Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain amounts in prior year financial statements and notes thereto have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets; valuation allowances for receivables, inventories and income taxes; valuation of share-based compensation and vendor incentives; assets and obligations related to employee benefits; estimates of environmental remediation costs; and accounting for long-term contracts. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Foreign Currency Translations	Foreign Currency Translation The Company has certain operations outside the United States that prepare financial statements in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. For these operations, results of operations and cash flows are translated using the average exchange rate throughout the period. Assets and liabilities are generally translated at end of period rates. The gains and losses associated with these translation adjustments are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity.
Concentration of Credit Risk	Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of trade accounts receivable. The carrying amounts of these items as well as trade accounts payable and notes payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. At December 31, 2011 no individual customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated accounts receivable. At December 31, 2010 there was one customer that represented 13.5% of consolidated accounts receivable. No individual customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated net sales. Foreign sales were approximately 12.3%, 12.1% and 14.9% of the company’s net sales in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and are concentrated in the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia and Asia.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Sales and estimated profits under long-term contracts are generally recognized using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, using as a measurement basis either the ratio that costs incurred bear to estimated total costs (after giving effect to estimates of costs to complete based upon most recent information for each contract) or units-of-delivery. Reviews of contracts are made routinely throughout their lives and the impact of revisions in profit estimates are recorded in the accounting period in which the revisions are made. Any anticipated contract losses are charged to operations when first indicated. In cases where we have multiple contracts with a single customer, each contract is generally treated as a separate profit center and accounted for as such. Except in the case of contracts accounted for using the cost-to-cost method of percentage of completion accounting, revenues are recognized when the product has been shipped or delivered, depending upon when title and risk of loss have passed. For certain U.S. government contracts delivery is deemed to have occurred when work is substantially complete and acceptance by the customer has occurred by execution of a Material Inspection and Receiving Report, DD Form 250 or Memorandum of Shipment. Sales contracts are initially reviewed to ascertain if they involve multiple element arrangements. If such an arrangement exists and there is no evidence of stand-alone value for each element of the undelivered items, recognition of sales for the arrangement is deferred until all elements of the arrangement are delivered and risk of loss and title have passed. For elements that do have stand-alone value or contracts that are not considered multiple element arrangements, sales and related costs of sales are recognized as services are performed or when the product has been shipped or delivered depending upon when title and risk of loss have passed. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, approximately $0.9 million and $2.6 million, respectively, of pre-contract costs were included in inventory, which, in both cases, represented less than 1% of total inventory. Pre-contract costs incurred for items such as materials or tooling for anticipated contracts are included in inventory if recovery of such costs is considered probable. Thereafter, if the Company determines it will not be awarded an anticipated contract and the associated pre-contract costs cannot be applied to another program the costs are expensed immediately. Learning or start-up costs incurred in connection with existing or anticipated follow-on contracts are charged to the existing contract unless the terms of the contract permit recovery of these costs over a specific contractual term and provide for reimbursement if the contract is canceled. If it is probable that a claim with respect to change orders will result in additional contract revenue and the amount of such additional revenue can be reliably estimated, then the additional contract revenue is considered in our accounting for the program, but only if the contract provides a legal basis for the claim, the additional costs were unforeseen and not caused by deficiencies in our performance, the costs are identifiable and reasonable in view of the work performed and the evidence supporting the claim is objective and verifiable. If these requirements are met, the claim portion of the program is accounted for separately to ensure revenue from the claim is recorded only to the extent claim related costs have been incurred; accordingly, no profit with respect to such costs is recorded until the change order is formally approved. If these requirements are not met, the forecast of total contract cost at completion (which is used to calculate the gross margin rate) for the basic contract is increased to include all incurred and anticipated claim related costs. Recognition of sales not accounted for under the cost-to-cost method of percentage of completion accounting occurs when the sales price is fixed, collectability is reasonably assured and the product’s title and risk of loss has transferred to the customer. The Company includes freight costs charged to customers in net sales and the correlating expense as a cost of sales. Sales tax collected from customers is excluded from net sales in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Cost of Sales and Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	Cost of Sales and Selling, General and Administrative Expenses Cost of sales includes costs of products and services sold (i.e., purchased product, raw material, direct labor, engineering labor, outbound freight charges, depreciation and amortization, indirect costs and overhead charges). Selling expenses primarily consist of advertising, promotion, bid and proposal, employee payroll and corresponding benefits and commissions paid to sales and marketing personnel. General and administrative expenses primarily consist of employee payroll including executive, administrative and financial personnel and corresponding benefits, incentive compensation, independent research and development, consulting expenses, warehousing costs, depreciation and amortization. Legal costs are expensed as incurred and are generally included in general and administrative expenses. The Aerospace segment includes general and administrative expenses as an element of program cost and inventory for certain government contracts. 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) Cost of Sales and Selling, General and Administrative Expenses - Continued Certain inventory related costs, including purchasing costs, receiving costs and inspection costs, for the Industrial Distribution segment are not included in the cost of sales line item. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, $2.0 million, $2.1 million and $2.4 million, respectively, of such costs are included in general and administrative expenses.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits and short-term cash investments. These investments are liquid in nature and have original maturities of three months or less. Book overdraft positions, which occur when total outstanding issued checks exceed available cash balances at a single financial institution at the end of a reporting period, are reclassified to accounts payable within the consolidated balance sheets. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had book overdrafts of $17.8 million and $13.4 million, respectively, classified in accounts payable.
Accounts Receivable	Accounts Receivable The Company has three types of accounts receivable: (a) Trade receivables, which consist of amounts billed and currently due from customers; (b) U.S. Government contracts, which consist of (1) amounts billed, and (2) costs and accrued profit – not billed; and (c) Commercial and other government contracts, which consist of (1) amounts billed, and (2) costs and accrued profit – not billed. The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the trade accounts receivable and billed contracts balance. Management determines the allowance based on known troubled accounts, historical experience, and other currently available evidence.
Inventories	Inventories Inventory of merchandise for resale is stated at cost (using the average costing method) or market, whichever is lower. Contracts and other work in process and finished goods are valued at production cost represented by raw material, labor and overhead. Initial tooling and startup costs may be included, where applicable. Contracts and other work in process and finished goods are not reported at amounts in excess of net realizable values. The Company includes raw material amounts in the contracts in process and other work in process balances. Raw material includes certain general stock materials but primarily relates to purchases that were made in anticipation of specific programs for which production has not been started as of the balance sheet date. The total amount of raw material included in these work in process amounts is less than 5% of the total inventory balance.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed primarily on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives for buildings range from 15 to 30 years and for leasehold improvements range from 5 to 20 years, whereas machinery, office furniture and equipment generally have useful lives ranging from 3 to 10 years. At the time of retirement or disposal, the acquisition cost of the asset and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated and any gain or loss is credited to or charged against income. Long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, and purchased intangible assets subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by an asset to the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary. Maintenance and repair items are charged against income as incurred, whereas renewals and betterments are capitalized and depreciated.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a purchase business combination and is reviewed for impairment at least annually. During 2011, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2011-08, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (ASC Topic 350) - Testing Goodwill for Impairment.” ASU No. 2011-08 intends to simplify goodwill impairment testing by permitting assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether events and circumstances lead to the conclusion that it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test required under ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other. Under the first step of the two-step test, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its carrying value (including goodwill). If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an indication of goodwill impairment exists for the reporting unit and the enterprise must perform step two of the impairment test (measurement). Under step two, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation. The residual fair value after this allocation is the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill. Fair value of the reporting unit is determined using an income methodology based on management’s estimates of forecasted cash flows for each business unit, with those cash flows discounted to present value using rates commensurate with the risks of those cash flows. In addition, management used a market-based valuation method involving analysis of market multiples of revenues and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for (i) a group of comparable public companies and (ii) recent transactions, if any, involving comparable companies. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, step two need not be performed. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are evaluated annually for impairment in the fourth quarter, based on annual forecast information. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated period of benefit. The goodwill and other intangible assets are reviewed for possible impairment whenever changes in conditions indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value. See Note 9, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net, for discussion of the goodwill impairment charges recorded during 2010. No such charge was taken during 2011 or 2009.
