NPK International Inc

Previous wording

As a result of any such divestitures, we may incur or experience (i) greater costs or realize fewer benefits than anticipated under the agreements, (ii) operational or commercial difficulties segregating the divested assets from our retained assets, (iii) disputes with the purchasers regarding the nature and sufficiency of the transition services we provide or the terms and conditions of our commercial agreements with the purchasers, (iv) higher vendor costs due to reduced economies of scale or operational dis-synergies, or (v) losses or increased inefficiencies from stranded or underutilized assets. Any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Current wording

As a result of the Sale Transaction, we may incur or experience various adverse effects, including but not limited to (i) greater costs or realize fewer benefits than anticipated under the Sale Transaction agreement, (ii) operational or commercial difficulties segregating the divested assets from our retained assets, (iii) disputes with the Purchaser regarding the nature and sufficiency of the transition services we provide, (iv) higher vendor costs due to reduced economies of scale or other similar dis-synergies, (v) modified, terminated or scaled back relationships with our existing customers or difficulty in attracting prospective customers, (vi) loss or difficulty in retaining employees due to concerns over future job security or responsibilities, or (vii) losses or increased inefficiencies from stranded or underutilized assets. Any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Previous wording

Our ability to generate internal growth may be affected by, among other factors, our ability to:

Current wording

Our ability to generate organic growth may be affected by, among other factors, our ability to:

Previous wording

•successfully bid for new projects;

Current wording

•successfully qualify and bid for new projects;

Previous wording

Furthermore, the growth of our Industrial Solutions segment is heavily dependent upon the production of our recyclable composite mat products, which in turn is dependent on the operations and capacity of our manufacturing facilities in Carencro, Louisiana.

Current wording

Furthermore, the growth of our business is heavily dependent upon the production of our recyclable composite mat products, which in turn is dependent on the operations and capacity of our manufacturing facility in Carencro, Louisiana.

Previous wording

Many of the factors affecting our ability to generate internal growth may be beyond our control, and we cannot be certain that our strategies will be successful or that we will be able to generate cash flow sufficient to fund our operations and to support internal growth. If we are unsuccessful, we may not be able to achieve internal growth, expand our operations or grow our business.

Current wording

Many of the factors affecting our ability to generate organic growth may be beyond our control, and we cannot be certain that our strategies will be successful or that we will be able to generate cash flow sufficient to fund our operations and to support organic growth. If we are unsuccessful, we may not be able to achieve organic growth, expand our operations or grow our business.

Previous wording

A substantial portion of our operating income, cash flows, and financial returns is generated from construction projects, the awarding of which we do not directly control. The construction industry historically has experienced cyclical fluctuations in financial results due to economic recessions, downturns in business cycles of our customers, material shortages, price increases by subcontractors, interest rate fluctuations and other economic factors beyond our control. When the general level of economic activity deteriorates, our customers may delay, or cancel upgrades, expansions, and/or maintenance and repairs to their systems. Many factors, including the financial condition of the industry, could adversely affect our customers and their willingness to fund capital expenditures in the future.

Current wording

A substantial portion of our operating income, cash flows, and financial returns are generated from infrastructure construction and maintenance projects, the awarding of which we do not directly control. Infrastructure construction and maintenance historically has experienced cyclical fluctuations and unpredictable changes in project timing due to economic recessions, downturns in business cycles of our customers, material shortages, labor shortages, price increases by subcontractors, interest rate fluctuations and other economic factors beyond our control. When the general level of economic activity deteriorates, our customers may reduce investments in infrastructure construction and maintenance, or delay or cancel planned projects. Many factors, including the financial condition of the industry, could adversely affect our customers and their willingness to fund capital expenditures in the future.

Previous wording

Although we continue to diversify our operations and expand into a variety of end-markets, we derive a significant portion of our revenues from customers in the worldwide oil and natural gas industry; therefore, our risk factors include those factors that impact the demand for oil and natural gas. Spending by our customers for exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas is based on a number of factors, including expectations of future hydrocarbon demand, energy prices, the risks associated with developing reserves, our customers’ ability to finance exploration and development of reserves, regulatory developments, and the future value of the reserves. Reductions in customer spending levels adversely affect the demand for our products and services, and consequently, our revenues and operating results. The key risk factors that we believe influence the worldwide oil and natural gas markets are discussed below.

Current wording

We also derive revenues from customers in the oil and natural gas industry. Spending by our customers for exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas is based on a number of factors, including expectations of future hydrocarbon demand, the volatility of energy prices, the risks associated with developing reserves, our customers’ ability to finance exploration and development of reserves, regulatory developments, and the future value of the reserves. Reductions in customer spending levels adversely affect the demand for our products and services, and consequently, our revenues and operating results.

Previous wording

Our customers are continually seeking to implement measures aimed at greater cost savings, which may include the acceptance of lesser quality products and services in order to improve short term cost efficiencies as opposed to total cost efficiencies. The continued implementation of these kinds of cost saving measures could reduce the demand or pricing for our products and services and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Current wording

Our customers may also seek to implement measures aimed at greater cost savings, which may include the acceptance of lesser quality products and services in order to improve short term cost efficiencies as opposed to total cost efficiencies. The utilization of these kinds of cost saving measures by our customers could reduce the demand or pricing for our products and services and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Previous wording

In addition, economic, regulatory and market conditions affecting our specific end markets may adversely impact the demand for our services, resulting in the delay, reduction or cancellation of certain projects and these conditions may continue to adversely affect us in the future.

Current wording

In addition, economic, regulatory, and market conditions affecting our specific end markets, including import tariffs and other laws and regulations that impact our customers’ ability to obtain materials necessary for their operations, may adversely impact the demand for our services, resulting in the delay, reduction or cancellation of certain projects and these conditions may continue to adversely affect us in the future.

Previous wording

In addition, we may seek to expand to other areas outside the U.S. in the future. International operations are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties which could negatively impact our results from operations, including:

Current wording

In addition, international operations are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties which could negatively impact our results from operations, including among others:

Previous wording

Risks Related to the Ongoing Conflicts in Europe and the Middle East

Current wording

▪ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East; and

Previous wording

The ongoing conflicts may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks specified in our risk factors or disclosed in our public filings, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. Such risks include, but are not limited to, the volatility of oil and natural gas prices that can adversely affect demand for our products and services; our customers’ activity levels, spending for our products and services, and their ability to pay amounts owed us that could be impacted by the ability of our customers to access equity or credit markets; the price and availability of raw materials; the cost and continued availability of borrowed funds; and cybersecurity incidents or business system disruptions.

Current wording

These risks and uncertainties may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risks specified in our risk factors or disclosed in our public filings, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. Such risks include, but are not limited to, our customers’ activity levels, spending for our products and services, and their ability to pay amounts owed us that could be impacted by the ability of our customers to access equity or credit markets; the cost and continued availability of borrowed funds; and cybersecurity incidents or business system disruptions.

Previous wording

Risks Related to Operating Hazards Present in the Oil and Natural Gas and Utilities Industries and Substantial Liability Claims, Including Catastrophic Well Incidents

Current wording

Risks Related to Operating Hazards Present in Our and Our Customers’ Industries and Substantial Liability Claims

Previous wording

We are exposed to significant health, safety, and environmental risks. Our operations are subject to hazards present in the oil and natural gas industry, such as fires, explosions, blowouts, oil spills, and leaks or spills of hazardous materials (both onshore and offshore), as well as hazards in the electrical utility industry, such as exposure to wildfires, high voltage electrocution, among other risks. These incidents as well as accidents or problems in normal operations can cause personal injury or death and damage to property or the environment. From time to time, customers seek recovery for damage to their equipment or property that occurred during the course of our service obligations. Damage to our customers’ property and any related spills of hazardous materials could be extensive if a major problem occurs.

Current wording

We are exposed to significant health, safety, and environmental risks. Our operations, and those of our customers, are subject to hazards present in the electrical utility industry, such as exposure to wildfires, high voltage electrocution, among other risks, as well as hazards in the oil and natural gas industry, such as fires, explosions, blowouts, oil spills, and leaks or spills of hazardous materials. These incidents as well as accidents or problems in normal operations can cause personal injury or death and damage to property or the environment. From time to time, customers seek recovery for damage to their equipment or property that occurred during the course of our service obligations. Damage to our customers’ property and any related spills of hazardous materials could be extensive if a major problem occurs.

Previous wording

Many of our fixed-term contracts contain provisions permitting early termination by the customer at their convenience, generally without penalty, and with limited notice requirements. In addition, many of our contracts permit our customers to decrease the products or services without penalty, which could result in a decrease in our revenues and profitability. As a result, you should not place undue reliance on the strength of our customer contracts or the terms of those contracts.

Current wording

Certain of our contracts contain provisions permitting early termination by the customer at their convenience, generally without penalty, and with limited notice requirements. In addition, many of our contracts permit our customers to decrease the products or services without penalty, which could result in a decrease in our revenues and profitability. As a result, you should not place undue reliance on the strength of our customer contracts or the terms of those contracts.

Previous wording

As a key component of our long-term strategy to diversify our revenue streams, we seek to continue to expand our product and service offerings and enter new customer markets with our existing products. As with any market expansion effort, new customer and product markets require additional capital investment and include inherent uncertainties regarding customer expectations, industry-specific regulatory requirements, product performance, and customer-specific risk profiles. In addition, we likely will not have the same level of operational experience with respect to the new customer and product markets as will our competitors. As such, new market entry is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Current wording

As a key component of our long-term strategy to diversify our revenue streams, we seek to continue to expand our product and service offerings, including through acquisitions, and enter new customer markets with our existing products. As with any market expansion effort, new customer and product markets require additional capital investment and include inherent uncertainties regarding customer expectations, industry-specific regulatory requirements, product performance, customer-specific risk profiles and competitor responses. In addition, we likely will not have the same level of operational experience with respect to the new customer and product markets as will our competitors. As such, new market entry is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Previous wording

Our failure to attract, retain, and develop qualified leaders and key employees could have a material adverse effect on our business. Our businesses are highly dependent on our ability to attract and retain highly-skilled product specialists, technical sales personnel, and service personnel. The market for qualified employees is extremely competitive. If we cannot attract and retain qualified personnel, our ability to compete effectively and grow our business will be severely limited. Also, a significant increase in wages paid by competing employers could result in a reduction in our skilled labor force or an increase in our operating costs.

Current wording

Our business is highly dependent on our ability to attract and retain highly-skilled product specialists, technical sales personnel, and service personnel. Our failure to attract, retain, and develop qualified leaders and key employees could have a material adverse effect on our business. The market for qualified employees is extremely competitive. If we cannot attract and retain qualified personnel, our ability to compete effectively and grow our business will be severely limited. Also, a significant increase in wages paid by competing employers could result in a reduction in our skilled labor force or an increase in our operating costs.

Previous wording

Our ability to provide products and services to our customers is dependent upon our ability to obtain raw materials necessary to operate our business. Certain of the raw materials essential to our business are sourced globally and require various freight services to transport the materials to our job sites. These services may be impacted by periodic supply chain disruptions and, particularly during times of high demand, may cause delays in the arrival of or otherwise constrain our supply of raw materials. These constraints could have a material adverse effect on our business and consolidated results of operations. In addition, price increases, whether as a result of inflation, geopolitical issues, or otherwise, imposed by our vendors for raw materials used in our business and the inability to pass these increases through to our customers could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Current wording

Our ability to provide products and services to our customers is dependent upon our ability to obtain raw materials necessary to operate our business. These raw materials may be impacted by periodic supply chain disruptions and, particularly during times of high demand, there may be delays in the arrival of or otherwise constrain our supply of raw materials. These constraints could have a material adverse effect on our business and consolidated results of operations. In addition, price increases, whether as a result of inflation, geopolitical issues, or otherwise, imposed by our vendors for raw materials used in our business and the inability to pass these increases through to our customers could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Previous wording

Our Industrial Solutions business is highly dependent on the availability of high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”), which is the primary raw material used in the manufacture of our recyclable composite mats. The cost of HDPE increased significantly in 2021, but returned to more historical levels in 2022 and 2023. Our costs can vary based on the energy costs of the producers of HDPE, demand for this material, and the capacity or operations of the plants used to make HDPE. We may not be able to increase our customer pricing to cover the cost increases that we have experienced, which could result in a reduction in future profitability.

Current wording

Our business is highly dependent on the availability of HDPE, which is the primary raw material used in the manufacture of our recyclable composite mats. Our costs can vary based on the energy costs of the producers of HDPE, demand for this material, and the capacity or operations of the plants used to make HDPE. We may not be able to increase our customer pricing to cover the cost increases that we have experienced, which could result in a reduction in future profitability.

Previous wording

Our ability to successfully execute our business strategy will depend, among other things, on our ability to make capital investments and complete acquisitions which provide us with financial benefits. These investments and acquisitions are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including:

Current wording

Our ability to successfully execute our business strategy will depend, among other things, on our ability to make capital investments and complete acquisitions which provide us with financial benefits and operational synergies. These investments and acquisitions are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including:

Previous wording

Any of the factors above could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. Additionally, the anticipated benefits of a capital investment or acquisition may not be realized fully or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected.

Current wording

Any of the factors above could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. Additionally, the anticipated benefits of a capital investment or acquisition may not be realized fully or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected. We may incur substantial indebtedness to make capital investments or finance future acquisitions, and we also may issue equity, debt or convertible securities in connection with any such acquisitions. The use of cash for acquisitions may adversely affect our cash available for capital investments and other uses, the incurrence of additional debt may limit our financial flexibility, and the issuance of additional equity or convertible securities could be dilutive to existing stockholders.

Previous wording

In the Industrial Solutions business, many competitors provide various forms of worksite access products and services. More recently, several competitors have begun marketing composite products to compete with our DURA-BASE® matting system. While we believe the design and manufacturing quality of our products provide a differentiated value to our customers, many of our competitors seek to compete on pricing. In addition, certain patents related to our DURA-BASE® matting system have expired, and competitors may begin offering mats that include features described in those patents. We have filed additional patent applications on improvements to the structure of, features of, and uses of the DURA-BASE® matting system, but there is no assurance that our competitors will not be able to offer products that are similar to these improvements, features, or uses of the DURA-BASE® matting system.

Current wording

While we believe the design and manufacturing quality of our products provide a differentiated value to our customers, many of our competitors seek to compete on pricing. In addition, certain patents related to our DURA-BASE® matting system have expired, and competitors may begin offering mats that include features described in those patents. We have filed additional patent applications on improvements to the structure of, features of, and uses of the DURA-BASE® matting system, but there is no assurance that our competitors will not be able to offer products that are similar to these improvements, features, or uses of the DURA-BASE® matting system.

Previous wording

We may from time to time engage in expensive and time-consuming litigation to determine the enforceability, scope, and validity of our patent rights. In addition, we can seek to enforce our rights in trade secrets, or “know-how,” and other proprietary information and technology in the conduct of our business. However, it is possible that our competitors may infringe upon, misappropriate, violate or challenge the validity or enforceability of our intellectual property, and we may not be able to adequately protect or enforce our intellectual property rights in the future.

Current wording

In addition, we may from time to time engage in expensive and time-consuming litigation to determine the enforceability, scope, and validity of our patent rights. In addition, we can seek to enforce our rights in trade secrets, or “know-how,” and other proprietary information and technology in the conduct of our business. However, it is possible that our competitors may infringe upon, misappropriate, violate or challenge the validity or enforceability of our intellectual property, and we may not be able to adequately protect or enforce our intellectual property rights in the future.

Previous wording

We have significant operations located in market areas around the world that are negatively impacted by severe adverse weather events or natural disasters, particularly the U.S. A potential result of climate change is more frequent or more severe weather events or natural disasters. To the extent such weather events or natural disasters become more frequent or severe, disruptions to our business and costs to repair damaged facilities could increase.

Current wording

We have significant operations located in market areas that are negatively impacted by severe adverse weather events or natural disasters. A potential result of climate change is more frequent or more severe weather events or natural disasters. To the extent such weather events or natural disasters become more frequent or severe, disruptions to our business and costs to repair damaged facilities could increase.

Previous wording

These severe weather events or natural disasters, such as excessive rains, hurricanes, fires, or droughts, could disrupt our operations and result in damage to our properties, including the manufacturing facilities and technology center for our Industrial Solutions business located in Carencro, Louisiana, or our leased fluids industrial space in Fourchon, Louisiana. Additionally, there are market areas around the world in which our operations are subject to seasonality such as Canada where the Spring “break-up” (an industry term used to describe the time of year when the frost comes out of the ground causing the earth to become soft and muddy and strict weight restrictions are implemented by the government to prevent potholes forming on roads) results in a significant slowdown in the oil and natural gas industry and our fluids business each year, or in the summer in the U.S., where utility companies typically reduce maintenance project activity on the transmission grid due to elevated consumer electricity demand.

Current wording

These severe weather events or natural disasters, such as excessive rains, hurricanes, fires, or droughts, could disrupt our operations and result in damage to our properties, including our manufacturing facility and technology center located in Carencro, Louisiana. Additionally, there are markets in which our operations are subject to seasonality such as summer in the U.S., where utility companies typically reduce maintenance project activity on the transmission grid due to elevated consumer electricity demand.

Previous wording

The effects of public health crises, epidemics, and pandemics have resulted and may in the future result in a significant and swift reduction in U.S. and international economic activity, including adversely affecting the demand for and price of oil and natural gas, as well as the demand for our products and services. In response to reduced demand for our products and services, we would take (and have in the past taken) actions aimed at protecting our liquidity and reshaping the business for the new market realities, including reducing our workforce and cost structure. However, our business contains high levels of fixed costs, including significant facility and personnel expenses, which limits the effectiveness of such actions. The extent to which our operating and financial results are affected by a public health crisis, epidemic or pandemic will depend on various factors beyond our control, such as the duration and scope of such event, including any resurgences and the emergence and spread of a subject pathogen; actions taken by businesses and governments in response to such event; and the speed and effectiveness of responses to combat the subject pathogen, including the availability and public acceptance of effective treatments or vaccines, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic activity can resume, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. Any such public health crisis, epidemic or pandemic could also materially and adversely impact our operating and financial results in a manner that is not currently known to us or that we do not currently consider as presenting material risks to our operations.

Current wording

The effects of future public health crises, epidemics, and pandemics may result in a significant and swift reduction in U.S. and international economic activity, including adversely affecting the demand for our products and services. If we encounter a significant and prolonged reduction in demand for our products and services, we plan to take (and have in the past taken) actions aimed at protecting our liquidity and reshaping the business for the market changes, including the sale of assets from our rental fleet, and reducing our workforce and cost structure. However, our business contains high levels of fixed costs, including significant facility and personnel expenses, which limits the effectiveness of such actions. The extent to which our operating and financial results are affected by a public health crisis, epidemic or pandemic will depend on various factors beyond our control, such as the duration and scope of such event, including any resurgences and the emergence and spread of a subject pathogen; actions taken by businesses and governments in response to such event; and the speed and effectiveness of responses to combat the subject pathogen, including the availability and public acceptance of effective treatments or vaccines, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic activity can resume, all of which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. Any such public health crisis, epidemic or pandemic could also materially and adversely impact our operating and financial results in a manner that is not currently known to us or that we do not currently consider as presenting material risks to our operations.

Previous wording

We use borrowed funds as an integral part of our long-term capital structure and our future success is dependent upon continued access to borrowed funds to support our operations. The availability of borrowed funds on reasonable terms is dependent on the condition of credit markets and financial institutions from which these funds are obtained. Adverse events in the financial markets, or restrictions on lenders ability or willingness to lend to companies that have significant exposure to customers in the oil and natural gas industry, may significantly reduce the availability of funds, which may have an adverse effect on our cost of borrowings and our ability to fund our business strategy. Our ability to meet our debt service requirements and the continued availability of funds under our existing or future loan agreements is dependent upon our ability to generate operating income and generate sufficient cash flow to remain in compliance with the covenants in our debt agreements. This, in turn, is subject to the volatile nature of the oil and natural gas industry, and to competitive, economic, financial, and other factors that are beyond our control.

Current wording

We use borrowed funds as an integral part of our long-term capital structure and our future success is dependent upon continued access to borrowed funds to support our operations. The availability of borrowed funds on reasonable terms is dependent on the condition of credit markets and financial institutions from which these funds are obtained. Adverse events in the financial markets may significantly reduce the availability of funds, which may have an adverse effect on our cost of borrowings and our ability to fund our business strategy. Our ability to meet our debt service requirements and the continued availability of funds under our existing or future loan agreements is dependent upon our ability to generate operating income and generate sufficient cash flow to remain in compliance with the covenants in our debt agreements. This, in turn, is subject to competitive, economic, financial, and other factors that are beyond our control.

Previous wording

We primarily fund our ongoing operational needs through a $175 million asset-based revolving credit agreement (the “Amended ABL Facility”). The Amended ABL Facility terminates in May 2027. Borrowing availability under the Amended ABL Facility is calculated based on eligible U.S. accounts receivable, inventory and composite mats included in the rental fleet, net of reserves and subject to limits on certain of the assets included in the borrowing base calculation. To the extent pledged by the borrowers, the borrowing base calculation also includes the amount of eligible pledged cash. The administrative agent may establish reserves in accordance with the Amended ABL Facility, in part based on appraisals of the asset base, and other limits in its discretion, which could reduce the amounts otherwise available under the Amended ABL Facility.

Current wording

We primarily fund our ongoing operational needs through a $100 million asset-based revolving credit agreement (the “Amended ABL Facility”). The Amended ABL Facility terminates in May 2027. Borrowing availability under the Amended ABL Facility is calculated based on the level of eligible U.S. accounts receivable, inventory and composite mats included in the rental fleet, net of reserves and subject to limits on certain of the assets included in the borrowing base calculation, and accordingly, the total availability under the Amended ABL Facility may fluctuate. To the extent pledged by the borrowers, the borrowing base calculation also includes the amount of eligible pledged cash. The administrative agent may establish reserves in accordance with the Amended ABL Facility, in part based on appraisals of the asset base, and other limits in its discretion, which could reduce the amounts otherwise available under the Amended ABL Facility.

Previous wording

The Amended ABL Facility is a senior secured obligation of the Company and certain of our U.S. subsidiaries constituting borrowers thereunder, secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the personal property and certain real property of the borrowers, including a first priority lien on certain equity interests of direct or indirect domestic subsidiaries of the borrowers and certain equity interests issued by certain foreign subsidiaries of the borrowers. The Amended ABL Facility contains certain financial covenants, customary representations, warranties and covenants that, among other things, and subject to certain specified circumstances and exceptions, restrict or limit the ability of the borrowers and certain of their subsidiaries to incur indebtedness (including guarantees), grant liens, make investments, pay dividends or distributions with respect to capital stock and make other restricted payments, make prepayments on certain indebtedness, engage in mergers or other fundamental changes, dispose of property, and change the nature of their business.

Current wording

The Amended ABL Facility is a senior secured obligation of the Company and certain of our U.S. subsidiaries constituting borrowers thereunder, secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the personal property and certain real property of the borrowers, including a first priority lien on certain equity interests of direct subsidiaries of the borrowers. The Amended ABL Facility contains certain financial covenants, customary representations, warranties and covenants that, among other things, and subject to certain specified circumstances and exceptions, restrict or limit the ability of the borrowers and certain of their subsidiaries to incur indebtedness (including guarantees), grant liens, make investments, pay dividends or distributions with respect to capital stock and make other restricted payments, make prepayments on certain indebtedness, engage in mergers or other fundamental changes, dispose of property, and change the nature of their business.

Previous wording

We are responsible for complying with numerous federal, state, local, and foreign laws, regulations and policies that govern environmental protection, zoning and other matters applicable to our current and past business activities, including the activities of our former subsidiaries. Failure to remain compliant with these laws, regulations and policies may result in, among other things, fines, penalties, costs, investigation and/or cleanup of contaminated sites and site closure obligations, costs of remedying noncompliance, termination or suspension of certain operations, or other expenditures. We could be exposed to strict, joint and several liability for cleanup costs, natural resource damages and other damages as a result of our conduct that was lawful at the time it occurred or the conduct of, or conditions caused by, prior operators or other third parties. Private parties may also pursue legal actions against us based on alleged non-compliance with or liability under certain of these laws, rules and regulations. Further, any changes in the current legal and regulatory environment could impact industry activity and the demands for our products and services, the scope of products and services that we provide, or our cost structure required to provide our products and services, or the costs incurred by our customers.

Current wording

We are responsible for complying with numerous federal, state, local, and foreign laws, regulations and policies that govern environmental protection, zoning and other matters applicable to our current and past business activities, including the activities of our former subsidiaries. Failure to remain compliant with these laws, regulations and policies may result in, among other things, fines, penalties, costs, investigation and/or cleanup of contaminated sites and site closure obligations, costs of remedying noncompliance, termination or suspension of certain operations, or other expenditures. We could be exposed to strict, joint and several liability for cleanup costs, natural resource damages and other damages as a result of our conduct that was lawful at the time it occurred or the conduct of, or conditions caused by, prior operators or other third parties. Private parties may also pursue legal actions against us based on alleged non-compliance with or liability under certain of these laws, rules and regulations.

Previous wording

The continued expansion of revenues in industrial markets, and particularly end-markets that are likely to benefit from ongoing energy transition efforts around the world, such as power transmission, renewable energy, and geothermal, remains a strategic priority going forward, and we anticipate that our capital investments will primarily focus on supporting this objective. However, it is unclear whether these initiatives, when implemented, will create sufficient incentives for projects or result in increased demand for our services.

Current wording

The continued expansion of revenues in end-markets that are likely to benefit from increasing demand from electricity, such as power transmission and renewable energy, remains a strategic priority going forward, and we anticipate that our capital investments will primarily focus on supporting this objective. However, any changes in the current legal and regulatory environment could impact industry activity and the demand for our products and services, the scope of products and services that we provide, or our cost structure required to provide our products and services, or the costs incurred by our customers. It is unclear whether initiatives from federal, state, and local legislative bodies and administrative agencies, when implemented, will have a material adverse effect on the demand for our products and services.

Previous wording

There have also been efforts in recent years to influence the investment community, including investment advisors and certain sovereign wealth, pension and endowment funds, promoting divestment of fossil fuel equities and pressuring lenders to limit funding to companies engaged in the extraction of fossil fuel reserves. Such environmental activism and initiatives aimed at limiting climate change and reducing air pollution could interfere with our business activities, operations, and ability to access capital. Furthermore, members of the investment community are increasing their focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (“ESG”) practices and disclosures by public companies. Concerns over climate change have resulted in, and are expected to continue to result in, the adoption of regulatory requirements for climate-related disclosures, which could increase our compliance burden and costs. As a result, we may continue to face increasing pressure regarding our ESG disclosures and practices. We have published and may continue to publish a Sustainability Report, which outlines our progress and ongoing efforts to advance our ESG initiatives. Our disclosures on these matters rely on management’s expectations as of the date the statements are first made, as well as standards for measuring progress that are still in development, and may change or fail to be realized. These expectations and standards may continue to evolve. If our ESG disclosures and practices do not meet regulatory, investor or other stakeholder expectations and standards, which continue to evolve, it could have a material adverse effect on our business or demand for our services.

Current wording

There have also been efforts in recent years to influence the investment community, including investment advisors and certain sovereign wealth, pension and endowment funds, promoting divestment of fossil fuel equities and pressuring lenders to limit funding to companies engaged in the extraction of fossil fuel reserves. Such environmental activism and initiatives aimed at limiting climate change and reducing air pollution could interfere with our business activities, operations, and ability to access capital. Furthermore, some members of the investment community have increased their focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (“ESG”) practices and disclosures by public companies in recent years. Concerns over climate change have resulted in, and are expected to continue to result in, the adoption of regulatory requirements for climate-related disclosures, which could increase our compliance burden and costs. As a result, we may continue to face increasing pressure regarding our ESG disclosures and practices. We have published and may continue to publish a Sustainability Report, which outlines our progress and ongoing efforts to advance our ESG initiatives. Our disclosures on these matters rely on management’s expectations as of the date the statements are first made, as well as standards for measuring progress that are still in development and may change or fail to be realized. These expectations and standards may continue to evolve. If our ESG disclosures and practices do not meet regulatory, investor or other stakeholder expectations and standards, which continue to evolve, it could have a material adverse effect on our business or demand for our services.

Previous wording

As a global business, we are subject to complex laws and regulations in the U.S., the U.K. and other countries in which we operate. These laws and regulations relate to a number of aspects of our business, including anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws, sanctions against business dealings with certain countries and third parties, the payment of taxes, employment and labor relations, immigration, fair competition, data privacy protections, securities regulation, and other regulatory requirements affecting trade and investment. The application of these laws and regulations to our business is often unclear and may sometimes conflict. Compliance with these laws and regulations may involve significant costs or require changes in our business practices that could result in reduced revenue and profitability. Non-compliance could also result in significant fines, damages, and other criminal sanctions against us, our officers or our employees, prohibitions or additional requirements on the conduct of our business and damage our reputation. Certain violations of law could also result in suspension or debarment from government contracts. We also incur additional legal compliance costs associated with global regulations. In some foreign countries, particularly those with developing economies, it may be customary for others to engage in business practices that are prohibited by laws such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act, the Italian Criminal Code in Italy, Brazil’s Clean Companies Act, India’s Prevention of Corruption Act and The Companies Act, and Mexico’s Anti-Corruption Law. Although we implement policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with these laws, there can be no assurance that all of our employees, contractors, agents, and business partners will not take action in violation with our internal policies. In the U.S., there have been increasing instances of opioid and other illicit drug usage as well as illegal immigration in certain of the regions in which we operate. While we have taken steps we believe appropriate to ensure that our employees comply with our internal drug and alcohol policy as well as all applicable immigration laws, we cannot assure you there will not be violations in the future. Any such violation of our internal policies or the law could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Current wording

As a global business, we are subject to complex laws and regulations in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries in which we sell our products. These laws and regulations relate to several aspects of our business, including anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws, sanctions against business dealings with certain countries and third parties, the payment of taxes, employment and labor relations, immigration, fair competition, data privacy protections, securities regulation, and other regulatory requirements affecting trade and investment. The application of these laws and regulations to our business is often unclear and may sometimes conflict. Compliance with these laws and regulations may involve significant costs or require changes in our business practices that could result in reduced revenue and profitability. Non-compliance could also result in significant fines, damages, and other criminal sanctions against us, our officers or our employees, prohibitions or additional requirements on the conduct of our business and damage our reputation. Certain violations of law could also result in suspension or debarment from government contracts. We also incur additional legal compliance costs associated with global regulations. In some foreign countries, particularly those with developing economies, it may be customary for others to engage in business practices that are prohibited by laws such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the U.K. Bribery Act, Brazil’s Clean Companies Act, and Mexico’s Anti-Corruption Law. Although we implement policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with these laws, there can be no assurance that all of our employees, contractors, agents, and business partners will not take action in violation with our internal policies. Any such violation of our internal policies or the law could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Previous wording

Our future effective tax rates could be adversely affected by changes in tax laws, both domestically and internationally, or the interpretation or application thereof. From time to time, U.S. and foreign tax authorities, including state and local governments, consider legislation that could increase our effective tax rate. For example, effective for costs paid or incurred in tax years beginning after December 31, 2021, the 2017 U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted legislation that requires certain research and development expenditures to be capitalized and amortized over five years, rather than being deducted as incurred. While the Ways and Means Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bill that, if enacted, would allow for the continued immediate deduction of research and development expenditures incurred in tax years beginning after December 31, 2021, and before January 1, 2026, there can be no assurance that this proposed legislation will be enacted. Additionally, longstanding international tax norms that determine each country’s jurisdiction to tax cross-border international trade are subject to potential evolution. For example, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”), a global coalition of member countries, proposed a two-pillar plan to reform international taxation. The proposals aim to ensure a fairer distribution of profits among countries and to impose a floor on tax competition through the introduction of a global minimum tax. While the European Union agreed in December 2022 to implement the global minimum tax on larger companies in 2024, and other countries are actively considering changes to their tax laws to adopt certain parts of the OECD’s proposals, we cannot determine whether, or in what form, such legislation will be implemented or ultimately be enacted or what the impact of any such legislation could have on our profitability. If such changes to tax laws are enacted, our profitability could be negatively impacted.

Current wording

Our future effective tax rates could be adversely affected by changes in tax laws, both domestically and internationally, or the interpretation or application thereof. From time to time, U.S. and foreign tax authorities, including state and local governments, consider legislation that could increase our effective tax rate. Additionally, longstanding international tax norms that determine each country’s jurisdiction to tax cross-border international trade are subject to potential evolution. For example, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”), a global coalition of member countries, proposed a two-pillar plan to reform international taxation. The proposals aim to ensure a fairer distribution of profits among countries and to impose a floor on tax competition through the introduction of a global minimum tax. If such changes to tax laws are enacted, our profitability could be negatively impacted.

Previous wording

We utilize various management information systems and information technology infrastructure to manage or support a variety of our business operations, and to maintain various records, which may include confidential business or proprietary information as well as information regarding our customers, business partners, employees or other third parties. We also utilize third-party vendors and their systems and technology to support our business activities, including secure processing of confidential, sensitive, proprietary and other types of information. Failures of or interference with access to these systems, such as communication disruptions, could have an adverse effect on our ability to conduct operations or directly impact financial reporting. In addition, our information systems and information technology infrastructure are subject to security threats and sophisticated cyber-based attacks, including, but not limited to, denial-of-service attacks, hacking, “phishing” attacks, computer viruses, ransomware, malware, employee or insider error, malfeasance, social engineering, or physical breaches, that can cause deliberate or unintentional damage, destruction or misuse, manipulation, denial of access to or disclosure of confidential or important information or intellectual property. A failure of or breach in our information systems and information technology infrastructure, or those of our third-party vendors, could expose us and our employees, customers, and suppliers to risks of misuse of information or systems, transaction errors, the compromise of confidential information, manipulation and destruction of data, the loss of sales and customers and operations disruptions. There can be no assurance that security incidents will not occur. In addition, there can be no assurance that the policies and procedures we or our third-party vendors have in place, including system monitoring and data back-up processes, to prevent or mitigate the effects of these potential disruptions or incidents will be sufficient to prevent, detect and limit the impact of disruptions or incidents. We do not carry insurance against these risks, although we do invest in security technology, perform penetration tests from time to time, and design our business processes to attempt to mitigate the risk of such incidents. Our processes require continuous monitoring as technologies change and efforts to overcome security measures evolve.

Current wording

We utilize various management information systems and information technology infrastructure to manage or support a variety of our business operations, as well as the operations of our recently-divested Fluids Systems business, and to maintain various records, which may include confidential business or proprietary information as well as information regarding our customers, business partners, employees or other third parties. We also utilize third-party vendors and their systems and technology to support our business activities, including secure processing of confidential, sensitive, proprietary and other types of information. Failures of or interference with access to these systems, such as communication disruptions, could have an adverse effect on our ability to conduct operations or directly impact financial reporting.

Previous wording

We have experienced cybersecurity threats and incidents involving our systems and third-party systems and expect these incidents to continue. While none of the cybersecurity events have been material to date, a successful breach or attack could have a material negative impact on our operations or business reputation, harm our reputation and relationships with our customers, business partners, employees or other third parties, and subject us to consequences such as litigation and direct costs associated with incident response. These risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

Current wording

On October 29, 2024, we experienced a ransomware cybersecurity incident, and we expect such cybersecurity threats and incidents involving our systems and third-party systems to continue. While none of the cybersecurity events have been material to date, a successful breach or attack could have a material negative impact on our operations or business reputation, harm our reputation and relationships with our customers, business partners, employees or other third parties, and subject us to consequences such as litigation and direct costs associated with incident response. These risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, and financial condition.