Note 1 - Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

May 31, 2013

Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]

1.     NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Business – Founded in 1982, Immucor, Inc., a Georgia corporation (“Immucor” or the “Company”), develops, manufactures and sells transfusion and transplantation diagnostics products used by hospitals, donor centers and reference laboratories around the world. Our products are used in a number of tests performed in the typing and screening of blood, organs or stem cells to identify certain properties of the cell and serum components of human blood and tissue to ensure donor-recipient compatibility for blood transfusion, and organ transplantations. The Company operates manufacturing facilities in North America with both direct affiliate offices and third-party distribution arrangements worldwide.

Basis of Presentation – The Company (Immucor, Inc. together with its wholly owned subsidiaries) was acquired on August 19, 2011 through a merger transaction with IVD Acquisition Corporation (“Merger Sub”), a wholly owned subsidiary of IVD Intermediate Holdings B Inc. (the “Parent”). The Parent is a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of IVD Holdings Inc. (“Holdings”) which was formed by investment funds affiliated with TPG Capital, L.P. (“the Sponsor”). The acquisition was accomplished through a merger of the Merger Sub with and into the Company, with the Company being the surviving company (the “Immucor Acquisition”). As a result of the merger, the Company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent. Prior to August 19, 2011, the Company operated as a public company with common stock traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market.

The Company continued as the same legal entity after the Immucor Acquisition, however, a new accounting basis was established upon accounting for the merger as a business combination. The accompanying consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows are presented for the year ended May 31, 2013, fiscal 2012 which is presented in two periods: the Predecessor fiscal 2012 period (June 1, 2011 to August 19, 2011) and the Successor fiscal 2012 period (August 20, 2011 to May 31, 2012), which relate to the period preceding the Immucor Acquisition and the period succeeding the Immucor Acquisition, and fiscal 2011, respectively. Although the accounting policies followed by the Company are consistent for the Predecessor and Successor periods, financial information for such periods has been prepared under two different historical-cost bases of accounting and is therefore not comparable. The results of the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for future periods. Certain reclassifications have been made to the fiscal 2012 consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2013 presentation. We have also performed an evaluation of subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issue.

Consolidation Policy – The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its subsidiaries. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Share-Based Compensation – Consistent with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation,” compensation cost for grants of all share-based payments is based on the estimated grant date fair value. The value of share-based compensation is attributed to expense over the requisite service period using the straight-line method.

The fair value of the Company’s share-based payment awards for the Successor periods is estimated using a Monte Carlo simulation approach. The Monte Carlo method is used to calculate the fair value of an option with multiple sources of uncertainty by creating random price paths for the underlying share and expected future value, then discounting the average of those paths to determine the fair value. Key input assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options and stock appreciation rights include the initial value of common stock, expected term until the exercise of the equity award, the expected volatility of the equity, risk-free rates of return and dividend yields, if any.

The fair value of the Company’s share-based payment awards for the Predecessor periods was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (the “Black-Scholes model”). The Black-Scholes model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. The Black-Scholes model requires the input of certain assumptions, and changes in the assumptions could have materially affected the fair value estimates.

The Company calculated its additional paid in capital pool (“APIC pool”) based on the actual income tax benefits received from exercises of share-based compensation awards granted after the effective date of ASC 718 using the long method. As of the date of the Immucor Acquisition, the APIC pool was reset to zero.

Concentration of Credit Risk – Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. In order to mitigate the concentration of credit risk, the Company places its cash and cash equivalents with multiple financial institutions. Cash and cash equivalents were $29.4 million and $18.6 million at May 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Cash and cash equivalents located in the U.S. were approximately 38% and 43% at May 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are limited because a large number of geographically diverse customers make up the Company’s customer base, thus spreading the trade credit risk. At May 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, no single customer represented more than 10% of total consolidated net sales or trade accounts receivable. The Company controls credit risk through credit limits and monitoring procedures. At May 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company’s net trade accounts receivable balances were $68.1 million and $66.4 million, respectively, with about 50% and 60% of these accounts being of foreign origin, respectively, predominantly European. Companies and government agencies in some European countries require longer payment terms as a part of doing business. This may subject the Company to a higher risk of uncollectibility. This risk is considered when the allowance for doubtful accounts is evaluated. The Company generally does not require collateral from its customers.

Cash and Cash Equivalents – The Company considers deposits and investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash and cash equivalents. Generally, cash and cash equivalents held at financial institutions are in excess of insurance limit. The Company limits its exposure to credit loss by placing its cash and cash equivalents in liquid investments with high quality financial institutions.

