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Note 3 - Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]

3. Fair Value Measurements

ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurement, among other things, defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure for each major asset and liability category measured at fair value on either a recurring basis or nonrecurring basis. ASC 820-10 clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received in the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, the pronouncement establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: (Level 1) observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; (Level 2) inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and (Level 3) unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on the market approach, which uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.

The Company believes the carrying amount of its financial instruments (cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and short-term borrowings), excluding long-term borrowings, approximates the fair value of these instruments based upon their short-term nature. The fair value of long-term borrowings, including amounts classified as current, which have an aggregate carrying value of $1,104,419, was approximately $1,082,993 (Level 2) at September 30, 2014, as calculated based on independent valuations whose inputs and significant value drivers are observable.

Assets (liabilities) measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows:

						Fair Value Measurement Using
		Total September 30, 2014				Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Contracts (Level 1)				Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)

Interest rate swaps		$	103			$	–			$	103
Commodity contracts		$	(55	)		$	–			$	(55	)
Foreign currency contracts		$	(190	)		$	–			$	(190	)

						Fair Value Measurement Using
		Total December 31, 2013				Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Contracts (Level 1)				Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Interest rate swaps		$	1,236			$	–			$	1,236
Commodity contracts		$	69			$	–			$	69
Foreign currency contracts		$	56			$	–			$	56

The valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of derivative contracts classified as Level 2, all of which have counterparties with high credit ratings, were based on quoted market prices or model driven valuations using significant inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data. The fair value of derivative contracts above considers the Company’s credit risk in accordance with ASC 820-10.

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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