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CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND OTHER MATTERS | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 26, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND OTHER MATTERS | CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND OTHER MATTERS General Numerous claims, complaints and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business have been asserted or are pending against us or certain of our subsidiaries (collectively, “claims”). These claims relate to litigation matters (e.g., contracts, intellectual property, and competitive claims), environmental matters, product liability matters (predominately associated with alleged exposure to asbestos-containing materials), and other risk management matters (e.g., general liability, automobile, and workers’ compensation claims). Additionally, we may become subject to other claims of which we are currently unaware, which may be significant, or the claims of which we are aware may result in our incurring significantly greater loss than we anticipate. While we (and our subsidiaries) maintain property, cargo, auto, product, general liability, environmental, and directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and have acquired rights under similar policies in connection with acquisitions that we believe cover a significant portion of these claims, this insurance may be insufficient or unavailable (e.g., in the case of insurer insolvency) to protect us against potential loss exposures. Also, while we believe we are entitled to indemnification from third parties for some of these claims, these rights may be insufficient or unavailable to protect us against potential loss exposures. Our recorded liabilities related to these matters totaled $554.3 (including $514.5 for asbestos product liability matters) and $592.4 (including $552.2 for asbestos product liability matters) at September 26, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Of these amounts, $479.6 and $517.6 are included in “Other long-term liabilities” within our condensed consolidated balance sheets at September 26, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, with the remainder included in “Accrued expenses.” The liabilities we record for these claims are based on a number of assumptions, including historical claims and payment experience and, with respect to asbestos claims, actuarial estimates of the future period during which additional claims are reasonably foreseeable. While we base our assumptions on facts currently known to us, they entail inherently subjective judgments and uncertainties. As a result, our current assumptions for estimating these liabilities may not prove accurate, and we may be required to adjust these liabilities in the future, which could result in charges to earnings. These variances relative to current expectations could have a material impact on our financial position and results of operations. Our asbestos-related claims are typical in certain of the industries in which we operate or pertain to legacy businesses we no longer operate. It is not unusual in these cases for fifty or more corporate entities to be named as defendants. We vigorously defend these claims, many of which are dismissed without payment, and the significant majority of costs related to these claims have historically been paid pursuant to our insurance arrangements. During the nine months ended September 26, 2020, our payments for asbestos-related matters, net of insurance recoveries of $23.3, were $15.8. D uring the nine months ended September 28, 2019, our payments for asbestos-related matters, net of insurance recoveries of $39.1, were $9.8. A significant increase in claims, costs and/or issues with existing insurance coverage (e.g., dispute with or insolvency of insurer(s)) could have a material adverse impact on our share of future payments related to these matters, and, as such, have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows. We have recorded insurance recovery assets associated with the asbestos product liability matters, with such amounts totaling $489.4 and $509.6 at September 26, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Of these amounts, $439.4 and $459.6 are included in “Other assets” within our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 26, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, with the remainder included in “Other current assets.” These assets represent amounts that we believe we are or will be entitled to recover under agreements we have with insurance companies. The assets we record for these insurance recoveries are based on a number of assumptions, including the continued solvency of the insurers, and are subject to a variety of uncertainties. Our current assumptions for estimating these assets may not prove accurate, and we may be required to adjust these assets in the future, which could result in additional charges to earnings. These variances relative to current expectations could have a material impact on our financial position and results of operations. During the three and nine months ended September 26, 2020 and September 28, 2019, there were no changes in estimates associated with the liabilities and assets related to our asbestos product liability matters. Large Power Projects in South Africa Overview - Since 2008, DBT has been executing contracts on two l arge power projects in South Africa (Kusile and Medupi). Over such time, the business environment surrounding these projects has been difficult, as DBT, along with many other contractors on the projects, have experienced delays, cost over-runs, and various other challenges associated with a complex set of contractual relationships among the end customer, prime contractors, various subcontractors (including DBT and its subcontractors), and various suppliers. DBT has substantially completed its scope of work, with its remaining responsibilities related largely to resolution of various claims, primarily between itself and one of its prime contractors, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Power—ZAF (f.k.a. Mitsubishi-Hitachi Power Systems Africa (PTY) LTD), or "MHI." The challenges related to the projects have resulted in (i) significant adjustments to our revenue and cost estimates for the projects, (ii) DBT’s submission of numerous change orders to the prime contractors, (iii) various claims and disputes between DBT and other