Company: MWA
Filing Date: 2025-11-19
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0001350593-25-000066
Chunk: 295

Company: Mueller Water Products, Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-11-19
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1A
Chunk 295
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 actual rates of return on plan assets being materially lower than projected and require us to increase pension contributions in future years to meet funding level requirements.  Increasing life spans for plan participants may increase the estimated benefit payments and increase the amounts reported for pension obligations, pension contributions and pension expenses.  If increased funding requirements are particularly significant and sustained, our overall liquidity could be materially reduced, which could cause us to reduce investments and capital expenditures, or restructure or refinance our debt, among other things.

Risks related to our international operations

Any failure to satisfy international trade laws and regulations or to otherwise comply with changes or other trade developments may adversely affect us.

Our operations require importing and exporting goods and technology among countries on a regular basis.  Thus, the sale and shipment of our products and services across international borders, as well as the purchase of components and products from international sources, subject us to extensive trade laws and regulations.  Trade laws and regulations are complex, differ by country and are enforced by a variety of government agencies.  Because we are subject to extensive trade laws and regulations in the countries in which we operate, we are subject to the risk that laws and regulations could change in a manner that would expose us to additional costs, penalties or liabilities, and our policies and procedures may not always protect us from actions that would violate international trade laws and regulations.  For example, certain federal legislation requires the use of American iron and steel products in certain water projects receiving certain federal appropriations.  In addition, we have incurred costs to comply with these requirements, including those associated with enhancing our assembly operations and sourcing practices.  As a result of the varying legal and regulatory requirements to which our cross-border activities are subject, we have not always been, and may not always be, in compliance with the trade laws and regulations in all respects.  Improper actions could subject us to civil or criminal penalties, including material monetary fines, or other adverse actions, including denial of import or export privileges, and could harm our reputation and our business prospects.  See Note 15. of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

If significant tariffs or other restrictions continue to be placed on foreign imports by the United States and related countermeasures are taken by impacted foreign countries, our sales and results of operations may be harmed.

If significant tariffs or other restrictions continue to be placed on foreign imports by the United States and related countermeasures are taken by impacted foreign countries, our sales and results of operations may be harmed.  For example, ongoing trade tensions between the United