Armstrong World Industries (AWI) risk factors, FY2024 10-K

Risks Related to Our Operations

1. 01Sales fluctuations and changes in our relationships with key customers could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations
2. 02We continuously pursue productivity initiatives and periodically engage in cost-saving initiatives. Execution of these initiatives may result in interruptions in production and/or may result in lower-than-expected savings in our operating cost structure or may not improve our operating results
3. 03Increased labor costs, labor disputes, work stoppages or union organizing activity, as well as increased labor shortages, or an inability to attract and retain talented employees could delay or impede production and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations

Risks Related to Our Strategy

1. 04We may not experience the anticipated benefits from our strategic initiatives, including investments in product innovation and digitalization

Risks Related to Financial Matters

1. 05We require a significant amount of liquidity to fund our operations, and our indebtedness may have a material adverse effect on our ability to operate and invest in our business, execute on our strategic initiatives, and return cash to shareholders
2. 06make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness
3. 07We cannot guarantee future cash dividend payments or future repurchases of our common stock pursuant to a share repurchase program
4. 08Negative tax consequences can have an unanticipated effect on our financial results
5. 09Significant changes in factors and assumptions used to measure our defined benefit plan obligations, actual investment returns on pension assets and other factors could negatively impact our operating results and cash flows

Risks Related to Legal and Regulatory Matters

1. 10Potential regulatory actions, product and service claims, environmental claims and other litigation could be costly and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations. Insurance coverage may not be available or adequate in all circumstances
2. 11We may be subject to liability under, and may make substantial future expenditures to comply with, environmental laws and regulations, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations
3. 12Our intellectual property rights may be infringed, misappropriated, invalidated or otherwise circumvented, which could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations
4. 13We are subject to risks associated with our operations in Canada and Latin America. Legislative, political, regulatory and economic volatility, as well as vulnerability to infrastructure and labor disruptions, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations

Risks Related to General Economic and Other Factors

1. 14Unstable market and economic conditions could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations
2. 15Our business is dependent on construction activity in North America. Downturns or delays in construction activity could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations
3. 16Customer consolidation, and competitive, economic and other pressures facing our customers, and our potential failure to attract new customers in our markets, may negatively impact our net sales, operating margins and profitability
4. 17We rely on operating and information systems that may experience a failure, a compromise of security, or a violation of data privacy laws or regulations, which could interrupt or damage our operations and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations
5. 18The regulatory environment related to information security, data collection and privacy is evolving, with new and constantly changing requirements applicable to our business, and compliance with those requirements could result in additional costs
6. 19Our business is dependent upon third-party vendors and suppliers whose failure to perform adequately could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations
7. 20The geographic concentration of our business could subject us to risks, including those associated with climate change, which may be greater than our competitors and could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations
8. 21Public health epidemics or pandemics could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations