This proxy statement contains certain information that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are made in reliance on the safe harbor protections provided thereunder. While we have specifically identified certain information as being forward-looking in the context of its presentation, we caution you that all statements contained in this proxy statement that are not clearly historical in nature, including statements regarding the planned ADT Solar restructuring activities and our subsequent announcement to exit the solar business entirely (the “ADT Solar Exit”); the Commercial Transaction between ADT and GTCR; the expected timetable for realizing expected benefits and synergies of the Commercial Transaction; the strategic investment by and long term partnership with State Farm Fire & Casualty Company (“State Farm”); anticipated financial performance, including the Company’s ability to achieve its stated guidance metrics and its progress toward its medium-term targets; management’s plans and objectives for future operations; the successful development, commercialization, and timing of new or joint products; the expected timing of product commercialization with State Farm or any changes thereto, including the ADT home security program for State Farm; business prospects; outcomes of regulatory proceedings; market conditions; our ability to deploy our business continuity and disaster plans and procedures to successfully respond to catastrophic events; our strategic partnership and ongoing relationship with Google LLC (“Google”); the expected timing of product commercialization with Google or any changes thereto; the successful internal development, commercialization, and timing of our next generation platform and innovative offerings; the successful conversion of customers who continue to utilize outdated technology; the current and future market size for existing, new, or joint products; any stated or implied outcomes with regards to the foregoing; and other matters. Any stated or implied outcomes with regards to the foregoing are forward-looking.
Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentences, any time we use the words “ expects,” “intends,” “will,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “confident,” “continue,” “propose,” “seeks,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “might,” “goals,” “objectives,” “targets,” “planned,” “projects,” and, in each case, their negative or other various or comparable terminology, and similar expressions, we intend to clearly express that the information deals with possible future events and is forward-looking in nature. However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.
However, the absence of these words or similar expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. For ADT, particular uncertainties that could cause our actual results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements include, without limitation:
| • | our ability to effectively implement our strategic partnership with, commercialize products with, or utilize any of the amounts invested in us by State Farm or provided by State Farm for research and development or other purposes; |
| • | our ability to keep pace with rapid technological changes, including the development of our next-generation platform, and industry changes; |
| • | our ability to effectively implement our strategic partnership with or utilize any of the amounts invested in us by Google; |
| • | the impact of supply chain disruptions; |
| • | our ability to maintain and grow our existing customer base; |
| • | our ability to sell our products and services or launch new products and services in highly competitive markets, including the home security and automation market, the commercial fire and security markets, and the solar market, and to achieve market acceptance with acceptable margins; |
| • | our ability to successfully upgrade obsolete equipment installed at our customers’ premises in an efficient and cost-effective manner; |
| • | changes in law, economic and financial conditions, including tax law changes, changes to privacy requirements, changes to telemarketing, email marketing and similar consumer protection laws, interest volatility, and trade tariffs and restrictions applicable to the products we sell; |
| • | any material changes to the valuation allowances we take with respect to our deferred tax assets; |
| • | the impact of potential information technology, cybersecurity, or data security breaches; |
| • | our dependence on third-party providers, suppliers, and dealers to enable us to produce and distribute our products and services in a cost-effective manner that protects our brand; |
| • | our ability to successfully implement an equipment ownership model that best satisfies the needs of our customers and to successfully implement and maintain our receivables securitization financing agreement or similar arrangements; |
| • | our ability to successfully pursue alternate business opportunities and strategies; |
| • | our ability to integrate various companies we have acquired in an efficient and cost-effective manner; |
| • | the amount and timing of our cash flows and earnings, which may be impacted by customer, competitive, supplier and other dynamics and conditions; |
| • | our ability to maintain or improve margins through business efficiencies; and |
| • | the other factors that are described under the heading “Risk Factors” in our last Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. |
Forward-looking statements and information involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in, or reasonably inferred from, such statements, including without limitation, the risks and uncertainties disclosed or referenced in Part I Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 under the heading “Risk Factors.” Therefore, caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Much of the information in this proxy statement that looks toward future performance is based on various factors and important assumptions about future events that may or may not actually occur. As a result, our operations and financial results in the future could differ materially and substantially from those we have discussed in the forward-looking statements included in this proxy statement. Additional information regarding risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in forward-looking statements is included from time to time in our filings with the SEC, including the Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Annual Reports on Form 10-K, including the annual report filed with the SEC for the year ended December 31, 2023 (including under the headings “Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors”). We assume no obligation (and specifically disclaim any such obligation) to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.
April 8, 2024
