HSY » Topics » 4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

This excerpt taken from the HSY 10-K filed Feb 19, 2010.

5. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We enter into certain obligations for the purchase of raw materials. These obligations are primarily in the form of forward contracts for the purchase of raw materials from third-party brokers and dealers. These contracts minimize the effect of future price fluctuations by fixing the price of part or all of these purchase obligations. Total obligations for each year consisted of fixed price contracts for the purchase of commodities and unpriced contracts that were valued using market prices as of December 31, 2009.

The cost of commodities associated with the unpriced contracts is variable as market prices change over future periods. We mitigate the variability of these costs to the extent that we have entered into commodities futures and options contracts to hedge our costs for those periods. Increases or decreases in market prices are offset by gains or losses on commodities futures contracts. Taking delivery of and making payments for the

 

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THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

specific commodities for use in the manufacture of finished goods satisfies our obligations under the forward purchase contracts. For each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, we satisfied these obligations by taking delivery of and making payment for the specific commodities.

As of December 31, 2009, we had entered into purchase agreements with various suppliers. Subject to meeting our quality standards, the purchase obligations covered by these agreements were as follows as of December 31, 2009:

 

Obligations

   2010    2011    2012    2013
In millions of dollars                    

Purchase obligations

   $ 1,111.2    $ 589.5    $ 356.1    $ 234.9

We have commitments under various operating leases. Future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases with a remaining term in excess of one year were as follows as of December 31, 2009:

 

Lease Commitments

   2010    2011    2012    2013    2014    Thereafter
In millions of dollars                              

Future minimum rental payments

   $ 14.0    $ 11.2    $ 10.1    $ 6.4    $ 6.2    $ 13.6

We have a number of facilities that contain varying amounts of asbestos in certain locations within the facilities. Our asbestos management program is compliant with current applicable regulations. Current regulations require that we handle or dispose of asbestos in a special manner if such facilities undergo major renovations or are demolished. We believe we do not have sufficient information to estimate the fair value of any asset retirement obligations related to these facilities. We cannot specify the settlement date or range of potential settlement dates and, therefore, sufficient information is not available to apply an expected present value technique. We expect to maintain the facilities with repairs and maintenance activities that would not involve or require the removal of asbestos.

As of December 31, 2009, certain real estate associated with the closure of facilities under the global supply chain transformation program was being held for sale. We are not aware of any significant obligations related to the environmental remediation of these facilities which have not been reflected in our current estimates.

In connection with its pricing practices, the Company is the subject of an antitrust investigation by the Canadian Competition Bureau. In addition, the U.S. Department of Justice notified the Company that it opened an inquiry but has not requested any information or documents. The European Commission had requested information, but subsequently informed the Company that it had closed its file. We also are party to approximately 91 related civil antitrust suits in the United States and 14 in Canada. Certain of these claims contain class action allegations, instituted on behalf of direct purchasers of our products as well as indirect purchasers that purchase our products for use or for resale. These suits allege conspiracies in restraint of trade in connection with the pricing practices of the Company. Several other chocolate and confectionery companies are the subject of investigations and/or inquiries by the government entities referenced above and have also been named as defendants in the same litigation. One Canadian wholesaler is also a subject of the Canadian investigation. While it is not feasible to predict the final outcome of these proceedings, in our opinion they should not have a material adverse effect on the financial position, liquidity or results of operations of the Company. The Company is cooperating with the government investigations and inquiries and intends to defend the lawsuits vigorously.

We have no other material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to our business.

 

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THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

These excerpts taken from the HSY 10-K filed Feb 20, 2009.

4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We enter into certain obligations for the purchase of raw materials. These obligations are primarily in the form of forward contracts for the purchase of raw materials from third-party brokers and dealers. These contracts minimize the effect of future price fluctuations by fixing the price of part or all of these purchase obligations. Total obligations for each year consisted of fixed price contracts for the purchase of commodities and unpriced contracts that were valued using market prices as of December 31, 2008.

The cost of commodities associated with the unpriced contracts is variable as market prices change over future periods. We mitigate the variability of these costs to the extent that we have entered into commodities futures and options contracts to hedge our costs for those periods. Increases or decreases in market prices are offset by gains or losses on commodities futures contracts. Taking delivery of and making payments for the specific commodities for use in the manufacture of finished goods satisfies our obligations under the forward purchase contracts. For each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008, we satisfied these obligations by taking delivery of and making payment for the specific commodities.

As of December 31, 2008, we had entered into purchase agreements with various suppliers. Subject to meeting our Company’s quality standards, the purchase obligations covered by these agreements were as follows as of December 31, 2008:

 

Obligations

   2009    2010    2011    2012
In millions of dollars                    

Purchase obligations

   $ 1,103.4    $ 492.4    $ 122.1    $ 84.9

We have commitments under various operating leases. Future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases with a remaining term in excess of one year were as follows as of December 31, 2008:

 

Lease Commitments

   2009    2010    2011    2012    2013    Thereafter
In millions of dollars                              

Future minimum rental payments

   $ 14.9    $ 11.2    $ 8.9    $ 8.0    $ 4.3    $ 13.9

Our Company has a number of facilities that contain varying amounts of asbestos in certain locations within the facilities. Our asbestos management program is compliant with current applicable regulations. Current regulations require that we handle or dispose of this type of asbestos in a special manner if such facilities undergo major renovations or are demolished. We believe we do not have sufficient information to estimate the

 

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THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

fair value of any asset retirement obligations related to these facilities. We cannot specify the settlement date or range of potential settlement dates and, therefore, sufficient information is not available to apply an expected present value technique. We expect to maintain the facilities with repairs and maintenance activities that would not involve or require the removal of asbestos.

As of December 31, 2008, certain real estate associated with the closure of facilities under the global supply chain transformation program was being held for sale. We are not aware of any significant obligations related to the environmental remediation of these facilities which has not been reflected in our current estimates.

In connection with its pricing practices, the Company is the subject of an antitrust investigation by the Canadian Competition Bureau. In addition, the U.S. Department of Justice notified the Company that it opened an inquiry but has not requested any information or documents. The European Commission had requested information and informed the Company that it had closed its file. The Company is also party to approximately 92 related civil antitrust suits in the United States and nine in Canada. Certain of these claims contain class action allegations, instituted on behalf of direct purchasers of our products as well as indirect purchasers that purchase our products for use or for resale. These suits allege conspiracies in restraint of trade in connection with the pricing practices of the Company. Several other chocolate confectionery companies are the subject of investigations and/or inquiries by the government entities referenced above and have also been named as defendants in the same litigation. One Canadian wholesaler is also a subject of the Canadian investigation and is a defendant in certain of the lawsuits. While it is not feasible to predict the final outcome of these proceedings, in our opinion they should not have a material adverse effect on the financial position, liquidity or results of operations of the Company. The Company is cooperating with the government investigations and inquiries and intends to defend the lawsuits vigorously.

We have no other material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to our business.

4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%">We enter into certain obligations for the purchase of raw materials. These obligations are primarily in the form of forward contracts for the purchase of
raw materials from third-party brokers and dealers. These contracts minimize the effect of future price fluctuations by fixing the price of part or all of these purchase obligations. Total obligations for each year consisted of fixed price contracts
for the purchase of commodities and unpriced contracts that were valued using market prices as of December 31, 2008.

The cost of
commodities associated with the unpriced contracts is variable as market prices change over future periods. We mitigate the variability of these costs to the extent that we have entered into commodities futures and options contracts to hedge our
costs for those periods. Increases or decreases in market prices are offset by gains or losses on commodities futures contracts. Taking delivery of and making payments for the specific commodities for use in the manufacture of finished goods
satisfies our obligations under the forward purchase contracts. For each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008, we satisfied these obligations by taking delivery of and making payment for the specific commodities.


As of December 31, 2008, we had entered into purchase agreements with various suppliers. Subject to meeting our Company’s quality standards,
the purchase obligations covered by these agreements were as follows as of December 31, 2008:

 




















































Obligations

  2009  2010  2011  2012
In millions of dollars            

Purchase obligations

  $1,103.4  $492.4  $122.1  $84.9

We have commitments under various operating leases. Future minimum payments under non-cancelable
operating leases with a remaining term in excess of one year were as follows as of December 31, 2008:

 








































































