The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. 2009 Annual Report

NOTE 4 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The cost of assets related to projects in progress of $144.9 million and $129.0 million as of June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively, is included in their respective asset categories above. Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment was $240.2 million, $233.9 million and $198.1 million in fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Depreciation and amortization related to the Company's manufacturing process is included in Cost of sales and all other depreciation and amortization is included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $8.5 million to reduce the net carrying value of certain retail store and counter assets to their estimated fair value, which was determined based on discounted expected future cash flows. Lower than expected operating cash flow performance relative to the affected assets, restructuring activities, revisions in internal forecasts and the impact of the current economic environment on their projected future results of operations indicated that the carrying value of the related long-lived assets were not recoverable. These asset impairment charges primarily related to the Company's skin care and makeup businesses in the Americas region and are included in Impairment of intangible and other long-lived assets in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings.