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Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Apr. 02, 2017
Notes to Financial Statements  
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]
11.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Purchase Commitments
 
As of
April
2,
2017,
we have made commitments to purchase approximately
$329
of production machinery and equipment.
 
 
Product Warranties
 
We estimate future costs associated with expected product failure rates, material usage and service costs in the development of our warranty obligations. Warranty reserves are based on historical experience of warranty claims and generally will be estimated as a percentage of sales over the warranty period. In the event the actual results of these items differ from the estimates, an adjustment to the warranty obligation would be recorded. Changes in our product warranty liability during the
first
three
months of
2017
and
2016
were as follows:
 
 
 
Three month periods ended
 
 
 
April 2,
2017
 
 
March 27,
2016
 
Accrued warranty obligations – beginning
  $
172
    $
192
 
Accruals for warranties issued
   
7
     
10
 
Settlements made
   
(24
)    
(22
)
Accrued warranty obligations – ending
  $
155
    $
180
 
 
Contingencies and Legal Matters
 
We are subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise from time to time in the normal course of business. We believe that the final disposition of such matters, other than the matters described below, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
Dreamliner Litigation
 
In
July
2013,
an unoccupied Boeing
787
Dreamliner aircraft operated by Ethiopian Airlines was damaged by a fire while parked at London Heathrow Airport. We participated in and provided technical assistance in support of an investigation of this incident conducted by U.K. and U.S. regulatory authorities as well as by the manufacturer of the aircraft, as we are
one
of many downstream suppliers to that manufacturer. A final report was issued by the Air Accidents Investigative Branch - - UK Civil Aviation regulatory authority, with findings indicating that the fire was primarily caused by circumstances related to the plane’s emergency locator transmitter (“ELT”) manufactured and installed by another company.
 
A component of the ELT is a battery pack which incorporates Ultralife’s industry-standard lithium manganese dioxide non-rechargeable D-cell. Ultralife has had this cell in production since
2001,
with millions of units produced and this cell is widely-used for global defense and commercial applications. This battery product has gone through rigorous safety and qualification testing, including United Nations Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria, and is authorized for use in aerospace applications under Technical Standard Order
C142.
 
On
May
 
4,
2015,
we were notified of a lawsuit in which we were named, along with other suppliers to the aircraft manufacturer, concerning that
2013
fire. The suit was filed by Ethiopian Airlines Enterprise in the Commercial Court, Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court of Justice, London. The suit seeks as damages
$42,000
plus other unspecified amounts, including those for loss of use and diminution in value of the aircraft. We maintain liability and products liability insurance through reputable providers, and in accordance with our corporate practices, immediately advised and referred this matter to our insurers. We are working with those insurers and their counsel to respond to and actively defend against this action, which is ongoing.
 
At this time, we believe that there is not a reasonable possibility that this incident will result in a material financial exposure to the Company.
 
Arista Power Litigation
 
Since
September
2011,
we have been pursuing legal action against Arista Power, Inc. (“Arista”) and our former employee, David Modeen, for, among other things, alleged breach of certain agreements, duties and obligations, including misappropriation of our confidential information and trade secrets, tortious interference, and breach of contract. On
January
 
12,
2016,
Arista filed for liquidation under Chapter
7
of the bankruptcy laws of the United States, without accurately identifying our ongoing lawsuit against them. Although we have not withdrawn our lawsuit, nor has it been dismissed, the Company does not intend to submit a Proof of Claim in connection with Arista’s bankruptcy filing, nor is it actively pursuing its claims against Arista at this time.