Lease Commitments

  2009  2010  2011  2012  2013  Thereafter
In millions of dollars                  

Future minimum rental payments

  $14.9  $11.2  $8.9  $8.0  $4.3  $13.9

Our Company has a number of facilities that contain varying amounts of asbestos in certain
locations within the facilities. Our asbestos management program is compliant with current applicable regulations. Current regulations require that we handle or dispose of this type of asbestos in a special manner if such facilities undergo major
renovations or are demolished. We believe we do not have sufficient information to estimate the

 


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THE HERSHEY COMPANY

ALIGN="center">NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 



fair value of any asset retirement obligations related to these facilities. We cannot specify the settlement date or range of potential settlement dates and,
therefore, sufficient information is not available to apply an expected present value technique. We expect to maintain the facilities with repairs and maintenance activities that would not involve or require the removal of asbestos.

STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%">As of December 31, 2008, certain real estate associated with the closure of facilities under the global supply chain transformation program was
being held for sale. We are not aware of any significant obligations related to the environmental remediation of these facilities which has not been reflected in our current estimates.

STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%">In connection with its pricing practices, the Company is the subject of an antitrust investigation by the Canadian Competition Bureau. In addition, the
U.S. Department of Justice notified the Company that it opened an inquiry but has not requested any information or documents. The European Commission had requested information and informed the Company that it had closed its file. The Company is also
party to approximately 92 related civil antitrust suits in the United States and nine in Canada. Certain of these claims contain class action allegations, instituted on behalf of direct purchasers of our products as well as indirect purchasers that
purchase our products for use or for resale. These suits allege conspiracies in restraint of trade in connection with the pricing practices of the Company. Several other chocolate confectionery companies are the subject of investigations and/or
inquiries by the government entities referenced above and have also been named as defendants in the same litigation. One Canadian wholesaler is also a subject of the Canadian investigation and is a defendant in certain of the lawsuits. While it is
not feasible to predict the final outcome of these proceedings, in our opinion they should not have a material adverse effect on the financial position, liquidity or results of operations of the Company. The Company is cooperating with the
government investigations and inquiries and intends to defend the lawsuits vigorously.

We have no other material pending legal
proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to our business.

These excerpts taken from the HSY 10-K filed Feb 19, 2008.

4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We enter into certain obligations for the purchase of raw materials. These obligations are primarily in the form of forward contracts for the purchase of raw materials from third-party brokers and dealers. These contracts minimize the effect of future price fluctuations by fixing the price of part or all of these purchase obligations. Total obligations for each year consisted of fixed price contracts for the purchase of commodities and unpriced contracts that were valued using market prices as of December 31, 2007.

The cost of commodities associated with the unpriced contracts is variable as market prices change over future periods. We mitigate the variability of these costs to the extent that we have entered into commodities futures contracts to hedge our costs for those periods. Increases or decreases in market prices are offset by gains or losses on commodities futures contracts. This applies to the extent that we have hedged the unpriced contracts as of December 31, 2007 and in future periods by entering into commodities futures contracts. Taking delivery of and making payments for the specific commodities for use in the manufacture of finished goods satisfies our obligations under the forward purchase contracts. For each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2007, we satisfied these obligations by taking delivery of and making payment for the specific commodities.

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THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

As of December 31, 2007, we had entered into purchase agreements with various suppliers. Subject to meeting our Company’s quality standards, the purchase obligations covered by these agreements were as follows as of December 31, 2007:

 

Obligations

   2008    2009    2010    2011
In millions of dollars                    

Purchase obligations

   $ 1,058.2    $ 618.0    $ 277.5    $ 99.3

We have commitments under various operating leases. Future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases with a remaining term in excess of one year were as follows as of December 31, 2007:

 

Lease Commitments

   2008    2009    2010    2011    2012    Thereafter
In millions of dollars                              

Future minimum rental payments

   $ 15.4    $ 11.9    $ 7.5    $ 6.3    $ 5.4    $ 7.9

Our Company has a number of facilities that contain varying degrees of asbestos in certain locations within these facilities. Our asbestos management program is compliant with current regulations. Current regulations require that we handle or dispose of this type of asbestos in a special manner if such facilities undergo major renovations or are demolished. We believe we do not have sufficient information to estimate the fair value of any asset retirement obligations related to these facilities. We cannot specify the settlement date or range of potential settlement dates and, therefore, sufficient information is not available to apply an expected present value technique. We expect to maintain the facilities with repairs and maintenance activities that would not involve the removal of asbestos.

