Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Jan. 01, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Note 10 – Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation —On November 3, 2009, ICL Performance Products, LP (“ICL”), a chemical supplier to us, filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, asserting breach of a contract for the sale of phosphoric acid in 2009 (the “2009 Contract”). ICL seeks to recover $7.3 million in damages and pre-judgment interest, and additionally seeks to recover its costs and attorneys’ fees. ICL also claimed that we breached a contract for the sale of phosphoric acid in 2008 (the “2008 Contract”). ICL has since dropped its claim for breach of the 2008 Contract. We have counterclaimed against ICL alleging that ICL falsely claimed to have a shortage of raw materials that prevented it from supplying us with the contracted quantity of phosphoric acid for 2008. We claim that ICL used this alleged shortage and the threat of discontinued shipments of phosphoric acid to force us to pay increased prices for the remainder of 2008, and to sign the 2009 Contract. Based on this alleged conduct, we have brought four alternate causes of action including: (1) breach of contract, (2) breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, (3) negligent misrepresentation, and (4) intentional misrepresentation. We seek to recover $1.5 million in damages, and additionally seek to recover punitive damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, and our costs and attorneys’ fees. The discovery phase in this action is complete, and both parties have moved for summary judgment in their favor. We do not know how or when the Court might rule on the parties’ summary judgment motions. No trial date has been set. We are not able to predict the ultimate outcome of this litigation, but it may be costly and disruptive. Lawsuits such as this can result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources, which may have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations, including cash flows.

We are a party from time to time in other legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our business. To date, none of the litigation has had a material effect on us.