AAON, INC.

Previous wording

Our business is affected by a number of economic factors, including the level of economic activity in the markets in which we operate. Sales in the commercial and industrial new construction markets correlate to the number of new homes and buildings that are built, which in turn is influenced by cyclical factors such as interest rates, inflation, consumer spending habits, employment rates, and other macroeconomic factors over which we have no control. In the HVAC business, a decline in economic activity as a result of these cyclical or other factors typically results in a decline in new construction and replacement purchases which could impact our sales volume and profitability.

Current wording

Our business is affected by a number of economic factors, including the level of economic activity and uncertainty in the markets in which we operate. Sales in the commercial and industrial new construction markets correlate to the number of new homes and buildings that are built, which in turn is influenced by cyclical factors such as interest rates, inflation, consumer spending habits, employment rates, and other macroeconomic factors over which we have no control. In the HVAC business, a decline in economic activity as a result of these cyclical or other factors typically results in a decline in new construction and replacement purchases which could impact our sales volume and profitability.

Previous wording

From time to time in the past, we derived a significant portion of our sales from a limited number of customers, and such concentration may continue in the future. The loss of, or significant reduction in sales to significant customers (or a related portfolio group of customers) could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flow. Further, the addition of new major customers in the future could increase our customer concentration risks as described above.

Current wording

From time to time we derive a significant portion of our sales from a limited number of customers, and such concentration may continue in the future. The loss of, or significant reduction in sales to significant customers (or a related portfolio group of customers) could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flow. Further, the addition of new major customers in the future could increase our customer concentration risks as described above.

Previous wording

We are dependent on our third-party representatives to market and sell our products. If such relationships were terminated or impaired for any reason, it could materially and adversely affect our ability to generate revenues and profits. Certain competitors with greater financial resources than us could target our third-party representatives for exclusive sales channels. We may not be able to secure additional third-party representatives who will effectively market our products in certain geographical areas. In addition, adding new representatives requires additional administrative efforts and costs. If we are unable to establish new representative relationships or continue current relationships, or terminate and replace our third-party representatives, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Current wording

We are dependent on our third-party representatives to market and sell our products. If such relationships were terminated or impaired for any reason, it could materially and adversely affect our ability to generate revenues and profits. Certain competitors with greater financial resources than us have targeted some of our third-party representatives for exclusive sales channels. We may not be able to secure additional third-party representatives who will effectively market our products in certain geographical areas. In addition, adding new representatives requires additional administrative efforts and costs. If we are unable to establish new representative relationships or continue current relationships, or terminate and replace our third-party representatives, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Previous wording

We rely extensively on information systems and technology to manage our business and summarize operating results. We are in the process of implementing a new global enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system. This ERP system will replace our existing operating and financial systems. The ERP system is designed to accurately maintain the Company’s financial records, enhance operational functionality and provide timely information to the Company’s management team related to the operation of the business. The ERP system implementation process has required, and will continue to require, the investment of significant personnel and financial resources. We may not be able to successfully implement the ERP system without experiencing delays, increased costs and other difficulties. If we are unable to successfully design and implement the new ERP system as planned, our financial positions, results of operations and cash flows could be negatively impacted. Additionally, if we do not effectively implement the ERP system as planned or the ERP system does not operate as intended, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting could be adversely affected or our ability to assess those controls adequately could be delayed.

Current wording

Company’s management team related to the operation of the business. The ERP system implementation process has required, and will continue to require, the investment of significant personnel and financial resources. We may not be able to successfully implement the ERP system without experiencing delays, increased costs and other difficulties. If we are unable to successfully design and implement the new ERP system as planned, our financial positions, results of operations and cash flows could be negatively impacted. Additionally, if we do not effectively implement the ERP system as planned or the ERP system does not operate as intended, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting could be adversely affected or our ability to assess those controls adequately could be delayed.

