MYERS INDUSTRIES INC

General Development of Business

Myers Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) was founded in 1933 and is headquartered in Akron, Ohio. The terms “Myers Industries,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” wherever used herein refer to the Company, unless the context indicates to the contrary. Since its founding, the Company has grown from a small storefront distributing tire service supplies into an international manufacturing and distribution enterprise. In 1971, the Company went public, and the stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MYE.

The Company designs, manufactures, and markets a variety of plastic, metal and rubber products, including a broad selection of plastic reusable containers, pallets, small parts bins, bulk shipping containers, storage and organization products, OEM parts, custom plastic products, consumer fuel containers and tanks for water, fuel and waste handling. Our plastic bulk containers replace single-use packaging, reducing waste and improving sustainability. The Company is also the largest distributor of tools, equipment and supplies used for tire, wheel and under vehicle service on passenger, heavy truck and off-road vehicles, as well as the manufacturing of tire repair and retreading products.

As of December 31, 2023, the Company operated seventeen manufacturing facilities, six sales offices, eight distribution centers and three distribution branches located throughout North and Central America; and has approximately 2,500 employees.

Serving customers around the world, Myers Industries’ brands provide sustainable solutions to a wide variety of customers in diverse niche markets. Myers Industries’ diverse products and solutions help customers to improve shop productivity with point of use inventory, to store and transport products more safely and efficiently, to improve sustainability through reuse, to lower overall material handling costs, to improve ergonomics for their labor force, to eliminate waste and to ultimately increase profitability.

The Company’s business strategy is focused on transforming its Material Handling Segment into a high-growth, customer-centric innovator of engineered plastic solutions while continuing to optimize and grow its Distribution Segment. Myers Industries’ long-term plan is comprised of three, three-year horizons, each outlining specific actions to drive profitable revenue growth. Actions during the first horizon are focused on four strategic pillars:

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driving organic growth through sales and commercial excellence, pricing focus, innovation and e-commerce;

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operational excellence through continuous improvement, purchasing rigor and selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense optimization;

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complementing organic growth through bolt on acquisitions that can expand opportunities in current and adjacent markets; and

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developing a high-performance mindset and culture focused on safety first, talent development, inclusion, servant leadership and community involvement.

Completion of the Signature acquisition in February 2024 moves the Company into the second horizon of its long-term strategic plan, which builds upon the first horizon. In the second three-year horizon, the Company is focused on:

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building on and continuing to execute on the four pillars from the first horizon; and

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levering experience gained from Horizon 1 to complete larger acquisitions in North America, potentially entering into adjacent technologies.

Description of Business

The Company conducts its business activities in two distinct business segments, Material Handling and Distribution, consistent with the manner in which the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker evaluates performance and makes resource allocation decisions.

The Material Handling Segment manufactures a broad selection of durable plastic reusable containers that are used repeatedly during the course of their service life. At the end of their service life, these highly sustainable products can be recovered, recycled, and reprocessed into new products. The Material Handling Segment’s products include pallets, small parts bins, bulk shipping containers, storage and organization products, OEM parts, custom plastic products, consumer fuel containers and tanks for water, fuel and waste handling. Products in the Material Handling Segment are primarily injection molded, rotationally molded or blow molded. Injection molding and blow molding primarily use electric power to heat and press resin into molds to form the products. Rotational molding involves multi-axis rotation of molds in natural gas fired ovens to form the resin into our products. The Material Handling Segment conducts operations in the United States and Canada. The Material Handling Segment serves a wide variety of markets, including industrial manufacturing, food processing, retail/wholesale products distribution, agriculture, automotive, recreational vehicles, marine vehicles, healthcare, appliance, bakery, electronics, textiles, consumer markets, among others. Products are sold both directly to end-users and through distributors. The addition of Signature Systems in February 2024 adds a line of composite ground protection products, which are manufactured using compression and injection molding.

The Distribution Segment is engaged in the distribution of tools, equipment and supplies used for tire servicing, wheel and automotive under-vehicle service on passenger, heavy truck and off-road vehicles and the manufacturing of tire repair materials and custom rubber products. The Distribution Segment also manufactures and sells permanent and temporary reflective highway marking tape. The Distribution Segment operates domestically through its sales offices and eight regional distribution centers in the United States, and in certain foreign countries through export sales as well as branch operations principally in Central America. The Distribution Segment serves retail and truck tire dealers, commercial auto and truck fleets, truck stop operations, auto dealers, general service and repair centers, tire retreaders, and government agencies.

On February 8, 2024, the Company purchased Signature Systems ("Signature"), a leading manufacturer and distributor of composite ground protection for industrial applications, stadium turf protection and temporary event flooring. Signature Systems will be included in the Material Handling segment. Signature's annual sales were approximately $110 million at the time of the acquisition.

On May 31, 2022, the Company acquired the assets of Mohawk Rubber Sales of New England Inc. (“Mohawk”), a leading auto aftermarket distributor, which is included in the Company’s Distribution Segment. Mohawk’s annual sales were approximately $65 million at the time of the acquisition.

The following table summarizes the key attributes of the business segments for the year ended December 31, 2023:

*Beginning in February 2024 with the acquisition of Signature Systems

Segments Overview

Material Handling Segment

The Material Handling Segment manufactures highly engineered polymer packaging containers, storage and safety products, and specialty molded parts. The brands within this segment include Buckhorn®, Akro-Mils®, Jamco®, Ameri-Kart®, Elkhart Plastics™, Trilogy Plastics, Scepter®and beginning in February 2024, Signature Systems™.

Buckhorn’s reusable containers and pallets are used in closed-loop supply chain systems to help customers improve product protection, increase handling efficiencies, reduce freight costs and eliminate solid waste and disposal costs. Buckhorn offers products to replace costly single use cardboard boxes, wooden pallets, and steel containers. Buckhorn has a broad product line that includes injection-molded and structural foam-molded constructions. Buckhorn’s product lines include hand-held containers used for inventory control, order management and transportation of retail goods; collapsible and fixed-wall bulk transport containers for light and heavy-duty tasks; intermediate bulk containers for the storage and transport of food, liquid, powder, and granular products; plastic pallets; and specialty boxes designed for storage of items such as seed. Buckhorn also produces a wide variety of specialty products for niche applications and custom products designed according to exact customer specifications.

Akro-Mils material handling products provide customers everything they need to store, organize and transport a wide range of goods while increasing overall productivity and profitability. Serving industrial, commercial and consumer markets, Akro-Mils products range from AkroBins® — the industry’s leading small parts bins — to Super-Size AkroBins, metal panel and bin hanging systems, metal and plastic storage cabinet and bin systems, wire shelving systems, plastic and metal transport carts and a wide variety of custom storage and transport products. Akro-Mils products deliver storage and organization solutions in a wide variety of applications, from creating assembly line workstations to organizing medical supplies and retail displays. Emphasis is placed on product bundling and customizing systems to create specific storage and organization configurations for customers’ operations.

Jamco Products is well established in industrial and commercial markets with its wide selection of welded steel service carts, platform trucks, mobile work centers, racks and cabinets for plastic bins, safety cabinets, medical cylinder carts and more. Jamco Products’ quality product offering, relationships with industrial distributors and reputation for quality and service complements Myers Industries’ other Material Handling businesses.

The Company's rotational molding business operates under the Ameri-Kart, Elkhart Plastics and Trilogy Plastics brand names and is a leader in rotational molding with a manufacturing footprint and capabilities to serve customers across the country. Ameri-Kart is an industry leading rotational molder of water, fuel and waste handling tanks, plastic trim and interior parts used in the production of seat components, consoles, and other applications throughout the recreational vehicle, marine, and industrial markets. Ameri-Kart also thermoforms certain parts for the recreational vehicle and other industries. Elkhart Plastics is a leader in rotationally molded water, fuel and waste handling tanks, intermediate bulk containers, plastic trim and parts used in recreational vehicle, marine, agriculture, commercial construction equipment, heavy truck equipment, material handling and more. Custom plastics are manufactured in a variety of lengths, shapes and thicknesses to meet customer needs. Trilogy Plastics is a world-class custom rotational molder specializing in high quality, high tolerance parts and assemblies. Trilogy manufactures custom products for the industrial, consumer, lawn and garden, heavy truck, medical and other markets.

Scepter is a leading producer of portable plastic fuel containers, portable marine fuel tanks and water containers, ammunition containers and storage totes. Scepter was the first provider of Jerry Cans to North America which offer safe, reliable transportation and storage of fuel for the consumer market. Scepter also manufactures a variety of blow molded products for military applications from high quality containers to safely store and transport large caliber ammunition, to military specified portable fuel and water canisters. Scepter's in-house product engineering and state of the art mold capabilities complements Myers Industries’ Material Handling Segment through an increased product offering and global reach.

