NOTE 14.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company is involved in various legal disputes and other legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business.  Based on currently available information, the Company does not believe that it is reasonably possible that the disposition of any of the legal disputes the Company or its subsidiaries is currently involved in will have a material adverse effect upon the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.  There is a reasonable possibility of loss from contingencies in excess of the amounts accrued by the Company in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets; however, the actual amounts of such possible losses cannot currently be reasonably estimated by the Company at this time.  It is possible that, as additional information becomes available, the impact on the Company could have a different effect.

 

The Company leases office, warehouse and distribution space under non-cancelable operating leases.  As leases expire, it can be expected that, in the normal course of business, certain leases will be renewed or replaced.  Certain lease agreements include escalating rents over the lease terms.  The Company expenses rent on a straight-line basis over the lease term which commences on the date the Company has the right to control the property.  The cumulative expense recognized on a straight-line basis in excess of the cumulative payments is included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

 

Total rent expense for continuing operations of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013 was $1,515, $1,936, and $1,881, respectively.

 

Future minimum lease payments required under noncancelable operating leases that have initial or remaining noncancelable lease term in excess of one year at December 31, 2015 are as follows: