COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

6 Months Ended

Oct. 01, 2011

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We are presently engaged in various legal actions, and although ultimate liability cannot be determined at the present time, we believe, based on consultation with counsel, that any such liability will not materially affect our consolidated financial position or our results of operations.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, we received customer complaints in Europe regarding a quality issue with our High Separation Core Bowl (“HS Core”), a plasma disposable product used primarily to collect plasma for transfusion. Certain of these customers have also made claims regarding financial losses alleged to have been incurred as a result of this matter. Total aggregate claims submitted to date by customers relating to this issue are approximately $8.5 million. We do not expect any additional material claims from our customers. We are in the process of evaluating the submitted claims and continue to work with affected customers to minimize disruption to their operations and ultimately determine the validity and resolution of the submitted claims. Although this process is not completed, we have determined that it is probable that we will compensate certain affected customers in order to resolve their claims. We believe our ultimate liability will be less than the total claims submitted to date. Our current best estimate of the liability associated with this matter is $2.4 million, and accordingly we have recorded this amount as an expense within selling, general and administrative expenses as of October 1, 2011. We cannot determine currently whether a liability greater than $2.4 million will ultimately be incurred. We are also in the process of determining the extent to which claims may be recoverable under the Company’s insurance policies. We do not currently believe that liabilities related to this matter will materially affect our consolidated financial position and liquidity.