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Product Warranties
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Product Warranties Disclosures [Abstract]  
Product Warranties
Product Warranties

The Corporation issues certain warranty policies on its office furniture and hearth products that provide for repair or replacement of any covered product or component that fails during normal use because of a defect in design or workmanship. Reserves have been established for the various costs associated with the Corporation's warranty programs and are included in "Accounts payable and accrued expenses" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

A warranty reserve is determined by recording a specific reserve for known warranty issues and an additional reserve for unknown claims that are expected to be incurred based on historical claims experience.  Actual claims incurred could differ from the original estimates, requiring adjustments to the reserve.  Activity associated with warranty obligations was as follows during the periods noted:

 
 
Three Months Ended
(In thousands)
 
March 31, 2012
 
April 2, 2011
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
12,910

 
$
12,930

Accruals for warranties issued during period
 
3,772

 
4,660

Adjustments related to pre-existing warranties
 
206

 
(200
)
Settlements made during the period
 
(4,035
)
 
(4,631
)
Balance at end of period
 
$
12,853

 
$
12,759