UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-K
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO
SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
| FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED | COMMISSION FILE NUMBER | ||||
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(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| TITLE OF EACH CLASS | TRADING SYMBOL | NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH REGISTERED | ||||||
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| ☒ | Accelerated Filer | ☐ | ||||||||||||
| Non-Accelerated Filer | ☐ | Smaller Reporting Company | ||||||||||||
| Emerging Growth Company | ||||||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. Yes ☒ No ☐
There were 413.6 million shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding (net of treasury shares) at February 6, 2023. The aggregate market value of the shares of Common Stock on June 30, 2022 (based upon the share count and closing price on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange on such date) beneficially owned by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $7.8 billion. For purposes of the foregoing calculation only, which is required by Form 10-K, the Registrant has included in the shares owned by affiliates those shares owned by directors and officers of the Registrant, and such inclusion shall not be construed as an admission that any such person is an affiliate for any purpose.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
“Newell Brands” or the “Company” refers to Newell Brands Inc. alone or with its wholly owned subsidiaries, as the context requires. When this report uses the words “we,” “us” or “our,” it refers to the Company and its subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires. The Company was founded in Ogdensburg, New York in 1903 and is incorporated in Delaware.
Website Access to Securities and Exchange Commission Reports
The Company makes available free of charge on or through its website its annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) as soon as practicable after the Company files them with, or furnishes them to, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The Company’s website can be found at www.newellbrands.com. The information on the Company’s website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual report on Form 10-K.
GENERAL
Newell Brands is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Rubbermaid, FoodSaver, Calphalon, Sistema, Sharpie, Paper Mate, Dymo, EXPO, Elmer’s, Yankee Candle, Graco, NUK, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Spontex, Coleman, Campingaz, Contigo, Oster, Sunbeam and Mr. Coffee. Newell Brands' beloved brands enhance and brighten consumers lives at home and outside by creating moments of joy, building confidence and providing peace of mind. The Company sells its products in nearly 200 countries around the world and has operations on the ground in over 40 of these countries, excluding third-party distributors.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
The Company continues to execute on its turnaround strategy of building a global, next generation consumer products company that can unleash the full potential of its brands in a fast-moving omni-channel environment. The strategy, developed in 2019, is designed to:
•Drive sustainable top line growth by focusing on innovation, sharpening brand positioning, strengthening the international businesses, enhancing digital marketing and omni-channel capabilities, and building customer relationships;
•Improve operating margins by driving productivity and overhead savings, while reinvesting in the business;
•Accelerate the cash conversion cycle by focusing on cash efficiency and improving key working capital metrics;
•Strengthen the portfolio by investing in attractive categories that are aligned with its capabilities and strategy and optimizing product mix; and
•Strengthen organizational capabilities and employee engagement by building a winning team and focusing the best people on the right things.
The Company is implementing this strategy while addressing key challenges such as shifting consumer preferences and behaviors; a highly competitive operating environment; a rapidly changing retail landscape; continued macroeconomic and geopolitical volatility; a softening macro backdrop; significant inflationary and supply chain pressures, and an evolving regulatory landscape.
Continued execution of these strategic imperatives, in combination with new initiatives aimed to build operational excellence, will better position the Company for long-term sustainable growth. One such initiative is Project Ovid, a multi-year, customer centric supply chain initiative to transform the Company's go-to-market capabilities in the U.S., improve customer service levels and drive operational efficiencies. This initiative, which commenced its first phase go-live during the third quarter of 2022 and its second phase go-live in February 2023, is expected to leverage technology to further simplify the organization by harmonizing and automating processes. Project Ovid is designed to optimize the Company’s distribution network by creating a single integrated supply chain from 23 business-unit-centric supply chains. The initiative is intended to reduce administrative complexity, improve inventory and invoicing workflow for our customers and enhance product availability for consumers through omni-channel enablement. This new operating model is also expected to drive efficiencies by better utilizing the Company's transportation and distribution network.
Current Macroeconomic Conditions
The Company, which has been impacted in recent years by inflationary and supply chain pressures, labor shortages, and logistical challenges across its businesses, and more recently by the indirect macroeconomic impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, is also experiencing additional headwinds due to softening global demand and an increased focus by retailers to rebalance inventory levels in light of continued inflationary pressures on consumers. While all of the Company's segments have been negatively impacted to
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varying degrees by the softening global demand, the Home Appliances and Home Solutions segments have been the most impacted. These collective macroeconomic trends, the duration and severity of which are highly uncertain, are rapidly changing the retail landscape and have impacted the Company’s operating results, cash flows and financial condition in 2022 and are expected to persist into 2023.
To help mitigate the negative impact of these conditions on the operating performance of its businesses, the Company has secured selective pricing increases, accelerated productivity initiatives, optimized advertising and promotion expenses, deployed overhead cost containment efforts, adjusted demand forecasts and supply plans and taken actions designed to improve working capital. The Company will continue to evaluate other opportunities to improve its financial performance both in the short and long term.
Although management has made its best estimates and assumptions based upon current information, actual results could materially differ given the uncertainty of these factors and may require future changes to such estimates and assumptions, including reserves, which may result in future expense or impairment charges.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict
The global economy has been negatively impacted by the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine. While the Company does not expect the conflict to have a material impact on its results of operations, it has experienced shortages in raw materials and increased costs for transportation, energy, and commodities due in part to the negative impact of the Russia-Ukraine military conflict on the global economy. Further escalation of geopolitical tensions related to the conflict, including increased trade barriers and restrictions on global trade, could result in, among other things, supply disruptions, lower consumer demand, and changes to foreign exchange rates and financial markets, any of which may adversely affect our business and supply chain. Additionally, if the military conflict escalates beyond its current scope, the Company could be negatively impacted by an economic recession in certain neighboring European countries or globally.
See Recent Developments, Liquidity and Capital Resources and Critical Accounting Estimates in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Footnote 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Project Phoenix
In January 2023, the Company announced a restructuring and savings initiative (“Project Phoenix”) that aims to strengthen the Company by leveraging its scale to further reduce complexity by streamlining its operating model and driving operational efficiencies. Project Phoenix is expected to be substantially completed by the end of 2023. It incorporates a variety of initiatives designed to simplify the organizational structure, streamline the company’s real estate, centralize its supply chain functions, which include manufacturing, distribution, transportation and customer service, transition to a unified One Newell go-to-market model in key international geographies, and otherwise reduce overhead costs.
See Recent Developments in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Footnote 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Sale of Connected Home & Security Business
On March 31, 2022, the Company sold its Connected Home & Security (“CH&S”) business unit to Resideo Technologies, Inc., for approximately $593 million, subject to customary working capital and other post-closing adjustments.
See Recent Developments and Liquidity and Capital Resources in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Footnotes 1, 2 and 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
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Organizational Structure
The Company’s five primary operating segments are as follows:
| Segment | Key Brands | Description of Primary Products | ||||||||||||
| Commercial Solutions | Mapa, Quickie, Rubbermaid, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, and Spontex | Commercial cleaning and maintenance solutions; closet and garage organization; hygiene systems and material handling solutions | ||||||||||||
| Home Appliances | Calphalon, Crockpot, Mr. Coffee, Oster and Sunbeam | Household products, including kitchen appliances | ||||||||||||
| Home Solutions | Ball (1), Calphalon, Chesapeake Bay Candle, FoodSaver, Rubbermaid, Sistema, WoodWick and Yankee Candle | Food and home storage products; fresh preserving products; vacuum sealing products; gourmet cookware, bakeware and cutlery and home fragrance products | ||||||||||||
| Learning and Development | Aprica, Baby Jogger, Dymo, Elmer’s, EXPO, Graco, Mr. Sketch, NUK, Paper Mate, Parker, Prismacolor, Sharpie, Tigex, Waterman and X-Acto | Baby gear and infant care products; writing instruments, including markers and highlighters, pens and pencils; art products; activity-based adhesive and cutting products and labeling solutions | ||||||||||||
| Outdoor and Recreation | Campingaz, Coleman, Contigo, ExOfficio, and Marmot | Products for outdoor and outdoor-related activities | ||||||||||||
(1) 
and Ball®, TM of Ball Corporation, used under license.
and Ball®, TM of Ball Corporation, used under license.This structure reflects the manner in which the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) regularly assesses information for decision-making purposes, including the allocation of resources. The Company also provides general corporate services to its segments which is reported as a non-operating segment, Corporate.
Beginning in January 2023, the Company will combine its previously reported Commercial Solutions, Home Appliances and Home Solutions operating segments into one operating segment, Home and Commercial Solutions. This change by the CODM was driven by the implementation of a new operating model which is intended to drive further simplification and unlock additional efficiencies and synergies within the Company. The Learning and Development and Outdoor and Recreation operating segments will remain as the Company’s other two operating segments. The Company will recast prior period comparable results in its first quarter 2023 reporting to conform to this operating segment change. See Footnote 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Commercial Solutions
The Commercial Solutions segment designs, manufactures, sources, and distributes commercial cleaning and maintenance solutions products, closet and garage organization products; hygiene systems and material handling solutions primarily under the Rubbermaid, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Mapa, Quickie, and Spontex brands.
The Commercial Solutions segment primarily markets its products directly to warehouse clubs, home centers, commercial products distributors, mass merchants, specialty retailers, distributors, e-commerce retailers, select contract customers and other professional customers.
Home Appliances
The Home Appliances segment designs, manufactures, sources, markets and distributes a diverse line of household products. Kitchen appliances are primarily sold under the Crockpot, Mr. Coffee, Oster and Sunbeam brands. The Home Appliances segment also has rights to sell various small appliance products in substantially all of Europe under the Breville brand name.
The Home Appliances segment primarily markets its products directly to warehouse clubs, department stores, drug/grocery stores, home centers, mass merchants, specialty retailers, distributors and e-commerce retailers.
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Home Solutions
The Home Solutions segment designs, manufactures, sources, markets and distributes a diverse line of household products. Food storage products are sold primarily under the FoodSaver, Rubbermaid and Sistema brands. Aluminum and stainless-steel cookware and bakeware are sold under the Calphalon brand. The Company also sells certain home canning and food storage products under the Ball brands, pursuant to a license from Ball Corporation. Home fragrance products are sold primarily under the Chesapeake Bay Candle, WoodWick and Yankee Candle brands.
The Home Solutions segment primarily markets its products directly to warehouse clubs, department stores, grocery stores, home centers, mass merchants, specialty retailers, distributors and e-commerce retailers, as well as direct to consumers online and in Yankee Candle retail stores.
Learning and Development
The Learning and Development segment designs, manufactures, sources, markets and distributes writing instruments, including markers and highlighters, pens and pencils; art products; activity-based adhesive and cutting products; labeling solutions; baby gear and infant care products. Writing instruments, activity-based adhesive and cutting products and labeling solutions products are sold primarily under the Dymo, Elmer’s, EXPO, Mr. Sketch, Paper Mate, Parker, Prismacolor, Sharpie, Waterman and X-Acto brands. Baby gear and infant care and health products are sold primarily under the Aprica, Baby Jogger, Graco, NUK and Tigex brands.
The Learning and Development segment primarily markets its products directly to mass merchants, warehouse clubs, drug/grocery stores, office superstores, office supply stores, contract stationers, travel retail, distributors and e-commerce retailers, and direct to consumers online.
Outdoor and Recreation
The Outdoor and Recreation segment designs, manufactures, sources, markets and distributes global consumer active lifestyle products for outdoor and outdoor-related activities. Active lifestyle products are sold primarily under the Campingaz, Coleman, Contigo, ExOfficio and Marmot brands.
The Outdoor and Recreation segment primarily markets its products directly to warehouse clubs, department stores, grocery stores, mass merchants, sporting goods and specialty retailers, distributors and e-commerce retailers, as well as direct to consumers online.
See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.
OTHER INFORMATION
Multi-Product Offering
The Company’s broad product offering in multiple categories permits it to meet the needs of its customers more effectively. With families of leading brand names and innovative new products, the Company can assist volume purchasers in selling a more profitable product mix. As a potential single source for an entire product line, the Company can use program merchandising to improve product presentation, optimize display space for both sales and income, and encourage impulse buying by retail consumers.
Raw Materials and Sourced Finished Goods
The Company has multiple foreign and domestic sources of supply for substantially all of its material requirements. The raw materials and various purchased components required for its products have generally been available in sufficient quantities, although the Company experienced capacity constraints around certain raw materials and finished goods in 2022 driven by global conditions, which are expected to continue into 2023. The Company’s product offerings require the purchase of resin, corrugate, glass, plastic, expanded polystyrene, extinguisher powder, nylon, paper, plastic resin, sawdust, tin plate, wax and wood, natural rubber, electrical components, glass fiber, magnesium, adhesives, various paper-related packaging materials and metals, including steel, stainless steel, aluminum and copper. The Company’s resin purchases are principally comprised of polyethylene, polypropylene and copolyester.
The Company also relies on third-party manufacturers as a source for finished goods. Historically, the Company has experienced inflation in sourced product costs due to currency fluctuations and increased input and labor costs. During 2022, the Company experienced significant inflationary pressures for its sourced finished goods driven by global conditions, including demand volatility
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related to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which is expected to continue into 2023. For a limited number of product lines, a single manufacturer or a limited number of manufacturers may supply substantially all the finished goods for a product line. In particular, certain businesses within the Company’s Learning and Development segment rely on third-party manufacturers for substantially all of their products. Specifically, the Baby business unit has a single source of supply for products that comprise a majority of its sales and that owns the intellectual property for many of those products.
Backlog
The dollar value of unshipped orders is not material.
Seasonal Variations
Sales of the Company’s products tend to be seasonal, with sales, operating income and operating cash flow in the first quarter generally lower than any other quarter during the year, driven principally by reduced volume and the mix of products sold in the first quarter. The seasonality of the Company’s sales volume combined with the accounting for fixed costs, such as depreciation, amortization, rent, personnel costs and interest expense, impacts the Company’s results on a quarterly basis. In addition, the Company tends to generate the majority of its operating cash flow in the third and fourth quarters of the year due to seasonal variations in operating results, the timing of annual performance-based compensation payments, customer program payments, working capital requirements and credit terms provided to customers.
The Company's sales and operating results, previously disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, reverted to historical patterns in 2021, however, uncertainty remains due to the significant volatility and direction of future consumer and customer demand patterns due to softening global demand, an increased focus by retailers to rebalance inventory levels in light of continued inflationary pressures on consumers, as well as supply chain pressures.
Patents and Trademarks
The Company has many patents, trademarks, brand names and tradenames that are, in the aggregate, important to its business. The Company’s most significant brands include Calphalon, Campingaz, Coleman, Contigo, Crockpot, Dymo, Elmer’s, EXPO, FoodSaver, Graco, Mapa, Marmot, Mr. Coffee, NUK, Oster, Paper Mate, Parker, Quickie, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Rubbermaid, Sistema, Spontex, Sunbeam, WoodWick, Sharpie and Yankee Candle.
Customers/Competition
The Company’s principal customers are large mass merchandisers, discount stores, home centers, warehouse clubs, office superstores, direct-to-consumer channels, specialty retailers and wholesalers, commercial distributors and e-commerce retailers. The dominant share of the market represented by large mass merchandisers, together with consumer shopping patterns, contributes to a market environment in which dominant multi-category and e-commerce retailers have strong negotiating power with suppliers. This environment may limit the Company’s ability to recover cost increases through pricing.
Current trends among retailers include fostering high levels of competition among suppliers, rebalancing and reducing current inventory levels, demanding innovative new products and products tailored to each of their unique requirements and requiring suppliers to maintain or reduce product prices and deliver products with shorter lead times. Other trends, in the absence of a strong new product development effort or strong end-user brands, are for retailers to import generic products directly from foreign sources and to source and sell products under their own private label brands, which compete with the Company’s products. The combination of these market influences has created an intensely competitive environment in which the Company’s principal customers continuously evaluate which product suppliers to use, resulting in downward pricing pressures and the need for big, consumer-meaningful brands, the ongoing introduction and commercialization of innovative new products, continuing improvements in category management and customer service, and the maintenance of strong relationships with large, high-volume purchasers. The Company competes with numerous manufacturers and distributors of consumer products, many of which are large and well-established. Our Yankee Candle retail stores compete primarily with specialty candle and personal care retailers and a variety of other retailers, including department stores, gift stores and national specialty retailers that sell candles.
The Company’s principal methods of meeting its competitive challenges are creating and maintaining leading brands and differentiated products that deliver superior value and performance; delivering superior customer service and consistent on-time delivery and producing and procuring products at a competitive cost. In addition, the Company has an experienced management team that focuses on building consumer loyalty and increased consumer demand through increased investment in consumer insights and using those insights to develop innovative products and product features that meet consumers’ needs. The Company's service and delivery levels in 2022 were negatively impacted by product, supply and labor shortages, capacity constraints and logistical challenges across its businesses, all of which the Company expects to continue into 2023.
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The Company has also positioned itself to respond to the competitive challenges in the retail environment by developing strong relationships with large, high-volume purchasers. The Company markets its strong multi-product offering through virtually every category of high-volume retailers, including discount, drug/grocery and variety chains; warehouse clubs; department, hardware and specialty stores; home centers; office superstores; contract stationers; and e-commerce retailers. The Company’s largest customer, Walmart Inc. and subsidiaries (“Walmart”), accounted for approximately 14% of net sales in 2022 and 15% of net sales in each of 2021 and 2020. Amazon, the Company's second largest customer, accounted for approximately 13% of net sales in each of 2022 and 2021 and 12% of net sales in 2020. The Company’s top-ten customers in alphabetical order in 2022 included: Amazon, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Costco, Kroger, Lowe’s, Office Depot Inc., Staples, Target, The Home Depot and Walmart.
Environmental Matters
Information regarding the Company’s environmental matters is included in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Footnote 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and is incorporated by reference herein.
Research and Development
The Company’s research and development efforts focus on developing new, differentiated and innovative products to meet consumers’ needs. The Company’s product development efforts begin with consumer insights. The Company continues to invest to strengthen its product design, research and development capabilities and has consolidated its design and innovation capabilities and consumer marketing and insight capabilities into a global center of excellence to further strengthen these capabilities.
Human Capital Management
Newell Brands is committed to creating a workplace where it supports the success of its people by investing in their personal development and career growth. The Company has employees located throughout the world. At December 31, 2022, the Company employed approximately 28,000 people worldwide. Approximately 4,000 were in the Asia-Pacific region, 5,000 were in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, 6,000 were in the Latin America region and 13,000 were in the North America region. Of the Company's total employees, approximately 14,000 were employed in manufacturing and supply chain roles. The Company's strong employee base, along with its commitment to uncompromising values, provides the foundation of the Company’s success.
The Company's employees are responsible for upholding the Company's goal of creating a safer, sustainable, productive, and consumer-focused future. The Company's values of Truth, Transparency, Teamwork and Trust guide our own actions as well as our relationships with consumers, customers, suppliers and each other. They are grounded in a people-first philosophy enabling the Company to deliver results, drive long-term sustainability and promote a winning culture. The Company tracks and reports internally on key talent metrics including workforce demographics, critical role pipeline data, diversity data, and engagement and inclusion indices.
The Company embraces diversity, inclusion and belonging, and strongly believes that a truly consumer-focused workforce should be as diverse as the consumers it serves and leverage the skills and perspectives of a wealth of backgrounds of all team members. To attract a global and diverse workforce, the Company strives to build a culture where employees can bring their whole selves to work. Employee resource groups (“ERGs”) are Company-sponsored groups of employees that support and promote certain mutual objectives of both the employees and the Company, including inclusion and diversity and the professional development of employees. The ERGs provide a space where employees can foster connections and develop in a supportive environment. At December 31, 2022, the Company had the following eight ERGs:
•ABLE (Disabled Employees and Allies);
•BEACON (Black and African ancestry);
•RAY (Women);
•OPEN (LGBTQ);
•NAAPA (Asian-American);
•HOLA (Hispanic and Latinx);
•VETS (Veterans and Military Family Members); and
•MOSAIC (All).
In 2023, we will continue to expand ERGs across the globe.
The Company is focused on recruitment of diverse candidates and on internal talent development of its diverse leaders so they can advance their careers and move into leadership positions within the Company. The Company has adopted a policy requiring diverse
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slates for recruitment at the Director level and above. This policy applies to recruitment of members of the Board of Directors as well. Also, during 2022, the Company conducted a fully digital, enterprise-wide engagement survey, which was given to all employee groups including professional, clerical and factory hourly employees and was available in 33 languages, which focused on measuring engagement and inclusion. The results showed that the majority of the scores were equal to or above the global benchmarks.
The Company continues to emphasize employee development and training, and strives to align and deliver its People Agenda with its business strategies to recruit, develop and retain the right talent, skills and capabilities to deliver on its commitments. To empower employees, the Company provides a range of development programs and opportunities, skills, and resources needed to be successful. Our Grow@Newell eLearning platform, which is an online portal, supplements the Company's talent development strategies with access to instructor-led classroom or virtual courses and self-directed web-based courses. The Company has a robust talent and succession planning process and has established specialized programs to support the development of its talent pipeline for critical roles in general management, engineering, and operations. On an annual basis, the Company conducts an Organization and Leadership Review process with its Chief Executive Officer and all segment, business unit, and function leaders focusing on high-performing and high-potential talent, diverse talent, and the succession for its most critical roles.
The Company believes its management team has the experience necessary to effectively execute its strategy and advance its product and technology leadership. The Chief Executive Officer and executive leadership team have meaningful industry experience. They partner and work closely with an experienced and talented management team who is dedicated to maintaining and expanding our position as a global leader in the consumer products industry. For discussion of the risks relating to the attraction and retention of key management and executive employees, see the Risk Factors section below.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Ownership of the Company’s securities involves a number of risks and uncertainties. Potential investors should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and the other information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K before deciding whether to invest in the Company’s securities. The Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. The risks described below are not the only ones facing the Company. Additional risks that are currently unknown to the Company or that the Company currently considers immaterial may also impair its business or adversely affect its financial condition or results of operations.
COVID-19 Related Risks
The COVID-19 pandemic and related impacts has had, and could continue to have, an adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, including the emergence of variants for which vaccines may not be effective, may negatively affect our business by causing or contributing to, among other things:
• Significant disruptions in our business operations and in the ability of significant third-party vendors, manufacturing and other business or commercial partners, including customers, to meet their obligations to us;
• Significant decrease or volatility in sales of or demand for our products due to any decreased demand for products, closure or reduced operating hours of our key customers; consumer inability to purchase our products due to personal illness or government implemented restrictions and any resulting changes in consumer preferences;
• Worldwide, regional and local adverse economic and financial market conditions, including increased risk of inflation; fluctuations in commodities, packaging, transportation and other input costs; increased unemployment; decreased disposable income; declining consumer confidence; or economic slowdowns or recessions in any of our major markets, all of which could impact the manufacturing operations of the Company or our third-party suppliers;
• Significant U.S. or international governmental actions, or other limitations or restrictions, including restrictions on the ability of our employees, suppliers, customers or third-party partners to travel or perform necessary business functions or our ability to manufacture, ship, distribute, market or sell our products; and
• Adverse impacts on our supply chain, including manufacturing by the Company or third-party partners, due to raw material, packaging or other supply shortages, labor shortages or reduced availability of air or other commercial transport, port congestion and closures. Although we are unable to predict the impact on our ability to source materials in the future, we expect these and other supply chain pressures to continue into the coming year.
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In addition, sustained labor shortages or increased turnover rates within our employee base, caused by COVID-19 or as a result of general macroeconomic factors, could lead to increased costs, such as increased wage rates to attract and retain employees, and could negatively affect our ability to efficiently operate our manufacturing and distribution facilities and overall business.
Even as efforts to contain the pandemic have made progress and some restrictions have relaxed, new variants of the virus are causing additional outbreaks. The extent of COVID-19’s effect on our operational and financial performance in the future will depend on future developments, including the duration, spread and intensity of the pandemic, our continued ability to manufacture and distribute our products, any future government actions affecting consumers, our business operations, including any vaccine mandates, and the economy generally, changing economic conditions and any resulting inflationary impacts, all of which are uncertain and difficult to predict considering the rapidly evolving landscape. Such impacts could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Industry and Economic Risks
The Company is subject to intense competition in a marketplace dominated by large omni-channel and e-commerce retailers.
The Company competes with numerous other manufacturers and distributors of consumer and commercial products, many of which are large and well-established. A proliferation of digitally native brands has further intensified the competitive landscape. The Company’s principal customers are large mass merchandisers, discount stores, home centers, warehouse clubs, office superstores, specialty retailers, wholesalers, commercial distributors, direct-to-consumer channels, and e-commerce retailers. The dominant share of the market represented by these large retailers, together with changes in consumer shopping patterns, and the integration of brick and mortar and e-commerce operations at major retailers, has contributed to the formation of dominant multi-category omni-channel and e-commerce retailers that have strong negotiating power with suppliers. These retailers have and may continue to foster high levels of competition among suppliers, reduce inventory levels, demand innovative new products and products tailored to each of their unique specifications, require suppliers to maintain or reduce product prices in response to competitive, economic or other factors, and require product delivery with shorter lead times. Retailers have imported and may continue to import products directly from foreign sources and to source and sell products under their own private label brands, typically at lower prices, that compete with the Company’s products.
The combination of these market influences and retailer consolidation has created an intensely competitive environment in which the Company’s principal customers continuously evaluate which product suppliers to use, resulting in downward pricing pressures and the need for consumer-meaningful brands, the ongoing introduction and commercialization of innovative new products, continuing improvements in category management and customer service, and the maintenance of strong relationships with large, high-volume purchasers. The Company also faces the risk of changes in the strategy or structure of its major customers, such as overall store and inventory reductions. The intense competition in the traditional retail and e-commerce sectors may result in a number of customers, such as Bed, Bath & Beyond, experiencing financial difficulty or failing in the future. To address these challenges, the Company must be able to respond to competitive factors and the potential loss of customers in the future, and the failure to respond effectively could result in a loss of sales, reduced profitability and a limited ability to recover cost increases through price increases.
The Company’s customers may further consolidate, which could materially adversely affect the Company’s sales and margins.
The Company’s customers have steadily consolidated over time. The Company expects any customers that consolidate will take actions to harmonize pricing from their suppliers, close retail outlets, reduce inventory, and rationalize their supply chain, which could adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations. There can be no assurance that, following consolidation, the Company’s large customers will continue to buy from the Company across different product categories or geographic regions, or at the same levels as prior to consolidation, which could negatively impact the Company’s financial results. Further, if the consolidation trend continues, it could result in additional increase in the customers' negotiating power with suppliers, as well as pricing and other competitive pressures that could reduce the Company’s sales and margins.
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Strategic and Operational Risks
The Company’s sales are dependent on purchases by several large customers and any significant decline in these purchases or pressure from these customers to reduce prices could have a negative effect on the Company’s future financial performance.
Although the Company has long-established relationships with many customers, the Company generally does not have any long-term supply or binding contracts or guarantees of minimum purchases with its largest customers. Purchase commitments by these customers are generally made using individual purchase orders. As a result, these customers may cancel their orders, change purchase quantities from forecast volumes, delay purchases for a number of reasons beyond the Company’s control or change other terms of the business relationship. Significant or numerous cancellations, reductions, delays in purchases or changes in business practices by customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, because many of the Company’s costs are fixed, a reduction in customer demand due to decreased sales to end consumers could have an adverse effect on the Company’s gross profit margins and operating income. The retail landscape in many of the Company’s markets continues to be impacted by the rapid growth of e-commerce retailers, changing consumer preferences (including online shopping) and the emergence of alternative retail channels, such as subscription services and direct-to-consumer businesses. The rapid growth in e-commerce and emergence of alternative retail channels may adversely affect the Company’s relationships with its key retailers, whereby the number of products it sells will no longer be a reliable indicator of the amount of future business the Company can expect.
The Company depends on a continuous flow of new orders from large, high-volume retail customers; however, the Company may be unable to continually meet the needs of these customers. Retailers are increasing their demands on suppliers to:
•reduce lead times for product delivery, which may require the Company to increase inventories and could impact the timing of reported sales;
•improve customer service, such as with direct import programs, whereby product is supplied directly to retailers from third-party suppliers; and
•adopt new technologies including those related to inventory management such as Radio Frequency Identification, otherwise known as RFID technology, which may have substantial implementation costs.
The Company cannot provide any assurance that it can continue to successfully meet the needs of its customers or that customer demand will remain consistent. A substantial decrease in sales to any of its major customers and an inability to adapt to the emergence of alternative retail channels could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
If the Company is unable to commercialize a continuing stream of new products that create demand, the Company’s ability to compete in the marketplace may be adversely impacted.
The Company’s strategy includes investment in new product development and a focus on innovation. Its long-term success in the competitive retail environment and the industrial and commercial markets depends on its ability to develop and commercialize a continuing stream of innovative new products and line extensions that create demand. The Company’s ability to quickly innovate in order to adapt its products to meet changing consumer demands is essential, especially in light of e-commerce significantly reducing the barriers for even small competitors to quickly introduce new brands and products directly to consumers. New product development and commercialization efforts, including efforts to enter markets or product categories in which the Company has limited or no prior experience, have inherent risks. These risks include the costs involved, such as development and commercialization, product development or launch delays, and the failure of new products and line extensions to achieve anticipated levels of market acceptance or growth in sales or operating income. The Company also faces the risk that its competitors will introduce innovative new products that compete with the Company’s products. In addition, sales generated by new products or line extensions could cause a decline in sales of the Company’s existing products. If new product development and commercialization efforts are not successful, the Company’s financial results could be adversely affected.
If the Company does not continue to develop and maintain leading brands or realize the anticipated benefits of increased advertising and promotion spend over the long term, its operating results may suffer.
The Company’s ability to compete successfully also depends increasingly on its ability to develop and maintain leading brands so that the Company’s retail and other customers will need its products to meet consumer demand. Leading brands allow the Company to realize economies of scale in its operations. The development and maintenance of such brands require significant investment in brand-building and marketing initiatives. Over the long term, these initiatives may not deliver the anticipated results and the results of such initiatives may not cover the costs of the increased investment.
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Failure to further expand the Company’s e-commerce business, despite increasing e-commerce investments, may materially and adversely affect the Company’s market position, net sales and financial performance.
The retail industry has rapidly evolved and consumers have embraced shopping online and through mobile commerce applications. As a result, the portion of total consumer expenditures with retailers occurring through digital platforms is increasing, and the pace of this increase has accelerated. At the same time, the portion of retail business at traditional “brick and mortar” stores and shopping centers is decreasing.
The Company’s strategy includes investments in e-commerce, omni-channel and technology initiatives. If these investments fail to adequately or effectively allow the Company to further expand its e-commerce business, maintain or grow its overall market position or otherwise benefit the Company, the Company’s market position, net sales and financial performance could be adversely affected. In addition, a greater concentration of e-commerce sales could result in a reduction in the amount of sales by the Company’s other customers, which could, if not offset by a greater increase in e-commerce sales, materially adversely affect the business of the Company.
Furthermore, the cost of certain e-commerce, omni-channel and technology investments may adversely impact the Company’s financial performance in the short and long-term. There can be no assurance that investments in e-commerce and omni-channel infrastructure and technology will result in increased sales, through e-commerce or otherwise.
The Company’s plans to execute its turnaround plan, improve productivity, reduce complexity and costs may not be successful, which would materially adversely affect its financial results.
The Company is executing a turnaround plan to build a global, next generation consumer products company that can unleash the full potential of its brands in a fast-moving omni-channel environment. The Company is implementing various global initiatives in connection with the turnaround plan to reduce costs and improve cash flows. Project Ovid is a multi-year, customer centric supply chain initiative to transform the Company's go-to-market capabilities in the U.S., improve customer service levels and drive operational efficiencies. This initiative, which commenced its first phase go-live during the third quarter of 2022 and its second phase go-live in February 2023, is expected to leverage technology to further simplify the organization by harmonizing and automating processes. This initiative is designed to reduce the complexity of the organization, improve the Company’s cash conversion cycle and increase investment in the Company’s most significant growth platforms. It is further designed to reduce costs associated with direct materials, indirect expenses, and distribution and logistics, among other things. Other major productivity, streamlining and divestment programs may also be required in the future to continue the turnaround plan. For example, in January 2023, the Company announced Project Phoenix, an initiative that aims to strengthen the company by leveraging its scale to further reduce complexity, streamlining its operating model and driving operational efficiencies. It incorporates a variety of initiatives designed to simplify the organizational structure, streamline the company’s real estate, centralize its supply chain functions, transition to a unified One Newell go-to-market model in key international geographies, and otherwise reduce overhead costs. The Company expects to realize significant savings when the initiatives are fully implemented, however it will result in material charges as well as the elimination of approximately 13% of office positions during 2023. These initiatives may not be substantially completed in the expected timeframe, may be more costly to implement than expected, or may not fully achieve the anticipated cost savings. Such programs involve a significant amount of organizational change, which could have a negative impact on employee engagement, divert management’s attention from other initiatives, and if not properly managed, impact the Company’s ability to retain key employees, cause disruptions in the Company’s day-to-day operations and have a negative impact on the Company’s financial results.
Further, the Company has pursued and may continue to pursue acquisitions of brands, businesses, or technologies from third parties. The Company’s success depends on its ability to integrate such acquired brands, businesses, or technologies, to continuously improve its manufacturing operations to gain efficiencies, to reduce supply chain costs and to streamline and redeploy nonstrategic selling, general and administrative expenses in order to produce products at a best-cost position and allow the Company to invest in innovation and brand building, including advertising and promotion. Future acquisitions could result in substantial additional debt, exposure to contingent liabilities, such as litigation or earn-out obligations, the potential impairment of goodwill or other intangible assets, or significant integration and transaction costs.
The Company’s operations are dependent upon third-party vendors and suppliers whose failure to perform adequately could disrupt the Company’s business operations.
The Company currently sources a significant portion of parts and products from third parties. The Company’s ability to select and retain reliable vendors and suppliers who provide timely deliveries of quality parts and products will impact the Company’s success in meeting customer demand for timely delivery of quality products.
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The ability of third-party suppliers to timely deliver finished goods and/or raw materials, and the ability of the Company’s own facilities to timely deliver finished goods, may be affected by events beyond their control, such as inability of shippers to timely deliver merchandise due to work stoppages or slowdowns, demand volatility or port congestion, unavailability of shipping containers or other equipment, or significant weather and health conditions affecting manufacturers and/or shippers. Any adverse change in the Company’s relationships with its third-party suppliers, the financial condition of third-party suppliers, the ability of third-party suppliers to manufacture and deliver outsourced parts or products on a timely basis, or the Company’s ability to import products from third-party suppliers or its own facilities could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, the financial condition of the Company’s vendors and suppliers may be adversely affected by general economic conditions, such as credit difficulties and the uncertain macroeconomic environment. In addition, in some instances the Company maintains single-source or limited-source sourcing relationships, either because multiple sources are not available or the relationship is advantageous due to performance, quality, support, delivery, capacity or price considerations. For example, certain businesses in the Baby business unit have a single source of supply for products that comprise a majority of their sales and which owns intellectual property rights in respect of many of those products. Any inability of the Company’s vendors and suppliers to timely deliver quality parts and products or any unanticipated change in supply, quality or pricing of products could be disruptive and costly to the Company. The Company may not be able to quickly or effectively replace any of its suppliers if the need arose, and it may be difficult to retrieve tooling and molds possessed by any of its third-party suppliers. The Company’s dependence on these few suppliers could also adversely affect its ability to react quickly and effectively to changes in the market for its products.
A cyber-attack or failure of one or more key information technology systems, networks, processes, associated sites or service providers could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business or reputation.
The Company relies extensively on information technology (“IT”) systems, networks and services, including Internet sites, data hosting and processing facilities and tools and other hardware, software and technical applications and platforms, some of which are managed, hosted, provided and/or used by third parties or their vendors, to assist in conducting business. The various uses of these IT systems, networks and services include, but are not limited to:
•ordering and managing materials from suppliers;
•converting materials to finished products;
•shipping products to customers;
•marketing and selling products to consumers;
•collecting and storing customer, consumer, employee, investor and other stakeholder information and personal data, including data that may be subject to data privacy laws, including but not limited to the General Data Protection Regulation of the European Union (“GDPR”), the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”), the California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”) or General Law for Protection of Personal Data (“LGPD”) of Brazil;
•processing transactions;
•summarizing and reporting results of operations;
•hosting, processing and sharing confidential and proprietary research, business plans and financial information;
•complying with regulatory, legal or tax requirements;
•providing data security; and
•handling other processes necessary to manage the Company’s business.
Increased IT security threats and cyber-crime, including advanced persistent threats, computer viruses, ransomware, other types of malicious code, hacking, phishing and social engineering schemes designed to provide access to the Company’s networks or data, pose a potential risk to the security of the Company’s IT systems, networks and services, as well as the confidentiality, availability and integrity of the Company’s data. Cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated, are constantly evolving and are being made by groups and individuals with a wide range of expertise and motives, increasing the difficulty of detecting and successfully defending against them. The Company deploys technical and organizational measures to protect and prevent unauthorized access to or loss of data, however, as techniques used to obtain unauthorized access or to sabotage systems change frequently and generally are not recognized until launched against a target, the Company may be unable to anticipate these techniques or implement preventive measures. Furthermore, the Company’s relationships with, and access provided to, third parties and their vendors may create difficulties in anticipating and implementing adequate preventive measures or fully mitigating harms after an attack or breach occurs.
The Company cannot guarantee that its security efforts will prevent attacks and resulting breaches or breakdowns of the Company’s, or its third-party service providers’ databases or systems notwithstanding whether the Company takes reasonable steps to prevent such attacks. The Company’s operations, especially its retail operations, involve the storage and transmission of employees’, customers’ and consumers’ personal and sensitive information, such as credit card and bank account numbers. The Company’s payment services may be subject to credit card and other payment fraud schemes, including unauthorized use of credit cards, debit
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cards or bank account information, identity theft or merchant fraud. If the IT systems, networks or service providers relied upon fail to function properly, or if the Company suffers a loss or disclosure of customers’ and consumers’ data, business or stakeholder information, due to any number of causes, ranging from catastrophic events to power outages to security breaches, or the inability to effectively address these failures on a timely basis, the Company may suffer interruptions in its ability to manage operations, a risk of government enforcement action, litigation and possible liability, and reputational, competitive and/or business harm, which may adversely impact the Company’s results of operations and/or financial condition. In addition, if the Company’s service providers, suppliers or customers experience a breach or unauthorized disclosure or system failure, their businesses could be disrupted or otherwise negatively affected, which may result in a disruption in the Company’s supply chain or reduced customer orders or other business operations, which would adversely affect the Company.
The Company is subject to laws of various countries where it operates or does business related to solicitation, collection, processing, transferring, storing or use of consumer, customer, vendor or employee information or related data, including the GDPR which went into effect in May 2018, the CCPA, which went into effect on January 1, 2020, the LGPD which went into effect in August 2020, the CPRA which became operative in January 2023 and various U.S. state level privacy regulations. The changes introduced by the GDPR, CCPA, LGPD, CPRA and U.S. state laws increase the complexity of regulations enacted to protect business and personal data, subject the Company to additional costs and have required, and may in the future require, costly changes to the Company’s security systems, policies, procedures and practices.
The Company’s operating results can be adversely affected by inflation, changes in the cost or availability of raw materials, labor, energy, transportation and other necessary supplies and services, as well as the impact of tariffs.
Competition for labor is becoming more acute and we have experienced increased labor costs as a result. There is no assurance that we will be able to fully offset any cost increases through cost reduction programs or price increases of our products, especially given the competitive environment. If we generally are not able to sufficiently increase our pricing to offset these increased costs or if increased costs and prolonged inflation were to occur, it could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and profitability. Sustained price increases may lead to declines in volume as competitors may not adjust their prices or customers may decide not to pay the higher prices, which could lead to sales declines and loss of market share. While we seek to project tradeoffs between price increases and volume, our projections may not accurately predict the volume impact of price increases. In addition, volatility in certain commodity markets could significantly affect our production cost.
In addition, the Company’s success is dependent, in part, on its continued ability to reduce its exposure to or mitigate the impact of increases in the cost of raw materials, finished goods, energy, transportation and other necessary supplies and services through a variety of programs, including periodic purchases, future delivery purchases, long-term contracts, sales price adjustments and certain derivative instruments, while maintaining and improving margins and market share. Also, the Company relies on third-party manufacturers as a source for its products. These manufacturers are also subject to price volatility and labor cost and other inflationary pressures, which may, in turn, result in an increase in the amount the Company pays for sourced products. During periods of rising prices of raw materials, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to pass any portion of such increases on to customers. Conversely, when raw material prices decline, customer demands for lower prices could result in lower sale prices and, to the extent the Company has existing inventory, lower margins. As a result, fluctuations in raw material prices could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
Some of the products the Company manufactures require particular types of glass, metal, paper, plastic, resin, wax, wood or other materials. Supply shortages for a particular type of material can delay production or cause increases in the cost of manufacturing the Company’s products. Pricing and availability of finished goods, raw materials, energy, transportation and other necessary supplies and services for use in the Company’s businesses can be volatile due to numerous factors beyond its control, including general, domestic and international economic conditions, natural disasters, labor costs, production levels, competition, consumer demand, import duties and tariffs, currency exchange rates, international treaties, and changes in laws, regulations, and related interpretations.
Specifically, evolving trade policies could continue to make sourcing products from foreign countries difficult and costly, as the Company sources a significant amount of its products from outside of the United States. Given the Company's reliance upon non-domestic suppliers, any significant changes to the United States trade policies (and those of other countries in response) may cause a material adverse effect on its ability to source products from other countries or significantly increase the costs of obtaining such products, which could result in a material adverse effect on our financial results. Any additional tariffs on Chinese-origin goods, or on other certain products imported into the United States or, European Union carbon import taxes could increase the cost of some our products and reduce our margins.
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Unfavorable shifts in industry-wide demand for the Company’s products could result in inventory valuation risk.
The Company evaluates its ending inventories for excess quantities, impairment of value, and obsolescence. This evaluation includes analysis of sales levels by product and projections of future demand based upon input received from our customers, sales team, and management. If inventories on hand are in excess of demand or slow moving, appropriate write-downs may be recorded. In addition, the Company writes off inventories that are considered obsolete based upon changes in customer demand, product design changes that result in existing inventory obsolescence, or new product introductions, which eliminate demand for existing products. Remaining inventory balances are adjusted to approximate net realizable market value.
If future demand or market conditions are less favorable than the Company’s estimates, including the volatility of customer demand patterns and the impact of retailer inventory rebalancing in response to softening global demand, write-downs may be required. The Company cannot be certain that obsolete or excess inventories, which may result from unanticipated changes in the estimated total demand for its products, will not affect it beyond the inventory charges that have already been recorded.
The Company may not be able to attract, retain and develop key talent.
The Company’s ability to successfully execute its turnaround plan and its future performance depends in significant part upon the continued service of its executive officers and other key leaders. The loss of the services of one or more executive officers or other key employees could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. The Company’s success also depends, in part, on its continuing ability to attract, retain and develop highly qualified talent. In 2022 and 2023, the Company hired a new Chief Financial Officer and President, Brand Management and Innovation, respectively. Competition for such talent is intense.
Global competition for such personnel is intense and has increased in the recent past amidst emerging labor trends, including but not limited to increased remote work options. There can be no assurance that the Company can retain its key employees or attract, retain or otherwise develop internally other highly qualified personnel in the future.
Damage to the Company’s reputation or loss of consumer confidence could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business.
Maintaining the Company’s strong reputation with consumers, customers and suppliers worldwide is critical to the Company’s continued success. Adverse publicity about the Company, its brands, corporate practices, or any other issue that may be associated with the Company, whether or not deserved, could jeopardize that reputation. Such adverse publicity could come from traditional sources such as government investigations or public or private litigation, but may also arise from negative comments on social media regarding the Company or its brands.
Additionally, due to the scale and scope of our business, we must rely on relationships with third parties, including our suppliers, distributors, contractors, and other external business partners for certain functions. While we have policies and procedures for managing these relationships, they inherently involve less control over business operations, governance, and compliance, thereby potentially increasing our reputational and legal risk. If third parties fail to comply with our policies and procedures or similar compliance requirements set forth by our customers, the Company could potentially suffer significant losses of business and revenue from certain customers.
Further, third parties sell counterfeit versions of some of our products, which are often inferior or may pose safety risks. As a result, consumers of our brands could confuse our products with these counterfeit products, which could cause them to refrain from purchasing our brands in the future and in turn could impair our brand equity.
Finally, there has been an increased focus from certain investors, customers, consumers, employees, and other stakeholders concerning corporate citizenship and sustainability matters. From time to time, the Company announces certain initiatives regarding its focus areas, which may include environmental matters, diversity, inclusion and belonging, sustainability, packaging, responsible sourcing and social investments. In 2022, the Company published its Corporate Citizenship Report which included updates on many of these focus areas and goals for certain areas. The Company could fail, or be perceived to fail, in its achievement of such initiatives and goals or it could fail in accurately reporting its progress on such initiatives and goals. In addition, the Company could be criticized for the scope of such initiatives or perceived as not acting responsibly in connection with these matters. The Company’s reputation and business could be negatively impacted by such developments or litigation may be filed against the Company resulting in significant expenses or investments to repair such impacts.
Damage to the Company’s reputation or a loss of consumer confidence in the Company’s brands could adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition as well as require resources to repair the harm.
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A deterioration in labor relations could adversely impact the Company’s global business.
At December 31, 2022, the Company had approximately 28,000 employees worldwide, a portion of which are covered by collective bargaining agreements or are located in countries that have collective arrangements decreed by statute. The Company periodically negotiates with certain unions and labor representatives and may be subject to work stoppages or may be unable to renew such collective bargaining agreements on the same or similar terms, or at all.
Risks related to the strength of global retail, commercial and industrial sectors and changes in foreign, cultural, political and financial market conditions could impair the Company’s international operations and financial performance.
The Company’s business depends on the strength of the retail, commercial and industrial sectors of the economy in various parts of the world, primarily in North America, and to a lesser extent Europe, Latin America and the Asia Pacific region. These sectors of the economy are affected primarily by factors such as consumer demand and the condition of the retail industry, which, in turn, can be affected by specific events or general economic conditions, including worldwide or country-specific economic instability.
Continuing challenging global economic conditions, particularly outside of the U.S., and potential volatility in domestic and/or foreign equity markets, may result in considerable pressure on consumer demand, which may have an adverse effect on demand for the Company’s products, as well as its financial condition and results of operations. The Company could also be negatively impacted by economic crises in specific countries or regions. Such events could negatively impact the Company’s overall liquidity and/or create significant credit risks relative to its local customers and depository institutions. Consumer demand and the condition of these sectors of the economy may also be impacted by other external factors such as war, terrorism, geopolitical uncertainties, public health issues, natural disasters and other business interruptions. The impact of these external factors is difficult to predict, and one or more of these factors could adversely impact the Company’s business.
