11.	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Operating Leases

We lease certain office, manufacturing and warehouse facilities and equipment under noncancellable operating leases. Lease terms related to real estate primarily range from one to five years with renewal options for additional periods ranging up to nine years. The leases generally require the company to pay real estate taxes, maintenance, insurance and other expenses. Rental expense for operating leases was $2.9 million in fiscal 2017, $3.0 million in fiscal 2016, and $2.9 million in fiscal 2015. Future minimum rental commitments for noncancellable operating leases are $2.2 million in fiscal 2018; $1.3 million in fiscal 2019; $911,000 in fiscal 2020; $127,000 in fiscal 2021; and $78,000 in fiscal 2022. Management expects that in the normal course of business, these leases will be renewed or replaced by other operating leases.

We lease a plant facility associated with our mattress fabrics segment from a partnership owned by certain shareholders and officers of the company and their immediate families. Effective October 1, 2014, we entered into a new lease agreement with the partnership noted above. The new lease agreement requires monthly payments of $13,000 for a three year term commencing on October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2017. This lease contains two successive options to renew the lease with each renewal period being three years. The first and second renewal terms would require monthly payments of $13,100 and $13,200, respectively.

Rents paid to entities owned by certain shareholders and officers of the company and their immediate families totaled $156,000 in fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016 and $155,000 in fiscal 2015.

Other Litigation

The company is involved in legal proceedings and claims which have arisen in the ordinary course of business. Management has determined that it is not reasonably possible that these actions, when ultimately concluded and settled, will have a material adverse effect upon the financial position, results of operations, or cash flows of the company.

Accounts Payable – Capital Expenditures

At April 30, 2017, we had total amounts due regarding capital expenditures totaling $6.1 million, of which $5.1 million is financed and pertains to completed work for the construction of a new building (see below). Of the total $6.1 million, $4.8 million is required to be paid in fiscal 2018, with a remaining amount of $1.3 million due in fiscal 2019 (May 2018).

At May 1, 2016, we had total amounts due regarding capital expenditures totaling $224,000, which pertained to outstanding vendor invoices, none of which were financed. This amount was paid in full in fiscal 2017.

Purchase Commitments - Capital Expenditures

At April 30, 2017, we had open purchase commitments to acquire a building and equipment for our mattress fabrics segment totaling $7.2 million. The $7.2 million includes $5.1 million (all of which represents completed work) associated with the construction of a new building noted below.

Effective May 16, 2016, we entered into an agreement with a contractor to construct a new building located in North Carolina that will expand our distribution capabilities and office space at a current cost of $11.3 million. This agreement required an installment payment of $1.9 million in April 2016, $4.3 million in fiscal 2017, $3.8 million in fiscal 2018, and $1.3 million in fiscal 2019. Interest is being charged on the outstanding installment payments at a rate of $2.25% plus the current 30 day LIBOR rate. Also, we are required to issue a letter of a credit totaling $5.0 million with the contractor being the beneficiary. In addition to the interest that will be charged on the outstanding installment payments, there will be 0.1% unused fee calculated on the balance of the $5.0 million letter of credit less the amount outstanding per month.

This new building is currently expected to be fully operational by the end of our first quarter of fiscal 2018.