SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation. Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of American Pacific Corporation and our subsidiaries (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”). All intercompany accounts have been eliminated. We report our results based on a fiscal year which ends on September 30. References to Fiscal years refer to the twelve months ended or ending September 30 of the Fiscal year referenced.

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations. In May 2012, our board of directors approved and we committed to a plan to sell our Aerospace Equipment segment, which is comprised of Ampac-ISP Corp. and its wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries (“AMPAC-ISP”). We completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of AMPAC-ISP effective August 1, 2012. The divestiture is a strategic shift that allows us to place more focus on the growth and performance of our pharmaceutical-related product lines. Revenues and expenses associated with the Aerospace Equipment segment operations are presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented. (See Note 13).

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses. Judgments and assessments of uncertainties are required in applying our accounting policies in many areas. For example, key assumptions and estimates are particularly important when determining our projected liabilities for pension benefits, useful lives for depreciable and amortizable assets, and deferred tax assets. Other areas in which significant judgment exists include, but are not limited to, costs that may be incurred in connection with environmental matters and the resolution of litigation and other contingencies. Actual results may differ from estimates on which our consolidated financial statements were prepared.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition. We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, title passes, the price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Almost all products sold by our Fine Chemicals segment are subject to customer acceptance periods. Specifically, these customers have contractually negotiated acceptance periods from the time they receive certificates of analysis and compliance (“Certificates”) to reject the material based on issues with the quality of the product, as defined in the applicable agreement. At times we receive payment in advance of customer acceptance. If we receive payment in advance of customer acceptance, we record deferred revenues and deferred costs of revenue upon delivery of the product and recognize revenues in the period when the acceptance period lapses or the customer’s acceptance has occurred.

Some of our perchlorate and fine chemicals products customers have requested that we store materials purchased from us in our facilities (“Bill and Hold” transactions or arrangements). We recognize revenue prior to shipment of these Bill and Hold transactions when we have satisfied the applicable revenue recognition criteria, which include the point at which title and risk of ownership transfer to our customers. These customers have specifically requested in writing, pursuant to a contract, that we invoice for the finished product and hold the finished product until a later date. For our Bill and Hold arrangements that contain customer acceptance periods, we record deferred revenues and deferred costs of revenues when such products are available for delivery and Certificates have been delivered to the customers. We recognize revenue on our Bill and Hold transactions in the period when the acceptance period lapses or the customer’s acceptance has occurred. The sales value of inventory, subject to Bill and Hold arrangements, at our facilities was $9,517 and $19,346 as of September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Customer Deposits

Customer Deposits. Customer deposits include upfront payments received from customers at the inception of an arrangement and progress or milestones payments that become collectable as work progresses on an arrangement. These amounts are recorded as current liabilities and applied against the total consideration for an arrangement upon completion of the deliverable.

Deferred Revenues

Deferred Revenues. Deferred revenues include revenues associated with products that have been delivered under an arrangement but have not yet met all of the requisite revenue recognition requirements. Most commonly we defer revenue recognition on shipped product because the customer acceptance period (discussed above) has not lapsed. Deferred costs of revenues, which is a component of inventories, includes the cost of inventory that is directly associated with deferred revenues. Deferred revenues and deferred costs of revenues are recognized when all elements of the revenue recognition process have been met.

Environmental Remediation

Environmental Remediation. We are subject to environmental regulations that relate to our past and current operations. We record liabilities for environmental remediation costs when our assessments indicate that remediation efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. On a quarterly basis, we review our estimates of future costs that could be incurred for remediation activities. In some cases, only a range of reasonably possible costs can be estimated. In establishing our reserves, the most probable estimate is used; otherwise, we accrue the minimum amount of the range. Estimates of liabilities are based on currently available facts, existing technologies and presently enacted laws and regulations. These estimates are subject to revision in future periods based on actual costs or new circumstances. Accrued environmental remediation costs include the undiscounted cost of equipment, operating and maintenance costs, and fees to outside law firms and consultants, for the estimated duration of the remediation activity and do not include an assumption for inflation. Estimating environmental cost requires us to exercise substantial judgment regarding the cost, effectiveness and duration of our remediation activities. Actual future expenditures could differ materially from our current estimates.

We evaluate potential claims for recoveries from other parties separately from our estimated liabilities. We record an asset for expected recoveries when recoveries of the amounts are probable.

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions. Our related party transactions generally fall into the following categories: payments of professional fees to firms affiliated with certain members of our board of directors, and payments to certain directors for consulting services outside of the scope of their duties as directors. For the years ended September 30, 2013, 2012 and 2011, such transactions totaled approximately $120, $180 and $146, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents. All highly liquid investment securities with a maturity of three months or less when acquired are considered to be cash equivalents. We maintain cash balances that exceed federally insured limits; however, we have incurred no losses on such accounts.

Fair Value Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures. The current authoritative guidance on fair value clarifies the definition of fair value, prescribes methods for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value and expands disclosures about the use of fair value measurements. The valuation techniques utilized are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect internal market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level 2 – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

Level 3 – Significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable.

We estimate the fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their carrying values due to their short-term nature. As of September 30, 2013, our floating-rate term loan had a carrying value of $55,500 and an estimated fair value of $55,898 (level 3 in the fair value hierarchy). Our interest rate swap agreement is recorded at fair value, which was an asset of $256 as of September 30, 2013 (level 2 in the fair value hierarchy). The estimated fair values of our floating-rate term loan and interest rate swap agreement are based on a valuation technique that takes into consideration expected cash flows, the then-current interest rates and the then-current creditworthiness of the Company or the counterparty, as applicable. Refer to Notes 4 and 5 for additional information regarding our term loan and interest rate swap agreement.