Further, some of the Company’s operations are conducted or products are sold in countries where economic growth has slowed, or where economies have suffered economic, social and/or political instability or hyperinflation; or where the ability to repatriate funds has been significantly delayed or impaired. Current government economic and fiscal policies in these economies, including stimulus measures and currency exchange rates and controls, may not be sustainable and, as a result, the Company’s sales or profits related to those countries may decline. The economies of other foreign countries important to the Company’s operations could also suffer slower economic growth or economic, social and/or political instability or hyperinflation in the future. The Company’s international operations (and particularly its business in emerging markets), including manufacturing and sourcing operations (and the international operations of the Company’s customers), are subject to inherent risks which could adversely affect the Company, including, among other things:
•protectionist policies restricting or impairing the manufacturing, sales or import and export of the Company’s products, including tariffs and countermeasures;
•new restrictions on access to markets;
•lack of developed infrastructure;
•inflation (including hyperinflation) or recession;
•devaluations or fluctuations in the value of currencies;
•changes in and the burdens and costs of compliance with a variety of laws and regulations, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, tax laws, accounting standards, trade protection measures and import and export licensing requirements, environmental laws and occupational health and safety laws;
•social, political or economic instability;
•acts of war and terrorism;
•natural disasters or other crises;
•reduced protection of intellectual property rights;
•restrictions on transfer of funds and/or exchange of currencies;
•expropriation of assets or forced relocations of operations; and
•other adverse changes in policies, including monetary, tax and/or lending policies, encouraging foreign investment or foreign trade by host countries.
In addition, our global operations expose us to risks associated with public health crises, such as pandemics and epidemics, which could harm our business and cause our operational results to suffer.
Further, the United Kingdom exited the European Union in 2020 and entered into a trade and cooperation agreement with the European Union in 2021. The trade agreement offers United Kingdom and European Union businesses preferential access to each other’s markets, ensuring imported goods will be free of tariffs and quotas. However, economic relations between the United Kingdom and the European Union are now on more restricted terms than before and there remains uncertainty around the post-Brexit regulatory environment. Brexit may also lead to legal uncertainty and potentially divergent national laws and regulations as
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the United Kingdom determines which E.U. laws to replace or replicate, and those laws and regulations may be cumbersome, difficult or costly in terms of compliance. Any of these effects of Brexit, among others, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows.
Additionally, if a potential devaluation of the local currencies of our international customers relative to the U.S. dollar occurs, it may impair the purchasing power of our international customers and could cause international customers to decrease their volume of orders or cancel orders completely. Should any of these risks occur, the Company’s ability to manufacture, source, sell or export its products or repatriate profits could be impaired. In addition, the Company could experience a loss of sales and profitability from its international operations and/or the Company could experience a substantial impairment or loss of assets.
Financial Risks
The Company has substantial indebtedness, which could materially and adversely affect the Company and its financial position, including decreasing its business flexibility, impacting its ratings and increasing its borrowing costs.
At December 31, 2022, the Company had $5.4 billion in outstanding debt, reflecting an increase of approximately $490 million versus December 31, 2021. The Company’s substantial indebtedness has, and could continue to have, important consequences for the Company, including:
•requiring the Company to dedicate a substantial portion of its cash flow from operations to payments on its indebtedness, which reduces the availability of its cash flow to fund working capital requirements, capital expenditures, future acquisitions, dividends, repurchases of the Company’s common stock and other general corporate purposes;
•limiting the Company’s flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, adverse business and economic conditions or changes in the Company’s business and the industries in which it operates;
•placing the Company at a competitive disadvantage compared to its competitors that have less debt; limiting its ability to borrow additional funds; and
•requiring the Company to comply with financial and non-financial covenants in its debt documents that, if breached, subject the Company to cross-default and acceleration provisions.
In addition, if the Company is unable to timely reduce its level of indebtedness, the Company will be subject to increased demands on its cash resources, which could increase its total debt-to-capitalization ratios, decrease its interest coverage ratios, lower its credit ratings, result in a breach of covenants or otherwise adversely affect the business and financial results of the Company going forward.
An increase in interest rates could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.
While the majority of the Company’s debt is fixed, fluctuations in interest rates can increase borrowing costs on the portion that is variable, and interest rate increases on this portion of the Company’s debt could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. Indeed, increases in interest rates would increase the cost of servicing our debt and could reduce our profitability and cash flows. In response to the last global economic recession, extraordinary monetary policy actions of the U.S. Federal Reserve and other central banking institutions, including the utilization of quantitative easing, were taken to create and maintain a low interest rate environment. However, the U.S. Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate nine times from December 2015 through the end of 2018, including four times in 2018, each time by a quarter of a percentage point, before reducing interest rates in 2019 three times. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Federal Reserve reduced its benchmark interest rate to 0% in March 2020 before voting in November 2020 to keep short-term interest rates anchored in a range between 0% and 0.25%. After holding rates constant in 2021 to support its policy of pandemic relief, the U.S. Federal Reserve, in response to significant inflation, began its policy of increasing the target federal funds rate from effectively zero. During 2022, the U.S. Federal Reserve raised the targeted federal funds rate seven times for a total of 425 basis points resulting in a target range of 4.25% to 4.5%. The policy statements, decisions and actions of the U.S. Federal Reserve are uncertain and subject to change depending on economic conditions. Any change in the fiscal policies or stated target interest rates of the U.S. Federal Reserve or other central banking institutions, or market expectations of such change, are difficult to predict and may result in significantly higher long-term interest rates. Such a transition may be abrupt and may, among other things, reduce the availability and/or increase the costs of obtaining new debt and refinancing existing indebtedness.
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Reductions in the Company’s credit ratings could materially and adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company’s credit ratings impact the cost and availability of future borrowings and, accordingly, the Company’s cost of capital. The Company’s credit ratings reflect each rating organization’s opinion of its financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet its debt obligations. The credit ratings assigned to the Company also impact the interest rates paid on short- and long-term financing.
On November 1, 2019, S&P Global Inc. (“S&P”) downgraded the Company’s debt rating to “BB+” as S&P believed the Company would fail to meet S&P’s target debt level for 2019. In addition, on March 9, 2020, Moody’s Corporation (“Moody’s”) downgraded the Company’s debt rating to “Ba1” based on a view that the Company would fail to meet Moody's target debt level for 2020. As a result of the S&P and Moody's downgrades, certain of the Company’s outstanding senior notes were subject to an interest rate adjustment of 25 basis points for each downgrade, totaling 50 basis points. In addition, the Company’s ability to borrow from the commercial paper market on terms it deemed acceptable or favorable was eliminated and its cost of borrowing increased.
On February 11, 2022, S&P Global Inc. (“S&P”) upgraded the Company’s debt rating to “BBB-” from “BB+” as S&P believed the Company has been able to achieve S&P’s target debt level. As a result of this upgrade, the Company has been in a position to access the commercial paper market, and the interest rates on certain of its outstanding senior notes were reduced by 25 basis points on an annualized basis. However, any future downgrade by S&P below “BBB-” or further downgrade by Moody’s would further increase the Company’s borrowing costs and continue to adversely affect the Company’s financial results. In addition, in the event of a future reduction in credit rating, the Company would likely be required to pay a higher interest rate in future financings, and its potential pool of investors and funding sources could decrease. If the Company’s short-term ratings were to be further lowered, it would limit, or eliminate entirely, the Company’s access to the commercial paper market. See Liquidity and Capital Resources in Item 7.
On February 14, 2023, Fitch Ratings downgraded the Company’s debt rating to “BB”. This downgrade does not impact the interest rates on any of the Company's senior notes.
The ratings from credit agencies are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold the Company’s securities, and each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.
Failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could result in material misstatements in our financial statements, and our failure to meet our reporting and financial obligations, which in turn could have a negative impact on our financial condition.
The Company is required by the SEC to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting that provides reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of its financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements because of its inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of controls, or fraud. Effective internal controls can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements.
The Company has experienced, and in the future may experience again, material weaknesses along with potential problems implementing and maintaining adequate internal controls. Failure to maintain effective internal controls, including any failure to implement required new or improved controls, could result in our inability to conclude that the Company has effective internal control over financial reporting. If the Company cannot meet its financial reporting obligations in a timely and reliable manner, or prevent fraud, the public perception of the Company and its securities may be harmed, and it may be unable to raise capital on favorable terms in the future or otherwise, which could have a negative impact on the Company's financial condition.
Continued declines in the future expected cash flows for the Company’s businesses or changes to underlying assumptions used to calculate fair value could result in additional impairment charges which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial results of operations.
The Company is required under U.S. GAAP to review its long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable, and are also required to conduct impairment tests on goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets annually or more frequently, if circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable or that an other-than-temporary impairment exists.
During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges related to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles of $474 million, $60 million and $1.5 billion, respectively. Future events or factors may occur that would adversely affect the fair value of the Company’s assets and require impairment charges. Such events or factors may
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include, but are not limited to, divestitures of certain businesses or product lines, strategic decisions made in response to changes in economic and competitive conditions, the impact of the economic environment on the Company’s sales and customer base, a material adverse change in the Company’s relationship with significant customers or business partners, or a sustained decline in the Company’s stock price. In the event any such impairment indicators become known or are present, the Company may be required to perform impairment tests based on changes in the economic environment and other factors, and these tests could result in impairment charges in the future. Given the Company’s recent history of impairment charges, there is minimal difference between the estimated fair values and the carrying values of some of its intangible assets, increasing the possibility of future impairment charges. See Critical Accounting Estimates in Item 7 and Footnotes 1 and 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company is exposed to both foreign currency translation and transaction risks that may materially adversely affect the Company’s operating results, financial condition and liquidity.
The reporting currency for the Company’s financial statements is the U.S. dollar and it has substantial assets, liabilities, revenues and costs denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars. The preparation of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements requires translation of those assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses into U.S. dollars at then-applicable exchange rates. Consequently, increases and decreases in the value of the U.S. dollar versus other currencies will affect the amount of these items in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements, even if their value has not changed in their original currency. These translations could result in significant changes to the Company’s results of operations from period to period. Although the Company may employ, at times, a variety of techniques to mitigate the impact of exchange rate fluctuations, including foreign currency hedging activities, it cannot guarantee that such risk management strategies will be effective, and its financial condition or results of operations could be adversely impacted.
In addition, foreign currency transaction risk arises when the Company and its subsidiaries enter into transactions where the settlement occurs in a currency other than its functional currency. Exchange differences (gains and losses) arising on the settlement of monetary items or on translation of monetary items at rates different from those at which they were translated on initial recognition during the period or in previous financial statements are recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in the period in which they arise. Although the Company may employ, at times, a variety of techniques to mitigate the impact of foreign currency transaction risk, including the hedging of forecasted cash inflows and outflows, it cannot guarantee that such risk management strategies will be effective, and its financial condition or results of operations could be adversely impacted.
See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and Footnote 10 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Circumstances associated with divestitures and product line exits could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
The Company may decide to sell or discontinue certain businesses or product lines in the future based on an evaluation of performance and strategic fit. On March 31, 2022, the Company sold its CH&S business unit to Resideo Technologies, Inc., for a purchase price of $593 million, subject to customary working capital and transaction adjustments.
Divestitures or discontinuations of businesses or products may result in asset impairments, including those related to goodwill and other intangible assets, and losses upon disposition, both of which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the Company may encounter difficulty in finding buyers or executing alternative exit strategies at acceptable prices and terms and in a timely manner, and prospective buyers may have difficulty obtaining financing. Past and future divestitures and business discontinuations also involve additional risks, including the following:
•difficulties in the separation of operations, services, products and personnel;
•the retention of certain current or future liabilities in order to induce a buyer to complete a divestiture;
•the disruption of the Company’s business;
•the potential loss of key employees; and
•disputes or litigation with the buyers.
The Company may not be successful in managing these or any other significant risks that it may encounter in divesting or discontinuing a business or exiting product lines, which could have a material adverse effect on its business.
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Legal, Tax and Regulatory Risks
Governmental investigations or actions by other third parties could have a material adverse effect on management and the Company’s business operations.
The Company is subject to various federal, state and foreign laws and regulations. As further described in Footnote 18 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company is also subject to third party litigation. The potential outcomes of third-party litigation, if insured, could exceed policy limits, resulting in significant costs and expenses. The Company could be responsible for any settlement or judgment over the amount of available insurance coverage or for the entire settlement or judgment, if not insured. In the ordinary course of business, the Company is also subject to formal and informal regulatory and governmental examinations, subpoenas, requests for documents, testimony or information, inquiries, investigations, threatened legal actions and proceedings. The Company previously disclosed that it had received a subpoena and related informal document requests from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) primarily relating to its sales practices and certain accounting matters for the time period beginning from January 1, 2016. The Company cooperated with the SEC in connection with its investigation and requests for documents, testimony and information. In late January 2023, the Company began discussing with the SEC the possibility of reaching a settlement to resolve the investigation, which now focuses on the time period between the third quarter of 2016 through the second quarter of 2017. Further, on June 30, 2021, the Company received a subpoena from the SEC requesting the production of documents relating to disclosures on the potential impact of U.S. Treasury regulations, as further described below. Responding to governmental investigations, voluntary document requests, subpoenas or actions by regulatory bodies may be time-consuming, expensive and disruptive to the Company’s operations and could divert the attention of management and key personnel from the Company’s business operations.
See Footnote 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
The Company’s businesses and operations are subject to regulation in the U.S. and abroad.
Changes in laws, regulations and related interpretations may alter the environment in which the Company does business. This includes changes in environmental, data privacy, competitive and product-related laws, as well as changes in accounting standards, taxation and other regulations. Accordingly, the Company’s ability to manage regulatory, tax and legal matters (including environmental, human resource, product liability, patent and other intellectual property matters), and to resolve pending legal and environmental matters without significant liability could require the Company to record significant reserves in excess of amounts accrued to date or pay significant fines during a reporting period, which could materially impact the Company’s results. In addition, new regulations may be enacted in the U.S. or abroad that may require the Company to incur additional personnel-related, environmental or other costs on an ongoing basis, significantly restrict the Company’s ability to sell certain products, or incur fines or penalties for noncompliance, any of which could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations.
As a U.S.-based multinational company, the Company is also subject to tax regulations in the U.S. and multiple foreign jurisdictions, some of which are interdependent. For example, certain income that is earned and taxed in countries outside the U.S. may not be taxed in the U.S. until those earnings are actually repatriated or deemed repatriated. If these or other tax regulations should change, the Company’s financial results could be impacted.
On June 18, 2019, the U.S. Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) released temporary regulations under IRC Section 245A (“Section 245A”) as enacted by the 2017 U.S. Tax Reform Legislation (“2017 Tax Reform”) and IRC Section 954(c)(6) (the “Temporary Regulations”) to apply retroactively to the date the 2017 Tax Reform was enacted. On August 21, 2020, the U.S. Treasury and IRS released finalized versions of the Temporary Regulations (collectively with the Temporary Regulations, the “Regulations”). The Regulations seek to limit the 100% dividends received deduction permitted by Section 245A for certain dividends received from controlled foreign corporations and to limit the applicability of the look-through exception to foreign personal holding company income for certain dividends received from controlled foreign corporations. Before the retroactive application of the Regulations, the Company benefited in 2018 from both the 100% dividends received deduction and the look-through exception to foreign personal holding company income. The Company analyzed the Regulations and concluded the relevant Regulations were not validly issued. Therefore, the Company has not accounted for the effects of the Regulations in its Consolidated Financial Statements for the period ending December 31, 2022. The Company believes it has strong arguments in favor of its position and believes it has met the more likely than not recognition threshold that its position will be sustained. However, due to the inherent uncertainty involved in challenging the validity of regulations as well as a potential litigation process, there can be no assurances that the relevant Regulations will be invalidated or that a court of law will rule in favor of the Company. If the Company’s position on the Regulations is not sustained, the Company would be required to recognize an income tax expense of approximately $180 million to $220 million related to an income tax benefit from fiscal year 2018 that was recorded based on regulations in existence at the time. In addition, the Company may be required to pay any applicable interest and penalties. The Company believes it has strong arguments in favor of its position and believes it has met the more likely than not recognition threshold that its position will be sustained. However, due to the inherent uncertainty involved in challenging the validity of
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regulations as well as a potential litigation process, there can be no assurances that the relevant Regulations will be invalidated or that a court of law will rule in favor of the Company. See Footnote 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
The resolution of the Company’s tax contingencies may result in additional tax liabilities, which could adversely impact the Company’s cash flows and results of operations.
The Company is subject to income tax in the U.S. and numerous jurisdictions internationally. Significant estimation and judgment are required in determining the Company’s worldwide provision for income taxes. In the ordinary course of the Company’s business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. The Company is regularly under audit by various worldwide tax authorities. Although the Company believes its tax estimates are reasonable, the final outcome of tax audits and related litigation could be materially different than that reflected in its historical income tax provisions and accruals. There can be no assurance that the resolution of any audits or litigation will not have an adverse effect on future operating results.
The Company may incur significant costs in order to comply with environmental remediation obligations.
In addition to operational standards, environmental laws also impose obligations on various entities to investigate and/or clean up contaminated properties or to pay for the cost of such activities, often upon parties that did not actually cause the contamination. Accordingly, the Company may be liable, either contractually or by operation of law, for investigation and/or remediation costs even if the contaminated property is not presently owned or operated by the Company, is a landfill or other location where it has disposed of wastes, or if the contamination was caused by third parties during or prior to the Company’s ownership or operation of the property. Given the nature of the past industrial operations conducted by the Company and others at these properties, there can be no assurance that all potential instances of soil or groundwater contamination have been identified, even for those properties where an environmental site assessment has been conducted. The Company does not believe that any of the Company’s existing obligations, including at third-party sites where it has been named a potentially responsible party, will have a material adverse effect upon its business, results of operations or financial condition. However, future events, such as changes in existing laws or policies or their enforcement, or the discovery of currently unknown contamination, may give rise to additional remediation liabilities that may be material. Environmental Matters are described further in Footnote 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of these and other environmental-related matters.
The Company’s business involves the potential for product recalls, product liability and other claims against it, which could affect its earnings and financial condition.
As a manufacturer and distributor of consumer products, the Company is subject to the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Act of 1972, as amended by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which empowers the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission to exclude from the market products that are found to be unsafe or hazardous, and similar laws under foreign jurisdictions. Under certain circumstances, the Consumer Products Safety Commission or a comparable foreign agency could require the Company to repurchase or recall one or more of its products. Additionally, other laws and agencies, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, regulate certain consumer products sold by the Company in the United States and abroad, and more restrictive laws and regulations may be adopted in the future. From time to time, the Company has announced voluntary recalls of its products where it has identified potential product safety concerns. Any repurchase or recall of the Company’s products could be costly and damaging to the Company’s reputation. When the Company is required to remove, or voluntarily removes, its products from the market, the Company’s reputation could be tarnished and the Company might have large quantities of finished products that it could not sell. The Company also faces exposure to product liability claims if one of its products is alleged to have resulted in property damage, bodily injury or other adverse effects.
In addition to the risk of substantial monetary judgments or fines or penalties that may result from any governmental investigations, product liability claims or regulatory actions could result in negative publicity that could harm the Company’s reputation in the marketplace, adversely impact the value of its end-user brands, or result in an increase in the cost of producing the Company’s products. Similar to product liability claims, the Company faces exposure to class action lawsuits related to the performance, safety or advertising of its products. Such class action suits could result in substantial monetary judgments and, injunctions related to the sale of products and could potentially tarnish the Company’s reputation.
Although the Company maintains product liability insurance in amounts that it believes are reasonable, that insurance is, in most cases, subject to significant self-insured retentions for which the Company is responsible, and the Company cannot assure you that it will be able to maintain such insurance on acceptable terms, if at all, in the future or that product liability claims will not exceed the amount of insurance coverage. The Company does not maintain insurance against many types of claims involving alleged product defects other than personal injury or property damage. Additionally, the Company does not maintain product recall insurance and may not have insurance coverage for claims asserted in consumer class action lawsuits that seek monetary compensation unrelated to personal injury and/or property damage, such as claims related to the marketing or warranty of the product. As a result, product
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recalls, product liability claims and other product-related claims could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. The Company spends substantial resources ensuring compliance with governmental and other applicable standards. However, compliance with these standards does not necessarily prevent individual or class action lawsuits, which can entail significant cost and risk. As a result, these types of claims could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
The Company’s product liability insurance program is an occurrence-based program based on its current and historical claims experience and the availability and cost of insurance. The Company currently either self-insures or administers a high retention insurance program for most product liability risks. Historically, product liability awards have rarely exceeded the Company’s individual per occurrence self-insured retention. The Company cannot give assurance, however, that its future product liability experience will be consistent with its past experience or that claims and awards subject to self-insured retention will not be material. See Footnote 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of these and other regulatory and litigation-related matters.
If the Company fails to adequately protect its intellectual property rights, competitors may manufacture and market the same or similar products, which could adversely affect the Company’s market share and results of operations.
The Company’s success with its proprietary products depends, in part, on its ability to protect its current and future technologies and products and to defend its intellectual property rights, including its patent, trade secret and trademark rights. If the Company fails to adequately protect its intellectual property rights, competitors may manufacture and market the same or similar products.
The Company holds numerous design and utility patents covering a wide variety of products. The Company cannot be sure that it will receive patents for any of its innovations or that any existing or future patents that it receives or licenses will provide competitive advantages for its products. The Company also cannot be sure that competitors will not challenge and potentially invalidate any existing or future patents that the Company receives or licenses. In addition, patent rights may not prevent competitors from developing, using or selling products that are similar or functionally equivalent to the Company’s products.
If the Company is found to have infringed the intellectual property rights of others or cannot obtain necessary intellectual property rights from others, its competitiveness could be negatively impaired.
If the Company is found to have violated the trademark, trade secret, copyright, patent or other intellectual property rights of others, directly or indirectly, such a finding could result in the need to cease use of such intellectual property in the Company’s business, as well as the obligation to pay for past infringement. If rights holders are willing to permit the Company to continue to use such intellectual property rights, they could require a payment of a substantial amount for such continued use. Either ceasing use or paying such amounts could cause the Company to become less competitive and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Even if the Company is not found to infringe a third party’s intellectual property rights, claims of infringement could adversely affect the Company’s business. The Company could incur significant legal costs and related expenses to defend against such claims, and the Company could incur significant costs associated with discontinuing to use, provide, or manufacture certain products, or services even if it is ultimately found not to have infringed such rights.
Climate change and increased focus by governmental and non-governmental organizations and customers on sustainability issues, including those related to climate change, may adversely affect our business and financial results.
Certain scientists have concluded that increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the Earth’s atmosphere may produce climate changes that could have significant physical effects, such as increased frequency and severity of storms, droughts, floods, wildfires and other climatic events. Increased frequency of extreme weather could cause increased incidence of disruption to the production and distribution of our products at these locations. Increasing natural disasters in connection with climate change could also be a direct threat to our third-party vendors, service providers or other stakeholders, including disruptions of supply chains or information technology or other necessary services for our Company.
Federal, state, and local governments, as well as some of our customers, are beginning to respond to climate change issues. This increased focus on sustainability is resulting in new legislations, regulations and customer requirements that could negatively affect us, as we may incur additional costs or be required to make changes to our operations in order to comply with any new regulations or customer requirements. Legislation or regulations that potentially impose restrictions, caps, taxes, or other controls on emissions of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, a by-product of burning fossil fuels such as those used in the Company’s supply chain, could adversely affect our operations and financial results.
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More specifically, legislative, or regulatory actions related to climate change could adversely impact the Company by increasing our energy costs and reducing fuel efficiency and could result in the creation of substantial additional capital expenditures and operating costs in the form of taxes, emissions allowances, or required equipment upgrades. Any of these factors could impair our operating efficiency and productivity and result in higher operating costs. In addition, revenues could decrease if we are unable to meet regulatory or customer sustainability requirements. These additional costs, changes in operations, or loss of revenues could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company's primary corporate offices are located in an owned office space in Atlanta, Georgia and a leased office space in Norwalk, Connecticut. At December 31, 2022, the Company's global physical presence included approximately 50 manufacturing facilities (15 in the U.S.), approximately 70 regional distribution centers and warehouses (40 in the U.S.), approximately 120 offices for sales, research and development and administrative purposes (35 in the U.S.), as well as approximately 270 retail stores (260 in the U.S.) primarily related to Yankee Candle. Approximately 90% of our global properties are leased (90% in the U.S.), which primarily reflect the Yankee Candle retail stores.
In general, the Company's properties are well-maintained, considered adequate and are utilized for their intended purposes. See Footnote 6 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for amounts invested in land, buildings and machinery and equipment. Also, see Footnote 13 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information about the Company’s leased properties.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Information regarding legal proceedings is included in Footnote 18 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and is incorporated by reference herein.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
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SUPPLEMENTARY ITEM — INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS*:
| Name | Age | Title | ||||||||||||
| Ravichandra K. Saligram | 66 | Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||||||
| Christopher H. Peterson | 56 | President | ||||||||||||
| Mark J. Erceg | 53 | Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||||||
| Bradford R. Turner | 50 | Chief Legal and Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary | ||||||||||||
| Stephen B. Parsons | 58 | Chief Human Resources Officer | ||||||||||||
| Michal J. Geller | 50 | President, e-Commerce and Digital | ||||||||||||
| Michael M. Hayes | 54 | Chief Customer Officer | ||||||||||||
| Melanie Huet | 47 | President, Brand Management and Innovation | ||||||||||||
| Kristine K. Malkoski | 62 | Segment CEO, Learning & Development | ||||||||||||
| Michael P. McDermott | 52 | Segment CEO, Home & Commercial Solutions | ||||||||||||
| James A. Pisani | 56 | Segment CEO, Outdoor & Recreation | ||||||||||||
* On February 10, 2023, the Company announced that Christopher H. Peterson has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, effective after the Company's 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 16, 2023. Ravichandra K. Saligram will retire as the Company's Chief Executive Officer, effective May 16, 2023.
Ravichandra K. Saligram has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and as a member of the Company's Board of Directors since October 2019. He also served as President of the Company between October 2019 and May 5, 2022. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Saligram was Chief Executive Officer and Director of Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated, the world’s largest onsite/online industrial equipment auctioneer, from July 2014 until July 2019. From November 2010 until November 2013, Mr. Saligram was Chief Executive Officer, President, and a member of the Board of Directors of OfficeMax Inc., an omnichannel provider of workplace products, services and solutions where he oversaw the historic 2013 merger of OfficeMax and Office Depot. From 2003 through November 2010, Mr. Saligram served in executive management positions with ARAMARK, a global provider of food services, facilities management and uniforms, including as President of ARAMARK International, Chief Globalization Officer and Executive Vice President of ARAMARK. From 1994 through 2002, Mr. Saligram served in various capacities for the InterContinental Hotels Group, a global hospitality company, including as President of Brands and Franchise for North America; Chief Marketing Officer and Managing Director, Global Strategy; President, International; and President, Asia Pacific. Earlier in his career, Mr. Saligram held various general and brand management roles at S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc., a consumer products company. Mr. Saligram began his career at Leo Burnett, an advertising firm. He has served on the Board of Directors of Church & Dwight Co., Inc. since 2006.
Christopher H. Peterson has been President of the Company since May 5, 2022. He served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company between December 2018 and January 2023. Mr. Peterson recently served as President, Business Operations from February 2020 to May 5, 2022. He also served as Interim Chief Executive Officer from June 28, 2019 until October 2, 2019. From April 2018 to August 2018, Mr. Peterson served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Operations of Revlon, Inc., a global beauty company. Before that, Mr. Peterson served as both Revlon’s Chief Operating Officer, Operations and Chief Financial Officer from June 2017 until March 2018, and leading into that, he held the title of Chief Operating Officer, Operations from April 2017 until June 2017. Prior to his positions at Revlon, Mr. Peterson held several senior management roles at Ralph Lauren Corporation, a designer, marketer, and distributor of premium lifestyle products, including serving as President, Global Brands from April 2015 to May 2016, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer & Chief Financial Officer from November 2013 to March 2015, and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from September 2012 to November 2013. Previously, Mr. Peterson held several financial management positions at The Procter & Gamble Company, a global consumer products company, from 1992 to 2012. Mr. Peterson serves on the Board of Directors of BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc.
Mark J. Erceg has been Chief Financial Officer of the Company since January 9, 2023. Previously, Mr. Erceg served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Cerner Corporation, a health care information technology company, from February 2021 until July 2022. From October 2016 to January 2021, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Tiffany & Company, a manufacturer and retailer of luxury jewelry. Prior to that, Mr. Erceg served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Canadian Pacific Railway between May 2015 and September 2016 and as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Masonite International, a global building products company, from June 2010 to May 2015. Previously, Mr. Erceg held several financial and business management positions at The Procter & Gamble Company ,a global consumer products company, from 1992 to 2010.
Bradford R. Turner has been the Chief Legal and Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary since August 2017 and served as Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary from April 2016 to August 2017. Prior to this role, he served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary from March 2015 to March 2016. Mr. Turner joined the Company in 2004 and has served
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in various legal roles including Vice President and Deputy General Counsel from October 2011 to March 2015, and Group Vice President & General Counsel, Office Products, from June 2007 to October 2011.
Stephen B. Parsons has served as Chief Human Resources Officer of the Company since October 2019. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Parsons served as Global Operating Partner, Z Capital Partners, the private equity fund management arm of Z Capital Group since 2016. Prior to that, he served as Chief Human Resources Officer at Stage Stores, Inc. from 2014 to 2016 and as Global Chief Human Resources Officer at OfficeMax from 2011 to 2014. Earlier in his career, Mr. Parsons held a variety of senior human resources roles at Rite Aid Corporation, Sears Holdings Corporation and Whirlpool Corporation.
Michal J. Geller has served as President, e-Commerce and Digital of the Company since April 2021. Prior to joining the Company, from March 2016 to March 2021, Mr. Geller served as Senior Vice President, Global e-Commerce marketing and Data Science at PepsiCo. Prior to joining PepsiCo, Mr. Geller spent almost ten years in a variety of business, technology and marketing roles including a leadership role on one of Amazon’s Mom-Focused sites, building Amazon’s digital coupon business and leading Amazon’s Gift Card business. Prior to joining Amazon, Mr. Geller was in leadership positions in several technology-based companies, including two that he founded.
Michael M. Hayes has served as Chief Customer Officer of the Company since April 2020. Prior to joining the Company, from January 2011 to April 2020, Mr. Hayes served as the Senior Vice President, Sales & Sales Strategy of Georgia-Pacific LLC. Previously, he led Georgia-Pacific LLC's North American sales organization as Chief Sales Officer. Prior to joining Georgia-Pacific LLC in 2008, Mr. Hayes spent numerous years in sales and marketing leadership roles with the Sara Lee Corporation, Information Resources, Inc., The Dial Corporation and the Small Business Association. Mr. Hayes is a decorated U.S. military veteran, serving six years as a Navy Corpsman with the United States Marine Corps, and on active duty in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Melanie Huet was appointed President, Brand Management and Innovation of the Company in February 2023. Between October 2022 and January 2023, Ms. Huet served as a consultant to the Company. Prior to that, she served as Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer at Serta Simmons Bedding LLC, a global sleep products company, between April 2021 and June 2022, and as its Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer between January 2019 and April 2021. Serta Simmons Bedding LLC filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in January 2023. Between July 2017 and October 2018, Ms. Huet served as Vice President, Beverages & Snack Nuts of Kraft Heinz, a global consumer packaged goods company. Previously, she served in various senior roles at Kimberly Clark, a global consumer packaged goods company, between 2011 and 2017, including Global Brand Director, Baby & Child Care from January 2016 to June 2017 and General Manager/Brand Director, Child Care from February 2014 to December 2015. Prior to that, Ms. Huet served in various sales and marketing leadership roles at Unilever, a global consumer packaged goods company, between 2005 and 2011.
