Sensata Technologies Holding plc

Previous wording

Much of our business depends on, and is directly affected by, the global automobile industry. Sales in our automotive end markets accounted for approximately 54% of our total net revenue in fiscal year 2023. Declines in demand such as experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and other adverse developments like those we have seen in past years in the automotive industry, including but not limited to customer bankruptcies and increased demands on us for lower prices, could have adverse effects on our results of operations and could impact our liquidity and our ability to meet restrictive debt covenants. In addition, these same conditions could adversely impact certain of our vendors’ financial solvency, resulting in potential liabilities or additional costs to us to ensure uninterrupted supply to our customers.

Current wording

Much of our business depends on, and is directly affected by, the global automobile industry. Sales in our automotive end markets accounted for approximately 56% of our total net revenue in fiscal year 2024. Declines in demand such as experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and other adverse developments like those we have seen in past years in the automotive industry, including but not limited to customer bankruptcies and increased demands on us for lower prices, could have adverse effects on our results of operations and could impact our liquidity and our ability to meet restrictive debt covenants. In addition, these same conditions could adversely impact certain of our vendors’ financial solvency, resulting in potential liabilities or additional costs to us to ensure uninterrupted supply to our customers.

Previous wording

It has historically been difficult to pass increased prices for manufactured components and raw materials to our customers through price increases. Therefore, a significant increase in the price or a decrease in the availability of these items, such as those experienced in the global supply chain shortages of the past few years, could materially increase our operating costs and materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. The impact of these global supply chain shortages of the past few years, including production delays on a vast and varied number of products across industries and geographies and increased procurement and logistics costs, has been unprecedented. Accordingly, we continue to actively work with our customers to share the inflationary burden of these factors. In addition, where possible, we have been working to adjust our long-term supply agreements, strengthen our relationships with our suppliers, increase inventory on hand, increase visibility into long-term supply and demand, and accelerate the use of alternate materials to increase supply chain visibility. If the future impacts of these shortages are more severe than we currently expect, or if our efforts to share the inflationary burden of these factors do not sufficiently offset our costs, it could result in deterioration of our results.

Current wording

It has historically been difficult to pass increased prices for manufactured components and raw materials to our customers through price increases. Therefore, a significant increase in the price or a decrease in the availability of these items, such as those experienced in the global supply chain shortages of the past few years, could materially increase our operating costs and materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. The impact of these global supply chain shortages of the past few years, including production delays on a vast and varied number of products across industries and geographies and increased procurement and logistics costs, has been unprecedented. Accordingly, we continue to actively work with our customers to share the inflationary burden of these factors. In addition, where possible, we have been working to adjust our long-term supply agreements, strengthen our relationships with our suppliers, manage inventory on hand, increase visibility into long-term supply and demand, and accelerate the use of alternate materials to increase supply chain visibility. If the future impacts of these shortages are more severe than we currently expect, or if our efforts to share the inflationary burden of these factors do not sufficiently offset our costs, it could result in deterioration of our results.

Previous wording

We have entered into hedge arrangements for certain metals used in our products in an attempt to minimize commodity pricing volatility and may continue to do so from time to time in the future. Such hedges might not be economically successful. In addition, these hedges do not qualify as accounting hedges in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly, the change in fair value of these hedges is recognized in earnings immediately, which could cause volatility in our results of operations from quarter to quarter.

Current wording

We have entered into hedge arrangements for certain metals used in our products in an attempt to minimize commodity pricing volatility and may continue to do so from time to time in the future. Such hedges might not be economically successful. In addition, these hedges do not qualify as accounting hedges in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Previous wording

In pursuing our corporate strategy, we continue to evaluate the strategic fit of specific businesses and products and occasionally dispose of or exit businesses and products. The success of this strategy is dependent upon our ability to identify appropriate disposition targets, negotiate transactions on favorable terms, and complete transactions. Any divestitures may result in significant write-offs, including those related to goodwill and other intangible assets, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Divestitures could involve additional risks, including difficulties in the separation of operations, services, products, and personnel; the diversion of management's attention from other business concerns; the disruption of our business; and the potential loss of key employees. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in addressing these or any other significant risks encountered. In the year ended December 31, 2022, we sold various assets and liabilities comprising our semiconductor test and thermal business (collectively, the "Qinex Business"). Refer to Note 21: Acquisitions and Divestitures of our audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto (the "Financial Statements") included elsewhere in this Report for additional information.

