Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Consolidation Policy
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Sypris Solutions, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, "Sypris" or the "Company"). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Nature of Business
Sypris is a diversified provider of outsourced services and specialty products. The Company performs a wide range of manufacturing, engineering, design, testing, and other technical services, typically under multi-year, sole-source contracts with corporations and government agencies in the markets for aerospace & defense electronics, truck components & assemblies, and for users of test & measurement equipment.

Use of Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

Inventory
Contract inventory is stated at actual production costs, reduced by the cost of units for which revenue has been recognized. Gross contract inventory is considered work in process. Progress payments under long-term contracts are specified in the contracts as a percentage of cost and are liquidated as contract items are completed and shipped. Other inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market. The first-in, first-out method was used for determining the cost of inventory excluding contract inventory and certain other inventory, which was determined using the last-in, first-out method ("LIFO") (see Note 4). The Company’s reserve for excess and obsolete inventory is primarily based upon forecasted demand for its product sales, and any change to the reserve arising from forecast revisions is reflected in cost of sales in the period the revision is made.

Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated on the basis of cost. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is generally computed using the straight-line method over their estimated economic lives. For land improvements, buildings and building improvements, the estimated economic life is generally 40 years. Estimated economic lives range from three to fifteen years for machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the respective lease term using the straight-line method. Expenditures for maintenance, repairs and renewals of minor items are expensed as incurred. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized.
Interest cost is capitalized for qualifying assets during the period in which the asset is being installed and prepared for its intended use. Capitalized interest cost is amortized on the same basis as the related depreciation.

Goodwill
Beginning in 2002 with the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," goodwill is no longer amortized, but instead tested at least annually for impairment. Prior to 2002, goodwill was amortized using the straight-line method over its estimated period of benefit of 15 years (see "Adoption of Recently Issued Accounting Standards" below). Goodwill is reported net of accumulated amortization of approximately $4,146,000 at December 31, 2003 and 2002.

Long-lived Assets
The Company evaluates long-lived assets for impairment and assesses their recoverability based upon anticipated future cash flows. If facts and circumstances lead the Company’s management to believe that the cost of one of its assets may be impaired, the Company will write down that carrying amount to fair value to the extent necessary.