Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

v3.8.0.1
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company leases buildings, vehicles and equipment under operating leases, some of which contain escalation clauses. The Company’s operating leases expire at various dates through 2028:
For the years ended December 31,
2017
 
2016
 
2015
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
Rental Expense
$
72,030

 
$
66,774

 
$
60,508


Future commitments under operating leases are as summarized:
(in thousands)
Operating leases
2018
$
34,112

2019
24,890

2020
21,355

2021
17,358

2022
14,313

Thereafter
31,511

Total minimum obligation
$
143,539


In the normal course of business, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries are defendants in a number of lawsuits, claims or arbitrations which allege that the subsidiaries’ services caused damage.  In addition, the Company defends employment related cases and claims from time to time. We are involved in certain environmental matters primarily arising in the normal course of business. We are actively contesting each of these matters. 

Management does not believe that any pending claim, proceeding or litigation, either alone or in the aggregate will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity; however, it is possible that an unfavorable outcome of some or all of the matters, however unlikely, could result in a charge that might be material to the results of an individual quarter or year.