COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIESIn the normal course of business, we are subject to a number of lawsuits and claims both actual and potential in nature. While management believes the resolution of these claims and lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations or cash flows, claims and legal proceedings are subject to inherent uncertainties, and unfavorable outcomes could occur that could include amounts in excess of any accruals which management has established. Were such unfavorable final outcomes to occur, it is possible that they could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Under our Certificate of Incorporation, we have agreed to indemnify our officers and directors for certain events or occurrences while the officer or director is, or was, serving at our request in such capacity. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these indemnification agreements is unlimited; however, we have a directors and officers liability insurance policy that covers a portion of our exposure. As a result of our insurance policy coverage, we believe the estimated fair value of these indemnification agreements is minimal. We have no liabilities recorded for these agreements as of December 31, 2020.

An environmental investigation, undertaken to assess areas of possible contamination, was completed at our facility in Jundiaí, São Paulo, Brazil. The facility is primarily an internal supplier of anodized aluminum components for certain of our dispensing systems. The testing indicated that soil and groundwater in certain areas of the facility were impacted above acceptable levels established by local regulations. In March 2017, we reported the findings to the relevant environmental authority, the Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo – CETESB. Based upon our best estimate, we recorded a reserve of $1.5 million (operating expense) in the first quarter of 2017 relating to this contingency. During 2020 and 2019, we paid approximately $0.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and made adjustments to the accrual based on our future anticipated expenditures. As of December 31, 2020, our outstanding reserve is $0.3 million. The ultimate loss associated with this environmental contingency is subject to the investigation and ongoing review of the CETESB. As of December 31, 2020, testing has indicated we are within the range of remediation. We will continue to evaluate the range of likely costs as the investigation proceeds and we have further clarity on the nature and extent of remediation that will be required. We note that the contamination, or any failure to complete any required remediation in a timely manner, could potentially result in fines or penalties.

In March 2017, the Supreme Court of Brazil issued a decision that a certain state value added tax should not be included in the calculation of federal gross receipts taxes. The decision reduces our gross receipts tax in Brazil prospectively and, potentially, retrospectively. In June 2020, we received a favorable court decision of $0.7 million for the retrospective right to recover part of our claim. This amount is recorded in cost of sales as a favorable impact of $0.7 million. During the first quarter of 2019, we received a favorable court decision of $2.7 million for the retrospective right to recover part of our claim. This amount is recorded in cost of sales as a favorable impact of $1.7 million and $1.0 million was recognized as interest income. During the fourth quarter of 2018, we recorded an amount of $631 thousand based on the favorable court decision. If the Supreme Court of Brazil grants full retrospective recovery, we estimate remaining potential recoveries of approximately $1.5 million to $7.5 million, including interest. Due to uncertainties around our remaining court recovery claims, we have not recorded any further amounts relating to the retrospective nature of this matter.

In December 2019, tax authorities in Brazil notified us of a tax assessment of approximately $6.1 million, including interest and penalties of $2.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively, relating to differences in tax classification codes used for import duties for the period from January 2015 to August 2018. We are vigorously contesting the assessment, including interest and penalties, and have filed an administrative defense appeal in December 2019. In June 2020, an unfavorable decision was issued on the first administrative defense appeal. We filed a second administrative defense appeal in August 2020. We still believe we have a strong defense. Due to uncertainty in the amount of assessment and the timing of our appeal, no liability is recorded as of December 31, 2020.