Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

1.                 Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc., through its subsidiary Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. (“Simpson Strong-Tie”) and its other subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), designs, engineers and manufactures wood-to-wood, wood-to-concrete and wood-to-masonry connectors, screw fastening systems and collated screws, stainless steel fasteners, pre-fabricated shearwalls and moment-frames and a line of adhesives, chemicals, mechanical anchors and powder-actuated tools for concrete, masonry and steel. The Company markets its products to the residential construction, light industrial and commercial construction, remodeling and do-it-yourself markets.

The Company operates exclusively in the building products industry. The Company’s products are sold primarily in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and the South Pacific. Revenues have some geographic market concentration on the west coast of the United States. A portion of the Company’s business is therefore dependent on economic activity within this region and market. The Company is dependent on the availability of steel, its primary raw material.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. and its subsidiaries. Investments in 50% or less owned entities are accounted for using either cost or the equity method. The Company consolidates all variable interest entities (VIEs) where it is the primary beneficiary. There were no VIEs as of December 31, 2010 or 2011. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when the earnings process is complete, net of applicable provision for discounts, returns and incentives, whether actual or estimated based on the Company’s experience. This generally occurs when products are shipped to the customer in accordance with the sales agreement or purchase order, ownership and risk of loss pass to the customer, collectability is reasonably assured and pricing is fixed or determinable. The Company’s general shipping terms are F.O.B. shipping point, where title is transferred and revenue is recognized when the products are shipped to customers. When the Company sells F.O.B. destination point, title is transferred and the Company recognizes revenue on delivery or customer acceptance, depending on terms of the sales agreement. Service sales, representing after-market repair and maintenance, engineering activities, software license sales and service and lease income, though significantly less than 1% of net sales and not material to the consolidated financial statements, are recognized as the services are completed or the software products and services are delivered. If actual costs of sales returns, incentives and discounts were to significantly exceed the recorded estimated allowances, the Company’s sales would be adversely affected.

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Investments

In 2011, the Company disposed of its only minority investment. Minority investments are carried either at cost or by the equity method of accounting, depending on the Company’s ownership interest and its ability to influence the operating or financial decisions of the investee, and are classified as long-term investments.

The Company periodically reviews its investments for impairment. If the carrying value of an investment exceeds its fair value and the decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary, the Company writes down the value of the investment to its fair value.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company assesses the collectability of specific customer accounts that would be considered doubtful based on the customer’s financial condition, payment history, credit rating and other factors that the Company considers relevant, or accounts that the Company assigns for collection. The Company reserves for the portion of those outstanding balances that the Company believes it is not likely to collect based on historical collection experience. The Company also reserves 100% of the amounts that it deems uncollectable due to a customer’s deteriorating financial condition or bankruptcy. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in probable inability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.

Inventory Valuation

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value (market). Cost includes all costs incurred in bringing each product to its present location and condition, as follows:

·Raw materials and purchased finished goods for resale — principally valued at cost determined on a weighted average basis.

·In-process products and finished goods — cost of direct materials and labor plus attributable overhead based on a normal level of activity.

The Company applies net realizable value and obsolescence to the gross value of the inventory. The Company estimates net realizable value based on estimated selling price less further costs to completion and disposal. The Company provides for slow-moving products by comparing inventories on hand to projected demand. If on-hand supply of a product exceeds projected demand or if the Company believes the product is no longer marketable, the product is considered obsolete inventory. The Company has consistently applied this methodology. The Company believes that this approach is prudent and makes suitable provisions for slow-moving and obsolete inventory. When provisions are established, a new cost basis of the inventory is created.

Sales Incentive and Advertising Allowances

The Company records estimated reductions to revenues for sales incentives, primarily rebates for volume discounts, and allowances for co-operative advertising.

Allowances for Sales Discounts

The Company records estimated reductions to revenues for discounts taken on early payment of invoices by its customers.

