EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 711377
Filing Year: 2024
Filename: 711377_10-K_2024_0000950170-24-087670.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Neogen Corporation and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a diverse line of products and services dedicated to food and animal safety. Our Food Safety segment consists primarily of diagnostic test kits and complementary products (e.g., culture media) sold to food producers and processors to detect dangerous and/or unintended substances in human food and animal feed, such as foodborne pathogens, spoilage organisms, natural toxins, food allergens, ruminant by-products, meat speciation, drug residues, pesticide residues and general sanitation concerns; as well as food quality and nutritional components. The majority of the test kits are consumables, single-use, culture, immunoassay and DNA detection products that rely on proprietary antibodies and RNA and DNA testing methodologies to produce rapid and accurate test results. Our expanding line of food safety products also includes genomics-based diagnostic technology, and advanced software systems that help testers objectively analyze and store, as well as perform analysis on, their results from multiple locations over extended periods.
On September 1, 2022, Neogen, 3M Company (“3M”) and Neogen Food Safety Corporation, formerly named Garden SpinCo, a subsidiary created to carve out 3M’s Food Safety Division (“3M FSD”, “FSD”), closed on a transaction combining 3M’s FSD with Neogen in a Reverse Morris Trust transaction and Neogen Food Safety Corporation became a wholly owned subsidiary of Neogen (“FSD transaction”, the "Transaction"). Following the FSD transaction, pre-merger Neogen Food Safety Corporation stockholders own, in the aggregate, approximately 50.1% of the issued and outstanding shares of Neogen common stock, and pre-merger Neogen shareholders own, in the aggregate, approximately 49.9% of the issued and outstanding shares of Neogen common stock. See Note 6. "Business Combinations" to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion. FSD products are reported in the Food Safety segment.
Neogen’s Animal Safety segment is engaged in the development, manufacture, marketing and distribution of veterinary instruments, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, topicals, parasiticides, diagnostic products, rodent control products, cleaners, disinfectants, insect control products and genomics testing services for the worldwide animal safety market. The majority of these consumable products are marketed through veterinarians, retailers, livestock producers and animal health product distributors. Our line of drug detection products is sold worldwide for the detection of abused and therapeutic drugs in animals and animal products, and has expanded into the workplace testing and human forensic markets.
Neogen’s products are marketed by our sales personnel and distributors throughout the world. Our mission is to be the leading company in the development and marketing of solutions for food and animal safety. To meet this mission, a growth strategy consisting of the following elements has been developed: (i) increasing sales of existing products; (ii) introducing innovative products and services; (iii) growing international sales; and (iv) acquiring businesses and forming strategic alliances. We have been historically successful at increasing product sales organically, including international growth, and maintain an active business development program to identify and capitalize on opportunities to acquire new products, businesses or technology.
Neogen Corporation was formed as a Michigan corporation in June 1981 and operations began in 1982. Our principal executive offices are located at 620 Lesher Place, Lansing, Michigan 48912-1595, and our telephone number is (517) 372-9200.
Neogen’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports are available free of charge via our website (www.neogen.com) as soon as reasonably practicable after such information is filed with, or furnished to, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The content of our website or the website of any third party that may be noted herein is not incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K.
PRODUCTS
Product trademarks and registered trademarks owned by Neogen include:
CORPORATE: Megazyme®, Megazyme (design)®, Megazyme device (logo)®, NeoCenter™, Neogen®, Neogen flask (logo)®, Neogen and flask (logo)®
FOOD SAFETY:
Natural Toxins & Allergens
Alert®, Agri-Screen®, Betastar®, NeoColumn™, Raptor®, Reveal®, Soleris®
Bacterial & General Sanitation
AccuClean®, AccuPoint®, AccuScan®, ANSR®, BioLumix®, Clean-Trace®, Colitag™, F.A.S.T.®, Gene-Trak®, GeneQuence®, Listeria Right Now™, MDS™, MonitorMark®, MPNTray™, Veratox®
Indicator Testing, Culture Media & Others
Acumedia®, Ceralpha®, Freeze Watch®, Harlequin®, Iso-Grid®, K-Blue®, K-Gold®, Lab M®, NeoNet®, NEO-GRID®, NeoSal®, Penzyme®, Petrifilm®, µPREP®
ANIMAL SAFETY:
Veterinary Instruments & Disposables
Ag-Tek®, Breeder-Sleeve®, Calf Eze™, Dr. Frank’s®, D3™ Needles, D3 color mark - red®, D3X™, ElectroJac®, EquiSleeve™, E-Z Catch®, Ideal®, Jolt®, Maxi Sleeve®, MegaShot™, PolySleeve®, Prima®, Prima Marc™, Prima-Shot™, Prima Tech®, Pro-Shot™, Safe-T-Flex™, SyrFlex™
Animal Care & Others
AluShield™, AquaPrime®, BotVax®, EqStim®, Fura-Zone®, Horse Sense®, ImmunoRegulin®, MACLEOD®, NFZ™, Nu Dyne®, PanaKare™, Paradefense®, Peraside™, Pro-Fix®, Pro-Flex®, RenaKare™, Squire®, Stress-Dex®, SureBond®, Swine-O-Dyne®, Tetrabase®, Tetracid®, ThyroKare™, Tri-Hist®, Uniprim®, Vet-Tie™, Vita-15™
Rodent Control, Insect Control & Disinfectants
Acid-A-Foam™, Assault®, Barnstorm®, BioCres™, BioPhene™, BioQuat™, Chem-Tech, Ltd.™, Chem-Tech’s CT logo (with circle)™, Chlor-A-Foam™, COMPANION™, CT-511®, Cykill™, DC&R®, DeciMax®, Di-Kill®, Dy-Fly®, Dyne-O-Might®, Farm-Foam™, Final-Fly-T®, Fly-Die Defense™, Fly-Die Ultra™, Iodis®, LD-44T™, LD-44Z™, Parvosol®, Place Pack®, PolyPetite™, PolyShield™, Preserve®, Preserve International®, Preserve International(design)®, Protectus™, Provecta®, Provecta Advanced®, Prozap®, Prozap (stylized mark w/fancy Z)™, PY-75™, Ramik®, Rodex™, Siloxycide®, Standguard®, SureKill®, Synergize®, Triplox™, Turbocide®, TurboCide® (stylized), Turbocide Gold®, Viroxide Super™, Neogen® Viroxide Super and flask (design)®, VAP-5™, VAP-20™, War Paint®, X-185™
Genomic Services
Aviandx and Design®, Canine HealthCheck®, Canine HealthCheck and Design®, CatScan and Design®, EarlyBird Sex Identification®, Early Warning™, Envigor™, GeneSeek®, Genomic Profiler™, Genomic Insight for Personalized Care™, Igenity®, Infiniseek®, NeoSeek™, Paw Print Genetics®, Paw Print Pedigrees®, SeekGain™, SeekSire™, Skimseek®, Thirty9™, 9Teen™
We manage our organization through our Food Safety and Animal Safety segments. See the “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” section of this Form 10-K for financial information about our business segments and international operations.
Food Safety Segment
Neogen’s Food Safety segment is primarily engaged in the production and marketing of diagnostic test kits and complementary products marketed to food and feed producers and processors to detect dangerous and/or unintended substances in food and animal feed, such as foodborne pathogens, spoilage organisms, natural toxins, food allergens and general sanitation concerns. Our test kits are used to detect potential hazards or unintended substances in food and animal feed by testers ranging from small local grain elevators to the largest, best-known food and feed processors in the world, and numerous regulatory agencies. Along with the detection of contaminants in foods, we also detect beneficial components in foods such as dietary fiber and carbohydrates. Neogen’s products include tests for:
Mycotoxins. Grain producers and processors of all types and sizes use our Veratox, Reveal, Reveal Q+ and Reveal Q+ MAX tests to detect the presence of mycotoxins, including aflatoxin, aflatoxin M1, deoxynivalenol, fumonisin, ochratoxin, zearalenone and T-2/HT-2 toxin, to help ensure product safety and quality in food and animal feed.
Food allergens. The world’s largest producers of cookies, crackers, candy, ice cream and many other processed foods use our Veratox, Alert, Reveal, Reveal 3-D and BioKits testing products to help protect their food-allergic customers from the inadvertent contamination of products with food allergens, including but not limited to peanut, milk, egg, almond, gliadin (gluten), soy, hazelnut and coconut residues. Also included in our food allergen testing portfolio are Allergen Protein Rapid Kits and Allergen Protein ELISA Kits.
Foodborne pathogens. Meat and poultry processors, seafood processors, fruit and vegetable producers and many other market segments are the primary users of Neogen’s ANSR and Reveal tests for foodborne bacteria, including E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Listeria and Campylobacter. Neogen’s ANSR pathogen detection system is an isothermal amplification reaction test method that exponentially amplifies the DNA of any bacteria present in food and environmental samples to detectable levels in 10 minutes. Combined with ANSR’s single enrichment step, Neogen’s pathogen detection method provides DNA-definitive results in a fraction of the time of other molecular detection methods. The Molecular Detection System ("MDS"), an isothermal DNA detection and bioluminescence device, and unique Molecular Detection Assays provide a total solution for fast and accurate pathogen and serotype detection. Our Listeria Right Now test detects the pathogen in less than 60 minutes without sample enrichment. Reveal’s lateral flow device combines an immunoassay with chromatography for a rapid and accurate one-step result.
Spoilage microorganisms. Neogen’s Soleris products are used by food processors to identify the presence of spoilage organisms (e.g., yeast and mold) and other microbiological contamination in food. The systems measure microbial growth by monitoring biochemical reactions that generate a color change in the media as microorganisms grow. The sensitivity of the system allows detection in a fraction of the time needed for traditional methods, with less labor and handling time. Our NeoSeek genomics services utilize a novel application of metagenomics to determine all bacteria in a sample, without introducing biases from culture media, and without the need to generate a bacterial isolate for each possible microbe in a sample. The Microbial Luminescence System (MLS II) is designed for the rapid detection of microbial contamination in beverages, dairy and dairy-related products, utilizing adenosine triphosphate ("ATP") bioluminescence technology.
Sanitation monitoring. Neogen manufactures and markets our AccuPoint Advanced rapid sanitation test to detect the presence of ATP, a chemical found in all living cells. Also included in our ATP sanitation monitoring portfolio is the Clean-Trace™ hygiene monitoring system. These easy-to-use and inexpensive tests use bioluminescence to quickly determine if a contact surface has been completely sanitized. When ATP comes into contact with reagents contained in the test device, a reaction takes place that produces light. More light is indicative of higher levels of ATP and a need for more thorough sanitation. Our worldwide customer base for ATP sanitation testing products includes food and beverage processors, the food service and healthcare industries, as well as many other users.
Seafood contaminants. Neogen’s specialty products for the seafood market include tests for histamine, a highly allergenic substance that occurs when certain species of fish begin to decay; and sulfite, an effective but potentially allergenic shrimp preservative.
Waterborne microorganisms. Neogen offers the food and beverage industries, including water companies, several platforms for performing the microbial analysis of water. This includes Neogen’s filter tests, which are a
combination of Neogen Filter membrane filtration and Neogen Culture Media ampouled media, and the easy-to-use Colitag product. With Colitag, after an incubation period, the sample changes color in the presence of coliforms and fluoresces in the presence of E. coli.
Culture media. Neogen Culture Media, formerly Neogen’s Acumedia and Lab M products, offers culture media and prepared media for varied purposes, including traditional bacterial testing and the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as cultures for sausages and beer. Also included under Neogen Culture Media is the Petrifilm solution. Petrifilm standard and rapid plates are all-in-one plating systems that serve as an efficient method for the detection and enumeration of various microorganisms. Also included in the Petrifilm product line are the Petrifilm Plate Reader Advanced and Petrifilm Automated Feeder, which increase laboratory efficiency and productivity. Our customers for culture media include food manufacturers and processors, commercial and research laboratories and producers of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and veterinary vaccines.
Food quality and nutritional analysis. Through the Ireland-based Megazyme, Ltd., Neogen supplies diagnostic kits and specialty enzymes used worldwide by quality control laboratories in the food, animal feed and beverage industries. Megazyme’s validated assays and reagents are used across various food industries such as the grain, wine, biofuel and dairy markets, to measure dietary fibers, complex carbohydrates, simple sugars and organic acids, such as lactose.
Sample handling. Neogen offers a range of sample handling products. These innovative solutions are designed to make environmental and carcass sample collection and preparation more reliable and convenient than traditional methods. These products are manufactured to meet the highest quality standards and government regulations, maximizing accuracy, consistency and efficiency, while remaining cost-efficient.
Digital services. Our food safety and risk management software-as-a-service, Neogen Analytics, delivers a comprehensive Environmental Monitoring Program (EMP) automation solution for food companies. The software reduces risk by increasing the visibility of food safety testing results, elevating the ability to comply with and improve food safety standards. Neogen's capabilities expanded with additional services to include data aggregation and digitalized workflow services for product testing and sanitation programs. Neogen Analytics is now integrated with Clean-Trace™ and Petrifilm Plate Reader Advanced, which enhances customer experiences with Neogen software and devices.
Laboratory services. Neogen offers food safety analysis services in the United States ("U.S.") and India. These ISO-accredited laboratories offer a variety of fee-for-service tests for the food and feed industries.
The majority of Neogen’s food safety test kits use immunoassay technology to rapidly detect target substances. Our ability to produce high-quality antibodies sets our products apart from immunoassay test kits produced and sold by other companies. Our kits are available in microwell formats, which allow for automated and rapid processing of a large number of samples, as well as lateral flow and other similar devices that provide distinct visual results. Typically, test kits use antibody-coated test devices and chemical reagents to indicate a positive or negative result for the presence of a target substance in a test sample. The simplicity of the tests makes them accessible to all levels of food producers, processors and handlers. Neogen also offers other testing methods and products to complement its immunoassay tests.
Our test kits are generally based on internally developed technology, licensed technology, or technology that is acquired. The Food Safety segment incurs expense for royalties for licensed technology used in our products, primarily for our allergen products and the pathogen product line. Generally, royalty rates are in the range of 2% to 10% of revenues on products containing licensed technology. Some licenses involve technology that is exclusive to Neogen’s use, while others are non-exclusive and involve technology licensed to multiple licensees.
Revenues from Neogen’s Food Safety segment accounted for 70.9%, 66.5%, and 49.3% of our total revenues for fiscal years ended May 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
ANIMAL SAFETY SEGMENT
Neogen’s Animal Safety segment is primarily engaged in the development, manufacture, marketing and distribution of veterinary instruments, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, topicals, parasiticides, diagnostic products, a full suite of agricultural biosecurity products such as rodent control, cleaners, disinfectants and insect control, and genetic evaluation and genomic testing services.
Veterinary instruments. Neogen markets a broad line of veterinary instruments and animal health delivery systems primarily under the Ideal and Prima Tech brand names. Approximately 600 different products are offered, many of which are used to deliver animal health products, such as antibiotics and vaccines. Ideal’s D3 and D3X Needles are stronger than conventional veterinary needles and are detectable by metal detectors at meat processing facilities - a potential market advantage in the safety-conscious beef and swine industries. Neogen’s Prima product line consists of highly accurate devices used by farmers, ranchers and veterinarians to inject animals, provide topical applications and use for oral administration. The Prima line also includes products used in artificial insemination in the swine industry, animal identification products and handling equipment.
Veterinary pharmaceuticals. Animal Safety’s NeogenVet product line provides innovative, value-added, high-quality products to the veterinary market. Top NeogenVet products include PanaKare, a digestive aid that serves as a replacement therapy where digestion of protein, carbohydrate and fat is inadequate due to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency; Natural Vitamin E-AD, which aids in the prevention and treatment of vitamin deficiencies in swine, cattle and sheep; and RenaKare, a supplement for potassium deficiency in cats and dogs. Neogen also markets Uniprim, a veterinary antibiotic.
Veterinary biologics. Neogen’s BotVax B vaccine has successfully protected thousands of horses and foals against Type B botulism, commonly known as Shaker Foal Syndrome. Our product is the only USDA-approved vaccine for the prevention of Type B botulism in horses. Years of research and many thousands of doses have proven Neogen’s EqStim immunostimulant to be safe and effective as a veterinarian-administered adjunct to conventional treatment of equine bacterial and viral respiratory infections. The Company’s ImmunoRegulin product uses similar immunostimulant technology to aid in the treatment of pyoderma (a bacterial skin inflammation) in dogs.
Veterinary OTC products. Animal Safety products offered by Neogen to the retail over-the-counter (OTC) market include Ideal brand veterinary instruments packaged for the retail market. OTC products also include Stress-Dex, an oral electrolyte replacer for performance horses, and SyrFlex Cohesive Flexible Bandages for wound care. Hoof care, disposables and artificial insemination supplies are marketed to the dairy and veterinary industries. Neogen also offers several companion animal parasiticides, marketed under the Provecta brand name, through this channel.
Rodent control products. Neogen’s comprehensive line of proven rodent control products, sold under brand names such as Ramik, CyKill and Havoc, effectively address rodent control and serve as a critical component of an overall biosecurity plan for animal protein production operations. Neogen offers several active ingredients, including diphacinone, bromethalin, brodifacoum and zinc phosphide, formulated with food-grade ingredients to generate the highest acceptance and most palatable bait possible.
Cleaners and disinfectants. Used in animal and food production facilities, Neogen’s cleaners and disinfectants, including Synergize, BioSentry 904 Disinfectant, Acid-A-Foam, BioPhene, Viroxide Super, and Companion can prevent disease outbreaks. The products are also used in the veterinary clinic market to maintain sanitary conditions and limit the potential hazards of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Neogen’s water line cleaner and disinfectant products, including Peraside, NeoKlor, AquaPrime and Siloxycide, are used to clean water lines and provide continuous disinfection of a livestock facility’s water supply.
Insect control products. Neogen’s highly effective insect control products utilize environmentally friendly technical formulas, and several are approved for use in food establishments and by pest control professionals in a wide range of environments. The Company’s Prozap insect control brand is used in the large animal production industry, particularly with cattle and equine producers. Neogen’s SureKill line of products is used by professional pest management entities to control a variety of insects, and the Company’s StandGuard Pour-on solution and Protectus are used for horn fly and lice control in beef cattle.
Animal genomics services. Neogen provides value-added services to leading agricultural genetics providers, national cattle associations, companion animal breed registries and direct-to-consumer canine genetic test providers, university researchers, and numerous commercial beef and dairy cattle, swine, sheep and poultry producers. With six global state-of-the-art genomics laboratories and comprehensive bioinformatics to interpret genomics test results, Neogen offers identity and trait determination and analysis. Our technology employs high-density DNA genotyping and genomic sequencing for identity and trait analysis in a variety of important animal and agricultural plant species. Our extensive bioinformatics database identifies and predicts an animal’s positive or negative traits based on DNA test results. This information has helped livestock producers increase the speed of genetic improvement in their herds and the overall performance and quality of their animals. Neogen’s December 2021 acquisition of Genetic Veterinary Sciences, Inc. expanded the Company’s portfolio through the addition of more than 350 genetic tests for companion animals, including dogs and cats.
Life sciences. Neogen’s Life Science/Toxicology line of products include reagents and test kits for immunoassay production, life science research, and forensic and animal toxicology. Our product offering includes a wide range of tests to provide solutions for drugs of abuse, including designer and emerging drugs. The drug detection assays include over 125 test kits used to screen more than 300 drugs and their metabolites in various forensic matrices, including oral fluid, whole blood, urine, serum, plasma, meconium and others. Our portfolio for life science research includes assays for detecting levels of hormones, steroids, lipoxins, and histamine in a wide range of samples and species types. Additionally, we offer reagents and unique colorimetric and chemiluminescent substrates for immunoassay production and research applications.
Many of the products and services in the Animal Safety segment use licensed technology. As a result, the Animal Safety segment incurs expense for royalties for licensed technology used in our products and services, primarily related to genomics services.
Revenues from Neogen’s Animal Safety segment accounted for 29.1%, 33.5%, and 50.7% of our total revenues for fiscal years ended May 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
GENERAL SALES AND MARKETING
Within our food safety and animal safety segments, our sales efforts are generally organized by specific markets, and/or geography. As of May 31, 2024, a total of 997 employees were assigned to sales and marketing functions. During the fiscal years ended May 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, no single customer or distributor accounted for 10% or more of our revenues.
DOMESTIC SALES AND MARKETING
FOOD SAFETY
To reach each customer and prospect with expertise and experience, Neogen has a staff of specialized food safety sales and technical service representatives assigned to specific markets or geographies. This staff sells our products directly to end users and also handles technical support issues that arise with customers.
Neogen’s food safety markets are primarily comprised of:
•Milling and grain, including grain elevators, feed mills, pet food manufacturers and grain inspection companies;
•Meat and poultry, including meat and poultry processors, producers of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products, and the USDA’s Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS);
•Prepared foods and ingredients, including flour millers, malters, bakeries, candy and confection manufacturers, manufacturers of prepared meals, nuts, spices, cookies, crackers and other snack foods;
•Fruits and vegetables, including growers and processors of juice and packaged fresh cut grocery items;
•Seafood, including harvesters and processors of a wide variety of seafood products;
•Dairy, including milk and yogurt processors;
•Beverage, including soft drink bottlers and beer and wine producers;
•Water, including food producers, water bottlers and municipal water departments;
•Healthcare, including hospitals and distributors to the healthcare industry;
•Traditional culture media markets, including commercial and research laboratories and producers of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and veterinary vaccines;
•Food service, including fast food service establishments and retail grocery market chains; and
•Dietary supplements, including producers and marketers of a wide variety of nutritional and holistic consumer products.
ANIMAL SAFETY
Neogen’s staff of specialized animal safety sales, marketing, customer and technical service representatives sell our products and services directly to consumers, dealers, veterinarians, distributors and other manufacturers and also handle technical support issues. Neogen further supports its distribution channels through product training, field support, various promotions and advertising.
Neogen’s animal safety markets are primarily comprised of:
•Companion animal veterinarians;
•Livestock producers, veterinarians and breed associations;
•Retailers, including large farm and ranch retailers;
•Breeding and genetics companies, including large dairy artificial insemination providers, poultry and swine genetics companies and the aquaculture industry;
•Diagnostic labs and universities, including commercial and forensic testing laboratories;
•Distributors. To expand the reach of its animal safety OTC and veterinary products, Neogen has a dedicated sales team that sells the Company’s products to animal health product distributors;
•Other manufacturers and government agencies.
INTERNATIONAL SALES AND MARKETING
Neogen maintains locations outside of the United States in 24 countries to provide a direct sales presence. We also maintain a network of distributors to reach countries where we do not have a direct presence.
UK, Europe, Middle East, Africa and India. Neogen Europe, Ltd., headquartered in Ayr, Scotland, sells products and services to our network of customers and distributors throughout the U.K., Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Customers in the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) and India are served by our employees. In other regions, customers are generally served by distributors managed by Neogen Europe personnel.
Neogen Europe management is also responsible for various other manufacturing operations and service providers, including Neogen Ireland, Quat-Chem, Ltd., Neogen Italia, Megazyme, Ltd., Delf, Ltd., and Abbott Analytical, Ltd.
Neogen Europe has two additional manufacturing locations in Heywood and Liverpool, England, which manufacture culture media supplements and microbiology technologies.
Neogen also operates an accredited laboratory in India, located in Kochi, in the state of Kerala, that performs food safety and water quality testing for food producers, major hotels and restaurants in its home region, as well as safety and quality analysis for the country’s expanding nutraceutical market, and growing food export businesses.
Mexico, Central and South America. Neogen maintains offices and distribution facilities in Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Colombia. Combined, the businesses distribute Neogen’s products and offer genomics services throughout Latin America to distributors and end customers.
Neogen do Brasil, headquartered near São Paulo, is also responsible for Rogama, located in Pindamonhangaba, Brazil. This company operates a genomics testing laboratory (formerly named Deoxi) and develops, manufactures and markets rodent control and insect control products. Rogama offers registered pest control products to Brazil’s agronomic, professional and retail markets.
Asia Pacific. Neogen maintains offices in Japan, Korea, Thailand, China, Australia and New Zealand. Combined, the businesses distribute Neogen’s products throughout the Asia Pacific region to distributors and end customers.
Our Chinese subsidiary, located in Shanghai, also operates a genomics testing laboratory, focusing on swine, dairy and beef cattle markets. Neogen’s Australasia subsidiary also operates a genomics testing laboratory, focusing on sheep and cattle markets in Australia and New Zealand.
Neogen Canada. This business operates a genomics testing laboratory in Edmonton, Alberta. Neogen also has a food safety-focused training laboratory, instrument service center and commercial office in London, Ontario.
Other distributor partners. Outside of our physical locations, Neogen uses our own sales managers in both the Food Safety and Animal Safety segments to work closely with and coordinate the efforts of a network of distributors in more than 100 countries. The distributors provide local training and technical support, perform market research and promote Company products within designated countries around the world.
Sales to customers outside the United States accounted for 49.7%, 48.4%, and 39.7% of our total revenues for fiscal years ended May 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. No individual foreign country contributed 10% or more of our revenues for those same periods.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Neogen has a strong commitment to its research and development activities. Our product development efforts are focused on the development and commercialization of innovative new products that advance our business strategy and on the enhancement of existing products. As of May 31, 2024, we employed 106 scientists and support staff in our worldwide research and development group, including immunologists, chemists, geneticists, engineers and microbiologists. Management currently expects our future research and development expenditures to approximate 2% to 4% of total revenues annually. The research and development team continues to align with subject matter experts in academia, industry and regulatory agencies for advancing innovative scientific solutions to benefit the Food Safety and Animal Safety sectors.
Neogen has ongoing development projects for several new and improved diagnostic tests and other complementary products for both the Food Safety and Animal Safety markets. Management expects that a number of these products will be commercially available at various times during fiscal years 2025 and 2026.
Certain technologies used in some products manufactured and marketed by Neogen were acquired from or developed in collaboration with partners, independent scientists, governmental agencies, universities and other third parties. We have entered into agreements with these parties that provide for the payment of royalties based on sales of products that use the pertinent licensed technology. Royalties, expensed to sales and marketing, under these agreements amounted to $3,250, $3,392, and $1,999 in fiscal years 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.
PROPRIETARY PROTECTION AND APPROVALS
Neogen uses a variety of intellectual property approaches to protect the competitive position of its offerings, including the use of patents, trademarks, trade secrets, proprietary and confidential know-how, as well as branding and trademarks. Patent and trademark registration applications are submitted whenever appropriate. From its inception, Neogen has acquired and been granted numerous patents and trademark registrations and has numerous pending patents and trademark applications. Neogen’s patent portfolio includes approximately 170 U.S. patents, 457 patents in countries outside of the U.S., and 228 pending patent applications globally. Neogen’s trademark estate includes approximately 117 trademark registrations within the U.S., 550 trademark registrations in countries outside of the U.S, and 18 trademark registration applications globally.
We do not expect the near-term expiration of any single patent to have a significant effect on future results of operations. Our offerings are also protected by trade secrets and proprietary know-how when appropriate. For example, many of our products employ unique antibodies capable of detecting microorganisms and other substances at minute levels. In some instances, we have chosen to keep confidential the methods and techniques used to manufacture and use those antibodies when trade secret and/or proprietary know-how protections are more appropriate.
Management believes that Neogen has adequate rights to commercialize our products. However, we are aware that substantial research is conducted at universities, governmental agencies and other companies throughout the world, and that it always is possible that patents have been applied for and could be granted that are relevant to technologies that may be used in our products. To the extent some of our products may now, or in the future, embody technologies protected by patents of others, we may need to obtain licenses to use such technologies to continue to sell the products. These licenses may not be available on commercially reasonable terms. Failure to obtain any such licenses could delay or prevent the sale of certain new or existing products. In addition, patent litigation is not uncommon. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that we will continue to have adequate rights to commercialize our new products or that we will avoid litigation.
One of the major areas affecting the success of biotechnology and pharmaceutical development involves the time, cost and uncertainty surrounding regulatory approvals. Neogen products requiring regulatory approval, which we currently have in place, include BotVax B, EqStim, ImmunoRegulin and Uniprim. Neogen’s rodent control, disinfectant, parasiticide and insect control products are subject to registration in the United States and internationally.
Neogen utilizes third-party validations and certifications on many of our products and associated methods to provide our customers with confidence that our products perform to specified levels. These include validation by, among others, the AOAC International, independently administered third-party, multi-laboratory collaborative studies, and approvals by the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service.
PRODUCTION AND SUPPLY
Neogen manufactures products in the U.S., the U.K., Ireland and Brazil and provides genomics services in the U.S., Scotland, Brazil, Australia, China and Canada. As of May 31, 2024, there were approximately 1,315 full-time employees assigned to manufacturing operations and providing services in these locations, operating on multiple shift schedules, with occasional 24/7 production during high-demand periods. Future demand increases could be accommodated by adding shifts. Management believes we could increase the current output of our primary product lines by using the current space available. However, to do so would require investment in additional equipment.
Food safety diagnostics. Manufacturing of diagnostic tests for the detection of natural toxins, pathogens, food allergens and spoilage organisms, final kit assembly, quality assurance and shipping takes place at our facilities in Lansing, Michigan. Proprietary monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies for Neogen’s diagnostic kits are produced on a regular schedule in our immunology laboratories in Lansing. Generally, the final assembly and shipment of diagnostic test kits to customers in Europe is performed in our Ayr, Scotland facility. Many of the Company’s food safety diagnostic instruments and readers are produced by third-party vendors to our specifications, quality tested in Lansing or by our vendors, and then shipped to customers. Culture media products are manufactured in an ISO-approved facility in Lansing and in Heywood and Liverpool, England. Products are blended following strict formulations or custom blended to customer specifications and shipped directly to customers from Lansing and the U.K. The Heywood location produces prepared media plates, sterile liquid media, and other related products in ready-to-use format for food testing laboratories across the U.K. and Western Europe. Enzyme substrates are manufactured at Megazyme in Bray, Ireland. Our Clean-Trace product line is manufactured in Wales. Other former 3M FSD products are currently manufactured within 3M plants in the U.S. and Poland.
Animal health products. Manufacturing of animal health products, pharmacological diagnostic test kits, and test kits for drug residues takes place in our FDA-registered facilities in Lexington, Kentucky. In general, manufacturing operations including reagent manufacturing, quality assurance, final kit assembly and packaging are performed by Neogen personnel. Certain animal health products and veterinary instruments that are purchased finished or that are toll manufactured by third-party vendors are warehoused and shipped from our Kentucky facilities. Some veterinary instruments are produced in our facilities in Lansing and are then shipped to Kentucky for distribution to customers. Manufacturing of devices used for animal injections, topical applications and oral administration occurs in Kenansville, North Carolina.
Veterinary biologics. Neogen maintains a Lansing-based USDA-approved manufacturing facility devoted to the production of the biologic products EqStim and ImmunoRegulin. P.acnes seed cultures are added to media and then subjected to several stages of further processing resulting in a finished product that is filled and packaged within the facility. Our BotVax B vaccine also is produced in the Lansing facility using Type B botulism seed cultures and a traditional fermentation process.
Agricultural genomics services. Neogen offers agricultural genomics laboratory services and bioinformatics at our locations in the U.S., Scotland, Brazil, Australia, China and Canada. Through our laboratory services and bioinformatics (primarily in beef and dairy cattle, pigs, sheep, poultry, horses and dogs), Neogen Genomics allows our customers to speed genetic improvement efforts, as well as identify economically important diseases.
Cleaners, disinfectants and rodent control products. Manufacturing of rodent control products and/or cleaners and disinfectants takes place in the following locations: Wisconsin, Tennessee, California, England and Brazil. Certain cleaners and disinfectants are manufactured in Neogen facilities, while others are purchased from other manufacturers for resale or toll manufactured by third parties.
Insect control products. Neogen manufactures insect control products at its facilities in Iowa and Brazil.
Neogen purchases component parts and raw materials from more than 1,000 suppliers. Though many of these items are purchased from a single source to achieve the greatest volume discounts, we believe we have identified acceptable alternative suppliers for most of our key components and raw materials where it is economically feasible to do so. There can be no assurance that we would avoid a disruption of supply in the event a supplier discontinues shipment of product. Shipments of higher volume products are generally accomplished within a 48-hour turnaround time.
COMPETITION
While competitors differ across individual markets, we are not aware of any single competitor that is pursuing Neogen’s fundamental strategy of developing and marketing a broad line of products, ranging from disposable tests and culture media to veterinary pharmaceuticals and instruments for a large number of food safety and animal safety concerns. For each of our individual products or product lines, we face intense competition from companies ranging from small businesses to divisions of large multinational companies. Some of these organizations have substantially greater financial resources than Neogen. We compete primarily on the basis of ease of use, speed, accuracy and other performance characteristics of our products. The breadth of our product line, the effectiveness of our sales and customer service organizations, and pricing also are components in management’s competitive strategy.
Future competition may become even more intense and could result from the development of new technologies, which could affect the marketability and profitability of Neogen’s products. Our competitive position also depends on our ability to continue to develop proprietary products, attract and retain qualified scientific and other personnel, develop and implement production and marketing plans and protect the intellectual property for new products. Additionally, we must continue to generate or have access to adequate capital resources to execute our strategy.
FOOD SAFETY:
With a large professional sales organization offering a comprehensive catalog of food safety solutions, management believes we maintain a general advantage over competitors offering only limited product lines. In most cases, Neogen sales and technical service personnel can offer unique insight into a customer’s numerous safety and quality challenges, and offer testing and other solutions to help the customer overcome those challenges.
Competition for pathogen detection products includes traditional methods and antibody and genetic-based platforms; competition for natural toxins and allergen detection products includes instrumentation and antibody-based tests. While our offerings will not always compete on all platforms in all markets, the products we offer provide tests that can be utilized by most customers to meet their testing needs.
In addition to our extensive product offerings and robust distribution network, we focus our competitive advantage in the areas of customer service, product performance, speed, and ease of use of our products. Additionally, by aggressively maintaining Neogen’s ability to produce at low cost, we believe that we can be competitive with new market entrants that may choose a low pricing strategy in an attempt to gain market share.
ANIMAL SAFETY:
Neogen’s Animal Safety segment does not encounter any single competitor across the various products and markets we serve. In the life sciences and toxicology markets, we compete against several other diagnostic and reagent companies with similar product offerings.
In the veterinary market, Neogen markets BotVax B, the only USDA-approved vaccine for the prevention of botulism Type B in horses. We compete on other key products through differentiated product performance and superior customer and technical support. With some of our products, we provide solutions as a lower cost alternative and also offer a private label option for our customers.
Competition in the rodent control market includes several companies of comparable size that offer products into similar market segments. The retail rodent control market is not dominated by a single brand. While the technical materials used by competing companies are similar, Neogen uses manufacturing and bait formula techniques, which we believe may better attract rodents to the product and thereby improves overall product performance.
Within the insect control market, Chem-Tech products specifically focus on the area of insect control for food and animal safety applications. There are several competitors offering similar products, however, we have a proprietary formulation chemistry that optimizes the delivery and safe application of insect control products at the customer’s location. These products are currently only sold in the U.S. through a combination of direct sales and distributors.
Numerous companies, including a number of large multinationals, compete for sales in the cleaner and disinfectant product segment. Neogen’s broad line of products is sold around the world, primarily to assist in the cleaning and disinfecting of animal production facilities.
In addition to our extensive portfolio of animal safety products, Neogen also competes in the retail market by providing solutions to common retail problems, such as stock outs, wasted floor space, and inconsistent brand identity. We differentiate ourselves by offering planograms and convenient reordering systems to maximize turns and profitability for our retail customers.
Neogen Genomics, a leading worldwide commercial animal genomics laboratory, employs cutting-edge technology in the area of genomics. The result of this technology allows the acceleration of natural selection through parentage testing and selective breeding of traits such as disease resistance, yield improvement and meat quality. Competition comes mainly from a number of general laboratory service providers, some significantly larger than us as well as several smaller companies offering genomics services. Neogen Genomics is not involved in cloning or the development of transgenic animals.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
A significant portion of Neogen’s products and revenues are affected by the regulations of various domestic and foreign government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Changes in these regulations could affect revenues and/or costs of production and distribution.
Neogen’s development and manufacturing processes involve the use of certain hazardous materials, chemicals and compounds. Management believes that our safety procedures for handling and disposing of such commodities comply with the standards prescribed by federal, state and local regulations. However, changes in such regulations or rules could involve significant costs to us and could be materially adverse to our business.
The rodent control products, insect control products, cleaners, disinfectants and sanitizers manufactured and distributed by Neogen are subject to EPA and various U.S. state regulations as well as other analogous agencies in the markets where we sell such products. In general, any international sale of our products also must comply with similar regulatory requirements in the country of destination. Each country has its own individual regulatory construct with specific requirements. To the best of our knowledge, Neogen products are compliant with applicable regulations in the countries where such products are sold.
Many food safety diagnostic products do not require direct government approval. However, we have pursued voluntary approvals and certifications for a number of these products to enhance their marketability.
Neogen’s veterinary vaccine products and some pharmaceutical products require government approval to allow for lawful sales. The vaccine products are approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Center for Veterinary Biologics (USDA-CVB) and analogous agencies in jurisdictions where sold. The pharmaceutical products are approved by the FDA and analogous agencies in jurisdictions where sold. The products, and the facilities in which they are manufactured, are in a position of good standing with all agencies. We have no warning letters based on any review of these products or facility inspections and are not aware of any reason why we could not manufacture and market such products in the future.
Other animal safety and food safety products generally do not require additional registrations or approvals. However, Neogen’s regulatory staff routinely monitors amendments to current regulatory requirements to ensure compliance.
HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
Our people are a critical component in our continued success. As a team, they put Neogen’s core values into action, while executing key initiatives to maintain long-term sustainable growth. We strive to create a workplace of choice to attract, retain, and develop top talent to achieve our vision and deliver shareholder results. As of May 31, 2024, we employed 2,917 people worldwide, with 1,603 located in the U.S. and 1,314 international. We maintain good relations with both our union and non-union employees and have not experienced any work stoppages.
The Company is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that attracts and retains exceptional talent. Through ongoing employee development, comprehensive compensation and benefits, and a focus on health, safety and employee wellbeing, the Company strives to help its employees in all aspects of their lives so they can do their best work.
Workplace Culture and Employee Engagement. We have established our Neogen DNA, which guides us in acting with the utmost integrity as we pursue our mission and goals. Our Neogen DNA is made up of three parts: Our Purpose & Promise, Our Principles, and Our Values. Our Purpose & Promise, the advancement of human and animal technology so we can fuel a brighter future for global food security, is our reason for coming to work and the impact we can have on the world and each other. Our Principles represent our commitment to our clients and industry, and Our Values represent our commitment to each other. We value responsibility, consistency, and integrity. Our Code of Conduct codifies our commitment to conducting business ethically.
Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB). We strive to create an environment where colleagues feel valued and understand the important role we play in embracing diversity to improve the quality of our innovation, collaboration and relationships. Upholding our core value of “Cultivate Belonging,” we implement policies and practices that not only attract diverse talent, but also support an inclusive culture where everyone can truly belong and thrive. Our commitment extends beyond our workforce, influencing our partnerships, community engagements, and business practices globally.
Talent Attraction, Development and Retention. We employ a variety of programs and platforms designed to attract, develop and retain our colleagues. Employee benefits and policies are designed for diverse needs. Neogen is committed to training and developing our employees so that they can deliver exceptional results to our customers and shareholders. We have internal programs designed to develop and retain talent, including career planning, leadership development, performance management and learning programs.
Compensation and Benefits. We strive to support our colleagues’ well-being and enable them to achieve their best at work and at home. Our compensation and benefits programs are designed to be competitive and support colleague well-being, including physical and mental health, financial wellness, and family resources.
Employee Health and Safety. We are committed to ensuring a safe working environment for our colleagues. Our sites have injury prevention programs, and we strive to build on our safety culture. Our procedures emphasize the need for the cause of injuries to be investigated and for action plans to be implemented to mitigate potential recurrence. Our safety programs have resulted in strong safety performance.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves a variety of risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, including, among others, those discussed below. Each of the following risks should be considered carefully, together with all the other information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and in our other filings with the SEC. Furthermore, additional risks and uncertainty not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial also could adversely affect our business. Our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flow could be materially and adversely affected by any of these risks or uncertainties.
RISKS RELATING TO THE TRANSACTION WITH 3M CORPORATION
We may not realize the anticipated financial and other benefits, including growth opportunities, expected from the 3M Food Safety merger transaction.
We have realized and expect that we will continue to realize synergies, growth opportunities and other financial and operating benefits as a result of the Transaction. Our success in realizing these benefits, and the timing of their realization, depends, among other things, on the continued successful integration of the business operations of the 3M Food Safety business with Neogen. Even if we are able to integrate the 3M Food Safety business successfully, we cannot predict with certainty if or when the balance of these synergies, growth opportunities and other benefits will be realized, or the extent to which they will actually be achieved. For example, the benefits from the Transaction could be offset by costs incurred in integrating the 3M Food Safety business. Realization of any synergies, growth opportunities or other benefits could be affected by the factors described in other risk factors and a number of factors beyond our control, including, without limitation, general economic conditions, increased operating costs and regulatory developments.
The integration of the 3M Food Safety business with Neogen presents challenges, and the failure to successfully integrate the 3M Food Safety business could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Although significant progress has been made to date in the integration of the 3M Food Safety business with Neogen, there is much that remains to be accomplished, particularly in the integration of the manufacturing operations of the 3M Food Safety business with Neogen. There is a significant degree of difficulty inherent in the process of integrating the 3M Food Safety business with Neogen. The difficulties include:
•the integration of the 3M Food Safety business with Neogen’s current businesses while carrying on the ongoing operations of all businesses;
•managing a significantly larger company than before the consummation of the Transaction;
•integrating the business cultures of the 3M Food Safety business and Neogen, which could prove to be incompatible;
•creating uniform standards, controls, procedures, policies and information systems and controlling the costs associated with such matters;
•the ability to ensure the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting across the combined company;
•integrating certain manufacturing, information technology, purchasing, accounting, finance, sales, billing, human resources, payroll and regulatory compliance systems; and
•the potential difficulty in retaining key officers and personnel of Neogen and the 3M Food Safety business.
The continued successful integration of the 3M Food Safety business cannot be assured. The failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Pursuant to the terms of the Transaction, Neogen and Neogen Food Safety Corporation will be restricted from taking certain actions that could adversely affect the intended tax treatment of the Transaction, and such restrictions could significantly impair Neogen’s and Neogen Food Safety Corporation’s ability to implement strategic initiatives that otherwise would be beneficial.
The Tax Matters Agreement executed in connection with the Transaction generally restricts Neogen and its affiliates from taking certain actions that could adversely affect the intended tax treatment of the Transaction. In particular:
For a two-year period following the distribution date, except as described below:
•Neogen Food Safety Corporation will continue the active conduct of its trade or business and the trade or business of certain Neogen Food Safety Corporation subsidiaries;
•Neogen Food Safety Corporation will not voluntarily dissolve or liquidate or permit certain Neogen Food Safety Corporation subsidiaries to voluntarily dissolve or liquidate;
•Neogen and Neogen Food Safety Corporation will not enter into any transaction or series of transactions (or any agreement, understanding or arrangement) as a result of which one or more persons would acquire (directly or indirectly) stock comprising 50% or more of the vote or value of Neogen Food Safety Corporation or Neogen (taking into account the stock acquired pursuant to the merger);
•Neogen and Neogen Food Safety Corporation will not engage in certain mergers or consolidations;
•Neogen Food Safety Corporation will not, and will not permit certain Neogen Food Safety Corporation subsidiaries to, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of 30% or more of the gross assets of Neogen Food Safety Corporation such subsidiaries, the Neogen Food Safety Corporation group or the active trade or business of Neogen Food Safety Corporation or certain Neogen Food Safety Corporation subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions;
•Neogen and Neogen Food Safety Corporation will not, and will not permit certain Neogen Food Safety Corporation subsidiaries to, redeem or repurchase stock or rights to acquire stock, unless certain requirements are met;
•Neogen and Neogen Food Safety Corporation will not, and will not permit certain Neogen Food Safety Corporation subsidiaries to, amend their certificates of incorporation (or certain other organizational documents) or take any other action affecting the voting rights of any stock or stock rights of Neogen or Neogen Food Safety Corporation; and
•Neogen and Neogen Food Safety Corporation will not, and will not permit any member of the Neogen Food Safety Corporation group or Neogen to, take any other action that would, when combined with any other direct or indirect changes in ownership of Neogen Food Safety Corporation and Neogen stock (including pursuant to the merger), have the effect of causing one or more persons to acquire stock representing 50% or more of the vote or value of Neogen Food Safety Corporation or Neogen, or otherwise jeopardize the tax-free status of the Transaction; and
•Additionally, none of Neogen Food Safety Corporation, Neogen or any member of Neogen Food Safety Corporation group may:
otake, or permit to be taken, any action that could reasonably be expected to jeopardize the qualification of certain Neogen Food Safety Corporation debt as a security under Section 361(a) of the Code (other than making any payment permitted or required by the terms of the Neogen Food Safety Corporation debt); or
opermit any portion of certain nonqualified preferred stock to cease to be outstanding or modify the terms of such stock;
unless, in each case, prior to taking any such action, Neogen and Neogen Food Safety Corporation shall have requested that 3M obtain, or request and receive 3M’s prior written consent to obtain, an IRS ruling satisfactory to 3M in its reasonable discretion or provide 3M with an unqualified tax opinion satisfactory to 3M in its sole and absolute discretion to the effect that such action would not jeopardize the intended tax treatment of the Transaction, unless 3M waives such requirement. Failure to adhere to these requirements could result in tax being imposed on 3M for which Neogen and Neogen Food Safety Corporation could bear responsibility and for which Neogen and Neogen Food Safety Corporation could be obligated to indemnify 3M. Any such indemnification obligation would likely be substantial and would likely have a material adverse effect on Neogen. During the time period ending three years after the date of the distribution, Neogen Food Safety Corporation and Neogen also will be subject to certain restrictions relating to the SpinCo Business in Switzerland.
These restrictions could have a material adverse effect on Neogen’s liquidity and financial condition, and otherwise could impair Neogen’s and Neogen Food Safety Corporation’s ability to implement strategic initiatives, Neogen
Food Safety Corporation’s and Neogen’s indemnity obligation to 3M might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control that shareholders of Neogen may consider favorable.
RISKS RELATING TO OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY
We are subject to risks relating to existing international operations and expansion into new geographical markets.
Expanding sales globally is part of our overall growth strategy, and we expect sales from outside the United States to continue to represent a significant portion of our revenue. In fiscal year 2024, sales to customers outside of the U.S. accounted for 49.7% of our total revenue, compared to 48.4% and 39.7% of our total revenues in fiscal year 2023 and 2022, respectively. Our international operations are subject to general risks related to such operations, including:
•political, social and economic instability and disruptions, including social unrest, geopolitical tensions, inflation and interest rate uncertainties;
•government export controls, economic sanctions, embargoes or trade restrictions;
•the imposition of duties and tariffs and other trade barriers;
•limitations on ownership and on repatriation or dividend of earnings;
•transportation delays and interruptions;
•labor unrest and current and changing employment and labor regulatory environments;
•increased compliance costs, including costs associated with disclosure requirements and related due diligence;
•difficulties in staffing and managing multi-national operations;
•limitations on our ability to enforce legal rights and remedies;
•the ability of our current products to comply with product standards established by foreign regulatory bodies;
•differing regulatory and legal systems and environments;
•diminished protection of intellectual property in some countries;
•access to or control of networks and confidential information due to local government controls and vulnerability of local networks to cyber risks; and
•fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
If we are unable to successfully manage the risks associated with expanding our global business or adequately manage operational risks of our existing international operations, these risks could have a material adverse effect on our growth strategy into new geographical markets, reputation, business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. In addition, the impact of such risks could be outside of our control and could decrease our ability to sell products internationally, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. For example, as a result of the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine and resulting heightened economic sanctions from the U.S. and the international community, we have discontinued sales into Russia and Belarus. The U.S. and other countries have imposed significant sanctions and could impose even wider sanctions and take other actions should the conflict further escalate. While it is difficult to anticipate the effect the sanctions announced to date could have on us, any further sanctions imposed or actions taken by the U.S. or other countries, including any expansion of sanctions beyond Russia and Belarus, could affect the global price and availability of raw materials, reduce our sales and earnings or otherwise have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, and if we are unable to improve our internal controls, our financial results may not be accurately reported.
As disclosed in Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures,” in fiscal year 2023, we identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting related to ineffective information technology general controls, our period-end invoice accrual procedures, and ineffective operation of management review controls related to the accounting, valuation and purchase price allocation of the Company’s acquisition and associated goodwill. The material weaknesses did not result in any material identified misstatements to the consolidated financial statements, and there were no changes to previously issued financial results. As of May 31, 2024, management believes our remediation efforts have been effective and that one of our previous material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting has been remediated. Specifically, management believes the operation of management review controls related to the accounting, valuation and purchase price allocation of the Company’s acquisitions and associated goodwill is effective. For the remaining material weaknesses related to ineffective information technology general controls and our period-end invoice accrual procedures, we continue to execute a remediation plan designed to address the material weaknesses, however, we cannot guarantee that these steps will be sufficient or that we will not have material weaknesses in the future. These material weaknesses, or difficulties encountered in implementing new or improved controls or remediation, could prevent us from accurately reporting our financial results, result in material misstatements in our financial statements or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. Failure to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 could negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business strategy is dependent on successfully promoting internal growth and identifying and integrating acquisitions.
Our business has grown significantly over the past several years as a result of both internal growth and acquisitions of existing businesses and their products. Management initiatives may be attempted to augment internal growth, such as strengthening our presence in select markets, reallocating research and development funds to products with higher growth potential, development of new applications for our technologies, enhancing our service offerings, continuing key customer efforts, and finding new markets for our products. Failure of these management initiatives may have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.
Identifying and pursuing acquisition opportunities, integrating these acquisitions into our business and managing their growth requires a significant amount of management’s time and skill. We cannot assure that we will be effective in identifying, integrating or managing future acquisition targets. Our failure to successfully integrate and manage a future acquisition could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.
We may not be able to effectively manage our future growth, and if we fail to do so, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
We rely significantly on our information systems’ infrastructure to support our operations and a failure of these systems and infrastructure and/or a security breach of our information systems could damage our reputation and have an adverse effect on operations and results.
We rely on our information systems’ infrastructure to integrate departments and functions, enhance our ability to service customers, improve our control environment, and manage our cost reduction initiatives. If a security breach or cyberattack of our information technology ("IT") networks and systems occurs, our operations could be interrupted. Any issues involving our critical business applications and infrastructure could adversely impact our ability to manage our operations and the customers we serve. Although we have controls and security measures in place to prevent such attacks, experienced computer hackers are increasingly organized and sophisticated. Malicious attack efforts operate on a large scale and sometimes offer targeted attacks as a paid-for service. In addition, the techniques used to access or sabotage networks change frequently and generally are not recognized until launched against a target.
We rely on several information systems throughout our company, as well as those of our third-party business partners, to provide access to our web-based products and services, keep financial records, analyze results of operations, process customer orders, manage inventory, process shipments to customers, store confidential or proprietary information and operate other critical functions. Although we employ system backup measures and engage in information system redundancy planning and processes, such measures, as well as our current disaster recovery plan, may be ineffective or inadequate to address all vulnerabilities. Further, our information systems and our business partners’ and suppliers’ information systems may be vulnerable to attacks by hackers and other security breaches, including computer viruses and malware, through the internet (including via devices and applications connected to the internet), email attachments and persons with access to these information systems, such as our employees or third parties with whom we do business. As information systems and the use of software and related applications by us, our business partners, suppliers and customers become more cloud-based, there has been an increase in global cybersecurity vulnerabilities and threats, including more sophisticated and targeted cyber-related attacks that pose a risk to the security of our information systems and networks and the confidentiality, availability and integrity of data and information.
While we have implemented network security and internal control measures, including for the purpose of protecting our connected products and services from cyberattacks, and invested in our data and IT infrastructure, there can be no assurance that these efforts will prevent a system disruption, attack, or security breach and, as such, the risk of system disruptions and security breaches from a cyberattack remains.
If our security and information systems are compromised, interrupted or destroyed, or employees fail to comply with the applicable laws and regulations, or the information we maintain is obtained by unauthorized persons or used inappropriately, it could adversely affect our business and reputation, as well as our results of operations, and could result in litigation, the imposition of regulatory sanctions or penalties, or significant expenditures to remediate any damage to persons whose personal information has been compromised.
In fiscal year 2024, we implemented our SAP enterprise resource planning (ERP) system for our U.S. food safety business and at a manufacturing facility in Wales. The first phase of this implementation also included upgrades to many of our existing operating and financial systems. Such an implementation is a major undertaking, both financially and from a management and personnel perspective. Should the subsequent phases of implementation not occur successfully, or if the systems do not perform in a satisfactory manner, our business and operations could be disrupted and our results of operations could be adversely affected, including our ability to report accurate and timely financial results.
Pandemics or disease outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have affected and could adversely affect our business, operation, results of operations and financial condition.
The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the global economy, disrupted global supply chains, and created significant volatility and disruption of financial markets.
During the course of the pandemic, we modified our business practices to comply with safety measures required by federal, state and local governments, as well as those we determined to be in the best interests of our employees and customers, including implementing social distancing, remote work, reducing employee travel, restricting building access and more. In the event of the renewed outbreak of COVID-19 or an outbreak of a different virus or disease, we could experience disruptions in our supply chain, operations, facilities and workforce which could cause delays in developing new products or negatively affect efficiency and productivity or our ability to market products and services, and, ultimately, our stock price and financial performance.
Additional future impacts to us may include, but are not limited to, material adverse effects on the demand for our products and services, our supply chain and sales and distribution channels, our cost structure and profitability. An extended period of global supply chain and economic disruption could materially affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Disruption of our manufacturing and service operations could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
Our facilities and our distribution systems are subject to catastrophic loss due to fire, flood, terrorism or other natural or man-made disasters. If any of our facilities were to experience a catastrophic loss, it could disrupt our operations, delay production, shipments and revenue and result in significant expenses to repair or replace the facility and/or distribution system. If such a disruption were to occur, we could breach agreements, our reputation could be harmed, and our business and operating results could be adversely affected. Although we carry insurance for property damage and business interruption, we do not carry insurance or financial reserves for interruptions or potential losses arising from terrorism. Economic conditions and uncertainties in global markets could adversely affect the cost and other terms upon which we are able to obtain third party insurance. If we are unable to obtain sufficient and cost-effective third-party insurance coverage, or to the extent we have elected to self-insure, we could be at greater risk that our operations will be harmed by a catastrophic loss.
We rely heavily on third-party package delivery services, and a significant disruption in these services or significant increases in prices could disrupt our ability to ship products, increase our costs and lower our profitability.
We ship a significant portion of our products to customers through independent package delivery companies, such as UPS, Federal Express and DHL. We also ship our products through other carriers, including national and regional trucking firms, overnight carrier services and the U.S. Postal Service. If one or more of these third-party package delivery providers were to experience a major work stoppage or other event that prevented our products from being delivered in a timely fashion or caused us to incur additional shipping costs we could not pass on to our customers, our costs could increase and our relationships with some of our customers could be adversely affected. In addition, if one or more of our third-party package delivery providers were to increase prices, and we were not able to find comparable alternatives or make adjustments within our delivery network, our profitability could be adversely affected. Even if we are able to pass through increased shipping costs to our customers through increased pricing, it may impact the demand for many of our products, which could adversely affect our profitability.
Our dependence on suppliers could limit our ability to sell certain products or negatively affect our operating results.
We rely on third-party suppliers to provide raw materials and other components in our products, manufacture products that we do not manufacture ourselves and perform services that we do not provide ourselves. Because these suppliers are independent third parties with their own financial objectives, actions taken by them could have a negative effect on our results of operations. The risks of relying on suppliers include our inability to enter into contracts with third party suppliers on reasonable terms, inconsistent or inadequate quality control, relocation of supplier facilities, supplier work stoppages and suppliers’ failure to comply with their contractual obligations. In addition, we currently purchase some raw materials and products from sole or single sources. Some of the products that we purchase from these sources are proprietary and, therefore, cannot be readily or easily replaced by alternative sources. Problems with suppliers and the supply chain could negatively impact our ability to supply the market, substantially decrease sales, lead to higher costs and damage our reputation with our customers.
Our business sells many products through distributors, which presents risks that could negatively affect our operating results.
We sell many of our products, both within and outside of the U.S., through independent distributors. As a result, we are dependent on distributors to sell our products and assist us in promoting and creating demand for our products. Our distributors sometimes offer products from several different companies, and those distributors may carry our competitors’ products and promote our competitors’ products over our own. We have limited ability, if any, to cause our distributors to devote adequate resources to promoting, marketing, selling and supporting our products. We cannot assure that we will be successful in maintaining and strengthening our relationships with our distributors or establishing relationships with new distributors who have the ability to market, sell, and support our products effectively. We may rely on one or more key distributors for a product or region, and the loss of one or more of these distributors could reduce our revenue. Distributors could face financial difficulties, including bankruptcy, which could impact our ability to collect our accounts receivable and negatively impact our financial results. In addition, violations of anti-bribery and anti-corruption or similar laws by our distributors could have a material impact on our business. Further, termination of a distributor relationship could result in increased competition in the applicable jurisdiction. Failing to manage the risks associated with our use of distributors could reduce sales, increase expenses and weaken our competitive position, which could have a negative impact on our operating results.
If we are unable to develop new products and technologies, our competitive position could be impaired, which could materially and adversely affect our sales and market share.
The markets in which we operate are characterized by rapidly changing technologies and the frequent introduction of new products. As a result, our success is dependent upon our ability to develop or acquire new products and services on a cost-effective basis, to introduce them into the marketplace in a timely manner and to protect and maintain critical intellectual property assets related to these developments. Difficulties or delays in research, development or production of new products and technologies, or failure to gain market acceptance of new products and technologies, could significantly reduce future revenue and materially and adversely affect our competitive position. While we intend to continue to commit financial resources and effort to the development of new products and services, we may not be able to successfully differentiate our products and services from those of our competitors. Our customers may not consider our proposed products and services to be of value to them or may not view them as superior to our competitors’ products and services. In addition, our competitors or customers could develop new technologies or products which reflect similar or improved solutions to our existing technologies. Further, we may not be able to adapt to evolving markets and technologies, develop new products, achieve and maintain technological advantages or protect technological advantages through intellectual property rights. If we do not successfully compete through the development and introduction of new products and technologies, our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
If we fail to maintain a positive reputation or are unable to conduct effective sales and marketing, our prospects and financial condition could be adversely affected.
We believe that market awareness and recognition of our brands have contributed significantly to the success of our business. We also believe that maintaining and enhancing these brands, especially market perceptions of the quality of our products, is critical to maintaining our competitive advantage. If any of our products are subject to recall or are proven to be, or are claimed to be, ineffective or inaccurate for their stated purpose, then this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Also, because we are dependent on market perceptions, negative publicity associated with product quality or other adverse effects resulting from, or perceived to be resulting from, our products could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our sales and marketing efforts are anchored by promoting our products to potential customers. Therefore, our sales and marketing force, whether in-house sales representatives or third-party commercial partners, must possess an up-to-date understanding of industry trends and products, as well as promotion and communication skills.
While we will continue to promote our brands to remain competitive, we may not be successful in doing so. If we are unable to increase or maintain the effectiveness and efficiency of our sales and marketing activities, or if we incur excessive sales expenses to do so, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely affected.
We could lose customers or generate lower revenue, operating profits and cash flows if there are significant increases in the cost of raw materials or if we are unable to obtain such raw materials or other components of our products.
We purchase raw materials and components for use in our products, which exposes us to volatility in prices for certain raw materials and products. Prices and availability of these raw materials are subject to substantial fluctuations that are beyond our control due to factors such as changing economic conditions, inflation, currency and commodity price fluctuations, tariffs, resource availability, transportation costs, weather conditions and natural disasters, political unrest and instability, and other factors impacting supply and demand pressures. Significant price increases for these supplies could adversely affect our operating profits. Current and future inflationary effects may be driven by, among other things, supply chain disruptions and governmental stimulus or fiscal policies. The COVID-19 pandemic, for example, resulted in raw material price inflation as well as supply chain constraints and disruptions. While we will generally attempt to mitigate the impact of increased raw material prices by endeavoring to make strategic purchasing decisions, broadening our supplier base and passing along increased costs to customers, there may be a time delay between the increased raw material prices, and our mitigation efforts. Additionally, we may be unable to increase the prices of products due to a competitor’s pricing pressure or other factors, or may be unable to raise the price of our products in a manner that is proportional to the level of inflation in our input costs, which would materially and adversely affect our results of operations.
Certain of our food safety product lines depend on a sole or single source supplier or vendor. The ability of these third parties to deliver raw materials and products may be affected by events beyond our control. In addition, public health threats, such as COVID-19, severe influenza and other highly communicable viruses or diseases could affect our supply of raw materials, by limiting our ability to transport raw materials from our vendors or increasing demand and competition for supplies, which could adversely affect our ability to obtain necessary raw materials for certain of our products. Any sustained interruption in our receipt of adequate raw materials, supply chain disruptions impacting the receipt or distribution of products, or disruption to key manufacturing sites’ operations due to natural and other disasters or events or other legal or regulatory requirements, could result in a significant price increase in raw materials, or their unavailability, which could result in a loss of customers or otherwise adversely impact our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Our reputation, ability to do business and results of operations could be impaired by improper conduct by or disputes with any of our employees, agents or business partners and we have a compliance burden with respect to, and risk of violations of, anti-bribery, trade control, trade sanctions, anti-corruption and similar laws.
Our operations require us to comply with a number of U.S. and international laws and regulations, including those governing payments to government officials, bribery, fraud, anti-kickbacks, false claims, unfair competition, export and import compliance, money laundering and data privacy, as well as the improper use of proprietary information or social media. In particular, our international operations are subject to the regulations imposed by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the United Kingdom Bribery Act 2010 as well as anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws of various jurisdictions in which we operate. While we strive to maintain high standards, we cannot provide assurance that our internal controls and compliance systems always will protect us from acts committed by our employees, agents or business partners that would violate such U.S. or international laws or regulations or fail to protect our confidential information. Any such violations of law or improper actions could subject us to civil or criminal investigations in the U.S. or other jurisdictions, result in substantial monetary and non-monetary penalties and shareholder lawsuits, lead to increased costs of compliance and damage our reputation, business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Tariffs and other trade measures could adversely affect our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Our international operations subject us to discriminatory or conflicting tariffs and trade policies. Tariffs have increased and may continue to increase our material input costs, and any further trade restrictions, retaliatory trade measures and additional tariffs could result in higher input costs to our products. We may not be able to fully mitigate the impact of these increased costs or pass price increases on to our customers. While tariffs and other trade measures imposed by other countries on U.S. goods have not yet had a significant impact on our business or results of operations, we cannot predict further developments, and such existing or future tariffs could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Changes in domestic and foreign laws, regulations, policies, and enforcement initiatives increase our costs of compliance and subject us to increased risk.
Our domestic and international sales and operations are subject to risks associated with changes in laws, regulations and policies (including environmental and employment regulations, export/import laws, tax policies and other similar programs). Failure to comply with any of these laws, regulations and policies could result in civil and criminal as well was monetary and non-monetary penalties, and damage to our reputation. In addition, we cannot provide assurance that our costs of complying with new and evolving regulatory reporting requirements and current or future laws, including environmental protection, employment, data security, data privacy and health and safety laws, will not exceed our estimates. While these risks and the impact of these risks are difficult to predict, any one or more of them could adversely affect our business, results of operations and reputation.
Differences in and changes to tax rates in the jurisdictions in which we operate and unanticipated outcomes with respect to tax audits could adversely affect our business, profitability and reputation.
We are subject to taxation in a number of jurisdictions. Accordingly, our effective tax rate is impacted by changes in the mix among earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates. A material change in the statutory tax rate or interpretation of local law in a jurisdiction in which we have significant operations could adversely impact our effective tax rate and impact our financial results.
Our tax returns are subject to audit, and taxing authorities could challenge our operating structure, taxable presence, application of treaty benefits or transfer pricing policies. If changes in statutory tax rates or laws or audits result in assessments different from amounts estimated, our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be adversely affected. In addition, changes in tax laws could have an adverse effect on our customers, resulting in lower demand for our products and services.
A deterioration in our future expected profitability or cash flows could result in an impairment of our recorded goodwill and intangible assets.
We have significant goodwill and intangible assets recorded on our consolidated balance sheet. The valuation and classification of these assets and the assignment of useful lives to intangible assets involve significant judgments and the use of estimates. Impairment testing of goodwill and intangible assets requires significant use of judgment and assumptions, particularly as it relates to the determination of fair market value. A decrease in the long-term economic outlook and future cash flows of our business could significantly impact asset values and potentially result in the impairment of intangible assets, including goodwill.
The markets for our products are extremely competitive, and our competitors could use existing resource advantages to our detriment.
The food and animal safety industries are subject to rapid and substantial changes in technology and are characterized by extensive research and development and intense competition. Our competitors and potential competitors may have greater financial, technical, manufacturing, marketing, research and development and management resources than us. These competitors could use their resources, reputations and ability to leverage existing customer relationships to provide a competitive advantage over us that could impact our results of operations. They might also succeed in developing products that are more reliable and effective than our products, are less costly than our products or provide alternatives to our products. If the products of a competitor are better able to meet our customers' requirements, then our operating results could be adversely affected.
We are dependent on the agricultural marketplace, which is affected by factors beyond our control.
Our primary customers are in the agricultural and food production industries. Economic conditions affecting agricultural industries are cyclical and are dependent upon many factors outside of our control, including weather conditions, changes in consumption patterns or commodity prices. Any of these factors in the agricultural marketplace could affect our sales and overall financial performance.
RISKS RELATED TO LIQUIDITY, INDEBTEDNESS AND THE CAPITAL MARKETS
We have incurred substantial indebtedness and our financial condition and operations may be adversely affected by a violation of financial or other covenants.
We have incurred substantial indebtedness and related debt service obligations, which could have important consequences, including:
•reduced flexibility in responding to changing business and economic conditions, and increased vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions;
•reduced flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business, the competitive environment and the markets in which we operate, and to technological and other changes;
•reduced access to capital and increased borrowing costs generally or for any additional indebtedness to finance future operating and capital expenditures and for general corporate purposes;
•lowered credit ratings;
•reduced funds available for operations, capital expenditures and other activities;
•increased vulnerability to increases in interest rates because a substantial portion of our indebtedness bears interest at floating rates; and
•competitive disadvantages relative to other companies with lower debt levels.
Our Term Loan, comprised of our Revolving Facility and Term Loan Facility, contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants based on leverage and cash interest expense coverage ratios and limitations on our ability to make certain investments, declare or pay dividends or distributions on capital stock, redeem or repurchase capital stock and certain debt obligations, incur liens, incur indebtedness, or merge, make certain acquisitions or sales of assets.
Our outstanding Senior Notes also include customary events of default. A violation of any of these credit-related covenants or agreements could result in a default under one or more of these agreements, which could permit the lenders or note holders, as applicable, to accelerate repayment of any borrowings or notes outstanding at that time, levy on any collateral securing such indebtedness, and/or taking other actions designed to protect our ability to repay our indebtedness. Any such event would materially and adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our results of operations and financial condition.
The available capacity under our Revolving Facility could be limited by our covenant ratios under certain conditions. An increase in the applicable leverage ratio, as a result of decreased earnings or otherwise, could result in reduced access to capital under our Revolving Facility, which is a significant component of our total available liquidity.
Our quarterly and annual operating results are subject to significant fluctuations.
We have experienced, and may experience in the future, significant fluctuations in our quarterly and annual operating results. The mix of products sold and the acceptance of new products, in addition to other factors such as cost increases, could contribute to this variability. We have few long-term customer contracts and operate primarily with purchase orders. In addition, our expense levels are based, in part, on our expectation of future revenue levels. Therefore, a shortfall in expected revenue could result in a disproportionate reduction in our net income.
The market price of our common stock could be highly volatile.
The trading price of our common stock could be volatile. Securities markets worldwide experience significant price and volume fluctuations. This market volatility, as well as other general economic, market or political conditions, could reduce the market price of our common stock rapidly and unexpectedly, despite our operating performance. Factors that could impact the market price of our common stock include the factors described in this “Risk Factors” section and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as:
•Public announcements (including the timing of these announcements) regarding our business, financial performance, acquisitions and prospects or new products or services, product enhancements or technological advances by our competitors or us;
•Trading activity in our stock, including transactions by us, our executive officers and directors, and significant shareholders; trading activity that results from the ordinary course rebalancing of stock indices in which we may be included, such as the S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index; trading activity related to our inclusion in, or removal from, any stock indices; and short-interest in our common stock, which could be significant from time to time;
•Investor perception of us and the industry and markets in which we operate; changes in earnings estimates or buy/sell recommendations by securities analysts; and whether or not we meet earnings estimates of securities analysts who follow us; and
•General financial, domestic, international, economic and market conditions, including overall fluctuations in the U.S. equity markets, which may experience extreme volatility that, in some cases, is unrelated or disproportionate to our operating performance.
Our business could be adversely affected by fluctuations in the global capital markets.
Our business and financial results are affected by fluctuations in the global financial markets, including interest rates and currency exchange rates. The exposure to fluctuations in currency exchange rates takes on different forms. International revenues and costs are subject to the risk that fluctuations in exchange rates could adversely affect our reported revenues and profitability when translated into U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes. These fluctuations could also adversely affect the demand for products and services provided by us. Failure to respond timely to these fluctuations, or failure to effectively hedge these risks when possible, could lead to a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
We have no current plans to start paying dividends in the near-term.
Dividend payments to our shareholders depend upon a number of factors, including our results of operations, cash flows and financial position, contractual restrictions and other factors considered relevant by our Board of Directors. We have not historically paid dividends to our shareholders, and there is no assurance that we will declare and pay, or have the ability to declare and pay, any dividends on our common stock in the future.
OTHER RISK FACTORS RELATING TO OUR BUSINESS
Our success is highly dependent on our ability to obtain protection for the intellectual property used in our products.
Our success and ability to compete depends, in part, on our ability to protect, in the U.S. and other countries, our products by establishing and maintaining intellectual property rights capable of protecting our technology and products. Patent applications filed by us may not result in the issuance of patents or, if granted, may not be granted in a form that will be commercially advantageous to us. Even if granted, patents can be challenged, narrowed, invalidated, or circumvented, which could limit our ability to stop competitors from marketing similar products or limit the length of time we have patent protection for our products. We also cannot assure that our nondisclosure agreements, together with trade secrets and other common law rights, will provide meaningful protection for our trade secrets and other proprietary information. Moreover, the laws of some foreign jurisdictions may not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent as in the U.S., and many companies have encountered significant difficulties in protecting and defending such rights in foreign jurisdictions. If we encounter such difficulties or we are otherwise precluded from effectively protecting our intellectual property rights domestically or in foreign jurisdictions, we could incur substantial costs and our business, including our business prospects, could be substantially harmed.
Certain of our products could be the subject of patent infringement challenges.
From time to time, we have received notices alleging that our products infringe third-party proprietary rights. Whether the manufacture, sale, or use of current products, or whether any products under development would, upon commercialization, infringe any patent claim cannot be known with certainty unless and until a court interprets a patent claim and its validity in the context of litigation. The outcome of infringement litigation is subject to substantial uncertainties, and also the testimony of experts as to technical facts upon which experts may reasonably disagree. Our defense of an infringement litigation lawsuit could result in significant expense. Regardless of the outcome, infringement litigation could significantly disrupt our marketing, development and commercialization efforts, divert management’s attention and consume our financial resources. In the event that we are found to infringe any valid claim in a patent held by a third party, we could, among other things, be required to:
•Pay damages, including up to treble damages and the other party’s attorneys’ fees, which may be substantial;
•Cease the development, manufacture, importation, use and sale of products that infringe the patent rights of others, through a court-imposed injunction;
•Expend significant resources to redesign our technology so that it does not infringe others’ patent rights, or develop or acquire non-infringing intellectual property, which may not be possible;
•Discontinue manufacturing or other processes incorporating infringing technology; and/or
•Obtain licenses to the infringed intellectual property, which may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or at all.
