings and improvements, the shorter of the asset life or the life of the lease for leasehold improvements and leased equipment and 3 to 15 years for machinery and equipment). It is the Company’s policy to capitalize the cost of renewals and betterments and to charge to expense the cost of current maintenance and repairs. When property or equipment is retired or otherwise disposed of, the net book value of the asset is removed from the Company’s books and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in operating profit.

Plant assets classified as held for sale are initially measured at the lesser of the assets' carrying amount or the fair value less costs to sell. Gains or losses are recognized for any subsequent changes in the fair value less cost to sell; however, gains are only recognized to the extent of cumulative losses previously recognized. Plant assets classified as Assets held for sale are not depreciated. As of November 30, 2016 and 2015, property, plant and equipment of $533 related to property held in Rockford, Illinois was classified as an Asset held for sale.

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets

The Company recognizes the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the net amount assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed as goodwill. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis during the fourth quarter and any time events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill and acquired intangible assets might not be recoverable. Impairment losses would be recognized whenever the implied fair value of goodwill is less than its carrying value.

The Company recognizes an acquired intangible asset apart from goodwill whenever the asset arises from contractual or other legal rights, or whenever it is capable of being separated or divided from the acquired entity and sold, transferred, licensed, rented or exchanged, either individually or in combination with a related contract, asset or liability. An intangible asset other than goodwill is amortized over its estimated useful life unless that life is determined to be indefinite. Most of the Company’s trade names and trademarks have indefinite useful lives and are subject to impairment testing. All other acquired intangible assets, including patents which have an average 14 year life, and other identifiable intangible assets with original lives ranging from 1 to 30 years, are being amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated periods to be benefited. The Company reviews the lives of its definite-lived intangible assets at least annually during the fourth quarter, and if necessary, impairment losses are recognized if the carrying amount of an intangible asset subject to amortization is not recoverable from expected future cash flows and its carrying amount exceeds its fair value.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company determines any impairment losses based on underlying cash flows related to specific groups of acquired long-lived assets, including plant assets, associated identifiable intangible assets and goodwill, when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. For the years ended November 30, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the Company had no significant impairment losses related to plant assets, identifiable intangible assets and goodwill.

Income Taxes

The Company provides for income taxes and recognizes deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. The Company does not provide deferred taxes on unremitted foreign earnings from certain foreign affiliates that are intended to be indefinitely reinvested to finance operations and expansion outside the United States.

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”). This guidance applies broadly to all tax positions taken by a company, including decisions to not report income in a tax return or to classify a transaction as tax exempt. The approach is a two-step benefit recognition model. The amount of benefit to recognize is measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being ultimately realized upon settlement. The tax position is derecognized when it is no longer more likely than not of being sustained. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized benefits in income tax expense.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, consists of foreign currency translation adjustments, unrecognized gains and losses related to the effective portion of cash flow hedges and pension related gains and losses, prior service costs and credits and any remaining transition amounts that have not yet been recognized through net periodic benefit costs. Changes in Accumulated other comprehensive loss by component are as follows:



	Pension Benefits				Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments			Derivative Financial Instruments			Total
Balance at November 30, 2014, net of tax	$	(37,667	)		$	(16,413	)	$	—		$	(54,080	)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications and tax	(637		)	(a)	(35,636		)	—			(36,273		)
Tax benefit	257				—			—			257
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax	(380		)		(35,636		)	—			(36,016		)
Reclassifications, before tax	3,464			(b)	—			—			3,464
Tax expense	(1,420		)		—			—			(1,420		)
Reclassifications, net of tax	2,044				—			—			2,044
Other comprehensive gain (loss), net of tax	1,664				(35,636		)	—			(33,972		)
Balance at November 30, 2015, net of tax	$	(36,003	)		$	(52,049	)	$	—		$	(88,052	)
Other comprehensive (loss) gain before reclassifications and tax	(8,597		)		(31,660		)	385			(39,872		)
Tax benefit (expense)	3,106				21			(139		)	2,988
Other comprehensive (loss) gain before reclassifications, net of tax	(5,491		)		(31,639		)	246			(36,884		)
Reclassifications, before tax	3,670			(b)	—			(108		)	3,562
Tax benefit (expense)	(1,327		)		—			39			(1,288		)
Reclassifications, net of tax	2,343				—			(69		)	2,274
Other comprehensive gain (loss), net of tax	(3,148		)		(31,639		)	177			(34,610		)
Balance at November 30, 2016, net of tax	$	(39,151	)		$	(83,688	)	$	177		$	(122,662	)

(a) Includes gains of $3,988 related to a curtailment and re-measurement of the assets and liabilities of the Company's qualified U.S. pension plan resulting from the disposal of J.L. Clark. See Note L for related information.

(b) Includes amortization of prior service cost and net actuarial loss included in net periodic benefit cost that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to selling and administrative expenses. See Note L for related information.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based employee compensation cost is recognized using the fair-value based method for all awards granted on or after the beginning of fiscal year 2006. The Company issues stock option awards and restricted stock unit awards to employees and issues shares of common stock to non-employee directors under its stock-based incentive plans. The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Compensation cost related to restricted stock units is recorded based on the market price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. The Company recognizes compensation expense from the date of grant on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award, which is typically a four year period, or to the date retirement eligibility is achieved, whichever is shorter. For those who are already retirement eligible on the date of grant, compensation expense for the full award is recognized immediately.

The Company also issues performance-based restricted stock unit awards to employees. Fair value of performance-based restricted stock unit awards is determined based on the market price of the stock on the grant date. The Company recognizes compensation expense for performance-based restricted stock unit awards ratably over the period in which the stock units are earned, based on a periodic determination of the probable performance outcome.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when product ownership and risk of loss have transferred to the customer or performance of services is complete and the Company has no remaining obligations regarding the transaction. Estimated discounts, rebates and sales returns are recorded as a reduction of sales in the same period revenue is recognized. Shipping and handling costs are recorded as revenue when billed to customers. The related shipping and handling expenses are included in Cost of sales.

The Company uses the percentage of completion accounting revenue recognition method for qualifying contracts under which products are manufactured to customer specifications. Approximately $37,075, $42,338 and $35,537 of the Company’s total revenue for fiscal years 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, was recognized under the percentage of completion accounting method. Project billings netted against inventory for projects in process were $2,167 as of November 30, 2016. Revenue is recognized on contracts utilizing the percentage of completion method based on costs incurred as a percentage of estimated total costs. Revenue recognized on uncompleted contracts in excess of amounts billed to customers is reflected as a current asset. Amounts billed to customers in excess of revenue recognized on uncompleted contracts are reflected as a current liability. Unearned revenue and Unbilled accounts receivable are as follow:



	2016		2015
Unearned revenue	$	7,790	$	10,308
Unbilled accounts receivable	1,343		4,317

When it is estimated that a contract will result in a loss, the entire amount of the estimated loss is accrued. The effect of revisions in costs and profit estimated for contracts is reflected in the accounting period in which the facts requiring the revisions become known.

Product Warranties

The Company provides for estimated warranty costs when the related products are recorded as sales or for specific items at the time existence of the claims is known and the amounts are reasonably determinable.

Research and Development

The Company charges research and development costs, relating to the development of new products or the improvement or redesign of its existing products, to expense when incurred. These costs were approximately $26,345 in 2016, $21,650 in 2015 and $18,102 in 2014.

Insurance

Insurance coverage is obtained for certain property and casualty exposures, workers’ compensation and general liability, as well as risks that require insurance by law or contract. The Company self-insures for certain other insurable risks, primarily employee medical coverage, which the Company carries insurance for certain losses above specified amounts. Liabilities are determined using estimates, including actuarial where applicable, of the aggregate liability for claims incurred and an estimate of incurred but not reported claims, on an undiscounted basis.

Guarantees

At November 30, 2016 and 2015, the Company had letters of credit totaling $18,191 and $24,581, respectively, issued to various government agencies, primarily related to industrial revenue bonds, and to insurance companies and other entities in support of its obligations. The Company believes that no payments will be required resulting from these obligations.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company also provides routine indemnifications and other guarantees whose terms range in duration and often are not explicitly defined. The Company does not believe these will have a material impact on the results of operations or financial condition of the Company.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-08, "Presentation of Financial Statements and Property, Plant and Equipment; Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity." ASU 2014-08 modifies the requirements for reporting discontinued operations. Under ASU 2014-08, the definition of a discontinued operation has been modified to only include those disposals of an entity that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results. ASU 2014-08 also expands the disclosure requirements for disposals that meet the definition of a discontinued operation and requires entities to disclose information about disposals of individually significant components that do not meet the definition of discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2014 (fiscal year 2016 for the Company). The Company has adopted ASU 2014-08 and has applied the guidance therein with respect to the disposal of the Company's J.L. Clark business, as discussed in Note C to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." The purpose of ASU 2014-09 is to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards. The amendments in ASU 2014-09 require a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2016 (fiscal year 2018 for the Company). Subsequently, in August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) Deferral of the Effective Date," that moves the effective date out one year (fiscal 2019 for the Company). In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, "Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)," which clarifies the guidance in determining revenue recognition as principal versus agent. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, "Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing," which provides guidance in accounting for immaterial performance obligations and shipping and handling. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, "Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients," which provides clarification on assessing the collectability criterion, presentation of sales taxes, measurement date for noncash consideration and completed contracts at transition. Companies may use either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach to adopt ASU 2014-09 and the related amendments and early adoption of one year prior to the required effective date is permitted. The Company has not yet determined the potential effects of the adoption of ASU 2014-09, ASU 2015-14, ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, and ASU 2016-12 on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs," which requires that debt issue costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented on the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the amount of the debt liability, consistent with debt discounts and premiums. Amortization of such costs is still reported as interest expense. ASU 2015-03 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2015 (fiscal year 2017 for the Company), but early adoption is allowed. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, "Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issue Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements." ASU 2015-15 supplements the requirements of ASU 2015-03 by allowing an entity to defer and present debt issue costs related to a line of credit arrangement as an asset and subsequently amortize the deferred costs ratably over the term of the line of credit arrangement. The Company had unamortized debt issue costs of $1,988 and $2,756 at November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2015, respectively. The Company will adopt the new guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Upon adoption, long-term debt issuance costs will be reclassified from other long-term assets to long-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, "Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory." Topic 330, Inventory, currently requires an entity to measure inventory at the lower of cost or market, with market value represented by replacement cost, net realizable value or net realizable value less a normal profit margin. The amendments in ASU 2015-11 requires an entity to measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value. ASU 2015-11 is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2016 (fiscal year 2018 for the Company). The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases," which amends leasing guidance by requiring companies to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all operating and capital (finance) leases with lease terms of greater than twelve months. The lease liability will be equal to the present value of lease payments. The lease asset will be based on the lease liability, subject to adjustment, such as for initial direct costs. For income statement purposes, leases will continue to be classified as operating or capital (finance), with lease expense in both cases calculated substantially the same as under the prior leasing guidance. The updated guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 (fiscal year 2020 for the Company), and early adoption is permitted. The Company has not yet determined the potential effects of the adoption of ASU 2016-02 on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting," which simplifies the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and classification in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2016 (fiscal year 2018 for the Company). The Company has not yet determined the potential effects of the adoption of ASU 2016-09 on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Statements," which requires companies to measure credit losses utilizing a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2019 (fiscal year 2021 for the Company). The Company has not yet determined the potential effects of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments," which aims to eliminate diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows under Topic 230, Statement of Cash Flows, and other Topics. Subsequently, in November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Restricted Cash, a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force," which clarifies the guidance on the cash flow classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flow. ASU 2016-15 and ASU 2016-18 are effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2017 (fiscal year 2019 for the Company) The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-15 or ASU 2016-18 to have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Income Taxes (Topic 740), Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory," which requires companies to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. ASU 2016-16 is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods therein, beginning after December 15, 2017 (fiscal year 2019 for the Company). The Company has not yet determined the potential effects of the adoption of ASU 2016-16 on its Consolidated Financial Statements.