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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Summary Of Significany Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation – On June 13, 2013, the Company announced a global restructuring plan to accelerate future growth and reduce costs. As part of the restructuring, the Company disposed of the assets relating to its security and certain microphone and receiver operations. For all periods presented, the Company classified these businesses as discontinued operations, and, accordingly, has reclassified historical financial data presented herein. See further information in Notes 2 and 3.

Consolidation

Consolidation – The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Principles Of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation – The Company evaluates its voting and variable interests in entities on a qualitative and quantitative basis. The Company consolidates entities in which it concludes it has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact an entity’s economic success and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be significant to the entity.

Non-Controlling Interests

Non-Controlling Interests – The Company owns 50% of the earVenture joint venture. The remaining ownership is accounted for as a non-controlling interest and reported as part of equity in the consolidated financial statements. The Company allocates gains and losses to the non-controlling interest even when such allocation might result in a deficit balance, reducing the losses attributed to the controlling interest. Changes in ownership interests are treated as equity transactions if the Company maintains control.

Segment Disclosures

Segment Disclosures – A business segment is a distinguishable component of an enterprise that is engaged in providing an individual product or service or a group of related products or services and that is subject to risks and returns that are different from those of other business segments. The Company’s segments have similar economic characteristics and are similar in the nature of the products sold, type of customers, methods used to distribute the Company’s products and regulatory environment. Management believes that the Company meets the criteria for aggregating the components of its only operating segment of continuing operations into a single reporting segment.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates – The Company makes estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities, the recording of reported amounts of revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities to prepare these consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Considerable management judgment is necessary in estimating future cash flows and other factors affecting the valuation of goodwill, intangible assets, and employee benefit obligations including the operating and macroeconomic factors that may affect them. The Company uses historical financial information, internal plans and projections and industry information in making such estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition – The Company recognizes revenue when the customer takes ownership, primarily upon product shipment, and assumes risk of loss, collection of the relevant receivable is probable, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists and the sales price is fixed or determinable.

Customers have 30 days to notify the Company if the product is damaged or defective. Beyond that, there are no significant obligations that remain after shipment other than warranty obligations. Contracts with customers do not include product return rights, however, the Company may elect in certain circumstances to accept returns of products. The Company records revenue for product sales net of returns. Sales and use tax are reported on a net basis. The Company defers recognition of revenue on discounts to customers if discounts are considered significant.

In general, the Company warrants its products to be free from defects in material and workmanship and will fully conform to and perform to specifications for a period of one year. The Company develops a warranty reserve based on historical experience.

Shipping And Handling Costs

Shipping and Handling Costs –The Company includes shipping and handling revenues in sales and shipping and handling costs in cost of sales.

Fair Value Of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments – The carrying value of cash, accounts receivable, notes payable, and trade accounts payables, approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments. The fair values of the Company’s long-term debt obligations, pension and post-retirement obligations approximate their carrying values based upon current market rates of interest.

Concentration Of Cash

Concentration of Cash – The Company deposits its cash in what management believes are high credit quality financial institutions. The balance, at times, may exceed federally insured limits.

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash – Restricted cash consists of deposits required to secure a credit facility at our Singapore location and deposits required to fund retirement related benefits for certain employees.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable – The Company reviews customers’ credit history before extending unsecured credit and establishes an allowance for uncollectible accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers and other information. Invoices are generally due 30 days after presentation. Accounts receivable over 30 days are considered past due. The Company does not accrue interest on past due accounts receivables. Receivables are written off once all collection attempts have failed and are based on individual credit evaluation and specific circumstances of the customer. The allowance for doubtful accounts balance was $135 and $120 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories – Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of the inventories was determined by the first-in, first-out method.

Property, Plant And Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment – Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis using estimated useful lives of 5 to 40 years for buildings and improvements and 3 to 12 years for machinery and equipment. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the asset. Improvements are capitalized and expenditures for maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are charged to expense when incurred. At the time assets are retired or sold, the costs and accumulated depreciation are eliminated and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is reflected in the consolidated statement of operations. Depreciation expense was $1,524, $1,955, and $2,214 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Impairment Of Long-lived Assets And Long-lived Assets To Be Disposed Of

Impairment of Long-lived Assets and Long-lived Assets to be Disposed of – The Company reviews its long-lived assets, certain identifiable intangibles, and goodwill for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset group to future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. As of December 31, 2015, the Company has determined that no impairment of long-lived assets from continuing operations exists.

Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if changes in circumstances or the occurrence of events suggest impairment exists. The Company utilizes the two-step impairment analysis and elected not to use the qualitative assessment or “step zero” approach. In the two-step impairment analysis, in step one, the fair value of each reporting unit is compared to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, no impairment loss is recognized. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, the goodwill of the reporting unit is potentially impaired and the Company completes step two in order to measure the impairment loss. In step two, the Company calculates the implied fair value of goodwill by deducting the fair value of all tangible and intangible net assets (including unrecognized intangible assets) of the reporting unit from the fair value of the reporting unit. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying value of goodwill, the Company recognizes an impairment loss, in the period identified, equal to the difference. The Company has concluded that no impairment of goodwill or intangible assets occurred during the year ended December 31, 2015. Refer to Note 2 for loss on impairment of long lived assets during 2013.

Other Assets, Net

Other assets, net – The principal amounts included in other assets, net are technology fees and debt issuance costs. The debt issuance costs are being amortized over the related term utilizing the effective interest method and are included in interest expense, and the other assets are being amortized over their estimated useful life on a straight-line basis. Debt issuance cost included in interest expense was $72, $56 and $35 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Amortization expense was $231, $227 and $204 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Investments In Partnerships

Investments in Partnerships – Certain of the Company’s investments in equity securities are long-term, strategic investments in companies. The Company accounts for these investments under the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method the Company records the investment at the amount the Company paid and adjusts for the Company’s share of the investee’s income or loss and dividends paid. The investments are reviewed quarterly for changes in circumstances or the occurrence of events that suggest the Company’s investment may not be recoverable. To date there have been no impairment losses recognized.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes – Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, operating losses and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Valuation allowances are established to the extent the future benefit from the deferred tax assets realization is more likely than not unable to be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The deferred tax asset valuation allowance was $9,810 and $10,105 as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. At December 31, 2015, the Company had no accrual for the payment of tax related interest and there was no tax interest or penalties recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s federal and state tax returns are potentially open to examinations for fiscal years 2003-2005 and 2009-2015.

Employee Benefit Obligation

Employee Benefit Obligations – The Company provides pension and health care insurance for certain domestic retirees and employees of its operations discontinued in 2005. These obligations have been included in continuing operations as the Company retained these obligations. The Company also provides retirement related benefits for certain foreign employees. The Company measures the costs of its obligation based on actuarial determinations. The net periodic costs are recognized as employees render the services necessary to earn the post-retirement benefit and the obligation is recorded on the consolidated balance sheet as accrued pension liabilities.

Assumptions about the discount rate, the expected rate of return on plan assets and the future rate of compensation increases are determined by the Company. The Company believes the assumptions are within accepted guidelines and ranges. However, these actuarial assumptions could vary materially from actual results due to economic events and different rates of retirement, mortality and withdrawal.

Stock Option And Equity Plans

Stock Option and Equity Plans – Under the various Company stock-based compensation plans, executives, employees and outside directors receive awards of options to purchase common stock. Under all awards, the terms are fixed at the grant date. Generally, the exercise price equals the market price of the Company’s stock on the date of the grant. Options under the plans generally vest over three years, and have a maximum term of 10 years. One of the plans also permits the granting of stock awards, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units and other equity based awards. The Company expenses grant-date fair values of stock options and awards ratably over the vesting period of the related share-based award. See Note 13 for additional information.

Product Warranty

Product Warranty – The Company offers a warranty on various products and services. The Company estimates the costs that may be incurred under its warranties and records a liability in the amount of such costs at the time the product is sold. Factors that affect the Company’s warranty liability include the number of units sold, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims and cost per claim. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liabilities and adjusts the amounts as necessary. The amount of the reserve recorded is equal to the costs to repair or otherwise satisfy the claim.

Patent Costs

Patent Costs – Costs associated with the submission of a patent application are expensed as incurred given the uncertainty of the patents providing future economic benefit to the Company.

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs – Advertising costs are charged to expense as incurred.

Research And Development Costs

Research and Development Costs – Research and development costs, net of customer funding, amounted to $5,214, $4,832, and $4,181 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and are charged to expense when incurred, net of customer funding. The Company accrues proceeds received under governmental grants when earned and estimable as a reduction to research and development expense. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company accrued $567 in research and development tax credit refunds received with the state of Minnesota as a reduction to research and development expense.

Customer Funded Tooling Costs

Customer Funded Tooling Costs – The Company designs and develops molds and tools for reimbursement on behalf of several customers. Costs associated with the design and development of the molds and tools are charged to expense, net of the customer reimbursement amount. Net customer funded tooling resulted in income of $121, $140 and $352 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and is included in cost of goods sold in the consolidated statements of operations.

Income (Loss) Per Share

Income (loss) Per Share – Basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year. Diluted income (loss) per common share reflects the potential dilution of securities that could share in the earnings. The Company uses the treasury stock method for calculating the dilutive effect of stock options.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive Income (Loss) – Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss), change in fair value of derivative instruments, pension and post-retirement obligations and foreign currency translation adjustments and is presented in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation - The Company’s German subsidiary accounts for its transactions in its functional currency, the Euro. The Company’s United Kingdom subsidiary accounts for its transactions in its functional currency, the British pound. Foreign assets and liabilities are translated into United States dollars using the year-end exchange rates. Equity is translated at average historical exchange rates. Results of operations are translated using the average exchange rates throughout the year. Translation gains or losses are accumulated as a separate component of equity.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments — When deemed appropriate, the Company enters into derivative instruments. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. All derivative transactions are linked to an existing balance sheet item or firm commitment, and the notional amount does not exceed the value of the exposure being hedged.

We recognize all derivative financial instruments in the consolidated financial statements at fair value regardless of the purpose or intent for holding the instrument. Generally, changes in fair values of derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges, to the extent they are effective as hedges, are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax or, if ineffective, on the consolidated statements of operations.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740) Related to the Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes which will require entities to present deferred tax assets (DTAs) and deferred tax liabilities (DTLs) as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. The ASU simplifies the current guidance (ASC 740-10-45-4), which requires entities to separately present DTAs and DTLs as current and noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. The ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company does not expect the provision of ASU 2015-17 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330) Related to Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory which applies to all inventory except inventory that is measured using last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) or the retail inventory method. Inventory measured using first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost is covered by the new amendments. Inventory within the scope of the new guidance should be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. Subsequent measurement is unchanged for inventory measured using LIFO or the retail inventory method. The amendments will take effect for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The new guidance should be applied prospectively, and earlier application is permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company is evaluating the impact of the standard on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. ASU 2015-03 amends existing guidance to require the presentation of debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of a deferred charge. It is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, but early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the provision of ASU 2015-03 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic

350-40): Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. The amendments in ASU 2015-05 provide guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The amendments do not change the accounting for a customer's accounting for service contracts. As a result of the amendments, all software licenses within the scope of Subtopic 350-40 will be accounted for consistent with other licenses of intangible assets. The Company is evaluating the impact of the standard on the consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to revenue recognition. This new standard will replace all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic and eliminate all industry-specific guidance. The new revenue recognition standard provides a unified model to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration for which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance will be effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2018 and can be applied either retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We are currently assessing the impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In 2014, the FASb issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-15, 'Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, intended to define management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for the Company in the year ended December 31, 2016, and interim periods beginning March 31, 2017, with early application permitted. We do not anticipate a material impact to the consolidated financial statements once implemented.