Any development or acquisition of non-infringing products, technology or licenses could require the expenditure of substantial time and other resources and could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. If we are required to, but cannot, obtain a license to valid patent rights held by a third party, we would likely be prevented from commercializing the relevant product, or from further manufacture, sale or use of the relevant product.
The industries in which we operate are subject to substantial governmental regulation.
A portion of our products and facilities are regulated by various domestic and foreign government agencies including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. A significant portion of our revenue is derived from products used to monitor and detect the presence of substances that are regulated by various government agencies. Furthermore, our growth could result in substantial liability to us and be adversely affected by the implementation of new regulations. The costs of compliance or failure to comply with any obligations related to these laws or regulations could adversely impact our business, including suspension or cessation of our operations, restrictions on our ability to expand at our present locations or requirements that we make significant capital expenditures or incur other significant expenses.
Failure to attract, retain and develop personnel, including for key management positions, could have an adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Our growth, profitability and effectiveness in conducting our operations and executing our strategic plans depend in part on our ability to attract, retain and develop qualified personnel and align them with appropriate opportunities for key management positions and support for strategic initiatives. Our loss of any of our key employees could have a material adverse effect on us. We compete with employers in various industries for sales, manufacturing, technical services and other personnel, and this competition to hire may increase and the availability of qualified personnel may be reduced. If we are unsuccessful in our efforts to attract and retain qualified personnel, our business, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and competitive position could be adversely affected. Additionally, we could miss opportunities for growth and efficiencies. We cannot assure that we will be able to retain our existing personnel or attract additional qualified persons when required and on acceptable terms.
Our business may be subject to product or service liability claims.
The manufacturing and distribution of our products and the performance of our services involves an inherent risk of liability claims being asserted against us. Regardless of whether we are ultimately determined to be liable or our products are determined to be defective, we could incur significant legal expenses not covered by insurance. In addition, product or service liability litigation could damage our reputation and impair our ability to market our products and services, regardless of the outcome. Litigation also could impair our ability to retain product liability insurance or make our insurance more expensive. Although we currently maintain liability insurance, we cannot assure that we will be able to continue to obtain such insurance on acceptable terms, or that such insurance will provide adequate coverage against all potential claims. If we are subject to an uninsured or inadequately insured product or services liability claim, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Changing political conditions could adversely impact our business and financial results.
Changes in the political conditions in markets in which we manufacture, sell or distribute our products are difficult to predict and could affect our business and financial results adversely. In addition, results of elections, referendums or other political processes in certain markets in which our products are manufactured, sold, or distributed could create uncertainty regarding how existing governmental policies, laws and regulations may change, including with respect to sanctions, taxes, the movement of goods, services, capital and people between countries and other matters. The potential implications of such uncertainty, which include, among others, exchange rate fluctuations, trade barriers and market contraction, could adversely affect our business and financial results.
Climate change, or legal, regulatory or market measures to address climate change could materially adversely affect our financial condition and business operations.
Climate change resulting from increased concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere could present risks to our future operations from natural disasters and extreme weather conditions, such as hurricanes, tropical storms, blizzards, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires or flooding. Such extreme weather conditions could pose physical risks to our facilities and disrupt our operations and impair our critical systems, and may impact raw material sourcing, manufacturing operations, the distribution of our products and our operational costs. Damage or destruction of our facilities may result in losses that exceed our insurance coverage. The impacts of climate change on global water resources may result in water scarcity, which could impact our ability to access sufficient quantities of water in certain locations and result in increased costs. Concern over climate change could result in new legal or regulatory requirements designed to mitigate the effects of climate change on the environment. If such laws or regulations are more stringent than current legal or regulatory requirements, we may experience increased compliance burdens and costs to meet the regulatory obligations.
Our business could be adversely impacted by an inability to meet the expectations of our stakeholders related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) objectives.
Various stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, providers of debt and equity capital, regulators, and those in the workforce, are increasing their expectations of companies to do their part to combat global climate change and its impact and to conduct their operations in an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible manner with appropriate oversight by senior leadership. We have made certain public commitments to reduce emissions, conserve resources at our various facilities and further develop a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture. A failure to respond to the expectations and initiatives of our stakeholders or to achieve the commitments we have made, could result in damage to our reputation and relationships with various stakeholders, as well as adversely impact our financial condition due to volatility in the cost or availability of capital, difficultly obtaining new business, or entering into new supplier relationships, a possible loss of market share on our current product portfolio, or difficulty attracting and retaining a skilled workforce.
Tax legislation could materially adversely affect our financial results and tax liabilities.
Our business is subject to tax-related external conditions, such as tax rates, tax laws, and regulations, changing political environments in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions that impact tax examination, assessment and enforcement approaches. In addition, changes in tax laws including further regulatory developments arising from U.S. tax reform legislation and/or regulations around the world could result in a tax expense or benefit recorded to our consolidated statement of earnings. In connection with guidance such as the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Integrated Framework provided by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), determination of multi-jurisdictional taxation rights and the rate of tax applicable to certain types of income may be subject to potential change. Due to uncertainty of the regulation changes and other tax-related factors stated above, it is currently not possible to assess the ultimate impact of these actions on our financial statements.
Although we believe that our historical tax positions are sound and consistent with applicable laws, regulations and existing precedent, there can be no assurance that our tax positions will not be challenged by relevant tax authorities or that we would be successful in any such challenge. Income tax audits associated with the allocation of income and other complex issues could result in significant income tax adjustments that could negatively impact our future operating results.

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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
Principal Manufacturing, Distribution and Administrative locations:
Segment
Owned
Leased
Location
Food Safety
Corporate, United States, and Other International Locations (1)
Animal Safety
United States, Canada, and Australia
Total
(1) International locations include properties in Canada, Europe, Central and South America, Asia and the Middle East
Our corporate headquarters are located in Lansing, Michigan, with administrative, sales, manufacturing, and warehousing in other locations domestically and globally. These properties are in good condition, well-maintained,
and generally suitable and adequate to support our business. For leased properties, we do not anticipate difficulty in renewing existing leases or in finding alternative facilities.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are routinely involved in legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of our business. In the opinion of our management, the outcome of such proceedings and litigation currently pending will not materially affect our consolidated operations, cash flows, or financial condition. However, the litigation process is subject to many uncertainties, and the outcome of individual matters is not predictable with assurance. See “Risk Factors” in Item 1A above for a description of certain related risks. See Note 10. “Commitments and Contingencies” to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 15. “Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules” of this Report for discussion of loss contingencies.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES - NOT APPLICABLE
PART II

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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
Market Information
Neogen Common Stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol NEOG.
Holders
As of June 30, 2024, there were 532 stockholders of record of our common stock. The actual number of holders is significantly greater than this number of holders and includes stockholders who are beneficial owners but whose shares are held in street name by brokers and other nominees.
Dividends
Neogen has never paid cash dividends on its Common Stock and does not expect to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following is a summary of share repurchase activity during the fiscal quarter ended May 31, 2024:
Period
(a) Shares Purchased
(b) Average Price Paid per Share
(c) Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
(d) Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
March 2024
-
-
-
5,900,000
April 2024
-
-
-
5,900,000
May 2024
-
-
-
5,900,000
Total
-
-
-
5,900,000
In October 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a program to purchase, subject to market conditions, up to 6,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The program does not have any scheduled expiration date. The Company did not repurchase any shares pursuant to this repurchase program during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024. As of May 31, 2024, a total of 5,900,000 shares of common stock remained available for repurchase under this program.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6. RESERVED

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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 following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In addition, any forward-looking statements represent management’s views only as of the day this Form 10-K was first filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and should not be relied upon as representing management’s views as of any subsequent date. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our views change.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Neogen Corporation and subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a diverse line of products and services dedicated to food and animal safety. Our Food Safety segment consists primarily of diagnostic test kits and complementary products (e.g., culture media) sold to food producers and processors to detect dangerous and/or unintended substances in human food and animal feed, such as foodborne pathogens, spoilage organisms, natural toxins, food allergens, ruminant by-products, meat speciation, drug residues, pesticide residues and general sanitation concerns. The majority of the diagnostic test kits are disposable, single-use, immunoassay and DNA detection products that rely on proprietary antibodies and RNA and DNA testing methodologies to produce rapid and accurate test results. Our expanding line of food safety products also includes genomics-based diagnostic technology, and advanced software systems that help testers to objectively analyze and store their results and perform analysis on the results from multiple locations over extended periods.
Neogen’s Animal Safety segment is engaged in the development, manufacture, marketing and distribution of veterinary instruments, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, topicals, parasiticides, diagnostic products, rodent control products, cleaners, disinfectants, insect control products and genomics testing services for the worldwide animal safety market. The majority of these consumable products are marketed through veterinarians, retailers, livestock producers and animal health product distributors.
TRENDS AND UNCERTAINTIES
In prior years, production was negatively impacted by broad supply chain challenges and labor market disruptions. Additionally, input cost inflation, including increases in certain raw materials, negatively impacted operating results. In fiscal 2023, these negative impacts steadily improved throughout the year. In fiscal 2024, despite a slowing of inflation rates, there remains economic headwinds of softening consumer demand and higher interest rates, coupled with ongoing geopolitical tension in certain regions.
Interest rates have risen sharply, particularly in fiscal 2023, as a way to combat inflation. This, subsequently, increased our borrowing costs and raised the overall cost of capital. While the frequent increases have largely subsided, the overall interest rate is significantly higher than in recent years, which increases interest expense on the unhedged portion of our Term Loan. In response to the historically high inflationary environment, we took pricing actions to mitigate the impacts on the business in the prior two fiscal years. The impact of inflation continued to affect us throughout fiscal year 2024, although at a continually decreasing rate compared to fiscal years 2022 and 2023.
Beginning in the second quarter of fiscal year 2024, we implemented a new enterprise resource planning system and began the exit of our transition distribution agreements with 3M, which led to certain shipment delays and an elevated backlog of open orders, specifically in the Food Safety segment. As of the end of fiscal year 2024, order fulfillment issues have largely been resolved, and order fulfillment rates have improved to meet the needs of our customers in this improving end-market environment.
Although we have no operations in or direct exposure to Russia, Belarus or Ukraine, we have experienced intermittent shortages in materials and increased costs for transportation, energy and raw materials due, in part, to the negative impact of the Russia-Ukraine military conflict, which began in February 2022, on the global economy. Our European operations and customer base have been negatively impacted by the conflict. Similarly, the military
conflict between Israel and Hamas has increased overall geopolitical tensions. As the respective conflicts continue or worsen, they may further impact our business, financial condition or results of operations in fiscal year 2025.
We continue to evaluate the nature and extent to which these issues impact our business, including consolidated results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. We expect these issues to continue to impact us into fiscal year 2025.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Historical Periods
Refer to Part II - Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2023 for discussion of the Results of Operations, Segment Results of Operations, and Financial Condition and Liquidity for the year ended May 31, 2023 compared to the year ended May 31, 2022, which is incorporated by reference herein.
Executive Overview
Year Ended May 31,
(in thousands)
Increase / (Decrease)
Total Revenues
$
924,222
$
822,447
$
101,775
Cost of Revenues
460,322
416,492
43,830
Gross Profit
463,900
405,955
57,945
Operating Expenses
Sales and marketing
182,872
141,222
41,650
General and administrative
199,889
201,179
(1,290
)
Research and development
22,476
26,039
(3,563
)
Total Operating Expenses
405,237
368,440
36,797
Operating Income
58,663
37,515
21,148
Other (Expense) Income
Interest income
6,362
3,166
3,196
Interest expense
(73,394
)
(55,961
)
(17,433
)
Other, net
(5,936
)
(6,762
)
Total Other Expense
(72,968
)
(59,557
)
(13,411
)
Loss Before Taxes
(14,305
)
(22,042
)
7,737
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense
(4,884
)
(5,712
)
Net Loss
$
(9,421
)
$
(22,870
)
$
13,449
REVENUE
Year Ended May 31,
(in thousands)
Increase / (Decrease)
% Change
Food Safety:
Natural Toxins & Allergens
$
82,240
$
82,567
$
(327
)
(0
)%
Bacterial & General Sanitation
171,217
134,934
36,283
%
Indicator Testing, Culture Media & Other
334,636
267,178
67,458
%
Rodent Control, Insect Control & Disinfectants
42,965
39,655
3,310
%
Genomics Services
24,283
22,463
1,820
%
655,341
546,797
108,544
%
Animal Safety:
Life Sciences
6,515
6,254
%
Veterinary Instruments & Disposables
65,848
63,843
2,005
%
Animal Care & Other
36,978
39,068
(2,090
)
(5
)%
Rodent Control, Insect Control & Disinfectants
88,732
87,423
1,309
%
Genomics Services
70,808
79,062
(8,254
)
(10
)%
268,881
275,650
(6,769
)
(2
)%
Total Revenue, net
$
924,222
$
822,447
$
101,775
%
Year Ended May 31, 2024 Compared to Year Ended May 31, 2023
Food Safety:
Revenue for the Food Safety segment increased $108.5 million in fiscal year 2024 compared to fiscal year 2023. The increase included a $98.6 million benefit from acquisitions, a $10.1 million adverse impact due to currency, and $20.0 million of growth in the business.
Natural Toxins & Allergens - Revenues in this category were relatively unchanged in fiscal 2024. Excluding first quarter revenue of the acquired allergen product line from 3M FSD, revenue in this category decreased 3% due to a decline in sales of natural toxin test kits, caused by product availability issues and prior year sales of discontinued dairy drug residue test kits. These declines were partially offset by growth in our line of allergen test kits.
Bacterial & General Sanitation - Revenue in this category increased 27% in fiscal 2024 compared to the prior fiscal year. Excluding the first quarter contribution of the Clean-Trace line of general sanitation products and the pathogen test kit product line, both acquired in the FSD transaction, revenue in this category increased 2% for the full year. This increase was driven by growth of the acquired product lines for the remainder of the year.
Indicator Testing, Culture Media & Other - Revenue in this category increased 25% in fiscal 2024 compared to the prior fiscal year, driven primarily from revenues resulting from FSD transaction. Excluding first quarter revenue of acquired Petrifilm® and sample handling product lines, revenue rose 2% for the year. Continued growth of the acquired product lines for the remainder of the year combined with higher sales of the Neogen Analytics software product more than offset a large non-recurring sale of culture media in fiscal year 2023.
Rodent Control, Insect Control & Disinfectants - Revenue of products in this category sold through our Food Safety operations increased 8% in fiscal 2024 compared to the prior fiscal year. Increased Cleaner & Disinfectants sales in Europe and a government tender for insect control products in Brazil contributed to the overall growth.
Genomics Services - Revenue of genomics services sold through our Food Safety operations increased 8% in fiscal 2024 compared to the prior fiscal year. Increased revenue to existing customers in Europe as well as new business in Brazil and China added to the overall growth during the year.
Animal Safety:
Revenue for the Animal Safety segment decreased $6.8 million in fiscal year 2024 compared to fiscal year 2023. The decrease included $0.7 million due to discontinued product lines, a $0.6 million adverse impact due to currency, and a $5.5 million decline in the business.
Life Sciences - Revenue in this category increased 4% in fiscal 2024 compared to the prior fiscal year, driven by higher demand of substrate products from manufacturers of diagnostic tests.
Veterinary Instruments & Disposables - Revenue in this category increased 3% in fiscal 2024 compared to the prior fiscal year driven by higher sales of detectable needles and disposable syringes.
Animal Care & Other - Revenue of these products decreased 5% in fiscal 2024 compared to the prior fiscal year driven primarily by lower sales of small animal supplements and wound care products, due to supply constraints, and the discontinued Thyrokare product line. Higher sales of vitamin injectables products partially offset the decline.
Rodent Control, Insect Control & Disinfectants - Revenue in this category increased 1% in fiscal 2024, compared to the prior fiscal year, driven with higher sales of insect control products, partially offset by flat sales of rodent control products and cleaners and disinfectants.
Genomics Services - Revenue in this category decreased 10% in fiscal 2024 compared to the prior fiscal year. The decrease in this category was attributed to customer attrition in the poultry and porcine markets associated with a strategic shift in the business to focus primarily on large production animals.
Service Revenue
Service revenue, which consists primarily of genomics services provided to animal production and companion animal markets, was $102.4 million in fiscal 2024, a decrease of 5% over prior fiscal year revenue of $107.4 million. The decrease was primarily driven by customer attrition in the poultry market and a decrease in revenue in domestic porcine genomics testing, partially offset by strength in genomics testing in the U.K. and Australia, and new business gained with our Neogen Analytics software as a service.
International Revenue
Neogen’s international revenues were $459.0 million in fiscal year 2024, compared to $398.4 million in fiscal 2023, an increase of 15%. The increase was primarily due to $63.8 million of international revenue from 3M FSD during the first quarter of fiscal 2024. Excluding the first quarter of revenue from the FSD transaction, which did not occur in the prior year comparable period, international revenue slightly decreased, primarily driven by the adverse impact of currency.
GROSS MARGIN
Gross margin, expressed as a percentage of revenue, was 50.2% during fiscal year 2024 compared to 49.4% during the prior fiscal year. The margin expansion was primarily due to a full year of higher-margin FSD sales in our Food Safety segment, which generated gross margin higher than the legacy company average gross margin. The increase was partially offset by a lower gross margin, expressed as a percentage of revenue, in our Animal Safety segment. The decline was primarily driven by our domestic genomics lab, where fixed costs were unable to decrease at the same proportion as the reduction in revenue due to customer attrition.
Within each reporting segment, increased raw material costs continue to pressure gross margins in certain product lines. However, while inflation continues to impact the business, the rate of raw material price and freight cost increases have significantly declined throughout both the current and prior year comparative periods. Pricing actions taken during these periods also mitigated the impact of cost increases.
OPERATING EXPENSES
Year Ended May 31,
(in thousands)
Increase / (Decrease)
% Change
Food Safety
$
136,837
$
98,926
$
37,911
%
Animal Safety
46,035
42,296
3,739
%
Total Sales and Marketing
$
182,872
$
141,222
$
41,650
%
Food Safety
116,573
108,821
7,752
%
Animal Safety
20,213
26,127
(5,914
)
(23
)%
Corporate and eliminations
63,103
66,231
(3,128
)
(5
)%
Total General and Administrative
$
199,889
$
201,179
$
(1,290
)
(1
)%
Food Safety
17,851
20,981
(3,130
)
(15
)%
Animal Safety
4,625
5,058
(433
)
(9
)%
Total Research and Development
$
22,476
$
26,039
$
(3,563
)
(14
)%
Total Operating Expense
$
405,237
$
368,440
$
36,797
%
Operating expenses were $405.2 million during fiscal year 2024, compared to $368.4 million during the prior fiscal year. The increase during the year was primarily the result of costs added to accommodate the increased size and complexity of the Company following the FSD transaction, which was included for only nine months in the prior year comparable period.
Sales and Marketing:
Sales and marketing expenses were $182.9 million during fiscal year 2024, compared to $141.2 million during the prior fiscal year. For the Food Safety segment, the increase was primarily driven by incremental costs resulting from the FSD transaction, including compensation and related expenses for the acquired sales and marketing teams and higher costs related to inefficiencies as we took over distribution from 3M. For the Animal Safety segment, the increase was primarily driven by employee costs resulting from headcount increases.
General and Administrative:
General and administrative expenses were $199.9 million during fiscal year 2024, compared to $201.2 million during the prior fiscal year. For the Food Safety segment, an increase in these expenses was primarily the result of incremental intangible asset amortization and additional personnel hired to accommodate the increased size and complexity of the organization. These increases were partially offset by lower transaction fees and integration expenses compared to the prior year comparable period. For the Animal Safety segment, the decrease was driven by lower impairment expenses associated with discontinued product lines.
Research and Development:
Research and development expense was $22.5 million in fiscal year 2024, compared to $26.0 million during the prior fiscal year. The decrease during the year was primarily the result of lower contracted services and employee costs in the Food Safety segment, as we continue to integrate the 3M FSD business and realize synergies in certain areas.
OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME
The net interest expense recorded during fiscal year 2024 was the result of debt incurred to fund the FSD transaction. In the first quarter of fiscal 2023, the Company had no debt outstanding. Interest income relates to earnings on our marketable securities and money market account portfolio. Higher balances in money market portfolios with higher yields drove the increase in interest income during fiscal year 2024. Other expense resulting from foreign currency transactions was the result of changes in the value of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar in countries in which we operate.
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
Income tax benefit during fiscal year 2024 was $4.9 million, compared to income tax expense of $0.8 million in the prior fiscal year. The net tax benefit in the current fiscal year was primarily related to pre-tax losses due to amortization expense and interest expense resulting from the FSD transaction. In the prior fiscal year, pre-tax loss due to the FSD transaction was offset primarily by nondeductible transaction costs.
The total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate as of May 31, 2024 and May 31, 2023 are $2.7 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Increases in unrecognized tax benefits are primarily associated with transfer pricing, IRC Section 861 expense apportionment, and research and development credits.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
This report includes certain financial information for the Company that differs from what is reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures consist of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA margin. These non-GAAP financial measures are included in this report because management believes that they provide investors with additional useful information to measure the performance of the Company, and because these non-GAAP financial measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties as common performance measures to compare results or estimate valuations across companies in industries the Company operates in.
EBITDA
We define EBITDA as net income before interest, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. We present EBITDA as a performance measure because it may allow for a comparison of results across periods and results across companies in the industries in which Neogen operates on a consistent basis, by removing the effects on operating performance of (a) capital structure (such as the varying levels of interest expense and interest income), (b) asset base and capital investment cycle (such as depreciation and amortization) and (c) items largely outside the control of management (such as income taxes). EBITDA also forms the basis for the measurement of Adjusted EBITDA (discussed below).
Adjusted EBITDA
We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA, adjusted for share-based compensation and certain transaction fees and expenses. We present Adjusted EBITDA because it provides an understanding of underlying business performance by excluding the following:
•Share-based compensation
•FX translation (gain)/loss on loan revaluation and other revaluation
•Certain transaction fees and integration costs
•Restructuring
•Contingent consideration adjustments
•ERP Expense
•Other income and expense items
Adjusted EBITDA margin
We define Adjusted EBITDA margin as Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of total revenues. We present Adjusted EBITDA margin as a performance measure to analyze the level of Adjusted EBITDA generated from total revenue.
These non-GAAP financial measures are presented for informational purposes only. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are not recognized terms under GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, net (loss) income, operating income, cash flow from operating activities or other measures of financial performance. This information does not purport to represent the results Neogen would have achieved had any of the transactions for which an adjustment is made occurred at the beginning of the periods presented or as of the dates indicated. This information is inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. It may not give an accurate or complete picture of Neogen’s financial condition or results of operations for the periods presented and should not be relied upon when making an investment decision.
The use of the terms EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA margin may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies or persons due to potential differences in the method of calculation.
These non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools. For example, for EBITDA-based metrics:
•they do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, Neogen’s working capital needs;
•they do not reflect Neogen’s tax expense or the cash requirements to pay taxes;
•they do not reflect the historical cash expenditures or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments;
•they do not reflect any cash requirements for future replacements of assets that are being depreciated and amortized; and
•they may be calculated differently from other companies in Neogen’s industries limiting their usefulness as comparative measures.
A reader should compensate for these limitations by relying primarily on the financial statements of Neogen and using these non-GAAP financial measures only as a supplement to evaluate Neogen’s performance.
For each of these non-GAAP financial measures below, we are providing a reconciliation of the differences between the non-GAAP measure and the most directly comparable GAAP measure.
Reconciliation between net (loss) income and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA is as follows:
Year Ended May 31,
(in thousands)
Net (Loss) Income
$
(9,421
)
$
(22,870
)
$
48,307
Net (loss) income margin %
(1.0
)%
(2.8
)%
9.2
%
Income tax (benefit) expense
(4,884
)
11,900
Depreciation and amortization
116,717
88,377
23,694
Interest expense (income), net
67,032
52,795
(1,267
)
EBITDA
169,444
119,130
82,634
Share-based compensation
13,768
10,177
7,154
FX transaction loss on loan revaluation (1)
2,082
5,226
-
Certain transaction fees and integration costs (2)
15,521
59,812
25,581
Restructuring (3)
3,513
-
Contingent consideration adjustments
(300
)
-
ERP Expense (4)
7,467
-
-
Discontinued product line expense (5)
5,639
-
(Recovery) loss on sale of minority interest
(103
)
1,516
-
Loss on investment
-
-
Inventory step-up charge
-
3,245
-
Other
-
-
Adjusted EBITDA
$
213,164
$
205,420
$
115,369
Adjusted EBITDA margin %
23.1
%
25.0
%
21.9
%
(1) Net foreign currency transaction loss associated with the revaluation of non-functional currency intercompany loans established in connection with the 3M Food Safety transaction and other non-hedged foreign currency revaluation resulting from 3M agreements.
(2) Includes costs associated with the 3M transaction, including various transition agreements.
(3) Includes costs associated with consolidation of U.S. genomics labs.
(4) Expenses related to ERP implementation.
(5) Expenses associated with intangible asset impairments and inventory scrap amounts related to certain discontinued product lines.
Adjusted EBITDA increased $7.7 million in fiscal year 2024 compared to fiscal year 2023, primarily due to earnings generated from the 3M FSD business, which combined with Neogen on September 1, 2022. Expressed as a percentage of revenue, adjusted EBITDA was 23.1% in fiscal year 2024 compared to 25.0% in fiscal year 2023. The lower Adjusted EBITDA margin was driven primarily by higher operating expenses compared to the prior-year periods, reflecting additions to accommodate the integration of the 3M FSD.
FUTURE OPERATING RESULTS
Neogen Corporation’s future operating results involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those discussed in this report. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed below as well as those discussed elsewhere in this report. Management’s ability to grow the business and its profitability in the future depends upon our ability to successfully implement various strategies, including:
•developing, manufacturing and marketing new products with new features and capabilities, and having those new products successfully accepted in the marketplace;
•expanding our markets by fostering increased use of our products by customers;
•maintaining or increasing gross and net operating margins in changing cost environments;
•strengthening operations and sales and marketing activities in geographies outside of the U.S.;
•developing and implementing new technology development strategies; and
•identifying and completing acquisitions that enhance existing product categories or creating new products or services, and successfully integrating completed acquisitions, including the FSD transaction.
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY
Overview
Our primary sources of liquidity are cash and cash equivalents, cash flows from the operations of our business, and available borrowing capacity under our Credit Facilities. Our principal uses of cash include working capital-related items, capital expenditures, debt service, and strategic investments.
Our future cash generation and borrowing capacity may not be sufficient to meet cash requirements to fund the operating business, repay debt obligations, construct new manufacturing facilities, commercialize products currently under development or execute our future plans to acquire additional businesses, technology and products that fit within our strategic plan. Accordingly, we may be required, or may choose, to issue additional equity securities or enter into other financing arrangements for a portion of our future capital needs. However, we continuously monitor and forecast our liquidity situation in light of industry, customer and economic factors, and take the necessary actions to preserve our liquidity and evaluate other financial alternatives that may be available to us should the need arise. As a result, we believe that our cash flows from operations, cash on hand, and borrowing capacity will enable us to fund the operating business, repay debt obligations, construct new manufacturing facilities, commercialize products currently under development, and execute our strategic plans.
We are subject to certain legal and other proceedings in the normal course of business that have not had, and, in the opinion of management, are not expected to have, a material effect on our results of operations or financial position.
As of May 31, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities of $170.9 million, and borrowings available under our revolving line of credit of $150.0 million.
Cash Flows
Year Ended May 31,
Increase / (Decrease)
Net Cash provided by Operating Activities
35,264
41,028
(5,764
)
Net Cash (used for) provided by Investing Activities
(29,309
)
201,039
(230,348
)
Net Cash provided by (used for) Financing Activities
1,918
(118,081
)
119,999
Comparing fiscal year 2024 to fiscal 2023, the lower inflow in cash from operating activities was primarily the result of working capital items, specifically a large outflow for inventory during fiscal year 2024 as we exited distribution agreements with 3M. This resulted in large purchases of inventory, as we are now stocking 3M FSD products.
In fiscal year 2024, the outflow in cash for investing activities was primarily the result of purchases of property, equipment and non-current intangible assets of $111.4 million. This was partially offset by the sale of marketable securities of $82.0 million. In fiscal year 2023, there were purchases of property, equipment and non-current intangible assets of $65.8 million and the maturity of marketable securities of $266.8 million, resulting in an inflow from investing activities.
Comparing fiscal year 2024 to fiscal 2023, the net inflow in cash from financing activities was primarily the result of the Company paying down $100 million of the $1 billion in debt incurred in connection with the FSD transaction in fiscal year 2023.
Net accounts receivable balances were $173.0 million as of May 31, 2024 compared to $153.3 million as of May 31, 2023. Days’ sales outstanding, a measurement of the time it takes to collect receivables, for the business was 61 days as of May 31, 2024, compared to 57 days for the legacy business as of May 31, 2023.
As part of transition services agreements between the Company and 3M, related to the merger of the Food Safety business, 3M invoiced our customers for products that 3M manufactured and shipped on our behalf through December 2023. We have completed the exit of distribution and back office-related service contracts and currently only have a contract manufacturing agreement in place with 3M for certain products.
Net inventory was $189.3 million as of May 31, 2024, an increase of $55.5 million, compared to $133.8 million as of May 31, 2023. The higher inventory levels are primarily the result of the Company now stocking 3M FSD products.
Contractual Obligations As of May 31, 2024, we have the following contractual obligations due by period:
Less than
More than
(dollars in thousands)
Total
1 year
1-3 years
4-5 years
5 years
Debt
$
902,350
$
2,350
$
34,063
$
515,937
$
350,000
Interest obligations
302,941
72,233
133,321
63,091
34,296
Operating Leases
18,022
5,263
8,238
3,515
1,006
Purchase Obligations (1)
112,641
110,341
2,300
-
-
$
1,335,954
$
190,187
$
177,922
$
582,543
$
385,302
(1)Purchase obligations are primarily purchase orders for future inventory and capital equipment purchases.
We continue to make investments in our business and operating facilities. Our estimate for capital expenditures in fiscal 2025 is $85 million. This includes approximately $55 million in capital expenditures related to the integration of the acquired 3M FSD products, the most significant portion of which is related to the construction of and equipment for our new manufacturing facility in Lansing, Michigan
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on the consolidated financial statements that have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires that management make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates the estimates, including but not limited to, those related to receivable allowances, inventories and intangible assets. These estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
The following critical accounting estimates reflect management’s more significant judgments used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and for tax credit carryforwards and are measured using the enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred income tax expense represents the change in net deferred income tax assets and liabilities during the year. The determination of income subject to income tax in each tax paying jurisdiction requires us to apply transfer pricing guidelines for certain intercompany transactions.
Our tax rate is subject to adjustment over the balance of the year due to, among other things, income tax rate changes by governments; the jurisdictions in which our profits are determined to be earned and taxed; changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities; adjustments to our interpretation of transfer pricing standards; changes in available tax credits or other incentives; changes in stock-based compensation expense; changes in tax laws or the interpretation of such tax laws; and changes in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable and we prepare our tax filings in accordance with all applicable tax laws, the final determination with respect to any audit, and any related litigation, could be materially different from our estimates or from our historical income tax provisions and accruals. The results of an audit or litigation could have a material effect on operating results and/or cash flows in the periods for which that determination is made. In addition, future period earnings may be adversely impacted by litigation costs, settlements, penalties, and/or interest assessments.
Goodwill
We record goodwill when the purchase price of acquired businesses exceeds the value of their identifiable net tangible and intangible assets acquired. We review our goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year. In addition, we review goodwill for impairment whenever adverse events or changes in circumstances indicate a possible impairment. We may elect to assess qualitative factors as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform quantitative impairment testing. If management’s assessment and conclusion of these qualitative factors indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is more than its carrying value, then no further testing is required. Otherwise, the reporting unit is quantitatively tested for impairment.
Our business is organized into two reporting units: Food Safety and Animal Safety. The determination of our reporting units and impairment indicators also require us to make significant judgments.
In performing goodwill impairment testing, we utilize a third-party valuation specialist to assist management in determining the fair value of our reporting units. Fair value of the reporting unit is estimated based on a combination of an income-based approach consisting of a discounted cash flows analysis and the use of a market-based approach consisting of pricing multiples derived from an analysis of comparable public companies multiplied against historical and/or anticipated financial metrics of the reporting unit. The discounted cash flows approach is based on the reporting unit’s forecasted future cash flows, including forecasted revenue growth rates and gross margin assumptions, that are discounted to present value using the reporting unit’s weighted average cost of capital (WACC) as the discount rate. For the market-based approach, management uses the guideline public company method. The guideline public company method analyzes market multiples of revenues and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for a group of comparable public companies. Valuation multiples are calculated utilizing actual transaction prices and revenue/EBITDA data from target companies deemed similar to the reporting unit. Management typically assigns more weight to the income-based valuation method. Management also evaluates the fair value estimates of the reporting units in the context of the Company’s total enterprise market value.
Based on the estimated fair value developed from the income and market-based methods, we determine the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the goodwill is not impaired and no analysis is required. However, if the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the impairment loss is calculated as the difference between the carrying value of the reporting unit and the estimated fair value, limited to the amount of the goodwill assigned to the reporting unit.
We develop our estimates based on information available as of the date of our assessment, using assumptions we believe market participants would use in performing an independent valuation of the business. Although we believe the estimates and assumptions used in the impairment assessment are reasonable and appropriate, it is possible that the assumptions and conclusions regarding the impairment of goodwill of the reporting unit could change in future periods. There can be no assurance the estimates and assumptions, in particular our long-term financial projections, that are based on information that are known or knowable by us at the time of our goodwill impairment assessment will prove to be accurate predictions of the future, if, for example, (i) the reporting unit does not perform as projected, (ii) overall economic conditions in future years vary from current assumptions (including a change in the discount rate), (iii) business conditions or strategies change from current assumptions, including loss of major customers or channels, (iv) investors require higher rates of return on equity investments in the marketplace, or (v) enterprise values of comparable publicly traded companies, or actual sales transactions of comparable companies, were to decline, resulting in lower multiples of revenues and EBITDA.
We conducted the impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 and concluded that the fair value of our reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values, resulting in no impairment in fiscal year 2024.
Certain assumptions used by us in our impairment assessment for the food safety reporting unit are sensitive in nature. For example, an adverse 50 basis point change in the revenue growth rate or discount rate would result in an estimated fair value of the reporting unit that no longer exceeds the carrying value. As a result, a goodwill impairment charge would be recorded.
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See discussion of any New Accounting Pronouncements in Note 1 to consolidated financial statements.

---

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKS
We have interest rate and foreign exchange rate risk exposure. Our primary interest rate risk is due to potential fluctuations of interest rates for our variable rate borrowings.
Foreign exchange risk exposure arises because we market and sell our products throughout the world. Revenues in certain foreign countries as well as certain expenses related to those revenues are transacted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. As such, our operating results are exposed to changes in exchange rates. When the U.S. dollar weakens against foreign currencies, the dollar value of revenues denominated in foreign currencies increases. When the U.S. dollar strengthens, the opposite situation occurs. Additionally, previously invoiced amounts can be positively or negatively affected by changes in exchange rates in the course of collection. We use derivative financial instruments to help manage the economic impact of fluctuations in certain currency exchange rates. These contracts are adjusted to fair value through earnings.
Neogen has assets, liabilities and operations outside of the U.S. Our investments in foreign subsidiaries are considered long-term. As discussed in ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS, our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected by currency fluctuations.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk. We use forward foreign exchange contracts to reduce the effect of fluctuations in foreign exchange rates on the remeasurement of foreign currency denominated receivables and payables.
Interest Rate Risk. The Company utilizes an interest rate swap contract to create fixed interest payments on portions of its variable rate debt instrument in order to manage exposure to fluctuations in interest rates. As of May 31, 2024 and when including our interest rate swap, approximately 33.3% of our total debt was at variable interest rates.
The following table sets forth the potential loss in future earnings or fair values, resulting from hypothetical changes in relevant market rates or prices:
Risk Category
Hypothetical Change
May 31, 2024
Impact
(dollars in thousands)
Foreign Currency - Revenue
10% depreciation in exchange rates relative to USD
$
(45,898
)
Revenue
Foreign Currency - Hedges
10% depreciation in exchange rates relative to USD
5,076
Earnings
Interest Income
75 basis point decrease in interest rates
(728
)
Earnings
Interest Expense
75 basis point increase in interest rates
(2,250
)
Earnings
These estimates assume a parallel shift in all currency exchange rates and, as a result, may overstate the potential impact to earnings because currency exchange rates do not typically move all in the same direction.
In addition to transactional exposures, our operating results are impacted by the translation of our foreign operating income into U.S. dollars. In fiscal year 2024, international revenues accounted for 49.7% of our consolidated net revenues.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The response to this item is submitted in a separate section of this report starting on page.

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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
An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15 (e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of May 31, 2024. Disclosure controls and procedures refer to controls and other procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure the information required to be disclosed in the reports that are filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Based on management’s evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of May 31, 2024, because of the material weaknesses described below.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13-a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP and includes those policies and procedures that: (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and the dispositions of our assets; (2) provide reasonable assurance that our transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with appropriate authorizations; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness for future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Under the supervision of and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2024, using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
Management’s assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified the following material weakness that existed as of May 31, 2023. As of May 31, 2024, management believes our remediation efforts have been effective with respect to this material weakness and that the associated control is now effective as of May 31, 2024:
•A material weakness in internal control related to ineffective operation of management review controls related to the accounting, valuation and purchase price allocation of the Company’s acquisitions and associated goodwill. Specifically, we did not maintain adequate documentation supporting the precision of the operating effectiveness of certain associated management review controls.
Management’s assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting identified the following material weaknesses that existed as of May 31, 2024. These material weaknesses also existed as of May 31, 2023.
•We identified a material weakness in internal control related to ineffective information technology general controls (ITGCs) in the areas of user access and change management over certain information technology (IT) systems that support the Company’s financial reporting processes. Specifically, we did not design and maintain: (i) sufficient logical access controls to ensure appropriate segregation of duties and adequately restrict user and privileged access to financial applications, programs and data to appropriate Company personnel; (ii) program change management controls to ensure that information technology program and data changes affecting financial information technology applications and underlying accounting records are identified, tested, authorized and implemented appropriately. As a result, manual business process controls that are dependent on the affected ITGCs were also deemed ineffective, because they could have been adversely impacted to the extent that they rely upon information and configurations from the affected IT systems.
•We identified a material weakness in internal control related to ineffective period-end invoice accrual controls that are designed to ensure the completeness and accuracy of accrued expenses and accrued capital assets.
These control deficiencies create a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement to the consolidated financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis, and therefore, we concluded that the deficiencies represent material weaknesses. As a result of these material weaknesses, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of May 31, 2024.
Following identification of these material weaknesses and prior to filing this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we completed additional procedures and concluded that our consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this Form 10-K.
The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, BDO USA, P.C., which has audited and reported on our consolidated financial statements, issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2024, which is included in this annual report below.
Plan of Remediation
Management has been implementing and continues to implement measures designed to ensure that control deficiencies contributing to these material weaknesses are remediated, such that these controls are designed, implemented, and operating effectively.
When fully implemented and operational, we believe that these actions will remediate the underlying causes of the material weaknesses and strengthen our internal control over financial reporting. The material weaknesses will not be considered remediated, however, until the applicable controls operate for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are operating effectively.
As we implement these remediation efforts, we may determine that additional steps may be necessary to remediate the material weaknesses. We cannot provide assurance that these remediation efforts will be successful or that our internal control over financial reporting will be effective in accomplishing all control objectives all of the time. We will continue to assess the effectiveness of our remediation efforts in connection with our evaluations of internal control over financial reporting.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Other than the material weaknesses and related remediation efforts described above, no changes in our internal control over financial reporting were identified as having occurred during the quarter ended May 31, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Shareholders and Board of Directors
Neogen Corporation
Lansing, Michigan
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Neogen Corporation’s (the “Company’s”) internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the “COSO criteria”). In our opinion, the Company did not maintain, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of May 31, 2024, based on the COSO criteria. We do not express an opinion or any other form of assurance on management’s statements referring to any corrective actions taken by the Company after the date of management’s assessment.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of May 31, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive (loss) income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended May 31, 2024, and the related notes (collectively referred to as “the financial statements”) and our report dated July 30, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Item 9A, Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Material weaknesses were identified regarding management’s failure to design and maintain controls (i) over information technology general controls in the areas of user access and change management over certain information technology systems that support the Company’s financial reporting processes and (ii) period-end invoice accrual controls as described in management’s assessment. These material weaknesses were considered in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the 2024 financial statements, and this report does not affect our report dated July 30, 2024 on those financial statements.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ BDO USA, P.C.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
July 30, 2024

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
During the quarterly period ended May 31, 2024, no director or officer (as defined in SEC Rule 16a-1(f)) of the Company adopted or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K).

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Information regarding the Company, certain corporate governance matters and information about our executive officers appearing under the captions “Proposal 1 - Election of Directors,” “Information About the Board and Corporate Governance Matters,” “Information about our Executive Officers,” and “Additional Information-Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports” is incorporated by reference to Neogen’s 2024 proxy statement to be filed within 120 days of May 31, 2024.
We have adopted a Code of Conduct that applies to our directors, officers, and employees. This Code of Conduct is available on our website at https://www.Neogen.com/globalassets/pdfs/corporate-governance-sec-and-investor-information/codeofconduct.pdf. We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement regarding any amendment to, or a waiver from, a provision of the code of conduct for our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, by posting such information on our website.
We have adopted an insider trading policy governing the purchase, sale, and/or other disposition of our securities by our directors, officers, employees, and other covered persons. We believe this policy is reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules, and regulations, and the exchange listing standards applicable to us. A copy of this policy is filed as Exhibit 19 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the sections entitled “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”, “Compensation Committee Report”, “Executive Compensation”, "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation”, “CEO Pay Ratio”, “Pay Versus Performance,” and “Compensation of Directors” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed within 120 days of May 31, 2024.

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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
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners, Directors and Management” and “Equity Compensation Plan Information” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed within 120 days of May 31, 2024.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Information about the Board and Corporate Governance Matters-Independent Directors,” “Board Committees” and “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed within 120 days of May 31, 2024.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this Item is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Proposal 3 - Ratification of the Appointment of the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Company’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed within 120 days of May 31, 2024.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) (1) and (2) and (c). The response to this portion of ITEM 15 is submitted as a separate section of this report starting on page.
(a) (3) and (b). The Exhibits, listed in the Exhibit Index below, are incorporated herein by reference.