Worthington Steel, Inc.: Form 10-K for the period ended May 31, 2024

The Separation

On December 1, 2023 (the “Separation Date”) at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time, Worthington Enterprises, Inc., an Ohio corporation formerly known as Worthington Industries, Inc. (“Worthington Enterprises ” or “Former Parent”), completed the separation of its steel processing business (the “Separation”) into Worthington Steel, Inc., an Ohio corporation (“Worthington Steel” and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures, referred to herein as the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”), as a stand-alone publicly traded company. The Separation was achieved through a tax-free pro rata distribution of 100% of the common shares of Worthington Steel to holders of record of Worthington Enterprises common shares (the “Distribution”) as of the close of business on November 21, 2023 (the “Record Date”). Each holder of record of Worthington Enterprises common shares received one common share of Worthington Steel for every one Worthington Enterprises common share held at the close of business on the Record Date. Worthington Enterprises retained no ownership interest in Worthington Steel following the Separation. In connection with the Separation, Worthington Steel entered into several agreements with Worthington Enterprises that govern the relationship between the parties following the Distribution, including a Separation and Distribution Agreement, Tax Matters Agreement, Employee Matters Agreement, Steel Supply Agreement, and Transition Services Agreement.

General Overview

We are a value-added processor of carbon flat-rolled steel, a producer of laser welded solutions, and a provider of electrical steel laminations. We are one of the largest independent intermediate processors of carbon flat-rolled steel in the U.S. We occupy a niche in the steel industry by focusing on products requiring exact specifications.

We own a controlling interest in three consolidated operating joint ventures: Spartan Steel Coating, L.L.C. (“Spartan”); TWB Company, L.L.C. (“TWB”); and Worthington Samuel Coil Processing, L.L.C. (“WSCP”) and a non-controlling interest in one unconsolidated joint venture, Serviacero Planos, S. de R.L. de C.V. (“Serviacero Worthington”) (see the Our Joint Ventures section below). We also own a controlling interest in Worthington Specialty Processing (“WSP”), which became a non-operating joint venture on October 31, 2022.

We operate 29 manufacturing facilities located in the United States (20), Canada (2), China (1), India (1) Germany (1), and Mexico (4).

We serviced approximately 1,400 customers during fiscal 2024 in many end markets including automotive, construction, machinery and equipment, agriculture, and heavy trucks, among others. The automotive industry is one of the largest consumers of flat-rolled steel, and thus the largest end market for us. During our fiscal year ended on May 31, 2024 (“fiscal 2024“), our top three customers represented approximately 32.0% of total net sales.

We buy coils of steel from primary steel producers and process them to precise type, thickness, length, width, shape and surface quality required by customer specifications. Our product lines and processing capabilities include:

• Carbon Flat-Rolled Steel Processing: We perform a variety of value-added processes based on customer requirements including pickling, specialty re-rolling, hot dip galvanizing, blanking, slitting and cutting-to-length.
• Electrical Steel Laminations: We manufacture precision magnetic steel laminations for the automotive (including applications for electrified vehicles), industrial motor, generator and transformer industries. We deliver precision manufacturing (including stamping, heat treating, core assembly, die casting, bonding, etc.), material sourcing, metallurgical analysis, engineering, prototyping and product design, tooling, and value-added capabilities to customers via a global manufacturing footprint.
• Tailor Welded Products: Tailor welded blanks and aluminum tailor welded blanks are used by North American automotive customers to reduce weight, lower cost, improve material utilization, and consolidate parts. Our highly engineered products allow for flexible part design and ensure the right material is used in the right place. Tailor welded blanks are made from individual sheets of steel of different thickness, strength and coating which are joined together by laser welding. Aluminum tailor welded blanks are processed using friction stir welding technology. Friction stir offers the widest range of formable welded properties for all automotive aluminum alloys.

We also toll process steel for steel mills, large end-users and service centers. Toll processing is different from direct sale steel processing in that the customer retains title to the steel and has the responsibility for selling the end product. Toll processing allows us to earn a fee for services without incurring inventory costs. Our manufacturing facilities further benefit from the flexibility to scale between direct versus tolling services based on demand throughout the year.

The steel processing industry is fragmented and highly competitive. There are many competitors, including other independent intermediate processors. Competition is primarily on the basis of price, product quality and the ability to meet delivery requirements. Technical service and support for material testing and customer-specific applications enhance the quality of products (see the Technical Services section below). However, the extent to which technical service and support capability has improved our competitive position has not been quantified. Our ability to meet tight delivery schedules is, in part, based on the proximity of our facilities to customers, suppliers and one another. The extent to which plant location has impacted our competitive position has not been quantified. Processed steel products are priced competitively, primarily based on market factors, including, among other things, market pricing, the cost and availability of raw materials, transportation and shipping costs, and overall economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad.

Our people-first philosophy is rooted in the belief that people are our most important asset, which serves as the basis for our unwavering commitment to our employees, customers, suppliers, and shareholders. Our primary goal is to create value for our shareholders. Built on the successful foundation of the Worthington Business System, designed to drive continuous improvement through the use of enabling tools and technology that help drive results and inform our business decisions, we apply a disciplined approach to capital deployment and seek to grow earnings by optimizing our operations and supply chain, developing and commercializing new products and applications, and pursuing strategic investments and acquisitions.

Our fiscal year and fourth quarter ends on May 31, with “fiscal 2024” ending on May 31, 2024, “fiscal 2023” ending on May 31, 2023, and “fiscal 2022” ending on May 31, 2022. Our other quarterly periods end on the final day of August (first quarter), November (second quarter) and February (third quarter).

We are headquartered at 100 West Old Wilson Bridge Road, Columbus, Ohio 43085, telephone (614) 840-3462. The common shares of Worthington Steel (the “common shares”) are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol WS. We maintain a website at www.worthingtonsteel.com (http://www.worthingtonsteel.com). This uniform resource locator, or URL, is an inactive textual reference only and is not intended to incorporate our website into this Form 10-K. Worthington Steel’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports, filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as well as Worthington Steel’s definitive proxy materials for annual meetings of shareholders filed pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act, are available free of charge, on or through our website, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.

Recent Business Developments

• On November 16, 2023, we acquired Voestalpine Automotive Components Nagold GmbH & Co. KG (“Voestalpine Nagold”), including its facility in Nagold, Germany and related assets, for net cash consideration of $21.0 million and the assumption of a $0.9 million pension liability. Voestalpine Nagold produces automotive and electrical steel lamination stampings in Europe. The acquisition establishes a manufacturing presence in Europe for Worthington Steel and allows us to capitalize on the growing EV and industrial motor markets in that region.
• On November 30, 2023, we entered into a multi-year senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) scheduled to mature on November 30, 2028, with a group of lenders. The Credit Facility allows for borrowings of up to $550.0 million, to the extent secured by eligible accounts receivable and inventory balances at period end, which consist primarily of U.S. dollar denominated account balances. Individual amounts drawn under the Credit Facility accrue interest at rates equal to an applicable margin over the one-, three-, or six-month term SOFR Rate, plus a SOFR adjustment. The Company incurred approximately $2.7 million of issuance costs, of which $2.5 million will be amortized to interest expense over the expected five-year Credit Facility term and are reflected in other assets.
• On December 1, 2023, the Separation was completed through the Distribution, Worthington Steel paid a $150.0 million distribution to Worthington Enterprises, and the Worthington Steel common shares began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “WS.”
• On March 13, 2024, TWB signed a licensing agreement with ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks for a patented ablation technology that will expand the organization’s capabilities in North America.
• On June 26, 2024, the Board of Directors of Worthington Steel (the “Board”) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.16 per common share payable on September 27, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 13, 2024.

Segment

Our operations are managed principally on a products and services basis under a single group organizational structure. Following the Separation, the financial information reviewed by our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) for the purpose of assessing performance and allocating resources has been presented as a single component, or operating segment, and comprises all of our operations. Our CODM is Worthington Steel’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”).

Sources and Availability of Raw Materials

We have developed strong relationships with our mill suppliers, who provide the quality materials we need, meet our quality and service requirements, and are able to offer competitive terms with regard to quality, pricing, delivery, and volumes purchased.

The primary raw material we purchase is flat rolled steel. We purchase steel in large quantities at regular intervals from major steel mills, both domestic and foreign. The amount purchased from any supplier varies from year to year depending on a number of factors including market conditions, then-current relationships and prices and terms offered. In nearly all market conditions, steel is available from a few suppliers and generally any supplier relationship or contract can and has been replaced with little or no significant interruption to our business. During fiscal 2024, we purchased approximately 2.66 million tons of steel (66% hot-rolled, 20% cold-rolled and 14% galvanized).

Steel is primarily purchased and processed based on specific customer orders. Raw materials are generally purchased in the open market on a negotiated basis. Supply contracts are also entered into, some of which have fixed pricing and some of which are indexed (monthly or quarterly). During fiscal 2024, we purchased steel from the following major suppliers, in alphabetical order: Cleveland-Cliffs Steel Inc.; NLMK Indiana LLC; North Star BlueScope Steel, LLC; Nucor Corporation; Steel Dynamics, Inc; and United States Steel Corporation.

For certain raw materials, for example, zinc, there are limited suppliers and our purchases are generally at market prices. However, historically, we have been able to replace our supplier relationships or contracts with little or no significant interruption to our business. Major suppliers of zinc in fiscal 2024 were, in alphabetical order: Concord Resources Limited; Glencore Ltd; Nexa Resources US Inc.; Teck Resources Limited; and Trafigura Trading LLC. We believe our supplier relationships are generally favorable.

Technical Services

We recognize the importance of the metallurgical and technical aspects of our value-added steel products. We believe we are a leader in the flat rolled steel market for providing metallurgical and steel processing solutions to meet our customers’ customized material needs. We employ a staff of 20+ metallurgical engineers throughout the business and leverage their expertise to offer practical solutions on topics ranging from steelmaking and steel processing through downstream manufacturing. Our metallurgical engineers work in conjunction with internal quality teams to engage customers in problem solving, new product development and education. Laboratory facilities are equipped with a wide range of physical and chemical testing capabilities to support production, development needs, and high-level failure analyses. Tests are performed in accordance with specified industry standards. Data which is obtained either through testing or online measurement systems is routed through analytics tools and analyzed by the team for process improvement, product performance and consistent quality.

Our technical service personnel work in conjunction with our sales force to specify components and materials required to fulfill customer needs. Laboratory facilities also perform metallurgical and chemical testing as dictated by International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ASTM International, and other customer and industry specific requirements.

Seasonality

Our operations have historically been subject to seasonal fluctuations that may impact our cash flows for a particular period. Our sales are generally strongest in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year when our business is normally operating at seasonal peaks, and our sales are generally weakest in the third quarter of the fiscal year, primarily due to reduced activity in the construction industry as a result of the colder, more inclement weather, as well as customer plant shutdowns in the automotive industry due to holidays.

Our Joint Ventures

As part of our strategy to selectively develop new products, markets, and processing capabilities and to expand our international presence, while sharing the risks and costs associated with those activities, we participate in four operating joint ventures. The following three joint ventures are consolidated due to our ability to control operating and capital decisions made in the ordinary course of business:

• WSCP, is a 63%-owned joint venture that operates two pickling facilities in Ohio. WSCP has no fixed duration and will operate in perpetuity until dissolved or otherwise terminated by its managers. WSCP’s operations are overseen by a

supervisory board of five members, of which we are entitled to appoint three and the other member of WSCP is entitled to appoint two.

• Spartan, is a 52%-owned joint venture that operates a cold-rolled, hot-dipped coating line for toll processing steel coils into galvanized, galvannealed and aluminized products intended primarily for the automotive industry. In addition to providing incremental coating capacity, Spartan has served to expand our coating capabilities to include aluminized steel to serve new markets. Spartan’s initial duration is until the earliest of (i) December 31, 2045, (ii) 90 days from the sale or disposition of substantially all of Spartan’s assets, (iii) the retirement of any member, and (iv) the voluntary or elective dissolution by one or more partners. Spartan is managed by a board of governors consisting of six members, of which we are entitled to appoint three.
• TWB, is a 55%-owned joint venture that supplies light-weight tailor welded solutions, including laser welded blanks, tailor welded aluminum blanks, laser welded coils and other laser welded products across North America for use primarily in the automotive industry for products such as inner-door panels, rails and pillars. TWB has no fixed duration and will operate until the earliest of (i) 90 days from the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of TWB’s assets, (ii) the retirement of any member, and (iii) the date on which the members of TWB consent to the dissolution of the joint venture. TWB is managed by a board of managers consisting of seven managers, of which we are entitled to appoint four.

Our remaining operating joint venture, Serviacero Worthington, in which we own a 50% noncontrolling interest, is unconsolidated and operates three steel processing facilities located in Mexico. Serviacero Worthington provides steel processing services, such as pickling, blanking, slitting, multi-blanking and cutting-to-length, to customers in a variety of industries throughout North America, including automotive, appliance and heavy equipment. Serviacero Worthington has no fixed duration, and its operations shall continue to exist at the consent of the partners and may be extended indefinitely as mutually agreed. Serviacero Worthington is managed by a board of managers consisting of six managers, of which we are entitled to appoint three.

See “Note C – Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate” for additional information about our unconsolidated joint ventures.

Environmental Matters

Our manufacturing facilities, like those of similar industries making similar products, are subject to many federal, state, local and foreign laws, and regulations, including those relating to the protection of our employees and the environment. In addition to the requirements of the state and local governments of the communities in which we operate, we must comply with federal health and safety regulations, the most significant of which are enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”). We evaluate and implement ways to improve safety, reduce emissions and waste, and decrease costs related to compliance with environmental and other government regulations. The cost of such activities, compliance or capital expenditures for environmental control facilities necessary to meet regulatory requirements are not estimable but have not and are not anticipated to be material when compared with our overall costs and capital expenditures and, accordingly, are not anticipated to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position.

Our commitment to environmental and social governance and sustainability includes putting people first by providing a supportive and inclusive environment built on a culture of engagement, and by working together to ensure the health and safety of our employees. At the corporate level, we maintain a fully dedicated department responsible for best-in-class environmental, health and safety initiatives and best practices across the Company. Twenty-three of our facilities hold ISO 14001 certifications, a highly recognized global standard for an effective Environmental Management System and our remaining facilities are managed to similar standards.

We comply with and work to exceed all applicable worker safety regulations in the U.S. as governed by OSHA. Our U.S. facilities also hold certifications with various industry groups that require regular inspections including the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Our global sites meet or exceed all local regulations for worker safety and hold various accreditations, certifications, and registrations that require regular inspections.

Intellectual Property and Licenses

We own several patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets, and hold licenses to intellectual property owned by others. Although our patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, and other intellectual property rights are important to our success, we do not consider any single, or in the aggregate, patent, trademark, copyright, trade secret or license to be of material importance to our business.

Corporate Responsibility

Human Capital Management

As of May 31, 2024, we had approximately 4,600 employees and our unconsolidated joint venture employed approximately 500 additional individuals. Of the aggregate of those groups, approximately 19% of those individuals are represented by collective bargaining units, all of which are located outside of the United States and in jurisdictions where collective bargaining arrangements are customary. We believe that our open-door policy has created an environment which fosters open communication and serves to cultivate the good relationships we have with our employees, including those covered by collective bargaining units.

In line with our people-first philosophy, our employees have always been, and will always be, our most important asset. We operate under a set of core values that are rooted in our long-standing philosophy, which emphasizes the Golden Rule. These core values guide us as a company, including in our approach to people management. As such, we are continually focused on creating and maintaining a strong culture. Our culture provides employees with opportunities for personal and professional development, as well as community engagement, all of which we believe contribute to our overall success. We have repeatedly been recognized as a top place to work and believe we offer our employees competitive pay and benefits, as compared to others in our industry, all while focusing on safety, wellness, and promoting a diverse and inclusive culture.

Safety, Health and Wellness

We have always made the safety and well-being of our people a top priority, and we have regularly maintained an industry-leading safety record. For us, safety is about engagement, and our employees have adopted a culture where safety is everyone’s responsibility, not just the safety of our employees, but the safety of everyone who enters our facilities. We also provide our employees and their families with access to what we believe are market competitive benefits, as compared to others in our industry, including a parental leave benefit that offers all new parents the opportunity for paid time off. We have a broad array of other employee centered-benefits and wellness programs, including fitness centers, free health screenings, health fairs, and other company-wide and location-specific wellness events and challenges. We believe our investments in safety, health and wellness are key to supporting and protecting our most important asset, our people.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We believe that diversity, of all types, contributes to our success. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our employee base at all levels of our organization because we believe our differences make us better and that diverse thoughts and experiences drive innovation and produce better results. With our Philosophy as our foundation, we are working to build an environment where diversity is valued, and where all employees feel they belong and are empowered to do their best work.

To further such efforts, we established a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council (the “Council”) chaired by a senior officer. The Council implemented a strategy where diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are focused on strengthening our workforce, workplace, and community pillars. These pillars serve as a foundation for continually building and fostering an inclusive culture.

Summary of Risk Factors

We and our stockholders are subject to a number of risks, including risks related to our business operations, risks related to the Separation and related transactions, risks related to owning our common shares and other general risks. The following is a summary of the material risks we and our stockholders face and is not exhaustive. Please read the full “Risk Factors” discussion that follows this summary carefully for a more thorough description of these and other risks.

Risks Related to Our Business

• Our net sales are heavily concentrated in the automotive and construction end markets;
• Financial difficulties and bankruptcy filings;
• Continued volatility in steel prices;
• Fluctuations in raw material prices and our ability to pass on increases in raw material costs to our customers;
• Interruptions in deliveries of needed raw materials or supplies;
• An increase in the spread between the price of steel and steel scrap prices;
• Global steel-making capacity may exceed demand for steel products in some regions around the world;
• Concern about climate change might result in new legal and regulatory requirements to reduce or mitigate the effects of climate change;
• Failure to maintain proper inventory levels;
• The loss of significant volume from our key customers;
• Significant reductions in sales to our automotive-related customers;
• Strikes against the Detroit Three automakers;
• The closing, idling or relocation of our customers’ facilities;
• Sales conflicts with our customers and/or suppliers;
• The closing or idling of our suppliers’ manufacturing facilities;
• The loss of key supplier relationships;
• Increased competition may impact demand and pricing of our products;
• Impact of material substitution;
• Freight and energy costs;
• The lack of availability of freight services;
• Public health emergencies;
• The length, impact and outcome of the Russia and Ukraine conflict;
• Information system security risks, security breaches of our information systems and systems integration issues;
• Impact of and associated costs to prevent cyber security threats;
• Disruptions to our business or the business of our customers or suppliers;
• Economic, political and other risks associated with foreign operations;
• Relationships between the members of any of our joint ventures;
• Successful execution on acquisitions, equity investments and other investments may not meet our expectations;
• Our capital resources may not be adequate to provide for all of our cash requirements;
• We may have to find additional sources of funding, which could be difficult;
• Increased leverage and borrowing rates;
• Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness;
• Vulnerability to interest rate increases;
• Impact of legal proceedings or investigations;
• Adverse claims experience, to the extent not covered by insurance;
• We are required to make accounting and tax-related estimates actual results may differ materially from these estimates;
• The principal shareholder of Worthington Steel may have the ability to exert significant influence in matters requiring a shareholder vote and could delay, deter or prevent a change in control of Worthington Steel;
• The loss of, or inability to attract and retain, qualified personnel;
• The loss of senior management or other key employees;
• Costs related to environmental and health and safety matters; and
• Our operations have historically been subject to seasonal fluctuations that may impact our cash flows for a particular period.

Risks Related to the Separation and Our Relationship with Worthington Enterprises, Inc.

• Our limited history operating as a separate, publicly traded company;
• As a separate, publicly traded company, we may not enjoy the same benefits that we did as a part of the Former Parent;
• Potential indemnification obligations to the Former Parent pursuant to the separation agreement;
• Failure of the Former Parent to indemnify us from certain agreed-upon liabilities in connection with the Separation;
• Our inability to achieve some or all of the expected benefits of the Separation; and
• We might not be able to engage in certain transactions and equity issuances following the distribution.

Risks Related to Our Common Shares

• We cannot be certain that an active trading market for our common shares will be sustained, and the price of our common shares may fluctuate significantly;
• If we are unable to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports and the market price of our common shares may be negatively affected; and
• Certain provisions in our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated code of regulations, and of Ohio law, may prevent or delay an acquisition of us, which could decrease the trading price of our common shares.

General Risk Factors

• Our business is cyclical and could be negatively impacted by weakness or downturns in the economy or certain industries;
• Volatility in the U.S. and worldwide capital and credit markets could negatively impact our end markets and result in reduced demand for our products, increased credit and collection risks and other adverse effects on our business;
• Tax increases or changes in tax laws or regulations;
• Legislation and regulations may have an adverse impact on the economy in general and on our markets specifically;
• Changes to global data privacy laws and cross-border transfer requirements; and
• The U.S. federal government tariffs on certain foreign goods, including on certain steel products.

Risk Factors

Our future results and the market price for the common shares are subject to numerous risks, many of which are driven by factors that we cannot control or predict. The following discussion, as well as other sections of this Form 10-K, including “PART II—Item 7. — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” describe certain risks to our business, our results, our strategies and the common shares. Consideration should be given to the risk factors described below as well as those in the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” section at the beginning of this Form 10-K, in conjunction with reviewing the forward-looking statements and other information contained in this Form 10-K. The risks described below are those that we have identified as material but are not the only risks and uncertainties facing us. Our business is also subject to general risks and uncertainties that affect many other companies, such as market conditions, economic conditions, geopolitical events, changes in laws, rules, regulations or accounting rules, fluctuations in interest rates, terrorism, war or conflicts, major health concerns, natural disasters or other disruptions of expected business conditions. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial also may impair our business, including our results of operations, liquidity and financial condition.

Risks Related to Our Business

Economic or Industry Downturns and Weakness

Our net sales are heavily concentrated in the automotive and construction end markets, and a decline in those end markets may have an adverse impact on our results of operations and cash flows. The automotive and construction industries account for approximately 52.0% and 13.0%, respectfully, of our net sales, and reduced demand from these industries could adversely affect our business. An overall downturn in the general economy, a disruption in capital and credit markets, high inflation, high unemployment, reduced consumer confidence or other factors could cause reductions in demand from our end markets in general and, in particular, the automotive and construction end markets. If demand for the products we sell to the automotive, construction or other end markets which we supply were to be reduced, our financial results and cash flows could be negatively affected.

Financial difficulties and bankruptcy filings by our customers could have an adverse impact on our business. In past years, some customers have experienced, and some continue to experience, challenging financial conditions, whether due to a public health emergency, the war in Ukraine, inflationary pressures, increased competition, or otherwise. The financial difficulties of certain customers and/or their failure to obtain credit or otherwise improve their overall financial condition could result in changes within the markets we serve, including plant closings, decreased production, reduced demand, changes in product mix, unfavorable changes in the prices, terms or conditions we are able to obtain and other changes that may result in decreased purchases from us and otherwise negatively impact our business. These conditions also increase the risk that our customers may delay or default on their payment obligations to us. If the general economy or any of our markets decline, the risk of bankruptcy filings by and financial difficulties of our customers may increase. While we have taken and will continue to take steps intended to mitigate the impact of financial difficulties and potential bankruptcy filings by our customers, these matters could have a negative impact on our business.

Raw Material Pricing and Availability

Our operating results may be adversely affected by continued volatility in steel prices. Over the past three years, we have experienced volatility in steel prices due to supplier consolidation, tight mill orders due to a pandemic, the war in Ukraine and tariffs on foreign steel. If steel or other raw material prices were to decrease, competitive conditions or contractual obligations may impact how quickly we must reduce our prices to our customers, and we could be forced to use higher-priced raw materials then on hand to complete orders for which the selling prices have decreased, which results in inventory holding losses. Decreasing steel prices could also require us to write-down the value of our inventory to reflect current net realizable value.

Our operating results may be affected by fluctuations in raw material prices and our ability to pass on increases in raw material costs to our customers. Our principal raw material is flat-rolled steel, which we purchase from multiple primary steel producers. The steel industry as a whole has been cyclical, and at times availability and pricing can be volatile due to a number of factors beyond our control. These factors include general economic conditions, domestic and worldwide supply and demand, high inflation, the influence of hedge funds and other investment funds participating in commodity markets, curtailed production from major suppliers due to factors such as the closing or idling of facilities, public health emergencies, international conflicts, accidents or equipment breakdowns, repairs or catastrophic events, labor costs, shortages, strikes or other problems, competition, new laws and regulations, import duties, tariffs, energy costs, availability and cost of steel inputs (e.g., ore, scrap, coke and energy), foreign currency exchange rates and other factors described in the immediately following paragraph. This volatility, as well as any increases in raw material costs, could significantly affect our steel costs and adversely impact our financial results. To manage our exposure to market risk, where possible, we match our customer pricing terms to the pricing terms offered to us by our suppliers in order to minimize the impact of market fluctuations on our margins. However, should our suppliers increase the prices of our critical raw materials, we may not have alternative sources of supply. In addition, in an environment of increasing prices for steel and other raw materials, competitive conditions or contractual obligations may impact how much of the price increases we can pass on to our customers. To the extent we are unable to pass on future price increases in our raw materials to our customers, our financial results could be adversely affected.

The costs of manufacturing our products and/or our ability to meet our customers’ demands could be negatively impacted if we experience interruptions in deliveries of needed raw materials or supplies. If, for any reason, our supply of flat-rolled steel (including electrical steel) or other key raw materials, such as zinc, or other supplies is curtailed or we are otherwise unable to obtain the quantities we need at competitive prices, our business could suffer and our financial results could be adversely affected. Such interruptions could result from a number of factors, including a shortage of capacity in the supplier base of raw materials, energy or the inputs needed to make steel or other supplies, a failure of suppliers to fulfill their supply or delivery obligations, financial difficulties of suppliers resulting in the closing or idling of supplier facilities, other significant events affecting supplier facilities, significant weather events, those factors listed in the immediately preceding paragraph or other factors beyond our control. Further, the number of domestic suppliers has decreased in recent years due to industry consolidation and the financial difficulties of certain suppliers, and this consolidation may continue. However, historically we have been able to replace supplier relationships with little or no significant interruption to our business.

An increase in the spread between the price of steel and steel scrap prices can have a negative impact on our margins. No matter how efficient, our operations, which use steel as a raw material, create some amount of scrap. The expected price of scrap compared to the price of the steel raw material is factored into pricing. Generally, as the price of steel increases, the price of scrap increases by a similar amount. When increases in scrap prices do not keep pace with the increases in the price of the steel raw material, due to events such as a public health emergency or the war in Ukraine, it can have a negative impact on our margins.

Excess Capacity and Over-Production by Foreign Steel Producers or Decreases in Tariffs

Global steel-making capacity may exceed demand for steel products in some regions around the world. Rather than reducing employment by rationalizing capacity with consumption, we believe steel manufacturers in some countries (often with government assistance or subsidies in various forms) have periodically exported steel at prices which may not reflect their costs of production or capital. Excessive imports of steel into the U.S. have exerted, and may continue to exert, downward pressure on U.S. steel prices.

On March 1, 2018, the U.S. announced a plan to indefinitely impose a 25% tariff on certain imported steel products under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 (the “Section 232”) tariffs. These Section 232 tariffs were imposed on national security grounds and addressed imported steel that was being unfairly traded by certain foreign competitors at artificially low prices. In retaliation against the Section 232 tariffs, the European Union subsequently imposed its own tariffs against certain steel products and other goods imported from the U.S. In recent years, negotiations between the U.S. government and other governments have resulted in revisions to these measures. To the extent these tariffs and other trade actions result in a decrease in international demand for steel produced in the U.S. or otherwise negatively impact demand for our products, our business may be adversely impacted.

We expect that these tariffs, while in effect, will discourage steel imports from non-exempt countries. If these or other tariffs or duties expire or if others are relaxed or repealed, or if relatively higher U.S. steel prices make it attractive for foreign steel producers to export their products to the U.S., despite the presence of duties or tariffs, the resurgence of substantial imports of foreign steel could create downward pressure on U.S. steel prices. In recent years, the U.S. government agreed to modified tariff rate quota systems with each of the European Union, Japan and the United Kingdom that allow more imports from those trading partners to enter the U.S. market free of Section 232 tariffs. The U.S. government may also negotiate reductions or eliminations of Section 232 duties with other trading partners. If the Section 232 measures are further removed or substantially lessened, whether through legal challenge, legislation, executive action or otherwise, imports of foreign steel would likely increase and steel prices in the U.S. would likely fall, which could materially adversely affect our revenues, financial results and cash flows.

Climate change

Concern about climate change might result in new legal and regulatory requirements to reduce or mitigate the effects of climate change. While we believe our operations do not emit significant amounts of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases, legal or regulatory changes related to climate change may result in higher prices for metal, higher prices for utilities required to run our facilities, higher fuel costs for us and our suppliers, increased compliance costs and other adverse impacts. To the extent that new legislation or regulations increase our costs, we may not be able to fully pass these costs on to our customers without a resulting decline in sales and adverse impact to our profits.

Changing market dynamics, global policy developments, and the increasing frequency and impact of extreme weather events on critical infrastructure in the U.S. and elsewhere have the potential to disrupt our business, the business of our third-party suppliers, and the business of our customers, and may cause us to experience losses and additional costs to maintain or resume operations.

There is also increased focus by governmental and non-governmental entities on sustainability matters. Any perception that we have failed to act responsibly regarding climate change could result in negative publicity and adversely affect our business and reputation.

There also has been increased stakeholder focus, including by U.S. and foreign governmental authorities, investors, customers, media and nongovernmental organizations, on environmental sustainability matters, such as climate change, the reduction of greenhouse gases and water consumption. Legislative, regulatory or other efforts to combat climate change or other environmental concerns could result in future increases in taxes, restrictions on or increases in the costs of supplies, transportation and utilities, any of which could increase our operating costs, and necessitate future investments in facilities and equipment. Further, our customers may impose emissions reduction or other environmental standards and requirements. As a result, we may experience increased compliance burdens and the sourcing of our products may be adversely affected. These risks also include the increased pressure to make commitments, set targets, or establish additional goals to take actions to meet them, which could expose us to market, operational, execution and reputational costs or risks.

Developing and acting on initiatives within the scope of social and environmental sustainability, and collecting, measuring and reporting environmental sustainability-related information and metrics can be costly, difficult and time consuming and is subject to evolving reporting standards. Further, statements about our social and environmental sustainability-related initiatives and goals, and progress against those goals, may be based on standards for measuring progress that are still developing, internal controls and processes that continue to evolve, and assumptions that are subject to change in the future. If our social and environmental sustainability-related data, processes and reporting are incomplete or inaccurate, or if we fail to achieve progress with respect to our goals within the scope of social and environmental sustainability on a timely basis, or at all, our reputation, business, financial performance and growth could be adversely affected.

Inventories

Our business could be harmed if we fail to maintain proper inventory levels. We are required to maintain sufficient inventories to accommodate the needs of our customers including, in many cases, short lead times and just-in-time delivery requirements. Although we typically have customer orders in hand prior to placement of our raw material orders, we anticipate and forecast customer demand. We purchase raw materials on a regular basis in an effort to maintain our inventory at levels that we believe are sufficient to satisfy the anticipated needs of our customers based upon orders, customer volume expectations, historic buying practices and market conditions. Inventory levels in excess of customer demand may result in the use of higher-priced inventory to fill orders reflecting lower selling prices, if raw material prices have significantly decreased. For example, if steel prices decrease, we could be forced to use higher-priced steel then on hand to complete orders for which the selling price has decreased. These events could adversely affect our financial results. Conversely, if we underestimate demand for our products or if our suppliers fail to supply a sufficient quantity of quality products in a timely manner, we may experience inventory shortages. Inventory shortages could result in unfilled orders, negatively impacting our customer relationships and resulting in lost revenues, which could harm our business and adversely affect our financial results.

Customers and Suppliers

The loss of significant volume from our key customers could adversely affect us. A significant loss of, or decrease in, business from any of our key customers could have an adverse effect on our sales and financial results if we cannot obtain replacement business. Also, our sales may be increasingly sensitive to deterioration in the financial condition of, or other adverse developments with respect to, one or more of our top customers. We generally do not have long-term contracts with our customers. As a result, although our customers periodically provide notice of their future product needs and purchases, they generally purchase our products on an order-by-order basis, and the relationship, as well as particular orders, can be terminated at any time.

Many of our key end markets, such as automotive and construction, are cyclical in nature. Many of our key end markets, such as automotive and construction, are cyclical and can be impacted by both market demand and raw material supply, particularly with respect to steel. The demand for our products is directly related to, and quickly impacted by, customer demand in our end markets, which can change as the result of changes in the general U.S. or worldwide economies and other factors beyond our control. Adverse changes in demand or pricing can have a negative effect on our business and results of operations.

Significant reductions in sales to any of Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis North America (the “Detroit Three automakers”), or to our automotive-related customers in general, could have a negative impact on our business. Approximately 50% of our net sales are to automotive-related customers. Although we do sell to the domestic operations of foreign automakers and their suppliers, a significant portion of our automotive sales are to the Detroit Three automakers and their suppliers. A reduction in sales for any of the Detroit Three automakers, as well as additional or prolonged idling of production facilities in response supply chain constraints, has negatively impacted and could continue to negatively impact our business. In addition, some automakers have begun using greater amounts of aluminum and smaller proportions of steel in some new models, thereby reducing the demand for certain of our products.

Any future UAW strikes against the Detroit Three automakers could have material adverse effects on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows. The automotive industry is one of the largest consumers of flat-rolled steel, and our largest end market. While the duration and scope of any future UAW strikes against the Detroit Three automakers, as well as the corresponding impact on the business of suppliers to the Detroit Three automakers and the impact on our own business, financial position, results of operations and cash flow, are impossible to predict at this time, the prolonged idling of our customers’ production facilities in response to strikes could have a material adverse impact on us. The UAW strike in our fiscal 2024 had minimal impact on our business due to the limited duration and scope of the strike and our ability to plan accordingly. The extent to which future UAW strikes will impact us will depend on future developments, which cannot be predicted and are highly uncertain. The ultimate impact on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows will depend on factors beyond our control including the duration and scope of the strikes.

The closing, idling or relocation of our customers’ facilities could adversely affect us. Our ability to meet delivery requirements and the overall cost of our products as delivered to customer facilities are important competitive factors. If customers close or move their production facilities further away from our manufacturing facilities which can supply them, it could have an adverse effect on our ability to meet competitive conditions, which could result in the loss of sales. Likewise, if customers move their production facilities outside the U.S., it could result in the loss of potential sales for us. If customers idle their facilities, it may reduce or delay our sales, resulting in a negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

Sales conflicts with our customers and/or suppliers may adversely impact us. In some instances, we may compete with one or more of our customers and/or suppliers in pursuing the same business. Such conflicts may strain our relationships with the parties involved, which could adversely affect our future business with them.

The closing or idling of our suppliers’ manufacturing facilities could have a negative impact on us. If delivery from a supplier is disrupted, particularly with respect to certain types of specialty steel, it may be more difficult to obtain an alternate supply than in the past. These closures and disruptions could also have an adverse effect on our suppliers’ on-time delivery performance, which could have an adverse effect on our ability to meet our own delivery commitments and may have other adverse effects on our business. If suppliers relocate their manufacturing facilities farther from our locations, it may result in increased costs to us and/or reduced availability of key supplies which may have a negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

The loss of key supplier relationships could adversely affect us. Over the years, we have developed relationships with certain steel and other suppliers which have been beneficial to us by providing more assured delivery and a more favorable all-in cost. If any of those relationships were disrupted, it could have an adverse effect on delivery times and the overall cost, quality and availability of our products or raw materials, which could have a negative impact on our business. In addition, we do not have long-term contracts with any of our suppliers. If we are unable to obtain sufficient amounts of steel and other materials at competitive prices and on a timely basis from our traditional suppliers, we may be unable to obtain these materials from alternative sources at competitive prices to meet our delivery schedules, which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.

Competition

Our business is highly competitive, and increased competition may cause decreased demand, decreased market share and/or reduced prices for our products and services and could negatively impact our financial results. Generally, the markets in which we conduct business are highly competitive. Our competitors include a variety of domestic and foreign companies in all major markets. Competition for most of our products is primarily on the basis of price, product quality and our ability to meet delivery requirements. Our business has been subject to increasing consolidation of suppliers. Depending on a variety of factors, including raw material, energy, labor and capital costs, freight availability and government subsidies of foreign steel producers or competitors, our business may be materially adversely affected by competitive forces. Competition may also increase if suppliers to or customers in the steel industry begin to more directly compete with our business through new facilities, acquisitions or otherwise. As noted above, we may have conflicts with our customers or suppliers who, in some cases, supply the same products and services as we do. Increased competition could cause us to lose market share, increase expenditures, lower our margins or offer additional services at a higher cost to us, which could adversely impact our financial results.

Material or Component Substitution

If steel prices increase compared to certain substitute materials, the demand for our products could be negatively impacted, which could have an adverse effect on our financial results. In certain applications, steel competes with other materials, such as aluminum (particularly in the automotive industry), cement and wood (particularly in the construction industry), and composites. Prices of all of these materials fluctuate widely, and differences between the prices of these materials and the price of steel may adversely affect demand for our products and/or encourage material substitution, which could adversely affect the prices of and demand for our steel products. The higher cost of steel relative to certain other materials may make material substitution more attractive for certain uses and result in our customers reducing their purchases from us, which would negatively impact our results of operations.

If increased government fuel efficiency and/or emissions standards for automobiles result in the substitution of other materials for steel, or the substitution of electric motors for internal combustion engines, demand for our products could be negatively impacted, which could have an adverse effect on our financial results. Due to government requirements that manufacturers increase the fuel efficiency of automobiles, the automotive industry is exploring alternative materials to steel in order to decrease weight and increase mileage. In addition, in an effort to reduce emissions, the automotive industry is also shifting toward products that rely on electric motors instead of internal combustion engines. Although our product offerings include certain light weighting solutions and electric motor components, the substitution of lighter weight material for steel and/or electric motors for internal combustion engines in automobiles could adversely affect prices of and demand for certain of our steel products.

Freight and Energy

Increasing freight and energy costs could increase our operating costs or the costs of our suppliers, who may seek to pass those increased costs on to us, all of which could have an adverse effect on our financial results. The availability and cost of freight and energy, such as electricity, natural gas and diesel fuel, are important in the manufacture and transport of our supplies and products. Our operations consume substantial amounts of energy, and our operating costs generally increase when energy costs rise. Factors that may affect our energy costs include significant increases in fuel, oil or natural gas prices, unavailability of electrical power or other energy sources due to droughts, hurricanes or other natural causes or due to shortages resulting from insufficient supplies to serve customers, or interruptions in energy supplies due to equipment failure, international conflict or other causes. During periods of increasing energy and freight costs, we may be unable to fully recover our operating cost increases or the increases in the costs of our supplies through price increases to our customers without reducing demand for our products. Our financial results could be adversely affected if we are unable to pass all of the cost increases on to our customers or if we are unable to obtain the necessary freight and/or energy. Also, increasing energy costs could put a strain on the transportation of our materials and products if the increased costs force certain transporters to discontinue their operations.

We depend on third parties for freight services and increases in the cost or the lack of availability of freight services can adversely affect our operations. We rely primarily on third parties for transportation of our products as well as delivery of our raw materials, primarily by truck. If, due to a lack of freight services, raw materials or supplies are not delivered to us in a timely manner, we may be unable to manufacture and deliver our products to meet customer demand. Likewise, if due to a lack of freight services, we cannot deliver our products in a timely manner, it could harm our reputation, negatively affect our customer relationships and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, any increase in the cost of the transportation of raw materials or our products, as a result of increases in fuel or labor costs, higher demand for logistics services, international conflict or otherwise, may adversely affect our results of operations as we may not be able to pass such cost increases on to our customers.

Public Health Emergencies

Public health emergencies could have a material adverse effect on our business financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Our operations expose us to risks associated with epidemics and other public health emergencies. Our operations were adversely impacted by the effects of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic in the form of lower demand from our automotive and heavy truck customers in fiscal 2020 due to the significant impacts of the various stay-at-home orders then in place and volatility in steel market prices in fiscal 2021 driven by idled mill capacity and supply chain disruptions. Impacts of future public health emergencies may include, without limitation, potential significant volatility or continued decreases in the demand for our products, changes in customer and consumer behavior and preferences, disruptions in or additional closures of our manufacturing operations or those of our customers and suppliers, disruptions within our supply chain, limitations on our employees’ ability to work and travel, potential financial difficulties of customers and suppliers, slower payment of accounts receivable and potential increases in uncollectible accounts receivable, significant changes in economic or political conditions, and related volatility in the financial and commodity markets, including volatility in raw material and other input costs. The extent to which public health emergencies impact our business will depend on future developments, which cannot be predicted and are highly uncertain. Despite our efforts to manage the impacts, the degree to which public health emergencies and related actions ultimately impact our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows will depend on factors beyond our control including the duration, extent and severity of any future public health emergency, the actions taken to contain the future public health emergencies and mitigate their public health effects, the impact on the U.S. and global economies and demand for our products, and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions resume. Future disruption to the global economy, as well as to the end markets our business serves, could result in material adverse effects on our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine may adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Since early 2022, Russia and Ukraine have been engaged in active armed conflict. The length, impact and outcome of the ongoing conflict and its potential impact on our business is highly volatile and difficult to predict. It has caused, and could continue to cause, significant market and other disruptions, including significant volatility in commodity prices and supply of energy resources, instability in financial markets, supply chain interruptions, political and social instability, trade disputes or trade barriers, changes in consumer or purchaser preferences, and increases in cyberattacks and espionage.

Further, the broader consequences of the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine may also have the effect of heightening many other risks disclosed herein, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. Such risks include, but are not limited to, adverse effects on global macroeconomic conditions; increased volatility in the price and demand of iron, steel, oil, natural gas, and other commodities; disruptions in global supply chains; and exposure to foreign currency fluctuations and potential constraints or disruption in the capital markets and our sources of liquidity.

We do not conduct business, either directly or indirectly, in areas impacted by the conflict and, as such, we believe our exposure is principally limited to the impact of the war on macroeconomic conditions, including volatility in commodity and energy prices and supply. Our business was temporarily impacted in the spring of 2022, primarily in the form of higher market prices for steel due to a temporary supply disruption in a key input for our suppliers (pig iron), which has subsequently been resourced by our suppliers.

Information Systems and Cybersecurity

We are subject to information system security risks and systems integration issues that could disrupt our operations. We are dependent upon information technology and networks in connection with a variety of business activities including the distribution of information internally and to our customers and suppliers. This information technology is subject to potential damage or interruption from a variety of sources, including, without limitation, systems failures, computer viruses, security breaches, technology obsolescence, and natural disasters. We could also be adversely affected by system or network disruptions if new or upgraded business management systems are defective, not installed properly or not properly integrated into operations.

Security breaches of our information systems could result in unauthorized misappropriation, disclosure or destruction of confidential or proprietary information, production downtime and/or the loss of the functionality of our systems. These risks may be increased as more employees continue to work remotely. Various measures have been implemented to manage our risks related to information system and network disruptions and to prevent attempts to gain unauthorized access to our information systems. While we undertake mitigating activities to counter these risks, there can be no assurance that such activities will be sufficient to prevent cyberattacks or security breaches or mitigate all potential risks to our systems, networks and data. A system failure could negatively impact our operations and financial results and cyberattacks could threaten the integrity of our trade secrets and sensitive intellectual property.

As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve and become more sophisticated, including through the use of artificial intelligence, we may be required to incur significant costs and invest additional resources to protect against and, if required, remediate the damage caused by such disruptions or system failures in the future. The potential consequences of a material cybersecurity attack include reputational damage, investigations and/or adverse proceedings with regulators and enforcement agencies, litigation with third parties, disruption to our systems (including production capabilities), unauthorized release of confidential, personally identifiable or otherwise protected information, corruption of data, and increased cybersecurity protection and remediation costs, which in turn could adversely affect our competitiveness, results of operations and financial condition. Insurance coverage for cyberattacks may become unavailable, may not cover the types of losses we may incur, and may be inadequate in amount to cover liabilities resulting from a cyberattack. Refer to Item 1C: "Cybersecurity" for further information on our Cybersecurity processes, policies, and programs.

Business Disruptions

Disruptions to our business or the business of our customers or suppliers could adversely impact our operations and financial results. Business disruptions, including delayed or insufficient materials resulting from shortages of supply or transportation, severe weather events (such as hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, tornados, floods, droughts and blizzards), casualty events (such as explosions, fires or material equipment breakdown), acts of terrorism, international conflicts, labor disruptions, the idling of facilities due to reduced demand (resulting from a downturn in economic activity or otherwise), public health emergencies or other health crises, or other events, could cause interruptions to our business as well as the operations of our customers and suppliers. While we maintain insurance coverage that may offset some losses relating to certain types of these events, losses from business disruptions could have an adverse effect on our operations and financial results and we could be adversely impacted to the extent any such losses are not covered by insurance or cause some other adverse impact to us.

Foreign Operations

Economic, political and other risks associated with foreign operations could adversely affect our financial results. Although the substantial majority of our business activity takes place in the U.S., we derive a portion of our revenues and earnings from operations in foreign countries, which is expected to increase with our investment in foreign locations. As a result, we are subject to risks associated with doing business internationally. The risks of doing business in foreign countries include, among other factors: the potential for adverse changes in the local political climate, in diplomatic relations between foreign countries and the U.S. or in government policies, laws or regulations; international conflicts; terrorist activity that may cause social disruption; logistical and communications challenges; costs of complying with a variety of laws and regulations; difficulty in staffing and managing geographically diverse operations; deterioration of foreign economic conditions; inflation and fluctuations in interest rates; foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations; foreign exchange restrictions; differing local business practices and cultural considerations; restrictions on imports and exports or sources of supply, including energy and raw materials; changes in duties, quotas, tariffs, taxes or other protectionist measures; and potential issues related to matters covered by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, regulations related to import/export controls, the Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctions program, anti-boycott provisions or similar laws. We believe that our business activities outside of the U.S. involve a higher degree of risk than our domestic activities, and any one or more of these factors could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. In addition, global and regional economic conditions and the volatility of worldwide capital and credit markets have significantly impacted and may continue to significantly impact our foreign customers and markets. These factors may result in decreased demand in our foreign operations. Refer to the “Economic or Industry Downturns and Weakness” risk factors herein for additional information concerning the impact of the global economic conditions and the volatility of capital and credit markets on our business.

Joint Ventures and Investments

A change in the relationship between the members of any of our joint ventures may have an adverse effect on that joint venture and our financial results. We have been successful in the development and operation of various joint ventures. We believe an important element in the success of any joint venture is a solid relationship between the members of that joint venture. If there is a change in ownership, a change of control, a change in management or management philosophy, a change in business strategy or another event with respect to a member of a joint venture that adversely impacts the relationship between the joint venture members, it could adversely impact that joint venture. The other members in our joint ventures may also, as a result of financial or other reasons, be unable or unwilling to support actions that we believe are in the best interests of the respective joint ventures. In addition, joint ventures necessarily involve special risks. Whether or not we hold a majority interest or maintain operational control in a joint venture, the other members in our joint ventures may have economic or business interests or goals that are inconsistent with our interests or goals. For example, because they are joint ventures, we do not have full control of every aspect of the joint venture’s business and/or certain significant decisions concerning the joint venture, which may require certain approvals from the other members in our joint ventures, and the other members in our joint ventures may be unwilling or unable to support actions that we believe to be in our best interests, may take action contrary to our policies or objectives with respect to our investments, or may otherwise be unable or unwilling to support actions that we believe are in the best interests of the respective joint venture, each of which could have an adverse effect on that joint venture and our financial results. Where we do not hold a majority interest in a joint venture (i.e., the unconsolidated joint venture Serviacero Worthington in which we own a 50% noncontrolling interest), our ability to control the direction and operations of that joint venture is generally very limited and our investment in that joint venture is significantly dependent on the other member of the joint venture. The failure of the other member of the unconsolidated joint venture to properly manage and operate the joint venture could have an adverse effect on that joint venture and our financial results.

Acquisitions and Equity Investments

We may be unable to successfully consummate, manage or integrate our acquisitions or other equity investments or our acquisitions and investments may not meet our expectations. We may from time to time continue to seek attractive opportunities to acquire businesses, enter into joint ventures and make other investments that are complementary to our existing strengths. There are no assurances, however, that any acquisition or investment opportunities will arise or, if they do, that they will be consummated, or that any needed additional financing for such opportunities will be available on satisfactory terms when required. In addition, acquisitions and investments involve risks that the businesses acquired or in which we invest will not perform in accordance with our expectations, that business judgments concerning the value, strengths and weaknesses of businesses will prove incorrect, that we may assume unknown liabilities from the seller, that the businesses may not be integrated successfully and that the acquisitions and investments may strain our management resources or divert management’s attention from other business concerns.

International acquisitions and investments may present unique challenges and increase our exposure to the risks associated with foreign operations and countries. Also, failure to successfully integrate any of our acquisitions may cause significant operating inefficiencies and could adversely affect our operations and financial condition. Even if the operations of an acquisition are integrated successfully, we may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, including the synergies, cost savings or growth opportunities that we expect. These benefits may not be achieved within the anticipated timeframe, or at all. Failing to realize the benefits anticipated from an acquisition or investment could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Capital Expenditures and Capital Resources

Our business requires capital investment and maintenance expenditures, and our capital resources may not be adequate to provide for all of our cash requirements. Many of our operations are capital intensive. For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2024, our total capital expenditures, were approximately $103.4 million. Additionally, as of May 31, 2024, we were obligated under lease agreements to make aggregate operating lease payments of $94.6 million. Our business also requires expenditures for maintenance of our facilities. Additionally, anticipated growth in the electrical steel market will require a significant amount of strategic capital expenditures to meet those market growth expectations. Given the potential for challenges, uncertainty and volatility in the domestic and global economies and financial markets, there can be no assurance that our capital resources will be adequate to provide for all of our cash requirements.

Capital Structure

Although we expect to finance our growth initiatives through borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility, we may have to find additional sources of funding, which could be difficult. We expect to finance our growth initiatives through borrowings under our ABL Credit Facility, which matures on November 30, 2028. However, our ABL Credit Facility may not be sufficient or available to finance our growth initiatives, and we may have to find additional sources of financing. It may be difficult for us in the future to obtain the necessary funds and liquidity on terms acceptable to us, or at all, to run and expand our business.

Increased leverage and borrowing rates could adversely impact our business and results of operations. We may also incur additional indebtedness in the future. The terms of the Revolving Credit Facility restrict but do not prohibit us from doing so, and the indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. If new indebtedness is added to our current debt levels, the related risks that we now face could intensify.

Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness depends on our ability to generate cash in the future. Accordingly, we will have to generate significant cash flows from operations to meet our debt service requirements. If we do not generate sufficient cash flow to meet our debt service and working capital requirements, we may be required to seek additional capital, reduce capital expenditures, restructure or refinance all or a portion of our existing indebtedness, or sell assets. Moreover, insufficient cash flow may make it more difficult for us to obtain financing on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all.

Because the Revolving Credit Facility bears interest at rates that fluctuate with changes in certain prevailing short-term interest rates, we are vulnerable to interest rate increases. The Federal Reserve has continued to increase interest rates in 2023, increasing our interest expense on the Revolving Credit Facility. If interest rates continue to rise in the future, we could be unable to service our debt, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Difficult Financial Markets

If we are required to raise capital in the future, we could face higher borrowing costs, less available capital, more stringent terms and tighter covenants or, in extreme conditions, an inability to raise capital. Although we currently have cash reserves, as well as adequate borrowing availability under our existing Revolving Credit Facility and should be able to access other capital if needed, should those facilities become unavailable due to covenant or other defaults, or should financial markets tighten so that we otherwise cannot raise capital outside our existing facilities, or the terms under which we do so change, we may be negatively impacted. Any adverse change in our access to capital or the terms of our borrowings, including increased costs, could have a negative impact on our financial condition.

Legal Proceedings

We may be subject to legal proceedings or investigations, the resolution of which could negatively affect our results of operations and liquidity. Our results of operations or liquidity could be affected by an adverse ruling in any legal proceedings or investigations which may be pending against us or filed against us in the future. We are also subject to a variety of legal and compliance risks, including, without limitation, potential claims relating to product liability, privacy and information security, health and safety, labor and employment, environmental matters, taxes and compliance with U.S. and foreign export laws, anti-bribery laws, competition laws and sales and trade practices. While we believe that we have adopted appropriate risk management and compliance programs to address and reduce these risks, the global and diverse nature of our operations means that these risks will continue to exist and additional legal proceedings and contingencies may arise from time to time. The insurance we maintain may not be adequate or available to protect us in the event of a claim or its coverage may be limited, canceled or otherwise terminated, or the amount of our insurance may be less than the related impact on our enterprise value after a loss. As appropriate, we establish reserves based on our assessment of contingencies, including contingencies for claims asserted against us in connection with certain legal proceedings. Adverse developments in legal proceedings may affect our assessment and estimates of the loss contingency recorded as a reserve and require us to make payments in excess of our reserves, which could negatively affect our operations, financial results and cash flows. An adverse ruling or settlement or an unfavorable change in laws, rules or regulations could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Claims and Insurance

Adverse claims experience, to the extent not covered by insurance, may have an adverse effect on our financial results. We self-insure most of our risks for product recall, cyber liability and pollution liability. We also self-insure a significant portion of our potential liability for workers’ compensation, product liability, general liability, property liability, automobile liability and employee medical claims, and in order to reduce risk for these liabilities, we purchase insurance from highly-rated, licensed insurance carriers that cover most claims in excess of the applicable deductible or retained amounts. We also maintain reserves for the estimated cost to resolve certain open claims that have been made against us, as well as an estimate of the cost of claims that have been incurred but not reported. The occurrence of significant claims, our failure to adequately reserve for such claims, a significant cost increase to maintain our insurance or the failure of our insurance providers to perform could have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

Accounting and Tax-Related Estimates

We are required to make accounting and tax-related estimates, assumptions and judgments in preparing our combined financial statements, and actual results may differ materially from the estimates, assumptions and judgments that we use. In preparing our combined financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”), we are required to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the accounting for and recognition of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These estimates and assumptions must be made because certain information that is used in the preparation of our combined financial statements is dependent on future events or cannot be calculated with a high degree of precision from data available to us. In some cases, these estimates and assumptions are particularly difficult to determine and we must exercise significant judgment. Some of the estimates, assumptions and judgments having the greatest amount of uncertainty, subjectivity and complexity are related to our accounting for bad debts, returns and allowances, inventory, self-insurance reserves, derivatives, stock-based compensation, deferred tax assets and liabilities and asset impairments. Our actual results may differ materially from the estimates, assumptions and judgments that we use, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Principal Shareholder

The principal shareholder of Worthington Steel may have the ability to exert significant influence in matters requiring a shareholder vote and could delay, deter or prevent a change in control of Worthington Steel. Pursuant to the charter documents of Worthington Steel, certain matters such as those in which a person would attempt to acquire or take control of Worthington Steel, must be approved by the vote of the holders of common shares representing at least 75% of Worthington Steel’s outstanding voting power. Approximately 34% of the outstanding common shares are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by John P. McConnell, our former Executive Chairman. As a result of his beneficial ownership of these common shares, Mr. McConnell may have the ability to exert significant influence in these matters and other proposals upon which shareholders may vote.

Employees

The loss of, or inability to attract and retain, qualified personnel could adversely affect our business. Our ability to successfully operate, grow our business and implement our business strategies is largely dependent on the efforts, abilities and services of our employees. The loss of employees or our inability to attract, train and retain additional personnel could reduce the competitiveness of our business or otherwise impair our operations or prospects. Our future success will also depend, in part, on our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, including engineers and other skilled technicians, who have experience in the application of our products and are knowledgeable about our business, markets and products.

The loss of senior management or other key employees, or failure to implement effective succession planning strategies, may have a material adverse impact on our business. We cannot assure that we will be able to retain our existing senior management personnel or other key employees or attract additional qualified personnel when needed. The loss of any member of our management team could adversely impact our business and operations. We have not entered into any formal employment contracts with or other stand-alone change in control provisions relative to our executive officers. However, we do have certain change in control provisions in our various compensation plans. We may modify our management structure from time to time or reduce our overall workforce, which may create marketing, operational and other business risks. If we lose members of our management team or other key employees and fail to implement effective succession plans, our business and results of operations may be negatively impacted.

Environmental, Health and Safety

We may incur additional costs related to environmental and health and safety matters. Our operations and facilities are subject to a variety of federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment and human health and safety. Compliance with these laws and regulations and any changes therein may sometimes involve substantial operating costs and capital expenditures, and any failure to maintain or achieve compliance with these laws and regulations or with the permits required for our operations could result in increased costs and capital expenditures and potentially fines and civil or criminal sanctions, third-party claims for property damage or personal injury, cleanup costs or temporary or permanent discontinuance of operations. Over time, we and predecessor operators of our facilities have generated, used, handled and disposed of hazardous and other regulated wastes. Environmental liabilities, including cleanup obligations, could exist at our facilities or at off-site locations where materials from our operations were disposed of or at facilities we have divested, which could result in future expenditures that cannot be currently quantified and which could reduce our profits and cash flow. We may be held strictly liable for any contamination of these sites, and the amount of any such liability could be material. Under the joint and several liability principle of certain environmental laws, we may be held liable for all remediation costs at a particular site, even with respect to contamination for which we are not responsible. In addition, changes in environmental and human health and safety laws, rules, regulations or enforcement policies could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Seasonality

Our operations have historically been subject to seasonal fluctuations that may impact our cash flows for a particular period. Our sales are generally strongest in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year when our business is normally operating at seasonal peaks, and our sales are generally weakest in the third quarter of the fiscal year, primarily due to reduced activity in the construction industry as a result of the colder, more inclement weather throughout much of the U.S., as well as customer plant shutdowns in the automotive industry due to holidays. Our quarterly results may also be affected by the timing of large customer orders. Consequently, our cash flow from operations may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter. If, as a result of any such fluctuation, our quarterly cash flows were significantly reduced, we may be unable to service our indebtedness or maintain compliance with certain covenants under the documents governing our indebtedness. A default under any of the documents governing our indebtedness could prevent us from borrowing additional funds, limit our ability to pay interest or principal and allow our lenders to declare the amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable and to exercise certain other remedies.

Risks Related to the Separation and Our Relationship with Worthington Enterprises

We have limited history of operating as a separate, publicly traded company, and our historical financial information is not necessarily representative of the results that we would have achieved as a separate, publicly traded company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results. The historical information about us in this Form 10-K, for periods prior to the Separation, refers to our business as operated by and integrated with the Former Parent. Our historical financial information included in this Form 10-K is derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of the Former Parent. Accordingly, the historical financial information included in this Form 10-K does not necessarily reflect the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows that we would have achieved as a separate, publicly traded company during the periods presented or those that we will achieve in the future primarily as a result of the factors described below.

• Prior to the Separation, our business was operated by the Former Parent as part of its broader corporate organization, rather than as a separate, publicly traded company. The Former Parent, or one of its affiliates, performed various corporate functions for us such as legal, treasury, accounting, internal audit, human resources and finance. Our historical financial results reflect allocations of corporate expenses from the Former Parent for such functions and are likely to be less than the expenses we would have incurred had we operated as a separate publicly traded company. Following the Separation, our cost related to such functions previously performed by the Former Parent may therefore increase.
• Prior to the Separation, our business was integrated with the other businesses of the Former Parent. Historically, we shared economies of scope and scale in costs, employees, vendor relationships and customer relationships. Although we entered into transition agreements with the Former Parent, these arrangements may not fully capture the benefits that we enjoyed as a result of being integrated with the Former Parent and may result in us paying higher charges than in the past for these services. This could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition following the completion of the Separation.
• Generally, our working capital requirements and capital for our general corporate purposes, including acquisitions and capital expenditures, were satisfied as part of the corporate-wide cash management policies of the Former Parent. Following the completion of the Separation, we may need to obtain additional financing from banks, through public offerings or private placements of debt or equity securities, strategic relationships or other arrangements.
• As a result of the Separation, the cost of capital for our business may be higher than the Former Parent’s cost of capital prior to the Separation.
• Our historical financial information does not reflect the debt or the associated interest expense that we expected to incur after the Separation.

Other significant changes may occur in our cost structure, management, financing and business operations as a result of operating as a company separate from the Former Parent. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our audited consolidated and combined financial statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.

As a separate, publicly traded company, we may not enjoy the same benefits that we did as a part of Worthington Enterprises, Inc. There is a risk that, by separating from the Former Parent, we may have become more susceptible to market fluctuations and other adverse events than we would have been if we were still a part of the Former Parent’s organizational structure. As part of the Former Parent, we were able to enjoy certain benefits from the Former Parent’s operating diversity, purchasing power and opportunities to pursue integrated strategies with the Former Parent’s other businesses. As a separate, publicly traded company, we do not have similar diversity or integration opportunities and may not have similar purchasing power or access to capital markets.

Our customers, prospective customers, suppliers or other companies with whom we conduct business may conclude that our financial stability as a separate, publicly traded company is insufficient to satisfy their requirements for doing or continuing to do business with them. Some of our customers, prospective customers, suppliers or other companies with whom we conduct business may conclude that our financial stability as a separate, publicly traded company is insufficient to satisfy their requirements for doing or continuing to do business with them, or may require us to provide additional credit support, such as letters of credit or other financial guarantees. Any failure of parties to be satisfied with our financial stability could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Potential indemnification obligations to Worthington Enterprises, Inc. pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The Separation and Distribution Agreement, among other things, provides for indemnification obligations (for uncapped amounts) designed to make us financially responsible for all liabilities that the Former Parent may incur relating to our business activities (as currently and historically conducted), whether incurred prior to or after the separation. If we are required to indemnify the Former Parent under the circumstances set forth in the Separation and Distribution Agreement, we may be subject to substantial liabilities.

In connection with the Separation, Worthington Enterprises, Inc. will indemnify us for certain liabilities. However, there can be no assurance that such indemnity will be sufficient to insure us against the full amount of such liabilities, or that Worthington Enterprises, Inc.’s ability to satisfy its indemnification obligations will not be impaired in the future. Pursuant to the Separation and Distribution Agreement and certain other agreements with the Former Parent, the Former Parent agreed to indemnify us for certain liabilities. However, third parties could also seek to hold us responsible for any of the liabilities that the Former Parent has agreed to retain, and there can be no assurance that the indemnity from the Former Parent will be sufficient to protect us against the full amount of such liabilities, or that the Former Parent will be able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations. In addition, the Former Parent’s insurance will not necessarily be available to us for liabilities associated with occurrences of indemnified liabilities prior to the separation, and in any event the Former Parent’s insurers may deny coverage to us for liabilities associated with certain occurrences of indemnified liabilities prior to the separation. Moreover, even if we ultimately succeed in recovering from the Former Parent or such insurance providers any amounts for which we are held liable, we may be temporarily required to bear these losses. Each of these risks could negatively affect our business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

If the Distribution, together with certain related transactions, fails to qualify as a reorganization under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, the Former Parent and its shareholders could incur significant tax liabilities, and we could be required to indemnify the Former Parent for taxes that could be material pursuant to indemnification obligations under the tax matters agreement. The Distribution was conditioned upon, among other things, the Former Parent’s receipt of a tax opinion, regarding the qualification of the distribution, together with certain related transactions, as a reorganization under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code. The opinion of tax counsel was based on, among other things, certain factual assumptions, representations and undertakings from the Former Parent and us, including those regarding the past and future conduct of the companies’ respective businesses and other matters. If any of these factual assumptions, representations, or undertakings are incorrect or not satisfied, the Former Parent may not be able to rely on the opinion, and the Former Parent and its shareholders could be subject to significant U.S. federal income tax liabilities. In addition, the opinion of tax counsel will not be binding on the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) or the courts, and, notwithstanding the opinion of tax counsel, the IRS could determine on audit that the distribution does not so qualify or that the distribution should be taxable for other reasons, including as a result of a significant change in stock or asset ownership after the distribution.

If the Distribution is ultimately determined not to qualify as a reorganization under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, the distribution could be treated as a taxable disposition of common shares of Worthington Steel by the Former Parent and as a taxable dividend or capital gain to the Former Parent’s shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In such case, the Former Parent and its shareholders that are subject to U.S. federal income tax could incur significant U.S. federal income tax liabilities.

We might not be able to engage in certain transactions and equity issuances following the distribution. Our ability to engage in equity transactions could be limited or restricted in order to preserve, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the qualification of the distribution, together with certain related transactions, as a reorganization under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code. Even if the Distribution otherwise qualifies for tax-free treatment to the Former Parent’s shareholders under Section 355 of the Code, it may result in corporate-level taxable gain to the Former Parent if there is a 50% or greater change in ownership, by vote or value, of shares of Worthington Steel stock, the Former Parent stock or the stock of a successor of either occurring as part of a plan or series of related transactions that includes the Distribution. Any acquisitions or issuances of Worthington Steel’s stock or the Former Parent’s stock within two years of the distribution are generally presumed to be part of such a plan, although the Former Parent may be able to rebut that presumption.

Under the tax matters agreement that we entered into with the Former Parent on November 30, 2023, we are required to comply with the representations made in the private letter ruling the Former Parent received and in materials submitted to the IRS in connection therewith and to legal counsel in connection with the tax opinion the Former Parent received regarding the intended tax treatment of the Distribution and certain related transactions. The tax matters agreement also restricts our ability to take or fail to take any action if such action or failure to act could adversely affect the intended tax treatment. In particular, except in specific circumstances, in the two years following the Distribution, we are restricted from, among other things, (i) entering into any transaction pursuant to which all or a portion of our equity would be acquired, whether by merger or otherwise, and (ii) ceasing to actively conduct certain elements of our business.

These restrictions may limit for a period of time our ability to pursue certain transactions that we may believe to be in the best interests of our shareholders or that might increase the value of our business.

Certain of our executive officers and directors may have actual or potential conflicts of interest because of their equity interests in the Former Parent. Certain of our executive officers and directors own equity interests in the Former Parent. Continuing ownership of common shares of the Former Parent and equity awards could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest if we and the Former Parent face decisions that could have implications for both the Former Parent and us after the separation.

Worthington Enterprises, Inc. may compete with us. The Former Parent is not restricted from competing with us. If the Former Parent in the future decides to engage in the type of business we conduct, it may have a competitive advantage over us, which may cause our business, financial condition and results of operations to be materially adversely affected.

We may not achieve some or all of the expected benefits of the Separation, and the Separation may adversely affect our business. We may not be able to achieve the full strategic and financial benefits expected to result from the Separation, or such benefits may be delayed or not occur at all. The Separation is expected to provide the following benefits, among others:

• the Separation is expected to allow investors to separately value the Former Parent and us based on the Former Parent’s and our distinct investment identities;
• the Separation is expected to facilitate our ability to capitalize on our unique growth opportunities;
• the Separation is expected to facilitate incentive compensation arrangements for employees more directly tied to the performance of the relevant company’s businesses, and may enhance employee hiring and retention by, among other things, improving the alignment of management and employee incentives with performance and growth objectives;
• the Separation is expected to permit us to concentrate our financial resources solely on our own operations without having to compete with the Former Parent for investment capital, providing us with greater flexibility to invest capital in our business in a time and manner appropriate for our strategy and business needs; and
• the Separation is expected to allow us to more effectively pursue our distinct operating priorities and strategies and enable us to focus on unique opportunities for long-term growth and profitability.

If we fail to achieve some or all of the benefits expected to result from the separation, or if such benefits are delayed, our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Risks Related to Our Common Shares

We cannot be certain that an active trading market for our common shares will be sustained, and the price of our common shares may fluctuate significantly. Prior to the Separation, there was no public market for our common shares. We cannot guarantee that an active trading market will be sustainable for our common shares. If an active trading market is not sustained, you may have difficulty selling your Worthington Steel common shares at an attractive price, or at all.

The market price of our common shares may fluctuate significantly due to a number of factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including:

• our quarterly or annual earnings, or those of other companies in our industry;
• the failure of securities analysts to cover our common shares;
• actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results;
• changes in earnings estimated by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates;
• the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies;
• changes to the regulatory and legal environment in which we operate;
• changes in interest or inflation rates;
• overall market fluctuations and domestic and worldwide economic conditions; and
• other factors described in Item 1A.

Stock markets in general have experienced volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of a particular company. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common shares.

If we are unable to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting in the future, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports and the market price of our common shares may be negatively affected. As a public company, we are required to maintain internal controls over financial reporting and to report any material weaknesses in such internal controls. In addition, beginning with our fiscal 2025 annual report on Form 10-K, we expect we will be required to furnish annual management assessments of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and a report by our independent registered public accounting firm addressing these assessments pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”). These reporting and other obligations may place significant demands on management, administrative and operational resources, including accounting systems and resources.

The process of designing, implementing, and testing the internal control over financial reporting required to comply with this obligation is time consuming, costly, and complicated. If we identify material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, if we are unable to comply with the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in a timely manner or to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to express an opinion as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports and the market price of our common shares could be negatively affected, and we could become subject to investigations by the stock exchange on which our securities are then listed, the SEC, or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources.

Certain provisions in our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated code of regulations, and of Ohio law, may prevent or delay an acquisition of us, which could decrease the trading price of our common shares. Our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated code of regulations contain, and Ohio law contains, provisions that are intended to deter coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage prospective acquirers to negotiate with the Board rather than to attempt an unsolicited takeover not approved by the Board. These provisions include, among others:

• the inability of our shareholders to call a special meeting unless they hold 50% or more of our outstanding shares;
• the inability of our shareholders to act by written consent;
• rules regarding how shareholders may present proposals or nominate directors for election at shareholder meetings;
• the right of the Board to issue preferred shares without shareholder approval;
• the division of the Board into three classes of directors, with each class serving a staggered three-year term, and this classified board provision could have the effect of making the replacement of incumbent directors more time consuming and difficult;
• provision that shareholders may only remove directors with cause;
• the ability of our directors, and not shareholders, to fill vacancies (including those resulting from an enlargement of the Board) on the Board (except in the case of removal of a director by the shareholders, in which case the shareholders may fill such vacancy at the same meeting); and
• the requirement that the affirmative vote of shareholders holding at least two-thirds of our voting stock is required to amend our amended and restated code of regulations and certain provisions in our amended and restated articles of incorporation.

We believe these provisions will protect our shareholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with the Board and by providing the Board with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make us immune from takeovers. However, these provisions will apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some shareholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that the Board determines is not in the best interests of us and our shareholders. These provisions may also prevent or discourage attempts to remove and replace incumbent directors.

General Risk Factors

Economic or Industry Downturns and Weakness

Our business is cyclical and weakness or downturns in the economy or certain industries could have an adverse effect on our business. If the domestic or global economies, or certain industry sectors of those economies that are key to our sales, contract or deteriorate, it could result in a corresponding decrease in demand for our products and negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.

Volatility in the U.S. and worldwide capital and credit markets could negatively impact our end markets and result in reduced demand for our products, increased credit and collection risks and other adverse effects on our business. The domestic and worldwide capital and credit markets have experienced significant volatility, disruptions and dislocations with respect to price and credit availability. These factors caused diminished availability of credit and other capital in our end markets, and for participants in, and the customers of, those markets. The effects of the inflationary pressures continue to present risks to us, our customers or our suppliers. In particular, there is no guarantee that the credit markets or liquidity will not once again be restricted. The imposition of more strict lending standards may make it more difficult and costly for some firms to access the credit markets. Further, uncertainties in Europe, especially in light of the war in Ukraine, regarding the financial sector and sovereign debt and the potential impact on banks in other regions of the world will continue to weigh on global and domestic growth. Although we believe we have adequate access to several sources of contractually committed borrowings and other available credit facilities, these risks could restrict our ability to borrow money on acceptable terms in the credit markets and potentially affect our ability to draw on our credit facilities. In addition, restricted access to the credit markets could make it difficult, or in some cases, impossible, for our suppliers and customers to borrow money to fund their operations. Lack of, or limited access to, capital would adversely affect our suppliers to produce the materials we need for our operations and our customers’ ability to purchase our products or, in some cases, to pay for our products on a timely basis.

Tax Laws and Regulations

Tax increases or changes in tax laws or regulations could adversely affect our financial results. We are subject to tax and related obligations in the jurisdictions in which we operate or do business, including state, local, federal and non-U.S. taxes. The tax laws of the various jurisdictions in which we operate or do business often are complex and subject to varying interpretations. Tax authorities may challenge tax positions that we take or historically have taken and may assess taxes where we have not made tax filings or may audit the tax filings we have made and assess additional taxes. Some of these assessments may be substantial, and also may involve the imposition of penalties and interest.

In addition, governments could change their existing tax laws, impose new taxes on us or increase the rates at which we are taxed in the future. The payment of substantial additional taxes, penalties or interest resulting from tax assessments, or the imposition of any new taxes, could materially and adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition. For example, President Biden has proposed to increase the federal corporate income tax rate and if any such proposal were to be adopted, then the increase in the federal corporate income tax rate would adversely affect our results of operations in future periods.

The Pillar Two Global Anti-Base Erosion rules issued by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (“OECD”), a global policy forum, introduced a global minimum tax of 15% which would apply to multinational groups with consolidated financial statement revenue in excess of EUR 750 million. Nearly all OECD member jurisdictions have agreed in principle to adopt these provisions and numerous jurisdictions, including jurisdictions in which the company operates, have enacted these rules effective January 1, 2024. We have evaluated the impact of these rules and currently believe they will not have a material impact on our future financial results. We will continue to monitor and refine our assessment as further guidance is available.

Legislation and Regulations

Certain proposed legislation and regulations may have an adverse impact on the economy in general and on our markets specifically, which may adversely affect our business. Our business may be negatively impacted by a variety of new or proposed legislation or regulations. For example, legislation and regulations proposing increases in taxation on, or heightened regulation of, greenhouse gas emissions may result in higher prices for steel, higher prices for utilities required to run our facilities, higher fuel costs for us and our suppliers and distributors, limitations on our ability to produce, use or sell certain products and other adverse impacts. To the extent that new legislation or regulations increase our costs, we may not be able to fully pass these costs on to our customers without a resulting decline in sales and adverse impact on our profits. Likewise, to the extent new legislation or regulations would have an adverse effect on the economy, our markets or the ability of domestic businesses to compete against foreign operations, we could also be adversely impacted.

Changes to global data privacy laws and cross-border transfer requirements could adversely affect our business and operations. Our business depends on the transfer of data between our affiliated entities, to and from our business partners, and with third-party service providers, which may be subject to global data privacy laws and cross-border transfer restrictions. For example, a number of U.S. states have introduced and passed legislation to expand data breach notification rules and which contain numerous requirements that must be complied with in connection with how we handle personal data. While we take steps to comply with applicable legal requirements, the volatility and changes to such laws may impact our ability to effectively transfer data in support of our business operations. Compliance with such laws, or other regulatory standards, could also increase our cost of doing business and/or force us to change our business practices in a manner adverse to our business. In addition, violations of such laws, or other privacy regulations, may result in significant fines, penalties and damage to our brands and businesses which could, individually or in the aggregate, materially harm our business and reputation.

Additionally, the U.S. federal government has imposed tariffs on certain foreign goods, including on certain steel products imported into the U.S. Although such steel tariffs may benefit portions of our business, these tariffs, as well as country-specific or product-specific exemptions, may also lead to steel price fluctuations and retaliatory actions from foreign governments and/or modifications to the purchasing patterns of our customers that could adversely affect our business or the steel industry as a whole. In particular, certain foreign governments, including Canada, China and Mexico, have instituted or are considering imposing tariffs on certain U.S. goods, which previously contributed to increased raw material prices, but did not have a significant or recurring impact on our business. Restrictions on trade with foreign countries, imposition of customs duties or further modifications to U.S. international trade policy have the potential to disrupt our supply chain or the supply chains of our customers and to adversely impact demand for our products, our costs, customers, suppliers and/or the U.S. economy or certain sectors thereof, potentially leading to negative effects on our business and financial condition.

We have certain operations which are located outside of the U.S. that expose us to certain anti-corruption laws. We are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), which generally prohibits U.S. companies and their intermediaries from making corrupt payments or otherwise corruptly giving anything of value to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business or otherwise obtaining favorable treatment and requires companies to maintain adequate record-keeping and internal accounting practices. The FCPA applies to covered companies, individual directors, officers, employees, and agents. Under the FCPA, U.S. companies may be held liable for some actions taken by strategic or local partners or representatives. If we or our intermediaries fail to comply with the requirements of the FCPA, governmental authorities in the U.S. could seek to impose civil and/or criminal penalties. The other countries in which we operate may have similar or more stringent anti-corruption laws to which we must comply or risk civil and/or criminal penalties. The failure to comply with such laws may lead to negative effects on our business and financial condition.

Impairment Charges

Weakness or instability in the general economy, our markets or our results of operations could result in asset impairments, which would reduce our reported earnings and net worth. Economic conditions remain fragile in some markets and the possibility remains that the domestic or global economies, or certain industry sectors that are key to our sales, may deteriorate. If certain aspects of our operations are adversely affected by challenging economic and financial conditions, we may be required to record future impairments, which would negatively impact our results of operations.

Cybersecurity risk management is an integral part of our overall enterprise risk management program. Our cybersecurity risk management program is designed to provide a framework for assessing, identifying and managing cybersecurity threats and incidents, including threats and incidents associated with the use of services provided by third-party service providers, and to facilitate coordination across different departments of our company. Our processes include steps for assessing the severity of a cybersecurity threat, identifying the source of a cybersecurity threat including whether the cybersecurity threat is associated with a third-party service provider, implementing cybersecurity countermeasures and mitigation strategies and informing management and the Board of material cybersecurity threats and incidents. Our cybersecurity team also engages third-party security experts for risk assessment and system enhancements. In addition, our cybersecurity team provides training to all appropriate employees.

The Board has overall oversight responsibility for our risk management, and delegates cybersecurity risk management oversight to the Audit Committee of the Board. The Audit Committee is responsible for ensuring that management has processes in place designed to identify and evaluate cybersecurity risks to which we are exposed and implement processes and programs to manage cybersecurity risks and mitigate cybersecurity incidents. The Audit Committee also reports material cybersecurity risks to the Board. Management is responsible for identifying, considering and assessing material cybersecurity risks on an ongoing basis, establishing processes designed to ensure that such potential cybersecurity risk exposures are monitored, putting in place mitigation measures and maintaining cybersecurity programs. Our cybersecurity programs are under the direction of our Vice President of Transformation and Chief Information Officer (“CIO”) who receives reports from our Senior Cybersecurity manager who monitors the prevention, detection, mitigation, and remediation of cybersecurity incidents. The dedicated personnel of information system security professionals are overseen by an information security manager with 15 years of experience in cybersecurity. Management, including the CIO and our cybersecurity manager, regularly update the Audit Committee on our cybersecurity programs, which includes cybersecurity risks and mitigation strategies, a third-party risk program, vulnerability management, and on-going cybersecurity projects.

In fiscal 2024, we did not identify any cybersecurity incidents that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. However, despite our efforts, we cannot eliminate all risks from cybersecurity threats, or provide assurances that we have not experienced an undetected cybersecurity incident. It is possible that we may not implement appropriate controls if we do not detect a particular risk. In addition, security controls, no matter how well designed or implemented, may only mitigate and not fully eliminate the risks. Even when a risk is detected, disruptive events may not always be immediately and thoroughly interpreted and acted upon. For more information about these risks, please see "Risk Factors – Risks Related to our Business" in Item 1A of this Form10-K.

Our principal corporate offices are located in two adjacent leased buildings in Columbus, Ohio. We lease space from the Former Parent in Columbus, Ohio used for administrative, metallurgical services and warehousing purposes. Additionally, we own warehouse space in Pennsylvania and South Carolina, and lease warehouse space in California and Pennsylvania.

At May 31, 2024, including our consolidated and unconsolidated joint ventures, we owned or leased more than 6.7 million square feet of space for our manufacturing facilities. More details on these facilities are contained in the table below. We believe these facilities are well maintained and in good operating condition and are sufficient to meet our current needs.

Wholly-owned and Consolidated Joint Ventures

Unconsolidated Joint Venture

We are involved in various judicial and administrative proceedings, as both plaintiff and defendant, arising in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that any such proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operation or cash flows.

Introduction

This MD&A should be read in conjunction with our consolidated and combined financial statements and the related Notes in this Form 10-K. This MD&A is designed to provide a reader with material information relevant to an assessment of our financial condition and results of operations and to allow investors to view the Company from the perspective of management.

Basis of Presentation

Worthington Steel was formed as an Ohio corporation on February 28, 2023, for the purpose of receiving, pursuant to a reorganization, all of the outstanding equity interests of the steel processing business of Worthington Enterprises. On December 1, 2023, the Separation was completed and Worthington Steel became an independent, publicly traded company. Our financial statements for the periods until the Separation on December 1, 2023, are combined financial statements prepared on a carve-out basis. Our financial statements for the periods beginning on and after December 1, 2023, are consolidated financial statements based on our reported results as a stand-alone company. Accordingly, the third quarter of fiscal 2024 and onward included consolidated and combined financial statements, whereas all prior periods included combined financial statements. For additional information, see “Note A – Description of Business, The Separation, Agreements with the Former Parent and Separation Costs, and Basis of Presentation.”

Business Overview

We are one of North America’s premier value-added steel processors with the ability to provide a diversified range of products and services that span a variety of end markets. We maintain market leading positions in the North American carbon flat-rolled steel and tailor welded blank industries and are one of the largest global producers of electrical steel laminations. For nearly 70 years, we have been delivering high quality steel processing capabilities across a variety of end-markets including automotive, heavy truck, agriculture, construction, and energy. With the ability to produce customized steel solutions, we aim to be the preferred value-added steel processor in the markets we serve by delivering highly technical, customer-specific solutions, while also providing advanced materials support. Our scale and operating footprint allow us to achieve an advantaged cost structure and service platform supported by a strategic operating footprint. We serve our customers primarily by processing flat-rolled steel coils, which we source primarily from various North American steel mills, into the precise type, thickness, length, width, shape, and surface quality required by customer specifications. We sell steel on a direct basis, whereby we are exposed to the risk and rewards of ownership of the material while in our possession. Additionally, we toll process steel under a fee for service arrangement whereby we process customer-owned material. Our manufacturing facilities further benefit from the flexibility to scale between direct and tolling services based on demand dynamics throughout the year.

Our operations are managed principally on a products and services basis under a single group organizational structure. We own controlling interests in the Spartan, TWB, and WSCP operating joint ventures. We also own a controlling interest in WSP, which became a non-operating joint venture in October 2022, when we completed the divestiture of its remaining net assets. The net assets and operating results of these joint ventures are consolidated with the equity owned by the minority joint venture member shown as “Noncontrolling interests” in our consolidated and combined balance sheets, and the noncontrolling interest in net earnings and Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) shown as net earnings or comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests in our consolidated and combined statements of earnings and consolidated and combined statements of comprehensive income (loss), respectively. Our remaining joint venture, Serviacero Worthington, is unconsolidated and accounted for using the equity method.

Recent Business Developments

• On November 16, 2023, we acquired Voestalpine Nagold, including its facility in Nagold, Germany and related assets, for net cash consideration of $21.0 million and the assumption of a $0.9 million pension liability. Voestalpine Nagold produces automotive and electrical steel lamination stampings in Europe. The acquisition establishes a manufacturing presence in Europe for us and allows us to capitalize on the growing EV and industrial motor markets in that region. Refer to “Note O – Acquisitions” for additional information.
• On November 30, 2023, we entered into the Credit Facility scheduled to mature on November 30, 2028, with a group of lenders. The Credit Facility allows for borrowings of up to $550.0 million, to the extent secured by eligible accounts receivable and inventory balances at period end, which consist primarily of U.S. Dollar denominated account balances. Individual amounts drawn under the Credit Facility accrue interest at rates equal to an applicable margin over the one-, three-, or six-month term SOFR Rate, plus a SOFR adjustment. We incurred approximately $2.7 million of issuance costs, of which $2.5 million will be amortized to interest expense over the expected five-year Credit Facility term and are reflected in other assets. Refer to “Note H – Debt” for additional information.
• On December 1, 2023, the Separation was completed via the Distribution. The Separation is intended to be tax-free to shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In connection with the Separation, we paid a $150.0 million distribution to the Former Parent. As of the Separation date, the Worthington Steel common shares began trading on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “WS.” Refer to “Note A – Description of Business, The Separation, Agreements with the Former Parent and Separation Costs, and Basis of Presentation” for additional information.
• On March 13, 2024, TWB signed a licensing agreement with ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks for a patented ablation technology that will expand our capabilities in North America.
• On June 26, 2024, the Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.16 per common share payable on September 27, 2024, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 13, 2024. Refer to “Note T – Subsequent Events” for additional information.

Trends and Factors Impacting our Performance

The steel processing industry is fragmented and highly competitive. Given the broad base of products and services offered, specific competitors vary based on the target industry, product type, service type, size of program and geography. Competition is primarily on the basis of price, product quality and the ability to meet delivery requirements. Our processed steel products are priced competitively, primarily based on market factors, including, among other things, market pricing, the cost and availability of raw materials, shipping costs, and overall economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad.

General Economic and Market Conditions

We sell our products and services to a diverse customer base and a broad range of end markets. The breakdown of our net sales by end market for fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023 is illustrated below:

The automotive industry is one of the largest consumers of flat-rolled steel in North America, and the largest end market for us and our unconsolidated joint venture, Serviacero Worthington. North American vehicle production, including the Detroit Three automakers, is a leading indicator of automotive demand. North American vehicle production was up in fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023.

Our remaining net sales are to other markets such as agricultural, appliance, construction, container, energy, heavy truck, HVAC, industrial electric motor, generator, and transformer. Given the many different products that make up our net sales and the wide variety of end markets we service, it is difficult to isolate the key market indicators that drive this portion of our business. However, we believe that the trend in U.S. gross domestic product growth is a reasonable macroeconomic indicator for analyzing the demand of our end markets. While elevated interest rates and general economic uncertainty have continued during fiscal 2024, our throughput levels have shown resilience.

Although recent signals have offered an early indication that the continued inflationary pressures seen in recent years may be softening, as compared to the levels experienced throughout fiscal 2022, fiscal 2023, and fiscal 2024, they continue to negatively impact our business in the form of higher input and conversion costs as well as higher overall selling, general and administrative expense (“SG&A”). Interest rates remain high, which have had and could continue to have a negative impact on the economy and various end markets that we serve, as well as overall domestic steel demand. Further, higher interest rates have led to higher borrowing costs for our business.

We use the following information from the past three fiscal years to monitor our costs and demand in our major end markets:

(1) 2023 figures based on revised actuals

(2) CRU Hot-Rolled Index; period average

(3) S&P Global

(4) LME Zinc; period average

(5) NYMEX Henry Hub Natural Gas; period average

(6) Energy Information Administration; period average

Sales to one automotive customer represented 14.6% and 16.2% of our consolidated and combined net sales in fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively. Sales to the Detroit Three automakers represented 32.0% and 30.2% of our consolidated and combined net sales in fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively. While our automotive business is largely driven by the production schedules of the Detroit Three automakers, our customer base is much broader and includes other domestic manufacturers and many of their suppliers.

Sales for most of our products are generally strongest in our fiscal fourth quarter when our facilities operate at seasonal peaks. Historically, sales have been weaker in our fiscal third quarter, primarily due to reduced seasonal activity in the construction industry, as well as customer plant shutdowns due to holidays, particularly in the automotive industry. We do not believe backlog is a significant indicator of our business.

Impact of Raw Material Prices

Our principal raw material is flat-rolled steel, including electrical steel, which we purchase in coils from primary steel producers. The steel industry as a whole has been cyclical, and at times availability and pricing can be volatile due to a number of factors beyond our control. This volatility can significantly affect our steel costs. In an environment of increasing prices for steel and other raw materials, competitive conditions may impact how much of the price increases we can pass on to our customers. To the extent we are able to pass on to our customers future price increases in raw materials, this could positively affect our financial results resulting in inventory holding gains. To the extent we are unable to pass on to our customers future price increases in raw materials, our financial results could be adversely affected. Also, if steel prices decrease, in general, competitive conditions may impact how quickly we must reduce our prices to our customers, and we could be forced to use higher-priced raw materials already in our inventory to complete orders for which the selling prices have decreased, which results in inventory holding losses. Declining steel prices could also require us to write down the value of our inventories to reflect current market pricing. Further, the number of suppliers has decreased in recent years due to industry consolidation and the financial difficulties of certain suppliers, and consolidation may continue. Accordingly, if delivery from a major steel supplier is disrupted, it may be more difficult to obtain an alternative supply than in the past or the alternative supply may only be available at a premium.

The market price of our products is closely related to the price of Hot Rolled Coil (HRC). The price of benchmark HRC is primarily affected by the demand for steel and the cost of raw materials. Pricing in fiscal 2022 was higher than historical norms due to supplier consolidation, tight mill orders due to COVID-19, the war in Ukraine and tariffs on foreign steel. Steel prices declined throughout most of fiscal 2023 before increasing significantly in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 on production cuts at major steel mills and the replenishment of inventories in major end markets. Steel prices declined in the first and second quarters of fiscal 2024 before increasing in the third quarter and again declining in the fourth quarter. Over fiscal 2024, the decreases in prices in the first, second and fourth quarters more than offset the increase in prices in the third quarter, which resulted in the fiscal 2024 average price being lower as compared to fiscal 2023. Steel pricing continued to decline in our fiscal first quarter of 2025.

To manage our exposure to market risk, we attempt to negotiate the best prices for steel and to competitively price products and services to reflect the fluctuations in market prices. Derivative financial instruments have been used to manage a portion of our exposure to fluctuations in the cost of certain steel. These contracts covered periods commensurate with known or expected exposures throughout the periods presented. The derivative financial instruments were executed with highly rated financial institutions.

The following table presents the average quarterly market price per ton of hot-rolled steel during each of the past three fiscal years.

(1) CRU Hot-Rolled Index

No matter how efficient, our operations, which use steel as a raw material, create some amount of scrap. The expected price of scrap compared to the price of the steel raw material is factored into pricing. Generally, as the price of steel increases, the price of scrap increases by a similar amount. When increases in scrap prices do not keep pace with the increases in the price of the steel raw material, it can have a negative impact on our margins due to the additional unrecovered costs in our scrap.

Results of Operations

Fiscal 2024 Compared to Fiscal 2023

The tables throughout this section present, on a comparative basis, our results of operations for the past two fiscal years.

(In millions, except volume and per common share amounts)

(1) On December 1, 2023, there were approximately 49.3 million common shares outstanding following the Distribution. The computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for all periods through November 30, 2023, was calculated (a) using this same number of common shares outstanding since no Worthington Steel equity awards were outstanding as of the Separation Date and (b) net of Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest as such interest is fully associated with continuing operations.

Net sales totaled $3,430.6 million in fiscal 2024, down $177.1 million compared to fiscal 2023. While volume increased 52,798 tons, or 1.3% from fiscal 2023 to fiscal 2024, net sales decreased primarily due to lower direct selling prices, which were down approximately 6%. This was partially offset by a more favorable mix within toll processing. The mix of direct versus toll volumes was 56% to 44% in fiscal 2024, compared to 57% to 43% in fiscal 2023.

Gross Margin

(In millions)

31

Gross margin increased $103.3 million over the prior year to $439.8 million, primarily due to favorable direct spreads between sales price and material costs, and, to a lesser extent a more favorable mix within toll processing. Direct spreads, up $93.9 million, benefited from a $45.2 million change from $48.7 million in estimated inventory holding losses in fiscal 2023 compared to estimated holding losses of $3.4 million in fiscal 2024. The favorable mix within toll processing was due to increased galvanized and tailor welded blank toll processing volume in fiscal 2024 as compared to fiscal 2023.

Selling, General and Administrative Expense

(In millions)

SG&A increased $23.6 million over the prior year primarily due to increased wage and benefit costs as a result of being a stand-alone company, and, to a lesser extent, increased incentive compensation.

Other Operating Items

(In millions)

Impairment of long-lived assets in both fiscal 2024 and prior year was driven by changes in the estimated fair market value less cost to sell related to ongoing efforts to divest certain production equipment of our former WSCP toll processing facility in Cleveland, Ohio and idled equipment at the manufacturing facility in Taylor, Michigan. Refer to “Note D – Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets” for additional information.

Restructuring activity in the prior year period was driven by gains realized from the sale of long-lived assets, including a $3.9 million pre-tax gain related to the sale of WSP’s facility in Jackson, Michigan. Refer to “Note E – Restructuring and Other Income, Net” for additional information.

Separation costs increased by $2.0 million to $19.5 million in fiscal 2024 as the Separation was finalized on December 1, 2023. No additional Separation costs are expected after fiscal 2024. Refer to “Note A – Description of Business, The Separation, Agreements with the Former Parent and Separation Costs, and Basis of Presentation” for additional information.

Miscellaneous Income, Net

(In millions)

Miscellaneous income, net increased $1.6 million from the prior year period primarily due to $2.8 million of income related to the fiscal 2024 recognition of a tax indemnity receivable from the former owners of Tempel Steel Company (“Tempel”) associated with the final unfavorable ruling in a pre-acquisition tax matter in one of the jurisdictions in which Tempel operates, partially offset by a reduction in foreign currency remeasurement gains at Tempel’s operations in Mexico and Canada.

Interest Expense, Net

(In millions)

Interest expense increased $3.0 million from fiscal 2023, primarily due to higher average debt levels associated with the borrowings under the Credit Facility utilized to fund the $150.0 million distribution to the Former Parent, partially offset by a reduction in interest expense associated with the TWB Term Loan. Refer to “Note H – Debt” for additional information.

Equity Income

(In millions)

Equity earnings at Serviacero Worthington increased $14.7 million over the prior year period driven by improved direct spreads, primarily related to the impact of favorable inventory holding gains, and, to a lesser extent, higher direct volume. We received cash distributions of $2.0 million from Serviacero Worthington during fiscal 2024.

Income Taxes

(In millions)

Income tax expense increased $17.1 million from fiscal 2023 due to higher pre-tax earnings and the recognition of a $2.8 million tax expense related to a pre-acquisition income tax matter at Tempel. Fiscal 2024 income tax expense reflected an estimated annual effective income tax rate of 23.0% versus 25.0% in fiscal 2023. For additional information regarding our income taxes, refer to “Note M – Income Taxes.”

Adjusted EBIT

We evaluate operating performance on the basis of adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (“adjusted EBIT”). EBIT, a non-GAAP financial measure, is calculated by adding interest expense and income tax expense to net earnings attributable to controlling interest. Adjusted EBIT, a non-GAAP financial measure, excludes impairment and restructuring expense (income), but may also exclude other items, as described below, that management believes are not reflective of, and thus should not be included when evaluating the performance of our ongoing operations. Adjusted EBIT is used by management to evaluate operating performance and engage in financial and operational planning because we believe that this financial measure provides additional perspective on the performance of our ongoing operations. Additionally, management believes these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors because they allow for meaningful comparisons and analysis of trends in our businesses and enable investors to evaluate operations and future prospects in the same manner as management.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net earnings attributable to controlling interest (the most comparable GAAP financial measure) to adjusted EBIT for the periods presented:

(In millions)

(1) Impairment charges are excluded because they do not occur in the ordinary course of our ongoing business operations, are inherently unpredictable in timing and amount, and are non-cash, so their exclusion facilitates the comparison of historical, current and forecasted financial results. Non-cash impairment charges in both periods were driven by idled equipment at the manufacturing facility in Taylor, Michigan and changes in the estimated fair market value less cost to sell related to ongoing efforts to divest certain production equipment at WSCP’s former toll processing facility in Cleveland, Ohio, and excludes the noncontrolling interest portion of impairment of long-lived assets of $0.5 million and $0.2 million in the fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023, respectively. A more detailed discussion of our impairment activity can be found elsewhere in this MD&A as well as in “Note D – Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets.”

(2) Restructuring activities consist of established programs that are not part of our ongoing operations, such as divestitures, closing or consolidating facilities, employee severance (including rationalizing headcount or other significant changes in personnel), and realignment of existing operations (including changes to management structure in response to underlying performance and/or changing market conditions). The net gain recognized in fiscal 2023 resulted primarily from the sale of WSP’s facility in Jackson, Michigan, and excludes the noncontrolling interest portion of restructuring and other income, net of $1.8 million in the prior year period.

(3) Separation costs reflect the direct and incremental costs incurred in connection with the Separation. These costs have been directly attributed to us to the extent incurred to our direct benefit, and include third-party advisory fees, certain employee-related costs and non-recurring costs associated with the separation of shared corporate functions.

(4) Income tax expense and indemnification receivable adjustment reported in Miscellaneous income, net related to an indemnification agreement with the former owners of Tempel as a result of an unfavorable tax ruling in one of the jurisdictions in which Tempel operates. The indemnification agreement, which was entered into with the former Tempel owners at the time we acquired Tempel, provides protection to us from unfavorable rulings by tax authorities through the acquisition date.

Adjusted EBIT was up $88.3 million over the prior year, primarily due to favorable direct spreads, up $93.9 million, including an estimated $45.2 million favorable change in estimated inventory holding losses and, to a lesser extent, a $14.7 million increase in equity earnings at Serviacero Worthington, partially offset by a $23.6 million increase in SG&A compared to fiscal 2023.

Fiscal 2023 Compared to Fiscal 2022

For a comparison and discussion of our results of operations and financial condition for fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, see “Item 2. Financial Information” in our Amendment No. 2 to Form 10 filed with the SEC on November 13, 2023 (the “Form 10”) incorporating the information in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Results of Operations – Fiscal 2023 Compared to Fiscal 2022” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources – Fiscal 2023 Compared to Fiscal 2022” sections of the Information Statement filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 10.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Historically, we financed our working capital requirements through cash flows from operating activities and arrangements with the Former Parent. Upon completion of the Separation, we ceased such arrangements with the Former Parent and secured independent debt financing in the form of the Credit Facility. Our capital structure, long-term commitments, and liquidity sources have thus changed from our prior practices. Our ability to fund our operating needs is dependent upon our ability to continue to generate positive cash flow from operations, and on our ability to maintain our debt financing on acceptable terms.

Our primary ongoing requirements for cash are expected to be for working capital, funding of acquisitions, dividend payments, debt redemptions and capital expenditures. We believe that our sources of liquidity, including our cash balances, the funds generated by our operating activities and the funds accessible to us through the Credit Facility, are adequate to fund our operations for the next 12 months and for the foreseeable future and will allow us to meet our current and long-term obligations and strategic initiatives. However, there can be no assurances that our current sources of liquidity and capital resources will continue to be sufficient for our needs or that we will be able to obtain additional debt or equity financing on acceptable terms in the future. A more detailed description regarding our capital structure changes can be found elsewhere in this MD&A as well as in the “Financing Activities” section below.

During fiscal 2024 we generated $199.5 million of cash from operating activities, and we used $123.2 million of cash in investing activities, which primarily related to $103.4 million invested in property, plant and equipment and $21.0 million used for our acquisition of Voestalpine Nagold. Cash proceeds from the Credit Facility were used towards the $150.0 million distribution to the Former Parent on December 1, 2023 as well as to fund other operating activities. This debt financing activity was a part of our overall debt activity, which resulted in $145.2 million in overall cash proceeds from short-term borrowings during the fiscal 2024. Additionally, prior to the Separation, we transferred $47.6 million to the Former Parent under their centralized cash management program. The following table summarizes our consolidated and combined cash flows for the periods presented:

(In millions)

We believe we have access to adequate resources to meet the needs of our existing businesses for normal operating costs, mandatory capital expenditures, debt redemptions, dividend payments, and working capital, to the extent not funded by cash provided by operating activities, for at least 12 months and for the foreseeable future thereafter. These resources include cash and cash equivalents and unused borrowing capacity available on the Credit Facility.

Although we do not currently anticipate a need, we believe that we could access the financial markets to be in a position to sell long-term debt or equity securities. However, the continuation of uncertain economic conditions and heightened interest rate environment could create volatility in the financial markets, which may impact our ability to access capital and the terms under which we can do so. We will continue to monitor the economic environment and its impact on our operations and liquidity needs.

We routinely monitor current operational requirements, financial market conditions, and credit relationships and we may choose to seek additional capital by issuing new debt and/or equity securities to strengthen our liquidity or capital structure. While we believe we currently have adequate capital, should we seek additional capital, there can be no assurance that we would be able to obtain such additional capital on terms acceptable to us, if at all, and such additional equity or debt financing could dilute the interests of our existing shareholders and/or increase our interest costs.

Operating Activities

Our business is cyclical and cash flows from operating activities may fluctuate during the year and from year to year due to economic and industry conditions. We rely on cash and short-term borrowings to meet cyclical increases in working capital needs. These needs generally rise during periods of increased economic activity or increasing raw material prices, requiring higher levels of inventory and accounts receivable. During economic slowdowns, or periods of decreasing raw material costs, working capital needs generally decrease as a result of the reduction of inventories and accounts receivable.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $199.5 million during fiscal 2024 compared to $315.0 million in fiscal 2023, a decrease of $115.5 million. This change was primarily due to a $154.9 million reduction in cash from net operating working capital (accounts receivable, inventories, and accounts payable) and a $25.2 million increase in undistributed earnings from an unconsolidated affiliate, partially offset by a $70.4 million increase in overall net earnings. The reduction in cash from net operating working capital is primarily due to the nearly $700 per ton decrease in steel prices from fiscal 2022 to fiscal 2023 resulting in a $143.2 million release of operating working capital in fiscal 2023 as compared with modest steel price movement from fiscal 2023 to fiscal 2024 resulting in an $11.7 million increase in operating working capital.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $123.2 million during fiscal 2024 compared to $22.2 million in fiscal 2023. Net cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2024 included capital expenditures of $103.4 million. Additionally, we paid $21.0 million, net of cash acquired, for the acquisition of Voestalpine Nagold in fiscal 2024. See “Note O – Acquisitions” for further information. Net cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2023 resulted from capital expenditures of $45.5 million, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of our WSP Jackson, Michigan facility and other long-lived assets. The increase in capital expenditures from fiscal 2023 to fiscal 2024 was primarily related to strategic expansions in our electrical steel operations in Mexico and Canada to service the automotive and transformer markets.

