Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

v2.4.0.8
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired in business combinations. Goodwill is not subject to amortization and is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. Impairment tests are performed by the Company annually in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Total cumulative goodwill impairment charges for continuing operations were $22.2 million at August 31, 2013 and 2012. The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended August 31, 2013 and 2012 are as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Industrial
 
Energy
 
Electrical
 
Engineered
Solutions
 
Total
Balance as of August 31, 2011
 
$
85,409

 
$
252,285

 
$
260,777

 
$
289,995

 
$
888,466

Businesses acquired
 

 
14,101

 

 
26,188

 
40,289

Purchase accounting adjustments
 

 

 
(3,995
)
 
715

 
(3,280
)
Impairment charge
 

 

 
(36,557
)
 

 
(36,557
)
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates
 
(4,005
)
 
(6,865
)
 
(6,355
)
 
(5,281
)
 
(22,506
)
Balance as of August 31, 2012
 
81,404

 
259,521

 
213,870

 
311,617

 
866,412

Business acquired
 

 
87,734

 

 

 
87,734

Purchase accounting adjustments
 

 
117

 

 
(100
)
 
17

Impairment charge
 

 

 
(137,804
)
 

 
(137,804
)
Reclassification to discontinued operations
 

 

 
(76,877
)
 

 
(76,877
)
Divestiture of Nielsen Sessions business
 

 

 

 
(2,556
)
 
(2,556
)
Impact of changes in foreign currency rates
 
1,207

 
(5,469
)
 
811

 
1,477

 
(1,974
)
Balance as of August 31, 2013
 
$
82,611

 
$
341,903

 
$

 
$
310,438

 
$
734,952



The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of the Company’s intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):
 
 
Weighted
Average
Amortization
Period (Years)
 
August 31, 2013
 
August 31, 2012
 
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net Book
Value
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net Book
Value
Amortizable intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer relationships
 
15
 
$
318,143

 
$
95,215

 
$
222,928

 
$
347,739

 
$
93,768

 
$
253,971

Patents
 
11
 
30,564

 
18,747

 
11,817

 
52,851

 
34,842

 
18,009

Trademarks and tradenames
 
19
 
24,088

 
7,356

 
16,732

 
43,820

 
8,670

 
35,150

Non-compete agreements and other
 
4
 
7,034

 
6,458

 
576

 
7,677

 
6,316

 
1,361

Indefinite lived intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tradenames
 
N/A
 
124,639

 

 
124,639

 
137,393

 

 
137,393

 
 
 
 
$
504,468

 
$
127,776

 
$
376,692

 
$
589,480

 
$
143,596

 
$
445,884


Changes in the gross carrying value of intangible assets result from foreign currency exchange rate changes, impairment charges and the reclassification of Electrical segment intangible assets to discontinued operations (refer to Note 3, "Discontinued Operations"). Amortization expense recorded on intangible assets for the years ended August 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was $22.9 million, $22.0 million and $21.5 million, respectively. Amortization expense for future years is estimated to be: $24.6 million in each of fiscal years 2014 and 2015, $24.5 million in fiscal 2016, $23.4 million in fiscal 2017, $23.0 million in fiscal 2018 and $132.0 million in aggregate thereafter. The future amortization expense amounts represent estimates, which may change based on future acquisitions, changes in foreign currency exchange rates or other factors.