Description Of Business And Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2013

Description Of Business And Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Priniciples Of Consolidation

(1) Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications

(2) Reclassifications 

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior financial statements to conform to the current-year presentation. 

Stock Based Compensation

(3) Stock Based Compensation

The Company recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values on the date of grant.  The Company uses the straight-line amortization method over the vesting period of the awards.  The Company has historically issued shares upon exercise of stock options or vesting of restricted stock units or performance stock units from new stock issuances. 

The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations over the periods during which the employee or director is required to perform a service in exchange for the award. 

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”) as its valuation method for stock option awards.  Under the Black-Scholes model, the fair value of stock option awards on the date of grant is estimated using an option-pricing model that is affected by the Company’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly 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 actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors.  Restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares and performance stock units issued under the 2010 Long-Term Incentive Plan will have a grant date fair value equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date less present value of expected dividends.

Revenue Recognition

(4) Revenue Recognition

The Company’s basic criteria necessary for revenue recognition are: 1) evidence of a sales arrangement exists, 2) delivery of goods has occurred, 3) the seller's price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and 4) collectability is reasonably assured. The Company recognizes revenue when these criteria have been met and when title and risk of loss transfers to the customer.  The Company generally has no post-delivery obligations to its independent dealers other than standard warranties.  Revenues and gross profits on intercompany sales are eliminated in consolidation.

Revenues from the sale of the Company’s products are recognized based on the delivery terms in the sales contract. If an arrangement involves multiple deliverables, the delivered items are considered separate units of accounting if the items have value on a stand-alone basis and there is objective and reliable evidence of their fair values. Revenues from the arrangement are allocated to the separate units of accounting based on their objectively determined fair value.

The Company offers a subscription-based service for wireless management and recognizes subscription revenue on a straight-line basis over the contract term.The Company leases certain infrastructure property held for lease to customers such as moveable concrete barriers and Road Zipper SystemsTM.  Revenues for the lease of infrastructure property held for lease are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. If an infrastructure project is completed ahead of schedule and prior to the lease term end date, the Company accelerates the lease term and the timing of recognized revenue once the Company is no longer required to perform under the lease contract. 

The costs related to revenues are recognized in the same period in which the specific revenues are recorded.  Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are reported in revenue. Shipping and handling costs incurred by the Company are included in cost of sales. Customer rebates, cash discounts and other sales incentives are recorded as a reduction of revenues at the time of the original sale.  Estimates used in the recognition of operating revenues and cost of operating revenues include, but are not limited to, estimates for product warranties, product rebates, cash discounts and fair value of separate units of accounting on multiple deliverables. 

Receivables And Allowances

(5) Receivables and Allowances

Trade receivables are reported on the balance sheet net of any doubtful accounts. Losses are recognized when it is probable that an asset has been impaired and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. In estimating probable losses, the Company reviews specific accounts that are significant and past due, in bankruptcy or otherwise identified at risk for potential credit loss. Collectability of these specific accounts are assessed based on facts and circumstances of that customer, and an allowance for credit losses is established based on the probability of default. The allowance for credit losses attributable to the remaining accounts is established using probabilities of default and an estimate of associated losses based upon the aging of receivable balances, collection experience, economic conditions and credit risk quality.  The evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses is based on facts and circumstances available to the Company at the date of the consolidated financial statements and considers any significant changes in circumstances occurring through the date that the financial statements are issued.

Warranty Costs

(6) Warranty Costs

The Company's provision for product warranty reflects management's best estimate of probable liability under its product warranties.  At the time a sale is recognized, the company records the estimated future warranty costs. The Company generally determines its total future warranty liability by applying historical claims rate experience to the amount of equipment that has been sold and is still within the warranty period.  In addition, the Company records provisions for known warranty claims.  This provision is periodically adjusted to reflect actual experience.  

Cash And Cash Equivalents

(7) Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of highly-liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Inventories

(8) Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market.  Cost is determined by the last‑in, first‑out (LIFO) method for the Company’s Lindsay, Nebraska inventory and two warehouses in Idaho and Texas.  Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method for inventory at operating locations in Nebraska, California, Wisconsin, China and Australia.  Cost is determined by the weighted average cost method for inventory at the Company’s other operating locations in Washington, Brazil, France, Italy and South Africa.  At all locations, the Company reserves for obsolete, slow moving, and excess inventory by estimating the net realizable value based on the potential future use of such inventory. 

Property, Plant And Equipment

(9) Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant, equipment, and capitalized assets held for lease are stated at cost.  The Company capitalizes major expenditures and charges to operating expenses the cost of current maintenance and repairs.  Provisions for depreciation and amortization have been computed principally on the straight-line method for buildings and equipment.  Rates used for depreciation are based principally on the following expected lives: buildings ‑‑ 15 to 30 years; equipment ‑‑ 3 to 7 years; leased barrier transfer machines -- 8 to 10 years; leased barriers -- 12 years; other ‑‑ 2 to 20 years and leasehold improvements – shorter of the economic life or term of the lease.  All of the Company's long‑lived asset groups are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the sum of the expected future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset group, an impairment loss is recognized based upon the difference between the fair value of the asset and its carrying value.  The cost and accumulated depreciation relating to assets retired or otherwise disposed of are eliminated from the respective accounts at the time of disposition.  The resulting gain or loss is included in operating income in the consolidated statements of operations.   

Valuation Of Goodwill And Identifiable Intangible Assets

(10) Valuation of Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in a business combination.  Acquired intangible assets are recognized separately from goodwill.  Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are tested for impairment at least annually at August 31 and whenever triggering events or changes in circumstances indicate its carrying value may not be recoverable.

A significant amount of judgment is involved in determining if an indicator of impairment of goodwill has occurred. Such indicators may include deterioration in general economic conditions, adverse changes in the markets in which an entity operates, increases in input costs that have negative effects on earnings and cash flows, or a trend of negative or declining cash flows over multiple periods, among others. The fair value that could be realized in an actual transaction may differ from that used to evaluate the impairment of goodwill.

In testing goodwill for impairment, the Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not (more than 50%) that the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the Company elects to perform a qualitative assessment and determine that an impairment is more likely than not, the Company is then required to perform a quantitative impairment test, otherwise no further analysis is required. The Company also may elect not to perform the qualitative assessment and, instead, proceed directly to the quantitative impairment test

The Company performs the impairment analysis at the reporting unit level using a two-step impairment test. Fair value is typically estimated using a discounted cash flow analysis, which requires the Company to estimate the future cash flows anticipated to be generated by the particular assets being tested for impairment as well as to select a discount rate to measure the present value of the anticipated cash flows. When determining future cash flow estimates, the Company considers historical results adjusted to reflect current and anticipated operating conditions. Estimating future cash flows requires significant judgment and assumptions by management in such areas as future economic conditions, industry-specific conditions, product pricing, and necessary capital expenditures. To the extent that the reporting unit is unable to achieve these assumptions, impairment losses may emerge.  The Company updated its impairment evaluation of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives at August 31, 2013.

Income Taxes

(11) Income Taxes 

Income taxes are accounted for utilizing the asset and liability method.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying value of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.  These expected future tax consequences are measured based on currently enacted tax rates.  The effect of tax rate changes on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income during the period that includes the enactment date.   

Net Earnings Per Share

(12) Net Earnings per Share

Basic net earnings per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted net earnings per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period.   

Employee stock options, nonvested shares and similar equity instruments granted by the Company are treated as potential common share equivalents outstanding in computing diluted net earnings per share. The Company’s diluted common shares outstanding reported in each period includes the dilutive effect of restricted stock units, in-the-money options, and performance stock units for which threshold performance conditions have been satisfied and is calculated based on the average share price for each fiscal period using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, the amount the employee must pay for exercising stock options, the amount of compensation cost for future service that the Company has not yet recognized, and the amount of excess tax benefits that would be recorded in additional paid-in-capital when exercised are assumed to be used  to repurchase shares. 

