Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation — The consolidated financial statements include SPX Corporation's ("our" or "we") accounts prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") after the elimination of intercompany transactions. Investments in unconsolidated companies where we exercise significant influence but do not have control are accounted for using the equity method. In determining whether we are the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity ("VIE"), we perform a qualitative analysis that considers the design of the VIE, the nature of our involvement and the variable interests held by other parties to determine which party has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity's economic performance, and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. We do have interests in VIEs, primarily joint ventures, in which we are the primary beneficiary and others in which we are not. Our VIEs are considered immaterial, individually and in aggregate, to our consolidated financial statements.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation — The financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with the Foreign Currency Matters Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification ("Codification" or "ASC"). Balance sheet accounts are translated at the current rate at the end of each period and income statement accounts are translated at the average rate for each period. Gains and losses on foreign currency translations are reflected as a separate component of shareholders' equity and other comprehensive income (loss). Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in "Other expense, net," with the related net losses totaling $41.4, $27.5 and $21.2 in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Cash Equivalents

Cash Equivalents — We consider highly liquid money market investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition — We recognize revenues from product sales upon shipment to the customer (FOB shipping point) or upon receipt by the customer (FOB destination), in accordance with the agreed upon customer terms. Revenues from service contracts and long-term maintenance arrangements are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the agreement period. Sales with FOB destination terms are primarily to power transformer industry customers. Sales to distributors with return rights are recognized upon shipment to the distributor with expected returns estimated and accrued at the time of sale. The accrual considers restocking charges for returns and in some cases the distributor must issue a replacement order before the return is authorized. Actual return experience may vary from our estimates. Amounts billed for shipping and handling are included in revenues. Costs incurred for shipping and handling are recorded in cost of products sold. We recognize revenues separately for arrangements with multiple deliverables that meet the criteria for separate units of accounting as defined by the Revenue Recognition Topic of the Codification. The deliverables under these arrangements typically include hardware and software components, installation, maintenance, extended warranties and software upgrades. Amounts allocated to each element are based on its objectively determined fair value, such as the sales price of the product or service when it is sold separately, competitor prices for similar products or our best estimate. The hardware and software components are usually recognized as revenue contemporaneously, as both are required for essential functionality of the products, with the installation being recognized upon completion. Revenues related to maintenance, extended warranties and software upgrades are deferred and recognized on a pro-rata basis over the coverage period.

        We offer sales incentive programs primarily to effect volume rebates and promotional and advertising allowances. These programs are only significant to one of our business units. The liability for these programs, and the resulting reduction to reported revenues, is determined primarily through trend analysis, historical experience and expectations regarding customer participation. Taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are directly imposed on a revenue-producing transaction between a seller and a customer are presented on a net basis (excluded from revenues) in our consolidated statements of operations.

        Certain of our businesses, primarily within the Flow Technology and Thermal Equipment and Services reportable segments, recognize revenues from long-term construction/installation contracts under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting. The percentage-of-completion is measured principally by the percentage of costs incurred to date for each contract to the estimated total costs for such contract at completion. We also recognize revenues for similar short-term contracts using the completed-contract method of accounting.

        Provisions for estimated losses, if any, on uncompleted long-term contracts, are made in the period in which such losses are determined. In the case of customer change orders for uncompleted long-term contracts, estimated recoveries are included for work performed in forecasting ultimate profitability on certain contracts. Due to uncertainties inherent in the estimation process, it is possible that completion costs, including those arising from contract penalty provisions and final contract settlements, may be revised in the near-term. Such revisions to costs and income are recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined.

        Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings arise when revenues have been recorded but the amounts have not been billed under the terms of the contracts. These amounts are recoverable from customers upon various measures of performance, including achievement of certain milestones, completion of specified units or completion of the contract. Claims related to long-term contracts are recognized as revenue only after we have determined that collection is probable and the amount can be reliably estimated. Claims made by us involve negotiation and, in certain cases, litigation. In the event we incur litigation costs in connection with claims, such litigation costs are expensed as incurred, although we may seek to recover these costs. Claims against us are recognized when a loss is considered probable and amounts are reasonably estimable.

Research and Development Costs

Research and Development Costs — We expense research and development costs as incurred. We charge costs incurred in the research and development of new software included in products to expense until technological feasibility is established. After technological feasibility is established, additional eligible costs are capitalized until the product is available for general release. These costs are amortized over the economic life of the related products and we include the amortization in cost of products sold. We perform periodic reviews of the recoverability of these capitalized software costs. At the time we determine that capitalized amounts are not recoverable based on the estimated cash flows to be generated from the applicable software, we write off any unrecoverable capitalized amounts.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment — Property, plant and equipment ("PP&E") is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. We use the straight-line method for computing depreciation expense over the useful lives of PP&E, which do not exceed 40 years for buildings and range from 3 to 15 years for machinery and equipment.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes — We account for our income taxes based on the requirements of the Income Taxes Topic of the Codification, which includes an estimate of the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. We periodically assess the realizability of deferred tax assets and the adequacy of deferred tax liabilities, including the results of local, state, federal or foreign statutory tax audits or estimates and judgments used.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments — We use foreign currency forward contracts ("FX forward contracts") to manage our exposures to fluctuating currency exchange rates, and forward contracts to manage the exposure on forecasted purchases of commodity raw materials ("commodity contracts") to manage our exposures to fluctuation in certain raw material costs. We have used interest rate protection agreements ("Swaps") to manage our exposures to fluctuating interest rate risk on variable rate debt. Derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet and measured at fair value. For derivatives designated as hedges of the fair value of assets or liabilities, the changes in fair values of both the derivatives and the hedged items are recorded in current earnings. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the changes in fair value of the derivatives is recorded in other comprehensive income/loss and subsequently recognized in earnings when the hedged items impact earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated as hedges, and the ineffective portion of cash flow hedges, are recorded in current earnings. We do not enter into financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.

        For those transactions that are designated as cash flow hedges, on the date the derivative contract is entered into, we document our hedge relationship, including identification of the hedging instruments and the hedged items, as well as our risk management objectives and strategies for undertaking the hedge transaction. We also assess, both at inception and quarterly thereafter, whether such derivatives are highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged item. See Notes 13 and 16 for further information.

Accounts Receivable Allowances

Accounts Receivable Allowances — We provide allowances for estimated losses on uncollectible accounts based on our historical experience and the evaluation of the likelihood of success in collecting specific customer receivables. In addition, we maintain allowances for customer returns, discounts and invoice pricing discrepancies, with such allowances primarily based on historical experience. Summarized below is the activity for these allowance accounts.

Inventory

Inventory — We estimate losses for excess and/or obsolete inventory and the net realizable value of inventory based on the aging of the inventory and the evaluation of the likelihood of recovering the inventory costs based on anticipated demand and selling price.

Impairment of Long-Lived and Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization

Impairment of Long-Lived and Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization — We continually review whether events and circumstances subsequent to the acquisition of any long-lived assets, or intangible assets subject to amortization, have occurred that indicate the remaining estimated useful lives of those assets may warrant revision or that the remaining balance of those assets may not be recoverable. If events and circumstances indicate that the long-lived assets should be reviewed for possible impairment, we use projections to assess whether future cash flows on an undiscounted basis related to the assets are likely to exceed the related carrying amount to determine if a write-down is appropriate. We will record an impairment charge to the extent that the carrying value of the assets exceed their fair values as determined by valuation techniques appropriate in the circumstances, which could include the use of similar projections on a discounted basis.

        In determining the estimated useful lives of definite-lived intangibles, we consider the nature, competitive position, life cycle position, and historical and expected future operating cash flows of each acquired asset, as well as our commitment to support these assets through continued investment and legal infringement protection.

Goodwill and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets — We test goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually during the fourth quarter and continually assess whether a triggering event has occurred to determine whether the carrying value exceeds the implied value. The fair value of reporting units is based generally on discounted projected cash flows, but we also consider factors such as comparable industry price multiples. We employ cash flow projections that we believe to be reasonable under current and forecasted circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of the reported net assets of our reporting units. Many of our businesses closely follow changes in the industries and end markets that they serve. Accordingly, we consider estimates and judgments that affect the future cash flow projections, including principal methods of competition, such as volume, price, service, product performance and technical innovations, as well as estimates associated with cost improvement initiatives, capacity utilization and assumptions for inflation and foreign currency changes. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. See Note 8 for further information, including discussion of impairment charges recorded in 2011 for our SPX Heat Transfer Inc. reporting unit.

Accrued Expenses

Accrued Expenses — We make estimates and judgments in establishing accruals as required under GAAP.

Legal

Legal — It is our policy to accrue for estimated losses from legal actions or claims when events exist that make the realization of the losses probable and they can be reasonably estimated. We do not discount legal obligations or reduce them by anticipated insurance recoveries.

Environmental Remediation Costs

Environmental Remediation Costs — We expense costs incurred to investigate and remediate environmental issues unless they extend the economic useful life of related assets. We record liabilities and report expenses when it is probable that an obligation has been incurred and the amounts can be reasonably estimated. Our environmental accruals cover anticipated costs, including investigation, remediation and operation and maintenance of clean-up sites. Our estimates are based primarily on investigations and remediation plans established by independent consultants, regulatory agencies and potentially responsible third parties. We generally do not discount environmental obligations or reduce them by anticipated insurance recoveries.

Self-Insurance

Self-Insurance — We are self-insured for certain of our workers' compensation, automobile, product, general liability, disability and health costs, and we maintain adequate accruals to cover our retained liabilities. Our accruals for self-insurance liabilities are based on claims filed and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported, and generally are not discounted. We consider a number of factors, including third-party actuarial valuations, when making these determinations. We maintain third-party stop-loss insurance policies to cover certain liability costs in excess of predetermined retained amounts; however, this insurance may be insufficient or unavailable (e.g., because of insurer insolvency) to protect us against potential loss exposures. The key assumptions considered in estimating the ultimate cost to settle reported claims and the estimated costs associated with incurred but not yet reported claims includes, among other things, our historical and industry claims experience, trends in health care and administrative costs, our current and future risk management programs, and historical lag studies with regard to the timing between when a claim is incurred and reported.

Warranty

Warranty — In the normal course of business, we issue product warranties for specific products and provide for the estimated future warranty cost in the period in which the sale is recorded. We provide for the estimate of warranty cost based on contract terms and historical warranty loss experience that is periodically adjusted for recent actual experience. Because warranty estimates are forecasts that are based on the best available information, claims costs may differ from amounts provided. In addition, due to the seasonal fluctuations at certain of our businesses, the timing of warranty provisions and the usage of warranty accruals can vary period to period. We make adjustments to initial obligations for warranties as changes in the obligations become reasonably estimable.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes — We perform reviews of our income tax positions on a continuous basis and accrue for potential uncertain tax positions in accordance with the Income Taxes Topic of the Codification. Accruals for these uncertain tax positions are classified as "Income taxes payable" and "Deferred and other income taxes" in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets based on an expectation as to the timing of when the matter will be resolved. As events change or resolution occurs, these accruals are adjusted, such as in the case of audit settlements with taxing authorities. These reviews also entail analyzing the realization of deferred tax assets associated with net operating loss and credit carryforwards. When we believe that it is more likely than not that a net operating loss or credit carryforward may expire unused, we establish a valuation allowance against them. For tax positions where it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, we record the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority, assuming such authority has full knowledge of all relevant information.

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans — We have defined benefit plans that cover a portion of our salaried and hourly employees, including certain employees in foreign countries. We derive pension expense from an actuarial calculation based on the defined benefit plans' provisions and our assumptions regarding discount rate, rate of increase in compensation levels and expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. We determine the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets based upon historical actual asset returns and the expectations of asset returns over the expected period to fund participant benefits based on the current investment mix of our plans. When determining the market-related value of plan assets, changes in the market value of all plan assets are amortized over five years rather than recognizing the changes immediately. As a result, the value of plan assets that is used to calculate the expected return on plan assets differs from the current fair value of the plan assets. We determine the discount rate by matching the expected projected benefit obligation cash flows for each of the plans to a yield curve that is representative of long-term, high-quality (rated AA or higher) fixed income debt instruments as of the measurement date. The rate of increase in compensation levels is established based on our expectations of current and foreseeable future increases in compensation. We also consult with independent actuaries in determining these assumptions. See Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for more information.

Acquisitions and Discontinued Operations

Business Acquisitions

The consolidated statements of operations include the results of each acquired business since the date of acquisition. The assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at estimates of fair values as determined by us based on information available at the acquisition date. We consider a number of factors, including third-party valuations or appraisals, when making these determinations. We will recognize additional assets or liabilities if new information is obtained during the measurement period about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have resulted in the recognition of those assets and liabilities as of that date. The measurement period shall not exceed one year from the acquisition date. Refer to Note 8 for additional disclosure on the purchase price adjustments of the following acquisitions.

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations

        We report businesses or asset groups as discontinued operations when, among other things, we commit to a plan to divest the business or asset group, actively begin marketing the business or asset group, and when the sale of the business or asset group is deemed probable within the next twelve months.

Environmental Matters

Environmental Matters

Our operations and properties are subject to federal, state, local and foreign regulatory requirements relating to environmental protection. It is our policy to comply fully with all applicable requirements. As part of our effort to comply, we have a comprehensive environmental compliance program that includes environmental audits conducted by internal and external independent professionals, as well as regular communications with our operating units regarding environmental compliance requirements and anticipated regulations.

        Our environmental accruals cover anticipated costs, including investigation, remediation, and operation and maintenance of clean-up sites. Our estimates are based primarily on investigations and remediation plans established by independent consultants, regulatory agencies and potentially responsible third parties. Accordingly, our estimates may change based on future developments, including new or changes in existing environmental laws or policies, differences in costs required to complete anticipated actions from estimates provided, future findings of investigation or remediation actions, or alteration to the expected remediation plans. It is our policy to realize a change in estimate once it becomes probable and can be reasonably estimated. We generally do not discount our environmental accruals and do not reduce them by anticipated insurance recoveries. We do take into account third-party indemnification from financially viable parties in determining our accruals where there is no dispute regarding the right to indemnification.