12. Commitments and Contingencies
At December 31, 2011, the Company had in place letter of credit guarantees and performance bonds securing performance obligations of the Company. These arrangements totaled approximately $7,594. Of this amount, $2,291 is secured by cash deposits at the Company’s financial institutions. The remaining $5,303 represents a reduction of the available amount of the Company’s Short Term and Long Term Revolving Lines of Credit. Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets at December 31, 2011 and March 31, 2011, was approximately $2,291 and $2,133, respectively, of cash deposits pledged as collateral on performance bonds and letters of credit.
The Company is involved in various legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of doing business and believes that adequate reserves have been established for any probable losses. Expenses related to litigation are included in operating income. We do not believe that the outcome of any of these proceedings would have a significant adverse effect on our financial position, long-term results of operations, or cash flows. It is possible, however, that charges related to these matters could be significant to our results or cash flows in any one accounting period.
The Company has no outstanding legal matters outside of matters arising in the ordinary course of business, except as described below. We can give no assurances we will prevail in any of these matters.
Asbestos Litigation—Since 1999, we have been named as one of many defendants in 16 personal injury suits alleging exposure to asbestos from our products. None of the cases alleges premises liability. Two cases are currently pending. Insurers are defending us in one of the two lawsuits, and we expect that an insurer will defend us in the remaining matter. Of the concluded suits, there were seven cost of defense settlements and the remainder were dismissed without payment. There are no claims unrelated to asbestos exposure for which coverage has been sought under the policies that are providing coverage.
Indian Sales Tax and Customs Disputes—Our Indian subsidiary is currently disputing assessments of administrative sales tax and customs duties with Indian tax and customs authorities. In addition, we currently have a customs duty case before the Supreme Court in India, on appeal by custom authorities. During the three months ended December 31, 2011, we concluded settlement of some of these matters whereby Thermon paid approximately $88. We have reserved $287 in estimated settlement of the remaining matters.
Notice of Tax Dispute with the Canada Revenue Agency—On June 13, 2011, we received notice from the Canada Revenue Agency (“Agency”) advising us that they disagree with the tax treatment we proposed with respect to certain asset transfers that was completed in August 2007 by our Predecessor owners. As a result, the Agency proposes to disallow the interest deductions taken in Canada for tax years 2008, 2009 and 2010. In total these interest deductions amounted to $11,640. The statutory tax rate in Canada is approximately 25%, therefore the tax due that is requested by the Agency is approximately $2,910. At December 31, 2011, we have not recorded a tax liability reserve related to this matter with the Agency, as a loss is not probable or estimable. While we will vigorously contest this ruling, we expect that any liability, if any, will be covered under an indemnity agreement with the Predecessor owners.
Building Construction Accident - On July 27, 2011, during construction of the expansion of our manufacturing facility by a third party contractor in San Marcos, Texas, a section of the partially completed steel framework collapsed during erection. One employee of the erection subcontractor to the general contractor was killed. There were no Thermon employees on the construction site at the time of the incident. We understand that both the general contractor and the steel erection subcontractor were issued citations by OSHA and have been sued in private actions brought by the decedent’s estate as a result of the accident. The Company has not been fined or named in any lawsuits related to this matter. Present estimates are that completion of the project will occur by March 31, 2012. We do not expect significant adverse effects on our ability to produce and ship product as a result of the incident because we had accumulated inventory in preparation of the manufacturing downtime .
Warranty Reserve— Changes in the Company’s product liability are as follows:
|
|
Nine months
Ended Dec. 31, 2011 (Successor)
|
|
For the Period
From May 1,
Through Dec. 31, 2010 (Successor)
|
|
For the Period
From April 1,
Through April 30, 2010 (Predecessor)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at beginning of period
|
|
$
|
1,325
|
|
$
|
1,057
|
|
$
|
699
|
|
Provision for warranties issued
|
|
127
|
|
604
|
|
19
|
|
Reclassification of other liabilities
|
|
—
|
|
—
|
|
339
|
|
Settlements
|
|
(823
|
)
|
(620
|
)
|
—
|
|
Balance at end of period
|
|
$
|
629
|
|
$
|
1,041
|
|
$
|
1,057
|
|
|