Risk Factors Dashboard

cyclicality in end-market demand also pose risks of potential impairment of our long-lived assets, which could be material to our results of operations and the carrying value of our assets.

We may not realize the expected benefits from any restructuring or realignment initiatives or improvement efforts that we have taken or may take in the future.

We periodically evaluate our segments and continue to undertake restructuring and realignment initiatives to reduce our overall cost basis and improve efficiency by pursuing a variety of strategies including, without limitation, optimizing our operations in our physical footprint, disposing of certain assets, and pursuing opportunities that are accretive to our operating results. There can be no assurance we will fully realize the benefits of such efforts as anticipated, and we may incur additional and/or unexpected costs to realize them. These actions could yield other unintended consequences, such as distraction of management and employees, business disruption, reduced employee morale and productivity, and unexpected employee attrition including the inability to attract or retain key personnel. If we fail to achieve the expected benefits of any restructuring or realignment initiatives and improvement efforts, or if other unforeseen events occur in conjunction with such efforts, our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity could be negatively impacted.

We may from time to time undertake internal corporate reorganizations that may adversely impact our business and results of operations.

From time to time, we have undertaken, and may undertake again, internal corporate reorganizations in an effort to simplify our organizational structure, streamline our operations or address other operational factors. Such internal reorganization involves and may involve, among other things, the combination or dissolution of certain of our existing subsidiaries, including legal insolvency proceedings, and the creation of new subsidiaries. These transactions could be disruptive to our business, result in significant expense, require regulatory approvals, or fail to result in the intended or expected benefits, any of which could adversely impact our business and results of operations.

We may not be able to scale our operational capacity in line with demand for our products.

Demand for our products, particularly in our ALP segment, may grow at a pace that exceeds our operational capacity, including our manufacturing capabilities. We may be required to expand our facilities, contract with third parties or acquire additional equipment to meet such growth, which we may not be able to do in a timely manner, if at all. If we are required to expand our facilities, contract with third parties or acquire additional equipment to meet growth in client demand, we may not have access to sufficient capital resources to expand in a timely manner, if at all. As a result, we may not be able to maximize sales growth and, therefore, could lose opportunities to produce additional revenue.

The ultimate liability of our subsidiaries for claims alleging personal injury from exposure to asbestos-containing components historically used in certain products of our subsidiaries could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity in the future.

Certain of our subsidiaries and, in some cases, we, are defendants in numerous claims alleging personal injury from exposure to asbestos-containing components historically used in certain products of these subsidiaries. Settlement agreements between the insurance carriers, our subsidiaries and, in some cases, us encompass the majority of insurance policies that provide coverage for claims. Through the current year end, our insurance has covered a majority of our settlement and defense costs. Through the current year end, our insurance has covered a substantial majority of our settlement and defense costs. We believe the estimated costs, net of anticipated insurance recoveries, of our pending and future asbestos legal proceedings should not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or liquidity. We believe that the estimated costs net of anticipated insurance recoveries of our pending and future asbestos legal proceedings should not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or liquidity. However, there can be no assurance our subsidiaries or we will not be subject to significant additional claims in the future or our subsidiaries’ ultimate liability with respect to asbestos claims will not present significantly greater and longer lasting financial exposure than provided in our consolidated financial statements. However, there can be no assurance that our subsidiaries or we will not be subject to significant additional claims in the future or that our subsidiaries’ ultimate liability with respect to asbestos claims will not present significantly greater and longer lasting financial exposure than provided in our financial statements. The ultimate net liability with respect to such pending and any unasserted claims is subject to various uncertainties including, but not limited to, the following:

Because of the uncertainties related to such claims, it is possible our ultimate liability could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity in the future.

We could face limitations in availability of capital to fund our strategic plans. Additionally, deterioration in our credit profile or increases in interest rates could increase our costs of borrowing and further limit our access to capital markets and commercial credit.

We are parties to a senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility with a consortium of banks. The revolving credit facility is collateralized by a first priority perfected security interest in substantially all of our assets. The revolving credit facility provides for borrowings not to exceed $100 million and otherwise restricts us from incurring additional indebtedness outside of the agreement, unless approved by the lenders party to the revolving credit facility. The revolving credit facility is subject to various affirmative and negative covenants and contains various sub-limits, including those based on the type of collateral and borrowings by geographic region. The Credit Agreement is subject to various affirmative and negative covenants and contains various sub-limits, including those based on type of collateral and borrowings by geographic region. If the financial covenants become difficult to meet or if we need to increase our borrowings beyond the prescribed limits, our financial position, results of operations and liquidity may be materially adversely affected. If the financial covenants become difficult to meet or if our borrowing needs increase beyond the prescribed limits, our results of operations and liquidity may be materially adversely affected. Further, our access to public and private capital markets is limited based on our size, credit profile and not being a well-known seasoned issuer, which may result in limitations in availability of capital to fund our strategic plans. If we are unable to fund our strategic plans, whether through cash from operations, availability from our revolving credit facility or proceeds from the capital markets, we may have to forego opportunities that would otherwise be accretive to our operating results for potentially an extended period.

A reduction in the level of our export sales, changes in foreign currency exchange rates as well as other economic factors in foreign countries could have an adverse impact on our financial results.

Exports are a significant portion of our sales. Historically, changes in foreign exchange rates, particularly in respect of the U.S. dollar, British pound, Swedish krona, and euro, have impacted the export of our products and may do so again in the future. Sales for certain of our subsidiaries are negotiated in a currency other than the subsidiary's functional (local) currency. Changes in a foreign exchange rate from the time of an order to the time of shipment have impacted the value of our recorded sales and may do so again in the future, and we may not be able to effectively hedge against such fluctuations. Other factors that may adversely impact our export sales and our operating results include political and economic instability, export controls, changes in tax laws and tariffs, and new producers in overseas markets. Other factors that may adversely impact export sales and operating results include political and economic instability, export controls, changes in tax laws and tariffs, and new indigenous producers in overseas markets. A reduction in the level of our export sales and changes in foreign currency exchange rates may have an adverse impact on our financial results. In addition, changes in foreign currency exchange rates may provide foreign roll suppliers with advantages based on those lower foreign currency exchange rates and, therefore, permit them to compete in our home markets.

Fluctuation in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Certain of our subsidiaries operate in foreign jurisdictions and, accordingly, earn revenues, pay expenses, own assets, and incur liabilities in countries using currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Since our consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, we must translate revenues and expenses into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate during each reporting period and assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the end of each reporting period. Therefore, increases or decreases in the value of the U.S. dollar against other major currencies, or any failure by the Corporation to effectively hedge against unfavorable fluctuations, will affect the translated value for revenue, expenses and balance sheet items denominated in foreign currencies and could materially affect our financial results expressed in U.S. dollars.

The imposition of tariffs by the United States and other governments has negatively affected, and could again negatively affect, our operations, financial performance and liquidity.

The United States currently imposes tariffs on primary steel, aluminum and coated steel imports into the United States, has expanded tariffs to other imported products, and has removed exceptions allowing certain countries to send un-tariffed products to the United States. Other governments, including the European Union, have announced tariffs on steel imports or may do so in the future. As a result, tariffs are now incurred on forged and cast rolls shipped from the FCEP segment's European facilities into the United States and on U.S. forged and cast rolls shipped into China.

For a period of time in 2025, while tariffs were being negotiated and mechanisms to calculate the tariffs were under consideration, customer orders in the United States, Europe and China were slowed as pricing could not be understood. While end-market demand in the United States started to improve and order intake began to stabilize in the second half of 2025, demand in Europe continued to falter. During 2025, tariffs on steel product have, but may not continue to be, a tailwind for the segment's FEP products resulting in increased order volumes.

Additional tariffs or changes in tariffs could result in a slowing of customer orders again. During 2025, we were able to pass on the incremental tariff expense to the vast majority of our customers, which we may or may not be able to do in the future. Similarly, additional tariffs, changes in tariffs, or other changes in U.S. and foreign government trade policy may trigger retaliatory actions by affected countries, which could adversely impact demand for our products, as well as impact our costs, customers, suppliers, and/or the U.S. and global economy or certain sectors thereof and, thus, may adversely impact our business, operations and financial performance. Our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity may be affected by these tariffs, or similar actions. Our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may continue to be affected by these tariffs, or similar actions.

Increases in energy and commodity prices, reductions in electricity and natural gas supply, or shortages of key production materials could adversely impact our production, which could result in lower profitability or higher losses.

Our subsidiaries use certain commodities in the manufacture of their products. These include steel scrap, ferroalloys and energy. These include steel scrap, ferroalloys, energy and graphite electrodes. The FCEP segment has fixed pricing for a portion of its estimated electricity and natural gas usage. The ALP segment has fixed pricing for a portion of its estimated aluminum usage. However, any unexpected, sudden or prolonged increase in the price of these commodities may cause a reduction in our profit margins or result in losses where beneficial fixed-priced contracts do not exist for sufficient supply, unfavorable fixed-priced contracts cannot be modified, or increases cannot be obtained in our selling prices.

In addition, there could be a time lag between when we incur such price increases and when we are able to recover such increases in our selling prices. Global increases in transportation costs and more limited availability of freight carriers may impact timely delivery of supplies to our subsidiaries and product to our customers, and may negatively impact our sales, production and profitability. Changes in our credit profile could cause less favorable commercial terms for the procurement of materials required to manufacture our products, which also could have a negative impact on our financial position, results of operations and liquidity. There also may be curtailment in electricity or natural gas supply or availability of key production materials, which could adversely impact our production or result in lower profitability, higher losses or impairment of our long-lived assets. Shortage of key production materials, while driving up costs, may be of such severity as to disrupt our production, all of which may impact our sales and profitability. Shortage of critical materials, while driving up costs, may be of such severity as to disrupt production, all of which may impact sales and profitability. Geopolitical factors or wars could exacerbate the above risks.

We are a party to sale-leaseback financing transactions, which creates the risk of loss if we default. If we fail to comply with the covenants as required by our various debt agreements, including our revolving credit facility, it may adversely affect our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition.

UES and Air & Liquid are parties to sale-leaseback financing transactions with Store Capital Acquisitions, LLC (“STORE”) for certain properties utilized by the segments of the Corporation. In connection with the sale-leaseback financing transactions, UES entered into a master lease with STORE whereby it will lease the same properties from STORE and further sublease certain properties to Air & Liquid and/or the Corporation. The master lease contains certain representations, warranties, covenants, obligations, conditions, indemnification provisions, and termination provisions customary for that type of agreement. If we default on the terms of the master lease and fail to renew such lease on acceptable terms, we could lose access to such properties and may not be able to continue with our manufacturing operations which could be detrimental to our financial position, results of operations and liquidity. In addition, if we close, sell or otherwise exit a property included in the sale-leaseback financing transactions, we would be required to sublet or provide replacement property, which may hinder our ability to successfully restructure our operations.

The maturity date for the revolving credit facility is June 25, 2030 and, subject to other terms and conditions of the agreement, would become due on that date. Failure to comply with material provisions or covenants in this facility and our other debt agreements could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition. We may seek to renegotiate or replace a facility or may determine not to replace a facility at all and, instead, pursue other forms of liquidity. Any new credit agreement or other forms of liquidity may result in higher borrowing costs and contain non-investment grade covenants that are less favorable in comparison to our existing revolving credit and other debt facilities, if available at all.

Our dependence on certain equipment may cause an interruption in our production if such equipment is out of operation for an extended period of time, which could result in lower sales and profitability. Dependence on certain equipment may cause an interruption in our production if such equipment is out of operation for an extended period of time, which could result in lower sales and profitability.

Our principal business relies on certain unique equipment such as an electric arc furnace and a spin cast work roll machine. Although a comprehensive critical spare inventory of key components for this equipment is maintained, if any such unique equipment is out of operation for an extended period of time, it may result in a significant reduction in our sales and earnings. Additionally, repair costs may be significant which, if not sufficiently covered by insurance, may negatively impact our earnings and cash flows.

Pandemics and geopolitical conflicts may cause disruptions to our business and the industries in which we operate.

Pandemics and geopolitical conflicts may increase economic and demand uncertainty and could cause a sustained global recession. We may experience episodic disruptions to our operations or our business, or to the operations or the business of our customers and suppliers, which, individually or in the aggregate, may impact our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. Further, local governmental measures may be implemented to control the spread of viruses, including restrictions on manufacturing and the movement of employees in many regions and countries, and may be significant.

A pandemic or geopolitical conflict may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to access the capital markets. Additionally, government stimulus programs made available to us, our customers or our suppliers, if any, may prove to be insufficient or ineffective. Furthermore, in the event the impact from a pandemic or geopolitical conflict causes us to be unable to maintain a certain level of excess availability under our revolving credit facility, our availability of funds may become limited, or we may be required to renegotiate the facility on less favorable terms. If we are unable to access additional credit at the levels we require, or the cost of credit is greater than expected, it could materially adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

We have significant international operations. A pandemic or geopolitical conflict could negatively affect our workforce, both domestically and abroad, requiring some or all of our employees to work remotely on a longer-term or permanent basis, thereby requiring new processes, procedures and controls to respond to changes in our business environment. We may be susceptible to increased litigation related to, among other things, the financial impacts of the pandemic or geopolitical conflict on our business, our ability to meet contractual obligations due to the pandemic or geopolitical conflict, employment practices or policies adopted during the health crisis, or litigation related to individuals contracting any disease as a result of alleged exposures on our premises.

The impact of a pandemic or a geopolitical conflict also may have the effect of exacerbating many of the other risks described herein.

A work stoppage or other industrial action on the part of any of our unions could be disruptive to our operations. 4 A work stoppage or another industrial action on the part of any of our unions could be disruptive to our operations.

Our subsidiaries have several key operations which are subject to multi-year collective bargaining agreements with their hourly work forces. While we believe we have good relations with our unions, there is the risk of industrial action or work stoppage at the expiration of an agreement if contract negotiations fail, which may disrupt our manufacturing processes and impact our results of operations. While we believe we have good relations with our unions, there is the risk of industrial action or work stoppage at the expiration of an agreement if contract negotiations break down, which may disrupt manufacturing and impact results of operations.

A change in the existing regulatory environment could negatively affect our operations, financial performance and liquidity.

We are subject to a wide variety of complex domestic and foreign laws, rules and regulations, including trade policies and tax regimes. We are affected by new laws and regulations and changes to existing laws and regulations, including interpretations by the courts and regulators, whether prompted by changes in government administrations or otherwise. These laws, regulations and policies, and changes thereto, may result in restrictions or limitations to our current operational practices and processes and our product offerings, which could negatively impact our current cost structure, revenue streams, future tax obligations, the value of our deferred income tax assets, cash flows, and overall financial position. These laws, regulations and policies, and changes thereto, may result in restrictions or limitations to our current operational practices and processes and product/service offerings which could negatively impact our current cost structure, revenue streams, cash flows, and overall financial position.

In addition, our tax filings are subject to audits by tax authorities in the various jurisdictions in which we do business. These audits may result in assessments of additional taxes that are subsequently resolved with the taxing authorities or through the courts. Currently, we believe there are no outstanding assessments the resolution of which would result in a material adverse financial result. However, there can be no assurance that unasserted or potential future assessments would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

Certain of ALP's customers are suppliers to the U.S. government. Changes in U.S. government priorities, or delays or reductions in U.S. government spending, could have a material adverse effect on our customers' business and, therefore, on our business.

The ALP segment includes Buffalo Pumps, which is a division of Air & Liquid. Buffalo Pumps manufactures centrifugal pumps for the fossil-fueled power generation, marine defense and industrial refrigeration industries. As such, Buffalo Pumps enters into contracts with customers who supply the U.S. government, particularly the U.S. Navy, from time to time. A reduction or change in spending by the U.S. Navy and/or in overall U.S. defense spending, on an absolute or inflation-adjusted basis, because of shifting priorities, budget compromises, or otherwise, could materially and adversely affect the results of our customers' operations and, in turn, our operations. Further, failure to fund a federal budget or the termination of significant programs or contracts with these customers of Buffalo Pumps by the U.S. government could adversely affect our customers' business and financial performance and, accordingly, affect our business and financial performance. In the event that appropriations are delayed or a government shutdown occurs, and continues for an extended period of time, we may be at risk of reduced orders, program cancellations, nonpayment or payment delays, and other disruptions. Changes in funding priorities also could reduce opportunities in existing and future programs and/or initiatives where we intend to compete and where we have made investments. Even when the U.S. government operates under a continuing resolution, new contract and program starts may be restricted and funding for our customers' existing contracts and, therefore, our existing contracts may be unavailable, reduced, or delayed. The occurrence of any of the foregoing events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Failure of financial institutions or the need of liquidity from third-party sources by financial institutions may affect our access, or our customers’ access, to capital resources.

Failure of financial institutions or the need of liquidity from third-party sources by financial institutions may place additional stress on other financial institutions, which may limit our access, or our customers’ access, to short-term financing or result in higher interest rates. Our inability to access, or our customers’ inability to access, short-term financing at competitive rates may adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition or results of operations.

We periodically generate sales from individual customers approximating 10% of the net sales of the FCEP or ALP segments. The loss of, or significant reduction in, the orders of any such significant customer could have a material adverse effect on the segment's financial results.

For the year ended December 31, 2025, one customer accounted for approximately 10% of the net sales of the FCEP segment and one customer accounted for approximately 12% of the net sales of the ALP segment. For the year ended December 31, 2024, one customer accounted for approximately 11% of the net sales of the FCEP segment and no individual customer exceeded 10% of the net sales of the ALP segment. The loss of such customers, or a significant reduction in the orders of such customers, could have a material adverse effect on the segment.

Uncertainty related to environmental regulation and industry standards, as well as the physical risks of climate change, could impact our results of operations and financial position.

Increased public awareness and concern regarding environmental risks, including global climate change, may result in more international, regional and/or federal requirements or industry standards to reduce or mitigate global warming and other environmental risks. New climate change laws and regulations could require us to change our manufacturing processes or obtain substitute materials that may cost more or be less available for our manufacturing operations. Various jurisdictions in which we do business have implemented, or in the future could implement or amend, restrictions on emissions of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases, limitations or restrictions on water use, changes from traditional fossil fuel sources to renewables, regulations on energy management and waste management, and other climate change-based rules and regulations, which may increase our costs and adversely affect our operating results. In addition, the physical risks of climate change may impact the availability and cost of materials, sources and supply of energy, product demand and manufacturing and could increase our insurance and other operating costs. In addition, the coronavirus may result in a widespread health crisis that could adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries, resulting in an economic downturn, and also adversely impacting our sales and results of operations. The expected future increased worldwide regulatory activity relating to climate change could expand the nature, scope and complexity of matters we are required to control, assess and report. If environmental laws or regulations or industry standards are either changed or adopted and impose significant operational restrictions and compliance requirements upon us, our suppliers, our customers, or our products, or if our operations are disrupted due to the physical impacts of climate change on us, our suppliers, our customers or our business, our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity could be adversely impacted.

RISKS RELATED TO OWNERSHIP OF OUR SECURITIES

We may not be able to satisfy the continued listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange for our common stock.

Our common stock is currently listed on the New York Stock Exchange, which imposes objective and subjective requirements for continued listing. Continued listing criteria of the New York Stock Exchange include maintaining prescribed levels of financial condition, market capitalization and shareholders’ equity. Specifically, the New York Stock Exchange requires a company with common equity listed on its exchange to maintain average global market capitalization over a consecutive 30-day trading period of at least $50 million or maintain shareholders’ equity of at least $50 million and maintain a share price of at least $1.00. Our common stock’s average-global market capitalization over the 30-day trading period ended December 31, 2025 was $69.5 million, and our total Ampco-Pittsburgh shareholders’ equity was $32.6 million as of December 31, 2025.

Should we fall below the continued listing criteria of the New York Stock Exchange and receive a notice of non-compliance, the New York Stock Exchange may allow up to an 18-month cure period if we present a plan to become compliant with adequate strategic actions and progress reporting satisfactory to the New York Stock Exchange. If the New York Stock Exchange determines our common stock fails to satisfy the requirements for continued listing, or we continue to fail to meet listing criteria, and if the New York Stock Exchange does not provide us with an opportunity to become compliant or does not approve our actions to become compliant, or we do not make sufficient progress satisfactory to the New York Stock Exchange, our common stock could be de-listed from the New York Stock Exchange, which could impact potential liquidity for our shareholders.

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control, we may not be able to accurately determine our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, our shareholders could lose confidence in our financial results, which could harm the business and the value of our securities.

Effective internal control is necessary to provide reliable financial reports and effectively prevent fraud. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires us to evaluate and report on our internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over

financial reporting is not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to the exemption provided to issuers that are not “large accelerated filers” or “accelerated filers” under the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010. There can be no assurance we will be successful in maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting and financial processes in the future. We may in the future discover areas of our internal control needing improvement. Furthermore, to the extent our business grows, our internal control may become more complex, and we would require significantly more resources to ensure our internal control remains effective. If we or our independent registered public accounting firm discover a material weakness, the disclosure of that fact, even if quickly remediated, could reduce the market value of our securities. Additionally, the existence of any material weakness could require us to devote significant time and incur significant expense to identify and remediate any such material weaknesses, and we may not be able to remediate any such material weaknesses in a timely manner.

Actions of activist shareholders with respect to us or our securities could be disruptive and potentially costly and the possibility that activist shareholders may contest, or seek changes conflicting with, our strategic direction could cause uncertainty about the strategic direction of our business.

Activist shareholders may, from time to time, attempt to effect changes in our strategic direction and, in furtherance thereof, may seek changes in how we are governed. While our Board of Directors and management team strive to maintain constructive, ongoing communications with all of our shareholders, including activist shareholders, and welcome their views and opinions with the goal of working together constructively to enhance value for all shareholders, activist campaigns that contest, or conflict with, our strategic direction could have an adverse effect on us because: (i) responding to actions by activist shareholders can disrupt our operations, be costly and time-consuming and divert the attention of our Board of Directors and senior management from the pursuit of business strategies, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition; (ii) perceived uncertainties as to our future direction may lead to the perception of a change in the direction of the business, instability or lack of continuity which may be exploited by our competitors, cause concern to our current or potential customers, result in the loss of potential business opportunities, and make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified personnel and business partners; and (iii) these types of actions could cause significant fluctuations in our stock price due to factors not necessarily reflecting the underlying fundamentals and prospects of our business.

GENERAL RISK FACTORS

Changes in the global economic environment, inflation, elevated interest rates, recessions or prolonged periods of slow economic growth, global instability, and actual and threatened geopolitical conflict could have an adverse effect on our industry and business, as well as those of our customers and suppliers.

Overall economic conditions in the United States, Europe, and elsewhere, including adverse factors such as inflation, rising or sustained elevated interest rates, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical conflicts significantly impact our business. Periods of economic downturn or continued uncertainty could result in us having difficulty increasing or maintaining our level of sales or profitability and we may experience an adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.

Our U.S. operations are subject to economic conditions, including credit and capital market conditions, inflation, prevailing interest rates, and political factors which, if changed, could negatively affect our results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. Political factors include, but are not limited to, increased or newly imposed tariffs in the markets in which we operate, increased regulation such as carbon emissions, limitations on trading including the export of energy and raw materials, trade remedies, and changes to tax laws and regulations resulting in increased income tax liability. Actions taken by the U.S. government could affect our results of operations, cash flows and liquidity.

We are subject to economic conditions and political factors associated with the European Union and neighboring countries, and the euro currency. Changes in any of these economic conditions or political factors could negatively affect our results of operations, cash flows and liquidity. Political factors include, but are not limited to, taxation, nationalization, inflation, government instability, regional conflict, civil unrest, increased regulation and quotas, tariffs, sanctions, and other market-distorting measures. Continued uncertainty and economic downturn in the European market have had a broad range of adverse impacts on global economic conditions, many of which have had, and are likely to continue to have, adverse impacts on our business and the business of our customers including increased raw material and energy costs, softer customer demand and lower steel prices, which has led, and may lead in the future, to the temporary idling of a portion of our customers’ raw steel capability until the demand environment improves. These uncertain conditions in the European market could lead to adverse effects on the valuation of our long-lived assets, which could negatively affect our results of operations through potential impairment charges.

Additionally, we are exposed to risks associated with the business success and creditworthiness of our suppliers and customers. If our customers or suppliers are negatively impacted by a slowdown in economic markets, we may face reductions, delays or cancellations of customer orders; delays or interruptions of the supply of raw materials; and increased risk of insolvency and other credit related issues of customers or suppliers, which could delay payments from customers, result in increased customer defaults and cause our

suppliers to delay filling our orders on a timely or cost-effective basis, or at all. The occurrence of any of these events may adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.

Potential attacks on information technology infrastructure and other cyber-based business disruptions could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. Potential attacks on information technology infrastructure and other cyber-based business disruptions could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We depend on integrated IT systems to conduct our business. As a public, multi-national corporation, we are a target of phishing attacks on our email systems and other cyber-attacks, which may include computer denial-of-service attacks, computer viruses, ransomware and other malware, state-sponsored cyber-attacks, industrial espionage, insider threats, wire fraud, or other cyber incidents. IT systems failures, including risks associated with upgrading our systems or successfully integrating IT and other systems to common platforms, network disruptions and breaches of data security could disrupt our operations by impeding our processing of transactions, our ability to protect customer or company information and our financial reporting. Our computer systems, including our back-up systems, could be damaged or interrupted by power outages; computer and telecommunications failures; computer viruses; internal or external security breaches; events such as fires, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes; and errors by our employees. Cyber-based risks are evolving and could include potential attacks to our IT infrastructure and to the IT infrastructure of third parties in attempts to gain unauthorized access to our confidential or other proprietary information or information relating to our employees, customers and other third parties, or to seek ransom. Cyber-based risks, in particular, are evolving and include potential attacks to our IT infrastructure and to the IT infrastructure of third parties in attempts to gain unauthorized access to our confidential or other proprietary information or information relating to our employees, customers and other third parties or to seek ransom. If a third party gains unauthorized access to our data, including any data regarding our employees, customers, or vendors, such security breach could expose us to risks, including loss of business, fines, and litigation. Although we have taken steps to address these concerns, there can be no assurance a system failure or data security breach will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. Although we have taken steps to address these concerns, there can be no assurance that a system failure or data security breach will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Our By-laws designate the state and federal courts sitting in the judicial district of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our shareholders and the federal courts as the sole and exclusive forum for claims arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which could discourage lawsuits against us and our directors and officers but may be found to be inapplicable or unenforceable.

Our By-laws provide that, unless we otherwise consent in writing, the state and federal courts sitting in the judicial district of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania embracing the county in which our principal executive office is located will be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of us, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed to us or our shareholders by any director, officer or other employee of ours, (c) any action asserting a claim against us or against any of our directors, officers or other employees arising pursuant to any provision of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988 or our Articles of Incorporation or By-laws, (d) any action seeking to interpret, apply, enforce, or determine the validity of our Articles of Incorporation or By-laws, or (e) any action asserting a claim against us or any director or officer or other employee of ours governed by the internal affairs doctrine (collectively, “Internal Governance Claims”). This exclusive forum provision does not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). However, the federal courts are the sole and exclusive forum for any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, pursuant to our By-laws, and any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Exchange Act, pursuant to Section 27 of the Exchange Act. This exclusive forum provision may limit the ability of our shareholders to bring a claim in a judicial forum that such shareholders find favorable for disputes with us or our directors or officers, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors and officers. Alternatively, if a court outside of Pennsylvania with respect to Internal Governance Claims or any other state court with respect to a cause of action under the Securities Act were to find this exclusive forum provision inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings described above, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

The Corporation has no unresolved staff comments.