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Note 14 - Commitments and Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Apr. 01, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements  
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]
(
1
4
)
Commitments and Contingencies
 
The provision for estimated warranty costs is recorded at the time of sale and periodically adjusted to reflect actual experience. The Company’s warranty liability, which is included in accrued liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of
April 1, 2018
and
December 31, 2017
was
$607,000
and
$666,000,
respectively. The Company’s warranty expense for the
three
months ended
April 1, 2018
and
April 2, 2017
was
not
material.
 
The Company bears insurance risk as a member of a group captive insurance entity for certain general liability, automobile and workers’ compensation insurance programs, a self-insured worker’s compensation program and a self-insured employee health program. The Company records estimated liabilities for its insurance programs based on information provided by the
third
-party plan administrators, historical claims experience, expected costs of claims incurred but
not
paid, and expected costs to settle unpaid claims. The Company monitors its estimated insurance-related liabilities on a quarterly basis. As facts change, it
may
become necessary to make adjustments that could be material to the Company’s consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
 
The Company is involved in certain litigation and contract issues arising in the normal course of business. While the outcome of these matters cannot, at this time, be predicted in light of the uncertainties inherent therein, management does
not
expect that these matters will have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or results of operations of the Company.
 
The Company accounts for loss contingencies in accordance with U.S. GAAP.  Estimated loss contingencies are accrued only if the loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.  With respect to a particular loss contingency, it
may
be probable that a loss has occurred but the estimate of the loss is within a wide range or undeterminable.  If the Company deems an amount within the range to be a better estimate than any other amount within the range, that amount will be accrued.  However, if
no
amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, the minimum amount of the range is accrued.
 
The Company has various current and previously-owned facilities subject to a variety of environmental regulations. The Company has received certain indemnifications from either companies previously owning these facilities or from purchasers of those facilities. As of
April 1, 2018
and
December 31, 2017,
no
amounts were accrued for any environmental matters.
 
On
December 27, 2017,
the U.S. Department of Labor (the “DOL”) filed a lawsuit alleging that the Company had misinterpreted the language of the Company’s
401
(k) Plans (collectively, the “Plan”). The DOL does
not
appear to dispute that the Company reached such interpretation in good faith and after consulting with independent ERISA counsel. If the DOL’s allegations were upheld by a court, the Company could be required to make additional contributions into the accounts of its Plan participants. The Company regards the DOL’s allegations to be without merit and plans to vigorously defend the matter.
 
During the year ended
December 
31,
 
2017,
the Company became aware of a lawsuit involving
one
of Sypris Electronics’ customers and its primary distributor. This customer has informed the Company that, as a result of the lawsuit, the customer
no
longer intends to pursue its current business, and has expressed an intention to transfer this business to a designated successor. The Company holds
$1,036,000
of inventory related specifically to this customer as of
April 
1,
 
2018.
On
December 21, 2017
the Company entered into a new supply agreement with the designated successor, which provides for purchases of the aforementioned inventory and additional purchases in excess of our inventories on hand and for prices in excess of our cost.
No
assurances can be given that the successor customer will be successful or will comply with the terms of the new agreement, which could adversely affect our ability to recoup any or all of our investment in these inventories. However, given the uncertainties described above,
no
estimate currently can be made of a range of amounts of loss that are reasonably possible should the program with the successor
not
be successful.
 
As of
April 1, 2018,
the Company had outstanding purchase commitments of approximately
$9,543,000,
primarily for the acquisition of inventory and manufacturing equipment.