Atkore (ATKR) 10-K2024 FY Annual report

    

Atkore Inc. (collectively with all its subsidiaries referred to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as “Atkore,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our”) was incorporated in the State of Delaware on November 4, 2010. As of September 30, 2024, Atkore was the sole stockholder of Atkore International, Inc. (“AII”).

We are a leading manufacturer of Electrical products primarily for the non-residential construction and renovation markets, as well as residential markets, and Safety & Infrastructure products for the construction and industrial markets. The Electrical segment manufactures high quality products used in the construction of electrical power systems including conduit, cable, and installation accessories. This segment serves contractors in partnership with the electrical wholesale channel. The Safety & Infrastructure segment designs and manufactures solutions including metal framing, mechanical pipe, perimeter security, and cable management for the protection and reliability of critical infrastructure. These solutions are marketed to contractors, original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), and end-users. We believe we hold #1 or #2 positions in the United States by net sales in a significant number of our products. The quality of our products, strength of our brands, our scale and national presence provide what we believe to be a unique set of competitive advantages that position us for profitable growth.

Our mission is to be the customer’s first choice by providing unmatched quality, delivery, and value based on sustainable excellence in strategy, people, and processes.

Atkore is committed to providing our customers with a safe, sustainable, and innovative portfolio of high quality electrical, mechanical, safety, and infrastructure products and solutions. In total, we serve several end-markets, including new non-residential construction, maintenance, repair and remodel (“MR&R”), residential, OEM, and international markets.

We continuously seek to improve our product offerings and develop innovative new products that meet the changing needs of our customers, which include industry trends toward digital design tools and labor saving solutions. The majority of Atkore products have Building Information Modeling (“BIM”) models available for our customers’ use.

Significant product categories within our Electrical segment include metal electrical conduit and fittings, plastic pipe conduit and fittings, electrical cable and flexible conduit, and international cable management systems, which are critical components of the electrical infrastructure for new construction and MR&R markets. Significant product categories within our Safety & Infrastructure segment include mechanical tube, metal framing & fittings, construction services and perimeter security. Our metal framing products are used in the installation of electrical systems and various support structures, and our mechanical tube products can commonly be found in solar applications.

Atkore continues to invest to add capabilities and capacity to develop innovative products and solutions to make installation faster and easier. Recent examples of our innovation include the patented MC Glide Tuff armored cable, the winner of the EC&M 2022 Product of the Year in the Wire & Cable category, which facilitates faster and smoother pull through during installations; Eagle Basket, which quickly latches together; and Cellular Core Conduit, which bends easier than PVC conduit.

We are acutely aware of the importance of our equipment operating reliably, and we strive to deliver the safest, highest quality products. Our sales and marketing processes are primarily focused on serving our customers, including electrical, industrial and specialty distributors, who sell to contractors, and OEMs. We believe customers view Atkore as offering a strong value proposition based on our broad product offering, strong brands, short order cycle times, reliability and consistent product quality. For each of fiscal 2024, 2023 and 2022, approximately 88%, 90%, and 91% respectively, of our net sales were sold to customers located in the United States. Our net sales by geographic area were as follows:

Atkore has a well-established customer base, which includes many of the largest companies in their categories. In fiscal 2024, our top ten customers accounted for approximately 40% of net sales. For Fiscal 2024 and 2023, one customer, Sonepar USA accounted for more than 10% of sales, and for 2022, no single customer accounted for more than 10% of sales.

Our customers include global electrical distributors (such as CED, Graybar Electric Company, Rexel, Sonepar S.A. and Wesco International, Inc.), independent electrical distributors including super-regional electrical distributors (such as U.S. Electrical Services Inc., Crescent Electric Supply Co. and United Electric Supply Company, Inc.) and members of buying groups (such as Affiliated Distributors, Inc., IMARK Group, Inc. and STAFDA) as well as industrial distributors and big-box retailers. We also support alternative energy OEMs, with many applications used in solar system infrastructure.

We currently manufacture products in 42 facilities and operate a total footprint of approximately 8.5 million square feet of manufacturing and distribution space in eight countries. Our headquarters are located in Harvey, Illinois, which is also the location of our largest manufacturing facility. Similar to our distribution footprint, our manufacturing footprint is currently concentrated in the United States, with additional facilities in Australia, Belgium, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

    

With respect to our tube and conduit products, we believe we are a technology leader in the in-line galvanizing manufacturing process and have developed specialized equipment that enables us to produce a variety of low-cost high-quality galvanized tube products. For example, our subsidiary, Allied Tube & Conduit Corporation, or “Allied Tube,” developed an in-line galvanizing technique (Flo-Coat) in which zinc is applied in a continuous process when the tube and pipe are formed. The Flo-Coat galvanizing process provides superior zinc coverage of fabricated metal products for rust prevention and lower cost manufacturing than traditional hot-dip galvanizing. Another example is our Cellular Core conduit, which employs a co-extrusion process to create three firmly bonded layers with the inner layer as a cellular core, creating a conduit that weighs less and is more flexible while meeting UL standards.

We use a variety of raw materials in manufacturing our products. Our primary raw materials are steel, copper, polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”) resin and high density polyethylene (“HDPE”) though industry supply interruptions have occurred in the past for limited periods of time. We believe that sources for these raw materials are well-established, generally available and are in sufficient quantity that we may avoid disruption to our business if we encounter an interruption from one of our existing suppliers. Our primary suppliers of steel are Cleveland-Cliffs, Steel Dynamics and Nucor; our primary suppliers of copper are AmRod, SDI LaFarga and Nexans; and our primary suppliers of PVC resin are Westlake, Formosa and Oxy Vinyls; and our primary suppliers of HDPE resin are LyondellBasell and Baystar. We strive to maintain strong relationships with our suppliers.

Responsible sourcing and supply chain management are critical to Atkore’s ability to provide high quality products to our customers. We expect our suppliers to carry out Atkore’s values and commitments by using resources responsibly, reducing the environmental footprint of their operations whenever possible, and upholding fair employment and human rights principles as outlined in our Supplier Integrity and Sustainability Standards.

Atkore adds value to the customer experience with a comprehensive portfolio of electrical products and strategically located regional service centers. Additionally, we drive value for our customers through a single order across our broad product portfolio coupled with services like our ReliaRoutes hub-and-spoke fixed trucking lanes and technologies like our mobile app to track orders and schedule pickups.

We primarily sell and distribute our products through electrical, industrial and specialty distributors and OEMs. For many of the more than 12,000 electrical-distributor branches in the United States, our products are must-stock lines that form a staple of their business. We serve a diverse group of end markets, including new construction, MR&R and infrastructure, diversified industrials, alternative power generation, healthcare, data centers and government. End-users, who are typically electrical, industrial and mechanical contractors as well as OEMs, install our products during non-residential, residential and infrastructure construction and renovation projects or in assembly and manufacturing processes.

Distribution-based sales accounted for approximately 83% of our net sales in fiscal 2024. We distribute our products to electrical and industrial distributors from our manufacturing and distribution facilities as well as from over 33 dedicated distribution facilities operated by our agents. Our products are also stocked by electrical and industrial distributors who are located across the United States. Some of our products are purchased by OEMs and used as part of their products and solutions in applications such as utility solar framing, and conveyor systems. OEM sales accounted for approximately 13% of our net sales for fiscal 2024.

Our distribution footprint is concentrated in North America (the United States and Canada), with additional facilities in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

In a typical year, our operating results are impacted by seasonality. Weather can impact the ability to pursue non-residential construction projects at any time of the year in any geography, but historically, our slowest quarters have been the first and second fiscal quarters of each fiscal year when frozen ground and cold temperatures in many parts of the country can impede the start and pursuit of construction projects. Sales of our products have historically been higher in the third and fourth quarters of each fiscal year due to favorable weather and longer daylight conditions during these periods. Seasonal variations in operating results may also be significantly impacted by inclement weather conditions, such as cold or wet weather, which can delay construction projects.

Our marketing efforts are focused on key stakeholder audiences including electrical and industrial distributors, contractors, engineers, government entities, and OEM customers. These combined efforts communicate the value proposition of the overall Atkore brand by bringing together complementary solutions in our portfolio while reinforcing the individual value propositions of our leading sub-brands such as Allied Tube & Conduit, AFC Cable Systems, Kaf-Tech, Heritage Plastics, Unistrut, Power-Strut, Cope, US Tray, FRE Composites, United Poly Systems, Calbond and Calpipe.

Atkore sales are enabled through external commissioned sales agents and internal sales teams that drive customer acquisition and retention. Our comprehensive portfolio of products and solutions is continually enhanced by driving innovation into our markets with new product introductions, such as the digital tools that support project design and selection.

Prompted by evolving customer needs in an increasingly competitive, cost-and-efficiency conscious construction industry, we refreshed our branding strategy in 2020 from a house of brands to a branded house, uniting all brands under one master brand, Atkore, and adopted the “Building Better Together” theme to demonstrate how we work with our customers and our customers’ customers. An indicator of the effectiveness of our marketing and branding strategy is the marketplace recognition Atkore has garnered through several awards in the last 2 years, including the tED Best of the Best Award for Marketing Excellence, an AD Electrical Marketing Excellence Award, and a tED Advertising Award.

Our principal competitors range from national manufacturers to smaller regional manufacturers and differ by each of our product lines. We also face competition from manufacturers in Canada, Mexico and several other international markets, depending on the product. We believe our customers purchase from us because we provide value through the quality of our products, the breadth of our portfolio and the timeliness of our delivery. Competitive pressures are generally in the areas of product offering, product innovation, quality, service and price.

The main competitors in each of these segments are listed below:

Historically, information technology has not been a significant differentiator for us in our markets, however, we believe that the ease of doing business with us will become increasingly important to our growth and are making significant investments to improve our operations and provide valuable solutions for our customers. Over the past seven years, Atkore has made significant investments in technology to improve our business and provide value to our customers.

Currently, we operate our business using commercially available hardware and software products with well-developed support services. These commercially available software products include the Company’s general ledger and financial reporting system. The Company’s email service and various other information technology services are on cloud computing platforms hosted by various prominent and reputable technology companies. Beginning in 2019, the Company began to standardize its ERP and has completed the implementation of modules for order management, advanced warehouse management, inventory management, accounts receivable and accounts payable across significant portions of the business. The Company continues to implement this ERP as it integrates acquired businesses.

In today’s business environment, cybersecurity is of paramount importance and Atkore has also invested significantly to strengthen our cybersecurity posture.

Atkore believes that a culture of engagement and alignment drives continuous improvement, enhances our customers’ experience, and delivers strong performance.

We aim to foster a workplace where our employees feel aligned with our mission, proud of our culture and engaged in their work. Our annual Employee Engagement and Alignment Survey is one of our primary tools to assess our performance as an employer of choice and to measure employee engagement and satisfaction.

We believe our relationship with our employees is good. As of September 30, 2024, we employed approximately 5,600 full-time equivalent employees of whom approximately 6% are temporary or contract workers. Our employees are primarily located in the United States, with about 14% employed at our international locations in Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

As of September 30, 2024, approximately 20% of our domestic and international employees were represented by a union under a collective bargaining agreement. All unions are either located in the United States or Canada with no unions or Worker’s Councils at any of our other locations abroad.

From time to time, our collective bargaining agreements expire and come up for re-negotiations. Our Harvey, Illinois collective bargaining agreement with the United Steelworkers Union, which represents approximately 367 employees expired in April 2024. The United Steelworkers Union employees have continued to work thus far during negotiations, which are ongoing.

At Atkore, nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of our people. We seek to ensure that employees, customers, contractors, and visitors to our facilities go home safely at the end of each day, and we empower everyone to proactively identify and eliminate risks to promote an injury-free and incident-free workplace.

In 2021, we launched our new safety brand “Let’s Make It Home,” a safety program encompassing our commitment to safety and reinforcing the importance of living our values in order to create a workplace where everyone feels respected, appreciated and safe. Developed by and for employees, Let’s Make It Home makes safety at Atkore personal and reminds everyone that safety is integral to every action.

