SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

NOTE 1—SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements contained herein include the accounts of P&F Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“P&F”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.  Certain amounts in the financial statements and related footnotes have been reclassified to conform to classifications used in the current year.

Company Background

P&F conducts its business operations through two of its wholly-owned subsidiaries: Continental Tool Group, Inc. (“Continental”) and Countrywide Hardware, Inc. (“Countrywide”). P&F and its subsidiaries are herein referred to collectively as the “Company.”

Continental conducts its business operations through Florida Pneumatic Manufacturing Corporation (“Florida Pneumatic”) and Hy-Tech Machine, Inc., (“Hy-Tech”). Florida Pneumatic is engaged in the importation and sale of pneumatic hand tools, primarily for the retail, industrial and automotive markets, and the importation and sale of compressor air filters. Florida Pneumatic also markets, through its Berkley Tool division (“Berkley”), a line of pipe cutting and threading tools, wrenches and replacement electrical components for a widely-used brand of pipe cutting and threading machines.

Hy-Tech manufacturers and distributes its own line of industrial pneumatic tools. Hy-Tech also produces sells over sixty types of tools, which includes impact wrenches, grinders, drills, and motors. Further, it also manufacturers tools to customer unique specifications. Its customers include refineries, chemical plants, power generation, heavy construction, oil and mining companies. In addition, Hy-Tech manufactures an extensive line of pneumatic tool replacement parts that are sold competitively to the original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”). It also manufactures and distributes high pressure stoppers for hydrostatic testing fabricated pipe. It also produces a line of siphons. Other than a line of sockets that are imported from Israel, all Hy-Tech products are made in the United States of America.

The Company conducts its Hardware business through a wholly-owned subsidiary, Countrywide. Countrywide conducts its business operations through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Nationwide Industries, Inc. (“Nationwide”).   Nationwide is an importer and manufacturer of door, window and fencing hardware and accessories, including rollers, hinges, window operators, sash locks, custom zinc castings and door closers. Additionally, Nationwide also markets a line of kitchen and bath fixtures. Nationwide’s products are sold through in-house sales personnel and manufacturers’ representatives to distributors, retailers and OEM customers. End users of Nationwide’s products include contractors, home builders, pool and patio distributors, OEM/private label customers and general consumers.  Most of Nationwide’s sales are of products imported from Taiwan and China.

Prior to June 2009, Countrywide’s subsidiaries, Woodmark International, L.P. (“Woodmark”) and Pacific Stair Products, Inc. (“PSP”) each operated a stair parts business. Additionally, Woodmark was also an importer of kitchen and bath hardware and accessories. In June 2009 pursuant to the transactions (the “WMC transactions”) that formed the business of WM Coffman LLC (now known as Old Stairs Co (“WMC”)), Woodmark and PSP contributed stair parts-related assets to WMC in return for members’ equity. Concurrently, Woodmark transferred its kitchen and bath business to Nationwide. Accordingly, effective with the WMC transactions, the stair parts business became exclusively the business of WMC, and Woodmark and PSP no longer functioned as operating units. Further, as part of the WMC transactions, in June 2009 WMC acquired substantially all of the assets of Coffman Stairs, LLC, which operated a competitive stair parts business.

WMC was not able to achieve the revenue levels anticipated prior to the WMC transactions and, as a result, never produced positive cash flows. This caused, among other things, defaults on WMC’s loan agreement with its bank, PNC, National Association (“PNC”). This in turn led to a decision by the Company’s board of directors in March 2010 that it was in the best interest of the Company, its shareholders and creditors that the Company attempt to sell, liquidate or otherwise dispose of its ownership of WMC. Accordingly, the Company began reporting WMC as a discontinued operation effective January 1, 2010. As a result, the Company has reclassified prior year financial information to present WMC as a discontinued operation. Further, PNC which was the sole lender and source of credit to WMC, foreclosed upon the assets of WMC. As a result of the aforementioned facts, on June 7, 2010 WMC ceased operations. In addition, the Company, no longer includes WMC in its Consolidated Financial Statements. (See Item 7 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources and Notes 2 and 4 to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion).

Basis of Financial Statement Presentation

The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”).

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

On January 1, 2010, the Company adopted an accounting standard, which replaced the quantitative-based risks and rewards calculation for determining which enterprise, if any, has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity.  The new approach focuses on identifying which enterprise has the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impacts the variable interest entity’s economic performance and (1) the obligation to absorb losses of the variable interest entity or (2) the right to receive benefits from the variable interest entity.  As a result of adopting this new accounting standard, the Company was required to change the way it accounts for its variable interest in WMC.  The Company determined that as the result of the foreclosure by PNC on WMC and PNC’s subsequent disposal and sale of all of WMC’s assets, tangible and intangible, the Company no longer was the primary beneficiary of WMC and no longer had a controlling financial interest in WMC. As such, the Company deconsolidated WMC’s financial position and financial operations.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been provided, the sale price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. The Company sells its goods on terms which transfer title and risk of loss at a specified location, typically shipping point, port of loading or port of discharge, depending on the final destination of the goods. Revenue recognition from product sales occurs when all factors are met, including transfer of title and risk of loss, which occurs either upon shipment by the Company or upon receipt by customers at the location specified in the terms of sale. Other than standard product warranty provisions, the Company’s sales arrangements provide for no other, or insignificant, post-shipment obligations. The Company does offer rebates and other sales incentives, promotional allowances or discounts, from time to time and for certain customers, typically related to customer purchase volume, all of which are fixed or determinable and are classified as a reduction of revenue and recorded at the time of sale. The Company periodically evaluates whether an allowance for sales returns is necessary. Historically, the Company has experienced sales returns. If the Company concludes there are potential sales returns, the Company would provide any necessary provision against sales.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Expenses for shipping and handling costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses, and totaled approximately $675,000 and $927,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Cash

Cash includes cash on hand, demand deposits, and short-term investments with maturities of three months or less from the date of acquisition. There were no cash equivalents at December 31, 2011 and 2010. The Company maintains cash balances at various financial institutions. At December 31, 2011, all cash balances were fully insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term debt approximate fair value as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 because of the relatively short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The carrying amounts reported for long-term debt approximate fair value as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 because, in general, the interest rates underlying the instruments fluctuate with market rates. 

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable are customer obligations due under normal trade terms. The Company sells its products to retailers, distributors and original equipment manufacturers involved in a variety of industries. The Company performs continuing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition, and although the Company generally does not require collateral, letters of credit may be required from customers in certain circumstances.

Management reviews accounts receivable to determine if any receivables will potentially be uncollectible. Factors considered in in the determination include, among other factors, number of days an invoice is past due, customer historical trends, available credit ratings information, other financial data and the overall economic environment. Collection agencies may also be utilized if management so determines.

The Company records an allowance for doubtful accounts based on specifically identified amounts that are believed to be uncollectible. The Company also records as an additional allowance a certain percentage of aged accounts receivable, based on historical experience and the Company’s assessment of the general financial conditions affecting its customer base. If actual collection experience changes, revisions to the allowance may be required. The Company has a limited number of customers with individually large amounts due at any given balance sheet date. Any unanticipated change in the creditworthiness of any of these customers could have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations in the period in which such changes or events occur. After all reasonable attempts to collect an account receivable have failed, the amount of the receivable is written off against the allowance. Based on the information available, the Company believes that its allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2011 is adequate. However, actual write-offs might exceed the recorded allowance.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable. The Tools segment has one customer that accounted for approximately 24.0% and 28.4%, respectively, of consolidated revenue for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, and 44.6% and 43.1%, respectively, of consolidated accounts receivable as of December 31, 2011 and 2010. There are no such significant customers in the Hardware segment.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, possible disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis P&F evaluates its estimates, including those related to collectability of accounts receivable, valuation of inventories, recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets and income taxes.  The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.  The Company also uses estimates during its continuing evaluation to determine whether or not it has a controlling financial interest in WMC.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out method or the weighted average method. The inventory balance, which includes raw materials, labor, and manufacturing overhead costs, is recorded net of an allowance for obsolete or unmarketable inventory. Such allowance is based upon both historical experience and Management’s understanding of market conditions and forecasts of future product demand. If the actual amount of obsolete or unmarketable inventory significantly exceeds the estimated allowance, the Company’s cost of sales, gross profit and net earnings would be significantly affected.

Property and Equipment and Depreciation and Amortization

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Generally, the Company capitalizes items in excess of $1,000. Minor replacements and maintenance and repair items are charged to expense as incurred. Upon disposal or retirement of assets, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the Company’s consolidated balance sheet.

Depreciation of buildings and machinery and equipment is computed by using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Buildings are depreciated over periods ranging from 10 to 31.5 years, and machinery and equipment is depreciated over periods ranging from 3 to 12 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the lease or the useful life of the related asset, whichever is shorter.

Long-Lived Assets

In accordance with authoritative guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) pertaining to the accounting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets, property and equipment and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company’s assessment of recoverability of property and equipment is performed on an entity level. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of such asset to its estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of such asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill is carried at cost less any impairment charges. Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but are subject to an annual test for impairment at the entity unit level (operating segment or one level below an operating segment) and between annual tests in certain circumstances. In accordance with authoritative guidance issued by the FASB, the Company tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis in the fourth quarter or more frequently if the Company believes indicators of impairment exist. The performance of the test involves a two-step process. The first step of the impairment test involves comparing the fair value of the Company’s reporting units with the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill. The Company generally determines the fair value of its reporting units using the income approach methodology of valuation that includes the expected present value of future cash flows and the market valuation approach. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, the Company performs the second step of the goodwill impairment test to determine the amount of impairment loss. The second step of the goodwill impairment test involves comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill.

Intangible assets other than goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Intangible assets are generally amortized on a straight-line basis over the useful lives of the respective assets, generally five to twenty-five years. Long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangible assets to be held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. Measurement of any impairment loss for long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangible assets that management expects to hold and use is based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset.

Warranty Liability

The Company offers certain warranties against product defects for periods ranging from one to three years. Certain products carry limited lifetime warranties. The Company’s typical warranties require it to repair or replace the defective products during the warranty period at no cost to the customer. At the time the product revenue is recognized, the Company records a liability for estimated costs under its warranties. The costs are estimated based on revenue and historical experience. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liability and adjusts the amounts as necessary. While the Company believes that its estimated liability for product warranties is adequate and that the judgment applied is appropriate, the estimated liability for the product warranties could differ materially from future actual warranty costs.

Taxes

The Company provides for deferred taxes on the liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax bases. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

The Company files a consolidated Federal tax return, as well as combined tax returns in New York and Texas. All subsidiaries file other state and local tax returns on a stand-alone basis.

When tax returns are filed, it is highly certain that most positions taken would be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, while others may be subject to uncertainty about the merits of the position taken or the amount of the position that would be ultimately sustained. The benefit of a tax position is recognized in the financial statements in the period during which, based on all available evidence, management believes it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of appeals or litigation processes, if any. Tax positions taken are not offset or aggregated with other positions. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement with the applicable taxing authority. The portion of the benefit associated with tax positions taken that exceeds the amount measured as described above is reflected as a liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets along with any associated interest and penalties that would be payable to the taxing authorities upon examination. Interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits are classified as income taxes in the consolidated statement of income.

Advertising

The Company expenses its costs of advertising in the period in which they are incurred. Advertising costs for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were $819,000 and $873,000, respectively.

Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share exclude any dilution. It is based upon the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per common share reflect the effect of shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options, unless the effect on earnings is anti-dilutive.

Diluted earnings per common share is computed using the treasury stock method. Under this method, the aggregate number of shares of common stock outstanding reflects the assumed use of proceeds from the hypothetical exercise of any outstanding options to purchase shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. The average market value for the period is used as the assumed purchase price.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share:

	Years Ended December 31,
	2011		2010
Numerator:
Numerator for basic and diluted income per common share:
Income from continuing operations	$	1,909,000	$	341,000
Income from discontinued operations		646,000		340,000
Net income	$	2,555,000	$	681,000
Denominator:
Denominator for basic income per share—weighted average common shares outstanding		3,615,000		3,615,000
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options		83,000		19,000
Denominator for diluted income per share—adjusted weighted average common shares and assumed conversions		3,698,000		3,634,000

At December 31, 2011 and 2010 and during the years then ended, there were outstanding stock options whose exercise prices were higher than the average market values for the respective periods. These options are anti-dilutive and were excluded from the computation of earnings per share during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The weighted average anti-dilutive options outstanding for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 were 461,624 and 532,624, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

In accordance with GAAP, the Company measures and recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values. Share-based compensation expense recognized for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 was approximately $201,000 and $103,000, respectively. Share-based compensation expense is included in selling, general and administrative expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of income. See Note 10 for additional information.

GAAP requires companies to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods in the Company’s consolidated statement of income. Share-based compensation expense recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 included compensation expense for share-based payment awards based on the grant date fair value estimate in accordance with GAAP. The Company follows the straight-line single option method of attributing the value of stock-based compensation to expense. Also, the Company estimates forfeitures at the time of grant and revises this estimate, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Company used the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”) as its method of valuation for share-based awards granted. The Company’s determination of fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards and the expected term of the awards.

Treasury Stock

Treasury stock is recorded at net acquisition cost. Gains and losses on disposition are recorded as increases or decreases to additional paid-in capital with losses in excess of previously recorded gains charged directly to retained earnings.

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-08, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment.   ASU 2011-08 is intended to simplify how entities, both public and nonpublic, test goodwill for impairment. ASU 2011-08 permits an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is “more likely than not” that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test described in Topic 350, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other. The more-likely-than-not threshold is defined as having a likelihood of more than 50%. ASU 2011-08 is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Early adoption is permitted, including for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed as of a date before September 15, 2011, if an entity’s financial statements for the most recent annual or interim period have not yet been issued. The Company has concluded that the adoption of this ASU will not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

Management does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective accounting standards if currently adopted would have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.