Ampco Pittsburgh Corp: Form 10-K for the period ended Dec 31, 2022

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS

Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation (the “Corporation”) was incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1929. The Corporation, individually or together with its consolidated subsidiaries, is also referred to herein as the “Registrant.” The Corporation manufactures and sells highly engineered, high-performance specialty metal products and customized equipment utilized by industry throughout the world. It operates in two business segments – the *Forged and Cast Engineered Products (“*FCEP”) segment and the *Air and Liquid Processing (“*ALP”) segment. This segment presentation is consistent with how the Corporation’s chief operating decision-maker evaluates financial performance and makes resource allocation and strategic decisions about the business.

While the Corporation operated at normal levels in 2022, it continues to be challenged by lingering global economic effects of a post-pandemic environment and repercussions from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, including:

• Periodic disruptions to the global supply chain for the Corporation, its vendors and its customers,
• Global inflationary pressures,
• European energy crisis, and
• Delays in receiving and shipping product due to lack of transportation.

The Corporation is actively monitoring, and will continue to actively monitor, the geopolitical and economic consequence of these events and the potential impact on its operations, financial condition, liquidity, suppliers, industry, and workforce.

NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Forged and Cast Engineered Products Segment

The FCEP segment produces forged hardened steel rolls, cast rolls and forged engineered products (“FEP”). Forged hardened steel rolls are used primarily in hot and cold rolling mills by producers of steel, aluminum and other metals. Cast rolls, which are produced in a variety of iron and steel qualities, are used mainly in hot strip mills, medium/heavy section mills, roughing mills, and plate mills. FEP principally are sold to customers in the steel distribution market, oil and gas industry and the aluminum and plastic extrusion industries. The segment has operations in the United States, England, Sweden, Slovenia, and an equity interest in three joint venture companies in China. Collectively, the segment primarily competes with European, Asian and North and South American companies in both domestic and foreign markets and distributes a significant portion of its products through sales offices located throughout the world.

Union Electric Steel Corporation (“UES”) produces forged hardened steel rolls and FEP. It is headquartered in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, with three manufacturing facilities in Pennsylvania and one in Indiana. The following entities are direct or indirect operating subsidiaries of UES:

Union Electric Steel UK Limited produces cast rolls in a variety of iron and steel qualities for hot strip mills, medium/heavy section mills and plate mills. It is located in Gateshead, England.

Åkers Sweden AB produces cast rolls in a variety of iron and steel qualities for hot strip mills, medium/heavy section mills, roughing mills, and plate mills. It is located in Åkers Styckebruk, Sweden.

Åkers Valji Ravne d.o.o. produces forged rolls for cluster mills and Z-Hi mills, work rolls for narrow and wide strip and aluminum mills, back-up rolls for narrow strip mills, and leveling rolls and shafts. It is located in Ravne, Slovenia.

Alloys Unlimited Processing, LLC is a distributor of tool steels and alloys and carbon round bar. It is located in Austintown, Ohio.

The segment’s three joint venture companies in China include:

Shanxi Åkers TISCO Roll Co., Ltd. is a joint venture between Taiyuan Iron and Steel Co. Ltd. and Åkers AB, a non-operating subsidiary of UES, that produces cast rolls for hot strip mills, steckel mills and medium plate mills. It is located in Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China. Åkers AB holds a 59.88% interest in the joint venture.

Anhui Baochang Roll Co., Ltd., previously known as Magong Gongchang United Rollers Co., Ltd., is a joint venture among UES, Magang (Group) Holding Co., Ltd. and Jiangsu Gong-Chang Roll Co., Ltd. that produces large forged backup rolls for hot and cold strip mills. It is located in Maanshan, Anhui Province, China. Union Electric Steel (Hong Kong) Limited, a non-operating subsidiary of UES, holds a 33% interest in the joint venture.

Jiangsu Gong-Chang Roll Co., Ltd. is a joint venture that produces cast rolls for hot strip mills, medium/heavy section mills and plate mills. It is located in Xinjian Town Yixing City, Jiangsu Province, China. Union Electric Steel UK Limited holds a 24.03% interest in the joint venture.

Air and Liquid Processing Segment

The ALP segment includes Aerofin, Buffalo Air Handling and Buffalo Pumps, all divisions of Air & Liquid Systems Corporation (“Air & Liquid”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation. The segment has operations in Virginia and New York with headquarters in Carnegie, Pennsylvania. The segment distributes a significant portion of its products through a common independent group of sales offices located throughout the United States and has several major competitors.

Aerofin Division of Air & Liquid Systems Corporation produces custom-engineered finned tube heat exchange coils and related heat transfer products for a variety of industries including OEM/commercial, nuclear power generation and industrial manufacturing. It is located in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Buffalo Air Handling Division of Air & Liquid Systems Corporation produces large custom-designed air handling systems for institutional (e.g., hospital, university), pharmaceutical and general industrial building markets. It is located in Amherst, Virginia.

Buffalo Pumps Division of Air & Liquid Systems Corporation manufactures centrifugal pumps for the fossil fueled power generation, marine defense and industrial refrigeration industries. It is located in North Tonawanda, New York.

Products

In both segments, the products are dependent on engineering, principally custom designed, and are sold to sophisticated commercial and industrial users located throughout the world. Products are delivered directly to the customer via third-party carriers or customer-arranged transportation. For the FCEP segment, one customer accounted for 10% of its net sales in 2022, the loss of which could have a material adverse effect on the segment, and no customers exceeded 10% of its net sales in 2021. For the ALP segment, no customers exceeded 10% of its net sales in 2022 or 2021. For additional information on the products produced and financial information about each segment, see Note 17, Revenue, and Note 24, Business Segments, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Raw Materials

Raw materials used in both segments are generally available from many sources, and neither segment is dependent upon any single supplier for any raw material. Substantial volumes of raw materials used by each segment are subject to significant variations in price. The Corporation’s subsidiaries generally do not purchase or commit for the purchase of a major portion of raw materials significantly in advance of the time they require such materials but periodically make forward commitments for natural gas, electricity and certain commodities (copper and aluminum). See Note 15, Derivative Instruments, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Patents and Trademarks

While the Corporation and its subsidiaries hold certain patents, trademarks and licenses, in the opinion of the Corporation, they are not material to either segment.

Backlog

The backlog of orders at December 31, 2022 was approximately $369.0 million compared to a backlog of $292.6 million at year-end 2021. Both segments contributed to the improvement in backlog. Backlog for the FCEP segment increased by approximately $28.8 million year over year due to the net of improved demand and sale price increases for mill rolls offset by lower FEP backlog and foreign exchange rates used to translate the backlog of the Corporation’s foreign subsidiaries into the U.S. dollar. Backlog for the ALP segment increased by approximately $47.6 million and benefited from improved order intake for each of its product lines. Approximately 6% of the backlog is expected to be released after 2023.

Competition

The Corporation faces considerable competition from a large number of companies in both segments. The Corporation believes, however, that its subsidiaries are significant participants in each of the niche markets that they serve. Competition in both segments is based on quality, service, price, and delivery.

Environmental Protection Compliance Costs

Expenditures for environmental control matters were not material to either segment in 2022 and are not expected to be material in 2023.

Employees and Human Capital Management

Employees

On December 31, 2022, the Corporation and its subsidiaries had 1,565 active employees worldwide (substantially all full-time), of which approximately 54% were employed in the United States. Approximately 34% of the Corporation’s employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements or agreements with works councils.

Oversight

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors maintains oversight of the Corporation’s human capital management strategies that it may deem important to the long-term sustainability of the Corporation.

Key Areas of Focus for the Corporation

Health and Safety – The Corporation’s health and safety program is designed around the regulations associated with the specific hazards and unique working environments of the Corporation’s manufacturing and headquarter operations. The Corporation requires all of its locations to perform regular safety audits to ensure compliance with the safety program. Leading indicators, such as reporting and training of all near-miss events, are used to identify risks for potential future incidents. Lagging indicators, such as OSHA recordable rates and lost-time incidence rates, are used to measure achievement of safety metrics.

Diversity and Inclusion – The Corporation tracks various metrics such as turnover, absenteeism and diversity. The Corporation has developed strategies to ensure that employees of diverse backgrounds and perspectives enjoy a culture of mutual respect, inclusiveness and teamwork in an environment which values diversity.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

The Corporation files annual, quarterly and current reports; amendments to those reports; proxy statements; and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). You may access and read the Corporation’s filings without charge through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov (http://www.sec.gov). The Corporation’s internet address is www.ampcopittsburgh.com (http://www.ampcopittsburgh.com). The Corporation makes available, free of charge on its website, access to these reports as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. The information on the Corporation’s website is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The name, age, position with the Corporation, and business experience for at least the past five years of the Executive Officers(1) of the Corporation are as follows:

J. Brett McBrayer (age 57). Mr. McBrayer has served as the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer since July 2018. He previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer at Airtex Products and ASC Industries, a global manufacturer and distributor of automotive after-market and OEM fuel and water pumps from 2012 to 2017. Airtex Products and ASC Industries, together with its parent company, UCI International LLC, and affiliated companies, filed for bankruptcy protection in June 2016, and successfully emerged in December 2016. Mr. McBrayer also served as Vice President and General Manager of the Alcan Cable business at Rio Tinto Alcan, as Vice President and General Manager of the Specialty Metals Division at Precision Cast Parts Corporation, and held positions of various responsibility and leadership during his 20 years with Alcoa, Inc. Mr. McBrayer received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Arts in Applied Behavioral Science from Bastyr University.

Michael G. McAuley (age 59). Mr. McAuley has served as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Corporation since March 2018 and as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since April 2016. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of RTI International Metals, Inc., a producer of titanium mill products and fabricated metal components from July 2014 to October 2015.

Samuel C. Lyon (age 54). Mr. Lyon has served as President of Union Electric Steel Corporation since February 2019. He previously served as Vice President and Group President of Performance Engineered Products at Carpenter Technology Corporation, a developer, manufacturer and distributor of stainless steels and corrosion-resistant alloys from July 2017 to January 2019. Prior to that, he served as Vice President and General Manager of Dynamet Incorporated, the titanium business unit of Carpenter Technology Corporation from October 2016 to June 2017, and as Chief Operating Officer of UCI-Pumps business of UCI-Fram, an OEM and after-market automotive parts supplier from March 2013 to September 2016.

David G. Anderson (age 55). Mr. Anderson has been employed by the Corporation since 2010 and has served as President of Air & Liquid Systems Corporation since January 2022. He previously served as Vice President of Finance for Union Electric Steel Corporation from October 2018 to December 2021, and as Vice President of Air & Liquid Systems Corporation from May 2016 to October 2018.

(1) Officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Corporation and none of the listed individuals serves as a director of another public company.

Our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and the value of any investment in our securities are subject to a number of risks. The risks and uncertainties described below are those that we have identified as material, but are not the only risks and uncertainties we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently believe are not material also may impair our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, and the value of any investment in our securities.

RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

Cyclical demand for products and economic downturns could reduce the demand for, and sales of, our products, which could adversely affect our margins and profitability.

A significant portion of the FCEP segment’s sales consists of mill rolls to customers in the global steel and aluminum industry that can be periodically impacted by economic or cyclical downturns. Such downturns, the timing and length of which are difficult to predict, may reduce the demand for, and sales of, our forged and cast rolls both in the United States and the rest of the world. Lower demand for rolls may also adversely impact profitability as other competing roll producers lower selling prices in the marketplace in order to fill their manufacturing capacity. Cancellation of orders or deferral of delivery of rolls may occur and produce an adverse impact on our financial results. In addition, sales of FEP, specifically open-die forged products for the oil and gas industry and steel distribution markets, are impacted by fluctuations in global energy prices, which also could adversely affect our margins and profitability.

Excess global capacity in the steel industry could lower prices for our products, which could adversely affect our sales, margins and profitability, as well as the collectability of our receivables and the salability of our in-process inventory.

The global steel manufacturing capacity continues to exceed global consumption of steel products. Such excess capacity often results in manufacturers in certain countries exporting steel at prices significantly below their home market prices (often due to local government assistance or subsidies), which leads to global market destabilization and reduced sales and profitability of some of our customers which, in turn, affects our sales and profit margins, as well as the collectability of our receivables and the salability of our in-process inventory. Excess capacity in the global roll industry and cyclicality in end-market demand also pose risks of potential impairment of our long-lived assets, which could be material to our results of operations and the carrying value of our assets.

A reduction in the level of our export sales, as well as other economic factors in foreign countries, could have an adverse impact on our financial results.

Exports are a significant portion of our sales. Historically, changes in foreign exchange rates, particularly in respect of the U.S. dollar, British pound, Swedish krona, and euro, have impacted the export of our products and may do so again in the future. Other factors that may adversely impact our export sales and our operating results include political and economic instability, export controls, changes in tax laws and tariffs, and new indigenous producers in overseas markets. A reduction in the level of our export sales may have an adverse impact on our financial results. In addition, changes in foreign currency exchange rates may provide foreign roll suppliers with advantages based on those lower foreign currency exchange rates and, therefore, permit them to compete in our home markets.

Fluctuation in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Certain of our subsidiaries operate in foreign jurisdictions and, accordingly, earn revenues, pay expenses, own assets, and incur liabilities in countries using currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Since our consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars, we must translate revenues and expenses into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate during each reporting period and assets and liabilities into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the end of each reporting period. Therefore, increases or decreases in the value of the U.S. dollar against other major currencies will affect the translated value for revenue, expenses and balance sheet items denominated in foreign currencies and could materially affect our financial results expressed in U.S. dollars.

Increases in energy and commodity prices, reductions in electricity and natural gas supply or shortage of key production materials could adversely impact our production, which could result in lower profitability or higher losses.

Our subsidiaries use certain commodities in the manufacture of their products. These include steel scrap, ferroalloys and energy. Any unexpected, sudden or prolonged price increase may cause a reduction in our profit margins or losses where beneficial fixed-priced contracts do not exist, unfavorable fixed-price contracts cannot be modified or increases cannot be obtained in our selling prices. In addition, there could be a time lag between when we incur such price increases and when we are able to recover such increases in our selling prices. Global increases in transportation costs and more limited availability of freight carriers may impact timely delivery of supplies to our subsidiaries and product to our customers, which may be accentuated during pandemics, and may negatively impact our sales, production and profitability. There also may be curtailment in electricity or natural gas supply or availability of key production materials, which may be accentuated during global conflict: all of which could adversely impact our production. Increases in energy and commodity prices, and/or reductions in electricity and natural gas supply could adversely impact our production or result in lower profitability or higher losses or impairment of our long-lived assets. Shortage of key production materials, while driving up costs, may be of such severity as to disrupt our production, all of which may impact our sales and profitability. Geopolitical factors or wars could exacerbate these risks. In particular, the Russia-Ukraine conflict may intensify the inflationary effect for the cost of natural gas, electricity, raw materials and other production components which are difficult to predict given the fluidity of the military conflict, the novelty of Western sanctions against Russia and possibility of yet harsher ones.

We could face limitations in availability of capital to fund our strategic plans. Additionally, deterioration in our credit profile or increases in interest rates could increase our costs of borrowing and further limit our access to capital markets and commercial credit.

We are parties to a senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility with a consortium of banks. The credit facility is collateralized by a first priority perfected security interest in substantially all of our assets. The credit facility provides for borrowings not to exceed $100 million and an allowance of $20 million for new capital equipment financing (which was accessed in September 2022) but otherwise restricts us from incurring additional indebtedness outside of the agreement, unless approved by the banks. The credit facility is subject to various affirmative and negative covenants and contains various sub-limits, including those based on the type of collateral and borrowings by geographic region. If the financial covenants become difficult to meet or if our borrowing needs increase beyond the prescribed limits, our financial position, results of operations and liquidity may be materially adversely affected. In addition, changes in our credit profile could cause less favorable commercial terms for the procurement of materials required to manufacture our products, which also could have a negative impact on our financial position, results of operations and liquidity. Further, our access to public and private debt markets is limited based on our size, credit profile and not being a well-known seasoned issuer, which may result in limitations in availability of capital to fund our strategic plans.

We have entered into sale-leaseback transactions, which create the risk of loss if we default.

UES and Air & Liquid have entered into sale and leaseback financing transactions with Store Capital Acquisitions, LLC (“STORE”) relating to certain properties utilized by segments of the Corporation. Pursuant to such sale and leaseback, UES has entered into a lease with STORE, through which it will sublease properties to Air & Liquid. Such lease entered into by UES contains certain representations, warranties, covenants, obligations, conditions, indemnification provisions and termination provisions customary for that type of agreement. If the Corporation defaults on the terms of such transaction, the Corporation could lose the properties.

We need to maintain adequate liquidity to meet our operating cash flow requirements, debt service costs and other financial obligations. If we fail to comply with the covenants contained in our revolving credit facility or our equipment financing facilities, it may adversely affect our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition.

Our liquidity is a function of our cash on-hand, our ability to successfully generate cash flows from a combination of efficient operations and continuing operating improvements, availability from our revolving credit facility, access to capital markets, and funding from other third parties. We believe our liquidity (including operating and other cash flows that we expect to generate and revolving credit availability) should be sufficient to meet our operating requirements as they occur; however, our ability to maintain sufficient liquidity going forward is subject to the general liquidity of and ongoing changes in the credit markets as well as general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, and other market factors that are beyond our control. If we are not able to maintain adequate liquidity, we may not be able to meet our operating cash flow requirements; debt service costs; future required contributions to our employee benefit plans (which are expected to increase in 2024/2025 primarily due to lower than expected pension asset performance in 2022); and other financial obligations.

Our revolving credit facility is subject to various affirmative and negative covenants and our equipment financing facilities include various affirmative covenants. Failure to comply with material provisions or covenants in these facilities could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition. We may seek to renegotiate or replace a facility, or may determine not to replace a facility at all and may instead pursue other forms of liquidity. Any new credit agreement or these other forms of liquidity may result in higher borrowing costs and contain non-investment grade covenants that are less advantageous to us than our existing revolving credit and equipment financing facilities.

Our growth strategy has required substantial capital expenditures, which have been funded by the incurrence of additional debt. If we are unable to repay debt service costs, we may be unable to obtain alternative financing on satisfactory terms and our liquidity, results of operations and financial conditions may be adversely affected.

To support our growth strategy, we have made and expect to continue to make substantial capital expenditures. We expect to continue to fund these capital expenditures with our equipment financing facilities. The incurrence of additional indebtedness would require that a portion of our cash flows from operations be used for the payment of interest and principal, thereby reducing our ability to use our cash flows from operations to fund working capital, other capital expenditures and acquisitions. Furthermore, raising equity capital generally would dilute existing shareholders. If additional capital is needed, we may not be able to obtain debt or equity financing on terms acceptable to us, if at all.

Dependence on certain equipment may cause an interruption in our production if such equipment is out of operation for an extended period of time, which could result in lower sales and profitability.

Our principal business relies on certain unique equipment such as an electric arc furnace and a spin cast work roll machine. Although a comprehensive critical spare inventory of key components for this equipment is maintained, if any such unique equipment is out of operation for an extended period of time, it may result in a significant reduction in our sales and earnings.

The ultimate liability of our subsidiaries for claims alleging personal injury from exposure to asbestos-containing components historically used in certain products of our subsidiaries could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity in the future.

Certain of our subsidiaries and, in some cases, we, are defendants in numerous claims alleging personal injury from exposure to asbestos-containing components historically used in certain products of these subsidiaries. Through the current year end, our insurance has covered a majority of our settlement and defense costs. We believe that the estimated costs, net of anticipated insurance recoveries, of our pending and future asbestos legal proceedings should not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or liquidity. However, there can be no assurance that our subsidiaries or we will not be subject to significant additional claims in the future or that our subsidiaries’ ultimate liability with respect to asbestos claims will not present significantly greater and longer lasting financial exposure than provided in our consolidated financial statements. The ultimate net liability with respect to such pending and any unasserted claims is subject to various uncertainties, including the following:

• the number and nature of claims in the future;
• the costs of defending and settling these claims;
• insolvencies among our insurance carriers and the risk of future insolvencies;
• the possibility that adverse jury verdicts could require damage payments in amounts greater than the amounts for which we have historically settled claims;
• possible changes in the litigation environment or federal and state law governing the compensation of asbestos claimants; and
• the risk that the bankruptcies of other asbestos defendants may increase our costs.

Because of the uncertainties related to such claims, it is possible that our ultimate liability could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity in the future.

A change in the existing regulatory environment could negatively affect our operations and financial performance.

We are subject to a wide variety of complex domestic and foreign laws, rules and regulations, including trade policies and tax regimes. We are affected by new laws and regulations and changes to existing laws and regulations, including interpretations by the courts and regulators, whether prompted by changes in government administrations or otherwise. These laws, regulations and policies, and changes thereto, may result in restrictions or limitations to our current operational practices and processes and product/service offerings which could negatively impact our current cost structure, revenue streams, future tax obligations, the value of our deferred income tax assets, cash flows, and overall financial position.

In addition, our tax filings are subject to audits by tax authorities in the various jurisdictions in which we do business. These audits may result in assessments of additional taxes that are subsequently resolved with the taxing authorities or through the courts. Currently, we believe there are no outstanding assessments whose resolution would result in a material adverse financial result. However, we cannot offer assurances that unasserted or potential future assessments would not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

In 2018, the United States imposed tariffs of 25% on primary steel imports and 10% on primary aluminum imports into the United States. As consumers of steel and aluminum in some of our products, our cost base is exposed to the impact of this action, or similar actions, which could reduce our margins, and we could potentially lose market share to foreign competitors not subject to similar tariff increases. Our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity may be affected by these tariffs, or similar actions. Moreover, these new tariffs, or other changes in U.S. trade policy, have resulted in, and may continue to trigger, retaliatory actions by affected countries which could adversely impact demand for our products, as well as impact our costs, customers, suppliers, and/or the U.S. economy or certain sectors thereof and, thus, may adversely impact our business, operations and financial performance.

Pandemics may cause disruptions to our business and the industries in which we operate.

Pandemics may increase economic and demand uncertainty and could cause a sustained global recession. We may experience episodic disruptions to our operations or to the operations of our customers and suppliers; global supply chain issues causing global inflationary pressures; customer-requested delays of deliveries or cancellation of orders; lower order intake resulting from customers postponing projects; the inability to obtain raw materials and supplies critical to the manufacturing process; delays in receiving and shipping product due to the lack of transportation; higher cost of production and transportation; long-term disruptions to our operations resulting from changes in government policy or guidance; quarantines of employees, customers and suppliers in areas affected by a pandemic; closures of businesses or manufacturing facilities that are critical to our business or our supply chains; and higher write-offs of accounts receivables and impairment charges on our asset values, including property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, which, individually or in the aggregate, may impact, our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. Further, local governmental measures may be implemented to control the spread of the virus, including restrictions on manufacturing and the movement of employees in many regions and countries, and may be significant.

A pandemic may adversely affect our liquidity and our ability to access the capital markets. Additionally, government stimulus programs available to us, our customers or our suppliers, if any, may prove to be insufficient or ineffective. Furthermore, in the event that the impact from a pandemic causes us to be unable to maintain a certain level of excess availability under our revolving credit facility, our availability of funds may become limited, or we may be required to renegotiate the facility on less favorable terms. If we are unable to access additional credit at the levels we require, or the cost of credit is greater than expected, it could materially adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

We have significant international operations. A pandemic could negatively affect our workforce, both domestically and abroad, requiring some or all of our employees to work from home on a longer-term or permanent basis, thereby requiring new processes, procedures and controls to respond to changes in our business environment. We may be susceptible to increased litigation related to, among other things, the financial impacts of the pandemic on our business, our ability to meet contractual obligations due to the pandemic, employment practices or policies adopted during the health crisis, or litigation related to individuals contracting any disease as a result of alleged exposures on our premises.

The impact of a pandemic also may have the effect of exacerbating many of the other risks described herein.

Uncertainty related to environmental regulation and industry standards, as well as the physical risks of climate change, could impact our results of operations and financial position.

Increased public awareness and concern regarding environmental risks, including global climate change, may result in more international, regional and/or federal requirements or industry standards to reduce or mitigate global warming and other environmental risks. New climate change laws and regulations could require us to change our manufacturing processes or obtain substitute materials that may cost more or be less available for our manufacturing operations. Various jurisdictions in which we do business have implemented, or in the future could implement or amend, restrictions on emissions of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases, limitations or restrictions on water use, changes from traditional fossil fuel sources to renewables, regulations on energy management and waste management, and other climate change-based rules and regulations, which may increase our costs and adversely affect our operating results. In addition, the physical risks of climate change may impact the availability and cost of materials, sources and supply of energy, product demand and manufacturing and could increase our insurance and other operating costs. The expected future increased worldwide regulatory activity relating to climate change could expand the nature, scope and complexity of matters that we are required to control, assess and report. If environmental laws or regulations or industry standards are either changed or adopted and impose significant operational restrictions and compliance requirements upon us, our suppliers, our customers, or our products, or if our operations are disrupted due to the physical impacts of climate change on us, our suppliers, our customers or our business, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely impacted.

A work stoppage or another industrial action on the part of any of our unions could be disruptive to our operations.

Our subsidiaries have several key operations which are subject to multi-year collective bargaining agreements or agreements with works councils with their hourly work forces. While we believe we have good relations with our unions, there is the risk of industrial action or work stoppage at the expiration of an agreement if contract negotiations fail, which may disrupt our manufacturing processes and impact our results of operations.

The Corporation may not realize the expected benefits from any restructuring and improvement efforts that we have taken or may take in the future.

We periodically evaluate our segments and we have and continue to undertake restructuring and realignment initiatives to reduce our overall cost basis and improve efficiency. There can be no assurance that we will fully realize the benefits of such efforts as anticipated, and we may incur additional and/or unexpected costs to realize them. These actions could yield other unintended consequences, such as distraction of management and employees, business disruption, reduced employee morale and productivity, and unexpected employee attrition, including the inability to attract or retain key personnel. If we fail to achieve the expected benefits of any restructuring or realignment initiatives and improvement efforts, or if other unforeseen events occur in conjunction with such efforts, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be negatively impacted.

RISKS RELATED TO OWNERSHIP OF OUR SECURITIES

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control, we may not be able to accurately determine our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, our shareholders could lose confidence in our financial results, which could harm the business and the value of our securities.

Effective internal control is necessary to provide reliable financial reports and effectively prevent fraud. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires us to evaluate and report on our internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control over financial reporting is not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to the exemption provided to issuers that are not “large accelerated filers” or “accelerated filers” under the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010. We cannot be certain that we will be successful in maintaining adequate internal control over our financial reporting and financial processes in the future. We may in the future discover areas of our internal control that need improvement. Furthermore, to the extent our business grows, our internal control may become more complex, and we would require significantly more resources to ensure our internal control remains effective.

We assessed the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022. In making this assessment, we used the criteria set forth in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on those criteria and our assessment, we concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2022, because of the material weaknesses as described below. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements, including footnotes to the annual or interim financial statements, will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

As of December 31, 2022, we had material weaknesses related to (i) the accounting for claims asserted alleging personal injury from exposure to asbestos-containing components historically used in some products manufactured by predecessors of Air & Liquid (“Asbestos Liability”) and (ii) management review control activities related to the tax accounting of a non-routine transaction. The material weakness related to the Asbestos Liability is a result of the aggregation of the following control deficiencies: insufficient design and business process controls surrounding a new asbestos claims management database, insufficient testing of data migration from the previous asbestos claims management database to the new asbestos claims management database, and inadequate information technology (“IT”) general controls which ensure the integrity of the data and processes that the new asbestos claims management system supports. The material weakness related to management review control activities of the non-routine transaction is a result of management review control activities not operating at a sufficient level of precision to detect errors related to the income tax footnote disclosures of the non-routine transaction. See Part II, Item 9A, Controls and Procedures, for further discussion.

Our remediation efforts have and will continue to require significant resources and attention. If we are unable to remediate these material weaknesses or other identified deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting, or if we identify additional material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we will be unable to assert in future reports that our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal control over financial reporting are effective. This could cause investors, counterparties and customers to lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial statements and reports and have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, access to capital markets and perceptions of our creditworthiness, and/or a decline in the market price of our common stock. Additionally, the existence of any material weakness could require us to devote significant time and incur significant expense to identify and remediate any such material weaknesses, and we may not be able to remediate any such material weaknesses in a timely manner. We also may become subject to investigations by the New York Stock Exchange, the SEC or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources. These events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Actions of activist shareholders with respect to us or our securities could be disruptive and potentially costly and the possibility that activist shareholders may contest, or seek changes that conflict with, our strategic direction could cause uncertainty about the strategic direction of our business.

Activist shareholders may from time-to-time attempt to effect changes in our strategic direction and, in furtherance thereof, may seek changes in how we are governed. While our Board of Directors and management team strive to maintain constructive, ongoing communications with all of our shareholders, including activist shareholders, and welcome their views and opinions with the goal of working together constructively to enhance value for all shareholders, activist campaigns that contest, or conflict with, our strategic direction could have an adverse effect on us because: (i) responding to actions by activist shareholders can disrupt our operations, be costly and time-consuming and divert the attention of our Board of Directors and senior management from the pursuit of business strategies, which could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition; (ii) perceived uncertainties as to our future direction may lead to the perception of a change in the direction of the business, instability or lack of continuity which may be exploited by our competitors, cause concern to our current or potential customers, result in the loss of potential business opportunities and make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified personnel and business partners; and (iii) these types of actions could cause significant fluctuations in our stock price due to factors that do not necessarily reflect the underlying fundamentals and prospects of our business.

We may not be able to satisfy the continued listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange and the NYSE American Exchange for our common stock and Series A warrants, respectively.

Our common stock is currently listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and our Series A warrants are listed on the NYSE American Exchange, with each imposing objective and subjective requirements for continued listing.

Continued listing criteria of the New York Stock Exchange include maintaining prescribed levels of financial condition, market capitalization and shareholders’ equity. Specifically, the New York Stock Exchange requires a company with common equity listed on its exchange to maintain average global market capitalization over a consecutive 30 trading-day period of at least $50 million or maintain shareholders’ equity of at least $50 million and maintain a share price of at least $1.00. Our common stock’s average-global market capitalization over the 30 trading-day period ended December 31, 2022 was $54.6 million, and our total Ampco-Pittsburgh shareholders’ equity was $104.3 million as of December 31, 2022. Should we receive a notice of non-compliance, the New York Stock Exchange may allow up to an 18-month cure period if we present a plan to become compliant with adequate strategic actions and progress reporting satisfactory to the New York Stock Exchange. If the New York Stock Exchange determines that our common stock fails to satisfy the requirements for continued listing, or we continue to fail to meet listing criteria, our common stock could be de-listed from the New York Stock Exchange, which could impact potential liquidity for our shareholders.

Continued listing criteria of the NYSE American Exchange include maintaining prescribed levels of financial condition, market capitalization and shareholders’ equity. Among other requirements, there must be an aggregate of at least 50,000 Series A warrants. Satisfaction of the NYSE American Exchange’s listing requirements therefore depends upon the extent to which warrant holders elect to exercise their Series A warrants. We cannot provide assurance that we will continue to meet these, or other, listing standards of the NYSE American Exchange with respect to the Series A warrants. If we fail to meet the listing criteria, our warrants could be de-listed from the NYSE American Exchange, which could impact potential liquidity for our shareholders.

Holders of Series A warrants will have no rights as holders of our common stock until they exercise their Series A warrants and acquire our common stock.

Until holders of our Series A warrants acquire shares of our common stock upon exercise of such Series A warrants, they will have no rights with respect to the shares of our common stock underlying such Series A warrants. Upon exercise of the Series A warrants, the holders thereof will be entitled to exercise the rights of holders of our common stock only as to matters for which the record date occurs after the warrant exercise date.

The market price of our common stock may not exceed the exercise price of the Series A warrants at such time as the holder desires to exercise such Series A warrants and, accordingly, the Series A warrants may have no value.

The Series A warrants are exercisable through August 1, 2025. The market price of our common stock may not exceed the exercise price of the Series A warrants at such times prior to their date of expiration that the holder desires to exercise such warrants. Any Series A warrants not exercised by their date of expiration will expire without residual value to the holders. Additionally, the price of the Series A warrants may fluctuate, and liquidity may be limited. Holders of Series A warrants may be unable to resell their Series A warrants at a favorable price, or at all.

Because the Series A warrants are executory contracts, they may have no value in a bankruptcy or reorganization proceeding.

In the event a bankruptcy or reorganization proceeding is commenced by or against us, a bankruptcy court may hold that any unexercised Series A warrants are executory contracts subject to rejection by us with the approval of a bankruptcy court. As a result, even if we have sufficient funds, holders may not be entitled to receive any consideration for their Series A warrants or may receive an amount less than they would be entitled to if they had exercised their Series A warrants prior to the commencement of any such bankruptcy or reorganization proceeding.

GENERAL RISK FACTORS

Potential attacks on information technology infrastructure and other cyber-based business disruptions could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

We depend on integrated IT systems to conduct our business. IT systems failures, including risks associated with upgrading our systems or in successfully integrating IT and other systems to common platforms, network disruptions and breaches of data security could disrupt our operations by impeding our processing of transactions, our ability to protect customer or company information and our financial reporting. Our computer systems, including our back-up systems, could be damaged or interrupted by power outages; computer and telecommunications failures; computer viruses; internal or external security breaches; events such as fires, earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes; and errors by our employees. Cyber-based risks, in particular, are evolving and include potential attacks to our IT infrastructure and to the IT infrastructure of third parties in attempts to gain unauthorized access to our confidential or other proprietary information or information relating to our employees, customers and other third parties or to seek ransom. Although we have taken steps to address these concerns, there can be no assurance that a system failure or data security breach will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.

Our By-laws designate the state and federal courts sitting in the judicial district of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our shareholders and the federal courts as the sole and exclusive forum for claims arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which could discourage lawsuits against us and our directors and officers but may be found to be inapplicable or unenforceable.

Our By-laws provide, unless we otherwise consent in writing, the state and federal courts sitting in the judicial district of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania embracing the county in which our principal executive office is located will be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of us, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed to us or our shareholders by any director, officer or other employee of ours, (c) any action asserting a claim against us or against any of our directors, officers or other employees arising pursuant to any provision of the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988 or our Articles of Incorporation or By-laws, (d) any action seeking to interpret, apply, enforce, or determine the validity of our Article of Incorporation or By-laws, or (e) any action asserting a claim against us or any director or officer or other employee of ours governed by the internal affairs doctrine (collectively, “Internal Governance Claims”). This exclusive forum provision does not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). However, the federal courts are the sole and exclusive forum for any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, pursuant to our By-laws, and any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Exchange Act, pursuant to Section 27 of the Exchange Act. This exclusive forum provision may limit the ability of our shareholders to bring a claim in a judicial forum that such shareholders find favorable for disputes with us or our directors or officers, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors and officers. Alternatively, if a court outside of Pennsylvania with respect to Internal Governance Claims or any other state court with respect to a cause of action under the Securities Act were to find this exclusive forum provision inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings described above, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The location and general character of the principal locations in each segment are included in the below summary. All domestic locations are leased and foreign locations are owned, unless otherwise noted. In addition, the Corporation has sales offices located in several foreign countries. See Note 4, Property, Plant and Equipment, and Note 9, Debt, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosure of properties held as collateral.

13

* Facility is leased.

During 2022, Air & Liquid completed sale and leaseback financing transactions with STORE for its real property, including its manufacturing facilities, located in Lynchburg, Virginia; Amherst, Virginia and North Tonawanda, New York (collectively, the “ALP Properties”). Previously, in 2018, UES completed a sale and leaseback financing transaction with STORE for certain of its real property, including its manufacturing facilities in Valparaiso, Indiana and Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, and its manufacturing facility and corporate headquarters located in Carnegie, Pennsylvania (the “UES Properties”), and simultaneously entered into a lease agreement with STORE whereby UES would lease the properties from STORE. In connection with the sale and leaseback financing transactions in 2022, UES and STORE amended their existing lease whereby UES will lease the UES Properties and the ALP Properties with UES subleasing the ALP Properties to Air & Liquid.

UES subleases office space to the Corporation. The Corporation further subleases a portion of its office space to Air & Liquid for use as its headquarters.

All of the owned facilities are adequate and suitable for their respective purposes.

The facilities of the FCEP segment operated within 85% to 90% of their normal capacity during 2022. The facilities of the ALP segment operated within 60% to 70% of their normal capacity. Normal capacity is defined as capacity under approximately normal conditions with allowances made for unavoidable interruptions, such as lost time for repairs, maintenance, breakdowns, set-up, failure, supply delays, labor shortages and absences, Sundays, holidays, vacation, and inventory taking. The number of work shifts is also taken into consideration.

LITIGATION

The Corporation and its subsidiaries may become involved in various claims and lawsuits incidental to their businesses. In addition, claims been asserted alleging personal injury from exposure to asbestos-containing components historically used in some products manufactured by predecessors of Air & Liquid. Air & Liquid and, in some cases, the Corporation, are defendants (among a number of defendants, often in excess of 50) in cases filed in various state and federal courts. See Note 20, Litigation, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

ENVIRONMENTAL

The Corporation is currently performing certain remedial actions in connection with the sale of real estate previously owned and periodically incurs costs to maintain compliance with environmental laws and regulations. Environmental exposures are difficult to assess and estimate for numerous reasons, including lack of reliable data, the multiplicity of possible solutions, the years of remedial and monitoring activity required, and identification of new sites. The Corporation believes appropriate reserves have been established. See Note 22, Environmental Matters, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

THE BUSINESS

Ampco-Pittsburgh Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Corporation”) manufacture and sell highly engineered, high-performance specialty metal products and customized equipment utilized by industry throughout the world. It operates in two business segments – the *Forged and Cast Engineered Products (“*FCEP”) segment and the *Air and Liquid Processing (“*ALP”) segment. This segment presentation is consistent with how the Corporation’s chief operating decision-maker evaluates financial performance and makes resource allocation and strategic decisions about the business.

The FCEP segment produces forged hardened steel rolls, cast rolls and forged engineered products (“FEP”). Forged hardened steel rolls are used primarily in hot and cold rolling mills by producers of steel, aluminum and other metals. Cast rolls, which are produced in a variety of iron and steel qualities, are used mainly in hot strip mills, medium/heavy section mills and plate mills. FEP principally are sold to customers in the steel distribution market, oil and gas industry and the aluminum and plastic extrusion industries. The segment has operations in the United States, England, Sweden, Slovenia, and an equity interest in three joint venture companies in China. Collectively, the segment primarily competes with European, Asian and North and South American companies in both domestic and foreign markets and operates several sales offices located throughout the world.

The ALP segment includes Aerofin, Buffalo Air Handling and Buffalo Pumps, all divisions of Air & Liquid Systems Corporation (“Air & Liquid”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Corporation. Aerofin produces custom-engineered finned tube heat exchange coils and related heat transfer products for a variety of industries including OEM/commercial, nuclear power generation and industrial manufacturing. Buffalo Air Handling produces large custom-designed air handling systems for institutional (e.g., hospital, university), pharmaceutical and general industrial building markets. Buffalo Pumps manufactures centrifugal pumps for the fossil-fueled power generation, marine defense and industrial refrigeration industries. The segment has operations in Virginia and New York with headquarters in Carnegie, Pennsylvania. The segment utilizes a common independent group of sales offices located throughout the United States and Canada.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

While the Corporation operated at normal levels in 2022, it continues to be challenged by lingering global economic effects of a post-pandemic environment and repercussions from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, including:

• Periodic disruptions to the global supply chain for the Corporation, its vendors and its customers,
• Global inflationary pressures,
• European energy crisis, and
• Delays in receiving and shipping product due to lack of transportation.

The Corporation is actively monitoring, and will continue to actively monitor, the geopolitical and economic consequence of these events and the potential impact on its operations, financial condition, liquidity, suppliers, industry, and workforce.

For the FCEP segment, the forged roll market in North America has stabilized while the cast roll market has softened due to economic uncertainty in the European markets, primarily linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and resulting European energy crisis. The FEP market was strong in the first part of the year, as distributors began inventory re-stocking programs and as the oil and gas market demands increased on rising oil prices, but stabilized in the latter part of the year. The FCEP segment experienced higher costs for direct and indirect materials, energy and transportation in 2022. Although the segment continues to be adversely impacted by escalating costs, particularly for raw and ancillary materials, energy and transportation, price increases and changes to surcharge policies announced in the fourth quarter of 2021 are absorbing a significant portion of these costs. In addition, in February 2023, UES announced a price increase on all new quotations and new orders for forged and cast roll products. Approximately 80% of customer orders include a commodity surcharge. The primary focus for this segment is to maintain a strong position in the roll market; continue diversification and development of FEP for use in other industries; improve operational efficiency at its facilities; and complete its capital equipment investment to upgrade existing equipment with a goal of reducing operating costs, improving reliability and increasing FEP capacity and capabilities.

The ALP businesses are benefiting from steady demand, but are facing increasing production and transportation costs and supply chain issues. The segment has been implementing price increases for certain of its products to help mitigate these inflationary effects. The focus for this segment is to grow revenues, strengthen engineering and manufacturing capabilities, and continue to improve its sales distribution network.

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS OVERVIEW

Change in Accounting Principle

During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Corporation changed its method of accounting for valuing domestic inventories from the last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) basis to the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis. Foreign inventories have historically been maintained on the FIFO basis. The Corporation believes changing to the FIFO method of inventory valuation is preferable as it provides a better matching of costs with the physical flow of goods, standardizes the Corporation’s inventory valuation methodology, and improves comparability with industry peers. The Corporation has retrospectively applied this change to its prior year consolidated financial statements, footnotes and other financial information. (See Note 2, Change in Method of Accounting for Inventory Valuation, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.)

The Corporation

(1) Income (loss) from operations for 2022 and 2021 includes inventory costs using the FIFO method of inventory valuation as more fully explained in Note 2, Change in Method of Accounting for Inventory Valuation, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(2) Income from operations for the ALP segment includes a (benefit) charge for asbestos-related items of $(2,226) and $6,661 in 2022 and 2021, respectively, as more fully explained in Note 20, Litigation, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Net sales equaled $390,189 and $344,920 for 2022 and 2021, respectively. While both segments contributed to the $45,269 increase in net sales, the majority of the increase is attributable to the FCEP segment which benefited from improved pricing, including a higher variable-index surcharge, and increasing demand. A discussion of sales by segment is included below.

Operating income (loss) equaled $2,778 and $(4,782) for 2022 and 2021, respectively, an improvement of $7,560. Included in income from operations for 2022, is a:

• Credit for asbestos-related costs of $2,226 representing the benefit from the change in the estimated defense-to-indemnity cost ratio from 70% to 65% based on ongoing experience and improvements in defense costs which are expected to continue (the "Asbestos-Related Credit");
• Benefit of approximately $1,431 resulting from a change in how certain employees earn certain benefits (the “Change in Employee Benefit Policy”); offset by
• Charge of approximately $664 for excess COVID-19 subsidies received in 2020 but returned in 2022 (“the Refund of Excess COVID-19 Subsidies”).

By comparison, included in loss from operations for 2021 is a:

• Charge for asbestos-related costs of $6,661 representing the expense associated with changes in the estimated costs of pending and future asbestos claims, net of additional insurance recoveries through the estimated final date by which the Corporation expects to have settled all asbestos-related claims ("the Asbestos-Related Charge"); and
• Charge for costs associated with early-retirement incentives for two executive officers, employee terminations at one of the Corporation’s cast roll facilities and costs associated with the closing of a foreign sales office of approximately $1,600 (the “Reorganization-Related Costs”).

A discussion of income (loss) from operations for the Corporation’s two segments is included below. Corporate costs decreased in 2022, when compared to 2021, by $1,104 due to lower employee-related costs including lower incentive compensation and a portion of the benefit from the Change in Employee Benefit Policy being attributable to Corporate employees, offset by higher professional fees.

Backlog equaled $369,018 at December 31, 2022, versus $292,554 as of December 31, 2021. Backlog represents the accumulation of firm orders on hand which: (i) are supported by evidence of a contractual arrangement, (ii) include a fixed and determinable sales price, (iii) have collectability that is reasonably assured, and (iv) generally are expected to ship within two years from the backlog reporting date. Backlog at a certain date may not be a direct measure of future revenue for a particular order because price increases, negotiated subsequently to the original order, are not included in backlog until the updated contract is received from the customer and certain surcharges are not determinable until the order is completed and ready for shipment to the customer. Approximately 6% of the backlog is expected to be released after 2023. A discussion of backlog by segment is included below.

Gross margin, excluding depreciation and amortization, as a percentage of net sales was 15.9% and 19.2% for 2022 and 2021, respectively. The decrease from the prior year is primarily attributable to the FCEP segment which experienced higher costs, particularly for direct and indirect materials, energy and transportation, when compared to the prior year. Although a portion of these costs are recovered via the variable-index surcharge, the variable-index surcharge does not cover all elements of all costs. In addition, in 2022, gross margin, excluding depreciation and amortization, includes a benefit from the Change in Employee Benefit Policy of $331 and, for the FCEP segment, expense associated with the Refund of Excess COVID-19 Subsidies. For the ALP segment, gross margin, excluding depreciation and amortization, as a percentage of net sales improved slightly as a result of a higher volume of sales, changes in product mix and savings generated from process improvements offset, in part, by higher costs.

Selling and administrative expenses were comparable, totaling $43,527 (11.2% of net sales) and $45,998 (13.3% of net sales) for 2022 and 2021, respectively. The decrease of $2,471 is principally due to:

• Lower exchange rates used to translate the selling and administrative costs of the Corporation’s foreign subsidiaries into the U.S. dollar, which reduced expense in 2022 when compared to 2021 by approximately $1,900; and
• Benefit from the Change in Employee Benefit Policy, which reduced expense in 2022 when compared to 2021 by approximately $1,100; offset by
• Higher professional fees, which increased expense in 2022 when compared to 2021 by approximately $1,000; and
• Higher employee-related costs as key positions were filled, including positions within the ALP sales distribution network.

In addition, the prior year included the Reorganization-Related Costs of $1,600.

Depreciation and amortization expense was comparable, equaling $17,408 and $17,877 for 2022 and 2021, respectively.

(Credit) charge for asbestos-related costs equaled $(2,226) and $6,661 in 2022 and 2021, respectively. The credit in 2022 represents a change in the estimated defense-to-indemnity cost ratio from 70% to 65% based on ongoing experience and improvements in defense costs which are expected to continue. The charge in 2021 represents changes in the estimated costs of pending and future asbestos claims, net of additional insurance recoveries through the estimated final date by which the Corporation expects to have settled all asbestos-related claims. See Note 20, Litigation, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Investment-related income equaled $519 and $1,084 for 2022 and 2021, respectively, and represents primarily dividends received from one of the Corporation’s Chinese joint ventures.

Interest expense equaled $5,434 and $3,599 for 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase of $1,835 is principally due to:

• New debt transactions entered into in 2022, including the equipment financing and sale-leaseback transactions;
• Higher interest rates year-over-year; and
• Higher average borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit facility in 2022 compared to 2021.

Other income – net is comprised of the following:

Other income – net fluctuated primarily due to changes in foreign exchange gains and losses and, as a result of volatility in the financial markets during 2022, unrealized losses in the market value of the Rabbi trust investments.

Income tax provision equaled $(1,576) and $(2,305) for 2022 and 2021, respectively, and includes income taxes associated with the Corporation’s profitable operations. An income tax benefit is not able to be recognized on losses of certain of the Corporation’s entities since it is “more likely than not” the asset will not be realized. Accordingly, changes in the income tax provision for each period includes the effects of changes in the pre-tax income of the Corporation’s profitable operations. In addition, the income tax provision for 2022 includes $165 of expense resulting from the revaluation of the deferred income tax assets of the ALP segment following new legislation enacted in 2022, which will decrease the Pennsylvania state income tax rate from 9.99% to 4.99% in 2031. By comparison, the income tax provision for 2021 includes $452 of expense associated with the (i) restructuring of a foreign sales office and (ii) revaluation of the deferred income tax liabilities of the Corporation’s U.K. entity following new legislation enacted in 2021, which will increase the U.K. corporate tax rate from 19% to 25% in 2023.

Net income (loss) attributable to Ampco-Pittsburgh was approximately $3,416 or $0.18 per common share for 2022 and $(3,861) or $(0.20) per common share for 2021.

Net income attributable to Ampco-Pittsburgh and income per common share attributable to Ampco-Pittsburgh for 2022, include a net benefit of $2,727 or $0.14 per common share associated with the net benefit from the Asbestos-Related Credit, the Change in Employee Benefit Policy, the Refund of Excess COVID-19 Subsidies and the additional tax of $165 resulting from the revaluation of the deferred income tax assets of the ALP segment following new legislation enacted in 2022, which will reduce the Pennsylvania state income tax rate from 9.99% to 4.99% in 2031.

Net (loss) attributable to Ampco-Pittsburgh and (loss) per common share attributable to Ampco-Pittsburgh for 2021, include net expense of $8,444 or $0.45 per common share for the Asbestos-Related Charge, the Reorganization-Related Costs and additional income tax expense of $452 associated with the (i) restructuring of a foreign sales office and (ii) resulting from the revaluation of the deferred income taxes of the Corporation’s U.K. entity following new legislation enacted in 2021, which will increase the U.K. corporate tax rate from 19% to 25% in 2023.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Corporation presents non-GAAP adjusted (loss) income from operations, which is calculated as income (loss) from operations excluding the Asbestos-Related (Credit) Charge, the Change in Employee Benefit Policy, the Refund of Excess COVID-19 Subsidies, and the Reorganization-Related Costs for each of the years, as applicable. This non-GAAP financial measure is not based on any standardized methodology prescribed by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures presented by other companies.

The Corporation has presented non-GAAP adjusted (loss) income from operations because it is a key measure used by the Corporation’s management and Board of Directors to understand and evaluate the Corporation’s operating performance and to develop operational goals for managing its business. This non-GAAP financial measure excludes significant charges or credits that are one-time charges or credits, or unrelated to the Corporation’s ongoing results of operations, or beyond its control. Additionally, a portion of the incentive and compensation arrangements for certain employees is based on the Corporation’s business performance. The Corporation believes this non-GAAP financial measure helps identify underlying trends in its business that otherwise could be masked by the effect of the items that it excludes from adjusted (loss) income from operations. In particular, the Corporation believes that the exclusion of the Asbestos-Related (Credit) Charge, the Change in Employee Benefit Policy, the Refund of Excess COVID-19 Subsidies, and the Reorganization-Related Costs can provide a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of the Corporation’s core business performance. The Corporation also believes this non-GAAP financial measure provides useful information to management, shareholders and investors, and others in understanding and evaluating its operating results, enhancing the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects and allowing for greater transparency with respect to key financial metrics used by the Corporation’s management in its financial and operational decision-making.

Adjusted (loss) income from operations is not prepared in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered in isolation of, or as an alternative to, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. There are limitations related to the use of adjusted (loss) income from operations rather than income (loss) from operations, which is the nearest GAAP equivalent. Among other things, there can be no assurance that additional benefits similar to the Asbestos-Related (Credit) and the Change in Employee Benefit Policy or additional expenses similar to the Asbestos-Related Charge, the Refund of Excess COVID-19 Subsidies, and the Reorganization-Related Costs will not occur in future periods.

The adjustments reflected in adjusted (loss) income from operations are pre-tax. The tax impact associated with these adjustments would be additional income tax expense of $101 for 2022 and an income tax benefit of $132 for 2021.

The following is a reconciliation of income (loss) from operations to non-GAAP adjusted (loss) income from operations for 2022 and 2021, respectively:

(1) Income (loss) from operations, as reported (GAAP) and (Loss) income from operations, as adjusted (Non-GAAP) for 2021 include inventory costs using the FIFO method of inventory valuation as more fully explained in Note 2, Change in Method of Accounting for Inventory Valuation, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(2) For 2022, represents a credit for a change is the estimated defense-to-indemnity cost ratio from 70% to 65%. For 2021, represents a charge for changes in the estimated costs of pending and future asbestos claims, net of additional insurance recoveries through the estimated final date by which the Corporation expects to have settled all asbestos-related claims. See Note 20, Litigation, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

(3) Represents a benefit resulting from a change in how certain employees earn certain benefits.

(4) Represents excess COVID-19 subsidies received in 2020 and returned in 2022.

(5) Represents severance costs associated with early-retirement incentives for two executive officers, employee terminations at one of the Corporation’s cast roll facilities and costs associated with the closing of a foreign sales office.

Forged and Cast Engineered Products

(1) Operating income includes inventory costs determined using the FIFO method of inventory valuation as more fully explained in Note 2, Change in Method of Accounting for Inventory Valuation, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Net sales increased by $39,280 in 2022 from 2021 principally due to the net of:

• Improved pricing and higher variable-index surcharges passed through to customers as a result of higher raw material, energy and transportation costs, which increased net sales in 2022 when compared to 2021 by approximately $37,500;
• Higher volume of mill roll shipments primarily from improved demand, which increased net sales in 2022 when compared to 2021 by approximately $10,400;
• Changes in product mix, which increased net sales in 2022 when compared to 2021 by approximately $6,400; and
• Higher volume of FEP as a result of increased demand from the steel distribution and oil and gas markets in early 2022, which increased net sales in 2022 when compared to 2021 by approximately $800; offset by
• Changes in exchange rates used to translate net sales of the segment’s foreign subsidiaries into the U.S. dollar, which decreased net sales in 2022 when compared to 2021 by approximately $15,800.

Operating results decreased by $4,629 in 2022 when compared to 2021 primarily as a result of:

• Higher costs of raw materials, energy and other production costs, net of improved pricing and higher variable-index surcharges, which reduced operating results in 2022 when compared to 2021 by approximately $7,800;
• Changes in exchange rates used to translate operating results of the segment’s foreign subsidiaries into the U.S. dollar, which reduced operating results in 2022 when compared to 2021 by approximately $1,000;
• Refund of Excess COVID-19 Subsidies of $664;
• Higher losses on disposal of property, plant and equipment associated with equipment being replaced in connection with the segment's strategic capital expenditure program of $350; offset by
• Higher sales volumes and changes in sales product mix, which increased operating results in 2022 when compared to 2021 by approximately $3,300; and
• Lower selling and administrative costs due, in part, to the benefit from the Change in Employee Benefit Policy and lower bad debt expense, which improved operating results in 2022 when compared to 2021 by approximately $1,900.

Backlog equaled $252,165 at December 31, 2022, compared to $223,321 at December 31, 2021, with the improvement in current year-end backlog of $28,844 principally due to:

• Increased mill roll backlog associated with improved demand and better pricing, which increased backlog at December 31, 2022 when compared to December 31, 2021 by $56,900; offset by
• Lower FEP backlog as a result of distributors replenishing their inventories in the first half of the year and not yet issuing replacement orders, which reduced FEP backlog at December 31, 2022 when compared to December 31, 2021 by $17,300;
• Lower foreign exchange rates used to translate the backlog of the Corporation’s foreign subsidiaries into the U.S. dollar, which reduced backlog at December 31, 2022 when compared to December 31, 2021 by approximately $10,700.

At December 31, 2022, approximately 3% of the backlog is expected to ship after 2023.

Air and Liquid Processing

(1) Operating income for 2022 includes the Asbestos-Related Credit of $2,226 and operating income for 2021 includes the Asbestos-Related Charge of $6,661. See Note 20, Litigation, to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

(2) Operating income includes inventory costs determined using the FIFO method of inventory valuation, as more fully explained in Note 2, Change in the Method of Accounting for Inventory Valuation, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Net sales for 2022 increased from the prior year by $5,989. Sales of heat exchange coils and air handling units increased when compared to the prior year as a result of the expansion and strengthening of the segment's sales distribution network. Sales of air handling units improved further due to additional demand, particularly in the hospital/healthcare market. Sales of centrifugal pumps declined when compared to the prior year as a result of project delays associated with ongoing supply chain issues at U.S. Navy shipbuilders.

Operating income improved by $11,085 in 2022 when compared to 2021 primarily as a result of:

• Asbestos-related items of $8,887 whereby operating income for 2022 includes the Asbestos-Related Credit of $2,226 and 2021 includes the Asbestos-Related Charge of $6,661 (see Note 20, Litigation, to the Consolidated Financial Statements);
• Higher volume of shipments, changes in product mix and savings generated from process improvements offset, in part, by higher costs, which increased operating income by approximately $3,100; offset by
• Higher selling and administrative costs due, in part, to expansion of the segment's sales distribution network.

Backlog at December 31, 2022 increased $47,620 from December 31, 2021, with backlog for each product line improving as a result of record-level order intake. At December 31, 2022, approximately 12% of the backlog is expected to ship after 2023.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Net cash flows used in operating activities equaled $27,208 and $15,866 for 2022 and 2021, respectively. The change between the years is primarily attributable to the ongoing investment in trade working capital due to a higher level of business activity resulting from increased demand and, for inventories, higher costs associated with inflation and supply chain disruptions. Although the Corporation recorded the Asbestos-Related (Credit) Charge in 2022 and 2021, these were non-cash (credits) charges and, accordingly, did not impact net cash flows used in operating activities. Instead, net asbestos-related payments equaled $9,126 and $9,903 in 2022 and 2021, respectively, and are expected to approximate $8,000 in 2023.

Contributions to the defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefits plans equaled $2,199 and $1,658 in 2022 and 2021, respectively, and are expected to approximate $2,484 in 2023. Contributions beyond 2023 are expected to increase primarily as a result of lower than expected pension asset performance in 2022.

Net cash flows used in investing activities primarily represented expenditures for the FCEP segment. The Corporation has undertaken a significant capital program approximating $27,000 to upgrade existing equipment at certain of its FCEP locations, which is anticipated to be substantially completed by December 31, 2023. At December 31, 2022, commitments for future capital expenditures, including those associated with the FCEP capital program, approximated $16,400.

Net cash flows provided by financing activities increased by $18,185 in 2022 when compared to 2021 primarily due to:

• Proceeds from sale and leaseback financing transactions in 2022 equaling $20,000;
• Proceeds from an equipment financing facility in 2022 equaling $6,388; and
• Lower principal repayments of $1,174;
• Lower debt and equity issuance costs of $148; offset by
• Lower net borrowings from the Corporation's revolving credit facility of $6,410; and
• Lower proceeds from shareholders exercising warrants for the Corporation’s common stock of $3,115.

The effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents is primarily attributable to the fluctuation of the British pound and Swedish krona against the U.S. dollar.

As a result of the above, cash and cash equivalents decreased by $1,602 during 2022 and ended the period at $8,735 in comparison to $10,337 at December 31, 2021. The majority of the Corporation’s cash and cash equivalents is held by its foreign operations. Domestic customer remittances are used to pay down borrowings under the Corporation’s revolving credit facility daily, resulting in minimal cash maintained by the Corporation’s domestic operations. Cash held by the Corporation’s foreign operations is considered to be permanently re-invested; accordingly, a provision for estimated local and withholding tax has not been made. If the Corporation were to remit any foreign earnings to it or any of its U.S. entities, the estimated tax impact would be insignificant.

Funds on hand, funds generated from future operations and availability under the Corporation’s revolving credit facility are expected to be sufficient to finance the Corporation’s operational requirements and debt service costs. The maturity date for the revolving credit facility is June 29, 2026 and, subject to the other terms and conditions of the revolving credit agreement, will become due on that date. As of December 31, 2022, remaining availability under the revolving credit facility approximated $28,420, net of standard availability reserves.

Availability under the Corporation’s equipment financing facility and disbursement agreement is expected to be sufficient to finance the capital program for the FCEP segment in the time frame currently anticipated. At December 31, 2022, availability under the equipment financing facility and disbursement agreements approximated $16,112. Each borrowing on the equipment financing facility will constitute a secured loan transaction (each, a “Term Loan”). Each Term Loan will convert to a Term Note on the earlier of (i) the date in which the associated equipment is placed in service or (ii) December 29, 2023. Each Term Note will have a term of 84 months in arrears fully amortizing and will commence on the date of the Term Note. Borrowings under the disbursement agreement will be repaid over an initial term of 20 years – through August 2042. For a more thorough description of the Corporation's debt and credit documents see Note 9, Debt, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

With respect to litigation, see Note 20, Litigation, to the Consolidated Financial Statements. With respect to environmental matters, see Note 22, Environmental Matters, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The Corporation’s off-balance sheet arrangements include the previously mentioned expected future capital expenditures and letters of credit unrelated to the Industrial Revenue Bonds. See Note 12, Commitments and Contingent Liabilities, to the Consolidated Financial Statements. These arrangements are not considered significant to the liquidity, capital resources, market risk, or credit risk of the Corporation.

EFFECTS OF INFLATION

Inflationary and market pressures on costs are likely to continue to be experienced. Product pricing is reflective of current costs. For the FCEP segment, approximately 80% of customer orders include a commodity surcharge; the ability to pass on future increases in the price of commodities for the balance of the customer orders will be negotiated on a contract-by-contract basis. To minimize the effect of future increases, the Corporation has entered into pricing for a portion of the electricity and natural gas for certain of its FCEP operating entities and has long-term labor agreements at each of the key locations. Certain of these agreements will expire in 2023. As is consistent with past practice, the Corporation will negotiate with the intent to secure mutually beneficial arrangements covering multiple years. See Note 12, Commitments and Contingent Liabilities, and Note 15, Derivative Instruments, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The Corporation has identified critical accounting estimates that are important to the presentation of its financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations and involve the most complex or subjective assessments. Critical accounting estimates relate to assessing recoverability of property, plant and equipment and accounting for pension and other postretirement benefits, litigation and loss contingencies, and income taxes.

Property, plant and equipment is reviewed for recoverability whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the long-lived assets may not be recoverable. If the undiscounted cash flows generated from the use and eventual disposition of the assets are less than their carrying value, then the asset value may not be fully recoverable, resulting in a write-down of the asset value. Estimates of future cash flows are based on expected market conditions over the remaining useful life of the primary asset(s). Accordingly, assumptions are made about pricing, volume and asset-resale values. The potential significant change brought about by the Russia-Ukraine conflict resulting in the European energy crisis was deemed to be a triggering event under ASC 360, Property, Plant and Equipment, causing the Corporation to evaluate whether the property, plant and equipment of an asset group within the FCEP segment was deemed to be impaired. Accordingly, in connection with preparation of its 2023 business plan in the fourth quarter of 2022, the Corporation completed a quantitative analysis of the long-lived assets for the asset group and determined the assets were not impaired. The Corporation continues to evaluate the uncertainty associated with the Russia-Ukraine conflict and, at December 31, 2022, there were no additional triggering events identified. Additionally, there have been no triggering events for the asset groups within the ALP segment. The Corporation believes the amounts recorded in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for property, plant and equipment are recoverable and are not impaired as of December 31, 2022.

Accounting for pension and other postretirement benefits involves estimating the cost of benefits to be provided well into the future and attributing that cost over the time period each employee works. To accomplish this, input from the Corporation’s actuaries is evaluated and extensive use is made of assumptions about inflation, long-term rate of return on plan assets, longevity, employee turnover and discount rates. The curtailment of the majority of the Corporation’s defined benefit pension plans and the amendment of various other postretirement benefit plans has helped to mitigate the volatility in net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs resulting from changes in these assumptions.

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is an estimate of the average rates of earnings expected to be earned on funds invested, or to be invested, to provide for the benefits included in the projected benefit obligation. Since these benefits will be paid over many years, the expected long-term rate of return is reflective of current investment returns and investment returns over a longer period. Consideration is also given to target and actual asset allocations, inflation and real risk-free return. The Corporation believes the expected long-term rate of return of 6.94% for its domestic plans and 3.00% for its foreign plans to be reasonable. Although, as a result of volatility in the financial markets during the year, actual returns on plan assets approximated -20.81% for the domestic plans and -38.93% for the foreign plans for 2022; however, approximated 8.70% for the domestic plans and 10.76% for the foreign plans for 2021 and averaged 9.30% for the domestic plans and 8.76% for the foreign plans for 2017 - 2021. A percentage point decrease in the expected long-term rate of return would increase annual pension expense by approximately $2,600. Conversely, a percentage point increase in the expected long-term rate of return would decrease annual pension expense by approximately $2,600.

The discount rates used in determining future pension obligations and other postretirement benefits for each of the plans are based on rates of return for high-quality fixed-income investments currently available and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the pension and other postretirement benefits. High-quality fixed-income investments are defined as those investments which have received one of the two highest ratings given by a recognized rating agency with maturities of 10+ years. With the increase in interest rates during 2022 and the resulting impact on bond yields, the discount rate rose significantly at December 31, 2022 when compared to December 31, 2021. Assumed discount rates range between 5.48% and 5.49% for the Corporation's domestic plans, 5.49% for its other postretirement benefits plans, and 4.85% for its foreign plans at December 31, 2022. A 1/4 percentage point increase in the discount rate would decrease projected and accumulated benefit obligations by approximately $5,800. Conversely, a 1/4 percentage point decrease in the discount rate would increase projected and accumulated benefit obligations by approximately $5,800.

