UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM
(Mark One) | |
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
For the fiscal year ended | |
or | |
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Commission file number
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class |
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| Name of each exchange on which registered |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Accelerated filer ☐ | Non-accelerated filer ☐ | |
Smaller reporting company | Emerging growth company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to § 240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes
The aggregate market value (based on the consolidated tape closing price on June 30, 2023) of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the Company was approximately $
The number of shares of common stock, $.01 par value of O-I Glass, Inc. outstanding as of January 31, 2024 was
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the O-I Glass, Inc. Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Share Owners to be held Wednesday, May 15, 2024 (“2024 Proxy Statement”) are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General Development of Business
O-I Glass, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), through its subsidiaries, is the successor to a business established in 1903. The Company is one of the leading manufacturers of glass containers in the world with 68 glass manufacturing plants in 19 countries. It competes in the glass container segment of the rigid packaging market and is the leading glass container manufacturer in most of the countries where it has manufacturing facilities.
The term “Company,” as used herein and unless otherwise stated or indicated by context, refers to Owens-Illinois, Inc. and its affiliates (“O-I”) prior to the Corporate Modernization (as defined below) and to O-I Glass, Inc. and its affiliates (“O-I Glass”) after the Corporate Modernization.
Corporate Modernization and Paddock’s Chapter 11 Filing
On December 26 and 27, 2019, the Company implemented the Corporate Modernization pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 26, 2019, among O-I, O-I Glass and Paddock Enterprises, LLC (“Paddock”).
The Corporate Modernization was conducted pursuant to Section 251(g) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, which permits the creation of a holding company through a merger with a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the constituent corporation without stockholder approval. The Corporate Modernization involved a series of transactions (together with certain related transactions, the “Corporate Modernization”) pursuant to which (1) O-I formed a new holding company, O-I Glass, as a direct wholly owned subsidiary of O-I and a sister company to Owens-Illinois Group, Inc. (“O-I Group”), (2) O-I Glass formed a new Delaware limited liability company, Paddock, as a direct wholly owned subsidiary of O-I Glass, (3) O-I merged with and into Paddock, with Paddock continuing as the surviving entity and as a direct wholly owned subsidiary of O-I Glass (the “Merger”) and (4) Paddock distributed 100% of the capital stock of O-I Group to O-I Glass, as a result of which O-I Group is a direct wholly owned subsidiary of O-I Glass and sister company to Paddock.
Upon the effectiveness of the Merger, each share of O-I stock held immediately prior to the Merger automatically converted into a right to receive an equivalent corresponding share of O-I Glass stock, having the same designations, rights, powers and preferences and the qualifications, limitations, and restrictions as the corresponding share of O-I stock being converted. Immediately after the Corporate Modernization, O-I Glass had, on a consolidated basis, the same assets, businesses and operations as O-I had immediately prior to the Corporate Modernization. After the Corporate Modernization, O-I’s share owners became share owners of O-I Glass. The Merger was intended to qualify as a tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and as a result, the stockholders of O-I did not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the conversion of their O-I shares.
On January 6, 2020, Paddock voluntarily filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Bankruptcy Court”) to equitably and finally resolve all of its current and future asbestos-related personal injury liabilities. O-I Glass and O-I Group were not included in the Chapter 11 filing. In July 2022, the Third Amended Plan of Reorganization for Paddock Enterprises, LLC under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, dated May 24, 2022 (the “Plan”) became effective, and an asbestos settlement trust (the “Paddock Trust”) was established to resolve and pay Paddock’s current and future asbestos-related personal injury liabilities (see Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information). The Paddock Trust was funded by the Company and Paddock with consideration totaling $610 million. As a result of the Plan becoming effective, a channeling injunction was issued that channels all of Paddock’s current and future asbestos-related personal injury claims to the Paddock
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Trust and prohibits the assertion of all such claims against Paddock, the Company and certain additional protected parties. In addition, as set forth more fully in the Plan, the Plan provided for releases and a resolution of all claims arising out of the Corporate Modernization against, among other entities, the Company and each Released Party (as defined in the Plan).
For a discussion of the effects of the Corporate Modernization and Paddock’s Chapter 11 proceedings on the Company’s financial statements, see Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Company Strategy
The Company’s vision is to be the most innovative, sustainable, and chosen supplier of brand-building packaging solutions. Its goal is to profitably grow the business and create value for its customers, share owners, suppliers, employees, society, and the planet. The Company will realize its vision and goal by achieving its five strategic ambitions including:
● | To profitably grow the top line through effective innovation, marketing, and commercialization and excel at serving current customers by significantly improving the customer experience; aligning its activity with customers’ needs and market dynamics; improving quality and flexibility; elevating innovation and new product development; improving its environmental profile; advocating and marketing glass; advancing end-to-end supply chain capabilities, processes, and talent; and enabling profitable growth; |
● | To be cost competitive by elevating year-over-year productivity across the business by ensuring asset stability and total systems cost management; elevating factory performance, efficiency, and profitability; leveraging automation and improving quality; cultivating concepts that extend current or create new competitive advantages; and focusing on continuous improvement across all aspects of the business; |
● | To disrupt current industry dynamics by creating a new paradigm with MAGMA by leveraging innovation and developing breakthrough technology; commercializing MAGMA; and enabling the full value chain for glass; |
● | To become the most sustainable rigid packaging producer by repositioning its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) profile, improving its environmental performance; increasing recycling; and actively communicating and advocating for glass packaging; |
● | To be a simple, agile, diverse, inclusive, and performance-based organization energized by engaged employees by elevating organizational focus; driving performance, culture, and engagement of its people; developing talent; strengthening diversity and inclusion in the workplace; and embedding flexibility to follow market needs and changes. |
Reportable Segments
The Company has two reportable segments based on its geographic locations: Americas and Europe. These two reportable segments are aligned with the Company’s internal approach to managing, reporting, and evaluating performance of its global glass operations.
Products and Services
The Company produces glass containers for alcoholic beverages, including beer, flavored malt beverages, spirits and wine. The Company also produces glass packaging for a variety of food items, soft drinks, teas, juices
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and pharmaceuticals. The Company manufactures glass containers in a wide range of sizes, shapes and colors and is active in new product development and glass container innovation.
Customers
In most of the countries where the Company competes, it has the leading position in the glass container segment of the rigid packaging market based on sales volume. The Company’s largest customers consist mainly of the leading global food and beverage manufacturers, including (in alphabetical order) Anheuser-Busch InBev, Brown Forman, Carlsberg, Coca-Cola, Constellation, Heineken, Molson Coors, Nestle, PepsiCo and Pernod Ricard.
The Company sells most of its glass container products directly to customers under annual or multi-year supply agreements. Multi-year contracts typically provide for price adjustments based on cost changes. The Company also sells some of its products through distributors. Many customers provide the Company with regular estimates of their product needs, which enables the Company to schedule glass container production to maintain reasonable levels of inventory. Glass container manufacturing facilities are generally located in close proximity to customers.
Sales and Markets
The Company’s principal markets for glass container products are in the Americas and Europe.
Americas. The Company has 32 glass container manufacturing plants in the Americas region located in Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and the U.S. and interests in three joint ventures that manufacture glass containers. Also, the Company has a distribution facility in the U.S. used to import glass containers from its business in Mexico. The Company has the leading share of the glass container segment of the U.S. rigid packaging market, based on sales revenue by domestic producers. In South America and Mexico, the Company maintains a diversified portfolio serving several markets, including alcoholic beverages (beer, wine and spirits), non-alcoholic beverages and food, as well as a large infrastructure for returnable/refillable glass containers.
The principal glass container competitors in the U.S. are the Ardagh Group and Anchor Glass Container. Imports from China, Mexico, Taiwan and other countries also compete in U.S. glass container segments. Additionally, there are several major consumer packaged goods companies that self-manufacture glass containers. The Company competes directly with Verallia and Vidrala-Vidroporto in Brazil and Orora Group in Mexico and does not believe that it competes with any other large, multinational glass container manufacturers in the rest of the region.
Europe. The Company is one of the leaders in the glass container segment of the rigid packaging market in the European countries in which it operates, with 34 glass container manufacturing plants located in the Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom. These plants primarily produce glass containers for the alcoholic beverages (beer, wine and spirits), non-alcoholic beverages and food markets in these countries. The Company also has interests in two joint ventures that manufacture glass containers in Italy. Throughout Europe, the Company competes directly with a variety of glass container manufacturers including Verallia, Ardagh Group, Vetropack, Vidrala and BA Vidro.
In addition to competing with other large and well-established manufacturers in the glass container segment, the Company competes in all regions with manufacturers of other forms of rigid packaging, principally aluminum cans and plastic containers. Competition is based on quality, price, service, innovation and the marketing attributes of the container. The principal competitors producing metal containers include Ardagh Group, Ball Corporation, Crown Holdings, Inc., CANPACK and Silgan Holdings Inc. The principal competitors producing plastic containers include Amcor, Consolidated Container Holdings, LLC, Plastipak Packaging, Inc. and Silgan Holdings Inc. The Company also competes with manufacturers of non-rigid packaging alternatives, including flexible pouches, aseptic cartons and bag-in-box containers.
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The Company seeks to provide products and services to customers ranging from large multinationals to small local breweries and wineries in a way that creates a competitive advantage for the Company. The Company believes that it is often the glass container partner of choice because of its innovation and branding capabilities, its global footprint and its expertise in manufacturing know-how and process technology.
Seasonality
Sales of many glass container products such as beer, beverages and food are seasonal. Shipments in North America and Europe are typically greater in the second and third quarters of the year, while shipments in Latin America are typically greater in the third and fourth quarters of the year.
Manufacturing
The Company has 68 glass manufacturing plants. It constantly seeks to improve the productivity of these operations through the systematic upgrading of production capabilities, sharing of best practices among plants and effective training of employees.
The Company also provides engineering support for its glass manufacturing operations through facilities located in the U.S., Poland and Peru.
Suppliers and Raw Materials
The primary raw materials used in the Company’s glass container operations are sand, soda ash, limestone and recycled glass. Each of these materials, as well as the other raw materials used to manufacture glass containers, have historically been available in adequate supply from multiple sources.
Energy
The Company’s glass container operations require a continuous supply of significant amounts of energy, principally natural gas, fuel oil and electrical power. Adequate supplies of energy are generally available at all of the Company’s manufacturing locations. Energy costs typically account for 10% to 20% of the Company’s total manufacturing costs, depending on the cost of energy, the type of energy available, the factory location and the particular energy requirements. The percentage of total cost related to energy can vary significantly because of volatility in market prices, particularly for natural gas and fuel oil in volatile markets such as North America and Europe.
In the Americas’ businesses in the U.S. and Canada, more than 90% of the sales volume is represented by customer contracts that contain provisions that pass the commodity price of natural gas to the customer, effectively reducing the region’s exposure to changing natural gas market prices. In the Americas’ businesses in South America and Mexico, there is a combination of fixed price contracts, as well as energy pricing linked to variable commodities pricing. Also, in these countries, customer contracts generally allow for annual price adjustments for inflation, variability in energy costs, and foreign currency variation.
In Europe, the Company enters into long-term contracts for a significant amount of its energy requirements. These contracts have terms that range from one to five years.
The Company is also exploring various energy efficiency initiatives as well as the use of renewable energy and alternative lower-carbon fuels. The Company has set a goal of 40% renewable electricity use and a reduction of total energy consumption by 9% (2017 baseline) by 2030. While the Company cannot predict precisely how these efforts may impact its operations, the Company anticipates purchasing renewable electricity certificates (“RECs”) to meet at least a portion of these obligations. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized approximately $1 million of expense related to the purchase of RECs. For more information, see Item 1A, “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Legal and Regulatory Matters, Sustainability and Climate Change.”
Research, Development and Engineering
Research, development and engineering constitute important parts of the Company’s technical and sustainability activities. The Company’s research and development activities are conducted principally at its corporate facilities in Perrysburg, Ohio. The Company primarily focuses on advancements in the areas of
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product innovation, manufacturing process control, melting technology, automatic inspection, light-weighting and further automation of manufacturing activities.
The Company has increased its focus on advancing melting technology, fining technology, raw material delivery technology, and forming technology with investments in modular glass melting furnaces, among other technologies. The Company’s investments in these new technologies, known as the MAGMA program, seek to reduce the amount of capital required to install, rebuild and operate its glass manufacturing lines. The new glass manufacturing technology is also focused on the ability of these assets to be more easily turned on and off or adjusted based on seasonality, address sustainability issues and transition opportunities for lower-carbon intensity of manufacturing processes, and meet customer demands.
Beginning in 2022, the Company has increased its capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment to expand the business, including to begin deploying its new MAGMA technology. The Company is implementing its MAGMA program using a multi-generation development roadmap. Generation 1 (“Gen 1”) is primarily focused on a novel and improved way to melt glass. Gen 1 was successfully piloted in 2018 in Streator, Illinois, and the Company started the first full-scale manufacturing line during the first half of 2021 in Holzminden, Germany. The Company’s Gen 1 solution has achieved its expectations. Generation 2 (“Gen 2”) added new production capabilities, such as a flexible batch system, improved forming technology, digitalization technology and automation equipment, representing a complete end-to-end integrated production system. The piloting of key components was demonstrated to be deployment ready in 2022, with continued development in 2023. Generation 3 (“Gen 3”) is the ultimate evolution of MAGMA that combines a modular, end-to-end system with optimized processes and capabilities. It is expected to include light-weighting technology along with other advancements in sustainability – for example, the utilization of renewable energy sources and a broader range of recycled glass materials to enable increased recycled content rates. Overall, the Company continues to make progress on Gen 3 as many of the key elements are in place and the invention of other capabilities also continues to progress. The Company expects Gen 3 will be available for deployment in 2026. Construction of the first greenfield facility began in 2023 in Bowling Green, Kentucky with a single MAGMA manufacturing line, with additional lines planned. Initial MAGMA expansion plans will be focused in the U.S. to support the Company’s customers in the spirits and distribution business.
The Company holds a large number of patents related to a wide variety of products and processes and has a substantial number of patent applications pending.
Sustainability/ESG and Workplace Safety
The Company is committed to sustainability and ESG issues, including striving to reduce the impact its products and operations have on the environment and increase positive impacts. As part of this commitment, the Company has expanded its sustainability initiatives and set additional sustainability targets, including targets for increasing the use of recycled glass in its manufacturing process, reducing water consumption and waste, reducing energy consumption and carbon dioxide (“CO2”) equivalent emissions, increasing the use of renewable energy, and improving its total recordable incident rates. The Company has aligned its sustainability ambitions with certain United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are most relevant to its business.
Some specific examples of steps taken by the Company to advance sustainability and ESG issues include: assigning responsibility for ESG and sustainability oversight to the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, appointing a Chief Sustainability Officer who reports to the Chief Executive Officer, establishing a Global Sustainability Leadership Team, obtaining validation of the Company’s near-term emissions reduction target from the Science-Based Target initiative (“SBTi”), increasing the use of renewable energy, lowering emissions, investing in more sustainable manufacturing technology and container design, using green bond financing and working with governments and other organizations to establish and financially support recycling initiatives.
The Company’s worldwide operations, in addition to other companies within the industry, are subject to extensive laws, ordinances, regulations and other legal requirements relating to environmental protection, including legal requirements governing investigation and clean-up of contaminated properties, as well as water
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discharges, air emissions, waste management and workplace health and safety. The Company strives to abide by and uphold such laws and regulations.
Glass Recycling, Deposit Return Systems, and Extended Producer Responsibility
The Company is an important contributor to recycling efforts worldwide and is among the largest users of recycled glass. If sufficient high-quality recycled glass were available on a consistent basis, the Company has the technology to make glass containers containing a high proportion of recycled glass. Using recycled glass in the manufacturing process reduces CO2 emissions, reduces energy consumption and cost, and positively impacts the operating life and efficiency of the glass melting furnaces. The Company actively partners with other entities throughout the value chain to improve the effectiveness of recycling efforts and the availability of recycled glass.
In the U.S., Canada, Europe and elsewhere, government authorities have adopted, modified or are considering recycling and recycled-content laws and regulations, including Extended Producer Responsibility (“EPR”) and deposit-return system (“DRS”) frameworks. EPR, DRS and other recycling and recycled-content laws and regulations may impose fees, mandate certain recycling rates, require minimum use of recycled materials, or result in limitations on or preferences for certain types of packaging. The Company believes that governments worldwide will continue to develop and enact legal requirements guiding customer and end-consumer packaging choices.
As of December 31, 2023, there were a number of U.S. states, Canadian provinces and territories and European countries with some form of legal regulation that imposes fees on producers or consumers or requirements for certain levels of recycled content affecting various types of packaging, including glass containers. The structure and enforcement of such laws and regulations may impact the sales of the Company’s glass containers in a given jurisdiction. Such laws and regulations also impact the availability of post-consumer recycled glass for the Company to use in container production.
