Risk Factors Dashboard

Once a year, publicly traded companies issue a comprehensive report of their business, called a 10-K. A component mandated in the 10-K is the ‘Risk Factors’ section, where companies disclose any major potential risks that they may face. This dashboard highlights all major changes and additions in new 10K reports, allowing investors to quickly identify new potential risks and opportunities.

Risk Factors - WOR

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Item 1A. – Risk Factors” of this Form 10-K.

We note these risk factors for investors as contemplated by the PSLRA. Forward-looking statements should be construed in the light of such risks. It is impossible to predict or identify all potential risk factors. It is impossible to predict or identify all potential risk factors. Consequently, readers should not consider the foregoing list to be a complete set of all potential risks and uncertainties. Consequently, you should not consider the foregoing list to be a complete set of all potential risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. We do not undertake, and hereby disclaim, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

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USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

(in thousands)


Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This Form 10-K includes references to certain financial measures that are not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures typically exclude items that management believes are not reflective of, and thus should not be included when evaluating the performance of our ongoing operations. Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate our performance, engage in financial and operational planning, and determine incentive compensation. Management believes these non-GAAP measures provide useful supplemental information and additional perspective on the performance of our ongoing operations and should not be considered an alternative to the comparable GAAP financial measure. Additionally, management believes these non-GAAP financial measures allow for meaningful comparisons and analysis of trends in our business and enable investors to evaluate our operations and future prospects in the same manner as management.

The following provides an explanation of each non-GAAP financial measure presented in this Form 10-K:

Adjusted operating income (loss) is defined as operating income (loss) excluding the items listed below, and in the accompanying reconciliations to comparable GAAP measures, to the extent naturally included in operating income.

Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations is defined as net earnings from continuing operations attributable to controlling interest (“net earnings from continuing operations”) excluding the after-tax effect of the excluded items listed below and in the accompanying reconciliations to comparable GAAP measures.

Adjusted earnings per diluted share from continuing operations (“Adjusted EPS from continuing operations - diluted”) is defined as adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to controlling interest divided by diluted weighted-average shares outstanding.

Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations is defined as adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adding or subtracting, as appropriate, interest expense, net, income tax expense, depreciation, and amortization to/from net earnings from continuing operations attributable to controlling interest, which is further adjusted to exclude impairment and restructuring charges (gains) as well as other items that management believes are not reflective of, and thus should not be included when evaluating the performance of its ongoing operations, as outlined below. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations also excludes stock-based compensation due to its non-cash nature, which is consistent with how management assesses operating performance. At the segment level, adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations includes expense allocations for centralized corporate back-office functions that exist to support the day-to-day business operations. Public company and other governance costs are held at the corporate level.

Exclusions from Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Management believes it is useful to exclude the following items from adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for its own and investors’ assessment of the business for the reasons identified below:

Impairment charges are excluded because they do not occur in the ordinary course of our ongoing business operations, are inherently unpredictable in timing and amount, and are non-cash, which we believe facilitates the comparison of historical, current and forecasted financial results.
Restructuring activities, which can result in both discrete gains and/or losses, arise from established programs that are intended to fundamentally change our operations, such as divestitures, closing or consolidating facilities, employee severance (including rationalizing headcount or other significant changes in personnel), and realignment of existing operations (including changes to management structure in response to underlying performance and/or changing market conditions). These items are excluded because they are not part of the ongoing operations of our underlying business.
Separation costs, which consist of direct and incremental costs incurred in connection with the completed Separation, are excluded as they are one-time in nature and are not expected to occur in periods following the Separation. These costs include fees paid to third-party advisors, such as investment banking, audit and other advisory services as well as direct and incremental costs associated with the separation of shared corporate functions. Results in fiscal 2024 also include incremental compensation expense associated with the modification of unvested short and long-term incentive compensation awards, as required under the employee matters agreement executed in conjunction with the Separation.

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Loss on early extinguishment of debt, is excluded because it does not occur in the normal course of business and may obscure analysis of trends and financial performance. Additionally, the amount and frequency of this type of charge is not consistent and is significantly impacted by the timing and size of debt extinguishment transactions.
Pension settlement charges, are excluded because of their non-cash nature and the fact that they do not occur in the normal course of business and may obscure analysis of trends and financial performance. These transactions typically result from the transfer of all or a portion of the total projected benefit obligation to third-party insurance companies.

The following provides a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures from their most comparable GAAP measure for fiscal 2024, fiscal 2023, and fiscal 2022.

(1)
Excludes the impact of noncontrolling interest

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The following table presents a reconciliation from earnings before income taxes to adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations for the past three fiscal years:

Non-GAAP Footnotes

(1)
Reflects reductions in certain corporate overhead costs that no longer exist post-Separation. These costs were included in continuing operations as they represent general corporate overhead that was historically allocated to our former steel processing business but did not meet the requirements to be presented as discontinued operations.
(2)
Reflects the following non-cash charges in miscellaneous expense:
Pre-tax charges of $8,010 and $4,774 from separate pension lift-out transaction completed in February 2024 and August 2022, respectively, to transfer the pension benefit obligation under The Gerstenslager Company Bargaining Unit Employees’ Pension Plan to third-party insurance companies.
A pre-tax charge of $11,170 during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 due to the write-down of an investment in notes receivable that was determined to be other than temporarily impaired.
(3)
On August 3, 2022, we sold our 50% noncontrolling equity investment in ArtiFlex, resulting in a pre-tax loss of $16,059 in equity income related to the sale.
(4)
Reflects a pre-tax loss of $1,534 realized in connection with the July 28, 2023, early redemption of the 2026 Notes. The loss resulted primarily from unamortized issuance costs and discount included in the carrying amount of the 2026 Notes and the acceleration of the remaining unamortized loss in equity related to a treasury lock derivative instrument executed in connection with the issuance of the 2026 Notes.
(5)
Reflects the following activity within equity income associated with the sale or divestiture of assets at Workhorse:
A net gain of $2,780 associated with the divestiture of the Brazilian operations during the second quarter of fiscal 2024.
A net gain of $2,063 related to a sale-leaseback transaction during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023.
(6)
Reflects the settlement of certain participant balances within the pension plan maintained by WAVE.

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PART I

Unless otherwise indicated, all Note references in this Form 10-K refer to the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II – Item 8. – Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K. All dollar amounts within Part I are presented in thousands of dollars except per share amounts.

Item 1. — Business

General Overview

Founded in 1955 as Worthington Industries, we are one of the leading designers and manufacturers of products sold to consumers, primarily through retail channels, in the tools, outdoor living and celebrations market categories as well as a wide array of highly specialized building products that primarily serve customers in the residential and non-residential construction markets, including ceiling suspension systems and light gauge metal framing products, respectively, through our unconsolidated joint ventures, WAVE and ClarkDietrich, as well as wholly-owned and consolidated operations that produce pressurized containment solutions for heating, cooking and cooling applications, among others. Our business strategy is rooted in our people first culture that values our relationships across the spectrum and revolves around products and services that empower people to live safer, healthier and more expressive lives. Originally founded as a value-added steel processor domiciled under the laws of the State of Ohio, we expanded our offerings to include manufactured metal products organized around attractive end market under two separate and distinct reportable operating segments: Consumer Products and Building Products.

We believe the foundation of our success is rooted in our people first philosophy and our belief that people are our most important asset, which serves as a basis for our unwavering commitment to our employees, customers, suppliers, and investors. Our primary goal is to create value for our shareholders. Built on the successful foundation of the Worthington Business System, we apply a disciplined approach to capital deployment and seek to grow earnings by optimizing our operations and supply chain, developing and commercializing new products and applications, and pursuing strategic investments and acquisitions.

Our fiscal year ends each May 31 and our fiscal quarters end on the final day of each of August, November, February and May.

We are headquartered at 200 West Old Wilson Bridge Road, Columbus, Ohio 43085, telephone (614) 438-3210. The common shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol WOR. We maintain a website at www.worthingtonenterprises.worthingtonindustries. com. This uniform resource locator, or URL, is an inactive textual reference only and is not intended to incorporate our website into this Form 10-K. This uniform resource locator, or URL, is an inactive textual reference only and is not intended to incorporate our website into this Form 10-K. Worthington Enterprises’ 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 Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as well as Worthington Enterprises’ definitive proxy materials for annual meetings of shareholders filed pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act, are available free of charge, on or through our website, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Worthington Industries’ 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 Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as well as Worthington Industries’ definitive proxy materials for annual meetings of shareholders filed pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act, are available free of charge, on or through our website, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.

Separation of the Steel Processing Business

On December 1, 2023, we completed the Separation of our former steel processing business into a separate public company in a transaction intended to qualify as tax free to our shareholders, which was accomplished via the Distribution. Worthington Steel is an independent public company. The operating results of our former steel processing business are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented. All discussions within this Form 10-K, including amounts, percentages and disclosures for all periods presented, reflect only our continuing operations unless otherwise noted.

Following the completion of the Separation, Worthington Industries, Inc. changed its name to Worthington Enterprises, Inc. and its common shares continue trading on the NYSE under the ticker symbol WOR. On December 1, 2023, the common shares of Worthington Steel began trading on the NYSE under the ticker symbol WS.

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Other Business Developments

On May 29, 2024, we became a noncontrolling equity partner in a new unconsolidated joint venture with Hexagon, a leading global manufacturer of Type 4 composite cylinders used for storing gas under high-pressure, by selling 51% of the nominal share capital of our former sustainable energy solutions operating segment in Europe. Pursuant to the transaction, Hexagon acquired a 49% stake in the joint venture for approximately $11,518, after adjusting for closing cash and preliminary net working capital, with an additional 2% sold to members of the existing management team for an additional $468. Post-closing, we hold a 49%, noncontrolling interest in the joint venture, which is accounted for under the equity method due to our significant influence. The newly formed joint venture will focus on capitalizing on the global clean energy transition specific to the storage, transport and distribution of hydrogen and compressed natural gas.

Our 49% noncontrolling interest, which is accounted for under the equity method, does not qualify as a standalone operating segment and therefore will be reported within Other along with unallocated corporate expenses, as discussed further in “Note P – Segment Data.” Additionally, upon closing, our sustainable energy solutions business, as historically operated, is no longer part of our management structure and therefore the financial position and results of operations of this business are presented within Other, on an historical basis, through May 29, 2024.

On February 1, 2024, we acquired an 80% ownership stake in Halo, an affiliate of HPG, an asset-light business with technology-enabled solutions in the outdoor cooking space. The total purchase price was $9,588. Refer to “Note Q – Acquisitions” for additional information.

Our Key Strengths

We believe our established portfolio of market-leading brands positions us well to execute on our growth initiatives and overall business strategy. Our ability to manufacture at scale and leverage key customer relationships in diverse end markets distinguishes us from our competitors and creates barriers to entry. We also believe we are well-positioned to capitalize on certain secular trends impacting the markets that we serve, including government stimulus and other initiatives to support long-term construction and supply chain investment as well as the increasing investments in environmental projects at the corporate and government level.

We believe the Worthington Business System is the engine that drives value for our shareholders. The Worthington Business System is rooted in the Worthington Philosophy and designed to drive continuous improvement through use of tools and technologies that help drive results and inform our business decisions by applying lean techniques to streamline costs and reduce waste within manufacturing, commercial, sourcing and supply chain. Through continuous improvement initiatives, we believe we can achieve improved metrics for product quality, service, delivery, workforce safety and waste reduction to further optimize cost, productivity and efficiencies, while creating a resilient and efficient operating platform that can remain agile regardless of external market conditions.

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Segments

Our operations are managed and reported principally on a products and services basis underneath two reportable operating segments: “Consumer Products,” and “Building Products.” International operations accounted for approximately 21% of our consolidated net sales during fiscal 2024 and were comprised primarily of sales to customers in Europe. International operations accounted for approximately 6% of our consolidated net sales during fiscal 2022 and were comprised primarily of sales to customers in Europe. Sales to one retail customer accounted for 12% of our consolidated net sales in fiscal 2024.

Refer to the following segment descriptions and “Note P – Segment Data” for a full description of our segments.

Consumer Products

Our Consumer Products business serves retail customers and end consumers in the tools, outdoor living and celebrations categories under market-leading brands that include the following: Balloon Time®, Bernzomatic®, Coleman® (licensed), Garden-Weasel®, General®, Halo®, Hawkeye™, Level5®, Mag-Torch®, Pactool International®, and Worthington Pro Grade™. These include propane-filled cylinders for torches, camping stoves and other applications, handheld torches, helium-filled balloon kits, specialized hand tools and instruments, drywall tools and accessories and gas grills and pizza ovens sold primarily to mass merchandisers, retailers and distributors. These include propane-filled cylinders for torches, camping stoves and other applications, LPG cylinders, handheld torches, helium-filled balloon kits, specialized hand tools and instruments, and drywall tools and accessories sold primarily to mass merchandisers, retailers and distributors.

Consumer Products generated approximately 40%, 39% and 39% of our consolidated net sales in fiscal 2024, fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, respectively. Consumer Products serviced approximately 1,550 customers during fiscal 2024. Sales to the top customer represented approximately 30% of net sales for Consumer Products during fiscal 2024.

Consumer Products operates five facilities located in Kansas (2), Kentucky, New Jersey, and Wisconsin.

Consumer Products competes on the basis of its reputation for product quality, its well-known brands, its commitment to customer service, its strong customer relationships, the breadth of its product lines, and its innovative products and customer value propositions. Consumer Products encounters active competition in the variety of end-markets in which it competes from both larger and smaller companies that offer the same or similar products. Certain large customers offer private label brands that compete across a wide spectrum of the segment’s product offerings, especially in tools and outdoor living.

The major end markets / product categories in which our consumer products business competes include the following:

Tools: We sell a variety of tools for both professional and DIY consumers. Our products include hand-held torches, micro torches, lighters, accessories and fuel for constructing, fixing making and creating; precision and specialty hand, digital and safety tools; and drywall tools and accessories used for finishing and taping, cutting, siding and roofing. Most of our products are sold online and to home centers and other retailers. We closely monitor key market activity, including, but not limited to inflationary pressures, consumer debt/income ratios, consumer spending levels, and activity within the adjacent repair and remodel end market, discussed further below in the discussion of Building Products end markets.

Outdoor Living: We compete in the large, growing, and fragmented outdoor living market. We believe growth in the outdoor living market is driven by key trends, centered around enhancing enjoyment while participating in outdoor activities. This includes participation levels and the resilience of consumer demand for product purchases in these categories versus other discretionary categories. The nature of the outdoor activities to which we cater often requires recurring purchases throughout the year, resulting in high rates of conversion among customers.

Celebrations: Our business in this end market is generated primarily from celebration and party-related activities. Our products are available at many convenient locations, including mass retailers, party stores and craft stores. We closely monitor key market activity, including but not limited to, inflationary pressures, consumer debt/income ratios, and consumer spending levels. Our principal method of meeting competitive challenges in this market is by creating and maintaining leading brands and products that deliver superior value and performance at a competitive cost.

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Building Products

Our Building Products business is a market-leading provider of pressurized containment solutions, providing critical components in essential end markets, such as heating, cooking, cooling and water, and, through our unconsolidated joint ventures, WAVE and ClarkDietrich, ceiling suspension systems and light gauge metal framing products. Our pressurized containment solutions include refrigerant and LPG cylinders, well water and expansion tanks, and other specialty products which are generally sold to gas producers and distributors. Refrigerant gas cylinders are used to hold refrigerant gases for commercial, residential, and automotive air conditioning and refrigeration systems. LPG cylinders hold fuel for residential and light commercial heating systems, barbeque grills and recreational vehicle equipment, industrial forklifts and commercial/residential cooking (the latter, generally outside North America). LPG cylinders hold fuel for residential and light commercial heating systems, industrial forklifts and commercial/residential cooking (the latter, generally outside North America). Well water tanks and expansion tanks are used primarily in the residential market with certain products also sold to commercial markets. Well water tanks and expansion tanks are used in the residential market with the latter also sold into commercial markets. Specialty products include a variety of fire suppression tanks, chemical tanks, and foam and adhesive tanks. Specialty products include a variety of fire suppression and chemical tanks.

WAVE, a 50%-owned joint venture with Armstrong World Industries, Inc. is the largest of the four North American manufacturers of ceiling suspension systems for concealed and lay-in panel ceilings used in commercial and residential ceiling markets. It competes with the other North American manufacturers and numerous regional manufacturers. It competes with the other North American manufacturers and numerous regional manufacturers. WAVE operates seven manufacturing facilities, one each in Georgia, Michigan, and Nevada and two each in California and Maryland. WAVE operates six manufacturing facilities, one each in Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, and Nevada and two in California.

ClarkDietrich, a 25%-owned joint venture with CWBS-MISA is an industry leader in the manufacture and supply of light gauge steel framing products in the U.S. ClarkDietrich manufactures a full line of drywall studs and accessories, structural studs and joists, metal lath and accessories, shaft wall studs and track, vinyl and finishing products used primarily in residential and commercial construction. ClarkDietrich operates 14 manufacturing facilities, one each in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri and Canada and two each in California, Florida, Ohio, and Texas. This joint venture operates 13 manufacturing facilities, one each in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland and Missouri and two each in California, Florida, Ohio, and Texas.

Building Products generated approximately 50%, 51% and 51% of our consolidated net sales in fiscal 2024, fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, respectively. Building Products serviced approximately 1,650 customers during fiscal 2024.

Excluding WAVE and ClarkDietrich, our Building Products segment operates eight facilities located in Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio (3), Rhode Island, Norway and Portugal.

In the U.S. and Canada, our manufactured building products are designed to comply with U.S. Department of Transportation and Transport Canada specifications. Outside the U.S. and Canada, cylinders are manufactured according to European specifications, as well as various other international standards. Other products are produced to applicable industry standards including, as applicable, those standards issued by the American Petroleum Institute, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and UL Solutions. Other products are produced to applicable industry standards including, as applicable, those standards issued by the American Petroleum Institute, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and UL Solutions.

Building Products has one principal domestic competitor in the low-pressure LPG cylinder market, and a number of foreign competitors in the LPG cylinder, non-refillable refrigerant, and well water and expansion tank markets. We believe that this business has the largest market share in the domestic low-pressure cylinder market. We believe that this business has the largest market share in the domestic low-pressure cylinder market. In the other cylinder markets, there are several competitors. In the other cylinder markets, there are several competitors. Building Products generally has a strong competitive position for its industrial, energy, retail and specialty products, but competition varies on a product-by-product basis. Building Products generally has a strong competitive position for its industrial, energy, retail and specialty products, but competition varies on a product-by-product basis. Competition for our Building Products operating segment is based upon price, service and quality.

The major end markets in which our building products business competes include the following:

Residential Construction: We sell products for use in single and multi-family housing. Key statistics that indicate market opportunity include existing home sales (a key indicator for renovation opportunity), housing starts, housing completions, home prices, interest rates and consumer confidence.

Non-residential Construction: Opportunities in this end market come from new construction as well as the renovation of existing buildings. We closely monitor publicly available macroeconomic data and trends that provide insight into non-residential construction market activity, including but not limited to, GDP, office vacancy rates, the ABI, new commercial construction starts, state and local government spending, corporate profits and retail sales. Our revenue from new construction can lag behind construction starts by as much as 24 months.