In 2021, we also introduced updates to our Life Saving Rules, which provide additional guidance on the actions every employee must take to ensure safe practices across our operations. All employees are required to certify compliance with the Life Saving Rules annually. Additionally, our employees are required to receive Atkore Kore Training and Safety Alerts, which cover high-hazard occupational safety concerns and compliance with both internal and external safety and environmental permits. Every one of our sites completes a self-assessment and certification of completion.

We believe Atkore’s investments in safety, health and well-being are critical to supporting and protecting our most important asset: our people.

At Atkore, we believe that diversity of all types contributes to our success and that our differences make us better. We believe that supporting a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace fosters a culture of openness and innovation. Our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“DE&I”) is embedded throughout the company with a range of programs driven by our DE&I Roadmap, which helps us identify and execute specific actions and monitor our progress toward a workplace where all employees feel they belong and are empowered to do their best work.

In 2023, we expanded the scope DE&I related training offerings, building upon our required unconscious bias training for salaried and hourly employees and reflecting our ambition to embed equity and inclusion across our business. In 2022, we also expanded our anti-harassment policy to expressly prohibit bullying, in addition to discrimination and all forms of harassment, and all Atkore employees are required to complete anti-harassment training. Our DE&I Steering Committee sponsored a number of community events and contributions in 2024, including back-to-school backpack drives for lower social-economic communities, and engagement with a variety of LGBTQIA+ community organizations, including as a sponsor for the Center on Halsted's annual gala and career fair in Chicago, Illinois.

We regularly evaluate our progress on DE&I across the company. During 2023, we expanded our DE&I reach by introducing location Diversity, Equity and Inclusion champions at many of our locations globally. These champions provide support by bringing greater awareness of DE&I initiatives at a local level and driving many internal and community-based activities. Each of our employees is encouraged to bring their uniqueness to the Company, which unlocks their individual potential and Atkore’s organizational potential.

Our ability to successfully operate, grow and implement key business strategies is dependent upon our ability to attract, develop and retain talented employees at all levels of our organization. As part of our human capital resource objectives, we support our employees by using strategic workforce planning to forecast future needs, building, and leveraging an inclusive leadership mindset, and applying a robust talent management process, including our onboarding and immersion program and our monthly organizational leadership review cadence.

We provide opportunities for advancement through rotational and stretch assignments and best practice leadership roles. In fiscal 2024, approximately 22% of our total positions filled came from internal promotions, highlighting our commitment to developing our employees.

Our successful ALDP program continues to generate talented leaders. This program provides recent graduates with the opportunity to navigate through a robust two-year rotational program, designed to teach and develop key skills while working within various functions of the organization.

The Company rewards employees with competitive compensation and benefits packages, including attractive medical plans, retirement plans, opportunities for annual bonuses and, for eligible employees, long-term incentives and equity-based compensation. The Company believes our compensation program allows us to attract and retain talented employees.

We have a culture of engagement and alignment and believe fully engaged employees stay focused on being a standout leader, support the decisions of the leadership team and strive for breakthrough results. An aligned employee lives our mission and values, learns our strategic priorities and links their individual goals to those priorities. Our 2024 engagement and alignment survey had an overall

participation rate of 81%. In fiscal 2024, 73% of our hourly workforce participated in the survey, compared to 72% of hourly employees in fiscal 2023.

Atkore is committed to supporting human rights and fair labor practices. We will not tolerate human rights abuses of any kind, including human trafficking, child labor or incidents of corruption within our company or supply chain. Employees are encouraged to report any potential violations or concerns, and all reports are promptly and impartially investigated.

Our Human Rights Policy defines our dedication to protecting human rights and is driven by our core values and is aligned with national and international principles of human rights. In fiscal 2023, we launched Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention training for all salaried employees.

Atkore’s Supplier Integrity and Sustainability Standards set forth our expectation that suppliers uphold our commitment to human rights. In 2021, we launched our Supplier Business Review Agenda with several of our largest suppliers to ensure our partners could conduct business in alignment with our values.

Patents and other proprietary rights can be important to our business. We also rely on trade secrets, manufacturing know-how, continuing technological innovations, and licensing opportunities to maintain and improve our competitive position. We periodically review third-party proprietary rights, including patents and patent applications, in an effort to avoid infringement of third-party proprietary rights, identify licensing opportunities and monitor the intellectual property claims of others.

We own a portfolio of patents and trademarks. Other than licenses to commercially available third-party software, we do not believe that any of our licenses to third-party intellectual property are material to our business taken as a whole. Patents for individual products extend for varying periods according to the date of patent filing or grant and the legal term of patents in the various countries where patent protection is obtained. We rely on both trademark registration and common law protection for trademarks. Trademark rights may potentially extend indefinitely and are dependent upon national laws and use of the trademarks.

While we consider our patents and trademarks to be valuable assets, we do not believe that our competitive position is dependent on patent or trademark protection or that our operations are dependent upon any single patent or group of related patents. We nevertheless face intellectual property-related risks. For more information on these risks, see Item 1A, “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property rights in foreign countries, and we may become involved in intellectual property disputes.”

Our facilities are subject to various federal, state, local and non-U.S. regulations including the protection of human health, safety and the environment. Among other things, these laws govern the use, storage, treatment, transportation, disposal and management of hazardous substances and wastes; regulate emissions or discharges of pollutants or other substances into the air, water, or otherwise into the environment; impose liability for the costs of investigating and remediating, and damages resulting from, present and past releases of hazardous substances and protect the health and safety of our employees.

We have incurred, and expect to continue to incur, capital expenditures in addition to ordinary course costs to comply with applicable current and future environmental, health and safety laws, such as those governing air emissions, wastewater discharges and waste disposal. In addition, government agencies could impose conditions or other restrictions in our environmental permits which increase our costs. These laws are subject to change, which can be frequent and material. More stringent federal, state or local environmental rules or regulations could increase our operating costs and expenses.

The cost of compliance with environmental, health and safety laws and capital expenditures required to meet regulatory requirements is not anticipated to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows or competitive position.

    

In October 2013, the State of Illinois filed a complaint against our subsidiary Allied Tube, alleging violations of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, or the “IEPA,” relating to discharges to a storm sewer system that terminates at Allied Tube’s Harvey, Illinois manufacturing facility. The State sought an injunction ordering Allied Tube to take immediate corrective action to abate the alleged violations and civil penalties as permitted by applicable law. Allied Tube has reviewed management practices and made improvements to its diesel fuel storage and truck maintenance areas to resolve the State’s claims. We entered into a consent order that required Allied Tube to pay a nominal penalty, install base low-flow oil and water separation equipment and take certain additional remedial actions to resolve the State’s claim. The installation of the low-flow oil and water separation equipment is complete; however, the State is now requiring additional remedial investigation and remediation activities before considering a no further action determination and it has extended the deadline to perform all such activity through December 2025. We do not currently expect that any remaining obligations would have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In August 2014, we received from the IEPA the terms of a proposed new stormwater discharge permit for our Harvey, Illinois manufacturing facility. Because the facility did not meet the zinc limit set forth in the proposed permit, the Company commenced negotiations with the IEPA to agree upon mutually acceptable discharge limits. During these negotiations, the facility was operating under an extension of the terms of our existing stormwater discharge permit. In October 2016, we received the final permit. A mutually agreed upon compliance plan was part of the permit. The compliance plan included studies to reduce zinc emitted from galvanizing manufacturing operations, implementation of more rigorous discharge management practices, evaluation of the installation of passive/cost effective stormwater treatment and receiving stream studies to determine if a less stringent permit limit would be as protective of the water system as the October 2016 permit limit. The permit was modified in December 2019 to accommodate trials of a metal coating technology that would nearly eliminate the largest source of zinc emissions from our galvanizing operations. Although the metal coating trials were not successful, we have completed the installation of zinc treatment systems for the storm water discharges, are further reducing the zinc emitted from the galvanizing manufacturing operations and are capturing stormwater for treatment and use in our manufacturing process. A new permit was issued August 5, 2021 that included a less stringent permit limit based on the receiving stream evaluation, which also included a one-year start-up / shake-down period to meet the new zinc limit. We continued to keep the IEPA informed on our progress. The facility achieved intermittent compliance during the one-year start-up / shake-down period and throughout the remainder of 2022, and into 2023. Discussions were held with the IEPA regarding the zinc translator constant and the mixing zone study over the summer. Based on the updated stormwater calculations, the IEPA has agreed to a less-stringent permit limit for zinc (1.84 mg/L vs 1.15 mg/L). Ongoing compliance with the stormwater discharge permit is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

We are continually investigating, remediating or addressing contamination at our current and former facilities. For example, we are currently monitoring and passively remediating groundwater contamination at our Wayne, Michigan facility. Future investigation and remediation activities may be required to address contamination at or migrating from the Wayne, Michigan site as well as addressing vapor intrusion issues at nearby residences. We have maintained good working relationships with the State of Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, Energy, the City of Wayne and the residents surrounding our facility. We hold periodic public meetings to keep the community apprised of the current monitoring data and the remedial efforts taken or planned. We do not expect planned remedial efforts to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Many of our current and former facilities have a history of industrial usage for which additional investigation and remediation obligations could arise in the future and which could materially adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

We make available free of charge through our website, http://investors.atkore.com/sec-filings, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements, other reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), and all amendments to those reports simultaneously or as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Our reports are also available free of charge on the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov. References to our website in this Annual Report on Form 10-K do not constitute an incorporation by reference of any of the information found on our website, and such information is not a part of this or any other report we file with or furnish to the SEC.

During the United States economic recession which began in the second half of 2007 and continued through June of 2009, demand for our products declined significantly. Another economic downturn in any of the markets we serve may result in a reduction of sales and pricing for our products. Any such economic downturn could also adversely affect the creditworthiness of our customers. If the creditworthiness of our customers declines, we could face increased credit risk and some, or many, of our customers may not be able to pay us amounts when they become due. Economic downturns may also result in restructuring actions and associated expenses and the impairment of long-lived assets, including goodwill and other intangibles. In particular, we may be forced to close underperforming facilities. Any such restructuring actions, combined with reduced demand and excess capacity, could negatively impact our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.    

We cannot predict economic conditions, or the timing or strength of demand in our markets. Weakness in the markets in which we operate could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Our business is largely dependent on the non-residential construction industry. For new construction, we estimate that our product installation typically lags United States non-residential starts by six to twelve months. The United States non-residential construction industry is cyclical, with product demand based on numerous factors such as availability of credit, interest rates, general economic conditions, consumer confidence and other factors that are beyond our control. United States non-residential construction starts, as reported by Dodge, reached a historic low of 690 million square feet in our fiscal 2010 and increased to 1,265 million square feet in our fiscal 2024, which was above historical average levels.

From time to time we have been adversely affected in various parts of the country by declines in non-residential building construction starts due to, among other things, supply chain disruptions and availability of construction labor and materials, changes in tax laws affecting the real estate industry, interest rate increases, governmental restrictions relating to public health conditions and business office usage. Continued uncertainty about current economic conditions will continue to pose a risk to our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows, as participants in this industry may postpone spending in response to negative financial news or declines in income or asset values, which could have a continued material negative effect on the demand for our products.

Our results of operations are impacted by changes in commodity prices, primarily steel, copper and resin. Historically, we have not engaged in material hedging strategies for raw material purchases. Substantially all of the products we sell (such as steel conduit, tubing and framing, copper wiring in our cables, and PVC and HDPE conduit) are subject to price fluctuations because they are composed primarily of steel, copper or resin, industrial commodities that are subject to price volatility. This volatility can significantly affect our gross profit. We also watch the market trends of certain other commodities, such as zinc (used in the galvanization process for a number of our products), electricity, natural gas and diesel fuel, as such commodities can be important to us as they impact our cost of sales, both directly through our plant operations and indirectly through transportation and freight expense.

We may not always be completely successful in managing raw material market fluctuations in the future. We generally sell our products on a spot basis (and not under long-term contracts). Accordingly, in periods of declining raw material prices, we may face pricing pressure from our customers to reduce our products’ prices. Conversely, in periods of increasing raw material prices, we may not be able to pass on such increases to our customers. Our inability to maintain established price levels in an environment of declining raw material prices, or offset increasing raw material prices by our products’ prices, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The principal markets that we serve are highly competitive. Competition is based primarily on product offering, product innovation, quality, service and price. Our principal competitors range from national manufacturers to smaller regional manufacturers and differ by each of our product lines. See Item 1, “Business—Competition.” Some of our competitors may have greater financial and other resources than we do and some may have more established brand names in the markets we serve. The actions of our competitors, including adding production capacity and the expansion of imported products, may encourage us to lower our prices or to offer additional services or enhanced products at a higher cost to us, which could reduce our gross profit, net income or cash flows or may cause us to lose market share.

Any of these consequences could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

We are dependent on third-party freight carriers to transport many of our products. Our access to third-party freight carriers is not guaranteed, and we may be unable to transport our products at economically attractive rates in certain circumstances, particularly in cases of adverse market conditions or disruptions to transportation infrastructure. Our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows could be materially and adversely affected if we are unable to pass all of the cost increases on to our customers, if we are unable to obtain the necessary energy supplies or if freight carrier capacity in our geographic markets were to decline significantly or otherwise become unavailable.

We use our IT systems to, among other things, run and manage our manufacturing operations, manage inventories and accounts receivable, make purchasing decisions and monitor our results of operations, and process, transmit and store sensitive electronic data, including employee, supplier and customer records. As a result, the proper functioning of our IT systems is critical to the successful operation of our business. Our information systems include proprietary systems developed and maintained by us. In addition, we depend on IT systems of third parties, such as suppliers, retailers and OEMs to, among other things, market and distribute our products, develop new products and services, operate our website, host and manage our services, store data, process transactions, respond to customer inquiries and manage inventory and our supply chain. Although our IT systems are protected through physical and software safeguards and remote processing capabilities exist, our IT systems or those of third parties whom we depend upon are still vulnerable to natural disasters, power losses, unauthorized access, telecommunication failures and other problems. If critical proprietary or third-party IT systems fail or are otherwise unavailable, including as a result of system upgrades and transitions, our ability to manufacture, process orders, track credit risk, identify business opportunities, maintain proper levels of inventories, collect accounts receivable, pay expenses and otherwise manage our business would be adversely affected.

Our business is also vulnerable to cyberattacks. Cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks or unintentional events. Cybersecurity attacks in particular are becoming more sophisticated and more frequent and include, but are not limited to, malicious software, attempts to gain unauthorized access to data (either directly or through our vendors) for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption, “denial of service” attacks, phishing, untargeted but sophisticated and automated attacks and other disruptive software campaigns. We have been, and likely will continue to be, subject to potential damage from cybersecurity attacks. Despite our security measures, our IT systems and infrastructure or those of our third parties may be vulnerable to such cyber incidents. The result of these incidents could include, but are not limited to, disrupted operations, misstated or misappropriated financial data, theft of our intellectual property or other confidential information (including of our customers, suppliers and employees), liability for stolen assets or information, increased cyber security protection costs and reputational damage adversely affecting customer or investor confidence. In addition, if any information about our customers, including payment information, were the subject of a successful cybersecurity attack against us, we could be subject to litigation or other claims by the affected customers. We have incurred costs and may incur significant additional costs in order to implement the security measures we feel are appropriate to protect our IT systems. See Item 1C, “Cybersecurity.”

When the networks of our business partners are comprised, this also raises risks regarding payments and orders.

A substantial portion of our revenue is generated through our operations in the United States. Imports of products similar to those manufactured by us may reduce the volume of products sold by domestic producers and depress the selling prices of our products and those of our competitors.

We believe import levels are affected by, among other things, overall worldwide product demand, the trade practices of the U.S. and foreign governments, the cost of freight, the challenges involved in shipping, government subsidies to foreign producers and governmentally imposed trade restrictions, such as quotas, tariffs, other trade barriers in the United States and government enforcement of such quotas, tariffs and trade barriers. Increased imports of products similar to those manufactured by us in the United States could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Our products can be assembled into interconnected skids to support plant operations and such assemblies have become accepted and used in the designs and construction of large scale manufacturing plants and data centers. The scale of these projects can push our products and services to over tens of millions of dollars or more. Supplying these complex assemblies poses unique challenges, which if not carefully discharged could subject us to warranty, indemnity and other contract obligations that could have a material affect on our results of operations.

The markets for certain of our products are influenced by federal, state, local and international governmental regulations, trade policies and trade groups (such as the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IRA”), other infrastructure legislation, Buy America regulations, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Underwriters Laboratories, National Electrical Code and American Society of Mechanical Engineers) as well as other policies, including those imposed on the non-residential construction industry (such as the National Electrical Code and corresponding state and local laws based on the National Electrical Code). These regulations and policies are subject to change. Any changes to such regulations, laws and policies could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Specifically, changes to the National Electrical Code and any similar state, local or non-U.S. laws, including changes that would allow for alternative products to be used in the non-residential construction industry or that would render less restrictive or otherwise reduce the current requirements under such laws and regulations, could expand the scope of products which could serve as alternatives to our products. As a result, competition in the industries in which we operate could increase, with a potential corresponding decrease in the demand for our products. To remain competitive, we may be forced to reduce the prices of our products.

In addition, in the event that changes in such laws would render current requirements more restrictive, we may be required to change our products or production processes to meet such increased restrictions, which could result in increased costs and cause us to lose market share.

The materialization of any of these risks may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Although weather patterns affect our operating results throughout the year, adverse weather historically has reduced construction activity in our first and second fiscal quarters as construction activity declines due to inclement weather, frozen ground and shorter daylight hours. In contrast, our

highest volume of net sales historically has occurred in our third and fourth fiscal quarters. If hurricanes, severe storms, floods, other natural disasters or similar events occur in the geographic regions in which we or our suppliers operate or through which deliveries must travel, our results of operations may be adversely affected.

As of September 30, 2024, approximately 20% of our domestic and international employees were represented with a collective bargaining agreement by labor unions. Several collective bargaining agreements to which the Company is a party, including the agreement covering the Company’s production in Harvey, Illinois, will expire in 2024. Work stoppages or production interruptions could occur at our facilities or our suppliers’ facilities. Such disputes may arise under existing collective bargaining agreements with labor unions or in connection with negotiations of new collective bargaining agreements, as a result of supplier financial distress or for other reasons. Any amendments to existing collective bargaining agreements, or the implementation of new collective bargaining agreements, could result in increased labor costs.

Any organizing efforts, significant work stoppages or increases in labor costs could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows. See Item 1, “Business Human Capital Resources.”

We are subject to numerous federal, state, local and non-U.S. environmental laws governing, among other things, the generation, use, storage, treatment, transportation, disposal and management of hazardous substances and wastes, emissions or discharges of pollutants or other substances into the environment, investigation and remediation of, and damages resulting from, releases of hazardous substances.

Our failure to comply with applicable environmental laws, regulations and permit requirements could result in civil or criminal fines or penalties, enforcement actions, and regulatory or judicial orders enjoining or curtailing operations or requiring corrective measures such as the installation of pollution control equipment, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Accordingly, compliance with these laws, regulations, permits and approvals is a significant factor in our business. We have incurred, and expect to continue to incur, capital expenditures in addition to ordinary course costs to comply with applicable current and future environmental laws, such as those governing air emissions and wastewater discharges. These laws are subject to change, which could be frequent and material. The imposition of more stringent federal, state or local environmental rules or regulations could increase our operating costs and expenses. In addition, government agencies could impose conditions or other restrictions in our environmental permits which increase our costs.

From time to time, we may be held liable for the costs to address contamination at any real property we have ever owned, operated or used in our business activities or as a disposal site. We are currently, and may in the future be, required to investigate, remediate or otherwise address contamination at our current or former facilities. Many of our current and former facilities have a history of industrial usage for which additional investigation, remediation or other obligations could arise in the future and that could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows. For example, as we sell, close or otherwise dispose of facilities, we may need to address environmental issues at such sites, including any previously unknown contamination.

    

We could be subject to third-party claims for property damage and nuisance or otherwise as a result of violations of, or liabilities under, environmental laws or in connection with releases of hazardous or other materials at any current or former facility. We could also be subject to environmental indemnification or other claims in connection with assets and businesses that we have divested.

We are also subject to various federal, state, local and foreign requirements concerning health and safety conditions at our manufacturing facilities, including those promulgated by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”). The operation of manufacturing facilities involves many risks, including the failure or substandard performance of equipment, suspension of operations and new governmental statues, regulations, guidelines and policies. Our and our customers’ operations are also subject to various hazards incidental to the production, use, handling, processing, storage and transportation of certain hazardous materials. These hazards can cause personal injury, severe damage to and destruction of property and equipment and environmental damage. Furthermore, we may become subject to claims with respect to workplace exposure, personal injury, workers’ compensation and other matters. We may be subject to material financial penalties or liabilities for noncompliance with health and safety requirements, as well as potential business disruption, if any of our facilities or a portion of any facility is required to be temporarily closed as a result of any significant injury or any noncompliance with applicable requirements. Moreover, we have sustained capital expenditure in complying with applicable health and safety laws and regulations, and any changes to such laws and regulations could increase our costs of operations.

We cannot assure you that any costs relating to future capital and operating expenditures to maintain compliance with environmental, health and safety laws, as well as costs to address contamination or environmental claims, will not exceed any current estimates or adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Any unanticipated liabilities or obligations arising, for example, out of discovery of previously unknown conditions or changes in law or enforcement policies, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Certain of our customers, in particular buying groups representing consortia of independent electrical distributors, national electrical distributors, OEMs and data center, medical center and global mega manufacturing project general contractors are material to our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows because they account for a significant portion of our net sales. In fiscal 2024, our ten largest customers (including buyers and distributors in buying groups) accounted for approximately 40% of our net sales. Our percentage of sales to our major customers may increase if we are successful in our strategy of expanding the range of products which we sell to existing customers. In such an event, or in the event of any consolidation in certain segments we serve, including retailers selling building products, our sales may be increasingly sensitive to deterioration in the financial condition of, or other adverse developments with respect to, one or more of our top customers. Our top customers may also be able to exert influences on us with respect to pricing, delivery, payment or other terms. Any termination of a business relationship with, or a significant sustained reduction in business received from, one or more of our largest customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The majority of our net sales are facilitated through the extension of credit to our customers, and a significant asset included in our working capital is accounts receivable from customers. As of

September 30, 2024, Sonepar USA represented 17% and CED National represented 11% of the Company’s accounts receivable, with no significant amounts past due. As of September 30, 2023, Sonepar USA represented 14% and CED National represented 11% of the Company’s accounts receivable with no significant amounts past due. For fiscal 2023, one customer, Sonepar USA accounted for more than 10% of sales, for fiscal 2022, no single customer accounted for more than 10% of sales. See Note 17, “Segment Information” to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report. If customers responsible for a significant amount of accounts receivable become insolvent or otherwise unable to pay for products and services, or become unwilling or unable to make payments in a timely manner, our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

    

Our working capital needs fluctuate based on economic activity and the market prices for our main raw materials, which are predominantly steel, copper and PVC resin. We require significant working capital to purchase these raw materials and sell our products efficiently and profitably to our customers. Our cash collection cycle is generally one to two months longer than our cash payment cycle. If our working capital requirements increase and we are unable to finance our working capital on terms and conditions acceptable to us, we may not be able to obtain raw materials to respond to customer demand, which could result in a loss of sales.

If our working capital needs increase, the amount of liquidity we have at our disposal to devote to other uses will decrease. A decrease in liquidity could, among other things, limit our flexibility, including our ability to make capital expenditures and to complete acquisitions that we have identified, thereby materially and adversely affecting our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

As of September 30, 2024, we had goodwill of $314.0 million, intangible assets of $340.4 million, and other long-lived assets of $832.7 million. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized and are subject to impairment testing at least annually. Future events, such as declines in our cash flow projections or customer demand, may cause impairments of our goodwill or long-lived assets based on factors such as the price of our common stock, projected cash flows, assumptions used or other variables.

In addition, if we divest long-lived assets at prices below their asset value, we must write them down to fair value resulting in long-lived asset impairment charges, which could adversely affect our financial position or results of operations. See Note 12, “Goodwill and Intangible Assets” to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report. We cannot accurately predict the amount and timing of any impairment of assets, and we may be required to recognize goodwill or other asset impairment charges which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations. See “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”.

We are exposed to construction defect and product liability claims relating to our various products if our products do not meet customer expectations. Such claims and liabilities may arise out of the quality of raw materials or component parts we purchase from third-party suppliers, over which we do not have direct control, or due to our fabrication, assembly, or damage in shipment of our products. In addition, we warrant certain of our products to be free of certain defects and could incur costs related to paying warranty claims in connection with defective products. We cannot assure you that we will not experience material losses or that we will not incur significant costs to defend or pay for such claims.

While we currently maintain insurance coverage to address a portion of these types of liabilities, we cannot make assurances that we will be able to obtain such insurance on acceptable terms in the future, if at all, or that any such insurance will provide adequate coverage against potential claims. Further, while we intend to seek indemnification against potential liability for product liability claims from relevant parties, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to recover under any such indemnification agreements. Any claims that result in liability exceeding our insurance coverage and rights to indemnification by third parties could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Product liability claims can be expensive to defend and can divert the attention of management and other personnel for significant time periods, regardless of the ultimate outcome. See Note 15, “Commitments and Contingencies” to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report. An unsuccessful product liability defense could be highly costly and accordingly result in a decline in revenues and profitability.

From time to time, we are also involved in government inquiries and investigations, as well as consumer, employment, tort proceedings and other litigation. We cannot predict with certainty the outcomes of these legal proceedings and other contingencies. The outcome of some of these legal proceedings and other contingencies could require us to take actions which would adversely affect our operations or could require us to pay substantial amounts of money. Additionally, defending against these lawsuits and proceedings may involve significant expense and diversion of management’s attention and resources from other matters.

While we have implemented risk management and contingency plans and taken preventive measures and other precautions, no predictions of specific scenarios can be made with respect to any future pandemic and such measures may not adequately protect our business from the impact of such events. These impacts include disruptions or restrictions on our employees’ ability to work in proximity to others or even to travel to or for work, as well as temporary closures of our facilities or the facilities of our customers, suppliers and other constituents of our supply chain.

Uncertainty and delays in our end-markets relating to public health conditions could have a material adverse impact on the demand for our products, some jurisdictions may raise taxes to help cover pandemic-related costs and disruptions to or adverse conditions in the financial industry could affect our ability to obtain financing on favorable terms or at all.

The potential physical impacts of climate change on our business operations are highly uncertain and differ in each geographic region where we operate. These impacts may include changes in weather patterns and increased weather intensity, water shortages, changing sea levels and changing temperatures. The impacts of climate change may materially and adversely impact the ability to produce, cost of production, insurance availability, and financial performance of our operations. Further, any impacts to our business and financial condition as a result of climate change are likely to occur over a sustained period of time and are therefore difficult to quantify with any degree of specificity. For example, extreme weather events may result in adverse physical effects on portions of our or others infrastructure, which could disrupt our supply chain and our customers and ultimately our business operations. In addition, disruption of transportation and distribution systems could result in reduced operational efficiency and customer service interruption. Climate-related events have the potential to disrupt our business, including the business of our suppliers and customers, and may cause us to experience higher attrition, and additional costs to resume operations.

Concern over climate change has led to legislative and regulatory initiatives across various jurisdictions in which we operate. For example, proposals that would impose mandatory disclosure requirements on greenhouse gas emissions continue to be considered by policy makers and regulators. We cannot predict what climate change related legislation or regulations will be enacted in the future or how existing or future laws or regulations will be administered or interpreted. Compliance with more

stringent laws or regulations, or stricter interpretation of existing laws, may require additional expenditures, some of which could be material.

We provide pension benefits through a number of noncontributory and contributory defined benefit retirement plans covering eligible United States employees. As of September 30, 2024, we estimated that our pension plans were overfunded by approximately $8.7 million, both of which are frozen and do not accrue any additional service cost. As such, the funded status is primarily impacted by the performance of the underlying assets supporting the plan and changes in interest rates or other factors, which may trigger additional cash contributions. Our pension obligations are calculated annually and are based on several assumptions, including then-prevailing conditions, which may change from year to year. If in any year our assumptions are inaccurate, we could be required to expend greater amounts than anticipated.

    

Our business depends on the operation of our manufacturing and distribution facilities as well as those of our suppliers. It is possible that we or they could experience prolonged periods of reduced production or distribution capacity due to interruptions in the operations of our facilities or those of our key suppliers. It is also possible that operations may be disrupted due to other unforeseen circumstances such as power outages, explosions, fires, floods, accidents, effects of a pandemic and severe weather conditions. Availability of raw materials and delivery of products to customers could be affected by logistical disruptions. To the extent that lost production or distribution capacity could not be compensated for at unaffected facilities and depending on the length of the outage, our sales and production costs could be adversely affected.

We utilize various third-party agents and distributors to market, sell and distribute our products and to directly interact with our customers and end-users by providing customer service and support. No single agent or distributor accounts for a material percentage of our annual net sales. We do not have long-term contracts with our third-party agents and distributors, who could cease offering our products. In addition, many of our third-party agents and distributors with whom we transact business also offer the products of our competitors to our ultimate customers and they could begin offering our products with less prominence. The loss of a substantial number of our third-party agents or distributors or a dramatic deviation from the amount of sales they generate, including due to an increase in their sales of our competitors’ products, could reduce our sales and could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

We continually seek to develop products and solutions that allow us to stay at the forefront of developments in the Electrical and Safety & Infrastructure markets. The success of new products depends on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, timely and successful product development, the effective consummation of strategic acquisitions, market acceptance and demand, competitive response, protection of associated intellectual property and avoidance of third-party infringement of the Company’s intellectual property, our ability to manage risks associated with product life cycles, the effective management of inventory and purchase commitments, the availability and cost of raw materials and the quality of our initial products during the initial period of introduction. Some of the foregoing factors are beyond our control and we cannot fully predict the ultimate success of the introduction of new products, especially in the early stages of innovation. In introducing new products and implementing our innovation strategies, any delays, unexpected costs, diversion of resources, loss of key employees or other setbacks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

As of September 30, 2024, we employed approximately 5,600 total full-time equivalent employees, a significant percentage of whom work at our 42 manufacturing facilities. Our business involves complex manufacturing processes and there is a risk that an accident resulting in property damage, personal injury or death could occur in one of our facilities. In addition, prior to the introduction of new products, our employees test such products under rigorous conditions, which could potentially result in injury or death. The outcome of any personal injury, wrongful death or other litigation is difficult to assess or quantify and the cost to defend litigation can be significant. As a result, the costs to defend any action or the potential liability resulting from any such accident or death or arising out of any other litigation, and any negative publicity associated therewith or negative effects on employee morale, could have a negative effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In addition, any accident could result in manufacturing or product delays, which could negatively affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows. See Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”.

Our use of contractual provisions, confidentiality procedures and agreements, and patent, trademark, copyright, unfair competition, trade secret and other laws to protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights may not be adequate. We have registered intellectual property (mainly trademarks and patents) in more than 82 countries. Because of the differences in foreign trademark, patent and other intellectual property or proprietary rights laws, we may not receive the same protection in foreign countries as we would in the United States.

Any failure of various measures to protect our technology and intellectual property, the independent discovery by third parties of our trade secrets and proprietary know-how and the independent development of substantially equivalent proprietary information or techniques by third parties could impair our competitive advantage. In particular, the infringement, expiration or other loss of these methods and other proprietary information could reduce the barriers to entry into our existing lines of business and may result in a loss of market share, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights or to defend against claims by third parties that our products infringe their intellectual property rights. Any litigation or claims brought by or against us could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources. A successful intellectual property infringement suit against us could prevent us from manufacturing or selling certain products in a particular area, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Our business operates and serves customers in certain foreign countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Israel, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. In addition the business is pursuing work on data centers or other construction projects in other jurisdictions, for example in Asia and Europe. There are certain risks inherent in doing business internationally, including economic volatility and sustained economic downturns, difficulties in enforcing contractual and intellectual property rights, currency exchange rate fluctuations and currency exchange controls, import or export restrictions, sanctions and changes in trade regulations, difficulties in developing, staffing, and simultaneously managing a number of foreign operations as a result of distance, issues related to occupational safety and adherence to local labor laws and regulations, potentially adverse tax developments, longer payment cycles, exposure to different legal standards, political or social unrest, including terrorism, risks related to government regulation and uncertain protection and enforcement of our intellectual property rights, the presence of corruption in certain countries and higher than anticipated costs of entry.

In fiscal 2023, the Company initiated plans to exit operations in Russia and recently submitted documents to the Russian approval authority with expectations of completing the sale in FY 2025 albeit at a loss. Accordingly, the Company recognized an impairment of $733 for the year ended September 30, 2024 and continues to recognize any incremental losses on those assets.

One or more of these factors could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Our business, financial position or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by our inability to import raw materials, component parts or finished goods under the regulatory regimes applicable to our business. Although we seek to have alternate sources and recover increases in input costs through price increases in our products, regulatory changes or other governmental actions could result in the need to change suppliers or incur cost increases that cannot, in the short term, or in some cases even the long term, be offset by our prices. Such changes could reduce our gross profit, net income and cash flow. Any of these consequences could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In connection with any acquisitions or joint ventures and agreements relating to Tyco’s 2010 sale of a greater than 50% stake in the Company or otherwise, we may acquire or become subject to liabilities such as legal claims, including but not limited to third-party liability and other tort claims; claims for breach of contract; employment-related claims; environmental liabilities, conditions or damage; permitting, regulatory or other compliance with law issues; liability for hazardous materials; or tax liabilities. If any of these liabilities are not adequately covered by insurance or an enforceable indemnity or similar agreement from a creditworthy counterparty, we may be responsible for significant out-of-pocket expenditures. In connection with any divestitures, we may incur liabilities for breaches of representations and warranties or failure to comply with operating covenants under any agreement for a divestiture. In addition, we may have to indemnify a counterparty in a divestiture for certain liabilities of the subsidiary or operations subject to the divestiture transaction. These liabilities, if they materialize, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In addition, if we were to undertake a substantial acquisition for cash, the acquisition would likely need to be financed in part through additional financing from banks, through public offerings or private placements of debt or equity securities or through other arrangements. Such acquisition financing might decrease our ratio of earnings to fixed charges and adversely affect other leverage criteria and our credit rating. We cannot assure you that the necessary acquisition financing would be available to us on acceptable terms if and when required. Moreover, acquisitions financed through the issuance of equity securities could cause our stockholders to experience dilution.

Acquisitions are a component of our growth strategy; however, there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to grow our business through acquisitions as we have done historically or that any businesses acquired will perform in accordance with expectations or that business judgments concerning the value, strengths and weaknesses of businesses acquired will prove to be correct. We will continue to analyze and evaluate the acquisition of strategic businesses or product lines with the potential to strengthen our industry position or enhance our existing product offering. We cannot assure you that we will identify or successfully complete transactions with suitable acquisition candidates in the future, nor can we assure you that completed acquisitions will be successful. If an acquired business fails to operate as anticipated or presents greater than expected liability profile or cannot be successfully integrated with our existing business, our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

As a public company, we are subject to the requirements under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, or the “Dodd-Frank Act.” The SEC has adopted requirements under the Dodd-Frank Act for companies that use certain minerals and metals, known as conflict minerals, in their products, whether or not these products are manufactured by third parties. These requirements require companies to conduct due diligence and disclose whether or not such minerals originate from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries. There are costs associated with complying with these disclosure requirements, including for efforts to determine the sources of conflict minerals used in our products and other potential changes to products, processes or sources of supply as a consequence of such verification activities.

In addition, compliance with these requirements could adversely affect the sourcing, supply and pricing of materials used in our products. Specifically, such requirements could limit the pool of suppliers who can provide conflict-free minerals and as a result, we may not be able to obtain these conflict-free minerals at competitive prices. We may also face reputational challenges if we are unable

to verify the origins for all “conflict minerals” used in our products through the procedures we have implemented. We may also encounter challenges to satisfy customers that may require all of the components of products purchased to be certified as conflict free. If we are not able to meet customer requirements, customers may choose to disqualify us as a supplier, or we may be forced to reduce our prices to compensate for this lack of certification.

As of September 30, 2024, we had approximately $772.0 million of total long-term consolidated indebtedness outstanding (including current portion) under Atkore and AII’s credit facilities (“Credit Facilities”), which consist of: (i) an asset-based credit facility (“ABL Credit Facility”); (ii) the new senior secured term loan facility (the “New Senior Secured Term Loan Facility”); and (iii) the 4.25% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “Senior Notes”). As of September 30, 2024, AII had $325.0 million of available borrowing capacity under the ABL Credit Facility and there were no outstanding borrowings (there were also no letters of credit issued under the facility). Our indebtedness could have important consequences for you. Because of our indebtedness:

We and our subsidiaries may incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. The terms of the credit agreements and indenture governing the Credit Facilities do not fully prohibit us or our subsidiaries from incurring additional debt. If our subsidiaries are in compliance with certain leverage or coverage ratios set forth in the agreements governing the Credit Facilities, they may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness, which may increase the risks created by our current indebtedness. Subject to certain conditions and without the consent of the then existing lenders, the loans under the New Senior Secured Term Loan Facility may be expanded (or a new term loan facility, revolving credit facility or letter of credit facility added) by up to $235.0 million, plus an additional amount not to exceed specified leverage or coverage ratios. In addition, subject to certain conditions and without the consent of the then existing lenders, the loans under the ABL Credit Facility may be expanded by up to $150 million, and the credit agreements governing the Credit Facilities allow for up to $50.0 million of second lien facilities. As of September 30, 2024, we had an additional $325.0 million in availability under the ABL Credit Facility.

A portion of our outstanding indebtedness bears interest or will bear interest at variable rates. As a result, increases in interest rates would increase the cost of servicing our indebtedness and could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows. As of September 30, 2024, each one percentage point change in interest rates would have resulted in a change of approximately $3.8 million in the annual interest expense on the New Senior Secured Term Loan Facility. As of September 30, 2024, assuming availability was fully utilized, each one percentage point change in interest rates would have resulted in a change of approximately $3.3 million in annual interest expense on the ABL Credit Facility. Additionally, if the ABL Credit Facility were fully utilized, the margin we pay on borrowings would increase by 0.3% from the current level and we would incur additional interest expense of $1.0 million. The impact of increases in interest rates could be more significant for us than it would be for some other companies because of our indebtedness, thereby affecting our profitability.

Our overall corporate rating, Senior Notes, New Senior Secured Term Loan Facility and ABL Credit are each currently rated as investment grade by certain agencies while the other agencies have them as non-investment grades. Any rating, outlook or watch assigned could be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency if, in that rating agency’s judgment, current or future circumstances relating to the basis of the rating, outlook or watch, such as adverse changes to our business, so warrant. Any future lowering of our ratings, outlook or watch likely would make it more difficult or more expensive for us to obtain additional debt financing.

The Credit Facilities contain covenants that, among other things, restrict the ability of AII and its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness and create liens, pay dividends and make other distributions or to purchase, redeem or retire capital stock, purchase, redeem or retire certain junior indebtedness, make loans and investments, enter into agreements that limit AII’s or its subsidiaries' ability to pledge assets or to make distributions or loans to us or transfer assets to us, sell assets, enter into certain types of transactions with affiliates, consolidate, merge or sell substantially all assets, make voluntary payments or modifications of junior indebtedness and enter into new lines of business.

The restrictions in the Credit Facilities may prevent us from taking actions that we believe would be in the best interest of our business and may make it difficult for us to execute our business strategy successfully or effectively compete with companies that are not similarly restricted. We may also incur future debt obligations that might subject us to additional restrictive covenants that could affect our financial and operational flexibility. Additionally, we may be required to make accelerated payments due to the covenants and restrictions contained in the Credit Facilities. We may be unable to refinance our indebtedness, at maturity or otherwise, on terms acceptable to us or at all.

The ability of AII to comply with the covenants and restrictions contained in the Credit Facilities may be affected by economic, financial and industry conditions beyond our control including credit or capital market disruptions. The breach of any of these covenants or restrictions could result in a default that would permit the applicable lenders to declare all amounts outstanding thereunder to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest. If we are unable to repay indebtedness, lenders having secured obligations, such as the lenders under the Credit Facilities, could proceed against the collateral securing the indebtedness. In any such case, we may be unable to borrow under the Credit Facilities and may not be able to repay the amounts due under such facilities. This could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows and could cause us to become bankrupt or insolvent.

Atkore and AII are each holding companies, and as such they have no independent operations or material assets other than ownership of equity interests in their respective subsidiaries. Atkore and AII each depend on their respective subsidiaries to distribute funds to them so that they may pay obligations and expenses, including satisfying obligations with respect to indebtedness. Our ability to make scheduled payments on, or to refinance our obligations under, our indebtedness depends on the financial and operating performance of our subsidiaries and their ability to make distributions and dividends to us, which, in turn, depends on their results of operations, cash flows, cash requirements, financial position and general business conditions and any legal and regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends to which they may be subject, many of which may be beyond our control.

We may be unable to maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal and interest on our indebtedness. If our cash flow and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets, seek to obtain additional equity capital or restructure our indebtedness. In the future, our cash flow and capital resources may not be sufficient for payments of interest on and principal of our indebtedness, and such alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations.

The outstanding borrowings under the ABL Credit Facility are scheduled to mature on May 26, 2026, the New Senior Secured Term Loan Facility has a maturity date of May 26, 2028, and the Senior Notes mature on June 1, 2031. We may be unable to refinance any of our indebtedness or obtain additional financing, particularly because of our indebtedness. Market disruptions, as well as our indebtedness levels, may increase our cost of borrowing or adversely affect our ability to refinance our obligations as they become due. If we are unable to refinance our indebtedness or access additional credit, or if short-term or long-term borrowing costs dramatically increase, our ability to finance current operations and meet our short-term and long-term obligations could be adversely affected.

If our subsidiary AII cannot make scheduled payments on its indebtedness, it will be in default and the lenders under the Credit Facilities could terminate their commitments to loan money or foreclose against the assets securing their borrowings, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.

Our operations are conducted entirely through our subsidiaries, and our ability to generate cash to fund our operations and expenses, to pay dividends or to meet debt service obligations is highly dependent on the earnings and the receipt of funds from our subsidiaries through dividends or intercompany loans. Deterioration in the financial condition, earnings or cash flow of AII and its subsidiaries for any reason could limit or impair their ability to pay such distributions. Additionally, to the extent our subsidiaries are restricted from making such distributions under applicable law or regulation or under the terms of our financing arrangements, or are otherwise unable to provide funds to the extent of our needs, there could be a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

For example, the agreements governing the Credit Facilities significantly restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends, make loans or otherwise transfer assets to us. Furthermore, our subsidiaries are permitted under the terms of the Credit Facilities to incur additional indebtedness that may restrict or prohibit the making of distributions, the payment of dividends or the making of loans by such subsidiaries to us.

Our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation (“amended and restated certificate of incorporation”) and our fourth amended and restated by-laws, (“amended and restated by-laws”) include a number of provisions that may discourage, delay or prevent a change in our management or control over us that stockholders may consider favorable. For example, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws collectively:

These provisions may prevent our stockholders from receiving the benefit from any premium to the market price of our common stock offered by a bidder in a takeover context. Even in the absence of a takeover attempt, the existence of these provisions may adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock if the provisions are viewed as discouraging takeover attempts in the future.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws may also make it difficult for stockholders to replace or remove our management. Furthermore, the existence of the foregoing provisions could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock. These provisions may facilitate management entrenchment that may delay, deter, render more difficult or prevent a change in our control, which may not be in the best interests of our stockholders.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains provisions relating to the liability of directors in response to claims arising under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”). These provisions eliminate a director’s personal liability to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL for monetary damages resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty, except in circumstances involving:

The principal effect of the limitation on liability provision is that a stockholder will be unable to prosecute an action for monetary damages against a director unless the stockholder can demonstrate a basis for liability for which indemnification is not available under the DGCL. These provisions, however, should not limit or eliminate our rights or any stockholder’s rights to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission, in the event of a breach of a director’s fiduciary duty. These provisions do not alter a director’s liability under federal securities laws. The inclusion of this provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may discourage or deter stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against directors for a breach of their fiduciary duties, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise have benefited us and our stockholders.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding

brought on our behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed to us or our stockholders by any of our directors, officers, other employees, agents or stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising out of or under the DGCL, or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (including, without limitation, any action asserting a claim arising out of or pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated by-laws) or (iv) any action asserting a claim that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine. As a stockholder in our company, you are deemed to have notice of and have consented to the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation related to choice of forum. The choice of forum provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may limit our stockholders' ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees, agents or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. Alternatively, if a court were to find the choice of forum provision contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly. Among the factors that could affect our stock price are:

Stock markets have experienced extreme volatility in recent years that has been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, class action litigation has often been instituted against the affected company. Any litigation of this type brought against us could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The trading market for our common stock depends in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. If one or more of the analysts that covers our common stock downgrades our stock or publishes misleading or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of the analysts ceases coverage of our common stock or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our common stock could decrease, which could cause our common stock price or trading volume to decline.

We are dependent, in part, on our continued ability to hire, engage and retain key employees at our operations around the world. Additionally, we rely upon experienced managerial, marketing and support personnel to effectively manage our business and to successfully promote our wide range of products. If we do not succeed in engaging and retaining key employees and other personnel, or if we do not succeed in facilitating transitions of new key personnel, we may be unable to meet our objectives and, as a result, our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

Changes in international and domestic tax laws, including the reaction by states to federal legislation and changes in tax law enforcement, could negatively impact our tax provision, cash flow, or tax related balance sheet amounts. In particular, it is possible that U.S. federal income or other tax laws or the interpretation of tax laws will change, including as a result of possible tax legislation that may be proposed by the Biden Administration. It is difficult to predict whether and when there will be tax law changes having a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

On August 16, 2022, the IRA was enacted into law. The IRA contains significant tax law changes, including a corporate alternative minimum tax of 15% on adjusted financial statement income, which took effect on October 1, 2023, a 1% excise tax on stock repurchases after December 31, 2022, and various tax incentives which include, but are not limited to, credits related to the manufacturing of solar powered energy which took effect on January 1, 2023. The impacts of this legislation are described in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in Note 1, “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.” Additionally, see Note 7, “Income Taxes” to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

The Company has performed an initial assessment of the potential impact to income taxes as a result of Pillar Two. The assessment of the potential impact is based on the most recent tax filings, country-by-country reporting, and financial statements of affected subsidiaries. Based on results of the assessment, the Company believes it can avail itself of the transitional safe harbor rules in most for all of the jurisdictions in which the Company operates, and therefore do not anticipate it having a material impact on the financial statements. The Company continues to assess the potential impact of Pillar Two and monitor developments in legislation, regulation, and interpretive guidance in this area.

Changes in U.S. tax law could also have broader implications, including impacts to the economy, currency markets, inflation environment, consumer behavior or competitive dynamics, which are difficult to predict, and may positively or negatively impact our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

If, in the future, we decide to issue debt or equity securities that rank senior to our common stock, it is likely that such securities will be governed by an indenture or other instrument containing covenants restricting our operating flexibility. Additionally, any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of our common stock and may result in dilution to owners of our common stock. We and, indirectly, our stockholders, will bear the cost of issuing and servicing such securities. Because our decision to issue debt or equity securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, holders of our common stock will bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common stock and diluting the value of their stock holdings in us.

To satisfy existing obligations and support the development of our business, we depend on our ability to generate cash flow from operations and to borrow funds and issue securities in the capital markets. We may require additional financing for liquidity, capital requirements or growth initiatives. We may not be able to obtain financing on terms and at interest rates that are favorable to us or at all. Any inability by us to obtain financing in the future could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

None.

We maintain cybersecurity policies that articulate Atkore’s expectations and requirements with respect to topics such as acceptable use of technology and data, data privacy, risk management, education and awareness and event and incident management. We regularly conduct exercises, with the support of outside domain experts, to improve the effectiveness of our processes and we periodically assess our processes against recognized cybersecurity frameworks. Consistent with our position that cybersecurity is the responsibility of every Atkore employee, we regularly educate and share best practices with our employees to raise awareness of cybersecurity threats. Atkore employees participate in monthly training and testing. In addition to training, Atkore conducts table-top exercises as often as twice a year to simulate cybersecurity risk and response scenarios.

Our cybersecurity team implements measures to ensure that Atkore can quickly identify and mitigate cybersecurity risks. Our controls are designed to restrict access to locations that house significant physical information technology assets. Other controls include the use of multifactor authentication, various third-party tools, network security technologies, and a crisis playbook. Our notification policies and processes are escalated to the appropriate personnel on a timely basis to support effective review, response, and compliance with legal requirements. Data is also aggregated to support the identification of trends for forward looking oversight.

Key elements of Atkore’s annual Enterprise Risk Management (“ERM”) program include an inventory and classification of key risk areas and topics; a methodology for scoring risks based on the risk’s probability, severity, and velocity of impact, and for trending key risks; and a framework for developing and implementing countermeasures for key risks. Cybersecurity is one of six topical areas required to be addressed as part of the annual ERM program. Cybersecurity risks are scored using the same methodology applied to all other risks. This helps evaluate the significance and prioritization of cyber-related risks relative to wider business risks. Members of Internal Audit present annually to the Atkore Board of Directors a report on the results of the ERM process. This includes cybersecurity risks. We periodically engage external consultants to assess our cybersecurity program.

Based on the information we have as of the date of this Annual Report, we do not believe any risks from cybersecurity threats, have materially affected or are likely to materially affect Atkore, including our business strategy, results of operations or financial condition.

At the management level, Atkore’s cybersecurity program is led by the Company’s Vice President - Chief Information Officer (“CIO”), who reports to Atkore’s Vice President – Business Development and Strategy, who in turn reports to Atkore’s Chief Executive Officer. Atkore’s CIO has over 30 years of experience in information technology roles with responsibilities including global cyber security strategy, global IT strategy, technology platforms and internal controls. The CIO has a Master of Business Administration from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from DeVry Institute of Technology. Reporting to the CIO is a Director of Cybersecurity. The current Director of Cybersecurity has over 20 years of experience in information technology roles with responsibilities including cyber security and security architecture

and engineering. The CIO is supported by the Cybersecurity Steering Committee (“CSC”), a management committee comprising members of the Executive Leadership Team and includes the leaders of the information technology, legal, finance, human resources, commercial and communications functions and that report to the Chief Executive Officer. The CSC supports the CIO in overseeing and managing information security risks and in the event of a cybersecurity incident provides oversight and leadership with respect to incident investigation, mitigation, and remediation.

At the Board level, Atkore’s cybersecurity is overseen by a subset of the full Board of Directors, specifically the independent board members. This oversight includes a quarterly review of Atkore’s cybersecurity program, including key program metrics, initiatives, and developments. In addition, in the event of a significant cybersecurity incident, Atkore’s policy and process requires timely engagement of and consultation with the Board of Directors.

Additional information about cybersecurity risks we face is discussed in “Item 1a. Risk Factors,” which should be read in conjunction with the information above.

Our corporate headquarters are located in owned premises at 16100 South Lathrop Avenue, Harvey, Illinois. We and our operating companies own and lease a variety of facilities, principally in the United States, for manufacturing, distribution and light assembly. Our manufacturing, distribution and assembly centers are strategically located to optimize route efficiency, market coverage and overhead. The following chart identifies the number of owned and leased facilities used by each of our reportable segments as of September 30, 2024. We believe that these facilities, when considered with our corporate headquarters, offices and warehouses are suitable and adequate to support the current needs of our business.

    

See Note 15, “Commitments and Contingencies” to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

None.

Shares of our common stock have traded on the NYSE under the symbol ATKR since June 10, 2016.

As of November 19, 2024, there were two stockholders of record of our common stock. This number excludes stockholders whose stock is held in nominee or street name by brokers.

Our ability to pay dividends to holders of our common stock is significantly limited as a practical matter by the Credit Facilities insofar as we may seek to pay dividends out of funds made available to us by AII or its subsidiaries, because AII's debt instruments directly or indirectly restrict AII's ability to pay dividends or make loans to us. Any future determination to pay dividends on our common stock will be subject to the discretion of our board of directors and depends upon various factors, including our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity requirements, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, contractual restrictions with respect to payment of dividends, restrictions imposed by Delaware law, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant.

The following table shows our share repurchase programs, on a trade date basis, for each of our fiscal months for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 (in thousands, except per share data):

The following table contains information, as of September 30, 2024, about the amount of common shares to be issued upon the exercise of outstanding options, performance share options (“PSUs”) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) granted under the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan and the 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan (together, the “Omnibus Incentive Plan”).

There were no sales of unregistered equity securities in fiscal 2024.

    

We are a leading manufacturer of Electrical products primarily for the non-residential construction and renovation markets and Safety & Infrastructure for the construction and industrial markets. The Electrical segment manufactures high quality products used in the construction of electrical power systems including conduit, cable and installation accessories. The Safety & Infrastructure segment designs and manufactures solutions including metal framing, mechanical pipe, perimeter security and cable management for the protection and reliability of critical infrastructure. We believe we hold #1 or #2 positions in the United States by net sales in a significant number of our products. The quality of our products, the strength of our brands and our scale and presence provide what we believe to be a unique set of competitive advantages that position us for profitable growth.

    

We believe that our business and demand for our products is influenced by two main economic indicators: United States gross domestic product, or “GDP,” and non-residential construction starts, measured in square footage. The United States non-residential construction market has experienced modest growth over the past few years, in line with United States GDP. Our historic results have been positively impacted by growth in the non-residential construction market, as such growth leads to greater demand for our products. MR&R activity generally increases and represents a greater share of non-residential construction activity during challenging periods in the economic or construction cycle. During those periods, our MR&R demand as a percentage of total demand typically increases, providing a more consistent revenue stream for our business.

Additionally, central bank interest rate fluctuations, inflation, and conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East are creating additional uncertainty in the global economy, generally, and in the markets in which we operate. The aforementioned conflicts and other factors have had and will continue to have adverse effects on global supply chains, which may impact some aspects of our business. Furthermore, we are mindful of the effects that adverse weather, such as hurricanes, can have on our domestic supply chain.

    

    

Our acquisition strategy has focused primarily on growing market share by complementing our existing portfolio with synergistic products and expanding into end-markets that we have not previously served. In total, we have invested $424.6 million in acquisitions since 2022.

        

We expect to continue to pursue synergistic acquisitions as part of our growth strategy to expand our product offerings. See Note 3, “Acquisitions” to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

    

    

See Note 1, “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

We operate our business through two operating segments which are also our reportable segments: Electrical and Safety & Infrastructure. Our operating segments are organized based on primary market channel and, in most instances, the end use of products. We review the results of our operating segments separately for the purposes of making decisions about resource allocation and performance assessment. We evaluate performance on the basis of net sales and Adjusted EBITDA.

    

Both segments use Adjusted EBITDA as the primary measure of profit and loss. Segment Adjusted EBITDA is the income (loss) before income taxes, adjusted to exclude unallocated expenses, depreciation and amortization, interest expense, net, loss on extinguishment of debt, restructuring charges, impairment charges, stock-based compensation, certain legal matters, transaction costs, gain on purchase of business, gain on sale of a business and other items, such as inventory reserves and adjustments, loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment, insurance recovery related to damages of property, plant and equipment, release of indemnified uncertain tax positions, and realized or unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currency impacts of intercompany loans and related forward currency derivatives. See Note 17, “Segment Information” to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

    

The Company has a fiscal year that ends on September 30. The Company’s fiscal quarters typically end on the last Friday in December, March and June as it follows a 4-5-4 calendar.

Net sales represents external sales of Electrical products to the non-residential construction and MR&R markets and Safety & Infrastructure products and solutions to the commercial and industrial markets. Net sales includes gross product sales and freight billed to our customers, net of allowances for rebates, sales incentives, trade promotions, product returns and discounts.

Cost of sales includes all costs directly related to the production of goods for sale. These costs include direct material, direct labor, production related overheads, excess and obsolescence costs, lower-of-cost-or-market provisions, freight and distribution costs and the depreciation and amortization of assets directly used in the production of goods for sale.

Selling, general and administrative expenses include payroll related expenses including salaries, wages, employee benefits, payroll taxes, variable cash compensation for both administrative and selling personnel and consulting and professional services fees. Also included are compensation expense for share-based awards, restructuring-related charges, third-party professional services and translation gains or losses for foreign currency trade transactions.

The results of operations for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 were as follows:

Net sales for fiscal 2024 decreased $316.7 million to $3,202.1 million, a decrease of 9.0%, compared to $3,518.8 million for fiscal 2023. The decrease in net sales is primarily attributed to decreased average selling prices of $406.1 million, and the economic value of solar tax credits to be transferred to certain customers of $38.3 million. These decreases are partially offset by increased sales volume of $122.6 million across varying product categories within both the Electrical and the Safety & Infrastructure segments.

Cost of sales decreased $55.0 million, or 2.5%, to $2,124.2 million for fiscal 2024 compared to $2,179.3 million for fiscal 2023. The decrease was primarily due to lower input costs of steel, copper and PVC resin of $103.1 million and the benefit of solar tax credits of $84.0 million, partially offset by higher sales volume of $86.5 million and increased freight costs of $34.6 million

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $9.3 million, or 2.4%, to $397.5 million for fiscal 2024 compared to $388.2 million for fiscal 2023. The increase was primarily due to digital initiatives of $10.0 million, increased headcount of $7.5 million, and increased compensation of $3.0 million. These increases were partially offset by increases in productivity of $6.0 million, lower sales commission expense of $4.1 million, and lower costs of $1.1 million spread across a variety of other spend categories.

Intangible asset amortization expense decreased $2.3 million, or 4.0%, to $55.5 million for fiscal 2024 compared to $57.8 million for fiscal 2023. The decrease in intangible asset amortization resulted from certain intangibles becoming fully amortized.

Interest expense, net, increased $0.4 million, or 1.0% to $35.6 million for fiscal 2024, compared to $35.2 million for fiscal 2023. The increase is primarily due to increased interest rates on the Company’s New Senior Secured Term Loan Facility.

Other (income) and expense, net decreased $6.0 million to expense of $2.0 million for fiscal 2024, compared to expense of $8.0 million for fiscal 2023. The decrease in expense was primarily due to impairments recognized in fiscal 2023 in connection with the Company’s plans to exit from operations in Russia of $7.5 million.

Income tax expense decreased $46.0 million to $114.4 million, compared to $160.4 million for fiscal 2023. The Company's income tax rate increased to 19.5% for fiscal 2024, compared to 18.9% for fiscal 2023. The decrease in income tax expense is due to lower income before taxes, while the increase in effective tax rate was primarily due the benefit of solar credits being recognized in cost of sales in fiscal 2024 where as the benefit of solar tax credits was recognized in income tax expense in fiscal 2023 as described in the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in Note 1, “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.” Additionally, see Note 7, “Income Taxes” to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Net sales decreased by $320.1 million, or 12.0%, to $2,355.0 million for fiscal 2024 compared to $2,675.1 million for fiscal 2023. The decrease in net sales is primarily attributed to lower average selling prices of $379.5 million partially offset by increased sales volume of $54.3 million.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $276.5 million, or 27.5%, to $728.3 million for fiscal 2024 compared to $1,004.9 million for fiscal 2023. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was largely due to lower average selling prices over input costs.

Net sales increased $4.9 million, or 0.6%, to $849.1 million for fiscal 2024 compared to $844.2 million for fiscal 2023. The increase is primarily attributed to higher volumes of $68.3 million partially offset by lower average selling prices of $26.6 million and the economic value of solar tax credits to be transferred to certain customers of $38.3 million.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $13.2 million, or 12.8%, to $90.0 million for fiscal 2024 compared to $103.2 million for fiscal 2023. The Adjusted EBITDA decrease was primarily due to lower average selling prices versus higher input costs, partially offset by the net benefit of solar tax credits.

The results of operations for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 were as follows:

Net sales for fiscal 2023 decreased $395.2 million to $3,518.8 million, a decrease of 10.1%, compared to $3,913.9 million for fiscal 2022. The decrease in net sales is primarily attributed to lower average selling prices of $646.6 million, the economic value of solar tax credits to be transferred to certain customers of $30.4 million and the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates of $15.1 million. These decreases are partially offset by increased net sales of $168.9 million from companies acquired during fiscal 2022 and 2023 higher sales volume of $125.1 million across varying product categories within both the Electrical and the Safety & Infrastructure segments.

Cost of sales decreased $94.7 million, or 4.2%, to $2,179.3 million for fiscal 2023 compared to $2,273.9 million for fiscal 2022. The decrease was primarily due to lower input costs of steel, copper and PVC resin of $337.8 million and the impact of foreign exchange rates of $13.0 million partially offset by recent acquisitions during fiscal 2022 and 2023 of $130.3 million and higher sales volume of $107.7 million.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $18.2 million, or 4.9%, to $388.2 million for fiscal 2023 compared to $370.0 million for fiscal 2022. The increase was primarily due to increased headcount of $16.6 million, digital initiatives of $16.1 million, recent acquisitions in fiscal 2022 and 2023 of $14.6 million, and stock compensation of $3.8 million. These increases were partially offset by lower variable compensation of $15.4 million, lower sales commission expense of $9.9 million, lower transaction costs of $2.5 million and $5.1 million is spread across a variety of other spend categories.

Intangible asset amortization expense increased $21.6 million, or 59.8%, to $57.8 million for fiscal 2023 compared to $36.2 million for fiscal 2022. The increase in intangible asset amortization is primarily driven by the acquisition of definite-lived intangible assets through businesses acquired in fiscal 2022 and 2023.

Interest expense, net, increased $4.6 million, or 14.9% to $35.2 million for fiscal 2023, compared to $30.7 million for fiscal 2022. The increase is primarily due to increased interest rates on the Company’s New Senior Secured Term Loan Facility.

Other income, net increased $8.5 million to expense of $8.0 million for fiscal 2023, compared to income of $0.5 million for fiscal 2022. The increase in expense was primarily due to impairments recognized in connection with the Company’s plans to exit from operations in Russia of $7.5 million.

Income tax expense decreased $129.8 million to $160.4 million for fiscal 2023, compared to $290.2 million for fiscal 2022. The Company's income tax rate decreased to 18.9% for fiscal 2023, compared to 24.1% for fiscal 2022. The decrease in income tax expense is due to lower income before taxes and solar tax credits generated during fiscal 2023, while the decrease in effective tax rate was primarily due to solar tax credits generated during fiscal 2023. See Note 7, “Income Taxes” to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Net sales decreased by $338.7 million, or 11.2%, to $2,675.1 million for fiscal 2023 compared to $3,013.8 million for fiscal 2022. The decrease in net sales is primarily attributed to lower average selling prices of $475.6 million, the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates of $14.1 million and decreased sales volume of $9.2 million. These decreases were partially offset by increased net sales of $159.7 million from companies acquired during fiscal 2022 and 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $268.6 million, or 21.1%, to $1,004.9 million for fiscal 2023 compared to $1,273.4 million for fiscal 2022. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was largely due to lower average selling prices over input costs.

Net sales decreased $56.4 million, or 6.3%, to $844.2 million for fiscal 2023 compared to $900.6 million for fiscal 2022. The decrease is primarily attributed to lower average selling prices of $171.0 million and the economic value of solar tax credits to be transferred to certain customers of $30.4 million partially offset by higher volumes of $134.2 million and increased net sales of $9.2 million from companies acquired during fiscal 2022.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $35.2 million, or 25.4%, to $103.2 million for fiscal 2023 compared to $138.4 million for fiscal 2022. The Adjusted EBITDA decrease was primarily due to lower average selling prices and over input costs and the impacts of solar tax credits transferred to certain customers.

On November 17, 2023, we announced that our board of directors approved a quarterly dividend program under which the Company intends to pay quarterly cash dividends on our common stock.

The quarterly dividend program and the subsequent consideration, declaration and payment of each quarterly cash dividend will be subject to our board’s approval. Our board of directors retain the power to modify, suspend, or cancel the dividend program in any manner and at any time that our board may deem necessary or appropriate.

We believe we have sufficient liquidity to support our ongoing operations and to invest in future growth and create value for stockholders. Our cash and cash equivalents were $351.4 million as of September 30, 2024, of which $101.8 million was held at non-U.S. subsidiaries. Those cash balances at foreign subsidiaries may be subject to withholding or local country taxes if the Company's intention to permanently reinvest such income were to change and cash was repatriated to the United States. Our cash and cash equivalents decreased $36.7 million from September 30, 2023, primarily due to lower cash provided by operating activities and increased dividend payments, partially offset by less cash used in capital expenditures, acquisitions, and share repurchases.

In general, we require cash to fund working capital investments, acquisitions, capital expenditures, debt repayment, interest payments, taxes, dividends and share repurchases. We have access to the ABL Credit Facility to fund our operational needs. As of September 30, 2024, there were no outstanding borrowings under the ABL Credit Facility (there were no standby letters of credit issued under the ABL Credit Facility). The borrowing base was estimated to be $325.0 million and approximately $325.0 million was available under the ABL Credit Facility as of September 30, 2024.

Our use of cash may fluctuate during the year and from year to year due to differences in demand and changes in economic conditions primarily related to the prices of commodities we purchase.

Capital expenditures have historically been necessary to expand and update the production capacity and improve the productivity of our manufacturing operations and IT initiatives aimed to facilitate the ease of doing business with Atkore. In FY24, $149.9 million was spent on equipment, which included both routine capital expenditures and spending on growth initiatives such as Water and Global Megaprojects.

We have purchase commitments of $103.2 million and $2.2 million for the years 2025 and 2026, which represent purchases of raw materials in the normal course of business for which all significant terms have been confirmed.

As of September 30, 2024, we had $2.0 million of income tax liability, gross unrecognized tax benefits of $3.4 million and gross interest and penalties of $0.5 million. Of these amounts, $3.3 million is classified as a non-current liability in the consolidated balance sheet.

The projected company pension contribution for fiscal 2025 is $0.4 million.

Servicing of our existing debt instruments includes the following estimated cash outflows:

Our ongoing liquidity needs are expected to be funded by cash on hand, net cash provided by operating activities and, as required, borrowings under the Credit Facilities. We expect that cash provided from operations and available capacity under the ABL Credit Facility will provide sufficient funds to operate our business, make expected capital expenditures and meet our liquidity requirements for at least the next twelve months, including payment of interest and principal on our debt.

We do not have any off-balance sheet financing arrangements that we believe are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on our financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

Atkore and AII are each holding companies, and as such have no independent operations or material assets other than ownership of equity interests in their respective subsidiaries. Each company depends on its respective subsidiaries to distribute funds to them so that they may pay obligations and expenses, including satisfying obligations with respect to indebtedness. The ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions and dividends to us depends on their operating results, cash requirements and financial and general business conditions, as well as restrictions under the laws of our subsidiaries' jurisdictions.

The agreements governing the Credit Facilities significantly restrict the ability of our subsidiaries, including AII, to pay dividends, make loans or otherwise transfer assets from AII and, in turn, to us. Further, AII's subsidiaries are permitted under the terms of the Credit Facilities to incur additional indebtedness that may restrict or prohibit the making of distributions, the payment of dividends or the making of loans by such subsidiaries to AII and, in turn, to us. The New Senior Secured Term Loan Facility requires AII to meet a certain consolidated coverage ratio on an incurrence basis in connection with additional indebtedness. The ABL Credit Facility contains limits on additional indebtedness based on various conditions for incurring the additional debt. AII has been in compliance with the covenants under the agreements for all periods presented. See Note 13, “Debt” to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

The table below summarizes cash flow information derived from our statements of cash flows for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023.

During fiscal 2024, operating activities provided $549.0 million of cash, compared to $807.6 million during fiscal year 2023. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily driven by lower operating income of $268.7 million and tax impacts of $6.5 million, partially offset by less cash used in working capital of $5.2 million and higher depreciation and amortization of $15.4 million.

During fiscal 2024, we used $154.3 million of cash for investing activities compared to $302.2 million during fiscal 2023. The $147.8 million decrease in cash used by investing activities was primarily driven

by $77.3 million in decreased cash used for acquisitions in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 and decreased capital expenditures of $69.0 million.

During fiscal 2024, we used $435.3 million for financing activities compared to $506.8 million during fiscal 2023. The decrease in cash used for financing activities during fiscal 2024 was primarily driven by repurchases of shares of $381.0 million in fiscal 2024 as compared to $491.0 million of share repurchases in fiscal 2023, partially offset by dividends paid of $34.5 million in fiscal 2024.

The table below summarizes cash flow information derived from our statements of cash flows for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022.

During fiscal 2023, operating activities provided $807.6 million of cash, compared to $786.8 million during fiscal year 2022. Cash provided by operating activities increased by $20.8 million primarily driven by less cash used in working capital of $105.8 million, tax impacts of $229.3 million and partially offset by lower operating income of $340.3 million.

During fiscal 2023, we used $302.2 million of cash for investing activities compared to $442.8 million during fiscal 2022. The $140.7 million decrease in cash used by investing activities was primarily driven by $224.4 million in decreased cash used for acquisitions in fiscal 2022, partially offset by increased capital expenditures of $83.1 million.

During fiscal 2023, we used $506.8 million for financing activities compared to $524.2 million during fiscal 2022. The decrease in cash used for financing activities during fiscal 2023 was primarily driven by repurchases of shares of $491.0 million in fiscal 2023 as compared to $500.2 million of share repurchases in fiscal 2022.

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of results of operations, financial condition and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results may differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The following are our most critical accounting policies, which are those that require management's most difficult, subjective and complex judgments, requiring the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods.

The following discussion is not intended to represent a comprehensive list of our accounting policies. For a detailed discussion of the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 1, “Basis of

Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

The Company’s revenue arrangements primarily consist of a single performance obligation to transfer promised goods which is satisfied at a point in time when title, risks and rewards of ownership, and subsequently control have transferred to the customer. This generally occurs when the product is shipped to the customer, with an immaterial amount of transactions in which control transfers upon delivery. The Company primarily offers assurance-type standard warranties that do not represent separate performance obligations.

    

The Company has certain arrangements that require it to estimate at the time of sale the amounts of variable consideration that should not be recorded as revenue as certain amounts are not expected to be collected from customers, as well as an estimate of the value of products to be returned. The Company principally relies on historical experience, specific customer agreements, and anticipated future trends to estimate these amounts at the time of sale and to reduce the transaction price. These arrangements include sales discounts and allowances, volume rebates, and returned goods. Historically, adjustments related to these estimates have not been material.

In determining income for financial statement purposes, we must make certain estimates and judgments. These estimates and judgments affect the calculation of certain tax liabilities and the determination of the recoverability of certain deferred tax assets, which arise from temporary differences between the tax and financial statement recognition of revenue and expense. Certain deferred tax assets are reviewed for recoverability and valued accordingly, considering available positive and negative evidence, including our past results, estimated future taxable income streams and the impact of tax planning strategies in the applicable tax paying jurisdiction. A valuation allowance is established to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is considered more likely than not to be realized. Valuations related to tax accruals and assets can be impacted by changes in accounting regulations, changes in tax codes and rulings, changes in statutory tax rates, and changes in our forecasted future taxable income. Any reduction in future taxable income, including but not limited to any future restructuring activities, may require that we record an additional valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. An increase in the valuation allowance could result in additional income tax expense in such period and could have a significant impact on our future earnings.

In addition, the calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across our global operations. Certain tax positions may be considered uncertain requiring an assessment of whether an allowance should be recorded. Our provision for uncertain tax positions provides a recognition threshold based on an estimate of whether it is more likely than not that a position will be sustained upon examination. We measure our uncertain tax position as the largest amount of benefit that has greater than a 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We record interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of provision for income taxes.

We recognize potential liabilities and record tax liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues in the United States and other tax jurisdictions based on our estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. These tax liabilities are reflected net of related tax loss carryforwards. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances; however, due to the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from our current estimate of the tax liabilities. If our estimate of tax liabilities proves to be less than the ultimate assessment, an additional charge to expense would result. If payment of these amounts ultimately proves to be less than the recorded amounts, the reversal of the liabilities would result in tax benefits being recognized in the period when we determine the liabilities are no longer necessary. See Note 7, “Income Taxes” to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

We account for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires that once control is obtained, all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including amounts attributable to noncontrolling interests, are recorded at their respective fair values at the date of acquisition. The determination of fair values of identifiable assets and liabilities requires estimates and the use of valuation techniques when market value is not readily available. For intangible assets acquired in a business combination, we typically use the income method. Significant estimates in valuing certain intangible assets include, but are not limited to, the amount and timing of future cash flows, growth rates, discount rates and useful lives. The excess of the purchase price over fair values of identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill.

Goodwill and other intangible assets primarily result from business combinations. The Company assesses the recoverability of goodwill and indefinite-lived trade names on an annual basis in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350 “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other.” The measurement date is the first day of the fourth fiscal quarter, or more frequently, if events or circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or the respective indefinite-lived trade name is less than the carrying value. The Company can elect to perform a quantitative or qualitative test of impairment.

For fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022 the Company performed a quantitative impairment assessment for goodwill. The Company calculated the fair value of its six reporting units considering three valuation approaches: (a) the income approach; (b) the guideline public company method; and (c) the comparable transaction method.  The income approach calculates the fair value of the reporting unit using a discounted cash flow approach. Internally forecasted future cash flows, which the Company believes reasonably approximate market participant assumptions, are discounted using a weighted average cost of capital (Discount Rate) developed for each reporting unit. The Discount Rate is developed using market observable inputs, as well as considering whether or not there is a measure of risk related to the specific reporting unit’s forecasted performance.  The key uncertainties in these calculations are the assumptions used in determining the reporting unit’s forecasted future performance, including revenue growth and EBITDA margins, as well as the perceived risk associated with those forecasts. Fair value under the guideline public company method is determined for each reporting unit by applying market multiples for comparable public companies to the reporting unit’s financial results. Fair value under the comparable transaction method is determined based on exchange prices in actual transactions and on asking prices for controlling interests in public or private companies currently offered for sale by applying market multiples for comparable public companies to the unit’s financial results. The key uncertainties in the guideline public company method and the comparable transaction method calculations are the assumptions used in determining the reporting unit's comparable public companies, comparable transactions and the selection of the market multiples.   

The Company did not record any goodwill impairments in fiscal 2024 or 2022. In 2023, as a result of the Company’s plan to exit operations in Russia and expectation to sell the related business at a loss, the Company recognized a $1.7 million goodwill impairment on the related reporting unit on a relative fair value basis. Excluding the goodwill impairment on the Company’s Russia business, as of September 30, 2024, the fair values of the reporting units exceeded their respective carrying amount by 10% or more. A 10% decrease in the discounted cash flows utilized in quantitative impairment assessment for each of the reporting units would not have changed our determination that the fair value of each reporting unit was in excess of its carrying value.

As noted above, ASC 350 also requires that the Company test the indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually. Under ASC 350, if the carrying value of the indefinite-lived asset is higher than its fair value, then the asset is deemed to be impaired and the impairment charge is estimated as the excess carrying value over the fair value. The Company calculated the fair value of its indefinite-lived intangible assets using the income approach, specifically the relief-from-royalty method. The relief-from-royalty method is used to estimate the cost savings that accrue to the owner of an

intangible asset who would otherwise have to pay royalties or license fees on revenues earned through the use of the asset. Internally forecasted revenues, which the Company believes reasonably approximate market participant assumptions, are multiplied by a royalty rate to arrive at the estimated net after tax cost savings. The royalty rate used in the analysis is based on an analysis of empirical, market-derived royalty rates for guideline intangible assets. The net after tax cost savings are discounted using the Discount Rate. The Discount Rate is developed using market observable inputs, as well as considering whether or not there is a measure of risk related to the specific indefinite lived intangible assets' forecasted performance.  The key uncertainties in these calculations are the assumptions used in determining the revenue associated with each indefinite-lived intangible asset and the royalty rate.

    

During fiscal year 2024, 2023, and 2022 the results indicated all indefinite-lived intangible assets had significant excess of fair value over the carrying value. A reasonably possible change in the estimated revenues associated with the indefinite-lived intangible assets, selected royalty rates or the residual growth rate would not result in an impairment of any of these assets.

We account for inventory valuation for a majority of the Company using the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method measured at the lower of cost or market value. We utilize the LIFO method of valuing inventories because it reflects how we monitor and manage our business and it matches current costs and revenues. Valuation of inventory using the LIFO method is made at the end of our fiscal year based on inventory levels and costs at that time. Accordingly, interim LIFO calculations are based on estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs. Other inventories, consisting mostly of foreign inventories, are measured using first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) costing methods. Inventory cost, regardless of valuation method, includes direct material, direct labor and manufacturing overhead costs. In circumstances where inventory levels are in excess of anticipated market demand, where inventory is deemed technologically obsolete or not marketable due to its condition or where the inventory cost for an item exceeds its market value, we record a charge to cost of goods sold and reduce the inventory to its market value.

    

See Note 1, “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements and cautionary statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and information currently available to management. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “shall,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “seeks,” “aims,” “projects,” “is optimistic,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or other comparable terms. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this Annual Report and include, without limitation, statements regarding our intentions, beliefs, assumptions or current expectations concerning, among other things, financial position; results of operations; cash flows; prospects; growth strategies or expectations; customer retention; the outcome (by judgment or settlement) and costs of legal, administrative or regulatory proceedings, investigations or inspections, including, without limitation, collective, representative or class action litigation; and the impact of prevailing economic conditions.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond our control. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes and that actual performance and outcomes, including, without limitation, our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the

market in which we operate, may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report. In addition, even if our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, and the development of the market in which we operate, are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods. A number of important factors, including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties discussed or referenced under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Additional factors that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ from those reflected in forward-looking statements include, without limitation:

You should read this Annual Report completely and with the understanding that actual future results may be materially different from expectations. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf that are made in this Annual Report are qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this Annual Report, and we do not undertake any obligation, other than as may be required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking or cautionary statements to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of events, unanticipated or otherwise, and changes in future operating results over time or otherwise.

    

Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends, or indications of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data.

    

In the normal course of conducting business, we are exposed to certain risks associated with potential changes in market conditions. These risks include fluctuations in interest rates, credit risks, commodity prices, including price fluctuations related to our primary raw materials and foreign currency translation rates.

 

The Credit Facilities, excluding our Senior Notes, bear interest at a floating rate. On March 15, 2023, the Company entered into an amendment to the New Senior Secured Term Loan Facility to implement a forward-looking interest rate based on SOFR in lieu of LIBOR, consisting of an applicable margin of 2.00% and a credit spread adjustment of (i) 0.11448% for a one-month interest period, (ii) 0.26161% for a three-month interest period and (iii) 0.42826% for a six-month interest period. Further, on March 24, 2023, the Company entered into an amendment to the Amended ABL Credit Facility to implement a forward-looking interest rate based on SOFR in lieu of LIBOR consisting of an applicable margin ranging from 1.25% to 1.75% and a credit spread adjustment of 0.10%. As a result, we are exposed to fluctuations in interest rates to the extent of our net borrowings under the New Senior Secured Term Loan, which were $373.0 million at September 30, 2024. As of September 30, 2024, SOFR exceeded 1.00%; therefore, each one percentage point change in interest rates would result in an approximately $3.8 million change in the annual interest expense on our Senior Secured Term Loan Facility. As of September 30, 2024, assuming availability was fully utilized, each one percentage point change in interest rates would result in an approximately $3.3 million change in annual interest expense on the ABL Credit Facility. Additionally, if the ABL Credit Facility were fully utilized, the margin we pay on borrowings would increase by 0.3% from the current level and we would incur additional interest expense of $1 million.

    

We are exposed to credit risk on accounts receivable balances. This risk is mitigated due to our large, diverse customer base. In fiscal 2024, our ten largest customers (including buyers and distributors in buying groups) accounted for approximately 40% of our net sales. As of September 30, 2024, Sonepar USA represented 17% and CED National represented 11% of the Company’s accounts receivable, with no significant amounts past due. As of September 30, 2023, Sonepar USA represented 14% and CED National represented 11% of the Company’s accounts receivable with no significant amounts past due. See Note 17, “Segment Information” to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

    

We maintain provisions for potential credit losses and such losses to date have normally been within our expectations. We evaluate the solvency of our customers on an ongoing basis to determine if additional allowances for doubtful accounts receivable need to be recorded. We have historically not been exposed to a material amount of uncollectible receivable balances.

We are exposed to price fluctuations for our primary raw material commodities such as steel, copper, PVC resin and HDPE resin. Our operating performance may be affected by both upward and downward price fluctuations. We are also exposed to fluctuations in petroleum costs as we deliver a substantial portion of the products we sell by truck. We seek to minimize the effects of inflation and changing prices through economies of purchasing and inventory management resulting in cost reductions and productivity improvements as well as price increases to maintain reasonable gross margins. Such commodity price fluctuations continue to cause volatility in our financial performance and could do so in the future. See Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for further details.

Because we conduct our business on an international basis in multiple currencies, we may be adversely affected by foreign exchange rate fluctuations. Although we report financial results in United States dollars, approximately 12% of our net sales and expenses are denominated in currencies other than the United States dollar, particularly British pounds sterling, European euros, Canadian dollars, Australian dollars, and New Zealand dollars. Fluctuations in exchange rates could therefore significantly affect our reported results from period to period as we translate results in local currencies into United States dollars. With the exception of certain foreign denominated intercompany loans, we generally do not use derivative instruments to hedge translation risks in the ordinary course of business, including the risk related to earnings of foreign subsidiaries. Due to limited cross border transactions, we do not experience material foreign exchange transactional gains or losses.

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Atkore Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Atkore Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of September 30, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2024, and the related notes and the schedules listed in the Index at Part IV, Item 15 (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2024, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated November 20, 2024, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Chicago, Illinois  

November 20, 2024

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2011.