The Corporation believes that the amounts recorded in the accompanying consolidated financial statements related to pension and other postretirement benefits are based on assumptions that are appropriate at December 31, 2022, although actual outcomes could differ.

Litigation and loss contingency accruals are made when it is determined that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Specifically, the Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries are involved in various claims and lawsuits incidental to its businesses. In addition, claims have been asserted alleging personal injury from exposure to asbestos-containing components historically used in some products manufactured by predecessors of Air & Liquid (the “Asbestos Liability”). To assist the Corporation in determining whether an estimate could be made of the potential liability for pending and unasserted future claims for the Asbestos Liability along with applicable insurance coverage, and the amounts of any estimates, the Corporation hires a nationally recognized asbestos-liability expert and an insurance consultant. Based on their analyses, reserves for probable and reasonably estimable costs for the Asbestos Liability, including defense costs, and receivables for the insurance recoveries that are deemed probable are established. These amounts rely on assumptions which are based on currently known facts and strategy.

The Corporation’s policy is to evaluate the Asbestos Liability and related insurance receivables as well as the underlying assumptions on a regular basis. Key variables in these assumptions, including the ability to reasonably estimate the Asbestos Liability through the expected final date by which the Corporation expects to have settled all asbestos-related claims, are summarized in Note 20, Litigation, to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Key assumptions include the number and nature of new claims to be filed each year, the average cost of disposing of each new claim, average annual defense costs, and the solvency risk with respect to the relevant insurance carriers. Other factors that may affect the Asbestos Liability and the Corporation’s ability to recover under its insurance policies include uncertainties surrounding the litigation process from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and from case to case, reforms that may be made by state and federal courts and the passage of state or federal tort reform legislation. Actual expenses or insurance recoveries could be significantly higher or lower than those recorded if assumptions used in the calculations vary significantly from actual results.

The Corporation intends to continue to evaluate the Asbestos Liability and related insurance receivables as well as the underlying assumptions on a regular basis to determine whether further adjustments to the estimates are required. Due to the uncertainties surrounding asbestos litigation and insurance, these regular reviews may result in the incurrence of future charges or credits; however, the Corporation is currently unable to estimate such future changes. Adjustments, if any, to the Corporation’s estimate of the Asbestos Liability and/or insurance receivables could be material to its operating results for the periods in which the adjustments to the liability or receivable are recorded, and to its liquidity and financial position when such liabilities are paid.

Accounting for income taxes includes the Corporation's evaluation of the underlying accounts, permanent and temporary differences, its tax filing positions and interpretations of existing tax law. A valuation allowance is recorded against deferred income tax assets to reduce them to the amount that is “more likely than not” to be realized. In doing so, assumptions are made about the future profitability of the Corporation and the nature of that profitability. Actual results may differ from these assumptions. If the Corporation determined it would not be able to realize all or part of the deferred income tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the valuation allowance would be established resulting in a charge to net income (loss). Likewise, if the Corporation determined it would be able to realize deferred income tax assets in excess of the net amount recorded, a portion of the existing valuation allowance would be released resulting in a credit to net income (loss). As of December 31, 2022, the valuation allowance approximates $31,981, reducing deferred income tax assets to $2,141, an amount the Corporation believes is “more likely than not” to be realized.

The Corporation does not recognize a tax benefit in the consolidated financial statements related to a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return unless it is “more likely than not” that the tax authorities will sustain the tax position solely on the basis of the position’s technical merits. Consideration is primarily given to legislation and statutes, legislative intent, regulations, rulings and case law as well as their applicability to the facts and circumstances of the tax position when assessing the sustainability of the tax position. In the event a tax position no longer meets the “more likely than not” criteria, the Corporation would reverse the tax benefit by recognizing a liability and recording a charge to earnings. Conversely, if the Corporation subsequently determined that a tax position met the “more likely than not” criteria, it would recognize the tax benefit by reducing the liability and recording a credit to earnings. As of December 31, 2022, based on information known to date, the Corporation believes the amount of unrecognized tax benefits for tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, which may be challenged by the tax authorities, not to be significant.

The Corporation's tax filings are subject to audits by tax authorities in the various jurisdictions in which it does business. These audits may result in assessments of additional taxes. At December 31, 2022, based on information known to date, the Corporation believes there are no pending or outstanding assessments whose resolution would require recognition in its consolidated financial statements.

See Note 21, Income Taxes, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

RECENTLY IMPLEMENTED AND ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. An evaluation of the effectiveness of the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report was carried out under the supervision, and with the participation, of management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer. Disclosure controls and procedures are defined under Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules as controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within required time periods. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on that evaluation, the Corporation’s management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has concluded that, as of December 31, 2022, the Corporation’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective due to material weaknesses (as defined in SEC Rule 12b-2) in its internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. The Corporation’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a – 15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act). Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. Effective internal control over financial reporting can only provide reasonable assurance that the objectives of the control process are met. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk. Further, the design of internal control over financial reporting includes the consideration of the benefits of each control relative to the cost of the control.

Management assessed the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on those criteria and management’s assessment, management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, concluded that the Corporation's internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2022, because of material weaknesses as described below. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.

Based upon the aforementioned assessment, management determined that, as of December 31, 2022, there were material weaknesses related to (i) the accounting for the claims asserted alleging personal injury from exposure to asbestos-containing components historically used in some products manufactured by predecessors of Air & Liquid Systems Corporation (“Asbestos Liability”) and (ii) management review control activities related to the tax accounting for a non-routine transaction.

Asbestos Liability: The material weakness related to the Asbestos Liability is a result of the aggregation of the following control deficiencies: insufficient design and business process controls surrounding a new asbestos claims management database, insufficient testing of data migration from the previous asbestos claims management database to the new asbestos claims management database, and inadequate information technology (“IT”) general controls which ensure the integrity of the data and processes that the new asbestos claims management system supports. To provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the consolidated financial statements of the Corporation as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022, the Corporation engaged its internal auditors, Schneider Downs & Co., Inc. (an audit, tax and advisory firm), to assist management in:

• Reviewing the asbestos claim management process and identifying financial reporting risks associated with the Asbestos Liability and related insurance receivable balances;
• Formalizing relevant key controls which are intended to mitigate the identified financial reporting risks related to the financial reporting of the Corporation's Asbestos Liability and related insurance receivable balances;
• Testing key attributes and documents to validate the design and operating effectiveness of each identified key control;
• Performing an independent assessment over the new third-party asbestos claims management database;
• Performing data migration testing from the previous asbestos claims management database to the new third-party asbestos claims management database;
• Performing testing of the new third-party asbestos claims management database through a random and targeted sample of asbestos claims and agreeing asbestos claim data attributes having a direct impact on the value of the Asbestos Liability and related insurance receivable balances to supporting evidence provided by local counsels; and
• Confirming certain asbestos claim data from the new third-party asbestos claims management database with local counsels and resolving significant differences, if any.

Accordingly, management believes the consolidated financial statements included in this report fairly present, in all material respects, the Corporation's financial condition, results of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the periods presented.

Management’s Remediation Plans and Progress

The Corporation has dedicated a full-time employee to manage the accounting for asbestos claims and costs associated with the Asbestos Liability, with oversight provided by the Corporation's Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”). The asbestos claims and costs associated with the Asbestos Liability will continue to be managed using the new third-party asbestos claims management database. The third-party service provider has committed to provide an appropriate Service Organization Control (“SOC”) report, which will give assurance over the functioning of the third-party system and the sufficiency of its internal controls. The SOC report will be obtained and reviewed by the CFO ensuring the SOC report is appropriate, no material deficiencies exist to cause the inability to rely on the third-party system, and any additional management controls are designed and assessed for operating effectiveness. The Corporation has established limits of authority for its employees utilizing the new third-party asbestos claims management database, which provides an appropriate segregation of duties. Annually, user access to, and user rights within, the new third-party asbestos claims management database will be independently reviewed and approved.

Non-routine Transaction: The material weakness related to management review control activities was attributable to the tax accounting for a non-routine transaction. Specifically, management determined that its management review control activities did not operate at a sufficient level of precision to detect errors related to the tax accounting for the non-routine transaction. This material weakness resulted in classification adjustments between the components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities in Note 21, Income Taxes, to the Corporation's Consolidated Financial Statements; however, no significant adjustments were required to the Corporation's consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations, comprehensive income, shareholders' equity or cash flows. Since the necessary adjustments were made to Note 21, Income Taxes, management believes the consolidated financial statements included in this report fairly present, in all material respects, the Corporation's financial condition, results of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for the periods presented.

Management’s Remediation Plans and Progress

The Corporation will enhance its management review control activities when assessing the propriety of the accounting for the income tax consequences of a non-routine transaction. Specifically, the Corporation will continue to engage external consultants, under the Corporation's supervision, to provide support and assist the Corporation in its evaluation of such transactions. In addition, the Corporation will enhance its management review controls over income taxes on an interim basis to include specific activities at a more precise level to assess the impacts of non-routine transactions, including the identification of relevant contractual terms and conditions related to such transactions.

Despite management's remediation plans and progress related to the Asbestos Liability and the non-routine transaction, the material weaknesses will not be considered remediated until the applicable controls operate for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are operating effectively.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Except as discussed above, there were no other changes in the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2022, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.