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Goodwill (Text Block)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill Excluding Non Goodwill Intangibles [Abstract]  
Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block]
Goodwill

The following table reflects goodwill allocated to each reporting segment at December 31, 2014 and 2013:

 
Electricity
 
Gas
 
Water
 
Total Company
 
(in thousands)
Goodwill balance at January 1, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill before impairment
$
475,711

 
$
383,743

 
$
414,394

 
$
1,273,848

Accumulated impairment losses
(249,502
)
 

 
(323,330
)
 
(572,832
)
Goodwill, net
226,209

 
383,743

 
91,064

 
701,016

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill impairment
(173,249
)
 

 

 
(173,249
)
Adjustments of previous acquisitions
3,958

 

 

 
3,958

Effect of change in exchange rates
3,314

 
11,135

 
2,404

 
16,853

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill balance at December 31, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill before impairment
493,610

 
394,878

 
429,783

 
1,318,271

Accumulated impairment losses
(433,378
)
 

 
(336,315
)
 
(769,693
)
Goodwill, net
60,232

 
394,878

 
93,468

 
548,578

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill impairment
(977
)
 

 

 
(977
)
Effect of change in exchange rates
(3,568
)
 
(35,393
)
 
(7,820
)
 
(46,781
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill balance at December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Goodwill before impairment
449,668

 
359,485

 
382,655

 
1,191,808

Accumulated impairment losses
(393,981
)
 

 
(297,007
)
 
(690,988
)
Goodwill, net
$
55,687

 
$
359,485

 
$
85,648

 
$
500,820



In both 2014 and 2013, we tested the Gas and Water reporting units, in conjunction with our annual goodwill impairment testing. We used the qualitative assessment methodology, as we determined it was more likely than not that the fair values of these reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values. As a result, we did not need to perform the quantitative impairment test for the Gas and Water reporting units, and no goodwill impairments were recognized.

In 2014, as a result of the impairment recognized in 2013, we concluded that it was not more likely than not that the fair value of the Electricity reporting unit exceeded its carrying value, and we therefore performed a quantitative analysis of this reporting unit. No goodwill impairment was required to be recognized as the result of this quantitative analysis.

Refer to Note 1 for a description of our reporting units and the methods used to determine the fair values of our reporting units and to determine the amount of any goodwill impairment.

During our 2013 annual goodwill impairment test, we determined that the carrying value of the Electricity reporting unit exceeded its fair value, primarily due to delays in global smart grid projects and lower volumes and pricing pressures in certain regions in Europe and Asia/Pacific. The revised forecast for the Electricity business drove a decrease in the fair value of the reporting unit. As a result, we performed the second step of the goodwill impairment test for the Electricity reporting unit, which indicated a goodwill impairment of $173.2 million. This charge was recorded during the fourth quarter of 2013. Upon finalizing our 2013 goodwill analysis late in the year-end reporting process, we determined $977,000 of additional goodwill impairment expense should have been recognized. In accordance with relevant accounting guidance, we evaluated the materiality of the error from a qualitative and quantitative perspective. Based on such evaluation, we concluded that recognizing the incremental goodwill impairment during the three months ended March 31, 2014 would not be material, quantitatively or qualitatively, to our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 nor to our full year results of operations for 2014 and would not have had a material impact on our results for the year ended December 31, 2013.

During the second quarter of 2013, we finalized the purchase price allocation related to the SmartSynch acquisition, which was completed on May 1, 2012, and recorded certain adjustments that are reflected in the Adjustments of previous acquisitions line above. These adjustments primarily affected the fair value calculation of certain accrued liabilities associated with specific contracts. Among these adjustments is the correction of an error associated with a long-term revenue contract acquired from SmartSynch. In May 2013, we determined that certain manufacturing costs were not reflected in the model used to value this contract at acquisition. Once these costs were properly added to the total cost and profitability estimates, we determined the total contract would result in a loss of $2.4 million over the contract term. Therefore, we recognized a liability for this expected loss on the contract and made a corresponding adjustment to goodwill. Further, we had previously recognized a customer relationship intangible asset of $1.5 million associated with this contract, with amortization scheduled to begin in 2014 based on the contract's original projected cash flow. Since the contract is in an overall loss position, we determined that the intangible asset had no value. We reduced the value of this intangible asset to zero with a corresponding adjustment to goodwill.

Goodwill and accumulated impairment losses associated with our international subsidiaries are recorded in their respective functional currencies; therefore, the carrying amounts of these balances increase or decrease, with a corresponding change in accumulated OCI, due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates.