Overview And Basis Of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Overview And Basis Of Presentation [Abstract]

Overview And Basis Of Presentation

NOTE 1. OVERVIEW AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Trimble Navigation Limited (the Company), incorporated in California in 1981, provides positioning solutions to commercial and government users in a large number of markets. These markets include surveying, agriculture, construction, asset management, mapping, and mobile resource management.

The Company has a 52-53 week fiscal year, ending on the Friday nearest to December 31, which for fiscal 2010 was December 31, 2010. The third quarter of fiscal 2011 and fiscal 2010 ended on September 30, 2011 and October 1, 2010, respectively. Fiscal 2011 and 2010 were both 52-week years. Unless otherwise stated, all dates refer to the Company's fiscal year and fiscal periods.

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the results of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. Inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Noncontrolling interests represent the noncontrolling shareholders' proportionate share of the net assets and results of operations of the Company's consolidated subsidiaries.

The accompanying financial data as of September 30, 2011 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and October 1, 2010 has been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements, prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2010 is derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Trimble Navigation Limited for fiscal year 2010. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company's 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable. Although these estimates are based on management's best knowledge of current events and actions that may impact the company in the future, actual results may be different from the estimates.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present a fair statement of financial position as of September 30, 2011, results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and October 1, 2010 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and October 1, 2010, as applicable, have been made. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full fiscal year or any future periods. Individual segment revenue may be affected by seasonal buying patterns and general economic conditions.