Countries, states, and localities in all geographies in which the Company operates have recently considered or are now considering new EPR regulations, various laws and regulations to change curbside recycling, modify or create DRS laws, and create alternatives to traditional recycling systems. Although there is no clear trend, the Company believes these legal and regulatory activities have the potential to significantly impact the price and supply of recycled glass. As a large user of recycled glass for making new glass containers, the Company has an interest in laws and regulations impacting the supply of such material in its markets.
Climate Change and Air Emissions
A number of governments globally are increasingly considering a variety of mandatory regulatory and legal requirements or voluntary initiatives (e.g., implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement and agreements at other conferences of the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) in relation to climate-change or environmental issues. The Company is unable to predict what climate-change or environmental legal requirements may be adopted in the future, although it is aware that the trend is for more restrictive environmental and climate-related legislation and regulation to be introduced. The Company continually monitors its operations in relation to significant climate-change risks and environmental impact, has set environmental and climate-related goals and invests in environmentally sound and emissions-reducing projects. As such, the Company has made significant expenditures for environmental improvements at certain of its facilities over the last several years and plans to continue making significant investments in manufacturing technology and container design as it strives to reduce the impact that its products and operations have on the environment. The Company is unable to predict the impact of future environmental legal requirements on its results of operations or cash flows.
In Europe, the EUETS is a regulatory regime that facilitates emissions reductions in the EU. The Company’s manufacturing facilities that operate in EU countries that are subject to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme must surrender an amount of emissions allowances equal to the volume of their CO2 emissions, and if emissions exceed permitted volumes and allowances, purchase allowances in the market. The Company annually purchases additional allowances under the EUETS. Should the regulators significantly restrict the total number of emissions allowances available in the market, or significantly reduce the number of allowances freely allocated to the
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Company’s EU plants, or if the price of such allowances increases significantly, it could have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition and results.
In the Americas, the U.S., Mexico and Canada have engaged in significant legislative, regulatory and enforcement activities relating to greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions for years at the federal, state and provincial levels of government. In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) regulates emissions of GHG air pollutants under the Clean Air Act, which grants the EPA authority to establish limits for certain air pollutants and to require compliance, levy penalties and bring civil judicial action against violators. The EPA’s GHG regulations continue to evolve, as the structure and scope of the regulations are often the subject of litigation and federal legislative activity. New GHG regulations in any national or sub-national jurisdiction where the Company operates could have a significant long-term material impact on the Company’s operations that are affected by such regulations. Several jurisdictions, including the states of California and Washington in the U.S., Mexico, the Canadian federal government and the province of Quebec, among others, have adopted legislation aimed at reducing GHG emissions, either by explicitly price-based (e.g., carbon tax) or cap-and-trade programs. In South American countries, national and local governments are also considering potential regulations to reduce GHG emissions.
For a further discussion of the effects of sustainability, climate change and ESG on the Company’s business, see Item 1A, “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Legal and Regulatory Matters, Sustainability and Climate Change” and Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Workplace Safety
In the U.S., the Company is subject to various state and federal regulatory agencies, such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), that assure safe and healthy working conditions by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance. Similar regulatory agencies focused on employee safety exist in other countries in which the Company operates around the world.
The Company is committed to actively caring for the health and safety of its employees, as well as contractors and visitors in all of the Company’s facilities. Hazards in the workplace are actively identified, and management tracks incidents so that remedial actions can be taken to improve workplace safety.
The Company is unable to predict what workplace safety legal requirements may be adopted in the future. However, the Company continually monitors its operations in relation to workplace safety and invests in projects to enhance employee safety. As such, the Company has made significant expenditures on workplace safety improvements at certain of its facilities over the last several years; however, these expenditures did not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows. The Company expects to see continued improvement in health and safety as a result of these projects. The Company is unable to predict the impact of future health and safety legal requirements on its results of operations or cash flows.
Human Capital Resources
The Company’s success and performance are directly related to the collective success and performance of every employee. The skills, experience and industry knowledge of its employees significantly benefit the Company’s operations and performance. The Company has approximately 23,000 employees and 68 plants spread across 19 countries.
The Company’s core values of safety and well-being; diversity, equity and inclusion; passion; accountability; and agility drive its behaviors. Led by its people’s knowledge and ambition, the Company is innovating to meet its customers’ ever-evolving needs to help build their brands and become valued partners. To facilitate talent attraction and retention, the Company seeks to provide a safe, inclusive, diverse, motivating and collaborative work environment with opportunities for its employees to grow and develop in their careers, supports employees through strong compensation, benefits and health and wellness programs, and identifies programs that strive to build connections between its employees and their communities.
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The Company is committed to a culture of respect and integrity and believes it is better when its workforce reflects the diversity of the world it serves, leading to a broader range of perspectives that may yield superior decisions and outcomes. As part of the Company’s journey, one of its goals is to continue to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment where employees can bring their whole selves to work, share new ideas and innovate, and in turn, enhance their overall experience and the overall well-being and the performance of the Company. While the Company believes diversity, equity and inclusion are important to its long-term value and performance, it recognizes the importance of pursuing so in legally sound manners. Diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are part of the Company’s legal compliance considerations, and the Company is committed to only considering legally compliant methods for advancing these efforts.
The Company seeks to make strategic investments into developing employees and the talent pipeline. To assess and improve employee retention and engagement, the Company surveys employees with the assistance of third-party consultants and seeks to identify relevant actions to address any areas of employee concern.
A significant portion of the Company’s employees in the Americas are hourly workers covered by collective bargaining agreements. In Europe, a large number of the Company’s employees are employed in countries with employment laws that provide greater bargaining or other rights to employees than the laws of the U.S. Such employment rights require the Company to work collaboratively with the legal representatives of the employees to effect any changes to labor arrangements. The Company considers its employee relations to be good and does not anticipate any material work stoppages in the near term.
The Company operates as one enterprise and believes that it prioritizes boundaryless leadership and sound decision making, and that it operates with one plan, delivering customer-centric results. These efforts, combined with its values and behaviors, advances the Company’s ambition to be a simple, agile, and performance-based organization energized by diverse, engaged employees.
Available Information
The Company’s website is www.o-i.com. The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), can be obtained from this site at no cost. The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
The Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, Global Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the charters of the Audit, Compensation and Talent Development and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committees are also available on the “Investors” section of the Company’s website. Copies of these documents are available in print to share owners upon request, addressed to the Corporate Secretary at the address above. The information on the Company’s website is not part of this or any other report that the Company files with, or furnishes to, the SEC.
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Information About our Executive Officers
In the following table, the Company sets forth certain information regarding those persons currently serving as executive officers of O-I Glass, Inc. as of February 14, 2024.
Name and Age |
| Position |
Andres A. Lopez (61) | Chief Executive Officer since January 2016; President, Glass Containers and Chief Operating Officer 2015; Vice President and President of O-I Americas 2014–2015; Vice President and President of O-I South America 2009–2014; Vice President of Global Manufacturing and Engineering 2006 – 2009. | |
Darrow A. Abrahams (50) | Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since September 2020; Deputy General Counsel April 2020 – August 2020; Associate General Counsel, Dispute Resolution 2017 – 2020; Assistant General Counsel, Litigation 2015 – 2017; Senior Litigator 2012 – 2015. | |
Arnaud Aujouannet (54) | Senior Vice President and Chief Sales and Marketing Officer since October 2017; Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Europe 2015 – 2017. Previously Commercial Associate Director, Oral Care Europe for Procter & Gamble, a multi-national consumer goods company 2012 – 2015; Global Sales & Marketing Chief Sales & Marketing Officer, Swiss Precision Diagnostic/Clearblue (a Procter & Gamble Joint Venture) 2009 – 2012. | |
John A. Haudrich (56) | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since April 2019; Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy and Integration Officer 2015 – 2019; Vice President and Acting Chief Financial Officer 2015; Vice President Finance and Corporate Controller 2011 – 2015; Vice President of Investor Relations 2009 – 2011. | |
Vitaliano Torno (65) | Senior Vice President,Global Business Operations, and President of O-I Europe since July 2020; President, O-I Europe 2016–2020; Managing Director, O-I Europe 2015; Vice President, European countries 2013 – 2015; Vice President, Marketing and sales, Europe 2010 – 2013. |
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Risks Related to the Company’s Business and Industry
Global Economic Environment—The global credit, financial and economic environment could have a material adverse effect on operations and financial condition.
The global credit, financial and economic environment can be negatively impacted by numerous events or occurrences, including political events, trade disputes, acts of terrorism, hostilities or wars, natural disasters and public health issues, such as a pandemic. For example, the current conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and Hamas and Israel, as well as any further escalation or expansion of these conflicts, and any related economic sanctions or other impacts could adversely impact the global credit, financial and economic environment, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations, including the following:
Energy Costs or Availability—Higher energy costs worldwide and interrupted power supplies, including as a result of the current conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and Hamas and Israel and any escalation of these conflicts, may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated assets or operations.
Electrical power, natural gas, and fuel oil are vital to the Company’s operations as it relies on a continuous energy supply to conduct its business. Depending on the location and mix of energy sources, energy accounts for 10% to 20% of total manufacturing costs. Substantial increases and volatility in energy costs, including those resulting from extreme weather events that affect the Company’s facilities directly or its energy suppliers or the current conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and Hamas and Israel and any escalation of these conflicts could cause the Company to experience a significant increase in operating costs, which may have a material adverse effect on its assets or results of operations.
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For example, the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine has caused a significant increase in the price of natural gas and increased price volatility. Natural gas forms the primary energy source for the Company’s European operations, and a significant amount of natural gas in Europe is ultimately sourced from Russia. The Company’s European operations typically purchase natural gas under long-term supply arrangements with terms that range from one to five years and through these agreements, typically agree on price with the relevant supplier in advance of the period in which the natural gas will be delivered, which shields the Company from the full impact of increased natural gas prices, while such agreements remain in effect.
However, the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the resulting sanctions, potential sanctions, government-mandated curtailments or government-imposed allocations, or other adverse repercussions on energy supplies could cause the Company’s energy suppliers to be unable or unwilling to deliver natural gas at agreed prices and quantities. If this occurs, the Company may need to procure natural gas at then-current market prices, subject to market availability, which could cause the Company to experience a significant increase in operating costs or result in the temporary or permanent cessation of delivery of natural gas to several of the Company’s manufacturing plants in Europe. Alternatively, for certain plants that have energy switching capabilities, the Company may decide to switch to a different energy source, which could also result in a significant increase in operating costs. In addition, depending on the duration and ultimate outcome of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, future long-term supply arrangements for natural gas may not be available at reasonable prices or at all. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated assets or results of operations.
Competition—The Company faces intense competition from other glass container producers, as well as from makers of alternative forms of packaging. Competitive pressures could adversely affect the Company’s financial health.
The Company is subject to significant competition from other glass container producers, as well as from makers of alternative forms of packaging, such as aluminum cans and plastic containers. The Company also competes with manufacturers of non-rigid packaging alternatives, including flexible pouches and aseptic cartons, in serving the packaging needs of certain end-use markets, including juice customers. The Company competes with each rigid packaging competitor on the basis of price, quality, service and the marketing and functional attributes of the container. Advantages or disadvantages in any of these competitive factors may be sufficient to cause the customer to consider changing suppliers and/or using an alternative form of packaging. The adverse effects of consumer purchasing decisions may be more significant in periods of economic downturn and may lead to longer-term reductions in consumer spending on glass packaged products.
Pressures from competitors and producers of alternative forms of packaging have resulted in excess capacity in certain countries in the past and have led to capacity adjustments and significant pricing pressures in the rigid packaging market. These pressures could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations.
Lower Demand Levels—Changes in consumer preferences or customer inventory management practices could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial results.
Changes in consumer preferences for the food and beverages they consume or changes in customer inventory management practices have reduced and may continue to reduce demand for the Company’s products. Because many of the Company’s products are used to package consumer goods, the Company’s sales and profitability have been, and could continue to be, negatively impacted by changes in consumer preferences for those products, as well as changes in customer inventory management practices. Examples of such changes include, but are not limited to, lower sales of major domestic beer brands, shifts from beer to wine or spirits that results in the use of fewer glass containers and customer destocking to adjust inventory management practices. In periods of lower demand or when customers are destocking, the Company’s sales and production levels have decreased. For example, during 2023, the Company experienced elevated inventory destocking across the value chain, especially related to wine, spirits and beer customers, and softer consumer consumption activity, which
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negatively impacted the Company’s glass container shipments. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Customer Consolidation—The continuing consolidation of the Company’s customer base may intensify pricing pressures and have a material adverse effect on operations.
Many of the Company’s largest customers have acquired companies with similar or complementary product lines. This consolidation has increased the concentration of the Company’s business with its largest customers. In many cases, such consolidation has been accompanied by pressure from customers for lower prices, reflecting the increase in the total volume of products purchased or the elimination of a price differential between the acquiring customer and the company acquired. Increased pricing pressures from the Company’s customers may have a material adverse effect on operations.
New Glass Melting Technologies—The Company’s inability to develop or apply new glass melting technology may affect its ability to transition to lower-carbon processes and competitiveness. Supply chain challenges have delayed the development of new melting technologies, which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated operations.
The Company’s success depends partially on its ability to improve its glass melting technology and introduce processes that emit less carbon. One of these new technologies, known as the MAGMA program, seeks to reduce the amount of capital required to install, rebuild and operate the Company’s furnaces. It also is focused on the ability of these assets to be more easily turned on and off or adjusted based on seasonality and customer demand, utilize more recycled glass, produce lighter containers and use lower-carbon fuels. The Company is implementing its MAGMA program using a multi-generation development roadmap, which will include various deployment risks and will require the discovery of additional inventions through 2026. Current supply chain challenges have resulted in a delay in development of the Company’s MAGMA program and the Company may continue to face additional supply chain challenges as it continues to develop its MAGMA program. If the Company is unable to continue to improve this glass melting technology through research and development or licensing of new technology, the Company may not be able to remain competitive with other packaging manufacturers. As a result, its business, financial condition, results of operations or ability to transition to lower carbon operations could be adversely affected.
Supply Chain Disruptions—The Company’s capital expenditure plans have been, and may continue to be, affected by supply chain disruptions.
The Company relies on third parties to provide equipment and materials needed for its capital expenditure projects. The global supply chain for the Company’s capital expenditure projects has been, and may continue to be impacted by disruptions, such as political events, international trade disputes or other geopolitical tensions, acts of terrorism, hostilities or wars (such as the continued conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and Hamas and Israel), natural disasters, public health issues, such as a pandemic, industrial accidents, inflation, and other business interruptions. Global supply chain disruptions may continue to adversely impact the Company’s ability to procure materials and equipment in a timely and cost-effective manner, which may negatively impact the Company’s operating costs and timelines for capital expenditure projects.
The Company’s capital expenditure plans have evolved amid ongoing supply chain challenges, and additional supply chain disruptions could cause the Company to reduce or delay capital expenditures planned for replacements, improvements and expansions, which may include additional delays in the development of the Company’s MAGMA program.
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Operational Disruptions—Profitability could be affected by unanticipated operational disruptions.
The Company’s glass container manufacturing process is asset intensive and includes the use of large furnaces and machines. The Company periodically experiences unanticipated disruptions of its assets, and these events can have an adverse effect on its business operations and profitability. The impacts of these operational disruptions include, but are not limited to, higher maintenance, production changeover and shipping costs, higher capital spending, as well as lower absorption of fixed costs during periods of extended downtime. The Company maintains insurance policies in amounts and with coverage and deductibles that are reasonable and in line with industry standards; however, this insurance coverage may not be adequate to protect the Company from all liabilities and expenses that may arise.
Raw Materials—Profitability could be affected by the availability and cost of raw materials.
The raw materials that the Company uses have historically been available in adequate supply from multiple sources. For certain raw materials, however, there may be temporary shortages due to weather or other factors, including disruptions in supply caused by transportation or production delays. These shortages, as well as material volatility in the cost of any of the principal raw materials that the Company uses, may have a material adverse effect on operations. Separately, to the extent any policymakers adopt regulations mandating wider usage of cullet in glass manufacturing, there may be increased demand for available supplies, which may require the Company to incur additional costs. In addition, the Company purchases its soda ash raw materials in U.S. dollars in South America and Mexico. Given fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, this may cause these regions to experience inflationary or deflationary impacts to their raw material costs.
Transportation—Profitability could be affected by the availability and cost of transportation for the Company’s products.
The Company relies primarily on third parties for transportation of its products to customers. Strikes, slowdowns, transportation disruptions, natural disasters, impacts of potential future changes in climate change regulations or other conditions in the transportation industry, including, but not limited to, shortages of truck drivers, disruptions in rail service or sea freight, decreases in the availability of vessels or increases in fuel prices, could increase the Company's costs and disrupt its operations and ability to serve its customers on a timely or cost-effective basis.
Seasonality—Profitability could be affected by varied seasonal demands.
Due principally to the seasonal nature of the consumption of beer and other beverages, for which demand is stronger during the summer months, sales of the Company’s products have varied and are expected to vary by quarter. Shipments in North America and Europe are typically greater in the second and third quarters of the year, while shipments in South America are typically greater in the third and fourth quarters of the year. Unseasonably cool weather during peak demand periods can reduce demand for certain beverages packaged in the Company’s containers.
Joint Ventures—Failure by joint venture partners to observe their obligations could have a material adverse effect on operations.
A portion of the Company’s operations is conducted through joint ventures, including joint ventures in the Americas and Europe segments and one joint venture in the Asia Pacific region that is included in Retained corporate costs and other. If the Company’s joint venture partners do not observe their obligations or are unable to commit additional capital to the joint ventures, it is possible that the affected joint venture would not be able to operate in accordance with its business plans, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
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Labor—Some of the Company’s employees are unionized or represented by workers’ councils, and its business could be affected by labor shortages and labor cost increases.
The Company is party to a number of collective bargaining agreements with labor unions, which at December 31, 2023 covered approximately 72% of the Company’s employees directly associated with its operations in the U.S. and Canada. The principal collective bargaining agreement, which at December 31, 2023 covered approximately 71% of the Company’s union-affiliated employees in the U.S. and Canada, will expire on March 31, 2025. Approximately 83% of employees in South America and Mexico are covered by collective bargaining agreements. The collective bargaining agreements in South America and Mexico have varying terms and expiration dates. Upon the expiration of any collective bargaining agreement, if the Company is unable to negotiate acceptable contracts with labor unions, it could result in strikes by the affected workers and increased operating costs as a result of higher wages or benefits paid to union members. In Europe, a large number of the Company’s employees are employed in countries in which employment laws provide greater bargaining or other rights to employees than the laws of the U.S. Such employment rights require the Company to work collaboratively with the legal representatives of the employees to effect any changes to labor arrangements. For example, most of the Company’s employees in Europe are represented by workers’ councils that must approve any changes in conditions of employment, including salaries, benefits and staff changes, and may impede efforts to restructure the Company’s workforce.
In addition, an increase in labor costs, strikes or other work stoppages, disruptions at the Company’s facilities or other labor disruptions could adversely affect its operations and increase expenses. A number of factors may adversely affect the labor force available to the Company, including unemployment subsidies, the need for enhanced health and safety protocols and government regulations in the jurisdictions in which it operates. Increased competition for qualified labor could result in higher compensation costs for the Company, and a continuation of labor shortages, a lack of qualified labor or increased turnover could result in a significant disruption of its operations and/or higher ongoing labor costs. Any of these occurrences could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated operations.
Business Integration Risks—The Company may not be able to effectively integrate additional businesses it acquires in the future.
The Company may consider strategic transactions, including acquisitions that will complement, strengthen and enhance growth in its worldwide glass operations. The Company evaluates opportunities on a preliminary basis from time-to-time, but these transactions may not advance beyond the preliminary stages or be completed. Such acquisitions are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including: the inability to integrate effectively the operations, products, technologies and personnel of the acquired companies (some of which may be located in diverse geographic regions) and achieve expected synergies; the potential disruption of existing business and diversion of management’s attention from day-to-day operations; the inability to maintain uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies; the need or obligation to divest portions of the acquired companies; the potential impairment of relationships with customers; the potential failure to identify material problems and liabilities during due diligence review of acquisition targets; the potential failure to obtain sufficient indemnification rights to fully offset possible liabilities associated with acquired businesses; and the challenges associated with operating in new geographic regions. In addition, the Company cannot make assurances that the integration and consolidation of newly acquired businesses will achieve any anticipated cost savings and operating synergies.
Goodwill—A significant write-down of goodwill would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s reported results of operations and net worth.
Goodwill at December 31, 2023 totaled $1.47 billion, representing approximately 15% of total assets. The Company evaluates goodwill annually (or more frequently if impairment indicators arise) for impairment using the required business valuation methods. These methods include the use of a weighted average cost of capital to calculate the present value of the expected future cash flows of the Company’s reporting units. Future changes in
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the cost of capital, expected cash flows, or other factors may cause the Company’s goodwill to be impaired, resulting in a non-cash charge against results of operations to write-down goodwill for the amount of the impairment. If a significant write down is required, the charge would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s reported results of operations and net worth. For example, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $445 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, which was equal to the remaining goodwill balance on North America’s reporting unit. If the Company’s projected future cash flows were lower, or if the assumed weighted average cost of capital were higher, the testing performed in the fourth quarter of 2023 may have indicated an impairment of the goodwill related to the Company’s two other reporting units. Any impairment charges that the Company may take in the future could be material to its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
Pension Funding—An increase in the underfunded status of the Company’s pension plans could adversely impact the Company’s operations, financial condition and liquidity.
The Company contributed $32 million, $26 million and $84 million to its defined benefit pension plans in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The amount the Company is required to contribute to these plans is determined by the laws and regulations governing each plan and is generally related to the funded status of the plans. A deterioration in the value of the plans’ investments or a decrease in the discount rate used to calculate plan liabilities generally would increase the underfunded status of the plans. An increase in the underfunded status of the plans could result in an increase in the Company’s obligation to make contributions to the plans, thereby reducing the cash available for working capital and other corporate uses, and may have an adverse impact on the Company’s operations, financial condition and liquidity.
Risks Related to Information Technology, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy
Information Technology—Failure or disruption of the Company’s information technology, or those of third parties, could have a material adverse effect on its business and results of operations.
The Company employs information technology (“IT”) systems and networks to support the business and relies on them to operate its plants, to communicate with its employees, customers and suppliers, to store sensitive business information and intellectual property, and to report financial and operating results. As with any IT system, the Company’s IT system and any third-party system on which the Company relies are vulnerable to failure and a variety of interruptions due to events, including, but not limited to, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, war, power outages, fire, sabotage, equipment failures, known and unknown cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and cyber-related attacks or computer crimes (e.g., ransomware and distributed denial-of-service attacks). In addition, the Company’s business continuity or disaster recovery plans may not effectively and timely resolve issues resulting from a cyberattack or other disruption. As a result of any of the foregoing types of events, the Company may suffer material adverse effects on its reputation, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Cybersecurity and Data Privacy—Security incidents affecting the Company or its third-party service providers could disrupt the Company’s business operations, result in the loss of critical and confidential information, and have a material adverse effect on its business, reputation and results of operations.
The Company faces evolving cybersecurity risks that threaten the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its IT Systems and information, including from diverse threat actors, such as state-sponsored organizations, opportunistic hackers and hacktivists, as well as through diverse attack vectors, such as social engineering/phishing, malware (including ransomware), malfeasance by insiders, human or technological error, and as a result of bugs, misconfigurations and vulnerabilities in software or hardware.
The Company has been subject to cyberattacks and other security incidents in the past, including, but not limited to, phishing and malware incidents, and the Company expects cyberattacks to increase in number, frequency and sophistication going forward. Although prior cyberattacks have not been material, future attacks
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may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business operations, reputation and financial results. As the prevalence of cyberattacks continues to increase, the Company’s IT systems, and those of third parties, such as service providers and software providers, are subject to increased risks and threats, and the Company may incur additional costs to maintain and upgrade its security measures and to attempt to monitor various third parties’ security measures. There can be no assurance that the Company’s or any critical third party’s cybersecurity risk management program and processes, including its policies, controls or processes, will be fully implemented, complied with or effective to adequately anticipate, identify, detect, investigate or prevent certain cyberattacks or security incidents, including due to the increasing use by attackers of tools and techniques – such as artificial intelligence - that are designed to circumvent controls, avoid detection, obfuscate or remove forensic evidence and that evade counter-measures. A significant attack or incident could result in transactional errors, business disruptions, loss of or damage to intellectual property, loss of customers and business opportunities, unauthorized access to or disclosure of confidential or personal information (which could cause a breach of applicable data protection legislation), litigation (including class action) or regulatory investigations and fines, penalties or intervention, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensatory costs, and additional compliance costs, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The COVID-19 pandemic has presented additional operational and cybersecurity risks due to continued work-from-home arrangements at the Company and third-party providers, which presents additional opportunities for threat actors to engage in social engineering (for example, phishing) and to exploit vulnerabilities in non-corporate networks. Any resulting costs or losses may not be covered by, or may exceed the coverage limits of, the Company’s cyber insurance.
The Company is increasingly reliant on third parties, including in the supply chain, to provide software, support and management and a host of related and other products and services across an array of business and operational functions, such as human resources, sales, electronic communications, data storage, finance, risk management and compliance, among many others. The security and privacy measures these third parties implement may not be sufficient to anticipate, identify, detect or prevent cyberattacks or security incidents that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. While the Company’s agreements with third-party service providers typically contain provisions that seek to mitigate or otherwise limit the Company’s exposure to liability for damages from a cyberattack, there can be no assurance of compliance with such provisions or that such provisions will withstand legal challenges or cover all or any such damages.
In addition, a growing number of new global privacy, cybersecurity and data protection rules are being enacted and existing ones are being updated and strengthened. These laws impose obligations on companies regarding the handling of personal data and provide certain individual privacy rights to persons whose data is stored, transferred or processed. Any failure to comply with these laws and regulatory standards could subject the Company to legal and reputational risk. For example, in May 2018, the European Union (EU) implemented the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) that stipulates data protection and privacy regulations for all individuals within the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA). The Company has significant operations in the EEA and is subject to the GDPR. The GDPR imposes several stringent requirements for controllers and processors of personal data and could make it more difficult and/or more costly for the Company to use and share personal data, including placing obstacles on the transfer of personal data from Europe to the United States. In addition, the California Consumer Privacy Act (the “CCPA”), which became effective on January 1, 2020, is similar in many respects to the GDPR but also includes a private right of action and potential statutory damages exposure for certain types of data breaches. In addition, in 2023, the California Privacy Rights Act (the “CPRA”) expanded upon the CCPA, creating additional compliance obligations around user choice, data subject rights, and transparency, among others. Other states in the U.S. have also been proposing and enacting laws similar to the CCPA/CPRA. Although the Company takes reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, there can be no assurance that the Company will not be subject to regulatory action, including fines and litigation (including class actions), in the event of a statutory violation or security incident. To comply with the rules imposed by the GDPR, CCPA, CPRA and other applicable data protection legislation, the Company may be required to put in place additional mechanisms which could adversely affect its business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
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Risks Related to the Company’s Indebtedness
Substantial Leverage—The Company’s indebtedness could adversely affect the Company’s financial health.
The Company has a significant amount of debt. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had approximately $4.9 billion and $4.7 billion of total debt outstanding, respectively.
The Company’s indebtedness could:
Ability to Service Debt—To service its indebtedness, the Company will require a significant amount of cash. The Company’s ability to generate cash and refinance certain indebtedness depends on many factors beyond its control.
The Company’s ability to make payments on, to refinance its indebtedness and to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, development efforts and other general corporate endeavors depends on its ability to generate cash in the future. The Company makes no assurance that it will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, or that future borrowings will be available under the secured credit agreement, in an amount sufficient to enable the Company to pay its indebtedness, or to fund other liquidity needs. If short-term interest rates increase, the Company’s debt service cost will increase because some of its debt is subject to short-term variable interest rates. At December 31, 2023, the Company’s debt that is subject to variable interest rates represented approximately 30% of total debt.
The Company may need to refinance all or a portion of its indebtedness on or before maturity. If the Company is unable to generate sufficient cash flow and is unable to refinance or extend outstanding borrowings on commercially reasonable terms or at all, it may have to reduce or delay capital expenditures planned for replacements, improvements and expansions, sell assets, restructure debt, and/or obtain additional debt or equity financing. The Company can provide no assurance that it could effect or implement any of these alternatives on satisfactory terms, if at all.
Debt Restrictions—The Company may not be able to finance future needs or adapt its business plans to changes because of restrictions placed on it by the secured credit agreement and the indentures and instruments governing other indebtedness.
The secured credit agreement, the indentures governing the senior notes, and certain of the agreements governing other indebtedness contain affirmative and negative covenants that limit the ability of the Company to
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take certain actions. For example, certain of the indentures restrict, among other things, the ability of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries to borrow money, pay dividends on, or redeem or repurchase its stock, make certain investments, create liens, enter into certain transactions with affiliates and sell certain assets or merge with or into other companies. These restrictions could adversely affect the Company’s ability to operate its businesses and may limit its ability to take advantage of potential business opportunities as they arise.
Failure to comply with these or other covenants and restrictions contained in the secured credit agreement, the indentures or agreements governing other indebtedness could result in a default under those agreements, and the debt under those agreements, together with accrued interest, could then be declared immediately due and payable. If a default occurs under the secured credit agreement, the Company could no longer request borrowings under the secured credit agreement, and the lenders could cause all of the outstanding debt obligations under such secured credit agreement to become due and payable, which would result in a default under the indentures governing the Company’s other outstanding debt securities and could lead to an acceleration of obligations related to these debt securities. A default under the secured credit agreement, indentures or agreements governing other indebtedness could also lead to an acceleration of debt under other debt instruments that contain cross-acceleration or cross-default provisions.
Risks Related to the Company’s International Operations
International Operations—The Company is subject to risks associated with operating in foreign countries.
The Company operates manufacturing and other facilities throughout the world. Net sales from non-U.S. operations totaled approximately $5.3 billion, representing approximately 74% of the Company’s net sales for the year ended December 31, 2023. Operations outside the U.S. that accounted for 10% or more of consolidated net sales from continuing operations in 2023 were in France, Italy and Mexico. In addition, the Company is a 50% partner in joint ventures in Italy and Mexico.
As a result of its non-U.S. operations, the Company is subject to risks associated with operating in foreign countries, including: political, social and economic instability; war, civil disturbance or acts of terrorism; outbreaks of pandemic disease, such as COVID-19; taking of property by nationalization or expropriation without fair compensation; changes in governmental policies and regulations; devaluations and fluctuations in currency exchange rates; imposition of limitations on conversions of foreign currencies into dollars or remittance of dividends and other payments by foreign subsidiaries; imposition or increases of withholding and other taxes on remittances and other payments by foreign subsidiaries; hyperinflation in certain foreign countries; impositions or increase of investment and other restrictions or requirements by foreign governments; loss or non-renewal of treaties or other agreements with foreign tax authorities; changes in tax laws, or the interpretation thereof, including those affecting foreign tax credits or tax deductions relating to the Company’s non-U.S. earnings or operations; and complying with the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act that prohibits companies and their intermediaries from engaging in bribery or other prohibited payments to foreign officials for the purposes of obtaining or retaining business or gaining an unfair business advantage and requires companies to maintain accurate books and records and effective internal controls. The risks associated with operating in foreign countries may have a material adverse effect on operations.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rates—The Company is subject to the effects of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, which could adversely impact the Company’s financial results.
The Company’s reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. A significant portion of the Company’s net sales, costs, assets and liabilities is denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, primarily the Euro, Brazilian real, Colombian peso and Mexican peso. In its Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company remeasures transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the reporting entity (e.g., soda ash purchases) and translates local currency financial results into U.S. dollars based on the exchange rates prevailing during the reporting period. During times of a strengthening U.S. dollar, the reported revenues and earnings of the Company’s international operations will be reduced because the local currencies will translate into fewer U.S.
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dollars. This could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Risks Related to Legal and Regulatory Matters, Sustainability and Climate Change
Taxes—Potential tax law and U.S. trade policy changes could adversely affect net income and cash flow.
The Company is subject to income tax in the numerous jurisdictions in which it operates. Increases in income tax rates or other tax law changes, as well as ongoing audits by domestic and international authorities, could reduce the Company’s net income and cash flow from affected jurisdictions. Changes to U.S. tax laws, along with the potential for additional global tax legislation changes, such as restrictions on interest deductibility, deductibility of cross-jurisdictional payments, and limitations on the utilization of tax attributes could have a material adverse impact on net income and cash flow by impacting significant deductions or income inclusions. In addition, the Company’s products are subject to import and excise duties and/or sales or value-added taxes in many jurisdictions in which it operates. Increases in these indirect taxes could affect the affordability of the Company’s products and, therefore, reduce demand.
In addition, existing free trade laws and regulations provide certain beneficial duties and tariffs for qualifying imports and exports, subject to compliance with the applicable classification and other requirements. Changes in laws or policies governing the terms of foreign trade, and in particular increased trade restrictions, tariffs or taxes on imports from countries where the Company manufactures products, such as Mexico, could have a material adverse effect on its business and financial results. Also, a government’s adoption of “buy national” policies or retaliation by another government against such policies may affect the prices of and demand for the Company’s products and could have a negative impact on the Company’s results of operations.
Many international legislative and regulatory bodies have proposed legislation and begun investigations of the tax practices of multinational companies, and, in the European Union, the tax policies of certain EU member states. One of these efforts has been led by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (“OECD”), an international association of more than 35 countries including the United States. Focus areas include a Minimum Tax Directive including a global minimum tax of 15%, and base erosion and profit shifting, including situations where payments are made between affiliates from a jurisdiction with high tax rates to a jurisdiction with lower tax rates. On December 15, 2022, EU member states unanimously adopted the OECD Minimum Tax Directive. The directive required member states to incorporate similar provisions into their respective domestic laws, with the rules to initially become effective for fiscal years starting on or after December 31, 2023. Other countries outside the EU have taken similar actions. The application of the Directive in national legislation by OECD member states could have a material adverse impact on the net income and cash flow of the Company. Member states of the OECD are continuing discussions related to fundamental changes to the taxing rights of governments and allocation of profits among tax jurisdictions in which companies do business. Since 2013, the European Commission (EC) has been investigating tax rulings granted by tax authorities in a number of EU member states with respect to specific multinational corporations to determine whether such rulings comply with EU rules on state aid, as well as more recent investigations of the tax regimes of certain EU member states. If the EC determines that a tax ruling or tax regime violates the state aid restrictions, the tax authorities of the affected EU member state may be required to collect back taxes for the period of time covered by the ruling. Due to the large scale of the Company’s U.S. and international business activities, many of these proposed changes to the taxation of the Company’s activities, if enacted, could increase the Company’s worldwide effective tax rate and harm results of operations.
Corporate tax reform, anti-base-erosion rules and tax transparency continue to be high priorities in many jurisdictions. As a result, policies regarding corporate income and other taxes in numerous jurisdictions are under heightened scrutiny and tax reform legislation has been, and will likely continue to be, proposed or enacted in a number of jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Any substantial changes in domestic or international corporate tax policies, regulations or guidance, enforcement activities or legislative initiatives may materially adversely affect the Company.
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Environmental Risks—The Company is subject to various environmental legal requirements and may be subject to new legal requirements in the future. These requirements may have a material adverse effect on operations.
The Company’s operations and properties are subject to extensive laws, ordinances, regulations and other legal requirements relating to environmental protection, including legal requirements governing investigation and clean up of contaminated properties as well as water discharges, air emissions, waste management and workplace health and safety. Such legal requirements frequently change and vary among jurisdictions. The Company’s operations and properties must comply with these legal requirements. These requirements may have a material adverse effect on operations.
The Company has incurred, and expects to incur, costs for its operations to comply with environmental legal requirements, and these costs could increase in the future. Many environmental legal requirements provide for substantial fines, orders (including orders to cease operations), and criminal sanctions for violations. These legal requirements may apply to conditions at properties that the Company presently or formerly owned or operated, as well as at other properties for which the Company may be responsible, including those at which wastes attributable to the Company were disposed, and certain such laws may impose liability on the Company without regard to fault or the legality of actions (including the characterization of materials) at the time of occurrence. A significant order or judgment against the Company, the loss of a significant permit or license or the imposition of a significant fine may have a material adverse effect on operations or to the Company’s reputation as it focuses on its sustainability initiatives and targets.
Glass Recycling, Deposit Return Systems, Extended Producer Responsibility and Recycled Content Requirements—The Company’s business and its ability to meet climate-change goals may be impacted by recycling and recycled-content laws and regulations.
In the U.S., Canada, Europe and elsewhere, government authorities have adopted, modified, or are considering recycling and recycled-content laws and regulations, including EPR and DRS frameworks. EPR, DRS, and other recycling and recycled-content laws and regulations may impose fees, mandate certain recycling rates, require a minimum use of recycled materials, or result in limitations on or preferences for certain types of packaging. The Company believes that governments worldwide will continue to develop and enact such legal requirements, which have the potential to influence customer and end-consumer packaging choices. As of December 31, 2023, there were a number of U.S. states, Canadian provinces and territories and European countries with some form of legal regulation that imposes fees on producers or consumers or requirements for certain levels of recycled content affecting various types of packaging, including glass containers.
Countries, states, and localities in all geographies in which the Company operates have recently considered or are now considering new or modified EPR, DRS, and other recycling and recycled-content laws and regulations, including various laws and regulations to change curbside recycling, or create alternatives to traditional recycling systems. Although there is no clear trend in the direction of these various activities, the Company believes these legal and regulatory activities have the potential to materially impact the price and supply of recycled glass. The structure and enforcement of such laws and regulations may impact the sales of glass containers in a given jurisdiction. Such laws and regulations also impact the availability of post-consumer recycled glass for the Company to use in container production. As a large user of recycled glass for making new glass containers, developments regarding recycling and recycled-content laws and regulations could have a significant long-term impact on the Company’s operations that are affected by such regulations and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and the ability to meet climate-change-related targets or goals.
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Climate Change and Air Emissions—The Company’s business, ability to meet climate-change goals, and transition to lower-carbon processes may be impacted by new, changed, or increased regulations or requirements relating to air emissions and the use of fossil fuels, or by the physical impacts of climate change.
A number of governments globally are increasingly considering a variety of mandatory legal or regulatory requirements or voluntary initiatives in relation to climate change and environmental issues. Additionally, entities across many sectors in private industry are considering and introducing climate change and environmental criteria as a factor or commercial term in decisions relating to activities, including lending, insurance, investing, and purchasing. The Company is unable to predict what climate change or environmental criteria or requirements may be adopted or supported by governments and private sector entities in the future, or the impacts of such initiatives on its financial condition, results of operations, access to and cost of capital and cash flows, which may be materially adverse.
In Europe, the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (“EUETS”) is a regulatory regime that facilitates emissions reductions in the EU. The Company’s manufacturing facilities that operate in EU countries that are subject to the EUETS must surrender an amount of emissions allowances equal to the volume of their CO2 emissions. The Company’s manufacturing facilities currently receive a certain amount of allowances for free from national regulators, and, if the actual level of emissions for any facility exceeds its allocated allowance, additional allowances can be bought to cover deficits. Conversely, if the actual level of emissions for any facility is less than its allocation, the excess allowances can be sold. The Company annually purchases additional allowances under the EUETS. Should the regulators significantly restrict the number of emissions allowances allocated for free to the Company’s plants, or significantly restrict the total number of emissions allowances available in the market, or if the price of such allowances increases significantly, these events could have a significant long-term impact on the Company’s operations that are affected by such regulations and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. It is currently proposed that allocation of allowances will be phased out after 2026.
In the Americas, the U.S., Mexico, and Canada have engaged in significant legislative, regulatory, and enforcement activities relating to GHG emissions for years at the federal, state and provincial levels of government. In the U.S., the EPA regulates emissions of GHG air pollutants under the Clean Air Act, which grants the EPA authority to establish limits for certain air pollutants and to require compliance, levy penalties and bring civil judicial action against violators. The EPA’s GHG regulations continue to evolve, as the structure and scope of the regulations are often the subject of litigation and federal legislative activity. New GHG regulations in any national or sub-national jurisdiction where the Company operates could have a significant long-term material impact on the Company’s operations that are affected by such regulations. Several jurisdictions, including the states of California and Washington in the U.S., Mexico, the Canadian federal government, and the province of Quebec, among others, have adopted legislation aimed at reducing GHG emissions, either by explicitly price-based (e.g., carbon tax) or cap-and-trade programs. Additionally, smaller municipalities in the U.S. have engaged in legislative and regulatory activity to price carbon and other emissions. New GHG regulations or significant fluctuations in the values within a carbon-trading or carbon-tax framework in any country, state/province, or municipality where the Company operates could have a significant long-term impact on the Company’s operations that are affected by such regulations and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Other regulations may also have a material impact. For example, various policymakers, including the SEC and the States of New York, California and Illinois, have adopted or are considering adopting rules that would require companies to provide significantly expanded climate-related disclosures, which may require the Company to incur significant additional costs to comply, including the implementation of significant additional internal controls processes and procedures regarding matters that have not been subject to such controls in the past, and impose increased oversight obligations on the Company’s management and Board of Directors. The expectations of various stakeholders, including customers and employees, regarding such matters likewise continues to evolve. For more information, see the risk factor titled “ESG Scrutiny—Increased environmental, social and governance (ESG) scrutiny and changing expectations from stakeholders may impose additional costs or additional risks.”
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The Company experiences a variety of impacts due to weather-related events, including severe weather and events related to climate change, which may include extreme storms, flooding, wildfires, extreme temperatures, and chronic changes in meteorological and hydrological patterns, across its 68 manufacturing facilities in 19 different countries. The frequency and severity of severe weather conditions that impact the Company’s business activities may be impacted by the effects of climate change, although it is currently impossible to predict with accuracy the scale of such impact. The Company’s customers and suppliers may be subject to similar impacts. These resulting impacts could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial condition.
ESG Scrutiny—Increased environmental, social and governance (ESG) scrutiny and changing expectations from stakeholders may impose additional costs or additional risks.
In recent years, increasing attention has been given to corporate activities related to ESG matters. A number of advocacy groups, both domestically and internationally, have campaigned for governmental and private-sector action to promote change at public companies related to ESG matters, including increasing attention on and demands for action related to climate change, as well as social and political matters. Companies that do not adapt to or comply with expectations and standards on ESG matters as they continue to evolve, or that are perceived to have not responded appropriately to the growing concern for ESG issues, regardless of whether there is a legal requirement to do so, may suffer from reputational damage and the business, financial condition or stock price of such a company could be materially and adversely affected.
From time to time, the Company creates and publishes voluntary disclosures regarding ESG matters. Identification, assessment, and disclosure of such matters is complex. Certain statements in such voluntary disclosures may be based on the Company’s expectations and assumptions, which may require substantial discretion and forecasts about costs and future circumstances, and may ultimately be incorrect. The Company’s disclosures may also be at least partially reliant on third-party information that the Company has not, or cannot, independently verify. Expectations regarding management of ESG matters continue to evolve rapidly, in many instances due to factors that are out of the Company’s control. For example, the Company notes that standards for the measuring and accounting of GHG emissions, as well as GHG emissions reductions, continue to change, which may impact the Company’s disclosures or actual or perceived progress on any climate targets, including to the extent the Company’s approaches are deemed in or out of alignment with best practices. Additionally, ESG regulation and enforcement are evolving rapidly, and the Company may be subject to investor or regulator engagement on its ESG disclosures, even though the Company currently makes them voluntarily. There is an increase in the issuance of public and private frameworks under which organizations are urged or compelled to disclose ESG-related information. These frameworks use different assumptions and require differing levels of information. As these reporting standards and disclosure requirements continue to develop, the Company may incur increasing costs related to ESG monitoring and reporting. Additionally, the Company may elect to not disclose against certain, or any, such frameworks or methodologies, whether due to cost or other reasons, and the selection of certain frameworks over others may harm the Company’s reputation with stakeholders that prefer unselected standards or otherwise adversely impact its operations.
Similarly, there is an increase in for-profit and non-profit organizations that issue evaluations, ratings, or grades on an organization’s ESG performance. The assumptions and criteria used by these organization vary and change and produce differing results. Unfavorable ESG ratings could lead to increased negative investor sentiment toward the Company, its customers, or its industry, which could negatively impact the Company’s share price, as well as its access to and cost of capital. To the extent ESG matters negatively impact the Company’s reputation, it may also impede its ability to compete as effectively to attract or retain employees or customers, which may adversely impact the Company’s operations. The Company’s operations, projects and growth opportunities require it to have strong relationships with various key stakeholders, including its shareowners, employees, suppliers, customers, local communities and others. The Company may face pressures from shareowners, many of whom are increasingly focused on climate change, to prioritize sustainable practices, reduce its carbon footprint and promote ESG matters, while at the same time remaining a successfully operating public company. Simultaneously, there are efforts by some parties to reduce companies’ efforts on ESG matters,
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and certain US states are adopting or are considering adopting laws that seek to limit the use of ESG in certain contexts. In addition, both advocates and opponents to certain ESG matters are increasingly resorting to a range of activism forms, including media campaigns and litigation, to advance their perspectives. To the extent the Company is subject to such activism, it may require it to incur costs or otherwise adversely impact its business. If the Company does not successfully manage expectations across these varied stakeholder interests, it could erode its stakeholder trust and thereby affect its brand and reputation, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations, and financial condition. While the Company has participated, and in future may continue to participate, in various voluntary programs and establish voluntary ESG initiatives, including policies and targets, to improve the ESG profile of its operations and products, such programs and initiatives may be costly, and there is no guarantee that they will be able to be completed either in the time and manner intended or at all. For example, the Company currently purchases RECs such that a portion of its energy consumption is from renewable energy. The price of RECs is determined by principles of supply and demand. To the extent other entities wish to purchase such RECs, either for regulatory mandates or voluntary initiatives, the price of such RECs may increase. RECs and other environmental attributes also require complex accounting on the part of generators, and mistakes in such accounting may result in a shortage of RECs, which may cause the Company to have to purchase substitute RECs at higher prices. Even if the Company’s ESG initiatives are implemented successfully, there is no guarantee that such initiatives will have the intended results. For example, due to the rapidly evolving nature of expectations in this space, certain initiatives may no longer be considered best practice or may in certain instances be considered a form of greenwashing which may have reputational or other adverse impacts.
Any failure or perceived failure to pursue or fulfill the Company’s ESG-related initiatives, stakeholder expectations, or to satisfy various reporting standards could adversely impact its reputation, business activities or competitive advantage. Such ESG matters may also impact the Company’s suppliers and customers, which may compound or cause new impacts on its business, results of operations, or financial condition.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY
Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy
The Company has developed and implemented a cybersecurity risk management program intended to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of its critical systems and information.
The Company assesses its program based on guidance from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (“NIST”). This does not imply that the Company meets any particular technical standards, specifications, or requirements, only that the Company uses the NIST as a guide to help it identify, assess, and manage cybersecurity risks relevant to its business.
The Company’s cybersecurity risk management program is integrated into its overall enterprise risk management program and shares common methodologies, reporting channels and governance processes that apply across the enterprise risk management program to other legal, compliance, strategic, operational, and financial risk areas.
The Company’s cybersecurity risk management program includes the following, among other things:
● | risk assessments designed to help identify material cybersecurity risks to the Company’s critical systems and information; |
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● | cross-functional teams responsible for managing the Company's (1) cybersecurity risk assessment processes, (2) security controls, and (3) response to cybersecurity incidents; |
● | the use of external service providers, where appropriate, to assess, test or otherwise assist with aspects of the Company’s security processes and controls; |
● | cybersecurity awareness training of the Company’s employees, incident response personnel, and senior management; |
● | a cybersecurity incident response plan that includes procedures for responding to cybersecurity incidents; and |
● | a third-party risk management process for certain service providers based on the Company’s assessment of their criticality to its business and risk profile. |
The Company has not identified risks from known cybersecurity threats, including as a result of any prior cybersecurity incidents, that have materially affected the Company, including its operations, business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. The Company faces certain ongoing risks from cybersecurity threats that, if realized, are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company, including its operations, business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. See “Risk Factors – Risks Related to Information Technology, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy.”
Cybersecurity Governance
The Company’s Board of Directors considers cybersecurity risk as part of its risk oversight function and has delegated to its Audit Committee (the “Committee”) oversight of cybersecurity and other information technology risks. The Committee oversees management’s implementation of the Company’s cybersecurity risk management program.
The Committee receives quarterly reports from management on the Company’s cybersecurity risks. In addition, management updates the Committee, as necessary, regarding cybersecurity incidents as determined by its Chief Information Officer (the “CIO”).
The Committee reports to the full Board of Directors regarding its activities, including those related to cybersecurity. The full Board of Directors also receives briefings from management on the Company’s cybersecurity risk management program. Members of the Board of Directors receive presentations on cybersecurity topics from the CIO or external experts as part of the Board’s continuing education on topics that impact public companies.
The Company’s management team is responsible for assessing and managing the Company’s material risks from cybersecurity threats. The Company has a Cybersecurity Steering Committee comprised of members of management, including the CIO and the Company’s Director of Cybersecurity, as well as other subject matter experts throughout the Company. The Cybersecurity Steering Committee has primary responsibility for the Company’s overall cybersecurity risk management program and supervises both internal cybersecurity personnel and retained external cybersecurity consultants. The experience of the members of the Cybersecurity Steering Committee includes its CIO, who has 37 years of IT experience across various industries, including 32 years in manufacturing, and who is a member of the National Association of Manufacturer’s Cybersecurity Advisory Council, and its Director of Cybersecurity, who has 28 years of IT experience, including seven years leading the Company’s Cybersecurity Team of IT security professionals, and who is a member of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association and the International Information System Security Certification Consortium.
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The Cybersecurity Steering Committee supervises efforts to prevent, detect, mitigate, and remediate cybersecurity risks and incidents through various means, which may include briefings from internal security personnel; threat intelligence and other information obtained from governmental, public or private sources, including external consultants engaged by the Company; and alerts and reports produced by security tools deployed in the IT environment.
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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The principal manufacturing facilities and other material important physical properties of the Company at December 31, 2023 are listed below. All properties are glass container plants and are owned in fee, except where otherwise noted.
Americas Operations |
|
|
Brazil | ||
Recife | Sao Paulo | |
Rio de Janeiro | Vitoria de Santo Antao | |
Canada | ||
Brampton, Ontario(1) | Montreal, Quebec | |
Colombia | ||
Soacha | Zipaquira | |
Ecuador | ||
Guayaquil | ||
Mexico | ||
Guadalajara | Tlanepantla Estado de Mexico | |
Monterrey | Toluca | |
Queretaro | Tultitlan Estado de Mexico | |
Peru | ||
Callao | Lurin | |
United States | ||
Auburn, NY | Portland, OR | |
Brockway, PA | Streator, IL | |
Crenshaw, PA | Toano, VA | |
Danville, VA | Tracy, CA | |
Kalama, WA(1) | Windsor, CO | |
Lapel, IN | Winston-Salem, NC | |
Los Angeles, CA(1) | Zanesville, OH | |
Muskogee, OK | ||
European Operations | ||
Czech Republic | ||
Dubi | Nove Sedlo | |
Estonia | ||
Jarvakandi | ||
France | ||
Beziers | Vayres | |
Gironcourt | Veauche | |
Labegude | Vergeze | |
Puy-Guillaume | Wingles | |
Reims | ||
Germany | ||
Bernsdorf | Rinteln | |
Holzminden | ||
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Hungary | ||
Oroshaza | ||
Italy | ||
Aprilia | Origgio | |
Asti | Ottaviano | |
Bari | San Gemini | |
Marsala | San Polo | |
Mezzocorona | Villotta | |
The Netherlands | ||
Leerdam | Maastricht | |
Poland | ||
Jaroslaw | Poznan | |
Spain | ||
Barcelona(1) | Sevilla | |
United Kingdom | ||
Alloa | Harlow | |
Other Operations | ||
Engineering Support Centers | ||
Brockway, Pennsylvania | Jaroslaw, Poland | |
Lurin, Peru | Perrysburg, Ohio | |
Shared Service Centers | ||
Medellin, Colombia(1) | Poznan, Poland(1) | |
Perrysburg, Ohio | ||
Distribution Center | ||
Laredo, TX(1) | ||
China | ||
Zhaoqing | ||
Indonesia | ||
Jakarta | ||
Corporate Facilities | ||
Perrysburg, Ohio | Vufflens-la-Ville, Switzerland(1) |
(1) | This facility is leased in whole or in part. |
The Company believes that its facilities are well maintained and currently adequate for its planned production requirements over the next three to five years.
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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
SEC regulations require the Company to disclose certain information about environmental proceedings if the Company reasonably believes that such proceedings may result in monetary sanctions above a stated threshold. The Company uses a threshold of $1 million for purposes of determining whether disclosure of any such proceedings is required. No such environmental proceedings were pending or contemplated as of December 31, 2023.
For further information on legal proceedings, see Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHARE OWNER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
On December 26 and 27, 2019, the Company implemented the Corporate Modernization. The Corporate Modernization involved a series of transactions, including the Merger. Upon the effectiveness of the Merger, each share of O-I common stock held immediately prior to the Merger automatically converted into a right to receive an equivalent corresponding share of O-I Glass common stock, par value $.01 per share, having the same designations, rights, powers and preferences, qualifications, limitations, and restrictions as the corresponding share of O-I common stock being converted.
Following the implementation of the Corporate Modernization, the Company’s common stock continues to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange on an uninterrupted basis with the symbol OI. The number of share owners of record on December 31, 2023 was 608. Almost all of the outstanding shares were registered in the name of Depository Trust Company, or CEDE & Co., which held such shares on behalf of a number of brokerage firms, banks, and other financial institutions.
In 2020, the Company suspended its dividend. However, the payment and amount of future dividends remain within the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and will depend upon the Company's future earnings, financial condition, capital requirements, and other factors.
Information with respect to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans is included herein under Item 12.
The Company regularly purchases shares pursuant to a $150 million anti-dilutive share repurchase plan authorized by the Board of Directors on February 9, 2021 that is intended to offset stock-based compensation provided to the Company’s directors, officers, and employees. The current program has no expiration date. The following table provides information about the Company’s purchases of its common stock during the three months ended December 31, 2023:
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities | |||||||||||||
Period |
| Total Number of Shares Purchased (in thousands) |
| Average Price Paid per Share |
| Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plan (in thousands) |
| Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plan (in millions) |
| ||||
October 1 - October 31, 2023 | 627 | $ | 15.95 | 627 | 30 | ||||||||
November 1 - November 30, 2023 | 30 | ||||||||||||
December 1 - December 31, 2023 | 30 | ||||||||||||
Total | 627 | $ | 15.95 | 627 |
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December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||
O-I Glass, Inc. |
| $ | 100.00 |
| $ | 70.29 |
| $ | 70.41 |
| $ | 71.17 |
| $ | 98.02 |
| $ | 96.89 | |
S&P 500 |
| 100.00 |
| 131.49 |
| 155.68 |
| 200.37 |
| 164.08 |
| 207.21 | |||||||
Packaging Group |
| 100.00 |
| 131.99 |
| 165.88 |
| 183.73 |
| 140.70 |
| 145.07 | |||||||
Note: Prepared by Zacks Investment Research, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Copyright 1980-2022
Note: Index Data: Copyright Standard and Poor’s, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
The graph above compares the performance of the Company’s Common Stock with that of a broad market index (the S&P 500 Composite Index) and a packaging group consisting of companies with lines of business or product end uses comparable to those of the Company for which market quotations are available.
The packaging group consists of: AptarGroup, Inc., Ardagh Group S.A., Ball Corp., Crown Holdings, Inc., O-I Glass, Inc., Sealed Air Corp., Silgan Holdings Inc., and Sonoco Products Co. The comparison of total return on investment for each period is based on the investment of $100 on December 31, 2018 and the change in market value of the stock, including additional shares assumed purchased through reinvestment of dividends, if any.
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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Company’s measure of profit for its reportable segments is segment operating profit, which consists of consolidated earnings before interest income, interest expense, and provision for income taxes and excludes amounts related to certain items that management considers not representative of ongoing operations and other adjustments as well as certain retained corporate costs. The segment data presented below is prepared in accordance with general accounting principles for segment reporting. The lines titled “reportable segment totals” in both net sales and segment operating profit, however, are non-GAAP measures when presented outside of the financial statement footnotes. Management has included reportable segment totals below to facilitate the discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations and believes this information allows the Board of Directors, management, investors and analysts to better understand the Company’s financial performance. The Company’s management, including the chief operating decision maker (defined as the Chief Executive Officer), uses segment operating profit, supplemented by net sales and selected cash flow information, to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources. Segment operating profit is not, however, intended as an alternative measure of operating results as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP and is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
For discussion related to changes in financial condition and the results of operations for 2022 compared to 2021, refer to Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was filed with the SEC on February 8, 2023.
Financial information regarding the Company’s reportable segments is as follows (dollars in millions):
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| |||
Net sales: | |||||||
Americas | $ | 3,865 | $ | 3,835 | |||
Europe | 3,117 | 2,878 | |||||
Reportable segment totals |
| 6,982 |
| 6,713 | |||
Other |
| 123 |
| 143 | |||
Net sales | $ | 7,105 | $ | 6,856 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| |||
Net earnings (loss) attributable to the Company | $ | (103) | $ | 584 | |||
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | 18 | 43 | |||||
Net earnings (loss) | (85) | 627 | |||||
Provision for income taxes | 152 | 178 | |||||
Earnings before income taxes | 67 | 805 | |||||
Items excluded from segment operating profit: | |||||||
Retained corporate costs and other |
| 224 |
| 232 | |||
Charge for goodwill impairment | 445 | ||||||
Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges |
| 100 |
| 53 | |||
Pension settlement and curtailment charges |
| 19 |
| 20 | |||
Gain on sale of divested business and miscellaneous assets | (4) | (55) | |||||
Gain on sale leasebacks | (334) | ||||||
Interest expense, net |
| 342 |
| 239 | |||
Segment operating profit | $ | 1,193 | $ | 960 | |||
Americas | 511 | 472 | |||||
Europe | 682 | 488 | |||||
$ | 1,193 | $ | 960 |
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Note: all amounts excluded from reportable segment totals are discussed in the following applicable sections.
Executive Overview—Comparison of 2023 with 2022
Net sales in 2023 increased $249 million, or 4%, compared to the prior year, due to higher selling prices and favorable effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, partially offset by lower shipments than the prior year. Net sales were also slightly impacted by the sale of the Company’s glass tableware business in Colombia in March 2022.
Earnings before income taxes were $738 million lower in 2023 compared to the prior year. This decrease was due to the $445 million goodwill impairment charge that occurred in 2023, as well as higher restructuring, asset impairment and related charges, higher interest expense and the non-recurrence of a gain on the sale of Cristar TableTop S.A.S. (“Cristar”), the Company’s glass tableware business in Colombia, and gains on sale leaseback transactions related to two plants in the Americas in 2022, partially offset by higher segment operating profit.
Segment operating profit for reportable segments in 2023 was $233 million higher compared to 2022, primarily due to higher net prices, strong operating performance, benefits from margin expansion initiatives and the favorable effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, partially offset by lower shipments, higher costs due to lower production volumes, driven by temporary curtailments of production to balance with lower demand, elevated planned asset project activity and the unfavorable impacts from divestitures in 2022.
Net interest expense in 2023 increased $103 million compared to 2022, primarily due to higher interest rates and increased borrowings to fund the Paddock Trust in July 2022, as well as higher note repurchase premiums, the write-off of deferred refinancing fees and related charges.
In 2023, the Company recorded a net loss attributable to the Company of $103 million, or $0.67 per share (diluted), compared to net earnings attributable to the Company of $584 million, or $3.67 per share (diluted), in 2022. As discussed below, net earnings in both periods included items that management considers not representative of ongoing operations and other adjustments. These items decreased net earnings attributable to the Company by $594 million, or $3.76 per share, in 2023 and increased net earnings attributable to the Company by $218 million, or $1.37 per share, in 2022.
Results of Operations—Comparison of 2023 with 2022
Net Sales
The Company’s net sales in 2023 were $7,105 million compared with $6,856 million in 2022, an increase of $249 million, or 4%. Higher selling prices increased net sales by $883 million in 2023, driven by the pass through of higher cost inflation. Glass container shipments, in tons, declined approximately 12% in 2023, which in total decreased net sales by approximately $841 million compared to the prior year. This decline was mostly attributed to significant destocking across the value chain, as the Company’s customers, distributors and retailers adjust their inventory management practices to lower levels, and softer consumer consumption activity. Favorable foreign currency exchange rates increased net sales by $235 million in 2023 compared to 2022, primarily driven by the strengthening of the Mexican Peso and the Euro compared to the U.S. dollar. The divestiture of the Cristar glass tableware business in Colombia in March 2022 reduced net sales by approximately $8 million in 2023. Other sales were approximately $20 million lower in 2023 than in the prior year, driven by lower machine parts sales to third parties.
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The change in net sales of reportable segments can be summarized as follows (dollars in millions):
Net sales— 2022 |
|
|
| $ | 6,713 |
| |
Price | $ | 883 | |||||
Sales volume and mix |
| (841) | |||||
Effects of changing foreign currency rates |
| 235 | |||||
Divestitures | (8) | ||||||
Total effect on net sales |
| 269 | |||||
Net sales— 2023 | $ | 6,982 |
Americas: Net sales in the Americas in 2023 were $3,865 million compared to $3,835 million in 2022, an increase of $30 million, or 1%. Higher selling prices in the region increased net sales by $287 million in 2023, driven by the pass through of higher cost inflation. Glass container shipments in the region were down approximately 10% in 2023 compared to 2022, which decreased net sales by approximately $385 million. Sales volumes (in tons) declined, primarily due to significant destocking activity, especially related to wine, spirits and beer customers, and softer consumer consumption activity. The favorable effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes increased net sales by $136 million in 2023 compared to the prior year, as the Mexican Peso strengthened compared to the U.S. dollar. The divestiture of the Cristar glass tableware business in March 2022 also reduced net sales by approximately $8 million in 2023 compared to 2022.
Europe: Net sales in Europe in 2023 were $3,117 million compared to $2,878 million in 2022, an increase of $239 million, or 8%. Higher selling prices in Europe increased net sales by $596 million in 2023, driven by the pass through of higher cost inflation. Glass container shipments declined by approximately 15% in 2023, primarily due to significant destocking activity, especially related to wine and food customers, softer consumer consumption activity, strikes in France and internal capacity and inventory constraints earlier in 2023. Lower shipments in 2023 decreased net sales by approximately $456 million compared to 2022. Favorable foreign currency exchange rates increased the region’s net sales by approximately $99 million in 2023, as the Euro strengthened in relation to the U.S. dollar.
Earnings before Income Taxes and Segment Operating Profit
Earnings before income taxes were $67 million in 2023 compared to $805 million in 2022, a decrease of $738 million. This decrease was due to the $445 million goodwill impairment charge that occurred in 2023, as well as higher restructuring, asset impairment and related charges, higher interest expense and the non-recurrence of a gain on the sale of Cristar and gains on sale leaseback transactions related to two plants in the Americas in 2022, partially offset by higher segment operating profit in 2023.
Segment operating profit of the reportable segments includes an allocation of some corporate expenses based on a percentage of sales and direct billings based on the costs of specific services provided. Unallocated corporate expenses and certain other expenses not directly related to the reportable segments’ operations are included in Retained corporate costs and other. For further information, see Segment Information included in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Segment operating profit of reportable segments in 2023 was $1,193 million, compared to $960 million in 2022, an increase of $233 million, or approximately 24%. This increase was primarily due to higher net prices, strong operating performance, benefits from margin expansion initiatives and the favorable effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates, partially offset by lower shipments, higher costs due to lower production volumes, driven by temporary curtailments of production to balance with lower demand, elevated planned project activity and the unfavorable impacts from divestitures in 2022.
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The change in segment operating profit of reportable segments can be summarized as follows (dollars in millions):
Segment operating profit - 2022 |
|
|
| $ | 960 |
| |
Net price (net of cost inflation) | $ | 632 | |||||
Sales volume |
| (205) | |||||
Operating costs |
| (210) | |||||
Effects of changing foreign currency exchange rates | 29 | ||||||
Divestitures | (13) | ||||||
Total net effect on segment operating profit |
| 233 | |||||
Segment operating profit - 2023 | $ | 1,193 |
Americas: Segment operating profit in the Americas in 2023 was $511 million, compared to $472 million in 2022, an increase of $39 million, or 8%. The benefit of higher selling prices exceeded cost inflation resulting in a net $288 million increase to segment operating profit in 2023. The impact of lower shipments discussed above resulted in a $95 million decrease to segment operating profit in 2023 compared to 2022. Operating costs in 2023 were $153 million higher than in the prior year. The increase in operating costs was primarily due to lower production volumes, driven by temporary curtailments of production to balance with lower demand, elevated planned asset project activity and lower income from a joint venture, partially offset by margin expansion initiatives, including approximately $35 million of lower operating costs as a result of the region’s restructuring actions taken between the fourth quarter of 2022 and 2023 (in line with management’s expectations) and approximately $7 million of insurance benefits that related to severe weather impacts in 2021. The effects of foreign currency exchange rates increased segment operating profit by $12 million in the current year.
In order to better match production to customer demand, management has implemented temporary production curtailments in the region. This initiative has resulted in higher operating costs in the fourth quarter of 2023 due to unabsorbed fixed costs. Temporary production curtailments will continue in to 2024 and this is expected to increase operating costs. In addition, the Company announced the permanent closure of its Waco, Texas plant in September 2023 and two additional furnaces at other plants in North America in the fourth quarter of 2023 and will continue to monitor business trends and consider whether any further permanent capacity closures will be necessary in the future to align its business with demand trends. Any further permanent capacity closures could result in material restructuring and impairment charges, as well as cash expenditures, in future periods.
In 2022, the Company completed the sale of its land and buildings for two plants in the Americas and simultaneously entered into leaseback transactions for these properties. These transactions and the divestiture of Cristar were part of the Company’s portfolio optimization program to redeploy proceeds from asset sales to help fund attractive growth opportunities, which primarily include capital expenditures related to expansion projects and investments in the Company’s MAGMA innovation, as well as to reduce debt. The divestiture of the glass tableware business and the additional lease expense associated with the sale leaseback transactions reduced segment operating profit by approximately $13 million in 2023 compared to the prior year.
Europe: Segment operating profit in Europe in 2023 was $682 million compared to $488 million in 2022, an increase of $194 million, or 40%. The benefit of higher selling prices exceeded cost inflation and increased segment operating profit by $344 million in 2023 compared to the prior year. The impact of lower shipments discussed above decreased segment operating profit by approximately $110 million. Operating costs in 2023 were $57 million higher than in the prior year. The increase in operating costs was primarily due to lower production volumes, driven by the impact of temporary production curtailments to balance supply with demand, partially offset by benefits from the region’s margin expansion initiatives, higher earnings from joint ventures and approximately $16 million in subsidies received from the Italian government to help mitigate the impact of elevated energy costs, which subsidies are not expected to continue in 2024. The effects of foreign currency exchange rates increased segment operating profit by $17 million in the current year.
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In order to better match production to customer demand, management has implemented temporary production curtailments in the region. This initiative has resulted in higher operating costs in the fourth quarter of 2023 due to unabsorbed fixed costs. Temporary production curtailments will continue in to 2024 and this is expected to increase operating costs. In addition, Europe will continue to monitor business trends and consider whether any permanent capacity closures will be necessary in the future to align its business with demand trends. Any permanent capacity closures could result in material restructuring and impairment charges, as well as cash expenditures, in future periods.
In addition, the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine has caused a significant increase in the price of natural gas and increased price volatility. The Company’s European operations typically purchase natural gas under long-term supply arrangements with terms that range from one to five years and, through these agreements, typically agree on price with the relevant supplier in advance of the period in which the natural gas will be delivered, which shields the Company from the full impact of increased natural gas prices, while such agreements remain in effect. The Company’s energy risk management approach is to have long-term arrangements covering at least 40% of its expected total energy use over a medium-term horizon (generally at least two years), where possible. In most energy markets, the Company currently has more than 50% coverage over such medium-term horizon. Coverage varies by geography with higher coverage in Europe. However, the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the resulting sanctions, potential sanctions or other adverse repercussions on energy supplies could cause the Company’s energy suppliers to be unable or unwilling to deliver natural gas at agreed prices and quantities. If this occurs, it will be necessary for the Company to procure natural gas at then-current market prices and subject to market availability and could cause the Company to experience a significant increase in operating costs or result in the temporary or permanent cessation of delivery of natural gas to several of the Company’s manufacturing plants in Europe. In addition, depending on the duration and ultimate outcome of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, future long-term supply arrangements for natural gas may not be available at reasonable prices or at all.
Interest Expense, Net
Net interest expense in 2023 was $342 million compared to $239 million in 2022. The increase was primarily due to the impact of higher interest rates and increased borrowings to fund the Paddock Trust in July 2022 (see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information), as well as $13 million of higher note repurchase premiums, the write-off of deferred financing fees and related charges.
Provision for Income Taxes
The Company’s effective tax rate from operations for 2023 was 227% compared to 22.1% for 2022. The effective tax rate for 2023 differed from 2022 due to a net unfavorable tax rate on the goodwill impairment charge and restructuring charges along with a valuation allowance added for interest deduction carryovers in 2023 compared to a net favorable tax rate on the gain on sale of the Vernon, California and Brampton, Canada land and buildings and the gain on sale of Cristar in 2022, as well as a change in the mix of geographic earnings.
Net Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
Net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests for 2023 was $18 million compared to $43 million for 2022. This decrease was primarily due to the nonrecurrence of approximately $29 million of earnings attributable to non-controlling interest recorded in 2022 associated with the gain on the sale of Cristar.
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Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to the Company
For 2023, the Company recorded a net loss attributable to the Company of $103 million, or $0.67 per share (diluted), compared to net earnings attributable to the Company of $584 million, or $3.67 per share (diluted), in 2022. Earnings in 2023 and 2022 included items that management considered not representative of ongoing operations and other adjustments as set forth in the following table (dollars in millions):
Net Earnings |
| ||||||
Increase |
| ||||||
(Decrease) |
| ||||||
Description | 2023 | 2022 |
| ||||
Goodwill impairment | (445) | $ | |||||
Restructuring, asset impairment and other charges |
| (100) | (53) | ||||
Pension settlement and curtailment charges | (19) | (20) | |||||
Gain on sale of divested businesses and miscellaneous assets | 4 | 55 | |||||
Gain on sale leasebacks | 334 | ||||||
Note repurchase premiums, the write-off of unamortized finance fees and third-party fees and settlement of a related interest rate swap |
| (39) |
| (26) | |||
Valuation Allowance-Interest carryovers | (20) | ||||||
Net provision for income tax on items above | 25 | (41) | |||||
Other tax adjustments | (2) | ||||||
Net impact of noncontrolling interests on items above | (29) | ||||||
Total | $ | (594) | $ | 218 |
Foreign Currency Exchange Rates
Given the global nature of its operations, the Company is subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. As described above, the Company’s reported revenues and segment operating profit in 2023 were higher due to foreign currency effects compared to 2022.
This trend may not continue into 2024. During times of a strengthening U.S. dollar, the reported revenues and segment operating profit of the Company’s international operations will be reduced because the local currencies will translate into fewer U.S. dollars. The Company uses certain derivative instruments to mitigate a portion of the risk associated with changing foreign currency exchange rates.
Forward Looking Operational and Financial Information
● | The Company expects modestly higher net sales in 2024, as low to mid-single digit shipment volume growth should more than offset an approximate 1% decrease in average selling prices. |
● | The Company anticipates that the benefits of shipment volume growth and its margin expansion program should partially mitigate the impact of lower net price and higher interest expense for 2024. |
● | The Company will continue to focus on long-term value creation, including advancing the MAGMA deployment. The Company remains on track with its first MAGMA greenfield plant in Kentucky starting in mid-2024. |
● | Cash provided by operating activities is expected to be approximately $750 million for 2024. Capital expenditures in 2024 are expected to be approximately $550 million to $600 million. |
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● | The Company will continue to actively monitor the impact of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The extent to which the Company’s operations will be impacted by this conflict will depend largely on future developments, including potential sanctions or other adverse repercussions on Russian-sourced energy supplies, which are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted. |
Operational and Financial Impacts due to Environmental Issues
Regulatory Impacts on the Business
As discussed in Item 1, Business, and Item 1A, Risk Factors, above, governments globally are increasingly implementing legislation, regulations and international accords regarding climate change and other ESG-related matters. These include mandatory regulatory and legal requirements and voluntary initiatives in relation to climate change or other environmental matters with the intent to provide regulatory approaches to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts. The Company’s results of operations have been impacted by various regulatory approaches as described below.
For the year ending December 31, 2023, the European segment recognized approximately $37 million of expense related to emissions allowances to comply with the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme. In the Americas, the state of California in the U.S., Mexico, the Canadian federal government and the province of Quebec, among others, have adopted cap-and-trade or carbon pricing legislation aimed at reducing GHG emissions. As a result, the Americas segment recognized approximately $4 million of expense related to emissions credits and fees to comply with various country, state/province, or municipality laws or regulations. New laws or regulations, significant changes in the amount of emissions allowances granted to the Company or the Company’s manufacturing plants or significant fluctuations in the price or availability of these emissions credits could have a significant long-term impact on the Company’s operations that are affected by such regulations and could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
The Company has also been impacted by various fines or penalties as a result of noncompliance with various federal or local environmental statutes, including impacts to the Company’s reputation as it focuses on its sustainability initiatives and targets. For example, in June 2021, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (“DEQ”) alleged that the Company’s manufacturing facility in Portland, Oregon exceeded certain permitted air emission limits. To resolve this matter, in August 2021, the Company entered into an Order with the Oregon DEQ and agreed to pay a civil penalty of less than $1 million. The Company also agreed to submit a permit application to install pollution control equipment at its Portland, Oregon manufacturing facility or to cease its operations at that facility by June 30, 2022. In the second quarter of 2022, the Company submitted the permit application to install pollution control equipment, allowing it to continue operations at the Portland facility. The Company expects this pollution control equipment will be implemented in 2024 at an estimated cost of approximately $12 million.
The Company has a near-term emissions reduction target validated by SBTi, which provides an emissions-reduction pathway that aligns with certain carbon-reduction scenarios. The assumptions and estimates used to support the target and pathway are based on existing SBTi frameworks and assumptions, which likely will evolve and change, and on assumptions about the existing and future state of marketplaces and technology, which likely will evolve and change. Also, the Company monitors its operations in relation to climate change risks and environmental impacts and has made, and may continue to make, significant expenditures for environmental improvements at certain of its facilities in recent years and in the future. The Company also generally seeks to invest in environmentally friendly and emissions-reducing projects, none of which have materially impacted the Company’s results of operations or cash flows. However, the Company is unable to predict what private or governmental climate change or environmental criteria or legal requirements may be adopted in the future, how public perception in relation to climate change and other ESG-related issues may change, or the impacts of those changes on its results of operations, access to and cost of capital or cash flows. Significant changes in
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regulations, criteria, public perception or legal requirements related to emissions reduction or fossil-fuel use could have a material impact on the Company’s results.
Physical Effects and other Consequences of Climate Change
The Company experiences a variety of impacts due to weather-related events, including severe weather, and events related to climate change, which may include extreme storms, flooding, wildfires, extreme temperatures, and chronic changes in meteorological patterns, across its 68 manufacturing facilities in 19 different countries. For example, in February 2021, severe weather conditions swept across the southern United States, curtailing access to natural gas and electricity for several of the Company’s facilities. While the situation was most acute in Texas, access to natural gas in Mexico was also significantly impacted as Texas supplies natural gas to the country. The Company estimates that segment operating profit in 2021 in the Americas was negatively impacted by approximately $38 million from the severe weather that occurred in February of 2021, which includes surcharges for usage or excess usage of electricity and natural gas during the period of severe weather, as well as the estimated impacts of higher energy costs, lost production downtime, lost sales, and the cost of incremental repairs. As of December 31, 2023, the Company is pursuing insurance reimbursement related to this event but cannot determine the amount that will be reimbursed. Climate change may increase the frequency or severity of such events.
In addition, there are indirect consequences of climate-related regulation or business trends that affect the Company’s business. For example, a contributor to the Company’s future success is likely to be its ability to improve its glass melting technology and introduce processes that emit less carbon. One of these new technologies, known as the MAGMA program, seeks to reduce the amount of capital required to install, rebuild and operate the Company’s furnaces. It also is focused on the ability of these assets to be more easily turned on and off or adjusted based on seasonality and customer demand, utilize more recycled glass, produce lighter containers and use lower-carbon fuels. The Company is implementing its MAGMA program using a multi-generation development roadmap, which will include various deployment risks and will require the discovery of additional inventions through 2026. If the Company is unable to continue to improve its glass melting technology through research and development or licensing of new technology, including but not limited to MAGMA, the Company may not be able to remain competitive with other packaging manufacturers.
The Company’s customers and suppliers may also be impacted by climate risks, whether physical or transition risks, thus potentially compounding or causing further impacts to the Company’s business and results of operations.
Items Excluded from Reportable Segment Totals
Retained Corporate Costs and Other
Retained corporate costs and other for 2023 were $224 million compared to $232 million in 2022.
The Company has initiated a strategic review of the remaining businesses in the former Asia Pacific region. This review is aimed at exploring options to maximize share owner value, focused on aligning the Company’s business with demand trends and improving the Company’s operating efficiency, cost structure and working capital management. The review is ongoing and may result in divestitures, corporate transactions or similar actions, and could cause the Company to incur restructuring, impairment, disposal or other related charges in future periods.
Charge for Goodwill Impairment
During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company completed its annual impairment testing and determined that the goodwill balance on its North America reporting unit was fully impaired. The primary driver of this impairment was management’s update to its long-range plan, which indicated lower estimated future cash flows for its North American reporting unit (in the Americas segment) as compared to the projections used in the prior
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goodwill impairment test performed as of October 1, 2022. The Company’s business in North America has experienced declining shipments to its alcoholic beverage customers, especially in the second half of 2023, and this trend is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. As a result, in the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company has permanently closed a plant and two additional furnaces in the North America reporting unit to better balance its long-term manufacturing supply with lower demand. The update to management’s long-range plan, combined with the impact of a higher weighted average cost of capital given higher interest rates and the narrow difference between the estimated fair value and carrying value of the North American reporting unit as of October 1, 2022, resulted in the business enterprise value (“BEV”) of the Company’s North American reporting unit declining to less than its carrying value. As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $445 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, which was equal to the remaining goodwill balance on its North America reporting unit.
See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Restructuring, Asset Impairment and Other Charges
During 2023, the Company implemented several discrete restructuring initiatives and recorded restructuring and other charges of $100 million. These charges consisted of employee costs, such as severance and benefit-related costs, write-down of assets and other exit costs in the Americas ($89 million) and Europe ($6 million) segments and Retained Corporate costs and other ($2 million). These restructuring charges were discrete actions and are expected to approximate the total cumulative costs for those actions, as no significant additional costs are expected to be incurred. These charges were recorded to Other income (expense), net on the Consolidated Results of Operations. The Company expects that the majority of the remaining cash expenditures related to the accrued employee costs will be paid out over the next several years. These charges also reflect approximately $3 million of other charges.
During 2022, the Company implemented several discrete restructuring initiatives and recorded restructuring and other charges of $53 million. These charges reflect $50 million of employee costs, such as severance and benefit-related costs, write-down of assets and other exit costs (including related consulting costs attributed to restructuring of managed services activities) at several of the Company’s facilities primarily in the Americas. The Company expects that the majority of the remaining cash expenditures related to the accrued employee costs will be paid out over the next several years. These charges also reflect approximately $3 million of other charges.
See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Pension Settlement and Curtailment Charges
In 2023, the Company recorded pension curtailment and settlement charges of approximately $19 million in the United States and Mexico. In 2022, the Company settled a portion of its pension obligations and recorded approximately $20 million of pension settlement charges, in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Gain on Sale of Divested Businesses and Miscellaneous Assets
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded a pretax gain of approximately $4 million on the sale of the land and buildings of a previously closed plant in China.
In March 2022, the Company completed the sale of its Cristar glass tableware business in Colombia to Vidros Colombia S.A.S, an affiliate of Nadir Figueiredo S.A., a glass tableware producer based in Brazil. The related pretax gain was approximately $55 million (approximately $16 million after tax and noncontrolling interest). The pretax gain was recorded to Other income (expense), net on the Consolidated Results of Operations in 2022.
See Note 21 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Gain on Sale Leasebacks of Land and Building
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recorded a pretax gain of approximately $334 million
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on the sale of land and buildings (and subsequent leaseback) at two of its plants in the Americas. Additional details of these transactions are described below.
In August 2022, the Company completed the sale of the land and building related to its Vernon, California (Los Angeles) plant to 2900 Fruitland Avenue Investors LLC and 2901 Fruitland Avenue Investors LLC. The Company recorded a pretax gain of approximately $153 million (approximately $153 million after tax) on the sale, which is reflected in Other income (expense), net on the Consolidated Results of Operations in 2022.
In May 2022, the Company completed the sale of the land and building related to its Brampton, Ontario, Canada plant to an affiliate of Crestpoint Real Estate Investments Ltd. The Company recorded a pretax gain of approximately $181 million (approximately $158 million after tax) on the sale, which is reflected in Other income (expense), net on the Consolidated Results of Operations in 2022.
See Note 21 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
On March 25, 2022, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries entered into a Credit Agreement and Syndicated Facility Agreement (the “Original Agreement”), which refinanced in full the previous credit agreement. The Original Agreement provided for up to $2.8 billion of borrowings pursuant to term loans, revolving credit facilities and a delayed draw term loan facility. The delayed draw term loan facility allowed for a one-time borrowing of up to $600 million, the proceeds of which were used, in addition to other consideration paid by the Company and/or its subsidiaries, to fund the Paddock Trust. On July 18, 2022, the Company drew down the $600 million delayed draw term loan to fund, together with other consideration, the Paddock Trust (see Note 15 for more information).
On August 30, 2022, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries entered into an Amendment No. 1 to its Credit Agreement and Syndicated Facility Agreement (the “Credit Agreement Amendment”), which amends the Original Agreement (as amended by the Credit Agreement Amendment, the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement Amendment provides for up to $500 million of additional borrowings in the form of term loans. The proceeds of such term loans were used, together with cash, to retire the $600 million delayed draw term loan. The term loans mature, and the revolving credit facilities terminate, in March 2027. The term loans borrowed under the Credit Agreement Amendment are secured by certain collateral of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries. In addition, the Credit Agreement Amendment makes modifications to certain loan documents, in order to give the Company increased flexibility to incur secured debt in the future.
The Company recorded approximately $1 million of additional interest charges for third-party fees and the write-off of unamortized fees related to the Credit Agreement Amendment in the third quarter of 2022. The Company recorded approximately $2 million of additional interest charges for third-party fees incurred in connection with the execution of the Original Agreement and the write-off of unamortized fees related to the previous credit agreement in the first quarter of 2022.
At December 31, 2023, the Credit Agreement includes a $300 million revolving credit facility, a $950 million multicurrency revolving credit facility and $1.45 billion in term loan A facilities ($1.39 billion outstanding balance at December 31, 2023, net of debt issuance costs). At December 31, 2023, the Company had unused credit of $1.24 billion available under the revolving credit facilities as part of the Credit Agreement. The weighted average interest rate on borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement at December 31, 2023 was 6.71%.
The Credit Agreement contains various covenants that restrict, among other things and subject to certain exceptions, the ability of the Company to incur certain indebtedness and liens, make certain investments, become liable under contingent obligations in certain defined instances only, make restricted payments, make certain
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asset sales within guidelines and limits, engage in certain affiliate transactions, participate in sale and leaseback financing arrangements, alter its fundamental business, and amend certain subordinated debt obligations.
The Credit Agreement also contains one financial maintenance covenant, a Secured Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement), that requires the Company not to exceed a ratio of 2.50x calculated by dividing consolidated Net Indebtedness that is then secured by Liens on property or assets of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries by Consolidated EBITDA, as each term is defined and as described in the Credit Agreement. The Secured Leverage Ratio could restrict the ability of the Company to undertake additional financing or acquisitions to the extent that such financing or acquisitions would cause the Secured Leverage Ratio to exceed the specified maximum.
Failure to comply with these covenants and restrictions could result in an event of default under the Credit Agreement. In such an event, the Company could not request additional borrowings under the revolving facilities, and all amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement, together with accrued interest, could then be declared immediately due and payable. Upon the occurrence and for the duration of a payment event of default, an additional default interest rate equal to 2.0% per annum will apply to all overdue obligations under the Credit Agreement. If an event of default occurs under the Credit Agreement and the lenders cause all of the outstanding debt obligations under the Credit Agreement to become due and payable, this would result in a default under the indentures governing the Company’s outstanding debt securities and could lead to an acceleration of obligations related to these debt securities. As of December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all covenants and restrictions in the Credit Agreement. In addition, the Company believes that it will remain in compliance for the term of the Credit Agreement and that its ability to borrow additional funds under the Credit Agreement will not be adversely affected by the covenants and restrictions.
The Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) determines pricing under the Credit Agreement. The interest rate on borrowings under the Credit Agreement is, at the Company’s option, the Base Rate, Term SOFR or, for non-U.S. dollar borrowings only, the Eurocurrency Rate (each as defined in the Credit Agreement), plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin is linked to the Total Leverage Ratio. The margins range from 1.00% to 2.25% for Term SOFR loans and Eurocurrency Rate loans and from 0.00% to 1.25% for Base Rate loans. In addition, a commitment fee is payable on the unused revolving credit facility commitments ranging from 0.20% to 0.35% per annum linked to the Total Leverage Ratio.
Obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets, excluding real estate and certain other excluded assets, of certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries and certain foreign subsidiaries. Such obligations are also secured by a pledge of intercompany debt and equity investments in certain of the Company’s domestic subsidiaries and, in the case of foreign obligations, of stock of certain foreign subsidiaries. All obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain domestic subsidiaries of the Company, and certain foreign obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain foreign subsidiaries of the Company.
On February 10, 2022, the Company announced the commencement, by an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, of a tender offer to purchase for cash up to $250.0 million aggregate purchase price of its outstanding (i) 5.875% Senior Notes due 2023, (ii) 5.375% Senior Notes due 2025, (iii) 6.375% Senior Notes due 2025 and (iv) 6.625% Senior Notes due 2027. On February 28, 2022, the Company repurchased $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 5.875% Senior Notes due 2023 and $88.2 million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 6.625% Senior Notes due 2027. Following the repurchase, $550.0 million and $611.8 million aggregate principal amounts of the 5.875% Senior Notes due 2023 and 6.625% Senior Notes due 2027, respectively, remained outstanding. The repurchases were funded with cash on hand. The Company recorded approximately $16 million of additional interest charges for note repurchase premiums and the write-off of unamortized finance fees related to the senior note repurchases conducted in the first quarter of 2022.
In August 2022, the Company redeemed $300 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.875% Senior Notes due 2023. Following the redemption, $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 5.875% Senior
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Notes due 2023 remained outstanding. The redemption was funded with cash on hand. The Company recorded approximately $7 million of additional interest charges for note repurchase premiums and the write-off of unamortized finance fees related to this redemption.
On May 11, 2023, the Company announced the commencement, by two indirect, wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company, of tender offers to purchase any and all of its outstanding (i) 5.875% Senior Notes due 2023, of which $250 million aggregate principal amount was outstanding, and (ii) 3.125% Senior Notes due 2024, of which €725 million aggregate principal amount was outstanding. On May 15, 2023, the Company announced the commencement, by an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, of a tender offer to purchase any and all of its outstanding 5.375% Senior Notes due 2025, of which $300 million aggregate principal amount was outstanding.
On May 26, 2023, the Company repurchased $142 million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 5.875% Senior Notes due 2023, €666.7 million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 3.125% Senior Notes due 2024, and $282.8 million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 5.375% Senior Notes due 2025. The repurchases were funded with the proceeds from the May 2023 senior notes issuances described below. The Company recorded approximately $39 million of additional interest charges related to the senior note repurchases conducted in the second quarter of 2023 for note repurchase premiums, the write-off of unamortized finance fees and the settlement of a related interest rate swap. In August 2023, the Company redeemed approximately $108 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.875% Senior Notes due 2023. At December 31, 2023, approximately €58 million and $17 million aggregate principal amounts of the 3.125% Senior Notes due 2024 and 5.375% Senior Notes due 2025, respectively, remained outstanding.
In May 2023, the Company issued €600 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes that bear interest at a rate of 6.250% per annum and mature on May 15, 2028. Also, in May 2023, the Company issued $690 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes that bear interest at a rate of 7.250% per annum and mature on May 15, 2031. The senior notes were issued via a private placement and are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries. The net proceeds, after deducting debt issuance costs, totaled approximately €593 million and $682 million, respectively, were used to redeem the aggregate principal amounts described in the May 2023 tender offers above.
In order to maintain a capital structure containing appropriate amounts of fixed and floating-rate debt, the Company has entered into a series of interest rate swap agreements. These interest rate swap agreements were accounted for as fair value hedges (see Note 9 for more information).
The Company assesses its capital raising and refinancing needs on an ongoing basis and may enter into additional credit facilities and seek to issue equity and/or debt securities in the domestic and international capital markets if market conditions are favorable. Also, depending on market conditions, the Company may elect to repurchase portions of its debt securities in the open market.
Material Cash Requirements
The Company’s material cash requirements include the following:
● | Cash payments for debt repayments totaling $4,840 million (including finance leases) and ranging from $100 million to $1,831 million on an annual basis over the next five years (see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). Assuming interest rates and scheduled maturities as of December 31, 2023, interest payments to service outstanding debt total approximately $980 million over the next five years; |
● | Capital expenditures of approximately $550 million to $600 million in 2024, for property, plant and equipment as described below; |
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● | Cash contributions to its pension plans totaling between $40 million and $75 million over the next two years, and cash contributions for other post-retirement benefits totaling $43 million through 2033 (see Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements); |
● | Cash payments for operating leases totaling $280 million (including imputed interest) and ranging from $25 million to $57 million on an annual basis over the next five years (see Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements); |
● | Cash payments toward restructuring activities (described below and see Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements); and |
● | Cash payments for purchases obligations that consist primarily of contracted amounts for energy totaling approximately $1,463 million and ranging from $150 million to $551 million on an annual basis over the next five years. In cases where variable prices are involved, current market prices have been used to estimate these future purchases. The above amount does not include ordinary course of business purchase orders because the majority of such purchase orders may be canceled. The Company does not believe such purchase orders will adversely affect its liquidity position. |
Cash Flows
Operating activities: Cash provided by operating activities was $818 million for 2023, compared to $154 million of cash provided by operating activities for 2022. The increase in cash provided by operating activities in 2023 was primarily due to the non-recurrence of the $621 million cash outflow that the Company paid in 2022 to fund the Paddock Trust and related expenses and the non-recurrence of the gains from the sale of divested business and sale leaseback in 2022, partially offset by a higher use of cash from working capital and lower net earnings in 2023 compared to 2022. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on Paddock.
Working capital was a use of cash of $148 million in 2023, compared to a source of cash of $95 million in 2022. The use of cash from working capital was higher in 2023 primarily due to higher inventories compared to 2022. The Company’s use of its accounts receivable factoring programs resulted in an increase in cash provided by operating activities of approximately $7 million and $54 million for 2023 and 2022, respectively. See Note 20 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. Excluding the impact of accounts receivable factoring, the Company’s days sales outstanding as of December 31, 2023 were comparable to December 31, 2022.
Cash payments for restructuring activities increased to $26 million in 2023 from $20 million in 2022 due to higher payments associated with the closure of a plant in the Americas. For 2023, other cash flows from operating activities decreased to a use of cash of approximately $40 million compared to a use of cash of approximately $136 million in the prior year, primarily due to higher dividends received from equity affiliates and the non-recurrence of a $38 million tax audit settlement paid in Mexico in 2022. In 2024, the Company expects to settle and pay a one-time tax settlement of approximately $30 million in a jurisdiction.
Investing activities: Cash utilized in investing activities was $683 million for 2023, compared to $97 million of cash utilized in investing activities for 2022. Capital spending for property, plant and equipment was $688 million in 2023, compared to $539 million in 2022. The Company estimates that its full year 2024 capital expenditures will be approximately $550 million to $600 million.
The Company received approximately $11 million of net cash proceeds for the sale of miscellaneous businesses and other assets in 2023 compared to $98 million received in 2022, which primarily related to its Cristar glass tableware business in Colombia. Net cash proceeds from sale leasebacks approximated $368 million in 2022, which included proceeds on the sales of the land and buildings of the Company’s plants in
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Brampton, Ontario, Canada and Vernon, California. The Company contributed $10 million to its joint ventures in 2023 compared to $12 million contributed in the same period in 2022. The Company received $4 million and paid $24 million related to hedge activity in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
As a result of the funding of the Paddock Trust and the cancellation of the pledge of equity interests in reorganized Paddock, on July 20, 2022, the Company regained exclusive control over reorganized Paddock’s activities. Therefore, at that date in the third quarter of 2022, reorganized Paddock was reconsolidated, and its remaining assets, including $12 million of cash and cash equivalents were recognized in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.
Financing activities: Cash utilized in financing activities was $27 million for 2023 compared to $6 million of cash provided by financing activities in 2022. Financing activities in 2023 included additions to long-term debt of $1,332 million, which included the issuance of €600 million of 6.250% senior notes due 2028 and $690 million of 7.250% senior notes due 2031. Financing activities in 2023 also included the repayment of long-term debt of $1,298 million, which included the redemption of $250 million of the Company’s outstanding 5.875% Senior Notes due 2023, €666.7 million of the Company’s outstanding 3.125% Senior Notes due 2024, and $282.8 million of the Company’s outstanding 5.375% Senior Notes due 2025. Financing activities in 2022 included additions to long-term debt of $2,852 million, which included the refinancing of the Company’s bank credit agreement. Financing activities in 2022 also included the repayment of long-term debt of $2,897 million, which included the refinancing of the Company’s bank credit agreement, the redemption of $450 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s outstanding 5.875% senior notes due 2023 and the repayment of $88.2 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s outstanding 6.625% Senior Notes due 2027. As a result of financing activities, the Company paid finance fees and premiums of $22 million and $29 million for 2023 and 2022, respectively. Borrowings under short-term loans were $47 million and $16 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Also, the Company paid approximately $40 million and received approximately $133 million related to hedging activity in 2023 and 2022, respectively. Distributions to noncontrolling interests decreased from $27 million in 2022 to $6 million in 2023 due to the non-recurrence of the distribution on the gain on the sale of the Cristar glass tableware business in Colombia in 2022.
In February 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a $150 million anti-dilutive share repurchase program for the Company’s common stock that the Company intends to use to offset stock-based compensation provided to the Company’s directors, officers, and employees. In each of 2023 and 2022, the Company repurchased $40 million of shares of the Company’s common stock under this program. The Company intends to repurchase at least $30 million of shares of the Company’s common stock in 2024.
The Company anticipates that cash flows from its operations and from utilization of credit available under the Agreement will be sufficient to fund its operating and seasonal working capital needs, debt service and other obligations on a short-term (the next 12 months) and long-term basis (beyond the next 12 months). However, as the Company cannot predict the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and its impact on the Company’s customers and suppliers, the negative financial impact to the Company’s results cannot be reasonably estimated but could be material. In addition, cash and cash equivalents held by foreign subsidiaries may be subject to foreign withholding taxes upon repatriation to the U.S. At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had approximately $810 million and $606 million, respectively, in cash and cash equivalents in certain of its foreign subsidiaries. The Company accrues withholding taxes for planned remittances in accordance with assertions under ASC 740 in regards to unremitted earnings. The Company is actively managing its business to maintain cash flow, and it has significant liquidity. The Company believes that these factors will allow it to meet its anticipated funding requirements.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The Company’s analysis and discussion of its financial condition and results of operations are based upon its Consolidated Financial Statements that have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
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accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company evaluates these estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Estimates and assumptions are based on historical and other factors believed to be reasonable under the circumstances at the time the financial statements are issued. The results of these estimates may form the basis of the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities and may not be readily apparent from other sources. Actual results, under conditions and circumstances different from those assumed, may differ from estimates.
The impact of, and any associated risks related to, estimates and assumptions are discussed within Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, as well as in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, if applicable, where estimates and assumptions affect the Company’s reported and expected financial results.
The Company believes that accounting for the impairment of long-lived assets, pension benefit plans, and income taxes involves the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its Consolidated Financial Statements.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Property, Plant and Equipment (PP&E) - The Company tests for impairment of PP&E whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. PP&E held for use in the Company’s business is grouped for impairment testing at the lowest level for which cash flows can reasonably be identified, typically a segment or a component of a segment. If an impairment indicator exists, the Company first evaluates the recoverability of PP&E based on undiscounted projected cash flows, excluding interest and taxes. If an asset group is considered impaired, the impairment loss to be recognized is measured as the amount by which the asset group’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Historically, most of the Company’s PP&E impairments have been due to restructuring activities that result in the closure of plant sites or disposal of furnaces or other PP&E. All PP&E impairments recorded during 2023, 2022 and 2021 were due to restructuring activities. In these cases, the asset group’s carrying values are reduced to their fair values, which is their expected sale values of the real property less costs to sell.
Impairment testing on asset groups that are held for use requires estimation of projected future cash flows generated by the asset group. The assumptions underlying cash flow projections represent management’s best estimates at the time of the impairment review. Factors that management must estimate include, among other things: industry and market conditions, sales volume and prices, production costs and inflation. Changes in key assumptions or actual conditions which differ from estimates could result in an impairment charge. The Company uses reasonable and supportable assumptions when performing impairment reviews and cannot predict the occurrence of future events and circumstances that could result in impairment charges. During 2023, 2022 and 2021, no impairment indicators were identified, and no impairment testing has been required related to PP&E asset groups that are held for use.
Goodwill – Goodwill is tested for impairment annually as of October 1 (or more frequently if impairment indicators arise). When performing a quantitative test for goodwill impairment, the Company compares the business enterprise value (“BEV”) of each reporting unit with its carrying value. The BEV is computed based on estimated future cash flows, discounted at the weighted average cost of capital of a hypothetical third-party buyer. If the BEV is less than the carrying value for any reporting unit, then any excess of the carrying value over the BEV is recorded as an impairment loss. The calculations of the BEV are based on internal and external inputs, such as projected future cash flows of the reporting units, discount rates and terminal business value, among other assumptions. The valuation approach utilized by management represents a Level 3 fair value measurement measured on a non-recurring basis in the fair value hierarchy due to the Company’s use of unobservable inputs. The Company’s projected future cash flows incorporate management’s best estimates of the
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expected future results including, but not limited to, price trends, customer demand, material costs, asset replacement costs and any other known factors.
Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is the operating segment or one level below the operating segment, also known as a component. Two or more components of an operating segment shall be aggregated into a single reporting unit based on an assessment of various factors. The aggregation of the components of the Company’s reporting units was based on their economic similarity as determined by the Company using a number of quantitative and qualitative factors, including gross margins, the manner in which the Company operates the business, the consistent nature of products, services, production processes, customers and methods of distribution, as well as the level of shared resources and assets between the components. The Americas reportable segment is comprised of two reporting units – North America and Latin America. The Company has determined that the Europe segment is also a reporting unit.
During the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company completed its annual impairment testing and determined that the goodwill balance on its North America reporting unit was fully impaired. The primary driver of this impairment was management’s update to its long-range plan, which indicated lower estimated future cash flows for its North America reporting unit (in the Americas segment) as compared to the projections used in the prior goodwill impairment test performed as of October 1, 2022. The Company’s business in North America has experienced declining shipments to its alcoholic beverage customers, especially in the second half of 2023, and this trend is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. As a result, in the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company permanently closed a plant and two additional furnaces in the North America reporting unit to better balance its long-term manufacturing supply with lower demand. The update to management’s long-range plan, combined with the impact of a higher weighted average cost of capital given higher interest rates and the narrow difference between the estimated fair value and carrying value of the North America reporting unit as of October 1, 2022, resulted in the BEV of the Company’s North American reporting unit declining to less than its carrying value. As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $445 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, which was equal to the remaining goodwill balance on its North America reporting unit.
Goodwill at December 31, 2023 totaled approximately $1.47 billion, representing approximately 15% of total assets. As of December 31, 2023, the Company has three reporting units and includes $848 million of recorded goodwill to the Company’s Europe reporting unit, $625 million of recorded goodwill to the Company’s Latin America reporting unit and $0 of recorded goodwill to the Company’s North America reporting unit (subsequent to the 2023 impairment). There can be no assurance that anticipated financial results will be achieved, and the goodwill balances remain susceptible to future impairment charges. Future changes in the Company’s cost of capital or expected cash flows may cause the Company’s goodwill to become impaired, resulting in a non-cash charge against the Company’s results of operations. The BEVs of the Company’s Europe and Latin America reporting units substantially exceeded their carrying values as of October 1, 2023. Any impairment charges that the Company may take in the future could be material to its consolidated results of operations and financial condition.
During the time subsequent to the annual evaluation, and at December 31, 2023, the Company considered whether any events and/or changes in circumstances had resulted in the likelihood that the goodwill of any of its reporting units may have been impaired and has determined that no such events have occurred. The Company will monitor conditions throughout 2024 that might significantly affect the projections and variables used in the impairment test to determine if a review prior to October 1 may be appropriate. If the results of impairment testing confirm that a write-down of goodwill is necessary, then the Company will record a charge at that time. In the event the Company would be required to record a significant write-down of goodwill, the charge would have a material adverse effect on reported results of operations and net worth.
Pension Benefit Plans
Estimates - The determination of pension obligations and the related pension expense or credits to operations involves certain estimations. The most critical estimates are the discount rate used to calculate the actuarial
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present value of benefit obligations and the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. The Company uses discount rates based on yields of high quality fixed rate debt securities at the end of the year. At December 31, 2023, the weighted average discount rate was 5.18% and 5.12% for U.S. and non-U.S. plans, respectively. The Company uses an expected long-term rate of return on assets that is based on both past performance of the various plans’ assets and estimated future performance of the assets. In developing this assumption, the Company also considers the Plans’ asset mix and evaluates input from its third-party pension plan asset consultants, including their review of asset class return expectations. Due to the nature of the plans’ assets and the volatility of debt and equity markets, actual returns may vary significantly from year to year. For purposes of determining pension charges and credits in 2023, the Company’s estimated weighted average expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is 5.75% for U.S. plans and 4.67% for non-U.S. plans compared to 5.75% for U.S. plans and 4.21% for non-U.S. plans in 2022. The Company recorded pension expense from continuing operations (exclusive of settlement and curtailment charges) of $30 million, $34 million, and $32 million in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively. Depending on currency translation rates, the Company expects to record approximately $33 million of total pension expense for the full year of 2024. The 2024 pension expense will reflect a 5.75% and 5.14% expected long-term rate of return for the U.S. assets and non-U.S. assets, respectively.
Future effects on reported results of operations depend on economic conditions and investment performance. For example, a one-half percentage point change in the actuarial assumption regarding discount rates used to calculate plan liabilities or in the expected rate of return on plan assets would result in a change of approximately $4 million and $8 million, respectively, in the pretax pension expense for the full year of 2023.
Recognition of Funded Status - The Company recognizes the funded status of each pension benefit plan on the balance sheet. The funded status of each plan is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and actuarially calculated benefit obligations as of the balance sheet date. Actuarial gains and losses are accumulated in Other Comprehensive Income, and the portion of each plan that exceeds 10% of the greater of that plan’s assets or projected benefit obligation is amortized to income on a straight-line basis over the average remaining service period of employees still accruing benefits or the expected life of participants not accruing benefits if all, or almost all, of the plan’s participants are no longer accruing benefits.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes as required by general accounting principles under which management judgment is required in determining income tax expense/(benefit) and the related balance sheet amounts. This judgment includes estimating and analyzing historical and projected future operating results, the reversal of taxable and tax deductible temporary differences, tax planning strategies, and the ultimate outcome of uncertain income tax positions. Actual income taxes paid may vary from estimates, depending upon changes in income tax laws, actual results of operations, and the effective settlement of uncertain tax positions. The Company has received tax assessments in excess of established reserves for uncertain tax positions. The Company is contesting these tax assessments, and will continue to do so, including pursuing all available remedies, such as appeals and litigation, if necessary.
The Company believes that adequate provisions for all income tax uncertainties have been made. However, if tax assessments are settled against the Company at amounts in excess of established reserves, it could have a material impact to the Company’s results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Changes in the estimates and assumptions used for calculating income tax expense and potential differences in actual results from estimates could have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the tax effects of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities measured using enacted tax rates and for tax attributes such as operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined separately for each tax jurisdiction on a separate or on a consolidated tax filing basis, as applicable, in which the Company conducts its operations or otherwise incurs taxable income or losses. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The realization of deferred tax assets depends on the ability to generate sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character within
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the carryback or carryforward periods provided for in the tax law for each applicable tax jurisdiction. The Company considers the following possible sources of taxable income when assessing the realization of deferred tax assets:
● | taxable income in prior carryback years; |
● | future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences; |
● | future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards; and |
● | prudent and feasible tax planning strategies that the Company would be willing to undertake to prevent a deferred tax asset from otherwise expiring. |
The assessment regarding whether a valuation allowance is required or whether a change in judgment regarding the valuation allowance has occurred also considers all available positive and negative evidence, including, but not limited to:
● | nature, frequency, and severity of cumulative losses in recent years; |
● | duration of statutory carryforward and carryback periods; |
● | statutory limitations against utilization of tax attribute carryforwards against taxable income; |
● | historical experience with tax attributes expiring unused; and |
● | near- and medium-term financial outlook. |
The weight given to the positive and negative evidence is commensurate with the extent to which the evidence may be objectively verified. Accordingly, it is generally difficult to conclude a valuation allowance is not required when there is significant objective and verifiable negative evidence, such as cumulative losses in recent years. The Company uses the actual results for the last two years and current year results as the primary measure of cumulative losses in recent years.
The evaluation of deferred tax assets requires judgment in assessing the likely future tax consequences of events recognized in the financial statements or tax returns and future profitability. The recognition of deferred tax assets represents the Company’s best estimate of those future events. Changes in the current estimates, due to unanticipated events or otherwise, could have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.
In certain tax jurisdictions, the Company’s analysis indicates that it has cumulative losses in recent years. This is considered significant negative evidence, which is objective and verifiable and, therefore, difficult to overcome. However, the cumulative loss position is not solely determinative, and, accordingly, the Company considers all other available positive and negative evidence in its analysis. Based on its analysis, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance for the portion of deferred tax assets where based on the weight of available evidence it is unlikely to realize those deferred tax assets.
Based on the evidence available, including a lack of sustainable earnings, the Company in its judgment previously recorded a valuation allowance against substantially all of its net deferred tax assets in the United States. If a change in judgment regarding this valuation allowance were to occur in the future, the Company would record a potentially material deferred tax benefit, which could result in a favorable impact on the effective tax rate in that period. The utilization of tax attributes to offset taxable income reduces the amount of deferred tax assets subject to a valuation allowance. In addition, based on available evidence and the weighting of factors discussed above, the Company has valuation allowances on certain deferred tax assets in certain international tax jurisdictions.
The Company treats Global Intangible Low Taxed Income (“GILTI”) as a period cost.
Corporate tax reform, anti-base-erosion rules and tax transparency continue to be high priorities in many jurisdictions. The potential for additional global tax legislation changes, such as restrictions on interest deductibility, deductibility of cross-jurisdictional payments, and limitations on the utilization of tax attributes, could have a material adverse impact on net income and cash flow by impacting significant deductions or income inclusions.
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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Market risks relating to the Company’s operations result primarily from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, and changes in interest rates. To mitigate some of the near-term volatility in the Company’s earnings and cash flows, the Company manages certain of its exposures through the use of derivative instruments. These instruments carry varying degrees of counterparty credit risk. To mitigate this risk, the Company has defined a financial counterparty policy that established criteria to select qualified counterparties based on credit ratings and credit default spreads. The policy also limits the exposure with individual counterparties. The Company monitors these exposures quarterly. The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. A discussion of the Company’s accounting policies for derivative financial instruments, as well as the Company’s exposure to market risk, is included in Notes 1 and 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
For purposes of disclosing the market risk inherent in its derivative financial instruments, the Company utilizes sensitivity analyses which assume no changes to factors other than foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The analyses do not reflect the complex market reactions that normally would arise from the market shifts modeled.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
A substantial portion of the Company’s operations are conducted by subsidiaries outside the U.S. The primary international markets served by the Company’s subsidiaries are in Canada, China, Latin America (principally Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico), and Europe (principally France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and the United Kingdom). In general, revenues earned and costs incurred by the Company’s major international operations are denominated in their respective local currencies. Consequently, the Company’s reported financial results have foreign currency exchange risk as a result of translation exposure. When the U.S. dollar strengthens against foreign currencies, the reported U.S. dollar value of local currency earnings generally decreases; when the U.S. dollar weakens against foreign currencies, the reported U.S. dollar value of local currency earnings generally increases. The Company has hedged a portion of the net investment in international subsidiaries against fluctuations in the Euro through derivative financial instruments. The net fair value of these instruments was a net liability of approximately $52 million and $25 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
In addition, because the Company’s subsidiaries operate within their local economic environment, the Company believes it is appropriate to finance those operations with borrowings denominated in the local currency to the extent practicable where debt financing is desirable or necessary. This strategy mitigates the risk of reported losses or gains in the event the foreign currency strengthens or weakens against the U.S. dollar. Considerations which influence the amount of such borrowings include long- and short-term business plans, tax implications, and the availability of borrowings with acceptable interest rates and terms. However, the Company has certain variable-interest rate borrowings denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the borrowing subsidiaries. As a result, the Company is exposed to fluctuations in the currency of the borrowing against the subsidiaries’ functional currency. The Company uses derivatives to manage these exposures and designates these derivatives as fair value hedges of foreign exchange risk. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the net fair value of such swap contracts was a net liability of approximately $107 million and $55 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2023, the potential change in fair value for such financial instruments from a change of 10% in the quoted foreign exchange rates would be approximately $152 million.
Interest Rate Risk
The Company’s interest expense is most sensitive to changes in the general level of interest rates applicable to the term loans under its Agreement (see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information). The Company’s interest rate risk management objective is to limit the impact of interest rate changes on net income and cash flow, while minimizing interest payments and expense. To achieve this objective, the Company regularly evaluates its mix of fixed and floating-rate debt and, from time-to-time, may enter into interest rate swap agreements. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable amounts
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from (or payment of variable amounts to) a counterparty in exchange for the Company making (or receiving) fixed-rate payments. In 2022, the Company used interest rate swap agreements to effectively convert fixed-rate debt to variable-rate debt. At December 31, 2022, the net fair value of such swap contracts was a liability of approximately $44 million. As of December 31, 2023, based on the outstanding balances on the Company’s variable-rate debt (including the effect of the swap contracts), a one percentage point change in interest rates would change the Company’s annual net interest expense by $14 million.
The following table provides information about the Company’s interest rate sensitivity related to its significant debt obligations, including interest rate swap agreements, at December 31, 2023. The table presents principal cash flows and related weighted-average interest rates by expected maturity date.
Fair Value at | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | Thereafter | Total |
| 12/31/2023 | |||||||||||||||
Long-term debt at variable rate: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Principal by expected maturity | $ | 63 | $ | 80 | $ | 80 | $ | 1,202 | $ | 8 | $ | 3 | $ | 1,436 | $ | 1,440 | ||||||||
Avg. principal outstanding | $ | 1,404 | $ | 1,333 | $ | 1,253 | $ | 612 | $ | 7 | $ | 3 | ||||||||||||
Avg. interest rate |
| 6.36 | % |
| 6.43 | % |
| 6.46 | % |
| 6.46 | % |
| 5.51 | % |
| 5.51 | % | ||||||
Long-term debt at fixed rate: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Principal by expected maturity | $ | 79 | $ | 887 | $ | 21 | $ | 629 | $ | 675 | $ | 1,113 | $ | 3,404 | $ | 3,458 | ||||||||
Avg. principal outstanding | $ | 3,366 | $ | 2,883 | $ | 2,429 | $ | 2,104 | $ | 1,452 | $ | 1,113 | ||||||||||||
Avg. interest rate |
| 5.29 | % |
| 5.92 | % |
| 6.49 | % |
| 5.74 | % |
| 5.40 | % |
| 6.06 | % |
The Company believes the near-term exposure to interest rate risk of its debt obligations has not changed materially since December 31, 2023.
Commodity Price Risk
The Company enters into commodity forward contracts and collars related to forecasted natural gas requirements, objectives of which are to limit the effects of fluctuations in the future market price paid for natural gas and the related volatility in cash flows. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the net fair value of such contracts was a net liability of approximately $14 million and $6 million, respectively.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains “forward-looking” statements related to the Company within the meaning of Section 21E of the Exchange Act and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events at the time, and thus involve uncertainty and risk. The words “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “may,” “plan,” “estimate,” “intend,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” and the negatives of these words and other similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements.
It is possible that the Company’s future financial performance may differ from expectations due to a variety of factors including, but not limited to the following: (1) the general political, economic and competitive conditions in markets and countries where the Company has operations, including uncertainties related to economic and social conditions, trade disputes, disruptions in the supply chain, competitive pricing pressures, inflation or deflation, changes in tax rates and laws, war, civil disturbance or acts of terrorism, natural disasters, public health issues and weather, (2) cost and availability of raw materials, labor, energy and transportation (including impacts related to the current Ukraine-Russia and Israel-Hamas conflicts and disruptions in supply of raw materials caused by transportation delays), (3) competitive pressures, consumer preferences for alternative forms of packaging or consolidation among competitors and customers, (4) changes in consumer preferences or customer inventory
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management practices, (5) the continuing consolidation of the Company’s customer base, (6) the Company’s ability to improve its glass melting technology, known as the MAGMA program, and implement it within the timeframe expected, (7) unanticipated supply chain and operational disruptions, including higher capital spending, (8) seasonability of customer demand, (9) the failure of the Company’s joint venture partners to meet their obligations or commit additional capital to the joint venture, (10) labor shortages, labor cost increases or strikes, (11) the Company’s ability to acquire or divest businesses, acquire and expand plants, integrate operations of acquired businesses and achieve expected benefits from acquisitions, divestitures or expansions, (12) the Company’s ability to generate sufficient future cash flows to ensure the Company’s goodwill is not impaired, (13) any increases in the underfunded status of the Company’s pension plans, (14) any failure or disruption of the Company’s information technology, or those of third parties on which the Company relies, or any cybersecurity or data privacy incidents affecting the Company or its third-party service providers, (15) risks related to the Company’s indebtedness or changes in capital availability or cost, including interest rate fluctuations and the ability of the Company to generate cash to service indebtedness and refinance debt on favorable terms, (16) risks associated with operating in foreign countries, (17) foreign currency fluctuations relative to the U.S. dollar, (18) changes in tax laws or U.S. trade policies, (19) the Company’s ability to comply with various environmental legal requirements, (20) risks related to recycling and recycled content laws and regulations, (21) risks related to climate-change and air emissions, including related laws or regulations and increased ESG scrutiny and changing expectations from stakeholders and the other risk factors discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
It is not possible to foresee or identify all such factors. Any forward-looking statements in this document are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments, and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and actual results, or developments may differ materially from expectations. While the Company continually reviews trends and uncertainties affecting the Company’s results of operations and financial condition, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or supplement any particular forward-looking statements contained in this document.
Additionally, certain forward-looking and other statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K or other locations, such as the Company’s corporate website, regarding ESG matters are informed by various ESG standards and frameworks (which may include standards for the measurement of underlying data) and the interests of various stakeholders. Accordingly, such information may not be, and should not be interpreted as necessarily being “material” under the federal securities laws for SEC reporting purposes, even if the Company uses the word “material” or “materiality” in such discussions. ESG information is also often reliant on third-party information or methodologies that are subject to evolving expectations and best practices, and the Company’s approach to and discussion of these matters may continue to evolve as well. For example, the Company’s disclosures may change due to revisions in framework requirements, availability of information, changes in its business or applicable governmental policies, or other factors, some of which may be beyond its control.
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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
| Page |
| |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 000 | 53 - 54 | ||
57 - 58 | |||
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021: | |||
55 | |||
56 | |||
59 | |||
60 | |||
61 |
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Share Owners and the Board of Directors of O-I Glass, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of O-I Glass, Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of results of operations, comprehensive income, share owners’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have 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 December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework), and our report dated February 14, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
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 Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the account or disclosure to which it relates.
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Valuation of Goodwill – North America Reporting Unit | ||
Description of the Matter | As discussed in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements, goodwill is tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise, by comparing the business enterprise value (“BEV”) of each reporting unit with its carrying value. The BEV is computed based on estimated future cash flows, discounted at the weighted average cost of capital of a hypothetical third-party buyer. As a result of the Company’s goodwill impairment test, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $445 million in the North America reporting unit in the fourth quarter of 2023. Auditing management’s goodwill impairment test was complex and judgmental due to the significant estimation required to determine the BEV of the North America reporting unit. In particular, the BEV of the North America reporting unit was sensitive to certain assumptions such as revenue growth, EBITDA margin and the weighted average cost of capital. These assumptions are subjective and can be affected by economic and market conditions | |
How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit | We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of the Company’s controls over the goodwill impairment review process. For example, we tested controls that address the risk of material misstatement related to the valuation of the North America reporting unit, including management’s review of the assumptions described above and the completeness and accuracy of the data used to develop such estimates. To test the estimated BEV of the Company’s North America reporting unit, we performed audit procedures that included, among others, assessing the appropriateness of the valuation model used, evaluating the assumptions discussed above, and evaluating the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data supporting the assumptions. We compared the estimated future cash flows to historical results and industry and economic trends and assessed the historical accuracy of management’s estimates. We involved our valuation specialists to assist with our evaluation of the Company’s valuation model, valuation methodology and the weighted average cost of capital. |
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We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1987.
February 14, 2024
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