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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RELATED DATA (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2015

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND RELATED DATA

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. The company uses the equity method to account for investments over which it has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. Consolidated net earnings include the company's share of the net earnings (losses) of these companies. The cost method is used to account for investments in companies that the company does not control and for which it does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. These investments are recorded at cost. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated from the consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Estimates

Accounting Estimates

In preparing the consolidated financial statements in conformity with United States ("U.S.") generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), management must make decisions that impact the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and the related disclosures, including disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Such decisions include the selection of the appropriate accounting principles to be applied and the assumptions on which to base accounting estimates. Estimates are used in determining, among other items, sales promotions and incentives accruals, incentive compensation accruals, inventory valuation, warranty reserves, earnout liabilities, allowance for doubtful accounts, pension and postretirement accruals, self-insurance accruals, useful lives for tangible and intangible assets, and future cash flows associated with impairment testing for goodwill and other long-lived assets. These estimates and assumptions are based on management's best estimates and judgments at the time they are made. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors that management believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, including the current economic environment. Management adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual amounts could differ significantly from those estimated at the time the consolidated financial statements are prepared. Changes in those estimates will be reflected in the consolidated financial statements in future periods.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications

Certain amounts from prior years' Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. The reclassifications had no impact on the results of operations as previously reported.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents and are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. As of October 31, 2015, cash and short-term investments held by the company's foreign subsidiaries that are not available to fund domestic operations unless repatriated were $61,272.

Receivables

The company's financial exposure to collection of accounts receivable is reduced due to its Red Iron Acceptance, LLC ("Red Iron") joint venture with TCF Inventory Finance, Inc. ("TCFIF"), as further discussed in Note 3. For receivables not serviced through Red Iron, the company grants credit to customers in the normal course of business and performs on-going credit evaluations of customers. Receivables are recorded at original carrying amount less reserves for estimated uncollectible accounts, as described below.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The company estimates the balance of allowance for doubtful accounts by analyzing the age of accounts and notes receivable balances and applying historical write-off trend rates. The company also estimates separately specific customer balances when it is deemed probable that the balance is uncollectible. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when all collection efforts have been exhausted.

Inventory Valuations

Inventory Valuations

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined by the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method for a majority of the company's inventories. The first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method is used for all other inventories, constituting 26 and 28 percent of total inventories as of October 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The company establishes a reserve for excess, slow-moving, and obsolete inventory that is equal to the difference between the cost and estimated net realizable value for that inventory. These reserves are based on a review and comparison of current inventory levels to planned production, as well as planned and historical sales of the inventory. During fiscal 2015 and 2014, LIFO layers were reduced, which resulted in charging lower inventory costs prevailing in previous years to cost of sales, thus reducing cost of sales by $1,348 and $65, respectively.

Inventories as of October 31 were as follows:


			2015			2014

Raw materials and work in progress		$	107,086		$	95,144
Finished goods and service parts			291,468			246,954

Total FIFO value			398,554			342,098
Less: adjustment to LIFO value			64,040			67,495

Total		$	334,514		$	274,603

Property and Depreciation

Property and Depreciation

Property, plant, and equipment are carried at cost. The company provides for depreciation of plant and equipment utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Buildings, including leasehold improvements, are generally depreciated over 10 to 45 years, and equipment over two to seven years. Tooling costs are generally depreciated over three to five years using the straight-line method. Software and web site development costs are generally amortized over two to five years utilizing the straight-line method. Expenditures for major renewals and improvements, which substantially increase the useful lives of existing assets, are capitalized, and maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expenses as incurred. Interest is capitalized during the construction period for significant capital projects. During the fiscal years ended October 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, the company capitalized $897, $1,710, and $722 of interest, respectively.

Property, plant, and equipment as of October 31 was as follows:


			2015			2014

Land and land improvements		$	34,240		$	32,731
Buildings and leasehold improvements			170,342			156,374
Machinery and equipment			315,884			305,131
Tooling			187,652			177,704
Computer hardware and software			81,131			77,395
Construction in process			15,349			10,857

Subtotal			804,598			760,192
Less: accumulated depreciation			579,603			554,997

Total property, plant, and equipment, net		$	224,995		$	205,195

During fiscal years 2015, 2014, and 2013, the company recorded depreciation expense of $50,322, $47,136, and $48,207, respectively.

Goodwill and Indefinite-Life Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Indefinite-Life Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the cost of acquisitions in excess of the fair values assigned to identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is assigned to reporting units based upon the expected benefit of the synergies of the acquisition. Goodwill and some trade names, which are considered to have indefinite lives, are not amortized; however, the company reviews them for impairment annually during each fourth fiscal quarter or more frequently if changes in circumstances or occurrence of events suggest the fair value may not be recoverable.

The company reviewed the fair value of its reporting units that have goodwill on their respective balance sheets and compared these fair values to the respective carrying amounts during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. The company determined that it has nine reporting units, which are the same as its nine operating segments. Seven reporting units contain goodwill on their respective balance sheets. As of August 28, 2015, the company performed an analysis of qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform a two-step goodwill impairment test. Based on the company's analysis of qualitative factors, the company determined that it was not necessary to perform a two-step goodwill impairment test for any of its reporting units.

As of August 28, 2015, the company also performed an assessment of its indefinite-life intangible assets, which consist of certain trade names. The company's estimate of the fair value of its trade names are based on a discounted cash flow model using inputs which included: projected revenues from the company's forecasting process; assumed royalty rates that could be payable if the company did not own the trade name; and a discount rate. Based on this analysis, which was also performed in prior fiscal years, the company concluded its indefinite-life intangible assets were not impaired during fiscal 2015, 2014, or 2013.

Other Long-Lived Assets

Other Long-Lived Assets

Other long-lived assets include property, plant, and equipment and definite-life intangible assets, which are identifiable assets that arose from purchase acquisitions consisting primarily of patents, non-compete agreements, customer relationships, trade names, and developed technology and are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from 1.5 to 20 years. The company reviews other long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset (or asset group) may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when estimated undiscounted future cash flows from the operation or disposition of the asset group are less than the carrying amount of the asset group. Asset groups have identifiable cash flows and are largely independent of other asset groups. Measurement of an impairment loss is based on the excess of the carrying amount of the asset group over its fair value. Fair value is measured using a discounted cash flow model or independent appraisals, as appropriate. For long-lived assets to be abandoned, the company tests for potential impairment. If the company commits to a plan to abandon a long-lived asset before the end of its previously estimated useful life, depreciation estimates are revised.

Based on the company's impairment analysis for definite-life intangible assets, the company wrote down $1,383 of other long-lived assets for fiscal 2015. For fiscal 2014, the company did not have any impairment losses of other long-lived assets. Additionally, based on the company's analysis of estimated useful lives of property, plant, and equipment, the company had $531, $0, and $824 of accelerated depreciation expense during fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Accounts Payable

Accounts Payable

The company has a customer-managed service agreement with a third party to provide a web-based platform that facilitates participating suppliers' ability to finance payment obligations from the company with a designated third party financial institution. Participating suppliers may, at their sole discretion, make offers to finance one or more payment obligations of the company prior to their scheduled due dates at a discounted price to a participating financial institution.

The company's obligations to its suppliers, including amounts due and scheduled payment dates, are not affected by suppliers' decisions to finance amounts under this arrangement. However, the company's right to offset balances due from suppliers against payment obligations is restricted by this arrangement for those payment obligations that have been financed by suppliers. As of October 31, 2015 and 2014, $16,101 and $12,296, respectively, of the company's outstanding payment obligations had been placed on the accounts payable tracking system.

Insurance

The company is self-insured for certain losses relating to medical, dental, and workers' compensation claims, and certain product liability occurrences. Specific stop loss coverages are provided for catastrophic claims in order to limit exposure to significant claims. Losses and claims are charged to operations when it is probable a loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Self-insured liabilities are based on a number of factors, including historical claims experience, an estimate of claims incurred but not reported, demographic and severity factors, and utilizing valuations provided by independent third-party actuaries.

