Notes One: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIESPrinciples of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of
Ameron International Corporation and all wholly-owned
subsidiaries ("Ameron" or the "Company"). All material
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make certain
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets
and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses.Significant estimates
include revenue and costs recorded under percentage-of-completion
accounting, assumptions related to benefit plans, goodwill, and
reserves associated with management incentives, receivables,
inventories, income taxes, self insurance and environmental and legal
contingencies.Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue for the Performance Coatings & Finishes, Fiberglass-
Composite Pipe and Infrastructure Products segments is
recognized when risk of ownership and title pass, primarily at the
time goods are shipped, provided that an agreement exists between
the customer and the Company, the price is fixed or determinable
and collection is reasonably assured. In limited circumstances
within the Performance Coatings & Finishes Group, revenue
recognition associated with shipment of coatings for marine dry
dockings is delayed until product returns are processed. Revenue is
recognized for the Water Transmission Group primarily under the
percentage-of-completion method, typically based on completed
units of production, since products are manufactured under
enforceable and binding construction contracts, are typically
designed for specific applications, are not interchangeable between
projects, and are not manufactured for stock. In those cases in
which products are manufactured for stock or are not related to
specific construction contracts, revenue is recognized under the
same criteria used by the other three segments. Revenue under the
percentage-of-completion method is subject to a greater level of
estimation, which affects the timing of revenue recognition, costs
and profits. Estimates are reviewed on a consistent basis and are
adjusted periodically to reflect current expectations.
Research and Development Costs
Research and development costs, which relate primarily to the
development, design and testing of products, are expensed as
incurred. Such costs, which are included in selling, general and
administrative expenses, were approximately $6,729,000 in 2005,
$5,645,000 in 2004, and $5,653,000 in 2003.
Environmental Clean-up Costs
The Company expenses environmental clean-up costs related to
existing conditions resulting from past or current operations. The
Company determines its liability on a site-by-site basis and
records a liability at the time when assessments and/or
remediation are probable and can be reasonably estimated.
Income Taxes
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for
differences between the financial statement and income tax bases
of assets and liabilities. Such deferred income tax asset and
liability computations are based on enacted tax laws and rates
applicable to periods in which the differences are expected to
reverse. Valuation allowances are established to reduce deferred
income tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized.
Net Income Per Share
Basic net income per share is computed on the basis of the
weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during
the periods presented.Diluted net income per share is computed on
the basis of the weighted-average number of common shares
outstanding plus the effect of outstanding stock options and
restricted stock, using the treasury stock method.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents represent liquid investments with maturities of
three months or less when purchased.
Inventory Valuation
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost
determined principally on the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method.
Certain steel inventories used by the Water Transmission Group
are valued using the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method. Reserves
are established for excess, obsolete and rework inventories based
on age, estimates of salability and forecasted future demand.
Joint Ventures
Investments in unconsolidated joint ventures or affiliates ("joint
ventures") over which the Company has significant influence are
accounted for under the equity method of accounting, whereby the
investment is carried at the cost of acquisition, plus the Company's
equity in undistributed earnings or losses since acquisition.
Investments in joint ventures over which the Company does not
have the ability to exert significant influence over the investees'
operating and financing activities are accounted for under the cost
method of accounting. The Company's investment in TAMCO is
accounted for under the equity method. Investments in Ameron
Saudi Arabia, Ltd., Bondstrand, Ltd. and Oasis-Ameron, Ltd. are
accounted for under the cost method due to management's current
assessment of the Company's influence over these joint ventures.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Items capitalized as property, plant and equipment, including
improvements to existing facilities, are recorded at cost.Construction
in progress represents capital expenditures incurred for assets not yet
placed in service.Capitalized interest was not material for the periods
presented.
Depreciation is computed principally using the straight-line method
based on estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold
improvements are amortized over the shorter of the life of the
improvement or the term of the lease.Useful lives are as follows:
|
Useful Lives in Years |
|
| Buildings |
10-40 |
| Machinery and equipment |
|
| |
Autos, trucks and trailers |
3-8 |
| |
Cranes and tractors |
5-15 |
| |
Manufacturing equipment |
3-15 |
| |
Other |
2-20 |
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods
ranging from three to 15 years.
The cost of an acquired business is allocated to the acquired
net assets based on the estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.
The excess of the cost of an acquired business over the aggregate fair
value is recorded as goodwill. Effective December 1, 2002, the
Company adopted Statements of Financial Accounting Standards
("SFAS") No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." As a
result, goodwill is not amortized, but instead tested for impairment
at least annually. Such tests require management to make estimates
about future cash flows and other factors to determine the fair value
of the respective assets.
The Company reviews the recoverability of intangible and other
long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may
not be recoverable. If the estimated future, undiscounted cash flows
from the use of an asset are less than its carrying value, a writedown
is recorded to reduce the related asset to estimated fair value.
Self Insurance
The Company typically utilizes third-party insurance subject to
varying retention levels or self insurance. The Company is self
insured for a portion of the losses and liabilities primarily
associated with workers' compensation claims and general,
product and vehicle liability. Losses are accrued based upon the
Company's estimates of the aggregate liability for claims incurred
using historical experience and certain actuarial assumptions
followed in the insurance industry. The estimate of self insurance
liability includes an estimate of incurred but not reported claims,
based on data compiled from historical experience.
Foreign Currency Translation
The functional currencies for the Company's foreign operations
are the applicable local currencies. The translation from the
applicable foreign currencies to U.S. dollars is performed for
balance sheet accounts using current exchange rates in effect at
the balance sheet date and for revenue and expense accounts
using a weighted-average exchange rate during the period. The
resulting translation adjustments are recorded in accumulated
other comprehensive income/(loss). The Company advances
funds to certain foreign subsidiaries that are not expected to be
repaid in the foreseeable future. Translation adjustments arising
from these advances are also included in accumulated other
comprehensive income/(loss). Gains or losses resulting from
foreign currency transactions are included in other income, net.
Derivative Financial Instruments and Risk Management
The Company operates internationally, giving rise to exposure to
market risks from changes in foreign exchange rates.From time to
time, derivative financial instruments, primarily foreign exchange
contracts, are used by the Company to reduce those risks. The
Company does not hold or issue financial or derivative financial
instruments for trading or speculative purposes.As of November
30, 2005 and 2004, the Company had foreign currency forward
contracts with an aggregate notional value of $5,096,000 and
$9,774,000, respectively.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of financial instruments, other than long-term debt
or derivatives, approximates the carrying value because of the
short-term nature of such instruments.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk
consist primarily of cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, and
forward foreign exchange contracts.Credit risk with respect to trade
accounts receivable is generally distributed over a large number of
entities comprising the Company's customer base and is
geographically dispersed. The Company performs ongoing credit
evaluations of its customers, maintains an allowance for doubtful
accounts and, in certain instances, maintains credit insurance. The
Company actively evaluates the creditworthiness of the financial
institutions with which it conducts business.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company recognizes compensation expense associated with
stock-based awards under the recognition and measurement
principles of Accounting Principles Board ("APB") No. 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related
interpretations. Accordingly, compensation expense is measured
by the excess of the quoted market price of the stock over the
option exercise price on the grant date.No compensation expense
associated with a stock-based award is recorded if the stock
option exercise price equals the market price of the Company's
stock on the date of the grant.
In December 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
("FASB") issued SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation-Transition and Disclosures." SFAS No. 148 amends
SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," and
provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change
to the fair-value-based method of accounting for stock-based
employee compensation. SFAS No. 148 also amends the disclosure
requirements of SFAS No. 123 to include pro forma presentation of
net income and earnings per share as if the Company recorded
compensation expense based on the fair value of stock-based
awards. The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions
of SFAS No. 123. Disclosures required under SFAS No. 123 and
SFAS No. 148 are included in Note 12, herein.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, "Inventory Costs,"
which clarifies the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility
expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material. SFAS No. 151
will be effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years
beginning after June 15, 2005. The adoption of SFAS No. 151 is not
expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated
financial statements.
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), "Share-Based Payments." SFAS No. 123 (R) requires companies to
measure all employee stock-based compensation awards using a fairvaluemethod
and record such expense in their consolidated financial
statements. The adoption of SFAS No. 123 (R) will require additional
accounting related to the income tax effects and additional disclosure
regarding the cash flow effects resulting from share-based payment
arrangements. The Company is allowed to select either of two
alternative transition methods. Under the first method, the Modified
Prospective Application method, SFAS 123 (R) applies to new awards
and modified awards after the effective date, and to any unvested
awards as service is rendered on or after the effective date.Under the
secondmethod, the Modified Retrospective Application method, SFAS
No. 123 (R) applies to either all prior years for which SFAS No. 123
was effective or only to prior interim periods in the year of adoption. The Company plans to adopt SFAS No. 123 (R) using the Modified
Prospective Application method. SFAS No. 123 (R) is effective
beginning in the first quarter of 2006, and SFAS 123 (R) will apply to
all outstanding and unvested option awards at adoption date. The
Company has completed a preliminary evaluation of the effect of
adoption of SFAS 123 (R). The adoption of SFAS 123 (R) is expected
to increase selling, general and administrative expenses by
approximately $200,000 in 2006 based upon options outstanding as
of November 30, 2005.
| Supplemental Cash Flow Information |
| (In thousands) |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
|
| Interest paid |
$ 5,863 |
$ 6,509 |
$ 4,997 |
| Income taxes paid |
17,482 |
6,103 |
10,268 |
|