## PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 

## NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued) 

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method. Significant renewals and betterments are capitalized and equipment taken out of service is written off. Maintenance and repairs, as well as renewals of a minor amount, are expensed as incurred. 

Estimated useful lives used for depreciation purposes are five to 30 years for buildings and improvements and three to 10 years for machinery and equipment. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the lesser of the economic life or the life of the associated lease. 

## VALUATION OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS 

Definite lived intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Carrying values for long-lived assets and definite lived intangible assets, which exclude goodwill, are reviewed for possible impairment as circumstances warrant. Factors considered important that could result in an impairment review include significant underperformance relative to expected, historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of assets or the Company’s business strategy, or significant negative industry or economic trends. In addition, impairment reviews are conducted at the judgment of management whenever asset / asset group values are deemed to be unrecoverable relative to future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that particular asset / asset group. The determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of an asset / asset group and its eventual disposition. Such estimates require management to exercise judgment and make assumptions regarding factors such as future revenue streams, operating expenditures, cost allocation and asset utilization levels, all of which collectively impact future operating performance. The Company’s estimates of undiscounted cash flows may differ from actual cash flows due to, among other things, technological changes, economic conditions, changes to its business model or changes in its operating performance. If the sum of the undiscounted cash flows (excluding interest) is less than the carrying value of an asset/asset group, the Company would recognize an impairment loss, measured as the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the asset or asset group. 

## GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS 

Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized but are tested at least annually for impairment in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC 350 Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”) . Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives comprise an insignificant portion of the total book value of the Company’s goodwill and intangible assets. The Company assesses the need to test its goodwill for impairment on a regular basis. Pursuant to the guidance provided under Segment Reporting (see Note 18 for further discussion), the Company has determined that it has only one reporting unit for the purposes of allocating and testing goodwill under ASC 350. 

The goodwill impairment test is a two-step process. The first step of the Company’s impairment analysis compares its fair value to its net book value to determine if there is an indicator of impairment. To determine fair value, ASC 350 allows for the use of several valuation methodologies, although it states that quoted market prices are the best evidence of fair value and shall be used as the basis for measuring fair value where available. In the Company’s assessment of its fair value, the Company considers the closing price of its common stock on the selected testing date, the number of shares of its common stock outstanding during such period and other marketplace activity and related control premiums. If the calculated fair value is determined to be less than the book value of the Company, then the Company performs step two of the impairment analysis. Step two of the analysis compares the implied fair value of the Company’s goodwill to the book value of its goodwill. If the book 