In February 2024, the Company purchased Signature Systems, a leading manufacturer and distributor of composite ground protection for industrial applications, stadium turf protection and temporary event flooring. Signature Systems composite ground protection mats are manufactured using compression molding and structural foam injection molding and are sold globally.

Distribution Segment

The Distribution Segment includes the Myers Tire Supply®, Myers Tire Supply International, Tuffy Manufacturing, Mohawk Rubber Sales and Patch Rubber Company® brands. Within the Distribution Segment the Company sources and manufactures top of the line products for the tire, wheel and under-vehicle service industry.

With these brands, the Distribution Segment is the largest U.S. distributor and single source for tire, wheel and under-vehicle service tools, equipment and supplies. The Company buys and sells over 30,000 unique items — everything that professionals need to service passenger, truck and off-road tires, wheels and related components. Independent tire dealers, mass merchandisers, commercial auto and truck fleets, truck stop operations, auto dealerships, tire retreaders and general repair facilities rely on our broad product selection, rapid availability and personal service to be more productive and profitably grow their businesses.

While the needs and composition of our distribution markets constantly change, we adapt and deliver new products and services that are crucial to our customers’ success. The new product pipeline is driven by a thorough understanding of the market, our customers’ needs and working closely with suppliers to develop innovative products and services to meet these needs. Tailored products, services and field support including access to leading suppliers, an expansive customer care team and a strong national footprint are supported through the Company's leading brands including Myers Tire Supply, Tuffy Manufacturing and Mohawk Rubber Sales. On an international scale, Myers Tire Supply International further distributes these product offerings and services in Central America, through its branch offices, and to other foreign countries, through its U.S. export business.

Patch Rubber Company manufactures one of the most comprehensive lines of tire repair and retreading products in the United States. Service professionals rely on our extensive product selection and quality for safe, cost-effective repairs to passenger, truck and off-road tires. Products include the plug that fills a puncture, the cement that seals the plug, the tire innerliner patch and the final sealing compound. Patch brand repair products maintain a strong position in the tire service markets including sales through the Myers Tire Supply sales network. Patch Rubber also employs its rubber calendering and compounding expertise to create a diverse portfolio of products outside of the tire repair market, such as permanent and temporary reflective highway marking tape. Our rubber-based tape and symbols provide the durability and brightness that construction professionals demand to replace paint for marking road repair, intersections and hazardous areas.

Raw Materials & Suppliers

The Company purchases substantially all of its raw materials from a wide range of third-party suppliers. These materials are primarily polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene plastic resins and steel, all used within the Material Handling Segment, as well as synthetic and natural rubber. Most raw materials are commodity products and/or are available from several domestic suppliers. We believe that the loss of any one supplier or group of suppliers would not have a material adverse effect on our business, although there are limited suppliers of certain grades of plastic resins, where the market supply can be temporarily disrupted by an unanticipated loss of capacity from any one such supplier. Additionally, certain components of the Company's products are manufactured through supply arrangements using proprietary molds owned by the Company, and unanticipated loss of one of these suppliers could temporarily disrupt a product line. Our Distribution Segment purchases substantially all of its components from third-party suppliers and has multiple sources for its products.

Deliveries of our materials and supplies are primarily made by commercial truck from the United States and Canadian suppliers, but in the case of resin, may also be delivered by rail to certain of our facilities. Within the Distribution Segment many of the products we distribute are imported.

Competition

Competition in our Material Handling Segment is substantial and varied in form and size from manufacturers of similar products to those of other products which can be substituted for products produced by the Company. In general, most direct competitors with the Company’s brands are private entities. Myers Industries maintains strong brand presence and market positions in the niche sectors of the markets it serves. The Company does not command substantial, overall market presence in the broad market sectors.

Competition in our Distribution Segment is generally comprised of small companies, regional distributors and national auto parts chains where product offerings may overlap. Within the overall tire, wheel and under-vehicle service market, Myers Industries is the largest U.S. distributor of tools, equipment and supplies offered based on national coverage.

Customer Dependence

In 2023, 2022 and 2021, there were no customers that accounted for more than ten percent of total net sales. Myers Industries serves thousands of customers who demand value through product selection, innovation, quality, delivery and responsive personal service. Our brands foster satisfied, loyal customers who have recognized our performance through numerous supplier quality awards.

Human Capital Management

Myers employees are located throughout North and Central America. Employee levels are managed to align with the pace of business and management believes it has sufficient human capital to operate its business successfully. The Company employed approximately 2,500 people globally in both a full-time and part-time capacity as of December 31, 2023. Of these, approximately 1,900 were employed in the Company’s Material Handling Segment while the Distribution Segment employed approximately 500. The Company had approximately 100 Corporate and shared service employees. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had approximately 120 employees represented by a labor union. The collective bargaining agreement between us and the labor union expires June 30, 2025. Myers considers its relationships with its employees and union to be in good standing. The Myers employee base provides the foundation for our Company’s success.

Our employees are responsible for upholding our core values:

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Integrity: Our word is our bond; we do what we say we are going to do.

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Optimism: We work with the assumption that people are fair, honest and have good intent.

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Customer Focus: We strive to deliver the right product, at the right time, every time.

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Can-do Spirit: We will always find a way...we have a can-do spirit. We will deliver. For our employees, our customers, our communities, our shareholders.

Additionally, Myers and its employees are committed to working safely and collaboratively, conducting all aspects of business with the highest standards of integrity, leveraging processes and procedures to drive continuous improvement, empowering individuals and teams across the Company, embracing change as we embark on our One Myers strategic vision, attracting and developing diverse talent, and demonstrating servant leadership to drive improvements in the communities where we live and operate.

Health and Safety

The health, safety, and well-being of our employees is very important to us. The Company has developed a health and safety program that focuses on implementing policies and training programs to ensure all employees can expect workplace safety. The Company’s health and safety strategies are consistently reviewed and updated as changes occur and key metrics are discussed in our Corporate Safety Committee meetings. The results of these critical safety statistics and metrics are distributed internally. Safety awareness and employee engagement programs have been implemented at the Company’s facilities and are a critical consideration in our town hall meetings.

Diversity and Inclusion

As part of our human capital management initiatives, we are continuing to develop and improve our internal reporting on key talent metrics, including workforce demographics, critical role pipeline data, and diversity hiring analytics. These initiatives align with our goal of creating a positive and dynamic workplace where all employees can flourish. A truly innovative workforce needs to be diverse and leverage the skills and perspectives of a broad range of backgrounds and experiences.

Talent Development

Successful execution of the Company's strategy depends on attracting and retaining highly qualified individuals. The Company believes it is important to reward associates with competitive wages and benefits to recognize professional excellence and career progression. The Company also believes it is important to provide pay and benefits that are competitive and equitable based on its local markets.

The Company believes that having open, honest dialogue with its employees is a key tenet in evolving its culture and keeping it thriving. As a function of this approach, the Company conducts surveys on a periodic basis to measure and report employee engagement and areas of concern. The Company also provides professional development and training opportunities to advance the skills and expertise of Myers’ employees.

Backlog

The backlog of orders for our operations is estimated to have been approximately $75 million at December 31, 2023 and approximately $102 million at December 31, 2022. Generally, our lead time between customer order and product delivery is less than 90 days, and thus our estimated backlog is expected to be substantially delivered within the succeeding three months. During periods of shorter lead times, backlog may not be a meaningful indicator of future sales. Accordingly, we do not believe our backlog data and comparisons thereof, as of different dates, reliably indicate future sales or shipments.

Available Information

Filings with the SEC. As a public company, we regularly file reports and proxy statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), such as:

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annual reports on Form 10-K;

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quarterly reports on Form 10-Q;

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current reports on Form 8-K; and

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proxy statements on Schedule 14A.

The SEC maintains an internet website that contains our reports, proxy and information statements, and our other SEC filings; the address of that site is https://www.sec.gov.

We make our SEC filings available free of charge on our own internet site as soon as reasonably practicable after we have filed with the SEC. Our internet address is https://www.myersindustries.com. The content on the Company’s website is available for informational purposes only and is not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K.

Our website also contains additional information about our corporate governance policies, including the charters of our standing board committees, as described further under Part II, Item 10 of this Form 10-K. Any of these items are available in print to any shareholder who requests them. Requests should be sent to Corporate Secretary, Myers Industries, Inc., 1293 S. Main Street, Akron, Ohio 44301.