10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(MARK ONE)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2014

OR

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ______ TO ______

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-10596

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

MISSOURI (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	43-1554045 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
9900A CLAYTON ROAD ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI (Address of principal executive offices)	63124-1186 (Zip Code)

(314) 213-7200

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes x No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer   x	Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨	Smaller reporting company  ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ¨ No x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class	Outstanding at July 31, 2014
Common stock, $.01 par value per share shares	26,303,372

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

	Three Months Ended June 30,
	2014		2013
Net sales	$	130,495		116,922
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales		79,608		69,556
Selling, general and administrative expenses		33,492		31,546
Amortization of intangible assets		1,682		1,506
Interest expense, net		147		778
Other expenses (income), net		283		2,903
Total costs and expenses		115,212		106,289
Earnings before income taxes		15,283		10,633
Income tax expense		3,693		4,119
Net earnings from continuing operations		11,590		6,514
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax benefit of $(1,171)		-		(1,617	)
Net earnings	$	11,590		4,897
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic -  Continuing operations	$	0.44		0.25
-   Discontinued operations		0.00		(0.06	)
-   Net earnings	$	0.44		0.19
Diluted - Continuing operations	$	0.43		0.24
- Discontinued operations		0.00		(0.06	)
- Net earnings	$	0.43		0.18

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

2

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

	Nine Months Ended June 30,
	2014			2013
Net sales	$	379,707			345,478
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales		231,325			209,204
Selling, general and administrative expenses		99,182			96,799
Amortization of intangible assets		5,047			4,541
Interest expense, net		1,493			1,997
Other expenses (income), net		423			3,748
Total costs and expenses		337,470			316,289
Earnings before income taxes		42,237			29,189
Income tax expense		12,551			11,810
Net earnings from continuing operations		29,686			17,379
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit) of $5,713 and $(6,825), respectively		9,858			(10,677	)
Loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax benefit of $9,499		(50,442	)		-
Net loss from discontinued operations		(40,584	)		(10,677	)
Net (loss) earnings	$	(10,898	)		6,702
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic -  Continuing operations	$	1.12			0.66
-   Discontinued operations		(1.53	)		(0.40	)
-   Net (loss) earnings	$	(0.41	)		0.26
Diluted - Continuing operations	$	1.11			0.65
- Discontinued operations		(1.52	)		(0.40	)
- Net (loss) earnings	$	(0.41	)		0.25

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

	Three Months Ended June 30,					Nine Months Ended June 30,
	2014		2013			2014			2013
Net earnings (loss)	$	11,590		4,897			(10,898	)		6,702
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments		239		(40	)		1,238			(851	)
Amortization of prior service costs and actuarial losses		-		-			-			(109	)
Total other comprehensive income (loss),   net of tax		239		(40	)		1,238			(960	)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	11,829		4,857			(9,660	)		5,742

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

4

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

	June 30, 2014			September 30, 2013
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	40,215			42,850
Accounts receivable, net		92,165			91,980
Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts, less progress billings of $25,635 and $30,887, respectively		22,643			20,717
Inventories		93,965			90,228
Current portion of deferred tax assets		19,473			23,349
Other current assets		18,544			15,930
Assets held for sale - current		-			108,867
Total current assets		287,005			393,921
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $69,075 and $64,332, respectively		74,585			75,536
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $38,999 and $33,952, respectively		181,683			180,217
Goodwill		283,317			282,949
Other assets		8,949			9,469
Assets held for sale - other		-			150,236
Total assets	$	835,539			1,092,328
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	$	20,000			50,000
Accounts payable		30,327			38,537
Advance payments on long-term contracts, less costs incurred of $53,720 and $23,853, respectively		15,503			17,543
Accrued salaries		22,264			21,730
Current portion of deferred revenue		18,377			17,508
Accrued other expenses		21,310			21,453
Liabilities held for sale - current		-			63,585
Total current liabilities		127,781			230,356
Pension obligations		17,808			19,089
Deferred tax liabilities		78,202			99,795
Other liabilities		1,722			3,348
Long-term debt		28,000			122,000
Liabilities held for sale - other		-			16,026
Total liabilities		253,513			490,614
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 10,000,000 shares		–			–
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 50,000,000 shares, issued 30,247,512 and 30,147,504 shares, respectively		302			301
Additional paid-in capital		284,317			284,565
Retained earnings		390,236			407,512
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax		(15,418	)		(16,656	)
		659,437			675,722
Less treasury stock, at cost: 3,800,389 and 3,707,407 common shares, respectively		(77,411	)		(74,008	)
Total shareholders' equity		582,026			601,714
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	835,539			1,092,328

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands)

	Nine Months Ended June 30,
	2014			2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) earnings	$	(10,898	)		6,702
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax		40,584			10,677
Depreciation and amortization		12,234			11,528
Stock compensation expense		3,695			3,440
Changes in current assets and liabilities		(18,210	)		(35,911	)
Effect of deferred taxes		376			3,664
Change in deferred revenue and costs, net		758			1,292
Pension contributions		(2,080	)		(3,400	)
Change in uncertain tax positions		(1,694	)		502
Other		(2,129	)		237
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities – continuing operations		22,636			(1,269	)
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities -  discontinued operations		(1,629	)		13,502
Net cash provided by operating  activities		21,007			12,233
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash  acquired		-			(19,452	)
Additions to capitalized software		(6,305	)		(5,589	)
Capital expenditures		(8,116	)		(10,247	)
Net cash used by investing activities – continuing operations		(14,421	)		(35,288	)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities –   discontinued operations		123,512			(32,368	)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities		109,091			(67,656	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt		62,000			100,000
Principal payments on long-term debt		(186,000	)		(28,000	)
Dividends paid		(6,378	)		(6,359	)
Purchases of common stock into treasury		(3,607	)		(9,703	)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		-			1,750
Other		14			18
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities		(133,971	)		57,706
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		1,238			(851	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(2,635	)		1,432
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		42,850			30,215
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	40,215			31,647

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

6

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying consolidated financial statements, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. The consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and consequently do not include all the disclosures required for annual financial statements by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013. Certain 2013 amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2014 presentation.

The Company’s business is typically not impacted by seasonality; however, the results for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire 2014 fiscal year. References to the third quarters of 2014 and 2013 represent the fiscal quarters ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

In preparing the financial statements, the Company uses estimates and assumptions that may affect reported amounts and disclosures. The Company regularly evaluates the estimates and assumptions related to the allowance for doubtful trade receivables, inventory obsolescence, warranty reserves, value of equity-based awards, goodwill and purchased intangible asset valuations, asset impairments, employee benefit plan liabilities, income tax liabilities and assets and related valuation allowances, uncertain tax positions, and claims, litigation and other loss contingencies. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

2. ACLARA DIVESTITURE

On March 28, 2014, the Company completed the sale of Aclara Technologies LLC (Aclara) to an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc. The divestiture generated approximately $132 million of gross cash proceeds at closing. As of March 28, 2014, the Company expected to receive an estimated working capital adjustment of approximately $5 million and an additional $10.2 million related to specific Aclara receivables retained by ESCO (in addition to approximately $10 million that was received prior to closing). As of June 30, 2014, the Company has received approximately $5.4 million of collections related to these specific Aclara receivables. Both of the remaining outstanding receivables totaling $9.8 million were included in Other Current Assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2014. However, the parties have not reached agreement on the calculation of the final working capital adjustment as further described in Management’s Discussion and Analysis under Item 2. Aclara is a supplier of special purpose fixed-network communications systems for electric, gas and water utilities, including hardware and software to support advanced metering applications. Aclara is reflected as discontinued operations and/or assets/liabilities held for sale in the financial statements and related notes for all periods presented.

Aclara’s pretax earnings (loss) recorded in discontinued operations were zero and $15.6 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2014 compared to $(2.8) million and $(17.5) million for the corresponding periods of 2013. Aclara’s net sales were zero and $129.6 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2014 compared to $44.6 million and $127.5 million for the corresponding periods of 2013. In addition, the Company recorded a $50.4 million after-tax loss on the sale of Aclara in the second quarter of 2014. Aclara’s operations were included within the Company's USG segment prior to the classification as discontinued operations.

7

The major classes of Aclara assets and liabilities held for sale included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2013 are shown below (in millions).

	September 30, 2013
Assets:
Accounts receivable, net	$	55.5
Inventories		34.9
Other current assets		18.5
Current assets		108.9
Net property, plant & equipment		14.5
Intangible assets, net		66.0
Goodwill		57.9
Other assets		11.8
Total assets	$	259.1
Liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	22.2
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		41.4
Current liabilities		63.6
Other liabilities		16.0
Total liabilities	$	79.6

3. EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

Basic EPS is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of dilutive common share options and vesting of performance-accelerated restricted shares (restricted shares) by using the treasury stock method. The number of shares used in the calculation of earnings per share for each period presented is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Nine Months Ended June 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic		26,513		26,436		26,497		26,453
Dilutive Options and Restricted Shares		189		313		221		299
Adjusted Shares - Diluted		26,702		26,749		26,718		26,752

Options to purchase 66,402 shares of common stock at prices of $37.54 were outstanding during the three-month period ended June 30, 2013, but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the options' exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares. Approximately 163,000 and 194,000 restricted shares were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, based upon the application of the treasury stock method.

4. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company provides compensation benefits to certain key employees under several share-based plans providing for employee stock options and/or performance-accelerated restricted shares (restricted shares), and to non-employee directors under a non-employee directors compensation plan.

Stock Option Plans

The fair value of each option award is estimated as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock calculated over the expected term of the option. The risk-free rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the date of grant. The expected dividend yield is based on historical dividend rates. There were no stock option grants during the first nine months of fiscal 2014. Pretax compensation expense related to stock option awards was less than $0.1 million for each of the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.

8

Information regarding stock options awarded under the option plans is as follows:

	Shares			Weighted Average Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value  (in millions)		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life
Outstanding at October 1, 2013		67,350		$	37.39
Granted		—		$	–
Exercised		—		$	–
Cancelled / Expired		(67,350	)	$	37.54
Outstanding at June 30, 2014		-		$	-	$	0.0		0.0
Exercisable at June 30, 2014		-		$	-	$	0.0

Performance-Accelerated Restricted Share Awards

Pretax compensation expense related to the restricted share awards was $0.9 million and $3.2 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2014, and $1.0 million and $2.9 million for the corresponding periods of 2013. There were 404,692 non-vested shares outstanding as of June 30, 2014.

Non-Employee Directors Plan

Pretax compensation expense related to the non-employee director grants was $0.2 million and $0.5 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2014, respectively, and $0.1 million and $0.5 million for the corresponding periods of 2013.

The total share-based compensation cost that has been recognized in results of continuing operations and included within selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) was $1.1 million and $3.7 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2014, respectively, and $1.2 million and $3.4 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2013. The total income tax benefit recognized in results of operations for share-based compensation arrangements was $0.1 and $0.7 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2013. As of June 30, 2014, there was $5.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation arrangements. That cost is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average period of 1.4 years.

5. INVENTORIES

Inventories from continuing operations consist of the following:

(In thousands)	June 30, 2014		September 30, 2013
Finished goods	$	17,881		20,925
Work in process, including long-term contracts		35,538		30,884
Raw materials		40,546		38,419
Total inventories	$	93,965		90,228

6. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company is organized based on the products and services that it offers. Under this organizational structure, the Company has three reporting segments: Filtration/Fluid Flow (Filtration), RF Shielding and Test (Test), and Utility Solutions Group (USG). The Filtration segment’s operations consist of PTI Technologies Inc. (PTI), VACCO Industries (VACCO), Crissair, Inc. (Crissair) and Thermoform Engineered Quality LLC (TEQ). The companies within this segment primarily design and manufacture specialty filtration products, including hydraulic filter elements used in commercial aerospace applications, unique filter mechanisms used in micro-propulsion devices for satellites and custom designed filters for manned and unmanned aircraft. Test segment operations consist of ETS-Lindgren Inc. (ETS-Lindgren). ETS-Lindgren is an industry leader in providing its customers with the ability to identify, measure and contain magnetic, electromagnetic and acoustic energy.

The USG segment’s operations consist of Doble Engineering Company (Doble). Doble provides high-end, intelligent diagnostic test solutions for the electric power delivery industry and is a leading supplier of partial discharge testing instruments used to assess the integrity of high voltage power delivery equipment.

9

Management evaluates and measures the performance of its operating segments based on “Net Sales” and “EBIT”, which are detailed in the table below. EBIT is defined as earnings from continuing operations before interest and taxes. The table below is presented on the basis of continuing operations and excludes discontinued operations.

(In thousands)	Three Months Ended June 30,						Nine Months Ended June 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
NET SALES
Filtration	$	57,733			53,763			171,608			153,741
Test		45,029			36,562			125,531			112,678
USG		27,733			26,597			82,568			79,059
Consolidated totals	$	130,495			116,922			379,707			345,478
EBIT
Filtration	$	10,294			10,689			29,878			30,384
Test		5,775			3,844			12,883			6,922
USG		5,725			5,132			18,891			14,735
Corporate (loss)		(6,364	)		(8,254	)		(17,922	)		(20,855	)
Consolidated EBIT		15,430			11,411			43,730			31,186
Less: Interest expense		(147	)		(778	)		(1,493	)		(1,997	)
Earnings before income taxes	$	15,283			10,633			42,237			29,189

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The financial measure “EBIT” is presented in the above table and elsewhere in this Report. EBIT on a consolidated basis is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that EBIT is useful in assessing the operational profitability of the Company’s business segments because it excludes interest and taxes, which are generally accounted for across the entire Company on a consolidated basis. EBIT is also one of the measures used by management in determining resource allocations within the Company as well as incentive compensation.

The Company believes that the presentation of EBIT provides important supplemental information to investors by facilitating comparisons with other companies, many of which use similar non-GAAP financial measures to supplement their GAAP results. However, the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other companies’ non-GAAP financial performance measures. Furthermore, the use of non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to replace any measures of performance determined in accordance with GAAP.

7. DEBT

The Company’s debt is summarized as follows:

(In thousands)	June 30, 2014			September 30, 2013
Total borrowings	$	48,000			172,000
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt		(20,000	)		(50,000	)
Total long-term debt, less current portion	$	28,000			122,000

On May 14, 2012, the Company entered into a $450 million five-year revolving credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, PNC Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, and eight other participating lenders (the “Credit Facility). Through a credit facility expansion option, the Company may elect to increase the size of the credit facility by entering into incremental term loans, in any agreed currency, at a minimum of $25 million each up to a maximum of $250 million aggregate.

10

At June 30, 2014, the Company had approximately $393 million available to borrow under the credit facility, and a $250 million increase option, in addition to $40.2 million cash on hand. At June 30, 2014, the Company had $48 million of outstanding borrowings under the credit facility in addition to outstanding letters of credit of $8.7 million. The Company’s ability to access the additional $250 million increase option of the credit facility is subject to acceptance by participating or other outside banks.

The credit facility requires, as determined by certain financial ratios, a facility fee ranging from 17.5 to 35.0 basis points per year on the unused portion. The terms of the facility provide that interest on borrowings may be calculated at a spread over the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or based on the prime rate, at the Company’s election. The facility is secured by the unlimited guaranty of the Company’s material domestic subsidiaries and a 65% pledge of the material foreign subsidiaries’ share equity. The financial covenants of the credit facility also include a leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio. At June 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

8. INCOME TAX EXPENSE

The third quarter 2014 effective income tax rate from continuing operations was 24.2% compared to 38.7% in the third quarter of 2013. The effective income tax rate in the first nine months of 2014 was 29.7% compared to 40.5% in the corresponding period of 2013. The income tax expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 was favorably impacted by a $1.0 million decrease of uncertain tax positions as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations reducing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 6.8% and 2.5%; additional fiscal 2013 research credit benefit reducing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 2.8% and 1.0%; and additional fiscal 2013 foreign tax credit benefit reducing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 2.1% and 0.8%.

The income tax expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 was unfavorably impacted by the increase in uncertain tax positions related to foreign transfer pricing increasing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 2.7% and 1.0%; and the establishment of a valuation allowance on a state tax credit deferred tax asset increasing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 2.2% and 0.8%. The income tax expense in the first nine months of 2013 was unfavorably impacted by an adjustment to the foreign valuation allowance increasing the year-to-date effective tax rate by 6.1%. The income tax expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 was favorably impacted by the write down of a foreign deferred tax liability associated with a foreign tradename decreasing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 3.3% and 0.5%. The income tax expense in the first nine months of 2013 was favorably impacted by the extension of the research credit as a result of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 reducing the year-to-date effective tax rate by 2.1%.

The Company estimates the fiscal 2014 effective tax rate from continuing operations will be approximately 33%. The Company anticipates a $0.2 million reduction in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations.

9. RETIREMENT PLANS

A summary of net periodic benefit expense for the Company’s defined benefit plans for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 is shown in the following table. Net periodic benefit cost for each period presented is comprised of the following:

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Nine Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2014			2013			2014			2013
Defined benefit plans
Interest cost	$	1,002			867			3,005			2,696
Expected return on assets		(1,104	)		(1,101	)		(3,311	)		(3,250	)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost		3			3			10			10
Actuarial loss		413			559			1,238			1,543
Net periodic benefit cost	$	314			328			942			999

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10. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09 (ASU 2014-09), Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.

11. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Market risks relating to the Company’s operations result primarily from changes in interest rates and changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company is exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates and selectively uses derivative financial instruments, including forward contracts and swaps, to manage these risks. In June 2014, the Company entered into a forward contract to sell 10.9 million Euros ($14.7 million USD) on November 3, 2014 to hedge the foreign currency risk related to an intercompany transaction. The Company expects hedging gains or losses to be essentially offset by losses or gains on the related underlying exposures. The amounts ultimately recognized may differ for open positions, which remain subject to ongoing market price fluctuations until settlement. Gains and losses on foreign currency derivatives are reported in other expenses (income), net, on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and the amounts were de minimis for the third quarter 2014. There were no such derivative instruments in the prior year period.

The following is a summary of the notional transaction amounts and fair values for the Company’s outstanding derivative financial instruments as of June 30, 2014.

(In thousands)	Notional Amount (Euros)		Fair Value
Forward contract		10,891	$	(233	)
Forward contract		788	$	28

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s forward contracts are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 825, as presented below as of June 30, 2014:

(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Forward contracts	$	-	$	205	$	-	$	205

Valuation was based on third party evidence of similarly priced derivative instruments.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion refers to the Company’s results from continuing operations, except where noted. On March 28, 2014, the Company completed the sale of Aclara Technologies LLC (Aclara) to an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc. The divestiture generated approximately $132 million of gross cash proceeds at closing. As of March 28, 2014, the Company expected to receive an estimated working capital adjustment of approximately $5 million and an additional $10.2 million related to specific Aclara receivables retained by ESCO (in addition to approximately $10 million that was received prior to closing). As of June 30, 2014, the Company has received approximately $5.4 million of collections related to these specific Aclara receivables. Both of the remaining outstanding receivables totaling $9.8 million were included in Other Current Assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2014. The parties have not reached agreement on the calculation of the final working capital adjustment as the buyer has proposed several adjustments to the working capital estimate calculated at closing. The Company is currently evaluating information recently received from the buyer relating to its proposed adjustments; however, the final working capital adjustment cannot be determined at this time. Aclara is reflected as discontinued operations and/or assets/liabilities held for sale in the financial statements and related notes for all periods presented.

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Aclara’s pretax earnings (loss) recorded in discontinued operations were zero and $15.6 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2014 compared to $(2.8) million and $(17.5) million for the corresponding periods of 2013. Aclara’s net sales were zero and $129.6 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2014 compared to $44.6 million and $127.5 million for the corresponding periods of 2013. In addition, the Company recorded a $50.4 million after-tax loss on the sale of Aclara in the second quarter of 2014. Aclara’s operations were included within the Company's USG segment prior to the classification as discontinued operations.

References to the third quarters of 2014 and 2013 represent the fiscal quarters ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

OVERVIEW

In the third quarter of 2014, sales, net earnings and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $130.5 million, $11.6 million and $0.43 per share, respectively, compared to $116.9 million, $6.5 million and $0.24 per share in the third quarter of 2013. In the first nine months of 2014, sales, net earnings and diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were $379.7 million, $29.7 million and $1.11 per share, respectively, compared to $345.5 million, $17.4 million and $0.65 per share in the first nine months of 2013.

NET SALES

Net sales increased $13.6 million, or 11.6%, to $130.5 million in the third quarter of 2014 from $116.9 million in the third quarter of 2013. Net sales increased $34.2 million, or 9.9%, to $379.7 million in the first nine months of 2014 from $345.5 million in the first nine months of 2013. The increase in net sales in the third quarter of 2014 as compared to the third quarter of 2013 was due to a $3.9 million increase in the Filtration segment, a $8.4 million increase in the Test segment, and a $1.1 million increase in the USG segment. The increase in net sales in the first nine months of 2014 as compared to the first nine months of 2013 was due to a $17.9 million increase in the Filtration segment, a $12.8 million increase in the Test segment, and a $3.5 million increase in the USG segment.

-Filtration

In the third quarter of 2014, net sales of $57.7 million were $3.9 million, or 7.2%, higher than the $53.8 million in the third quarter of 2013. Net sales increased $17.9 million, or 11.6%, to $171.6 million in the first nine months of 2014 from $153.7 million in the first nine months of 2013. The sales increase in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013 was primarily due to a $3.5 million increase in net sales at Crissair, mainly due to the Canyon acquisition (June 2013) and higher aerospace product shipments, and a $1.9 million increase in net sales at TEQ due to higher shipments of its ear thermometer probe cover product, partially offset by a $1.6 million decrease in net sales at VACCO driven by lower shipments of defense and Space products. The sales increase in the first nine months of 2014 compared to the first nine months of 2013 was due to a $9.6 million increase in net sales at Crissair, mainly due to the Canyon acquisition and higher aerospace product shipments, a $7.0 million increase in net sales at VACCO due to higher shipments of its Space products, and a $2.0 million increase in net sales at TEQ due to higher shipments to commercial customers, partially offset by a $0.7 million decrease in net sales at PTI due to lower shipments of aerospace assemblies.

-Test

In the third quarter of 2014, net sales of $45.0 million were $8.4 million, or 23.0%, higher than the $36.6 million of net sales recorded in the third quarter of 2013. Net sales increased $12.8 million, or 11.4%, to $125.5 million in the first nine months of 2014 from $112.7 million in the first nine months of 2013. The sales increase in the third quarter of 2014 compared to the third quarter of 2013 was due to a $3.1 million increase in net sales from the segment’s U.S. operations resulting from an increase in projects, including a large automotive chamber and projects in the EMP (electro-magnetic pulse) and industrial shielding markets, a $3.6 million increase in net sales from the segment’s European operations and a $1.8 million increase in net sales from the segment’s Asian operations, both due to timing of projects. The sales increase in the first nine months of 2014 compared to the first nine months of 2013 was due to a $13.5 million increase in net sales from the segment’s U.S. operations and a $1.7 million increase in net sales from the segment’s European operations, partially offset by a $2.2 million decrease in net sales from the segment’s Asian operations, all due to the reasons mentioned above.

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-Utility Solutions Group (USG)

Net sales increased $1.1 million, or 4.3%, to $27.7 million in the third quarter of 2014 from $26.6 million in the third quarter of 2013. Net sales increased $3.5 million, or 4.4%, to $82.6 million in the first nine months of 2014 from $79.1 million in the first nine months of 2013. The sales increase in the third quarter of 2014 and first nine months of 2014 compared to the corresponding periods of 2013 was mainly due to higher service revenue at Doble.

ORDERS AND BACKLOG

Backlog from continuing operations was $292.7 million at June 30, 2014 compared with $272.1 million at September 30, 2013. The Company received new orders totaling $150.4 million in the third quarter of 2014 compared to $141.2 million in the third quarter of 2013. Of the new orders received in the third quarter of 2014, $63.1 million related to Filtration products, $54.5 million related to Test products, and $32.8 million related to USG products. Of the new orders received in the third quarter of 2013, $62.3 million related to Filtration products, $52.2 million related to Test products, and $26.7 million related to USG products.

The Company received new orders from continuing operations totaling $400.3 million in the first nine months of 2014 compared to $388.4 million in the first nine months of 2013. Of the new orders received in the first nine months of 2014, $175.4 million related to Filtration products, $138.0 million related to Test products, and $86.9 million related to USG products. Of the new orders received in the first nine months of 2013, $171.2 million related to Filtration products, $138.1 million related to Test products, and $79.1 million related to USG products.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses for the third quarter of 2014 were $33.5 million (25.7% of net sales), compared with $31.5 million (26.9% of net sales) for the third quarter of 2013. For the first nine months of 2014, SG&A expenses were $99.2 million (26.1% of net sales) compared to $96.8 million (28.0% of net sales) for the first nine months of 2013. The increase in SG&A expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 compared to the corresponding periods of 2013 was mainly due to the acquisition of Canyon Engineering (in June 2013), higher engineering costs incurred at PTI related to the recently announced new aerospace platform wins, and higher commissions and R&D expenses within the Test segment, partially offset by lower SG&A expenses at Corporate.

AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Amortization of intangible assets was $1.7 million and $5.0 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, respectively, compared to $1.5 million and $4.5 million for the corresponding periods of 2013. Amortization of intangible assets for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 included $0.9 million and $2.6 million, respectively, of amortization of acquired intangible assets related to recent acquisitions, compared to $0.8 million and $2.4 million for the respective prior year periods. The amortization of these acquired intangible assets is included in Corporate’s operating results; see “EBIT – Corporate”. The remaining amortization expenses consist of other identifiable intangible assets (primarily software, patents and licenses).

OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSES, NET

Other expenses, net, were $0.3 million and $2.9 million for the third quarters of 2014 and 2013, respectively. The principal component in other expenses (income), net, in the third quarter of 2014 was $0.2 million of restructuring costs related to the Filtration segment facility consolidation. The principal component in other expenses (income), net, in the third quarter of 2013 was $2.2 million of restructuring costs within the USG segment to close the Doble Lemke facility in Germany; and $0.5 million within the Test segment as a result of the decision to close the Glendale Heights, Illinois facility. Other expenses, net, were $0.4 million and $3.7 million for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, respectively. The principal component in other expenses, net, in the first nine months of 2014 was $0.7 million of restructuring costs related to the Filtration segment facility consolidation. The principal components in other expenses, net, in the first nine months of 2013 were $2.5 million of restructuring costs within the Test segment due to the facility consolidation mentioned above; $2.2 million of restructuring costs related to the Doble Lemke facility consolidation mentioned above and a ($0.8) million gain on the sale of machinery and equipment within the Filtration segment.

