INTANGIBLE ASSETS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]

Intangible Assets

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Purchased intangible assets are initially recorded at cost and finite life intangible assets are amortized over their useful economic lives on a straight line basis. Intangible assets having indefinite lives and intangible assets that are not yet ready for use are not amortized and are reviewed annually for impairment as required by FASB's ASC. The Company has no intangible assets having indefinite lives.

We have the following intangible assets as of March 31, 2013:

	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Value
Amortized intangible assets	(in thousands)
Venture Metals, LLC trade name	$	730	$	(402	)	$	328
Non-compete agreements	310		(170		)	140
Venture Metals, LLC customer list	4,800		(1,320		)	3,480
Total intangible assets	$	5,840	$	(1,892	)	$	3,948

We amortize the trade name and non-compete agreements using a method that reflects the pattern in which the economic benefits are consumed or otherwise used over a 5-year life as stated in the agreements. We amortize the customer list on a straight-line basis over a 10-year life as estimated by management. We incurred amortization expense related to these assets of $182.3 thousand and $187.5 thousand for the three month periods ending March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Pursuant to a legal settlement, we canceled $144.7 thousand of our non-compete agreements balance effective February 28, 2013.

As of March 31, 2013, we expect amortization expense for these assets for the next five fiscal years and thereafter to be as follows:

	Balance -	Cancellation of		Balance -
Year	Beginning of Year	Intangible Asset	Amortization	End of Year
	(in thousands)
2013	$4,275	$(145)	$(698)	$3,432
2014	3,432	—	(688)	2,744
2015	2,744	—	(584)	2,160
2016	2,160	—	(480)	1,680
2017	1,680	—	(480)	1,200
Thereafter	1,200	—	(1,200)	—