v2.3.0.11
Restructuring Plans
12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2011
Restructuring Plans  
Restructuring Plans

20. Restructuring Plans

The Company has acquisition related restructuring plans and non-acquisition related restructuring plans and bases its restructuring accounting and disclosures on the applicable accounting guidance. As a result, charges to net earnings were made in the periods in which restructuring plan liabilities were incurred.

Acquisition related restructuring plan

In fiscal 2010, the Company acquired the stock of OEB Traction Batteries and certain operating assets and liabilities of the reserve power battery business of Accu Holding AG and its Swedish sales subsidiary (all collectively referred to as "Oerlikon"). The Company completed the process of closing the two manufacturing facilities of Oerlikon during the third quarter of fiscal 2011 which resulted in the reduction of 105 employees. During fiscal 2010 and 2011, the Company recorded $1,269 and $2,546 in charges related to this plan. As of March 31, 2011, the reserve balance associated with these actions is $403. The Company expects to finalize the plan with an additional $600 of restructuring charges in fiscal 2012 in Europe.

 

A roll-forward of the acquisition related restructuring reserve is as follows:

 

     Employee
Severance
    Plant Closure and
Other
    Total  

Balance at March 31, 2009

   $ —        $ —        $ —     

Accrued

     1,269        —          1,269   

Costs incurred

     —          —          —     

Foreign currency impact and other

     23        —          23   
                        

Balance at March 31, 2010

   $ 1,292      $ —        $ 1,292   

Accrued

     108        2,438        2,546   

Costs incurred

     (1,107     (2,313     (3,420

Foreign currency impact and other

     (36     21        (15
                        

Balance at March 31, 2011

   $ 257      $ 146      $ 403   
                        

Non-acquisition related restructuring plans

In February and May 2009, the Company announced a plan to restructure certain of its European and American operations, which will result in a reduction of approximately 515 employees upon completion across its operations. These actions are primarily in Europe, the most significant of which was the closure of its leased Italian manufacturing facility and the opening of a new Italian distribution center. The Company estimates that the total charges for these actions will amount to approximately $33,000, which includes cash expenses of approximately $24,000, primarily for employee severance-related payments, and a non-cash charge of approximately $9,000, primarily for impairment of fixed assets.

Based on commitments incurred to date, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $31,457 in fiscal 2009 and 2010 with $437 of additional charges during fiscal 2011. The Company incurred $5,629 of costs against the accrual during fiscal 2011. As of March 31, 2011, the reserve balance associated with these actions is $2,411. The Company expects to be committed to an additional $600 of restructuring charges in fiscal 2012 related to these actions.

During fiscal 2011, the Company announced a further restructuring of its European operations, which will result in the reduction of approximately 73 employees upon completion across its operations. The Company estimates that the total charges for these actions will amount to approximately $5,400, primarily from cash expenses for employee severance-related payments and site closure costs.

Based on commitments incurred to date, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $3,830 in fiscal 2011. The Company incurred $1,316 of costs against the accrual during fiscal 2011. As of March 31, 2011, the reserve balance associated with these actions is $2,509. The Company expects to be committed to an additional $2,200 of restructuring charges in fiscal 2012 related to these actions.

 

A roll-forward of the non-acquisition related restructuring reserve is as follows:

 

     Employee
Severance
    Plant Closure
and Other
    Total  

Balance at March 31, 2008

   $ —        $ —        $ —     

Accrued

     12,941        —          12,941   

Costs incurred

     (2,652     —          (2,652

Foreign currency impact and other

     —          —          —     
                        

Balance at March 31, 2009

   $ 10,289      $ —        $ 10,289   

Accrued

     10,107        2,263        12,370   

Costs incurred

     (13,276     (2,263     (15,539

Foreign currency impact and other

     362        —          362   
                        

Balance at March 31, 2010

   $ 7,482      $ —        $ 7,482   

Accrued

     4,267        —          4,267   

Costs incurred

     (6,945     —          (6,945

Foreign currency impact and other

     116        —          116   
                        

Balance at March 31, 2011

   $ 4,920      $ —        $ 4,920