MEI Methode Electronics Inc.

Risks

• The effects of a pandemic or widespread outbreak of an illness, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, has had and could continue to have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
• We derive a substantial portion of our revenues from customers in the automotive, commercial vehicle, appliance, computer and communications industries and are susceptible to trends and factors affecting those industries, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Our business is dependent on sales to GM and Ford. If we were to lose either of these customers or experienced a significant decline in the volume or price of products purchased by these customers, or if either of the customers declared bankruptcy, our future results could be adversely affected.
• International trade disputes could result in tariffs and other protectionist measures that could adversely affect our business.
• Any changes in U.S. trade policy could trigger retaliatory actions by affected countries, resulting in "trade wars."
• Our inability, or our customers' inability, to effectively manage the timing, quality and cost of new program launches could adversely affect our financial performance.
• Failure to attract and retain qualified personnel could affect our results.
• Our Dabir Surfaces medical device products are emerging technologies. Our ability to successfully market and sell these products will depend on acceptance by the medical community.
• A significant fluctuation between the U.S. dollar and other currencies could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
• A significant portion of our business activities are conducted in foreign countries, exposing us to additional risks that may not exist in the United States.
• Our business is subject to costs associated with environmental, health and safety regulations.
• Should a catastrophic event or other significant business interruption occur at any of our facilities, we could face significant reconstruction or remediation costs, penalties, third party liability and loss of production capacity, which could adversely affect our business.
• Impairment charges relating to our goodwill and long-lived assets could adversely affect our financial statements.
• Our inability to capitalize on prior or future acquisitions or any decision to strategically divest one or more current businesses may adversely affect our business.
• Our ability to market our automotive and commercial vehicle products is subject to a lengthy sales cycle, which requires significant investment prior to significant sales revenues, and there is no assurance that our products will be implemented in any particular vehicle.
• We are dependent on the availability and price of materials.
• Disruption of our supply chain could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
• Our judgments regarding the accounting for tax positions and the resolution of tax disputes may impact our results of operations and financial condition.
• Changes in our effective tax rate may adversely impact our results of operations.
• We may be unable to keep pace with rapid technological changes, which could adversely affect our business.
• Products we manufacture may contain design or manufacturing defects that could result in reduced demand for our products or services and liability claims against us.
• Reorganization activities may lead to additional costs and material adverse effects.
• Our technology-based businesses and the markets in which we operate are highly competitive. If we are unable to compete effectively, our sales could decline.
• If we are unable to protect our intellectual property or we infringe, or are alleged to infringe, on another person’s intellectual property, our business, financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected.
• We cannot guarantee that the recently acquired Grakon businesses will be successful or that we can implement and profit from any new applications of the acquired technology.
• Performance-based stock awards under our long-term incentive plan have required significant adjustments to compensation expense in our consolidated statements of income. Any future performance-based stock awards issued under our long-term incentive plan could require similar adjustments. The adjustments could be material our financial statements.
• We have incurred a significant amount of indebtedness, and our level of indebtedness and restrictions under our indebtedness could adversely affect our operations and liquidity. The COVID-19 pandemic could also adversely impact our liquidity.
• The replacement or modification of LIBOR as a reference rate could increase our interest expense in the future.