Company: GGG
Filing Date: 2025-02-18
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0000042888-25-000011
Chunk: 25

Company: GRACO INC
Filing Date: 2025-02-18
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1A
Chunk 25
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 the mix of earnings in jurisdictions with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, and changes in tax laws or their interpretation, such as the 15% global minimum tax under the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development ("OECD") Pillar Two, Global Anti-Base Erosion Rules. In addition, the U.S. government could adopt changes to international trade agreements, tariffs, taxes and other related regulations. If the Company’s effective tax rate were to increase, or if the ultimate determination of the Company’s taxes owed is for an amount in excess of amounts previously accrued, the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Legal Proceedings - Costs associated with claims, litigation, administrative proceedings and regulatory reviews, and potentially adverse outcomes, may affect our profitability.

15

The nature of our business, including the equipment we develop, manufacture and sell, or have in the past developed, manufactured and sold, exposes us to the risk of product liability, warranty and tort (including toxic tort), commercial and employment-related claims, demands and litigation. As we grow, we are at an increased risk of being a target in matters related to the assertion of claims and demands, litigation, administrative proceedings and regulatory reviews. We may also need to pursue claims or litigation to protect our interests. The cost of pursuing, defending and insuring against such matters is increasing, particularly in the U.S. A claim against us could cause us to incur substantial and unexpected costs and affect customer confidence in our products, which may adversely affect our profitability. Further, due to adverse changes in costs to insure against such matters, we have increased our self-insured retention and deductibles and procured lower coverage limits under certain policies, which may increase our risk exposure for certain types of claims and adversely affect our profitability if we are ultimately held responsible for such claims. In some cases, our insurers may have the right to compel us to settle litigation we are defending and make a payment in connection with the settlement, even where we have a strong conviction in our defenses and believe our exposure is limited. Successful claims against the Company and settlements may adversely affect our results.