Inventories – Typically inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market (net realizable value) net of reserves. The Company records adjustments to the carrying value of inventory based upon assumptions about historic usage, future demand, and market conditions.

In connection with the Immucor Acquisition on August 19, 2011, a fair value adjustment of approximately $24.4 million increased inventory to fair value which was greater than replacement cost. As of May 31, 2012, all of the fair value adjustment had been expensed through cost of sales in the Successor fiscal 2012 period, and the inventory was again stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market (net realizable value) net of reserves.

In connection with the LIFECODES acquisition on March 22, 2013, a fair value adjustment of approximately $4.5 million increased inventory to fair value which was greater than replacement cost. As of May 31, 2013, approximately $1.7 million of the fair value adjustment has been expensed through cost of sales in the fiscal 2013 period. The remaining fair value adjustment is expected to be expensed through cost of sales by the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2014, at which time inventories will again be stated at the lower of cost or market net of reserves.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments – The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and other current liabilities approximate fair value because of their short-term nature.

Derivative Instruments – The Company may from time to time use derivatives as a risk management tool to mitigate the potential impact of interest rate and foreign exchange risk. All derivatives are carried at fair value in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not enter into speculative derivatives. The derivatives are cash flow hedges which are considered effective. Changes in fair value are recognized through other comprehensive income. Any portion considered ineffective is recognized directly into operating income.

Property and Equipment – Property and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for replacements are capitalized, and the replaced items are retired. Normal maintenance and repairs are charged to operations. Major maintenance and repair activities that significantly enhance the useful life of the asset are capitalized. When property and equipment are retired, sold, or otherwise disposed of, the asset’s carrying amount and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in operations. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated lives of the related assets ranging from three to thirty years. Carrying values of these assets are evaluated if impairment indicators arise. On August 19, 2011, in connection with the Immucor Acquisition, property and equipment was adjusted to reflect fair value.

Deferred Financing Costs – Deferred financing costs are capitalized and are amortized over the life of the related debt agreements using the effective interest rate method, except the Revolving Facility which uses the straight line method. The amortization expense is included in interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

Goodwill – Consistent with ASC 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other,” goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. Intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized on a straight line basis over their useful lives.

The Company evaluates the carrying value of goodwill as of March 1st of each fiscal year and between annual evaluations if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount. Such circumstances could include, but are not limited to: (1) a significant adverse change in legal factors or in business climate, (2) unanticipated competition, or (3) an adverse action or assessment by a regulator. When evaluating whether goodwill is impaired the Company first assesses qualitative factors to determine if it is more likely than not (defined as 50% or more) that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If it is determined that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, no additional steps are taken. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the Company then compares the fair value of the reporting unit to which the goodwill is assigned to the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill. The fair value of the reporting unit is estimated using primarily the income, or discounted cash flows, approach. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then the amount of the impairment loss must be measured. The impairment loss would be calculated by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to its carrying amount. In calculating the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the other assets and liabilities of that unit based on their fair values. The excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the amount assigned to its other assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss would be recognized when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. The Company’s evaluation of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives completed during fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 resulted in no impairment charges.

Other Intangible Assets – Other intangible assets primarily include customer relationships, deferred licensing costs, existing technology and trade names. These intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Carrying values of these assets are evaluated when impairment indicators arise. There was no impairment charge related to other intangible assets in fiscal years 2013, 2012 or 2011.

In-process research and development (“IPR&D”) is also included in other intangible assets. IPR&D has an indefinite life until the completion or abandonment of the individual project. When a project is completed, its value will be amortized over the useful life. If a project is abandoned, its value is written off. The carrying value of IPR&D is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. An impairment charge of $3.5 million was recorded in fiscal 2013 for an IPR&D project that was determined not to be economically feasible, and therefore was abandoned. There was no impairment charge related to IPR&D during fiscal 2012. There were no IPR&D assets as of fiscal 2011.

Foreign Currency Translation – The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries have been translated into U.S. Dollars in accordance with ASC 830-30, “Translation of Financial Statements”. The financial position and results of operations of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured using the foreign subsidiary’s local currency as the functional currency. Revenues and expenses of such subsidiaries have been translated into U.S. Dollars at average exchange rates prevailing during the period. Assets and liabilities have been translated at the rates of exchange on the balance sheet date. The resulting translation gain and loss adjustments are recorded directly as a separate component of shareholders’ equity, unless there is a sale or complete liquidation of the underlying foreign investments.

Gains and losses that result from foreign currency transactions are included in “other non-operating (expense) income” in the consolidated statements of operations.

Revenue Recognition – The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 605, “Revenue Recognition,” when the following four basic criteria have been met: (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services are rendered; (3) the fee is fixed or determinable; and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.

The Company enters into arrangements in which the Company commits to delivering multiple products or services to our customers. In these cases, total arrangement consideration is allocated to all deliverables based on their relative selling prices. The following hierarchy is used to determine the selling price to be used for allocating revenue to deliverables: (i) vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value, (ii) third-party evidence of selling price (“TPE”), and (iii) management’s best estimate of selling price (“MBESP”). VSOE generally exists only when the Company sells the deliverable separately and is the price actually charged by the Company for that deliverable. TPE represents the selling price of a similar product or service by another vendor. MBESPs reflect management’s best estimates of what the selling prices of elements would be if they were sold regularly on a stand-alone basis.

Shipping and Handling Charges and Sales Tax – The amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling of orders are classified as revenue and reported in the statements of operations as net sales. The costs of handling and shipping customer orders are reported in the operating expense section of the consolidated statements of operations as distribution expense. For fiscal 2013, the Successor fiscal 2012 period, the Predecessor fiscal 2012 period, and the fiscal year ended May 31, 2011 these costs were $18.7 million, $14.3 million, $4.0 million, and $16.5 million, respectively. Sales taxes invoiced to customers and payable to government agencies are recorded on a net basis with the sales tax portion of a sales invoice directly credited to a liability account and the balance of the invoice credited to a revenue account.

Trade Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts –The allowance for doubtful accounts represents a reserve for estimated losses resulting from the inability of the Company’s customers to pay their debts. The collectability of trade accounts receivable balances is regularly evaluated based on a combination of factors such as customer credit-worthiness, past transaction history with the customer, current economic industry trends and changes in customer payment patterns. If it is determined that a customer will be unable to fully meet its financial obligation, such as in the case of a bankruptcy filing or other material events impacting its business, a specific allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded to reduce the related receivable to the amount expected to be recovered. On August 19, 2011, in connection with the Immucor Acquisition, trade accounts receivables were written down to the amount expected to be recovered and the allowance for doubtful accounts was set to zero.

Research and Development costs – Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and are disclosed as a separate line item in the consolidated statements of operations.

Loss contingencies – Certain conditions may exist as of the date the financial statements are issued that may result in a loss to the Company, but which will only be determined and resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. The Company’s management and its legal counsel assess such contingent liabilities, and such assessment inherently involves an exercise of judgment. In assessing loss contingencies related to legal proceedings that are pending against the Company or unasserted claims that may result in such proceedings, the Company’s legal counsel evaluates the perceived merits of any legal proceedings or unasserted claims as well as the perceived merits of the amount of relief sought or expected to be sought therein.

If the assessment of a contingency indicates that it is probable that a material loss is likely to occur and the amount of the liability can be estimated, then the estimated liability is accrued in the Company’s financial statements. If the assessment indicates that a potentially material loss contingency is not probable, but is reasonably possible, or is probable but cannot be estimated, then the nature of the contingent liability, together with an estimate of the range of possible loss if determinable and material, would be disclosed.

Loss contingencies considered remote are generally not accrued or disclosed unless they involve guarantees, in which case the nature of the guarantee would be disclosed. Legal costs relating to loss contingencies are expensed as incurred.

Income Taxes – Effective with the Immucor Acquisition, the Company’s taxable income or loss is included in the consolidated income tax returns of Holdings. Current and deferred income taxes are allocated to the members of the consolidated group as if each member were a separate taxpayer.

Deferred income taxes are computed using the asset and liability method. The Company records the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, as well as operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. The value of the Company’s deferred tax assets assumes that the Company will be able to generate sufficient future taxable income in applicable tax jurisdictions, based on estimates and assumptions. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to record additional valuation allowances against its deferred tax assets resulting in additional income tax expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, and the Company considers the Company’s history of taxable income (loss), the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, carry-back opportunities, and tax-planning strategies in making this assessment. Management assesses the need for additional valuation allowances quarterly.

The calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. Although ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” provides clarification on the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial statements, the threshold and measurement attribute will continue to require significant judgment by management. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with the Company’s expectations could have a material impact on its results of operations.