Use Of Estimates

(13) Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. 

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities

(14) Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company uses certain financial derivatives to mitigate its exposure to volatility in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.  All derivative instruments are recorded on the balance sheet at their respective fair values. The Company uses these derivative instruments only to hedge exposures in the ordinary course of business and does not invest in derivative instruments for speculative purposes.  On the date a derivative contract is entered into, the Company may elect to designate the derivative as a fair value hedge, a cash flow hedge, or the hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation.

The Company also formally assesses, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivative that is used in the hedging transaction is highly effective. For those instruments that are designated as a cash flow hedge and meet certain documentary and analytical requirements to qualify for hedge accounting treatment, changes in the fair value for the effective portion are reported in other comprehensive income (“OCI”), net of related income tax effects, and are reclassified to the income statement when the effects of the item being hedged are recognized in the income statement.  Changes in fair value of derivative instruments that qualify as hedges of a net investment in foreign operations are recorded as a component of accumulated currency translation adjustment in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), net of related income tax effects.  Changes in the fair value of undesignated hedges are recognized currently in earnings.  All changes in derivative fair values due to ineffectiveness are recognized currently in income.

The Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively when it is determined that the derivative is no longer effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged item, the derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, or management determines that designation of the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate. In situations in which the Company does not elect hedge accounting or hedge accounting is discontinued and the derivative is retained, the Company carries or continues to carry the derivative at its fair value on the balance sheet and recognizes any subsequent changes in its fair value through earnings. The Company manages market and credit risks associated with its derivative instruments by establishing and monitoring limits as to the types and degree of risk that may be undertaken, and by entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties. As of August 31, 2013, the Company’s derivative counterparty had investment grade credit ratings.

Fair Value Measurements

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(15) Fair Value Measurements 

The Company’s disclosure of the fair value of assets and liabilities is based on a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. Inputs refers broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. The categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value will be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

- Level 1 – inputs to the valuation techniques are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities 

- Level 2 – inputs to the valuation techniques are other than quoted prices but are observable for the assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly 

- Level 3 – inputs to the valuation techniques are unobservable for the assets or liabilities 

Treasury Stock

(16) Treasury Stock 

When the Company repurchases its outstanding stock, it records the repurchased shares at cost as a reduction to shareholders’ equity.  The weighted average cost method is utilized for share re-issuances.  The difference between the cost and the re-issuance price is charged or credited to a “capital in excess of stated value – treasury stock” account to the extent that there is a sufficient balance to absorb the charge.  If the treasury stock is sold for an amount less than its cost and there is not a sufficient balance in the capital in excess of stated value – treasury stock account, the excess is charged to retained earnings. 

Contingencies

(17) Contingencies 

The Company’s accounting for contingencies covers a variety of business activities including contingencies for legal exposures and environmental exposures. The Company accrues these contingencies when its assessments indicate that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and an amount can be reasonably estimated. The Company’s estimates are based on currently available facts and its estimates of the ultimate outcome or resolution. Actual results may differ from the Company’s estimates resulting in an impact, positive or negative, on earnings. 

Environmental Remediation Liabilities

(18) Environmental Remediation Liabilities

Environmental remediation liabilities include costs directly associated with site investigation and clean up, such as materials, external contractor costs and incremental internal costs directly related to the remedy. The Company accrues the anticipated cost of environmental remediation when the obligation is probable and can be reasonably estimated. Estimates used to record environmental remediation liabilities are based on the Company’s best estimate of probable future costs based on site-specific facts and circumstances. Estimates of the cost for the likely remedy are developed using internal resources or by third-party environmental engineers or other service providers. The Company records the undiscounted environmental remediation liabilities that represent the points in the range of estimates that are most probable or the minimum amount when no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount.

Translation Of Foreign Currency

(19) Translation of Foreign Currency 

The Company’s portion of the assets and liabilities related to foreign investments are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date.  Revenue and expenses are translated at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year.  Unrealized gains or losses are reflected within common shareholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss.