UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
| ☒ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||||
For the fiscal year ended January 28, 2024
OR
| ☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | ||||
For transition period from to
Commission File Number 001-40650
Core & Main, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 86-3149194 | |||||||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) | |||||||
1830 Craig Park Court
St. Louis, Missouri 63146
(314) 432-4700
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered | ||||||||||||
| Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share | CNM | The New York Stock Exchange | ||||||||||||
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit such files). Yes No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | ||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | ||||||||
| Emerging growth company | ☐ | ||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C.7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.1D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act): Yes ☐ No ☒
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter: $2,989 million.
As of March 15, 2024, there were 192,151,694 shares of the registrant’s Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 9,219,339 shares of the registrant’s Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement for the registrant’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders have been incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Table of Contents
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, all statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including statements relating to our intentions, beliefs, assumptions or current expectations concerning, among other things, our future results of operations and financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, including, among others, statements regarding expected growth, future capital expenditures, capital allocation and debt service obligations, and the anticipated impact on our business.
Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “shall,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “seeks,” “aims,” “projects,” “is optimistic,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or the negative versions of these words or other comparable terms.
Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be outside our control. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes and that actual performance and outcomes, including, without limitation, our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the market in which we operate, may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition, even if our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, and the development of the market in which we operate, are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods. A number of important factors, including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties discussed under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and other factors discussed in our filings with the United States (“U.S.”) Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Furthermore, new risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
You should read this Annual Report on Form 10-K completely and with the understanding that actual future results may be materially different from expectations. All forward-looking statements made in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are qualified by these cautionary statements. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and we do not undertake any obligation, other than as may be required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking or cautionary statements to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of events, unanticipated or otherwise, and changes in future operating results over time or otherwise.
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PART I
Item 1. Business
Our Company
Core & Main, Inc. (“Core & Main” and collectively with its subsidiaries, the “Company,” “we,” “our” or “us”) is a holding company and its primary material assets are its direct and indirect ownership interest in Core & Main Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Holdings”) and deferred tax assets associated with this ownership. Core & Main is a leader in advancing reliable infrastructure with local service, nationwide. As a leading specialty distributor with a focus on water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products, and related services, we provide solutions to municipalities, private water companies and professional contractors across municipal, non-residential and residential end markets, nationwide. Our products and services are used primarily in the maintenance, repair, replacement and new construction of water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection infrastructure. We are one of only two national distributors operating across large and highly fragmented markets, which we estimate to represent approximately $39 billion in annual sales.
As of January 28, 2024, we had a network of approximately 335 branch locations in 48 states across the U.S., which serve as a critical link between approximately 5,000 suppliers and a diverse and long-standing base of over 60,000 customers. Our sales reach, technical product knowledge, broad product portfolio, customer service, project planning and delivery capabilities, and ability to provide local expertise, nationwide, make us a critical partner to both our customers and suppliers.
We offer a comprehensive portfolio of more than 200,000 stock keeping units (“SKUs”) covering a full spectrum of specialized products and services, including pipes, valves & fittings, storm drainage products, fire protection products and fabrication services, and smart metering products and technology. Our products are generally unique to our industry and must meet local municipal, state and federal specifications and engineering standards.
We have a balanced mix of sales across product categories, end markets and construction sectors. We derived approximately 42% of our net sales for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2024 (“fiscal 2023”) from the municipal construction sector, 38% from the non-residential construction sector and 20% from the residential construction sector. Furthermore, we estimate that we had a near-equal mix of sales related to construction on new projects and existing repair and replace projects in fiscal 2023.
The Company and our people are committed to advancing reliable infrastructure with local service, nationwide. Our mission is to serve as an industry leader, supplying local expertise, products and services to build innovative water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection infrastructure solutions for the communities we serve. We support our customers and our communities in their efforts to find both short- and long-term solutions to conserve water. We embrace our responsibility in contributing to the evolution of our industry over the long term, providing innovative solutions and giving visibility to the critical importance of reliable water infrastructure systems.
Our History
Our first legacy distribution company dates back to 1874, and over the years, the Company has grown organically and through a series of mergers and acquisitions. In 2005, The Home Depot acquired National Waterworks Holdings and subsequently merged it with Hughes Supply Inc. to establish one of the leading waterworks distributors in the U.S. Under The Home Depot’s ownership, we became HD Supply Waterworks and completed several small acquisitions to further expand our geographic footprint. In 2007, a group of private equity investors acquired HD Supply from The Home Depot and subsequently executed an initial public offering in 2013. In August 2017, HD Supply Waterworks was acquired by Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC (“CD&R”) from HD Supply and was subsequently rebranded as Core & Main. On July 27, 2021, we completed our initial public offering of Class A common stock (the “IPO”). Since the IPO, we completed a series of secondary public offerings of shares of Class A common stock on behalf of the CD&R Investors (as defined below under Item 1A. “Risk Factors”), and as of January 25, 2024, the CD&R Investors no longer held any shares of our Class A common stock or our Class B common stock.
Our End Markets
We have diversified end market exposure across three primary construction sectors: (i) municipal; (ii) non-residential; and (iii) residential.
Based on management’s estimates, we believe that our addressable market in the U.S. for the distribution of water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products, and related services, represented approximately $39 billion in sales in fiscal 2023. Growth in our industry is driven by a broad array of factors, including municipal water infrastructure spending, water and wastewater utility rates, interest rates, commercial construction, housing starts, population growth and other demographic trends.
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Municipal
We estimate that approximately 42% of our net sales in fiscal 2023 were to contractors and municipalities for municipal funded projects, including the repair, replacement, upgrade and new construction of water and wastewater supply, filtration, storage and distribution systems. Municipalities establish local product specifications based on regulatory requirements and engineering standards. Given our extensive geographic footprint and technical knowledge of products and local municipal specifications, we believe we are well-equipped to anticipate and serve the needs of both local municipalities and large private underground utility contractors who require a national reach and an extensive product offering.
Municipal demand has exhibited steady growth over the long term due to the critical need to replace aged water infrastructure. However, due to limited available funding over the last decade, the pace of investment has significantly lagged the need for investment to upgrade water systems throughout the U.S., which has resulted in significant underinvestment in water supply, water safety and wastewater management. In November 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (“IIJA”) was signed into U.S. law, which included an allocation of $55 billion to invest in water infrastructure across the U.S. In the coming years, we expect increased federal infrastructure investment to have a core focus on the upgrade, repair and replacement of municipal water infrastructure systems, and to address demographic shifts and serve the growing population. We believe these dynamics, coupled with expanding municipal budgets, create the backdrop for a favorable funding environment and accelerated investment in projects that will benefit our business.
Non-Residential
We estimate that approximately 38% of our net sales in fiscal 2023 were directly related to clean water and wastewater infrastructure, storm drainage and fire protection systems supporting U.S. non-residential construction activity, including commercial, industrial, institutional, warehousing, multi-family and highway and street projects. Our products are often installed while breaking ground on new lot development during the initial construction phase, though some products, like storm drainage products, are used during both new construction and repair and replace activities. Our fire protection products are typically installed at later stages of construction projects compared to most of our other products and exhibit less seasonal patterns since they are generally installed indoors and are therefore less impacted by weather conditions.
Demand across the U.S. non-residential construction market has historically lagged residential construction activity as commercial development is necessary to support new housing development. Over the long term, we expect non-residential construction activity to increase as suburban communities expand and demand increases for our clean water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products. Furthermore, the IIJA provides funding to protect against droughts, floods, heat and wildfires, funding to repair roads and bridges, and funding to create more modern and resilient airport infrastructure, which could provide benefits for non-residential construction activity over the next several years.
Residential
We estimate that approximately 20% of our net sales in fiscal 2023 were directly related to clean water and wastewater infrastructure projects to supply and service residential construction activity. Residential spending in our industry is driven by new land and lot development for single-family housing. Over the long-term, U.S. residential construction activity is expected to grow as a result of population growth, low housing inventory and demographic population shifts. The current under-build of housing in the U.S. compared with household formations implies significant pent-up demand and continued growth going forward.
Our Strategies
We intend to capitalize on our competitive strengths to deliver profitable growth and create shareholder value through the following core strategies:
Replicate Successful Expansion in Underpenetrated Geographies
We have demonstrated an ability to successfully expand in underpenetrated geographies. We intend to continue pursuing opportunities to strengthen our presence in metropolitan statistical areas (“MSAs”) where we have an established footprint as well as in certain underserved markets. We believe we are well-positioned to do so through our market intelligence and ability to attract and develop sales talent. We also intend to continue selectively driving greenfield expansion, having opened nearly 20 new locations since 2017. We believe we can efficiently open new branches in attractive markets given our talent pool, scale advantages and learning curve advantages based on past successes in entering new geographies. We have identified approximately 165 MSAs where we believe we are underpenetrated and thus have opportunities to pursue greenfield expansion or offer more product lines and services.
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Increase Share with Strategic Accounts
Through our strategic accounts program, we partner with national contractors and large private water companies who typically pursue large-scale, complex projects that require greater technical expertise and specialized procurement needs. Sales through our strategic accounts program represented approximately 5% of our fiscal 2023 net sales. We believe we are well-positioned to grow our share with these customers due to our dedicated sales team, which includes engineers and other experts who can provide valuable insights on large, complex projects, including cases in which our customers are asked to design and build new water systems or wastewater treatment plants. Our partnerships with these customers extend throughout the entire project lifecycle, from the pre-bidding design phase to post-project support. We believe our strategic partnerships and national supplier relationships will continue to generate cross-selling opportunities and future business, while driving adoption within our distribution model.
Utilize National Platform to Accelerate New Product Adoption
We utilize our vast geographic footprint, customer relationships, local industry knowledge and training capabilities to introduce and accelerate the adoption of new products and technology in our industry. Examples include the advancement of smart metering, fusible high-density polyethylene (“fusible HDPE”) and treatment plant solutions for municipal customers, fabrication and kitting assemblies for fire protection contractors, and geosynthetics and erosion control products for residential and non-residential developers.
We have identified a number of underpenetrated product categories in large and attractive markets where we can grow and enhance our market share. Geosynthetics and erosion control is representative of these opportunities as it is a complementary product offering to existing customers in a large and fragmented market with significant growth opportunity. We believe that we can expand our presence in these underpenetrated product categories without investing significant capital or incurring substantial costs as a result of our existing branch network, favorable supplier relationships and low working capital requirements.
Opportunistically Pursue Strategic Acquisitions
We have a track record of acquiring and integrating businesses. We take a disciplined approach to sourcing, acquiring and integrating complementary businesses that help us expand into new geographies, acquire key talent or offer new products and services. In addition, we evaluate and pursue opportunistic acquisitions in industries adjacent to those we currently serve. We have a strong acquisition platform in place, which bolsters our ability to pursue attractive assets in the market. Our experienced mergers and acquisitions team actively develops a large pipeline of synergistic acquisition targets and coordinates with field leadership to identify, pursue and integrate new businesses. We have been able to generate margin improvement and synergistic value from businesses we acquire through favorable purchasing capabilities, fixed cost leverage, facility optimization, access to new products and working capital optimization.
We believe we are widely viewed as the acquirer of choice in our industry due to our respected reputation, our entrepreneurial culture, and our commitment to the development and well-being of our people. Our integration approach is to partner with the management of the acquired company to tailor the transition of the employees into our systems and processes.
Execute on Margin Enhancement Initiatives
We have improved our gross margin in part due to several initiatives, including private label product expansion, sourcing optimization, data-driven pricing strategies and an expansion of value-added products and services. We have complemented these initiatives with accretive acquisitions, which has resulted in sustainable margin expansion.
Our private label initiative was established and has accelerated through a series of mergers and acquisitions through which we gained access to a highly scalable assortment of private brands and products utilized throughout the water, wastewater and fire protection industries. We believe our global sourcing capabilities and strong international supplier relationships, as well as the potential for automated distribution and logistics, will continue to create competitive pricing advantages. We are expanding our direct sourcing and distribution capabilities in order to drive further margin expansion in the future.
The terms on which we purchase products from many of our suppliers entitle us to receive a rebate based on the amount of our purchases, a discount for timely payment or other favorable terms reflected in our historical results. Our national category management team actively manages our spending with suppliers in order to optimize pricing and supplier incentives to expand gross margins.
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Additionally, we have a specialized team dedicated to driving sustainable margin improvement through pricing analytics. An end-to-end review of our pricing strategies identified key margin enhancement opportunities, including continued optimization of system-wide pricing through information technology (“IT”) enhancements and data-driven customer and product analysis that enable us to identify price optimization opportunities and mitigate potential margin impacts from changes in product costs. We believe these gross margin initiatives, in addition to our ability to drive productivity and leverage our fixed costs, create a path to drive a sustainable margin over the long-term.
Invest in Attracting, Retaining and Developing World-Class Talent
We believe that our continued investment in the development and well-being of our people, together with our focus on our foundational core values of honesty and integrity, support our commitment to our associates and to customer service. Our award-winning training programs enable us to accelerate the development of our top talent to drive profitable growth while maintaining a supportive and mission-driven culture.
We intend to continue investing in our already strong talent base by attracting and developing associates. Our training and leadership curricula and expanded diversity and inclusion programs drive high associate engagement and a positive associate experience. In addition, we deliver attractive career growth opportunities to our associates while leveraging their knowledge and expertise.
Our Products & Services
Our comprehensive product portfolio consists of more than 200,000 SKUs from approximately 5,000 suppliers. Our offering consists of pipes, valves & fittings, storm drainage products, fire protection products and fabrication services, and smart metering products and technology. Our customers value our product breadth and geographic reach, as well as our technical product knowledge and consultation services. While pricing is important to our customers, availability, convenience, reliability and expertise are also important factors in their purchase decisions. In addition, our project management capabilities provide us with a competitive advantage over many competitors who offer a more limited selection of services.
Pipes, Valves & Fittings
Pipes, valves, hydrants and fittings are used in the distribution and flow control of water within water and wastewater transmission networks. Our pipe products, which typically range in diameter from 1/2” to 60”, include materials such as PVC, ductile iron, fusible HDPE, steel and copper. Our valves are used to control the flow of water within water transmission networks and are often specified to meet the needs of each project. Our hydrants provide a point-of-access for fire fighters to quickly tap into pressurized water systems, which vary based on local municipal specifications and regulations. Our fittings and restraints, made from a variety of materials depending on local municipal specifications and regulations, are used to connect pipe sections, valves and other devices to each other. This category also includes other complementary products and services used for the service, repair and replacement of underground water infrastructure.
Pipes, valves & fittings products accounted for approximately 67% of our net sales in fiscal 2023.
Storm Drainage
Our storm drainage products are used in the construction of stormwater management systems to retain, detain and divert stormwater runoff. Our storm drainage product offering includes corrugated HDPE and metal piping systems, retention basins, inline drains, manholes, grates, geosynthetics and erosion control products, and other related products. Our storm drainage product offering varies by market depending on local codes and engineering specifications.
Storm drainage products accounted for approximately 15% of our net sales in fiscal 2023.
Fire Protection
Our fire protection products are installed in commercial, institutional, industrial, warehouse and multi-family buildings, and they are used to extinguish and prevent the spread of fires. A typical fire protection product offering includes pipe, sprinkler heads and devices, and other accessories. We also offer customized fabrication and kitting services, providing a comprehensive solution for all fire protection product needs. Our fire protection products meet strict quality standards, and our offering varies by market based on local municipal specifications, regulations and fire codes.
Fire protection products accounted for approximately 10% of our net sales in fiscal 2023.
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Meters
Our smart meters are used for water volume measurement and regulation and include automated meter reading and advanced metering infrastructure technologies. We offer multi-stage smart metering solutions to our customers, including meter accessories, meter installation, network infrastructure and software installation, training and long-term service contracts to deliver cost efficiencies to our customers. Our smart meters and advanced metering technology provide labor savings benefits for our municipal customers and help reduce water loss through leak detection.
Meter products accounted for approximately 8% of our net sales in fiscal 2023.
Our Customers
We have a fragmented customer base that consists of over 60,000 customers. Our top 50 customers represented approximately 12% of our net sales in fiscal 2023, with our largest customer accounting for less than 1% of net sales.
Our customers choose us for our breadth of products and services, extensive industry knowledge, familiarity with local municipal specifications, convenient branch locations and project management capabilities. We utilize our deep supply chain relationships to provide customers with a “one-stop-shop” experience and customized support in their efforts to maintain and construct water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection systems. Our scale and geographic footprint allows us to obtain preferred access to products for our customers, even during periods of material shortages. We have the ability to serve both smaller, local customers and larger, national customers with relevant expertise and the right inventory on hand. Our local sales associates take a consultative sales approach, using knowledge of the local regulatory requirements and municipal specifications to provide customer-specific product and service solutions. We are deeply involved in our customers’ planning processes, and we have the ability to support our customers by converting engineered drawings into accurate and comprehensive material project plans. For specific smart metering, treatment plant, storm drainage, geosynthetics and erosion control, or fusible HDPE pipe solutions, our sales associates partner with a deep and dedicated team of over 350 national and regional product specialists to assist customers in project scoping and specialized product selection. Our technical knowledge and experience are complemented by our proprietary customer facing digital technology tools, which enable us to work closely and efficiently with our customers in material management, timely inventory purchasing, quoting and coordinated jobsite delivery. We believe our customer facing technology tools build customer loyalty and drive repeat business, and also create a competitive advantage over smaller competitors who may not have the scale or resources to provide similar technology or services.
Our Suppliers
We have strong relationships with our suppliers due to our long history in the industry, substantial purchasing scale, national footprint and ability to reach a fragmented customer base. Our national footprint and reach to local communities are essential to our suppliers, as we have a highly developed understanding of the local markets, customer base and growth opportunities. We believe we are one of the largest volume customers for many of our suppliers, leading to favorable purchasing arrangements regarding product availability, payment terms and pricing. Our scale also enables us to secure distribution rights that are either exclusive or given to a limited number of distributors in key product categories, and to provide key products to customers that are unavailable to our competitors. Our size and national reach, supplier relationships, and technical knowledge of products and local municipal specifications enable us to obtain preferred access to specialized products and preferred access to products during periods of material shortages, or when shorter-than-usual lead times are required for certain projects. This provides us with a competitive advantage versus smaller competitors, particularly for large and complex projects. Our largest single supplier represented approximately 8% of product expenditures in fiscal 2023, and our top ten suppliers represented approximately 45% of total product expenditures during the same period. We strategically conduct business with our top suppliers in order to optimize our purchasing advantages, but we also have the flexibility to source the majority of our products from a number of alternate suppliers when necessary.
Our Competition
The U.S. water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products distribution industry, and the end markets we serve, are highly fragmented. We face competition on a national level from only one other national distributor, but we are unique in our dedicated focus on water and fire protection infrastructure. The remainder of our market is served by hundreds of regional, local and specialty niche distributors, and through direct sales by suppliers to end users. We estimate that our net sales accounted for approximately 17% of our $39 billion addressable market in fiscal 2023.
The principal competitive factors in our industry include the breadth, availability, access and pricing of products and services, technical knowledge and project planning capabilities, local expertise, as well as delivery capability and reliability. We believe that we are a leader in the local markets that we serve, and our national reach gives us meaningful competitive advantages compared to our smaller competitors.
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Our Operating Structure
We strategically organize our branch network to meet the specific needs of our customers in each local market, and we support our branches with the resources of a large company, delivered through district and regional management, including company-wide sales, operations and back-office functions. We believe this allows each local branch manager to tailor his or her branch’s strategy, marketing and product and service offerings to address the specific needs of customers in each branch’s markets, while maintaining many of the benefits of our Company’s scale. Our branch associates have the opportunity to earn competitive compensation through our performance-based compensation plans, which are based on local performance.
We support our network of approximately 335 branches with the following company-wide resources: strategic account management, product specialists, category management, sourcing, supply chain, finance, tax, accounting, payroll, marketing and communications, human resources, legal, safety and information technology. Nearly all of our branches operate on an integrated technology platform, allowing us to utilize our combined capabilities for procurement, inventory management, financial support, data analytics and performance reporting.
Our branch operational structure is organized by region and then by district to optimize both the oversight and sharing of resources and products. Each region is led by a regional vice president who manages a multi-state territory. This regional structure enables us to address the specific management, strategic and operational needs of each region.
Our Distribution Network
Our branch-based business model is the core of our operations and the primary component of our distribution network. Our branches are strategically located near our customers and vary in size depending on local demand and customer needs. Our branches employ an average of 12 associates including branch management, sales representatives, warehouse staff and other support staff. In our larger branches, the staff may also include a sales manager, purchasing manager or estimator. Each branch sells approximately 4,500 SKUs on average, with many of them on hand as inventory and the rest available for delivery. Our branch managers have the autonomy to optimize their product and service offerings based on the local specifications, regulations and customer preferences within each local market.
Our branch network connects large suppliers with smaller volume customers whose consumption patterns tend to make them uneconomical to be served directly by our suppliers. Our branches receive products in both large and small quantities from our suppliers and stock products in warehouses and yards for purchase. Our specialized fleet of delivery equipment enables delivery of materials to our customers’ worksites in a timely and cost-efficient manner.
We also offer direct distribution options to our customers on a wide range of products. This value-added service includes logistics and sourcing for larger products and quantities between our suppliers and our customers, which we believe helps our customers with inventory management and delivery scheduling, particularly when working on large-scale projects with multiple phases and delivery schedules. Contractors work with our sales teams throughout all phases of the project life cycle, including estimating and material “take-off,” product sourcing and bid preparation through delivery. Leveraging our vast supplier network, we are able to arrange convenient direct shipment to jobs, which can be aligned to each phase of the project.
Our Sales Force
As of January 28, 2024, we employed approximately 1,800 customer support representatives, the majority of whom were inside sales representatives based at local branches. Inside sales representatives are responsible for project management, coordinating incoming orders, providing estimates and ordering material. Our customer support representatives also include approximately 575 field sales representatives who routinely visit existing customers, potential customers and jobsites. These field sales representatives remain attuned to activity in their local market, identifying and tracking active projects, and are responsible for generating sales and identifying new customers and projects. They also directly assist and educate customers, taking a consultative approach and helping with custom projects and product solutions tailored to our customers’ needs. While our field sales representatives are typically assigned to a local branch and report to a branch manager, they can service an entire district and report to a district manager based on a specific customer, product knowledge or project need, and the size of the branch or district.
Our field sales representatives are highly experienced with in-depth product and technical knowledge, significant local insights and strong long-term customer relationships, all of which are critical to our success. On average, our field sales representatives have over 13 years of experience in the water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection industries. Our sales approach is highly consultative, as our representatives are often involved in our customers’ processes and assist in project scoping, product selection and materials management. Our sales force also includes a knowledgeable and dedicated team of over 350 technical product specialists at the national and regional levels who have expertise in specific product and service offerings, and who support our other sales representatives with product training and technical support.
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Our Human Capital
We believe our associates are the key drivers of our success. We are focused on attracting, training, promoting and retaining industry-leading talent. Our authentic, purpose-driven culture enables our associates to thrive in our company and our industry. We have a strong track record of developing our associates for success and driving high employee engagement. Our ability to attract and retain talent is based on four foundational pillars: pay-for-performance philosophy, training and development, diversity and inclusion and benefits.
As of January 28, 2024, we employed approximately 5,000 associates, the majority of whom are assigned to local branches across the U.S. to support our customers and their project needs. Approximately 105 of our associates were covered by collective bargaining agreements.
Pay for Performance
We believe that our strong culture, consistent investment in our people and competitive compensation programs help to retain talent across key roles. Sales associates have the opportunity to earn competitive compensation through our performance-based compensation structure, which aligns our interests with those of our associates. Our leadership incentive programs link compensation levels to the achievement of branch or region-specific profitability and working capital efficiency goals. Our “local service, nationwide” philosophy incentivizes both our sales force and our operations team to be entrepreneurial, making decisions grounded in a customer-centric approach. Most other associates also participate in a profit-sharing program that aligns their compensation to profitability and working capital efficiency.
Training and Development
Our associates are the most essential resource to our Company. Their knowledge, expertise and growth are critical to our Company’s success. We believe that our continued investment in the development and well-being of our people, and our focus on our foundational core values of honesty and integrity, support our commitment to hands-on customer service. Our associates develop by learning from the best of the best—on the job, in our national learning center, through in-house subject matter experts and with virtual and online academies.
Our learning team offers a wide range of award-winning sales, operations, product expertise, leadership and safety training programs and courses. We also provide customized training, talent reviews and early career rotational programs for college graduates to develop as future leaders. We partner with our suppliers to enhance our knowledge base as new products and best practices are continually introduced.
This talent-first approach enables us to develop and promote top talent to drive profitable growth while maintaining a supportive and mission-driven culture. Year after year, associates rate our learning opportunities as one of the most valuable aspects of working at Core & Main.
Inclusion and Belonging
We believe our inclusion and belonging efforts are important to the success of our talent strategy. A core element of our mission is to build strong relationships with one another and in the communities we serve. Some of our efforts are well established, such as our Women’s Network, and are intended to develop women in our industry. We have developed an internal inclusion and belonging advisory group, which serves as an umbrella to our mental health council, philanthropic activity and a recently established Veteran’s Network. Through our training programs, we are taking a proactive approach to grow and retain our own talent and develop diverse leaders in our industry. We frequently check the pulse of our associates, in addition to our annual engagement survey to listen and act on feedback. This ongoing, two-way dialogue provides our associates with a voice in creating and improving our culture, and the overall associate experience. We believe being included and having a voice is vital for associate engagement and underscores our core principle: Team members are family.
Benefits
Our comprehensive benefits program reflects our overall belief that benefits should address the whole associate experience, including health and well-being. We offer associates a comprehensive benefits package, which includes access to a concierge service to help them navigate their benefits. These efforts are representative of our focus on promoting a consistent, positive experience for all associates.
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Our Intellectual Property
We rely on trademarks, trade names and licenses to maintain and improve our competitive position. We believe that we have the trademarks, trade names and licenses necessary for the operation of our business as we currently conduct it. We rely on both trademark registration and common law protection for trademarks. Trademark rights may potentially extend indefinitely and are dependent upon national laws and our continued use of the trademarks.
Except for the Core & Main trademark and licenses of commercially available third-party software, we do not consider our trademarks, trade names or licenses to be material to the operation of our business as a whole. As we continue to execute on our private label distribution growth strategy, we anticipate the associated trademarks will grow in value. We nevertheless face intellectual property-related risks and may be unable to obtain, maintain and enforce our intellectual property rights. Assertions by third parties that we violate their intellectual property rights could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Regulation
We are subject to various federal, state, and local laws and regulations, compliance with which increases our operating costs and subjects us to the possibility of regulatory actions or proceedings. Noncompliance with these laws and regulations can subject us to penalties, fines or various forms of civil, administrative, or criminal actions, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or competitive position.
These federal, state, and local laws and regulations relate to wage and hour requirements, permitting and licensing, state contractor requirements, workers’ safety, transportation, tax, SEC regulations, business with disadvantaged business enterprises, collective bargaining and other labor matters, environmental and associate benefits.
Our facilities and operations are subject to a broad range of federal, state and local environmental, health and safety laws, including those relating to the release of hazardous materials into the environment, the emission or discharge of pollutants or other substances into the air, water, or otherwise into the environment, the management, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous materials and wastes, the investigation and remediation of contamination and the protection of the health and safety of our associates.
Our failure to comply with environmental, health and safety laws may result in fines, penalties and other sanctions as well as liability for response costs, property damages and personal injuries resulting from past or future releases of, or exposure to, hazardous materials. The cost of compliance with environmental, health and safety laws and capital expenditures required to meet regulatory requirements is not currently anticipated to have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or competitive position. New laws or changes in or new interpretations of existing laws, the discovery of previously unknown contamination or the imposition of other environmental, health or safety liabilities or obligations in the future may lead to additional compliance or other costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows or competitive position.
Organizational Structure
Core & Main was incorporated on April 9, 2021 for the purpose of facilitating the IPO and other related transactions in order to carry on the business of Holdings and its consolidated subsidiaries. Core & Main is a holding company, and its primary material assets are its ownership interest in Holdings and deferred tax assets associated with this ownership. Holdings has no operations and no material assets of its own other than its indirect ownership interest in Core & Main LP, the legal entity that conducts the operations of Core & Main. For more information regarding the IPO, the Reorganization Transactions (as defined below in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations—Initial Public Offering and Secondary Offerings”) and our holding company structure, see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Subsequent to the IPO, we completed a series of secondary public offerings of shares of Class A common stock on behalf of the CD&R Investors (as defined below under Item 1A. “Risk Factors”), as a result of which and certain repurchase transactions, the CD&R Investors no longer own shares of Core & Main. As of January 28, 2024, Core & Main held 95.4% ownership interest in Holdings with the remaining ownership interest held by Core & Main Management Feeder, LLC (“Management Feeder”).
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Available Information
Our principal executive offices are located at 1830 Craig Park Court, St. Louis, MO 63146, and our telephone number is (314) 432-4700. Our website is www.coreandmain.com. We use our website as a routine channel for distribution of information that may be material to investors, including news releases, financial information, presentations and corporate governance information. None of the information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website or any other website identified herein is part of, or incorporated into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and you should not rely on any such information in connection with your decision to invest in our Class A common stock. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act are available on our website, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such materials with, or furnish them to, the SEC. Additionally, the SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including us, at www.sec.gov.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
You should carefully consider the factors described below, in addition to the other information set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These risk factors are important to understanding the contents of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and of other reports. Should one or more of these risks be realized, it could result in a material impact to our operations, liquidity or financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows. Our reputation, business, financial position, results of operations and cash flows are subject to various risks. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones relevant to us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also adversely impact our reputation, financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Risk Factors Summary
The following is a non-exhaustive summary of principal risks factors you should carefully consider that, if realized, could result in a material impact to our operations, liquidity or financial position, results of operations and/or cash flows. These risks are discussed in more detail in “Risk Factors.” These risks include:
•declines, volatility and cyclicality in the U.S. residential and non-residential construction markets;
•slowdowns in municipal infrastructure spending and delays in appropriations of federal funds;
•our ability to competitively bid for municipal contracts;
•price fluctuations in our product costs;
•our ability to manage our inventory effectively, including during periods of supply chain disruptions;
•risks involved with acquisitions and other strategic transactions, including our ability to identify, acquire, close or integrate acquisition targets successfully;
•the fragmented and highly competitive markets in which we compete and consolidation within our industry;
•the development of alternatives to distributors of our products in the supply chain;
•our ability to hire, engage and retain key personnel, including sales representatives, qualified branch, district and regional managers and senior management;
•our ability to identify, develop and maintain relationships with a sufficient number of qualified suppliers and the potential that our exclusive or limited supplier distribution rights are terminated;
•the availability of freight;
•the ability of our customers to make payments on credit sales;
•changes in supplier rebates or other terms of our supplier agreements;
•our ability to identify and introduce new products and product lines effectively;
•the spread of, and response to, public health crises and the inability to predict the ultimate impact on us;
•costs and potential liabilities or obligations imposed by environmental, health and safety laws and requirements;
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•regulatory change and the costs of compliance with regulation;
•changes in stakeholder expectations in respect of environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) and sustainability practices;
•exposure to product liability, construction defect and warranty claims and other litigation and legal proceedings;
•potential harm to our reputation;
•difficulties with or interruptions of our fabrication services;
•safety and labor risks associated with the distribution of our products;
•interruptions in the proper functioning of the Company’s and our third-party service providers’ information systems, including from cybersecurity threats;
•impairment in the carrying value of goodwill, intangible assets or other long-lived assets;
•our ability to continue our customer relationships with short-term contracts;
•risks associated with importing and exporting our products internationally;
•our ability to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting and remediate any material weaknesses;
•our indebtedness and the potential that we may incur additional indebtedness that might restrict our operating flexibility;
•the limitations and restrictions in the agreements governing our indebtedness, the Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Holdings, as amended, and the Tax Receivable Agreements (each as defined herein);
•increases in interest rates;
•changes in our credit ratings and outlook;
•our ability to generate the significant amount of cash needed to service our indebtedness;
•our organizational structure, including our payment obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreements, which may be significant;
•our ability to sustain an active, liquid trading market for our Class A common stock; and
•risks related to other factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Risks Related to Our Business
We have been, and may continue to be, adversely impacted by declines and volatility in the U.S. residential and non-residential construction markets, which may result in reduced net sales.
