Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2016

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

10.	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We lease buildings, machinery and equipment under various non-cancelable operating lease agreements expiring at various dates through 2026. Certain of these leases contain scheduled rent increases and/or renewal options. Contractual rent increases are taken into account when calculating the minimum lease payment and recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Rent expense under operating lease agreements totaled $9.2 million for Fiscal 2016, $8.2 million for Fiscal 2015 and $7.9 million for Fiscal 2014.

Our minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases as of April 30, 2016 were as follows:

	(In thousands)
Fiscal 2017	$	6,376
Fiscal 2018		5,350
Fiscal 2019		4,684
Fiscal 2020		3,968
Fiscal 2021		2,237
Thereafter		3,418
Total minimum lease payments	$	26,033

As of April 30, 2016, we guaranteed the residual value of certain leased equipment in the amount of $4.4 million. If the proceeds from the sale of such equipment are less than the balance required by the lease when the lease terminates on August 1, 2017, the Company shall be required to pay the difference up to such guaranteed amount. The Company expects to have no loss on such guarantee.

We enter into various agreements with suppliers for the purchase of raw materials, the terms of which may include variable or fixed pricing and minimum purchase quantities. As of April 30, 2016, we had purchase commitments for raw materials of $45.5 million for Fiscal 2017.

As of April 30, 2016, we had purchase commitments for plant and equipment of $5.0 million for Fiscal 2017.

From time to time, we are a party to various litigation matters and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. We do not expect the ultimate disposition of such matters to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.