Capital expenditures reflect cash used for investment in property, plant and equipment and are presented below (this information excludes cash flows related to acquisition and divestiture activity) for each of the prior three fiscal years:

(In millions)

35

Investment activities are largely discretionary and future investment activities could be reduced significantly, or eliminated, as economic conditions warrant. We assess acquisition opportunities as they arise, and any such opportunities may require additional financing. However, there can be no assurance that any such opportunities will arise, that any such acquisition opportunities will be consummated, or that any needed additional financing will be available on satisfactory terms if required. We estimate our annual maintenance capital needs to be between approximately $35.0 million and $40.0 million.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $68.8 million in fiscal 2024 compared to $280.2 million in fiscal 2023. The decrease in cash used in financing activities was primarily due to lower transfers to the Former Parent in connection with the centralized cash management program utilized prior to the Separation and the repayment of other debt. In fiscal 2024, transfers to the Former Parent equaled $47.6 million as compared to $199.8 million in fiscal 2023. Fiscal 2024 included net short-term borrowings of $145.2 million, primarily from our Credit Facility to fund the $150.0 million distribution to the Former Parent.

Revolving credit facility – We entered into the Credit Facility on November 30, 2023, immediately prior to the Separation. The Credit Facility allows for borrowings of up to $550.0 million, to the extent secured by eligible accounts receivable and inventory balances at period end, which consist primarily of U.S. Dollar denominated account balances. Individual amounts drawn under the Credit Facility will have interest periods of up to six months and will accrue interest at rates equal to an applicable margin over the applicable Term SOFR Rate, plus a SOFR adjustment. We incurred approximately $2.7 million of issuance costs, of which $2.5 million will be amortized to interest expense over the five-year Credit Facility term and are reflected in other assets.

As of May 31, 2024, we were in compliance with the financial covenants of the Credit Facility. The Credit Facility does not include credit rating triggers. There were $148.0 million outstanding borrowings drawn against the Credit Facility on May 31, 2024, leaving a borrowing capacity of $402.0 million, subject to the eligible borrowing base, available for use. Under the Credit Facility, we may extend borrowings up to the maturity date subject to the eligible borrowing base.

Common shares – Prior to the Separation, our common shares were owned by the Former Parent. After the Separation was completed as described in “Note J – Equity”, there were 49.3 million shares issued and outstanding. On December 1, 2023, the common shares began trading on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “WS.”

During fiscal 2024 and following the Separation, we declared cash dividends totaling $0.32 per common share at a quarterly rate of $0.16 per common share. Prior to the Separation, the Former Parent was the sole owner of Worthington Steel.

On June 26, 2024, during the first quarter of fiscal 2025, the Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.16 per common share payable on September 27, 2024, to the shareholders of record at the close of business on September 13, 2024.

Dividend Policy

We currently have no material contractual or regulatory restrictions on the payment of dividends, provided that no event of default exists under the Credit Facility and it meets the minimum availability threshold thereunder. Dividends are declared at the discretion of the Board. The Board reviews the dividend quarterly and establishes the dividend rate based upon our consolidated and combined financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, current and projected cash flows, business prospects, and other relevant factors. There is no guarantee that we will continue the payments of dividends in the future or that any dividends declared by the Board in the future will be similar in amount or timing to any dividends previously declared by the Board.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

There were no new material accounting standards adopted during fiscal 2024 that impacted our consolidated and combined financial statements as disclosed in this Form 10-K.

We are currently evaluating the effect on our consolidated and combined financial statements of the adoption of two new accounting pronouncements.

Environmental

We do not believe that compliance with environmental laws has or will have a material effect on our capital expenditures, future results of operations or financial position or competitive position.

Critical Accounting Estimates

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated and combined financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. These results form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Critical accounting estimates are defined as those that reflect our significant judgments and uncertainties that could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. Although actual results historically have not deviated significantly from those determined using our estimates, as discussed below, our financial position or results of operations could be materially different if we were to report under different conditions or to use different assumptions in the application of such policies. The following accounting estimates are considered to be the most critical to us, as these are the primary areas where financial information is subject to our estimates, assumptions and judgment in the preparation of our consolidated and combined financial statements.

Impairment of Indefinite-Lived Long-Lived Assets

Critical estimate: Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment annually, during the fourth fiscal quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment may be present. Application of goodwill impairment testing involves judgment, including but not limited to, the identification of reporting units and estimation of the fair value of each reporting unit. A reporting unit is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment. Our operations are organized as a single component, or operating segment. Our reporting units, which are one level below our single operating segment, consist of: (1) Flat Rolled Steel Processing; (2) Electrical Steel; and (3) Laser Welding.

For goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, we test for impairment by first evaluating qualitative factors including macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, and overall financial performance. If there are no concerns raised from this evaluation, no further testing is performed. If, however, our qualitative analysis indicates it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than the carrying amount, a quantitative analysis is performed. The quantitative analysis compares the fair value of each reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible asset to the respective carrying amount, and an impairment loss is recognized in our consolidated and combined statements of earnings equivalent to the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value.

Assumptions and judgments: When performing a qualitative assessment, judgment is required when considering relevant events and circumstances that could affect the fair value of the indefinite lived intangible asset or reporting unit to which goodwill is assigned. Management considers whether events and circumstances such as a change in strategic direction and changes in business climate would impact the fair value of the indefinite lived intangible asset or reporting unit to which goodwill is assigned. If a quantitative analysis is required, assumptions are required to estimate the fair value to compare against the carrying value. Significant assumptions that form the basis of fair value can include discount rates, underlying forecast assumptions and royalty rates. These assumptions are forward looking and can be affected by future economic and market conditions. Our qualitative review for fiscal 2024 did not indicate any impairment.

Impairment of Definite-Lived Long-Lived Assets

Critical estimate: We review the carrying value of our long-lived assets, including intangible assets with finite useful lives, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. Impairment testing involves a comparison of the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows of the asset or asset group to its respective carrying amount. If the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows exceeds the carrying amount, then no impairment exists. If the carrying amount exceeds the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows, then a second step is performed to determine the amount of impairment, if any, to be recognized. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds its fair value.

Assumptions and judgments: When performing the comparison of the sum of the undiscounted cash flows of the asset or asset group to its respective carrying amount, judgment is required when forming the basis for underlying cash flow forecast assumptions. Management considers whether events and circumstances such as a change in strategic direction and changes in business climate would impact the fair value of the indefinite lived intangible asset. If the second step of the impairment test is required, assumptions are required to estimate the fair value to compare against the carrying value. Significant assumptions that form the basis of fair value can include discount rates, underlying forecast assumptions, and royalty rates. These assumptions are forward looking and can be affected by future economic and market conditions. During fiscal 2024 we noted no events or changes in circumstances that indicated the carrying value of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable.

Income Taxes

Critical estimate: Prior to the Separation, the income tax provision in the statement of earnings had been calculated as if we were operating on a stand-alone basis and filed separate tax returns in the jurisdictions in which we operate. Therefore, cash tax payments and items of current and deferred taxes may not be reflective of our actual tax balances prior to or subsequent to the Separation.

In accordance with the authoritative accounting guidance, we account for income taxes using the asset and liability method. The asset and liability method requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities for expected future tax consequences of temporary differences that currently exist between the tax basis and financial reporting basis of our assets and liabilities. We evaluate the deferred tax assets to determine whether it is more likely than not that some, or a portion, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, and provide a valuation allowance as appropriate. Changes in existing tax laws or rates could significantly impact the estimate of our tax liabilities.

We follow the authoritative guidance included in ASC 740, Income Taxes, which contains a two-step approach to recognize and measure uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We consider many factors when evaluating and estimating our tax positions and tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments and for which actual outcomes may differ from forecasted outcomes. Our policy is to include interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.

Assumptions and judgments: Significant judgment is required in determining our tax expense and in evaluating our tax positions. In accordance with accounting literature related to uncertainty in income taxes, tax benefits from uncertain tax positions that are recognized in our consolidated and combined financial statements are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Valuation allowances are recorded if it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, we consider various factors, including the expected level of future taxable income and available tax planning strategies. Any changes in judgment about the valuation allowance are recorded through Income tax expense and are based on changes in facts and circumstances regarding realizability of deferred tax assets.

We have reserves for income taxes and associated interest and penalties that may become payable in future years as a result of audits by taxing authorities. It is our policy to record these in income tax expense. While we believe the positions taken on previously filed tax returns are appropriate, we have established the tax and interest reserves in recognition that various taxing authorities may challenge our positions. These reserves are analyzed periodically, and adjustments are made as events occur to warrant adjustment to the reserves, such as lapsing of applicable statutes of limitations, conclusion of tax audits, additional exposure based on current calculations, identification of new issues, and release of administrative guidance or court decisions affecting a particular tax issue. We have provided for the amounts we believe will ultimately result from these changes; however, due to the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from our current estimate of the tax liabilities. Such differences will be reflected as increases or decreases to income tax expense in the period in which they are determined. See “Note M – Income Taxes” for further information.

Employee Pension Plans

Critical estimate: Defined benefit pension and other post-employment benefit (“OPEB”) plan obligations are remeasured at least annually as of May 31 based on the present value of projected future benefit payments for all participants for services rendered to date. The measurement of projected future benefits is dependent on the provisions of each specific plan, demographics of the group covered by the plan and other key measurement assumptions. The funded status of these benefit plans, which represents the difference between the benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets, is calculated on a plan-by-plan basis. The benefit obligation and related funded status are determined using assumptions as of the end of each fiscal year. Net periodic benefit cost is included in other income (expense) in our consolidated and combined statements of earnings, except for the service cost component, which is recorded in SG&A.

Assumptions and judgments: Certain key actuarial assumptions critical to the pension and post-retirement accounting estimates include expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, discount rates, projected health care cost trend rates, cost of living adjustments, and mortality rates. In developing future long-term return expectations for our benefit plans’ assets, we formulate views on the future economic environment. We evaluate general market trends and historical relationships among a number of key variables that impact asset class returns such as expected earnings growth, inflation, valuations, yields, and spreads. We also consider expected volatility by asset class and diversification across classes to determine expected overall portfolio results given current and target allocations. Net periodic benefit costs, including service cost, interest cost, and expected return on assets, are determined using assumptions regarding the benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets as of the beginning of each fiscal year.

Holding all other factors constant, a decrease in the discount rate by 0.25% would have increased the projected benefit obligation at May 31, 2024 by approximately $1.8 million. Also, holding all other factors constant, a decrease in the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets by 0.25% would have increased fiscal 2024 pension expense by approximately $0.2 million.

See “Note L – Employee Retirement Plans” for further information.

Business Combinations

Critical estimate: We account for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires that once control is obtained, all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their respective fair values at the date of acquisition. The determination of fair values of identifiable assets and liabilities requires significant judgments and estimates and the use of valuation techniques when market value is not readily available. For the valuation of intangible assets acquired in a business combination, we typically use an income approach. The purchase price allocated to the intangible assets is based on unobservable assumptions, inputs and estimates, including but not limited to, forecasted revenue growth rates, projected expenses, discount rates, customer attrition rates, royalty rates, and useful lives.

Assumptions and judgments: Significant assumptions, which vary by the class of asset or liability, are forward looking and could be affected by future economic and market conditions. We engage third-party valuation specialists who review our critical assumptions and prepare the calculation of the fair value of acquired intangible assets in connection with significant business combinations. The excess of the purchase price over the fair values of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. During the measurement period, which is up to one year from the acquisition date, we may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to earnings.

See “Note O – Acquisitions” for further information.

Corporate Allocations:

Critical estimate: Prior to the Separation, we operated as part of the Former Parent and not as a stand-alone company. Accordingly, certain shared costs were allocated to us and are reflected as expenses in the accompanying financial statements for the periods prior to the Separation Date.

Assumptions and judgments: As a separate public company, our total costs related to such support functions will differ from the costs that were historically allocated to us due to economies of scale, difference in management judgment, a requirement for more or fewer employees, expenses associated with being a public company, and other factors. In addition, the expenses reflected in the financial statements may not be indicative of expenses that will be incurred in the future by us. The pre-Separation expenses were allocated to us on the basis of direct usage when identifiable, with the remainder allocated on the basis of either profitability or headcount depending on the underlying nature of the activity. We consider the basis on which expenses have been allocated to be a reasonable reflection of the services provided to or the benefit derived from the use of such support functions.

See “Note S – Related Party Transactions” for further information.

In the normal course of business, we are exposed to various market risks. We continually monitor these risks and regularly develop appropriate strategies to manage them. Accordingly, from time to time, we may enter into certain financial and commodity-based derivative financial instruments. These instruments are used primarily to mitigate market exposure. Refer to “Note P – Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities” for additional information.

Commodity Price Risk

We are exposed to market risk for price fluctuations on purchases of raw materials as well as our utility requirements. We attempt to negotiate the best prices for commodities and to competitively price products and services to reflect the fluctuations in market prices. Derivative financial instruments have been used to manage a portion of our exposure to fluctuations in the cost of certain commodities, including steel, natural gas, zinc, scrap and other raw materials. These contracts covered periods commensurate with known or expected exposures throughout fiscal 2024. The derivative financial instruments were executed with highly rated financial institutions. No credit loss is anticipated.

A sensitivity analysis of changes in the price of hedged commodities indicates that a 10% decline in the market prices of steel, zinc, scrap, natural gas or any combination of these would not have a material impact to the value of our hedges or our reported results.

The fair values of our outstanding derivative positions as of May 31, 2024 and 2023 are summarized below. Fair values of these derivative financial instruments do not consider the offsetting impact of the underlying hedged item.

(In millions)

Safe Harbor

Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk include forward-looking statements with respect to management’s opinion about risks associated with the use of derivative financial instruments. These statements are based on certain assumptions with respect to market prices and industry supply of, and demand for, steel products and certain raw materials. To the extent these assumptions prove to be inaccurate, future outcomes with respect to hedging programs may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Refer to the “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” section at the beginning of this Form 10-K for additional information.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-K, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Annual Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

This Form 10-K does not include a report of management’s assessment regarding internal control over financial reporting or an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm due to a transition period established by rules of the SEC for newly public companies.