EMPLOYEE SEPARATION/ASSET RELATED CHARGES, NET
At December 31, 2013, total liabilities related to restructuring activities were $57, primarily relating to the 2012 restructuring program. In addition to the programs discussed below, a charge of $19, which included $9 recorded in employee separation / asset related charges, net and $10 recorded in other income, net, was taken in the fourth quarter 2013. This charge was a result of restructuring actions including employee separation and asset related costs related to a joint venture in the Performance Materials segment.
2012 Restructuring Program
In 2012, the company commenced a restructuring plan to increase productivity, enhance competitiveness and accelerate growth. The plan was designed to eliminate corporate costs previously allocated to the Performance Coatings business as well as utilize additional cost-cutting actions to improve competitiveness. As a result, pre-tax charges of $234 were recorded in employee separation / asset related charges, net. The 2012 charges consisted of $157 of employee separation costs, $8 of other non-personnel charges, and $69 of asset related charges, which included $30 of asset impairments and $39 of asset shut downs.
The 2012 restructuring program charges impacted segment earnings as follows: Agriculture - $11, Electronics & Communications - $9, Industrial Biosciences - $3, Nutrition & Health - $53, Performance Chemicals - $3, Performance Materials - $13, and Safety & Protection - $58, as well as Corporate expenses - $84.
In the fourth quarter 2013, the company recorded a net reduction of $(17) in the estimated costs associated with the 2012 restructuring program. This net reduction was primarily due to lower than estimated individual severance costs and workforce reductions through non-severance programs. The net reduction impacted segment earnings for the year ended December 31, 2013 as follows: Agriculture - $(2), Electronics & Communications - $2, Industrial Biosciences - $(1), Nutrition & Health - $(3), Performance Chemicals - $1, Performance Materials - $(1), and Safety & Protection - $(2), Other - (2), as well as Corporate expenses - $(9).
The actions and payments related to the 2012 restructuring program were substantially complete as of December 31, 2013.
Account balances and activity for the 2012 restructuring program are summarized below:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Asset Related | Employee Separation Costs | Other Non-Personnel Charges1 | Total |
Charges to income in 2012 | $ | 69 |
| $ | 157 |
| $ | 8 |
| $ | 234 |
|
Charges to accounts: | | | | |
Payments | — |
| (4 | ) | (1 | ) | (5 | ) |
Net translation adjustment | — |
| 1 |
| — |
| 1 |
|
Asset write-offs and adjustments | (69 | ) | — |
| — |
| (69 | ) |
Balance as of December 31, 2012 | $ | — |
| $ | 154 |
| $ | 7 |
| $ | 161 |
|
Payments | — |
| (82 | ) | (5 | ) | (87 | ) |
Net translation adjustment | — |
| (1 | ) | — |
| (1 | ) |
Asset write-offs and adjustments | — |
| (19 | ) | 2 |
| (17 | ) |
Balance as of December 31, 2013 | $ | — |
| $ | 52 |
| $ | 4 |
| $ | 56 |
|
1. Other non-personnel charges consist of contractual obligation costs.
Asset Impairments
In the fourth quarter 2013, as a result of strategic decisions related to the thin film photovoltaic market, and during 2012, as a result of deteriorating conditions in the thin film photovoltaic market, the company determined that impairment triggering events had occurred and that assessments of the asset group related to its thin film photovoltaic modules and systems were warranted. These assessments determined that the carrying value of the asset group exceeded its fair value. As a result of the impairment tests, $129 and $150 of pre-tax impairment charges were recorded during 2013 and 2012, respectively, within the Electronics & Communications segment.
During 2012, as a result of strategic decisions related to deteriorating conditions within a specific industrial chemicals market, the company determined that an impairment triggering event had occurred and that an assessment of the asset group related to this industrial chemical was warranted. This assessment determined that the carrying value of the asset group exceeded its fair value. As a result of the impairment test, a $33 pre-tax impairment charge was recorded within the Performance Chemicals segment.
During 2012, as a result of deteriorating conditions in an industrial polymer market, the company determined that an impairment triggering event had occurred and that an assessment of the asset group related to this polymer product was warranted. This assessment determined that the carrying value of the asset group exceeded its fair value. As a result of the impairment test, a $92 pre-tax impairment charge was recorded within the Performance Materials segment.
The bases of the fair value for the charges above were calculated utilizing a discounted cash flow approach which included assumptions concerning future operating performance and economic conditions that may differ from actual cash flows. In connection with the matters discussed above, as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, the company had long-lived assets with a remaining net book value of approximately $90 and $150, respectively, accounted for at fair value on a nonrecurring basis after initial recognition. These nonrecurring fair value measurements were determined using level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy, as described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
