7. Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following at (in thousands):


		March 31,				December 31,
		2013		2012		2012

Employee compensation and benefits	$	16,288	$	14,638	$	18,555
Warranty		9,802		6,780		9,125
Sales rebates		5,959		5,089		5,711
Contingent consideration related to acquisitions		5,412		4,823		5,429
Other		11,865		16,706		9,235
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	$	49,326	$	48,036	$	48,055

Estimated costs related to product warranties are accrued at the time products are sold. In estimating its future warranty obligations, the Company considers various factors, including the Company's (i) historical warranty costs, (ii) current trends, (iii) product mix, and (iv) sales. The following table provides a reconciliation of the activity related to the Company's accrued warranty, including both the current and long-term portions, for the three months ended March 31, (in thousands):


		2013			2012
Balance at beginning of period – current	$	9,125		$	5,882
Balance at beginning of period – long-term		3,604			2,758
Balance at beginning of period – total		12,729			8,640
Provision for warranty expense		3,499			3,054
Warranty costs paid		(2,284	)		(1,957	)

Total accrued warranty		13,944			9,737
Less long-term portion		4,142			2,957
Current accrued warranty	$	9,802		$	6,780