Note 8 Commitment and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

Commitments and Contingencies

Operating Leases. The Company leases certain of its facilities and equipment under non-cancellable operating leases expiring at various dates through 2042. The Company is responsible for utilities, maintenance, insurance and property taxes under these leases. Future minimum lease payments, net of sublease income, under operating leases are as follows:

	(In thousands)
2013	$	26,165
2014	16,809
2015	11,652
2016	9,559
2017	8,986
Thereafter	30,221
Total	$	103,392

Rent expense, net of sublease income, under operating leases was $32.9 million, $29.8 million and $24.7 million for 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. 

Litigation and other contingencies. From time to time, the Company is a party to litigation, claims and other contingencies, including environmental and employee matters and examinations and investigations by governmental agencies, which arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company cannot predict what effect these matters may have on its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. Refer to “Item 3-Legal Proceedings”.

The Company records a contingent liability when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount of loss is reasonably estimable in accordance with ASC Topic 450, Contingencies or other applicable accounting standards. As of September 29, 2012 and October 1, 2011, the Company had accrued liabilities of $18.5 million and $18.9 million, respectively, for environmental matters, litigation and other contingencies, not including reserves for uncertain tax positions, which the Company believes is adequate. As of September 29, 2012, the Company is a party to a regulatory agency order with respect to a former site and has recorded a liability for this matter, representing the Company's current estimate of the costs required to assess and remediate the site. The Company believes it is reasonably possible that it will incur additional costs related to this matter, but cannot reasonably estimate such amount at this time. Such reserves are included in accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

The Company is subject to various federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations concerning environmental protection, including those addressing the discharge of pollutants into the air and water, the management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, the cleanup of contaminated sites, the materials used in products, and the recycling, treatment and disposal of materials. As of September 29, 2012, the Company had been named in a lawsuit alleging certain of its current and former sites contributed to groundwater contamination. Although it is reasonably possible that the Company may incur a loss in connection with this matter, the amount of loss or range of loss cannot be reasonably estimated.

As of September 29, 2012, the Company had approximately $10.0 million of exposure, consisting primarily of inventory, with a certain customer that is experiencing financial difficulties. The Company and the customer are in the process of negotiating a payment plan and inventory consumption plan and the customer has been making payments. If the Company is unable to negotiate a sufficient plan or if the customer is unable to meet its obligations under a plan, the Company may incur a loss related primarily to uncollectible accounts receivable and inventory write-downs. The Company is monitoring this situation closely and expects key developments to occur in the first half of 2013.