parties involved with the projects (e.g., prime contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, etc.), and (iv) the possibility that DBT may become subject to additional claims, which could be significant. It is possible that some outstanding claims may not be resolved until after the prime contractors complete their scopes of work. Our future financial position, operating results, and cash flows could be materially impacted by the resolution of current and any future claims. Claims by DBT - DBT has made numerous claims against MHI, including claims totaling South African Rand 1,133.3 (or $66.7) that have been submitted to dispute resolution processes as required under the relevant contracts, with such amount subject to change as DBT progresses through these processes. Certain of these processes have been completed in 2020. In addition to existing asserted claims, DBT believes it has additional claims and rights to recovery based on its performance under the contracts with, and actions taken by, MHI. DBT is continuing to evaluate the claims and the amounts owed to it under the contracts based on MHI's failure to comply with its contractual obligations. The amounts DBT may recover for current and potential future claims against MHI are not currently known given (i) the extent of current and potential future claims by MHI against DBT (see below for further discussion) and (ii) the unpredictable nature of any dispute resolution processes that may occur in connection with these current and potential future claims. No revenue has been recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements with respect to current or potential future claims against MHI. Claims by MHI - On February 26, 2019, DBT received notification of an interim claim consisting of both direct and consequential damages from MHI alleging, among other things, that DBT (i) provided defective product and (ii) failed to meet certain project milestones. We believe the notification is unsubstantiated and the vast majority of the claimed damages are prohibited under the relevant contracts. Therefore, we believe any loss for the majority of these claimed damages is remote. For the remainder of the claims, which largely appear to be direct in nature (approximately South African Rand 948.0 or $55.8), DBT has numerous defenses and, thus, we do not believe that DBT has a probable loss associated with these claims. As such, no loss has been recorded in the condensed consolidated financial statements with respect to these claims. In September 2020, MHI made a demand on certain bonds issued in its favor by DBT, based solely on these alleged defects, but without further substantiation or other justification (see further discussion below). Although it is reasonably possible that some loss may be incurred in connection with these claims, we currently are unable to estimate the potential loss or range of potential loss associated with these claims due to the (i) lack of support provided by MHI for these claims; (ii) complexity of contractual relationships between the end customer, MHI, and DBT; (iii) legal interpretation of the contract provisions and application of South African law to the contracts; and (iv) unpredictable nature of any dispute resolution processes that may occur in connection with these claims. In April and July 2019, DBT received notifications of intent to claim liquidated damages totaling South African Rand 407.2 (or $23.9) from MHI alleging that DBT failed to meet certain project milestones related to the construction of the filters for both the Kusile and Medupi projects. DBT has numerous defenses against these claims and, thus, we do not believe that DBT has a probable loss associated with these claims. As such, no loss has been recorded in the condensed consolidated financial statements with respect to these claims. Although it is reasonably possible that some loss may be incurred in connection with these claims, we currently are unable to estimate the potential loss or range of potential loss. MHI has made other claims against DBT totaling South African Rand 176.2 (or $10.4). DBT has numerous defenses against these claims and, thus, we do not believe that DBT has a probable loss associated with these claims. As such, no loss has been recorded in the condensed consolidated financial statements with respect to these claims. On July 23, 2020, a dispute adjudication panel issued a ruling in favor of DBT on certain matters related to the Kusile and Medupi projects. The panel (i) ruled that DBT had achieved takeover on 9 of the units; (ii) ordered MHI to return $2.3 of bonds; (iii) ruled that DBT is entitled to the return of an additional $4.0 of bonds upon the completion of certain administrative milestones; and (iv) ordered MHI to pay South African Rand 18.4 (or $1.1) in incentive payments for work performed by DBT, and ruled that MHI waived its rights to assert delay damages against DBT on one of the units of the Kusile project. The ruling is subject to MHI’s rights to seek further arbitration in the matter, as provided in the contracts. As such, the incentive payments noted above have not been recorded in our condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 26, 2020. Bonds Issued in Favor of MHI - We are obligated with respect to bonds issued by banks in favor of MHI. In the third quarter of 2020, MHI made a demand, and received payment of $14.3, on certain of these bonds, which we funded as required under the terms of the bonds and our senior credit agreement. In its demand, MHI purported that DBT failed to carry out its obligations to rectify certain alleged product defects identified in its February 2019 interim claims notice (see above). DBT denies liability for such alleged product defects and, thus, fully intends to seek, and believes it is legally entitled to, reimbursement of the $14.3 that has been paid. However, given the extent and complexities of the claims between DBT and MHI, reimbursement of the $14.3 is unlikely to occur over the next twelve months. As such, we have reflected the $14.3 as a non-current asset within our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 26, 2020. The remaining amount of outstanding bonds that have been issued in favor of MHI include (i) $18.1 of performance and retention money guarantees, which could be exercised by MHI for alleged defects or other alleged breaches of DBT's obligations, and (ii) a $19.2 bond that can only be exercised by