Commitments, Contingencies and Litigation	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2011
Commitments, Contingencies and Litigation
Commitments, Contingencies and Litigation	19. Commitments, Contingencies and Litigation Litigation The Company is involved in litigation incidental to the conduct of its business, the results of which, in the opinion of management, are not likely to be material to the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. Environmental Issues As a result of its operations, the Company is subject to various federal, state, local, and foreign environmental laws and regulations and is exposed to the costs and risks of registering, handling, processing, storing, transporting, and disposing of hazardous substances, especially lead and acid. The Company's operations are also subject to federal, state, local and foreign occupational safety and health regulations, including laws and regulations relating to exposure to lead in the workplace. The Company is responsible for certain cleanup obligations at the former Yuasa battery facility in Sumter, South Carolina that predates its ownership of this facility. This manufacturing facility was closed in 2001 and is separate from the Company's current metal fabrication facility in Sumter. The Company has established a reserve for this facility. As of March 31, 2011 and 2010, the reserves related to this facility totaled $3,279 and $3,682, respectively. Based on current information, the Company's management believes these reserves are adequate to satisfy the Company's environmental liabilities at this facility. Collective Bargaining At March 31, 2011, the Company had approximately 8,400 employees. Of these employees, approximately 40% were covered by collective bargaining agreements. The average term of these agreements is two years, with the longest term being four years. These agreements expire over the period from calendar years 2011 to 2014. The Company considers its employee relations to be good. Historically, the Company has not experienced any significant labor unrest or disruption of production. Lead Contracts In order to reduce the Company's exposure to significant increases in lead costs, the Company has entered into contracts with financial institutions to fix the price of lead. The vast majority of such contracts are for a period not extending beyond one year. Under these contracts, at March 31, 2011, the Company contracted to fix the price of approximately 63,396 pounds of lead for a total contract price of $68,212. At March 31, 2010, the Company contracted to fix the price of approximately 63,335 pounds of lead for a total contract price of $60,724. Foreign Currency Forward Contracts The Company quantifies and monitors its global foreign currency exposures. On a selective basis the Company will enter into foreign currency forward contracts and option contracts to reduce the volatility from currency movements that affect the Company. The Company's largest exposure is from the purchase and conversion of U.S. dollar based lead costs into local currencies in Europe and Mexico. Additionally, the Company has currency exposures from intercompany loans and trade transactions. To hedge these exposures the Company has entered into foreign currency forward contracts and purchased option contracts with financial institutions. Each contract is for a period not extending beyond one year. As of March 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company entered into a total of $82,829 and $64,234 foreign currency forward contracts. Interest Rate Swap Agreements The Company is exposed to changes in variable U.S. interest rates on borrowings under its credit agreements. On a selective basis, from time to time, the Company enters into interest rate swap agreements to reduce the negative impact that increases in interest rates could have on its outstanding variable rate debt. On March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010, such agreements effectively converted $85,000 and $170,000, respectively, of variable-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis, utilizing the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, as a floating rate reference. Fluctuations in LIBOR and fixed rates affect both the Company's net financial investment position and the amount of cash to be paid or received by the Company under these agreements.

19. Commitments, Contingencies and Litigation

Litigation

The Company is involved in litigation incidental to the conduct of its business, the results of which, in the opinion of management, are not likely to be material to the Company's financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Environmental Issues

As a result of its operations, the Company is subject to various federal, state, local, and foreign environmental laws and regulations and is exposed to the costs and risks of registering, handling, processing, storing, transporting, and disposing of hazardous substances, especially lead and acid. The Company's operations are also subject to federal, state, local and foreign occupational safety and health regulations, including laws and regulations relating to exposure to lead in the workplace.

The Company is responsible for certain cleanup obligations at the former Yuasa battery facility in Sumter, South Carolina that predates its ownership of this facility. This manufacturing facility was closed in 2001 and is separate from the Company's current metal fabrication facility in Sumter.

The Company has established a reserve for this facility. As of March 31, 2011 and 2010, the reserves related to this facility totaled $3,279 and $3,682, respectively. Based on current information, the Company's management believes these reserves are adequate to satisfy the Company's environmental liabilities at this facility.

Collective Bargaining

At March 31, 2011, the Company had approximately 8,400 employees. Of these employees, approximately 40% were covered by collective bargaining agreements. The average term of these agreements is two years, with the longest term being four years. These agreements expire over the period from calendar years 2011 to 2014.

The Company considers its employee relations to be good. Historically, the Company has not experienced any significant labor unrest or disruption of production.

Lead Contracts

In order to reduce the Company's exposure to significant increases in lead costs, the Company has entered into contracts with financial institutions to fix the price of lead. The vast majority of such contracts are for a period not extending beyond one year. Under these contracts, at March 31, 2011, the Company contracted to fix the price of approximately 63,396 pounds of lead for a total contract price of $68,212. At March 31, 2010, the Company contracted to fix the price of approximately 63,335 pounds of lead for a total contract price of $60,724.

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts

The Company quantifies and monitors its global foreign currency exposures. On a selective basis the Company will enter into foreign currency forward contracts and option contracts to reduce the volatility from currency movements that affect the Company.

The Company's largest exposure is from the purchase and conversion of U.S. dollar based lead costs into local currencies in Europe and Mexico. Additionally, the Company has currency exposures from intercompany loans and trade transactions. To hedge these exposures the Company has entered into foreign currency forward contracts and purchased option contracts with financial institutions. Each contract is for a period not extending beyond one year. As of March 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company entered into a total of $82,829 and $64,234 foreign currency forward contracts.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

The Company is exposed to changes in variable U.S. interest rates on borrowings under its credit agreements. On a selective basis, from time to time, the Company enters into interest rate swap agreements to reduce the negative impact that increases in interest rates could have on its outstanding variable rate debt. On March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010, such agreements effectively converted $85,000 and $170,000, respectively, of variable-rate debt to a fixed-rate basis, utilizing the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, as a floating rate reference. Fluctuations in LIBOR and fixed rates affect both the Company's net financial investment position and the amount of cash to be paid or received by the Company under these agreements.