EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1102934
Filing Year: 2021
Filename: 1102934_10-K_2021_0001102934-21-000052.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
OUR COMPANY
CMC Materials, Inc., which was incorporated in the state of Delaware in 1999, is a leading global supplier of consumable materials to semiconductor manufacturers and pipeline companies. We operate our business within two reportable segments: Electronic Materials and Performance Materials.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Effective October 1, 2020, the Company changed its name from “Cabot Microelectronics Corporation” to “CMC Materials, Inc.”
On April 1, 2021 (“ITS Acquisition Date”), the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of International Test Solutions, LLC (“ITS”) (“ITS Acquisition”), which designs and produces high-performance consumables used to optimize critical semiconductor testing processes. This acquisition expands our product offering within the Electronic Materials business segment. The Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K include the financial results of ITS from the ITS Acquisition Date. See Note 4 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of the ITS Acquisition.
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, we made a strategic decision to exit the wood treatment business by approximately early calendar year 2022, and focus our strategy and future capital investments on our other businesses. Leading up to the planned closure of the Matamoros and Tuscaloosa facilities, we intend to continue to operate the existing facilities and serve our wood treatment customers. For additional information, refer to Note 10 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ELECTRONIC MATERIALS SEGMENT
The Electronic Materials segment consists of our chemical mechanical planarization (“CMP”) slurries, CMP pads, electronic chemicals, and materials technologies businesses. These businesses supply consumable products used in integrated circuit (“IC”) device manufacturing and other aspects of the semiconductor and data storage industries.
IC devices, or “chips”, are components in a wide range of electronic systems for computing, communications, manufacturing and transportation. The multi-step manufacturing process for IC devices typically begins with a circular wafer of pure silicon, which then undergoes a process of alternating insulating and conducting layers until the desired wiring within the IC device is achieved. At the conclusion of the process, the wafer is cut into individual IC devices, which are then packaged to form individual chips. Consumers most frequently encounter IC devices in smart phones and tablets, desktop or laptop computers, automotive applications, gaming devices, and televisions.
CMP SLURRIES AND CMP PADS
The Company develops, produces, and sells CMP slurries for polishing a wide range of materials used in IC devices, including tungsten, dielectric materials, copper, tantalum (commonly referred to as “barrier”), and aluminum, and for polishing bare silicon wafers, as well as disk substrates and magnetic heads used in hard disk drives. We also develop, manufacture, and sell CMP polishing pads, which are used in conjunction with slurries in the CMP process. Our CMP pads can be used on a variety of polishing tools and wafers, over a range of technology nodes and applications, including tungsten, copper, and dielectrics.
CMP slurries and pads (“CMP consumables”) are used to remove excess material that is deposited during the IC manufacturing process and to level and smooth the surfaces of the layers of IC devices via a combination of chemical reactions and mechanical abrasion, leaving minimal residue and defects on the surface, with only the material necessary for circuit integrity remaining. CMP enables IC device manufacturers to produce smaller, faster, and more complex IC with a greater density of transistors. CMP also helps reduce the number of defective or substandard IC devices, which increases the device yield. An effective CMP process is achieved through technical optimization of the CMP consumables in conjunction with an appropriately designed CMP process and generally requires slurries and pads to be qualified in its processes through an extensive series of tests and evaluations. While this qualification process varies depending on numerous factors, it can be costly and may take six months or longer to complete. IC device manufacturers usually assess quality, cost, time required, and impact on production when they consider implementing or switching to a new CMP slurry or pad.
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ELECTRONIC CHEMICALS
In our electronic chemicals business, we offer semiconductor-grade wet chemicals with purities that extend to the parts-per-trillion (ppt) level. We produce and sell high-purity process chemicals through the formulation, purification, and blending of acids, solvents, and other wet chemicals primarily used to etch, clean, and dry silicon wafers during the production of semiconductors, photovoltaics (solar cells), and flat panel displays.
Our electronic chemicals products include sulfuric, phosphoric, nitric and hydrofluoric acids, ammonium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide, isopropyl alcohol, other specialty organic solvents and various blends of chemicals. As the IC manufacturing process moves to more advanced technology nodes and the complexity of the process continues to increase, quality and purity of the materials become even more critical to the device yield. Increasing levels of purity and achieving lower levels of variation in our electronic chemicals business are required to enable next-generation IC technologies. Our advanced chemical purification technologies, including distillation, ion exchange, gas adsorption, and filtration, are designed to provide consistently low contaminant levels in a variety of high-purity process chemicals. We continue to work to develop industry-leading metrology and analytical methods to measure the purity levels achieved.
MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
In our materials technologies business, which comprises the ITS business, we develop and manufacture high-performance consumable products for cleaning advanced probe cards and test sockets at semiconductor manufacturing facilities. These engineered polymer solutions improve customer yields and throughput in wafer and package test operations at semiconductor device manufacturers, foundries, and outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) facilities. We also design innovative polymer products for semiconductor fabs that improve front-end tool uptime and reduce operating costs.
STRATEGY
Technology and innovation are vital to our Electronic Materials business, and we devote significant resources to research and development. We believe our focused effort on advanced technologies with technology-leading customers enables us to provide more compelling new products as semiconductor devices continue to advance. We focus our research and development activity to deliver innovative consumable products for advanced applications for our technology-leading customers. We have strategically located our research and development and clean room facilities, manufacturing operations, and related quality, field application, technical and customer support teams close to our customers to be responsive to their needs, which we believe provides us with a competitive advantage.
We also focus on building close relationships with our customers. We collaborate with them to identify and deliver new and improved solutions, to integrate our products into their manufacturing processes, and to assist them with supply, warehouse and inventory management.
We believe another competitive advantage is product and supply chain quality. Our customers demand continuous improvement in our products, in terms of product performance, quality and consistency. In pursuit of this, we work to continuously improve and innovate with respect to our own products, and as part of that, we require our raw materials suppliers, who provide us with certain important elements of our CMP slurries, pads and electronic chemicals, to do the same. We believe our capabilities in supply chain management and quality systems differentiate us from our competitors, and that our worldwide CMP consumables manufacturing plants and global network of suppliers also provide supply chain flexibility as needed. In our electronic chemicals business, we are responsible for product performance, purity levels and analytical testing, and in our view, our ability to maintain high quality levels and superior supply chain process is a competitive advantage.
INDUSTRY TRENDS
SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY
Demand within the semiconductor industry is driven by smart phones, tablets, personal computers (“PCs”), servers, and a wide range of other electronic applications, including high-performance computing and artificial intelligence. Over time, overall semiconductor industry demand has fluctuated as a result of numerous factors, including the changing mix of demand drivers, semiconductor fab utilization, pressure to reduce costs, and the pace of technology advancement.
Over the past decade there has been a significant shift in semiconductor industry demand from IC devices for PCs to hand-held consumer electronic devices. Future demand for advanced semiconductor devices is expected to be driven by applications such as high performance computing, virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and 5G, as well as increased demand for greater connectivity with remote work and learning requirements, wearables, peripherals, the internet of things, and increased semiconductor content in automobiles. While demand conditions may fluctuate, we continue to believe that semiconductor industry demand will grow over the long term based on increased usage of IC devices in existing applications as well as future applications.
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Over the past several years, we have seen consolidation in the customer base within the semiconductor industry. Costs to achieve the required scale in manufacturing within the semiconductor industry continue to rise, along with the related costs of research and development, and larger manufacturers generally have greater access to the resources necessary to manage their businesses than do smaller participants.
As demand for more advanced and lower cost electronic devices grows, there is ongoing pressure on IC device manufacturers to reduce their costs. Manufacturers have historically reduced cost and simultaneously improved device performance by migrating to smaller technology nodes. To achieve performance and cost improvements, semiconductor manufacturers are placing greater emphasis on new device architectures, including 3D memory and FinFET. Many manufacturers reduce costs by pursuing ever-increasing scale in their operations, while seeking to reduce their production costs by increasing their production yields regardless of their scale. However, as the industry continues to shrink dimensions, leading edge technology node transitions are becoming more challenging due to technical and physical obstacles, and the pace of technology change has slowed. Thus, semiconductor manufacturers look for semiconductor materials products, such as CMP consumables and electronic chemicals, to help enable the achievement of technology progression with quality and performance attributes that can help them achieve their overall performance targets, cost structure, and to drive yield improvement.
DEMAND
Demand for our CMP consumables and electronic chemicals products reflects semiconductor industry demand patterns in terms of growth, cyclicality and seasonality, and varying demand for specific device types. Consistent with other participants in the semiconductor industry, we experienced increased demand from our customers in our fiscal 2021 from the prior year, as certain sectors such as cloud, PCs and servers continued to show strength, driven by the initial economic recovery from the Pandemic, particularly in the industrial and automotive sectors. Over the long term, we anticipate worldwide demand for CMP consumables and electronic chemicals used by IC device manufacturers to grow as a result of expected long-term growth in wafer starts, and the trend to more advanced technologies. With respect to CMP consumables, we believe there will continue to be an associated increase in the number of CMP polishing steps required to produce these advanced devices, and the introduction of new materials that are expected to require CMP. With respect to electronic chemicals, we believe there will be increasing demand as customers are transitioning to advanced technology nodes, which require an increasing number of processing steps used on each wafer and materials with higher purity levels.
COMPETITION
We compete in the semiconductor industry, which is characterized by technology advances, demanding requirements for product quality and consistency, and lower cost of ownership. We face competition from other suppliers of electronic materials. We believe we are the leading global supplier of CMP slurries, with a broad range of innovative solutions. Our CMP slurry competitors range from small companies that compete with a single product or in a single geographic region, to divisions of global companies with multiple lines of CMP products. With respect to CMP polishing pads, DuPont has held the leading position in this area for many years. Several other companies also participate in CMP consumables.
For our electronic chemicals business, there are various competitors with whom we compete in different regions, through both localized production and importation. These competitors include Avantor, BASF, Honeywell, Kanto Corporation and Technic, among others. We believe our business in Europe is comparable to other providers, and other than in Singapore, at present we do not participate materially in the business in Asia.
CUSTOMERS, SALES, AND MARKETING
Within the semiconductor industry, our customers are generally producers of logic or memory IC devices, or providers of IC foundry services. Some logic customers, and so-called “fabless” companies, outsource some or all the production of their devices to foundries, which provide contract manufacturing services, in order to avoid the high cost of process development, construction and operation of a fab, or to provide additional capacity when needed.
We market our products primarily through direct sales to our customers, although we use distributors in certain areas, such as in China. We believe this strategy of primarily direct sales provides us an additional means to collaborate closely with our customers and provides our customers with the most efficient means by which to procure our products. As part of our sales process, our logistics and sales personnel provide supply, warehouse and inventory management services for our customers.
For additional information on our customers, refer to Note 2 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL
As technology advances and semiconductor materials and designs increase in complexity, these challenges require significant investments in research, development and technical support (“R&D”), and we plan to continue to devote significant resources to R&D, and balance our efforts between shorter and longer-term industry needs.
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Our global R&D team includes experts from the semiconductor industry and scientists and engineers from key disciplines required for the development of high-performance CMP consumable products. We operate CMP-related R&D facilities primarily in the U.S., with certain development capabilities in Taiwan and South Korea, as well as in Singapore for data storage products, and in Japan for silicon wafer products. We also operate electronic chemicals product development facilities in the U.S., Europe, and Singapore. In addition to R&D, we have a global team focused on quality improvements and analytical developments.
RAW MATERIALS SUPPLY
Engineered abrasive particles are significant raw materials we use in many of our CMP slurries; we also use certain raw materials in producing our CMP pads. Our strategy is to secure various sources of different raw materials, as appropriate, to enable the desired performance of our products, and monitor those sources as necessary to provide supply assurance. We have multi-year supply agreements with several suppliers for the purchase of raw materials in the interest of supply and quality assurance, and to control costs.
In our electronic chemicals business, we rely on a variety of suppliers for our raw materials, some of which we purchase pursuant to purchase orders, and others which we purchase under supply contracts. The number of suppliers is often limited, particularly as to the specific grade of raw material required by us to supply high purity products to our customers.
PERFORMANCE MATERIALS SEGMENT
Our Performance Materials segment includes our pipeline and industrial materials (“PIM”), wood treatment, and QED Technologies International, Inc. (“QED”) businesses. We are a leading global provider of products, services, and solutions for optimizing pipeline throughput and maximizing performance and safety. Our PIM products include drag-reducing agents (“DRAs”), valve greases, cleaners and sealants, and related equipment supporting pipeline and adjacent industries. We also provide routine and emergency maintenance services as well as training for customers in the pipeline and adjacent industries worldwide. Through QED, our precision optics business, we serve the precision optics industry with capital equipment, consumables, and services. KMG-Bernuth operates the wood treatment business, which manufactures and sells wood treatment preservatives made from pentachlorophenol (“penta”) for utility poles and crossarms.
PIM PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
We are a leading global provider of performance products and services to pipeline companies. We supply DRAs, valve greases, cleaners and sealants, and related services and equipment, including routine and emergency valve maintenance services and training, to customers in the pipeline and adjacent industries. Our PIM products and services provide value-added specialty products that optimize pipeline efficiency, lower operating costs, and enhance safety. We operate facilities for the manufacture, formulation and distribution of our products in the U.S. and Canada. Our PIM products are sold under the brands Flowchem, Sealweld, and Val-Tex.
We provide polymer-based DRAs for crude oil transmission. We have several product offerings to meet specific customer needs depending on the physical properties of the oil being pumped and various geographic climate conditions. Our products provide benefit to our customers by reducing the pressure loss in a pipeline due to turbulent flow within it. This allows pipeline operators to maximize product flow while maintaining safe operating pressure and reducing energy consumption.
We develop, manufacture, and sell products used for maintaining and extending the operational lifespan of lubricated isolation valves. We also service valves inline and under pressure through our field services division and provide training to customers in the pipeline and adjacent industries globally.
WOOD TREATMENT
The wood treatment preservatives business supplies penta-based products to industrial customers in the U.S. and Canada who use this preservative to pressure treat utility poles and crossarms to extend their useful life by protecting against insect damage and decay. Penta products include solid blocks, which are manufactured by KMG-Bernuth at its facility in Matamoros, Mexico, and penta concentrate liquid that is processed from penta blocks at KMG-Bernuth’s plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. We are the only manufacturer of penta-based preservatives in North America.
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, we made a decision to exit the wood treatment business and focus our strategy and future capital investments on our other businesses. Our Matamoros, Mexico facility will continue to produce an intermediate product until it ceases operations by the end of December 2021. Our Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant will continue to process and sell to customers this intermediate product, into approximately the second quarter of fiscal year 2022. For additional information, refer to Note 10 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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QED
QED is a leading provider of deterministic finishing and advanced measurement technology to the precision optics industry. We design and produce precision polishing and metrology systems for advanced optics applications that allow customers to attain near-perfect shape and surface finish on a range of optical components such as mirrors, lenses and prisms. QED’s products also include magneto-rheological polishing fluids, consumables, spare and replacement parts, as well as optical polishing services and other customer support services. We are applying our technical expertise in polishing techniques to applications in other industries where shaping, enabling, and enhancing the performance of surfaces is critical to success. We believe precision optics are pervasive, serving several large existing industries such as semiconductor equipment, aerospace, defense, biomedical, research and digital imaging.
STRATEGY
Our strategy for our Performance Materials segment includes expanding the PIM business, delivering high quality products to our customers, and driving demand for our products.
PIM PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
We focus on providing superior customer service to our customers while delivering consistent, high quality DRA products that meet their needs at a competitive price. We intend to continue to serve current customers as they bring new capacity online and to grow our business through attracting and serving new customers. In addition, we continue to develop other products focused on the pipeline transmission area for which we believe DRAs can serve currently unmet needs.
Additionally, we continue to work to drive demand for our products by promoting valve best practices to energy industry operators that align with current and trending global regulations and sustainable practices. Our primary focus is the promotion of our critical sealing products as an alternative to more costly mechanical solutions for achieving isolation in aged infrastructure.
QED
Our focus for QED is to provide innovative and industry-leading products and services to the precision optics industry. We continue to drive demand for our products to new and existing customers by developing new equipment and capabilities, pursuing emerging applications, and communicating the unique value offered by our products.
DEMAND
PIM PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Demand for our PIM products and services is driven by new pipeline construction, increasing rate of adoption, oil and gas production capacity, and focus on safety for the aging infrastructure. Demand for our PIM products has been negatively impacted by the Pandemic and the related extreme global reduction in and restrictions related to plane, automotive, and industrial activity. Although improving, the impact of the Pandemic on the oil and gas industry resulted in an impairment charge in our PIM business unit in our second fiscal quarter of fiscal 2021. However, as the industry recovers, we expect to drive growth in our PIM business.
QED
Demand for products produced by QED is typically driven by the trends in the underlying industries that utilize precision optics, such as semiconductor equipment, aerospace, defense, research, biomedical, and digital imaging. Since our primary QED business is the sale of capital equipment, our results are typically affected by levels of capital spending in these industries. Historically, capital spending is cyclical, and is impacted by general macroeconomic conditions, government spending and policies, as well as industry-specific trends and dynamics.
COMPETITION
In our PIM business, LiquidPower Specialty Products Inc. holds a leading position in DRAs, with Baker Hughes as another primary provider. There are also other smaller participants in the sector. For our additional PIM products and services, however, participants include numerous other businesses with none appearing to hold a leadership position.
In QED, there are few direct competitors but we believe our technology is unique and provides a competitive advantage to customers in the precision optics industry, which still relies heavily on traditional artisanal methods of fabrication.
In our wood treatment business, we are the only manufacturer of penta-based wood treatment preservatives in North America.
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CUSTOMERS, SALES, AND MARKETING
PIM PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
We provide DRAs to several major mid-stream pipeline transmission companies both domestically and internationally. We have a U.S.-based sales network, a U.S.-based transportation and logistics operations, and a global network of distributors and agents to manage the sales and delivery of our products. For our additional PIM products and services, we market and sell to pipeline and adjacent industry customers, such as service companies, and major utility distribution companies via direct sales and channel partners.
WOOD TREATMENT
We are the only manufacturer of penta-based wood treatment preservatives for utility poles and crossarms in North America and only supply penta to customers in the U.S. and Canada. We do not have other products or business in this area.
QED
QED supports customers in the semiconductor equipment, aerospace, defense, research, biomedical, and digital imaging industries. QED counts among its worldwide customers leading precision optics manufacturers, major semiconductor original equipment manufacturers, research institutions, and contractors to the U.S. and other governments.
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL
For our PIM products, we focus our U.S.-based research and development activities on both improving existing product performance as well as developing new products and technologies to serve our customers’ needs.
For QED, R&D activities are primarily focused on the development of new polishing and metrology capabilities, as well as additional capabilities for our polishing services group.
RAW MATERIALS SUPPLY
For both our PIM products and our wood treatment products, we depend on outside suppliers for the raw materials needed to produce them and are subject to fluctuations in the price of those materials, which we purchase from a limited number of suppliers. Most of QED’s business is capital equipment-based, thus, there are minimal raw material supply issues that we face within this business unit.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
We believe our intellectual property is important to our success and ability to compete, and in addition to it, we also differentiate our products and technology by their high quality and reliability, and our quality systems, global supply chain and logistics. As of October 31, 2021, we had approximately 1,440 active worldwide patents, of which approximately 280 are U.S. patents, and approximately 350 pending worldwide patent applications, of which approximately 50 are in the U.S.
Many of these patents are important to our continued development of new and innovative products for CMP and related processes, as well as for new businesses. Our patents have a range of duration. We attempt to protect our intellectual property rights through a combination of patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws, use of certain manufacturing technologies, exclusive contractual arrangements with suppliers, and with employee and third party-nondisclosure and assignment agreements. We refresh our intellectual property on an ongoing basis through continued innovation. We vigorously protect and defend our intellectual property and have been successful in this regard.
Most of our intellectual property has been developed internally, but we also may acquire intellectual property from others to enhance our intellectual property portfolio. These enhancements may be via licenses or assignments, or we may acquire certain proprietary technology and intellectual property when we make acquisitions. We believe these technology rights can enhance our competitive advantage by providing us with future product development opportunities and expanding our intellectual property portfolio.
