ITEM 1A RISK FACTORS
The following risk factors should be considered in conjunction with the other information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. This report may include forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. In addition to those risk factors discussed elsewhere in this report, we identify the following risk factors, which could affect our actual results and cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
Risk Factor Summary
Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those described in Item 1A “Risk Factors.” These risks include, but are not limited to, the following:
•
Supply chain issues, including increasing demand for certain components used in our products and production delays, has and could continue to result in significant additional costs and manufacturing inefficiencies, which could adversely impact our revenue, increase our manufacturing costs and have a material adverse effect on our operating results;
•
Unfavorable economic or political conditions in the countries in which we operate may have an adverse impact on our business results or financial condition;
•
Adverse global economic conditions, and geopolitical tensions, including in Ukraine, the Middle East, China and other regions, and other conditions that impact our increasingly global operations could have a negative effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and liquidity;
•
New U.S. Tariffs Imposed or Threatened Could Result in Increased Costs;
•
A meaningful portion of our revenue is derived from U.S. academic institutions, research organizations and other entities that rely in part on U.S. academic and government funding, including NIH grants, and any reduction in, modification of the terms and allowable overhead rates of, or delay in such research funding, could adversely affect our U.S. academic and governmental customers, and our revenues and financial performance;
•
We derive a significant portion of our revenue from international sales and are subject to the operational risks of doing business in foreign countries due to potential macroeconomic effects, including financial market volatility and disruption, inflationary concerns, changes in tax laws and regulations, interest and currency exchange rates, uncertain economic conditions in the United States and abroad, and additional tariffs, including those imposed or that may be imposed by the new presidential administration in the U.S.;
•
If our products fail to achieve and sustain sufficient market acceptance across their broad intended range of applications, we will not generate expected revenue;
•
Our products compete in markets that are subject to rapid technological change, and one or more of the technologies underlying our products could be made obsolete by new technology;
•
If investment in life and material science research spending declines, our ability to generate revenue may suffer;
•
Any reduction or shift in the capital resources, including as a result of changes to governmental policies and programs, or government funding of our customers could reduce our sales and impede our ability to generate revenue;
•
Disruptions at any of our manufacturing facilities could adversely affect our business;
•
In addition to the risks applicable to our life science and materials analysis products, our CBRNE detection products are subject to a number of additional risks, including lengthy product development and contract negotiation periods and certain risks inherent in long-term government contracts;
•
Our debt may adversely affect our cash flow and may restrict our investment opportunities or limit our activities;
•
If we lose our strategic partners, our marketing and sales efforts could be impaired;
•
We face risks related to sales through distributors and other third parties that we do not control, which could harm our business;
•
Our operations are dependent upon a limited number of suppliers and contract manufacturers;
•
Supply shortages and increasing prices of raw materials could adversely affect the gross profit;
•
If we are unable to effectively protect our intellectual property, third parties may use our technology, which would impair our ability to compete in our markets;
19
•
We may be involved in lawsuits to protect or enforce our patents that are brought by us which could be expensive and time consuming and, if determined adversely, could adversely affect our patent position;
•
Our manufacture and sale of products could lead to product liability claims for which we could have substantial liability;
•
We are subject to environmental laws and regulations, which may impose significant compliance or other costs on us; and
•
We operate as an entrepreneurial, decentralized company, which presents both benefits and certain risks. In particular, significant growth in a decentralized operating model may put strain on certain business group resources and our corporate functions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
If any of the risks described above actually occur, our business, revenues, profitability, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, reputation and stock price could be materially adversely affected. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently do not view as material may also become materially adverse to our business in future periods or if circumstances change.
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
Supply chain issues, including increasing demand for certain components used in our products and production delays, has and could continue result in significant additional costs and manufacturing inefficiencies, which could adversely impact our revenue, increase our manufacturing costs and have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
We have experienced supply chain interruptions or increased costs as a result of general global economic conditions, including economic instability, changes to governmental policies and programs, changes in tax laws and regulations, export controls, economic sanctions and trade restrictions, including those related to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine or conflict in the Middle East and surrounding areas, changes to trade policies, including higher tariff rates and customs duties imposed or that may be imposed by the new presidential administration in the U.S., continued threat of terrorism and heightened security and military action in response thereto, or any other current or future acts of terrorism, war (such as the ongoing geopolitical tensions and military conflicts in China and other regions between the U.S. and China ), a tight labor market and other factors, including natural events and disasters. Various factors, including increased demand for certain components and production delays, are contributing to shortages of certain components used in our products including microelectronic components and increased difficulties in our ability to obtain a consistent supply of materials at stable pricing levels. Supply shortages and longer lead times for components used in our products, including limited source components, have and can result in significant additional costs and inefficiencies in manufacturing. A shortage of key components has in the past and may in the future cause a significant disruption to our production activities, which could have a substantial adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. If we are unsuccessful in resolving any such component shortages in a timely manner, we could experience a significant adverse impact on the timing of our revenue, a possible loss of revenue, or an increase in manufacturing costs, any of which could have a material adverse impact on our operating results.
Unfavorable economic or political conditions in the countries in which we operate may have an adverse impact on our business results or financial condition.
Our businesses and results of operations are affected by international, national and regional economic and political conditions. Our businesses or financial results may be adversely impacted by unfavorable changes in economic or political conditions in the countries and markets in which we operate, including, among others, adverse changes in interest rates or tax rates, volatility in financial and commodity markets, contraction in the availability of credit in the marketplace, higher tariffs, including those that have been or may be imposed by the new presidential administration in the U.S., armed hostilities, such as the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine or conflict in the Middle East and surrounding areas, and other events related thereto, such as economic sanctions and trade restrictions, geopolitical tensions, including tensions in China and other regions, changes in capital spending patterns, and renegotiation of existing trade agreements in the United States or countries that could adversely affect our supply chain and our business.
Our revenue from U.S. operations represented approximately 28% and 26% of total consolidated revenue for fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively. Our revenue from operations in Europe represented approximately 35% and 33% of total consolidated revenue for fiscal years 2024 and 2023 respectively. Our revenue from operations in the Asia Pacific region represented approximately 29% and 33% of total consolidated revenue for fiscal years 2024 and 2023 respectively. Economic factors that could adversely influence demand for our products include the impact of geopolitical tensions and any related sanctions implemented, continued uncertainty about global economic conditions, including as a result of any natural disasters, pandemics, or epidemics, leading to ongoing
20
reductions in investment, changes in government spending levels and/or priorities, the size and availability of government budgets, customers’ and suppliers’ access to credit and other macroeconomic factors affecting government, academic or industrial spending behavior. Slower economic growth or a deterioration in economic conditions could result in a decrease in government funding for scientific research, a delay in orders from current or potential customers or a reduction in purchases of our products.
We cannot predict how changes in economic conditions or political instability will affect our customers and suppliers or how any negative impact on our customers and suppliers might adversely impact our business results or financial condition.
Adverse global economic conditions, and geopolitical tensions, including in Ukraine, the Middle East, China and other regions, and other conditions that impact our increasingly global operations could have a negative effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition and liquidity.
As a global company, our performance is affected by global economic conditions as well as geopolitical tensions and other conditions with global reach. In recent years, concerns about the global economic outlook have adversely affected market and business conditions in general. Macroeconomic weakness and uncertainty make it more difficult for us to manage our operations and accurately forecast revenue, gross margin and expenses. Geopolitical tensions, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and related economic sanctions, the conflict in the Middle East and surrounding areas, the possible expansion of such conflicts and potential geopolitical consequences, the ongoing tensions between the United States and China, tariff and trade policy changes, and increasing potential of conflict involving countries in Asia that are significant to the Company’s supply chain operations, such as Taiwan and China, have resulted in increasing global tensions and create uncertainty for global commerce. As a result of the adverse economic impacts resulting from the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, such as increased prices for and a reduced supply of key metals used in our products, the Company has ceased its Russian operations. Sustained or worsening of global economic conditions and increasing geopolitical tensions may increase our cost of doing business, materially disrupt our supply chain operations, cause our customers to reduce or delay spending and intensify pricing pressures. We have recently experienced an increase in inflationary pressures in many of the jurisdictions in which we operate. We have and may continue to offset the effect of these inflationary pressures by increasing the prices of our products to customers. However, we may not be fully able to pass additional costs on to our customers, which could have a negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition. Any or all of these factors could negatively affect demand for our products and our business, financial condition and result of operations.
New U.S. Tariffs Imposed or Threatened Could Result in Increased Costs.
The new U.S. presidential administration has imposed or threatened to impose tariffs ranging from 10-25% on a variety of countries, including China, Mexico, Canada and the EU, and products, including steel, aluminum, copper, automobiles, and digital services, and is likely to continue to do so in the future. In addition, the U.S. has threatened the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on those countries who impose unequal tariffs or taxes on U.S. exports. While to date, the only tariff increase in effect is the additional 10% tariff on U.S. imports from China, which is potentially increasing to 20% on March 4, 2025, there is no guarantee that other threatened tariff increases will not become effective in the future. Given the current uncertainty around the threat of tariff increases, it is not possible to estimate the potential effect or to determine the level of materiality to the Company. Such tariff increases, if adopted and applicable to U.S. imports by the Company or its suppliers, could result in increased costs, including potential costs related to shifting more production to the U.S. or other countries, that might be material to the Company.
A meaningful portion of our revenue is derived from U.S. academic institutions, research organizations and other entities that rely in part on U.S. academic and government funding, including NIH grants, and any reduction in, modification of the terms and allowable overhead rates of, or delay in such research funding, could adversely affect our U.S. academic and governmental customers, and our revenues and financial performance.
A substantial portion of our revenue in the United States is derived from academic and governmental institutions, research organizations and other entities that may rely in part on academic and government funding, including grants from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other U.S. government agencies. Government funding may fluctuate and is subject to annual appropriations and budgetary constraints, and there is no assurance that such funding will continue at current levels. If U.S, academic and governmental researchers experience reductions or delays in government funding, or modifications of the terms or conditions of funding, including allowable overhead rates, they may reduce or delay their purchases of our products and services, which could have a material effect on our revenues and financial performance.
21
We derive a significant portion of our revenue from international sales and are subject to the operational risks of doing business in foreign countries.
International sales account, and are expected to continue to account, for a significant portion of our total revenues. Our revenue from non-U.S. operations represented approximately 72% and 74%, respectively, of our total consolidated revenue for fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively. Our international operations are, and will continue to be, subject to a variety of risks associated with conducting business internationally, many of which are beyond our control. These risks, which may adversely affect our ability to achieve and maintain profitability and our ability to sell our products internationally, include:
•
changes in foreign currency translation rates;
•
changes in regulatory requirements;
•
legislation and regulation, including tariffs imposed or that may be imposed by the new presidential administration in the U.S., relating to the import or export of high technology products, which legislation and regulation may conflict with U.S. law and may have an adverse impact on our business results;
•
the imposition of government controls;
•
political and economic instability, the possibility of an economic recession in certain key markets such as Germany, international hostilities and resulting sanctions, acts of terrorism and governmental restrictions, inflation, trade relationships and military and political alliances;
•
costs and risks of deploying systems in foreign countries;
•
compliance with export laws and controls and trade embargoes in multiple jurisdictions, which may conflict with U.S. law and may have an adverse impact on our business results;
•
limited intellectual property rights;
•
the burden of complying with a wide variety of complex foreign laws and treaties, including unfavorable labor regulations, specifically those applicable to our European operations; and
•
compliance with U.S. and local laws affecting the activities of U.S. companies abroad, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, and local anti-bribery laws.
The United States has implemented tariffs on certain imported goods and the new presidential administration in the US has imposed or threatened to impose additional tariffs on certain imported products, including reciprocal tariffs. These additional tariffs could include items imported by us from China or other countries. In addition, China has imposed tariffs on a wide range of American products in retaliation for these new American tariffs. As a result, there is a concern that the imposition of additional tariffs by the United States could result in the adoption of additional tariffs by China and other countries as well. Any resulting trade war could negatively impact the global market for scientific instruments and could have a significant adverse effect on our business. The imposition of tariffs on items imported by us from China or other countries could increase our costs and could result in lowering our gross margin on products sold. Conversely, any imposition by China of tariffs on items that we export to China could adversely impact our customers’ ability to purchase our products and our competitive position in China or increase our costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations.
We must also comply with the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other similar regulations in other countries, including the UK Data Protection Act 2018. These laws include strong protections for individual privacy rights of residents of the European Economic Area (“EEA”) and UK. GDPR purports to apply extraterritorially such that it can apply to businesses that are not established within the EEA, but that process personal data of individuals located within the European Union in connection with the offering of goods and services within the EEA. There are significant fines associated with non-compliance. In 2020, the Court of Justice of the European Union invalidated the EU-US Privacy Shield Framework, a key mechanism for transfers of personal data from the European Union to the United States and altered the international data transfer under GDPR. Even though Bruker did not rely on the EU-US Privacy Shield for its transfers to the United States, Bruker has conducted a transfer impact assessment to understand the risks of its EU-US persona data transfers and implemented the new EU Standard Contractual Clauses (including the UK addendum). More recently, the European Commission and United States have agreed on a new EU-US Transatlantic Data Privacy Framework that may stabilize rules for transfers of personal data from the EU to the United States. However, ongoing litigation and challenges relating to such transfers could cause disruption of data transfers and have a material adverse effect on our business.
While the impact of these factors is difficult to predict, any one or more of these factors could adversely affect our operations in the future.
22
Our competitive position and reported financial results may be adversely affected when we exchange foreign currency received from international sales into U.S. Dollars and by fluctuations in currency exchange rates.
A significant portion of our business is conducted in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar, which is our reporting currency. As a result, currency fluctuations among the U.S. Dollar and the currencies in which we do business could cause the price of our products to be more or less competitive than our principal competitors’ products. Currency fluctuations will increase or decrease our cost structure relative to those of our competitors, which could lessen the demand for our products and affect our competitive position. From time to time, we enter into certain hedging transactions and/or option and foreign currency exchange contracts which are intended to offset some of the market risk associated with our sales denominated in foreign currencies. We cannot predict the effectiveness of these transactions or their impact upon our future operating results, and from time to time they may negatively affect our quarterly earnings.
In addition to the foreign currency exposure associated with differences between where our products are manufactured and sold by us and our competitors, our exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuations results from the currency translation exposure associated with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements, as well as from the exposure associated with transactions of our subsidiaries that are denominated in a currency other than the respective subsidiary’s functional currency. While our financial results are reported in U.S. Dollars, the financial statements of many of our subsidiaries outside the U.S. are prepared using the local currency as the functional currency. During consolidation, these results are translated into U.S. Dollars by applying appropriate exchange rates. As a result, fluctuations in the exchange rate of the U.S. Dollar relative to the local currencies in which our foreign subsidiaries report could cause significant fluctuations in our reported results. Moreover, as exchange rates vary, revenue and other operating results may differ materially from our expectations. The effects of changes in currency exchange rates decreased our 2024 revenue by approximately $13.1 million, or 0.4%, increased our 2023 revenue by approximately $11.2 million, or 0.4%, and decreased our 2022 revenue by approximately $168.0 million, or 6.9%. Adjustments resulting from financial statement translations are included as a separate component of shareholders' equity. We recorded net losses from currency translation adjustments of $79.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, and net gains of $76.2 million during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Additionally, to the extent monetary assets and liabilities, including cash and debt, are held in a different currency than the reporting subsidiary’s functional currency, fluctuations in currency exchange rates may have a significant impact on our reported financial results, and may lead to increased earnings volatility. We may record significant gains or losses related to both the translation of assets and liabilities held by our subsidiaries into local currencies and the re-measurement of inter-company receivables and loan balances.
Goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets are subject to impairment which could negatively impact our operating results.
We have recorded goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets that must be periodically evaluated for potential impairment. We assess the realizability of the reported goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets annually, as well as whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets may be impaired. These events or circumstances generally include operating losses or a significant decline in the earnings associated with the reporting unit these assets are reported within. A decline in our stock price and market capitalization may also cause us to consider whether goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets may require an impairment assessment. Our ability to realize the value of these assets will depend on the future cash flows of the reporting unit in addition to how well we integrate the businesses we acquire. In connection with certain restructuring activities during fiscal 2024, the Company performed impairment assessments of its long-lived assets comparing the carrying values to the sum of their undiscounted future cash flows. Based on the results of these analyses, the Company determined there were no impairments to goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022. However, the Company recorded an impairment loss for intangible assets and certain right of use assets as disclosed in Note 12, Restructuring and asset impairments to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
If our products fail to achieve and sustain sufficient market acceptance across their broad intended range of applications, we will not generate expected revenue.
Our business strategy depends on our ability to successfully commercialize a broad range of products based on our technology platforms, including magnetic resonance technology, pre-clinical imaging technology, mass spectrometry technology, X-ray technology, atomic force microscopy technology, spatial biology technologies, stylus and optical metrology technology, fluorescence microscopy technology, infrared technology and superconducting magnet technologies for use in a variety of life science, chemistry and materials analysis applications. Some of our products have only recently been commercially launched and have achieved only limited sales to date. The commercial success of our products depends on obtaining and expanding market acceptance by a diverse array of industrial, academic, clinical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, applied, medical research and governmental customers around the world. We may fail to achieve or sustain substantial market acceptance for our products across the full range of our intended applications or in one or more of our principal intended applications. Any such failure could decrease our sales and revenue. To
23
succeed, we must convince substantial numbers of potential customers to invest in new systems or replace their existing techniques with techniques employing our systems. Limited funding available for capital acquisitions by our customers, as well as our customers’ own internal purchasing approval policies, could hinder market acceptance of our products. Our intended customers may be reluctant to make the substantial capital investment generally needed to acquire our products or to incur the training and other costs involved with replacing their existing systems with our products. We also may not be able to convince our intended customers that our systems are an attractive and cost-effective alternative to other technologies and systems for the acquisition, analysis and management of molecular, cellular and microscopic information. Because of these and other factors, our products may fail to gain or sustain market acceptance.
Our products compete in markets that are subject to rapid technological change, and one or more of the technologies underlying our products could be made obsolete by new technology.
The market for discovery and analysis tools is characterized by rapid technological change and frequent new product introductions. Rapidly changing technology could make some or all of our product lines obsolete unless we are able to continually improve our existing products and develop new products. Because substantially all of our products are based on our technology platforms, including magnetic resonance technology, mass spectrometry technology, X-ray technology, atomic force microscopy technology, fluorescence microscopy technology, spatial biology technologies, stylus and optical metrology technology and infrared technology, we are particularly vulnerable to any technological advances that would make these techniques obsolete as the basis for analytical systems in any of our markets. To meet the evolving needs of our customers, we must rapidly and continually enhance our current and planned products and services and develop and introduce new products and services. In addition, our product lines are based on complex technologies that are subject to rapid change as new technologies are developed and introduced in the marketplace. We may have difficulty in keeping abreast of the rapid changes affecting each of the different markets we serve or intend to serve. If we fail to develop and introduce products in a timely manner in response to changing technology, market demands or the requirements of our customers, our product sales may decline, and we could experience significant losses.
We face substantial competition. If we fail to compete effectively, it could harm our business results and materially impact the value of our company.
We face substantial competition in our industries, and we expect that competition in all of our markets will increase further. Currently, our principal competition comes from established companies providing products using existing technologies that perform many of the same functions for which we market our products. A number of our competitors have expanded their market share in recent years through business combinations. Other companies also may choose to enter our fields in the future. Our competitors may develop or market products that are more effective or commercially attractive than our current or future products or that may render our products obsolete. Competition has in the past subjected, and is likely in the future to subject, our products to pricing pressure. Certain competitors have more experience in the market and substantially greater financial, operational, marketing and technical resources than we do, which could give them a competitive advantage in areas such as research and development, production, marketing and distribution. Our ability to compete successfully will depend, in part, on our ability to develop proprietary products that reach the market in a timely manner and are technologically superior to, less expensive than, or more cost-effective than, other currently marketed products.
If investment in life and material science research spending declines, our ability to generate revenue may suffer.
We are dependent, both directly and indirectly, upon general investment in life science research, particularly in the research and development budgets of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and in material science research as well as upon the financial condition and funding priorities of various governments and government agencies. Since our inception, both we and our academic collaborators and customers have benefited from various government contracts and grants, such as funding from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and similar government agencies. Whether we or our academic collaborators will continue to be able to attract these grants and funding from these sources depends not only on the quality of our products, but also on general spending patterns of public institutions, changes to governmental policies and programs, including loans, grants, guarantees and other subsidies, and disruptions or changes in government funding of other government agencies.
Any reduction or shift in the capital resources or government funding of our customers, including as a result of changes to governmental policies and programs, could reduce our sales and impede our ability to generate revenue.
A significant portion of our sales are capital purchases by our customers. The spending policies of our customers could have a significant effect on the demand for our products. These policies are based on a wide variety of factors, including the resources available to make purchases, the spending priorities among various types of equipment, policies regarding spending during recessionary periods, changes in the political climate, including disruptions or changes to funding of other government agencies,
24
changes to governmental policies and programs, including loans, grants, guarantees and other subsidies, and changes to government spending policies, including shifts in funding priorities.
Any changes in capital spending or changes in the capital budgets of our customers could significantly reduce demand for our products. The capital resources of our life science and other corporate customers may be limited by the availability of equity or debt financing. Any significant decline in research and development expenditures by our life science and material science customers as a result of shifting governmental support for capital projects or disruptions or changes to funding of other government agencies could significantly decrease our sales. In addition, a substantial portion of our sales are to non-profit and government entities, which are dependent on government support for scientific research. Any decline in this support could decrease the ability of these customers to purchase our products.
Disruptions at any of our manufacturing facilities could adversely affect our business.
We have manufacturing facilities located in Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Switzerland, United States, and United Kingdom. Many of our products are developed and manufactured at single locations, with limited alternate facilities. If we experience any significant disruption of those facilities for any reason, such as war or other geopolitical conflicts, strikes or other labor unrest, power interruptions, fire, earthquakes, or other events beyond our control, we may be unable to manufacture the relevant products at previous levels or at all. A reduction or interruption in manufacturing could harm our customer relationships, impede our ability to generate revenues from our backlog or obtain new orders and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
If employees were to engage in a strike or other work stoppage or interruption, our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity could be materially adversely affected.
Many of our employees are represented by workers’ councils and labor unions in certain jurisdictions, primarily in Germany and France. If disputes with these employees arise, or if our workers engage in a strike or other work stoppage or interruption, we could experience a significant disruption of, or inefficiencies in, our operations or incur higher labor costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
In addition to the risks applicable to our life science and materials analysis products, our CBRNE detection products are subject to a number of additional risks, including lengthy product development and contract negotiation periods and certain risks inherent in long-term government contracts.
Our CBRNE detection products are subject to many of the same risks associated with our life science products, including vulnerability to rapid technological change, dependence on mass spectrometry and other technologies and substantial competition. In addition, our CBRNE detection products sold to government agencies under long-term contracts. These contracts generally involve lengthy pre-contract negotiations and product development. We may be required to devote substantial working capital and other resources prior to obtaining product orders. As a result, we may incur substantial costs before we recognize revenue from these products. Moreover, in return for larger, longer-term contracts, our customers for these products often demand more stringent acceptance criteria. These criteria may also cause delays in our ability to recognize revenue from sales of these products. Furthermore, we may not be able to accurately predict in advance our costs to fulfill our obligations under these long-term contracts. If we fail to accurately predict our costs, due to inflation or other factors, we could incur significant losses. Also, the presence or absence of such contracts may cause substantial variation in our results of operations between fiscal periods and, as a result, our results of operations for any given fiscal period may not be predictive of our results for subsequent fiscal periods. The resulting uncertainty may have an adverse impact on our stock price.
We rely on information technology to support our operations and reporting environments. A security failure of that technology, including with respect to cybersecurity, could impact our ability to operate our businesses effectively, adversely affect our financial results, damage our reputation and expose us to potential liability or litigation.
We use information systems to carry out our operations and maintain our business records. Some systems are internally managed, and some are maintained by third-party service providers. Our ability to conduct business could be materially and adversely affected if these systems or resources are compromised, damaged or fail. This could be a result of a cyber-incident, social engineering scam, hacking, phishing attempts, malware, natural disaster, hardware or software corruption, failure or error, telecommunications system failure, service provider error or failure, intentional or unintentional personnel actions or other disruption.
In the ordinary course of business, we collect and store sensitive data, including intellectual property, other proprietary information and personally identifiable information. Despite our security measures, our information technology and infrastructure may be vulnerable to cyber-attacks by hackers, including intrusions designed to access and exfiltrate information and to disrupt and lock-up access to systems for the purpose of demanding ransom payments, or breached due to employee error, malfeasance, or other
25
disruptions. Further, a breach of our security systems or infrastructure, or those of our customers, suppliers and other business partners, could result in the disclosure, misuse, corruption or loss of confidential information, including intellectual property, personally identifiable information and other critical data of the Company and our employees, customers suppliers and other business partners. If this data is compromised, destroyed or inappropriately disclosed, it could have a material adverse effect, including damage to our reputation, and our relationships with our employees, customers, suppliers and other business partners, decrease the value of our investments in research, development and engineering, disrupt our manufacturing processes, result in significant expenses to address and resolve the issues, fines or litigation or other proceedings by affected individuals, customers, suppliers, business partners or regulatory authorities.
Our debt may adversely affect our cash flows and may restrict our investment opportunities or limit our activities.
As of December 31, 2024, we had an outstanding aggregate principal amount of debt totaling approximately $2.1 billion. We also had the ability to borrow an additional $872.2 million available under our existing credit facility. Most of our outstanding debt is in the United States and there are substantial cash requirements in the United States to service debt interest obligations, fund operations, capital expenditures and our declared dividends and finance potential acquisitions or share repurchases. Our ability to satisfy our debt obligations and meet our other liquidity needs depends on our future operating performance and on economic, financial, competitive and other factors beyond our control. Our business may not generate sufficient cash flow to meet our debt obligations or provide sufficient funds for our other objectives. If we are unable to service our debt or obtain additional financing, we may be forced to delay minority acquisitions, capital expenditures or research and development expenditures or suspend our dividend payments and share repurchases. We may not be able to obtain additional financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. Furthermore, a majority of our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments is generated from foreign operations, with $419.3 million held by foreign subsidiaries as of December 31, 2024. We may incur certain tax consequences relocating cash from our foreign operations to the United States. Our financial condition and results of operations could be adversely impacted if we are unable to maintain a sufficient level of cash flow in the United States to address our funding requirements through cash from operations and timely repatriation of cash from overseas or other sources obtained at an acceptable cost.
Additionally, the agreements governing our debt require that we maintain certain financial ratios related to maximum leverage and minimum interest coverage and contain affirmative and negative covenants, including among others, timely provision of audited consolidated financial statements, restrictions on liens, indebtedness of the Company and its subsidiaries, asset sales, dividends and transactions with affiliates. Our ability to comply with these financial restrictions and covenants is dependent on our operations and performance, which is subject to prevailing economic conditions and other factors, including factors that are beyond our control such as foreign currency translation rates and interest rates. Our failure to comply with any of these restrictions or covenants may result in an event of default under the applicable debt instrument, which could permit acceleration of the debt under the facility and require us to prepay the debt before its scheduled due date. Additionally, changes to governmental policies and programs, and disruptions or changes to funding of other government agencies could increase our cash and financing needs and adversely affect our customers, business, or results of operation.
Changes in our effective income tax rate could adversely affect our results of operations.
We are subject to income taxes in both the United States and various foreign jurisdictions and our domestic and international tax liabilities are largely dependent upon the distribution of income among these different jurisdictions. Various factors may have favorable or unfavorable effects on our effective income tax rate. These factors include interpretations of existing tax laws, the accounting for stock options and other share-based compensation, changes in tax laws and rates, future levels of research and development spending, changes in accounting standards, changes in the mix of earnings in the various tax jurisdictions in which we operate, the outcome of examinations by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities, the accuracy of our estimates for unrecognized tax benefits and realization of deferred tax assets and changes in overall levels of pre-tax earnings. A change in tax laws, treaties or regulations, or their interpretation, of any country in which we operate could result in a higher tax rate on our earnings, which could result in a significant negative impact on our earnings and cash flow from operations. For example, on August 16, 2022, the President of the United States signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IRA”), a tax and spending package that introduces several tax-related provisions, including a 15% corporate alternative minimum tax (“CAMT”) on certain large corporations and a 1% excise tax on certain corporate stock repurchases. The IRA provisions, which became effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2023, did not have a material impact on the Company during the year ended December 31, 2024.
In December 2021, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)/G20 Inclusive Framework, agreed to implement a global minimum tax regime for multinationals known as ‘Pillar Two’. The OECD has released the Pillar Two model rules (the Global Anti-Base Erosion Proposal, or ‘GloBE’) to reform international corporate taxation. The Pillar Two model rules provide guidance for a global minimum tax. This guidance lays out a common approach for adopting the global minimum tax and enacting local legislation codifying the provisions that all 142 countries in the Inclusive Framework agreed to by consensus. The EU member states have agreed to adopt these rules in two stages with the first component effective on January 1, 2024, while the second
26
component will be effective January 1, 2025. Non-EU countries have enacted or are expected to enact legislation on various timelines. Certain countries in which we operate have already enacted legislation to adopt the Pillar Two framework, while several other countries are expected to also implement similar legislation with varying effective dates in the future. When and how this framework is adopted or enacted by the various countries in which we do business will increase tax complexity and may increase uncertainty and adversely affect our provision for income taxes in the U.S. and non-U.S. jurisdictions.
We also assess the impact of various international tax reform proposals and modifications to existing tax treaties in all jurisdictions where we have operations that could result in a material impact on our income taxes. However, if such proposals were enacted, or if modifications were made to certain existing treaties, the consequences could have a materially adverse impact on us, including increasing our tax burden, increasing costs of our tax compliance or otherwise adversely affecting our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Various international tax risks could adversely affect our earnings and cash flows.
We are subject to international tax risks. We could be subject to double taxation on income related to operations in certain countries that do not have tax treaties with the country of the trading partner. In addition, we may have a higher effective income tax rate than that of other companies in our industry if losses incurred by one operating company are not available to offset the income of an operating company located in another country. Also, distributions of earnings and other payments received from our subsidiaries may be subject to withholding taxes imposed by the countries where they are operating or are incorporated. If these foreign countries do not have income tax treaties with the United States or the countries where our subsidiaries are incorporated, we could be subject to high rates of withholding taxes on these distributions and payments. Additionally, the amount of the credit that we may claim against our U.S. federal income tax for foreign income taxes paid or accrued is subject to many limitations which may significantly restrict our ability to claim a credit for all of the foreign taxes we pay.
The unpredictability and fluctuation of our quarterly results may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock.
Our revenues and results of operations have in the past and will in the future vary from quarter to quarter due to a number of factors, many of which are outside our control and any of which may cause our stock price to fluctuate. The primary factors that may affect us include the following:
•
the timing of sales of our products and services;
•
the timing of recognizing revenue and deferred revenue under GAAP;
•
changes in our pricing policies or the pricing policies of our competitors;
•
increases in sales and marketing, product development or administration expenses;
•
the mix of services provided by us and third-party contractors;
•
our ability to attain and maintain quality levels for our products; and
•
costs related to acquisitions of technology or businesses.
We can experience quarter to quarter fluctuations in our operating results as a result of various factors, some of which are outside our control, such as:
•
the timing of governmental stimulus programs and academic research budgets;
•
changes to governmental policies and programs, including loans, grants, guarantees and other subsidies;
•
the time it takes between the date customer orders and deposits are received, systems are shipped and accepted by our customers and full payment is received;
•
foreign currency exchange rates;
•
the time it takes for us to receive critical materials to manufacture our products;
•
general economic conditions, geopolitical tensions and other conditions that impact our global operations;
•
the time it takes to satisfy local customs requirements and other export/import requirements;
•
the time it takes for customers to construct or prepare their facilities for our products; and
•
the time required to obtain governmental licenses.
27
These factors have in the past affected the amount and timing of revenue recognized on sales of our products and receipt of related payments and will likely continue to do so in the future. Accordingly, our operating results in any particular quarter may not necessarily be an indication of any future quarter’s operating performance.
Historically we have higher levels of revenue in the fourth quarter of the year compared to the first, second and third quarters, which we believe is primarily the result of our customers’ budgeting cycles. Quarter to quarter comparisons of our results of operations should not be relied upon as an indication of our future performance. It is likely that in some future quarters, our results of operations may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors. In this event, the price of our common stock may fall.
Our ability to manage and grow our business successfully can be impeded by systems and other technological limitations.
Our continued success in effectively managing and growing our business depends on our ability to integrate our varied accounting, financial, information, and operational systems on a global basis. Moreover, adapting or developing the existing technology systems we use to meet our internal needs, as well as client needs, industry demands and new regulatory requirements, is also critical for our business. The introduction of new technologies presents new challenges to us. We must be proactive and prepared to implement new technology when growth opportunities present themselves, whether as a result of a business acquisition or rapidly increasing business activities in particular markets or regions. These needs could present operational issues or require significant capital spending, and may require us to reevaluate the current value and/or expected useful lives of the technology we use, which could negatively impact our results of operations.
In addition, technology is subject to rapid advancements and changes and our competitors may, from time to time, implement newer technologies or more advanced platforms for their services and products, including platforms based on artificial intelligence. If we do not effectively anticipate and avail ourselves of new technologies, our competitive position may suffer, and these impacts would adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our efforts to utilize technological advancements such as artificial intelligence may result in substantial integration and maintenance costs, and may expose us to additional risks. In particular, personal information within any data set collected from our business is vulnerable to unauthorized acquisition or access, compromise or loss, which could lead to heightened business and security costs, reputational damage, administrative penalties, significant legal and financial exposure. The content, analyses, or recommendations generated by artificial intelligence programs, if deficient, inaccurate, or biased, could adversely impact our business, financial condition, and operational results, as well as our reputation. Moreover, ethical concerns associated with artificial intelligence could lead to brand damage, competitive disadvantages, or legal repercussions. Any problems with our implementation or use of artificial intelligence or other technological advancements could also negatively impact our business or results of our operations.
Climate change and natural disasters, or legal, regulatory or market measures to address climate change, could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Climate change, allegedly resulting from increased concentrations of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (“GHG”) in the atmosphere, may present risks to our business and operations. Extreme weather events and natural disasters, such as tornadoes, tsunamis, tropical storms (including hurricanes), earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, windstorms, hailstorms, heat waves, floods, droughts, severe thunderstorms, wildfires, and other fires, which may or may not result from climate change or natural disasters, could adversely impact our operations and supply chain, including the availability and cost of raw materials and components required for the operation of our business.
There has been increased focus by federal, international, state and local regulatory and legislative bodies to combat and/or limit the effects of climate change through a variety of means, including regulating GHG emissions (and requirements to disclose climate-related risks and metrics, including GHG emissions), policies mandating or promoting the use of renewable or zero-carbon energy and sustainability initiatives, and additional taxes on fuel and energy. These regulations, and changes to them, could increase our cost of compliance, and our failure to comply could result in the imposition of significant fines, suspension of production, alteration of product processes, cessation of operations or other actions which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operation.
Additionally, the impacts of climate change may further influence customer and other stockholder preferences and requirements. This includes increased demand for more sustainable products, including products with lower environmental footprints, and for companies to produce and demonstrate progress against sustainability goals and GHG reduction targets, including product-level GHG emissions data. Failure to meet stockholder expectations or our own goals or commitments relating to sustainability or GHG emissions reductions, provide sustainable products or demonstrate GHG reductions could potentially result in loss of market share, reputational impacts, or an inability to attract and retain customers.
28
The ownership of our shares is highly concentrated, which could cause or exacerbate volatility in our share price as well as have significant influence over us.
