Discontinued Operations

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Discontinued Operations [Abstract]

Discontinued Operations

18. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

In September 2008, the Company approved a plan to sell Research Instruments, which developed, manufactured and serviced highly customized scientific instrument components and systems for fundamental and applied physics research primarily for national research laboratories worldwide. Research Instruments was part of the January 2007 ACCEL acquisition and was previously included in the "Other" category in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company decided to sell Research Instruments in order to focus exclusively on the development of its VPT business. In the second quarter of fiscal year 2009, the Company completed the sale of Research Instruments for total cash proceeds of $0.4 million. In connection with the sale of Research Instruments, the Company entered into a non-binding supply agreement with the buyer to supply certain inventory parts for the VPT business. The supply agreement can be terminated by either party upon six months' notice after December 31, 2011. The inventory purchases under this supply agreement have not and are not expected to have a significant impact on the cash flows of Research Instruments.

The Company classified the operating results of Research Instruments as a discontinued operation in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings for all periods presented. Because the amounts related to Research Instruments are not material in the Consolidated Balance Sheet, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Earnings for all periods presented, the Company has not segregated them from continuing operations.

In fiscal year 2010, the Company recognized an additional loss of $7.1 million for additional cost to settle one customer contract and estimated costs to complete and settle the other customer contract, both of which were related to Research Instruments. In fiscal year 2011, the Company recognized a loss of $9.7 million for additional costs to settle this remaining customer contract related to Research Instruments. These contracts had been accounted for under the percentage-of-completion method, under which revenues and costs of sales are adjusted to reflect changes in estimated costs to complete the contracts. Including the additional loss recognized for the remaining contract, the total loss from discontinued operations for fiscal year 2011 was $9.7 million, less applicable income tax of zero. Including the additional loss recognized for the two contracts, the total loss from discontinued operations for fiscal year 2010 was $7.1 million, less applicable income tax of zero. Loss from discontinued operations for fiscal years 2009 was $12.5 million, less applicable income tax of zero. In fiscal year 2009, loss from discontinued operations included a loss of $8.1 million on the disposal of Research Instruments. Total revenues of Research Instruments, reported in discontinued operations, for fiscal years 2011, 2010 and 2009 were zero, $(3.6) million and $9.8 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2011, the Company had no remaining obligation related to Research Instruments.