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ENVIRONMENTAL, SAFETY AND HEALTH AND OTHER REGULATORY MATTERS
ENVIRONMENTAL, SAFETY AND HEALTH MATTERS
Our facilities and operations are subject to various environmental, safety, and human health laws and regulations, both at a federal and state or local level, including those relating to air emissions, wastewater discharges, chemical manufacture and distribution, the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, storage and disposal, and various other occupational safety and health matters. Governmental authorities can enforce compliance with their regulations, and violators may be subject to civil, criminal, and administrative penalties, injunctions, or both. We believe that our facilities are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations. Our major operations in the U.S., France, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom are certified under current ISO 14001 Environmental and ISO 45001 Safety and Health standards, which require that we implement and operate according to various procedures that demonstrate waste reduction, energy conservation, injury reduction and other environmental, health and safety objectives. We continue to pursue certification of certain additional facilities under the ISO 45001 standards. For our ongoing businesses we have incurred, and will continue to incur, capital and operating expenditures and other costs in complying with environmental, safety and health laws and regulations in the U.S. and other countries in which we do business, but we do not expect these costs will be material. For additional information, refer to Item 1A “Risk Factors”, Item 3 “Legal Proceedings”, and Note 19 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
EMPLOYMENT AND LABOR RELATIONS MATTERS
We are subject to numerous foreign, federal, state and local government laws and regulations governing our relationships with our employees, including those relating to minimum wage, overtime, working conditions, hiring and firing, non-discrimination, work permits and employee benefits. We believe that our operations are in substantial compliance with such laws and regulations. We have not experienced any significant work stoppages or disruptions to our business relating to employee matters. We believe that our relationship with our employees is good. For additional information, refer to Item 1A “Risk Factors” and Item 1, Business, Environmental, Safety and Health and Other Regulatory Matters -- “Employees and Talent (Human Capital) Management.”
IMPORT AND EXPORT CONTROL AND RELATED MATTERS
We manufacture, market and sell our products both inside and outside the U.S. Certain products are subject to the Export Administration Regulations, administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security, which require that we obtain an export license before we can export certain controlled products or technology to specified countries. Additionally, some of our QED products are subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, which restrict the export of information and material that may be used for military or intelligence applications by a foreign person. We also are subject to the import regulations administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and to the regulations administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, implementing economic sanctions against designated countries, governments, and persons based on U.S. foreign policy and national security considerations.
Similar controls exist in other countries and regions. Failure to comply with these laws could result in sanctions by the U.S. or other respective government, including substantial monetary penalties, denial of import or export or other privileges and debarment from government contracts. We maintain an import and export compliance program under which we screen import and export and other transactions against current lists of restricted imports or exports or other transactions, destinations and end users with the objective of managing related decisions, transactions and shipping and banking logistics to comply with these requirements.
EMPLOYEES AND TALENT (HUMAN CAPITAL) MANAGEMENT
We believe our employees are the foundation of our success. Our overall talent acquisition and retention strategy is designed to attract and retain diverse and qualified candidates to meet our performance goals on an ongoing basis and enable the success of the Company.
We are focused on employee safety and health and a shared culture of results, caring, candor, and learning, which are foundations of our Company’s values, and are expressed in our Code of Business Conduct, to which all employees certify, and related policies and procedures in the countries in which we do business. With respect to employee health and safety measures, we focus on ongoing education with respect to environmental, health and safety (“EHS”) matters, and injury prevention and reduction across all our operations. We track injury rates on an ongoing basis and compare them to the average injury rates for chemical manufacturers as well as to semiconductor industry manufacturers; we believe we have been below each of these industry averages for the past five years.
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In fiscal 2020 we urgently focused our EHS efforts around the world, including education and enhanced health and safety protocols, on employee well-being and prevention of the spread of the Pandemic at our facilities and in our communities. Through fiscal 2021, we have continued to focus on health and safety in our response to the Pandemic, including encouragement and support of vaccinations for our employees, social distancing protocols, work-from-home flexibility, and restrictions on non-essential travel. We expect to continue to adhere to these measures until the Pandemic is adequately contained, and we may take further actions as government authorities require or recommend or as we determine to be in the best interests of our employees and the business overall. For additional information, refer to Item 1A “Risk Factors.”
As of September 30, 2021, we employed approximately 2,200 individuals, including approximately 1,500 in operations, approximately 300 in research and development and technical, and approximately 400 in sales, general and administration. Approximately 1,200 of these individuals located in the U.S. and approximately 1,000 of these individuals located outside of the U.S., with approximately 700 in Asia Pacific, approximately 200 in Europe and approximately 100 in Canada and Mexico.
We believe that attracting and maintaining diverse talent in our workforce is an important driver of company performance. We are committed in our efforts to increase diversity and foster an inclusive work environment that welcomes and values the unique backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, genders, experiences, and perspectives of our employees globally. Of our Executive Officers, 50% identify as female and 50% identify as male.
To support our employees in advancing their careers, we offer a wide range of formal and informal training opportunities. We have a performance management framework that includes goal setting, feedback and coaching, performance reviews, and professional development.
In general, our employees are not covered by collective bargaining agreements, but we do have some workers who are subject to such agreements, or part of workers’ councils, or similar arrangements, primarily in Europe, Mexico, and Singapore. We provide various employee benefits to our employees around the world. Some examples of this are: an employee stock purchase plan, a parental leave program, and a paid time off program to global employees; statutory health care and pension benefits to our employees outside the U.S.; and, a health and welfare benefits plan and a defined contribution savings plan to U.S. employees. See Note 17 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT GEOGRAPHIC AREAS
For financial information about geographic areas, see Note 22 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, definitive proxy statements on Schedule 14A, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports, as well as any other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), are made available free of charge on our Company website, www.cmcmaterials.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed or furnished with the SEC. Our Code of Business Conduct and certain other governance documents are also available on our website, www.cmcmaterials.com. Statements regarding beneficial ownership of our securities by our executive officers and directors are made available on our Company website following the filing of such with the SEC. In addition, the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov) contains reports, proxy statements, and other information that we file electronically with the SEC.
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
RISKS RELATING TO OUR BUSINESS, STRATEGY AND OPERATIONS
OUR BUSINESS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS MAY CONTINUE TO BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THE ONGOING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) PANDEMIC AND RELATED ADVERSE IMPACT TO WORLDWIDE ECONOMIC AND INDUSTRY CONDITIONS
The global impact of the Pandemic created significant volatility, uncertainty and economic disruption across the world and in the countries and locations in which we and our customers and suppliers operate, which continues in varying degrees and locations, especially in places experiencing low vaccination rates and/or the spread of variants of the COVID-19 virus. Overall, our Electronic Materials segment has remained generally stable throughout the Pandemic, and has showed strengthening through fiscal year 2020 and 2021, with increased demand conditions in fiscal 2021 from the prior year in each of our Electronic Materials businesses, despite the ongoing nature of the Pandemic. With respect to our Performance Materials segment, the Pandemic has had a significant adverse impact on our Performance Materials’ PIM business, which first appeared during the second half of our fiscal year 2020 and has continued through fiscal year 2021, as the demand for drag reducing agents (“DRAs”) declined significantly due to the ongoing dislocation in the energy sector caused by the Pandemic. Although this business showed some improvement in demand conditions at different times during fiscal 2021, recovery has been lower than anticipated, and as described in Note 9 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, certain factors related to it continue to adversely affect the PIM reporting unit. The extent to which the ongoing Pandemic may further impact our business, operations, results of operations and financial condition is uncertain and difficult to estimate, and depends on numerous evolving factors that we may not be able to accurately predict, which may include: An additional decrease in short-term and long-term demand and pricing for our products and services, and an ongoing adverse global economic environment with respect to inflationary pressures and supply chain dislocations that could further reduce demand and/or pricing for our products and services; Disruptions to our supply chain in connection with the sourcing of or pricing for materials, equipment and logistics or other services and support necessary to our business as a longer term result of the Pandemic and efforts to contain the spread of the Pandemic; Adverse impacts on our business and those of our customers resulting from renewed actions taken by governments, businesses, or the general public in an effort to limit exposure to and spread of such infectious diseases, such as renewed travel restrictions, quarantines, and business shutdowns or slowdowns; Negative impacts to our operations, including reductions in production levels, research and development (“R&D”) activities, and qualification activities with our customers, and increased costs resulting from our efforts to mitigate the impact of the Pandemic through additional or continued social-distancing measures we have enacted at our locations around the world in an effort to protect our employees’ health and well-being (including working from home, reducing the number of employees or others in our sites at any one time and how such individuals perform work while at our sites, redesigning or adjusting our manufacturing, R&D and office facilities, and suspending or limiting employee travel); and, deterioration of worldwide credit and financial markets that could limit our ability to obtain external financing to fund our operations and capital expenditures, result in losses on our holdings of cash and investments due to failures of financial institutions and other parties, and result in losses on our accounts receivables due to credit defaults or our customers’ inability to pay. Although the rollout of vaccination programs in the U.S., Europe, parts of Asia and other places in which we operate is encouraging with respect to the containment and abatement of the Pandemic, limited availability of vaccines in certain places and/or low vaccination rates, contributes to ongoing uncertainty with respect to the Pandemic’s impact on our business and operations, and the resumption of what was previously considered normal business operations after such interruption also remains uncertain, and may be further delayed or constrained by lingering effects of the Pandemic on our Company and our customers, suppliers, and third-party service providers. These effects, alone or taken together, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, legal exposure, or financial condition; an example of such effect is the impairment charge related to our PIM business described in Note 9 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. A further sustained or prolonged outbreak or return of the Pandemic in the places in which we do business, such as that seen in the spread of variants of the COVID-19 virus through our fiscal 2021, could exacerbate the adverse impact of such measures on our Company.
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DEMAND FOR OUR PRODUCTS FLUCTUATES AND OUR BUSINESS MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY WORLDWIDE ECONOMIC, INDUSTRY AND OTHER CONDITIONS
Our business is affected by economic and industry conditions, such as those still being adversely affected by the Pandemic, and the majority of our revenue derives from our Electronic Materials segment, which is primarily dependent upon semiconductor industry demand. With respect to our Electronic Materials segment, historically, semiconductor industry demand has fluctuated due to economic and industry cycles and seasonal shifts in demand, which can affect our business, causing demand for our electronic materials products to fluctuate. For example, prior to the Pandemic, the relatively soft demand conditions in the semiconductor industry that had commenced in our second fiscal quarter of 2019 and continued into our first fiscal quarter of 2020 had begun to ameliorate in the beginning of the second fiscal quarter of 2020. While our Electronic Materials segment experienced relatively stable conditions during the second half of fiscal 2020 and showed strengthening through fiscal 2021, uncertainty remains as to our fiscal 2022 demand conditions for the semiconductor industry given the ongoing nature of the Pandemic and related macroeconomic challenges, including inflationary pressures, supply chain and logistics challenges, as well as related including supply constraints at our customers serving certain areas, such as the automotive and industrial sectors. Furthermore, competitive dynamics within the semiconductor industry may impact our business. Our limited visibility to future customer orders makes it difficult for us to predict industry trends, especially during unusual adverse circumstances, such as the Pandemic and related macroeconomic factors. If the global economy or the semiconductor industry does not continue to improve or weakens again, whether in general or as a result of the Pandemic or other specific factors, such as macroeconomic factors, or unpredictable events such as natural disasters, geopolitical conditions and international trade tensions, civil unrest, geopolitical factors, or additional global health crises, we could experience material adverse impacts on our results of operations and financial condition. Some additional factors that may affect demand for our electronic materials products include: demand trends for different types of electronic devices such as logic versus memory integrated circuit (“IC”) devices, or digital versus analog IC devices; the various technology nodes at which those products are manufactured; customers' efficiencies in the use of CMP consumables and/or high-purity process chemicals (“electronic chemicals”); customers’ device architectures and specific manufacturing processes; the short order to delivery time for our products; quarter-to-quarter changes in customer order patterns; market share and competitive gains and losses; and pricing changes by us and our competitors.
As to our Performance Materials segment our PIM business may continue to be impacted by changes in the oil and gas industries, such as we have seen since the second half of our fiscal 2020 and through our fiscal 2021 resulting from ongoing significant dislocation in these industries caused by the Pandemic and supply chain related challenges. Expectations about future prices and price volatility in the sector, which affect our customers’ activity levels, are important in determining future spending levels for customers of our PIM products and services. The ongoing volatility in worldwide oil and natural gas prices and markets are an example of historical volatility in this sector, and such volatility is likely to continue in the future. As is currently the case, prices for oil and natural gas are subject to wide fluctuations in response to relatively minor or major changes in the supply of and demand for oil and natural gas, market uncertainty and a variety of additional factors that are beyond our control. These factors include, but are not limited to, decreases or increases in supplies from U.S. shale production or other oil production, geopolitical conditions, including civil unrest and international trade tensions, sovereign debt crises, the domestic and foreign supply of oil and natural gas, the level of consumer demand due to economic growth or contraction such as seen related to the Pandemic, and related factors in countries such as China, weather conditions, domestic and foreign governmental regulations and taxes, the price and availability of alternative fuels, the health of international economic and credit markets, the ability of the members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other state-controlled oil companies to agree upon and maintain oil price and production controls, and general economic conditions, such as those currently seen arising from the Pandemic.
Further, adverse global economic, industry and other conditions such as those arising from the Pandemic could have other negative effects on our Company. For instance, we could experience negative impacts on cash flows due to the inability of our customers to pay their obligations to us, or our production processes could be harmed if our suppliers significantly raise their prices, or cannot fulfill their obligations, to us. As a result of these or other conditions, and as experienced in our second fiscal quarter with the impairment charge we took in our PIM business unit, further described in Note 9 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we also might have to further reduce the carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets, which could harm our financial position and results of operations.
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WE MAY PURSUE ACQUISITIONS OF, INVESTMENTS IN, AND MERGERS OR STRATEGIC ALLIANCES WITH OTHER ENTITIES, WHICH COULD DISRUPT OUR OPERATIONS AND HARM OUR OPERATING RESULTS IF THEY ARE UNSUCCESSFUL, OR WE MAY ENCOUNTER UNANTICIPATED ISSUES IN IMPLEMENTING THEM
We expect to continue to make investments in technologies, assets and companies, either through acquisitions, mergers, investments or alliances, in order to supplement our organic growth and development efforts. Acquisitions, mergers, and investments, including the acquisition of KMG, which we completed in November 2018, and the ITS Acquisition, which we completed in April 2021, involve numerous risks, including the following: difficulties and risks in integrating the operations, technologies, digital and physical security, compliance programs, products and personnel of acquired companies; difficulties and risks from unanticipated issues arising subsequent to a transaction related to the other entity; potential disruption of relationships with third parties such as customers or suppliers; diversion of management's attention from normal daily operations of the business; increased risk associated with foreign operations including exposure to new rules, regulations, customs and workforce expectations; potential difficulties and risks in entering markets or industries in which we have limited or no direct prior experience and/or where competitors have stronger positions; potential difficulties and unexpected situations arising in operating new businesses with different business models, facilities and operations; potential difficulties with regulatory or contract compliance in areas in which we have limited or no experience; initial dependence on unfamiliar supply chains or relatively small supply partners; insufficient revenue to offset increased expenses associated with acquisitions; potential loss of key employees of the acquired companies; or inability to effectively cooperate and collaborate with our alliance partners.
Further, we may never realize the perceived or anticipated benefits of a business combination or merger with, or asset or other acquisition of, or investments in, other entities. Transactions such as the acquisitions of KMG and ITS could and in some cases have had negative effects on our results of operations, in areas such as contingent liabilities, gross margins, amortization charges related to intangible assets and other effects of accounting for the purchases of other business entities. Investments in and acquisitions of technology-related or early-stage companies or assets are inherently risky because these businesses or assets may never develop, and we may incur losses related to these investments.
In addition, we may be required to impair the carrying value of these acquisitions or investments to reflect other than temporary declines in their value. The carrying value of goodwill represents the fair value of acquired businesses in excess of identifiable assets and liabilities as of the acquisition date. The carrying value of other intangible assets represents the fair value of customer relationships, trade names and other acquired intangible assets as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and other acquired intangible assets expected to contribute indefinitely to our cash flows are not amortized, but must be evaluated for impairment by management at least annually. If the carrying value exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, the goodwill is considered impaired and is reduced to fair value via a non-cash charge to earnings. If the carrying value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is greater than its fair value, the intangible asset is considered impaired and is reduced to fair value via a non-cash charge to earnings. If the value of goodwill or other acquired intangible assets is impaired, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. Examples of asset impairment charges we recently incurred include the charge we took in the second quarter of fiscal 2021 related to the PIM business unit and the charge we took in each the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, and the each of our four quarters of fiscal 2021 related to the KMG wood treatment business due to our decision in fiscal 2019 to exit this business. We expect that the carrying value of the wood treatment reporting unit will not be recoverable, resulting in future impairments of goodwill. The amount of such impairments could be material and could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. See Notes 9 and 10 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional discussion.
Furthermore, the integration of the acquired businesses into our operations is a complex and time-consuming process that may not be successful. Our Company has a limited history of integrating significant acquisitions, and the process of integration may produce unforeseen operating difficulties and expenditures. As demonstrated in the acquisitions of KMG and ITS, the primary areas of focus for successfully combining those businesses with our operations may include and have included, among others: retaining and integrating key employees; realizing synergies; aligning customer and supplier interfaces, and operations across the combined business; integrating enterprise resource planning and other information technology systems; and, managing the growth of the combined company. Even if we successfully integrate an acquired business into our operations, there can be no assurance that we will realize the anticipated benefits of such acquisition.
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WE HAVE A CONCENTRATED PRODUCT RANGE WITHIN EACH OF OUR SEGMENTS AND OUR PRODUCTS MAY BECOME OBSOLETE, OR TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES MAY REDUCE OR LIMIT INCREASES IN THE CONSUMPTION OF OUR PRODUCTS
Although our product offerings have expanded over the past several years, including as a result of the acquisitions of KMG and ITS, our business remains substantially dependent on products in our Electronic Materials segment, such as CMP slurries, pads and electronic chemicals, and materials technologies, which account for the majority of our revenue. The product offerings in our Performance Materials segment are similarly concentrated. As such, our business would suffer if these products became obsolete or if consumption of these products decreased. Our success depends on our ability to keep pace with technological changes and advances in the industries in which we operate, particularly the semiconductor industry, to adapt, improve and customize our products in response to evolving customer needs and industry trends, and to differentiate our products from those of our competitors. Since its inception, the semiconductor industry, which is the largest industry in which we operate, has experienced technological changes and advances in the design, manufacture, performance and application of IC devices. Our customers continually pursue lower cost of ownership and higher quality and performance of materials consumed in their manufacturing processes, including products in our Electronic Materials business segment, as a means to reduce costs, increase the yield in their manufacturing facilities, and achieve desired performance of the IC devices they produce. We expect these technological changes, and this drive toward lower costs, higher quality and performance and higher yields, will continue in the future. Potential technology developments in the semiconductor industry, as well as our customers' efforts to reduce consumption of CMP consumables, including through use of smaller quantities, could render our products less important to the IC device manufacturing process.
A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OUR BUSINESS COMES FROM A LIMITED NUMBER OF LARGE CUSTOMERS AND OUR REVENUE AND PROFITS COULD DECREASE SIGNIFICANTLY IF WE LOST ONE OR MORE OF THESE CUSTOMERS OR BUSINESS FROM THEM
Our customer base is concentrated among a limited number of large customers in each of our segments. Currently, our principal business supplies electronic materials primarily to the semiconductor industry. The semiconductor industry has been consolidating as the larger semiconductor manufacturers have generally grown faster than the smaller ones, through business gains, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic alliances. Industry analysts predict that this trend will continue, which means the semiconductor industry will continue to be comprised of fewer and larger participants in the future if their prediction is correct. In addition, our customer base in our PIM business is also somewhat concentrated, with large entities predominant, and outside of the U.S., these entities frequently are state-owned or sponsored, and limited in number per country. One or more of these principal customers could stop buying products from us or could substantially reduce the quantity of products purchased from us. Our principal customers in both our segments also hold considerable purchasing power, which can impact the pricing and terms of sale of our products. Any deferral or significant reduction in the quantity or price of products sold to these principal customers, an inability to raise prices to address cost pressures or otherwise, or a weakening of the financial condition of or failure to perform contractual obligations by one of these principal customers, could significantly harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.
ANY PROBLEM OR DISRUPTION IN OUR SUPPLY CHAIN, INCLUDING SUPPLY OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT RAW MATERIALS, OR IN OUR ABILITY TO MANUFACTURE OR DELIVER OUR PRODUCTS TO OUR CUSTOMERS, COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
We depend on our supply chain to enable us to meet the demands of our customers. Our supply chain includes the raw materials we use to manufacture our products, our production operations and the means by which we deliver our products to our customers. Our business could be adversely affected by any problem or interruption in the supply of the key raw materials we use in our products, including raw materials that do not meet the stringent quality and consistency requirements of our customers, any problem or interruption that may occur during production or delivery of our products, such as weather-related problems, natural disasters, logistics challenges, global public health crises such as the ongoing Pandemic, geopolitical, trade or labor-related issues, civil unrest, or any difficulty in producing sufficient quantities of our products to meet growing demand from our customers. In particular, natural disasters and severe weather conditions have the potential to adversely affect our operations, damage facilities and increase our costs, and those conditions may also have an indirect effect on our operations by disrupting services provided by service companies or suppliers with whom we have a business relationship. Additionally, some of our full-time employees are represented by labor unions, works councils or comparable organizations, particularly in Mexico and Europe. An extended work stoppage, slowdown or other action by our employees could significantly disrupt our business. As our current agreements with labor unions and works councils expire, we cannot provide assurance that new agreements will be reached at the end of each period without union action, or that a new agreement will be reached on terms satisfactory to us. Future labor contracts may be on terms that result in higher labor costs to us, which also could adversely affect our results of operations. As experienced in the second half of our fiscal 2021 and ongoing, our supply chain may also be negatively impacted by unanticipated price increases due to factors such as inflation or to supply restrictions beyond the control of our Company or our raw materials suppliers, such as those related to or arising from the Pandemic.
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We believe it would be difficult to promptly secure alternative sources of key raw materials in the event one of our suppliers becomes unable to supply us with sufficient quantities of raw materials that meet the quality and technical specifications required by us and our customers, or the costs of such raw materials increase in an untenable manner. Requalifying and/or transferring our sourcing to a new supplier would likely result in manufacturing delays and additional costs. In addition, new contract terms, forced production or manufacturing changes, contractual amendments to existing agreements with, or non-performance by, our suppliers, including any significant financial distress our suppliers may suffer, could adversely affect us. Also, if we change the supplier or type of key raw materials we use to make our products, in particular our electronic materials products, or are required to purchase them from a different manufacturer or manufacturing facility or otherwise modify our products, in certain circumstances our customers might have to requalify our products for their manufacturing processes and products. The requalification process could take a significant amount of time and expense to complete and could occupy technical resources of our customers that might otherwise be used to evaluate our new products, thus delaying potential revenue growth, or motivate our customers to consider purchasing products from our competitors, possibly interrupting or reducing our sales of products to these customers, especially sales of our electronic materials products to our semiconductor industry customers, but also with respect to our PIM products to our pipeline and adjacent industry customers. In addition, government authorities in the foreign countries in which we operate may require or incentivize the use of local suppliers that are our competitors, which could adversely impact our business, including our results of operations.
OUR BUSINESS COULD BE ADVERSELY IMPACTED IF WE ARE NOT SUCCESSFUL IN ACHIEVING TARGETED SAVINGS AND EFFICIENCIES FROM COST REDUCTION INITIATIVES
To mitigate cost challenges and improve our business and financial performance, we have initiated an enterprise-wide cost optimization program designed to reduce expenses and enhance operational efficiencies. These actions may include position eliminations, location rationalization, and reductions in outside services and discretionary spending, as well as other actions to reduce costs. We may not realize anticipated cost savings or other benefits from such initiatives, whether at all or according to timetables we have established. If we are unable to realize the anticipated benefits, our ability to fund other initiatives may be adversely affected, and failure to implement these initiatives in accordance with our plans could adversely affect our business.
OUR BUSINESS COULD BE SERIOUSLY HARMED IF OUR COMPETITORS DEVELOP COMPETITIVE PRODUCTS, OFFER BETTER PRICING, SERVICE OR OTHER TERMS, OR OBTAIN OR ASSERT CERTAIN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
Competition from other electronic materials or performance materials providers or any new entrants could seriously harm our business and results of operations, and this competition could continue to increase. Competition has and will likely continue to impact the prices we are able to charge for our products, as well as our overall business. In addition, our competitors could have, obtain or assert intellectual property rights that could affect or restrict our ability to market our existing products and/or to innovate and develop new products, thus increasing our costs of doing business, could attempt to introduce products similar to ours following the expiration of our patents, or could attempt to introduce products that do not fall within the scope of our intellectual property rights.
WE ARE SUBJECT TO RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
We currently have operations and a large customer base outside the U.S. Approximately 68% of our revenue was generated by sales to customers outside the U.S. for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021. We may encounter risks in doing business in certain countries other than the U.S., including, but not limited to, adverse changes in economic and political conditions, both in foreign locations and in the U.S. with respect to non-U.S. operations of U.S. businesses like ours, geopolitical and/or trade tensions, global health crises such as the ongoing Pandemic, civil unrest, fluctuation in exchange rates, changes in international trade requirements and sanctions and/or tariffs that affect our business and that of our customers and suppliers, compliance with a variety of foreign laws and regulations and related audits and investigations, as well as difficulty in enforcing business and customer contracts and agreements, including protection of intellectual property rights. We also may encounter risks that we may not be able to repatriate additional earnings from our operations outside the U.S., derive anticipated tax benefits of these operations or recover the investments made in them, whether due to regulatory or policy changes in the U.S. or in the countries outside of the U.S. in which we do business, or other factors.
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In particular, China continues to be an important market for the semiconductor industry, and an area of continued potential growth for us. As business between China and the rest of the world has continued to grow, there is risk that geopolitical, political, diplomatic and national security factors, changes in U.S. and foreign laws and regulations, the imposition of trade restrictions, tariffs and taxes, and global public health crises such as the Pandemic could adversely affect business for companies like ours. This is due in significant part to the complex relationships among China, the U.S., and other countries, especially those in the Asia Pacific region, such as Taiwan, which also is important to our company with respect ot our customers as well as our operations, which could have a material adverse impact on our business. In addition, there are risks that the Chinese government may, among other things, require the use of local suppliers, compel companies that do business in China to partner with local companies to conduct business, or, provide incentives to government-backed local customers to buy from local suppliers rather than companies like ours, all of which could adversely impact our business, including our results of operations. Also, as seen in fiscal year 2020 and fiscal 2021, there are risks that the U.S. government may impose additional export restrictions on technology and products that companies that operate in the semiconductor industry supply to or use in China, which could adversely impact our business and our results of operations.
In addition, we have operations and customers located in the United Kingdom, which exited the European Union (“EU”). As the transitional provisions under which the United Kingdom and the EU had agreed to operate expired at the end of December 2020, and the parties are still in the process of implementing new trade agreements, the related impacts on our business remain unclear.
LEGAL, COMPLIANCE AND REGULATORY RISKS
WE ARE SUBJECT TO EXTENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS AND MAY INCUR COSTS THAT HAVE AN ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR FINANCIAL CONDITION AS A RESULT OF VIOLATIONS OF OR LIABILITIES UNDER THEM
Like other companies involved in environmentally sensitive businesses, our operations and properties are subject to extensive and stringent federal, state, local and foreign Environmental, Health and Safety (“EHS”) laws and regulations, including those concerning, among other things:
•the marketing, sale, use and registration of our chemical products, such as penta, which is part of the wood treatment business in our Performance Materials segment;
•the treatment, storage and disposal of wastes;
•the investigation and remediation of contaminated media including but not limited to soil and groundwater;
•the discharge of effluents into waterways;
•the emission of substances into the air; and
•other matters relating to environmental protection and various health and safety matters.
The United States EPA and other federal and state agencies in the U.S., as well as comparable agencies in other countries where we have facilities or sell our products, such as Canada or Mexico, have the authority to promulgate regulations that could have a material adverse impact on our operations. These EHS laws and regulations may require permits for certain types of operations, require the installation of expensive pollution control equipment, place restrictions upon operations or impose substantial liability for pollution and other EHS concerns resulting from our operations. Compliance with EHS laws and regulations has resulted in ongoing costs for us and could restrict our ability to modify or expand our facilities, continue production, require us to install costly emission control equipment, or incur significant other expenses, including environmental compliance costs. We continue to manage environmental compliance activities at certain sites, such as at KMG-Bernuth’s Tuscaloosa, Alabama facility as described in Note 19 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We have incurred, and expect to continue to incur, significant costs to comply with EHS laws or to address liabilities for contamination resulting from past or present operations. Federal, state and foreign governmental authorities may seek fines and penalties, as well as injunctive relief, for violation of EHS laws and regulations, and could, among other things, impose liability on us to cleanup or to respond to potential damages to the environment or natural resources resulting from a release of pesticides, hazardous materials or other chemicals into the environment. We maintain insurance coverage for sudden and accidental environmental pollution or damages. We do not believe that insurance coverage for environmental pollution or damage that occurs over time is available at a reasonable cost. Also, we do not believe that insurance coverage for the full potential liability that could be caused by sudden and accidental pollution incidents is available at a reasonable cost. Accordingly, we may be subject to an uninsured or under-insured loss in such cases; the KMG-Bernuth warehouse fire, as described in Note 19 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, may be such an instance.
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The distribution, sale and use of our products is subject to prior governmental approvals and thereafter ongoing governmental regulation: Our products are subject to laws administered by federal, state and foreign governments, including regulations requiring registration, approval and labeling. The labeling requirements restrict the use and type of application for our products. More stringent restrictions could make our products less desirable which would adversely affect our sales and profitability. All venues where our penta products are used also require registration prior to marketing or use.
Governmental regulatory authorities have required, and may require in the future, that certain scientific testing and data production be provided on our products. Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (“FIFRA”), the EPA requires registrants to submit a wide range of scientific data to support U.S. registrations. This requirement significantly increases our Operating expenses, and we expect those expenses will continue in the future while we operate the wood treatment business. Because scientific analyses are constantly improving, we cannot determine with certainty whether or not new or additional tests may be required by regulatory authorities. While good laboratory practice standards specify the minimum protocols and procedures that must be followed in order to ensure the quality and integrity of data related to these tests submitted to the EPA, there can be no assurance that the EPA will not request certain tests or studies be repeated. In addition, more stringent legislation or requirements may be imposed in the future and proposed amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act could result in increased regulatory controls , additional testing of chemicals we manufacture and could increase the costs of compliance for our operations. We can provide no assurance that the cost of such compliance will not adversely affect our profitability. Our products could also be subject to other future regulatory action that may result in restricting or completely banning their use which could have an adverse effect on our performance and results of operations.
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1. The Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (“REACH”) legislation may affect our ability to manufacture and sell certain products in the EU: REACH requires chemical manufacturers and importers in the EU to prove the safety of their products. We were required to pre-register certain products and file comprehensive reports, including testing data, on each chemical substance, and perform chemical safety assessments. Additionally, substances of high concern are subject to an authorization process. Authorization may result in restrictions on certain uses of products or even prohibitions on the manufacture or importation of products. The full registration requirements of REACH have been phased in over several years, and we have incurred additional expense to cause the registration of our products under these regulations. REACH may also affect our ability to import, manufacture and sell certain products in the EU. In addition, other countries and regions of the world already have or may adopt legislation similar to REACH that affect our business, affect our ability to import, manufacture or sell certain products in these jurisdictions, and have required or will require us to incur increased costs.
2. The classification of penta as a Persistent Organic Pollutant (“POP”) under the Stockholm Convention adversely affected our ability to manufacture or sell our penta products: The Conference of the Parties (“COP”) accepted the recommendation of the United Nations Persistent Organic Pollutant Review Committee that the use of penta should be banned except that its use for the treatment of utility poles and crossarms could continue for an extended period of five to ten years. KMG-Bernuth supplies penta to industrial customers who use it primarily to treat utility poles and crossarms. The U.S. is not bound by the determination of the COP because it did not ratify the Stockholm Convention treaty. Canada and Mexico are governed by the treaty. KMG-Bernuth’s sole penta manufacturing facility is located in Matamoros, Mexico, and its processing facility is located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. As a result of the classification of penta as a POP, the Mexican government requires KMG-Bernuth to cease producing penta in Mexico by the end of calendar year 2021. In July 2020, the Canadian government released a proposed order that sales and use of penta in Canada be ceased, but such proposed order is subject to a comment period and is not final, and no timing for any such order, if implemented, has been proposed. In March 2021, the EPA issued a preliminary interim registration review decision (“PID”) proposing the cancellation of penta registration and implementation of a five-year phase-out period for production and sell-through of penta stocks. We do not believe the PID or the Canadian government proposed order have a significant adverse effect on our business because in July 2019, KMG-Bernuth had communicated that we did not intend to continue the wood treatment business past approximately the end of calendar year 2021. We took a restructuring charge in our fourth fiscal quarter of 2019, and asset impairment charges in each of our fourth fiscal quarters of 2020 and 2019, as well as in each of our fiscal quarters of fiscal 2021, related to the decisions to close the Matamoros and Tuscaloosa facilities and to exit the wood treatment business, as described further in Note 19 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We expect to take additional impairment charges related to the wood treatment business as we approach the closure dates of the facilities. No assurance can be given that we will not incur significant expenditures in connection with closing the facilities, or that the ultimate action of the COP and our related decisions will not adversely impact on our financial condition and results of operation.
3. Our use of hazardous materials exposes us to potential liabilities: Our manufacturing and distribution of chemical products, such as our electronic chemicals, involves the controlled use of hazardous materials. Our operations, therefore, are subject to various associated risks, including chemical spills, discharges or releases of toxic or hazardous substances or gases, fires, mechanical failure, storage facility leaks and similar events. Our suppliers are subject to similar risks that may adversely impact the availability of raw materials. While we adapt our manufacturing and distribution processes to the environmental control standards of regulatory authorities, we cannot completely eliminate the risk of accidental contamination or injury from hazardous or regulated materials, including injury of our employees, individuals who handle our products or goods treated with our products, or others who claim to have been exposed to our products, nor can we completely eliminate the unanticipated interruption or suspension of operations at our facilities due to such events. We may be held liable for significant damages or fines in the event of contamination or injury, and such assessed damages or fines could have an adverse effect on our financial performance and results of operations.
CURRENT OR FUTURE CLIMATE CHANGE REGULATIONS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED OPERATING COSTS AND REDUCED DEMAND FOR OUR PRODUCTS
The U.S. has recently rejoined the Paris Climate Accord but to date, has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol. The Clean Air Act has been interpreted to regulate greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions and the EPA is using its existing regulatory authority to develop regulations requiring reduction in GHG emissions from various categories of sources, such as when a permit is required due to emissions of other pollutants. Because of the lack of any comprehensive legislation program addressing GHGs, a number of U.S. federal laws related to GHG emissions have been considered by the U.S. Congress from time to time and various state, local and regional regulations and initiatives have been enacted or are being considered related to GHGs.
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Member States of the EU each have an overall cap on emissions, which are approved by the European Commission, and implement the EU Emissions Trading Directive as a commitment to the Kyoto Protocol. GHG emissions are regulated by Member States through the EU Emission Trading System and the EU Effort Sharing Decision/Regulation depending upon the industry sector. Organizations apply to the Member State for an allowance of GHG emissions. These allowances are tradable so as to enable companies that manage to reduce their GHG emissions to sell their excess allowances to companies that are not reaching their emissions objectives. Failure to purchase sufficient allowances will require the purchase of allowances at a current market price.
Any laws or regulations that may be adopted to restrict or reduce emissions of GHGs could cause an increase to our raw material costs, require us to incur increased operating costs, and have an adverse effect on demand for our products and our financial performance and results for our business.
In addition to GHG and climate change regulatory developments and legislation, we are continuing to evaluate and assess the potential impact on our business of the ongoing transition worldwide to a low carbon, resilient economy as well as physical effects resulting from climate change.
OUR PRODUCTS MAY BE RENDERED OBSOLETE OR LESS ATTRACTIVE BY CHANGES IN INDUSTRY REQUIREMENTS OR BY SUPPLY-CHAIN DRIVEN PRESSURES TO SHIFT TO ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE ALTERNATIVES
Changes in regulatory, legislative and industry requirements, or changes driven by supply-chain pressures, may shift current customers away from products using penta, products containing hazardous materials, or certain of our other products and toward alternative products that are believed to have fewer environmental effects. The EPA, foreign and state regulators, local governments, private environmental advocacy organizations, investors and investor advisory firms, and a number of large industrial companies have proposed or adopted policies designed to decrease the use of a variety of chemicals, including penta and others included in certain of our products, such as those containing hazardous materials, or to counteract the growth of certain industries such as those in which customers served by our PIM products operate. Our ability to anticipate changes in regulatory, legislative, investor, and industry requirements, or changes driven by supply-chain pressures, may affect our ability to remain competitive. Further, we may not be able to comply with changed or new regulatory or industrial standards that may be necessary for us to remain competitive.
We cannot provide assurance that the EPA, foreign and state regulators or local governments will not restrict the uses of certain of our products, like penta, or ban the use of one or more of these products or the raw materials in them. Similarly, companies who use our products may voluntarily decide to reduce significantly or cease the use of our products. As a result, our products may become obsolete or less attractive to our customers.
GENERAL COMMERCIAL, OPERATIONAL, FINANCIAL AND REGULATORY RISKS
BECAUSE WE RELY ON OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, OUR FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY OBTAIN OR PROTECT IT COULD SIGNIFICANTLY HARM OUR BUSINESS
Protection of intellectual property is particularly important in the semiconductor industry, which is the primary industry in which we participate, because we develop complex technical formulas and processes for products that are proprietary in nature and differentiate our products from those of our competitors. Our intellectual property is important to our success and ability to compete. We attempt to protect our intellectual property rights through a combination of patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws, as well as employee and third-party nondisclosure and assignment agreements. In addition, we protect our product differentiation through various other means, such as proprietary supply arrangements for certain raw materials, and use of certain manufacturing technologies. Due to our international operations, we pursue protection in different jurisdictions, which may provide varying degrees of protection, and we cannot provide assurance that we can obtain adequate protection in each such jurisdiction. Our failure to obtain or maintain adequate protection of our intellectual property rights for any reason, including through the patent prosecution process or in the event of litigation related to such intellectual property, which we pursue when necessary to protect our rights against others who are found to be misusing our intellectual property, could seriously harm our business. In addition, certain types of intellectual property, such as patents, expire after a certain period of time, and products protected by our patents then lose such protection, so we refresh our intellectual property portfolio on an ongoing basis through continued innovation, and failure to do so could adversely affect our business. Also, the costs of obtaining or protecting our intellectual property could negatively affect our operating results.
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OUR INABILITY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN KEY PERSONNEL COULD CAUSE OUR BUSINESS TO SUFFER
We utilize and rely upon a global workforce. If we fail to attract and retain the necessary managerial, technical and customer support personnel, our business and our ability to maintain existing and obtain new customers, develop new products and provide acceptable levels of customer service could suffer. We compete worldwide with other participants in the industries in which we conduct business for qualified personnel, particularly those with significant experience in the semiconductor and pipeline industries. The loss of services of key employees, or our inability to obtain or maintain visas or other travel or residency documents on their behalf with respect to our business needs, could harm our business and results of operations.
BECAUSE WE HAVE LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN BUSINESS AREAS OUTSIDE OF ELECTRONIC MATERIALS AND PERFORMANCE MATERIALS, EXPANSION OF OUR BUSINESS INTO OTHER PRODUCTS AND APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE SUCCESSFUL
An element of our strategy has been to leverage our customer relationships, technological expertise and other capabilities and competencies to expand our business. For example, we have made acquisitions to expand beyond CMP consumables into other electronic materials product areas, as well as into performance materials product areas in which we have limited experience. Expanding our business into new product areas could involve technologies, production processes and business models in which we have limited experience, and we may not be able to develop and produce products or provide services that satisfy customers' needs, or we may be unable to keep pace with technological or other developments. Or, we may decide that we no longer wish to pursue these new business initiatives. Also, our competitors may have or obtain intellectual property rights that could restrict our ability to market our existing products and/or to innovate and develop new products.
CERTAIN CRITICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS COULD BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CYBERSECURITY AND OTHER THREATS OR VULNERABILITIES
We maintain and rely upon certain critical information systems for the effective operation of our business. These information systems include, but are not limited to, telecommunications, the Internet, our corporate intranet, various computer hardware and software applications, production control systems, enterprise resource planning systems, network communications, and email. These information systems may be owned and maintained by us, our outsourced providers, or third parties such as vendors, contractors, and Cloud providers. All these information systems are subject to disruption, breach or failure from various sources including, but not limited to, attacks, degradation, and failures resulting from potential sources, including viruses, malware, denial of service, ransomware, destructive or inadequate code, power failures, and physical damage. Confidential and/or sensitive information stored on these information systems, or transmitted to or from Cloud storage, could be intentionally or unintentionally compromised, lost, and/or stolen. While we have implemented security procedures and virus protection software, intrusion prevention systems, access control, and emergency recovery processes to mitigate risks like these with respect to information systems that are under our control, they are not fail-safe and may be subject to breaches or failures. Further, we cannot assure that third parties upon whom we rely for various IT services will maintain sufficient vigilance and controls over their systems. Our inability to use or access these information systems at critical points in time, or unauthorized releases of personal or confidential information, could unfavorably impact the timely and efficient operation of our business, including our results of operations, and our reputation, as well as our relationships with our employees or other individuals whose information may have been affected by such cybersecurity incidents.
In addition, regulatory authorities have increased their focus on how companies collect, process, use, store, share and transmit personal data. Privacy security laws and regulations, including the United Kingdom’s Data Protection Act 2018 and the EU General Data Protection Regulation 2016, and similar laws in countries such as Korea and Taiwan, among others, pose increasingly complex compliance challenges, which may increase compliance costs, and any failure to comply with data privacy laws and regulations could result in significant penalties that could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
OUR ABILITY TO RAISE CAPITAL IN THE FUTURE MAY BE LIMITED, WHICH COULD PREVENT US FROM GROWING, AND OUR EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENT COULD RESTRICT OUR BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
In the future we may be required to raise capital through public or private financing or other arrangements. Such financing may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all, and our failure to raise capital when needed could harm our business. Our credit agreement as amended (“Amended Credit Agreement”) contains financial and other covenants that may restrict our business activities or our ability to execute our strategic objectives, and our failure to comply with these covenants could result in a default under it. Furthermore, additional equity financing may dilute the interests of our common stockholders, and debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive covenants that could further restrict our business activities or our ability to execute our strategic objectives and could reduce our profitability. If we raise or borrow funds on acceptable terms, we may not be able to grow our business or respond to competitive pressures.
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THE MARKET PRICE FOR OUR COMMON STOCK MAY FLUCTUATE SIGNIFICANTLY AND RAPIDLY
The market price of our common stock has fluctuated and could continue to fluctuate significantly as a result of factors such as: economic, geopolitical, global public health (i.e., the Pandemic), political and stock market conditions generally and specifically as they may impact participants in the semiconductor and related industries; and/or participants in oil and gas related industries; changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts who follow our stock; earnings and other announcements, and changes in market evaluations, by securities analysts, investors, market participants or others, of or related to, us or participants in the semiconductor and related industries; changes in business, trade or regulatory conditions affecting us or participants in the semiconductor and related industries; announcements or implementation by us, our competitors, or our customers of technological innovations, new products or different business strategies; changes in our capital deployment strategy, issuances of shares of our capital stock or entering into a business combination or other strategic transaction; and trading volume of our common stock.
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS UNDER OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS MAY DISCOURAGE THIRD PARTIES FROM MAKING AN UNSOLICITED BID FOR OUR COMPANY
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and various provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law may make it more difficult or expensive to effect a change in control of our Company. For instance, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides for the division of our Board of Directors into three classes as nearly equal in size as possible with staggered three-year terms.
We have adopted change in control arrangements covering our executive officers and other key employees. These arrangements provide for a cash severance payment, continued medical benefits and other ancillary payments and benefits upon termination of service of a covered employee’s employment following a change in control, which may make it more expensive to acquire our Company.

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

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our global headquarters and research and development facilities are located in Aurora, Illinois. As of September 30, 2021, we operated 45 facilities globally, of which 16 facilities are owned by the company and 29 are leased. The Company operates in 19 facilities located in the U.S. and 26 located outside the U.S. The facilities outside the U.S. include locations in Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China, Canada, Mexico, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom.
We believe that our facilities are suitable and adequate for their intended purpose and provide us with sufficient capacity and capacity expansion opportunities and technological capability to meet our current and expected demand in the foreseeable future. We intend to expand certain of our facilities to meet our anticipated business needs.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We periodically become a party to legal proceedings, arbitrations, regulatory proceedings, inquiries and investigations (“contingencies”) arising in the ordinary course of our business operations. The ultimate resolution of these contingencies is subject to significant uncertainty, and should we fail to prevail in any of them or should several of them be resolved against us in the same reporting period, these matters could, individually or in the aggregate, be material to our Consolidated Financial Statements. One of these contingencies, related to Star Lake Canal, which we assumed in connection with the acquisition of KMG, is discussed in Note 19 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The ultimate outcome of these matters, however, cannot be determined at this time, nor can the amount of any potential loss be reasonably estimated, and as a result except where indicated no amounts have been recorded in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
We also may face other governmental or third-party claims, or otherwise incur costs, relating to cleanup of, or for injuries resulting from, contamination at sites associated with Star Lake Canal or other past and present operations. We accrue for environmental liabilities when a determination can be made that they are probable and reasonably estimable. Other than as described herein, we are not involved in any legal proceedings that we believe could have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The information set forth in Item 1A “Risk Factors” and Note 19 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
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Not applicable.
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Set forth below is information of our executive officers and their ages as of October 31, 2021.
Name Age Present Position Fiscal Year Appointed to Current Position Other Positions Held Between Fiscal 2017-20211
David H. Li 48 President and Chief Executive Officer 2015
Scott D. Beamer 50 Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 2018 Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Stepan Company, 2013-2018
H. Carol Bernstein 61 Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel 2000
Jeffrey M. Dysard 48 Vice President and President, Performance Materials 2019 General Manager of CMP Slurries, 2018-2019; General Manager of CMP Pads, 2016-2018
Colleen E. Mumford 45 Vice President, Communications and Marketing 2020 Corporate Relations Director, 2018-2019; Human Resources Director, 2015-2018
Eleanor K. Thorp 47 Vice President, Human Resources 2018 Head of Human Resources and Recruiting at Sephora Digital SEA, 2015-2018
Daniel D. Woodland 51 Vice President and President, Electronic Materials 2019 Vice President and Chief Marketing and Operations Officer, 2017-2019; Vice President of Marketing, 2015-2017
Jeanette A. Press 46 Corporate Controller and Principal Accounting Officer 2020 Vice President and Principal Accounting Officer, Univar Solutions, 2019-2020; Vice President and Principal Accounting Officer, USG Corporation, 2014-2019
1.Fiscal years for other positions held include partial years if held for any portion of that fiscal year
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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
Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “CCMP.” As of October 31, 2021, there were approximately 569 holders of record of our common stock. In January 2016, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized the initiation of a regular dividend program under which the Company intends to pay quarterly cash dividends on our common stock. The declaration and payment of future dividends is subject to the discretion and determination of the Company’s Board of Directors and management, based on a variety of factors, and the program may be suspended, terminated or modified at any time for any reason.
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Period Total Number of Shares Purchased
(in thousands) Average Price Paid Per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
(in thousands) Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
(in thousands)
July 1 - 31, 2021 25 $ 144.12 25 $ 141,208
August 1 - 31, 2021 612 125.13 612 64,558
September 1 - 30, 2021 185 133.19 185 39,975
Total 822 $ 127.52 822 $ 39,975
In March 2021, our Board of Directors authorized an increase in the amount available under our share repurchase program from the previously remaining $26.3 million to $150.0 million. Under this program, we repurchased 924 thousand shares for $120.0 million in fiscal 2021. As of September 30, 2021, $40.0 million remained available under our share repurchase program. The manner in which the Company repurchases its shares is discussed in Part II, Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, under the heading “Liquidity and Capital Resources,” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. To date, we have funded share purchases under our share repurchase program from our available cash balance, and anticipate we will continue to do so.
Separate from this share repurchase program, a total of 37 thousand shares were withheld from equity award recipients to cover payroll taxes on the vesting of shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units during fiscal 2021 pursuant to the terms of our CMC Materials, Inc. 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan (“Prior Plan”) and our CMC Materials, Inc. 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan (“OIP”).
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
See Part III, Item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information regarding shares of common stock that may be issued under the Company’s existing equity compensation plans.
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STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph illustrates the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock during the period from September 30, 2016 through September 30, 2021 and compares it with the cumulative total return on the NASDAQ Composite Index and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (PHLX). The comparison assumes $100 was invested on September 30, 2016 in our common stock and in each of the foregoing indices and assumes reinvestment of the quarterly cash dividends declared in each fiscal year from 2017 to 2021. The performance shown is not necessarily indicative of future performance. Refer to Part 1, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
9/16 12/16 3/17 6/17 9/17 12/17 3/18 6/18 9/18 12/18 3/19
CMC Materials, Inc. $ 100.00 $ 119.73 $ 145.60 $ 140.70 $ 152.73 $ 180.14 $ 205.83 $ 207.45 $ 198.98 $ 185.48 $ 218.61
NASDAQ Composite 100.00 101.66 111.95 116.61 123.68 131.78 135.19 144.13 154.82 128.04 149.56
PHLX Semiconductor 100.00 108.92 121.99 125.49 142.61 153.08 162.95 162.02 169.26 143.83 174.54
6/19 9/19 12/19 3/20 6/20 9/20 12/20 3/21 6/21 9/21
CMC Materials, Inc. $ 215.78 $ 276.80 $ 284.62 $ 226.19 $ 277.41 $ 283.91 $ 302.59 $ 354.52 $ 303.21 $ 247.88
NASDAQ Composite 155.35 155.63 175.03 150.60 197.21 219.37 253.64 261.14 286.40 285.75
PHLX Semiconductor 183.58 197.01 234.81 192.66 255.79 288.62 360.82 404.53 434.39 424.30
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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (MD&A) should be read in conjunction with our historical financial statements and “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements,” which are included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. For management’s discussion and analysis of our results of operations for fiscal 2020 as compared to fiscal 2019 please refer to Part II, Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, filed with the SEC on November 17, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference.
OVERVIEW
CMC is a leading global supplier of consumable materials, primarily to semiconductor manufacturers. The Company’s electronic materials products play a critical role in the production of advanced semiconductor devices, helping to enable the manufacture of smaller, faster and more complex devices by its customers. The Company also provides performance materials to pipeline companies, and its PIM products and services provide solutions for optimizing pipeline throughput and maximizing performance and safety.
While the Pandemic continues to cause global macroeconomic uncertainty worldwide and in the countries and locations in which we and our customers and suppliers operate, our business in our fiscal 2021 showed continued resiliency overall. In our Electronic Materials business segment, which represents approximately 80% of our revenue, we experienced growth from each of our businesses over the prior fiscal year. We continue to experience solid demand from our semiconductor customers, as certain sectors such as cloud, PCs and servers continue to show strength, driven by the ongoing economic recovery from the Pandemic, particularly in the industrial and automotive sectors. In addition, our Performance Materials business segment showed improved demand in our wood treatment and QED businesses over the prior year. Our PIM business continues to be negatively impacted by the Pandemic. Throughout the Pandemic, our primary focus has been and continues to be on the health and well-being of our employees and the ongoing operation of our facilities worldwide according to our business continuity plans, which we refine on an ongoing basis.
To date, we have not seen a meaningful impact from the Pandemic on our ability to manufacture and deliver products to our customers, but we have experienced a rise in certain raw material costs and broad constraints in the global supply chain, including in logistics, and adversely impacting freight and logistics costs. Although improving, the Pandemic has negatively impacted some of the industries we serve, primarily the pipeline industry, and as a result we took an impairment charge in our PIM business unit in our second fiscal quarter of fiscal 2021. Depending on industry recovery, we expect to drive growth in our PIM business.
The extent to which the Pandemic may further impact our business, operations, results of operations and financial condition going forward is uncertain and difficult to estimate, and depends on numerous evolving and potentially unknown factors.
Recent Developments and Items Impacting Comparability
The Company completed the ITS Acquisition on the ITS Acquisition Date and the Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K include the financial results of ITS since that date. For additional information, refer to Part 1, Item 1 “Business” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019, we made a decision to exit the wood treatment business and focus our strategy and future capital investments on our other businesses. Our Matamoros, Mexico facility will continue to produce an intermediate product until it ceases operations by the end of December 2021. Our Tuscaloosa, Alabama plant will continue to process and sell to customers this intermediate product, into approximately the second quarter of fiscal year 2022.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table sets forth the changes in balances on the Consolidated Statement of (Loss) Income along with the percentage of revenue of certain line items included in our historical statements of income for the periods indicated:
Year Ended September 30,
(In thousands) 2021 2020 $ Change % Change
Revenue $ 1,199,831 100.0 % $ 1,116,270 100.0 % $ 83,561 7.5 %
Cost of sales 701,662 58.5 % 627,669 56.2 % 73,993 11.8 %
Gross profit 498,169 41.5 % 488,601 43.8 % 9,568 2.0 %
Research, development and technical 54,195 4.5 % 52,311 4.7 % 1,884 3.6 %
Selling, general and administrative 228,886 19.1 % 217,071 19.4 % 11,815 5.4 %
Impairment charges 230,392 19.2 % 2,314 0.2 % 228,078 9856.4 %
Total operating expenses 513,473 42.8 % 271,696 24.3 % 241,777 89.0 %
Operating (loss) income (15,304) (1.3) % 216,905 19.4 % (232,209) (107.1) %
Interest expense, net 38,360 3.2 % 41,840 3.7 % (3,480) (8.3) %
Other expense, net (1,130) (0.1) % (1,718) (0.2) % 588 34.2 %
(Loss) income before income taxes (54,794) (4.6) % 173,347 15.5 % (228,141) (131.6) %
Provision for income taxes 13,783 1.1 % 30,519 2.7 % (16,736) (54.8) %
Net (loss) income $ (68,577) (5.7) % $ 142,828 12.8 % $ (211,405) (148.0) %
Most of CMC’s foreign operations maintain their accounting records in their local currencies. As a result, period to period comparability of results of operations is affected by fluctuations in exchange rates. The impact on comparability is not material in any given period.
YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2021, AS COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
REVENUE
The increase in Revenue was primarily due to the increased demand for our products, selected price increases for our electronic chemicals and wood treatment products, and the ITS Acquisition, which closed on the ITS Acquisition Date. This was partially offset by lower demand for PIM products due to the ongoing effects of the Pandemic and related factors.
COST OF SALES
The increase in Cost of sales was primarily due to the increases in revenue, inflationary raw materials costs, and higher freight and manufacturing fixed costs.
GROSS MARGIN
The decrease in gross margin percentage was primarily due to inflationary raw material costs, and higher freight and manufacturing fixed costs.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
The increase in Selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to a $5.2 million increase in professional fees, a $3.0 million increase in staffing related expenses, a $2.5 million environmental accrual related to the anticipated remedial action phase of the Star Lake Canal Superfund Site (“Star Lake”), and a $1.2 million increase in IT expenses. This was partially offset by a $2.1 million decrease in travel expenses. See Note 19 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information regarding the Star Lake environmental accrual.
IMPAIRMENT CHARGES
The increase in Impairment charges was due to impairment of goodwill in the PIM reporting unit, as well as impairment of the long-lived assets, intangible assets, and goodwill in the wood treatment business. See Notes 9 and 10 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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INTEREST EXPENSE, NET
The decrease in Interest expense, net was primarily due to a decline in the LIBOR rate for the unhedged portion of the Company’s Senior Secured Term Loan Facility (“Term Loan Facility”) and a lower outstanding term loan balance due to repayments.
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
The income tax expense during fiscal 2021 in relation to the loss before income taxes was primarily attributable to the unfavorable impact of the goodwill impairment charges related to the PIM and wood treatment reporting units, partially offset by a tax benefit related to share-based compensation and foreign derived intangible income.
SEGMENT ANALYSIS
The segment data should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Year Ended September 30,
(In thousands) 2021 2020 $ Change % Change
Segment Revenue:
Electronic Materials $ 984,712 $ 882,824 $ 101,888 11.5 %
Performance Materials 215,119 233,446 (18,327) (7.9) %
Total Revenues $ 1,199,831 $ 1,116,270 $ 83,561 7.5 %
Adjusted EBITDA:
Electronic Materials $ 323,827 $ 299,037 $ 24,790 8.3 %
Performance Materials 87,961 106,797 (18,836) (17.6) %
Unallocated corporate expenses (53,475) (48,033) (5,442) (11.3) %
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA $ 358,313 $ 357,801 $ 512 0.1 %
Adjusted EBITDA Margin:
Electronic Materials 32.9 % 33.9 % -100 bpts
Performance Materials 40.9 % 45.7 % -480 bpts
ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
The increase in revenue was driven by growth across all businesses, including selected price increases for our electronic chemicals products, and the ITS Acquisition, which closed on the ITS Acquisition Date. The increase in adjusted EBITDA was driven primarily driven by the revenue increases, partially offset by higher fixed costs. The 100 basis points decrease in adjusted EBITDA margin was primarily driven by inflationary raw material costs, higher freight and fixed costs, and higher expenses to support current operations and future growth opportunities.
PERFORMANCE MATERIALS
The decrease in revenue and adjusted EBITDA was driven by lower demand for PIM products due to the ongoing effects of the Pandemic and related factors, partially offset by higher selling prices for wood treatment products and increased demand for QED products. The 480 basis points decrease in adjusted EBITDA margin was primarily driven by inflationary raw material costs and higher costs in PIM related to underutilization of the previously completed plant expansion, partially offset by higher selling prices for wood treatment products.
USE OF CERTAIN GAAP AND NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Certain financial measures contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K adjust for the impact of specified items and are not calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP” or “GAAP”). We provide certain non-GAAP financial measures, such as adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin, in addition to reported GAAP results because we believe that analysis of our financial performance is enhanced by an understanding of these non-GAAP financial measures. We exclude certain items from earnings when presenting adjusted EBITDA because we believe they will be incurred infrequently and/or are otherwise not indicative of the Company’s regular, ongoing operating performance. Accordingly, we believe that they aid in evaluating the underlying operational performance of our business, and facilitate comparisons between periods. In addition, adjusted EBITDA is used as one of the performance goals of our fiscal 2021
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Short-Term Incentive Program. A similar adjusted EBITDA calculation is also used by our lenders for a key debt compliance ratio.
Adjusted EBITDA margin is defined as adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted for certain items that affect comparability from period to period. These adjustments include items related to acquisitions, such as acquisition and integration related expenses, impairment charges, costs of restructuring and related adjustments related to the wood treatment business, a charge for the Star Lake environmental accrual, costs related to the KMG-Bernuth warehouse fire net of insurance recovery, costs related to the Pandemic net of grants received, and impact of fair value adjustments to inventory acquired in the KMG Acquisition.
The non-GAAP financial measures provided are a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the Company’s financial results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Management strongly encourages investors to review the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements in their entirety and to not rely on any single financial measure. A reconciliation table of GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures is below.
Adjusted EBITDA for the Electronic Materials and Performance Materials segments is presented in conformity with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 280, Segment Reporting. This measure is reported to the chief operating decision maker for purposes of making decisions about allocating resources to the segments and assessing their performance. For these reasons, this measure is excluded from the definition of non-GAAP financial measures under SEC Regulation G and Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K.
RECONCILIATION OF NET (LOSS) INCOME TO ADJUSTED EBITDA
Year Ended September 30,
(In thousands) 2021 2020 2019
Net (loss) income $ (68,577) $ 142,828 $ 39,215
Interest expense, net 38,360 41,840 43,335
Income taxes 13,783 30,519 23,891
Depreciation and amortization 132,170 127,737 98,592
EBITDA 115,736 342,924 205,033
Acquisition and integration related expense 10,115 10,852 34,709
Impairment charges 230,392 2,314 67,372
Environmental accrual 2,508 - -
Cost related to KMG-Bernuth warehouse fire, net of insurance recovery (1,050) 1,083 9,905
Costs related to the Pandemic, net of grants received 489 849 -
Charge for fair value write-up of acquired inventory sold - - 14,869
Net costs related to restructuring of the wood treatment business 123 (221) 1,530
Adjusted EBITDA $ 358,313 $ 357,801 $ 333,418
Year Ended September 30,
(In thousands) 2021 2020 2019
Adjusted EBITDA:
Electronic Materials $ 323,827 $ 299,037 $ 294,902
Performance Materials 87,961 106,797 91,372
Unallocated Corporate Expenses (53,475) (48,033) (52,856)
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA $ 358,313 $ 357,801 $ 333,418
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of September 30, 2021, we had $186.0 million of cash and cash equivalents compared with $257.4 million as of September 30, 2020. On September 30, 2021, $132.9 million of cash and cash equivalents was held in foreign subsidiaries. Our total liquidity as of September 30, 2021 was $536.0 million compared to $457.4 million as of September 30, 2020 (including $350.0 million and $200.0 million of borrowing availability under our revolving credit facility (“Revolving Credit Facility”) as of September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, which includes our letter of credit sub-facility). The increase in liquidity reflects the increase in available credit under our Revolving Credit Facility, as well as cash flow provided by operating activities, partially offset by the cash used for the ITS Acquisition, capital expenditures, repurchases of our common stock and payments of quarterly cash dividends.
Total debt, consisting of principal outstanding on our Term Loan Facility, amounted to $916.3 million ($928.4 million in aggregate principal amount less $12.0 million of debt issuance costs) as of September 30, 2021 and $921.4 million ($936.4 million in aggregate principal amount less $14.9 million of debt issuance costs) as of September 30, 2020. There were no borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility in fiscal 2021 and no balance was outstanding as of September 30, 2021.
The Revolving Credit Facility requires that the Company maintain a maximum first lien secured net leverage ratio, as defined in the Amended Credit Agreement, of 4.00 to 1.00 as of the last day of each fiscal quarter. As of September 30, 2021, our maximum first lien secured net leverage ratio was 1.87 to 1.00. Additionally, the Amended Credit Agreement contains certain affirmative and negative covenants that limit the ability of the Company, among other things and subject to certain significant exceptions, to incur debt or liens, make investments, enter into certain mergers, consolidations, asset sales and acquisitions, pay dividends and make other restricted payments and enter into transactions with affiliates. We believe we are in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2021 and we expect to remain in compliance with our debt covenants in the future.
In March 2021, our Board of Directors authorized an increase in the amount available under our share repurchase program from the previously remaining $26.3 million to $150.0 million. In fiscal 2021, we repurchased 924 thousand shares under this program, and $40.0 million remained available at the end of the year. The timing, manner, price and amounts of repurchases are determined at the Company’s discretion, and the share repurchase program may be suspended, terminated or modified at any time for any reason. The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to acquire any specific number of shares. To date, we have funded share purchases under our share repurchase program from our available cash on hand, and anticipate we will continue to do so.
Our Board of Directors authorized the initiation of our regular quarterly cash dividend program in January 2016, and since that time has increased the dividend to its current level of $0.46 per share. The declaration and payment of future dividends is subject to the discretion and determination of the Board of Directors and management, based on a variety of factors, and the program may be suspended, terminated or modified at any time for any reason.