Warranties

The Company provides product warranties for specific product lines and accrues for estimated future warranty costs, none of which has been material to the consolidated financial statements, in the period in which the sale is recorded. In a limited number of circumstances, the Company may also agree to indemnify customers against legal claims made against those customers by the end users of the Company’s products. Historically, payments made by the Company, if any, under such agreements have not had a material effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards CodificationTM (“ASC”) establishes a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels as follows: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument; Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on the Company’s assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. A financial asset’s or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

As of December 31, 2011, the Company’s investments consisted of United States Treasury securities and money market funds aggregating $53.3 million, which are maintained in cash equivalents and are carried at cost, approximating fair value, based on Level 1 inputs. There are no other recurring fair value measurements.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Major renewals and betterments are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are expensed on a current basis. When assets are sold or retired, their costs and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and the resulting gains or losses are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.

The “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other” topic of the FASB ASC provides guidance on capitalization of the costs incurred for computer software developed or obtained for internal use. The Company capitalizes substantially all external costs and qualifying internal costs related to the purchase and implementation of software projects used for business operations and engineering design activities. Capitalized software costs primarily include purchased software and external consulting fees. Capitalized software projects are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the software.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation of software, machinery and equipment is provided for using accelerated methods over the following estimated useful lives:

Software	3 to 5 years
Machinery and equipment	3 to 10 years

Buildings and site improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which range from 15 to 45 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the expected life or the remaining term of the lease. Amortization of purchased intangible assets with finite useful lives is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

Cost of Sales

The types of costs included in cost of sales include material, labor, factory and tooling overhead, shipping, and freight costs. Major components of these expenses are material costs, such as steel, packaging and cartons, personnel costs, and facility costs, such as rent, depreciation and utilities, related to the production and distribution of the Company’s products. Inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, warehousing costs, internal transfer costs, and other costs of the Company’s distribution network are also included in cost of sales.

Tool and Die Costs

Tool and die costs are included in product costs in the year incurred.

Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs

The Company’s general shipping terms are F.O.B. shipping point. Shipping and handling fees and costs are included in revenues and product costs, as appropriate, in the year incurred.

Product Research and Development Costs

Product research and development costs, which are included in operating expenses and are charged against income as incurred, were $6.1 million, $6.5 million and $5.9 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The types of costs included as product research and development expenses are typically related to salaries and benefits and supplies. The Company amortizes acquired patents over their remaining lives and performs periodic reviews for impairment. The cost of internally developed patents is expensed as incurred.

Selling Costs

Selling costs include expenses associated with selling, merchandising and marketing the Company’s products. Major components of these expenses are personnel, sales commissions, facility costs such as rent, depreciation and utilities, professional services, information technology related costs, sales promotion, advertising, literature and trade shows.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are included in selling expenses, are expensed when the advertising occurs, and were $6.3 million, $5.4 million and $5.3 million in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

General and Administrative Costs

General and administrative costs include personnel, information technology related costs, facility costs such as rent, depreciation and utilities, professional services, amortization of intangibles and bad debt charges.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are calculated using an asset and liability approach. The provision for income taxes includes federal, state and foreign taxes currently payable and deferred taxes, due to temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities. In addition, future tax benefits are recognized to the extent that realization of such benefits is more likely than not.

Sales Taxes

The Company presents taxes collected and remitted to governmental authorities on a net basis in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

Foreign Currency Translation

The local currency is the functional currency of the Company’s operations in Europe, Canada, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated using the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated using average exchange rates prevailing during the year. The translation adjustment resulting from this process is shown separately as a component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are included in general and administrative expenses.

Segments and Discontinued Operations

The Company had operated under two reportable segments, the connector products segment and the venting products segment. As set forth in Note 16 “Discontinued Operations,” on August 31, 2010, the Company sold substantially all of the assets and liabilities of its venting segment. Accordingly, the Company has classified the results of the venting products segment, including impairments and losses of goodwill and other assets, as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for all periods presented. Except as otherwise stated below and except with respect to items reflected on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets set forth above, discussion in these notes pertains to the Company’s continuing operations.

As a result of the sale of the assets of Simpson Dura-Vent Company, Inc (“Simpson Dura-Vent”), the Company reorganized into three reportable and operating segments consisting of North America, Europe and Asia/Pacific.

Common Stock

Subject to the rights of holders of any preferred stock that may be issued in the future, holders of common stock are entitled to receive such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) out of legally available funds, and in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company, to share ratably in all assets available for distribution. The holders of common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights. Subject to the rights of any preferred stock that may be issued in the future, the holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on any matter submitted to a vote of the stockholders, except that, subject to compliance with pre-meeting notice and other conditions pursuant to the Company’s Bylaws, stockholders may cumulate their votes in an election of directors, and each stockholder may give one candidate a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of shares held by such stockholder or may distribute such stockholder’s votes on the same principle among as many candidates as such stockholder thinks fit. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the common stock.

In 1999, the Company declared a dividend distribution of one Right to purchase Series A Participating preferred stock per share of common stock. The Rights will be exercisable, unless redeemed earlier by the Company, if a person or group acquires, or obtains the right to acquire, 15% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock or commences a tender or exchange offer that would result in it acquiring 15% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock, either event occurring without the prior consent of the Company. The amount of Series A Participating preferred stock that the holder of a Right is entitled to receive and the purchase price payable on exercise of a Right are both subject to adjustment. Any person or group that acquires 15% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock without the prior consent of the Company would not be entitled to this purchase. Any stockholder who held 25% or more of the Company’s common stock when the Rights were originally distributed would not be treated as having acquired 15% or more of the outstanding shares unless such stockholder’s ownership is increased to more than 40% of the outstanding shares.

The Rights will expire on June 14, 2019, or they may be redeemed by the Company at one cent per Right prior to that date. The Rights do not have voting or dividend rights and, until they become exercisable, have no dilutive effect on the earnings of the Company. One million shares of the Company’s preferred stock have been designated Series A Participating preferred stock and reserved for issuance on exercise of the Rights. No event during 2011 made the Rights exercisable.

Preferred Stock

The Board has the authority to issue the authorized and unissued preferred stock in one or more series with such designations, rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by the Board. Accordingly, the Board is empowered, without stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with dividend, redemption, liquidation, conversion, voting or other rights that could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of the Company’s common stock.

Net Income per Common Share

Basic net income per common share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Potentially dilutive shares, using the treasury stock method, are included in the diluted per-share calculations for all periods when the effect of their inclusion is dilutive.

The following is a reconciliation of basic earnings per share (“EPS”) to diluted EPS:

(in thousands, except)

per-share amounts)

	Year Ended December 31,
	2011		2010			2009
Earnings from continuing operations, net of tax	$	50,900	$	44,798		$	14,121
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	—		(16,212		)	(1,904		)
Net income available to common stockholders	$	50,900	$	28,586		$	12,217
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	48,974		49,498			49,135
Dilutive effect of potential common stock equivalents — stock options	49		114			121
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	49,023		49,612			49,256
Net earnings (loss) per share — basic:
Continuing operations	$	1.04	$	0.91		$	0.29
Discontinued operations	—		(0.33		)	(0.04		)
Net income	1.04		0.58			0.25
Net earnings (loss) per share — diluted:
Continuing operations	$	1.04	$	0.90		$	0.29
Discontinued operations	—		(0.33		)	(0.04		)
Net income	1.04		0.58			0.25
Potentially dilutive securities excluded from earnings per diluted share because their effect is anti-dilutive	1,363		1,018			1,037

Anti-dilutive shares attributable to outstanding stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share.

The potential tax benefits derived from the amount of the average stock price for the period in excess of the grant date fair value of stock options, known as the windfall tax benefit, is added to the proceeds of stock option exercises under the treasury stock method for computing the amount of dilutive securities used to determine the outstanding shares for the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income, which is included in the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity, is defined as net income plus other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income consists of changes in foreign currency translation adjustments recorded directly in accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity. The components of accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2011, were $6.8 million, net of tax of $0.9 million, and as of December 31, 2010, were $14.6 million, net of tax of $0.9 million, all of which comprised foreign currency translation adjustments.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash in banks, short-term investments in United States Treasury securities, money market funds and trade accounts receivable. The Company maintains its cash in demand deposit and money market accounts held primarily at eleven banks.

Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

With the approval of the Company’s stockholders on April 26, 2011, the Company adopted the Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”). The 2011 Plan amended and restated in their entirety, and incorporated and superseded, both the Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. 1994 Stock Option Plan (the “1994 Plan”), which was principally for the Company’s employees, and the Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. 1995 Independent Director Stock Option Plan (the “1995 Plan”), which was for its independent directors. Options previously granted under the 1994 Plan or the 1995 Plan will not be affected by the adoption of the 2011 Plan and will continue to be governed by the 1994 Plan or the 1995 Plan, respectively.

Under the 1994 Plan, the Company could grant incentive stock options and non-qualified stock options, although the Company granted only non-qualified stock options under the 1994 Plan and the 1995 Plan. The Company generally granted options under each of the 1994 Plan and the 1995 Plan once each year. The exercise price per share of each option granted in February 2011 and February 2010 under the 1994 Plan equaled the closing market price per share of the Company’s common stock as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on the day preceding the day that the Compensation and Leadership Development Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors met to approve the grant of the options. The exercise price per share under each option granted under the 1995 Plan was at the fair market value on the date specified in the 1995 Plan. Options vest and expire according to terms established at the grant date. Options granted under the 1994 Plan typically vest evenly over the requisite service period of four years and have a term of seven years. The vesting of options granted under the 1994 Plan will be accelerated if the grantee ceases to be employed by the Company after reaching age 60 or if there is a change in control of the Company. Options granted under the 1995 Plan are fully vested on the date of grant. Shares of common stock issued on exercise of stock options under the 1994 Plan and the 1995 Plan are registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

Under the 2011 Plan, the Company may grant incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units, although the Company currently intends to award primarily restricted stock units and to a lesser extent, if at all, non-qualified stock options. The Company does not currently intend to award incentive stock options or restricted stock. Under the 2011 Plan, no more than 16.3 million shares of the Company’s common stock may be issued (including shares already sold) pursuant to all awards under the 2011 Plan, including on exercise of options previously granted under the 1994 Plan and the 1995 Plan. Shares of common stock to be issued pursuant to the 2011 Plan are registered under the Securities Act of 1933.

The following table represents the Company’s stock-based compensation activity, including both continuing and discontinued operations, for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009:

(in thousands)

	Years Ended December 31,
	2011			2010			2009
Stock-based compensation expense recognized in operating expenses	$	6,133		$	3,338		$	1,746
Tax benefit of stock-based compensation expense in provision for income taxes	2,261			1,212			544
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	3,872		$	2,126		$	1,202
Fair value of shares vested	$	6,194		$	3,577		$	1,690
Proceeds to the Company from the exercise of stock-based compensation	$	214		$	17,948		$	7,627
Tax benefit from exercise of stock-based compensation, including (shortfall) tax benefits	$	(1,554	)	$	(2,430	)	$	(445	)

(in thousands)

	At December 31,
	2011		2010		2009
Stock-based compensation cost capitalized in inventory	$	345	$	284	$	45

The stock compensation expense included in cost of sales, research and development and engineering expense, selling expense, or general and administrative expense depends on the job functions performed by the employees to whom the stock options were granted.

The assumptions used to calculate the fair value of options or restricted stock units are evaluated and revised, as necessary, to reflect market conditions and the Company’s experience.

Goodwill

The Company reviews for impairment its indefinite lived intangible assets annually, in the fourth quarter of each year, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. These events or circumstances could include a significant change in the business climate, legal factors, operating performance indicators, competition, or disposition or relocation of a significant portion of a reporting unit. For certain reporting units, management may first assess qualitative factors related to the goodwill of the reporting unit to determine whether it is necessary to perform a two-step impairment test. If it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than the carrying amount of its goodwill, no further testing is required. If it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount of the goodwill, management will perform a two-step impairment test on goodwill. In the first step, management compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value. The fair value calculation uses a discounted cash flow model and may be supplemented by market approaches if information is readily available. If the carrying value of the net assets assigned to the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, a second step of the impairment test must be performed to determine the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, an impairment charge equal to the difference between the implied fair value of the goodwill and the carrying cost would be recorded.

