ASCENT INDUSTRIES CO. 10-Q

Item 1A. Risk Factors There were no material changes in our assessment of risk factors as discussed in Part I, Item 1A in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, except for the addition of the following risk factors: If we do not successfully manage the transitions associated with the election of three new members of our Board of Directors, the appointment of a new Chairman of the Board, the retirement of our Chief Executive Officer and appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer and a new Chief Financial Officer, it could have an adverse impact on our business operations, including our internal controls over financial reporting, as well as be viewed negatively by our customers and shareholders. On June 30, 2020, the Company appointed Sally M. Cunningham Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective June 30, 2020 after the resignation of Dennis M. Loughran. In addition, on July 7, 2020, the Company announced the election of three new members of the Board of Directors at the 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. On July 9, 2020, the Company's Board of Directors elected Henry L. Guy as Chairman of the Board of Directors. On October 27, 2020, the Company announced the retirement of Craig C. Bram, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and member of the Company's Board of Directors, effective November 9, 2020. On October 27, 2020, the Company announced the appointment of Christopher G. Hutter, a member of the Company's Board of Directors, as interim President and Chief Executive Officer, effective November 9, 2020. Such leadership transitions can be inherently difficult to manage, and an inadequate transition may cause disruption to our business, including our relationships with customers, suppliers, vendors, and employees. It may also make it more difficult to hire and retain key employees. An impairment in the carrying value of our fixed assets, intangible assets, or goodwill could adversely affect our financial condition and Consolidated Results of Operations. Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of identified net assets of businesses acquired. We review goodwill for impairment annually, or whenever circumstances change in a way which could indicate that impairment may have occurred. Goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level. We identify potential goodwill impairments by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying amount, which includes goodwill and other intangible assets. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value, an impairment exists. The amount of the impairment is the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value. A significant amount of judgment is involved in determining if an indication of impairment exists. Factors may include, among others: a significant decline in our expected future cash flows; a sustained, significant decline in our stock price and market capitalization; a significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate; unanticipated competition; the testing for recoverability of a significant asset group within a reporting unit; and slower growth rates. Any adverse change in these factors would have a significant impact on the recoverability of these assets and negatively affect our financial condition and consolidated results of operations. We are required to record a non-cash impairment charge if the testing performed indicates that goodwill has been impaired. We evaluate the useful lives of our fixed assets and intangible assets to determine if they are definite or indefinite-lived. Reaching a determination on useful life requires significant judgments and assumptions regarding the lease term, future effects of obsolescence, demand, competition, other economic factors (such as the stability of the industry, legislative action that results in an uncertain or changing regulatory environment, and expected changes in distribution channels), the level of required maintenance expenditures and the expected lives of other related groups of assets. We cannot accurately predict the amount and timing of any impairment of assets. Should the value of goodwill, fixed assets or intangible assets become impaired, there could be an adverse effect on our financial condition and consolidated results of operations. 37 Our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may be adversely affected by global public health epidemics and pandemics, including the recent COVID-19 outbreak. Our business and operations expose us to risks associated with global health epidemics or pandemics, such as the recent outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) which has spread from China to many other countries including the United States. The outbreak has resulted in governments around the world implementing increasingly stringent measures to help the control of the spread of the virus, including quarantines, "shelter in place" and "stay at home" orders, travel restrictions, business curtailments, and school closures among others. The President of the United States has declared the COVID-19 outbreak a national emergency and the Federal Reserve has enacted fiscal and monetary stimulus measures to counteract the impacts of COVID-19. We are a company operating in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Consistent with federal guidelines and with state and local orders to date, we currently continue to operate across our business footprint. Notwithstanding our continued operations, COVID-19 has begun to have and may have additional negative impacts on our operations and customers, which may compress our margins, including as a result of preventative and precautionary measures that we, other businesses, and governments are taking. Any resulting economic downturn could adversely affect the demand for our products and contribute to volatile supply and demand conditions affecting prices and volumes in the markets for our products and raw materials. The continued progression of the outbreak could also negatively impact our business or results of operations through the temporary closure or suspension of manufacturing operations at our operating locations or those of our customers or suppliers. In addition, the ability of our employees to work may be significantly impacted by individuals contracting or being exposed to COVID-19, and as a result, may impact our production throughout our supply chain and constrict sales channels. Our customers may be directly impacted by business curtailments or weak market conditions and may not be able to fulfill their contractual obligations. Our bank credit agreement requires that we maintain certain financial and other covenants. Events resulting from the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak may negatively affect our ability to comply with these covenants, which could lead us to seek amendment or waivers from our lenders, limit access to or require accelerated repayment of our existing credit facilities, or require us to pursue alternative financing arrangements. We have no assurance that any alternative financing arrangements, if required, could be obtained at acceptable terms to us, or at all, given effects of the financial markets at such time. The extent to which the COVID-19 outbreak may adversely affect our business depends on future developments, which are highly uncertain and unpredictable, including new information about the severity of the outbreak and the effectiveness of actions to contain or mitigate its effects. As such, the related financial impacts cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. Our business could be negatively affected as a result of actions of activist shareholders. From time to time, we may be subject to proposals by shareholders urging us to take certain corporate actions. If activist shareholder activities ensue, our business could be adversely impacted because (i) responding to actions by activist shareholders can be costly and time-consuming, and divert the attention of our management and employees; (ii) perceived uncertainties as to our future direction may result in the loss of potential business opportunities, and may make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified personnel and business partners; and (iii) pursuit of an activist shareholder's agenda may adversely affect our ability to effectively implement our business strategy and create additional value for our shareholders. Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds None. Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities None. Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures None.