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Commitments and Contingencies
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12 Months Ended |
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Jan. 03, 2015
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| Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Commitments and Contingencies |
Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is from time-to-time subject to various claims, other possible legal actions for product liability and other damages, and other matters arising out of the normal conduct of the Company's business. The Metals Segment recorded claim expense from continuing operations of $115,000 and $298,000 for 2014 and 2013, respectively, for specific customers' product claims. No significant claims expenses were incurred during 2012. These claim expenses exclude normal, recurring warranty charges. Any legal costs associated with commitments or contingencies are expensed as incurred.
In November 2012, after almost twelve months of collection efforts, the Specialty Chemicals Segment filed suit against a former customer for past due invoices totaling $134,000. That former customer, in turn, filed a variety of counterclaims against the Specialty Chemicals Segment and alleged $3,000,000 in damages. The Company settled this case during 2013 with no cash outlay.
In November 2013, a Metals Segment customer filed suit against Bristol Metals, LLC in Louisiana state court alleging damages from breach of warranty, among other claims. The plaintiff’s claim for damages does not state a dollar amount. The Company filed a counterclaim against the customer for $135,000 of past due invoices and successfully removed the case to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, where the case is currently pending.
In January 2014, a Metals Segment customer filed suit against Palmer and another unrelated defendant in Texas state court alleging breach of warranty, among other claims. The plaintiff’s claim for damages does not state a dollar amount. This matter arises out of products manufactured and sold by Palmer prior to the Company’s acquisition of Palmer. As such, the sellers of Palmer are contractually bound in the SPA to indemnify the Company for any and all costs, including attorneys’ fees, which may arise out of this matter. The case is currently pending in Texas state court.
In September 2014, a Metals Segment customer filed suit against Synalloy Fabrication, LLC (discontinued operation) and its surety in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland (Baltimore Division) alleging breach of contract, among other claims. The plaintiff's claim for damages is approximately $4,000,000. This matter arises from a disagreement over the scope of a pipe fabrication project and whether an enforceable contract exists between both parties. This case is currently pending in federal court in Maryland. The estimated costs associated with this claim are included in the facility closing reserve explained in the next paragraph.
As discussed in Note 17, the Company closed or sold two manufacturing facilities during 2014. A closing reserve was established at that time for projected costs which may be incurred as a result of these closures. Approximately $1,570,000 remains in accrued expenses at January 3, 2015.
Other than the environmental contingencies discussed in Note 5 and the matters discussed in this Note 11, management is not currently aware of any other asserted or unasserted matters which could have a significant effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company.
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