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Intangible Assets
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Intangible Assets
11.  INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The table below provides details of acquired intangible assets:
 
 
30 September 2017
 
30 September 2016
 
 
Gross

 
Accumulated
Amortization/
Impairment

 
Net

 
Gross

 
Accumulated
Amortization/
Impairment

 
Net

Customer relationships
 
$
424.1

 
$
(142.3
)
 
$
281.8

 
$
400.6

 
$
(118.2
)
 
$
282.4

Patents and technology
 
13.4

 
(10.6
)
 
2.8

 
13.6

 
(10.1
)
 
3.5

Other
 
73.4

 
(36.6
)
 
36.8

 
73.0

 
(33.7
)
 
39.3

Total finite-lived intangibles
 
510.9

 
(189.5
)
 
321.4

 
487.2

 
(162.0
)
 
325.2

Trade names and trademarks, indefinite-lived
 
67.8

 
(20.9
)
 
46.9

 
66.2

 
(3.5
)
 
62.7

Total Intangible Assets
 
$
578.7

 
$
(210.4
)
 
$
368.3

 
$
553.4

 
$
(165.5
)
 
$
387.9


The decrease in net intangible assets from 2016 to 2017 is primarily due to amortization and an impairment charge recorded during the third quarter of fiscal year 2017. Amortization expense for intangible assets was $22.6, $22.3, and $24.0 in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Refer to Note 1, Major Accounting Policies, for amortization periods associated with our intangible assets.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets are subject to impairment testing at least annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that potential impairment exists. The impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets involves calculating the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets and comparing the fair value to their carrying value. If the fair value is less than the carrying value, the difference is recorded as an impairment loss.
As discussed in Note 10, Goodwill, in response to weak Latin America economic conditions and expectations for continued volume weakness in the Latin American countries and markets in which we operate, we lowered our long-term growth projections. An interim impairment test of indefinite-lived intangibles associated with LASA was conducted as of 30 June 2017 utilizing the royalty savings method, a form of the income approach. We determined that the carrying value of trade names and trademarks was in excess of fair value, and as a result, we recorded a noncash impairment charge of $16.8 to reduce these indefinite-lived intangible assets to their fair value. This charge is reflected within “Goodwill and intangible asset impairment charge” on our consolidated income statements. These trade names and trademarks are included in our Industrial Gases – Americas segment. This charge has been excluded from segment operating income. We tested the recoverability of LASA long-lived assets, including finite-lived intangible assets subject to amortization, and concluded that they were recoverable from expected future undiscounted cash flows.
In the fourth quarter of 2017, we conducted our annual impairment test of indefinite-lived intangibles and found no indications of impairment.
Projected annual amortization expense for intangible assets as of 30 September 2017 is as follows:
2018
$
22.1

2019
21.8

2020
21.6

2021
20.1

2022
17.4

Thereafter
218.4

Total
$
321.4