Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	Note 1. Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Background: SL Industries, Inc. (the “Company”), through its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures and markets power electronics, motion control, power protection, power quality, and specialized communication equipment that is used in a variety of medical, commercial and military aerospace, solar, computer, datacom, industrial, telecom, transportation, utility, rail and highway equipment applications. Its products are generally incorporated into larger systems to improve operating performance, safety, reliability and efficiency. The Company’s products are largely sold to Original Equipment Manufacturers (“OEMs”), the utility industry and, to a lesser extent, to commercial distributors. The Company’s customer base is primarily located in the United States. The Company’s operating subsidiaries are described and defined in Note 22. The Company’s discontinued operations are described and defined in Note 4. Basis Of Consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Use Of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant areas that require the use of management estimates relate to product warranty costs, accrued liabilities related to litigation, allowance for doubtful accounts, allowance for inventory obsolescence and environmental costs. Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and footnotes to conform to the current year presentation. Cash Equivalents: The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with an original maturity date of three months or less and investments in money market accounts to be cash equivalents. At December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, cash and cash equivalents held in the United States are held principally at one financial institution. Accounts Receivable: The Company’s accounts receivable primarily consist of trade receivables and are reported net of allowances for doubtful accounts of approximately $591,000 and $603,000 as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The Company’s estimate for the allowance for doubtful accounts related to trade receivables is based on two methods. The amounts calculated from each of these methods are combined to determine the total amount reserved. First, the Company evaluates specific accounts where it has information that the customer may have an inability to meet its financial obligations (e.g., bankruptcy or insolvency). In these cases, the Company uses its judgment, based on the best available facts and circumstances, and records a specific reserve for that customer against amounts due to reduce the receivable to the amount that is expected to be collected. These specific reserves are reevaluated and adjusted as additional information is received that impacts the amount reserved. Second, a general reserve is established for all customers based on several factors, including historical write-offs as a percentage of sales. If circumstances change (e.g., higher than expected defaults or an unexpected material adverse change in a major customer’s ability to meet its financial obligation), the Company’s estimates of the recoverability of amounts due could be reduced by a material amount. Receivables are charged off against the reserve when they are deemed uncollectible. Inventories: Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is primarily determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. Cost for certain inventories is determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. The Company’s carrying cost of inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market as the Company continually reviews the book value of discontinued product lines to determine if these items are properly valued. The Company identifies these items and assesses the ability to dispose of them at a price greater than cost. If it is determined that cost is less than market value, then cost is used for inventory valuation. If market value is less than cost, then related inventory is adjusted to market value. If a write down to the current market value is necessary, the market value cannot be greater than the net realizable value, which is defined as selling price less costs to complete and dispose, and cannot be lower than the net realizable value less a normal profit margin. The Company also continually evaluates the composition of its inventory and identifies obsolete, slow-moving, and excess inventories. Inventory items identified as obsolete, slow-moving, or excess are evaluated to determine if reserves are required. If the Company were not able to achieve its expectations of the net realizable value of the inventory at current market value, it would have to adjust its reserves accordingly. The Company attempts to accurately estimate future product demand to properly adjust inventory levels. However, significant unanticipated changes in demand could have a significant impact on the value of inventory and of operating results. Property, Plant And Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost and include expenditures for new facilities and major renewals and betterments. Maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are charged to expense as incurred. When assets are sold or otherwise disposed of, any gain or loss is recognized currently. Depreciation is provided primarily using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 25 to 40 years for buildings, 3 to 15 years for equipment and other property, and the lesser of the lease term or life of the asset for leasehold improvements. Goodwill And Other Intangibles: The Company follows Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350 “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other,” which requires that goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets will no longer be amortized to earnings, but instead be subject to periodic testing for impairment. Intangible assets determined to have definitive lives will continue to be amortized over their estimated useful lives. The Company’s impairment testing is undertaken annually, or more frequently upon the occurrence of some indication that an impairment may take place. The Company conducted its annual impairment test as of December 31, 2012. A two-step process is utilized to determine if goodwill has been impaired. In the first step, the fair value of each reporting unit is compared to the net asset value recorded for such unit. If the fair value exceeds the net asset value, the goodwill of the reporting unit is not adjusted. However, if the recorded net asset value exceeds the fair value, the Company would perform a second step to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. In the second step, the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is compared with the goodwill recorded for such unit. If the recorded amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in the amount of the excess. As a result of the testing that was conducted as of December 31, 2012, the Company concluded that no impairment charge was warranted. However, there can be no assurance that the economic conditions currently affecting the world economy or other events may not have a negative material impact on the long-term business prospects of any of the Company’s reporting units. In such case, the Company may need to record an impairment loss, as stated above. There were no impairment charges related to goodwill and intangible assets recorded during 2012, 2011 and 2010. Long-Lived Assets: The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets in accordance with ASC 360 “Property, Plant, and Equipment.” The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of long-lived assets are measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset, undiscounted and without interest or independent appraisals. 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 asset exceeds the fair value of the assets. Revenue Recognition: Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the purchase price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. The major portion of the Company’s revenue is derived from equipment sales. The Company recognizes equipment revenue upon shipment or delivery, depending upon the terms of the order, and transfer of title. Generally, the revenue recognition criteria is met at the time the product is shipped. Provisions are made at the time the related revenue is recognized for product returns, product warranties, rebates, certain re-stocking programs with distributors and other sales incentives offered by the Company to its customers. Freight revenues billed to customers are included in net sales and expenses for shipping products are included in cost of sales. Environmental Expenditures: Environmental expenditures that relate to current operations are charged to expense or capitalized, as appropriate. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by formerly owned operations are expensed and recorded as part of discontinued operations, net of tax. Expenditures include costs of remediation and legal fees to defend against claims for environmental liability. Liabilities are recorded when remedial efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. The liability for remediation expenditures includes, as appropriate, elements of costs such as site investigations, consultants’ fees, feasibility studies, outside contractor expenses and monitoring expenses. Estimates are not discounted and they are not reduced by potential claims for recovery from insurance carriers. The liability is periodically reviewed and adjusted to reflect current remediation progress, prospective estimates of required activity and other relevant factors, including changes in technology or regulations. Deferred Financing Costs: Costs incurred in securing long-term debt are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the related debt. In the case of loan modifications, the Company follows the guidance provided by ASC 470-50 “Debt – Modification and Extinguishments.” The net unamortized deferred financing costs at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were $268,000 and $65,000, respectively. The financing cost amortization expense was $138,000, $218,000, and $252,000, for 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. Product Warranty Costs: The Company offers various warranties on its products. These warranties vary in length depending on the product. The Company provides for its estimated future warranty obligations in the period in which the related sale is recognized primarily based on historical experience. For 2012, 2011 and 2010, these expenses were $695,000, $643,000 and $1,293,000, respectively. Advertising Costs: Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. For 2012, 2011 and 2010, these costs were $340,000, $299,000 and $192,000, respectively. Research And Development Costs: Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. For 2012, 2011 and 2010, these costs were $3,316,000, $2,888,000 and $2,734,000, respectively. Other Income (Expense), net: As of December 31, 2012, Other Income (Expense), net includes $243,000 which represents the unrealized gain on foreign currency forward contracts that are marked to market. The Company did not enter into foreign exchange contracts during 2011 (see Note 18 for additional information). Other Income (Expense), net also includes a $59,000 gain recognized on the sale of the Company’s investment in RFL Communications PLC, (“RFL Communications”) during 2012 (see Note 25 for additional information). Income Taxes: The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company establishes valuation allowances if the Company believes that it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company does not recognize a tax benefit unless it is more likely than not that the benefit will be sustained on audit by the taxing authority based on the merits of the associated tax position. If the recognition threshold is met, the Company recognizes a tax benefit measured at the largest amount of the tax benefit that, based on the Company’s judgment, is greater than fifty percent likely to be realized. The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. Foreign Currency Conversion: Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated from local currency to U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the end of the fiscal period. Gains and losses from the translation of foreign operations are included in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Revenue and expenses are translated at the year-to-date average rate of exchange. Transaction gains and losses arising from currency exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the local currency are included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income. Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities: FASB ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”), provides the disclosure requirements for derivatives and hedging activities with the intent to provide users of financial statements with an enhanced understanding of: (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how the entity accounts for derivative instruments and related hedged items, and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Further, qualitative disclosures are required that explain the Company’s objectives and strategies for using derivatives, as well as quantitative disclosures about the fair value of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative instruments. The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. Certain of the Company’s foreign operations expose the Company to fluctuations of foreign interest rates and exchange rates. These fluctuations may impact the value of the Company’s revenues, expenses, cash receipts and payments in terms of the Company’s functional currency. The Company enters into derivative financial instruments to protect the value or fix the amount of certain cash flows in terms of the functional currency of the business unit with that exposure. As required by ASC 815, the Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. The Company enters into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risk, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting. Currently, the Company does not apply hedge accounting to any of its foreign currency derivatives.

Note 1. Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies

Background: SL Industries, Inc. (the “Company”), through its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures and markets power electronics, motion control, power protection, power quality, and specialized communication equipment that is used in a variety of medical, commercial and military aerospace, solar, computer, datacom, industrial, telecom, transportation, utility, rail and highway equipment applications. Its products are generally incorporated into larger systems to improve operating performance, safety, reliability and efficiency. The Company’s products are largely sold to Original Equipment Manufacturers (“OEMs”), the utility industry and, to a lesser extent, to commercial distributors. The Company’s customer base is primarily located in the United States. The Company’s operating subsidiaries are described and defined in Note 22. The Company’s discontinued operations are described and defined in Note 4.

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

Use Of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant areas that require the use of management estimates relate to product warranty costs, accrued liabilities related to litigation, allowance for doubtful accounts, allowance for inventory obsolescence and environmental costs.

Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and footnotes to conform to the current year presentation.

Cash Equivalents: The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with an original maturity date of three months or less and investments in money market accounts to be cash equivalents. At December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, cash and cash equivalents held in the United States are held principally at one financial institution.

Accounts Receivable: The Company’s accounts receivable primarily consist of trade receivables and are reported net of allowances for doubtful accounts of approximately $591,000 and $603,000 as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The Company’s estimate for the allowance for doubtful accounts related to trade receivables is based on two methods. The amounts calculated from each of these methods are combined to determine the total amount reserved. First, the Company evaluates specific accounts where it has information that the customer may have an inability to meet its financial obligations (e.g., bankruptcy or insolvency). In these cases, the Company uses its judgment, based on the best available facts and circumstances, and records a specific reserve for that customer against amounts due to reduce the receivable to the amount that is expected to be collected. These specific reserves are reevaluated and adjusted as additional information is received that impacts the amount reserved. Second, a general reserve is established for all customers based on several factors, including historical write-offs as a percentage of sales. If circumstances change (e.g., higher than expected defaults or an unexpected material adverse change in a major customer’s ability to meet its financial obligation), the Company’s estimates of the recoverability of amounts due could be reduced by a material amount. Receivables are charged off against the reserve when they are deemed uncollectible.

Inventories: Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is primarily determined using the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. Cost for certain inventories is determined using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method. The Company’s carrying cost of inventory is valued at the lower of cost or market as the Company continually reviews the book value of discontinued product lines to determine if these items are properly valued. The Company identifies these items and assesses the ability to dispose of them at a price greater than cost. If it is determined that cost is less than market value, then cost is used for inventory valuation. If market value is less than cost, then related inventory is adjusted to market value. If a write down to the current market value is necessary, the market value cannot be greater than the net realizable value, which is defined as selling price less costs to complete and dispose, and cannot be lower than the net realizable value less a normal profit margin. The Company also continually evaluates the composition of its inventory and identifies obsolete, slow-moving, and excess inventories. Inventory items identified as obsolete, slow-moving, or excess are evaluated to determine if reserves are required. If the Company were not able to achieve its expectations of the net realizable value of the inventory at current market value, it would have to adjust its reserves accordingly. The Company attempts to accurately estimate future product demand to properly adjust inventory levels. However, significant unanticipated changes in demand could have a significant impact on the value of inventory and of operating results.

Property, Plant And Equipment: Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost and include expenditures for new facilities and major renewals and betterments. Maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are charged to expense as incurred. When assets are sold or otherwise disposed of, any gain or loss is recognized currently. Depreciation is provided primarily using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 25 to 40 years for buildings, 3 to 15 years for equipment and other property, and the lesser of the lease term or life of the asset for leasehold improvements.

Goodwill And Other Intangibles: The Company follows Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350 “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other,” which requires that goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets will no longer be amortized to earnings, but instead be subject to periodic testing for impairment. Intangible assets determined to have definitive lives will continue to be amortized over their estimated useful lives.

The Company’s impairment testing is undertaken annually, or more frequently upon the occurrence of some indication that an impairment may take place. The Company conducted its annual impairment test as of December 31, 2012.

A two-step process is utilized to determine if goodwill has been impaired. In the first step, the fair value of each reporting unit is compared to the net asset value recorded for such unit. If the fair value exceeds the net asset value, the goodwill of the reporting unit is not adjusted. However, if the recorded net asset value exceeds the fair value, the Company would perform a second step to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. In the second step, the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is compared with the goodwill recorded for such unit. If the recorded amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in the amount of the excess.

As a result of the testing that was conducted as of December 31, 2012, the Company concluded that no impairment charge was warranted. However, there can be no assurance that the economic conditions currently affecting the world economy or other events may not have a negative material impact on the long-term business prospects of any of the Company’s reporting units. In such case, the Company may need to record an impairment loss, as stated above. There were no impairment charges related to goodwill and intangible assets recorded during 2012, 2011 and 2010.

Long-Lived Assets: The Company evaluates the recoverability of its long-lived assets in accordance with ASC 360 “Property, Plant, and Equipment.” The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of long-lived assets are measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset, undiscounted and without interest or independent appraisals. 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 asset exceeds the fair value of the assets.

Revenue Recognition: Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the purchase price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. The major portion of the Company’s revenue is derived from equipment sales. The Company recognizes equipment revenue upon shipment or delivery, depending upon the terms of the order, and transfer of title. Generally, the revenue recognition criteria is met at the time the product is shipped. Provisions are made at the time the related revenue is recognized for product returns, product warranties, rebates, certain re-stocking programs with distributors and other sales incentives offered by the Company to its customers. Freight revenues billed to customers are included in net sales and expenses for shipping products are included in cost of sales.

Environmental Expenditures: Environmental expenditures that relate to current operations are charged to expense or capitalized, as appropriate. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by formerly owned operations are expensed and recorded as part of discontinued operations, net of tax. Expenditures include costs of remediation and legal fees to defend against claims for environmental liability. Liabilities are recorded when remedial efforts are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. The liability for remediation expenditures includes, as appropriate, elements of costs such as site investigations, consultants’ fees, feasibility studies, outside contractor expenses and monitoring expenses. Estimates are not discounted and they are not reduced by potential claims for recovery from insurance carriers. The liability is periodically reviewed and adjusted to reflect current remediation progress, prospective estimates of required activity and other relevant factors, including changes in technology or regulations.

Deferred Financing Costs: Costs incurred in securing long-term debt are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the related debt. In the case of loan modifications, the Company follows the guidance provided by ASC 470-50 “Debt – Modification and Extinguishments.” The net unamortized deferred financing costs at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were $268,000 and $65,000, respectively. The financing cost amortization expense was $138,000, $218,000, and $252,000, for 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

Product Warranty Costs: The Company offers various warranties on its products. These warranties vary in length depending on the product. The Company provides for its estimated future warranty obligations in the period in which the related sale is recognized primarily based on historical experience. For 2012, 2011 and 2010, these expenses were $695,000, $643,000 and $1,293,000, respectively.

Advertising Costs: Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. For 2012, 2011 and 2010, these costs were $340,000, $299,000 and $192,000, respectively.

Research And Development Costs: Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. For 2012, 2011 and 2010, these costs were $3,316,000, $2,888,000 and $2,734,000, respectively.

Other Income (Expense), net: As of December 31, 2012, Other Income (Expense), net includes $243,000 which represents the unrealized gain on foreign currency forward contracts that are marked to market. The Company did not enter into foreign exchange contracts during 2011 (see Note 18 for additional information). Other Income (Expense), net also includes a $59,000 gain recognized on the sale of the Company’s investment in RFL Communications PLC, (“RFL Communications”) during 2012 (see Note 25 for additional information).

Income Taxes: The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based upon the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The Company establishes valuation allowances if the Company believes that it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company does not recognize a tax benefit unless it is more likely than not that the benefit will be sustained on audit by the taxing authority based on the merits of the associated tax position. If the recognition threshold is met, the Company recognizes a tax benefit measured at the largest amount of the tax benefit that, based on the Company’s judgment, is greater than fifty percent likely to be realized. The Company records interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense.

Foreign Currency Conversion: Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated from local currency to U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the end of the fiscal period. Gains and losses from the translation of foreign operations are included in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Revenue and expenses are translated at the year-to-date average rate of exchange. Transaction gains and losses arising from currency exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the local currency are included in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income.

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities: FASB ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”), provides the disclosure requirements for derivatives and hedging activities with the intent to provide users of financial statements with an enhanced understanding of: (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how the entity accounts for derivative instruments and related hedged items, and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Further, qualitative disclosures are required that explain the Company’s objectives and strategies for using derivatives, as well as quantitative disclosures about the fair value of and gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative instruments.

The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. Certain of the Company’s foreign operations expose the Company to fluctuations of foreign interest rates and exchange rates. These fluctuations may impact the value of the Company’s revenues, expenses, cash receipts and payments in terms of the Company’s functional currency. The Company enters into derivative financial instruments to protect the value or fix the amount of certain cash flows in terms of the functional currency of the business unit with that exposure.

As required by ASC 815, the Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. The Company enters into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain of its risk, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting. Currently, the Company does not apply hedge accounting to any of its foreign currency derivatives.