Derivative Instrument

Derivative Instrument. We are party to an interest rate swap agreement for the purpose of hedging floating interest rate risk. The differential to be paid or received in connection with this instrument is accrued and recognized in income as an adjustment to interest expense. We formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking various hedging relationships. We assess hedge effectiveness at inception and on a quarterly basis. If it is determined that a derivative instrument is not highly effective or the transaction is no longer deemed probable of occurring, we discontinue hedge accounting and recognize the ineffective portion in current period earnings.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk. Financial instruments that have potential concentrations of credit risk include cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We place our cash and cash equivalents with high quality credit institutions. Our accounts receivable have concentration risk because significant amounts relate to customers in the aerospace and defense or pharmaceutical industries. From time to time we make sales to a customer that exceed 10% of our then-outstanding accounts receivable balance. As of September 30, 2013, three Fine Chemicals segment customers and one Specialty Chemicals segment customer accounted for 14%, 12%, 10% and 15% of consolidated accounts receivable, respectively. As of September 30, 2012, two Fine Chemicals segment customers and one Specialty Chemicals segment customer accounted for 27%, 16% and 19% of consolidated accounts receivable, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Costs are removed from inventories using the average-cost method. Inventoried costs include materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. Inventoried costs also include certain overhead parts and supplies. General and administrative costs are expensed as incurred. Raw materials costs are determined on a moving average basis. We expense the cost of inventories which are considered to be excess because on-hand inventory quantities exceed our estimates of future demand.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment. Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated productive lives of the assets of three to 15 years for machinery and equipment and seven to 30 years for buildings and improvements. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated productive life of seven to nine years or the term of the lease.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

Depreciation and Amortization Expense. Depreciation and amortization expense for continuing operations is classified as follows in our statements of operations as of September 30:

	2013		2012		2011
Classified as cost of revenues
Depreciation	$	13,154	$	13,305	$	13,062
Classified as operating expenses
Depreciation		299		395		459
Amortization		-		-		537
Total continuing operations		13,453		13,700		14,058
Classified as discontinued operations		-		791		1,158
Total	$	13,453	$	14,491	$	15,216

Amortization expense related to an intangible asset of our Fine Chemicals segment for customer relationships. This intangible asset became fully amortized as of May 2011.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes. We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured separately for each tax-paying entity in each tax jurisdiction, using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date.

We account for uncertain tax positions in accordance with an accounting standard which creates a single model to address uncertainty in income tax positions and prescribes the minimum recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. Under this standard, we may recognize tax benefits from an uncertain position only if it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the issue. The amount recognized is the largest benefit that we believe has greater than a 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. We test our property, plant and equipment assets for recoverability when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Examples of such circumstances include, but are not limited to, operating or cash flow losses from the use of such assets or changes in our intended uses of such assets. To test for recovery, we group assets (an “Asset Group”) in a manner that represents the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities. Our Asset Groups are typically identified by facility because each facility has a unique cost overhead and general and administrative expense structure that is supported by cash flows from products produced at the facility. The carrying amount of an Asset Group is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the Asset Group.

If we determine that an Asset Group is not recoverable, then we would record an impairment charge if the carrying value of the Asset Group exceeds its fair value. Fair value is based on estimated discounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the Asset Group. The assumptions underlying cash flow projections would represent management’s best estimates at the time of the impairment review. Some of the factors that management would consider or estimate include: industry and market conditions, sales volume and prices, costs to produce and inflation. Changes in key assumptions or actual conditions which differ from estimates could result in an impairment charge. We use reasonable and supportable assumptions when performing impairment reviews but cannot predict the occurrence of future events and circumstances that could result in impairment charges. There were no impairments of long-lived assets recorded in any of the years presented.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Earnings (Loss) Per Share. Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect of common share equivalents, which is computed using the treasury stock method.

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency. We sold our foreign subsidiaries in connection with the divestiture of AMPAC-ISP. We translated our foreign subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars using the year-end exchange rate. Revenue and expense amounts were translated at the average monthly exchange rate. Foreign currency translation gains or losses were reported as cumulative currency translation adjustments as a component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are included in discontinued operations for all periods presented.

Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Standards

Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Standards. In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-05, which amends Topic 220, Comprehensive Income. The amendment allows an entity to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements, and eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The amendments do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. This standard was effective for us beginning on October 1, 2012. This standard changes presentation requirements, and accordingly, the adoption of this standard did not have an impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-2, which amends the Comprehensive Income Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC). The updated standard requires the presentation of information about reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. ASU No. 2013-2 is effective for us beginning October 1, 2013. The updated standard will affect our disclosures but has no impact on our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-10, Derivatives and Hedging (ASU Topic 815) – Inclusion of the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (or Overnight Index Swap Rate) as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes. The amendments in this update permit the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (OIS) to be used as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes under ASC Topic 815, in addition to U.S. Treasury (“UST”) and London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). The amendments also remove the restriction on using different benchmark rates for similar hedges. The amendments are effective prospectively for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after July 17, 2013. We have not entered into any new hedging relationships since July 17, 2013.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. This new standard requires the netting of unrecognized tax benefits against a deferred tax asset for a loss or other carryforward that would apply in settlement of the uncertain tax positions. Under the new standard, unrecognized tax benefits will be netted against all available same-jurisdiction loss or other tax carryforwards that would be utilized, rather than only against carryforwards that are created by the unrecognized tax benefits. We do not expect that the new standard will have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.