CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND COMMITMENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Litigation

The Company is currently involved in matters of litigation, including environmental contingencies, arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company accrues for such matters when expenditures are probable and reasonably estimable. Based upon information presently known, management is of the opinion that such litigation, either individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Warranty

The Company provides for estimated product warranty expenses when related products are sold and are included within other current liabilities. Because warranty estimates are forecasts that are based on the best available information, primarily historical claims experience, future warranty claims may differ from the amounts provided.

Changes in the warranty reserve are as follows (in thousands):



Balance, December 31, 2016	$	8,906
Provision for warranty claims	4,577
Warranty claims paid	(4,864		)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	271
Balance, September 30, 2017	$	8,890

Warranty expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $1.7 million and $4.6 million, respectively. Warranty expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was $1.7 million and $5.1 million, respectively.