Contingent Liabilities and Commitments

6 Months Ended

Feb. 27, 2021

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Contingent Liabilities and Commitments

Contingent Liabilities and Commitments

Repurchase Commitments

Generally, manufacturers in the same industries as the Company enter into repurchase agreements with lending institutions which have provided wholesale floorplan financing to dealers. Most dealers are financed on a "floorplan" basis under which a bank or finance company lends the dealer all, or substantially all, of the purchase price, collateralized by a security interest in the units purchased.

The Company's repurchase agreements generally provide that, in the event of default by the dealer on the agreement to pay the lending institution, Winnebago Industries will repurchase the financed merchandise. The terms of these agreements, which generally can last up to 24 months, provide that the Company's liability will be the lesser of remaining principal owed by the dealer to the lending institution, or dealer invoice less periodic reductions based on the time since the date of the original invoice. The Company's liability cannot exceed 100% of the dealer invoice. In certain instances, the Company also repurchases inventory from dealers due to state law or regulatory requirements that govern voluntary or involuntary relationship terminations. Although laws vary from state to state, some states have laws in place that require manufacturers of recreational vehicles or boats to repurchase current inventory if a dealership exits the business. The total contingent liability on all repurchase agreements of the Company was approximately $916.4 million and $798.9 million at February 27, 2021 and August 29, 2020, respectively.

Repurchased sales are not recorded as a revenue transaction, but the net difference between the original repurchase price and the resale price are recorded against the loss reserve, which is a deduction from gross revenue. The Company's loss reserve for repurchase commitments contains uncertainties because the calculation requires management to make assumptions and apply judgment regarding a number of factors. The Company's risk of loss related to these repurchase commitments is significantly reduced by the potential resale value of any products that are subject to repurchase and is spread over numerous dealers and lenders. The aggregate contingent liability related to the Company's repurchase agreements represents all financed dealer inventory at the period reporting date subject to a repurchase agreement, net of the greater of periodic reductions per the agreement or dealer principal payments. Based on these repurchase agreements and the Company's historical loss experience, an associated loss reserve is established which is included in Accrued expenses: Other on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company's repurchase accrual was $1.0 million at February 27, 2021 and August 29, 2020. Repurchase risk is affected by the credit worthiness of the Company's dealer network, and management does not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the estimates or assumptions used to establish the loss reserve for repurchase commitments.

There was no material activity related to repurchase agreements during the first six months ended February 27, 2021 and February 29, 2020.

Litigation

The Company is involved in various legal proceedings which are ordinary and routine litigation incidental to the business, some of which are covered in whole or in part by insurance. While the Company believes the ultimate disposition of litigation will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or liquidity, there exists the possibility that such litigation may have an impact on the Company's results for a particular reporting period in which litigation effects become probable and reasonably estimable. Though the Company does not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change related to these matters, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties and management’s view of these matters may change in the future.