Note 5 - Goodwill and Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]

 (5)              Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill by segment at December 31, 2012 and 2013 consists of the following (in thousands) (1):

	United					United
	States		Canada			Kingdom		Australia			Total
Balance at December 31, 2011	$	247,940	$	21,287		$	31,033	$	—		$	300,260
Goodwill acquired during the year		13,776		419			—		46,178			60,373
Adjustments to prior year acquisitions		4,805		(1,383	)		3,687		—			7,109
Effect of foreign currency translation		—		718			1,398		285			2,401
Balance at December 31, 2012		266,521		21,041			36,118		46,463			370,143
Goodwill acquired during the year		350		—			2,674		—			3,024
Adjustments to prior year acquisitions		6,199		—			—		(592	)		5,607
Effect of foreign currency translation		—		(1,762	)		801		(8,501	)		(9,462	)
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	273,070	$	19,279		$	39,593	$	37,370		$	369,312

(1) Goodwill recorded in connection with certain tax benefits to be realized in the Company’s U.S. income tax returns has been reflected in the United States segment.

Intangible assets at December 31, 2012 and 2013, consist of the following (in thousands):

				December 31, 2012
	Estimated useful lives (months)			Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization		Net carrying value
Amortizable intangible assets:
Customer relationships	40	to	60	$	204,699	$	(90,040)	$	114,659
Tradenames	45	to	84		60,620		(24,413)		36,207
Covenants not to compete		36			3,116		(2,313)		803
Technology	24	to	40		7,530		(6,303)		1,227
Totals				$	275,965	$	(123,069)	$	152,896

				December 31, 2013
	Estimated useful lives (months)			Gross carrying amount		Accumulated amortization		Net carrying value
Amortizable intangible assets:
Customer relationships	40	to	60	$	201,395	$	(132,153)	$	69,242
Tradenames	45	to	84		59,813		(36,164)		23,649
Covenants not to compete		36			4,714		(2,986)		1,728
Technology	24	to	40		7,507		(7,262)		245
Totals				$	273,429	$	(178,565)	$	94,864

The aggregate intangible amortization expense was $43.4 million, and $53.0 million and $57.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. The estimated future amortization expense of intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):

	Amount
Years ended December 31:
2014	$	39,396
2015		30,040
2016		16,353
2017		8,660
2018		415
Total	$	94,864