Our business is largely dependent on activity in the U.S. residential and non-residential construction markets, which are volatile and subject to cyclical market pressures. The length and magnitude of these cycles have varied over time and by market. Approximately 20% and 38% of our net sales in fiscal 2023 were directly related to the U.S. residential and non-residential end markets, respectively. The level of activity in the U.S. residential and non-residential construction markets is based on numerous factors such as availability of credit, interest rates, general economic conditions, consumer confidence and other factors that are beyond our control. For example, interest rate increases throughout calendar year 2023 were a contributing factor to slowing new lot development and contraction in the residential end market. It is uncertain if the Federal Reserve Board of Governors will raise or lower interest rates in the future and, if so, to what level and for how long. Continued interest rate increases or the lack of anticipated interest rate decreases may suppress the U.S. residential and non-residential construction markets that could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
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We cannot predict the duration of the residential or non-residential construction industry market conditions or the timing of the recovery of residential or non-residential construction activity back to historical averages. Participants in the U.S. residential and non-residential construction industries may postpone spending in response to tighter credit, negative financial news or declines in income or asset values, which could have a material negative effect on the demand for our products. We also cannot provide any assurances that the operational strategies we have implemented to address current or future market conditions will be successful. Due to these factors and the potential volatility in the residential and non-residential construction markets, there may be fluctuations in our operating results, and the results for any historical period may not be indicative of results for any future period. This uncertainty about current or future economic conditions and potential volatility in U.S. residential and non-residential construction markets may lead to reduced demand for our products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
Our business and the market for our products and services generally are subject to slowdowns in municipal infrastructure spending which may result in reduced net sales.
The market for the distribution of our products and services is affected by national, regional and local slowdowns in the amount spent by municipalities on infrastructure. We supply many of our products to contractors in connection with municipal projects. Approximately 42% of our net sales in fiscal 2023 were related to the municipal market. Many of the factors that influence municipal infrastructure spending are not within our control.
Municipal infrastructure spending depends largely on availability and commitment of public funds for municipal spending, interest rates, water system capacity and general economic conditions. Economic downturns in any of our markets could reduce municipal tax revenues and the level of infrastructure spending and construction activity and thus our net sales.
In addition, municipal budget processes and conditions in the municipal bond market can impact municipal spending. If a municipality is experiencing budget difficulties, or if a municipality is unable to access capital through the municipal bond market or state revolving funds, it may allocate less funding to infrastructure projects, which could also adversely affect our net sales.
Fluctuations in federal funding can also negatively impact municipal spending. Reduced federal funding and corresponding reductions in federal fund appropriations can adversely affect many of our customers, who derive funding from federal, state and local bodies, which in turn can reduce the demand for our products and services. Conversely, increased federal funding can also adversely affect our business by slowing down state and local spending as a result of delays in appropriating such federal funding to our end customers. In November 2021, the IIJA, which includes $55 billion to invest in water infrastructure across the U.S., was signed into law. When such a large amount of federal funding for infrastructure projects is allocated at once, funds may not be efficiently distributed to the markets in which we operate on a timely basis. Many of our customers, including those in our municipal end market, may also choose or be forced to delay the commencement of infrastructure projects until such funds are allocated, may choose or be forced to re-scope construction-ready infrastructure projects to qualify for federal funding or may not be able to timely pay for products or services provided, which could delay any benefits we expect to receive from the IIJA. In conjunction with the IIJA, the Build America Buy America Act (“BABA”) was enacted, which requires that all iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in covered infrastructure projects are produced in the U.S. Should the products we distribute be deemed to not comply with BABA, we may not realize the potential benefits from the IIJA. Further, while our industries may benefit from increased federal funding, there is no certainty that we will receive benefits associated with such increase, as a disproportionate amount of funds could go to our competitors.
We may lose business to competitors through the competitive bidding process.
A portion of municipal infrastructure work is awarded through competitive bidding processes in which municipalities or contractors serving municipalities compare estimates from multiple distributors. In addition, certain contractors that serve residential and non-residential markets obtain estimates from multiple distributors. The procurement process for this work is based in part on price and the acceptance of certain risks, including risks related to fixed-price contracts and cost-overruns. We may lose business to lower-cost competitors from price-sensitive customers who do not value our sales reach, technical knowledge, broad product portfolio, customer service and project planning and delivery capabilities. In addition, increased competition from other market participants may cause us, or our contractor clients bidding for such contracts, to not be successful in obtaining or renewing these contracts. Our inability to replace a significant number of contracts lost through competitive bidding processes with other revenue sources within a reasonable time could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
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We are subject to price fluctuations in our product costs.
The costs to procure the products we sell are historically volatile and subject to fluctuations arising from changes in supply and demand, national and international economic conditions, raw material costs, labor costs, competition, market speculation, government regulation and trade policies, supply chain constraints, as well as delivery delays or cost changes due to the availability of domestic or global logistics, and fuel cost volatility.
Our financial performance is impacted by price fluctuations in the cost to procure substantially all the products we sell and our ability to reflect these changes, in a timely manner, in our customer pricing. The prices of products we purchase and sell increased in the fiscal year ended January 30, 2022 (“fiscal 2021”) and the fiscal year ended January 29, 2023 (“fiscal 2022”) due to several factors, including, but not limited to, constraints in the supply chain associated with labor, global logistics, general inflationary pressures and availability of raw materials, that are in part due to conflict in countries that export raw materials in our products and other weather events. These factors led to decreased availability of certain products that we purchase from our suppliers. Disruptions caused by natural disasters or similar extreme weather events may also affect our ability to both maintain key products in inventory and deliver products to our customers on a timely basis, which may in turn adversely affect the Company. For example, operations at certain plants and facilities located in Texas that produce resin, a raw material used in the production of the PVC pipe that we purchase from suppliers, were temporarily shut down as a result of the winter storms of 2021, which caused supply chain disruptions and PVC pipe shortages, which in turn drove product cost increases. Any material shortage of products in the market as a result of natural disasters or similar extreme weather events can negatively impact our net sales, and we may not be able to offset increased product costs via corresponding price increases. Additionally, the conflict in Ukraine resulted in increases in costs associated with products containing ductile iron and steel. A shortage of available manufacturing capacity, or excess capacity, in the industry can result in significant increases or declines in the supply of our products, which in turn results in fluctuations in the market prices for our products, sometimes within a short period of time. Although in some cases we have firm price quotes with our suppliers that fix the price at which we purchase products for a defined period of time, we have experienced termination of certain contracts through the enactment of force majeure contractual clauses.
We may experience price volatility associated with the implementation or rescission of tariffs or other restrictions placed on foreign imports by the U.S. or any related counter-measures are taken by impacted foreign countries. Tariff-related activities may also impact the level of demand associated with products subject to tariffs as our customers may seek alternative products. Most recently, the U.S. enacted tariffs on imported steel products from China that led domestic sellers to respond with market-based increases. It remains unclear what future actions may be taken by the U.S. or other governments with respect to international trade agreements, the imposition or removal of tariffs on goods imported into the U.S., the creation or removal of barriers to trade, tax policy related to international commerce, or other trade matters, and the impact of those actions of the cost of products we sell.
We have a limited ability to control the timing and amount of changes in the cost to procure our products. Although we seek to recover increases in our product costs by passing product cost increases on to our customers, we may not always be successful. In addition, in periods of declining costs for our products, we may face pricing pressure from our customers, requiring us to reduce the prices at which we sell our products to our customers in order to remain competitive in our markets. As we experienced significant product cost increases in fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2022, there is increased risk in future periods that we may experience a decreased rate of inflation, net sales declines or net sales growth at substantially lower rates than in those periods. Due to supply chain constraints, distributors may have increased inventory levels to ensure product availability. As the supply chain improves and product lead time becomes more predictable, distributors may reduce their inventory levels. This may increase competition by suppliers based on price and contribute to deflation. From fiscal 2021 to fiscal 2023, our gross margin improved by approximately 150 basis points in part due to several initiatives, including private label product expansion, sourcing optimization, data-driven pricing strategies and an expansion of value-added products and services. We estimate that a portion of the gross margin increases we experienced in fiscal 2023, fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021 could be temporary in nature and may not be sustainable once product supply dynamics return to normal, market pricing stabilizes and benefits from low cost inventory purchases diminish. Our ability to adjust prices in a timely manner to account for such price fluctuations may often depend on market conditions, our fixed costs and other factors, and our failure to adapt our product prices and operational strategies could result in lower revenue, profitability and the write down of our inventories. Historically, we have not engaged in material hedging strategies for purchases of products. We generally sell our products on a spot basis and not under long-term contracts. Any increase in product costs that are not offset by an increase in our prices, or our inability to maintain price levels in an environment of declining product costs, could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
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We are subject to inventory management risks. Insufficient inventory may result in lost sales opportunities or delayed revenue, while excess inventory may negatively impact our gross margin.
We balance the need to maintain inventory levels that are sufficient to ensure competitive lead times against the risk of inventory obsolescence due to changing customer or consumer requirements and fluctuating product costs. If we overestimate demand and purchase too much of a particular product, we face a risk that the price of that product will fall, leaving us with inventory that we cannot sell at historical profit margins or record a material charge if we are required to write-down inventory at net realizable value. Even after an inventory write-down we would likely not be able to sell the inventory at historical product margins. If we underestimate demand and purchase insufficient quantities of products, inventory shortages could result in delayed revenue, loss of sales opportunities, and/or reduced profit margins. Either of these scenarios could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition. These risks are elevated during periods of supply chain disruption as we may simultaneously be unable to obtain certain products in a timely manner and increase on-hand quantities of other products.
Acquisitions and other strategic transactions involve a number of inherent risks, any of which could result in the benefits anticipated not being realized.
Acquisitions are an important component of our growth strategy and we regularly consider and enter into strategic transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, investments and other growth, market and geographic expansion strategies, with the expectation that these transactions will result in increases in net sales, cost savings, synergies and various other benefits. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to grow our business through acquisitions or other strategic transactions as we have done historically or that any businesses acquired will perform in accordance with expectations or that business judgments concerning the value, strengths and weaknesses of businesses acquired will prove to be correct. Our ability to deliver the expected benefits from any strategic transactions that we complete is subject to numerous uncertainties and risks, including our ability to integrate personnel, labor models, financial, supply chain and logistics, IT and other systems successfully; disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management and other critical personnel; hiring additional management and other critical personnel; and increasing the scope, geographic diversity and complexity of our operations. If an acquired business fails to operate as anticipated or cannot be successfully integrated with our existing business it could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition. We will continue to analyze and evaluate the acquisition of strategic businesses and other strategic transactions with the potential to strengthen our industry position or enhance our existing product offerings. Moreover, consolidation in our industry could make it more difficult for us to maintain operating margins and could also increase competition for our potential acquisition targets and result in higher purchase price multiples.
In addition, our expansion into new markets and product categories through acquisition may present competitive, management, distribution and regulatory challenges that differ from current ones. We may be less familiar with the target customers and may face different or additional risks, as well as increased or unexpected costs, compared to existing operations. Growth into new markets may also bring us into direct competition with companies with whom we have little or no past experience as competitors. To the extent we are reliant upon expansion into new geographic, industry and product markets for growth and do not meet the new challenges posed by such expansion our ability for future sales growth may be limited and/or we may incur higher operating costs.
In connection with any acquisition, we may acquire liabilities or defects such as legal claims, including those not identified during due diligence, such as third-party liability and other tort claims; claims for breach of contract; employment-related claims; environmental, health and safety liabilities, conditions or damage; permitting, regulatory or other compliance with law issues; liability for hazardous materials; or trade liabilities. If we acquire any of these liabilities, and they are not adequately covered by insurance or an enforceable indemnity or similar agreement from a creditworthy counterparty or are otherwise mitigated, we may be responsible for significant out-of-pocket expenditures. In connection with any divestitures, we may incur liabilities for breaches of representations and warranties or failure to comply with operating covenants under any agreement for a divestiture. In addition, we may indemnify a counterparty in a divestiture for certain liabilities of the subsidiary or operations subject to the divestiture transaction. These liabilities, if they materialize, could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
In addition, any future acquisition could be financed by additional indebtedness or raising equity, which could increase leverage or result in dilution to our existing stockholders, as applicable, and impact our ability to access capital in the future. See “—Risks Related to Our Indebtedness.”
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Our industry and the markets in which we operate are fragmented and highly competitive, and increased competitive pressures, including the pressure to consolidate, could adversely affect our business.
The markets in which we operate are fragmented and highly competitive. Competition varies depending on product line, type of customer and geographic area. We have only one major national competitor, but we also face competition from regional and local competitors and a limited number of manufacturers who sell directly to large customers within our customer base. We estimate that our net sales accounted for approximately 17% of our $39 billion addressable market in fiscal 2023. Any failure to compete with our national, regional or local competitors could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
There has also been some consolidation of customers within our industry who are increasingly aware of the total costs of fulfillment and of the need to have consistent sources of supply at multiple locations. This consolidation could cause our industry to become more competitive as greater economies of scale are achieved by customers, or as competitors with new lower cost transactional business models are able to operate with lower prices. We believe these customer needs could result in fewer distributors as the remaining distributors become larger and more capable of being consistent sources of supply. If customers grow from consolidation, they may choose to vertically integrate the distribution of products we sell and purchase directly from our vendors. This level of direct procurement would bypass distributors, including us, and could have a material adverse impact to our sales and/or make it more difficult for us to maintain operating margins.
The development of alternatives to distributors of our products in the supply chain could cause a decrease in our net sales and operating results and limit our ability to grow our business.
Our customers could begin purchasing more of their product needs directly from our suppliers, which could result in decreases in our net sales and earnings. For example, multiple municipalities may outsource their entire waterworks systems to a single company, thereby increasing such company’s leverage in the marketplace and its ability to buy directly from suppliers. Our suppliers could also invest in increasing their capacity to expand their own local sales force and sell more products directly to our customers, which could result in a decrease in our net sales. Suppliers can often sell their products at lower prices and maintain higher gross margins on their product sales than we can. We intend to compete for these larger municipal projects, but there can be no guarantee that our efforts will be successful or that we will be able to complete any such projects within the anticipated budget or timeline.
As we continue to expand our direct sourcing and distribution capabilities as part of the private label initiative, this could result in loss of preferred access to products and unfavorable adjustments to pricing and terms due to direct competition with suppliers.
We may be unable to hire, engage and retain key personnel, including sales representatives, qualified branch, district and regional managers and senior management.
We are dependent, in part, on our continued ability to hire, engage and retain key associates, including sales representatives, qualified branch, district and regional managers and senior management, at our operations across the U.S. We rely upon experienced managerial, sales and support personnel to effectively manage our business and to successfully promote our wide range of products. We are primarily organized locally in branches and districts to allow our operations to respond to changes in local markets. As a result, our branch and district managers have a great deal of control over local operations. We also rely upon our national and regional teams of technical experts to provide insights on complex projects. If we are unable to attract and retain qualified branch and district managers or technical experts, we could be unable to respond to changes in local markets or developments in our projects in a timely manner, or at all.
Additionally, our operations depend on the continued efforts of our senior management. Our senior management team has substantial experience and expertise in our industry and has made significant contributions to our growth and success. There is a heightened risk of loss for certain senior management members that hold limited partner interests of Holdings (“Partnership Interests”) through Management Feeder. The loss of their services could limit our ability to grow our business and cause disruptions in our operations.
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If we fail to identify, develop and maintain relationships with a sufficient number of qualified suppliers or our exclusive or limited supplier distribution rights are terminated, our ability to timely and efficiently access products that meet our standards for quality could be adversely affected or we may experience an increase in the costs of our products that could reduce our overall profitability.
We buy our products and supplies from suppliers that manufacture and source products from the U.S. and abroad. We enter into agreements with many of our suppliers that provide us with exclusive or limited distribution rights, limiting our competitors’ ability to source materials from such suppliers. Our ability to identify and develop relationships with qualified suppliers and enter into exclusive or limited distribution rights agreements with suppliers who can satisfy our standards for quality and our need to access products and supplies in a timely and efficient manner is important to our success. In fiscal 2023, our top supplier accounted for approximately 8% of our product expenditures. Our top ten largest suppliers accounted for approximately 45% of our total purchases in fiscal 2023. We generally have multiple sources of supply, however, in some cases, materials are provided by a single supplier. Any failure to maintain our relationship with any of our top ten largest suppliers, the loss of a sole source supplier, or a failure to replace any such supplier that is lost, could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
We may be required to replace a supplier if their products do not meet our quality or safety standards. In addition, our suppliers could discontinue selling products at any time for reasons that may or may not be in our control or the suppliers’ control, including shortages of raw materials, environmental and social supply chain issues, labor disputes or weather conditions. Disruptions in transportation lines, such as the March 2021 blockage of the Suez Canal and the adverse impact to the global shipping industry, may also cause global supply chain issues that affect us or our suppliers. Global economic conditions may also result in global supply chain issues that adversely impact our access to products and supplies.
Our operating results are sensitive to the availability of freight.
We are dependent on third-party freight carriers to transport some of our products. Our access to third-party freight carriers is not guaranteed, and we may be unable to transport our products at economically attractive rates in certain circumstances, particularly in cases of adverse market conditions or disruptions to transportation infrastructure. For example, the U.S. has experienced a shortage of qualified professional commercial truck drivers, which has impacted our suppliers’ ability to deliver products to us and our ability to deliver products on a timely basis. There can be no certainty that such shortage will be addressed in the near term and we may be unable to secure alternative means of freight transport. If the freight carrier capacity in our geographic markets were to decline significantly it could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
A significant amount of our net sales are credit sales, which are made primarily to customers whose ability to pay is dependent, in part, upon the economic strength of the industry and geographic areas in which they operate.
Approximately 98% of our net sales volume in fiscal 2023 was facilitated through the extension of credit to our customers whose ability to pay is dependent, in part, upon the economic strength of the industry in the areas in which they operate. In some cases, our extension of credit is secured by mechanic liens or surety bonds backed by a surety company, but such security does not guarantee collection. If a customer is unable to pay off our mechanic lien or if such lien is not superior to other lienholders and creditors, we may not be able to recoup our extension of credit. The credit we extend to a customer depends on both the financial strength of the customer and the nature of the project in which the customer is involved. Certain customers may not make payments to us until they receive payments from their own customers. Supply chain constraints may extend project completion dates and ultimately the time until we receive full payment from our customers. The inability of our customers to pay off their credit lines in a timely manner, or at all, could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition. Furthermore, our collections efforts with respect to non-paying or slow-paying customers could negatively impact our customer relations going forward. If our collections process fails to collect money due from a customer, we may be forced to initiate litigation against such customer to compel payment. Any such litigation could be costly, and the outcome would be uncertain.
Because we depend on the creditworthiness of certain of our customers, if the financial condition of our customers declines, our credit risk could increase. Significant contraction in our markets, coupled with tightened credit availability and financial institution credit underwriting standards, could adversely affect certain of our customers. If we experience delays and defaults in client payments and we pay our suppliers before receiving payment from our customers for the related products or services, we could experience a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
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A change in supplier terms could adversely affect our income and margins.
The terms on which we purchase products from many of our suppliers entitle us to receive a rebate based on the amount of our purchases, a discount for timely payment or other favorable terms reflected in our historical results. These rebates effectively reduce the costs of our products, and we manage our business to maximize the benefit of these programs. Rebate arrangements are subject to renegotiation with our suppliers from time to time. Suppliers may adversely change the terms of or eliminate some or all of these programs. Although these changes would not affect the net recorded costs of products already purchased, they may materially lower our gross margins on products we sell or income we realize in future periods.
The rebate programs we negotiate with our vendors often require us to purchase minimum quantities or dollar amount of purchases to qualify for the rebate and result in higher rebates with increased quantities or dollars purchased. Even if our rebate programs are not adversely affected through negotiation, we may not earn rebates at level commensurate with historical periods and our gross margin percentage may be adversely impacted. Changes to our end markets that decrease demand for products or planned inventory reductions due to more reliable lead times for products may cause us to fall short of minimum quantities or dollar amounts required to earn a rebate or preclude us from reaching the highest rebates offered by our vendors. As many rebate programs are calculated as a percentage of dollars spent, deflation in product costs can adversely impact rebates earned relative to historical periods.
We may not be able to identify new products and new product lines and integrate them into our distribution network, which could adversely affect our ability to compete.
Our business depends in part on our ability to identify future products and product lines that complement existing products and product lines and that respond to our customers’ needs, as well as our ability to identify and respond promptly to evolving trends in demographics, as well as customer wants, preferences and expectations. We may not be able to compete effectively unless our product selection keeps up with trends in the markets in which we compete, including the need for more localized assortments of our products to appeal to needs in each end-market, or trends in new products. As a result, we continually seek to offer products and solutions that allow us to stay at the forefront of the needs of the market for our products and services. The success of new products depends on a variety of factors, including timely and successful product development by our suppliers, market acceptance and demand, competitive response, our ability to manage risks associated with product life cycles, the effective management of inventory and purchase commitments and the availability and cost of raw materials for our suppliers. Some of the foregoing factors are beyond our control and we cannot fully predict the ultimate success of the introduction of new products. For example, water utilities have traditionally been slow adopters of new technology and may not adopt our new products as quickly as we expect. In introducing new products and solutions, any delays, unexpected costs, diversion of resources, loss of key associates, failure of the market to accept the new product or other setbacks could materially and adversely affect our business or financial condition.
A public health crisis could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
A public health crisis and associated government restrictions to prevent its spread could have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition as well as the operations of some of our suppliers. A widespread public health crisis may decrease demand for our products due to public reaction to the health crisis or actions taken by governmental or other regulatory organizations to control or otherwise limit the effects of the public health crisis. This crisis may also limit labor availability that could adversely impact manufacturing and distribution throughout the supply chain and limit the availability of product by our suppliers. Depending on the ultimate scope and duration of the supply chain disruptions, we may experience increases in product costs which we may not be able to pass on to our customers, loss of sales due to lack of product availability or potential customer claims from the inability to provide products in accordance with contractual terms. In addition, if significant numbers of associates, key personnel and/or senior management become unavailable due to sickness, legal requirements or self-isolation, our operations could be disrupted and materially adversely affected. Measures taken in response to a public health crisis could adversely impact our ability to retain and attract associates, including key personnel.
We are unable to predict the likelihood, timing, magnitude and duration of a public health crisis and the associated effects to our business; but a future occurrence could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
17
We could incur significant costs in complying with environmental, health and safety laws or permitting regimes or as a result of satisfying any liability or obligation imposed under such laws or permitting regimes.
Our facilities and operations are subject to a broad range of federal, state and local environmental, health and safety laws, including those relating to the release of hazardous materials into the environment, the management, treatment, storage and disposal of hazardous materials and wastes, the investigation and remediation of contamination and the protection of our associates. We have incurred, and expect to continue to incur, capital expenditures in addition to ordinary course costs to comply with applicable current and future environmental, health and safety laws. More stringent or complicated federal, state or local environmental rules or regulations could increase our operating costs and expenses. Our failure to comply with environmental, health and safety laws may result in fines, penalties, enforcement actions and other sanctions as well as liability for response costs, property damages and personal injuries resulting from releases of, or exposure to, hazardous materials. We could also be held liable for the costs to address contamination at any real property we have ever owned or operated, or used as a storage or disposal site. In addition, changes in, or new interpretations of, existing laws, the discovery of previously unknown contamination, or the imposition of other environmental, health or safety liabilities or obligations in the future, including additional investigation or other obligations with respect to any potential health hazards of our products or business activities, may lead to additional compliance or other costs that could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
Costs relating to future capital and operating expenditures to maintain compliance with environmental, health and safety laws, as well as costs to address contamination or environmental claims, may exceed any current estimates and reserves or adversely affect our business. In addition, any unanticipated liabilities or obligations arising, for example, out of the discovery of previously unknown conditions or changes in law or enforcement policies, could materially and adversely affect our business or financial condition.
We are subject to regulation and regulatory change, and our costs of doing business could increase as a result of changes in federal, state or local regulations.
Our operations are principally affected by various statutes, regulations and laws in the U.S. states in which we operate. While we are not engaged in a heavily regulated industry, we are subject to various laws applicable to businesses generally, including laws affecting land usage, zoning, the environment, health and safety, transportation, labor and employment practices, competition, immigration and other matters. Additionally, building codes may affect the products our customers are allowed to use, and consequently, changes in building codes may affect the saleability of our products. Changes to U.S. federal, state and local tax laws and regulations could have a material impact on us. See Item 1. “Business—Regulation” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We deliver products to many of our customers through our own fleet of vehicles. The U.S. Department of Transportation (the “DOT”) regulates our operations in domestic interstate commerce. We are subject to various requirements governing interstate operations prescribed by the DOT, including safety regulations and other rules, including, for example, the DOT Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (“DBE”) Program, which imposes certain requirements to increase DBE participation in DOT-assisted projects and contracts. Vehicle dimensions and driver hours of service also remain subject to both federal and state regulation. More restrictive limitations on vehicle weight and size and trailer length and configuration could increase our costs. Furthermore, commercial driver’s licensing requirements imposed by states or local governments could limit the availability of qualified drivers to transport our products, which could also increase our costs. If we are unable to pass these cost increases on to our customers, it would reduce our gross margins, increase our selling, general and administrative expenses and reduce our net income.
In addition, many of our municipal water products and infrastructure customers are regulated by federal and state government agencies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state public utility commissions. These agencies could change the way in which they interpret current regulations and may impose additional regulations. Further, there may also be new legislation or regulatory change in response to the perceived effects of climate change, which is expected to continue to be the subject of increasing regulatory attention and requirements. Changes in environmental and climate change laws or regulations, including laws relating to greenhouse gas emissions, could lead to new or additional investment in product designs that could increase our environmental compliance expenditures. These changes could have a material adverse effect on our customers and the profitability of the services they provide, which could reduce demand for our services or our products and could further subject us to additional costs and restrictions, including increased energy, compliance and product costs.
We cannot predict the nature and timing of future developments in law and regulations and whether we will be successful in meeting future demands of regulatory agencies in a manner that will not materially adversely affect the Company.
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Increasing scrutiny and changing stakeholder expectations and disclosures in respect of ESG and sustainability practices may adversely impact our business and our stock price and impose additional costs or expose us to new or additional risks.
Companies across all industries are facing increasing scrutiny from stakeholders related to their ESG and sustainability practices. Investor advocacy groups, proxy advisory firms, certain institutional investors and lenders, investment funds and other influential investors and rating agencies are also increasingly focused on ESG and sustainability practices and matters and on the implications and social cost of their investments and loans while other market participants have evidenced opposition to certain companies’ consideration of such practices and matters. Increased focus on ESG and sustainability matters could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition, and expose us to new or additional risks, including as described below.
We recognize that many of our shareholders, employees, suppliers, customers, regulators and other stakeholders expect us to continue to focus on long-term sustainable performance while considering the positive impact we can have on the environment and in our communities. This includes addressing significant, relevant ESG factors, further working to prioritize sustainable energy practices and reducing our carbon footprint. We must make strategic investments to ensure our sustainability goals and objectives are responsive to the broader market environment and directly tied to our overarching business priorities. We have incurred and expect to continue to incur costs and capital expenditures in doing so, and certain of such future costs and capital expenditures could be material. For example, on March 21, 2022, the SEC released proposed rule changes that would require new climate-related disclosure in SEC filings, including certain climate-related metrics and greenhouse gas emissions, information about climate-related targets and goals, transition plans, if any, and extensive attestation requirements. In addition to requiring filers to quantify and disclose direct emissions data, the new rules would also require disclosure of climate impact arising from the operations and uses by the filer's business partners and contractors and end-users of the filer's products and/or services. If adopted as proposed, the rule changes would cause us to incur additional compliance and reporting costs, certain of which could be material, including related to monitoring, collecting, analyzing and reporting new metrics and implementing systems and procuring additional internal and external personnel with the requisite skills and expertise to serve those functions and provide necessary attestation, as applicable. Such costs could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition. In addition to these proposed SEC rule changes, California passed a series of climate disclosure bills in October 2023 which may lead to other states proposing climate-related regulations that require additional climate-related disclosures.
Further, if we do not adapt to or comply with investor or other stakeholder expectations and standards, which are evolving, or if we are perceived not to have responded appropriately to growing concern for ESG and sustainability issues, our business could suffer, including from reputational damage. Additionally, activist shareholders may submit proposals to promote or oppose an ESG-related position. Responding to such proposals, proxy contests and other actions by activist shareholders can be costly and time-consuming, disrupting our operations, causing reputational harm, and diverting the attention of our board of directors and senior management from the pursuit of business strategies. Further, a multitude of organizations that provide information to investors have developed ratings processes for evaluating companies on their approach to ESG and sustainability matters. Such ratings and reports are used by some investors to inform their investment and voting decisions. Unfavorable ESG ratings, or perceptions of us or our industry as a result of such ratings or our ESG and sustainability practices, may lead to increased negative investor and other stakeholder sentiment toward us or our customers, and to the allocation of investment capital to other industries and companies, which could negatively affect our stock price and access to and costs of capital.
The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
The nature of our business exposes us to product liability, construction defect and warranty claims and other litigation and legal proceedings.
From time to time, we are involved in litigation and other legal proceedings and claims (including government inquiries, investigations and proceedings) in the ordinary course of business related to a range of matters, including, without limitation, environmental, contract, employment claims, product liability, construction defect and warranty claims.
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We rely on manufacturers and other suppliers to provide us with most of the products we sell and distribute. However, as a distributor, we face an inherent risk of exposure to product liability and other claims in the event that the use of the products we have distributed in the past or may in the future distribute is alleged to have resulted in economic loss, personal injury or property damage or violated environmental, health or safety or other laws. In addition, we fabricate and install certain products, either internally or through third parties, which may increase our exposure to product liability claims. We cannot predict whether or how we may become liable under environmental and product liability statutes, rules, regulations and case law. In particular, we have been and continue to be subject to claims related to asbestos containing products, including for claims relating to products sold by businesses prior to such businesses being acquired by us. Asbestos-related claims have not historically had a material impact on our financial position or results of operations, but there can be no guarantee that any such claims will not have a material impact on us in the future. Although we currently maintain product/general liability insurance, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain such insurance on acceptable terms in the future, if at all, or that any such insurance will provide adequate protection against potential liabilities. Additionally, we do not carry insurance for all categories of risk that our business may encounter (including asbestos claims for which insurance is not attainable). Any significant liability that is uninsured or not fully insured may require us to pay substantial amounts. See additional discussion in Item 1. “Business—Legal Proceedings” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
We also may, from time to time, be involved in government inquiries, investigations and proceedings. We cannot predict the outcomes of these inquiries, investigations and proceedings. The outcome of some of these events and other contingencies could require us to take, or refrain from taking, actions that could materially and adversely affect our business or financial condition, such as requiring us to pay substantial amounts of money. Additionally, defending against these lawsuits and proceedings may involve significant expense and diversion of management’s attention and resources from other matters.
Further, while we may seek indemnification against potential liability for product liability claims from relevant parties, including, but not limited to, manufacturers and suppliers, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to recover under such indemnification claims. Product liability claims can be expensive to defend and can divert the attention of management and other personnel for significant time periods, regardless of the ultimate outcome. An unsuccessful product liability defense could be highly costly and accordingly result in a decline in net sales and/or profitability. In addition, even if we are successful in defending any claim relating to the products we distribute, claims of this nature could negatively impact customer confidence in our products and us.
Failure to achieve and maintain a high level of product quality as a result of our suppliers’ or manufacturers’ mistakes or inefficiencies could damage our reputation and negatively impact our revenue and results of operations.
To continue to be successful, we must continue to preserve, grow and capitalize on the value of our brand in the marketplace. Reputational value is based in large part on perceptions of subjective qualities. Even an isolated incident, such as a high-profile product recall, or the aggregate effect of individually insignificant incidents, can erode trust and confidence, particularly if such incident or incidents result in adverse publicity, governmental investigations or litigation, and as a result, could tarnish our brand and lead to a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
In particular, product quality issues as a result of our suppliers’ or manufacturers’ acts or omissions could negatively impact customer confidence in our brands and our products. As we do not have direct control over the quality of the products manufactured or supplied by such third-party suppliers, we are exposed to risks relating to the quality of the products we distribute. If our product offerings do not meet applicable safety standards or customers’ expectations regarding safety or quality, or are alleged to have quality issues or to have caused personal injury or other damage, we could experience lower revenue and increased costs and be exposed to legal, financial and reputational risks, as well as governmental enforcement actions. In addition, actual, potential or perceived product safety concerns could result in costly product recalls.
We seek to enter into contracts with suppliers which provide for indemnification from any costs associated with the provision of defective products. However, there can be no assurance that such contractual rights will be obtained or adequate, or that related indemnification claims will be successfully asserted by us.
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Any difficulties with, or interruptions of, our fabrication services could delay our output of products and harm our relationships with our customers.
Although the majority of our overall product offerings relate to distribution for which we engage in no significant manufacturing, we do perform light fabrication services for certain product categories, including fire protection, storm drainage, geosynthetics and erosion control, meter sets and fusible HDPE piping products, which collectively accounted for less than 5% of our net sales in fiscal 2023 and which we believe are products with significant opportunities for growth. Any difficulties with, or interruptions of, our fabrication service operations could delay our output of products and harm our relationships with our customers. If our fabrication processes fail, we may fail to perform on our contracts with our customers unless we are able to obtain comparable products or services in a timely and cost-effective manner. Further, the performance of fabrication services on the products we sell may increase our exposure to product defect liabilities for which we have no recovery of losses through vendor indemnification. If we are unable to fabricate certain products, find suitable replacements for them or experience product defect liabilities it could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
We are subject to certain safety and labor risks associated with the distribution and fabrication of our products.
As of January 28, 2024, we employed approximately 5,000 associates in total, a significant percentage of whom work at our branch locations. Our business involves transporting industrial water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products and operating heavy machinery such as forklifts and tractor trailers, and there is a risk that an accident or death could occur in one of our facilities. We operate a large fleet of trucks and other vehicles and therefore face the risk of traffic accidents. The outcome of any personal injury, wrongful death or other litigation is difficult to assess or quantify and the cost to defend litigation can be significant. Although we currently maintain insurance, including, but not limited to, workers’ compensation, automobile and general liability, there can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain such insurance on acceptable terms in the future, if at all, or that any such insurance will provide adequate protection against potential liabilities. As a result, the costs to defend any action or the potential liability resulting from any such accident or death or arising out of any other litigation, and any negative publicity associated therewith or negative effects on associate morale, could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
We provide medical coverage to some of our associates through a self-insured preferred provider organization. Though we believe that we have adequate insurance coverage in excess of self-insured retention levels, our business or financial condition may be adversely affected if the number and severity of insurance claims increases.
Interruptions in the proper functioning of the Company’s and our third-party service providers’ IT systems or compromise of our or our customers’ confidential data, including from cybersecurity threats, could disrupt operations and cause unanticipated reputational harm, litigation and regulatory risk, as well as increases in costs or decreases in net sales, or both.
Because we use our information systems, including Smart Distributor, PowerScope®, Online Advantage®, Mobile Advantage® and other platforms to, among other things, manage inventories and accounts receivable, make purchasing decisions, prepare project bids, assist our customers and improve our customers’ experience and monitor our results of operations, the proper functioning of our IT systems is critical to the successful operation of our business. Our IT systems, confidential data, as well as our remote processing capabilities and physical and software safeguards or those of our suppliers and customers, may be vulnerable to natural disasters, power losses, cyber-attacks, theft, or unauthorized access (including through any intentional or malicious attacks, whether by a virus, malware or an outsider seeking to compromise our IT systems, or by a rogue associate), telecommunication failures and other problems. If critical IT systems fail, or are otherwise unavailable, our ability to process orders, track credit risk, identify business opportunities, maintain proper levels of inventories, collect accounts receivable and pay expenses and otherwise manage our business would be materially and adversely affected.
21
Information security and cyber risks have generally increased in recent years because of the proliferation of new technologies and the increased sophistication and activities of perpetrators of cyber-attacks. The cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve and presents novel risks and we may become increasingly vulnerable to such risks if we fail to assess and identify cybersecurity risks associated with our operations. A failure in or breach of our operational or information security systems, or those of our third-party service providers (or their downstream service providers), as a result of cyber-attacks or information security breaches has in the past, and could in the future, disrupt our business. In December 2023, SEC rules went into effect that require the Company to disclose material cybersecurity incidents on Form 8-K generally within four days of the incident being determined material. In addition, a cyber-attack or information security breach could result in the disclosure or misuse of confidential or proprietary information, result in legal liability and regulatory action, damage our business relationships and reputation, result in or increase our litigation, remediation, forensic or other costs or cause losses. We may also incur significant administrative and technology costs in implementing and maintaining data security measures to prevent or limit the impact of such incidents. Damage to us or to our suppliers or customers resulting from such incidents could subject us to liability under U.S. state and federal and foreign laws that require us to implement certain data security protocols and to protect confidential personal data, which could result in increased costs, loss of revenues, settlement costs and/or substantial penalties that may either not be insured or not be fully covered through insurance. Cybersecurity and the continued development and enhancement of the controls and processes designed to protect our systems, computers, software, data and networks from attack, damage or unauthorized access are and will continue to be a priority for us. As cyber threats continue to evolve, we continually assess cyber risks, enhance our information security procedures and other safeguards, and implement updates to our IT systems. See Item 1C. “Cybersecurity” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of how we manage our cybersecurity risk. There can be no guarantee that a cybersecurity incident will not occur and that our business or financial condition will not be materially and adversely affected by such an incident.
An impairment of goodwill, intangible assets or other long-lived assets could have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.
Our acquisitions frequently result in the recording of goodwill and other intangible or long-lived assets. As of January 28, 2024, goodwill and amortizing intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization, represented 31% and 15%, respectively, of our total assets. Goodwill is not amortized and is subject to impairment testing at least annually using a fair value-based approach. Future events, such as declines in our cash flow projections or customer demand, may cause impairments of our goodwill or long-lived assets, including intangible assets, based on factors such as the price of our common stock, projected cash flows, assumptions used, control premiums or other variables. In addition, if we divest long-lived assets at prices below their asset value, we must write them down to fair value resulting in long-lived asset impairment charges, which could adversely affect our financial position or results of operations. We cannot accurately predict the amount and timing of any impairment of assets, and, in the future, we may be required to take additional goodwill or other asset impairment charges. Any such non-cash charges could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
Our customer relationships are generally governed by purchase orders and job-specific customer agreements, as applicable, and not by long-term agreements, and, as a result, such customers have the right to change the terms under which they do business and/or terminate their relationship with us.
Our customer relationships are governed by purchase orders and job-specific customer agreements, as applicable, and not by long-term agreements. Consequently, despite the length of our relationships with our customers and our low historical customer turnover rates, there can be no assurance that our customer base will remain stable in the future. If our customers do not renew orders, our business or financial condition could be negatively affected.
While a portion of our net sales are made to customers with whom we have contractual relationships, many of these contracts are requirements contracts under which we supply a percentage of a customer’s requirements over a period of time, without any specific commitment by the customer to purchase a particular unit volume. As such, we are not guaranteed any minimum level of net sales under many of our contracts, and many of our customers, including some of our largest customers, are under no obligation to continue to purchase products from us.
Moreover, if a customer’s requirements for our products exceed our ability to supply that customer, as has occurred from time to time, we may have a short-term or long-term inability to supply that customer from our own branches and may be required to take other proactive steps in order to fill that customer’s order, which may be at a higher cost to us. Our inability to supply a customer’s specific requirements from our branches could materially and adversely affect our relationship with that customer or increase our operating costs.
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Most of our net sales are made to customers that do not have contracts in place and are not contractually obligated to purchase products from us. Our repeat business with respect to these customers largely depends on these customers’ satisfaction with our products and our customer service. At any time these customers can stop purchasing our products from us and cease doing business with us. We cannot be sure that any particular customer will continue to do business with us for any period of time.
We are subject to risks associated with operating internationally.
We export and import certain of our products to different jurisdictions outside the U.S. The shipment of goods across international borders is subject to extensive trade laws and regulations. The laws and regulations concerning import-export activity, recordkeeping and reporting, import-export control, interactions with government officials and economic sanctions are complex and constantly changing, and we cannot provide assurance that we will not incur material costs or liabilities in connection with these or other regulatory requirements.
In addition, we are subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) and other laws that prohibit improper payments or offers of payments to foreign governments and their officials and political parties by business entities for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Our activities in any country in which we deal with governmental clients create the risk of unauthorized payments or offers of payments by one of our associates or contractors that could be in violation of various laws including the FCPA and other anti-corruption laws, even though these parties are not always subject to our control. If we were to fail to comply with the FCPA, other anti-corruption laws, applicable import-export control regulations, data privacy laws or other applicable rules and regulations, we could be subject to substantial civil and criminal penalties and the possible loss of export or import privileges, which could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
Any deficiencies in our financial reporting or internal controls could adversely affect our business and the trading price of our Class A common stock.
As a public company, we are required to maintain internal control over financial reporting and to report any material weaknesses in such internal controls. Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 requires that we evaluate and determine the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. We are required to provide a management report on internal control over financial reporting. In addition, we are required to include an attestation report on internal control over financial reporting issued by our independent registered public accounting firm. Our internal resources and personnel may in the future be insufficient to avoid accounting errors, and we and our auditors may identify deficiencies, significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in our internal control environment in the future.
Any failure to develop or maintain effective controls or any difficulties encountered implementing required new or improved controls could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations and may result in a restatement of our financial statements for prior periods. Any failure to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could also adversely affect the results of periodic management evaluations and annual independent registered public accounting firm attestation reports regarding the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Ineffective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial and other information, which would likely have a negative effect on the trading price of our Class A common stock.
If we have a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, we may not detect errors on a timely basis and our financial statements may be materially misstated or could result in a restatement of our financial statements for prior periods. In addition, our internal control over financial reporting will not prevent or detect all errors and fraud. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud will be detected. Moreover, because we regularly consider and enter into strategic mergers and acquisitions, the integration of businesses may create complexity in our financial systems and internal controls and make them more difficult to manage. Such integration into our internal control system could cause us to fail to meet our financial reporting obligations.
If there are material weaknesses or failures in our ability to meet any of the requirements related to the maintenance and reporting of our internal controls, or if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to express an opinion on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which in turn could cause the price of our Class A common stock to decline. Moreover, effective internal controls are necessary to produce reliable financial reports and to prevent fraud. If we have deficiencies in our internal controls, it may negatively impact our business or financial condition and reputation. In addition, if we are unable to continue to meet these requirements, we may not be able to remain listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) or could become subject to investigations by the NYSE, the SEC or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional management attention and which could adversely affect our business.
23
The impact of volatility and disruptions in the global credit and financial markets could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
Failures of financial institutions and any related liquidity crisis may impact depositors’ access to their cash deposits at financial institutions and create disruption in capital and credit markets. For example, the events in March 2023 surrounding Silicon Valley Bank, First Republic Bank and Signature Bank created temporary uncertainty on their customers’ cash deposits in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limits prior to actions taken by governmental entities. We maintain our cash deposits according to a banking policy that requires diversification across a variety of highly rated financial institutions. Our Senior ABL Credit Facility (as defined in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K) is also diversified across various financial institutions. However, there is no guarantee that other financial institutions won’t experience similar liquidity issues or that actions taken by governmental entities to mitigate these risks will be sufficient to ensure access to our cash deposits and sources of liquidity. As a result, a failure of one or more financial institutions with which we do business could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
A liquidity crisis may also result in additional disruption that is not immediately evident but which results in, for example, negative impact on the ability of our customers to pay amounts owed to us in a timely basis or at all, reductions in the liquidity of our vendors that impact product availability, and changes in interest rates and availability of credit that impact the nature and timing of customer projects. As such, a liquidity crisis could also have an indirect material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
Risks Related to Our Indebtedness
Our indebtedness may adversely affect our financial health and our ability to raise additional capital or obtain financing in the future.
As of January 28, 2024, we had total consolidated indebtedness of $1,893 million and $218 million in outstanding lease commitments. In addition, as of January 28, 2024, after giving effect to $16 million of letters of credit issued under the Senior ABL Credit Facility, Core & Main LP would have been able to borrow $804 million under the Senior ABL Credit Facility, subject to borrowing base availability. On February 9, 2024, Core & Main LP entered into a $750 million incremental seven-year term loan maturing on February 9, 2031 (the “2031 Senior Term Loan”).
Our indebtedness could have important consequences to our shareholders. Because of our indebtedness:
•our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, make capital expenditures, complete acquisitions, meet debt service requirements, make Tax Receivable Agreements payments, pay dividends and make other distributions or to purchase, redeem or retire capital stock or for general corporate purposes and our ability to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness may be impaired in the future;
•a portion of our cash flow from operations must be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness, thereby reducing the funds available to us for other purposes;
•we are exposed to the risk of increased interest rates because a significant portion of our borrowings are at variable rates of interest;
•it may be more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations to our creditors, resulting in possible defaults on, and acceleration of, such indebtedness;
•we may be more vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
•we may be at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors with proportionately less indebtedness or with comparable indebtedness on more favorable terms and, as a result, they may be better positioned to withstand economic downturns;
•our ability to refinance indebtedness may be limited or the associated costs may increase;
•our flexibility to adjust to changing market conditions and ability to withstand competitive pressures could be limited;
•our ability to pay dividends and make other distributions or to purchase, redeem or retire capital stock may be limited; and
•we may be prevented from carrying out capital spending and restructurings that are necessary or important to our growth strategy and efforts to improve our operating margins.
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Despite our indebtedness levels, we and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantially more indebtedness, which may increase the risks to our financial condition and results of operations created by our indebtedness.
We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future. The terms of the agreements governing our indebtedness provide our subsidiaries with the flexibility to incur a substantial amount of secured and unsecured indebtedness in the future, if our subsidiaries are in compliance with certain incurrence ratios set forth in these agreements. In addition, after giving effect to $16 million of letters of credit issued under the Senior ABL Credit Facility, as of January 28, 2024, Core & Main LP would have been able to borrow an additional $804 million under the Senior ABL Credit Facility, subject to borrowing base availability. On February 9, 2024, we incurred an additional $750 million of indebtedness in conjunction with the 2031 Senior Term Loan. See Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The agreements governing our indebtedness restrict our current and future operations and our ability, and the ability of our future subsidiaries, to engage in certain business and financial transactions, and, as a result, may adversely affect our business or financial condition.
The agreements governing our indebtedness contain a number of covenants that may limit Core & Main LP’s ability and the ability of any of its future restricted subsidiaries to:
•incur additional indebtedness or issue certain preferred shares;
•pay dividends, redeem stock or make other distributions in respect of capital stock;
•repurchase, prepay or redeem subordinated indebtedness;
•make investments;
•create restrictions on the ability of Core & Main LP’s restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends to Core & Main LP or make other intercompany transfers;
•incur additional liens;
•transfer or sell assets;
•make negative pledges;
•consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of Core & Main LP’s assets;
•change the nature of Core & Main LP’s business;
•enter into certain transactions with Core & Main LP’s affiliates; and
•designate subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries.
In addition, the Senior ABL Credit Facility requires Core & Main LP to comply with a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio under certain circumstances and contains other covenants customary for asset-based facilities of this nature. Core & Main LP’s ability to borrow additional amounts under the Senior ABL Credit Facility depends upon satisfaction of these covenants. Events beyond our control can affect our ability to meet these covenants.
Core & Main LP is required to make mandatory prepayments under (a) the Senior ABL Credit Facility, if aggregate outstanding borrowings exceed the then applicable borrowing base or the then effective commitments under the Senior ABL Credit Facility, and (b) the 2028 Senior Term Loan (as defined in Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K), from excess cash flow, asset sale proceeds, insurance recovery proceeds and proceeds from certain debt incurrences, in each case subject to certain limitations and conditions set forth in the agreements governing such facilities. In addition, any future financing arrangements entered into by us may contain similar restrictions. As a result of these covenants and restrictions, we are limited in how we conduct our business, and we may be unable to raise additional debt or equity financing to compete effectively or to take advantage of new business opportunities.
Our failure to comply with our obligations under the agreements governing our indebtedness as described above, as well as others contained in any future debt instruments from time to time, may result in an event of default under the agreements governing our indebtedness. A default, if not cured or waived, may permit acceleration of our indebtedness. If our indebtedness is accelerated, we cannot be certain that we will have sufficient funds available to pay the accelerated indebtedness or that we will have the ability to refinance the accelerated indebtedness on terms favorable to us or at all. Being forced to refinance these borrowings on less favorable terms or not being able to refinance these borrowings could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
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The Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Holdings and the Tax Receivable Agreements limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness or refinance our existing indebtedness on favorable terms.
The Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Holdings (as amended, the “Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Holdings”) may restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness or refinance our existing indebtedness in a manner that would materially and adversely affect Holdings’ ability to make tax distributions to holders of Partnership Interests or distributions to us to fund payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements (as defined below under “Risks Related to our Organizational Structure”). We may be unable to secure additional financing or refinance our existing indebtedness on favorable terms as a result of such restriction.
In addition, each of the Tax Receivable Agreements requires that any debt document that refinances or replaces our existing indebtedness be no more restrictive on our ability to make payments under each Tax Receivable Agreement than our current indebtedness, unless CD&R Waterworks Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and the Former Limited Partners (as defined in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K) (collectively, the “CD&R Investors”) otherwise consent. At the time of any such refinancing or replacing our existing indebtedness, it may not be possible to include such terms in such debt documents, and a result, we may need the CD&R Investors’ consent to complete such refinancing of our existing indebtedness.
An increase in interest rates would increase the cost of servicing our indebtedness and could reduce our profitability, increase cash outflows, decrease our liquidity or impact our solvency.
Our indebtedness under the Senior ABL Credit Facility, the 2028 Senior Term Loan and the 2031 Senior Term Loan bears interest at variable rates. As a result, increases in interest rates could increase the cost of servicing such indebtedness and materially reduce our profitability and cash flows. As of January 28, 2024, assuming all Senior ABL Credit Facility revolving loans were fully drawn, and excluding the impact of any interest rate hedging instruments, each one percentage point change in interest rates would have resulted in an approximately $27 million increase in annual interest expense on the Senior ABL Credit Facility and the 2028 Senior Term Loan. The impact of such an increase would be more significant for us than it would be for some other companies because of the total amount of our indebtedness.
Changes in our credit ratings and outlook may reduce access to capital and increase borrowing costs.
Our credit ratings are based on a number of factors, including our financial strength and factors outside of our control, such as conditions affecting our industry generally or the introduction of new rating practices and methodologies. We cannot provide assurances that our current credit ratings will remain in effect or that the ratings will not be lowered, suspended or withdrawn entirely by the rating agencies. If rating agencies lower, suspend or withdraw the ratings, the market price or marketability of our securities may be adversely affected. Pressure on the ratings could also arise from higher shareholder payouts or larger acquisitions that result in increased leverage, or in a deterioration in the metrics used by the rating agencies to assess creditworthiness. In addition, any change in ratings could make it more difficult for us to raise capital on acceptable terms, impact the ability to obtain adequate financing and result in higher interest costs on future financings.
Our ability to generate the significant amount of cash needed to pay interest and principal on our indebtedness and our ability to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness or obtain additional financing depends on many factors beyond our control.
Our ability to make scheduled payments on, or to refinance our obligations under, our indebtedness depends on the financial and operating performance of our subsidiaries, which, in turn, depends on their results of operations, cash flows, cash requirements, financial position and general business conditions and any legal restrictions on the payment of distributions to which they may be subject, many of which may be beyond our control.
We may be unable to maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal and interest on our indebtedness. If our cash flow and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets, seek to obtain additional equity capital or restructure our indebtedness. In the future, our cash flow and capital resources may not be sufficient for payments of interest on and principal of our indebtedness, and such alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations.
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On February 9, 2024, the Senior ABL Credit Facility was amended to extend the facility maturity date to February 9, 2029. The outstanding borrowings under the 2028 Senior Term Loan mature on July 27, 2028 and the outstanding borrowings on the 2031 Senior Term Loan mature on February 9, 2031. We may be unable to refinance any of our indebtedness prior to maturity, or otherwise, or obtain additional financing, particularly because of our indebtedness. In addition, market disruptions, such as those experienced in 2008, 2009, 2020 and more recently in 2022, as well as our indebtedness levels, may increase our cost of borrowing or adversely affect our ability to refinance our obligations as they become due. We may be unable to refinance our indebtedness, at maturity or otherwise, on terms acceptable to us or at all. If we are unable to refinance our indebtedness or access additional credit, or if short-term or long-term borrowing costs dramatically increase, our ability to finance current operations and meet our short-term and long-term obligations could be adversely affected.
If Core & Main LP cannot make scheduled payments on its indebtedness under the Senior ABL Credit Facility, the 2028 Senior Term Loan, and/or the 2031 Senior Term Loan, it will be in default and the lenders under the Senior ABL Credit Facility, the 2028 Senior Term Loan and/or the 2031 Senior Term Loan could terminate their commitments to loan money or foreclose against the assets securing the borrowings, and Core & Main LP could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. Any of these actions could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
Risks Related to Our Organizational Structure
Our principal asset is our direct and indirect ownership interest in Holdings, and, accordingly, we depend on distributions from Holdings and its subsidiaries to pay our taxes and other expenses, including payments under each of the Tax Receivable Agreements. Our subsidiaries’ ability to make such distributions may be subject to various limitations and restrictions.
We are a holding company and our primary material assets are our direct and indirect ownership of Holdings and deferred tax assets associated with this ownership. Holdings itself has no operations and no material assets of its own other than its indirect ownership interest in Core & Main LP. As such, we have no independent means of generating revenue or cash flow, and our ability to pay our taxes and operating expenses or declare and pay dividends in the future, if any, will be dependent upon the financial results and cash flows of our current and future subsidiaries, including Core & Main LP. There can be no assurance that our subsidiaries will generate sufficient cash flow to distribute funds to us or that applicable state law and contractual restrictions, including covenants in the agreements that govern Core & Main LP’s indebtedness, will permit such distributions.
Holdings is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, as such, generally is not subject to any entity-level U.S. federal income tax. Instead, taxable income of Holdings, if any, will be allocated to holders of Partnership Interests, including us. Accordingly, we will generally incur U.S. federal income taxes on our allocable share of any net taxable income of Holdings. In addition, our allocable share of Holdings’ net taxable income will increase over time as Management Feeder continues to exchange its Partnership Interests for shares of our Class A common stock. Such increase in our taxable income may increase our tax expenses and may have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
Under the terms of the Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Holdings, Holdings is obligated to make tax distributions to holders of Partnership Interests, including us, to the extent that other distributions made by Holdings are otherwise insufficient to pay the tax liabilities of holders of Partnership Interests. In addition to tax expenses, we also incur expenses related to our operations, including payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements. Because tax distributions are based on an assumed tax rate, Holdings may be required to make tax distributions that, in the aggregate, could be significant. We intend, as its general partner, to cause Holdings to make cash distributions to the owners of Partnership Interests, including us, in an amount sufficient to (i) fund all or part of their tax obligations in respect of taxable income allocated to them and (ii) cover our operating expenses, including payments made under the Tax Receivable Agreements. However, Holdings’ ability to make such distributions may be subject to various limitations and restrictions, such as restrictions on distributions that would either violate any contract or agreement to which Holdings is then a party, including debt agreements, or any applicable law, or that would have the effect of rendering Holdings insolvent. If we do not have sufficient funds to pay taxes or other expenses or to fund our operations, we may have to borrow funds, which could materially adversely affect our liquidity and financial condition and subject us to various restrictions imposed by any such lenders. To the extent that we are unable to make payments under any Tax Receivable Agreement for any reason, such payments generally will be deferred and will accrue interest until paid; provided, however, that nonpayment for a specified period may constitute a material breach of a material obligation under such Tax Receivable Agreement and therefore accelerate payments due under such Tax Receivable Agreement. In addition, if Holdings does not have sufficient funds to make distributions, our ability to declare and pay cash dividends on our Class A common stock will also be restricted or impaired. See “—Risks Related to Our Class A Common Stock”.
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Our organizational structure, including the Tax Receivable Agreements, confers certain benefits upon the Continuing Limited Partners and certain Former Limited Partners that will not benefit Class A common stockholders to the same extent as it will benefit Continuing Limited Partners or such Former Limited Partners.
Our organizational structure, including the Tax Receivable Agreements, confers certain benefits upon Continuing Limited Partners (as defined in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K) and certain Former Limited Partners that will not benefit the holders of our Class A common stock to the same extent as it will benefit Continuing Limited Partners or such Former Limited Partners. As described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, exchanges of Partnership Interests by the Continuing Limited Partners and Former Limited Partners may generate tax attributes for the Company for which we must pay 85% of the realized, or deemed to be realized, benefits to the exchanging party under the respective Tax Receivable Agreement. Although we will retain 15% of the amount of such tax benefits, this and other aspects of our organizational structure may adversely impact the trading market for the Class A common stock. In addition, our organizational structure, including the Tax Receivable Agreements, imposes additional compliance costs and requires a significant commitment of resources that would not be required of a company with a simpler organizational structure.
The Tax Receivable Agreements require us to make cash payments to the Continuing Limited Partners and certain Former Limited Partners in respect of certain tax benefits to which we may become entitled, and we expect that the payments we will be required to make will be substantial.
As described in greater detail in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, under the Tax Receivable Agreements, we are required to make cash payments to the Continuing Limited Partners or their permitted transferees and to certain Former Limited Partners or their permitted transferees. The amount of the cash payments that we will be required to make under the Tax Receivable Agreements is expected to be substantial. Any payments made by us under the Tax Receivable Agreements will generally reduce the amount of overall cash flow that might have otherwise been available to us. Furthermore, our future obligation to make payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements could make us a less attractive target for an acquisition, particularly in the case of an acquirer that cannot realize some or all of the tax benefits that are the subject of the Tax Receivable Agreements. Payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements are not conditioned on any holder’s continued ownership of Partnership Interests or our common stock. As of January 28, 2024, the Company had recorded a $717 million payable to related parties pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreements.
In addition, if the Continuing Limited Partners exchanged their remaining Partnership Interests on January 28, 2024, utilizing assumptions described in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we would recognize an additional deferred tax asset (subject to offset with existing deferred tax liabilities) of approximately $108 million and a Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement liability of approximately $92 million. The full exchange by the Continuing Limited Partners will also decrease our aforementioned deferred tax asset associated with our investment in Holdings by $4 million. These amounts are estimates only and are subject to change. The actual amount and timing of any payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the timing of exchanges by the holders of Partnership Interests, the amount of gain recognized by such holders of Partnership Interests, the amount and timing of the taxable income we generate in the future and the federal tax rates then applicable.
In certain cases, payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements to Continuing Limited Partners or Former Limited Partners may be accelerated or significantly exceed the actual benefits we realize in respect of the tax attributes subject to the Tax Receivable Agreements.
Each Tax Receivable Agreement provides that upon certain mergers, asset sales, other forms of business combinations or other changes of control, nonpayment for a specified period which constitutes a material breach of a material obligation under such Tax Receivable Agreement, or if, at any time, we elect an early termination of such Tax Receivable Agreement, then our obligations, or our successor’s obligations, under such Tax Receivable Agreement to make payments thereunder would be based on certain assumptions, including an assumption that we would have sufficient taxable income to fully utilize all potential future tax benefits that are subject to such Tax Receivable Agreement.
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As a result of the foregoing, (i) we could be required to make payments under such Tax Receivable Agreement that are greater than the specified percentage of the actual benefits we ultimately realize in respect of the tax benefits that are subject to such Tax Receivable Agreement and (ii) if we elect to terminate such Tax Receivable Agreement early, we would be required to make an immediate cash payment equal to the specified percentage of the present value of the anticipated future tax benefits that are the subject of such Tax Receivable Agreement, which payment may be made significantly in advance of the actual realization, if any, of such future tax benefits. Based upon certain assumptions, described in greater detail in Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we estimate that if we had exercised our termination right as of January 28, 2024, the amount of the termination payment pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreements recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the exchange of Partnership Interests would be approximately $470 million and the amount of the termination payment to the Continuing Limited Partners holding the remaining exchangeable Partnership Interests would be approximately $58 million. The foregoing numbers are estimates and the actual payments could differ materially based on, among other things, the timing of an early termination election, the discount rate applicable at the time of the early termination election and material changes in relevant tax law. In these situations, our payments under such Tax Receivable Agreement could have a substantial negative impact on our liquidity and could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing certain mergers, asset sales, other forms of business combinations or other changes of control. There can be no assurance that we will be able to fund or finance our payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements.
We will not be reimbursed for any payments made under the Tax Receivable Agreements in the event that any tax benefits are disallowed.
Our acquisitions of Partnership Interests in connection with the Exchange Agreement are expected to result in increases in our allocable tax basis in the assets of Holdings that otherwise would not have been available to us. These increases in tax basis are expected to reduce the amount of cash tax that we would otherwise have to pay in the future due to increases in depreciation and amortization deductions (for tax purposes). These increases in tax basis may also decrease gain (or increase loss) on future dispositions of certain assets of Holdings to the extent the increased tax basis is allocated to those assets. The Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) may challenge all or part of these tax basis increases, and a court could sustain such a challenge.
Payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements will be based on the tax reporting positions that we determine, and the IRS or another taxing authority may challenge all or part of the tax basis increases, as well as other related tax positions we take, and a court could sustain such challenge. While the actual increase in tax basis, as well as the actual amount and timing of any payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements, will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the timing of exchanges, the price of shares of our Class A common stock at the time of the exchange, the extent to which such exchanges are taxable, future tax rates, and the amount and timing of our income, we expect that, as a result of the size of the increases in the tax basis of the tangible and intangible assets of Holdings attributable to our interests in Holdings, during the expected term of the Tax Receivable Agreements, the payments that we may make to the Continuing Limited Partners could be substantial.
The payment obligations under the Tax Receivable Agreements are our obligation and not an obligation of Holdings. In the event any tax benefits initially claimed by us and for which payment has been made are successfully challenged by a taxing authority, such prior payments under the applicable Tax Receivable Agreements will not be reimbursed but any such detriment will generally be taken into account as a reduction in future payments due under the applicable Tax Receivable Agreement. However, we might not determine that we have effectively made an excess cash payment for a number of years following the initial time of such payment and, if any of our tax reporting positions are challenged by a taxing authority, we will not be permitted to reduce any future cash payments under such Tax Receivable Agreement until any such challenge is finally settled or determined. As a result, payments could be made under such Tax Receivable Agreement in excess of the tax savings that we realize in respect of the tax attributes that are the subject of such Tax Receivable Agreement.
If we were deemed to be an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as a result of our ownership of Holdings, applicable restrictions could make it impractical for us to continue our business as currently contemplated and could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
Under Sections 3(a)(1)(A) and (C) of the 1940 Act, a company generally will be deemed to be an “investment company” for purposes of the 1940 Act if (i) it is, or holds itself out as being, engaged primarily, or proposes to engage primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities or (ii) it engages, or proposes to engage, in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities and it owns or proposes to acquire investment securities having a value exceeding 40% of the value of its total assets (exclusive of U.S. government securities and cash items) on an unconsolidated basis. We do not believe that we are an “investment company,” as such term is defined in either of those sections of the 1940 Act.
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As the general partner of Holdings, we control and operate Holdings. On that basis, we believe that our interest in Holdings is neither an “investment security” as that term is used in the 1940 Act nor a “security” based on the test under applicable case law. However, if we were to cease participation in the management of Holdings, our interest in Holdings could be deemed an “investment security” for purposes of the 1940 Act.
We and Holdings intend to conduct our operations so that we will not be deemed an investment company. However, if we were to be deemed an investment company, restrictions imposed by the 1940 Act, including limitations on our capital structure and our ability to transact with affiliates, could make it impractical for us to continue our business as contemplated and could have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.
Risks Related to Our Class A Common Stock
The market price of our Class A common stock may be volatile and could decline.
Volatility in the market price of our Class A common stock may prevent our shareholders from being able to sell shares at or above the price you paid for such shares. The market price of our Class A common stock may fluctuate significantly. Among the factors that could affect our stock price are:
•industry, regulatory or general market conditions;
•domestic and international economic factors unrelated to our performance;
•new regulatory pronouncements and changes in regulatory guidelines;
•lawsuits, enforcement actions and other claims by third parties or governmental authorities;
•actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly operating results;
•lack of research coverage and reports by industry analysts or changes in any securities analysts’ estimates of our financial performance;
•action by institutional stockholders or other large stockholders, including future sales of our Class A common stock;
•failure to meet any guidance given by us or any change in any guidance given by us, or changes by us in our guidance practices;
•changes in our share repurchase or dividend policy;
•announcements by us of significant impairment charges;
•speculation in the press or investment community;
•investor perception of us or our industry;
•changes in market valuations or earnings of similar companies;
•the impact of short selling or the impact of a potential “short squeeze” resulting from a sudden increase in demand for our Class A common stock;
•announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, acquisitions, dispositions or strategic partnerships;
•war, terrorist acts, epidemic disease or pandemic disease;
•any future sales of our Class A common stock or other securities;
•additions or departures of key personnel; and
•misconduct or other improper actions of our associates.
