Note 15. Contingencies and Litigation

The Company had outstanding letters of credit of $10.0 million and $9.1 million at May 31, 2011 and August 31, 2010, respectively, the majority of which secure self-insured workers compensation liabilities.

The Company is a party to various legal proceedings that have arisen in the normal course of its business. These legal proceedings typically include product liability, environmental, labor, insurance, patent claims and divestiture disputes. The Company has recorded reserves for loss contingencies based on the specific circumstances of each case. Such reserves are recorded when it is probable that a loss has been incurred as of the balance sheet date, can be reasonably estimated and is not covered by insurance. In the opinion of management, the resolution of these contingencies will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company, in the normal course of business, enters into certain real estate and equipment leases or guarantees such leases on behalf of its subsidiaries. In conjunction with the spin-off of a former subsidiary in fiscal 2000, the Company assigned its rights in the leases used by the former subsidiary, but was not released as a responsible party from all such leases by the lessors. All of these businesses were subsequently sold. The Company remains contingently liable for those leases if any of these businesses are unable to fulfill their obligations thereunder. The discounted present value of future minimum lease payments for these leases was $3.0 million at May 31, 2011.

The Company has facilities in numerous geographic locations that are subject to a range of environmental laws and regulations. Environmental costs that have no future economic value are expensed. Liabilities are recorded when environmental remediation is probable and the costs are reasonably estimable. Environmental expenditures over the last two years have not been material. Management believes that such costs will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.