XML 36 R19.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.8.0.1
Commitments and Contingencies
6 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2018
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies [Text Block]
Commitments and Contingencies

Environmental

We are required to comply with various environmental laws and regulations incidental to our normal business operations. In order to meet our compliance requirements, we establish reserves for the probable future costs of remediation of identified issues, which are included in cost of goods sold and marketing, general and administrative in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. The resolution of any such matters may affect consolidated net income for any fiscal period; however, we believe any resulting liabilities, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows during any fiscal year.
    
Other Litigation and Claims

We are involved as a defendant in various lawsuits, claims and disputes, which are in the normal course of our business. The resolution of any such matters may affect consolidated net income for any fiscal period; however, we believe any resulting liabilities, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows during any fiscal year.

Guarantees

We are a guarantor for lines of credit and performance obligations of related, non-consolidated companies. As of February 28, 2018, our bank covenants allowed maximum guarantees of $1.0 billion, of which $144.2 million were outstanding. We have collateral for a portion of these contingent obligations. We have not recorded a liability related to the contingent obligations as we do not expect to pay out any cash related to them, and the fair values are considered immaterial. The underlying loans to the counterparties for which we provide these guarantees were current as of February 28, 2018.

Lease Commitments

On November 30, 2017, we completed a sale-leaseback transaction for our primary corporate office building located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. Simultaneous with the closing of the sale, the Company entered into a 20-year operating lease arrangement with base annual rent of approximately $3.4 million during the first year, followed by annual increases of 2% through the remainder of the lease period.
Gain Contingency

As of February 28, 2018, a gain contingency resulted from applying ASC Topic 450-30, Gain Contingencies, to the facts and circumstances surrounding the potential for certain excise tax credits associated with manufacturing changes within our Energy business. The resulting gain, if recognized, will likely have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.