Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Fair Value Measurements

v3.3.1.900
Fair Value Measurements
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements
(15)  Fair Value Measurements

The accounting standard for fair value measurements defines fair value, and establishes a market-based framework or hierarchy for measuring fair value.  The standard is applicable whenever assets and liabilities are measured at fair value.

The fair value hierarchy established in the standard prioritizes the inputs used in valuation techniques into three levels as follows:

Level 1 – Observable inputs – quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities;

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than the quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities – includes quoted prices for similar instruments, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in inactive markets, and amounts derived from valuation models where all significant inputs are observable in active markets; and

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs – includes amounts derived from valuation models where one or more significant inputs are unobservable and require us to develop relevant assumptions.

The following table summarizes the financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and the level they fall within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):

Amounts Recorded at Fair Value
 
Financial Statement Classification
 
Fair Value Hierarchy
 
Fair Value December 31, 2015
   
Fair Value December 31, 2014
 
Non-COLI assets held in Deferred Supplemental Compensation Plan
 
Other assets
 
Level 1
 
$
264
   
$
253
 
Interest rate swaps
 
Accrued expenses
 
Level 2
 
$
123
     
-
 
Earn-out obligations - current
 
Current portion of earn-out obligations
 
Level 3
 
$
9,678
   
$
9,455
 
Earn-out obligations - long-term
 
Earn-out obligations
 
Level 3
 
$
10,166
     
-
 

Changes in the fair value of the Non-COLI assets held in the deferred supplemental compensation plan are recorded as selling, general and administrative expenses.

We account for our interest rate swap agreements under the provisions of ASC 815, and have determined that our swap agreements qualify as highly effective hedges. Accordingly, the fair value of the swap agreements, which is a liability of approximately $123 thousand at December 31, 2015, has been reported in accrued expenses. We had no interest rate swaps in place at December 31, 2014. The offset, net of an income tax effect of approximately $48 thousand is included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the accompanying balance sheets as of December 31, 2015. The amounts paid and received on the swap agreements are recorded in interest expense in the period during which the related floating-rate interest is incurred. We determine the fair value of the swap agreements based on a valuation model using market data inputs.

We utilized a probability-weighted discounted cash flow method to determine the fair value of our Aviation Acquisition earn-out obligations. Probabilities were applied to each potential pay-out scenario and the resulting values were discounted using a rate that considered our weighted average cost of capital as well as a specific risk premium associated with the riskiness of the earn out itself, the related projections, and the overall business. Significant unobservable inputs used to value the contingent consideration include projected earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and the discount rate.  If significant increases or decreases in the inputs occurred in isolation, the result could be a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement.

Our acquisition of Wheeler Bros., Inc. ("WBI") in 2011 required us to make additional payments to the sellers of up to a total of $40 million over a four-year post-acquisition period that ended June 30, 2015 if WBI achieved certain financial performance. WBI's sellers earned approximately $10 million, $2.7 million, $219 thousand, and $7.1 million based on WBI's financial performances for the earn-out years ended June 30, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. WBI's final earn-out payment of approximately $10 million for the earn-out period ended June 30, 2015 was made in September 2015. Changes in the fair value of the earn-out obligations were recorded as contract costs in the period of change through settlement.

The fair value of all earn-out obligations increased approximately $426 thousand and $3.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. (see Note 5, Acquisitions, for further discussion of the Aviation Acquisition earn-out obligation).

The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of the earn-out obligations measured at fair value on a recurring basis that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

   
Current portion
   
Long-term portion
   
Total
 
Balance as of December 31, 2014
 
$
9,455
   
$
-
   
$
9,455
 
Earn-out payments
   
(14,982
)
   
-
     
(14,982
)
Fair value adjustment included in earnings
   
527
     
(101
)
   
426
 
Additional earn-out obligations
   
14,678
     
10,267
     
24,945
 
Balance as of December 31, 2015
 
$
9,678
   
$
10,166
   
$
19,844