COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company is involved in litigation matters related to its business, principally product liability matters related to the gas-fired heating products and fan coil products in the Heating and Cooling segment. In the Company’s opinion, none of these proceedings, when concluded, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial condition as the Company has established adequate accruals for matters that are probable and estimable. The Company does not accrue estimated amounts for future legal costs related to the defense of these matters but rather expenses them as incurred.

In November 2010, the Company filed a lawsuit against an insurance company with regard to a business interruption claim and property damages resulting from an incident that lead to the cessation of operations at the Pikeview Quarry in December of 2008. The litigation is currently in the discovery process. No recovery has been recorded in the Company’s financial statements and all related costs have been expensed to date. During 2011 and 2010, the Company incurred expenses of $1,078,000 and $115,000 related to this litigation. The Company expects that the ongoing cost of the litigation will be significant.

The Company is also involved in a lawsuit to recover a receivable partially collateralized by land. The party has declared bankruptcy and the trustee is challenging the right of the Company to the collateral. The effect of the outcome of this matter is not determinable at this time but could be material. The total exposure to the Company as of December 31, 2011 is $1,008,000.