Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies

v2.4.1.9
Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
  (7) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

  (a)

Leases

The Company leases facilities under operating lease agreements expiring through November 2031. The Company pays taxes, maintenance and insurance in addition to the lease obligations. The Company also leases certain equipment and automobiles under operating lease agreements expiring at various dates through September 2018. Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 approximated $107.0 million, $94.0 million and $88.7 million, respectively.

Minimum lease payments, which take into account escalation clauses, are recognized on a straight-line basis over the minimum lease term. Subsequent adjustments to the lease payments due to changes in an existing index, usually the consumer price index, are typically included in the calculation of the minimum lease payments when the adjustment is known. Reimbursements for leasehold improvements are recorded as liabilities and are amortized over the lease term. Lease concessions, usually a free rent period, are considered in the calculation of the minimum lease payments for the minimum lease term.

 

Future minimum lease payments under noncancellable leases at December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     OPERATING
LEASES
 

Year ending December 31:

  

2015

   $ 142,695   

2016

     135,195   

2017

     120,204   

2018

     110,608   

2019

     99,389   

Thereafter

     461,356   
  

 

 

 
$ 1,069,447   
  

 

 

 

 

  (b)

Litigation

The Company recognizes legal expense in connection with loss contingencies as incurred.

In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., the Company records a liability in its consolidated financial statements for loss contingencies when a loss is known or considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. When determining the estimated loss or range of loss, significant judgment is required to estimate the amount and timing of a loss to be recorded. Estimates of probable losses resulting from litigation and governmental proceedings are inherently difficult to predict, particularly when the matters are in the procedural stages or with unspecified or indeterminate claims for damages, potential penalties, or fines. Accordingly, the Company cannot determine the final amount, if any, of its liability beyond the amount accrued in the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2014, nor is it possible to estimate what litigation-related costs will be in the future.

 

  (c)

Product and Other Financing

The Company finances production activities in part through the use of interest-bearing open purchase arrangements with certain of its international manufacturers. These arrangements currently bear interest at rates between 0% and 0.5% for 30- to 60- day financing. The amounts outstanding under these arrangements at December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $171.4 million and $69.1 million, respectively, which are included in accounts payable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Interest expense incurred by the Company under these arrangements amounted to $5.1 million in 2014, $3.9 million in 2013, and $3.8 million in 2012. The Company has open purchase commitments with its foreign manufacturers at December 31, 2014 of $558.7 million, which are not included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.