Note 9: Property, Plant and Equipment

The carrying values of property, plant and equipment were as follows:


	December 31,
	2014			2013
	(In thousands)
Land and land improvements	$	31,879		$	34,846
Buildings and leasehold improvements		131,534			124,688
Machinery and equipment		472,543			441,933
Computer equipment and software		96,546			89,919
Construction in process		33,726			36,388

Gross property, plant and equipment		766,228			727,774
Accumulated depreciation		(449,843	)		(426,939	)

Net property, plant and equipment	$	316,385		$	300,835

Disposals

During 2014, we sold certain property, plant and equipment of the Broadcast segment for $1.9 million. There was no gain or loss on the sale.

During 2013, we sold certain real estate of the Broadcast segment for $1.0 million and recognized a $0.3 million loss on the sale. We also sold certain real estate of the Enterprise Connectivity segment for $2.1 million. There was no gain or loss on the sale.

During 2012, we sold certain net assets of our cable operations within the All Other segment for $40.0 million that primarily conducted business in the consumer electronics end market in China (the Disposal Group). We had previously evaluated a number of strategic alternatives related to the Disposal Group, and we determined that the characteristics of the end market in which they conducted business were not in line with our strategic plan. The cash flows related to the Disposal Group were not separately identifiable and independent of the other cash flows of our Chinese cable operations, and therefore, we have not reported the operating results of the Disposal Group as discontinued operations. We recognized an asset impairment and loss on sale of the Disposal Group in 2012 of $29.8 million. In 2013, we recorded a $1.3 million gain on the sale due to a favorable resolution with the buyer of those assets regarding the closing date working capital. See further discussion below.

During 2012, we also sold certain real estate of the Enterprise Connectivity and Industrial Connectivity segments for $0.8 million and $8.6 million, respectively. There was no gain or loss recognized on the sale.

Impairment

We did not recognize any impairment losses in 2014 or 2013.

In 2012, we recognized a $29.8 million asset impairment and loss on sale of certain net assets of our cable operations that primarily conducted business in the consumer electronics end market in China. The loss is included in the operating results of the All Other segment. Of the total loss, $10.6 million, $6.8 million, and $5.2 million related to impairment of property, plant and equipment; customer relationships; and trademarks, respectively. We estimated the fair market value of these assets based upon the purchase price per the terms of the sale agreement (i.e., Level 2 valuation). The remainder of the loss was due to the accrual of estimated costs to sell, including such items as investment banker fees, legal fees, and other closing costs.

In 2012, we recognized impairment losses on property, plant and equipment of $2.4 million and $1.5 million in the operating results of our Industrial Connectivity and Enterprise Connectivity segments, respectively. Of the total impairment loss, approximately $1.5 million related to real estate retained by us from a German cable business we sold in 2009 and leased to the purchasers, $1.4 million related to manufacturing equipment, and $1.0 million related to other property, plant and equipment. We estimated the fair value of these assets based upon bids received from third parties to potentially buy the assets, quoted prices in active markets, or quoted prices for similar assets (i.e., Level 2 valuation).

Depreciation Expense

We recognized depreciation expense in income from continuing operations of $43.7 million, $43.6 million, and $35.1 million in 2014, 2013, and 2012, respectively.