Kristine K. Malkoski was appointed Segment CEO, Learning and Development of the Company in January 2023. She served as Business Unit CEO, Writing of the Company from April 2022 through January 2023 and Business Unit CEO, Food of the Company from February 2020 through January 2023. Prior to joining the Company, from April 2019 to January 2020, Ms. Malkoski was Chief Executive Officer, Americas, for Arc International, a global manufacturer of glassware products for the housewares industry, where she was responsible for housewares sales, marketing, manufacturing and distribution across North and South America. From January 2015 to August 2017, Ms. Malkoski served as President, Global Business and Chief Commercial Officer for World Kitchen, a privately owned international housewares company, where she oversaw operations for its retail stores, and, previously, from June 2012 to January 2015, as President, North America, Chief Innovation Officer, and President North America Household for World Kitchen. Prior thereto, Ms. Malkoski served as Vice President and General Manager of the Craftsman division of Sears Holding Company and in various other management roles at Sears, Ubiquity Brands and Procter & Gamble. From 1997 to 2002, Ms. Malkoski founded and served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Pharmaceutical Corporation of America, the first contract product management company for the prescription drug industry.
Michael P. McDermott was appointed Segment CEO, Home and Commercial Solutions of the Company in January 2023. He served as Business Unit CEO, Commercial of the Company from January 2020 through January 2023. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. McDermott served as President of Omni-Channel Retail at Bass Pro Shops in 2019. Previously, Mr. McDermott served as Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at Lowe's Companies Inc. from 2016 to 2019; Chief Merchandising Officer from 2014 to 2016; and Senior Vice President from 2013-2014. Prior to working with Lowe's Companies Inc., Mr. McDermott held various management roles at General Electric Company.
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James A. Pisani was appointed Segment CEO, Outdoor and Recreation of the Company in January 2023. He served as Business Unit CEO, Outdoor and Recreation of the Company from May 2020 through January 2023. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Pisani served as Global Brand President of Timberland LLC from August 2016 to April 2020 and on the executive leadership team at VF Corporation, a global apparel and footwear company, from August 2018 to April 2020, where he was responsible for the oversight and strategic direction of the Timberland brand worldwide. Prior to his work at Timberland LLC, Mr. Pisani served as President of VF Corporation's Licensed Sports Group from July 2008 to August 2016. Previously, Mr. Pisani served in various capacities at Kraft Foods and at PepsiCo, where he was Vice President of Business Development.
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The Company’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (symbol: NWL). At February 6, 2023 there were 8,753 stockholders of record.
Stock Performance Graph
The following Performance Graph and related information shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into such filing.
The graph below compares total stockholder return on the Company’s common stock from December 31, 2017 through December 31, 2022 with the cumulative total return of (a) the Standard and Poor’s (“S&P”) 500 Index, and (b) the Dow Jones (“DJ”) Consumer Goods Index, assuming a $100 investment made on December 31, 2017. Each of the three measures of cumulative total return assumes reinvestment of dividends, if applicable. The stock performance shown on the graph below is based on historical data and is not indicative of, or intended to forecast, possible future performance of the Company’s common stock.
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ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The following table provides information about the Company’s purchases of equity securities during the three months ended December 31, 2022:
| Calendar Month | Total Number of Shares Purchased (2) | Average Price Paid Per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Maximum Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| October | — | $ | — | — | $ | 50,000,231 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| November | 962 | 13.11 | — | 50,000,231 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| December | 1,877 | 12.97 | — | 50,000,231 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 2,839 | $ | 13.02 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)On February 6, 2022, the Company's Board of Directors authorized a $375 million Share Repurchase Program, effective immediately through the end of 2022. The Company’s common shares may be purchased by the Company in the open market, in negotiated transactions or in other manners as permitted by federal securities laws and other legal requirements. See Footnote 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2)Shares purchased during the three months ended December 31, 2022, were acquired by the Company based on their fair market value on the vesting date in order to satisfy employees’ tax withholding and payment obligations in connection with the vesting of awards of restricted stock units .
ITEM 6.
Not applicable.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section should be read in conjunction with “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the Company's audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The “Business Strategy” and “Recent Developments” sections below are brief presentations of our business and certain significant items addressed in this section or elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This section should be read along with the relevant portions of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a complete discussion of the events and items summarized below.
Overview
Newell Brands is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Rubbermaid, FoodSaver, Calphalon, Sistema, Sharpie, Paper Mate, Dymo, EXPO, Elmer’s, Yankee Candle, Graco, NUK, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Spontex, Coleman, Campingaz, Contigo, Oster, Sunbeam and Mr. Coffee. Newell Brands' beloved brands enhance and brighten consumers lives at home and outside by creating moments of joy, building confidence and providing peace of mind. The Company sells its products in nearly 200 countries around the world and has operations on the ground in over 40 of these countries, excluding third-party distributors.
Business Strategy
The Company continues to execute on its turnaround strategy of building a global, next generation consumer products company that can unleash the full potential of its brands in a fast-moving omni-channel environment. The strategy, developed in 2019, is designed to:
•Drive sustainable top line growth by focusing on innovation, sharpening brand positioning, strengthening the international businesses, enhancing digital marketing and omni-channel capabilities, and building customer relationships;
•Improve operating margins by driving productivity and overhead savings, while reinvesting in the business;
•Accelerate the cash conversion cycle by focusing on cash efficiency and improving key working capital metrics;
•Strengthen the portfolio by investing in attractive categories that are aligned with its capabilities and strategy and optimizing product mix; and
26
•Strengthen organizational capabilities and employee engagement by building a winning team and focusing the best people on the right things.
The Company is implementing this strategy while addressing key challenges such as shifting consumer preferences and behaviors; a highly competitive operating environment; a rapidly changing retail landscape; continued macroeconomic and geopolitical volatility; a softening macro backdrop; significant inflationary and supply chain pressures, and an evolving regulatory landscape.
Continued execution of these strategic imperatives, in combination with new initiatives aimed to build operational excellence, will better position the Company for long-term sustainable growth. One such initiative is Project Ovid, a multi-year, customer centric supply chain initiative to transform the Company's go-to-market capabilities in the U.S., improve customer service levels and drive operational efficiencies. This initiative, which commenced its first phase go-live during the third quarter of 2022 and its second phase go-live in February 2023, is expected to leverage technology to further simplify the organization by harmonizing and automating processes. Project Ovid is designed to optimize the Company’s distribution network by creating a single integrated supply chain from 23 business-unit-centric supply chains. The initiative is intended to reduce administrative complexity, improve inventory and invoicing workflow for our customers and enhance product availability for consumers through omni-channel enablement. This new operating model is also expected to drive efficiencies by better utilizing the Company's transportation and distribution network.
Organizational Structure
The Company’s five primary operating segments are as follows:
| Segment | Key Brands | Description of Primary Products | ||||||||||||
| Commercial Solutions | Mapa, Quickie, Rubbermaid, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, and Spontex | Commercial cleaning and maintenance solutions; closet and garage organization; hygiene systems and material handling solutions | ||||||||||||
| Home Appliances | Calphalon, Crockpot, Mr. Coffee, Oster and Sunbeam | Household products, including kitchen appliances | ||||||||||||
| Home Solutions | Ball (1), Calphalon, Chesapeake Bay Candle, FoodSaver, Rubbermaid, Sistema, WoodWick and Yankee Candle | Food and home storage products; fresh preserving products; vacuum sealing products; gourmet cookware, bakeware and cutlery and home fragrance products | ||||||||||||
| Learning and Development | Aprica, Baby Jogger, Dymo, Elmer’s, EXPO, Graco, Mr. Sketch, NUK, Paper Mate, Parker, Prismacolor, Sharpie, Tigex, Waterman and X-Acto | Baby gear and infant care products; writing instruments, including markers and highlighters, pens and pencils; art products; activity-based adhesive and cutting products and labeling solutions | ||||||||||||
| Outdoor and Recreation | Campingaz, Coleman, Contigo, ExOfficio, and Marmot | Products for outdoor and outdoor-related activities | ||||||||||||
(1) and Ball®, TM of Ball Corporation, used under license.
and Ball®, TM of Ball Corporation, used under license.This structure reflects the manner in which the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) regularly assesses information for decision-making purposes, including the allocation of resources. The Company also provides general corporate services to its segments which is reported as a non-operating segment, Corporate.
Beginning in January 2023, the Company will combine its previously reported Commercial Solutions, Home Appliances and Home Solutions operating segments into one operating segment, Home and Commercial Solutions. This change by the CODM was driven by the implementation of a new operating model which is intended to drive further simplification and unlock additional efficiencies and synergies within the Company. The Learning and Development and Outdoor and Recreation operating segments will remain as the Company’s other two operating segments. The Company will recast prior period comparable results in its first quarter 2023 reporting to conform to this operating segment change. See Footnote 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
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Recent Developments
Current Macroeconomic Conditions
The Company, which has been impacted in recent years by inflationary and supply chain pressures, labor shortages, and logistical challenges across its businesses, and more recently by the indirect macroeconomic impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, is also experiencing additional headwinds due to softening global demand and an increased focus by retailers to rebalance inventory levels in light of continued inflationary pressures on consumers. While all of the Company's segments have been negatively impacted to varying degrees by the softening global demand, the Home Appliances and Home Solutions segments have been the most impacted. These collective macroeconomic trends, the duration and severity of which are highly uncertain, are rapidly changing the retail landscape and have impacted the Company’s operating results, cash flows and financial condition in 2022 and are expected to persist into 2023.
To help mitigate the negative impact of these conditions on the operating performance of its businesses, the Company has secured selective pricing increases, accelerated productivity initiatives, optimized advertising and promotion expenses, deployed overhead cost containment efforts, adjusted demand forecasts and supply plans and taken actions designed to improve working capital. The Company will continue to evaluate other opportunities to improve its financial performance both in the short and long term.
Although management has made its best estimates and assumptions based upon current information, actual results could materially differ given the uncertainty of these factors and may require future changes to such estimates and assumptions, including reserves, which may result in future expense or impairment charges.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict
The global economy has been negatively impacted by the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine. While the Company does not expect the conflict to have a material impact on its results of operations, it has experienced shortages in raw materials and increased costs for transportation, energy, and commodities due in part to the negative impact of the Russia-Ukraine military conflict on the global economy. Further escalation of geopolitical tensions related to the conflict, including increased trade barriers and restrictions on global trade, could result in, among other things, supply disruptions, lower consumer demand, and changes to foreign exchange rates and financial markets, any of which may adversely affect our business and supply chain. Additionally, if the military conflict escalates beyond its current scope, the Company could be negatively impacted by an economic recession in certain neighboring European countries or globally.
See Results of Operations, Critical Accounting Estimates and Footnote 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Project Phoenix
In January 2023, the Company announced a restructuring and savings initiative (“Project Phoenix”) that aims to strengthen the Company by leveraging its scale to further reduce complexity by streamlining its operating model and driving operational efficiencies. Project Phoenix is expected to be substantially completed by the end of 2023. It incorporates a variety of initiatives designed to simplify the organizational structure, streamline the company’s real estate, centralize its supply chain functions, which include manufacturing, distribution, transportation and customer service, transition to a unified One Newell go-to-market model in key international geographies, and otherwise reduce overhead costs.
See Risk Factors in Item 1A. and Footnote 4 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Asset Impairments
During the fourth quarter of 2022, as a result of the Company's annual impairment testing, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge to write-off the remaining $56 million of goodwill for its Home Fragrance reporting unit, in the Home Solutions segment, as the carrying value exceeded its fair value. The Company also recorded an aggregate impairment charge of $270 million to certain tradenames in the Home Fragrance and Food reporting units, in the Home Solutions segment, and the Baby reporting unit, in the Learning and Development segment, as the carrying values for each tradename exceeded their fair values.
See Critical Accounting Estimates and Footnotes 1 and 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
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Debt Redemption
On October 19, 2022, the Company redeemed its 3.85% senior notes due April 2023 at a redemption price equal to 100.002% of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of the redemption. The total consideration was approximately $1.09 billion, and the Company recorded a debt extinguishment loss of $1 million.
See Footnote 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Results of Operations
Consolidated Operating Results 2022 vs. 2021
| Years Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except per share data) | 2022 | 2021 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 9,459 | $ | 10,589 | $ | (1,130) | (10.7)% | ||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 2,834 | 3,363 | (529) | (15.7)% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | 30.0 | % | 31.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 312 | 1,013 | (701) | (69.2)% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating margin | 3.3 | % | 9.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 235 | 256 | (21) | (8.2)% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | 1 | 5 | (4) | (80.0)% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | (81) | (8) | (73) | NM | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 157 | 760 | (603) | (79.3)% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax provision (benefit) | (40) | 138 | (178) | NM | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax rate | (25.5) | % | 18.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 197 | $ | 622 | (425) | (68.3)% | |||||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share - attributable to common shareholders | $ | 0.47 | $ | 1.45 | |||||||||||||||||||
NM — NOT MEANINGFUL
Net sales decreased 11%, as pricing actions by the Company were more than offset by softening global demand, as retailers significantly pulled back on orders in an effort to rebalance inventory, a negative 3% impact to net sales related to the sale of the CH&S business at the end of the first quarter of 2022 and category exits in the Home Appliances and Outdoor and Recreation segments. The net sales performance also reflected the lapping of elevated levels of demand in certain categories during the prior year. Changes in foreign currency unfavorably impacted net sales by $300 million, or 3%.
Gross profit decreased 16% and gross margin declined to 30.0% as compared with 31.8% in the prior year period. The decrease in gross margin reflected higher absorption costs associated with a lower sales volume, higher sales promotional activities to reduce elevated inventory levels, as well as significant input cost inflation for commodities, sourced finished goods, transportation and labor, which had a negative high-single-digit-percentage impact to costs of products sold. The gross margin decline was partially offset by favorable net pricing and gross productivity. The gross profit decline also reflected the unfavorable impact of the sale of the CH&S business. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates unfavorably impacted gross profit by $105 million, or 3%.
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Notable items impacting operating income for 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | $ Change | |||||||||||||||||
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (See Footnote 7) | $ | 474 | $ | 60 | $ | 414 | ||||||||||||||
Restructuring (See Footnote 4) and restructuring-related (a) | 39 | 46 | (7) | |||||||||||||||||
Transactions and other costs (b) | 72 | 37 | 35 | |||||||||||||||||
(a)Restructuring-related costs reported in cost of products sold and selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) for 2022 were $22 million and $2 million, respectively, and primarily relate to facility closures. Restructuring-related costs reported in cost of products sold and SG&A for 2021 were $22 million and $8 million, respectively, and primarily relate to facility closures. Restructuring costs for 2022 and 2021 were $15 million and $16 million, respectively.
(b)Transaction and other costs for 2022 primarily related to completed divestitures, expenses associated with certain legal proceedings, an indirect tax reserve for an international entity and an incremental bad debt reserve for an international customer. Transaction and other costs for 2021 primarily related to completed divestitures and costs associated with certain legal proceedings.
Operating income decreased to $312 million in 2022 as compared to $1.01 billion in 2021. The decline reflects the impact of lower gross profit, partially offset by gross productivity, as well as lower incentive compensation expense, advertising and promotion costs and overhead spending. Operating income was also negatively impacted by higher current year non-cash impairment charges relating to goodwill and indefinite-lived tradenames.
Interest expense, net decreased primarily due to lower long-term debt levels during the first half of 2022 and higher interest income. The weighted average interest rates for 2022 and 2021 were approximately 4.3% and 4.7%, respectively. See Footnote 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
The loss on the extinguishment of debt of $1 million and $5 million for 2022 and 2021, respectively, are related to the Company’s redemption of certain of its senior notes. See Footnote 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Other income, net, for 2022 and 2021 include the following items:
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||
Foreign exchange losses, net (See Footnotes 10 and 19) | $ | 47 | $ | 8 | ||||||||||
Gain on disposition of businesses, net (See Footnote 2) | (136) | (4) | ||||||||||||
| Other (gains) losses, net | 8 | (12) | ||||||||||||
| $ | (81) | $ | (8) | |||||||||||
The income tax benefit for 2022 was $40 million as compared to provision of $138 million in 2021. The effective tax rate for 2022 was (25.5)%, reflecting an increase in discrete tax benefits, as compared to 18.2% for 2021. The year ended December 31, 2022 included discrete benefits of $58 million associated with a change in the Company's indefinite reinvestment assertion regarding certain earnings within its Irish operations, $28 million associated with the reduction in valuation allowance related to the integration of certain Brazilian and Luxembourg operations and $6 million associated with the approval of certain state tax credits, offset by $14 million of income tax expense related to the divestiture of the CH&S business unit. Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 included a discrete benefit of $37 million associated with a reduction in valuation allowance related to the integration of certain Luxembourg operations, $13 million associated with a reduction of in valuation allowance related to the integration of certain U.K. operations and $9 million related to a statute of limitation expiration in France.
See Footnote 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding income taxes, including the inherent uncertainty associated with the Company's position on U.S. Treasury Regulations enacted in 2020.
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Business Segment Operating Results 2022 vs. 2021
Commercial Solutions
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 1,691 | $ | 1,953 | $ | (262) | (13.4)% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 143 | 159 | (16) | (10.1)% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating margin | 8.5 | % | 8.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable items impacting operating income comparability: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment of intangible assets (See Footnote 7) | — | 29 | (29) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial Solutions net sales for 2022 decreased 13%, which primarily reflected the sale of the CH&S business at the end of the first quarter of 2022, which unfavorably impacted net sales by approximately 16%, partially offset by growth in the Commercial business unit primarily driven by pricing actions and improved order fulfillment resulting from the easing of supply chain constraints. Changes in foreign currency unfavorably impacted net sales by $57 million, or 3%.
Operating income for 2022 decreased to $143 million as compared to $159 million in 2021. The decrease in operating results is due to lower gross profit, due to significant input cost inflation, primarily resin, energy and metals, sourced finished goods, transportation and labor, as well as the unfavorable impact of the CH&S sale. The decrease in operating results were partially offset by gross productivity, lower compensation expense and the lapping of the prior-year non-cash impairment charge of an indefinite-lived intangible asset.
Home Appliances
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 1,390 | $ | 1,738 | $ | (348) | (20.0) | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | (47) | 70 | (117) | NM | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating margin | (3.4) | % | 4.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable items impacting operating income (loss) comparability: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment of intangible assets (See Footnote 7) | 15 | — | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indirect tax reserve | 23 | — | 23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bad debt reserve | 8 | — | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
NM — NOT MEANINGFUL
Home Appliances net sales for 2022 decreased 20%, which reflects softening global demand, certain category exits and the lapping of elevated levels of demand during the prior year, partially offset by pricing actions. Changes in foreign currency unfavorably impacted net sales by $26 million, or 2%.
Operating loss for 2022 was $47 million as compared to operating income of $70 million in 2021. The decline in operating results is primarily due to lower gross profit leverage, higher absorption costs associated with lower sales volume, higher sales promotional activities to reduce elevated inventory levels and significant input cost inflation associated with transportation costs and sourced finished goods, partially offset by gross productivity, lower incentive compensation expense and lower advertising and promotion expense. The operating results were also negatively impacted by the non-cash impairment charge related to an indefinite-lived asset, indirect tax reserve related to an international entity and incremental bad debt reserve for an international customer.
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Home Solutions
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2,113 | $ | 2,386 | $ | (273) | (11.4)% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | (308) | 337 | (645) | NM | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating margin | (14.6) | % | 14.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable items impacting operating income (loss) comparability: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets (See Footnote 7) | 429 | — | 429 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Home Solutions net sales for 2022 decreased 11%, reflecting decreases in both the Food and Home Fragrance business units. The Food business unit decline reflects softening global demand and lost distribution in one product line at a key customer, partially offset by pricing actions. The decline in Home Fragrance business unit sales reflects softening global demand, as well as the exit of approximately 43 Yankee Candle retail stores during the year, partially offset by pricing actions. The net sales performance for the segment also reflected the lapping of elevated demand during the prior year. Changes in foreign currency unfavorably impacted net sales by $50 million, or 2%.
Operating loss for 2022 was $308 million as compared to operating income of $337 million in 2021. The decrease in operating results is primarily due to the non-cash impairment charges in both the Food and Home Fragrance reporting units, lower gross profit leverage, higher absorption costs associated with lower sales volume, higher sales promotional activities to reduce elevated inventory levels and significant input cost inflation for commodities, primarily metals and wax, transportation, labor and sourced finished goods. This decrease was partially offset by gross productivity and lower incentive compensation expense.
Learning and Development
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2,950 | $ | 3,028 | $ | (78) | (2.6)% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 593 | 600 | (7) | (1.2)% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating margin | 20.1 | % | 19.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable items impacting operating income comparability: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment of intangible assets (See Footnote 7) | 30 | 31 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Learning and Development net sales for 2022 decreased 3%, reflecting decreases in both the Writing and Baby business units. The Writing business unit performance reflects logistical constraints and supply chain shortages, particularly in labelling, and softening demand in certain categories in the U.S., partially offset by pricing actions. The Baby business unit performance reflects softening demand in certain categories in the U.S., as the business lapped elevated levels of demand during the prior year, partially offset by pricing actions. Changes in foreign currency unfavorably impacted net sales by $96 million, or 3%.
Operating income for 2022 decreased to $593 million as compared to $600 million in the prior year period. The decrease in operating income is primarily due to significant input cost inflation for sourced finished goods, transportation and labor, partially offset by gross productivity and lower compensation costs. The improvement in operating margin primarily reflects net pricing performance.
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Outdoor and Recreation
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2022 | 2021 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 1,315 | $ | 1,484 | $ | (169) | (11.4)% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 86 | 90 | (4) | (4.4)% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating margin | 6.5 | % | 6.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Outdoor and Recreation segment net sales for 2022 decreased 11% primarily due to softening U.S. demand and certain category exits, partially offset by pricing actions and improved product availability. The net sales performance for this segment also reflects the lapping of elevated levels of demand in the prior year. Changes in foreign currency unfavorably impacted net sales by $71 million, or 5%.
Operating income for 2022 was $86 million as compared to $90 million in the prior year period. This performance was primarily due to input cost inflation for commodities, sourced finished goods and transportation, and higher advertising and promotional costs, partially offset by lower overhead spending and incentive compensation costs. The improvement in operating margin primarily reflects net pricing performance and the exit from certain low margin product categories.
Consolidated Operating Results 2021 vs. 2020
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions, except per share data) | 2021 | 2020 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 10,589 | $ | 9,385 | $ | 1,204 | 12.8% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 3,363 | 3,084 | 279 | 9.0% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | 31.8 | % | 32.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 1,013 | (629) | 1,642 | NM | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating margin | 9.6 | % | (6.7) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 256 | 274 | (18) | (6.6)% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | 5 | 20 | (15) | (75.0)% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (8) | 78 | (86) | NM | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 760 | (1,001) | 1,761 | NM | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax provision (benefit) | 138 | (235) | 373 | NM | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax rate | 18.2 | % | 23.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 622 | $ | (766) | $ | 1,388 | NM | |||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings (loss) per share - attributable to common shareholders | $ | 1.45 | $ | (1.81) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
NM — NOT MEANINGFUL
Net sales for 2021 increased 13%, with all segments and major geographic regions showing growth. This growth reflects favorable net pricing (including lower promotion spending with customers), as well as strong demand for the hand protection, garage and outdoor organization, kitchen appliance, fresh preserving, cookware, bakeware, scented candle, baby gear, writing, labeling, and outdoor categories. Net sales growth was negatively impacted by supply chain shortages and logistical challenges which continued into 2022. Changes in foreign currency favorably impacted net sales by $101 million, or 1%.
Gross profit for 2021 increased 9% and gross profit margin declined to 31.8% as compared with 32.9% in the prior year period. The increase in gross profit was driven by gross volume leverage, gross productivity and favorable net pricing, partially offset by significant input cost inflation for commodities, primarily resin, sourced finished goods, transportation and labor, which had a negative high-single-digit-percentage impact to costs of products sold. The gross margin decline reflected, in part, a timing lag between inflation and the full impact of responsive pricing actions. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates favorably impacted gross profit by $30 million, or 1%.
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Notable items impacting operating income (loss) for 2021 and 2020 are as follows:
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | $ Change | |||||||||||||||||
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets (See Footnote 7) | $ | 60 | $ | 1,491 | $ | (1,431) | ||||||||||||||
Restructuring and restructuring-related (See Footnote 4) (a) | 46 | 44 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
Transactions and other costs (b) | 37 | 26 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||
(a)Restructuring-related costs reported in cost of products sold and SG&A for 2021 were $22 million and $8 million, respectively, and primarily related to facility closures. Restructuring-related costs for 2020 were $4 million reported in cost of products sold and $19 million reported in SG&A and primarily relate to accelerated depreciation associated with restructuring activities. Restructuring costs for 2021 and 2020 were $16 million and $21 million, respectively.
(b)Transaction and other costs for 2021 and 2020 primarily relate to completed divestitures and costs associated with certain legal proceedings.
Operating income increased to $1.01 billion in 2021 as compared to an operating loss of $629 million in 2020. The operating results in 2020 included $1.5 billion of non-cash impairment charges of goodwill and certain indefinite-lived intangibles and other assets. The 2021 performance reflected the gross profit performance noted above and cost savings from Yankee Candle retail store closures, partially offset by higher incentive compensation expense and advertising and promotional costs. The year-over-year comparison of the Company's operating results to the prior year reflects the impact of the most depressed consumption levels resulting from the COVID-19 related lockdowns which occurred in the second quarter of 2020, and the lapping of the improved operating performance in the second half of 2020, as the Company's manufacturing sites and Yankee Candle stores were reopened, other retail stores were reopened, and consumer demand for certain categories returned. In addition, the Company's operating results for 2021 were impacted by the volatility and uncertainty of the direction of demand patterns, as well as inflation and supply chain shortages and logistical challenges which continued into 2022.
Interest expense, net for 2021 decreased primarily due to lower debt levels. The weighted average interest rates for 2021 and 2020 were approximately 4.7% and 4.6%, respectively. See Footnote 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
The loss on the extinguishment of debt of $5 million and $20 million for 2021 and 2020, respectively, were related to the Company’s tender offer of certain of its senior notes and debt redemptions. See Footnote 9 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Other (income) expense, net for 2021 and 2020 include the following items:
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||
Pension-related non-service costs, net (See Footnote 11) | $ | — | $ | 53 | ||||||||||
Foreign exchange losses, net (See Footnote 10) | 8 | 17 | ||||||||||||
(Gain) loss on disposition of businesses (See Footnote 2) | (4) | 9 | ||||||||||||
| Other gains, net | (12) | (1) | ||||||||||||
| $ | (8) | $ | 78 | |||||||||||
Income tax provision for 2021 was $138 million as compared to a benefit of $235 million in 2020. The effective tax rate for 2021 was 18.2% as compared to 23.5% in 2020. The change in effective tax provision is driven primarily by the impact of goodwill impairment charges in the prior-year, the geographic mix of where income was earned as well as certain taxable income inclusion items in the U.S. based on foreign earnings and certain discrete items. The income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2021 included a net valuation allowance decrease of $27 million, primarily related to net operating losses in the U.K. and Luxembourg, and other miscellaneous changes in the U.S., state and non-U.S. valuation allowances related to ongoing operations.
See Footnote 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding income taxes, including the inherent uncertainty associated with the Company's position on U.S. Treasury Regulations enacted in 2020.
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Business Segment Operating Results 2021 vs. 2020
Commercial Solutions
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 1,953 | $ | 1,859 | $ | 94 | 5.1% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 159 | (89) | 248 | NM | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating margin | 8.1 | % | (4.8) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable items impacting operating income (loss) comparability: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment of intangible assets (See Footnote 7) | 29 | 320 | (291) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
NM — NOT MEANINGFUL
Commercial Solutions net sales for 2021 increased 5% which reflected sales growth in both the Commercial and Connected Home and Security business units. The Commercial business unit performance reflected the impact of favorable net pricing as well as increased demand in the hand protection and garage and outdoor organization categories, partially offset by a decline in demand for consumable washroom products as well as supply chain shortages and logistical constraints. The increase in net sales in the Connected Home and Security business unit was primarily due to higher demand from retail and contractor channels, partially offset by supply chain shortages and logistical constraints. The increase in net sales in the Connected Home and Security business also reflected the lapping of the prior-year impact of lower demand and store closures. Changes in foreign currency favorably impacted net sales by $12 million, or 1%.
Operating income for 2021 increased to $159 million as compared to operating loss of $89 million in 2020. The improvement in operating results is primarily due to the lapping of prior year non-cash impairment charges of certain indefinite-lived intangible assets, as well as gross profit leverage, including the lapping of the prior-year absorption impact associated with the temporary closure of a key Connected Home and Security manufacturing facility in Mexico, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, gross productivity and pricing. The increase in operating income was partially offset by significant input cost inflation for commodities, primarily resin, sourced finished goods, transportation and labor. The operating margin in 2021 was negatively impacted by a timing lag between inflation and the full impact of responsive pricing actions.
Home Appliances
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 1,738 | $ | 1,539 | $ | 199 | 12.9% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 70 | (238) | 308 | NM | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating margin | 4.0 | % | (15.5) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable items impacting operating income (loss) comparability: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets (See Footnote 7) | — | 287 | (287) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
NM — NOT MEANINGFUL
Home Appliances net sales for 2021 increased 13%, which reflects net pricing and strong sales growth, primarily in North America and Latin America, partially offset by supply chain shortages and logistical constraints. Changes in foreign currency favorably impacted net sales by $11 million, or 1%.
Operating income for 2021 increased to $70 million as compared to operating loss of $238 million in 2020. The improvement in operating results is primarily due to the lapping of prior year non-cash impairment charges of goodwill and certain indefinite-lived intangible assets, as well as gross profit leverage, most notably from North America and Latin America, gross productivity and pricing, partially offset by significant input cost inflation associated with sourced finished goods and transportation, as well as higher labor costs and advertising and promotional costs.
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Home Solutions
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2,386 | $ | 2,138 | $ | 248 | 11.6% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 337 | (4) | 341 | NM | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating margin | 14.1 | % | (0.2) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable items impacting operating income (loss) comparability: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets (See Footnote 7) | — | 302 | (302) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
NM — NOT MEANINGFUL
Home Solutions net sales for 2021 increased 12% due to strong sales performance in the Food and Home Fragrance business units. The increase in Food business unit sales reflected the impact of favorable net pricing as well as increased demand across the fresh preserving, and cookware and bakeware categories, partially offset by supply chain shortages and logistical constraints. The increase in Home Fragrance sales was primarily due to increases in the retail channel in the U.S. and Europe, as well as in Yankee Candle retail stores, partially offset by supply chain shortages, logistical constraints and permanent Yankee Candle retail store closures in the prior year. The increase in net sales in the Home Fragrance business also reflected the lapping of the prior-year impact of temporary retail store closures and supply chain disruptions resulting from temporary closure of its key manufacturing facility in Massachusetts, both resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Changes in foreign currency favorably impacted net sales by $33 million, or 1%.
Operating income for 2021 increased to $337 million as compared to operating loss of $4 million in 2020. The increase in operating income is primarily due to the lapping of prior year non-cash impairment charges of goodwill, certain indefinite-lived intangible assets and other assets, gross profit leverage, including the lapping of the prior year absorption impact associated with the temporary closure of a key Home Fragrance manufacturing facility in Massachusetts, gross productivity and pricing. The increase in operating income also reflected savings from Yankee Candle retail store closures and the exiting of its fundraising business in 2020. The increase in operating income was partially offset by significant input cost inflation for commodities, primarily resin, sourced finished goods, transportation and labor. The operating margin in 2021 was negatively impacted by a timing lag between inflation and the full impact of responsive pricing actions.
Learning and Development
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 3,028 | $ | 2,557 | $ | 471 | 18.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 600 | 364 | 236 | 64.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating margin | 19.8 | % | 14.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable items impacting operating income comparability: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment of intangible assets (See Footnote 7) | 31 | 100 | (69) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Learning and Development net sales for 2021 increased 18% primarily due to strong sales performance in the Baby and Writing business units as they lapped the negative prior-year impact of shifting consumer demand, temporary store closures and supply chain disruption resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Baby business unit performance reflected favorable net pricing as well as increased demand in the baby gear and infant care categories, driven in part by government-related stimulus spending in the U.S. The Writing business unit performance reflected favorable net pricing as well as strong demand in the pens, markers, fine writing and labeling categories, driven by return to in-person learning and gradual reopening of more offices, partially offset by previous divestitures and business exits as well as supply chain shortages and logistical constraints. Changes in foreign currency favorably impacted net sales by $29 million, or 1%.
Operating income for 2021 increased to $600 million as compared to $364 million in the prior year period. The increase in operating income is primarily due to the lapping of non-cash impairment charges of certain indefinite-lived intangible assets in 2020, pricing, gross productivity and gross profit leverage, including the prior year absorption impact of certain temporary manufacturing closures,
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partially offset by higher tariff costs, significant input cost inflation for commodities, primarily resin, sourced finished goods, transportation and labor, as well as higher advertising and promotional costs.
Outdoor and Recreation
| Years Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | 2021 | 2020 | $ Change | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 1,484 | $ | 1,292 | $ | 192 | 14.9% | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 90 | (418) | 508 | NM | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating margin | 6.1 | % | (32.4) | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable items impacting operating income (loss) comparability: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Impairment of intangible assets (See Footnote 7) | — | 482 | (482) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
NM — NOT MEANINGFUL
Outdoor and Recreation segment net sales for 2021 increased 15% primarily due to favorable net pricing and improvement in consumer purchasing patterns for outdoor equipment, partially offset by supply chain shortages and logistical constraints. The increase in net sales also reflected the lapping of the negative prior-year impact of lower demand and temporary store closures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates favorably impacted net sales by $16 million, or 1%.
Operating income for 2021 was $90 million as compared to operating loss of $418 million in the prior year period. This improvement was primarily due to the lapping of prior year non-cash impairment charges of certain indefinite-lived intangible assets, gross profit leverage, pricing and gross productivity, partially offset by significant input cost inflation for commodities, primarily resin, sourced finished goods and transportation. The operating margin in 2021 was negatively impacted by a timing lag between inflation and the full impact of responsive pricing actions.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company believes that its cash generating capability, together with its borrowing capacity and available cash and cash equivalents, provide continued financial viability and adequate liquidity to fund its operations, support its growth platforms, pay down debt and debt maturities as they come due and execute its ongoing business initiatives. The Company regularly assesses its cash requirements and the available sources to fund these needs. At December 31, 2022, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $287 million, of which approximately $241 million was held by the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiaries.
The Company believes the extent of the impact of the rapidly changing retail landscape, which reflects an increased focus by retailers to rebalance inventory levels in light of continued inflationary pressures on consumers, as well as supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressures and uncertainty over the volatility and direction of future demand patterns, on the Company's future sales, operating results, cash flows, liquidity and financial condition will continue to be driven by numerous evolving factors the Company cannot accurately predict and which will vary by jurisdiction and market. Any such material adverse impacts could result in the Company's inability to satisfy financial maintenance covenants and could limit the ability to make future borrowings under existing debt instruments. See Item 1A. Risk Factors - Financial Risks, for further information.
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The table below summarizes the Company's cash activity for 2022, 2021 and 2020 (in millions):
| Increase (Decrease) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | (272) | $ | 884 | $ | 1,432 | $ | (1,156) | $ | (548) | ||||||||||||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 343 | (268) | (228) | 611 | (40) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash used in financing activities | (232) | (1,143) | (559) | 911 | (584) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Exchange rate effect on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (13) | (17) | 5 | 4 | (22) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | (174) | $ | (544) | $ | 650 | $ | 370 | $ | (1,194) | ||||||||||||||||
The Company has historically generated the majority of its operating cash flow in the third and fourth quarters of the year due to seasonal variations in operating results, the timing of annual performance-based compensation payments, customer program payments, working capital requirements and credit terms provided to customers.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
The change in net cash used in operating activities for 2022 primarily reflects lower operating income and the impact of the Company's adjustment to its supply and demand forecasted purchases in the back half of the year in response to significantly greater than expected pullback in retailer orders, as retailers rebalance inventory in the light of continued inflationary pressures on consumers, which resulted in lower sales volume and unfavorable working capital associated with higher inventory levels. The change also reflected the negative impact of lower accounts receivable sold under the Customer Receivables Purchase Agreement.
The change in net cash provided by operating activities for 2021 reflects inventory build to support forecasted demand, including the impact of significant input cost inflation, supply chain shortages and logistical challenges, as well as higher annual incentive compensation payments, partially offset by benefits from extension of payment terms for goods and services with vendors and higher accounts receivable sold under the Customer Receivables Purchase Agreement in the current year. In addition, this performance reflects the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the prior year, which included lower operating results and favorable working capital performance.
See Capital Resources for further information.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
The change in net cash provided by investing activities for 2022 was primarily due to proceeds from the sale of CH&S and other property, plant and equipment, partially offset by higher capital expenditures, primarily associated with Project Ovid. See Footnote 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
The change in net cash used in investing activities for 2021 was primarily due to higher capital expenditures.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
The change in net cash used in financing activities for 2022 was primarily due to the period-over-period change in debt, offset by repurchase of shares of the Company's common stock in the current year.
The change in net cash used in financing activities for 2021 was primarily due to proceeds from the issuance of senior notes in 2020 and payments of long-term debt in 2021 as well as the acquisition of noncontrolling interests.
See Footnotes 1,9 and 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Capital Resources
On October 19, 2022, the Company redeemed its 3.85% senior notes due April 2023 (the “April 2023 Notes”) at a redemption price equal to 100.002% of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of the redemption. The total consideration was approximately $1.09 billion, and the Company recorded a debt extinguishment loss of $1 million.
On September 14, 2022, the Company completed a registered public offering of $500 million principal amount of 6.375% senior notes that mature in September 2027 (the “September 2027 Notes”) and $500 million principal amount of 6.625% senior notes that mature in September 2029 (the “September 2029 Notes”). The Company received proceeds of approximately $989 million, net of
38
fees and expenses paid. The September 2027 Notes and the September 2029 Notes are subject to similar restrictive and financial covenants as the Company's existing senior notes, however, they are not subject to the interest rate adjustment or coupon step up provisions of certain other notes described below. The September 2027 Notes and the September 2029 Notes are redeemable in whole or in part, at the option of the Company (i) at any time prior to three months before the stated maturity dates at a redemption price equal to or greater of (a) the principal amount of the notes being redeemed or (b) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the notes being redeemed, discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis, plus the applicable make-whole amount of 50 basis points, plus in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the notes being redeemed to, but not including, the redemption date; or (ii) at any time on or after three months prior to respective maturity dates, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption dates. The Company used the net proceeds from the September 2027 and September 2029 Notes, together with available cash, to redeem the April 2023 Notes during the fourth quarter of 2022.
On August 31, 2022, the Company entered into a $1.5 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Revolver”) that matures in August 2027. The Credit Revolver refinanced the Company’s previous $1.25 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility that was scheduled to mature in December 2023.
Under the Credit Revolver, the Company may borrow funds on a variety of interest rate terms. The Credit Revolver provides committed back-up liquidity for the issuance of commercial paper, in each case, to the extent there is sufficient availability for borrowing under the Credit Revolver. At December 31, 2022, the Company has $225 million of outstanding borrowings under the Credit Revolver and $359 million in commercial paper borrowings.
The Credit Revolver provides for the issuance of up to $150 million of letters of credit, so long as there is sufficient availability for borrowing under the Credit Revolver. At December 31, 2022, the Company had approximately $22 million of outstanding standby letters of credit issued against the Credit Revolver, with a net availability of approximately $1.25 billion. The Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants at December 31, 2022.
Factored receivables at December 31, 2022 associated with the Company's existing factoring agreement (the “Customer Receivables Purchase Agreement”) were approximately $420 million, a decrease of approximately $80 million from December 31, 2021. During the second quarter of 2022, the Company amended the Customer Receivables Purchase Agreement to (i) increase the amount of certain customer receivables that may be sold under the agreement, (ii) add new customers to the agreement and (iii) change the reference rate from London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) to Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). Transactions under this agreement are accounted for as sales of accounts receivable, and the receivables sold are removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheet at the time of the sales transaction. The Company classifies the proceeds received from the sales of accounts receivable as an operating cash flow in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The Company records the discount as other (income) expense, net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and collections of accounts receivables not yet submitted to the financial institution as a financing cash flow.
The Company maintains an Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility (the “Securitization Facility”). During the second quarter of 2022, the Company amended the Securitization Facility. This amendment (i) reduced the aggregate commitment under the Securitization Facility to $375 million from $600 million, (ii) extended its maturity by one year to October 2023 and (iii) changed the reference rate under the Securitization Facility from LIBOR to SOFR. The Securitization Facility bears interest at a margin over a variable interest rate. The maximum availability under the Securitization Facility fluctuates based on eligible accounts receivable balances. At December 31, 2022, the Company had $35 million outstanding under the Securitization Facility.
On November 1, 2019, S&P Global Inc. (“S&P”) downgraded the Company’s debt rating to “BB+” as S&P believed the Company would fail to meet S&P’s target debt level for 2019. In addition, on March 9, 2020, Moody’s Corporation (“Moody’s”) downgraded the Company’s debt rating to “Ba1” based on a view that the Company would fail to meet Moody's target debt level for 2020. As a result of the S&P and Moody's downgrades, certain of the Company’s outstanding senior notes currently aggregating to approximately $3.1 billion were subject to an interest rate adjustment of 25 basis points for each downgrade, totaling 50 basis points. In addition, the Company’s ability to borrow from the commercial paper market on terms it deemed acceptable or favorable was eliminated and its cost of borrowing increased. The Company’s ability to borrow under the Credit Revolver was not affected by the downgrades.
On February 11, 2022, S&P upgraded the Company’s debt rating to “BBB-” from “BB+” as S&P believed the Company has been able to achieve S&P’s target debt level. As a result of this upgrade, the Company is again in a position to access the commercial paper market, up to a maximum of $1.5 billion provided there is a sufficient amount available for borrowing under the Credit Revolver. In addition, the interest rates on certain of the Company’s outstanding senior notes aggregating to approximately $3.1 billion decreased by 25 basis points, reducing the Company’s interest expense by approximately $8 million on an annualized basis (approximately $7 million in 2022) as a result of the S&P upgrade. However, these senior notes will remain subject to the interest rate adjustment of 25 basis points resulting from the 2020 debt rating downgrade by Moody’s, which has an annualized impact on
39
interest expense of approximately $8 million. Furthermore, the Company may be required to pay higher interest rates in future financings, and its potential pool of investors and funding sources could decrease, as a result of any future downgrades.
On February 14, 2023, Fitch Ratings downgraded the Company’s debt rating to “BB”. This downgrade does not impact the interest rates on any of the Company's senior notes.
The Company currently believes its capital structure and cash resources will continue to support the funding of future dividends and the Company will continue to evaluate all actions to strengthen its financial position and balance sheet, and to maintain its financial liquidity, flexibility and capital allocation strategy.
Risk Management
From time to time, the Company enters into derivative transactions to hedge its exposures to interest rate, foreign currency rate and commodity price fluctuations. The Company does not enter into derivative transactions for trading purposes.
Interest Rate Contracts
The Company manages its fixed and floating rate debt mix using interest rate swaps. The Company may use fixed and floating rate swaps to alter its exposure to the impact of changing interest rates on its consolidated results of operations and future cash outflows for interest. Floating rate swaps would be used, depending on market conditions, to convert the fixed rates of long-term debt into short-term variable rates. Fixed rate swaps would be used to reduce the Company’s risk of the possibility of increased interest costs. The settlement of interest rate swaps is included in interest expense.
Fair Value Hedges
At December 31, 2022, the Company had approximately $1.1 billion notional amount of interest rate swaps that exchange a fixed rate of interest for a variable rate of interest plus a weighted average spread. These floating rate swaps are designated as fair value hedges against $500 million of principal on the 6.375% senior notes due 2027, $500 million of principal on the 6.625% senior notes due 2029 and $100 million of principal on the 4.00% senior notes due 2024 for the remaining life of the notes. The effective portion of the fair value gains or losses on these swaps is offset by fair value adjustments in the underlying debt.
Cross-Currency Contracts
The Company uses cross-currency swaps to hedge foreign currency risk on certain financing arrangements. The Company previously entered into three cross-currency swaps, maturing in January 2025, February 2025 and September 2027, respectively, with an aggregate notional amount of $1.26 billion. Each of these cross-currency swaps were designated as net investment hedges of the Company's foreign currency exposure of its net investment in certain Euro-functional currency subsidiaries with Euro- denominated net assets, and the Company pays a fixed rate of Euro-based interest and receives a fixed rate of U.S. dollar interest. During the third quarter of 2022, the Company entered into two cross-currency swaps with notional amounts of $500 million each, one maturing in September 2027 and the other in September 2029. These swaps were also designated as net investment hedges of the Company's foreign currency exposure of its net investment in certain Euro-functional currency subsidiaries with Euro-denominated net assets, and the Company pays a floating rate of Euro-based interest and receives a floating rate of U.S. dollar interest. The Company has elected the spot method for assessing the effectiveness of these contracts. During the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized income of $31 million, $16 million and $14 million, respectively, in interest expense, net, related to the portion of cross-currency swaps excluded from hedge effectiveness testing.
Foreign Currency Contracts
The Company uses forward foreign currency contracts to mitigate the foreign currency exchange rate exposure on the cash flows related to forecasted inventory purchases and sales with maturity dates through December 2023. The derivatives used to hedge these forecasted transactions that meet the criteria for hedge accounting are accounted for as cash flow hedges. The effective portion of the gains or losses on these derivatives is deferred as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCL”) until it is recognized in earnings at the same time that the hedged item affects earnings and is included in the same caption in the statements of operations as the underlying hedged item. At December 31, 2022, the Company had approximately $379 million notional amount outstanding of forward foreign currency contracts that are designated as cash flow hedges of forecasted inventory
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purchases and sales.
The Company also uses foreign currency contracts, primarily forward foreign currency contracts, to mitigate the foreign currency exposure of certain other foreign currency transactions. At December 31, 2022, the Company had approximately $926 million notional amount outstanding of these foreign currency contracts that are not designated as effective hedges for accounting purposes and have maturity dates through August 2023. Fair market value gains or losses are included in the results of operations and are classified in other (income) expense, net in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations.
The following table presents the fair value of derivative financial instruments at December 31, 2022 (in millions):