Current wording

In pursuing our corporate strategy, we continue to evaluate the strategic fit of specific businesses and products and occasionally dispose of or exit businesses and products. The success of this strategy is dependent upon our ability to identify appropriate disposition targets, negotiate transactions on favorable terms, and complete transactions. Any divestitures may result in significant write-offs, including those related to goodwill and other intangible assets, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Divestitures could involve additional risks, including difficulties in the separation of operations, services, products, and personnel; the diversion of management's attention from other business concerns; the disruption of our business; and the potential loss of key employees. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in addressing these or any other significant risks encountered.

Previous wording

We also may seek to restructure our business in the future by relocating operations, disposing of certain assets, or consolidating operations. There can be no assurance that any restructuring of our business will not adversely affect our financial condition, leverage, or results of operations. In addition, any significant restructuring of our business will require significant managerial attention, which may be diverted from our other operations. In the year ended December 31, 2023, we exited the marine energy storage business (the "Marine Business") of Spear Power Systems (“Spear”). In addition, we committed to a plan to reorganize our business (the “Q3 2023 Plan”), which consisted of voluntary and involuntary reductions-in-force, site closures, and other cost-savings initiatives. Refer to Note 5: Restructuring and Other Charges, Net of our Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Report for additional information on these activities.

Current wording

We also may seek to restructure our business in the future by relocating operations, disposing of certain assets, or consolidating operations. There can be no assurance that any restructuring of our business will not adversely affect our financial condition, leverage, or results of operations. In addition, any significant restructuring of our business will require significant managerial attention, which may be diverted from our other operations.

Previous wording

We operate in markets that are highly competitive, and we compete on the basis of product performance in mission-critical operating environments, quality, service, reliability, manufacturing footprint, and commercial competitiveness across the industries and end markets we serve. A significant element of our competitive strategy is to design and manufacture high-quality products that meet the needs of our customers at a commercially competitive price, particularly in markets where low-cost, country-based suppliers, primarily in China with respect to the Sensing Solutions segment, have entered the markets or increased their per-unit sales in these markets by delivering products at low cost to local OEMs. In addition, certain of our competitors in the transportation sensor market are influenced or controlled by major OEMs or suppliers, thereby limiting our access to these customers. Many of our customers also rely on us as their sole source of supply for many of the products that we have historically sold to them. These customers may choose to develop relationships with additional suppliers or elect to produce some or all of these products internally, primarily to reduce risk of delivery interruptions or as a means of extracting more value from us. Certain of our customers currently have, or may develop in the future, the capability to internally produce the products that we sell to them and may compete with us with respect to those and other products and with respect to other customers.

Current wording

We operate in markets that are highly competitive, and we compete on the basis of product performance in mission-critical operating environments, quality, service, reliability, manufacturing footprint, and commercial competitiveness across the industries and end markets we serve. A significant element of our competitive strategy is to design and manufacture high-quality products that meet the needs of our customers at a commercially competitive price, particularly in markets where low-cost, country-based suppliers, primarily in China with respect to the Sensing Solutions segment, have entered the markets or increased their per-unit sales in these markets by delivering products at low cost to local OEMs. In addition, certain of our competitors in the transportation sensor market are influenced or controlled by major OEMs or suppliers, thereby limiting our access to these customers. These customers may choose to develop relationships with additional suppliers or elect to produce some or all of these products internally, primarily to reduce risk of delivery interruptions or as a means of extracting more value from us. Certain of our customers currently have, or may develop in the future, the capability to internally produce the products that we sell to them and may compete with us with respect to those and other products and with respect to other customers.

Previous wording

Our business, including our employees, customers, and suppliers, is located throughout the world. We employ approximately 92% of our workforce outside of the U.S. We have many manufacturing, administrative, and sales facilities outside of the U.S. Our subsidiaries located outside of the U.S. generated approximately 59% of our net revenue in fiscal year 2023 (including approximately 18% in China) and we expect sales from non-U.S. markets to continue to represent a significant portion of our total net revenue. International sales and operations are subject to changes in local government regulations and policies, including those related to tariffs and trade barriers, economic sanctions, investments, taxation, exchange controls, and repatriation of earnings.

Current wording

Our business, including our employees, customers, and suppliers, is located throughout the world. We employ approximately 93% of our workforce outside of the U.S. We have many manufacturing, administrative, and sales facilities outside of the U.S. Our subsidiaries located outside of the U.S. generated approximately 60% of our net revenue in fiscal year 2024 (including approximately 18% in China) and we expect sales from non-U.S. markets to continue to represent a significant portion of our total net revenue. International sales and operations are subject to changes in local government regulations and policies, including those related to tariffs and trade barriers, economic sanctions, investments, taxation, exchange controls, and repatriation of earnings.

Previous wording

We are subject to various risks related to public health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, which have had, and may in the future have, material and adverse impacts on our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations.

Current wording

We are subject to various risks related to public health crises, which have had, and may in the future have, material and adverse impacts on our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations.

Previous wording

Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar ("USD"). We derive a significant portion of our net revenue from markets outside the U.S. For financial reporting purposes, the functional currency of all of our subsidiaries has historically been the USD because of the significant influence of the USD on our operations. Effective October 1, 2023, as a result of significant changes in economic facts and circumstances in the operations of our China foreign entities, the functional currency of our wholly-owned subsidiaries in China changed to the Chinese Renminbi ("CNY"). The changes in economic facts and circumstances caused a permanent change to our strategy in China toward a more self-contained model making China the primary economic environment in which these subsidiaries operate.

Current wording

Our reporting currency is the U.S. dollar ("USD"). We derive a significant portion of our net revenue from and incur expenses in markets outside the U.S. For financial reporting purposes, the functional currency of all of our subsidiaries has historically been the USD because of the significant influence of the USD on our operations. In fiscal year 2023, as a result of significant changes in economic facts and circumstances in the operations of our China foreign entities, the functional currency of our wholly-owned subsidiaries in China changed to the Chinese Renminbi ("CNY"). The changes in economic facts and circumstances caused a permanent change to our strategy in China toward a more self-contained model making China the primary economic environment in which these subsidiaries operate.

Previous wording

The credit agreement governing our secured credit facility (as amended, supplemented, waived, or otherwise modified, the "Credit Agreement") provides for senior secured credit facilities (the "Senior Secured Credit Facilities") consisting of a term loan facility (the "Term Loan"), a $750.0 million revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility"), and incremental availability (the "Accordion") under which additional secured credit facilities could be issued under certain circumstances. In fiscal year 2023, we repaid the remaining balance on the Term Loan. As of December 31, 2023, we had $3,425.2 million of gross outstanding indebtedness, including various tranches of senior unsecured notes (the “Senior Notes”). Refer to Note 14: Debt of our Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Report for additional information related to our outstanding indebtedness.

Current wording

As of December 31, 2024, we had $3,223.4 million of gross outstanding indebtedness, including various tranches of senior unsecured notes (the “Senior Notes”). The credit agreement governing our secured credit facility (as amended, supplemented, waived, or otherwise modified, the "Credit Agreement") provides for senior secured credit facilities (the "Senior Secured Credit Facilities") consisting of a term loan facility (the "Term Loan"), a $750.0 million revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility"), and incremental availability (the "Accordion") under which additional secured credit facilities could be issued under certain circumstances. In fiscal year 2023, we repaid the remaining balance on the Term Loan. Refer to Note 14: Debt of our Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Report for additional information related to our outstanding indebtedness.

Previous wording

We cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain enough capital to service our debt and fund our planned capital expenditures and business plan. If we complete additional acquisitions, our debt service requirements could also increase. If we cannot service our indebtedness, we may have to take actions such as selling assets, seeking additional equity investments, or reducing or delaying capital expenditures, strategic acquisitions, investments, and alliances, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our operations. Additionally, we may not be able to complete such actions, if necessary, on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.

Current wording

We cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain enough capital to service our debt and fund our planned capital expenditures and business plan. If we complete additional acquisitions, our debt service requirements could also increase. If we cannot service our indebtedness, we may have to take actions such as selling assets, seeking additional equity financing, or reducing or delaying capital expenditures, strategic acquisitions, investments, and alliances, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our operations. Additionally, we may not be able to complete such actions, if necessary, on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.

Previous wording

If we experience an event of default under any of our debt instruments that is not cured or waived, the holders of the defaulted debt could cause all amounts outstanding with respect to the debt to become due and payable immediately, which, in turn, would result in cross-defaults under our other debt instruments. Our assets and cash flows may not be sufficient to fully repay borrowings if accelerated upon an event of default. If, when required, we are unable to repay, refinance, or restructure our indebtedness under, or amend the covenants contained in, the Credit Agreement, or if a default otherwise occurs, the lenders under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities could: elect to terminate their commitments thereunder; cease making further loans; declare all borrowings outstanding, together with accrued interest and other fees, to be immediately due and payable; institute foreclosure proceedings against those assets that secure the borrowings under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities; and prevent us from making payments on the Senior Notes. Any such actions could force us into bankruptcy or liquidation, and we might not be able to repay our obligations in such an event.

Current wording

If we experience an event of default under any of our debt instruments that is not cured or waived, the holders of the defaulted debt could cause all amounts outstanding with respect to the debt to become due and payable immediately, which, in turn, could result in cross-defaults under our other debt instruments. Our assets and cash flows may not be sufficient to fully repay borrowings if accelerated upon an event of default. If, when required, we are unable to repay, refinance, or restructure our indebtedness under, or amend the covenants contained in, the Credit Agreement, or if a default otherwise occurs, the lenders under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities could: elect to terminate their commitments thereunder; cease making further loans; declare all borrowings outstanding, together with accrued interest and other fees, to be immediately due and payable; institute foreclosure proceedings against those assets that secure the borrowings under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities; and prevent us from making payments on the Senior Notes. Any such actions could force us into bankruptcy or liquidation, and we might not be able to repay our obligations in such an event.

Previous wording

Further tariffs may be imposed on other imports of our products, or our business may be further impacted by retaliatory trade measures taken by China or other countries in response to existing or future U.S. tariffs or other measures (e.g., subsidies). We may raise our prices on products subject to such tariffs to share the cost with our customers, which could harm our operating performance or cause our customers to seek alternative suppliers. In addition, we may seek to shift some of our China manufacturing to other countries, which could result in additional costs and disruption to our operations. We also sell our products globally and, therefore, our export sales could be impacted by the tariffs. Any material reduction in sales may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Current wording

Further tariffs may be imposed on other imports of our products. For example, effective February 4, 2025, the U.S. announced additional tariffs for goods imported into the U.S. from Mexico, Canada, and China beginning in Q1 2025. We cannot predict what additional actions may ultimately be taken by the U.S. or other governments with respect to tariffs or trade relations and our business may be further impacted by retaliatory trade measures taken by other countries in response to existing or future U.S. tariffs or other measures (e.g., subsidies). We may raise our prices on products subject to such tariffs to share the cost with our customers, which could harm our operating performance or cause our customers to seek alternative suppliers. In addition, we may seek to shift some of our manufacturing to other countries, which could result in additional costs and disruption to our operations. We also sell our products globally and, therefore, our export sales could be impacted by the tariffs. Any material reduction in sales may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

Previous wording

We have recorded a significant amount of goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets. Goodwill and other intangible assets, net totaled approximately $4.4 billion as of December 31, 2023, or 58% of our total assets. Goodwill, which represents the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized, was approximately $3.5 billion as of December 31, 2023, or 46% of our total assets. Goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets were recognized at fair value as of the corresponding acquisition date.

Current wording

We have recorded a significant amount of goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets. Goodwill and other intangible assets, net totaled approximately $3.9 billion as of December 31, 2024, or 54% of our total assets. Goodwill, which represents the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized, was approximately $3.4 billion as of December 31, 2024, or 47% of our total assets. Goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets were recognized at fair value as of the corresponding acquisition date.

Previous wording

Additional impairment of goodwill or other identifiable intangible assets may result from, among other things, deterioration in our performance, adverse market conditions, adverse changes in laws or regulations, significant unexpected or planned changes in the use of assets or future changes to go-to-market or product offerings strategy, and a variety of other factors. We consider a combination of quantitative and qualitative factors to determine whether a reporting unit is at risk of failing the goodwill impairment test, including: the timing of our most recent quantitative impairment tests and the relative amount by which a reporting unit’s fair value exceeded its then carrying value, the inputs and assumptions underlying our valuation models and the sensitivity of our fair value measurements to those inputs and assumptions, the impact that adverse economic or market conditions may have on the degree of uncertainty inherent in our long-term operating forecasts, and changes in the carrying value of a reporting unit’s net assets from the time of our most recent goodwill impairment test. We also consider the impact of recent acquisitions in our expectations of the reporting units, such as the Insights and Dynapower reporting units, and how these acquisitions perform against their original expected performance, as these might put pressure on the reporting units' fair value over carrying value in the short term. Based on the results of this analysis, we do not consider any of our reporting units outside of Insights, which was already fully impaired, to be at risk of failing the goodwill impairment test.

Current wording

Additional impairment of goodwill or other identifiable intangible assets may result from, among other things, deterioration in our performance, adverse market conditions, adverse changes in laws or regulations, significant unexpected or planned changes in the use of assets or future changes to go-to-market or product offerings strategy, and a variety of other factors. We consider a combination of quantitative and qualitative factors to determine whether a reporting unit is at risk of failing the goodwill impairment test, including: the timing of our most recent quantitative impairment tests and the relative amount by which a reporting unit’s fair value exceeded its then carrying value, the inputs and assumptions underlying our valuation models and the sensitivity of our fair value measurements to those inputs and assumptions, the impact that adverse economic or market conditions may have on the degree of uncertainty inherent in our long-term operating forecasts, and changes in the carrying value of a reporting unit’s net assets from the time of our most recent goodwill impairment test. We also consider the impact of recent acquisitions in our expectations of the reporting units, such as the Dynapower reporting unit, and how these acquisitions perform against their original expected performance, as these might put pressure on the reporting units' fair value over carrying value in the short term. Based on the results of this analysis, we do not consider any of our other reporting units to be at risk of failing the goodwill impairment test.

Previous wording

Refer to Note 11: Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net of our Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Report for additional information related to our goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets and the Insights impairment charge. Refer to Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates, in Item 7: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included elsewhere in this Report for additional information related to the assumptions used in the development of the fair value of our reporting units.

Current wording

Refer to Note 11: Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net of our Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Report for additional information related to our goodwill and other identifiable intangible assets and the Dynapower impairment charge. Refer to Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates, in Item 7: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included elsewhere in this Report for additional information related to the assumptions used in the development of the fair value of our reporting units.

Previous wording

Furthermore, on December 15, 2022, the EU Member States formally adopted the EU's Pillar Two Directive, which generally provides for a minimum jurisdictional effective tax rate of 15%. The legislation is effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2024. We continue to evaluate the potential impact on future periods due to the Pillar Two framework, as such changes could result in complexity and uncertainty in countries where we do business and could increase our effective tax rate.

Current wording

Furthermore, most OECD members, including EU member states, have implemented the Pillar Two framework, which establishes a global minimum jurisdictional effective tax rate of 15% for large multinational enterprises. The legislation is effective for our fiscal year beginning January 1, 2024. The dynamic nature of the legislative landscape, with outgoing changes and updates to the rules, creates uncertainty and potential for retroactive tax liabilities. We continue to evaluate the guidance and regulations of the Pillar Two framework. Any further developments could result in complexity and uncertainty in countries where we do business and could increase our effective tax rate.

Previous wording

We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and those weaknesses have led to a conclusion that our internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2023. We did not specify objectives with sufficient clarity to enable an appropriate level of risk assessment and monitoring. Additionally, our control activities did not adequately establish policies, procedures, information protocols and communications to design and operate effective control, due in part, to a lack of appropriate accounting personnel, impacting areas such as inventory and account reconciliation processes in our Americas Accounting and Shared Services teams located in Mexico. Our management is taking action to remediate the deficiencies in its internal controls over financial reporting by developing a remediation plan, which could include the engagement of third-party consultants to evaluate and help formalize internal controls design and framework; the completion of a risk assessment to determine areas within the internal control structure to strengthen, document and execute; and the augmentation, reorganization or replacement of personnel where necessary to ensure appropriate levels of knowledge and execution to support internal control structure assessment, design, and execution.

Current wording

We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and those weaknesses have led to a conclusion that our internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2024 or 2023. We did not specify objectives with sufficient clarity to enable an appropriate level of risk assessment and monitoring. Additionally, our control activities did not adequately establish policies, procedures, information protocols and communications to design and operate effective control, due in part, to a lack of appropriate accounting personnel, impacting areas such as inventory and account reconciliation processes in our Americas Accounting and Shared Services teams located in Mexico. Our management is taking action to remediate the deficiencies in its internal controls over financial reporting by developing a remediation plan, which could include the engagement of third-party consultants to evaluate and help formalize internal controls design and framework; the completion of a risk assessment to determine areas within the internal control structure to strengthen, document and execute; and the augmentation, reorganization or replacement of personnel where necessary to ensure appropriate levels of knowledge and execution to support internal control structure assessment, design, and execution.

Previous wording

If actions to remediate these material weaknesses are not completed on a timely basis, or if other remediation efforts are not successful, we may, in the future, identify additional internal control deficiencies that could rise to the level of a material weakness or uncover other errors in financial reporting.

Current wording

If actions to remediate these material weaknesses are not completed on a timely basis, or if other remediation efforts are not successful, we may, in the future, identify additional internal control deficiencies that could rise to the level of a material weakness, or uncover errors in financial reporting.