XML 46 R26.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.24.2

Contingencies and Accrued Losses | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
May 31, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Contingencies and Accrued Losses | NOTE P — CONTINGENCIES AND ACCRUED LOSSES Accrued loss reserves consist of the following:
May 31, |  | 2024 |  | 2023 |
(In thousands) |  |  |  |  |
Accrued product liability and other loss reserves |  | $ | 23,353 |  | $ | 16,995 |
Accrued warranty reserves |  |  | 8,017 |  |  | 8,448 |
Accrued environmental reserves |  |  | 1,148 |  |  | 1,027 |
Total Accrued Loss Reserves - Current |  | $ | 32,518 |  | $ | 26,470 |
Accrued product liability and other loss reserves - noncurrent |  | $ | 25,289 |  | $ | 22,849 |
Accrued warranty liability - noncurrent |  |  | 3,604 |  |  | 3,328 |
Accrued environmental reserves - noncurrent |  |  | 2,574 |  |  | 6,173 |
Total Accrued Loss Reserves - Noncurrent |  | $ | 31,467 |  | $ | 32,350 |
Product Liability Matters We provide, through our wholly owned insurance subsidiaries, certain insurance coverage, primarily product liability coverage, to our other subsidiaries. Excess coverage is provided by third-party insurers. Our product liability accruals provide for these potential losses, as well as other uninsured claims. Product liability accruals are established based upon actuarial calculations of potential liability using industry experience, actual historical experience and actuarial assumptions developed for similar types of product liability claims, including development factors and lag times. To the extent there is a reasonable possibility that potential losses could exceed the amounts already accrued, we believe that the amount of any such additional loss would be immaterial to our results of operations, liquidity and consolidated financial position. Warranty Matters We also offer warranties on many of our products, as well as long-term warranty programs at certain of our businesses, and have established product warranty liabilities. We review these liabilities for adequacy on a quarterly basis and adjust them as necessary. The primary factors that could affect these liabilities may include changes in performance rates, as well as costs of replacement. Provision for estimated warranty costs is recorded at the time of sale and periodically adjusted, as required, to reflect actual experience. It is probable that we will incur future losses related to warranty claims we have received but that have not been fully investigated and related to claims not yet received. While our warranty liabilities represent our best estimates at May 31, 2024, we can provide no assurances that we will not experience material claims in the future or that we will not incur significant costs to resolve such claims beyond the amounts accrued or beyond what we may recover from our suppliers. Based upon the nature of the expense, product warranty expense is recorded as a component of cost of sales or within SG&A. Also, due to the nature of our businesses, the amount of claims paid can fluctuate from one period to the next. While our warranty liabilities represent our best estimates of our expected losses at any given time, from time to time we may revise our estimates based on our experience relating to factors such as weather conditions, specific circumstances surrounding product installations and other factors. The following table includes the changes in our accrued warranty balances:
Year Ended May 31, |  | 2024 |  | 2023 |  | 2022 |
(In thousands) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Beginning Balance |  | $ | 11,776 |  | $ | 10,905 |  | $ | 13,175 |
Deductions (1) |  |  | (34,388 | ) |  | (27,851 | ) |  | (26,332 | )
Provision charged to expense |  |  | 34,233 |  |  | 28,722 |  |  | 24,062 |
Ending Balance |  | $ | 11,621 |  | $ | 11,776 |  | $ | 10,905 |
(1) Primarily claims paid during the year. Environmental Matters Like other companies participating in similar lines of business, some of our subsidiaries are involved in environmental remediation matters. It is our policy to accrue remediation costs when the liability is probable and the costs are reasonably estimable, which generally is not later than at completion of a feasibility study or when we have committed to an appropriate plan of action. We also take into consideration the estimated period of time over which payments may be required. The liabilities are reviewed periodically and, as investigation and remediation activities continue, adjustments are made as necessary. Liabilities for losses from environmental remediation obligations do not consider the effects of inflation and anticipated expenditures are not discounted to their present value. The liabilities are not offset by possible recoveries from insurance carriers or other third parties but do reflect anticipated allocations among potentially responsible parties at federal superfund sites or similar state-managed sites, third party indemnity obligations, and an assessment of the likelihood that such parties will fulfill their obligations at such sites. Other Contingencies One of our former subsidiaries in our SPG reportable segment has been the subject of a proceeding in which one of its former distributors brought suit against the subsidiary for breach of contract. Following a June 2017 trial, a jury determined that the distributor was not entitled to any damages on the distributor’s claims. On appeal, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ordered a new trial with respect to certain issues. On December 10, 2021, a new jury awarded $6.0 million in damages to the distributor. Per the parties’ contracts, the distributor was also entitled to seek recovery of some portion of its attorneys’ fees and costs. On July 3, 2023, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued its decision rejecting the distributor's arguments and denying all appellate relief to the distributor, which also rendered our cross-appeal moot. On November 15, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California issued an order awarding the distributor approximately $4.4 million in connection with attorney's fees and costs the distributor allegedly incurred throughout the duration of this legal action. As a result of this order, we increased our accrual to $10.4 million as of November 30, 2023. On December 27, 2023, we paid the $6.0 million judgment, and then decreased our accrual to approximately $4.4 million. However, because we strongly disagree with the District Court's order awarding attorneys’ fees and costs to the distributor, we timely filed an appeal of this order with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which remains pending. We incurred SG&A expense of $4.4 million during fiscal 2024 related to this matter. This contingency remains a liability of the Company. One of our subsidiaries in our Consumer reportable segment has been the subject of a proceeding in which a former supplier of that subsidiary alleges, among other claims, that the subsidiary breached certain contractual obligations. The jury trial in this matter is currently scheduled to occur in September 2024. While we continue to vigorously contest all the former supplier’s claims and alleged damages, the outcome of any legal proceeding is inherently unpredictable and subject to significant uncertainties. Given the stage of the litigation and based upon information presently known to management, we are not currently able to estimate the outcome of this proceeding or a possible range of loss, if any. Gain on Business Interruption Insurance In April 2021, there was a significant plant explosion at a key alkyd resin supplier which caused severe supply chain disruptions. As a result of this disruption, the Consumer segment incurred incremental costs and lost sales during fiscal 2021 and 2022. A claim for these losses was submitted under our business interruption insurance policy. The Consumer segment recovered $11.1 million and $20.0 million from insurance during the years ended May 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The insurance gain is recorded as a reduction to SG&A expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income, and the proceeds are included within cash flows from operating activities in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended May 31, 2024 and 2023.

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The entire disclosure for commitments and contingencies. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 440 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (a) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482648/440-10-50-4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef -Topic 450 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//450/tableOfContent Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 954 -SubTopic 440 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147480327/954-440-50-1 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 440 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (c) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//1943274/2147482648/440-10-50-4 Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Topic 440 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org//440/tableOfContent + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | dtr-types:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration