Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although we do not make forward-looking statements unless we believe we have a reasonable basis for doing so, we cannot guarantee their accuracy. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements due to a number of uncertainties and risks, including the risks described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and other unforeseen risks. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, even if subsequently made available by us on our website or otherwise, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise these statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements for a number of reasons, including the following factors:

This list of factors that may affect future performance is illustrative, but by no means exhaustive. Accordingly, all forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty.

EnerSys (the “Company,” “we,” or “us”) is a world leader in stored energy storage and power solutions for industrial applications. We alsodesign, manufacture, and distribute energy systems solutions, and motive power batteries, specialty batteries, battery chargers, power equipment, battery accessories and outdoor thermal equipment enclosureenclosures solutions to customers worldwide.for a global customer base. Energy Systems, which combine enclosures, power conversion, power distribution, and energy storage, and thermally managed enclosures, are used in the telecommunication, broadband, data center, and broadband, utility industries, for uninterruptible power supplies, and numerous other applications requiring stored energy solutions. Motive Power batteries and chargers are utilized in electric forklift trucks, automated guided vehicles, and other industrial electric powered vehicles. Specialty batteries are used in aerospace and defense applications, large over the road trucks, and premium automotive and medical. We also provide aftermarket and customer support services to over 10,000 customers in more than 100 countries through a network of distributors, independent representatives, and our internal sales force around the world.

The Company's three reportable segments, based on lines of business, are as follows:

See Note 23 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information on segment reporting.

In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, when we refer to our fiscal years, we state “fiscal” and the year, as in “fiscal 2021”2023”, which refers to our fiscal year ended March 31, 2021.2023. The Company reports interim financial information for 13-week periods, except for the first quarter, which always begins on April 1, and the fourth quarter, which always ends on March 31. The four quarters in fiscal 20212023 ended on July 5, 2020,3, 2022, October 4, 2020,2, 2022, January 3, 2021,1, 2023, and March 31, 2021,2023, respectively. The four quarters in fiscal 20202022 ended on June 30, 2019, September 29, 2019, December 29, 2019,July 4, 2021, October 3, 2021, January 2, 2022, and March 31, 2020,2022, respectively.

EnerSys and its predecessor companies have been manufacturers of industrial batteries for over 125 years. Morgan Stanley Capital Partners teamed with the management of Yuasa, Inc. in late 2000 to acquire from Yuasa Corporation (Japan) its reserve power and motive power battery businesses in North and South America. We were incorporated in October 2000 for the purpose of completing the Yuasa, Inc. acquisition. On January 1, 2001, we changed our name from Yuasa, Inc. to EnerSys to reflect our focus on the energy systems nature of our businesses.

In 2004, EnerSys completed its initial public offering (the “IPO”) and the Company’s common stock commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange, under the trading symbol “ENS”.

There have been several key stages in the development of our business, which explain to a significant degree our results of operations over the past several years.

In March 2002, we acquired the reserve power and motive power business of the Energy Storage Group of Invensys plc. (“ESGI”). Our successful integration of ESGI provided global scale in both the reserve and motive power markets. The ESGI acquisition also provided us with a further opportunity to reduce costs and improve operating efficiency.

DuringBetween fiscal years 2003 through 2021,2023, we made thirty-four acquisitions around the globe. There were no acquisitions in fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021 but in fiscal 2020, we completed the acquisition of NorthStar, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden and in fiscal 2019, we completed the acquisition of Alpha.

We serve over 10,000 customers in over 100 countries, on a direct basis or through our distributors. We are not overly dependent on any particular end market. Our customer base is highly diverse, and no single customer accounts for more than 10% of our revenues.

Our Energy Systems customers consist of both global and regional customers. These customers are in diverse markets including telecom, UPS,telecommunication and broadband services, data centers, electric utilities, security systems, emergency lighting, services to broadband, telecom, renewable energy, and industrial customers, as well as thermally managed cabinets and enclosures for electronic equipment and batteries.

Our Motive Power products are sold to a large, diversified customer base. These customers include material handling equipment dealers, forklift and heavy truck original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) and end users of such equipment. End users include manufacturers, distributors, warehouse operators, retailers, airports, mine operators and railroads.

