NOTE 15.  OPERATING SEGMENTS

Operating segments under GAAP are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision-maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.  Cummins chief operating decision-maker (CODM) is the Chief Executive Officer.

Our reportable operating segments consist of the following: Engine, Power Generation, Components and Distribution.  This reporting structure is organized according to the products and markets each segment serves and allows management to focus its efforts on providing enhanced service to a wide range of customers.  The Engine segment produces engines and parts for sale to customers in on-highway and various industrial markets.  The engines are used in trucks of all sizes, buses and recreational vehicles, as well as various industrial applications including construction, mining, agriculture, marine, oil and gas, rail and military.  The Power Generation segment is an integrated provider of power systems which sells engines, generator sets and alternators.  The Components segment sells filtration products, exhaust aftertreatment systems, turbochargers and fuel systems.  The Distribution segment includes wholly-owned and partially-owned distributorships engaged in wholesaling engines, generator sets and service parts, as well as performing service and repair activities on our products and maintaining relationships with various OEMs throughout the world.

We use segment EBIT (defined as earnings before interest expense, taxes and noncontrolling interests) as a primary basis for the CODM to evaluate the performance of each of our operating segments.  Segment amounts exclude certain expenses not specifically identifiable to segments.

The accounting policies of our operating segments are the same as those applied in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  We prepared the financial results of our operating segments on a basis that is consistent with the manner in which we internally disaggregate financial information to assist in making internal operating decisions.  We have allocated certain common costs and expenses, primarily corporate functions, among segments differently than we would for stand-alone financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP.  These include certain costs and expenses of shared services, such as information technology, human resources, legal and finance.  We also do not allocate debt-related items, actuarial gains or losses, prior services costs or credits, changes in cash surrender value of corporate owned life insurance or income taxes to individual segments.  Segment EBIT may not be consistent with measures used by other companies.

Summarized financial information regarding our reportable operating segments for the three and nine month periods is shown in the table below:

(1)    Includes intersegment sales and profit in inventory eliminations and unallocated corporate expenses.  The nine months ended September 25, 2011, include a $68 million gain ($37 million after-tax) related to the sale of our exhaust business from the Components segment.  The gain has been excluded from segment results as it was not considered by management in its evaluation of operating results for the nine months ended September 25, 2011.  For the three and nine months ended September 26, 2010, unallocated corporate expenses included $32 million of Brazil tax recoveries ($21 million after-tax) and $2 million in flood damage expenses.  In the third quarter of 2010, it was determined that we overpaid a Brazilian revenue based tax during 2004-2008.  Our 2010 results include a pre-tax recovery related to tax credits on imported products arising from this overpayment.  The recovery has been excluded from segment results as it was not considered by management it its evaluation of operating results for the quarter.  There were no other significant unallocated corporate expenses for the three and nine months ended September 25, 2011 and September 26, 2010.

(2)    Depreciation and amortization as shown on a segment basis excludes the amortization of debt discount that is included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income as “Interest expense.”

A reconciliation of our segment information to the corresponding amounts in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income is shown in the table below: