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Contingencies and Litigation
3 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2012
Contingencies and Litigation

Note 11. Contingencies and Litigation

The Company had outstanding letters of credit of $10.9 million and $8.5 million at November 30, 2012 and August 31, 2012, respectively, the majority of which secure self-insured workers compensation liabilities.

The Company is a party to various legal proceedings that have arisen in the normal course of its business. These legal proceedings typically include product liability, environmental, labor, patent claims and other disputes. The Company has recorded reserves for loss contingencies based on the specific circumstances of each case. Such reserves are recorded when it is probable that a loss has been incurred as of the balance sheet date and can be reasonably estimated. In the opinion of management, the resolution of these contingencies, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

The Company has facilities in numerous geographic locations that are subject to a range of environmental laws and regulations. Environmental expenditures over the past two years have not been material. Management believes that such costs will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company remains contingently liable for lease payments under leases of businesses that it previously divested or spun-off, in the event that such businesses are unable to fulfill their obligations. The discounted present value of future minimum lease payments for these leases was $12.0 million at November 30, 2012.