EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 825542
Filing Year: 2022
Filename: 825542_10-K_2022_0001546380-22-000035.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Company Description and Development of the Business
The discussion below describes the business conducted by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, an Ohio corporation (“Scotts Miracle-Gro” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Company,” “we” or “us”), including general developments in our business during fiscal 2022. Each reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Form 10-K”) to a “fiscal” year is to our fiscal year ended or ending, as applicable, on September 30 of the referenced year. For additional information on recent business developments, see “ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS” of this Form 10-K.
Through our U.S. Consumer and Other segments, we are the leading manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products in North America. Our products are marketed under some of the most recognized brand names in the industry. Our key consumer lawn and garden brands include Scotts® and Turf Builder® lawn fertilizer and Scotts® grass seed products; Miracle-Gro® soil, plant food and gardening products; Ortho® herbicide and pesticide products; and Tomcat® rodent control and animal repellent products. We also have a presence in similar branded consumer products in China. We are the exclusive agent of the Monsanto Company, a subsidiary of Bayer AG (“Monsanto”), for the marketing and distribution of certain of Monsanto’s consumer Roundup®1 branded products within the United States and certain other specified countries. In addition, we have an equity interest in Bonnie Plants, LLC, a joint venture with Alabama Farmers Cooperative, Inc. (“AFC”), focused on planting, growing, developing, distributing, marketing, and selling live plants.
Through our Hawthorne segment, we are a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of lighting, nutrients, growing media, growing environments and hardware products for indoor and hydroponic gardening in North America. Our key brands include General Hydroponics®, Gavita®, Botanicare®, Agrolux®, Can-Filters®, Gro Pro®, Mother Earth®, Hurricane®, Grower’s Edge®, HydroLogicTM and Cyco®.
Scotts Miracle-Gro traces its heritage to a company founded by O.M. Scott in Marysville, Ohio in 1868. In the mid-1900s, we became widely known for the development of quality lawn fertilizers and grass seeds that led to the creation of a new industry - consumer lawn care. In the 1990s, we significantly expanded our product offering with three leading brands in the U.S. home lawn and garden industry. In fiscal 1995, through a merger with Stern’s Miracle-Gro Products, Inc., which was founded by Horace Hagedorn and Otto Stern in Long Island, New York in 1951, we acquired the Miracle-Gro® brand, the industry leader in water-soluble garden plant foods. In fiscal 1999, we acquired the Ortho® brand in the United States and obtained exclusive rights to market Monsanto’s consumer Roundup® brand within the United States and other contractually specified countries, thereby adding industry-leading weed, pest and disease control products to our portfolio. Today, the Scotts®, Turf Builder®, Miracle-Gro®, Ortho® and Roundup® brands make us the most widely recognized company in the consumer lawn and garden industry in the United States.
Business Segments
We divide our business into the following reportable segments:
•U.S. Consumer
•Hawthorne
•Other
U.S. Consumer consists of our consumer lawn and garden business in the United States. Hawthorne consists of our indoor and hydroponic gardening business. Other primarily consists of our consumer lawn and garden business outside the United States. This division of reportable segments is consistent with how the segments report to and are managed by our Chief Executive Officer (the chief operating decision maker of the Company). In addition, Corporate consists of general and administrative expenses and certain other income and expense items not allocated to the business segments. Financial information about these segments for each of the three fiscal years ended September 30, 2022, 2021 and 2020 is presented in “NOTE 21. SEGMENT INFORMATION” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K.
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1 Roundup® is a registered trademark of Monsanto Technology LLC, a company affiliated with Monsanto Company.
Principal Products and Services
In our reportable segments, we manufacture, market and sell lawn and garden products in the following categories:
Lawn Care: The lawn care category is designed to help users grow and enjoy the lawn they want. Products within this category include lawn fertilizer products under the Scotts® and Turf Builder® brand names; grass seed products under the Scotts®, Turf Builder®, EZ Seed®, PatchMaster® and Thick’R LawnTM brand and sub-brand names; and lawn-related weed, pest and disease control products primarily under the Scotts® brand name, including sub-brands such as GrubEx®. The lawn care category also includes spreaders and other durables under the Scotts® brand name, including Turf Builder® EdgeGuard® spreaders and Handy Green® II handheld spreaders. In addition, we market outdoor cleaners under the Scotts® brand name.
Gardening and Landscape: The gardening and landscape category is designed to help consumers grow and enjoy flower and vegetable gardens and beautify landscaped areas. Products within this category include a complete line of water-soluble plant foods under the Miracle-Gro® brand and sub-brands such as LiquaFeed®, continuous-release plant foods under the Miracle-Gro® brand and sub-brands such as Shake ‘N Feed®; potting mixes, garden soils, ground cover and mulches under the Miracle-Gro®, Scotts®, Hyponex® and Earthgro® brand names; plant-related pest and disease control products under the Ortho® brand; organic garden products under the Miracle-Gro® Performance Organics®, Miracle-Gro® Organic Choice®, Scotts®, Whitney Farms® and EcoScraps® brand names; and live goods and seeding solutions under the Miracle-Gro® brand. Hydroponic and indoor gardening focused growing media and nutrients products are marketed under the Mother Earth®, Botanicare®, General Hydroponics®, Vermicrop® and Cyco® brand names as well as brands owned by third parties for which we serve as distributor.
Hydroponic hardware and growing environments: This category is designed to provide durable goods to grow plants, flowers and vegetables using little or no soil. Products within this category include growing systems, trays, fans, filters, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, timers, instruments, water pumps, irrigation supplies and hand tools, and are marketed under the Botanicare®, Can-Filters®, Gro Pro®, Hurricane®, AeroGarden® and HydroLogicTM brand names as well as brands owned by third parties for which we serve as distributor.
Lighting: The lighting category is designed to provide growers a complete selection of lighting systems and components for use in hydroponic and indoor gardening applications. Products in this category include lighting sensors, controls, fixtures, reflectors, lamps, cords and hangars, and are marketed under the Gavita®, Agrolux® and Titan® brand names as well as brands owned by third parties for which we serve as distributor. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022, the Company decided it would discontinue and exit the market for certain Hawthorne lighting products and brands, including Luxx Lighting, Inc. (“Luxx Lighting”).
Controls: The controls category is designed to help consumers protect their homes from pests and maintain external home areas. Insect control products are marketed under the Ortho® brand name, including Ortho Max®, Home Defense® and Bug B Gon® sub-brands; rodent control products are marketed under the Tomcat® and Ortho® brands; selective weed control products are marketed under the Ortho Weed B GonTM sub-brand; and non-selective weed killer products are marketed under the Groundclear® brand name. Hydroponic gardening focused controls products are marketed under the Alchemist® and General Hydroponics® brand names as well as brands owned by third parties for which we serve as distributor.
Marketing Agreement: We are Monsanto’s exclusive agent for the marketing and distribution of certain of Monsanto’s consumer Roundup® branded products in the United States and certain other specified countries. On May 15, 2015, we entered into an amendment (the “Marketing Agreement Amendment”) to the Amended and Restated Exclusive Agency and Marketing Agreement (as amended, the “Original Marketing Agreement”) with Monsanto and also entered into a lawn and garden brand extension agreement (the “Brand Extension Agreement”) and a commercialization and technology agreement (the “Commercialization and Technology Agreement”) with Monsanto. On August 31, 2017, in connection with the sale of our consumer lawn and garden businesses located in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom (the “International Business”), we entered into the Second Amended and Restated Agency and Marketing Agreement (the “Restated Marketing Agreement”) and the Amended and Restated Lawn and Garden Brand Extension Agreement - Americas (the “Restated Brand Extension Agreement”) to reflect the Company’s transfer and assignment to Exponent Private Equity LLP (“Exponent”) of the Company’s rights and responsibilities under the Original Marketing Agreement, as amended, and the Brand Extension Agreement relating to those countries and territories subject to the sale.
Effective August 1, 2019, we entered into (i) the Third Amended and Restated Exclusive Agency and Marketing Agreement (the “Third Restated Agreement”) which amends and restates the Restated Marketing Agreement, (ii) a Brand Extension Agreement Asset Purchase Agreement (the “BEA Purchase Agreement”) under which we sold certain assets to Monsanto related to the development, manufacture, production, advertising, marketing, promotion, distribution, importation, exportation, offer for sale and sale of specified Roundup® branded products sold outside the non-selective weedkiller category within the residential lawn and garden market and (iii) agreements terminating both the Restated Brand Extension Agreement and the Commercialization and Technology Agreement.
Under the terms of the Third Restated Agreement, we provide certain consumer and trade marketing program services, sales, merchandising, warehousing and other selling and marketing support for certain of Monsanto’s consumer Roundup® branded products. Among other things, the Third Restated Agreement amends the provisions of the Restated Marketing Agreement relating to commissions, contributions, noncompetition, and termination. The Company also performs other services on behalf of Monsanto, including manufacturing conversion services, pursuant to ancillary agreements. For additional details regarding the Third Restated Agreement, see “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - Risks Related to Our Business - In the event the Third Restated Agreement for Monsanto’s consumer Roundup® products terminates or Monsanto’s consumer Roundup® business materially declines, we would lose a substantial source of future earnings and overhead expense absorption” of this Form 10-K and “NOTE 7. MARKETING AGREEMENT” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K.
Acquisitions and Divestitures
On April 28, 2022, our Hawthorne segment completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of S.J. Enterprises PTY LTD, d.b.a. Cyco (“Cyco”), an Australia-based provider of premium nutrients, additives and growing media products for indoor growing sold mostly in the United States, for a purchase price of $37.3 million.
On April 22, 2022, pursuant to our follow-on investment rights, we made an additional investment in Toronto-based RIV Capital Inc. (“RIV Capital”) (CSE: RIV) (OTC: CNPOF), a cannabis investment and acquisition firm listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange, in the form of a $25.0 million convertible note which matures on August 24, 2027.
On December 30, 2021, our Hawthorne segment completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Luxx Lighting, Inc., a provider of lighting products for indoor growing. The purchase price was $213.2 million, a portion of which was paid through the issuance of 0.1 million common shares of Scotts Miracle-Gro (“Common Shares”) with a fair value of $21.0 million based on the share price at the time of payment.
On December 23, 2021, our Hawthorne segment completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of True Liberty Bags, a leading provider of liners and storage solutions to dry and cure plant products, for $10.1 million.
Refer to “NOTE 8. ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS” of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for more information regarding these acquisitions and investments.
Principal Markets and Methods of Distribution
We sell our products through our direct sales force, e-commerce website and our network of brokers and distributors primarily to home centers, mass merchandisers, warehouse clubs, large hardware chains, independent hardware stores, nurseries, garden centers, e-commerce platforms, food and drug stores, indoor gardening and hydroponic product distributors, retailers and growers.
The majority of our shipments to customers are made via common carriers, our own private fleet or through distributors in the United States. We primarily utilize third parties to manage the key distribution centers for our consumer lawn and garden business, which are strategically located across the United States and Canada. For our Hawthorne business, we primarily self-manage distribution centers across the United States and Canada. Growing media products are generally shipped direct-to-store without passing through a distribution center.
Raw Materials
We purchase raw materials for our products from various sources. We are subject to market risk as a result of the fluctuating prices of raw materials, including urea and other fertilizer inputs, resins, diesel, gasoline, natural gas, sphagnum peat, bark and grass seed. Our objectives surrounding the procurement of these materials are to ensure continuous supply, minimize costs and improve predictability. We seek to achieve these objectives through negotiation of contracts with favorable terms directly with vendors. When appropriate, we commit to purchase a certain percentage of our needs in advance of the lawn and garden season to secure pre-determined prices. We also hedge certain commodities, particularly diesel and urea, to improve cost predictability and control. Sufficient raw materials were available during fiscal 2022.
Trademarks, Patents, Trade Secrets and Licenses
We believe that our trademarks, patents, trade secrets and licenses provide us with significant competitive advantages. We pursue a vigorous trademark protection strategy consisting of registration, renewal and maintenance of key trademarks and proactive monitoring and enforcement activities to protect against infringement. The Scotts®, Miracle-Gro®, Ortho®, Tomcat®, Hyponex®, Earthgro®, General Hydroponics®, Gavita®, Botanicare®, Agrolux®, Mother Earth® and Can-Filters® brand names and logos, as well as a number of product trademarks, including Turf Builder®, EZ Seed®, Organic Choice®, Home Defense Max®, Nature Scapes®, and Weed B Gon Max® are registered in the United States and/or internationally and are considered material to our business.
In addition, we actively develop and maintain an extensive portfolio of utility and design patents covering a variety of subject matters and technologies relevant to the business such as fertilizer, weed killer, chemical and growing media compositions and processes; grass seed varieties; mechanical dispensing devices such as applicators, spreaders and sprayers; lighting applications; and hydroponic growing systems. Our utility patents provide protection generally extending to 20 years from the date of filing, and many of our patents will continue well into the next decade. We also hold exclusive and non-exclusive patent licenses and supply arrangements, permitting the use and sale of additional patented fertilizers, pesticides, electrical and mechanical devices. Although our portfolio of trade secrets, patents and patent licenses is important to our success, no single trade secret, patent or group of related patents, alone, is considered critical to the operation of any of our business segments or the business as a whole.
Seasonality and Backlog
Our North America consumer lawn and garden business is highly seasonal, with approximately 75% of our annual net sales occurring in our second and third fiscal quarters combined. Our annual sales for this business are further concentrated in our second and third fiscal quarters by retailers who rely on our ability to deliver products closer to when consumers buy our products, thereby reducing retailers’ pre-season inventories. We anticipate significant orders for our North America consumer lawn and garden business for the upcoming spring season will start to be received late in the winter and continue through the spring season. Historically, substantially all orders have been received and shipped within the same fiscal year with minimal carryover of open orders at the end of the fiscal year.
For our Hawthorne segment, sales are also impacted by seasonal patterns for certain product categories due to the timing of outdoor growing in North America during our second and third fiscal quarters, and the timing of certain controlled agricultural lighting project sales during our third and fourth fiscal quarters.
Significant Customers
Home Depot and Lowe’s are our two largest customers and are the only customers that individually represent more than 10% of reported consolidated net sales during any of the three most recent fiscal years. For additional details regarding significant customers, see “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - Risks Related to Our Business - Because of the concentration of our sales to a small number of retail customers, the loss of one or more of, or a significant reduction in orders from, our top customers, or a material reduction in the inventory of our products that they carry, could adversely affect our financial results” of this Form 10-K and “NOTE 21. SEGMENT INFORMATION” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K.
Competitive Marketplace
The markets in which we sell our products are highly competitive. We compete primarily on the basis of brand strength, product innovation, product quality, product performance, advertising, value, supply chain competency, field sales support, in-store sales support and the strength of our relationships with major retailers and distributors.
In the lawn and garden, pest control and indoor gardening and hydroponic markets, our products compete against private-label as well as branded products. Primary competitors include Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc., Central Garden & Pet Company, Enforcer Products, Inc., Kellogg Garden Products, Oldcastle Retail, Inc., Lebanon Seaboard Corporation, Reckitt Benckiser Group plc, FoxFarm Soil & Fertilizer Company, Nanolux Technology, Inc., Sun Gro Horticulture, Inc., Advanced Nutrients, Ltd. and Hydrofarm Holdings Group, Inc. In addition, we face competition from smaller regional competitors that operate in many of the areas where we compete.
In Canada, we face competition in the lawn and garden market from Premier Tech Ltd. and a variety of local companies including private label brands.
Research and Development
We continually invest in research and development, both in the laboratory and at the consumer level, to improve our products, manufacturing processes, packaging and delivery systems. Spending on research and development was $45.3 million, $45.4 million and $39.7 million in fiscal 2022, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively, including product registration costs of $13.0 million, $12.3 million and $11.0 million, respectively. In addition to our own research and development activities, we actively seek ways to leverage the research and development activities of our suppliers and other business partners.
Regulatory Considerations
Laws and regulations in the United States and other countries affect the manufacture, sale, distribution, use and/or application of our products in several ways. For example, in the United States, all pesticide products must comply with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (“FIFRA”), and most pesticide products require registration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “U.S. EPA”) and similar state agencies before they can be sold or distributed. The use of certain pesticide products is also regulated by the U.S. EPA in addition to various local, state and federal environmental and/
or public health agencies. These regulations may, for example, include requirements that only certified or professional users apply the product, that certain products be used only on certain types of locations (such as “not for use on sod farms or golf courses”), that users post notices on properties to which products have been or will be applied, or that may require notification to individuals in the vicinity that products will be applied in the future, or may ban the use of certain ingredients or categories of products altogether. Analogous regulatory regimes apply to certain pesticides that we sell or distribute in other countries.
Fertilizer and growing media products are also subject to various laws and regulations, some of which require registration, mandate labeling requirements, and/or govern the sale and distribution of the products. Our grass seed products are regulated in the U.S. by the Federal Seed Act and various state regulations. In addition, governmental agencies regulate the disposal, transport, handling and storage of waste, the remediation of contaminated sites, air and water discharges from our facilities, and workplace health and safety.
Governmental authorities generally require operating facilities to obtain permits (sometimes on an annual basis) relating to site-specific conditions and/or activities. For example, permits must be obtained in order to harvest peat and to discharge storm water run-off or water pumped from peat deposits. The permits typically specify the condition in which the property must be left after the peat is fully harvested, with the residual use typically being natural wetland habitats combined with open water areas. We are generally required by these permits to limit our harvesting and to restore the property consistent with the intended residual use. In some locations, these facilities have been required to create water retention ponds to control the sediment content of discharged water.
In addition, on October 18, 2021, the Biden Administration announced a multi-agency plan to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”) contamination nationwide. Agencies, including the U.S. EPA, the Department of Defense, the Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Health and Human Services, will take actions to prevent the release of PFAS into the air, drinking systems, and food supply and to expand cleanup efforts to remediate the impacts of PFAS pollution. As part of this announcement, the U.S. EPA released its PFAS Strategic Roadmap: EPA’s Commitments to Action 2021-2024, which sets timelines by which the U.S. EPA plans to take specific actions during the first term of the Biden Administration. It is possible that some of these actions may have an impact - direct or indirect - on our business.
The growth and expansion of our business has expanded the regulatory oversight to which we are subject. If we enter new product categories and/or new jurisdictions, we may become subject to additional applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
For more information regarding how compliance with local, state, federal and foreign laws and regulations may affect us, see “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - Risks Related to Regulation of Our Company - Compliance with environmental and other public health regulations or changes in such regulations or regulatory enforcement priorities could increase our costs of doing business or limit our ability to market all of our products” of this Form 10-K.
Regulatory Matters
We are subject to various environmental proceedings, the majority of which are for site remediation. At September 30, 2022, $2.4 million was accrued for such environmental matters. During fiscal 2022, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, we expensed $0.2 million, $0.5 million and $0.5 million, respectively, for such environmental matters. We had no material capital expenditures during the last three fiscal years related to environmental or regulatory matters.
Human Capital
We believe our culture and commitment to our associates provides unique value to us and our shareholders. Every associate, and every job, is important to our success and helping us achieve our purpose. We seek to create an environment that values the health, safety and wellness of our teams, and we work to equip them with the knowledge and skills to serve our business and develop in their careers.
This discussion includes information regarding human capital matters that we believe may be of interest to shareholders generally. We recognize that certain other stakeholders (such as customers, employees and non-governmental organizations), as well as certain of our shareholders, may be interested in more detailed information on these topics. We encourage you to review the “Supporting Our People” section of our 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report, located on our website at https://scottsmiraclegro.com/responsibility/environmental-social-and-governance, for more detailed information regarding our human capital programs and initiatives. The contents of our corporate website are not incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K or in any other report or document we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).
Associates
As of September 30, 2022, we employed approximately 6,100 employees. During peak sales and production periods in fiscal 2022, our workforce totaled 8,620, which was comprised of approximately 7,660 employees including seasonal associates and approximately 960 in temporary labor. Included within these numbers, during fiscal 2022, we employed a total of approximately 2,430 full-time and seasonal in-store associates within the United States to help our retail partners merchandise our products in their lawn and garden departments directly to consumers. During fiscal 2022, we undertook a strategic reduction in our workforce as part of a series of organizational changes and initiatives intended to create operational and management-level efficiencies.
Engagement
Our business is directly impacted by the level of engagement created through our associate experience. To advance engagement, we have taken a purposeful approach to focus on the employee experience. This year we focused on creating a positive workplace and strong leadership as our business has experienced a great deal of change. We prioritized change management and providing support to our associates through business transitions. We continue to gather the voices of our associates formally and informally throughout the year through, among other initiatives, executive town halls, pulse surveys and leadership skip level meetings. This feedback is shared and leveraged as human capital initiatives are defined.