As of February 19, 2025, Laukien family members, including our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) Frank Laukien and his brother, Joerg Laukien, owned, in the aggregate, approximately 32% of our outstanding common stock. We may also repurchase shares in the future, which could further increase the concentration of our share ownership. Because of this reduced liquidity, the trading of relatively small quantities of shares by our shareholders could disproportionately influence the price of those shares in either direction. The price for our shares could, for example, decline precipitously if a large number of our shares were sold on the market without commensurate demand, as compared to a company with greater trading liquidity that could better absorb those sales without adverse impact on its share price. These shareholders may also exercise substantial influence over all matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions. This could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of our company and will make some transactions difficult to accomplish without the support of these shareholders.
The loss of key personnel or an inability to attract and retain additional personnel could affect our ability to successfully grow our business.
We are highly dependent upon the continued service and performance of our CEO and other members of senior management and key finance, technical, scientific and production personnel, any of whom may cease their employment with us at any time with minimal advance notice. Because the expertise of these individuals is highly specific and takes years to develop, we face intense competition for these individuals from many other companies. The loss of one or more of our key employees may significantly delay or prevent the achievement of our business objectives, and our failure to attract and retain suitably qualified individuals or to adequately plan for succession could have an adverse effect on our ability to implement our business plan.
Dividends on our common stock could be reduced or eliminated in the future.
In recent years, we have paid dividends on our common stock. In February 2025, we announced that our Board of Directors (“Board”) had declared a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share that will be payable in March 2025. There is no guarantee that such dividends will continue indefinitely. In the future, our Board may determine to reduce or eliminate our common stock dividend in order to fund investments for growth, repurchase shares or conserve capital resources.
Risks Related to Our Dependence on Third Parties
If we lose our strategic partners, our marketing and sales efforts could be impaired.
A substantial portion of our sales of selected products consists of sales to third parties who incorporate our products into their systems. These third parties are responsible for the marketing and sales of their systems. We have little or no control over their marketing and sales activities or how they use their resources. Our present or future strategic partners may or may not purchase sufficient quantities of products from us or perform appropriate marketing and sales activities. In addition, if we are unable to maintain our relationships with strategic partners, our businesses may suffer. Failures by our present or future strategic partners, or our inability to maintain existing or enter into new arrangements with strategic partners for product distribution, could materially impede the growth of our businesses and our ability to generate sufficient revenue and profits.
We face risks related to sales through distributors and other third parties that we do not control, which could harm our business.
We sell some products through third party agents, including distributors and value-added resellers. This exposes us to various risks, including competitive pressure, concentration of sales volumes, credit risks, and compliance risks. We may rely on one or a few key distributors for a product or market, and the loss of these distributors could reduce our revenue and net earnings. Distributors may also face financial difficulties, including bankruptcy, which could harm our collection of accounts receivable. Risks related to our use of distributors may reduce sales, increase expenses, and weaken our competitive position. Moreover, violations of the FCPA or similar anti-bribery laws by distributors or other third-party agents could materially and adversely impact our business, reputation and results of operations.
Dependence on contract manufacturing may adversely affect our ability to bring products to market and damage our reputation.
As part of our efforts to streamline our operations and reduce our operating costs, we outsource certain aspects of our manufacturing processes and continue to evaluate additional outsourcing. If our contract manufacturers fail to perform their obligations in a timely manner or at satisfactory quality levels, our ability to bring products to market and our reputation could suffer. For example, during a market upturn, our contract manufacturers may be unable to meet our demand requirements, which may
29
preclude us from fulfilling our customers’ orders on a timely basis. The ability of these manufacturers to perform is largely outside our control. Additionally, changing or replacing our contract manufacturers could cause disruptions or delays. Problems with outsourced manufacturing could result in lower revenues and unexecuted efficiencies, and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Our operations are dependent upon a limited number of suppliers and contract manufacturers.
We currently purchase components used in our products from a limited number of outside suppliers. Our reliance on a limited number of suppliers could result in time delays associated with redesigning a product due to an inability to obtain an adequate supply of required components and reduced control over pricing, quality and timely delivery. Any of these factors could adversely affect our revenues and profitability. As an example, BSI CALID purchases detectors and power supplies from sole or limited source suppliers and it purchases focal plane array detectors from a single supplier, Teledyne Scientific & Imaging. Additionally, our superconducting magnets or our electronics are partially dependent on cooperation from larger manufacturers like Electronic Manufacturing Services or High Temperature Superconductors suppliers. The existence of shortages of these components or the failure of delivery with regard to these components could have a material adverse effect upon our revenues and margins. In addition, price increases from these suppliers or contract manufacturers could have a material adverse effect upon our gross margins.
Because of the scarcity of some components and raw material, we may be unable to obtain an adequate supply of components, or we may be required to pay higher prices or to purchase components of lesser quality. Any delay or interruption in the supply of these or other components could impair our ability to manufacture and deliver our products, harm our reputation and cause a reduction in our revenues. In addition, any increase in the cost of the components that we use in our products could make our products less competitive and decrease our gross profits. We may not be able to obtain sufficient quantities of required components on the same or substantially the same terms. Additionally, consolidation among our suppliers could result in other sole source suppliers for us in the future. Other events that could affect our ability to source materials, manufacture or distribute our products include fire, natural disaster or extreme weather or a pandemic and the impact of those events on our and our suppliers’ and contract manufacturers’ operations.
Supply shortages and increasing prices of raw materials could adversely affect our gross profit.
The last few years have seen periodic supply shortages and strong fluctuations in the prices for various raw materials, in part due to high demand from developing countries, the war between Russia and Ukraine, on-going conflicts between the United States and China and other geopolitical tensions. Supply shortages may also be impacted by demand increases from green transition, military or space/aerospace industry. We rely on some of these materials for the production of our products. For example, in our superconducting magnet production, both for the horizontal and vertical magnet series, we rely on the availability of copper, and other metallic raw materials as well as niobium titanium for the production of traditional low-temperature superconducting magnets, wires and devices. Higher prices for these commodities will increase the production cost of superconducting wires and superconducting magnets and may adversely affect gross profits.
The prices of copper and certain other raw materials used for superconductors have increased significantly over the last decade. Since copper is a main constituent of low temperature superconductors, this may affect the price of superconducting wire. This type of increase would have an immediate effect on the production costs of superconducting magnets and may negatively affect the profit margins for those products.
In order to operate superconducting magnets, we and our customers rely on liquid helium. Helium is subject to price changes and shortages of liquid helium associated with federal price controls or depleted natural reserves could drive increases in helium pricing and have an adverse impact on producing and operating our superconducting magnets, which may negatively impact the profit margins of those products.
Risks Related to Our Intellectual Property Rights
Our success depends on our ability to operate without infringing or misappropriating the proprietary rights of others.
Our commercial success depends on avoiding the infringement of other parties’ patents and proprietary rights as well as avoiding the breach of any licenses relating to our technologies and products. Given that there may be patents of which we are unaware, particularly in the United States where patent applications are confidential, avoidance of patent infringement may be difficult. Various third parties hold patents which may relate to our technology, and we may be found in the future to infringe these or other patents or proprietary rights of third parties, either with products we are currently marketing or developing or with new products which we may develop in the future. If a third-party holding rights under a patent successfully asserts an infringement claim with respect to any of our current or future products, we may be prevented from manufacturing or marketing our infringing product in the country or countries covered by the patent we infringe, unless we can obtain a license from the patent holder. We may not be able to
30
obtain such a license on commercially reasonable terms, if at all, especially if the patent holder is a competitor. In addition, even if we can obtain a license, it may be non-exclusive, which will permit others to practice the same technology licensed to us. We also may be required to pay substantial damages to the patent holder in the event of infringement. Under some circumstances in the United States these damages could include damages equal to triple the actual damages the patent holder incurs. If we have supplied infringing products to third parties for marketing by them or licensed third parties to manufacture, use or market infringing products, we may be obligated to indemnify these third parties for any damages they may be required to pay to the patent holder and for any losses the third parties may sustain themselves as the result of lost sales or license payments they are required to make to the patent holder. Any successful infringement action brought against us may also adversely affect marketing of the infringing product in other markets not covered by the infringement action, as well as our marketing of other products based on similar technology. Furthermore, we will suffer adverse consequences from a successful infringement action against us even if the action is subsequently reversed on appeal, nullified through another action or resolved by settlement with the patent holder. The damages or other remedies awarded, if any, may be significant. As a result, any successful infringement action against us may harm our business.
If we are unable to effectively protect our intellectual property, third parties may use our technology, which would impair our ability to compete in our markets.
Our continued success will depend in significant part on our ability to obtain and maintain meaningful patent protection for our products throughout the world. We rely on patents to protect a significant part of our intellectual property and to enhance our competitive position. However, our presently pending or future patent applications may not issue as patents, and any patent previously issued to us may be challenged, invalidated, held unenforceable or circumvented. Furthermore, the claims in patents which have been issued, or which may be issued to us in the future, may not be sufficiently broad to prevent third parties from producing competing products similar to our products. In addition, the laws of various foreign countries in which we compete may not protect our intellectual property to the same extent as do the laws of the United States. Failure to obtain adequate patent protection for our proprietary technology could materially impair our ability to be commercially competitive.
In addition to patent protection, we also rely on the protection of trade secrets, know-how and confidential and proprietary information. To maintain the confidentiality of trade secrets and proprietary information, we generally seek to enter into confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants and strategic partners upon the commencement of a relationship with us. However, we may not obtain these agreements in all circumstances. In the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of this information, these agreements, even if obtained, may not provide meaningful protection for our trade secrets or other confidential information. In addition, adequate remedies may not exist in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of this information. The loss or exposure of our trade secrets and other proprietary information would impair our competitive advantages and could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, financial condition and future growth prospects. Furthermore, others may have, or may in the future independently develop, substantially similar or superior know-how and technology.
We may be involved in lawsuits to protect or enforce our patents that are brought by us which could be expensive and time consuming and, if determined adversely, could adversely affect our patent position.
In order to protect or enforce our patent rights, we may initiate patent litigation against third parties, and we may be similarly sued by others. We may also become subject to interference proceedings conducted in the patent and trademark offices of various countries to determine the priority of inventions. The defense and prosecution, if necessary, of intellectual property suits, interference proceedings and related legal and administrative proceedings is costly and diverts our technical and management personnel from their normal responsibilities. We may not prevail in any of these suits. An adverse determination of any litigation or defense proceedings could put our patents at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and could put our patent applications at risk of not issuing.
Furthermore, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during this type of litigation. In addition, during the course of this kind of litigation, there could be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions or other interim proceedings or developments in the litigation. If securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a substantial negative effect on the trading price of our common stock. Refer to Note 26, Commitment and Contingencies for further information on our Litigation and Related Contingencies.
Risks Related to Legal, Regulatory and Compliance
Our manufacture and sale of products could lead to product liability claims for which we could have substantial liability.
The manufacture and sale of our products expose us to product liability claims if any of our products cause injury or are found otherwise unsuitable or defective as a consequence of product design, manufacturing, marketing, sale or customer use. In particular, if one of our CBRNE detection products malfunctions, this could lead to civilian or military casualties in a time of unrest, exposing us to
31
increased potential for high-profile liability. Additionally, the nuclear magnetic resonance, research magnetic resonance imaging, Fourier transform mass spectrometry and certain electron paramagnetic resonance magnets of BSI BioSpin utilize high magnet fields and cryogenics to operate at approximately 4 Kelvin, the temperature of liquid helium. There is an inherent risk of potential product liability due to the existence of these high magnetic fields, associated stray fields outside the magnet, and the handling of the cryogens associated with superconducting magnets. In addition, our MALDI BioTyper product has an IVD-CE mark and U.S. FDA approval and is used for the identification of microorganisms. Misidentification or a false-negative of certain viruses, bacteria, yeasts or fungi could lead to inappropriate treatment for patients and could expose us to product liability claims.
A successful product liability claim brought against us in excess of, or outside the coverage of, our insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We may not be able to maintain product liability insurance on acceptable terms, if at all, and insurance may not provide adequate coverage against potential liabilities.
We are subject to environmental laws and regulations, which may impose significant compliance or other costs on us.
