FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets are categorized based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their fair value.  Hierarchical levels are directly related to the amount of subjectivity associated with the inputs to fair valuation of these assets and liabilities.  We are required to separately disclose assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, from those measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.  Nonfinancial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are intangible assets and goodwill, which are reviewed for impairment annually in the fourth quarter and/or when circumstances or other events indicate that impairment may have occurred.  Determining which hierarchical level an asset or liability falls within requires significant judgment.  The following table summarizes the assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets:

Balance at December 31, 2012	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
Assets	($ in millions)
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	8.3	$	—	$	8.3
Commodity forward contracts	0.1		7.5		—		7.6
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps	—		10.2		—		10.2
Earn out	—		—		42.0		42.0
Balance at December 31, 2011
Assets
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	13.8	$	—	$	13.8
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps	—		13.7		—		13.7
Commodity forward contracts	2.5		7.7		—		10.2
Earn out	—		—		49.0		49.0

For the year ended December 31, 2012, there were no transfers into or out of Level 1 and Level 2.

The following table summarizes the activity for our earn out liability measured at fair value using Level 3 inputs:

	December 31,
	2012			2011
	($ in millions)
Beginning balance	$	49.0		$	—
(Settlements) purchases	(18.5		)	42.3
Unrealized losses included in other expense (income)	11.5			6.7
Ending balance	$	42.0		$	49.0

Short-Term Investments

We classified our marketable securities as available-for-sale which were reported at fair market value.  Unrealized gains and losses, to the extent such losses are considered temporary in nature, are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of applicable taxes.  At such time as the decline in fair market value and the related unrealized loss is determined to be a result of impairment of the underlying instrument, the loss is recorded as a charge to earnings.  Fair values for marketable securities are based upon prices and other relevant information observable in market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities or prices obtained from independent third-party pricing services.  The third-party pricing services employ various models that take into consideration such market-based factors as recent sales, risk-free yield curves, prices of similarly rated bonds, and direct discussions with dealers familiar with these types of securities.

Interest Rate Swaps

The fair value of the interest rate swaps was included in other assets, long-term debt and other liabilities as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.  These financial instruments were valued using the “income approach” valuation technique.  This method used valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount.  The measurement was based on the value indicated by current market expectations about those future amounts.  We use interest rate swaps as a means of managing interest expense and floating interest rate exposure to optimal levels.

Commodity Forward Contracts

The fair value of the commodity forward contracts was classified in other current assets and accrued liabilities as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of applicable taxes.  These financial instruments were valued primarily based on prices and other relevant information observable in market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities including both forward and spot prices for commodities.  We use commodity forward contracts for certain raw materials and energy costs such as copper, zinc, lead, and natural gas to provide a measure of stability in managing our exposure to price fluctuations.

Foreign Currency Contracts

We had no fair value of foreign currency contracts as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.  The gains and losses of foreign currency contracts were included in selling and administration expense as these financial instruments do not meet the criteria to qualify for hedge accounting.  These financial instruments were valued primarily based on prices and other relevant information observable in market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities including both forward and spot prices for foreign currencies.  We enter into forward sales and purchase contracts to manage currency risk resulting from purchase and sale commitments denominated in foreign currencies (principally Canadian dollar and Australian dollar).

Financial Instruments

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximated fair values due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. The fair value of our long-term debt was determined based on current market rates for debt of similar risk and maturities.  The following table summarizes the fair value measurements of debt and the actual debt recorded on our balance sheets:

	Fair Value Measurements
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total		Amount recorded on balance sheets
	$ in millions
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	—	$	605.1	$	153.0	$	758.1	$	713.7
Balance at December 31, 2011	—		391.4		160.9		552.3		536.4

Earn Out

The fair value of the earn out associated with the SunBelt acquisition was estimated using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model.  This fair value measurement is based on significant inputs not observed in the market.  Key assumptions in determining the fair value of the earn out include the discount rate and cash flow projections for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013.

For the year ended December 31, 2012, we paid $18.5 million for the earn out related to the 2011 SunBelt performance. The 2011 earn out payment included $15.3 million that was recognized as part of the original purchase price. The $15.3 million is included as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows.

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, we record assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as required by ASC 820.  There were no assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.  At February 28, 2011, $180.6 million of assets were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.  We recognized a gain of $181.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 on our previously held investment in SunBelt, which had been accounted for under the equity method of accounting prior to the acquisition.  We remeasured our equity interest in SunBelt of $(0.8) million based on our purchase of PolyOne’s 50% interest in SunBelt.  We used Level 1 inputs for the cash payments and Level 3 inputs for the estimated earn out.