Previous wording

Our future profitability could be adversely affected by current or future environmental laws. We are subject to extensive and changing federal, state and local laws and regulations designed to protect the environment in the United States and in other parts of the world. These laws and regulations could impose liability for remediation costs and result in civil or criminal penalties in case of non-compliance. Compliance with environmental laws increases our costs of doing business. Because these laws are subject to frequent change, we are unable to predict the future costs resulting from environmental compliance.

Current wording

Our future profitability could be adversely affected by current or future environmental laws. We are subject to extensive and rapidly changing federal, state and local laws and regulations designed to protect the environment in the United States and in other parts of the world. These laws and regulations could impose liability for remediation costs and result in civil or criminal penalties in case of non-compliance. Compliance with environmental laws increases our costs of doing business. Because these laws are subject to frequent change, we are unable to predict the future costs resulting from environmental compliance.

Previous wording

We always face the possibility of new governmental regulations and policies, from the Federal or state levels, which could have a substantial or even extreme negative effect on our operations and profitability. This could affect equipment we currently manufacture and could have an impact on our product design, operations, and profitability. We anticipate more state regulatory activity in the future. Additional state regulatory rules can lead to a patchwork of different compliance regulations that may impact the results of each of our operating segments and our consolidated results.

Current wording

We always face the possibility of new or rapidly evolving changes to existing governmental regulations and policies, from the Federal or state levels, which could have a substantial or even extreme negative effect on our operations and profitability. This could affect equipment we currently manufacture and could have an impact on our product design, operations, and profitability. We anticipate more state regulatory activity in the future. Additional state regulatory rules can lead to a patchwork of different compliance regulations that may impact the results of each of our operating segments and our consolidated results.

Previous wording

There is currently significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the U.S. and various other countries with respect to trade policies and tariffs. For example, a former U.S. administration previously called for substantial changes to U.S. foreign trade policy with respect to China and other countries, including the possibility of imposing greater restrictions on international trade and significant increases in tariffs on goods imported into the U.S. Other administrations could take a different approach to U.S. foreign trade policy, so there remains uncertainty as to whether trade between the U.S and other countries, including countries in which we operate, may be impacted by these policy shifts. Changes in policy or continued uncertainty could depress economic activity and restrict our access to suppliers or customers. Tariffs implemented on our products (or on materials, parts or components we use to manufacture our products) have in the past increased the cost of our products manufactured in the U.S. and imported into the U.S. If additional tariffs or trade restrictions are implemented on our products (or on materials, parts or components we use to manufacture our products) by the U.S. or other countries, the cost of products manufactured in countries such as China and Mexico and imported into the U.S. or other countries in which we operate could increase further. We expect to continue to pass along some of these costs to our customers, but the increased cost could adversely affect the demand for products. These cost increases could adversely affect the demand for our products and/or our profitability, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and our earnings.

Current wording

There is currently significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the U.S. and various other countries with respect to trade policies and tariffs. For example, the current U.S. administration has instituted substantial changes to U.S. foreign trade policy with respect to China and other countries, including a significant increase in tariffs on goods imported into the U.S. and the possibility of imposing further restrictions on international trade. The current administration has taken a different approach to U.S. foreign trade policy than their predecessors, so there remains uncertainty as to whether, and to what degree, trade between the U.S and other countries will be impacted by these policy shifts on an ongoing and/or long-term basis. Additional policy changes or continued uncertainty could depress economic activity and restrict our access to suppliers or customers. Furthermore, counter- or retaliatory tariffs imposed against the U.S. could impact our sales internationally. Tariffs implemented on our products (or on materials, parts or components we use to manufacture our products or to provide service for our products) have in the past increased the cost of our products manufactured in the U.S. and imported into the U.S. The imposition of additional tariffs on our products (or on materials, parts or components we use to manufacture our products or to provide service for our products) by the U.S. or other countries, the cost of our products manufactured in other countries subject to additional tariffs and imported into the U.S. would increase as a result of new tariffs that are implemented, and could increase further to the extent that retaliatory tariffs or similar additional trade restrictions are implemented. In the event we are unable to pass along the increased costs resulting from any tariffs to our customers, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, profitability, and our earnings.