Item 1A. Risk Factors
There are inherent risks and uncertainties associated with our business that could adversely affect our operating performance and financial condition. Set forth below are descriptions of those risks and uncertainties that we currently believe to be material, but the risks and uncertainties described are not the only risks and uncertainties that could affect our business. See the discussion under “Forward-Looking Statements” in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
RISKS RELATED TO CYCLICAL NATURE OF OUR BUSINESS
Cyclical Demand for Products. The cyclical nature of the industries in which our customers operate causes demand for our products to be cyclical, creating potential uncertainty regarding future profitability. Various changes in general economic conditions may affect the industries in which our customers operate. These changes could include decreases in the rate of consumption or use of our customers’ products due to economic downturns. Other factors that may cause fluctuation in our customers’ positions are changes in market demand, lower overall pricing due to domestic and international overcapacity, currency fluctuations, lower priced imports and increases in use or decreases in prices of substitute materials. As a result of these factors, our profitability has been and may in the future be subject to significant fluctuation.
Risks Associated with the Commercial Aerospace Industry. A significant portion of our sales represent products sold to customers in the commercial aerospace industry. Fulfilling contractual arrangements to provide various products to customers in this industry often involves meeting highly exacting performance requirements and product specifications, and our failure to meet those requirements and specifications on a timely and cost-efficient basis could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, business and financial condition. The commercial aerospace industry has historically been cyclical due to factors both external and internal to the airline industry. These factors include general economic conditions, airline profitability, consumer demand for air travel, varying fuel and labor costs, changes in projected build rates, price competition, and international and domestic political conditions such as military conflict and the threat of terrorism. The length and degree of cyclical fluctuation are influenced by these factors and therefore are difficult to predict with certainty. Demand for our products is subject to these cyclical trends. Cyclical and event-driven downturns in the commercial aerospace industry have had, and may in the future have, an adverse effect on the prices at which we are able to sell our products, and our results of operations, business and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
Risks Associated with Cyclicality in General Industrial Markets. Our exposure to general industrial markets is primarily in our AA&S segment, where we have sales to the oil & gas industry, automotive, food equipment & appliances and construction and mining markets. These markets tend to be highly cyclical and subject to volatility as a result of fluctuations in worldwide economic activity and associated demand, changes in applicable regulation, global geopolitical conditions and numerous other factors. Demand for our products, particularly within the AA&S segment, is subject to these trends, and in recent years, our business has at times been negatively impacted by depressed demand from general industrial markets. We expect that these end markets will remain a highly cyclical industry, and future downturns could have an adverse effect on the prices at which we are able to sell our products, and our results of operations, business and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
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Product Pricing. From time-to-time, reduced demand, intense competition, and excess manufacturing capacity have resulted in reduced prices, excluding raw material surcharges, for many of our products. These factors have had and may have an adverse impact on our revenues, operating results, and financial condition. Recently, due to inflationary trends, certain critical raw material costs, such as nickel, hafnium, titanium sponge, cobalt, chromium, and molybdenum and scrap containing iron, nickel, titanium, chromium, and molybdenum have been volatile. While we have been able to mitigate some of the adverse impact of volatile raw material costs through various means, including raw material surcharges or indices to customers, rapid changes in raw material costs cause volatility in, and may adversely affect, our results of operations.
We change prices on certain of our products from time-to-time. Our ability to implement price increases is dependent on market conditions, economic factors, raw material costs and availability, competitive factors, operating costs and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. As such, we may be unable to implement price increases to the degree or within the time frame necessary to fully mitigate the impact of inflationary trends or at all, and the benefits of any price increases may be delayed due to long manufacturing lead times and the terms of existing contracts.
Risks Associated with Key Customers. We have long-term contracts with certain of our customers, some of which are subject to renewal, renegotiation, or re-pricing at periodic intervals or upon changes in competitive supply conditions. Our failure to successfully renew, renegotiate or favorably re-price such agreements, or a material deterioration in or termination of these or other key customer relationships, could result in a reduction or loss in customer purchase revenue. Additionally, a significant downturn or deterioration in the business or financial condition or loss of a key customer could negatively impact our business. Our customers may change their business strategies or modify their business relationships with us, including to reduce the amount of our products they purchase or to switch to alternative suppliers, as a result of which our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected.
RISKS RELATED TO THE RAW MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES THAT WE USE
Dependence on Critical Raw Materials Subject to Price and Availability Fluctuations. We rely to a substantial extent on third parties to supply certain raw materials that are critical to the manufacture of our products. Purchase prices and availability of these critical items are subject to volatility, and in some cases, we have supply arrangements with only a limited number of suppliers for a given material. At any given time, we may be unable to obtain an adequate supply of these critical raw materials on a timely basis, on price and other terms acceptable to us, or at all. If suppliers increase the price of critical raw materials, we may not have alternative sources of supply. In addition, to the extent that we have quoted prices to customers and accepted customer orders for products prior to purchasing necessary raw materials, or have existing contracts, we may be unable to raise the price of products to cover all or part of the increased cost of the raw materials. The prices for many of the raw materials we use have been volatile during the past several years. Due to the long lead times required to manufacture many of our products, volatility in raw material prices exposes us to cash costs that may not be fully recovered through surcharge and index pricing mechanisms.
The manufacture of some of our products is a complex process and requires long lead times. As a result, we may experience delays or shortages in the supply of raw materials. In particular, we acquire certain important raw materials that we use to produce specialty materials, including nickel, zirconium, niobium, chromium, cobalt, vanadium and titanium sponge, from foreign sources. Some of these sources operate in countries that may be subject to unstable political and economic conditions. These or similar conditions may disrupt supplies or affect the prices of the materials that are necessary to our operations. If unable to obtain adequate and timely deliveries of required raw materials, we may be unable to timely manufacture sufficient quantities of products. This could cause us to lose sales, incur additional costs, delay new product introductions, or suffer harm to our reputation.
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine may adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Since February 2022, Russia and Ukraine have been engaged in active armed conflict. The length, impact, and outcome of the ongoing conflict and its potential impact on our business is highly volatile and difficult to predict. It has and could continue to cause significant market and other disruptions, including significant volatility in commodity prices and supply of energy resources, instability in financial markets, supply chain interruptions, political and social instability, trade disputes or trade barriers, changes in consumer or purchaser preferences, and increases in cyberattacks and espionage.
Governments in the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom and other countries have enacted sanctions against Russia and Russian interests. These sanctions include controls on the export, re-export, and in-country transfer in Russia of certain goods, supplies, and technologies, and the imposition of restrictions on doing business with certain state-owned Russian customers and other investments and business activities in Russia. In early March 2022, we announced plans to terminate our Uniti, LLC joint venture with Russian-based VSMPO-AVISMA (Verkhnaya Salda Metallurgical Production Association - Berezniki Titanium-Magnesium Works), the purpose of which was to market and sell a range of commercially pure titanium products. However, conditions in Ukraine and/or existing or future sanctions may disrupt supplies or affect the prices of materials that are necessary to our operations. If unable to obtain adequate and timely deliveries of required raw materials, we
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may be unable to timely manufacture sufficient quantities of products. This could cause us to lose sales, incur additional costs, delay new product introductions, or suffer harm to our reputation.
Further, the broader consequences of the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine may also have the effect of heightening many other risks disclosed in our public filings, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business and results of operations. Such risks include, but are not limited to, adverse effects on global macroeconomic conditions; increased volatility in the price and demand of oil, natural gas and other commodities, increased exposure to cyberattacks; disruptions in global supply chains; and exposure to foreign currency fluctuations and potential constraints or disruption in the capital markets and our sources of liquidity.
Dependence on Critical Supplies Subject to Price and Availability Fluctuations. We rely on third parties for certain supplies, such as graphite electrodes and industrial gases including helium and argon that are critical to the manufacture of our products. Purchase prices and availability of these critical items are subject to volatility. At any given time, we may be unable to obtain an adequate supply of these critical supplies on a timely basis, on price and other terms acceptable to us, or at all. If suppliers increase the price of these items, we may not have alternative sources of supply. The manufacture of some of our products is a complex process and requires long lead times. As a result, we may experience delays or shortages of critical supplies. If unable to obtain adequate and timely deliveries of required supplies, we may be unable to timely manufacture sufficient quantities of products. This could cause us to lose sales, incur additional costs, delay new product introductions, or suffer harm to our reputation.
Availability of Energy Resources. We rely upon third parties for our supply of energy resources consumed in the manufacture of our products. The prices for and availability of electricity, natural gas, oil and other energy resources are subject to volatile market conditions. These market conditions often are affected by political and economic factors beyond our control. Disruptions in the supply of energy resources could temporarily impair our ability to manufacture products for customers. Further, increases in energy costs, or changes in costs relative to energy costs paid by competitors, has and may continue to adversely affect our profitability. To the extent that these uncertainties cause suppliers and customers to be more cost sensitive, increased energy prices may have an adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR WORKFORCE
Risks Associated with the Recruitment and Retention of Key Talent and the Sustainability of our Workforce.Our business and manufacturing processes are complex. We require highly skilled personnel with relevant industry and technical experience to effectively operate, and as such, depend on our ability to recruit, retain and motivate our employees. Shortages in skilled labor and other labor market pressures currently are resulting in greater competition for skilled labor and increased labor costs in some instances. If we fail to attract, develop, retain and motivate a sustainable workforce with the skills and in the locations we need to operate and grow our business, our operations could be adversely impacted.
In addition, the loss of key members of management and other personnel could negatively impact our business, and any unplanned turnover, or failure to develop adequate succession plans for key positions, could result in loss of technical or other expertise or institutional knowledge, delay or impede the execution of our strategic plans and priorities and, ultimately, negatively impact our business and results.
Labor Matters. We have approximately 7,300 active employees, of which approximately 15% are located outside the United States. Approximately 35% of our workforce is covered by various CBAs, predominantly with the USW. At various times, our CBAs expire and are subject to renegotiation. Generally, collective bargaining agreements that expire may be terminated after notice by the union. After termination, the union may authorize a strike. A labor dispute, which could lead to a strike, lockout, or other work stoppage by the employees covered by one or more of the collective bargaining agreements, could have a material adverse effect on production at one or more of our facilities and, depending upon the length of such dispute or work stoppage, on our operating results. For example, in fiscal year 2021, the USW engaged in a 3 1⁄2 month strike primarily affecting our AA&S segment operations, and we incurred approximately $63 million in strike-related costs and had lower revenues during this period while we continued to operate affected facilities with replacement workers. There can be no assurance that we will succeed in concluding collective bargaining agreements to replace those that expire.
RISKS RELATED TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND SECURITY
Risks Associated with our Intellectual Property. We own valuable intellectual property, including trade secrets, patents, trademarks and copyrights. Our intellectual property protects our investments in technological innovation, research and development, and plays an important role in maintaining our competitive position in the markets we serve. Despite efforts to secure our intellectual property, it may be infringed or misappropriated by our employees, our competitors or other third parties. The pursuit of remedies for infringement or misappropriation of intellectual property is expensive and uncertain. Additionally, our competitors may develop technologies of their own that are similar or superior to our proprietary technologies, or design
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around our patents, to lawfully avoid our intellectual property rights. A failure to sufficiently secure or successfully enforce our intellectual property rights could adversely affect our business and competitive position.
Risks Associated with Digital Technology. Information technology infrastructure is critical to supporting business objectives; failure of our information technology infrastructure to operate effectively could adversely affect our business. If a problem occurs that impairs this infrastructure, the resulting disruption could impede our ability to record or process orders, manufacture and ship in a timely manner, or otherwise carry on business in the normal course. Any such events could cause us to lose customers or revenue and could require us to incur significant expense to remediate. As we integrate, implement and deploy new information technology processes and information infrastructure across our operations, we could experience disruptions in our business that could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow.
Cybersecurity Threats. Increased global information technology threats, vulnerabilities, and a rise in sophisticated and targeted international computer crime pose a risk to the security of our systems and networks and the confidentiality, availability and integrity of our data. We believe that ATI faces the threat of such cyberattacks due to the markets we serve, the products we manufacture, the locations of our operations, and global interest in our technology. Due to the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats, the scope and impact of any incident cannot be predicted. We continually work to strengthen our threat countermeasures, safeguard our systems and mitigate potential risks. Despite our efforts to fortify our cybersecurity and protect sensitive information and confidential and personal data, our facilities and systems and those of our third-party service providers may be vulnerable to security breaches. This could lead to disclosure, modification or destruction of proprietary and other key information, production downtimes, operational disruptions, and remediation costs, which in turn could adversely affect our reputation, competitiveness and results of operations.
RISK RELATED TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
Risks Associated with Climate Change.
While the prospect of a lower-carbon economy presents a number of opportunities for our business, the physical impacts of climate change, regulatory efforts to transition to a lower-carbon economy in the regions in which we, our customers and our suppliers operate and the increased focus and evolving views of our various stakeholders on climate change issues could create risks to our business.
Physical Risk. Climate related changes in prevailing weather patterns may impact, among other conditions, changes in sea levels and the propensity for flooding in coastal and other regions, long-term changes in precipitation patterns leading to flooding, drought or deterioration in water quality, and increases in the frequency and severity of significant storms and other weather events and related natural hazards, such as wildfire risk. Although we do not believe that our facilities are currently exposed to significant physical risk as a general matter, our operations have at times been, and could in the future be, impacted by adverse climate-related events, such as, for example, unanticipated periods of extreme cold or heat, acute flooding and wide-spread wildfires such as those experienced in certain regions in the U.S. and elsewhere in recent years. Events such as these could cause damage to critical facilities and equipment, result in significant operational disruption and have meaningfully adverse effects on our employees and the communities in which we operate. Additionally, even to the extent that significant weather events or changes in climate conditions do not directly impact our own facilities and/or operations, our business could be negatively impacted by events or more chronic climate conditions that disrupt or force longer-term changes in operations for our significant customers or suppliers, which could negatively impact the timing or overall volume of demand for our products or the cost and availability of critical raw materials, among other factors. Over time, widespread physical climate changes and risks could drive increases in other operational costs for our business, such as insurance costs.
Regulatory and Other Transition Risks. Increased worldwide focus on climate change has led to legislative and regulatory efforts to combat both potential causes and adverse impacts of climate change. New or more stringent laws and regulations related to greenhouse gas emissions, water usage and other climate change related concerns may adversely affect us, our suppliers and our customers. We have publicly disclosed efforts to reduce the energy intensity, freshwater intake intensity and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission of our operations, working consistently to enhance the environmental sustainability of our business by reducing our reliance on fossil fuel-based energy sources, promoting water reuse and other responsible water management practices, reducing waste and promoting recycling (including extensive use of recycled feedstock in our manufacturing processes) and ensuring our compliance with applicable environmental regulations. Nevertheless, new and evolving laws and regulations could mandate different or more restrictive standards, increase operating costs, require (or cause customers to require that we make) capital investments to transition to low carbon technologies or purchase carbon credits, or otherwise adversely impact our ongoing operations. Our suppliers may face similar challenges and incur additional compliance costs that are passed on to us. These direct and indirect costs may adversely impact our results.
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Market and Reputational Risks.Technology to support the transition to lower-carbon operations within the timeframe that could be required by future regulation or expected in the future by our customers may not be available at the scale necessary to support our operations, in a timely or cost-effective manner, or at all. It is possible that, over time, due to both regulatory action and/or changing customer and societal norms and expectations regarding the causes and importance of climate change issues, demand for products in one or more of our significant end markets could decline or, if we fail to keep pace with changing demand and technological advancement, shift in favor of products that we do not produce. If we fail to appropriately adapt to the expectations of our customers or other stakeholders, fail to achieve or properly report progress toward our environmental sustainability goals and targets or otherwise are perceived as failing to adequately address climate change concerns, the resulting negative perceptions could adversely affect our business, reputation and access to capital.
Risks Associated with Other Environmental Compliance Matters. We are subject to various domestic and international environmental laws and regulations that govern the discharge of pollutants and disposal of wastes, and which may require that we investigate and remediate the effects of the release or disposal of materials at sites associated with past and present operations. We could incur substantial cleanup costs, fines and civil or criminal sanctions, third party property damage or personal injury claims as a result of violations or liabilities under these laws or non-compliance with environmental permits required at our facilities. We are currently involved in the investigation and remediation of a number of our current and former sites as well as third party sites. We also could be subject to future laws and regulations that govern greenhouse gas emissions and various matters related to climate change and other air emissions, which could increase our operating costs. With respect to proceedings brought under the federal Superfund laws, or similar state statutes, we have been identified as a potentially responsible party (PRP) at 43 of such sites, excluding those at which we believe we have no future liability. Our involvement is limited or de minimis at approximately 20 of these sites, the potential loss exposure with respect to 16 individual sites is not considered to be material, and the potential loss exposure on the remaining seven sites could be material. We are a party to various cost-sharing arrangements with other PRPs at many of the sites. The terms of the cost-sharing arrangements are subject to non-disclosure agreements as confidential information. Nevertheless, the cost-sharing arrangements generally require all PRPs to post financial assurance of the performance of the obligations or to pre-pay into an escrow or trust account their share of anticipated site-related costs. In addition, the Federal government, through various agencies, is a party to several such arrangements.
We believe that we operate our businesses in compliance in all material respects with applicable environmental laws and regulations. However, from time-to-time, we are a party to lawsuits and other proceedings involving alleged violations of, or liabilities arising from, environmental laws. When our liability is probable and we can reasonably estimate our costs, we record environmental liabilities in our financial statements. In many cases, we are not able to determine whether we are liable or if liability is probable or to reasonably estimate the loss or range of loss. Estimates of our liability remain subject to additional uncertainties, including the nature and extent of site contamination, available remediation alternatives, the extent of corrective actions that may be required, and the participation number and financial condition of other PRPs, as well as the extent of their responsibility for the remediation. We intend to adjust our accruals to reflect new information as appropriate. Future adjustments could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in a given period, but we cannot reliably predict the amounts of such future adjustments. At December 31, 2023, our reserves for environmental matters totaled approximately $13 million. Based on currently available information, we do not believe that there is a reasonable possibility that a loss exceeding the amount already accrued for any of the sites with which we are currently associated (either individually or in the aggregate) will be an amount that would be material to a decision to buy or sell our securities. Future developments, administrative actions or liabilities relating to environmental matters, however, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.
OTHER OPERATIONAL AND STRATEGIC RISKS
Risks Associated with Disruptions to our Manufacturing Processes. The manufacture of many of our products is a highly exacting and complex process. If we encounter disruptions to our manufacturing processes due to equipment malfunction, failure to follow specific protocols, specifications and procedures, supply chain interruptions, natural disasters, health pandemics, labor unrest, or otherwise, it could have an adverse impact on our ability to fulfill orders or on product quality or performance which could result in significant costs to and liability for us that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations, as well as negative publicity and damage to our reputation, which could adversely impact product demand and customer relationships. Additionally, our operations depend on the continued and efficient functioning of our facilities, including critical equipment. If our operations, particularly one of our manufacturing facilities, were to be materially disrupted for any reason, we may be unable to effectively meet our obligations to or demand from our customers, which could adversely affect our financial performance.
Export Sales and International Trade Matters. We believe that export sales will continue to account for a significant percentage of our future revenues. We also import certain raw materials that are important to our business, including nickel, zirconium, niobium, chromium, cobalt, vanadium and titanium sponge, among others. Risks associated with such international
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trade include, among others: political and economic instability, including weak conditions in the world’s economies; accounts receivable collection; export controls; trade sanctions; changes in legal and regulatory requirements; policy changes affecting the markets for our products; changes in tax laws; and exchange rate fluctuations (which may affect sales to international customers and the value of profits earned on export sales when converted into dollars). Any of these factors could materially adversely affect our results for the period in which they occur.
Additionally, changes in international trade duties and other aspects of international trade policy, both in the U.S. and abroad, could materially impact our business. Moreover, tariffs, or other changes in U.S. trade policy, have resulted in and may continue to trigger, retaliatory actions by affected countries. Certain foreign governments have instituted or considered imposing trade sanctions on certain U.S. goods, or taking action to deny U.S. companies access to critical raw materials, in response to U.S. trade actions. A “trade war” of this nature or other governmental action related to tariffs or international trade agreements or policies has the potential to adversely impact demand for our products, our costs, customers, suppliers and/or the U.S. economy or certain sectors thereof and, thus, to adversely impact our businesses.
Risks Associated with Strategic Capital Projects and Maintenance Activities. From time to time, we undertake strategic capital projects in order to enhance, expand and/or upgrade our facilities and operational capabilities. Our ability to achieve the anticipated increased revenues or otherwise realize acceptable returns on these investments or other strategic capital projects that we may undertake is subject to a number of risks, many of which are beyond our control, including a variety of market, operational, permitting, and labor-related factors. In addition, the cost to implement any given strategic capital project ultimately may prove to be greater than originally anticipated. If we are not able to achieve the anticipated results from the implementation of any of our strategic capital projects, or if we incur unanticipated implementation costs or delays, our results of operations and financial position may be materially adversely affected. Additionally, we periodically undertake maintenance activities, routine or otherwise, involving facilities and pieces of equipment that are key to our operations, and it is possible that unanticipated maintenance needs, or unanticipated circumstances arising in connection with planned maintenance activities could result in equipment outages that are longer, or costs that exceed, those originally anticipated. Significant repair delays or unanticipated costs associated with these activities could have a negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
Risks Associated with Current or Future Litigation and Claims. A number of lawsuits, claims and proceedings have been or may be asserted against us relating to the conduct of our currently and formerly owned businesses, including those pertaining to product liability, patent infringement, commercial disputes, government contracting, employment matters, employee and retiree benefits, taxes, environmental matters, health and safety and occupational disease, and stockholder and corporate governance matters. Due to the uncertainties of litigation, we can give no assurance that we will prevail on all claims made against us in the lawsuits that we currently face or that additional claims will not be made against us in the future. While the outcome of litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, and some of these lawsuits, claims or proceedings may be determined adversely to us, we do not believe that the disposition of any such pending matters is likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or liquidity, although the resolution in any reporting period of one or more of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations for that period. Also, we can give no assurance that any other claims brought in the future will not have a material effect on our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.
Risks Associated with Insurance Coverage. We have maintained various forms of insurance, including insurance covering claims related to our properties and risks associated with our operations. Our existing property and liability insurance coverages contain exclusions and limitations on coverage. From time-to-time, in connection with renewals of insurance, we have experienced additional exclusions and limitations on coverage, larger self-insured retentions and deductibles, and significantly higher premiums. As a result, in the future our insurance coverage may not cover claims to the extent that it has in the past and the costs that we incur to procure insurance may increase significantly, either of which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
Risks Associated with Acquisition and Disposition Strategies. We intend to continue to strategically position our businesses to improve our ability to compete. Strategies we employ to accomplish this may include seeking new or expanding existing specialty market niches for our products, expanding our global presence, acquiring businesses complementary to existing strengths, and continually evaluating the performance and strategic fit of our existing business units. From time-to-time, management holds discussions with management of other companies to explore acquisitions, joint ventures, and other business combination opportunities as well as possible business unit dispositions. As a result, the relative makeup of the businesses comprising our Company is subject to change. Acquisitions, joint ventures, and other business combinations involve various inherent risks, such as: assessing accurately the value, strengths, weaknesses, contingent and other liabilities and potential profitability of acquisition or other transaction candidates; the potential loss of key personnel of an acquired business; our ability to achieve identified financial and operating synergies, growth or other benefits anticipated to result from an acquisition or other transaction; and unanticipated changes in business and economic conditions affecting an acquisition or other transaction. International acquisitions and other transactions could be affected by export controls, exchange rate fluctuations, domestic and foreign political conditions, changes in tax laws and a deterioration in domestic and foreign economic conditions.
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Risks Associated with Government Contracts. Some of our operating units perform contractual work directly or indirectly for the U.S. Government, which requires compliance with laws and regulations relating to the performance of Government contracts. Various claims (whether based on U.S. Government or Company audits and investigations or otherwise) could be asserted against us related to our U.S. Government contract work. Depending on the circumstances and the outcome, such proceedings could result in fines, penalties, compensatory and treble damages or the cancellation or suspension of payments under one or more U.S. Government contracts. Under government regulations, a company, or one or more of its operating divisions or units, can also be suspended or debarred from government contracts based on the results of investigations.
Risks Related to Wide-Spread Public Health Crises. The COVID-19 pandemic, including governmental and other actions taken or restrictions imposed to contain its spread and impact, subjected our operations, financial performance and financial condition to a number of risks. In general, our facilities continued to operate throughout the pandemic with federal and state government approvals because our facilities were deemed essential and critical. However, we experienced, and may again in the context of future similar events experience, the temporary shut-down of facilities. The significant macroeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures designed to contain its spread also negatively impacted several of the Company’s most significant end markets, and our sales to customers in those markets. Additionally, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic or any future similar event, one or more of our suppliers may not have the materials, capacity, or capability to supply products that we require according to our schedule and specifications. In that case, we may need to seek alternate suppliers, which may be more expensive, may not be available or may result in delays in shipments to us and subsequently to our customers, each of which would affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and/or cash flows. The possibility exists that there could be ongoing impacts to our operations and financial results as a result of COVID-19 or a similar future pandemic, and the ultimate breadth and duration of these trends and their impact on our business is difficult to predict.
Political and Social Turmoil. The war on terrorism as well as political and social turmoil could put pressure on economic conditions in the United States and worldwide. These political, social and economic conditions could make it difficult for us, our suppliers, and our customers to forecast accurately and plan future business activities, and could adversely affect the financial condition of our suppliers and customers and affect customer decisions as to the amount and timing of purchases from us. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR INDEBTEDNESS; OTHER FINANCIAL AND FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING RISKS
Risks Associated with Indebtedness. Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations and prevent us from fulfilling our obligations under our outstanding indebtedness. As of December 31, 2023, our total consolidated indebtedness was approximately $2.2 billion. Our subsidiaries had the ability to borrow an additional approximately $530 million under our revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2023. This substantial level of indebtedness increases the risk that we may be unable to generate enough cash to pay amounts due in respect of our indebtedness. Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences to our stockholders and significant effects on our business. For example, it could:
•make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our outstanding indebtedness;
•increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
•require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, our strategic growth initiatives and development efforts and other general corporate purposes;
•limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;
•restrict us from taking advantage of business opportunities;
•place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less indebtedness; and
•limit our ability to borrow additional funds for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements, execution of our business strategy or other general corporate purposes.
A portion of our indebtedness, including amounts outstanding currently or in the future under our ABL, bear interest at variable rates and, accordingly, subject our business to risk, particularly in a rising interest rate environment.In addition, the agreements that govern our current indebtedness contain, and the agreements that may govern any future indebtedness that we may incur may contain, financial and other restrictive covenants that could limit our ability to engage in activities that may be in our long-term best interests. Our failure to comply with those covenants could result in an event of default that, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of all of our debt.
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Risks Associated with Retirement Benefits. On October 17, 2023, we purchased group annuity contacts from an insurer covering approximately 85% of our U.S. qualified defined benefit plan obligations. Under these contracts, we transferred the pension obligations and associated assets for the significant majority of our remaining plan participants to the selected insurance company. Using our long-term weighted average expected rate of return on pension plan assets and other actuarial assumptions, we do not expect to have any significant minimum cash funding requirements to our pension plan for at least the next ten years. However, these estimates are based on various assumptions and are subject to significant uncertainty, including with respect to the performance of our pension trust assets, and our expectations therefore could prove to be inaccurate. Significantly lower than expected returns on our pension assets could result in otherwise unanticipated pension contribution obligations in the future. Depending on the timing and amount, a requirement that we fund the U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Goodwill or Long-Lived Asset Impairments. We have various long-lived assets that are subject to impairment testing. We review the recoverability of goodwill annually, or more frequently whenever significant events or changes in circumstances indicate that the recorded goodwill of a reporting unit may be below that reporting unit’s fair value. Our businesses operate in highly cyclical industries, such as commercial aerospace and oil & gas, and as such, our estimates of future cash flows, market demand, the cost of capital, and forecasted growth rates and other factors may fluctuate, which may lead to changes in estimated fair value and, therefore, impairment charges in future periods. For the fiscal year 2023 annual goodwill impairment evaluation, both of our reporting units with goodwill had fair values that were in excess of carrying value. Additionally, we have a significant amount of property, plant and equipment and acquired intangible assets that may be subject to impairment testing, depending on factors such as market conditions, the demand for our products, and facility utilization levels. Any determination requiring the impairment of a significant portion of goodwill or other long-lived assets has had, and may in the future have, a negative impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Risks Associated with Our Guidance and Other Targets and Expectations. From time to time, we may announce earnings guidance and other future targets or goals for our business. Such information, which consists of forward-looking statements, is based on our then current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the operating environment, economies and markets in which we operate. Future targets and goals reflect our beliefs and assumptions and our perception of historical trends, then current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors appropriate in the circumstances. As such, while sometime presented with numerical specificity, earnings guidance and other statements regarding our future targets and goals are inherently speculative in nature and subject to significant business, economic, competitive and other uncertainties and contingencies regarding future events, including the risks discussed herein. Our actual results can, and likely will, be different, and those differences could be material. There can be no assurance that any targets or goals established by us will be accomplished at the levels or by the dates targeted, if at all. Failure to achieve our targets or goals may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or the market price of our securities.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 1C. Cybersecurity
The Company and its Board recognize the critical significance that cybersecurity has to our operations and the need to continually assess cybersecurity risk and evolve our response in the face of a rapidly and ever-changing environment. We face a range of increasing and evolving cybersecurity threats common to industrial operations and other enterprises, which continue to grow in frequency and scope. See Item 1A, Risk Factors, “Cybersecurity Threats.”
The programs and procedures we have implemented to mitigate our exposure to these threats focus on preventing cybersecurity incidents, preserving the confidentiality, security and availability of the information that we generate or collect and store, and effectively responding to cybersecurity incidents if they occur.
Our Comprehensive Program
We take a comprehensive, standards-driven approach to our cybersecurity through an enterprise-wide cybersecurity program aligned with the National Institute on Standards and Technology’s Cybersecurity Framework. Our program includes an extensive set of systems, network and application-level controls that protect our corporate data and systems. Our Chief Digital and Information Officer (“CDIO”) and our Chief Information Security Officer (“CISO”), each of whom have extensive cybersecurity training and expertise and more than 20 years and 14 years of information technology and cybersecurity
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experience, respectively, hold primary responsibility within management for assessing, monitoring and managing our cybersecurity risks and program. They are supported by a dedicated, enterprise-wide cybersecurity team that, with the assistance of third-party providers, monitors our program and controls, as well as available cybersecurity intelligence, on a continuous basis to ensure that, as an organization, we are informed of emerging risks, identify specific threats and potential incidents, and promptly escalate the evaluation and management of identified incidents as appropriate. Components of our comprehensive program include, among others:
•Technical Safeguards. We deploy technical safeguards that are designed to protect the Company’s information systems from cybersecurity threats, including firewalls, intrusion prevention and detection systems, anti-malware functionality and access controls, which are evaluated through vulnerability assessments and cybersecurity threat intelligence.
•Third-Party Risk Management. We maintain a risk-based approach to identifying and overseeing cybersecurity risks presented by third parties.
•Program Assessments. We engage in regular assessments and testing of our policies and procedures, including efforts such as audits and similar assessments, tabletop exercises, threat modeling, vulnerability testing and other procedures focused on evaluating program effectiveness. Additionally, we periodically engage third parties to perform assessments of our cybersecurity measures, including information security maturity assessments and independent reviews of our information security control environment and operating effectiveness.
•Education and Awareness. We conduct a regular program of enterprise-wide communication and training regarding cybersecurity threats and the policies and procedures we have implemented in response. These programs are designed to elevate threat awareness within the Company and equip our employees with the knowledge and access to resources that they need to appropriately respond to and address the cybersecurity risks that we face.
•Incident Response and Recovery. We maintain extensive incident response and recovery plans and procedures that provide a documented framework for handling high severity security incidents. These plans ensure the appropriate escalation, evaluation, management and reporting of cybersecurity incidents in a prompt and appropriately cross-functional manner, facilitating coordination across multiple parts of the Company, and are the subject of regular table- top breach simulations and other exercises and evaluations.
•Insurance Coverage. We maintain a cybersecurity risk insurance policy to protect the Company against computer-related incidents and losses.
We have not experienced any operational or financial impact as a result of any cybersecurity incident or the cybersecurity risk that we face, and at this time, while the threat of a cybersecurity incident is always present, we view our comprehensive mitigation strategies and procedures as appropriately calibrated safeguards against any material impact to our results of operation and financial condition as a result of a cybersecurity incident and believe that we are prepared to appropriately mitigate and respond to such an incident, should it occur.
Governance
Our Board is actively engaged in the oversight of our digital technology risk management and cybersecurity programs. As part of its program of regular oversight, the Audit and Risk Committee oversees ATI’s digital technology and cybersecurity risk. The regular review and assessment of the Company’s cybersecurity program and related policies, standards, processes and practices is a fully integrated component of the Company’s overall enterprise risk management program, and at least quarterly as a key component of each regularly scheduled meeting, the Committee receives regular reports from our CDIO on the Company’s cybersecurity risk profile, the functioning of its cybersecurity program, including with reference to key performance indicators and other specific, quantitative measures, and other digital technology risks.
Item 2. Properties
Our principal domestic facilities for our HPMC segment include melting operations and production facilities that perform processing and finishing operations. Domestic melting operations are located in Monroe and Bakers, NC, and Richland, WA (vacuum induction melting, vacuum arc re-melt, electro-slag re-melt, plasma melting, electron beam melting). Production of high performance materials, most of which are in long product form, takes place at our domestic facilities in Monroe and Bakers, NC, Richburg, SC, and Oakdale, PA. Our production of highly engineered forgings and machined components takes place at facilities in Cudahy, Appleton and Coon Valley, WI, East Hartford, CT, and Irvine, CA. Metal alloy-based additive manufacturing for the aerospace & defense industries takes place in New Britain, CT, and will begin to take place in fiscal year 2024 in our newly leased facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Within the AA&S segment, our production of zirconium, hafnium, niobium and related specialty alloys takes place at facilities located in Millersburg, OR and Huntsville, AL. Nickel melting operations are located in Lockport, NY (vacuum induction melting, vacuum arc re-melt, and electro-slag re-melt), and titanium melting operations are located in Albany, OR (vacuum arc
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re-melt). Our principal AA&S locations for melting flat-rolled specialty materials are located in Brackenridge and Latrobe, PA. Hot-rolling is performed at our domestic facilities in Brackenridge and Washington, PA. Finishing of our flat-rolled products takes place at our domestic facilities located in Vandergrift, Washington, Rochester, Monaca, and Zelienople, PA, and in New Bedford, MA. Additionally, the AA&S segment will benefit from the expanded capabilities at our new Pageland, SC location. Substantially all of our properties are owned.
We also own or lease facilities in a number of foreign countries, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Poland, and the People’s Republic of China. We own highly engineered forging and machining operations in Stalowa Wola, Poland. Through our STAL joint venture, we operate facilities for finishing PRS products in the Xin-Zhuang Industrial Zone, Shanghai, China.
Our corporate headquarters in Dallas, TX and employee resource center in Pittsburgh, PA are leased.
Although our facilities vary in terms of age and condition, we believe that they have been well maintained and are in sufficient condition for us to carry on our activities. See Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for further discussion of these impacts.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, we become involved in various lawsuits, claims and proceedings relating to the conduct of our current and formerly owned businesses, including those pertaining to product liability, environmental, health and safety matters and occupational disease (including as each relates to alleged asbestos exposure), as well as patent infringement, commercial, government contracting, construction, employment, employee and retiree benefits, taxes, environmental, and stockholder and corporate governance matters. While we cannot predict the outcome of any lawsuit, claim or proceeding, our management believes that the disposition of any pending matters is not likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or liquidity. The resolution in any reporting period of one or more of these matters, including those described above, however, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations for that period.
Information relating to legal proceedings is included in Note 21. Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Common Stock Prices
Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol ATI). At February 2, 2024, there were 1,861 record holders of ATI Inc. common stock. We do not currently pay a quarterly dividend. The payment of dividends and the amount of such dividends depends upon matters deemed relevant by our Board of Directors, such as our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, future prospects, any limitations imposed by law, credit agreements or senior securities, and other factors deemed relevant and appropriate. Our Asset Based Lending (ABL) Credit Facility restricts our ability to pay dividends in certain circumstances. For more information on the restrictions under our ABL facility, see Note 16 of Item 8. “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
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Sales of Equity Securities
Set forth below is information regarding our stock repurchases during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023, comprised of shares repurchased by ATI under the $75 million repurchase program authorized by our Board of Directors in April 2023 and shares repurchased by ATI from employees to satisfy employee-owed taxes on share-based compensation. In November 2023, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $150 million of ATI stock. No shares were repurchased under this new program in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023.
(a) Includes shares repurchased by ATI from employees to satisfy employee-owed taxes on share-based compensation.
(b) Share repurchases are inclusive of amounts for any relevant commissions.
(c) Excludes excise taxes incurred on share repurchases.
Cumulative Total Stockholder Return
The graph set forth below shows the cumulative total stockholder return (i.e., price change plus reinvestment of dividends) on our common stock from December 31, 2018 through December 31, 2023, as compared to the S&P 500 Index, the S&P MidCap 400 Industrials Index and the Russell 2000 Index. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2018. The stock performance information included in this graph is based on historical results and is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.
Source: Standard & Poor’s
Item 6. [Reserved]
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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Certain statements contained in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are forward-looking statements. Actual results or performance could differ materially from those encompassed within such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those described below. Net income and net income per share amounts referenced below are attributable to ATI Inc. and Subsidiaries.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023, we voluntarily changed the method of accounting for recognizing actuarial gains and losses for our defined benefit pension plans. See Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further explanation. This change has been applied to all pension plans on a retrospective basis for all prior periods presented.
ATI Overview
ATI is a global manufacturer of technically advanced specialty materials and complex components. Our largest markets are aerospace & defense, representing nearly 60% of total sales, led by products for jet engines. Additionally, we have a strong presence in the energy markets, including specialty energy, oil & gas and downstream processing, as well as the medical and electronics markets. In aggregate, these markets represent almost 85% of our revenue. ATI is a market leader in manufacturing differentiated products that require our materials science capabilities and unique process technologies, including our new product development competence.
We operate in two business segments: High Performance Materials & Components (HPMC) and Advanced Alloys & Solutions (AA&S). The HPMC segment’s primary focus is on maximizing aero-engine materials and components growth, with approximately 85% of its revenue derived from the aerospace & defense markets including nearly 60% of its revenue from products for commercial jet engines. Commercial aerospace products have been the main source of sales and EBITDA growth for HPMC over the last several years and are expected to continue to drive HPMC and overall ATI results in the future. Other major HPMC end markets include medical and energy. HPMC produces a wide range of high performance materials, components, and advanced metallic powder alloys. These are made from nickel-based alloys and superalloys, titanium and titanium-based alloys, and a variety of other specialty materials. Capabilities range from cast/wrought and powder alloy development to final production of highly engineered finished components, and 3D-printed aerospace products.
The AA&S segment is focused on delivering high-value flat products primarily to the energy, aerospace, and defense end-markets, which comprise over 60% of its revenue. Other important end markets for AA&S include electronics, medical and automotive. AA&S produces nickel-based alloys, titanium and titanium-based alloys, and specialty alloys in a variety of forms including plate, sheet, and strip products.
Overview of Fiscal Year 2023 Financial Performance
Sales in fiscal year 2023 increased 9%, to $4.2 billion, while gross profit increased 12%, to $803 million, compared to fiscal year 2022, reflecting significant increased demand for commercial aerospace products despite softness in general industrial end markets. Results for fiscal years 2023 and 2022 included $104 million and $29 million, respectively, of net pre-tax charges as further described in the Results of Operations section below. The Company’s net income for fiscal year 2023 was $410.8 million, or $2.81 per share. ATI Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal year 2023 was $634.6 million, or 15.2% of sales, compared to $612.8 million, or 16.0% of sales, for fiscal year 2022. See further explanation below for non-GAAP definitions and calculations.
Revenues in our largest end markets, aerospace & defense, increased $601 million, or 32%, compared to fiscal year 2022, and represented 59% of our fiscal year 2023 sales. International sales, including both U.S. exports and foreign sales from our foreign manufacturing operations, were $1.9 billion in fiscal year 2023 and represented 46% of total sales.
A summary of our results is as follows:
Fiscal Year
(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts) 2023 2022* 2021*
Diluted net income attributable to ATI per common share $ 2.81 $ 2.23 $ 1.32
*Fiscal years ended January 1, 2023 and January 2, 2022 reflect the change in accounting principle as described in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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Our major accomplishments during fiscal year 2023 include the following:
•ATI delivered strong results for fiscal year 2023 as demand for our differentiated materials accelerates. We finished the year strong with the highest quarterly revenue for fiscal year 2023 in the fourth quarter, marking the sixth quarter in a row exceeding $1 billion and the highest quarterly revenue since the second quarter of fiscal year 2019. Sales to the aerospace and defense markets reached 59% of our sales for the full fiscal year 2023, up 10 percentage points over the prior year, as we are progressing quickly towards our goal of 65% of sales to these markets.
•Growth in the aerospace and defense markets drove strong results in our HPMC segment, with sales up 29% and HPMC EBITDA up 43% in fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022. EBITDA margins in this segment improved by 200 basis points to 20.5% in fiscal year 2023. Full fiscal year 2023 commercial airframe product sales in this segment were up 90% year over year, reflecting the strong demand for our materials as the aerospace ramp continues.
•Sales of titanium products reached 17% of total sales in fiscal year 2023, up from 11% in the prior year, as these products remain a focal point across the aerospace & defense industry. We restarted a significant amount of titanium melt capacity in Albany, OR in fiscal year 2023, and we are on track for the first melt in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 at our Richland, Washington facility. When our Richland, Washington expansion is at full production in late fiscal year 2025, our total titanium melt capacity is expected to be 80% greater than our fiscal year 2022 titanium melt capacity.
•We generated cash flow of $85.9 million from operating activities in fiscal year 2023, despite making contributions of $272 million to our U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plans. Continued efforts to focus on operational improvements are positively impacting the inventory intensity of our business and alleviating the required investment of managed working capital in our growing business. Managed working capital as a percent of sales was 31.1% as of December 31, 2023. We ended the year with $744 million of cash on hand and over $1 billion of total liquidity including the undrawn capacity under our asset-based lending facility.
•In the fourth quarter, we transferred approximately 85% of our U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan obligations and related assets to a third-party insurance company through the purchase of group annuity contracts. Under these contracts, we transferred the pension obligations and associated assets for approximately 8,200 plan participants to the selected insurance company. After these actions, our U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan includes approximately 1,980 participants. In addition, as of December 31, 2023, our U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan is 114% funded on a financial reporting basis. As a result, based on current actuarial assumptions, we are not anticipating any significant required cash contributions in at least the next ten years. Our consolidated net pension liability, inclusive of obligations related to our qualified and nonqualified defined benefit pension plans, was $9 million, or 97% funded on a financial reporting basis, a significant improvement compared to a $219 million liability, or 88% funded position, at January 1, 2023.
•We repurchased 2 million shares of ATI stock for $85 million in fiscal year 2023, using all the remaining $150 million and $75 million under the plans approved by our Board of Directors in fiscal years 2022 and 2023, respectively. In addition, in November 2023, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $150 million of ATI stock.
•In August 2023, we issued $425 million aggregate principal amount of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2030 (2030 Notes). The net proceeds from this issuance were used to fund ATI’s U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan in order to facilitate the pension derisking strategy discussed above.
Results of Operations
Fiscal Year 2023 Compared to Fiscal Year 2022
Results for fiscal year 2023 included sales of $4.17 billion and income before tax of $295.2 million, compared to sales of $3.84 billion and income before tax of $354.6 million in fiscal year 2022. Our gross profit was $802.6 million, or 19.2% of sales, an $88 million increase compared to fiscal year 2022. Our results for fiscal year 2023 reflect a significant increase in demand for commercial aerospace products despite softness in general industrial end markets. Gross profit in fiscal year 2022 included $34 million of benefits from management actions to access available grants and other forms of COVID-19 relief available from previously-enacted U.S. legislation.
Results for fiscal year 2023 included $104.3 million of net pre-tax charges, which consisted of the following:
•$0.6 million loss on the sale of our Northbrook, IL operations.
•$35.2 million of restructuring and other charges, consisting of $11.5 million of start up costs, $14.1 million primarily for asset write-offs associated with the restructuring of our European operations and the closure of our Robinson, PA
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operations, $1.9 million of costs associated with an unplanned outage at our Lockport, NY melt facility, and $7.7 million of severance-related charges primarily for the restructuring of our European operations and involuntary reductions across ATI’s domestic operations in conjunction with our continued transformation.
•$41.7 million pension settlement loss associated with actions taken as part of our pension derisking strategy. On October 17, 2023, we completed a voluntary cash out for term vested employees and annuity buyouts covering 8,200 U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan participants.
•$26.8 million of pension remeasurement losses for the immediate recognition in earnings of the actuarial gains/losses from the remeasurement of the projected benefit obligation and plan assets for defined benefit pension plans in accordance with our newly adopted accounting principle. These losses are from the remeasurements of these plans in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023.
Results for fiscal year 2022 also included $27.9 million of net pre-tax charges which consisted of the following:
• $105.4 million in losses, net, primarily associated with the sale of the Sheffield, UK business which was sold in May 2022 for a $112.2 million loss. This loss was partially offset by a gain on the sale of our Pico Rivera, CA operations.
• $23.7 million of costs associated with restructuring and other charges, consisting of a $28.5 million charge associated with the settlement of litigation related to the 2016 idling of the Rowley, UT titanium sponge facility, partially offset by severance-related reserve reductions based on changes in planned operating rates and revised workforce estimates.
•$100.3 million of pension remeasurement gains from the annual remeasurement of these plans in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022.
•$0.9 million of credits associated with restructuring activities at the A&T Stainless joint venture.
All of these items discussed are excluded from segment EBITDA and are included in operating income on the consolidated statements of operations, with the exception of the pension related gains and losses in fiscal years 2023 and 2022 as well as the litigation charge and the restructuring credit for the A&T Stainless joint venture in fiscal year 2022. Operating income was $466.4 million for fiscal year 2023, compared to $316.1 million for fiscal year 2022.
Nonoperating items included $79.7 million in nonoperating retirement benefit expense in fiscal year 2023, compared to income of $138.4 million in the prior year. Nonoperating retirement benefit expense/income includes the $41.7 million pension settlement loss in fiscal year 2023, as well as a $26.8 million pension remeasurement loss and $100.3 million pension remeasurement gain in fiscal years 2023 and 2022, respectively, discussed above. Other (nonoperating) income/expense in fiscal year 2022 includes the $28.5 million litigation charge and $0.9 million of credits associated with restructuring activities at the A&T Stainless joint venture discussed above. Other (nonoperating) income/expense in fiscal year 2022 also includes a $9.9 million benefit from the A&T Stainless joint venture’s settlement of Section 232 claims, which is included in AA&S segment results.
Results in fiscal year 2023 included a $128.2 million income tax benefit. As of December 31, 2023, we determined that we were no longer in a three year cumulative loss position and a substantial portion of our income tax valuation allowances were no longer required, resulting in a $140.3 million discrete tax benefit. Results for fiscal year 2022 included $15.5 million of income tax expense, primarily attributable to the Company’s foreign operations and state income tax expense associated with states that limit net operating loss utilization. Net income attributable to ATI was $410.8 million, or $2.81 per share, in fiscal year 2023, compared to $323.5 million, or $2.23 per share, for fiscal year 2022.
Adjusted EBITDA was $634.6 million, or 15.2% of sales, for fiscal year 2023, and $612.8 million, or 16.0% of sales, for fiscal year 2022. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are measures utilized by ATI that we believe are useful to investors because these measures are commonly used to analyze companies on the basis of operating performance, leverage and liquidity. Furthermore, analogous measures are used by industry analysts to evaluate operating performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures and are not intended to represent, and should not be considered more meaningful than, or as alternatives to, a measure of operating performance as determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP). We categorically define EBITDA as income from continuing operations before interest and income taxes, plus depreciation and amortization, goodwill impairment charges and debt extinguishment charges. We categorically define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA excluding significant non-recurring charges or credits, restructuring charges/credits, strike related costs, long-lived asset impairments, pension remeasurement gains and losses, and other postretirement/pension curtailment and settlement gains and losses. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not intended to be measures of free cash flow for management’s discretionary use, as they do not consider certain cash requirements such as interest payments, tax payments and capital expenditures. See the Financial Condition and Liquidity section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis for a reconciliation of amounts reported under U.S. GAAP to these non-GAAP measures.
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Fiscal Year 2022 Compared to Fiscal Year 2021
Results for fiscal year 2022 included sales of $3.84 billion and income before tax of $354.6 million, compared to sales of $2.80 billion and income before tax of $233.4 million in fiscal year 2021. Our gross profit in fiscal year 2022 was $714.2 million, or 18.6% of sales, a $381 million increase compared to fiscal year 2021, as the momentum in our core markets drove profitable growth across the enterprise. Results in fiscal year 2022 included $34 million of benefits from management actions to access available grants and other forms of COVID-19 relief available from previously-enacted U.S. legislation. These benefits included $17 million of a $22 million grant under the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection (AMJP) program for our operations in the HPMC segment, which helped fund ongoing wage and benefit costs for a six-month period through May 2022, and $17 million in employee retention credits applicable across all of ATI’s domestic operations, largely for preserving jobs throughout the global pandemic-related economic downturn. Results for fiscal year 2022 also included $27.9 million of net pre-tax charges which consisted of the following:
•$105.4 million in losses, net, primarily associated with the sale of the Sheffield, UK business which was sold in May 2022 for a $112.2 million loss. This business is reported as part of the HPMC segment through the date of sale and had sales of $36 million and a net loss before tax of $7 million in fiscal year 2021. This loss was partially offset by a gain on the sale of our Pico Rivera, CA operations.
•$23.7 million of costs associated with restructuring and other charges, consisting of a $28.5 million charge associated with the settlement of litigation related to the 2016 idling of the Rowley, UT titanium sponge facility, partially offset by severance-related reserve reductions based on changes in planned operating rates and revised workforce estimates.
•$100.3 million of pension remeasurement gains from the annual remeasurement of these plans in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022.
•$0.9 million of credits associated with restructuring activities at the A&T stainless joint venture.
Results for fiscal year 2021 included $107.7 million of net pre-tax benefits which consisted of the following:
•$65.5 million debt extinguishment charge related to the redemption of our $500 million of 5.875% Senior Notes due 2023 (2023 notes).
•$63.2 million of strike-related costs arising from the 3 1⁄2 month work stoppage by the USW, following expiration of a CBA, which began in March 2021, and predominantly impacted AA&S segment operations. A new CBA was ratified in July 2021. Strike-related costs primarily consisted of overhead costs recognized in the period due to below normal operating rates, higher costs for outside conversion activities, and signing bonuses for represented employees following CBA ratification.
•$64.9 million retirement benefit settlement gain for a plan termination that eliminated certain postretirement medical benefit liabilities as a result of the new USW CBA.
•$13.8 million gain on the sale of our Flowform Products business, which was sold for $55 million in cash in August 2021. This business is reported as part of the HPMC segment through the date of sale. Flowform Products’ sales were $26 million in fiscal year 2020.
•$10.5 million of net credits for restructuring and other charges, consisting of $11.3 million of restructuring credits primarily for a reduction in severance-related reserves based on changes in planned operating rates and revised workforce reduction estimates, partially offset by $0.8 million for inventory valuation reserves classified in cost of sales on the consolidated statement of operations.
•$147.2 million of pension remeasurement gains from the annual remeasurement of these plans in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2021.
All of these items discussed above are excluded from segment EBITDA. The net loss on sale of the businesses in fiscal year 2022, restructuring charges/credits and strike-related costs are included in operating income on the consolidated statements of operations, which was $316.1 million for fiscal year 2022, compared to $117.6 million for fiscal year 2021.
Nonoperating items included $138.4 million in nonoperating retirement benefit income in fiscal year 2022, compared to income of $260.0 million in the prior year, reflecting the $100.3 million and $147.2 million of pension remeasurement gains in fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively, and the $64.9 million retirement benefit settlement gain in fiscal year 2021. Other (nonoperating) income/expense in fiscal year 2022 includes a $28.5 million litigation settlement charge discussed above partially offset by a $9.9 million benefit from the A&T Stainless joint venture’s settlement of Section 232 claims, which is included in AA&S segment results. Other (nonoperating) income/expense in fiscal year 2021 includes a $65.5 million debt extinguishment charge and the $13.8 million gain on the sale of the Flowform Products business discussed above.
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Results for fiscal year 2022 included $15.5 million of income tax expense, primarily attributable to the Company’s foreign operations and state income tax expense associated with states that limit net operating loss utilization. ATI continued to maintain a valuation allowance on its U.S. deferred tax assets in fiscal year 2022. Results for fiscal year 2021 include $26.8 million of income tax expense, primarily for $15.5 million in discrete tax effects related to the retirement benefit settlement gain. Net income attributable to ATI was $323.5 million, or $2.23 per share, in fiscal year 2022, compared to a net income attributable to ATI of $184.6 million, or $1.32 per share, for fiscal year 2021.
Adjusted EBITDA was $612.8 million, or 16.0% of sales, for fiscal year 2022, and $366.5 million, or 13.1% of sales, for fiscal year 2021. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are measures utilized by ATI that we believe are useful to investors because these measures are commonly used to analyze companies on the basis of operating performance, leverage and liquidity. Furthermore, analogous measures are used by industry analysts to evaluate operating performance. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures and are not intended to represent, and should not be considered more meaningful than, or as alternatives to, a measure of operating performance as determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP). We categorically define EBITDA as income from continuing operations before interest and income taxes, plus depreciation and amortization, goodwill impairment charges and debt extinguishment charges. We categorically define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA excluding significant non-recurring charges or credits, restructuring charges/credits, strike related costs, long-lived asset impairments, pension remeasurement gains and losses, and other postretirement/pension curtailment and settlement gains and losses. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not intended to be measures of free cash flow for management’s discretionary use, as they do not consider certain cash requirements such as interest payments, tax payments and capital expenditures. See the Financial Condition and Liquidity section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis for a reconciliation of amounts reported under U.S. GAAP to these non-GAAP measures.
Results by Business Segment
During fiscal year 2023, we operated in two business segments, HPMC and AA&S, and management evaluates financial results on this basis. Full fiscal year 2023 HPMC sales increased 29% compared to fiscal year 2022, as sales to the aerospace & defense markets in the HPMC segment were 36% higher than fiscal year 2022, due to improvements in the commercial aerospace market. Full fiscal year 2023 AA&S sales decreased 6% reflecting softness in general industrial end markets, offset by a 24% increase in the aerospace & defense markets. Full fiscal year 2022 HPMC sales increased 42% compared to fiscal year 2021, as a 58% increase in the aerospace and defense market sales was partially offset by a 17% decrease in sales to energy markets. Full fiscal year 2022 AA&S sales increased 33% compared to fiscal year 2021 reflecting the benefits of the transformation and the strength of the aerospace and defense markets.
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Total segment EBITDA was $710.2 million, or 17.0% of sales, in fiscal year 2023, compared to total segment EBITDA of $678.7 million, or 17.7% of sales, in fiscal year 2022 and $417.1 million, or 14.9% of sales, in fiscal year 2021. Our measure of segment EBITDA, which we use to analyze the performance and results of our business segments, categorically excludes all effects of income taxes, depreciation and amortization, corporate expenses, net interest expense, closed operations and other expenses, charges for goodwill and asset impairments, restructuring and other charges, strike-related costs, pension remeasurement gains/losses, debt extinguishment charges and gains or losses on asset sales and sales of businesses. Results on our management basis of reporting were as follows (in millions):
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, January 1, January 2,
Sales:
EBITDA:
High Performance Materials & Components $ 433.6 $ 303.4 $ 170.3
Closed operations and other income (expenses) (13.3) (5.6) 3.1
Restructuring and other credits (charges) (31.4) (23.7) 10.5
Strike related costs — — (63.2)
Retirement benefit settlement gain (loss) (41.7) — 64.9
Joint venture restructuring credit — 0.9 —
Debt extinguishment charge — — (65.5)
Gains (losses) on asset sales and sale of business, net (0.6) (105.4) 13.8
*Fiscal years ended January 1, 2023 and January 2, 2022 reflect the change in accounting principle as described in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
As part of managing the performance of our business, we focus on controlling Managed Working Capital, which we define as gross accounts receivable, short-term contract assets and gross inventories, less accounts payable and short-term contract liabilities. We exclude the effects of inventory valuation reserves and reserves for uncollectible accounts receivable when computing this non-GAAP performance measure, which is not intended to replace Working Capital or to be used as a measure of liquidity. We assess Managed Working Capital performance as a percentage of the prior three months annualized sales to evaluate the asset intensity of our business. In fiscal year 2023, Managed Working Capital increased to 31.1% of annualized total ATI sales compared to 30.1% of annualized sales at January 1, 2023. The Managed Working Capital increase was impacted by increased inventory levels in fiscal year 2023 as a result of additional melt capacity coming on line and increased production levels. The $106.7 million increase in overall managed working capital in fiscal year 2023 is detailed in the table below. Days sales outstanding, which measures actual collection timing for accounts receivable, improved by 7% as of December 31, 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022. Gross inventory turns as of December 31, 2023 remained consistent with January 1, 2023 as continued efforts to focus on operational improvements are positively impacting the inventory intensity of our business and alleviating the required investment of managed working capital in our growing business.
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The computations of Managed Working Capital at December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023 reconciled to the financial statement line items as computed under U.S. GAAP, were as follows.
Short-term contract assets 59.1 64.1
Short-term contract liabilities (163.6) (149.1)
Allowance for doubtful accounts 3.2 7.7
Managed working capital as a % of annualized sales 31.1 % 30.1 %
December 31, 2023 change in managed working capital $ 106.7
Comparative information for our overall revenues (in millions) by end market, including divested businesses prior to sale, and their respective percentages of total revenues is as follows:
Fiscal Year
Aerospace & Defense:
Energy:
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Comparative information for our major products, including divested businesses prior to sale, based on their percentages of revenues is as follows. Hot-Rolling and Processing Facility (HRPF) conversion service sales in the AA&S segment are excluded from this presentation.
Fiscal Year
Nickel-based alloys and specialty alloys 49 % 52 % 43 %
Precision forgings, castings and components 17 % 15 % 16 %
Titanium and titanium-based alloys 17 % 11 % 12 %
Zirconium and related alloys 7 % 8 % 10 %
Sales by geographic area (in millions), including divested businesses prior to sale, and as a percentage of total sales, were as follows:
Fiscal Year
Information with respect to our business segments follows.
High Performance Materials & Components
Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
Segment EBITDA as a percentage of sales 20.5 % 18.5 % 14.7 %
International sales as a percentage of sales 56.8 % 54.7 % 50.5 %
Our HPMC segment produces a wide range of high performance materials, including titanium and titanium-based alloys, nickel- and cobalt-based alloys and superalloys, advanced powder alloys and other specialty materials, in long product forms such as ingot, billet, bar, rod, wire, shapes and rectangles, and seamless tubes, plus precision forgings, components, and machined parts.
Fiscal Year 2023 Compared to Fiscal Year 2022
Sales of $2.12 billion for the HPMC segment in fiscal year 2023 increased 29% compared to fiscal year 2022, reflecting increasing commercial aerospace demand. Sales to the commercial aerospace market increased 39%, reflecting a 29% increase in commercial jet engines and 90% increase in airframe sales. Sales to the energy markets decreased 30%, due to both lower oil and gas and specialty energy sales.
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Comparative information for our HPMC segment revenues (in millions) by market, the respective percentages of overall segment revenues for the fiscal years 2023 and 2022, and the percentage change in revenues by market for fiscal year 2023 is as follows:
Fiscal Year
Aerospace & Defense:
Energy:
We utilize LTAs for our specialty materials, including powders, parts and components, with certain of our customers, including several aerospace market OEMs, to reduce their supply uncertainty. These LTAs, which are expected to drive HPMC’s growth trajectory for the next several years, cover sales of ATI’s specialty materials, parts and components used in both next-generation and legacy aircraft platforms, including jet engines. Our LTAs include a titanium products supply agreement for aircraft airframes and structural components with The Boeing Company (Boeing), which was extended in fiscal year 2021. This LTA covers value-added titanium products and provides opportunity for greater use of ATI’s next generation and advanced titanium alloys in both long product and flat-rolled product forms. The agreement includes both long-product forms that are manufactured within the HPMC segment, and a significant amount of plate products that are manufactured utilizing assets of both the HPMC and AA&S segments. Revenues and profits associated with these titanium products covered by the Boeing LTA are included primarily in the results for the HPMC segment.
We have LTAs with GE Aviation and Snecma (Safran) to supply premium titanium alloys, nickel-based alloys, and vacuum-melted specialty alloys products for commercial and military jet engine applications. In addition, we have LTAs with Rolls-Royce plc for the supply of disc-quality mill products and precision forgings for commercial jet engine applications. We also supply products to other important parts of the aviation market such as helicopters and rotary engine fixed wing aircraft.
New airframe designs contain a larger percentage of titanium alloys, and the jet engines that power them use newer nickel-based alloys and titanium-based alloys, in both cases for improved performance and more economical operating costs, compared to legacy airframe and engine designs. Boeing and Airbus continue to have multi-year backlogs of orders for both legacy models and next-generation aircraft, and there are over 28,000 jet engines with firm orders (Aero Engine News, December 2023). Due to manufacturing cycle times, demand for our specialty materials leads the deliveries of new aircrafts by approximately 6 to 12 months.
Use of these newer materials, particularly for jet engine applications, is expected to continue to increase for several years, with strong growth expected in powder metal alloys, including increased usage of iso-thermal forging and additive manufacturing production processes.
In addition, as our specialty materials are used in rotating components of jet engines, demand for our products for spare parts is impacted by aircraft flight activity and engine refurbishment requirements of U.S. and foreign aviation regulatory authorities. As the number of aircraft in service increases, the need for our materials associated with engine refurbishment is expected to increase.
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Comparative information for HPMC’s major product categories based on their percentages of the segment’s overall revenue is as follows:
Fiscal Year
High-Value Products
Nickel-based alloys and specialty alloys 44 % 49 %
Precision forgings, castings and components 33 % 34 %
Titanium and titanium-based alloys 22 % 17 %
PRS products 1 % — %
Total High-Value Products 100 % 100 %
HPMC segment EBITDA for fiscal year 2023 increased 43% to $433.6 million, or 20.5% of sales, compared to $303.4 million, or 18.5% of sales, in fiscal year 2022. Strength in the HPMC segment continues to be driven by increased volumes on higher margin next-generation commercial aerospace platforms. Results in fiscal year 2022 include $27.5 million of benefits from the AMJP program and employee retention credits.
HPMC results for fiscal year 2023, which included the highest quarterly EBITDA margins in the third quarter of fiscal year 2023 since prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, reflect improving operating leverage from higher production volumes as the aerospace and defense markets continue to grow. We are seeing an ongoing improvement in demand in many of our key end markets, most notably in commercial aerospace. Increasing demand for travel benefits ATI, and we believe we are well positioned to capture this growth in the future. We are investing in additional capacity to meet growing demand, including our recently announced expansion in Richland, Washington, so that we are well-positioned to capitalize on market opportunities. We also continue to invest and adjust work-flow processes to de-bottleneck our critical operations. As we closed out fiscal year 2023, backlog and customer agreements continued to build, putting this segment in a position to grow in fiscal year 2024 as we continue to deliver through LTAs and emergent market opportunities. We believe that our HPMC segment is well-positioned for profitable growth from the ramp in commercial aerospace demand, especially in jet engine platforms where LTAs provide significant growth and share gains for ATI on next-generation airplanes and the jet engines that power them.
Fiscal Year 2022 Compared to Fiscal Year 2021
Sales of $1.64 billion for the HPMC segment in fiscal year 2022 increased 42% compared to fiscal year 2021. Sales to the aerospace & defense markets, which were 80% of fiscal year 2022 HPMC sales, were 58% higher, reflecting an 89% increase in commercial aerospace sales, partially offset by a 29% decrease in defense sales. Sales of next generation jet engine products represented 54% of total fiscal year 2022 HPMC jet engine product sales and were 131% higher than fiscal year 2021 levels. In May 2022, we sold our Sheffield, UK operations, which included facilities for melting and re-melting, machining and bar mill operations, and had $36 million in sales in fiscal year 2021. This business was reported as part of the HPMC segment through the date of sale.
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Comparative information for our HPMC segment revenues (in millions) by market, the respective percentages of overall segment revenues for the fiscal years 2022 and 2021, and the percentage change in revenues by market for fiscal year 2022 is as follows:
Fiscal Year
Aerospace & Defense:
Energy:
Comparative information for HPMC’s major product categories based on their percentages of the segment’s overall revenue is as follows:
Fiscal Year
High-Value Products
Nickel-based alloys and specialty alloys 49 % 43 %
Precision forgings, castings and components 34 % 38 %
Titanium and titanium-based alloys 17 % 19 %
Total High-Value Products 100 % 100 %
HPMC segment EBITDA for fiscal year 2022 increased 78% to $303.4 million, or 18.5% of sales, compared to $170.3 million, or 14.7% of sales, in fiscal year 2021, reflecting an improved product mix and benefits from increased operating levels. Stronger operating margins reflect higher sales of next-generation jet engine products and higher facility utilization levels. HPMC’s full fiscal year 2022 sales associated with next-generation platforms were in line with full fiscal year 2019 deliveries. Results in fiscal year 2022 include $27.5 million of benefits from the AMJP program and employee retention credits, partially offset by labor and other costs related to ramp readiness. Strike-related costs of $3.5 million were excluded from HPMC fiscal year 2021 results.
Advanced Alloys & Solutions
Fiscal Year Fiscal Year Fiscal Year
Segment EBITDA as a percentage of sales 13.5 % 17.1 % 15.0 %
International sales as a percentage of sales 35.0 % 32.8 % 41.4 %
Fiscal Year 2023 Compared to Fiscal Year 2022
Sales of $2.05 billion for the AA&S segment in fiscal year 2023 decreased 6% compared to fiscal year 2022, reflecting softness in general industrial end markets. Sales to the aerospace & defense markets increased 24%, with a 25% increase in sales of commercial aerospace products, due to a significant increase in commercial airframe demand for various flat-rolled product forms.
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Comparative information for our AA&S segment revenues (in millions) by market, the respective percentages of overall segment revenues, for the fiscal years 2023 and 2022, and the percentage change in revenues by market for fiscal year 2023 is as follows:
Fiscal Year
Aerospace & Defense:
Energy:
Our AA&S segment produces zirconium and related alloys including hafnium and niobium, nickel-based alloys, titanium and titanium-based alloys, and specialty alloys in a variety of forms including plate, sheet, and PRS products. AA&S also provides hot-rolling conversion services at its HRPF, including carbon steel products under several LTAs.
Comparative information for the AA&S segment’s major product categories, based on their percentages of revenue are presented in the following table. HRPF conversion service sales are excluded from this presentation.
Fiscal Year
Nickel-based alloys and specialty alloys 54 % 54 %
PRS products 19 % 25 %
Zirconium and related alloys 15 % 14 %
Titanium and titanium-based alloys 12 % 7 %
Segment EBITDA was $276.6 million, or 13.5% of sales, a 26% decrease from segment EBITDA of $375.3 million, or 17.1% of sales, in fiscal year 2022. A stronger mix of titanium mill products was offset by weaker demand for PRS products and higher retirement benefit expense, which contributed to the margin decline year over year. The fiscal year 2022 segment EBITDA includes a $9.9 million benefit from the A&T Stainless joint venture’s settlement of Section 232 tariff claims and $6.8 million of employee retention credits.
With the AA&S business transformation and footprint consolidation complete, we believe we are well positioned for future growth. We expect margin expansion for this segment in fiscal year 2024 with a richer sales mix, recovery in industrial demand and improving operating performance. Sales of commercial airframe flat-form products in the AA&S segment are projected to increase over the longer term due in part to the repositioning of the commercial aerospace supply chain in response to the Russia/Ukraine conflict. With our titanium melt shop in Albany, Oregon fully operational in the third quarter of fiscal year 2023, we are well positioned to capitalize on the aerospace ramp. The modest investment to restart this facility in Albany, Oregon has helped significantly expand our titanium melt capacity. With customer commitments for ATI titanium being so strong, we are continuing to invest in additional capacity at this facility, bringing online a fourth furnace. We are on-track to ramp capacity of the fourth furnace in the first half of fiscal year 2024, reaching a full run-rate in the second half of fiscal year 2024. We continue to right-size our costs to offset the demand softness in markets other than aerospace & defense. While
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availability of raw materials for our melting processes remains adequate during the ongoing Russia/Ukraine conflict, changes in raw material prices may cause variability in profit margins based on the timing of index pricing mechanisms.
Fiscal Year 2022 Compared to Fiscal Year 2021
Sales of $2.19 billion for the AA&S segment in fiscal year 2022 increased 33% compared to fiscal year 2021. The fiscal year 2021 period included impacts from a labor strike that ended in mid-July 2021, which reduced sales in that period. The segment had increased sales to almost all end markets, including an 87% increase in aerospace & defense market sales. In July 2022, ATI announced a new LTA with GKN Aerospace for titanium sheet and plate products for commercial and military airframes. Energy markets sales also increased 46% for both specialty energy and oil & gas applications. Fiscal year 2022 sales of nickel based alloys and specialty steels increased by 67% compared to fiscal year 2021. Additionally, fiscal year 2022 sales of titanium and titanium-based alloys increased by 41% compared to fiscal year 2021.
Comparative information for our AA&S segment revenues (in millions) by market, the respective percentages of overall segment revenues, for the fiscal years 2022 and 2021, and the percentage change in revenues by market for fiscal year 2022 is as follows:
Fiscal Year
Energy:
Aerospace & Defense:
Comparative information for the AA&S segment’s major product categories, based on their percentages of revenue are presented in the following table. HRPF conversion service sales are excluded from this presentation.
Fiscal Year
Nickel-based alloys and specialty alloys 54 % 44 %
PRS products 25 % 33 %
Zirconium and related alloys 14 % 17 %
Titanium and titanium-based alloys 7 % 6 %
Segment EBITDA was $375.3 million, or 17.1% of sales, a 52% increase from segment EBITDA of $246.8 million, or 15.0% of sales, in fiscal year 2021. Results reflect a stronger product mix of nickel-alloy mill products as we completed our exit from production of standard stainless products. Increased sales of exotic materials from our Specialty Alloys & Components business and improved operating performance also drove AA&S segment EBITDA margin growth. The fiscal year 2022 segment EBITDA includes a $9.9 million benefit from the A&T Stainless joint venture’s settlement of Section 232 tariff claims and $6.8 million of employee retention credits, partially offset by labor and other costs related to ramp readiness. Strike related
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costs of $59.7 million, primarily related to lower productivity and utilization levels, were excluded from AA&S segment fiscal year 2021 results.
Corporate Expenses
Corporate expenses, which are primarily included in selling and administrative expenses in the statement of operations, were $62.3 million in fiscal year 2023 compared to $60.3 million in fiscal year 2022 and $53.7 million in fiscal year 2021. Increased expenses in fiscal years 2023 and 2022 compared to fiscal year 2021 reflect business transformation initiatives and higher incentive compensation costs.
Closed Operations and Other Expenses
Closed operations and other expenses are presented primarily in selling and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations, and include legal, environmental, retirement benefit and insurance obligations associated with closed operations. Closed operations and other expenses were $13.3 million in fiscal year 2023, compared to $5.6 million of expense in fiscal year 2022 and $3.1 million of income in fiscal year 2021. The increase in fiscal year 2023 reflects higher retirement benefit expense and higher insurance costs associated with an outstanding insurance claim involving our captive insurance company compared to prior year periods.
Depreciation and Amortization
The following table shows depreciation & amortization for the relevant periods by each business segment. Depreciation expense in fiscal year 2023 includes $3.8 million of accelerated depreciation of fixed assets related to the restructuring of our European operations and the closure of our Robinson, PA operations.
Fiscal Year
Depreciation and amortization:
High Performance Materials & Components $ 71.1 $ 68.3 $ 75.0
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net of interest income and interest capitalization, was $92.8 million in fiscal year 2023, compared to $87.4 million in fiscal year 2022 and $96.9 million in fiscal year 2021. The increase in fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022 reflects the issuance of the 2030 Notes during the third quarter of fiscal year 2023. The decrease in interest expense in fiscal year 2022 compared to fiscal year 2021 was in part due to the conversion of $82.5 million of the 4.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2022 (2022 Notes) to 5.7 million shares of ATI stock on the July 1, 2022 maturity date of the 2022 Notes. Further, interest expense is presented net of interest income of $13.0 million in fiscal year 2023, $4.7 million in fiscal year 2022 and $0.7 million in fiscal year 2021. Interest expense in fiscal years 2023, 2022 and 2021 was reduced by $13.5 million, $5.1 million and $4.3 million, respectively, related to interest capitalization on major strategic capital projects.
Restructuring and Other Charges/Credits
For the year ended December 31, 2023, restructuring and other charges were $31.4 million, which are excluded from segment results. These charges include $7.7 million of severance-related restructuring charges and $23.7 million of charges included within cost of sales on the consolidated statements of operations. The $7.7 million of severance-related restructuring charges represent severance for the involuntary reduction of approximately 110 employees primarily for the restructuring of our European operations and across ATI’s domestic operations in conjunction with the continued transformation. The $23.7 million of charges within cost of sales include $11.5 million of start-up costs, $1.9 million of costs associated with an unplanned outage at our Lockport, NY facility, and $10.3 million primarily for asset write-offs for the restructuring of our European operations and the closure of our Robinson, PA operations. Cash payments associated with prior restructuring programs were $2.3 million in fiscal year 2023. Of the $15.2 million of remaining reserves associated with these restructuring actions as of December 31, 2023, $10.9 million are expected to be paid within the next fiscal year.
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For the fiscal year ended January 1, 2023, restructuring and other charges were $23.7 million, which are excluded from segment results. These charges consisted primarily of $28.5 million of costs associated with the settlement of litigation related to the 2016 idling of the Rowley, UT titanium sponge facility, partially offset by $4.8 million of restructuring credits for reductions in severance-related reserves related to approximately 110 employees based on changes in planned operating rates and revised workforce estimates.
For the fiscal year ended January 2, 2022, restructuring and other charges were a net credit of $10.5 million, which is excluded from segment results. This $10.5 million net credit consisted primarily of $11.3 million of restructuring credits on the consolidated statement of operations, reflecting a $12.0 million reduction in severance-related reserves for approximately 350 employees based on changes in planned operating rates and revised workforce reduction estimates, partially offset by $0.7 million of other costs related to facility idlings and a $0.8 million charge for inventory valuation reserves, classified in cost of sales on the consolidated statement of operations, primarily related to excess raw material and work in process inventory at the idled Albany, OR primary titanium facility.
In addition, the A&T Stainless joint venture recorded a $1.8 million credit in fiscal year 2022 for the reversal of restructuring reserves as a result of revised estimates, and ATI recognized a $0.9 million credit in fiscal year 2022 for its equity method share of these reversals. These charges are excluded from segment operating results.
Strike Related Costs
Strike related costs were $63.2 million in fiscal year 2021, of which $59.7 million were excluded from AA&S segment EBITDA and $3.5 million were excluded from HPMC segment EBITDA. These items primarily consisted of overhead costs recognized in the period due to below-normal operating rates, higher costs for outside conversion activities, and signing bonuses for represented employees.
Pension Remeasurement Gains and Losses
During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023, we voluntarily changed the method of accounting for recognizing actuarial gains and losses for our defined benefit pension plans. Under the accounting method change, remeasurement of projected benefit obligation and plan assets for defined benefit pension plans are immediately recognized in earnings through net periodic pension benefit cost. Therefore, as a result of the remeasurements of these plans in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, we recognized a $26.8 million pension remeasurement loss in fiscal year 2023 and $100.3 million and $147.2 million of pension remeasurement gains in fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively, which is excluded from segment EBITDA and recorded in nonoperating retirement benefit income/expense on the consolidated statements of operations.
Retirement Benefit Settlement Gains and Losses
On October 17, 2023, we completed a voluntary cash out for term vested employees and a large annuity buyout related to approximately 8,200 U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan participants. As a result of the annuity buyout, ATI recognized a $41.7 million pretax settlement loss, which is excluded from segment EBITDA and recorded in nonoperating retirement benefit income/expense on the consolidated statement of operations.
ATI’s fiscal year 2021 results include a $64.9 million retirement benefit settlement gain related to a plan termination that eliminated certain postretirement medical benefit liabilities. This was effective upon the July 2021 ratification of the new USW CBA. This gain, which is recorded in nonoperating retirement benefit income/expense on the consolidated statement of operations and is excluded from segment EBITDA, was comprised of $43.0 million of long-term postretirement benefit liabilities as of July 2021 and $21.9 million of amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income at that date.
Debt Extinguishment Charge
In fiscal year 2021, ATI recognized a $65.5 million debt extinguishment charge on the redemption of the 5.875% Senior Notes due 2023 (2023 Notes), which included a $64.5 million cash make-whole payment related to the early extinguishment of the 2023 Notes as required by the applicable indenture, and a $1.0 million charge for deferred debt issue costs.
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Gains/Loss on Asset Sales and Sale of Business, Net
Loss on asset sales and sales of businesses for fiscal year 2023 is related to a $0.6 million loss on the sale of our Northbrook, IL operations, which is excluded from segment EBITDA.
On May 12, 2022, we completed the sale of our Sheffield, UK operations and recognized a loss in fiscal year 2022 on sale of $112.2 million. The Sheffield, UK operations were previously part of the Specialty Materials business in the HPMC segment. The loss on sale is reported in loss on asset sales and sales of businesses, net, on the consolidated statement of operations and is excluded from HPMC segment results. The loss includes $26.8 million related to the UK defined benefit pension plan, of which $26.1 million was reported as a net pension asset but which was in a deficit funding position for UK statutory reporting purposes, and $0.7 million in accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated ATI balance sheet. The loss also includes $20.0 million of cumulative translation adjustment foreign exchange losses since ATI’s acquisition of these operations in 1998.
Also in fiscal year 2022, we completed the sale of the Pico Rivera, CA operations as part of the strategy to exit standard stainless products. We received cash proceeds of $6.2 million on the sale of these assets. We recognized a $6.8 million pretax gain on sale, including de-recognizing certain lease liabilities, which is reported in loss on asset sales and sales of businesses, net, on the consolidated statement of operations and is excluded from AA&S segment results.
In fiscal year 2021, we completed the sale of our Flowform Products business within the HPMC segment for $55.0 million, and recognized a $13.8 million gain. This gain is recorded in nonoperating income/expense on the consolidated statement of operations and is excluded from segment EBITDA.
Income Taxes
Since fiscal year 2020, ATI’s U.S. operations were in a three-year cumulative loss position, limiting the ability to utilize future projections as verifiable sources of income when analyzing the need for a valuation allowance. This cumulative loss continued until fiscal year 2023 when ATI exited the three-year cumulative loss position and we concluded it was appropriate to consider future projections as a source of income when analyzing the need for a valuation allowance.
In fiscal year 2023, the income tax benefit of $128.2 million was associated with the valuation allowance due to the current year income for the U.S. operations and an additional benefit of $140.3 million was recorded related to the valuation allowance release associated with ATI’s ability to utilize projections for future income. We continue to have minimal cash tax requirements in the U.S. due to the ongoing benefits of net operating loss tax carryforwards.
Results in fiscal years 2022 and 2021 include impacts from income taxes that differ from applicable standard tax rates, primarily related to income tax valuation allowances. The provision for income taxes for fiscal year 2022 was $15.5 million, which was primarily related to our profitable PRS joint venture in China. The provision for income taxes for fiscal year 2021 was $26.8 million, which was primarily attributable to the $15.5 million in discrete tax effects related to the postretirement medical benefits gain discussed above, in accordance with ATI’s accounting policy for recognizing deferred tax amounts stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income.
In 2021, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released guidance relating to a 15% global minimum tax known as Pillar Two Tax. Various governments are in the process of enacting the Pillar Two Tax. We are in the process of assessing the tax effects of Pillar Two for the various jurisdictions in which we operate and if triggered will treat the cost as a period cost. Currently, we believe that the enactment of Pillar Two will not materially impact our effective tax rate or cash flow, but we will continue to monitor and evaluate as countries release legislation, which could change our current assessment.
Financial Condition and Liquidity
We have an Asset Based Lending (ABL) Credit Facility, which is collateralized by the accounts receivable and inventory of our operations. The ABL facility also provides us with the option of including certain machinery and equipment as additional collateral for purposes of determining availability under the facility. The ABL facility, which matures in September 2027, includes a $600 million revolving credit facility, a letter of credit sub-facility of up to $200 million, a $200 million term loan (ABL Term Loan), and a swing loan facility of up to $60 million. The ABL Term Loan can be prepaid in increments of $25 million if certain minimum liquidity conditions are satisfied. In addition, we have the right to request an increase of up to $300 million under the revolving credit facility for the duration of the ABL.
As of December 31, 2023, there were no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit portion of the ABL, and $31.7 million was utilized to support the issuance of letters of credit. There were average revolving credit borrowings of $13 million
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bearing an average annual interest rate of 6.5% under the ABL during fiscal year 2023. There were no revolving credit borrowings under the ABL during fiscal year 2022.
The ABL Term Loan has an interest rate of 2.0% above adjusted Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR). The applicable interest rate for revolving credit borrowings under the ABL facility includes interest rate spreads based on available borrowing capacity that range between 1.25% and 1.75% for SOFR-based borrowings and between 0.25% and 0.75% for base rate borrowings.
The ABL facility contains a financial covenant whereby we must maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.00:1.00 after an event of default has occurred and is continuing or if the undrawn availability under the ABL revolving credit portion of the facility is less than the greater of (i) 10% of the then applicable maximum loan amount under the revolving credit portion of the ABL and the outstanding ABL Term Loan balance, or (ii) $60.0 million. We were in compliance with the fixed charge coverage ratio as of December 31, 2023. On September 9, 2022, the Company amended and restated the ABL and costs associated with entering into this amendment were $2.4 million, and are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the facility ending September 2027, along with $1.7 million of unamortized deferred costs previously recorded for the ABL.
In August 2023, we issued $425 million aggregate principal amount of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2030 (2030 Notes). Underwriting fees and other third-party expenses for the issuance of the 2030 Notes were $6.2 million, and are being amortized to interest expense over the 7-year term of the 2030 Notes. Net proceeds were $418.8 million from this issuance, of which $222 million was used to fund ATI’s U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan in order to facilitate a pension derisking strategy (see below for further explanation), and the remaining proceeds were used for liquidity and general corporate purposes.
During the second quarter of fiscal year 2022, $82.5 million of the 2022 Notes were converted into 5.7 million shares of ATI common stock, with the remaining $1.7 million of outstanding principal balance paid in cash for notes that were not converted.
On September 14, 2021, ATI issued $325 million aggregate principal amount of 4.875% Senior Notes due 2029 (2029 Notes) and $350 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% Senior Notes due 2031 (2031 Notes). Underwriting fees and other third-party expenses for the issuance of the 2029 and 2031 Notes were each $4.7 million, and are being amortized to interest expense over the 8-year and 10-year terms of the 2029 and 2031 Notes, respectively. Total combined net proceeds of $665.7 million from both of these issuances were primarily used to fund the full redemption of the $500 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of the 2023 Notes on October 14, 2021, including a make-whole payment and accrued interest, resulting in a $65.5 million debt extinguishment charge, which includes a $64.5 million cash make-whole payment related to the early extinguishment of the 2023 Notes and a $1.0 million charge for the remaining unrecognized portion of the 2023 Notes deferred debt issue costs.
At December 31, 2023, we had $744 million of cash and cash equivalents, and available additional liquidity from the undrawn capacity under the ABL facility of approximately $530 million, for total liquidity of approximately $1.3 billion. We expect to have minimal cash tax requirements in the U.S. in fiscal year 2024 due to the ongoing benefits of net operating loss tax carryforwards.
During fiscal year 2021, we received approximately $53 million in cash, net of transaction costs and net working capital adjustments, for the sale of the Flowform Products business.
In the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, we made $50 million in voluntary cash contributions to our U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plans to improve the plans’ funded position, and in the third quarter of fiscal year 2023, we made an additional $222 million in voluntary cash contributions to our U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan to facilitate our pension derisking strategy. In October 2023, we purchased group annuity contracts from an insurer covering approximately 85% of our U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan obligations. Under these contracts, we transferred the pension obligations and associated assets for approximately 8,200 plan participants to the selected insurance company. After these actions, our U.S. qualified defined benefit plan includes approximately 1,980 participants. Based on current actuarial assumptions, we are not required to make any contributions to our pension plan during fiscal year 2024. Using our long-term weighted average expected rate of return on pension plan assets and other actuarial assumptions, we do not expect to have any significant minimum cash funding requirements to the defined benefit pension plan for at least the next ten years. However, these funding estimates are subject to significant uncertainty including the actual pension trust assets’ fair value, and the discount rates used to measure pension liabilities.
In February 2022 and April 2023, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $150 million and $75 million, respectively, of ATI stock. In fiscal year 2023, ATI used $85.2 million to repurchase 2.0 million shares of its common stock under both programs. In fiscal year 2022, ATI used $139.9 million to repurchase 5.2 million shares of its common stock under the $150 million program. As of December 31, 2023, the total share repurchase authorization under these two programs was utilized. In November 2023, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $150 million of ATI stock. Repurchases under these programs were or may be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, with the amount and timing of repurchases depending on market conditions and corporate needs. Open market repurchases are structured to occur within the pricing and volume requirements of SEC Rule 10b-18. The Company’s ongoing stock repurchase
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programs do not obligate the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares and may be modified, suspended, or terminated at any time by the Company’s Board of Directors without prior notice.
We believe that internally generated funds, current cash on hand and available borrowings under the ABL facility will be adequate to meet our liquidity needs. We do not expect to pay any significant U.S. federal or state income taxes in fiscal year 2024 due to net operating loss carryforwards. If we needed to obtain additional financing using the credit markets, the cost and the terms and conditions of such borrowings may be influenced by our credit rating. In addition, we regularly review our capital structure, various financing alternatives and conditions in the debt and equity markets in order to opportunistically enhance our capital structure. In connection therewith, we may seek to refinance or retire existing indebtedness, incur new or additional indebtedness or issue equity or equity-linked securities, in each case, depending on market and other conditions. We have no off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4) of SEC Regulation S-K.
In managing our overall capital structure, we focus on the ratio of net debt to Adjusted EBITDA, which we use as a measure of our ability to repay our incurred debt. We define net debt as the total principal balance of our outstanding indebtedness excluding deferred financing costs, net of cash, at the balance sheet date. See the explanations above for our definitions of Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA, which are non-GAAP measures and are not intended to represent, and should not be considered more meaningful than, or as alternatives to, a measure of operating performance as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our ratio of net debt to Adjusted EBITDA (Adjusted EBITDA Leverage Ratio) measures net debt at the balance sheet date to Adjusted EBITDA as calculated on the trailing twelve-month period from this balance sheet date.
Our Debt to Adjusted EBITDA Leverage Ratio and Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA Leverage ratio worsened in fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022, largely due to higher debt balances resulting from the issuance of the 2030 Notes in fiscal year 2023 to facilitate our pension derisking strategy. The reconciliations of our Adjusted EBITDA Leverage Ratios to the balance sheet and income statement amounts as reported under U.S. GAAP are as follows:
Net income attributable to ATI $ 410.8 $ 323.5
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests 12.6 15.6
Depreciation and amortization 146.1 142.9
Income tax provision (benefit) (128.2) 15.5
Pension remeasurement loss (gain) 26.8 (100.3)
Retirement benefit settlement loss 41.7 —
Restructuring and other charges 31.4 23.7
Joint venture restructuring credit — (0.9)
Loss on asset sales and sale of business 0.6 105.4
Add: Debt issuance costs 19.6 17.2
Debt to Adjusted EBITDA 3.47 2.88
Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA 2.29 1.93
*Fiscal year ended January 1, 2023 reflects the change in accounting principle as described in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
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Cash Flow
Cash provided by operations was $85.9 million, $224.9 million and $16.1 million in fiscal years 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Decreased cash from operations in fiscal year 2023 as compared to fiscal year 2022, resulted primarily from $272 million in contributions to the U.S. defined benefit pension plans in fiscal year 2023 as well as higher accounts receivable and inventory balances due to increased operating levels. Working capital balances, and consequently cash from operations, can fluctuate throughout any operating period based upon the timing of receipts from customers and payments to vendors. However, we actively manage our working capital to ensure the required flexibility to meet our strategic objectives. Other significant fiscal year 2023 operating cash flow items included payment of fiscal year 2022 annual incentive compensation. Increased cash from operations in fiscal year 2022 as compared to fiscal year 2021, resulted from our ongoing efforts to improve efficiency around accounts receivable and inventory levels despite significantly higher sales and operating levels in most operations. Increased business volumes and expenditures attributable to strategic capital projects contributed to higher accounts payable balances at January 1, 2023. Other significant fiscal year 2022 operating cash flow items included $50 million in contributions to the U.S. defined benefit pension plans, payment of fiscal year 2021 annual incentive compensation and receipt of $8.5 million for repayment of working capital advances from A&T Stainless.
Cash used in investing activities was $193.2 million in fiscal year 2023, reflecting $200.7 million in capital expenditures primarily related to AA&S transformation projects and various HPMC growth projects. We expect to fund our capital expenditures with cash on hand and cash flow generated from our operations and, if needed, by using a portion of the ABL facility. Cash used in investing activities was $126.7 million in fiscal year 2022, reflecting $130.9 million in capital expenditures primarily related to AA&S transformation projects.
Cash provided by financing activities in fiscal year 2023 was $267.2 million, and included $418.8 million of net proceeds from the issuance of the 2030 Notes during the third quarter of fiscal year 2023, partially offset by $85.2 million of payments for the repurchase of 2.0 million shares of ATI stock under our repurchase programs authorized by our Board of Directors and $16.0 million in dividend payments to the 40% noncontrolling interest in our PRS joint venture in China. Cash used in financing activities in fiscal year 2022 was $201.9 million, and consisted primarily of $139.9 million toward the repurchase of ATI shares and $34.0 million in dividend payments to the 40% noncontrolling interest in our PRS joint venture in China.
At December 31, 2023, cash and cash equivalents on hand totaled $743.9 million, a $159.9 million increase from fiscal year-end 2022. Cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries was $141.7 million at December 31, 2023, of which $75.3 million was held by our PRS joint venture in China.
Contractual Obligations
A summary of required payments under financial instruments (excluding accrued interest) and other commitments are presented below.
(In millions) Total Less than 1year 1-3years 4-5years After 5years
Contractual Cash Obligations
Unconditional Purchase Obligations
Other Financial Commitments
Guarantees $ 13.4
(A)Amounts exclude $68 million for certain finance lease contracts the Company has agreed to enter into. See Note 11, Leases for further information.
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(B)Amounts include contractual interest payments using the interest rates in effect as of December 31, 2023 applicable to the Company’s ABL Term Loan due 2027, the 2025 Convertible Notes, the Allegheny Ludlum 6.95% Debentures due 2025, the 2027 Notes, the 2029 Notes, the 2030 Notes and the 2031 Notes.
(C)Amounts include operating lease obligations at their undiscounted value. These obligations are presented in other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets at their discounted value, using applicable interest rates. See Note 11, Leases for further information.
(D)Based on current actuarial studies, amounts include payments for the next 10 years, which are not significant, to defined benefit pension plans, assuming the expected long-term returns on pension assets are achieved. Projections of minimum required payments to the U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan are subject to significant uncertainty based on a number of factors including actual pension plan asset returns, changes in estimates of participant longevity, and changes in interest rates. Amounts also include actuarial projections of payments under other post-employment benefit plans for the next 10 years. In most retiree healthcare plans, our contributions are capped based on the cost as of a certain date. See Note 14, Retirement Benefits for further information.
(E)We have contracted for physical delivery for certain of our raw materials to meet a portion of our needs. These contracts are based upon fixed or variable price provisions. We used current market prices as of December 31, 2023, for raw material obligations with variable pricing.
(F)We have various contractual obligations that extend through fiscal year 2028 for services involving production facilities and administrative operations. Our purchase obligation as disclosed represents the estimated termination fees payable if we were to exit these contracts.
(G)At December 31, 2023, there was $5.0 million drawn under foreign credit agreements. Drawn amounts on the U.S. facility were $31.7 million utilized for standby letters of credit under the $600 million ABL facility, which renew annually. These standby letters of credit are used to support: $22.0 million in workers’ compensation and general insurance arrangements, $5.4 million related to environmental matters and $4.3 million for performance assurances.
Commitments and Contingencies
At December 31, 2023, our reserves for environmental remediation obligations totaled approximately $13 million, of which $7 million was included in other current liabilities. These reserves included estimated probable future costs of: $3 million for federal Superfund and comparable state-managed sites; $7 million for formerly owned or operated sites for remediation or indemnification obligations; $2 million for owned or controlled sites at which our operations have been or plan to be discontinued; and $1 million for sites utilized by the Company in its ongoing operations. We continue to evaluate whether we may be able to recover a portion of future costs for environmental liabilities from third parties and to pursue such recoveries where appropriate. The timing of expenditures depends on a number of factors that vary by site. ATI expects that it will expend present accruals over many years and that remediation of all sites with which it has been identified will be completed within thirty years.
At December 31, 2023, we had recognized asset retirement obligations (AROs) of $18 million related to landfill closures, decommissioning costs, facility leases and conditional AROs associated with manufacturing activities using what may be characterized as potentially hazardous materials.
Based on currently available information, it is reasonably possible that the costs for active matters may exceed our recorded reserves by as much as $17 million. However, future investigation or remediation activities may result in the discovery of additional hazardous materials, potentially higher levels of contamination than discovered during prior investigation, and may impact costs of the success or lack thereof in remedial solutions. Therefore, future developments, administrative actions or liabilities relating to environmental matters could have a material adverse effect on the ATI’s consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
Labor Matters
We have no significant CBAs that expire in fiscal year 2024. Approximately 1,100 USW-represented employees engaged in a 3 1⁄2 month strike in mid-2021, following the expiration of a CBA, primarily affecting operations in the AA&S segment. In July 2021, we announced that a new four-year labor agreement with the USW through February 28, 2025 was ratified, ending the strike.
Retirement Benefits
All of ATI’s defined benefit pension plans are closed to new entrants, and at most ATI operations with pension participants, the plans are frozen for all future benefit accruals, with less than 800 participants still accruing benefit service. Additionally, all of the remaining collectively-bargained defined benefit retiree health care plans at ATI’s operations are now closed to new
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entrants, with cost caps in place for these obligations. As a result of these actions, ATI’s retirement savings and other postretirement benefit programs have largely transitioned to a defined contribution structure. From fiscal years 2013 to 2022, five annuity buyouts of retired participants and two voluntary cash out programs of deferred participants during this period helped to reduce the total participants in ATI’s U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plans by more than 60%. During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023, we purchased group annuity contracts from an insurer covering approximately 85% of our U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan obligations. Under these contracts, we transferred the pension obligations and associated assets for approximately 8,200 plan participants to the selected insurance company. To facilitate this pension derisking strategy, we completed a voluntary cash out for term vested employees and contributed $222 million to our pension plan in the third quarter of fiscal year 2023, to fully fund remaining pension liabilities ahead of this annuity transaction. After these actions, our U.S. qualified defined benefit pension plan includes approximately 1,980 participants.
At December 31, 2023, our defined benefit pension plans were approximately 97% funded in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and were remeasured at that date using a 5.60% discount rate to measure the projected benefit obligation. For ERISA funding purposes, discount rates used to measure pension liabilities for U.S. qualified defined benefit plans are calculated on a different basis using an IRS-determined segmented yield curve. Funding requirements are also affected by IRS-determined mortality assumptions, which may differ from those used under accounting standards. Based on current actuarial assumptions, we are not required to make any contributions to our pension plan during fiscal year 2024, and we are not required to make any significant contributions for at least the next ten years. However, these estimates are subject to significant uncertainty, including the performance of our pension trust assets and the discount rates used to measure pension liabilities. Pension trust asset performance for both our accounting and ERISA funding calculations is determined using the market value of plan assets at the end of each year.
Critical Accounting Policies
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles. When more than one accounting principle, or the method of its application, is generally accepted, management selects the principle or method that is most appropriate in our specific circumstances. Application of these accounting principles requires our management to make estimates about the future resolution of existing uncertainties; as a result, actual results could differ from these estimates. In preparing these consolidated financial statements, management has made its best estimates and judgments of the amounts and disclosures included in the financial statements giving due regard to materiality.
Asset Impairment
We monitor the recoverability of the carrying value of our long-lived assets. An impairment charge is recognized when the expected net undiscounted future cash flows from an asset’s use (including any proceeds from disposition) are less than the asset’s carrying value, and the asset’s carrying value exceeds its fair value. Changes in the expected use of a long-lived asset group, and the financial performance of the long-lived asset group and its operating segment, are evaluated as indicators of possible impairment. Future cash flow value may include appraisals for property, plant and equipment, land and improvements, future cash flow estimates from operating the long-lived assets, and other operating considerations.
As of April 3, 2022, our Sheffield, UK operations were classified as held for sale, and the terms of sale resulted in indicators of impairment in the long-lived assets of this disposal group. A $22.3 million long-lived asset impairment charge was recorded in the first quarter of fiscal year 2022, reported as part of the $112.2 million loss on sale of this business for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2023. This long-lived asset impairment charge was determined using the held for sale framework and represents Level 1 information in the fair value hierarchy.
Goodwill is reviewed annually in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year for impairment or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. Other events and changes in circumstances may also require goodwill to be tested for impairment between annual measurement dates. At December 31, 2023, the Company had $227.2 million of goodwill on its consolidated balance sheet, all of which relates to the HPMC segment.
For our annual goodwill impairment evaluation performed in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023, quantitative goodwill assessments were performed for the two HPMC reporting units with goodwill. Fair values were determined by using a quantitative assessment that includes discounted cash flow and multiples of cash earnings valuation techniques, plus valuation comparisons to recent public sale transactions of similar businesses, if any, which represents Level 3 unobservable information in the fair value hierarchy. These impairment assessments and valuation methods require us to make estimates and assumptions regarding revenue growth, changes in working capital and capital expenditures, selling prices and profitability that drive cash flows, and the WACC. Many of these assumptions are determined by reference to market participants we have identified. For example, our WACC used in our discounted cash flow assessments was 12.0% and long-term growth rates ranged from 3% to 3.5%. The estimated effect of a 0.50% change in the WACC would result in a 10% change in the fair value of the Forged
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Products reporting unit. Although we believe that the estimates and assumptions used were reasonable, actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.
The $227.2 million of goodwill remaining as of December 31, 2023 on our consolidated balance sheet is comprised of $161.2 million at the Forged Products reporting unit and $66.0 million at the Specialty Materials reporting unit. For our annual goodwill impairment evaluation performed in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023, the Specialty Materials reporting unit had a fair value that was significantly in excess of carrying value. The Forged Products reporting unit had a fair value that exceeded carrying value by approximately 60% for the fiscal year 2023 annual assessment, which increased compared to the annual evaluation for fiscal year 2022. As a result, no impairments were determined to exist from the annual goodwill impairment evaluation for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, January 1, 2023 or January 2, 2022. In order to validate the reasonableness of the estimated fair values of the reporting units as of the valuation date, a reconciliation of the aggregate fair values of all reporting units to market capitalization was performed using a reasonable control premium. In addition, no indicators of impairment were observed in fiscal years 2023 or 2022 associated with any of our long-lived assets.
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes includes deferred taxes resulting from temporary differences in income for financial and tax purposes using the liability method. Such temporary differences result primarily from differences in the carrying value of assets and liabilities. Future realization of deferred income tax assets requires sufficient taxable income within the carryback and/or carryforward period available under tax law. On a quarterly basis, we evaluate the realizability of our deferred tax assets.
The evaluation includes the consideration of all available evidence, both positive and negative, regarding the estimated future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, estimated future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards, historical taxable income in prior carryback periods if carryback is permitted, and potential tax planning strategies which may be employed to prevent an operating loss or tax credit carryforward from expiring unused. In situations where a three-year cumulative loss condition exists, accounting standards limit the ability to consider projections of future results as positive evidence to assess the realizability of deferred tax assets. Valuation allowances are established when it is estimated that it is more likely than not that the tax benefit of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
Since fiscal year 2020, ATI’s U.S. operations were in a three-year cumulative loss position, limiting the ability to utilize future projections as verifiable sources of income when analyzing the need for a valuation allowance. Results in fiscal years 2021 and 2022 include impacts from income taxes that differ from applicable standard tax rates, primarily related to these income tax valuation allowances. This cumulative loss continued until fiscal year 2023 when ATI exited the three-year cumulative loss position and we concluded it was appropriate to consider future projections as a source of income when analyzing the need for a valuation allowance. We determined that valuation allowances on net deferred tax asset balances for federal and certain state jurisdictions are no longer required. Certain individual tax attributes still require a valuation allowance based on expected utilization. At December 31, 2023, our deferred tax asset valuation allowance was $60.3 million. In fiscal year 2023, ATI recorded a tax benefit associated with the valuation allowance due to the current year income for the U.S. operations and an additional benefit was recorded related to the valuation allowance release associated with ATI’s ability to utilize projections for future income. In addition, we have $24.1 million of valuation allowances on amounts recorded in other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023.
Retirement Benefits
We have defined contribution retirement plans or benefit pension plans covering substantially all of our employees. We also sponsor several postretirement plans covering certain hourly and salaried employees and retirees. These plans provide health care and life insurance benefits for eligible employees. Company contributions to defined contribution retirement plans are generally based on a percentage of eligible pay or based on hours worked, and are funded with cash. All of ATI’s defined benefit pension plans are closed to new entrants, and at most ATI operations with pension participants the plans are frozen for all future benefit accruals, with less than 800 participants still accruing benefit service. Additionally, all of the remaining, collectively bargained defined benefit retiree health care plans at ATI’s operations are closed to new entrants, with cost caps in place for these obligations. As a result of these actions, ATI’s retirement savings and other postretirement benefit programs have largely transitioned to a defined contribution structure.
Under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, amounts recognized in financial statements for defined benefit pension plans are determined on an actuarial basis, rather than as contributions are made to the plan. A significant element in determining our pension income or expense in accordance with the accounting standards is the expected investment return on plan assets. In establishing the expected return on plan investments, which is reviewed annually in the fourth quarter, we take into consideration input from our third-party pension plan asset managers and actuaries regarding the types of securities the plan assets are invested in, how those investments have performed historically, and expectations for how those investments will perform in the future. Our weighted average expected long-term return on pension plan investments was initially 6.57% in
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fiscal year 2023, and 5.80% upon remeasurement as of October 17, 2023, following the large annuity buyout of retirees. The expected long-term rate of return on pension plan investments for fiscal year 2024 will be 5.80%. We apply the assumed rate of return to the market value of plan assets at the end of the previous year. This produces the expected return on plan assets that is included in annual pension expense for the current year. The actual returns on pension plan assets for the last five fiscal years have been 2.0% for 2023, (14.5)% for 2022, 12.4% for 2021, 15.2% for 2020, and 15.1% for 2019. The effect of increasing, or lowering, the expected return on pension plan investments by 0.25% would result in additional pre-tax annual income, or expense, of approximately $1 million. The cumulative difference between the expected return and the actual return on plan assets is immediately recognized in earnings through net periodic pension benefit cost within nonoperating retirement benefit expense on the consolidated statements of operations when pension plans are remeasured annually in the fourth quarter or on an interim basis as triggering events require remeasurement. This immediate recognition is in accordance with the accounting standards and is a result of our change in accounting principle in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023 as discussed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The amount of expected return on plan assets can vary significantly from year-to-year since the calculation is dependent on the market value of plan assets as of the end of the preceding year. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles allow companies to calculate the expected return on pension assets using either an average of fair market values of pension assets over a period not to exceed five years, which reduces the volatility in reported pension income or expense, or their fair market value at the end of the previous year. However, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission currently does not permit companies to change from the fair market value at the end of the previous year methodology, which is the methodology that we use, to an averaging of fair market values of plan assets methodology. As a result, our results of operations and those of other companies, including companies with which we compete, may not be comparable due to these different methodologies in calculating the expected return on pension investments.
In accordance with accounting standards, we determine the discount rate used to value pension plan liabilities as of the last day of our fiscal year. The discount rate reflects the current rate at which the pension liabilities could be effectively settled. In estimating this rate, we receive input from our actuaries regarding the rates of return on high quality, fixed-income investments with maturities matched to the expected future retirement benefit payments. Based on this assessment, we established a discount rate of 5.60% for valuing the pension liabilities as of December 31, 2023, and for determining the pension expense for fiscal year 2024. We had previously assumed a discount rate of 5.55% at the end of fiscal year 2022, which changed to 6.40% upon the remeasurement as of October 17, 2023, following the large annuity buyout of retirees, and 2.95% at the end of fiscal year 2021. The estimated effect of changing the discount rate by 0.50% would decrease pension liabilities in the case of an increase in the discount rate or increase pension liabilities in the case of a decrease in the discount rate, by approximately $20 million. Such a change in the discount rate would have an insignificant impact to pension expense. The effect on pension liabilities for changes to the discount rate, as well as the net effect of other changes in actuarial assumptions and experience, are immediately recognized in earnings through net periodic pension benefit cost within nonoperating retirement benefit expense on the consolidated statements of operations when pension plans are remeasured annually in the fourth quarter or on an interim basis as triggering events require remeasurement. This immediate recognition is in accordance with the accounting standards and is a result of our change in accounting principle in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023 as discussed in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.