Determining the fair value of a reporting unit or an indefinite-lived purchased intangible asset is a judgment involving significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions include revenue growth rates and operating margins used to calculate projected future cash flows, risk-adjusted discount rates, and future economic and market conditions (Level 3 fair value inputs). The Company bases its fair value estimates on assumptions that management believes to be reasonable but that are unpredictable and inherently uncertain. Actual future results may differ from those estimates. The impairment charge taken in 2011 resulting from the Company’s annual impairment test in the fourth quarter of 2011 was associated with assets in England that were acquired in 1999 and with the Company’s U.K. reporting unit. The reporting unit’s carrying value exceeded the fair value, primarily due to reduced future expected net cash flows from weakening profit margins. The goodwill associated with the U.K. reporting unit was fully impaired. The Company’s 2010 annual goodwill impairment analysis resulted in an impairment charge associated with the European anchor products reporting unit.

The Company’s German reporting unit passed step one of the annual impairment test by a 10% margin. This reporting unit is highly sensitive to management’s plans for increasing margins including consolidation of activities within Germany into one location. The reporting unit’s failure to meet management’s objectives could result in a future impairment of some or all of the reporting unit’s goodwill, which was $2.3 million at December 31, 2011.

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by segment, as of December 31, 2010 and 2011, were as follows:

(in thousands)

									Venting
									Products
	North						Asia		Discontinued
	America			Europe			Pacific		Operations			Total
Balance as of January 1, 2010:
Goodwill	$	52,241		$	36,864		$	1,716	$	4,435		$	95,256
Accumulated impairment losses	(10,666		)	(2,964		)	—		—			(13,630		)
	41,575			33,900			1,716		4,435			81,626
Goodwill acquired	—			1,100			—		—			1,100
Foreign exchange	186			(2,341		)	225		—			(1,930		)
Impairment				(6,292		)	—		(4,435		)	(10,727		)
Balance as of December 31, 2010:
Goodwill	52,427			35,623			1,941		4,435			94,426
Accumulated impairment losses	(10,666		)	(9,256		)	—		(4,435		)	(24,357		)
	41,761			26,367			1,941		—			70,069
Goodwill acquired	32,230			—			—		—			32,230
Foreign exchange	(90		)	(750		)	7		—			(833		)
Impairment	—			(1,282		)	—		—			(1,282		)
Reclassifications	—			(335		)	—		—			(335		)
Balance as of December 31, 2011:
Goodwill	84,567			34,538			1,948		4,435			125,488
Accumulated impairment losses	(10,666		)	(10,538		)	—		(4,435		)	(25,639		)
	$	73,901		$	24,000		$	1,948	$	—		$	99,849

As a result of the entry into the agreement to sell the assets of Simpson Dura-Vent, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $4.4 million in discontinued operations in 2010. See Note 16.

Intangible Assets

The total gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets subject to amortization at December 31, 2011, were $46.0 million and $18.2 million, respectively. The aggregate amount of amortization expense of intangible assets for the year ended December 31, 2011, was $4.3 million.

The changes in the carrying amounts of patents, unpatented technologies and non-compete agreements and other intangible assets subject to amortization, including both continuing and discontinued operations, as of December 31, 2010 and 2011, were as follows:

(in thousands)

	Gross						Net
	Carrying			Accumulated			Carrying
Patents	Amount			Amortization			Amount
Balance at January 1, 2010	$	6,939		$	(3,758	)	$	3,181
Amortization	—			(626		)	(626		)
Foreign exchange	(18		)	—			(18		)
Balance at December 31, 2010	6,921			(4,384		)	2,537
Amortization	—			(620		)	(620		)
Foreign exchange	(3		)	—			(3		)
Removal of fully amortized asset	(237		)	237			—
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	6,681		$	(4,767	)	$	1,914

	Gross						Net
	Carrying			Accumulated			Carrying
Unpatented Technology	Amount			Amortization			Amount
Balance at January 1, 2010	$	2,962		$	(481	)	$	2,481
Amortization	—			(398		)	(398		)
Foreign exchange	(114		)	—			(114		)
Balance at December 31, 2010	2,848			(879		)	1,969
Amortization	—			(516		)	(516		)
Foreign exchange	(66		)	—			(66		)
Reclassifications	1,347			—			1,347
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	4,129		$	(1,395	)	$	2,734

	Gross						Net
Non-Compete Agreements,	Carrying			Accumulated			Carrying
Tradmarks and Other	Amount			Amortization			Amount
Balance at January 1, 2010	$	8,095		$	(3,223	)	$	4,872
Acquisition	1,633			—			1,633
Amortization	—			(1,358		)	(1,358		)
Impairment	—			(166		)	(166		)
Foreign exchange	(164		)	—			(164		)
Removal of fully amortized asset	(436		)	436			—
Balance at December 31, 2010	9,128			(4,311		)	4,817
Acquisition	9,026			—			9,026
Amortization	—			(1,297		)	(1,297		)
Foreign exchange	(19		)	—			(19		)
Reclassifications	(1,612		)	—			(1,612		)
Removal of fully amortized asset	(247		)	247			—
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	16,276		$	(5,361	)	$	10,915

	Gross						Net
	Carrying			Accumulated			Carrying
Customer Relationships	Amount			Amortization			Amount
Balance at January 1, 2010	$	23,282		$	(4,964	)	$	18,318
Amortization	—			(2,190		)	(2,190		)
Impairment	—			(1,478		)	(1,478		)
Foreign exchange	(507		)	—			(507		)
Removal of fully amortized asset	(3,018		)	3,018			—
Balance at December 31, 2010	19,757			(5,614		)	14,143
Amortization	—			(1,893		)	(1,893		)
Foreign exchange	(112		)	—			(112		)
Reclassifications	155			—			155
Removal of fully amortized asset	(860		)	860			—
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	18,940		$	(6,647	)	$	12,293

Intangible assets, net, by segment were as follows:

	At December 31, 2010
	Gross					Net
	Carrying		Accumulated			Carrying
Total Intangible Assets	Amount		Amortization			Amount
North America	$	24,022	$	(10,792	)	$	13,230
Europe	14,632		(4,396		)	10,236
Total	$	38,654	$	(15,188	)	$	23,466

	At December 31, 2011
	Gross					Net
	Carrying		Accumulated			Carrying
Total Intangible Assets	Amount		Amortization			Amount
North America	$	32,912	$	(13,288	)	$	19,624
Europe	13,114		(4,882		)	8,232
Total	$	46,026	$	(18,170	)	$	27,856

At December 31, 2011, estimated future amortization of intangible assets was as follows:

(in thousands)

2012	$	5,102
2013	4,535
2014	4,322
2015	3,560
2016	3,425
Thereafter	6,912
	$	27,856

Adoption of Statements of Financial Accounting Standards

In September 2011, the FASB issued an amendment to the goodwill impairment guidance which provides an option for companies to use a qualitative approach to test goodwill for impairment if certain conditions are met. The amendment is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, and early adoption is permitted. The early adoption and implementation of this amended accounting guidance did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In June 2011, the FASB issued an amendment to the comprehensive income guidance eliminating the option to present components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of stockholders’ equity. This amendment requires that all non-owner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented in a single continuous statement or in two separate but consecutive statements. This amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, and interim periods within those years. The guidance also previously required the presentation of adjustments for items that are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income in the statement where the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income are presented, but this portion of the guidance has been deferred. The implementation of this amended accounting guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.

Other recent authoritative guidance issued by the FASB (including technical corrections to the ASC), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Securities and Exchange Commission did not or is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.