LUXFER HOLDINGS PLC

Previous wording

We derive our sales and earnings from operations in many countries and are subject to risks associated with doing business internationally. We have wholly-owned operations in the U.S., the U.K., Canada and China, as well as a joint venture in Japan. Doing business in different countries has risks, including the potential for adverse changes in the local, social, political, financial or regulatory climate, difficulty in staffing and managing geographically diverse operations, and the costs of complying with a variety of laws and regulations. For example, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and ongoing military conflict which commenced on February 24, 2022, has resulted in massive displacement of the Ukrainian population and huge disruption to its economy. Wide ranging sanctions have been imposed on the Russian Federation by the international community, targeting individuals, banks, businesses, funds transfers and imports and exports and are having a significant impact on Russia's economy as well as on international businesses active in the region. The impact on Luxfer in 2022 and 2023 was not significant as we have no direct operations in the region, and our sales to Russia and Ukraine combined typically represent less than one percent of total revenue by destination. Furthermore, neither country is a critical supplier of our raw material needs, and whilst we continue to source magnesium from Russia, a major global exporter, we are also able to source the metal from various alternative locations, including China, Israel, Turkey and the United States. This is also evident in the current war in the Middle East that is causing macro-economic disruption which could affect the Company and/or our supply chain, business partners or customers.

Current wording

We derive our sales and earnings from operations in many countries and are subject to risks associated with doing business internationally. We have wholly-owned operations in the U.S., the U.K., Canada and China, as well as a joint venture in Japan. Doing business in different countries has risks, including the potential for adverse changes in the local, social, political, financial or regulatory climate, difficulty in staffing and managing geographically diverse operations, and the costs of complying with a variety of laws and regulations. For example, the potential implementation of tariffs on imports suggested by U.S. President Donald Trump on Canadian, Mexican, Chinese and European products would mean that our results could be affected through a rise in costs. There is the potential for tariffs to expand further, e.g. between the U.S. and the U.K. and Europe, which could impact movement of goods. In 2024, for third party revenue, we made a combined $22.9 million of sales from Canada and the U.K. to the U.S., with no sales from China to the U.S.. The U.S. in return made combined sales of $24.8 million to Europe (EU countries), U.K., Canada, and China. The total exposure across the group is therefore a combined $47.7 or 12.2% of sales.

Previous wording

Due to the fact we have operations in many countries, we are also liable to pay taxes in many fiscal jurisdictions. Our tax burden depends on the interpretation of local tax regulations, bilateral or multilateral international tax treaties and the administrative doctrines in each jurisdiction. Changes in these tax regulations may increase our tax burden, or otherwise affect our accounting for taxes. For example, in March 2021, the U.K. government announced an increase in the statutory rate of Corporation tax from the current 19% to 25%, which became effective in April 2023, and is expected to increase the future tax burden on earnings from our U.K. operations.

Current wording

Due to the fact we have operations in many countries, we are also liable to pay taxes in many fiscal jurisdictions. Our tax burden depends on the interpretation of local tax regulations, bilateral or multilateral international tax treaties and the administrative doctrines in each jurisdiction. Changes in these tax regulations may increase our tax burden, or otherwise affect our accounting for taxes. For example, in March 2021, the U.K. government announced an increase in the statutory rate of Corporation tax from the current 19% to 25%, which became effective in April 2023, and increased the tax burden on earnings from our U.K. operations.

Previous wording

We generally purchase raw materials from suppliers on a spot basis under standard terms and conditions. We also enter into supply contracts with Rio Tinto Alcan for a substantial portion of our aluminum requirements. In addition, we have supply contracts in place with U.S. Magnesium for raw material purchases of magnesium ingot for both military and commercial applications, although since entering force majeure in 2021, deliveries reduced up until late 2022, when they ceased completely. The current expectation is that they will not recommence until the end of 2024. We successfully secured and qualified magnesium from alternative sources to meet requirements for both military and commercial applications for 2023 and into 2024.

Current wording

We generally purchase raw materials from suppliers on a spot basis under standard terms and conditions. We also enter into supply contracts with Rio Tinto Alcan for a substantial portion of our aluminum requirements. In addition, we have supply contracts in place with U.S. Magnesium for raw material purchases of magnesium ingot for both military and commercial applications, although given the force majeure previously declared by U.S. Magnesium LLC, and the current idling of the plant, we do not know when or if we will be able to recommence the magnesium ingot purchases with this supplier. However, we were able to successfully secure magnesium from alternative sources to meet requirements for both military and commercial applications for 2024 and into 2025.

Previous wording

Fluctuations in the costs of raw materials could affect margins and working capital requirements in the businesses in which we use them, see ITEM 7A. We cannot always pass on cost increases or increase our prices to offset these cost increases immediately or at all, whether because of fixed-price agreements with customers, competitive pressures that restrict our ability to pass on cost increases or increase prices, or other factors. It can be particularly difficult to pass on cost increases or increase prices in product areas such as gas cylinders, where competitors offer similar products made from alternative materials, such as steel, if those materials are not subject to the same cost increases. Higher prices necessitated by large increases in raw material costs could make our current or future products unattractive compared to competing products made from alternative materials that have not been so affected by raw material cost increases, or compared to products produced by competitors who have not incurred such large increases in their raw material costs.

Current wording

Fluctuations in the costs of raw materials could affect margins and working capital requirements in the businesses in which we use them, see ITEM 7A. We cannot always pass on cost increases or increase our prices to offset these cost increases immediately or at all, whether because of fixed-price agreements with customers, competitive pressures that restrict our ability to pass on cost increases or increase prices, or other factors. It can be particularly difficult to pass on cost increases or increase prices in product areas such as gas cylinders, where competitors offer similar products made from alternative materials, such as steel, if those materials are not subject to the same cost increases. Higher prices necessitated by large increases in raw material costs could make our current or future products unattractive compared to competing products made from alternative materials that have not been so affected by raw material cost increases, or compared to products produced by competitors who have not incurred such large increases in their raw material costs. If, for example, the cost of aluminum or carbon fiber were to rise, we may not be able pass those cost increases on to our customers.

Previous wording

We conduct a large portion of our commercial transactions, purchases of raw materials and sales of goods in various countries and regions, including the U.S., the U.K., continental Europe, Australia and Asia. Our manufacturing operations based in the U.S. and Asia usually purchase raw materials and sell goods denominated in their local currency, but our manufacturing operations in the U.K. often purchase raw materials and sell products in different currencies. Changes in the relative values of currencies can decrease the profits of our subsidiaries when they incur costs in currencies that are different from the currencies in which they generate all or part of their revenue. These transaction risks principally arise as a result of purchases of raw materials in U.S. dollars, coupled with sales of products to customers in euros. This impact is most pronounced in our exports to continental Europe from the U.K. In 2023, our U.K. operations sold approximately €50 million of goods into the Eurozone. Our policy is to hedge a portion of our net exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates with forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Therefore, we are exposed to market risk and credit risk through the use of derivative financial instruments. Moreover, any failure of hedging policies could negatively impact our profits, and thus damage our ability to fund our operations and to service our indebtedness.

Current wording

We conduct a large portion of our commercial transactions, purchases of raw materials and sales of goods in various countries and regions, including the U.S., the U.K., continental Europe, Australia and Asia. Our manufacturing operations based in the U.S. and Asia usually purchase raw materials and sell goods denominated in their local currency, but our manufacturing operations in the U.K. often purchase raw materials and sell products in different currencies. Changes in the relative values of currencies can decrease the profits of our subsidiaries when they incur costs in currencies that are different from the currencies in which they generate all or part of their revenue. These transaction risks principally arise as a result of purchases of raw materials in U.S. dollars, coupled with sales of products to customers in euros. This impact is most pronounced in our exports to continental Europe from the U.K. In 2024, our U.K. operations sold approximately €47 million of goods into the Eurozone. Our policy is to hedge a portion of our net exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates with forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Therefore, we are exposed to market risk and credit risk through the use of derivative financial instruments. Moreover, any failure of hedging policies could negatively impact our profits, and thus damage our ability to fund our operations and to service our indebtedness.

Previous wording

In addition to subsidiaries in the U.S., we have operating subsidiaries located in the U.K., Canada, China and Australia, as well as a joint venture in Japan, each of whose revenue, costs, assets and liabilities are denominated in local currencies. As our consolidated financial statements are reported in U.S. dollars, we are exposed to fluctuations in those currencies when those amounts are translated to U.S. dollars for purposes of reporting our consolidated financial statements, which may cause declines in results of operations. The largest risk is from our operations in the U.K., which, in 2023, generated an operating profit of $8.4 million and sales of $158.9 million. Fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly between the U.S. dollar and GBP sterling (which has been subject to significant fluctuations, as described above), can have a material effect on our consolidated income statement and consolidated balance sheet. In 2023, movements in the average U.S. dollar exchange rate had a positive impact impact on net sales of $2.8 million. In 2022 movements in the average U.S. dollar exchange rate had a negative impact on net sales of $15.6 million. Changes in translation exchange rates increased net assets by $7.3 million in 2023, compared to a decrease of $13.2 million in 2022.

Current wording

In addition to subsidiaries in the U.S., we have operating subsidiaries located in the U.K., Canada, China and Australia, as well as a joint venture in Japan, each of whose revenue, costs, assets and liabilities are denominated in local currencies. As our consolidated financial statements are reported in U.S. dollars, we are exposed to fluctuations in those currencies when those amounts are translated to U.S. dollars for purposes of reporting our consolidated financial statements, which may cause declines in results of operations. The largest risk is from our operations in the U.K., which, in 2024, generated an operating profit of $10.7 million and sales of $126.7 million. Fluctuations in exchange rates, particularly between the U.S. dollar and GBP sterling (which has been subject to significant fluctuations, as described above), can have a material effect on our consolidated income statement and consolidated balance sheet. In 2024, movements in the average U.S. dollar exchange rate had a positive impact impact on net sales of $3.7 million. In 2023 movements in the average U.S. dollar exchange rate had a positive impact on net sales of $2.8 million. Changes in translation exchange rates decreased net assets by $4.6 million in 2024, compared to an increase of $7.3 million in 2023.

Previous wording

We have defined benefit pension arrangements in the U.K. and in the U.S., see ITEM 8, Note 14. Our largest defined benefit plan, the Luxfer Group Pension Plan, ('the Plan') which closed to new members in 1998, remained open for accrual of future benefits based on career-average salary until April 5, 2016. However, following a consultation, it was agreed with the Trustees and plan members to close the Luxfer Group Pension Plan in the U.K. to future accrual of benefits, effective from April 5, 2016. Moreover, when increasing pension benefit payments, it was agreed to use the CPI as the reference index, in place of the RPI where applicable. The Luxfer Group Pension Plan is funded according to the regulations in effect in the U.K. and, as of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, had an accounting surplus of $40.3 million and $27.0 million, respectively. There is no guarantee that the surplus funding position will be maintained and adverse market movements could result in a reversion to a deficit funding position. According to the latest triennial actuarial valuation of the Luxfer Group Pension Plan as of April 5, 2021, the Luxfer Group Pension Plan had a deficit of £12.2 million on a plan-specific basis (reduced from £26.5 million at the previous valuation in April 2018). This valuation was carried out prior to a one-off deficit reduction contribution of £9.6 million made in December 2021. Should a wind-up trigger occur in relation to the Luxfer Group Pension Plan, the buy-out deficit of that plan will become due and payable by the employers. The aggregate deficit of the Luxfer Group Pension Plan on a buy-out basis was estimated at £86 million as of April 5, 2021 (reduced from £145 million in April 2018). The Trustee has the power to wind-up the Luxfer Group Pension Plan if it determines that in the best interests of members, there is no reasonable purpose in continuing the Luxfer Group Pension Plan.

Current wording

We have defined benefit pension arrangements in the U.K. and in the U.S.. In 2023, the Company completed a buyout of the U.S. BA Holdings, Inc. Pension Plan with our remaining U.S. plan being immaterial, see ITEM 8, Note 15. Our largest defined benefit plan, the Luxfer Group Pension Plan, ('the Plan') which closed to new members in 1998, remained open for accrual of future benefits based on career-average salary until April 5, 2016. However, following a consultation, it was agreed with the Trustees and plan members to close the Luxfer Group Pension Plan in the U.K. to future accrual of benefits, effective from April 5, 2016. Moreover, when increasing pension benefit payments, it was agreed to use the CPI as the reference index, in place of the RPI where applicable. The Luxfer Group Pension Plan is funded according to the regulations in effect in the U.K. and, as of December 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023, had an accounting surplus of $49.3 million and $40.3 million, respectively. There is no guarantee that the surplus funding position will be maintained and adverse market movements could result in a reversion to a deficit funding position. According to the latest triennial actuarial valuation of the Luxfer Group Pension Plan as of March 31, 2024, the Luxfer Group Pension Plan had a surplus of £20.8 million (reduced from £12.2 million deficit at the previous valuation in April 2021). Should a wind-up trigger occur in relation to the Luxfer Group Pension Plan, the buy-out surplus of that plan will become due and payable or receivable by the employers. The aggregate surplus of the Luxfer Group Pension Plan on a buy-out basis was estimated at £8.0 million as of March 31, 2024 (reduced from £86.0 million deficit in April 2021). The Trustee has the power to wind-up the Luxfer Group Pension Plan if it determines that in the best interests of members, there is no reasonable purpose in continuing the Luxfer Group Pension Plan.

Previous wording

Following the actuarial valuation as of April 5, 2021, we agreed with the Trustee to make a one-off cash contribution in December 2021 of £9.6 million in addition to the £4.1 million annual payment agreed as a result of the previous valuation. While there is an expectation that no further contributions will be required until at least after the next valuation in 2024, there is no guarantee that this will be the case; and no contributions were made during 2023 and 2022. The Trustee can request additional contributions, and the U.K. Pensions Regulator ("TPR") has the power to order further funding in the current three-year window should increasingly stringent regulation require it (see Environmental and regulatory risks: The Pensions Regulator in the U.K. has the power in certain circumstances to issue contribution notices or financial support directions that, if issued, could result in significant liabilities arising for us). We remain legally responsible and committed to ensuring that the Luxfer Group Pension Plan has the funding required to meet its liabilities as they fall due. Future funding requirements will likely be reassessed and revised following the next triennial actuarial valuation in April 2024. Regulatory burdens have also proved to be a significant risk, such as the U.K.'s Pension Protection Fund Levy, which was £0.2 million in 2023.

Current wording

No contributions were made to the plan during 2024 and 2023. The Trustee can request additional contributions, and the U.K. Pensions Regulator ("TPR") has the power to order further funding in the current three-year window should increasingly stringent regulation require it (see Environmental and regulatory risks: The Pensions Regulator in the U.K. has the power in certain circumstances to issue contribution notices or financial support directions that, if issued, could result in significant liabilities arising for us). We remain legally responsible and committed to ensuring that the Luxfer Group Pension Plan has the funding required to meet its liabilities as they fall due.

Previous wording

Increased costs of compliance with climate change regulations and the potential impact on energy costs could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Current wording

These outcomes underscore a global commitment to intensify efforts in combating climate change, increased costs of compliance with climate change regulations and the potential impact on energy costs could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Previous wording

We may, from time to time, be notified of claims that we are infringing upon patents, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights owned by third parties, and we cannot provide assurances that other companies will not in the future pursue such infringement claims against us or any third party proprietary technologies we have licensed. If we were found to infringe upon a patent or other intellectual property right, or if we failed to obtain or renew a license under a patent or other intellectual property right from a third party, or if a third party from whom we are licensing technologies was found to infringe upon a patent or other intellectual property rights of another third party, we may be required to pay damages, suspend the manufacture of certain products or re-engineer or rebrand our products, if feasible, or we may be unable to enter certain new product markets. Any such claims could also be expensive and time consuming to defend and could divert management's attention and resources. In addition, if we have omitted to enter into a valid non-disclosure or assignment agreement for any reason, we may not own the invention or our intellectual property and may not be adequately protected. Our competitive position could suffer as a result of any of these events and have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

Current wording

We may, from time to time, be notified of claims that we are infringing upon patents, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights owned by third parties, and we cannot provide assurances that other companies will not in the future pursue such infringement claims against us or any third party proprietary technologies we have licensed. If we were found to infringe upon a patent or other intellectual property right, or if we failed to obtain or renew a license under a patent or other intellectual property right from a third party, or if a third party from whom we are licensing technologies was found to infringe upon a patent or other intellectual property rights of another third party, we may be required to pay damages, suspend the manufacture of certain products or re-engineer or rebrand our products, if feasible, or we may be unable to enter certain new product markets. Any such claims could also be expensive and time consuming to defend and could divert management's attention and resources.

Previous wording

Our products are highly technical in nature, and in order to maintain and improve our market position, we depend on successful research and development activity to continue to improve our existing products and develop new products. We cannot be certain that we will have sufficient research and development capability to respond to changes in the industries in which we operate. These changes could include changes in the technological environment in which we currently operate, increased demand for new products or the development of alternatives to our products. For example, the development of lighter weight steel alloys has made the use of steel in gas cylinders a more competitive alternative to aluminum than it had been previously. We may also experience delays in completing development of, enhancements to or new versions of our products, and product innovations may not achieve the market penetration or price stability necessary for profitability. In addition to benefiting from our research collaboration with universities, we spent $4.6 million, $4.9 million and $3.9 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, on our own research and development activities. We expect to fund our future research and development expenditure requirements through operating cash flows and restricted levels of indebtedness, but if operating profit decreases, we may not be able to invest in research and development or continue to develop new products or enhancements.

Current wording

Our products are highly technical in nature, and in order to maintain and improve our market position, we depend on successful research and development activity to continue to improve our existing products and develop new products. We cannot be certain that we will have sufficient research and development capability to respond to changes in the industries in which we operate. These changes could include changes in the technological environment in which we currently operate, increased demand for new products or the development of alternatives to our products. For example, the development of lighter weight steel alloys has made the use of steel in gas cylinders a more competitive alternative to aluminum than it had been previously. We may also experience delays in completing development of, enhancements to or new versions of our products, and product innovations may not achieve the market penetration or price stability necessary for profitability. In addition to benefiting from our research collaboration with universities, we spent $4.4 million, $4.6 million and $4.9 million in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, on our own research and development activities. We expect to fund our future research and development expenditure requirements through operating cash flows and restricted levels of indebtedness, but if operating profit decreases, we may not be able to invest in research and development or continue to develop new products or enhancements.

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2023, we had $25.0 million of indebtedness under our senior notes (the "Loan Notes") due in 2026. There was also a $43.1 million and $4.6 million balance on the revolving credit facility ("RCF") and bank overdraft, respectively, as of December 31, 2023.

Current wording

As of December 31, 2024, we had $25.0 million of indebtedness under our senior notes (the "Loan Notes") due in 2026. There was also a $17.2 million and $3.1 million balance on the revolving credit facility ("RCF") and bank overdraft, respectively, as of December 31, 2024.