STONERIDGE INC

Previous wording

Our business is cyclical and a downturn in the automotive, commercial, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets as well as overall economic conditions could reduce our sales and profitability.

Current wording

Our business is cyclical and a downturn in the commercial, automotive, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets as well as overall economic conditions could reduce our sales and profitability.

Previous wording

The demand for products is largely dependent on the domestic and foreign production of automotive, commercial, off-highway and agricultural vehicles. The markets for our products have been cyclical, because new vehicle demand is dependent on, among other things, consumer spending and is tied closely to the overall strength of the economy. Because the majority of our products are used principally in the production of vehicles for the automotive, commercial, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets, our net sales, and therefore our results of operations, are significantly dependent on the general state of the economy and other factors which affect these markets.

Current wording

The demand for products is largely dependent on the domestic and foreign production of commercial, automotive, off-highway and agricultural vehicles. The markets for our products have been cyclical, because new vehicle demand is dependent on, among other things, consumer spending and is tied closely to the overall strength of the economy. Because the majority of our products are used principally in the production of vehicles for the commercial, automotive, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets, our net sales, and therefore our results of operations, are significantly dependent on the general state of the economy as well as other factors affecting these markets.

Previous wording

In 2023, approximately 94% of our net sales were derived from automotive, commercial, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets while approximately 6% were derived from aftermarket distributors and monitoring services markets. An economic downturn or other adverse industry conditions that result in a decline in automotive, commercial, off-highway or agricultural vehicle production, or a material decline in market share by our significant customers, could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Current wording

In 2024, approximately 95% of our net sales were derived from commercial, automotive, off-highway and agricultural vehicle markets while approximately 5% were derived from aftermarket distributors and monitoring services markets. An economic downturn or other adverse industry conditions that result in a decline in commercial, automotive, off-highway or agricultural vehicle production, or a material decline in market share by our significant customers, could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Previous wording

We are dependent on several principal customers for a significant percentage of our net sales. In 2023, our top five customers were PACCAR, Traton, Volvo, Daimler Truck and Ford, which comprised 16%, 15%, 10%, 8% and 6% of our net sales, respectively. In 2023, our top ten customers accounted for 66% of our net sales. The loss of any significant portion of our sales to these customers would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, we have significant receivable balances related to these customers and other major customers that would be at risk in the event of their insolvency.

Current wording

We are dependent on several principal customers for a significant percentage of our net sales. In 2024, our top five customers were PACCAR, Traton, Volvo, Daimler Truck and Ford, which comprised 16%, 13%, 13%, 7% and 7% of our net sales, respectively. In 2024, our top ten customers accounted for 66% of our net sales. The loss of any significant portion of our sales to these customers would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, we have significant receivable balances related to these customers and other major customers that would be at risk in the event of their insolvency.

Previous wording

The Company typically enters into customer agreements at the beginning of a vehicle life cycle with the intent to fulfill customer-purchasing requirements for the entire vehicle production life cycle. The vehicle life cycle typically included the two to four year pre-production period and production for a term covering the life of such vehicle model or platform, generally between three to seven years, although there is no guarantee that this will occur. The Company’s customers make no firm commitments regarding volume and may terminate these agreements or orders at any time. Therefore, these arrangements do not represent firm orders. The Company’s estimated sourced future sales from awarded programs, also referred to as backlog, is the estimated remaining cumulative awarded life-of-program sales for up to a five year period. Several factors may change forecasted revenue from awarded programs; namely, new business wins, vehicle production volume changes, customer price reductions, foreign currency exchange rates, component take rates by customers and short cycled or cancelled models or platforms.

Current wording

The Company typically enters into customer agreements at the beginning of a vehicle life cycle with the intent to fulfill customer-purchasing requirements for the entire vehicle production life cycle. The vehicle life cycle typically included the two to five year pre-production period and production for a term covering the life of such vehicle model or platform, generally between three to seven years, although there is no guarantee that this will occur. The Company’s customers make no firm commitments regarding volume and may terminate these agreements or orders at any time. Therefore, these arrangements do not represent firm orders. The Company’s estimated sourced future sales from awarded programs, also referred to as backlog, is the estimated remaining cumulative awarded life-of-program sales for up to a five year period. Several factors may change forecasted revenue from awarded programs; namely, new business wins, vehicle production volume changes, customer price reductions, foreign currency exchange rates, component take rates by customers and short cycled or cancelled models or platforms.

