Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Use of Estimates

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2013 and the results of its operations, cash flows and changes in equity for the three months endedMarch 31, 2013 and 2012 have been included. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

The balance sheet at December 31, 2012 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information or notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.

Comprehensive Income

In February 2013, the FASB issued authoritative guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income, which was effective for the Company on January 1, 2013. The guidance requires an entity to (i) present (either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes) the effects on the line items of net income of significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income - but only if the item reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period; and (ii) cross-reference to other disclosures currently required under U.S. GAAP for other reclassification items (that are not required under U.S. GAAP) to be reclassified directly to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period. This would be the case when a portion of the amount reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income is initially transferred to a balance sheet account (e.g., inventory for pension-related amounts) instead of directly to income or expense. The Company adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2013. Because this guidance is related to presentation only, the adoption did not have any effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the prior periods' unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period's presentation.

Derivatives

The Company uses forward foreign currency exchange contracts to partially reduce risks related to transactions denominated in foreign currencies. The Company offsets fair value amounts related to foreign currency exchange contracts executed with the same counterparty. These contracts hedge firm commitments and forecasted transactions relating to cash flows associated with sales and purchases denominated in currencies other than the subsidiaries' functional currencies. Changes in the fair value of forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are effective as hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”). Deferred gains or losses are reclassified from OCI to the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) in the same period as the gains or losses from the underlying transactions are recorded and are generally recognized in cost of sales. The ineffective portion of derivatives that are classified as hedges is immediately recognized in earnings and generally recognized in cost of sales.

The Company uses interest rate swap agreements to partially reduce risks related to floating rate financing agreements that are subject to changes in the market rate of interest. Terms of the interest rate swap agreements provide for the Company to receive a variable interest rate and pay a fixed interest rate. The Company's interest rate swap agreements and its variable rate financings are based upon the three-month LIBOR. Changes in the fair value of interest rate swap agreements that are effective as hedges are recorded in OCI. Deferred gains or losses are reclassified from OCI to the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) in the same period as the gains or losses from the underlying transactions are recorded and are generally recognized in interest expense. The ineffective portion of derivatives that are classified as hedges is immediately recognized in earnings and included on the line “Other” in the “Other (income) expense” section of the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Interest rate swap agreements and forward foreign currency exchange contracts held by the Company have been designated as hedges of forecasted cash flows. The Company does not currently hold any nonderivative instruments designated as hedges or any derivatives designated as fair value hedges.

The Company periodically enters into foreign currency exchange contracts that do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting. These derivatives are used to reduce the Company's exposure to foreign currency risk related to forecasted purchase or sales transactions or forecasted intercompany cash payments or settlements. Gains and losses on these derivatives are included on the line “Cost of sales” or “Other” in the “Other (income) expense” section of the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Cash flows from hedging activities are reported in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows in the same classification as the hedged item, generally as a component of cash flows from operations.

The Company measures its derivatives at fair value on a recurring basis using significant observable inputs, which is Level 2 as defined in the fair value hierarchy. The Company uses a present value technique that incorporates the LIBOR swap curve, foreign currency spot rates and foreign currency forward rates to value its derivatives, including its interest rate swap agreements and foreign currency exchange contracts, and also incorporates the effect of its subsidiary and counterparty credit risk into the valuation.

Standard Product Warranty

HBB provides a standard warranty to consumers for all of its products. The specific terms and conditions of those warranties vary depending upon the product brand. In general, if a product is returned under warranty, a refund is provided to the consumer by HBB's customer, the retailer. Generally, the retailer returns those products to HBB for a credit. The Company estimates the costs which may be incurred under its standard warranty programs and records a liability for such costs at the time product revenue is recognized.

Income Taxes

The income tax provision includes U.S. federal, state and local, and foreign income taxes and is based on the application of a forecasted annual income tax rate applied to the current quarter's year-to-date pre-tax income or loss. In determining the estimated annual effective income tax rate, the Company analyzes various factors, including projections of the Company's annual earnings, taxing jurisdictions in which the earnings will be generated, the impact of state and local income taxes, the Company's ability to use tax credits and net operating loss carryforwards, and available tax planning alternatives. Discrete items, including the effect of changes in tax laws, tax rates and certain circumstances with respect to valuation allowances or other unusual or non-recurring tax adjustments are reflected in the period in which they occur as an addition to, or reduction from, the income tax provision, rather than included in the estimated effective annual income tax rate.