Our Specialty products are utilized in transportation, primarily in premium automotive and large over-the-road trucking, aerospace and defense and medical markets. The products are sold globally to OEMs, distribution partners, vehicle fleets and directly to government entities such as the United States of America, Germany and the United Kingdom.

We distribute, sell and service our products throughout the world, principally through company-owned sales and service facilities, as well as through independent manufacturers’ representatives. Our company-owned network allows us to offer high-quality service, including preventative maintenance programs and customer support. Our warehouses and service locations enable us to respond quickly to customers in the markets we serve. We believe that the extensive industry experience of our sales organization results in strong long-term customer relationships.

We manufacture and assemble our products at manufacturing facilities located in the Americas, EMEA and Asia. With a view toward projected demand, we strive to optimize and balance capacity at our battery manufacturing facilities globally, while simultaneously minimizing our product cost. By taking a global view of our manufacturing requirements and capacity, we believe we are better able to anticipate potential capacity bottlenecks and equipment and capital funding needs.

The primary raw materials used to manufacture our products include lead, plastics, steel and copper. We purchase lead from a number of leading suppliers throughout the world. Because lead is traded on the world’s commodity markets and its price fluctuates daily, we periodically enter into hedging arrangements for a portion of our projected requirements to reduce the volatility of our costs.

The industrial energy storage market is highly competitive both among competitors who manufacture and sell industrial batteries and other energy storage systemssolutions and solutionsbatteries and among customers who purchase industrial energy solutions. Our competitors range from development stage companies to large domestic and international corporations. Certain of our competitors produce energy storage products utilizing technologies or chemistries different from our own. We compete primarily on the basis of reputation, product quality, reliability of service, delivery lead time and price. We believe that our products and services are competitively priced.

Our primary global competitors in traditional lead-acid include East Penn Manufacturing, Exide Technologies (Stryten), Hoppecke, Eternity, Midac, Sunlight and TAB, as well as a number of domestic Chinese manufacturers.

Additionally, while lithium-ion battery technology in the motive power space has traditionally been relegated to smaller material handling applications, we have seen the entrance of a number of companies into larger battery types, acting as lithium cell packagers or integrators of cells sourced primarily from Asia. The integrators include forklift original equipment manufacturers either directly or through partnership with other entities.

We compete globally within the Transportation, Aerospacetransportation, aerospace and Defensedefense markets and specialized lithium technologies used in these critical applications. Our TPPLthin plate pure lead (TPPL) technology is a significant player in the applications using absorbed glass materials (AGM). Our major competitors in AGM technology are Clarios, East Penn Manufacturing, Exide Technologies (Stryten) Stryten,, Fiamm, Banner and Atlas. In the Aerospace and Defense specialized markets our main competitors are Eagle Picher and SAFT.

Warranties for our products vary geographically and by product type and are competitive with other suppliers of these types of products. Generally, our Energy Systems product warranties range from one to twenty years, our Motive Power product warranties range from one to sevenfive years and from one to four years for Specialty transportation batteries. The length of our warranties is varied to reflect regional characteristics and competitive influences. In some cases, our warranty period may include a pro rata period, which is typically based around the design life of the product and the application served. Our warranties generally cover defects in workmanship and materials and are limited to specific usage parameters.

We have numerous patents and patent licenses in the United States and other jurisdictions but do not consider any one patent to be material to our business. From time to time, we apply for patents on new inventions and designs, but we believe that the growth of our business will depend primarily upon the quality of our products and our relationships with our customers, rather than the extent of our patent protection.

We believe we are the leader in TPPL.TPPL technology. We believe that a significant capital investment would be required by any party desiring to produce products using TPPL technology for our markets.

We own or possess exclusive and non-exclusive licenses and other rights to use a number of trademarks in various jurisdictions. We have obtained registrations for many of these trademarks in the United States and other jurisdictions. Our various trademark registrations currently have durations of approximately 10 to 20 years, varying by mark and jurisdiction of registration and may be renewable. We endeavor to keep all of our material registrations current. We believe that many such rights and licenses are important to our business by helping to develop strong brand-name recognition in the marketplace.

Our business generally does not experience significant quarterly fluctuations in net sales as a result of weather or other trends that can be directly linked to seasonality patterns, although transportation and power electronics can experience seasonality in colder months. Despite that, historically our fourth quarter is our best quarter with higher revenues and generally more working days while our second quarter is the weakest due to the summer holiday season in Western Europe and North America.

