Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Note 2 - Significant accounting policies

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Note 2 - Significant accounting policies
12 Months Ended
Jan. 01, 2012
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]
2.         Significant accounting policies

(i)         Basis of presentation

The Company’s accounting principles are in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”). These consolidated financial statements are denominated in United States (“US”) dollars. Some comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the financial statement presentation adopted in the current period.

(ii)         Principles of consolidation

The financial statements of entities which are controlled by the Company through voting equity interests, referred to as subsidiaries, are consolidated. Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) (which include, but are not limited to, special purpose entities, trusts, partnerships, certain joint ventures and other legal structures), as defined in subtopic 10 of ASC 810, “Consolidation” (“ASC 810”), are entities in which equity investors generally do not have the characteristics of a “controlling financial interest” or there is not sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support. VIEs are consolidated by the Company when it is determined that it will, as the primary beneficiary, absorb the majority of the VIEs expected losses and/or expected residual returns. The Company has no interests in VIEs in any of the years presented. Inter-company accounts and transactions are eliminated upon consolidation.

(iii)         Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the year. Significant estimates include, but are not limited to, allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory valuation, deferred tax asset valuation allowance, restructuring and other accruals, determination of useful lives of property, plant and equipment, impairment of long-lived assets and legal contingencies. These estimates and assumptions are based on management’s best estimates and judgment.  Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment.  Actual results may differ from those estimates.

(iv)         Revenue recognition

Revenue is derived primarily from the sale of electronics equipment that has been built to customer specifications. Revenue from the sale of products is recognized when goods are shipped to customers since title has passed to the customer, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, performance has occurred, all customer-specified test criteria have been met and collectability is reasonably assured. The Company has no significant obligations after product shipment other than its standard manufacturing warranty. The Company records a provision for future warranty costs based on management’s best estimate of probable claims under its product warranties. The provision is based on the terms of the warranty which vary by customer and product, and historical experience. The Company regularly evaluates this provision.

In addition, the Company has contractual arrangements with the majority of its customers that provide for customers purchasing unused inventory that the Company has purchased to fulfill that customer’s forecasted manufacturing demand. Revenue from the sale of excess inventory to the customer is recognized when title passes to the customer. The Company also derives revenue from engineering and design services. Service revenue is recognized as services are performed.

For arrangements where the customer agrees to purchase products but the Company retains possession until the customer requests shipment (“bill and hold arrangements”), revenue is not recognized unless all recognition criteria under SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104 have been met.

Sales taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are presented on a net basis.

(v)         Allowance for doubtful accounts

The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects management’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the accounts receivable balance. Management determines the allowance based on factors including the length of time the receivables have been outstanding, customer and industry concentrations, credit insurance coverage, the current business environment and historical experience.

(vi)         Inventories

Inventories are valued, on a first-in, first-out basis, at the lower of cost and replacement cost for raw materials and at the lower of cost and net realizable value for work in progress and finished goods. Inventories include an application of relevant overhead. Fixed production overheads are allocated to inventory based on normal capacity of production facilities. The Company writes down estimated obsolete or excess inventory for the difference between the cost of inventory and estimated net realizable value based upon customer forecasts, shrinkage, the aging and future demand for the inventory, past experience with specific customers, and the ability to sell inventory back to customers or return to suppliers. If these assumptions change, additional write-downs may be required. The Company recognizes as current period charges abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage) costs.

(vii)         Property, Plant and equipment

Plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is generally calculated on a straight-line basis over the expected useful lives as follows:

Buildings
5 - 20 years
Machinery and equipment - fabrication business
15 years
Machinery and equipment – all other
7 – 10 years
Office furniture and equipment
7 years
Computer hardware and software
3 years
Leasehold improvements
Over shorter of the lease term
and estimated useful life

Land is stated at cost.

(viii)         Deferred financing costs

Long-term debt financing related costs are deferred and amortized over the term of the related debt and the related amortization is included within interest expense. Deferred financing costs relating to term debt are amortized using the effective interest method while deferred financing costs relating to revolving credit facilities are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the facility.

(ix)         Income taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. This approach recognizes the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year as well as deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequence of events recognized in the financial statements and tax returns. The effect of changes in tax rates is recognized in the year in which the rate change occurs.

In establishing the appropriate valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, the Company assesses its ability to realize its deferred tax assets based on available evidence, both positive and negative, to determine whether it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets or a portion thereof will be realized.

The Company follows the guidance under ASC 740 with respect to accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements. This guidance prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, and also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.

This guidance requires the Company to determine if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position and for those tax positions that meet the more likely than not threshold, the Company would recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized when ultimately settled with the tax authorities.

(x)         Earnings (loss) per common share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares plus the dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the year. Anti-dilutive potential common shares are excluded. The treasury stock method is used to compute the potential dilutive effect of stock options and warrants issued.

(xi)         Translation of foreign currencies

The functional currency of the parent company and all foreign subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the year-end rates of exchange. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at historical rates and revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the month of the transaction. Exchange gains or losses are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

 
(xii)
Financial instruments

The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments in accordance with applicable guidance. In accordance with these standards, all derivative instruments are recorded on the balance sheet at their respective fair values. Generally, if a derivative instrument is designated as a cash flow hedge, the change in the fair value of the derivative is recorded in other comprehensive income to the extent the derivative is effective, and recognized in the statement of operations when the hedged item affects earnings. If a derivative instrument is designated as a fair value hedge, the change in fair value of the derivative and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in the statement of operations and comprehensive income in the current period. Changes in fair value of derivatives that are not designated as hedges are recorded in the statement of operations and comprehensive income.

The carrying amounts of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair values of long-term debt and capital lease obligations, including the current portion, bear rates currently available to the Company for debt with similar terms and maturities and, therefore, approximate carrying values.

 
(xiii)
Shipping and handling costs

Shipping and handling costs are included as a component of cost of sales.

 
(xiv)
Stock-based compensation

The Company applies ASC 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation”, (“ASC 718”) using a fair value based method for all outstanding awards. The fair value at grant date of stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Compensation expense is recognized over the stock option vesting period on a straight line basis. ASC 718 also requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

 
 (xv)
Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, (“ASC 820”), the Company determines fair value as an exit price, representing the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. ASC 820 establishes a hierarchical structure to prioritize the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three tiers:

Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities

Level 3 - No observable pricing inputs in the market (e.g., discounted cash flows)

Financial assets and financial liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurements. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured and their placement within the fair value hierarchy.

 
(xvi)
Impairment of long-lived assets

The Company tests long-lived assets or asset groups held and used for recoverability when events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be recoverable. Circumstances which could trigger a review include, but are not limited to: significant decreases in the market price of the asset; significant adverse changes in the business climate or legal factors; the accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or construction of the asset; current period cash flow or operating losses combined with a history of losses or a forecast of continuing losses associated with the use of the asset; and a current expectation that the asset will more likely than not be sold or disposed significantly before the end of its estimated useful life. Recoverability is assessed based on the carrying amount of the asset and the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and the eventual disposal of the asset. If the carrying value of the asset is not recoverable, the impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds fair value. For assets classified as held for sale, an impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount exceeds the fair value less costs to sell.

 
(xvii)
Restructuring costs

The Company accounts for restructuring costs related to an exit or disposal activity when a liability is incurred and can be measured at fair value.

 
(xviii)
Asset retirement obligations

The Company recognizes the fair value of liabilities for asset retirement obligations when the Company incurs the obligation. There was no asset retirement obligation recorded for the periods ended January 1, 2012 or January 2, 2011.

 
(xix)
Guarantees

The Company accounts for guarantees, including the recognition of a liability at the inception of certain guarantees, based on the fair value of the guarantee. The Company did not enter into any guarantees in the periods ended January 1, 2012 or January 2, 2011.

 
(xx)
Comprehensive income (loss):

Comprehensive income (loss) includes all changes in equity (net assets) during a period from non-owner sources. During each of the periods ended January 1, 2012, January 2, 2011 and January 3, 2010, comprehensive income (loss) was equal to net earnings (loss).

 
(xxi)
Business Combinations:

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. The fair value of the net assets acquired and the results of the acquired businesses are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements from the acquisition dates forward. The Company is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and results of operations during the reporting period. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, the fair value of acquired net operating assets, property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and related deferred tax liabilities, useful lives of plant and equipment and amortizable lives for acquired intangible assets. Any excess of the purchase consideration over the recorded acquisition date amounts of the assets and liabilities acquired is recognized as goodwill. Any excess of the recorded amounts of the assets and liabilities acquired over purchase consideration is recognized as a gain in the statement of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

The Company estimates the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities as of the date of acquisition based on information available at that time. Contingent consideration is recorded at fair value as of the date of the acquisition with subsequent adjustments recorded in earnings. Changes to valuation allowances on acquired deferred tax assets are recognized in the provision for, or benefit from, income taxes. The valuation of these tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities is subject to further management review and may change materially between the preliminary allocation and end of the purchase price allocation period. Any changes in these estimates may have a material effect on the Company's consolidated operating results or financial position.

 
(xxii)
Restructuring Charges:

Costs associated with restructuring activities are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 420, Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations, or ASC Topic 712, Compensation – Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits, as applicable. Under ASC 712, liabilities for contractual employee severance are recorded when payment of severance is considered probable and the amount can be estimated. Liabilities for restructuring costs other than employee severance are accounted for in accordance with ASC 420, only when they are incurred.

 
(xxiii)
Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 
a)
In May 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No.2011-04, “Fair Value Measurement” (Topic 820) — Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (ASU 2011-04). The amendments in this ASU change the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. For many of the requirements, the FASB does not intend for the amendments in this ASU to result in a change in the application of the requirements in Topic 820. Some of the amendments clarify the FASB’s intent about the application of existing fair value measurement requirements. Other amendments change a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or for disclosing information about fair value measurements. The amendments in this ASU are to be applied prospectively for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2011-04 to have a material impact on our financial statements.

 
b)
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income” (Topic 220) — Presentation of Comprehensive Income (ASU 2011-05), to require an entity to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-12, Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards update no. 2011-05 (ASU 2011-12), which defers the effective date of ASU 2011-05 only with respect to reclassification adjustments out of accumulated other comprehensive income. ASU  2011-05 as amended by ASU 2011-12 is effective for us in our first quarter of fiscal 2012 and will be applied retrospectively. We are currently evaluating the impact of our pending adoption of ASU 2011-05 as amended by ASU 2011-12 on our consolidated financial statements.

 
c)
In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, “Balance Sheet” (Topic 210) – Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (ASU 2011-12).The amendments in this update require an entity that has financial instruments and derivative instruments that are either 1) offset in accordance with either Section 210-20-45 or Section 815-10-45 or 2) subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement, to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements. The amendments in this ASU will be required for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. Required disclosures should be presented retrospectively for all comparative periods. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2011-11 on our consolidated financial statements.