MHI in the event that (a) it receives a favorable judgment on a certain matter and (b) DBT fails to pay any money damages awarded in such judgment. In the event that MHI were to receive payment on a portion, or all, of the remaining bonds, we would be required to reimburse the respective issuing bank. In addition to these bonds, SPX Corporation has guaranteed DBT’s performance on these projects to the prime contractors. Litigation Matters We are subject to other legal matters that arise in the normal course of business. We believe these matters are either without merit or of a kind that should not have a material effect, individually or in the aggregate, on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows; however, we cannot assure you that these proceedings or claims will not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Environmental Matters Our operations and properties are subject to federal, state, local and foreign regulatory requirements relating to environmental protection. It is our policy to comply fully with all applicable requirements. As part of our effort to comply, we have a comprehensive environmental compliance program that includes environmental audits conducted by internal and external independent professionals, as well as regular communications with our operating units regarding environmental compliance requirements and anticipated regulations. Based on current information, we believe that our operations are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations, and we are not aware of any violations that could have a material effect, individually or in the aggregate, on our business, financial condition, and results of operations or cash flows. As of September 26, 2020, we had liabilities for site investigation and/or remediation at 25 sites (29 sites at December 31, 2019) that we own or control, or formerly owned and controlled. In addition, while we believe that we maintain adequate accruals to cover the costs of site investigation and/or remediation, we cannot provide assurance that new matters, developments, laws and regulations, or stricter interpretations of existing laws and regulations will not materially affect our business or operations in the future. Our environmental accruals cover anticipated costs, including investigation, remediation, and maintenance of clean-up sites. Our estimates are based primarily on investigations and remediation plans established by independent consultants, regulatory agencies and potentially responsible third parties. Accordingly, our estimates may change based on future developments, including new or changes in existing environmental laws or policies, differences in costs required to complete anticipated actions from estimates provided, future findings of investigation or remediation actions, or alteration to the expected remediation plans. It is our policy to revise an estimate once the revision becomes probable and the amount of change can be reasonably estimated. We generally do not discount our environmental accruals and do not reduce them by anticipated insurance recoveries. We take into account third-party indemnification from financially viable parties in determining our accruals where there is no dispute regarding the right to indemnification. In the case of contamination at offsite, third-party disposal sites, as of September 26, 2020, we have been notified th at we are potentially responsible and have received other notices of potential liability pursuant to various environme ntal laws at 14 sites at which the liability has not been settled, of which 9 sites have been active in the past few years. These laws ma y impose liability on certain persons that are considered jointly and severally liable for the costs of investigation and remediation of hazardous substances present at these sites, regardless of fault or legality of the original disposal. These persons include the present or former owners or operators of the site and companies that generated, disposed of or arranged for the disposal of hazardous substances at the site. We are considered a “de minimis” potentially responsible party at most of the sites, and we estimate that our aggregate liability, if any, related to these sites is not material to our condensed consolidated financial statements. We conduct extensive environmental due diligence with respect to potential acquisitions, including environmental site assessments and such further testing as we may deem warranted. If an environmental matter is identified, we estimate the cost and either establish a liability, purchase insurance or obtain an indemnity from a financially sound seller; however, in connection with our acquisitions or dispositions, we may assume or retain significant environmental liabilities, some of which we may be unaware. The potential costs related to these environmental matters and the possible impact on future operations are uncertain due in part to the complexity of government laws and regulations and their interpretations, the varying costs and effectiveness of various clean-up technologies, the uncertain level of insurance or other types of recovery, and the questionable level of our responsibility. We record a liability when it is both probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. In our opinion, after considering accruals established for such purposes, the cost of remedial actions for compliance with the present laws and regulations governing the protection of the environment are not expected to have a material impact, individually or in the aggregate, on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Self-insured Risk Management Matters We are self-insured for certain of our workers’ compensation, automobile, product and general liability, disability and health costs, and we believe that we maintain adequate accruals to cover our retained liability. Our accruals for risk management matters are determined by us, are based on claims filed and estimates of claims incurred but not yet reported, and generally are not discounted. We consider a number of factors, including third-party actuarial valuations, when making these determinations. We maintain third-party stop-loss insurance policies to cover certain liability costs in excess of predetermined retained amounts. The insurance may be insufficient or unavailable (e.g., because of insurer insolvency) to protect us against loss exposure.

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