Our product and process development efforts are focused on the creation of new stored energy storage products, and integrated power systems and controls. We allocate our resources to the following key areas:

At March 31, 2021,2023, we had approximately 11,40011,350 employees. Of these employees, approximately 27%26% were covered by collective bargaining agreements. Employees covered by collective bargaining agreements that expire in the next twelve months were approximately 11%9% of the total workforce. The average term of these agreements is 2 years, with the longest term being 3.54.0 years. We consider our employee relations to be good. We did not experience any significant labor unrest or disruption of production during fiscal 2021.2023.

We are committed to the protection of the environment and train our employees to perform their duties accordingly. In the manufacture of our products throughout the world, we process, store, dispose of and otherwise use large amounts of hazardous materials, especially lead and acid. As a result, we are subject to extensive and evolving environmental, health and safety laws and regulations governing, among other things: the generation, handling, storage, use, transportation and disposal of hazardous materials; emissions or discharges of hazardous materials into the ground, air or water; and the health and safety of our employees. In addition, we are required to comply with the regulation issued from the European Union called Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals or “REACH”. Under the regulation, companies whichthat manufacture or import more than one ton of a covered chemical substance per year are required to register it in a central database administered by the European Chemicals Agency. The registration process requires the submission of information to demonstrate the safety of chemicals as used and could result in significant costs or delay the manufacture or sale of our products in the European Union. Additionally, industry associations and their member companies, including EnerSys, have scheduled meetings with the European Union member countries to advocate for their support of an exemption for lead compounds. Compliance with these laws and regulations results in ongoing costs. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations, or to obtain or comply with required environmental permits, could result in fines, criminal charges or other sanctions by regulators. From time to time, we have had instances of alleged or actual noncompliance that have resulted in the imposition of fines, penalties and required corrective actions. Our ongoing compliance with environmental, health and safety laws, regulations and permits could require us to incur significant expenses, limit our ability to modify or expand our facilities or continue production and require us to install additional pollution control equipment and make other capital improvements. In addition, private parties, including current or former employees, can bring personal injury or other claims against us due to the presence of, or their exposure to, hazardous substances used, stored, transported or disposed of by us or contained in our products.

SixteenSeventeen of our facilities in the Americas, EMEA and Asia are certified to ISO 14001 standards. ISO 14001 is a globally recognized, voluntary program that focuses on the implementation, maintenance and continual improvement of an environmental management system and the improvement of environmental performance. EightSeven facilities in EMEA and Asia are certified to ISO 45001 standards. The ISO 45001 is a globally recognized occupational health and safety management systems standard.

The potential impact of climate change on our operations is uncertain. Climate changeThe changing climate may result in among other things, changesnew and erratic weather patterns, increases in rainfallthe frequency or severity of storms, increased and storm patternsdecreased temperatures and intensity and increased temperature andrising sea levels. As discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, (Annual Report), including in Item 1A. Risk Factors, our operating results are significantly influenced by weather, and significantmajor changes in historical weather patterns could significantlyhave a notable impact on our future operating results. For example, if climate change results in drier weather and more accommodating temperatures over a greatersignificant period of time, we may be able to increase our productivity, which could positively impact our revenues and gross margins. Conversely, if climate change results in a greater amount of rainfall, snow, ice or other less accommodating weather

conditions, we could experience reduced productivity, which could negatively impact our revenues and gross margins. Further, while an increase in severe weather events, such as hurricanes, tropical storms, blizzards and ice storms, can create a greater amount of emergency restoration service work (an area of potential revenue generation), it often also can result in delays or other negative consequences for our manufacturing operations, or challenges to the consistent delivery of materials from our supply chain or of our products to distributors, which could negatively impact our financial results. Climate change may also affect the conditions in which we operate, and in some cases, expose us to potentially increased liabilities associated with those environmental conditions. Concerns about climate change could also result in potential new regulations, regulatory actions or requirements to fundinvest in energy efficiency, activities, any of which could result in increased costs associated with our operations. We are aware of the proposed rules on climate disclosure released by the SEC in March of last year. While we are following the progression of the rule, we are pleased to note that we are preparing to meet many of its conditions in advance. We released our inaugural, comprehensive Sustainability Report, which was aligned with GRI and SASB standards. Included in this report, we announced key, measurable environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) goals and objectives aimed at advancing progress in sustainability, reducing our environmental footprint and creating an inclusive and empowering workplace for all employees. We also issued our inaugural Task Force of Climate Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Report in December 2022. As part of our growing sustainability commitment, we announced during fiscal year 2022 that we joined the United Nations Global Compact, Alliance to Save Energy, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Plants Program (through which we committed to reducing our energy intensity by 25% over the next 10 years (from a calendar year 2020 baseline)), the United Nations CEO Water Mandate and the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion. In 2022, we also submitted our CDP Climate Change disclosure to maintain transparency with our stakeholders and track our progress towards a low carbon society. We intend to continue to conduct a climate risk analysis in the coming year and have completed an analysis of our Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Additionally, we have taken the initial steps to quantify our Scope 3 emissions as we understand that identifying the impacts associated with our production, distribution, and use of our products is critical for further climate risk mitigation.

We strive to operate our facilities in a manner that protects the environment and the health and safety of our employees, customers and communities. We have established required sustainability training for identified employees and incorporate climate and other sustainability considerations into our formal decision-making processes. We have implemented company-wide environmental, health and safety policies and practices, which includes monitoring, training and communication of these policies, formulation of relevant policies and standards.policies.

We utilize a global strategy for quality management systems, policies and procedures, the basis of which is the ISO 9001:2015 standard, a worldwide recognized quality standard. We believe in the principles of this standard and reinforce the same by requiring mandatory compliance for all manufacturing, sales and service locations globally that are registered to the ISO 9001 standard. We also focus on specific plant certifications such as AS9100 (Aerospace), ISO13485:2016 (Medical Devices), ISO/TS 22163:2017 (Rail), TL9000 (Telecom), IATF16949:2018 (Automotive). We have also acquired our first Lithium-Ion product certification in accordance with ISO 26262 (Product Safety).

This strategy enables us to provide consistent quality products and services to meet our customers’ needs.

race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, marital status, gender (including pregnancy), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to every member of our workforce. In addition to following all applicable local laws and regulations, for fiscal year 2022, we have also formed an executive steering committee, joined, among other things, the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion, and funded additional staffing to further support these efforts.

We created several committees to assist the company in its philanthropic endeavors that support allthe communities in which we work. Additionally, we regularly sponsor volunteer events and fundraising campaigns, to encourage our employees to give back to our communities, a commitment that we further support by offering employees paid time off for charitable volunteering.

None.

The Company’s worldwide headquarters is located in Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Headquarters for our Americas and EMEA operations are located in Reading, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., and Zug, Switzerland, respectively. The Company owns approximately 80% of its manufacturing facilities and distribution centers worldwide. The following sets forth the Company’s principal owned or leased facilities:

We consider our plants and facilities, whether owned or leased, to be in satisfactory condition and adequate to meet the needs of our current businesses and projected growth. Information as to material lease commitments is included in Note 3 - Leases to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

From time to time, we are involved in litigation incidental to the conduct of our business. See Litigation and Other Legal Matters in Note 19 - Commitments, Contingencies and Litigation to the Consolidated Financial Statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Not applicable.

The Company’s common stock has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ENS” since it began trading on July 30, 2004. Prior to that time, there had been no public market for our common stock.

As of May 21, 2021,19, 2023, there were approximately 497600 record holders of common stock of the Company. Because many of these shares are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, the Company is unable to estimate the total number of stockholders represented by these record holders.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021,2023, we did not issue any unregistered securities.

During fiscal 2021,2023, the Company’s quarterly dividend was $0.175 per share. The Company declared aggregate regular cash dividends of $0.70 per share in each of the years ended March 31, 2021,2023, March 31, 20202022 and 2019.2021.

The Company anticipates that it will continue to pay quarterly cash dividends in the future. However, the payment and amount of future dividends remain within the discretion of the Board and will depend upon the Company's future earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, restrictions under existing or future credit facilities or debt and other factors. See “There can be no assurance that we will continue to declare cash dividends at all or in any particular amounts.” Under Item 1A. Risk Factors for additional information.

The following table summarizes the number of shares of common stock we purchased from participants in our equity incentive plans, as well as repurchases of common stock authorized by the Board of Directors. As provided by the Company’s equity incentive plans, (a) vested options outstanding may be exercised through surrender to the Company of option shares or vested options outstanding under the Company’s equity incentive plans to satisfy the applicable aggregate exercise price (and any withholding tax) required to be paid upon such exercise and (b) the withholding tax requirements related to the vesting and settlement of equity awards may be satisfied by the surrender of shares of the Company’s common stock.

EnerSys (the “Company,” “we,” or “us”) is a world leader in stored energy solutions for industrial applications. We also manufacture and distribute energy systems solutions and motive power batteries, specialty batteries, battery chargers, power equipment, battery accessories and outdoor equipment enclosure solutions to customers worldwide. Energy Systems which combine enclosures, power conversion, power distribution and energy storage are used in the telecommunication and broadband, utility industries, uninterruptible power supplies, and numerous applications requiring stored energy solutions. Motive Power batteries and chargers are utilized in electric forklift trucks and other industrial electric powered vehicles. Specialty batteries are used in aerospace and defense applications, large over the road trucks, premium automotive and medical. We also provide aftermarket and customer support services to over 10,000 customers in more than 100 countries through a network of distributors, independent representatives and our internal sales force around the world.

We evaluate business segment performance based primarily upon operating earnings exclusive of highlighted items. Highlighted items are those that the Company deems are not indicative of ongoing operating results, including those charges that the Company incurs as a result of restructuring activities, impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles and other assets, acquisition activities and those charges and credits that are not directly related to operating unit performance, such as significant legal proceedings, ERP system implementation, amortization of recently acquired intangible assets and tax valuation allowance changes, including those related to the adoption of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Because these charges are not incurred as a result of ongoing operations, or are incurred as a result of a potential or previous acquisition, they are not as helpful a measure of the performance of our underlying business, particularly in light of their unpredictable nature and are difficult to forecast. All corporate and centrally incurred costs are allocated to the business segments based principally on net sales. We evaluate business segment cash flow and financial position performance based primarily upon free cash flows, capital expenditures and primary workingoperating capital levels. Although we monitor the three elements of primary working capital (receivables, inventory and payables), our primary focus is on the total amount due to the significant impact it has on our cash flow.

Our management structure, financial reporting systems, and associated internal controls and procedures, are all consistent with our three lines of business. We report on a March 31 fiscal year-end. Our financial results are largely driven by the following factors:

InDuring the second quarter of fiscal 2020, we issued $300 million in aggregate principal amount of our 4.375% Senior Notes due 2027 (the “2027 Notes”). Proceeds from this offering, net of debt issuance costs were $296.3 million and were utilized to pay down2023, the balance outstanding on the revolver borrowings.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2022, we entered into a second amendment to the Amended Credit Facility (as amended, the “Second Amended Credit Facility”). As a result, the Second Amended Credit Facility, now scheduled to mature on September 30, 2026, consists of $449.1a $130.0 million senior secured term loansloan (the “Amended 2017“Second Amended Term Loan”), including a CAD 133.1106.4 million ($99.184.2 million) term loan and a $700.0an $850.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Amended 2017“Second Amended Revolver”). TheThis amendment resulted in a decrease of the Amended Term Loan by $150.0 million and an increase of the 2017 Term Loan and the 2017Amended Revolver by $299.1 million and $100.0 million, respectively.$150.0 million.

In fiscal 2023 and 2022, we repurchased 358,365 and 1,996,334 shares of common stock for $22.9 million and $156.4 million, respectively. In fiscal 2021, we did not repurchase any shares but in fiscal 2020 and 2019 we repurchased $34.6 million and $56.4 million of our common stock under existing authorizations, respectively. In fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, we reissued 13,465, 17,410 and 3,256 shares out of our treasury stock, respectively, to participants under the Company's Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

A substantial majority of the Company’s cash and investments are held by foreign subsidiaries. The majority of that cash and investments is expected to be utilized to fund local operating activities, capital expenditure requirements and acquisitions. The Company believes that it has sufficient sources of domestic and foreign liquidity.

We believe that our strong capital structure and liquidity affords us access to capital for future capital expenditures, acquisition and stock repurchase opportunities and continued dividend payments.

Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. In preparing our financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that, among other things, affect the reported amounts in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. These estimates and assumptions are most significant where they involve levels of subjectivity and judgment necessary to account for highly uncertain matters or matters susceptible to change, and where they can have a material impact on our financial condition and operating performance. We discuss below the more significant estimates and related assumptions used in the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements. If actual results were to differ materially from the estimates made, the reported results could be materially affected.

We adopted the accounting standard for the recognition of revenue underIn accordance with ASC 606, for the fiscal year beginning on April 1, 2019. Under this standard, we recognize revenue only when we have satisfied a performance obligation through transferring control of the promised good or service to a customer. The standard indicates that an entity must determine at contract inception whether it will transfer control of a promised good or service over time or satisfy the performance obligation at a point in time through analysis of the following criteria: (i) the entity has a present right to payment, (ii) the customer has legal title, (iii) the

We test for the impairment of our goodwill and indefinite-lived trademarks at least annually and whenever events or circumstances occur indicating that a possible impairment has been incurred.

We assess whether goodwill impairment exists using both qualitative and quantitative assessments. The qualitative assessment involves determining whether events or circumstances exist that indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If, based on this qualitative assessment, we determine it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, or if we elect not to perform a qualitative assessment, a quantitative assessment is performed to determine whether a goodwill impairment exists at the reporting unit.

We perform our annual goodwill impairment test on the first day of our fourth quarter for each of our reporting units based on the income approach, also known as the discounted cash flow (“DCF”) method, which utilizes the present value of future cash flows to estimate fair value. We also use the market approach, which utilizes market price data of companies engaged in the same or a similar line of business as that of our company, to estimate fair value. A reconciliation of the two methods is performed to assess the reasonableness of fair value of each of the reporting units.

The future cash flows used under the DCF method are derived from estimates of future revenues, operating income, working capital requirements and capital expenditures, which in turn reflect our expectations of specific global, industry and market conditions. The discount rate developed for each of the reporting units is based on data and factors relevant to the economies in which the business operates and other risks associated with those cash flows, including the potential variability in the amount and timing of the cash flows. A terminal growth rate is applied to the final year of the projected period and reflects our estimate of stable growth to perpetuity. We then calculate the present value of the respective cash flows for each reporting unit to arrive at the fair value using the income approach and then determine the appropriate weighting between the fair value estimated using the income approach and the fair value estimated using the market approach. Finally, we compare the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to its respective carrying value in order to determine if the goodwill assigned to each reporting unit is potentially impaired. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not impaired and no further testing is required. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

Significant assumptions used include management’s estimates of future growth rates, the amount and timing of future operating cash flows, capital expenditures, discount rates, as well as market and industry conditions and relevant comparable company multiples for the market approach. Assumptions utilized are highly judgmental, especially given the role technology plays in driving the demand for products in the telecommunications and aerospace markets.

The indefinite-lived trademarks are tested for impairment by comparing the carrying value to the fair value based on current revenue projections of the related operations, under the relief from royalty method. Any excess carrying value over the amount of fair value is recognized as impairment. Any impairment would be recognized in full in the reporting period in which it has been identified.

With respect to our other long-lived assets other than goodwill and indefinite-lived trademarks, we test for impairment when indicators of impairment are present. An asset is considered impaired when the undiscounted estimated net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset are less than its carrying amount. The impairment recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the impaired asset.

We account for business combinations in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. We recognize assets acquired and liabilities assumed in acquisitions at their fair values as of the acquisition date, with the acquisition-related transaction and

restructuring costs expensed in the period incurred. Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed often involves estimates based on third-party valuations, such as appraisals, or internal valuations based on discounted cash flow analyses and may include estimates of attrition, inflation, asset growth rates, discount rates, multiples of earnings or other

relevant factors. In addition, fair values are subject to refinement for up to a year after the closing date of an acquisition. Adjustments recorded to the acquired assets and liabilities are applied prospectively.

Fair values are based on estimates using management's assumptions using future growth rates, future attrition of the customer base, discount rates, multiples of earnings or other relevant factors.

Any change in the acquisition date fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed may materially affect our financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

From time to time, the Company has been or may be a party to various legal actions and investigations including, among others, employment matters, compliance with government regulations, federal and state employment laws, including wage and hour laws, contractual disputes and other matters, including matters arising in the ordinary course of business. These claims may be brought by, among others, governments, customers, suppliers and employees. Management considers the measurement of litigation reserves as a critical accounting estimate because of the significant uncertainty in some cases relating to the outcome of potential claims or litigation and the difficulty of predicting the likelihood and range of potential liability involved, coupled with the material impact on our results of operations that could result from litigation or other claims.

In determining legal reserves, management considers, among other inputs:

For certain matters, management is able to estimate a range of losses. When a loss is probable, but no amount of loss within a range of outcomes is more likely than any other outcome, management will record a liability based on the low end of the estimated range. Additionally, management will evaluate whether losses in excess of amounts accrued are reasonably possible, and will make disclosure of those matters based on an assessment of the materiality of those addition possible losses.

Accruals for environmental loss contingencies (i.e., environmental reserves) are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can reasonably be estimated. Management views the measurement of environmental reserves as a critical accounting estimate because of the considerable uncertainty surrounding estimation, including the need to forecast well into the future. From time to time, we may be involved in legal proceedings under federal, state and local, as well as international environmental laws in connection with our operations and companies that we have acquired. The estimation of environmental reserves is based on the evaluation of currently available information, prior experience in the remediation of contaminated sites and assumptions with respect to government regulations and enforcement activity, changes in remediation technology and practices, and financial obligations and creditworthiness of other responsible parties and insurers.

We record a warranty reserve for possible claims against our product warranties, which generally run for a period ranging from one to twenty years for our Energy Systems batteries, one to sevenfive years for our Motive Power batteries and for a period ranging from one to four for Specialty transportation batteries. The assessment of the adequacy of the reserve includes a review of open claims and historical experience.

Management believes that the accounting estimate related to the warranty reserve is a critical accounting estimate because the underlying assumptions used for the reserve can change from time to time and warranty claims could potentially have a material impact on our results of operations.

Subsequent to the adoption of ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326)” effective April 1, 2020 the Company uses an expected loss model as mandated by the standard. The expected loss model: (i) estimates the risk of loss even when risk is remote, (ii) estimates losses over the contractual life, (iii) considers past events, current conditions and reasonable supported forecasts and (iv) has no recognition threshold.

The Company estimates the allowance for credit losses in relation to accounts receivable based on relevant qualitative and quantitative information about historical events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported accounts receivable. Subsequent to April 1, 2020, accounts receivable are recorded at amortized cost less an allowance for expected credit losses. The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses for the expected failure or inability of its customers to make required payments. The Company recognizes the allowance for expected credit losses at inception and reassesses quarterly, based on management’s expectation of the asset’s collectability. The allowance is based on multiple factors including historical experience with bad debts, the credit quality of the customer base, the aging of such receivables and current macroeconomic conditions, as well as management’s expectations of conditions in the future. The Company’s allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable is based on management’s assessment of the collectability of assets pooled together with similar risk characteristics. The Company then adjusts the historical credit loss percentage by current and forecasted economic conditions. The Company then includes a baseline credit loss percentage into the historical credit loss percentage for each aging category to reflect the potential impact of the current and economic conditions. Such a baseline calculation will be adjusted further if changes in the economic environment impacts the Company's expectation for future credit losses.

Management believes that the accounting estimate related to the allowance for doubtful accounts is a critical accounting estimate because the underlying assumptions used for the allowance can change from time to time and uncollectible accounts could potentially have a material impact on our results of operations.

We use certain economic and demographic assumptions in the calculation of the actuarial valuation of liabilities associated with our defined benefit plans. These assumptions include the discount rate, expected long-term rates of return on assets and rates of increase in compensation levels. Changes in these assumptions can result in changes to the pension expense and recorded liabilities. Management reviews these assumptions at least annually. We use independent actuaries to assist us in formulating assumptions and making estimates. These assumptions are updated periodically to reflect the actual experience and expectations on a plan-specific basis, as appropriate. 

For benefit plans which are funded, we establish strategic asset allocation percentage targets and appropriate benchmarks for significant asset classes with the aim of achieving a prudent balance between return and risk. We set the expected long-term rate of return based on the expected long-term average rates of return to be achieved by the underlying investment portfolios. In establishing this rate, we consider historical and expected returns for the asset classes in which the plans are invested, advice from pension consultants and investment advisors, and current economic and capital market conditions. The expected return on plan assets is incorporated into the computation of pension expense. The difference between this expected return and the actual return on plan assets is deferred and will affect future net periodic pension costs through subsequent amortization.

We believe that the current assumptions used to estimate plan obligations and annual expense are appropriate in the current economic environment. However, if economic conditions change materially, we may change our assumptions, and the resulting change could have a material impact on the Consolidated Statements of Income and on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

We recognize compensation cost relating to equity-based payment transactions by using a fair-value measurement method whereby all equity-based payments to employees, including grants of restricted stock units, stock options, market and performance condition-based awards are recognized as compensation expense based on fair value at grant date over the requisite service period of the awards. We determine the fair value of restricted stock units based on the quoted market price of our common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which uses both historical and current market data to estimate the fair value. The fair value of market condition-based awards is estimated at the date of grant using a Monte Carlo Simulation. The fair value of performance condition-based awards is based on the closing stock price on the date of grant, adjusted for a discount to reflect the illiquidity inherent in these awards.

All models incorporate various assumptions such as the risk-free interest rate, expected volatility, expected dividend yield and expected life of the awards. When estimating the requisite service period of the awards, we consider many related factors including types of awards, employee class, and historical experience. Actual results, and future changes in estimates of the requisite service period may differ substantially from our current estimates.

The recognition and measurement of a tax position is based on management’s best judgment given the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. We evaluate tax positions to determine whether the benefits of tax positions are more likely than not of being sustained upon audit based on the technical merits of the tax position. For tax positions that are more likely than not of being sustained upon audit, we recognize the largest amount of the benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement in the financial statements. For tax positions that are not more likely than not of being sustained upon audit, we do not recognize any portion of the benefit in the financial statements. If the more likely than not threshold is not met in the period for which a tax position is taken, we may subsequently recognize the benefit of that tax position if the tax matter is effectively settled, the statute of limitations expires, or if the more likely than not threshold is met in a subsequent period.

We evaluate, on a quarterly basis, our ability to realize deferred tax assets by assessing our valuation allowance and by adjusting the amount of such allowance, if necessary. The factors used to assess the likelihood of realization are our forecast of future taxable income and available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize the net deferred tax assets.

To the extent we prevail in matters for which reserves have been established, or are required to pay amounts in excess of our reserves, our effective tax rate in a given financial statement period could be materially affected.

The following table presents summary Consolidated Statements of Income data for fiscal year ended March 31, 2021,2023, compared to fiscal year ended March 31, 2020:2022:

Our sales in fiscal 20212023 were $3.0$3.7 billion, a 4% decrease10.5% increase from prior year's sales. This declineincrease was the result of a 5% decreasedue to an 8% increase in pricing, and 7% in organic volume resulting from the pandemic and a 1% decrease in pricing,growth, partially offset by a 2% increase from the NorthStar acquisition.4% decrease in foreign currency translation impact.

A discussion of specific fiscal 20212023 versus fiscal 20202022 operating results follows, including an analysis and discussion of the results of our reportable segments.

Net sales of our Motive Power segment in fiscal 2021 decreased2023 increased by $184.4$90.1 million, or 13.7%6.6%, compared to fiscal 2020.2022. This decreaseincrease was primarily due to a 14% decrease9% increase in pricing and a 3% increase in organic volume and a 1% decrease in pricing, partially offset by a 1% increase5% decrease in foreign currency translation impact. COVID-19 restrictionsWe continue to benefit from continued improved pricing and related economic slowdown impacted this segment more thanfavorable sales mix as we grow our other lines of business.maintenance free products.

Net sales of our Specialty segment in fiscal 20212023 increased by $51.6$59.6 million, or 13.5%13%, compared to fiscal 2020.2022. The increase was primarily due to an 8%a 9% increase in organic volume and a 6% increase from the NorthStar acquisition andin pricing, partially offset by a 1% increase2% decrease in foreign currency translation impact, partially offsetimpact. This increase in net sales was primarily driven by a 1% decrease in pricing. Demand from customers in the transportation, starting, lightingimproved pricing and ignitionstrong market continues to drive significant improvement in revenues in this segment.demand.