Previous wording

Our products are subject to changing technology, which could place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to alternative products introduced by competitors. Our success will depend on our ability to continue to meet customers’ changing specifications with respect to technological innovation, price, quality, performance, service and delivery by implementing and sustaining competitive technological advances. Our business may, therefore, require significant recurring additional capital expenditures and investment in product development, manufacturing and information technology systems. We cannot assure that we will be able to achieve technological advances or introduce new products that may be necessary to remain competitive. Our inability to continuously improve existing products, develop new products and achieve technological advances could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Current wording

Our products are subject to changing technology, which could place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to alternative products introduced by competitors. Our success will depend on our ability to continue to meet customers’ changing specifications with respect to technological innovation, price, quality, performance, service and delivery by implementing and sustaining competitive technological advances. Our business may, therefore, require significant recurring additional capital expenditures and investment in product development, manufacturing and information technology systems. We cannot ensure that we will be able to achieve technological advances or introduce new products that may be necessary to remain competitive. Our inability to continuously improve existing products, develop new products and achieve technological advances could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Previous wording

A significant public health crisis, pandemic or disease outbreak, such as COVID-19, could adversely impact our business as well as those of our suppliers and customers. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the global vehicle industry and customer sales, production volumes, supply of components critical to our business, and purchases of automotive, commercial, off-highway and agricultural vehicles by end-consumers. Any future significant public health crisis could adversely impact the global economy, our industry and the overall demand for our products. In addition, preventative or reactionary measures taken by governmental authorities may disrupt the ability of our employees, suppliers and other business partners to perform their respective functions and obligations relative to the conduct of our business. Our ability to predict and respond to future changes resulting from potential health crises is uncertain as are the ultimate potential impacts on our business. The extent to which a pandemic or similar significant health crises will impact our business in the future is uncertain. In addition, to the extent such significant health crises may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, they may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risk factors in this section.

Current wording

A significant public health crisis, pandemic or disease outbreak could adversely impact our business as well as those of our suppliers and customers. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the global vehicle industry and customer sales, production volumes, supply of components critical to our business, and purchases of commercial, automotive, off-highway and agricultural vehicles by end-consumers. Any future significant public health crisis could adversely impact the global economy, our industry and the overall demand for our products. In addition, preventative or reactionary measures taken by governmental authorities may disrupt the ability of our employees, suppliers and other business partners to perform their respective functions and obligations relative to the conduct of our business. Our ability to predict and respond to future changes resulting from potential health crises is uncertain as are the ultimate potential impacts on our business. The extent to which a pandemic or similar significant health crises will impact our business in the future is uncertain. In addition, to the extent such significant health crises may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, they may also have the effect of heightening many of the other risk factors in this section.

Previous wording

The financial position and results of operations of our international subsidiaries are initially recorded in various foreign currencies and then translated into U.S. dollars at the applicable exchange rate for inclusion in our consolidated financial statements. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar against these foreign currencies ordinarily has a negative effect on our reported sales and operating margin (and conversely, the weakening of the U.S. dollar against these foreign currencies has a positive impact). The volatility of currency exchange rates may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Current wording

The financial position and results of operations of our international subsidiaries are initially recorded in various foreign currencies and then translated into U.S. dollars at the applicable exchange rate for inclusion in our consolidated financial statements. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar against these foreign currencies ordinarily has a negative effect on our reported sales and operating margin (and conversely, the weakening of the U.S. dollar against these foreign currencies has a positive operating margin impact). The volatility of currency exchange rates may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2023, there was $189.3 million in borrowings outstanding on our Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Facility”). In addition, we are permitted under our Credit Facility to incur additional debt, subject to specified limitations. Our leverage and the terms of our indebtedness may have important consequences including the following:

Current wording

As of December 31, 2024, there was $201.6 million in borrowings outstanding on our Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Facility”). In addition, we are permitted under our Credit Facility to incur additional debt, subject to specified limitations. Our leverage and the terms of our indebtedness may have important consequences including the following:

Previous wording

We are dependent on the availability and price of raw materials and other supplies.

Current wording

We are dependent on the availability and price of raw materials, components and other supplies.

Previous wording

We require substantial amounts of raw materials, components and other supplies, and substantially all such materials we require are purchased from outside sources. The availability and prices of raw materials, components and other supplies may be subject to curtailment or change due to, among other things, new laws or regulations, suppliers’ allocations to other purchasers and interruptions in production by suppliers, weather emergencies, natural disasters, commercial disputes, acts of terrorism or war, changes in exchange rates and worldwide price levels. If demand for raw materials we require increases, we may have difficulties obtaining adequate raw materials and other supplies from our suppliers to satisfy our customers. Currently, and at times in the past, we have experienced difficulty obtaining adequate supplies of semiconductors, memory chips and other electronic components. In addition, there have been challenges at times in obtaining timely supply of nylon and resins for our Control Devices segment and audio component parts for our Stoneridge Brazil segment. If we cannot obtain adequate raw materials and other supplies, or if we experience an increase in the price of raw materials and other supplies, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Current wording

We require substantial amounts of raw materials, components and other supplies, and substantially all such materials we require are purchased from outside sources. The availability and prices of raw materials, components and other supplies may be subject to curtailment or change due to, among other things, new laws or regulations, suppliers’ allocations to other purchasers and interruptions in production by suppliers, weather emergencies, natural disasters, commercial disputes, acts of terrorism or war, changes in exchange rates and worldwide price levels. If demand for raw materials we require increases, we may have difficulties obtaining adequate raw materials and other supplies from our suppliers to satisfy our customers. In the past, we have experienced difficulty obtaining adequate supplies of semiconductors, memory chips and other electronic components. In addition, there have been challenges at times in obtaining timely supply of nylon and resins for our Control Devices segment. If we cannot obtain adequate amounts of raw materials, components and other supplies, or if we experience an increase in the price of raw materials, components and other supplies, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

Previous wording

OEM customers have exerted and continue to exert considerable pressure on component suppliers to reduce costs, improve quality and provide additional design and engineering capabilities and continue to demand and receive price reductions and measurable increases in quality through their use of competitive selection processes, rating programs and various other arrangements. We may be unable to generate sufficient production cost savings in the future to offset required price reductions. Additionally, OEMs have generally required component suppliers to provide more design engineering input at earlier stages of the product development process, the costs of which have, in some cases, been absorbed by the suppliers. Future price reductions, increased quality standards and additional engineering capabilities required by OEMs may reduce our profitability and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Current wording

OEM customers have exerted and continue to exert considerable pressure on system and component suppliers to reduce costs, improve quality and provide additional design and engineering capabilities and continue to demand and receive price reductions and measurable increases in quality through their use of competitive selection processes, rating programs and various other arrangements. We may be unable to generate sufficient production cost savings in the future to offset required price reductions. Additionally, OEMs have generally required component suppliers to provide more design engineering input at earlier stages of the product development process, the costs of which have, in some cases, been absorbed by the suppliers. Future price reductions, increased quality standards and additional engineering capabilities required by OEMs may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Previous wording

Because we sell certain products such as security accessories and driver information products to independent dealers and distributors, we are subject to many risks, including risks related to their inventory levels and support for our products. If dealers and distributors do not maintain sufficient inventory levels to meet customer demand, our sales could be negatively impacted.

Current wording

Because we sell certain products such as security and convenience accessories and driver information products to independent dealers and distributors, we are subject to many risks, including risks related to their inventory levels and support for our products. If dealers and distributors do not maintain sufficient inventory levels to meet customer demand, our sales could be negatively impacted.

Previous wording

Approximately 49% of our net sales in 2023 were derived from sales outside of North America. At December 31, 2023, significant concentrations of net assets outside of North America included$228.7 million in Europe, $43.9 million in Asia Pacific and$51.0 million in South America. Non-current assets outside of North America accounted for approximately 63% of our non-current assets as of December 31, 2023. International sales and operations are subject to significant risks, including, among others:

Current wording

Approximately 51% of our net sales in 2024 were derived from sales outside of North America. At December 31, 2024, significant concentrations of net assets outside of North America included$202.4 million in Europe,$45.5 million in Asia Pacific and$35.7 million in South America. Non-current assets outside of North America accounted for approximately 59% of our non-current assets as of December 31, 2024. International sales and operations are subject to significant risks, including, among others:

Previous wording

We rely on information technology systems to process, transmit and store electronic information and manage and operate our business. Despite the implementation of security measures, our IT networks and systems are at risk to damages from computer viruses, unauthorized access, cyber-attack and other similar disruptions. A breach in security could expose us and our customers and suppliers to risks of misuse of confidential information, manipulation and destruction of data, production downtimes and operations disruptions, which in turn could adversely affect our reputation, competitive position, business or results of operations. While we have taken steps to protect the Company from cybersecurity risks and security breaches (including enhancing our firewall, workstation, email security and network monitoring with managed detection and response (MDR) and alerting capabilities, and training employees around phishing, malware and other cybersecurity risks), and we have policies and procedures to prevent or limit the impact of systems failures, interruptions, and security breaches, there can be no assurance that such events will not occur or that they will be adequately addressed if they do. Although we rely on commonly used security and processing systems to provide the security and authentication necessary to effect the secure transmission of data, these precautions may not protect our systems from all potential compromises or breaches of security. We may be required to incur significant costs to protect against damage caused by these disruptions or security breaches in the future.

Current wording

We rely on information technology systems to process, transmit and store electronic information and manage and operate our business. Despite the implementation of security measures, our IT networks and systems are at risk to damages from computer viruses, unauthorized access, cyber-attack and other similar disruptions. A breach in security could expose us and our customers and suppliers to risks of misuse of confidential information, manipulation and destruction of data, production downtimes and operations disruptions, which in turn could adversely affect our reputation, competitive position, business or results of operations. While we have taken steps to protect the Company from cybersecurity risks and security breaches (including enhancing our firewall, workstation, email security and network monitoring with managed extended detection and response (MXDR) and alerting capabilities, and training employees around phishing, malware and other cybersecurity risks), and we have policies and procedures to prevent or limit the impact of systems failures, interruptions, and security breaches, there can be no assurance that such events will not occur or that they will be adequately addressed if they do. Although we rely on commonly used security and processing systems to provide the security and authentication necessary to effect the secure transmission of data, these precautions may not protect our systems from all potential compromises or breaches of security. We may be required to incur significant costs to protect against damage caused by these disruptions or security breaches in the future. The Company has taken actions to mitigate risks relating to our information technology systems and cybersecurity; however, significant compromises or breaches related to cybersecurity could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.