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Financial Instruments
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]  
Financial Instruments
Financial Instruments
Off-Balance Sheet Risk
As collateral for the Company's performance and to insurers, the Company is contingently liable under standby letters of credit, bonds and bank guarantees in the amounts of $216.3 million and $208.8 million at December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These standby letters of credit, bonds and bank guarantees are generally in force for up to four years. Certain issues have no scheduled expiration date. The Company pays fees to various banks and insurance companies that range from 0.32% to 2.55% per annum of the instruments' face value. If the Company were required to obtain replacement standby letters of credit, bonds and bank guarantees at December 31, 2013 for those currently outstanding, it is the Company's opinion that the replacement costs would be within the present fee structure.
The Company has currency exposures in approximately 35 countries. The Company's primary foreign currency exposures during 2013 were in the European Economic and Monetary Union, the United Kingdom and Brazil.
Off-Balance Sheet Risk—Third-Party Guarantees
In connection with the Infrastructure transaction, the Company has outstanding guarantees and letters of credit related to the Harsco Infrastructure Segment that are still in force. These guarantees and letters of credit are provided to enable the legacy business to obtain financing for their operations. The maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) related to these guarantees was approximately $19 million at December 31, 2013. These guarantees and letters of credit are expected to be replaced by Brand during 2014. There is no recognition of a liability related to these guarantees or letters of credit as the Company believes that the potential for making any payments is remote and they have been indemnified by Brand as part of the Infrastructure transaction.
The Company provided an environmental indemnification for properties that were sold to a third party in 2007. The maximum term of this guarantee is 20 years, and the Company would be required to perform under the guarantee only if an environmental matter is discovered on the properties. The Company is not aware of environmental issues related to these properties. There is no recognition of this potential future payment in the consolidated financial statements as the Company believes the potential for making this payment is remote.
The Company provided an environmental indemnification for property from a lease that terminated in 2006. The term of this guarantee is indefinite, and the Company would be required to perform under the guarantee only if an environmental matter was discovered on the property relating to the time the Company leased the property. The Company is not aware of any environmental issues related to this property. The maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) related to this guarantee is estimated to be $3.0 million at both December 31, 2013 and 2012. There is no recognition of this potential future payment in the consolidated financial statements as the Company believes the potential for making this payment is remote.
Any liabilities related to the Company's obligation to stand ready to act on third-party guarantees are included in Other current liabilities or Other liabilities (as appropriate) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Any recognition of these liabilities did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations for 2013, 2012 or 2011.
In the normal course of business, the Company provides legal indemnifications related primarily to the performance of its products and services and patent and trademark infringement of its products and services sold. These indemnifications generally relate to the performance (regarding function, not price) of the respective products or services and therefore no liability is recognized related to the fair value of such guarantees.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Company uses derivative instruments, including foreign currency forward exchange contracts, commodity contracts and cross currency interest rate swaps, to manage certain foreign currency, commodity price and interest rate exposures. Derivative instruments are viewed as risk management tools by the Company and are not used for trading or speculative purposes.
All derivative instruments are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives used to hedge foreign currency denominated balance sheet items are reported directly in earnings along with offsetting transaction gains and losses on the items being hedged. Derivatives used to hedge forecasted cash flows associated with foreign currency commitments or forecasted commodity purchases may be accounted for as cash flow hedges, as deemed appropriate and if the criteria for hedge accounting are met. Gains and losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are deferred as a separate component of equity and reclassified to earnings in a manner that matches the timing of the earnings impact of the hedged transactions. Generally, at December 31, 2013, these deferred gains and losses will be reclassified to earnings over 10 to 15 years from the balance sheet date. The ineffective portion of all hedges, if any, is recognized currently in earnings.
The fair value of outstanding derivative contracts recorded as assets and liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:
 
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
(in thousands)
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
 
Other current assets
 
$
40

 
Other current liabilities
 
$
17

Cross currency interest rate swaps
 
Other assets
 
26,001

 
Other liabilities
 
13,410

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
 
 
$
26,041

 
 
 
$
13,427

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
 
Other current assets
 
$
1,216

 
Other current liabilities
 
$
3,267

 
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
(in thousands)
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
December 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Cross currency interest rate swaps
 
Other assets
 
$
39,058

 
Other liabilities
 
$
14,346

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
 
Other current assets
 
$
853

 
Other current liabilities
 
$
1,775



All of the Company's derivatives are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at gross amounts and not offset. All of the Company's cross currency interest rate swaps and certain foreign currency forward exchange contracts are transacted under International Swaps and Derivatives Association ("ISDA") documentation. Each ISDA master agreement permits the net settlement of amounts owed in the event of default. The Company's derivative assets and liabilities subject to enforceable master netting arrangements did not result in a net asset or net liability at December 31, 2013. The Company's derivative assets and liabilities subject to enforceable master netting arrangements resulted in a $0.1 million net liability at December 31, 2012.

The effect of derivative instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income during 2013, 2012 and 2011 was as follows:
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
(In thousands)
 
Amount of
Gain (Loss)
Recognized in
Other
Comprehensive
Income
("OCI") on
Derivative—Effective
Portion
 
Location of Gain
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
OCI into Income—Effective
Portion
Amount of
Gain (Loss)
Reclassified
from
Accumulated
OCI into
Income—Effective
Portion
 
Location of Gain
(Loss) Recognized
in Income on
Derivative—Ineffective Portion
and Amount
Excluded from
Effectiveness
Testing
Amount of
Gain (Loss)
Recognized
in Income
on Derivative—Ineffective
Portion and
Amount
Excluded
from Effectiveness
Testing
 
Year Ended December 31, 2013:
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
 
$
48

 
Cost of services and products sold
$
(8
)
 
Cost of services and products sold
$
(6
)
 
Cross currency interest rate swaps
 
2,409

 
 

 
Cost of services and products sold
(12,061
)
(a)
 
 
$
2,457

 
 
$
(8
)
 
 
$
(12,067
)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2012:
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
 
$
(152
)
 
Cost of services and products sold
$
270

 
 
$

 
Cross currency interest rate swaps
 
(4,748
)
 
 

 
Cost of services and products sold
(13,384
)
(a)
 
 
$
(4,900
)
 
 
$
270

 
 
$
(13,384
)
 
Year Ended December 31, 2011:
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
 
$
887

 
Cost of services and products sold
$
83

 
 
$

 
Cross currency interest rate swaps
 
7,230

 
 

 
Cost of services and products sold
7,642

(a)
 
 
$
8,117

 
 
$
83

 
 
$
7,642

 
(a)
These gains (losses) offset foreign currency fluctuation effects on the debt principal.

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative
 
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative for the Twelve Months Ended December 31(a)
(In thousands)
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
 
Cost of services and products sold
 
$
(10,463
)
 
$
(3,529
)
 
$
7,238

(a)
These gains (losses) offset amounts recognized in cost of service and products sold principally as a result of intercompany or third-party foreign currency exposures.

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts
The Company conducts business in multiple currencies and, accordingly, is subject to the inherent risks associated with foreign exchange rate movements. The financial position and results of operations of substantially all of the Company's foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates existing at the respective balance sheet dates, and income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates during the respective periods. The aggregate effects of translating the balance sheets of these subsidiaries are deferred and recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, which is a separate component of equity.
The Company uses derivative instruments to hedge cash flows related to foreign currency fluctuations. Foreign currency forward exchange contracts outstanding are part of a worldwide program to minimize foreign currency exchange operating income and balance sheet exposure by offsetting foreign currency exposures of certain future payments between the Company and its various subsidiaries, suppliers or customers. The unsecured contracts are with major financial institutions. The Company may be exposed to credit loss in the event of non-performance by the contract counterparties. The Company evaluates the creditworthiness of the counterparties and does not expect default by them. Foreign currency forward exchange contracts are used to hedge commitments, such as foreign currency debt, firm purchase commitments and foreign currency cash flows for certain export sales transactions.
The following tables summarize, by major currency, the contractual amounts of the Company's foreign currency forward exchange contracts in U.S. dollars at December 31, 2013 and 2012. The "Buy" amounts represent the U.S. dollar equivalent of commitments to purchase foreign currencies, and the "Sell" amounts represent the U.S. dollar equivalent of commitments to sell foreign currencies. The recognized gains and losses offset amounts recognized in cost of services and products sold principally as a result of intercompany or third-party foreign currency exposures.
Contracted Amounts of Foreign Currency Exchange Forward Contracts Outstanding at December 31, 2013:
(In thousands)
 
Type
 
U.S. Dollar
Equivalent
 
Maturity
 
Recognized
Gain (Loss)
British pounds sterling
 
Sell
 
$
26,931

 
January 2014
 
$
(277
)
British pounds sterling
 
Buy
 
1,976

 
January 2014
 
15

Euros
 
Sell
 
248,943

 
January 2014 through July 2014
 
(335
)
Euros
 
Buy
 
242,385

 
January 2014 through March 2014
 
(1,335
)
Other currencies
 
Sell
 
12,708

 
January 2014 through July 2014
 
(134
)
Other currencies
 
Buy
 
8,907

 
January 2014 through August 2014
 
38

Total
 
 
 
$
541,850

 
 
 
$
(2,028
)

Included in the contracted amounts of foreign currency exchange forward contracts outstanding at December 31, 2013 are $121.2 million of foreign currency exchange forward contracts entered into by the Company under the Transition Services Agreement with Brand. The Company has recognized a $0.7 million mark-to-market liability associated with these foreign currency exchange forward contracts.
Contracted Amounts of Foreign Currency Exchange Forward Contracts Outstanding at December 31, 2012:
(In thousands)
 
Type
 
U.S. Dollar
Equivalent
 
Maturity
 
Recognized
Gain (Loss)
British pounds sterling
 
Sell
 
$

 

 
$

British pounds sterling
 
Buy
 
6,141

 
January 2013 through February 2013
 
58

Euros
 
Sell
 
264,234

 
January 2013 through March 2013
 
(1,082
)
Euros
 
Buy
 
116,618

 
January 2013 through February 2013
 
187

Other currencies
 
Sell
 
2,811

 
January 2013 through March 2013
 
(15
)
Other currencies
 
Buy
 
44,291

 
January 2013
 
(71
)
Total
 
 
 
$
434,095

 
 
 
$
(923
)

In addition to foreign currency forward exchange contracts, the Company designates certain loans as hedges of net investments in international subsidiaries. The Company recorded pre-tax net losses of $9.8 million and $5.3 million and pre-tax net gains of $6.3 million related to hedges of net investments during 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, in the caption Accumulated other comprehensive loss.
Cross Currency Interest Rate Swaps
The Company uses cross currency interest rate swaps in conjunction with certain debt issuances in order to secure a fixed local currency interest rate. Under these cross currency interest rate swaps, the Company receives interest based on a fixed or floating U.S. dollar rate and pays interest on a fixed local currency rate based on the contractual amounts in dollars and the local currency, respectively. At maturity, there is also the payment of principal amounts between currencies. The cross currency interest rate swaps are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value, with changes in value attributed to the effect of the swaps' interest spread recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss. Changes in value attributed to the effect of foreign currency fluctuations are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and offset currency fluctuation effects on the debt principal. The following table indicates the contractual amounts of the Company's cross currency interest rate swaps:
 
 
Contractual
Amounts
 
Interest Rates
(In millions)
 
 
Receive
 
Pay
Maturing 2018
 
$
250.0

 
Fixed U.S. dollar rate
 
Fixed euro rate
Maturing 2020
 
220.0

 
Fixed U.S. dollar rate
 
Fixed British pound sterling rate
Maturing 2013 through 2017
 
10.2

 
Floating U.S. dollar rate
 
Fixed rupee rate






Fair Value of Derivative Assets and Liabilities and Other Financial Instruments
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). The Company utilizes market data or assumptions that the Company believes market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique.
The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity's own assumptions about market participant assumptions based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
Level 1—Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Level 2—Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates); and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level 3—Inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.
In instances in which multiple levels of inputs are used to measure fair value, hierarchy classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
The following table indicates the fair value hierarchy of the financial instruments of the Company at December 31, 2013 and 2012:
Level 2 Fair Value Measurements
(In thousands)
 
December 31
2013
 
December 31
2012
Assets
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
 
$
1,256

 
$
853

Cross currency interest rate swaps
 
26,001

 
39,058

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
 
3,284

 
1,775

Cross currency interest rate swaps
 
13,410

 
14,346


The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances for liabilities measured on a recurring basis using unobservable inputs (Level 3) for 2013:
Level 3 Liabilities—Unit Adjustment Liability for the Twelve Months Ended December 31
(In thousands)
 
2013
Balance at beginning of year
 
$

Recognition of unit adjustment liability
 
107,500

Payments
 
(2,123
)
Change in fair value to unit adjustment liability
 
966

Balance at end of year
 
$
106,343


See Note 3, Acquisitions and Dispositions, for additional information related to the unit adjustment liability.
The Company primarily applies the market approach for recurring fair value measurements and endeavors to utilize the best available information. Accordingly, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs, such as forward rates, interest rates, the Company's credit risk and counterparties' credit risks, and which minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The Company is able to classify fair value balances based on the ability to observe those inputs. Commodity derivatives, foreign currency forward exchange contracts and cross currency interest rate swaps are classified as Level 2 fair value based upon pricing models using market-based inputs. Model inputs can be verified, and valuation techniques do not involve significant management judgment.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and short-term borrowings approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these assets and liabilities. At December 31, 2013 and 2012, the total fair value of long-term debt, including current maturities, was $832.6 million and $1.0 billion, respectively, compared to carrying value of $803.4 million and $960.7 million, respectively. Fair values for debt are based on quoted market prices (Level 1) for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. The Company places its cash and cash equivalents with high-quality financial institutions and, by policy, limits the amount of credit exposure to any single institution.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are generally limited in the Harsco Industrial Segments due to the Company's large number of customers and their dispersion across different industries and geographies. However, the Company's Harsco Metals & Minerals Segment and, to a lesser extent, the Harsco Rail Segment have several large customers throughout the world with significant accounts receivable balances. Consolidation in the global steel or rail industries could result in an increase in concentration of credit risk for the Company.
The Company generally does not require collateral or other security to support customer receivables. If a receivable from one or more of the Company's larger customers becomes uncollectible, it could have a material effect on the Company's results of operations or cash flows.