Note 4 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2014

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]

4. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The amounts for goodwill and changes in the carrying value by business unit segment are as follows at December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 (in thousands):

	2014		Additions (Reductions)(a)		Adjustments(c)			2013		Additions (Reductions)(b)		Adjustments(c)			2012
Electronics	$	60,510	$	1,654	$	(1,590	)	$	60,446	$	24,031	$	992		$	35,423
Automotive		81,717		—		(3,264	)		84,981		26,762		1,964			56,255
Electrical		54,029		14,920		(1,928	)		41,037		—		(877	)		41,914
Total	$	196,256	$	16,574	$	(6,782	)	$	186,464	$	50,793	$	2,079		$	133,592

^(a) Electronics addition of $1.7 million and Electrical addition of $14.9 million in 2014 resulted from business acquisitions.

^(b) Electronic addition of $24.0 million and Automotive additions of $26.8 million in 2013 resulted from the acquisition of Hamlin.

^(c) Adjustments reflect the impact of changes in foreign exchange rates.

There were no accumulated goodwill impairment losses at December 27, 2014, December 28, 2013 or December 29, 2012.

The company recorded amortization expense of $12.5 million in 2014, $9.3 million in 2013 and $6.1 million in 2012. The details of other intangible assets and related future amortization expense of existing intangible assets at December 27, 2014 and December 28, 2013 are as follows:

	2014						2013
(in thousands)	Weighted Average Useful Life		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization		Weighted Average Useful Life		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization
Patents, licenses and software(a)		11.7	$	62,378	$	38,738		11.0	$	63,026	$	37,860
Distribution network(a)		12.4		46,850		27,422		12.3		47,637		24,867
Customer lists, trademarks and tradenames(a)		13.2		80,247		24,672		12.3		63,459		18,527
Tradenames(b)		—		5,030		—		—		5,489		—
Total		12.5	$	194,505	$	90,832		11.8	$	179,611	$	81,254

^(a) Increase to gross carrying value in 2014 is primarily related to the preliminary SymCom acquisition purchase price allocation discussed in Note 2. Other changes are primarily due to the impact of foreign currency translation adjustments.

^(b) Tradenames with indefinite lives.

Estimated amortization expense related to intangible assets with definite lives at December 27, 2014 is as follows (in thousands):

2015	$	12,778
2016		10,940
2017		10,485
2018		10,387
2019		10,644
2020 and thereafter		43,410
	$	98,644