As of December 31, 2007, certain real estate associated with the closure of facilities under the global supply chain transformation program is being held for sale. We are not aware of any significant obligations related to the environmental remediation of these facilities which has not been reflected in our current estimates.

In connection with its pricing practices, the Company is the subject of an antitrust investigation by the Canadian Competition Bureau, and has received a request for information from the European Commission. In addition, the U.S. Department of Justice is conducting an inquiry. The Company is also party to approximately 50 related civil antitrust suits in the United States and three in Canada. Each claim contains class action allegations, instituted on behalf of consumers and, in some cases, by certain companies that purchase chocolate for resale, that allege conspiracies in restraint of trade and challenge the pricing and/or purchasing practices of the Company. Several other chocolate confectionery companies are the subject of investigations and/or inquiries by the government entities referenced above and have also been named as defendants in the same litigation. One Canadian wholesaler is also a subject of the Canadian investigation and is a defendant in certain of the lawsuits. While it is not feasible to predict the final outcome of these proceedings, in our opinion they should not have a material adverse effect on the financial position, liquidity or results of operations of the Company. The Company is cooperating with the government investigations and inquiries and intends to defend the lawsuits vigorously.

4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%">We enter into certain obligations for the purchase of raw materials. These obligations are primarily in the form of forward contracts for the purchase of
raw materials from third-party brokers and dealers. These contracts minimize the effect of future price fluctuations by fixing the price of part or all of these purchase obligations. Total obligations for each year consisted of fixed price contracts
for the purchase of commodities and unpriced contracts that were valued using market prices as of December 31, 2007.

The cost of
commodities associated with the unpriced contracts is variable as market prices change over future periods. We mitigate the variability of these costs to the extent that we have entered into commodities futures contracts to hedge our costs for those
periods. Increases or decreases in market prices are offset by gains or losses on commodities futures contracts. This applies to the extent that we have hedged the unpriced contracts as of December 31, 2007 and in future periods by entering
into commodities futures contracts. Taking delivery of and making payments for the specific commodities for use in the manufacture of finished goods satisfies our obligations under the forward purchase contracts. For each of the three years in the
period ended December 31, 2007, we satisfied these obligations by taking delivery of and making payment for the specific commodities.


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THE HERSHEY COMPANY

FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%">As of December 31, 2007, we had entered into purchase agreements with various suppliers. Subject to meeting our Company’s quality standards, the
purchase obligations covered by these agreements were as follows as of December 31, 2007:

 




















































Obligations

  2008  2009  2010  2011
In millions of dollars            

Purchase obligations

  $1,058.2  $618.0  $277.5  $99.3

We have commitments under various operating leases. Future minimum payments under non-cancelable
operating leases with a remaining term in excess of one year were as follows as of December 31, 2007:

 








































































Lease Commitments

  2008  2009  2010  2011  2012  Thereafter
In millions of dollars                  

Future minimum rental payments

  $15.4  $11.9  $7.5  $6.3  $5.4  $7.9

Our Company has a number of facilities that contain varying degrees of asbestos in certain
locations within these facilities. Our asbestos management program is compliant with current regulations. Current regulations require that we handle or dispose of this type of asbestos in a special manner if such facilities undergo major renovations
or are demolished. We believe we do not have sufficient information to estimate the fair value of any asset retirement obligations related to these facilities. We cannot specify the settlement date or range of potential settlement dates and,
therefore, sufficient information is not available to apply an expected present value technique. We expect to maintain the facilities with repairs and maintenance activities that would not involve the removal of asbestos.

STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%">As of December 31, 2007, certain real estate associated with the closure of facilities under the global supply chain transformation program is being
held for sale. We are not aware of any significant obligations related to the environmental remediation of these facilities which has not been reflected in our current estimates.

STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%">In connection with its pricing practices, the Company is the subject of an antitrust investigation by the Canadian Competition Bureau, and has received a
request for information from the European Commission. In addition, the U.S. Department of Justice is conducting an inquiry. The Company is also party to approximately 50 related civil antitrust suits in the United States and three in Canada. Each
claim contains class action allegations, instituted on behalf of consumers and, in some cases, by certain companies that purchase chocolate for resale, that allege conspiracies in restraint of trade and challenge the pricing and/or purchasing
practices of the Company. Several other chocolate confectionery companies are the subject of investigations and/or inquiries by the government entities referenced above and have also been named as defendants in the same litigation. One Canadian
wholesaler is also a subject of the Canadian investigation and is a defendant in certain of the lawsuits. While it is not feasible to predict the final outcome of these proceedings, in our opinion they should not have a material adverse effect on
the financial position, liquidity or results of operations of the Company. The Company is cooperating with the government investigations and inquiries and intends to defend the lawsuits vigorously.

STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px">5. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

We
account for derivative instruments in accordance with SFAS No. 133. SFAS No. 133 requires us to recognize all derivative instruments at fair value. We classify the derivatives as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet. Accounting for
the change in fair value of the derivative depends on:

 







  

whether the instrument qualifies for and has been designated as a hedging relationship; and

STYLE="font-size:6px;margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"> 







  

the type of hedging relationship.


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THE HERSHEY COMPANY

FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%">There are three types of hedging relationships:

 







  

cash flow hedge;

 







  

fair value hedge; and

 







  

hedge of foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation.

STYLE="margin-top:12px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%">As of December 31, 2007, all of our derivative instruments were classified as cash flow hedges.

STYLE="margin-top:18px;margin-bottom:0px">Objectives, Strategies and Accounting Policies Associated with Derivative Instruments

STYLE="margin-top:6px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%">We use certain derivative instruments, from time to time, to manage interest rate, foreign currency exchange rate and commodity market price risk
exposures. We enter into interest rate swaps and foreign currency contracts and options for periods consistent with related underlying exposures. We enter into commodities futures contracts for varying periods. The futures contracts are effective as
hedges of market price risks associated with anticipated raw material purchases, energy requirements and transportation costs. We do not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading purposes and are not a party to any instruments with leverage
or prepayment features. In entering into these contracts, we have assumed the risk that might arise from the possible inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. We do not expect any significant losses from counterparty
defaults.

This excerpt taken from the HSY 10-K filed Feb 23, 2007.

4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We enter into certain obligations for the purchase of raw materials. These obligations were primarily in the form of forward contracts for the purchase of raw materials from third-party brokers and dealers. These contracts minimize the effect of future price fluctuations by fixing the price of part or all of these purchase obligations. Total obligations for each year consisted of fixed price contracts for the purchase of commodities and unpriced contracts that were valued using market prices as of December 31, 2006.

The cost of commodities associated with the unpriced contracts is variable as market prices change over future periods. We mitigate the variability of these costs to the extent that we have entered into commodities futures contracts to hedge our costs for those periods. Increases or decreases in market prices are offset by gains or losses on commodities futures contracts. This applies to the extent that we have hedged the unpriced contracts as of December 31, 2006 and in future periods by entering into commodities futures contracts. Taking delivery of the specific commodities for use in the manufacture of finished goods satisfies these obligations. For each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2006, we satisfied these obligations by taking delivery of and making payment for the specific commodities.

As of December 31, 2006, we had entered into purchase agreements with various suppliers. Subject to meeting our Company’s quality standards, the purchase obligations covered by these agreements were as follows as of December 31, 2006:

 

Obligations

   2007    2008    2009    2010
In millions of dollars                    

Purchase obligations

   $ 1,023.5    $ 271.8    $ 72.3    $ 25.1

 

64


THE HERSHEY COMPANY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

We have commitments under various operating leases. Future minimum payments under non-cancelable operating leases with a remaining term in excess of one year were as follows as of December 31, 2006:

 

Lease Commitments

   2007    2008    2009    2010    2011    Thereafter
In millions of dollars                              

Future minimum rental payments

   $ 14.3    $ 13.0    $ 9.1    $ 6.5    $ 5.9    $ 16.1

Our Company has a number of facilities that contain varying degrees of asbestos in certain locations within these facilities. Our asbestos management program is compliant with current regulations. Current regulations require that we handle or dispose of this type of asbestos in a special manner if such facilities undergo major renovations or are demolished. We believe we do not have sufficient information to estimate the fair value of any asset retirement obligations related to these facilities. We cannot specify the settlement date or range of potential settlement dates and, therefore, sufficient information is not available to apply an expected present value technique. We expect to maintain the facilities with repairs and maintenance activities that would not involve the removal of asbestos.

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