Stock markets have experienced extreme volatility in recent years that has been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our Class A common stock. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, class action litigation has often been instituted against the affected company. Any litigation of this type brought against us could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources, which could materially and adversely affect our business or financial condition.
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An active, liquid trading market for our Class A common stock may not be sustained.
Although our Class A common stock is currently listed on the NYSE under the symbol “CNM,” an active trading market for our shares may not be sustained. Accordingly, if an active trading market for our Class A common stock is not maintained, the liquidity of our Class A common stock, our shareholders’ ability to sell shares of our Class A common stock when desired and the prices that a shareholder may obtain for shares of our Class A common stock will be adversely affected.
Future sales of shares by us or our existing stockholders could cause our stock price to decline.
Sales of substantial amounts of our Class A common stock in the public market, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the market price of our Class A common stock to decline. These sales, or the possibility that these sales may occur, also might make it more difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and at a price that we deem appropriate.
As of January 28, 2024, we had a total of 191,663,608 shares of Class A common stock outstanding and 9,630,186 of potential additional shares of Class A common stock issuable upon exchange of Partnership Interests (with automatic retirement of an equal number of shares of Class B common stock).
Additionally, pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement and subject to certain restrictions set forth therein and as described elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, Management Feeder (or its permitted transferees) has the right to exchange its Partnership Interests, together with the retirement of a corresponding number of shares of our Class B common stock, for shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis or, at the election of a majority of the disinterested members of our board of directors, for cash from a substantially concurrent public offering or private sale (based on the price of our Class A common stock sold in such public offering or private sale), net of any underwriting discounts and commissions, for each Partnership Interest exchanged, subject to customary conversion rate adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends, reclassifications and other similar transactions. The Exchange Agreement also provides that in connection with any such exchange, to the extent that Holdings has, since consummation of the Reorganization Transactions and our IPO, made distributions to Management Feeder that are proportionately lesser or greater than the distributions made to us, on a pro rata basis, the number of shares of Class A common stock to be issued or cash to be paid to Management Feeder will be adjusted to take into account the amount of such discrepancy that is allocable to the Partnership Interests, and Class B common stock, subject to such exchange. We expect to cause Holdings to make overall distributions to its partners in such a manner as generally to limit increases to the number of shares of Class A common stock to be issued or cash to be paid to Management Feeder in connection with the adjustment described in the preceding sentence. The amount of future partner distributions and the number of shares issuable pursuant to such provision of the Exchange Agreement will fluctuate based on a number of factors, including our financial performance, the actual tax rates applied to Management Feeder (or its permitted transferees), any changes in tax rates or tax laws and future share prices for our Class A common stock. Unless our board of directors elects to settle these obligations in cash pursuant to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, we expect that these arrangements will result in a substantial number of additional shares of Class A common stock being issued to Management Feeder.
On July 23, 2021, we also filed a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register the shares of Class A common stock to be issued under our equity compensation plans. As a result, all shares of Class A common stock acquired upon exercise of stock options and other securities convertible or exchangeable into shares of Class A common stock granted under our equity compensation plans will be freely tradable under the Securities Act, subject to the terms of the lock-up agreements, unless purchased by our affiliates. Furthermore, as of January 28, 2024, there were (i) common units of Management Feeder, which correspond to an equivalent number of Partnership Interests in Holdings that may be exchanged for 9,243,276 shares of Class A common stock in the aggregate, which will be issuable upon exchange of such Partnership Interests (together with the retirement of a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock held by Management Feeder), (ii) unvested common units of Management Feeder, that are subject to certain time-vesting provisions, which correspond to an equivalent number of Partnership Interests in Holdings that may be exchanged for 386,910 shares of Class A common stock in the aggregate, which will be issuable upon exchange of such Partnership Interests (together with the retirement of a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock held by Management Feeder) and (iii) stock appreciation rights of Holdings, denominated in Class A common stock, pursuant to which 331,554 shares of Class A common stock will be issuable, at a weighted average base price of $5.28 per share, of which stock appreciation rights representing 225,941 shares of Class A common stock are vested and exercisable as of January 28, 2024.
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If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish misleading or unfavorable research about our business, our Class A common stock price and trading volume could decline.
The trading market for our Class A common stock depends in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts may publish about us or our business. If one or more of the analysts that covers our Class A common stock downgrades our stock or publishes misleading or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of the analysts ceases coverage of our Class A common stock or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our Class A common stock could decrease, which could cause our Class A common stock price or trading volume to decline.
Future offerings of debt, Class A common stock, equity securities which would rank senior to our Class A common stock or other securities convertible or exchangeable into common or preferred stock, in connection with a financing, strategic investment, litigation settlement or employee arrangement or otherwise, may result in dilution to owners of our Class A common stock and/or may adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock.
If, in the future, we decide to issue debt or equity securities that rank senior to our Class A common stock, it is likely that such securities will be governed by an indenture or other instrument containing covenants restricting our operating flexibility. Issuing additional shares of our Class A common stock or other equity securities or securities convertible into equity may dilute the economic and voting rights of our stockholders or reduce the market price of our Class A common stock. Additionally, any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of our Class A common stock and may result in dilution to owners of our Class A common stock. Debt securities convertible into equity could be subject to adjustments in the conversion ratio pursuant to which certain events may increase the number of equity securities issuable upon conversion. Preferred stock, if issued, could have a preference with respect to liquidating distributions or a preference with respect to dividend payments that could limit our ability to pay dividends to the holders of our Class A common stock. We and, indirectly, our stockholders, will bear the cost of issuing and servicing such securities. Because our decision to issue debt or equity securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors outside our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, holders of our Class A common stock will bear the risk of our future offerings, reducing the market price of our Class A common stock or diluting the value of their stock holdings in us.
In addition, in the future, we may issue additional shares of Class A common stock or other equity or debt securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of our Class A common stock in connection with a financing, strategic investment, litigation settlement or employee arrangement or otherwise. Any of these issuances could result in substantial dilution to our existing stockholders and could cause the trading price of our Class A common stock to decline.
Anti-takeover provisions in our Certificate of Incorporation and our amended and restated by-laws (the “By-laws”) could discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our Company and may affect the trading price of our Class A common stock.
Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws include a number of provisions that may discourage, delay or prevent a change in our management or control over us even if our stockholders might consider such changes to be favorable. For example, our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws collectively:
•authorize the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock that could be issued by our board of directors to thwart a takeover attempt;
•provide for a classified board of directors, which divides our board of directors into three classes, with members of each class serving staggered three-year terms, which prevents stockholders from electing an entirely new board of directors at an annual meeting;
•limit the ability of stockholders to remove directors without cause;
•provide that vacancies on our board of directors, including vacancies resulting from an enlargement of our board of directors, may be filled only by a majority vote of directors then in office;
•prohibit stockholders from calling special meetings of stockholders;
•prohibit stockholder action by consent in writing or electronic transmission, thereby requiring all actions to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders;
•do not opt out of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), which generally prohibits a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the time the person became an interested stockholder, or any successor provision to Section 203;
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•establish advance notice requirements for nominations of candidates for election as directors or to bring other business before an annual meeting of our stockholders; and
•require the approval of holders of at least 66 2/3% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of our common stock then entitled to vote thereon to amend our By-laws and certain provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation.
These provisions may prevent our stockholders from receiving the benefit from any premium to the market price of our Class A common stock offered by a bidder in a takeover context or from changing our management and board of directors. Even in the absence of a takeover attempt, the existence of these provisions may adversely affect the prevailing market price of our Class A common stock if the provisions are viewed as discouraging takeover attempts in the future.
Our Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws may also make it difficult for stockholders to replace or remove our management. Furthermore, the existence of the foregoing provisions could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our Class A common stock. These provisions may facilitate management entrenchment that may delay, deter, render more difficult or prevent a change in our control, which may not be in the best interests of our stockholders.
We could be the subject of securities class action litigation due to future stock price volatility, which could divert management’s attention and materially and adversely affect our business or financial condition.
The stock market in general, and market prices for the securities of companies like ours in particular, have from time to time experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the operating performance of the underlying companies. A certain degree of stock price volatility can be attributed to being a newly public company. These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock, regardless of our operating performance. In certain situations in which the market price of a stock has been volatile, holders of that stock have instituted securities class action litigation against the company that issued the stock. We may be a target of this type of litigation in the future. The defense and disposition of litigation of this type could result in substantial costs and divert resources and the time and attention of our management, which could materially and adversely affect our business or financial condition.
We currently do not have an approved plan to pay dividends on our Class A common stock or repurchase shares and, consequently, your ability to achieve a return on your investment depends on appreciation in the price of our Class A common stock.
While we may in the future consider approving a plan to pay dividends on our Class A common stock, we currently intend to use our future earnings, if any, to repay debt, to fund our growth, to develop our business, for working capital needs and for general corporate purposes. Therefore, there is no certainty as to the timing, frequency and magnitude of any dividends that we may pay on our Class A common stock for the foreseeable future, and the success of an investment in shares of our common stock depends upon any future appreciation in their value. There is no guarantee that shares of our Class A common stock will appreciate in value or even maintain the price at which our stockholders have purchased their shares. Payments of dividends, if any, are at the sole discretion of our board of directors after taking into account various factors, including general and economic conditions, our financial condition and operating results, our available cash and current and anticipated cash needs, capital requirements, contractual, legal and tax restrictions and implications of the payment of dividends by us to our stockholders or by our subsidiaries to us, and such other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant. In addition, our operations are conducted almost entirely through our subsidiaries. As such, to the extent that we determine in the future to pay dividends on our Class A common stock, none of our subsidiaries will be obligated to make funds available to us for the payment of dividends. Further, the agreements governing our subsidiaries’ debt agreements significantly restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or otherwise transfer assets to us, and we may enter into other debt agreements or borrowing arrangements in the future that restrict or limit our ability to pay cash dividends on our Class A common stock. In addition, Delaware law imposes additional requirements that may restrict our ability to pay dividends to holders of our Class A common stock.
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Our Certificate of Incorporation designates the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain litigation that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or stockholders.
Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, the federal district court of the State of Delaware) will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action, suit or proceeding brought on our behalf, (ii) any action, suit or proceeding asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed to us or our stockholders by any of our directors, officers, other employees, agents or stockholders, (iii) any action, suit or proceeding asserting a claim arising out of or pursuant to or seeking to enforce any right, obligation or remedy under any provision of our Certificate of Incorporation or our By-laws (as either may be amended or restated) or the DGCL, or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or (iv) any action or proceeding asserting a claim that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each case subject to such Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants. It is possible that a court could find that the exclusive forum provisions described above are inapplicable for a particular claim or action or that such provision is unenforceable, and our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. As permitted by Delaware law, our Certificate of Incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the election of an alternative forum, the U.S. federal district courts will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder. To the fullest extent permitted by law, by becoming a stockholder in our Company, you will be deemed to have notice of and have consented to the provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation related to choice of forum. The choice of forum provision in our Certificate of Incorporation may limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees, agents or stockholders, which could discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. Additionally, a court could determine that the exclusive forum provision is unenforceable, and our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. If a court were to find these provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could materially and adversely affect our business or financial condition.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 1C. Cybersecurity
Risk Management and Strategy
The Company monitors its information systems to assess, identify, and manage risks and assess cybersecurity threats. The Company’s cybersecurity program and related process for identifying and assessing material risks from cybersecurity threats are incorporated within the Company’s enterprise risk management program. The Company monitors risks through active (e.g., penetration tests and vulnerability scans) and passive (e.g., end-point protection) methods. The Company’s cybersecurity team investigates system alerts that may indicate the presence of a cybersecurity threat or incident and escalates information to the Company’s Chief Information Security Officer (“CISO”) regarding the threat or incident as necessary to address it in a timely manner. The Company also maintains an incident response plan, which sets forth processes the Company will follow to address a significant cybersecurity threat or incident. The incident response plan provides for, among other things, inter-departmental coordination and management of cybersecurity threats or incidents to quickly assess the impact, mitigate risks to information systems, and work to resolve vulnerabilities. Depending on the threat or incident, the Company may utilize third-parties for assistance in investigating and addressing cybersecurity incidents or threats.
Senior information technology and cybersecurity leadership meets regularly with the Company’s risk-management team, internal auditors and engages with external service providers to evaluate the effectiveness of the Company’s cybersecurity program, as well as its systems, controls, and management processes with respect to cybersecurity risks. The Company also engages third-party cybersecurity experts to assess its processes and suggest improvements, which are reviewed with the Company’s executive leadership, the board of directors and its audit committee.
The Company extends the risk assessment elements described above to our evaluation of third-party suppliers. The Company utilizes a risk-based approach to assess third-party suppliers prior to commencement of a relationship, and on an ongoing basis following initial engagement. This assessment considers the significance of the third-party to our operations, availability of alternative suppliers, the type of data provided to the third-party and publicly available information regarding the third-party.
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The Company describes whether and how risks from identified cybersecurity threats have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company under the heading “Interruptions in the proper functioning of the Company’s and our third-party service providers’ IT systems or compromise of our or our customers’ confidential data, including from cybersecurity threats, could disrupt operations and cause unanticipated reputational harm, litigation and regulatory risk, as well as increases in costs or decreases in net sales, or both” included as part of the Company’s risk factor disclosures in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. During the period covered by this report, there have not been any cybersecurity threats or incidents that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company, including its financial condition, results of operations, or business strategies.
Governance
The Company’s board of directors, primarily through its audit committee, oversees the Company’s cybersecurity program. The Company’s CISO regularly reports to the board’s audit committee on the current state of the Company’s cybersecurity program (including but not limited to, the current threat landscape, cybersecurity risks, and as needed, any significant incidents). The audit committee may provide updates to the board of directors on the substance of these reports and any recommendations for improvements that the audit committee deems appropriate. At the management level, the Company’s Chief Information Officer (the “CIO”) and Chief Financial Officer receive regular historical and real-time reports about the Company’s cybersecurity status from the Company’s cybersecurity department which is led by our CISO. The Company has established written policies and procedures in our cybersecurity incident response plan to ensure that significant cybersecurity incidents are investigated timely, addressed through the coordination of various internal departments, and (to the extent required by applicable law) publicly reported. If management determines a significant cybersecurity incident has occurred, the Company’s policies require management to promptly inform the board of directors. The CISO is responsible for the cybersecurity program, which includes security architecture, security operations, incident response, IT risk and compliance and security awareness and training and the CIO is responsible for IT disaster recovery. The CISO and the CIO each have over 25 years of security and IT experience. The other members of the Company’s security organization also have extensive cybersecurity, business, and technology experience and hold certifications in their area of expertise.
Item 2. Properties
We own our headquarters, located in St. Louis, Missouri, which we use for our principal corporate activities. In addition to our headquarters, as of January 28, 2024, we leased 292 properties and owned 43 properties. Our facilities typically include a small office space, an in-store counter and/or merchandising display area, inside warehouse space and a yard for outside storage. In addition, we have 12 distribution facilities strategically located around the U.S. to maximize efficiency of product distribution. We enter into leases with terms typically ranging from three to five years that include renewal options. We believe that these facilities are well-maintained and adequate to support the current needs of our business.
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Item 3. Legal Proceedings
We are not currently party to any material legal proceedings. Nevertheless, we are from time to time involved in litigation incidental to the ordinary conduct of our business, including personal injury, workers’ compensation and business operations. Regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors. See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Like other companies in our industry, we have been subject to personal injury and property damage claims arising from the types of products that we distribute. As a distributor in this industry, we face an inherent risk of exposure to product liability claims in the event that the use of the products we have distributed in the past or may in the future distribute is alleged to have resulted in economic loss, personal injury or property damage or violated environmental, health or safety or other laws. Such product liability claims in the past have included, and may in the future include, allegations of defects in manufacturing, defects in design, a failure to warn of dangers inherent in the product, negligence, strict liability or a breach of warranties. In particular, we have been and continue to be a defendant in asbestos-related litigation matters. See Item 1A. “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—The nature of our business exposes us to product liability, construction defect and warranty claims and other litigation and legal proceedings” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information for Our Class A Common Stock
Core & Main, Inc. Class A common stock is quoted on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “CNM.” There is no established trading market for our Class B common stock.
Holders of Record
As of January 28, 2024, there were five holders of record of our Class A common stock. We believe there are a significantly larger number of beneficial owners of our common stock because many shares are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders.
Dividend Policy
We do not currently have an approved plan to pay dividends on our Class A common stock. Any future determination to pay dividends on our Class A common stock will be subject to the discretion of our board of directors and depend upon various factors, including our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity requirements, capital requirements, level of indebtedness, contractual restrictions with respect to payment of dividends, restrictions imposed by applicable law, general business conditions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. Investors should not purchase our Class A common stock with the expectation of receiving cash dividends. The payment of any dividend on our Class A common stock would require a distribution from Holdings. Any distributions made by Holdings to fund dividends will be made on a pro rata basis to all limited partners of Holdings, including Core & Main, in accordance with the terms of the Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Holdings.
Our Class B common stock is not entitled to receive dividends, or to receive a distribution upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up.
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Performance Graph
The following graph and table compare the total shareholder return from July 23, 2021, the date on which our Class A common stock commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange, through January 28, 2024 of (i) our Class A common stock, (ii) the Standard and Poor’s 500 Stock Index, or S&P 500 Index, (iii) the Russell 2000 Index and (iv) the S&P MidCap 400 Industrials Index. The stock performance graph and table assume an initial investment of $100 on July 23, 2021.
The performance graph and table are not intended to be indicative of future performance. The performance graph and table shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that Section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any of the Company’s filings under the Securities Act.
| Indexed Returns Years Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Company/Index | July 23, 2021 | January 30, 2022 | January 29, 2023 | January 28, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Core & Main (1) | $ | 100.00 | $ | 98.95 | $ | 91.43 | $ | 171.10 | ||||||||||||||||||
| S&P 500 Index | 100.00 | 100.45 | 92.27 | 110.86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Russell 2000 Index | 100.00 | 89.07 | 86.51 | 89.53 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| S&P MidCap 400 Industrials Index | 100.00 | 96.77 | 102.27 | 121.62 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) For the July 23, 2021 initial investment in Core & Main, we utilized the closing market price of $23.70.
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Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following is a summary of our repurchases of shares of Class A common stock during the fiscal quarter ended January 28, 2024:
| Period | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased(1) | Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit) | Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) or Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs | ||||||||||||||||||||||
October 30, 2023 - November 30, 2023(1)(2) | 3,133,012 | $ | 30.45 | N/A | N/A | |||||||||||||||||||||
December 1, 2023 -December 31, 2023(1)(3) | 3,140,097 | 35.54 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||
January 1, 2024 - January 28, 2024(1)(4) | 6,256,112 | 39.55 | N/A | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12,529,221 | $ | 36.27 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) Reflects repurchases by the Company of shares of our Class A common stock pursuant to employee tax withholding obligations and strike price settlement upon exercise of unit appreciation rights and vesting of restricted stock units pursuant to terms of the Company’s 2021 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, except for the transactions described in footnotes (2), (3) and (4) below.
(2) Includes the repurchase by the Company of 3,125,728 shares of our Class A common stock for a price per share of $30.440 on November 9, 2023 in connection with the Repurchase Transactions (as defined elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K). The Company also repurchased 1,874,272 shares of our Class B common stock in connection with the repurchase transaction completed on November 9, 2023 for no additional consideration.
(3) Includes the repurchase by the Company of 3,125,728 shares of our Class A common stock for a price per share of $35.540 on December 11, 2023 in connection with the Repurchase Transactions. The Company also repurchased 1,874,272 shares of our Class B common stock in connection with the repurchase transaction completed on December 11, 2023 for no additional consideration.
(4) Includes the repurchase by the Company of 3,125,728 shares of our Class A common stock for a price per share of $38.120 on January 10, 2024 and 3,125,728 shares of our Class A common stock for a price per share of $40.985 on January 25, 2024 in connection with the Repurchase Transactions. The Company also repurchased 1,874,272 shares and 1,874,272 shares of our Class B common stock on January 10, 2024 and January 25, 2024, respectively, in connection with the repurchase transactions completed on January 10, 2024 and January 25, 2024 for no additional consideration.
Item 6. [Reserved]
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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following discussion may contain forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a number of important factors, particularly those described under the caption “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
Overview
Core & Main is a leader in advancing reliable infrastructure with local service, nationwide. As a leading specialty distributor with a focus on water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products, and related services, we provide solutions to municipalities, private water companies and professional contractors across municipal, non-residential and residential end markets, nationwide. Our products and services are used primarily in the maintenance, repair, replacement and new construction of water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection infrastructure. We reach customers through a nationwide network of approximately 335 branches across 48 states. Our products include pipes, valves, fittings, storm drainage products, fire protection products, meter products and other products for use in the construction, maintenance and repair of water and wastewater infrastructure systems. We complement our core products through additional offerings, including smart meter systems, fusible HDPE piping solutions, specifically engineered treatment plant products and geosynthetics and erosion control products. Our services and capabilities allow for integration with customers and form part of their sourcing and procurement function.
Basis of Presentation
The Company is a holding company and its primary material assets are its direct and indirect ownership interest in Holdings and deferred tax assets associated with this ownership. Holdings has no operations and no material assets of its own other than its indirect ownership interest in Core & Main LP, a Florida limited partnership, the legal entity that conducts the operations of Core & Main. Because Core & Main is the general partner of Holdings, it operates and controls all of the business and affairs of Holdings and, through Holdings and its subsidiaries, conducts our business. Accordingly, the consolidated financial information of Core & Main presented herein, including the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, includes the consolidated financial information of Holdings and its subsidiaries. The Partnership Interests in Holdings held by the Continuing Limited Partners is reflected as non-controlling interests in Core & Main’s consolidated financial statements.
As the Reorganization Transactions (as defined in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K) are accounted for as transactions between entities under common control, the financial statements for the periods prior to our IPO and Reorganization Transactions have been adjusted to combine previously separate entities for presentation purposes. These entities include Core & Main, Holdings and its consolidated subsidiaries and the Blocker Companies (as defined in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K). Prior to the Reorganization Transactions, Core & Main had no operations.
Fiscal Year
Our fiscal year is a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Sunday nearest to January 31st. Quarters within the fiscal year include 13-week periods, unless a fiscal year includes a 53rd week, in which case the fourth quarter of the fiscal year will be a 14-week period. The fiscal years ended January 28, 2024, January 29, 2023 and January 30, 2022 included 52 weeks. The next fiscal year ending February 2, 2025 (“fiscal 2024”) will include 53 weeks.
Significant Events During Fiscal 2023
Secondary Offerings and Repurchase Transactions
During fiscal 2023, secondary public offerings of Class A common stock were completed by certain selling stockholders affiliated with CD&R (the “Selling Stockholders”). As part of the secondary public offerings the Selling Stockholders sold to the public (i) existing shares of our Class A common stock and (ii) shares of Class A common stock received in exchange for an equal number of Partnership Interests, together with the retirement of a corresponding number of shares of our Class B common stock. Below is a summary of the secondary public offerings completed during fiscal 2023 (the “Secondary Offerings”).
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| Secondary Offering Date | Existing Shares of Class A Common Stock Sold to the Public | Partnership Interests Exchanged for Class A Common Stock Prior to Sale to the Public | Shares of Class A Common Stock Sold to the Public | Price Per Share | ||||||||||||||||||||||
January 25, 2024 | 12,366,683 | 7,415,404 | 19,782,087 | $40.985 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
January 10, 2024(1) | 12,084,902 | 7,465,098 | 19,550,000 | $38.120 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
December 11, 2023(1) | 10,783,760 | 6,466,240 | 17,250,000 | $35.540 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
November 9, 2023(1) | 13,659,431 | 8,190,569 | 21,850,000 | $30.440 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 19, 2023 | 11,252,620 | 6,747,380 | 18,000,000 | $29.015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 12, 2023 | 8,752,038 | 5,247,962 | 14,000,000 | $28.215 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 14, 2023 | 3,125,728 | 1,874,272 | 5,000,000 | $22.151 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Includes shares of Class A common stock purchased by the underwriter, pursuant to the exercise in full of the option granted in connection with the secondary public offering.
The Company did not receive any of the proceeds from the Secondary Offerings. The Company paid the costs associated with the sale of shares by the Selling Stockholders in the Secondary Offerings, other than underwriting discounts and commissions.
Concurrently with the completion of the Secondary Offerings completed in fiscal 2023, (i) the Company repurchased from the Selling Stockholders shares of our Class A common stock, and Holdings redeemed from the Company a corresponding number of Partnership Interests, and (ii) Holdings redeemed from one of the Selling Stockholders Partnership Interests; with the Company repurchasing a corresponding number of shares of our Class B common stock from such Selling Stockholder for no additional consideration. Below is a summary of the repurchase transactions completed during fiscal 2023 (the “Repurchase Transactions”).
| Repurchase Transaction Date | Shares of Class A Common Stock Repurchased | Partnership Interests Redeemed | Total Repurchase Amount | Price Per Share/Partnership Interest | Total Consideration Paid (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
January 25, 2024 | 3,125,728 | 1,874,272 | 5,000,000 | $40.985 | $205 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
January 10, 2024 | 3,125,728 | 1,874,272 | 5,000,000 | $38.120 | $191 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 11, 2023 | 3,125,728 | 1,874,272 | 5,000,000 | $35.540 | $178 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 9, 2023 | 3,125,728 | 1,874,272 | 5,000,000 | $30.440 | $152 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 19, 2023 | 3,125,728 | 1,874,272 | 5,000,000 | $29.015 | $145 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 12, 2023 | 3,125,728 | 1,874,272 | 5,000,000 | $28.215 | $141 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 14, 2023 | 9,377,183 | 5,622,817 | 15,000,000 | $22.151 | $332 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
As a result of these transactions, as of January 25, 2024, the Selling Stockholders no longer held any shares of our Class A common stock or our Class B common stock. For a further description of the Secondary Offerings and the Repurchase Transactions, refer to Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Key Factors Affecting Our Business
End-Markets and General Economic Conditions
Historically, demand for our products has been closely tied to municipal infrastructure spending, non-residential construction and residential construction in the U.S. We estimate that, based on fiscal 2023 net sales, our exposure by end market was approximately 42% municipal, 38% non-residential and 20% residential. Infrastructure spending and the non-residential and residential construction markets are subject to cyclical market pressures. Municipal demand has been relatively steady over the long term due to the consistent and immediate need to replace broken infrastructure; however, activity levels are subject to the availability of funding for municipal projects. Non-residential and residential construction activities are primarily driven by availability of credit, interest rates, general economic conditions, consumer confidence and other factors that are beyond our control. The length and magnitude of these cycles have varied over time and by market. Cyclicality can also have an impact on the products we procure for our customers or our related services, as further discussed under “—Price Fluctuations” below. Interest rate increases in fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2023 slowed home buying and new lot development, which was a contributing factor to a decline in the residential end market compared with the prior year.
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In November 2021, the IIJA was signed into law, which includes $55 billion to invest in water infrastructure across the U.S. In the coming years, including as a result of the IIJA, we expect increased federal infrastructure investment to have a core focus on the upgrade, repair and replacement of municipal waterworks systems and to address demographic shifts and serve the growing population. We believe these dynamics, coupled with expanding municipal budgets, create the backdrop for a favorable funding environment and accelerated investment in projects that will benefit our business.
Seasonality
Our operating results within a fiscal year are typically impacted by seasonality. Although weather patterns affect our operating results throughout the year, colder weather and shorter daylight hours historically have reduced construction, maintenance and repair activity. As a result, net sales are typically lower in our first and fourth fiscal quarters, especially in northern geographic regions. Abnormal levels of precipitation may negatively impact our operating results as it may result in the delay of construction projects. Our operating results may also be adversely affected by hurricanes, which typically occur during our third fiscal quarter. Our cash flows from operating activities are typically lower during the first and second fiscal quarters due to investment in working capital and annual incentive compensation payments and are typically higher during the third and fourth fiscal quarters due to cash inflows associated with receivable collections and reduced inventory purchases.
Price Fluctuations
Our financial performance is impacted by price fluctuations in the cost to procure substantially all the products we sell and our ability to reflect these changes, in a timely manner, in our customer pricing.
The costs to procure the products we sell are historically volatile and subject to fluctuations arising from changes in supply and demand, national and international economic conditions, labor and material costs, competition, market speculation, government regulation, weather events, trade policies and periodic delays in the delivery of our products. If we are able to pass through price increases to our customers, our net sales will increase; conversely, during periods of deflation, our customer pricing may decrease to remain competitive, resulting in decreased net sales. During fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, we experienced supply chain disruption that contributed to significant price inflation and product surcharges with respect to certain products we sell. The supply chain disruption was due to several factors, including, but not limited to, unpredictable lead times and delays from our suppliers, labor availability, global logistics and the availability of raw materials, in part due to the conflict in Ukraine that limited product availability and further exacerbated the effects of inflation. In fiscal 2023, we saw improvements in the supply chain and more predictable lead times for certain products, but for other products the supply chain remained constrained. This led to price stability in fiscal 2023 compared to the price inflation we experienced during fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021. Additional supply chain disruptions may result in increases in product costs which we may not be able to pass on to our customers, loss of sales due to lack of product availability or potential customer claims from the inability to provide products in accordance with contractual terms. Greater product availability from supply chain improvements may lead to increased competition that may result in price and volume declines. We continue to proactively monitor our supply chain and the resulting price impacts.
We are also exposed to fluctuations in costs for petroleum as we distribute a substantial portion of our products by truck. Petroleum prices have fluctuated as a result of the conflict in Ukraine and other factors. In addition, we are exposed to fluctuations in prices for imported products due to logistical challenges and changes in labor, fuel, shipping container and other importation-related costs. We may also face price fluctuations on other products due to constrained labor availability and manufacturing capacity of our suppliers. Our ability to reflect these changes, in a timely manner, in our customer pricing may impact our financial performance.
Interest Rates
Certain of our indebtedness, including borrowings under the 2028 Senior Term Loan and the Senior ABL Credit Facility, are subject to variable rates of interest and expose us to interest rate risk. The 2028 Senior Term Loan and the Senior ABL Credit Facility each bear interest based on term secured overnight financing rate (“Term SOFR”). If interest rates increase, our debt service obligations on our variable-rate indebtedness will increase and our net income would decrease, even though the amount borrowed under the facilities remains the same. As of January 28, 2024, we had $1,893 million of outstanding variable-rate debt. On February 9, 2024, Core & Main LP incurred $750 million of incremental outstanding variable-rate debt in the form of the 2031 Senior Term Loan. We seek to mitigate our exposure to interest rate volatility through the entry into interest rate swap instruments, such as our interest rate swap, associated with borrowings under the 2028 Senior Term Loan, which effectively converts $900 million of our variable rate debt to fixed rate debt, with notional amount decreases to $800 million on July 27, 2024, and $700 million on July 27, 2025 through the instrument maturity on July 27, 2026. On February 12, 2024, Core & Main LP entered into an interest rate swap that has a starting notional amount of $750 million that increases to $1,500 million on July 27, 2026 through the instrument maturity on July 27, 2028. Despite these efforts, unfavorable movement in interest rates may further result in higher interest expense and cash payments.
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Acquisitions
In addition to our organic growth strategy, we opportunistically pursue strategic asset and business acquisitions to grow our business. Below is a summary of the acquisitions that closed in fiscal 2023, fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021 with an aggregate transaction value of $244 million, $124 million and $174 million, subject to working capital adjustments, respectively. In fiscal 2024, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of Dana Kepner Company LLC and associated entities and acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Eastern Supply Inc. and a related entity as further described in Note 15 to the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
| Product Lines | Closing Date | |||||||||||||
Fiscal 2023 | ||||||||||||||
| Lee Supply Company Inc. (“Lee Supply”) | Pipes, Values & Fittings; Storm Drainage; Meter products | January 2024 | ||||||||||||
| Granite Water Works Inc. (“Granite Water Works”) | Pipes, Values & Fittings; Storm Drainage; Meter products | December 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Enviroscape ECM, Ltd. (“Enviroscape”) | Storm Drainage | November 2023 | ||||||||||||
J.W. D’Angelo Co. (“D’Angelo”) | Pipes, Valves & Fittings; Fire Protection; Storm Drainage | July 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Foster Supply, Inc. (“Foster Supply”) | Pipes, Valves & Fittings; Storm Drainage | July 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Midwest Pipe Supply Inc. (“Midwest Pipe”) | Pipes, Valves & Fittings; Storm Drainage | April 2023 | ||||||||||||
| UPSCO, Inc. (“UPSCO”) | Pipes, Valves & Fittings; Meter products | April 2023 | ||||||||||||
Landscape & Construction Supplies LLC (“LCS”) | Storm Drainage | March 2023 | ||||||||||||
Fiscal 2022 | ||||||||||||||
| Lanier Municipal Supply (“Lanier”) | Pipes, Valves & Fittings; Storm Drainage | December 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Distributors, Inc. (“Distributors”) | Fire Protection | October 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Trumbull Industries, Inc. (“Trumbull”) | Pipes, Values & Fittings | October 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Inland Water Works Supply Co. (“Inland”) | Pipes, Valves & Fittings; Storm Drainage | August 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Earthsavers Erosion Control, LLC (“Earthsavers”) | Storm Drainage | June 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Lock City Supply, Inc. (“Lock City”) | Pipes, Valves & Fittings; Storm Drainage; Meter products | May 2022 | ||||||||||||
| Dodson Engineered Products, Inc. (“Dodson”) | Pipes, Valves & Fittings; Storm Drainage; Meter products | March 2022 | ||||||||||||
Fiscal 2021 | ||||||||||||||
| Catalone Pipe & Supply (“Catalone”) | Pipes, Values & Fittings | November 2021 | ||||||||||||
| CES Industrial Piping Supply (“CES”) | Pipes, Values & Fittings | October 2021 | ||||||||||||
L&M Bag & Supply Co., Inc. (“L&M”) | Storm Drainage | August 2021 | ||||||||||||
Pacific Pipe Company, Inc. (“Pacific Pipe”) | Pipes, Valves & Fittings; Storm Drainage | August 2021 | ||||||||||||
Triple T Pipe & Supply, LLC (“Triple T”) | Pipes, Values & Fittings | March 2021 | ||||||||||||
As we integrate these and other acquisitions into our existing operations, we may not be able to identify the specific financial statement impacts associated with these acquisitions. There can be no assurance that the anticipated benefits of the acquisitions will be realized on the timeline we expect, or at all.
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Key Business Metrics
Net Sales
We generate net sales primarily from the sale of water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products and the provision of related services to over 60,000 customers, as of January 28, 2024, including municipalities, private water companies and professional contractors. We recognize sales, net of sales tax, customer incentives, returns and discounts. Net sales fluctuate as a result of changes in product costs as we seek to reflect these changes in our customer pricing in a timely manner. This will increase net sales if we are able to pass along price increases and decrease net sales if we are required to reduce our customer prices as a result of competitive dynamics.
We categorize our net sales into pipes, valves & fittings, storm drainage products, fire protection products and meter products:
•Pipe, valves, hydrants, fittings include these products and other complementary products and services. Pipe includes PVC, ductile iron, fusible HDPE and copper tubing.
•Storm drainage products primarily include corrugated piping systems, retention basins, manholes, grates, geosynthetics, erosion control and other related products.
•Fire protection products primarily include fire protection pipe, sprinkler heads and devices as well as custom fabrication services.
•Meter products primarily include smart meter products, meter sets, meter accessories, installation, software and other services.
Gross Profit
Gross profit represents the difference between the product cost inclusive of material costs from suppliers (net of earned rebates and discounts and including the cost of inbound freight), labor and overhead costs and depreciation and the net sale price to our customers. Gross profit may be impacted by the time between changes in supplier costs, tariffs and changes in our customer pricing. Gross profit may not be comparable to those of other companies, as other companies may include all of the costs related to their distribution network in cost of sales.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses are primarily comprised of selling, general and administrative costs, which include personnel expenses (salaries, wages, incentive compensation, associate benefits and payroll taxes), rent, insurance, utilities, professional fees, outbound freight, fuel and repair and maintenance.
Net Income
Net income represents net sales less cost of sales, operating expenses, depreciation and amortization, interest expense, other expense and the provision for income taxes.
Net Income Attributable to Core & Main, Inc.
Net income attributable to Core & Main, Inc. represents net income less income attributable to non-controlling interests. Non-controlling interests represent owners of Partnership Interests of Holdings other than Core & Main.
Adjusted EBITDA
We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA further adjusted for certain items management believes are not reflective of the underlying operations of our business, including but not limited to (a) loss on debt modification and extinguishment, (b) equity-based compensation, (c) expenses associated with the public offerings and (d) expenses associated with acquisition activities. Adjusted EBITDA includes amounts otherwise attributable to non-controlling interests as we manage the consolidated Company and evaluate operating performance in a similar manner. We use Adjusted EBITDA to assess the operating results and effectiveness of our business. See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for further discussion of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation to net income or net income attributable to Core & Main, Inc., the most directly comparable measure under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), as applicable.
Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share represents the Class A common stock basic and diluted earnings per share. For a further description of basic and diluted earnings per share, refer to Note 12 to the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Results of Operations
Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2024 Compared with Fiscal Year Ended January 29, 2023
Amounts in millions (except per share data)
| Fiscal Years Ended | |||||||||||
| January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | ||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 6,702 | $ | 6,651 | |||||||
Cost of sales | 4,884 | 4,856 | |||||||||
| Gross profit | 1,818 | 1,795 | |||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 931 | 880 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 147 | 140 | |||||||||
Total operating expenses | 1,078 | 1,020 | |||||||||
Operating income | 740 | 775 | |||||||||
Interest expense | 81 | 66 | |||||||||
Income before provision for income taxes | 659 | 709 | |||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 128 | 128 | |||||||||
Net income | 531 | 581 | |||||||||
| Less: net income attributable to non-controlling interests | 160 | 215 | |||||||||
| Net income attributable to Core & Main, Inc. | $ | 371 | $ | 366 | |||||||
| Earnings per share: | |||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 2.15 | $ | 2.16 | |||||||
| Diluted | $ | 2.15 | $ | 2.13 | |||||||
| Non-GAAP Financial Data: | |||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 910 | $ | 935 | |||||||
Net Sales
Net sales for fiscal 2023 increased $51 million, or 0.8%, to $6,702 million compared with $6,651 million for fiscal 2022. The increase in net sales was primarily attributable to higher selling prices and acquisitions partially offset by a reduction in volume from comparably lower end-market volumes. Net sales declines for pipes, valves & fittings were due to lower end-market volumes partially offset by higher selling prices and acquisitions. Net sales growth for storm drainage products benefited from higher selling prices, volume growth and acquisitions. Net sales for fire protection products declined due to lower selling prices and lower volume partially offset by acquisitions. Net sales of meter products benefited from higher selling prices, higher volumes due to an increasing adoption of smart meter technology by municipalities, acquisitions and an improving supply chain.
| Fiscal Years Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | Percentage Change | |||||||||||||||
Pipes, valves & fittings products | $ | 4,504 | $ | 4,548 | (1.0) | % | |||||||||||
Storm drainage products | 985 | 949 | 3.8 | % | |||||||||||||
Fire protection products | 688 | 701 | (1.9) | % | |||||||||||||
Meter products | 525 | 453 | 15.9 | % | |||||||||||||
Total net sales | $ | 6,702 | $ | 6,651 | 0.8 | % | |||||||||||
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Gross Profit
Gross profit for fiscal 2023 increased $23 million, or 1.3%, to $1,818 million compared with $1,795 million for fiscal 2022. Gross profit increased due to an increase in net sales and an increase in gross profit as a percentage of net sales. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales for fiscal 2023 was 27.1% compared with 27.0% for fiscal 2022. The overall increase in gross profit as a percentage of net sales was primarily attributable to execution of our gross margin initiatives partially offset by normalization of larger prior year benefits from strategic inventory investments during an inflationary environment.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for fiscal 2023 increased $51 million, or 5.8%, to $931 million compared with $880 million during fiscal 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $23 million in personnel expenses along with higher facility and distribution costs related to inflation and acquisitions. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales was 13.9% for fiscal 2023 compared with 13.2% for fiscal 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to inflationary costs impacts, investments to support growth and acquisitions with relatively higher SG&A rates.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense
Depreciation and amortization (“D&A”) expense for fiscal 2023 was $147 million compared with $140 million during fiscal 2022. The increase was attributable to amortization related to recent acquisitions partially offset by lower amortization on existing customer relationship intangible assets.
Operating Income
Operating income for fiscal 2023 decreased $35 million, or 4.5%, to $740 million compared with $775 million during fiscal 2022. The decrease in operating income was attributable to higher SG&A expense partially offset by higher gross profit.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $81 million for fiscal 2023 compared with $66 million for fiscal 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in interest rates on our variable-rate debt and higher borrowings on the Senior ABL Credit Facility.
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes for fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022 was $128 million in each period. For fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022, our effective tax rates were 19.4% and 18.1%, respectively. The effective tax rate for each period reflects only the portion of net income that is attributable to taxable entities. The increase in the effective tax rate was attributable to exchanges of Partnership Interests by non-controlling interest holders that increased the allocation of net income to taxable entities.
Net Income
Net income for fiscal 2023 decreased $50 million, or 8.6%, to $531 million compared with $581 million for fiscal 2022. The decrease in net income was primarily attributable to a decrease in operating income and higher interest expense.
Net Income Attributable to Non-controlling Interests
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests for fiscal 2023 decreased $55 million, or 25.6%, to $160 million compared with $215 million for fiscal 2022. The decrease was attributable to exchanges of Partnership Interests by non-controlling interest holders and an 8.6% decline in net income.
Net Income Attributable to Core & Main, Inc.
Net income attributable to Core & Main, Inc. for fiscal 2023 increased $5 million, or 1.4%, to $371 million compared with $366 million for fiscal 2022. The increase was primarily attributable to a decreased allocation to non-controlling interest holders following exchanges of Partnership Interests partially offset by an 8.6% decline in net income.
Earnings Per Share
The Class A common stock basic earnings per share for fiscal 2023 decreased 0.5% to $2.15 compared with $2.16 for fiscal 2022. The Class A common stock diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2023 increased 0.9% to $2.15 compared with $2.13 for fiscal 2022. The decrease in basic earnings per share was attributable to higher Class A share counts from exchanges of Partnership Interests partially offset by an increase in net income attributable to Core & Main, Inc. Diluted earnings per share increased due to lower share counts following the Repurchase Transactions partially offset by a decline in net income.
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Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2023 decreased $25 million, or 2.7%, to $910 million compared with $935 million for fiscal 2022. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily attributable to higher SG&A expenses partially offset by higher gross profit. For a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income or net income attributable to Core & Main, Inc., the most comparable GAAP financial metric, as applicable, see “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.
Fiscal Year Ended January 29, 2023 Compared with Fiscal Year Ended January 30, 2022
A discussion of changes in our financial condition and results of operations during the fiscal year ended January 29, 2023, compared to the fiscal year ended January 30, 2022 has been omitted from this Annual Report on Form 10-K, but may be found in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 29, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 28, 2023, which discussion is incorporated herein by reference and which is available, free of charge, on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on our website at www.coreandmain.com.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Historically, we have financed our liquidity requirements through cash flows from operating activities, borrowings under our credit facilities, issuances of equity and debt securities and working capital management activities. Our principal historical liquidity requirements have been for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, servicing indebtedness and the Repurchase Transactions.
As of January 28, 2024, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $1 million. We maintain our cash deposits according to a banking policy that requires diversification across a variety of highly-rated financial institutions. However, this could result in a concentration of cash and cash equivalents across these financial institutions in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-insured limits.
On February 9, 2024, Core & Main LP amended the terms of the credit agreement governing the senior asset-based revolving credit facility in order to extend the maturity of the Senior ABL Credit Facility from July 27, 2026 to February 9, 2029.
On February 9, 2024, Core & Main LP entered into an incremental $750 million term loan in conjunction with the 2031 Senior Term Loan, which matures on February 9, 2031. Proceeds of the 2031 Senior Term Loan were used or may be used in the future to, among other things, (a) repay total outstanding borrowings under the Senior ABL Credit Facility, (b) invest in organic growth and productivity initiatives, mergers and acquisitions, share repurchases or other initiatives aligned with Core & Main’s capital allocation strategy and (c) pay related fees, premiums and expenses.
On February 12, 2024, Core & Main LP entered into an interest rate swap that has a starting notional amount of $750 million that increases to $1,500 million on July 27, 2026 through the instrument maturity on July 27, 2028. The instrument is intended to reduce the Company’s exposure to variable interest rates under the 2031 Senior Term Loan.
Refer to Note 15 to the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of the amendment to the Senior ABL Credit Facility, the 2031 Senior Term Loan and the interest rate swap.
As of January 28, 2024, we had $430 million outstanding borrowings on our Senior ABL Credit Facility, which provides for borrowings of up to $1,250 million, subject to borrowing base availability. As of January 28, 2024, after giving effect to approximately $16 million of letters of credit issued under the Senior ABL Credit Facility, Core & Main LP would have been able to borrow approximately $804 million under the Senior ABL Credit Facility, subject to borrowing base availability. Our short term debt obligations of $15 million are related to quarterly principal payments on the 2028 Senior Term Loan.
We commenced payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements in fiscal 2023, as the Company had a financing cash outflow related to the payment of $5 million under the Tax Receivable Agreements. The annual payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements are expected to increase as a result of exchanges, including those exchanges made as part of the Secondary Offerings completed in fiscal 2023. Payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements are only required to be made to the extent that we realize or are deemed to have realized the benefit of the corresponding tax deductions to reduce payments to federal, state and local taxing authorities. These payments are in an amount that represents 85% of the reduction in payments to federal, state and local taxing authorities. As such, the cash savings from the incremental tax deductions are expected to exceed the payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements over the life of these arrangements. Based on the anticipated filing date of income tax returns and contractual payment terms in the Tax Receivable Agreements, we expect these payments to occur two fiscal years after we utilize the corresponding tax deductions. The timing of payments associated with the Tax Receivable Agreements are summarized below:
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Fiscal 2024 | $ | 11 | |||
Fiscal 2025 | 18 | ||||
Fiscal 2026 | 40 | ||||
Fiscal 2027 | 40 | ||||
Fiscal 2028 | 41 | ||||
| Thereafter | 567 | ||||
| Total Tax Receivable Agreements liability | $ | 717 | |||
Further exchanges by Management Feeder will result in additional tax deductions to us and require additional payables pursuant to Tax Receivable Agreements. The actual amount and timing of the additional payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements will vary depending upon a number of factors as discussed further in Note 7 to the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In addition to making distributions to Core & Main, Inc. to fund tax obligations and payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements, in accordance with the Partnership Agreement, Holdings also makes distributions to the Continuing Limited Partners, to fund their income tax obligations with various taxing authorities. The amount of these payments are dependent upon various factors, including the amount of taxable income allocated to them from Holdings, changes in the ownership percentage of the non-controlling interest holders, changes in tax rates and the timing of distributions relative to the corresponding tax year. Tax distributions to non-controlling interest holders were $41 million in fiscal 2023. These distributions are expected to decrease in fiscal 2024 as a result of the Secondary Offerings and Repurchase Transactions and the resulting decrease in ownership percentage of the non-controlling interest holders. However, there will be an increase in payments to taxing authorities by Core & Main due to its increased allocation of taxable income following the Secondary Offerings and Repurchase Transactions. Further exchanges by the Continuing Limited Partners may result in lower tax distributions subject to any changes to income before provision to income taxes.
Payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements may be accelerated if we elect an early termination of such Tax Receivable Agreement. An early termination of our obligations, or our successor’s obligations, under such Tax Receivable Agreement to make payments thereunder would be based on certain assumptions, including an assumption that we would have sufficient taxable income to fully utilize all potential future tax benefits that are subject to such Tax Receivable Agreement.
We believe that our current sources of liquidity, which include cash generated from operations, existing cash and cash equivalents and available borrowing capacity under the Senior ABL Credit Facility, will be sufficient to meet our working capital, capital expenditures and other cash commitments, including obligations relating to our indebtedness and the Tax Receivable Agreements, over the next 12 months, at minimum. We have based these estimates on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and we could utilize our available capital resources sooner than we expect. Our growth strategy contemplates future acquisitions for which we will need sufficient access to capital. To finance future acquisitions, particularly larger acquisitions, we may issue additional equity or incur additional indebtedness. Any such additional indebtedness would increase our debt leverage. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Indebtedness” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Additionally, we regularly evaluate our approach to our capital allocation, which may include acquisitions, greenfields, debt reduction (including through open market debt repurchases, negotiated repurchases, other retirements of outstanding debt and opportunistic refinancing of debt), stock repurchases, dividends or other distributions. In fiscal 2023, we completed the Repurchase Transactions for total consideration of $1,344 million. For further details, refer to Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We may continue to return capital to our shareholders through share repurchases and/or dividends. The execution of these, and other, capital allocation activities may be at the discretion of, and subject to the approval by, our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, earnings, liquidity and capital requirements, market conditions, level of indebtedness, contractual restrictions, compliance with our debt covenants, restrictions imposed by applicable law, general business conditions and any other factors that our board of directors deems relevant in making any such determination. Therefore, there can be no assurance that we will engage in any or all of these actions or to what amount of capital we will allocate to each option.
The execution of certain initiatives under our capital allocation policy may require distributions by Holdings and Core & Main LP. These entities’ ability to make distributions may be limited as a practical matter by our growth plans as well as Core & Main LP’s 2028 Senior Term Loan and Senior ABL Credit Facility. The 2028 Senior Term Loan may require accelerated repayment based upon cash flows generated in excess of operating and investing requirements when Core & Main LP’s net total leverage ratio is greater than or equal to 3.25. In addition, the Senior ABL Credit Facility requires us to comply with a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of greater than or equal to 1.00 when availability is less than 10.0% of the lesser of (i) the then applicable borrowing base and (ii) the then aggregate effective commitments under the Senior ABL Credit Facility. Substantially all of Core & Main LP’s assets secure the 2028 Senior Term Loan and the Senior ABL Credit Facility.
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Information about our cash flows, by category, is presented in the consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and is summarized as follows:
| Fiscal Years Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | January 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 1,069 | $ | 401 | $ | (31) | |||||||||||
Cash flows used in investing activities | (270) | (152) | (203) | ||||||||||||||
Cash flows used in financing activities | (975) | (73) | (146) | ||||||||||||||
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | $ | (176) | $ | 176 | $ | (380) | |||||||||||
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $668 million to $1,069 million for fiscal 2023 compared with $401 million for fiscal 2022. The improvement in operating cash flows was primarily driven by a reduction in inventory, due to more predictable product lead times in fiscal 2023, compared with inventory investments in fiscal 2022 partially offset by a $31 million increase in cash interest payments and a decrease in operating income.
Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $432 million to $401 million of cash inflow for fiscal 2022 compared with cash used in operating activities of $31 million for fiscal 2021. The improvement in operating cash flows was primarily driven by higher operating income, a smaller investment in working capital due to more predictable product lead times in fiscal 2022 which allowed for lower strategic inventory purchases compared to the prior year and $52 million in lower cash interest payments due to the redemption of the Senior 2024 Notes and Senior 2025 Notes completed on July 27, 2021. These factors were partially offset by a $92 million increase in tax payments due to higher income before provision for income taxes.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities increased by $118 million to $270 million for fiscal 2023 compared with $152 million for fiscal 2022, primarily attributable to a $103 million increase in cash outflows for acquisitions and a $14 million increase in capital expenditures during fiscal 2023.
Net cash used in investing activities decreased by $51 million to $152 million for fiscal 2022 compared with $203 million for fiscal 2021, primarily attributable to a $51 million decrease in cash outflows for acquisitions and the fiscal 2021 cash outflow of $5 million for the payment for the settlement of an interest rate swap. These factors were partially offset by a $5 million increase in capital expenditures.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $975 million for fiscal 2023 compared with $73 million for fiscal 2022. The increase of $902 million was primarily attributed to the cash outflows of $1,344 million for the Repurchase Transactions and a $5 million payment pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreements. These factors were partially offset by a $430 million increase in net borrowings on the Senior ABL Credit Facility and a $16 million decrease in distributions to non-controlling interest holders during fiscal 2023.
Net cash used in financing activities was $73 million for fiscal 2022 compared with $146 million for fiscal 2021. The decrease of $73 million was primarily attributable to a $833 million decrease in outflows for debt repayments, net of debt issuances, discounts, issuance costs and modification costs; driven by the debt refinancing in conjunction with the IPO. This was partially offset by fiscal 2021 inflows related to net proceeds from the IPO and IPO Overallotment Option Exercise (as defined in Note 1 to the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K) of approximately $756 million, after deducting underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses paid.
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Financing
Our debt obligations (in millions) through the period covered by this report consist of the following:
| Original Aggregate Principal/Borrowing Capacity | Maturity Date | Interest | ||||||||||||||||||
2028 Senior Term Loan | $ | 1,463 | July 27, 2028 | (i) Term SOFR plus, in each case, an applicable margin of 2.60%, or (ii) the base rate, which will be the highest of (x) the corporate base rate established by the administrative agent as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City from time to time, (y) the overnight federal funds rate plus 0.50% per annum and (z) one-month Term SOFR (adjusted for maximum reserves) plus 1.00% per annum, plus, in each case, an applicable margin of 1.50%. | ||||||||||||||||
2031 Senior Term Loan | 750 | February 9, 2031 | (i) Term SOFR plus, in each case, an applicable margin of 2.25%, or (ii) the base rate, which will be the highest of (x) the corporate base rate established by the administrative agent as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City from time to time, (y) the overnight federal funds rate plus 0.50% per annum and (z) one-month Term SOFR (adjusted for maximum reserves) plus 1.00% per annum, plus, in each case, an applicable margin of 1.25%. | |||||||||||||||||
Senior ABL Credit Facility(1) | 1,250 | February 9, 2029 | Term SOFR rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.25% to 1.75%, or an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.25% to 0.75%, depending on the borrowing capacity under the Senior ABL Credit Facility. | |||||||||||||||||
Interest Rate Swap(2) | 900 | July 27, 2026 | Effective fixed rate of 3.293%, based upon the 0.693% fixed rate plus an applicable margin of 2.60% associated with the 2028 Senior Term Loan. | |||||||||||||||||
Interest Rate Swap(3) | 750 | July 27, 2028 | Effective fixed rate of 6.163%, based upon the 3.913% fixed rate plus an applicable margin of 2.25% associated with the 2031 Senior Term Loan. | |||||||||||||||||
(1)Aggregate amount of commitments under the asset-based revolving credit facility of $1,250 million overall, subject to borrowing base availability. There was $430 million outstanding under the Senior ABL Credit Facility as of January 28, 2024.
(2)Notional amount of $900 million as of January 28, 2024. The notional amount decreases to $800 million on July 27, 2024 and $700 million on July 27, 2025 through the instrument maturity on July 27, 2026.
(3)Interest rate swap entered into on February 12, 2024 for a notional amount of $750 million. The notional amount increases to $1,500 million on July 27, 2026 through the instrument maturity on July 27, 2028.
Refer to Note 6 to the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of our debt obligations and the timing of future principal and interest payments including impacts from our interest rate swap.
Purchase Obligations
As of January 28, 2024, the Company had agreements in place with various suppliers to purchase goods and services, primarily inventory, in the aggregate amount of $1,033 million. These purchase obligations are generally cancellable, but the Company does not currently intend to cancel. Payment is generally expected to be made during fiscal 2024 for these obligations.
Leases
The Company occupies certain facilities and operates certain equipment and vehicles under operating leases that expire at various dates through the year 2037. Future aggregate rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases as of January 28, 2024 were as follows: $65 million in fiscal 2024, $53 million in fiscal 2025, $40 million in fiscal 2026, $29 million in fiscal 2027, $15 million in fiscal 2028 and $16 million thereafter.
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to providing results that are determined in accordance with GAAP, we present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP financial measures. These measures are not considered measures of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and the items excluded therefrom are significant components in understanding and assessing our financial performance or liquidity. These measures should not be considered in isolation or as alternatives to GAAP measures such as net income or net income attributable to Core & Main, Inc., as applicable, cash provided by or used in operating, investing or financing activities or other financial statement data presented in our financial statements as an indicator of our financial performance or liquidity.
We define EBITDA as net income, or net income attributable to Core & Main, Inc., as applicable, adjusted for non-controlling interests, depreciation and amortization, provision for income taxes and interest expense. We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA as further adjusted for certain items management believes are not reflective of the underlying operations of our business, including but not limited to (a) loss on debt modification and extinguishment, (b) equity-based compensation, (c) expenses associated with the IPO and subsequent secondary offerings and (d) expenses associated with acquisition activities. Net income attributable to Core & Main, Inc. is the most directly comparable GAAP measure to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA.
We use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to assess the operating results and effectiveness and efficiency of our business. Adjusted EBITDA includes amounts otherwise attributable to non-controlling interests as we manage the consolidated Company and evaluate operating performance in a similar manner. We present these non-GAAP financial measures because we believe that investors consider them to be important supplemental measures of performance, and we believe that these measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in our industry. Non-GAAP financial measures as reported by us may not be comparable to similarly titled metrics reported by other companies and may not be calculated in the same manner. These measures have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. For example, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:
• do not reflect the significant interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on debt;
• do not reflect income tax expenses, the cash requirements to pay taxes or related distributions;
• do not reflect cash requirements to replace in the future any assets being depreciated and amortized; and
• exclude certain transactions or expenses as allowed by the various agreements governing our indebtedness.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not alternative measures of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and therefore should be considered in conjunction with net income, net income attributable to Core & Main, Inc. and other performance measures such as gross profit or net cash provided by or used in operating, investing or financing activities and not as alternatives to such GAAP measures. In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that, in the future, we may incur expenses similar to those eliminated in this presentation.
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income or net income attributable to Core & Main, Inc. to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented:
| Fiscal Years Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
| January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | January 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Core & Main, Inc. | $ | 371 | $ | 366 | $ | 166 | ||||||||||||||
| Plus: net income attributable to non-controlling interests | 160 | 215 | 59 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income | 531 | 581 | 225 | |||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization (1) | 149 | 143 | 142 | |||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 128 | 128 | 51 | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 81 | 66 | 98 | |||||||||||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 889 | $ | 918 | $ | 516 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss on debt modification and extinguishment | — | — | 51 | |||||||||||||||||
| Equity-based compensation | 10 | 11 | 25 | |||||||||||||||||
Acquisition expenses (2) | 6 | 5 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||
Offering expenses (3) | 5 | 1 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 910 | $ | 935 | $ | 604 | ||||||||||||||
(1)Includes depreciation of certain assets which are reflected in “cost of sales” in our Statement of Operations.
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(2)Represents expenses associated with acquisition activities, including transaction costs, post-acquisition employee retention bonuses, severance payments, expense recognition of purchase accounting fair value adjustments (excluding amortization) and contingent consideration adjustments.
(3)Represents costs related to the IPO and subsequent secondary offerings reflected in SG&A expenses in our Statement of Operations.
Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements and Accounting Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted
See Note 2 to the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
A summary of our significant accounting policies is included in Note 2 of the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Our estimates and assumptions are based on historical experiences and changes in the business environment. However, actual results may differ from estimates under different conditions, sometimes materially. Critical accounting policies and estimates are defined as those that are both most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and require management judgment. Our critical accounting policies and estimates are described below.
Revenue Recognition
Our revenues are earned from contracts with customers. These contracts include written agreements and purchase orders as well as arrangements that are implied by customary business practices or law. The revenue contracts are primarily single performance obligations for the sale of product or performance of services for customers. Revenue is recognized when title is passed to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for the products and services, which is net of sales tax, customer incentives, returns and discounts. For product sales, the transfer of title generally occurs at the point of destination for products shipped by internal fleet and at the point of shipping for products shipped by third-party carriers. Estimates for expected customer incentives, returns and discounts are based on historical experience, anticipated performance and management’s judgment. Generally, our contracts do not contain significant financing as the standard sales terms are short term in nature.
Inventories
Inventories consist primarily of finished goods and are carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The cost of substantially all inventories is determined by the weighted average cost method. We evaluate our inventory value at the end of each quarter to ensure that it is carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value. This evaluation includes an analysis of historical physical inventory results and a review of potential excess and obsolete inventories based on inventory aging and anticipated future demand. Periodically, perpetual inventory records are adjusted to reflect any declines in net realizable value below inventory carrying cost. To the extent historical physical inventory results are not indicative of future results and if future events impact, either favorably or unfavorably, the salability of our products or our relationship with certain key suppliers, our inventory reserves could differ significantly, resulting in either higher or lower future inventory provisions. The carrying value of inventory includes the capitalization of inbound freight costs and is net of supplier rebates and purchase discounts for an estimate of products not yet sold.
Acquisitions
We enter into acquisitions to, among other things, strategically expand in underpenetrated products and markets. When we acquire a business or assets that are determined to meet the definition of a business, we allocate the purchase consideration paid to acquire the business to the assets and liabilities acquired based on estimated fair values at the acquisition date, with the excess of purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired recorded as goodwill. If during the measurement period (a period not to exceed 12 months from the acquisition date) we receive additional information that existed as of the acquisition date but at the time of the original allocation described above was unknown to us, we make the appropriate adjustments to the purchase price allocation in the reporting period that the amounts are determined.
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For each acquisition, we value intangible assets acquired which may include customer relationships, non-compete agreements and/or trademarks. Customer relationship intangible assets represent the value associated with those customer relationships in place at the date of the acquisition. We value customer relationships using an excess earnings method using various inputs such as customer attrition rate, revenue growth rate, gross margin percentage and discount rate. Cash flows associated with the existing relationships are expected to diminish over time due to customer turnover. We reflect this expected diminishing cash flow through the utilization of an annual customer attrition rate assumption and in its method of amortization. Non-compete intangible assets represent the value associated with non-compete agreements for former executives in place at the date of the acquisition. Trademark intangible assets represent the value associated with the brand names in place at the date of the acquisition.
Tax Receivable Agreements
Under the Tax Receivable Agreements, we expect to generate tax attributes that will reduce amounts that we would otherwise pay in the future to various tax authorities.
The Former Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement provides for the payment by us to certain Former Limited Partners, or their permitted transferees, of 85% of the tax benefits, if any, that we actually realize, or in some circumstances are deemed to realize, as a result of (i) certain tax attributes of the Partnership Interests we hold in respect of such Former Limited Partners’ interest in us, including such attributes which resulted from such Former Limited Partners’ prior acquisition of ownership interests in Holdings and our allocable share of existing tax basis acquired in connection with the IPO attributable to the Former Limited Partners and (ii) certain other tax benefits.
The Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement provides for the payment by us to the Continuing Limited Partners, or their permitted transferees, of 85% of the benefits, if any, that we realize, or in some circumstances are deemed to realize, as a result of (i) increases in tax basis or other similar tax benefits as a result of exchanges of Partnership Interests for cash or shares of our Class A common stock pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021 (as amended, the “Exchange Agreement”), by and among Core & Main, Holdings, CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC and Management Feeder, (ii) our allocable share of existing tax basis acquired in connection with the IPO attributable to the Continuing Limited Partners and in connection with exchanges of Partnership Interests for cash or shares of our Class A common stock pursuant to the Exchange Agreement and (iii) our utilization of certain other tax benefits related to our entering into the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement, including tax benefits attributable to payments under the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement. We expect to obtain an increase in our share of the tax basis in the net assets of Holdings as Partnership Interests are exchanged by Continuing Limited Partners. We intend to treat any exchanges of Partnership Interests as direct purchases of Partnership Interests for U.S. federal income tax purposes. These increases in tax basis are expected to reduce amounts owed to various tax authorities in the future.
Except to the extent that any benefits are realized, we will receive the full benefit in tax savings from relevant taxing authorities and provide payment of 85% of the amount of any of our actual or deemed tax benefits to the Former Limited Partners or Continuing Limited Partners, as applicable, or their permitted transferees. We expect to benefit from the remaining 15% of any cash tax savings, except to the extent of any deemed realizations that do not ultimately become realized. For the Tax Receivable Agreements, we assess the tax attributes to determine if it is more likely than not that the benefit of any deferred tax assets will be realized. Following that assessment, we recognize a liability under the applicable Tax Receivable Agreements, reflecting approximately 85% of the expected future realization of such tax benefits. Amounts payable under the Tax Receivable Agreements are contingent upon, among other things, (i) generation of sufficient future taxable income during the term of the applicable Tax Receivable Agreements and (ii) future changes in tax laws. The establishment of the $717 million liability under the Tax Receivable Agreements as of January 28, 2024 did not impact earnings as the payments were recorded against equity since Core & Main entered into the Tax Receivable Agreements as part of common control transactions. Following establishment of the tax receivable agreement liabilities we may remeasure the liabilities due to changes in estimates which could result in an impact to earnings.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We had no off-balance sheet arrangements as of January 28, 2024.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
In the normal course of conducting business, we are exposed to certain risks associated with potential changes in market conditions. These risks include fluctuations in interest rates and prices, including price fluctuations related to substantially all of our products.
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Interest Rate Risk
Our credit facilities bear interest at a floating rate. Both the 2028 Senior Term Loan and the Senior ABL Credit Facility bear interest generally equal to Term SOFR plus an applicable margin. As a result, we are exposed to fluctuations in interest rates to the extent of our net borrowings under the 2028 Senior Term Loan and the Senior ABL Credit Facility. As of January 28, 2024, our net borrowings under the 2028 Senior Term Loan and Senior ABL Credit Facility were $1,893 million. As such, excluding the impact of any interest rate swap, each one percentage point change in interest rates would result in an approximately $15 million change in the annual interest expense on the 2028 Senior Term Loan. As of January 28, 2024, assuming availability under our Senior ABL Credit Facility was fully utilized, each one percentage point change in interest rates would result in an approximately $12 million change in annual interest expense. On February 9, 2024, Core & Main LP entered into an incremental $750 million term loan in conjunction with the 2031 Senior Term Loan. See Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations—Key Factors Affecting Our Business—Interest Rates” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Credit Risk
We are exposed to credit risk on accounts receivable balances. This risk is mitigated due to our large, diverse customer base. In fiscal 2023, our 50 largest customers accounted for approximately 12% of our net sales, with our largest customer accounting for less than 1% of net sales. We maintain provisions for potential credit losses and such losses to date have normally been within our expectations. We evaluate the solvency of our customers on an ongoing basis to determine if additional allowances for doubtful accounts receivable need to be recorded. We have historically not been exposed to a material amount of uncollectible receivable balances.
Price Risk
We are exposed to price fluctuations in the cost to procure substantially all the products we sell and our ability to reflect these changes, in a timely manner, in our customer pricing. Our operating performance may be affected by both upward and downward price fluctuations. We have a limited ability to control the timing and amount of changes in the cost to procure our products. We seek to recover increases in our product costs by passing product cost increases on to our customers. Conversely, decreases in our product costs can correspondingly lower the price levels of the products we sell in order to remain competitive in our markets. Changes to product costs may lead to a risk of a reduction to our margins. We seek to minimize this risk through strategic inventory investments ahead of announced price increases, the execution of our gross margin initiatives and accretive acquisitions. We are also exposed to fluctuations in petroleum costs as we deliver a substantial portion of the products we sell by truck and fluctuations in prices for imported products due to logistical challenges. We seek to minimize the effects of changing prices through economies of purchasing, inventory management based on the predictability of product lead teams and recovering product costs by passing cost increases on to customers. Such price fluctuations have from time to time produced volatility in our financial performance and could do so in the future.
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Index to Audited Consolidated Financial Statements
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Core & Main, Inc.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Core & Main, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of January 28, 2024 and January 29, 2023, and the related consolidated statements of operations, of comprehensive income, of stockholders’ equity / partners' capital and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 28, 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 January 28, 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 January 28, 2024 and January 29, 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 28, 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 January 28, 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 Annual 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.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
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Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Revenue Recognition – Net Product Sales
As described in Notes 2 and 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s total net sales were $6,702 million, of which $6,679 million relates to product sales for the year ended January 28, 2024. The Company’s revenues are earned from contracts with customers. These contracts include written agreements and purchase orders as well as arrangements that are implied by customary business practices or law. The revenue contracts are primarily single performance obligations for the sale of product. Revenue is recognized when title is passed to the customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for the products, which is net of sales tax, customer incentives, returns and discounts. For product sales, the transfer of title generally occurs at the point of destination for products shipped by internal fleet and at the point of shipping for products shipped by third party carriers. Estimates for expected customer incentives, returns and discounts are based on historical experience, anticipated performance and management’s judgement. Generally, the Company’s contracts do not contain significant financing as the standard terms are short term in nature.
The principal consideration for our determination that performing procedures relating to revenue recognition of net product sales is a critical audit matter is a high degree of auditor effort in performing procedures related to the Company’s revenue recognition of net product sales.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the revenue recognition process of net product sales, (i) testing the completeness, accuracy, and existence of revenue recognized for a sample of net product sales revenue transactions by obtaining and inspecting source documents, such as invoices, pick tickets, shipping documents, cash receipts from customers, and, where applicable, customer contracts and (ii) testing, for a sample of net product sales revenue transactions on or before January 28, 2024, the cutoff of net product sales revenue transactions.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
St. Louis, Missouri
March 19, 2024
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021.
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CORE & MAIN, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
Amounts in millions (except share and per share data)
| January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | ||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1 | $ | 177 | |||||||
Receivables, net of allowance for credit losses of $12 and $9 | 973 | 955 | |||||||||
| Inventories | 766 | 1,047 | |||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 33 | 32 | |||||||||
| Total current assets | 1,773 | 2,211 | |||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | 151 | 105 | |||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 192 | 175 | |||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 784 | 795 | |||||||||
| Goodwill | 1,561 | 1,535 | |||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 542 | — | |||||||||
| Other assets | 66 | 88 | |||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 5,069 | $ | 4,909 | |||||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | |||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Current maturities of long-term debt | $ | 15 | $ | 15 | |||||||
| Accounts payable | 504 | 479 | |||||||||
| Accrued compensation and benefits | 106 | 123 | |||||||||
| Current operating lease liabilities | 55 | 54 | |||||||||
| Other current liabilities | 94 | 55 | |||||||||
| Total current liabilities | 774 | 726 | |||||||||
| Long-term debt | 1,863 | 1,444 | |||||||||
| Non-current operating lease liabilities | 138 | 121 | |||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 48 | 9 | |||||||||
Tax receivable agreement liabilities | 706 | 180 | |||||||||
| Other liabilities | 16 | 19 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities | 3,545 | 2,499 | |||||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | |||||||||||
Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 191,663,608 and 172,765,161 shares issued and outstanding as of January 28, 2024 and January 29, 2023, respectively | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 9,630,186 and 73,229,675 shares issued and outstanding as of January 28, 2024 and January 29, 2023, respectively | — | 1 | |||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 1,214 | 1,241 | |||||||||
| Retained earnings | 189 | 458 | |||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | 46 | 45 | |||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity attributable to Core & Main, Inc. | 1,451 | 1,747 | |||||||||
| Non-controlling interests | 73 | 663 | |||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 1,524 | 2,410 | |||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 5,069 | $ | 4,909 | |||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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CORE & MAIN, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Amounts in millions (except share and per share data)
| Fiscal Years Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
| January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | January 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 6,702 | $ | 6,651 | $ | 5,004 | ||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 4,884 | 4,856 | 3,724 | |||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | 1,818 | 1,795 | 1,280 | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 931 | 880 | 717 | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 147 | 140 | 138 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 1,078 | 1,020 | 855 | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | 740 | 775 | 425 | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 81 | 66 | 98 | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss on debt modification and extinguishment | — | — | 51 | |||||||||||||||||
| Income before provision for income taxes | 659 | 709 | 276 | |||||||||||||||||
| Provision for income taxes | 128 | 128 | 51 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income | 531 | 581 | 225 | |||||||||||||||||
Less: net income attributable to non-controlling interests (1) | 160 | 215 | 59 | |||||||||||||||||
Net income attributable to Core & Main, Inc. (1) | $ | 371 | $ | 366 | $ | 166 | ||||||||||||||
Earnings per share (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 2.15 | $ | 2.16 | $ | 0.57 | ||||||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | 2.15 | $ | 2.13 | $ | 0.55 | ||||||||||||||
Number of shares used in computing EPS (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 172,839,836 | 169,482,199 | 159,188,391 | |||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | 227,818,077 | 246,217,004 | 244,451,678 | |||||||||||||||||
(1) For the fiscal year ended January 30, 2022, the net income attributable to Core & Main, Inc. includes net income prior to the Reorganization Transactions (as defined in Note 1) of $74 million and net income subsequent to the Reorganization Transactions of $92 million. Refer to the Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity/Partners’ Capital for a summary of net income attributable to Core & Main, Inc. subsequent to the Reorganization Transactions. See Note 1 for a description of the Basis of Presentation of the consolidated financial statements.
(2) For the fiscal year ended January 30, 2022, this schedule represents basic and diluted earnings per share of Class A common stock and weighted average shares of Class A common stock outstanding for the period from July 23, 2021 through January 30, 2022, which is the period following the Reorganization Transactions described in Note 1. The Company analyzed the calculation of earnings per share for the periods prior to the Reorganization Transactions and determined that it resulted in values that would not be meaningful to the users of the consolidated financial statements. Therefore, there is no earnings per share attributable to Core & Main, Inc. for the periods prior to the Reorganization Transactions on July 22, 2021. Refer to calculation of earnings per share in Note 12.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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CORE & MAIN, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Amounts in millions
| Fiscal Years Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
| January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | January 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 531 | $ | 581 | $ | 225 | ||||||||||||||
Net comprehensive (loss) gain on interest rate swap, net of tax (expense) of $(1), $(9) and $(6) | (22) | 44 | 34 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive income | 509 | 625 | 259 | |||||||||||||||||
| Less: comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests | 156 | 232 | 71 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total comprehensive income attributable to Core & Main, Inc. | $ | 353 | $ | 393 | $ | 188 | ||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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CORE & MAIN, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY/PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
Amounts in millions (except share and per share data)
| Partners’ Capital | Class A Common Stock | Class B Common Stock | Additional Paid In Capital | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Retained Earnings | Non-Controlling Interests | Total Stockholders’ Equity/ Partners’ Capital | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances at January 31, 2021 | $ | 801 | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 801 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity-based compensation | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to partners' capital | 74 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 74 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest rate swap gain, net of tax | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distributions to partners | (23) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (23) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balances at July 22, 2021 prior to Reorganization Transactions and IPO | 871 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 871 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification of partners’ capital | (871) | — | — | — | — | 871 | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reorganization transactions | — | 119,950,882 | 1 | 85,853,383 | 1 | (2) | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification of non-controlling interests upon reorganization | — | — | — | — | — | (300) | (2) | — | 302 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Class A Shares, net of issuance costs | — | 40,116,279 | 1 | — | — | 755 | — | — | — | 756 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjustment of deferred tax liability associated with Core & Main investment in Core & Main Holdings, LP | — | — | — | — | — | 200 | — | — | — | 200 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 92 | 59 | 151 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | 7 | — | — | 3 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net old interest rate swap gain, net of tax | — | — | — | — | — | — | 2 | — | 2 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net new interest rate swap gain, net of tax | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16 | — | 10 | 26 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distributions to non-controlling interest holders | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (34) | (34) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exchange of Partnership Interests for Class A Shares | — | 7,455,242 | — | (7,455,242) | — | 49 | — | — | (49) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Establishment of Tax Receivable Agreement Liabilities | — | — | — | — | — | (153) | — | — | — | (153) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-controlling interests adjustment for purchase of Partnership Interests and vesting of Core & Main Holdings, LP Partnership Interests held by non-controlling interests | — | — | — | — | — | (213) | — | — | 213 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances at January 30, 2022 | — | 167,522,403 | 2 | 78,398,141 | 1 | 1,214 | 16 | 92 | 506 | 1,831 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 366 | 215 | 581 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | 3 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net interest rate swap gain, net of tax | — | — | — | — | — | — | 27 | — | 17 | 44 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distributions to non-controlling interest holders | — | — | — | — | — | (6) | — | — | (48) | (54) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exchange of Partnership Interests and Class B Shares for Class A Shares | — | 5,132,134 | — | (5,133,763) | — | 40 | 2 | — | (42) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adjustment of deferred tax liability associated with Core & Main investment in Core & Main Holdings, LP | — | — | — | — | — | 30 | — | — | — | 30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Establishment of Tax Receivable Agreement Liabilities | — | — | — | — | — | (34) | — | — | — | (34) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Activity under equity-based compensation plans, net of tax withholdings | — | 110,644 | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Forfeiture of Class A Shares and Partnership Interests | — | (20) | — | (34,703) | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Non-controlling interests adjustment for purchase of Partnership Interests and vesting of Core & Main Holdings, LP Partnership Interests held by non-controlling interests | — | — | — | — | — | (12) | — | — | 12 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances at January 29, 2023 | — | 172,765,161 | 2 | 73,229,675 | 1 | 1,241 | 45 | 458 | 663 | 2,410 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 371 | 160 | 531 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | — | — | 2 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net comprehensive loss on interest rate swap, net of tax | — | — | — | — | — | — | (18) | — | (4) | (22) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distributions to non-controlling interest holders | — | — | — | — | — | (5) | — | — | (37) | (42) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Repurchase and Retirement of Class A and Class B shares and corresponding Partnership Interest | — | (28,131,551) | — | (16,868,449) | — | (324) | — | (640) | (380) | (1,344) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exchange of Partnership Interests and Class B Shares for Class A Shares | — | 46,683,021 | — | (46,731,040) | (1) | 313 | 19 | — | (331) | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Establishment/adjustment of deferred tax asset associated with Core & Main investment in Core & Main Holdings, LP | — | — | — | — | — | 515 | — | — | — | 515 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Establishment of Tax Receivable Agreement Liabilities | — | — | — | — | — | (537) | — | — | — | (537) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Activity under equity-based compensation plans, net of tax withholdings | — | 346,977 | — | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balances at January 28, 2024 | $ | — | 191,663,608 | $ | 2 | 9,630,186 | $ | — | $ | 1,214 | $ | 46 | $ | 189 | $ | 73 | $ | 1,524 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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CORE & MAIN, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Amounts in millions
| Fiscal Years Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | January 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows From Operating Activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 531 | $ | 581 | $ | 225 | |||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net cash from operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 154 | 148 | 150 | ||||||||||||||
| Equity-based compensation expense | 10 | 11 | 25 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss on debt modification and extinguishment | — | — | 49 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 7 | — | (14) | ||||||||||||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||
| (Increase) decrease in receivables | 21 | (51) | (312) | ||||||||||||||
| (Increase) decrease in inventories | 328 | (149) | (440) | ||||||||||||||
| (Increase) decrease in other assets | 2 | (4) | (7) | ||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in accounts payable | 11 | (140) | 274 | ||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in accrued liabilities | 4 | 5 | 24 | ||||||||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in other liabilities | 1 | — | (5) | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 1,069 | 401 | (31) | ||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows From Investing Activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | (39) | (25) | (20) | ||||||||||||||
| Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired | (231) | (128) | (179) | ||||||||||||||
| Settlement of interest rate swap | — | — | (5) | ||||||||||||||
Other | — | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (270) | (152) | (203) | ||||||||||||||
| Cash Flows From Financing Activities: | |||||||||||||||||
| IPO proceeds, net of underwriting discounts and commissions | — | — | 664 | ||||||||||||||
Offering proceeds from underwriters’ option, net of underwriting discounts and commissions | — | — | 100 | ||||||||||||||
| Payments for offering costs | — | — | (8) | ||||||||||||||
| Repurchase and retirement of partnership interests | (1,344) | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Distributions to non-controlling interest holders | (41) | (57) | (52) | ||||||||||||||
Payments pursuant to Tax Receivable Agreements | (5) | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Borrowings on asset-based revolving credit facility | 665 | 244 | 18 | ||||||||||||||
| Repayments on asset-based revolving credit facility | (235) | (244) | (18) | ||||||||||||||
| Issuance of long-term debt | — | — | 1,500 | ||||||||||||||
| Repayments of long-term debt | (15) | (15) | (2,319) | ||||||||||||||
| Payment of debt redemption premiums | — | — | (18) | ||||||||||||||
| Debt issuance costs | — | (2) | (13) | ||||||||||||||
| Other | — | 1 | — | ||||||||||||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (975) | (73) | (146) | ||||||||||||||
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (176) | 176 | (380) | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period | 177 | 1 | 381 | ||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period | $ | 1 | $ | 177 | $ | 1 | |||||||||||
| Cash paid for interest (excluding effects of interest rate swap) | $ | 105 | $ | 74 | $ | 126 | |||||||||||
| Cash paid for income taxes | 116 | 147 | 55 | ||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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CORE & MAIN, INC.
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Dollars in millions, except as noted
1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION & DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Organization
Core & Main, Inc. (“Core & Main”) is a Delaware corporation that was incorporated on April 9, 2021 for the purpose of facilitating an initial public offering and other related transactions, as described below, in order to carry on the business of Core & Main Holdings, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“Holdings”), and its consolidated subsidiaries. Core & Main is a holding company and its primary material assets are its direct and indirect ownership interest in Holdings and deferred tax assets associated with this ownership. Holdings has no operations and no material assets of its own other than its indirect ownership interest in Core & Main LP, a Florida limited partnership, the legal entity that conducts the operations of Core & Main. Core & Main, together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including Holdings and its consolidated subsidiaries, are referred to as the “Company”.
The Company is a leader in advancing reliable infrastructure with local service, nationwide. As a leading specialized distributor with a focus on water, wastewater, storm drainage and fire protection products and related services, the Company provides solutions to municipalities, private water companies and professional contractors across municipal, non-residential and residential end markets, nationwide. The Company’s specialty products and services are used in the maintenance, repair, replacement, and construction of water and fire protection infrastructure. The Company reaches customers through a nationwide network of approximately 335 branches across 48 states. The Company’s products include pipes, valves, fittings, storm drainage products, fire protection products, meter products and other products for use in the construction, maintenance and repair of water and wastewater systems as well as fire protection systems. The Company has complemented its core products through additional offerings, including smart meter systems, fusible high-density polyethylene (“fusible HDPE”) piping solutions, specifically engineered treatment plant products and geosynthetics and erosion control products. The Company’s services and capabilities allow for integration with customers and form part of their sourcing and procurement function. All of the Company’s long-lived assets are located within the United States (“U.S.”).
Initial Public Offering
On July 27, 2021, Core & Main completed its initial public offering of 34,883,721 shares of Class A common stock at a price to the public of $20.00 per share (the “IPO”). Core & Main received net proceeds of approximately $664 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions. All of the net proceeds from the IPO, less $8 million of transaction costs directly attributable to the IPO, were utilized to purchase 34,883,721 newly issued limited partner interests of Holdings (“Partnership Interests”) for approximately $656 million in the aggregate. In turn, Holdings and Core & Main LP utilized the net proceeds of the IPO directly or indirectly received from Core & Main, together with the net proceeds from borrowings under the 2028 Senior Term Loan (as defined below and described in Note 6) and cash on hand to redeem (i) all $300 million aggregate principal amount of the senior unsecured notes due September 15, 2024 issued by Holdings (the “Senior 2024 Notes”) and (ii) all $750 million aggregate principal amount of the senior unsecured notes due August 15, 2025 issued by Core & Main LP (the “Senior 2025 Notes”). Additionally, Core & Main LP amended the terms of the credit agreement governing the senior term loan facility with an original principal balance of $1,300 million maturing on August 1, 2024 issued by Core & Main LP (the “Prior Term Loan”) in order to, among other things, enter into a new $1,500 million seven-year senior term loan (the “2028 Senior Term Loan”) (collectively, the “Refinancing Transactions”).
As a result of the Refinancing Transactions on July 27, 2021, the Company recorded a loss on debt modification and extinguishment of $51 million for fiscal 2021. The loss on debt modification and extinguishment included (i) the write-off of $8 million in deferred financing fees associated with the redemption of the Senior 2024 Notes, (ii) the write-off of $13 million in deferred financing fees associated with the redemption of the Senior 2025 Notes, (iii) the write-off of $5 million in deferred financing fees associated with the settlement of the Prior Term Loan, (iv) redemption premiums of $6 million and $12 million for the Senior 2024 Notes and Senior 2025 Notes, respectively, (v) the settlement of the cash flow interest rate swap of $5 million which had its changes in fair value previously attributed to accumulated other comprehensive loss, and (vi) third-party expenses for the 2028 Senior Term Loan of $2 million.
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On August 20, 2021, Core & Main issued 5,232,558 shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock in connection with the IPO at the initial public offering price of $20.00 per share before underwriting discounts and commissions (the “IPO Overallotment Option Exercise”). Core & Main received net proceeds of approximately $100 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions. All of the net proceeds were utilized to purchase 5,232,558 newly issued Partnership Interests of Holdings at a price per unit equal to the public offering price per share less underwriting discounts and commissions. In turn, Holdings and Core & Main LP utilized the net proceeds of the IPO Overallotment Option Exercise directly or indirectly received from Core & Main for general corporate purposes.
Secondary Offerings and Repurchase Transactions
During fiscal 2023, fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, secondary public offerings of Class A common stock were completed by certain selling stockholders affiliated with Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC (the “Selling Stockholders”). As part of the secondary public offerings the Selling Stockholders sold to the public (1) existing shares of Class A common stock and (2) shares of Class A common stock received in exchange for an equal number of Partnership Interests, together with the retirement of a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock. Below is a summary of the secondary public offerings completed during fiscal 2023, fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021 (collectively the “Secondary Offerings”).
| Secondary Offering Date | Existing Shares of Class A Common Stock Sold to the Public | Partnership Interests Exchanged for Class A Common Stock Prior to Sale to the Public | Total Shares of Class A Common Stock Sold | Price Per Share | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fiscal 2023 Secondary Offerings | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
January 25, 2024 | 12,366,683 | 7,415,404 | 19,782,087 | $40.985 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
January 10, 2024(1) | 12,084,902 | 7,465,098 | 19,550,000 | $38.120 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
December 11, 2023(1) | 10,783,760 | 6,466,240 | 17,250,000 | $35.540 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
November 9, 2023(1) | 13,659,431 | 8,190,569 | 21,850,000 | $30.440 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 19, 2023 | 11,252,620 | 6,747,380 | 18,000,000 | $29.015 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 12, 2023 | 8,752,038 | 5,247,962 | 14,000,000 | $28.215 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 14, 2023 | 3,125,728 | 1,874,272 | 5,000,000 | $22.151 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fiscal 2022 Secondary Offering | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 19, 2022 | 6,876,601 | 4,123,399 | 11,000,000 | $23.750 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fiscal 2021 Secondary Offering | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| January 10, 2022 | 12,544,758 | 7,455,242 | 20,000,000 | $26.000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Includes shares of Class A common stock purchased by the underwriter, pursuant to the exercise in full of the option granted in connection with the secondary public offering.
The Company did not receive any of the proceeds from the Secondary Offerings. The Company paid the costs associated with the sale of shares by the Selling Stockholders in the Secondary Offerings, other than underwriting discounts and commissions.
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Concurrently with the completion of the Secondary Offerings completed in fiscal 2023, (i) the Company repurchased from the Selling Stockholders shares of our Class A common stock, and Holdings redeemed from the Company a corresponding number of Partnership Interests, and (ii) Holdings redeemed Partnership Interests from one of the Selling Stockholders, with the Company repurchasing a corresponding number of shares of our Class B common stock from such Selling Stockholder for no additional consideration. Below is a summary of the repurchase transactions completed during fiscal 2023 (the “Repurchase Transactions”).
| Repurchase Transaction Date | Shares of Class A Common Stock Repurchased | Partnership Interests Redeemed | Total Repurchase Amount | Price Per Share/Partnership Interest | Total Consideration Paid (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
January 25, 2024 | 3,125,728 | 1,874,272 | 5,000,000 | $40.985 | $205 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
January 10, 2024 | 3,125,728 | 1,874,272 | 5,000,000 | $38.120 | $191 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 11, 2023 | 3,125,728 | 1,874,272 | 5,000,000 | $35.540 | $178 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 9, 2023 | 3,125,728 | 1,874,272 | 5,000,000 | $30.440 | $152 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 19, 2023 | 3,125,728 | 1,874,272 | 5,000,000 | $29.015 | $145 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| June 12, 2023 | 3,125,728 | 1,874,272 | 5,000,000 | $28.215 | $141 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| April 14, 2023 | 9,377,183 | 5,622,817 | 15,000,000 | $22.151 | $332 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reorganization Transactions
In connection with the IPO, the Company completed the following transactions (collectively the “Reorganization Transactions”):
•the formation of Core & Main as a Delaware corporation to function as the direct and indirect parent of Holdings and a publicly traded entity;
•the amendment and restatement of the limited partnership agreement of Holdings to, among other things first, modify the capital structure of Holdings and second, admit Core & Main as the general partner and a limited partner of Holdings;
•Core & Main’s acquisition of the Partnership Interests held by certain Former Limited Partners (as defined below) and the issuance of Class A common stock to the Former Limited Partners, pursuant to the mergers of CD&R WW Advisor, LLC and CD&R WW Holdings, LLC (the “Blocker Companies”) with and into Core & Main via merger subsidiaries of Core & Main (the “Blocker Mergers”); and
•entry into a Master Reorganization Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021 (the “Master Reorganization Agreement”), with Holdings, the Continuing Limited Partners (as defined below), the Blocker Companies, and entities affiliated with CD&R. Pursuant to the Master Reorganization Agreement, the Former Limited Partners received Partnership Interests in exchange for their indirect ownership interests in Holdings and exchanged these Partnership Interests for shares of Class A common stock of Core & Main prior to the consummation of the IPO.
The “Former Limited Partners” are defined as CD&R Fund X Advisor Waterworks B, L.P., CD&R Fund X Waterworks B1, L.P., CD&R Fund X-A Waterworks B, L.P. and the other Original Limited Partners (as defined below) that transferred all or a portion of their Partnership Interests (including those held indirectly through the Blocker Companies) for shares of Class A common stock in connection with the Reorganization Transactions and the IPO, and represent entities that transferred all of their Partnership Interests (including Partnership Interests held indirectly through certain “blocker” corporations) for shares of Class A common stock in connection with the consummation of the Reorganization Transactions.
The “Continuing Limited Partners” are defined as CD&R Waterworks Holdings, LLC (“CD&R Waterworks Holdings”) and Core & Main Management Feeder, LLC (“Management Feeder”), and represent the Original Limited Partners that continued to own Partnership Interests after the Reorganization Transactions and that are entitled to exchange their Partnership Interests, together with the retirement of a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock for shares of Class A common stock.
The “Original Limited Partners” are defined as CD&R Waterworks Holdings, the Former Limited Partners and Management Feeder and represent the direct and indirect owners of Holdings prior to the Reorganization Transactions and the IPO.
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Shareholder ownership as of January 28, 2024 includes the following:
•the shareholders of Core & Main, excluding Management Feeder, collectively held 191,662,664 shares of Class A common stock;
•Core & Main, directly or indirectly through our wholly-owned subsidiary, held 191,663,608 Partnership Interests; and
•Management Feeder collectively held 944 shares of Class A common stock, 9,630,186 Partnership Interests and 9,630,186 shares of Class B common stock.
Following the completion of the Secondary Offerings and the Repurchase Transactions in fiscal 2023, CD&R Waterworks Holdings and the Former Limited Partners (the “CD&R Investors”) no longer own shares of Core & Main.
As the Reorganization Transactions were between entities under common control, the financial statements for the periods prior to the IPO and Reorganization Transactions have been adjusted to combine previously separate entities for presentation purposes. These entities include Core & Main, Holdings and its consolidated subsidiaries and the Blocker Companies. Prior to the Reorganization Transactions, Core & Main had no operations and the Blocker Companies were holding companies for indirect investments in Holdings. The Blocker Companies had no operations but did receive distributions from Holdings associated with their tax obligations from allocations of Holdings’ taxable income.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements present the results of operations, financial position and cash flows of Core & Main and its subsidiaries, which includes the consolidated financial statements of Holdings and its consolidated subsidiary, Core & Main LP, as the legal entity that conducts the operations of the Company. Certain reclassification have been made to previously reported financial information to conform to the Company’s current period presentation. Holdings is considered a variable interest entity. Core & Main is the primary beneficiary and general partner of Holdings and has decision making authority that significantly affects the economic performance of the entity. As a result, Core & Main consolidates the consolidated financial statements of Holdings. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company records non-controlling interests related to Partnership Interest held by the Continuing Limited Partners in Holdings.
Segments
The Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) manages the business as a single operating and reportable segment. The Company operates approximately 335 branch locations across the U.S. The nature of the products and services, suppliers, customers and distribution methods are similar across branches. Accordingly, the CODM evaluates the performance of the business and makes management decisions on a consolidated basis. Performance is most notably measured based on Adjusted EBITDA at the consolidated level. The consolidated performance of the Company is utilized to determine incentive compensation for executive officers, annual merit decisions, management of national supplier relationships, allocation of resources and in evaluating acquisitions and the Company’s capital structure.
Fiscal Year
The Company’s fiscal year is a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Sunday nearest to January 31st. Quarters within the fiscal year include 13-week periods, unless a fiscal year includes a 53rd week, in which case the fourth quarter of the fiscal year will be a 14-week period. The fiscal years ended January 28, 2024 (“fiscal 2023”), January 29, 2023 (“fiscal 2022”) and January 30, 2022 (“fiscal 2021”) included 52 weeks. The next fiscal year ending February 2, 2025 (“fiscal 2024”) will include 53 weeks.
2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Estimates
Management has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of certain assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses in preparing the elements of these financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company classified all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash deposits according to a banking policy that requires diversification across a variety of highly-rated financial institutions. However, this could result in concentration of cash and cash equivalents across these financial institutions in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-insured limits.
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Allowance for Credit Losses
Accounts receivable are evaluated for collectability based on numerous factors, including past transaction history with customers, their credit worthiness, and an assessment of lien and bond rights. An allowance for credit losses is estimated as a percentage of aged receivables. This estimate is periodically adjusted when management becomes aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations (e.g., a bankruptcy filing) or as a result of changes in historical collection patterns.
Inventories
Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The cost of substantially all inventories is determined by the weighted average cost method. This evaluation includes an analysis of historical physical inventory results, a review of excess and obsolete inventories based on inventory aging and anticipated future demand. The carrying value of inventory includes the capitalization of inbound freight costs and is net of supplier rebates and purchase discounts for products not yet sold.
Consideration Received from Suppliers
The Company enters into agreements with many of its suppliers providing for inventory purchase rebates (“supplier rebates”) upon achievement of specified volume purchasing levels and purchase discounts. The Company accrues the receipt of supplier rebates and purchase discounts as part of its cost of sales for products sold based on progress towards earning the supplier rebates, taking into consideration cumulative purchases of inventory to the measurement date and projected purchases through the end of the year. An estimate of supplier rebates and purchase discounts is included in the carrying value of inventory at each period end for supplier rebates to be received on products not yet sold. Supplier rebates and purchase discounts included in inventory were $43 million and $77 million at January 28, 2024 and January 29, 2023, respectively.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method based on the following estimated useful lives of the assets:
| Buildings and improvements | 5 - 39 years | ||||
| Transportation equipment | 5 - 7 years | ||||
| Furniture, fixtures and equipment | 3 - 10 years | ||||
| Capitalized software | 3 years | ||||
Property and equipment assets are assessed for recovery when a triggering event occurs. A potential impairment is first evaluated by comparing the undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset, or the asset group it is part of, to its carrying value. If the carrying value is greater than the undiscounted cash flows, the amount of potential impairment is measured by comparing the fair value of the asset, or the asset group it is part of, with its carrying value. The Company assesses the remaining useful life and the recoverability of property and equipment assets whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Judgments regarding the existence of a triggering event are based on market and operational performance. Evaluating potential impairment also requires estimates of future operating results and cash flows. There were no impairments of property and equipment assets during fiscal 2023, fiscal 2022 or fiscal 2021.
Acquisitions and Goodwill
Amounts paid for acquisitions are allocated to the tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The Company then allocates the purchase price in excess of net tangible assets acquired to identifiable intangible assets. The fair value of identifiable intangible assets is based on detailed valuations. The Company allocates any excess purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired to goodwill.
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The Company does not amortize goodwill but does conduct an impairment test of goodwill on an annual basis or whenever events or circumstances indicate that it is “more likely than not” that the fair value of its reporting unit has dropped below its carrying value. The annual goodwill impairment assessment for fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022 consisted of a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is “more likely than not” that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value. The Company performed a quantitative assessment for fiscal 2021. The quantitative assessment is comprised of comparing the carrying value of a reporting unit to its estimated fair value. The Company estimates the fair value of the reporting unit based on a detailed valuation, utilizing an income approach based on the present value of future cash flows, a market approach based on multiples of sales and profit metrics of similar public companies and a market approach based on multiples of sales and profit metrics for purchase transactions of similar companies (all of which are considered level three measurement techniques). If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company will recognize the excess of the carrying value over the fair value as a goodwill impairment loss.
Intangible Assets
Finite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of customer relationships which are amortized over the periods during which the Company expects to generate net sales from these customer relationships. The determined amortization life of finite-lived intangible assets ranged from 10 to 15 years. Finite-lived intangible assets are assessed for impairment when a triggering event occurs. A potential impairment of finite-lived intangible assets is first evaluated by comparing the undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset, or the asset group it is part of, to its carrying value. If the carrying value is greater than the undiscounted cash flows, the amount of potential impairment is measured by comparing the fair value of the asset, or the asset group it is part of, with their carrying value. The Company assesses the remaining useful life and the recoverability of finite-lived intangible assets whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Judgments regarding the existence of a triggering event are based on market and operational performance. Evaluating potential impairment also requires estimates of future operating results and cash flows.
Internal use software is recognized separately as an intangible asset and is carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Cost may include software licenses and external and internal costs directly attributable to the development, design and implementation of the computer software. Costs in respect of training and data conversion are expensed as incurred.
All of the Company’s intangible assets are subject to amortization.
Fair Value Measurement
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, accrued compensation and benefits and other current liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The Company’s long-term financial assets and liabilities are generally recorded at historical costs. The carrying amounts of derivative assets or liabilities (see Note 6) are recorded at fair value.
Revenue Recognition
The Company’s revenues are earned from contracts with customers. These contracts include written agreements and purchase orders as well as arrangements that are implied by customary business practices or law. The revenue contracts are primarily single performance obligations for the sale of product or performance of services for customers. Revenue is recognized when title is passed to the customer or services are provided in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for the products and services, which is net of sales tax, customer incentives, returns and discounts. For product sales, the transfer of title generally occurs at the point of destination for products shipped by internal fleet and at the point of shipping for products shipped by third-party carriers. Revenues related to services are recognized in the period the services are performed and were approximately $23 million, $17 million and $19 million during fiscal 2023, fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, respectively. Estimates for expected customer incentives, returns and discounts are based on historical experience, anticipated performance and management’s judgment. Generally, the Company’s contracts do not contain significant financing as the standard sales terms are short term in nature.
Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs
The Company includes shipping and handling fees billed to customers in net sales. Shipping and handling costs associated with inbound freight are capitalized to inventories and relieved through cost of sales as inventories are sold. Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight are included in selling, general and administrative expenses and totaled $43 million, $37 million and $27 million during fiscal 2023, fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, respectively.
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Income Taxes
Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities from a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
The Company recognizes deferred tax assets to the extent that it believes that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies and results of recent operations. If it is determined that the Company is not able to realize deferred tax assets in the future, a valuation allowance would be established, which would impact the provision for income taxes.
Uncertain tax positions are recorded on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) it is determined if a tax position is more-likely-than-not of being sustained on the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. The Company records interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in the provision for income taxes in the audited Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The majority of the Company’s revenues are credit sales which are made primarily to customers whose ability to pay is dependent, in part, upon the economic strength of the construction industry in the areas where they operate and availability of municipal funding. Concentration of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable is limited by the large number of customers comprising the Company’s customer base. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers.
Leases
The Company determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception. Obligations under operating leases are included in the Balance Sheets in both current and non-current operating lease liabilities, while the corresponding rights to use the leased assets are presented as operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets. Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the remaining lease payments. As the rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate, which is based on information available at the commencement date of the relevant lease, in determining the present value of future payments. The lease term includes an option to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Payment obligations related to real estate taxes, insurance and other lease components are excluded from the measurement of operating lease ROU assets and lease liabilities. The Company’s lease agreements generally do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. The Company recognizes expense within selling, general and administrative expense associated with the accretion of operating lease liabilities and amortization of ROU assets in an amount calculated to result in straight-line expense over the lease terms.
Tax Receivable Agreements
In connection with the Reorganization Transactions and the IPO, Core & Main entered into a tax receivable agreement with the Former Limited Partners (the “Former Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement”) and a tax receivable agreement with the Continuing Limited Partners (the “Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement”) (collectively, the “Tax Receivable Agreements”). Core & Main has generated, and expects to generate additional, tax attributes associated with future exchanges of Partnership Interests by Continuing Limited Partners, that will reduce amounts that it would otherwise pay in the future to various tax authorities.
The Former Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement provides for the payment by Core & Main to certain Former Limited Partners, or their permitted transferees, of 85% of the tax benefits, if any, that Core & Main realizes, or in some circumstances is deemed to realize, as a result of (i) certain tax attributes of the Partnership Interests Core & Main holds in respect of such Former Limited Partners’ interest in Core & Main, including such attributes which resulted from such Former Limited Partners’ prior acquisition of ownership interests in Holdings and Core & Main’s allocable share of existing tax basis acquired in connection with the IPO attributable to the Former Limited Partners and (ii) certain other tax benefits.
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The Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement provides for the payment by Core & Main to the Continuing Limited Partners, or their permitted transferees, of 85% of the benefits, if any, that Core & Main realizes, or in some circumstances is deemed to realize, as a result of (i) increases in tax basis or other similar tax benefits as a result of exchanges of Partnership Interests for cash or shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021 (the “Exchange Agreement”), by and among Core & Main, Holdings, CD&R Waterworks Holdings and Management Feeder, (ii) Core & Main’s allocable share of existing tax basis acquired in connection with the IPO attributable to the Continuing Limited Partners and in connection with exchanges of Partnership Interests for cash or shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the Exchange Agreement and (iii) Core & Main’s utilization of certain other tax benefits related to Core & Main’s entering into the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement, including tax benefits attributable to payments under the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement. Core & Main expects to obtain an increase in its share of the tax basis in the net assets of Holdings as Partnership Interests are exchanged by Continuing Limited Partners. Core & Main intends to treat any exchanges of Partnership Interests as direct purchases of Partnership Interests for U.S. federal income tax purposes. These increases in tax basis may reduce the amounts that it would otherwise pay in the future to various tax authorities.
Except to the extent that any benefits are deemed realized, Core & Main will receive the full benefit in tax savings from relevant taxing authorities and provide payment of 85% of the amount of any tax benefits to the Former Limited Partners or the Continuing Limited Partners, as applicable, or their permitted transferees. Core & Main expects to benefit from the remaining 15% of any cash tax savings, except to the extent of any deemed realizations. For the Tax Receivable Agreements, Core & Main assesses the tax attributes to determine if it is more likely than not that the benefit of any deferred tax assets will be realized. Following that assessment, Core & Main recognizes a liability under the applicable Tax Receivable Agreements, reflecting approximately 85% of the expected future realization of such tax benefits. Amounts payable under the Tax Receivable Agreements are contingent upon, among other things, (i) generation of sufficient future taxable income during the term of the applicable Tax Receivable Agreements and (ii) future changes in tax laws.
Upon an exchange transaction that increases the tax attributes available to Core & Main, an increase to deferred tax assets or reduction to deferred tax liabilities is recorded with a corresponding increase to equity. The recognition of the liability under the Tax Receivable Agreement is recorded with a corresponding reduction to equity. Both of these transactions impact equity as they are transactions with shareholders.
Equity-Based Compensation
The Company recognizes the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of those awards. That cost is recognized over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period), which is the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award.
In connection with the Reorganization Transactions, which included the recapitalization of Management Feeder and entry into the Exchange Agreement, the equity awards issued by Holdings and held by Management Feeder were deemed to be modified for accounting purposes. The Company calculated the incremental fair value associated with the modification and recognized this incremental fair value immediately for each vested award with no remaining service period and over the remaining service period associated with each unvested award.
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share
The accounting policy for basic and diluted earnings per share is described in Note 12.
Non-controlling Interests
The non-controlling interests represent the Partnership Interests of Holdings held by the Continuing Limited Partners. Income or loss is attributed to the non-controlling interests based on the weighted average percentage of Partnership Interests held by Continuing Limited Partners, excluding unvested Partnership Interests held by Management Feeder, relative to all Partnership Interests of Holdings. Non-controlling interests presented in the consolidated Balance Sheets represent the ownership percentage of Partnership Interests held by Continuing Limited Partners as of the balance sheet date multiplied by the equity of Holdings, prior to distributions, less distributions to non-controlling interest holders. The non-controlling interests’ ownership percentage may fluctuate over time as the Continuing Limited Partners exchange Partnership Interests, together with the retirement of a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock, for shares of Class A common stock and Partnership Interests held by Management Feeder vest.
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Reference Rate Reform - In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting” (“ASU 2020-04”). The new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments apply only to contracts and hedging relationships that reference the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The expedients and exceptions provided by ASU 2020-04 are effective for prospective contract modifications made and qualifying hedging relationships entered into as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2024.
In February 2023, the Company amended the terms of the 2028 Senior Term Loan (as defined in Note 6) in order to implement a forward-looking rate based on the term secured overnight financing rate (“Term SOFR”) in lieu of LIBOR. In addition, in February 2023, the Company amended the terms of the related interest rate swap to adjust the fixed interest rate and receive payments based upon the one-month Term SOFR rate, based on notional amounts associated with borrowings under the 2028 Senior Term Loan. There were no changes to the principal balances or maturity dates of these debt instruments. The amendments to the 2028 Senior Term Loan and related interest rate swap are related to the replacement of the reference rate, therefore these amendments are subject to the practical expedients in ASU 2020-04.
In July 2022, the Company amended the terms of the Senior ABL Credit Facility (as defined in Note 6) in order to, among other things, implement a forward-looking rate based on Term SOFR in lieu of LIBOR. The guidance of ASU 2020-04 did not have an impact on the assessment of the Senior ABL Credit Facility amendment.
At the time of a qualifying future transaction that replaces LIBOR with a new interest rate index, the Company will consider the application of ASU 2020-04.
Segment Reporting - In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-07”). The new guidance expands reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. ASU 2023-07 requires
disclosure of (i) significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the CODM and included within the segment measure of profit or loss, (ii) an amount and description of its composition for other segment items to reconcile to segment profit or loss, and (iii) the title and position of the Company’s CODM. The ASU does not change how a public entity identifies its operating segments, aggregates them, or applies the quantitative thresholds to determine its reportable segments. ASU 2023-07 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the segment disclosure impact of the amended guidance; however, ASU 2023-07 is not expected to have an impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Income Tax Disclosures - In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-09”). The new guidance requires, on an annual basis, disclosure of specific categories in the rate reconciliation and disclosure of income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2025. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
3) REVENUE
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following table represents net sales disaggregated by product category:
| Fiscal Years Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| Product Category | January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | January 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||||
| Pipes, valves & fittings products | $ | 4,504 | $ | 4,548 | $ | 3,361 | |||||||||||
| Storm drainage products | 985 | 949 | 687 | ||||||||||||||
| Fire protection products | 688 | 701 | 565 | ||||||||||||||
| Meter products | 525 | 453 | 391 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Net Sales | $ | 6,702 | $ | 6,651 | $ | 5,004 | |||||||||||
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4) ACQUISITIONS
The Company made various acquisitions during fiscal 2023 (the “Fiscal 2023 Acquisitions”), fiscal 2022 (the “Fiscal 2022 Acquisitions”) and fiscal 2021 (the “Fiscal 2021 Acquisitions”) with an aggregate transaction value of $244 million, $124 million and $174 million, subject to working capital adjustments, respectively. These transactions were funded with cash.
Fiscal 2023 Acquisitions
•On January 16, 2024, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Lee Supply Company, Inc. (“Lee Supply”). Lee Supply has four locations and is a leading specialty distributor and fabricator of fusible HDPE pipe and other related services, including HDPE fusion equipment rentals and custom fabrication.
•On December 4, 2023, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Granite Water Works, Inc. (“Granite Water Works”). Granite Water Works has one location and is a provider of water, wastewater and storm drainage products.
•On November 28, 2023, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Enviroscape Erosion Control Materials Ltd. and three affiliated entities (collectively “Enviroscape”). Enviroscape has one location and is a provider of geosynthetics and erosion control products.
•On July 12, 2023, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of J.W. D’Angelo Company, Inc. (“D’Angelo”). D’Angelo has three locations and is a full-service provider of fire protection and waterworks products.
•On July 10, 2023, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Foster Supply Inc. and R.P. Foster Inc. (collectively, “Foster Supply”). Foster Supply has seven locations and is a full-service provider of precast concrete structures, pipe, drainage materials and related geosynthetics products.
•On April 17, 2023, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Midwest Pipe Supply Inc. (“Midwest Pipe”). Midwest Pipe has one location and is a distributor of drainage and waterworks products.
•On April 10, 2023, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of UPSCO Manufacturing & Distribution Company, UPSCO, Inc. and TMB Holdings, LLC (collectively, “UPSCO”). UPSCO is a provider of utility infrastructure products and services.
•On March 6, 2023, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Landscape & Construction Supplies LLC (“LCS”). LCS has two locations and is a provider of geosynthetics products.
Fiscal 2022 Acquisitions
•On December 5, 2022, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Lanier Municipal Supply Co. Inc. (“Lanier”). Lanier has four locations and is a full-service distributor of water, wastewater, storm drainage, agricultural and irrigation products.
•On October 10, 2022, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Distributors, Inc. (“Distributors”). Distributors has one location and distributes fire protection products.
•On October 3, 2022, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of the municipal waterworks division of Trumbull Industries, Inc., and acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of an affiliated entity, Trumbull Manufacturing, Inc. (collectively “Trumbull”). Trumbull has three locations and distributes a variety of infrastructure products to the waterworks industry.
•On August 8, 2022, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Inland Water Works Supply, Co. (“Inland”). Inland has one location and distributes waterworks products.
•On June 28, 2022, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Earthsavers Erosion Control, LLC (“Earthsavers”). Earthsavers has three locations and produces and distributes a variety of geosynthetic materials, including wattles, erosion control blankets and a broad array of geotextile products.
•On May 2, 2022, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Lock City Supply, Inc. (“Lock City”). Lock City has one location and distributes waterworks products.
•On March 21, 2022, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Dodson Engineered Products, Inc. (“Dodson”). Dodson has one location and distributes waterworks products.
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Fiscal 2021 Acquisitions
•On November 8, 2021, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Catalone Pipe & Supply Co. (“Catalone”). Catalone has one location and manufactures custom concrete catch basins.
•On October 6, 2021, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of CES Industrial Piping Supply, LLC (“CES”). CES has one location and distributes fusible HDPE pipe, fittings and fusion machines.
•On August 30, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of certain assets and assumption of certain liabilities of L&M Bag & Supply Co., Inc. (“L&M”). L&M is a specialized supplier of geotextile fabrics and geogrids, as well as silt fences, turbidity barriers and safety fences, weed control fabric and sod staples.
•On August 9, 2021, the Company completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding shares of Pacific Pipe Company, Inc. (“Pacific Pipe”). Pacific Pipe has four branch locations and serves municipalities and contractors in the water, wastewater, storm drainage and irrigation industries with a broad product offering.
•On March 1, 2021, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Triple T Pipe & Supply, LLC. (“Triple T”). Triple T has one location and distributes waterworks products.
The following table represents the preliminary allocation of the transaction price to the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Fiscal 2023 Acquisitions and final allocation of the transaction price to the fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Fiscal 2022 Acquisitions and Fiscal 2021 Acquisitions:
Fiscal 2023 Acquisitions | Fiscal 2022 Acquisitions | Fiscal 2021 Acquisitions | ||||||||||||||||||
| Cash | $ | 5 | $ | — | $ | 2 | ||||||||||||||
| Receivables | 47 | 22 | 19 | |||||||||||||||||
| Inventories | 52 | 44 | 34 | |||||||||||||||||
| Intangible assets | 107 | 43 | 71 | |||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill | 25 | 21 | 62 | |||||||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment | 35 | 7 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 8 | 5 | 20 | |||||||||||||||||
| Other assets, current and non-current | 4 | 4 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| Total assets acquired | 283 | 146 | 220 | |||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | 13 | 11 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income taxes | 8 | — | 12 | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, current and non-current | 8 | 5 | 20 | |||||||||||||||||
| Deferred consideration | 8 | 3 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Other liabilities, current and non-current | 9 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Net assets acquired | $ | 237 | $ | 127 | $ | 180 | ||||||||||||||
The net outflow of cash in respect of the purchase of businesses is as follows:
Fiscal 2023 Acquisitions | Fiscal 2022 Acquisitions | Fiscal 2021 Acquisitions | ||||||||||||||||||
| Net assets acquired | $ | 237 | $ | 127 | $ | 180 | ||||||||||||||
Plus: Working capital adjustment | (1) | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
Less: Cash acquired in acquisition | (5) | — | (2) | |||||||||||||||||
| Total consideration, net of cash; investing cash outflow | $ | 231 | $ | 128 | $ | 179 | ||||||||||||||
In the above transactions, to the extent applicable, the excess of purchase price over net tangible and intangible assets acquired resulted in goodwill, which represents the assembled workforce and anticipated long-term growth in new markets, customers and products. Goodwill of $11 million, $21 million and $21 million associated with the Fiscal 2023 Acquisitions, Fiscal 2022 Acquisitions, and Fiscal 2021 Acquisitions, respectively, are fully deductible by the Company for U.S. income tax purposes.
Intangible Assets
For the Fiscal 2023 Acquisitions, Fiscal 2022 Acquisitions and Fiscal 2021 Acquisitions discussed above the intangible assets acquired consist of customer relationships and trademarks.
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The customer relationship intangible assets represent the value associated with those customer relationships in place at the date of the Fiscal 2023 Acquisitions, Fiscal 2022 Acquisitions and Fiscal 2021 Acquisitions. The Company valued the customer relationships using an excess earnings method using various inputs such as customer attrition rate, revenue growth rate, gross margin percentage and discount rate. Cash flows associated with the existing relationships are expected to diminish over time due to customer turnover. The Company reflected this expected diminishing cash flow through the utilization of an annual customer attrition rate assumption and in its method of amortization.
The trademark intangible asset represents the value associated with the brand names in place at the date of the respective acquisitions.
A summary of the intangible assets acquired and assumptions utilized in the valuation, for the acquisitions is as follows:
| Intangible Asset Amount | Weighted Average Amortization Period | Weighted Average Discount Rate | Weighted Average Attrition Rate | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Customer Relationships | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fiscal 2023 Acquisitions | $ | 106 | 10 years | 16.0 | % | 13.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Fiscal 2022 Acquisitions | 43 | 10 years | 15.6 | % | 12.1 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Fiscal 2021 Acquisitions | 70 | 10 years | 12.7 | % | 11.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||
Trademark | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Fiscal 2023 Acquisitions | $ | 1 | 2 years | 15.5 | % | N/A | |||||||||||||||||
Fiscal 2021 Acquisitions | 1 | 2 years | 13.0 | % | N/A | ||||||||||||||||||
5) GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill
The carrying amount of the Company’s goodwill included in its Balance Sheets is as follows:
| January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Gross Goodwill | $ | 1,561 | $ | 1,535 | |||||||
| Accumulated Impairment | — | — | |||||||||
| Net Goodwill | $ | 1,561 | $ | 1,535 | |||||||
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:
| Fiscal Years Ended | |||||||||||
| January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Beginning Balance | $ | 1,535 | $ | 1,515 | |||||||
| Goodwill acquired during the year | 25 | 20 | |||||||||
Goodwill adjusted during the year | 1 | — | |||||||||
| Ending balance | $ | 1,561 | $ | 1,535 | |||||||
Goodwill acquired during fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022 was related to the Fiscal 2023 Acquisitions and Fiscal 2022 Acquisitions, respectively, as further discussed in Note 4.
During the fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022 annual goodwill impairment assessment, the Company performed a qualitative assessment. The qualitative assessment included evaluating economic, industry, regulatory and company specific factors that could impact the reporting unit fair value. These factors included historical and projected financial metrics (including net sales, operating cash flow and discount rate trends), public equity market trends and evaluation of the markets the Company serves. Based on the assessment it was determined that it is not “more likely than not” that the fair value of its reporting unit is less than the carrying value of its reporting unit in fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022. Therefore, no further assessment was necessary.
During the fiscal 2021 annual assessments, the Company tested goodwill for impairment by performing a quantitative assessment that compared the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value. There was no goodwill impairment during fiscal 2023, fiscal 2022 or fiscal 2021.
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The Company’s analyses were based in part on the expectation of future market conditions, future net sales and operating cash flow growth and discount rates that would be used by market participants in an arms-length transaction. Should actual performance or expectations of long-term assumptions be lower than presently expected, the Company’s goodwill could be impaired.
Intangible Assets
The Company’s intangible assets included in its Balance Sheets consist of the following:
| January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Intangible | Accumulated Amortization | Net Intangible | Gross Intangible | Accumulated Amortization | Net Intangible | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Customer relationships | $ | 1,496 | $ | 718 | $ | 778 | $ | 1,390 | $ | 597 | $ | 793 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other intangible assets | 10 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,506 | $ | 722 | $ | 784 | $ | 1,395 | $ | 600 | $ | 795 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization expense related to intangible assets was as follows:
| Fiscal Years Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | January 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Amortization expense | $ | 122 | $ | 120 | $ | 120 | |||||||||||
There were no intangible asset impairments during fiscal 2023, fiscal 2022 or fiscal 2021.
The estimated aggregate amortization expense on intangible assets owned by the Company as of January 28, 2024 was expected to be as follows:
Fiscal 2024 | $ | 123 | |||
Fiscal 2025 | 113 | ||||
Fiscal 2026 | 104 | ||||
Fiscal 2027 | 96 | ||||
Fiscal 2028 | 88 | ||||
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6) DEBT
Debt consisted of the following:
| January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal | Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Costs | Principal | Unamortized Discount and Debt Issuance Costs | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Current maturities of long-term debt: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior Term Loan due July 2028 | $ | 15 | $ | — | $ | 15 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior ABL Credit Facility due July 2026 | 430 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Senior Term Loan due July 2028 | 1,448 | 15 | 1,463 | 19 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1,878 | 15 | 1,463 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 1,893 | $ | 15 | $ | 1,478 | $ | 19 | |||||||||||||||
The debt obligations as of January 28, 2024 include the following debt agreements:
2028 Senior Term Loan
On July 27, 2021, Core & Main LP entered into a $1,500 million senior term loan, which matures on July 27, 2028 (the “2028 Senior Term Loan”). The 2028 Senior Term Loan was amended on February 26, 2023 in order to implement a forward-looking rate based on Term SOFR in lieu of LIBOR. The 2028 Senior Term Loan requires quarterly principal payments, payable on the last business day of each fiscal quarter in an amount equal to approximately 0.25% of the original principal amount of the 2028 Senior Term Loan. The remaining balance is payable upon final maturity of the 2028 Senior Term Loan on July 27, 2028. The 2028 Senior Term Loan bears interest at a rate equal to (i) Term SOFR plus, in each case, an effective applicable margin of 2.60% or (ii) the base rate, which will be the highest of (x) the corporate base rate established by the administrative agent as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New York City from time to time, (y) the overnight federal funds rate plus 0.50% per annum and (z) one-month Term SOFR (adjusted for maximum reserves) plus 1.00% per annum, plus, in each case, an applicable margin of 1.50%. The 2028 Senior Term Loan is subject to a Term SOFR “floor” of 0.00%. The weighted average interest rate, excluding the effect of the interest rate swap, of Core & Main LP’s outstanding borrowings under the 2028 Senior Term Loan as of January 28, 2024 was 7.99%. See further discussion of the interest rate swap below. Based on quotes from financial institutions (i.e., level 2 of the fair value hierarchy), the fair value of the 2028 Senior Term Loan was $1,461 million as of January 28, 2024.
Asset-Based Credit Facility
Core & Main LP has a senior asset-based revolving credit facility with a borrowing capacity of up to $1,250 million, subject to borrowing base availability, with a maturity date of July 27, 2026 (the “Senior ABL Credit Facility”). Borrowings under the Senior ABL Credit Facility bear interest at either a Term SOFR rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.25% to 1.75%, or an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.25% to 0.75%, depending on the borrowing capacity under the Senior ABL Credit Facility. Additionally, Core & Main LP pays a fee of 0.25% on unfunded commitments under the Senior ABL Credit Facility. As of January 28, 2024 there was $430 million outstanding under the Senior ABL Credit Facility with a weighted average interest rate of 8.75%. The book value of the Senior ABL Credit Facility approximates the fair value due to the variable interest rate nature of these borrowings.
The aforementioned debt agreements include customary affirmative and negative covenants, which include, among other things, restrictions on Core & Main LP’s ability to pay dividends, create liens, incur additional indebtedness, make investments, dispose of assets and merge or consolidate with any other person. The 2028 Senior Term Loan may require accelerated repayment based upon cash flows generated in excess of operating and investing requirements when the Consolidated Secured Leverage Ratio (as defined in the agreement governing the 2028 Senior Term Loan) is greater than or equal to 3.25. No such repayment was required for any of the periods presented. In addition, the Senior ABL Credit Facility requires Core & Main LP to comply with a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of greater than or equal to 1.00 when availability under the Senior ABL Credit Facility is less than 10.0% of the lesser of (i) the then applicable borrowing base or (ii) the then aggregate effective commitments. The Company was in compliance with all debt covenants as of January 28, 2024.
Substantially all of Core & Main LP’s assets are pledged as collateral for the 2028 Senior Term Loan and the Senior ABL Credit Facility.
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The aggregate amount of debt payments for the next five fiscal years are as follows:
Fiscal 2024 | $ | 15 | |||
Fiscal 2025 | 15 | ||||
Fiscal 2026 | 445 | ||||
Fiscal 2027 | 15 | ||||
Fiscal 2028 | 1,403 | ||||
Interest Rate Swaps
On February 28, 2018, Core & Main LP entered into an instrument pursuant to which it made payments to a third party based upon a fixed interest rate of 2.725% and received payments based upon the three-month LIBOR rate, based on a $500 million notional amount, which mirrored then outstanding borrowings under the Prior Term Loan. On July 27, 2021, Core & Main LP repaid the approximately $1,258 million outstanding under the Prior Term Loan and settled the interest rate swap.
Fiscal Year Ended | |||||
| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss | January 30, 2022 | ||||
| Beginning of period balance | $ | (8) | |||
| Reclassification of expense to interest expense | 4 | ||||
| Loss on debt modification and extinguishment | 5 | ||||
| Tax (expense) on interest rate swap adjustments | |||||
| Reclassification of expense to interest expense | (1) | ||||
| Loss on debt modification and extinguishment | — | ||||
| End of period balance | $ | — | |||
On July 27, 2021, Core & Main LP entered into an instrument in which it makes payments to a third-party based upon a fixed interest rate and receives payments based upon the one-month LIBOR rate. On February 26, 2023, Core & Main LP amended the terms of this instrument to adjust the fixed interest rate to 0.693% and receive payments based upon the one-month Term SOFR rate, based on notional amounts associated with borrowings under the 2028 Senior Term Loan. The interest rate swap has a notional amount of $900 million as of January 28, 2024. The notional amount decreases to $800 million on July 27, 2024, $700 million on July 27, 2025 through the instrument maturity on July 27, 2026. This instrument is intended to reduce the Company’s exposure to variable interest rates under the 2028 Senior Term Loan. As of January 28, 2024, this instrument resulted in an effective fixed rate of 3.293%, based upon the 0.693% fixed rate plus an effective applicable margin of 2.60%.
The fair value of this cash flow interest rate swap was a $67 million and $84 million asset as of January 28, 2024 and January 29, 2023, respectively, which is included within other assets in the Balance Sheet. The cash flows related to settlement of the interest rate swap are classified in the consolidated statements of cash flows based on the nature of the underlying hedged items. Fair value is based upon the present value of future cash flows under the terms of the contract and observable market inputs (level 2). Significant inputs used in determining fair value include forward-looking one-month Term SOFR rates and the discount rate applied to projected cash flows.
| Fiscal Years Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | January 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||||
| Beginning of period balance | $ | 70 | $ | 26 | $ | — | |||||||||||
Measurement adjustment gain for interest rate swap | 21 | 66 | 28 | ||||||||||||||
| Reclassification of (income) expense to interest expense | (42) | (13) | 3 | ||||||||||||||
| Tax benefit (expense) on interest rate swap adjustments | |||||||||||||||||
Measurement adjustment gain for interest rate swap | (4) | (11) | (4) | ||||||||||||||
| Reclassification of (income) expense to interest expense | 8 | 2 | (1) | ||||||||||||||
Tax impact of exchange of Partnership Interests | (5) | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| End of period balance | $ | 48 | $ | 70 | $ | 26 | |||||||||||
As of January 28, 2024, the Company estimates $35 million of the cash flow interest rate swap gains will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into earnings over the next 12 months.
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7) INCOME TAXES
As a result of the Reorganization Transactions, Core & Main became the general partner of Holdings, which is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal and most applicable state and local income tax purposes. As a partnership, Holdings is generally not subject to U.S. federal and certain state and local income taxes. Any taxable income or loss generated by Holdings is passed through to and included in the taxable income or loss of its partners, including Core & Main, following the Reorganization Transactions. Core & Main is subject to U.S. federal income taxes, in addition to state and local income taxes, with respect to its allocable share of any taxable income of Holdings following the Reorganization Transactions.
As the Reorganization Transactions are accounted for as transactions between entities under common control, the financial statements for the periods prior to the IPO and the Reorganization Transactions reflect the combination of previously separate entities for presentation purposes. These entities include Core & Main, Holdings and its consolidated subsidiaries and the Blocker Companies. The Blocker Companies were holding companies with indirect investments in Holdings. They had no operations but did receive distributions from Holdings for their tax obligations as a corporation based on the taxable income allocated to them from Holdings. The consolidated financial statements for periods prior to the Reorganization Transactions reflect the provision for income taxes and related balances on the balance sheet for the Blocker Companies.
The provision for income taxes consisted of the following:
| Fiscal Years Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | January 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Current: | |||||||||||||||||
| Federal | $ | 98 | $ | 110 | $ | 55 | |||||||||||
| State | 28 | 25 | 13 | ||||||||||||||
| 126 | 135 | 68 | |||||||||||||||
| Deferred: | |||||||||||||||||
| Federal | 2 | (5) | (14) | ||||||||||||||
| State | — | (2) | (3) | ||||||||||||||
| 2 | (7) | (17) | |||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 128 | $ | 128 | $ | 51 | |||||||||||
The reconciliations of the provision for income taxes at the federal corporate statutory rate of 21% to the tax provision for fiscal 2023, fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021 are as follows:
| Fiscal Years Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | January 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Income taxes at federal statutory rate | 21.0 | % | 21.0 | % | 21.0 | % | |||||||||||
| State income taxes | 3.5 | 3.2 | 3.8 | ||||||||||||||
| Partnership income not subject to U.S. tax | (5.0) | (6.3) | (8.5) | ||||||||||||||
| Corporate subsidiary tax | (0.3) | 0.1 | 1.3 | ||||||||||||||
| Permanent differences | 0.4 | 0.3 | 1.1 | ||||||||||||||
| Other | (0.2) | (0.2) | (0.2) | ||||||||||||||
| Total provision | 19.4 | % | 18.1 | % | 18.5 | % | |||||||||||
The variations between the Company’s estimated effective tax rate and the U.S. and state statutory rates are primarily due to the portion of the Company’s earnings attributable to non-controlling interests following the Reorganization Transactions partially offset by certain permanent book-tax differences.
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The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:
| January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Deferred Tax Assets: | |||||||||||
Basis difference in partnership investments of Core & Main, Inc. | $ | 489 | $ | — | |||||||
| Imputed interest on Tax Receivable Agreements | 48 | 7 | |||||||||
Intangibles | 5 | — | |||||||||
| Deferred Tax Liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Intangibles | — | (1) | |||||||||
Basis difference in partnership investments of Core & Main Buyer, Inc. | (48) | (15) | |||||||||
The Company’s operations have resulted in income, and as such, the Company maintains no valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets.
Core & Main, Inc. Partnership Investment
Prior to the Reorganization Transactions, the Blocker Companies were holding corporations for indirect investments in Holdings. The Blocker Companies had no operations but did receive distributions from Holdings associated with their tax obligations from allocations of Holdings taxable income. As such, the Blocker Companies’ financial statements reflected a deferred tax liability associated with the difference between their financial reporting investment and tax basis in Holdings. In connection with the Blocker Mergers, Core & Main assumed the balance sheets of the Blocker Companies. The assumed deferred tax liability was adjusted to reflect the IPO, the IPO Overallotment Option Exercise and subsequent book-tax differences. Subsequent exchanges of Partnership Interests by Continuing Limited Partners created additional tax basis that may reduce taxable income in the future. This resulted in the recognition of deferred tax assets that have been partially offset by incremental recognition of the deferred tax liability assumed from the Blocker Companies. As of January 28, 2024 and January 29, 2023, the Company had a $491 million and $26 million, respectively, in deferred tax asset associated with the difference between Core & Main’s financial reporting basis and the tax basis of Core & Main’s investment in Holdings.
Buyer Deferred Tax Liability
The Company completed the acquisitions of all the outstanding shares of certain acquired companies through Core & Main Buyer, Inc. (“Buyer”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. Buyer subsequently contributed these acquired companies to Core & Main LP. As part of the opening balance sheet, Buyer recorded deferred tax liabilities of $8 million during fiscal 2023 related to the difference between Buyer’s financial reporting basis and tax basis of Buyer’s investment in Core & Main LP. The taxable income that is allocated to Buyer, for its contribution of these acquired companies to Core & Main LP, is subject to corporate federal and state income tax in substantially all fifty states. As of January 28, 2024 and January 29, 2023, this deferred tax liability was $50 million and $41 million, respectively.
Tax Receivable Agreements and Reorganization Transactions
In connection with the Reorganization Transactions and the IPO, Core & Main entered into the Former Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement and the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement. Core & Main expects to generate additional tax attributes, associated with future exchanges of Partnership Interests by Continuing Limited Partners, that will reduce amounts that it would otherwise pay in the future to various tax authorities. The Tax Receivable Agreements provide for the payment to either the Former Limited Partners or Continuing Limited Partners, or their permitted transferees, of 85% of the tax benefits realized by the Company, or in some circumstances are deemed to be realized.
The Company recorded payables to related parties pursuant to the Tax Receivable Agreements of $717 million and $185 million as of January 28, 2024 and January 29, 2023, respectively. Payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements within the next 12 months are expected to be $11 million, which is included within other current liabilities in the Balance Sheet.
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The actual amount and timing of any potential additional payments under the Tax Receivable Agreements will vary depending upon a number of factors, including the timing of exchanges by the holders of Partnership Interests, the amount of gain recognized by such holders of Partnership Interests, the amount and timing of the taxable income the Company generates in the future and the federal tax rates then applicable. Assuming (i) that the Continuing Limited Partners exchanged all of their remaining Partnership Interests at $40.55 per share of our Class A common stock (the closing stock price on January 26, 2024), (ii) no material changes in relevant tax law, (iii) a constant corporate tax rate of 25.1%, which represents a pro forma tax rate that includes a provision for U.S. federal income taxes and assumes the highest statutory rate apportioned to each state and local jurisdiction and (iv) that the Company earns sufficient taxable income in each year to realize on a current basis all tax benefits that are subject to the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement, the Company would recognize a deferred tax asset (subject to offset with existing deferred tax liabilities) of approximately $108 million and a Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement liability of approximately $92 million, payable to the Continuing Limited Partners over the life of the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement. The full exchange by the Continuing Limited Partners will also decrease Core & Main's aforementioned deferred tax asset associated with its investment in Holdings by $4 million, as Core & Main recognizes the deferred tax consequences associated with the non-controlling Partnership Interests being exchanged. These amounts are estimates only and are subject to change.
Uncertain tax positions
Total gross unrecognized tax benefits as of January 28, 2024 and January 29, 2023, as well as activity within each of the years, were not material.
8) LEASES
The Company occupies certain facilities and operates certain equipment and vehicles under operating leases that expire at various dates through the year 2037.
The table below presents lease costs associated with facility, equipment and vehicle operating leases:
| Fiscal Years Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lease Cost | Classification | January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | January 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating Lease Cost | Selling, general, and administrative expense | $ | 80 | $ | 69 | $ | 58 | |||||||||||||||||||
Future aggregate rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases as of January 28, 2024 are as follows:
| January 28, 2024 | |||||
Fiscal 2024 | $ | 65 | |||
Fiscal 2025 | 53 | ||||
Fiscal 2026 | 40 | ||||
Fiscal 2027 | 29 | ||||
Fiscal 2028 | 15 | ||||
| Thereafter | 16 | ||||
| Total minimum lease payments | 218 | ||||
| Less: present value discount | (25) | ||||
| Present value of lease liabilities | $ | 193 | |||
To calculate the present value of the operating lease liabilities, the Company determined its incremental borrowing rate by considering market and company specific factors, including interest rates for borrowings secured by collateral and adjusted for the remaining term of the leased facility, machinery, or vehicle categories. The table below presents the weighted average remaining lease term (years) and the weighted average discount rate of the Company’s operating leases:
| Operating Lease Term and Discount Rate | January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average remaining lease term (years) | 4.0 | 3.0 | ||||||||||||
| Weighted average discount rate | 5.3 | % | 4.5 | % | ||||||||||
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The table below presents cash and non-cash impacts associated with leases:
| Fiscal Years Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||
| January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | January 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Operating cash flow payments for operating lease liabilities | $ | 54 | $ | 50 | $ | 44 | ||||||||||||||
| Operating cash flow payments for non-lease components | 26 | 19 | 14 | |||||||||||||||||
| Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | $ | 65 | $ | 68 | $ | 47 | ||||||||||||||
The non-cash impact related to ROU assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities in the table above excludes the impact from acquisitions. ROU assets acquired as part of the acquisitions are presented in Note 4.
9) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Purchase Obligations
As of January 28, 2024, the Company had agreements in place with various suppliers to purchase goods and services, primarily inventory, in the aggregate amount of $1,033 million. These purchase obligations are generally cancellable, but the Company does not currently intend to cancel. Payment is dependent on lead times from our suppliers, and could be extended due to supply chain disruptions. Payments are generally expected to be made during fiscal 2024 for these obligations.
Encumbered Assets
As of January 28, 2024, substantially all of the Company’s assets were pledged as collateral for the Company’s credit facilities.
Legal Matters
The Company is involved in various legal proceedings arising in the normal course of its business. The Company establishes reserves for litigation and similar matters when those matters present loss contingencies that it determines to be both probable and reasonably estimable. As of January 28, 2024 and January 29, 2023, these established reserves for litigation were not material. In the opinion of management, based on current knowledge, all probable and reasonably estimable matters are believed to be adequately reserved for or covered by insurance and are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. For all other matters, management believes the possibility of losses from such matters is not probable, the potential loss from such matters is not reasonably estimable, or such matters are of such kind or involve such amounts that would not have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company if resolved unfavorably.
Self-Insurance
The Company has high deductible insurance programs for most losses related to general liability, product liability, automobile liability and workers’ compensation, and is self-insured for medical claims, while maintaining per employee stop loss coverage, and certain legal claims. The expected ultimate cost for claims incurred as of the balance sheet date is not discounted and is recognized as a liability in the accompanying Balance Sheets. The Company’s self-insurance losses for claims filed and claims incurred but not reported are accrued based upon estimates of the aggregate liability for uninsured claims using loss development factors and actuarial assumptions followed in the insurance industry and historical loss development experience. At January 28, 2024 and January 29, 2023, the Company’s self-insurance liabilities totaled $28 million and $27 million, respectively.
Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement
Core & Main is party to the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement, which will result in the recognition of deferred tax benefits and liabilities upon the exchange of Partnership Interests, together with the retirement of a corresponding number of shares of the Company’s Class B common stock, by the Continuing Limited Partners for shares of Class A common stock of Core & Main or cash pursuant to the Exchange Agreement. See further discussion in Note 1 and Note 7.
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10) SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENT INFORMATION
Receivables
Receivables consisted of the following:
| January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Trade receivables, net of allowance for credit losses | $ | 888 | $ | 851 | |||||||
| Supplier rebate receivables | 85 | 104 | |||||||||
| Receivables, net of allowance for credit losses | $ | 973 | $ | 955 | |||||||
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:
| January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Land | $ | 38 | $ | 24 | |||||||
| Buildings and improvements | 80 | 56 | |||||||||
| Transportation equipment | 41 | 33 | |||||||||
| Furniture, fixtures and equipment | 98 | 77 | |||||||||
| Capitalized software | 23 | 19 | |||||||||
| Construction in progress | 5 | 3 | |||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment | 285 | 212 | |||||||||
| Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | (134) | (107) | |||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment, net | $ | 151 | $ | 105 | |||||||
Depreciation expense is classified within cost of sales and depreciation and amortization within the Statement of Operations. Depreciation expense related to property, plant and equipment, including capitalized software, was as follows:
| Fiscal Years Ended | |||||||||||||||||
| January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | January 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Depreciation expense | $ | 27 | $ | 23 | $ | 22 | |||||||||||
Accrued Compensation and Benefits
Accrued compensation and benefits consisted of the following:
| January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Accrued bonuses and commissions | $ | 82 | $ | 100 | |||||||
| Other compensation and benefits | 24 | 23 | |||||||||
| Accrued compensation and benefits | $ | 106 | $ | 123 | |||||||
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11) NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS
Core & Main is the general partner of Holdings and operates and controls all of the business and affairs of Holdings and, through Holdings and its subsidiaries, conducts the Company’s business. Accordingly, Core & Main consolidates the consolidated financial statements of Holdings and attributes a portion of net income and equity of Holdings to non-controlling interests related to the vested Partnership Interests held by the Continuing Limited Partners. Income or loss is attributed to the non-controlling interests based on the weighted average percentage of Partnership Interests held by Continuing Limited Partners, excluding unvested Partnership Interests held by Management Feeder, relative to all Partnership Interests of Holdings during the period following the Reorganization Transactions. Holdings equity is attributed to non-controlling interests based on the Partnership Interests held by Continuing Limited Partners, excluding unvested Partnership Interests held by Management Feeder, relative to all Partnership Interests as of the balance sheet date. The non-controlling interests’ ownership percentage may fluctuate over time as the Continuing Limited Partners exchange Partnership Interests, together with the retirement of a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock, for shares of Class A common stock and as Partnership Interests held by Management Feeder vest. The following table summarizes the ownership of Partnership Interests of Holdings (excluding unvested Partnership Interests held by Management Feeder):
| Partnership Interests | Ownership Percentage | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Core & Main | Continuing Limited Partners | Total | Core & Main | Continuing Limited Partners | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balances at January 30, 2022 | 167,522,403 | 75,344,408 | 242,866,811 | 69.0 | % | 31.0 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Partnership Interests | 110,644 | — | 110,644 | — | % | — | % | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exchange of Partnership Interests | 5,132,134 | (5,133,763) | (1,629) | 2.1 | % | (2.1) | % | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeiture of Partnership Interests | (20) | — | (20) | — | % | — | % | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vesting of Partnership Interests | — | 2,260,828 | 2,260,828 | (0.7) | % | 0.7 | % | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balances at January 29, 2023 | 172,765,161 | 72,471,473 | 245,236,634 | 70.4 | % | 29.6 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retirement of Partnership Interests | (28,131,551) | (16,868,449) | (45,000,000) | 1.8 | % | (1.8) | % | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Partnership Interests | 346,977 | — | 346,977 | 0.1 | % | (0.1) | % | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exchange of Partnership Interests | 46,683,021 | (46,731,040) | (48,019) | 23.2 | % | (23.2) | % | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vesting of Partnership Interests | — | 371,292 | 371,292 | (0.1) | % | 0.1 | % | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balances at January 28, 2024 | 191,663,608 | 9,243,276 | 200,906,884 | 95.4 | % | 4.6 | % | 100.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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12) BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE
The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for fiscal year ended January 28, 2024, January 29, 2023 and from July 23, 2021 to January 30, 2022, the period following the Reorganization Transactions.
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to Core & Main for the period following the Reorganization Transactions by the weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding during the same period. Shares of Class A common stock issued during the period were weighted for the portion of the period in which the shares of Class A common stock were outstanding. The Company did not apply the two-class method because shares of Class B common stock do not participate in earnings of Core & Main. As a result, the shares of Class B common stock are not considered participating securities and are not included in the weighted average shares outstanding for purposes of basic earnings per share. Net income allocated to holders of non-controlling interests was excluded from net income available to the Class A common stock. There were no preferred dividends and no shares of preferred stock outstanding for the period.
The diluted net earnings per share calculation includes the basic weighted average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding plus the dilutive impact of potential outstanding shares of Class A common stock that would be issued upon exchange of Partnership Interests, together with the retirement of a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock, under the if-converted method, if dilutive. The treasury stock method is applied to outstanding awards, including unvested Partnership Interests and outstanding stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units and stock options.
| Fiscal Year Ended January 28, 2024 | Fiscal Year Ended January 29, 2023 | July 23, 2021 through January 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per share: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 531 | $ | 581 | $ | 151 | |||||||||||
| Net income attributable to non-controlling interests | 160 | 215 | 61 | ||||||||||||||
| Net income available to Class A common stock | 371 | 366 | 90 | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding | 172,839,836 | 169,482,199 | 159,188,391 | ||||||||||||||
| Net income per share | $ | 2.15 | $ | 2.16 | $ | 0.57 | |||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share: | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income available to common shareholders - basic | $ | 371 | $ | 366 | $ | 90 | |||||||||||
| Increase to net income attributable to dilutive instruments | 118 | 159 | 44 | ||||||||||||||
| Net income available to common shareholders - diluted | 489 | 525 | 134 | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding - basic | 172,839,836 | 169,482,199 | 159,188,391 | ||||||||||||||
Incremental shares of common stock attributable to dilutive instruments | 54,978,241 | 76,734,805 | 85,263,287 | ||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted | 227,818,077 | 246,217,004 | 244,451,678 | ||||||||||||||
| Net income per share - diluted | $ | 2.15 | $ | 2.13 | $ | 0.55 | |||||||||||
13) EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION
Equity-Based Compensation Plan
Prior to the IPO, the board of Holdings approved the Core & Main Holdings, LP Equity Incentive Plan. Employees and independent directors of the Company previously received profits units and unit appreciation rights in Holdings indirectly through Management Feeder. These awards were issued from Management Feeder, which in turn received grants from Holdings in the amounts and terms that were identical to those that were issued to employees and independent directors.
Treatment of Core & Main Holdings, LP Equity Incentive Plan in Reorganization Transactions
In connection with the Reorganization Transactions, Holdings was recapitalized and its common units and profits units were converted to a single class of Partnership Interests. Partnership Interests in the recapitalized Holdings, which correspond to prior profits units of Holdings, which were held by Management Feeder (which relate to profits units in Management Feeder held by the Company’s employees and directors), remain subject to the same time-based vesting requirements that existed prior to the Reorganization Transactions. As part of the recapitalization of Holdings, the quantity of Partnership Interests issued in the recapitalization contemplated the settlement of the historical benchmark prices and the public offering price of Class A common stock in the IPO.
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In addition, in connection with the Reorganization Transactions, unit appreciation rights of Holdings were converted to stock appreciation rights denominated in shares of Class A common stock with adjustments to the number of awards and benchmark prices.
Partnership Interests
A summary of the Partnership Interests is presented below (shares in thousands):
| Number of Shares | Weighted Average Benchmark Price | ||||||||||
Outstanding as of January 29, 2023 | 10,619 | $ | — | ||||||||
| Exchanged | (1,950) | — | |||||||||
Outstanding as of January 28, 2024 | 8,669 | $ | — | ||||||||
| Number of Shares | Weighted Average Benchmark Price | ||||||||||
Unvested as of January 29, 2023 | 759 | $ | — | ||||||||
| Vested | (372) | — | |||||||||
Unvested as of January 28, 2024 | 387 | $ | — | ||||||||
The estimated fair value of the profits units when granted was amortized to expense over the vesting period. The fair value for these profits units was estimated by management, after considering a third-party valuation specialist’s assessment, at the date of grant based on the expected life of the profits units, using a Black-Scholes pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
| January 30, 2022 | |||||
| Risk-free interest rate | 0.78% | ||||
| Dividend yield | —% | ||||
| Expected volatility factor | 50% | ||||
| Discount for lack of marketability | 20% | ||||
| Expected life in years | 5.0 | ||||
| Weighted-average fair value | $ | 6.27 | |||
The risk free interest rate was determined based on an analysis of U.S. Treasury zero-coupon market yields as of the date of the profits units grant for issues having expiration lives similar to the expected life of the profits units. The expected volatility was based on an analysis of the historical volatility of a peer group over the expected life of the profits units. As insufficient data exists to determine the historical life of the profits units, the expected life was determined based on the Company’s estimate of when a liquidity event may occur based on market conditions and prior investments of CD&R.
Stock Appreciation Rights
A summary of the stock appreciation rights is presented below (shares in thousands):
| Number of Shares | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |||||||||||||||
Outstanding as of January 29, 2023 | 556 | $ | 4.65 | ||||||||||||||
| Exchanged | (224) | 3.71 | |||||||||||||||
Outstanding as of January 28, 2024 | 332 | $ | 5.28 | $ | 12 | ||||||||||||
Exercisable as of January 28, 2024 | 226 | $ | 4.01 | $ | 8 | ||||||||||||
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The estimated fair value of the stock appreciation rights when granted was amortized to expense over the vesting or required service period. The fair value for these stock appreciation rights was estimated by management, after considering a third-party valuation specialist’s assessment, at the date of grant based on the expected life of the unit appreciation rights, using a Black-Scholes pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
| January 30, 2022 | |||||
| Risk-free interest rate | 0.78% | ||||
| Dividend yield | —% | ||||
| Expected volatility factor | 50% | ||||
| Discount for lack of marketability | 20% | ||||
| Expected life in years | 5.0 | ||||
| Weighted-average fair value | $ | 6.27 | |||
The risk free interest rate was determined based on an analysis of U.S. Treasury zero-coupon market yields as of the date of the unit appreciation rights grant for issues having expiration lives similar to the expected life of the unit appreciation rights. The expected volatility was based on an analysis of the historical volatility of a peer group over the expected life of the unit appreciation rights. As insufficient data exists to determine the historical life of the unit appreciation rights, the expected life was determined based on the Company’s estimate of when a liquidity event may occur based on market conditions and prior investments of CD&R.
Omnibus Incentive Plan
In July 2021, in connection with the IPO, Core & Main’s sole stockholder approved and Core & Main’s board of directors adopted the 2021 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Omnibus Incentive Plan”). Under the Omnibus Incentive Plan, 12,600 thousand shares of Class A common stock, plus 634 thousand shares of Class A common stock in respect of stock appreciation rights that were converted from unit appreciation rights of Holdings outstanding prior to the IPO, are reserved for the awards granted and available for future issuances.
Restricted Stock Units
A summary of the restricted stock units granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plan is presented below (shares in thousands):
| Number of Shares | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value | ||||||||||
Outstanding and Unvested as of January 29, 2023 | 249 | $ | 21.84 | ||||||||
| Granted | 223 | 23.88 | |||||||||
| Distributed | (108) | 21.89 | |||||||||
| Forfeited | (5) | 21.18 | |||||||||
Outstanding and Unvested as of January 28, 2024 | 359 | $ | 23.10 | ||||||||
The restricted stock units generally vest over a three-year period. The estimated fair value of the restricted stock units when granted was amortized over the vesting period. The grant date fair value of RSUs was determined based on the price of the Company’s Class A common stock on the grant date.
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Stock Options
A summary of the stock options granted under the Omnibus Incentive Plan is presented below (shares in thousands):
| Number of Shares | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding as of January 29, 2023 | 776 | $ | 20.81 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | 970 | 22.11 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Exercised | (14) | 20.81 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Forfeitures | (12) | 21.25 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding as of January 28, 2024 | 1,720 | $ | 21.54 | 8.7 | $ | 33 | |||||||||||||||||
Exercisable as of January 28, 2024 | 256 | $ | 20.83 | 8.1 | $ | 5 | |||||||||||||||||
The stock options generally vest over a three-year period and expire after ten years. The estimated grant-date fair value of stock options when granted was amortized to expense over the vesting period. The fair value for these stock options was estimated by management, after considering a third-party valuation specialist’s assessment, at the date of grant based on the expected life of the stock options, using a Black-Scholes pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
| January 28, 2024 | January 29, 2023 | ||||||||||
| Risk-free interest rate | 3.87% | 1.85% | |||||||||
| Dividend yield | 2.0% | —% | |||||||||
| Expected volatility factor | 40% | 40% | |||||||||
| Expected life in years | 6.0 | 6.0 | |||||||||
| Weighted-average fair value | $ | 8.06 | $ | 8.55 | |||||||
The risk free interest rate was determined based on an analysis of U.S. Treasury zero-coupon market yields as of the date of the stock options grant for issues having expiration lives similar to the expected life of the stock options. The expected volatility was based on an analysis of the historical volatility of a peer group over the expected life of the stock options. The expected term in years for each stock option was calculated using a simplified method based on the average of each option’s vesting term of three years and contractual term of ten years.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In July 2021, Core & Main’s sole stockholder approved and Core & Main’s board of directors adopted the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). Under the ESPP, 2,500 thousand shares of Class A common stock are reserved and available for future purchase. For fiscal 2023, 108 thousand shares of Class A common shares were purchased under the ESPP at a weighted-average price of $33.28 per share, resulting in cash proceeds of approximately $3 million. For fiscal 2022, 92 thousand shares of Class A common shares were purchased under the ESPP at a weighted-average price of $18.35 per share, resulting in cash proceeds of approximately $1 million.
Compensation Expense
The Company evaluated the conversions of the profits units and unit appreciation rights as part of the Reorganization Transactions and concluded that each represented an accounting modification of the original awards. As such, the Company is required to recognize the incremental fair value immediately after each modification compared with immediately before as additional compensation expense. Incremental compensation expense for awards that were vested as of the Reorganization Transactions were recognized immediately and expense for unvested awards will be recognized over the remaining service period. The Company recognized compensation expense of $10 million, $11 million and $25 million during fiscal 2023, fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, respectively. As of January 28, 2024, the unrecognized share based compensation was $13 million which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.9 years.
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Employee Benefit Plans
The Company offers a comprehensive Health & Welfare Benefits Program (the “Program”) which allows employees who satisfy certain eligibility requirements to choose among different levels and types of coverage. The Program provides employees healthcare coverage in which the employer and employee share costs. In addition, the Program offers employees the opportunity to participate in various voluntary coverages, including flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts. The Company maintains a 401(k) defined contribution plan that is qualified under Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. Employees of the Company who satisfy the plan’s eligibility requirements may elect to contribute a portion of their compensation to the plan on a pre-tax basis. The Company may match a percentage of the employees’ contributions to the plan based on eligible compensation deferred. Matching contributions are generally made shortly after the end of each pay period. The Company recorded expenses of $12 million, $11 million and $9 million related to matching contributions during fiscal 2023, fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, respectively.
14) RELATED PARTIES
Tax Receivable Agreements
In connection with the Reorganization Transactions, Core & Main entered into the Former Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement with the Former Limited Partners and the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement with the Continuing Limited Partners. See further discussion in Note 1 and Note 7.
Master Reorganization Agreement
In connection with the Reorganization Transactions, Core & Main entered into the Master Reorganization Agreement as further described in Note 1. Pursuant to the Master Reorganization Agreement, the Former Limited Partners received Partnership Interests in exchange for their indirect ownership interests in Holdings and exchanged these Partnership Interests for shares of Class A common stock of Core & Main prior to the consummation of the IPO.
Exchange Agreement
In connection with the Reorganization Transactions, Core & Main entered into the Exchange Agreement as further described in Note 2. Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, the Continuing Limited Partners (or their permitted transferees) will have the right, subject to the terms of the Exchange Agreement, to exchange their Partnership Interests, together with the retirement of a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock, for shares of Class A common stock generally on a one-for-one basis or for cash in limited circumstances as specified in the Exchange Agreement. Holders of Partnership Interests will not have the right to exchange Partnership Interests if Core & Main determines that such exchange would be prohibited by law or regulation or would violate other agreements with Core & Main or its subsidiaries to which the holder of Partnership Interests may be subject. Core & Main may also refuse to honor any request to effect an exchange if it determines such exchange would pose a material risk that Holdings would be treated as a “publicly traded partnership” for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Continuing Limited Partners are generally permitted to exchange Partnership Interests, subject to the terms of the Exchange Agreement.
The Exchange Agreement also provides that, in connection with any such exchange, to the extent that Holdings has, since consummation of the Reorganization Transactions and the IPO, made distributions to the applicable Continuing Limited Partner that are proportionately lesser or greater than the distributions made to Core & Main, on a pro rata basis, the number of shares of Class A common stock to be issued or cash to be paid to such Continuing Limited Partner will be adjusted to take into account the amount of such discrepancy that is allocable to the Partnership Interests, and Class B common stock, subject to such exchange. As of January 28, 2024, the Company had a shareholder receivables of $10 million recorded within additional paid in capital related to distributions in excess of shareholders’ pro rata share. Core & Main expects to cause Holdings to make distributions to its partners in such a manner as generally to limit increases to the number of shares of Class A common stock to be issued or cash to be paid to exchanging Continuing Limited Partners in connection with the adjustment described in the preceding sentence.
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15) SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On February 9, 2024, Core & Main LP entered into a new $750 million incremental seven-year term loan (the “2031 Senior Term Loan”), which matures on February 9, 2031. The 2031 Senior Term Loan requires quarterly principal payments, payable on the last business day of each fiscal quarter in an amount equal to approximately 0.25% of the original principal amount of the 2031 Senior Term Loan. The remaining balance is payable upon final maturity of the 2031 Senior Term Loan on February 9, 2031. The 2031 Senior Term Loan bears interest at a rate equal to (i) Term SOFR plus, in each case, an applicable margin of 2.25% or (ii) an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin of 1.25%. The 2031 Senior Term Loan is subject to a Term SOFR “floor” of 0.00%.
On February 9, 2024, Core & Main LP amended the terms of the credit agreement governing the Senior ABL Credit Facility (as amended, the “New Senior ABL Credit Facility”) in order to, among other things, extend the maturity of the Senior ABL Credit Facility from July 27, 2026 to February 9, 2029 and amend the credit agreement governing the New Senior ABL Credit Facility to the extent necessary or appropriate to reflect the extension of the amended maturity.
On February 12, 2024, Core & Main LP entered into an instrument pursuant to which it will make payments to a third party based upon a fixed interest rate of 3.913% and receive payments based upon the one-month Term SOFR rate. The interest rate swap has a starting notional amount of $750 million that increases to $1,500 million on July 27, 2026 through the instrument maturity on July 27, 2028. The instrument is intended to reduce the Company’s exposure to variable interest rates under the 2031 Senior Term Loan.
Subsequent to January 28, 2024, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of Dana Kepner Company LLC and associated entities. (“Dana Kepner”) and acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Eastern Supply Inc. and a related entity (“Eastern Supply”) in transactions with an aggregate transaction value of $548 million, subject to working capital adjustments (the “Fiscal 2024 Acquisitions”). Dana Kepner has twenty-one locations and is a distributor of water, wastewater, storm drainage, and geotextile products, along with specialty tools and accessories. Eastern Supply has two branches and is a distributor of a broad range of storm drainage products, with custom fabrication capabilities. Given the recent closure of the Fiscal 2024 acquisitions, the preliminary purchase price allocation is not available as of the issuance date, however is expected to primarily be ascribed to customer relationships, working capital, and fixed assets with the residual balance going to goodwill.
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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosures
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our periodic and current reports under the Exchange Act that we file with the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer), evaluated, as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) concluded that, as of January 28, 2024, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. As of January 28, 2024, management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based upon the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Based on management’s assessment utilizing these criteria, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as of January 28, 2024, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in its report, which is included in Part II, Item 8: “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, believes that our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and are effective at the reasonable assurance level. However, our management does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost–effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
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Item 9B. Other Information
Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K requires the Company to disclose whether any of its directors or officers have adopted or terminated (i) any trading arrangement that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c); and/or (ii) any written trading arrangement that meets the requirements of a “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” as defined in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K. During the quarter ended January 28, 2024, the following activity occurred requiring disclosure under Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.
Mark G. Whittenburg, General Counsel and Secretary, adopted a new trading arrangement on December 19, 2023 providing for the sale of up to 100,000 aggregate shares of the Company’s Class A common stock between March 19, 2024 and September 19, 2024.
John W. Stephens, Vice President, Corporate Controller, adopted a new trading arrangement on December 19, 2023 providing for the sale of up to 30,000 aggregate shares of the Company’s Class A common stock between March 19, 2024 and September 19, 2024.
Mark R. Witkowski, Chief Financial Officer, adopted a new trading arrangement on December 20, 2023 providing for the sale of up to 100,000 aggregate shares of the Company’s Class A common stock between April 8, 2024 and October 8, 2024.
Each of the above trading arrangements is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act and the Company’s Policy on Trading in Securities.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdiction that Prevent Inspections
None.
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Part III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Certain information with respect to this Item will be set forth in the definitive proxy statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “2024 Proxy Statement”), which will be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after January 28, 2024 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Certain information with respect to this Item will be set forth in our 2024 Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after January 28, 2024 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Certain information with respect to this Item will be set forth in our 2024 Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after January 28, 2024 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions, and Director Independence
Certain information with respect to this Item will be set forth in our 2024 Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after January 28, 2024 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Certain information with respect to this Item will be set forth in our 2024 Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after January 28, 2024 and is incorporated herein by reference.
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Part IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
1. Consolidated Financial Statements
Our consolidated financial statements are included in Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
2. Financial Statement Schedules
None. Schedules not included have been omitted because they are not applicable or not material or the required information is shown in Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
3. Exhibits
(b) The documents listed in the Exhibit Index of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are filed, furnished, or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, in each case as indicated therein (numbered in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K).
Exhibit Number | Description | |||||||
| 2.1 | ||||||||
| 3.1 | ||||||||
| 3.2 | ||||||||
| 4.1 | ||||||||
| 10.1.1 | ||||||||
| 10.1.2 | ||||||||
| 10.1.3 | ||||||||
| 10.1.4 | ||||||||
| 10.1.5 | ||||||||
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10.14† | ||||||||
10.15† | ||||||||
10.16† | ||||||||
10.17† | ||||||||
10.18† | ||||||||
10.19† | ||||||||
10.20† | ||||||||
10.21 | ||||||||
10.22† | ||||||||
10.23† | ||||||||
10.24† | ||||||||
10.25† | ||||||||
10.26† | ||||||||
10.27† | ||||||||
10.28* | ||||||||
10.29 | ||||||||
10.30* | ||||||||
10.31* | ||||||||
10.32* | ||||||||
10.33* | ||||||||
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| 21.1 | ||||||||
| 23.1* | ||||||||
31.1* | ||||||||
31.2* | ||||||||
32.1** | ||||||||
32.2** | ||||||||
97.1* | ||||||||
101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.* | |||||||
101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.* | |||||||
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.* | |||||||
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.* | |||||||
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.* | |||||||
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.* | |||||||
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).* | |||||||
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith.
† | Identifies each management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. | ||||
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: March 19, 2024 | CORE & MAIN, INC. | |||||||
| By: | /s/ Stephen O. LeClair | |||||||
| Name: Stephen O. LeClair | ||||||||
Title: Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board | ||||||||
| (Principal Executive Officer) | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ Mark R. Witkowski | |||||||
| Name: Mark R. Witkowski | ||||||||
| Title: Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
| (Principal Financial Officer) | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ John W. Stephens | |||||||
| Name: John W. Stephens | ||||||||
| Title: Vice President, Corporate Controller | ||||||||
| (Principal Accounting Officer) | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ Bhavani Amirthalingam | |||||||
| Name: Bhavani Amirthalingam | ||||||||
| Title: Director | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ Robert M. Buck | |||||||
| Name: Robert M. Buck | ||||||||
| Title: Director | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ James G. Castellano | |||||||
| Name: James G. Castellano | ||||||||
| Title: Director | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ Dennis G. Gipson | |||||||
| Name: Dennis G. Gipson | ||||||||
| Title: Director | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ Orvin T. Kimbrough | |||||||
| Name: Orvin T. Kimbrough | ||||||||
| Title: Director | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ Kathleen M. Mazzarella | |||||||
| Name: Kathleen M. Mazzarella | ||||||||
| Title: Director | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ Margaret M. Newman | |||||||
| Name: Margaret M. Newman | ||||||||
| Title: Director | ||||||||
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