XML 78 R24.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.22.4
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is subject to proceedings, lawsuits, audits, and other claims arising in the normal course of business. All such matters are subject to uncertainties and outcomes that are not predictable with assurance. Accruals for these items, when applicable, have been provided to the extent that losses are deemed probable and are reasonably estimable. These accruals are adjusted from time to time as developments warrant.
Although the ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be ascertained, on the basis of present information, amounts already provided, availability of insurance coverage and legal advice received, it is the opinion of management that the ultimate
resolution of these proceedings, lawsuits, and other claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet, results of operations, or cash flows.
In August 2019, a group of companies calling itself the Lusher Site Remediation Group (the “Group”) commenced litigation against the Company in Lusher Site Remediation Group v. Sturgis Iron & Metal Co., Inc., et al., Case Number 3:18-cv-00506, pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, relating to a site owned by the Company (the "Lusher Street Site"). The Group’s Second Amended Complaint, which was the first to assert claims against Patrick, asserted claims under the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq., an Indiana state environmental statute and Indiana common law. One defendant in the case, Sturgis Iron & Metal Co., Inc. (“Sturgis”), subsequently filed two cross claims against Patrick, asserting against the Company a claim for (i) contribution under CERCLA and (ii) contractual indemnity. The Company moved to dismiss the Group’s claims and also moved to dismiss Sturgis’s cross claims. On August 21, 2020, the court granted Patrick’s two motions to dismiss. The Group subsequently moved for reconsideration of the court’s decision.
On March 19, 2021, the Company received a General Notice of Potential Liability from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”), pursuant to Section 107(a) of CERCLA (the “Notice”). The Notice provides that the EPA has incurred and will likely incur additional costs relative to conducting a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study ("RI/FS"), conducting Remedial Design/Remedial Action ("RD/RA"), and other investigation, planning, response, oversight, and enforcement activities related to the Lusher Street Site. Because the Company was the owner of and former operator within the Lusher Street Site and as such may be a potentially responsible party pursuant to CERCLA, the Company received the Notice and an indication that it may have a responsibility to contribute to the costs of RI/FS, RD/RA or additional mitigation efforts incurred or to be incurred by the EPA.
On September 15, 2021, the Court granted the parties Joint Motion to Stay Proceedings Pending Negotiations with the EPA. The proceedings remain subject to the Court-approved stay.
The Company sold certain parcels of real property that the EPA contends are connected to the Superfund Site (the "Divested Properties") in January 2022 for a pretax gain on disposal of $5.5 million that is included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company's consolidated statements of income for year ended December 31, 2022. The purchaser agreed to indemnify, defend and hold the Company harmless for all liability and exposure, both private and to all EPA claims, concerning and relating to the Divested Properties. No further proceedings occurred in the year ended December 31, 2022. As to the real properties that were not among the Divested Properties but remain the subject of the litigation, the Company does not currently believe that the litigation or the Superfund Site matter are likely to have a material adverse impact on its financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows. However, any litigation is inherently uncertain, the EPA has yet to select a final remedy for the Superfund Site, and any judgment or injunctive relief entered against us or any adverse settlement could materially and adversely impact our business, results of operations, financial condition, and prospects.
Certain of our customers in the RV end market initiated recalls in 2021 involving certain products that were produced by a third party and sold by our Distribution segment. Although we do not believe we are legally responsible for costs related to the product recall, based on discussions with our customers and other developments subsequent to when these recalls were initiated, the Company determined that it was likely that we would agree to bear a portion of the total cost of the recalls, and as a result, in the fourth quarter of 2021, we recorded an estimate of the Company's cost related to this matter. We subsequently reached agreements with certain customers in the second quarter of 2022 on the maximum financial obligation we may face. We recorded additional immaterial estimates of the Company's costs related to these agreements in the second quarter and fourth quarter of 2022. We do not expect this matter to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.