EBIT

The Company evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on EBIT, and provides EBIT on a consolidated basis, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please refer to the discussion of non-GAAP financial measures in Note 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, above. EBIT from continuing operations was $15.4 million (11.8% of net sales) for the third quarter of 2014 and $11.4 million (9.8% of net sales) for the third quarter of 2013. For the first nine months of 2014, EBIT from continuing operations was $43.7 million (11.5% of net sales) compared with $31.2 million (9.0% of net sales) for the first nine months of 2013.

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The following table presents a reconciliation of EBIT from continuing operations to net earnings from continuing operations.

(In thousands)	Three Months Ended June 30,						Nine Months Ended June 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
Consolidated EBIT from continuing operations		15,430			11,411			43,730			31,186
Less: Interest expense, net		(147	)		(778	)		(1,493	)		(1,997	)
Less: Income tax expense		(3,693	)		(4,119	)		(12,551	)		(11,810	)
Net earnings from continuing operations	$	11,590			6,514			29,686			17,379

-Filtration

EBIT in the third quarter of 2014 was $10.3 million (17.8% of net sales) compared to $10.7 million (19.9% of net sales) in the third quarter of 2013. For the first nine months of 2014, EBIT was $29.9 million (17.4% of net sales) compared to $30.4 million (19.8% of net sales) in the first nine months of 2013. EBIT decreased compared to the 2013 third quarter primarily driven by a decrease in EBIT margins at VACCO due to lower sales volumes. EBIT decreased compared to the 2013 first nine months mainly driven by a decrease in EBIT margins at PTI due to lower sales volumes and the restructuring charges recorded related to the Crissair facility consolidation. During the third quarter of 2014 and first nine months of 2014, the Company recorded $0.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively, of restructuring charges related to the Crissair facility consolidation.

-Test

EBIT in the third quarter of 2014 was $5.8 million (12.8% of net sales) compared to $3.8 million (10.5% of net sales) in the third quarter of 2013. For the first nine months of 2014, EBIT was $12.9 million (10.3% of net sales) compared to $6.9 million (6.1% of net sales) in the first nine months of 2013. EBIT increased compared to the 2013 third quarter and first nine months mainly due to the cost savings achieved as a result of the 2013 domestic facility consolidation. Approximately $3.4 million of restructuring costs were incurred in the first nine months of 2013 consisting mainly of a facility lease termination charge, severance and relocation expenses and manufacturing inefficiencies resulting from the disruption.

-Utility Solutions Group

EBIT in the third quarter of 2014 was $5.7 million (20.6% of net sales) compared to $5.1 million (19.3% of net sales) in the third quarter of 2013. For the first nine months of 2014, EBIT was $18.9 million (22.9% of net sales) compared to EBIT of $14.7 million (18.6% of net sales) in the first nine months of 2013. The increase in EBIT in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 compared to the corresponding periods of 2013 was primarily due to an increase in sales volumes and a decrease in restructuring costs that were incurred in the third quarter of 2013 related to the closure of the Doble Lemke manufacturing operation.

-Corporate

Corporate costs included in EBIT were $6.4 million and $17.9 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, respectively, compared to $8.3 million and $20.9 million for the corresponding periods of 2013. The decrease in Corporate costs in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 compared to the corresponding periods of 2013 was mainly due to a decrease in professional fees and acquisition related costs.

INTEREST EXPENSE, NET

Interest expense was $0.2 million and $1.5 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, respectively, and $0.8 million and $2.0 million for the corresponding periods of 2013. There were no significant fluctuations between the periods.

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

The third quarter 2014 effective income tax rate from continuing operations was 24.2% compared to 38.7% in the third quarter of 2013. The effective income tax rate in the first nine months of 2014 was 29.7% compared to 40.5% in the first nine months of 2013. The income tax expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 was favorably impacted by a $1.0 million decrease of uncertain tax positions as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations reducing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 6.8% and 2.5%; additional fiscal 2013 research credit benefit reducing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 2.8% and 1.0%; and additional fiscal 2013 foreign tax credit benefit reducing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 2.1% and 0.8%.

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The income tax expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 was unfavorably impacted by the increase in uncertain tax positions related to foreign transfer pricing increasing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 2.7% and 1.0%; and the establishment of a valuation allowance on a state tax credit deferred tax asset increasing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 2.2% and 0.8%. The income tax expense in the first nine months of 2013 was unfavorably impacted by an adjustment to the foreign valuation allowance increasing the year-to-date effective tax rate by 6.1%. The income tax expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 was favorably impacted by the write down of a foreign deferred tax liability associated with a foreign tradename decreasing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 3.3% and 0.5%. The income tax expense in the first nine months of 2013 was favorably impacted by the extension of the research credit as a result of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 reducing the year-to-date effective tax rate by 2.1%.

The Company estimates the fiscal 2014 effective tax rate from continuing operations will be approximately 33%. The Company anticipates a $0.2 million reduction in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations.

The Company’s foreign subsidiaries had accumulated unremitted earnings of $33.4 million and cash of $31.8 million at June 30, 2014. No deferred taxes have been provided on the accumulated unremitted earnings because these funds are not needed to meet the liquidity requirements of the Company’s U.S. operations and it is the Company’s intention to reinvest these earnings indefinitely. In the event these foreign entities’ earnings were distributed, it is estimated that U.S. taxes, net of available foreign tax credits, of approximately $6.0 million would be due, which would correspondingly reduce the Company’s net earnings. No significant portion of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries’ earnings was taxed at a very low tax rate.

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

The Company’s overall financial position and liquidity remains strong. Working capital (current assets less current liabilities) decreased to $159.2 million at June 30, 2014 from $163.6 million at September 30, 2013. The significant driver in the decrease in working capital at June 30, 2014 from September 30, 2013 was the sale of Aclara. Other current assets increased $2.6 million in the first nine months of 2014, mainly due to a $9.8 million receivable related to the sale of Aclara. Other current assets included an $8.0 million income tax receivable at September 30, 2013. Accounts payable decreased $8.2 million in the first nine months of 2014 due to timing of payments.

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities from continuing operations was $22.6 million and ($1.3) million for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase in the first nine months of 2014 was mainly due to lower working capital requirements during the period.

Capital expenditures from continuing operations were $8.1 million and $10.2 million in the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, respectively. The decrease in the first nine months of 2014 was mainly due to the first quarter 2013 purchase of the ETS-Lindgren facility in Minocqua, Wisconsin for approximately $1.2 million. In addition, the Company incurred expenditures for capitalized software from continuing operations of $6.3 million and $5.6 million in the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, respectively.

During the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, the Company made contributions of $2.1 million and $3.4 million respectively, to its defined benefit plans.

Share Repurchases

During the third quarter of 2014, the Company repurchased $3.6 million or approximately 106,000 shares. Subsequent to quarter-end, in July 2014, the Company spent an additional $5.0 million on share repurchases, bringing the total to $8.6 million and 253,000 shares.

Credit facility

At June 30, 2014, the Company had approximately $393 million available to borrow under its credit facility, a $250 million increase option, and $40.2 million cash on hand. At June 30, 2014, the Company had $48 million of outstanding borrowings under the credit facility in addition to outstanding letters of credit of $8.7 million. Cash flow from operations and borrowings under the Company’s bank credit facility are expected to meet the Company’s capital requirements and operational needs for the foreseeable future. The Company’s ability to access the additional $250 million increase option of the credit facility is subject to acceptance by participating or other outside banks.

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Divestiture

On March 28, 2014, the Company completed the sale of Aclara Technologies LLC (Aclara) to an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc. The divestiture generated approximately $132 million of gross cash proceeds at closing. The cash proceeds were used to pay down a significant portion of the Company’s outstanding debt under its revolving credit facility. At June 30, 2014, the Company had a net debt position of less than $8 million (net debt position is defined as total debt less net cash).

Dividends

A dividend of $0.08 per share was paid on April 17, 2014 to stockholders of record as of April 3, 2014, totaling $2.1 million. Subsequent to June 30, 2014, the next quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share, or $2.1 million, was paid on July 17, 2014 to stockholders of record as of July 3, 2014.

OUTLOOK

On November 11, 2013, the Company announced it had initiated certain restructuring activities with the Filtration segment. The Company expects to incur approximately $2 million, or $0.05 per share, of anticipated charges to complete the exit and relocation of Crissair’s Palmdale, California operation into the Canyon Engineering facility in Valencia, California in fiscal 2014 (of which $0.7 million of costs were incurred in the first nine months of 2014). These costs, both cash and non-cash, primarily consist of personnel costs, lease termination charges, and move related costs. This move is expected to be completed by September 30, 2014.

Management expects 2014 EPS from Continuing Operations – “As Adjusted” in the range of $1.50 - $1.60 per share, which excludes restructuring charges described above, with 2014 EPS from Continuing Operations in the range of $1.45 to $1.55 per share.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Management has evaluated the accounting policies used in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements and related notes and believes those policies to be reasonable and appropriate. Certain of these accounting policies require the application of significant judgment by Management in selecting appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. By their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. These judgments are based on historical experience, trends in the industry, information provided by customers and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. The most significant areas involving Management judgments and estimates may be found in the Critical Accounting Policies section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis and in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013.

OTHER MATTERS

Contingencies

As a normal incident of the business in which the Company is engaged, various claims, charges and litigation are asserted or commenced against the Company. Additionally, the Company is currently involved in various stages of investigation and remediation relating to environmental matters. In the opinion of Management, the aggregate costs involved in the resolution of these matters, and final judgments, if any, which might be rendered against the Company, are adequately reserved, covered by insurance, or would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results from continuing operations, capital expenditures, or competitive position. Because the final Aclara working capital adjustment has not been agreed upon, the Company is unable to determine its impact on the results from discontinued operations.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09 (ASU 2014-09), Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.

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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements contained in this Form 10-Q regarding future events and the Company’s future results that are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions about the Company’s performance, and the industries in which the Company operates are considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Federal securities laws. These include, but are not necessarily limited to, statements about: future revenue and profits; the amounts and timing of additional monies to be received in connection with the sale of Aclara and the resolution of the working capital adjustment; 2014 EPS from Continuing Operations – “As Adjusted”; 2014 EPS from Continuing Operations; the adequacy of the Company’s credit facility and the Company’s ability to increase it; the amount and timing of future cash flows; the outcome of current litigation, claims, charges and environmental matters; continued reinvestment of foreign earnings; and U.S. income tax liabilities in the event that foreign earnings were distributed; future income tax liabilities and effective tax rate; changes in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits; the recognition and timing of costs related to share-based compensation arrangements; estimates or projections made in connection with the Company’s accounting policies; the costs and timing of announced restructurings; and any other statements contained herein which are not strictly historical. Words such as expects, anticipates, targets, goals, projects, intends, plans, believes, estimates, variations of such words, and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.

Investors are cautioned that such statements are only predictions and speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q, and the Company undertakes no duty to update them except as may be required by applicable laws or regulations. The Company’s actual results in the future may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements due to risks and uncertainties that exist in the Company’s operations and business environment, including but not limited to those described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, and the following: the final calculation of the working capital adjustment in connection with the sale of Aclara; the impacts of natural disasters on the Company’s operations and those of the Company’s customers and suppliers; the timing and content of future customer orders; termination for convenience of customer contracts or orders; financial exposure in connection with Company guarantees of certain Aclara contracts; the timing and magnitude of future contract awards; weakening of economic conditions in served markets; the success of the Company’s competitors; changes in customer demands or customer insolvencies; competition; intellectual property rights; technical difficulties; the availability of selected acquisitions; delivery delays or defaults by customers; performance issues with key customers, suppliers and subcontractors; material changes in the costs of certain raw materials; labor disputes; changes in laws and regulations including but not limited to changes in accounting standards and taxation requirements; costs relating to environmental matters; litigation uncertainty; and the Company’s successful execution of internal restructuring plans.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market risks relating to the Company's operations result primarily from changes in interest rates and changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company is exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates and selectively uses derivative financial instruments, including forward contracts and swaps, to manage these risks. All derivative instruments are reported on the balance sheet at fair value. In June 2014, the Company entered into a forward contract to sell 10.9 million Euros ($14.7 million USD) on November 3, 2014 to hedge the foreign currency risk related to an intercompany transaction. Gains and losses on foreign currency derivatives are reported in other expenses (income), net, on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and the amounts were de minimis for the third quarter 2014.

The following is a summary of the notional transaction amounts and fair values for the Company’s outstanding derivative financial instruments as of June 30, 2014.

(In thousands)	Notional Amount (Euros)		Fair Value
Forward contract		10,891	$	(233	)
Forward contract		788	$	28

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Refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013 for further discussion about market risk.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of Management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of that date. Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in Company reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES*

Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased		Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs		Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs*
April 1-30, 2014		0		N/A		0	$84.9 Million
May 1-31, 2014		48,112	$	34.05		48,112	$83.3 Million
June 1-30, 2014		57,470	$	34.27		57,470	$81.3 Million
Total		105,582	$	34.17		105,582	$81.3 Million

* On August 8, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a common stock repurchase program (the “2012 Program”), which was announced on August 9, 2012. Under the 2012 Program, the Company may repurchase shares of its stock from time to time in its discretion, in the open market or otherwise, up to a maximum total repurchase amount equal to $100 million (or such lesser amount as may be permitted under the Company’s bank credit agreements). The 2012 Program has twice been extended by the Board and is currently scheduled to expire September 30, 2015. There currently is no repurchase program which the Company has determined to terminate prior to the program’s expiration, or under which the Company does not intend to make further purchases.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number
3.1(a)	Restated Articles of Incorporation	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1999 (File No. 1-10596)
3.1(b)	Amended Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock of the Registrant	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(e) to Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2000 (File No. 1-10596)
3.1(c)	Articles of Merger effective July 10, 2000	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(c) to Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2000 (File No. 1-10596)
3.2	Bylaws	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K filed August 7, 2014 (File No. 1-10596)
4.1	Specimen revised Common Stock Certificate	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2010 (File No. 1-10596)
4.2	Credit Agreement dated as of May 14, 2012 among the Registrant, the Foreign Subsidiary Borrowers from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto, JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent, PNC Bank, National Association as Syndication Agent, and SunTrust Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Bank of America, N.A. as Co-Documentation Agents	Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K dated May 18, 2012 (File No. 1-10596)
*31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer relating to Form 10-Q for period ended June 30, 2014
*31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer relating to Form 10-Q for period ended June 30, 2014
*32	Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer relating to Form 10-Q for period ended June 30, 2014
*101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
*101.SCH	XBRL Schema Document
*101.CAL	XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
*101.DEF	XBRL Definition Linkbase Document
*101.LAB	XBRL Label Linkbase Document
*101.PRE	XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document

* Denotes filed or furnished herewith.

Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language). The financial information contained in the XBRL – related documents is “unaudited” or “unreviewed”.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC.

/s/ Gary E. Muenster

Gary E. Muenster

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(As duly authorized officer and principal accounting and financial officer of the registrant)

Dated: August 8, 2014

20

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, V.L. Richey, Jr., certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of ESCO Technologies Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 8, 2014

/s/ V.L. Richey, Jr.

V.L. Richey, Jr.

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, G.E. Muenster, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of ESCO Technologies Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 8, 2014

/s/ G.E. Muenster

G.E. Muenster

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EX-32

EXHIBIT 32

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the quarterly report of ESCO Technologies Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), we, V. L. Richey, Jr., Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, and G. E. Muenster, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, to the best of our knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated: August 8, 2014

/s/ V.L. Richey, Jr.

V.L. Richey, Jr.

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

ESCO Technologies Inc.

/s/ G.E. Muenster

G.E. Muenster

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

ESCO Technologies Inc.

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Derivative Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (Forward Contracts [Member]) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014 EUR (€)
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 14,700	€ 10,900

XML

Inventories (Schedule Of Inventories) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Inventory [Line Items]
Finished goods	$ 17,881	$ 20,925
Work in process, including long-term contracts	35,538	30,884
Raw materials	40,546	38,419
Total inventories	$ 93,965	$ 90,228

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RETIREMENT PLANS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Retirement Plans [Abstract]

Schedule Of Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost For Plans

Net periodic benefit cost for each period presented is comprised of the following:

	Three Months Ended June 30,			Nine Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2014		2013	2014	2013
Defined benefit plans
Interest cost	$	1,002	867	3,005	2,696
Expected return on assets		(1,104)	(1,101)	(3,311)	(3,250)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost		3	3	10	10
Actuarial loss		413	559	1,238	1,543
Net periodic benefit cost	$	314	328	942	999

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Income Tax Expense (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Tax Expense [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate	24.20%	38.70%	29.70%	40.50%
Decrease in effective tax rate	6.80%	2.70%	2.50%	1.00%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Expenses			$ 200,000
Estimated Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations			33.00%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Period Increase (Decrease)			$ (1,694,000)	$ 502,000
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Research, Percent	2.80%		1.00%	2.10%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential, Percent	2.10%		0.80%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance, Percent		2.20%		0.80%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation Foreign Deferred Tax Liability		3.30%		0.50%
Foreign Valuation Allowance [Member]
Income Tax Expense [Line Items]
Increase in effective tax rate				6.10%

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ACLARA DIVESTITURE

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

ACLARA DIVESTITURE

2. ACLARA DIVESTITURE

On March 28, 2014, the Company completed the sale of Aclara Technologies LLC (Aclara) to an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc. The divestiture generated approximately $132 million of gross cash proceeds at closing. As of March 28, 2014, the Company expected to receive an estimated working capital adjustment of approximately $5 million and an additional $10.2 million related to specific Aclara receivables retained by ESCO (in addition to approximately $10 million that was received prior to closing). As of June 30, 2014, the Company has received approximately $5.4 million of collections related to these specific Aclara receivables. Both of the remaining outstanding receivables totaling $9.8 million were included in Other Current Assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2014. However, the parties have not reached agreement on the calculation of the final working capital adjustment as further described in Management’s Discussion and Analysis under Item 2. Aclara is a supplier of special purpose fixed-network communications systems for electric, gas and water utilities, including hardware and software to support advanced metering applications. Aclara is reflected as discontinued operations and/or assets/liabilities held for sale in the financial statements and related notes for all periods presented.

Aclara’s pretax earnings (loss) recorded in discontinued operations were zero and $15.6 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2014 compared to $(2.8) million and $(17.5) million for the corresponding periods of 2013. Aclara’s net sales were zero and $129.6 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2014 compared to $44.6 million and $127.5 million for the corresponding periods of 2013. In addition, the Company recorded a $50.4 million after-tax loss on the sale of Aclara in the second quarter of 2014. Aclara’s operations were included within the Company's USG segment prior to the classification as discontinued operations.

The major classes of Aclara assets and liabilities held for sale included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2013 are shown below (in millions).

	September 30, 2013
Assets:
Accounts receivable, net	$	55.5
Inventories		34.9
Other current assets		18.5
Current assets		108.9
Net property, plant & equipment		14.5
Intangible assets, net		66.0
Goodwill		57.9
Other assets		11.8
Total assets	$	259.1
Liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	22.2
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		41.4
Current liabilities		63.6
Other liabilities		16.0
Total liabilities	$	79.6

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Earnings Per Share (EPS) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Earning Per Share [Line Items]
Common Stock outstanding, but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS		66,402
Weighted Average Price Of Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share		$ 37.54
Restricted Shares [Member]
Earning Per Share [Line Items]
Common Stock outstanding, but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS	163,000	194,000

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Aclara Divestiture (Class of Aclara Assets And Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Assets:
Accounts receivable, net		$ 55,500,000
Inventories		34,900,000
Other current assets		18,500,000
Current assets	0	108,867,000
Net property, plant & equipment		14,500,000
Intangible assets, net		66,000,000
Goodwill		57,900,000
Other assets		11,800,000
Total assets		259,100,000
Liabilities:
Accounts payable		22,200,000
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		41,400,000
Current liabilities	0	63,585,000
Other liabilities		16,000,000
Total liabilities		$ 79,600,000

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Earnings Per Share (EPS) (Number Of Shares Used In The Calculation Of Earnings Per Share) (Details) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Earning Per Share [Line Items]
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic	26,513	26,436	26,497	26,453
Dilutive Options and Restricted Shares	189	313	221	299
Adjusted Shares - Diluted	26,702	26,749	26,718	26,752

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Share-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation arrangements	$ 5.6		$ 5.6
Remaining weighted-average period for recognition of total unrecognized compensation cost			1 year 4 months 24 days
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation cost	1.1	1.2	3.7	3.4
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pretax compensation expense	0.1	0.1	0.1	0.1
Performance-Accelerated Restricted Share Awards [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pretax compensation expense	0.9	1.0	3.2	2.9
Non vested shares outstanding	404,692		404,692
Non-Employee Directors Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total income tax benefit recognized	0.1	0.1	0.7	0.2
Pretax compensation expense	$ 0.2	$ 0.1	$ 0.5	$ 0.5

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BASIS OF PRESENTATION

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying consolidated financial statements, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented. The consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and consequently do not include all the disclosures required for annual financial statements by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013. Certain 2013 amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2014 presentation.

The Company’s business is typically not impacted by seasonality; however, the results for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire 2014 fiscal year. References to the third quarters of 2014 and 2013 represent the fiscal quarters ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

In preparing the financial statements, the Company uses estimates and assumptions that may affect reported amounts and disclosures. The Company regularly evaluates the estimates and assumptions related to the allowance for doubtful trade receivables, inventory obsolescence, warranty reserves, value of equity-based awards, goodwill and purchased intangible asset valuations, asset impairments, employee benefit plan liabilities, income tax liabilities and assets and related valuation allowances, uncertain tax positions, and claims, litigation and other loss contingencies. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

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Share-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Stock Options Awarded Under The Option Plans) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options Outstanding, Shares	67,350
Stock options Granted, Shares	0
Stock options Exercised, Shares	0
Stock options Cancelled / Expired, Shares	(67,350)
Stock options Outstanding, Shares	0
Stock options Exercisable, Shares	0
Stock options Outstanding, Weighted Average Price	$ 37.39
Stock options Granted, Weighted Average Price	$ 0
Stock options Exercised, Weighted Average Price	$ 0
Stock options Cancelled / Expired, Weighted Average Price	$ 37.54
Stock options Outstanding, Weighted Average Price	$ 0
Stock options Exercisable, Weighted Average Price	$ 0
Stock options Outstanding, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 0
Stock options Exercisable, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$ 0
Stock options Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	0 years

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Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments) (Details) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014 Forward Contracts [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014 Forward Contracts [Member] EUR (€)	Jun. 30, 2014 Forward Contracts One [Member] USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014 Forward Contracts One [Member] EUR (€)
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount		€ 10,891		€ 788
Derivative, Fair Value	$ (233)		$ 28

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Net sales	$ 130,495	$ 116,922	$ 379,707	$ 345,478
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	79,608	69,556	231,325	209,204
Selling, general and administrative expenses	33,492	31,546	99,182	96,799
Amortization of intangible assets	1,682	1,506	5,047	4,541
Interest expense, net	147	778	1,493	1,997
Other expenses (income), net	283	2,903	423	3,748
Total costs and expenses	115,212	106,289	337,470	316,289
Earnings before income taxes	15,283	10,633	42,237	29,189
Income tax expense	3,693	4,119	12,551	11,810
Net earnings from continuing operations	11,590	6,514	29,686	17,379
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit)	0	(1,617)	9,858	(10,677)
Loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax benefit of $9,499			(50,442)	0
Net loss from discontinued operations			(40,584)	(10,677)
Net (loss) earnings	$ 11,590	$ 4,897	$ (10,898)	$ 6,702
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic - Continuing operations	$ 0.44	$ 0.25	$ 1.12	$ 0.66
- Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ (0.06)	$ (1.53)	$ (0.40)
- Net (loss) earnings	$ 0.44	$ 0.19	$ (0.41)	$ 0.26
Diluted - Continuing operations	$ 0.43	$ 0.24	$ 1.11	$ 0.65
- Discontinued operations	$ 0.00	$ (0.06)	$ (1.52)	$ (0.40)
- Net (loss) earnings	$ 0.43	$ 0.18	$ (0.41)	$ 0.25

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts, progress billings	$ 25,635	$ 30,887
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	69,075	64,332
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	38,999	33,952
Advance payments on long-term contracts, costs incurred	$ 53,720	$ 23,853
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	30,247,512	30,147,504
Treasury stock, shares	3,800,389	3,707,407

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Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended				9 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2014 Minimum [Member]	May 14, 2012 Minimum [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 Maximum [Member]	May 14, 2012 Maximum [Member]	May 14, 2012 JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A. [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility									$ 450,000,000
Revolving credit facility period									5 years
Available to borrow under the credit facility	393,000,000
Cash on hand	40,215,000	42,850,000	31,647,000	30,215,000
Incremental term loan	250,000,000					25,000,000		250,000,000
Percentage of foreign subsidiaries' share equity	65.00%
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	8,700,000
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$ 48,000,000
Credit facility fees					17.50%		35.00%

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INVENTORIES (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Inventories [Abstract]

Schedule Of Inventories

Inventories from continuing operations consist of the following:

(In thousands)	June 30, 2014		September 30, 2013
Finished goods	$	17,881		20,925
Work in process, including long-term contracts		35,538		30,884
Raw materials		40,546		38,419
Total inventories	$	93,965		90,228

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Debt (Schedule Of Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total borrowings	$ 48,000	$ 172,000
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	(20,000)	(50,000)
Total long-term debt, less current portion	$ 28,000	$ 122,000

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DEBT (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Debt [Abstract]

Schedule Of Debt

The Company’s debt is summarized as follows:

(In thousands)	June 30, 2014			September 30, 2013
Total borrowings	$	48,000			172,000
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt		(20,000	)		(50,000	)
Total long-term debt, less current portion	$	28,000			122,000

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) earnings	$ (10,898)	$ 6,702
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	40,584	10,677
Depreciation and amortization	12,234	11,528
Stock compensation expense	3,695	3,440
Changes in current assets and liabilities	(18,210)	(35,911)
Effect of deferred taxes	376	3,664
Change in deferred revenue and costs, net	758	1,292
Pension contributions	(2,080)	(3,400)
Change in uncertain tax positions	(1,694)	502
Other	(2,129)	237
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities - continuing operations	22,636	(1,269)
Net cash (used) provided by operating activities - discontinued operations	(1,629)	13,502
Net cash provided by operating activities	21,007	12,233
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	(19,452)
Additions to capitalized software	(6,305)	(5,589)
Capital expenditures	(8,116)	(10,247)
Net cash used by investing activities - continuing operations	(14,421)	(35,288)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities - discontinued operations	123,512	(32,368)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	109,091	(67,656)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	62,000	100,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	(186,000)	(28,000)
Dividends paid	(6,378)	(6,359)
Purchases of common stock into treasury	(3,607)	(9,703)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	0	1,750
Other	14	18
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	(133,971)	57,706
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	1,238	(851)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(2,635)	1,432
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	42,850	30,215
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 40,215	$ 31,647

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit)	$ (1,171)	$ (1,171)	$ 5,713	$ (6,825)
Loss on sale of discontinued operations, net of tax benefit			$ 9,499	$ 9,499

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RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

10.   RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09 (ASU 2014-09), Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.

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Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	ESE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		26,303,372
Entity Registrant Name	ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000866706
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer

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DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

11. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Market risks relating to the Company’s operations result primarily from changes in interest rates and changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company is exposed to market risk related to changes in interest rates and selectively uses derivative financial instruments, including forward contracts and swaps, to manage these risks. In June 2014, the Company entered into a forward contract to sell 10.9 million Euros ($14.7 million USD) on November 3, 2014 to hedge the foreign currency risk related to an intercompany transaction. The Company expects hedging gains or losses to be essentially offset by losses or gains on the related underlying exposures. The amounts ultimately recognized may differ for open positions, which remain subject to ongoing market price fluctuations until settlement. Gains and losses on foreign currency derivatives are reported in other expenses (income), net, on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations and the amounts were de minimis for the third quarter 2014. There were no such derivative instruments in the prior year period.

 

The following is a summary of the notional transaction amounts and fair values for the Company’s outstanding derivative financial instruments as of June 30, 2014.

(In thousands)	Notional Amount (Euros)		Fair Value
Forward contract		10,891	$	(233)
Forward contract		788	$	28

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s forward contracts are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 825, as presented below as of June 30, 2014:

(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Forward contracts	$	-	$	205	$	-	$	205

Valuation was based on third party evidence of similarly priced derivative instruments.

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Net earnings (loss)	$ 11,590	$ 4,897	$ (10,898)	$ 6,702
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	239	(40)	1,238	(851)
Amortization of prior service costs and actuarial losses	0	0	0	(109)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	239	(40)	1,238	(960)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 11,829	$ 4,857	$ (9,660)	$ 5,742

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INVENTORIES

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Inventories [Abstract]

INVENTORIES

5. INVENTORIES

Inventories from continuing operations consist of the following:

(In thousands)	June 30, 2014		September 30, 2013
Finished goods	$	17,881		20,925
Work in process, including long-term contracts		35,538		30,884
Raw materials		40,546		38,419
Total inventories	$	93,965		90,228

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SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

4.          SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

 

The Company provides compensation benefits to certain key employees under several share-based plans providing for employee stock options and/or performance-accelerated restricted shares (restricted shares), and to non-employee directors under a non-employee directors compensation plan.

Stock Option Plans

The fair value of each option award is estimated as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock calculated over the expected term of the option. The risk-free rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the date of grant. The expected dividend yield is based on historical dividend rates. There were no stock option grants during the first nine months of fiscal 2014. Pretax compensation expense related to stock option awards was less than $0.1 million for each of the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013.

 

Information regarding stock options awarded under the option plans is as follows:

	Shares			Weighted Average  Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual  Life
Outstanding at October 1, 2013		67,350		$	37.39
Granted		—		$	–
Exercised		—		$	–
Cancelled / Expired		(67,350	)	$	37.54
Outstanding at June 30, 2014		-		$	-	$	0.0		0.0
Exercisable at June 30, 2014		-		$	-	$	0.0

Performance-Accelerated Restricted Share Awards

Pretax compensation expense related to the restricted share awards was $0.9 million and $3.2 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2014, and $1.0 million and $2.9 million for the corresponding periods of 2013. There were 404,692 non-vested shares outstanding as of June 30, 2014.

Non-Employee Directors Plan

Pretax compensation expense related to the non-employee director grants was $0.2 million and $0.5 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2014, respectively, and $0.1 million and $0.5 million for the corresponding periods of 2013.

The total share-based compensation cost that has been recognized in results of continuing operations and included within selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A) was $1.1 million and $3.7 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2014, respectively, and $1.2 million and $3.4 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2013. The total income tax benefit recognized in results of operations for share-based compensation arrangements was $0.1 and $0.7 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2013. As of June 30, 2014, there was $5.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based compensation arrangements. That cost is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average period of 1.4 years.

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BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Business Segment Information [Abstract]

Schedule Of Net Sales And Earnings Before Income Tax

The table below is presented on the basis of continuing operations and excludes discontinued operations.

(In thousands)	Three Months Ended June 30,						Nine Months Ended June 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
NET SALES
Filtration	$	57,733			53,763			171,608			153,741
Test		45,029			36,562			125,531			112,678
USG		27,733			26,597			82,568			79,059
Consolidated totals	$	130,495			116,922			379,707			345,478
EBIT
Filtration	$	10,294			10,689			29,878			30,384
Test		5,775			3,844			12,883			6,922
USG		5,725			5,132			18,891			14,735
Corporate (loss)		(6,364	)		(8,254	)		(17,922	)		(20,855	)
Consolidated EBIT		15,430			11,411			43,730			31,186
Less: Interest expense		(147	)		(778	)		(1,493	)		(1,997	)
Earnings before income taxes	$	15,283			10,633			42,237			29,189

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ACLARA DIVESTITURE (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]

Major Classes Of Discontinued Assets And Liabilities

The major classes of Aclara assets and liabilities held for sale included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2013 are shown below (in millions).

	September 30, 2013
Assets:
Accounts receivable, net	$	55.5
Inventories		34.9
Other current assets		18.5
Current assets		108.9
Net property, plant & equipment		14.5
Intangible assets, net		66.0
Goodwill		57.9
Other assets		11.8
Total assets	$	259.1
Liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	22.2
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		41.4
Current liabilities		63.6
Other liabilities		16.0
Total liabilities	$	79.6

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INCOME TAX EXPENSE

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Income Tax Expense [Abstract]

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

8. INCOME TAX EXPENSE

The third quarter 2014 effective income tax rate from continuing operations was 24.2% compared to 38.7% in the third quarter of 2013. The effective income tax rate in the first nine months of 2014 was 29.7% compared to 40.5% in the corresponding period of 2013. The income tax expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 was favorably impacted by a $1.0 million decrease of uncertain tax positions as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations reducing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 6.8% and 2.5%; additional fiscal 2013 research credit benefit reducing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 2.8% and 1.0%; and additional fiscal 2013 foreign tax credit benefit reducing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 2.1% and 0.8%.

The income tax expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 was unfavorably impacted by the increase in uncertain tax positions related to foreign transfer pricing increasing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 2.7% and 1.0%; and the establishment of a valuation allowance on a state tax credit deferred tax asset increasing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 2.2% and 0.8%. The income tax expense in the first nine months of 2013 was unfavorably impacted by an adjustment to the foreign valuation allowance increasing the year-to-date effective tax rate by 6.1%. The income tax expense in the third quarter and first nine months of 2013 was favorably impacted by the write down of a foreign deferred tax liability associated with a foreign tradename decreasing the third quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 3.3% and 0.5%. The income tax expense in the first nine months of 2013 was favorably impacted by the extension of the research credit as a result of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 reducing the year-to-date effective tax rate by 2.1%.

The Company estimates the fiscal 2014 effective tax rate from continuing operations will be approximately 33%. The Company anticipates a $0.2 million reduction in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations.

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BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Business Segment Information [Abstract]

BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

6. BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company is organized based on the products and services that it offers. Under this organizational structure, the Company has three reporting segments: Filtration/Fluid Flow (Filtration), RF Shielding and Test (Test), and Utility Solutions Group (USG). The Filtration segment’s operations consist of PTI Technologies Inc. (PTI), VACCO Industries (VACCO), Crissair, Inc. (Crissair) and Thermoform Engineered Quality LLC (TEQ). The companies within this segment primarily design and manufacture specialty filtration products, including hydraulic filter elements used in commercial aerospace applications, unique filter mechanisms used in micro-propulsion devices for satellites and custom designed filters for manned and unmanned aircraft. Test segment operations consist of ETS-Lindgren Inc. (ETS-Lindgren). ETS-Lindgren is an industry leader in providing its customers with the ability to identify, measure and contain magnetic, electromagnetic and acoustic energy.

The USG segment’s operations consist of Doble Engineering Company (Doble). Doble provides high-end, intelligent diagnostic test solutions for the electric power delivery industry and is a leading supplier of partial discharge testing instruments used to assess the integrity of high voltage power delivery equipment.

Management evaluates and measures the performance of its operating segments based on “Net Sales” and “EBIT”, which are detailed in the table below. EBIT is defined as earnings from continuing operations before interest and taxes. The table below is presented on the basis of continuing operations and excludes discontinued operations.

(In thousands)	Three Months Ended June 30,						Nine Months Ended June 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013
NET SALES
Filtration	$	57,733			53,763			171,608			153,741
Test		45,029			36,562			125,531			112,678
USG		27,733			26,597			82,568			79,059
Consolidated totals	$	130,495			116,922			379,707			345,478
EBIT
Filtration	$	10,294			10,689			29,878			30,384
Test		5,775			3,844			12,883			6,922
USG		5,725			5,132			18,891			14,735
Corporate (loss)		(6,364	)		(8,254	)		(17,922	)		(20,855	)
Consolidated EBIT		15,430			11,411			43,730			31,186
Less: Interest expense		(147	)		(778	)		(1,493	)		(1,997	)
Earnings before income taxes	$	15,283			10,633			42,237			29,189

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The financial measure “EBIT” is presented in the above table and elsewhere in this Report. EBIT on a consolidated basis is a non-GAAP financial measure. Management believes that EBIT is useful in assessing the operational profitability of the Company’s business segments because it excludes interest and taxes, which are generally accounted for across the entire Company on a consolidated basis. EBIT is also one of the measures used by management in determining resource allocations within the Company as well as incentive compensation.

The Company believes that the presentation of EBIT provides important supplemental information to investors by facilitating comparisons with other companies, many of which use similar non-GAAP financial measures to supplement their GAAP results. However, the Company’s non-GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to other companies’ non-GAAP financial performance measures. Furthermore, the use of non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to replace any measures of performance determined in accordance with GAAP.

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DEBT

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Debt [Abstract]

DEBT

7. DEBT

The Company’s debt is summarized as follows:

(In thousands)	June 30, 2014			September 30, 2013
Total borrowings	$	48,000			172,000
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt		(20,000	)		(50,000	)
Total long-term debt, less current portion	$	28,000			122,000

On May 14, 2012, the Company entered into a $450 million five-year revolving credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, PNC Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, and eight other participating lenders (the “Credit Facility). Through a credit facility expansion option, the Company may elect to increase the size of the credit facility by entering into incremental term loans, in any agreed currency, at a minimum of $25 million each up to a maximum of $250 million aggregate.

At June 30, 2014, the Company had approximately $393 million available to borrow under the credit facility, and a $250 million increase option, in addition to $40.2 million cash on hand. At June 30, 2014, the Company had $48 million of outstanding borrowings under the credit facility in addition to outstanding letters of credit of $8.7 million. The Company’s ability to access the additional $250 million increase option of the credit facility is subject to acceptance by participating or other outside banks.

The credit facility requires, as determined by certain financial ratios, a facility fee ranging from 17.5 to 35.0 basis points per year on the unused portion. The terms of the facility provide that interest on borrowings may be calculated at a spread over the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or based on the prime rate, at the Company’s election. The facility is secured by the unlimited guaranty of the Company’s material domestic subsidiaries and a 65% pledge of the material foreign subsidiaries’ share equity. The financial covenants of the credit facility also include a leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio. At June 30, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants.

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RETIREMENT PLANS

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Retirement Plans [Abstract]

RETIREMENT PLANS

9. RETIREMENT PLANS

A summary of net periodic benefit expense for the Company’s defined benefit plans for the three and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013 is shown in the following table. Net periodic benefit cost for each period presented is comprised of the following:

	Three Months Ended June 30,			Nine Months Ended June 30,
(In thousands)	2014		2013	2014	2013
Defined benefit plans
Interest cost	$	1,002	867	3,005	2,696
Expected return on assets		(1,104)	(1,101)	(3,311)	(3,250)
Amortization of:
Prior service cost		3	3	10	10
Actuarial loss		413	559	1,238	1,543
Net periodic benefit cost	$	314	328	942	999

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Business Segment Information (Schedule Of Net Sales And Earnings Before Income Tax) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 130,495	$ 116,922	$ 379,707	$ 345,478
Consolidated EBIT	15,430	11,411	43,730	31,186
Less: Interest expense	(147)	(778)	(1,493)	(1,997)
Earnings before income taxes	15,283	10,633	42,237	29,189
Filtration [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	57,733	53,763	171,608	153,741
Consolidated EBIT	10,294	10,689	29,878	30,384
Test [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	45,029	36,562	125,531	112,678
Consolidated EBIT	5,775	3,844	12,883	6,922
USG [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	27,733	26,597	82,568	79,059
Consolidated EBIT	5,725	5,132	18,891	14,735
Corporate (loss) [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Consolidated EBIT	$ (6,364)	$ (8,254)	$ (17,922)	$ (20,855)

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SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Share-based Compensation [Abstract]

Schedule Of Stock Options Awarded Under The Option Plans

Information regarding stock options awarded under the option plans is as follows:

	Shares			Weighted Average  Price		Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in millions)		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual  Life
Outstanding at October 1, 2013		67,350		$	37.39
Granted		—		$	–
Exercised		—		$	–
Cancelled / Expired		(67,350	)	$	37.54
Outstanding at June 30, 2014		-		$	-	$	0.0		0.0
Exercisable at June 30, 2014		-		$	-	$	0.0

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DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Outstanding Derivative Financial Instruments

The following is a summary of the notional transaction amounts and fair values for the Company’s outstanding derivative financial instruments as of June 30, 2014.

(In thousands)	Notional Amount (Euros)		Fair Value
Forward contract		10,891	$	(233)
Forward contract		788	$	28

Schedule of Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s forward contracts are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 825, as presented below as of June 30, 2014:

(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Liabilities:
Forward contracts	$	-	$	205	$	-	$	205

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Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule of Fair Value of Financial Instruments) (Details) (Forward Contracts [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	$ 205
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	205
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	$ 0

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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 40,215	$ 42,850
Accounts receivable, net	92,165	91,980
Costs and estimated earnings on long-term contracts, less progress billings of $25,635 and $30,887, respectively	22,643	20,717
Inventories	93,965	90,228
Current portion of deferred tax assets	19,473	23,349
Other current assets	18,544	15,930
Assets held for sale - current	0	108,867
Total current assets	287,005	393,921
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $69,075 and $64,332, respectively	74,585	75,536
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $38,999 and $33,952, respectively	181,683	180,217
Goodwill	283,317	282,949
Other assets	8,949	9,469
Assets held for sale - other	0	150,236
Total assets	835,539	1,092,328
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current maturities of long-term debt	20,000	50,000
Accounts payable	30,327	38,537
Advance payments on long-term contracts, less costs incurred of $53,720 and $23,853, respectively	15,503	17,543
Accrued salaries	22,264	21,730
Current portion of deferred revenue	18,377	17,508
Accrued other expenses	21,310	21,453
Liabilities held for sale - current	0	63,585
Total current liabilities	127,781	230,356
Pension obligations	17,808	19,089
Deferred tax liabilities	78,202	99,795
Other liabilities	1,722	3,348
Long-term debt	28,000	122,000
Liabilities held for sale - other	0	16,026
Total liabilities	253,513	490,614
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 10,000,000 shares	0	0
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, authorized 50,000,000 shares, issued 30,247,512 and 30,147,504 shares, respectively	302	301
Additional paid-in capital	284,317	284,565
Retained earnings	390,236	407,512
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(15,418)	(16,656)
Total stockholders' equity before Treasury Stock	659,437	675,722
Less treasury stock, at cost: 3,800,389 and 3,707,407 common shares, respectively	(77,411)	(74,008)
Total shareholders' equity	582,026	601,714
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 835,539	$ 1,092,328

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EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Earnings Per Share (EPS) [Abstract]

EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

3. EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS)

Basic EPS is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of dilutive common share options and vesting of performance-accelerated restricted shares (restricted shares) by using the treasury stock method. The number of shares used in the calculation of earnings per share for each period presented is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Nine Months Ended June 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic		26,513		26,436		26,497		26,453
Dilutive Options and Restricted Shares		189		313		221		299
Adjusted Shares - Diluted		26,702		26,749		26,718		26,752

Options to purchase 66,402 shares of common stock at prices of $37.54 were outstanding during the three-month period ended June 30, 2013, but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the options' exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares. Approximately 163,000 and 194,000 restricted shares were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, based upon the application of the treasury stock method.

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Aclara Divestiture (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Mar. 28, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Net sales		$ 130,495,000	$ 116,922,000	$ 379,707,000	$ 345,478,000
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax, Total				(50,442,000)	0
Receivables, Net, Current		9,800,000		9,800,000
Aclara Technologies LLC [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, before Tax		15,600,000	(2,800,000)	15,600,000	(17,500,000)
Net sales		0	44,600,000	129,600,000	127,500,000
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses, Net of Cash Divested, Total	132,000,000
Noncash or Part Noncash Divestiture, Amount of Consideration Received	10,200,000			5,400,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration	10,000,000
Noncash Or Part Noncash Divestiture Type Of Consideration Received	5,000,000
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax, Total				$ 50,400,000

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Retirement Plans (Schedule Of Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost For Plans) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Defined benefit plans
Interest cost	$ 1,002	$ 867	$ 3,005	$ 2,696
Expected return on assets	(1,104)	(1,101)	(3,311)	(3,250)
Amortization of Prior service cost	3	3	10	10
Amortization of Actuarial loss	413	559	1,238	1,543
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 314	$ 328	$ 942	$ 999

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EARNINGS PER SHARE (EPS) (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Earnings Per Share (EPS) [Abstract]

Schedule of Weighted Average Number of Shares

The number of shares used in the calculation of earnings per share for each period presented is as follows (in thousands):

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Nine Months Ended June 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding - Basic		26,513		26,436		26,497		26,453
Dilutive Options and Restricted Shares		189		313		221		299
Adjusted Shares - Diluted		26,702		26,749		26,718		26,752