Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies

v3.21.1
Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
At March 31, 2021, the Company had in place letter of credit guarantees and performance bonds securing performance obligations of the Company. These arrangements totaled approximately $6,905. Of this amount, $1,066 is secured by cash deposits at the Company's financial institutions and an additional $3,314 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 March 31, 2021 and 2020, was approximately $1,667 and $2,769, respectively, of cash deposits pledged as collateral on performance bonds and letters of credit. Our Indian subsidiary also has $4,938 in customs bonds outstanding to secure the Company's customs and duties obligations in India.

    The Company has entered into information technology service agreements with several vendors. The service fees expense amounted to $1,768, $2,679, and $3,809 in fiscal 2021, 2020, 2019, respectively. The future annual service fees under the service agreements are as follows for the fiscal years ended March 31:
2022 $ 1,087 
2023 896 
Total $ 1,983 
We are involved in various legal and administrative proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of doing business. Some of these proceedings may result in fines, penalties or judgments being assessed against us, which may adversely affect our financial results. In addition, from time to time, we are involved in various disputes, which may or may not be settled prior to legal proceedings being instituted and which may result in losses in excess of accrued liabilities, if any, relating to such unresolved disputes. As of March 31, 2021, management believes that adequate reserves have been established for any probable and reasonably estimable losses. Expenses related to litigation reduce operating income. We do not believe that the outcome of any of these proceedings or disputes 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 of operations or cash flows in any one reporting period. 

In addition to the legal proceedings described above, in January 2020, the Company received service of process in a class action application in the Superior Court of Quebec, Montreal, Canada related to certain heating elements previously manufactured by THS and incorporated into certain portable construction heaters sold by certain manufacturers. The Company believes this claim is without merit and intends to vigorously defend itself against the claim. While the Company continues to dispute the allegations, in March 2021, it reached an agreement in principle with the plaintiff and other defendants to resolve this matter without admitting to any liability; such agreement remains subject to the agreement of the parties on the terms of a definitive settlement agreement. Settlement of this matter on the agreed terms will require the Company to contribute an amount that would not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The settlement is subject to, among other things, approval by the Superior Court.

    As of March 31, 2021, the Company has accrued $4,380 as estimated additional cost related to the operational execution of a project in our US-LAM segment.
Changes in the Company's warranty reserve are as follows:
Balance at March 31, 2018 $ 300 
Reserve for warranties issued during the period 300 
Settlements made during the period (235)
Balance at March 31, 2019 $ 365 
Reserve for warranties issued during the period 160 
Settlements made during the period (48)
Balance at March 31, 2020 $ 477 
Reserve for warranties issued during the period 217 
Settlements made during the period (444)
Balance at March 31, 2021 $ 250