Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Apr. 28, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

11.       COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We lease buildings, machinery and equipment under various non-cancelable operating lease agreements expiring at various dates through 2020.  Certain of these leases contain scheduled rent increases and/or renewal options.  Contractual rent increases are taken into account when calculating the minimum lease payment and recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.  Rent expense under operating lease agreements totaled approximately $9.3 million for Fiscal 2012, $10.0 million for Fiscal 2011 and $8.9 million for Fiscal 2010.

Our minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases as of April 28, 2012 were as follows:

	(In thousands)
Fiscal 2013	$	4,261
Fiscal 2014		2,925
Fiscal 2015		2,226
Fiscal 2016		1,987
Fiscal 2017		1,686
Thereafter		3,376
Total minimum lease payments	$	16,461

As of April 28, 2012, we guaranteed the residual value of certain leased equipment in the amount of $7.1 million.  If the proceeds from the sale of such equipment are less than the balance required by the lease when the lease terminates July 31, 2012, the Company shall be required to pay the difference up to such guaranteed amount.  The Company expects to have no loss on such guarantee.

We enter into various agreements with suppliers for the purchase of raw materials, the terms of which may include variable or fixed pricing and minimum purchase quantities.  As of April 28, 2012, we had purchase commitments for raw materials of $57.8 million for Fiscal 2013 and $45.0 million for Fiscal 2014.

From time to time, we are a party to various litigation matters arising in the ordinary course of business.  We do not expect the ultimate disposition of such matters to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.