Significant Accounting Policies

10 Months Ended

Jan. 01, 2011

Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

A. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BASIS OF PRESENTATION — On March 12, 2010 a wholly owned subsidiary of The Stanley Works was merged with and into The Black & Decker Corporation (“Black & Decker”), with the result that Black & Decker became a wholly owned subsidiary of The Stanley Works (the “Merger”). In connection with the Merger, The Stanley Works changed its name to Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. The results of the operations and cash flows of Black & Decker have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the time of the consummation of the Merger on March 12, 2010 (see Note E, Merger and Acquisitions).

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. and its majority-owned subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”) which require consolidation, after the elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions. The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest to December 31. There were 52, 52 and 53 weeks in the fiscal years 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as certain financial statement disclosures. While management believes that the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from these estimates.

FOREIGN CURRENCY — For foreign operations with functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar, asset and liability accounts are translated at current exchange rates; income and expenses are translated using weighted-average exchange rates. Translation adjustments are reported in a separate component of shareowners’ equity and exchange gains and losses on transactions are included in earnings.

CASH EQUIVALENTS — Highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less are considered cash equivalents.

ACCOUNTS AND FINANCING RECEIVABLE — Trade receivables are stated at gross invoice amount less discounts, other allowances and provision for uncollectible accounts and financing receivables are initially recorded at fair value, less impairments or provisions for credit losses. Interest income earned from financing receivables that are not delinquent is recorded on the effective interest method. The Company considers any financing receivable that has not been collected within 90 days of original billing date as past-due or delinquent. Additionally, the Company considers the credit quality of all past-due or delinquent financing receivables as nonperforming.

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS — The Company estimates its allowance for doubtful accounts using two methods. First, a specific reserve is established for individual accounts where information indicates the customers may have an inability to meet financial obligations. Second, a reserve is determined for all customers based on a range of percentages applied to aging categories. These percentages are based on historical collection and write-off experience. Actual write-offs are charged against the allowance when collection efforts have been unsuccessful.

INVENTORIES — U.S inventories are predominantly valued at the lower of Last-In First-Out (“LIFO”) cost or market because the Company believes it results in better matching of costs and revenues. Other inventories are valued at the lower of First-In, First-Out (“FIFO”) cost or market because LIFO is not permitted for statutory reporting outside the U.S. See Note C, Inventory, for a quantification of the LIFO impact on inventory valuation.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT — The Company generally values property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”), including capitalized software, on the basis of historical cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Costs related to maintenance and repairs which do not prolong the assets’ useful lives are expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization are provided using straight-line methods over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:


	Useful Life
	(Years)
Land improvements		10 — 20
Buildings		40
Machinery and equipment		3 — 15
Computer software		3 — 5

Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the term of the lease.

The Company reports depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment in cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses based on the nature of the underlying assets. Depreciation and amortization related to the production of inventory and delivery of services are recorded in cost of sales. Depreciation and amortization related to distribution center activities, selling and support functions are reported in selling, general and administrative expenses.

The Company assesses its long-lived assets for impairment when indicators that the carrying values may not be recoverable are present. In assessing long-lived assets for impairment, the Company groups its long-lived assets with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are generated (“asset group”) and estimates the undiscounted future cash flows that are directly associated with and expected to be generated from the use of and eventual disposition of the asset group. If the carrying value is greater than the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss must be determined and the asset group is written down to fair value. The impairment loss is quantified by comparing the carrying amount of the asset group to the estimated fair value, which is determined using weighted-average discounted cash flows that consider various possible outcomes for the disposition of the asset group.

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS — Goodwill represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets of acquired businesses. Intangible assets acquired are recorded at estimated fair value. Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are not amortized, but are tested for impairment annually during the third quarter, and at any time when events suggest an impairment more likely than not has occurred. To assess goodwill for impairment, the Company determines the fair value of its reporting units, which are primarily determined using management’s assumptions about future cash flows based on long-range strategic plans. This approach incorporates many assumptions including future growth rates, discount factors and tax rates. In the event the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeded its fair value, an impairment loss would be recognized to the extent the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeded the implied fair value of the goodwill. Indefinite-lived intangible asset carrying amounts are tested for impairment by comparing to current fair market value, usually determined by the estimated cost to lease the asset from third parties. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives generally using an accelerated method. Under this accelerated method, intangible assets are amortized reflecting the pattern over which the economic benefits of the intangible assets are consumed. Definite-lived intangible assets are also evaluated for impairment when impairment indicators are present. If the carrying value exceeds the total undiscounted future cash flows, a discounted cash flow analysis is performed to determine the fair value of the asset. If the carrying value of the asset were to exceed the fair value, it would be written down to fair value. No goodwill or other significant intangible asset impairments were recorded during 2010, 2009 or 2008.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS — Derivative financial instruments are employed to manage risks, including foreign currency, interest rate exposures and commodity prices and are not used for trading or speculative purposes. The Company recognizes all derivative instruments, such as interest rate swap agreements, foreign currency options, commodity contracts and foreign exchange contracts, in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognized periodically either in earnings or in Shareowners’ Equity as a component of other comprehensive income, depending on whether the derivative financial instrument is undesignated or qualifies for hedge accounting, and if so, whether it represents a fair value, cash flow, or net investment hedge. Changes in the fair value of derivatives accounted for as fair value hedges are recorded in earnings in the same caption as the changes in the fair value of the hedged items. Gains and losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, to the extent they are effective, are recorded in other comprehensive income, and subsequently reclassified to earnings to offset the impact of the hedged items when they occur. In the event it becomes probable the forecasted transaction to which a cash flow hedge relates will not occur, the derivative would be terminated and the amount in other comprehensive income would generally be recognized in earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives used as hedges of the net investment in foreign operations, to the extent they are effective, are reported in other comprehensive income and are deferred until the subsidiary is sold. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated as hedges under FASB Accounting Standards Codification, (“ASC”) 815 “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”), and any portion of a hedge that is considered ineffective, are reported in earnings in the same caption where the hedged items are recognized.

The net interest paid or received on interest rate swaps is recognized as interest expense. Gains and losses resulting from the early termination of interest rate swap agreements are deferred and amortized as adjustments to interest expense over the remaining period of the debt originally covered by the terminated swap.

REVENUE RECOGNITION — General: Revenue is recognized when the earnings process is complete, collectability is reasonably assured, and the risks and rewards of ownership have transferred to the customer, which generally occurs upon shipment of the finished product but sometimes is upon delivery to customer facilities.

Provisions for customer volume rebates, product returns, discounts and allowances are recorded as a reduction of revenue in the same period the related sales are recorded. Consideration given to customers for cooperative advertising is recognized as a reduction of revenue except to the extent that there is an identifiable benefit and evidence of the fair value of the advertising, in which case the expense is classified as Selling, general, and administrative expense (“SG&A”).

Multiple Element Arrangements: In 2010, 2009 and 2008, approximately $900 million, $900 million and $1 billion, respectively, in revenues were generated by multiple element arrangements, primarily in the Security segment. These sales contracts typically consist of products sold and installed by the Company at the customer location. Revenue from equipment sales is generally recognized once installation is complete. Certain sales agreements also include maintenance and monitoring services pertaining to the installed equipment. Service revenue is recognized ratably over the contract term as services are rendered. Customer billings for equipment not yet installed and for monitoring services not yet rendered are deferred to the extent paid in advance by customers.

When a sales agreement involves multiple elements, deliverables are separately identified and consideration is allocated based on their relative fair values in accordance with ASC 605-25, “Revenue Recognition — Multiple-Element Arrangements”. Fair value is generally determined by reference to the prices charged in stand-alone transactions.

COST OF SALES AND SELLING, GENERAL & ADMINISTRATIVE — Cost of sales includes the cost of products and services provided reflecting costs of manufacturing and preparing the product for sale. These costs include expenses to acquire and manufacture products to the point that they are allocable to be sold to customers and costs to perform services pertaining to service revenues (e.g. installation of security systems, automatic doors, and security monitoring costs). Cost of sales is primarily comprised of inbound freight, direct materials, direct labor as well as overhead which includes indirect labor, facility and equipment costs. Cost of sales also includes quality control, procurement and material receiving costs as well as internal transfer costs. Selling general and administrative (“SG&A”) costs include the cost of selling products as well as administrative function costs. These expenses generally represent the cost of selling and distributing the products once they are available for sale and primarily include salaries and commissions of the Company’s sales force, distribution costs, notably salaries and facility costs, as well as administrative expenses for certain support functions and related overhead.

ADVERTISING COSTS — Television advertising is expensed the first time the advertisement airs, whereas other advertising is expensed as incurred. Advertising costs are classified in SG&A and amounted to $120.7 million in 2010, $30.8 million in 2009 and $39.3 million in 2008. Expense pertaining to cooperative advertising with customers reported as a reduction of net sales was $200.0 million in 2010, $23.3 million in 2009 and $29.0 million in 2008. Cooperative advertising with customers classified as SG&A expense amounted to $5.8 million in 2010, $5.7 million in 2009 and $6.6 million in 2008.

ACQUISITION COSTS — In fiscal 2010 and 2009 costs associated with new business acquisitions are expensed as incurred as required under SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations,” (“FAS 141(R)”) codified in ASC 805, “Business Combinations” (“ASC 805”). Refer to the section entitled New Accounting Standards also included within Note A for further details. Prior to 2009, certain costs directly related to acquisitions including legal, audit and other fees, were recorded to goodwill.

SALES TAXES — Sales and value added taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are excluded from Net sales reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

SHIPPING AND HANDLING COSTS — The Company generally does not bill customers for freight. Shipping and handling costs associated with inbound freight are reported in cost of sales. Shipping costs associated with outbound freight are reported as a reduction of Net sales and amounted to $161.6 million, $87.1 million and $129.7 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Distribution costs are classified as SG&A and amounted to $198.1 million, $102.2 million and $122.2 million in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION — Compensation cost relating to stock-based compensation grants is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, which is generally four years. The expense for stock options and restricted stock units awarded to retirement eligible employees (those aged 55 and over, and with 10 or more years of service) is recognized on the grant date, or (if later) by the date they become retirement-eligible.

POSTRETIREMENT DEFINED BENEFIT PLAN — The Company uses the corridor approach to determine expense recognition for each defined benefit pension and other postretirement plan. The corridor approach defers actuarial gains and losses resulting from variances between actual and expected results (based on economic estimates or actuarial assumptions) and amortizes them over future periods. For pension plans, these unrecognized gains and losses are amortized when the net gains and losses exceed 10% of the greater of the market-related value of plan assets or the projected benefit obligation at the beginning of the year. For other postretirement benefits, amortization occurs when the net gains and losses exceed 10% of the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at the beginning of the year. For ongoing, active plans, the amount in excess of the corridor is amortized on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period for active plan participants. For plans with primarily inactive participants, the amount in excess of the corridor is amortized on a straight-line basis over the average remaining life expectancy of inactive plan participants.

INCOME TAXES — Income tax expense is based on reported earnings before income taxes. Interest and penalties related to income taxes are classified as Income taxes on continuing operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences between assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and such amounts recognized for tax purposes, and are measured by applying enacted tax rates in effect in years in which the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.

EARNINGS PER SHARE — Basic earnings per share equals net earnings attributable to Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., less earnings allocated to restricted stock units with non-forfeitable dividend rights, divided by weighted-average shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share include the impact of common stock equivalents using the treasury stock method when the effect is dilutive.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS — The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance of the Company’s annual financial statements.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Implemented: In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” (“SFAS 157”) codified in ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure” (“ASC 820”). SFAS 157 establishes a single definition of fair value and a framework for measuring fair value, sets out a fair value hierarchy to be used to classify the source of information used in fair value measurements, and requires new disclosures of assets and liabilities measured at fair value based on their level in the hierarchy. SFAS 157 indicates that an exit value (selling price) should be utilized in fair value measurements rather than an entrance value, or cost basis, and that performance risks, such as credit risk, should be included in the measurements of fair value even when the risk of non-performance is remote. SFAS 157 also clarifies the principle that fair value measurements should be based on assumptions the marketplace would use when pricing an asset whenever practicable, rather than company-specific assumptions. In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 157-1 and 157-2, which respectively removed leasing transactions and deferred its effective date for one year relative to nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). Accordingly, in fiscal 2008 the Company applied SFAS 157 guidance to: (i) all applicable financial assets and liabilities; and (ii) nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the Company’s financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). In January 2009, the Company applied this guidance to all remaining assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis at fair value. The adoption of SFAS 157 for these items did not have an effect on the Company. Refer to Note M, Fair Value Measurements, for disclosures relating to ASC 820.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), “Business Combinations,” (“SFAS 141(R)”) codified in ASC 805, “Business Combinations”. SFAS 141(R) requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize the full fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction (whether a full or partial acquisition), establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and requires the acquirer to disclose the information needed to evaluate and understand the nature and effect of the business combination. This statement applies to all transactions or other events in which the acquirer obtains control of one or more businesses, including those sometimes referred to as “true mergers” or “mergers of equals” and combinations achieved without the transfer of consideration, for example, by contract alone or through the lapse of minority veto rights. For new acquisitions made following the adoption of SFAS 141(R), significant costs directly related to the acquisition including legal, audit and other fees, as well as most acquisition-related restructuring, must be expensed as incurred. For the years ended January 1, 2011 and January 2, 2010 the Company expensed $83.5 million and $24.1 million of acquisition-related costs, respectively. Additionally, as part of SFAS 141(R) contingent purchase price arrangements (also known as earn-outs) must be re-measured to estimated fair value with the impact reported in earnings. With respect to all acquisitions, including those consummated in prior years, changes in tax reserves pertaining to resolution of contingencies or other post acquisition developments are recorded to earnings rather than goodwill. SFAS 141(R) was applied to the Company’s business combinations completed in fiscal 2010 and 2009.

In December 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2009-16, “Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets”. This ASU eliminates the concept of a “qualifying special-purpose entity,” clarifies when a transferor of financial assets has surrendered control over the transferred financial assets, defines specific conditions for reporting a transfer of a portion of a financial asset as a sale, requires that a transferor recognize and initially measure at fair value all assets obtained and liabilities incurred as a result of a transfer of financial assets accounted for as a sale, and requires enhanced disclosures to provide financial statement users with greater transparency about a transferor’s continuing involvement with transferred financial assets. The adoption of this ASU did not have any impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In December 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-17, “Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities.” This ASU eliminates the concept of a “qualifying special-purpose entity”, replaces the quantitative approach for determining which enterprise has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity with a qualitative approach focused on identifying which enterprise has a controlling financial interest through the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. Additionally, this ASU requires enhanced disclosures that provide users of financial statements with more information about an enterprise’s involvement in a variable interest entity. In January 2010, the Company applied this guidance and the adoption of the ASU did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In July 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-20, “Disclosures About the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses.” This ASU amends existing disclosures to require a company to provide a greater level of disaggregated information about the credit quality of its financing receivables and its allowance for credit losses. In December 2010, the Company applied this guidance to its financing receivables. Refer to Note B, Accounts and Notes Receivable.

Not Yet Implemented: In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU 2009-13, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) — Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements”. This ASU eliminates the requirement that all undelivered elements must have objective and reliable evidence of fair value before a company can recognize the portion of the consideration that is attributable to items that already have been delivered. This may allow some companies to recognize revenue on transactions that involve multiple deliverables earlier than under the current requirements. Additionally, under the new guidance, the relative selling price method is required to be used in allocating consideration between deliverables and the residual value method will no longer be permitted. This ASU is effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified beginning in fiscal 2011 although early adoption is permitted. A company may elect, but will not be required, to adopt the amendments in this ASU retrospectively for all prior periods. The Company has evaluated the ASU and does not believe it will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-28, “Intangibles — Goodwill and Other (Topic 350).” This ASU modifies the first step of the goodwill impairment test to include reporting units with zero or negative carrying amounts. For these reporting units, the second step of the goodwill impairment test shall be performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any, when it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exists. This ASU is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2010. The Company has evaluated the ASU and does not believe it will have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-29, “Business Combinations (Topic 805).” This ASU specifies that if a company presents comparative financial statements, the company should disclose revenue and earnings of the combined entity as though the business combination that occurred during the year had occurred as of the beginning of the comparable prior annual reporting period only. The ASU also expands the supplemental pro forma disclosures under Topic 805 to include a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments directly attributable to the business combination included in the pro forma revenue and earnings. This ASU is effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010. Effective January 1, 2011, the Company will adopt this ASU and include all required disclosures in the notes to its consolidated financial statements.