Vendor Incentives	Vendor Incentives The Company’s Industrial Distribution segment enters into agreements with certain vendors providing for inventory purchase incentives that are generally earned upon achieving specified volume-purchasing levels. The company recognizes rebate income relative to specific rebate programs as a reduction of the cost of inventory based on a systematic and rational allocation of the cash consideration offered to each of the underlying transactions that results in progress toward earning the rebate, provided that the amounts are probable and reasonably estimable. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, total vendor incentive receivables, included in other current assets, were approximately $13.3 million and $12.0 million, respectively.
Self-Insured Retentions	Self-Insured Retentions To limit exposure to losses related to group health, workers’ compensation, auto and product general liability claims, the Company obtains third-party insurance coverage. The Company has varying levels of deductibles for these claims. The total liability/deductible for group health is limited to $0.2 million per claim, workers’ compensation is limited to $0.4 million per claim and for product/general liability and auto liability the limit is $0.3 million per claim. The cost of such benefits is recognized as expense based on claims filed in each reporting period and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) during such period. The estimates for the IBNR are based upon historical trends and information provided to us by the claims administrators, and are periodically revised to reflect changes in loss trends. These amounts are included in other accruals and payables on the consolidated balance sheets. 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) Self-Insured Retentions - Continued Liabilities associated with these claims are estimated in part by considering historical claims experience, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. Projections of future losses are inherently uncertain because of the random nature of insurance claim occurrences and changes that could occur in actuarial assumptions. Such self-insurance accruals will likely include claims for which the ultimate losses will be settled over a period of years.
Research and Development	Research and Development Government sponsored research expenditures (which are included in cost of sales) were $5.5 million in 2011, $7.5 million in 2010, and $7.7 million in 2009. Research and development costs not specifically covered by contracts are charged against income as incurred and included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Such costs amounted to $4.8 million, $4.2 million and $4.1 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured 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 income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company records a benefit for uncertain tax positions in the financial statements only when it determines it is more likely than not that such a position will be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. Unrecognized tax benefits represent the difference between the position taken in the tax return and the benefit reflected in the financial statements.
Share-Based Payment Arrangements	Share-Based Payment Arrangements The Company records compensation expense for share-based awards based upon an assessment of the grant date fair value of the awards. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. A number of assumptions are used to determine the fair value of options granted. These include expected term, dividend yield, volatility of the options and the risk free interest rate.
Derivative Financial Instruments	Derivative Financial Instruments The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations, including market risks relating to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Derivative financial instruments are recognized on the consolidated balance sheets as either assets or liabilities and are measured at fair value. Changes in the fair values of derivatives are recorded each period in earnings or accumulated other comprehensive income, depending on whether a derivative is effective as part of a hedged transaction. Gains and losses on derivative instruments reported in accumulated other comprehensive income are subsequently included in earnings in the periods in which earnings are affected by the hedged item. The Company does not use derivative instruments for speculative purposes.
Pension Accounting	Pension Accounting The Company accounts for its defined benefit pension plan by recognizing the overfunded or underfunded status of the plans, calculated as the difference between the plan assets and the projected benefit obligation, as an asset or liability on the balance sheet, with changes in the funded status recognized through comprehensive income in the year in which they occur. 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) Pension Accounting - Continued In 2011, the Company elected to change its method of recognizing pension expense. See Note 2, Accounting Changes, for further discussion of the accounting change and the retrospective application of the new policy to all periods presented.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain amounts in prior year financial statements and notes thereto have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangible assets; valuation allowances for receivables, inventories and income taxes; valuation of share-based compensation and vendor incentives; assets and obligations related to employee benefits; estimates of environmental remediation costs; and accounting for long-term contracts. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Foreign Currency Translations

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company has certain operations outside the United States that prepare financial statements in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. For these operations, results of operations and cash flows are translated using the average exchange rate throughout the period. Assets and liabilities are generally translated at end of period rates. The gains and losses associated with these translation adjustments are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of trade accounts receivable. The carrying amounts of these items as well as trade accounts payable and notes payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. At December 31, 2011 no individual customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated accounts receivable. At December 31, 2010 there was one customer that represented 13.5% of consolidated accounts receivable. No individual customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated net sales. Foreign sales were approximately 12.3%, 12.1% and 14.9% of the company’s net sales in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and are concentrated in the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Australia and Asia.

Revenue Recognition

Sales and estimated profits under long-term contracts are generally recognized using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, using as a measurement basis either the ratio that costs incurred bear to estimated total costs (after giving effect to estimates of costs to complete based upon most recent information for each contract) or units-of-delivery. Reviews of contracts are made routinely throughout their lives and the impact of revisions in profit estimates are recorded in the accounting period in which the revisions are made. Any anticipated contract losses are charged to operations when first indicated. In cases where we have multiple contracts with a single customer, each contract is generally treated as a separate profit center and accounted for as such. Except in the case of contracts accounted for using the cost-to-cost method of percentage of completion accounting, revenues are recognized when the product has been shipped or delivered, depending upon when title and risk of loss have passed. For certain U.S. government contracts delivery is deemed to have occurred when work is substantially complete and acceptance by the customer has occurred by execution of a Material Inspection and Receiving Report, DD Form 250 or Memorandum of Shipment.

Sales contracts are initially reviewed to ascertain if they involve multiple element arrangements. If such an arrangement exists and there is no evidence of stand-alone value for each element of the undelivered items, recognition of sales for the arrangement is deferred until all elements of the arrangement are delivered and risk of loss and title have passed. For elements that do have stand-alone value or contracts that are not considered multiple element arrangements, sales and related costs of sales are recognized as services are performed or when the product has been shipped or delivered depending upon when title and risk of loss have passed.

As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, approximately $0.9 million and $2.6 million, respectively, of pre-contract costs were included in inventory, which, in both cases, represented less than 1% of total inventory. Pre-contract costs incurred for items such as materials or tooling for anticipated contracts are included in inventory if recovery of such costs is considered probable. Thereafter, if the Company determines it will not be awarded an anticipated contract and the associated pre-contract costs cannot be applied to another program the costs are expensed immediately. Learning or start-up costs incurred in connection with existing or anticipated follow-on contracts are charged to the existing contract unless the terms of the contract permit recovery of these costs over a specific contractual term and provide for reimbursement if the contract is canceled.

If it is probable that a claim with respect to change orders will result in additional contract revenue and the amount of such additional revenue can be reliably estimated, then the additional contract revenue is considered in our accounting for the program, but only if the contract provides a legal basis for the claim, the additional costs were unforeseen and not caused by deficiencies in our performance, the costs are identifiable and reasonable in view of the work performed and the evidence supporting the claim is objective and verifiable. If these requirements are met, the claim portion of the program is accounted for separately to ensure revenue from the claim is recorded only to the extent claim related costs have been incurred; accordingly, no profit with respect to such costs is recorded until the change order is formally approved. If these requirements are not met, the forecast of total contract cost at completion (which is used to calculate the gross margin rate) for the basic contract is increased to include all incurred and anticipated claim related costs.

Recognition of sales not accounted for under the cost-to-cost method of percentage of completion accounting occurs when the sales price is fixed, collectability is reasonably assured and the product’s title and risk of loss has transferred to the customer. The Company includes freight costs charged to customers in net sales and the correlating expense as a cost of sales. Sales tax collected from customers is excluded from net sales in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Cost of Sales and Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Cost of sales includes costs of products and services sold (i.e., purchased product, raw material, direct labor, engineering labor, outbound freight charges, depreciation and amortization, indirect costs and overhead charges). Selling expenses primarily consist of advertising, promotion, bid and proposal, employee payroll and corresponding benefits and commissions paid to sales and marketing personnel. General and administrative expenses primarily consist of employee payroll including executive, administrative and financial personnel and corresponding benefits, incentive compensation, independent research and development, consulting expenses, warehousing costs, depreciation and amortization. Legal costs are expensed as incurred and are generally included in general and administrative expenses. The Aerospace segment includes general and administrative expenses as an element of program cost and inventory for certain government contracts.

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Cost of Sales and Selling, General and Administrative Expenses - Continued

Certain inventory related costs, including purchasing costs, receiving costs and inspection costs, for the Industrial Distribution segment are not included in the cost of sales line item. For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, $2.0 million, $2.1 million and $2.4 million, respectively, of such costs are included in general and administrative expenses.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits and short-term cash investments. These investments are liquid in nature and have original maturities of three months or less. Book overdraft positions, which occur when total outstanding issued checks exceed available cash balances at a single financial institution at the end of a reporting period, are reclassified to accounts payable within the consolidated balance sheets. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company had book overdrafts of $17.8 million and $13.4 million, respectively, classified in accounts payable.

Accounts Receivable

The Company has three types of accounts receivable: (a) Trade receivables, which consist of amounts billed and currently due from customers; (b) U.S. Government contracts, which consist of (1) amounts billed, and (2) costs and accrued profit – not billed; and (c) Commercial and other government contracts, which consist of (1) amounts billed, and (2) costs and accrued profit – not billed.

The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the trade accounts receivable and billed contracts balance. Management determines the allowance based on known troubled accounts, historical experience, and other currently available evidence.

Inventories

Inventory of merchandise for resale is stated at cost (using the average costing method) or market, whichever is lower. Contracts and other work in process and finished goods are valued at production cost represented by raw material, labor and overhead. Initial tooling and startup costs may be included, where applicable. Contracts and other work in process and finished goods are not reported at amounts in excess of net realizable values. The Company includes raw material amounts in the contracts in process and other work in process balances. Raw material includes certain general stock materials but primarily relates to purchases that were made in anticipation of specific programs for which production has not been started as of the balance sheet date. The total amount of raw material included in these work in process amounts is less than 5% of the total inventory balance.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed primarily on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives for buildings range from 15 to 30 years and for leasehold improvements range from 5 to 20 years, whereas machinery, office furniture and equipment generally have useful lives ranging from 3 to 10 years. At the time of retirement or disposal, the acquisition cost of the asset and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated and any gain or loss is credited to or charged against income.

Long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, and purchased intangible assets subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by an asset to the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary.

Maintenance and repair items are charged against income as incurred, whereas renewals and betterments are capitalized and depreciated.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in a purchase business combination and is reviewed for impairment at least annually.

During 2011, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2011-08, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (ASC Topic 350) - Testing Goodwill for Impairment.” ASU No. 2011-08 intends to simplify goodwill impairment testing by permitting assessment of qualitative factors to determine whether events and circumstances lead to the conclusion that it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test required under ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other.

Under the first step of the two-step test, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its carrying value (including goodwill). If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an indication of goodwill impairment exists for the reporting unit and the enterprise must perform step two of the impairment test (measurement). Under step two, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation. The residual fair value after this allocation is the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill.

Fair value of the reporting unit is determined using an income methodology based on management’s estimates of forecasted cash flows for each business unit, with those cash flows discounted to present value using rates commensurate with the risks of those cash flows. In addition, management used a market-based valuation method involving analysis of market multiples of revenues and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for (i) a group of comparable public companies and (ii) recent transactions, if any, involving comparable companies. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, step two need not be performed.

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are evaluated annually for impairment in the fourth quarter, based on annual forecast information. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated period of benefit. The goodwill and other intangible assets are reviewed for possible impairment whenever changes in conditions indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value. See Note 9, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net, for discussion of the goodwill impairment charges recorded during 2010. No such charge was taken during 2011 or 2009.

Vendor Incentives

The Company’s Industrial Distribution segment enters into agreements with certain vendors providing for inventory purchase incentives that are generally earned upon achieving specified volume-purchasing levels. The company recognizes rebate income relative to specific rebate programs as a reduction of the cost of inventory based on a systematic and rational allocation of the cash consideration offered to each of the underlying transactions that results in progress toward earning the rebate, provided that the amounts are probable and reasonably estimable. As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, total vendor incentive receivables, included in other current assets, were approximately $13.3 million and $12.0 million, respectively.

Self-Insured Retentions

To limit exposure to losses related to group health, workers’ compensation, auto and product general liability claims, the Company obtains third-party insurance coverage. The Company has varying levels of deductibles for these claims. The total liability/deductible for group health is limited to $0.2 million per claim, workers’ compensation is limited to $0.4 million per claim and for product/general liability and auto liability the limit is $0.3 million per claim. The cost of such benefits is recognized as expense based on claims filed in each reporting period and an estimate of claims incurred but not reported (“IBNR”) during such period. The estimates for the IBNR are based upon historical trends and information provided to us by the claims administrators, and are periodically revised to reflect changes in loss trends. These amounts are included in other accruals and payables on the consolidated balance sheets.

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Self-Insured Retentions - Continued

Liabilities associated with these claims are estimated in part by considering historical claims experience, severity factors and other actuarial assumptions. Projections of future losses are inherently uncertain because of the random nature of insurance claim occurrences and changes that could occur in actuarial assumptions. Such self-insurance accruals will likely include claims for which the ultimate losses will be settled over a period of years.

Research and Development

Government sponsored research expenditures (which are included in cost of sales) were $5.5 million in 2011, $7.5 million in 2010, and $7.7 million in 2009. Research and development costs not specifically covered by contracts are charged against income as incurred and included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Such costs amounted to $4.8 million, $4.2 million and $4.1 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured 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 income in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company records a benefit for uncertain tax positions in the financial statements only when it determines it is more likely than not that such a position will be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. Unrecognized tax benefits represent the difference between the position taken in the tax return and the benefit reflected in the financial statements.

Share-Based Payment Arrangements

The Company records compensation expense for share-based awards based upon an assessment of the grant date fair value of the awards. The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. A number of assumptions are used to determine the fair value of options granted. These include expected term, dividend yield, volatility of the options and the risk free interest rate.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations, including market risks relating to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Derivative financial instruments are recognized on the consolidated balance sheets as either assets or liabilities and are measured at fair value. Changes in the fair values of derivatives are recorded each period in earnings or accumulated other comprehensive income, depending on whether a derivative is effective as part of a hedged transaction. Gains and losses on derivative instruments reported in accumulated other comprehensive income are subsequently included in earnings in the periods in which earnings are affected by the hedged item. The Company does not use derivative instruments for speculative purposes.

Pension Accounting

The Company accounts for its defined benefit pension plan by recognizing the overfunded or underfunded status of the plans, calculated as the difference between the plan assets and the projected benefit obligation, as an asset or liability on the balance sheet, with changes in the funded status recognized through comprehensive income in the year in which they occur.

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Pension Accounting - Continued

In 2011, the Company elected to change its method of recognizing pension expense. See Note 2, Accounting Changes, for further discussion of the accounting change and the retrospective application of the new policy to all periods presented.