Hayward Holdings Inc

1. Nature of Operations and Organization

Hayward Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings,” the “Company,” “we” or “us”) is a global designer and manufacturer of pool and outdoor living technology. The Company hassix manufacturing facilities worldwide, which are located in North Carolina, Tennessee, Rhode Island, Spain (two) and China, and other facilities in the United States, Canada, France and Australia. Cash flow is impacted by the seasonality of the swimming pool business. Cash flow is usually higher in the second and third quarters due to terms of sale to our customers.

We establish actual interim closing dates using a fiscal calendar in which our fiscal quarters end on the Saturday closest to the calendar quarter end, with the exception of year-end which ends on December 31 of each fiscal year. The interim closing date for the first, second and third quarters of 2024 are March 30, June 29, and September 28, compared to the respective April 1, July 1, and September 30, 2023 dates. We had one additional working day in the three months ended March 30, 2024 than in the respective 2023 period.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company included herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of such information. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Certain information and note disclosures, including a description of significant accounting policies normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”), have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.

These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. The results of operations for the three months ended March 30, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results for any subsequent periods or the entire fiscal year ending December 31, 2024.

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes to conform to the current presentation.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Segment Reporting

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of the standard on its segment reporting disclosures.

Income Taxes

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which is intended to improve income tax disclosure requirements by requiring (i) consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information in the rate reconciliation and (ii) the disaggregation of income taxes paid by jurisdiction. The guidance makes several other changes to the income tax disclosure requirements. The amendments in ASU 2023-09 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted, and is required to be applied prospectively with the option of retrospective application. The Company is evaluating the impact of the standard on its income tax disclosures.

3. Revenue

The following table disaggregates net sales between product groups and geographic regions, respectively (in thousands):

4. Inventories

Inventories, net, consist of the following (in thousands):

5. Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities

Accrued expenses and other liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

The Company offers warranties on certain of its products and records an accrual for estimated future claims. Such accruals are based on historical experience and management’s estimate of the level of future claims.

The following table summarizes the warranty reserve activities (in thousands):

Warranty expenses for the three months ended March 30, 2024 and April 1, 2023 were $8.2 million and $5.4 million, respectively.

6. Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 30, 2024 and April 1, 2023 was 23.8% and 9.0%, respectively, after discrete items. The change in the Company’s effective tax rate was primarily due to a decrease in the tax benefit from stock compensation.

The Company will recognize a tax benefit in the financial statements for an uncertain tax position only if the Company’s assessment is that the position is “more likely than not” (i.e., a likelihood greater than 50 percent) to be allowed by the tax jurisdiction based solely on the technical merits of the position. The term “tax position” refers to a position in a previously filed tax return or a position expected to be taken in a future tax return that is reflected in measuring current or deferred income tax assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes. There wereno uncertain tax positions at March 30, 2024 or December 31, 2023.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities and projected future taxable income in making this assessment. Management evaluates the need for valuation allowances on the deferred tax assets according to the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes. In making this determination, the Company assesses all available evidence (positive and negative) including recent earnings, internally-prepared income tax projections, and historical financial performance.

7. Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt, net, consists of the following (in thousands):

The Company’s First Lien Term Facility and ABL Revolving Credit Facility (collectively “Credit Facilities”) contain collateral requirements, restrictions, and covenants, including restrictions under the First Lien Term Facility on the Company’s ability to pay dividends on the Common Stock. Under the agreement governing the First Lien Credit Facility (the “First Lien Credit Agreement”), the Company must also make an annual mandatory prepayment of principal commencing April 2023 for between 0% and 50% of the excess cash, as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement, generated in the prior calendar year. The amount due varies with the First Lien Leverage Ratio as defined in the First Lien Credit Agreement, from zero if the First Lien Leverage Ratio is less than or equal to 2.5 x, to fifty percent if the First Lien Leverage Ratio is greater than 3.0 x less certain allowed deductions. The Company did not have a mandatory prepayment in 2024 based on the First Lien Leverage Ratio as of December 31, 2023 and the applicable criteria under the First Lien Credit Agreement. All outstanding principal under the First Lien Credit Agreement is due at maturity on May 28, 2028. The maturity date under the ABL Revolving Credit Facility (“ABL Facility”) is June 1, 2026. As of March 30, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Facilities.

8. Derivatives and Hedging Transactions

The Company holds derivative financial instruments for the purpose of hedging the risks of certain identifiable and anticipated transactions. In general, the types of risks hedged are those relating to the variability of future earnings and cash flows caused by movements in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. In hedging these transactions, the Company holds the following types of derivatives in the normal course of business.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

The Company enters into interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges to manage interest rate risk related to its variable rate debt obligations. As cash flow hedges, unrealized gains are recognized as assets while unrealized losses are recognized as liabilities. The interest rate swap agreements are highly correlated to the changes in interest rates to which the Company is exposed. Unrealized gains and losses on these instruments have been designated as effective and as such, the related gains or losses have been recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax. Other comprehensive income or loss is reclassified into current period income when the hedged interest expense affects earnings.

As of each of March 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company was a party to interest rate swap agreements of a notional amount of $600.0 million.

Foreign Exchange Contracts

The Company enters into foreign exchange contracts to manage risks associated with future intercompany and foreign currency transactions that may be adversely affected by changes in exchange rates. These contracts are marked-to-market with the resulting gains and losses recognized in earnings. For the three months ended March 30, 2024 and April 1, 2023, the Company recognized $1.1 million of income and $0.7 million of expense, respectively, in Other (income) expense, net, related to foreign exchange contracts.

The following table summarizes the gross fair values and location of the significant derivative instruments within Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):

The following tables present the effects of derivative instruments by contract type in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (in thousands):

9. Fair Value Measurements

The Company is required to disclose the estimated fair values of all financial instruments, even if they are not carried at their fair value. The fair values of financial instruments are estimates based upon market conditions and perceived risks. These estimates require management’s judgment and may not be indicative of the future fair values of the assets and liabilities.

The accounting guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy:

•Level 1 - Inputs are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.

•Level 2 - Inputs are based on observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical or similar assets and liabilities.

•Level 3 - One or more inputs are unobservable and significant.

Financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable. The carrying amount of these instruments approximate fair value because of their short-term nature.

The Company’s interest rate swaps and foreign exchange contracts are measured in the financial statements at fair value on a recurring basis. The fair values of these instruments are estimated using industry standard valuation models using market-based observable inputs, including interest rate curves. These instruments are customary, over-the-counter contracts with various bank counterparties. Accordingly, the fair value measurements of the interest rate swaps and foreign exchange contracts are categorized as Level 2.

The Company’s investment plan assets as part of the nonqualified Hayward Industries Supplemental Retirement Plan (the “Supplemental Retirement Plan”) are presented in the financial statements at fair value on a recurring basis and are based on quoted market prices in active markets. Accordingly, the fair value measurements of the Supplemental Retirement Plan assets are categorized as Level 1. The value of investments related to the Supplemental Retirement Plan is included in other assets and a corresponding liability to participants is recorded in other liabilities.

The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

The estimated fair value of the long-term debt and related current maturities (excluding finance leases, the ABL Facility, and other bank debt) is based on observable quoted prices in active markets for similar liabilities and is classified as a Level 2 input. The fair value of the ABL Facility approximates its carrying value.

The following table sets forth the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were not carried at fair value (in thousands):

10. Segments and Related Information

The Company’s operational and management structure is aligned to its key geographies and go-to market strategy resulting intwo reportable segments: North America (“NAM”) and Europe & Rest of World (“E&RW”). Operating segments have not been aggregated to form the reportable segments. The Company determined its reportable segments based on how the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) reviews the Company’s operating results in assessing performance and allocating resources. The CODM reviews net sales, gross profit and segment income for each of the reportable segments. Gross profit is defined as net sales less cost of sales incurred by the segment. The CODM does not evaluate reportable segments using asset information as these are managed on an enterprise-wide basis. Segment income is defined as segment net sales less cost of sales, segment selling, general, and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) and research, development, and engineering expense (“RD&E”), excluding segment acquisition and restructuring related expense as well as amortization of intangible assets recorded within segment SG&A expense. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those of Holdings.

The North America segment manufactures and sells residential and commercial swimming pool equipment and supplies as well as equipment that controls the flow of fluids. This segment is composed ofthree reporting units.

The Europe & Rest of World segment manufactures and sells residential and commercial swimming pool equipment and supplies. This segment is composed oftwo reporting units.

The Company sells its products primarily through distributors and retailers. Financial information by reportable segment, net of intercompany transactions, is included in the following summary (in thousands):

(1) Capital expenditures and depreciation associated with Corporate are not included in these totals.

(2) Amortization expense excluded from segment income is not included in these totals.

The following table presents a reconciliation of segment income to income from operations before income taxes (in thousands):

11. Earnings Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share attributable to common stockholders (in thousands, except share and per share data):

(a) For the three months ended March 30, 2024 and April 1, 2023 there were potential common shares totaling approximately 2.9 million and 2.5 million, respectively, that were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS as the effect of inclusion of such shares would have been anti-dilutive.

12. Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation

The Company is involved in litigation arising in the normal course of business. Where appropriate, these matters have been submitted to the Company’s insurance carrier. The Company determines whether an estimated loss from a contingency should be accrued by assessing whether a loss is deemed probable and can be reasonably estimated. It is not possible to quantify the ultimate liability, if any, in these matters.

On August 2, 2023, a securities class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey against the Company and certain of its current directors and officers (Kevin Holleran and Eifion Jones) and MSD Partners and CCMP Capital Advisors, LP on behalf of a putative class of stockholders who acquired shares of the Company’s common stock between March 2, 2022 and July 27, 2022. That action is captioned City of Southfield Fire and Police Retirement System vs. Hayward Holdings, Inc., et al., 2:23-cv-04146-WJM-ESK (D.N.J.) (“City of Southfield”). On September 28, 2023, a second, related securities class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey against the Company and certain of its current directors and officers (Kevin Holleran and Eifion Jones) and MSD Partners and CCMP Capital Advisors, LP on behalf of a putative class of stockholders who acquired shares of the Company’s common stock between October 27, 2021 and July 28, 2022. That action is captioned Erie County Employees’ Retirement System vs. Hayward Holdings, Inc., et al., 2:23-cv-04146-WJM-ESK (D.N.J.) (“Erie County”). On December 19, 2023, the Court issued a ruling consolidating thetwo securities class actions (City of Southfield and Erie County) under the City of Southfield docket (the “Securities Class Action”) and appointing a lead plaintiff. In a consolidated class action complaint filed March 4, 2024, the Securities Class Action alleges on behalf of a putative class of stockholders who acquired shares of our common stock between October 27, 2021 and July 28, 2022, among other things, that the Company and certain of its current directors and officers violated Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by, among other things, making materially false or misleading statements regarding inventory, growth, and demand trends and the Company’s financial projections for 2022. The complaints seek unspecified monetary damages on behalf of the putative classes and an award of costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

On November 27, 2023, a shareholder derivative lawsuit was filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey against current and past directors of the Company captioned Heicklen v. Holleran, et al., 2:23-cv-22649 (D.N.J.) (the “Derivative Action”). The Derivative Action alleges breaches of fiduciary duties to Company stockholders, aiding and abetting breaches of fiduciary duties, unjust enrichment, corporate waste, and violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in connection with the claims in the Securities Class Action. The Derivative Action seeks recovery of unspecified damages and attorney’s fees and costs, as well as improvements to the Company’s corporate governance and internal procedures. The Derivative Action has been stayed pending final decision on a motion to dismiss being filed in the Securities Class Action.

We dispute the allegations of wrongdoing in the Securities Class Action and the Derivative Action and intend to vigorously defend ourselves in these matters. In view of the complexity and ongoing and uncertain nature of the outstanding proceedings and inquiries, at this time we are unable to estimate a reasonably possible financial loss or range of financial loss, if any, that we may incur to resolve or settle the Securities Class Action and the Derivative Action.

13. Leases

The Company’s operating and finance lease portfolio is described in Note 15. Leases of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in thousands):

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows (in thousands):

14. Stockholders’ Equity

Preferred Stock

The Company’s Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the Company to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.001 value per share, all of which is undesignated.

Common Stock

The Company’s Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the Company to issue up to 750,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 value per share. Each share of Common Stock is entitled toone vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the Company’s stockholders. The holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends, if any, as may be declared by the Board of Directors.

Dividends paid

For the three months ended March 30, 2024 and April 1, 2023, no dividends were declared or paid to the Company’s common stockholders.

Share Repurchase Program

The Board of Directors authorized the Company’s share repurchase program (the “Share Repurchase Program”) such that the Company is authorized to repurchase from time to time up to an aggregate of $450 million of its outstanding shares of common stock, which authorization expires on July 26, 2025. The Company hadno repurchases of its common stock in the quarter ended March 30, 2024 under the Share Repurchase Program. As of March 30, 2024, $400.0 million remained available for additional share repurchases under the program.

15. Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for equity-classified stock-based awards for the three months ended March 30, 2024 and April 1, 2023 was $2.0 million and $2.0 million, respectively.

The Company has establishedtwo equity incentive plans, the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan. The Company no longer issues awards under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan.

2021 Equity Incentive Plan

In March 2021, the Company adopted the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”). Under the 2021 Plan, up to 13,737,500 shares of common stock may be granted to employees, directors and consultants in the form of stock options, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards. The terms of awards granted under the 2021 Plan are determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, subject to the provisions of the 2021 Plan.

Options granted under the 2021 Plan expire no later thanten years from the date of grant. Options and time-based restricted stock units granted under the 2021 Plan generally vest ratably over athree-year period and performance-based restricted stock units vest at the end ofthree years subject to the performance criteria.

During the three months ended March 30, 2024, the Company granted 412,872 time-based restricted stock units and 268,630 performance-based restricted stock units under the 2021 Plan with a weighted-average grant-date fair value per share of $14.16 and $14.16, respectively.

16. Acquisitions and Restructuring

Acquisition and restructuring related expense, net consists of the following (in thousands):

During the third quarter of 2023, the Company initiated programs to centralize and consolidate operations and professional services in Europe. For the three months ended March 30, 2024, the Company incurred $0.4 million of expense related to the programs, which include severance and employee benefit costs, as well as other direct separation benefit costs. The impacted employees must remain with the Company through their planned exit date to receive each of the severance and retention amounts. Such costs are accounted for in accordance with ASC 420, Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations.

The following tables summarize the status of the Company’s restructuring related expense and related liability balances (in thousands):

Restructuring costs are included within acquisition and restructuring related costs on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations, while the restructuring liability is included as a component of accrued expenses and other liabilities on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.

17. Related-Party Transactions

During the three months ended March 30, 2024 and April 1, 2023, the Company did not incur any significant related party transactions.

18. Subsequent Events

In April 2024, the Company used $123.1 million of cash on hand to fund voluntary principal prepayments of the incremental term loan portion of the First Lien Term Facility (the “Incremental Term Loan B”). As a result of these prepayments, the Company had zero aggregate principal outstanding on the Incremental Term Loan B as of April 30, 2024.