Diversity
We value our associates’ diversity and encourage them to leverage their varied life experiences at our Company. This includes diversity in terms of gender, sexuality, race, thoughts, interests, languages, beliefs and more. We continue to hold ourselves accountable to fostering a positive workplace, one that creates a sense of belonging and community. This comes to life in the programs and support we provide our associates.
We received a score of 100% on the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index (HRC CEI) and the designation of being one of the “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality” for calendar year 2021. The HRC CEI is a benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality.
Our Employee Resource Groups (“ERGs”) are voluntary, associate-led groups usually formed by people with a common affinity such as gender, race, national origin, sexual orientation, military status or other attributes. Each ERG establishes a mission to positively impact the business by cultivating relationships through networking and developing talent through experiences, programs and mentoring. Our ERGs drive continuous improvement of our inclusive work environment and are open to all associates, regardless of the business department, location or management level. Our ERGs consist of the Scotts Women’s Network, the Scotts Black Employees Network, the Scotts Veterans Network, the Scotts Young Professionals, Scotts GroPride, Scotts Associates for a Greener Earth and Scotts Family TREE.
Professional Development
We view development and retention of our associates as valuable components of our business operations and to creating a culture of leadership throughout our Company. We partner with industry experts to ensure our professional development curriculum offers both live and on-demand learning content that accelerates the development of practical skills and competencies. Content is selected by associates and updated frequently to align to the development needs of our associates and address trending topics. All associates have the opportunity to learn new skills through exposure and involvement in business challenges. Our managers support associates as development happens on the job through cross-functional team assignments, expanded roles and rotational assignments. We provide a variety of best-in-class learning tools and experiences to our associates to help them embrace a growth mindset that leads to higher levels of achievement and personal satisfaction. Our ongoing development processes are designed to grow knowledge, improve skills and capabilities, and achieve competence in specific behaviors to meet performance expectations and prepare for potential future roles within our Company.
Compensation and Benefits
Our passion extends far beyond gardening and growing to include the well-being of our associates. We are a company that has been rooted in family since our founding in 1868, and one major way we continue to bring this to life is in our commitment to enhancing our associates and their family’s health, financial security, and support for everyday challenges through our LiveTotalHealth program - our holistic and comprehensive approach to wellness. Our commitment to LiveTotalHealth can be seen in the enhancements we made in 2022 and announced for 2023. Some of the highlights include a new partnership with Quantum Health - an innovative leader in health care navigation and care coordination, a new wellness reimbursement program to support our associates’ physical, mental and financial well-being, and a decrease to most associates’ medical plan premiums. We were able to provide pay increases for most of our associates in the first quarter of fiscal 2023, with an opportunity for another pay increase during fiscal 2023.
Health and Safety
We maintain several health and safety programs to protect our team members, including our comprehensive Environmental Health and Safety (“EHS”) management system. All associates and business partners, including contractors, are covered by our EHS management system. Across our operational sites and sales teams, our associates participate in safety committees to spur associate engagement with safety on a local and national level. To further mitigate health and safety risks, we develop compliance calendars that highlight dates for health and safety inspections and deadlines to meet voluntary and regulatory requirements. To evaluate our health and safety performance, we use an EHS scorecard composed of leading and lagging indicators, such as progress measurements for safety training, behavioral-based safety observations, near-miss reporting, total recordable incident rate and lost time accident rate.
Information Systems
We understand the critical nature of real-time, measurable data and insights from a human capital perspective. Our cloud-based human capital management solution unifies our wide range of human relations functionality onto one single platform. This structure enables us to support the entire enterprise with qualitative and quantitative analytics specific to associate transactions, processes and programs, and connection to other organizational data creating a culture where data and analytics are the norm. The organization has embraced this transformation and the scalable flexibility of the platform, and in doing so, has implemented other modules that integrate cohesively.
Environmental, Social and Governance
All of our stakeholders are essential to our business - shareholders, customers, suppliers, associates, communities as well as the environment and society. We are working to make our workforce more inclusive, our business more sustainable, and our communities more engaged by maintaining strong environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) practices.
In fiscal 2022, we published our 11th Corporate Responsibility Report, prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (“GRI”) Standards: Core option and with consideration for the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board’s (SASB’s) Chemicals industry standard. This report provides detailed information regarding our ESG strategy, focus areas and governance structure. The Company’s ESG focus areas are Product Stewardship and Safety, Operations and Supply Chain, Associate Engagement and Wellness, Community Engagement and Governance and Transparency. The Company continues to benchmark, set goals and seek continuous improvement around these focus areas.
We publish our Corporate Responsibility Report and several ESG-related policies and statements on the ESG section of our corporate website, which is located at https://scottsmiraclegro.com/responsibility/environmental-social-and-governance. These policies and statements address environmental, health and safety and human rights concerns. We also published a Supplier Code of Conduct in fiscal 2022 that establishes the minimum standards that suppliers must satisfy to sell goods or do business with the Company. Further ESG initiatives in fiscal 2022 included responding to the Carbon Disclosure Project’s climate questionnaire and completing the S&P Corporate Sustainability Assessment. The contents of our corporate website are not incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K or in any other report or document we file with the SEC.
Website and General Information
We maintain a website at http://investor.scotts.com. Information on our websites will not be deemed incorporated by reference into, and do not form any part of, this Form 10-K or any other report or document that we file with or furnish to the SEC. We file reports with the SEC and make available, free of charge, on or through our website, our 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 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as well as our proxy and information statements, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Form 10-K, including the exhibits hereto and the information incorporated by reference herein, as well as our 2022 Annual Report to Shareholders (our “2022 Annual Report”), contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Information regarding activities, events and developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including, but not limited to, information relating to our future growth and profitability targets and strategies designed to increase total shareholder value, are forward-looking statements based on management’s estimates, assumptions and projections. Forward-looking statements also include, but are not limited to, statements regarding our future economic and financial condition and results of operations, the plans and objectives of management and our assumptions regarding our performance and such plans and objectives, as well as the amount and timing of repurchases of our Common Shares or other uses of cash flows. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified through the use of words such as “guidance,” “outlook,” “projected,” “believe,” “target,” “predict,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “strategy,” “may,” “goal,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “likely,” “will,” “should” and other similar words and variations.
Forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K and our 2022 Annual Report are predictions only and actual results could differ materially from management’s expectations due to a variety of factors, including those described below. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons working on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by such risk factors.
The forward-looking statements that we make in this Form 10-K and our 2022 Annual Report are based on management’s current views and assumptions regarding future events and speak only as of their dates. We disclaim any obligation to update developments of these risk factors or to announce publicly any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements that we make, or to make corrections to reflect future events or developments, except as required by the federal securities laws.
Risks Related to Our Business
If we underestimate or overestimate demand for our products and do not maintain appropriate inventory levels, our net sales and/or working capital could be negatively impacted.
Our ability to manage our inventory levels to meet our customers’ demand for our products is important for our business. Our production levels and inventory management goals for our products are based on estimates of demand, taking into account production capacity, timing of shipments, and inventory levels. If we overestimate or underestimate either channel or retail demand for any of our products during a given season, we may not maintain appropriate inventory levels, which could negatively impact our net sales, profit margins, net earnings, working capital and/or cash flow, hinder our ability to meet customer demand, result in loss of customers, or cause us to incur excess and obsolete inventory charges or excess warehouse storage costs.
For example, during fiscal 2022, a significant decrease in sales volume coupled with a recent expansion of our production and supply chain resulted in higher fixed costs and inventory levels. These factors negatively impacted our net sales, profit margins, net earnings and operating cash flow.
Disruptions in availability or increases in the prices of raw materials, fuel or transportation costs could adversely affect our results of operations.
We source many of our commodities and other raw materials on a global basis. The general availability and price of those raw materials can be affected by numerous forces beyond our control, including political instability, trade restrictions and other government regulations, duties and tariffs, price controls, changes in currency exchange rates and weather. A significant disruption in the availability or price of any of our key raw materials could negatively impact our business.
In February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, the indirect impacts of the conflict in Ukraine, including increases in the cost of raw materials (including fertilizer inputs such as urea) and commodities (including the price of oil), supply chain and logistics challenges and foreign currency volatility. Increases in the prices of key commodities and other raw materials could adversely affect our ability to manage our cost structure. Market conditions may limit our ability to raise selling prices to offset increases in our raw material costs. Further, sustained price increases may lead to declines in volume as competitors may not adjust their prices or customers and/or consumers may decide not to pay the higher prices, which could lead to sales declines and loss of market share. Our projections may not accurately predict the volume impact of price increases, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our proprietary technologies can limit our ability to locate or utilize alternative inputs for certain products. For certain inputs, new sources of supply may have to be qualified under regulatory standards, which can require additional investment and delay bringing a product to market. We utilize hedge agreements periodically to fix the prices of a portion of our urea and fuel needs. The hedge agreements are designed to mitigate the earnings and cash flow fluctuations associated with the costs of urea and fuel. In periods of declining prices, utilizing these hedge agreements may effectively increase our expenditures for these raw materials.
The effects of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and any possible recurrence of other similar types of pandemics, or any other widespread public health emergencies, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and/or cash flows.
The World Health Organization recognized COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020 and as a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. Public health responses have included national pandemic preparedness and response plans, travel restrictions, quarantines, curfews, event postponements and cancellations and closures of facilities including local schools and businesses. The global pandemic and actions taken to contain COVID-19 have disrupted the global economy and financial markets. Increases in COVID-19 cases may increase the possibility of further shutdowns, production delays, staffing and resource challenges which could materially harm our financial condition and results of operations.
We have actively addressed the pandemic’s ongoing impact on our employees, operations, customers, consumers, and communities, by, among other things, implementing contingency plans, making operational adjustments where necessary, and providing assistance to organizations that support front-line workers. The first priority of our pandemic response has been and remains the health, safety and well-being of our employees which we have addressed by following Center for Disease Control health guidelines and applicable state and local guidelines. While we believe that these actions should enable us to maintain our operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, we can provide no assurance that we will be able to do so as a result of the unpredictability of the ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the responses of local, state, federal and foreign governmental authorities to the pandemic.
The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will ultimately impact our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows depends on future developments that are highly uncertain, rapidly evolving and difficult to predict at this time, including:
•the duration, spread and intensity of the pandemic;
•the availability, usage and effectiveness of vaccines or alternative treatments;
•the ability of our suppliers, contract manufacturers, contractors and third-party logistics providers to meet their obligations to us (including supplying us with essential raw materials, components and finished products, or shipping finished goods to customers) on a timely basis and at previously anticipated costs without significant disruption, and our ability to identify alternative sources of materials and services, if necessary;
•our ability to continue to meet our customers’ needs in the event of the suspension or interruption of essential elements of our manufacturing and supply arrangements and activities such as the continued availability of raw materials, transportation, labor and production capacity and at previously anticipated costs;
•the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on our customers (including retailers and distributors), including their ability to remain open, continue to sell our products, pay for the products purchased from us on a timely basis or at all and collect payment from their customers;
•the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the financial and credit markets and economic activity generally, including our ability to maintain compliance with financial covenants, access lending, capital markets, and other sources of liquidity when needed on reasonable terms or at all;
•higher costs of labor, commodities, components, parts and accessories and/or transportation related costs; and
•the demand for our products, which may be impacted by, among other things, the temporary inability of consumers to purchase our products due to illness, quarantine, travel restrictions or financial hardship, shifts in short- or long-term consumer behavior including moving from one or more of our more discretionary and profitable products to less profitable products, or stockpiling and similar pantry-loading activity that could negatively impact future demand.
Negative developments with respect to any of these items could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and/or cash flows.
Because of the concentration of our sales to a small number of retail customers, the loss of one or more of, or a significant reduction in orders from, our top customers, or a material reduction in the inventory of our products that they carry, could adversely affect our financial results.
Our top two retail customers, Home Depot and Lowe’s, together accounted for 43% of our fiscal 2022 net sales and 46% of our outstanding accounts receivable as of September 30, 2022. The loss of, or reduction in orders from any major customer for any reason (including, for example, changes in a retailer’s strategy, reduction in inventories of our products that they maintain, claims or allegations that our products or products we market on behalf of third parties are unsafe, a decline in consumer demand, regulatory, legal or other external pressures or a change in marketing strategy), and customer disputes regarding shipments, fees, merchandise condition or related matters could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Our inability to collect accounts receivable from one of our major customers, or a significant deterioration in the financial condition of one of these customers, including a bankruptcy filing or a liquidation, could also have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We do not have long-term sales agreements with, or other contractual assurances as to future sales to, any of our major retail customers. In addition, continued consolidation in the retail industry has resulted in an increasingly concentrated retail base, and as a result, we are significantly dependent upon sales to key retailers who have significant bargaining strength. To the extent such concentration continues to occur, our net sales and income from operations may be increasingly sensitive to deterioration in the financial condition of, or other adverse developments involving our relationship with, one or more of our key customers. In addition, our business may be negatively affected by changes in the policies of our retailers, such as inventory reductions, limitations on access to shelf space, price demands and other conditions.
We may not successfully develop new product lines and products or improve existing product lines and products.
Our future success depends on creating and successfully competing in markets for our products including our ability to improve our existing product lines and products and to develop and manufacture new product lines and products to meet evolving consumer needs. We cannot provide any assurance that we will be successful in developing and manufacturing new product lines and products or product innovations that satisfy consumer needs or achieve market acceptance, or that we will develop, manufacture and market new product lines and products or product innovations in a timely manner. If we fail to successfully develop and manufacture new product lines and products or product innovations, our ability to maintain or grow our market share may be adversely affected, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the development and introduction of new product lines and products and product innovations require substantial research and development expenditures, which we may be unable to recoup if such new product lines, products or innovations do not achieve market acceptance.
Many of the products we manufacture and market contain active ingredients that are subject to regulatory approval. The need to obtain such approval could delay the launch of new products or product innovations that contain active ingredients or otherwise prevent us from developing and manufacturing certain products and product innovations.
Our marketing activities may not be successful.
We invest substantial resources in advertising, consumer promotions and other marketing activities to maintain, extend and expand our brand image. Negative publicity about us or our brands, including publicity regarding product safety, quality, efficacy, environmental impacts (including packaging, energy and water use and matters related to climate impact and waste management) and other sustainability or similar issues, whether real or perceived, could occur and could be widely and rapidly disseminated, including through the use of social media sites. There can be no assurances that our marketing strategies will be effective or that the amount we invest in advertising activities will result in a corresponding increase in sales of our products. If our marketing initiatives are unsuccessful, including our ability to leverage new media such as digital media and social networks to reach existing and potential customers or our brands suffer damage to reputation due to real or perceived quality issues which reputational damage can be quickly multiplied by social media, we will have incurred significant expenses without the benefit of higher revenues.
The highly competitive nature of our markets could adversely affect our ability to maintain or grow revenues.
Each of our operating segments participates in highly competitive markets. Our products compete against national and regional products and private label products produced by various suppliers. Many of our competitors sell their products at prices lower than ours. Our most price sensitive customers may trade down to lower priced products during challenging economic times or if current economic conditions worsen. We compete primarily on the basis of product innovation, product quality, product performance, value, brand strength, supply chain competency, field sales support, in-store sales support, the strength of our relationships with major retailers and advertising. Some of our competitors have significant financial resources. The strong competition that we face in all of our markets may prevent us from achieving our revenue goals, which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our manufacturing operations, including our reliance on third-party manufacturers, could harm our business.
We may not be able to maintain or develop efficient, low-cost manufacturing capability and processes that will enable us to meet the quality, price, design and product standards or production volumes required to successfully manufacture our products. Even if we are successful in maintaining and developing our manufacturing capabilities and processes, we may not be able to do so in time to satisfy the requirements of our customers.
We rely on third parties to manufacture certain products. This reliance generates a number of risks, including decreased control over the production and related processes, which could lead to production delays or interruptions and inferior product quality control. In addition, performance problems at these third-party manufacturers could lead to cost overruns, shortages or other problems, which could increase our costs of production or result in delivery shortages or delays to our customers.
In addition, if one or more of our third-party manufacturers becomes insolvent or unwilling to continue to manufacture products of acceptable quality, at acceptable costs and in a timely manner, our ability to deliver products to our retail customers could be significantly impaired. Substitute manufacturers may not be available or, if available, may be unwilling or unable to manufacture the products we need on acceptable terms. Moreover, if customer demand for our products increases, we may be unable to secure sufficient additional capacity from our current third-party manufacturers, or others, on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.
Our business is subject to risks associated with sourcing and manufacturing outside of the U.S. and risks from tariffs and/or international trade wars.
We import many of our raw materials and finished goods from countries outside of the United States, including but not limited to China. Our import operations are subject to complex customs laws, regulations, tax requirements, and trade regulations, such as tariffs set by governments, either through mutual agreements or bilateral actions. Tariffs on goods imported into the U.S., particularly goods from China, have increased the cost of the goods we purchase. Additional tariffs could be imposed by the U.S. with relatively short notice to us. These governmental actions could have, and any similar future actions may have, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The overall effect of these risks is that our costs may increase or we may experience supply disruptions, which in turn may result in lower profitability if we are unable to offset such increases through higher prices, and/or that we may suffer a decline in sales if our customers do not accept price increases.
Our reliance on a limited base of suppliers may result in disruptions to our business and adversely affect our financial results.
Although we continue to implement risk mitigation strategies for single-source suppliers, we also rely on a limited number of suppliers for certain of our raw materials, product components and other necessary supplies, including certain active ingredients used in our products. If we are unable to maintain supplier arrangements and relationships, if we are unable to contract with suppliers at the quantity and quality levels needed for our business, or if any of our key suppliers becomes insolvent or experience other financial distress, we could experience disruptions in production, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
A significant interruption in the operation of our or our suppliers’ facilities could impact our capacity to produce products and service our customers, which could adversely affect revenues and earnings.
Operations at our and our suppliers’ facilities are subject to disruption for a variety of reasons, including fire, flooding or other natural disasters, disease outbreaks or pandemics, acts of war, terrorism, government shut-downs and work stoppages. A significant interruption in the operation of our or our suppliers’ facilities, including as a result of COVID-19, could significantly impact our capacity to produce products and service our customers in a timely manner, which could have a material adverse effect on our revenues, earnings and financial position, particularly with respect to products that we manufacture at a limited number of facilities, such as our fertilizer and liquid products.
Disruptions to transportation channels that we use to distribute our products may adversely affect our margins and profitability.
We may experience disruptions to the transportation channels used to distribute our products, including increased congestion, a lack of transportation capacity, increased fuel expenses, import or export controls or delays, and labor disputes or shortages. Disruptions in our trucking capacity may result in reduced sales or increased costs, including the additional use of more expensive or less efficient alternatives to meet demand. Congestion can affect previously negotiated contracts with shipping companies, resulting in unexpected increases in shipping costs, reduction in our profitability or reduced sales. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting shifts in demand or changes in our extended supply chain has resulted in several disruptions and delays, as well as quantity limits and price increases, in our transportation channels.
Climate change and unfavorable weather conditions could adversely impact financial results.
Our consumer lawn and garden net sales in any one year are susceptible to weather conditions in the markets in which our products are sold. For instance, periods of abnormally wet or dry weather can adversely impact the sale of certain products, while increasing demand for other products with the overall impact to the Company difficult to predict.
Climate change continues to receive increasing global attention. The possible effects of climate change could include changes in rainfall patterns, water shortages, changing storm patterns and intensities, changing temperature levels and changes in legislation, regulation and international accords. These changes could over time affect, for example, the availability and cost of raw materials, commodities and energy, which in turn may impact our ability to procure goods or services required for the operation of our business at the quantities and levels we require.
Consumers and businesses also may change their behavior on their own as a result of concerns regarding the impact of climate change, governmental regulations and public perceptions. We will need to respond to new laws and regulations as well as consumer and business preferences resulting from climate change concerns. Climate change may decrease demand for our products and services, particularly in certain sectors. In addition, fluctuating climatic conditions may result in unpredictable modifications in the manner in which consumers garden or their attitudes towards gardening, making it more difficult for us to provide appropriate products to appropriate markets in time to meet consumer demand.
Additionally, climate change may present additional physical risks to our operations (including damage to our manufacturing and distribution facilities or the manufacturing and distribution facilities of our suppliers) which could disrupt our supply chain or harm or disrupt our operations or those of our customers or suppliers.
Our business could be negatively impacted by corporate citizenship and ESG matters and/or our reporting of such matters.
Certain investors, customers, consumers, employees, and other stakeholders are increasing their focus on corporate citizenship and sustainability matters. From time to time, we communicate certain initiatives, including goals, regarding environmental matters, responsible sourcing and social investments, including pursuant to our Corporate Responsibility Report. We could fail, or be perceived to fail, to achieve such initiatives or goals, or we could fail in fully and accurately reporting our progress on such initiatives and goals. In addition, we could be criticized for the scope of such initiatives or goals or perceived as not acting responsibly in connection with these matters. Our business could be negatively impacted by such matters. Any such matters, or related corporate citizenship and sustainability matters, could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Certain of our products may be purchased for use in new and emerging industries or segments and/or be subject to varying, inconsistent, and rapidly changing laws, regulations, administrative practices, enforcement approaches, judicial interpretations, and consumer perceptions.
We sell products, including hydroponic gardening products, that end users may purchase for use in new and emerging industries or segments, including the growing of cannabis, that may not grow or achieve market acceptance in a manner that we can predict. The demand for these products depends on the uncertain growth of these industries or segments. For example, our Hawthorne segment sales volume has decreased due to an oversupply of cannabis, which has driven cannabis wholesale prices down significantly and has resulted in a decrease in indoor and outdoor cultivation. The oversupply has been driven by the impacts of increased licensing activity across the U.S., as well as significant capital investment in the cannabis production marketplace over the past several years and the market impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition, we sell products that end users may purchase for use in industries or segments, including the growing of cannabis, that are subject to varying, inconsistent, and rapidly changing laws, regulations, administrative practices, enforcement approaches, judicial interpretations, and consumer perceptions. For example, certain countries and 39 U.S. states have adopted frameworks that authorize, regulate, and tax the cultivation, processing, sale, and use of cannabis for medicinal and/or non-medicinal use, while the U.S. Controlled Substances Act and the laws of other U.S. states prohibit growing cannabis.
If we are unable to effectively execute our e-commerce business, our reputation and operating results may be harmed.
We sell certain of our products over the Internet through our online store and other e-commerce retail platforms. The success of our e-commerce business depends on our investment in these platforms, consumer preferences and buying trends relating to e-commerce, and our ability to both maintain the continuous operation of our online store and our fulfillment operations that support both our own and our retail customers’ e-commerce platforms. It is essential that these platforms provide a shopping experience that will generate orders and return visits to the respective platforms.
We are also vulnerable to certain additional risks and uncertainties associated with our e-commerce business, including: changes in required technology interfaces; website downtime and other technical failures; costs and technical issues associated with website software, systems and technology investments and upgrades; data and system security; system failures, disruptions and breaches and the costs to address and remedy such failures, disruptions or breaches; computer viruses; and changes in and compliance with applicable federal and state regulations. In addition, our efforts to remain competitive with technology trends,
including the use of new or improved technology, creative user interfaces and other e-commerce marketing tools such as paid search and mobile applications, among others, may increase our costs and may not increase sales or attract consumers. Our failure to successfully respond to these risks and uncertainties might adversely affect the sales of our e-commerce business, as well as damage our reputation and brands.
Additionally, the success of our e-commerce business and the satisfaction of our consumers depend on the timely receipt of our products by our consumers. The efficient delivery of our products to our consumers requires that our distribution centers have adequate capacity to support the current level of e-commerce operations and any anticipated increased levels that may occur as a result of the growth of our e-commerce business. If we encounter difficulties with our distribution centers, or if any distribution centers shut down for any reason, including as a result of fire or other natural disaster, we could face inventory shortages that may result in out of stock conditions in our online store, incur significantly higher costs and longer lead times associated with distributing our products to our consumers and experience dissatisfaction from our consumers. Any of these issues could have a material adverse effect on our business and harm our reputation.
Our operations may be impaired if our information technology systems fail to perform adequately or if we are the subject of a data breach or cyber attack.
We rely on information technology systems to conduct business, including communicating with employees and our key retail customers, ordering and managing materials from suppliers, shipping products to retail customers and analyzing and reporting results of operations. While we have taken steps to ensure the security of our information technology systems, our systems may nevertheless be vulnerable to computer viruses, security breaches and other disruptions from unauthorized users. If our information technology systems are damaged or cease to function properly for an extended period of time, whether as a result of a significant cyber incident or otherwise, our ability to communicate internally as well as with our retail customers could be significantly impaired, which may adversely impact our business.
Additionally, in the normal course of our business, we collect, store and transmit proprietary and confidential information regarding our customers, employees, suppliers and others, including personally identifiable information. An operational failure or breach of security from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats could lead to loss, misuse or unauthorized disclosure of this information about our employees or consumers, which may result in regulatory or other legal proceedings, and have a material adverse effect on our business and reputation. We also may not have the resources or technical sophistication to anticipate or prevent rapidly-evolving types of cyber attacks. Any such attacks or precautionary measures taken to prevent anticipated attacks may result in increasing costs, including costs for additional technologies, training and third party consultants. The losses incurred from a breach of data security and operational failures as well as the precautionary measures required to address this evolving risk may adversely impact our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our international operations make us susceptible to the costs and risks associated with operating internationally.
We operate manufacturing, sales and service facilities outside of the United States, particularly in Canada, the Netherlands and China. Accordingly, we are subject to risks associated with operating in foreign countries, including:
•fluctuations in currency exchange rates;
•limitations on the remittance of dividends and other payments by foreign subsidiaries;
•additional costs of compliance with local regulations;
•historically, in certain countries, higher rates of inflation than in the United States;
•changes in the economic conditions or consumer preferences or demand for our products in these markets;
•restrictive actions by multinational governing bodies, foreign governments or subdivisions thereof;
•changes in foreign labor laws and regulations affecting our ability to hire and retain employees;
•changes in U.S. and foreign laws regarding trade and investment, including the impact of tariffs;
•less robust protection of our intellectual property under foreign laws; and
•difficulty in obtaining distribution and support for our products, including the impact of shipping port delays.
In addition, our operations outside the United States are subject to the risk of new and different legal and regulatory requirements in local jurisdictions, potential difficulties in staffing and managing local operations and potentially adverse tax consequences. The costs associated with operating our continuing international business could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows in the future.
In the event the Third Restated Agreement for Monsanto’s consumer Roundup® products terminates or Monsanto’s consumer Roundup® business materially declines, we would lose a substantial source of future earnings and overhead expense absorption.
If we (i) become insolvent, (ii) commit a material breach, material fraud or material willful misconduct under the Third Restated Agreement, (iii) experience a change of control (subject to certain exceptions), or (iv) impermissibly assign our rights or delegate our obligations under the Third Restated Agreement, Monsanto may terminate the Third Restated Agreement without paying a termination fee to the Company, subject to certain terms and conditions as set forth in the applicable agreements. In addition, if Program EBIT (as defined in the Third Restated Agreement) falls below $50 million in any program year, Monsanto may terminate the Third Restated Agreement without paying a termination fee to the Company, subject to certain terms and conditions as set forth in the applicable agreements.
Monsanto may also terminate the Third Restated Agreement in the event of (a) a change of control of Monsanto or a sale of the Roundup® business effective at the end of the fifth full year after providing notice of termination, subject to certain terms and conditions as set forth in the applicable agreements, or (b) Monsanto’s decision to decommission the permits, licenses and registrations needed for, and the trademarks, trade names, packages, copyrights and designs used in, the sale of the Roundup® products in the lawn and garden market (a “Brand Decommissioning Event”), but, in each case, Monsanto would have to pay a termination fee to the Company.
If circumstances exist or otherwise develop that result in a material decline in Monsanto’s consumer Roundup® business, or in the event of Monsanto’s insolvency or bankruptcy, we would seek to mitigate the impact on us by exercising various rights and remedies under the Third Restated Agreement and applicable law. We cannot, however, provide any assurance that our exercise of such rights or remedies would produce the desired outcomes or that a material decline in Monsanto’s consumer Roundup® business would not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
In the event that the Third Restated Agreement terminates or Monsanto’s consumer Roundup® business materially declines, we would lose all, or a substantial portion, of the significant source of earnings and overhead expense absorption the Third Restated Agreement provides.
For additional information regarding the Third Restated Agreement including certain of our rights and remedies under the Third Restated Agreement, see “NOTE 7. MARKETING AGREEMENT” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K.
We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights that are material to our business.
Our ability to compete effectively depends in part on our rights to service marks, trademarks, trade names and other intellectual property rights we own or license, particularly our registered brand names and issued patents. We have not sought to register every one of our marks either in the United States or in every country in which such mark is used. Furthermore, because of the differences in foreign trademark, patent and other intellectual property or proprietary rights laws, we may not receive the same protection in other countries as we would in the United States with respect to the registered brand names and issued patents we hold. If we are unable to protect our intellectual property, proprietary information and/or brand names, we could suffer a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights and protect our proprietary information, or to defend against claims by third parties that our products or services infringe their intellectual property rights. Any litigation or claims brought by or against us could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources. A successful claim of trademark, patent or other intellectual property infringement against us, or any other successful challenge to the use of our intellectual property, could subject us to damages or prevent us from providing certain products or services, or using certain of our recognized brand names, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our success depends upon the retention and availability of key personnel and the effective succession of senior management.
Our success largely depends on the performance of our management team and other key personnel. Our future operations could be harmed if we are unable to attract and retain talented, highly qualified senior executives and other key personnel. In addition, if we are unable to effectively provide for the succession of senior management, including our chief executive officer, our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows may be materially adversely affected.
Our workforce reductions may cause undesirable consequences and our results of operations may be harmed.
During fiscal 2022, we undertook a strategic reduction in our workforce as part of a series of organizational changes and initiatives intended to create operational and management-level efficiencies. This workforce reduction may yield unintended consequences, such as attrition beyond our intended reduction in workforce and reduced employee morale, which may cause our employees who were not affected by the reduction in workforce to seek alternate employment. Employees whose positions were eliminated or those who determine to seek alternate employment may seek employment with our competitors.
We cannot provide assurance that we will not undertake additional workforce reductions or that we will be able to realize the cost savings and other anticipated benefits from our previous or any future workforce reduction plans. In addition, if we continue to reduce our workforce, it may adversely impact our ability to respond rapidly to any new product, growth or revenue opportunities and to execute on our business plans. Additionally, reductions in workforce may make it more difficult to recruit and retain new employees. If we need to increase the size of our workforce in the future, we may encounter a competitive hiring market due to labor shortages, increased employee turnover, changes in the availability of workers and increased wage costs.
We are involved in a number of legal proceedings and, while we cannot predict the outcomes of such proceedings and other contingencies with certainty, some of these outcomes could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We are involved in legal proceedings and are subject to investigations, inspections, audits, inquiries and similar actions by governmental authorities, arising in the course of our business (see the discussion in “ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS” of this Form 10-K). Legal proceedings, in general, can be expensive and disruptive. Some of these suits may purport or may be determined to be class actions and/or involve parties seeking large and/or indeterminate amounts of damages, including punitive or exemplary damages, and may remain unresolved for several years. For example, product liability claims challenging the safety of our products or products we market on behalf of third parties may also result in a decline in sales for a particular product and could damage the reputation or the value of related brands, involve us in litigation and have a material adverse effect on our business.
From time to time, we are also involved in legal proceedings as a plaintiff involving contract, intellectual property and other matters. We cannot predict with certainty the outcomes of these legal proceedings and other contingencies, and the costs incurred in litigation can be substantial, regardless of the outcome. Substantial unanticipated verdicts, fines and rulings do sometimes occur. As a result, we could from time to time incur judgments, enter into settlements or revise our expectations regarding the outcome of certain matters, and such developments could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the period in which the amounts are accrued and/or our cash flows in the period in which the amounts are paid. The outcome of some of these legal proceedings and other contingencies could require us to take, or refrain from taking, actions which could negatively affect our operations and, depending on the nature of the allegations, could negatively impact our reputation or the reputation of products we market on behalf of third parties. Additionally, defending against these legal proceedings may involve significant expense and diversion of management’s attention and resources.
Risks Related to Our M&A, Lending and Financing Activities
Our indebtedness could limit our flexibility and adversely affect our financial condition.
As of September 30, 2022, we had $2,992.1 million of debt and $1,185.5 million in available borrowings under our credit facility. Our inability to meet restrictive financial and non-financial covenants associated with that debt, or to generate sufficient cash flow to repay maturing debt, could adversely affect our financial condition. For example, our debt level could:
•make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness;
•make us more vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
•require us to dedicate a substantial portion of cash flows from operating activities to payments on our indebtedness, which would reduce the cash flows available to fund working capital, capital expenditures, advertising, research and development efforts, pay dividends, repurchase our Common Shares and other general corporate activities;
•limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;
•limit our ability to borrow additional funds;
•expose us to risks inherent in interest rate fluctuations because some of our borrowings are at variable rates of interest, which could result in higher interest expense in the event of increases in interest rates; and
•place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt.
Our ability to make payments on or to refinance our indebtedness, fund planned capital expenditures and acquisitions, pay dividends and make repurchases of our Common Shares will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future which, to
some extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. We cannot provide any assurance that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operating activities or that future borrowings will be available to us in amounts sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs.
In addition, our credit facility and the indentures governing our 5.250% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “5.250% Senior Notes”), our 4.500% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “4.500% Senior Notes”), our 4.000% Senior Notes due 2031 (the “4.000% Senior Notes”) and our 4.375% Senior Notes due 2032 (the “4.375% Senior Notes” and, collectively with the 5.250% Senior Notes, the 4.500% Senior Notes, the 4.000% Senior Notes and the 4.375% Senior Notes, the “Senior Notes”) contain restrictive covenants and cross-default provisions. Our credit facility also requires us to maintain specified financial ratios. For example, under our credit facility the maximum permitted leverage ratio is (i) 6.25 for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 through the first quarter of fiscal 2023, (ii) 6.50 for the second and third quarters of fiscal 2023, (iii) 6.25 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 and the first quarter of fiscal 2024, (iv) 5.50 for the second quarter of fiscal 2024, and (v) 4.50 for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 and thereafter. Our leverage ratio was 6.01 at September 30, 2022. A breach of any of those financial ratio covenants or other covenants could result in a default. In the event of such default, the holders of such indebtedness could elect to declare all the funds borrowed thereunder to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest, and could cease making further loans and institute foreclosure proceedings against our assets. We cannot provide any assurance that the holders of such indebtedness would waive a default or that we could pay the accelerated indebtedness in full.
Subject to compliance with certain covenants under our credit facility and the indentures governing the Senior Notes, we may incur additional debt in the future. If we incur additional debt, the risks described above could intensify.
Acquisitions, other strategic alliances and investments could result in operating difficulties, dilution, and other harmful consequences that may adversely impact our business and results of operations.
Acquisitions, strategic alliances and investments are an important element of our overall long-term corporate strategy and use of capital, and these transactions could be material to our financial condition and results of operations. We expect to continue to evaluate and enter into discussions regarding a wide array of potential strategic transactions. The process of integrating an acquired company, business, or product has created, and will continue to create, unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures. The areas where we face risks include:
•Assumptions implicit to our acquisition strategy or valuations are not realized.
•Diversion of management time and focus from operating our business to acquisition integration challenges.
•Failure to successfully further develop the acquired business or product lines.
•Implementation or remediation of controls, procedures and policies at the acquired company.
•Integration of the acquired company’s accounting, human resources and other administrative systems, and coordination of product, engineering and sales and marketing functions.
•Transition of operations, users and customers onto our existing platforms.
•Reliance on the expertise of our strategic partners with respect to market development, sales, local regulatory compliance and other operational matters.
•Failure to obtain required approvals on a timely basis, if at all, from governmental authorities, or conditions placed upon approval, under competition and antitrust laws which could, among other things, delay or prevent us from completing a transaction, or otherwise restrict our ability to realize the expected financial or strategic goals of an acquisition.
•In the case of foreign acquisitions, the need to integrate operations across different cultures and languages and to address the particular economic, currency, political and regulatory risks associated with specific countries.
•Cultural challenges associated with integrating employees from the acquired company into our organization, and retention of employees from the businesses we acquire.
•Liability for or reputational harm from activities of the acquired company before the acquisition or from our strategic partners, including patent and trademark infringement claims, violations of laws, commercial disputes, tax liabilities and other known and unknown liabilities.
•Litigation or other claims in connection with the acquired company, including claims from terminated employees, customers, former shareholders or other third parties.
Our failure to address these risks or other problems encountered in connection with our past or future acquisitions and investments or strategic alliances could cause us to fail to realize the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions, investments or alliances, incur unanticipated liabilities, and harm our business generally.
Our acquisitions, strategic alliances and investments could also result in dilutive issuances of our equity securities, the incurrence of debt, contingent liabilities or amortization expenses, or impairment of goodwill and purchased long-lived assets, and restructuring charges, any of which could harm our financial condition or results of operations and cash flows. Also, the anticipated benefits of many of our acquisitions may not materialize.
Changes in credit ratings issued by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations (NRSROs) could adversely affect our cost of financing and the market price of our Senior Notes.
NRSROs rate the Senior Notes and the Company based on factors that include our operating results, actions that we take, their view of the general outlook for our industry and their view of the general outlook for the economy. Actions taken by the NRSROs can include maintaining, upgrading or downgrading the current rating or placing us on a watch list for possible future downgrading. Downgrading the credit rating of the Senior Notes or placing us on a watch list for possible future downgrading could increase our cost of financing, limit our access to the capital markets and have an adverse effect on the market price of the Senior Notes.
In September 2022, S&P Global Ratings lowered our issuer credit rating to BB- from BB and lowered its rating on our Senior Notes to B from B+. In June 2022, Moody's Investors Service changed our outlook to negative from stable, affirmed our Ba2 Corporate Family Rating, Ba2-PD Probability of Default Rating and Ba3 rating on the Senior Notes and downgraded our speculative grade liquidity rating to SGL-3 from SGL-2.
A failure to dispose of assets or businesses in a timely manner may cause the results of the Company to suffer.
We evaluate as necessary the potential disposition of assets and businesses that may no longer help meet our objectives. When we decide to sell assets or a business, we may encounter difficulty in finding buyers or alternative exit strategies on acceptable terms in a timely manner, which could delay the accomplishment of our strategic objectives. Alternatively, we may dispose of a business at a price or on terms that are less than we had anticipated. After reaching an agreement with a buyer for the disposition of a business, we are subject to the satisfaction of pre-closing conditions, which may prevent us from completing the transaction. Dispositions may also involve continued financial involvement in the divested business, such as through continuing equity ownership, guarantees, indemnities or other financial obligations. Under these arrangements, performance by the divested businesses or other conditions outside our control could affect future financial results.
Our lending activities may adversely impact our business and results of operations.
As part of our strategic initiatives, we have provided financing to buyers of certain business assets we have sold and to certain strategic partners. Our exposure to credit losses on these financing balances and strategic investments will depend on the financial condition of these counterparties as well as legal, regulatory and macroeconomic factors beyond our control, such as deteriorating conditions in the world economy or in the industries served by the borrowers and federal legalization of the U.S. cannabis market. While we monitor our exposure, there can be no guarantee we will be able to successfully mitigate all of these risks. Credit losses, if significant, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Uncertainty regarding the LIBOR replacement process and expected discontinuance of LIBOR may adversely impact our current or future debt obligations, including certain hedging arrangements.
Certain of our debt obligations and instruments, including certain hedging arrangements, use the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) as a reference rate for establishing the variable interest rate applicable to such debt obligations and instruments. On July 27, 2017, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR by the end of 2021. However, for U.S. dollar LIBOR, the cessation date has been deferred to June 30, 2023 for the most commonly used tenors (overnight and one, three and six months). This extension to 2023 means that many legacy U.S. dollar LIBOR contracts would terminate before related LIBOR rates cease to be published. The Federal Reserve System, in conjunction with the Alternative Reference Rates Committee, has recommended the replacement of LIBOR with a new index, calculated by short-term repurchase agreements collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities, called the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”).
We have entered into LIBOR-based interest rate swap agreements to manage our exposure to interest rate movements under certain of our variable-rate debt obligations. Using SOFR as the basis on which interest on our variable-rate debt and/or under our interest rate swaps is calculated may result in interest rates and/or payments that do not directly correlate over time with the interest rates and/or payments that would have been made on our obligations if LIBOR was available in its current form.
The potential effect of the replacement of LIBOR on our cost of capital cannot yet be determined.
Our hedging arrangements expose us to certain counterparty risks.
In addition to commodity hedge agreements, we utilize interest rate swap agreements to manage the net interest rate risk inherent in our sources of borrowing as well as foreign currency forward contracts to manage the exchange rate risk associated with certain intercompany loans with foreign subsidiaries and other approved transactional currency exposures. Utilizing these hedge agreements exposes us to certain counterparty risks. The failure of one or more of the counterparties to fulfill their obligations under the hedge agreements, whether as a result of weakening financial stability or otherwise, could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Our postretirement-related costs and funding requirements could increase as a result of volatility in the financial markets, changes in interest rates and actuarial assumptions.