Accrued Warranties

Accrued Warranties

The company provides an accrual for estimated future warranty costs at the time of sale. The company also establishes accruals for major rework campaigns. The amount of warranty accruals is based primarily on the estimated number of products under warranty, historical average costs incurred to service warranty claims, the trend in the historical ratio of claims to sales, and the historical length of time between the sale and resulting warranty claim. The company periodically assesses the adequacy of its warranty accruals based on changes in these factors and records any necessary adjustments if actual claims experience indicates that adjustments are necessary.

The changes in accrued warranties were as follows:


Fiscal years ended October 31			2015			2014

Beginning balance		$	71,080		$	72,177
Warranty provisions			41,747			41,608
Warranty claims			(39,730	)		(38,568	)
Changes in estimates			(2,363	)		(4,137	)

Ending balance		$	70,734		$	71,080

Derivatives

Derivatives, consisting mainly of forward currency contracts, are used to hedge most foreign currency transactions, including forecasted sales and purchases denominated in foreign currencies. The company also utilizes cross currency swaps to offset foreign currency intercompany loan exposures. Derivatives are recognized on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the change in the fair value of the derivative is recorded as a component of other comprehensive income within the consolidated statements of comprehensive income and the consolidated statements of stockholders' equity, and recognized in earnings when the hedged item affects earnings. Derivatives that do not meet the requirements for hedge accounting are adjusted to fair value through other income, net in the consolidated statements of earnings.

Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions

Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions

The functional currency of the company's foreign operations is generally the applicable local currency. The functional currency is translated into U.S. dollars for balance sheet accounts using current exchange rates in effect as of the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using a weighted-average exchange rate during the fiscal year. The translation adjustments are deferred as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) within the consolidated statements of comprehensive income and the consolidated statements of stockholders' equity. Gains or losses resulting from transactions denominated in foreign currencies are included in other income, net in the consolidated statements of earnings.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years that 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 tax expense in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is provided when, in management's judgment, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The company has reflected the necessary deferred tax assets and liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Management believes the future tax deductions will be realized principally through carryback to taxable income in prior years, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, and future taxable income.

The company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The company also records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

The company recognizes revenue for product sales when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, title and risk of ownership passes to the customer, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is probable. These criteria are typically met at the time product is shipped, or in the case of certain agreements, when product is delivered. A provision is made at the time the related revenue is recognized for estimated product returns, floor plan costs, rebates, and other sales promotion expenses. Sales, use, value-added, and other excise taxes are not recognized in revenue. Freight revenue billed to customers is included in net sales.

The company ships some of its products to a key retailer's seasonal distribution centers on a consignment basis. The company retains title to its products stored at the seasonal distribution centers. As the company's products are removed from the seasonal distribution centers by the key retailer and shipped to the key retailer's stores, title passes from the company to the key retailer. At that time, the company invoices the key retailer and recognizes revenue for these consignment transactions. The company does not offer a right of return for products shipped to the key retailer's stores from the seasonal distribution centers. From time to time, the company also stores inventory on a consignment basis at other customers' locations. The amount of consignment inventory as of October 31, 2015 and 2014 was $23,566 and $22,080, respectively.

Revenue earned from service and maintenance contracts is recognized ratably over the contractual period. Revenue from extended warranty programs is deferred at the time the contract is sold and amortized into net sales using the straight-line method over the extended warranty period.

Sales Promotions and Incentives

Sales Promotions and Incentives

At the time of sale, the company records an estimate for sales promotion and incentive costs. Examples of sales promotion and incentive programs include off-invoice discounts, rebate programs, volume discounts, retail financing support, commissions, and other sales discounts and promotional programs. The estimates of sales promotion and incentive costs are based on the terms of the arrangements with customers, historical payment experience, field inventory levels, volume purchases, and expectations for changes in relevant trends in the future. The expense of each program is classified as a reduction from gross sales or as a component of selling, general, and administrative expense.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales primarily comprises direct materials and supplies consumed in the manufacture of product, as well as manufacturing labor, depreciation expense, and direct overhead expense necessary to convert purchased materials and supplies into finished product. Cost of sales also includes inbound freight costs, outbound freight costs for shipping products to customers, obsolescence expense, cost of services provided, and cash discounts on payments to vendors.

Selling, General, and Administrative Expense

Selling, General, and Administrative Expense

Selling, general, and administrative expense primarily comprises payroll and benefit costs, occupancy and operating costs of distribution and corporate facilities, warranty expense, depreciation and amortization expense on non-manufacturing assets, advertising and marketing expenses, selling expenses, engineering and research costs, information systems costs, incentive and profit sharing expense, and other miscellaneous administrative costs, such as legal costs for internal and outside services that are expensed as incurred.

Cost of Financing Distributor/Dealer Inventory

Cost of Financing Distributor / Dealer Inventory

The company enters into limited inventory repurchase agreements with a third party financing company and Red Iron. The company has repurchased immaterial amounts of inventory under these repurchase agreements over the last three fiscal years. However, an adverse change in retail sales could cause this situation to change, and thereby require the company to repurchase a portion of financed product. See Note 13 for additional information regarding the company's repurchase arrangements.

Included as a reduction to net sales are costs associated with programs under which the company shares the expense of financing distributor and dealer inventories, referred to as floor plan expenses. This charge represents interest for a pre-established length of time based on a predefined rate from a contract with third party financing sources to finance distributor and dealer inventory purchases. These financing arrangements are used by the company as a marketing tool to assist customers to buy inventory. The financing costs for distributor and dealer inventories were $24,130, $21,080, and $19,729 for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Advertising

General advertising expenditures are expensed the first time advertising takes place. Production costs associated with advertising are expensed in the period incurred. Cooperative advertising represents expenditures for shared advertising costs that the company reimburses to customers and is classified as a component of selling, general, and administrative expense. These obligations are accrued and expensed when the related revenues are recognized in accordance with the programs established for various product lines. Advertising costs were $42,843, $43,590, and $48,071 for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

The company's stock-based compensation awards are generally granted to executive officers, other employees, and non-employee members of the company's Board of Directors, and include performance share awards that are contingent on the achievement of performance goals of the company, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock units, and restricted stock awards. Compensation expense equal to the grant date fair value is recognized for these awards over the vesting period and is classified in selling, general and administrative expense. See Note 10 for additional information regarding stock-based compensation plans.

Net Earnings Per Share

Net Earnings Per Share

Basic net earnings per share is calculated using net earnings available to common stockholders divided by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year plus the assumed issuance of contingent shares. Diluted net earnings per share is similar to basic net earnings per share except that the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus the assumed issuance of contingent shares is increased to include the number of additional shares of common stock that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of all potentially dilutive shares, such as common stock to be issued upon exercise of options, contingently issuable shares, and restricted stock units.

Reconciliations of basic and diluted weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding are as follows:

BASIC

(Shares in thousands) Fiscal years ended October 31			2015			2014			2013

Weighted-average number of shares of common stock			55,554			56,346			57,898
Assumed issuance of contingent shares			11			13			24

Weighted-average number of shares of common stock and assumed issuance of contingent shares			55,565			56,359			57,922

DILUTED

(Shares in thousands) Fiscal years ended October 31			2015			2014			2013

Weighted-average number of shares of common stock and assumed issuance of contingent shares			55,565			56,359			57,922
Effect of dilutive securities			1,192			1,269			1,183

Weighted-average number of shares of common stock, assumed issuance of contingent and restricted shares, and effect of dilutive securities			56,757			57,628			59,105

Incremental shares from options and restricted stock units are computed by the treasury stock method. Options for the purchase of 145,060, 259,925, and 182,868 shares of common stock during fiscal 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted net earnings per share because they were anti-dilutive.

Cash Flow Presentation

Cash Flow Presentation

The consolidated statements of cash flows are prepared using the indirect method, which reconciles net earnings to cash flow from operating activities. The necessary adjustments include the removal of timing differences between the occurrence of operating receipts and payments and their recognition in net earnings. The adjustments also remove from operating activities cash flows arising from investing and financing activities, which are presented separately from operating activities. Cash flows from foreign currency transactions and operations are translated at an average exchange rate for the period. Cash paid for acquisitions is classified as investing activities.

New Accounting Pronouncement Adopted

New Accounting Pronouncement Adopted

In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. ASU No. 2011-11 requires entities to disclose gross and net information about both instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the statement of financial position and those subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. This would include derivatives and other financial securities arrangements. The company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, as required. The adoption of this guidance did not have an impact on the company's consolidated financial statements.