Business Combinations – Transactions classified as an acquisition of a business are recognized in accordance with ASC 805, “Business Combinations”. Results of operations of acquired companies are included in the Company’s results of operations as of the respective acquisition dates. The purchase price of each acquisition is allocated to the acquired assets and liabilities based on estimates of their fair values at the date of the acquisition. Contingent consideration is recognized at the estimated fair value on the acquisition date. Subsequent changes to the fair value of contingent payments are recognized in earnings. Any purchase price in excess of these acquired assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. The allocation of purchase price in certain circumstances may be subject to revision based on the final determination of fair values during the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date.

Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Standards –

Adopted by the Company in fiscal 2013

In the first quarter of 2013, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income. ASU No. 2011-05 eliminates the option to present comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders' equity and requires all non-owner changes in stockholders' equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of operations and comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The Company elected to present two separate but consecutive statements. The adoption of ASU 2011-05 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In the first quarter of 2013, the Company adopted the FASB ASU No. 2011-12, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, which indefinitely defers the requirement in ASU No. 2011-05 to present reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component in both the statement in which net income is presented and the statement in which other comprehensive income is presented. During the deferral period, the existing requirements in U.S. GAAP for the presentation of reclassification adjustments must continue to be followed. The adoption of ASU 2011-12 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In the second quarter of 2013, the Company adopted the FASB ASU No. 2012-02: Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) (“ASU 2012-02”) which provides the option first to assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events and circumstances indicates that it is more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, the Company concludes that it is not more likely than not that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, then the entity is not required to take further action. The Company also has the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset in any period and proceed directly to performing the quantitative impairment test. The adoption of ASU 2012-02 did not have a material impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Changes Not Yet Adopted

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (Topic 210) (“ASU 2011-11”) which requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to ensure that the users of the Company’s financial statements can understand the effect that offsetting has on the Company’s financial position. ASU 2001-11 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, which corresponds to the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2014. Retrospective application is required for all comparative periods presented. The adoption of ASU 2011-11 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-01, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (“ASU 2013-01”), which clarifies which instruments and transactions are subject to the offsetting disclosure requirements originally established by ASU 2011-11. The new ASU addresses preparer concerns that the scope of the disclosure requirements under ASU 2011-11 was overly broad and imposed unintended costs that are not commensurate with estimated benefits to financial statement users. In choosing to narrow the scope of the offsetting disclosures, the FASB determined that it could make them more operable and cost effective for preparers while still giving financial statement users sufficient information to analyze the most significant presentation differences between financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and those prepared under IFRSs. Like ASU 2011-11, the amendments in this update will be effective for fiscal periods beginning on, or after January 1, 2013, which corresponds to the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2014. The adoption of ASU 2013-01 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02: Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2013-02”) which adds new disclosure requirements for items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. ASU 2013-02 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2012, which corresponds to the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2014. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2013-02 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-04, Liabilities (Topic 405): Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation Is Fixed at the Reporting Date (“ASU 2013-04”). The amendments in ASU 2013-04 provide guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this update is fixed at the reporting date, except for obligations addressed within existing guidance in U.S. GAAP. The guidance requires an entity to measure those obligations as the sum of the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The guidance in this update also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information about those obligations. The amendments in this standard are effective retrospectively for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013, which corresponds to the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2015. The Company is evaluating when to adopt ASU 2013-04, and the effect the adoption will have on its financial statements.

In March 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-05, Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830): Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force) (“ASU 2013-05”). ASU 2013-05 clarifies that when a parent reporting entity ceases to have a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a business within a foreign entity, the parent is required to apply the guidance in ASC 830-30 to release any related cumulative translation adjustment into net income. Accordingly, the cumulative translation adjustment should be released into net income only if the sale or transfer results in the complete or substantially complete liquidation of the foreign entity in which the subsidiary or group of assets had resided. ASU 2013-05 is effective prospectively for fiscal years and interim reporting periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2013 which corresponds to the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2015. Early adoption is permitted; however, if an entity elects to early adopt ASU 2013-05, it should be applied as of the beginning of the entity’s fiscal year of adoption. Prior periods should not be adjusted. The Company is evaluating when to adopt ASU 2013-05, and the effect the adoption will have on its financial statements.

In April 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-07, Presentation of Financial Statements (Top 205): Liquidation Basis of Accounting (“ASU 2013-07”). The objective of ASU No. 2013-07 is to clarify when an entity should apply the liquidation basis of accounting and to provide principles for the measurement of assets and liabilities under the liquidation basis of accounting, as well as any required disclosures. The amendments in this standard is effective prospectively for entities that determine liquidation is imminent during annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, and interim reporting periods therein, which corresponds to the Company’s first quarter of fiscal 2015. The adoption of ASU 2013-07 is not expected have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.