XML 65 R23.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2012

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Non-controlling interests represent capital contributions, income and loss attributable to the owners of less than wholly-owned and consolidated entities. During fiscal year 2012, the company entered into a business venture agreement to pursue potential product and support services contracts for agencies and instrumentalities for the United States Government. The business venture, Aerostar Integrated Systems, (AIS), is 75% owned by the company and is included in the Aerostar business segment. Given the company's majority ownership interest, the accounts of the business venture have been consolidated with the accounts of the company, and a noncontrolling interest has been recorded for the noncontrolling investor's interests in the net assets and operations of the business venture.

Investments in Affiliate

An affiliate investment over which the company has significant influence, but neither a controlling interest nor a majority interest in the risks or rewards of the investee, is accounted for using the equity method. The investment balance is included in “other assets, net,” while the company's share of the investee's results of operations is included in “other income (expense), net.” The company considers whether the value of any of its equity method investments has been impaired whenever adverse events or changes in circumstances indicate that recorded values may not be recoverable. If the company considered any such decline to be other than temporary (based on various factors, including historical financial results, product development activities and the overall health of the affiliate's industry), a write-down would be recorded.

Use of Estimates

Preparing the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. These affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Foreign Currency

The company's subsidiaries that operate outside the United States use the local currency as their functional currency. The functional currency is translated into U.S. dollars for balance sheet accounts using the period-end exchange rates and average exchange rates for the statement of income and comprehensive income. Adjustments resulting from financial statement translations are included as foreign currency translation adjustments in “accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” within shareholders' equity. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are recognized in the period incurred and are included in “other income (expense), net” in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The company considers all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three or fewer months to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalent balances are principally concentrated in checking, money market and savings accounts with Wells Fargo Bank.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the company's best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses. This is based on historical writeoff experience by segment and an estimate of the collectibility of any known problem accounts.

Inventory Valuation

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined on the first-in, first-out basis. Market value encompasses consideration of all business factors including price, contract terms and usefulness.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets using accelerated methods. The estimated useful lives used for computing depreciation are as follows:



Building and improvements	15 - 39 years
Manufacturing equipment by segment
Applied Technology	3 - 5 years
Engineered Films	5 - 12 years
Aerostar	3 - 5 years
Electronic Systems	3 - 5 years
Furniture, fixtures, office equipment and other	3 - 7 years

Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense in the year incurred, and renewals and betterments are capitalized. The cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets sold or disposed of are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in operations.

The company capitalizes certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining internal-use software in accordance with the accounting guidance for such costs. Capitalized software costs totaled $553 in fiscal 2012, $1,280 in fiscal 2011 and $914 in fiscal 2010. The costs are included in “Property, Plant and Equipment, net” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Software costs that do not meet capitalization criteria are expensed as incurred. Amortization expense related to capitalized software is included in depreciation.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets, primarily comprised of technologies acquired through acquisition, are recorded at cost and are presented net of accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed either on a straight-line basis or under the undiscounted cash flows method

over the estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 20 years. The straight-line method of amortization is used when it reflects an appropriate allocation of the cost of the intangible assets to earnings in each reporting period.

Goodwill

Raven recognizes goodwill as the excess cost of an acquired business over the net amount assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. For business combinations prior to February 1, 2009, earn-out payments to sellers are added to goodwill when payable under the terms of the purchase agreement. For business combinations after February 1, 2009, earn-out payments are accrued at fair value as of the purchase date, and payments reduce the accrual without affecting goodwill. Any change in the fair value of the contingent consideration after the acquisition date is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter and between annual tests whenever a triggering event indicates there may be an impairment. Impairment tests of goodwill are performed at the reporting unit level. A qualitative impairment assessment over relevant events and circumstances may be assessed to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If events and circumstances indicate the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then the fair values are estimated based on discounted cash flows and are compared with the corresponding carrying value of the reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, the amount of the impairment loss must be measured and then recognized to the extent the carrying value exceeds the implied fair value.

Long-Lived Assets

The company periodically assesses the recoverability of long-lived and intangible assets. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of an asset exceeds the estimated undiscounted cash flows used in determining the fair value of the assets. The amount of the impairment loss to be recorded is calculated by the excess of the asset's carrying value over its fair value.

Insurance Obligations

Raven employs insurance policies to cover workers' compensation and general liability costs. Liabilities are accrued related to claims filed and estimates for claims incurred but not reported. To the extent these obligations are expected to be reimbursed by insurance, the expected insurance policy benefit is included as a component of “other current assets.”

Contingencies

The company is involved as a defendant in lawsuits, claims or disputes arising in the normal course of business. An estimate of the loss on these matters is charged to operations when it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. While the settlement of any claims cannot be determined at this time, management believes that any liability resulting from these claims will be substantially covered by insurance. Accordingly, management does not believe that the ultimate outcome of these matters will have a significant impact on its results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Revenue Recognition

Raven recognizes revenue when it is realized or realizable and has been earned. Revenue is recognized when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the sales price is determinable, collectability is reasonably assured and shipment or delivery has occurred (depending on the terms of the sale). The company sells directly to customers or distributors who incur the expense and commitment for any post-sale obligations beyond stated warranty terms. Estimated returns, sales allowances or warranty charges are recognized upon shipment of a product.

Warranties

Accruals necessary for product warranties are estimated based on historical warranty costs and average time elapsed between purchases and returns for each division. Additional accruals are made for any significant, discrete warranty issues.

Share-Based Compensation

The company records compensation expense related to its share-based compensation plans using the fair value method. Under this method, the fair value of share-based compensation is determined as of the grant date and the related expense is recorded over the period in which the share-based compensation vests.

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes reflect temporary differences between assets and liabilities reported on the company's balance sheet and their tax bases. These differences are measured using enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods when the temporary differences will affect taxable income. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to reflect realizable value, when necessary. Accruals are maintained for uncertain tax positions.