We sponsor a number of defined benefit pension plans associated with our U.S. and former international businesses, as well as a postretirement medical plan in the United States for certain retired associates and their dependents. The performance of the financial markets and changes in interest rates impact the funded status of these plans and cause volatility in our postretirement-related costs and future funding requirements. If the financial markets do not provide the expected long-term returns on invested assets, we could be required to make significant pension contributions. Additionally, changes in interest rates and legislation enacted by governmental authorities can impact the timing and amounts of contribution requirements.
We utilize third-party actuaries to evaluate assumptions used in determining projected benefit obligations and the fair value of plan assets for our pension and other postretirement benefit plans. In the event we determine that our assumptions should be revised, such as the discount rate or expected return on assets, our future pension and postretirement benefit expenses could increase or decrease. The assumptions we use may differ from actual results, which could have a significant impact on our pension and postretirement liabilities and related costs and funding requirements.
Risks Related to Regulation of Our Company
Compliance with environmental and other public health regulations or changes in such regulations or regulatory enforcement priorities could increase our costs of doing business or limit our ability to market all of our products.
Laws and regulations relating to environmental matters affect us in several ways. All pesticide products sold in the United States must comply with FIFRA and most must be registered with the U.S. EPA and similar state agencies. Our inability to obtain or maintain such registrations, or the cancellation of any such registration of our products, could have an adverse effect on our business, the severity of which would depend on a variety of factors, including the product(s) involved, whether another product could be substituted and whether our competitors were similarly affected. We attempt to anticipate regulatory developments and maintain registrations of, and access to, substitute active ingredients, but there can be no assurance that we will be able to avoid or reduce these risks. In addition, in Canada, regulations have been adopted by several provinces that substantially restrict our ability to market and sell certain of our consumer pesticide products.
Under the Food Quality Protection Act, enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1996, food-use pesticides are evaluated to determine whether there is reasonable certainty that no harm will result from the cumulative effects of pesticide exposures. Under this Act, the U.S. EPA is evaluating the cumulative and aggregate risks from dietary and non-dietary exposures to pesticides. The pesticides in our products, certain of which may be also used on crops processed into various food products, are manufactured by independent third parties and continue to be evaluated by the U.S. EPA as part of this exposure risk assessment. The U.S. EPA or the third-party registrant may decide that a pesticide we use in our products will be limited or made unavailable to us. We cannot predict the outcome or the severity of the effect of these continuing evaluations.
In addition, the use of certain fertilizer and pesticide products (including pesticide products that contain glyphosate) is regulated by various environmental and public health agencies. These regulations may, among other things, ban the use of certain ingredients contained in such products or require (i) that only certified or professional users apply the product, (ii) that certain products be used only on certain types of locations, (iii) users to post notices on properties to which products have been or will be applied, and/or (iv) notification to individuals in the vicinity that products will be applied in the future. Even if we are able to comply with all such regulations and obtain all necessary registrations and licenses, we cannot provide assurance that our products, particularly pesticide products, will not cause or be alleged to cause injury to the environment or to people under all circumstances, particularly when used improperly or contrary to instructions. The costs of compliance, remediation or products liability have adversely affected operating results in the past and could materially adversely affect future quarterly or annual operating results.
Our products and operations may be subject to increased regulatory and environmental scrutiny in jurisdictions in which we do business. For example, we are subject to regulations relating to our harvesting of peat for our growing media business which has come under increasing regulatory and environmental scrutiny. In the United States, state regulations frequently require us to limit our harvesting and to restore the property to an agreed-upon condition. In some locations, we have been
required to create water retention ponds to control the sediment content of discharged water. In Canada, our peat extraction efforts are also the subject of regulation.
In addition to the laws and regulations already described, various governmental agencies regulate the disposal, transport, handling and storage of waste, the remediation of contaminated sites, air and water discharges from our facilities, and workplace health and safety. Under certain environmental laws and regulations, we may be liable for the costs of investigation and remediation of the presence of certain regulated materials, as well as related costs of investigation and remediation of damage to natural resources, at various properties, including our current and former properties as well as offsite waste handling or disposal sites that we have used. Liability may be imposed upon us without regard to whether we knew of or caused the presence of such materials and, under certain circumstances, on a joint and several basis. There can be no assurances that the presence of such regulated materials at any such locations, or locations that we may acquire in the future, will not result in liability to us under such laws or regulations or expose us to third-party actions such as tort suits based on alleged conduct or environmental conditions.
On October 18, 2021, the Biden Administration announced a multi-agency plan to address PFAS contamination. Various federal agencies, including the U.S. EPA, will take actions to prevent the release of PFAS into the air, drinking systems, and food supply and to expand cleanup efforts to remediate the impacts of PFAS pollution. As part of this announcement, the U.S. EPA released its PFAS Strategic Roadmap: EPA’s Commitments to Action 2021-2024, which identifies timelines by which the U.S. EPA plans to take specific actions during the first term of the Biden Administration. It is possible that some of these actions may have an impact - direct or indirect - on our business. For example, in August 2022, the U.S. EPA proposed to designate PFAS chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, as hazardous substances under CERCLA, which could have wide-ranging impact on companies across various industries. Until further detail is provided, including whether the rule is enacted as proposed, we cannot predict the outcome or the severity of the impact of these proposed actions.
The adequacy of our current non-FIFRA compliance-related environmental accruals and future provisions depends upon our operating in substantial compliance with applicable environmental and public health laws and regulations, as well as the assumptions that we have both identified all of the significant sites that must be remediated and that there are no significant conditions of potential contamination that are unknown to us. A significant change in the facts and circumstances underlying these assumptions or in current enforcement policies or requirements, or a finding that we are not in substantial compliance with applicable environmental and public health laws and regulations, could have a material adverse effect on future environmental capital expenditures and other environmental expenses, as well as our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Unanticipated changes in our tax provisions, the adoption of new tax legislation or exposure to additional tax liabilities could affect our profitability and cash flows.
We are subject to income and other taxes in the United States federal jurisdiction and various local, state and foreign jurisdictions. Our effective tax rate in the future could be adversely affected by changes to our operating structure, changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets (such as net operating losses and tax credits) and liabilities, changes in tax laws and the discovery of new information in the course of our tax return preparation process. In particular, the carrying value of deferred tax assets, which are predominantly related to our operations in the United States, is dependent on our ability to generate future taxable income of the appropriate character in the relevant jurisdiction.
From time to time, tax proposals are introduced or considered by the U.S. Congress or the legislative bodies in local, state and foreign jurisdictions that could also affect our tax rate, the carrying value of our deferred tax assets, or our tax liabilities. Our tax liabilities are also affected by the amounts we charge for inventory, services, licenses, funding and other items in intercompany transactions. We are subject to ongoing tax audits in various jurisdictions. In connection with these audits (or future audits), tax authorities may disagree with our intercompany charges, cross-jurisdictional transfer pricing or other matters and assess additional taxes. We regularly assess the likely outcomes of our audits in order to determine the appropriateness of our tax provision. As a result, the ultimate resolution of our tax audits, changes in tax laws or tax rates, and the ability to utilize our deferred tax assets could materially affect our tax provision, net income and cash flows in future periods.
Risks Related to Our Common Shares
While we have a general history of increasing the rate of cash dividends on, and engaging in repurchases of, our Common Shares, any future decisions to maintain, reduce or discontinue paying cash dividends to our shareholders or repurchasing our Common Shares could cause the market price for our Common Shares to decline.
Our payment of quarterly cash dividends on and repurchase of our Common Shares pursuant to our stock repurchase program are subject to, among other things, our financial position and results of operations, available cash and cash flow, capital requirements, credit facility provisions and other factors. Prior to fiscal 2022, we have generally increased the cash dividends on our Common Shares as well as engaged in share repurchase activity. In fiscal 2022, the dividend amount was not
increased from the prior year. On February 6, 2020, the Scotts Miracle-Gro Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program allowing for repurchases of up to $750.0 million of Common Shares from April 30, 2020 through March 25, 2023. The total remaining share repurchase authorization as of September 30, 2022 was $461.9 million.
We may maintain, or increase or decrease (including eliminating) the amount of cash dividends on, and increase or decrease the amount of repurchases of, our Common Shares in the future. Any decision by us regarding the payment of quarterly cash dividends or repurchases of our Common Shares pursuant to our current share repurchase authorization program could cause the market price of our Common Shares to decline. Moreover, in the event our payment of quarterly cash dividends on or repurchases of our Common Shares are reduced or discontinued, our failure or inability to resume paying cash dividends or repurchasing Common Shares at historical levels could result in a lower market valuation of our Common Shares.
Hagedorn Partnership, L.P. beneficially owns approximately 25% of our Common Shares and can significantly influence decisions that require the approval of shareholders.
Hagedorn Partnership, L.P. beneficially owned approximately 25% of our outstanding Common Shares on a fully diluted basis as of November 18, 2022. As a result, it has sufficient voting power to significantly influence the election of directors and the approval of other actions requiring the approval of our shareholders, including entering into certain business combination transactions. In addition, because of the percentage of ownership and voting concentration in Hagedorn Partnership, L.P., elections of our board of directors will generally be within the control of Hagedorn Partnership, L.P. While all of our shareholders are entitled to vote on matters submitted to our shareholders for approval, the concentration of our Common Shares and voting control presently lies with Hagedorn Partnership, L.P. As such, it would be difficult for shareholders to propose and have approved proposals not supported by Hagedorn Partnership, L.P. Hagedorn Partnership, L.P.’s interests could differ from, or conflict with, the interests of other shareholders.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our corporate headquarters is located in Marysville, Ohio, where we own approximately 729 acres of land. In addition, we own and lease numerous industrial, commercial and office properties located in North America, Europe and Asia that support the management, manufacturing, distribution and research and development of our products and services. We believe our properties are suitable and adequate to serve the needs of our business and that our leased properties are subject to appropriate lease agreements.
The following is a summary of owned and leased properties by country as of September 30, 2022:
Location Owned Leased
United States 34 69
Canada 10 11
China - 6
The Netherlands - 2
Total 44 88
We own or lease 42 manufacturing properties, 23 distribution properties and 4 research and development properties in the United States. We own or lease 17 manufacturing, 1 distribution and 1 research and development property in Canada, 1 manufacturing property in the Netherlands and 1 manufacturing and 1 research and development property in China. Most of the manufacturing properties, which include growing media properties and peat harvesting properties, have production lines, warehouses, offices and field processing areas.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
As noted in the discussion in “ITEM 1. BUSINESS - Regulatory Considerations - Regulatory Matters” of this Form 10-K, we are involved in several pending environmental and regulatory matters. We believe that our assessment of contingencies is reasonable and that the related accruals, in the aggregate, are adequate; however, there can be no assurance that the final resolution of these matters will not have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
The Company has been named as a defendant in a number of cases alleging injuries that the lawsuits claim resulted from exposure to asbestos-containing products, apparently based on the Company’s historic use of vermiculite in certain of its products. In many of these cases, the complaints are not specific about the plaintiffs’ contacts with the Company or its products. The cases vary, but complaints in these cases generally seek unspecified monetary damages (actual, compensatory, consequential and punitive) from multiple defendants. The Company believes that the claims against it are without merit and is vigorously defending against them. No accruals have been recorded in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as the likelihood of a loss is not probable at this time; and the Company does not believe a reasonably possible loss would be material to, nor the ultimate resolution of these cases will have a material adverse effect on, the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. There can be no assurance that future developments related to pending claims or claims filed in the future, whether as a result of adverse outcomes or as a result of significant defense costs, will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
We are involved in other lawsuits and claims which arise in the normal course of our business including the initiation and defense of proceedings to protect intellectual property rights, advertising claims and employment disputes. In our opinion, these claims individually and in the aggregate are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not Applicable.
PART II
SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The executive officers of Scotts Miracle-Gro, their positions and, as of November 18, 2022, their ages and years with Scotts Miracle-Gro (and its predecessors) are set forth below.
Name Age Position(s) Held Years with
Company
James Hagedorn 67 Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board 35
David C. Evans 59 Executive Vice President and Interim Chief Financial Officer; Member of the Board of Directors 23
Michael C. Lukemire 64 President and Chief Operating Officer 26
Christopher J. Hagedorn 38 Division President 11
Ivan C. Smith 53 Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer 19
Denise S. Stump 68 Executive Vice President, Global Human Resources and Chief Ethics Officer 22
Executive officers serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors of Scotts Miracle-Gro and pursuant to executive severance agreements or other arrangements. The business experience of each of the individuals listed above during at least the past five years is as follows:
Mr. Hagedorn was named Chairman of the Board of Scotts Miracle-Gro’s predecessor in January 2003 and Chief Executive Officer of Scotts Miracle-Gro’s predecessor in May 2001. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Hagedorn held several senior leadership positions at the Company. Mr. Hagedorn serves on Scotts Miracle-Gro’s Board of Directors, a position he has held with Scotts Miracle-Gro (or its predecessor) since 1995. Mr. Hagedorn is the brother of Katherine Hagedorn Littlefield, a director of Scotts Miracle-Gro, and is the father of Christopher J. Hagedorn, an executive officer of the Company.
Mr. Evans was named Executive Vice President and Interim Chief Financial Officer in August 2022. He served as Chief Financial Officer of the Company from 2006 until 2013 and was named to its Board of Directors in 2018. Mr. Evans served as the interim Chief Financial Officer of Cardinal Health, Inc., a global integrated healthcare services and products company, from September 2019 until May 2020, after a transition role beginning in July 2019, and as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Battelle Memorial Institute, a private research and development organization, from 2013 until 2018. Mr. Evans is a director of Cardinal Health, Inc.
Mr. Lukemire was named President and Chief Operating Officer of Scotts Miracle-Gro in February 2016. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Lukemire held several senior leadership positions at the Company.
Mr. C. Hagedorn was named Division President of Scotts Miracle-Gro in January 2021. Prior to this appointment, Mr. C. Hagedorn was named President of The Hawthorne Gardening Company, a position he has held since May 2014. Mr. C. Hagedorn is the son of James Hagedorn, the Chairman and CEO of Scotts Miracle-Gro.
Mr. Smith was named Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Scotts Miracle-Gro in July 2013 and Chief Compliance Officer of Scotts Miracle-Gro in October 2013. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Smith held several senior leadership positions at the Company.
Ms. Stump was named Executive Vice President, Global Human Resources of Scotts Miracle-Gro (or its predecessor) in February 2003 and Chief Ethics Officer of Scotts Miracle-Gro in October 2013. Prior to this appointment, Ms. Stump held several senior leadership positions at the Company.

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The Common Shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SMG.” The payment of future dividends, if any, on the Common Shares will be determined by the Board of Directors in light of conditions then existing, including the Company’s earnings, financial condition and capital requirements, restrictions in financing agreements, business conditions and other factors.
On April 8, 2022, the Company entered into a sixth amended and restated credit agreement (the “Sixth A&R Credit Agreement”), providing the Company and certain of its subsidiaries with five-year senior secured loan facilities in the aggregate principal amount of $2,500.0, comprised of a revolving credit facility of $1,500.0 and a term loan in the original principal amount of $1,000.0 (the “Sixth A&R Credit Facilities”). The Sixth A&R Credit Agreement also provides the Company with the right to seek additional committed credit under the agreement in an aggregate amount of up to $500.0 plus an unlimited additional amount, subject to certain specified financial and other conditions. The Sixth A&R Credit Agreement replaced the Fifth A&R Credit Agreement and will terminate on April 8, 2027. The Sixth A&R Credit Facilities are available for the issuance of letters of credit up to $100.0. The terms of the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement include customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, financial covenants, and events of default.
On June 8, 2022, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment”) to the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement. The Amendment increases the maximum permitted leverage ratio for the quarterly leverage covenant effective for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 until the earlier of (i) April 1, 2024 and (ii) subject to certain conditions specified in the Amendment, the termination by the Company of such increase (such period, the “Leverage Adjustment Period”). Additionally, the Amendment limits the Company’s ability to declare or pay any discretionary dividends, distributions or other restricted payments during the Leverage Adjustment Period to only the payment of (i) regularly scheduled cash dividends to holders of its Common Shares in an aggregate amount not to exceed $225.0 per fiscal year and (ii) other dividends, distributions or other restricted payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $25.0. The Amendment also requires pro forma compliance with certain leverage levels specified in the Amendment with respect to the Company’s ability to consummate certain acquisitions and incur debt.
The Sixth A&R Credit Agreement contains, among other obligations, an affirmative covenant regarding the Company’s leverage ratio determined as of the end of each of its fiscal quarters calculated as average total indebtedness, divided by the Company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted pursuant to the terms of the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement (“Adjusted EBITDA”). Pursuant to the Amendment, the maximum permitted leverage ratio is (i) 6.25 for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 through the first quarter of fiscal 2023, (ii) 6.50 for the second and third quarters of fiscal 2023, (iii) 6.25 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 and the first quarter of fiscal 2024, (iv) 5.50 for the second quarter of fiscal 2024, and (v) 4.50 for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 and thereafter. The Company’s leverage ratio was 6.01 at September 30, 2022 and restricted payments during fiscal 2022 were within the amounts allowed by the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement. See “NOTE 12. DEBT” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for further discussion regarding the restrictions on dividend payments.
As of November 18, 2022, there were approximately 267,000 shareholders, including holders of record and our estimate of beneficial holders.
The following table shows the purchases of Common Shares made by or on behalf of Scotts Miracle-Gro or any “affiliated purchaser” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of Scotts Miracle-Gro for each of the three fiscal months in the quarter ended September 30, 2022:
Period Total Number
of Common
Shares
Purchased(1)
Average Price
Paid per
Common
Share(2)
Total Number
of Common
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs(3)
Approximate
Dollar Value of
Common Shares
That May Yet
be Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs(3)
July 3, 2022 through July 30, 2022 1,255 $ 82.53 - $ 461,912,353
July 31, 2022 through August 27, 2022 1,389 $ 72.93 - $ 461,912,353
August 28, 2022 through September 30, 2022 2,308 $ 58.33 - $ 461,912,353
Total 4,952 $ 68.56 -
(1)All of the Common Shares purchased during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022 were purchased in open market transactions. The total number of Common Shares purchased during the quarter includes 4,952 Common Shares
purchased by the trustee of the rabbi trust established by the Company as permitted pursuant to the terms of The Scotts Company LLC Executive Retirement Plan (the “ERP”).
(2)The average price paid per Common Share is calculated on a settlement basis and includes commissions.
(3)On February 6, 2020, the Company announced a new repurchase program allowing for repurchases of up to $750.0 million of Common Shares from April 30, 2020 through March 25, 2023.
Comparison of Cumulative Five-Year Total Return*
The following graph compares the yearly change in the cumulative total stockholder return on our Common Stock for the past five fiscal years with the cumulative total return of the Russell 2000 Index and the S&P 500 Household Products Index.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6. RESERVED
Reserved by the SEC.
THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The purpose of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is to provide an understanding of our financial condition and results of operations by focusing on changes in certain key measures from year-to-year. This MD&A is divided into the following sections:
•Executive summary
•Results of operations
•Segment results
•Liquidity and capital resources
•Non-GAAP measures
•Regulatory matters
•Critical accounting policies and estimates
Executive Summary
Our operations are divided into three reportable segments: U.S. Consumer, Hawthorne and Other. U.S. Consumer consists of our consumer lawn and garden business in the United States. Hawthorne consists of our indoor and hydroponic gardening business. Other primarily consists of our consumer lawn and garden business outside the United States. This division of reportable segments is consistent with how the segments report to and are managed by our chief operating decision maker. In addition, Corporate consists of general and administrative expenses and certain other income and expense items not allocated to the business segments. See “SEGMENT RESULTS” below for additional information regarding our evaluation of segment performance.
Through our U.S. Consumer and Other segments, we are the leading manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products in North America. Our products are marketed under some of the most recognized brand names in the industry. Our key consumer lawn and garden brands include Scotts® and Turf Builder® lawn fertilizer and Scotts® grass seed products; Miracle-Gro® soil, plant food and gardening products; Ortho® herbicide and pesticide products; and Tomcat® rodent control and animal repellent products. We also have a presence in similar branded consumer products in China. We are the exclusive agent of Monsanto for the marketing and distribution of certain of Monsanto’s consumer Roundup® branded products within the United States and certain other specified countries. In addition, we have an equity interest in Bonnie Plants, LLC, a joint venture with AFC, focused on planting, growing, developing, distributing, marketing and selling live plants.
Through our Hawthorne segment, we are a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of lighting, nutrients, growing media, growing environments and hardware products for indoor and hydroponic gardening in North America. Our key brands include General Hydroponics®, Gavita®, Botanicare®, Agrolux®, Can-Filters®, Gro Pro®, Mother Earth®, Hurricane®, Grower’s Edge® and HydroLogicTM.
