Valmont (VMI) Risk Analysis

Producing large engineered structures for Infrastructure customers requires significant machinery and often necessitates operating our facilities at or near full capacity to achieve optimal utilization. As a result, if demand for specific structure types in the Utility market changes unexpectedly, our ability to adjust manufacturing capacity in the near term may be limited. Establishing new manufacturing capacity or expanding existing capacity involves significant vendor lead times, capital investments, and customer approvals, all of which further delay our ability to respond to unexpected increases in demand. These limitations could lead to delays in order fulfillment, customer dissatisfaction, potential business loss, inventory imbalances, increased labor and material costs, reduced productivity, lower profit margins, reputational harm, and a weakened market position. If we are unable to effectively address these challenges, it could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, and operating results.

Hot-rolled steel coil and other carbon steel products have historically constituted approximately one-third of the cost of manufacturing our products. We also use large quantities of aluminum for lighting structures and zinc for galvanizing most of our steel products. Our facilities consume large amounts of natural gas for heating and processing tanks in our galvanizing operations. Additionally, we use gasoline and diesel fuel to transport raw materials to our locations and deliver finished goods to our customers. The markets for these commodities can be volatile. The following factors increase the cost and reduce the availability of these commodities: - increased demand, which occurs when we and other industries require greater quantities of these commodities, which can result in higher prices and longer lead times to receive them from suppliers;- lower production levels of these commodities, due to reduced production capacities or shortages of materials needed to produce them (such as coke and scrap steel for the production of steel), which could result in reduced supplies, higher costs for us, and increased lead times;- increased costs of major inputs, such as scrap steel, coke, iron ore, and energy;- fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, which can impact the relative cost of these commodities, which may affect the cost effectiveness of imported materials and limit our options for acquiring them; and - international trade disputes, import duties, tariffs, and quotas, as we import some steel and aluminum components and products for various product lines. Increases in the selling prices of our products may not fully recover higher commodity costs and generally lag increases in these costs. Consequently, an increase in commodity prices will increase our operating costs and likely reduce our profitability. Rising steel prices, as seen in the first half of fiscal 2021 and the first quarter of fiscal 2023, can put pressure on gross profit margins, especially in our Infrastructure segment product lines. The time between the release of a customer's purchase order and the manufacturing of the product can span several months. Since some sales in the Infrastructure segment are fixed-price contracts, rapid increases in steel costs likely result in lower operating income. Steel prices for both hot-rolled coil and plate can also decrease substantially in a given period, as occurred in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 and much of fiscal 2022. Steel is particularly significant for our Utility product line, where the cost of steel has accounted for approximately 50% of net sales on average. Assuming a similar sales mix, a hypothetical 20% change in the price of steel would have affected our net sales in this product line by approximately $110.0 million for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024. We believe recent volatility stems from increased global steel production and shifting consumption patterns, particularly in fast-growing economies like China and India. The speed with which steel suppliers impose price increases on us may prevent us from fully recovering these price increases, particularly in our L&T and Utility businesses. Similarly, rapid decreases in steel prices can result in reduced operating margins in our Utility businesses due to long production lead times.

As of December 28, 2024, we had a total of $757.9 million in outstanding indebtedness, of which $2.9 million matures within the next five fiscal years. Additionally, as of December 28, 2024, we had $799.8 million in borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility. We occasionally borrow funds for business acquisitions and share repurchases. At times, our borrowings have been significant, with the majority of our interest-bearing debt incurred by U.S. entities. Rising interest rates have increased our borrowing costs. Our level of indebtedness may have significant consequences, including: - Our ability to meet obligations under our debt agreements could be impacted. Failure to comply with debt covenants and other requirements, including financial and restructuring terms, could result in a default under our debt agreements. - A substantial portion of our cash flow from operations will be used to make interest and principal payments, limiting the funds available for operations, working capital, capital expenditures, expansion, and other corporate purposes, including future acquisitions that could benefit our business. - Our ability to secure additional financing in the future may be hindered. - We may be more highly leveraged than our competitors, placing us at a competitive disadvantage. - Our flexibility in responding to changes in our business and industry may be constrained. - Our level of leverage may make us more vulnerable in the event of a downturn in our business, industry, or the broader economy. The restrictions and covenants in our debt agreements may limit our ability to secure future financing, make necessary capital expenditures, withstand a downturn in our business or the economy, or conduct essential corporate activities. These covenants could prevent us from capitalizing on emerging business opportunities. A breach of any of these covenants would constitute a default under the relevant debt agreement. If not waived, this could trigger immediate repayment obligations under that agreement and potentially accelerate repayment requirements under other agreements. If this occurs, the debt would become immediately due and payable. We may not have the funds to pay all such debt or to obtain sufficient financing to refinance it. Even if financing is available, the terms may not be favorable. As of December 28, 2024, we had $164.3 million in cash and cash equivalents. Approximately 83% of our consolidated cash balance is held outside the U.S. Repatriating funds to meet U.S. cash needs could be subject to legal restrictions, tax liabilities, or contractual limitations. Additionally, as we use cash for acquisitions and other purposes, these factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and future prospects.

Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated and pose significant risks to the security of our information technology systems and networks. If these systems are breached, it could severely affect the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of our data. As our operations involve transferring data across international borders, we must comply with complex and stringent standards to protect both business and personal data, including in the U.S. and European Union countries. Our risk management strategy focuses on maintaining and protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information for both our business and customers. We rely on an information security program that includes a wide range of cybersecurity measures. More details about these measures can be found in Part I, Item 1C of this report. While these measures are designed to prevent, detect, respond to, and mitigate unauthorized activity, there is no guarantee they will be sufficient to prevent or mitigate the risks of a cyberattack-whether directly targeting our systems or through third-party service providers-or to enable us to detect, report, or respond in a timely and effective manner. Successful cyberattacks or other security incidents could result in the loss of key innovations, such as artificial intelligence or Internet of Things technologies; loss of access to critical data or systems through ransomware, crypto mining, or destructive attacks; and business delays or service disruptions. These incidents could lead to legal risks, fines, penalties, negative publicity, theft, modification or destruction of proprietary information, defective products, production downtimes, and operational disruptions. All of these could harm our reputation and competitiveness, and materially affect our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition.

We experience competitive pressures from various companies across all our markets. Our competitors include both companies offering similar technologies and those providing alternative solutions, such as drip irrigation. These competitors range from international and national manufacturers to local ones, some of which may have greater financial, manufacturing, marketing, and technical resources, or deeper penetration and familiarity with specific geographic markets. Additionally, certain competitors, particularly in our Utility and Telecommunications product lines, have sought bankruptcy protection in recent years. If they emerge with reduced debt obligations, they may be able to operate at lower prices, putting pressure on our margins. Some customers have also shifted manufacturing or sourcing operations overseas, negatively impacting our sales of galvanizing services. To remain competitive, we must invest in manufacturing, product development, and customer service. At times, we may need to adjust pricing, particularly for customers in struggling industries. However, we cannot guarantee our competitive position in all markets.