Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Contingencies

Note 13 - Contingencies

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have been identified as potentially responsible parties for investigation and remediation under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, known as the Superfund, or similar state laws with respect to certain sites. Claims for investigation and remediation have been asserted against numerous other entities, which are believed to be financially solvent and are expected to fulfill their proportionate share of the obligation.

On December 28, 2004, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“USEPA”) sent Lovejoy, LLC. ("Lovejoy") a Special Notice Letter that identified Lovejoy as a potentially responsible party, together with at least 14 other companies, at the Ellsworth Industrial Park Site, Downers Grove, DuPage County, Illinois (the “Site”). The Company acquired Lovejoy in 2016. Lovejoy’s Downers Grove property is situated within the Ellsworth Industrial Complex. The USEPA and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (“IEPA”) allege there have been one or more releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances, allegedly including, but not limited to, a release or threatened release on or from Lovejoy's property, at the Site. The relief sought by the USEPA and IEPA includes further investigation and potential remediation of the Site and reimbursement of response costs. Lovejoy’s allocated share of past and future costs related to the Site, including for investigation and/or remediation, could be significant. All previously pending property damage and personal injury lawsuits against Lovejoy related to the Site were settled or dismissed prior to our acquisition of Lovejoy.

The Company had total environmental accruals of $4.7 million and $4.8 million for various known environmental matters that are probable and reasonably estimable at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, which includes the Lovejoy matter described above. These accruals were recorded based upon the best estimate of costs to be incurred in light of the progress made in determining the magnitude of remediation costs, the timing and extent of remedial actions required by governmental authorities and the amount of the Company’s liability in proportion to other responsible parties.

Product Warranties:

In addition to the contingencies above, the Company provides limited warranties on certain of its products. The product warranty liability included in "Other current liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets was $25.4 million and $23.5 million at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The balances at the end of each respective period represent the best estimates of costs for future claims for products that are still under warranty. The increase in the liability for the first three months of 2023 primarily relates to additional accruals for certain products sold into the automotive and renewable energy sectors. Accrual estimates are based on actual claims and expected trends that continue to mature. The Company is currently evaluating claims raised by certain customers with respect to the performance of bearings sold into the wind energy sector. Management believes that the outcome of these claims will not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial position; however, the effect of any such outcome may be material to the results of operations of any particular period in which costs in excess of amounts provided, if any, are recognized.

The following is a rollforward of the consolidated product warranty accrual for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and twelve months ended December 31, 2022:

	March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022
Beginning balance, January 1	$	23.5	$	11.7
Expense	2.2		14.7
Payments	(0.3)		(2.9)
Ending balance	$	25.4	$	23.5