As a leading consumer branded lawn and garden company, our product development and marketing efforts are largely focused on providing innovative and differentiated products and continually increasing brand and product awareness to inspire consumers to create retail demand. We have implemented this model for a number of years by focusing on research and development and investing approximately 3-5% of our U.S. Consumer segment annual net sales in advertising to support and promote our consumer lawn and garden products and brands. We continually explore new and innovative ways to communicate with consumers. We believe that we receive a significant benefit from these expenditures and anticipate a similar commitment to research and development, advertising and marketing investments in the future, with the continuing objective of driving category growth and profitably maintaining and/or increasing market share.
Our consumer lawn and garden net sales in any one year are susceptible to weather conditions in the markets in which our products are sold. For instance, periods of abnormally wet or dry weather can adversely impact the sale of certain products, while increasing demand for other products. We believe that our diversified product line and our geographic diversification reduce this risk, although to a lesser extent in a year in which unfavorable weather is geographically widespread and extends across a significant portion of the lawn and garden season. We also believe that weather conditions in any one year, positive or negative, do not materially impact longer-term category growth trends.
THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
Due to the seasonal nature of the consumer lawn and garden business, for our U.S. Consumer and Other segments, significant portions of our products ship to our retail customers during our second and third fiscal quarters, as noted in the following table. Our annual net sales are further concentrated in the second and third fiscal quarters by retailers who rely on our ability to deliver products closer to when consumers buy our products, thereby reducing retailers’ pre-season inventories. For our Hawthorne segment, sales are also impacted by seasonal patterns for certain product categories due to the timing of outdoor growing in North America during our second and third fiscal quarters, and the timing of certain controlled agricultural lighting project sales during our third and fourth fiscal quarters.
Percent of Net Sales from Continuing
Operations by Quarter
2022 2021 2020
First Quarter 14.4 % 15.2 % 8.9 %
Second Quarter 42.8 % 37.1 % 33.5 %
Third Quarter 30.2 % 32.7 % 36.1 %
Fourth Quarter 12.6 % 15.0 % 21.5 %
We follow a 13-week quarterly accounting cycle pursuant to which the first three fiscal quarters end on a Saturday and the fiscal year always ends on September 30. This fiscal calendar convention requires us to cycle forward the first three fiscal quarter ends every six years. Fiscal 2021 was impacted by this process and, as a result, our first quarter of fiscal 2021 had five additional days and our fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 had six fewer days compared to the respective quarters of fiscal 2020.
Management focuses on a variety of key indicators and operating metrics to monitor the financial condition and performance of the continuing operations of our business. These metrics include consumer purchases (point-of-sale data), market share, category growth, net sales (including unit volume, pricing and foreign exchange movements), gross margins, advertising to net sales ratios, income from operations, income from continuing operations, net income, earnings per share, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) and leverage ratio. To the extent applicable, these metrics are evaluated with and without impairment, restructuring and other charges that do not occur in or reflect the ordinary course of our ongoing business operations. Metrics that exclude impairment, restructuring and other nonrecurring items are used by management to evaluate our performance, engage in financial and operational planning and determine incentive compensation because we believe that these measures provide additional perspective on the performance of our underlying, ongoing business. We also focus on measures to optimize cash flow and return on invested capital, including the management of working capital and capital expenditures. Refer to the “NON-GAAP MEASURES” section of this MD&A for further discussion of non-GAAP measures.
Recent Events
During fiscal 2022, our Hawthorne segment experienced adverse financial results due to decreased sales volume and higher transportation and warehousing costs. Sales volume decreased due to an oversupply of cannabis, which significantly decreased cannabis wholesale prices and indoor and outdoor cannabis cultivation. The oversupply has been driven by increased licensing activity across the U.S., as well as significant capital investment in the cannabis production marketplace over the past several years and the market impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the risks and uncertainties related to these impacts, we performed interim impairment testing for Hawthorne long-lived assets and goodwill during the third quarter of fiscal 2022, which resulted in non-cash, pre-tax goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges of $632.4 recorded in the “Impairment, restructuring and other” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Refer to the “CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES” section of this MD&A and “NOTE 5. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET” for more information. We expect that the oversupply of cannabis and cost increases will continue to adversely impact our Hawthorne segment. If the oversupply of cannabis and cost increases persist longer, or are more significant than we expect or we are unable to mitigate their impact, our results of operations could be materially and adversely impacted for a longer period and to a greater extent than we currently anticipate.
During fiscal 2022, our U.S. Consumer, Hawthorne and Other segments have experienced higher transportation and materials costs, including fertilizer inputs such as urea, due in part to the negative impact of the war in Ukraine on the global economy. We expect a continuing inflationary environment that is heightened by this conflict, and we are continuing to address these impacts to our operations. We have no operations in Russia or Ukraine.
On April 8, 2022, we entered into the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement, providing the Company and certain of its subsidiaries with five-year senior secured loan facilities in the aggregate principal amount of $2,500.0, comprised of a revolving credit facility of $1,500.0 and a term loan in the original principal amount of $1,000.0. The Sixth A&R Credit Agreement contains, among other obligations, an affirmative covenant regarding our leverage ratio determined as of the end of each of our
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fiscal quarters. The maximum permitted leverage ratio originally established in the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement was 4.50. During the third quarter of fiscal 2022, we experienced an unexpected shortfall in earnings that affected our ability to remain in compliance with the leverage ratio covenant of the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement. On June 8, 2022, we entered into Amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment”) to the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement which increases the maximum permitted leverage ratio for the quarterly leverage covenant effective for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 until the earlier of (i) April 1, 2024 and (ii) subject to certain conditions specified in the Amendment, the termination by us of such increase (such period, the “Leverage Adjustment Period”). We are currently in compliance with our covenants and expect to remain in compliance, however, we could experience material changes to forecasted revenues, expenses or cash flows and may experience difficulty remaining in compliance with the financial covenants required by the amended Sixth A&R Credit Agreement. Refer to the “LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES” section of this MD&A for more information regarding the Amendment and the financial covenants required by the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement.
During fiscal 2022, due to a broader business downturn, we began implementing a series of Company-wide organizational changes and initiatives intended to create operational and management-level efficiencies. As part of the first phase of this restructuring program, we reduced the size of our supply chain network, reduced staffing levels and implemented other cost-reduction initiatives, which achieved approximately $100.0 of annual cost reductions. During fiscal 2022, we incurred costs of $65.2 associated with this restructuring initiative primarily related to employee termination benefits and impairment of property, plant and equipment. On November 2, 2022, we announced further details of a second phase of this initiative, targeting an additional $85.0 of annual cost reductions. Expected savings will be driven by: (i) reducing the operating footprint of our Hawthorne and U.S. Consumer segments by closing points of distribution, (ii) further right-sizing of overhead expenses in our Hawthorne segment enabled by integration into ScottsMiracle-Gro, (iii) enhancing profitability through improved product mix and fewer SKUs in our Hawthorne segment, (iv) executing on supply chain labor and materials efficiencies, (v) improving productivity of trade programs, and (vi) further reductions in SG&A spending. In addition, we have contingency plans which would further reduce or delay additional expenses and cash outlays, or reduce borrowings, should operations weaken beyond current forecasts or if cash inflows are not received when expected.
During fiscal 2022, we discontinued and exited the market for certain Hawthorne lighting products and brands. These actions resulted in inventory write-down charges of $120.9 recorded in the “Cost of sales-impairment, restructuring and other” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and finite-lived intangible asset impairment charges of $35.3 recorded in the “Impairment, restructuring and other” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
On February 6, 2020, Scotts Miracle-Gro announced that its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $750.0 of Common Shares from April 30, 2020 through March 25, 2023. During fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, Scotts Miracle-Gro repurchased 1.1 million and 0.6 million Common Shares under this share repurchase authorization for $175.0 and $113.1, respectively. There were no share repurchases under this share repurchase authorization during fiscal 2020.
On July 27, 2020, the Scotts Miracle-Gro Board of Directors approved an increase in Scotts Miracle-Gro’s quarterly cash dividend from $0.58 to $0.62 per Common Share, which was first paid in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. On July 30, 2021, the Scotts Miracle-Gro Board of Directors approved an increase in Scotts Miracle-Gro’s quarterly cash dividend from $0.62 to $0.66 per Common Share, which was first paid in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021.
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Results of Operations
The following table sets forth the components of earnings as a percentage of net sales:
Year Ended September 30,
2022 % of Net Sales 2021 % of Net Sales 2020 % of Net Sales
Net sales $ 3,924.1 100.0 % $ 4,925.0 100.0 % $ 4,131.6 100.0 %
Cost of sales 2,891.1 73.7 3,431.3 69.7 2,768.6 67.0
Cost of sales-impairment, restructuring and other 160.1 4.1 24.7 0.5 16.0 0.4
Gross margin 872.9 22.2 1,469.0 29.8 1,347.0 32.6
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative 613.0 15.6 743.5 15.1 757.8 18.3
Impairment, restructuring and other 693.1 17.7 4.3 0.1 0.8 -
Other (income) expense, net 0.8 - (1.8) - 3.2 0.1
Income (loss) from operations (434.0) (11.1) 723.0 14.7 585.2 14.2
Equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates 12.9 0.3 (14.4) (0.3) - -
Costs related to refinancing - - - - 15.1 0.4
Interest expense 118.1 3.0 78.9 1.6 79.6 1.9
Other non-operating income, net (6.9) (0.2) (18.6) (0.4) (20.1) (0.5)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (558.1) (14.2) 677.1 13.7 510.6 12.4
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations (120.6) (3.1) 159.8 3.2 123.7 3.0
Income (loss) from continuing operations (437.5) (11.1) 517.3 10.5 386.9 9.4
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax - - (3.9) (0.1) 1.7 -
Net income (loss) $ (437.5) (11.1) % $ 513.4 10.4 % $ 388.6 9.4 %
The sum of the components may not equal due to rounding.
Net Sales
Net sales for fiscal 2022 were $3,924.1, a decrease of 20.3% from net sales of $4,925.0 for fiscal 2021. Net sales for fiscal 2021 increased 19.2% from net sales of $4,131.6 for fiscal 2020. These changes in net sales were attributable to the following:
Year Ended September 30,
2022 2021
Volume (27.0) % 16.9 %
Foreign exchange rates (0.4) 0.8
Pricing 6.2 1.5
Acquisitions 0.9 -
Change in net sales (20.3) % 19.2 %
The decrease in net sales for fiscal 2022 as compared to fiscal 2021 was primarily driven by:
•decreased sales volume driven by lighting, nutrients, growing media, hardware and growing environments products in our Hawthorne segment; and lawn care, soils, controls, plant food and mulch products in our U.S. Consumer segment;
•decreased net sales associated with the Roundup® marketing agreement; and
•the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates as a result of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro and the Canadian dollar;
•partially offset by increased pricing in our U.S. Consumer, Hawthorne and Other segments; and
•the addition of net sales from acquisitions in our Hawthorne segment.
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The increase in net sales for fiscal 2021 as compared to fiscal 2020 was primarily driven by:
•increased sales volume driven by soils, fertilizer, grass seed, mulch, controls, plant food and direct to consumer products in our U.S. Consumer segment; lighting, nutrients, growing media, hardware and growing environments products in our Hawthorne segment; and increased sales in our Other segment;
•increased pricing in our U.S. Consumer, Hawthorne and Other segments;
•increased net sales associated with the Roundup® marketing agreement; and
•the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates as a result of the weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro and the Canadian dollar.
Cost of Sales
The following table shows the major components of cost of sales:
Year Ended September 30,
2022 2021 2020
Materials $ 1,616.7 $ 1,962.5 $ 1,599.3
Distribution and warehousing 660.1 684.0 492.6
Manufacturing labor and overhead 546.4 714.0 615.1
Costs associated with Roundup® marketing agreement
67.9 70.8 61.6
Cost of sales 2,891.1 3,431.3 2,768.6
Cost of sales-impairment, restructuring and other 160.1 24.7 16.0
$ 3,051.2 $ 3,456.0 $ 2,784.6
Factors contributing to the change in cost of sales are outlined in the following table:
Year Ended September 30,
2022 2021
Volume, product mix and other $ (641.4) $ 545.9
Foreign exchange rates (16.9) 24.6
Costs associated with Roundup® marketing agreement
(2.9) 9.2
Material cost changes 121.0 83.0
(540.2) 662.7
Impairment, restructuring and other 135.4 8.7
Change in cost of sales $ (404.8) $ 671.4
The decrease in cost of sales for fiscal 2022 as compared to fiscal 2021 was primarily driven by:
•lower sales volume in our U.S. Consumer, Hawthorne and Other segments;
•the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates as a result of the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro and the Canadian dollar; and
•a decrease in costs associated with the Roundup® marketing agreement;
•partially offset by higher material costs in our U.S. Consumer and Other segments;
•higher transportation and warehousing costs included within “volume, product mix and other” in our U.S. Consumer, Hawthorne and Other segments; and
•an increase in impairment, restructuring and other charges.
The increase in cost of sales for fiscal 2021 as compared to fiscal 2020 was primarily driven by:
•higher sales volume in our U.S. Consumer, Hawthorne and Other segments;
•higher material costs in our U.S. Consumer, Hawthorne and Other segments;
•higher transportation and warehousing costs included within “volume, product mix and other” in our U.S. Consumer and Hawthorne segments;
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•the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rates as a result of the weakening of the U.S. dollar relative to the euro and the Canadian dollar;
•an increase in costs associated with the Roundup® marketing agreement; and
•an increase in impairment, restructuring and other charges.
Gross Margin
As a percentage of net sales, our gross margin rate was 22.2%, 29.8% and 32.6% for fiscal 2022, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively. Factors contributing to the change in gross margin rate are outlined in the following table:
Year Ended September 30,
2022 2021
Volume, product mix and other (6.6) % (1.8) %
Material costs (3.4) (1.7)
Roundup® commissions and reimbursements
(0.2) -
Acquisitions (0.1) -
Pricing 6.3 0.8
(4.0) (2.7)
Impairment, restructuring and other (3.6) (0.1)
Change in gross margin rate (7.6) % (2.8) %
The decrease in gross margin rate for fiscal 2022 as compared to fiscal 2021 was primarily driven by:
•higher material costs in our U.S. Consumer, Hawthorne and Other segments;
•higher transportation and warehousing costs included within “volume, product mix and other” associated with our U.S. Consumer, Hawthorne and Other segments;
•unfavorable leverage of fixed costs driven by lower sales volume in our U.S. Consumer, Hawthorne and Other segments;
•decreased net sales associated with the Roundup® marketing agreement;
•an unfavorable net impact from acquisitions in our Hawthorne segment; and
•an increase in impairment, restructuring and other charges;
•partially offset by increased pricing in our U.S. Consumer, Hawthorne and Other segments.
The decrease in gross margin rate for fiscal 2021 as compared to fiscal 2020 was primarily driven by:
•higher transportation and warehousing costs included within “volume, product mix and other” in our U.S. Consumer and Hawthorne segments;
•higher material costs in our U.S. Consumer, Hawthorne and Other segments; and
•unfavorable mix driven by higher sales growth in our Hawthorne segment relative to our U.S. Consumer segment;
•partially offset by favorable leverage of fixed costs driven by higher sales volume in our U.S. Consumer, Hawthorne and Other segments; and
•increased pricing in our U.S. Consumer, Hawthorne and Other segments.
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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
The following table sets forth the components of selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”):
Year Ended September 30,
2022 2021 2020
Advertising $ 120.3 $ 165.7 $ 147.4
Advertising as a percentage of net sales 3.1 % 3.4 % 3.6 %
Research and development 45.3 45.4 39.7
Share-based compensation 34.3 40.6 57.9
Amortization of intangibles 31.0 29.1 31.5
Other selling, general and administrative 382.1 462.7 481.3
$ 613.0 $ 743.5 $ 757.8
SG&A decreased $130.5, or 17.6%, during fiscal 2022 compared to fiscal 2021. Advertising expense decreased $45.4, or 27.4%, in fiscal 2022 driven by decreased media spending in our U.S. Consumer and Hawthorne segments. Other SG&A decreased $80.6, or 17.4%, in fiscal 2022 driven by a decrease in short-term variable cash incentive compensation expense, reductions in staffing levels and other cost-reduction initiatives.
SG&A decreased $14.3, or 1.9%, during fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020. Share-based compensation expense decreased $17.3, or 29.9%, in fiscal 2021 due to a more significant increase in the expected payout percentage on long-term performance-based awards during fiscal 2020 as compared to fiscal 2021. Advertising expense increased $18.3, or 12.4%, in fiscal 2021 driven by increased media spending in our U.S. Consumer, Hawthorne, and Other segments. Other SG&A decreased $18.6, or 3.9%, in fiscal 2021 driven by lower short-term variable cash incentive compensation expense of $48.8 and lower corporate spending, partially offset by increases in various categories supporting the continued growth of the business including information technology, strategy and people costs.
Impairment, Restructuring and Other
Activity described herein is classified within the “Cost of sales-impairment, restructuring and other,” “Impairment, restructuring and other” and “Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax” lines in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The following table details impairment, restructuring and other charges (recoveries) for each of the periods presented:
Year Ended September 30,
2022 2021 2020
Cost of sales-impairment, restructuring and other:
COVID-19 related costs $ - $ 25.0 $ 15.5
Restructuring and other charges (recoveries), net 143.6 (0.3) (0.1)
Property, plant and equipment impairments 16.6 - 0.6
Operating expenses-impairment, restructuring and other:
COVID-19 related costs - 4.2 3.9
Restructuring and other charges (recoveries), net 40.9 0.1 (3.1)
Gains on sale of property, plant and equipment (16.2) - -
Goodwill and intangible asset impairments 668.3 - -
Impairment, restructuring and other charges from continuing operations 853.2 29.0 16.8
Restructuring and other charges (recoveries), net, from discontinued operations - - (3.1)
Total impairment, restructuring and other charges $ 853.2 $ 29.0 $ 13.7
During fiscal 2022, we recognized non-cash, pre-tax goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges of $632.4 as a result of interim impairment testing of our Hawthorne segment in the “Impairment, restructuring and other” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, comprised of $522.4 of goodwill impairment charges and $110.0 of finite-lived intangible asset impairment charges.
During fiscal 2022, we incurred inventory write-down charges of $120.9 in the “Cost of sales-impairment, restructuring and other” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and finite-lived intangible asset impairment charges of $35.3 in
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the “Impairment, restructuring and other” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations associated with our decision to discontinue and exit the market for certain Hawthorne lighting products and brands.
During fiscal 2022, we began implementing a series of organizational changes and initiatives intended to create operational and management-level efficiencies. As part of this restructuring program, we are reducing the size of our supply chain network, reducing staffing levels and implementing other cost-reduction initiatives. During fiscal 2022, we incurred costs of $65.2 associated with this restructuring initiative primarily related to employee termination benefits and impairment of property, plant and equipment. We incurred costs of $9.7 in our U.S. Consumer segment and $27.1 in our Hawthorne segment in the “Cost of sales-impairment, restructuring and other” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations during fiscal 2022. We incurred costs of $11.9 in our U.S. Consumer segment, $8.1 in our Hawthorne segment, $0.7 in our Other segment and $7.7 at Corporate in the “Impairment, restructuring and other” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations during fiscal 2022. We continue to evaluate additional network and organizational changes, which, if executed, may result in additional restructuring charges in future periods.
During fiscal 2022, we recognized gains of $16.2 in the “Impairment, restructuring and other” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations associated with the sale of property, plant and equipment.
Costs incurred during fiscal 2022 related to COVID-19 were immaterial. During fiscal 2021, we incurred costs of $29.2 associated with the COVID-19 pandemic primarily related to premium pay. We incurred costs of $21.2 in our U.S. Consumer segment, $3.2 in our Hawthorne segment and $0.6 in our Other segment in the “Cost of sales-impairment, restructuring and other” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations during fiscal 2021. We incurred costs of $4.0 in our U.S. Consumer segment and $0.2 in our Other segment in the “Impairment, restructuring and other” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations during fiscal 2021. During fiscal 2020, we incurred costs of $19.4 associated with the COVID-19 pandemic primarily related to premium pay. We incurred costs of $12.4 in our U.S. Consumer segment, $2.6 in our Hawthorne segment and $0.5 in our Other segment in the “Cost of sales-impairment, restructuring and other” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations during fiscal 2020. We incurred costs of $3.8 in our U.S. Consumer segment and $0.1 in our Other segment in the “Impairment, restructuring and other” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations during fiscal 2020.
Other (Income) Expense, net
Other (income) expense is comprised of activities such as royalty income from the licensing of certain of our brand names and foreign exchange transaction gains and losses. Other (income) expense was $0.8, $(1.8) and $3.2 in fiscal 2022, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively. The change for fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021 was primarily due to foreign exchange transaction gains and losses.
Income (Loss) from Operations
Income (loss) from operations was $(434.0) in fiscal 2022 compared to $723.0 in fiscal 2021. The decrease was driven by lower net sales, a decrease in gross margin rate, higher impairment, restructuring and other charges and lower other income, partially offset by lower SG&A.
Income from operations was $723.0 in fiscal 2021, an increase of 23.5% compared to $585.2 in fiscal 2020. The increase was driven by higher net sales, lower SG&A and higher other income, partially offset by a decrease in gross margin rate and higher impairment, restructuring and other charges.
Equity in (Income) Loss of Unconsolidated Affiliates
We acquired a 50% equity interest in Bonnie Plants, LLC on December 31, 2020. Our interest is accounted for using the equity method of accounting, with our proportionate share of Bonnie Plants, LLC earnings subsequent to December 31, 2020 reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. We recorded equity in (income) loss of unconsolidated affiliates associated with Bonnie Plants, LLC of $12.9, $(14.4) and zero in fiscal 2022, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively. Refer to “NOTE 9. INVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES” of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for more information regarding Bonnie Plants, LLC.
Costs Related to Refinancing
Costs related to refinancing were $15.1 in fiscal 2020, and we did not incur costs related to refinancing in fiscal 2022 or fiscal 2021. The costs incurred in fiscal 2020 were associated with the redemption of our 6.000% Senior Notes due 2023 (the “6.000% Senior Notes”), and are comprised of $12.0 of redemption premium and $3.1 of unamortized bond issuance costs that were written off. Refer to “NOTE 12. DEBT” of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for more information regarding the redemption of the 6.000% Senior Notes.
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Interest Expense
Interest expense was $118.1 in fiscal 2022, an increase of 49.7% compared to $78.9 in fiscal 2021. The increase was driven by higher average borrowings of $1,119.6 due to higher inventory production, capital expenditures, acquisition activity and repurchases of our Common Shares.
Interest expense was $78.9 in fiscal 2021, a decrease of 0.9% compared to $79.6 in fiscal 2020. The decrease was driven by a decrease in our weighted average interest rate of 61 basis points, partially offset by an increase in average borrowings of $289.0. The decrease in our weighted average interest rate was driven by lower borrowing rates on the Fifth A&R Credit Agreement. The increase in average borrowings was primarily driven by higher inventory production, capital expenditures and acquisition activity.
Other Non-Operating Income, Net
Other non-operating income was $6.9, $18.6 and $20.1 in fiscal 2022, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively, which included interest income of $6.7, $4.1 and $7.6 for fiscal 2022, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively.
On December 31, 2020, we acquired a 50% equity interest in Bonnie Plants, LLC in exchange for cash payments of $102.3, forgiveness of our outstanding loan receivable with AFC and surrender of our options to increase our economic interest in the Bonnie Plants business. Our loan receivable with AFC, which was previously recognized in the “Other assets” line in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, had a carrying value of $66.4 on December 31, 2020. We recognized a gain of $12.5 during the first quarter of fiscal 2021 to write-up the value of the loan to its closing date fair value of $78.9.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, we recognized an increase in the fair value of our options to increase our economic interest in the Bonnie Plants business of $12.0 driven by an increase in sales and profits of the Bonnie Plants business.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) from Continuing Operations
A reconciliation of the federal corporate income tax rate and the effective tax rate on income from continuing operations before income taxes is summarized below:
Year Ended September 30,
2022 2021 2020
Statutory income tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 %
Effect of foreign operations (2.5) (0.1) (0.7)
State taxes, net of federal benefit 2.6 3.9 3.5
Effect of other permanent differences 2.8 (1.1) -
Research and Experimentation and other federal tax credits 0.2 (0.2) (0.3)
Effect of tax contingencies (1.8) - 0.1
Other (0.7) 0.1 0.6
Effective income tax rate 21.6 % 23.6 % 24.2 %
During fiscal 2022, we recognized non-cash, pre-tax goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges of $668.3 in the “Impairment, restructuring and other” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The tax impact of the impairment charges was a benefit of $148.3, which is net of the impact of non-deductible goodwill of $18.8, for fiscal 2022 and was recorded in the “Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The tax impact of non-deductible goodwill was considered a discrete item because we have no remaining non-deductible goodwill. This discrete item, which is included in the “Effect of foreign operations” line in the table above, decreased the fiscal 2022 effective tax rate by approximately 340 bps because we incurred a net loss during the period. Additionally, excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation, which are included in the “Effect of other permanent differences” line in the table above, increased the fiscal 2022 effective tax rate by approximately 260 bps.
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
Income (loss) from continuing operations was $(437.5), or $(7.88) per diluted share, in fiscal 2022 compared to $517.3, or $9.03 per diluted share, in fiscal 2021. The decrease was driven by lower net sales, a decrease in gross margin rate, higher impairment, restructuring and other charges, lower other income, lower equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates, higher interest expense and lower other non-operating income, partially offset by lower SG&A.
Diluted average common shares used in the diluted loss per common share calculation for fiscal 2022 were 55.5 million, which excluded potential Common Shares of 0.6 million because the effect of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive as we
THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY
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incurred a net loss for fiscal 2022. Diluted average common shares used in the diluted income per common share calculation were 57.2 million for fiscal 2021, which included dilutive potential Common Shares of 1.5 million.
Income from continuing operations was $517.3, or $9.03 per diluted share, in fiscal 2021 compared to $386.9, or $6.78 per diluted share, in fiscal 2020. The increase was driven by higher net sales, lower SG&A, higher other income, higher equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates and lower costs related to refinancing, partially offset by a decrease in gross margin rate and higher impairment, restructuring and other charges.
Diluted average common shares used in the diluted income per common share calculation were 57.2 million for fiscal 2021 compared to 56.9 million for fiscal 2020. The increase was primarily the result of the exercise and issuance of share-based compensation awards, partially offset by common share repurchase activity. Dilutive equivalent shares for fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 were 1.5 million and 1.2 million, respectively.
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of tax
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax, was zero, $(3.9) and $1.7 for fiscal 2022, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively. On August 31, 2017, we completed the sale of the International Business. As a result, effective in our fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, we classified our results of operations for all periods presented to reflect the International Business as a discontinued operation. The transaction included contingent consideration with a maximum payout of $23.8 and an initial fair value of $18.2, the payment of which depended on the achievement of certain performance criteria by the International Business following the closing of the transaction through fiscal 2020. During fiscal 2021, we agreed to accept a contingent consideration payout of $6.0 and recorded a pre-tax charge of $12.2 during fiscal 2021 to write-down the contingent consideration receivable to the agreed upon payout amount. During fiscal 2022, we received the contingent consideration payment and this amount was classified as a financing activity in the “Other financing, net” line in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Segment Results
The performance of each reportable segment is evaluated based on several factors, including income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, amortization, impairment, restructuring and other charges (“Segment Profit (Loss)”), which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Senior management uses Segment Profit (Loss) to evaluate segment performance because they believe this measure is indicative of performance trends and the overall earnings potential of each segment.
The following table sets forth net sales by segment:
Year Ended September 30,
2022 2021 2020
U.S. Consumer $ 2,928.8 $ 3,197.7 $ 2,883.5
Hawthorne 716.2 1,424.2 1,023.1
Other 279.1 303.1 225.0
Consolidated $ 3,924.1 $ 4,925.0 $ 4,131.6
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The following table sets forth Segment Profit (Loss) as well as a reconciliation to income from continuing operations before income taxes, the most directly comparable GAAP measure:
Year Ended September 30,
2022 2021 2020
U.S. Consumer $ 568.6 $ 726.7 $ 694.3
Hawthorne (21.1) 163.8 111.9
Other 20.2 42.1 11.7
Total Segment Profit (Non-GAAP) 567.7 932.6 817.9
Corporate (112.4) (149.7) (183.4)
Intangible asset amortization (37.1) (30.9) (32.5)
Impairment, restructuring and other (852.2) (29.0) (16.8)
Equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates (12.9) 14.4 -
Costs related to refinancing - - (15.1)
Interest expense (118.1) (78.9) (79.6)
Other non-operating income, net 6.9 18.6 20.1
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (GAAP) $ (558.1) $ 677.1 $ 510.6
U.S. Consumer
U.S. Consumer segment net sales were $2,928.8 in fiscal 2022, a decrease of 8.4% from fiscal 2021 net sales of $3,197.7. The decrease was driven by lower sales volume of 15.6%, partially offset by increased pricing of 7.2%. The decrease in sales volume for fiscal 2022 was driven by lawn care, soils, controls, plant food and mulch products.
U.S. Consumer Segment Profit was $568.6 in fiscal 2022, a decrease of 21.8% from fiscal 2021 Segment Profit of $726.7. The decrease for fiscal 2022 was primarily due to lower net sales and a lower gross margin rate, partially offset by lower SG&A.
U.S. Consumer segment net sales were $3,197.7 in fiscal 2021, an increase of 10.9% from fiscal 2020 net sales of $2,883.5. The increase was driven by the favorable impacts of volume and pricing of 10.2% and 0.7%, respectively. The increase in sales volume for fiscal 2021 was driven by soils, fertilizer, grass seed, mulch, controls, plant food and direct to consumer products as well as increased net sales associated with the Roundup® marketing agreement.
U.S. Consumer Segment Profit was $726.7 in fiscal 2021, an increase of 4.7% from fiscal 2020 Segment Profit of $694.3. The increase for fiscal 2021 was primarily due to higher net sales, partially offset by a lower gross margin rate and higher SG&A.
Hawthorne
Hawthorne segment net sales were $716.2 in fiscal 2022, a decrease of 49.7% from fiscal 2021 net sales of $1,424.2. The decrease was driven by lower sales volume of 56.0% and unfavorable foreign exchange rates of 0.8%, partially offset by increased pricing of 3.8% and acquisitions of 3.3%. The decrease in sales volume for fiscal 2022 was driven by lighting, nutrients, growing media, hardware and growing environments products.
Hawthorne Segment Loss was $21.1 in fiscal 2022, a decrease from fiscal 2021 Segment Profit of $163.8. The decrease for fiscal 2022 was driven by lower net sales and a lower gross margin rate, partially offset by lower SG&A.
Hawthorne segment net sales were $1,424.2 in fiscal 2021, an increase of 39.2% from fiscal 2020 net sales of $1,023.1. The increase was driven by the favorable impacts of volume, pricing and foreign exchange rates of 35.1%, 3.4% and 0.7%, respectively. The increase in sales volume for fiscal 2021 was driven by lighting, nutrients, growing media, hardware and growing environments products.
Hawthorne Segment Profit was $163.8 in fiscal 2021, an increase of 46.4% from fiscal 2020 Segment Profit of $111.9. The increase for fiscal 2021 was driven by higher net sales, partially offset by a lower gross margin rate and higher SG&A.
Other
Other segment net sales were $279.1 in fiscal 2022, a decrease of 7.9% from fiscal 2021 net sales of $303.1. The decrease was driven by lower sales volume of 13.7% and unfavorable foreign exchange rates of 1.9%, partially offset by increased pricing of 7.7%.
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Other Segment Profit was $20.2 in fiscal 2022, a decrease of 52.0% from fiscal 2021 Segment Profit of $42.1. The decrease was driven by lower net sales and a lower gross margin rate, partially offset by lower SG&A.
Other segment net sales were $303.1 in fiscal 2021, an increase of 34.7% from fiscal 2020 net sales of $225.0. The increase was driven by the favorable impacts of volume, foreign exchange rates and pricing of 20.6%, 11.2% and 2.9%, respectively.
Other Segment Profit was $42.1 in fiscal 2021, an increase of 259.8% from fiscal 2020 Segment Profit of $11.7. The increase was driven by higher net sales and a higher gross margin rate, partially offset by higher SG&A.
Corporate
Corporate expenses were $112.4 in fiscal 2022, a decrease of 24.9% from fiscal 2021 expenses of $149.7. The decrease was driven by lower short-term variable cash incentive compensation expense, reductions in staffing levels and other cost-reduction initiatives.
Corporate expenses were $149.7 in fiscal 2021, a decrease of 18.4% from fiscal 2020 expenses of $183.4. The decrease was driven by lower short-term variable cash incentive compensation expense, lower corporate spending and lower share-based compensation expense.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The following table summarizes cash activities for the years ended September 30:
2022 2021 2020
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ (129.0) $ 271.5 $ 558.0
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (283.2) (538.6) 46.9
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 255.3 494.0 (607.1)
Operating Activities
Cash used in operating activities totaled $129.0 for fiscal 2022, a decrease of $400.5 as compared to cash provided by operating activities of $271.5 for fiscal 2021. This decrease was driven by higher inventory, lower accounts payable, lower net income and higher interest payments, partially offset by lower tax payments and lower short-term variable cash incentive compensation payouts. Higher inventory was driven by higher production, lower sales and higher input costs. Lower accounts payable was driven by the timing of production. Fiscal 2022 was also favorably impacted by extended payment terms with vendors across the U.S. Consumer and Hawthorne segments, as well as Monsanto, for payments originally due in the final weeks of fiscal 2022 that were paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2023.
Cash provided by operating activities totaled $271.5 for fiscal 2021, a decrease of $286.5 as compared to $558.0 for fiscal 2020. This decrease was driven by higher inventory production, higher short-term variable cash incentive compensation payouts and higher tax payments during fiscal 2021, partially offset by higher net income and lower interest payments. Higher inventory production was driven by the growth in net sales and an effort to build inventory levels to meet expected future demand. Fiscal 2021 was also favorably impacted by extended payment terms with vendors across the U.S. Consumer and Hawthorne segments, as well as Monsanto, for payments originally due in the final weeks of fiscal 2021 that were paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2022.
The seasonal nature of our North America consumer lawn and garden business generally requires cash to fund significant increases in inventories during the first half of the fiscal year. Receivables and payables also build substantially in our second quarter of the fiscal year in line with the timing of sales to support our retailers’ spring selling season.
Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities totaled $283.2 for fiscal 2022, a decrease of $255.4 as compared to $538.6 for fiscal 2021. Cash used for investments in property, plant and equipment during fiscal 2022 was $113.5. We also completed the acquisitions of Luxx Lighting, Inc., True Liberty Bags and Cyco during fiscal 2022 in exchange for aggregate cash payments of $237.3, as well as the issuance of 0.1 million Common Shares, a non-cash investing and financing activity, with a fair value of $21.0 based on the share price at the time of payment. In addition, during fiscal 2022, we made payments of $25.0 in connection with a minority non-equity convertible debt investment in RIV Capital, received proceeds from the sale of long-lived assets of $63.3 and received $29.3 associated with currency forward contracts.
Cash used in investing activities totaled $538.6 for fiscal 2021, a decrease of $585.5 as compared to cash provided by investing activities of $46.9 for fiscal 2020. Cash used for investments in property, plant and equipment during fiscal 2021 was
THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
$106.9. During fiscal 2021, we acquired a 50% equity interest in Bonnie Plants, LLC in exchange for cash payments of $102.3, as well as non-cash investing activities that included forgiveness of our outstanding loan receivable with AFC and surrender of our options to increase our economic interest in the Bonnie Plants business. We also made aggregate cash payments of $127.8 in connection with our acquisitions of Hydro-Logic Purification Systems, Inc., Rhizoflora, Inc. and other contract and license rights, and made payments of $193.1 in connection with minority non-equity convertible debt investments in RIV Capital and other entities focused on branded cannabis and high quality genetics. In addition, we paid cash of $8.7 associated with currency forward contracts during fiscal 2021.
For the three fiscal years ended September 30, 2022, we allocated our capital spending as follows: 72% for expansion and maintenance of existing productive assets; 6% for new productive assets; 16% to expand our information technology and transformation and integration capabilities; and 6% for corporate assets.
Financing Activities
Cash provided by financing activities totaled $255.3 for fiscal 2022 as compared to $494.0 for fiscal 2021. During fiscal 2022, we had net borrowings under our Fifth A&R Credit Facilities and Sixth A&R Credit Facilities of $680.1 and paid financing and issuance fees of $9.6 in connection with the execution of the Sixth A&R Credit Facilities. We also repurchased Common Shares for $257.9 and paid dividends of $166.2 during fiscal 2022.
Cash provided by financing activities totaled $494.0 in fiscal 2021 as compared to cash used in financing activities of $607.1 in fiscal 2020. During fiscal 2021, we had net borrowings under our Fifth A&R Credit Facilities of $118.3. We also issued $500.0 aggregate principal amount of 4.000% Senior Notes and $400.0 aggregate principal amount of 4.375% Senior Notes, and paid financing and issuance fees of $13.1 in connection with these Senior Notes issuances. In addition, during fiscal 2021, we repurchased Common Shares for $129.3, paid dividends of $143.0, received cash from the exercise of stock options of $15.2 and made payments of $17.5 associated with the acquisition of the remaining outstanding shares of AeroGrow.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Our cash and cash equivalents were held in cash depository accounts with major financial institutions around the world or invested in high quality, short-term liquid investments having original maturities of three months or less. The cash and cash equivalents balances of $86.8 and $244.1 at September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, included $4.2 and $15.9, respectively, held by controlled foreign corporations. As of September 30, 2022, we maintain our assertion of indefinite reinvestment of the earnings of all material foreign subsidiaries.
Borrowing Agreements
Credit Facilities
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash generated by operations and borrowings under our credit facilities, which are guaranteed by substantially all of Scotts Miracle-Gro’s domestic subsidiaries. On July 5, 2018, we entered into a fifth amended and restated credit agreement (the “Fifth A&R Credit Agreement”), which provided us with five-year senior secured loan facilities in the aggregate principal amount of $2,300.0, comprised of a revolving credit facility of $1,500.0 and a term loan in the original principal amount of $800.0 (the “Fifth A&R Credit Facilities”). Under the Fifth A&R Credit Facilities, we had the ability to obtain letters of credit up to $75.0.
On April 8, 2022, we entered into a sixth amended and restated credit agreement (the “Sixth A&R Credit Agreement”), providing the Company and certain of its subsidiaries with five-year senior secured loan facilities in the aggregate principal amount of $2,500.0, comprised of a revolving credit facility of $1,500.0 and a term loan in the original principal amount of $1,000.0 (the “Sixth A&R Credit Facilities”). The Sixth A&R Credit Agreement also provides us with the right to seek additional committed credit under the agreement in an aggregate amount of up to $500.0 plus an unlimited additional amount, subject to certain specified financial and other conditions. The Sixth A&R Credit Agreement replaced the Fifth A&R Credit Agreement and will terminate on April 8, 2027. The Sixth A&R Credit Facilities are available for the issuance of letters of credit up to $100.0. The terms of the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement include customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, financial covenants, and events of default.
Under the terms of the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement, loans bear interest, at our election, at a rate per annum equal to either (i) the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Spread (each, as defined in the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement) or (ii) the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such borrowing plus the Applicable Spread (all as defined in the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement). Swingline Loans bear interest at the applicable Swingline Rate set forth in the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement. Interest rates for other select non-U.S. dollar borrowings, including borrowings denominated in euro, Pounds Sterling and Canadian dollars, are based on separate interest rate indices, as set forth in the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement. The Sixth A&R Credit Agreement is secured by (i) a perfected first priority security interest in all of the accounts
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(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
receivable, inventory and equipment of Scotts Miracle-Gro and certain of its domestic subsidiaries and (ii) the pledge of all of the capital stock of certain of Scotts Miracle-Gro’s domestic subsidiaries and a portion of the capital stock of certain of its foreign subsidiaries. The collateral does not include any of our intellectual property.
On June 8, 2022, we entered into an Amendment to the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement. The Amendment increases the maximum permitted leverage ratio for the quarterly leverage covenant during the Leverage Adjustment Period. The Amendment also increases the interest rate applicable to borrowings under the revolving credit facility by 35 bps and the term loan facility by 50 bps, and increases the annual facility fee rate on the revolving credit facility by 15 bps, in each case, when our quarterly-tested leverage ratio exceeds 4.75. Additionally, the Amendment limits our ability to declare or pay any discretionary dividends, distributions or other restricted payments during the Leverage Adjustment Period to only the payment of (i) regularly scheduled cash dividends to holders of our Common Shares in an aggregate amount not to exceed $225.0 per fiscal year and (ii) other dividends, distributions or other restricted payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $25.0. The Amendment also requires pro forma compliance with certain leverage levels specified in the Amendment with respect to our ability to consummate certain acquisitions and incur debt.
At September 30, 2022, we had letters of credit outstanding in the aggregate principal amount of $14.1, and $1,185.5 of borrowing availability under the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement. The weighted average interest rates on average borrowings under the Fifth A&R Credit Agreement and Sixth A&R Credit Agreement were 2.8%, 1.9% and 3.3% for fiscal 2022, fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively.
The Sixth A&R Credit Agreement contains, among other obligations, an affirmative covenant regarding our leverage ratio determined as of the end of each of our fiscal quarters calculated as average total indebtedness, divided by our earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted pursuant to the terms of the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement (“Adjusted EBITDA”). Pursuant to the Amendment, the maximum permitted leverage ratio is (i) 6.25 for the third quarter of fiscal 2022 through the first quarter of fiscal 2023, (ii) 6.50 for the second and third quarters of fiscal 2023, (iii) 6.25 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 and the first quarter of fiscal 2024, (iv) 5.50 for the second quarter of fiscal 2024, and (v) 4.50 for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 and thereafter. Our leverage ratio was 6.01 at September 30, 2022. The Sixth A&R Credit Agreement also contains an affirmative covenant regarding our interest coverage ratio determined as of the end of each of our fiscal quarters. The interest coverage ratio is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA divided by interest expense, as described in the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement, and excludes costs related to refinancings. The minimum required interest coverage ratio is 3.00, which is unchanged from the Fifth A&R Credit Agreement. Our interest coverage ratio was 4.83 for the twelve months ended September 30, 2022.
As of September 30, 2022, we were in compliance with all applicable covenants in the agreements governing our debt. Based on our projections of financial performance for the twelve-month period subsequent to the date of the filing of the financial statements on Form 10-K, we expect to remain in compliance with the financial covenants under the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement. However, our assessment of our ability to meet our future obligations is inherently subjective, judgment-based, and susceptible to change based on future events. A covenant violation may result in an event of default. Such a default would allow the lender under the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement to accelerate the maturity of the debt and would also implicate cross-default provisions under our Senior Notes, making them due and payable at that time. As of September 30, 2022, our indebtedness under the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement and Senior Notes was $2,875.5. We do not have sufficient cash on hand or available liquidity that can be utilized to repay these outstanding amounts in the event of default.
As part of our contingency planning to address potential future circumstances that could result in noncompliance, we have contemplated alternative plans including additional restructuring activities to reduce operating expenses and certain cash management strategies that are within our control. Additionally, we have contemplated alternative plans that are subject to market conditions and not in our control, including, among others, discussions with our lender to amend the terms of our financial covenant under the debt instrument and generating cash by completing other financing transactions, which may include issuing equity. There is no assurance that we will be successful in implementing these alternative plans.
Senior Notes
On December 15, 2016, Scotts Miracle-Gro issued $250.0 aggregate principal amount of 5.250% Senior Notes due 2026. The 5.250% Senior Notes represent general unsecured senior obligations and rank equal in right of payment with our existing and future unsecured senior debt. The 5.250% Senior Notes have interest payment dates of June 15 and December 15 of each year.
On October 22, 2019, Scotts Miracle-Gro issued $450.0 aggregate principal amount of 4.500% Senior Notes due 2029. The 4.500% Senior Notes represent general unsecured senior obligations and rank equal in right of payment with our existing and future unsecured senior debt. The 4.500% Senior Notes have interest payment dates of April 15 and October 15 of each year.
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(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
On October 23, 2019, Scotts Miracle-Gro redeemed all of our outstanding 6.000% Senior Notes for a redemption price of $412.5, comprised of $0.5 of accrued and unpaid interest, $12.0 of redemption premium, and $400.0 for outstanding principal amount. The $12.0 redemption premium was recognized in the “Costs related to refinancing” line on the Consolidated Statements of Operations during the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Additionally, we had $3.1 in unamortized bond issuance costs associated with the 6.000% Senior Notes, which were written-off during the first quarter of fiscal 2020 and were recognized in the “Costs related to refinancing” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
On March 17, 2021, Scotts Miracle-Gro issued $500.0 aggregate principal amount of 4.000% Senior Notes due 2031. The 4.000% Senior Notes represent general unsecured senior obligations and rank equal in right of payment with our existing and future unsecured senior debt. The 4.000% Senior Notes have interest payment dates of April 1 and October 1 of each year.
On August 13, 2021, Scotts Miracle-Gro issued $400.0 aggregate principal amount of 4.375% Senior Notes due 2032. The 4.375% Senior Notes represent general unsecured senior obligations and rank equal in right of payment with our existing and future unsecured senior debt. The 4.375% Senior Notes have interest payment dates of February 1 and August 1 of each year.
Substantially all of Scotts Miracle-Gro’s directly and indirectly owned domestic subsidiaries serve as guarantors of the 5.250% Senior Notes, the 4.500% Senior Notes, the 4.000% Senior Notes and the 4.375% Senior Notes.
Receivables Facility
We also maintain a Master Repurchase Agreement (including the annexes thereto, the “Repurchase Agreement”) and a Master Framework Agreement, as amended (the “Framework Agreement” and, together with the Repurchase Agreement, the “Receivables Facility”). Under the Receivables Facility, we may sell a portfolio of available and eligible outstanding customer accounts receivable to the purchasers and simultaneously agree to repurchase the receivables on a weekly basis. The eligible accounts receivable consist of accounts receivable generated by sales to three specified customers. The eligible amount of customer accounts receivables which may be sold under the Receivables Facility is $400.0 and the commitment amount during the seasonal commitment period beginning on February 24, 2023 and ending on June 16, 2023 is $160.0. The Receivables Facility expires on August 18, 2023.
We account for the sale of receivables under the Receivables Facility as short-term debt and continue to carry the receivables on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, primarily as a result of our requirement to repurchase receivables sold. As of September 30, 2022 and 2021, there were $75.0 and zero, respectively, in borrowings on receivables pledged as collateral under the Receivables Facility, and the carrying value of the receivables pledged as collateral was $79.8 and zero, respectively.
Interest Rate Swap Agreements
We enter into interest rate swap agreements with major financial institutions that effectively convert a portion of our variable rate debt to a fixed rate. Interest payments made between the effective date and expiration date are hedged by the swap agreements. Swap agreements that were hedging interest payments as of September 30, 2022 and 2021 had a maximum total U.S. dollar equivalent notional amount of $800.0 and $600.0, respectively. The notional amount, effective date, expiration date and rate of each of the swap agreements outstanding at September 30, 2022 are shown in the table below:
Notional Amount Effective
Date (a) Expiration
Date Fixed
Rate
100 12/21/2020 6/20/2023 1.36 %
300 (b) 1/7/2021 6/7/2023 1.34 %
10/7/2021 6/7/2023 1.37 %
200 (b) 1/20/2022 6/20/2024 0.58 %
200 6/7/2023 6/8/2026 0.85 %
(a)The effective date refers to the date on which interest payments are first hedged by the applicable swap agreement.
(b)Notional amount adjusts in accordance with a specified seasonal schedule. This represents the maximum notional amount at any point in time.
Availability and Use of Cash
We believe that our cash flows from operations and borrowings under our agreements described herein will be sufficient to meet debt service, capital expenditures and working capital needs for the foreseeable future. However, we cannot ensure that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available under our borrowing agreements in amounts sufficient to pay indebtedness or fund other liquidity needs. Actual results of operations will depend on numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control as further discussed in “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - Risks Related
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to Our M&A, Lending and Financing Activities - Our indebtedness could limit our flexibility and adversely affect our financial condition” of this Form 10-K.
Financial Disclosures About Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities
The 5.250% Senior Notes, 4.500% Senior Notes, 4.000% Senior Notes and 4.375% Senior Notes (collectively, the “Senior Notes”) were issued by Scotts Miracle-Gro on December 15, 2016, October 22, 2019, March 17, 2021 and August 13, 2021, respectively. The Senior Notes are guaranteed by certain consolidated domestic subsidiaries of Scotts Miracle-Gro (collectively, the “Guarantors”) and, therefore, we report summarized financial information in accordance with SEC Regulation S-X, Rule 13-01, “Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities Registered or Being Registered.”
The guarantees are “full and unconditional,” as those terms are used in Regulation S-X, Rule 3-10(b)(3), except that a Guarantor’s guarantee will be released in certain circumstances set forth in the indentures governing the Senior Notes, such as: (i) upon any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Guarantor (including by way of merger or consolidation) to any person other than Scotts Miracle-Gro or any “restricted subsidiary” under the applicable indenture; (ii) if the Guarantor merges with and into Scotts Miracle-Gro, with Scotts Miracle-Gro surviving such merger; (iii) if the Guarantor is designated an “unrestricted subsidiary” in accordance with the applicable indenture or otherwise ceases to be a “restricted subsidiary” (including by way of liquidation or dissolution) in a transaction permitted by such indenture; (iv) upon legal or covenant defeasance; (v) at the election of Scotts Miracle-Gro following the Guarantor’s release as a guarantor under the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement, except a release by or as a result of the repayment of the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement; or (vi) if the Guarantor ceases to be a “restricted subsidiary” and the Guarantor is not otherwise required to provide a guarantee of the Senior Notes pursuant to the applicable indenture.
Our foreign subsidiaries and certain of our domestic subsidiaries are not guarantors (collectively, the “Non-Guarantors”) of the Senior Notes. Payments on the Senior Notes are only required to be made by Scotts Miracle-Gro and the Guarantors. As a result, no payments are required to be made from the assets of the Non-Guarantors, unless those assets are transferred by dividend or otherwise to Scotts Miracle-Gro or a Guarantor. In the event of a bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or reorganization of any of the Non-Guarantors, holders of their indebtedness, including their trade creditors and other obligations, will be entitled to payment of their claims from the assets of the Non-Guarantors before any assets are made available for distribution to Scotts Miracle-Gro or the Guarantors. As a result, the Senior Notes are effectively subordinated to all the liabilities of the Non-Guarantors.
The guarantees may be subject to review under federal bankruptcy laws or relevant state fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer laws. In certain circumstances, the court could void the guarantee, subordinate the amounts owing under the guarantee, or take other actions detrimental to the holders of the Senior Notes.
As a general matter, value is given for a transfer or an obligation if, in exchange for the transfer or obligation, property is transferred or a valid antecedent debt is satisfied. A court would likely find that a Guarantor did not receive reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for its guarantee to the extent such Guarantor did not obtain a reasonably equivalent benefit from the issuance of the Senior Notes.
The measure of insolvency varies depending upon the law of the jurisdiction that is being applied. Regardless of the measure being applied, a court could determine that a Guarantor was insolvent on the date the guarantee was issued, so that payments to the holders of the Senior Notes would constitute a preference, fraudulent transfer or conveyances on other grounds. If a guarantee is voided as a fraudulent conveyance or is found to be unenforceable for any other reason, the holders of the Senior Notes will not have a claim against the Guarantor.
Each guarantee contains a provision intended to limit the Guarantor’s liability to the maximum amount that it could incur without causing the incurrence of obligations under its guarantee to be a fraudulent conveyance. However, there can be no assurance as to what standard a court will apply in making a determination of the maximum liability of each Guarantor. Moreover, this provision may not be effective to protect the guarantees from being voided under fraudulent conveyance laws. There is a possibility that the entire guarantee may be set aside, in which case the entire liability may be extinguished.
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The following tables present summarized financial information on a combined basis for Scotts Miracle-Gro and the Guarantors. Transactions between Scotts Miracle-Gro and the Guarantors have been eliminated and the summarized financial information does not reflect investments of the Scotts Miracle-Gro and the Guarantors in the Non-Guarantor subsidiaries.
September 30, 2022
Current assets $ 1,749.6
Non-current assets (a)
2,165.4
Current liabilities 851.4
Non-current liabilities 3,117.8
(a)Includes amounts due from Non-Guarantor subsidiaries of $46.7
Year Ended
September 30, 2022
Net sales $ 3,559.0
Gross margin 828.7
Loss from continuing operations (a)
(335.9)
Net loss (335.9)
Net loss attributable to controlling interest (335.9)
(a)Includes intercompany income from Non-Guarantor subsidiaries of $14.1.
Judicial and Administrative Proceedings
We are party to various pending judicial and administrative proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, including, among others, proceedings based on accidents or product liability claims and alleged violations of environmental laws. We have reviewed these pending judicial and administrative proceedings, including the probable outcomes, reasonably anticipated costs and expenses, and the availability and limits of our insurance coverage, and have established what we believe to be appropriate accruals. We believe that our assessment of contingencies is reasonable and that the related accruals, in the aggregate, are adequate; however, there can be no assurance that future quarterly or annual operating results will not be materially affected by these proceedings, whether as a result of adverse outcomes or as a result of significant defense costs.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our future cash outflows for contractual obligations as of September 30, 2022:
Payments Due by Period
Contractual Cash Obligations Total Less Than 1 Year 1-3 Years 3-5 Years More Than
5 Years
Debt obligations $ 2,963.2 $ 137.7 $ 100.0 $ 1,375.5 $ 1,350.0
Interest expense on debt obligations 813.7 137.6 263.2 225.4 187.5
Finance lease obligations 34.2 7.5 10.8 4.1 11.8
Operating lease obligations 326.0 85.2 139.2 61.1 40.5
Purchase obligations 1,468.2 547.2 559.7 276.5 84.8
Other, primarily retirement plan obligations 62.3 5.8 16.8 14.2 25.5
Total contractual cash obligations $ 5,667.6 $ 921.0 $ 1,089.7 $ 1,956.8 $ 1,700.1
We had long-term debt obligations and interest payments due primarily under the 5.250% Senior Notes, 4.500% Senior Notes, 4.000% Senior Notes and 4.375% Senior Notes and our credit facilities. Amounts in the table represent scheduled future maturities of debt principal for the periods indicated.
The interest payments for our credit facilities are based on outstanding borrowings as of September 30, 2022. Actual interest expense will likely be higher due to the seasonality of our business and associated higher average borrowings.
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Purchase obligations primarily represent commitments for materials used in our manufacturing processes, including urea and packaging, as well as commitments for warehouse services, grass seed, marketing services and information technology services which comprise the unconditional purchase obligations disclosed in “NOTE 19. COMMITMENTS” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K.
Other obligations include actuarially determined retiree benefit payments and pension funding to comply with local funding requirements. Pension funding requirements beyond fiscal 2022 are based on preliminary estimates using actuarial assumptions determined as of September 30, 2022. These amounts represent expected payments through 2032. Based on the accounting rules for defined benefit pension plans and retirement health care plans, the liabilities reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets differ from these expected future payments (see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K). The above table excludes liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits and insurance accruals as we are unable to estimate the timing of payments for these items.
Non-GAAP Measures
Use of Non-GAAP Measures
To supplement the financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), we use certain non-GAAP financial measures. The reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP are shown in the following tables. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for or superior to, financial measures reported in accordance with GAAP. Moreover, these non-GAAP financial measures have limitations in that they do not reflect all the items associated with the operations of the business as determined in accordance with GAAP. Other companies may calculate similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures differently than us, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes.
In addition to GAAP financial measures, we use these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate our performance, engage in financial and operational planning, determine incentive compensation and monitor compliance with the financial covenants contained in our borrowing agreements because we believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide additional perspective on and, in some circumstances are more closely correlated to, the performance of our underlying, ongoing business.
We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors in their assessment of our operating performance and valuation. In addition, these non-GAAP financial measures address questions routinely received from analysts and investors and, in order to ensure that all investors have access to the same data, we have determined that it is appropriate to make this data available to all investors. Non-GAAP financial measures exclude the impact of certain items (as further described below) and provide supplemental information regarding operating performance. By disclosing these non-GAAP financial measures, we intend to provide investors with a supplemental comparison of operating results and trends for the periods presented. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures are also useful to investors as such measures allow investors to evaluate performance using the same metrics that we use to evaluate past performance and prospects for future performance. We view free cash flow as an important measure because it is one factor used in determining the amount of cash available for dividends and discretionary investment.
Exclusions from Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Non-GAAP financial measures reflect adjustments based on the following items:
•Impairments, which are excluded because they do not occur in or reflect the ordinary course of our ongoing business operations and their exclusion results in a metric that provides supplemental information about the sustainability of operating performance.
•Restructuring and employee severance costs, which include charges for discrete projects or transactions that fundamentally change our operations and are excluded because they are not part of the ongoing operations of our underlying business, which includes normal levels of reinvestment in the business.
•Costs related to refinancing, which are excluded because they do not typically occur in the normal course of business and may obscure analysis of trends and financial performance. Additionally, the amount and frequency of these types of charges is not consistent and is significantly impacted by the timing and size of debt financing transactions.
THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
•Discontinued operations and other unusual items, which include costs or gains related to discrete projects or transactions and are excluded because they are not comparable from one period to the next and are not part of the ongoing operations of our underlying business.
The tax effect for each of the items listed above is determined using the tax rate and other tax attributes applicable to the item and the jurisdiction(s) in which the item is recorded.
Definitions of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The reconciliations below include the following financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP:
•Adjusted income (loss) from operations: Income (loss) from operations excluding impairment, restructuring and other charges / recoveries.
•Adjusted income (loss) from continuing operations: Income (loss) from continuing operations excluding impairment, restructuring and other charges / recoveries, costs related to refinancing and certain other non-operating income / expense items, each net of tax.
•Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest from continuing operations: Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest excluding impairment, restructuring and other charges / recoveries, costs related to refinancing, certain other non-operating income / expense items and discontinued operations, each net of tax.
•Adjusted diluted income (loss) per common share from continuing operations: Diluted net income (loss) per common share from continuing operations excluding impairment, restructuring and other charges / recoveries, costs related to refinancing and certain other non-operating income / expense items, each net of tax.
•Adjusted EBITDA: Net income (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization as well as certain other items such as the impact of the cumulative effect of changes in accounting, costs associated with debt refinancing and other non-recurring or non-cash items affecting net income (loss). The presentation of adjusted EBITDA is intended to be consistent with the calculation of that measure as required by our borrowing arrangements, and used to calculate a leverage ratio (maximum of 6.25 at September 30, 2022) and an interest coverage ratio (minimum of 3.00 for the twelve months ended September 30, 2022).
•Free cash flow: Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities reduced by investments in property, plant and equipment.
THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are presented in the following table:
Year Ended September 30,
2022 2021 2020
Income (loss) from operations (GAAP)
$ (434.0) $ 723.0 $ 585.2
Impairment, restructuring and other charges 852.2 29.0 16.8
Adjusted income from operations (Non-GAAP)
$ 418.2 $ 752.1 $ 602.0
Income (loss) from continuing operations (GAAP)
$ (437.5) $ 517.3 $ 386.9
Impairment, restructuring and other charges 852.2 29.0 16.8
Costs related to refinancing - - 15.1
Other non-operating (income) expense, net - (12.6) 0.8
Adjustment to income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations (184.7) (5.1) (6.7)
Adjusted income from continuing operations (Non-GAAP)
$ 230.0 $ 528.6 $ 412.9
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interest (GAAP)
$ (437.5) $ 512.5 $ 387.4
(Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax - 3.9 (1.7)
Impairment, restructuring and other charges 852.2 29.0 16.8
Costs related to refinancing - - 15.1
Other non-operating (income) expense, net - (12.6) 0.8
Adjustment to income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations (184.7) (5.1) (6.7)
Adjusted net income attributable to controlling interest from continuing operations (Non-GAAP)
$ 230.0 $ 527.7 $ 411.7
Diluted income (loss) per common share from continuing operations (GAAP)
$ (7.88) $ 9.03 $ 6.78
Impairment, restructuring and other charges 15.19 0.51 0.30
Costs related to refinancing - - 0.27
Other non-operating (income) expense, net - (0.22) 0.01
Adjustment to income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations (3.29) (0.09) (0.12)
Adjusted diluted income per common share from continuing operations (Non-GAAP)
$ 4.10 $ 9.23 $ 7.24
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (GAAP)
$ (129.0) $ 271.5 $ 558.0
Investments in property, plant and equipment (113.5) (106.9) (62.7)
Free cash flow (Non-GAAP)
$ (242.5) $ 164.6 $ 495.3
The sum of the components may not equal the total due to rounding.
Due to the GAAP net loss for fiscal 2022, diluted average common shares used in the GAAP diluted loss per common share calculation were 55.5 million, which excluded potential Common Shares of 0.6 million because the effect of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. Diluted average common shares used in the fiscal 2022 non-GAAP adjusted diluted income per common share calculation, and the calculation of the fiscal 2022 earnings per share impact from the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciling items, were 56.1 million, which included dilutive potential Common Shares of 0.6 million.
We view our credit facility as material to our ability to fund operations, particularly in light of our seasonality. Refer to “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS - Risks Related to Our M&A, Lending and Financing Activities - Our indebtedness could limit our flexibility and adversely affect our financial condition” of this Form 10-K for a more complete discussion of the risks associated with our debt and our credit facility and the restrictive covenants therein. Our ability to generate cash flows sufficient to cover our debt service costs is essential to our ability to maintain our borrowing capacity. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides additional information for determining our ability to meet debt service requirements. The presentation of Adjusted EBITDA herein is intended to be consistent with the calculation of that measure as required by our borrowing arrangements, and used to calculate a leverage ratio (maximum of 6.25 at September 30, 2022) and an interest coverage ratio (minimum of 3.00 for the twelve months ended September 30, 2022). The leverage ratio is calculated as average total indebtedness divided by Adjusted EBITDA. The interest coverage ratio is calculated as Adjusted EBITDA divided by interest expense, as described in the Sixth A&R Credit Agreement, and excludes costs related to refinancings. Refer to “ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
OPERATIONS - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Borrowing Agreements” of this Form 10-K for more information regarding our credit facility.
Beginning in fiscal 2022, equity in income / loss of unconsolidated affiliates is excluded from the calculation of non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA. This exclusion is consistent with the calculation of that measure as required by the Company’s borrowing arrangements. This change has been reflected in the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2022. The prior period amounts have not been reclassified to conform to the revised calculation.
Our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA does not represent and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or cash flows from operating activities as determined by GAAP. We make no representation or assertion that Adjusted EBITDA is indicative of our cash flows from operating activities or results of operations. We have provided a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income solely for the purpose of complying with SEC regulations and not as an indication that Adjusted EBITDA is a substitute measure for net income.
A reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA is as follows:
Year Ended September 30,
2022 2021 2020
Net income (loss) (GAAP)
$ (437.5) $ 513.4 $ 388.6
Income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations (120.6) 159.8 123.7
Income tax expense (benefit) from discontinued operations - (8.4) 0.1
Loss on contingent consideration from discontinued operations - 12.2 -
Costs related to refinancing - - 15.1
Interest expense 118.1 78.9 79.6
Depreciation 68.1 62.9 62.2
Amortization 37.1 30.9 32.5
Impairment, restructuring and other charges from continuing operations 852.2 29.0 16.8
Impairment, restructuring and other charges (recoveries) from discontinued operations - - (3.1)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates 12.9 - -
Other non-operating (income) expense, net - (12.6) 0.8
Interest income (6.7) (4.1) (7.6)
Share-based compensation expense 34.3 40.6 57.9
Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)
$ 557.9 $ 902.6 $ 766.6
Regulatory Matters
We are subject to local, state, federal and foreign environmental protection laws and regulations with respect to our business operations and believe we are operating in substantial compliance, or taking actions aimed at ensuring compliance with, such laws and regulations. We are involved in several legal actions with various governmental agencies related to environmental matters. While it is difficult to quantify the potential financial impact of actions involving these environmental matters, particularly remediation costs at waste disposal sites and future capital expenditures for environmental control equipment, in the opinion of management, the ultimate liability arising from such environmental matters, taking into account established accruals, is not expected to have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. However, there can be no assurance that the resolution of these matters will not materially affect our future quarterly or annual results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. Additional information on environmental matters affecting us is provided in “ITEM 1. BUSINESS - Regulatory Considerations” and “ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS” of this Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements requires management to use judgment and make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We evaluate our estimates on an ongoing basis. By their nature, these judgments are subject to uncertainty. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other sources that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances.
THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
Certain accounting policies are particularly significant, including those related to revenue recognition, income taxes and goodwill and intangible assets. Our critical accounting policies are reviewed periodically with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of Scotts Miracle-Gro.
Revenue Recognition and Promotional Allowances
Our revenue is primarily generated from sales of branded and private label lawn and garden care and indoor and hydroponic gardening finished products. Product sales are recognized at a point in time when control of products transfers to customers and we have no further obligation to provide services related to such products. Sales are typically recognized when products are delivered to or picked up by the customer. We are generally the principal in a transaction and, therefore, primarily record revenue on a gross basis. Revenue for product sales is recorded net of sales returns and allowances. Revenues are measured based on the amount of consideration that we expect to receive as derived from a list price, reduced by estimates for variable consideration. Variable consideration includes the cost of current and continuing promotional programs and expected sales returns.
Our promotional programs primarily include rebates based on sales volumes, in-store promotional allowances, cooperative advertising programs, direct consumer rebate programs and special purchasing incentives. The cost of promotional programs is estimated considering all reasonably available information, including current expectations and historical experience. Promotional costs (including allowances and rebates) incurred during the year are expensed to interim periods in relation to revenues and are recorded as a reduction of net sales. Provisions for estimated returns and allowances are recorded at the time revenue is recognized based on historical rates and are periodically adjusted for known changes in return levels. Shipping and handling costs are accounted for as contract fulfillment costs and included in the “Cost of sales” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. We exclude from revenue any amounts collected from customers for sales or other taxes.
Income Taxes
Our annual effective tax rate is established based on our pre-tax income (loss), statutory tax rates and the tax impacts of items treated differently for tax purposes than for financial reporting purposes. We record income tax liabilities utilizing known obligations and estimates of potential obligations. A deferred tax asset or liability is recognized whenever there are future tax effects from existing temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Valuation allowances are used to reduce deferred tax assets to the balances that are more likely than not to be realized. We must make estimates and judgments on future taxable income, considering feasible tax planning strategies and taking into account existing facts and circumstances, to determine the proper valuation allowances. When we determine that deferred tax assets could be realized in greater or lesser amounts than recorded, the asset balance and Consolidated Statements of Operations reflect the change in the period such determination is made. Due to changes in facts and circumstances and the estimates and judgments involved in determining the proper valuation allowances, differences between actual future events and prior estimates and judgments could result in adjustments to these valuation allowances. We use an estimate of our annual effective tax rate at each interim period based on the facts and circumstances available at that time, while the actual effective tax rate is calculated at year-end.
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
We have significant investments in intangible assets and goodwill. We perform our annual goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset testing as of the first day of our fiscal fourth quarter or more frequently if circumstances indicate potential impairment. In our evaluation of impairment for goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, we perform either an initial qualitative or quantitative evaluation for each of our reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets. Factors considered in the qualitative test include operating results as well as new events and circumstances impacting the operations or cash flows of the reporting unit or indefinite-lived intangible assets. For the quantitative test, the review for impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets is based on a combination of income-based approaches, including the relief-from-royalty method for indefinite-lived trade names, and market-based approaches. If it is determined that an impairment has occurred, an impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value of the reporting unit or intangible asset exceeds its estimated fair value.
Under the income-based approach, we determine fair value using a discounted cash flow approach that requires significant judgment with respect to revenue and profitability growth rates, based upon annual budgets and longer-range strategic plans, and the selection of an appropriate discount rate. These budgets and plans are used for internal purposes and are also the basis for communication with outside parties about future business trends. Under the market-based approach, we determine fair value by comparing our reporting units to similar businesses or guideline companies whose securities are actively traded in public markets. We also use the guideline transaction method to determine fair value based on pricing multiples derived from the sale of companies that are similar to our reporting units.
THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
Fair value estimates employed in our annual impairment review of indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill were determined using models involving several assumptions. Changes in our assumptions could materially impact our fair value estimates. Assumptions critical to our fair value estimates were: (i) discount rates used in determining the fair value of the reporting units and intangible assets; (ii) royalty rates used in our intangible asset valuations; (iii) projected future revenues and profitability used in the reporting unit and intangible asset models; and (iv) projected long-term growth rates used in the derivation of terminal year values. These and other assumptions are impacted by economic conditions and expectations of management and may change in the future based on period specific facts and circumstances. While we believe the assumptions we used to estimate future cash flows are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the expected future cash flows will be realized. As a result, impairment charges that possibly would have been recognized in earlier periods may not be recognized until later periods if actual results deviate unfavorably from earlier estimates. The use of different assumptions would increase or decrease discounted cash flows or earnings projections and, therefore, could change impairment determinations.
During fiscal 2022, our Hawthorne reporting unit experienced adverse financial results due to decreased sales volume and higher transportation and warehousing costs. Sales volume decreased due to an oversupply of cannabis, which significantly decreased cannabis wholesale prices and indoor and outdoor cannabis cultivation. As a result, we revised our internal forecasts relating to our Hawthorne reporting unit. We concluded that the changes in circumstances in this reporting unit and the decline in the Company’s market capitalization triggered the need for an interim impairment review of its goodwill during the third quarter of fiscal 2022. We elected to bypass the qualitative assessment and perform quantitative interim goodwill impairment testing for our Hawthorne reporting unit. We updated our assumptions from prior periods to include the longer duration and increased significance of lower sales volumes and cost increases. This quantitative test resulted in a non-cash, pre-tax goodwill impairment charge of $522.4 related to our Hawthorne reporting unit, which was recognized during the third quarter of fiscal 2022 in the “Impairment, restructuring and other” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The carrying value of goodwill of our Hawthorne reporting unit, after recognizing the impairment, is zero. The estimated fair value of our Hawthorne reporting unit was based upon an equal weighting of the income-based and market-based approaches, utilizing estimated cash flows and a terminal value, discounted at a rate of return that reflects the relative risk of the cash flows, as well as valuation multiples derived from comparable publicly traded companies that are applied to operating performance of the reporting unit. The fair value estimate utilizes significant unobservable inputs and, therefore, represents a Level 3 fair value measurement. While we consider our assumptions to be reasonable and appropriate, they are complex and subjective. Refer to “NOTE 5. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET” for more information.
At September 30, 2022, goodwill totaled $254.0, with $243.9, zero and $10.1 for our U.S. Consumer, Hawthorne and Other segments, respectively. We performed annual impairment testing as of the first day of our fiscal fourth quarter and, with the exception of the Hawthorne reporting unit in fiscal 2022, concluded that there were no impairments of goodwill as the estimated fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying value. Based on the results of the annual quantitative evaluation for fiscal 2022, the fair values of our U.S. Consumer and Other segment reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values by 181% and 71%, respectively. A 100 basis point change in the discount rate would not have resulted in an impairment for any of our reporting units.
At September 30, 2022, indefinite-lived intangible assets consisted of trade names of $168.2 and the Roundup® marketing agreement amendment of $155.7. Based on the results of the annual evaluation for fiscal 2022, the fair values of our indefinite-lived intangible assets exceeded their respective carrying values in a range of 11% to over 1,100%. A 100 basis point change in the discount rate would not have resulted in an impairment of any of our indefinite-lived intangible assets.
Other Significant Accounting Policies
Other significant accounting policies, primarily those with lower levels of uncertainty than those discussed above, are also critical to understanding the consolidated financial statements. The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K contain additional information related to our accounting policies, including recent accounting pronouncements, and should be read in conjunction with this discussion.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
As part of our ongoing business, we are exposed to certain market risks, including fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. Financial derivatives and other instruments are used to manage these risks. These instruments are not used for speculative purposes.
THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
Interest Rate Risk
The following table summarizes information about our debt instruments and derivative financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates as of September 30, 2022 and 2021. For debt instruments, the table presents principal cash flows and related weighted-average interest rates by expected maturity dates. For interest rate swap agreements, the table presents expected cash flows based on notional amounts and weighted-average interest rates by contractual maturity dates. We have outstanding interest rate swap agreements with major financial institutions that effectively convert a portion of the Company’s variable-rate debt to a fixed rate. The swap agreements had a maximum total U.S. dollar equivalent notional amount of $800.0 and $600.0 at September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Weighted-average variable rates are based on rates in effect at September 30, 2022 and 2021. A change in our variable interest rate of 100 basis points for a full twelve-month period would have an impact of $10.0 on interest expense assuming approximately $1,000.0 of our average variable-rate debt had not been hedged via an interest rate swap agreement.
Expected Maturity Date Total Fair
Value
2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 After
Long-term debt:
Fixed rate debt $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 250.0 $ 1,350.0 $ 1,600.0 $ 1,190.3
Average rate - - - - 5.3 % 4.3 % 4.4 % -
Variable rate debt $ 125.0 $ 50.0 $ 50.0 $ 50.0 $ 1,075.5 $ - $ 1,350.5 $ 1,350.5
Average rate 4.6 % 5.4 % 5.4 % 5.4 % 5.3 % - 5.2 % -
Interest rate derivatives:
Interest rate swaps $ 12.5 $ 8.4 $ 5.8 $ 4.3 $ - $ - $ 31.0 $ 31.0
Average rate 1.2 % 0.8 % 0.9 % 0.9 % - - 1.0 % -
Expected Maturity Date Total Fair
Value
2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 After
Long-term debt:
Fixed rate debt $ - $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 1,600.0 $ 1,600.0 $ 1,625.8
Average rate - - - - - 4.4 % 4.4 % -
Variable rate debt $ 40.0 $ 630.0 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 670.0 $ 670.0
Average rate 1.1 % 1.1 % - - - - 1.1 % -
Interest rate derivatives:
Interest rate swaps $ (4.2) $ (2.5) $ 0.7 $ 0.6 $ 0.5 $ - $ (4.9) $ (4.9)
Average rate 1.3 % 1.1 % 0.8 % 0.9 % 0.9 % - 1.1 % -
Excluded from the information provided above are miscellaneous debt instruments of $12.7 and $11.9 and finance lease obligations of $28.9 and $33.4 at September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Other Market Risks
We are subject to market risk from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuating prices of certain raw materials, including urea and other fertilizer inputs, resins, diesel, gasoline, natural gas, sphagnum peat, bark and grass seed. Refer to “NOTE 16. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K for discussion of these market risks and the derivatives used to manage these risks.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The financial statements and other information required by this Item are contained in the Consolidated Financial Statements, Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Schedules Supporting the Consolidated Financial Statements listed in the “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules” on page 56 of this Form 10-K.
THE SCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO COMPANY
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
With the participation of the principal executive officer and the principal financial officer of The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (the “Registrant”), the Registrant’s management has evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), as of the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K. Based upon that evaluation, the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The “Annual Report of Management on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting” required by Item 308(a) of SEC Regulation S-K is included on page 57 of this Form 10-K.
Attestation Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” required by Item 308(b) of SEC Regulation S-K is included on page 58 of this Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
No changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) occurred during the Registrant’s fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2022, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
As previously announced by the Company, David C. Evans will be stepping down from his role of Interim Chief Financial Officer effective as of November 30, 2022 but will continue to serve on Scotts Miracle-Gro’s Board of Directors.
At the time of Mr. Evan’s appointment as Interim Chief Financial Officer, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (“Compensation Committee”) approved a grant of 17,181 Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) with a grant date of September 1, 2022, and a provision for ratable vesting at the rate of 1/7th of the RSUs granted for each full or partial month of service between September 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023.
In connection with his departure as Interim Chief Financial Officer, on November 27, 2022, the Compensation Committee elected to provide Mr. Evans with one additional month of the RSU vesting. As a result, Mr. Evans will receive an incremental 2,454 RSUs to the 7,362 RSUs he is already entitled to pursuant to the terms of the original grant.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Directors, Executive Officers and Persons Nominated or Chosen to Become Directors or Executive Officers
The information required by Item 401 of SEC Regulation S-K concerning the directors of Scotts Miracle-Gro and the nominees for election or re-election as directors of Scotts Miracle-Gro at its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on January 23, 2023 (the “2023 Annual Meeting”) is incorporated herein by reference from the disclosure which will be included under the caption “PROPOSAL NUMBER 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS” in Scotts Miracle-Gro’s definitive Proxy Statement relating to the 2023 Annual Meeting (the “Proxy Statement”), which will be filed pursuant to SEC Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of Scotts Miracle-Gro’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2022.
The information required by Item 401 of SEC Regulation S-K concerning the executive officers of Scotts Miracle-Gro is incorporated herein by reference from the disclosure included under the caption “SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT” in Part I of this Form 10-K.
Compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
The information required by Item 405 of SEC Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference from the disclosure which will be included under the caption “SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE” in its Proxy Statement.
Procedures for Recommending Director Nominees
Information concerning the procedures by which shareholders of Scotts Miracle-Gro may recommend nominees to Scotts Miracle-Gro’s Board of Directors is incorporated herein by reference from the disclosures which will be included under the captions “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE - Nominations of Directors” and “MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD - Committees of the Board - Nominating and Governance Committee” in the Proxy Statement. These procedures have not materially changed from those described in Scotts Miracle-Gro’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on January 24, 2022.
Audit Committee
The information required by Items 407(d)(4) and 407(d)(5) of SEC Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference from the disclosure which will be included under the caption “MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD - Committees of the Board” in the Proxy Statement.
Committee Charters; Code of Business Conduct & Ethics; Corporate Governance Guidelines
The Board of Directors of Scotts Miracle-Gro has adopted charters for each of the Audit Committee, the Nominating and Governance Committee, the Compensation and Organization Committee, the Innovation and Technology Committee and the Finance Committee, as well as Corporate Governance Guidelines, as contemplated by the applicable sections of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual.
In accordance with the requirements of Section 303A.10 of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual and Item 406 of SEC Regulation S-K, the Board of Directors of Scotts Miracle-Gro has adopted a Code of Business Conduct & Ethics covering the members of Scotts Miracle-Gro’s Board of Directors and associates (employees) of Scotts Miracle-Gro and its subsidiaries, including, without limitation, Scotts Miracle-Gro’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. Scotts Miracle-Gro intends to disclose the following events, if they occur, on its Internet website located at http://investor.scotts.com within four business days following their occurrence: (A) the date and nature of any amendment to a provision of Scotts Miracle-Gro’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics that (i) applies to Scotts Miracle-Gro’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, (ii) relates to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in Item 406(b) of SEC Regulation S-K, and (iii) is not a technical, administrative or other non-substantive amendment; and (B) a description of any waiver (including the nature of the waiver, the name of the person to whom the waiver was granted and the date of the waiver), including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the Code of Business Conduct & Ethics granted to Scotts Miracle-Gro’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, that relates to one or more of the elements of the code of ethics definition enumerated in Item 406(b) of SEC Regulation S-K. In addition, Scotts Miracle-Gro will disclose any waivers from the provisions of the Code of Business Conduct & Ethics granted to an executive
officer or a director of Scotts Miracle-Gro on Scotts Miracle-Gro’s Internet website located at http://investor.scotts.com within four business days of the determination to grant any such waiver.
The text of Scotts Miracle-Gro’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics, Scotts Miracle-Gro’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, the Audit Committee charter, the Nominating and Governance Committee charter, the Compensation and Organization Committee charter, the Innovation and Technology Committee charter and the Finance Committee charter are posted under the “Corporate Governance” link on Scotts Miracle-Gro’s Internet website located at http://investor.scotts.com. Interested persons and shareholders of Scotts Miracle-Gro may also obtain copies of each of these documents without charge by writing to The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Attention: Corporate Secretary, 14111 Scottslawn Road, Marysville, Ohio 43041.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by Item 402 of SEC Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference from the disclosures which will be included under the captions “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION,” “NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION,” “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION TABLES,” “SEVERANCE AND CHANGE IN CONTROL (CIC) ARRANGEMENTS,” and “PAYMENTS ON TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND/OR CHANGE IN CONTROL” in the Proxy Statement.
The information required by Item 407(e)(4) of SEC Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference from the disclosure which will be included under the caption “MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD - Compensation and Organization Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” in the Proxy Statement.
The information required by Item 407(e)(5) of SEC Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference from the disclosure which will be included under the caption “COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT” in the Proxy Statement.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Ownership of Common Shares of Scotts Miracle-Gro
The information required by Item 403 of SEC Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference from the disclosure which will be included under the caption “SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT” in the Proxy Statement.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The information required by Item 201(d) of SEC Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference from the disclosure which will be included under the caption “EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION” in the Proxy Statement.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions
The information required by Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference from the disclosures which will be included under the caption “CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS” in the Proxy Statement.
Director Independence
The information required by Item 407(a) of SEC Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference from the disclosures which will be included under the captions “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE - Director Independence” and “MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD” in the Proxy Statement.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this Item 14 is incorporated herein by reference from the disclosures which will be included under the captions “AUDIT COMMITTEE MATTERS - Fees of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and “AUDIT COMMITTEE MATTERS - Pre-Approval of Services Performed by the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Proxy Statement.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) LIST OF DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THIS REPORT
1 and 2. Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules:
The response to this portion of Item 15 is submitted as a separate section of this Form 10-K. Reference is made to the “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules” on page 56 of this Form 10-K.
(b) EXHIBITS
The exhibits listed on the “Index to Exhibits” beginning on page 109 of this Form 10-K are filed or furnished with this Form 10-K or incorporated herein by reference as noted in the “Index to Exhibits.”
(c) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
The financial statement schedule filed with this Form 10-K is submitted in a separate section hereof. For a description of such financial statement schedules, see “Index to Consolidated Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedules” on page 56 of this Form 10-K.