2.	Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation — The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of our wholly-owned or controlled subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates — The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) 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 may differ materially from those estimates. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to current year presentation.

Cash — Cash consists of deposits with high credit-quality financial institutions.

Accounts Receivable — Trade accounts receivable are stated at current value less allowances, which approximates fair value. We review our receivables on an ongoing basis to ensure that they are properly valued and collectible. This is accomplished through two contra-receivable accounts — returns and allowances and allowance for doubtful accounts.

Returns and allowances are used to record estimates of returns or other allowances resulting from quality, delivery, discounts or other issues affecting the value of receivables. This account is estimated based on historical trends and current market conditions, with the offset to net sales.

The allowance for doubtful accounts is used to record the estimated risk of loss related to the customers’ inability to pay. This allowance is maintained at a level that we consider appropriate based on factors that affect collectability, such as the financial health of our customers, historical trends of charge-offs and recoveries and current economic market conditions. As we monitor our receivables, we identify customers that may have payment problems, and we adjust the allowance accordingly, with the offset to selling, general and administrative expense. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when recovery is considered remote.

Inventories — Inventories are valued at the lower of first-in, first-out cost or market. Inventory quantities on-hand are regularly reviewed, and where necessary, provisions for excess and obsolete inventory are recorded based primarily on our estimated production requirements driven by expected market volumes. Excess and obsolete provisions may vary by product depending upon future potential use of the product.

Property, Plant and Equipment — Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. For financial reporting purposes, depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:


Buildings and improvements			15 to 40 years

Machinery and equipment			3 to 20 years

Tools and dies			3 to 7 years

Computer hardware and software			3 to 5 years

Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for major betterments and renewals that extend the useful lives of property, plant and equipment are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining useful lives of the asset. When assets are retired or sold, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in the results of operations. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the improvements or the term of the lease, whichever is shorter. Accelerated depreciation methods are used for tax reporting purposes. Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 was approximately $19.0 million and $13.6 million, respectively.

We review long-lived assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts of an asset group may not be recoverable. Our asset groups are established by determining the lowest level of cash flows available. If the estimated undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amounts of such assets, we recognize an impairment loss in an amount necessary to write down the assets to fair value as estimated from expected future discounted cash flows. Estimating the fair value of these assets is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but that are inherently uncertain.

Goodwill — Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired. We review goodwill for impairment annually, utilizing the one-step qualitative assessment, in the second fiscal quarter and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. In conducting the qualitative assessment, we consider relevant events and circumstances that affect the fair value or carrying amount of the reporting unit. Such events and circumstances could include macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, overall financial performance, entity and reporting unit specific events, cost factors and capital markets pricing. We consider the extent to which each of the adverse events and circumstances identified affect the comparison of the reporting unit’s fair value with its carrying amount. We place more weight on the events and circumstances that most affect the reporting unit’s fair value or the carrying amount of its net assets. We consider positive and mitigating events and circumstances that may affect its determination of whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. These factors are all considered by management in reaching its conclusion about whether to perform the first step of the impairment test.

If the reporting unit’s fair value is determined to be more likely than not impaired based on the one-step qualitative approach, we then perform a quantitative valuation to estimate the fair value of our reporting unit. Implied fair value of goodwill is determined by considering both the income and market approach. Determining the fair value of a reporting unit is judgmental in nature and involves the use of 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, future economic and market conditions and determination of appropriate market comparables. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable but that are inherently uncertain.

Intangible Assets — Definite-Lived — We review definite-lived intangible assets for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If the estimated undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount of such assets, we recognize an impairment loss in an amount necessary to write down the assets to fair value as estimated from expected future discounted cash flows. Estimating the fair value of these assets is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. We base our fair value estimates on assumptions we believe to be reasonable, but that are inherently uncertain. Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated life of the asset.

See Note 9 for additional information on our goodwill and intangible assets.

Revenue Recognition — We recognize revenue when 1) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, 2) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, 3) there is a fixed or determinable price, and 4) collectability is reasonably assured. Our products are generally shipped from our facilities to our customers, which is when title passes to the customer for substantially all of our revenues.

Warranty — We are subject to warranty claims for products that fail to perform as expected due to design or manufacturing deficiencies. Customers continue to require their outside suppliers to guarantee or warrant their products and bear the cost of repair or replacement of such products. Depending on the terms under which we supply products to our customers, a customer may hold us responsible for some or all of the repair or replacement costs of defective products, when the product supplied did not perform as represented. Our policy is to record provisions for estimated future customer warranty costs based on historical trends and current economic factors. These amounts, as they relate to the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 are included within accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The following presents a summary of the warranty provision for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):


	2013			2012
Balance — Beginning of the year	$	3,239		$	2,777
Provisions for new warranties issued		5,084			2,614
Changes in provision for preexisting warranties		107			113
Deduction for payments made		(3,914	)		(2,286	)
Currency translation adjustment		13			21

Balance — End of year	$	4,529		$	3,239

Research and Development Costs — Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and included in selling, general and administration expenses. Research and development costs charged to expense for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were approximately $6.0 million and $6.4 million, respectively.

Income Taxes — We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in our financial statements or tax returns. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax laws and rates. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some, or a portion, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We provide a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a portion of such deferred tax assets will not be realized. We recognize tax positions initially in the financial statements when it is more likely than not the position will be sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. Such tax positions are initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the tax authority assuming full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts.

Comprehensive (Loss) Income — Comprehensive (loss) income reflects the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Comprehensive (loss) income represents net loss adjusted for foreign currency translation adjustments and minimum pension liability adjustments. We disclose comprehensive loss in the consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income. See footnote 16 for a rollforward of activity in comprehensive loss.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The fair value framework requires the categorization of assets and liabilities into three levels based upon the assumptions (inputs) used to price the assets or liabilities. Level 1 provides the most reliable measure of fair value, whereas Level 3 generally requires significant management judgment. The three levels are defined as follows:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.

Level 2 — Observable inputs other than those included in Level 1. For example, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets.

Level 3 — Significant unobservable inputs reflecting management’s own assumptions about the inputs used in pricing the asset or liability.

Concentrations of Credit Risk — Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and accounts receivable. We sell products to various companies throughout the world in the ordinary course of business. We routinely assess the financial strength of our customers and maintain allowances for anticipated losses. Customers that accounted for a significant portion of consolidated revenues for each of the three years ended December 31 were as follows:


	2013			2012			2011

A.B. Volvo		16	%		15	%		14	%

PACCAR		16			19			18

Daimler Trucks		14			15			13

Caterpillar		7			10			11

Navistar		7			7			9

Deere & Co.		5			5			4

As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, net receivables from these customers represented approximately 60% and 58% of total receivables, respectively.

Foreign Currency Translation — Our functional currency is the local currency. Accordingly, all assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries are translated using exchange rates in effect at the end of the period and revenue and costs are translated using average exchange rates for the period. The related translation adjustments are reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ equity. Translation gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity involved are included in the results of operations.

Foreign Currency Forward Exchange Contracts — We use forward exchange contracts to hedge certain of the foreign currency transaction exposures. We estimate our projected revenues and purchases in certain foreign currencies or locations, and hedge a portion or all of the anticipated long or short position. The contracts typically run from one month up to eighteen months. All forward foreign exchange contracts have been marked-to-market and the fair value of contracts recorded in the consolidated balance sheets with the offsetting non-cash gain or loss recorded in our consolidated statements of income (loss). We do not hold or issue foreign exchange options or forward contracts for trading purposes.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements — In July 2012, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2012-02, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other.” The ASU gives companies the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If a company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of such an asset exceeds its carrying amount, it would not need to calculate the fair value of the asset in that year. However, if a company concludes otherwise, it must calculate the fair value of the asset, compare that value with its carrying amount and record an impairment charge, if any. The Company adopted this guidance in fiscal 2013.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. ASU 2013-02 requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income but only if the amount reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period. For other amounts that are not required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures required under U.S. GAAP that provide additional detail about those amounts. ASU 2013-02 does not change the requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in financial statements. The new standard is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company will implement the provisions of ASU 2013-02 as of January 1, 2014.

In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists. ASU 2013-11 requires an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. ASU 2013-11 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The new standard is to be applied prospectively but retrospective application is permitted. The Company has previously implemented the provisions of ASU 2013-11 which are reflected in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 & 2010.