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Fair Value Measurement
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Measurement

Note 13 Fair Value Measurement

The Company bases fair value on the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We have adopted a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes observable and unobservable inputs used to measure fair value into three broad levels, which are described below:

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for assets or liabilities. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to Level 1 inputs.

Level 2: Observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available. The fair value hierarchy gives the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs.

In determining fair value, the Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible and also considers counterparty credit risk in its assessment of fair value.

Except for derivative instruments, pension liabilities and pension plan assets, the Company has no financial assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value at December 31, 2013 and 2012. The carrying amounts of financial instruments comprising cash and cash equivalents, and accounts receivable approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature. The carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt approximates its fair value because interest charged on the loan balance is variable. See Note 5 for a description of Company’s debt and corresponding rates of interest. See Note 12 regarding the fair value of pension liabilities and pension plan assets. See Note 15 regarding the fair value of derivative instruments and hedging activities.

Certain Company assets are required to be recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company did not realize any changes to the fair value of these assets due to events that negatively impacted their recoverability.