We believe that cash on hand, cash available from future operations, and available borrowing capacity under our Amended Credit Agreement will be sufficient to fund our operations, expected capital expenditures, dividend payments, and share repurchases for at least the next twelve months. However, ongoing Pandemic-created uncertainty in worldwide economic conditions and in those of the industries in which we participate remains, and we may need to raise additional funds in the future through equity or debt financing, or other arrangements, in pursuit of corporate development or other initiatives. Depending on future conditions in the capital and credit markets, we could encounter difficulty securing additional financing in the type or amount necessary to pursue these objectives.
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
We generated $270.6 million in cash flows from operating activities in fiscal 2021, compared to $287.3 million in fiscal 2020. The decrease was driven by $21.9 million of changes in operating assets and liabilities, partially offset by a $5.2 million increase of Net (loss) income adjusted for non-cash reconciling items.
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
In fiscal 2021, net cash used in investing activities was $166.4 million, compared to $124.3 million in fiscal 2020. The increase was driven by the $126.9 million net cash used for the ITS Acquisition, partially offset by a decrease in capital expenditures of $83.7 million, which was driven by the plant expansion in fiscal 2020 in our Performance Materials segment.
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
In fiscal 2021, net cash used in financing activities was $175.3 million, compared to $97.7 million in fiscal 2020. The increase was driven by a $85.0 million increase in repurchases of common stock under the Share Repurchase Program, partially offset by a $15.3 million decrease in repayment of long-term debt.
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CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
The following summarizes our significant contractual obligations at September 30, 2021, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods.
(In thousands) Total Current Long-Term
Debt (Note 13)
$ 928,375 $ 13,313 $ 915,062
Interest expense and fees 112,786 21,260 91,526
Purchase obligations (material supply agreements) 84,968 81,295 3,673
Future lease payments (Note 14)
32,681 8,031 24,650
Total contractual obligations $ 1,158,810 $ 123,899 $ 1,034,911
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The Company’s accounting policies are more fully described in Note 2 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Consolidated Financial Statements. As disclosed in Note 2, the preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingencies. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The Company believes that the following discussion addresses the Company’s most critical accounting policies, which are those that are most important to the portrayal of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments.
GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
We perform an annual impairment assessment of goodwill and other intangible assets at the reporting unit level as of July 1, or more frequently if circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Historically, we have annually tested goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment as of September 30. This year, we voluntarily changed the annual impairment testing date from September 30 to July 1. We believe this measurement date, which represents a change in the method of applying an accounting principle, is preferable because it better aligns with the timing of the Company’s financial planning process, which is a key component of the annual impairment tests. The change in the measurement date did not delay, accelerate or prevent an impairment charge. Each quarter, the Company evaluates impairment indicators to determine whether there is a triggering event warranting a goodwill and intangible asset impairment analysis. As such, the change in the annual test date was applied prospectively effective July 1, 2021.
In our qualitative assessment, we determine whether it is more likely than not that an impairment exists based on qualitative factors. Qualitative factors include macroeconomic, industry and market considerations, overall financial performance, industry, legal and other relevant events and factors affecting the reporting unit. Additionally, as part of this assessment, we may perform a quantitative analysis to support the qualitative factors above by applying sensitivities to assumptions and inputs used in measuring a reporting unit’s fair value. If the qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that an impairment exists, then a quantitative assessment is performed.
In our quantitative assessment, estimated fair value is determined using an average of a discounted cash flow model and a market approach based on earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation for a group of guideline comparable companies. The wood treatment reporting unit fair value is determined using the discounted cash flow model only. Factors requiring significant judgment include the selection of market comparable companies, projected future revenue and gross margin, discount rates, and terminal growth rates. The use of different assumptions, estimates or judgments could significantly impact the estimated fair value of a reporting unit, and therefore, impact the excess fair value above carrying value of the reporting unit. The reporting unit’s carrying value used in an impairment test represents the assignment of various assets and liabilities, excluding certain corporate assets and liabilities, such as cash, investments, and debt. We test the reasonableness of the inputs and outcomes of our discounted cash flow models against available market data. Two of the Company’s reporting units, wood treatment and PIM, are at risk of failing future impairment tests, as the estimates of fair value do not substantially exceed their carrying values. The fair values for all other reporting units substantially exceeded their carrying value.
As previously announced, the Company is exiting the wood treatment business by approximately the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2022. As the Company approaches the closure date of the facilities and there are lower estimated future cash flows, the carrying value of the wood treatment reporting unit will not be recoverable, resulting in future impairments of goodwill. As of September 30, 2021, wood treatment’s carrying value includes $9.4 million of goodwill. There is no excess fair value over the carrying value as of September 30, 2021.
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During the second quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $201.6 million related to the PIM reporting unit. As of the July 1, 2021 annual assessment date, the estimated fair value of the PIM reporting unit exceeded the carrying value by approximately 5%. Key assumptions in the assessment include projected future revenue and gross margin, a 10.5% discount rate, and a terminal growth rate of 3%. A 50 basis point change in the projected compound annual revenue growth rate, gross margins, discount rate, or terminal growth assumption would not result in an impairment. As of September 30, 2021, PIM’s carrying value includes $118.2 million of goodwill and $46.0 million of indefinite-lived trade-name intangible assets.
The Flowchem LLC (“Flowchem”) trade name, an indefinite-lived intangible asset that is part of the PIM reporting unit, was assessed for impairment using a relief from royalty approach. Factors requiring significant judgment include projected revenue, royalty rates, terminal growth rates, and discount rates.
Significant management judgment is required to estimate projected future revenue and gross margins. All assumptions used in our impairment valuation for indefinite-lived intangible assets and goodwill are based on best available information and are consistent with internal forecasts and operating plans.
See Note 9 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information regarding goodwill and intangible assets.
ACCOUNTING FOR INCOME TAXES
We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Accordingly, the determination of our provision for income taxes requires judgment, the use of estimates in certain cases and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. Our effective income tax rate is affected by many factors, including changes in our assessment of certain tax contingencies, increases and decreases in valuation allowances, changes in tax law, outcomes of audits, and the mix of earnings among our U.S. and international operations.
We assess whether or not our deferred tax assets will ultimately be realized, and record an estimated valuation allowance on those deferred tax assets that may not be realized. Many factors are considered when assessing whether it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized, including recent cumulative earnings, expectations of future taxable income, carryforward periods and other relevant quantitative and qualitative factors. The recoverability of the deferred tax assets is evaluated by assessing the adequacy of future expected taxable income from all sources, including reversal of taxable temporary differences, forecasted operating earnings and available tax planning strategies. This evaluation is based on best available information and are consistent with internal forecasts and operating plans.
We recognize the tax benefit of an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. When facts and circumstances change, we reassess these probabilities and record any changes in the financial statements as appropriate. This determination requires the use of judgment in evaluating our tax positions and assessing the timing and amounts of deductible and taxable items. See Note 18 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information on income taxes.
EFFECTS OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
See Note 2 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of recent accounting pronouncements.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
EFFECT OF CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES AND EXCHANGE RATE RISK MANAGEMENT
We conduct business operations outside of the U.S. through our foreign operations. Most of our foreign operations maintain their accounting records in their local currencies. Consequently, period to period comparability of results of operations is affected by fluctuations in exchange rates. The primary currencies to which we have exposure are the Korean won, Japanese yen, the New Taiwan dollar, Euro, British pound, and Singapore dollar. Approximately 23% of our revenue is transacted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. However, outside of the U.S., we also incur expenses that are transacted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, which mitigates the exposure on the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income. We periodically enter into forward contracts in an effort to manage foreign currency exchange exposure on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. However, we are unlikely to be able to hedge these exposures completely. We do not enter into forward contracts or other derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
We recorded $2.5 million in currency translation gains, $19.3 million in currency translation gains, and $8.5 million in currency translation losses, net of tax, during fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which were included in other comprehensive income (loss).
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MARKET RISK AND SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS RELATED TO FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE RISK
We have performed a sensitivity analysis assuming a hypothetical 10% additional adverse movement in foreign exchange rates. As of September 30, 2021, the analysis demonstrated that such market movements would not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows over a one-year period. Actual gains and losses in the future may differ materially from this analysis based on changes in the timing and amount of foreign currency rate movements and our actual exposures.
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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
Page
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income for the years ended September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the years ended September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Statement Schedule:
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Management Responsibility
All other schedules are omitted, because they are not required, are not applicable, or the information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto.
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of CMC Materials, Inc.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CMC Materials, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of September 30, 2021 and 2020, and the related consolidated statements of (loss) income, of comprehensive (loss) income, of changes in stockholders’ equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2021, including the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2021 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for leases as of October 1, 2019.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting 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 audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
As described in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management has excluded International Test Solutions, Inc. (“ITS”) from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2021, because it was acquired by the Company in a business combination during fiscal 2021. We have also excluded ITS from our audit of internal control over financial reporting. As of September 30, 2021 and for the period from the ITS Acquisition Date through September 30, 2021, total assets and total revenue of ITS represented less than 1% of the Company’s consolidated total assets and total revenues.
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 (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of
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the assets of the company; (ii) 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 (iii) 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.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Goodwill Impairment Assessment - Pipeline and Industrial Materials (“PIM”) and CMP Pads Reporting Units
As described in Notes 2 and 9 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s consolidated goodwill balance was $576.9 million at September 30, 2021, which included the PIM and CMP Pads reporting units. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually on July 1, or between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. The goodwill impairment assessment is performed comparing the estimated fair value of the reporting units to their carrying amounts. Estimated fair values are determined using the average of a discounted cash flow model and a market approach based on earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation for a group of guideline comparable companies. Factors requiring significant judgment include the selection of valuation approach and assumptions related to future revenue and gross margin, discount rates, and terminal growth rates.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the goodwill impairment assessment of the PIM and CMP Pads reporting units is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management when determining the fair value of the reporting units using the discounted cash flow models; (ii) the high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and evaluating the significant assumptions used in management’s fair value estimate related to future revenue, gross margin, terminal growth rate and the discount rate for the PIM reporting unit, and future revenue and gross margin for the CMP Pads reporting unit; and (iii) the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s goodwill impairment assessment, including controls over the valuation of the Company’s PIM and CMP Pads reporting units. These procedures also included, among others, testing management’s process for determining the fair value estimate of the PIM and CMP Pads reporting units; evaluating the appropriateness of using the average of a discounted cash flow model and a market approach based upon relevant market multiples; testing the completeness and accuracy of underlying data used in the discounted cash flow models; and evaluating the significant assumptions used by management related to future revenue, gross margin, terminal growth rate and the discount rate for the PIM reporting unit, and future revenue and gross margin for the CMP Pads reporting unit. Evaluating management’s assumptions related to future revenue, gross margin, and terminal growth rate involved evaluating whether the assumptions used were reasonable considering (i) the current and past performance of the reporting units, (ii) the consistency with external market and industry data, and (iii) whether these assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in the evaluation of the appropriateness of the discounted cash flow models and market approach and the reasonableness of the PIM discount rate assumption.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
November 12, 2021
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1999.
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CMC MATERIALS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF (LOSS) INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
Revenue $ 1,199,831 $ 1,116,270 $ 1,037,696
Cost of sales 701,662 627,669 595,043
Gross profit 498,169 488,601 442,653
Operating expenses:
Research, development and technical 54,195 52,311 51,707
Selling, general and administrative 228,886 217,071 213,078
Impairment charges 230,392 2,314 67,372
Total operating expenses 513,473 271,696 332,157
Operating (loss) income (15,304) 216,905 110,496
Interest expense, net 38,360 41,840 43,335
Other expense, net (1,130) (1,718) (4,055)
(Loss) income before income taxes (54,794) 173,347 63,106
Provision for income taxes 13,783 30,519 23,891
Net (loss) income $ (68,577) $ 142,828 $ 39,215
Basic (loss) earnings per share $ (2.35) $ 4.90 $ 1.37
Diluted (loss) earnings per share $ (2.35) $ 4.83 $ 1.35
Weighted average basic shares outstanding 29,126 29,136 28,571
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding 29,126 29,580 29,094
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
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CMC MATERIALS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
(In thousands)
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
Net (loss) income $ (68,577) $ 142,828 $ 39,215
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment 2,377 19,642 (7,957)
Income tax benefit (expense) 140 (356) (591)
Total foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax 2,517 19,286 (8,548)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges:
Change in fair value 7,184 (23,161) (23,667)
Reclassification adjustment into earnings 14,122 9,360 (524)
Income tax (expense) benefit (4,765) 3,090 5,411
Total unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges, net of tax 16,541 (10,711) (18,780)
Pension and other postretirement (211) 891 (479)
Income tax expense 48 156 30
Total pension and other postretirement, net of tax (163) 1,047 (449)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 18,895 9,622 (27,777)
Comprehensive (loss) income $ (49,682) $ 152,450 $ 11,438
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
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CMC MATERIALS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
September 30,
2021 2020
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 185,979 $ 257,354
Accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses of $527 at September 30, 2021, and $583 at September 30, 2020
150,099 134,023
Inventories 173,464 159,134
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 25,439 26,558
Total current assets 534,981 577,069
Property, plant and equipment, net 354,771 362,067
Goodwill 576,902 718,647
Other intangible assets, net 625,434 670,964
Deferred income taxes 6,813 7,713
Other long-term assets 51,984 40,007
Total assets $ 2,150,885 $ 2,376,467
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 52,748 $ 49,254
Current portion of long-term debt 13,313 10,650
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 139,797 121,442
Total current liabilities 205,858 181,346
Long-term debt, net of current portion
903,031 910,764
Deferred income taxes 74,930 112,212
Other long-term liabilities 88,129 97,832
Total liabilities 1,271,948 1,302,154
Commitments and contingencies (Note 19)
Stockholders’ equity:
Common Stock Authorized: 200,000 shares, $0.001 par value; Issued: 40,221 shares at September 30, 2021 and 39,914 shares at September 30, 2020
40 40
Capital in excess of par value of common stock 1,052,869 1,019,803
Retained earnings 431,968 553,718
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 4,791 (14,104)
Treasury stock at cost, 11,795 shares at September 30, 2021 and 10,834 shares at September 30, 2020
(610,731) (485,144)
Total stockholders’ equity 878,937 1,074,313
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 2,150,885 $ 2,376,467
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
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CMC MATERIALS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income $ (68,577) $ 142,828 $ 39,215
Adjustments to reconcile Net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Impairment charges 230,392 2,314 67,372
Depreciation and amortization 132,170 127,737 98,592
Deferred income tax benefit (41,347) (11,267) (27,150)
Share-based compensation expense 19,678 16,396 18,227
Amortization of terminated interest rate swap contract 9,287 - -
Amortization of debt issuance costs 3,152 3,123 2,884
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets 1,374 (71) (36)
Non-cash foreign exchange loss (gain) 406 (266) 839
Accretion and adjustment on Asset Retirement Obligations 295 599 530
Non-cash charge on inventory step up of acquired inventory sold - - 14,869
Other (1,047) (796) (930)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (13,429) 13,075 (6,156)
Inventories (13,023) (12,337) (20,993)
Prepaid expenses and other assets (6,576) 8,645 6,830
Accounts payable 3,586 (2,861) 1,163
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 14,272 165 (20,275)
Net cash provided by operating activities 270,613 287,284 174,981
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of a business, net of cash acquired (126,877) - (1,182,187)
Additions to property, plant and equipment (42,103) (125,839) (55,972)
Proceeds from the sale of assets 2,620 1,587 1,224
Cash settlement of life insurance policy - - 3,959
Net cash used in investing activities (166,360) (124,252) (1,232,976)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchases of common stock under Share Repurchase Program (120,027) (35,009) (10,002)
Dividends paid (53,015) (50,383) (46,324)
Proceeds from issuance of stock 13,388 14,427 17,210
Repayment of long-term debt (7,988) (23,313) (105,326)
Repurchases of common stock withheld for taxes (5,560) (3,229) (4,718)
Debt issuance costs (1,898) - (18,745)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt - - 1,062,337
Proceeds from revolving line of credit - 150,000 -
Repayment on revolving line of credit - (150,000) -
Other financing activities (236) (149) -
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (175,336) (97,656) 894,432
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Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (292) 3,483 (863)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (71,375) 68,859 (164,426)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 257,354 188,495 352,921
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 185,979 $ 257,354 $ 188,495
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes (net of refunds received) $ 39,389 $ 44,535 $ 35,432
Cash paid for interest 28,920 45,281 39,181
Purchases of property, plant and equipment in accrued liabilities and accounts payable at the end of the period 5,009 5,365 8,690
Equity consideration related to the acquisition of KMG Chemicals, Inc - - 331,048
Cash paid during the period for lease liabilities 8,274 7,554 -
Right of use asset obtained in exchange for lease liabilities 3,600 7,435 -
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
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CMC MATERIALS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
Shares $ Shares $ Shares $
Common Stock
Beginning balance 39,914 $ 40 39,592 $ 40 35,862 $ 36
Exercise of stock options 133 - 181 - 313 1
Restricted stock 123 - 95 - 131 -
Common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan 51 - 46 - 49 -
Common stock in connection with acquisition of KMG Chemicals, Inc. - - - - 3,237 3
Ending balance 40,221 40 39,914 40 39,592 40
Capital in Excess of Par
Beginning balance 1,019,803 988,980 622,498
Share-based compensation expense 19,678 16,396 18,227
Exercise of stock options 7,151 9,491 13,194
Issuance of common stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan 6,022 4,786 3,941
Issuance of restricted stock under Deposit Share Program 215 150 75
Issuance of common stock in connection with acquisition of KMG Chemicals, Inc. - - 331,045
Ending balance 1,052,869 1,019,803 988,980
Retained Earnings
Beginning balance 553,718 461,501 471,673
Cumulative effect of accounting changes1
- 488 (933)
Net (loss) income (68,577) 142,828 39,215
Dividends (53,173) (51,099) (48,454)
Ending balance 431,968 553,718 461,501
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Beginning balance (14,104) (23,238) 4,539
Foreign currency translation adjustment 2,517 19,286 (8,548)
Cash flow hedges 16,541 (10,711) (18,780)
Minimum pension liability adjustment (163) 1,047 (449)
Cumulative effect of accounting changes1
- (488) -
Ending balance 4,791 (14,104) (23,238)
Treasury Stock
Beginning balance 10,834 (485,144) 10,491 (446,906) 10,356 (432,054)
Repurchases of common stock under Share Repurchase Program 924 (120,027) 318 (35,009) 88 (10,002)
Repurchases of common stock - other 37 (5,560) 25 (3,229) 47 (4,850)
Ending balance 11,795 (610,731) 10,834 (485,144) 10,491 (446,906)
Total Equity $ 878,937 $ 1,074,313 $ 980,377
Dividends per share of common stock $ 1.82 $ 1.74 $ 1.66
1.Impact due to the adoption of ASU No. 2018-02 in fiscal 2020.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
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CMC MATERIALS, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
1. BACKGROUND AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
CMC Materials, Inc. (“CMC”, “the Company”, “us”, “we”, or “our”) is a leading global supplier of consumable materials, primarily to semiconductor manufacturers. The Company’s products play a critical role in the production of advanced semiconductor devices, helping to enable the manufacture of smaller, faster and more complex devices by its customers. On April 1, 2021 (the “ITS Acquisition Date”), the Company completed the acquisition of 100% of International Test Solutions, LLC (“ITS”) (the “ITS Acquisition”), which has expanded the Company’s portfolio of critical enabling solutions in the semiconductor manufacturing process. The Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K include the financial results of ITS from the ITS Acquisition Date. Additionally, the Consolidated Financial Statements include the financial results of KMG Chemicals, Inc. (“KMG”) since the Company’s acquisition of 100% of the outstanding stock of KMG (the “KMG Acquisition”) on November 15, 2018 (the “KMG Acquisition Date”).
We operate our business within two reportable segments: Electronic Materials and Performance Materials. The Electronic Materials segment consists of our chemical mechanical planarization (“CMP”) slurries, CMP pads, electronic chemicals, and materials technologies businesses. The Performance Materials segment consists of our pipeline and industrial materials (“PIM”), wood treatment, and QED Technologies International, Inc. (“QED”) businesses.
The audited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by CMC pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP” or “GAAP”).
In the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the presentation for Interest income has been changed for fiscal years 2020 and 2019 to conform to the current presentation. The amounts for fiscal years 2020 and 2019 related to Interest income are now presented under “Interest expense, net.” In the Consolidated Balance Sheets of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, Accrued expenses, income taxes payable and other current liabilities was renamed and is now presented as “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities.” In the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the presentation for the Provision for credit losses and the presentation for Repurchases of common stock under Cash flows from financing activities have been changed for fiscal years 2020 and 2019 to conform to the current presentation. The amounts for fiscal years 2020 and 2019 related to the Provision for credit losses are now presented under “Other” and common shares withheld for taxes and included in Repurchases of common stock previously, are now presented separately under “Repurchases of common stock withheld for taxes.”
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of CMC Materials, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances between the companies have been eliminated.
USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. We base our estimates on historical experience, current conditions, and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. However, future events are subject to change and estimates and judgments routinely require adjustment. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
We consider investments in all highly liquid financial instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Short-term investments include securities generally having maturities of 90 days to one year.
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES
Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. We maintain an allowance for credit losses for estimated losses resulting from the potential inability of our customers to make required payments. Our allowance for credit losses is based on historical collection experience, adjusted for any specific known conditions or circumstances such as customer bankruptcies and increased risk due to economic conditions. Uncollectible account balances are charged against the allowance when we believe that it is probable that the receivable will not be recovered. Amounts charged to bad debt expense are recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses.
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Our allowance for credit losses changed during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 as follows:
2021 2020
Beginning Balance $ 583 $ 2,377
Amount of charge (benefit) to expense 76 (1,122)
Deductions and adjustments (132) (672)
Ending Balance at September 30 $ 527 $ 583
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Financial instruments that subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial conditions and generally do not require collateral to secure accounts receivable. Our exposure to credit risk associated with nonpayment is affected principally by conditions or occurrences within the semiconductor industry, pipeline and adjacent industries, and the global economy. We have not experienced significant losses relating to accounts receivable from individual customers or groups of customers.
Customers who represented more than 10% of consolidated revenue, all of which are in the Electronic Materials segment, are as follows:
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
Intel 13 % 15 % 14 %
Samsung Group 11 % 11 % 11 %
Of those customers who represented more than 10% of consolidated revenue, their net accounts receivable as a percentage of total net accounts receivable are as follows:
September 30,
2021 2020
Intel 9 % 9 %
Samsung Group 7 % 7 %
FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The recorded amounts of cash, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate their fair values due to their short-term, highly liquid characteristics. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The three-level hierarchy for disclosure is based on the extent and level of judgment used to estimate fair value. Level 1 inputs consist of valuations based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs consist of valuations based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an inactive market, or other observable inputs. Level 3 inputs consist of valuations based on unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity.
INVENTORIES
Inventories are recorded on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Finished goods and work in process inventories include material, labor and manufacturing overhead costs. We regularly review and write down the value of inventory as required for estimated obsolescence or lack of marketability.
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PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is based on the following estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method:
Land improvements 10-20 years
Buildings 15-30 years
Machinery and equipment 3-20 years
Furniture and fixtures 5-10 years
Vehicles 5-8 years
Information systems 3-5 years
Assets under financing leases The shorter of the term of the lease or estimated useful life
LEASES
Effective October 1, 2019, the Company adopted the new lease accounting guidance which requires the recognition of a right of use asset and a corresponding lease liability for operating leases. The Company applies provisions of the guidance to operating leases with terms of more than twelve months for all lease classes except for real estate leases for which the guidance is applied to all leases. Additionally, the Company elected to account for non-lease components and lease components together as a single lease component for all asset classes. The Company’s lease transactions primarily consist of leases for facilities, equipment, and vehicles under operating leases. Certain of the Company’s leases have an option to extend the lease term and the renewal period is included in determining the lease term for leases where the renewal option is reasonably certain to be exercised.
The new standard was adopted in our first quarter of fiscal 2020 using the modified retrospective transition method; however, we applied the optional transition adjustment that permits us to continue applying Topic 840 within the comparative periods disclosed.
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
Our asset retirement obligations (“AROs”) include reclamation requirements as regulated by government authorities or contractual obligations for the removal or storage of hazardous materials, decontamination or demolition of above ground storage tanks, and certain restoration and decommissioning obligations related to certain of our owned and leased properties. The Company recognizes an ARO in the period in which it is incurred, if a reasonable estimate can be made. The accounting for ARO requires estimates by management about when and how the assets will be retired, the cost of retirement obligations, discount and inflation rates used in determining fair values and the methods of remediation associated with our AROs. We generally use assumptions and estimates that reflect the most likely remediation method. Our estimated liability for AROs is revised annually, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that a revision to the estimate is necessary.
In subsequent periods, the Company recognizes accretion expense in Cost of sales increasing the ARO balances, such that the balance will ultimately equal the expected cash flows at the time of settlement. AROs are included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company has multiple production facilities with an indeterminate useful life and there is insufficient information available to estimate a range of potential settlement dates for the obligation. Therefore, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the fair value of the liability. When a reasonable estimate can be made, an asset retirement obligation will be recorded, and such amounts may be material to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the period in which they are recorded.
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS
We assess the recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. For purposes of recognition and measurement of an impairment loss, long-lived assets are either individually identified or grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. When a long-lived asset is considered impaired a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the long-lived asset.
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GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill and indefinite-lived Intangible assets are tested for impairment annually as of July 1, or between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Historically, we have annually tested goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment as of September 30. This year, we voluntarily changed the annual impairment testing date from September 30 to July 1. We believe this measurement date, which represents a change in the method of applying an accounting principle, is preferable because it better aligns with the timing of the Company’s financial planning process which is a key component of the annual impairment tests. The change in the measurement date did not delay, accelerate or prevent an impairment charge. Each quarter, the Company evaluates impairment indicators to determine whether there is a triggering event warranting a goodwill and intangible asset impairment analysis. As such, the change in the annual test date was applied prospectively effective July 1, 2021. The Company’s reporting units are CMP slurries, CMP pads, electronic chemicals, PIM, wood treatment, and QED.
Intangible assets that have finite lives are amortized over their respective useful lives of 2 to 20 years. Intangible assets are tested for impairment if an event occurs or circumstances change that indicates the carrying value may not be recoverable.
For each reporting unit, the Company has the option to perform either the qualitative analysis (“step zero”) or a quantitative analysis (“step one”). In the event a reporting unit fails the qualitative assessment, it is required to perform the quantitative test. The goodwill impairment assessment is performed by comparing the estimated fair value of the reporting units to their carrying amounts. Estimated fair values are determined using the average of a discounted cash flows model and a market approach based on earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation for a group of guideline comparable companies. Factors requiring significant judgment include the selection of valuation approach and assumptions related to future revenue and gross margin, discount rates, and terminal growth rates. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the reporting unit will recognize an impairment for the lesser of either the amount by which the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit or the reporting unit’s goodwill carrying value. We used a step zero qualitative analysis for the CMP slurries and QED reporting units. All other reporting units were assessed for goodwill impairment using a step one approach.
The Flowchem LLC (“Flowchem”) trade name, an indefinite-lived intangible asset that is part of the PIM reporting unit, was assessed for impairment using a relief from royalty approach. Factors requiring significant judgment include projected revenue, royalty rates, terminal growth rates, and discount rates.
The Company provides disclosure of the potential risk of impairment when a reporting unit’s fair value exceeds its carrying value by less than ten percent.
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Performance Obligations and Material Rights
The Company recognizes revenue using the five-step process of 1) identifying the contract, 2) identifying the performance obligation within the contract, 3) determining the transaction price, 4) allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations, and 5) recognizing the revenue as the performance obligations are satisfied through the transfer of control. A majority of the Company’s contracts have a single performance obligation which represents, in most cases, the products, equipment or services being sold to the customer. Some contracts include delivery of free product that we have concluded represents a material right.
Contracts vary in length and payment terms vary depending on the products or services offered, however, the period of time between invoicing and when payment is due is typically not significant. As a result, we do not have significant financing components. Transaction price is determined upon establishment of the contract that contains the final terms of the sale, including the description, quantity, and price of goods or services purchased. Contracts with prospective tiered price discounts require judgment in determining the transaction price. For sales contracts that contain multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation identified in the contract based on relative standalone selling prices or estimates of such prices. When we invoice for products shipped under contracts with multiple performance obligations, we defer a portion of the revenue associated with the material rights on the balance sheet as a contract liability.
The Company recognizes revenue related to product sales at a point in time following the transfer of control of such products to the customer, which generally occurs upon shipment, or delivery depending on the terms of the underlying contracts. Revenue is recognized on consignment sales when control transfers to the customer, generally at the point of customer usage of the product. For services provided to customers in the pipeline and adjacent industries, including preventive maintenance, repair, and specialized isolation sealing on pipelines and training, revenue is recorded at a point in time when the services are completed as this is when right to payment and customer acceptance occurs.
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Costs to Obtain and Fulfill a Contract
For certain contracts within the Performance Materials segment, commissions are paid to sales agents based upon a percentage of end-customer invoice value after funds are received by the Company from its customers. As a practical expedient, the Company does not capitalize commissions as the associated contracts are generally one year or less in duration. For shipping and handling activities performed after a customer obtains control of the goods, the Company has elected to account for these costs as activities to fulfill the promise to transfer the goods and included in Cost of sales.
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL
Research, development and technical costs are expensed as incurred and consist primarily of staffing costs, materials and supplies, depreciation, utilities and other facilities costs.
LEGAL COSTS
Legal costs are expensed as incurred.
INCOME TAXES
Current income taxes are determined based on estimated taxes payable or refundable on tax returns for the current year. Deferred income taxes are determined using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of changes in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Provisions are made for both U.S. and any foreign deferred income tax liability or benefit. We assess whether or not our deferred tax assets will ultimately be realized and record an estimated valuation allowance on those deferred tax assets that may not be realized. The accounting guidance regarding uncertainty in income taxes prescribes a threshold for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax item. Under these standards, we may recognize the tax benefit of an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the Provision for income taxes. Accrued interest and penalties are included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING
The Company is exposed to various market risks, including risks associated with interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. We enter into certain derivative transactions to mitigate the volatility associated with these exposures. We have policies in place that define acceptable instrument types we may enter into and we have established controls to limit our market risk exposure. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. In addition, all derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value on a gross basis.
Interest Rate Swaps
The fair value of the interest rate swap is estimated using standard valuation models using market-based observable inputs over the contractual term, including one-month London Inter-bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) based yield curves, among others. We consider the risk of nonperformance, including counterparty credit risk, in the calculation of the fair value. We have designated these swap agreements as cash flow hedges. As cash flow hedges, unrealized gains are recognized as assets and unrealized losses are recognized as liabilities. Unrealized gains and losses are designated as effective or ineffective based on a comparison of the changes in fair value of the interest rate swaps and changes in fair value of the underlying exposures being hedged. The effective portion is recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), while the ineffective portion is recorded as a component of Interest expense. Changes in the method by which we pay interest from one-month LIBOR to another rate of interest could create ineffectiveness in the swaps, and result in amounts being reclassified from other comprehensive (loss) income into Net (loss) income. Hedge effectiveness is tested quarterly to determine if hedge treatment is appropriate. Realized gains and losses are recorded on the same financial statement line as the hedged item, which is Interest expense.
Foreign Currency Contracts Not Designated as Hedges
On a regular basis, we enter into forward foreign exchange contracts in an effort to mitigate the risks associated with currency fluctuations on certain foreign currency balance sheet exposures. These foreign exchange contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting; therefore, the gains and losses resulting from the impact of currency exchange rate movements on our forward foreign exchange contracts are recognized as Other expense, net in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income in the period in which the exchange rates change.
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SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company’s long-term equity incentive plan authorizes the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors to provide equity-based compensation in various form, including stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and performance share units (“PSUs”), for the purpose of providing our employees, officers, and non-employee directors incentives, some of which are performance-based. We also have an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”). All awards under share-based payment plans are accounted for at fair value at the date of grant. We recognize expense on share-based awards to employees expected to vest over the service period, which is the shorter of the period until the employees’ retirement eligibility dates or the service period of the award.
EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic (loss) earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated by dividing Net (loss) income available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period, excluding the effects of unvested restricted stock awards with a right to receive non-forfeitable dividends, which are considered participating securities and are included in the calculation using the two-class method. Diluted EPS is calculated in a similar manner, but the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period is increased to include the weighted-average dilutive effect of “in-the-money” stock options and unvested restricted stock shares using the treasury stock method.
EFFECTS OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
ASU No. 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (Topic 326) and subsequent amendments, requires financial assets measured at amortized cost to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected using an allowance account and provides that credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities should be recorded through an allowance for credit losses. The Company adopted these standards effective October 1, 2020 using the modified retrospective approach, which did not impact our results of operations or financial condition. Upon adoption, no adjustment was made to retained earnings or the Allowance for credit losses at October 1, 2020.
ASU No. 2018-13 “Fair Value Measurement” (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement provides specific guidance on various disclosure requirements in Topic 820, including removal, modification and addition to current disclosure requirements. The Company adopted this standard effective October 1, 2020, which did not have a material impact on our financial statement disclosures.
ASU No. 2018-15 “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software” (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract, requires a customer in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract to follow the guidance in Subtopic 350-40 to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as an asset or expense related to the service contract. The Company adopted this standard effective October 1, 2020, which did not have a material impact on our results of operations or financial condition.
Accounting Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted
ASU No. 2019-12 “Income Taxes” (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes was issued to simplify Topic 740 through improving consistency and removing certain exceptions to general principles. ASU 2019-12 will be effective for us beginning October 1, 2021. The adoption of this standard does not have a material impact on our financial statements.
ASU No. 2020-04 “Reference Rate Reform” (Topic 848) - Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting provides optional guidance for accounting for contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by the reference rate reform, if certain criteria are met. The provisions of this standard are available for election through December 31, 2022. We are currently evaluating the impact of the reference rate reform on our contracts and the resulting impact of adopting this standard on our financial statements.
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3. REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
The Company disaggregates revenue by product area and segment as it best depicts the nature and amount of the Company’s revenue. See Note 21 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.
The following table provides information about contract liability balances:
Consolidated Balance Sheet Location September 30,
2021 2020
Contract liabilities (current) Accrued expenses and other current liabilities $ 8,883 $ 8,501
Contract liabilities (noncurrent) Other long-term liabilities 1,788 1,288
The amount of revenue recognized during the year ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 that was included in the opening current contract liability balances in our Performance Materials segment was $5,429 and $3,576, respectively. The amount of revenue recognized during the year ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 that was included in our opening contract liability balances in our Electronic Materials segment was not material.
The table below discloses (1) the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to performance obligations that are partially or wholly unsatisfied as of the end of the reporting period for contracts with an original duration of greater than one year and (2) when the Company expects to recognize this revenue.
Less Than 1 Year 1-3 Years 3-5 Years Total
Revenue expected to be recognized on contract liability amounts as of September 30, 2021
$ 1,009 $ 1,057 $ 731 $ 2,797
4. BUSINESS COMBINATION
The Company completed the ITS Acquisition on the ITS Acquisition Date for a purchase consideration of $129,071, inclusive of working capital adjustments, or $126,877 net of cash acquired, which it funded entirely from cash on hand. ITS designs and produces high-performance consumables used to optimize critical semiconductor testing processes, thus expanding CMC’s product offerings. ITS is included in the material technologies business within our Electronic Materials business segment. The ITS Acquisition was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting, and ITS’s results of operations are included in our Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income and Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income from the ITS Acquisition Date. The ITS Acquisition would not have materially affected the Company’s results of operations or financial position for any periods presented. In fiscal 2021, acquisition and integration-related expenses for the ITS Acquisition were not material.
The Company allocated $81,960 and $37,200 of the purchase price to goodwill and intangible assets, respectively. The goodwill is primarily attributable to anticipated revenue growth from the combined company product portfolio and is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.
The following table sets forth the components of identifiable intangible assets acquired in the ITS Acquisition:
Fair Value Estimated Useful Life
(years) Amortization Method
Technology and know-how $ 25,400 10 Straight-line
Customer relationships 8,100 20 Accelerated
Trade name 3,700 10 Straight-line
Total intangible assets $ 37,200
The intangible assets subject to amortization have a weighted average useful life of 12.2 years.
The fair value of acquired identifiable intangible assets was determined using Level 3 inputs for the “income approach” on an individual asset basis. The key assumptions used in the calculation of the discounted cash flows include projected revenue, operating expenses, and obsolescence rate. The valuations and the underlying assumptions have been deemed reasonable by the Company’s management. There are inherent uncertainties and management judgment required in these determinations.
The purchase price allocation for the ITS Acquisition was finalized during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021.
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The Company completed the KMG Acquisition on the KMG Acquisition Date, and KMG’s results of operations have been included in our Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income and Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income from that date.
5. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company is required to record certain assets and liabilities at fair value. The valuation methods used for determining the fair value of these financial instruments by hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1 Cash and cash equivalents consist of various bank accounts used to support our operations and investments in institutional money-market funds that are traded in active markets.
Other long-term investments represent the fair value of investments under our supplemental employee retirement plan (“SERP”). The fair value of the investments is determined through quoted market prices within actively traded markets.
Level 2 Derivative financial instruments include foreign exchange contracts and an interest rate swap contract. The fair value of our derivative instruments is estimated using standard valuation models and market-based observable inputs over the contractual term, including one-month LIBOR based yield curves for the interest rate swap, and forward rates and/or the Overnight Index Swap curve for forward foreign exchange contracts, among others.
Level 3 No Level 3 financial instruments
The following table presents financial instruments, other than debt, that we measured at fair value on a recurring basis. See Note 13 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of our debt. In instances where the inputs used to measure the fair value of an asset fall into more than one level of the hierarchy, we have classified them based on the lowest level input that is significant to the determination of the fair value.
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Fair Value
September 30, September 30, September 30, September 30,
2021 2020 2021 2020 2021 2020 2021 2020
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 185,979 $ 257,354 $ - $ - $ - $ - $ 185,979 $ 257,354
Other long-term investments 1,439 1,214 - - - - 1,439 1,214
Derivative financial instruments - - 12,335 27 - - 12,335 27
Total assets $ 187,418 $ 258,568 $ 12,335 $ 27 $ - $ - $ 199,753 $ 258,595
Liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments $ - $ - $ 3,383 $ 38,157 $ - $ - $ 3,383 $ 38,157
Total liabilities $ - $ - $ 3,383 $ 38,157 $ - $ - $ 3,383 $ 38,157
6. INVENTORIES
Inventories consisted of the following:
September 30,
2021 2020
Raw materials $ 67,969 $ 66,591
Work in process 17,358 15,148
Finished goods 88,137 77,395
Total $ 173,464 $ 159,134
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7. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:
September 30,
2021 2020
Land and land improvements $ 37,421 $ 36,775
Buildings 195,252 166,907
Machinery and equipment 352,014 280,432
Vehicles 20,075 18,719
Furniture and fixtures 10,045 9,865
Information systems 66,723 56,573
Finance leases 2,442 2,514
Construction in progress 43,542 123,441
Total property, plant and equipment 727,514 695,226
Less: accumulated depreciation (372,743) (333,159)
Net property, plant and equipment $ 354,771 $ 362,067
Depreciation expense was $48,210, $39,929 and $37,584 for the years ended September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
8. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
The following table provides a roll-forward of the AROs reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets:
2021 2020
Beginning Balance $ 11,759 $ 12,675
Purchase accounting in connection with the KMG Acquisition - (860)
Liabilities Settled (21) -
Accretion of discount 585 599
Estimate revision (290) (655)
Ending Balance at September 30 $ 12,033 $ 11,759
9. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill activity for each of the Company’s reportable segments for the years ended September 30, 2021 and 2020 is as follows:
Electronic Materials Performance Materials Total
Balance at September 30, 20191
$ 352,797 $ 357,274 $ 710,071
Foreign currency translation impact 7,628 (257) 7,371
Other - 1,205 1,205
Balance at September 30, 20201
360,425 358,222 718,647
Foreign currency translation impact 1,848 1,573 3,421
Additions due to acquisitions (See Note 4)
81,960 - 81,960
Impairment - (227,126) (227,126)
Balance at September 30, 2021 $ 444,233 $ 132,669 $ 576,902
1.There are no accumulated impairment amounts at September 30, 2020 or 2019.
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During fiscal 2021, the Company recorded impairment charges related to the PIM and wood treatment reporting units within the Performance Materials segment. As a result of lower than anticipated recovery from a drop in demand for our PIM products due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (“Pandemic”), combined with a near-to-mid term increase in raw material cost for the PIM business, we determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the PIM reporting unit was below its carrying value, requiring the PIM reporting unit to be tested for impairment at March 31, 2021. Based on the results of the interim impairment test, the Company concluded that the carrying value of the PIM reporting unit exceeded the estimated fair value, and recognized a non-cash, pre-tax goodwill impairment charge of $201,550. The goodwill impairment charge is included in the Performance Materials segment and presented within Impairment charges, and the related tax benefit of $23,539 is included in the Provision for income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income for the year ended September 30, 2021.
In connection with our annual impairment assessment, the estimated fair value of the PIM reporting unit was determined to exceed the carrying value by approximately 5% as of July 1, 2021 and no additional impairment was recognized. The most significant estimates and assumptions inherent in the discounted cash flows model are the forecasted revenue growth rate, forecasted gross margin, the discount rate and the terminal growth rate. These assumptions are classified as level 3 inputs. The Company’s projections for revenue and gross margin are based on the Company’s multiyear forecast, which reflects a recovery from the Pandemic during the forecast period and normalization of raw material costs. The discount rate was based on an estimated weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) for the PIM reporting unit. The components of WACC are the cost of equity and the cost of debt, each of which requires judgment by management to estimate. The company developed its cost of equity estimate based on perceived risks and predictability of future cash flows.
The remaining carrying value of the PIM reporting unit as of September 30, 2021 of $566,300 includes $118,235 of goodwill and $46,000 of indefinite lived intangible assets.
Additionally, the Company recorded non-cash, pre-tax goodwill impairment charge of $25,576 for the year ended September 30, 2021, related to the wood treatment asset group and reporting unit due to the previously announced planned closure of the facilities. See Note 10 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for discussion of the wood treatment impairment.
The components of other intangible assets are as follows:
September 30, 2021 September 30, 2020
Gross Carrying
Amount Accumulated
Amortization Net Gross Carrying
Amount Accumulated
Amortization Net
Other intangible assets subject to amortization:
Customer relationships, trade names, and distribution rights $ 701,849 $ 207,606 $ 494,243 $ 690,716 $ 140,037 $ 550,679
Product technology, trade secrets and know-how 147,270 63,249 84,021 122,135 49,228 72,907
Acquired patents and licenses 8,748 8,748 - 8,921 8,713 208
Total other intangible assets subject to amortization 857,867 279,603 578,264 821,772 197,978 623,794
Other intangible assets not subject to amortization:
Other indefinite-lived intangibles1
47,170 - 47,170 47,170 - 47,170
Total other intangible assets not subject to amortization 47,170 - 47,170 47,170 - 47,170
Total other intangible assets $ 905,037 $ 279,603 $ 625,434 $ 868,942 $ 197,978 $ 670,964
1.Other indefinite-lived intangibles not subject to amortization primarily consist of trade names.
INDEX
Gross Carrying Amount
Balance at September 30, 2020 Additions1
Impairment2
FX and Other Balance at September 30, 2021 Accumulated Amortization Net at September 30, 2021
Other intangible assets subject to amortization:
Customer relationships, trade names, and distribution rights $ 690,716 $ 11,800 $ (2,419) $ 1,752 $ 701,849 $ 207,606 $ 494,243
Product technology, trade secrets and know-how 122,135 25,400 (583) 318 147,270 63,249 84,021
Acquired patents and licenses 8,921 - (173) - 8,748 8,748 -
Total other intangible assets subject to amortization 821,772 37,200 (3,175) 2,070 857,867 279,603 578,264
Other intangible assets not subject to amortization:
Other indefinite-lived intangibles
47,170 - - - 47,170 - 47,170
Total other intangible assets not subject to amortization 47,170 - - - 47,170 - 47,170
Total other intangible assets $ 868,942 $ 37,200 $ (3,175) $ 2,070 $ 905,037 $ 279,603 $ 625,434
1.Refer to Note 4 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding the ITS acquisition.
2.Refer to Note 10 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding the wood treatment impairment.
Amortization expense was $81,083, $85,557 and $59,931 for fiscal 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Estimated future amortization expense of intangible assets as of September 30, 2021 for the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows:
Fiscal Year Estimated
Amortization
Expense
2022 $ 78,566
2023 66,716
2024 59,440
2025 54,251
2026 49,568
We continue to actively monitor the industries in which we operate and our businesses’ performance for indicators of potential impairment. If current global macroeconomic conditions related to the Pandemic persist and continue to adversely impact our Company, we may have future additional impairments of goodwill or other intangible assets. Potential future impairments could be material to the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and to the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income, but we do not expect them to affect the Company’s reported Net cash provided by operating activities.
INDEX
10. IMPAIRMENT - WOOD TREATMENT
IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS
As a result of the previously announced planned facilities closures due to the strategic decision to exit the wood treatment business, the Company previously adjusted the remaining assets’ useful lives such that they do not extend beyond the expected closure dates of the facilities. The Company tested the recoverability of its long-lived assets and determined the carrying amount of the assets exceeded the sum of the expected undiscounted future cash flows, and as a result, we compared the fair value of the wood treatment asset group, which was determined based on a discounted cash flow model, to its carrying value. As a result, the Company recorded non-cash, pre-tax impairment charges of $3,266, $2,314 and $67,372 for the years ended September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. There was no remaining carrying value of definite-lived intangible assets or Property, plant and equipment as of September 30, 2021.
Key assumptions in testing the assets for recoverability and development of the fair value of the asset group included projected future revenue and gross margin. As the inputs for testing recoverability, including estimates of future revenue and gross margin, are not generally observable in active markets, the Company considers such measurements to be Level 3 measurements in the fair value hierarchy. The duration of the future revenue and gross margin estimates are limited to the period through the closure dates.
IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL
The fair value of the wood treatment reporting unit, which was determined based on a discounted cash flow model, did not exceed the carrying value of the reporting unit. Key assumptions in our goodwill impairment test included projected future revenue and gross margin. As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash, pre-tax impairment charge of $25,576 for the year ended September 30, 2021.
As the Company approaches the closure dates of the facilities and there are finite estimated future cash flows, the carrying value of the wood treatment reporting unit will not be recoverable, resulting in future impairments of goodwill. The remaining carrying value of the wood treatment reporting unit as of September 30, 2021 includes $9.4 million of goodwill, which will be periodically impaired through the closure dates, resulting in no fair value ascribed to the wood treatment business by the dates of closure. The amount of the periodic impairments will vary depending on the timing of the remaining future cash flows of the business and carrying value of the reporting unit at each reporting period.
PRESENTATION OF IMPAIRMENT CHARGES
The impairment charges for wood treatment, included in the Performance Materials segment and presented within Impairment charges in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income, are as follows:
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
Long-lived asset impairment charges:
Property, plant, and equipment, net $ 91 $ 450 $ 4,063
Other intangible assets, net 3,175 1,864 63,309
Total wood treatment long-lived asset impairment charges 3,266 2,314 67,372
Goodwill 25,576 - -
Total wood treatment impairment charges $ 28,842 $ 2,314 $ 67,372
The Company recognized a tax benefit of $606, $608 and $17,072, for the years ended September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, in Provision for income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income related to long-lived asset impairments. The impairment charges related to goodwill are not tax deductible, therefore there is no related tax benefit for a portion of the impairment recorded for the year ended September 30, 2021.
INDEX
11. OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS
September 30,
2021 2020
Right of use assets $ 29,302 $ 30,999
Interest rate swap (See Note 15)
12,335 -
Prepaid unamortized debt issuance cost - revolver 2,201 537
SERP investments 1,439 1,214
Vendor contract assets 1,329 2,889
Other long-term assets 5,378 4,368
Total $ 51,984 $ 40,007
12. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES
September 30,
2021 2020
Accrued compensation $ 47,360 $ 46,465
Income taxes payable 16,836 16,216
Dividends payable 13,827 13,669
ARO (current) 11,933 -
Contract liabilities (current) 8,883 8,501
Current portion of operating lease liability 7,646 6,513
Taxes, other than income taxes 6,620 5,044
Current portion of terminated swap liability (See Note 15)
5,855 -
Goods and services received, not yet invoiced 3,866 3,957
Interest rate swap liability 2,995 11,992
Accrued interest 1,846 29
Other 12,130 9,056
Total $ 139,797 $ 121,442
13. DEBT
Total debt consisted of the following:
September 30,
2021 2020
Senior Secured Term Loan Facility, one-month LIBOR plus 2.00%
$ 928,375 $ 936,363
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs (12,031) (14,949)
Total debt 916,344 921,414
Less: Current maturities and short-term debt (13,313) (10,650)
Total long-term debt excluding current maturities $ 903,031 $ 910,764
TERM LOAN FACILITY
In connection with the KMG Acquisition, the Company entered into a credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”), which includes the Senior Secured Term Loan Facility (“Term Loan Facility”) in an aggregate principal amount of $1,065.0 million. During the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company amended the Credit Agreement (“Amended Credit Agreement”) to reduce the interest rate on the Term Loan Facility. Borrowings under the Term Loan Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the Company’s option, either (a) a LIBOR, subject to a 0.00% floor, or (b) a base rate, in each case, plus an applicable margin of, in the case of borrowings under the Term Loan Facility, 2.00% for LIBOR loans and 1.00% for base rate loans. The borrowings are guaranteed by each of the Company’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries and are secured by substantially all assets of the Company and of each subsidiary guarantor, in each case subject to certain exceptions.
INDEX
The Term Loan Facility matures on November 15, 2025, and amortizes in equal quarterly installments of 0.25% of the initial principal amount. In addition, the Company is required to prepay outstanding loans under the Term Loan Facility, subject to certain exceptions, with up to 50% of the Company’s annual excess cash flow, as defined under the Amended Credit Agreement, and 100% of the net cash proceeds of certain recovery events and non-ordinary course asset sales. We did not make any prepayments during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021 and made total prepayments of $10.0 million during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020.
At September 30, 2021, the fair value of the Term Loan Facility, using level 2 inputs, approximated its carrying value of $928,375 as the loan bears a floating market rate of interest.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company entered into a new interest rate swap agreement to extend the duration of its existing floating-to-fixed interest rate swap agreement and to take advantage of lower interest rates. See Note 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
The Amended Credit Agreement contains certain affirmative and negative covenants that limit the ability of the Company, among other things and subject to certain significant exceptions, to incur debt or liens, make investments, enter into certain mergers, consolidations, asset sales and acquisitions, pay dividends and make other restricted payments and enter into transactions with affiliates. We believe we are in compliance with these covenants.
The Amended Credit Agreement contains certain events of default, including relating to a change of control. If an event of default occurs, the lenders under the Credit Facilities will be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts due under the Credit Facilities.
As of September 30, 2021, scheduled principal repayments of the Term Loan Facility were:
Fiscal Year Principal Repayments
2022 $ 13,313
2023 10,650
2024 10,650
2025 10,650
2026 883,112
$ 928,375
REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company amended the Amended Credit Agreement to increase the aggregate amount of the revolving credit facility from $200.0 million to $350.0 million, inclusive of a letter of credit sub-facility of up to $50.0 million, and to extend the maturity to July 2026 (“Revolving Credit Facility”). Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum equal to a base rate in each case, plus an applicable margin of 1.50% for LIBOR loans and 0.50% for base rate loans. The applicable margin for borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility varies depending on the Company’s first lien secured net leverage ratio.
There were no amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility as of September 30, 2021 or 2020.
14. LEASES
We lease certain warehouse facilities, office space, machinery, vehicles, and equipment under cancellable and noncancellable leases, most of which expire in five years and may be renewed at our option.
The components of lease expense are as follows:
Year Ended September 30,
Lease Components 2021 2020
Operating lease cost $ 8,329 $ 7,871
Variable and short-term costs 1,324 1,637
Total lease cost $ 9,653 $ 9,508
Lease expense for the year ended September 30, 2019 totaled $7,975.
INDEX
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follows:
Consolidated Balance Sheet Location September 30,
Lease Components 2021 2020
Lease right-of-use assets Other long-term assets $ 29,302 $ 30,999
Lease liabilities - current Accrued expenses and other current liabilities $ 7,646 $ 6,513
Lease liabilities - non-current Other long-term liabilities 23,089 25,967
Total lease liabilities $ 30,735 $ 32,480
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years) 6 years 7 years
Weighted-average discount rate 2.55 % 3.06 %
Future maturities of operating lease liabilities for the years ended September 30 are as follows:
Fiscal Year Amount
2022 $ 8,031
2023 6,791
2024 4,816
2025 3,706
2026 3,205
2026 and future years 6,132
Total future lease payments 32,681
Less: Imputed interest 1,946
Operating lease liability 30,735
15. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
We are exposed to various market risks, including risks associated with interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. We enter into certain derivative transactions to mitigate the volatility associated with these exposures.
CASH FLOW HEDGES - INTEREST RATE SWAP CONTRACT
During the first quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company entered into a new interest rate swap agreement to extend the duration of its existing swap arrangement and to take advantage of lower interest rates. The existing interest rate swap, which was in a loss position of $35.3 million, was terminated, and the hedging relationship was de-designated. The liability for the terminated interest rate swap is not measured at fair value and will be paid over the remaining term of the new swap. The loss amount for the terminated swap is included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and will be amortized on a straight-lined basis into interest expense through January 31, 2024, the remaining term of the original swap.
The new interest rate swap is a floating-to-fixed interest rate swap contract to hedge the variability in LIBOR-based interest payments on a portion of our outstanding variable rate debt. The notional amount is scheduled to decrease quarterly and will expire on January 29, 2027. The new interest rate swap was designated as a cash flow hedge based on certain quantitative and qualitative assessments and we have determined that the hedge is highly effective and qualifies for hedge accounting.
FOREIGN CURRENCY CONTRACTS NOT DESIGNATED AS HEDGES
We enter into forward foreign exchange contracts in an effort to mitigate the risks associated with currency fluctuations on certain foreign currency balance sheet exposures. These foreign exchange contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting.
INDEX
The notional amounts of our derivative instruments are as follows:
September 30,
2021 2020
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Interest rate swap contract - new agreement $ 555,210 $ -
Interest rate swap contract - terminated agreement - 571,000
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Foreign exchange contracts to purchase U.S. dollars $ 4,225 $ 8,054
Foreign exchange contracts to sell U.S. dollars 23,235 25,105
The fair values of our derivative instruments included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:
Consolidated Balance Sheets Location Derivative Assets Derivative Liabilities
September 30, September 30,
2021 2020 2021 2020
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Interest rate swap contract Other long-term assets $ 12,335 $ - $ - $ -
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities - - 2,995 11,992
Other long-term liabilities - - - 26,000
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Foreign exchange contracts Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ - $ 27 $ - $ -
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities - - 388 165
The following table summarizes the effects of our derivative instrument on our Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income:
Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income Location (Loss) Gain Recognized in Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Interest rate swap contract Interest expense, net $ (4,835) $ (9,360) $ 524
Terminated interest rate swap contract Interest expense, net (9,287) - -
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Foreign exchange contracts Other expense, net $ (794) $ (222) $ 28
INDEX
The following table summarizes the effects of our derivative instrument on Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Interest rate swap contract $ 7,184 $ (23,161) $ (23,667)
We expect approximately $14,139 to be reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into Interest expense, net during the next twelve months related to our existing and terminated interest rate swaps based on projected rates of the LIBOR forward curve as of September 30, 2021.
16. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS
We grant share-based compensation to eligible participants under our 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “OIP”), which was approved by our stockholders and became effective for awards as of March 3, 2021, and prior to that under our 2012 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended effective March 7, 2017 (the “Prior Plan”). The OIP provides for grants of equity awards in the form of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), performance-based awards, other stock-based awards such as substitute awards in connection with an acquisition, and cash incentive awards. The OIP authorizes up to 2,127 shares of stock to be granted thereunder. In addition, up to 1,072 shares that become available from awards under the Prior Plan because of events such as forfeitures, cancellations or expirations will also be available for issuance under the OIP. Shares issued under our share-based compensation plans are issued from new shares rather than from treasury shares.
STOCK OPTIONS
Non-qualified stock options issued under the OIP are generally time-based and provide for a ten-year term, with options generally vesting equally over a four-year period.
The fair value of our stock options granted during fiscal 2021, as shown below, was estimated using the Black-Scholes model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
Weighted-average grant date fair value $ 51.92 $ 39.68 $ 27.34
Expected term (in years) 6.74 6.96 6.86
Expected volatility 40 % 32 % 26 %
Risk-free rate of return 0.7 % 1.6 % 2.8 %
Dividend yield 1.2 % 1.3 % 1.6 %
A summary of stock option activity is as follows:
Stock Options Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
(in years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value
(in thousands)
Outstanding at September 30, 2020 807 $ 75.87
Granted 113 147.67
Exercised (132) 54.34
Forfeited or canceled (9) 107.33
Outstanding at September 30, 2021 779 89.61 6.0 $ 29,654
Exercisable at September 30, 2021 510 $ 69.52 4.9 $ 27,763
Expected to vest at September 30, 2021 269 $ 127.60 8.1 $ 1,891
INDEX
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
Intrinsic value of options exercised $ 14,640 $ 19,077 $ 20,711
Cash received from exercise of options 7,190 9,350 13,193
Tax benefit from exercise of options 2,848 3,629 4,449
Fair value of options vested 3,892 3,765 4,506
As of September 30, 2021, there was $6,183 of total unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to unvested stock options. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.5 years.
EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN (“ESPP”)
The ESPP allows all full-time, and certain part-time, employees of our Company and its designated subsidiaries to purchase shares of our common stock through payroll deductions, subject to a maximum number of shares that a participant may purchase and a maximum dollar expenditure in any six-month offering period, and certain other criteria. The provisions of the ESPP allow shares to be purchased at a price no less than the lower of 85% of the closing price at the beginning or end of each semi-annual stock purchase period. We use the Black-Scholes model for estimating the fair value of ESPP purchases. The amount of ESPP expense recognized in fiscal 2021, 2020, and 2019 was not material. As of September 30, 2021, a total of 240 shares are available for purchase under the ESPP.
RESTRICTED STOCK, RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS (“RSUs”), AND PERFORMANCE SHARE UNITS (“PSUs”)
Under the OIP, employees and non-employees may be awarded shares of restricted stock or RSUs, which generally vest over a four-year period. Restricted shares under the OIP may be purchased and placed “on deposit” by executive officers pursuant to the 2001 Deposit Share Program. Shares purchased under this Deposit Share Program receive a 50% match in restricted shares that vest at the end of a three-year period, and are subject to forfeiture upon early withdrawal of the deposit shares. The fair value of our restricted stock and RSU awards represents the closing price of our common stock on the date of award. Share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock and RSU awards is recorded net of expected forfeitures.
PSU awards are granted to certain employees and fully vest upon certification of performance achieved with respect to the PSU following the third anniversary of the performance period, according to the terms and conditions of the relevant PSU award agreement. Stock-based compensation for the awards is recognized over a three-year period based on the number of PSUs expected to vest under the awards at the end of the performance period, which is determined using certain performance measures and is re-evaluated at the end of each fiscal year through the end of the performance period. In addition, the PSUs awarded may be subject to downward or upward adjustment depending on the total shareholder return achieved by the Company during the particular performance period related to the PSUs, relative to the total shareholder return of the S&P MidCap 400 Index, as specified in the respective PSU award agreement. We estimate fair value of the PSUs at award date by using a Monte Carlo simulation model.
A summary of the activity of the restricted stock awards, RSU awards, and PSU awards is presented below:
Restricted Stock Awards and Units1
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Nonvested at September 30, 2020 257 $ 104.83
Granted2
101 141.70
Vested (117) 95.82
Forfeited (8) 118.64
Nonvested at September 30, 2021 233 126.61
1.Includes PSUs.
2.Includes additional PSUs earned relating to the fiscal 2018 grant based on final performance factor.
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
Weighted average grant date fair value $ 126.61 $ 104.83 $ 87.36
Total fair value of restricted stock awards and units vested $ 11,702 $ 7,481 $ 11,060
INDEX
As of September 30, 2021, there was $16,130 of total unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock awards and RSUs, including PSUs, under the OIP. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.2 years.
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE
Total share-based compensation expense and the classification of that expense in the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income is as follows:
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
Cost of sales $ 2,970 $ 2,863 $ 2,727
Research, development and technical 1,739 2,090 2,150
Selling, general and administrative 14,969 11,443 13,350
Tax benefit (3,755) (3,162) (3,767)
Total share-based compensation expense, net of tax $ 15,923 $ 13,234 $ 14,460
Total gross share-based compensation expense is attributable to the following awards:
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
Stock Options $ 4,722 $ 4,406 $ 4,267
Restricted stock awards and restricted stock units 8,754 8,259 11,400
Performance share units 3,662 1,957 1,279
ESPP 2,540 1,774 1,281
17. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT PLANS
DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS
The Company has a 401(k) defined contribution plan covering employees in the U.S. The related expense totaled $8,962, $7,658 and $6,698 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company’s United Kingdom and Singapore subsidiaries also make immaterial contributions to retirement plans that function as defined contribution retirement plans.
PENSION OBLIGATIONS IN FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS
The Company has defined benefit plans covering employees in Japan, South Korea, and France as required by local law. These plans are unfunded. A summary of these combined plans are:
September 30,
2021 2020
Projected benefit obligation $ 12,176 $ 11,627
Accumulated benefit obligation 9,006 8,680
Pension cost included in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (927) (764)
Weighted average discount rate 1.32 % 1.32 %
Weighted average rate of increases in future compensation levels 2.96 % 3.01 %
INDEX
Benefit costs for the combined plans were $1,812, $1,403 and $1,345 in fiscal years 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, consisting primarily of service costs. Net service costs are included in Cost of sales and Operating expenses, and all other costs are recorded in the Other expense, net in our Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income. Estimated future benefit payments are as follows:
Fiscal Year Amount
2022 $ 446
2023 570
2024 568
2025 1,077
2026 842
2027 to 2031 5,190
18. INCOME TAXES
(Loss) income before income taxes was as follows:
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
Domestic $ (129,814) $ 94,002 $ (45,364)
Foreign 75,020 79,345 108,470
Total $ (54,794) $ 173,347 $ 63,106
Taxes on income consisted of the following:
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
U.S. federal and state:
Current $ 29,712 $ 20,733 $ 23,461
Deferred (39,609) (7,048) (23,182)
Total (9,897) 13,685 279
Foreign:
Current 25,417 21,053 27,580
Deferred (1,737) (4,219) (3,968)
Total 23,680 16,834 23,612
Total U.S. and foreign $ 13,783 $ 30,519 $ 23,891
INDEX
The Provision for income taxes at our effective tax rate differed from the statutory rate as follows:
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
Federal statutory rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 %
U.S. benefits from research and experimentation activities 3.4 (1.5) (2.9)
State taxes, net of federal effect 1.2 1.1 (4.7)
Foreign income at other than U.S. rates (11.6) 1.7 10.3
Excess compensation (3.3) 0.4 6.4
Share-based compensation 7.4 (2.2) (7.2)
U.S. tax reform - - 14.1
Global Intangible Low Taxed Income ("GILTI") 1.5 - 3.1
Foreign derived intangible income 14.4 (3.4) (3.9)
Change in reserve positions (11.1) 1.9 0.3
Goodwill impairment (47.5) - -
Other, net (0.6) (1.4) 1.4
Provision for income taxes (25.2) % 17.6 % 37.9 %
The negative effective tax rate during fiscal 2021 in relation to the loss before income taxes of $54,794 was primarily attributable to the unfavorable impact of goodwill impairment charges related to PIM and wood treatment, partially offset by a tax benefit related to share-based compensation and foreign derived intangible income.
The decrease in the effective tax rate during fiscal 2020 was primarily attributable to the absence of a discrete charge recorded in fiscal 2019 related to the final regulations issued under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the absence of unfavorable tax treatment of certain non-deductible costs related to the KMG Acquisition. Additionally, the tax rate was favorably impacted by the final tax regulations issued in July 2020, which provided for a high-tax exception for those jurisdictions subject to the GILTI tax, for which the Company qualified.
The following table presents the changes in the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits during the last three fiscal years:
Balance September 30, 2018 $ 1,434
Additions for tax positions relating to the current fiscal year 271
Additions for tax positions relating to prior fiscal years 9,839
Balance September 30, 2019 11,544
Additions for tax positions relating to the current fiscal year 4,691
Additions for tax positions relating to prior fiscal years 140
Reduction for tax positions relating to prior fiscal years (1,337)
Balance September 30, 2020 15,038
Additions for tax positions relating to the current fiscal year 5,288
Additions for tax positions relating to prior fiscal years 2,162
Reduction for tax positions relating to prior fiscal years (113)
Balance September 30, 2021 $ 22,375
The entire balance of unrecognized tax benefits shown above as of September 30, 2021 and 2020, would affect our effective tax rate if recognized. Additions for tax positions of $5,288 recorded in the current fiscal year are mainly due to liabilities related to mix of jurisdictional earnings from intercompany transactions. Interest accrued and penalties charged to expense in fiscal years 2021, 2020 and 2019 was immaterial.
At September 30, 2021, the tax periods open to examination by the U.S. federal, state and local governments include fiscal years 2015 through 2021, and the tax periods open to examination by foreign jurisdictions include fiscal years 2016 through 2021. We do not anticipate a significant change to the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months.
INDEX
Significant components of net deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:
September 30,
2021 2020
Deferred tax assets:
Employee benefits $ 7,877 $ 8,920
Inventory 6,469 4,657
Accrued expenses 3,121 2,615
Share-based compensation expense 5,686 5,709
Credit and other carryforwards 9,647 5,803
Lease obligations 6,858 -
Interest rate swap 3,732 8,506
Other 579 1,238
Valuation allowance (2,880) (2,948)
Total deferred tax assets $ 41,089 $ 34,500
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization $ 94,425 $ 131,237
Lease right-of-use assets 6,689 -
Withholding on transition taxes 4,696 4,156
Other 3,396 3,606
Total deferred tax liabilities $ 109,206 $ 138,999
As of September 30, 2021, the Company had foreign and domestic net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) of $28,243, which will expire over the period between fiscal years 2022 and 2041. We have recorded a tax-effected valuation allowance of $2,880 against the deferred tax assets related to certain foreign and U.S. federal and state NOLs, as well as on certain federal tax credit carryforwards. As of September 30, 2021, the Company had a U.S. federal and state tax credit carryforward of $1,325, which will expire beginning in fiscal years 2022 through 2031.
19. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND OTHER CONTINGENCIES
We periodically become a party to legal proceedings, arbitrations, regulatory proceedings, inquiries and investigations (“contingencies”) arising in the ordinary course of our business operations. The ultimate resolution of these contingencies is subject to significant uncertainty, and should we fail to prevail in any of them or should several of them be resolved against us in the same reporting period, these matters could, individually or in the aggregate, be material to our Consolidated Financial Statements. One of these contingencies, related to Star Lake Canal, which we assumed in connection with the KMG Acquisition, is discussed below. The ultimate outcome of these matters, however, cannot be determined at this time, nor can the amount of any potential loss be reasonably estimated, and as a result except where indicated no amounts have been recorded in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
In connection with the KMG Acquisition, through KMG-Bernuth as of the KMG Acquisition Date, we assumed a contingency related to the Star Lake Canal Superfund Site near Beaumont, Texas (“Star Lake”). In 2014, prior to the KMG Acquisition, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) had notified KMG-Bernuth that the EPA considered it to be a potentially responsible party under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, in connection with Star Lake. Although KMG-Bernuth has not conceded liability with respect to Star Lake, and has asserted to the EPA and other parties its defenses to any liability, KMG-Bernuth and seven other cooperating parties entered into an agreement with the EPA in September 2016 to complete a remedial design of the remediation actions for the site and recorded a reserve at that time. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, an additional reserve for the anticipated remedial action phase, which will be performed under a separate future agreement, was established for $2,508, resulting in a total remaining reserve for the remediation of $2,711 as of September 30, 2021.
INDEX
Separately, in fiscal 2019, a fire, which involved non-hazardous waste materials and caused no injuries, occurred at the warehouse of the wood treatment facility of our subsidiary KMG-Bernuth, Inc. (“KMG-Bernuth”), in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, which processes pentachlorophenol (“penta”) for sale to customers in the U.S. and Canada. KMG-Bernuth commenced and completed cleanup with oversight from certain local, state and federal authorities, and we recorded related expense and for disposal of affected inventory in Cost of sales. We recorded expense of $26, $1,551 and $9,494 for the years ended September 30, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively. Although we believe we have completed cleanup efforts related to the fire incident, there are potential other related costs that cannot be reasonably estimated as of this time due to the nature of federally-regulated penta-related requirements. In addition, we continue to work with our insurance carriers on possible recovery of losses and costs related to the fire incident. We received $1,076 and $468 of insurance recoveries during the years ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, which was recorded in Cost of sales. At this point we cannot reasonably estimate whether we will receive any additional insurance recoveries, or if so, the amount of such recoveries.
We also may face other governmental or third-party claims, or otherwise incur costs, relating to cleanup of, or for injuries resulting from, contamination at sites associated with this or other past and present operations. We accrue for environmental liabilities when a determination can be made that they are probable and reasonably estimable. Other than as described herein, we are not involved in any legal proceedings that we believe could have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In addition, our Company is subject to extensive federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances in the U.S. and in other countries. These regulatory requirements relate to the use, generation, storage, handling, emission, transportation and discharge of certain hazardous materials, substances and waste into the environment. The Company, including its KMG entities, manage Environmental, Health and Safety (“EHS”) matters related to protection of the environment and human health, the cleanup of contaminated sites, the treatment, storage and disposal of wastes, and the emission of substances into the air or waterways, among other EHS concerns. Governmental authorities can enforce compliance with their regulations, and violators may be subject to fines, injunctions or both. The Company devotes significant financial resources to compliance, including costs for ongoing compliance.
Certain licenses, permits and product registrations are required for the Company’s products and operations in the U.S., Mexico and other countries in which it does business. The licenses, permits and product registrations are subject to revocation, modification and renewal by governmental authorities. In the U.S. in particular, producers and distributors of penta, which is a product manufactured and sold by KMG-Bernuth as part of the wood treatment business, are subject to registration and notification requirements under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act and comparable state law in order to sell this product in the U.S. Compliance with these requirements may have a significant effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to contingencies, including litigation relating to EHS laws and regulations, commercial disputes and other matters. Certain of these contingencies are discussed above and below. The ultimate resolution of these contingencies is subject to significant uncertainty, and should we fail to prevail in any of them or should several of them be resolved against us in the same reporting period, these matters could, individually or in the aggregate, be material to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be determined at this time, nor can the amount of any potential loss be reasonably estimated, and as a result except where indicated no amounts have been recorded in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
INDEMNIFICATION
In the normal course of business, we are a party to a variety of agreements pursuant to which we may be obligated to indemnify the other party with respect to certain matters. Generally, these obligations arise in the context of agreements entered into by us, under which we customarily agree to hold the other party harmless against losses arising from items such as a breach of certain representations and covenants including title to assets sold, certain intellectual property rights and certain environmental matters. These terms are common in the industries in which we conduct business. In each of these circumstances, payment by us is subject to certain monetary and other limitations and is conditioned on the other party making an adverse claim pursuant to the procedures specified in the particular agreement, which typically allow us to challenge the other party’s claims.
We evaluate estimated losses for such indemnifications under the accounting standards related to contingencies and guarantees. We consider such factors as the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of loss. To date, we have not experienced material costs as a result of such obligations and, as of September 30, 2021, have not recorded any liabilities related to such indemnifications in our financial statements as we do not believe the likelihood of such obligations is probable.
INDEX
PURCHASE OBLIGATIONS
Purchase obligations include take-or-pay arrangements with suppliers, and purchase orders and other obligations entered into in the normal course of business regarding the purchase of goods and services. We have been operating under an abrasive particle supply agreement, the current term of which runs through December 2022. As of September 30, 2021, purchase obligations include $11,030 of contractual commitments related to this agreement. In addition, we have a purchase commitment of $15,133 to purchase non-water based carrier fluid.
20. (LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
Numerator:
Net (loss) income available to common shares $ (68,577) $ 142,828 $ 39,215
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares 29,126 29,136 28,571
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities - 444 523
Diluted weighted average common shares 29,126 29,580 29,094
(Loss) earnings per share:
Basic $ (2.35) $ 4.90 $ 1.37
Diluted $ (2.35) $ 4.83 $ 1.35
For the year ended September 30, 2021, no dilutive shares were calculated, as the inclusion of 416 dilutive potential common shares in a net loss situation would be anti-dilutive.
Shares excluded from the calculation of Diluted (loss) earnings per share as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method are as follows:
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
Outstanding stock options 25 102 196
21. SEGMENT REPORTING
We identify our segments based on our management structure and the financial information used by our chief executive officer, who is our chief operating decision maker, to assess segment performance and allocate resources among our operating units. We have the following two reportable segments:
ELECTRONIC MATERIALS
Electronic Materials includes products and solutions for the semiconductor industry and consists of our CMP slurries business, CMP pads business, electronic chemicals business, and materials technologies business, which comprises the ITS business.
PERFORMANCE MATERIALS
Performance Materials consists of our PIM business, wood treatment business, and QED business.
Our chief operating decision maker evaluates segment performance based upon revenue and segment adjusted EBITDA. Segment adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted for certain items that affect comparability from period to period. These adjustments include acquisition and integration-related expenses, certain costs related to the KMG-Bernuth warehouse fire, net of insurance recovery, the impact of fair value adjustments to inventory acquired from KMG, impairment charges, net restructuring charges related to the wood treatment business, a charge for an environmental accrual and costs related to the Pandemic, net of grants received. We exclude these items from earnings when presenting adjusted EBITDA because we believe they are not indicative of a segment’s regular, ongoing operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA is also the basis of a performance metric for our fiscal 2021 Short-Term Incentive Program. In addition, our chief operating decision maker does not use assets by segment to evaluate performance or allocate resources, and therefore, we do not disclose assets by segment.
INDEX
The two segments operate independently and serve different markets and customers, as a result there are no sales between segments. Revenue from external customers by segment are as follows:
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
Segment Revenue:
Electronic Materials:
CMP slurries $ 546,959 $ 480,617 $ 460,053
Electronic chemicals 330,761 316,253 278,413
CMP pads 95,335 85,954 94,585
Materials technologies 11,657 - -
Total Electronic Materials $ 984,712 $ 882,824 $ 833,051
Performance Materials:
PIM $ 106,810 $ 141,503 $ 140,553
Wood treatment 73,188 62,655 31,898
QED 35,121 29,288 32,194
Total Performance Materials $ 215,119 $ 233,446 $ 204,645
Total $ 1,199,831 $ 1,116,270 $ 1,037,696
Capital expenditures by segment are as follows:
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
Capital Expenditures:
Electronic Materials $ 28,272 $ 26,536 $ 40,166
Performance Materials 4,094 84,634 16,367
Corporate 9,381 11,344 5,663
Total $ 41,747 $ 122,514 $ 62,196
INDEX
Adjusted EBITDA by segment is as follows:
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
Net (loss) income $ (68,577) $ 142,828 $ 39,215
Interest expense, net 38,360 41,840 43,335
Income taxes 13,783 30,519 23,891
Depreciation and amortization 132,170 127,737 98,592
EBITDA 115,736 342,924 205,033
Impairment charges 230,392 2,314 67,372
Acquisition and integration-related expense 10,115 10,852 34,709
Environmental accrual 2,508 - -
Costs related to KMG-Bernuth warehouse fire, net of insurance recovery (1,050) 1,083 9,905
Costs related to the Pandemic, net of grants received 489 849 -
Charge for fair value write-up of acquired inventory sold - - 14,869
Net costs related to restructuring of the wood treatment business 123 (221) 1,530
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA $ 358,313 $ 357,801 $ 333,418
Segment adjusted EBITDA:
Electronic Materials $ 323,827 $ 299,037 $ 294,902
Performance Materials 87,961 106,797 91,372
Unallocated corporate expenses (53,475) (48,033) (52,856)
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA $ 358,313 $ 357,801 $ 333,418
The unallocated portions of corporate functions, including finance, legal, human resources, information technology, and corporate development, are not directly attributable to a reportable segment.
22. FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY GEOGRAPHIC AREA
Revenues are attributed to the U.S. and foreign regions based upon the customer location and not the geographic location from which our products were shipped. Financial information by geographic area was as follows:
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
Revenue:
North America $ 405,426 $ 399,993 $ 372,247
Asia 631,904 546,866 515,833
Europe, Middle East, and Africa 161,861 169,099 149,305
South America 640 312 311
Total $ 1,199,831 $ 1,116,270 $ 1,037,696
Property, plant and equipment, net1:
North America $ 246,413 $ 250,895 $ 133,682
Asia 63,242 66,872 68,823
Europe 45,116 44,300 74,313
Total $ 354,771 $ 362,067 $ 276,818
1.No individual countries other than the U.S. have material Property, plant and equipment
INDEX
The following table shows revenue from sales to customers in foreign countries that accounted for more than 10% of our total revenue:
Year Ended September 30,
2021 2020 2019
Revenue:
China $ 157,876 $ 113,570 *
South Korea 143,737 127,972 135,844
Taiwan 138,852 133,059 125,895
*Not a country with more than 10% revenue.
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
The following table sets forth activities in our allowance for credit losses:
Allowance For Credit Losses Balance At Beginning of Year Amount of Charge (Benefit) To Expenses Deductions and Adjustments Balance At End of Year
Year ended:
September 30, 2021 $ 583 $ 76 $ (132) $ 527
September 30, 2020 2,377 (1,122) (672) 583
September 30, 2019 1,900 432 45 2,377
The following table sets forth activities in our valuation allowance on certain deferred tax assets:
Valuation Allowance Balance At Beginning of Year Amounts Charged To Expenses Deductions and Adjustments Balance At End of Year
Year ended:
September 30, 2021 $ 2,948 $ 472 $ (540) $ 2,880
September 30, 2020 2,565 658 (275) 2,948
September 30, 2019 133 2,432 - 2,565
INDEX
MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared by the Company in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The Company’s management is responsible for the integrity of these statements and of the underlying data, estimates and judgments.
The Company’s management establishes and maintains a system of internal accounting controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that its assets are safeguarded from loss or unauthorized use, transactions are properly authorized and recorded, and that financial records can be relied upon for the preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements. This system includes written policies and procedures, a code of business conduct and an organizational structure that provides for appropriate division of responsibility and the training of personnel. This system is monitored and evaluated on an ongoing basis by management in conjunction with its internal audit function.
The Company’s management assesses the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting on an annual basis. In making this assessment, management uses the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Management acknowledges, however, that all internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations and can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. In addition, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm evaluates the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and performs such tests and other procedures as it deems necessary to reach and express an opinion on the fairness of the financial statements.
In addition, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors provides general oversight responsibility for the financial statements. Composed entirely of Directors who are independent and not employees of the Company, the Committee meets periodically with the Company’s management, internal auditors and the independent registered public accounting firm to review the quality of financial reporting and internal controls, as well as results of auditing efforts. The internal auditors and independent registered public accounting firm have full and direct access to the Audit Committee, with and without management present.
/s/ David H. Li
David H. Li
Chief Executive Officer
/s/ Scott D. Beamer
Scott D. Beamer
Chief Financial Officer
/s/ Jeanette A. Press
Jeanette A. Press
Principal Accounting Officer
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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
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), has conducted an evaluation 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 amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of September 30, 2021. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and to provide that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
While we believe the present design of our disclosure controls and procedures is effective enough to make known to our senior management in a timely fashion all material information concerning our business, we intend to continue to improve the design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures to the extent necessary in the future to provide our senior management with timely access to such material information, and to correct any deficiencies that we may discover in the future, as appropriate.
MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or Rule 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Exchange Act as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s CEO and CFO, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the Company’s board of directors, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. Internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that: pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and dispositions of the Company’s assets; provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; provide reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures of Company assets are made in accordance with management authorization; and provide reasonable assurance that unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of Company assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements would be prevented or detected on a timely basis. 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.
Based upon SEC staff guidance, management has excluded ITS from the scope of our assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2021 because it was acquired by the Company in a business combination during fiscal 2021. As of September 30, 2021 and for the period from the ITS Acquisition Date through September 30, 2021, total assets and total revenue of ITS represented less than 1% of the Company’s consolidated total assets and total revenues.
Our management evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2021. The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2021 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
INDEX
INHERENT LIMITATIONS ON EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTROLS
Because of inherent limitations, our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting may not prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
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PART III

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by Item 10 of Form 10-K with respect to identification of directors, the existence of a separately-designated standing audit committee, identification of members of such committee, and identification of an audit committee financial expert, is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the sections captioned “Election of Directors” and “Board Structure and Compensation” in our definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held March 9, 2022 (the “Proxy Statement”). In addition, for information with respect to the executive officers of our Company, see “Information about our Executive Officers” in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and the section captioned “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement. Information required by Item 405 of Regulation S-K is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the section captioned “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement.
We have adopted a code of business conduct for all of our employees and directors, including our principal executive officer, other executive officers, principal financial officer and senior financial personnel. A copy of our code of business conduct is available free of charge on our Company website at www.cmcmaterials.com. We intend to post on our website any material changes to, or waivers from, our code of business conduct, if any, within two days of any such event.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by Item 11 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the section captioned “Executive Compensation” in the Proxy Statement.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
Shown below is information as of September 30, 2021, with respect to the shares of common stock that may be issued under CMC’s existing equity compensation plans.
Plan category (a) Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (c) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1) 1,010,486 (2) $ 89.61 (2) 2,361,281 (3)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders - - -
Total 1,010,486 (2) $ 89.61 (2) 2,361,281 (3)
1.See Note 16 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information regarding the composition of our equity compensation plans.
2.Column (a) includes 779,010 shares subject to outstanding nonqualified stock options, 146,960 shares that employees and non-employee directors have the right to acquire upon the vesting of the equivalent RSUs that they have been awarded under our equity incentive plans, and 84,516 initial granted shares that certain employees have the right to acquire upon the vesting of the performance-based restricted stock units (PSUs) that they have been awarded under our equity incentive plans, which may be subject to downward or upward adjustment depending on the performance measures during the particular performance period pursuant to the PSU award agreement. Column (b) excludes all of these RSUs and PSUs from the weighted-average exercise price. The weighted average term of stock options is 6.04 years.
3.Column (c) includes 239,941 shares available for future issuance under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
The other information required by Item 12 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the section captioned “Stock Ownership” in the Proxy Statement.
INDEX

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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 Item 13 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the section captioned “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in the Proxy Statement.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by Item 14 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the section captioned “Fees of Independent Auditors and Audit Committee Report” in the Proxy Statement.
INDEX
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) The following Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule are included in Item 8 herein:
1. Financial Statements:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income for the years ended September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the years ended September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
2. Financial Statement Schedule: Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for the years ended September 30, 2021, 2020 and 2019
3. Exhibits - The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Report on Form 10-K: