Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

7. Commitments and Contingencies

a. Operating Lease Obligations

The Company leases certain of its manufacturing facilities under noncancelable operating leases expiring at various dates through December 2016. The Company incurred rental expense under these leases of $3.7 million, $3.3 million and $3.3 million for the years ended 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The approximate minimum rental commitments required under existing noncancelable leases as of December 31, 2011 are as follows (in thousands):

2012	$	3,328
2013		2,381
2014		1,137
2015		524
2016		364
Thereafter		761
	$	8,495

b. Legal Proceedings

A Ceradyne is from time to time involved in various legal proceedings that are incidental to its business. However, to management's knowledge, there currently are no material pending legal proceedings involving Ceradyne of any of its subsidiaries.