Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Apr. 28, 2019

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

In accordance with accounting standards regarding loss contingencies, the Company accrues an undiscounted liability for those contingencies where the incurrence of a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The Company also discloses the amount accrued and the amount of a reasonably possible loss in excess of the amount accrued, if such disclosure is necessary for its consolidated financial statements not to be misleading. The Company does not record liabilities when the likelihood that the liability has been incurred is probable but the amount cannot be reasonably estimated, or when the liability is believed to be only reasonably possible or remote. The Company evaluates, at least quarterly, developments in its legal matters that could affect the amount of liability that has been previously accrued, and makes adjustments as appropriate. Significant judgment is required to determine both probability and the estimated amount. The Company may be unable to estimate a possible loss or range of possible loss due to various reasons, including, among others: (i) if the damages sought are indeterminate; (ii) if the proceedings are in early stages, (iii) if there is uncertainty as to the outcome of pending appeals, motions or settlements, (iv) if there are significant factual issues to be determined or resolved, and (v) if there are novel or unsettled legal theories presented. In such instances, there is considerable uncertainty regarding the ultimate resolution of such matters, including a possible eventual loss, if any.

Because the outcomes of litigation and other legal matters are inherently unpredictable, the Company’s evaluation of legal matters or proceedings often involves a series of complex assessments by management about future events and can rely heavily on estimates and assumptions. While the consequences of certain unresolved matters and proceedings are not presently determinable, and an estimate of the probable and reasonably possible loss or range of loss in excess of amounts accrued for such proceedings cannot be reasonably made, an adverse outcome from such proceedings could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s earnings in any given reporting period. However, in the opinion of management, after consulting with legal counsel, any ultimate liability related to current outstanding claims and lawsuits, individually or in the aggregate, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, as a whole. However, legal matters are inherently unpredictable and subject to significant uncertainties, some of which are beyond the Company’s control.

As such, even though the Company intends to vigorously defend itself with respect to its legal matters, there can be no assurance that the final outcome of these matters will not materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, operating results, or cash flows.

From time to time, the Company is involved in various claims, litigation, and other legal actions that are normal to the nature of its business, including with respect to IP, contract, product liability, employment, and environmental matters. In the opinion of management, after consulting with legal counsel, any ultimate liability related to current outstanding claims and lawsuits, individually or in the aggregate, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements, as a whole.

The Company’s currently pending legal matters of note are discussed below:

Environmental Matters

The Company vacated a former facility in Newbury Park, California in 2002, but continues to address groundwater and soil contamination at the site.

The Company’s efforts to address site conditions have been at the direction of the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (“RWQCB”). In October 2013, an order was issued including a scope of proposed additional site work, monitoring, and proposed remediation activities. The Company filed appeals of the October 2013 order seeking reconsideration by the RWQCB and review by the State Water Resources Control Board ("SWRCB") of the removal of two other potentially responsible parties, and seeking clarification of certain other factual findings. In April 2015, the RWQCB denied the Company’s request to name the two other potentially responsible parties to the order, but did correct certain findings of fact identified by the Company in its petition for reconsideration.

The Company decided not to continue to pursue the administrative appeal and has been complying with RWQCB orders and direction, and is implementing an approved remedial action plan (prepared by an environmental firm retained by the Company) addressing the cleanup of soil, groundwater, and soil vapor at the site. Remedial actions pursuant to an approved plan are ongoing.

The Company has accrued liabilities where it is probable that a loss will be incurred and the cost or amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Based on the latest determinations by the RWQCB and the most recent actions taken pursuant to the remedial action plan, the Company continues to estimate the range of probable loss between $5.3 million and $7.5 million. To date, the Company has made $3.6 million in payments towards the remedial action plan, and as of April 28, 2019, the Company has accrued $1.7 million related to this. Given the uncertainties associated with environmental assessment and the remediation activities, the Company is unable to determine a best estimate within the range of loss. Therefore, the Company has recorded the minimum amount of probable loss. These estimates could change as a result of changes in planned remedial actions, further actions from the regulatory agency, remediation technology, and other factors.

Indemnification

The Company has entered into agreements with its current and former executives and directors indemnifying them against certain liabilities incurred in connection with the performance of their duties. The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws contain comparable indemnification obligations with respect to the Company’s current directors and employees.

Product Warranties

The Company’s general warranty policy provides for repair or replacement of defective parts. In some cases, a refund of the purchase price is offered. In certain instances the Company has agreed to other or additional warranty terms, including indemnification provisions.

The product warranty accrual reflects the Company’s best estimate of probable liability under its product warranties. The Company accrues for known warranty issues if a loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated, and accrues for estimated incurred but unidentified issues based on historical experience. Historically, warranty expense and the related accrual has been immaterial to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Deferred Compensation

The Company maintains a deferred compensation plan for certain officers and key executives that allow participants to defer a portion of their compensation for future distribution at various times permitted by the plan. This plan provides for a discretionary Company match up to a defined portion of the employee's deferral, with any match subject to a vesting period.

The Company's liability for the deferred compensation plan is presented below:



(in thousands)	April 28, 2019		January 27, 2019
Accrued liabilities	$	2,203	$	2,203
Other long-term liabilities	29,836		27,251
Total deferred compensation liabilities under this plan	$	32,039	$	29,454

The Company has purchased whole life insurance on the lives of certain current deferred compensation plan participants. This Company-owned life insurance is held in a grantor trust and is intended to cover a majority of the Company's costs of the deferred compensation plan. The cash surrender value of the Company-owned life insurance was $22.1 million and $20.4 million as of April 28, 2019 and January 27, 2019, respectively, and is included in "Other assets" on the Balance Sheets.

Earn-out Liability

Pursuant to the terms of an amended earn-out arrangement ("Cycleo Earn-out") with the former shareholders of Cycleo SAS ("Cycleo Earn-out Beneficiaries"), which the Company acquired in March 2012, as of April 28, 2019, the Company potentially may make payments totaling up to approximately $14.6 million based on the achievement of a combination of certain revenue and operating income milestones over a defined period ("Cycleo Defined Earn-out Period"). The Cycleo Defined Earn-out Period covers the period April 27, 2015 to April 26, 2020. For certain of the Cycleo Earn-out Beneficiaries, payment of the earn-out liability is contingent upon continued employment and is accounted for as post-acquisition compensation expense over the service period. The portion of the earn-out liability that is not dependent on continued employment is not considered as compensation expense. The Company has recorded a liability for the Cycleo Earn-out of $4.8 million and $4.5 million as of April 28, 2019 and January 27, 2019, respectively.

Pursuant to the terms of an earn-out arrangement ("AptoVision Earn-out") with the former shareholders of AptoVision, which the Company acquired in July 2017, as of April 28, 2019, the Company potentially may make payments totaling up to approximately $47.0 million based on the achievement of a combination of certain net revenue, adjusted earnings and product development targets measured from the acquisition date through July 26, 2020.

A summary of earn-out liabilities, included in "Accrued liabilities" and "Other long-term liabilities" on the Balance Sheets, by classification follows:



	Balance at April 28, 2019						Balance at January 27, 2019
(in thousands)	Cycleo		AptoVision		Total		Cycleo		AptoVision		Total
Compensation expense	$	4,304	$	—	$	4,304	$	4,052	$	—	$	4,052
Not conditional upon continued employment	462		—		462		462		2,161		2,623
Total liability	$	4,766	$	—	$	4,766	$	4,514	$	2,161	$	6,675

Amount expected to be settled within twelve months	$	2,610	$	—	$	2,610