AIT · Read the filing

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

In addition to other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the following factors that could materially affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations. The risks described below are not the only risks facing the Company. Certain risks are identified below in Item 7 under the caption “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” This information is incorporated here by reference. Additional risks not currently known to us, risks that could apply broadly to all issuers, or risks that we currently deem immaterial, may also impact our business and operations. Risks can also change over time. Further, the disclosure of a risk should not be interpreted to imply that the risk has not already materialized.

ECONOMIC AND INDUSTRY RISKS

Our business depends heavily on the operating levels of our customers and the factors that affect them, including general economic conditions. The markets for our products and services are subject to conditions or events that affect demand for goods and materials that our customers produce. Consequently, demand for our products and services has been and will continue to be influenced by most of the same factors that affect demand for and production of customers' goods and materials.

When customers or prospective customers reduce production levels because of lower demand, increased supply, higher costs, supply chain or labor market disruptions, tight credit conditions, unfavorable currency exchange rates, adverse trade policies, foreign competition, other competitive disadvantage, offshoring of production, geopolitical instability, or other reasons, their need for our products and services diminishes. Selling prices and terms of sale come under pressure, adversely affecting the profitability and the durability of customer relationships, and credit losses may increase. Inventory management becomes more difficult in times of economic uncertainty. Volatile economic and credit conditions also make it more difficult for us, as well as our customers and suppliers, to forecast and plan future business activities.

Supply chain disruptions could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. Our supply chain, including transportation availability, staffing, and cost, could be disrupted bynatural or human-induced events or conditions, such as power or telecommunications outage, security incident, terrorist attack, war, other geopolitical events, public health emergency, earthquake, extreme weather events, fire, flood, other natural disasters, transportation disruption, labor actions, including strikes, raw materials shortages, financial problems or insolvency, trade regulations or actions, inadequate manufacturing capacity or utilization to meet demand, or other reasons beyond our control. When we can find acceptable alternate sources for certain products, they may cost more. Impairment of our ability to meet customer demand could result in lost sales, increased costs, reduced profitability, and damage to our reputation.

Consolidation in our customers' and suppliers' industries could adversely affect our business and financial results. Consolidation continues among both our product suppliers as well as our customers. As customer industries consolidate or customers otherwise aggregate their purchasing power, a greater proportion of our sales could be derived from large volume contracts, which could adversely impact margins. Consolidation among customers can produce changes in their purchasing strategies, potentially shifting blocks of business among competing distributors and contributing to volatility in our sales and pressure on prices.

Similarly, continued consolidation among suppliers could reduce our ability to negotiate favorable pricing and other commercial terms for our inventory purchases and we may be unable to take advantage of consolidation trends.

An increase in competition could decrease sales or earnings. We operate in a highly competitive industry. The industry remains fragmented, but is consolidating. Our principal competitors are specialist and general line distributors of bearings, power transmission products, fluid power components and systems, flow control solutions, automation technologies, industrial rubber products, linear motion components, tools, safety products, oilfield supplies, and other industrial and maintenance supplies. These competitors include local, regional, national, and multinational operations, and can include catalog and e-commerce companies. Competition is largely focused in the local service area and is generally based on product line breadth, product availability, service capabilities, and price. Existing competitors have, and future competitors may have, greater financial or other resources than we do, broader or more appealing product or service offerings, greater market presence, stronger relationships with key suppliers or customers, or better name recognition. If existing or future competitors seek to gain or to retain market share by aggressive pricing strategies or sales methods, business acquisition, or otherwise through competitive advantage, our sales and profitability could be adversely affected. Our success will also be affected by our ability to continue to provide competitive offerings as customer preferences or demands evolve, for example with respect to product and service types, brands, quality, or prices. Technological evolution or other factors can render product and service offerings obsolete, potentially impairing our competitive position and our inventory values.

Table of Contents

Our operations outside the United States increase our exposure to global economic and political conditions and currency exchange volatility. Foreign operations contributed 12% of our sales in 2024. This presence outside the U.S. increases risks associated with exposure to more volatile economic conditions, political instability, cultural and legal differences in conducting business (including corrupt practices), economic and trade policy actions, and currency exchange fluctuations.

Our foreign operations' results are reported in the local currency and then translated into U.S. dollars at applicable exchange rates for inclusion in our consolidated financial statements. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates affect our operating results and financial position, as well as the comparability of results between financial periods.

STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL RISKS

Our business could be adversely affected if we do not successfully execute our strategies to grow sales and earnings. We have numerous strategies and initiatives to grow sales, leveraging the breadth of our product offering, supplier relationships, and value-added technical capabilities to differentiate us and improve our competitive position. We also continually seek to enhance gross margins, manage costs, and otherwise improve earnings. Many of our activities target improvements to the consistency of our operating practices across our hundreds of locations. If we do not implement these initiatives effectively, or if for other reasons they are unsuccessful, our business could be adversely affected.

Loss of key supplier authorizations, lack of product availability, or changes in distribution programs could adversely affect our sales and earnings. Our business depends on maintaining an immediately available supply of various products to meet customer demand. Many of our relationships with key product suppliers are longstanding, but are terminable by either party. The loss of key supplier authorizations, or a substantial decrease in the availability of their products (including due to supply chain disruptions, as noted above), could put us at a competitive disadvantage and have a material adverse effect on our business.

In addition, as a distributor, we face the risk of key product suppliers changing their relationships with distributors generally, or us in particular, in a manner that adversely impacts us. For example, key suppliers could change the following: the prices we must pay for their products relative to other distributors or relative to competing brands; the geographic or product line breadth of distributor authorizations; the number of distributor authorizations; supplier purchasing incentive or other support programs; product purchase or stocking expectations; or the extent to which the suppliers seek to serve end users directly.

The purchasing incentives we earn from product suppliers can be impacted if we reduce our purchases in response to declining customer demand. Certain product suppliers have historically offered to their distributors, including us, incentives for purchasing their products. In addition to market, customer account-specific, or transaction-specific incentives, certain suppliers pay incentives to the distributor for attaining specific purchase volumes during a program period. In some cases, to earn incentives, we must achieve year-over-year growth in purchases with the supplier. When demand for our products declines, we may be less inclined to add inventory to take advantage of certain incentive programs, thereby potentially adversely impacting our profitability.

Volatility in product, energy, labor, and other costs can affect our profitability. Product manufacturers may adjust the prices of products we distribute for many reasons, including changes in their costs for raw materials, components, energy, labor, and tariffs and taxes on imports. In addition, a portion of our own distribution costs is composed of fuel for our sales and delivery vehicles, freight, and utility expenses for our facilities. Labor costs are our largest expense. Our ability to pass along increases in our costs in a timely manner to our customers depends on execution, market conditions, and contractual limitations. Failing to pass along price increases timely in an inflationary environment, such as the current economic climate, or not maintaining sales volume while increasing prices, could significantly reduce our profitability.

While increases in the cost of products, labor, or energy could be damaging to us, decreases in those costs, particularly if severe, could also adversely impact us by creating deflation in selling prices, which could cause our gross profit margin to deteriorate. Changes in energy or raw materials costs can also adversely affect customers; for example, declines in oil, gas, and coal prices may negatively impact customers operating in those industries and, consequently, our sales to those customers.

Changes in customer or product mix and downward pressure on sales prices could cause our gross profit percentage to fluctuate or decline. Because we serve thousands of customers in many end markets, and offer millions of products, with varying profitability levels, changes in our customer or product mix could cause our gross profit percentage to fluctuate or decline. Downward pressure on sales prices could also cause our gross profit percentage to fluctuate or decline. We can experience downward pressure on sales prices as a result of deflation, pressure from customers to reduce costs, or increased competition.

Table of Contents

Our ability to transact business is highly reliant on information systems. A disruption or security breach could materially affect our business, financial condition, or results of operation. We depend on information systems to, among other things, process customer orders, manage inventory and accounts receivable collections, purchase products, manage accounts payable processes, ship products to customers on a timely basis, maintain cost-effective operations, provide superior service to customers, conduct business communications, and compile financial results. A serious, prolonged disruption of our information systems, due to man-made or natural causes, including power or telecommunications outage, or breach in security, could materially impair fundamental business processes and increase expenses, decrease sales, or otherwise reduce earnings.

We are vulnerable to the growing threat of damage or intrusion from computer viruses or other cyber-attacks, including ransomware and business e-mail compromise, on our information systems due to our reliance on our information systems. These existing threats continue to grow and evolve, and any compromise of our information systems or those of businesses with which we interact, which results in regulated data or confidential information being accessed, obtained, damaged, disclosed, destroyed, modified, lost, or used by unauthorized persons could harm our reputation and expose us to regulatory actions, supplier or customer attrition, remediation expenses, and claims from customers, suppliers, employees, financial institutions, and other persons, any of which could materially affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage information systems or data on such systems change frequently, and techniques used today may change tomorrow, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate measures to prevent unauthorized access to our information systems. Even if we detect a cybersecurity incident, the nature and extent of that cybersecurity incident may not be immediately clear. Based on the sophistication of the threat and the size and complexity of our information system, among other factors, an investigation into a cybersecurity incident could take a significant amount of time to complete. In addition, while any investigation is ongoing, we may not know the full extent of the harm caused by the threat, and such harm may spread both internally and externally to other third parties. These factors may inhibit our ability to provide rapid, complete, and reliable information about cybersecurity incidents to third parties, as well as the public. It may also not be clear how best to contain and remediate any harm caused by a cybersecurity incident. Any or all of these factors could further increase the costs and consequences of a cybersecurity incident to our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Our information technology and enterprise risk management efforts cannot eliminate all systemic risk. Breaches of our systems could not only cause business disruption, but could also result in the theft of funds, the theft, loss, or disclosure of proprietary or confidential information, or the breach of customer, supplier, or employee information. A security incident involving our systems, or even an inadvertent failure to comply with data privacy and security laws and regulations, could negatively impact our sales, damage our reputation, and cause us to incur unanticipated legal liability, remediation costs, and other losses and expenses.

Acquisitions are a key component of our anticipated growth. We may not be able to identify or to complete future acquisitions, to integrate them effectively into our operations, or to realize their anticipated benefits. Many industries we serve are mature. As a result, acquisitions of businesses have been important to our growth. While we wish to continue to acquire businesses, we may not be able to identify and to negotiate suitable acquisitions, to obtain financing for them on satisfactory terms, or otherwise to complete acquisitions. In addition, existing and future competitors, and private equity firms, increasingly compete with us for acquisitions, which can increase prices and reduce the number of suitable opportunities; the acquisitions they make can also adversely impact our market position.

We seek acquisition opportunities that complement and expand our operations; however, substantial costs, delays, or other difficulties related to integrating acquisitions could adversely affect our business or financial results. For example, we could face significant challenges in consolidating functions, integrating information systems, personnel, and operations, and implementing procedures and controls in a timely and efficient manner.

Further, even if we successfully integrate the acquisitions with our operations, we may not be able to realize cost savings, sales, profit levels, or other benefits that we anticipate from these acquisitions, either as to amount or in the time frame we expect. Our ability to realize anticipated benefits may be affected by a number of factors, including the following: our ability to achieve planned operating results, to reduce duplicative expenses and inventory effectively, and to consolidate facilities; economic and market factors; the incurrence of significant integration costs or charges in order to achieve those benefits; our ability to retain key product supplier authorizations, customer relationships, and employees; our ability to address competitive, distribution, and regulatory challenges arising from entering into new markets (geographic, product, service, end-industry, or otherwise), especially those in which we may have limited or no direct experience; and exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities of the acquired

Table of Contents

company. In addition, acquisitions could place significant demand on administrative, operational, and financial resources.

FINANCIAL AND REPORTING RISKS

Our indebtedness entails debt service commitments that could adversely affect our ability to fulfill our obligations and could limit or reduce our flexibility. As of June 30, 2024, we had total debt obligations outstanding of $597.4 million. Our ability to service our debt and fund our other liquidity needs will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. Our debt commitments may (i) require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations to the payment of debt service, reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund planned capital expenditures, pay dividends, repurchase our shares, complete other acquisitions or strategic initiatives, and other general corporate purposes; (ii) limit our ability to obtain additional financing in the future (either at all or on satisfactory terms) to enable us to react to changes in our business or execute our growth strategies; and (iii) place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to businesses in our industry that have lower levels of indebtedness. Additionally, any failure to comply with covenants in the instruments governing our debt could result in an event of default. Any of the foregoing events or circumstances relating to our indebtedness may adversely affect our business, financial position, or results of operations and may cause our stock price to decline.

In addition, the increase in interest rates has created some tightening in the credit markets. If credit markets continue to tighten, or if it creates credit market volatility, obtaining additional or replacement financing could be more difficult and the cost of issuing new debt or replacing a credit facility could be higher than under our current facilities.

For more information regarding borrowing and interest rates, see the following sections below: “Liquidity and Capital Resources” in Item 7 under the caption “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations;” Item 7A under the caption “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk;” and notes 6 and 7 to the consolidated financial statements, included below in Item 8 under the caption “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” That information is incorporated here by reference.

Our ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting may be insufficient to allow us to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud, and this could cause our financial statements to become materially misleading and adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. We require effective internal control over financial reporting in order to provide reasonable assurance with respect to our financial reports and to effectively prevent fraud. Internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements because of its inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of controls, or fraud. Therefore, even effective internal controls can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements. If we cannot provide reasonable assurance with respect to our financial statements and effectively prevent fraud, our financial statements could be materially misstated, which could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.

If we are not able to maintain the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, including any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or if we experience difficulties in their implementation, our business, financial condition, and operating results could be harmed. Any material weakness could affect investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial statements. As a result, our ability to obtain any additional financing, or additional financing on favorable terms, could be materially and adversely affected. This, in turn, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and the market value of our stock and require us to incur additional costs to improve our internal control systems and procedures. In addition, perceptions of the Company among customers, suppliers, lenders, investors, securities analysts, and others could also be adversely affected.

Goodwill, long-lived, and other intangible assets recorded as a result of our acquisitions could become impaired. We review goodwill, long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and identifiable amortizing intangible assets, for impairment whenever changes in circumstances or events may indicate that the carrying amounts are not recoverable. Factors which may cause an impairment of long-lived assets include significant changes in the manner of use of these assets, negative industry or market trends, significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results, or a likely sale or disposal of the asset before the end of its estimated useful life.

As of June 30, 2024, we had remaining $619.4 million of goodwill and $245.9 million of other intangible assets, net. We assess all existing goodwill at least annually for impairment on a reporting unit basis. The techniques used in our qualitative assessment and goodwill impairment tests incorporate a number of estimates and assumptions that are subject to change. Any changes to these assumptions and estimates due to market conditions or otherwise may lead to an outcome where impairment charges would be required in future periods.

Table of Contents

GENERAL RISK FACTORS

Our business depends on our ability to attract, develop, motivate, and retain qualified employees. Our success depends on hiring, developing, motivating, and retaining key employees, including executive, managerial, sales, professional, and other personnel. We may have difficulty identifying and hiring qualified personnel. In addition, we may have difficulty retaining such personnel once hired, and key people may leave and compete against us. With respect to sales and customer service positions in particular, we greatly benefit from having employees who are familiar with the products and services we sell, and their applications, as well as with our customer and supplier relationships. The loss of key employees or our failure to attract and retain other qualified workers could disrupt or adversely affect our business. In addition, our operating results could be adversely affected by increased competition for employees, shortages of qualified workers, higher employee turnover (including through retirement as the workforce ages), or increased employee compensation or benefit costs.

We are subject to legal, regulatory, and litigation risks, which may have a material adverse effect on our business. We are subject to a wide array of laws and regulations. Changes in the legal and regulatory environment in which we operate, including with respect to taxes, international trade, employment laws, and data privacy, could adversely and materially affect the Company.

In addition, from time to time, we are involved in lawsuits or other legal proceedings that arise from our ordinary course business operations. These may, for example, relate to product liability claims, commercial disputes, personal injuries, or employment-related matters. In addition, we could face claims or additional costs arising from our compliance with regulatory requirements, including those relating to the following: our status as a public company; our government contracts; tax compliance; our engagement in international trade; and our collection, storage, or transmission of personal data.

We maintain insurance policies that provide limited coverage for some, but not all, of the potential risks and liabilities associated with our business. The policies are subject to limits, deductibles, and exclusions that result in our retention of a level of risk on a self-insured basis.

The defense and ultimate outcome of lawsuits or other legal proceedings or inquiries may result in higher operating expenses, the inability to participate in existing or future government contacts, or other adverse consequences, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

Global or regional health pandemics or epidemics could negatively impact our business, results of operation and financial condition. The COVID-19 pandemic created significant volatility, uncertainty, and economic disruption, and resulted in lost or delayed sales to us, and we experienced business disruptions as we modified our business practices. The emergence, severity, magnitude and duration of global or regional pandemics, epidemics, or other health crises are uncertain and difficult to predict. A pandemic, such as COVID-19, or other epidemic, together with preventative measures taken to contain or mitigate such crises, could impact our results of operations and financial condition in a variety of ways, such as: impact our customers such that the demand for our products and services could change; disrupt our supply chain and impact the ability of our suppliers to provide products as required; disrupt or limit our ability to sell and provide our products and services and otherwise limit our ability to operate or otherwise operate effectively; increase incremental costs resulting from the adoption of preventative measures and compliance with regulatory requirements; create financial hardship on customers, including by creating restrictions on their ability to pay for our services and products; result in closures of our facilities or the facilities of our customers or suppliers; and reduce customer demand on purchasing incentives we earn from suppliers.

In addition, a pandemic or other public health emergency could impact the proper functioning of financial and capital markets, foreign currency exchange rates, product and energy costs, labor supply and costs, and interest rates. Any pandemic or other public health emergency could also amplify the other risks and uncertainties described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

We cannot reasonably predict the ultimate impact of any pandemic or other public health emergency, including the extent of any adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition, which will depend on, among other things, the duration and spread, the impact of governmental regulations that may be imposed in response, the effectiveness of actions taken to contain or mitigate the outbreak, the availability, safety and efficacy of vaccines, including against emerging variants of the infectious disease, and global economic conditions.

An interruption of operations at our headquarters or distribution centers, or in our means of transporting product, could adversely impact our business. Our business depends on maintaining operating activity at our headquarters and distribution centers, and being able to receive and deliver product in a timely manner. A serious, prolonged interruption due to power or telecommunications outage, security incident, terrorist attack, war, public

Table of Contents

health emergency, earthquake, extreme weather events, other natural disasters, fire, flood, transportation disruption, or other interruption could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

Not applicable.

ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY.

Risk Management and Strategy

Our cybersecurity program is informed by various industry frameworks, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework, and our security management is ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certified. Our management, with oversight from our Board, performs an annual enterprise-wide risk assessment (ERA) to identify key existing and emerging risks. One of the main risks identified and assessed annually through this process is cybersecurity and data privacy, which remains a key focus for the Company, management, and our Board.

We maintain multiple layers of security designed to detect and block cybersecurity events, as well as employ a dedicated team of cybersecurity personnel and professionals, who assist our Vice President – Information Technology in helping to assess, identify, monitor, detect and manage cybersecurity risks, threats, vulnerabilities and incidents. Further, we have various processes and programs designed to manage cybersecurity risks associated with our use of third-party vendors and suppliers.

When we implement significant changes to our information systems, we conduct risk-based security and privacy impact assessments and deploy technical safeguards that are designed to reasonably protect our technology and information systems from cybersecurity threats. We actively monitor and proactively research potential cybersecurity threats to our information systems, and we use what we learned to evolve our security controls over time to mitigate risks posed by such threats.

We also engage third party service providers when deemed necessary to both expand our capabilities and capacity as well as evaluate the effectiveness of our cybersecurity program, including hosting regular table-top exercises meant to evaluate and improve the overall effectiveness of our cybersecurity program.

Our Incident Response Plan provides a framework for responding to cybersecurity incidents. The plan governs activities such as preparation, detection, coordination, eradication, and recovery, as well as appropriate escalations to the Company’s senior management and Board and disclosure under applicable rules and regulations. The Incident Response Plan is routinely reviewed and updated as appropriate by our Vice President – Information Technology and other senior management members.

We provide recurring mandatory information security training (which includes cybersecurity training) to our associates based on access, risk, roles, and behaviors.

Overall, we implement, develop, and maintain systems and operate programs that seek to mitigate the impact of cybersecurity incidents. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage information systems or data on such systems, change frequently, we must continually monitor and update these systems and programs. See “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part I above for additional information on risks related to our business, including risks related to cybersecurity incidents and privacy and data protection.

Governance

Our Vice President – Information Technology leads management’s assessment and management of cybersecurity risk. He reports directly to our President & Chief Executive Officer and is a member of our senior management team, providing cybersecurity updates to that group monthly, with more frequent updates as needed. Our Vice President – Information Technology has more than 35 years of experience within industrial distribution, spending the majority of which managing and maintaining information systems. In addition, our Vice President – Information Technology leads a team of individuals that focus on monitoring our information systems and data for intentional and unintentional actions that could cause harm to our information systems or the data on such systems.

As indicated above, our management, with oversight from the Board, performs an annual ERA and cybersecurity is among the main risks identified by the ERA for Board-level oversight. Our full Board has oversight of our efforts in cybersecurity and meets regularly with our Vice President – Information Technology (three times during fiscal 2024) on our cybersecurity risks and programs. The Board is also updated as needed on cybersecurity threats, incidents, or new developments in our cybersecurity risk profile.

Table of Contents

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

We believe having a local presence is important to serving our customers, so we maintain service centers and other operations in local markets throughout the countries in which we operate. At June 30, 2024, we owned real properties at 114 locations and leased 424 locations. Certain properties house more than one operation.

The following were our principal owned real properties (each of which has more than 50,000 square feet of floor space) at June 30, 2024:

Location of Principal OwnedReal Property Type of Facility

Cleveland, Ohio Corporate headquarters

Florence, Kentucky Distribution center, hose shop and reducer assembly shop

Baldwinsville, New York Fluid power shop

Carlisle, Pennsylvania Distribution center and hose shop

Fort Worth, Texas Distribution center and rubber shop

Our principal leased real properties (each of which has more than 50,000 square feet of floor space) at June 30, 2024 were:

Location of Principal LeasedReal Property Type of Facility

Newark, California Fluid power shop

Midland, Michigan Flow control shop

Strongsville, Ohio Offices and warehouse

Portland, Oregon Distribution center, hose shop and reducer assembly shop

Stafford, Texas Offices, warehouse, and flow control shop

Longview, Washington Service center, rubber shop, and fluid power shop

Austin, Texas Fluid power shop

Sherwood, Oregon Automation operation

Nisku, Alberta Offices, service center, shop, and distribution center

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Distribution center, service center and shop

The properties in Baldwinsville, Newark, Midland, and Stafford are used in our Engineered Solutions segment. The Fontana and Longview properties are used in both the Service Center Based Distribution segment and the Engineered Solutions segment. The remaining properties are used in the Service Center Based Distribution segment.

We consider our properties generally sufficient to meet our requirements for office space and inventory stocking.

A service center's size is primarily influenced by the amount and types of inventory the service center requires to meet customers' needs.

When opening new operations, we have tended to lease rather than purchase real property. We do not consider any service center, distribution center, or shop property to be material, because we believe that, if it becomes necessary or desirable to relocate an operation, other suitable property could be found.

In addition to operating locations, we own or lease certain properties which in the aggregate are not material and are either for sale, lease, or sublease to third parties due to a relocation or closing. We also may lease or sublease to others unused portions of buildings.

Table of Contents

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

Applied and/or one of its subsidiaries may be a party to pending legal proceedings with respect to product liability, commercial, personal injury, employment, and other matters. Although it is not possible to predict the outcome of these proceedings or the range of reasonably possible loss associated with any of them, we do not expect, based on circumstances currently known, that the ultimate resolution of any of these proceedings will have, either individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on Applied's consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

Information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of SEC Regulation S-K is included in Exhibit 95 to this annual report on Form 10-K.

INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.

Applied's executive officers are elected by the Board of Directors for a term of one year, or until their successors are chosen and qualified, at the Board's organization meeting held following the annual meeting of shareholders.

The following is a list of the executive officers and a description of their business experience during the past five years. Except as otherwise stated, the positions and offices indicated are with Applied, and the persons were most recently elected to their current positions on October 24, 2023:

Name Positions and Experience Age

Kurt W. Loring Vice President-Chief Human Resources Officer since 2014. 55

Table of Contents

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

Applied's common stock, without par value, is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange with the ticker symbol “AIT.” On August 2, 2024, there were 3,096 shareholders of record including 2,058 shareholders in the Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan.

The following table summarizes Applied's repurchases of its common stock in the quarter ended June 30, 2024.

(1)On August 9, 2022, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 1.5 million shares of the Company's common stock, replacing the prior authorization. We publicly announced the new authorization on August 11, 2022. Purchases can be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The authorization is in effect until all shares have been purchased, or the Board revokes or amends the authorization.

ITEM 6. RESERVED.

Table of Contents

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

OVERVIEW

With approximately 6,500 associates across North America, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore, Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. ("Applied," the "Company," "we," "us," or "our") is a leading value-added distributor and technical solutions provider of industrial motion, fluid power, flow control, automation technologies, and related maintenance supplies. Our leading brands, specialized services, and comprehensive knowledge serve MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Operations) and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) end users in virtually all industrial markets through our multi-channel capabilities that provide choice, convenience, and expertise. We have a long tradition of growth dating back to 1923, the year our business was founded in Cleveland, Ohio. At June 30, 2024, business was conducted in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Costa Rica from approximately 590 facilities.

The following is Management's Discussion and Analysis of significant factors that have affected our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows during the periods included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, statements of consolidated income, consolidated comprehensive income and consolidated cash flows in Item 8 under the caption "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." When reviewing the discussion and analysis set forth below, please note that a significant number of SKUs (Stock Keeping Units) we sell in any given year were not sold in the comparable period of the prior year, resulting in the inability to quantify certain commonly used comparative metrics analyzing sales, such as changes in product mix and volume.

Our fiscal 2024 consolidated sales were $4.5 billion, an increase of $66.6 million or 1.5% compared to the prior year, with the acquisitions of Grupo Kopar (Kopar), Bearing Distributors, Inc. (BDI), Cangro Industries, Inc. (Cangro), Advanced Motion Systems Inc. (AMS), and Automation, Inc. increasing sales by $56.4 million or 1.3% and favorable foreign currency translation of $6.6 million increasing sales by 0.2%. Gross profit margin increased to 29.8% for fiscal 2024 from 29.2% for fiscal 2023. Operating margin increased to 11.1% in fiscal 2024 from 10.7% in fiscal 2023.

Our diluted earnings per share was $9.83 in fiscal 2024 versus $8.84 in fiscal 2023.

Shareholders’ equity was $1,688.8 million at June 30, 2024 compared to $1,458.4 million at June 30, 2023. Working capital increased $162.3 million from June 30, 2023 to $1,268.8 million at June 30, 2024. The current ratio was 3.5 to 1 and 3.0 to 1 at June 30, 2024 and atJune 30, 2023, respectively.

Applied monitors several economic indices that have been key indicators for industrial economic activity in the United States. These include the Industrial Production (IP) and Manufacturing Capacity Utilization (MCU) indices published by the Federal Reserve Board and the Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) published by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). Historically, our performance correlates well with the MCU, which measures productivity and calculates a ratio of actual manufacturing output versus potential full capacity output. When manufacturing plants are running at a high rate of capacity, they tend to wear out machinery and require replacement parts.

The MCU (total industry) and IP indices increased since June 2023. The ISM PMI registered 48.5 in June 2024, an increase from the June 2023 revised reading of 46.4. A reading above 50 generally indicates expansion. The index readings for the months during the most recent quarter, along with the revised indices for previous quarter ends, were as follows:

Index Reading

Month MCU PMI IP

Table of Contents

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This discussion and analysis deals with comparisons of material changes in the consolidated financial statements for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. For the comparison of the years ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, see the Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Part II, Item 7 of our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The following table is included to aid in review of Applied’s statements of consolidated income.

Year Ended June 30,As a % of Net Sales Change in $'s Versus Prior Period

Selling, Distribution & Administrative Expense 18.8 % 18.4 % 3.3 %

Sales in fiscal 2024 were $4.5 billion, which was $66.6 million or 1.5% above the prior year, with sales from acquisitions adding $56.4 million or 1.3% and favorable foreign currency translation accounting for an increase of $6.6 million or 0.2%. There were 251.5 selling days in fiscal 2024 and 252.5 selling days in 2023. Excluding the impact of businesses acquired and foreign currency translation, sales were up $3.6 million during the year. The modest increase over the prior year was driven by our Service Center Based Distribution segment reflecting positive demand for technical MRO products and solutions, internal sales initiatives, and price increases. This was offset by normalizing end-market demand as the year progressed, sales declines across our Engineered Solutions segment, and a decrease due to the change in sales days.

The following table shows changes in sales by reportable segment.

Amounts in millions Amount of change due to

Sales in our Service Center Based Distribution segment, which operates primarily in MRO markets, increased $89.7 million, or 3.0%. Acquisitions within this segment increased sales by $36.4 million or 1.2% and favorable foreign currency translation increased sales by $6.6 million or 0.2%. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, sales increased $46.7 million or 1.6% during the year, driven by an increase of 2.0% from operations reflecting positive demand for technical MRO products and solutions, internal sales initiatives, price increases, cross-selling benefits, and new growth opportunities arising from our industry position. This was partially offset by a 0.4% decrease due to the change in sales days.

Sales in our Engineered Solutions segment decreased $23.1 million or 1.6%. Acquisitions within this segment increased sales $20.0 million or 1.4%. Excluding the impact of businesses acquired, sales decreased $43.1 million or 3.0%, driven by a 2.6% decline from operations primarily reflecting lower fluid power sales and, to a lesser extent, softer sales across our automation operations, as well as a decrease of 0.4% due to the change in sales days. The sales decline was partially offset by sales growth across our flow control operations.

Table of Contents

The following table shows changes in sales by geographical area. Other countries include Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Costa Rica.

Amounts in millions Amount of change due to

Sales in our U.S. operations increased $71.8 million or 1.9%, with acquisitions adding $50.0 million or 1.3%. Excluding the impact of businesses acquired, U.S. sales were up $21.8 million or 0.6%, driven by an increase of 1.0% from operations offset by a 0.4% decrease due to the change in sales days. Sales from our Canadian operations decreased $5.3 million or 1.7%. Unfavorable foreign currency translation decreased Canadian sales by $3.7 million or 1.2%. Excluding the impact of foreign currency translation, Canadian sales were down $1.6 million or 0.5%, driven by a 0.4% decrease due to the change in sales days along with a decrease of 0.1% from operations. Consolidated sales from our other countries operations increased $0.1 million or 0.1%, with acquisitions adding $6.4 million or 2.7%. Favorable foreign currency translation increased other countries sales by $10.3 million or 4.4%. Excluding the impact of businesses acquired and foreign currency translation, other countries sales were down $16.6 million or 7.0%, driven by a decrease from operations, primarily in Mexican sales due to decreased industrial activity.

Our gross profit margin increased to 29.8% in fiscal 2024 compared to 29.2% in fiscal 2023. The year over year increase primarily reflects benefits from ongoing margin initiatives, countermeasures in response to inflation dynamics, as well as a $21.2 million decrease in LIFO expense over the prior year, which positively impacted gross margins by 47 basis points. This was partially offset by unfavorable mix tied to sales declines across our Engineered Solutions segment and local customer accounts.

The following table shows the changes in selling, distribution, and administrative expense (SD&A).

Amounts in millions Amount of change due to

Year ended June 30, SD&A Increase Acquisitions Foreign Currency Organic Change

SD&A consists of associate compensation, benefits and other expenses associated with selling, purchasing, warehousing, supply chain management, and marketing and distribution of the Company’s products, as well as costs associated with a variety of administrative functions such as human resources, information technology, treasury, accounting, insurance, legal, facility-related expenses and expenses incurred in acquiring businesses. SD&A increased $27.0 million or 3.3% during fiscal 2024 compared to the prior year, and as a percentage of sales increased to 18.8% in fiscal 2024 compared to 18.4% in fiscal 2023. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates had the effect of increasing SD&A by $0.7 million or 0.1% compared to the prior year. SD&A from businesses acquired added $16.7 million or 2.0%, including $1.8 million of intangibles amortization. Excluding the impact of businesses acquired and the unfavorable impact from foreign currency translation, SD&A increased $9.6 million or 1.2% during fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023. Excluding the impact of acquisitions, total compensation increased $4.3 million during fiscal 2024 primarily due to annual calendar year merit increases and benefit costs partially offset by lower incentives and commission expense. All other expenses within SD&A were up $5.3 million.

Operating income increased $22.7 million, or 4.8%, to $495.8 million during fiscal 2024 from $473.2 million during fiscal 2023, and as a percentage of sales, increased to 11.1% from 10.7%, primarily due to gross profit margin expansion, inclusive of lower LIFO expense, volume leverage within our Service Center Based Distribution segment, and control of SD&A expense in fiscal 2024.

Operating income, as a percentage of sales for the Service Center Based Distribution segment increased to 13.1% in fiscal 2024 from 12.6% in fiscal 2023. Operating income as a percentage of sales for the Engineered Solutions segment increased to 14.5% in fiscal 2024 from 14.1% in fiscal 2023.

Table of Contents

Segment operating income is impacted by changes in the amounts and levels of certain supplier support benefits and expenses allocated to the segments. The expense allocations include corporate charges for working capital, logistics support, and other items and impact segment gross profit and operating expense.

Interest expense, net decreased $18.8 million during fiscal 2024 primarily due to reduced debt levels and greater interest income from higher cash balances and investment yields.

Other (income) expense, net, represents certain non-operating items of income and expense, and was $5.1 million of income in fiscal 2024 compared to $1.7 million of expense in fiscal 2023. Current year income primarily consists of unrealized gains on investments held by non-qualified deferred compensation trusts of $3.3 million, foreign currency transaction gains of $1.1 million and life insurance income of $0.9 million, offset by other periodic post-employment costs of $0.1 million and other expense of $0.1 million. Fiscal 2023 expense consisted primarily of foreign currency transaction loss of $3.3 million and other periodic post-employment costs of $1.5 million, offset by unrealized gains on investments held by non-qualified deferred compensation trusts of $2.2 million, life insurance income of $0.7 million and $0.2 million of other income.

The effective income tax rate was 22.6% for fiscal 2024 compared to 22.9% for fiscal 2023. The decrease in the effective tax rate is primarily due to changes in compensation-related deductions in fiscal 2024 compared to the prior year.

As a result of the factors discussed above, net income for fiscal 2024 increased $39.0 million from the prior year. Diluted net income per share was $9.83 per share for fiscal 2024 compared to $8.84 per share for fiscal 2023.

At June 30, 2024, we had approximately 590 operating facilities in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Costa Rica, versus 580 at June 30, 2023.

The approximate number of Company employees was 6,500 at June 30, 2024 and 6,200 at June 30, 2023.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our primary source of capital is cash flow from operations, supplemented as necessary by bank borrowings or other sources of debt. At June 30, 2024 we had total debt obligations outstanding of $597.4 million compared to $622.2 million at June 30, 2023. Management expects that our existing cash, cash equivalents, funds available under the revolving credit facility, and cash provided from operations, will be sufficient to finance normal working capital needs in each of the countries in which we operate, payment of dividends, acquisitions, investments in properties, facilities and equipment, debt service, and the purchase of additional Company common stock. Management also believes that additional long-term debt and line of credit financing could be obtained on commercially acceptable terms if necessary based on the Company’s credit standing and financial strength.

The Company’s working capital at June 30, 2024 was $1,268.8 million compared to $1,106.5 million at June 30, 2023. The current ratio was 3.5 to 1 at June 30, 2024 and 3.0 to 1 atJune 30, 2023.

Net Cash Flows

The following table is included to aid in review of Applied’s statements of consolidated cash flows.

Amounts in thousands Year Ended June 30,

Net Cash Provided by (Used in):

Table of Contents

The increase in cash provided by operating activities during fiscal 2024 is driven by changes in working capital for the year and by improved operating results. Changes in cash flows between years related to working capital were driven by (amounts in thousands):

Accounts receivable $ 49,134

Accounts payable $ (76,954)

Net cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2024 included $72.1 million used for the acquisitions of Kopar, BDI and Cangro and $24.9 million used for capital expenditures. Net cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2023 included $35.8 million used for the acquisitions of Automation, Inc. and AMS, and $26.5 million used for capital expenditures.

Net cash used in financing activities increased from the prior year period primarily due to an increase in treasury purchases as $73.4 million was used to repurchase 398,000 shares of common stock which were taken into treasury in 2024 compared to $0.7 million used to repurchase 8,000 shares of common stock which were taken into treasury in 2023. This was offset by the change in net debt activity, as there was $24.8 million of net debt payments in fiscal 2024 compared to $67.2 million of net debt payments in 2023. Further uses of cash in 2024 were $55.9 million for dividend payments and $16.3 million used to pay taxes for shares withheld. Further uses of cash in 2023 were $53.4 million for dividend payments and $12.9 million used to pay taxes for shares withheld.

The increase in dividends over the year is the result of regular increases in our dividend payout rates. We paid aggregate dividends of $1.44 and $1.38 per share in fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Capital Expenditures

We expect capital expenditures for fiscal 2025 to be in the $28.0 million to $30.0 million range, primarily consisting of capital associated with focused investments for growth and information technology equipment maintenance.

Share Repurchases

The Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of shares of the Company’s common stock. These purchases may be made in open market or through negotiated transactions, from time to time, depending upon market conditions. At June 30, 2024, we had remaining authorization to purchase an additional 1,102,000 shares.

In fiscal 2024, we purchased 398,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an average price per share of $184.39. In fiscal 2023, we repurchased 8,000 shares of the Company's common stock at an average price per share of $89.46. In fiscal 2022,we repurchased 148,658 shares of the Company's common stock at an average price per share of $92.72.

Borrowing Arrangements

A summary of long-term debt, including the current portion, follows (amounts are in thousands):

Less: unamortized debt issuance costs 71 152

Table of Contents

Available borrowing under this facility, without exercising the accordion feature and net of outstanding letters of credit of $0.2 million to secure certain insurance obligations, totaled $515.8 million and $516.2 million at June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, respectively, and were available to fund future acquisitions or other capital and operating requirements. The interest rate on the revolving credit facility was 6.24% and 6.11% as of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, respectively.

Additionally, the Company had letters of credit outstanding with separate banks, not associated with the revolving credit agreement, in the amount of $4.0 million as of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023 in order to secure certain insurance obligations.

In August 2018, the Company established a trade receivable securitization facility (the “AR Securitization Facility”). On March 26, 2021, the Company amended the AR Securitization Facility to expand the eligible receivables, which increased the maximum availability to $250.0 million and increased the fees on the AR Securitization Facility to 0.98% per year. On August 4, 2023, the Company amended the AR Securitization Facility, extended the term to August 4, 2026, and reduced drawn fees to 0.90% per year.Availability is further subject to changes in the credit ratings of our customers, customer concentration levels or certain characteristics of the accounts receivable being transferred and, therefore, at certain times, we may not be able to fully access the $250.0 million of funding available under the AR Securitization Facility. The AR Securitization Facility effectively increases the Company’s borrowing capacity by collateralizing a portion of the amount of the U.S. operations’ trade accounts receivable. The Company uses the proceeds from the AR Securitization Facility as an alternative to other forms of debt, effectively reducing borrowing costs. In May 2023, the Company entered into an amendment to the AR Securitization facility to replace LIBOR with SOFR as a reference rate available for use in the computation of interest, therefore borrowings under this facility carry variable interest rates tied to SOFR. The interest rate on the AR Securitization Facility as of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023 was 6.35% and 6.16%, respectively.

At June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, the Company had borrowings outstanding under its unsecured shelf facility agreement with Prudential Investment Management of $25.0 million and $50.0 million, respectively. Fees on this facility range from 0.25% to 1.25% per year based on the Company's leverage ratio at each quarter end.The "Series D" notes carried a fixed interest rate of 3.21%, and the remaining principal balance of $25.0 millionwas paid in October 2023. The "Series E" notes have a principal amount of $25.0 million, carry a fixed interest rate of 3.08%, and are due in October 2024.

In 2014, the Company assumed $2.4 million of debt as a part of the headquarters facility acquisition. The 1.50% fixed interest rate note is held by the State of Ohio Development Services Agency and matures in November 2024.

In 2019, the Company entered into an interest rate swap which mitigates variability in forecasted interest payments on $384.0 million of the Company’s U.S. dollar-denominated unsecured variable rate debt. For more information, see note 7, Derivatives, to the consolidated financial statements, included in Item 8 under the caption “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

The credit facility and the unsecured shelf facility contain restrictive covenants regarding liquidity, net worth, financial ratios, and other covenants. At June 30, 2024, the most restrictive of these covenants required that the Company have net indebtedness less than 3.75 times consolidated income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (as defined). At June 30, 2024, the Company's net indebtedness was less than 0.3 times consolidated income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (as defined). The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants at June 30, 2024.

Table of Contents

Accounts Receivable Analysis

The following table is included to aid in analysis of accounts receivable and the associated provision for losses on accounts receivable (all dollar amounts are in thousands):

Allowance for doubtful accounts, % of gross receivables 1.8 % 3.1 %

(Recoveries of) provision for losses on accounts receivable $ (205) $ 5,619

Provision as a % of net sales — % 0.13 %

Accounts receivable are reported at net realizable value and consist of trade receivables from customers. Management monitors accounts receivable by reviewing Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) and the aging of receivables for each of the Company's locations.

On a consolidated basis, DSO was 56.2 at June 30, 2024 versus 55.1 at June 30, 2023. Approximately 1.5% of our accounts receivable balances are more than 90 days past due at June 30, 2024 compared to 2.5% at June 30, 2023. On an overall basis, our provision for losses from uncollected receivables represents 0.00% of our sales for the year ended June 30, 2024, compared to 0.13% of sales for the year ended June 30, 2023. The decrease primarily relates to provisions recorded in the prior year for customer credit deterioration and bankruptcies primarily in the U.S. operations of the Service Center Based Distribution segment, as well as improved collections performance. Historically, this percentage is around 0.10% to 0.15%. Management believes the overall receivables aging and provision for losses on uncollected receivables are at reasonable levels.

Inventory Analysis

Inventories are valued using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for U.S. inventories and the average cost method for foreign inventories. Management uses an inventory turnover ratio to monitor and evaluate inventory. Management calculates this ratio on an annual as well as a quarterly basis and uses inventory valued at average costs. The annualized inventory turnover (using average costs) for the year ended June 30, 2024 was 4.3 versus 4.4 for the year ended June 30, 2023.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following table shows the approximate value of the Company’s contractual obligations and other commitments to make future payments as of June 30, 2024 (in thousands):

Total Period LessThan 1 yr Period2-3 yrs Period4-5 yrs PeriodOver 5 yrs Other

(1) Amounts represent estimated contractual interest payments on outstanding long-term debt obligations net of receipts under the terms of the interest rate swap. Rates in effect as of June 30, 2024 are used for variable rate debt.

Purchase orders for inventory and other goods and services are not included in our estimates as we are unable to aggregate the amount of such purchase orders that represent enforceable and legally binding agreements specifying all significant terms. The previous table includes the gross liability for unrecognized income tax benefits including

Table of Contents

interest and penalties in the “Other” column as the Company is unable to make a reasonable estimate regarding the timing of cash settlements, if any, with the respective taxing authorities.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates at a specific point in time that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and disclosed in the accompanying notes. The Business and Accounting Policies note to the consolidated financial statements describes the significant accounting policies and methods used in preparation of the consolidated financial statements. Estimates are used for, but are not limited to, determining the net carrying value of trade accounts receivable, inventories, recording self-insurance liabilities and other accrued liabilities. Estimates are also used in establishing opening balances in relation to purchase accounting. Actual results could differ from these estimates. The following critical accounting policies are impacted significantly by judgments, assumptions, and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

LIFO Inventory Valuation and Methodology

Inventories are valued at the average cost method, using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for U.S. inventories, and the average cost method for foreign inventories. We adopted the link chain dollar value LIFO method for accounting for U.S. inventories in fiscal 1974. Approximately 14.9% of our domestic inventory dollars relate to LIFO layers added in the 1970s. The excess of average cost over LIFO cost is $225.9 million as reflected in our consolidated balance sheet at June 30, 2024. The Company maintains five LIFO pools based on the following product groupings: bearings, power transmission products, rubber products, fluid power products, and other products.

LIFO layers and/or liquidations are determined consistently year-to-year. See the Inventories note to the

consolidated financial statements in Item 8 under the caption "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,"

for further information.

Allowances for Slow-Moving and Obsolete Inventories

We evaluate the recoverability of our slow-moving and inactive inventories at least quarterly. We estimate the recoverable cost of such inventory by product type while considering factors such as its age, historic and current demand trends, and the physical condition of the inventory, as well as assumptions regarding future demand. Our ability to recover our cost for slow moving or obsolete inventory can be affected by such factors as general market conditions, future customer demand and relationships with suppliers. A significant portion of the products we hold in inventory have long shelf lives and are not highly susceptible to obsolescence.

As of June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company's reserve for slow-moving or obsolete inventories was $41.2 million and $42.6 million, respectively, recorded in inventories in the consolidated balance sheets.

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

We evaluate the collectability of trade accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. Initially, we estimate an allowance for doubtful accounts as a percentage of net sales based on historical bad debt experience. This initial estimate is adjusted based on recent trends of certain customers and industries estimated to be a greater credit risk, trends within the entire customer pool and changes in the overall aging of accounts receivable. While we have a large customer base that is geographically dispersed, a general economic downturn in any of the industry segments in which we operate could result in higher than expected defaults, and therefore, the need to revise estimates for bad debts. Accounts are written off against the allowance when it becomes evident that collection will not occur.

As of June 30, 2024 and 2023, our allowance for doubtful accounts was 1.8% and 3.1% of gross receivables, respectively. Our (recoveries of) provision for losses on accounts receivable was $(0.2) million, $5.6 million, and $3.2 million in fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

Goodwill and Intangibles

The purchase price of an acquired company is allocated between intangible assets and the net tangible assets of the acquired business with the residual of the purchase price recorded as goodwill. Goodwill for acquired businesses is accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting which requires that the assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recorded at the date of the acquisition at their respective estimated fair values. The determination of the value of the intangible assets acquired involves certain judgments and estimates. These judgments can include, but are not limited to, the cash flows that an asset is expected to generate in the future and the appropriate weighted average cost of capital. The judgments made in determining the estimated fair value assigned to each class of assets acquired, as well as the estimated life of each asset, can materially impact the net income of the

Table of Contents

periods subsequent to the acquisition through depreciation and amortization, and in certain instances through impairment charges, if the asset becomes impaired in the future. As part of acquisition accounting, we recognize acquired identifiable intangible assets such as customer relationships, vendor relationships, trade names, and non-competition agreements apart from goodwill. Finite-lived identifiable intangibles are evaluated for impairment when changes in conditions indicate carrying value may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a finite-lived intangible asset be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset to the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value of the finite-lived intangible asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds its fair value determined through a discounted cash flow model.

We evaluate goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level annually as of January 1, and whenever an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Events or circumstances that may result in an impairment review include changes in macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance, other relevant entity-specific events, specific events affecting the reporting unit or sustained decrease in share price. Each year, the Company may elect to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If impairment is indicated in the qualitative assessment, or, if management elects to initially perform a quantitative assessment of goodwill, the impairment test uses a one-step approach. The fair value of a reporting unit is compared with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge would be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

Goodwill on our consolidated financial statements relates to both the Service Center Based Distribution segment and the Engineered Solutions segment. The Company has eight (8) reporting units for which an annual goodwill impairment assessment was performed as of January 1, 2024. Based on the assessment performed, the Company concluded that the fair value of all of the reporting units exceeded their carrying amount as of January 1, 2024, therefore no impairment exists.

The fair values of the reporting units in accordance with the goodwill impairment test were determined using the income and market approaches. The income approach employs the discounted cash flow method reflecting projected cash flows expected to be generated by market participants and then adjusted for time value of money factors, and requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to forecasts of future revenues, operating margins, and discount rates. The market approach utilizes an analysis of comparable publicly traded companies and requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to the forecasts of future revenues, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) and multiples that are applied to management’s forecasted revenues and EBITDA estimates.

Changes in future results, assumptions, and estimates after the measurement date may lead to an outcome where additional impairment charges would be required in future periods. Specifically, actual results may vary from the Company’s forecasts and such variations may be material and unfavorable, thereby triggering the need for future impairment tests where the conclusions may differ in reflection of prevailing market conditions. Further, continued adverse market conditions could result in the recognition of additional impairment if the Company determines that the fair values of its reporting units have fallen below their carrying values.

Table of Contents

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT UNDER PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT

This Form 10-K, including Management’s Discussion and Analysis, contains statements that are forward-looking based on management’s current expectations about the future. Forward-looking statements are often identified by qualifiers, such as “guidance”, “expect”, “believe”, “plan”, “intend”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “would”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “may”, "optimistic" and derivative or similar words or expressions. Similarly, descriptions of objectives, strategies, plans, or goals are also forward-looking statements. These statements may discuss, among other things, expected growth, future sales, future cash flows, future capital expenditures, future performance, and the anticipation and expectations of the Company and its management as to future occurrences and trends. The Company intends that the forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors established in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and by the Securities and Exchange Commission in its rules, regulations, and releases.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on current expectations regarding important risk factors, many of which are outside the Company’s control. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, and the making of those statements should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the results expressed in the statements will be achieved. In addition, the Company assumes no obligation publicly to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information or events, or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

Important risk factors include, but are not limited to, the following: risks relating to the operations levels of our customers and the economic factors that affect them; continuing risks relating to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic; inflationary or deflationary trends in the cost of products, energy, labor and other operating costs, and changes in the prices for products and services relative to the cost of providing them; reduction in supplier inventory purchase incentives; loss of key supplier authorizations, lack of product availability (such as due to supply chain strains), changes in supplier distribution programs, inability of suppliers to perform, and transportation disruptions; changes in customer preferences for products and services of the nature and brands sold by us; changes in customer procurement policies and practices; competitive pressures; our reliance on information systems and risks relating to their proper functioning, the security of those systems, and the data stored in or transmitted through them; the impact of economic conditions on the collectability of trade receivables; reduced demand for our products in targeted markets due to reasons including consolidation in customer industries; our ability to retain and attract qualified sales and customer service personnel and other skilled executives, managers and professionals; our ability to identify and complete acquisitions, integrate them effectively, and realize their anticipated benefits; the variability, timing and nature of new business opportunities including acquisitions, alliances, customer relationships, and supplier authorizations; the incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities in connection with acquisitions; our ability to access capital markets as needed on reasonable terms; disruption of operations at our headquarters or distribution centers; risks and uncertainties associated with our foreign operations, including volatile economic conditions, political instability, cultural and legal differences, and currency exchange fluctuations; the potential for goodwill and intangible asset impairment; changes in accounting policies and practices; our ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting; organizational changes within the Company; risks related to legal proceedings to which we are a party; potentially adverse government regulation, legislation, or policies, both enacted and under consideration, including with respect to federal tax policy, international trade, data privacy and security, and government contracting; and the occurrence of extraordinary events (including prolonged labor disputes, power outages, telecommunication outages, terrorist acts, war, public health emergency, earthquakes, extreme weather events, other natural disasters, fires, floods, and accidents). Other factors and unanticipated events could also adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations. Risks can also change over time. Further, the disclosure of a risk should not be interpreted to imply that the risk has not already materialized.

We discuss certain of these matters and other risk factors more fully throughout our Form 10-K, as well as other of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Table of Contents

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

Our market risk is impacted by changes in foreign currency exchange rates as well as changes in interest rates.

We occasionally utilize derivative instruments as part of our overall financial risk management policy, but do not use derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

Because we operate throughout North America, Australia and New Zealand and approximately 12% of our fiscal 2024 net sales were generated outside the United States, foreign currency exchange rates can impact our financial position, results of operations, and competitive position. The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries are translated into their U.S. dollar equivalents at end-of-period exchange rates for assets and liabilities, while income and expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates. Translation gains and losses are components of other comprehensive income as reported in the statements of consolidated comprehensive income. Transaction gains and losses arising from fluctuations in currency exchange rates on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are recognized in the statements of consolidated income as a component of other (income) expense, net. Applied does not currently hedge the net investments in our foreign operations.

During the course of the fiscal year, the Canadian and Mexican currency exchange rates decreased in relation to the U.S. dollar by 3.2% and 6.8%, respectively, while the Australian and New Zealand currency exchange rates increased in relation to the U.S. dollar by 0.6% and 0.2%, respectively. In the twelve months ended June 30, 2024, we experienced net foreign currency translation losses totaling $12.5 million, which were included in other comprehensive income. We utilize a sensitivity analysis to measure the potential impact on earnings based on a hypothetical 10% change in foreign currency rates. A 10% strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies that affect the Company from the levels experienced during the year ended June 30, 2024 would have resulted in a $3.2 million decrease in net income for the year ended June 30, 2024.

Interest Rate Risk

Our primary exposure to interest rate risk results from our outstanding debt obligations with variable interest rates. The levels of fees and interest charged on our various debt facilities are based upon leverage levels and market interest rates. The Company uses interest rate swap instruments to mitigate variability in forecasted interest rates.

Our variable interest rate debt facilities outstanding include our five-year credit facility, which provides for a revolving credit facility with a capacity of up to $900.0 million in borrowings with $384.0 million outstanding at June 30, 2024, and a $188.3 million trade receivable securitization facility, all of which was outstanding at June 30, 2024. In January 2019, the Company entered into an interest rate swap on $463.0 million of the Company’s U.S. dollar-denominated unsecured variable rate debt. The notional amount of the interest rate swap was $384.0 million as of June 30, 2024. The interest rate swap effectively converts a portion of the floating rate interest payment into a fixed rate interest payment. The Company designated the interest rate swap as a pay-fixed, receive-floating interest rate swap instrument and is accounting for this derivative as a cash flow hedge. Fixed interest rate debt facilities include $25.0 million outstanding under our unsecured shelf facility agreement, as well as $0.1 million of assumed debt from the purchase of our headquarters facility. We had total average variable interest rate bank borrowings of $572.0 million during fiscal 2024. The impact of a hypothetical 1.0% increase in the interest rates on our average variable interest rate bank borrowings (not considering the impact of the interest rate swap) would have resulted in a $5.7 million increase in interest expense. Including the impact of the interest rate swap, the impact of a hypothetical 1.0% increase in the variable interest rate would have resulted in a $1.9 million increase in interest expense.

For more information relating to borrowing and interest rates, see the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section of “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 and Notes 6 and 7 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8. That information is also incorporated here by reference. In addition, see Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” for additional risk factors relating to our business.

Table of Contents

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of June 30, 2024 and 2023, the related statements of consolidated income, comprehensive income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2024, and the related notes and the schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of June 30, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 2024, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated August 16, 2024, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the 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 audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the 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 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 financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.

Goodwill - A reporting unit within the Engineered Solutions segment - Refer to Notes 1 and 5 to the financial statements

Critical Audit Matter Description

The Company’s evaluation of goodwill for impairment involves the comparison of the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. The Company determines the fair value of its reporting units using the income and market approaches. The determination of the fair value using the income approach requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to forecasts of future revenues, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), and discount rates. The determination of the fair value using the market approach requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to the forecasts of future revenues, EBITDA and multiples that are applied to management’s forecasted revenues and EBITDA estimates. The fair value of all reporting units exceeded their carrying value as of the measurement date and, therefore, no impairment was recognized.

Given the nature of operations for one reporting unit within the Engineered Solutions segment, the sensitivity of this reporting unit to changes in the economy, this reporting unit’s historical performance as compared to projections, and the difference between its fair value and the carrying value, auditing management’s judgments regarding forecasts of

Table of Contents

future revenues and EBITDA, as well as selection of the discount rate, and selection of multiples applied to management’s forecasted revenues and EBITDA estimates for this reporting unit, required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort, including the need to involve our fair value specialists.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures related to the forecasts of future revenues and EBITDA (“forecasts”), and the selection of the discount rate and selection of multiples applied to management’s forecasted revenues and EBITDA estimates (“market multiples”) for this reporting unit included the following, among others:

•We tested the design and effectiveness of controls over management’s goodwill impairment evaluation, such as controls related to management’s forecasts and the selection of the discount rate and market multiples used.

•We evaluated management’s ability to accurately forecast by comparing actual results to management’s historical forecasts.

•We evaluated the reasonableness of management’s forecasts by comparing the current forecasts to (1) historical results, (2) internal communications to management and the Board of Directors at the reporting unit level and/or at a consolidated level, and (3) forecasted information included in industry reports for the various industries the reporting unit operates within.

•With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the discount rate, including testing the underlying source information and the mathematical accuracy of the calculations, and developing a range of independent estimates and comparing those to the discount rate selected by management.

•With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the market multiples by evaluating the selected comparable publicly traded companies and the adjustments made for differences in growth prospects and risk profiles between the reporting unit and the comparable publicly traded companies. We tested the underlying source information and mathematical accuracy of the calculations.

Inventory - Refer to Notes 1 and 4 to the financial statements

Critical Audit Matter Description

As of June 30, 2024, the Company holds inventory across a large number of locations, including distribution centers, service centers, repair shops and engineered solutions operations. The Company’s processes to track and determine consolidated inventory relies on a perpetual inventory system that varies by location based in part upon the information technology (IT) system relevant to the location. Auditing the existence of inventory requires significant effort, the involvement of IT specialists due to the integration of IT systems that track physical inventory quantities by location, and auditor judgment in testing due to the disaggregation of inventory across the locations and the processes and controls in place. Judgment relates to assessing whether we have obtained sufficient audit evidence, including determining the number of locations to visit.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit

Our audit procedures related to the existence of inventory included the following, among others:

•With the assistance of our IT specialists, we tested the design and effectiveness of controls over management’s process to account for the physical existence of inventory, which included general IT controls as well as automated and manual business process controls.

•We involved senior team members to determine the extent and number of location counts to test.

•As part of our testing of the design and effectiveness of controls and of inventory, we observed management’s count procedures at certain locations and obtained and evaluated management’s audit evidence over counts at certain locations.

•We investigated any identified variations in inventory counts performed and considered the impact in the context of the inventory balance as a whole.

Cleveland, Ohio

August 16, 2024

We have served as the Company's auditor since 1966.

Table of Contents

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED INCOME

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Net income per share — basic $ 9.98 $ 8.98 $ 6.69

Net income per share — diluted $ 9.83 $ 8.84 $ 6.58

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands)

Other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax:

Post-employment benefits:

Actuarial (loss) gain on re-measurement (134) 405 2,839

Termination of pension plan — 1,031 —

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

Assets

Current assets

Property — at cost

Liabilities

Current liabilities

Shareholders’ Equity

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (77,566) (55,296)

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

Amortization of stock appreciation rights and options 3,448 2,785 3,284

(Recoveries of) provision for losses on accounts receivable (205) 5,619 3,193

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

Cash payments for loans on company-owned life insurance — — (14,835)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Repayments under revolving credit facility — (27,000) —

Borrowings under revolving credit facility 408 — 410,592

Interest rate swap settlement receipts (payments) 14,470 8,800 (5,703)

Payment of debt issuance costs — — (1,956)

Exercise of stock appreciation rights and options 127 127 555

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (2,937) 3,317 (2,154)

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Cash paid during the year for:

Interest (includes interest rate swap settlements) $ 23,978 $ 22,567 $ 20,164

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

(In thousands)

Treasury shares issued for:

Exercise of stock appreciation rights and options 104 (3,945) (2,132) (6,077)

Compensation expense — stock appreciation rights 3,284 3,284

Other share-based compensation expense 8,558 8,558

Purchases of common stock for treasury (8) (716) (716)

Treasury shares issued for:

Exercise of stock appreciation rights and options 92 (4,256) (3,773) (8,029)

Compensation expense — stock appreciation rights 2,785 2,785

Other share-based compensation expense 9,576 9,576

Treasury shares issued for:

Exercise of stock appreciation rights and options 73 (3,611) (3,886) (7,497)

Compensation expense — stock appreciation rights 3,448 3,448

Other share-based compensation expense 9,496 9,496

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

Table of Contents

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

NOTE 1: BUSINESS AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company,” “Applied,” "us," "we," or "our") is a leading value-added distributor and technical solutions provider of industrial motion, fluid power, flow control, automation technologies, and related maintenance supplies. Our leading brands, specialized services, and comprehensive knowledge serve MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Operations) and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) end users in virtually all industrial markets through our multi-channel capabilities that provide choice, convenience, and expertise. Although the Company does not generally manufacture the products it sells, it does assemble and repair certain products and systems.

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Foreign Currency

The financial statements of the Company’s Canadian, Mexican, Australian, and New Zealand subsidiaries are measured using local currencies as their functional currencies. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates, while income and expenses are translated at average exchange rates. Translation gains and losses are reported in other comprehensive income (loss) in the statements of consolidated comprehensive income. Gains and losses resulting from transactions denominated in foreign currencies are included in the statements of consolidated income as a component of other expense (income), net.

Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results may differ from the estimates and assumptions used in preparing the consolidated financial statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all short-term, highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.

Marketable Securities

The primary marketable security investments of the Company include money market and mutual funds held in a rabbi trust for a non-qualified deferred compensation plan. These are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets, are classified as trading securities, and are reported at fair value based on quoted market prices. Changes in the fair value of the investments during the period are recorded in other expense (income), net in the statements of consolidated income.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company has a broad customer base representing many diverse industries across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Costa Rica. As such, the Company does not believe that a significant concentration of credit risk exists in its accounts receivable. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents consist of deposits with commercial banks and regulated non-bank subsidiaries. While the Company monitors the creditworthiness of these institutions, a crisis in the financial systems could limit access to funds and/or result in the loss of principal. The terms of these deposits and investments provide that all monies are available to the Company upon demand.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are stated at their estimated net realizable value and consist of amounts billed or billable and currently due from customers.

Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts, which reflects management’s best estimate of probable losses based on an analysis of customer accounts, known troubled accounts, historical experience with write-offs, and other currently available evidence. Initially, the Company estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts as a percentage of net sales based on historical bad debt experience. This initial estimate is adjusted based on recent trends of customers and industries estimated to be greater credit risks, trends within the entire customer

Table of Contents

pool, and changes in the overall aging of accounts receivable. Accounts are written off against the allowance when it becomes evident collection will not occur. While the Company has a large customer base that is geographically dispersed, a general economic downturn in any of the industry segments in which the Company operates could result in higher than expected defaults, and therefore, the need to revise estimates for bad debts. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $13,063 and $22,334 at June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, respectively.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at average cost, using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for U.S. inventories and the average cost method for foreign inventories. The Company adopted the link chain dollar value LIFO method of accounting for U.S. inventories in fiscal 1974. At June 30, 2024, approximately 14.9% of the Company’s domestic inventory dollars relate to LIFO layers added in the 1970s. The Company maintains five LIFO pools based on the following product groupings: bearings, power transmission products, rubber products, fluid power products, and other products. LIFO layers and/or liquidations are determined consistently year-to-year.

The Company evaluates the recoverability of its slow moving and inactive inventories at least quarterly. The Company estimates the recoverable cost of such inventory by product type while considering factors such as its age, historic and current demand trends, the physical condition of the inventory, as well as assumptions regarding future demand. The Company’s ability to recover its cost for slow moving or obsolete inventory can be affected by such factors as general market conditions, future customer demand, and relationships with suppliers. Historically, the Company’s inventories have demonstrated long shelf lives, are not highly susceptible to obsolescence, and, in certain instances, can be eligible for return under supplier return programs.

Supplier Purchasing Programs

The Company enters into agreements with certain suppliers providing inventory purchase incentives. The Company’s inventory purchase incentive arrangements are unique to each supplier and are generally annual programs ending at either the Company’s fiscal year end or the supplier’s year end; however, program length and ending dates can vary. Incentives are received in the form of cash or credits against purchases upon attainment of specified purchase volumes and are received either monthly, quarterly, or annually. The incentives are generally a specified percentage of the Company’s net purchases based upon achieving specific purchasing volume levels. These percentages can increase or decrease based on changes in the volume of purchases. The Company accrues for the receipt of these inventory purchase incentives based upon cumulative purchases of inventory. The percentage level utilized is based upon the estimated total volume of purchases expected during the life of the program. Supplier programs are analyzed each quarter to determine the appropriateness of the amount of purchase incentives accrued. Upon program completion, differences between estimates and actual incentives subsequently received have not been material. Benefits under these supplier purchasing programs are recognized under the Company’s inventory accounting methods as a reduction of cost of sales when the inventories representing these purchases are recorded as cost of sales. Accrued incentives expected to be settled as a credit against future purchases are reported on the consolidated balance sheets as an offset to amounts due to the related supplier.

Property and Related Depreciation and Amortization

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets and is included in selling, distribution, and administrative expense in the accompanying statements of consolidated income. Buildings, building improvements and leasehold improvements are depreciated over ten to thirty years or the life of the lease if a shorter period, and equipment is depreciated over three to ten years. The Company capitalizes internal use software development costs in accordance with guidance on accounting for costs of computer software developed or obtained for internal use. Amortization of software begins when it is ready for its intended use, and is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software, generally not to exceed twelve years. Capitalized software and hardware costs are classified as property on the consolidated balance sheets. The carrying values of property and equipment are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset group's recorded value cannot be recovered from undiscounted future cash flows. Impairment losses, if any, would be measured based upon the difference between the carrying amount of an asset group and its fair value.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill is recognized as the excess cost of an acquired entity over the net amount assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is not amortized. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually as of January 1 or whenever changes in conditions indicate an evaluation should be completed. These conditions could include a significant change in the business climate, legal factors, operating performance indicators, competition, or sale or disposition of a significant portion of a reporting unit. The Company utilizes the income and market approaches to determine the fair value of reporting units. Evaluating impairment requires significant judgment by management,

Table of Contents

including estimated future operating results, estimated future cash flows, the long-term rate of growth of the business, and determination of an appropriate discount rate. While the Company uses available information to prepare the estimates and evaluations, actual results could differ significantly.

The Company recognizes acquired identifiable intangible assets such as customer relationships, trade names, vendor relationships, and non-competition agreements apart from goodwill. Customer relationship identifiable intangibles are amortized using the sum-of-the-years-digits method or the expected cash flow method over estimated useful lives consistent with assumptions used in the determination of their value. Amortization of all other finite-lived identifiable intangible assets is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated period of benefit. Amortization of identifiable intangible assets is included in selling, distribution and administrative expense in the accompanying statements of consolidated income. Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are reviewed for impairment when changes in conditions indicate carrying value may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a finite-lived intangible asset be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset to the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value of the finite-lived intangible asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds its fair value determined through a discounted cash flow model. Identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives are reviewed for impairment on an annual basis or whenever changes in conditions indicate an evaluation should be completed. The Company does not currently have any indefinite-lived identifiable intangible assets.

Self-Insurance Liabilities

The Company maintains business insurance programs with significant self-insured retention covering workers’ compensation, business, automobile, general product liability and other claims. The Company accrues estimated losses including those incurred but not reported using actuarial calculations, models and assumptions based on historical loss experience. The Company also maintains a self-insured health benefits plan which provides medical benefits to U.S. based employees electing coverage under the plan. The Company estimates its reserve for all unpaid medical claims, including those incurred but not reported, based on historical experience, adjusted as necessary based upon management’s reasoned judgment.

Revenue Recognition

The Company primarily sells purchased products distributed through its network of service centers and recognizes revenue at a point in time when control of the product transfers to the customer, typically upon shipment from an Applied facility or directly from a supplier. For products that ship directly from suppliers to customers, Applied generally acts as the principal in the transaction and recognizes revenue on a gross basis. Revenue recognized over time is not significant. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration expected to be received in exchange for the products and services provided, net of allowances for product returns, variable consideration, and any taxes collected from customers that will be remitted to governmental authorities. Shipping and handling costs are recognized in net sales when they are billed to the customer. The Company has elected to account for shipping and handling activities as fulfillment costs. There are no significant costs associated with obtaining customer contracts.

Payment terms with customers vary by the type and location of the customer and the products or services offered. The Company does not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of significant financing components based on the expectation that the period between when the Company transfers a promised good or service to a customer and when the customer pays for that good or service will be one year or less. Arrangements with customers that include payment terms extending beyond one year are not significant.

The Company’s products are generally sold with a right of return and may include variable consideration in the form of incentives, discounts, credits, or rebates. Product returns are estimated based on historical return rates. The returns reserve was $10,815 and $12,635 at June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, respectively.

The Company estimates and recognizes variable consideration based on historical experience to determine the expected amount to which the Company will be entitled in exchange for transferring the promised goods or services to a customer. The Company records variable consideration as an adjustment to the transaction price in the period it is incurred. The realization of variable consideration occurs within a short period of time from product delivery; therefore, the time value of money effect is not significant.

Shipping and Handling Costs

The Company records freight payments to third parties in cost of sales and internal delivery costs in selling, distribution and administrative expense in the accompanying statements of consolidated income. Internal delivery costs in selling, distribution and administrative expense were approximately $24,620, $22,170, and $17,890 for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

Table of Contents

Income Taxes

Income taxes are determined based upon income and expenses recorded for financial reporting purposes. Deferred income taxes are recorded for estimated future tax effects of differences between the bases of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and income tax purposes, giving consideration to enacted tax laws. Uncertain tax positions meeting a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are recognized in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 740 - Income Taxes. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits in the provision for income taxes.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-based compensation represents the cost related to share-based awards granted to employees under the 2023 Long-Term Performance Plan, the 2019 Long-Term Performance Plan, or the 2015 Long-Term Performance Plan. The Company measures share-based compensation cost at the grant date, based on the estimated fair value of the award and recognizes the cost over the requisite service period. Non-qualified stock appreciation rights (SARs) and stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the closing market price of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant and the fair values are determined using a Black-Scholes option pricing model, which incorporates assumptions regarding the expected volatility, the expected option life, the risk-free interest rate and the expected dividend yield. SARs and stock option awards generally vest over four years of continuous service and have ten-year contractual terms. The fair value of restricted stock awards, restricted stock units (RSUs), and performance shares are based on the closing market price of Company common stock on the grant date.

Treasury Shares

Shares of common stock repurchased by the Company are recorded at cost as treasury shares and result in a reduction of shareholders’ equity in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company uses the weighted-average cost method for determining the cost of shares reissued. The difference between the cost of the shares and the reissuance price is added to or deducted from additional paid-in capital.

Derivatives

The Company records all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivative, whether the Company has elected to designate a derivative in a hedging relationship and apply hedge accounting, and whether the hedging relationship has satisfied the criteria necessary to apply hedge accounting. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset, liability, or firm commitment attributable to a particular risk, such as interest rate risk, are considered fair value hedges. Derivatives designated and qualifying as a hedge of the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows, or other types of forecasted transactions, are considered cash flow hedges. Derivatives may also be designated as hedges of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation. Hedge accounting generally provides for the matching of the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedging instrument with the recognition of the changes in the fair value of the hedged asset or liability that are attributable to the hedged risk in a fair value hedge or the earnings effect of the hedged forecasted transactions in a cash flow hedge. The Company may enter into derivative contracts that are intended to economically hedge certain risks, even though hedge accounting does not apply or the Company elects not to apply hedge accounting.

In accordance with the FASB’s fair value measurement guidance, the Company made an accounting policy election to measure the credit risk of its derivative financial instruments that are subject to master netting agreements on a net basis by counterparty portfolio.

Retirement Savings Plan

Substantially all U.S. employees participate in the Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan, a 401(k) plan. Participants may elect 401(k) contributions of up to 50% of their compensation, subject to Internal Revenue Code maximums. The Company partially matches 401(k) contributions by participants. The Company’s expense for matching of employees’ 401(k) contributions was $9,670, $9,989 and $9,149 during 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Deferred Compensation Plans

The Company maintains deferred compensation plans that enable certain employees of the Company to defer receipt of a portion of their compensation. Rabbi trusts have been established to hold and provide a measure of security for investments that fund benefits payments under these plans. Assets held in these rabbi trusts consist of investments in money market and mutual funds and Company common stock.

Table of Contents

Post-employment Benefit Plans

The Company provides the following post-employment benefits which, except for the Qualified Defined Benefit Retirement Plan and Key Executive Restoration Plan, are unfunded:

Supplemental Executive Retirement Benefits Plan

The Company has a non-qualified pension plan to provide supplemental retirement benefits to certain officers. Benefits are payable and determinable at retirement based upon a percentage of the participant’s historical compensation. The Executive Organization and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors froze participant benefits (credited service and final average earnings) and entry into the Supplemental Executive Retirement Benefits Plan (SERP) effective December 31, 2011. The Company recorded net periodic benefit costs associated with the SERP of $289, $399, and $450 in fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively. The Company expects to make payments of approximately $1,300 under the SERP in fiscal 2025 and 2026, respectively.

Key Executive Restoration Plan

In fiscal 2012, the Company adopted the Key Executive Restoration Plan (KERP), a funded, non-qualified deferred compensation plan, to replace the SERP. The Company recorded $446, $456, and $514 of expense associated with this plan in fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

Qualified Defined Benefit Retirement Plan

The Company's qualified defined benefit retirement plan provided benefits to certain hourly employees at retirement based on length of service and date of retirement. The plan accruals were frozen as of April 16, 2018, and employees were permitted to participate in the Retirement Savings Plan, following that date. The Company terminated the defined benefit retirement plan effective February 28, 2022. Participants elected to receive benefits as either a lump sum payment or through an annuity contract and the settlement of $8,895 was paid from plan assets in the second quarter of fiscal 2023. As a result of the plan termination, the Company recognized a loss of $1,184 in the year ended June 30, 2023, which was recorded in other (income) expense, net in the statements of consolidated income. The Company recorded net periodic costs associated with this plan of $282 in fiscal 2022.

Retiree Health Care Benefits

The Company provides health care benefits, through third-party policies, to eligible retired employees who pay a specified monthly premium. Premium payments are based upon current insurance rates for the type of coverage provided and are adjusted annually. Certain monthly health care premium payments are partially subsidized by the Company. Additionally, in conjunction with a fiscal 1998 acquisition, the Company assumed the obligation for a post-retirement medical benefit plan which provides health care benefits to eligible retired employees at no cost to the individual. The Company recorded net periodic benefits associated with these plans of $186, $113, and $123 in fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

The Company has determined that the related disclosures under ASC Topic 715 - Compensation, Retirement Benefits, for these post-employment benefit plans are not material to the consolidated financial statements.

Leases

The Company leases facilities for certain service centers, warehouses, distribution centers, and office space. The Company also leases office equipment and vehicles. All leases are classified as operating. The Company’s leases expire at various dates through 2036, with terms ranging from 1 year to 15 years. Many of the Company’s real estate leases contain renewal provisions to extend lease terms up to 5 years. The exercise of renewal options is solely at the Company’s discretion. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain material variable lease payments, residual value guarantees, or restrictive covenants. The Company does not recognize right-of-use assets or lease liabilities for short-term leases with initial terms of 12 months or less. Leased vehicles comprise the majority of the Company’s short-term leases. All other leases are recorded on the balance sheet with right-of-use assets representing the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities representing lease payment obligations. The Company’s leases do not provide implicit rates; therefore the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate for measuring lease liabilities. Non-lease components are accounted for separately from lease components. The Company’s operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is recorded in selling, distribution, and administrative expense on the statements of consolidated income.

Recently Issued Accounting Guidance

In December 2023, the FASB issued its final standard to improve income tax disclosures. This standard, issued as ASU 2023-09, requires public business entities to annually disclose specific categories in the rate reconciliation and provide additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. This update is effective for

Table of Contents

annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company has not yet determined the impact of this pronouncement on its financial statements and related disclosures.

In November 2023, the FASB issued its final standard to improve reportable segment disclosures. This standard, issued as ASU 2023-07, requires enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses, enhances interim disclosure requirements, clarifies circumstances in which an entity can disclose multiple segment measures of profit or loss, provides new segment disclosure requirements for entities with a single reportable segment, and contains other disclosure requirements. This update is effective for all public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, with the interim disclosure requirements being effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company has not yet determined the impact of this pronouncement on its financial statements and related disclosures.

NOTE 2: REVENUE RECOGNITION

Disaggregation of Revenues

The following tables present the Company's net sales by reportable segment and by geographic areas based on the location of the facility shipping the product for the years ended June 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022. Other countries consist of Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Costa Rica.

Service Center Based Distribution Engineered Solutions Total

Geographic Areas:

Service Center Based Distribution Engineered Solutions Total

Geographic Areas:

Service Center Based Distribution Engineered Solutions Total

Geographic Areas:

Table of Contents

The following tables present the Company’s percentage of revenue by reportable segment and major customer industry for the years ended June 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022:

Service Center Based Distribution Engineered Solutions Total

Cement & Aggregate 7.4 % 1.3 % 5.5 %

Transportation 3.7 % 4.2 % 3.8 %

Service Center Based Distribution Engineered Solutions Total

Cement & Aggregate 7.8 % 1.3 % 5.7 %

Transportation 3.7 % 3.1 % 3.5 %

Service Center Based Distribution Engineered Solutions Total

Cement & Aggregate 7.6 % 1.0 % 5.5 %

Transportation 4.1 % 3.3 % 3.8 %

Table of Contents

The following tables present the Company’s percentage of revenue by reportable segment and product line for the years ended June 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022:

Service Center Based Distribution Engineered Solutions Total

General Maintenance; Hose Products 22.1 % 17.2 % 20.5 %

Bearings, Linear & Seals 26.1 % 0.4 % 18.0 %

Specialty Flow Control — % 34.8 % 11.0 %

Service Center Based Distribution Engineered Solutions Total

General Maintenance; Hose Products 21.1 % 19.3 % 20.6 %

Bearings, Linear & Seals 28.3 % 0.4 % 19.1 %

Specialty Flow Control — % 35.4 % 11.6 %

Service Center Based Distribution Engineered Solutions Total

General Maintenance; Hose Products 20.9 % 18.9 % 20.3 %

Bearings, Linear & Seals 29.2 % 0.4 % 19.8 %

Specialty Flow Control — % 32.9 % 10.7 %

Contract Assets

The Company’s contract assets consist of un-billed amounts resulting from contracts for which revenue is recognized over time using the cost-to-cost method, and for which revenue recognized exceeds the amount billed to the customer.

Activity related to contract assets, which are included in other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet, is as follows:

The difference between the opening and closing balances of the Company's contract assets primarily results from the timing difference between the Company's performance and when the customer is billed.

Table of Contents

NOTE 3: BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

The operating results of all acquired entities are included within the consolidated operating results of the Company from the date of each respective acquisition.

Fiscal 2024 Acquisitions

On May 1, 2024, the Company acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Grupo Kopar (Kopar), a Monterrey, Mexico based provider of emerging automation technologies and engineered solutions. Kopar is included in the Engineered Solutions segment. The purchase price for the acquisition was $61,225, net liabilities assumed were $2,529, and intangible assets including goodwill were $63,754 based upon preliminary estimated fair values at the acquisition date, which are subject to adjustment. The Company funded this acquisition using available cash. The acquisition price and the results of operations for the acquired entity are not material in relation to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

On September 1, 2023, the Company acquired substantially all of the net assets of Bearing Distributors, Inc. (BDI), a Columbia, South Carolina based provider of bearings, power transmission, and industrial motion products, and related service and repair capabilities. BDI is included in the Service Center Based Distribution segment. The purchase price for the acquisition was $17,926, net tangible assets acquired were $4,086, and intangible assets including goodwill were $13,840 based upon preliminary estimated fair values at the acquisition date, which are subject to adjustment. The purchase price includes $1,800 of acquisition holdback payments, which are included in other current liabilities and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2024, and which will be paid on the first and second anniversaries of the acquisition date with interest at a fixed rate of 3.0% per annum. The Company funded this acquisition using available cash. The acquisition price and the results of operations for the acquired entity are not material in relation to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

On August 1, 2023, the Company acquired substantially all of the net assets of Cangro Industries, Inc. (Cangro), a Farmingdale, New York based provider of bearings, power transmission, industrial motion, and related service and repair capabilities. Cangro is included in the Service Center Based Distribution segment. The purchase price for the acquisition was $6,219, net tangible assets acquired were $2,175, and intangible assets including goodwill were $4,044 based upon preliminary estimated fair values at the acquisition date, which are subject to adjustment. The purchase price includes $930 of acquisition holdback payments, which are included in other current liabilities and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2024, and which will be paid on the first, second, and third anniversaries of the acquisition date with interest at a fixed rate of 1.0% per annum. The Company funded this acquisition using available cash. The acquisition price and the results of operations for the acquired entity are not material in relation to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Fiscal 2023 Acquisitions

On March 31, 2023, the Company acquired substantially all of the net assets of Advanced Motion Systems Inc. (AMS), a western New York based provider of automation products, services, and engineered solutions focused on a full range of machine vision, robotics, and motion control products and technologies. AMS is included in the Engineered Solutions segment. The purchase price for the acquisition was $10,118, net tangible assets acquired were $1,768, and intangible assets including goodwill were $8,350 based upon estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The Company funded this acquisition using available cash. The acquisition price and the results of operations for the acquired entity are not material in relation to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

On November 1, 2022, the Company acquired substantially all of the net assets of Automation, Inc., a Minneapolis, Minnesota based provider of automation products, services, and engineered solutions focused on machine vision, collaborative and mobile robotics, motion control, intelligent sensors, pneumatics, and other related products and solutions. Automation, Inc. is included in the Engineered Solutions segment. The purchase price for the acquisition was $25,617, net tangible assets acquired were $3,639, and intangible assets including goodwill were $21,978 based upon estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The Company funded this acquisition using available cash. The acquisition price and the results of operations for the acquired entity are not material in relation to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Fiscal 2022 Acquisitions

On August 18, 2021, the Company acquired substantially all of the net assets of R.R. Floody Company (Floody), a Rockford, Illinois provider of high technology solutions for advanced factory automation. Floody is included in the Engineered Solutions segment. The purchase price for the acquisition was $8,038, net tangible assets acquired were $1,040, and intangible assets including goodwill were $6,998 based upon estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The purchase price included $1,000 of acquisition holdback payments, of which $500 was paid during the year-ended June 30, 2023, and the remaining $500 was paid during the year-ended June 30, 2024. The Company

Table of Contents

funded this acquisition using available cash. The acquisition price and the results of operations for the acquired entity are not material in relation to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 4: INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of the following:

Less: Excess of average cost over LIFO cost for U.S. inventories 225,928 215,280

Inventories on consolidated balance sheets $ 488,258 $ 501,184

The overall impact of LIFO layer liquidations increased gross profit by $1,160, $127, and $501 in fiscal 2024, fiscal 2023, and fiscal 2022, respectively.

NOTE 5: GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLES

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for both the Service Center Based Distribution segment and the Engineered Solutions segment for the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:

Service Center Based Distribution Engineered Solutions Total

Other, primarily currency translation 221 475 696

Other, primarily currency translation (1,369) — (1,369)

During the first quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company recorded an adjustment to the preliminary estimated fair value of intangible assets related to the AMS acquisition. The fair value of the trade name was reduced by $1,249, with a corresponding increase to goodwill of $1,249. During the second quarter of fiscal 2024, the Company recorded an adjustment to the preliminary estimated fair value of intangible assets related to the BDI acquisition. The fair value of the trade name was reduced by $2,130, and the fair value of the customer relationship was increased by $70, with a corresponding combined increase to goodwill of $2,060.

The Company has eight (8) reporting units for which an annual goodwill impairment assessment was performed as of January 1, 2024. Based on the assessment performed, the Company concluded that the fair value of all of the reporting units exceeded their carrying amount as of January 1, 2024, therefore no impairment exists.

At June 30, 2024 and 2023, accumulated goodwill impairment losses subsequent to fiscal year 2002 totaled $64,794 related to the Service Center Based Distribution segment and $167,605 related to the Engineered Solutions segment.

The Company's identifiable intangible assets resulting from business combinations are amortized over their estimated period of benefit and consist of the following:

June 30, 2024 Amount AccumulatedAmortization NetBook Value

Finite-Lived Intangibles:

Table of Contents

June 30, 2023 Amount AccumulatedAmortization NetBook Value

Finite-Lived Intangibles:

Amounts include the impact of foreign currency translation. Fully amortized amounts are written off.

During fiscal 2024, the Company acquired identifiable intangible assets with an acquisition cost allocation and weighted-average life as follows:

Acquisition Cost Allocation Weighted-Average Life

Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are reviewed for impairment when changes in conditions indicate carrying value may not be recoverable.

Amortization of identifiable intangibles totaled $28,923, $30,805, and $31,879 in fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively, and is included in selling, distribution and administrative expense in the statements of consolidated income. Future amortization expense based on the Company’s identifiable intangible assets as of June 30, 2024 is estimated to be $29,300 for 2025, $27,300 for 2026, $25,200 for 2027, $23,400 for 2028, and $21,800 for 2029.

NOTE 6: DEBT

A summary of long-term debt, including the current portion, follows:

Less: unamortized debt issuance costs 71 152

Revolving Credit Facility & Term Loan

In December 2021, the Company entered into a five-year revolving credit facility with a group of banks to refinance the existing credit facility as well as provide funds for ongoing working capital and other general corporate purposes. The revolving credit facility provides a $900,000 unsecured revolving credit facility and an uncommitted accordion feature which allows the Company to request an increase in the borrowing commitments, or incremental term loans, under the credit facility in aggregate principal amounts of up to $500,000. In May 2023, the Company and the administrative agent entered into an amendment to the credit facility to replace LIBOR with SOFR as a reference rate available for use in the computation of interest. Borrowings under this agreement bear interest, at the Company's election, at either the base rate plus a margin that ranges from 0 to 55 basis points based on the net leverage ratio or SOFR plus a margin that ranges from 80 to 155 basis points based on the net leverage ratio. Available borrowing under this facility, without exercising the accordion feature and net of outstanding letters of credit of $200 to secure certain insurance obligations, totaled $515,800 and $516,208 at June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, respectively, and were available to fund future acquisitions or other capital and operating requirements. The interest rate on the revolving credit facility was 6.24% and 6.11% as of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, respectively.

Additionally, the Company had letters of credit outstanding not associated with the revolving credit agreement, in the amount of $4,046 as of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023 in order to secure certain insurance obligations.

Table of Contents

Trade Receivable Securitization Facility

In August 2018, the Company established a trade receivable securitization facility (the “AR Securitization Facility”). On March 26, 2021, the Company amended the AR Securitization Facility to expand the eligible receivables, which increased the maximum availability to $250,000 and increased the fees on the AR Securitization Facility to 0.98% per year. On August 4, 2023, the Company amended the AR Securitization Facility, extended the term to August 4, 2026, and reduced drawn fees to 0.90% per year.Availability is further subject to changes in the credit ratings of our customers, customer concentration levels or certain characteristics of the accounts receivable being transferred and, therefore, at certain times, we may not be able to fully access the $250,000 of funding available under the AR Securitization Facility. The AR Securitization Facility effectively increases the Company’s borrowing capacity by collateralizing a portion of the amount of the U.S. operations’ trade accounts receivable. The Company uses the proceeds from the AR Securitization Facility as an alternative to other forms of debt, effectively reducing borrowing costs. In May 2023, the Company entered into an amendment to the AR Securitization Facility to replace LIBOR with SOFR as a reference rate available for use in the computation of interest, therefore borrowings under this facility carry variable interest rates tied to SOFR. The interest rate on the AR Securitization Facility as of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023 was 6.35% and 6.16%, respectively.

Unsecured Shelf Facility

At June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, the Company had borrowings outstanding under its unsecured shelf facility agreement with Prudential Investment Management of $25,000 and $50,000, respectively. Fees on this facility range from 0.25% to 1.25% per year based on the Company's leverage ratio at each quarter end.The "Series D" notes carried a fixed interest rate of 3.21%, and the remaining principal balance of $25,000was paid in October 2023. The "Series E" notes have a principal amount of $25,000, carry a fixed interest rate of 3.08%, and are due in October 2024.

Other Long-Term Borrowing

In 2014, the Company assumed $2,359 of debt as a part of the headquarters facility acquisition. The 1.50% fixed interest rate note is held by the State of Ohio Development Services Agency and matures in November 2024.

The table below summarizes the aggregate maturities of amounts outstanding under long-term borrowing arrangements for each of the next five years:

Fiscal Year Aggregate Maturity

Covenants

NOTE 7: DERIVATIVES

Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives

The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities. The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its assets and liabilities and the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. The Company’s derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to the Company’s borrowings.

Table of Contents

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.

For derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk, the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and subsequently reclassified into interest expense in the same period(s) during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate debt.

In January 2019, the Company entered into an interest rate swap to mitigate variability in forecasted interest payments on $463,000 of the Company’s U.S. dollar-denominated unsecured variable rate debt. The notional amount declines over time. The interest rate swap effectively converts a portion of the floating rate interest payment into a fixed rate interest payment. The Company designated the interest rate swap as a pay-fixed, receive-floating interest rate swap instrument and is accounting for this derivative as a cash flow hedge. During fiscal 2021, the Company completed a transaction to amend and extend the interest rate swap agreement which resulted in an extension of the maturity date to January 31, 2026 and a decrease of the weighted average fixed pay rate from 2.61% to 1.63%. The pay-fixed interest rate swap is considered a hybrid instrument with a financing component and an embedded at-market derivative that was designated as a cash flow hedge. In May 2023, the Company entered into bilateral agreements with its swap counterparties to transition its interest rate swap agreements to SOFR, and further decreased the weighted average fixed pay rate to 1.58%. The Company made various ASC 848 elections related to changes in critical terms of the hedging relationship due to reference rate reform to not result in a dedesignation of the hedging relationship. As of May 31, 2023, the Company's interest rate swap agreement was indexed to SOFR.

The interest rate swap converted $384,000 of variable rate debt to a rate of 2.48% as of June 30, 2024 and to a rate of 2.59% as of June 30, 2023. The fair value (Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy) of the interest rate cash flow hedge was $18,081 and $27,044 as of June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023, respectively, which is included in other current assets and other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. Amounts reclassified from other comprehensive (loss) income, before tax, to interest expense totaled $(18,683), $(7,285), and $11,361 for fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

NOTE 8: FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Marketable securities measured at fair value at June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023 totaled $22,519 and $18,637, respectively. The majority of these marketable securities are held in a rabbi trust for a non-qualified deferred compensation plan. The marketable securities are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets and their fair values were valued using quoted market prices (Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy).

As of June 30, 2024, the carrying value of the Company's fixed interest rate debt outstanding under its unsecured shelf facility agreement with Prudential Investment Management approximates fair value (Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy).

The revolving credit facility contains variable interest rates and its carrying value approximates fair value (Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy).

Table of Contents

NOTE 9: INCOME TAXES

Income Before Income Taxes

The components of income before income taxes are as follows:

Provision

The provision for income taxes consists of:

Current:

Deferred:

Effective Tax Rates

The following reconciles the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate:

Statutory income tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 %

Effects of:

State and local taxes 4.0 3.5 3.3

Stock compensation (1.2) (1.0) (1.5)

U.S. tax on foreign income, net (0.1) — (0.4)

Impact of foreign operations 0.3 0.2 0.4

Non-deductibles/Deductible dividend 0.9 0.6 0.2

Interest deduction (0.4) (0.4) (0.6)

Valuation allowance (0.7) (0.6) (0.6)

Effective income tax rate 22.6 % 22.9 % 21.9 %

Table of Contents

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

Deferred tax assets:

Compensation liabilities not currently deductible $ 18,646 $ 17,726

Other expenses and reserves not currently deductible 15,008 18,215

Net operating loss carryforwards 6,340 6,809

Less: Valuation allowance (158) (3,459)

Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance $ 92,491 $ 77,663

Deferred tax liabilities:

Depreciation and differences in property bases (10,506) (9,757)

Net deferred tax liabilities are classified as follows:

As of June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company had foreign net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $24,627 and $29,374, respectively, the tax benefit of which is approximately $6,146 and $6,440, respectively. These loss carryforwards will expire at various dates beginning in 2036. As of June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company had state net operating loss carryforwards, the tax benefit of which is approximately $194 and $466, respectively, which will expire at various dates beginning in 2034.

Valuation allowances are provided against deferred tax assets where it is considered more-likely-than-not that the Company will not realize the benefit of such assets. The remaining net deferred tax asset is the amount management believes is more-likely-than-not of being realized. The realization of these deferred tax assets can be impacted by changes to tax laws, statutory tax rates and future income levels. The Company evaluates the realization of its deferred tax assets each quarter throughout the year. During the years ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded a net tax benefit related to the change in valuation allowances of $3,283 and $2,657, respectively. The total valuation allowance provided against the deferred tax assets is $158 and $3,415 as of June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

As of June 30, 2024, the Company had accumulated undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries of approximately $186,420. The vast majority of such earnings have previously been subjected to the one-time transition tax or the Global Intangible Low Taxed Income (GILTI) inclusion. Therefore, any additional taxes due with respect to such earnings or the excess of the amount for financial reporting over the tax basis of our foreign investments would generally be limited to foreign withholding and state income taxes. In addition, we expect foreign tax credits would be available to either offset or partially reduce the tax cost in the event of a distribution. We intend, however, to indefinitely reinvest these earnings and expect future U.S. cash generation to be sufficient to meet future U.S. cash needs.

Table of Contents

Unrecognized Income Tax Benefits

Applied Industrial Technologies Inc AIT US Equity

AIT · 10-K · period ended 2024-06-30

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

ITEM 6. RESERVED.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

Applied Industrial Technologies Inc AIT US Equity☆

AIT · 10-K · period ended 2024-06-30

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.

ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

ITEM 6. RESERVED.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

Applied Industrial Technologies Inc AIT US Equity