Gain on Equity Sale

12 Months Ended

Jan. 01, 2016

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]

GAIN ON EQUITY SALE

In October, 2008, VirtualSite Solutions (VSS), a business formed by the Company and Caterpillar began operations. Originally, the Company had a 65% ownership and Caterpillar had a 35% ownership in VSS. VSS develops software for fleet management and connected worksite solutions for both Caterpillar and Trimble and in turn, sells software subscription services to Caterpillar and Trimble, which are sold through Caterpillar's and the Company's respective distribution channels. For financial reporting purposes prior to 2014, VSS’s results of operations were consolidated with those of the Company, which were reported under the Engineering and Construction segment. Caterpillar’s 35% interest was included in the overall Consolidated Financial Statements as Noncontrolling interest.

Effective January 4, 2014, the Company sold 15% of its ownership in VSS to Caterpillar resulting in both the Company and Caterpillar owning 50% of the VSS joint venture. After the sale the Company no longer held a controlling interest in VSS. The sale of the 15% ownership resulted in the deconsolidation of VSS and a gain in the amount of $15.1 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2014. Of this amount, $8.5 million relates to the remeasurement of the Company's retained interest in the joint venture to fair value which was measured using a combination of the income and market approaches. The total gain is included in Other income (loss), net on the Company's fiscal 2014 Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company's 50% investment in VSS is classified as an equity method investment.