Our manufacturing, product development and research and development operations and processes involve the controlled use of certain hazardous materials. In addition, we own and/or lease a number of facilities, some of which have been in operation for many decades, where we or others may have used substances or generated and disposed of wastes which are considered hazardous or may be considered hazardous in the future. We also have acquired various companies which historically may have used certain hazardous materials, and which may have owned and/or leased facilities at which hazardous materials have been used. For all of these reasons, we are subject to federal, state, foreign, and local laws and regulations governing the use, manufacture, storage, transportation, handling, treatment, remediation, and disposal of hazardous materials and certain waste products. We have potential liability under these laws and regulations with respect to the remediation of past contamination in certain of the facilities we now own or lease. Additionally, in the future our facilities and the disposal sites owned by others to which we send or sent waste, may be identified as contaminated and require remediation. Accordingly, we may become subject to additional compliance costs or environmental liabilities which may be significant and could materially harm our results of operations or financial condition.
Specifically, we use controlled hazardous and radioactive materials in our business and generate wastes that are regulated as hazardous wastes under U.S. federal, and Massachusetts, California, New Jersey, Washington and Wisconsin state environmental and atomic energy regulatory laws and under equivalent provisions of law in those and other jurisdictions in which our research and manufacturing facilities are located. Our use of these substances and materials is subject to stringent, and periodically changing, regulation that can impose costly compliance obligations on us and has the potential to adversely affect our manufacturing activities. The risk of accidental contamination or injury from these materials cannot be completely eliminated. If an accident with these substances occurs, we could be held liable for any damages that result, in addition to incurring clean-up costs and liabilities, which can be substantial. Additionally, an accident could damage our research and manufacturing facilities resulting in delays and increased costs.
We are subject to existing and potential additional regulation and government inquiry, which can impose burdens on our operations and narrow the markets for our products.
We are subject, both directly and indirectly, to the adverse impact of existing and potential future government regulation of our operations and markets. For example, the export of our products is subject to U.S. and non-U.S. export control, sanctions, customs, import and anti-boycott laws and regulations, including, as applicable, the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, the Export Administration Regulations and the sanctions laws, regulations and executive orders administered and enforced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, and other laws and regulations adopted by the governments or agencies of other countries relating to the same subject matter as the U.S. laws and regulations described above.
The failure to satisfy export control criteria or obtain necessary clearances could delay or prevent shipment of products, which could adversely affect our revenues and profitability. Failure by the Company, our employees or others working on our behalf to comply with these laws and regulations could result in administrative, civil or criminal liabilities, including suspension, debarment from bidding for or performing government contracts, or suspension of our export privileges, which could have a material adverse effect on us. We frequently team with international subcontractors and suppliers who are also exposed to similar risks. In some cases, compliance with the laws and regulations of one country could violate the laws and regulations of another country. Violations of these laws and regulations could materially adversely affect our brand, international growth efforts and business.
In addition, as a result of our international operations, we are subject to compliance with various laws and regulations, including the FCPA and local anti-bribery laws in the jurisdictions in which we do business (including some higher risk countries according to the Transparency International Corruption Index), which generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries or agents from engaging in bribery or making improper payments to foreign officials or their agents. The FCPA also requires proper record keeping and characterization of such payments in our reports filed with the SEC. Despite maintaining policies and procedures that require our employees to comply with these laws and our standards of ethical conduct, we cannot ensure that these policies and procedures will always protect us from intentional, reckless or negligent acts committed by our employees or third-party agents.
32
Moreover, the life sciences industry, which is the market for our principal products, has historically been heavily regulated. Given the evolving nature of this industry, legislative bodies or regulatory authorities may adopt additional regulation or governmental policies that adversely affects our market opportunities. Our business is also directly affected by a wide variety of government regulations applicable to business enterprises generally and to companies operating in the life sciences industry in particular.
Our products are subject to the FDA’s requirements for electronic radiation emitting products, which include requirements related to record-keeping and reporting; labeling; notification; product repairs, replacements, and refunds; importation; and performance standards. In addition, our clinical products are subject to regulation as medical devices in the United States by the FDA and by similar regulatory bodies in other countries where such products are sold. These regulations govern a wide variety of product related activities, from quality management, design, development, and testing to labeling, manufacturing, complaint handling, reporting, promotion, sales and distribution. Compliance with applicable regulatory requirements is subject to continual review and is monitored rigorously through periodic inspections by the FDA and other regulatory authorities, which may result in written inspectional observations. The FDA and comparable foreign regulatory authorities also monitor product promotion and marketing materials and activities. If we or any of our suppliers or distributors fail to comply with FDA or other applicable regulatory requirements, or are perceived to potentially have failed to comply, we may face, among other things, warning letters; adverse publicity affecting both us and our customers; investigations or notices of non-compliance, fines, injunctions, and civil or criminal penalties; import or export restrictions; partial suspensions or total shutdown of production facilities or the imposition of operating restrictions; increased difficulty in obtaining required FDA clearances or approvals or foreign equivalents; seizures or recalls of our products or those of our customers; or the inability to sell such products. Any such FDA or comparable foreign regulatory actions could disrupt our business and operations, lead to significant remedial costs and have a material adverse impact on our financial position and results of operations. In addition, negative publicity and product liability claims resulting from any adverse regulatory action could have a material, adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Further, the replacement of the European Union IVD Directive by the IVD Regulation (EU) 2017/746 in May 2022 has resulted in a stricter regime on manufacturers of IVDs and under transitional arrangements our products currently approved under the Directive must be recertified under the Regulation by May 2025.
We have been, are, and expect to be in the future, subject to inquiries from the government agencies that enforce these regulations, including the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. FDA, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Justice, the SEC, the Federal Trade Commission, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Department of Defense, among others, as well as from state or foreign governments and their departments and agencies. As a result, from time to time, the attention of our management and other resources may be diverted to attend to these inquiries. In addition, failure to comply with these regulations or obtain or maintain necessary permits and licenses could result in a variety of fines or other censures or an interruption in our business operations which may have a negative impact on our ability to generate revenues and could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Failure to maintain effective internal controls may cause a loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements or cause us to delay filing our periodic reports with the SEC and adversely affect our stock price.
The SEC, as directed by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, adopted rules requiring public companies to include a report of management on internal control over financial reporting in their annual reports on Form 10-K that contain an assessment by management of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, our independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Although we test our internal control over financial reporting in order to ensure compliance with the Section 404 requirements, our failure to maintain adequate internal controls over financial reporting could result in an adverse reaction in the financial marketplace due to a loss of investor confidence in the reliability of our financial statements or a delay in our ability to timely file our periodic reports with the SEC, which ultimately could negatively impact our stock price.
We operate as an entrepreneurial, decentralized company, which presents both benefits and certain risks. In particular, significant growth in a decentralized operating model may put strain on certain business group resources and our corporate functions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Decentralization necessarily places significant control and decision-making powers in the hands of local management, which presents certain risks, including the risk that we may be slower to detect or react to compliance-related matters and that “company-wide” business initiatives may be more challenging or costly to implement, and the risk of noncompliance or failures higher than they may be in a more centralized operating environment. In addition, key business group resources and our corporate functions responsible for supporting our decentralized operations, may also not be able to detect or resolve financial, operational, and compliance matters on a timely basis. Our failure to adapt our financial, operational and compliance controls and systems to effectively manage our decentralized business and comply with our obligations as a public company could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
33
General Risk Factors
If we are not able to successfully integrate the businesses we acquire through mergers, acquisitions or strategic alliances, we may not be able to realize all of the cost savings and other benefits that we expect to result from the transactions and our financial results may be different than expected.
Our strategy includes expanding our technology base and product offerings through selected mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances. For example, from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2024, we acquired 28 businesses to expand our technologies and product offerings.
Successful integration of the businesses we acquire involves a number of risks, including, among others, risks related to:
•
coordinating or consolidating geographically separate organizations and integrating personnel with different business backgrounds and corporate cultures;
•
integrating previously autonomous departments in sales and marketing, distribution, accounting and administrative functions;
•
integrating financial information and management systems;
•
the pace of our acquisition activity and the related diversion of already limited resources and management time;
•
disruption of our ongoing business;
•
potential impairment of relationships with customers as a result of changes in management or otherwise arising out of such transactions; and
•
retention of key employees of the acquired businesses within the first one to two years after the acquisition, including the risk that they may compete with us subsequently.
We may have difficulty developing, manufacturing and marketing the products of a newly acquired company or business in a way that enhances the performance of our combined businesses or product lines. As a result, we may not realize the value from expected synergies. Acquisitions have resulted, and may in the future result, in unexpected significant costs and expenses, including disputes over contingent consideration and complicated accounting for complex transaction structures. In the future, we may be required to record charges to earnings during the period if we determine there is an impairment of goodwill or intangible assets, up to the full amount of the remaining carrying value of the assets.
We generally assume the liabilities of businesses we acquire, which could include liability for an acquired business’ violation of law that occurred before we acquired it. We frequently acquire smaller, privately held companies that may not have the same culture of compliance or the same level of internal control of a larger, publicly traded company. Any failure to implement adequate training, controls, and monitoring of any acquired company could cause us to be liable for post-acquisition legal or accounting violations.
Other companies may have difficulty acquiring us, even if doing so would benefit our shareholders, due to provisions under our corporate charter and bylaws, as well as Delaware law.
Provisions in our restated certificate of incorporation, and our amended and restated bylaws, as well as Delaware law could make it more difficult for other companies to acquire us, even if doing so would benefit our shareholders. Our restated certificate of incorporation, and amended and restated bylaws contain the following provisions, among others, which may inhibit an acquisition of our company by a third party:
•
a staggered Board of Directors, where shareholders elect only a minority of the board each year;
•
advance notification procedures for matters to be brought before shareholder meetings;
•
a limitation on who may call shareholder meetings; and
•
the ability of our Board of Directors to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock without a shareholder vote.
ITEM 1B UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Not applicable.
34
ITEM 1C CYBERSECURITY
The Board’s Audit Committee oversees risks relating to cybersecurity threats and the steps management takes to monitor and control such exposures. In addition to other written policies and procedures, the Company has instituted an Information Security Incident Response Plan (“IRP”) which provides a framework to assist the Company in responding to actual or potential cybersecurity incidents. Our IRP includes detailed response procedures to be followed in the event of a cybersecurity incident, which outline steps to be executed from detection to assessment to notification and recovery, including internal notifications to the Audit Committee as appropriate. These incidents may consist of any actual, threatened, suspected, or reported event or occurrence that may affect the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of Company systems or data, or of any such event affecting a third party that may affect Company systems or data. The objective of the IRP is to facilitate a timely and coordinated enterprise-level response to such incidents to mitigate impact on the Company and its employees, stockholders, customers, business partners, and other stakeholders.The Audit Committee receives regular reporting from senior officers (such as the Chief Information Security Officer and the Director of Risk Management & Insurance) on operational risk and the steps management has taken to monitor and control these risks. Such reporting includes updates on the Company’s IRP, the external threat environment, and the Company’s programs to address and mitigate the risks associated with the cybersecurity threat environment. The IRP and internal controls around cybersecurity are periodically evaluated by external experts and the results of those reviews are reported to the Audit Committee.
The Company has established a corporate-level global Information Security Incident Response Team (“ISIRT”), which provides a centralized, coordinated response to, and management of, cybersecurity incidents that may present significant risk to the Company’s operations, valuation, brand or reputation, employees, and customer or business relationships. The Company’s cybersecurity response team is comprised of multiple subject-matter experts, including information technology, cybersecurity and risk management members with a combined experience of well over 60 years. Core members of the ISIRT consist of the Vice President, Financial Operations and Project Management (“Financial Ops”); Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary (“General Counsel”); Chief Information Security Officer (“CISO”) who reports to the Chief Information Officer (“CIO”); Chief Privacy Officer (“CPO”); Vice President, Corporate Treasurer (“Treasury”); Director, Risk Management & Insurance (“Risk Management”); and Cyber Security Manager (“Information Security”). If a cybersecurity incident warrants activation of the ISIRT, the Company’s Financial Ops and the General Counsel will notify, as appropriate, the Company’s executive leadership and the Audit Committee. We also engage specialized third-party consultants to proactively support our cybersecurity efforts, which include but are not limited to, application and network security, information risk management, as well as business continuity and disaster recovery.
Cybersecurity incidents may occur at, or be reported to, any of the Company’s facilities worldwide. The Company has an IT Service Desk which acts as the single point of contact for cybersecurity incident reporting. Employees can notify the IT Service Desk of any event that they observe or is reported to them that may constitute a cybersecurity incident. Once notified, the IT Service Desk team conducts an initial classification and escalates, when needed, to the CISO and other members of ISIRT as per the Company’s IRP. Financial Ops, in consultation with the General Counsel, CPO and CISO, decide whether to activate the ISIRT in connection with any escalated incident. When activated, the ISIRT coordinates and directs all aspects of the response, including, as applicable, investigation, containment, business continuity and recovery, remediation, notifications, communications, and post-incident activities with executive leadership, including the CIO, and the Audit Committee and/or Board of Directors, as appropriate in the circumstances. As of December 31, 2024, no identified risk has required activation of the ISIRT.
In addition, our third-party service providers play a role in our risk management and strategy as well as with the investigation of cybersecurity incidents. Based upon the assessment of the type of incident and risk presented, the ISIRT engages outside counsel and/or external resources, such as forensic consultants, to conduct or assist with cybersecurity investigations in order to provide advice to the Company. The vendors we engage with are globally recognized companies with expertise in cybersecurity. We conduct due diligence before onboarding new vendors and maintain ongoing evaluations to ensure compliance with our security standards. The Company also conducts appropriate cybersecurity exercises and training. For example, employees must complete cybersecurity training on at least an annual basis, which educates our employees on the Company’s policies and procedures for handling personal data, incident reporting, and avoiding common cybersecurity threats such as phishing attacks.
For a discussion of information technology rights that may materially impact us, see Item 1A “Risk Factors—We rely on information technology to support our operations and reporting environments. A security failure of that technology, including with respect to cybersecurity, could impact our ability to operate our businesses effectively, adversely affect our financial results, damage our reputation and expose us to potential liability or litigation.”
35
ITEM 2 PROPERTIES
We believe that our existing principal facilities are well maintained and in good operating condition and that they are adequate for our foreseeable business needs.
In addition to the principal facilities noted below, we lease additional facilities for sales, applications and service support in various countries throughout the world including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States. If we should require additional or alternative facilities, we believe that such facilities can be obtained on short notice at competitive rates.
The location and primary use of our principal properties used in current operations are as follows:
Principal Use
BSI BioSpin Wissembourg, France 272,000 Owned X X X X X
Ettlingen, Germany 188,000 Owned X X X X X
Faellanden, Switzerland 456,00084,000 Owned/Leased X X X X X
BSI CALID Bremen, Germany 298,000 Owned X X X X X
Ettlingen, Germany 182,000 Owned X X X X X
Nehren, Germany 89,000 Owned/Leased X X X X X
Faellanden, Switzerland 14,600 Leased X X X X
BSI NANO Graz, Austria 30,000 Leased X X X X
Karlsruhe, Germany 145,000 Owned X X X X X
Berlin, Germany 134,550 Owned X X X X
Migdal HaEmek, Israel 22,000 Leased X X X X
Penang, Malaysia 100,000 Leased X X X X X
Bothell, WA, U.S.A. 59,000 Leased X
Del Ray Beach, FL, U.S.A. 30,100 Leased X X X X X
Emeryville, CA, U.S.A. 37,000 Leased X X X X
Santa Barbara, CA, U.S.A. 100,000 Owned X X X X X
BEST Bergisch Gladbach, Germany 85,00049,000 Owned/Leased X X X X X
Hanau, Germany 138,000 Owned X X X X X
Carteret, NJ, U.S.A. 115,000 Leased X X X X X
Perth, Scotland 47,000 Owned X X X X X
Shared Use Billerica, MA, U.S.A. 200,000 Owned X X X X
ITEM 3 LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
For a discussion of legal matters as of December 31, 2024, please refer to Note 26, Commitments and Contingencies, to our consolidated financial statements included in this report, which is incorporated into this item by reference.
ITEM 4 MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
36
PART II
ITEM 5 MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Prices
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “BRKR.”
As of February 19, 2025, there were approximately 62 holders of record of our common stock. This number does not include individual beneficial owners of shares held in nominee name or within clearinghouse positions of brokerage firms and banks.
Dividends
In February 2016, we announced the establishment of a dividend policy and the declaration by our Board of Directors of an initial quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.04 per share of our issued and outstanding common stock. Beginning in 2022, we increased the quarterly cash dividend to our shareholders in the amount of $0.05 per share of our issued and outstanding common stock. In February 2025, we announced that our Board had approved a quarterly dividend for the first quarter of 2025 of $0.05 per share, payable in March. Future dividend payments, if any, are subject to approval of our Board of Directors.
Stock Price Performance Graph
The graph below compares Bruker Corporation’s annual percentage change in cumulative total return on common shares over the past five years ended December 31, 2024 with the cumulative total return of companies comprising the Nasdaq US Benchmark TR Index and the SIC Code 3826 Laboratory Analytical Instruments Index. This presentation assumes that $100 was invested in shares of the relevant issuers on December 31, 2019, and that dividends received were immediately invested in additional shares. The graph plots the value of the initial $100 investment at one-year intervals for the fiscal years shown.
The data for this performance graph was compiled by Zack’s Investment Research, Inc. and is used with its permission.
37
Issuer Purchases of Securities
Pursuant to a share repurchase program approved by the Board of Directors and announced on May 12, 2023 (the “2023 Repurchase Program”), the Company is permitted to purchase up to $500 million of shares of its common stock over a two-year period. As of December 31, 2024, $369.9 million remains available for future purchase under the 2023 Repurchase Program. The Company did not make any purchases of its common stock during the year ended December 31, 2024.
ITEM 6 RESERVED
38
ITEM 7 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, or MD&A, describes the principal factors affecting the results of our operations, financial condition and changes in financial condition, as well as our critical accounting policies and estimates. You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes to those statements, appearing elsewhere in this report.
Any statements other than statements of historical fact contained in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may be deemed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Without limiting the foregoing, the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “seek,” “may,” “will,” “intend,” “estimate,” “should” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding:
•
the impact of supply chain challenges on our business and operations;
•
our working capital requirements and the sufficiency of our cash, borrowings and proceeds of indebtedness to fund our operations and investment activities;
•
our plans to make capital investments;
•
the impact of changes to tax and accounting rules and changes in law;
•
fluctuations in estimates impacting costs related to our self-funded health insurance plan;
•
our expectations regarding backlog and revenue;
•
our expectations and the impact of our restructuring initiatives;
•
the impact of our global IT transformation activities;
•
the impact of foreign currency exchange rates and changes in commodity prices; and
•
any other statements that address events or developments that the Company intends or believes will or may occur in the future.
Actual results may differ from those referred to in any forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, the risks described in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We expressly disclaim any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements other than as required by law.
We can experience quarter-to-quarter fluctuations in our operating results as a result of various factors, some of which are outside our control, such as:
•
general economic conditions, including inflation, uncertainties caused by recent banking industry volatility, the threat of recession, financial liquidity, currency volatility or devaluation, supply chain or manufacturing capabilities, and uncertain economic conditions in the United States and abroad, and additional tariffs, including those imposed or that may be imposed by the new presidential administration in the U.S.;
•
geopolitical tensions, including those on our customers, such as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and related economic sanctions, the conflict in the Middle East and surrounding areas, the possible expansion of such conflicts and potential geopolitical consequences, the ongoing tensions between the United States and China, tariff and trade policy changes, and increasing potential of conflict involving countries in Asia that are significant to the Company’s supply chain operations, such as Taiwan and China;
•
potential energy shortages in Europe where the Company has significant operations and overall higher energy and transportation costs;
•
the impacts of climate change and certain weather-related disruptions;
•
the timing of governmental stimulus programs and academic research budgets;
•
the time it takes between the date customer orders and deposits are received, systems are shipped and accepted by our customers and full payment is received;
•
foreign currency exchange rates;
39
•
the worldwide shortage of semiconductor chips, components and raw materials, such as copper;
•
changes in raw material, component and logistics costs;
•
the time it takes for us to receive critical materials to manufacture our products;
•
the time it takes to satisfy local customs requirements and other export/import requirements;
•
the time it takes for customers to construct or prepare their facilities for our products;
•
the time required to obtain governmental licenses;
•
our ability to identify suitable acquisition targets and successfully integrate and manage acquired business; and
•
costs related to acquisitions of technology or businesses.
Several of these factors have in the past affected and may continue to affect the amount and timing of revenue recognized on sales of our products and receipt of related payments and will likely continue to do so in the future. Accordingly, our operating results in any particular quarter may not necessarily be an indication of any future quarter’s operating performance.
OVERVIEW
We are a developer, manufacturer and distributor of high-performance scientific instruments and analytical and diagnostic solutions that enable our customers to explore life and materials at microscopic, molecular and cellular levels. Our corporate headquarters are located in Billerica, Massachusetts. We maintain major research and development and manufacturing centers in Europe, Asia and North America and we have commercial offices located throughout the world. Bruker is organized into four reportable segments: the Bruker Scientific Instruments (BSI) BioSpin Segment, the BSI CALID Segment, the BSI NANO Segment and the Bruker Energy & Supercon Technologies (BEST) Segment.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, Bruker made several acquisitions including ELITechGroup, NanoString and Chemspeed. These acquisitions enable Bruker to extend our capabilities in molecular diagnostics (ELITechGroup), life science analytical instruments (NanoString) and to provide new capabilities in lab automation (Chemspeed). Refer to Note 4, Acquisitions in the consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Results
The following table presents a summary of our consolidated results as of the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (dollars in millions):
Year ended December 31,
GAAP Financial Measures:
Revenue Growth Rate 13.6 % 17.1 %
Gross Profit Margin 49.0 % 51.0 %
Operating Income Margin 7.5 % 14.7 %
Net cash provided by operating activities 251.3 350.1
Non-GAAP Financial Measures (see 'Non-GAAP Measures' below):
Non-GAAP Constant-exchange rate (CER) currency revenue 3,379.5 2,953.3
Non-GAAP Constant-exchange rate (CER) currency revenue growth rate 14.0 % 16.7 %
Non-GAAP Gross Profit Margin 51.6 % 52.2 %
Non-GAAP Operating Income Margin 15.4 % 18.4 %
Discussion of GAAP financial measures follows in the Results of Operations paragraphs.
40
Non-GAAP Measures
Uses and definitions:
Although our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, we believe that describing revenue excluding the effects of foreign currency, and expenses excluding costs related to restructuring actions, acquisition and related integration expenses, amortization of acquired intangible assets, costs associated with our global information technology transition initiatives, and other costs (“non-GAAP adjustments”), provides meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance. We rely internally on certain measures that are not calculated according to GAAP. These measures include constant exchange rate (“CER”) currency revenue growth, non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross profit margin, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP operating margin, and free cash flow.
Our management believes that these financial measures provide relevant and useful information that is widely used by equity analysts, investors and competitors in our industry, as well as by our management, in assessing both consolidated and business unit performance and are useful measures to evaluate our continuing business. Additionally, management believes free cash flow is a useful measure to evaluate our business as it indicates the amount of cash generated after additions to property, plant, and equipment which is available for, among other things, investments in our business, acquisitions, share repurchases, dividends and repayment of debt.
We regularly use these non-GAAP financial measures internally to understand, manage, and evaluate our business results and make operating decisions. We also measure our employees and compensate them, in part, based on such non-GAAP measures and use this information for our planning and forecasting activities. These measures may also be useful to investors in evaluating the underlying operating performance of our business. The presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures is not intended to be a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP, and it may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, and therefore, may not be comparable among companies.
We define our non-GAAP financial measures as follows:
•
CER currency revenue growth as GAAP revenue excluding the effect of changes in foreign currency translation rates.
•
Non-GAAP gross profit as GAAP gross profit excluding non-GAAP adjustments.
•
Non-GAAP gross profit margin as GAAP gross profit margin excluding the impact of non-GAAP adjustments.
•
Non-GAAP operating income as GAAP operating income excluding non-GAAP adjustments.
•
Non-GAAP operating income margin as GAAP operating income margin excluding the impact of non-GAAP adjustments.
•
Free cash flow as GAAP net cash provided by operating activities less additions to property, plant, and equipment.
Reconciliations of GAAP to Non-GAAP financial measures:
The amounts listed below are in millions of dollars. Where relevant, we have also included the associated percentage margins.
GAAP revenue to non-GAAP CER currency revenue:
Year ended December 31,
Effect of changes in foreign currency translation rates 13.1 (11.2 )
GAAP Revenue growth rate 13.6 % 17.1 %
Non-GAAP CER currency revenue growth rate 14.0 % 16.7 %
The decrease in non-GAAP CER revenue growth was driven primarily by lower growth in our academic, government, and industrial markets against difficult high growth comparables in 2023. China was also a significant contributor to our slower growth in 2024 compared to the prior year. These markets were offset by revenue from acquisitions and organic growth.
41
GAAP Gross Profit to non-GAAP Gross Profit:
Year Ended December 31,
Non-GAAP adjustments:
Acquisition-related costs 22.0 0.7 % 2.5 0.1 %
Purchased intangible amortization 47.8 1.4 % 24.3 0.9 %
The decrease in non-GAAP gross margin was primarily due to the mix impact of our 2024 acquisitions combined with a modest headwind from foreign currency.
GAAP Operating income to non-GAAP Operating income:
Year Ended December 31,
Non-GAAP adjustments:
Purchased intangible amortization 99.1 2.9 % 47.1 1.6 %
Acquisition-related litigation charges 46.0 1.4 % — 0.0 %
The decrease in our non-GAAP operating margins in 2024 was primarily due to lower margin mix and increased costs related to 2024 acquisitions.
GAAP Net operating cash flow to non-GAAP Free cash flow:
Year EndedDecember 31,
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 251.3 $ 350.1
Less: purchases of property, plant and equipment (115.3 ) (106.9 )
For the year ended December 31, 2024, our free cash flow was $107.2 million lower than the same period in 2023, primarily due to lower net income and significant acquisition-related expenses.
42
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
A discussion regarding our results of operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 compared to 2022 can be found under Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024, which is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and our Investor Relations website at https://.ir.bruker.com under the “Financial Info” section.
Year Ended December 31, 2024, Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Consolidated Results
The following table presents our results for the periods presented (dollars in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
Operating expenses:
Interest and other income (expense), net (38.2 ) (36.8 ) (1.4 ) 3.8 %
Revenue
The following table presents revenue, change in revenue, and revenue growth by reportable segment for the periods presented (dollars in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
(a)
Represents product and service revenue between reportable segments.
43
Revenue increases were driven by strong demand for our differentiated instruments and solutions and revenue growth from acquisitions. The BSI BioSpin Segment revenue increase was primarily due to demand for our instruments across academia, government and biopharma markets. The BSI BioSpin Segment also saw increased revenue from the Chemspeed acquisition. We had revenue from four gigahertz-class NMR systems each in fiscal 2024 and fiscal 2023. The BSI CALID Segment revenue increase reflected strong demand for our differentiated instruments, primarily, in our Microbiology & Infection Diagnostics, driven by the MALDI BioTyper and the ELITechGroup molecular diagnostics business, which was acquired in 2024, as well as our Optics IR/NIR/Raman businesses. This was partially offset by softness in academia and government markets as well as our China market. The BSI NANO Segment revenue increase was driven by strong demand in its semiconductor metrology market as well as revenue increases from the NanoString and Bruker Cellular acquisitions offset by soft demand from biopharma. BEST revenue increased slightly by growth in accelerator and fusion technologies at our Research Instruments (“RI”) business which is gaining traction in extreme ultraviolet lithography technologies for next-gen semiconductors, and was mostly offset by softness in clinical MRI superconductors.
For more detail on our revenue by geography, see “Foreign Currency Risk”in Item 7A Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk on page 49 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Gross Profit
The following table presents gross profit and gross profit margins by reportable segment for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 (dollars in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
The increase in gross profit was a result of pricing and volume leverage, marginally offset by net unfavorable impact of foreign exchange rate movements compared to 2023. The decrease in gross profit margin was primarily due to mix impact of our 2024 acquisitions combined, and unfavorable foreign exchange rate movements.
Selling, General and Administrative
Our selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024, increased to 26.6% of total revenue from 24.6% of total revenue for the comparable period in 2023. The year over year increase as a percentage of revenue was a result of increased mix of sales and marketing costs from 2024 acquisitions, increased spending related to additional headcount and personnel expenses, as well as increased consulting and professional fees related to acquisitions, tax, audit and audit-related fees.
Research and Development
Our research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024, increased to 11.2% of total revenue from 9.9% of total revenue for the comparable period in 2023. The increase as a percentage of revenue is a result of our increased investment in research and development capabilities, and the mix of research and developments costs from 2024 acquisitions. Investments are primarily related to additional headcount and personnel expenses as well as increased consulting and professional fees related to research and development activities.
Other Charges, Net
Other charges, net for the year ended December 31, 2024, increased to $126.1 million compared to $52.2 million for the comparable period in 2023. The year over year increase was primarily due to $44.9 million of acquisition-related litigation charges primarily related to the acquisitions of BCA and NanoString as well as an increase of $38.1 million in acquisition-related expenses due to costs from 2024 acquisitions. Please refer to Note 11, Other Charges, net for more details on our other charges, net costs.
44
Operating Income
The following table presents operating income and operating margins on revenue by reportable segment for the periods presented (dollars in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
Corporate, eliminations and other (a) (121.9 ) (109.7 )
(a)
Represents corporate costs and eliminations not allocated to the reportable segments.
The decrease in operating income and operating income margin was primarily due to unfavorable margin mix and increased costs related to 2024 acquisitions, and unfavorable foreign exchange rate movements.
Bargain purchase gain and associated measurement period adjustments
In 2023, the Company recorded a gain of $144.1 million, in connection with the PhenomeX acquisition, which closed on October 2, 2023. This bargain purchase gain reflected the excess of identifiable net assets acquired, including deferred tax assets related to acquired tax NOLs, over the purchase consideration paid.
In 2024, following the finalization of a review of income tax positions related to change in ownership limitations assessments on NOL/R&D credits at the end of the business combination measurement period in connection with the PhenomeX acquisition, the Company recorded a charge of $8.0 million
Interest and Other Income (Expense), Net
The increase in interest and other income (expense), net during the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the same period in 2023 was primarily due to higher interest expense of $47.9 million due to increased borrowings, and impairment of certain minority investments of $24.6 million, offset by higher foreign currency exchange gains of 23.7 million driven by strengthening of the U.S. dollar against other currencies.
Income Tax Provision
The effective tax rates for years ended 2024 and 2023, were 44.2% and 21.6%, respectively. The increase in the Company's effective tax rate was primarily due to changes in jurisdictional mix, an increase in tax reserves, and unfavorable return to provision adjustments.
Net Income Attributable to Bruker Corporation
The decrease in net income and earnings per diluted share was primarily driven by lower gross and operating margins, higher tax rate, as well as the bargain purchase gain recognized in 2023 in connection with the PhenomeX acquisition.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash flows
We anticipate that our existing cash and credit facilities will be sufficient to support our operating and investing needs for at least the next twelve months. Our future cash requirements could be affected by acquisitions that we may complete, purchases of our common stock or the payment of dividends in the future. Historically, we have financed our growth and liquidity needs through cash flow generation from operations and a combination of debt financings and issuances of common stock. In the future, there are no assurances that we will continue to generate cash flow from operations or that additional financing alternatives will be available to us, if required, or, if available, will be obtained on terms favorable to us.
45
Effective in the quarter ended June 30, 2024, the Company entered into a multi-currency notional cash pooling agreement with a financial institution to manage cash flow more efficiently and optimize liquidity. Refer to Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting policies for more information on our notional cash pooling agreement.
Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2024, and 2023 totaled $183.4 million and $488.3 million, respectively, of which $419.3 million and $398.4 million, respectively, related to cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments is held outside of the United States in our foreign subsidiaries, most significantly in the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Hong Kong. These balances include positive positions under our cash pooling arrangements.
The following table presents our cash flows from operating activities, investing activities and financing activities for the periods presented (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 251.3 $ 350.1
Net cash used in investing activities (1,757.3 ) (326.0 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 1,229.8 (193.4 )
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ (304.9 ) $ (157.1 )
Net cash provided by operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2024, resulted primarily from consolidated net income adjusted for non-cash items of $329.5 million, partially offset by a change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions of $78.2 million. Net Cash provided by operating activities during the year ended December 31, 2023, resulted from consolidated net income adjusted for non-cash items of $437.9 million, including the non-cash bargain purchase gain from the acquisition of PhenomeX, partially offset by a change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and divestitures of $87.8 million.
The decrease in consolidated net income adjusted for non-cash items was primarily due to lower income as result of unfavorable margin mix and increased costs related to 2024 acquisitions. The decrease in the change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions was due to higher inventory balances to handle supply chain challenges, higher accounts receivable and lower deferred revenue and customer advances, partially offset by increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses
Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2024, resulted primarily from the acquisitions of $1,599.6 million, purchases of property, plant and equipment of $115.3 million, and cash paid for minority investments of $48.3 million. Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2023, resulted primarily from acquisitions of $226.6 million, purchases of property, plant and equipment of $106.9 million, and cash paid for minority investments of $24.8 million, partially offset by net proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment of $11.1 million.
We currently expect capital expenditures in 2025 to be approximately $100.0 million.
Net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2024, was primarily from proceeds from long-term debt of $973.7 million (refer to Note 21, Debt), proceeds from our public offering of common stock of $403.0 million (refer to Note 27, Shareholders’ Equity), and net proceeds from our revolving line of credit of $37.6 million (refer to Note 21, Debt). These inflows were primarily offset by the repayment of our 2012 Note Purchase Agreement of $100.0 million and the payment of dividends to common shareholders of $30.2 million. The increase in equity financing and the net increase in debt financing was primarily due to acquisition activity. Net cash used in financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2023, was primarily attributable to cash payments made for shares of common stock under our repurchase program of $152.3 million, and $29.4 million for the payment of dividends.
Share Repurchase Program
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we did not purchase any shares under the 2023 Repurchase Program. Please refer to Note 27, Shareholder's Equity, in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on our share repurchase program. Subsequent to December 31, 2024 and prior to the date of filing this annual report on From 10K, the Company purchased 200,731 shares at an aggregate cost of $10 million.
Public Offering
In May 2024, we completed an underwritten public offering. Please refer to Note 27, Shareholder's Equity, in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on this public offering.
46
Income Taxes
At December 31, 2024 and in accordance with the U.S. tax laws we recorded state and foreign withholding taxes, as well as subsequent foreign currency translations on these withholding taxes as they are an obligation of the parent company, on the cash and liquid assets portion of the unremitted earnings and profits (E&P) of foreign subsidiaries expected to be repatriated from our foreign subsidiaries to the United States. We continue to be indefinitely reinvested in the amount of $1.8 billion of non-cash E&P that is subject to the 2017 Tax Act deemed repatriation. If this E&P is ultimately distributed to the United States in the form of dividends or otherwise, we would likely be subject to additional withholding tax. We will continue to evaluate our assertions on the cumulative historical outside basis differences in our foreign subsidiaries as of December 31, 2024. The amount of unrecognized deferred withholding taxes on the undistributed E&P was $104.2 million at December 31, 2024.
As of December 31, 2024, the Company has approximately $593.5 million of U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards, of which $33.8 million begin to expire at various dates beginning in 2033 and the remainder $559.7 million will be carried forward indefinitely. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) enacted on December 22, 2017, limits a taxpayer’s ability to utilize NOL deduction in a year to 80% taxable income for federal NOL arising in tax years beginning after 2017. The Company has approximately $184.6 million of state net operating loss carryforwards available to reduce state taxable income that are expected to expire at various times beginning in 2024 to the extent that they cannot be utilized. The Company also has approximately $107.3 million of German Trade Tax and Corporate Income Tax net operating losses that are carried forward indefinitely.
In December 2021, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) introduced its Pillar Two Framework Model Rules (“Pillar 2”) and provided guidance for a global minimum tax. Certain aspects of Pillar 2 took effect on January 1, 2024, while other aspects go into effect on January 1, 2025. The Company has evaluated the potential impact of Pillar 2 on its business and as a result, the Company has recorded a tax provision of $1.3 million for the period ended December 31, 2024. The Company continues to monitor the countries in which it operates as they enact legislation implementing Pillar 2.
Refer to Note 14, Income taxes for additional details of our loss carryforwards.
Debt and Credit Facilities
We have a total outstanding debt of $2.1 billion as of December 31, 2024, and a revolving credit facility that provides for up to $900.0 million of additional liquidity to finance working capital needs, refinance or reduce existing indebtedness, and for general corporate use of which $872.2 million is undrawn. In addition, the facility provides for an uncommitted incremental facility whereby, under certain circumstances, we may, at our option, increase the amount of the revolving facility or incur term loans in an aggregate amount not to exceed $400 million. As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with all covenants of our debt agreements.
Refer to Note 21, Debt in this annual report for additional information on our outstanding debt and credit facility as well as a summary of the fair and carrying values of our outstanding debt as of December 31, 2024.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP, and are disclosed in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policiesin the notes the consolidated financial statements. U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
We consider our accounting estimates to be critical to the consolidated financial statements if (i) the estimate requires significant judgment or is complex in nature and (ii) if different estimates and assumptions were used, the results could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We evaluate our estimates and the application of our policies on an ongoing basis.
We base our estimates and judgments on our historical experience, current market and economic conditions, industry trends, and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known.
47
We believe the following critical accounting policies and estimates to be both those most important to the portrayal of our financial position and results of operations and those that require the most estimation and subjective judgment. The full accounting policies are disclosed in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policiesin the notes the consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition:
We recognize revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The standard results in significant management judgment and estimates as a result of inherent uncertainties in the following areas:
Multiple Performance Obligations: Many of our contracts include multiple performance obligations, such as systems, installation, accessories, parts, and services. Allocating the transaction price to these obligations requires us to estimate the standalone selling price for each distinct good or service. While we primarily rely on observable prices from standalone sales, in cases where such evidence is unavailable, we use an expected cost-plus-margin approach, and this estimate requires judgments and is subject to potential variability if our assumptions about cost or margin change.
Timing of Revenue Recognition:We recognize revenue when control transfers to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive. For most of our performance obligations, this occurs at a point in time, such as upon shipment or customer acceptance. However, for certain customized systems or services, revenue is recognized over time based on progress toward completion, typically measured using a cost-to-cost method based on cost incurred to date relative to total estimated costs. This method requires us to make reasonable estimates of total contract costs and assess progress. Revisions to cost estimates could significantly affect the timing and amount of revenue recognized, particularly for complex, long-term arrangements. Losses are recorded immediately when we estimate that contracts will ultimately result in a loss.
For systems with customer-specific acceptance criteria, management evaluates whether the customer assessment criteria have been satisfied, which may involve judgment in determining whether successful factory acceptance testing or customer sign-off has been achieved. Changes in customer requirements or delays in acceptance can impact the timing of revenue recognition.
Collectability assessment: Differing assessments of the probability of collection could impact the amount and timing of revenue recognition. However, based on our customer profile combined with an established practice of requiring advances for certain larger product sales, we have not historically experienced significant adjustments to revenue.
Income taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and their respective tax bases, measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply when these differences reverse. The realizability of deferred tax assets is evaluated based on historical taxable income, current tax liabilities, and projected future taxable income, with the latter involving inherent uncertainty. A valuation allowance is established if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Changes in estimates or assumptions regarding taxable income may require adjustments to the valuation allowance, which could materially impact our financial position and results of operations.
Liabilities for uncertain tax positions are recorded based on a minimum recognition threshold, requiring significant judgment to determine if it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained.
Business Combinations
We account for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. Accordingly, at the date of each acquisition, we measure the fair value of all identifiable assets acquired (including intangible assets), liabilities assumed and any remaining noncontrolling interests and allocate the amounts paid to all items measured. Any excess of fair value of acquired net assets, including identifiable intangible assets over the acquisition consideration, results in a bargain purchase gain.
The determination of the fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities is based on valuations that reflect management’s best estimates of inputs and assumptions, consistent with those a market participant would utilize. These valuations rely significantly on estimated future cash flows, which are critical inputs in the valuation models. The preparation of these estimates involves substantial judgment and incorporates information from multiple sources, including historical data of the acquired entity, insights obtained through due diligence, and industry publications available to us and all of which are subject to their own inherent limitations when estimating future outcomes.
Impairment
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets arising from our acquisitions, are not amortized, but are evaluated for impairment on an annual basis, or on an interim basis when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may
48
not be recoverable. We typically identify other amortizing intangible assets as part of the acquisition accounting, and the amount and amortization period are determined at the time of the acquisition. In assessing the recoverability of goodwill and other indefinite-lived or amortizing intangible assets, we must make assumptions regarding the estimated future cash flows, including forecasted revenue growth and the discount rate to determine the fair value of these assets. If these estimates or their related assumptions adversely change after the acquisition date, we may be required to record impairment charges against these assets in the reporting period in which the impairment is determined. Refer to Note 6, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, for more information on goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment assessment for current year acquisitions.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Information regarding recently issued accounting pronouncements may be found in Note 3, Recent Accounting Pronouncements to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 7A QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are potentially exposed to market risks associated with changes in foreign currency translation rates, interest rates and commodity prices. See also Note 23, Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities for more information on these risks. We selectively use financial instruments to reduce these risks. All transactions related to risk management techniques are authorized and executed pursuant to our policies and procedures. Analytical techniques used to manage and monitor foreign currency translation and interest rate risk include market valuations and sensitivity analysis.
We have estimated our market risk exposure using sensitivity analysis. To test the sensitivity of our market risk exposure, we have estimated the changes in fair value of market risk sensitive instruments assuming a hypothetical 10 percent adverse change in market prices or rates. The results of the sensitivity analyses are summarized below.
Foreign Currency Risk
We generate a substantial portion of our revenues in international markets, principally Germany and other countries in the European Union, Switzerland and Japan, which exposes our operations to the risk of exchange rate fluctuations. The impact of currency exchange rate movement can be positive or negative in any period. Our costs related to sales in foreign currencies are largely denominated in the same respective currencies, reducing our transaction risk exposure. However, for foreign currency denominated sales in certain regions, such as Japan, where we do not incur significant costs denominated in Japanese Yen, we are more exposed to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.
For sales not denominated in U.S. Dollars, if there is an increase in the rate at which a foreign currency is exchanged for U.S. Dollars, it will require more of the foreign currency to equal a specified amount of U.S. Dollars than before the rate increase. In such cases, if we price our products in the foreign currency, we will receive less in U.S. Dollars than we would have received before the rate increase went into effect. If we price our products in U.S. Dollars and competitors price their products in local currency, an increase in the relative strength of the U.S. Dollar could result in our prices not being competitive in a market where business is transacted in the local currency. For example, if the U.S. Dollar strengthened against the Japanese Yen, our Japanese-based competitors would have a greater pricing advantage over us.
Our revenue by geography was as follows for the periods presented (dollars in millions):
Year Ended December 31,
Revenue Percentage ofRevenue Revenue Percentage ofRevenue
Changes in foreign currency exchange rates decreased our revenue by approximately 0.4% during the year ended December 31, 2024, and increased our revenue by approximately 0.4% during the year ended December 31, 2023.
49
Assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries, where the functional currency is the local currency, are translated into U.S. Dollars using period-end exchange rates. Revenues and expenses of foreign subsidiaries are translated at the average exchange rates in effect during the year. Adjustments resulting from financial statement translations are included as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. We recorded a net loss of $79.6 million and a net gain of $76.2 million, during the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively, from currency translation adjustments. A 10% depreciation in functional currencies, relative to the U.S. Dollar, at December 31, 2024, would have resulted in a reduction of shareholders’ equity of approximately $763.2 million. As of December 31, 2024, we have several cross-currency and interest rate swap agreements with a notional value of $131.6 million of U.S. Dollar to Swiss Franc and a notional value of $131.6 million of U.S. Dollar to Euro to hedge the variability in the movement of foreign currency exchange rates on portions of our Euro and Swiss Franc denominated net asset investments. Under the U.S. GAAP hedge accounting guidance, changes in fair value of the derivative that relates to changes in the foreign currency spot rate are recorded in the currency translation adjustment in comprehensive income (loss) and remain in accumulated comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity until the sale or substantial liquidation of the foreign operation. The before tax gains and losses related to hedges of net asset investments in international operations that were recorded within the cumulative translation adjustment section of other comprehensive income were loss of $89.1 for the year ended December 31, 2024, and gains of $100.9 million, and $58.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022 respectively. The difference between the interest rate received and paid under the cross-currency swap derivative agreement is recorded in interest income in the statement of income.
Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are reported in interest and other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. Our foreign currency transaction gain (loss), net were net gains of $23.7 million and net losses of $13.3 million for years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
From time to time, we have entered into forward currency contracts designed to minimize the volatility that fluctuations in foreign currency have on our cash flows related to purchases and sales denominated in foreign currencies. Under these arrangements, we agree to purchase a fixed amount of a foreign currency in exchange for a fixed amount of U.S. Dollars or other currencies on specified dates typically with maturities of less than twelve months with some agreements extending to longer periods. These transactions are recorded at fair value with the corresponding gains and losses recorded in interest and other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. The impact of currency exchange rate movement can be positive or negative in any period. We will continue to evaluate our currency risks, and in the future, may utilize foreign currency contracts more frequently.
Interest Rate Risk
We regularly invest excess cash in short-term investments that are subject to changes in interest rates. We believe that the market risk arising from holding these financial instruments is minimal because of our policy of investing in money market funds and short-term financial instruments issued by highly rated financial institutions.
Our exposure related to adverse movements in interest rates is derived primarily from outstanding floating rate debt instruments that are indexed to short-term market rates. We currently have a higher level of fixed rate debt than variable rate debt, which limits the exposure to adverse movements in interest rates.
Commodity Price Risk
We are exposed to certain commodity risks associated with prices for various raw materials. The prices of copper and certain other raw materials, particularly niobium-tin, used to manufacture superconductors have increased significantly over the last decade. Copper and niobium-tin are the main components of low temperature superconductors and continued commodity price increases for copper and niobium, as well as other raw materials, may negatively affect our profitability. Periodically, we enter into commodity forward purchase contracts to minimize the volatility that fluctuations in the price of copper have on our sales of these products. At December 31, 2024, and 2023, the fair value of the fixed price commodity contracts was de minimis. As commodity contracts settle, gains (losses) as a result of changes in fair values are adjusted to the contracts with the customers through revenues. We will continue to evaluate our commodity risks and may utilize commodity forward purchase contracts more frequently in the future.
Inflation Risk
We are subject to inflationary cost pressures across global operating supply networks. Certain components, parts, or materials are experiencing significant cost pressures that have impacted or may impact our cost of operations in future periods. Further, inflation has increased our selling, general and administrative expenses and may vary between countries in which we operate. We continue to evaluate these cost increases in relation to our new orders and may continue to see a negative impact on our financial results for a period of time.
50
ITEM 8 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Index of Consolidated Financial Statements
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 238) 52
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2024, and 2023 55
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 60
51
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Bruker Corporation
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Bruker Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the related consolidated statements of income, of comprehensive income, of redeemable noncontrolling interests and shareholders’ equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
As described in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management has excluded Chemspeed Technologies AG, Dynamic Biosensors GmbH, ELITechGroup, Nanophoton Corporation, NanoString Technologies, Nion LLC, Phasefocus Holdings Limited, Spectral Instruments Imaging LLC, and Tornado Spectral Systems Inc., from its assessment of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024 because they were acquired by the Company in purchase business combinations during 2024. We have also excluded Chemspeed Technologies AG, Dynamic Biosensors GmbH, ELITechGroup, Nanophoton Corporation, NanoString Technologies, Nion LLC, Phasefocus Holdings Limited, Spectral Instruments Imaging LLC, and Tornado Spectral Systems Inc. from our audit of internal control over financial reporting. The total assets and total revenues of these acquired entities excluded from management’s assessment and our audit of internal control over financial reporting collectively represent approximately 7% and 7%, respectively, of the related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally
52