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Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Investments in affiliates where the Company’s ownership is between 20 percent and 50 percent, or where the Company does not have control but has the ability to exercise significant influence over operations or financial policy, are accounted for under the equity method.

Reclassification

Reclassifications: In 2010, the Company determined shipping and handling revenues should be recorded in sales and related shipping and handling costs should be recorded in cost of sales. Previously, both shipping and handling revenues and costs were netted within sales. Prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

Cost of Sales

Cost of Sales: Any expenses associated with manufacturing are included in cost of sales. These costs include all materials, direct and indirect labor, inbound freight, purchasing and receiving, inspection, internal transfers and distribution and warehousing of inventory. In addition, shop supplies, facility maintenance costs, manufacturing engineering, project management and depreciation expense for assets used in the manufacturing process are included in cost of sales.

Selling, general and administrative costs

Selling, general and administrative costs (“SG&A”): SG&A includes selling, marketing, customer service, product management, design engineering, and other administrative costs not directly supporting the manufacturing process as well as depreciation expense associated with non-manufacturing assets. In addition, SG&A includes corporate operating expenses for executive management, accounting, tax, treasury, human resources, information technology, legal, internal audit, risk management and stock-based compensation expense.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents: The Company considers all investments with an initial maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The December 31, 2011 and 2010 balances include money market investments.

Short Term Investments

Short Term Investments: From time to time, the Company invests in short-term, highly liquid, variable rate instruments, which have stated maturities of greater than three months but less than six months. These short term investments are recorded at cost which approximates fair value. The Company has determined that its investment securities are available and intended for use in current operations and, accordingly, has classified investment securities as current assets. There are no short-term investments as of December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts: The Company evaluates the collectibility of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where the Company is aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations (e.g., bankruptcy filings, or substantial downgrading of credit scores), a specific reserve is recorded to reduce the receivable to the amount the Company believes will be collected. The Company also records allowances for doubtful accounts based on the length of time the receivables are past due and historical experience.

Inventories

Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost being determined by the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method at December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Inventory Valuation Reserves: The Company determines inventory valuation reserves based on a combination of factors. In circumstances where the Company is aware of a specific problem in the valuation of a certain item, a specific reserve is recorded to reduce the item to its net realizable value. The Company also recognizes reserves based on the actual usage in recent history and projected usage in the near-term. If circumstances change (e.g., lower-than-expected or higher-than-expected usage), estimates of the net realizable value could be changed by a material amount.

Inventory Valuation Reserve

Inventories: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost being determined by the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method at December 31, 2011 and 2010.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment: All capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment are stated on the basis of cost. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, whereas major improvements are capitalized. The cost of applicable assets is depreciated over their estimated useful lives. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes and accelerated methods for income tax purposes. Depreciation expense was $14,539, $12,528 and $10,696 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The following table summarizes the components of property, plant and equipment:



		December 31,
Classification	Estimated Useful Life	2011			2010
Land and buildings	20-35 years	$	96,984		$	72,783
Machinery and equipment	3-12 years	79,173			69,572
Computer equipment, furniture and fixtures	3-7 years	16,043			10,912
Construction in process		8,175			8,800
		200,375			162,067
Less accumulated depreciation		(63,074		)	(45,909		)
Total property, plant and equipment, net		$	137,301		$	116,158

The Company monitors its property, plant and equipment, and finite-lived intangible assets for impairment indicators on an ongoing basis. If impairment indicators exist, the Company performs the required analysis and records impairment charges. In conducting its analysis, the Company compares the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the long-lived assets to the related net book values. If the undiscounted cash flows exceed the net book value, the long-lived assets are considered not to be impaired. If the net book value exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is measured and recognized. An impairment loss is measured as the difference between the net book value and the fair value of the long-lived assets. Fair value is estimated based upon either discounted cash flow analyses or estimated salvage values. Cash flows are estimated using internal forecasts as well as assumptions related to discount rates. Changes in economic or operating conditions impacting these estimates and assumptions could result in the impairment of long-lived assets.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: The Company does not amortize goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible assets, but reviews them at least annually, and on an interim basis if necessary, for impairment using a measurement date of October 1st. The Company amortizes intangible assets that have finite lives over their useful lives.

With respect to goodwill, the Company assesses qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. The reporting units are the same as our operating segments, which are also the reportable segments: Energy & Chemicals, Distribution & Storage, and BioMedical. The Company first evaluates relevant events and circumstances, such as macroeconomic conditions and the Company's overall financial performance to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the first and second steps of the goodwill impairment test are not necessary. Otherwise, the Company would perform the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test. The Company then evaluates how significant each of the identified factors could be to the fair value or carrying amount of a reporting unit and weighs these factors in totality in forming a conclusion whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. As of October 1, 2011 and based on the Company's qualitative assessment, the Company determined that it was not more likely than not that the fair value is less than the carrying amount of each reporting unit and, therefore, the two-step goodwill impairment test was not necessary. In 2010, to test for impairment of goodwill, we estimated the fair market value of each our reporting units. We used the income and market approaches to develop fair value estimates, which were weighted equally to arrive at a fair value estimate for each reporting unit. With respect to the income approach, we developed a model which incorporated our estimates of future cash flows, estimates of allocations of certain assets and cash flows among reporting units, estimates of future growth rates and management's judgment regarding the applicable discount rates to use to discount the estimated cash flows. With respect to the market approach, we used the guideline company method selecting companies with similar assets or businesses to estimate fair value of each reporting unit.

With respect to other indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company determines the fair value of any indefinite-lived intangible assets using an income approach, compares the fair value to its carrying amount and records an impairment loss if the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. The Company uses the relief from royalty method to develop fair value estimates for trade names and trademarks. This method focuses on the level of royalty payments that the user of an intangible asset would be willing to pay for the use of the asset if it were not owned by the user. This method has been consistently applied between years.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy

Financial Instruments: The fair values of cash equivalents, short term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short term bank debt approximate their carrying amount because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments: The Company measures financial assets and liabilities at fair value in three levels of inputs. The three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies, is:

Level 1 — Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 — Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3 — Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants. These valuations require significant judgment.

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments: The Company utilizes certain derivative financial instruments to enhance its ability to manage foreign currency risk that exists as part of ongoing business operations. Derivative instruments are entered into for periods consistent with related underlying exposures and do not constitute positions independent of those exposures. The Company does not enter into contracts for speculative purposes, nor is it a party to any leveraged derivative instrument.

The Company is exposed to foreign currency exchange risk as a result of transactions in currencies other than the functional currency of certain subsidiaries. The Company utilizes foreign currency forward purchase and sale contracts to manage the volatility associated with foreign currency purchases and certain intercompany transactions in the normal course of business. Contracts typically have maturities of less than one year. Principal currencies include the euro, British pound and Czech koruna. The Company’s foreign currency forward contracts do not qualify as hedges as defined by accounting guidance. Changes in their fair value are recorded as foreign currency (gains) losses in the consolidated statement of operations and in the operating activities section of the statement of cash flows. The changes in fair value generated a net gain of $1,233 for 2011, a net loss of $630 for 2010, and a net gain of $1,492 for 2009.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company held forward currency contracts to buy 17,500 Czech koruna against the euro and to sell (i) 11,500 euros against the U.S. dollar, (ii) 4,700 Czech koruna against the U.S. Dollar, (iii) 130,000 Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar, (iv) 3,340 euros against the Czech koruna, (v) 3,000 Norwegian kroner against the euro, and (vi) 250 British pounds against the U.S. dollar. At December 31, 2011, the fair value of the Company’s derivative assets and liabilities representing foreign currency forward contracts was $489 and $107, respectively. These were recorded on the balance sheet as other current assets and liabilities. As of December 31, 2010, the Company held forward currency contracts to sell (i) 16,900 euros against the Czech koruna, (ii) 386,853 Japanese yen against the U.S. dollar, (iii) 5,000 U.S. dollars against the euro, (iv) 500 Australian dollars against the U.S dollar, and (v) 75 British pounds against the euro. At December 31, 2010, the fair value of the Company’s derivative liabilities representing foreign currency forward contracts was $807. These were recorded on the balance sheet as other current liabilities. The Company’s foreign currency forward contracts are not exchange traded instruments and, accordingly, are classified as being valued utilizing level 2 inputs which are based on observable inputs such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets.

Product Warranties

Product Warranties: The Company provides product warranties with varying terms and durations for the majority of its products. The Company records warranty expense in cost of sales.

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders’ Equity: The Company reports comprehensive income in its consolidated statement of shareholders’ equity.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition: For the majority of the Company’s products, revenue is recognized when products are shipped, title has transferred and collection is reasonably assured. For these products, there is also persuasive evidence of an arrangement and the selling price to the buyer is fixed or determinable. For brazed aluminum heat exchangers, cold boxes, liquefied natural gas fueling stations and engineered tanks, the Company uses the percentage of completion method of accounting. Earned revenue is based on the percentage that incurred costs to date bear to total estimated costs at completion after giving effect to the most current estimates. Earned revenue on contracts in process at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, totaled $219,315, $240,239 and $295,530, respectively. Timing of amounts billed on contracts varies from contract to contract and could cause significant variation in working capital needs. Amounts billed on percentage of completion contracts in process at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009 totaled $265,686, $239,600 and $298,131, respectively. The cumulative impact of revisions in total cost estimates during the progress of work is reflected in the period in which these changes become known. Earned revenue reflects the original contract price adjusted for agreed upon claims and change orders, if any. Losses expected to be incurred on contracts in process, after consideration of estimated minimum recoveries from claims and change orders, are charged to operations as soon as such losses are known. Pre-contract costs relate primarily to salaries and benefits incurred to support the selling effort and, accordingly, are expensed as incurred. Change orders resulting in additional revenue and profit are recognized upon approval by the customer based on the percentage that incurred costs to date bear to total estimated costs at completion. Change orders resulting in additional revenue and profit are recognized upon approval by the customer based on the percentage that incurred costs to date bear to total estimated costs at completion. Certain contracts include incentive-fee arrangements. The incentive fees in such contracts can be based on a variety of factors but the most common are the achievement of target completion dates, target costs, and/or other performance criteria. Incentive fee revenue is not recognized until it is earned. Timing of amounts billed on contracts varies from contract to contract and could cause a significant variation in working capital requirements.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and Handling Costs: Amounts billed to customers for shipping are classified as sales, and the related costs are classified as cost of sales.

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs: The Company incurred advertising costs of $4,548, $3,268 and $3,355 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Such costs are expensed as incurred and included in SG&A.

Research and Development Costs

Research and Development Costs: The Company incurred research and development costs of $4,375, $3,858 and $3,256 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Such costs are expensed as incurred and included in SG&A.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation: The functional currency for the majority of the Company’s foreign operations is the applicable local currency. The translation from the applicable foreign currencies to U.S. dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts using a weighted average exchange rate during the period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a component of shareholders’ equity. Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are charged to operations as incurred.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes: The Company and its U.S. subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between financial reporting and the consolidated tax return in accordance with the liability method. A valuation allowance is provided against net deferred tax assets when conditions indicate that it is more likely than not that the benefit related to such assets will not be realized.

The Company utilizes a two-step approach for the recognition and measurement of uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position and determine whether it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more likely than not of being realized upon settlement.

Interest and penalties related to income taxes are accounted for as income tax expense.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation: The Company records stock-based compensation according to current accounting guidance which requires all share-based payments to employees and directors, including grants of employee stock options, to be measured at fair value on the date of grant.

Compensation for share-based awards is recognized on a ratable basis over the vesting period. The total cost of a share-based payment award is reduced by estimated forfeitures expected to occur over the vesting period which generally is equivalent to the required service period of the award. See Note H for further discussions regarding stock options and other share-based awards.

Earnings per share

Earnings per share: The following table presents calculations of income per share of common stock:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Net income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc.	$	44,076	$	20,160	$	61,011
Net income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc. per common share — basic	$	1.51	$	0.71	$	2.14
Net income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc. per common share — diluted	$	1.47	$	0.69	$	2.11
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding — basic	29,165		28,534		28,457
Incremental shares issuable upon assumed conversion and exercise of stock options	748		721		524
Total shares — diluted	29,913		29,255		28,981

Shares issuable under Convertible Notes were excluded from diluted earnings per share since the conversion price was greater than the average market price of the Company's common stock during the period. Certain options to purchase common stock of the Company were not included in net income attributable to Chart Industries, Inc. per common share-diluted as they were anti-dilutive and consisted of 107, 362 and 170 shares for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.