Notes Seven: ACCRUED LIABILITIESAccrued liabilities
were as follows at November 30:
| (In thousands) |
2005 |
2004 |
|
| Self insurance reserves |
$23,620 |
$15,909 |
| Compensation and benefits |
21,454 |
18,517 |
| Product warranties and guarantees |
4,026 |
4,297 |
| Taxes (other than income taxes) |
3,992 |
3,398 |
| Reserves for pending claims and litigation |
2,955 |
3,083 |
| Commissions and royalties |
1,702 |
1,562 |
| Advances from customers |
508 |
726 |
| Interest |
238 |
405 |
| Other |
4,576 |
5,324 |
| |
|
| |
$ 63,071 |
$53,221 |
|
|
The Company revised its presentation of the balance of self
insurance reserves at November 30, 2005 to reflect the gross
amount of liabilities without netting against a stop-loss
recoverable of $6,287,000 from insurance companies. Stop-loss
recoverable is included in other receivables under Note 3, herein.
The Company's product warranty accrual reflects management's
estimate of probable liability associated with product warranties.
The Company generally provides a standard product warranty not
exceeding one year from date of purchase. Management
establishes product warranty accruals based on historical
experience and other currently available information. Changes in
the product warranty accrual for the years ended November 30
were as follows:
| (In thousands) |
2005 |
2004 |
| Balance, beginning of period |
$4,297 |
$3,770
|
| Payments made |
(3,738) |
(4,632)
|
| Warranties issued during the period |
3,467 |
5,159
|
| |
|
|
| Balance, end of period |
$4,026 |
$4,297 |
| |
|
|
|