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Commitments And Contingencies - Legal Matters
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Commitments And Contingencies - Legal Matters  
Commitments And Contingencies - Legal Matters

15. Commitments and Contingencies – Legal Matters

A lawsuit was filed on September 10, 2009 in Marion County Superior Court, State of Indiana. A wrongful death claim was made by the estate of Terry David Walk for an accident that occurred in March 2008 at the worksite of a customer of the Company relating to a baghouse system. The defendants included CECO and its subsidiaries, The Kirk & Blum Manufacturing Company ("Kirk & Blum"), kbd/Technic, Inc., and CECO Abatement Systems, Inc., with CECO and CECO Abatement Systems, Inc. later removed as parties. The complaint contained causes of action for negligence and a cause of action for breach of implied warranties, and the complainant was asking for unspecified compensatory damages and costs. The parties settled this matter on July 11, 2011 pursuant to a Mediation Settlement Agreement, under which Kirk & Blum and kbd/Technic, Inc. agreed to pay a settlement amount. The Mediation Settlement Agreement is subject to probate approval by the claimant's estate. The Company's insurance carriers have agreed to pay the agreed settlement amount and the Company's expenses/deductible was previously accrued for this matter.

On January 13, 2011, the SEC initiated a non-public formal investigation relating to possible insider trading by affiliates of and/or the Company. We have been cooperating with and intend to continue to cooperate with the SEC. Because the matter is ongoing, we cannot predict the outcome of this formal inquiry at this time, and, as a result, no conclusion can be reached as to what impact, if any, this inquiry may have on us, our operations, or financial condition.

One of the unions, Local 24 of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association, that represented former employees of Kirk & Blum has filed a demand to bargain under its collective bargaining agreement over the decision to close our Oakley facility and the effects of any such closing in connection with the layoffs of approximately 40 union employees of Kirk & Blum in 2010. The union is requesting severance payments and other non-monetary items. The parties undertook negotiations and in January 2011, the grievance was heard by a panel of the National Joint Adjustment Board for the Sheet Metal Industry, which resulted in a deadlock. On June 21, 2011, the Company entered into a five year agreement with Sheet Metal Workers International Association, Local 24 and another local union to govern future interactions between the unions, the Company and its employees and to settle the pending demands and resolve all issues. Payments by the Company required under the agreement are not expected to be material.

Other income includes a payment to the Company of $359,000 related to short swing trading profits that were returned to the Company by a director and affiliated shareholder.

The final outcome and impact of these matters, and related claims and investigations that may be brought in the future, are subject to many variables, and cannot be predicted. We establish accruals only for those matters where we determine that a loss is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. As a result, we have not accrued for any liability with respect to these matters. The Company expenses legal costs as they are incurred. While it is currently not possible to reasonably estimate the aggregate amount of costs which we may incur in connection with these matters, such costs could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, liquidity, or results of operations.