Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

The Company uses a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires us to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:


•	Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.


•	Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.


•	Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

The following table provides the carrying value and fair value of financial instruments that are not carried at fair value at December 31, 2014 and 2013:



	2014				2013
In thousands	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Long-term debt:
Level 1	$	109,024	$	145,188	$	107,093	$	147,822
Level 2	172,208		164,204		167,562		155,473
Total	$	281,232	$	309,392	$	274,655	$	303,295

The above fair values were computed based on quoted market prices and discounted future cash flows, as applicable. Differences from carrying amounts are attributable to interest rate changes subsequent to when the transaction occurred. The fair values of Cash and cash equivalents, Accounts receivable, net, Notes payable, and Accounts payable - trade approximate their carrying amounts due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The Company holds derivative instruments for foreign exchange contracts and interest rate swaps that are measured at fair value using observable market inputs such as forward rates and our counterparties’ credit risks. Based on these inputs, the derivative instruments are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy and have been included in other current assets and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2014 and 2013. Based on the continued ability to trade and enter into forward contracts and interest rate swaps, we consider the markets for our fair value instruments to be active. These contracts are not material to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

The Company evaluated the credit risk associated with the counterparties to these derivative instruments and determined that as of December 31, 2014, such credit risks have not had an adverse impact on the fair value of these instruments.

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for possible impairment during the fourth quarter of each year. During 2013, management concluded that the carrying value of goodwill at its VT Composites reporting unit exceeded its fair value and, accordingly, recorded an impairment charge totaling $2.1 million to write down the goodwill to its implied fair value. After the $2.1 million charge there was $16.8 million of goodwill remaining at December 31, 2013, for this reporting unit. See Note 9, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net, for further discussion.

5. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (CONTINUED)

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements - continued

The nonrecurring fair value measurement for goodwill was developed using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). For step-one of the impairment analysis, the primary valuation technique used was 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 associated with 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 a group of comparable public companies. Valuation methods used to determine the fair value of the reporting unit’s assets and liabilities in order to perform a purchase price allocation included the income and market approach depending on the nature of the asset/liability. Assumptions used by management were similar to those that would be used by market participants performing valuations of the reporting unit.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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