Financial instruments

The Company uses derivative instruments for risk management purposes. Foreign currency forward contracts are used to manage foreign currency transaction exposure. These derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges and are recorded on the balance sheet at fair market value. The effective portion of the gains or losses on derivatives is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and thereafter is recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of income in the period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivatives representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings in the period in which such gains and losses occur.

The following table presents the location and fair values of derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 28, 2014 and December 31, 2013:



	September 28, 2014		December 31, 2013
	Fair Value		Fair Value
	(Dollars in thousands)
Asset derivatives:
Foreign currency forward contracts:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	959	$	—
Total asset derivatives	$	959	$	—
Liability derivatives:
Foreign currency forward contracts:
Other current liabilities	$	471	$	—
Total liability derivatives	$	471	$	—

The total notional amount for all open foreign currency forward contracts as of September 28, 2014 is approximately $20.5 million. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had no open foreign currency forward contracts.

The following table provides information as to the gains and losses attributable to derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships that were reported in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2014 and September 29, 2013:



	After Tax Gain/(Loss) Recognized in OCI
	Three Months Ended					Nine Months Ended
	September 28, 2014		September 29, 2013			September 28, 2014		September 29, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Foreign currency forward contracts	$	60	$	(40	)	$	203	$	(52	)
Total	$	60	$	(40	)	$	203	$	(52	)

See Note 10 for information on the location and amount of gains and losses attributable to derivatives that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) to expense (income), net of tax.

There was no ineffectiveness related to the Company’s derivatives used during the three and nine months ended September 28, 2014 and September 29, 2013.

Based on exchange rates at September 28, 2014, approximately $0.2 million of unrealized gains, net of tax, within AOCI are expected to be reclassified from AOCI to the condensed consolidated statement of income during the remainder of 2014. However, the actual amount reclassified from AOCI could vary due to future changes in exchange rates.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable is generally limited due to the Company’s large number of customers and their diversity across many geographic areas. A portion of the Company’s trade accounts receivable outside the United States, however, include sales to government-owned or supported healthcare systems in several countries which are subject to payment delays. Payment is dependent upon the financial stability and creditworthiness of those countries’ economies.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company grants non-interest bearing trade credit to its customers on normal credit terms. In an effort to reduce its credit risk, the Company (i) establishes credit limits for all of its customer relationships, (ii) performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition, (iii) monitors the payment history and aging of its customers’ receivables, and (iv) monitors open orders against an individual customer’s outstanding receivable balance.

An allowance for doubtful accounts is maintained for accounts receivable based on the Company’s historical collection experience and expected collectability of the accounts receivable, considering the period an account is outstanding, the financial position of the customer and information provided by credit rating services. The adequacy of this allowance is reviewed each reporting period and adjusted as necessary. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $10.4 million and $10.7 million at September 28, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.

In light of the disruptions in global economic markets in recent years, the Company instituted enhanced measures, within countries where the Company has collectability concerns, to facilitate customer-by-customer risk assessment when estimating the allowance for doubtful accounts. Such measures include, among others, monthly credit control committee meetings, at which customer credit risks are identified after review of, among other things, accounts that exceed specified credit limits, payment delinquencies and other customer issues. In addition, for some of the Company’s non-government customers, the Company instituted measures designed to reduce its risk exposures, including issuing dunning letters, reducing credit limits, requiring that payments accompany orders and instituting legal action with respect to delinquent accounts. With respect to government customers, the Company evaluates receivables for potential collection risks associated with the availability of government funding and reimbursement practices.

Some of the Company’s customers, particularly in Europe, have extended or delayed payments for products and services already provided. Collectability concerns regarding the Company’s accounts receivable from these customers, for the most part in Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal, resulted in an increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts related to these countries. If the financial condition of these customers or the healthcare systems in these countries deteriorate such that the ability of an increasing number of customers to make payments is uncertain, additional allowances may be required in future periods. The aggregate net current and long-term accounts receivable for Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal as a percentage of the Company’s net current and long-term accounts receivable at September 28, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are as follows:



	September 28, 2014			December 31, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Current and long-term accounts receivable (net of allowances of $8.9 million and $7.9 million at September 28, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively) in Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal (1)	$	87,733		$	97,852
Percentage of total net current and long-term accounts receivable	29.4		%	31.0		%

(1)The long-term portion of accounts receivable, net at September 28, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $15.5 million and $17.6 million, respectively.

For the nine months ended September 28, 2014 and September 29, 2013, net revenues from customers in Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal were $114.8 million and $106.3 million, respectively.